From Greg Weston at The Sun:
"Canada's only medical isotope reactor will be out of service for the rest of the year and possibly forever, leaving thousands of desperate cancer and heart patients across the country with a shortage of nuclear scans and treatments, Sun Media has learned."
And now Harper wants to sell Chalk River?
From the G&M:
"The federal government will announce today a plan to seek buyers for Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.'s nuclear reactor business, and bring in private-sector management for AECL's problem-plagued Chalk River facility.
After a two-year review of Ottawa's flagship nuclear company, Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt will launch a sale process with the aim of finding a major international partner for AECL to help boost global sales of its Candu reactors."
Now that it's out of commission what a great time to sell it. Sure going to get a lot for the govt. coffers on this one. It's too old & has needed major repairs for a very long time.
And as an interesting aside there's this by Steve Rennie from the Canadian Press, dated May 20th:
"Clinics are paying two to three times more for medical isotopes after a supplier abruptly hiked its prices this month - just before the Chalk River reactor shut down and caused an isotope shortage."
"Lantheus Medical Imaging, a Massachusetts-based company that supplies clinics with 'generators' used in medical imaging, notified its customers last week of the price increase."
"Lantheus's supplier buys raw isotopes from Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. The supplier then sells those Mo-99 isotopes to Lantheus, which makes the lead-lined generators that hospitals receive.
...a government document obtained by The Canadian Press shows Ottawa-based MDS Nordion was - until Wednesday - Lantheus' sole supplier of Mo-99 isotopes.
Earlier Wednesday, a spokesman for AECL also confirmed that MDS Nordion is Lantheus's only supplier of isotopes. "That would be MDS," Dale Coffin said.
Coffin also confirmed that AECL has not raised the price of the isotopes it supplies to MDS Nordion."
Hmmm - so MDS Nordion was doing some gouging before the leak happened? Interesting.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Breaking: Arrests...
As just reported on CBC Newsworld 2 people have been arrested in the disappearance of Tori Stafford. A male & a female have been arrested - neither one is a parent of Tori. No other details at this time.
UPDATE: There is to be a joint news conference sometime today with the OPP & the Woodstock Police. I heard possibly 2 p.m. but that is not confirmed.
UPDATE: 10:50 a.m. The 2 arrested have been charged with murder, kidnapping, & aiding & abetting. This means Tori is dead. News conference at 3 p.m.
UPDATE: There is to be a joint news conference sometime today with the OPP & the Woodstock Police. I heard possibly 2 p.m. but that is not confirmed.
UPDATE: 10:50 a.m. The 2 arrested have been charged with murder, kidnapping, & aiding & abetting. This means Tori is dead. News conference at 3 p.m.
Monday, May 18, 2009
MacKay:Afghan mission may extend past 2011
Gee, what a surpise. Knew it all along. Harper & the Cons, if they get their way, will extend the mission in Afhganistan. These people have no morals, no ethics, no integrity & lie about everything. They cannot be trusted to do the right thing nor to do the will of the people nor the will of Parliament. It's time to throw these thugs out. Don't believe what he says about the mission changing to more of an aide one - it will, in increments, but I believe they still want to do the raid, attack, & killing part.
From an article by Colin Freeze in the G&M:
"Canada may well stay in Afghanistan beyond its 2011 military mandate, said Defence Minister Peter MacKay today, as he left a NATO base in Afghanistan where Ottawa is planning to buy up hundreds more beds for next year."
From an article by Colin Freeze in the G&M:
"Canada may well stay in Afghanistan beyond its 2011 military mandate, said Defence Minister Peter MacKay today, as he left a NATO base in Afghanistan where Ottawa is planning to buy up hundreds more beds for next year."
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Canada: A Police State
Two interesting stories in the news today. One on legislation tabled by Harper's Justice Minister Rob Nicholson & the other on an event involving police in Montreal.
Nicholson's legislation would allow police to fingerprint & photograph anyone who's been arrested but not yet charged.
From Steven Chase at the G&M:
"The Harper government unveiled legislation yesterday that would change criminal law procedure so police can fingerprint and photograph people whom they've arrested but not yet charged – a measure that raises civil-rights concerns for opposition parties and defence lawyers.
The Identification of Criminals Act does not currently authorize police officers to fingerprint or photograph someone in custody until they are charged or convicted."
This will only give police, the RCMP, & Govt. Agencies, like CSIS, more information on anyone arrested even if innocent of any wrongdoing. A nice, convenient list where they can all keep tabs on Canadian citizens or anyone living here or even visiting.
The other story, out of Montreal, is of a woman arrested & fined for not holding onto an escalator handrail. What??!!??
From Les Perreaux, also in the G&M:
"Bela Kosoian, a 38-year-old mother of two, says when she didn't hold the handrail Wednesday she was cuffed, dragged into a small holding cell and fined."
"Ms. Kosoian, who studies at the Université du Québec à Montreal, was riding an escalator down to catch a 5:30 p.m. subway from the suburb of Laval to an evening class downtown when she started rifling through her backpack looking for a fare."
Under the proposed new legislation just tabled this woman would have had her fingerprints & photograph taken for not holding onto a handrail. This is insane. The events surrounding this incident are also insane - & dangerous. What is happening to Canada? Things under the Harper Conservatives appear to be devolving into a totalitarian state. One in which I, for one, do not want to live.
It's time to throw Harper & his thugs out & put in a Govt. that actually cares about it's people & their rights, & one that will clean up the messes in our police dept.'s the RCMP & CSIS & any other Canadian agency that has these powers, including the Govt. itself.
UPDATE: For more on this go read Impolitical.
Nicholson's legislation would allow police to fingerprint & photograph anyone who's been arrested but not yet charged.
From Steven Chase at the G&M:
"The Harper government unveiled legislation yesterday that would change criminal law procedure so police can fingerprint and photograph people whom they've arrested but not yet charged – a measure that raises civil-rights concerns for opposition parties and defence lawyers.
The Identification of Criminals Act does not currently authorize police officers to fingerprint or photograph someone in custody until they are charged or convicted."
This will only give police, the RCMP, & Govt. Agencies, like CSIS, more information on anyone arrested even if innocent of any wrongdoing. A nice, convenient list where they can all keep tabs on Canadian citizens or anyone living here or even visiting.
The other story, out of Montreal, is of a woman arrested & fined for not holding onto an escalator handrail. What??!!??
From Les Perreaux, also in the G&M:
"Bela Kosoian, a 38-year-old mother of two, says when she didn't hold the handrail Wednesday she was cuffed, dragged into a small holding cell and fined."
"Ms. Kosoian, who studies at the Université du Québec à Montreal, was riding an escalator down to catch a 5:30 p.m. subway from the suburb of Laval to an evening class downtown when she started rifling through her backpack looking for a fare."
Under the proposed new legislation just tabled this woman would have had her fingerprints & photograph taken for not holding onto a handrail. This is insane. The events surrounding this incident are also insane - & dangerous. What is happening to Canada? Things under the Harper Conservatives appear to be devolving into a totalitarian state. One in which I, for one, do not want to live.
It's time to throw Harper & his thugs out & put in a Govt. that actually cares about it's people & their rights, & one that will clean up the messes in our police dept.'s the RCMP & CSIS & any other Canadian agency that has these powers, including the Govt. itself.
UPDATE: For more on this go read Impolitical.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Less than 5 per cent of stimulus doled out so far
From an article by Paul Vieira in the Business section of The Ottawa Citizen:
"The federal government has spent just under five per cent of the $40 billion in fiscal stimulus it pledged to combat a recession that now appears to be easing, government documents indicate.
The documents, released Thursday, reveal the bulk of the nearly $2 billion spent has gone toward rebuilding or refurbishing facilities at Canadian colleges and universities."
The article also lists a few other places where the money has gone &, interestingly, there are a few Crown agencies in this list. It's not a complete rundown & I shall try to find out more.
"The federal government has spent just under five per cent of the $40 billion in fiscal stimulus it pledged to combat a recession that now appears to be easing, government documents indicate.
The documents, released Thursday, reveal the bulk of the nearly $2 billion spent has gone toward rebuilding or refurbishing facilities at Canadian colleges and universities."
The article also lists a few other places where the money has gone &, interestingly, there are a few Crown agencies in this list. It's not a complete rundown & I shall try to find out more.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Phosphorous Bombs used in Afghanistan
From a post by MoS at The Disaffected Lib:
"It's time to say "no" to Stephen Harper. There's a move afoot to send a squadron of CF-18 fighter-bombers to Afghanistan."
And from Reuters:
"White phosphorus can be used legally in war to provide light, create smokescreens or burn buildings, so it is not banned under international treaties that forbid using chemicals as weapons.
Colonel Gregory Julian, a spokesman for the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan, confirmed that Western forces in the country use the chemical."
Is this what we want our Canadian Forces possibly engaged in doing? Dropping phosphorous bombs in Afghanistan? I hope not, but you never know with this government we have.
Go here to sign/send a letter:
http://www.ceasefire.ca/?page_id=1274
"It's time to say "no" to Stephen Harper. There's a move afoot to send a squadron of CF-18 fighter-bombers to Afghanistan."
And from Reuters:
"White phosphorus can be used legally in war to provide light, create smokescreens or burn buildings, so it is not banned under international treaties that forbid using chemicals as weapons.
Colonel Gregory Julian, a spokesman for the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan, confirmed that Western forces in the country use the chemical."
Is this what we want our Canadian Forces possibly engaged in doing? Dropping phosphorous bombs in Afghanistan? I hope not, but you never know with this government we have.
Go here to sign/send a letter:
http://www.ceasefire.ca/?page_id=1274
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Harper to Muzzle Page
From columnist Greg Weston in The Ottawa Sun:
"Stephen Harper's government of public accountability is apparently about to defang, muzzle and generally neuter its own watchdog of budget honesty.
A Conservative cabinet minister says most of the fun folks in his party "can't wait" to put a choker on the parliamentary budget office and its dogged bloodhound, Kevin Page.
The only thing yet to be decided, the minister says, is whether to eliminate the office, or put Page on a short enough regulatory leash to render him harmless."
Once again Harper is about to do away with another watchdog & possibly do away with the Budget Office as well, the one that he created. He just can't take criticism or the truth. Secrecy is of tantamount importance to the man who ran, & was elected, on accountability. What a joke. Unfortunately we are the ones who pay for this in not knowing what's going on. The only watchdog who appears to be safe, for now, is Auditor General Sheila Fraser. Who knows how much longer she will last. The tyrant has no shame.
"Stephen Harper's government of public accountability is apparently about to defang, muzzle and generally neuter its own watchdog of budget honesty.
A Conservative cabinet minister says most of the fun folks in his party "can't wait" to put a choker on the parliamentary budget office and its dogged bloodhound, Kevin Page.
The only thing yet to be decided, the minister says, is whether to eliminate the office, or put Page on a short enough regulatory leash to render him harmless."
Once again Harper is about to do away with another watchdog & possibly do away with the Budget Office as well, the one that he created. He just can't take criticism or the truth. Secrecy is of tantamount importance to the man who ran, & was elected, on accountability. What a joke. Unfortunately we are the ones who pay for this in not knowing what's going on. The only watchdog who appears to be safe, for now, is Auditor General Sheila Fraser. Who knows how much longer she will last. The tyrant has no shame.
Shocker: Newman Retiring!
Don Newman of the Politics show on CBC Newsworld is retiring. He's decided to take a retirement package & what happens to the show after that is an unknown at this point.
I, for one, will miss him. He's been on CBC for what feels like a lifetime to me. Good luck, Mr. Newman, in any other ventures you may decide to pursue & Happy Retirement!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Breaking: Canadian Airliner hijacked
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Canadian Soldier Killed
Trooper Karine Blais, who began her tour of duty just two weeks ago, has been identified as the fallen soldier.
Just 21 years old & the 2nd female soldier to be killed. How much longer do we have to wait before we bring them home?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Khadr Lawyer Reinstated!
From the NP:
A military judge Tuesday overruled the Pentagon in its firing of Omar Khadr's military defence lawyer - a decision that provoked more confusion in the Guantanamo Bay case.
The move by Judge Patrick Parrish, an army colonel, effectively reinstates navy Lieutenant-Commander. Bill Kuebler as chief counsel for the Canadian-born terror suspect just days after Lt.-Cmdr. Kuebler's immediate boss fired him.
But the office headed by Air Force Col. Peter Masciola, who gave Kuebler his marching orders Friday, hit back by saying the judge had misread the rules governing the military commissions under which Mr. Khadr and other accused terrorists are being prosecuted.
Let's hope he gets to stay on the case. This "playing around" with Khadr's defense is beyond the pale. This kid needs to come home.
A military judge Tuesday overruled the Pentagon in its firing of Omar Khadr's military defence lawyer - a decision that provoked more confusion in the Guantanamo Bay case.
The move by Judge Patrick Parrish, an army colonel, effectively reinstates navy Lieutenant-Commander. Bill Kuebler as chief counsel for the Canadian-born terror suspect just days after Lt.-Cmdr. Kuebler's immediate boss fired him.
But the office headed by Air Force Col. Peter Masciola, who gave Kuebler his marching orders Friday, hit back by saying the judge had misread the rules governing the military commissions under which Mr. Khadr and other accused terrorists are being prosecuted.
Let's hope he gets to stay on the case. This "playing around" with Khadr's defense is beyond the pale. This kid needs to come home.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Canada's debt to balloon by $81.5-billion!
TD predicts record deficit over two years, driving shortfall billions of dollars deeper than Ottawa's forecast.
In todays G&M, this article by Steven Chase.
"The Toronto-Dominion Bank's calculations - using their updated economic forecasts - would see Canada's federal debt swell by $81.5-billion over the next two years instead of by $63.5-billion as the Harper government forecasted seven weeks ago. This would drive up Ottawa's debt to $540.2-billion in the 2010-11 fiscal year instead of $522.2-billion as currently forecast."
It looks like our PBO officer, Kevin Page, is right. Let's hope that Harper doesn't do away with him. I know he'd love to, & is working towards that end, but we all need to be vigilant on this as does the MSM. And let's not forget that it was Harper that appointed Mr. Page even though he would prefer to say it was the Liberals. And the PM does like to do revisionist history.
In todays G&M, this article by Steven Chase.
"The Toronto-Dominion Bank's calculations - using their updated economic forecasts - would see Canada's federal debt swell by $81.5-billion over the next two years instead of by $63.5-billion as the Harper government forecasted seven weeks ago. This would drive up Ottawa's debt to $540.2-billion in the 2010-11 fiscal year instead of $522.2-billion as currently forecast."
It looks like our PBO officer, Kevin Page, is right. Let's hope that Harper doesn't do away with him. I know he'd love to, & is working towards that end, but we all need to be vigilant on this as does the MSM. And let's not forget that it was Harper that appointed Mr. Page even though he would prefer to say it was the Liberals. And the PM does like to do revisionist history.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Notice!
I would like to apologize for not responding to commenters on some of my posts. I only just realized that I had comments but never received notification of them. Am working on resolving the problem.
If I'd known I would have responded. So commenters, please do not refrain from anything you'd like to say! :-)
If I'd known I would have responded. So commenters, please do not refrain from anything you'd like to say! :-)
Hebert Slams Harper
This is just too good to pass up! Chantal Hebert gets it right & it's a must-read all about the Cons new website.
"Its home page features no less than five pictures of Harper and he is sporting a different tie on four of them.
That's a good thing because very little else differentiates the pictures from each other and they take up most of the page.
Its focus is squarely on Harper as an action man rather than on the government's action plan and the rest of the website fully lives up to that advance billing.
In less politically mature countries, it could be construed as an effort to substitute a cult of the personality for solid policy dialogue. Here, it is just the latest silly production of a muddled Conservative brain trust.
Every link leads to more pictures of the Prime Minister."
"Its home page features no less than five pictures of Harper and he is sporting a different tie on four of them.
That's a good thing because very little else differentiates the pictures from each other and they take up most of the page.
Its focus is squarely on Harper as an action man rather than on the government's action plan and the rest of the website fully lives up to that advance billing.
In less politically mature countries, it could be construed as an effort to substitute a cult of the personality for solid policy dialogue. Here, it is just the latest silly production of a muddled Conservative brain trust.
Every link leads to more pictures of the Prime Minister."
Friday, March 6, 2009
Our Crime Fighting Leader?
March 5, 2009:
“Today the Liberal Opposition asked to have two justice bills aimed at targeting organized crime and illegal drugs fast tracked through the House of Commons so that they can become law as soon as possible. Unfortunately our request was denied,” said Liberal House Leader Ralph Goodale."
So what is all this talk from Harper & the Cons on the Liberals opposing & slowing down crime legislation? Who do they think they can continue to fool here? Disgusting!
“Today the Liberal Opposition asked to have two justice bills aimed at targeting organized crime and illegal drugs fast tracked through the House of Commons so that they can become law as soon as possible. Unfortunately our request was denied,” said Liberal House Leader Ralph Goodale."
So what is all this talk from Harper & the Cons on the Liberals opposing & slowing down crime legislation? Who do they think they can continue to fool here? Disgusting!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Radioactive Drinking Water ALERT!
The radioactive material level in municipal drinking water in Ottawa is extremely high! And it's being blamed on Chalk River.
Please alert anyone you know who lives there.
From SunMedia:
"The levels of radioactive tritium in Ottawa's drinking water are routinely two, three, sometimes four times above the background level of tritium and this is because of these nuclear facilities on the banks of the river," said Meredith Brown, the Ottawa Riverkeeper"
Please alert anyone you know who lives there.
From SunMedia:
"The levels of radioactive tritium in Ottawa's drinking water are routinely two, three, sometimes four times above the background level of tritium and this is because of these nuclear facilities on the banks of the river," said Meredith Brown, the Ottawa Riverkeeper"
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Breaking: 3 MORE soldiers killed in Afghanistan
From CTV:
"Three Canadian Forces personnel were killed Tuesday when an improvised explosive device detonated near an armoured vehicle during a patrol in the Arghandab District. Two others were injured in the attack."
And to think we could have been out of Afghanistan THIS year! Thanks Harper. Thanks Liberal Party.
"Three Canadian Forces personnel were killed Tuesday when an improvised explosive device detonated near an armoured vehicle during a patrol in the Arghandab District. Two others were injured in the attack."
And to think we could have been out of Afghanistan THIS year! Thanks Harper. Thanks Liberal Party.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Ignatieff crowned Leader
It's official.
"As the only candidate in the contest, Mr. Ignatieff’s Leadership will be officially confirmed by the assembled delegates at the Leadership and Biennial Convention to be held in Vancouver, British Columbia from April 30 – May 2, 2009."
So, no input from anyone else, no voting by the grassroots delegates, no opposition to Mr. Ignatieff's free ride to the top of the Party.
Not exactly democracy as far as I'm concerned.
"As the only candidate in the contest, Mr. Ignatieff’s Leadership will be officially confirmed by the assembled delegates at the Leadership and Biennial Convention to be held in Vancouver, British Columbia from April 30 – May 2, 2009."
So, no input from anyone else, no voting by the grassroots delegates, no opposition to Mr. Ignatieff's free ride to the top of the Party.
Not exactly democracy as far as I'm concerned.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Here we go again...
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is threatening Gaza/Hamas again. And it doesn't look good. When does it ever.
From the BBC:
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has vowed a "disproportionate" response to rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza.
On Saturday, a rocket fired from Gaza exploded near the Israeli city of Ashkelon, with no casualties reported, and at least two were fired in the days before.
"We will not agree to return to the old rules of the game and we will act according to new rules that will guarantee that we are not dragged into an incessant tit-for-tat war that will not allow normal life in the south of the country," Mr Olmert said.
Israelis go to the polls in nine days
"The situation... in recent days has increased in a manner that does not allow Israel not to retaliate in order to make sure that our position... is understood by those involved in the fire.
"The response will come at the time, the place and the manner that we choose."
His strong stance was echoed by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defence Minister Ehud Barak.
Well that didn't last long. So are we going to have to witness another "disproportionate response" to Hamas rockets all over again? I don't agree with Hamas shooting rockets. I do disagree with the slaughter & injuring of thousands of innocent civilians.
From the BBC:
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has vowed a "disproportionate" response to rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza.
On Saturday, a rocket fired from Gaza exploded near the Israeli city of Ashkelon, with no casualties reported, and at least two were fired in the days before.
"We will not agree to return to the old rules of the game and we will act according to new rules that will guarantee that we are not dragged into an incessant tit-for-tat war that will not allow normal life in the south of the country," Mr Olmert said.
Israelis go to the polls in nine days
"The situation... in recent days has increased in a manner that does not allow Israel not to retaliate in order to make sure that our position... is understood by those involved in the fire.
"The response will come at the time, the place and the manner that we choose."
His strong stance was echoed by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defence Minister Ehud Barak.
Well that didn't last long. So are we going to have to witness another "disproportionate response" to Hamas rockets all over again? I don't agree with Hamas shooting rockets. I do disagree with the slaughter & injuring of thousands of innocent civilians.
ANOTHER Canadian Soldier Killed
From the Globe & Mail:
Sapper Greenfield was taking part in an ambitious four-day, Canadian-led operation near the Zhari town of Mushen, which is largely controlled now by Taliban insurgents. The troops were searching rural compounds for weapons and bomb-making materials.
Now this is interesting. Total contradictions in the statements from Brigadier-General Denis Thompson & Harper:
The fatal blast occurred just before three p.m. The other soldiers in the vehicle weren't injured, said Brigadier-General Denis Thompson, the commander of coalition troops in Kandahar.
In a statement issues Saturday night by his office, Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered his “deepest condolences” to the family, friends and comrades of Sapper Greenfield.
“We also wish a full and swift recovery to his four comrades who were injured in the same attack and thank them for their dedicated service,” said the prime minister's message.
So which one is the truth? I'd prefer the B-G's & he should know.
Sapper Greenfield was taking part in an ambitious four-day, Canadian-led operation near the Zhari town of Mushen, which is largely controlled now by Taliban insurgents. The troops were searching rural compounds for weapons and bomb-making materials.
Now this is interesting. Total contradictions in the statements from Brigadier-General Denis Thompson & Harper:
The fatal blast occurred just before three p.m. The other soldiers in the vehicle weren't injured, said Brigadier-General Denis Thompson, the commander of coalition troops in Kandahar.
In a statement issues Saturday night by his office, Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered his “deepest condolences” to the family, friends and comrades of Sapper Greenfield.
“We also wish a full and swift recovery to his four comrades who were injured in the same attack and thank them for their dedicated service,” said the prime minister's message.
So which one is the truth? I'd prefer the B-G's & he should know.
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