tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post5149416171858416978..comments2024-03-28T10:07:24.955-04:00Comments on Northern Reflections: That Vision ThingOwen Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-91982721156840889162013-05-17T14:51:45.417-04:002013-05-17T14:51:45.417-04:00Over thirty years ago -- when I was a student at t...Over thirty years ago -- when I was a student at the University of Manitoba -- a history professor -- who I admired -- said that the breakup of the country was inevitable, Dana.<br /><br />He may have been right.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-7672626408730524632013-05-17T14:32:22.927-04:002013-05-17T14:32:22.927-04:00If we could arrange some form of proportional repr...If we could arrange some form of proportional representation, e.a.f., there might be some hope.<br /><br />PR necessitates co-operation.<br />I know, however, that PR in Canada is unlikely.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-49121011473008930482013-05-17T14:08:11.195-04:002013-05-17T14:08:11.195-04:00I think they already have, Owen.
And I don't ...I think they already have, Owen.<br /><br />And I don't think it can be undone. Danahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12465953801145126160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-44947971379607261882013-05-17T14:07:13.126-04:002013-05-17T14:07:13.126-04:00The country splitting some time in the future, its...The country splitting some time in the future, its possible but if we get rid of Harper that may not happen. Of course those who voted for him may just continue to vote for the like minded. <br /><br />If the cons continue to have some more situations such as the one with Duffy, who knows they may go.<br /><br />The progressives aren't going to get together any time soon. The Greens have an agenda which has little to do with every day life, i.e. how to make a living, health care, education, etc. Things which work in europe don't necessarily work in north america given the distances involved. If the Green continue as they are, they will only ensure the NDP won't be elected to govern. An "enviornment first" position is good but when people aren't making enough money to feed and house their children, they aren't going to buy into it.e.a.f.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-91309731435996491702013-05-17T13:25:20.552-04:002013-05-17T13:25:20.552-04:00As much as your conclusion depresses me, Dana, I a...As much as your conclusion depresses me, Dana, I admit that it is a distinct possibility.<br /><br />Canada has always been more of a state of mind than a geographical entity. That state of mind has held a geographically and culturally diverse country together.<br /><br />If the Harperites manage to change the Canadian state of mind, they will change the country -- and the damage will have been done.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-33403755394572818992013-05-17T12:13:47.285-04:002013-05-17T12:13:47.285-04:00"Until progressives get their act together, t..."Until progressives get their act together, the whole country will get more of the same."<br /><br />Owen, I used to think it would take the self-absorbed among the LPC and NDP until about midway thru Harper's second majority. <br /><br />Now I think it might take longer than that. <br /><br />I don't believe Canada will survive the next 20 years intact. <br /><br />Apathy and antipathy from politicians at all levels and especially among the population will allow corporate interests to rend the federation asunder in order to take, not buy, the natural resources of the land, including water. <br /><br />For those who are able to and young enough I recommend relocating as soon as possible. Danahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12465953801145126160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-39980487319617563652013-05-17T04:28:50.108-04:002013-05-17T04:28:50.108-04:00It sounds like the progressive vote is as split in...It sounds like the progressive vote is as split in B.C. as it is federally, e.a.f.<br /><br />Until progressives get their act together, the whole country will get more of the same.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-28481725122247720072013-05-16T23:25:18.835-04:002013-05-16T23:25:18.835-04:00Being a good leftie being disappointed in the elec...Being a good leftie being disappointed in the election results is natural. The loss isn't. It was made by the campaign strategy. There wasn't a clear vision. If nothing else they might have decided to make education the main event. Surrey has so many portables it will require 10 new schools. Only one is being built. The rest of the school districts aren't that different. <br /><br />The NDP didn't list the "crimes" of the lieberals or remind voters of what the lieberals have done in B.C. Being nice doesn't work. To win in B.C. you need to be like Barrett, Harcourt, and Glen Clark. You need to hussle, you need to take the attack, you need to conduct yourself well, you need to have a little szille. Like they used to say, you aren't selling the steak, you're selling the sizzle.<br /><br />What will happen in B.C. in the next 10 yrs is not going to be nice. B.C. has the 2nd highest poverty rate for children in Canada. That was an improvement over the previous 8 when we were first place. <br /><br />There are only 63 psychiatric beds in the province for children. Yes, try to imagine what it is like to have a child with realllly severe mental health issues. No help. The number of children who die in foster care isn't something you can even think about.<br /><br />There is a new roof on B.C. Place, which went $200M over budget. The convention centre went over budget by the same amount. So there went a billion dollars but a new Children's Hospital? Not happening. Various community charities are still trying to raise money for that.<br /><br />The lieberals have been giving away our natural resources for 12 yrs. Now they have another 4 yrs to "give away" what little is left. The mines will be opening. The piplines will be laid and the ships with tar will go up and down our coast, and then down into the ocean. <br /><br />The eastern shores of Canada are starting to look good because there isn't much left in B.C. and lord help you if you need to go into hospital. They are so dirty, Burnaby Gen. had 83 people die of infections in 2 1/2 yrs. <br /><br />Dix should have run a more aggressive campaign. The Greens should have stayed out of a number of ridings. They contributed to a loss in at least 6 ridings although some may suggest 14. <br /><br />e.a.f.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-1296493811031724402013-05-16T13:00:49.663-04:002013-05-16T13:00:49.663-04:00Duly noted, Anon. However that may be, there must ...Duly noted, Anon. However that may be, there must be a lot of BCers who are bitterly disappointed.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-76161524700742167322013-05-16T12:21:05.527-04:002013-05-16T12:21:05.527-04:00Addendum to anonymous 9:06--with a 20% NDP project...Addendum to anonymous 9:06--with a 20% NDP projected lead in the polls--my badAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-40845771630543882252013-05-16T11:12:53.515-04:002013-05-16T11:12:53.515-04:00That's another two negatives, Mound. Youth see...That's another two negatives, Mound. Youth see that, as Martin Luther King said, there is nothing for which to vote.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-12746691530881094602013-05-16T10:47:06.433-04:002013-05-16T10:47:06.433-04:00Owen, it came down to distrust trumping disgust. ...Owen, it came down to distrust trumping disgust. Old people vote, young people won't. Old people are really easy to scare and Christy knew how to do just that.The Mound of Soundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023839743772372922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-24254726270291465712013-05-16T09:18:32.039-04:002013-05-16T09:18:32.039-04:00We should be skeptical, Anon. But, so far, it soun...We should be skeptical, Anon. But, so far, it sounds like the NDP vote collapsed.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-28974495980066309982013-05-16T09:06:51.424-04:002013-05-16T09:06:51.424-04:00With a projected lead of 20% in the polls pre-elec...With a projected lead of 20% in the polls pre-election, just how the hell does anybody figure that clarke "won" a majority? Sounds like the same kind of "win" as harper pulled off last time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-13729482280415574782013-05-16T09:01:59.077-04:002013-05-16T09:01:59.077-04:00There is a lot of hope riding on the younger Trude...There is a lot of hope riding on the younger Trudeau, thwap. At this point, however, we still don't know if that hope is warranted.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-36028262936255853992013-05-16T08:57:54.538-04:002013-05-16T08:57:54.538-04:00Politicians with vision are truly rare. Lorne. Mos...Politicians with vision are truly rare. Lorne. Most of them are manipulators who see as far as the next elections -- and make course changes based upon that reality.<br /><br />Trudeau had his Just Society. Lincoln believed that we should be ruled by our "better angels." Such people are few and far between.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-34422847249601437842013-05-16T08:38:01.728-04:002013-05-16T08:38:01.728-04:00Unless it's Justin Trudeau. Then, he's got...Unless it's Justin Trudeau. Then, he's got to play his cards close to his chest so that harper won't get a head-start in attacking them.<br /><br />Plus, he's a vision (of loveliness) all on his own!thwaphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15399550285738440669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-14271956843319026982013-05-16T08:36:14.846-04:002013-05-16T08:36:14.846-04:00Owen, I was watching a video yesterday of Cornell ...Owen, I was watching a video yesterday of Cornell West speaking last month in NYC during which he reminds all of us of our deeper obligations. While I know that few politicians are possessed of the ability to deeply inspire through their rhetoric, I couldn't help but think about the same issue you pose here: Where is the overarching vision amongst our 'leaders'?? Where is there someone with the purity of intent who can truly inspire us?Lornehttp://www.politicsanditsdiscontents.blogspot.canoreply@blogger.com