West Coast Can-Am Politics

Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean's recent disparaging remarks criticizing Parti Québécois leadership candidate André Boisclair demonstrate poor judgment in handling her position. Mme. Jean is supposed to function as Queen Elizabeth II's ceremonial head of state in Canada, and not muck about in partisan politics or personality attacks. Her smart-aleck remarks aoubt M. Boisclair and about the PQ separatists are simply adding fuel to the fires of separatist rage. It is difficult for anglophones to comprehend why many Quebecois francophones publicly support separation - this is an issue I'm eager to begin exploring more thoroughly - but I believe it is a terrible, foolish mistake for Canada's GG (who was handed her well-paid hyper-prestigious job "on a silver spoon" as a patronage gift from an admiring PM Martin) to embarrass the Queen and the people of Canada by shooting her mouth off on subjects she is not qualified to comment on. Here are some MSM links regarding the...

Vancouver and Seattle possess striking similarities and differences from each other. In this first post, let's look at some similarities, some which are not well-known to persons not living in the region. International Events : World's Fairs : The Century 21 World Exposition was hosted by Seattle in 1962. Century 21 was dedicated to showcasing the advances of science during the height of the Cold War. I will expound more on Century 21 in future postings, as this event was an enormous turning point in Seattle's history. More about Century 21 at this commemorative site . Expo 86 was hosted by Vancouver in 1986. Themed " World In Motion - World in Touch ", Expo 86 celebrated the astonishing advances in all forms of transportation. Expo 86 - Looking Back commemorative site has some neat information about this event. International Conferences : The Second World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference was held in Seattle in late 1999, and brought Seattle ...

"They can kiss my ear!", responded Representative Don Young (D-Alaska) when presented with pleas by thousands of Alaskans that their state voluntarily relinquish the staggering amount of transportation pork barrel money, to provide desperately-needed money for Gulf-coast Hurricane Katrina relief. When pressed further about the "America Gives Back" proposals being pushed by many Alaskans, Rep. Young further exclaimed, "That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard." "Young Scoffs at Criticism of Bridges" (Anchorage Daily News) gives a rather grim insight into the desperation elected officials feel in protecting their "hard-won" pork barrel projects for their pet constitutencies. Michelle Malkin provides a vigorous critique of "Don Young: Hog Wild". Left-wing blogger Think Progress captures the essence: Rep. Don Young (R-AK) is a self-proclaimed “ little oinker ” and aspires to be the “chief porker. A CNN video interview ...

Canadian bloggers' impact on their nation's politics have been underestimated by writer Siri Agrell , but I wonder if this story was simply "planted" by Liberal Party sympathizers for their own purposes. Captain Ed Morissey has great discussion on this topic. What do ya think?

Thanksgiving and Remembrance Day history in Canada "The first Thanksgiving Day in Canada after Confederation was observed on April 15, 1872, to celebrate the recovery of The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) from a serious illness." Historic Proclamations of Thanksgiving in Canada Interestingly, the first official Thanksgiving observance in Lower Canada (now Ontario) was on Thursday, November 10, 1799. The rationale for that first observance was, "In signal victory over our enemy and for the manifold and inestimable blessings which our Kingdoms and Provinces have received and daily continue to receive". From the bottom of my heart, I extend to my Canadian friends my deep wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving fellowship and a particularly memorable day! SNB

Minutemen Starting Patrols Minutemen Watching Canada/U.S. Border (Seattle Times) New York State Minuteman Patrol Volunteers Begin Watch Along New England Border (Detroit News) Volunteers Watching Along Canada Line (Boston Globe) The core purpose of this group is not focused towards Canadian citizens - who already have become very well-educated in the realities of U.S. homeland security law by such episodes such as the Michel Jalbert incident in 2002 - but towards the many undocumented persons who may have less-than-honourable reasons for illegally entering the USA. What do many of you think?

Hockey Night is BACK.... for my readers in the Seattle area, CBC is on cable channel 99 or 29 in most areas (it's not a "premium" channel) - come watch the action.