Monday, December 8, 2008 Ensign Front Page Volume 11b, No. 113

On a winter's day

Monday
December 8, 2008
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale: The wonder of winter's gradual advance does not overshadow other events but it colours the way we look at things. A little more snow each day, a little colder and a notch warmer clothes to help us meet the challenge.

The Greenwater report

Monday
December 8, 2008
by: Gerald Crawford
Saskatoon: The trials and tribulation of our city dweller as the Crawfords try to sort out a suitable furniture arrangement for the livingroom only to discover that there isn't one. Meanwhile news from the park is that the lake froze over November 22 one of the latest on record.

Trojan Charity pancake breakfast

Monday
December 8, 2008
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale: The whole was on hand Saturday morning serving up breakfast at the RECPlex. The event was sponsored by the Beeland Co-op and the proceeds went to the Salvation Army for this year's Christmas hampers.

Harper's hypocritical stance

Monday
December 8, 2008
by: Nancy Clarke
Grand Bank, Newfoundland: The Prime Minister's unprecedented action to prorogue parliament rather than face a vote of confidence according to his bluster is that what the opposition was doing was wrong, even treasonous thus giving him the right to pull a fast one. Many wonder just how his thinking was going back in 2004.

Realistic plan for cooperation among political parties

Monday
December 8, 2008
by: Jacob Rempel
Vancouver B.C.: With demonstrations and protest rallies across the country this past weekend it is clear that reactions to the coalition of opposition parties has been a highly emotional response. Here is a calm and reasoned view of the coalition. A portion of this was published in the National Post.

Suspending Parliament is an act befitting Robert Mugabe

Monday
December 8, 2008
by: Dale Swirsky
Winnipeg: For all intents and purposes the present Government of Canada is illegitimate. It does not have the confidence of the House of Commons and prorogue parliament to prevent a vote of confidence. Carrying on like that is not appropriate for Canada but is the sort of one sees in third world countries run by a dictator.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Discount Furniture Warehouse

Friday
November 28, 2008
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale: A new business opened in Tisdale today just a block south of the intersection of highways #3 and #35. This is an excellent market alternative for people looking for furniture. The huge building allows the display of everything from beds to carpets and includes some appliances.

November fog

Friday
November 28, 2008
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale: Fog in November is an annual event even though we forget about it each year and seem surprised to see it when it brings frost to the trees. The story has some pictures from today that show the fog and its affects.

The Good, the bad and the ugly

Thursday
November 27, 2008
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale: When it comes to the environment and public safety there are often compromises made that have long lasting and difficult consequences. The social/environment calculator comes into play as the damage done has to be weighed against the benefits to the society. These are difficult arguments and often the final decision is simply posponed for generations in the future to solve.

November meeting of Parkland Photography club

Wednesday
November 26, 2008
by: Darlene McCullough
Tisdale: The theme for this month's photo shoot was "rocks" and the three winners are shown with the report. The members had a chance to be updated on upcoming events for the club and did a bit of a work shop on the use of a telephoto lens. They do not meeting December but will be having a workshop on macro imaging at their January meeting.

Neoconservatism: causation factor of financial crisis

Tuesday
November 25, 2008
by: Brian Marlatt
White Rock B.C.: A thing like the melt down of the American financial system doesn't just happen. There are causes and consequences to the way government and government policy is enacted. In this short explanation we discover that at the roots to the financial woes are ideological positions that are having an impact and we are in serious trouble here in Canada.

Gates and MacKay statements disingenuous

Monday
November 24, 2008
by: Joe Hueglin
Niagara Falls: The NATO force lead by the United States is not losing the war in Afghanistan, the conflict there is all but lost yet Canadian and American defence ministers speak as though it is just about concluded, just some minor details like the Taliban control almost all of the country including most of the cities.

The Greenwater report

Monday
November 24, 2008
by: Gerald Crawford
Saskatoon: The Crawfords were out to Greenwater for coffee and made a dash to Moose Jaw to see the new member of the family. Making it over the difficult road surfaces with their new winter tires.A story about the Midnight Ramblers and one of the editor's heros, Wendel Clark.

What about energy conservation and Christmas decorations

Monday
November 24, 2008
by: Victor Cote
Cadillac: Though outdoor decoration can certainly be considered attractive are they really in keeping with the whole concept of Christmas especially when we consider the extravagance and consumption of electricity.

Pre-Pre Christmas

Friday
November 21, 2008
by: Ken Styan
Tisdale: Perhaps it has something to do with the age of some us but yesterday's story about Keeping Christmas is reflected upon as we consider coldness and outdoor Christmas light installation and how partners in a household may share different views about when to "do Christmas."

Keeping Christmas

Thursday
November 20, 2008
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale: Here are a couple of the many yards and houses in Tisdale that have already decked their halls as it were with their version of Christmas cheer. Confusing to an old guy who likes to decorate the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve, the same day he does his Christmas shopping.

Nothing new about new parliament

Wednesday
November 19, 2008
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale: In Ottawa today the Governor General read the speech from the throne (link to speech). The NDP and Bloc say they will not support it and the Liberals say it is so unimportant that they will not oppose it. Didn't we just have an election about "doing something" and yet here we are with the same old situation.

Old bridge removed

Tuesday
November 18, 2008
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale: The bridge just on the outskirts of Tisdale's east side has been removed as the contractor escavates the site getting it ready to install a completely new structure.

Making way for Super8

Tuesday
November 18, 2008
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale: The neat little brick building that has housed several businesses over the years was flattened today to make the site available for contruction to begin on the new Super8 motel that will one day sit between Robin's Donuts and the Beeland Co-op Cardlock.

Ultimate ATV - Polaris Ranger on tracks

Monday
November 17, 2008
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale: As I was about to savour my 7-11 coffee this afternoon this rig pulled up to the pumps. Behind an SUV was a large trailer with a Polaris Ranger on board on this side by side ATV has a closed in cabin and in place of wheels a set of tracks and a nice new snow blade out on the front.

The Greenwater report

Monday
November 17, 2008
by: Gerald Crawford
Saskatoon: The Crawfords took in a dinner theatre out at Langham and Gerald is certain that winter is here, certain enough to install new winte tires on the Taurus. This week's report reveals the oddity of daylight saving time.

Obamanisation, to make a more perfect union and yes we canism

Friday
November 14, 2008
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale: Like so many I was riveted by the television spectacle of the American presidential election. I was moved to see Jesse Jackson with tears streaming down his cheeks and listen to the president-elect declare that Americans must work together to bring about a more perfect union then chant "yes we can." God bless Americans and their enthusiasm to become civilised but the reality is that the United States his hardly a model of democracy and trails far behind almost every other developed country in the way it serves its people.

Of gloves and snow shovels, winter's here

Thursday
November 13, 2008
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale: This morning the van was covered with frozen snow and I was forced to put on my gloves for the first time, knowing full well that each time I emerge from the house I will wear them until March or April brings some signs of spring. Less industrious than many of my neighbours I still haven't position the snow shovel near the door but this is yet another thing I will have to do. You see, no matter how much denial I indulge in winter is definitely here.

Tisdale Lube Service switches from Shell to Domo

Wednesday
November 12, 2008
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale: This downtown service station has long been the main Shell dealer but times change and so do the deals so this business moved from Shell over to DOMO today. The first Tisdale gas sales location with an electronic sign.

Bridge on #3 east to be rebuilt

Wednesday
November 12, 2008
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale: Work began a week ago on building a detour for replacement of the bridge over the Doghide on the east side of Tisdale.

Of hopes and good intentions

Tuesday
November 11, 2008
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale: It is the duty of soldiers to die and be maimed in wars. It is the duty of we who survived to remember their dedication and committment to sacrifice. For the third time in my lifetime we as a people are at war.

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