Fantino Out

Just a quick post here...

I was catching up on the Toronto news, and read that police chief Julian Fantino's contract is not being renewed.

I'd like to defend Fantino if I can. Simply put, the Toronto media never gave Fantino a break. He couldn't do anything right.

I saw him as a no-nonsense, very capable, and caring person. The media backlash over corruption and racism allegations, although very important to investigate and root out, unfairly targeted Fantino. It's not an easy job to dodge verbal and bureaucratic bullets when your officers are getting shot at every weekend and your good work is being ignored.

I guess that sometimes when the going gets tough, the tough get sidelined. In this case, a real shame. From someone who's lived in Toronto for the past few years, I'd like to thank Fantino for his work. Hats off.

To his replacement: better get used to the wrath of the almighty Toronto Star.

Patsy's Picks

I'm very excited to watch on Monday night, a few close races. Will Landslide Annie be able to pull off a win in Edmonton Centre? That being said, here are a few of my favourites! (and the one that I hope loses)

Some of my Favourites:

1. Jack Layton (Toronto-Danforth)

How can one not like Smilin' Jack, the man who never met a camera he didn't like? Now I know a lot of left-leaning people that can't stand the man, but I must admit having a bit of a soft spot for him. I think that Dennis Mills will have a tough time defending his seat.


2. Olivia Chow (Trinity-Spadina)

Ms. Chow has won the "best city councillor" award in Toronto for 88 years running. (or something like that) I like Olivia, I think she fights hard for the little guy and little gal, and I think that Parliament needs more people like her.

3. Ed Broadbent (Ottawa Centre)

Guess who's back? Ed's back! (The "Ed's Back" video on Broadbent's website is a must see.) I've been a political junkie since I was toddler, and remember Broadbent as leader of the NDP in their glory days. Something like 42 seats. Wow! Needless to say, I'm thrilled that the Tories and NDPs have started to chase the Libs. Good for democracy, I say. Bring on the Greens!

4. Judy Wasylyclia-Leis (Winnipeg-?)

I hope I spelled Judy's name right. I like her. Plus she's a good friend of my friends Chris and Trish. 'Nuff said. Judy always held the Libs feet to the fire in the public accounts committee.

5. Tony Clement (Brampton-?)

Tony the Tiger reminds me of a loveable underdog. That's why I hope he can win his riding. Plus he was good under pressure during the SARS crisis.

6. Jim Prentice (Calgary-North Centre)

I like Jim Prentice. Period. (not having to justify yourself is also one of the beauties of blogging)

Please go aways:

1. Carolyn Parrish (Mississauga-Erindale)

I think Ms. Parrish is utterly obnoxious. Did you really think the mic was turned off Carolyn? Ms. Parrish is the stereotypical holier-than-thou Canadian, standing on the sidelines complaining. (Note: I am NOT calling all Canadians holier-than-thou. But there are a few, like in any country.)Criticizing George Bush: fair game, criticizing the Republican Party: fine, criticizing American foreign policy: okay. But to publicly admit you hate 300 million people? Talk about simple minded. Real classy, Carolyn.

On thorny social issues...

I'd like to clear up a few things. Over the past month we've been bombarded with "Scary Harper" propaganda. I'd like to point something out, at least in regards to that most contentious of issues, abortion.

First off, I'm wholeheartedly pro-choice. Completely, 100%, etc... I'm also a feminist, and proud of it.

What annoys me, however, is the fear mongering that, in my opinion, (b/c that's the joy of a blog!) has become only slightly ridiculous. The fear mongering that treats Canadians like they can't think for themselves.

To anyone legitimately afraid that the Conservatives, if in power, would try to pass any abortion law, I say this: do the (relatively) simple math.

An abortion law WOULD NEVER PASS in the Canadian House of Commons. NEVER. Why, you ask? Simply put, I'd put money down that the majority of Conservative candidates and MPs are pro-choice. Or at least are too busy cutting taxes to care one way or the other. That being said, the vast majority of Liberal MPs and candidates are pro-choice (except for Tom Wappel, etc...). I also believe, correct me if I'm wrong, that the entire Bloc Quebecois and NDP parties are pro-choice.

So let's add up a few numbers... if anyone out there can explain to me how this current equation would ever add up to an abortion law passing, then let me know. The rest of you... quit worrying! I'm a woman, I have a uterus, and I have no fears whatsoever about abortion legislation passing. (Now the States, that's another matter. The religious right in the U.S. is quite powerful.)

End of story.

Liberal scandals redux

I have to take a moment to respond to the musings of my esteemed colleague over at the Alberta Propagandists.

While it may be argued that the Liberals were only acting in the best interests of Canada, at least in the sponsorship scandal, I would counter by saying that fraud is still fraud. If the money truly went to try to keep the country together, then okay. (unless you have a problem with trying to buy the affections of les Quebecois)But, from what I can tell, at times cheques were sent to Liberal-friendly ad firms (Groupaction, for one) in exchange for NO WORK. Forged documents and all that...

That is what I have a problem with.

On a lighter note, I too was very sorry to see England go down to defeat at the hands of Portugal.

Bolly to drown our sorrows?

Love, Pats

Musings on Liberal party "ancient history"

Let's face it. Up until a few months ago, Canadian politics was just about as exciting as watching the weather network. Imagine my surprise then, when the federal election race turned out to be just that... a race. Never in a million years would I have thought that the Conservatives or the NDP would be giving the Fiberals (sorry, can't help myself) a run for their money. (read: our money funnelled through their ad firms)

My husband predicted, Cassandra-like, at least a year ago that Paul Martin was going to seriously disappoint. The "great white hope" of the Liberals, per se, was going to turn out to be just another ho-hum politician. To his credit, the hubby was dead on.

Think back, if you will, to last October or November, the last few months of the Chretien reign. The anticipation in the air of the future crowning (read: not-so-friendly coup) was palatable. You could almost taste it. Riding high on ten years of Chretien rule, the Martinites in the Liberal Party were licking their lips at the thought of finally taking over.

So, what happened? What went so terribly wrong? Simply put, Jean Chretien's final "screw you" to his usurper, was the timing of his "retirement" and the official release of Auditor General Sheila Fraser's report on Adscam.

Now I'm certainly no Paul Martin fan, but to be completely fair, the guy got royally screwed here. Some would argue that he got what he deserved, in that he engineered his predecessor's swan song and his own coronation, but, in my opinion, the scorn and anger of Canadians about the Liberals' intrinsic mis-management of taxpayer funds should be placed firmly at the feet of the lil' guy from Shawinigan. HRDC, inflated costs of the gun registry, adscam, etc... all happened during Chretien's watch.

And, as a sidenote, for all those of you who don't think that the mismanagement of $250 million is that big a deal, I ask: how many hot lunches for inner city kids could that money have purchased, how many more teachers in our schools, etc...? Wasted money is wasted money. Period. Money that could have stayed in taxpayer pockets, gone to shorten hospital waiting lists, etc.

June 28th is our chance not to reward bad behaviour. What kind of message does it send any political party when flagrant disregard for the electorate is rewarded with a fourth term in office?

Now, many people will say that the new Tories are nothing more than wolves in sheep's clothing. But let's not forget that a vote for Team Martin is basically a vote for Team Chretien. New dog, new cabinet, decidedly old tricks.

With that, on June 28th I encourage you to "choose change", in the words of beleaguered Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. Whether the Dippers, Tories or Greens are your party of choice, exercise your right to vote on Monday.

Ta ta for now.

With that, pass the Stoli sweetie. While you're at it, maybe a ciggy too.

Love, Pats

Slow to jump on blogging bandwagon

Look ma! I'm blogging... (better late than never.)

I'm a political junkie. Always have been, always will be. That being said, I'm thrilled to be deep in the middle of a federal election campaign. It's been a good year for political junkies. For the past two years I've been an Alberta expatriate living in Ontario. Over the past few months we've had a Toronto mayoralty election, an Ontario provincial election, and now this Canadian federal election. There's been lots of editorials to read, even more political "attack" ads to critique, plenty to debate. That's why I wanted to jump on the blogging bandwagon. Even if no one reads my blogs, then at least I'll have been able to burn off some steam typing away, as opposed to arguing with anyone who will listen.

I knew that "blogging" was increasing fast in popularity, so I started reading a few blogs that had been recommended to me.

It was, however, my two colleagues, the Alberta Propagandists, who made me decide to start blogging myself.

I'll start fresh with my first official political post sometime tomorrow.

Pass the Stoli, sweetie!

Love, Pats