Friday, April 27, 2007
Save the Planet - Topple this Government
A quick scan of the Liberal blogs offers a fascinating reaction to Minister Baird’s climate change action plan: silence followed by a few, barely audible gulps.
Only two months ago, the three opposition parties banded together and voted for a motion calling on the government to meet our Kyoto obligations.
Now that a plan is delivered that will not meet our Kyoto commitments, let me echo Chantal Hebert: bad boys, bad boys, watchya gonna do?
That question is such cruel torture; I expect a Liberal will accuse me of war crimes and send me to The Hague. Of course, none of them will do anything. As we have discussed so many times on this blog, if Stephane Dion believed anything he said, he would launch a non-confidence vote in the government on this very issue. If his separatist buddies or his NDP nemeses felt as passionately about the Kyoto protocol as they claimed, they would vote down the government and we would be in a spring election. That, my friends, is the inconvenient consequence of hysteria-mongering.
Elizabeth May called yesterday “a sad day for Canada” – which is understated since we know she meant a “sad day for the universe.” How can she stand by her man if her man wimps out of a necessary confrontation over her only issue? At the very least, they should submit the motion and watch the Bloc Quebecois blink. That way, everybody wins thanks to yet another humiliation delivered to the separatists who defend nothing and serve no one.
Only two months ago, the three opposition parties banded together and voted for a motion calling on the government to meet our Kyoto obligations.
Now that a plan is delivered that will not meet our Kyoto commitments, let me echo Chantal Hebert: bad boys, bad boys, watchya gonna do?
That question is such cruel torture; I expect a Liberal will accuse me of war crimes and send me to The Hague. Of course, none of them will do anything. As we have discussed so many times on this blog, if Stephane Dion believed anything he said, he would launch a non-confidence vote in the government on this very issue. If his separatist buddies or his NDP nemeses felt as passionately about the Kyoto protocol as they claimed, they would vote down the government and we would be in a spring election. That, my friends, is the inconvenient consequence of hysteria-mongering.
Elizabeth May called yesterday “a sad day for Canada” – which is understated since we know she meant a “sad day for the universe.” How can she stand by her man if her man wimps out of a necessary confrontation over her only issue? At the very least, they should submit the motion and watch the Bloc Quebecois blink. That way, everybody wins thanks to yet another humiliation delivered to the separatists who defend nothing and serve no one.
Labels: Put up or Shut up
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No doubt this is another Cherniak step to a Liberal majority!
Adults vs. Posers
20% over 13 years vs. Liberals driving backwards for 10 years and then accelerating into a wall.
Polluters pay vs. CO2 quota assets for Gore's friends
Sequestering C02 vs. Sequestering Oil
10% of objectives by domestic trading vs. unlimited international hot air.
FlICK off Dion. Force an election or leave the adults to govern.
Liberal Campaign Slogan:
Irresponsible Yesterday
Irresponsible Tomorrow
Dion doesn't even have the time right twice a day.
Friday, April 27, 2007 11:25:00 AM
Adults vs. Posers
20% over 13 years vs. Liberals driving backwards for 10 years and then accelerating into a wall.
Polluters pay vs. CO2 quota assets for Gore's friends
Sequestering C02 vs. Sequestering Oil
10% of objectives by domestic trading vs. unlimited international hot air.
FlICK off Dion. Force an election or leave the adults to govern.
Liberal Campaign Slogan:
Irresponsible Yesterday
Irresponsible Tomorrow
Dion doesn't even have the time right twice a day.
Friday, April 27, 2007 11:25:00 AM
# posted by 
: Friday, April 27, 2007 11:26:00 AM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 11:26:00 AM 
No html tricks just
F l I C K.
Just subtract the spaces.
F l I C K.
Just subtract the spaces.
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 11:47:00 AM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 11:47:00 AM
Funniest whine so far. Apparently The lack of CO2 quotas means Ontario doesn't get perpetual cash for shutting the coal plants they promised to shut down 2 mandates ago.
This after getting their ecotrust cheques and probably another fed contribution every time they reannounce shutting the 'Coke.
Less funny. McGuinty's rationale for not scrubbing out pollutants that kill is that they need to save the cash to help them finally replace the whole thing in his tenth mandate.
This after getting their ecotrust cheques and probably another fed contribution every time they reannounce shutting the 'Coke.
Less funny. McGuinty's rationale for not scrubbing out pollutants that kill is that they need to save the cash to help them finally replace the whole thing in his tenth mandate.
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 11:53:00 AM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 11:53:00 AM
Charles,
"Sequestering oil". Now there's a bumper sticker for Calgary Grit to look forward to.
"Sequestering oil". Now there's a bumper sticker for Calgary Grit to look forward to.
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 11:55:00 AM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 11:55:00 AM
Charles, Note the lead sentence in international coverage:
April 25 (Bloomberg) -- Canada, which sits on the biggest oil reserves outside the Middle East, promised to cut greenhouse-gas emissions 20 percent by 2020 in a bid by the government to improve a plan that rival parties rejected.
You develop the oil sands AND fund tech that reduces C02 intensity faster that growth and Prez Rudy or Prez Hilary can tell the Saudis to include a few Wahhabist princes in their next mass round up.
Liberal oil sequestering. It's all about protecting Halliburton.
April 25 (Bloomberg) -- Canada, which sits on the biggest oil reserves outside the Middle East, promised to cut greenhouse-gas emissions 20 percent by 2020 in a bid by the government to improve a plan that rival parties rejected.
You develop the oil sands AND fund tech that reduces C02 intensity faster that growth and Prez Rudy or Prez Hilary can tell the Saudis to include a few Wahhabist princes in their next mass round up.
Liberal oil sequestering. It's all about protecting Halliburton.
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 12:13:00 PM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 12:13:00 PM
Charles, When ya gonna spoof the internal bloc meeting that led to Tuesday's unanimous vote?
Is it possible to read that sweaterheart resolution as anything other than a plea for a porkleaf (figleaf+pork).
Never underestimate the Bloc’s ability to rationalize their own survival and to hide behind pork.
Is it possible to read that sweaterheart resolution as anything other than a plea for a porkleaf (figleaf+pork).
Never underestimate the Bloc’s ability to rationalize their own survival and to hide behind pork.
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 12:21:00 PM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 12:21:00 PM
yyc,
1) totally agreed. seems the Dion organizer out your way (okay, 4 hrs north of you) would have an interest in keeping the wahabi machine well oiled.
2) tuesday I was still in the perfect grounds of New England - anyway you could link me to what you are talking about re: the Bloc?
1) totally agreed. seems the Dion organizer out your way (okay, 4 hrs north of you) would have an interest in keeping the wahabi machine well oiled.
2) tuesday I was still in the perfect grounds of New England - anyway you could link me to what you are talking about re: the Bloc?
The sad thing is, as unacceptably pathetic and inadequate as this "plan" is, what the Cons are putting forth is still more than the Liberals ever did in their years in power as they watched impassively as emissions ratcheted up by another 30%. And that's something you'll never hear from Ms May, of course.
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 12:39:00 PM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 12:39:00 PM
Some math.
-18% intensity after 3 yrs; -2% per year thereafter=-38% intensity by 2020.
Given that roughly half the intensity reductions go to absolute reduction. one can do some quick numbers.
2010: -9% absolute
2011: -10% abolute
2012: -11% absolute
Guess which 4 year period is the first one where absolute reductions average over 6%?
Hint: which 4 year period were the Liberals supposed to be 6% below 1990. (They had a decade before that to get back to 1990 levels)
-18% intensity after 3 yrs; -2% per year thereafter=-38% intensity by 2020.
Given that roughly half the intensity reductions go to absolute reduction. one can do some quick numbers.
2010: -9% absolute
2011: -10% abolute
2012: -11% absolute
Guess which 4 year period is the first one where absolute reductions average over 6%?
Hint: which 4 year period were the Liberals supposed to be 6% below 1990. (They had a decade before that to get back to 1990 levels)
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 12:48:00 PM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 12:48:00 PM
Charles,
"That the House call on the government to set absolute greenhouse gas reduction targets as soon as possible so as to meet the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol, a prerequisite for the establishment, as expeditiously as possible, of a carbon exchange in Montréal".
Note: the resolution did not say:
"That the House call on the government to set absolute greenhouse gas reduction targets as soon as possible so as to meet the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol, AND the establishment, as expeditiously as possible, of a carbon exchange in Montréal".
Nor did it say:
"That the House call on the government meet the absolute greenhouse gas reduction targets set out in the Kyoto Protocol"
House voted unanimously and the press covered it as a shocking Conservative flip flop.
Look at the wording. Do you honestly think the Bloc was surprised to get Conservative support? No deals would be needed to know how Harper would respond.
The NDP and Liberals got all excited but the resolution looks more like a pork-leaf for Gilles.
"That the House call on the government to set absolute greenhouse gas reduction targets as soon as possible so as to meet the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol, a prerequisite for the establishment, as expeditiously as possible, of a carbon exchange in Montréal".
Note: the resolution did not say:
"That the House call on the government to set absolute greenhouse gas reduction targets as soon as possible so as to meet the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol, AND the establishment, as expeditiously as possible, of a carbon exchange in Montréal".
Nor did it say:
"That the House call on the government meet the absolute greenhouse gas reduction targets set out in the Kyoto Protocol"
House voted unanimously and the press covered it as a shocking Conservative flip flop.
Look at the wording. Do you honestly think the Bloc was surprised to get Conservative support? No deals would be needed to know how Harper would respond.
The NDP and Liberals got all excited but the resolution looks more like a pork-leaf for Gilles.
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 1:00:00 PM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 1:00:00 PM
I agree, CC!
Harper should find a way to say to the opposition, in particular, Dion:
"Shit now, of get off the fucking Kyoto pot!"
Harper should find a way to say to the opposition, in particular, Dion:
"Shit now, of get off the fucking Kyoto pot!"
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 1:02:00 PM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 1:02:00 PM
Speaking of Canada's environmental crimes against humanity, check out the options on the latest CTV poll:
Balanced approach
Way too soft
Too tough
It's interesting to me that they go for the added emphasis on the "softness" of Baird's latest plan. Nevertheless, the "Balanced approach" crowd is at 50% almost majority territory!
Balanced approach
Way too soft
Too tough
It's interesting to me that they go for the added emphasis on the "softness" of Baird's latest plan. Nevertheless, the "Balanced approach" crowd is at 50% almost majority territory!
I doubt the Bloc would blink. This is the best shot they have at salvaging seats in Quebec. They can portray Dion as centralizer (or worse) and Harper as the lackey for the anti-Kyoto oil tycoons. If they waited a year they'd lose the latter argument.
I don't think we should expect that coward Dion to force a non-confidence vote. I'm somewhat surprised we haven't seen Layton screaming for the Opposition parties to topple the government. What does he have to lose? If it doesn't happen, he can claim the Liberals and/or Bloc aren't serious about Kyoto and, if it does, he can take the credit for leading the charge.
I don't think we should expect that coward Dion to force a non-confidence vote. I'm somewhat surprised we haven't seen Layton screaming for the Opposition parties to topple the government. What does he have to lose? If it doesn't happen, he can claim the Liberals and/or Bloc aren't serious about Kyoto and, if it does, he can take the credit for leading the charge.
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 1:08:00 PM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 1:08:00 PM
we have a winner; Suzuki told Baird he's disappointed.
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 1:13:00 PM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 1:13:00 PM
CTV polling...
What do you think of the Conservative plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Balanced approach
1337 votes (50 %)
Way too soft
1078 votes (40 %)
Too tough
266 votes (10 %)
Total Votes: 2681
What do you think of the Conservative plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Balanced approach
1337 votes (50 %)
Way too soft
1078 votes (40 %)
Too tough
266 votes (10 %)
Total Votes: 2681
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 1:13:00 PM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 1:13:00 PM
anon 1:08. If Duceppe was ready to fight an election Tuesday's resolution would have been one the Tory's would have had to vote against. Not a chance Gilles was surprised by Tory support for that resolution.
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 1:13:00 PM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 1:13:00 PM
good thoughts, anonymous, one quibble though:
Boisclair attacked the oil sands in his provincial campaign and it paid 0 dividends. While I sure hope Duceppe goes this route, don't expect Quebeckers to be as thick and slow as the leaders of the separatist movement!
Boisclair attacked the oil sands in his provincial campaign and it paid 0 dividends. While I sure hope Duceppe goes this route, don't expect Quebeckers to be as thick and slow as the leaders of the separatist movement!
Charles, Pork-leaf = Pork to hide behind. We're fighting the Cons to the last molecule of C02, just not in an election. In the meantime we've forcing scary Harper to *shocking but true* think about allowing commodity trading at a commodity exchange.
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 1:20:00 PM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 1:20:00 PM
"If Duceppe was ready to fight an election Tuesday's resolution would have been one the Tory's would have had to vote against."
It's not about being ready to fight an election more than being forced to fight one. I don't expect Duceppe to lead the charge in this, but if a non-confidence motion comes forward condemning the Tories for abandoning Kyoto, then Duceppe would probably sit down and figure out that he's more screwed if he waits because he loses a major wedge issue between him and Harper.
It's not about being ready to fight an election more than being forced to fight one. I don't expect Duceppe to lead the charge in this, but if a non-confidence motion comes forward condemning the Tories for abandoning Kyoto, then Duceppe would probably sit down and figure out that he's more screwed if he waits because he loses a major wedge issue between him and Harper.
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 1:26:00 PM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 1:26:00 PM
Suzuki, from online CTV report:
"But respected environmentalist David Suzuki came out swinging Friday, calling the plan an embarrassment that was more of a sham than a strategy.
Suzuki said the government must meet the terms of the Kyoto accord on time -- regardless of expense."
Let's hear that again...
"...REGARDLESS OF EXPENSE.
Right on! Ya'll keep on preachin' that, ya hear!
Let's throw another 5,000,000 Canadians into poverty! Helluva an idea! Worth every GD penny of the cost of Kyoto!
Flicking lovely!
"But respected environmentalist David Suzuki came out swinging Friday, calling the plan an embarrassment that was more of a sham than a strategy.
Suzuki said the government must meet the terms of the Kyoto accord on time -- regardless of expense."
Let's hear that again...
"...REGARDLESS OF EXPENSE.
Right on! Ya'll keep on preachin' that, ya hear!
Let's throw another 5,000,000 Canadians into poverty! Helluva an idea! Worth every GD penny of the cost of Kyoto!
Flicking lovely!
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 1:34:00 PM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 1:34:00 PM
anonymous,
good point - totally agreed.
ps. maybe you could come up with a catchy name vs. anonymous.
Like - secret strategist or something.
good point - totally agreed.
ps. maybe you could come up with a catchy name vs. anonymous.
Like - secret strategist or something.
anon 1:26,
Not so distant climb down over a BQ wedge issue
ctv.ca, Dec 11, 2006:
Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe warned Monday he might table a non-confidence motion if the mandate of Canadian soldiers in the wartorn country doesn't change.
And the other opposition parties suggested they might join a Bloc effort to that effect in the new year.
Gille will take credit for forcing the Tories to do more than the Liberals ever did, scream that it's not enough and that he needs more MPs to force them further. Then he'll add an amendement listing the Liberal record.
Not so distant climb down over a BQ wedge issue
ctv.ca, Dec 11, 2006:
Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe warned Monday he might table a non-confidence motion if the mandate of Canadian soldiers in the wartorn country doesn't change.
And the other opposition parties suggested they might join a Bloc effort to that effect in the new year.
Gille will take credit for forcing the Tories to do more than the Liberals ever did, scream that it's not enough and that he needs more MPs to force them further. Then he'll add an amendement listing the Liberal record.
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 2:02:00 PM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 2:02:00 PM
For the longest time, Baird was evasive as to exactly when yesterday's announcement would take place. Maybe he didn't know for sure himself, but the effect was that the Libs couldn't keep a specific day open to have Dion, McGuinty, etc available for immediate reaction. The other curve ball that Baird threw was that the announcement was in Toronto, not Ottawa. So the optics yesterday were bad for the Libs. No enviro-MPs around for reaction on Mike Duffy Live. The best they can do is get Martha Hall Findley, who hurries to get to a tv studio to appear on MDL. Meanwhile, Layton and May are right there. So the Libs look disorganized on
the day when everyone is paying attention. Clever tactics by Harper. He follows the military rule, equally applicable in politics, that "everything is on a need-to-know basis". Springin surprises and playing his cards close to his chest ... two of Harper's favorite weapons, which he is in a much better position to use as PM.
the day when everyone is paying attention. Clever tactics by Harper. He follows the military rule, equally applicable in politics, that "everything is on a need-to-know basis". Springin surprises and playing his cards close to his chest ... two of Harper's favorite weapons, which he is in a much better position to use as PM.
Looks like a graph we'll see in commercials.
I completely missed the fact that the 2020 targets just happen to match 1993. Wonder why 1993? Hint: the colouring inside the lines.
I completely missed the fact that the 2020 targets just happen to match 1993. Wonder why 1993? Hint: the colouring inside the lines.
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 2:47:00 PM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 2:47:00 PM
springer, stop listening to the goddamn economists already and just listen to what Suzuki has to say or else the whole world will collapse. Didn't you get that memo?
There is such a thing as going too far in trying to promote a worthy cause, and these hyperventilating Kyoto lovers are a case in point.
There is such a thing as going too far in trying to promote a worthy cause, and these hyperventilating Kyoto lovers are a case in point.
I absolutely think Dion will lead the charge in making the environment a matter of non-confidence in the government. Doing anything less would so tarnish his credibility as to threaten his leadership from within.
Dennis, "Within" has been after him for months to establish traction on some other issues.
If he was a lot closer to losing his job he'd have nothing to lose from forcing an election.
But he's safe for 2007. So is the electorate from having to go to the polls.
If he was a lot closer to losing his job he'd have nothing to lose from forcing an election.
But he's safe for 2007. So is the electorate from having to go to the polls.
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 7:12:00 PM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 7:12:00 PM
yyc, and he responded to those criticisms of being a one-trick pony on the environment by making a pact with the Greens - ie) by being an even bigger one-trick pony.
Dion needs something to show for all this. In my mind, unless he stops Harper on the environment, and does it soon, he will have lost all credibility on the one issue he decided to make his own.
A spring election on the environment can hold Harper to a minority while giving Dion a mandate for a stronger pro--Kyoto approach in the House. It will also silence internal opposition.
Dion needs something to show for all this. In my mind, unless he stops Harper on the environment, and does it soon, he will have lost all credibility on the one issue he decided to make his own.
A spring election on the environment can hold Harper to a minority while giving Dion a mandate for a stronger pro--Kyoto approach in the House. It will also silence internal opposition.
It would be a majority if Dion forced it. Last Liberal to try to turn an election into a crusade was Turner.
Paradoxically, Harper's in no hurry.
The weak panic. The strong lead.
Paradoxically, Harper's in no hurry.
The weak panic. The strong lead.
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 7:48:00 PM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 7:48:00 PM
Don't be so certain Dion loses this issue if he waits a year. If he builds up other issues this one will always be a wedge issue against the Tories. The May-Dion thing for better or worse is in play until the next election retires May.
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 7:56:00 PM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 7:56:00 PM
Layton played one of his cards today.
Wants to use a Liberal or Bloc supply day to pass a motion to bring the modified Clean Air Act to a vote. It's not binding (he can't force a vote on gov't legislation), so he's got nothing to lose voting for it with the others.
Expect the posing to continue through to the summer.
Wants to use a Liberal or Bloc supply day to pass a motion to bring the modified Clean Air Act to a vote. It's not binding (he can't force a vote on gov't legislation), so he's got nothing to lose voting for it with the others.
Expect the posing to continue through to the summer.
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 8:14:00 PM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 8:14:00 PM
yyc,
I side with Dennis on this because its way tooooo cynical to think otherwise.
the man said the planet will die without him becoming PM this year. and here's the issue served to him on a platter. if he doesn't act strongly, decisively on this, its hard to believe that there are sufficient apologists willing to disguise that.
I side with Dennis on this because its way tooooo cynical to think otherwise.
the man said the planet will die without him becoming PM this year. and here's the issue served to him on a platter. if he doesn't act strongly, decisively on this, its hard to believe that there are sufficient apologists willing to disguise that.
Over at the old forum where myself and Springer used to hang out, all the "real" conservatives are apopleptic. Basically calling PM Harper a "sell-out" and advocating the start-up of "Reform 2.0".
# posted by : Friday, April 27, 2007 8:55:00 PM
: Friday, April 27, 2007 8:55:00 PM
tee hee hee.
This week's Frank Magazine has a very very funny story about John Baird and his position on toxic emissions and the social value of one-man composting operations.
This week's Frank Magazine has a very very funny story about John Baird and his position on toxic emissions and the social value of one-man composting operations.
splendor,
argh. I spent fifteen minutes this morning typing up a response to Gerry Nicholls. Then I torpedoed it on the grounds that I don't feed a family feud. But, I think its rather myopic to call Stephen Harper a sell-out.
Do these folks have any idea that national daycare would have been a logorithmic leap in the size of government?
argh. I spent fifteen minutes this morning typing up a response to Gerry Nicholls. Then I torpedoed it on the grounds that I don't feed a family feud. But, I think its rather myopic to call Stephen Harper a sell-out.
Do these folks have any idea that national daycare would have been a logorithmic leap in the size of government?
That graph is a keeper. Looks like a big Liberal beating stick.
# posted by : Saturday, April 28, 2007 9:59:00 AM
: Saturday, April 28, 2007 9:59:00 AM
yyc, I still don't understand how global warming remains an issue for Dion a year from now. It will have been a fait accompli by then. Nothing he would propose at that point will be much of an improvement over what Harper has started now.
The window of opportunity is now. Whatever happens now is what stands basically forever.
I don't see how it can be any other way.
Is Dion going to bitch and complain about an emergency issue that's already been dealt with for a year? Come on.
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The window of opportunity is now. Whatever happens now is what stands basically forever.
I don't see how it can be any other way.
Is Dion going to bitch and complain about an emergency issue that's already been dealt with for a year? Come on.
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