Well thanks very much Yeah the timing's bad bad bad. And now I hear word that more concessions are being given left right and center. Things seem to be changing by the hour. I wouldn't even mind a PC leader taking over (emphasis on the 'P' part as it would likely be someone more centre than right). Stability and stemming the economic tide should be the top priorities. Anyone who sells us anything different should be shown the revolving door. Cheers, Ally. It seems a given that elected leaders ought to do what's best for the country, right? Sadly, a strong reminder, bad timing and all, needs to be given. It's a wake-up call for all the parties, I think. You can't just bully your way through, nor can you pussyfoot your way through either. Can we have a real leader for this nation? Probably not without some smelling salts, a live chicken, and working knowledge of Latin

The Bloc's position about being a part of Canada is clear, no argument there. Yeah, the '95 referendum when Parizeau blamed the failed secession bid on money and the ethnic vote makes one proud, doesn't it? Not. But that was Parizeau and that was in 1995. The party's still around because it was voted in; that's democracy. Similarly, the coalition, though unusual, is legal. As part of the coalition, the Bloc has made some important concessions, including having no seats, and agreeing to vote with the coalition for the next 18 months (not the 30 month term because the other leaders refused Quebec autonomy concessions), among others. This is an unprecedented time, and though we disagree on how to get there, we want the same thing - for Canada to prosper. When the dust settles, may we all do so.

Excitement is a subjective matter, I suppose. But on to more serious implications, Harper strained the bounds of democracy and broke his own promise to not call another election to keep his very tenuous grasp on power. Make no mistake - it was not 'what the people wanted' since you can hardly call the lowest voter turnout in the nation's history a resounding gong of support. Harper has been implementing less than democratic means of keeping his power throughout his tenure and now it is biting him in the ass. What he has passed and sought to pass was not 'best for the nation' but best for his government to stay in power. I cannot stress this enough. I'd list them but have no time right now - work and all. I can get back to you, but I think you are already well versed with what has transpired and has been proposed and passed, we just disagree on the impact. The coalition is temporary, as is Dion's presence at the helm. Part of what brought an agreement among the three parties was the very fact that his role would be temporary. The parties are well within their right to do this if they believe it is best for the country. Had they not done this now, it would have allowed Harper to gain further control over a nation reeling in the economic crisis. What has he implemented to help stimulate the economy, other than attempting to take funding money away from the other parties? How the hell is that best for the nation??? It's totally taking advantage of a bad situation to nail the power of the other parties, so I say good for them. To say that the Bloc is dangerous is laughable. Have they ever succeeded even in their own long-standing intent? NO. It's simply another scare tactic, one that people here and south of the border have heard and tuned out. It's not going to work. They are a legitimate party, voted in, an example of democracy working. The Bloc have agreed to support this coalition for 18 months, the other parties for 30, I believe, which means the coalition will exist for 18 months. The Governor General will NOT have allow another election to take place. The last time the GG had that choice the nation hadn't had an election for way longer than 6 weeks, and the GG still felt it was too soon from the last election. This will put fire to the heels to the Libs to get another leader in place, initiate an economic aid package to the tune of $30B, and send a very strong message that Harper's democracy-in-name tactics will not be tolerated. I for one am happy that the other parties didn't just sit on their hands and adopt an oh well there's nothing we can do attitude. Dont' kid yourself - the greatest dissent has been within the Conservative party, hence all the silencing of members and media restrictions. What does it say that Harper is being criticized by politicians past and present, from other parties and his own? The results you listed are what has already happened in part lead to where we are today. No thanks to the pig that I know. I'll go a much needed change.

Oh how cool. There's an observatory not too far from the house, but it's been sold by the local university. Good to know options aren't expensive. Guess you first gotta know where to look Are they easy to find? I was camping in a very remote part of Algonquin Park a couple of years ago and we saw a richly bejeweled sky. I've never seen so many stars! There were so many it was actually hard to pick out constellations. Anyway among all the stationary stars was one tiny speck streaming across the sky - a satellite, I think.

Don't look now, but Canadian politics is getting exciting. Really! http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/12/01/...tion-talks.html Harper could soon be known as leader of the longest minority government, and leader of the shortest minority government. Way to go. Sooooo glad that election's come back to bite him in the ass (finger's crossed) I'm genuinely curious if anyone knows the number of times that the ruling political party was the same in US and in Canada. Some politicians were using the 'change' rhetoric left right and center. Where have I heard that before?

So you can just use ordinary binoculars? Don't you need a telescope or something?

Yeah there's always a give and take, though I don't mind that as much since I start work in the afternoon so I can get some sun in the AM. I like waking up when it's still dark because I write in the mornings and everything just flows better in those conditions for some reason. More sleep, more writing time - there's almost nothing better in the morning. Almost

Thank you very much. It would've been more fun had it not been so damn easy: Johnny Hollyday was named as Sarkozy's special American adviser; the Prime Minister of Canada Stef Carse, and she didn't even blink: Palin: Well, he's (the Canadian PM) doing fine, too, and yeah, when you come into a position underestimated it gives you an opportunity to prove the pundits and the critics wrong. You work that much harder. Good job proving critics wrong

an extra hour of sleep - aaaaaaaah how I love the time change!

Anybody see 'Total Eclipse' starring DiCaprio (before Leo became LEO) as Rimbaud? Agnieszka Holland directed a pretty good movie about him. IMDB Total Eclipse

Just finished BEAUTIFUL LOSERS by Leonard Cohen

Happy Birthday!

Wow I'm surprised you manged to get through. Apparently the site crashed there were so many wanting to sign up. Good to know that it's working, though, thanks for the feedback. I don't mind the occasional call from a charity, etc., but it's REALLY been getting out of hand of late. Good on ya, Juliet, if you have the stomach to rant, but it's really nice to have this as an option, too.

Ok, so I'm self-employed and that means work is done at home and outside of it. When I'm at home preparing I've been increasingly inundated with ever annoying telemarketer calls. If you sign up with someone and they do a periodic check, or if you're elderly and appreciate some sort of service, or you're a charity, fine. If you're not, stop calling people everyday, five times a day!!! So, I offer a public service via a rant: National 'do not call' list I just signed up today. If you're annoyed, too, here's what you can do about it.

Congrats ! And please do tell. I looooooooooooove theatre raaaar!

How was it? 'Time well spent' or 'I'll never get those two hours back'?

Wow well I can only speak as a patient not as a worker in the field, but I have had excellent care each time I needed it in hospitals. That said, I do not doubt that the problems you raise are legitimate and need addressing, but that's the application within the universal health care system, the system itself as a framework I would definitely leave in place. Would you agree or would you prefer to privatize?

I don't have a clear cut answer for you Yukon (glad to hear, by the way, you got through your tests all right ), but we seem to have a more balanced approach, so that just because people gamble, drink or smoke doesn't make them addicts. Addicts would find a way anyway, and legalizing these things is just a way for people to enjoy themselves within limits they determine for themselves. Besides, there are already broader laws (alcohol DUI limits, illicit drugs vs. Mary Jane - which also has driving restrictions of course) that punish inappropriate use. Part of it is also that the government sees the benefits of taxation of moderate use and not moralizing the issues. We like indulging in our sins, thank you very much, and if taxing means benefits for others, all the better. Share the love As for the health care, the so-called universal health care as we know it today was first implemented in England after WWII, I believe, as a direct response to the dire needs of the wounded and it helped not only immediately after the war but during the difficult years afterward when so many were struggling. Tommy Douglas was the initiator for it in Canada in the early 1960's. I think the US is the only industrialized nation in the world without universal health care; that is shocking. Give it a try. Can't be any worse than what you've got now.

Can you please provide specific instances of lying that you take umbrage with? This election had the lowest voter turnout in history. Normally voting is preferable because it is a privilege that many have died for us to have. I always vote, and have had strong debates with those who do not. But this time around the fact that so many have not chosen to vote speaks volumes and it's a clear indication that, among other things, people did not see this election as necessary (and given that the results - another Conservative minority - are very similar to those before the election), and that the $300 million spent on the election could have been better used. So it's not that not voting in and of itself is intrinsically bad (I've gained a new appreciation for those who made this choice during this election, though I still disagree with it), it's why it is done that is still a big problem. Not voting as a form of protest has its merits. Not voting because of apathy is not good enough. Neither is not voting because 'everyone lies'. Have you looked at the candidates in each of the parties AND those in your area? Can you not find the merits, despite your objections, of being politically involved? I mean there's a thread of what, fifty plus pages, dedicated to your dating woes, which if I may say without sounding judgmental, is a tad self-absorbed (and utterly unattractive), and yet there isn't enough reason to perform a civic duty? And if there isn't someone you like, what are you doing about what you don't like? I've read many of your responses and can say with confidence that you come across as someone who seeks only to defend positions where you wonder why things aren't the way you want them to be and yet offer no instances of engaging to change them. This fine nation wasn't shaped by 'I know it's run poorly and have accepted the way it is because i can't change it.' It is lazy and not good enough. Nothing personal.

Yes, thanks Juliet, my sentiments exactly. Sometimes the turnout numbers have been so embarrassingly low it seemed as if we were in a war torn country risking being shot at the voting locations. VOTE! PEOPLE!! VOTE!!!

Happy Birthday, MH!

Hallelujah! My fave bad snack is good for me!!! Happy heart and happy mood by something so great tasting - it's like a modern day ambrosia Some words don't sound like what they mean. Like 'kumquat'. Sound more like an insult, not a fruit. "Pass the kumquat" "Wha'd you call me??" or "You're a fucking kumquat!" But 'weeble' is definitely one of those words that sounds like what it is . Wile I'm not at weeble levels yet, I'd better get out of the habit of chomping on chocolate every time my Leafs lose... Ahahaha! That looks somewhat familiar pssssst....any butter in that popcorn??? See ya guys and gals, must go console myself with you know what...

Yeah that was the first spicy chocolate I ever had. I'm not-so-secretly going through all of Lindt's dark chocolates (except for mint - I hate min & chocolate bleh!) ...sooo goood and soooo baaad Ahahaha! I wonder if there's a correlation in sales of butter and chocolate - if there is, now we know why :D! I don't know how people in France and Italy do it, I really don't. Maybe it's the wonderful wine that dilutes the fat in the blood. What a life! Oh, and Death by Chocolate would be my second favourite way to go! Muahahahaha!

Looking it up as we speak, half hoping we don't because I'll end up having to butter my ass to get out their door ahahahahahhaa!

a - Bong-Man's nature photo - wondering if you had a look behind the waterfall? b - Lindt's 70% Cacao dark chocolate with cherry-chili and truffle filling mmmmmm