My site has always generated feedback, which is something I have encouraged since it was launched almost seven years ago. As to be expected, comments have run the gamut from insightful and intelligent to rude and offensive with the obligatory colorful words peppering the latter.

While the subject of most emails is of the political variety, I get a surprising number of questions of a non-political, sometimes personal, slant.

Yes folks, I save every one.

Here are some of the more common and some interesting questions and comments that readers of The Moderate Separatist have sent in…


Q: Are you part of the Wildrose camp? – G.H., Calgary, AB

A: I am a card-carrying member of the Wildrose party and a strong supporter of leader Danielle Smith. I have no other affiliation other than that.


Q: Do you still believe in Alberta separation? – T.C., Calgary, AB

A: Do I think we should hold a referendum today? No. Do I believe, if the nation finds itself once again led by someone who purposefully implements policies designed to destroy Alberta’s socio-economic structure like Trudeau, that we would have that right? Yes, absolutely.


Q: What is your favorite Tarantino flick? – J.W., Vancouver, BC

A: In order from fav to least fav (I love ‘em all): 1. Reservoir Dogs. 2. Inglourious Basterds. 3. Jackie Brown. 4. Pulp Fiction. 5. Kill Bill I&II.


Q: Do you consider yourself a traitor for leaving the P.C.s for the Wildrose? – B.B., Edmonton, AB

A: Only as much as I consider the P.C. party traitorous for leaving me.


Q: You are a Jew-loving racist who has been brainwashed and suced into the Zionist trap. You will burn forever for your words and Allah will see to that. Your bigotry is your curse! Are you so stupid you cannot see you are been manipulated? - name withheld

A: Mom?...is that you?


Q: Boxers or briefs? – A. Campbell, Iowa City, IA

A: Leather thong, actually.


Q: So do u not like the mooslims ? – M. Mairaq, place unknown

A: Is that a bovine who prays to Allah?


Q: Have you ever run for office? If not, why not? – L. Thompson, AK

A: No. It’s a long wait for a lobotomy with this health care system, and without one you can never become a politician.


Q: Han Solo or Greedo. Who shot first? – T.S., Toronto, ON

A: Han, of course. George Lucas should have left well enough alone.


Q: Who would be your choice to win the GOP nomination? – I. Dyson, Modesto, CA

A: None of the above. But, if I had to choose out of this bunch, I’d have to go with…none of the above. Right when the world needs the Republicans to deliver a worthy nominee in order to stop Obama, they offer Amnesty Newt, RomneyCare Mitt, and Ron ‘Bend Over for the Bad Guys’ Paul. Yikes!

There has been a spike in the number of polls lately, many of them focusing on rookie Premier Alison Redford.  Voting intention polls and cross-country 'who's your favorite Premier?' stats seem to be the current flavours, with many of the results indicating good, but certainly not great digits for the new Progressive Conservative leader.

Given that most of the polls were conducted early into Redford's term long before she implemented an agenda of what some consider controversial policies, plus the fact that a growing number of people on the street are becoming wary of an unelected premier who constantly claims that 'Albertans have told us...' when putting said controversial policies into practice, I decided it was time to conduct a little polling of my own.

Sure, it's unscientific but at least the question is straight forward.  Check out the poll question on the left sidebar and place your vote.

When Stephen Harper’s Conservatives finally achieved their long-sought majority victory in the last federal election, many right wing Canadians believed that the long awaited time had finally come when their long list of policies – added or removed – would be addressed.

Voters expected swift action on the usual suspects such as the long gun registry and the tightening of immigration. Those with more gumption also thought there would be action like privatizing the CBC or ending the national policy of multiculturalism or official (read: forced) French/English bilingualism.

Half a year into his majority, P.M. Harper has started to act. The useless and pricey long-gun registration law is history. Immigrants now must remove all head coverings such as burkas and hijabs during the swearing-in oath of citizenship, much to the chagrin of Canada’s socialist left.

The Harper government has changed our international image in a short period of time, from that of a so-called ‘peacekeeping nation’ whose ill-equipped and bureaucratically shackled Armed Forces were often placed in situations to ‘keep the peace’ when there was no peace to be kept, to a much more vocal nation on the world stage which takes a stand, politically and militarily, against the bad guys.

While the Conservatives may still use their unique position of having majorities in both the House of Commons and the Senate to end the $1.1 billion per year the C.B.C. sucks out of our pockets and uses to promote it’s left wing agenda, given that one of the Tory government’s first acts after their election victory was to give a slight increase in the network’s funding, I’m not going to hold my breath.

I propose a much more radical in unexpected move to come. Given this country’s new take-no-crap image, I believe the time is right for Canada to make what would probably be the biggest statement internationally in our history.

It is time for Canada to withdraw from the United Nations.

It would surely be buzzworthy, and would go a long way to forcing the United Nations itself to undertake a long-overdue self-assessment. The list of U.N. embarrassments is long. Considering its intended purpose, the world organization has become its own antithesis. Voting blocs have formed; corruption is ingrained in its very fibre.

The credibility of the organization is virtually non-existent thanks to moments of sheer insanity. North Korea and Gadhafi’s Libya chairing Human Rights committees; Warlord leaders and murderous dictators using the pulpit to spew their venom; an unbelievable and offensive ‘moment of silence’ in memory of nation’s leader who brutalized his own people, and on and on.

Even the staunchest supporters of the United Nations are having to admit to the evidence of failure. The ‘it’s not great, but it’s the only world body we have’ refrain doesn’t stand up to the test. The United Nations, like the League of Nations before it, has collapsed into dismay. It has now become a caricature of itself.

The U.N. is all about promoting its own agenda, which is mostly from the Al Gore Book of Ideas.  Environmentalism is the focus, while rogue nations are accepted and their unconscionable actions ignored.

The Western world pays billions per year to the U.N., and even the worst accountant could see that there is no return on that investment. By stating our intentions to end our membership, Canada would be sending a clear message to the world: the United Nations has failed. We will no longer be a part of the asylum. We will no longer associate with and enable the scum of the Earth.

It would make a great lead-in for the (privatized) CBC news.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 
 - Luke 2:8-14

When the eggnog is flowing you know it’s that time of year again for the Moderate Separatist’s Annual Christmas List for 2011.

Being practical, I searched for the perfect gift that, while it may not be a ‘want’, it certainly is a ‘need’. (The sizes are estimated and no, you can’t return it.)


The people known as Occupiers: a deep rinse, a touch of cologne, and directions to the nearest employment agency.

President Barack Obama: a copy of Atlas Shrugged (book or film), a clue, and directions to the nearest employment agency.

The Republicans (GOP): the same gift I’ve tried to give for the past few years: the scientific know-how to reincarnate Ronald Reagan (…um, not to be rude, but judging by the current crop of hopefuls, you might want to accept this year.)

Alberta Premier Alison Redford: a set of encyclopedia with highlighted entries for ‘Liberty’, ‘Unelected’, and ‘Autocracy’; a copy of any Grant MacEwan book, and a shared cab ride with Obama and the Occupiers.

The Chiquita Banana Corporation: a bitumen bath courtesy of the Canada’s ethically produced and environmentally friendly oil sands and a huge-ass lump of coal in their stockings.

Pamela Geller, Atlas Shrugs (http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/) : The gratitude and appreciation of freedom-loving citizens of the world; the courage to keep speaking the truth in a time where the truthful are the villains; and an unofficial honorary Alberta citizenship.

Alberta Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith: the number for a fabulous interior decorator. She’s going to have to start thinking about new curtains for an old office.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper: a pair of designer underwear in thanks for the huge set of balls he has given the country, and the long gun of his choice.

The Province of Quebec: nothing. I’m done with giving a gift every year and receiving nothing in return except bitching that my gift ‘wasn’t enough’.

Asia: pipeline access to our oil.

The United Nations: a new address (I hear Tehran is beautiful), and a letter stating the withdrawal of Canada from the circus organization.

After Alison Redford’s surprise (bought and paid for?) victory in the Progressive Conservative leadership race, Albertans wondered what the new premier would bring to the table.

After years of Ed Stelmach’s directionless leadership interspersed with embarrassing public relations blunders, voters were curious and hungry for some positivity. Now, just a few months into the Redford era, many Albertans – including some long-time card-carrying P.C. members – are feeling a little more than disappointed. Some are downright mad.

Due to one of the few deficiencies of our democratic system, Alison Redford is currently enjoying the job of Premier without having to endure the headache of a provincial election. She is the Unelected Premier, and she has quickly taken advantage of that fact to institute an agenda that is becoming increasingly restrictive.

Implementing previously unmentioned policies such as the controversial .05% drunk driving law which allows the police to seize your vehicle and suspend your licence even though you have not broken the ‘criminal barrier’ of .08% (and allows you no recourse), as well as floating the trial balloons of a provincial sales tax and banning smoking in cars, Redford has, without a mandate from Albertans, set the provincial government on a path of social engineering.


Premier Mom: Dangerous



 The Unelected Premier’s lawyer stripes and the arrogance that comes with them are exposed for all to see. Redford has swiftly assumed the role of ‘Premier Mom’, and has become Western Canada’s answer to Ontario’s Dalton McGuinty. She assumes she knows what’s best for Albertans, and tells us so on a seemingly-daily basis.

The backlash against her agenda is growing, even though traditional Albertan culture has been slightly diluted over the years by the influx of Eastern Canadians bringing their own traditional political ideology – love of big government – with them. Redford has also been praised by some in the media who usually show a better grasp of common sense. The Sun’s Rick Bell comes to mind, with several of his newspaper columns focusing on his perceived strength of the new premier while ignoring her habitual encroachment on individual rights and liberties.

Albertans don’t put up with overbearing governments, whether in Edmonton or Ottawa. The more Alison Redford governs with an ‘I know what’s best for my people’ attitude, the more voters will be looking for a pro-rights and freedoms party to become their government. For the first time in decades, Albertans do have that choice.

The favorite overused mantra of the Redford government is ‘Albertans have told us…’. Redford uses this tag-line whenever explaining her latest act of liberty infringement. Well, I’m calling you out on that, Alison. I don’t believe you. In fact, in my opinion, you are outright lying to the province. Your lawyerese just don’t fly.

As one former P.C. member stated recently: “…she’s becoming dangerous.”

Do the right thing, Ms. Redford. Refrain from taking advantage of your unelected position by implementing your scary agenda, and instead put your money where your mouth is. Place all of your wonderful ideas into the P.C. platform and run on it. Take your .05% law, your PST idea, your suggested tax hikes, and all of your other overbearing plans intended to strip away personal responsibility (and your defense of Chiquita's boycott of our oil sands) to the people.

Then, and only then, will Albertans tell you how they feel.

Give a listen to the radio ad from EthicalOil.org:

Listen to our Chiquita Boycott Radio Ad

It was as inevitable as it was expected.

Following Immigration Minister Jason Kenney’s decision to ban niqabs and burkas during the swearing of the oath of citizenship for new Canadians, it was only a matter of time before cries of unfair treatment were heard from the Muslim community.

Right on cue, Syed Soharwardy, founder of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, filled the role of number one whiner. In what can only be described as unbelievable, the Imam compared what he perceives as the poor treatment of Muslims in Canada to that of Jews under Nazi rule before the move to extermination.

Soharwardy’s claim is so profoundly absurd it can only be attributed to one of two possibilities. One, he truly believes that followers of Islam have been persecuted for their beliefs despite the fact Canada affords all races and religions far more freedoms than most other countries, or: Two, he is following the modus operandi of Islamic groups in the West forever pushing the envelope with the goal of implementing their religious beliefs and ideology by playing the ‘oppressed religion’ card. (The third possibility would be that the Imam is, in fact, a stranger to reality with some slight mental issues. Not enough evidence to prove that, however, so I’d guess it’s the second choice.)

The Imam self-destructs his own structure of credibility by using 1930’s Jews as an analogy. Not only is such an attempt at a comparison akin to equating apples to snow shovels, but the fact that Soharwardy uses Jews as an example – the very religious and cultural group radical Islamic factions have claimed to be their sworn enemy and have vowed to ‘eliminate’ – assumes the average Canadian is naïve of the truth.

The Calgary Imam isn’t the only one stepping over the edge of reason. Leave it to the left to be complicit in the idiocy. As reported in the Sun, Professor Bev Baines of Queen’s University shows her ignorance by seemingly siding with the Imam, stating that Kenney’s move could violate the Charter rights of women who choose to wear the head covering for religious reasons.

There is one huge problem with that thinking: head coverings for women are not stated as a religious requirement anywhere in the Koran. It has nothing to do with Islamic belief whatsoever. It does, however, have everything to do with the oppression of Muslim women.

One wonders, if the long-overdue and good first step move by Minister Kenney is reversed by our overly leftwing and all-to-powerful court system, what would be next? If an Imam claimed that leashes were a requirement for ‘their women’, would Prof. Baines defend that as well? How about the growing list of honor killings in Canada and the U.S.? Should we look the other way because of ‘religious freedoms’?

Ridiculous.

Jason Kenney used common sense in his decision to ban the burka for new citizens. False claims and outright lies by spokespersons from Islamic groups such as Imam Syed Soharwardy cannot be allowed to stand without opposition. His warped idea of equality is in reality special rights for his religion and culture over those of all others. There is no place for that in Canada if we are truly a nation of equals.

As more special rights and absurd demands are made by Muslim groups in Canada, the greater number of natural-born Canadians will breathe life into the cliché: if you don’t like it here, go home. If you don’t like the laws of Canada, don’t come here.  The gates at our borders go both ways.

We will not bend our national identity to suit the wishes of a radical ideology. Play by our rules or stay in your own country.

Imam Soharwardy, that goes for you as well.

When Alison Redford replaced Unsteady Eddie Stelmach as Premier, many Albertans anticipated some change in the way the ruling Progressive Conservative government operated.

We had grown tired of the milquetoast approach of the government and the endless James Cameron-esque embarrassing moments. More than that, we were tired of useless, flawed, and even rights-infringing Bills that Stelmach and co. had become known for.

So when a new leader was declared, even some of us who don’t support the P.C. party felt a degree of relief that Ed was gone. At least the bad policies and embarrassments would be a thing of the past. Or so we thought.

Now we find ourselves with an unelected Premier leading a group of the same old Stelmach era MLAs. In her short time at the helm, Redford has managed to create an image of a flip-flopper who habitually breaks the promises she made during her leadership campaign. From the questionable link to unions that gave her the P.C. leadership victory to the lifting of some policies right from the Wildrose Party to her steering her party sharply to the left, ‘untrustworthy’ has also become part of her image.

Bill 26, the new .05% drunk driving law – given the statistics, essentially nothing more than a money grab by punishing the innocent – suddenly became her most important piece of legislation, even though Redford never mentioned the issue at all during her fight for the P.C. crown. Moving to invoke closure reeks of the desperation of a government not willing to debate and defend their own policy.

Many Albertans feel that little has changed with Alison Redford in charge. Some feel that things have slightly changed and not for the better.

But if you look closely and in the right places, you will see an unanticipated change is indeed occurring. It’s not in the Premier’s Office or the MLA lounge. The real change that is underway is at the membership level of the P.C. party itself.

Newbies and life-long party members alike have found themselves in a rare and uncomfortable position. They are experiencing something not seen since the days of Don Getty:

They cannot defend their own party’s policies.

The government’s continued efforts to push through unpopular laws and Redford’s own leap to the left has caused confusion and dismay down in the trenches. Party members, many of them wearing the arrogance that comes from decades of uninterrupted rule, are now unable to defend the government. They try their best to spin, but it ends up looking like the obvious grasping at straws.

It is understandable, of course. How can someone who describes themselves as a ‘small-c conservative’ – traditionally the heart and soul of Alberta’s P.C. ideology – be expected to stand strong and defend policy that could easily have come from the Liberal or New Democrat camps? How can a conservative justify a purely progressive government? Of course, they can’t.

An old political mentor of mine once stated that the more a party tries to smear their opponent the worse their own policies are (think Chretien Liberals circa 1990’s). If this is true, then the Progressive Conservative party membership must be quivering.

New media is full of P.C. members lashing out against all those questioning the Redford government. Ask a member to explain the rationale behind Bill 26 and you will get a shot at the Wildrose television ads as an answer. Ask what Redford plans to do about the health care debacle and in return you get false allegations – lies - about Wildrose leader Danielle Smith.

Like a fish out of water, P.C. folks are flailing around hoping for some sort of grip. They can’t give a reasonable explanation for the direction Alison Redford has taken the government so they attempt, almost pathetically, to deflect as best they can.

For a political party which has ruled the province for so long, it is almost sad.

>> A conversation I had with former Alberta Treasurer Jim Dinning was the impetus of an online poll I've conducted on my site regarding restructuring of the tax system.  Specifically, the idea was to study the possibility of a provincial consumer tax and elimination the of personal income tax.  The results are in.  The question:

Would you support a harmonized PST in exchange for elimination of provincial personal income tax?

44% - A provincial sales tax in Alberta? Over my dead body.
34% - I'd like to see the idea studied.
22% - Yes. It would be a fairer tax system with lower overall tax.

>> Republicans are pushing a Bill that would all but force President Barack Obama to make a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline.  Lots of media focus as been on Obama's hesitation on the issue, as well as on a few anti-Keystone rallies attended by a wide array of Actors Formerly Known As Known.  The overlooked player in this three-handed game is Canada's Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper.  When Obama decided not to decide, the Harper government wasted little time in exploring other avenues and customers for Alberta bitumen.  His talks with Asian leaders was noticed in the U.S., and indicated that if Obama continued to waffle out of his responsibility, other countries like China, Japan, and South Korea would be more than willing to take America's spot. Thanks to a quick decision by TransCanada to re-route the pipeline away from disputed areas, as well as continued pressure by American conservatives, Obama may not have any other choice but to make the call.

>> I received another call from 'John', the long-time member of Alberta's Progressive Conservatives who provided a behind-the-scenes look at the goings-on of our governing party.  It seems the last straw has been spotted on the camel's back:

"I've had it.  I've had enough.  I thought I'd tell you first," he began. "I just can't continue to support this government.  I can't support their policies." I inquire as to what specifically has set him off.  The answer is not unexpected. 

"Look, I lost a brother-in-law and nephew to a drunk driver, okay?  I'm not soft on the issue by any means.  I've always argued for not only more severe laws for drinking and driving, but for more enforcement as well.  But this...is a complete waste of time and money.  Actually, it's for the money, I believe.  Being punished for almost breaking the law?  Think of the results if the resources, time, and money that will be wasted nailing the innocent while the idiot with 8 beer in him swerves his way down the road.  Well, that's it.  I'm done.  I'm not a liberal and I can't support a liberal government. For the first time in my life I won't be voting for the P.C.s the next time around."

"And I know I'm not alone."

The controversial new .05% drunk driving law being rammed through the Legislature by the Redford Progressive Conservative government has become the hot topic around the water coolers.  Some see it as a good move by the Tory government, while many others have voiced their opposition, labelling it as everything from useless to evidence of a government low in 'governing' and high on 'ruling'.
Redford and her gaggle of leftover Stelmach MLA's maintain that it is a proactive move to 'make our highways safer', even when statistics are not on their side.

Rolling out some well-worn cliches, the Minister responsible has said that '...we have to change the culture', which in layman's terms means social engineering.  The biggest line used by the government is that they are 'listening to what Albertan's have told them'.  Really?  Which Albertans would this be?  Alison Redford's union benefactors?

Here's what some Albertans are really saying about the .05% law:

A small sampling from the Calgary Sun comments section -

"If Redford had been so upset about this and for sometime now, why didn't she include this in her platform? Why did she not tell Albertans that if she becomes Premier, I will re-write the drinking and driving law?"

---------------

"This woman was 'selected' by about 4 thousand Redford supporters . The people whose lives are now directly affected by her fanciful actions were only spectators when this farce happened a couple of months (ago)."

---------------

"If this is something she truly believes in then she should save it for the next provincial election. At least the W.R.A. has laid out their platform and can be held accountable but Redford is making it up as she goes."

---------------

"...start passing out jail time to people who break the law and leave the innocent tax payers alone!!"

---------------

"Charging people with .05 as opposed to .08 (legal level of impairment) is to akin to charging one for driving 50 km per hr. in an 80 km per hr. zone. Justice Minister Verlyn Olson states that .05 constitutes impairment. How did he determine this?"

---------------

"Her leadership win might have been within the rules but it certainly gave me concerns about her ethics (just another lawyer). Now she is an unelected Premier throwing her weight around! Not the type of person I want as the leader of Alberta. She has lost my vote."

---------------

"As a tow truck operator I think the province should just concern themselves about the drivers over.08. The police already have the ability to suspend a license for 24 hours when you blow a warning(.05 or more) so why do they need to make it 3 days. They already impound the vehicle also. If they are serious about drinking and driving while impaired then stop giving the vehicles and licenses back to repeat offenders."

---------------

"...it took the Alberta Government well over 2 years to pass the distracted driving legislation and yet mere weeks to  push this new one thru. One wonders what the real motivational force is behind this?"

---------------

"The average BAC for drivers involved in injury or death accidents is .16. That is TWO times the legal limit. How is hammering people 33% BELOW the legal limit going to have an impact? Tax grab pure and simple! The reduction was from a massive increase in check stops in BC."

---------------

...and my own two cents -

The problem with this 'law' is obvious and inarguable: it punishes the innocent.