Venison Tickle

Radical Thinking leads to Rational Thought

2008-05-16T20:06:00.000-07:00

On one of those political listservs, NL Politics, I often engage in quite provocative exchanges and discussions with other interested parties. Whilst we don't always agree, out of debate (and yes, discourse) can sometimes come novel ideas worth sharing. This is one of those. What does this have to do with Labrador, the South Coast specifically, or Newfoundland and Labrador in general? Read, and decide for yourselves.

A New Energy Policy for N.A.F.T.A.

What's wrong with legislating an energy policy for the entire country?

One that sees a benchmark for domestic oil used for domestic production, for domestic consumption at $50 a bbl? And a formula that says for every $1 on a barrel of oil = 1¢ on a liter of any fuel?

It's a pretty simple idea: Set aside so much production for domestic consumption and legislate/regulate the price to protect the economy and prevent poverty: Seeing as energy is the catalyst for all aspects of life these days. Apply the same formula to natural gas and hydro.

Is this too radical an idea? Is governed capitalism too socialistic?

As for the carbon tax, after the benchmark for fuel pricing has been set, then add a carbon tax that is progressive in nature. A carbon tax on fuel hogging personal vehicles, but not on semi's and the like. A progressive carbon tax on electricity as well, no tax on your first $250 bill, but after that, incremental increases in the tax.

I realize this is all very Chavexian (new term coined, yay me!) in theory. I realize it's all quite a bit like it has been touched by the ghost of Karl Marx, but that isn't the case.

I believe economic stability and national security for both Canada and the United States, as well as Newfoundland&Labrador lies in energy stability. Why do you think there is such a push on to make Canada and Newfoundland&Labrador energy warehouses? Why? Because the primary interest of the USofA is National Security and that can only be achieved through economic stability, and central to that is stability in the energy market.

This is very much a capitalist approach, and the NAFTA renegotiation that Hillary dared speak of (let slip is more like it) is on the minds of all three present candidates in the great republic just south of us. Our cousins in the lower 48, Alaska and Hawaii. And certainly on the minds of PM Harper, Messrs Dion, Ignatieff and Ray, as well as Presidente Felipe De Jesus Calderon Hinojosa.

If our NAFTA economy can be planned and managed, in general terms, with economic stability in mind, then all countries win. If our NAFTA economy can be protected and thus our National security, then we must stabilize the one commodity that unites all: energy in all its various forms.

I believe that a new economic tenet has to be resolved in the hearts of all capitalists and governments in the new world first, and then adopted by other free nations: Basic commodities that are building blocks of human survival must be exempt from normal controls and also from free-for-all market forces. Such commodities must include, but not be limited to: energy, water, oxygen and soil... which just happen to be the main elements (Earth, Wind, Fire, Water).

Perhaps I'm getting a little loopy off my Jack & Coke. Perhaps I'm making sense.

Doctor's Visits

2008-05-01T07:07:00.000-07:00

This came to me as a non-funny joke, from my good friend Dave Callahan, Mayor of St. George's on Newfoundland's west coast. I thought it was very worthy of publishing here, and I'm sure you will agree!

TWO DIFFERENT DOCTORS' OFFICES!!!

So true it isn't funny!

Boy, if this doesn't hit the nail on the head, I don't know what does!

Two patients limp into two different medical clinics, with the same complaint. Both have trouble walking, and appear to require a hip replacement.

The FIRST patient is examined within the hour, is x-rayed the same day, and has a time booked for surgery the following week.

The SECOND sees his family doctor, after waiting 3 weeks for an appointment, then waits 8 weeks to see a specialist, then gets an x-ray, which isn't reviewed for another week, and finally has his surgery scheduled, for a month from then.

Why the different treatment for the two patients?

The FIRST is a Golden Retriever.
The SECOND is a Senior Citizen.

Next time take me to a vet!

Happy Easter

2008-03-22T08:44:00.000-07:00

I post this with respect to all those who practice a different faith, or choose not to practice any faith or religion. I am a Christian, and this post reflects my personal beliefs.

Happy Easter everyone. This is likely my last post for about a week, as I'm taking a short family vacation to warmer and sandier climes. I wish you all the best and hope you might share in the joy of knowing Christ is risen!

God bless you all,

Ward

Election? What Election?

2008-03-19T11:10:00.000-07:00

This is one of those posts that is bound to make some folks uncomfortable, and bound to cause me grief for daring to stand up and tell the truth. If there's anything I've learned, it's that you don't dare go against the Old Boys' Club. So here I go... I'm going against the Old Boys' Club! Again.

I just finished reading an interesting article in McLean's online:

Click Me!

I think you'll find it interesting. It would seem that no one has an appetite for, at least not any political party per se. The Liberals, badly in debt, cannot really sustain the cost of a hard-fought election right now. The recent results from their 4 bi-elections would also give them pause before attempting to crash Harper's bizarre. (sorry, I had to beat Peter Whittle to that one)
... but they are certainly doing their best to crash Harper's Party! There really is a Blue Majority in Ottawa now, even though I should call it "The Purple Majority" as there are so many Liberals propping up Harper's government. It makes one wonder!

Here is a party with a large crew of Lieutenants on hand: Martha, Bob, Iggy and yes, Stephane. And no one seems in a rush to challenge the electorate for their opinion on who should govern us and Canada. Makes you wonder! I wonder what is on the go? I wonder is there a leader in that bunch?

And indeed I do wonder, especially when I hear of an MP get up and give a long poetic speech in the beat stylings of Dr. Seuss's "Green Eggs & Ham", who I hear is the single biggest hold-up to any Canadian Government investment in Labrador... why? Because they can't get along with him! I used to only hear this from Conservative MPs, hacks and cronies, and insiders...but now I get phonecalls from Liberals in Labrador (and St. John's, Labrador's present capitol, since it's no longer Battle Harbor) telling me "You know, if it wasn't for him, we'd have those soldiers here now. We'd have massive developments. But how on earth do you get a long with someone who votes against everything you do, everything you say... calls the Prime Minister of the land an outright liar in the face of parliamentary rules and now starts spouting Doctor Seuss in the House of Commons!" All that was missing was a beret, a drummer and stand-up bassist and a lot of smoke...man...

Enough is Enough. Maybe it is time for an election after all, something to shake things up. We need something better for Labrador. We need more. Labrador seems like Canada's Tibet, at least in treatment... and we certainly are not helping ourselves!

Political Reconciliation & Randy Simms.

2008-02-24T11:18:00.001-08:00

Hi all,
Just a little update. In my last disposition on the gripes and grudges of now unemployed or underemployed former Liberal Staffers... I wasn't taking any broad sweeping shots at individuals I know and speak highly of. It's just a point of reference to a cultural phenomenon we see in politics: "Everything the other guy does is wrong!"

Speaking of which, my good friend Peter Whittle at his blog "Paradox and Polemic" writes an interesting post about Randy Simms' latest column in the other newspaper (http://wwww.thetelegram.com). It's worth reading and I think you'll find that Randy Simms' last editorial is not unlike my posts here.

Let's try to mend some fences and build allies wherever possible. Mr. Loyola Hearn is far from our enemy. He is locked in what seems to be a grudgefest as to whom is the more powerful NL politician with those we have elected to represent us in St. John's.

Time for some Political Reconciliation

2008-02-24T07:18:00.000-08:00

You know, nothing bugs me more than commentary that is so politically charged by personal grievance and agenda that all issues and judgment are clouded.

Look at the take from LIEberal blogs. Every FIBeral out there has lost a job, a promotion, ground, reputation, pride, privilege and ENTITLEMENT thanks to the election of the Conservatives in Ottawa and the Progressive-Conservatives in St. John's. So what's the job at hand?

Well, for starters there's the constant shots at everything even PM Harper or Pm Williams does. Let's face it, Danny and Steve are not friends and will probably never meet for morning prayer, afternoon golf, and an evening poker game...not literally, anyhow. But each in his own capacity has become one the greatest leaders in his own domain. "Steve" is quite frankly the best Prime Minister for Canada in about 40 years. Now, he's a terrible Canadian PM for Newfoundland and Labrador, pretty bad for Saskatchewan too, and despite their delusions, very poor vis-à-vis Nova Scotia too. But for most every other corner of Canada, he's just what the doctor ordered. Beleagured and incompetent Premier of Ontario, Dalton McGuinty, may feel otherwise, but there's incredible calm in QC NB ON, PE, MB, SK, AB, BC, NU, NW and YK. Good for them... not so good for us.

Williams is not without his strengths and faults either. We see great abundance in the capitol region, and in Lab West. Some signs of prosperity seem to flow forth from Nunatsiavut and HVGB... and Come By Chance/Southern HArbor/Arbold's Cove to Clarenville, but just like NL is LEFT OUT of the Canadian Federation, so are many parts of NL. There is no plan in place for the Labrador Métis homeland of Southern Labrador, certainly no the straights or the Northern Pen of NL, nor Bay St. George...Corner Brook has it's fingers crossed, Grand Falls-Winsor is turning from Industrial pride to sleepy little retirement community and the same is true for the vast majority of municipalities in our fair land (and once proud country).

So do these FIBerals offer something for these less blessed areas of Labrador and Newfoundland that the CONservatives do not offer?

Sure, a different set of broken promises and more lies, lies and damned lies.

So where's my point in all that preamble? Where's my 'word of wisdom' arising from all that rhetoric. Well, I wouldn't claim I offer much wisdom, just a knack for the obvious.

PM Harper, "Steve" as his pals call him, is trying to make peace with the Canadian Liberal Party, giving just credit to the LPC for understanding how to govern and fight a war, and giving Stephane Dion, the other "Steve", a chance to stand-up and develop into a good political leader all for the general benefit of governance.

It is now high-time for NL Politicians of all stripes and addresses (postal codes starting with A or otherwise) to mend some fences, stand together on issues that matter.

It shouldn't take Afghanistan to set an example, it can start right here, in Newfoundland and Labrador...and perhaps it can start with political pundits present and currently unemployed (or underemployed, as they lick their wounds in opposition), and spread to communications directors and politicians.

Email me: wardpike@gmail.com if you think I'm off base.

READ ANY GOOD BLOGS LATELY?

2008-02-22T16:02:00.000-08:00

Hey folks, just over to the right of this here block of white text is a list of links...and whilst there are some interesting blogs, there're also a couple of them I would like to describe as:

Bondpapers = Ed Hollett. Former Liberal staffer under Tobin- Grimes era. This poor soul is so full of resentment and jealousy it's enough to really make you pity him. He used to work for me at the Independent (indirectly as he was a columnist reporting to the Interim Editor at the time), and he is not quite as vapid in person as his writing is... but it's really close!

His latest swipe at Ron Ellsworth - a self-made bayman who's done well for himself, has a heart of gold and does more selfless acts to help others than I can name, well Ed's latest swipe from his ivory tower is pathetic.

Labradore = Wally J Maclean. Former Liberal staffer for Lawrence O'Brien, and curently employed in some sort of unqualified capacity for Todd, to do "research" which I (and many many others) are convinced is nothing more than to surf the internet all day long and read other peoples' blogs, keep secret lists of free-thinkers, like the gestapo, and take out his HATE AND LOATHING on the Premier or anyone in Newfoundland at any time. Wally is so full of hate, he should be promoted to honourary Canadian President of the KLU KLUX KLAN. Just go ahead and read his filth, if you need proof.

So what's worth reading? A new blog from my friend (and sometimes political enemy) Peter L Whittle. http://www.polemicandparadox.com/
This is worth reading. Another bayman, like myself and Ron Ellsworth who actually wants to make a difference... whether or not his bay is Fortune Bay, Gander Bay, or (in my case) Goose Bay. And by that, make a difference in the capitol of Labrador and Newfoundland: St. John's.

Kindest regards, beware the bitterness and hatred mentioned above!

Latest Newfie Jokes...

2008-02-22T08:52:00.000-08:00

So, there seems to be a lot of controversy "manufactured" "Created" and exaggerated by some folks who want to do nothing more but take shots at Loyola Hearn for any reason!

Here's the offensive joke:
So there's this tourist travelling across Canada, and he decides to visit one church in every province that he stops in. So he gets off the plane in British Columbia and visits a church, and they have a phone line directly to heaven that costs 100 dollars to use. He doesn't use it, of course, because that's an obscene price for a phone call, period. So he heads out to Alberta and finds that at the next church they have the same line to heaven, but this one costs 80 dollars. Thinking there might be pattern to this, his next stop is a church in Ontario and sure enough, there's another phone line to heaven and it costs 50 dollars. He heads to New Brunswick next, where it costs 20 dollars, and finally he runs out of room to head east in Canada and makes his last stop in a church here in Newfoundland, where he discovers that the line to heaven is only 25 cents - the reason being, of course, that he's already there.

While he's stopped over in Newfoundland he hears someone mention that they've got the same thing over in Ireland; so obviously, he jumps at the chance to continue his investigation of these bizarre heavenly phones. Of course, when he gets there, he realises they have a totally different pricing scheme on the other side of the pond, and he's told that it'll cost him about 300 pounds to use their line to heaven. Naturally, he makes the call and then leaves his wife behind.

Dear Joan Burke: Get your head straight! You weren't even there, and there's nothing offensive about this in any way shape or form. Funny how women tell husband jokes all the time from stages and we all laugh? Honest to God, nothing looks funnier than you right now!

Dear Lorraine Michaels: 300 pounds refers to 300 pounds sterling, not your weight...or any one else's. You know what's offensive? Your obvious lack of any grip on reality.

but finally...
Dear Yvonne Jones;
KUDOS TO YOU!! You were right, there's nothing offensive here. We need to get on to bigger issues.

If there was ever anything that made me wake up and take notice it was Ms. Jones' common sense comments. I am truly impressed.

now if we can just get the stick out of society's arse...

But in all fairness...

2007-10-04T13:24:00.000-07:00

In all fairness to other parties running in this election, there are certainly reasons to vote otherwise than by party line. How do we elect individuals who can actually make a difference if we only vote by old conventions, long-held biases and opinions and steadfast beliefs that we have to support the party we have always chosen?

There are examples of two other ways to vote in this election:
1. Vote to elect the best MHA for your area. Perhaps in the current district you are in, the person who represents it makes a great cabinet minister or adds diversity to government but is the pits of an MHA. Consider how connected to the people s/he is but also consider how effective the individual is when it comes to actually achieving something for the district without driving nuts all others connected to the reins of power. Exanmple? Kevin Aylward when he was MHA for Stephenville. Party affiliation meant little to Kevin in the grand scheme of things, Kevin was all about his district, his people and building bridges to achieve what he could for his constituents and really put himself lower on the list of priorities.

2. Vote to elect someone who can make a real difference. IN this instance, an individual who brings something to government or at least the House of Assembly (or Parliament) that is desperately needed. I think a great example of this is the former leader of the Liberal Party in Newfoundland who had the knife driven in and twisted in his back by the elite of his own Liberal party. I speak of Jim Bennett, of course.

"Now Ward" you say "These are clearly two Liberals, and you are clearly anti-Liberal". Not exactly correct. I am anti mantra, anti Kool-Aid. I am clearly against hatred voting and getting caught up in the BS I'm hearing coming out of this campaign.

Here we have the greatest Premier in our history, not Bond perhaps, but one of the closest since. And he's being attacked on issues that are minute in comparison to great things that have been achieved by his government.

Should there be ample Labrador power available to all Labradorians? OF COURSE! Clearly a terrible mis-speak or omission in the releases that came forward concerning the new Energy Plan. But this is easy to address, and redress is hardly even necessary as it will be a part of the implementation. The Lower Churchill power has to run on the Provincial Power Grid, not an isolated transmission line with the words "Nyahh ne Nyahh nyah, no soup for you!" adorning banners strewn from it.

Be well! Vote for the future, not based on past grievances.

STOP THE INSANITY!

2007-10-03T17:30:00.000-07:00

You know, sometimes in conversation or other political debates, I write something that I really shoujld post on this blog. Conversations with Lori O'Brien from the south coast, and Liam O'Brien (no relation) from Buchans today, lead to the following post. I hope you enjoy!

-------------

So I was asked what I thought was on the go with Patty Pottle being offered a Cabinet post IF elected... and this is what came out

ME? Have an answer? Oh God, the pressure...

All's I know is there is Labrador Party candidate on the north coast, and every vote the Lab Party gets is one the Liberals lose. That's where it goes...that's why they pulled out of Lake Melville, which really ticks me off. The "grunge vote" (term of endearment, not a slag) in the last election was split between John Hickey and the Labrador Party, now that vote is being targeted by the Liberal candidate and said vote is being directed by the Labrador Party to go that way. Disgusts me really, and I've had this conversation with them about it... if there's a reason for the Labrador Party to exist, then it should be fielding candidates. Otherwise they're saying "We're irrelevant". Stupid I think. Short sighted, and reactionary at best.

There's a hardcore Newfoundland hating ignoramous demographic in Labrador who are so easily misled by their canadian masters (The Liberal Party of Canada) to cause derision at any cost, that they've just been waiting on an issue to pick on to use as an excuse to throw stones at the Premier. THIS my friends, has NOTHING TO DO WITH LOWER CHURCHILL POWER!

As for Patty being offered a cabinet seat, this being used as an enticement?

ONE THING ABOUT DANNY WILLIAMS:
He has a propensity for telling the truth, something that is rare in politics.

Remember when he said that the Liberals shoudl have elected John Efford as leader because that would've been a challenge? He was telling the truth.

Patty Pottle likely would make cabinet, but why?
She's about the only potential Aboriginal affairs minister who represents a district with a high percentage of aboriginal peoples, is aboriginal herself, is from her riding, is (to the best of my knowledge) an aboriginal person, is LIA, has links to the new government on the north coast (a success story, big time). So she's the best qualified out of all candidates of any party to handle Aboriginal and Labrador affairs.

Danny was only stating the obvious.

Some people comment about hearing her speak, thinking she isn't cabinet material because f her dialect. Well folks...she is very representative of someone from the north coast, and is hardly anything less than well-spoken. English spoken on the North Coast of Labrador is heavily influenced by Inuktituk (Inuit language) and as such sounds somewhat different to English spoken in the rest of NL. This doesn't indicate ignorance of the well accepted conventions of Queen-Speak, but rather an overwhelming influence by the native tongue on people's second language.

She's an obvious choice for this, our Premier is only stating the obvious, something painfully lost by those making the majority of comments in Lake Melville, Lab West, Cartwright Lanse au Clair, Torngait Mountains as well as the honorable member from Notre Dame.

And one other note on that...

For the LIFE OF ME, I don't know who is running the campaigns for the 4 districts, but I swear to God they're near asleep based on the lack of paying attention to obvious ways to counter Liberal Lies and propaganda.

What about the $117 MILLION the Liberals STOLE from Labrador's transportation fund? What about the fact that the last Churchill Falls deal was a LIBERAL deal done for the benefit of Canada and Quebec, not Newfoundland OR Labrador.

Wining any seat in Labrador would be like taking candy from a baby but for the life of me, I can't understand why they won't touch the candy!

It's almost like a lot of us Métis (yes, I'm one too!) want to live in ignorance, and the Liberal Party has supplanted the church as religion of choice. I don't know what it will take to de-program the majority, but it needs to be done!

This is Dennis' second kick at the can here, and I hope he makes progress.

Hope you enjoyed.

The Next Western Star Editorial?

2007-08-30T07:09:00.000-07:00

First of all, I hardly ever bother to blog any more. It's hardly ever worth it, as people take this crap far too seriously and without any sense of humor at all... furthermore, there are just too many professional bloggers who have nothing to do but spend hours writing posts and then peruse every one else's. Quite frankly, I don't have that kind of time. I'm not paid to do this.

Anyhow, a little satire for you. After reading a recent Liberal-praising editorial in the Western Red Star, I was compeled to write this piece of satire. Enjoy!

LIBERALS BRING UNPRECEDENTED GOOD WEATHER TO ST. JOHN'S
SATIRE!!!
An unexplained heat-wave has accompanied the Liberal Caucus visit to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Weather is on average 6 degrees above normal and sunshine is blanketing every square inch of the capitol city, ensuring crops ripen and bring unprecedented yields showing that the Liberal Party of Canada is the only choice for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador if they wish to eat and not starve to death. Threats of starvation under the present Conservative government are certainly not just the manifestation of idle minds but indeed a real threat. The premier was encouraged to repeat the remarks of the Canadian Liberals that should they return to power, they will continue to send the good weather our way and not just hog it all for up-along. Some Liberals promised year-round summer and that tourism under their leadership would reach record levels.

In a welcome and expected announcement, the Liberals have announced that if elected, every Newfoundland and Labradorian living abroad in other parts of Canada would be repatriated and industry would be forced to provide jobs for every single one at a minimum of $300,000 per year thus assuring the welcome return of every son and daughter of this province. "The past is past" one well-known Liberal said, "and from now on, Newfoundland and Labrador will be the flagship province of Canada and we will make her strong and proud, and very Canadian." To assist in this, a culturalization program has been tabled to rid Newfoundland and Labrador of her 'awful accents and un-Canadian customs'.

The joy and exuberance in the streets of the fair city can only be attributed to having the real Canadians visiting us. Why, people feel positively welcome now and genuinely part of Canada. The previous cries of separation and anti-confederation can best be rationalized as anti-Conservative sentiments, for when the Liberals are in power, every Newfoundlander or Labradorian is indeed a very proud Canadian.

Shame on anti-Canadians such as Fabian Manning and any Conservative Party of Canada supporter. Under the new Liberal government, we are certain that legislation will be enacted to make it treasonous to belong to one of these malicious radical organizations thus making Canada a safe and secure commonwealth for all the proletariat.

OH, I could go on and on... but something like the above as much as it is only humor... I think could actually be believed by quite a number of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians living home and abroad.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, MANNING!

Unlike the Western Red Star, I am actually very impressed with the latest statements from Fabian Manning. I think Fabian is hitting the nail on the head and his so-called 'venting' is actually just letting out what many of us mutter under our breaths. I do not easily forget the alienation of NL by the Liberals. I do not easily forget all their broken promises... and quite frankly, the Conservatives record vis-a-vis this "province" is much better than the Liberals. Far fewer broken promises... just this difficult claw-back/equalizat ion issue that is ongoing, and the 5-wing issue (which I can't really blame them on if I were in power and faced with such and adversarial MP for the region). And if NL is going to be a "have province" (oh that word province certainly makes me shudder when referring to NL) what freaking difference does it make if the EQ formulae are adjusted in the coming 4 interim years? Not much at all. Not compared to what has been going on for 50+ years of Liberal domination.

The WS certainly panders to its readership, being predominantly 'me fadder vote liberal and me fadder before 'e, so I votes liberal' the west coast I grew up in still exists today as strongly as ever and as most 'journalists' are predominantly left-wing biased by their own admission... this makes for a very easy editorial to write. The well-researched unbiased truth is a much more difficult read, and a much more difficult write.

Sullivan Steps Down

2006-12-29T08:41:00.001-08:00

I am in absolute shock at the moment, learning the news that the (extremely) Honorable Loyola Sullivan, Minister of Finance for Newfoundland and Labrador, has resigned from public life. Of course, Mr. Sullivan has done yeoman service as our finance minister.

Related links:
The Canadian Perspective:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2006/12/29/nl-sullivan-resigns.html

The liberal Newfoundland Perspective:
http://www.vocm.com/news-info.asp?id=17463

Unfortunately, there is no center, center-right or right-wing perspective available in any media form in Newfoundland and Labrador.
on a side-note
This was brought up to me by the most unlikely of sources, recently as reminder. The brother of a well-known Liberal in NL stated to me "If you believed the media, who are inventing the news, you would believe that Danny Williams is doiung a piss-poor job and the government in disarray when in actual fact, this is a people's leader... a champion for the masses who can do no wrong, and only John Efford would stand a fighting chance opposing him in an election. But because the media in NL is so Liberal-biased...we do stand a chance. Their disconnection with reality is amusing and enticing."

Enough said.

I sincerely hope Mr. Sullivan does well in private and personal life and am certain he will make a notable contribution wherever he ends up.

Happy New Year.

Ward Pike

Sullivan Steps Down

2006-12-29T08:41:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, almost

2006-12-29T05:58:00.000-08:00

Greetings all,

I have been neglecting this for a while now, so it's time to return to my blog again. The reality of what happened in 2006, certainly washed away our hopes and dreams and expectations made at the stroke of midnight, January 31st 2005, but all is not lost.

No, we are here for another year, and another attempt to make resolutions and wishes for a brighter future for every one of us, in Newfoundland and Labrador.

There will possibly be a Canadian election this year, and possibly a Newfoundland and Labrador election also. I trust we can start putting aside the party affiliations and start voting for the best candidate all the time.

Happy New Year, and God bless you all.

Ward Pike

Why Quidi Vidi is important to Labrador

2006-11-02T07:07:00.000-08:00

Last night, as many of you are aware, the NL riding of Signal-Hill Quidi-Vidi was the subject of a hotly contested and important bi-election, hoping to not only elect a great represent but also take the pulse of the current political climate of Newfoundland and Labrador, moreso Newfoundland, of course.

The former did happen, as an able-minded and highly-spirited individual in Lorraine Michaels won the riding, but the latter did not occur. The reason it did not occur is VOTER APATHY.

You see, most Conservatives and Conservative-supporters took it for granted that the bi-election was in the bag. That for certain, it would be won by the highly-respected champion of personal rights and freedoms, the distinguished Mr. Jerome Kennedy, Barrister at law. Jerome was exciting to many of us, as candidate, and continues to be a person of great note in society as someone who is extremely intelligent and a strong defender of those maligned or falsely accused in today's screwed-up legal system. Mr. Kennedy is the kind of man who would not only make a great MHA but also a great Cabinet Minister and really show the breadth and scope of what Pm Williams and team are truly capable of...in time.

I cannot think of enough good things to say about Jerome, so I will leave it at that.

So why is this important to Labrador? Because in our political climate we must be reminded not to take anything for granted. You must vote, we must vote, our voices must be heard in order to truly get the results that we want. Each representative we send to either St. John's or Ottawa must be the one that ALL or the vast majority of the citizens/electorate of each riding/district truly wants. It is not enough to assume, not enough to take for granted. The stakes are too high, and our own apathy towards the plebiscite has led to not nearly enough of us voting. This means, we could have left behind in the "show" or "place" category the individual who could have truly been the choice of the people in the past, and been the best one to represent any of us.

Think about it.

Take a Closer Look

Now I know there are Liberal pundits out there spinning this every which way that "Danny Took A Hit" and that the "Conservative goose is cooked", but such is not the case.

The Newfoundland Liberals did not field a cadidate because THEY COULDN'T GET ANYONE TO RUN!! They don't have a prayer of making a bid for any (bi) -election like this one.

To prove my point, let me quote my distinguished friend and former Chief of Staff of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Peter Whittle:
courtesy of The Telegram, St. John's
As for his political future, Whittle said Liberals encouraged him to
consider seeking the candidacy in the Nov. 1 Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi
byelection. But, he said, he was torn by the political in-fighting and
opted not to run.

"I was disappointed with the internal fighting ... I've had some very
vociferous opponents in caucus who have never liked those of us that talk
truth to power," he said.

Whittle said a lot of people were approached to seek the Liberal nomination
in the district. The Liberal party's executive committee, however, decided
earlier this month it would not run a candidate.

Attracting a credible candidate turned out to be a nightmare for the
Liberals, and the party eventually agreed with a New Democrat request that
NDP Leader Lorraine Michael be granted a bye so she would have an
opportunity to sit in the legislature until the October 2007 provincial
general election.

Pretty sobering, isn't it? And BTW, Mr. Whittle is a long-time resident of that particular riding but originally from the Burin Peninsula, the son of a fisherman, a learned scholar and former journalist, a former aide de campe for an MP in Canada, and a strong friend to Labrador. I know this all for a fact, so I ask you to consider his words and give great weight to his kind comments, when he cold have really lashed out against the Party he had devoted most of his adult life to which had so marginalized him.

According to VOCM
" Premier Danny Williams says the New Democrats are now the real opposition in provincial politics..."

And I fully agree. We have two choices in the real reality of today's political climate afecting Labrador: Center-Right (PC) and the Left (NDP) which I expect will more center-left. Just like in so many other countries parallel to ours: Britain, Australia etc, the "wishy-washy stand-for-nothing fall-for-anything steal-your tax-dollars and hand you back a nickel" are no longer relevant in these domains and likewise have little to offer us either.

Liberal-Democracy spin aside, just like we are tired of broken promises, we must tire of the non-committed and ever changing mud in the middle and make real choices for each of our representatives.

Conservatively yours, with a hearty congratulations to Ms. Michaels,

Ward Pike

Liberal Time Machine!

2006-10-28T11:07:00.000-07:00

Greetings folks, in 2003, I foundede a little newspaper in Newfoundland and Labrador called
The Independent

And in that very nespaper today, I started to read a letter from former Premier Roger Grimes. I got stuck at the first line:

Remember, today's date is October 28th 2006
and I quote...
"Dear Editor,
Three years ago in 2001..."

THREE YEARS AGO WAS 2001? Holy Crap, Batman! The Liberals have a time machine they've been hiding from us.

Because according to my math
2006
-2001
=5

That would be FIVE (5) years ago and not 3.

Well, it was funny to me! Former Pm Roger Grimes is a decent fellow. He certainly knows what year it is and what date it is. I don't know if it was the fault of an editting error or a typo on his part, but it certainly got my attention.

Conservatively yours,

There be sore losers in our midst

2006-10-27T04:51:00.000-07:00

I know it's the job of the official opposition to criticize the government, and for Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition to properly reveal to the public the misdeeds or shortcomings of the administration in power...

But sometimes I feel very affronted by the incredible "sour grapes" and downright hatred of Progressive Conservatives and Conservatives alike. It's like, they're despised by Liberals for having taken the government tit away from them.

"How dare those nasty Conservatives take away our culture of entitlement!!?"

You see, sometimes it's downright petty and that's the part that really bothers me. When the Conservatives, in opposition, criticized and rejected the Voisey's Bay/INCO deal it was branded as nitpicking and just flat-out politicking, by the then governing Liberals (whom Ed Hollett, see links, had a cushy job with as a spin-doctor). Lambasting for the "Danny Millions Tories" took place, but backfired on them.

But the simple fact of the matter is, the deal sucked. It really did. For many reasons, some of mine are different than those of others, but in an overall summary it was a worse deal than that of "Churchill Falls".

Any shortcomings on this and other deals seen in Labrador, are spun by Spin Doctors like Wally Mclean and Ed Hollett as being "Newfie doings" but in actual fact, they are just the same old Liberal Incomptence that has hurt Labrador forever.

I take issue with Ed and Wally for just free-flailing lumps of dung at Pm Williams and administration for every move they make, every decision they take. Do I disagree with some of them? Actually, I do, and with many. But overall, this is good government...the best government that Labrador has ever seen and THEY are not the enemy.

No, in my humble opinion, the true enemy of Labrador is the wishy-washy, anything-for-a-vote, promise-breaking, misleading sore losers known as the Liberal Party.

Conservatively yours,

Sadly, must be mentioned

2006-10-12T11:46:00.000-07:00

Dear folks, seems death is all around us these days.

My father's close business associate and friend, CL Dobbin, passed away recently, my best friend John calls me yesterday with the newss that his mother just died...another close and dear friend and an economically exiled NLer came home to be with family while her father faced cancer surgery, only to find out that it was inoperable, and any chemical or radiation efforts may be futile at best in saving his life...

And then I get this:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2006/10/11/bellew-obit.html

Now, I know that Ray Bellew was accused, charged and publically humiliated int he most absolutely unnecssary manner, but some of us did not lose respect for the man, and held him as dearly fr the little bit of fun and frivolity brought into our lives weekly.

God rest your soul, skipper! And to Mrs. D and Mr. K and Mr. D...I hope you said hello to St. Peter for me but told him it would be a long long time before I get there.

God bless us all.

Down and Dirty Ed Hollett

2006-10-12T04:27:00.000-07:00

Apparrently, my choice to exercise the freedom of speech and speak my mind, as others often do has attracted the attention of noted former columnist and die-hard Liberal, Ed Hollett to the point that he felt it necessary to devote an entire post to little old me!

Thanks, Ed, I'm flattered!!

Here's a few choice dribblings from Eddie:
So it's okay to be an anti-Semite, Ward?
Oh Ed, that's really low...that’s downright dirty. I’m not running for office as your candidate that you need to engage in a smear campaign.

Or maybe you just share the anti-homosexual views of Darrel Reid and James Dobson.
Ed that's downright shameless...No, I just don't share your anti-Conservative views or your Liberal family values. I appreciate your differences and am happy that we have the freedom to express them. Now THAT is defintiely UN-Liberal!

Seems the author - Ward Pike - has a problem with Rick Mercer's latest rant that, among other things, draws attention to some questionable comments by Rona Ambrose's newbie chief of staff and some of his associates on both Jews and homosexuals. The shorter video version is at cbc.ca.
Yes I do. Does that warrant you devoting a column to little old me? I must really intimidate you to necessitate that!

Pike suggests, among other things, that Mercer's rant is part of the Liberal bias in Canadian media.
Ed...seriously. You are NOT familiar with the Liberal bias in the media? Is your head in the sand like the proverbial ostrich, or up your ass like the proverbial Liberal Cronie or sycophant?

Cheers to free-speech advocates everywhere!

The Liberals ARE in Power, sort of...

2006-10-10T16:21:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone. In an attempt to appease certain folks, I'm going to edit and try and soften this post from its orginal state...although, I can't for the life of me determine exactly what it is because I don't think like a Liberal

I couldn't help but have the above thought (title for those of you not reading the headlines...) when I read Rick Mercer's Latest Rant (just click the link, read and come back)!

You see, the media's Leftist and/or Liberal bias is so strong, deeply entrenched and unwavering that I doubt even Rick Mercer may or may not have noticed his rants sometimes seem to indicate he's SOAKING in it. You see so many anti-Conservative party of Canada rants, it makes you want to "de-tune" or "tune out" man. You see, I believe there is a constant desensitizing to the Liberal plot to villify and sensationalize any Conservative value with comments like BIG SNIP ABOUT SOME ASPERSION THAT ALL CONSERVATIVES ARE ANTI-GAY AND ANTI-SEMETIC which is one of the things the Liberals did so well with their "Canadians are afraid of Stephen Harper and his hidden agenda of family values, tax cuts and accountability". Oooo. Scary!

Rick was right about one thing: Canada did elect a Conservative government, and Billy Graham needs to accept it and get over it. Snip about suggesting Mr. Mercer switch networks, as Global and/or CTV may or may not on any given day in some possible way provide him with a greater and more appropriate audience...

I realize that heavily left-biased programming (er... thinking) fits in well with the vast majority on the CBC payroll ...but it doesn't jive with today's actual grip on reality.

It seems to me that...the Leftists and Liberals are in power at the CBC and continue to desensitize us with their constant anti-Conservative jibes and jabs. They have power over thought, especially over those whose opinions are easily swayed, and they know it. They also have a plethora of lobbyists and former ministerial aids attempting to thwart the power of free thought and free speech everywhere who continue to wonder why the country they represent is nicknamed 'Canuckistan'.

Cheers to one and almost all!

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

2006-10-08T08:34:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone.
Today is the Sunday before Thanksgiving Day, when most of the people I know celebrate a two-day mini-festival of giving thanks for a great year, the things that are important in your life...and of course, for a great harvest.

It isn't TURKEY DAY, so sorry, that day is actually 29th October based on the 1923 advent of a Republic to what we know as Turkey. See here: http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/fields/2109.html

It isn't T-Day either. Nope, international Tea Day is celebrated on December 15th...so it's close to tea day, but not quite:
http://www.christian-aid.org.uk/news/features/051209tea.htm

This is the day to celebrat a great year, harvest and boy what a year it has been!!
At the Pike homestead in Labrador's Capitol, St. John's,
HAPPLES!
We got bushels of Apples which went into lunches, and bottles and bo'ulls of apple sauce and redberry/partidgeberry/apple jam...apple jelly, apple cobbler and pies.

MATERS!
Boy oh boy did we get some mess of tomatoes. Wonderful, Beefeaters, plums, cherries, etc. Beautful and tasty beyond belief. Planted end of April. HOW ON EARTH? Easy, compost my friends...get all your scraops composting all winter long, by burying in your elevated garden, the worms and bugs work all winter long and compost decaying generates heat...this keeps the frodst away and that rich warm soil incubates all your seeddlings and gets everything growing well.

TATERS!
Great big Yukon Golds, Red 'uns with the veins running thru em, some small baby taters too. My boys were responsible for these and I am proud of them for doing a great job!!

CARROTS
We got the weirdest shrimpy carrots you ever seen. At least they turned out orange, and not purple like the crowd out in Grand Falls area. Those be some weird roots of touloosian origin.

Lettuce and Cabbages etc

That's it for the growing thanks to my helpers...what I am most thankful for of all,

What matters most is my family, and God has blessed me with 3 wonderufl children in this life: Tiffany 19, Jesse 10 and William 5. I love my children more than anything and remind you all to be thankfl for your families and the small things in life...

Like pluckin' up some veggables wit' your chil'ren!!

God Bless, and give Thanks!

Pitcher Plant Propogates Premier's Posse

2006-10-05T09:59:00.000-07:00

HI Gang,

I haven't written to this in forever, not that anyone was really missing me or anything, but it is nice to write something once in a while...and on that note, here goes!

Earlier this week, a new logo was unveiled for Newfoundland Labrador. No more "and" thank you, THIS my friends, is the latest step in a long path towards the evolution that will lead to Newdor.

Newfoundland
Newfoundland (and Labrador)
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland Labrador
Newfoundlabrador
Newfunrador
Newfrador
NewfeeDoor
Newdor, because we are all so newdorable.

And what better symbol?
The Pitcher PLant!
The good old Blooming Fly Trap!

Now I don't know about you, but growing up I could never undersand this, as it didn't even grow all over Newfoundland let alone where I'm from in Labrador...but I let it go, comforted by the fact that most people I knew (intelligencia and all that...) figured it would die off and go to the annals of history as a footnote, never to be taken seriously again.

But no, here it comes again!

Anyhow, from Nain to Trepassey, from the inland waters, to the inshore waters, to the grand banks, to the coastal Labrador banks...

ask yourself: "What symbol do we all have in common?"

Here it is:

The Fish. The Ichtus. Symbol of Christ (nothing offensive there, to a land where the motto is "seek ye first the kingdom of God"), to Homosexuality...to F I S H

And what is the ancient name of our fair land in gaelic? Talamh en eisc (tuh Lav in ish) which is gaelic for "Land of Fish" equally Scottish, Irish and Welsh. Works for every square inch of Labrador and Newfoundland. from troutin, to jiggin to settin' nets to casting lines.

Dear God in Heaven, why do we need something so creatively devoid of any merit, so intellectually bankrupt?

The answer has been staring us in the face forever.

Promises Kept, can 5-Wing be far behind?

2006-04-12T10:49:00.000-07:00

Give the new Conservatives a Chance!

2006-02-01T10:43:00.000-08:00

This is a re-post of my reply to comments on my last post

Unlike some notably Liberal blogs, comments are certainly welcome here as is discussion and discourse.

As to your comments,

I have great faith in Jack Layton and the NDP that they would do great things for Labrador. However. It is quite easy for them to make grandiose promises as it is unlikely they will ever have to live up to them... because they'll never get elected!

We had 13 years of broken Liberal promises and letdowns. Such as the Federal Canadian department of health and DIANA not recognizing the Métis at all. Just ask my friend Todd! (And Wally, please don't try to further a rift between myself and Mr. Russell... you know my respect for him runs very deep, this is politics not personal)

So, I'll tell you what. Let's give the Conservatives 13 years and see what they deliver on from their commitments leading up to their nearly powerless minority position.

As for what the former Progressive-Conservatives did, I can cite 14 airstrips in coastal Labrador that were officially opened in 1987 and proved to be lifelines for those communities... drastic improvements over seasonal flaot-plane and ski-plane operations. I would know this, pretty close to good sources on these facts!! ;-)

Finally, both Wally and Mark cite negative attitudes from Conservative blogs? Certainly, Canadian attitudes have never been pro-Labrador or pro-Labrador.

I do not proffer that Canada works now simply because the Conservatives are in office. No, Canada is still dysfunctional and does not serve many of our interests.

But at least now it might have a fighting chance to turn its attitude around and start trying to consider the regions. The Conservatives are more focused on the regions than the Ottawa-Centric Liberals were.

What we actually voted for...

2006-01-29T14:04:00.000-08:00

HI everyone.

I guess it's now widely known that most everyone in Labrador voted for Todd Russell. No fault in voting for Todd, good man. The problem isn't what we thought we voted for, but what we actually voted for.
• Gay Marriage being the SAME as real marriage. Yes it's true. Th same. Did anyone ever tell you that?
• Closure of the base in Goose Bay
• Exloitation of Labrador for ONLY the benefit of Ottawa, and to appease the equally-robber Quebecois
• Labrador Alienation, along with the rest of the north of 52 regions
• NO recognition of Métis rights
• Lip servicve at best to the population of Labrador
• Money for booze thrown at the other aboriginal peoples of Labrador.

Don't think Liberals care!! They'd like to give us all enough money to drown us in booze and pot. Sometimes I really think that there has been a quiet genocide of all people of Newfoundland and Labrador by the Liberals of Pierre Trudeau, Jean Chretian and Paul Martin.

And in case you need further examples of Liberal Spin, turning fact into fiction, bitterly spinning reality out of resognition, I give you the red-drenched world of:
THe Bond Papers (ed's blog - link to the side if this post in my "Links" section if you cvan't see it below this line)

http://bondpapers.blogspot.com/2006/01/amazing-shrinking-minority-or.html

The Liberal Party of Canada has never been a friend to Labrador.