Chronological Index of Ensign Articles for
December of 2008

Skyscapes

Monday
December 1, 2008
by: Timothy W. Shire & Judy Shire
Tisdale: Today we begin the last month of 2008 and it was a spectacular day being warm and yet the sky went from dull in the morning to various paint patterns in the afternoon. This is a collection of images of the sky, some from today and four from a week ago.

 

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The Greenwater report Monday December 1, 2008 by: Gerald Crawford Saskatoon: This report celebrates the life of the late Carl Wikberg. The Crawfords have been at their first Christmas party of the season and meeting and visiting with friends is one of Gerald's reasons for getting along each day. Speaking of getting along he tells us about the exercise programme at the Field House.

Bridge making progress Tuesday December 2, 2008 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: It is not unusual for a project like the rebuilding of the bridge over the Doghide on highway #3 to take seasons rather than weeks or months. This project is moving right along with the piles now installed.

RALLY FOR CANADA: the last refuge of scoundrels Tuesday December 2, 2008 by: Joe Hueglin Niagara Falls: The prime minister while attempting to put the screws to the opposition has gone to far and they have united against him. He, an Alberta separatist who talked of a "firewall" around the province, is now playing the Quebec separatist card to cling to power when he lost the last two elections by achieving only minority governments.

Harper attacks his own past action Tuesday December 2, 2008 by: Tom Brewer Regina: It seems the prime minister is feeling a bit out of sorts lately and has decided to deal with his feelings the way he always does, in full attack mode. In 2004 he attempted to knock off the Martin government with a coalition. Now he seems to consider the action of the partners in the coalition as somehow anti-Canadian. Or is it just not being president that is upsetting him.

Lots of people lose their jobs, its tough but life goes on Wednesday December 3, 2008 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: The wailing and gnashing of teeth can be heard from Atlantic to Pacific as the Prime Minister is faced with his own self inflicted crisis and his own arrogant stupidity. It is not a constitutional crisis or threat to the country it is just a minority government being defeated. This story includes some thoughts from regular Ensign contributor and former member of parliament, Joe Hueglin.

Rylan McKinnon joins the Trojans Thursday December 4, 2008 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: The newest member of the Tisdale Trojans is the topic of this report as we proceed toward Christmas the Trojans are doing their part to help out the less fortunate in their community.

Martin's 4th Floor Thursday December 4, 2008 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: Martin's Furniture has it's main store downtown Tisdale and expanded to another downtown store with bedroom furnishings in the #rd Floor. Now the newest expansion goes in the Tisdale Mall with an outstanding display of livingroom and kitchen furniture.

The Prime Minister and precedents Thursday December 4, 2008 by: Joe Hueglin Niagara Falls: After the dramatic events in Ottawa this morning, we are in for seven weeks of campaigning as the Prime Minister takes his case to the Canadian voter in true American Presidential fashion, having dismissed parliament. There are some things we need to consider.

The leader is supreme, legally Thursday December 4, 2008 by: Eugene Parks Victoria B.C.: Getting rid of the annoyance of parliamentary democracy is not a good thing for Canada. Canadians are influenced by their American media addiction to forget that we have a "representational democratic system" we do not vote for the head of our government that is the Governor General and her ministers get their power from parliament.

Hart Beat Music Centre Friday December 5, 2008 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: Tomorrow at 2:00 is the grand opening of a music store in downtown Tisdale. Offering a range of music instruments, supplies and CDs but also providing music lessons. The grand opening will have renown country singer and songwriter Codie Provost performing live.

The Emperor's New Clothes now on display on Sussex Drive Friday December 5, 2008 by: Stephen(dot)Leacock Thornhill Ontario: Most commentators have considered the Governor General above criticism for the decision to allow the House of Commons to Prorogue to save Harper's government from defeat. This writer takes quite a different view.

"I am a Prime Minister King" Friday December 5, 2008 by: Larry Kazdan Vancouver: Here is a much lighter side of this week's political turmoil in Ottawa as Mr. Kazdan provides us with a song.

 

Stay with your vehicle this winter and survive Monday December 15, 2008 by: Saskatchewan Safety Council Regina: Last winter we had to endure the sorrow of several drivers getting into trouble with their vehicles and walking away from the vehicle only to die in a storm. The alternative is simple, survive.

The Greenwater report Monday December 15, 2008 by: Gerald Crawford Saskatoon: Gerald tells about a teacher's experiences in Eastern Europe, family shopping and recognises Porcupine Plain's Kelly Chase who has distinguished himself for his community efforts.

Pieces of 8 - Costs of auto bailout & benefits Monday December 15, 2008 by: Robert Ede Thornhill Ontario: The enormous bailout of US banks and financial institutes has been instructional. The massive amounts of money had done little to slow the slide in the economy and the true cause of the problem, mortgage defaults has not been addressed. Doing the same with the auto industry doesn't make sense, here is a better idea.

RBC's third annual teddy bear toss Tuesday December 16, 2008 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: The staff of the Tisdale Royal Bank and the Tisdale Trojans are combining forces on Wednesday night to both cheer on the team and gather up a load of new stuff toys which will go to the Salvation Army for this year's hampers.

Truth or another "fudge it budget"? Tuesday December 16, 2008 by: Eugene Parks Victoria British Columbia: There has been a remarkable shortage of information in Ottawa about the actual state of the economy. It was almost ignored in the 'fiscal update' and the opposition needs to know where things stand in order to participate and co-operate in the construction of the January 27th budget.

Digging at -33ºC Thursday December 18, 2008 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: Most of the services installation project that has gone on for all of December so far has been completed. As water and sewer lines with hydrants have been installed along highway #3 and toward the mall.

Ideological fantasy: Canada's auto industry on its own Thursday December 18, 2008 by: Eugene Parks Victoria British Columbia: As the big three auto makers become more and more desparate because of the lack of credit and astonishingly low sales, the governments of both Canada and the United States are doing nothing. Thousands of jobs and tax paying incomes are at stake and something must be done quickly.

Winter travel precautions Friday December 19, 2008 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: Much of North America looks like this picture of highway #3 today as snow and blowing snow sweep from Vancouver to all of the Eastern seaboard. Heavy snow fall in the east and out west light snow fall with serious cold situations.

Majority interests unrepresented Friday December 19, 2008 by: Larry Kazdan Vancouver, British Columbia: When you consider what group and class of people are responsible for the crumbling economy, world wide, it is more than a little ironic when you consider who the minister of finance is calling upon to give him advise to sort the country's pathway out of the mess that has been made.

Accountability and transparency? Friday December 19, 2008 by: Joe Hueglin Niagara Falls, Ontario: The Conservatives made a big thing about establishing and auditor to look over the books and established the office in the Federal Accountability Act. The problem is the first report from the auditor Kevin Page was not at all favourable to the government when something like that happens the Harper government cuts off its operating budget.