Physical-force Irish Republicanism to sounds of the Dropkick Murphys
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Politics of Popular Music- Mexican Immigration
I've never thought the White Stripes to be political musicians- and I'm not suggesting they are- but I really dig this verse from their new single 'Icky Thump.'
Well, Americans:
What, nothin' better to do?
Why don't you kick yourself out?
You're an immigrant too.
Who's usin' who?
What should we do?
Well you can't be a pimp
And a prostitute too
Friday, June 22, 2007
Christian 'punk' at it's worst
This a video by Christian 'punk' band Hawk Nelson. I've provided the lyrics below. Is it me, or is it troubling when the chorus of a 'punk' song speaks out against same-sex marriage. Oh, and fellas, in a presidential system, there is no parliament. If you had the guts to write said letter to the president, you'd want him to send it to Congress and the Senate. If you were smart, you'd just lobby them yourself.
If I was brave I'd write a letter to the president
And have him pass it to the leaders of our parliament
But for now I won't say nothing
From all the kids who would stand in my residence
Who see this letter as a statement of our innocence
But for now I won't say nothing
Now that we're older a brand new story unfolds
About God and the laws that we've always been told
And there's a lot of things I wanted to say
But never got a change to find a way
Same-sex marriage in a state where they don't care
Murder is wrong but the jail time's not fair
Not to mention date rape, felony and car theft
Break it down and tell me what we've got left
I am a working-class warrior...
Via Uncorrected Proofs, via Nag on the Lake, I've 'discovered' that I'm a working-class warrior. No real surprise there. Sadly, the test determines what kind of liberal I am. The correct answer would actually read 'none of the above; socialist.' Regardless, being a 'working-class warrior' suits me just fine.
5. You are a Working Class Warrior, also known as a blue-collar Democrat. You believe that the little guy is getting screwed by conservative greed-mongers and corporate criminals, and you’re not going to take it anymore.
Take the test for yourself
http://www.fightconservatives.com/Inside-the-Book/What-Breed-of-Liberal-Are-You.html
5. You are a Working Class Warrior, also known as a blue-collar Democrat. You believe that the little guy is getting screwed by conservative greed-mongers and corporate criminals, and you’re not going to take it anymore.
Take the test for yourself
http://www.fightconservatives.com/Inside-the-Book/What-Breed-of-Liberal-Are-You.html
Monday, June 18, 2007
Sudbury bank workers set to strike
With a mother employer in the virtually un-organized banking sector, I was intrigued to hear that workers at Sudbury area TD Canada Trust branches- members of the USW- are set to hit the picket line.
Maybe there is hope...
Maybe there is hope...
NASCAR and Canadian Voters
American politicians routinely try and persuade the NASCAR demographic to vote for them; it appears that the federal Tories are trying to do the same.
To this end, they've recently sponsored a car in the Canadian NASCAR circuit with a big blue 'C' on the hood.
The NDP, who has opposed the car sponsorship, has come under attack from the Tories. Their opposition comes, in part, due to the fact that these cars use up 125 gallons of leaded fuel during a single race. The Tories argue that by not supporting auto-racing, a genuinely working-class activity, the NDP are alienating their own constituents, especially automotive workers.
By the way, the car is driven by Pierre Bourque, whose popular Internet news aggregator sells torqued headlines to political operatives.
To this end, they've recently sponsored a car in the Canadian NASCAR circuit with a big blue 'C' on the hood.
“This is a unique opportunity for the Conservative party to reach out to Canadians,” Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said in a release.
NASCAR has a big middle-class fan base that the Tories want to get their message out to.
Immigration Minister Diane Finley says sponsoring a car is a way for the Conservatives to tap into that following.
“The people who follow NASCAR are our kind of people. They’re hard-working families, they’re taxpayers who play by the rules. And those are the people that we’re targeting,” Finley told the Globe and Mail newspaper.
The NDP, who has opposed the car sponsorship, has come under attack from the Tories. Their opposition comes, in part, due to the fact that these cars use up 125 gallons of leaded fuel during a single race. The Tories argue that by not supporting auto-racing, a genuinely working-class activity, the NDP are alienating their own constituents, especially automotive workers.
Ryan Sparrow, a spokesman for the Conservative party, said New Democrats will have to answer to automotive workers for their criticism of motor sports.
“They’re casting doubt on the whole sport,” said Sparrow.
By the way, the car is driven by Pierre Bourque, whose popular Internet news aggregator sells torqued headlines to political operatives.
The new leader of the Ontario NDP is....
You be the judge....
My good friend over at UncorrectedProofs has started a pool to see who bloggers would like to become the next leader of the Ontario NDP should Howard Hampton resign (and I've got my fingers crossed he does).
He's following up on this Ian Urquhart editorial, in which Irquhart speculates on who could be a viable replacement for ol' Howie.
Now I've never been a big Hampton fan, so I'm glad to see that his possible resignation is being openly discussed.
Personally, I cast my vote for Sid Ryan (and am so far the only one to do so), but that was mainly because with Ryan out of the picture, my chances of becoming president of CUPE Ontario increase dramatically.
My good friend over at UncorrectedProofs has started a pool to see who bloggers would like to become the next leader of the Ontario NDP should Howard Hampton resign (and I've got my fingers crossed he does).
He's following up on this Ian Urquhart editorial, in which Irquhart speculates on who could be a viable replacement for ol' Howie.
Now I've never been a big Hampton fan, so I'm glad to see that his possible resignation is being openly discussed.
Personally, I cast my vote for Sid Ryan (and am so far the only one to do so), but that was mainly because with Ryan out of the picture, my chances of becoming president of CUPE Ontario increase dramatically.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
How Kuchinch can become president!
It actually wouldn't be that hard....provided he faced off against Duncan Hunter.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Attack in Black
I was recently asked if Welland's favorite punk band- Attack in Black- were socialists? I can't say for sure, so I'll let you be the judge...
Halogen Ambush
We live our lives so proud of nothing
Nothing like the stillness in the air
We're losing everything we've worked for
And soon there will be nothing left to share
Do we still care?
Cut them out before they settle down
Do we have the will to make a change for the better?
Their crusade has spread through every town
Do we have a thing to call our own?
This is our home
Our labour soon becomes their profits
We let them in and now we can't get out
One soul is lost with every clock tick
It's time to take a stand 'cause this won't end until we join and shout to get them out!
Take em' down before they do it again
What was ours have all been taken
They are striking hard and they refuse to amend
All the lies they used to fake it
Take em' down before they do it again
Halogen Ambush
We live our lives so proud of nothing
Nothing like the stillness in the air
We're losing everything we've worked for
And soon there will be nothing left to share
Do we still care?
Cut them out before they settle down
Do we have the will to make a change for the better?
Their crusade has spread through every town
Do we have a thing to call our own?
This is our home
Our labour soon becomes their profits
We let them in and now we can't get out
One soul is lost with every clock tick
It's time to take a stand 'cause this won't end until we join and shout to get them out!
Take em' down before they do it again
What was ours have all been taken
They are striking hard and they refuse to amend
All the lies they used to fake it
Take em' down before they do it again
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Working Class Punk Music
Check out Welland, Ontario's Attack in Black. I'll be seeing these guys open for the Weakerthans next week.
The sound on this video isn't exceptional...
Crazy Woman vs. Bus full of school kids- Round 1
I normally blog only about politics, and never write about my day-to-day life. However, with this story, I just couldn't refuse.
I was driving home this afternoon when I stopped at a red light. Beside me in the left turning lane was a school bus full of elementary aged school kids, and in front of me was a woman in a Toyota. The Toyota and I were both to go straight through the intersection.
All of a sudden I see the woman with her hand out the window pointing at the bus door. The door opens, and a discussion occurs. The door closes. She continues, the door re-opens, and the discussion continues. I couldn't hear what was occuring. The door opened and closed a few more times until the woman got out of the car, and hopped into the bus. She then stormed to the back.
The bus windows were open, as were mine. I turned down the radio. The woman begins:
"Who the hell threw the tomato at my car? CONFESS!"
"One of you knows who threw the tomato...CONFESS!"
"I know someone saw- who the HELL threw that tomato?"
Dead silence on the bus.
"Who the HELL threw the tomato at my car? Tell me!"
She then stormed out, and into her car. Meanwhile, I had missed two green lights being stuck behind her empty car with no where for me to go. As the advanced green comes on and the bus began to lurch forward, the lady steps on it, swerves in front of the bus and goes left. I drove through straight.
Don't be surprised if tomorrow's Standard headline is "Woman takes bus hostage."
To be clear, I saw no tomato leave the bus, though I'm not denying that one was thrown.
I was driving home this afternoon when I stopped at a red light. Beside me in the left turning lane was a school bus full of elementary aged school kids, and in front of me was a woman in a Toyota. The Toyota and I were both to go straight through the intersection.
All of a sudden I see the woman with her hand out the window pointing at the bus door. The door opens, and a discussion occurs. The door closes. She continues, the door re-opens, and the discussion continues. I couldn't hear what was occuring. The door opened and closed a few more times until the woman got out of the car, and hopped into the bus. She then stormed to the back.
The bus windows were open, as were mine. I turned down the radio. The woman begins:
"Who the hell threw the tomato at my car? CONFESS!"
"One of you knows who threw the tomato...CONFESS!"
"I know someone saw- who the HELL threw that tomato?"
Dead silence on the bus.
"Who the HELL threw the tomato at my car? Tell me!"
She then stormed out, and into her car. Meanwhile, I had missed two green lights being stuck behind her empty car with no where for me to go. As the advanced green comes on and the bus began to lurch forward, the lady steps on it, swerves in front of the bus and goes left. I drove through straight.
Don't be surprised if tomorrow's Standard headline is "Woman takes bus hostage."
To be clear, I saw no tomato leave the bus, though I'm not denying that one was thrown.
Buy tickets for a NHL team that doesn't exist
If you have $500 (upper bowl), $1000 (lower bowl), or $5000 (suite) to blow, you can be among the first to buy tickets for the NHL in Hamilton. Currently, the Hamilton NHL team plays in Nashville, and will for quite some time.
You know you're bourgoisie when....
Also, the guy that is selling the tickets doesn't actually own the team.
You know you're bourgoisie when....
Also, the guy that is selling the tickets doesn't actually own the team.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
It's women's own fault they're earning less?
Earlier today I reported on this story, which detailed the fact that despite women's increase in obtaining university degrees, the 'gender gap' still exists. This gap sees women being paid, on average, significantly less than men.
Later on, I was flipping through the television when I saw the same story being reported on CTV. I have a keen interest in women's issues, so I decided to watch. The guest- and there was only one- was Barbara Jaworski from The Workplace Institute. Needless to say, I was surprised at what she was saying.
Apparently it's the fault of women that they are making less then men. After all, they have made the choice to go study fields that have fewer lucrative career opportunities such as social work and education. If they were smart- it was implied- they would have gone into engineering, business, or the natural sciences.
The guest concluded by saying that these women had failed to make 'astute choices' upon their entrance into the workplace.
Liberalism- and liberals- sicken me.
Later on, I was flipping through the television when I saw the same story being reported on CTV. I have a keen interest in women's issues, so I decided to watch. The guest- and there was only one- was Barbara Jaworski from The Workplace Institute. Needless to say, I was surprised at what she was saying.
Apparently it's the fault of women that they are making less then men. After all, they have made the choice to go study fields that have fewer lucrative career opportunities such as social work and education. If they were smart- it was implied- they would have gone into engineering, business, or the natural sciences.
The guest concluded by saying that these women had failed to make 'astute choices' upon their entrance into the workplace.
Liberalism- and liberals- sicken me.
Ontario election 2007 kickoff
Different country, different language, different leader...same old Liberals.
Ontario is not for sale, stop the demolition.
Liberate us from the Liberals.
More accusations of Liberal corruption in Quebec
Who would have thought it?
Lise Thibault, former Lieutenant Governor of Quebec, is the subject of an audit that found $700 000 in questionable spending. Thibault was appointed in 1997 on the advice of then Prime Minister Jean Chretien.
Lise Thibault, former Lieutenant Governor of Quebec, is the subject of an audit that found $700 000 in questionable spending. Thibault was appointed in 1997 on the advice of then Prime Minister Jean Chretien.
More reasons for women to join unions
Statistics Canada has found that while the proportion of women with university degrees is growing substantially, the gendered pay gap that negatively affects women workers still exists, and isn't shrinking fast enough.
Luckily for women workers, unions are now operating under, or striving to operate under, the basis of equal pay for work of equal value. Most collective agreements don't distnguish between men and women.
While more Canadian women hold university degrees than men, they continue to earn less money.
Statistics Canada released figures Tuesday showing that between 1991 and 2001, the proportion women aged 25 to 29 holding a university degree rose by more than half from 21 per cent to 34 per cent. During the same period, the number of young men holding a degree increased at a considerably slower pace, to 21 per cent from 16 per cent.
Despite the fact that more women have a university education, which generally leads to higher earnings, the wage gap between genders shrank by just two per cent over the 10 years.
In 1991, women earned 20 per cent less than men; by 2001, the gap had narrowed only slightly, to 18 per cent. Statistics Canada attributes the decline to the growing number of female degree-holders.
Luckily for women workers, unions are now operating under, or striving to operate under, the basis of equal pay for work of equal value. Most collective agreements don't distnguish between men and women.
And you thought your boss was a jerk...
I hope my employer doesn't get any ideas...
Sixteen closed-circuit television cameras were installed recently to improve security in northeastern Terengganu state's main government complex, but they serve the additional purpose of keeping tabs on some 1,000 workers there, said Terengganu State Secretary Mokhtar Nong.
"The main purpose is for security but at the same time, we can also monitor the movement of the staff," Mokhtar, the state's top bureaucrat, told The Associated Press.
"We would know if they are adhering to office etiquette or playing truant, and we can also gauge if they are disciplined at work. We want to improve the work culture and train civil servants to be more disciplined."
Another 26 cameras will be set up by early July, he said.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Anti-Scab Legislation in Newfoundland and Labrador gains momentum
As I reported here, the government of Newfoundland and Labrador is exploring the possibility of passing anti-scab legislation in the province, in part as a response to the strike at Voisey's Bay mine.
That proposal has gained some momentum here, in Lana Payne's column in the Telegram.
Balance and fairness. It's not a whole lot to ask for.
That proposal has gained some momentum here, in Lana Payne's column in the Telegram.
Therefore, like any law, anti-scab legislation is needed to keep the few bad apples from spoiling the entire barrel — from tainting what has been a decent labour-relations climate, a good place to do business. A ban on replacement workers will not, as Tucker claims, give more power to unions.
The province’s employers council is supporting and condoning the actions of a tiny number of rogue employers that do not want to bargain fairly, and that have no respect for the rights of unions and working people to organize and collectively bargain. This is exactly the case in Voisey’s Bay. The workers have been on strike since mid-April, and if research and history tell us anything, when replacement workers are used, strikes are often prolonged, nasty affairs. It is time to take on the rogue employers. The provincial government must ask itself if it is going to allow a few irresponsible employers to sully a stable labour-relations climate.
Balance and fairness. It's not a whole lot to ask for.
Niagara Hotel Workers Rising!
Demand Justice!
Niagara’s Hotel Workers Deserve Better
David Mcintosh, a UNITE HERE activist at CNH, was suspended for
three days, in part, for speaking at a union rally on his day off.
Saturday, June 16
Niagara Falls
Rally and march at 2:00 PM
Meet at the corner of Dixon St and Cleveland Ave
Social to follow at 4:00 PM At Legion #479 Spring St at Gladstone Ave
Hosted by UNITE HERE Local 210C
Buses to Depart after social (approx 5:30 pm)
Let us know you’re coming! Reserve your bus seat today!
Check out www.niagarahotelworkers.ca or email eclarke@unitehere.ca
Talk to your UNITE HERE rep or call Ethan Clarke at 905-354-2027 ext. 312
for more information.
Bus Pick-up Locations and Departure Times:
Toronto
12:00 – Yorkdale Mall (Sears entrance, across from Dufferin)
Hamilton
1:00 – Coppley’s (56 York Blvd)
Midland & Brampton/Mississauga
11:20 – Midland: Huronia Mall (Highway 93)
12:30 – B/M: The Temple (Dixie and Derry rd E)
Guelph
12:20 -- Stone Rd Mall
12:30 -- Hwy 6 South Carpool (at 401)
Download posters to post in your workplace or show to
friends and family.
Justice For Niagara’s Hotel Workers
Because our Community Deserves Better
Behind the natural beauty of the Falls, Niagara’s Hotel Workers are struggling to support their families. Join us as we demand Canadian Niagara Hotels treat us fairly at work. We are fighting the intimidation of our union activists. We want fair and safe workloads and the payment of salary increases. We want better working conditions and standards for all of Niagara Falls’ tourism workers because we know our community does better when we do better.
Background
MICHELLE HEMMINGSON, a UNITE HERE Activist at Canadian Niagara Hotels, is one of a number of union activists who have been discharged by CNH.
Canadian Niagara Hotels (CNH) owns the Sheraton on the Falls, the Brock Plaza Hotel and the Skyline Inn in the Clifton Hill neighborhood of Niagara Falls, Ontario.
The hotels have been unionized for over 60 years and were purchased in 1993 by Dino DiCienzo and his company Canadian Niagara Hotels.
Since then union/management relationships have been difficult. UNITE HERE has been fighting to uphold basic parts of the collective agreement.
What are some of the current issues?
CNH has not paid the 3% salary increase for January 2007 called for in the collective agreement to staff working in the banquet services department.
CNH is using a private prosecution to charge UNITE HERE Canadian Co-Director Alex Dagg, well-known actor Danny Glover and Ontario Federation of Labour President Wayne Samuelson for entering one of their hotels during a union rally and asking for a meeting with management.
CNH has not paid the $100 bonus to each staff as called for in the collective agreement
CNH continues to pressure workers into giving away their right to 8-hour shifts through the use of split shifts. This can lead to a reduction in pay of up to $480 per month.
The numbers speak for themselves
Number of members in the bargaining committee in 2005: 5
Number of bargaining committee members still working in union positions at the hotel today: 1
Fraction of Joint Health and Safety union activists fired in the last two years: 2/3
Number of health and safety activists in the last four years who still work at CNH: 0
Percentage of tourism industry employees that are unionized in Niagara Falls: 6%
What we need to make our jobs better and support our families
Canadian Niagara Hotels must abide by all parts of the contract and drop its private prosecution of our union’s leaders, allies and staff.
Expectations for service sector jobs in Niagara Falls must rise to meet the standard in other world class tourist destinations.
Niagara Falls City Council has taken an interest in labour relations at the casino. They should take a look at the labour relations in the hotels that surround the casino.
Niagara’s Hotel Workers Deserve Better
David Mcintosh, a UNITE HERE activist at CNH, was suspended for
three days, in part, for speaking at a union rally on his day off.
Saturday, June 16
Niagara Falls
Rally and march at 2:00 PM
Meet at the corner of Dixon St and Cleveland Ave
Social to follow at 4:00 PM At Legion #479 Spring St at Gladstone Ave
Hosted by UNITE HERE Local 210C
Buses to Depart after social (approx 5:30 pm)
Let us know you’re coming! Reserve your bus seat today!
Check out www.niagarahotelworkers.ca or email eclarke@unitehere.ca
Talk to your UNITE HERE rep or call Ethan Clarke at 905-354-2027 ext. 312
for more information.
Bus Pick-up Locations and Departure Times:
Toronto
12:00 – Yorkdale Mall (Sears entrance, across from Dufferin)
Hamilton
1:00 – Coppley’s (56 York Blvd)
Midland & Brampton/Mississauga
11:20 – Midland: Huronia Mall (Highway 93)
12:30 – B/M: The Temple (Dixie and Derry rd E)
Guelph
12:20 -- Stone Rd Mall
12:30 -- Hwy 6 South Carpool (at 401)
Download posters to post in your workplace or show to
friends and family.
Justice For Niagara’s Hotel Workers
Because our Community Deserves Better
Behind the natural beauty of the Falls, Niagara’s Hotel Workers are struggling to support their families. Join us as we demand Canadian Niagara Hotels treat us fairly at work. We are fighting the intimidation of our union activists. We want fair and safe workloads and the payment of salary increases. We want better working conditions and standards for all of Niagara Falls’ tourism workers because we know our community does better when we do better.
Background
MICHELLE HEMMINGSON, a UNITE HERE Activist at Canadian Niagara Hotels, is one of a number of union activists who have been discharged by CNH.
Canadian Niagara Hotels (CNH) owns the Sheraton on the Falls, the Brock Plaza Hotel and the Skyline Inn in the Clifton Hill neighborhood of Niagara Falls, Ontario.
The hotels have been unionized for over 60 years and were purchased in 1993 by Dino DiCienzo and his company Canadian Niagara Hotels.
Since then union/management relationships have been difficult. UNITE HERE has been fighting to uphold basic parts of the collective agreement.
What are some of the current issues?
CNH has not paid the 3% salary increase for January 2007 called for in the collective agreement to staff working in the banquet services department.
CNH is using a private prosecution to charge UNITE HERE Canadian Co-Director Alex Dagg, well-known actor Danny Glover and Ontario Federation of Labour President Wayne Samuelson for entering one of their hotels during a union rally and asking for a meeting with management.
CNH has not paid the $100 bonus to each staff as called for in the collective agreement
CNH continues to pressure workers into giving away their right to 8-hour shifts through the use of split shifts. This can lead to a reduction in pay of up to $480 per month.
The numbers speak for themselves
Number of members in the bargaining committee in 2005: 5
Number of bargaining committee members still working in union positions at the hotel today: 1
Fraction of Joint Health and Safety union activists fired in the last two years: 2/3
Number of health and safety activists in the last four years who still work at CNH: 0
Percentage of tourism industry employees that are unionized in Niagara Falls: 6%
What we need to make our jobs better and support our families
Canadian Niagara Hotels must abide by all parts of the contract and drop its private prosecution of our union’s leaders, allies and staff.
Expectations for service sector jobs in Niagara Falls must rise to meet the standard in other world class tourist destinations.
Niagara Falls City Council has taken an interest in labour relations at the casino. They should take a look at the labour relations in the hotels that surround the casino.
Them fightin' words...
The debauchery that is the in-fight between the Federal Tories and their provincial counterparts (if such a title is even still appropriate) in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador has seemingly escalatd.
It looks like this one might be decided in the courts...
"This is an argument of fact. While we would prefer to continue talks, we are not willing to leave the accusation out there. Nova Scotia must either act on their accusations or drop them. We will wait and see what they will do." -Harper's press secretary Carolyn Stewart-Olsen
"Normally, I expect that if somebody says you've broken a contract, they're going to follow that up by going to court to make you to abide by that contract. But I don't see that happening. It's an allegation without substance." -Prime Minister Stephen Harper
It looks like this one might be decided in the courts...
"This is an argument of fact. While we would prefer to continue talks, we are not willing to leave the accusation out there. Nova Scotia must either act on their accusations or drop them. We will wait and see what they will do." -Harper's press secretary Carolyn Stewart-Olsen
"Normally, I expect that if somebody says you've broken a contract, they're going to follow that up by going to court to make you to abide by that contract. But I don't see that happening. It's an allegation without substance." -Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Good news for the Bloc (and the NDP too)
Liberal support is pegged in the low teens in Quebec, and Dion is the least popular of all four leaders.
If Marois plays her cards right, the Bloc could make some major gains. Layton is more of a long shot, and I wouldn't hold out for a seat (except perhaps Thomas Mulcair, but even that's not likely). However, the Quebec NDP can only go up, and dropping Liberal and Tory support certianly won't hurt.
If Marois plays her cards right, the Bloc could make some major gains. Layton is more of a long shot, and I wouldn't hold out for a seat (except perhaps Thomas Mulcair, but even that's not likely). However, the Quebec NDP can only go up, and dropping Liberal and Tory support certianly won't hurt.
Don't tread on Canada
Petty nationalism makes me laugh, and this story is just hilarious. Canadian ex-pats and B-list Canadian actors versus the L.A. Dodgers.
"The whole crew went crazy. They sent down three or four security guards, the LAPD. Because, you know, Canadians are such a big threat."
http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/223906
"The whole crew went crazy. They sent down three or four security guards, the LAPD. Because, you know, Canadians are such a big threat."
http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/223906
When a Tory isn't a Tory...
There might be trouble in the waters ahead for the Conservatve ship. Sailing through Atlantic Canada is proving to be quite the challenge for Captain Harper. Following Conservative Premier Danny Williams (Newfoundland and Labrador) encouraging all Canadians to vote anything but Conservative in the upcoming federal election, Nova Scotia's Conservative Premier Rodney MacDonald is encouraging members of the Conservative party to vote against their own party's budget. While Bloc support all but ensures that the budget passes, this most recent development highlights the interworking of intra-party federalism and exposes the internal workings of a supposedly cohesive unit.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2007/06/11/macdonald-budget-070611.html
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2007/06/11/macdonald-budget-070611.html
Friday, June 8, 2007
Collective bargaining recognized by Charter
In a legal victory for unionized Canadaians, the Supreme Court has ruled 6-1 that collective bargaining is protected by the Charter.
This seems to overturn the PIPS case, which denied collective bargaining any legal protection under the Charter.
You can read more here and here.
Needless to say, ensuring that a collective right is consistant with the largely individualistic Charter- especially the right to bargain collectively- is a huge victory.
"...The high court threw out sections of British Columbia's Bill 29, saying they interfere with that process "either by disregarding past processes of collective bargaining, by pre-emptively undermining future processes of collective bargaining, or both."
This seems to overturn the PIPS case, which denied collective bargaining any legal protection under the Charter.
You can read more here and here.
Needless to say, ensuring that a collective right is consistant with the largely individualistic Charter- especially the right to bargain collectively- is a huge victory.
Paris Hilton back to jail
Normally I avoid the whole celebrity blogging deal, but I'm glad to hear that a judge has ordered her back to jail to complete her already reduced sentence. The thought that she would spend 40 days house arrest in a 3, 700 sq. ft home in lieu of a jail sentence is abhorring. She'd be living better than all working-class Americans, and that thought disgusts me.
If Jean-Claude Parrot can spend two months in jail, and Andre Kolompar can spend 70 days behind bars (thanks Howard Hampton), then 23 days of 'hard-time' will do Paris well. Plus, they've already made her jail cell feel more like home. The bars have been painted....
Single, unified, secular education in Ontario
One of my favorite topics is also the topic of Ian Urquhart's Friday column. This is an issue that needs to be addressed, especially since an election is just around the corner.
While this is music to my ears and represents re-creating a practical and fair school system in Ontario, the government plans in ignoring the resolution if it indeed does pass.
Furthermore, the Tory platform, which is slated to come out later this month, is rumoured to include further funding for other faith-based schools.
The unfair funding of Ontario's school system has been condemned by the United Nations and smacks in the face of Canada's supposed multiculturalism. Furthermore, the separation of church and state, which is a long-established political doctrine, is being violated. We need to wake-up and address this issue. A publicly funded, single, unified, and secular education system is the best thing for Ontario's schools and its children. The segregation that currently takes place, and that could very well be heightened, must come to an end.
At their annual meeting today in Huntsville, Ontario's public school boards are scheduled to debate and vote on a resolution to cut off public funding for Catholic schools.
Actually, the resolution, put forward by several boards, calls for "one publicly funded school board system in the province for each of Canada's official languages." But if implemented, it would mean the end of funding for Catholic boards.
While this is music to my ears and represents re-creating a practical and fair school system in Ontario, the government plans in ignoring the resolution if it indeed does pass.
Furthermore, the Tory platform, which is slated to come out later this month, is rumoured to include further funding for other faith-based schools.
The unfair funding of Ontario's school system has been condemned by the United Nations and smacks in the face of Canada's supposed multiculturalism. Furthermore, the separation of church and state, which is a long-established political doctrine, is being violated. We need to wake-up and address this issue. A publicly funded, single, unified, and secular education system is the best thing for Ontario's schools and its children. The segregation that currently takes place, and that could very well be heightened, must come to an end.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Ann Coulter vs. Rage Against the Machine
The Rage guys have all been arrested before, and the Secret Service have textbooks worth of notes on these guys. Next....
Monday, June 4, 2007
Vermont to secede from U.S.A.???
It may not be as wacky as it sounds...
You heard it first from the Daily Dissidence- Howard Dean for the President of Vermont!!!
Disillusioned by what they call an empire about to fall, a small cadre of writers and academics in Vermont want the state to secede from the United States.
The secessionists hope to put the question before citizens in March. Eventually, they want to persuade state legislators to declare independence, returning Vermont to the status it held from 1777 to 1791.
"People would obviously relish coming to the Republic of Vermont, the Switzerland of North America," said Frank Bryan, a professor at the University of Vermont .
"Christ, you couldn't keep them away."
You heard it first from the Daily Dissidence- Howard Dean for the President of Vermont!!!
American Presidential Hopefuls and Reproductive Rights
NARAL Pro-Choice America has complied this report card on 2008 American Presidential candidates based upon their voting records in regards reproductive rights. Not surprisingly, you'll notice a trend whereby Democrats are vocal supporters of a woman's inherent right to choose, while Republicans decline to comment to the NARAL survey. However, if you click on their names, their voting records and statements made to other audiences are listed. In fact, many Republican candidates openly support overturning Roe v. Wade.
Campaign Financing in Vaughan
I have a keen interest in municipal election financing, so this story caught my attention.
However, like certain other city councils, the current Vaughan city council is attemtping to throw accountability and transparancy out the window.
Linda Jackson, who became mayor of Vaughan in a nasty election battle last November, is now accused of more than 20 campaign financing violations.
Over-contributions from companies that may be associated and unrecorded contributions to Jackson's campaign are among the allegations in an appeal filed today in the Ontario Court of Justice in Newmarket.
However, like certain other city councils, the current Vaughan city council is attemtping to throw accountability and transparancy out the window.
Vaughan residents Quintino Mastroguiseppe and Gino Ruffolo had asked Vaughan council on May 14 to request a compliance audit.
On May 22, council voted to defer the request until Jackson's campaign had filed additional financial records, possibly as late as next February, said Eric Gillespie, the lawyer representing Mastroguiseppe and Ruffolo.
"The act only gives a council 30 days to accept or reject the request for an audit," Gillespie said. "It does not give any power to delay matters for another nine months or more."
My new favorite cartoon
I grew up watching Teddy Ruxpin and TinTin, but I sure wish this cartoon was a part of my Saturday morning routine.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Jack Layton defends corporations
Jack Layton looking out for 'iconic companies.' Corporations, whether Canadian or not, are in the business of profit, which is accumulated from the exploitation of their workers and consumers. Should Layton really be looking out for corporations? I can understand the nationalist argument, but I'd rather hear him speaking about the nationalization of these corporations, rather than simpy defending them from 'hositle' foreign takeovers.
OTTAWA – The NDP turned up the heat in Parliament by calling on the Conservative government to hold emergency hearings into the recent rash of foreign takeovers of Canadians firms. After touring Alcan’s largest Canadian facility in the Saguenay region of Quebec, NDP leader Jack Layton, along with Industry Critic Brian Masse, wrote to the chair of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology outlining the urgency of such hearings.
In the last 22 years, over 11,500 Canadian firms have been taken over by foreign interests, 600 in the last 16 months alone. Iconic companies such as Molson, Dofasco, Labatt, Inco, The Bay, Falconbridge and even the Montreal Canadiens have all been sold to foreign owners. Today, Alcan is under threat of a hostile takeover from US-based Alcoa.
Between 1985 and 2005, 87% of all foreign takeover acquisitions were automatically approved without federal government review, while each of the remaining 13% were reviewed and approved. The Investment Canada Act, which governs foreign takeovers, has not rejected one foreign takeover application since its introduction 22 years ago.
“Everyday Canadians are becoming worried that their country is slipping away,” said Layton. “It’s time to examine whether the current rules governing takeovers are adequate and to assess the costs of so much of Canada’s natural resources and so many of Canada’s iconic companies being in the hands of foreign interests.”
http://www.ndp.ca/page/5356?refer=more
OTTAWA – The NDP turned up the heat in Parliament by calling on the Conservative government to hold emergency hearings into the recent rash of foreign takeovers of Canadians firms. After touring Alcan’s largest Canadian facility in the Saguenay region of Quebec, NDP leader Jack Layton, along with Industry Critic Brian Masse, wrote to the chair of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology outlining the urgency of such hearings.
In the last 22 years, over 11,500 Canadian firms have been taken over by foreign interests, 600 in the last 16 months alone. Iconic companies such as Molson, Dofasco, Labatt, Inco, The Bay, Falconbridge and even the Montreal Canadiens have all been sold to foreign owners. Today, Alcan is under threat of a hostile takeover from US-based Alcoa.
Between 1985 and 2005, 87% of all foreign takeover acquisitions were automatically approved without federal government review, while each of the remaining 13% were reviewed and approved. The Investment Canada Act, which governs foreign takeovers, has not rejected one foreign takeover application since its introduction 22 years ago.
“Everyday Canadians are becoming worried that their country is slipping away,” said Layton. “It’s time to examine whether the current rules governing takeovers are adequate and to assess the costs of so much of Canada’s natural resources and so many of Canada’s iconic companies being in the hands of foreign interests.”
http://www.ndp.ca/page/5356?refer=more
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