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Remember when you went to school, ate the cafeteria and they had ‘mystery meat day‘? I mean that goes back a long time ago, but these days, well, it seems that the mystery isn’t what is the meat, but what nasty germ or virus it has with it. Take this whole Listeria Outbreak up here. Reminiscent of the recent salmonella outbreak in the States, in that the federal health agency can’t seem to determine EXACTLY what is causing the illness.
“While these results are highly significant, and indicate that the investigation is on the right path, the investigation is not complete,” the agency said. “Test results on additional food samples expected next week will advance the investigation further.” (source - CBC News)
I have a lot of problems with this. I mean to begin with, this announcement comes late Saturday night, with the list being released on Sunday. Now I am not sure, but when did Government actually work on a weekend? And it isn’t like on Friday they didn’t have an inkling about all this either. In fact, there was a sort of advanced leak about this happening, that the recall would be expanded. There was even an article about how Maple Leaf Foods claims it isn’t their fault, even though the supposed results weren’t know, or available.
So why a Saturday Release Date?
If the Government actually received the news Saturday in the morning, or afternoon, okay I can see them making the release a few hours later. What I don’t believe, is that they got the results in the morning or afternoon, but instead that they sat on them until Saturday evening. I used to not believe that sort of stuff, but lately I am wondering, given the closeness between business and the Harper Government. Oh hell, between any Government.
I see it in the FDA & USDA down south, and given how Harper mirrors everything Bush does, I would not be surprised to see it happening up here, as well. And that pisses me off. I mean seriously, it is just so wrong, to be put into a position where one cannot trust a Government agency to do its job, which is a pretty damn important job.
This whole issue is just a tip of the iceberg, if you ask me. I think we are being sold down the river, all in the name of increased corporate profits. Part of the Free Trade crap with the States & Mexico. To begin with, how in the hell can the Government Agency NOT KNOW the cause. Are they not doing proper & regular testing? And you have to love Maple Leaf, who claim innocence, but add to their recall as a precaution.
I might have believed that before, but not these days. For that wariness, I blame Stephen Harper and his closeness to Bush. If he was a real man, INDEPENDENT OF OUTSIDE INFLUENCES, then I wouldn’t feel this way, but given how he has caved on all major issues, how he protects people who take bribes, like Brian Mulroney, and how he keeps everything behind closed doors, how can one trust any agency?
More on page 1309
Sphere: Related Content Ian @ August 26, 2008
Election 2008 (USA)
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Leading up to the final announcement of Joe Biden, the Hilary Fan Base were playing hard to get. So far, they haven’t exactly jumped on board the Obama Train, which may be concerning for the Democratic Party, and for Barack Obama. However, I wonder, does it matter? Should Obama be looking to bring in those so called Hilary Fans?
Clinton’s hardy troupe of die-hards had hoped against hope until the last minute — and reacted to the announcement that Obama had chosen Biden as his running mate with a mixture of anger, resignation and gallows humor.
Amid reports that Obama’s team hadn’t even bothered to vet Clinton, some of her staunchest supporters were still floating optimistic e-mails on Friday, buoyed by pie-in-the-sky rumors that Obama had swallowed his pride and reached out to the former first lady. (source - Politico dot Com)
I don’t know, but I sure as hell don’t think I’d want supporters who question my every move, who offer their support not based on ideals, but on conditions. I mean if you listen to those who Support Clinton, the way they snap, bite the hands that feed them, you really have to wonder if their support is worth anything? I mean all the terms, all the conditions, it is like an auction. To the highest bidder goes the support, and somehow I just don’t think that is how you choose a leader. Certainly not a President.
Then too, does Obama want the support of the Racist elements? Does he truly want to win an election, knowing that people only voted for him, because they thought he’d never survive a first term, and that their gal, Hilary would then become President, by default? I mean that is the reality of the situation, though not many seem willing to discuss it.
Racism exists, and perhaps so many of Hilary Fans who aren’t on board, are not on board for that reason, and not other so called stated reasons.
Of course, for me, the biggest reason why she shouldn’t have been a consideration, is simply that she lost. While they claim she’d bring eighteen million votes to his historical run, the fact is, that it would be a slap in the face to the nineteen to twenty million that voted for him. They DID NOT WANT HER, so you bring her on board? Makes no political sense, gain eighteen million, lose twenty million? Not my kind of math, but would seem to be a poor trade off.
Plus there is the Good Old Bill factor. Hard enough to have to deal with the likes of Hilary, but factor in the loose cannon named Bill Clinton, and well, talk about being hamstrung right off the bat. I mean his baggage alone would make it impossible for Obama to stand a chance at winning in November. At least with Biden, he stands a chance.
There is another side to his selection of Biden, over Clinton. It shows that he isn’t about to be pressured by outside elements, that he is willing to compromise, but not on his own principles. Least in this area, of politics, it shows that. And isn’t that rather more important than whether or not some bitter loser is pacified? I mean he brings a lot more the campaign, than she did. He brings hope, something she doesn’t. He brings change, again something she just doesn’t do.
So the fans of Hilary need to get over themselves. If they are such sore losers, which it is becoming apparent they are, he is much better off without their support. Least he can run a campaign he needs to run, and still be true to his own values, ideals. Something Hilary couldn’t beat, and I don’t think John McCain can either.
Sphere: Related Content Ian @ August 25, 2008
Election 2008 (USA)
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Barack Obama selected Joe Biden to be his Vice Presidential running mate, come November. It ends a lot of speculation by the die hard Clinton fans, but let’s be honest. She was the last person he would pick, given who she is married to, and her own baggage. Least Joe Biden brings some experience, some down home earthiness that isn’t faked or dripping with crocodile tears, which Hilary would have brought.
WASHINGTON - Barack Obama named Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as his vice presidential running mate early Saturday, balancing his ticket with a seasoned congressional veteran well-versed in foreign policy and defense issues (source - MSNBC News)
I don’t really think too many were surprised by his choice of Biden. Myself I would have liked to have seen him reach out, and maybe grab someone not from the main stay political arena. I can’t think of her name, but she was one of his leading surrogates, from the Midwest I think. She was pretty good in dishing it out, and you know, his entire campaign has been about change. Reaching for Biden, well, its more of a smart political move than anything else. Certainly isn’t showing Change.
Naturally the focus now shifts to John McCain and who he will select.
There has been a lot of speculation that Mitt Romney is a front runner, which would be too bad. The man clearly showed that he is about money, not about substance. He flip flopped on so many issues, no one can really define what Mitt Romney truly stands for. Then there is his promoting hate, which really shouldn’t be a worthy trait for any leadership role. I mean come on, hasn’t eight years of Dick Cheney proven that?
Then there is the idea floating around that McCain is considering Colin Powell, who was Bush’s Secretary of State, and Bush Sr. Chairman of Joint Chiefs. Frankly, a lot of people seem taken by General Powell, but for myself, I think he sold America out. He should have sided with Schwartzkoff and let the troops take Baghdad at the end of Gulf War One. Might have saved a lot of grief today, and who knows, might even have prevented 9/11. Unfortunately Colin Powell advised against it, for pure political reasons, or so they say. IF true, it makes him less favorable, in my estimation.
Powell was among the possible vice presidential choices the Arizona Republican senator was thinking of when he said he would not rule out a supporter of abortion rights, a key adviser said. (source - Politico Com)
Then too, there are some who have their heads in the clouds. I mean come on, McCain may be old, bit confused on how many homes he owns, but I don’t see him taking on the man who spear headed Bush’s drive to invade Iraq, as his running mate. I mean talk about giving your opponent a bevy of free pot shots. Taking Colin Powell on as Veep would be just that.
So it looks like he is back to Romney, which also is rather sad. I mean I don’t quite get how any Winner of a Campaign, like the one for Presidential Nominee, can choose a rival in that race. I mean everything they said about you, they suddenly no longer believe? Every negative they tried to use against you, no longer counts? I mean that is just plain stupid. It is cannon fodder for the other side, but it seems to be the way of American Politics.
Sphere: Related Content Ian @ August 24, 2008
Economy
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Oil is just over $113 a barrel as of Friday (15th). At our gas pump, the price when oil hit $140 was $1.42 per liter. Today the price at the pump remains unchanged despite the continued drop per barrel. Now tell me again Stephen Harper there is no price fixing by the Oil Industry. Explain to me again, why it is a market based price, yet when the price drops at cost, it isn’t dropping at the pumps?
Light, sweet crude for September delivery dropped $1.24 US to settle at $113.77 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, after earlier falling to $111.34, its lowest since May 2 and more than $35 — or 24 per cent — below oil’s July 11 trading record above $147 (source - CBC News)
Seems to me that the simple fact of the matter is, the Oil Industry has bought the Harper Government, just as it bought the US Presidency and Congress. They have used fear and panic to justify its rise in prices, have nearly brought the entire world economies to its knees, all in the name of increased profits. This is greed at its worst, and no one is interested in doing a thing about it. Harper talks a lot about being environmental friendly, but has no plan to speak of
Dion and Layton really don’t seem to be much better, though they are more open and honest about what they would like to do, or see happen. Much more than Harper who does nothing but whine, threaten, and attack. Be nice if we could have a real debate on what each party will do, not just catch phrases, like Harper and the Tories feed us.
With a possible federal election coming this fall, I wonder what it is about these Politicians? Do they really think we are that stupid, that we’ll ignore the high cost of fuel? Do they think that we won’t be pissed off, as heating oil starts being delivered, and as usual, Ottawa merely clucks and frets like some Hen waiting to lay an egg.
Harper & his Tories have a simple plan. Do whatever George Bush and the Corporate Masters wish, and rake in the campaign contributions. Are the other parties really any better?
Sphere: Related Content Ian @ August 23, 2008
