Blue Like You
Conservative musings - formerly Joanne’s Journey
It’s official
Monday, October 1st, 2007Will this staunch the bleeding? I think it will get worse before it gets better, and with such a short time to go, the Conservative campaign could very well be D.O.A.
However, miracles can happen.
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Update: Lemon - Ontario - Home of Hidden Bigotry.
Adam Radwanski - Too little, too late. Interesting comments follow the article.
John Tory’s speech here.
Ontario PC Party news release here.
This is a really good post - John Tory does the right thing:
John Tory did today what Dalton McGuinty refused to do. He listened to the people regarding an unpopular electoral issue, and he amended it to ensure the democratic process of its application.
Tuesday Update - Faith Groups Still Back Tory (Sorry, Warren):
“It revitalizes this debate more than puts it down,” said Bernie Farber, chief executive officer of the Canadian Jewish Congress. “This will let the public hear the real facts calmly and with dispatch.“Decrying the “completely inappropriate fear-mongering” and “stupid language” used by opponents of Tory’s proposal to extend public funding to 53,000 Ontario students now attending private faith-based schools, Farber said Tory’s announcement allows people to take time to understand the issue, knowing they will have a final say through their MPPs.
Thursday Update - Public funding denied to Jewish day schools.
Massive 10 a.m. Conference Call Scheduled - with update
Monday, October 1st, 2007John Tory is holding a conference call at 10 this morning with every Conservative candidate in the province.
The official story, according to the National Post, is that he is adding “another layer” to the Faith-Based funding issue.
Of course the Liberal war room will try to make hay with this; calling it a ‘flip-flop’. In fact, they’re already at it. (Boy, would I like to stick a fork in something - and it isn’t the Thanksgiving turkey.)
More at the Star, Globe, Grey Canada, and Crux-of the-Matter.
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Just as a side note, I’d like to add a few thoughts here. This whole debate has become so divisive not because of money, but rather because of the elephant in the room - Islamophobia.
Religon and culture are so intrinsically entwined in many immigrant populations, that we really can’t separate them.
And some cultures tend to be more self-segregated than others. Post-911 we are all nervous and suspicious of those who do not appear to want to assimilate into our culture. They are the “others”. The ones who flaunt our free society and cover up with veils and seclusion.
So basically we are against FB-funding because we are afraid.
It is fear that is causing the schism. Is it justified? Only your conscience can direct you on that one.
Look deep in your heart and ask yourself if your objection is really due to money or fear. I think you’ll find yourself admitting the latter.
Whichever way you vote on Oct. 10, do it with honesty, integrity and eyes wide open.
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Update: PC Candidate disagrees with Tory’s school policy:
The Hamilton Spectator quotes Hamilton East-Stoney Creek candidate Tara Crugnale as saying she `can’t defend the policy as it stands now.’Crugnale says she supports the ideology of faith-based funding, but wouldn’t vote for the plan because it is not understood or supported by the electorate.
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StatCounter
From April 28/08
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PM with Young Supporter
