Thursday, November 30, 2006
Mapping Montreal For Liberals
Have to hand it to the ever helpful NDP, they don't want any lost Liberals in Montreal this weekend.
When Did 'Pregnant' Become An Insult?
Belinduh thinks that the Conservative Party wants to force women to be 'pregnant and barefoot in the kitchen'.
First off, Conservative policies on women and the family are the exact opposite of forcing anyone into anything. Policies such as funding actual work in real communities rather than the paper-pushing Status of Women agency, income-splitting, the childcare allowance, and so on are actually all about giving women (and men) choices.
The Liberal party is the party of forcing women into paid work and their children into daycare. It's easy to be the until-recently blonde heiress making such pronouncements when you're not going to be affected by the policies you espouse. You're not ever going to be forced to look for a job outside the home because of an iniquitous tax system making it impossible to have a stay-at-home parent. You're not ever going to have to send your kids to slum it in a fluorescent-lit cavernous daycare institution, when you can afford a nanny.
That aside, when did 'pregnant' become such an insult? Why has nobody called the Liberals on this slight against women and children? I'm not sure that being in the 'kitchen' can be considered demeaning either. I'd like to see Belinduh tell that to a knife-wielding chef Gordon Ramsay, for example.
First off, Conservative policies on women and the family are the exact opposite of forcing anyone into anything. Policies such as funding actual work in real communities rather than the paper-pushing Status of Women agency, income-splitting, the childcare allowance, and so on are actually all about giving women (and men) choices.
The Liberal party is the party of forcing women into paid work and their children into daycare. It's easy to be the until-recently blonde heiress making such pronouncements when you're not going to be affected by the policies you espouse. You're not ever going to be forced to look for a job outside the home because of an iniquitous tax system making it impossible to have a stay-at-home parent. You're not ever going to have to send your kids to slum it in a fluorescent-lit cavernous daycare institution, when you can afford a nanny.
That aside, when did 'pregnant' become such an insult? Why has nobody called the Liberals on this slight against women and children? I'm not sure that being in the 'kitchen' can be considered demeaning either. I'd like to see Belinduh tell that to a knife-wielding chef Gordon Ramsay, for example.
Liberal Leadership Prediction
TDPC predicts Bob Rae will win the Liberal leadership on a 3rd or 4th ballot.
With the recent SES poll showing 33% of Canadians still think 'corrupt' or 'scandal' when asked for a dislike of the Liberal party, the party needs a complete break from the old. Dion is too close to the old Martin regime. Kennedy doesn't have national presence. Ignatieff (pray for him to win!) is actually Ignatiagaffe. The also-rans are... also-rans.
With the recent SES poll showing 33% of Canadians still think 'corrupt' or 'scandal' when asked for a dislike of the Liberal party, the party needs a complete break from the old. Dion is too close to the old Martin regime. Kennedy doesn't have national presence. Ignatieff (pray for him to win!) is actually Ignatiagaffe. The also-rans are... also-rans.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
A Motto For Montague
The election is over. Decisions have been made and a new council will be in place later this week. The deep divisions over the lawsuit and other issues remain. There has been fallout from the vote in the comment threads on this blog and in the pages of the newspaper.
Today's Reckless has a rebuttal of the letter from Liz Boisvenue, signed by Don Page. While I wasn't a huge fan of the original letter, and posted on it at the time, I'm not sure this next move is that helpful either.
Mr. Page's letter contains the accusation that Ms. Boisvenue's letter was written by another individual. Maybe it was and maybe it wasn't, but that's something that ultimately is between Ms. Boisvenue and her conscience, and the rest of us can't know for sure. I hear that there may be an employment relationship between Ms. Boisvenue and one of the former council, but that doesn't prove anything. After the history of unproven allegations in this township, and the consequences thereof, I really can't see adding another one as being helpful.
Given that the accusation is not proveable, to describe the decision by the Reckless to print the original letter as 'an editorial disgrace' is a little strong for my liking as well.
I agree with the point that the original letter fails to respect the majority of Montague citizens who voted for change. I agree that it tars all members of the MRA with an unjustified and untruthful brush. I agree that Ms. Boisvenue's was not a helpful contribution to any kind of healing process or moving on. I just don't think that the response necessarily rose as far above the original as it could have done.
I also wonder if Mr. Page is writing as an individual, or as Vice President of the MRA. The letter doesn't say; it leaves us wondering if this is the position of the organization or just one individual?
This brings me to something I've been thinking about for some time. I think we should all keep in mind a simple test whenever we go to say anything and contribute to the future of the township now. That test is 'What do I want to happen, and how does what I am about to say contribute to making that happen?'. That's what I try to do in the blog. I'm here to express my opinions but ultimately in order to make sure that Canada and Ontario get conservatively minded government. Throughout the Montague election campaign, I wrote in support of change in council.
If what we have to say doesn't contribute to an end, but rather is an emotional response that will only make us feel better, then I think we should pause, reflect and try not to say it. There should still be debate and discussion and we will continue to have a variety of points of view, but the conversation should be about directions and goals, and points made should be in pursuit of those. Re-hashing the past, or exchanging slight for slight does not meet this test. Mr. Page says that the Record News has a responsibility to help Montague heal its wounds. Maybe so. But the responsibility for healing Montague's wounds rests primarily with us, the citizens.
The Victorian designer William Morris wrote:
I think this would be a good motto for Montague's future.
Today's Reckless has a rebuttal of the letter from Liz Boisvenue, signed by Don Page. While I wasn't a huge fan of the original letter, and posted on it at the time, I'm not sure this next move is that helpful either.
Mr. Page's letter contains the accusation that Ms. Boisvenue's letter was written by another individual. Maybe it was and maybe it wasn't, but that's something that ultimately is between Ms. Boisvenue and her conscience, and the rest of us can't know for sure. I hear that there may be an employment relationship between Ms. Boisvenue and one of the former council, but that doesn't prove anything. After the history of unproven allegations in this township, and the consequences thereof, I really can't see adding another one as being helpful.
Given that the accusation is not proveable, to describe the decision by the Reckless to print the original letter as 'an editorial disgrace' is a little strong for my liking as well.
I agree with the point that the original letter fails to respect the majority of Montague citizens who voted for change. I agree that it tars all members of the MRA with an unjustified and untruthful brush. I agree that Ms. Boisvenue's was not a helpful contribution to any kind of healing process or moving on. I just don't think that the response necessarily rose as far above the original as it could have done.
I also wonder if Mr. Page is writing as an individual, or as Vice President of the MRA. The letter doesn't say; it leaves us wondering if this is the position of the organization or just one individual?
This brings me to something I've been thinking about for some time. I think we should all keep in mind a simple test whenever we go to say anything and contribute to the future of the township now. That test is 'What do I want to happen, and how does what I am about to say contribute to making that happen?'. That's what I try to do in the blog. I'm here to express my opinions but ultimately in order to make sure that Canada and Ontario get conservatively minded government. Throughout the Montague election campaign, I wrote in support of change in council.
If what we have to say doesn't contribute to an end, but rather is an emotional response that will only make us feel better, then I think we should pause, reflect and try not to say it. There should still be debate and discussion and we will continue to have a variety of points of view, but the conversation should be about directions and goals, and points made should be in pursuit of those. Re-hashing the past, or exchanging slight for slight does not meet this test. Mr. Page says that the Record News has a responsibility to help Montague heal its wounds. Maybe so. But the responsibility for healing Montague's wounds rests primarily with us, the citizens.
The Victorian designer William Morris wrote:
If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.
I think this would be a good motto for Montague's future.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Montague : Where Next?
My Puny Brain (not his real name) has suggested we discuss where the Montague portion of this blog might develop in the future. There are options:
- close things down now the election is over;
- keep things as they are;
- create a spin-off blog in the same format that is Montague stuff only;
- look to create something bigger and more ambitious in the line of a 'Montague Online' site with more than just blog posts and comment threads.
I want to discuss things with various people, including the new council, especially if we look to 'go big'. But I'm throwing the question out there for the TDPC loyalists to kick around. Remember to kick the question around and not each other, please.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Montague : The MacTavish Controversy
TDPC's roving reporter has sent in dispatches from the library in the form of the back issue of Smiths Falls This Week containing the interview with John MacTavish. Commenters had suggested that Mr. MacTavish may have been untruthful in this interview.
After reviewing the material, I can report that in fact there was no statement concerning Mr. MacTavish's success or otherwise in business. The statement in the article comes from the reporter, not Mr. MacTavish and it simply says:
There is no lie here; the commenters suggesting that Mr. MacTavish lied to the reporter are mistaken.
After reviewing the material, I can report that in fact there was no statement concerning Mr. MacTavish's success or otherwise in business. The statement in the article comes from the reporter, not Mr. MacTavish and it simply says:
After operating a roofing business for 33 years, MacTavish's three sons will soon take over.
There is no lie here; the commenters suggesting that Mr. MacTavish lied to the reporter are mistaken.
The Ottawa Citizen Has Address Envy
Saturday's Ottawa Citizen carries a story about the residents of 700 Sussex Drive, Ottawa's new 'power address'. The feature article is accompanied by pictures of the building from various angles. The windows are numbered and a legend identifies the resident of each condo with a brief biography.
Now, there might be some slim public interest in knowing that Ottawa's new mayor lives in this building. But there is really no justification for publishing the address of PM Stephen Harper's Chief of Staff, a dentist and an eye surgeon, just because they happen to own or rent nice condos.
How would the Citizen staff feel if a blogger was to write up a feature revealing the home addresses of Janice Kennedy, World's Worst ColumnistTM Kelly Egan, and other staff?
There is no justification for this invasion of privacy. It's pure envy. It doesn't belong anywhere but if someone had to do it it should have been People magazine.
Now, there might be some slim public interest in knowing that Ottawa's new mayor lives in this building. But there is really no justification for publishing the address of PM Stephen Harper's Chief of Staff, a dentist and an eye surgeon, just because they happen to own or rent nice condos.
How would the Citizen staff feel if a blogger was to write up a feature revealing the home addresses of Janice Kennedy, World's Worst ColumnistTM Kelly Egan, and other staff?
There is no justification for this invasion of privacy. It's pure envy. It doesn't belong anywhere but if someone had to do it it should have been People magazine.
Friday, November 24, 2006
The Week of 10,000s : Thank You
The Doggerel Party passed the 10,000 visit mark this week. It may not seem like much to the more experienced bloggers out there, but it's a milestone, none the less, and in around 6 months since I started. November also saw 10,000 page views in the month to date, and it's not over yet. Thanks to everyone who's visited, and specially to those who stayed.
Montague : The Blog, The New and The Reckless
Kudos to This Week, the new Smiths Falls weekly newspaper for their coverage of the Montague election campaign, results night and most recent council meeting. In particular, the editorial in tonight's edition is right on the money with their assessment of the parting-shot pay cut antics of the previous council.
There has been discussion here of the roles of 'old' vs. 'new' media in local coverage. I think that actually bloggers and concerned citizens can achieve a great deal in terms of informing, discussing, dissecting, investigating and covering local affairs. Local newspapers by necessity operate on tight budgets and their limited staff can't be everywhere at once. When people are blogging daily about their own lives and their own immediate concerns, then much more information can be put out there much more quickly.
This blog (the Montague part of it, that is) started out anonymously and quietly; I wrote a post on the Lawsuit a while back for the benefit of Blogging Tories elsewhere in the country, some of whom had covered the civil liberties angle at the time the suit was launched. Someone found it; comments came in. Word of mouth did the rest. I started writing the election coverage. Readers snowballed, comments flew. And now it feels like we're almost a community. A newspaper doesn't do that; it can't do that.
Over the next few months I will be talking to people about what kind of role this blog or some development of it might play in Montague as we move forward. But for the time being I hope it's a complement to the local 'old' media. Personally I find the Reckless and EMC a bit 'fluffy', but I'm liking the writing and news coverage in This Week. Who knows, maybe old and new will team up one of these days for a feature or something...
SPECIAL NOTICE : CHARITY AUCTION SATURDAY 25th NOVEMBER
On that note, although this blog is a political blog and not intended for this kind of thing, a reader did ask me to let people know about a charity auction in Carleton Place tomorrow night (Saturday 25th). I'm making an exception for this case. Please don't start sending me your events information!
The auction is at Carleton Place High School and is in aid of Calvary Christian Academy, a non profit school that covers an area fromRichmond, Stittsville, Smiths Falls, Perth, Carleton Place, Lanark etc.There is a silent auction at 6 p.m. and regular auction at 7:00 p.m.Refreshments available and lots of wonderful items for auction: theatresize TV, exercise bike, computers, trips, many smaller items and lots andlots more Christmas shopping to be done. All items are new. For more infomation, call 613-283-1184
There has been discussion here of the roles of 'old' vs. 'new' media in local coverage. I think that actually bloggers and concerned citizens can achieve a great deal in terms of informing, discussing, dissecting, investigating and covering local affairs. Local newspapers by necessity operate on tight budgets and their limited staff can't be everywhere at once. When people are blogging daily about their own lives and their own immediate concerns, then much more information can be put out there much more quickly.
This blog (the Montague part of it, that is) started out anonymously and quietly; I wrote a post on the Lawsuit a while back for the benefit of Blogging Tories elsewhere in the country, some of whom had covered the civil liberties angle at the time the suit was launched. Someone found it; comments came in. Word of mouth did the rest. I started writing the election coverage. Readers snowballed, comments flew. And now it feels like we're almost a community. A newspaper doesn't do that; it can't do that.
Over the next few months I will be talking to people about what kind of role this blog or some development of it might play in Montague as we move forward. But for the time being I hope it's a complement to the local 'old' media. Personally I find the Reckless and EMC a bit 'fluffy', but I'm liking the writing and news coverage in This Week. Who knows, maybe old and new will team up one of these days for a feature or something...
SPECIAL NOTICE : CHARITY AUCTION SATURDAY 25th NOVEMBER
On that note, although this blog is a political blog and not intended for this kind of thing, a reader did ask me to let people know about a charity auction in Carleton Place tomorrow night (Saturday 25th). I'm making an exception for this case. Please don't start sending me your events information!
The auction is at Carleton Place High School and is in aid of Calvary Christian Academy, a non profit school that covers an area fromRichmond, Stittsville, Smiths Falls, Perth, Carleton Place, Lanark etc.There is a silent auction at 6 p.m. and regular auction at 7:00 p.m.Refreshments available and lots of wonderful items for auction: theatresize TV, exercise bike, computers, trips, many smaller items and lots andlots more Christmas shopping to be done. All items are new. For more infomation, call 613-283-1184
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