Storm blamed for demise of 500 ducks in Alberta Which is the biggest pile of crap of an excuse Syncrude could come up with. To say I am dismayed and disgusted is an understatement. I truly hope that Syncrude gets nailed to the cross for this. There simply is no excuse for this to happen. May I suggest a 1 million dollar fine and a 1 million dollar donation to Ducks Unlimited.
"Good for my land. Good for my business."
The gall of Syncrude not to report this immediately is quite disturbing. If this is their idea of "responsible and sustainable" I may have to re think my support for the development of Alberta's oil sands. I am not impressed. GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER PEOPLE!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
NO EXCUSE!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Oils well that ends well
Compare the following...
Those who go with the flow...
Alberta
Soaring high on the stratospheric price of oil, Alberta will spend a record $37 billion this fiscal year to build, build, build and give residents a break on taxes and health-care premiums.
It will also spend money to prime the pump for high-tech investment.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan's new government on Wednesday projected a C$250 million ($248 million) budget surplus for 2008-09 despite higher spending as the Canadian Prairie province reaps rewards from its booming energy and agriculture industries.
Newfoundland - Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador used a gusher of oil-based revenues Tuesday to slash its debt, cut taxes and bolster spending on health, roads and other public services.
And those who don't...
Ontario
Ontario budget funds modest tax cuts, retraining program
Duncan's provincial budget released Tuesday outlines a three-year, $1.5 billion plan to help train more apprentices, boost financial aid for students and help retrain 20,000 unemployed Ontarians. It also includes business tax cuts worth $750 million over four years, including a retroactive cut to the capital tax that Duncan says will immediately give manufacturers $190 million.
Duncan defied a demand from his federal counterpart Jim Flaherty to sharply cut corporate taxes in the wake of grim economic forecasts.
He says his government has chosen a more comprehensive plan to cope with the slowdown.
That includes boosting spending on health care by six per cent to more than $40 billion in 2008-09 — a move Duncan says will help Ontario attract business investment.
The budget also includes a previously announced $1 billion plan to help municipalities fix aging roads and bridges and improve transit systems in greater Toronto and Hamilton.
But a projected $600 million budget surplus falls short of the threshold the government said was needed in order to be able to share the wealth with municipalities.
Related... Hows that "more comprehensive plan" working out so far?
A report by the TD Bank Financial Group handed residents of Ontario a rather dire prediction on Tuesday.
Their province may soon achieve "have-not" status.
British Columbia
British Columbians will be paying more at the fuel pump and less at tax time under a new carbon tax on all fossil fuels unveiled Tuesday as part of the Liberal government's budget.
The balanced budget, introduced by Finance Minister Carole Taylor in the legislature in Victoria, forecasts a total revenue of $38.5 billion and total government expense of $37.7 billion in 2008-09.
The surplus for this budget year is projected to be $50 million, while last year's figure was $2 billion.
Quebec
QUEBEC–Premier Jean Charest's minority government secured its survival yesterday by tabling a ho-hum budget that tried to offset a grim financial outlook with crumbs left in the province's cupboard.
Manitoba
The government will spend $12.2 billion in the 2008-09 budget year and projects revenue of $12.3 billion, leaving a surplus of $96 million. It will apply $110 million to its debt of $11.1 billion.
Total spending is up $395 million.
Selinger is dipping into the province's fiscal stabilization fund to put an extra $47 million into healthcare to reduce wait times and enhance other health-related programming. He will also take $13 million from the fund to put into ecoTrust funds, as promoted by Ottawa, leaving $643 million in the kitty.
$10 million in fee increases
There weren't many goodies for taxpayers, who are facing myriad fee increases on everything from vehicle registration to fishing licences. The fee increases are expected to bring an extra $9.6 million into provincial coffers.
Prince Edward Island
The 2008-09 budget forecasts a deficit of almost $35 million in the coming year, a slight improvement over last year's deficit of almost $37 million. The back-to-back deficits - unusual in Canada these days - will boost the net debt in Canada's smallest province to an all-time high of $1.4 billion.
It means that every man, woman and child living in the "Garden of the Gulf" owes roughly $10,140.
New Brunswick
The New Brunswick government introduced a modest, balanced budget with no tax changes on Tuesday, but it served notice that a major overhaul is in the works for the province's tax system.
The $7.1 billion budget for 2008-09, introduced by Finance Minister Victor Boudreau, forecasts a $19-million surplus.
There are spending increases for education, health and social services but all government departments have been ordered to cut administrative costs in an effort to shave $15 million from government expenditures.
"We are mindful of the challenges facing our economy, particularly in light of the U.S. slowdown and the high Canadian dollar," Boudreau said in his budget speech in the legislature.
"This is reflected in our revenue forecast."
Revenues are expected to grow by $185.4 million, or 2.7 per cent from 2007-08.
The province's net debt is also expected to grow - to $7.1 billion by 2009. The total represents a roughly $500 million increase over 2007, largely due to soaring capital costs for highway improvements.
It means that every man, woman and child in New Brunswick owes about $9,500 for the net debt.
There are no tax increases and no tax cuts in the new budget.
In Boudreau's first budget last year, New Brunswickers were stunned by an array of across-the-board tax increases for individuals and businesses that abruptly ended years of cautious tax cuts by the previous Conservative administration.
Nova Scotia
The $8.5-billion budget is balanced — for the seventh consecutive time — but it provides only a smattering of spending and marginal tax breaks for groups such as students, public transit riders and search and rescue volunteers.
All told, Nova Scotians will pay $105-million less in taxes, with about one third of that coming from a previously announced decrease in corporate taxes.
The province's finance minister, Michael Baker, said he had to take a cautious approach in his fourth budget.
"Our spending choices are strategic," he said in a speech to the legislature as the budget was tabled. "They are prudent."
Mr. Baker noted that Nova Scotia's most important exports, including fish, forest products and natural gas, are mostly being sold to a struggling U.S. market and the strength of the Canadian dollar hasn't helped.
"Nova Scotia exports will face challenges from the U.S. slowdown, exchange rates and pressures from rising energy and wage costs," he said.
Meanwhile, corporate profits are expected to fall, and the population will decline, resulting in a decrease in transfers from Ottawa. The province expects to get 34 per cent of its budget from federal sources.(emphasis mine)
However, the modest spending commitments mean the province's debt will shrink less than one per cent to $12.3 billion — that's over $13,000 for everyone in the province.
I know where I want to be for the next few years as the economy regains some traction. I will go with the FLOW...
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
And the blame goes to....
United Nations World Food Program wants your money...
[...] Sheeran said the crisis is "a silent tsunami that respects no borders."(Emphasis added)
"The world's misery index is rising … as soaring food and fuel prices roll through the lives of the most vulnerable," she said Friday. [...]
{...] Sheeran said that $12 billion in donations poured in following the devastating tsunami in 2004 that left nearly a quarter of a million people dead in Southeast Asia. "We need that same kind of action and generosity [again]," she said.
On the weekend, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the WFP needs an extra $755 million to cover the rising costs of existing emergency operations. [...]
And the answer is...
The United Nations IPCC and their lunatic solution of burning food for fuel and the CO2 is evil scam.
Take a bow folks. Although you have created riots in Cameroon, Haiti and Bangladesh, (So far!) You have truly earned that Nobel Peace prize along with the not so hungry (unless you are talking attention, power or money) Al Gore.
Oh the irony of it all...
Monday, April 21, 2008
I should be dead by now
According to the latest news fear mongering anyways...
[...] Dogs should not be allowed to sleep in the same room as their owner in case they pass on diseases, one of the country's top (UK)vets has warned.
Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Fred Landeg urged people to be on the alert about pets because they can "transmit illnesses as easily as farm animals".
Among diseases thought to be carried by dogs are common food poisoning bugs such as campylobacter and salmonella as well as exotic diseases.
About 10 per cent of dogs are thought to carry the superbug MRSA. [...]
OMG!!! we are all gonna die!!!!! Well, yes we are. Its the sad truth about life. Nothing lives forever. If you really want to know what is going to be the death of the human race, read on.
I have a theory I would like to share with you. It is idiots like this VET and all the people who tell you that you have to wash your hands a billion times a day. Spray down everything with anti bacterial this and anti bacterial that. They are the dangerous ones. Not our pets. By following these peoples advice, we will weaken the human immune system so badly, that it will be unable to fight off anything. That is when and why we will cease to exist. Over use of antibiotic's anyone? Same principal...
A home should be clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be lived in. Don't panic when your child eats a little dirt in the garden. It won't kill them. Unless of course you have sprayed the hell out of it with chemicals. Yes there is such thing as TOO clean. What are some of the so called "cleanest buildings" we have? Our hospitals, yet they are home to more super bugs than any pet could possibly have. Why is that? It's quite simple. We expose those bacteria to everything while trying to clean them up. By being exposed, they become immune to those very things that once killed them. It is no different for us. If we are never exposed to anything we will never develope any immunity to them.
Hey, it is just a therory. I have no proof, so do what you want. Personally, I will let my dog sleep on the bed with me. I will eat a little clean dirt now and then. I will expose myself to as much as possible. I will never use anti bacterial anything. I will live not in fear, but will enjoy life, as short as it is...
Commenter Roger from London, UK from the article says it best...
Frankly, I don't think it's just dogs you have to worry about sleeping with. Many diseases can be caught from the people you sleep with as well!
- Roger, London, UK
Have a great day...
Reset your clocks
Muslim scientists and clerics have called for the adoption of Mecca time to replace GMT, arguing that the Saudi city is the true centre of the Earth.
And here I thought the centre of the earth was the Inner Core. That big chunk of iron surrounded by the core, then the mantel, and all wrapped up by the crust. So much for all the science I was taught in school...
On a side note...
Toronto was heard snickering and will soon demand that Toronto Time replace Mecca time as everyone knows that Toronto is the centre of the UNIVERSE...
Friday, April 18, 2008
Not so Global warming
"we haven't seen something like this since the mid-fifties"
Say no more, say no more, nudge nudge wink wink....
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Shits and Giggles
How did I not know of this sooner? Wikipedia with a conservative bias.... It's Conservapedia!
I love the Category "Liberal" more so for the Liberal Brain JPG. It explains a lot!
They also have a sweet little article on Global Warming Climate Change with plenty of links.
Global Warming my ass! One of these THINGS is colder than the other. One of these things just don't make sense... I want an explanation!!!
From Webstores Dictionary:
Al Gore: (n) An organism, possibly human in nature, which is singularly responsible for the emission of thousands of tons of jet exhaust into the atmosphere, in an attempt to tell us that we pollute too much. See also: Hypocrite.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Going to the dogs
Dog saves woman from watery death
News like that always brings a smile to my face and a tear to my eyes. Then I came across this one. Now I am no fan of Martha by any means but I truly felt her pain as I read about her Chow's passing.
Yet, sometimes I wonder about my feelings. When you look at the following picture, what is your first response? Be honest...
Mine was... sadness.... for the dog. My thoughts were... "what a faithful dog, poor thing". I barely gave a thought about the poor soul under the tarp. Does that make me a "bad person"? What does that say about my feelings for the human race? No wonder I am single...
If you want proof that dogs are mans best friend, do this simple test.
Lock your dog and your best "human" friend in the trunk of your car for an hour.
When you let them out, which one is truly happy to see you?
I'll bet a $1000.00 that it will be your dog.
Enough said.
Back to watching Animal Planet with my best friend.
HT FARK
Monday, April 14, 2008
Busy Beavers
It would take more than a couple sticks of TNT to get rid of this one.
The longest beaver dam observed with Google Earth to date (October 2 2007) is located in Northern Alberta. The dam has a length of about 850 meters (2790 ft). It has at least existed at this spot for over 15 years as it can be observed on the 1990 LandSat 7 Pseudo Color Imagery Provided by NASA World Wind. However 1975 aerial photo's show that this dam did not exist in 1975.
The actual location of the world longest beaver dam (that is until someone find a longer one) is just south of Lac Claire,and about 190 km to the NNE of Fort McMurray, just inside Wood Buffalo National Park. [...]
Best of all, they did not require nor receive any government funding at all for this world breaking project!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
What Changed?
Fareed Zakaria of Newsweek, interviews Patrick Moore, one of the cofounders of Greenpeace, regarding nuclear energy.
[...] My belief, in retrospect, is that because we were so focused on the destructive aspect of nuclear technology and nuclear war, we made the mistake of lumping nuclear energy in with nuclear weapons, as if all things nuclear were evil. And indeed today, Greenpeace still uses the word "evil" to describe nuclear energy. I think that's as big a mistake as if you lumped nuclear medicine in with nuclear weapons. Nuclear medicine uses radioactive isotopes to successfully treat millions of people every year, and those isotopes are all produced in nuclear reactors. That's why I left Greenpeace: I could see that my fellow directors, none of whom had any science education, were starting to deal with issues around chemicals and biology and genetics, which they had no formal training in, and they were taking the organization into what I call "pop environmentalism," which uses sensationalism, misinformation, fear tactics, etc., to deal with people on an emotional level rather than an intellectual level. [...]
"sensationalism, misinformation, fear tactics, etc., to deal with people on an emotional level rather than an intellectual level." Not to mention ignoring science when convenient to do so. Thank you Mr. Moore for standing up and telling the truth about how environMENTAL groups work. Not that some of us didn't already know this, but it is nice to see someone from the other side admit it.
Back to the cave
I was perusing youtube and found this little blues ditty. I believe it is the new theme song for environMENTALists.
Funny part is. If it ever came about, those same environMENTALists would never survive. They would have no idea where to get their food as all the grocery stores would be gone.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Consequences
Could THIS have anything to do with This?
Last time I checked, the Canadian Coast Guard are the enforcers of the law in our waters. The crew of the Farley Mowat were ordered to leave the area. They obviously did not follow those orders. Surprise, surprise...
Paul Watson seems to think his little group is above Canadian law. Guess what Paul. It just does not matter what flag you fly. Your ship was in Canadian waters and therefore subject to Canadian laws.
Now come the consequences for their actions. And it is about time.
Paul Watson, head of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society said the actions of the Coast Guard amount to “an act of war.”
If it is, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society just lost.
Welcome to the New Canada. One that actually has some balls!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
They are kidding right?
Even your license plate can go 'green'
To qualify for the plates, drivers will need to make a donation to the Colorado Carbon Fund, which is a voluntary carbon offset program being created by the Governor's Energy Office. They will also need to pay $55.36 for the plate. The Carbon Fund will be up and running later this spring to direct money toward Colorado-based projects designed to promote clean energy and climate mitigation projects. Vehicles over 16,000 pounds will not be eligible to a Colorado Carbon Fund license plate.
Whew! I bet all those 6400 lb H2 owners are happy that they can get involved...
16,000 pounds? What vehicle other than the massive motor homes or commercial vehicles would weigh more than 16,000 pounds?
Yet another joke brought to you buy the enviroMENTALists...
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Ban the Olympic Torch
The new cry from the environMENTALists...
Not to be out done by Al Gore, The Olympic torch has its own
private jet.
[...] the Olympic Torch Relay is adding about 11 million pounds of carbon to the atmosphere. That's 5,500 tons. [...]
I wonder if they took the massive torch that is lit up for the length of the games into account? That thing must produce a whack of CO2 as well. Oh the shame...
Burn baby burn...
The Alberta Advantage
First you get the oil. Then you get the money. Then you collect the CO2 and make the Plastic. Then you get the money.
We win twice!
"chilling out" or "wasting time."
Study shows reading blogs can become a habit.
I prefer to think of blogging, and reading blogs, as more of an educational thing. Sometimes it is amazing the news that some blogger's come across that simply do not get reported in Canadian MSM. What makes it more interesting is the editorials that the bloggers give in regards to those news story. Once you add in the comments from the readers, it can make very interesting reading indeed. Blogging is not simply repeating "THE NEWS", it is more about how people react to "the news". You probably have noticed that many of the on line news outlets now feature commenting on their articles. Perhaps they have finally clued in.
Yes, it is a bit of a habit I must admit. Gotta go now. I have yet to visit the 20 or so blogs I visit each day. Bye Bye....
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Global Warming
Why do you mock us so...
The day April showers turned Britain white
[...] Yesterday's blizzards were the first significant April snowfalls since 1989.
The contrast with the same day last year, when sun- seekers packed Brighton beach, could not have been more stark. [...]
[...] More snow is expected on Monday, mostly in the North, and showers of snow, sleet and rain will continue until Wednesday.
Tuesday night will be particularly chilly, with widespread overnight lows of minus 5c. [...]
Long winter hampers maple syrup production
Mining the liquid gold flowing from maple trees in parts of Eastern Canada is proving to be a difficult task this year.
A combination of unpredictable weather and heavy snowfall this past winter is causing monumental headaches for maple syrup producers. [...]
Late snowstorm creates havoc
[...] Inside the city, where 10 to 15 centimetres of snow fell Saturday, Edmonton police reported 84 collisions by mid afternoon, including 18 with injuries.
Meanwhile, to the south, Wetaskiwin RCMP called parts of the QEII Highway a no-tow zone for hours as blowing snow created whiteout conditions.
Highways 16, 21 and 14 -- in the areas of Fort Saskatchewan, Sherwood Park and Tofield -- were poor for much of the day.
More snow was expected in Edmonton overnight.
Environment Canada also issued a snowfall warning for Lloydminster and forecast more snow this weekend for Slave Lake, Peace River, High Level, Edson Grande Prairie, Hinton and Red Deer. [...]
Will winter ever let go of its icy grip this year?
Anti Gun Activists
declare victory. Pry gun from his cold dead hands.
Charlton Heston died Saturday at the age of 84
Friday, April 04, 2008
Hell froze over today
No, this is not a post on climate change. I actually agree with Jason Cherniak on this one. So much so that if you want my opinion on the matter. Go read Jason's post as he stated my feelings to a T but much better than I could have.
There is hope for you after all Jason.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Obama threatens US citizens
[...] “I would,” Mr. Obama said. “Not only will I, but I will make a commitment that Al Gore will be at the table and play a central part in us figuring out how we solve this problem. He's somebody I talk to on a regular basis. I'm already consulting with him in terms of these issues, but climate change is real. It is something we have to deal with now, not 10 years from now, not 20 years from now.” [...]
[...] Mr. Obama said he would use Mr. Gore to help forge a cap-and-trade system for carbon emissions designed to lower pollution.
The Illinois senator cautioned that such a system could mean an increase in electricity bills from power companies that rely on coal-burning, and that some of the money generated from a cap-and-trade system may be used in the beginning to help lower income or fixed income customers with those bills.
He also called on individuals to do their part to lower energy consumption.
“All of us are going to have to change our habits. We are a wasteful culture,” he said.
Using compact fluorescent light bulbs, energy efficient appliances, and unplugging power chargers when they're not in use are relatively simple solutions, he said.
“Those kinds of simple steps, if everybody takes them, can drastically reduce our energy consumption.” [...]
Read it all if you care to...
Cap-and-trade system huh. Sounds like Obama wants to cash in along side Gore on this money for nothing scheme that the so called environMENTALists have come up with.
All of us? Will Obama start by moving himself and his family into a more reasonable, say, 1400 sq foot home? Will Obama demand that Al Gore rid himself of his private jet , extra home(s) and also move into a home that is more environmentally correct? Perhaps Obama, Gore and every multi millionaire should share their own personal wealth and subsidize lower income or fixed income customers with their bills.
Stephane Dion on the environment
Stephane Dion's environmental Leadership... He is not a leader in any way shape or form.
Stephane Dion's record on the environment... Non existent
Stephane Dion's signature on environmental documents.... Worthless
Wearing green scarves and naming your dog Kyoto just does not cut it. You didn't get it done! Take my advice Dion, the environment is NOT something you want to fight an election over. That is if you ever get some gonads and force an election.
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