The War on Christmas

The war on Christmas rages on.  I know here in Swift Current things haven’t changed much and it’s probably the same in most smaller centres in Saskatchewan, however, in the larger cities (especially in the schools) the push is on.  Our children are being indoctrinated by the politically correct zealots.   I’m not talking about the teachers here, it’s the school boards who set the agenda.

Now don’t get me wrong, times change and I don’t think people should be stuck in the past, however, there is a big difference in keeping up with the times in comparison with completely eliminating our customs.  There is a slow and deliberate eradication of everything that Canadians hold dear, or have fun with, simply for the purpose of being politically correct to appease a few complainers, and I mean a few.  For the most part, immigrants are quite content with the status quo.  It’s the people who imagine all kinds of offences that are the problem.  I think it’s time to STOP!!!

On a lighter note, in a recent survey of the generosity of Canadians, Saskatchewan tied with PEI for second place.  Manitoba came in first but we are a close second.  Congratulations, Saskatchewan!

Well, I thought I should keep my rant short and reasonably sweet this week.  I hope everyone has a wonderful time over the holidays.  Don’t eat too much. (Or do, what the heck!!)

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

Progress Comes from the Ground Up

Are you weary yet of all the talk of climate change?  I’m getting there.  But I do have to tell you something that really, really bugs me.   In case you don’t already know, David Suzuki is telling our children that the North Pole is melting and that Santa Claus has to find a new home.  He has set up a “Where Will Santa Live?” website.  However, if you give money to his foundation, he will save Santa.  Wow, what a saint!

And then there are the climate conferences.  For the last 17 years, thousands of people from all over the world gather together in exotic places at this time of year for climate conferences.  And each year the carbon footprint of these conferences is astronomical.  If they were genuinely concerned about carbon emissions, you would think they would find another way.  And also each year, when it’s over, there is the same feeling that not very much was accomplished.  Sure, they always report that they came away with something, (like maybe agree to continue talking) but in all reality nothing much changes.

This year, Canada is the bad guy for wanting to withdraw from Kyoto.  In doing so, it saves Canada from having to pay an estimated $7 billion in penalties, so I would say it was a good move.  It should be noted however, that although we are withdrawing from Kyoto, Canada is still making progress on lowering carbon emissions, especially in the oilsands, even though you never hear that from the media.

California is also doing its part.  It is leading the states in reducing its carbon emissions.  Mary D. Nichols, chairwoman of the California Air Resources Board, said this about the Durban conference, “Instead of waiting for them to negotiate some grand bargain, we have to keep working on the ground.  Progress is going to come from the bottom up, not the top down.” 

If more people thought like her, we would be much further ahead.

Stephen Harper - A True Statesman

In this crazy world we are living in today, I thank my lucky stars that we here in Canada have a prime minister who is actually thinking about the future for this country and one who doesn’t just “go with the flow” on the international stage.

South Africa’s high commissioner to Canada leaked a story to CBC News that Canada’s conservative government is planning to withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol and that they are lobbying other countries to do the same.  We can only hope that this is the case.  Kyoto has never been a good deal for Canada, one of the reasons being that it does not include the world’s biggest carbon emitters—China and India.  The United States refused to sign on because of that fact.  Canada’s Environment Minister, Peter Kent, said that they are working on a new deal that “includes all of the major emitting countries, whether they be developed or developing.”  They are working on a deal that will not destroy our economy like Kyoto definitely would.

The opposition parties are, of course, terribly upset.  They are saying things like “It’s shameful” (Elizabeth May) and that it “makes Canada look like an international outlaw” (Bob Rae) and “the Conservatives are making Canada a laughing stock” (Megan Leslie, NDP’s environment critic).

And then on the other hand, a well known and well respected British journalist, Melanie Phillips, said the following:

“Stephen Harper is a gold standard politician.  In a world run by political pygmies, he stands out as a true statesman.  It may be more than the Canadians who give thanks that he is up there on the world stage in the terrifying months ahead.”

I’m with her.