The Trudeau Effect

It has been said that Canada is a nation without an obvious identity; that we lack strong, well-known cultural icons and ideas that bind the people of the country together. Lightheartedly, it has been said many times that the whole concept 'being Canadian' involves hockey, beer commercials, and one day of patriotism each year. If this were the truth, it would be sad enough.

Reality is, much of the current definition of 'Canadian' has been shaped by the policies and the vision of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. The long-serving federal leader rode into power during the '60s, which played to his strengths perfectly. He capitalized on a nation looking for a direction after 100 years. He was in the right place at the right time in history. Unfortunately for Canada, his legacy represents the death of the potential of a nation and the creation of divisions that are so embedded in the political culture that they could never be overcome.

Leftwing to the extreme (communist?), Trudeau set a course of social engineering and culture-creation that has impacted virtually every citizen. Overseeing grand ideas such as forced biligualism that saw the minority French language imposed on the English majority has created animosity between regions of the nation. The attempt to carve-out a national identity based on distancing ourselves from the United States while becoming closer to such friends as Cuba became the plan. His arrogance was matched only by his willingness to employ horrific policies and nation-dividing programs. I know I don't have to go into the details of the downright idiotic N.E.P. and how effective that plan was.

The lasting damage to Canada from the time of Trudeau is there for all to see. The desire for separation in Quebec is as high as ever, Albertans (and many other Western Canadians) are starting to believe that confederation is a failure, and the multi-cultural system that formed and grew under Trudeaus leadership has been revealed for what it is: a mess that has resulted in Canada becoming a weigh-station for refugees. Areas in major cities have become pseudo-ghettos, with many immigrants living off taxpayer money for years and years. Most of the provinces live off of federal money, thereby creating one of the most 'have-not' countries in the free world. The utopia that was envisioned by Trudeau has in reality become a system that is fatally flawed, and has put the very security of Canadians at risk. Just who is coming in through our borders?

No one man has had the lasting effect on Canada that Trudeau has. In his time the nation changed gears and headed into a deep leftwing nosedive, and seems unable (or unwilling) to pull itself out. There are many who still believe that P.E.T. did the country good. There are many who believe in his vision for Canada. There are many sad citizens of the nation who have bought into Trudeauism and feel that they would rather have their lives dictated by government policy than to have to make life decisions for themselves. This is the biggest gap in the Canadian identity - those who want the utopia, and those who see it as the catalyst for the end of confederation.

We have never had a leader quite like him since. God willing, we never will again.

Tuesdays at 9:00 on CBC....9:30 in Newfoundland

Spar-ing with the Feds

The latest target in the federal Liberals new scheme of alienating Alberta was announced this week, as Spar Aerospace of Edmonton lost a long-held federal contract to a B.C. firm. At first glance, this could easily be overlooked as a political ploy directed by our federal overlords. The fact that another Western Canadian province won the bidding war will be used by the Liberals as evidence that they are working to eliminate the gap between the two ends of the country. After all, the West didn't lose anything, right?

The strategy is becoming less fuzzy as each move is made by P.M. Martin. In their haste to obtain votes in the West that they so deperately need, the federal Liberals have altered their plan of just catering to the East. Now, the divide and conquer technique is being played out. Give B.C. a juicy contract, make pie-in-the-sky healthcare deals with Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and suddenly Alberta is the lonely looser. If we only played along and voted Liberal, maybe Spar wouldn't be facing cutbacks and job losses.

Spar had held the contract for the better part of 40 years, and is known for providing services for both the Canadian and American military establishments. C.E.O. Patrice Pelletier was clearly disappointed with the decision.

"It's an important loss, but we're not going to give up. I can't say there won't be consequences, but we'll go through the government debriefing next week before looking at our options."

Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel spoke out on the subject, and in doing so raised my opinion of him.
"They took it away from a place with one Liberal (MP) to a place with a whole lot of Liberals," he said. "It sure doesn't push the prime minister's agenda of not alienating the West. This is a very, very disappointing decision by our federal government, and the word 'our' I use tongue in cheek."

I wouldn't be shocked if this is just one of many future games of politics that Martin plays with Alberta. The next federal election could erupt at any time, and Alberta is a favourite target of campaigning leftwingers. The lesson is the same as it was with Chretien at the helm: if you want goodies, vote the right way next time. Fall in line, or do without. This is a perfect vehicle for Alberta separatists to latch on to and ride into the public forum. After all, how many more Albertans will lose their jobs because of the unethical games of the Liberals?

Calling All Patriots

The issues have been discussed at great length, debated and dissected to the core of each subject. The National Energy Program, Adscam, Triple E Senate, Same-sex marriage, Western alienation, etc. Chewed over, discussed.

Different provincial parties and their supporters argue their policies. Some are against separation. Some are for. Some are fence-sitters. Words fly on forums as all aspects of the issue are explored. Yet, with the spotlight on Alberta separation getting brighter, the most important variable has not been mentioned. It is the very question in which the answer will determine the future of the province. It is this: how much will the people of Alberta take before they decide that enough is enough? What federal Liberal policy will be the one to break the proverbial camels back? When will the meaningful majority of Albertans stand up and choose a better future for themselves and their children?

The frustrating part of being involved in the movement is the feeling of futility that tends to appear from time to time. Like the victim in an abusive relationship, the majority of Albertans still tend to have faith in the idea of federalism, even as Ottawa continues to take from the provincial coffers. The 'I stay with Canada because the pain is worth it' cliche is getting old, and it is time for Albertans to open their eyes to reality. We would be better off in many ways without the shackles of Confederation around our necks.

Be it the next N.E.P. disguised as a federal Kyoto plan, or another form of cash-grab from Albertans pockets, I hope that something will spark the flame of independence that runs through every true Albertan before our opportunity has passed us by.

Have You Signed Yet?

The petition is gathering steam, and is growing daily. If enough names are down, it will be submitted to the government. If you haven't signed, click the link and check it out. If you have already raised your voice in support of separation, get your friends and family to sign on!

Double entries will be eliminated before submission.

Things I'd Love To See (Episode One)

In response to the racist Bill 101 that legalizes discrimination in Quebec, here is a sign some of us in Alberta would love to see in offices and schools throughout the province. Does any Alberta politician have the balls to suggest an Alberta Language law?

Michaelle Jean - the Great Unifier?

The comedy of errors that has flowed from Ottawa continues this week with the story that our new Governor-General, the former Quebec separatist Michaelle Jean, is on a mission to soothe the beast known as Western alienation. There was a time not so long ago when the federal Liberals did not even accept that the West was 'alienated'. The grumblings coming from the Prairies were from rednecks and, as Mike Duffy of CTVNewsnet so professionally put it, kooks.

Now, the federal Liberals seem to realize that there is an actual situation here. So how do they handle it? By sending one of the very symbols of alienation to the West. It is well documented that Jean was sympathetic to the Quebec separatists, even going so far as to associate with known terrorists from the old F.L.Q. Now, she is the white knight of Confederation, speaking about ending the instilled Canadian 'two solitudes' like she was reading from a Harlequin romance.

Speaking in Manitoba of all places, Jean stated: "When I talk about the solitudes, that's what I'm really looking into. That's where I find there is such an important need for dialogue. The worst thing that could happen to us is to be vulnerable in this world that is so complex than maybe ever before. So when people are feeling alienated, what they're feeling is that maybe it's not worth it to be bonded to each other. And this is sad."

With all due respect to my friends in Manitoba, if the federal Liberals were serious about taking on this issue they would send a respectable representative to Alberta - the heart of discontentment. That could not happen, however. The Liberals have found themselves in a soft trap. On one hand, the issue has grown to the point where the Libs cannot ignore it any longer. They must, for the sake of image and possibly gaining a few federal seats, show that they are taking alienation seriously. On the other hand, soothing Alberta would eliminate a favourite target during election campaigns. After all, if Alberta were to fall in line with the rest of Canada, who would the Liberals have as a target for their election run?

The feeble attempt to calm Westerners is laughable. It is no secret what steps could be taken to actually have an effect. Elected senators, free votes on social issues, etc., have been debated for generations now. Paul Martin, like Chretien before him, just gives lip service to the issue while pretending to act.

Ms. Jean is more than welcome to come to Alberta. I for one would love to have coffee with her. I'm sure we could have a super discussion about all things separatist. Maybe we could even make a documentary! But as far as the new G.G. extinguishing the Alberta separatist flame? Just more fuel on the fire.

Thanx to the Calgary Sun

Separation Petition

Here's a quirky little experiment. I've written a demo petition just to see how many people will sign it.

Check it out at:

http://new.PetitionOnline.com/absep/petition.html

Just Say NON!

The city of Winnipeg has recently been ordered to print all traffic tickets in french and english by our fine Canadian legal system. Seems some judge in that city threw out a few tickets with the reason that not all of the information on the ticket was bilingual, and that is unfair to the people who live in the predominantly french area of town. This is just the latest of incidents which has once again dragged the language issue back into the forefront of the political scene in Canada. News about cities and towns throughout the eastern part of Canada adopting official bilingual policies are appearing more and more often.

It is a pattern of social engineering that is making its way across the nation. How long before a judge in Edmonton gives a similar ruling because Pierre, the speedy driver who happens to live in the Bonnie Doon area of the city, is a francophone? What about the drunk driver who gets caught at a checkstop, only to beat the rap because french wasn't printed on his summons?

The forgotten element in the issue is the numbers. The latest information from our trusty feds states that the national breakdown regarding the language Canadians speak is as follows:

English - 59.3%
French - 23.2%
Other - 17.5%

The message within these numbers is clear. Just over 2 in 10 Canadians speak french first, yet the language is being forced upon the entire population. Given that the 'Other' category comes within 6% of the national french figures, does this mean that Celtic, Japanese, Polish, Russian, and all other languages (including all dialects of our Aboriginal peoples) be printed on official documents as well? Where is the limit?

The reason that this is happening is quite simple. The people in power are french. The minority has run Canada for decades now, and their policies are being pushed through. With the combination of an inadequate federal political system, control of the national media, and the direct involvement in spreading their beliefs though our education system, the french minority (the the Eastern Canadian english folk who love them) have fortified their position in power.

This will not change. Only through Alberta separation will the citizens of this province have our language and way of life protected.

Turn Out the Lights

In the fall of 1999, I made my first and only business trip to Montreal. Even though I was only there for about a week, I made every effort to experience as much of the city as possible. I was stunned by the beauty of the city, especially Old Montreal. The sights lived up to the comments I had received from friends who had been there before me. The cool culture couldn't hide an ugly reality, however. In dealing with the everyday citizens - waiters, doormen, hotel staff, etc. - you come to realize that you are playing a game. The first sign was when I was checking in to the hotel. The nice lady behind the desk was very pleasant in saying bonjour. When I answered in english, the smile weakened and the voice lowered. Seems that when your information card reads Alberta as home province, you have some sort of label on your forehead. It's important that you don't misunderstand me here. The majority of locals that I met were super. They went out of their way to make me feel at home. But there were those instances when it became obvious there was a bias.

To make matters worse, politics often came up in conversation. Not one to hide my opinion, I left some of my french countrymen dizzy. Saying that I was in favour of Quebec and Alberta independence from Canada made me a fast friend with the Montreal separatists. In the next breath declaring Quebecs Bill 101 a discriminatory law turned those newfound friends into enemies. Many beers were poured with my french mates, and on many issues we chewed. The topic of federal involvement in provincial affairs was pretty much the only one that we agreed on. I found a deep rooted independence in Quebecers, not unlike that of Albertans. The big differences were in the realm of social affairs. I could not wrap my head around their seemingly unworkable concept of wanting to be their own country, while wanting more and more money from the rest of Canada in the meantime. They, on the other hand, couldn't comprehend my belief that citizens of a free Alberta should be able to defend their families and homes with firearms.

I did make some true friends that week, and I am still in contact with some of them today.

The trip east only went to confirm what I had already suspected: we are already a nation divided. Socially, politically, culturally, we are different. Our philosophies regarding how a nation should be run could not be farther apart. When the only real issue you agree on is that you both want out of Canada, you come to see that the nation is a nation in name only.

A Toothless Shark

They waste money. They show little regard for the common people. They make poor, dangerous political decisions which impact the entire world. They form world policy with their own agenda in mind. They have been overrun by socialists and special interest groups. They have become a poor imitation of themselves. No, they aren't Ottawas Liberals. These bigwigs are not elected, yet set the course of our planet. They are the members of the United Nations.

The failure of the League of Nations between the two World Wars was a hard lesson for the international community, and unfortunately one that they seem to have forgotten. The post-World War II formation of the United Nations signaled a new era in international cooperation. Never before, including the flimsy League, had there been an organization created with the purpose of giving nations an international stage. Somewhere along the way, problems starting showing.

Be it the gazillion dollars the U.S. still owes the U.N. in membership fees (and they are by no means the only deadbeats), the transparent hi-jacking of the agenda by leftwing politicos, or the seemingly endless debates when swift action is needed, the United Nations has deteriorated to being more about special interests than about their real purpose. This is the group from which policies such as the dreaded Kyoto Accord was born. We have seen examples of the lack of power the U.N. really has in the former Yugoslavia, Iraq, and Taiwan. For a while, Libya sat as the chair of a human rights committee for crying out loud. So much for credibility.

If the United Nations is going to be relevant in the next century, it will have to be rebuilt from the ground up. A mission statement of purpose will have to be hammered out. And, for the sake of respectability, ban those nations who do not value life.

Comic relief

Funny 'cos it's true...

A Must Read

The latest offering from American rightwing pundit Ann Coulter is already a best-seller, and it isn't difficult to see why. In How to Talk to a Liberal (if you must), Coulter strips back the layers of public relations spin and created image to reveal the real liberal. She exposes the reality of liberalism with a blend of dead-on perspective and wry humour. The points within the book are valid not only to the United States political scene, as Canadians will better understand how their own government thinks and sheds light on the reasons behind their actions - perhaps to the further dismay of conservative Canucks.

Following up on previous titles that include Treason and Slander, How to Talk to a Liberal is a must-read for those who encounter leftwingers both in the political arena and in everyday life. Coulter is no stranger to the American political left, and has become quite an outspoken thorn in the side of Democrats. Oh, and it doesn't hurt that she's kinda hot. For more information on Ann Coulter click her link on the right side of the page.

Liberal of the Month

Many contenders battled for the title, and for most of the race he wasn't even in the running. But when all was said and done, former M.P. David Dingwall wins the crown for Liberal of the Month. His acomplishments include: believing that the whole Adscam affair was justified because the intent was to 'stave off separatism'; leaving his post as Minister for the department under investigation under a cloud of controversy; running up an expense tab for over $750,000 with claims as small as a buck for a pack of gum. As a last example of his true Liberal style, questions are now swirling as to whether Dingwall has received some hush money from the government since stepping down as head of the Great Canadian Money Factory. A move that was odd, since he had quite some time until his contract was up. The feds say they are 'just considering a severance payment', despite the fact that Dingwall quit his job. Imagine the legal example this could set. Don't like your job? Just quit and then demand a two-year salary handshake from your former boss.

While the usual cast of contenders showed great Liberal prowess, from John McCallums defence of Dingwall in the House of Commons to Paul Martins silence on the subject, it is Dingwall who showed the greatest skill in liberality and therefore wins the title.

A Nice Cheese with that Whine?

It's been more than a month since word leaked out about the impending Alberta surplus, and the wretched whining from outside the borders is getting a little bit old. It doesn't seem to occur to those in other parts of the nation that Alberta is enjoying this spell of good fortune due to the sacrifices that Albertans made in the 1990's. The notion of provincial-level fiscal responsibility seems completely lost on those from places such as Ontario, who claim the right to Alberta money even as they refuse to accept our basics federal wishes. They are decidedly blind to the fact that Alberta contributes in excess of 12 billion per year to the federal coffers. History has revealed the final destination for certain portions of this cash: to pay off ad executives for Liberal friendly corporations in Quebec; to fund arts programs designed to influence their perceived idea of 'Canadian culture''; to keep a national television network afloat - one that continually proves to be nothing more than a visual mouthpiece for all things leftwing.

The arguement that we are 'lucky' to live where we do is not without merit. The fact that oil happens to be under our feet is not an unfortunate thing. But, the thought that only Alberta can thrive within Canada is one that holds many other provinces back. Instead of focusing on their own economic engines, some are content to fall back into reliance on federal transfer payments. Spending time pointing at Alberta and crying 'please sir, more?' will not lower the unemployment rate in Newfoundland, nor will it help to appease the separatists in Quebec. It will only serve to deepen the financial blackhole that much of Canada seems comfortable in. Maybe our achievements will serve as an example for the rest of the country. More likely, it will continue to be a target of envy and ridicule by those so entrenched in Canadian culture to do anything for their own province.