Dunderdale - Self Service trumping Public Service

On the heels of another devastating poll result Dunderdale backbenchers and Ministers are hip-hip-hooraying the failing Premier.

Minister Kevin O'Brien is quoted as saying "he is encouraged to see the polls have somewhat stabilized". Stabilized at 26% for the party and 22% for their leader."

O'Brien is happy that they may not lose the party completely?

He's happy that as yet they are not wiped off the political map?

Will O'Brien confirm today that he will run again under a Dunderdale party in 2015? Or is he simply doing the loyal thing by standing behind his leader knowing his pension is in the bag and he's on his way out.

Certainly politicians like Kent, Lane, Collins and a few others will want something - anything to change in order to keep the best gig they'll ever have.

Marshall, Kennedy, Hedderson etc. have accepted the writing on the wall and are trying to maintain some form of reputation on their way to the bottom. This is not likely to be the case as people expected them to show integrity, guts, and independent thought.

Dunderdale must be aware that certain PC's are looking to take a walk across the aisle. She must have some idea of who they are. They'll be coming two-by-two to the Liberal Ark in an attempt to preserve themselves - that is after all what many of them are all about.

As for Kathy Dunderdale, the Telegram story says they received an emailed statement from the Premier's Office which said - she won't quit and added "We will not focus on speculation and rumours. We will continue to focus on listening to the priorities of our people and planning for our future."

They must be listening to "priorities" because they are certainly not listening to the "people". This is very serious and should be treated more so by the Premier, her Cabinet and backbench. They have no moral authority to govern anymore and worse they are carrying on with the largest project in our history while she and her party are in last place - representing a 1/4 of the people. This - demonstrates Dunderdale's arrogance and feeling of entitlement. If she was - as she so often claims - "humbled" by the support of the people she should now be "ashamed" of what she has done to that support - and resign. It no longer matters if her caucus supports her - the people don't and many of her caucus that want to extend their political office benefits are gonna jump.

It is time for Dunderdale to go and the Muskrat deal should be halted until a new government can be put in place. The PC's are clearly no longer serving the people - therefore they must be serving themselves.

Minister Hedderson briefed by Dow Chemical?

I am sure many of you heard Minister of Transportation, Tom Hedderson either on a talk show or in the media this week displaying his educational prowess regarding Tordon 101.

This of course was in response to the public outcry over the province's current spray program.

He talked about litres of blueberries and Vitamin A as he painted a rosy picture of a pesticide.

He then suggested that when the province had banned use in domestic gardens - it was not as a health precaution but rather it was excessive and really unnecessary use.

Now if as the Minister suggests there are no health risks when applied by "professionals" then why was the Minister worried about excessive or unnecessary use? Is the Minister stepping in as "big brother"? If there are no health risks and you can eat it smell it and otherwise have it sprayed around hunting, fishing, and recreational areas what's the problem with peoples' yards?

I figured the briefing notes that some Ministers actually request and read - must have been stellar.

I figured that bureaucrats up and down the line from various departments must have been working on this material.

Now imagine my complete disappointment that the briefing notes were available to everybody. They were originally prepared by Dow Chemicals.

If you have the time and interest just visit the following two sites and read for yourself about the blueberries and Vitamin A. They sound so familiar - I thought Dow Chemical must be transcribing our Minister's commentary. 

Press Here Document 1

Press Here Document 2




Now it also includes information like the poison sign above and the following text:

MAY CAUSE SKIN AND EYE IRRITATION
HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED
MAY BE HARMFUL IF ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN
DO NOT GET IN EYES
AVOID CONTACT WITH EYES, SKIN AND CLOTHING
AVOID BREATHING SPRAY MIST
DO NOT INHALE FUMES

Not to worry though - the Minister has it under control - right?

So after I discovered that our elected officials were relying on information provided by the chemical company itself - I was a little disturbed.

Then there was my favorite note:

NOTICE TO USER: This pest control product is to be used only in accordance with the directions on the label. It is an offence under the Pest Control Products Act to use this product in a way that is inconsistent with the directions on the label. The user assumes the risk to persons or property that arises from any such use of this product.

So needless to say I had to look further for information not derived from the chemical company itself. I would strongly recommend that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians read the following information provided by "Beyond Pesticides" a group described as:

Beyond Pesticides (formerly National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides) works with allies in protecting public health and the environment to lead the transition to a world free of toxic pesticides.  The founders, who established Beyond Pesticides as a nonprofit membership organization in 1981, felt that without the existence of such an organized, national network, local, state and national pesticide policy would become, under chemical industry pressure, increasingly unresponsive to public health and environmental concerns.  

Press Here Document 3 

Press Here Document 4 

The group consists of volunteer professionals such as medical doctors, Ph.D's, and lawyers and is staffed by exceptionally experienced and credentialed individuals. To read more about their expertise and compare it to that of the Minister's please review the following:

Press Here Document 5

I think I will continue to do my own research on the potential health and environmental dangers of this pesticide and not rely on the words of the chemical company that produced it. 

Who will you trust?



 

The Muskrat Falls/Emera deal - are you listening MHA's, Media, Opposition

There are times in our lives when a matter is of such importance to the future of Newfoundland and Labrador that we all must step to the plate and be heard.

This is one of those times and the people and politicians of our province must take a measured look by barring all normal and professional prejudices - and fight for what is right.

The proposed Emera deal on the development of Muskrat Falls including transmission infrastructure is flawed and dangerous - it must be held up to the light and every word exposed. When we all have the information necessary to make a decision - then we may move forward or return to the drawing board.

For those of you who follow my blog or have followed my commentaries on energy projects over the past 20 years - you know that if I am concerned there is good reason. I have no interest in playing partisan politics in this circumstance. Primarily that is why partisans cannot look me in the face - but rather attempt to shut me up by attacking me privately to others and behind my back.

The lack of support by many people - involved in Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro's advancement over the past two decades -  including myself should send a clear warning to others that something is terribly wrong. The letter in the Telegram this weekend by John Collins, former Minister of Finance for the PC's - should reemphasize the concerns that many of us have regarding this proposed project.

There are fundamental questions that need specific answers and there are fundamental concerns that need to be addressed. This is not a time for PC MHA's to abandon the true calling to public office - but rather a time to show individual strength and demonstrate that they represent the people not a party, or leader, or past leader, or any particular corporate interest.

As was the case with the Voisey's Bay development deal - the government of the day has the technical mandate to proceed with this development without seeking the approval from the House of Assembly. However, as was also the case with Voisey's Bay - the government should not feel it has a real mandate until true and thorough debate has been completed in the people's legislature.

Danny Williams and Kathy Dunderdale would and have claimed that their input in the Voisey's Bay deal improved the agreement. That was - after all - the argument they made vociferously to the media and the public at the time. Williams was adamant that all details of the deal be put forth to the House of Assembly - no exceptions - even for commercially sensitive information. Both he and Dunderdale also made the argument that Roger Grimes was not elected as Premier - that is to say no electoral mandate was achieved after he took over the office - and therefore a true mandate to develop significant resource deals was not in place.

What is different now? Why the change in the PC government mantra - from the days they sat in Opposition? Why do this government and newly minted Premier Kathy Dunderdale refuse to engage in real discourse and debate with the people or their representatives?

I understand the partisan line and the weighty towing of it. This is not the time to follow such rhetoric. This is arguably the largest resource deal we will make in our generation and therefore it deserves maximum scrutiny and open debate. This is not a rah rah issue - and the cheerleaders need to check their pom-poms at the door and return to real classes.

Make no mistake - this is not the time for PC, Liberal, or NDP supporters to rant on and call each other names. This is a time when the legislators of Newfoundland and Labrador need to do their real job. Banners, buttons, signs, or life-size images will not make this deal the right deal - and if PC members cannot independently confirm that they understand the following they have should not support it:

1. The proposed deal - including all details
2. The history of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
3. The history of the Upper Churchill deal
4. The history of Hydro-Quebec
5. The relationship between the Upper Churchill and the Federal Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act
6. Court challenges on the Upper Churchill
7. Current value and projected value of hydro-electric power for the next 20 years
8. The current position of hydro-electric energy use by industry dependent on energy
9. All documents surrounding any attempts to attract industry to Labrador using the Upper or Lower Churchill Power
10. The GWAC
11. All costs and environmental choices involved in choosing transmission routes
12. The socio-economic advantages/disadvantages of either exporting the power or using it in Labrador
13. A complete comparison of other hydropower rich countries and jurisdictions and how they use hydropower for industrial development - including but not limited to Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Quebec
14. The history of Emera , trading of the stock, the vulnerability of takeover, and the expected benefits to the shareholders from the Muskrat Falls development
15. The comparison of accrued benefits for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, the people of Nova Scotia, the people of New Brunswick or New England, Nalcor, Emera, and more particularly the people and communities of Labrador
16. All options for renewable energy including but not limited to geo-thermal, wind, tidal, wave, and hydro
17. A 20 year exhaustive energy plan based on historic and realistic projections of energy needs
18. All financing options for the project and the costs and risks inherent in each
19. Why Danny Williams and the PC's reneged on
      a) getting recourse on the Upper Churchill before a deal on the Lower Churchill
      b) 100% ownership of the project by the people of the province
      c) control of transmission routes
20. The projected costs of consumer energy both in Labrador and on the island and costs for industry

Please understand that this list is not complete and there are many more areas to be covered.
If you continue to stand on your feet in the House of Assembly and speak without the above knowledge - you do so irresponsibly and shall be held fully responsible for your ignorance should this deal proceed.

Rather than trying to silence me through indirect threats to me professionally or through asking your supporters to follow you blindly when you yourself are blind to the facts - try to stand on your own two feet and do what is right.

Although I fully expect many of the MHA's to keep their hands over their ears while humming "I can't hear you" - I also expect there are decent and conscious MHA's that will make sure their children and grandchildren come first in the making of such a deal. If you are prepared to put party ahead of the future of our province and her people - do the honourable thing and resign.

What a fun year we will have leading to the election - truth - truth - and more truth - and then some more again

Below you will find an interesting comment to Sue's Blog and then you see my Response! Who is who - and what is what? The expose starts today. I would like to thank the reader for starting off the conversation. 

Sue, the how to do so presents a conundrum, since I know you were quite vociferous on the Open Line shows over the years on the corruption that was being perpetrated on our electorate, but those who wanted to shut you up, won the day. I find even the News Media outlets were complicit in perpetrating the devious act of having you shut down. They would bring you on for the entertainment factor and then they would set out to denigrate you.

As far as I am concerned all the Media, Newsprint - both commercial and free-print, Radio and T.V. seem to be reliant on both levels of government for advertising monies, or whatever it is they get from them that helps keep them going. And in order to get those advertising dollars they, no doubt, have to keep people like you, who hold so much information, silenced so as to keep the rest of us ignorant.

I can only suggest that you run as an Independent in the political arena. I am sure not one of the 3 political parties would want you to represent them, as they are all tarred with the one brush and none of them want the electorate of Newfoundland and Labrador to know the truth of why their province has languished for the past 61 years with very little economy established, despite being part of supposedly the best country in the world and being endowed with a coveted supply of natural resources and a great geographic location. You are too smart a lady for any of them and that's a liability for any of the political parties.

Sue, really running as an Independent is the only suggestion I can give you unless you can get someone to Fund one of these free newsprints that I see hanging around in the coffee shops, but I doubt that you will have someone come on side with the funds needed to do so because your rason d'etre is to inform your fellow Newfoundlanders and Labradorians of what has been perpetrated on them in the past by our political system; and to have done in our province, in the future, what is right and honest for its people. That is not what both levels of government want, they want our people (Newfoundlanders and Labradorians) to remain ignorant, it is much easier to tow away our resources when gravity isn't present. Unless you can get a philanthropist to come forward with no agenda of his/her own on what truth you will print in the newsprint that he/she will fund, you might be out of luck in getting the very informative stuff you have in your memory files on what has transpired in our province out there to the general public. Good Luck to you my dear, the factual stuff needs to be presented so that everyone can hear and read it for themselves.

I am sick of being looked down upon by my fellow Canadians, who have no idea what we have contributed to their country and their provinces at the expense of my fellow Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

The politicians who have aided and abetted in the deviant acts are not looked down upon, they are wealthy and they don't give a hoot. They can afford all the necessities in life, including expensive Medicare if they need it. They all suffer from the "Me Syndrome".

Response from me...

Most of your commentary is accurate. I am shut-up or shut-down is inaccurate. As I have been doing this sort of thing for over 20 years - the "establishment" - has tried everything - stopping short of having me "disappear". None of that has worked. Don't get me wrong - it is not that they have not affected me - they have - made my life very difficult and still do. But as you are witnessing now – I never really go away.

At some point this year I will be outlining specific cases of interference in both my personal and professional life. No doubt many people will find the information disturbing - but enlightening.

I suspect as I blog about particular examples - the blogosphere will light up just to see who is who.

The reason I stopped blogging just before the election in 2007 was that people had made their minds up with respect to Danny and the people were certainly entitled to elect Danny and live with his actions.

Notwithstanding that I needed a break - despite the ridiculing media - which I don't mind (easier to pick on me than a powerful politician) - people generally agree with the promotion of good policy for the province. The media and others are responsible for establishing a "saviour" mentality which drives the propaganda through the roof.

All three parties have players and they are driven - tories - liberals by the same establishment. They look at the political wind and just place their person in to lead their charge.

Right now that is being driven by the dollars to be made on the Lower Churchill. There are billions of dollars at stake and they will buy or coerce any way they can to protect their windfalls.

For some people it’s a matter of somebody like a Danny Williams giving them a nod or takes a picture of them together and so on. For others it is a perk or job that keeps them on side - then others it's an acknowledgement of some sort to a Board or an award.

Then there is the money machine (establishment) same for both parties who we never see or hear from - they are just the boys or girls that collect the cash from the deals.

Some of our politicians know exactly what's up - others just sit there and make a pension - or be quiet because they might get a Cabinet post - or just don't have the guts to speak.

Danny necessarily surrounded himself with people who were and are weak. It suits his dictatorial leadership style. It also allows him to batter individuals or media persons. There are not too many people who will stand up to that. They are more likely to just back-off and make their lives easier.

The media is so quiet on the Lower Churchill deal that it is disconcerting. I assume that is what happened during the Joey days of the Upper Churchill. Even Rowe and Crosbie did nothing to stop that - although there is no shortage of opinion on that deal now.

I have posted Danny's own words on resource developments particularly the Lower Churchill and not one media outlet is taking him or the rest of them to task on it.

You look at the psychology of our current Premier Kathy Dunderdale - who one day is out encouraging and congratulating women and in the same time-frame is bashing this woman for having an opinion.What would make one woman do this to another woman? I am articulating problems I have with a deal on the Churchill - that will harm the future potential of our province. She takes smacks at me professionally - albeit not to my face and without merit. It is strange sometimes to watch a woman who is elevated by a man - in part for smacking another woman for having an opinion and a point of view.

There are MHA's in there that could make a difference - but they just do not have the courage to speak. I experienced that during the attempt to privatize Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. They knew it was wrong - but the thought of taking on Wells or their party was too daunting.

In that instance the people won the day - but if this deal goes through on the lower churchill - it will all have been for nought.

Just think about Kathy taking smacks at me for my opinions on the lower churchill when she is unable to debate the project with me - she is unable to debate the history of the resource with me - and she is working with Nalcor as a crown corp - that I along with others prevented from being privatized. That's a joke. She must understand that the people were right in that fight - as she is using the saved asset to do a new deal - yet she thinks we all don't know what we are talking about now? She and her colleagues - if the deal goes through will become responsible for the next greatest giveaway in our history. Will it bother her? Who knows?

Do they ever stop and think - what possible reason could Sue Kelland-Dyer be doing this for? Can they come up with a reason? No - other than she loves her province. The Libs can't point to me being Tory or the Pc's point to me being Liberal - as I take policy smacks at them both. I certainly do not do it for my own financial benefit - none exists. In fact it harms that in every way you can think.

I realize now that the only way I can protect people and this province from this type of politics and deal making is to tell them all the things that have happened. Right from the days of Ed Roberts becoming an unelected Minister to taking over a Labrador seat - to now.

I believe that it might be therapeutic to people - just reading why I am cynical about governments. It might be the only thing that shakes people enough - to understand they have to wrestle their government and politics back from the establishment. It might very well interest people enough to read - the entire goings on - a real tell all scenario - not the type found in a Bill Rowe book.

The blog is going to do a department by department breakdown and the monies wasted and the monies that are leaving the province through multinationals instead of staying in province to support reinvestment in essential services. My time is silence has not been wasted.

Then we need to go through the lobbying activities. These are very interesting. It is time people knew who is who and what is what.

Everybody who writes me like you - remains anonymous - I am assuming therefore that you are concerned about what might happen to you?Maybe it's time we all took the plunge so that a few people willing to put their names out are not slaughtered for speaking up in a democracy.

I trust that people will be interested enough to spread the word via social media – and there is an option to go to the traditional media when it becomes necessary. 

How much longer before the election? There is no retreat in the world that changes what can happen to politics in just a day. 

Repeat Performance

The Minister of Tourism has now announced he is happy with Tourism Numbers - Here again the Tourism Picture Book:

A Picture Book for Minister of Tourism Tom Hedderson


+




+



+




= 500,000 tourists to Newfoundland and Labrador every year.
_____________________________________________________________________________________






+
= 1 million tourists to PEI every year.



Please ask yourself this - PEI with a fifth of our population and a geography we can all bike across - how is it they double our tourism.



Look at our Tourism potential and ask yourself - what are we doing wrong? Geography second to none from the Big Land to the Island what is it we do not have?

For starters our bureaucracy has chased the Ontario market through a dozen Ministers and not one of them have had the vision to change. We concentrate on our "mints on a stick" pitcherless plant logo for marketing initiatives.

Then of course there is the "Con" federation Bridge which has increased tourism by 300,000 people a year while our Marine Atlantic does everything possible to keep people out.

Then there is the HST 14% on everything in Newfoundland and Labrador versus a combined PST and GST tax of 10% and only 6% on clothing in PEI.

How can that be?
Well our past Liberal Government threw us into the HST scheme with New Brunswick and Nova Scotia while everybody else opted out including PEI. As a result we would have to get permission from NB and NS to reduce our taxes or we have to give them notice that we are leaving the system.

So Minister Hedderson if you think you and your government are successful in Tourism development - think again. Other countries in the world with similar scenery - wildlife - and environment are enjoying tens of millions of tourists.

And while we are at it - understand the bridge has also increased food processing - potato sales - and improved fish exports. Do any of you have a clue - or are you just stuffed with those BBQ hot dogs?

Picture Book Tourism Story

A Picture Book for Minister of Tourism Tom Hedderson


+




+



+




= 500,000 tourists to Newfoundland and Labrador every year.
_____________________________________________________________________________________






+
= 1 million tourists to PEI every year.



Please ask yourself this - PEI with a fifth of our population and a geography we can all bike across - how is it they double our tourism.



Look at our Tourism potential and ask yourself - what are we doing wrong? Geography second to none from the Big Land to the Island what is it we do not have?

For starters our bureaucracy has chased the Ontario market through a dozen Ministers and not one of them have had the vision to change. We concentrate on our "mints on a stick" pitcherless plant logo for marketing initiatives.

Then of course there is the "Con" federation Bridge which has increased tourism by 300,000 people a year while our Marine Atlantic does everything possible to keep people out.

Then there is the HST 14% on everything in Newfoundland and Labrador versus a combined PST and GST tax of 10% and only 6% on clothing in PEI.

How can that be?
Well our past Liberal Government threw us into the HST scheme with New Brunswick and Nova Scotia while everybody else opted out including PEI. As a result we would have to get permission from NB and NS to reduce our taxes or we have to give them notice that we are leaving the system.

So Minister Hedderson if you think you and your government are successful in Tourism development - think again. Other countries in the world with similar scenery - wildlife - and environment are enjoying tens of millions of tourists.

And while we are at it - understand the bridge has also increased food processing - potato sales - and improved fish exports. Do any of you have a clue - or are you just stuffed with those BBQ hot dogs?