I laugh just as much now as I did the first time I saw this.

Classic!

It’s getting to be a little bit repetitive. Kind of like a déjà vu for the masses.

Alberta’s Energy guru Mel Knight made yet another Energy sector-friendly ‘incentive’ announcement today, bringing the number of similar updates/boosts/don’t-admit-we-screwed-up-…royally announcements to at least three.

Do you hear the sound of kissing lips every time Knight holds a presser, or is it just me?

The overwhelming tidal wave of indifference by the general public is a signal that the provincial government seems more than willing to ignore.

Even the most liaise-faire political watcher knew that the Stelmach Royalty plan was a severally bad decision, and countless warning signs littered the P.C. road to implementation.

Energy companies warned Ed. Construction companies warned Ed. Economists, even some left of center number crunchers, warned Ed. Still, Ed stood his ground and put his plan in motion.

And he did it right when the boom was quickly becoming a bust, right when Alberta’s economy – after riding several years of unmatched heights that resulted in, among other things, increased provincial power on the federal scene, an astounding number of people from around the world flocking to Alberta, Calgary becoming Canada’s new business center, etc. – was nailed by the global economic meltdown.

Timing is everything in politics, and if there’s one thing Premier Eddie has shown it’s bad timing.

This latest transparent attempt at turning an obvious admission of a mistake into a positive P.R. spin for the P.C.’s smacks of disdain for Albertans. This tactic may work elsewhere, but the people of Alberta expect their leaders to admit errors. We respect it, in fact.

Infinite examples from the Ralph Klein era need not even be mentioned.

The bigger issue is that the Stelmach government, sitting with an exorbitant amount of seats due to low voter turnout caused by voter apathy and an uninspiring opposition, have split into two distinct groups:

Members who routinely make bad PR blunders, horrible policy ideas, or have just overstayed their welcome. This group includes, but is certainly not limited to, Iris Evans, provincial Health Minister Ron Liepert (Worst. MLA. Ever.), Premier Ed, Diamond Dave Hancock, and the aforementioned Mr. Knight.

The other group consists of those who are basically invisible. They are so boring/backroom/asleep that you have to be reminded who they are. And a good afternoon to you, Ted Morton! Aloha, Lindsay Blackett!

Meanwhile, rumblings that a surprising number of bigwigs from energy world are throwing their support, vocal and financial, to the upstart provincial pro-small government Wildrose Alliance Party.

With the process of policy creation now out of the way and full attention being paid to the current leadership race, the WAP is grabbing attention – and credibility – from many longtime Progressive Conservative supporters, including many of those whose careers are in the provincial energy industry.

Again, a clear warning sign for Stelmach. Again, unSteady Eddie seems intent on slapping another coat of Cherry Red on the pigs kisser.

This is it. The final year of my life that I can still describe myself, albeit in extremely specific instances, as ‘young’.

Like if I were to find myself in a retirement home, for example. A bingo hall, perhaps. The Legion. Or a cemetery.

“Boy, compared to these folks, I’m young.”

The number of places, however, is shrinking.

Not that I am ready for the Last Rites or anything. You can hold off on that birthday wheelchair and the Frequent Pharmacy Shopper card.

I enter the last year of my Thirties much calmer than I entered them, for sure. The idea of turning the Big 3-0 scared the crap out of me, the fabled Youngest Child, Peter Pan complex and all. I really saw it as the death of something back then.

It is because I now know how foolish that was that I can look at the next year with a touch of subdued curiosity. From what I can figure out so far, the idea of the importance of the Milestone known as 40 is something that we have all bought into.

It’s the beginning of the end. The top of the Summit. The downhill slide. Old. Out of touch.

And for all I know, that could be accurate. I’m not forty yet. I am now thirty-nine years old, and if I’ve learned anything from those before me, its that 39 is the l-o-n-g-e-s-t year of your life. The reason?

39 is like a magic number age-wise. I recall when I was just a young kid asking my Mom’s much-older friend how old she was. “39, darling.”

My only thought at the time was how OLD 39 looked! Only later did I realize that 39 isn’t an age, its an allegation. A generalization. An alibi, even.

It is an unspoken ‘old-enough and that’s all you need to know’ which has become the numerical equivalent of signing ‘John Smith’ on a hotel register.

It is a very cool thing, actually. Any fear of 40 is nicely buffered out by this, no doubt the creation of those who hit the peak of Life Mountain before me.

The downside, of course, is the high rate of skepticism. No one who hears ‘he/she’s 39’ completely believes it. There is always that little bit of ‘hmmm…I wonder’ in their minds.

As I look forward to 40, figuring out what to wear could be another issue. At 39, I still feel comfortable as I ever have going my own way. Jeans and t-shirts, no socks and sandals – leftovers from my days owning my business. Maybe even the earring will reappear this year.

I’ve long moved from stores like the Gap and Club Monaco in my Twenties to the more practical-yet-acceptable Eddie Bauer-style stores in my Thirties. I plan on staying right where I am for the next decade as well.

If the next step in the process involves the Arnold Palmer collection at Sears, I just may be 39 for a few years myself.

While the common beach bum and summer cottage rug rat often turn to trashy romance novels while soaking in the dog day hours, some of us need something a bit more stimulating and interesting to keep our attention.

For the political junkie, the addiction doesn’t take a vacation. We want our cover guy to be Fred Thompson, not Fabio.

Therefore, here’s The Moderate Separatist’s Must-Read List:



‘How to Talk to a Liberal (if you must)’ by Ann Coulter

Her average critic has never read any of her books, which speaks volumes. I chose this out of her library because of the blend of humor and style delivers her serious message most effectively. Liberalism is at the heart of many other problem issues, and this is a valuable guide to have in your trick bag when confronting (or trying to understand) the enemy. Coulter may be controversial and sometimes over the top, but in the end she nails the point dead-on.



‘Glenn Beck’s Common Sense’ by Glenn Beck

The latest from the current Golden Boy of the Fox News network lays down reality in front of the reader and challenges them to rethink when they have long held to be true. Beck reminds the reader of the America was once like (and what it was meant to be) before both political parties were overrun by policy-shifting special interest entities. He reminds us how the system is supposed to work – especially that ‘…for the people’ part.




‘Liberal Fascism’ by Jonah Goldberg

The editor-at-large of National Review Online writes a vivid description of the fascist left, from its beginnings in the early 20th century to its growth and impact on the current political scene, culminating with the most socialist president in American history in the Oval Office. An important read from a sound voice in the political world.









‘The Reagan Diaries’ by Ronald Reagan

Timeless in his elegance, wit, and style, the personal writings of America’s Greatest President are as astute and learned now as they were when the Gipper put pen to paper. My first read resulted in the return of long-forgotten memories and feelings of the Cold War ‘80’s. It was fascinating to learn is thoughts on some of history’s most important decisions and events, and interesting to see how some of those decisions have turned out today. Reading the book a second time took me in a different direction: that of remembering when a president had both the sizzle and the steak. A staple in the libraries of all conservatives yearning for direction, therapy for those falling Obamaites who, like hypnotized chickens snapping back to ugly reality, need restoration of their faith in ‘change’.



‘Shakedown’ by Ezra Levant

A cautionary tale, chronicling outspoken Canadian political activist and former Western Standard magazine publisher Ezra Levant’s battle with the Canadian Human Rights Commission. From the original complaint by a Muslim leader over the magazine’s publication of the infamous Danish cartoons to becoming the only person in the world to have a charge laid against them for it (…strong and …what’s that word again?), Levant’s story qualifies as something you question the truth of just out of reflex. It is when you accept that this is fact and not a work of fiction that the gravity of Levant’s struggle hits home. To think that someone like Levant would roll over and quietly accept this charge shows the stupidity of the HRC. The hearings and the subsequent media blitz by Levant, in addition to the comedy of public relations errors that the HRC have recently committed (cue the Lynch mob!), have all resulted in a spotlight of the politically-correct, special interest influenced decisions made by HRCs, and a groundswell of calls for its immediate restructuring or its outright demise. A wake-up call for Canadians and, given the attacks on the individual liberties of our American friends that began in the post-9/11 Bush era and has hit warp speed with Obama’s Socialist Paradise, an blaring siren of caution for our neighbors to the south.

We are a little different, us Canadians.

Constantly working to create some sort of national identity through federal programs and various other vehicles of social engineering instead of letting some sort of common patriotism and national pride form naturally, we forever find ourselves at odds with each other.

Divisions, based mostly on historical events and stereotypes, have become entrenched in the very fabric of our culture. West versus East, English versus French, Native Canadians versus the federal government, Quebec versus Ottawa, Alberta versus everybody…

Isn’t it almost time for another Quebec referendum on separation?

Tough love being what it is and all that, here’s five ways to save Canada – or at least make it better.

5. Stop hating America.

Really, it was cute for a while. Now it’s just annoying. It’s a disturbing sign if part of who we are as a people consists of proudly proclaiming who we aren’t. True, our two nations have some different opinions on certain issues. But show me two other nations on the planet who have a stronger friendship.

4. Scrap the National Embarrassment Known as the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

Don’t reform it. Don’t rebuild it. See it for what it has become and cut off its head. The Kangaroo court has turned its nose up at decency and individual freedoms, and has morphed into nothing more than a sanctioned Lynch mob. There is nothing ‘human’ about the way they toy with our ‘rights’.

3. Hold a National Referendum on Quebec Separation.

Surprise the hell outta them people, eh? Twice in my lifetime they have had their chance. The latest in 1995 was close – their bluff was almost called. Still, the whining continues. I say, now it’s our turn. The campaign would reveal the truth about how badly Quebec wants to stay. No matter the result, it should shut them up for a while. Bonus: with Quebec gone, there won’t be the Bloc Quebecois factor in the House of Commons, thereby making it possible for a party to achieve majority status. This perpetual minority thing is starting to grate.

2. Trade David Suzuki to Australia for Future Considerations.

Canada’s #1 enviroNazi is everywhere. Armed with his bag full of global warming hysteria, you can’t turn on the CBC without seeing him doing his Chicken Little act. But perhaps the court jester is starting to lose his mojo. Ranting with an acute anti-Harper message to elementary school children is bad, saying that politicians who ‘ignore climate science’ be jailed is worse. Much worse. Suzuki has taken environmentalism and turned it into a form of totalitarianism, and he has got to go. Why Australia? I hear they are full of tree huggers, and also it’s far, far away.

1. Stop the Bilingualism Agenda.

If there is one foundation by which the divide between our French and English citizens has been built, this is it. Roughly ¼ Canadians is categorized as being ‘French’, yet an endless list of federal governments of all political stripes, in their zeal to woo Quebec, have pandered to the French movement. We have a nation where the racist Bill 101 (the French-only policy for business and outdoor signs in Quebec) is accepted with a blind eye by the feds, but a ‘Francophone’ activist in Alberta turns a traffic ticket into a Constitutional challenge because the summons wasn’t issued in French. Bilingualism is a wedge that forever divides our nation. It is difficult to speak as one nation when we cannot even understand each other.

'Shakedown' author Ezra Levant

Canadian Human Rights Commissar Jennifer "I Love to" Lynch

picture posted by Tree Surgeon at nohippos.com

watch the interview here

I was getting ready to write a stinging condemnation of the Harper governments pathetic, money and court-time wasting attempt to pull a ‘Nixon’ by trying to forge a tough-on-crime image with their minimum sentence law for marijuana possession.

Wondering what happened to transform our ‘libertarian’ Prime Minister into a self-appointed national Drug Czar, and was readying myself for the usual backlash from my more socially-conservative rightwing brethren when I stumbled upon another issue that stole my attention.

Something happened in the mass media during the Dubya era, primarily in the magazine industry. While many publications are historically known for their editorial-political leanings as much as the other content within the pages, traditionally respected mags have seemingly fallen one by one into the ‘open season on the political right’ mindset.

There doesn’t seem to be an self-regulation or restrictions with their content, or limits to how far they will go when attacking who they perceive to be right wing personalities. There has always been politics mixed in the magazine biz, that isn’t the issue. Usually you find the more low-rent publications with either limited appeal or specific, targeted readers that are willing to enter tabloid territory, but that has changed.

I first noticed this move towards unabashed, sensational attacks targeting the right a few years back with GQ Magazine. Having once been an avid fan and reader of the popular upscale men’s magazine, it has now been two or three years since I bought an issue. Everyone from Republican politicians to the millions of everyday conservatives – American and around the world – are targets for the writers. Beyond presenting their political views, they have, like so many others, slid down to the habit of mindlessly attacking the other side. I miss the days when GQ was about fashion and lifestyle. Now, it’s just another source of pro-Obama propaganda.

And now, Playboy. A huge backlash from the left and the right alike is currently surging against Hef’s baby. Opposingviews.com tells of a recent article by columnist Guy Cimbalo who wrote what is being called a ‘rape list’ of allegedly conservative media personalities.

Cimbalo, in what can only be described an example of tastelessness, named 10 women who he claimed caused a desire for ‘hate sex’ among men. Apparently, if a women is attractive AND conservative, she is just asking for it.

Here is a response by one of those on the list, Fox News Channel’s Megyn Kelly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDlIy_AobgE

My belief in the sanctimony of free speech is as strong as ever, and I will continue to support the right of any woman who makes the choice to appear in Playboy or any other men’s magazine.

Here’s the irony: the common argument for those traditionally against Playboy and similar magazines is the disproven ‘demeaning and degrading to women’ mantra, usually coming from the far left, the far right, and especially aggressive feminist groups (who seem to contain an unusually high number of women who could NEVER appear in Playboy. I’m just saying…)


How odd that it would be an article that would turn me off of the Bunny.


As of today, I am pulling the two Playboy advertisements from by blog. I can tolerate many different styles and opinions, but I cannot and will not support a publication that would suggest – even in jest or satire – justifiable so-called ‘hate sex’ (read: rape) of anyone, let alone a women because of her personal politics.

By God, I almost feel sorry for him.

I can’t help but picture President Obama sitting behind the desk in the Oval Office, pondering every conceivable way he could possibly think of to get out of the jam he’s found himself in.

Some of the promises that peppered his campaign speeches were received by voters who looked upon Obama’s words with Messiah-like awe as foundations by which they built their own ‘Hope and Change’. They bought what Barack was selling. It worked, and now Obama finds himself forced to follow through.

In some areas such as the economy (and his move towards American socialism that is becoming more apparent with each passing bailout and bankruptcy) he hasn’t faced much by way of obstacles. Credit his media accomplices for moving quickly to discredit signs of protest, such as the misrepresented and much-maligned Tea Party events.

Only the media could attack groups of people whose intent is solely to remind Americans – especially their elected officials - of their basic roots and principles upon which their nation was created, and keep a straight face.

And as long as the economy continues to occupy the #1 spot on the Top Ten Current Issues Hitlist, the real and imminent danger continues to grow, partly due to the biggest and most problematic quandary Obama has to deal with: foreign policy, specifically dealing with terrorist and other dangerous nations.

Simply put, while he continues follow through with his promise to de-Bush the nation’s foreign policy both in image and practice, he is creating bigger problems.

Example one: Gitmo. Obama’s golden egg is turning rather rotten. Not only did he fumble for an answer when presses about what would happen to the detainees, subsequent ideas – Hey! Let’s throw them into regular U.S. jails! – have met with great opposition from all sides, including members of his own Democrat party.

The only result he obtained from his very publicized recent ‘We’re Sorry, World! European Tour ‘09’ was one offer to take a Gitmo prisoner off his hands – one! – by the French. This is Obama’s very own Bush moment: Mission Accomplished!

Hindsight suggests that when his own Democrats refused to vote in favor of financing his official request to close the facility, it could have been a favor to the Pres, giving him a way out.

Now the issue is forced onto the back burner, which is exactly where Obama would like it to be as it has bought some much-needed time for his team to think of a solution.

Example two has got to be Iran. Like a girl calling her guy over and over on the phone wondering why he doesn’t answer, all the while the boy is sitting on the couch too self-involved to bother answering the calls from such a needy, clingy chick, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sits and ignores the repeated calls from the White House. The policy of ‘discussion over aggression’ has been met – as with all historical acts of appeasement – with silence.

Example 2(b): North Korea. Continuing with the ‘why doesn’t he answer?’ policy we come to that little man in the funny suits and his country of millions. Just as America made a fundamental shift from Bush conservatism (in name only) to Obama pseudo-European socialism, America’s enemies have also changed tactics.

Whereas Kim Jong-Il, Ahmadinejad, Chavez, and the rest of the International Idiots Club took advantage of Bush’s negative image and low credibility, they now enjoy Obama’s America in which, if you don’t play nice, voices could get raised. And that’s about all.

They bask in the knowledge that, while they work to create or obtain a nuclear arsenal, Obama has stated his desire to scrap much of America’s nuke inventory. They love how easy it is now that the Milquetoast President is at the helm.

By now, Obama has read his share of intelligence reports and top secret documents. He has been privy to hidden information and is now aware of some harsh truths about what things are really like.

Perhaps he now understands the true measure of the threat the terrorists pose.

And now Barack Obama finds himself with an administration full of Clinton retreads (we know how effective they were in catching clues of impending terrorist attacks in the ‘90’s), a Vice-president who is most effective when fully and completely muzzled, and a Secretary of State who is a Clinton (see above).

Meanwhile, the growing threat that is Iran combined with Obama’s failing policy has already caused friction with perhaps America’s most important ally in the War on Terror, Israel. The Jewish state has vowed to do whatever it takes to protect itself, with or without American help.



Essentially, it was a call for Obama to – excuse the colorful language here – shit or get off the pot.

Then North Korea test fires more rockets and rumors abound that they are perhaps only months away from having the capability to hit Alaska.

More offers to ‘discuss’, more unanswered phone calls, more American allies – Japan, South Korea – growing increasingly frustrated with a frozen and indecisive Obama administration. More vows from these nations to ‘act alone if necessary’.

When Japan starts talking seriously about moving to a policy of militarization, even out of a sense of self-defense, you have all the evidence you need that there is a problem.

In the past I have stated my belief that we were fortunate to have Bush during the days surrounding 9/11, as my vision of a Gore America in 2001 ranks among the scariest of thoughts.

I shuddered to think of an attacked America responding with kid gloves, choosing perceived ‘high ground’ and ‘fair, measured response’ tactics to actual military defense. I wondered what America would have been like if there had been a president in office who was soft on terrorism.


I fear that is what we now have.