it's about time we fight back!

The federal Liberals have finally decided to fight back. "Highly partisan" flyers are now being sent out to Conservative-held ridings.

It's about time we fight back! Fight fire with fire. Playing Mr. Nice Guy has been slightly ineffective, in my opinion.

art is only for straight ivory tower elitists anyways, right?

In lieu of the recent Toronto Pride federal funding fiasco, the Harper Conservatives have recently turned down funding for a Montreal arts festival that is geared toward the LGBT community.

With their poll numbers sinking lower and lower in La Belle Province and fully knowing the immense value and importance of arts, heritage and culture to the Québecois, you would think they would have handled this differently.

But this comes as no surprise. This is a Reform Party Kodak moment: Harper thinks the arts is exclusive to elitists and the so-cons, like Brad Trost, will do anything they can to strategically outcast the LGBT community. Shocking? I expect no less.

congrats jean

Congratulations Prime Minister Chrétien on his appointment to the Order of Merit by her majesty.

With a long history in public service, an immpecable record of fiscal responsibility as leader, and unmatched electoral success (other than by Mackenzie King), I consider Jean Chrétien to be one of greatest Prime Ministers in recent history. The Queen made a very wise choice.

anti-union satire makes me less of a moderate?

I would expect that most politically minded readers (of all political stripes) could tell the difference between satirical humour and me being a "fascist" seriously wanting to start military coups on a municipal level.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions. Fellow blogger Kirbycairo described me as being irrational and a"wacko". To my defence, how does being critical of organized-labour make me any less of a moderate ? There are many so called blue-Liberals/red-Tories who feel that the effectiveness of organized labour has had its day. What makes the Liberal Party so appealing to so many Canadians across this great country is its big-tent nature. We have members who are on the political left and those on the political right. Why is it so surprising that politically moderate individuals, like myself, have opinons that lie on both sides of the political spectrum?

If me showing my disdain toward the inaction of Mayor Miller is considered "undemocratic", as Kirbycairo put it, then I don't know what democracy is.

a honduras-like coup here in toronto?

It's been over 2 weeks, and the city continues to pile up with garbage. We can literally hear a pin drop at City Hall. Toronto needs a new mayor. Not just any mayor, we need an effective one who isn't leashed and gagged by organized labour. David Miller needs to go.

What do we Torontonians need to do to make him take action? Maybe we need to pull a Honduras-like coup here in Toronto? Afterall, like President Zelaya, Miller will have the option of parachuting back into the city and land safely on the heaps of trash.

canada, a nation of opportunity

The first of July is a day of reflection and celebration. Whether you are a citizen, a refugee, a permanent resident or a student, today is a day to reflect upon the great nation in which we live.

My middle-class parents and I immigrated from Hong Kong to Canada when I was at the tender age of 3. Canada welcomed us with open arms and opened doors to opportunities we never thought was possible. Despite the up's and down's, my parents worked very hard, each and every single day, to give me the best upbringing possible. I grew up in Canada, I went to school in Canada, and currently developing my career in Canada. Without any hesitation, I can proudly consider myself a Canadian first, before all else.

I feel very lucky to be living in a nation where democracy is practised freely without doubt and violence. I feel very lucky to have grown up with people from all over the world, of all colours, of all sexualities, of all political stripes, and of all religions. I feel very lucky to be a citizen of a country where I can determine my own destiny, succeed, and learn from my failures with peace and without repression.

As Canadians, we certainly don't express our patriotism as outwardly as our gracious American neighbours. Why? Because I believe our patriotism and our love for our nation is intrinsic. This past weekend was Pride Week in Toronto for the LGBT community. Three days later, we celebrate pride once more, this time as Canadians.

Happy Birthday Canada! I will forever be grateful.


PHOTO CREDIT & SOURCE: Official Canada Day poster by 15 year old Allison Forseille of Saskatchewan (http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2009/05/22/art-poster-canada-day-123.html)