things that make you go hmmm...

If knowledge is the key to freedom, why is thinking also called "de-liberation" ?

economic or gag stimulus?

You wouldn't have seen this type of spin vs reality journalism when the Cons first took power:

[When asked if he would match the $130-billion US stimulus package being adopted in the United States,] Flaherty said the government has already done enough to stimulate the economy. He said tax measures introduced by the Conservatives since coming to office in January 2006 - estimated to be worth $190 billion by 2012 - [... are ] "a huge stimulus to the Canadian economy, much more than what our American colleagues are thinking of doing in the United States. We've already done it in Canada."
The two initiatives are difficult to compare, however, because the Canadian measures include tax reductions and other initiatives already in place and some that will come into effect as late as 2012, while the U.S. package is targeted for immediate relief.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/02/06/flaherty-budget.html

Glad to see the media are overcoming their fear/awe/courtship with the neoCons.

PS. a $130-billion stimulus package for the US economy? seriously? I wonder if that contravenes NAFTA and other trade agreements... even if it is I doubt the Harper government will challenge it...

haute politics

Like in haute cuisine, O'Brien seems to be big on presentation but short on substance.
Urging business leaders to turn out the lights Saturday from 8 to 9pm is a great statement, but really, what effect will it have on compliance? most businesses (whom I expect already shut off most of their lights during non-business hours) are closed during that time, except for retail where utter darkness doesn't really encourage consumer spending or deter crime that well. If the city was really serious about climate change and the environment, he would encourage higher electricity prices. THAT would balance out the cost-benefit ratio of energy saving initiatives a whole lot more effectively!

Mayor O'Brien joins chorus of cities turning out lights
Jake Rupert, Ottawa Citizen
Published: Thursday, January 31, 2008

The City of Ottawa has joined a world-wide initiative aimed a bringing attention to climate change, and municipal officials want all businesses and residents to get behind the cause.

The initiative, called Earth Hour, is sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund. It will see people from around the world in cities from Copenhagen to Sydney turn off all their lights from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 29.

Thursday morning, during a speech to members of the Greater Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Larry O'Brien urged the city's business leaders to get behind the event and pledge to shut off the lights in their buildings.

"I'm calling on you to pledge support for this," he said. "It will show the City of Ottawa, its business leaders, and its people are serious about climate change and the environment. I'm proud of our accomplishments in these areas, but there's a lot more work to be done and this will show our commitment."