October, 2008
My buddy at the Edmonton Sun, Kerry Diotte, is a good pal. We regularly keep in touch, he comes to Saskatchewan to golf with me every summer and, when I'm back in Edmonton, Kerry and I always have a lot of laughs.
In his latest newspaper column, Kerry uses our friendship to weave a great story about a great province -- OURS!
Thanks, man.
http://www.edmontonsun.com/Comment/2008/10/26/7209571-sun.html
Nope. At least when you watch the delegates to the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour convention.
Who are these people? And why do they act this way?
By the way, best insult shouted at Labour Minister Rob Norris -- as overheard by a reporter --- "Gormley lover"!
Consider it the answer to a future trivia question: what does Stephane Dion have in common with Edward Blake? Blake – who was Canada's Liberal leader from 1880 to 1887 – is the only Liberal leader until now NOT to have become Prime Minister (interim leaders excepted, of course).
This is a stunning record that bears out why the Liberals are, indeed, Canada's Natural Governing Party -- win the leader gig and you're virtually guaranteed a spot in the history books and a bed at 24 Sussex Drive.
So, Conservative PM Stephen Harper returns. He got the "strengthened mandate" that he asked for -- but it wasn't majority-strong. But with twenty more seats and a Liberal collapse, Harper will have a mandate to govern decisively.
The only positive sign last night, amidst the leaders' speeches, was the general sense that -- at least for now -- they want to get along, to cooperate, to make Parliament work. Let's see how long this lasts.
In no particular order, here are a few thoughts:
Well, Canada's version of C-SPAN, the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) came into our radio studios and, as always, it was good fun. While their crew (and ours) worked seamlessly to integrate a radio show into a television feature, the ability to take listeners' calls from around the country adds a good bit to pre-election debate.
And, by the way, it takes only one of these shows every couple of years to re-affirm my respect for television performers. Sheesh. Now I know, besides the face for radio part, why I like what I do!
On this morning's show -- at least the three hours from 9 am until Noon -- John Gormley Live is expanding the audience and going on national TV.
Just like we did during the last federal election campaign in 2006, CPAC, the Canadian Public Affairs Channel, will be broadcasting our radio talk show on cable TV today. With a radio studio full of cameras and technicians, the show -- coming over the radio at least -- will be the same. But if you tune into CPAC you'll also see the show in action.
The phones on John Gormley Live lit up this morning when we talked about a recent episode of road rage that could have cost a 23 year old guy his life.
It was a classic case: bad driving and stupidity meets stupidity, some anger gets thrown in, along with some fear and aggression and then -- toss in a bit more testosterone -- and someone ends up in hospital.
As the Saskatchewan NDP fraud cover-up scandal finally lurches to a halt 16 years after it started, the nation's most morally perfect political party -- chock full of only the most noble, virtuous and self-righteous -- should be taking a few moments right now to stop, reflect and get ready to offer the rest of us an explanation.
With the Canadian political leaders' debate vying for attention with the U.S. vice-presidential debate -- it couldn't have been more different.
In the Joe Biden - Sarah Palin tilt, it was the seasoned Senator and charismatic Governor: respectful, good exchanges and, as Biden put it, not a time of questioning motives or attacking people. Evidently, whether Palin won on style or Biden on substance, American politics still has some class.