Olympics and .. uh .. not much else

Well, have to apologize for not posting in a while. Been kinda hunkered down watching the Olympics. Been great watching Canada pick up so many medals. Yeah, yeah, I know we didn't win the gold medal in hockey, but when you look at it, is it really that big of a deal? I really don't think the fact we didn't win hockey gold should overshadow how well the rest of our athletes did over in Turin. I have to admit when I heard the COC's (canadian olympic comm.) goal to win 25 medals this time, I was pretty skeptical that it was possible. But then our athletes go and surprise the hell out of us and just start racking up the medals. Should be interesting in 2010 and I can't wait.

Politically, seems things have calmed down a little. Emerson's still hiding out in his riding, and Harper lost his director of communications. Other than that, pretty quiet for a brand new government. The Liberals just need to hurry up and get a new leader. Should be rather interesting to hear comments from all of the "frontrunners" in the coming months on the various policies proposed by Harper and company.

Finally, one interesting item I've come across lately.

Harper to visit Kandahar

Now I think this is a good idea. It shows support for the military, something that has been sorely lacking from past Liberal governments. Also, if Harper does take this trip and makes it his first international trip, that sends a big message internationally (especially to the US). This would allow him to go down to the US and say, "hey, look, we're part of the war on terror, too". This could help in solving the growing number of trade disputes with have with our neighbour to the South. And unlike a lot of Canadians, I don't see it as a horrible thing to be a little bit closer and/or friendlier to our biggest trading partner.

So, Harper has named his new cabinet and surprise, surprise, there is already controversy. Namely with David Emerson and Michael Fortier. The appointment of Fortier to Senate and giving him a cabinet post is not that big a deal, in my opinion. There is ample precedent for this type of situation, especially when it comes to balanced representation in Cabinet. The conservatives seem to be the only ones that have a huge problem with this one.

The bigger problem is with the appointment of David Emerson. The whole situation smacks of political oppurtunism. Unfortunately for Emerson, I think most of peoples disgust is going to be focused on him and not the Conservatives. The party can always use the representation reason to deflect criticism. And I find that I partially agree with it. Vancouver is one of the big three cities in Canada, and I think we need someone voicing our concerns in Cabinet. But for Emerson, it's really starting to look like he went against the wishes of his constituents. Especially since the conservative guy in his riding finished a pretty distant 3rd. I'm not sure if he should resign yet, but I am starting to lean that way, the more I learn about the situation.


And now for something completely different....

Why the hell can't the Canucks be the goddamn St. Louis Blues? They are the worst team in the league (or maybe its Pittsburgh this week, anyways whatever). I hate to say it, but if this team doesn't sharpen up and fast, they're gonna have yet another disappointing playoff run again. And then I think they are going to start losing fans. Not me, but I know that some people are starting to get turned off by them. Especially the fact that they don't seem to be playing with any heart.

Well at least I can watch two teams with a ton of heart for the two weeks. The Canadian men and womens teams. GO CANADA!

A few thoughts

So Stephen Harper and the conservatives won the election. Albeit with not quite as many seats as I or others expected. Guess we got caught up with the polling numbers. I forgot the most important thing about polls, that they're only accurate at the moment the question is asked. People have this funny habit of changing their minds at the moment of truth, at the ballot box.

There was one big surprise and few expected results. As expected, the prairies went Conservative (including a complete sweep in Alberta). Atlantic Canada went Liberal, again. And out here in B.C., our schizophrenic electorate was all over the map (no wonder the rest of the country thinks we're crazy).

The big surprise this time around was in Quebec. Who would have believed 2 months ago that the Conservatives could pick up 10 seats in "La Belle" province. Kinda makes one wonder what this means for sovereignty in the province. Especially with the formation of Solidaire, the new left wing separatist party. Looks like the movement could be fracturing after repeated failures to get anything done. All I really have to say is just give it up already and quit your goddamn whining . You lost on the Plains of Abraham and you just keep losing over and over again. I have to admit thats not exactly a rare sentiment out here in the west though.