A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages

Your Next Liberal Candidate (and future MP) for Niagara Falls

2007-02-14T16:42:00.000-05:00

Received this in my inbox today; I must say it brings a smile to my face to see a extremely dedicated Liberal step up and run.

That is if the party doesn't bar men from seeking the nomination......

Dear Fellow Liberal,

I'd like to take a moment of your time today to express to you my formal intentions to seek the nomination to be the next candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada for the riding of Niagara Falls.

This afternoon I will announce this intention to our local press, followed by a formal press release to news oulets in the region.

I thank all of you in advance for your consideration in this matter and look forward to serving you as a dedicated Liberal regardless of the final outcome in the nomination process.

Sincerely yours,

James C. Curran

Student Elections give me hope!

2007-02-08T13:56:00.000-05:00

I'm currently on the campus of Brock University, standing in Issac's (our pub and favourite hang out spot) watching the Brock University Student Union All Candidate Debates. There are some excellent candidates and I am sure that next year whoever is elected will do a great job.

Several thoughts I thought I would share with everyone on this. Everyone seems to acknowledge that this is the age of voter apathy, particularly amoung my fellow youth. Watching my friends get up and submit their name to stand for election and be willing to commit the endless, countless hours that the positions the are campaigning for is an inspiration. It gives me hope that these individuals will be the leaders of tomorrow.

My perdictions for this years BUSU elections are as follows:

President- James O'Brien
Vice President of University Affairs - Damien O'Brien
Vice President of Student Services - Laura Grouchy
Board of Directors - Brittany Traynor & Bianca Bruni

Good Luck to all, although I am sure you guys won't need it!

In other news to quote a friend "you guys in Niagara Falls take your politics seriously!"

Nominations and Floor Crossings? Oh my!

2007-02-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

I know it has been a while since the last time I blogged-but regardless here are a few musings:

Being a member of the Niagara Falls riding this is amazing news. Jim Curran has been a wonderful riding president and his dedication to this party is an inspiration to not just myself but many. He is a fierce supporter and promoter of both youth and women participation in politics (his favourite t-shirt is his "women belong in the house..and in the senate"). I for one can not wait to see him on CPAC in the House of Commons.

Disregarding people's personal opinions on whether or not Garth Turner will be a good addition to the Liberal fold or not; I would like to point out that Garth Turner did not choose to floor cross. To remind people he was tossed out of the Conservative Caucus, a decision he didn't make. He chose to sit as an independent initially and in his press conference vowed to be very critical of the whole party process, not just the Conservatives, but all political parties. Apparently after some time as an independent Garth has decided to join the Liberal Caucus. He did not leave the Conservative caucus in an attempt to screw them over; or because of some type of carrot dangled by the Liberal party. So by this rationale I would suggest that because unlike Scott Brison, Belinda Stronach, and Wajid Khan (who all went from one political party to another with no time in between); Garth Turner does not owe it to anyone to step down and run in a by-election. I come to this conclusion not because I don't want to risk his constituents re-electing a Conservative MP, or that I am in any way pro-floor crossing (quiet frankly, I don't have a strong opinion on it one way or another). If he floor crossed to the Liberals, then he floor crossed as a Independent which his constituents didn't elect him as either. So does that mean that he should have stepped down after he was tossed out of the Conservative Caucus and run as a Independent? Needless to say Garth's situation is a bit different to those of Scott, Belinda and Wajid.

Dear Jack Layton,

2007-01-05T15:18:00.000-05:00

"The combination of the Conservatives and the NDP (29 seats) gives you 154 seats -- a majority you need. This makes Jack Layton and the NDP much more important." -CTV

Well, well, well! Yet again, you find yourself with the ball in your court. Yet again, you have the power to either topple or support the government. We know what your choice was last time; so a couple of questions now remain:

What hoops will you force Mr. Harper or Mr. Dion to jump through to gain your much needed support on any confidence vote?

Will you back your buddy Steve, like you did before?

Or will you continue to screw over those in power and topple the government by supporting the Liberals?

It may have been late in arrival, but I think Santa just delivered you your best Christmas present yet again!

What will it be Jack? Whose bed will you be sleeping in this time around?

One more sleep till Christmas

2006-12-24T08:02:00.000-05:00

When is Female Equality really Equality for Women?

2006-12-23T14:26:00.000-05:00

Stephane Dion has announced his pledge to field 103 female candidates in the next federal election. Everyone seems to be celebrating this promise; declaring that women finally are getting the equality in politics that has long been due to us.

However, I am left wondering what this ‘pledge’ really means. I acknowledge that women are underrepresented when it comes to sitting parliamentarians at both the provincial and federal levels; but when Dion states that he is willing to do whatever it takes to get 103 women as candidates for this party in the next election I can not help but feel slightly offended.

Why do women need this pledge to be declared equal to men? Are we incapable of becoming more politically involved and running for office without the party giving us special treatment? I am mortified to think that before this that we were unable to.

It is a huge, difficult decision to run for public office, one that has many consequences and demands once made. In my riding, I know of many women that are more then qualified to run and clean Nicholson’s clock. However, they have made the personal choice (one that I respect) to not run. Yet I know come election time they will be at the campaign office on the phone, organizing and dedicating countless hours towards defeating our Conservative Member of Parliament.

When somebody considers running for public office they think of the demands that it will place on their life, the time it will take away from family, and a slew of other things. Gender rarely factors into the equation of determining whether or not one will run.

Maybe, I am wrong. I don’t believe I am, but I feel that as women we do not need this special pledge to protect us and help us get elected. As a Liberal young woman I don’t particularly care whether or not our next candidate in Niagara Falls is a women or yet another man. I just want the person who stands the best chance of defeating Rob Nicholson when the election comes. Because I know that there will be an army of women and men behind them fighting to get that person elected!

CTV..how I love thee in the morning!

2006-12-21T09:04:00.000-05:00

While reading the morning news:

Does this not sound familiar to this? Well, if that is the case then we know what we can look forward to!

Secondly, I must express my disappointment in Stephane Dion for this:

Updated Wed. Dec. 20 2006 11:04 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff

Dion has been setting up his leadership team in recent days, naming key rivals to top positions. Michael Ignatieff, the perceived frontrunner for most of the leadership campaign, has been named deputy party leader.

Former Ontario education minister Gerard Kennedy, whose support helped Dion establish a win, has been named to the newly created position of special advisor on election readiness and renewal.

Meanwhile Bob Rae, who finished in third place, and Scott Brison, who came in sixth, were given responsibility for the party's election platform.
Martha Hall Findley, the last place finisher and only female candidate in the race, was asked to head consultations for the election platform.

Rae only agreed to the responsibility after Dion personally convinced him he would have a key role in the party, he would have a safe riding to run in during the next election, and that there would be key roles for some members of Rae's leadership team, according to the report.

Rae's new position means a former New Democrat is heading the process to write the Liberal platform, though Dion is certain to manage the details.

The two remaining leadership candidates, Joe Volpe and Ken Dryden, have so far not been given jobs.

So much for the Liberal Dream team. Both Joe and Ken deserve to be involved; Joe for his organizational abilities and Ken for his policy concepts and his vision for the party and for Canada.

Hopefully, come an election this will not be the case.

So it begins...

2006-12-20T14:21:00.000-05:00

"Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war!"

Meredith Caplan for MP?!?!?!

2006-12-20T01:39:00.000-05:00

With the possiblity of a spring election the question on everyone's mind is who is going to run and who is going to run where?

Whispers of people approaching Meredith Caplan asking her to consider running in the next election as part of Dion's pledge to field more women candidates.

Meredith is no stranger to the political scene; being the daughter of an former MP and the sister of a current Provincial Cabinet Minister. In addition to her family, Meredith is Vice President of LPC(O) and Vice President of Federal Affairs for the OWLC.

I personally believe that Meredith would be an amazing candidate. She is intelligent, well spoken and has a great vision for this party.

It's a tree for Christ' sake!

2006-12-15T07:02:00.000-05:00

Several things:

This is just absurd! God forbid, somebody walks by a tree and feel offended. It could also be argued that having the tree there improves air quality in the building. It is a well known fact that trees absorb carbon dioxide in the air, and we all know that CO2 isn't the greatest thing for us to breathe! But then again we wouldn't want to offend anyone by a green thing decorated with shiny and blinking things.

Kinsella meantioned this on November 27th. Funny, how we would have to reopen the Constitution to reform the Senate. I wonder what else could be done when Harper decides to launch into constitutional talks in Senate reform? Anyone else see a connection here? Just perhaps?

Where else can you go to work and you and your colleagues vote yourself a raise? I just might try that today at work. Somehow I don't think I will be as successful! Dalton you were doing so well! Remember that embarrassing health care tax that hurt the federal Liberals? Yes, well this won't help you get re-elected this time around either!

Bush recommends Steve's Cabinet Replacements?!?!

2006-12-14T08:57:00.000-05:00

With rumors circulating of a possible game of musical chair cabinet minister style; Bush couldn't help but pass along some recommendations for Steve to consider.

Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics

The Honourable David Emerson will be replaced by The Honourable Paris Hilton

She is no stranger to jet setting across the globe; also she, like Emerson, has no objections to switching sides to suit her personal goals.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

The Honourable Peter McKay will be replace by The Honourable Borat

With the amount of people and ethnic/social groups that Borat has managed to offend he should settle in nicely into Peter Mckay’s controversial shoes.

Minister of the Environment

The Honourable Rona Ambrose will be replaced by The Honourable Jessica Simpson

Apparently you have to be able to screw up one thing after another; a trait Jessica has in spades!

Minister of Health and the Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario

The Honourable Tony Clement will be replaced by The Honourable Oprah Winfrey

You get a new kidney, you get a new kidney, and you get a new kidney! Everyone in the hospital gets a free kidney for this month’s give away spectacular!

Minister of National Defence

The Honourable Gordon O’Connor will be replaced by The Honourable Steven Colbert

Steven Colbert has proven his strong leadership tactics and clearly has a better plan for our mission in Afghanistan. Why else would they give him his own television show?

(Tragically, they are all American or trying to past as American!)

To bring into being

2006-12-13T06:25:00.000-05:00

The dictionary defines a beginning as "to set about the activity of" or "to bring into being". I have for quite some time now pondered beginning a blog. I was quick to dismiss the idea as folly; that I could never offer anything to the standard of those blog-gods Warren Kinsella, Cerberus, Jason Cherniak, and the Calgary Grit. However, I have always lectured others to take that terrifying first step and to stand up and be heard. Well, I am standing up; whether or not I will be heard is yet to be determined.

A good friend of mine recently decided to stop blogging. I found myself oddly saddened and disappointed by his choice. It was the symbolism of what a blog stand for, a voice. Why be silent? Here is an intelligent man with a seemingly endless amount to say and yet when he chose to not post; he was choosing to be silent.

I emailed him asking why he was silencing himself. Apparently he wants to focus on his ‘real life’. He asked if I had any suggestions for his last post ever. I suggested a reflection on the impact of blogging on not only yourself but others. How blogging is an amazing forum for free speech, and how it has forced the MSM to change and evolve.

It was that conversation that gave me the push I needed. It seems only fitting that with the end of his blog that I start a blog of my own; since it was he that first put the thought in my head. I decided to share the musings, that up until now where kept locked in my mind, with anyone that dares to read them. I have decided to use my voice; and it is my hope that one day soon he will chose to exercise his voice yet again.

In closing, please forgive me for not starting this blog with a political commentary or critique; that will come soon enough!