October, 2008

Much has been said (and written) of the SFL (Saskatchewan Federation of Labour) meeting that saw Labour Minister Rob Norris being drowned out by singing, etc. during his speech to the group – the group that invited him to speak.

The behaviour speaks for itself.  I won’t bother commenting on it.

What I do wonder is how labour relations in this province, and in general, seem mired in the last century.  The adversarial nature of the system as it exists is an anachronism and an embarrassment to common sense.

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion is expected to announce he is stepping down as leader of the party today.  A brutal electoral result means he would probably never survive a mandatory leadership review at a later date.

It may be time for the Liberal Party, as a whole, to take that long walk in the snow.  It’s time to regroup, refocus, refinance and redefine what it means to be a Liberal in Canada.

After 38 days of back and forth – today’s the day.  Election Day in Canada.  We probably need a theme of some sort, ala Hockey Night in Canada to get people pumped up and ready to go.  Well, we don’t – so it’s up to you.

Over the years I’ve voted for a party, an individual, strategically, pragmatically, and holding my nose in some cases.  But I voted.  Was any seat I voted for won or lost by a single vote?  No.  But I do it anyway.  If nothing else, it gives me the right to bitch till the next time around.

On Friday O. J. Simpson was found guilty on 12 charges of armed robbery and kidnapping after 13 hours of deliberation by the jury – 13 years to the day after he was acquitted of killing his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.  Sentencing will be later this year – he could face life in prison without possibility of parole for 5 years, as I understand it.