tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.comments2023-03-22T18:24:51.237-06:00atypicalalbertanAtypical Albertanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562989471609367494noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-67767844593502853752012-05-05T10:58:36.856-06:002012-05-05T10:58:36.856-06:00I'm going to add a vote for Fred Horne returni...I'm going to add a vote for Fred Horne returning to Health. Hard to restore confidence in a few months and he brings a policy depth to the portfolio that hasn't been there before and can't be gained through a briefing book.Judith Dyckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02187881191079129428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-77120058091478567292012-05-03T21:42:02.409-06:002012-05-03T21:42:02.409-06:00I truly home that Lukaszuk is removed from the Edu...I truly home that Lukaszuk is removed from the Education portfolio. I do not think he has handled the Morinville situation well and his comments regarding other MLAs questioning him in the Legislature affecting the speed of decisions for new school buildings is completely out of line.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-51573678187761939662012-04-23T23:44:32.591-06:002012-04-23T23:44:32.591-06:00Okay, well I was way off on the general prediction...Okay, well I was way off on the general prediction, but I am happy to place the blame at the feet of pollsters. Regardless of that, I am proud that my bellwether ridings did indicate the winner: 5 out of 6 of the bellwether ridings did go to the PCs. Similarly, I am proud of predicting all of the 8 interesting ridings correctly. <br /><br />Anyway, that at least makes me feel better about being so wrong with the rest of the prediction.Atypical Albertanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09562989471609367494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-62315638108933820662012-04-17T21:17:49.154-06:002012-04-17T21:17:49.154-06:00Thanks for the comments.
I have spoiled all of my...Thanks for the comments.<br /><br />I have spoiled all of my previous ballots for senate election. While this election has a bit more legitimacy because Harper has introduced reforms, it is still piecemeal illegitimate reform. I understand that there is another option - to reject the ballot and that may be another way to register protest.<br /><br />Juan, I generally agree. There is more reform needed in our system and removing the power of capital in politics would be important to that process.<br /><br />AlbertaRusH, There are lots of ways that we can reform the senate and generally it seems to be focused on bringing some form of balance whether it is balance toward provinces that are underrepresented (as proposed by Preston Manning) or cities (like you propose). These questions/ideas speak to the need for wholesale reform and against the concept of ad hoc reform.Atypical Albertanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09562989471609367494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-39679375450391817382012-04-17T20:59:45.781-06:002012-04-17T20:59:45.781-06:00Snap thought: Since you've opened up the cons...Snap thought: Since you've opened up the constitution anyways, why not have the senate represent municipalities? Form a elected/appointed (who cares) super body that sends regional municipal reps to a New Senate; one that represents citizens at the level that matter most: municipalities. Maybe we could evolve a province-less confederation of super municipalities and bank the savings!<br /><br />AlbertaRusHAlbertaRusHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16028681996428055657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-67205014987298301382012-04-17T20:14:30.497-06:002012-04-17T20:14:30.497-06:00This will be the second senate ballot that I will ...This will be the second senate ballot that I will spoil!HeyItsMehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04119686164740712446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-49409267251012239452012-04-15T17:03:33.096-06:002012-04-15T17:03:33.096-06:00Unfortunately, that won't make any difference ...Unfortunately, that won't make any difference to the fact that the political process in the western world is 100% in the hands of the 1%. It will remain that way until there is a major change of the system. This will not happen by trying to make change from inside a completely dysfunctional system.John F. Dunbarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12879704442298218413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-49456650805144843702012-03-31T12:52:25.131-06:002012-03-31T12:52:25.131-06:00Thanks for the comment Thomas. 3 seats might be co...Thanks for the comment Thomas. 3 seats might be considered a big win for Sherman right now, but the campaign is doing things right - I just don't know whether it will have traction. I'm not sure whether vote splitting is going to work out for the Liberals as many progressives (particularly in Calgary) will flock to the PCs to prevent the Wildrose win.Atypical Albertanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09562989471609367494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-18518410084915180382012-03-29T01:27:57.613-06:002012-03-29T01:27:57.613-06:00Nice work as always Jonathan. I hope the Liberals ...Nice work as always Jonathan. I hope the Liberals can do better than the three seats as predicted. Possibly one of the most interesting elections ahead of us with two parties battling it out on the right. Who knows how much vote split might favor the others on election day. I was impressed with Dr. Sherman at the Ed forum and hope he can translate his ideas into support.Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17973241924970301841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-14607080753765739202011-07-30T23:41:27.705-06:002011-07-30T23:41:27.705-06:00Good point Glen. I should know better than to thin...Good point Glen. I should know better than to think critical thought would be part of the debate.Atypical Albertanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09562989471609367494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-56892871289714607302011-07-30T20:11:47.661-06:002011-07-30T20:11:47.661-06:00Stop making sense, JT. Only false threats and misi...Stop making sense, JT. Only false threats and misinformation is allowed in the arena debate.Glenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06319162379488073866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-76000603864408948022011-04-03T09:26:04.864-06:002011-04-03T09:26:04.864-06:00Of course.Of course.Atypical Albertanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09562989471609367494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-68387089374929315522011-04-01T18:24:12.223-06:002011-04-01T18:24:12.223-06:00With apologies to Stephen Colbert, of course!With apologies to Stephen Colbert, of course!HeyItsMehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04119686164740712446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-38431290827485255652011-02-08T12:17:49.806-07:002011-02-08T12:17:49.806-07:00The Fraser Institute's data is mostly bunk, as...The Fraser Institute's data is mostly bunk, as I tried to argue on my own review of the new report card, <a href="http://sixthestate.net/?p=674" rel="nofollow">here</a>.<br /><br />But basically, the FSA test is a test of a few skills only, which, as you say, jives entirely with what they want to see from education. It won't harm the credibility with the religious right because for the most part religious schools show up well in these rankings. All but three private schools are listed as outperforming relative to parental income, which religious communities will love.H7N9 Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08716554084592636019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-27997369942734469112011-02-08T12:16:52.684-07:002011-02-08T12:16:52.684-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.H7N9 Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08716554084592636019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-6225646982926240292011-02-08T08:40:12.938-07:002011-02-08T08:40:12.938-07:00It is shocking that even the Fraser Institute woul...It is shocking that even the Fraser Institute would come up with such a conclusion. Surely this will take a big chunk out of their credibility with the hard core religious right.Connie, againhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07830108541969402995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-64273312224049396722011-02-03T18:18:14.843-07:002011-02-03T18:18:14.843-07:00Thanks for the feedback UPTAG!Thanks for the feedback UPTAG!Atypical Albertanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09562989471609367494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-8362797738530054332011-02-02T11:15:32.887-07:002011-02-02T11:15:32.887-07:00Great article. The volatile situation we are facin...Great article. The volatile situation we are facing in Alberta like you said is unlike any other we have ever seen. I think now is the time more than ever for people to get involved, and realize that particularly now in this political market their voice and their opinion is going to make the biggest difference. Good stuff, keep up the good work.UPTAGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00149891203878174402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-29417132743998652762010-11-25T23:58:26.037-07:002010-11-25T23:58:26.037-07:00Kill the Bill because a half baked public consulta...Kill the Bill because a half baked public consultation over the summer is a sham and the Charter is a joke but the real problem is who is in charge and accountable - should be the Minister...but not to manage the system - that takes experts. These boards, including PDD, Children Services etc. are just appointed buffers to protect politicians from the rabble - I mean citizens.kenchapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11384045981190810115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-32472742559453429662010-11-02T00:51:38.503-06:002010-11-02T00:51:38.503-06:00Just file this one under "careful what you wi...Just file this one under "careful what you wish for." Or did I miss you at the privatize healthcare discussion forums?Feynman and Coulter's Love Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05129851946309441082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-79824032170628821072010-11-02T00:14:25.537-06:002010-11-02T00:14:25.537-06:00Yes, you are right to sound the alarm. The governm...Yes, you are right to sound the alarm. The government can and will do what it sees fit regardless of anything either the people or the opposition says. Nothing here but trouble.Esmé Comforthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01362670846615446636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-66433246636603513442010-09-20T20:55:14.275-06:002010-09-20T20:55:14.275-06:00I accidently deleted the following comment posted ...I accidently deleted the following comment posted by Matt:<br /><br /><br />Rob, it's not the 1980's anymore. Where are the oil companies going to go? The oil sands are the second largest oil reserves in the world, Syncrude, Suncore and the others are heavily invested. Do you think they're really going to pack up and move just because they're going to have to pay a little more royalties? It's all rhetoric to keep the money in their pockets and in the pockets of their political allies. This type of policy doesn't serve the average Albertan or Canadian.Atypical Albertanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09562989471609367494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-62827284311745944112010-08-21T18:44:29.839-06:002010-08-21T18:44:29.839-06:00Now that Dave Hancock is promising to cover for so...Now that Dave Hancock is promising to cover for some of the deficit, have the school board called back the teachers they laid off? It's unfortunate that the school boards are being pushed around by the government. I'd like to point out also, some school boards have terribly concealed hiring processes (ie Edmonton Public School Board), making it difficult for a newly graduated teacher to break into the field. What exactly are those newly grads supposed to do when teachers who were on probationary/temporary contract are also competing for the limited teaching opportunities??? Retired teachers are called back/willingly going back to being put on supply/substitute teaching list, so new grads don't even stand a chance with subbing either. Just where are the aspiring young professionals supposed to turn for teaching opportunities after they've spent at least 4 years of precious university years on becoming a teacher when they could've easily gone into a trades field and be laughing in their newly purchased homes with their easily earned cash?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11315841646245614259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-89572957023785565152010-08-16T00:17:33.547-06:002010-08-16T00:17:33.547-06:00Happy to know that Social Scientists still have a ...Happy to know that Social Scientists still have a say in the issues of the day that matter to us all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20566110.post-22299017511745939012010-07-23T07:32:28.052-06:002010-07-23T07:32:28.052-06:00Here's another piece to chew on regarding the ...Here's another piece to chew on regarding the Arena Debate.<br /><br />http://communities.canada.com/edmontonjournal/blogs/hockey/a rchive/2010/03/22/in-whose-interest-a-look-at-northlands-and-edmonton-s-arena-business.aspxTroy Gillardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06328598944411407899noreply@blogger.com