As seen here and here, Rochelle Squires is planning to take a run at the Tory nomination in Riel. With Rochelle's splashy website and her few close friends, I wonder if the Tory candidate of record, who is also said to be interested in running again for the nomination is going to be scared off.
The NDP is looking to fill their soon to be vacant senior administrative position, as Provincial Secretary Sonia Kowalewich is retiring. The first task at hand for the new candidate (as I see it) is to review the leadership nomination process and advise on how it can be approved. The deadline to apply for the position is January 27.
For those leaving rude remarks because you can’t find information on this blog on why you shouldn’t eat yellow snow, please go here. And you shouldn’t need a website to figure this out. A little Common sense people.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Yellow Snow Public Service Announcement
Around this time of year we always see an increase in stabbings at all night drinking parties. Since New Year’s eve is one of the biggest drinking days of the year I would recommend to all those thinking of hosting an all night drinking party to hide all knives in the house. If you are hosting a dinner party, followed by an all night drinking party, you may want to consider using plastic utensils which aren’t as classy but generally are not known to cause fatal injuries.
And for those of you who are getting stabbed at all night drinking parties, you may want to reconsider who you hang out with.
Have a safe and happy New Year.
And for those of you who are getting stabbed at all night drinking parties, you may want to reconsider who you hang out with.
Have a safe and happy New Year.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The shelves aren't fully stocked at the Bay, the store must be closing
According to CBC, "small Christmas crowds" and shelves that aren't fully stocked are prompting concerns about the Bay downtown’s future. And does the CBC have any new factual information to back up a) that the crowds are smaller than usual or b) that the Bay is any closer to closing. Absolutely not, unless of course you count one shopper's opinion.
$$$
How big is the government surplus/deficit?
Depending on where you get your news, it could be a deficit of $512 million, $602 million, $592 million, almost $600 million or a surplus of $221 million.
So who has got it right?
Well, everyone. It just depends on how you count it.
$512 is the core operating deficit and counts the $110 draw from the rainy day fund + the $20 million for debt retirement
$602 is also the core operating deficit but does not take in account the draw and debt retirement
$592 is the summary deficit which includes the bottom line of core government operations and crown corporations
$221 is the positive balance based on the four-year rolling average of summary results under the new balanced budget legislation
Now, how is the average citizen supposed to understand all this?
Depending on where you get your news, it could be a deficit of $512 million, $602 million, $592 million, almost $600 million or a surplus of $221 million.
So who has got it right?
Well, everyone. It just depends on how you count it.
$512 is the core operating deficit and counts the $110 draw from the rainy day fund + the $20 million for debt retirement
$602 is also the core operating deficit but does not take in account the draw and debt retirement
$592 is the summary deficit which includes the bottom line of core government operations and crown corporations
$221 is the positive balance based on the four-year rolling average of summary results under the new balanced budget legislation
Now, how is the average citizen supposed to understand all this?
Round 2, X-mas style
It’s round 2 in the media pissing match and the Free Press has not been in the giving mood this holiday season. They have once again opened up a can of worms going after the CBC, the Sun and CJOB for allegedly doing a little rip and read or cut and paste, depending on the medium.
Here are a few things to consider (for the 2 reporters who read this blog):
1) Just because you thought of an angle or believe you got an exclusive doesn’t mean other reporters haven’t also.
For example, Mr. McIntyre, (who ironically has a show on CJOB) if you “immediately recognized” the man as someone you had “written about several times previously”, what makes you think others haven’t.
Also, police, justice and government officials will often contact more than one outlet to “leak” a story. Just remember that your “sources” are likely blabbing all over town.
2) Everyone does it
The Free Press watches CTV, Global and CBC TV and listens to OB every day.
The Sun does the same.
OB, CTV, Global and CBC read the Free Press.
It’s called staying on top of things and there’s nothing wrong with it.
This doesn’t mean you can swipe a story but it does allow you to follow up and confirm the same facts.
3) If you want to keep your exclusive do not do the following:
Do not put your story on your web site.
Do not share it with the Canadian Press.
Do not include it with the editor’s bulletin.
And finally and most importantly remember that the public does not care who got it first.
On a lighter note. Mia’s blog got me thinking about how many politicians actually use the word “Christmas” in their cards. So far, I’ve seen one. And a merry Christmas to you too.
Here are a few things to consider (for the 2 reporters who read this blog):
1) Just because you thought of an angle or believe you got an exclusive doesn’t mean other reporters haven’t also.
For example, Mr. McIntyre, (who ironically has a show on CJOB) if you “immediately recognized” the man as someone you had “written about several times previously”, what makes you think others haven’t.
Also, police, justice and government officials will often contact more than one outlet to “leak” a story. Just remember that your “sources” are likely blabbing all over town.
2) Everyone does it
The Free Press watches CTV, Global and CBC TV and listens to OB every day.
The Sun does the same.
OB, CTV, Global and CBC read the Free Press.
It’s called staying on top of things and there’s nothing wrong with it.
This doesn’t mean you can swipe a story but it does allow you to follow up and confirm the same facts.
3) If you want to keep your exclusive do not do the following:
Do not put your story on your web site.
Do not share it with the Canadian Press.
Do not include it with the editor’s bulletin.
And finally and most importantly remember that the public does not care who got it first.
On a lighter note. Mia’s blog got me thinking about how many politicians actually use the word “Christmas” in their cards. So far, I’ve seen one. And a merry Christmas to you too.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Today's breaking news
This just in, Manitoba Hydro officials have “conceded” that a western bipole route would leave Manitoba more vulnerable to power outages because of its proximity to Bipole I and II than an eastern route. This was “revealed” at a Hydro open house.
I’m not here to discuss the merit of east vs west, but the fact that a western route is more susceptible to weather related events than an eastern route is as newsworthy as Tiger’s latest exploits or as fresh and new as this former Olympian (who incidentally kinda looks like this Lord of the Rings character.
It was clearly stated in the Farlinger report of 2007. It has been discussed in the house ad nauseum (for an example see below) and it has been reported and discussed in numerous media stories and blogs etc.
So Bill, why are you pretending you’ve just uncovered some great hydro secret?
Hansard, December 19th, 2007
Mr. McFadyen: Hydro said two weeks ago and I quote, further a western routed bipole is generally closer to the existing bipoles 1 and 2 in northern Manitoba than an eastern routed line. So the chances of all three bipoles being interrupted from a weather-related event are greater with a western routing, end of quote.
I’m not here to discuss the merit of east vs west, but the fact that a western route is more susceptible to weather related events than an eastern route is as newsworthy as Tiger’s latest exploits or as fresh and new as this former Olympian (who incidentally kinda looks like this Lord of the Rings character.
It was clearly stated in the Farlinger report of 2007. It has been discussed in the house ad nauseum (for an example see below) and it has been reported and discussed in numerous media stories and blogs etc.
So Bill, why are you pretending you’ve just uncovered some great hydro secret?
Hansard, December 19th, 2007
Mr. McFadyen: Hydro said two weeks ago and I quote, further a western routed bipole is generally closer to the existing bipoles 1 and 2 in northern Manitoba than an eastern routed line. So the chances of all three bipoles being interrupted from a weather-related event are greater with a western routing, end of quote.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Dirty Harry and The Exorcist
Every once in a while, I come across a government news release that's actually fun to read and is not full of the usual rhetoric or bureaucratic mumbo jumbo.
Exhibit A: December 7, 2009.
MANITOBA CONTINUES RECORD-BREAKING POPULATION GROWTH, BEST SINCE
1971: BJORNSON
"The last time Manitoba's population grew by close to 17,000 people in 12 months, Shaft and Dirty Harry were playing at the box office, John Lennon's Imagine topped the Billboard charts and The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty was listed amongst the New York Times' bestselling novels," Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade Minister Peter Bjornson said today.
Exhibit B
If anyone can think of others, send them along...
Exhibit A: December 7, 2009.
MANITOBA CONTINUES RECORD-BREAKING POPULATION GROWTH, BEST SINCE
1971: BJORNSON
"The last time Manitoba's population grew by close to 17,000 people in 12 months, Shaft and Dirty Harry were playing at the box office, John Lennon's Imagine topped the Billboard charts and The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty was listed amongst the New York Times' bestselling novels," Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade Minister Peter Bjornson said today.
Exhibit B
If anyone can think of others, send them along...
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