Quebec is a Nation?
Im sorry, but Que'est-ca Fuck?

I would just like to say at the outset, all this motion does is set a dangerous precedent. Though a friend of mine pointed out the other day that all the words 'dangerous precedent' really are are the justification of a slipper slope.

Its not exactly the end of the world, but its scary. Its an advancement in the direction of sovereignty, and in the words of Shatner, I just cant get behind that.

Coyne is incenced, Kinsella started a petition, Wells rationally pointed out flaws while sniping with wry commentary, in other words, they all acted exactly like themselves.

In yet another pop culture reference, im going to give out a series of tips of the hats.

The first goes to those brave 16 souls who voted against this motion. And now I will list them:

1. Navdeep Bains (Liberal, Ontario)

   Bains.N@parl.gc.ca

2. Don Bell (Liberal, British Columbia)

   Bell.D@parl.gc.ca

3. Raymond Chan (Liberal, British Columbia)

   Chan.R@parl.gc.ca

4. Joe Comuzzi (Liberal, Ontario)

   Comuzzi.J@parl.gc.ca

5. Ken Dryden (Liberal, Ontario)

   Dryden.K@parl.gc.ca

6. Hedy Fry (Liberal, British Columbia)

   Fry.H@parl.gc.ca

7. Jim Karygiannis (Liberal, Ontario)

   Karygiannis.J@parl.gc.ca

8. Diane Marleau (Liberal, Ontario)

   Marleau.D@parl.gc.ca

9. Bill Matthews (Liberal, Newfoundland and Labrador)

   Matthews.B@parl.gc.ca

10. Dan McTeague (Liberal, Ontario)

    McTeague.D@parl.gc.ca

11. Maria Minna (Liberal, Ontario)

    Minna.M@parl.gc.ca

12. Scott Simms (Liberal, Newfoundland and Labrador)

    Simms.S@parl.gc.ca

13. Paul Steckle (Liberal, Ontario)

    Steckle.P@parl.gc.ca

14. Andrew Telegdi (Liberal, Ontario)

    Telegdi.A@parl.gc.ca

15. Garth Turner (Independent, Ontario)

    Turner.G@parl.gc.ca

16. Joe Volpe (Liberal, Ontario)

    Volpe.J@parl.gc.ca

17. Keith Martin* (Liberal, British Columbia)

    Martin.K@parl.gc.ca

*Martin technicaly didnt vote on the motion, but had announced that he would and was kept from doing so by being stranded in BC thanks to the snow.

All of these Members stood their ground and did what was right, and deserve our thanks, if my member of parliament were on that list, I would be writing her right this moment. In fact, even they ARENT your Member, feel free to congratulate them.

If your interested in emailing your MP, go here, the site will have their email in the profile.

I would also like to congratulate Ken Dryden, Elizabeth May.

Dryden took a stand as a candidate for Liberal leadership, and he called upon his caucus members and parliament as a whole to vote down the motion.

Elizabeth May pronounced that the Greens would never vote for a motion like this. Thankfully there is a federal party out there that likes the idea of having a country.

Others have gone into detail as to the many reasons this motion is wrong, if you want to read a litany of them, go to Coyne or Wells, both have gone into great detail.

I mostly wanted to take this time out and congratulate a few people for their actions on this divisive issue that resulted in a painfuly lopsided vote.

2008 US Presidential Election

(or as I like to call it, degree's of Clinton vs. degree's of Reagan, and I'll tell you why)

Ok, lets analyze the major Democratic contenders to date:

Hilary Clinton IS a Clinton (.9 Clintons + .1 womens vote)

John Edwards is LIKE Clinton, poor background, southern, lawyer, 'emotes' (the 'I feel your pain' factor). Most Clintonesque (1.0 Clintons)

Barack Obama talks like Clinton, has the ability to give a speech in a very conversational and understanding tone, much like Bill. Very much the man of the people. He's also seen by Dems as the golden boy, they absolutely love him. Plus he tried cocaine, I wonder if he inhaled? (.6 Clintons + .3 former drug users). Least Clintonesque, especially since he probably couldnt win a southern state if hell froze over.

Ok, now lets look at the major Republican contenders to date:

John McCain: First, he's old, a direct connection with Reagan, next, he's spry, another connection to early Reagan. He's good with one liners, has been in movies (Wedding Crashers?), and is generally well liked. Ok, now, realistically: He's far right but has moderate views, and he has that ability to deliver emotion into his speeches similar to Reagan, as well, he's good with teh pithy responses (McCain-"Except for making my kids sing Hail to the Chief, I never think of myself as President", Reagan- "I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth and inexperience.") This is really the key, he's viewed as an independant, not as a Republican, thus he can win centrist voters like no ones business., and appeal to the common man, without BEING the common man. All very Reagan qualities. (.7 Reagans +.2 war hero + .1 loved by Democrats)

Newt Gingrich: He thinks like Reagan and is able to effectively win the American people through soundbites, much like Reagan ('tear down this wall', 'contract with america'. Plus, much like Reagan, he is DESPISED by Democrats. (.8 Reagans)

Giuliani: Im just going to equate being mayor of New York with governor of California right now. Hell, most Americans probably couldnt tell you whether he was mayor or governor of New York. Anyways, another one whose popular in the mainstream, comes from a traditionally liberal state and yet is a conservative. Very similar in terms of status, though relatively different personalities I suspect.


And thus, in my oversimplified way, I have reduced the 2008 election as being one fought between Reagan and Clinton by proxies. This should be an interesting match up.

There is your comedic thought for the day.