Alter Boys

Using his 'little Grey Cells'.

2009-07-10T13:40:00.000-07:00

When the Boss Comes to Town! – Liberals Awake!

2008-03-03T15:49:00.000-08:00

Woooof, Bruce was in Montréal last night. And your favorite Dudley was on location, barking and jumping up and down like a ... Mad Dog! Mind you, I kinda knew what to expect: that was my 6th Bruuuuuuce sighting since the 80/81 “River” tour. Sure, the Man and the E Street Band don’t do those 4 hour-long marathons anymore, but the guys still know how to raise the roof – and a Kennel Club!

You pups can read the reviews for yourselves, but here are a few highlights, especially for my Hamilton litter mates. The E Band opened with Night, which was a special treat for old dogs like yours truly. What really got my tail wagging, though, was hearing Roy Bittan pawing the opening notes of Because the Night ... In 28 years of Springsteen live-spotting, I had never seen him doing Because. And then on with She’s the One, The Promised Land and a clearly-audible Darkness on the Edge of Town. Of course, the show ended with Badlands.

On for the encore. Same as usual: 30 minutes of Born to Run, Dancing in the Dark, other fun stuff, and a gutt-wrenching rendition of Jungleland – the whole nine-yards-ten-minutes version, including a much too short 4 minute solo by the now 66 year old Big Man. The guys left us with that sweet Irish-sounding immigrant song American Land.

Oh! By the way! For all my Grit friends out there: Bruce made a point of telling us about the lying-war-mongering-censorshiping-wire-tapping-Guantanamo-ing stuff that’s been going on down south for 7 years now. Rings a bell for us in the Great White North? – Cadman anyone? – Censorship anyone? Let’s not wait too long. Save Canada. Throw Harper out!

Let’s Grit-it up. Let’s ALL get behind Stéphane Dion. Let’s stop the internal fighting. Look in the mirror and repeat after me: Liberal is not a 4-letter word. Let’s get rid of those Tories!

Grit-up! Wag-on.

Yours barking,

Dudley.

ps.: picture courtesy of www.backstreets.com

Introducing Michael Fortier: Typical Tory!

2007-06-12T19:17:00.000-07:00

Will He Run, or won’t He?

Meet the Honorable Michael Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services. Fortier is the ultimate Tory. Proponent of a reformed triple E Senate. Champion of accountability. Hero - should I say Herald - of Canadian democracy ... Conservative style ...

Thing is: Apparently, the Honorable Fortier rarely shows up in the Non-Triple-E Higher Chamber. Therefore, He doesn’t have to answer any question (accountability anyone?). And never mind voting on anything!

Fortier is a true and tested democrat. Way back in February 2006, days after the last Federal election, Honorable Mike declared: "I didn't run in the election because I didn't want to run in the election" – courtesy of CBC. How sweet it is ... to believe in democracy !!!!

Well! We have at least three by-elections coming up soon, here in our fair Province of Québec, Including one in Outremont. Here’s our question: Mr. Honorable Fortier, will you run???? Will you ... Or will you just collect your Senate paycheck until the next general election? We dare Ya!!!

Let’s do the Grit-Wag,
Dudley

Apocalypse Now version Baird 07

2007-04-19T19:08:00.000-07:00

Coming soon to a TV set near you: Kyoto: Doomsday Device. Canada. 2007. Dramatic-Comedy-Documentary. Starring John Baird. In this long awaited adaptation of Joseph Conrad’s “The Heart of Darkness”, Canada’s Environment Minister explains how implementing the Kyoto Protocol would bring about the end of civilization as we know it. Parental discretion is advised. Gas mask required!

How Stupid Can You Get?

2007-04-19T18:22:00.000-07:00

Just ask John McCain, he’ll sing it to you!

Right on the Money

2007-01-24T18:37:00.000-08:00

Would you believe it, Chantal Hébert in today's (January 24, 2007)Toronto Star got it right.

"These days, Quebec's influence within Canada is increasingly more useful to France's self-interest than its existence outside of it could be."

Bravo Chantal!
Three tails up for you!
Willy

Shut up Segolène! Taisez-vous madame!

2007-01-23T18:43:00.002-08:00

Les canadiens n'ont que faire de vos commentaires et de vos états d'âme sur un pays –je parle du Canada– dont vous ne semblez à peu près rien connaître. Tenez-vous en à la France!
Me permettez-vous un conseil?
Mêlez-vous de vos affaires!

"Here we go again
singing a song of love again....".

Remember the lyrics of this old song?
No! It was not written to depict the loves of "péquistes" with some French politicians who still live in their dream of "grandeur". I know that for "les péquistes" --from Lévesque to Boisclair-- it is very important to be seen in France with any French politician. Good for them. But, do these "tête-à-tête" bring contracts to our factories, put bread on the table of our workers?
Let's be realistic: we cannot expect much from France if anything. French politicians may sing love songs to Quebeckers but French businessmen invest mostly in other provinces.

Monsieur Boisclair –nom générique du péquiste-type – et ses pareils se plaisent à nous répéter que les québécois décideront seuls de leur avenir. Donc, monsieur Boisclair cessez de rechercher l'approbation puérile de nos soit-disant "cousins". Vous vous ridiculisez et par la même occasion vous nous faites honte en vous comportant comme un "quêteux".

Two tails down,
Willy

Well, well: the Dion Effect in Québec !!!

2006-12-05T20:27:00.000-08:00

Would you look at that: Here are the results of the first poll conducted here in Québec since Stéphane Dion won the Liberal Leadership. The Poll was conducted by Léger Marketing for TVA and Le Journal de Montréal (all of them sorta-separatist leaning):

Bloc Québécois: 37% (-2);
Liberals: 35% (+9);
Tories: 17% (-3);
NDP: 6% (-4).

Everyone went down - Except for us grits of course (+9)!!!!

Of course, there's always a Convention Bump (aka the Honeymoon). Still, the naysayers, the pundits and the self-proclaimed nationalist intelligentsia might want to revise their position. That's right, they're the ones who claimed that Stéphane Dion did not stand a chance in hell of winning the grit convention. They were proven wrong.

Only Yesterday, Bernard-he-of-the-red-rag-Landry declared that Dion's victory was a great step towards separation! He will be proven wrong as well!

For the first time over 2 years, the Liberal Party of Canada gets 35% here in Québec.

That TVA journalist, Paul Larocque, calls it L'Effet DION. My old Mom said "it's only a start!"

Wag on,

Dudley.

Same-Sex Marriage: Free Vote or Not?

2006-12-05T19:19:00.000-08:00

In short: NO!! Same-Sex Marriage is not a question of value; it is not a matter of ideology. The only question is: does the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom override the opinion of individual MPs? The answer is clear: YES! An older statesman once said: a Right is a Right is a Right. I agree.

The courts have made it clear that section 15 of the Charter (equality rights) does not allow discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Case closed. The only way the matter can be revisited is by using the notwithstanding clause.

Do Liberals want to re-open the debate and then use section 33 of the Charter? I don't.

Therefore, the Leader of the Official Opposition should not allow a free vote on the upcoming governmental motion. Period. No free vote.

Wag the vote

D.

Grits United!

2006-12-02T23:21:00.000-08:00

The Liberal Party of Canada is now united, and headed for victory. Apparently, there are a few disgruntled (Mal à l'aise) Québec Liberals (we're guessing Coderre, Pablo, etc..)They're more than welcome to join the new leadership and work with us towards our next victory. Otherwise, well ... there's always the BQ.

Grit on,
Dudley.

BTW: Dion Won, Chrétien is still Great!

2006-12-02T20:59:00.000-08:00

"Do not adjust your sets," Chrétien said following the rapturous applause. "What you see is what you get."

Aline Chrétien must be a very happy woman tonight! Her man is still the greatest rock star in the country. And her spiritual son, our man Stéphane, is our new leader!!

Start packing Steve, we’re taking over pretty soon!

Wag off,

Dudley

Stéphane is the Man!

2006-12-02T15:55:00.000-08:00

When he launched his campaign, they said: Even him?
Some laughed, some scoffed. Of course, the self-proclaimed Québec nationalist intelligentsia was doubtful, if not scornful.

The Man led the best campaign. Stéphane is the Man who beat the Man!

We are very proud to have endorsed Stéphane DION way back in April!!!!

Now, to Stornoway, then 24 Sussex.

Bark On,

Dudley.

THE PAW OF VICTORY!!

2006-12-02T14:22:00.000-08:00

The Paw of Victory!! Quelle Victoire pour mon Pays!!

A few days ago, we posted this picture with the caption “The Paw to Victory”!

It is now: THE PAW OF VICTORY! Quelle VICTOIRE!

The people won. The establishment lost big time. The nay Sayers lost. The country won. DION won. Welcome home Canada!!

Vive le Canada!

Wag on to victory,
Dudley.

The Smile of Victory ?!?

2006-12-02T13:22:00.000-08:00

Only a few minutes to go! This little guy looks pretty confident.

Bark it up Kyoto!

Dudley.

Fellow Liberals: Dion Will Win in Québec !!

2006-12-02T09:41:00.000-08:00

When it comes to federal politics, never listen to Québec pundits.They will tell you that DION won't fly in Québec. That's what Chantal Hébert says; that's what Jean Lapierre says; that's what Frulla says. Right?

They're WRONG!

DION will improve the LPC performance in Québec. Don't be fooled. The same people who are telling you right now that Stéphane DION will not fly in Québec were telling you only 2 months ago that DION didn't stand a chance in the Leadership race!

They don't know a thing. They have an agenda.

Wag on for DION to the end,

Dudley.

KenneDION

2006-12-02T09:34:00.000-08:00

The Future of our Party!

MomenDION

2006-12-01T21:37:00.000-08:00

Stéphane in third place after first ballot! I'd say were looking pretty good right now. I can hear barks of joy coming from all over. Even Don Newman looks impressed! I know of quite a few people who will have very short nights.

Wag on,
Bark on,

Dudley

The Speeches: My Ratings

2006-12-01T19:34:00.000-08:00

Here's what it looked like from the confort of my living room:

1. Best content: Stéphane Dion.
2. Most inspiring: Ken Dryden.
3. Most likeable: Scott Brison.
4. Honorable mention for guts: Martha Hall Findlay.
5. Most predictable: Bob Rae.
6. The "I really like the guy, but still can't totally figure him out" award: Gerard Kennedy.
7. OK: Joe Volpe.
8. I already wrote what I thought of Iggy's allocution: A whole lot of Hot Air! Empty words.

Sleep tight!
Dudley.

Iggy: Empty Words

2006-12-01T18:15:00.001-08:00

Here is my account of the Michael Ignatieff speech (I actually took notes):
Hope-Opportunity-Future-Challenge-Democracy-Confidence-Spirit-National Unity-Conviction-Vision.

Empty words. Hot-air. Nothing concrete. Am I the only one to think that Iggy actually has nothing but hype to bring to the table? I just don't get it.

Review of Dion, Kennedy and Rae speeches to come.

Dudley.

Volpe Goes Rae

2006-12-01T18:15:00.000-08:00

As of 9:15 pm, Joe Volpe just threw his support behind Bob Rae. How many Volpe delegates will follow? I saw a lot of long faces in the Volpe camp! I guess Mr. Volpe can sleep in Saturday morning.

D.

Dryden: He Shoots, He Scores !

2006-12-01T15:51:00.000-08:00

Ken Dryden is giving, as I write this, an inspiring, inspirational, moving and very substantial speech. He reminds us all of what it means to be Canadian. Values, values, values! This guy will play a HUGE role in our next (soon to be) Liberal government.

You said it Mr. 29: I want my Canada back!

Now to our man Stéphane!

Wag on,
D.

Lyle Vanclief for Dion

2006-12-01T13:31:00.000-08:00

Apparently, Lyle Vanclief is walking around with our man Dion.
Keep 'em coming.

Let's Van!
Wag on,

Dudley with files from Jules.

Allan Rock Supports Dion !

2006-12-01T13:17:00.000-08:00

Our man Stéphane Dion just entered the main Convention Hall flanked by the Hon. Allan Rock along with hundreds of very vocal supporters.
Rock for Dion - I Love It!!!

Rock on,
Dudley.

An Early Christmas Gift !?!

2006-11-30T21:19:00.000-08:00

Think it through. Choose wisely. Pick the man with the dog!
Wag on,
Dudley.

National Executive Elections: Consider Marc Lavigne!

2006-11-30T20:51:00.000-08:00

We will not only be choosing a new Leader this weekend. Numerous executive positions are up for grabs as well. Marc Lavigne is running for Chair, Standing Committee Organization. Marc has been working his tail off for many-many years now. He deserves our vote!

En plus de choisir un nouveau chef, nous devons dans les prochains jours élire plusieurs membres de l’exécutif national du Parti. Marc Lavigne est candidat au poste de Président de la Commission permanente, organisation. Marc est un militant de longue date. Il n’a jamais compté ses heures. Il mérite notre appui!

D&J

La Devoir endorses Iggy! Oops...

2006-11-30T11:47:00.000-08:00

Le Devoir endorses Michael Ignatieff. The endorsement of a separatist paper such as Le Devoir, hum! Is that really the kind of support a Liberal needs?

As you were,

Dudley.

The Paw to Victory!

2006-11-28T20:44:00.000-08:00

L'effet Kyoto Effect, courtesy of Mtl Downtown.

Dogs everywhere: Unite!
Wag on and bark it up,
Dudley.

In Praise of Louise Arbour

2006-11-28T20:02:00.000-08:00

It never ceases to amaze me how some people can lose all sense of objectivity when dealing with the Middle-East mess. In Today’s National Post, one Jonathan Kay tries to take Louise Arbour to the cleaner for stating the following:

"In [the case of Hezbollah] you could have, for instance, a very objectionable intent -- the intent to harm civilians, which is very bad -- but effectively not a lot of harm is actually achieved," she said. "[But] how can you compare that with [Israel,] where you may not have an intent but you have recklessness [in which] civilian casualties are foreseeable? The culpability or the intent may not sound as severe, but the actual harm is catastrophic."

The self-proclaimed learned columnist then goes on:

"Like terrorist armies in Iraq and Afghanistan, Hezbollah soldiers deliberately take cover in villages and cities, exploiting their enemy's reluctance to recklessly endanger unarmed civilians. The laws of war are quite clear about what happens when these tactics result in civilian casualties: It is the terrorists, not their enemies, who are guilty of the war crime."

So Jonathan Kay takes it upon himself to teach Louise Arbour a thing or two about the Laws of War?

Well, Mr. Kay, I don’t know your credentials. But if you really think that Madame Louise Arbour needs a lecture from you on Humanitarian Law and the Laws of War, you are sadly mistaking, or worse. The woman knows her stuff. I'm a retired lawyer, and I could not hold a candle to her. Can you?

Whatever your position on the Middle-East situation may be, I’m quite sure that Madame Justice Arbour, a world-renowned jurist, a pillar of Canada’s legal community, knows a lot more about the Laws of War than Mr. Kay. Zip it up, Mr. Post columnist.

Tails up for Louise Arbour,

Dudley.

Front-Page Dog

2006-11-27T22:58:00.000-08:00

Lib Blogger Mtl Downtown beat us to it, but we’ll still post this beautiful picture of Kyoto and that other guy. Front page of the Sunday Montréal Gazette.

After all, dogs of a litter wag together,

Dudley.

The Dion Momentum

2006-11-27T22:04:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Hammering Jow (sorry, no link) for pointing out this latest CTV story. According to the latest Strategic Counsel poll, Stéphane Dion seems poised to become the favourite "second choice" for delegates to the Liberal leadership convention. The sample is impressive: 1,622 delegates.

Read the whole story here . Here’s an extract:

"As the top second choice, it's former cabinet minister Dion who is showing the most momentum going into this week's convention.
Dion, a Quebec MP, has a substantial lead in that area over the other candidates, finds the poll of 1,622 delegates.
Here are the rankings of the four top candidates on the second choice question (the percentage point change from a September poll of 1,000 Liberal party members is in brackets):

• Dion: 23 per cent (+10)
• Gerard Kennedy: 13 per cent (+5)
• Bob Rae: 10 per cent (-13)
• Michael Ignatieff: 6 per cent (-6)"

This could a long Saturday...this could be a great day...

Wag on,

Dudley

Dion: Still the One

2006-11-27T20:03:00.000-08:00

I know exactly where I stand on that whole nation issue. I have known where I stand for about twenty years. But I’m still working on the exact wording – It’s not always easy being a French-Canadian-Federalist-Québécois (you can call me Quebecer, I won’t mind) – but I’ll get to it soon enough. For now, I can tell you that the whole "Nation thing" is a bloody mess. And yes, I do blame Mr. Ignatieff for initiating that mess.

In the meantime, here’s my favourite quote of the day, courtesy of The Toronto Star:

Bonnie Brown (Oakville) is backing Dion, saying she likes his "rigorous intellectual discipline."
"I think we're going to need that in the next election to make sure the team moves forward together," Brown said. "I like to know that my leader is the leader and is not dithering.
"I think he's the one who can unite the party. ... He's very good at pulling people together, at finding consensus and compromise," Brown said.

In other words, whatever my position on the Nation motion, I will still support Stéphane Dion. A leader must be a leader, not a one-issue wonder.

Dudley.

Conservative Minister Michael Chong Quits Harper Cabinet

2006-11-27T13:30:00.000-08:00

This just in: Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Michael Chong quits cabinet. He declared in his press conference that he just can’t vote in favour of the Québécois Nation motion. He won’t accept the concept of ethnic nationalism. Says he’ll stay in Tory caucus. To be continued.

Dudley.

Welcome to Montréal Part 1: Where to Eat!

2006-11-26T20:57:00.000-08:00

Dear fellow grits,

So, you’re coming to our fair city for the Montréal Liberal Leadership Convention? There are literally thousands of great restaurants. You can of course spend hundreds of dollars on "Fine-Cuisine". But if you really want a taste of real Montréal food, at an affordable price, here are a few classics, as recommended by the Alter Boys:

Best Smoke Meat in town: Reuben’s.

Best Hamburger in town, hands down: La Paryse .

You’re in the mood for great coffee and a huge tuna sandwich? Run to the Café Santropol.

A must for Vegetarians: Le Commensal .

Except for the Santropol, all locations are within walking distance from the Palais des Congrès. Just follow the links for addresses, phone numbers and a detailed map on how to get there!

Food: It's good for you; always have enough!

Wag on, eat on!
Dudley

Kyoto Superstar

2006-11-24T18:48:00.000-08:00

Here is your Friday night smile. After six months of campaigning on behalf of his favourite human candidate, Kyoto Dion finally made his first appearance on national television on Thursday night. Watch it here.

Unfortunately, our beloved Husky was unable to land a delegate spot for the upcoming Montréal Convention – apparently, only two-legged units were eligible. Go figure!

Not to worry: sources tell us that Kyoto has found a very vocal way to make his presence felt at the Leadership Convention. Keep your ears wide open!

Wag on, Bark on,

Dudley

That Nation Notion: Harper Sticks it to Duceppe

2006-11-22T15:06:00.000-08:00

I am not a big Steve Harper fan. But I will always give credit when credit is due. Furthermore, I will applaud anytime a federalist proves he's smarter than a separatist. So here goes:

As expected, Gilles “The-man-with-the-great-pension-plan” Duceppe rose in the Commons Today and moved that “This House recognize Québec as a nation”. PM Steve then moved that “Québec forms a nation within a united Canada”. Looks like all three federalist parties in the House will actually vote in favour of this amendment.

What will the Bloc do? How could they not see this curve-ball coming? Are they going to oppose the amendment, by the same token rejecting the Nation recognition because Canada, to them, is a dirty four-letter word?

Duceppe thought he could set a trap for everyone to fall in. Look who’s got his finger in the mouse-trap now.

As much as I hate to say it: kudos to Stephen Harper.

PS: I still disagree with the nation thing. Québec is a territory, not a people. And keep in mind that I’m a Québec French Canadian. But I know a great political play when I see one!

Now, can we please get back to important issues? Economy, health care, environment...

Wag on,

Dudley

Vive le Canada français!

2006-11-22T11:15:00.000-08:00

Le gouvernement du Québec a diffusé ce matin un communiqué qui passera probablement inaperçu au milieu de la tourmente médiatique causée par la spectaculaire opération policière qui s'est déroulée à Montréal. Je trouve tout de même la nouvelle importante et c'est pourquoi je me permet de vous en reproduire un court extrait :

LE MINISTRE BENOIT PELLETIER HEUREUX DE SA VISITE A SUDBURY

QUÉBEC, le 22 nov. /CNW Telbec/ - Le ministre responsable des Affaires intergouvernementales canadiennes et de la Francophonie canadienne, M. Benoît Pelletier, était de passage à Sudbury, les 20 et 21 novembre. Il s'agissait d'un premier séjour pour le ministre dans une communauté francophone à la suite du lancement de la nouvelle Politique du Québec en matière de francophonie canadienne et l'annonce de la création du Centre de la francophonie des Amériques, respectivement les 7 et 16 novembre derniers.

Au cours de la première partie de sa visite à Sudbury, M. Pelletier a été accueilli par les membres du club Richelieu, à qui il a pu souligner à quel point, à travers les causes qui les animent, leur organisme et le Québec partagent une vision commune et dynamique de l'avenir des francophones en terre d'Amérique.

C'est rafraîchissant de voir le gouvernement québécois reprendre son rôle de leader de la francophonie canadienne. Il n'y a pas si longtemps qu'on essayait de nous faire croire que les francos hors-Québec constituaient une espèce en voie d'extinction. C'était bien commode pour certains représentants de notre classe politique et, surtout, ça permettait de donner bonne conscience à ceux qui voulaient les laisser tomber en se séparant du Canada.

C'est un sujet dont je reparlerai certainement très bientôt.

J.

Ignatieff interview on Radio-Canada: Whatever!

2006-11-20T20:47:00.000-08:00

In the first of a series of reports on the four main candidates in the Liberal leadership race, Michael Ignatieff was on Radio-Canada tonight, interviewed by Patrice Roy. Here are a few kibbles and bits.

On Lebanon: Asked how he could declare one day that he “wasn’t losing sleep over Qana” and then state, shortly after, that what took place in Qana was a “War Crime”, Iggy answered that three weeks had elapsed between those two declarations. “I learned a lot of things during those three weeks; you have to understand how politics work.”

If Iggy actually needs to “learn his trade” to know where he stands on issues such as the Qana bombings, I’m not impressed.

On the Afghanistan question: Iggy justified his vote in favour of extending our mission until 2009 this way: “Our brave men and women need to know that we are behind them.” In other words, if you’re against our mission in Afghanistan, you’re not supporting the troops. Sounds like Bush-talk to me.

On the nation notion: we were shown an extract from Iggy’s 1993 “Blood and Belonging” documentary. Referring to a French Canadian hockey player named (I think) Denis Rousseau, here’s what Iggy had to say: “Rousseau and I have a lot of things in common. But we don’t share the same nation, because I am English and he is French. Because we don’t share the same nation, we can’t love the same state.”

What does that mean exactly? I’m a born and bred Montreal French Canadian, and I love Canada as much as the next guy, whether he lives in Toronto or Caraquet. However, Michael Ignatieff now contends that Québec itself is a nation. So, is it a language thing, or a territorial thing? Is my Anglophone next-door neighbour part of the nation? Did Mr. Ignatieff just change his mind? Did his years abroad blur his mind? Does he actually know what he’s talking about?

Finally, without being asked, Mr. Ignatieff states that “I say what I mean: I’m no adventurer in politics!” I’m sorry, but the more I hear him talk, the more I believe that politics is indeed just another adventure in Iggy’s life. And frankly, I don’t know what he means or thinks.

Two Tails down,

Dudley

Steve and Human Rights

2006-11-17T20:46:00.000-08:00

Dear Mr. Harper,

I hope you’re having a nice time in East Asia. I hear you have been pretty busy discussing and promoting Human Rights. Could you please show the same resolve when you come back home. It’s quite simple: forget about reopening the same-sex marriage file. Equality is, after all, a basic Human Right. Isn’t it?

I understand that you have to make good on your promise. I realise that you must keep your right-wing base happy. But surely, Human Rights should be respected here as well as in Vietnam. Don’t you think?

Here’s a thought: how about discussing and promoting Human Rights with your very own conservative supporters? Just tell them about section 15 of the Charter. Isn’t that simple enough? That will be cheaper than a round-trip to Hanoi.

Ps: While you're at it, please tell Rona Ambrose to shut up.

Wag on,

Dudley

Un pas dans la bonne direction?

2006-11-17T05:20:00.000-08:00

Enfin une bonne nouvelle. La BBC rapporte qu’une entente serait intervenue entre l’ONU et le gouvernement soudanais quant à la présence de Peacekeepers pour appuyer les forces de l’Union africaine. Ce n’est qu’un début, j’en conviens, mais les millions de réfugiés entassés dans des camps sur le territoire soudanais et autour de la frontière avec le Tchad attendent cette aide avec impatience.

À suivre…

J.

Iggy to NDPers: Leave your Ghetto!

2006-11-16T17:42:00.000-08:00

I am not an expert in diplomacy, but I am quite convinced that statements like these are not the best way to encourage NDPers to vote Liberal:

"What Liberals need is someone who can run down the middle with a progressive message, and leave the NDP in their own particular ghetto."

Note to Mr. Ignatieff: belittling your opponent seldom works up here, in Canada.

This is just the latest offering from the man who already brought us gems such as: “Kyoto is a liability”, “I don’t know if I’ll run, depends on who’s the leader” and this timeless hit: “I’m not losing sleep over Qana!”

This is getting tiresome.

Tails down,

Dudley

« Cheap Politics »

2006-11-15T13:24:00.000-08:00

Je crois n’avoir jamais été aussi embarrassé qu’aujourd’hui, quand j'ai entendu Rona Ambrose, la ministre canadienne de l'environnement, affirmer sans rire que c'était la faute aux libéraux si le Canada ne respectait pas ses engagements de Kyoto! Passe encore si elle avait été à la Période de questions, ou sur la route en campagne électorale. Mais en tant que représentante du Canada, lors d’une conférence des Nations Unies!?!? Quelle humiliation…

Le grand « Puppet Master » Stephen Harper était probablement trop loin, à Moscou, pour pouvoir la téléguider convenablement et nous apprendrons sans doute demain que les paroles de Miss A. ont certainement dépassé la pensée de son Premier ministre.
WhatEver!!

J.

Justin Trudeau: Iggy all over the place!

2006-11-13T15:28:00.000-08:00

In an interview to air - or aired, depending on when you read this - tonight around 7:30 pm on RDI (Le Réseau de l’Information), Justin Trudeau calls Mr. Ignatieff’s positions "all over the place" (éparpillé is the word he used in French). "One thing is for sure, says Mr. Trudeau, whether you agreed with him or not, you always knew where my father stood".

Well, we agree. Mr. Ignatieff’s intellectual gymnastics (read flexibility) doesn’t sit well with us pups either. What we need, you guessed it, is Clarity.

From the looks of it, Trudeau does not seem to be very enthusiastic about Mr. Rae’s candidacy either. While he hasn’t made up his mind yet, he invites delegates to take a close look at Gerard Kennedy and Stéphane Dion.

Wag on,
Dudley

Non au conservatisme

2006-11-08T09:09:00.000-08:00

Les États-Uniens ont parlé clairement hier. Ils en ont assez de la gestion partisane des Républicains de George W. Bush. Ils sont fatigués de la façon dont la guerre en Iraq est menée. Ils ne veulent plus voir leur pays régit par la droite religieuse. C’est un message clair au Républicain. Reste à savoir si le Parti démocrate tirera avantage de sa nouvelle position de pouvoir car ce vote est d’abord et avant tout un de rejet des conservateurs. Ce n’est pas un vote de confiance envers les libéraux ni une volonté de revenir à des politiques de gauche. Les deux prochaines années seront cruciales pour le Parti démocrate car il devra faire la preuve, non seulement qu’il peut gouverner efficacement, mais également qu’il a quelque chose de concret à proposer à la population − quelque chose qui lui convienne.

Ce résultat constitue aussi un avertissement pour les Conservateurs de chez nous. Si nos voisins du Sud, pour qui les valeurs conservatrices sont toujours bien vivantes, mettent les Républicains dehors, que feront les Canadiens d’un parti qui tenterait de leur imposer des politiques un peu trop à droite?

J.

Halloween - Or Why Dogs Sometimes Hate Humans

2006-11-01T21:10:00.000-08:00

There you have it, folks: Charlie and Lester, winners of our dogs-only Halloween costume contest party, held last night in our crib. We had about 30 participants, including Peter MacKay, who, sadly, was wearing the same costume he had on 2 weeks ago! Needless to say, he was disqualified!

Wag on, Dog lovers,
Dudley.

Glenn Gould, There and Bach again

2006-10-29T15:23:00.000-08:00

If you missed Glenn Gould: Hereafter, shown Saturday night on Bravo, try and catch it some other time. It’s a must see: Never before seen footage and new testimonials. But most importantly: the music. Gould playing Bach, back and Bach again. Watch it if you can. It is so Canadian.

Your pups will thank you for it!

Dudley.

That Nation Notion: What Is It Good For?

2006-10-27T20:58:00.000-07:00

One just knows that something is definitely wrong with the idea of formally recognizing Québec as a nation, when you see Bernard Landry, Denis Coderre, Pablo Rodriguez and Claude Morin (Claude Morin!!!) all agreeing that Nationalism is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Well, folks, you can’t have it both ways:

1. Either recognizing Québec as a nation is a symbolic gesture, in which case it is useless, childish and dangerously divisive;

2. Or nationhood actually means something concrete, in which case in means reopening the constitutional can of worms, either by entrenching an interpretative clause in the Charter or by amending sections 91 and 92 of said Constitution.

Take your pick; you can’t just sit on the fence.

I know where I stand. I stand with Jean Chrétien: Forget the whole thing!.

Wag on,
Dudley

Bernard Landry, Yes Sir!

2006-10-27T15:00:00.000-07:00

Jules and I just came in from our afternoon walk. The rumour around the fire hydrant is that Bernard Landry is expecting an invitation to pronounce the keynote address at our upcoming Liberal Leadership Convention.

After a few opening remarks regarding Red Rags and the textile industry in general, Mr. Landry will explain to us grits that recognizing Québec’s nationhood will be “beneficial to all Canadians because it will prepare said Canadians for the next natural step: the independence of Québec” – rough translation of Landry’s words on (LCN) Le Canal Nouvelles this morning.

Yes, Mr. Landry loves Canada so much that he wants to make sure we don’t get caught off guard! Non merci, Monsieur Landry.

You can read Mr. Landry’s illuminating thoughts in ma langue maternelle here. Enjoy.

What a mess!

You may also want to read Don Martin in Today’s Calgary Herald. For once, I agree with him.

Yes sir, what a mess!

Tails down,
Dudley

Dion in English: Plain, Simple and True

2006-10-25T21:50:00.000-07:00

Here is, courtesy of Cherniak and Fadi the English translation of the Dion piece on the Nation Notion.

To quote Fadi:

"There is not one leadership candidate other than Stéphane Dion that has given more thought and effort to the question of Quebec's nationhood or Canada's unity out there at this time. He brings years of experience on the subject, and has fought for Canada's unity harder than any of the current leadership candidates."

Enough said.

Dudley

That Nation Notion: The Straight Dope en Français

2006-10-25T19:54:00.000-07:00

Here is the Stéphane Dion piece, published in La Presse Today, about the “Québec is a nation” resolution nonsense. Sorry, only the French version is available for now.

Suffice it to say that Stéphane, just like us Alter Boys, was born and raised in our fair province of Québec. He also spent most of his adult life here. Dion knows his stuff. He fought and bled for us Francophone Federalists.

Some people don’t want to hear the inconvenient truth, but Stéphane tells it like it is. No nationalist nonsense, no pandering, no pussy-footing: Just the straight dope. If you can read French, get to it now. If not, we’ll try to translate and post it as soon as possible.

For now, here are a few bits in French:

"Alors voici ma position: je suis fier de faire partie de la nation québécoise au sein du Canada. La reconnaissance constitutionnelle de cet état de fait, bien que souhaitable, n'est pas nécessaire, car rien ne nous empêche, nous les Québécois, de jouer pleinement notre rôle et de réussir dans ce formidable terrain d'action qu'est pour nous le Canada, pays que nous avons puissamment contribué à bâtir.

Rien ne justifie que nous renoncions à notre appartenance canadienne. Une telle rupture serait une tragédie pour nous-mêmes, nos enfants et les générations futures. Nous ne devrions pas être encouragés à commettre une telle erreur sur la base d'une reconnaissance souhaitable mais non nécessaire. Telle est ma position, et je suis bien sûr intéressé à en débattre car je ne sous-estime pas l'importance des reconnaissances et des symboles. Mais je ne crois pas qu'il nous faille demander aux autres Canadiens une reconnaissance avant que nous ayons clarifié ce que nous cherchons à obtenir par là."

Some bloggers would have you believe that all of us Franco-Québécois Liberals are rabid nationalists dreaming of some special recognition, as if we were teenagers in need of special care. It just isn’t true.

Some would have you believe that pandering to the nationalist self-proclaimed elite is the only way to win Québec. It just isn’t true.

We Québécois vote for those who stand tall and firm for Canada. Otherwise … well just think of Paul Martin jr. and John Napier Turner.

Tails up,

Dudley

Peter MacKay Getting ready for Halloween

2006-10-23T19:15:00.000-07:00

Much has been said and written about Peter Foreign-Potato-Field-Affairs MacKay’s latest pronouncement on Belinda, Dogs and the likes. The truth, according to us Alter Boys, is that being compared to a dog is actually a compliment!

The only exception: this picture of Pete-the-Mac in his Halloween/Condi Rice worshipper costume.

Jules says: He who dismisses Dogs will soon find himself and his brethren in opposition. Miss Stronach, on the other hand, will land a cabinet seat.

Wag On, jilted loverboy!

Dudley

Grits in Montréal: Iggy Cheerleaders Show Their True Colours

2006-10-23T13:54:00.000-07:00

As you can see from the picture, Jules and I are on attack mode. Watching the short bits and pieces of the Saturday debate that were shown on TV, I was suddenly brought back, in memory, to the days I spent in student politics at the Université de Montréal (Law school, late 80’s). The student body was then, as it is probably nowadays, 60-70% nationalists/péquistes/separatists. Anytime one would raise an issue or ask a question that made them feel uncomfortable, the hurly-burly, the heckling and the booing would start. Anything to shut down the opponent! Now I'm not comparing the Liberal crowd to a separatist assembly...just their behaviour.

Full disclosure: I did not attend the Montréal bash, but a fellow pup tells me the TV bits were dead on.

Is this really what the Ignatieff crowd is all about? Heckling and booing? Rae and Dion raised valid points, whether you agree with them or not. They asked questions that need to be asked and answered. Bob and Stéphane did not invent anything nor did they put words in Iggy’s mouth. They quoted him, and asked questions. Isn’t Ignatieff supposed to be “a superior intellect”? Can’t he just explain himself, answer for himself? Does he have to rely on a crowd of booing cheerleaders?

Dissension Delivered puts it better than I could, when he writes, here, about Michael Ignatieff and his worshippers:

"For a campaign who gets so upset by the notion of an anybody-but campaign, he sure provides other campaigns with all the reason to pursue such a strategy.

Moreover, it's pretty rich for the Ignatieff campaign, represented by people like Antonio and Alex, to talk about party unity. Their motto is simple: divide and (hopefully?) conquer. They support the most divisive candidate in the race, and their actions (and those of similarly minded pro-Ignatieff supporters) are a big reason why he is so divisive. "

I will add that the Iggy campaign is beginning to look more and more like the Martin crowd, circa 2003-2005: Stifle yourself, you ingrate dissenter! We all know were that led us! Are we going to make that same mistake again?

Well, I have a hunch that the Dion, Rae and Kennedy crowd will not shut up.

I just read Fuddle Duddle’s latest rant, and I’ll get back to it later on. But if Michel C. Auger’s and Chantal Hébert’s opinion is all they have to fall back on, they’re in trouble.

My fellow pups and I are in a very bad mood. And it’s certainly not because we’re desperate, as some would have you believe

Three Pillars for Three Dogs

2006-10-13T20:11:00.000-07:00

When Stéphane Dion launched his campaign for the Liberal leadership, he made his three pillars platform crystal clear: Economy, Environment, and Social Justice. He called it: The Virtuous Circle. We Alter Boys got right on board. So did countless others. Now is the time for all Dion supporters to get involved!

Stéphane Dion knows why he’s running. He has a vision. He knows what he stands for. No ambiguity. No pussy-footing. No retraction or clarification needed. Help Stéphane become the next Liberal Alpha Dog. Make sure that Stéphane Dion is the next Prime Minister of Canada.

Click here to contribute to Stéphane’s campaign.

Thanks to everyone who helped make Dog Lovers for Dion Days a success.

Wag On!

Senior Dogs for National Unity

2006-10-13T08:23:00.000-07:00

As part of Dog Lovers Days for Dion, meet our Grandpa Willy, an old Montréal grit who started his organizing and fundraising career under PM Louis St-Laurent! Now retired, Willy strongly supports Stéphane Dion. His main reason for doing so is the same as ours: Dion is a dedicated and unwavering federalist. Here in Québec, says Grandpa, that counts.

Stéphane always stood up to the separatists and the self-proclaimed nationalist intelligentsia. He never backed down and stayed true to his principles, even when insulted and ridiculed by pundits and cartoonists.

When it comes to defending Canada, adds Willy, Stéphane Dion is a tireless and fearless fighter: He just won’t let go of the bone! He’s the Leader we need.

A fearless federalist and a true Canadian, Dion’s got Grandpa Willy’s support paws down!

If you want to help Stéphane become Liberal Alpha Dog come December in Montréal, click to donate here.

Only twelve hours left to Dog Lovers for Dion Days; Get involved!

Dudley and Jules

Bulldogs for Sustainable Development

2006-10-12T11:03:00.000-07:00

As we all know, our furry friends are very preoccupied with environmental issues. That is especially true for our Bulldog Brother Jules. Jules needs Canada to get serious about Climate Change, and Stéphane is the man to do it!

You can learn more on Stéphane Dion’s Plan on Energy and Climate Change here.

Help Jules and Stéphane Dion build a Sustainable Canada. Participate in Dog Lovers for Dion Days. Donate here. This link will take you directly to the Dion site.

Vous voulez contribuer en français? cliquez ici.

Dog Lovers for Dion: Unite!

2006-10-11T23:15:00.000-07:00

Here is Kyoto, dreaming of the green backyards of Stornoway and 24 Sussex! Help send Kyoto-Husky-Dion, Stéphane’s number one supporter and adviser, move to Ottawa…

You support Stéphane Dion? You just love dogs?

You always wanted to contribute to the Dion campaign but never had time to do so? Now is the time!

This is the final stretch. Help Stéphane Dion become Liberal Alpha Dog. Now is the time!!!

Contribute as little as you can, as much as you want: $10, $25, $50, $100. Every donation counts.

All you have to do is click on the Dion Revolution Button on the right of your screen!

Let’s get involved!

A Leader Must be a Leader

2006-10-11T18:34:00.000-07:00

Much has been said and written over the last few days about the latest Michael Ignatieff pronouncement about last summer’s Lebanon/Israel conflict. Just visit LibLogs to see what I’m talking about. Here’s my take.

A Leader must be a Leader. He can not change his tune every other day. On the Lebanon/Israel conflict, he must not say WHITE in August and BLACK in October. A Leader does not say one thing in Ontario and the contrary in Québec.

A Leader does not say that he "was not losing sleep" over the Qana bombing and then turn around and say that said bombing was a "War Crime".

A true Leader keeps his cool and doesn’t change his tune just because he’s on TV’s Tout le monde en parle. A Leader: that is not what I saw on TV last Sunday night.

Sorry, Mr. Ignatieff. You are no Leader.

Two tails down,

Dudley

Here Come DOG LOVERS for DION DAYS!

2006-10-11T17:55:00.000-07:00

On the picture: Kyoto Dion telling Stéphane about DOG LOVERS for DION DAYS, a Wagging two-day fundraising event…

You support Stéphane Dion? You love dogs? A furry friend shares and enlightens your everyday life? Well, here come the DOG LOVERS for DION DAYS (DLDD): Thursday and Friday, October 12 and 13, 2006!

You want to make sure that Stéphane Dion becomes the Liberal Alpha Dog? Well, this is your chance. On October 12 and 13, donate a few dollars to the Dion campaign. Keep posted and follow the link to the Dion Button.

Support Stéphane and Kyoto!

See you on Thursday and Friday for DOG LOVERS for DION DAYS! Just visit the Alter Boys and a few of your favourite Bloggers.

Wag On.

Dudley and Jules

Energy and Climate Change

2006-10-07T23:19:00.000-07:00

Liberal Outsider is asking where Dion was. That is a fair question. I don’t know exactly where Stéphane Dion was when a certain vote on Kyoto/Environment took place in Parliament. What I do know is that Dion has the most detailed and comprehensive Policy Plan on Energy and Climate Change . A 55 pages plan on Energy, Climate Change and Environment, as opposed to a few pages by some of his fellow candidates: that is good enough for me!

D.

When in London, Look up Berlin ... and Trudeau!

2006-10-07T21:42:00.000-07:00

Great piece by Globe and Mail London correspondent Doug Saunders in this Saturday’s paper (Focus – F3) - sorry, just a partial link: you have to subscribe. It’s all about the influence of one Isaiah Berlin on Bob Rae and Michael Ignatieff. Basically: Negative Liberty versus Positive Liberty. Which comes first? Actually, Liberty versus Equality: which comes first? Or is it Political Liberalism versus Social Democracy? So many questions, so little time!

Whatever your position, it’s a must-read. Read it and answer this question: based on the Saunders piece, which of the two, Rae or Ignatieff, would have Pierre Trudeau voted for? You must keep in mind, of course, that I’m a Dion supporter.

If you can give me the precise quote from Trudeau’s writings, you win … my eternal respect. Sorry, no $$$.

Read on,
Wag on,
Dudley.

Dog Lovers for Dion: Unite!

2006-10-05T17:51:00.000-07:00

Dog Lovers for Dion Days are around the corner! One week to DLDD!

There you have it: Every picture tells a thousand stories. Here is Kyoto telling Stéphane about his Master Plan: Dog Lovers for Dion Days are coming, barks the snowy-white husky! One week left before DLDD. Thursday October 12 and Friday October 13, 2006 are Dog Lovers for Dion Days. Get Ready to Send Stéphane and Kyoto to Stornaway, then to 24 Sussex. DLDD: Don't miss it. Stay tuned.

More details coming soon...

Wag it,
Dudley and Jules

The Week in Review

2006-10-05T13:29:00.000-07:00

Here's a very short sample of what selected columnists and pundits had to say this week after Super Weekend.

Warren Kinsella, on October 2, pretty much sticks to his guns: "Who is going to win? Dion and Ignatieff will be the names on the final ballot. Going way, way out on a limb? Iggy has got a big, big lead. But Dalton McGuinty was the fourth or fifth-place contender in the 1996 Ontario Liberal Party race. He stuck to it, and he won after a long, long night. Dion reminds me more and more of Dalton McGuinty – and Dalton ended up doing rather well, didn’t he?"

For her part, Sheila Copps, without going as far as predicting a win in December, argues that Kennedy is the one to watch.

Toronto Star’s Chantal Hébert seems impressed with Ignatieff’s campaign as well as his chances. On Monday, she had hailed Kennedy as "The likely Kingmaker".

Michel C. Auger, from La Presse, argues that an "Anybody but Ignatieff" movement is very unlikely to succeed.

Globe and Mail columnist Jeffrey Simpson (sorry, no link), had this to say:
"Mr. Dion has enough support in both Ontario and Quebec to remain credible. To put matters upside down: He didn’t win either province but he didn’t bomb, as did Mr. Rae in Ontario and Mr. Kennedy in Quebec."

James Travers , for his part, reminds us that Liberals are a pragmatic bunch: "At its calculating end, the Montreal convention will match the contenders against Stephen Harper, hold its nose and pragmatically vote for the one most likely to win another early election."

Finally, Michel Vastel , in L’actualité, opines that all four main candidates have cause for disappointment, except for Gerard Kennedy. According to Vastel: Rae is not strong enough in Ontario; Dion: not enough delegates in Québec; Iggy: 30% is altogether lower than expected.

As for me: I say it’s too early to tell. But you all know who the Alter Boys are rooting for…

But this I know: the candidates’ main challenge will be to get all their elected delegates to Montréal. Much too expensive if you ask me. Ultimately, that will also be the Party’s main challenge! Yes, I know the rules ... Every delegate for himself, right?

Next time, let's have a one member, one vote election. Don't you agree?

Wag on,
Dudley

Stéphane Dion: Going for the Cup

2006-10-03T20:11:00.000-07:00

Stéphane Dion is here to stay. Only 48 hours after Super Weekend (with 60 meetings still to report, mind you!) and the Rumour Mill is already spinning full circle! The first rumour, being reported by Liberal Life and Times, would have us believe that Stéphane Dion is about to drop out and support Kennedy. This is sheer nonsense. To his credit, Liberal Life and Times dismisses this nonsense as being supported by NO EVIDENCE at all.

The other rumour, coming from a friendly source - not on the Blogosphere yet, as far as I know – would have Stéphane drop out to throw his support to Bob Rae. Says my reliable source - in French:

« La rumeur a commencé à circuler sur Internet et dans les médias que S. Dion s'apprêtait à se joindre à Bob Rae. Il n'en est pas question. Stéphane est sur les rangs pour y rester. Il sera encore de la course au dernier tour de scrutin le 2 décembre au Palais des congrès de Montréal. »

In other words, Stéphane Dion is there to stay; he’s fighting to win. He’s not dropping out, he’ll be there at the Montréal Convention, and he intends to be on the last ballot!

Now: are we going to play nice and focus on policy? Or are we going to spread baseless rumours?

I’ll leave you with that simple question: who benefits from these rumours?

Sleep tight!
Three tails up for Dion,
Dudley, with files from Jules.

Star Editorial and a Few Questions

2006-10-03T09:09:00.000-07:00

Today’s Toronto Star editorial on the leadership race paints a pretty accurate picture, if you ask me. Read the whole thing. In the meantime, here are few bits:

"(…) The Liberal party has achieved what many pundits said several months ago was impossible — a vibrant race among four high-quality candidates with fresh ideas and policy initiatives that could prove to be a formidable alternative to the Conservatives in the next election."

"(…) because this has been a remarkably civil race so far, a strong Liberal team is likely to emerge, regardless of who is chosen leader."

"As well as evident strengths, each of these four candidates has their perceived weaknesses, which were also highlighted in the results of the weekend vote and which each of them must address in the coming weeks."

Moving on...

Q. Where are those missing 60 meetings that haven’t reported yet? Are they all mail-ins?
Q. Does anybody know where to find riding by riding results?

Keep wagging,
Dudley.

Glued to the Screen

2006-10-02T14:00:00.000-07:00

So, Super Weekend has come and gone. First, let me add my voice to everyone who already praised the LPC for the Delegate Ticker. Thanks for a job well done. Below is a picture of the Alter Boys (from left to right: Lil’ sister Java, Jules and myself, Dudley) glued to the computer screen for three whole days – in between naps, of course. Needless to say, we slept in this morning!

As of 17:00 eastern time Today, there are still 60 meetings left to report, (20 in Ontario, 14 in Québec) but the general picture is pretty clear. Comments and analysis coming soon. Till then, let's nap!

Please note that Count-down to Dog Lovers for Dion Days has begun: 10 days to DLDD. Keep tuning in for details.

Wag on,
Dudley & Jules

A Well of Information

2006-09-29T21:13:00.000-07:00

If you have not yet read Paul Wells’ piece on Dion in the September 29 issue of Macleans.ca, get to it pronto! If you’re still undecided, it might help you. If you have made your choice already, it still makes for a great read.

Dudley.

Dion in the Québec Media

2006-09-28T21:37:00.000-07:00

Great interview with Stéphane Dion last Wednesday night on Les Francs-tireurs - The Straight Shooters - a public affairs programme on Télé-Québec. If you catch this channel on Cable or Satellite, and understand French, the interview will be aired again this coming Sunday at 8:00 PM and next Tuesday at 0:30 AM: Channel 722 on Starchoice.

Watching Stéphane Dion standing up to self-proclaimed nationalist intellectuals is always a treat!

There’s also an excellent interview with Stéphane Dion in Tuesday’s Le Devoir. The interview is quite comprehensive, with Dion talking about his bid for the leadership, the environment, nationalism, good governance, his relationship with Québecois and national unity.

The whole thing is of course in French, but here are a few bits, translated by Yours Truly. I’ll try and translate a few more parts in the upcoming days.

On the question of Iraq:

«PM Chrétien believed, as I did, that going into Iraq might create more insecurity than the opposite, says Mr. Dion. Current events tend to prove him right. »

On his first order of business should he become Prime Minister:

«Putting in place Green Fiscal Incentives, in order to encourage the purchase of less-polluting items and energy efficient appliances and machinery. »

All in all, quite a good week for Dion in the "so-called" hostile Québec media.

Two Tails Up,
Dudley

Cerberus Leadership Central: A Must Read!

2006-09-28T19:08:00.000-07:00

If you have not visited Cerberus lately, get to it now! His Leadership Central and Leadership Endorsements page, updated on September 28, is a must-read. It is comprehensive and rigorous. Numbers, names, details, predictions, trivia ... everything a political junkie needs on a late Thursday night.

Two tails up,
Dudley.

Frulla Goes Iggy: No Big Deal

2006-09-28T11:59:00.001-07:00

Jeff, AKA A BCer in Toronto, may not be, as he puts it, a Québec expert. But he is right on the money about Liza Frulla’s endorsement of Michael Ignatieff: it really is No Big Blow to the Dion campaign. It is no big susprise either. Softies on nationalism like Frulla, Lapierre, and yes, Paul Martin, were never on Dion’s side.

I never forgot - nor forgave - Mrs. Frulla for declaring back in 2000 that "everyone in the Party would be relieved if PM Jean Chrétien left". Remember that in 2000, Frulla had just been elected to the House. Talk about loyalty! Well, she and her friends eventually got their wish, and we Liberals were relieved ... of Power.

Liza Frulla might be a household name in Québec’s general population, but I have it on good authority than she doesn’t carry too much weight within the Liberal Party. In my neck of the wood, Denis Paradis’s endorsement of Stéphane Dion’s bid is a little more important.

Wag on,
Dudley

Mind Your Own Business, President Musharraf

2006-09-27T18:30:00.000-07:00

Dear Pervez Musharraf,

I heard your interview on the CBC, and here is my reaction: Mind your own business! I do not need you to tell me how to feel or what to think about our soldiers dying in Afghanistan. Canadian lives matter to me.

Here’s what Pervez Musharraf had to say, courtesy of The Globe and Mail:

"We have suffered 500 casualties, Canadians may have suffered four or five," he said in the interview. "You suffer two dead, and there's a cry and shout all around the base that there are coffins. Well, we've had 500 coffins."

First of all, get your facts straight. We lost 36 soldiers in Afghanistan, not four or five. I understand that you have a book to sell, but please do not insult us Canadians. I do not know what value you personally place on a human life, but to me, every Canadian soldier’s death is a tragedy. Our boys and girls didn’t ask to go and die in your troubled region. Maybe Musharraf should clean up his own backyard, don't you think?

Oh, and for the record, I don’t even think our soldiers should be out there under the current situation. So there’s nothing “political” about my outrage.

You say we’re whining. Here’s my answer: Zip It! I’ll cry and shout if I want to!

Two tails down,
Dudley

Canine Interlude

2006-09-26T14:34:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of the BBC, another proof, if need be, that humans can’t get by without us puppies: A breakdown patrol man who came to the rescue of a woman motorist has managed to get her car started using her dog.

Speaking of pups, Dog Lovers for Dion Days are coming soon to a Blog near you. Stay tuned!

Wag on,
Dudley

The United Nations Today: Bad Manners and Good Marketing

2006-09-21T18:45:00.000-07:00

Busy day in New York. Here's what caught my attention.

1. From the bits I caught on the evening news, it think that the Afghan delegation didn’t even bother to show up for Stephen Harper’s speech at the UN General Assembly earlier today. Talk about bad manners. Canada sends its soldiers to fight and die in Afghanistan, and they’re too busy to attend? I did not see the whole thing live. If you did and saw the Afghan delegation in attendance, please send in your comments or rebuttals.

2. Within hours of Hugo Chavez’s speech at the UN on Wednesday, Noam Chomsky’s book, Hegemony or Survival, jumped into the Amazon and Barnes & Nobles Top Ten List. Now, that’s good marketing. Read the whole story here.

3. The CBC, among others, is citing a UN report claiming that over 6,000 Iraqi civilians died violently over the months of July and August. Is this what G.W. Bush would call “Good progress”, or is it a mere case of “Freedom on the March”? On a (not so) slightly lighter note (?!?), the BBC reports that "Torture may be worse now in Iraq than under former leader Saddam Hussein, the UN's chief anti-torture expert says". This is scary, but not unexpected.

4. Judging by the press conference held by Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in New York this morning, it is no wonder why G.W. Bush wouldn’t meet with the Persian Boss. Apart from the obvious John-Wayne-Macho-Wannabe rhetoric, the main reason is that Ahmadinejad sounds much smarter than the American President.

That's the kind of day it's been on my TV set.

Wag on,
Dudley

Here we go again!

2006-09-15T09:16:00.000-07:00

It had to be expected. It couldn’t last. Up until now, we have witnessed a relatively clean leadership campaign. Of course, they’re have been a few sparks between candidates, a few blunders here and there, but it has so far been a real race, not a masquerade such as the one we experienced 3 years ago.

However, while many Liberal militants were starting to believe that the Party had turned the page and was ready to start a new chapter, ghosts from the past have apparently decided to reappear. Reliable sources have brought to our attention that certain members of our Dear Departed Leader’s inner circle (among others, Tim Murphy, Lucie Castelli) have been exerting pressure on some prominent organizers working on the campaign. Apparently, they were asked not to present aspiring delegates in some ridings, such as in Lasalle-Émard, our previous Leader’s constituency.

Organizers we have spoken to have made it very clear: it is out of the question!

This leadership race began under the auspices of integrity, and this is how it will continue. That is what Party members believe and want, and they are coming forth in hordes. A source on Team Dion tells me that in Québec only, over 800 members sent in their forms to become Stéphane Dion delegates.

What do those “Martinites” think anyway? Do they really believe that all the efforts of reconstruction and renewal made over the past few months by Liberal militants and directors were just a sham? Do the “Martinites” think that all they have to do is show up, and that we will disappear and apologize for having taken back what is ours? Do they really believe that they will enforce upon us another coronation, just like they did in 2003?
I DON’T THINK SO!

Dudley, with files from Jules

Wine and Cheese with the Candidates

2006-09-01T14:16:00.000-07:00

Jules and I went to the Liberal Wine and Cheese Bash at the Paradis vineyard Thursday. Good crowd (300), six candidates, plenty of reporters and a few MPs and former MPs. Just a few observations: Ken Dryden has improved his speaking skills, but his French still leaves a lot to be desired. And he’s even taller in person than on the tube. Scott Brison was actually quite likeable and feisty. Good speech. His French seems to have improved quite a bit.

Stéphane Dion, true to form, was mostly substance: agriculture, economy, climate change and issues of interest to the region (St. Armand, Bedford, etc…). Dion seems to be getting more and more comfortable with a crowd. Looked and sounded quite good.

Bob Rae actually looked much older in person than on TV. His speech was a little flat, though he did mention Sir Wilfrid Laurier, which is always music to my ears.

Michael Ignatieff was also there, overdressed. He seemed quite popular with the reporters. Watched the news when I got home, and it turns out he spent most of the evening clarifying his recent declarations on whether he would run if not chosen leader, and on that “Civil War” thing. (We’ll have more on that later). His speech was OK.

Hedy Fry was also in attendance. All I remember is that she mentioned she was the only candidate from the West.

Where was Kennedy?

All in all, a good time was had by all. From where I was standing, Dion and Brison got the biggest pops.

For more, see The Montreal Gazette
or La Voix de l’Est

Wag on,
Dudley.

Off to the Races: Dion, Ignatieff and Québec.

2006-08-27T19:43:00.000-07:00

Just got back from a few days off, mostly spent frolicking in the Eastern Townships wilderness with Jules and the humans. Lots of catching up to do on my reading.

First big surprise, even Montréal’s Le Devoir
has nice things to say about our man Stéphane Dion. Sorry, just a partial link here
as you need to subscribe to read the whole thing.

However, here’s a rough translation on the subtitle: "The Big Surprise of the Summer: Stéphane Dion’s Performance". Le Devoir’s Hélène Buzzetti then goes on to say: "Without a doubt, the biggest surprise so far in this leadership race has been, at least from a Québec standpoint, Stéphane Dion’s performance. Indeed, despite a disappointing finance campaign, Dion succeeded in entering the top tier, next to Bob Rae and Michael Ignatieff."

I know that many pundits and bloggers have, in the past, doubted Mr. Dion’s capacity to gain traction in the province of Québec. If you lived in Québec, you would know that if even the separatist Le Devoir now considers their mortal foe to be a top contender, the times they-are-a changing. Actually, the mere fact that they’re writing about Stéphane Dion without any offensive and gratuitous remarks is quite telling. More on that topic later. Hope someone translates the whole thing.

I still have to read the quasi-novel about Michael Ignatieff in Saturday’s Globe. I hear it’s a good piece. I won’t link to it though, since everyone has already done so.

Finally, about a week ago, I referred to an editorial about Dion in Québec’s Le Soleil entitled Coureur de fond. You can read it here
in its English translation: Long Distance Runner.

All things considered, I’d say that things are picking up. Looks like a lot of people agree: we now have a Big Three: Ignatieff, Rae and Dion. September should be fun. Start your engines!

Wag on,
Dudley.

Another Vic Toews Gem!!!

2006-08-22T14:50:00.000-07:00

Last week, Justice Minister Vic Toews toyed with the idea of sending 10 year old kids to jail.
His latest gem: Why not do away with preliminary hearings altogether? Says
the Honourable Toews: “Quite frankly, I don't see the value any more of the preliminary hearing”.

Toews added: "in most situations, all we're doing is duplicating. We're giving defence lawyers, essentially, a second kick at the cat." That is verbatum: "at the cat." At least according to the CBC.ca.

Here are a few un-educated thoughts:

1. I don’t know about you, but when I was a young pup, I kicked the can, never the cat;
2. Preliminary hearings, in many cases, actually save money, when the judge decides that a trial is not in order (i.e. insufficient evidence. Yes, it often happens);
3. Many accused actually elect to skip the prelim hearing phase;
4. Our criminal justice system has been working just fine for a very long time. And it’s considered one of the best in the WWW (whole wide world). So don’t mess with it!
5. What’s next? Skip trial and go straight to sentencing?

Please, Mr. Toews, don’t cause too much damage.
Three tails down for Toews – No pun intended!

Dudley.

OOOPS!!!

2006-08-21T09:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, in my Iggy and Dion post, I wrote that the Dion Environmental platform would be released within a week. It seems like my source misspoke, or that my ears were filled with bugs. Anyway, my entry should have read “in the upcoming weeks”. Sometimes, you hear something and want to be the first pup to report it … so you run with it like a brand new bone!!!

One tail down for me,
Dudley.

Iggy to Go Green - Dion is Green

2006-08-20T19:44:00.000-07:00

Our sources, and to be honest, Sunday’s Star, tell us that Michael Ignatieff will announce his environmental policy this Monday. Will it be Kyoto Lite or Kyoto Plus? Let’s wait and see. I wouldn’t hold my breath. But then again, I’m a Dion pup.

Environmentally speaking, reliable sources told the Alter Boys that Alpha Dog Stéphane Dion – our main man – will release a very detailed Policy statement on energy and climate change within a week. This one I can’t wait to read. The man does have serious green credentials.

Wag on,
Dudley.

Mea Culpa

2006-08-17T22:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I barked and grunted about the MSM’s lack of coverage of the Dion campaign. Well, I barked too soon. Mea Maxima Culpa: Here
is Today’s Globe and Mail piece on our main man, courtesy of Campbell Clark.

There’s also a front page piece on Orchard supporting Dion in the National Post.

Speaking of the Post, Jules and I are preparing a few barks and bites of our own in response to Barbara Kay's irrational rants on Quebecistan. Coming soon.

Wag on,

Dudley

Another Blow to the Bush Empire

2006-08-17T09:49:00.000-07:00

This just in: A few minutes ago, a U.S. Federal judge ruled that the Government's warrantless wiretapping program is unconstitutional. The judge ordered an immediate end to the program.
Of course, this is not the end of it, but it's a good start. Although they haven't said so yet, you can bet your shirt on this: they will appeal!

Two tails up,

Dudley

What's up Toronto?

2006-08-16T22:02:00.000-07:00

Interesting piece by Campbell Clark in the August 16 edition of
The Globe and Mail
entitled “Liberal rivals pick up the pace.” It’s all about who is picking up steam. It’s all about Iggy and Rae. Who has the big MO? What will Dryden, Kennedy, Volpe and Brison do?

However, it’s still a mystery to us why some of the Toronto MSM just go on ignoring the Dion campaign. Of course, we at the Alter Boys have indicated, way back in May, that we were endorsing the Alpha Dog Stéphane Dion. Of course, our bias is clear. But still, it seems that some national papers, like The Globe, just refuse to acknowledge that Dion is a serious contender. Iggy and Rae might sell more papers, but …

Some people might, just might, get a big surprise when the fat lady sings. It’s not unheard of.

Wag on,

Dudley

A Few Bones to Chew On: Rae, Dion, Hersh

2006-08-16T20:17:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Bob Rae for attracting Maurizio Bevilacqua over to his camp. As far as I’m concerned, Maurizio is a serious, decent and well-respected guy. I’m just wondering though: Rae and Bevilacqua being on opposite sides of the left-right spectrum (Liberally speaking), will Maurizio’s people follow? To be continued. Comments anyone?

Congrats as well to Stéphane Dion, for getting David Orchard’s endorsement. The guy might be a tad controversial, but his supporters are said to be loyal, so Dion gets a few more votes there. It’s just realpolitik. Granted, Orchard has been a Liberal for only a year or so. But then again, when did Bob Rae buy his membership card?

A few days ago, I linked to an op-ed, in French, by Stéphane Dion, on the role of our Canadian Armed Forces. The English version is now available on Dion’s site, here.

If you haven’t read Seymour Hersh’s piece in The New Yorker
about the latest Middle-East conflict, get to it! If you believe everything Hersh says - and I’m inclined to believe him - those gung-ho guys in the White House are even more incompetent (and dangerous) than I thought they were.

Here’s just a little bits and pieces to chew on:

“The Bush Administration was closely involved in the planning of Israel’s retaliatory attacks. President Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney were convinced, current and former intelligence and diplomatic officials told me, that a successful Israeli Air Force bombing campaign against Hezbollah’s heavily fortified underground-missile and command-and-control complexes in Lebanon could ease Israel’s security concerns and also serve as a prelude to a potential American pre-emptive attack to destroy Iran’s nuclear installations, some of which are also buried deep underground.”

This is scary. These madmen (well … their troops, which is really not the same thing) have been bogged down in Iraq for over three years. Now, they want to know just how well an American Air Force bombing would work in Iran?

Hello!!! Iran is four times the size of Iraq, has a population of 75 million, and actually has a real and well-equipped army. In every sense of the word: just don’t go there.

Says a Hersh source: “The definition of insanity is continuing to do the same thing and expecting a different result”. Yeah! We figured that one out already.

Wag up and down,
Dudley

Encore des bonnes nouvelles!

2006-08-16T08:48:00.000-07:00

C’est officiel, nos sources en Saskatchewan nous confirment que David Orchard annoncera cet après-midi son appui à Stéphane Dion. Orchard, pour qui ne s’en souviendrait pas, est bien connu pour ses prises de positions pour la défense de l’environnement, pour l’agriculture biologique - il est lui-même un fermier en Saskatchewan - et contre le traité de libre-échange. Il a de plus été candidat au poste de chef du Parti progressiste conservateur du Canada à deux reprises – en 1998 il est arrivé deuxième derrière Joe Clark et en 2003, il se classait deuxième quand il a offert son soutien à Peter McKay si celui-ci s’engageait à ne pas faire la fusion entre le PC et l’Aliance canadienne. On se souvient de ce qui est advenu de la promesse faite par Peter M.

David Orchard est toujours très actif sur la scène politique et, récemment, il s’est montré très critique à l’endroit des politiques étrangères du gouvernement Harper, notamment à propos de l’Afghanistan et du Liban. Cet appui est une très bonne nouvelle pour Stéphane Dion, dont la campagne, soit dit en passant, va de mieux en mieux.

Une autre bonne nouvelle? Le buzz dans les parcs et les ruelles où nous rencontrons nos amis qui font prendre l’air à leurs compagnons humains est que de plus en plus de jeunes libéraux quittent les organisations adverses pour se joindre à la campagne de notre ami Stéphane! On chuchote entre autres choses que le camp Brison aurait perdu plusieurs supporters qui auraient rejoints la dynamique équipe de jeunes qui appuient Dion.

À suivre…

Jules.

Vive l'Acadie!

2006-08-14T20:44:00.000-07:00

C'est aujourd'hui le 15 août, alors: Bonne fête à tous les Acadiens de toutes les allégeances politiques!
Jules et Dudley

Stéphane Dion's Working Holiday

2006-08-12T21:19:00.000-07:00

Our K-9 Husky friend, Kyoto, called a couple of weeks ago to tell us that his very own personal unsinkable human, better known as Liberal leadership candidate Stéphane Dion, had finally - and reluctantly - agreed to take a few days off the campaign trail.

Yes, Dion did agree to rest for a little while. But it was no holiday in Eastern Europe.

Seems like Mr. Dion spent his whole off-time “pen in hand”! Kyoto was quite disheartened, but substance-hungry grits like us pups were not. Dion managed to write:

1. On Israel and the Middle East conflict in the Globe and Mail August 3 edition;

2. On Climate Change in the Toronto Star August 9 edition;

3. In the meantime, managed to get a very good review in PressRepublican.com:

"Stéphane Dion. Only candidate from Quebec. As university politics professor, led fearless intellectual attacks on Quebec separatists. Recruited by then-Prime Minister Jean Chrétien as unity minister. Had impressive stint as environment minister. Most government experience of all candidates. Impressing many people on Liberal campaign tour. Timing might be right to harvest drifting Quebec voters. Good bet to make it to short list, possible compromise choice."

4. And, finally, penned a very eloquent op-ed piece in Le Devoir on our Armed Forces Missions abroad - sorry, no link, have to subscribe. Text in French is on Dion’s site.

Here are a few bits :

(...)Une force armée étrangère peut, dans certains cas, apporter la sécurité dans un pays, elle ne peut pas y bâtir la démocratie. Celle-ci sera peut-être développée par la population elle-même, grâce à la sécurité rétablie, mais cela est hors du contrôle de la force armée étrangère.

Les Canadiens doivent continuer à venir en aide à des populations en danger, là où leur présence est souhaitée et où ils ont des chances raisonnables de faire diminuer la violence. Ils ne doivent pas refuser les engagements qui comportent la nécessité d'utiliser les armes et le risque de subir des pertes. Mais ils doivent s'abstenir de participer aux entreprises qui ont pour effet d'augmenter la violence plutôt que de la faire reculer.

C'est à partir de ces critères que nous devons évaluer la poursuite de notre mission en Afghanistan. Si une force internationale est créée pour le Liban, notre décision d'y participer devra dépendre de la possibilité pour celle-ci de rétablir une sécurité réelle dans la région ainsi que pour la population libanaise si cruellement éprouvée par les événements récents. Et ce sont les mêmes critères qui devront nous guider pour évaluer d'éventuels futurs engagements.(...)

Well, that was Dion's so-called holiday. And I probably missed a few of Stéphane's barkings too. After all, these are the Dog Days of summer...

Some of those humans have to work. Looks like Dion did. Good for us.

Wag on,
Dudley

Three Tails Up For Dion

2006-08-09T22:55:00.000-07:00

Just visited Cerberus
and saw that our favourite Alpha Dog Stéphane Dion was, as of today, in the lead in the Blogger Endorsements! And how sweet it is that your favourite pups, The Alter Boys, were the ones to put him on top (31 Dion - 29 Iggy, for now at least).

Only thing is: We’re listed as the ALTAR BOYS … Once again: We do politics. We don’t do religion. We were never abused by any catholic priest.

Anyway! Coming soon: more on Dion and his one week working vacation.

3 tails up for Dion.

Dudley.

Ceci n'est pas une prise de position sur le conflit au Moyen-Orient!!

2006-08-09T11:34:00.000-07:00

Libéral ou pas?
Qu’est-ce que c’est que cette histoire??? Depuis quelques jours, on dirait que les « défections » pleuvent sur le Parti libéral du Canada. La semaine dernière, c’était le couple Onex-Indigo qui claquait la porte du PLC pour rejoindre les rangs des militants conservateurs, because la position de Stephen Harper sur le conflit israélo-libanais; ensuite, ce fut au tour du sénateur Grafstein de critiquer les déclarations de Bill Graham et d’encenser le PM pour son appui inconditionnel à Israël.

Maintenant, nous assistons impuissants au spectacle désolant que nous donne le député libéral de Mississauga-Streetsville, Wajid Khan, qui a accepté le poste de conseiller spécial du PM sur les questions concernant l'Asie du Sud et le Proche-Orient. Et pour finir le plat, le député de Mont-Royal, Irwin Cotler a décidé lui aussi que son allégeance envers Israël était plus importante que celle envers son parti et son pays.

Est-ce que ces gens n’ont pas compris que, lorsqu’on joint une formation politique, on le fait pour le meilleur et pour le pire? On peut ne pas être d’accord avec toutes les politiques et les positions adoptées par le PLC, mais comme dans un mariage, on accepte certains compromis parce que les bons côtés l’emportent. Quand un couple ne fonctionne plus, il demande le divorce. Est-ce que Grafstein, Khan et Cotler vont demander le divorce?

Ces grands démocrates ont-ils oublié que dans notre système parlementaire, le Parlement est composé, entres autres, d’un parti ministériel et d’un parti d’opposition officielle? Ont-ils oublié que le rôle de l’Opposition est de s’opposer au parti ministériel et non de le soutenir contre son propre parti? Ont-ils oublié qu’il existe au sein des partis politiques des instances, comme par exemple le « caucus », où les membres peuvent discuter et critiquer les positions de leurs leaders, derrière des portes closes? Ils ont du oublier également que le devoir des membres du caucus est de se rallier à la majorité et à leur chef, une fois qu’une question a été débattue en caucus et qu’une décision a été prise.

C’est une chose pour un(e) candidat(e) au leadership de son parti de se prononcer sur une question épineuse ou encore d’expliquer ce qu’il ou elle ferait différemment. Mais, à ce que je sache, Grafstein, Khan et Cotler ne sont pas dans la course pour la chefferie du PLC!?!?

En tant que membres du Parti libéral du Canada, mon collègue Dudley et moi sommes fiers de ce que notre parti a accompli depuis plus d’un siècle. Nous sommes fiers de l’héritage que les Laurier, McKenzie King, Saint-Laurent, Pearson, Trudeau et Chrétien ont laissé aux Canadiens. Nous sommes extrêmement fiers de la réputation de neutralité que le Canada avait su bâtir et garder sur la scène internationale et ce, jusqu’à tout récemment. Je suggère à Messieurs Grafstein, Khan et Cotler de quitter le PLC et de rejoindre les rangs conservateurs, s’ils croient que les positions de Stephen Harper reflètent mieux leurs propres valeurs. S’ils ne le font pas, j’espère sincèrement que notre chef intérimaire, l’honorable Bill Graham, leur montrera la porte du caucus.
Jules

Freedom and Democracy, Afghan Style

2006-07-28T20:26:00.000-07:00

This is just Marvelous! Another example of what G.W. Bush calls Freedom on the March : the Globe and Mail is now reporting that President Hamid Karzai and his Afghan government plan to reinstate the infamous Ministry of Morality, aka the Vice-and-Virtue department, aka the Be-Nice-or-Torture department.

These are the guys who, under the Taliban regime, used to roam the streets of Kabul and beat up men whose beards were not long enough, or better still, flog women who dared to venture outside without a male relative.

How nice. What a model of democracy we are helping to create.

Is this what our Canadian soldiers are fighting and dying for in Afghanistan??

I think not. Do you? How about you, PM Harper?

Read the whole thing here.

Two tails down,
Your favorite Terrier, Dudley

Yaffe Agrees with the Alter Boys: Stéphane Dion is The Man!

2006-07-24T22:04:00.000-07:00

Meanwhile, back in Canada...

Great piece by Barbara Yaffe on Stéphane Dion in the Vancouver Sun (July 22, page C04). Yes, we do get the paper in Montréal! But sorry, can’t link to it: got to subscribe. But here’s the jist of it:

"Charming Dion will take the Liberal helm"

"I'm going to go out on a limb to make a brazen prediction: At December's Liberal convention, the compromise leadership candidate who will come from behind to unite all forces opposing Michael Ignatieff, and win, will be Stéphane Dion."

She then goes on to state the obvious: Dion has got the best resume, he’s the most experienced and qualified candidate, he’s charming, he's got a clear agenda, and he says what he means-means what he says. And he drinks his beer straight from the bottle to boot!!

The Alter Boys bark: 3 woofs for the Alpha Dog: Stéphane Dion.

Wag on,

Dudley

Middle East: Java Wants to Know

2006-07-22T23:53:00.000-07:00

Our very own little sister Java, now 8 months old, is starting to ask embarrassing questions about the situation in the Middle East.

“Why is that lady Condi Rice saying that the root cause of the conflict is Syria’s and Iran’s support and financing of Hezbollah?” barked Java.

Well…I…I…was all I could muster.

“Isn’t the USA supporting and financing Israel? Just this morning I read in the New York Times that the USA is rushing new missiles to Israel.”

Yes, but…, then I went barkless…

“Why is support and financing sometimes good and sometimes bad?”

Then at a loss for words, I quoted Orwell: “All support and financing are equal. But some are more equal than others”
I don’t know for the life of me where little Java had read Animal Farm, but somehow she got my point.

Wag on lil’ Java.
Dudley

Kyoto and Stéphane Dion spotted in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean

2006-07-18T18:52:00.000-07:00

In his latest posting on this very blog, my friend Jules mentioned that Kyoto, a canine acquaintance of his, spent Canada Day in Québec City. I would like to report that Kyoto and his very own personal Human, Liberal leadership candidate Stéphane Dion, were spotted campaigning in the beautiful Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region two weeks ago.

Reached earlier Today on his cell phone, Kyoto had this comment: “Everyone had a woofing good time! Stéphane and I got a bark of a great reception in Alma and Saint-Félicien. We’ll try and go back "Au Lac" as soon as possible!”

Kyoto added that he travels with Mr. Dion whenever his schedule allows it.

You can read the whole report in L’Étoile du Lac

Wag On,

Dudley

Le Retour de Jules: Liban, Pluie et Nouveau Gouvernement

2006-07-18T08:15:00.000-07:00

La situation au Moyen-Orient, dont parle abondamment mon copain Dudley ces jours-ci, me force à rompre mes vœux de silence. En effet, suite à des pressions faites sur nos colocataires humains (je soupçonne entre autres le facteur et le laitier…) je me suis abstenu d’exprimer mon mécontentement de façon trop vocale, à la maison comme dans le cyberespace. D’autant plus que mes activités politiques me tiennent plutôt occupé depuis quelques mois et entre les courses dans le jardin, les siestes et les repas, il ne me reste pas beaucoup de temps pour écrire!

Mais là c’en est trop! Devant la piètre performance du « Nouveau Gouvernement » du Canada et son impuissance à s’occuper de façon adéquate des citoyens canadiens qui sont pris au Liban et qui subissent les attaques de l’armée et de l’aviation israéliennes, je me dois d’aboyer mon indignation!

Cette situation déplorable était à l’ordre du jour d’une de mes nombreuses réunions politiques l’autre jour, lorsqu’un de mes bons amis nous a admis qu’il n’était pas surpris de voir que les conservateurs brillaient par leur absence lorsque qu’une situation se corsait un peu trop à leur goût. Pour illustrer son propos, mon ami Kyoto, puisque c’est de lui qu’il s’agit, nous rapporta ce dont il avait été témoin à Québec le 1er juillet dernier.

Alors qu’il accompagnait Stéphane Dion dans une de ses tournées pour la campagne au leadership du Parti libéral, ce sympathique Husky assistait aux cérémonies de la Fête du Canada dans le Vieux Québec et à la Citadelle : levée du drapeau, hymne national et coupe du gâteau d’anniversaire étaient donc à l’ordre du jour. Mais, fait à souligner, M. Dion était le seul représentant du gouvernement canadien à ces quelques activités. Voyez-vous, à cause de conditions adverses absolument épouvantables, la représentante du parti ministériel ne pouvait pas être là! Vous comprendrez que Mme Verner, la ministre responsable de la région de Québec, a du rester à l’abri dans sa limousine … CAR IL PLEUVAIT MESDAMES ET MESSIEURS!! Même l’usage du parapluie ne semblait pas être une option pour faire face à cette catastrophe!!!

Le poil de Kyoto se dressait encore sur son dos à la seule pensée de ce manque flagrant de respect. Nous étions tous atterrés autour du banc de parc où nous étions réunis. Pas étonnant donc que le gouvernement Harper ne fasse pas son travail au Liban ces jours-ci et qu’il s’abstienne de faire quelque reproche que ce soit au gouvernement israélien: il faudrait que notre Premier ministre et son cabinet se mouillent!!!

Jules

Stephen Harper: Dereliction of Duty

2006-07-17T22:37:00.000-07:00

The first and foremost responsibility of any Canadian Prime Minister and its Government is to support, serve and protect Canadian citizens. Whatever the situation in the Middle East or anywhere else on the planet, Canada must put Canadians first. Period.

So get our people out of Lebanon NOW!

When Canadian civilians are killed in a foreign conflict, Stephen Harper’s job is not to lecture us on what he considers to be the roots of said conflict. His job is not to make apologies or play mouthpiece for one side or the other. His responsibility is to ask questions, protest and make sure this doesn’t happen again. His job is not to take sides. The Canadian Prime Minister is supposed to be on one side: Canada’s. Period.

Harper is in no way responsible for the deaths of 7 Canadian citizens in southern Lebanon. But I’ll bet many Canadians will remember that their Prime Minister stood Today on a St. Petersburg podium, shrugged, and said “The first victim was Israel.”

No Sir, Canada’s first victims were Canadians.

Two Tails Down.

Dudley

Meanwhile, back in St.Petersburg

2006-07-16T20:01:00.000-07:00

It's 11 O'rock pm in Montréal, so President Steve (Formally known as the Canadian Prime Minister) must be getting out of his cosy St.Petersburg bed just about now. Hope that someone at the US State Department prepared his statement, re: at least 7 Canadian Nationals killed in southern Lebanon. Hope it's a "measured statement". We'll wait and see what Condi thinks...

p.s.: This just in! Our very own Peter Mackay announced that he'll paddle his canoe all the way to Lebanon to evacuate Canadians. He hopes to make it before Christmas.

Tails down.

Dudley

Ségolène for President

2006-07-15T20:08:00.000-07:00

And now, on to a lighter topic! Just saw an interesting bit on BBC World’s Reporters programme. Ségolène Royal, the most likely Socialist candidate in the upcoming French presidential elections, seems to be the talk of Europe. Good for her. And I like her too.

Here’s the (not so funny) bit: Her parents had eight children. But apparently, Ségolène Royal’s father, described as being a "conservative catholic soldier", has been heard claiming that he had 5 children and 3 daughters...

No wonder she turned left.

Wag on.

Dudley.

Veto? What Veto?

2006-07-13T22:40:00.000-07:00

They died and died and ... Meanwhile, back at the UN ranch...

The US, playing the usual "honest-broker" and "proportional response" cards, vetoed the latest UN resolution re: the Israel/Palestine question. What else is new.

Read the whole and really comprehensive story here at Liberal Catnip

Why blog it if you can link it, right?

Dudley.

A Very Normal Life

2006-07-13T20:41:00.000-07:00

And meanwhile, back at the ranch...

Northern Israel coastal towns of Nahariya and Haifa were bombed Today, most probably by Hezbollah missiles (as of Tonight’s reports).
Just saw the CBC bit. Say Nahariya citizens: “we’re scared; we can not live a normal life.”
I sympathize.
Now, just imagine how sweet it must be to “live a normal life” in the Gaza Strip.

Wag on,

Dudley.

It's Only Words - For Now

2006-07-11T19:52:00.000-07:00

Semantics - what a quaint little concept, don’t you think? For years now, the U.S. Government honchos and assorted hacks hammered us with the “America is at War” shtick. Yet, according to same honchos and hacks, no way were the Gitmo military detainees (and those countless ones imprisoned around the World that we don’t know about) “Prisoners of War”.

Until Today. In a laconic press release, the White House just announced that the Gitmo detainees were now “Prisoners of War”, i.e. protected by the Geneva Conventions. So, the official semantics has shifted. But somehow, I have the feeling that the 450 Guantanamo Bay detainees’ daily life will not change overnight. Until further notice, it’s only words.

And that “shift in policy” certainly doesn’t change the fact that these detainees have been held for over 4 years without trial nor indictment.

For the whole story: BBC News

Dudley.

Random Bites

2006-07-09T20:07:00.000-07:00

A couple of nibbles to chew on:

1. Jean Charest à Paris.

Yesterday, we barked a few barks concerning the media treatment of Jean Charest's comments on Québec's independance. In this Sunday edition of La Presse, editorialist André Pratte stated the obvious: there was nothing new, nor newsworthy, about Charest's comments. Which leaves us with this absurd, yet haunting question: why, then, did La Presse and other assorted media outlets put that non-news on their front page?

2. Freedom on the March!

Page one of George W Bush's bedtime story book about Irak reads as follows: "We're Making Good Progress!". Page two of the same fairytale is the ever popular "Freedom is on the March!"

The news of the day: "At least 62 Irakis killed on Sunday". Must be nice to be free when you're dead ... Have a nice day.

Dudley.

Keep Your Shirt On !

2006-07-08T20:49:00.000-07:00

Jean à Paris.

Here goes nothing: Premier Jean Charest visits Paris and answers the obligatory silly French question.
Q: “Is an independent Québec viable?”
A: “Of course, the province has the means to go it alone. BUT IT IS NOT IN OUR BEST INTEREST!”

As usual, just like Pavlov’s dog (and we at Alter Boys know a few things about pups), the media hyperventilated and got overly excited. They picked up on the first part of the answer and, of course, barely mentioned the essential: It’s not in our interest! (Full disclosure: nous, Jules et Dudley, sommes de bons canadiens français de Montréal. So we know our best interest!)

Et La Presse de titrer : « Le Québec a les moyens de devenir indépendant »
The Toronto Star: « Québec could go it alone, but won’t »
Bourque (sorry Pierre!) really went overboard: « Major Charest Blunder »

Sorry guys. No blunder. No nothing. Just a No News Day (NNDtm).

Our thanks to The Gazette’s Hubert Bauch (July 8, page A12) for putting the whole thing in perspective: It’s been said time and time again - Yes we could. It does not mean we should or will.

Of course, we pups have the means to go it alone. We could live in the forest and feed on what Mother Nature provides. But does that mean that it is in our best interest?

So, please ladies and gents of the media: keep your shirts on. No need to get your shorts in a knot. Nothing new. Nothing to get excited about. Jean Charest just stated the obvious: We could do it, but we won’t – Why should we?

Dudley.

We are the Alter Boys - NOT - Altar Boys !!!

2006-05-19T18:38:00.000-07:00

A little message for some of you out there: We are the ALTER BOYS - not the ALTAR BOYS ... Just did a little research on the web and found out that some people can't make the difference.

Get a dictionary - a few of them if you must.

We don't do religion; We do politics.

Now, back to Canadian politics.