daveberta.ca - Alberta Politics and Elections

“I hear a rattle, Mr. Speaker, I think the minister just had an idea.”

Nick Taylor, Liberal MLA for Westlock-Sturgeon (1986-93) and Redwater (1993-96), and Alberta Senator (1996-2002)

busy weekend. most posting soon.

in the mean time… this has quite the political message, plus, it’s kind of funny…

(props to Mr. Ryan Payne for the pic)

The idealistic speechwriter is well-liked by just about everyone. He’s known for his excellent writing, sense of humor, and tendency to be clutzy. Although being younger than the rest of the staff, he’s often treated as so, much to his dismay.

:: Which West Wing character are you? ::

(Ironic props to Sam for the quiz linkage)

Ahh. Tonight, as we read about the general lameness of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA), we are also reminiscing about how good the magical first four seasons of the West Wing were. Josh, Sam, Toby, CJ. Political superstars. Total fun entertainment. The assassination attempt, the MS scandal, the re-election.

Last Sunday night, we caught part of the West Wing for the first time in an entire season, and were surprised and confused at what was going on and who was now working for who. Gladly, we weren’t the only ones… Ainge from Lotusland also feels the confusion. We recommend other West Wing-a-holics (*cough*henderson*cough*sam*cough*) check out the Lotusland post…

That’s right folks! Hailing from St. John’s Newfoundland, John Gushue… Dot Dot Dot is this week’s blog of the week.

We enjoy John’s posts and they’re always quite entertaining and informative. His ‘Daily Dot’s’ are also quite cool as well.

Make sure to check out John Gushue… Dot Dot Dot!

Due to the entire rediculousness of this issue, we haven’t been paying much attention to it. But, today (right now), as we write a paper, we also have the Dingwall hearings on in the background.

Here’s our translation of the Dingwall hearing:

Backbench Tory MP: “Mr. Dingwall, are you corrupt?“

Dingwall: “uhhh… Mr. Chair, let me talk to my lawyer.“

Backbench Liberal MP: “ohhhh, Mr. Dingwall. Yoou’re soooo gooood.“

Dingwall: “Bless you my child.“

Backbench Tory MP: “For crying out loud Mr. Dingwall! Do you eat babies?“

Dingwall: “Mr. Chair, I’m not an expert on that and I wish to consult my legal council.“

Backbench Liberal MP: “ooohhh. David Dingwall, you are soooo goood!“

Dingwall: “Ooohhhh. Legal advice…“

Looks like Ms. Desjarlais will be joining the likes of Ms. Parrish, Mr. Kilgour and Mr. O’Brien in the realm of Independent MP’s.

okay, yes we realized the lameness of all these random blog posts. We believe Ms. Lo has hit it right on the head. No more posts for a while… blogging will lead to our exile one day.

Also, MSN Messenger is on our list of the Top 10 Coolest things EVER! In one day over MSN, we chatted with our friends in India, the UK, Calgary, Vancouver, and Montreal. How cool.

Perhaps Mr. face can correct our latin…

If you haven’t already, head over to one of our favorite blogs: ask the pope. It’s just so delightfully entertaining. 🙂

Another late night of paper writing ahead… only two more left to do this week…

The one we’re working on now is quite interesting. We’re discussing the similarities and differences between economic diversification strategies and over-all economic transformation in Alberta and Saskatchewan between 1950 and 1990.

Only 600ish more words to go…

…one month left! huzzah!

Well, after a great weekend of fun and partying (Sunday night was particularily fun), we went to the Canada Conference which began last night (but we only showed up this morning).

Breakfast at 7:30am took some effort (considering we were up until 2am writing papers…). One of the most interesting parts of the morning was when we got lost looking for the Sutton Place Hotel, where the conference was being held (considering we used to live downtonw… we chalk it up for being 7:00am).

The breakfast was interesting. Some of the early morning risers included U of A Board of Governor’s Chair Jim Edwards (who is also a former Tory MP), Alberta Liberal Leader Kevin Taft, and U of A President Indira Samarasekera. The breakfast was interesting…. but too early…

The luncheon was interesting as well. 🙂 More details soon.

Also, did anyone in Edmonton hear the thunderstorm this afternoon??? It’s October!?!?! Rain and thunder? Weird.

It’s a beautiful fall Sunday here in Edmonton. Warmish. Sunny. Big blue sky. Very nice.

John Duffy has a review of Stephen Clarkson‘s new book“The Big Red Machine: How the Liberal Party Dominates Canadian Politics“ in this weekend’s Globe & Mail. Mr. Duffy, as some may know, is the author of one of our favorite Canadian Political books: “Fights of Our Lives: Elections, Leadership, and the Making of Canada” (We’re a little surprised we beat Mr. Cherniak in posting this, he must be busy this weekend. 😉

Also, as Mr. Ramson has posted, Federal NDP MP Ed Broadbent has released his party’s democratic reform package and it’s about darn-toot’n time (yes, darn-toot’n!) someone brought the democratic reform to the forefront in Parliament (save the lame “fighting the democratic deficit” rhetoric). We look forward to seeing how it the package is received in this fall’s session in the House of Commons.

Also, the Sugarbowl has the best coffee EVER! yum

ADDENUM 1.1: Care of a link from Will McBeath‘s blog, the Edmonton-area Federal Tories have set up a central site with links to their candidates websites. It’s an interesting semi-website, though the massive picture of Stephen Harper is slightly frightening.

ADDENUM 1.2: Damn. WFT, daveberta readers. It’s Sunday and all of our formerly favorite rightie bloggers are suddenly returning from the dead! First, Rempel. And now, Young. Craziness. We thought all the right-wingers were supposed to be in Church on Sunday (or something?)?!?!

It seems our favorite right-wing blogger, the infamous Peter Rempel, has returned to his old haunt of RempeliaPrime after a sojourn over at thepolitic.

Welcome back, Mr. Rempel.

This is a little outside the realm of Albertus Politika, but if you haven’t yet, check out the video of US President George W. Bush‘s ‘video teleconference‘ with US troops and an Iraqi troop. Not only was this one of the funniest staged and scripted stunts we have EVER seen, but it was also one of the most blatant pieces of political masturbation that we have seen from this President.

This piece had some very memorable moments. The part when Bush dropped his pencil was particularly funny.

Best scripted quotes (in no particular order):

1. THE PRESIDENT: “By the way, you’re in Tikrit, as I understand it, as well. It’s kind of an interesting place to be.”

2. SERGEANT LOMBARDO: Good morning, Mr. President. I’m Master Sergeant Corine Lombardo, with the Headquarters 42nd Infantry Division and Task Force Liberty, from Scotia, New York. First, I’d like to say that this is a pleasure to speak with you again. We had the honor of your visit in New York City on November 11th, in 2001, when you recognized our Rainbow Soldiers for their recovery and rescue efforts at Ground Zero.

THE PRESIDENT: Were you there?

SERGEANT LOMBARDO: We began our fight against terrorism in the wake of 9/11, and we’re proud to continue it here in North-Central New York — North-Central Iraq.

THE PRESIDENT: Let me ask you something. Were you there when I came to New York?

SERGEANT LOMBARDO: Yes, I was, Mr. President.

THE PRESIDENT: I thought you looked familiar.

SERGEANT LOMBARDO: Well, thank you.

THE PRESIDENT: I probably look familiar to you, too.

3. THE PRESIDENT: Yes. Sergeant Akeel, thanks for joining us. I appreciate — appreciate your service. You’ve got something to say, Akeel?

SERGEANT AKEEL: Good morning, Mr. President. Thank you for everything. Thank very much for everything.

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, you’re welcome.

SERGEANT AKEEL: I like you. (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I appreciate that.

(heaps of props on Mr. chris-face for coming down from his tower and informing us of this wonderful video)