The P.C. leadership race hasn't officially started, but that hasn't stopped the general assumption that the only 'name' to declare any intention to run will be the eventual winner. 

Ted Morton is the decided favorite going in, according to the media.  The panel discussions are full of politicos giving their 'what if' predictions.  A current hot topic is what will happen, if anything, to the Wildrose Alliance if Morton were to be successful.

The field of guesses range from a draining of support from former P.C's/current Wildrose members back to the Tory fold to a merging of the two parties. (the Wildrose Alliance position on that here).

One opinion suggested that the Wildrose would suffer loses of both their more socially-conservative wing and social conservative voters in general, who would see a Morton government as an appealing step to the right.

On the surface, that prediction appears to have some merit.  However, one has to remember that rapid rise of the Wildrose Alliance was not propelled by the failures of Ed Stelmach alone.  That is but one cyst in an overall cancer that is inhabiting the Legislature.

It is the 'culture of entitlement' mindset held by a group that inherited the power of the government from their predecessors, and their predecessors, dating back to 1971.

It is the arrogance of a stale government suffering from an extended bout of identity vertigo, calling themselves 'conservative' while running up unprecedented deficits and introducing laws that would allow them to seize private land without facing appeals or having to pay compensation.

This is the party that not only exiles members if they dare ask too many questions, but publicly questions their sanity.

This is the government that attempted to sneak through legislation that would give them the power to take your land.  You would have no right to appeal, and no right to compensation.  I can't see too many rural voters supporting that idea.

This has been, and is, the Progressive Conservative party Ted Morton has been a part of since 2004.

Wildrose party members - including the alleged 'social conservative wing' - know this. 

I foresee a migration as well, but not the one expected by the t.v. talking-heads.  With a Morton victory, he would most certainly try to move the party to the right.  I expect this will make the Wildrose Alliance even more appealing to the large segment of moderate/small 'c' voters in the province.

As well, I wouldn't be shocked to see a subsequent crossing of a few P.C. MLAs to Wildrose seats if my impression is true that Morton would continue the top-down, tow-the-party-line leadership the P.C.s have become known for.

In the long run - and certainly by the time the next election comes around - a P.C. leadership win for Ted Morton would mean an increased chance of electoral victory for the Wildrose Alliance.

A spin around the media would leave one with the impression that they may as well hand Ted Morton the keys to the Premier's private bathroom.  Putting aside the probable chance of a few other candidates throwing their name in the ring, if Morton wins and becomes the new leader of Alberta's Progressive Conservatives he would certainly attempt to move the government to the right - perhaps further to the right than most Albertans would like.

With the rise of the Wildrose Alliance, the inclusion of the fledgling left-wing Alberta Party, the Liberals having taken a step to the left under leader David Swann, and a Morton-led P.C. government, the next provincial election could be the most captivating in decades.

Going in, their positions on the basic political spectrum would be something like this:

"Mr. Morton and his allies in the party worry about the rise of the Wildrose Alliance, a libertarian, small-government group ... Its leader, Danielle Smith, sparkles in comparison to the Conservatives' dull suits."

 

- The Economist, 'Prairie fire'  Jan.27,2011

http://www.economist.com/node/18010841?story_id=18010841

With Ed 'milquetoast' Stelmach announcing his decision to vacate the position of premier of Alberta, there has been plenty of gossip about who will take over as the captain of the P.C. Titanic.

Here's a look at some of the names suggested as potential candidates, and what their victory would mean to Alberta's political landscape:

Jim Dinning
Former Minister of Community and Occupational Health (1986-1988), Minister of Education (1988-1992), Provincial Treasurer (1992-1997)
Current Occupation: Private sector
Chance of Running: slim
Chance of Winning (if running): moderate
The Low-down: The architect behind the Klein Revolution, Dinning was the point-man of the economic turnaround in the 1990's.  His reward for saving the P.C. party?  A failed leadership run in 2006 which saw the beginning of the Stelmach debacle.  A run and victory for the P.C. leadership would mean the continuation of growth for the rival Wildrose Alliance as Dinning is seen by many as a 'Red Tory'.  Doubtful he'd leave his current situation to return to public life, especially for a party that doesn't recognize a saviour when they see one.

Alison Redford
Current Occupation: MLA Calgary-Elbow; Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Deputy House Leader
Chance of Running: moderate
Chance of Winning (if running): low
The Low-down: Redford's credentials are more than impressive.  Experienced on many levels, an inside source tells me she is well-respected in the Justice department.  Nevertheless, Redford lacks name recognition outside of her circle and would need a powerful support group to survive the first ballot.

Ted Morton
Current Occupation: MLA Foothills-Rocky View; Minister of Finance and Enterprise
Chance of Running: high
Chance of Winning (if running): high
The Low-down: Morton's impressive showing in the 2006 leadership campaign wedged the P.C.s and allowed Stelmach to win.  He has the image of being a moderate-to-far right conservative and a fiscal hawk, and his rumoured spat with Stelmach over the upcoming budget has been blamed for forcing the premier to resign.  Other MLAs have properly left the party over such differences of opinion, whereas Morton, if true, chose to force his own premier out - not exactly a trust-building move. A Morton victory could sap some current Wildrose members, who would find out too late that his image as a 'real conservative' is but a mirage and that he is more interested in the title of 'premier' than he is in actually leading the province.  Expect a return to top-down, 'conflict for the sake of conflict' leadership under his reign.  Speculation is that his victory would also lead to the merging of the P.C. and Wildrose Alliance parties - which would lead to my membership card burning.

Doug Horner
Current Occupation: MLA Spruce Grove-Sturgeon-St. Albert, Minister of Advanced Education and Technology, Minister Liaison to the Canadian Forces, Deputy Premier
Chance of Running: low
Chance of Winning (if running): low
The Low-down: Popular with a good track record.  Horner is one of the more competent government MLAs.  His decision to run - and win - will depend on getting an unexpected backing of party members.

Lyle Oberg
Former MLA Bow Valley (1993-1997), MLA Strathmore-Brooks (1997-2008)
Current Occupation: Opened C2DNA in Edmonton, a the first private DNA testing facility in Canada.
Chance of Running: moderate
Chance of Winning (if running): low
The Low-down: Held several cabinet posts in the Klein era.  Has his supporters, but will always be remembered as one of the catalysts of the drive to push Klein out of office.  Doubtful he would give up his current career to return to the poltical scene.

Jim Prentice
Former federal MP 2004-2010, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (2006-2007), Minister of Industry (2007-2008), Minister of Western Economic Diversification (2008-2010), Minister of the Environment (2008-2010)
Chance of Running: low
Chance of Winning (if running): moderate
The Low-down: Prentice was one of the more reliable members of PM Harper's caucus in Ottawa before recently retiring.  He is unique in that he has been able to draw support from both social conservatives and 'red tories', although his vote in favour on the 'Same-Sex Marriage' bill drew criticism from the far-right.  Not likely that he would give up what has been called a very successful private sector career to take a run at the brass ring.

Preston Manning
Former leader, Reform Party of Canada (1987-2000), MP Calgary-Southwest (1993-2002)
Chance of Running: very low
Chance of Winning (if running): high
The Low-down: One of Alberta's favorite sons, Manning's name is always a hopeful suggestion whenever the Premier's chair becomes available.  No indication that he would be interested in the job, yet many Albertans would gladly have him as their leader.  His legacy of building a party from scratch, which eventually morphed into today's ruling Conservative party in Ottawa, has positioned Manning in a unique place in our political history.  He won't run, but if he did, it would likely kill the chances of perceived front-runner Ted Morton.

Dear Soon-To-Be-Former Premier Stelmach:

I just caught the announcement of your eminent departure from the Big Chair.  I won't ask why it took you so long to accept the obvious, as you aren't known for being exactly astute.

Your term as premier of Alberta has been interesting, to say the least.  First, I'll touch on the positives.......

..... I'll have to get back to you on that.

Looking back at your five-plus years at the helm of the province, I cannot help but point out the transformation you underwent.  Not from novice to experienced leader; not from unknown to well-respected.

You went from being the Accidental Premier to the Cut and Run Pussy who decided not to stick around and face the consequences of your decisions.  Not once in your era did you look comfortable or confident wearing the title.  Never, not in words or actions, did you show any shred of evidence the people of Alberta could interpret as being worthy of the Office.

You did, however, leave your mark.

Overseeing the destruction of our health care and energy industries; fumbling and bumbling your way through political concepts you obviously had no idea about; pissing on the sacrifices everyday Albertans made in the 1990's that turned our economic ship around by leading a government which has run up an astonishingly un-Albertan deficit - that will be your legacy.

However, you did show a great sense of humour, Ed.  That public ass-kissing of Hollywood megalomaniac/enviroNazi James Cameron has to be considered one of your best knee-slappers.

Back to today.  I won't go into detail regarding your presser this morning other than to say it had everything we've come to expect from you: blaming others for your failures, poor timing, the obligatory not-so-veiled labelling of the Wildrose Alliance as 'extremists'. 

The rest was your usual, indecipherable drivel.

I bet you actually believe that, now that you are going away, the legions of party members who jumped ship for the Wildrose are going to march right back into the Progressive Conservative fold.  Sorry, Ed, but we're just not that stupid.

We know you were never really in charge.  Sure, you bore the brunt of the backlash and the cameras, but it is your MLA's who really deserve most of the blame for this mess we are in. 

Hell, even your expected successor, Ted Morton, has lost all credibility as a 'conservative' with his mismanagement of the Provincial Treasury.  Don't expect WAP folks to come swarming back if he wins the next leadership contest.  We know a phony when we see one.

Misdirection, bad planning, Ministers making a mess of their portfolios - that's what happens when there is no real leadership at the top.

Perhaps the greatest misconception about you was personality.  People saw you as 'nice' when you came on the political scene, and many assumed you would continue that in the Legislature.

The citizens soon came to realize, however, that you weren't so much 'nice' as you were 'weak'.  And Albertan's don't put up with a weak leader for long.

So now you leave your party to suffer the fallout from the upcoming bad-news budget that your own failures have created.  I'm willing to guess there is a lack of tears from your fellow P.C.s over your departure.

Perhaps the biggest smile caused by your announcement is worn by Shannon Stubbs, Wildrose candidate in your own riding of Fort Saskatchwan-Vegreville.  You have practically handed her an election victory.

In closing, keep your chin up.  Remember that many former politicians have gone on to achieve great things in other fields which are suited to their talents.  For your own list of attributes, may I suggest a 'greeter' position?  Do they have a Wal-Mart in Vegreville?

Regards,
Leigh Patrick Sullivan

P.S. Ignore the laughter.  That's just Jim Dinning.

While Canada might be known for Bryan Adams, Anne Murray, and Celine Dion, to get a full and true sound of our nation you have to look at some of the other groups and singers who have added their contributions.  Some of them have found success outside of our borders, some have enjoyed long careers and success as at-home icons.

Here's a few that I found in my collection (it's astonishing what you discover when house cleaning):

The Tragically Hip - Fully Completely (1992) - The first Hip album I owned because of my love of At the Hundredth Meridian and Locked in the Trunk of a Car.  While fans will point to their earlier, less commercial releases or the mid-90's Day for Night as a better album, I found FC to be a perfect introduction to the group many have come to call the quintessential Canadian band. 

The Tragically Hip - Phantom Power (1998) - There's something about Poets, with the combination of strong beat, awesome lyrics voiced in Gord Downie's distinctive style, and a simple guitar hook that clings to your brain long after the song ends that I can't resist.

54-40 - Sweeter Things: A Compilation (1991) - The veteran British Columbia rockers have long been favorites, beginning with success on college radio in the mid-80's.  This collection has all of their early hits including the breakthrough Baby Ran, Miss You, and Baby Have Some Faith.  I defy anyone to listen to One Day in your Life and not feel compelled to sing along.  I proudly admit to wearing out two cassettes and a CD of the original I Go Blind hit makers.

54-40 - Radio Love Songs - The Singles Collection by 54-40 (2002) - The perfect companion to Sweeter Things contains hits from the band's next era.  Tunes like Casual Viewin', Since When, Love You All, and Ocean Pearl have made my car a permanent home for my copy.

Barney Bentall and the Legendary Hearts (self-titled) (1988) - The breakthrough release from the Western Canadian group gave us a Canadian classic with Something to Live For.  Come Back to Me is the perfect break-up and make-up rock tune. Straight-ahead late-'80s rock mixed with some of the most haunting ballads ever. 

Big Sugar - Hit and Run (Best of) (2003) - A bit of blues, a bit of rock, a bit of both.  Singer/guitar virtuoso Gordie Johnson is simply a genius.  Diggin' a Hole, If I Had My Way, The Scene, Nicotina (She's All That), - they're all here, ready for a top-down summer's day drive on the highway.  Includes All Hell for a Basement, the best song about Alberta since Alberta Bound.

Spirit of the West - Faithlift (1993) - This release from the folk-rock group found great popularity with the university crowd in the early '90's.  From the powerful 5 Free Minutes to the finger-snapping If Venice Is Sinking, the CD craves repeated play.

Every once in a while, I find myself in the unique position of opposing both sides of an issue.  This is such a time.

It is rumoured that Ed Stelmach's Progressive Conservative government is poised to -shock!- break yet another promise, this time with the Alberta Teacher's Association.

Stelmach's P.C.'s had assured the ATA that they would be in line for a 4.3% wage increase this upcoming September.  Now with the fallout of the Stelmach government's economic mismanagement being exposed to the tune of a 5 billion dollar deficit, and their subsequent juggling in hopes of piecing together some semblance of an upcoming budget, it is expected that Unsteady Eddie is going to have to go back on his word.

This is the same Ed Stelmach that, in 2008, gave himself a 34% raise (and rubber-stamped a $42,000/year pay increase for each of his 23 cabinet members). 

Of course, Stelmach then cut his post-raise wage by 5.4%, his cabinet members dole by 3.2%, and tried to use the 'cuts' as an example of prudent fiscal management.

Reminds me of poor Winston Smith in George Orwell's 1984, who changes the 'facts' in an old newspaper that stated an allowance of 30g of chocolate after the Party announced an 'increase' of chocolate rations from 20g to 25g.

Here's the rub.  While it is becoming a frightfully easy task to criticize the Stelmach regime (there's just so much material to work with), usually I can be sympathetic to the opposing side of the issue.

Not in this case.

In fact, of all the broken promises made by Stelmach, this one is easy to take.  I have long been critical of our teachers, their overblown union, and the entire education system in general.  To hand them any raise is to reward failure.

And when ATA spokesperson Dennis Theobald suggests "...the government would find it more useful to save money by reducing classroom times instead...", it become apparent that one side is just as out-to-lunch as the other.

I am more than astonished over the amount of time my kids are not in school.  In the past one or two decades we have seen a vast increase in 'teacher's professional days', 'school breaks', 'half-days', and so on.

It seems that my kids have mandated days off of school every second week.  It begs the question: when the hell DO teachers work?

Suggesting even more days off, or shorter hours in the classroom can only lead me to believe that the actual process of educating our youth isn't a priority for the ATA.  It's all about higher wages and more time away from the classroom.

My message to our teachers is the same one I've been giving to that other monstrosity, Alberta's nurse's union: if you don't like what the job pays, take something else in college.  Or, as Mr. Pink so eloquently put it in Reservoir Dogs: learn to fucking type.

So here we have the upcoming battle: a stale, ill-equipped government which couldn't figure it's way out of a paper bag vs. the self-important, pathetic, union lunatics who care more about getting money for nothing (and spreading their New Age, environmentalist dogma to our children) than fulfilling their expected duties.

In a perfect world Alberta would be rid of both the Stelmach gang and the ATA.  It's the inept leading the incompetent.

By now most everyone has learned of the ridiculous decision made by the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council to ban airplay of an unedited version of Dire Strait's Money for Nothing, deeming it offensive due to the use of the word 'faggot'.

The buzz has even gone international.

K97 in Edmonton, Alberta has decided to protest this idiocy, announcing their plan to play the full version of the tune 'unedited and non-stop' for a full hour, beginning at 8:00pm (Mountain) Friday night.

From their website:

K-97 is well aware of the dangers of censorship and the effect it has on Canadian’s Freedom of Speech. K-97 has had many censorship attempts, but through it all the microphones are turned on everyday giving the announcers the freedom to say whatever is on their mind.

Earlier this week the CBSC ruled that the song “Money For Nothing” has violated broadcasting decency standards because of the use of the word “Faggot”. The Dire Straits song was originally released in 1985 and has since aired tens of thousands of times across Canada, has won a Grammy and has been performed by GLBT supporter, Elton John. If you listen to the context of the term, you will realize it is an artistic portrayal of a bigoted person looking at the riches and excess of the music industry.

While some of K-97’s content may be controversial, we respect the right to free speech for all Canadians and songwriters. That’s why K-97 has decided to go against the grain…yet again, and hold a “MONEY FOR NOTHING HOUR”. From 8pm – 9pm on Friday, January 14th, 2011 K-97’s Todd James will be playing the Dire Straits “Money For Nothing” unedited and non stop for the entire hour to express our deep concern about this decision and the precedent it sets.

Tune in at 97.3fm local or at http://www.k97.fm/index.asp?mn=1

Contact the CBSC: http://www.cbsc.ca/english/about/contact.php

As more and more people turn their focus online to get their news and information, the credibility of news and opinion blogs has increased.  Enough time has gone by for the web-inclined to learn which ones are reliable and which ones are rubbish. 

Some blogs have cultivated a reputation of being a source of solid information; some have become popular due to its uniqueness or for the writer(s) themselves.

These are a few of the latter:


The Unreligious Right -- We may not share a belief in the Almighty, but I certainly appreciate the high standard of writing and intelligent debate points.  Regularly posts a daily 'Hot5' which lists to other excellent links.


Bob Parks

http://unreligiousright.blogspot.com/

Black&Right -- Bob Park is ahead of the curve when it comes to giving a different perspective on issues.  A slick site that contains Bob's unapologetic, direct opinion on the issues of the day.  A great source of pertinent information.

http://www.black-and-right.com/

Atlas Shrugs -- The site of activist/crusader Pamela Geller.  Geller, with great assistance of her blog, has done more to bring attention not only the insensitive and downright disgusting Ground Zero/Victory Mosque issue, but to the dangers of radical Islam in general.  A site that is regularly read by other media honchos and government officials.

http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/


Joe Albertan -- Online for only a couple of years, it has quickly grown in popularity.  No one holds the feet of the current Alberta government to the fire more than JA and this blog. Often has information the Ed Stelmach Progressive Conservatives don't want you to know.
 http://joealbertan.blogspot.com/



Larry Kudlow



Tym Machine -- A very cool and unique blog from Quebec.  It is refreshing to find honest, common-sense comments from la belle province instead of the usual, leftwing claptrap.  Written mostly in french, so use the translate option on your browser.

http://tymmachine.blogspot.com/

Kudlow's Money Politic$ -- The blog of a former economic advisor to Ronald Reagan gives the lowdown on the recent economic situation, examines and exposes Obama's agenda.  Larry Ludlow has long enjoyed a solid reputation as a go-to guy for ideas and reason.  We could use a guy like Ludlow in charge of the economic recovery right about now.

http://kudlowsmoneypolitics.blogspot.com/

Welcome to Canada.  Home of hockey, Tim Hortons's donuts, the world's best beer, and the constant attack on free speech.

The Nazi's at the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council have determined, after a complaint filed last February by a listener of OZ fm in Newfoundland, that the song 'Money for Nothing' by British rockers Dire Straits was 'too offensive for radio'.

In the song, a working class average Joe wishes he'd have learned to 'play a guitar' so he would have made 'money for nothing' and got his 'chicks for free'. 

The segment of the song that the CBSC decided was offensive contains the lines: "...that little faggot with the earring and the make up...", "...that little faggot got his own jet airplane.  That little faggot he's a millionaire...".

I happen to know many people who are gay, and never - not once - has anyone ever complained about the tune.  In fact, most of them not only like the song (and the amazing 'Brothers in Arms' album it is on), but own it.

The song was released and hit the charts in 1985, some 26 years ago.  It took this long for the CBSC to figure out the well-known song contains the word faggot?  Either the members of the CBSC have been living under a big rock for a few decades or their choice of music in the office consists of little more than the James Last orchestra. 

How far back in the catalogue of music history are they going to scrutinize?  Surely, the Rolling Stone's Brown Sugar is up next on the CBSC hit list, as must be the old INXS song Original Sin which contains the evil phrase 'Dream on Black boy, dream on White girl'. Racist, you know.

(Note to CBSC employees: DO NOT listen to Frankie Goes to Hollywood's Relax.  Your head could explode.)

This kind of censorship is unconscionable.  What is worse is the apparent double-standard.  An almost three-decade old song is targeted over a simple lyric, yet you can't turn on the television without seeing current favorite singer Katy Perry showing her tits to everyone, including kids on Sesame Street.

So the message being sent by the CBSC seems to be that it is alright for performers such as Lady Gaga to show every ounce of flesh on video, and for every so-called rap 'musician' to sing(?) about killing authority figures like the police and hanging out with other 'niggers', as long as they don't use a derogatory term for gays.

Context means nothing to our censorship overlords.  The fact that the term 'faggot' is used in the song to describe hair-metal bands of the '80's means nothing.  Not to the useless idiot to had nothing more important to do in his life than to make a complaint all this time after the song was a hit, and certainly not to the maladroits at the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council.

As a homosexual friend put it: that's just gay.

Regarding the Arizona tragedy, I was going to hold off writing until more facts came to light.  However, due to the sheer volume of garbage allegations trying to link nutjob Jared Loughner with the Tea Party, not to mention the ludicrous and pathetic attempts to hold Sarah Palin somehow responsible, I decided to throw a bit of truth on the fire.

Of course, others beat me to it.  Therefore, here's a collections of links that expose the killer for who and what he really is.  (Courtesy of michellemalkin.com)

Loughner:

is a 9/11 Truther

is a Left-wing nihilist

Had a problemed history with the U.S. Military

is a pot-head

and apparently is into the occult or Satanism


In addition, he listed Karl Marx and Adolph Hitler as two of his favorite authors, and counts the Communist Manifesto and Mein Kampf as a couple of his favorite books.

So far, this doesn't exactly paint a picture of someone who favors rightwing, small government, Tea Party-esque ideals.

How sad that those on the political left - especially like-minded media networks - are so desperate to find anything to discredit the ever-growing Tea Party movement that they would try to twist the violent act of a leftist against one of their own into an indictment of the right.

Is the left so obsessed with Palin that they would wilfully dishonor the dead and wounded by politicizing them and the tragedy in the hopes of stemming their long-sinking support?

Sadly, the answer appears to be yes.  How very unfortunate.  How very disrespectful.

Ten years ago today saw the creation of what I consider perhaps the most important online web forum in Canada.

January 6th, 2001 saw the launch of The Voice of Principled Conservatism - Free Dominion. 

At the time, our nation was mired in a seemingly endless reign of Jean Chretien's majority Liberal government.  The national media gave us a choice between the far-left (CBC) and the slightly left (CTV) as far as news and political commentary.  We were stuck in perpetual political correctness and left-wing dogma run amok.

The internet was no different.  For Canadians on the political right, places to gather and exchange ideas were few and far between. 

Connie Fournier changed all that with an idea and a keyboard.

I joined the forum around the same time as I launched my blog in 2005.  In the six years since, I have engaged in debates, shared chuckles, been privy to some fascinating thoughts and ideas, made a few friends (and frienemies).

Heck, even Connie and I have been known to have a few disagreements on some matters.

I will even admit to learning a few things on political subjects from some of the regular, and not-so-regular contributors, and more than once got an idea for a rant on my own site.

In it's first decade, FD has had it's share of controversy, most notably being the focus of Human Rights Commission witch hunts.  Expected and certainly not surprising, as members regularly dare to throw political correctness on the scrap heap and exercise free speech - unacceptable to the usual liberal suspects out there.

You gotta love that.

Free Dominion has become something of a touchstone for rightwing and moderate Canadians.  It has helped to make it okay not to be a typical liberal Canadian robot.  It has given a real, new media voice to many conservatives that, for so many years, did not have one.

It has even reached beyond our nation's borders, attracting avid members and casual followers from the United States and beyond.

To Connie and Mark Fournier, my most sincere thank you.  Cheers to Free Dominion on a fantastic first decade.  May you - may we - continue to push the boundaries, speak the truth, and piss off the tinfoil hat wearing crowd for many more years to come.

Airhead extraordinaire Katie Couric suggested the idea of a Muslim version of 'The Cosby Show' to bring Islam into the mainstream.  If the episodes were to be true to Islam, I wondered, what would the show be like? (Taken from the actual Cosby Show synopsis)

Episode 1: 'Pilot' - Cliff and Clair deal with the daily pressures of having children. Theo gets four D's on his report card and prays to Allah for guidence, while Denise goes on a date with an older boy is married off to a 75 year old man. Cliff illustrates the cost of living  benefits of martyrdom to Theo using Monopoly money passages from the Q'aran. When he tries to reason with his father about loving him regardless of his grades beliefs, Cliff responds by saying, "That's the dumbest thing I ever heard in my life!" Theo resolves to do better in school his faith. Meanwhile Rudy can't sleep because Rudy claims she heard the Wolfman a Jew growling in her closet, so Rudy and Vanessa sleep with Cliff & Clair.

Episode 2: 'Goodbye Mr. Camel' - When Rudy's pet fish camel, Lamont, dies, Cliff tries to bring the family together for a funeral in the bathroom cave. The festivities end when Rudy gets bored and leaves to watch TV marry an old man and begin a life of servitude.

Episode 3: 'Bad Dreams' - Vanessa claims that she is old enough to watch a scary movie suicide bombing that Theo saw, but Cliff still forbids it. Vanessa sneaks out anyway, and ends up having nightmares as a result  being the subject of an honor killing.

Episode 4: 'Is That My Boy?' - Freshman Theo tries out for the football team al Qaeda and makes it. Cliff is overjoyed, but his pride falters when he discovers his son will never be a star suicide bomber. Theo, however, is just happy being on the team. Meanwhile, Rudy believes that her older brother and sisters don't like her falafel.

Sounds like a sure-fire hit to me...

As we put 2010 into the history books, here's a few things to look for over the next 12 months:

Katie Couric will say something stupid.  Maybe she was still riding high from all the back-slaps she got for her 'interview' with Sarah Palin.  Maybe she was reading her own press clippings.  Maybe she's just an idiot in way over her head as a news anchor.  Whatever the cause, there is no one in the journalistic world who can be relied on to spew eye-rollers more than Couric.  She closed out 2010 with her now infamous suggestion that there be a 'Muslim Cosby show', claiming its success in bringing acceptance of the African-American culture to the mainstream.  Of course, African-Americans didn't hijack planes and crash them into buildings or vow to destroy all who don't share their religious beliefs.  I give it about a month before Couric out-does herself.

Canada will have a federal election.  Prime Minister Stephen Harper is deep into his second consecutive minority government.  Polls are favorable (as far as you can trust polls), his government's skill in navigating the global economic crisis and his against-the-trend pro-Israel stance has solidified his reputation as a leader.  Harper will ask Canadians for their approval either late spring or early fall.

RINO's vs Tea Party.  The old school GOP crowd will continue to face reality as the New Wave conservatives and the Tea Party movement continue to grow on the strength of 2010's electoral success.  This year a Republican front-runner will emerge as the top choice to battle Obama (if he's still the Democratic nominee) in 2012.  How far the Republicans have changed will be indicated by their choice of candidate.  Another McCainesque RINO will tell Americans that it's the same ol' GOP.

Arnold Schwarzenegger will come out of the closet.   ...as a liberal.  Sure, he's just ended his career as a 'Republican' governor, but it's obvious that was in name only.  No one will be surprised when he is offered - and eagerly accepts - a Czar position in the Obama administration.

More sex tapes for fame.  Another year, another nobody who wants to be a somebody will leak a homemade sex tape in the hopes of getting famous.  Being famous for being famous is getting old, but we'll still suffer through a few sleezy wannabe's this year.

The Ground Zero Mosque.  Both sides of the debate will continue to rev up the noise this year.  Expect a well-known politician to come out against the plan. Expect offers of negotiation.  Don't expect New York mayor Bloomberg to obtain a pair of balls, however.  Some things even dirty radical Islamic money can't buy.

SunTV Backlash.  The new Canadian national network will launch this year.  It will continue to draw the cries of the left, claiming it to be a propaganda station (as opposed to that billion-dollar-a-year taxpayer-funded leftwing spin machine known as the CBC?). The tired calls of 'Fox News North' will also continue.  By the end of 2011 it will be the most-watched national network in the country.

The Alberta P.C.s will rebound in popularity.  ....in their own minds.  This stale, old, corrupt government is on its last legs.  They are sitting in the saddle, desperately flogging a horse that died long ago.  More bad policy, more bad PR moves, and an ever-growing leadership void will pressure Premier Ed Stelmach to either step down as party leader or - hopefully - continue on to lead the P.C.s into one more - and a losing - election.