Here we go again. Back to square one. A new leadership process for the Tories begins as it did the last time.
Same group of people who may run.
Each day brings word of one of the list saying no.
Each day brings another Kent musing.
Media covering the same nonsense once again with almost the same panting breath.
The best we have so far is John Ottenheimer has announced he is running. Whoopee!
Is he how we describe renewal? Is he how we get new ideas? Is he the definition of fresh?
Nice fellow - John - despite his agreeing to do many things we have problems with. Is this the result of the Danny Williams leadership legacy?
Surround yourself with weak followers - surround yourself with obedient "colleagues" and voila you get leadership potential deficit.
A real leader surrounds him/herself with strong people - those with ambition and drive - those who strive to learn - listen - and lead.
One would figure there would be clamouring to get the top job after Williams left. He appointed Kathy Dunderdale to be an "interim" leader - while all other potential "new" leaders came to the for. Who did we get? We got lots of mumblings, whispers, and speculation. We had Brad Cabana try to run - but was determined "ineligible". So after all the fumbling, bumbling, and mumbling - Kathy was appointed.
Then Kathy the "interim" left - we should have expected the door to the candidacy locker to be kicked down - charged - and jammed with leadership hopefuls.
I woke-up one day and the media had a dozen or so waiting to come forward. Inside caucus - outside caucus - a retired army general, retired politicians, defeated politicians, a lobbyist, a retired fellow from the west coast, a fish merchant, and a grocer.
Day by day - the media plucked one off the list. We were down to three. Coleman, Bennett, and Barry. Danny did not like Barry and declared who he would not support. Delegate meetings were taking place before the actual campaign started. Bennett was thrown out of the race - Barry was procedurally crippled by the process and all we had left was one. No race again.
So the Premiership was Coleman's - the party had a leader and an election should have been called. Marshall stood in the House of Assembly and basically said his good-byes as he prepared to move over and let Frank take the helm. Sure before the handover occurred the Premiers Office staff went through a gutting putting Coleman's people in before he himself arrived.
Joan Shea quit so there was one seat open. Nope - Frank was not taking that one - so it became obvious that Tom Marshall was leaving his seat and Coleman could run at home.
Before a by-election could be called in St. George's - Stephenville East - the Premier appointed was gone - as quick as he came - with all his staff at the ready in the office he would never take over.
One clear sign of a good leader is that he/she has a reasonable succession plan. Draw your own conclusions.
Regardless, call an election now - your party mess is not our mess and is not the mess of government.
Showing posts with label shawn skinner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shawn skinner. Show all posts
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Monday, February 10, 2014
PC Leaders in wait?
This is the shortest post I will probably ever write.
A leader does not wait to see who's in the race before they enter it.
Next up - the words to watch from Bill Barry. There were some real indicators from Barry when interviewed by David Cochrane last week.
A leader does not wait to see who's in the race before they enter it.
Next up - the words to watch from Bill Barry. There were some real indicators from Barry when interviewed by David Cochrane last week.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Journalism dealt another blow by James McLeod
This morning - the Telegram has served up another waste of space by "journalist" James McLeod. Under the News section you'll see a story headlined; "Rumours swirl about PC leadership ahead of critical meeting Saturday".
The story begins by outlining rumours about who may seek the leadership of the Newfoundland and Labrador PC Party.
It quickly turns into another Liberal bashing through the bias pen of the reporter.
The subheading reads: "Throwing stones" In this paragraph McLeod talks about tweets by Liberals regarding the Tory delegate style convention. What it does not say - is there have been Tory tweets as well taking smacks at the Liberal convention style.
McLeod then adds that it is unclear what glass ceiling the Liberal party broke as they elected a middle-aged man. If McLeod is using a strict interpretation of glass ceiling - with feminist meaning - then I would suggest - the open leadership of the Liberal party allowed many thousands of women to vote for the next leader - without restriction of finance to attend a convention, without restriction of geography, and without restriction of conflicting commitments to job and family. If one were to use a more broad interpretation of glass ceiling - where men and women could be included in the advancement - then obviously over 20,000 people voting in a leadership election for any party in our province - not only broke it but shattered it.
McLeod then says "it was the PC Party that first put a woman in the role of Premier". If James were actually producing news not spin - he might have opined that there were rumours of backroom deals to keep men interested in the role from running. It is also interesting that McLeod finds that anybody putting a woman anywhere is somehow breaking a glass ceiling.
The next subheading reads: "Delegates decide" - and in that paragraph McLeod paraphrases something allegedly said by PC Party President Sheahan. He said the Liberals were so thoroughly decimated — without active district associations, donors or membership lists — that they needed to use their leadership race to rebuild the mangled party.
Right of the top - this is an example of Tories once again taking smacks at the Liberal process and further ignores the obvious balance to that statement.
The Tories are probably using the delegate style convention because they have been decimated in the polls and must raise some excitement to rebuild the battered party. The rumours of so many people running may simply be a set-up by the PC's in an attempt to show artificial interest in the publicly admonished party. Names like Ottenheimer, Skinner, Manning, and Oram - Tory stalwarts not new blood - and a bunch of Cabinet Ministers positioning themselves to be a king/queen maker.
The other obvious thing here is that the PC's that McLeod says put the female Premier in office - are the same group that so obviously threw her out and the same bunch that are acting now like it was all Dunderdale's fault.
There are some real problems with much that McLeod reports on - but this one is Duffyesque and shows a real bias.
The story begins by outlining rumours about who may seek the leadership of the Newfoundland and Labrador PC Party.
It quickly turns into another Liberal bashing through the bias pen of the reporter.
The subheading reads: "Throwing stones" In this paragraph McLeod talks about tweets by Liberals regarding the Tory delegate style convention. What it does not say - is there have been Tory tweets as well taking smacks at the Liberal convention style.
McLeod then adds that it is unclear what glass ceiling the Liberal party broke as they elected a middle-aged man. If McLeod is using a strict interpretation of glass ceiling - with feminist meaning - then I would suggest - the open leadership of the Liberal party allowed many thousands of women to vote for the next leader - without restriction of finance to attend a convention, without restriction of geography, and without restriction of conflicting commitments to job and family. If one were to use a more broad interpretation of glass ceiling - where men and women could be included in the advancement - then obviously over 20,000 people voting in a leadership election for any party in our province - not only broke it but shattered it.
McLeod then says "it was the PC Party that first put a woman in the role of Premier". If James were actually producing news not spin - he might have opined that there were rumours of backroom deals to keep men interested in the role from running. It is also interesting that McLeod finds that anybody putting a woman anywhere is somehow breaking a glass ceiling.
The next subheading reads: "Delegates decide" - and in that paragraph McLeod paraphrases something allegedly said by PC Party President Sheahan. He said the Liberals were so thoroughly decimated — without active district associations, donors or membership lists — that they needed to use their leadership race to rebuild the mangled party.
Right of the top - this is an example of Tories once again taking smacks at the Liberal process and further ignores the obvious balance to that statement.
The Tories are probably using the delegate style convention because they have been decimated in the polls and must raise some excitement to rebuild the battered party. The rumours of so many people running may simply be a set-up by the PC's in an attempt to show artificial interest in the publicly admonished party. Names like Ottenheimer, Skinner, Manning, and Oram - Tory stalwarts not new blood - and a bunch of Cabinet Ministers positioning themselves to be a king/queen maker.
The other obvious thing here is that the PC's that McLeod says put the female Premier in office - are the same group that so obviously threw her out and the same bunch that are acting now like it was all Dunderdale's fault.
There are some real problems with much that McLeod reports on - but this one is Duffyesque and shows a real bias.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Weekend Doozies - Rob Nicholson - Shawn Skinner - Danny Williams
The top spot goes to Federal Minister of Justice Rob Nicholson - please remember now this man is the Justice Minister - and he apparently does not understand how laws are made!
By doing the typical Conservative Harper Jig - blaming the Liberals for flawed legislation - he made all of his colleagues look like idiots.
This of course is referencing the problems discovered in the Civil Marriage Act and reported by the global media this week.
So Minister Nicholson - there were Conservatives in the House of Commons when the Act was being passed - why didn't they pick up the problems?
In one fell swoop Nicholson exposed a nasty reality. The people we employ - first and foremost to sit in our legislatures to make, amend, and repeal laws - are not engaged. Of course in Newfoundland and Labrador they avoid that problem by not opening the House of Assembly to begin with.
As people we should be disgusted.
Next up is former Premier Danny Williams and his re-entry into the media spotlight - despite saying it's not what he'd do after he left politics. Problem is his baby project is being attacked. Dunderdale is having problems ushering through - without critique - the flawed Muskrat Falls development.
Dunderdale was chosen by Williams on his way out - and she was to get this deal through. Apparently despite Williams's contention that the Premier is doing a great job in getting information out to the public - he felt it necessary to play clean-up. Williams is banking on his formidable record of public support to wave his wand and state all is well with Muskrat Falls.
The question is why would media give it the time of day? He is the former Premier - he left the project unfinished and returned to the private sector. The private sector does include companies salivating to get their hands on some of the 6 billion dollars you and I will pay for.
His PC Party - led by his chosen replacement is doing a "great job" - so why did he feel the need to enter the fray? That's one question that should be asked - the second should be if he is involved in any company that may in any way benefit from this development? That is a fair question now - as the current Premier has no problem questioning the agendas of critics to the deal.
As people we should be disgusted.
Finally there is Shawn Skinner former PC MHA and Cabinet Minister - the Minister responsible for the deal prior to being defeated in the fall election by NDP Gerry Rogers.
He says that if he was in Cabinet now - the recommendation would be to hold a special session of the House of Assembly to debate the Muskrat development. Surely he could have set that process up when he WAS the Minister. If that had happened it would look really bad if the Premier wiped out a process set-up by her former Minister. So the questions are:
When you were the Minister - why didn't you set up a process that would see such a debate?
When you were Minister - did you actually ask that this process be set-up?
If you did ask - why was it rejected by your Cabinet colleagues?
If you did not ask - why not - and why now?
As people we should be disgusted.
By doing the typical Conservative Harper Jig - blaming the Liberals for flawed legislation - he made all of his colleagues look like idiots.
This of course is referencing the problems discovered in the Civil Marriage Act and reported by the global media this week.
So Minister Nicholson - there were Conservatives in the House of Commons when the Act was being passed - why didn't they pick up the problems?
In one fell swoop Nicholson exposed a nasty reality. The people we employ - first and foremost to sit in our legislatures to make, amend, and repeal laws - are not engaged. Of course in Newfoundland and Labrador they avoid that problem by not opening the House of Assembly to begin with.
As people we should be disgusted.
Next up is former Premier Danny Williams and his re-entry into the media spotlight - despite saying it's not what he'd do after he left politics. Problem is his baby project is being attacked. Dunderdale is having problems ushering through - without critique - the flawed Muskrat Falls development.
Dunderdale was chosen by Williams on his way out - and she was to get this deal through. Apparently despite Williams's contention that the Premier is doing a great job in getting information out to the public - he felt it necessary to play clean-up. Williams is banking on his formidable record of public support to wave his wand and state all is well with Muskrat Falls.
The question is why would media give it the time of day? He is the former Premier - he left the project unfinished and returned to the private sector. The private sector does include companies salivating to get their hands on some of the 6 billion dollars you and I will pay for.
His PC Party - led by his chosen replacement is doing a "great job" - so why did he feel the need to enter the fray? That's one question that should be asked - the second should be if he is involved in any company that may in any way benefit from this development? That is a fair question now - as the current Premier has no problem questioning the agendas of critics to the deal.
As people we should be disgusted.
Finally there is Shawn Skinner former PC MHA and Cabinet Minister - the Minister responsible for the deal prior to being defeated in the fall election by NDP Gerry Rogers.
He says that if he was in Cabinet now - the recommendation would be to hold a special session of the House of Assembly to debate the Muskrat development. Surely he could have set that process up when he WAS the Minister. If that had happened it would look really bad if the Premier wiped out a process set-up by her former Minister. So the questions are:
When you were the Minister - why didn't you set up a process that would see such a debate?
When you were Minister - did you actually ask that this process be set-up?
If you did ask - why was it rejected by your Cabinet colleagues?
If you did not ask - why not - and why now?
As people we should be disgusted.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Sign your name for the History Books - So our Children know who to Blame
Back in the Upper Churchill days we did not have all this social media. Now we do.
For the record - if you are going to vote Tory and support Muskrat Falls - leave your real name in the comment area - as well as your email address.
That way when the children ask who did this - they can be pointed in the right direction.
If you are that sure that Muskrat is a good deal - sign on.
Also if you believe that 2041 is the end of dealing with Quebec - sign your name for that.
If you are a Tory candidate - no need to sign - we have a record of you running.
For the record - if you are going to vote Tory and support Muskrat Falls - leave your real name in the comment area - as well as your email address.
That way when the children ask who did this - they can be pointed in the right direction.
If you are that sure that Muskrat is a good deal - sign on.
Also if you believe that 2041 is the end of dealing with Quebec - sign your name for that.
If you are a Tory candidate - no need to sign - we have a record of you running.
Friday, October 07, 2011
The Almighty Dunderdale - Why are we having an Election?
This election has been the most contrived - the most interfered with poll of the people since Joey Smallwood days.
Polling misinformation, changes midstream at the Electoral office, unknown rules as you go at the Electoral office, threats to public servants, people being approached because they have a particular candidates sign on their line, "discussion" with councils, heads of Government agencies and senior officials quit but remain on the government website, and then of course the issue of the day for PC candidates "you need to be on the government side".
Then there is a review of the Media Coverage - unbalanced in content and choice of coverage.
There is no doubt in this - I have watched television, print and radio news and special items and monitored the social media. I can say without any partisan influence that this has been the worst coverage in a very long time.
The worst I have seen has come from Dave Cochrane CBC - but then again he seems determined to try and promote himself more than the candidates themselves.
Dave - where is Ed Byrne working these days - what are his thoughts on the constituency allowance fiasco? Find Loyola Sullivan - tied up with one of the fisheries companies in the province - as the longest sitting member on the committee - why did he continue to keep the auditor general out. No that question was reserved for Kevin Aylward. Why not ask Kathy Dunderdale about her position when sitting in Opposition? For instance Dunderdale was part of the conversation in the House of Assembly regarding an unelected Premier doing resource deals. Or better yet the position of bringing forth all details of the Muskrat deal with Emera in the same way that was demanded for Voisey's Bay. Further why not bring the whole thing into the House of Assembly? Then there is the position of Dunderdale when in Opposition where the Lower Churchill would not be done without redress on the Upper Churchill. No none of this.
Cochrane should also reveal who the "experts" are that told him the MQO poll was valid. None of that.
On point was a joke - every time a Liberal sat down it was talking about the polls, or something Dumeresque said, and then the presence of Tim Powers on the panel. All a joke - not at all funny. How about we talk about policies being proposed by all parties. Then there was Dave asking Kevin Aylward about the party debt and how he could ask people to vote for him when the fiscal house of the party was not in order. What?
Then VOCM and things like Jerome Kennedy coming on as "Minister of Health", to talk about a platform item in the Blue Book - he even gave the page number that it was on. This is one example.
How many PC candidates have used the line "need to be on the government side" not only on talk shows but in campaign literature. The most disappointing of the candidates using this line is John Noseworthy - the former Auditor General. I'm sorry John but if this is what you have to resort to for a platform - the people of this province need to know you are not the hero of the legislative spending scandal.
Then there's Dennis O'Keefe - who last week when trying to get all parties in line for City promises - said he was not involved in the election. Only to have him come out and start campaigning with PC candidate Shawn Skinner this week. And this is apparently okay when public servants have been "advised" not to participate in the election - not even to stuff envelopes.
What of the head of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing? He quit right? Why is his face and message still on the website? No problem there right?
So do we really wonder why people don't want to vote? Why vote? Media reporting another Tory majority prior to voting day. Why spend the money? Why not just throw 48 appointed PC's in the House of Assembly and let them destroy what little bit we have left. Let Dunderdale tell fishermen and plant workers about "welfare" she better do it because a public servant can't use that word right? Why spend the money on an election? How about we all stop paying tax - and let the lot of them spend their own money. Apparently they have lots they keep telling everybody that they will give this district this amount and this place this service. Oh that's right they are talking about our money. If somebody else formed government would they be allowed to spend it?
Polling misinformation, changes midstream at the Electoral office, unknown rules as you go at the Electoral office, threats to public servants, people being approached because they have a particular candidates sign on their line, "discussion" with councils, heads of Government agencies and senior officials quit but remain on the government website, and then of course the issue of the day for PC candidates "you need to be on the government side".
Then there is a review of the Media Coverage - unbalanced in content and choice of coverage.
There is no doubt in this - I have watched television, print and radio news and special items and monitored the social media. I can say without any partisan influence that this has been the worst coverage in a very long time.
The worst I have seen has come from Dave Cochrane CBC - but then again he seems determined to try and promote himself more than the candidates themselves.
Dave - where is Ed Byrne working these days - what are his thoughts on the constituency allowance fiasco? Find Loyola Sullivan - tied up with one of the fisheries companies in the province - as the longest sitting member on the committee - why did he continue to keep the auditor general out. No that question was reserved for Kevin Aylward. Why not ask Kathy Dunderdale about her position when sitting in Opposition? For instance Dunderdale was part of the conversation in the House of Assembly regarding an unelected Premier doing resource deals. Or better yet the position of bringing forth all details of the Muskrat deal with Emera in the same way that was demanded for Voisey's Bay. Further why not bring the whole thing into the House of Assembly? Then there is the position of Dunderdale when in Opposition where the Lower Churchill would not be done without redress on the Upper Churchill. No none of this.
Cochrane should also reveal who the "experts" are that told him the MQO poll was valid. None of that.
On point was a joke - every time a Liberal sat down it was talking about the polls, or something Dumeresque said, and then the presence of Tim Powers on the panel. All a joke - not at all funny. How about we talk about policies being proposed by all parties. Then there was Dave asking Kevin Aylward about the party debt and how he could ask people to vote for him when the fiscal house of the party was not in order. What?
Then VOCM and things like Jerome Kennedy coming on as "Minister of Health", to talk about a platform item in the Blue Book - he even gave the page number that it was on. This is one example.
How many PC candidates have used the line "need to be on the government side" not only on talk shows but in campaign literature. The most disappointing of the candidates using this line is John Noseworthy - the former Auditor General. I'm sorry John but if this is what you have to resort to for a platform - the people of this province need to know you are not the hero of the legislative spending scandal.
Then there's Dennis O'Keefe - who last week when trying to get all parties in line for City promises - said he was not involved in the election. Only to have him come out and start campaigning with PC candidate Shawn Skinner this week. And this is apparently okay when public servants have been "advised" not to participate in the election - not even to stuff envelopes.
What of the head of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing? He quit right? Why is his face and message still on the website? No problem there right?
So do we really wonder why people don't want to vote? Why vote? Media reporting another Tory majority prior to voting day. Why spend the money? Why not just throw 48 appointed PC's in the House of Assembly and let them destroy what little bit we have left. Let Dunderdale tell fishermen and plant workers about "welfare" she better do it because a public servant can't use that word right? Why spend the money on an election? How about we all stop paying tax - and let the lot of them spend their own money. Apparently they have lots they keep telling everybody that they will give this district this amount and this place this service. Oh that's right they are talking about our money. If somebody else formed government would they be allowed to spend it?
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Let's get Simple on Muskrat
Show me how we are going to need the increase in power projected for the Island.
Show me.
By all means - all PC supporters welcomed to explain - especially MHA's.
Show me.
By all means - all PC supporters welcomed to explain - especially MHA's.
Sunday, October 02, 2011
Muskrat Red Flags - why Dunderdale must be STOPPED
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are told Muskrat is the "best" option for power for the Island. This has been questioned successfully by many experienced and knowledgeable people - yet there is no believable response from Nalcor or government.
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are told that Nova Scotia will receive cheaper power from the project than they will. Somehow this is necessary to build markets. Why would any government charge its own people double to supply other jurisdictions with subsidized power?
There are many red flags - more than were obvious during the Upper Churchill yet some 35 years later - this government is willing to do a deal that is worse than the Upper Churchill. Stop this deal - stop the Dunderdale government.
Don`t forget - this government has been unable to forecast oil and revenues accurately on an annual basis -let alone 20 years out.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Ocean Choice GURU must not support the Kathy Dunderdale Emera deal!
The Ocean Choice guru - currently nailing Marystown - weighed in on the Lower Churchill.
What was he talking about?
What did he support? Certainly not what Kathy is talking about with Emera. He was talking about lines that could transmit all the power - not just Muskrat - not just Gull Island - but even the power from the Upper Churchill!
Watch Ches Penney Press HERE
What was he talking about?
What did he support? Certainly not what Kathy is talking about with Emera. He was talking about lines that could transmit all the power - not just Muskrat - not just Gull Island - but even the power from the Upper Churchill!
Watch Ches Penney Press HERE
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Yes Newfoundland and Labrador there is a Sasquatch - ask Kathy
Newfoundland and Labrador politics is reaching new lows - the silence from Dunderdale is scary. Is she able to explain the finances of the province? Why is Marshall the only point man now from health and tax - to deception and misinformation?
Then Minister Marshall gets a free ride. How many times have the hosts of the VOCM triple play talk-shows been asked - "the next time Minister Marshall comes on ask him about the Dr. Wade Locke report on pharmacy"? How many times - including last week was Marshall on-air right after the question was asked - only to have the host pass him a pair of skates - and avoid the question?
Why have the leaders not been asked to spend a morning on Open-Line to address the public? That used to be a common thing - that is pre-DanTory.
Kathy Dunderdale saunters by and passes a comment about the Liberal Policy Agenda; that's not affordable. Then dutifully Tony calls in to say that the Libs never spent all the money the Tories did and let all the infrastructure crumble. Now talking to Tony is probably the best example of wasting breath one could find. The fellow is inexplicably full of blue blood and the thought of any transfusion is like an O recipient trying to digest AB. The body just simply rejects it. It matters not to Tony that the words he utters are untrue, misleading, or at best skewed - he carries on anyway. Does Tony offer anything new when he calls again and again? No! But that works - Tony has his role for the Tories.
Kathy is the recipient of an urban economy that is flush from oil revenues - primarily from deals made by the Liberals. The money rolls from Voisey's Bay and the economy of the Placentia area grows on the back of Liberal deals. Does she know how to spend it? No - she does not - but that's okay she will spend it all anyway and take it in as fast the oil will pump. There is not a care for the future or the people who will attempt to live in it.
The only thing Kathy is responsible for is the Muskrat deal inseminated by Williams. This deal is bad - simple as that. There is no justification for it on any level and the questions keep coming from people in the public who are cognizant of the damage it could cause.
The equalization folklore has grown into a Sasquatch - I remember when "we got it" - it looked something like ... and then it had two heads. The equalization situation is worse now than it ever was and we are not better off. Back to the Sasquatch - the government now says he are a "have" province. Fiction - pure fiction, as government spins so hard a crater is forming below them - and we are going to fall into it. We are a "have" province because Harper changed the formula but NOT to our benefit.
The two billion we achieved from Martin and the federal Libs is offset by the ten billion we lose under Harper. What did Kathy, Danny, and Tories do about it? Nothing - they insured that Fabian Manning would not be elected. You can tell how upset Stephen is by that.
Under the Tories we lost two valuable paper-mills, fish plants, and several federal services. Happy Valley-Goose Bay has not done any better. Where is the new base - the new commitment promised over and over and over? A new prison? Custodial control nose and tail? Joint management? So what does Kathy do? Let's start afresh with the traitor - let's start liking Harper again.
Let's face it - the new love-in of Harper had already begun under Williams prior to his departure. Why? The answer to that is simple - Williams wanted the Emera deal. The unspoken - the unexplored - the absence of the media - all contributing to the big lie being perpetrated on our people.
The fishery continues to collapse for communities, fishermen, and plant workers but is moving ahead fine for the owners of the stock (that is not the people). The greatest eco-disaster of the modern ages and yet - nothing is sought in retribution. We lose 40,000 people - not a word - just the continued drone of incompetent politicians echoing in our ears. Our rural communities devastated - families ripped apart without a second thought by Kathy and hercolleagues clones. Economies barely surviving on Alberta money - while seniors lose their families and are dragged into homes outside of their home-towns. One parent raising children in a two parent household.
And then the likes of Paddy - Paddy Daly - laughing his way through "Iceland is bankrupt". The decree from on high - atop the hill on Kenmount Road. The man who repeats what you have just said to him - yet seems so unfamiliar (aka putting words in somebodies mouth). The man who is waiting to be convinced one way or another on the Muskrat Falls deal as he declares all are not doing a good job of explaining it to him. This may not be the problem he thinks - perhaps he just does not get it and perhaps that's his own fault. Tis easier for Paddy to condemn the caller as a "know-it-all" or somebody who "does not have the gift of debate" - than to simply recognize he is ignorant on the subject.
Dumbing down of our population is key to allow the power brokers most of whom we do not know or ever see. Dumbing down to take our resources and make us feel good while they do it.
Then there are the MHA'selite remainder rediscovering the depths of unethical behavior through misinformation, deceit, and spin. The Jerome Kennedy's of the lower power hungry - fighting whoever is in front of him - taking low blows - dodging in the shadows - where bullies hang out. Then there is our Premier - the unelected leader of Danny's Party. The woman who would serve her king at all costs. Jogging, jogging, jogging, into a new wardrobe for the photo-ops of Ross Reid's carefully crafted spending of the budget.
This new game is dangerous and the people will not win if we play it. The threats veiled or direct, the interference in the peoples' right to speak, the underlying deceit of the power brokers, and the direct control of the future by Danny, Dean, and Brian - will result in the making of billionaires on the backs of our people.
Then Minister Marshall gets a free ride. How many times have the hosts of the VOCM triple play talk-shows been asked - "the next time Minister Marshall comes on ask him about the Dr. Wade Locke report on pharmacy"? How many times - including last week was Marshall on-air right after the question was asked - only to have the host pass him a pair of skates - and avoid the question?
Why have the leaders not been asked to spend a morning on Open-Line to address the public? That used to be a common thing - that is pre-DanTory.
Kathy Dunderdale saunters by and passes a comment about the Liberal Policy Agenda; that's not affordable. Then dutifully Tony calls in to say that the Libs never spent all the money the Tories did and let all the infrastructure crumble. Now talking to Tony is probably the best example of wasting breath one could find. The fellow is inexplicably full of blue blood and the thought of any transfusion is like an O recipient trying to digest AB. The body just simply rejects it. It matters not to Tony that the words he utters are untrue, misleading, or at best skewed - he carries on anyway. Does Tony offer anything new when he calls again and again? No! But that works - Tony has his role for the Tories.
Kathy is the recipient of an urban economy that is flush from oil revenues - primarily from deals made by the Liberals. The money rolls from Voisey's Bay and the economy of the Placentia area grows on the back of Liberal deals. Does she know how to spend it? No - she does not - but that's okay she will spend it all anyway and take it in as fast the oil will pump. There is not a care for the future or the people who will attempt to live in it.
The only thing Kathy is responsible for is the Muskrat deal inseminated by Williams. This deal is bad - simple as that. There is no justification for it on any level and the questions keep coming from people in the public who are cognizant of the damage it could cause.
The equalization folklore has grown into a Sasquatch - I remember when "we got it" - it looked something like ... and then it had two heads. The equalization situation is worse now than it ever was and we are not better off. Back to the Sasquatch - the government now says he are a "have" province. Fiction - pure fiction, as government spins so hard a crater is forming below them - and we are going to fall into it. We are a "have" province because Harper changed the formula but NOT to our benefit.
The two billion we achieved from Martin and the federal Libs is offset by the ten billion we lose under Harper. What did Kathy, Danny, and Tories do about it? Nothing - they insured that Fabian Manning would not be elected. You can tell how upset Stephen is by that.
Under the Tories we lost two valuable paper-mills, fish plants, and several federal services. Happy Valley-Goose Bay has not done any better. Where is the new base - the new commitment promised over and over and over? A new prison? Custodial control nose and tail? Joint management? So what does Kathy do? Let's start afresh with the traitor - let's start liking Harper again.
Let's face it - the new love-in of Harper had already begun under Williams prior to his departure. Why? The answer to that is simple - Williams wanted the Emera deal. The unspoken - the unexplored - the absence of the media - all contributing to the big lie being perpetrated on our people.
The fishery continues to collapse for communities, fishermen, and plant workers but is moving ahead fine for the owners of the stock (that is not the people). The greatest eco-disaster of the modern ages and yet - nothing is sought in retribution. We lose 40,000 people - not a word - just the continued drone of incompetent politicians echoing in our ears. Our rural communities devastated - families ripped apart without a second thought by Kathy and her
And then the likes of Paddy - Paddy Daly - laughing his way through "Iceland is bankrupt". The decree from on high - atop the hill on Kenmount Road. The man who repeats what you have just said to him - yet seems so unfamiliar (aka putting words in somebodies mouth). The man who is waiting to be convinced one way or another on the Muskrat Falls deal as he declares all are not doing a good job of explaining it to him. This may not be the problem he thinks - perhaps he just does not get it and perhaps that's his own fault. Tis easier for Paddy to condemn the caller as a "know-it-all" or somebody who "does not have the gift of debate" - than to simply recognize he is ignorant on the subject.
Dumbing down of our population is key to allow the power brokers most of whom we do not know or ever see. Dumbing down to take our resources and make us feel good while they do it.
Then there are the MHA's
This new game is dangerous and the people will not win if we play it. The threats veiled or direct, the interference in the peoples' right to speak, the underlying deceit of the power brokers, and the direct control of the future by Danny, Dean, and Brian - will result in the making of billionaires on the backs of our people.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Rural Newfoundland and the Big Land - feeling the fresh/salty Election Air
Can you feel it? Rural Newfoundland is yelling and screaming - the sound is loud and it is powerful. When communities and families lose it all because the government failed to utilize, protect, and invest in renewable sectors such as forestry and the fishery - they might - they just might take back control.
When the Big Land has been promised, since the Upper Churchill, that their turn was next - and they waited - and waited - but their turn did not come, they might - they just might take back control.
When public service pensioners contributed to a pension plan but the government directed it into general revenue year over year continue to hear from the Minister of Finance - go away we do not want to talk to you, they might - just might, tell the Minister exactly the same thing.
When Pharmacy Owners who serve their communities and inner-city neighbourhoods with essential front line health care are told over and over by the government - we do not recognize your expertise and your investment, they might - just might, say you are not the government of the people or for the people.
The polling issue is a joke. Have they yet revealed how many of the people polled were contacted online? The government of Kathy Dunderdale and her political party are drunk with power. They are partisan beyond democracy - and threaten the very system our forefathers fought for. I am very serious. I am hearing the usual - vote for me - you want to be on the government side. Yes by all means Tories - let's see if we can get rid of all opposition. This crew actually go after people in the private sector. They attempt to affect a persons employment by dropping a hint here and there.
The joke of Len Simms and Ross Reid leaving employment and regaining employment at the dropping of writs is not unlike Peter McKay and his fly rod being picked up by the coast guard helicopter. Len Simms heads up the Housing Corporation - which is more important - the election or the direction needed to fix the endless problems in affordable housing? Which is more important the Deputy Minister of whatever or the re-election of his beloved Tories? Hey Ross - the real deal does not really mean that much to you does it? The sincerity and fundamental freedom of choices does not mean anything to you Ross? Do tell. I can sleep - can you?
So you see there is a feeling in the air - a fresh/salty oxymoronic sort of feeling. How was the Cabinet meeting in Grand Falls-Windsor? Any threats floating around to business people or ordinary citizens? Feels like real democracy - or at least as Ross remembers it from:
Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Ukraine.
My ears have been burning for months - wonder why that is?
When the Big Land has been promised, since the Upper Churchill, that their turn was next - and they waited - and waited - but their turn did not come, they might - they just might take back control.
When public service pensioners contributed to a pension plan but the government directed it into general revenue year over year continue to hear from the Minister of Finance - go away we do not want to talk to you, they might - just might, tell the Minister exactly the same thing.
When Pharmacy Owners who serve their communities and inner-city neighbourhoods with essential front line health care are told over and over by the government - we do not recognize your expertise and your investment, they might - just might, say you are not the government of the people or for the people.
The polling issue is a joke. Have they yet revealed how many of the people polled were contacted online? The government of Kathy Dunderdale and her political party are drunk with power. They are partisan beyond democracy - and threaten the very system our forefathers fought for. I am very serious. I am hearing the usual - vote for me - you want to be on the government side. Yes by all means Tories - let's see if we can get rid of all opposition. This crew actually go after people in the private sector. They attempt to affect a persons employment by dropping a hint here and there.
The joke of Len Simms and Ross Reid leaving employment and regaining employment at the dropping of writs is not unlike Peter McKay and his fly rod being picked up by the coast guard helicopter. Len Simms heads up the Housing Corporation - which is more important - the election or the direction needed to fix the endless problems in affordable housing? Which is more important the Deputy Minister of whatever or the re-election of his beloved Tories? Hey Ross - the real deal does not really mean that much to you does it? The sincerity and fundamental freedom of choices does not mean anything to you Ross? Do tell. I can sleep - can you?
So you see there is a feeling in the air - a fresh/salty oxymoronic sort of feeling. How was the Cabinet meeting in Grand Falls-Windsor? Any threats floating around to business people or ordinary citizens? Feels like real democracy - or at least as Ross remembers it from:
Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Ukraine.
My ears have been burning for months - wonder why that is?
Monday, September 19, 2011
I'm Sorry won't cut it this time - This time it will be over! Will Dunderdale care? No!
There have been many important elections in our past. This is the most important election of our time. Forgiveness is not an option.
Make no mistake - Premier Dunderdale is making this election about one issue - Muskrat Falls. Why? Because if she is reelected she WILL go forward with the Emera deal.
There is only one way to stop this deal and that is to stop the Dunderdale Government from winning.
This is a current day repeat of the Upper Churchill and we must take a stand. We must stop past mistakes from reoccurring - we must stop a disaster for our people now - and we must stop what will be the ruination of our future.
This deal represents us here and now - it will determine if we have learned from our past - it will determine if we are going to let power hungry and knowledge deficient politicians ruin our future.
First the MHA's are not educated enough or really do not care about this issue, the options, or anything that goes against the wholesale giveaway of our resources.
We do not have satisfactory answers - we are missing very real information - and we risk the entire future of our children.
This must be stopped. This would be an unforgivable act.
It does not make sense to have our children pay for over 4 billion in debt through unacceptable energy costs. It does not make sense to build an expensive transmission system to deliver cheaper power to Nova Scotia. Nalcor's numbers are not reliable. The government has not proven that this is the best project. The Navigant study is not sufficient in scope or depth to rely on.
This is an unforgivable act. If you want to see treason - this is it. We go into debt and pay unsustainable power rates to give cheap power to Nova Scotia. I have to wonder if Dunderdale is simply saying "we believe you are that stupid Newfoundlanders and Labradorians". The PC slogan New Energy - must be the last smack at the people. Dunderdale is saying - let me shove this bad deal in front of your face - and see if you bite.
Hook Line and Sinker is the only fisheries term Kathy Dunderdale wants to hear.
Make no mistake - Premier Dunderdale is making this election about one issue - Muskrat Falls. Why? Because if she is reelected she WILL go forward with the Emera deal.
There is only one way to stop this deal and that is to stop the Dunderdale Government from winning.
This is a current day repeat of the Upper Churchill and we must take a stand. We must stop past mistakes from reoccurring - we must stop a disaster for our people now - and we must stop what will be the ruination of our future.
This deal represents us here and now - it will determine if we have learned from our past - it will determine if we are going to let power hungry and knowledge deficient politicians ruin our future.
First the MHA's are not educated enough or really do not care about this issue, the options, or anything that goes against the wholesale giveaway of our resources.
We do not have satisfactory answers - we are missing very real information - and we risk the entire future of our children.
This must be stopped. This would be an unforgivable act.
It does not make sense to have our children pay for over 4 billion in debt through unacceptable energy costs. It does not make sense to build an expensive transmission system to deliver cheaper power to Nova Scotia. Nalcor's numbers are not reliable. The government has not proven that this is the best project. The Navigant study is not sufficient in scope or depth to rely on.
This is an unforgivable act. If you want to see treason - this is it. We go into debt and pay unsustainable power rates to give cheap power to Nova Scotia. I have to wonder if Dunderdale is simply saying "we believe you are that stupid Newfoundlanders and Labradorians". The PC slogan New Energy - must be the last smack at the people. Dunderdale is saying - let me shove this bad deal in front of your face - and see if you bite.
Hook Line and Sinker is the only fisheries term Kathy Dunderdale wants to hear.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Muskrat Falls deal not complicated! 10 points - Simple Giveaway
Muskrat Falls in a nutshell. Larger giveaway than the Upper Chuchill.
1. Double electricity rates for us so Nova Scotia can have cheap power.
2. The Province is not running out of power because the population is dropping and industry is disappearing. All products now more energy efficient.
3. The Province is entering into 6 billion in debt with no commercial basis to pay it off - just us the consumers.
4. The infrastructure we are building cannot transmit Gull Island so we are spending over 2 billion to give Nova Scotia cheap power.
5. The predictions on oil prices are overstated and the predictions of increase in demand are fiction so our rates would not double over the next few years if we stay the same.
6. Loan guarantee from Ottawa for this giveaway will cost us in many other ways, lost federal jobs and services and the sign-off on the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement with the EU further harming our fishery and increasing the cost of prescription drugs.
7. The "independent" panel says case is not there for the development.
8. Another giveaway of Labrador resources without permanent industrial growth.
9. Short-term jobs during construction - no jobs after. Makes millionaires out of a few companies and their shareholders.
10. Giveaway to multi-millionaires under Emera.
1. Double electricity rates for us so Nova Scotia can have cheap power.
2. The Province is not running out of power because the population is dropping and industry is disappearing. All products now more energy efficient.
3. The Province is entering into 6 billion in debt with no commercial basis to pay it off - just us the consumers.
4. The infrastructure we are building cannot transmit Gull Island so we are spending over 2 billion to give Nova Scotia cheap power.
5. The predictions on oil prices are overstated and the predictions of increase in demand are fiction so our rates would not double over the next few years if we stay the same.
6. Loan guarantee from Ottawa for this giveaway will cost us in many other ways, lost federal jobs and services and the sign-off on the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement with the EU further harming our fishery and increasing the cost of prescription drugs.
7. The "independent" panel says case is not there for the development.
8. Another giveaway of Labrador resources without permanent industrial growth.
9. Short-term jobs during construction - no jobs after. Makes millionaires out of a few companies and their shareholders.
10. Giveaway to multi-millionaires under Emera.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Nova Scotia attracts 150 high paying jobs from our resources! Well done Premier!
Please read the News Release below released by the Government of Nova Scotia. So the "Atlantic Office" based on our resources goes to that province not ours. Well done Premier.
Economic and Rural Development and Tourism
September 14, 2011 8:51 AM
Acting Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, John MacDonell today, Sept. 14, welcomed news that Projex, a Calgary-based engineering firm, will open an Atlantic office in Halifax.
"I'm so pleased Projex has recognized the talent of our workforce and Nova Scotia as a great place to do business," said Mr. MacDonell. "On behalf of the province, I'd like to welcome Projex to Nova Scotia."
The firm, which specializes in the energy sector, will create 15 local jobs when it opens its doors at the beginning of October, including electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, piping designers, structural designers, instrumentation and control engineers and document control technicians.
The company hopes to have 50 to 150 full-time positions available by 2012.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Minister Skinner does not know what he's talking about!!
Minister Skinner was unable to answer the question I asked him today on Open Line - as such I can conclude is not capable of touching the Lower Churchill deal.
I asked the Minister about nationalizing Newfoundland Power in order to reduce rates to our people.
He said it would have to be studied. I advised him the report was already in his Departmental office.
After I hung up - the Minister speculated that the report must have been from the Clyde Wells era when privatization was discussed.
In fact the financial review of the potential takeover was completed in 2003 and released by then PC Minister Ed Byrne in 2004.
The fact that the Minister did not know that demonstrates his knowledge is not sufficient to do the Muskrat deal.
I will scan and paste the report on thIs site next week as it demonstrates that the takeover is not only a real option but would save money for the ratepayers.
Further over time those savIngs would continue to mount - thereby controlling rates for the consumer.
Further - when hydro privatization was discussed the only valid argument was the elimination of duplication. The problem was the corporates not the people would reap the benefits.
Minister Skinner had no problem relating assets for debt on Muskrat yet did not use the same logic regarding the takeover of Newfoundland Power assets. The cost to purchase Newfoundland Power is only relative to the costs we are paying now and would net itself off.
The savings to the consumer would be achieved through the reduction of tax that a crown corporation would not pay, the rate of return required to us as shareholders is less than the rate of return required by private shareholders, and the elimination of duplication at the management and infrastructure levels.
If the government is really interested in delivering the lowest cost power - this would have been their first move. There is a reason that Manitoba Hydro, BC Hydro, Hydro-Quebec, and NB Power all Crown Corporations - own generation, transmission, and distribution. That reason is because it's cheaper.
I can only conclude the ultimate desire of the Dunderdale government is to deliver to private interests the wealth of these resources - you and I own.
This deal must be stopped! Sign the Petition Press Here
Monday, August 29, 2011
Ross Reid - Stop insulting our Intelligence - Stop buying people with their Own Money
I really do not care if the governing party is Liberal, Progressive Conservative, or New Democratic - I get sick to my stomach every time I see spending sprees before elections. Now that we have fixed-term elections - compliments of Danny Williams initiative - the in your face - flashing of cash is downright disgusting. First they announced most of these dollars in the budget and second the cash they flash is ours.
I know this has been the practice since the beginning of votes - but this practice is designed under the assumption that the electorate is stupid. I hate that word and use it very rarely - but that's actually what these backroom planners think.
They won't dazzle us with vision, or articulate and debate sound public policies, no they want to slap money at municipalities, organizations, and most importantly at people with minimum income.
Throw some siding on houses, create a few daycare spaces, announce oil rebates for seniors, and create some part-time make-work opportunities - and that to the politicians means the work is done.
Tom Marshall wants to provide housing to people - now - for votes - to curry favour. Create a housing plan a month before an election when you have been in office for 8 years.
Yet with all the cash - children still go hungry - people still live in dumps - seniors decide between heat and food - and low-income families still go without and remain unable to provide their children with advantages of personal, arts, sports, and educational programs outside the school system.
The tidbits of townie oil cash sent to rural communities for fire-trucks, playgrounds, or brush-cutting does nothing in the long run for these communities who are still in the process of dying. They remain without a real plan for these beautiful places and the naturally caring and giving people who live in them.
These rural towns and livyers who have watched their industry disappear, their livelihoods eliminated, their children and grandchildren leave, are certainly going to appear grateful when anything is announced for their community. People needing a doctor - or hoping to avail of medical treatments near or in their community - will possibly thank anybody who does something that makes that part of their lives easier.
Public Service Pensioners - who have pretty much had to beg to be heard - are still treated like a nuisance by a Minister of Finance who should know better. Seniors who worked their lives for our province - retired on incomes that are below poverty level are being ignored by a young pup, a lawyer, and a person who will be entitled to more pension after 8 years of service than these pensioners are receiving after 40 years of service. What's the plan? The plan is wait till they die. Problem fixed.
Why do we still have food banks? Why?
Why do we have people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes - unable to afford a proper diet? A diet that would keep them healthier or avoid having to resort to insulin - when perhaps that could have been avoided. Why?
Why do we have seniors, those with physical and or mental illnesses, or children living in sub-standard housing? Why?
Why have we not recovered from the cod moratorium? Why are we continuing to let this vital renewable resource die - continuing to let foreigners control our future - and still doing nothing to seek proper redress from Ottawa? Why?
Why are we still suffering record unemployment rates in rural areas? Why are we still hemorrhaging skilled workers and their families to Ontario and Alberta? Why? We are resource rich and benefits poor - why?
Why is a sea-faring, boat building people with the Centre for Marine Excellence located in our province - unable to successfully bid on federal shipbuilding contracts? Why?
Why will a government speak to any out-of-province business - but yet ignore and refuse to meet with local business owners with 100 million dollars invested - mostly in rural communities? Why?
Why would any government continue to ship out the "best" energy potential in North America to competitive jurisdictions - when we remain industry poor? Why?
Why are we the third largest producer of hydro-power in the country - yet falling to last place when talking about associated industry? Why?
So Ross Reid who slides out of a senior government job to PC campaign chair as easily as we change socks should really stand above this continued insult to our people and their intelligence by planning to buy them with their own money.
And now finally before I even finish this post Steve Kent is on challenging my points by NOT dealing with one of them - he did not answer the economics, the need, the best utilization, or anything else. He quite obviously does not understand the history, the resource, the potentials or even the deal itself. He answered nothing. He failed.
I know this has been the practice since the beginning of votes - but this practice is designed under the assumption that the electorate is stupid. I hate that word and use it very rarely - but that's actually what these backroom planners think.
They won't dazzle us with vision, or articulate and debate sound public policies, no they want to slap money at municipalities, organizations, and most importantly at people with minimum income.
Throw some siding on houses, create a few daycare spaces, announce oil rebates for seniors, and create some part-time make-work opportunities - and that to the politicians means the work is done.
Tom Marshall wants to provide housing to people - now - for votes - to curry favour. Create a housing plan a month before an election when you have been in office for 8 years.
Yet with all the cash - children still go hungry - people still live in dumps - seniors decide between heat and food - and low-income families still go without and remain unable to provide their children with advantages of personal, arts, sports, and educational programs outside the school system.
The tidbits of townie oil cash sent to rural communities for fire-trucks, playgrounds, or brush-cutting does nothing in the long run for these communities who are still in the process of dying. They remain without a real plan for these beautiful places and the naturally caring and giving people who live in them.
These rural towns and livyers who have watched their industry disappear, their livelihoods eliminated, their children and grandchildren leave, are certainly going to appear grateful when anything is announced for their community. People needing a doctor - or hoping to avail of medical treatments near or in their community - will possibly thank anybody who does something that makes that part of their lives easier.
Public Service Pensioners - who have pretty much had to beg to be heard - are still treated like a nuisance by a Minister of Finance who should know better. Seniors who worked their lives for our province - retired on incomes that are below poverty level are being ignored by a young pup, a lawyer, and a person who will be entitled to more pension after 8 years of service than these pensioners are receiving after 40 years of service. What's the plan? The plan is wait till they die. Problem fixed.
Why do we still have food banks? Why?
Why do we have people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes - unable to afford a proper diet? A diet that would keep them healthier or avoid having to resort to insulin - when perhaps that could have been avoided. Why?
Why do we have seniors, those with physical and or mental illnesses, or children living in sub-standard housing? Why?
Why have we not recovered from the cod moratorium? Why are we continuing to let this vital renewable resource die - continuing to let foreigners control our future - and still doing nothing to seek proper redress from Ottawa? Why?
Why are we still suffering record unemployment rates in rural areas? Why are we still hemorrhaging skilled workers and their families to Ontario and Alberta? Why? We are resource rich and benefits poor - why?
Why is a sea-faring, boat building people with the Centre for Marine Excellence located in our province - unable to successfully bid on federal shipbuilding contracts? Why?
Why will a government speak to any out-of-province business - but yet ignore and refuse to meet with local business owners with 100 million dollars invested - mostly in rural communities? Why?
Why would any government continue to ship out the "best" energy potential in North America to competitive jurisdictions - when we remain industry poor? Why?
Why are we the third largest producer of hydro-power in the country - yet falling to last place when talking about associated industry? Why?
So Ross Reid who slides out of a senior government job to PC campaign chair as easily as we change socks should really stand above this continued insult to our people and their intelligence by planning to buy them with their own money.
And now finally before I even finish this post Steve Kent is on challenging my points by NOT dealing with one of them - he did not answer the economics, the need, the best utilization, or anything else. He quite obviously does not understand the history, the resource, the potentials or even the deal itself. He answered nothing. He failed.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Labrador being nailed by Newfoundland politicians again!
Labrador being nailed by Newfoundland politicians again - this time it will cost us all big time.
Read the information: PRESS HERE
Read the information: PRESS HERE
From HST to Muskrat Falls we continue to Giveaway our Future
Perhaps Premier Dunderdale and her Cabinet should take a message from the quote below.
"More importantly too, I think it sends a message to politicians throughout our country especially that they can't simply do things because it's the will of the premier or the party; that they have to in fact, on issues big as we see it here, consult the people," said Vander Zalm.
Former BC Premier Vander Zalm was referring to the vote on HST - which the government lost. Big issues are big issues and I can assure the reader than the Lower Churchill development is ten times more important to the people of this province - than the HST was to BC.
"They were the ones paying the freight and it was a benefit to the big corporations in our province especially those that are exporting our resources. They should contribute as opposed to getting a refund at the expense of the consumer," said Vander Zalm.
This quote - equally as important shows us that number one we should not be exporting raw resources such as hydro-power and two that we should be dealing with our HST fiasco as well. Currently New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador are the only provinces with the HST in place. It is yet another example of us giving up our sovereignty as a province - by allowing New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to have control over our taxation system.
The HST was put in place by the Liberals (Paul Dicks, Minister) and kept intact by the Tories under Williams and now Dunderdale. It just all represents a continued erosion of our ability to control our own future.
"For a decade, the Liberal Party has shifted the tax burden onto B.C. families. A return to the PST will be good for communities, good for families and good for small business. It will make life a little bit more affordable for working families. It will also ensure that British Columbia has control over its sales tax policy, now and in the future," said Dix. (NDP Leader)
We have given away our future in so many ways:
1. Media
2. Airlines
3. Fishery
4. Upper Churchill
5. Mines
6. Oil (refining)
7. Rural communities
8. Equalization
9. HST
10. Lower Churchill?
We really need to start demanding public process and that power hungry maniacally partisan politicians start to listen to us - the people. We all know our past was riddled with giveaways and we asked why. Now it's our turn to stand up and say NO to the Emera deal and Lower Churchill giveaway.
PRESS HERE to sign petition
Quotes used are from CBC Story HERE
"More importantly too, I think it sends a message to politicians throughout our country especially that they can't simply do things because it's the will of the premier or the party; that they have to in fact, on issues big as we see it here, consult the people," said Vander Zalm.
Former BC Premier Vander Zalm was referring to the vote on HST - which the government lost. Big issues are big issues and I can assure the reader than the Lower Churchill development is ten times more important to the people of this province - than the HST was to BC.
"They were the ones paying the freight and it was a benefit to the big corporations in our province especially those that are exporting our resources. They should contribute as opposed to getting a refund at the expense of the consumer," said Vander Zalm.
This quote - equally as important shows us that number one we should not be exporting raw resources such as hydro-power and two that we should be dealing with our HST fiasco as well. Currently New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador are the only provinces with the HST in place. It is yet another example of us giving up our sovereignty as a province - by allowing New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to have control over our taxation system.
The HST was put in place by the Liberals (Paul Dicks, Minister) and kept intact by the Tories under Williams and now Dunderdale. It just all represents a continued erosion of our ability to control our own future.
"For a decade, the Liberal Party has shifted the tax burden onto B.C. families. A return to the PST will be good for communities, good for families and good for small business. It will make life a little bit more affordable for working families. It will also ensure that British Columbia has control over its sales tax policy, now and in the future," said Dix. (NDP Leader)
We have given away our future in so many ways:
1. Media
2. Airlines
3. Fishery
4. Upper Churchill
5. Mines
6. Oil (refining)
7. Rural communities
8. Equalization
9. HST
10. Lower Churchill?
We really need to start demanding public process and that power hungry maniacally partisan politicians start to listen to us - the people. We all know our past was riddled with giveaways and we asked why. Now it's our turn to stand up and say NO to the Emera deal and Lower Churchill giveaway.
PRESS HERE to sign petition
Quotes used are from CBC Story HERE
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Danny Williams leave the noose for Premier Dunderdale on Muskrat Deal
Below is a quote from former Premier Danny Williams as reported by CBC NL
"People have a right to scrutinize. People have a right to ask questions. You know, I welcome that," he said. "The last thing that I would want to do as a former premier or Premier Dunderdale would want to do as the current Premier is do a bad project. So the more questions that are asked and answered are good. And I'm sure whether it's premier Dunderdale or It's Nalcor energy, if they see something they can tweak and make that a better project, they'd only be too delighted. it's better to find out now than later."
So Danny is finding a way to stick this deal to Kathy Dunderdale - clever as always. Read it carefully. Tory Cabinet Ministers should read their former boss's comments carefully. They had better make sure they "tweak" the deal or they might make a bad deal.
He knows what the problems are with the deal - at least the problems that are evident for the people/ratepayers. The money boys are all over it and want us - the owners of the resource to line their pockets with profit.
When Newfoundland and Labrador is already supplying 10% of the clean hydro power to Canada compared to under 1% supplied by each of PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Alberta, and less than 2% from Saskatchewan - we are hardly "needing" to contribute more to greening up Canada.
Worse when mighty Ontario is generating less hydro-power than Newfoundland and Labrador yet is full of industry and growing in population - Minister Skinner, Premier Dunderdale and the rest of Cabinet had better rethink the strategy of delivering our superior power to them. This is beyond "inadequate" - this is ludicrous.
Stop the Emera deal. Sign the petition Press Here
"People have a right to scrutinize. People have a right to ask questions. You know, I welcome that," he said. "The last thing that I would want to do as a former premier or Premier Dunderdale would want to do as the current Premier is do a bad project. So the more questions that are asked and answered are good. And I'm sure whether it's premier Dunderdale or It's Nalcor energy, if they see something they can tweak and make that a better project, they'd only be too delighted. it's better to find out now than later."
So Danny is finding a way to stick this deal to Kathy Dunderdale - clever as always. Read it carefully. Tory Cabinet Ministers should read their former boss's comments carefully. They had better make sure they "tweak" the deal or they might make a bad deal.
He knows what the problems are with the deal - at least the problems that are evident for the people/ratepayers. The money boys are all over it and want us - the owners of the resource to line their pockets with profit.
When Newfoundland and Labrador is already supplying 10% of the clean hydro power to Canada compared to under 1% supplied by each of PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Alberta, and less than 2% from Saskatchewan - we are hardly "needing" to contribute more to greening up Canada.
Worse when mighty Ontario is generating less hydro-power than Newfoundland and Labrador yet is full of industry and growing in population - Minister Skinner, Premier Dunderdale and the rest of Cabinet had better rethink the strategy of delivering our superior power to them. This is beyond "inadequate" - this is ludicrous.
Stop the Emera deal. Sign the petition Press Here
Ed Martin - Surprised and Disappointed at the Tone of the Panel Report on Lower Churchill
The President of Nalcor says he is "surprised and disappointed" at the tone of the Review Panel report. Well Ed Martin that's tough!
There are many people in this province - who for varying reasons - oppose the Muskrat deal and are disappointed in you and sidekicks like Gil Bennett. People we pay - who show utter contempt toward anybody who asks legitimate questions.
I have spent my adult life researching the hydro-electricity assets in our province - and voluntarily shared with people my findings and opinions on the development of such resources. I attended one of the sessions of the Review Panel and attempted to ask questions of Nalcor. Gilbert Bennett, Vice President - Lower Churchill, Nalcor responded by smirking and giggling/whispering to another sidekick at the table - and then answering in a manner using industrial language; in an attempt to sound or feel superior to the questioner.
I am neither surprised or disappointed in the "tone" of the report. It reflects a couple of things; the truth and vindication for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who had legitimate concerns about this project.
Nalcor failed to justify this development based on their own reasoning for doing it. Nalcor failed and continues to fail in its explanations to the ratepayers/people of the province. Nalcor failed in separating itself from the partisan reasons for doing the project.
Kathy Dunderdale, Premier appointed of the province failed and continues to fail to understand the project herself. Her public commentaries are weak and demonstrate her ignorance regarding the history and potential future of these tremendous hydro assets. The Premier in her zealotry to deliver Danny's baby (Muskrat) is actually managing to turn these valuable assets into unsustainable liabilities. Unfortunately this one project is so important to our future - that the electorate must remove her from office - in order to avoid the catastrophic damage it would cause to our economy over the life of the deal.
I encourage people to read the entire report of the Panel - in order that they see how damning it actually is. The exercise of reading a few hundred pages is probably one of the best things you could do for your children, grandchildren, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Minister Shawn Skinner should not ignore the information provided by the Panel and should not ignore genuine concerns of people - who for non-partisan reasons - are willing to participate in this process.
Next week - Shawn Skinner will be a guest on Randy Simms Open-Line program and I have an important question for him. The people want to know how do we develop our resources in a manner that makes the people not companies or a few millionaires the primary beneficiaries. Further the questions about the price of power are uppermost in the minds of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians - particularly the most economically vulnerable in our society. It is clear to me that the Premier and her Ministers are not competent when discussing the very basic issues regarding this deal - let alone the complexities of an overall vision for our future through the use of such valuable resources.
I look forward to asking a question of Minister Skinner - and I trust he will have the answer. If not I trust the people will see through the spin and understand that this resource should be left for more visionary and competent people to develop. The next 50 years depends on that.
Please sign the petition to stop the Emera deal. PRESS HERE
There are many people in this province - who for varying reasons - oppose the Muskrat deal and are disappointed in you and sidekicks like Gil Bennett. People we pay - who show utter contempt toward anybody who asks legitimate questions.
I have spent my adult life researching the hydro-electricity assets in our province - and voluntarily shared with people my findings and opinions on the development of such resources. I attended one of the sessions of the Review Panel and attempted to ask questions of Nalcor. Gilbert Bennett, Vice President - Lower Churchill, Nalcor responded by smirking and giggling/whispering to another sidekick at the table - and then answering in a manner using industrial language; in an attempt to sound or feel superior to the questioner.
I am neither surprised or disappointed in the "tone" of the report. It reflects a couple of things; the truth and vindication for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who had legitimate concerns about this project.
Nalcor failed to justify this development based on their own reasoning for doing it. Nalcor failed and continues to fail in its explanations to the ratepayers/people of the province. Nalcor failed in separating itself from the partisan reasons for doing the project.
Kathy Dunderdale, Premier appointed of the province failed and continues to fail to understand the project herself. Her public commentaries are weak and demonstrate her ignorance regarding the history and potential future of these tremendous hydro assets. The Premier in her zealotry to deliver Danny's baby (Muskrat) is actually managing to turn these valuable assets into unsustainable liabilities. Unfortunately this one project is so important to our future - that the electorate must remove her from office - in order to avoid the catastrophic damage it would cause to our economy over the life of the deal.
I encourage people to read the entire report of the Panel - in order that they see how damning it actually is. The exercise of reading a few hundred pages is probably one of the best things you could do for your children, grandchildren, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Minister Shawn Skinner should not ignore the information provided by the Panel and should not ignore genuine concerns of people - who for non-partisan reasons - are willing to participate in this process.
Next week - Shawn Skinner will be a guest on Randy Simms Open-Line program and I have an important question for him. The people want to know how do we develop our resources in a manner that makes the people not companies or a few millionaires the primary beneficiaries. Further the questions about the price of power are uppermost in the minds of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians - particularly the most economically vulnerable in our society. It is clear to me that the Premier and her Ministers are not competent when discussing the very basic issues regarding this deal - let alone the complexities of an overall vision for our future through the use of such valuable resources.
I look forward to asking a question of Minister Skinner - and I trust he will have the answer. If not I trust the people will see through the spin and understand that this resource should be left for more visionary and competent people to develop. The next 50 years depends on that.
Please sign the petition to stop the Emera deal. PRESS HERE
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