A challenge to Sid Ryan
Sid Ryan, the OFL’s “leader,” has been getting upset about a series of friendly inquiries I’ve been sending his way via the miracle that is Twitter. I’ve been asking him good-natured questions – about his Israel-hating policies, about his bankrupting of pension funds, about the loss of members in OFL – but he keeps changing the channel.
Here’s the question I keep asking him, and which he refuses to address:
Will you ask Andrea Horwath to appear with you in public? Why not, if not?
(Hint: she won’t go near him with a barge pole. Because she’s a smart woman, and he’s a weak little man.)
140 character budget analysis (updated!)
PCs up in polls ‘cuz opposition opposes. Labour fears PCs, pushing NDs to go along, so NDs down. OnLibs ∴ safe, gas plants notwithstanding. #onpoli
140-CHARACTER UPDATE: Most compelling reason for Ont NDP to push for an election? Sid Ryan says not to. Rule: always do what Sid says not to do. You can’t lose.
SFH salutes the Shanghai Cowgirl, R.I.P.
SFH got together in our new practice spot last night, and lamented the passing – coming up this weekend – of our long-time hang-out, The Shanghai Cowgirl. The Cowgirl’s been Queen West’s best spot for more than a decade, but it is to be no more, making way for an eatery that is more upscale.
To commemorate that, an SFH video filmed right next door, at the Bovine Sex Club. (The song is part of Julie Pacino’s ‘Billy Bates’ soundtrack, thus the clips from said film.) It’s a bit dated – we are, now, a happy trio – but a bit of punk rock fun. Here’s hopin’ the Bovine doesn’t go the way of the Cowgirl, and (from the looks of it) the rest of Queen West. Yuppies, begone!
Two years ago today
Sort-of interesting read, as I await the end of the Ontario budget lock-up.
The Harper Cons are now, officially, in the second half of their mandate. They don’t look to be at risk of losing power, at this point. But they sure as Hell could lose the majority.
But that’s just me. What’s your take on the past couple years?
Larry Joy, Sr., R.I.P.
That was then, this is now, etc.
Early morning: “Ontario rethinking Toronto region’s $34-billion transit plan”
Late morning: “Statement from the Minister of Transportation on The Big Move“
Election lexicon
On the way in this morning, Son One and I were listening to a CBC Radio reporter I really like. At one point, he talked about Ontario being “plunged into an election.”
“Plunging,” I suggested to my boy, is a clear pejorative. And it’s a case of letting language do our thinking for us.
Here’s the thing: despite occasional evidence to the contrary, we live in a democracy. And, in Ontario in particular, we live in a democracy where there is a minority government.
Having elections is not a bad thing. It is a good thing. It is what happens in democracies, thank God.
In a minority situation, the most you can ever hope to survive is a couple years. We’re getting pretty close to that now.
So, if an election happens – and I honestly, truly cannot tell if Andrea Horwath’s team will opt for one (they seem to want one, but simultaneously fear one) – we haven’t been “plunged” into an election. We’ll have been given an opportunity, as a people, to choose change or something else. And the Ontario NDP will deserve not a moment’s criticism for choosing to have an election.
Words are important. Elections, in democracies, are too.
Carville gets the Shawinigan handshake
Forgot to post this one, from the dinner Monday night in Ottawa. Wanna know how to do deal with your political opponents? No “conversations” or “process”: let Chretien show the way!
(Carville survived, by the way. Fret not.)
Dear Justin Trudeau
Want something to hit Harper with, hard, over and over, until he can’t breathe? Here it is:
This revelation hits the Harper Cons at the very core of their being: as sound fiscal managers, and as protectors of the Canadian homeland, they are a joke.
Go at it, over and over and over, relentlessly. God has just given you a gift.
Use it.
Sincerely,
Warren