Found him!

Yesterday the local media was all a gaga over the efforts of the lobby group, The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce to harang the Province into implementing the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).

I was wondering where Hughie was? I searched and scoured the news and could find no quotes from Hughie, not an inkling as to where he stood on the issue of implementing the HST here in Manitoba. Afterall, Premier Greg Selinger and the Minister of Finance, Rossann Wowchuk are both on the record as saying the HST in Manitoba is a no-go.

Well today I found it!

It's on page A7 of the Freep, third last paragraph in the story, "Business still pushing for blended sales tax." Here:

"Opposition Leader Hugh McFadyen said Tuesday there is no sense convening such a group, since the NDP had already made up its mind."

The group to which Hughie was referring to was the one proposed by Dave Angus (President of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce) - an all-party committee to consult the public on the issue. In other words, the Chamber's attempt to co-opt all the local politicos into a venue where the blue suits can grandstand throughout the winter, whining about how they need to pass on more costs to the consumer. Kind of like the pissing match that's going on right now in front of the CRTC where CTV, Canwest, Rogers, MTS, Shaw, and others are scheming up ways to further raid our pocketbooks.

Still Hughie doesn't address the issue of the HST. (i.e., where does Hughie stand on the issue?) One has to wonder if the reporter asked him? If so, what was his response, if not, then why? Why not ask him? OK, OK, OK, he's been asked before, but why not ask and report on it again given that the issue has been given new life because of the efforts of the Chamber?

No matter though. That's actually an aside.

What's really interesting - now remember, Hughie has just waived the white flag on the matter of having a public committee on the HST because the NDP has, "already made up its mind" - what's really interesting is on the very next page there's a another story on Hydro and the unsubstantiated allegation's of the "very ethical NY consultant" about Hydro going into bankruptcy and subjecting Manitoban's to power blackouts. You know, the consultant who won't release her report, or even let anyone know who she is, or let her work be reviewed by her peers, or allow the name of the firm which she works for to be published. Yeah. that one.

Anyway, here's Hughie, "The only way to resolve this is a truly independent review, and we haven't got one."

Hughie was referring to the assignment of the Office of the Provincial Auditor to review the allegations of the Nameless One. The Office is currently headed up by Carol Bellringer. Carol was on the Board of Directors for Manitoba Hydro, for a couple of months when the Nameless One was allegedly working on risk management issues for Manitoba Hydro. According to Hughie, this should disqualify her from participating in the review.

Now Carol is no spring chicken......Ok. That didn't come out right. She has experience. She became a CA in 1982 and was the Provincial Auditor of the Province of Manitoba from 1993 to 1996. There can be no doubt that over the years she has had to handle situations likes this. And, given that Hughie (word of the night) is clamouring for the Office of the Auditor General (i.e., the vary same Carol Bellringer) to conduct a "sweeping review of the child welfare system" - well, one has to wonder if Hughie is just making this up as he goes along.

First, Hughie waves the white flag on the HST because the NDP has made up its mind. Then, gets the review of Hydro, but doesn't like Carol Bellringer. Even though the NDP has made up its mind that Carol is the one for the job. Then wants Carol Bellringer to do a "sweeping review of the child welfare system". Even though the NDP has apparently made up its mind that a review by the Office of the Auditor General isn't required, and Hughie doesn't appear to have confidence in Carol.........

Wow.

Is there any wonder why one can have no confidence in this screwball.

I love this dude.

So. Where's Hughie?

Oh come on! We know he's been hanging around the Leg all day.

The same day the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce comes out calling for the Province to harmonize the PST with the GST.

As we all know, harmonizing the PST with the GST to create the HST will extend the PST to cover items that have previously not been covered.

According to Dave Angus of the lobby group, the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Manitoba must adopt an HST to save business money. Dave also believes that it's foolish to separate the population into business and people.

"'It's a mistake for us to split people in half because one half is a consumer and the other half is an employee,' he said. 'It doesn't matter if you're paying more for those items if you don't have an income.'"

Dave. Puhleeze. Enough of the hyperbole. Harmonizing the PST with the GST will not save jobs. It will not create jobs. It's entirely disingenuous of you to suggest that it will, and damages the credibility of yourself and your orgranization. Which, as far as lobby groups go, hasn't been too bad under your stewardship.

And no one is splitting the population into business vs "the rest of us".

But what I really want to know is, where's Hughie on this?

Seriously. That latest news release I see from team Hughie is dated November 6th and it's got nothing to do with the HST.

Are we to assume the _no one_ in the media attempted to contact the illustrious Leader of the Official alleged Opposition? or the good Doktor?

The Premier, Greg Selinger and the Minister of Finance are unequivocal on this matter.

NO.

No HST.

They will revisit the matter from time to time, as is done with each and every issue. But for the time being, absolutely not!

So Hughie.

Where are you?

Another day......

I don’t know if Mary Agnes Welch is being played like a fool by some lobbyists and entrepreneurs, or if she’s got a hate on for the NDP but today brings us yet another classical smear against Manitoba Hydro and the Manitoba government.

In today’s episode, the government is negligent because private sector energy companies that build windmills are not building them fast enough.

Welch notes that the NDP government in Manitoba has promised to install 1,000 megawatts of wind power by 2015. She also notes that there are nine wind farms, totaling 1,100 megawatts of power that have received environmental licences, but have been shelved.

Justin Rangooni, a paid lobbyist for the windmill companies, (i.e. the Ontario Policy Manager for the Canadian Wind Energy Association), claims that things are at a standstill in Manitoba.

To paint an even starker picture, Welch goes to another private sector interest, in this case a rep from a company called Total Wind Canada Inc.

“We put our company here hoping St. Joseph would be up and running, but it’s been three years,” said Purkess. “What is it that’s holding us back in Manitoba while every other province is going heavy and hard.”

Does Welch get her to elaborate? Give her opinion as to why things are being held back in Manitoba? I mean, she has the company rep on the phone. Why not ask?

Ahhh, but why ask when it’s better to infer. That’s real reporting going on here folks.

Rangooni and Welch go on to paint the picture that all of the windmill development is going to Ontario because the government there has streamlined the approval process and is offering to pay a guaranteed price of 13.5 cents per kilowatt hour.

“Ontario has a new green energy policy called a feed-in tariff that threatens to suck all the wind out of Manitoba. It’s a guaranteed, set price – 13.5 cents per kilowatt hours – the province of Ontario will pay for wind power. Any company that can link to the grid, get environmental approvals and a contract with the power company will earn that price, a healthy one.”

Wait, what?

If nine projects totaling 1,100 megawatts of power, a number that exceeds the target of 1,000 megawatts, have received approval for construction here in Manitoba, but have not been constructed – well, that would mean that the approval process is not a fault here.

So what is preventing these companies from going, “heavy and hard” like our friend from Total Wind Canada Inc claims is happening in other provinces?

Maybe it’s the money, or lack thereof and the maturity, or lack thereof, of the windmill industry, and the recession.

Aim PowerGen is purported to be developing the Dominion City Wind Energy Project and the Oakland Wind Energy Project. Aim PowerGen was just sold from Renewable Energy Generation Limited to International Power plc.

Greenwing Energy Development is reported as building the Yellowhead Wind Energy Project and the Reston Wind Energy Project. Just last year, GreenWing Energy Development Limited Partnership was sold to Altagas.

PPM which is in charge of the 300 megawatt Mountain Energy Project as recently acquired by Iberdrola Renewables.

And Sequioa Energy of Manitoba is in charge of the Meridian Wind Energy Project, the Killarney Wind Energy Project and the Pembina Hills Wind Energy Project.

All of this upheaval coupled with difficulties raising investment capital during a global recession is bound to slow things down. Why aren’t these questions posed to the lobbyists and private interests? Why are their allegations taken; and statements printed at face value?

But in the final analysis, it comes down to what we Manitobans should pay for power.

We currently pay about 6 cents per kilowatt hour for our Hydro electricity for residential purposes and it’s even less for industrial or corporate consumers. So, if Ontario is paying 13.5 cents per kilowatt hour, well one doesn’t have to be a rocket surgeon to figure this out.

Does this mean that Manitoba Hydro should buy the power at 13.5 cents per kilowatt hour and sell it for 6 cents?

Or does it mean that we should all pay 13.5 cents per kilowatt hour instead of the 6 or so that we’re currently paying?

I would suggest that the problem here lay not with the processes for the approval of windmill licences, afterall, all nine projects have received approval.

If you want to pay double your current Hydro rates, then perhaps we could follow Ontario’s lead and subsidize the private sector.

Or, perhaps we could recognize that we are blessed with clean, cheap power here and if the private sector wants to compete, then they will have to become more efficient.

Busted!

Pretty much everyone who drives, has at one point in time or another, gotten a speeding ticket. It's no big deal. The cop pulls you over, you present your driver's licence and registration (s)he examines them, maybe runs a check with dispatch, comes back, gives you the ticket, you apologize and you're on your way.

The best, absolute best way of handling the situation is when the Ociffer ask, "do you know how fast you where going?", you do not, I repeat DO NOT say KMH! Instead, be honest, admit your speed - yes, you do so know how fast you where going. Be honest here, you looked as soon as the cherries lit up. Just be honest with the cop, "yes Ociffer, I was going 120. I'm sorry, I'll slow down."

The Ociffer will be happy with your admission, write you your ticket and you'll be on your way.

If you get all smart-assed and start with the, "oh sure, why you picking on me", or, "what! you need to make your quota", or, "oh really? I thought the sign was in miles per hour".....well, the cop is going to write the full value of the ticket and any other infraction he or she may be able to nail you with.

Why?

Because you're being an asshole and you deserve it. Plain and simple.

Well this afternoon when I was cruising home down Main Street doing 20 khm even though the speed limit is 60 kmh, but everyone is so damn scared of getting a phucking photo radar ticket they all drive like phucking morons....... /rant

I was listening to CBC and who do I hear, but one ex-Ociffer now Tory MP for Winnipeg-Greg Selinger, Shelly Glover.

Shelly was recently busted by the Riel School Division because she wanted to hand out a bunch of water bottles with her name and Conservative logo on them to some of the students in the Division.

The School Board, wisely, lit her up with the cherries and pulled her over.

Did Shelly admit that she was trynig to pull a fast one?

Nope.

She decided to blame the cops. She goes after the media for making a mountain out of mole hill and went on whining why she couldn't "do something nice for the students", "teaching them about civics", yada, yada, yada.

It was actually worse than that but I can't find the transcript yet.

Anyway.

Shelly.

Honestly.

You have to know that injecting partisian politics into the classroom is verbotin! Kind of like knowing the speed limit. If you are in control of the vehicle it is your responsbility to know the speed limit. If you exceed it, you are expected to pay the fine. For the love of gawd woman! When you get busted, just admit it. Smile and carry on. Trying to blame the media, the School Board, the students, the weather or that the speed limit sign was hidden behind the "Welcome to Hazard Country" sign - well, that just drags it out and you look like a fool.

What's particularly disturbing about this is that she has spent the whole day refusing comment until she could "gather more information".

Shelly.

You've had the whole day to contemplate the situation and you come up with the worst possible response.

That's really, really scary.

Blaming a defective speedometer, accusing the police of having to make a quota, or other attempts to avoid taking responsibility for your actions are sometimes understandable when they are attempted in the heat of the act - but resorting to such silliness after you've had time to "gather more information", well that's revealing your lack of inner-character.

If you can't do the time.........

Too much pop and cake

Ever had a gaggle of little girls do a birthday party sleep-over?

You know. They're six to eight years old, about six of 'em.

They have their little alliances and BFF's; they form groups, tell stories about themselves and others. They chat endlessly about Bratz, kitties, ponies, brothers, sisters, school and how much fun they're having - or not.

They'll pick away at the cake and other goodies, and wash it down with coke, pepsi or any other sugar and caffeine laden carbonated beverage they can lay their hands on.

Evening gives way to night, the cake, goodies and pop have been consumed. They've messed up the living room, destroyed the dinning room, demolished the kitchen and made a royal hella mess out of the bedroom and each other with the play make up kit you bought little Snowflake as a side gift.

Shortly after midnight, you've spent the last two hours trying to settle them down, but they're having way too much fun scaring the hell out of each other with ghost stories to pay _any_ attention to your demands that they try an get some sleep.

You give it another hour, then play the heavy. Solomley you enter the disaster area, unplug the Wii, take the laptop, rescue the kitten they've made "pretty", turn off the light and declare that the party is over - it is time to go to sleep! As you turn to exit, Snowflake screams out, "you're the worst Daddy ever, you've ruined everything, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you." She's crying, the other girls are upset, but you remain firm in your resolve. Someone has to be the adult.

You sigh. Smile. Turn and wish them a good nights sleep.

And they go right back to telling stories about each other, Bratz, ponies, kittens, ghosts and monsters in the closet.

Well the party began on August 27th when Gary Doer announced he was stepping down as the Premier of Manitoba and the Leader of the Manitoba NDP. For weeks the media and local political junkies and hacks alike gorged on a steady diet of: "he's running, she should run, he'd be great, she'd be better". The delegate selection meetings, the count, the announcements, the analysis, chatter, chatter, chatter. Alliances formed, then dissolved, then reformed, then shifted. We all talked about who's doing what, where, when, and too whom.

Then the Convention was held, the ballots were counted and the lights were turned out.

The back-room political hacks went back to their regular duties, some went on to greater things, or "new challenges". But some of the media, still hyped-up from that steady diet of gossip and rumor, continues on, well past midnight and on into the early hours of the morning.

CBC "News" Winnipeg took it upon themselves to subject us to an "I-Team" exclusive expose yesterday. The "news" here was a report on the alleged New York "Consultant" who, for some inexplicable reason, is using the "Whistle Blower" legislation to vent her spleen about how Manitoba Hydro is on the road to bankruptcy, has forgone Billions - "BILLIONS I SAY" dollars in revenue and is endangering the known universe by subjecting us all to potential blackouts.

Yeah.

Basically the same tripe that graced the cover of the Freep last week. But, when it's three AM, you're with your Buds, all hyped up on junk food and whatnot, it doesn't matter if "Bloody Mary" is on the fourth step or running backwards around the Church at St. Andrew's for the twenty-sixth time - you're just gonna make it up as you go along.

The "Consultant", the one who will not allow her name to be used, will not allow the name of her company to be used, will not publish her work, or allow her work to be reviewed by peers - maintains that she is a "A very ethical risk consultant in NY".

mmmmmk!

To their credit, CBC did have a new piece of information. They have a five page rant from the one whose name shall not be spoken, nor work released. In it, she rambles on about the dangers posed to Manitoba and Manitoba Hydro's plans posed by the potential of a multi-year drought. She also rambles on about antiquated computer systems at Hydro and states that her report on the computer system was "sabotaged".

We are still, however, left at a severe disadvantage, for we do not have her alleged Report that she refuses to release.

What is a multi-year drought? Is it one year with no precipitation? Two years with no precipitation? Three? Five? Ten? Twenty?

What are these, "'systemic and massive' computer system flaws - with obsolete computers maintaining the calculations" of which she speaks? She rags on Hydro about running a "system" so antiquated it's like, "the equivalent of using rotary phones in the age of wifi and Bluetooth technology". Yet makes not mention if the issues lay with the hardware, software or network.

And we all know that if only they would've run Vista, all would be well........

With computers, like many things, we all know that newer is not necessarily better.

No matter though.

The Nameless One who will not allow her work to be reviewed has it all documented. Or at least did, until her dog ate her homework. As she tells the tale:

"During the fall of 2008, when I uncovered the computer-system errors in blackouts, I was so worried, I emailed the CEO directly.

The “Hydraulic Computer Report” which would have itemized line-by-line errors in
massive computer system failures, which could cause the lights to go out, was sabotaged 24 hours after it was notified to the CEO, that such problems exist."

"Notified to the CEO, that such problems exist".....does she write eMails for those that run the Nigerian Bank scam on the side? I'm think she's a 419'er here.

She was "sabotaged"?

So, like, the dog, like, came in, and like, ate my freaking homework, like, really!

And this "sabotage", was it a case of the dog eating your homework and as a "A very ethical risk consultant in NY" you didn't mitigate risk by having a backup? or, was it "sabotaged" as in people came to realize that the tale wasn't standing up to scrutiny. Might explain why no matter how many times you run around St. Andrew's Church no ghosties come out. Perhaps explain why "a very ethical risk consultant in NY" won't publish her work or allow it to be reviewed.

Oh, but she continues:

"The report was midway.

Computer failures of other exorbitant magnitude have also contributed to the billion dollars losses and the misforecasting of blackouts. Financial forecasts being incorrect also impact the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and profit sharing. I was told not to put any more in writing."

WTF is a "misforecast"?

Nameless One. You where told to not put anymore in writing because you can't.

"Computer failures of other exorbitant magnitude".......Again with the 419 language.

"I am very important opportunity for you make Miilons dollars only send if to me bank information of your account......"

I honestly can't wait to see this report.

The picture is becoming clearer here. The Nameless One is fucking, totally incompetent. This wasn't realized until she had to put her "findings" into an interim Report. The Report turned out to be total bullshit and she was exposed.

She probably gives a good first impression, but when it comes time to produce... well, it's the old Jeff Reinebold and Anna Kournikova story.

Seriously here people.

Isn't it time to slow down, take several deep breaths and go back to reality. The time for gossip, rumor's, BFF's, alliances and ghost stories has passed. There's nothing in the closet, running around the Church at St. Andrew's will only give you some much needed exercise and Bloody Mary is just a drink. It's been a good party, but it's time settle down.

Who did it?

OK, so who pissed in Mary's gripe juice?

Come'on, fess up and apologize so she can regain her composure and lay off the smear campaign against the Manitoba NDP she's been on since Doer left.

First, supported by an unnamed consultant who will not permit her work to be released or reviewed by her peers, it was the front page article warning of black-outs and bankruptcy for Manitoba Hydro.

Today, it's a regurgitation of the idea that the NDP "establishment" is setting to fix the Concordia by-election because they set a date for an early nomination. Mary also makes sure to bring up the horse-shit from the recent Leadership race about an "unattractive backlash from some longtime party members" with respect to Ashton's campaign to recruit from the ethnic communities.

Mary.

There are at least 14,000 paid members of the Manitoba NDP. It is possible that at some point in a heated Leadership campaign someone, some member griped about, "those people". Just as it is possible that someone, some member, also believes that 911 was a conspiracy by the Bush administration (ie: a Truther); or that it is possible that someone, some member also belevies that US President Obama was not born in the United States (ie: a Birther); or that someone, some member also believes that the H1N1 virus is a plot by the Bilderberger Group to control world population (ie: Totally Batshiat Crazy).

The alleged "long time party members" who allegedly made, presumingly, disparaging remarks about Ashton's campaign recruiting ethnic members do not speak for the Party. Nor are they in a majority, or even exist in all but the most minute amount of numbers, if at all. We all know this.

Yet.

Given the first opportunity, the alleged remarks are trotted out to support an allegation that the Party "establishment" is attempting to fix the Concordia by-election. This leads the reader to infer that the Party has something against Indo-Canadians. Afterall, if you have too many around it's going to generate an "unattractive backlash from some longtime party members."

It's a fucking classical smear.

You infer that some long-time party members are racists, then imply that the Party "establishment" is calling a quick nomination date to avoid having more Indo-Canadians sign up. Thereby extending the smear to the whole Party.

Congratulations. The Palin campaign should have a spot for you in 2012.

Please, please, please

Hugh have got to be kidding me.

This guy is too much.

Please, please, please stay.

On the eve of his Provincial Convention, Hugh let's out with a News Release titled, "Students Support McFadyens Vision" and then leads with:

"Manitoba Progressive Conservative Leader Hugh McFadyen says the NDP’s tuition freeze is a failed policy that effectively subsidized millionaires while hurting our universities and colleges."

OK, I've been out of University for quite some time, but I find it hard to believe that students are millionaires these days.

OK, OK, OK, I get the "argument" that he's trying to get across, "some of the students are millionaires so they should pay more"......'cept that I find it hard to beleive that any of the students are millionaires.

Think about it. If you where a millionaire would you be at the U of M? the U of W? or the U of B?

pfffft!

Only if it's University of Miami, the University of Waikiki or the University of the Bahamas.

Seriously.

I think Hughie is losing his mind.

Please. Hugh. Take a break and don't totally lose it until after October 5th, 2011.