Do tell! Do tell!

Straight from the horse’s mouth:

Now, with any change, there’s some apprehension. That’s natural. But as Commander-in-Chief, I am certain that we can effect this transition in a way that only strengthens our military readiness; that people will look back on this moment and wonder why it was ever a source of controversy in the first place.

I doubt it. Allowing homosexuals in the military probably will not make a difference. This will all go out like a whimper.

You have to wonder how it could be that for decades, so many young men were willing to run away from their friends and family to live in close quarters with complete strangers of the same sex while risking their lives.

B.C. HST: “Always look on the bright side of death…”

If deducting a tax is supposed to be good, then surely eliminating the tax altogether would be even better. However, it seems like we are not smart enough.

The recent nonsense coming from Stephanie Cadieux, B.C.’s Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister, and parroted by Peter Leitch, chairman of B.C.’s Motion Picture Production Industry Association. sounds like the stupidest sales pitch I have heard in a long time to encourage the public to support taxation.

“Clearly we wouldn’t be competitive on certain productions and see less business [than we] otherwise would have. In terms of the exact amount, it would be difficult to know.”

–SNIP–

Remove B.C.’s HST advantage and Leitch said Ontario will “immediately market against us” and try to lure productions away from the province.

Oh, the irony! The drama of Monty Python seems a propos:

Life is a counterfeit and when you look at it
Life’s a laugh and death’s the joke, it’s true
You see, it’s all a show, keep them laughing as you go
Just remember the last laugh is on you

The New Conservative Cabinet

Today, Mark Kennedy speculates on a looming federal Cabinet shuffle.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, with an eye on a potential spring election, is contemplating a cabinet shuffle to re-energize his team and bring greater focus to his government’s priorities.

Let’s assume Kennedy is right. Who should be shuffled in, shuffled out, promoted, demoted?

Keep in mind that the Conservatives have a new addition to their team: Julian Fantino, the former Ontario Provincial Police commissioner who was recently elected in a Vaughn by-election.

Let me kick things off with three recommendations:

1. Fantino would fit in well as Minister of Public Safety, a portfolio currently held by Vic Toews. If current National Defence Minister Peter MacKay does indeed step down in the days/weeks ahead, as some have suggested he might, then Rob Nicholson, the current Minister of Justice and Attorney General, could take over at Defence and Toews, a lawyer, could fill the office vacated by Nicholson.

2. Larry Smith, the former CFL commissioner whom the Conservative Party is said to be courting, should be appointed to the Cabinet even without a seat. Smith would then be expected to contest an election at the first available opportunity, either a general election or a by-election. (Appointing someone without a seat in the House of Commons to the Cabinet is unconventional but not unprecedented: Jean Chretien appointed Stephane Dion to the Cabinet in January 1996 long before Dion had won a seat in the House.) Where would Smith go? One option is for Smith to takeover for Tony Clement at the Ministry of Industry, and Clement could then replace Chuck Strahl (who is rumoured to be leaving) as Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

3. The prime minister needs to find room for Michael Chong. He is just too good to be left out of the Cabinet.

That’s my advice for the prime minister. What’s yours?

Say “No!” to MP3 levy

Canadian musicians should just shut up, drink their beers, play their music and be grateful that Canadians are willing to listen to their music.

Legends including Anne Murray, Stompin’ Tom Connors, Andy Kim, Tom Cochrane, Lawrence Gowan, Carole Pope and members of Triumph have signed a joint letter in support of the private copying levy to Industry Minister Tony Clement and Heritage Minister James Moore, along with contemporary sensations Chad Kroeger of Nickelback, Metric and The Tragically Hip. Rising stars including Sophie Milman, Eva Avila, Serena Ryder, Sarah Harmer, Kathleen Edwards, Hawksley Workman, Jacob Hoggard and Royal Wood are also signatories of the letter.

This recent demand of charging a levy on MP3 players is absurd and unjust. Musicians do not deserve a levy. In fact, they should feel honored when somebody copies their music! The musicians owe their fame and fortune to the tax-payer as much as they owe it to their own artistry.