every day is halloween

Okay, I know, I am jumping the gun. . .but I love the reference to "Freaks" ahhh Hans and Freida.

Halloween Walk Music from The Shaggs

All in the name of Samhain or Oidhche Shamhna. Ya, I know, a little early, but I just can't wait. :)

pointed sticks 'the witch'

In honour of Hallowe'en tommorrow. This was one of my fave's back in the day. Listening to the Hallowe'en special on Nightlines with David Wisdom on CBC radio. There was nothing more soothing than David Wisdom's Hallowe'en Special, he played the best stuff!

Yummy Yummy

Thank goodness, I was really worried for those rodent eaters in New Jersey, it is now declared that rats with poofy tails are safe to eat. I have included a link to a wonderful recipe for those who feel the need to eat these feisty rodents. I bet the Exeter White Squirrel would be a rare treat for those who are connoisseurs of the vermin. I am more inclined to eat muskrat myself, and there are great recipes found here: http://www.huntingmessageboards.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-232.html, but one should always remember to remove the scent glands. Everyone around here knows that I am always packing heat and on the lookout for a plump muskrat. They don't call me "Long Gun Lisa" for nuttin'. Or in fungi season, "Puffball Princess", everyone knows how I love a good puffball fried in butter with salt and pepper. For squirrels: http://www.fieldandstream.com/fieldstream/outdoorskills/cooking/article/0,13199,1111005,00.html http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/071030/oddities/us_animals_gastronomy_offbeat Good news for New Jersey squirrel eaters NEW YORK (AFP) - Squirrel eaters in the US state of New Jersey have been told that the bushy-tailed rodents are likely safe to eat, after earlier being advised the unlikely delicacies could contain toxic metals. The Environmental Protection Agency said earlier this year it had discovered high levels of lead in a squirrel taken from near a waste dump in the Ringwood area and advised people to eat the rodents no more than twice a week. Officials have now said the test results were an error. "A blender that was used to process the tissues into usable samples was defective and was identified as the source of the lead contamination," the Environmental Protection Agency said in a statement dated Monday. The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife describes squirrel as "good table fare," offering recipes for squirrel chowder, stew and barbecue.

Welcome: Portraits of America

It's because there is a lack of maps, so Miss South Carolina says. :) Read the article I posted below.

By Matthew Lee, The Associated Press http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/071028/koddities/us_canada WASHINGTON - Oh, Canada! The USA is closer than ever. The Bush administration appears to have annexed a major Canadian landmark as part of a slick new campaign to promote U.S. tourism and welcome foreign visitors to America. A Disney-produced promotional video released last week by the departments of State and Homeland Security highlights majestic American landscapes, from New England's colourful fall foliage and the Grand Canyon to the Rocky Mountains and Hawaii's pounding surf. Backed by a soaring orchestral soundtrack, shots of those attractions are interspersed with the smiling images of people of all creeds and colours. The video, "Welcome: Portraits of America," is to be played at select airports in the United States - starting at Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C., and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston - and at U.S. embassies abroad. About four minutes into the seven-minute production, viewers are treated to the impressive sight and sound of water roaring over Niagara Falls before the screen shifts to the Lincoln Memorial. In showing the natural wonder, Disney's filmmakers, however, chose the Horseshoe Falls, the only one of Niagara's three waterfalls to lie on the Canadian side of the border separating western New York state from southern Ontario province. Making matters worse, a visitor to the U.S. would not even be able to get the same view of the falls in the video because the scene was shot from a vantage point in Canada, according to Paul Gromosiak, a Niagara Falls, N.Y., historian and author. Also, he said the video leaves out the two cascades that actually are on U.S. territory, the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. "This is not the United States, this is 100 per cent Canada, shot from the Canadian side. This is an insult," Gromosiak said after reviewing the video at the request of The Associated Press. Although brief, the appearance of the Horseshoe Falls in a U.S. tourism promotion effort is likely to also vex Canadians, who long have fought to distinguish themselves from their larger and more powerful neighbour to the South. The political boundary is not marked with a line through the Niagara River that divides the two countries and connects Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. The distinction, however, is clear to most who have visited the Falls looking for a picture postcard photo to take home. But it seems to have escaped the notice of the producers and those at the State Department and Homeland Security Department's Customs and Border Protection agency who presumably vetted the video before endorsing it and posting it to their websites. In a separate "making of" video, Jay Rasulo, the chairman of Disney Parks and Resorts, speaks over the falls footage about the importance of showing would-be tourists "the great sites, the great vistas that they dream about all their lives when they dream about America." State Department spokesman Sean McCormack could not speak to the scenery in the short film. But he stressed that Niagara Falls "is a shared natural wonder, a gateway for both our countries and anyone looking at the video will understand how proud America is to share it with Canada." Karen Hughes, the undersecretary of state for public diplomacy, said in a posting to the department's blog Thursday that the production has the administration's blessing. "This video clearly says: 'We want you to come to America, you will be most welcome,"' she said. Hughes said she commissioned the work, which Disney shot and produced at no charge and donated in a move to overcome the pervasive post-Sept. 11 perception abroad that America is hostile to foreigners. She said the video is to be given maximum exposure. "We have already sent the video and associated posters to embassies and consular offices across the world, where it will greet aspiring visitors long before they arrive on our shores," Hughes said. "We're going to play it in waiting rooms and at embassy events - and we hope it will inspire many who otherwise might not have thought about travelling to America to come and see it for themselves." she wrote. Or maybe Canada. "

Happy Dance

Well, last night, after thinking my camera was completely pooched, and Addled saying "I should try and take it apart" and me going "Don't you dare", I found another NimH charger, stuck the batteries in and crossed my fingers hoping for a miracle. This morning the batteries were charged, I popped them in to the camera and voila, it's working. Woohoo!

Most Terrifying Video You'll Ever See

Good video.

What the. . .

Holy shit, across the road, there is a man that must be nine feet tall. He is huge. Just walking around in the parking lot talking on a cell phone. I haven't seen a man that big since I was at "Welcome to The Machine" and the big guy wanted me to play euchre with him (and his buds) and I just failed miserably. If it was cribbage, I would have whupped his ass. They breed'em big around here. I am so sick of laundry. My laundry plan didn't work out. I put a note on the fridge in big red Sharpie letters, "UNTIL YOUR LAUNDRY IS BROUGHT DOWN AND SORTED, THEN PUT IN THE MACHINE, THERE IS NO COMPUTER OR TELEVISION". My plan has not worked. I thought positive reinforcement would help, but I am overwhelmed with about five loads a day. No kidding, family of four and five loads a day, all from the kids. They wear an article of clothing for five minutes, spill something on themselves and then leave it in a heap in their rooms. Sometimes being a mother sucks. Cry for me.

"Just walk away and there will be an end to the horror"

People should always wear underwear. I just picked up one of those entertainment publications (just to keep up with the Pitt's and Posh) that showed MORE blacked out pictures of Britney Spears "gash flash". I hate that term, but, honestly, what the heck is she doing still running around without her fundies on? Has she not learned her lesson? My automatic thought was "how unsanitary", like, what if she was sitting on a park bench, or worse, a bus seat or any public seat for that matter? The cooties that could be transferred back and forth. Even though I may have a few millimetres of fabric between myself and the seat, I would still be grossed out. I would not want to sit where she has been, or anyone for that matter who has not sheathed their "Divine Monosyllable." "But she doesn't find underwear comfortable' That was the explanation. Who in the world doesn't find underwear comfortable? There are many types to choose from and really, if you have the money, I am sure someone could design something to make Britney feel like running through fields of wheat but contained, while keeping all her "bits" in. I can understand if you are wearing a kilt regimental style, but for a day to day wardrobe, please cover up your clam. It just isn't proper. If it is for publicity or "pubicity", sorry honey, once you've seen one, you've seen them all, a twat is a twat is a twat, and yours ain't that special. Maybe she sent all her undies to "Panties for Peace", doubt it. http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/071025/oddities/myanmar_thailand_unrest_offbeat

Autumn Skies

Two rolls of toilet paper and an old book called "Don't Say Yes When You Want to Say No" have been eaten by my dog today. (I never really read the book, because most people know that my polite "bugger off" will do the trick). She held a grudge against me, I crated her when I drove to Wingham. I had an appointment, and realized, halfway there, that I had forgotten my wallet at home. I had to do a big U-Turn and drive back to home base and then start my journey again, this time though, I was a tad heavy on the gas pedal. One of my biggest pet peeves has to be tardiness. I was ten minutes late. Driving back, a huge stone hit my windshield and although I don't see a crack or a ding, I am waiting for one to appear. The stone was the size of a gobstopper and it is still wedged under my passenger side windshield wiper. When it hit, I was in the middle of yodelling "Free Falling" by Tom Petty, and I was jarred out of my contentment. That is a good album (Full Moon Fever). I just love Tom Petty. My other favourites to drive with, or clean to (whilst bum wiggling and singing) lately: Beck The White Stripes Nirvana (that live unplugged album) Cub The Pixies Lemonheads Hair (the musical) especially that Frank Mills tune. I sing along, (or try, even my neighbour hates the sound of my voice. . .I am always singing or humming, but that does not necessarily mean I am happy, I just like to fill the air with noise other than that of tapping paws). So here I sit with a cuppa tea, and I am looking out the window at the big bilious black clouds that are sweeping across the sky. Autumn skies are so different then any other season. I wonder if it is because cold air is blowing across the relatively warm waters of Lake Huron? Hmmm.

Finds

If the batteries for my camera were not on the fritz, I would post pictures of my three dump finds today. They were in the metal pile. One victimized Coleman lantern that had been made into a table lamp, one vintage tin lunch box, and one very old, but very lithographed Peak Frean's Tin. Oooh the luck.

George Bush

Check out this link. . .too funny. I kept slamming him against the bubbles and then squishing him between the bubbles, good outlet for frustration. http://www.planetdan.net/pics/misc/georgie.htm

Zeitgeist 8 (Part III: the men behind the curtain - d)

Holy Crappola, this is scary. I want my borders.

Another mucky day, but, I did manage to get five loads of laundry done, AND put away, my pug bit my pinky finger, and I got completely drenched with WB on our walk. Regarding the Pug bite, she hates when people leave, even if it is a complete stranger, she gets upset when someone is leaving the house. Adam was on his way to work, Stella, started to bite Wookie, because Wookie, herds her. I did something that you are never supposed to do, I tried to break up the fight, and in doing so my little digit became ensnared in the pug's fishy mouth. Damn pug, but my bad. I know that is the number one commandment of dog ownership, if you have to break up a tiff, you grab their tails and separate. There hasn't been anything "absolutely fabulous" happening lately. I did receive a lovely box of culture from Atlanta, Georgia. Next week, I will be sending some Canadian culture. My kids just told me it was Career Day at school, and they have to dress up. They left it to the last minute, so I can't make costumes for a dentist and a plastic surgeon, so they are going as a photographer and an artist.

satellite theft spoof

I just can't help myself.

Rick Mercer's Blackberry Spoof

Wow Rick Mercer is quite well endowed.

traditional values

I heart Rick Mercer. . .

I should be happy

Really, I should be happy that we have health benefits. I am not an unfortunate person that has to spend thousands of dollars out of pocket so my kids can have braces, so they don't look as though I just threw 30 teeth at them, hoping they miraculously drop into alignment. Then say "Okay kiddos, use these for the next 80 years of your life". I know how lucky we are, because we have been without any benefits before, and it is hard, especially when your kids were blessed with overbites and cross bites and less than perfect occlusions. My problem lies with the benefit company that "Big Brother" aka "Welcome to the Machine", switched to. I have to pay out of pocket for only ortho expenses, then I am supposed to be reimbursed. This happens monthly. Every bloody claim they have screwed up and then covered it up making it look like it is my fault. No I am not absolving myself of guilt here, (okay I am, but I need to rant), but this benefit / financial company sucks. We had no problems with the other company. I have not had one claim go through without it being sent back to me, or they have lost it, and asked me to fax it in, or they forget my DH's birth date, or they made origami swans with it, and then shot it out the window. I swear that this company is seriously inept, and they really need to organize themselves.

Star Wars Trumpet Stacy Hedger

May the force be with you. LOL.

Movie Weekend

It is drizzling, and icky out. This past weekend I finally watched the Grindhouse movies, Planet Terror and Death Proof. I must say, I loved both movies, but I thought Death Proof was superior. I know that I am a little late weighing in on the films, but I really don't feel that they were misogynistic, or anti-female, okay, yes, Stuntman Mike was a misogynist, but he paid his dues in the end. I don't think one can label both films as misogynistic or anti female. Yes there was violence, but I don't think it was sexist, as violence was directed at both males and females. Anyone for a bottle of testicles? Then again, I could be biased because I just love Tarantino movies. I do admit, I had to watch both Kill Bill's twice to fully enjoy them. At first I was just grossed out, but then on second viewing, I was hooked. Skimming a few protest blogs, I noticed on a couple feminist blogs that people hadn't seen the movies, or only viewed the first twenty minutes. Now, how can one really form an opinion if you don't sit through both films? It's like all those Margaret Laurence readers who dissed The Diviners back in the 1980's. Many hadn't even read the book. Give me a break. We also watched Wild Hogs with the kids and that was pretty cute. Then I watched the end half of Kinky Boots. I wish I had seen the first half.

Give me a D Give me a U Give me a G Give me a G Give me an A Give me a R Give me a S What's that spell? What's that spell? Duggars!!!!! They have their own cheerleading squad, but, what the heck, I feel like cheering for them. :) I still think that what is displayed is phony, it seems too sugar coated. When one watches the other featured large families, most of them show some degree of frustration levels, poop, and the toils of parenting, unlike what is viewed on the Duggars, which glorifies mass procreation. I think a balance is needed. John and Kate Plus 8, whose family is my favourite, mainly because you can see that having a large family (or even a small one), is not a piece of cake. These parents are involved, and loving, (just as the Duggars), but it also depicts the moments when they want to pull out their hair. I love the fact that Kate, is controlling, and John is easy going. Yet, with their differences, they manage to parent well, and effectively, they balance each other out. They both are actively involved in child rearing. The other show on TLC, showed a large family (twelve children) that went "plain", and again, they were natural, it showed the family working together, the frustrations, but also the genuine enjoyment of living in a large family, and how they band together to make things work. Opening up a store, or how the husband made a boo boo with his carpentry skills, made the documentary much more believable, and again, balanced the drawbacks with the benefits of large family living. The mother was a hoot, and was grounded. Their animals were darling, and the children seemed well adjusted, not merely little robots. So, in retrospect, these families which are depicted on television, for all to see, I think the more natural viewpoint, in my opinion is the best. Maybe the Duggars do have a perfect life, but I highly doubt it. I am sure that behind the scenes there have been issues, but why not make these issues part of the whole? Especially, that they are shows that are available for all to watch, to just get a view through rose coloured glasses perverts what is really there.

Bla bla

It is bloody freezing here today. W.B. and I went on a power walk last night and we were actually wearing our winter jackets. I was wearing my MIA jacket for the first time in two years, and it was so cozy. This morning I woke up, and after brushing the sleepy jacks from my eyes, I looked at the stupid short story I have been working on, and decided to use the delete button. It was the most monotonous thing I have ever written. So back to the drawing board. Last night, I reamed out medicine cabinets, and all my old hair stuff and cosmetics, not that I am Tammy Faye, but there was half a garbage bag full of old crap. Muscle relaxers, cold medicines, old blush, expired MAC cosmetics. I don't use the conventional cosmetics anymore, I use my own mineral cosmetics, they have absolutely no additives, just pure pigments. "Twinkle Dust" is my brand name, and if I get some more sifter jars, I will start selling them retail. It was so cold this morning, that I had to relight the fire, I think it was down to 13C inside, so I just brought in a load of wood and it will take all day for the house to warm up. We do have a gas furnace, but, I hate to use it until it is actually winter, and then I just keep the house at 15C, and use the furnace in combination with the wood stove. We have a Tempwood down draft, it's ugly, but it works. If anyone is interested, I do have the instruction manual, and can photocopy it and stick it on this site. It's hard to find the manuals and the instructions. What really sucks about this fall, is that the leaf colours are about as bland as oatmeal and raisins. There is hardly anything! I was told it was a combination of drought and the temperatures. What a bummer. I am really angsting about puppies. What will be very hard, is not keeping one. Although, I might be so sick to death of dogs by the time the ordeal is over, I might never want to look a furball in the face. I keep researching dog pregnancy, and wonder if I am over my head. Then I think about everyone that has had puppies around here, and they don't do anything special. Some people don't even get their dogs their rabies shots for pete's sake. I just don't understand it. Anyhow, I think me needs another cuppa.

I am so bored.

Mothers

Mothers. . . just like the movie "Little Children" ( I am referring to the snotty scene with the group of mothers), there are cliques, niches, gangs, and even the Mommy Mafia. I am not saying that it is just a "woman" thing, or a "mother" thing, cliques and stuff are a universal norm. But there are those that subscribe to Competitive Mothering, and I am so not into that. Or the SAHM vs the Working Moms. . .don't all mothers work? It shouldn't be a competition or even an issue as far as I am concerned, and I have been on both sides of the fence. I don't belong to any of the groups, and even though it might be a great idea to rub elbows with some other mothers, I feel a hesitation, and I probably haven't put myself out there enough, and I really don't want too. I probably still need to start playing a musical instrument on my porch. Some of the mothers that I have met, I have steered clear of, and they of me. Some of the moms are really neat. Most of them are in their mid forties, and it just seems that there is nothing in common. Except for the fact that our children go to the same school and share certain after school activities. My kids don't play hockey, they don't skate, or play soccer, they do not want to play baseball. I will enroll Gibbles and Tibbles in an Art Day Camp next year, either in Port Elgin, or Bayfield. I never really talked about the "reunion", which happened a month ago. It was at a bar that many of us went to, when we were underage and in the vocational art programme. I was a bit nervous to attend, but as soon as Adam and I arrived to the event, I felt a comfort that I haven't felt in years. I felt completely normal. Here I was sitting around with people (some now mothers and fathers) that I barely remembered, chatting about the "pit", the art, the people that were missing, and I felt absolutely normal. Some still spouted mohawks, there were lots of piercings, lots of black, many pairs of army boots, and guys wearing eyeliner, and then there were those that looked like they just jumped out of a bag of bread, all clean and neat, and "normal", but there was a feeling of an acceptance. I think I have that with WB, and of course my hubby, my hairdresser, and a few people from around town, but it's not en masse. Oops, had to go for a power walk. I wonder what the election will bring. I just hope to hell that the Conservatives flunk.

Zigzag

My French sucks as well as my tailoring. I bought a couple of pairs of jeans with a 34 inch inseam. Still, they are too short, so I decided that I could do the job. First I picked the seams, then, armed with the only thread I could find (purple), and my sewing machine, I dove right in. For some odd reason, the darn sewing machine wouldn't budge from the zigzag setting. So, my hems are purple and zigzagged, nice, very classy, especially with the added irregularity of my sewing technique. On another note, there was a message on my answering machine today. . .my coat was ready to be picked up. I actually got my MIA coat back. It was finished, and seems to be in good condition. Faith in humanity is restored. Woohooo! (It must have been the letter, thanks for the nudge, Bub). Oh, I also did my yearly "I think I need bangs". . . I cut them myself, as usual, I am disappointed, and frustrated, they look awkward. Every year I do this. Why don't I learn? Oh well, hair grows.

Mon Francais Sucks

Rutiger et Le Petit Chou Francais. "Finish up your bean salad!"

Gimme Back My Jacket Episode #2

This morning, after doing some banking, I mailed this letter, as well as took a copy into the cafe. In doing so, I asked the husband if something happened to my jacket. He said emphatically "NO". . . We shall see how this plays out. On another note, as I have mentioned before, Wookie will do anything for a tissue. As I was sitting here, rambling on the keyboard, there was a big juicy spider. I squished it with a kleenex from my pocket. She wanted the kleenex, until, she realized there was a dead spider on it. Anyhow, my friends, here is the letter (it's been a while since I have written one, and it just doesn't have any zing). I feel like the kid in "Better Off Dead" ~~~~"I want my two dollars!" Just give me a crappy BMX bike to ride, and I am in there like swimwear. Dear (*&*&(!, I would like my Point Zero pink down filled jacket returned to me. I have called your home (a few times) and once was able to leave a message with your one of your sons for you to call me, but I have not received a call back. I have frequented the café on numerous occasions asking for the jacket to be returned or at least an update on it’s status. It has almost been a year since I gave the jacket to you to have the zipper replaced. I will gladly pay you for your time as well as the zipper. The coat does not need to be “finished”, as I have been made aware that time to do this job, is an issue. I spoke to "blankety blank" on Thursday, October 4th regarding this issue, and wanted the coat back so my mother could finish the job this weekend, while I am at the cottage for Thanksgiving, but again was told that you would be too busy to drop it off or for me to pick it up. If something has happened to the jacket, I would appreciate a call and an explanation. Feel free to leave a message or e mail me. My phone number is : blankety blank My email address is : blankety blank Update: Tibbles asked their son about my jacket at school. . .supposedly the dog has eaten it. When she said "I'm gonna tell my Mom", he said he was just joking. I am not impressed.

Rick's Rant October 3 2006

Rick Mercer Report : Celebrity Tips with Lord Conrad Black

What should I do?

I am in a snit. I had heard that a woman in town did tailoring as a side business. I heard she was good, I had met her before, and figured that I would give her my light pink Point Zero, down filled winter jacket to be fixed. The zipper needed to be replaced, this was not an inexpensive jacket. It was 120.00 on sale. I fell in love with it, it was warm, perfect for winter walking, and I actually enjoyed being outside in sub zero temperatures while wearing it. This was almost a year ago. I frequent her cafe business, so every time I go in for a coffee, I ask for my jacket, or leave a message with her husband that I want my jacket back, if she is not in the cafe. This week, I started to call her house. I left a message with her son, telling him that it is very important that she return my call, I did not get a call. I called the next night, no one answered. I have asked at least three times a month for my jacket back. I emailed, but my email bounced back. When I went into the cafe today, I spoke to her husband again, and he was hedgy. I told him I needed it by this weekend, he told me they won't be around. I asked when was a good time to pick it up, he hedged again, I said, drop it off at my house (too busy). I have offered to pay for her time and the zipper. I have been polite and patient, maybe too patient. This has been A YEAR. I actually had to go out and buy a cheap, crappy Roxy jacket to keep my torso warm last winter. I am starting to think that the jacket has been pissed on by one of their cats, it has been burnt, it has been given away, or it has been thrown out. Other people have mentioned these ideas as well. This should not be a difficult situation. Give me back my damn jacket. It's mine, and I don't care if the down is out, or you haven't had time (uhhhh, a year is plenty), just give it back. I will get someone else who is competent and timely to do it. If it has been damaged beyond repair, I have no idea how to handle the situation.

Ontario Election 2007

October 10, 2007 is the big day for Ontario, we vote. I have posted some various links at the bottom of the page but I just received this e mail from an old co-worker Dave G.: Shelia Copps - MUST READ BEFORE OCTOBER 10TH ELECTION I hope I am not offending anyone by forwarding this. If you vote, I just think we should be informed on the new referendum proposed here in Ontario. I am sending it because I read the pamphlet sent to us on the Referendum and still do not understand it. We are looking for more information to make an informed decision and this is something that was apparently published in the Ottawa Sun. I never thought the day would come when I would strongly endorse commentary by that old 'Ratpacker' Sheila Copps, who does write interesting and thought-provoking political commentary. Yet, I strongly urge you to read her column (see below) which was on page 23 of The Ottawa Sun of September 16, 2007 - and to tell everyone you know that it is a 'must read.' She concisely and effectively argues for defeating the proposed new Ontario electoral system in the Ontario Referendum of October 10, 2007. Here it is:SHEILA COPPS: "Anyone who fears extremism should take a hard look at the upcoming Ontario Election.In less than a month, voters will be asked to pronounce by referendum on a crazy proposal to redraw the province;s electoral map. The outcome could shape Canada's political forever.The proposed changes would open the door for more power for political and religious zealots. What do the burka wearing Muslims, evangelical Christians and the ultra-orthodox Jews have in common? They are each inspired by the righteousness of their beliefs and represent a small minority in their fervour. Most Muslims, like most Christians and Jews, respect the separation of church and state, and work hard to ensure that personal religious beliefs do not interfere with the rights of others.The fear that a fanatic few are out to proselytize the world is not unique to a singe religion, nor is it a solely a Canadian problem. But if Ontario's electoral system is changed, we may find ourselves joining those countries where a vocal, organized minority dictates for the majority. The Ontario referendum asks whether citizens would like to throw out the current voting system in favour of a Mixed Member Proportional system.New SystemThe new system would mean that all parties with more than 3% of the vote in a general election would choose almost one-third of the members in the legislature. In the proposed mix, voters would directly elect 90 MPPs while 39 additional MPPS would be chosen from party lists.A citizen's 'assembly, mandated to review electoral inequities, proposed the changes. They recommended the direct vote by every citizen be mixed in favour of a system where members can also be elected from party lists. Too bad the assembly never experinced the polarizing effect of proportional voting in other jurisdictions.In the Israeli Knesset, (its Parliament) any party with 1.5% of the vote is entitled to occupy seats proportional to their vote.In theory, the system was established to give voice to every citizen, the same rationale used in Ontario. In practice, it has lead to fractious political coalitions where extreme religious-based parties often hold the balance of power. The proportional system institutionalizes extremist influence. Picture a minority parliament where a party with 3% of the vote is in control. That is exactly what is being proposed. Some women's groups are organizing in favour of the new alignment, hoping it will counterbalance the appalling shortage of women in elected office. but the current deficit results from a nomination process controlled by political parties. Robbing citizens of their rights in favour of political parties will never address the power imbalance.The new mixed system inserts another level of potential discrimination. To be elected by proportional vote you must be included on a party list. Independent thinkers need not apply. The proposal gives new meaning to the term 'party favours'.The Ontario referendum is woefully silent on how the selection to the party lists is determined. Elections Ontario says every political party would nominate candidates in advance of the election and describe how they were chosen. But one thing is clear. The party controls the list.Anyone who thinks this is good for democracy is either naive or nuts. The current system, with a single party winning successive majorities with a minority of public support, is ripe for reform. But there are better reform models around the world. In France, two votes are held to achieve a consensus. The first round eliminates all but the two major candidates. the second, a week alter, is a runoff between the contenders, guaranteeing am outcome with majority public support.Unfortunately, a clumsy attempt to fix one problem has spawned another. Ontario is now proposing a political system that empowers extremism and curries party favours. Does a political party with 3% public support deserve a seat? Is a party better placed to elect legislators than the people?As for those looking to PO as a solution to gender inequality, beware of politicians bearing gifts. If you bemoan discrimination in existing political structures, why would you give parties more power?Other Canadians viewing this as strictly an Ontario issue need to wake up! A political model based on empowering extremes would send shock waves across the country. Come Oct 10, Canadians could be witnessing a political tsunami in the making."Anyone who thinks this is good for democracy is either naive or nuts"My supplementary comment:The Ontario proposal would create two classes of MPPs.1. The constituency representative, elected first-past-the-post as is now done (a system the Citizen's Assembly condemned);2. A form of Ontario 'Senator' appointed by each party that gets 3% or more of the votes on a separate ballot. This raises the question - do we need an Ontario Senate? If yes, what would its powers and role be?To have MPPs in one legislature who represent actual constituency electors and party-appointed 'MPP-Senators" who do not, is like trying to make a fruit salad out of apples and potatoes. Both are foods, but they should not be in the same bowl. The only difference between the Senators in the Canadian Senate and the Ontario 'Senators' would be that the parties choose the Senators, not the Prime Minister. Sheila Copps is right - "Anyone who thinks this is good for democracy is either naive or nuts" Then I read this link here: http://saugblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/rural-minority-and-mmp.html but if you want an interesting dialogue on the whole debate, go here: http://sbp.teledyn.com/node/837#comment-1675 Then I read something else here: http://ontariommp.blogspot.com/2007/09/rebuttals-of-pro-mmp-inaccurate.html Then here: (even thought the guy lives up to his website name, I do enjoy some of his ornery comments, even though I am a Liberal Wingnut). http://www.rightcrazy.com/?p=558 Then I found this: http://voteformmp.ca/ On another note: I like the idea of a "Family Day", an idea of the Liberals, but why the flying fart in February? I don't want to spend time with my family in the middle of a snow storm. I want the holiday no less. I think that a holiday in February would be great, but don't sugar coat it by adding the word family. Why not just give us Groundhog Day off, or Valentine's Day. If I want a "family day" add it in June, when we want to spend more time together. Not when we already have cabin fever from each other because all the highways are closed, and it becomes a holiday inadvertently. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2007/09/03/ont-holiday.html Ont. Liberals promise February stat holiday if elected Last Updated: Monday, September 3, 2007 2:14 PM ET CBC News Ontarians will be treated to another long weekend every year if the Liberals are re-elected next month, the government announced Monday. The holiday, proposed for the third Monday in February, would be called Family Day and focused on giving families more time to spend together. Finance Minister Greg Sorbara, also the Liberal campaign chairman, said the party would include the proposed day off in their election platform. "Ontarians work very, very hard. Ontario winters are very, very long and Ontarians deserve a statutory holiday in February," he said on Labour Day, five weeks before the Oct. 10 provincial election. "I think this is going to be very, very welcome in Ontario. It's something we've talked about for more than a decade." He said the province's economy is now strong enough for the government to give workers another holiday. The new long weekend would bring the number of annual statutory holidays in Ontario to nine, putting the province on par with Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the three territories for days off. So on the MMP issue, I have not made my mind up yet. I just don't know what to do. I wish they had a spot on the ballot that said "trial run". I know who I am not voting for though :0

Sofa King

Since I had been on the topic of my couch.