Why does Charles Adler get a radio show?

I can't help it, I am a glutton for punishment. My choice of punishment?

Charles Adler. He is the bain of my driving existance, but I keep tuning in, perhaps under the guise that I can help protect us all from the dribble he forces his listeners to take in.

I need to stop; or I need my own AM Radio Show. If I become a nutjob, can I have my own show too?

Can we call the hydro company and have them turn off the power to his studio?

You know, maybe I should start podcasts. Are you in?

Dow closes above 10000

Its been a long year, but the Dow has closed about 10000 for the first time in over a year.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3683270/ns/business-stocks_and_economy/

Its good news, its a psychological barrier that the US Economy has overcome. But, we aren't out of the woods yet. Stock Markets are generally a leading indicator, but the recovery won't be on its way until the unemployment rate drops, which unfortunetly for the unemployed masses, is a lagging indicator.

Maybe, just maybe, we have a reason to be hopeful, and hopefully by next Thanksgiving, a reason to be thankful.

Back in the Saddle

Amongst many things lately, I have recommitted myself to The Centre Block. It's an exciting time in Canadian politics and we need all the commentary we can muster.

We as a country are facing a decision about the direction we want this country to go in. Should we follow Mr Harper or Mr Ignattieff.

Now, this blog is titled the Centre Block, as you can tell from most of my writings I am a slightly left of centre type of guy. I believe in the role of our federal government in running the country. You could call me a social liberal and a fiscal conservative.

I'd like to have some more contributors to the Centre Block, especially a right of centre type of person. I welcome all who are interested to contact me at lordbeav@gmail.com . I'd like someone who could post at least once every day (or two). If you are an extremist - you need not apply. I want people who can balance their passion with some reason.

It's our country, its time to fight (or write) for it.

10 Things for Lloyd St. Amand To Do

As promised I give you my top ten things for Lloyd St. Amand to do:

1. Enjoy some time off. You were a hardworking and progressive member of parliament for 4 years. Spend some time with the family and reconnecting with Brantford. You were here in Brant enough during your tenure in office that the stentch of Ottawa hasn't attached itself to you. Some of your suits might be a bit smelly, but a good trip the Dry Cleaners should fix that up.

2. Call Michael Ignattieff. Not tommorow, right now. If you are Lloyd St Amand, stop reading and pick up the phone. Dial his number then continue reading. Tell him that you will represent the Liberal Party in Brant in the next Federal Election.

3. Continue to speak out on important issues in the community. Your thoughtful, intelligent speeches are missed. Please take every opportunity you can get so we be inspired.

4. See # 2.

5. See #3.

6. Secure your election - work with the City and the Six Nations to help broker an understanding so that development can happen in Brantford and Six Nations can continue to press the Federal Government to settle. In your call with Ignattieff get him to come to Brantford and highlight the issue.

7. Highlight the plight of cities like Brantford to your fellow Liberals as they create the policy platform for the next election. You were mentioned by Ignattieff as a good friend after the last election. He sees you as the honest, hardworking man that you are, use that to better your community as you did over your tenure of MP.

8. Win the next Election.

9. Never Change. You are the leader we need and I think alot of people are experiencing buyers remorse after the last election.

10. Repeat 1-9 as necessary.

Moving Day

I am adding in all of my posts from brantNOW.com . I'll be posting them at the same time for now.

I encourage you all to visit www.brantNOW.com as it's a great resource especially if you are from the Brantford Area. So visit now.

Please excuse the posts dating back to November!

Majority Rights

That's it, I've had it with Political Correctness once and for all.

I read this story below on CTV about a school in New Brunswick that doesn't play O Canada anymore because 2 (thats right Two) Parents complained.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090129/o_canada_090129/20090129?hub=TopStories

What about the parents of the other children - should the will of two parents get to dictate policy over the majority?

The singing of O Canada is not an oppressive practice; if a parent doesn't want their child to sing then tell them not to sing, they won't get in trouble for it.

Your religion says you can't stand for it? When I was a kid those who had religious beliefs which said they couldn't left the room each morning.

Do you know what that taught the kids in the class? That you can be tolerant to other people and their beliefs and practices without sacrificing your own beliefs and practices - no one was made fun nor was anyone placed in an awkward situation.

I'm usually one to be on the other side of these "red meat" issues, but this is way too far. But I am fed up of average Canadian's have to give up what is most dear to them over a couple of complaints.

Inclusive? Yes. Tolerant? Yes. Giving up everything for the sake of a couple of complaints? No.

1.21 Jiggawatts?!?!?!?

Remember the shock Doc Brown had when he found out how much power the De Lorean would need to go "Back to the Future"?

Well I had that same feeling when I read the story about the Conservative's Federal Budget.... $85 Billion?!?!?! I have a few (well more than a few) problems with budget.

1. It erases 85% of the debt we paid back throughout the late ninties and early 200o's. I'm sorry Paul Martin all that hard work you did restoring fiscal responsibility went out the window.
2. If you are going to spend 85 Billion Dollars, why are you only spending 12 Billion on infastructure? If we spent more than that we could have rebuilt our highways, developed a world class mass transit system, especially for the Quebec City-Montreal-Toronto-Windsor Corridor, as well all the other major cities in Canada.We could have built wind and solar power stations from coast to coast and shut down most of our dirty energy sources. Not to mention rebuild crumbling public schools and our colleges and universities.
3. Where is the cash for former Post-Secondary Students. How much money from former students is paying back the government for student loans (that shouldn't be paying Prime + 2%) instead of into the economy.
4. Land Claims - while we were spending $85 Billion, why didn't we spend the extra few billion it will take to end the land claims issues (good work on getting that problem solved Mr McColeman).
5. Stupid Tax Policy. The most moronic thing the Conservatives have done (and it gets us to this budget) is cutting the GST. Sales Taxes are equal taxes; those who buy more, pay more. So for Joe Cool Millionair, he can afford to buy fancy things like boats, cars, diamonds, etc and the GST is just an annoyance. Those at the poorer end of the spectrum pay very little because they are buying things like meat and vegtables and childrens' clothing - GST exempt items. (I'll get into this issue in another post).

All and all, a wasted opportunity for Stephen Harper to actually do something constructive, instead we get an attempt to buy everyone off incase the government calls. The amount spent in this budget is the NDP's Wet Dream, no one likes deficits better then Jack "I'm running for Prime Minister" Layton, and even he's against it.

In case you were worried, I'm sure the voice of Brant was heard loud and clear by the Prime Minister. Too bad that none of the development that might happen due to this budget won't happen because of Native Protests.

I hope you are not growing attached to your offices Mr. McColeman.... I think your stay might be shorter then you think.

To the other suffering regions of Canada - I hope you like your one newly paved street and tax cuts for the rich.

An era of responsibility

"Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet." - President Barack Obama, January 20th 2008.

Yesterday, as I am sure many of you did, I watched the history of our neighbours to the south unfold before my eyes. I watched a Black Man reach their highest office in the United States.

As I did this, I read the Brantford Expositor, I see Dave Levac has continuing his dream of moving the casino out of the downtown and replace it with more room for Laurier. However laudable this may be, this is not the time for such an idea.

Why isn't Mr. Levac at Queen's Park lobbying the province to help Brant?

Why are our city counsellors wasting their time listening tp such stupid ideas?

Why aren't these elected officals doing something productive with their time?

As one of their bosses (you are one as well) I am frankly fed up with politics in Brantford. We don't need grand dreams right now, we need practical, back to basics, get people working ideas. Time and time again our politicans have shown how to screw up a good thing Here are a few reasonable ideas that'll get things moving in Brantford again.

1) Build Highway 424 THIS YEAR. We need to be connected to Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge by a highspeed road link. If this had been built earlier we may have gotten the Toyota Plant, and not Woodstock.

2) Expand GO Transit to Brantford, we have the rail link, just send a train down the line. Let's connect Brantford to major cities to our east so we can attract white collars workers who are looking to shed themselves of overpriced homes in Mississauga, Oakville, etc.

3) Get provincial money for Laurier and Mohawk - post-secondary education is the future of Brantford; let's continue the responsible redevelopment of our core by bringing in students.

4) SOLVE LAND CLAIMS!!! Mr. Levac do you really think the protestors from the Six Nations would allow us to build a new Casino while redeveloping Market Street south for the university? If you do, I want to go back and time and change my vote. We'll never get development moving if it is being hamstrung by protestors.

Politicans of Brantford (Federal, Provincial, Local) you've been put on notice. We have an example in US who is proclaiming a new generation of responsibility and leadership, hop on the band-wagon or else you may want to look for new jobs.

Relationship Advice: Ottawa Edition

"I'm sorry, I'll never do it again"

Six words every man needs to learn.

I'm not even married and I know how important these six words are to ensuring a good relationship.

Now last week, everyone's sweater toting Prime Minister made a couple boo-boo, big ones. He politicized an Economic Update. That was mistake #1, well then he went ahead and made mistake #2 by not apologizing.

It was more or less the political equivelent of forgetting your anniversary.

The next day after he attempted to knee-cap the opposition, Mr. Harper could have risen and said "Mr. Speaker, I'm Sorry, I'll never do it again". He could have even bought the three party leaders some flowers.

Instead of acting like an adult, he acted like a Child, and he got a childish response, and now we are in the midst of a political and perhaps constitutional crisis.

Is the Prime Minister the only one to blame? No. But if he wants to be our Prime Minister he should start acting like it. Sometimes that means admitting a mistake.

I think all of our political leaders need to have a girly drink with Carrie Bradshaw in Manhattan and have a good cry, and work it out.

Now for a solution, bring in another Union Government like we did during World War One. We are facing tough economic times, and we need the government working instead of bickering. However they aren't grownups, we elected Children.

I'm sure we'll see the Blue Sweater get pulled out of the dresser.

A Very Super Parade

Brantford should be proud of itself!

As a participant in the Santa Clause Parade for over a decade, and before that a spectator for over another decade, I have seen many a parade.

This year was perhaps the finest though, the entire route from what I noticed was lined at least 3 deep and in many places much more. The weather was awesome, usually I am frozen solid after that long march, this year though I was fine.

Personally, the Band I was performing with sounded awesome, and from hearing the warm-ups in the Band staging area I know the other bands sound spectacular.

From what I saw on Rogers the floats looked pretty good, I'm not sure what other cities have, but I think we can safely say we have one of the best.

I was glad to see that good ole Saint Nick stopped by Harmony Square, its great to have a place for the parade to end and kick off a season of skating. We should all be proud of our annual Santa Clause Parade!

I look forward to the 2009 Parade, I have no doubt that JCI will organize another great parade, our horns are already warming up for next November, lets hope the temperature is the same next year.

Another Government Intrusion

I came across this on CTV:

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20081127/cigarillios_081127/20081127/?hub=TorontoNewHome

I'm not a smoker, but this is a needless intrusion into the lives of Ontarians. Where are these intrusions coming from? Powerful lobby groups.

Last week it was poorly devised rules about new drivers pushed by MADD and others.
This week it is banning flavoured cigarillios pushed by the Canadian Cancer Society.
Do you see a trend developing? Our politicans are being pushed around by lobby groups with agendas.

Whats the next step? The Temperance Union making a come back and denying me the liberty of going to the pub and enjoying a pint?

I'm all for laws that protect the common good. Drunk Driving laws are an example, so are laws banning things like murder, or perhaps a economic stimulus package that will keep people working, and things such an environmental initatives. But sometimes enough is a enough.
Our politicans have far more important things to worry about. Our economy is weakening and Ontario for the first time ever became a "have-not province", our ecosystems are being destroyed by our dependence on oil.

Yet our elected representatives are wasting their time legistlating our lives. We are to blame for this, we have let the government get far too involved in our day to day lives. Pierre Trudeau once said, the state has no place in the bedroom's of the nation. He's right, and we ought to stand up and tell the government their job is to keep us safe, provide education and health care, keep the economy regulated, and give the less fortunate a hand-up.

I encourage you to contact your MPP and MP and tell them we want to them to stop legislating our lives, and getting to back to the real jobs at hand. Remember they are our employees, we are management, not them.

Hi, my name is Canada, and I have a problem.

Over the last month we have seen gas prices drop to levels we have seen in years. This has been caused be a couple of things (though these aren't the only reasons):

1. People cutting back on driving due to prices.
2. Less demand due to the current economic climate.

Now before we pull our SUV's out of the garage and celebrate with a drive out to California and back, let us resolve to send a message, we are ending our addiction to oil.

I urge you to continue to buy the fuel efficient cars, the hybrids, the smaller cars, etc. Keep carpooling, keep walking or taking public transit. Park the car and walk into the Tim Hortons instead of idling in the Drive-Thru(through?).

On a side-bar, if you are in the drive-thru at Tim Hortons you better only be buying coffee and donuts, otherwise you are wasting everyone's time. The drive-thru is for Coffee and Donuts only.
Kick the habit, and in the next couple of years, if you can afford it, go out and buy those next Generation Cars, like the Chevy Volt our the Plug-In Prius.

The only way this economy will truly recover is if we invest in the New Energy Economy, without oil.

As with any addiction, the first step is realizing you have a problem.

200 Reads and Counting

My friends with this post, I will exceed a total over 200 reads, a momentus occasion, as I have only been writing here on brantNOW.com for a short time.

So far my three most popular posts have been: Downtown Delays, Watching the Planets, and by Top 10 List for incoming MP Phil McColeman.

Since you folks are reading, I am going to keep writing. I'd like to thank you for your readership so far, I know with all the different aspects of brantNOW.com that reading my blog could be an easy oversight. But so far you've made it a success.

I do have a request for you though, I am sure that 100% of you do not agree with me. I don't expect it, and I expect to be challenged. If you want to have a discussion, please head over the Forums where you will meet a willing foe for a friendly debate on the issues. There are already numerous excellent discussions in progress and your added voice would be welcome! I warn you though come with evidence to back you up!

It's been a pleasure so far, prepare for my Top 10 List for former MP Lloyd St. Amand, it'll be a riot!

I'll see you when I see you.

10 Things Phil McColeman Should Do

1. Get Chuck Strahl* to come to Brantford and begin the process of settling the Land Claims Issue. Do this and re-election is in the bag.

2. Realize that you are a backbencher - don't overstep (no press conferences in the National Press Gallery until your second term). Harper doesn't seem to like noise coming from behind him; I think he is easily startled. That said, don't be a yes man, you work for us, not him.

3. Visit Brantford as much as possible. While it's important that you represent our interests, make it a point to be back at least twice a month if not more. We don't want an Ottawa Resident as our Member of Parliament. Consider Ottawa to be a smelly place, and the longer you stay there the worst you smell. We like fresh smelling MPs.

4. See #1.

5. See #4.

6. Give good speeches - short, to the point, and where appropriate funny. Hire an unemployed Political Science student to write speeches for you. There is lots to choose from, so don't worry about having to pay them a lot.

7. We want action, not talk. Your predecessors delivered action; we expect the same from you. Use that Poli Sci student to draft some policy for you.

8. Get us government goodies, you said we needed a MP on the Government side of the House of Commons, prove it. Every time you do #3 on this list, you better have a big cheque with you.

9. Be the leader we need, not the leader we want. These are serious times and it calls for serious leadership. Don't do what's popular, do what is right. If a vote with the government will hurt Brant - vote against it. If you get removed from caucus, so be it, you stood up for your constituents and that's what matters most. You'll win respect and votes in the next election. Remember, your predecessor lost after doing a good job, we in Brantford aren't afraid to fire people to give someone else a chance.

10. See #1-9, repeat as often as necessary.

Please see Comment #3 for explanation.

Sabotaging Industry

http://www.brantfordexpositor.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1299537

A few weeks ago, I was pleased to see in the news that a company had decided to located at the currently vacant Blue Bird Bus Co Factory on Highway 53.

Today, I saw that local residents were attempting to hamstring a potential 100 jobs from arriving to our areas. There was reference to a residents home value. Guess what, your house will be worth nothing if the local economy collapses. We need those jobs.

As for enviromental concerns, I agree, all projects should go through rigourous potential enviroment impact analysis.

As for noise? My goodness, you live next to an Airport, and upto a few years ago one of the largest bus factories in North America, how could that be silent.

It's hard enough to encourage development in the area due to the Land Claims Issue, we had someone wanting to bring jobs, lets assume that 100 employees at an average of 45 000/year = 4.5 Million dollars coming into the economy each year.

We are in a near recession, we cannot afford to have these jobs move somewhere else. If I see the petition they want me to sign, I'll say "No thanks"

Downtown Delays

My goodness! It's impossible to drive downtown these days.

With all the delivery trucks, construction, and pedestrians breathing life in to our downtown, it brings to mind, whats the plan?

The City has a downtown revitalization plan, but to see it in action you see a collection of individual efforts to revitalize our central core. The City of Brantford website states "The Downtown Master Plan will identify the action items necessary to achieve this outcome of Councils approved Community Strategic Plan, to make Brantford's "downtown vibrant and successful- the hub for its citizens, students, businesses, visitors and government".
So far, so good right?

A visit to their site shows numerous reports - but I find no eventual goal other to make it vibrant and successful.

How do we want our downtown to be shaped? Do we want it to be a burgeoning university district with cafes, shops, etc to service students? Perhaps instead we want to encourage businesses and professionals to set up shop? Or do we want both?

We need a plan and course accessible to all citizens - I call on our leaders to communicate its plan with us.

Need for News - Originally Posted : 12 Nov 08

125 000 people.

That's what Statistics Canada states is the approximate population of the Brant. How many major sources of news and opinions are there?

Two.

The Brantford Expositor and CKPC are no doubt diligent and hardworking media entities. But, how many people outside of their place of business listen to CKPC? What do people read first, the Expositor or the Toronto Star, National Post, or Globe and Mail? Is it not a sad fact that these questions even need to be raised?

There is a saying, all politics is local. We only get two sources for political news, that's it. HI'm not questioning the integrity of the Brantford Expositor, but one source of news does not serve the democratic interests of our citizens. I'm sure Mr. St Amand in 2004 and 2006 can tell you how important the Expositor's endorsement was to his electoral success in those elections. I'm also sure that Mr. McColeman can tell you how important it was this year in his upset of Mr. St Amand.

My point, the Expositor is a trusted source of news and opinion due to its fact it is the only source of news in town. There is no discourse, no differing opinions. The Expositor can't cover all the news, how many critical stories about the issues and about the residents of our area have been left unheard because of the limited resources of the only paper in town.

A well-informed citizenry is essential to the ideals of democracy and community. We need to hold the fire to the feet of our elected representaives, and the only method we have is the media.
In this year 2008, we should begin the task of moving past the media of previous generations and embrace the so-called "new media". We can't expect this city to join the 21st century if we rely on the media of the 20th. Your city deserves better, your neighbour deserves better, you deserve better, and your children, our future, deserves better.

Obama - 103 EV; McCain - 34 EV

MSNBC says Obama wins Pennsylvania.

Obama leads on Ohio, Florida, North Carolina. McCain in Indiana and Virginia.

The results are interesting. McCain is still alive, sorta. But losing Pennslyvania was perhaps a bad omen.

If the Gary area goes for Obama he'll likely take Indiana.

The dream might be coming true.

Obama for America.

Election Watch: 3:15pm

Here I am, waiting impatiently for the first polls to close in the United States.

I have say, I am cautiously optimistic, but scared of what might be. Can all the polls possibly be wrong?

If they are, I truly fear for the future, and weep for it as well, because in the year 2008 our neighbours from the south could have revolutionized they way the world sees them.

I'm not unbiased, I wish and pray for an Obama Victory. It's days like today I wish I was a US Citizen.

At this point, I have just three words: Obama for America

Not seeing the big picture.

Campbell Brown wrote an opinion article about Barack Obama's "broken promise" regarding accepting public financing.

You can see her article here: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/28/campbell.brown.obama/index.html

8:00PM is no offically the No News Hour on all three US News Networks. We have Bill O'Reilly on FNC; Keith Olbermann on MSNBC; and now Ms. Brown on CNN.

But thats another point.

The point I am making is that Sen. Obama had no choice put to revolutionize the fundraising apperatus in order to survive. He wouldn't have been able to fight of the McCain/RNC Attack Ads if he had handicapped himself with Public Financing.

Mr. Obama has involved people in politics in a way not seen in generations. If he is successful in one week's time we'll be talking about the Obama Revolution like we now talk about the Reagan Revolution.

Yes, the US needs campaign finance reform. But I don't think Obama so much as broke a promise, but instead was realistic. And isn't that what everyone wants in a Commander In Chief?