Friday, December 19, 2008 Ensign Front Page Volume 11b, No. 122

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.

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.

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.

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.

Christmas houses - part I

Friday
December 12, 2008
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale: Here are three houses that caught my eye late this afternoon. At that time of the day even though most homes how will have decorations up they had not turned on the lights. We will get you some more of these as time moves on.

Post office requires photo ID for services

Friday
December 12, 2008
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale: One wonders if terrorists and criminals have not completely taken charge of the world. Actually they haven't instead the world has been taken over by fools who regulate things out of fear and stupidity.

Whistle while you work

Thursday
December 11, 2008
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale: Marcel Lacomte, a Tisdale craftsman, has a dispaly of his handiwork in the Tisdale Mall. He makes pine and willow furniture and as part of his display he has some outstanding craft projects by Maureen Kinch from Hinton Alberta.

Parliament prorogued, Election is on

Thursday
December 11, 2008
by: Brian Marlatt
White Rock, British Columbia: The simplisity of this statement needs to be considered. All sorts of convolutions and scenarios are spun by the new commentators but shake away the chaff and you will discover that the Prime Minister was unhappy with the outcome of the last election and had decide the only solution is to do it again.

Is there a time for anger?

Thursday
December 11, 2008
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale: A very cold morning and some pictures of the community and trees handling the adversity of winter. How are you at handling adversity, can you find your way through the thicket of frustration or does it make you angry?

Facing the future

Thursday
December 11, 2008
by: Michael Ignatieff
Ottawa: Here is the letter the new leader of the Liberal Party sent out to Liberal supporters across the country today. It is interesting to see the plain language and clearly identified goals this national politician is setting forward.

Tracked pickup

Wednesday
December 10, 2008
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale: Made in Minnesota the MATTRACKS are designed for full size four wheel drive vehicles. The install quickly and produce a go anywhere vehicle. This one was seen here in Tisdale on Monday with the tracks installed on an F150 4x4 four door pickup.

Women in politics

Wednesday
December 10, 2008
by: Don Wilson
Masstown Nova Scotia: Don Wilson is a retired business man and community politician. Though many women have been and are involved in Canada's governments including the highest office in the land, the Governor General. There is a dramatic need for more women to become directly involved just as their influence in all of our lives is vital at home, on the job and in our community so should it be that women complete the make up of our political landscape,

Harper backed neo-cons have an 80% failure rate

Wednesday
December 10, 2008
by: Joe Hueglin
Niagara Falls, Ontario: Though the Harper government did everything it could both legally and some actions to be decided by the courts, to rig the election of the Canadian Wheat Board of Directors they actually had no effect as the resutls of the election were the same as before with the majority of the board supporting the present nature of the CWB.

Head injuries

Tuesday
December 9, 2008
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale: Player from Notre Dame was injured at Saturday night's game in what is all to common an injury. He was knocked out and had to spend the night in hospital. This story points out that no head injury is a minor injury.

Mr. Harper has created interesting times

Tuesday
December 9, 2008
by: Eugene Parks
Victoria, B.C.: It was only last week that the Government distributed a tape of a conference call meeting with NDP leader Jack Layton. The proroguing of parliament and Liberal Party changes have moved this story to the back burner but it should not be forgotten. Harper is still the Prime Minister.

Harper gambit to obtain his majority government

Tuesday
December 9, 2008
by: John Dowson
Newmarket Ontario: The real reason for the proroguing of parliament was not just to save the governments skin for 52 days but to place enough time to go to an election when the government is defeated.

Machiavelli or bonehead bully

Tuesday
December 9, 2008
by: Robert Ede
Thornhill Ontario: One of the problems with Canada's way of doing things is that sometime really important parts of the constitution are ignored or forgotten. This story explains what some of those things are and how things could be corrected.

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.

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