Blue Like You

Archive for September 28th, 2007

Update: This is a fantastic piece by Peter Woolstencroft et al from the University of Waterloo - Electoral System Change a Risky Move.

I hope to examine this more thoroughly in the days to come, but please feel free to comment here.

Ian Urquhart reminds us to pay attention to the October referendum issue - that MMP could become law if we’re not careful. (How MMP could sneak to victory).

One thing for sure - If MMP gets in, there’s no turning back.

Part 2 - Why I’m Voting against MMP (Star)

Just a quick update on the various Caledonia issues.

There was a bit of mud-slinging at the local Candidates’ debate in Brant county, as would be expected.

Meanwhile, a 15-year old was arrested in the beating of home builder Sam Gualtieri, and police are still looking for two 18-year olds.

At the same Stirling South site, Dave Van Elslander, of Venture Homes said Thursday night he and John Kragten “have been advised the deal - hailed by the Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI) as a way for projects in disputed territory to carry on - meant handing jurisdiction over the land to HDI.”

So they (wisely) refused to sign, and the fragile peace is now in jeopardy again:

Van Elslander said when the tentative deal was struck, he and Kragten were told they would not be required to pay a development fee but could make a donation to a worthy Six Nations cause, such as literacy.

They agreed, but when the deal to allow the subdivision to go ahead was drawn up, he and Kragten decided to find out what the use of the term jurisdiction meant.

“Basically we’ve been advised it meant everything was over, that’s it and they own it,” said Van Elslander.

In his statement, MacNaughton made it clear the HDI expects Ontario municipalities to fully consult with the Haudenosaunee of Six Nations before issuing permits for any developments in “unceded territory.“

There will be a “Remember Us “ March on Oct. 8.

Please remember them Oct. 10.

Dalton McGuinty’s ludicrous campaign strategy of trying to promote John Tory as “Mike Harris: The Sequel” (where’s the beer and popcorn?) is unlikely to work, according to Ryerson marketing professor Rob Wilson - ‘Grits look to Mike Harris for Political Gain’:

He said negative attacks can be effective in an election campaign, but only if they ring true with voters.

“To cast John Tory as Mike Harris II, there’s no resonance in that,” Mr. Wilson said. “Harris cut education spending, Tory is talking about spending on religious schools. They’re radically different.”

But Liberal strategists likely think that the Ontario Lemmings can be easily fooled. And with good reason. Polls are indicating at least a Liberal minority, if not majority.

Even Dalton’s broken promises are the fault of the P.C.’s!

Blaming his decision to introduce the health tax on the Conservatives, Mr. McGuinty yesterday sought voter support nonetheless.

“So now what I’m saying to Ontarians, ‘You know what folks? Here we are, warts and all. We made a tough call. You make the decision,’ ” he said.

Within minutes, Mr. Tory had responded in kind.

“I think he’d better order in a very big shipment of that stuff you spray on a wart, because I think he’s got a lot of work to do,” he said.

Warts are stubborn though, aren’t they? You think they’re gone and they just keep coming back.

Come on, Ontario Lemmings! You know what to do. It might be painful, but it will only hurt for a few minutes.

On October 10, excise that wart once and for all!!!

For the love of Mike.