Social Experiment #2 Danny wants to Lose Labrador?

When Clyde Wells employed Doug House - he knew what he was getting - and he knew what way to utilize his skills. Over a million dollars later I expect we have another Premier doing the same thing.

Here's one theory:

Labrador just might deliver what Danny Williams wants - 0 seats - or if one seat - it must be in an area where he's likely to receive support for his plans for Lower Churchill Power. That is in an area where if all the power is exported - they will make specific direct financial gain for their peoples.

Clyde Wells used Doug House to determine on a regular basis - how a community - mostly in rural areas of the province would react to some government cut-back - amalgamation attempt - loss of a fish plant here or there. He also used him to determine what the fight might be on the privatization of various government entities including Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. (He got that one wrong) He also used the knowledge of Doug House to determine how people were going to react to "education reform". As a sociologist House is known for "unique" socio-economic concepts (as yet I have not seen one work). He in a way is a social scientist who conducts experiments on communities of people.

This time - in his backroom - as a Deputy Minister of Provincial Development Plan (whatever that is) he might have been determining how people in Labrador would react to the "energy plan". That pamphlet falls well short of a real plan - but it is a document that makes statements to bring predictable results.

Same players though - Tobin hovering somewhere and MacDonald as the Chair of NLH - Doug House and a newbie to the social experiment - Ross Reid - who came back to Newfoundland and Labrador after conducting his and others theories in democratizing countries such as Afghanistan.

Danny Williams will not allow to happen what Grimes did allow. Remember Dean MacDonald's very public resignation from Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro under the Grimes proposal for developing the Lower Churchill? I could accept the public hissy fit if MacDonald himself under the Tobin regime had not supported a proposal which would have seen Quebec own over 33% of the development. No hissy fit then.

Danny Williams and the gang want to do the Lower Churchill project - and the last thing they need is government MHA's or even a Cabinet Minister from Labrador crossing the floor in protest or putting on a display of disgust similar to the MacDonald resignation. My guess is Danny wants to have have the project sanctioned by Island MHA's and Ministers.

You see Danny is not stunned - he must have known that Labradorians upon viewing the "plan" would be up in arms. I believe he knew he was hanging Hickey out to dry - I believe he knew he was giving Yvonne Jones enough to be re-elected and I believe he suspected that Labrador West would give Baker the boot. Hard to know on Pottle - she may be able to sit in Cabinet and deliver to her district millions in royalties/revenues and also deliver an industry with a private power project in Torngat if I was hearing John Hickey right today.

You think Danny and the gang knew that by stating a transmission line would come across to the Island while not servicing Labrador would get the "predictable" outcry? And just before the election? This document - which could have been written in a week took over 2 years - and did exactly what I believe it was supposed to do - annoy Labradorians. I think Danny will be a happy man if Labrador seats are lost and gains are made on the Island.

You see the man gets on the radio and everywhere that he can be heard and takes cracks at popular Labradorians like Stanley Oliver - who before he is a Liberal - is a Labradorian. He knows he is giving a proud Metis - Chris Montague what he needs to turn the tide. I have to trust he is intelligent and as such knows that he is really bugging Labradorians - even by quasi-suggesting that Pottle might make it to Cabinet.(something he is not doing on the Island) Everywhere else the man is appeasing voters - but not in Labrador.

Multi-millionaires are made by reading the masses and what they can sell them. So far everything seems to be on plan.

Ed Hollett has a point...

and wants your undivided attention.

So please read what he has to say in the comments section of Sue's Blog post A+ for Hebron MOU.

Another 10 Years? Our province and her people will be Destroyed!

After listening to Danny Williams on his "u-haul constituency tour" - I must conclude the "vision" under our Premier is whatever Dr. Doug House can spew on an "economic recovery plan".

In January of 2006 the Premier announced a new role for House. In part it said:

"Over the past two years we have undertaken strategic initiatives that are significant planks in our economic development agenda," Premier Danny Williams said. "Now, halfway through our mandate, it is time to take stock of what has been initiated to date, and move to the next phase to ensure our development strategies are being carried out in an integrated, co-ordinated fashion, in line with our original goals."

Premier Williams said that Dr. Doug House will lead this process. Over the next year or more, Dr. House will examine all strategies already underway. This review will be undertaken to identify any gaps, any areas that need extra attention, and make a determination as to whether government's development approach is appropriate to future needs.

"An integrated provincial development plan will ensure that all the inter-related components that comprise it are as strong as possible to provide solid economic and social benefits throughout the province," Premier Williams said. "I thank Dr. House for agreeing to take a leadership role in this."

Now just to put this in perspective Doug House had completed the following:

1. 1987 “Appropriate Development and Employment in Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island”. Employment and Unemployment: Public Policy and Rural Communities. Institute of Island Studies, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

2. 1993 “Future Fisheries and Rural Development: A Balanced Approach.” The Newfoundland Groundfish Fisheries: Defining the Reality. Conference Proceedings.

3. 1994 “Social and Economic Development: The Cod Moratorium and Income Security”. Rethinking Social Welfare: People, Policy and Practice.

4. 1999 “Regional Economic Development Zone Strategy in Newfoundland and Labrador.” Creative Solutions for Coastal Economic Development: 1999 Conference of Coastal Communities.”

5. 2000 “Passion, Pride and Confidence: Community Development and Small Rural Schools”. Sustainability of Small Rural Schools across the North Atlantic Rim, Conference Proceedings, August 11-14, 1999.

6. 2001 “Myths and Realities About Oil-Related Development: Lessons from Atlantic Canada and the North Sea”. Proceedings of the Public Workshop Exploring the Future of Offshore Oil and Gas Development in BC: Lessons from the Atlantic. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia [Forthcoming]

7. 1986 Royal Commission on Employment and Unemployment Reports, Queen’s Printer:

Building on Our Strengths. Final Report [Chairperson; Principal Author]
Building on Our Strengths, Summary Report [Chairperson; Principal Author]
Education for Self-Reliance: A Report on Education and Training in Newfoundland. Education Report [With Cathy Horan, Wayne Humphries and Chris Palmer]

8. 1992 Change and Challenge: A Strategic Economic Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador. Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. [Committee Member; Contributing Author]

9. 1995 Community Matters: The New Regional Economic Development. Report of the Task Force on Community Economic Development in Newfoundland and Labrador. [Co-Chair; Contributing Author; Editor]

and then ;

Yearly Reports of the Economic Recovery Commission:

1996 The Integrated Approach: Making It Work.
1995 An Integrated Approach to Sustainable Economic Development in Newfoundland and Labrador.
1993 Towards a New Economy in Newfoundland and Labrador.
1992 The Economic Recovery Commission, the Strategic Economic Plan, and Regional Development in Newfoundland and Labrador.
1991 Building on Our Strengths: From Blueprint to Action.
1990 Building the Newfoundland and Labrador Economy...Together

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Do you feel economically recovered?
Do you feel that after stints with Premiers Peckford and Wells that he is the guru to lead the next "10" years of economic recovery.

The problem is that the Government is using him now but the Official Opposition have used him while they held the reins of power.

Now the Premier is telling us that we have to wait another 10 years?
You are kidding right?

There is no vision for Energy!
There is no vision for the Fishery!
There is no vision for Forestry!

The only vision is "how can I get away with saying it will take another 10 years". The same promise made by Premiers before him - under the advice of Dr. Doug House.

This province needs a New Vision - it deserves more than the "volunteer" efforts by our Premier - and certainly more than the "take a closer look" of the Official Opposition.

Our biggest challenge is to find something different - those who are not automatically entitled to their entitlements - those who see past the petty politics who greatest achievement is that somebody will call open-line on their behalf and say - "he's a good man", "she's a good woman" (I've never heard that one though.

yes we've dragged the bottom long enough...
Our media confers with Peckford - Crosbie - Tobin - and others who have failed to deliver advanced policy.

What is the vision of:

Tom Rideout?
Gerry Reid?
John Ottenheimer?
Judy Foote?
Roger Fitzgerald?
Oliver Langdon?
John Efford?

go through all those who have served more than one term - including our Premier. He's been around long enough now to see where he is going.

If Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have a "dream" it will not be realized in the "nightmares" of outmigration - giveaway of resources - and promises of a brighter tomorrow.