Ashley MacIsaac Visits K-Dough's Canada
Yesterday, Canadian fiddler and self-proclaimed Liberal leadership hopeful Ashley MacIsaac dropped by K-Dough's Canada to spew some untenable claims about homophobia and 'defend' his political aspirations. MacIsaac was commenting on a satirical post I wrote about his claim that he will run for leader of the LPC. To confirm the identity of the commenter, I e-mailed MacIsaac's management company and confirmed that it was, indeed, the controversial fiddler.In his commentary (here), MacIsaac was defensive and did not touch on any substantive political issue. He accused commenters on this blog of being homophobic and touted his own musical accomplishments as proof he had credentials to run for a political post. Ash, I agree that in a democracy anyone can and should get involved if they have important things to say and do for the country. But what exactly is it that you want to accomplish? If you snap like a fucking twig at the slightest foot step you are going nowhere fast in the world of politics dude. Not to mention, when you start accusing people who are gay rights supporters of being homophobic, you are alienating people who might just be able to help you in the future.
You said you wanted a venue to discuss your ideas, and "maybe some people on here may actually have some questions that they can...have answered". Well, here's your chance dude. We want to know where you stand on the issues and policy.
Gallery- fire away!
posted by K-Dough at 6:08 AM
115 Comments:
Well, I guess it's up to me to start the ball rolling, as usual:
Dear Ashley,
What's your view on electoral reform? Should we scrap first-past-the-post and institute a form of proportional representation?
Thanks in advance for answering my question.
PS: You're kinda hot!
homosuperior: Don't encourage this freebasing-freak. He doesn't even know his platform and I doubt he even knows what 'proportional representation' means.
Ashley: Go back to your hole and stop being sensitive about your sexuality. In Canada, of all places, people aren't out to condemn your sexual lifestyle. If you'd stop making a fool of yourself, then the media would stop slinging arrows at you.
Ashley, as K-Dough said:
1. There isn't homophobia on this blog.
2. If you can't handle criticism (as you so well attract) then you're certainly not going to make it in politics (esp Cdn politics).
Besides, where do you stand on... anything? What is your platform? Or are you just using the media to pump a new album and your ego?
Ashley,
With media censorship a big issue these days, where do you stand on the Danish cartoons issue?
Or, where do you stand with parody generally? Would you ban it?
Anonymous, I don't think this is fair: "He doesn't even know his platform and I doubt he even knows what 'proportional representation' means."
We don't know this yet. Give the guy a chance to answer some questions. He could certainly have some insights into politics. Everyone can. That's why we live in a democracy.
Let's hear what he has to say on his platform before we judge him on it.
I think that might be why he was so touchy about the homophobia thing. When one grows up seeing evidence all around them that the whole world pre-judges them (as nearly all gay people do, yes, even in Canada), it can cause a lot of frustration. I have certainly felt it myself in the past and sometimes still do.
Not giving the guy a chance to say what he'd do if given the chance is hardly the way to encourage the responsible exercise of citizenship, which should be everyone's concern if they care about our country.
Ashley,
What's your view of the equalization program?
Ontario complains about the $23 billion gap.
Alberta's rolling in money and has paid off its debt, whereas most other provinces are struggling financially.
Newfoundland and Nova Scotia got special deals last year allowing them to keep revenues from offshore resources (which, under our constitution, belong to the Government of Canada, not the provinces) AND not take a hit on their equalization payments.
The province has been operating on a 5-province standard instead of a 10-province standard for determining the level of equalization, which costs the poorer provinces money by excluding Alberta's revenues.
How do we restore balance to the equalization system?
Whoah kids- let's slow the pace down a bit. If indeed Asher does take the time to return today, I would like to offer him the chance to reply to the Qs.
Can we just go with the current Qs for now. If you want to contribute (i.e. adressing his comments about homophobes yesterday) please do so, until (if) he decides to respond?
Thnx, the Management
Chgucker- thought your question was especially poignant.
I feel like Peter Mansbridge on one of theose fucking town hall travesties. Except- still no sign of our esteemed guest.
Maybe we need to shake the grass to rattle the snake? (No, not that kind of snake Homosuperior- you perv!)
Thank you, K-Dough.
And I think its very exciting that your blog could draw the attention of an actual leadership candidate.
this is your first step to becoming the next Mansbridge and when it does happen, I'll be your Rex Murphy.
I can be George Strombolopobopodopolis... but without the nose ring... and wearing a sweatervest.
Mark something:
"Q6: Ashely, would you consider legislation that would collect a roayalty on all natural resources in canada for instance what Alberta receives through the oil industry and what Nunavut receives from diamond mining?"
Were you going to include Quebec's hydro resources? Ontario's? Or is this an "everyone but me" sort of question?
Homosuperior, wtf?
"The province has been operating on a 5-province standard instead of a 10-province standard for determining the level of equalization, which costs the poorer provinces money by excluding Alberta's revenues."
Have you read the original BNA? Do you understand which gov't owns what? Did you know that per capita, Alberta sends three times more money to Ottawa than Ontario? Did you realize that AB is debt free because of some pretty draconian cutbacks in the 90s? The western version of the Common Sense Revolution that Ontario didn't like?
Chucker- Mansbridge eh? Not unless the CBC is going in a radically different direction. I'd make Strombolopolous look like a Girl Guide.
Candace- yeah, but c'mon. Per capita, Albertans work 3X less harder than Ontarians to make that money. I thought they all just sat back every afternoon, sipping Coors Lights, eating beef jerky and watching Beverly Hillbillies re-runs while the gushers spewed forth their black fortune- no?
K-Dough,
three times less hard than Quebeckers maybe. But Buzz Hargrove made sure no one in Ontario has to work all that hard.
Chucker- I'm with ya on the union thing. As far as Quebecers go- didn't you mean to say they work 3X as hard to finish elementary school?
Boy, Ashley really poked a bee-hive here, huh? Indeed, congrats K-Dough on getting the attention of a genuine candidate. This officially makes you a blogging star.
Were only the general voting public as astute as this very impressive group of commenters.
I'd love to hear Belinda address any of these questions!
leatherhands- Well, maybe you can use your board connections to get her here!
Better yet- use your musical connections to get Mitsou here. Now that would be a coup (des pantalons)!
If you get Mitsou here, I will dedicate all future blogging to the promotion of K-dough's Canada, that's how impressed I'll be.
PS. Feeling better, dude?
My Board connnections got me two lunch tables away from Belinda about two weeks after she crossed, but she was surrounded by handlers trying to keep the cameras at bay. (Paul Martin spoke at the event, and couldn't buy a fucking camera.)
Musical connections? K-Dough, you hang with more famous people than me. If anyone can get Mitsou, it's you.
Mark something - well, thank God you saw the light re: royalties on seal thongs! Some things must be sacred.
leatherhands, you're onto something. K-Dough should post about EVERYBODY & see who answers.
Geez, where is Asher? If this is how late he sleeps in, he's no Paul Martin.
So if Chucker gets to be Rex Murphy and Peter gets to be George Stromobomlanolopodus, who do I get to be?
Maybe the int'l reporter that gets to go to Af'stan & hang out with the soldiers?
coo coo ca choo, Mrs Robinson...
Candace:
I wouldn't suggest you go to Afghanistan. My sources tell me it's not the safest place to be these days.
If you wanted to be a famous Canadian reporter, I'd suggest you cover the essential topic: The Importance of Sand on Caribbean Beaches. I'll perform research.
Candace,
given the tensions between you and K-Dough, its obvious you are Wendy Mesley in this affair.
K-Dough, congrats now you have celebs coming to your blog. If Ashley indeed comes back, here is a million dollar question for him:
Ashley, what is the chance that you will come any close to winning the liberal leadership?
K-Dough, I think you would have been happier if instead of Ashley, Mitsuo decided to drop by. That would make your day.
Chuckers, I can't imagine you as rex murphy. That guy is pure annoying and he gets on your nerves. If you were anything like him, I wouldn't have talked to you ever.
In case you miss this at chucker's site/comments: Check this out & tell me Scotty isn't Joe's secret lovechild.
leather- all my connections are rock guys or producers. Seeing as you are a former Cirque de Soleil performer/Celine Dion back-up vocalist, I suggest you go after the Mitsou account. Now, go get her tiger!
I would love to get caught up in Wendy Mesley's undercurrent! There is something seriously sexy about her... Never understood what she saw in baldy (Another Mariah/Tommy Motola syndrome?)
Peter, I appreciate your concern for my safety, and you're so right. Canadians deserve to understand the full importance of sand on not just Carribean beaches, but beaches around the world.
Which beaches have the most enterprising sand (i.e. can find the most uncomfortable crevice to crawl into the fastest)? Enquiring minds want to know.
How serious can Ashley be that he hasn't shown up? Does he not realize that K-Dough's Canada is the premier website to be profiled on?
full disclosure:
I went to a house party for the folks who bought Wendy Mesley's Beaches townhouse/rowhouse.
Top level is a bathroom and bedroom. Bedroom has a roof-top patio with BBQ on it.
Just imagine how sexy that would be: Toronto skyline, ribs on the BBQ, wendy giggling and looking over at the bed just 6 feet away....
(oh oh, Martha Hall Findlay's going to come to your blog and call me sexist!)
Candace- I think it speaks volumes about his potential as a politician and communicator.
Could be that someone with some public relations savvy told him to keep his mouth shut.
leather: yeah but coming from a fucking chin head it means little to me.
Mila - in her day- coulda used some super charged K-Dough gravy pole action herself.
Chucker: Dreamy boner aside-I am shocked to hear you write of Toronto in such glowing terms!
leather, you have a wanking catalogue too?
Oh yeah, Pam. A big catalogue loaded with naughty "might-have-beens" and sprinkled with a few armchair memories for good measure.
leather- you sprinkled what on the armchair? it's always about good measure with you percussive types ain't it?
So much for trying to be "flowery" in my description. K-Dough is without mercy.
BTW, good drummer joke someone e-mailed me today:
How do you get a drummer off your porch?
Pay for the Pizza.
"Might-have-beens"
As in "I was drunk and I might have"?
I'm sure you were fine. I mean, I'm sure you were GREAT. Ya, great.That's it.
No Pam, "Might have beens" are very naughty, and improper. Forbidden fruit. It starts when we're young teens, and we start noticing our best friend's Mom, who's kinda hot...some imagined perverted scenario with her (usually involving her not being able to resist, while I fight her off) is the first ever entry into the catalogue. It just grows from there. Figuratively, and literally.
Ya, I remember. Mine usually had a math teacher or basketball coach. Or that hot drummer from Cats Can Fly.
Or Kathryn Humphries and Jennifer Valentyne!!! WOOHOO!!
... err... I mean...
I respect women.
Pam, were YOU the one who sent me a post-card diary EVERY WEEK for two years wanting to marry me?
I was livin' on the B side back then..I'm sorry. Will you marry me?
look at pam's brazen attempts to flip to the A side.
has she read the lyrics to "hippie homicide"?
Pam, if my current marriage doesn't work out, I'll be in Larry King/Johnny Carson territory. You wouldn't want to marry a laughing stock.
hey, I was called a laughing stock this morning. as in, my Harper propoganda has turned me into a laughing stock.
nothin' wrong with laughing stocks.
Chucker, since you're so enamoured of Hippie Homicide, and I can't defend a record that had horrendously low sales, I'll leave you with this one line from the Jam Encyclopedia:
"They had medium rotation on MuchMusic with their single/video "Kiss My Boots", but extensive touring didn't help sales of the album which was generally too heavy sounding for Canadian radio."
How cool is THAT? (BTW, I almost starved to death that year...)
Leather- starving got you laid. Rock 'n roll skinny was the in thing with all the best looking band buddies.
My drummer joke:
Q: How many drummers does it take to change a light bulb?
A: 50. 1 to change the light bulb, and 49 to stand around saying they could've done it better.
"Could be that someone with some public relations savvy told him to keep his mouth shut."
What's this? a Hidden Agenda™? "Controlling the message" before his leadership bid is off the ground? Where the hell is Robert Fife? Why isn't he all over this?
Am I the only one wondering what blogging has done to Canada's productivity as a whole?
I will avoid lightbulb changing jokes that end with the drummer from Def Leopard.
Candace- "Controlling" is the key word. Doesn't seem like there is anything resembling a message yet.
My recommendation for controlling the sound bite flow in his case?
Duct tape.
Am I the only one wondering if leopard print spandex will ever make a comeback?
Candace, I share your concern. Here's how I justify it: I have several things on my task bar at any given time, two of them might as well be Chucker's and K-Dough's blogs. I still get my work done. I still go to client meetings. I still approve/send out invoices. I still deal with impossible clients who stress me out. The only difference now, is that I'm more relaxed by going to the blogs between tasks. K-Dough makes me laugh my ass off. Chucker educates me. Both make me feel like an intellectual wanna-be, forcing me to elevate my literacy and political savvy. I'm a better person, and dammit, a better employee.
And yes, leather, I would like to Supersize my fries.
Pam, using a leopard print spandex reference, and a "Supersize" reference that close to one another has caused involuntary access to the wanking catalogue.
Did he get confused and go back to the old thread?
leatherhands, I have so many windows open I get scrollbars on my taskbar. It's sad.
More likely, he saw K-Dough's latest no-nonsense, pull no punches blog, then the ensuing intellectual firestorm of comments, and wisely decided to end his delusion.
That's it- I am never inviting him and his poor man's violin over to my place ever again.
How could he just leave me here miserable, twisting in the wind like a scorned lover?
I feel embaraassed and naked. Wait - bare-assed and naked. No, that would be redundant.
Ashley!!!!!!!
Ashley!!!!!!!!
Answer me you fish-eatin' bastard or I'll never jig again!!!!!!!!!
Squid! Where ya bin dude? We been missing you around here...
especially in light of the subject matter.
Gone, gone, gone, he's bin gone too long
He's bin gone, gone, gone too long.
K-Dough,
Just out cruising on the back side of 80.
that was perfect, Squid.
Still no Ashley? Hmm..I have sens tickets. I would have tossed them if he had started Q&A. Oh well.
K-Dough,
Everybody is so concerned about being politically correct about everything these days. You're not supposed to say shit even if you have a mouth full. I long for the good ole days like when I was in boot camp. Our instructors would yell that they wanted us to "pick 'em up six, and lay 'em down nine". On the next parade square, the female dicips would be yelling, "OK, ladies, I wanna hear forty snappers suckin wind". You don't get that kind of political respect anymore in Canada.
Squid- not everybody.
Marksomething: Right now, I'm more apt to weave it alone.
Ash blew his chance to answer his critics. Too bad for him, cuz this is a fairly down to earth, forgiving audience. If you can't work a room like this, you're fucked if you ever get caught in one filled with suits.
Thanks for comin' out folks.
I'm here all week.
So, like, where's my stinking microphone?
"How could he just leave me here miserable, twisting in the wind like a scorned lover?"
K-dough - welcome to the world of those who date men.
Candace, no, I don't like penis jackets, thank you very much, but I am sure it will look lovely on your boyfriend.
And with respect to your comments near the top: "1)Have you read the original BNA? 2) Do you understand which gov't owns what? 3)Did you know that per capita, Alberta sends three times more money to Ottawa than Ontario? 4) Did you realize that AB is debt free because of some pretty draconian cutbacks in the 90s? The western version of the Common Sense Revolution that Ontario didn't like?"
1) Yes.
2) Yes.
3) I think 3x may be stretching it, but yes I am well aware that Alberta contributes the most to confederation on a per capita basis, and significantly more than even Ontario.
4) I'm tempted to say that that's unfortunately what happens when you elect (and re-elect, and re-elect, and on and on) a bunch of right-wingers.
Here are some questions for you then:
1) Do you have a clue how equalization works?
2) Can you please show me where in any of my statements I suggested that Alberta should contribute any more to equalization?
3) Did you ever consider the fact that the 5-province standard (unlike the 10-province standard it replaced) skews (through excluding a calculation of Alberta's revenues and the revenues of the poorest provinces) how much the poorest provinces receive relative to less poor provinces that still receive equalization? Additionally, have you considered that WITHOUT INCREASING THE SIZE OF THE EQUALIZATION BUDGET (i.e. that would not cost Alberta, nor Ontario for that matter, a cent), the poorest provinces would be made better off on the 10-province standard vis-a-vis provinces such as Quebec, British Columbia and Manitoba (and formerly Saskatchewan, which is now a have province). And that this could have been done, in the case of NF and NS without giving up the federal government's constitutional right to control the resources in Canada's Exclusive Economic Zone (i.e. ocean beds). How is it that provincial rights advocates are always so quick to defend provinces' rights, but then have no qualms about the federal government ceding its legitimate rights which, after all, are held in trust for all Canadians?
4) Can you please act less like an Easterner-bashing, knee-jerk Alberta reactionary and more like the thinking human being that I will give you credit for actually being?
There's a great post over at Vues d'ici on equalization payments. You should check it out. You can access the site from K dough's non-partisan blogroll!
Thanks, Chris.
Sorry I was late guys and gals-
I only said this site was homo[phibc becasue i read the words fag and the intesion seemed that way maybe i was wrong - maybe not- please- i guess the commetns callnige a fudgepacker were meant to be endearing- Fact is i like anal with both women and men- Get over it -Now to answerr some qqeusitons.
Homosuperior
Electoral Reform-WEll i belive in the PArliament Style Ectoral rules designed inthe 1867 constituiton.I beleive in an elected senate and as far as porportional representation, i tihnk the manner inwhich 155 seats now get a majority is the best way and it should nto be changed.Allwoing soem constituanceys to have a larger popualtion base then other is fine by me as was the case by the founding fathers.
MArla-I willattempt a loan-which is prermitted.As well as Iam allowed to aonly donate 10200dollars of my own cash,the rest will be fundraised to a maximum of 3.4million dollarsId be happy to hit 3 to 400000dollars .I willattempt as calssy and valient an effort possible under such fiancail constraints.
I belive as inthe case of 911,the IRA,and Beslin for instance-terroiism is the biggest threat to allCapitalistic Economy Driven Countries.It is fulled by the poverty experiecned in countries facing gdp's les than 5000 and promoting trade inititives and futher dismantaling of free trade barriors aorund the globe willallow countries to not only strenhter there domestic miltary capltibiltes but as the same tiem promote more social programs inthisose countires to give a bed rock for poor folks to posibly n see a better future then that achieved by catering to fundelmentiast vues of exteremists.
Ontario could h..
ONTARIO COULD HAVE USED MORE MOENY FOR EDUCATION- I THINK THAT IS THE CASE IN ANY PROVINCE OR SOCIETY FOR THAT MATTER.tHAT IS ALWAYS THE CASE.However taxes should be spent as MAcguinty did on big city infastructure.As wellaccomidatring more immigration funding is one of main main priorites in life.
Frankly I bleive within 30 years fish farmeing willexceedtraditonal fisheries-cloan people please cloan me soem mroe lobsters- I promote more investment thereat the same time allowing alwasy for a sustainable qutoa on allfisheries and hunting might I add.
The ikati diamond mines int eh North and Alberta's oil industry are doing great .I bleive it is inthe 1867 constitution that provicnes control these resources.Im not trudeau and would not piss off the albertans.I bleive the right ssohudl remain mroe in control of the provinces than the feds.
The gold standard has more fluxuation than the dollar cuuerncy and therefore no i do not belvie that.Taxes shoul;d be elimanted where they reach the people with the lowest incomes.FOr that I bleive the gst sohudl be removed from form anything but high end luxury goods and on international producers,anmd it sghoudl be replaced for the average joe with taxed legalized marijuana.No govt inther right mins so it woudl seem woudl conscieder elgalzaiton at this point as a moral qwuesiton - however like alcohol and ciggaretes - i bleive it swhoudl be sold and taxed by major busines and small business alike.America trades with UK and Holland wheer it has been decrimilnzed and i think woudl not do any diffent with Cnada- .@0 billuion or so every year is untaxed in sales inthis COuntry.GST is wotrth aobut 40- 60 billion i belive at themost every couple of years.The shortfallin numbers should bve gotten from there and as wellexcised from allearners making more than 1million per yaer net imcomes- personal and buisness.They desrve higer taxes - people making low income do not- i should know - 10000 extra doens tmena much when you spend a million- i often opt to give it to homeless shelters.
I bleive free speach is the cornerstone of democraceys.I do however think that sensitviety trianig as\should be taught to editors and the like in a time of enhanced religuos and politcal devided between popualtions of both Chirstain and MUslim based societies- be they secular or non secualr govts in charge.
HOmo sapien
Equaliztion desrves
Equalizaiton desrves moer of a chance to fufillpossible goals and targets than spending the time arguing aobut who gets what with such a bi lateral devide.Allprovinces desrve a fiar shake peroprtionalltly speaking of the countries abilty to provide i blevie govt speadning coast to coast.Obviuosly this year Quebec Budget proves it needs more and Eastern Canda in order to priovide mroe prosperity,the same can be said.Balance can be achieved throguh collective bargianing =not provicnes having to fight off each otehr for the same pile.
Mark SOmetihng
Constitution Act 1982-YAre tyou that stunned?It can be ratifed by a specific number an anmendment can be made by the GG under the grand seal of cnada when so authorized byt eh Senate and the HOuse of Commons by resoltuon or legislative assmebly of 2/3rds of the provinces with piopualtion totaling 50percent or more ofthe poputlationYouwever hear ofthe CHarter- Section 33 etc etc- the only thing other than go forward with the wordeful documents the Cnada constituon withholds-is to get Quebec to sign on. I have a propsed idea called the Inverness Accord- Youlllhear aobut it later Im certian.
JOanne I woudl be happy tomake at leasdt a valient effort and a classy one as I said _ wuith allthe naysayers out there,That is the least of my expectations for my attempt at leadership-this time
I tihnk I have answered enoguh offthe top of my head for now- I have alot of platform sitems no body woudl question cuase they cdont know them- and i must read up mroe on certian things- however- pelase feel fre to visit my politcal website when it gets up and runnig - as for your hohmphobic comments-
let me say this- Youdon't know me- I dont know you and I tihnk illkeep it that way.Cheerio fudgelovers.
Youshoudl realyl hear aobut my idea for international food banks called the Maple Leaf Food bank sustem andf a very simple way over 51 years to pay off all world depts owed by low gdp countries with a tax of 5dollars per annum by the middle class- but propbalby my ideas would be consdoiered fluff- cvuase im not BONon-I can add0- unlke Martin - i KNOW HOW MANY VOTES IT TAKES TO WIN A MAJORITY.moST OF THEM
oBIVIOUSLY THE CHANGES TO RUKLES IN THE NUMBER OF SEATS HAS TKAEN PLACE OVER THE YEARS SICNE 1867- hOPE IDIDN;T THORW YOU ALLOFF WITH THAT- JSUT FIGURED IT STILLIS A eNLIINGHS STYLE cONSTITUIANAL gOVT- AND i DON'T EE ANY REASON FOR THE MAIN APPLICATIONS TO CHANGE-THSOE WHO WOULD WANT US TO VOTE FOR A lEADER SERPATE AND HAVE PRIMARIES UPLEADING TO THAT AND HAVE A SPEAERTE HOUSE AND AND SENATE VOTED ON AND ALLOW FOR INDIOVUAL VOTES TO COUNT ANY DIFFERNT THAN HOW THEY DO NOW-weLL I TRHIN YOU ALLWAHTCIN TOOMUCH fOX NEWS.
aLSO INTHAT TOP POST I MENAT TO SAY IN AN UNELECTED SENATE I BELVIE - iM WAS TRYING TO ANSWER ALOT OF QUESITON HERE SO I APOLIGXZE FOR THE MISTYPE- gIVE ME ABREAK HERE - im TRYING MY BEST TO ACCOMIDATE ABUCNH OF HATERS-so NO I DO NOT BIELVE IN ELECTED SENATE- i BLEIVE IN AN UNELECTED -APPONTED SENTAE- AS WE HAVE TODAY.iF SOEMOE GAVE ME A GOOD REASON WHY IT SHOUDL BE ELETCED I MAY CHANGE MY MIND- IT REALLY THINK IT WOULDNT MAKE TEH HOUSE WORK ANY BETTER AND THAT IAS WHERE I BLEIVE LAWS SHOULD BE MADE- WE DONT NEED TO PLACES TO BE DOING THATY ALLTHE TIME- TO MANY COOKS SPOIL THE BROOTH BONSOIR
aS FOR HWO EQUALIZTION REALLY WORKS - LIEK I SAID I SOHUDL READ UP MORE ON IT- buT AS IN MOST CASES POLITCIANS ONLY GIVE THE BASIC ANSWER TO PEOPLES QUEASTONS- LEARNING THE INTRICASEYS OF HOW EQUAKLIZITON WORKS- IS REALLY AMATTER OF READING ITS PROPSED DEFINATIONS AND FIDNING OUT IF THERE IS A BETTER WA YTO MAKE IT WORK- WELLTHAT WAS MY POINT.
noW LET ME ASK YOU A FEW QUETIONS-dOES ANYOEN KNOW WHO i HAD AS FIEND FORM THE cHICAGO SEVEN- hOW AOBUT HOW TO MAKE A LOBSTER THERMADOR-DOES ANYONE NO THE DIFFERNCE BETWEEN FARM RASIED OSETRA CAVIAR IN QUEBEC AND BELUGA FROM cASPIAN SSEA- HOW BOUT THE DISTNACE TO DRIVE FROM sYDNEY cPAEbRETON TO OTERNTO BY CAR- ANY IDEA WHAT THE AVERAGE DOWNTOWN TORNRTIAN NCOME IS INTHE oTORNTO cETER ROSEDALE RIDING- WHERE THE MOST PEOPLE ARE RECNET IMMIGRANTS AND UNDER 20000 A YEAR SLAARIE- HOW BOUT THE NUMBER OF TIMES SOEMONE FORM THE REST CALLED AN EASTERN INFERIOR?hOW BOTU THE NUMBER OF TIME AN ANGLOPHONE CALLED SOEM OF FRENCH CULTURE LIEK MYSELF WHOS GRNADMOTEHRS WAS LEBLNAC OR A QUEBECIOS- THAT THEY DON'T DESRVE TO HAVE THIER OWN CULTURE RECOGNIZED AS BIENG DISTINCE?cAN ANYOEN TELLME SOEMTHING AOBUT THE NUMBER OF FALTIALIETES IN aFGANISTADN TO THE rUSAIN mILITARY DUPRIOR TO 1884- HOW BOUT THE NUBER OF DEATHS INTHE cHENHICNA STRUGGLE FOR - hOW AOBUT MoSCOWS TKAE ON cHINAS DECIDISON TO SELLARMS TO noRTH kOREA?yOUKNOW PEOPLE cNANDA HAS A MORE IMPORTANT ROLE TOPLAY THAN SIMPLY DEALING WITH ITS DOMESTIC ISSUES- yEEES i AGREE THEY ARE IMPORTANT TO SAY THE LEAST- BUT WE ARE A RICH COUNTIRY- wHAT AOBUT OUR POTICONS INTHE WORLD AS MIDDLE POWER AND THE IDEA OF THE un MOBVING TO a bUILDING IN hALIFAX PROPSED MBY ME AS THE WORLDS TALLEST BULIND -do YOU THINK THAT THE HUMAN RIGHT A BOARD RECENTLY FORMED IS BETTER THAN THE ONE USED FOR YEARS?hOW ASOBUT mARITNS VISIT TO lIBIA DURING THE sUNAMI AND HIS DELAY IN COMNIG BACK- hOW BOUT nATIVE SUICDE RATES AND YOUNG GAY SUCIDE RATES?hOW OBUT WOMAN'S RIGHT S IN ocUINTRIES UNDER sHARIA LAW?iF YOU WANT TO TLAK AOBUT SOEM ISSEUS CNADA MAY TKAE THE LEAD ON- maYBE iLLCOME BACK- bUT IF NOT-iVE HAD MY SAY HERE.
i LVED THOUGH 911 NEW YORK I WAS 20 BLOOCKS AWAY - i LVED THORUGH CRACK ADDITCION AND LEARNET WHAT THAT MEANS TO PEOPLE ONTHE STREETS- i HAVE HAD A PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY i HAEV LEARNED TO MOVE THE PRES WITH THE PUSH OF A BUTTON-iF YUO ALLRIEALLY TIHNK iAM LESS QUALIFED THAN pETER mACK AY oR STPEHAN hARPER W3HEN IT COMES TO THE WAYS OF THE WORLD- rEAD MY SOON TO BE RELEASED BOOK i lOVE YOU BUT nO AOBUT aMERICAN FIERGN pOLICY THORUGH AN cANDIASN EYE3S-ADN OUR LOVE HATE RELAITONSHOP - MYA BOOK AOBUT MY LOVE FOR aMERICA- AND CNADIANS SELF IMPOSED SUPERUIOIRTY COMPLEX.tHEN YOU MAY COSIDER WHETER OR NOT - NNKWO WHAT iM TLAKNIG AOBUT WHEN IT COMES TO POLTICS THAT REALLY MATTERS- OTEHRWISE- KEEP SPWEWING YOUR TRITE AOBUT MY SEX LIFE OF WHICH YOU KNOW NOTHING OF REALLY AS YUO CANNOT BELVIE ENTERTIANMETN PRESS FOR BEIGN ANYTING MROETHAN THAT AND RUB SOEM VINEGAR INYOUR EYES WHILE YOUR SPWEING IT.
THE COMMETN AOBUT RUSAIN MILTRAY WAS PROIR TO 1984 I WAS WODNERING PRIOR TO 1884 0 I GUESS cATHERIN REALLY DIDNT CARE.
dESVADIANIA
OH YERS ONE LAST POST - WHAT TAASTE BETTER - WILD BOAR PATE OR maCDONALS MCCHIKEN NUGGEST- iM NOT SURE IM GONIG TO TRY BOTH THIS EVENING - AND WASH IT DOWN WITH SOEM SELA FLIPPER PIE
hIOOPEFULLY iLLGET TO TLAK TO pAMELA aNDERSON IN hALIFAX THIS WEEKEND - SICNE hARPER DIDNT WANT TO AT LEAST MEET WITHHERE AND SAY HELLO- -iLLTRY TO CONVICE OF THE TRUTH AOBUT THE SELAS- TEY ARE NOT SO FIEDNLY WHEN YOU GET CLOSE- oNE TRYED TO BITE ME ONCE- aDN I SMASHED THE #%f@t OUT OF IT-aNYOEN WHO KNOWS WHO TO MAKE A PIE OUT OFTHAT MESS DESRVES TO BE ALOOWED TO HUNT EM- I LOVE HUNTING AND UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN CHASED OUT OF THE WOOD SAT 5INMORING CHECKINGH YOUR SNARES- BYU A COUGAR- YOU WILLNEVER GET WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE THAT MEQAT INYOUR FREEZER.
WHOMEVER POSTED AS ASHLEY maC ISAAC WHERE S MY STIKNG MICROPHONE WAS NOT ME- itS OVIBUS -THEY SPELLTO GOOD
i WILLNOT BE BACK ON HERE BUT IF IAM YOU WILLBE ALBE TO TELLIT IS ME- AS I HAVE A PARTICUALR STYLE OF TYPING lots of mistakes and small and large letters- anyone who copies is jsut that- a copy-
IM the real thing goodnight
adn i dont use the phrade - so like-im not form clafornia people- im form cape Breton
K-Dough and everyone else, it seems ashely was here around 1am on mar.30 but you guyz missed him. I was an hour late too and he tried to answer everyone's questions but his spelling sucks.
Damn, Ashley, you had me with the typo on being FOR an elected senate.
*sigh* I guess I'm stuck with Harper (YAHOO!).
But it sounds like you are serious vs. just jerking our chains, so I will at least pay attention.
PS: Thanks for the heads up, Joanne.
PPS: Ashley - dyslexia is one thing, but could you figure out the "Return" key more often? It's hard to read a whole bunch of text (excellent spelling or not) without some breaks between ideas.
Ashley- Very big of you to show up dude- took some prompting though din't 'by?
Re: fudgepackers: that's Squid. He is what he is- just like Popeye. I take no responsibliity for him, but you gotta know him to get it.
RE: Haters- there are no haters here Ashley. Again, you can't revert to that kind of mud-slinging every time you get stuck or frustrated. If you are serious about taking a run, it's going to get a lot worse than this. Think of this as boot camp.
I do want to thank you sincerely for taking the time to answer some quetions substantively. A little more of that and less of the "fuck you" attitde will help to get you taken more seriously. Politicos are dead serious, boring wonks who will eat you alive if you don't stick tho to the issues and forget the character assasination.
As for your sex life and things you've said in the past being constantly dug up- too bad. You said 'em and they are now part of media history. Face them and move on. You need to develop a thicker skin,and figure out a way to acknowledge those things when they are thrown in your face. Then you have to direct the conversation away from them just as quickly, and talk about ideas.
No one wants to hear bitter tears from a leader. They want leadership.
Sorry for all this prescriptive lecturing, but I know of which I speak.
Wow! Ashley is like Michael Ignatieff with talent.
marksomething- nice to hear someone talking about culture in a critical historical context. It is nt static and Cartesian like so as many scholars might have you believe
If you want to read some methodological discussion on context and history read anything about hermeneutics. I sense that you may like what you read.
for spending aobut ten minutes thinkng on soem qeustions for you \guuys i took as much time I hoped you wouldnt think that is was writing a liberal paper- this is blog style- I was geting across i hoped the pioint - that you don' know me- Yoyuguys on here call me fudgepacking fag- And you think you aren't homophobic- Wellwhatever I willhave decades to hone my skills and get my mesage across to cnadians and the simple fact is I do make people listen- Youallrepsonded - so if you thoguht more answers were baseless and trite- take a look at where Iam posting them
If you think im a bitter man - consder this- I have millions of candiasn lasten to what i have to say on a pretty regualr basis over the last decade- can anyof you on here say the same?I think i handle myself pretty well and have a pretty good grasp of how to make people listen- it hasn't alwasy been with my fiddle- It doesnt incldue a tune ofn the telephone when I contact national media- or for that matter- when they contact me .A good leader I think understnads how to move people- And if you allstillwanna say I cannot do that- fine- but if you want to "switch"teams and work for me- Youwoul;d have have to prove you coyudl do alittle more importnat work than blog
It takes me years to come to a forulated answer or soemtiems only muinutes- - but on a blog it takes merer train of thought- and i don't think this train is going....in my direction
I do belvie ican move Candance to the right team though- She really doens't want an elected senate- She wants to be appointed.
JOin the Liberal Party
That s It thats allBye bye guys and gals
OH and mark.what is wrong with the constitution being written for Iraq- it has a preety damn good model to be based on- maybe people shoudl consider the wa y they got to it more than the substance was the problem- simliar to how long it weilltake me to speak for the liberals
Im so srry I didn't have 25million to spend over the last 10 years as did martin to buy off the provincial executive.End result there- bad _ end result Iraqw Constitution- not so bad.
I find it funny that you people think I didn't show up without beign egged on-Please I really do enjoy reading what people have to say aobut me or i wouldn't have made it this far- in life however- I do have a life outside poltics- I like to Golf I like To cook fine foods and I don't spend my day looking only for postings on K doughs web blog.However you have over allbeen kind to ask me qeustions As I I requested so For now I say thank you,and must go on with the rest of my day - spending the seemingly unedning pile Of money I make- If people only knew-soemtiems I don't feel like there is enoghu time inthe day to spend it all- I guess Illhave to start buying more expsive cars- fact is I am a very frugle guy- i do not make alot of money but do my best with what i got- I saved for months to get my fur coat for Cnada Am- I am your average fioddle player adn I connect with peoople at teh grassroots lelve- that is soemthing allof you on here really should try to do- becuase inthe end
They are the voters not the rich folks and uppersnooty types that thinjk they know poltics better than my Dad or yours.
Ashley- I have no doubt you are sincere in your comments on policy and issues. As I said in the other thread though, blogging is not just about spewing anymore. Well- serious blogging anyway. It can be a powerful tool. And communicating your thoughts in an unorganized abstract way, and deriding your critics is just not helpful if you want to be taken seriously by political peeps.
Ash- That said - thanks for taking the time to comment. I'm sure my readers feel the same as me when I say it's been entertainig- and the first real statement of policy stances I've heard from you yet.
Cheers mate- K
Ashley:
1. We're not out to get you.
2. We've asked you serious questions.
3. 99% of us have not referred to you in any insulting manner and have respected you as a regular human being and Canadian citizen.
However, you respond insultingly to us and are unwilling to actually listen to what is being said. I suggest that you stop, catch your breath, and seriously think before you write anything else. Because these little rants you produce can hurt you in the next 10, 20, and 30 years (that you say you'll be around).
so I'm a little confused by some of ashley's answers... not to mention some of his comments... he refers to everyone here as a "bunch of haters" but upon reading the whole thread - I'm at a loss as to where he could've got that impression... it was a forum for people ask questions of a potential leadership candidate and they did... and they were articulate, thoughtful questions... and I found the answers to be anything but... there is certainly an informality in blogs however, I would hope that any potential political leader would be able to answer his constituant's concerns without attacking and making value judgements about who they might be or how they perceive things - isn't the idea to win candidates over and not alienate them? not to mention to be able to present a sound and convincing platform...
I do also have to question why ashley sees terrorism as being the biggest threat... from the way I see it - judgement and hatred and fear are the biggest threats we face... we all need to learn to relax - to be able to take a joke and to stop living our lives suspicious of everything and everyone...
Jez: CHEERS!
Jez- you are a very wise woman.
Homosuperior, in response to your 11:57 comment from last night:
“Candace, no, I don't like penis jackets, thank you very much, but I am sure it will look lovely on your boyfriend.” – Sorry, I should have provided the original link to Blogette’s post for context. It was not intended as a slam, I was pointing out a really tacky design as a joke.
“I'm tempted to say that that's unfortunately what happens when you elect (and re-elect, and re-elect, and on and on) a bunch of right-wingers.”
Albertans don’t have a problem with electing rightwingers, probably because that is the political bent of most of us. We whined & sniveled with the cutbacks but recognized the need to clear the debt. Some are now whining & sniveling because Klein is reinvesting in the much-needed infrastructure that was put on hold while paying of the debt and calling Klein *gasp* a liberal. He (and possibly his party) will likely get punted for a different rightwing party in 2008.
Here are some questions for you then:
1) Do you have a clue how equalization works?
Vaguely – i.e. it’s a transfer system to try to ensure that all provinces can provide a standard level of service to their residents regardless of any given province’s economic situation. I do not have an issue with sharing the wealth. What I have an issue with is a consistent whine from the east that we are not sharing. We are. How much more should Alberta be sharing? We have a surplus (a real one) because (a) we tightened our belts for a number of years to pay off the debt and (b) oil prices have skyrocketed.
2) Can you please show me where in any of my statements I suggested that Alberta should contribute any more to equalization?
I mixed you up with Mark something on that issue.
3) Did you ever consider the fact that the 5-province standard (unlike the 10-province standard it replaced) skews (through excluding a calculation of Alberta's revenues and the revenues of the poorest provinces) how much the poorest provinces receive relative to less poor provinces that still receive equalization? Additionally, have you considered that WITHOUT INCREASING THE SIZE OF THE EQUALIZATION BUDGET (i.e. that would not cost Alberta, nor Ontario for that matter, a cent), the poorest provinces would be made better off on the 10-province standard vis-a-vis provinces such as Quebec, British Columbia and Manitoba (and formerly Saskatchewan, which is now a have province). And that this could have been done, in the case of NF and NS without giving up the federal government's constitutional right to control the resources in Canada's Exclusive Economic Zone (i.e. ocean beds). How is it that provincial rights advocates are always so quick to defend provinces' rights, but then have no qualms about the federal government ceding its legitimate rights which, after all, are held in trust for all Canadians?
The whole equalization system needs a workover (the old fiscal imbalance and then some). I don’t think I argued against that
4) Can you please act less like an Easterner-bashing, knee-jerk Alberta reactionary and more like the thinking human being that I will give you credit for actually being?
I will quit acting like an Easterner-bashing knee-jerk Albertan when people quit bashing Albertans and getting all pissy about us “not sharing” enough. Since we were vilified once again by the Liberals in the recent election, the nerves are still a bit raw, hence the tendency toward kneejerk reactions.
Candace: The vilification was a little lighter this time though, you have to admit. (At least out here it was).
Did you MacIsaac's comment directed at you Candace?
By the way Candace, most provincial governments "tightened their belts" during the 1990's, and went through the very same exercise Alberta did, although perhaps without gleefully privatizing everything, which had more to do with the anti-government sentiment at the time than anything. It has also had a negilible impact on the actual long-term costs of running the government.
So I'd argue that the main difference between New Brunswick, who went through a very similar belt-tightening exercise, and Alberta, is the oil and gas sector.
There are plenty of Irving refinery plants in St. John's, but they don't seem to be the cash cow that actually having it in the ground is. Your a) doesn't really hold as an explanation as to why Alberta's sitting on a surplus.
It is however, a very convenient myth that allows Albertans to argue against changing the equalization system from some kind of moral stance (ie, we've earned this) instead of focussing on the real issue of the impact of Alberta's breathtaking economy on the rest of Canada, and how that economy should be taken into account when calculating equalization payments to the provinces.
And then of course there is Stephen "Pauncharello" Harper, who has recently gone through his own personal of belt tightening exercise.
Chris, according to Fortier there are 2 different equalization calculations going on, which makes no sense. They need to fix that (which I think - I could be wrong - is what will be addressed with tax point transfers when fixing the fiscal imbalance). The reality is that the bulk of AB's wealth is due to oil & gas royalties; that's also got a lot to do with Ottawa's surpluses, so yes, there's an impact on the RoC.
As for gleefully privatizing everything, lots of that went on before the 90s. Bridges get built/fixed much faster when the contractor has a deadline with cash penalties for delays. Privatization also eliminates a lot of union crap & costs, as well as eliminating strike concerns. Salaries reflect the market.
Lots of healthcare cutbacks took place, and we have monthly premiums we pay to boot.
"It is however, a very convenient myth that allows Albertans to argue against changing the equalization system from some kind of moral stance (ie, we've earned this) instead of focussing on the real issue of the impact of Alberta's breathtaking economy on the rest of Canada, and how that economy should be taken into account when calculating equalization payments to the provinces." I call BS on that talking point. The CPC is the only national party that agrees there is a fiscal imbalance that needs to be addressed.
As for the Irving refineries not having as big an impact, I don't know why that is. How new/old are they? I know the AB gov't gives royalty holidays to companies building refineries until they've hit their break-even. Syncrude & Suncor have just come off of holidays for their original plants, so royalties are much higher than we've received in the past. Maybe NB did the same thing, in which case more revenues will be seen some time in the future?
I'm not an accountant or anything, that's just my educated guess.
K-Dough/Ashley - I wouldn't vote for anyone that doesn't support senate reform. I have NO interest in getting appointed to some BS job for life, thanks, I'd rather do something of value & get paid for that value.
Candace, what does the CPC's position on equalization have to do with anything? Did I even mention them?
The just desserts argument against changing the system usually comes from provincial pundits and the provincial government. If the feds want to change it, more power to them, although I don't think it's one of their 5 priorites, is it?
Candace (and all)- yes, but would you vote for someone with absolutely no political credentials, and no experience in public policy, who constantly whines about how he is maligned because he is gay, even though the reality is that he is maligned because he says stupid shit, not because he is gay?
Sounds like a winning plan to me.
Holy fuck- even I'm seriously thinking about running now.
Chris - the CPC position on this issue is the same as Alberta's, that's why I mentioned it.
K-Dough - I'd vote for you maybe (depends on which party you ran for, but DEFINITELY if Rhino)
oh, and I forgot, the CPC's position has to do with the federal/provincial fiscal imbalance, and not the interprovincial equalization imbalance, which means the CPC's position is fairly irrelevant to a discussion of the fairness of provincial equalization payments.
So perhaps Candace, we're not even arguing at all! That's what you get for reacting too hastily to someone calling your arguments bullshit..
Chris, I think you're nitpicking. Equalization payments are transfers from the federal gov't to provincial gov'ts to ensure those provinces can provide the equivalent services as wealthier provinces.
Program payments made to all provinces are federal funds transferred to cover program costs, such as healthcare & education.
BOTH are dollars transferred from the federal to provincial coffers.
BOTH are f*cked up. Happy?
"If you want to read some methodological discussion on context and history read anything about hermeneutics."
Ah, Christ, marksomething. You just HAD to get him started on hermeneutics again, didn't you? Cardinal Rule #1 for dealing with K-dough is never to give him a chance to start talking about hermeneutics!
Candace, thanks for clearing up your earlier comments. Sorry if I got a bit bitchy.
Homo- I need your comments on the most recent post- re : fudgepacking and hompohobia!!! This guy just won't fucking give it up!
I just posted them.
now yuo people may understnad wha tis like when someone calls you racist when you are not
welcome to my world
i do understnad that two worngs dont make a right- it is obvulsiy simple tho those who may understnad - ihaev no problem with use of negative word sina postive context adn I am sure that onhere people are freelly thinkng and being kind inusing words in apostive snese- it is jsut I woudl liketo get the mesagfe out to thoses who dare say such things aobu tme that are obivuously untrue adn maybe you foklks on here can spred the good word- Ifnot whatever
ihave to go and be on myown rather than share my thuoght-s it seems so often in cnada that that is not a cocnerof people what sopmeone who has seen the world has to offer- However i do bielve tyou folks on here are kind enoguh to be intersted so I apligzei f i made anyone feel bad with the copmments aobut homo [phobia- Illjsut have to excpety that fudgepacker is a kind thoguth and a compliment-
nightngith
Ashley- what has anybody said "on here" that has been untrue?
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