Is History Repeating Itself? Rural MHA's and MP's take Note A sickening reflection!

Now let's add what has happened since the moratorium - what would we see?

Best I can tell Randy Simms says thumbs up to this-just perhaps a little more a head to move.

This picture from a National Post Article

  

             

Fish what fish?

Your eyes are already glazed over right? It's fish and you don't want to hear about it anymore. Well stop! Wipe out your eyes and really start understanding what is taking place here.

Not dealing with the fishery is akin to you having no interest in your ancestry, your culture, your reason for being here. Not much sense in celebrating tourism commercials if you have no interest in who you are and where you come from.

The tourists who visit this province have more interest in our fishery and the strong historical and current attachment to this renewable resource than we do. This is not right - and politicians  - all stripes - both federal and provincial are to blame. They have inundated us with study and commission and study and commission for as long as I can remember - yet all we hear is bad news as it relates to the fishery. The latest now is the culmination of the "passionate" review process started under the fellow who just quit. Now we have a Minister who - for political reasons - is avoiding releasing information. Clyde Jackman knows this information is going to be more bad news for the fishers and more ingratiating of the big corporates' interests.

It is not convenient for an election - and that's what it boils down to. Political expedience. Where will Jackman draw a pension from?

I listened to Siobhan Coady this morning talking about her visit to the Province with Scott Brison and heard her make mention of a meeting where Gus Etchegary spoke of the fishery. After articulating the obvious - that Gus was passionate about the fishery - she claimed the same passion. Excuse me? What exactly is Siobhan Coady going to do about the plight of the fishers, the tens of thousand of people who left Newfoundland and Labrador (after being displaced in the sector), or the communities that are dieing as a result of the fishery disaster? Best I can tell - nothing really - same old same old. I can confirm that Siobhan like those before her are passionate about keeping their job - and keeping the pension that comes with it. Until I see anybody taking seriously the fact that we are losing over 500 million a year from the groundfish destruction - or at least until they fight as hard as the MP's from the Prairies who year over year get relief and funding for farmers - I will not show them any respect or believe a word they say.

Can you guess how many times fishermen have been used during elections to ensure a victory for one party or the other? Held hostage as Ursula suggested is mild language. The rural outports have been battered and battered while the mighty oil and St. John's expects continued growth and a booming real estate market. The fat-cat bankers responsible for gouging you and me on every transaction to pay for the costs of corporate corruption - sit bank in their chairs and declare everything is okay.

What a disgrace we are - as we let these two-bit politicians make a career and "earn" a pension from ineptitude, gutlessness, and political expedience. The fish were supposed to be renewable right?

St. John's as with other regional hubs are booming because people from the outports have to move out of their communities to try and salvage something. But this is an oil economy and it is not forever - in fact at the moment it is pretty defined (in time). So even now the irony is that good old St. John's is utilizing the misery of the outports to force a population base made up of those who travel in leaving their communities, elderly parents, and their devalued possessions behind.

This is a social experiment for some like Dr. Doug House who has been for the past two decades moving us from a "resourced based economy" to an "information based economy".  He under Clyde Wells and right on up through and at the University - remember the "economic recovery plan"? Sitting in an academic ivory tower pontificating "reasoned" thoughts. Hogwash!

The unemployment rate remains at double digits and our population is declining and aging. Politicians answer to that we are growing our Gross Domestic Product.

The federal representatives in Parliament have been useless and their excuse has always been "we get up there and we can't get anywhere". Geez people you figure now they might already know the predictable outcome before they ask for your vote. Okay let's spell it out - 7 seats and 2% of the population in a country where everything from parliament to the senate to federal programs are based per-capita.

Regardless of what I think about Danny Williams - he did have the political support to do something real about it. The people were willing to stand behind whatever moves he had to make. I hoped in deliberate ignorance he may actually use that willingly given power and fix at least the fishery. I can't say I am surprised he quit - I knew he would - but somewhere in me I really wanted him to do what was right.

Your eyes are glazed over because politician after politician from this Province has failed and despite the studies and the commissions - all they have consecutively done is - piece by piece rip away at this tremendous resource. The social experiment - predicted that if you do the demise in chunks - you will limit the people who may protest the demise of our way of life, those idyllic communities, and that significant revenue.

The politicians, senior bureaucrats and union all have been responsible in this giveaway. Make no mistake - Ottawa has bartered away our stocks for the benefit of population rich provinces - the province has bartered away our industry to corporate interests that do not operate to benefit Newfoundland and Labrador - rather to benefit shareholders (most of whom live offshore).



We must stop rewarding failure and not fall into the trap set for us - that eyes glazed over means - we do not care. 

Vote against "giveaway" mentality and

I am entitled to my entitlements...

This morning I found out a Liberal is running in my district. Joining Tom Osbourne - incumbent and Clyde Bridger for the NDP is Rex Gibbons.

Well St. John's South - you now have the opportunity to get rid of the remaining vestiges of the "giveaway" mentality.

It is time to tell Rex Gibbons again that attempting to privatize Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro was not only a bad idea (and still is) - but it would have dramatically increased our electric bills - denied the province of hundreds of millions of revenues - and eliminated a great asset owned by our children and one which has become the core of our new energy corporation.

It is time for Rex to retire - and the policies he espouses should retire with him. His take on energy is not only naive it is dangerous - as it would continue to turn over our resources to billion dollar multi-nationals with less than maximum return to us - the people.

It is time to send the Liberal Party a message - that if they want to attract new ideas and people - the front-line must move to the back. If the party is to be rebuilt for 2011 - then Rex Gibbons - Walter Noel - Scott Andrews - Danny Dumaresque - John Efford - Roger Grimes and Norm Whelan have to relinquish the stranglehold they have on its future. You see when the Party President and Campaign Chair have to run - the Libs are no longer membership driven - they are desperate to return to the "glory days" of Clyde Wells and Brian Tobin for their own satisfaction. When you think about it - would Danny Williams want it any other way? For as much as Danny has become a folk hero the Liberals have become a folk villain.

This is not a case of taking one for the party when it is down - this is "it's my party" and nobody else is allowed to come. They will cling to their pathetic grasp of power by the fingernails - until finally it is all gone. They will take the party down further rather than relinquish their self-appointed titles (including the leadership). For them watching new people take the helm is painful - they should take that out on Tobin - not the party or the people.

St. John's South is in a wonderful position to say - we reject your giveaway mentality and we reject a party that is a social club for a few wannabes and hangers-on.

Rex Gibbons will not get my vote.

I have never heard from Rex - that privatizing Hydro - would have been a bad idea - have you?

The smell of "Old Liberalism" cannot be masked by expensive perfume...

What is it with the Liberals? They describe themselves as left of center on their web-page (at least it did until they updated it today)- while going right of Williams and the Tories on energy policy.

The answer is Rex Gibbons - if the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador continue to follow the strategy of this man on energy - the Liberals will fail - politically.

Yesterday Gerry Reid was telling university students that equity in oil projects would not happen under a Liberal government. In defense of this position - Reid said that Alberta does not do it - so if that energy powerhouse does not do it - why should we?

Two answers to that Mr. Reid - and you would see them if Gibbons would stop advising for a little while.

1. Alberta owns it oil and gas resources. We do not. When Alberta develops it can say - you may develop this parcel if we receive this amount in royalties and we get a refinery or other petro-chemical industry in Alberta to process the resource. We are not allowed to refine our own oil until the refineries in Eastern Canada are fully satisfied. Do you understand this? Have you read the Atlantic Accord recently? Rex has - and Rex knows. Rex was the Minister of Energy - he made the deals on oil and he attempted to privatize Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. His policies failed and he has not been re-elected since.

2. Who cares if Alberta or other Canadian provinces do not take equity? I don't - I do not need Alberta to guide us on what we as our own jurisdiction should or should not do. We can have independent policy choices. Further - Reid should know that many other jurisdictions in the world do seek and achieve equity positions - such as Norsk Hydro.

Then there is the Liberal policy on wind development. Once again Rex (Clyde) rares his head and Gerry spews a suggestion regarding private wind generation.

Here is the situation Gerry - if Hydro guarantees to buy the output of such generation then you and me Gerry will pay for it via our electric bill. When that is paid - who do you prefer a portion be returned to - our provinces treasury or let's say the Government of Italy. This creeping in of private sector energy developments is back-door privatization of a resource we own outright. Further Gerry - you should ask Rex what happens when you have multiple players in the generation sector inputting into an electricity grid. You should ask him why Ontario had the big blackout when Quebec did not. You should ask him how we guarantee maintenance with a group of private generators and the cost of not having that control. You should ask him what happened with the joint use of utility poles - and what happens when one group maintains the poles a little more or less than another.

Until the Gerry Reid's "New Liberalism" stops depending on failed "Old Liberalism" policies - the party will continue to enjoy falling polls. It's time to let new thinking take over from Rex Gibbons - Clyde Wells - and past Minister Walter Noel. There is no perfume they can buy to make these policies smell good.



And as for Labrador energy policy - both the Liberals and the Conservatives fail - and they will get a sense of that as they crawl and slither around Labrador looking for a vote (the right to exploit Labrador to benefit the Avalon).

As I write this - back comes John Efford - dipping his toes in the political ocean - John - even if we can get past all the spending scandal and you were as pure as the driven snow in the administration of your constituency allowance - you are the one who told us to take or leave a lesser deal on equalization.

I close with this observation. If Williams does not win 3 of 4 seats in Labrador - he will not have a real mandate to develop the Lower Churchill under less than "best" terms for the Big Land. This is something I hope Labradorians will consider.

The Weakest Link

It's real easy to beat up on Gerry Reid today - the polls are miserable for the Liberals - to say the least.

As the Leader of the Official Opposition - Gerry's pay is a little more - but he's certainly not compensated for the load placed on his shoulders.

There is no doubt - now - to people who care about the existence of a Liberal Party and who genuinely want to rebuild it - from the bottom up - with complete top-down replacement - that the policies and the people delivering them are not resonating with the voters.

This is not just Gerry Reid - he just wears it. First of all almost half of people who will at least admit they will vote Liberal - will not back their leader - they choose Danny or are undecided. That's a tough one for the party and it's advisers - who chose to place Gerry Reid up-front despite the numbers showing he is lagging behind the party. That was and is a a strategical error in the Liberal campaign. Secondly the Liberal policies (such as they are)are not being supported by Liberals let alone the general population. Thirdly "New Liberalism" is an oxymoron if delivered by Gerry Reid - Danny Dumeresque - Rex Gibbons - John Efford - Norm Whelan - Walter Noel - and Roger Grimes. "New Liberalism" must fall to the party supporters - who clearly want a change in the old "party".

So while Gerry wears the shirt - the rest of them are responsible for manufacturing it.

There are real issues out there to challenge the Premier on - but if the communications director and other staffers and executive - don't see immediate media interest - it is placed on the back-burner. Currently there Liberal leadership seems to take direction from the media - which ultimately traps them into Danny's message. Generally speaking the local "journalists" are frightened to death - disinterested - and/or incapable of doing the necessary investigative pieces needed in a democracy - when the Opposition is weak. There are some exceptions - usually in the Telegram or on the Fisheries Broadcast. Outside of that - we get carnage - school opening - doggy-doo - red herrings - and an update of government News Releases.

The whole cable-gate fibre-optic fiasco would be hammered by Opposition and media alike in any other province. But since Kelvin Parsons made the slip in the House of Assembly of saying - the deal might be alright - while challenging the process - not a word. The Liberal caucus has buried it.

The energy plan that has been promised time and time again - has still not been released - despite the announcement of a wind project - the issuing of a draft on the gas royalty regime - to the major oil and gas players - but not to the public or media. The energy plan still in hiding despite the continuation of Lower Churchill discussions - and work in the field. Without that plan we cannot know what this government believes will be the energy needs for Newfoundland and Labrador for the next 50 years. Therefore the direction for the Lower Churchill is cart before the horse. But the Libs say nothing and worse have not released any suggestions of their own.

The sale of FPI - and the disregard of this government respecting the value of the marketing arm - and it's disposal to Nova Scotia. The joke of a fisheries conference and the continued out-migration of our people caused by the instability in this our most valuable natural renewable resource.

Instead of hammering and hammering on the Stephenville mill or the situation with the Metis - they continue to fall all over the Hebron MOU and the Premier's position with the oil magnates.

Inconsistency in policy by this Premier when it comes to equity positions and demands for processing facilities - goes unchallenged.

The non-response to the restructuring of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro - and what the real potential problems might be. The piece meal privatization of generation projects such as the wind project - which sees Newfoundlanders and Labradorians paying the Italian Government for energy.

To hold a News Conference to say - we will lower fees for your automobile - seems a little shallow when compared to the astronomical decisions which have to be made.

It still amazes me that cling-ons of the Liberal Party - demand to keep control - and do - despite the outright rejection of the voters. This is what happened to the federal Tories and if this continues here - there will be a wipe-out of this Liberal Party.

MHA Roland Butler was just on VOCM talking about matters in his district - when Randy Simms asked him about the poll. He answered "...we can't ignore what the polls are saying..." well yes Roland - unfortunately the Party is ignoring what the polls have been and are saying - that is the problem. Roland also mentioned the polling is done with 400 or so people - no - that's wrong - they alter the numbers every other poll - this time over 800 people were polled. This is something the staffers might have advised him on.

The Liberal Party has chosen to promote its weakest link heading into this fall election - I only hope there are Liberals who are seeking office - who reject this decision and keep their feet firmly on the ground in their chosen districts - and stick to what works for their particular constituency. Remember people - there are and could be some backbench members that will have less of a voice than a strong Opposition member.

Although the numbers for the PC Party are astronomical - Danny is still ahead of his party - that's something neither the Liberals nor the NDP can campaign on. The NDP may hang on to their traditional vote and may even take some from the Liberals - but Lorraine's leadership is limited to maintaining the one seat the Party has kept - primarily because Signal Hill - Quidi Vidi has become a seat of entitlement for the NDP - something which also must change.

I await with interest to see if the hold-up in the St. John's East Tory nomination - is not being held to "Marshall" the cable guy's agenda. Will we see Ken or Steve come forward in the next couple of days? Despite Jerome Kennedy's billing as the star winger - the center-man has yet to emerge for the Ballard - oops I mean William's team.

For Newfoundland and Labrador - the loss in not restricted to the Liberals imploding - it may also include the loss of the Lower Churchill as a key growth potential for Labrador - as the Premier gets drunker on "power".

The People's Paradox

Kowtowing to a savior.
Is this what we want from our provincial MHA's or federal MP's?






What the people say they want - what the political parties will tolerate - and our weak 2 party sharing system.

How many times have you heard people express dismay when politicians tow the party line instead of standing for the position widely held by a particular constituency?

When Charlene Johnson - Trevor Taylor - and Harry Harding stood by the party during the RMS fiasco in the fishery - despite the wishes of the fishermen - people were angry and perplexed - it also turned out they were right - but 1 fishing season suffered catastrophic consequences.

When Stephenville lost the paper mill - workers wondered where Joan Burke and Jim Hodder were.

When Loyola Hearn - Fabian Manning - and Norm Doyle did not support this province respecting the broken equalization promise - people were angry and still are.

When John Efford did his song and dance over equalization - while Paul Martin was trying to get out of his promise - people were shocked and upset.

When John Hickey ignored the broken promise of his leader to the Metis Nation - people in Labrador were incensed.

What all these people - some of them long-standing respected politicians - chose to do - was tow the party line.

The people claim they want a representative who will stand by them and their communities - and when a choice has to be made - the member should stand with their constituency not the party line.

The political parties will avoid at all costs - independent thinkers who will do this.

The people of Newfoundland and Labrador will only elect the two traditional parties - and very rarely an independent member - who in short order joins one of the parties anyway.

Our system is weak and the two party system (the NDP never present themselves as government in waiting) we have does absolutely nothing to deliver the representation people say they want.

The two main parties in this province are the Liberals and the PC's who swap power back and forth - usually with one savior leader or another. Then of course the corporations which like to control and run the province - especially resourced based companies and financial institutions fill the coffers of who they think will win.

In order to change up the 2 party system - people need to find the courage and the sense to vote another way - they have to be open to and support new parties and independents federally and provincially - and become more involved in the NDP. The latter is more difficult as the NDPas similar to the PC's and Liberals have their long-standing members who tend to dominate the party executive and control the party message. We need to look at proportional representation and public funding of elections - so new parties or even the NDP can get some money in the bank for votes they receive. (The same as the new federal system)

Understand this clearly - it is unlikely that until we do this - anybody you vote in under the traditional party system will ever choose you the constituent over a party position. It is also unlikely that new leadership will come from within - as the parties tend to seek names and personality types that appear to be knights on a horse with all the answers from outside.

That's why Tom Rideout did not last long - Bill Rowe gained leadership but not government - Ed Roberts was rejected - Don Jamieson did not get the nod. Loyola Sullivan - Ed Byrne - Lynn Verge - and Len Simms could not take government either. That is why Roger Grimes never had a chance. Instead we had a long list of saviors riding in and carrying their parties to victory.

This also causes another problem. The people who choose to run when a new savior presents are more opportunistic than anything else. They do not have to be strong in their own right - and they fully expect to get a well paying job with great benefits because their leader has the population spellbound. Unfortunately this means they are too grateful to their boss to do anything but nod in agreement. They are lead around by the nose - and despite their claims of protestations from within - they fail in changing policy which they know is bad for their constituents. Look at the numbers of people who sought PC nominations - then look at the other two and their candidate rosters.

Newfoundland and Labrador could use a couple of minority governments to shake up the status-quo - and members feelings of entitlement. In order to do this at least 3 strong parties must be present - and sadly as I write this today - we only have one.

Freedom of speech and independent thinking is not permitted in our two party system - unless you are the leader - and there is no fear that the populous will turn on that leader for the weak members he/she is stuck with.

Governments and Oppositions need more than one strong - articulate - and educated person - they need many people who can get in there and voice new - creative - and progressive policy. They do not need a bunch of bobbing heads calling open-line programs and saying I am part of so-and-so's team and that person is great. When is the last time you heard Wally Young call open-line and say this new policy initiative is something I have researched and proudly put forth to my colleagues?

Now the party system also protects itself - they will weed out any voices who may call it as they really see it - and stick to either weak or partisan fanatics who cannot see anything good in the other party's platform. Parties also discourage independents by telling us that if you are an independent - you will not be heard and you will be placed in the wilderness. This is of course not true - and some of the best work done by Yvonne Jones is when she sat as an independent - after the party system chose Danny Dumeresque and not the real choice of the people of Cartwright - L'Anse Au Clair.

Quebec is a good jurisdiction to look at - and examine how the wishes of Quebecers do come first and they are prepared to cross the floor - sit on their own - create a new party if they are forced to tow a party line contrary to interest of Quebecers.

Most other provinces have a strong 3 party system and some of them more to ensure that no one party or two become complacent and arrogant toward the needs of their constituents.

So when I hear some people lambaste Fabian or John or Loyola or Joan or Charlene - I can only conclude they don't really mean it. There are no consequences to these people because either - the party they represent have a savior as their leader (meaning they will get re-elected anyway) or the party will convince the particular member that the party will take care of them if their voters boot them out.

It is time for the voters of Newfoundland and Labrador to get more savvy when it comes to elections and political parties - and it's time for those parties to worry that the same old system won't protect their entitlements.

Time to wipe the Slate clean...

The way I see it - Danny Williams will govern with 48 members the same as he would govern with 28 - 30 - 35 etc.

In fact the Liberals that are there provide no real opposition as they are uninspired - offering minimal solutions - and generally twisting already failed policy directions.

Danny will win the next election - and as people we will need a new government in waiting. We will need new ideas and challenge the status quo - with emphasis on youth and the future of our nation.

Wiping the slate clean of all Liberal incumbents is a great start leaving the party with no choice but to attract new people and finally pass the torch to others. You can only recycle Walter Noel - John Efford - Rex Gibbons - Gerry Reid and Danny Dumeresque so often.

I receive emails from Liberals every week who feel abandoned by the party and no longer welcome to provide input. Although they know come election time their "volunteer" time and services will be sought - they know they hold no real place in the tired party.

Hopefully the Labrador Party can elect 2 or members this time around - funny - but I think they would provide much more effective opposition than the Libs hanging on by their fingernails.

It is not pleasing at all to know that Danny has another 4 years - and there will be many challenges to keep him and the Cable Guys in check but it's nothing the Libs are doing. For the most part the government is being challenged by certain Telegram reporters - bloggers - and open-line contributors.

Consider - when Danny flies away - when he is finished - the remaining group are essentially bob n nods for Williams and not one of them is showing leadership potential. Worse another Cable Guy or Ross Reid could be hiding in the wings to keep Newfoundland and Labrador in the right hands. The NDP refuses to build! The Libs will need to provide new new new - else cable or railway guru 2 will be anointed.

There is no opposition - they take a holiday when Danny does - they ditch and run federally - when Danny says it might be opportune for them to do so and the remainder are the recyclables on the outside. The most press they can generate is when Efford says "he won't rule out" running again. Oh goody....

Hopefully in 4 years the picture will be brighter.

Another 4 Years of Destruction....

I watched David Cochrane of CBC explain some time ago how the Greene Report and recommendations would allow media to catch the self-serving politicians if they attempted to hide or otherwise sneak legislation through that increased or changed the nature of their allowances. So much for that - as it was a blogger - I believe who caught the crowd as they all postponed the changes until after the election.

The fact that the media did not catch it is no surprise - they had that opportunity when legislation was amended to boot the Auditor General (Beth Marshall) at the time - out of the books. They should have done the job they are really meant to do. That is to protect our democracy when all political parties are in it together. They dropped the ball - and the rest as they say is history.

Then there is Loyola - the 30 million dollar big spender - while more influential MP's and federal cabinet colleagues are passing out Billions!!!

The man who so willingly takes pot shots at Gus Etchegary - while using him as a human campaign poster for the last election. It's not as if the fellow did not know Etchegary's position on the fishery. It is not as if they had ever met. The fact is Gus did not change - the metamorphosis occurred in Hearn after he won the election.

We have Manning and Doyle backing up the Minister by talking about the Atlantic Accord. They saved the Accord - funny the Accord was not a discussion during the election. Harper promised to remove non-renewable resource revenues from the equalization formula. That would have eliminated the need for the Accord and would have been a universal amendment not geared to any province specifically but representative of a change in economic thinking - which promotes long term financial health of jurisdictions exploiting non-renewable resources.

At the same time we have the provincial Liberals seeking Joey for policy - the Tories doing what they want with whom they want - whenever they want - including very significant decisions made on the fishery (FPI) - energy with no plan yet unveiled including wind development - privatization of energy resources - the Lower Churchill etc. - business deals with buddies - and tourism services provided out of Quebec. But Gerry et al will not make a dent - and the media is on the BBQ circuit with them. Danny Dumeresque as part of the Efford - Dumeresque team with leader Reid will not be effective in building the party - however will achieve Effords objective - the one he demonstrated after he lost the leadership race to Grimes. All Liberals left out there should really think about what that was.

There is no obvious movement in the provincial NDP - with most identifiable labour reps choosing to seek nominations for the other parties.

There is no doubt we have a mess - and one we will have to suffer through for the next 4 years.

The only people who have a chance are Labradorians under the Labrador Party. Continued luck to them - and I hope they take the lead and protect those extremely valuable resources.

New Liberalism????

Joey - John - and Gerry

Here we go - in the face of an October election the provincial LIBS have developed policy. We are now witnessing the most uninspired - tired - recycled - and antiquated thinking since Rideout was Premier.
We have supportive Liberals predicting the loss of federal government chiks if we keep up the "terrible message" that we can do it on our own. So here we go Gerry Reid - John Efford - Danny Dumeresque and the ghost of Joey are using the well documented threat of starvation without Canada. The new confederates - the old confederates.

Sadly this comes at a time when the one thing Danny has done right "we believe in ourselves again" is catching on - particularly in our youth. The propaganda from central Canada claiming that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are beggars and worse ungrateful beggars is being challenged. After all it is expected that our province will be off equalization "top ups" before Quebec!!!!

This is a time when the Liberals should be rebuilding - bringing in new ideas and continuing with the thought that our resources should be maximised for OUR benefit. Instead I hear new Liberal candidates call open line programs to give a "town cryer" account of events taking place in the districts they are running in and saying nothing about saving and making prosperous the communities therein.

We have two liberal pros bailing out to seek election shelter on the federal scene because Danny told all who would listen not to vote Conservative in the next federal election. Imagine that Judy Foote and Oliver Langdon fighting for the federal nomination because Danny made their victory possible. Now that's leadership.

Further - what of Roger Jamieson who is a new face on the political scene? He may perform better for communities who have suffered under the provincial representation of Foote and Langdon.

We need a strong opposition - especially during Danny's second term - or better yet we need new leadership to prevent Williams from giving away the mighty Lower Churchill. Sadly the Liberals do not have the guts or maybe the knowledge to take the plunge and do something proper like fighting for industry in Labrador versus Ontario.

The only thing the Libs offer is to backpedal on the gains we made on our resources and continue the same old dependence on the feds and their chiks.

As for the NDP - labour leaders continue to seek nominations for the Libs and PC's while not giving a thought to the "labour" party. Lorraine Michael - when heard last on Open Line was talking about online bingo - not the catastrophic devastation of rural Newfoundland and Labrador - and not a solution to go after the feds for retribution on the continued missing groundfish stocks. I wonder is Earl putting his hat in the ring for a south coast seat for the NDP?

The Opposition Parties demonstrated no leadership with respect to Greene's report on MHA spending - benefits etc. and fell into line behind the government's decision to hold the changes until after the next election.

The choices are minimal and the consequences scary - I for one am actively planning for 2011 when the people may have a new options for government and a future. Let's be vigilant and make up for what the media and current crop of politicians are not doing - saving our province and creating a strong and bountiful future for our new nation and our youth.

This blogger will wait to hear what the wannabes have to say on relevant issues.

You see I can confirm that the Connaigre and Burin Peninsula's are beautiful - breathtaking and have all the promise in the world to survive and thrive - now wannabes tell me what you plan to do to guarantee that future. Something other than I am attending this event or that event or eating chicken at this BBQ and speaking at this come home year etc.

Candidates should do some soul searching not sole trotting and determine if they can really offer something to those people who trust their family and communities continued ability to exist in Newfoundland and Labrador.

A Poetic take on Rebuilding the Liberal Party

A Sue's Blog Contributor takes a poetic (in fun) look at rebuilding the Liberal Party.



TAKING THE SHORT-CUT.
================

Says, Gerry to Anna, Judy and John
Let's tackle the mare and we'll all get on,
With Danny's crew all in disgrace
It's goin' to be easy to win this Race.

Out to Port de Grave, and 'way beyond,
We'll take the short cut 'cross Tickle Cove Pond,
Now that John and Roger are all made up,
No question about regainin' the cup.

But God be praised, what a mortal sin,
The ice on that pond is awfully thin;
Not since subjected to Danny's strafe,
Has new ice formed that's anyways safe.

On the same old sled with the same old mare ,
That's what they're betting will get them there,
And the load not lessened with ------- on board
"Tis plain to see what they're heading toward.

Though sad it is, such a sorry end,
For "democracy" 'tis a real Godsend.
Relieved of that tired and motley crew.
Maybe then the Liberals can start anew.


Lloyd C.

The Liberals are looking for Strong Women Candidates - Sure you are....

Gerry Reid and his Appearance on Cross Talk.


I've got to say - Gerry Reid - your reasoning for few women entering the Liberal fold in this province is laughable.

You point out that the face of the party is male - and it (politics)is a dirty game.

Speak to how you use women - who are strong - who take the strong stands - even on issues you won't or can't touch - and then let them sway in the wind to take the knocks. That's the difference - you protect your boys and to hell with the women. Make no mistake you will take what you can for free - promise what you must to get more - and deliver as little as possible. You are neither honest nor believable when you speak political spin.

You also point out that most district associations are run by women - they do the work - and the boys take the credit.

To the Liberals that are out there - the rhetoric on wanting strong female voices in the party is just that - rhetoric. Keep it up guys and you will find the truth will set you "free".

You have no more interest in strong women than you do in really changing the face of the Party. You see having a strong female voice in your boardrooms make the boys look inept - instead you have the boys contact the women to get the information and deliver same from the boys mouths.

Let's have a look - a "closer look".

Danny Dumeresque
Kelvin Parsons
Gerry Reid
Roger Grimes
John Efford

It's gets fresher as we go...

As for the fish policy Reid talks about - forget it - we had a chance to fix it - we did not. The energy policy - non-existent - the Stephenville Mill was truly lost on your watch. With respect to the Atlantic Accord - the issue was certainly raised before Danny Williams entered politics - the fact is you would not take a serious stand against the Liberals up-along. The fellow who supported the feds before our final deal was made - is now the spokesperson for the party (John Efford).

You are gutless and your word means nothing. The good part about this is that the public will gut the party for you - the bad part is there are more men lined up to keep control.

There is no way you are serious about strong women in the party - with new ideas - and definitive opinions. It has been my experience that these women have been called "high maintenance".

So politics is a dirty game hey Gerry? You bet it is - and there is a least one women willing to jump in the middle of it and expose the dirt where it really exists. There was one Liberal Premier (Clyde Wells) who really enjoyed a strong and educated female opinion - remember that? Sue Kelland-Dyer versus one vindictive Clyde Wells who got so upset over the campaign to stop the privatization of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro - he said of one Sue "...and for anybody to sit back with no responsibility and just spend their time bitching and complaining as you do". Fortunately the laws of the land provided him an opportunity to apologize in writing (which he did) and apologize on the the media he made the comments on (which he did)- before I would exercise my right to sue him for defamation. The upshot was I was not allowed to be a Liberal until he left and Tobin came and went. Yet the policy not to privatize was adopted by the party after one woman was politically crucified by the Liberal Party in the process. That is the price paid by a woman in Liberal politics in Newfoundland and Labrador. Is it different now? Not one bit. Back to the same old same old - BOYS CLUB. This woman is not going to shut-up nor back down from telling it like it is. I would enjoy the opportunity some day to discuss this fully (on the blog) but just like you boys and your strategic thinking - I will use mine as well.

You see when John Efford made the asinine statement several years back that he discovered "we have an offset agreement in the Atlantic Accord" something that was there for close to 20 years but apparently John had just discovered - I nailed him for his ignorance. Can't let it go hey John. So while on the beach in Florida - still close to the net I see - really think about what your vindictive behavior has cost the party. Keep it up my friend but don't pretend to want strong educated female participants in the guts of the party - because frankly that's garbage and I'm sick of it.

Your greatest asset is the fact that Danny Williams is equally vindictive and male - so I will be chastised by both Boys' Clubs for the foreseeable future. So be it but this "high maintenance" that is to say I have an educated opinion and I will forcefully present it - woman will speak frankly to the electorate when I choose and where I choose.

Hang on - the phone is ringing - that must be Gerry Reid now trying to sure up strong female candidates for October. Right boys - I already told you the jig is up.

Will the real interim leader of the Liberal's stand up

It's one thing to promote party unity - it's quite another to place the co-author of the Liberal meltdown as key party spokesperson.

The CBC Morning Show featured a political panel to discuss the goings-on in the world of political resignations and by-elections. Representing the PC's was Ross Reid - Chair of the upcoming election - Nancy Riche - the current President of the NDP in Newfoundland and Labrador - and for the Liberals - John Efford (godfather???).

For a party which was crushed by a racket between Grimes and Efford after Tobin pulled a "I'm taking care of me" disappearing act - hoping to rebuild and bring Liberals back to the fold - the choice is questionable.

One must wonder - where the wisdom is coming from on the oil and gas issues - the fishery - the Lower Churchill development - and now fixed election dates.

I'm not sure how the Liberal policy is being developed - it seems on an ad-hoc what Efford or Dumeresque say on a day to day basis is the way they are going. Between Mercer and Noel - the energy policy is unfolding - always forgetting the Newfoundland and Labrador electorate gave their wisdom on hydro development a thumbs down just three years ago.

"The tent of the Liberal Party is not getting larger" (Danny Dumeresque) but rather is getting smaller as Efford manages who's who for the upcoming election. There will always be Liberals - just as there are PC's who will vote for the party - as the result of political genetics - but the rebuilding required by the Liberals will not happen this time around.

Is there a place in the party for Efford et al - sure there is - but not at the forefront. This is where new faces and new policy should come in - unfortunately this is not to be. The party must be decimated in order for Liberals to gain control of their party once again.

There are plenty of good reasons to give Danny the boot - and the Official Opposition should be making hay and offering alternatives. While I write this post - I am reminded of the one thing that will keep the Liberals back for at least one election - that is the "I'm entitled to my entitlements" mentality that keeps new ideas out and the same old - same old in.

Efford is somewhat a Smallwood - he refuses to let go and that will keep the Liberals out of power until the public is sure that the party has really renewed it's leadership and chosen to let the people back in. Sadly the wisdom in the party is restricted to a very "special" group and it will eliminate any comeback potential until the party suffers a complete defeat.