The Moderate Separatist

Congrats to Bob Parks

2012-02-03T12:43:00.000-07:00

Years ago, as a novice blogger full of ideas and short on online experience I did some research surfing and came upon Bob Park's Black & Right - http://www.black-and-right.com/. I have been a loyal visitor ever since.

His views as a Black conservative are not only extremely poignant and well written, but also cut through the usual left-wing stereotypes regarding race. I encourage all my regulars to check out this must-read site.

Congrats on 10 years, Bob!

Former P.C. Insider: “You don’t really think Redford is calling the shots, do you?”

2012-02-02T09:46:00.001-07:00

In the few short months Alison Redford has been premier of Alberta her government has established a clear ‘Premier Mom knows best’ method of governing the province.

The unelected premier has instituted some social engineering policies and her cabinet has mused about bringing in some others. Intrusion into the lives of voters, all with the excuse that our government knows what’s best for us, has become almost an early signature of the Redford regime.

Albertans, already concerned over a government that has dug an economic hole in a province flush with energy dollars, have become increasingly unsettled with the penchant the Progressive Conservative group seems to have for big government.

Now we learn that Alison Redford has decided to add to her ‘Premier Mom’ image with a slice of some good, old fashioned ‘do as we say, not as we do’ cake. Sound bite after sound bite has told us her government will be fiscally responsible, that they are taking the province’s finances seriously and will not waste taxpayer dollars.

The P.C. announcement of a ‘zero-based budgeting’ scheme for their upcoming budget has filled the airwaves with Tory spin doctors, including the Premier herself, working extra hard to give the impression of accountability.

We are supposed to notice how fiscally responsible Alison Redford’s government is.

What we are not supposed to notice is this week’s taxpayer funded jaunt to the Jasper Lodge. We are not supposed to ask about the cost of last month’s P.C. Farewell Tour – something I have been inquiring about repeatedly.

Of course, I’m not important. I’m only a life-long Albertan who pays my taxes and votes in elections. I’m not a Progressive Conservative insider so there would be no expectation that the government would bother to answer my query.

So instead I called someone who is – was – inside the P.C. tent for a long time. I’ve spoken with ‘John’ many times before, and know him as direct and forthright.

“You don’t really think Redford is calling the shots, do you?” was his first sentence. “She’s a figurehead. Just like the ‘90’s under Ralph Klein. He was the face of the government, the one who stood in front of the cameras and took the hits, but it was his inner circle, people like Jim Dinning and others in his caucus that ran the show.”

John believes what many Albertans have come to suspect: While there may be a new butt in the premier’s chair, it’s the same old ringleaders running the government.

“I’d suggest that Alison Redford had to win the P.C. leadership race,” he continued. “Party brass saw the threat of the Wildrose emerge with a dynamic, intelligent leader who happens to be a woman. Having a female leader of their own was, in their thinking, a way to diffuse the possible advantage. Having Redford go up against Danielle Smith seemed a better prospect than sending out someone like Gary Mar.”

So who does John think is really pulling the strings behind the scene?

“My guess would be that folks like Ted Morton and a select few others hold a lot of weight. I think it’s obvious that (Treasury Board President) Doug Horner is the one who is really in charge. I think by losing the leadership race, he actually became the head of the Progressive Conservatives.”

Alberta P.C.s Falling Apart in Move to the Left

2012-01-31T08:50:00.001-07:00

It isn’t unusual for a sitting politician to grow disenfranchised and disillusioned with their own party. Many elected officials have had serious concerns with the direction of their party, and with all internal avenues exhausted made the ultimate and risky decision to cross the floor.

Rarer is when a member of a governing party chooses to leave. Giving up a higher position of power to sit as an independent or to join a smaller represented opposition party indicates a concrete difference of opinion to the degree that the member cannot justify remaining with the group. This usually is due to a change in the ideology of the politician, and at times it is because the government has changed course.

But when we see a multiple number of members of a governing party jumping ship over a relatively short amount of time, it virtually sets a precedent. It is also evidence that the ruling party is in trouble.

One leaving is a shoulder shrug. Many leaving is a party falling apart.

From the recent Ed Stelmach era through to the current Alison Redford P.C. government of today, we’ve seen a steady stream of elected Progressive Conservatives such as Rob Anderson, Heather Forsyth, and Guy Boutilier leave the party to join the new small-c Wildrose party.

Raj Sherman left after a very public spat with his caucus over their mismanagement of the provincial health care system and eventually became the leader of the Alberta Liberals. Just this week, respected fiscal conservative Lloyd Snelgrove announced his intentions to leave Redford’s P.C.s and sit as an independent for the remainder of his term after publicly questioning the P.C.’s explanation for their current taxpayer-funded province-wide campaign tour.

Numerous other P.C. MLAs have announced that they’re not running in the next election. You can assume Redford’s ascension to the premier’s chair played a part in the decision of some.

I will mention that the door has swung both ways, as last November Lethbridge-East MLA Bridget Pastoor left the Liberals to join the P.C.s.

In the case of the Alberta P.C.s, what we are seeing is proof of a party that is undergoing a change from within – from the top down, to be more accurate. It is an ideological move to the left of centre on the spectrum. It is no coincidence that many of those who have abandoned the Progressive Conservatives can be described as fiscal, slightly right-of-centre conservatives.

It is also no coincidence that Liberals such as Pastoor would choose to join Redford’s Tories. Given how the Progressive Conservatives have become heavy on the ‘progressive’ with very little ‘conservative’ remaining in the mix, the idea of joining a governing party which appeals to ones big government, intrusive, debt-growing left wing sensibilities would be hard to resist.

Heading into the pre-election budget – to be handed down from an unelected premier, it has become apparent that the 40+ year old Progressive Conservative government has shifted to the left. First under Stelmach and accelerated under Alison Redford, the government has grown beyond its means and has become increasingly intrusive in the everyday lives of Albertans.

It has shed any credibility on fiscal matters and other top priorities in favour of focusing on laws that make criminals out of the innocent. It has mused repeatedly about increasing taxes and creating new ones. It has, for all intents and purposes, abandoned traditional Alberta values.

Albertans are starting to realize this. Apparently, so are some government MLAs.

How Much Is the P.C. Farewell Tour 2012 Costing Alberta Taxpayers?

2012-01-27T17:14:00.000-07:00

In the face of criticism over their cabinet tour, the glad-handing politicians of Alison Redford's Progressive Conservatives insist that this is nothing more than an indication of how open to listening they are. Government MLAs are getting out in the public to hear our concerns, don't you know?

With a budget expected to come down on February 9th followed quickly by an election call, it isn't too difficult to see through the charade. Even former P.C. members are calling the governing Tories on their B.S.

Premier Redford has been heavily slammed for a perceived I-know-what's-best-for-you heavy handed style of governing. Her personal numbers trail Wildrose leader Danielle Smith as Albertan's choice for premier. Her party, while still riding high in recent polls, has become the target for an increasing number of Albertans who have realized, in spite of promises, that things haven't gotten better since the switch from Ed Stelmach to Redford.

In many ways, they have actually gotten worse.

The P.C.'s spin just doesn't fly. It is obvious the series of town halls and public get-togethers is nothing more than a pre-campaign campaign. The Tories are travelling to our communities on our dime so they can tell us how much of our money they are going to spend.

Putting aside any possible legal or ethical issue, I would just like to know what the tab is going to be. How much of our money is Team Redford going to spend in order to get their message out? Just how much is the P.C. Farewell Tour 2012 going to cost Alberta taxpayers?

If the Progressive Conservatives are going to empty our wallets to pay for their non-campaign campaign tour, we have a right to know how much they are going to spend.

P.C. Farewell Tour 2012

2012-01-23T09:23:00.001-07:00

Coming soon to a town near you: your very own Progressive Conservative MLA! Whether or not you will actually get a chance to meet, however…

Alberta’s P.C. government MLAs are hitting the road in an effort, as they claim, to hear the concerns of ‘real Albertans’. Unclear is if these meetings will be open to the general public or only to select party members and invitees. That really doesn’t matter, however. The real issue here is people don’t believe them.

Every new policy announcement since Alison Redford was appointed premier has had the tag line “…Albertan’s have told us…”

A backlash against a .05% driving law that makes criminals out of the innocent? It’s for your own good - Albertans have told us. Hike ‘sin’ taxes and float the idea of a PST? We know what’s best for the people - Albertans have told us. Defend a company that boycotts the oil sands? They have a point - Albertans have told us.

Redford: Campaigning
on our dime

Now the Tories are going into the community to hear what Albertans really have to say. What is interesting is the timing. Redford has already announced that her government will introduce a budget on February 9th, which means it must be pretty much written by now and doesn’t really leave any time for inclusion of ideas the people may have.

So if the purpose of the tour isn’t really to hear what voters have to say, then the reason for the meet-and-greets must be campaigning.

Alison Redford is smart enough to realize that her government is in trouble, and her heavy-handed approach to governance has been criticized by a growing number of Albertans. She won’t do the honorable thing and call an election before handing down her budget, where all the vote-buying treats will be found. If Redford were serious about hearing what Albertans really had to say she could put all of her budget plans into an election platform, let voters compare the P.C. plan against those of the other parties, then make their voices heard at the ballot box.

But Redford won’t do that because she knows that would be political suicide. Without the desperate last-ditch effort to buy votes the 40+ year Tory reign will probably end.

What is even more distasteful to Albertans is the fact that this government campaign tour is being bought and paid for by the taxpayer. In essence, we have a government visiting the four corners of the province, all on the taxpayer’s dime, promoting an upcoming budget chalk full of goodies that will be paid for by you.

Even the best P.C. spin doctors must see how bad the optics look on this one.

What the Alison Redford government is doing is the same thing they’ve been doing for a while: playing Albertans as fools. Their arrogance has blinded them to the fact that we have caught on to their methods. We see the Progressive Conservative government as the bloated, old, corrupt bunch of cronies that they are, and refuse to be sucked in with more feeble promises or bought off with our own money. We just don't believe the spin anymore.

There is one thing Albertans will tell Tories at their various glad-handing events: consider this the P.C. Farewell Tour 2012.

President Gingrich Would Be Good For Canada

2012-01-22T11:24:00.000-07:00

Recent tradition has indicated Canadians have been far more approving of Democrat American presidents in comparison to their Republican counterparts.

From Kennedy to Clinton, even many self-described ‘moderate’ conservative Canucks have given thumbs up to the more liberal of U.S. leaders. Bush-haters were just as prevalent in Canada as they were in any nation of the West, and our liberal population joined their American cousins riding the wave of Hope and Change when Obama won in 2008.

But those of us on the outside looking in have watched Obama’s first term unfold and have witnessed what the American people have experienced from the unique vantage point of ally and neighbor. It is no wonder, then, that those Canadians who were sucked into Obamamania have fallen relatively silent. They, like many of the Americans who suffered the same affliction, can no longer make excuses for the actions of the president or deny that fact that his time so far has been a failure.

Obama’s record is well-known and is increasingly reviled. International opinion is that he is disturbingly week on foreign policy – an opinion shared by friend and foe alike. A mix of inaction and bad policy reaction on the economy has created an undeniable crisis in the U.S.

What has destroyed any confidence people may have held in Barack Obama isn’t an image of being ‘aloof’, which would be a convenient yet pathetic way to explain his mistakes. What has reduced the President’s credibility and has many wondering with trepidation what his real agenda is, is his highly-suspicious decisions that go run counter to common sense.

The Keystone XL is not only the perfect example of this, but it is also going to become the albatross around Obama’s neck. With that one decision he did more than just choose alarmist environmentalism over labor unions and thousands of jobs (not to mention the boon for the local economies of communities along the proposed line). It also signaled President Obama’s true allegiances. He chose OPEC oil over a safe and secure source from America’s closes neighbor.

Gingrich: Pro-Keystone XL

All of this can explain why Canadians are following the current GOP race with heightened interest. Like most Americans we have been watching and waiting for someone – anyone – to launch into the clear cut number one position. We’ve been waiting for a star to emerge from a rather ordinary crop of hopefuls.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that Newt Gingrich may be the one we’ve been waiting for. In spite of been seen as part of the old school Republican establishment and having a questionable personal life (it was years ago, people!), and that Green ad with Pelosi will always be hard to live down, when you consider the pressing issues of the day, he’s the one who has the right answers.

We believe Gingrich will reverse Obama’s ill-advised flirtation with government ownership of private business. We trust he will continue to stand up in the face of leftwing politically-correct maladroits and their chants of ‘racism’ when speaking the truth about the dangers of Sharia law.

P.M. Stephen Harper

For Western Canadians especially, we know a Newt Gingrich administration will quickly reverse Obama’s latest Middle-East appeasing ‘bow’ and sign off on the Keystone XL. To Obama’s dismay, it looks like the pipeline is going to be a major issue in the fall if Gingrich has anything to say. As reported on Sun TV, Gingrich went so far as to mention not only the Keystone but Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper directly during his victory speech in South Carolina:

"What Prime Minister Harper -- who, by the way, is conservative and pro-American -- what he has said is he's gonna cut a deal with the Chinese and they'll build a pipeline straight across the Rockies to Vancouver," Gingrich said Saturday night. "We'll get none of the jobs, none of the energy, none of the opportunity…

…Now, an American president who can create a Chinese-Canadian partnership is truly a danger to this country."

What happens in the States inevitable has an impact on Canada. The Harper government has done a masterful job steering the nation through choppy economic waters, but the prospect of another Obama term in the White House may be too much to defend against.

That makes the prospect of shared economic prosperity and security, and the thought of a Harper-Gingrich partnership, more and more appealing.

Newt Lands 'The Moment'

2012-01-19T20:37:00.000-07:00

Like many others, I was waiting for one of the remaining GOP candidates to have The Moment - that one rare and spontaneous event that suddenly makes the best choice obvious. Tonight, it happened:

Finally a Republican had the fortitude to call out the media as the pro-Obama lapdogs they are.

Newt Gingrich is the man to save America from Barack Obama.

Obama Chooses Chavez Over Canada

2012-01-19T08:04:00.001-07:00

The Obama administration finally pulled the trigger on a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline, and while very few were surprised at the President’s thumbs-down, many were disappointed.

The proposed line, which would actually be a twinning/extension of an existing one, would take raw bitumen from Alberta’s abundant oil sands down to the Gulf Coast of Texas to be refined.

The arguments have all been played out on both sides of the issue. Anti-oil sands environmentalist groups, backed by outspoken yet unknowledgeable (and hypocritical) eco-celebs grabbed the media spotlight with their protests. Pro-groups, including a large portion of Obama’s base support – unions – encouraged the President to approve the pipeline.

Ultimately, Obama killed the Keystone, which has now set off a firestorm of debate and controversy as to the ‘why’. EnviroNazi’s are of course cheering, claiming that Obama heeded their dire warnings of inevitable environmental disasters that would certainly be caused by the transfer of ‘dirty oil’ from Alberta’s ‘tar sands’.

White House spin doctors have thrown several excuses out to the public, blaming the Republicans (shock!) for not allowing enough time to ‘assess’ and ‘study’ the project. Interesting they didn’t demand more time to ‘assess’ ObamaCare before ramming it through.

Maybe the silliest statement from the Obama team was their claim that there are more jobs in unemployment by extending government handouts than there would be created from the Keystone. In other words, Obama would rather pay people not to work than see Americans employed (please – please remember that in November!).

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper called the decision ‘disappointing’. Alberta’s energy sector is the engine that runs the national economy, and this move certainly will have an impact not just economically, but in the realm of international relations.

Many Canadians see Obama’s rejection of the pipeline as a virtual slap-in-the-face. Given the choice of nations the United States has to import oil from – nations such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Sudan, led by vicious dictators and regimes where there are no real environmental regulations not to mention little by way of human rights, or from Canada, America’s closest ally and trading partner which has stringent eco-rules and is a proud liberal democracy with an excellent human rights record – the message is loud and clear.

Barack Obama would rather buy oil from Hugo Chavez than from Stephen Harper. He chose blood oil from the Sudan and Iran over an ethical oil source from Alberta. No amount of spin or double-talk will shade the fact that Obama gave the finger to Canada while bowing to the Saudi King.

Years ago the death of such a pipeline would create damage to the Canadian economy. However, the Harper government has already started their plan to diversify our energy markets. We won’t be handcuffed by political decisions made by a foreign leader. If Obama doesn’t want to buy our oil, China will.

So while this is an obvious disappointment, the fact is the repercussions of the Keystone rejection will be felt more by the U.S. than by Canada. Canadians will, eventually, enjoy the jobs created by increasing our bitumen exports. We will still reap the financial benefits. Meanwhile, the United States will continue to struggle with outrageous unemployment numbers and a stumbling economy, and a president who turned his back on America’s closest ally.

If there were any doubts as to where Barack Obama’s allegiance was, this certainly puts those to rest.

Thanks, Mr. President

2012-01-18T22:04:00.001-07:00

On behalf of the people of Alberta, Canada, thank you for making a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline.

Rejected P.C. Campaign Slogans

2012-01-13T18:53:00.000-07:00

Our crack team of investigators have sifted through the garbage and found these: a selection of election compaign slogans rejected by Alberta's Progressive Conservatives...

Public Picks Up Oil Sands Torch

2012-01-11T10:22:00.000-07:00

A movement is afoot, one that is as impressive as it is encouraging.

After years of being the target of condemnation by a rag-tag group made up of EnviroNazi’s, millionaire celebrities, and a complicit mass media, defenders of Alberta’s oil sands have finally had enough and are pushing back.

Tired of the misinformation, lies, and mock hysteria that comes with the foreign-funded tree hugging set, people inside and outside of our provincial borders are beginning to speak out. Everyday citizens are lining up behind groups such as Ethical Oil (http://www.ethicaloil.org/), or taking to the keyboard to fight in a battle zone once dominated by the radical left.

People are taking to Twitter and Facebook to show their support for our vital industry. Blog commentaries are on the attack and have been especially effective in uncovering questionable practices by the anti-oil sands mob. Yours truly has taken much enjoyment from pointing out the hypocrisy of certain EnviroCelebs and how their deeds in their private lives don’t match up with their public words.

Premier Redford:
Complete and
total failure.

While I attribute much of the pushback to grassroots Canadians finally reaching their breaking point with regards to being falsely labelled an enemy to the environment, some credit must be reserved for Alberta Premier Alison Redford.

If it wasn’t for the complete and total failure of her government in standing up and defending our oil sands, there certainly wouldn’t be the need for John Q. Public to take matters into his own hands.

We see our Prime Minister and several government M.P.’s speaking out against foreign-funded ‘radicals’ who seem compelled to make a mockery of public hearings over proposed pipelines. Even a member of B.C.’s Liberal government voiced support for the federal Tories over their opposition to groups outside of Canada spending money in the effort to influence our national agenda.

Government politicians, both provincial and federal from across Canada, spoke out in support of a boycott of Chiquita banana in retaliation of that company’s boycott of oil from Alberta.

What is the Alberta government’s history of defending our most important resource?

• Raise the royalty rates to the point some oil companies decide to build next door in Saskatchewan instead;

• Invite far-left Hollywood filmmakers to ‘tour’ the oil sands so that they may be more convincing in their lies (really, James Cameron makes millions from a film called Avatar which is essentially an anti-oil sands story and the government expects him to change his mind?);

• Defend a company that boycotts our oil sands as Alison Redford seemed to do regarding Chiquita.

Right now we have two major pipelines in limbo. The environmentalists are achieving their goal of distorting the truth just enough to cause problems. The current American president, himself a far-left zealot, has chosen the Green side of his base support over the union/jobs side by procrastinating on a decision on Keystone. The Friends of Chavez, Hollywood Chapter a.k.a. Kevin Bacon, Leo Dicaprio, et al, are grabbing headlines in their quest to destroy our economy.

And our provincial government chooses to remain complicit by their silence, deciding instead to take the opportunity to unilaterally implement a social engineering agenda which was never voted on by the public.

As long as Alberta Premier Alison Redford and her Progressive Conservative government fail in its duty to protect Alberta, that job will continue to fall on everyday citizens of the province. Someone has to speak up for Alberta. If they won’t do it, we will.

Poll Results

2012-01-10T20:42:00.002-07:00

The poll is now closed and the results are in.

If an Alberta Provincial Election Were Held Today, I'd vote for:

Wildrose Party -- 45%
New Democrats -- 23%
Progressive Conservatives -- 16%
Alberta Party -- 8%
Alberta Liberal Party -- 4%
Other/Don't know/I'm not voting -- 4%

Total votes: 261

Everyone will have a theory to explain these numbers. Take from them what you will.

Weekend Round-up

2012-01-07T09:37:00.000-07:00

Sarah Polley.
I didn't know, either.

Newsrooms around the nation were abuzz this past week over Canadian actress/director Sarah Polley’s endorsement of Peggy Nash in her bid to become the next leader of the federal New Democratic Party. What everyone wanted to know: who is Sarah Polley? It’s awkward when the endorser is less recognizable then the endorsee...

Boos reigned down from the Saddledome crowd in Calgary during a pre-recorded video message delivered by Alberta premier Alison Redford at the Canada-Finland Bronze medal game. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who was in attendance at the contest, was given a polite round of applause. Redford apologists were quick to claim that politicians always get razzed at such public outings (Stephen Harper excepted, I assume). Maybe, but does that explain the ‘Election now!’ chant that started to make its way around the ‘Dome?...

Best description of Redford’s brief time at the top: ‘She’s is still just a heavy-handed, controlling Justice Minister who happens to sit in the Premier’s chair.’ – Department employee. I wonder if the teacher’s unions are starting to feel buyer’s remorse…

Am I the only one who couldn’t stop giggling over Harper’s comments on the Dave Rutherford show? Alison Redford’s idea of a Canadian Energy Strategy was brought up, only to be smacked down hard by the P.M. You could tell what he thought of it as soon as he referred to it as a ‘national energy strategy’ – N.E.P., anyone? One order of egg-on-face for the premier…

My friendly letter to actor/environmentalist Kevin Bacon made the rounds. Response was generally positive, but a few of the expected nutjobs started yapping. Threats that come from radical leftwing environmentalist just don’t seem as serious as when they originate from other groups, don’t you think? I always get this image of being accosted by a group of neo-hippy Occupiers and assorted cross-dressers who give me a right-good thrashing with assorted twigs and purses. Far-fetched, you say? Same thing happened to me at an N.D.P. rally…

Personal message to my American friends in the GOP: we don’t care who you choose. Obama has now grown to become dangerous not only to the U.S., but to your allies and to the world. Mitt Romney did the RomneyCare thing? Temporarily overlook it. Newt Gingrich’s personal life is a dirty laundry list? He did an EnviroNazi ad with Pelosi? Put it aside for now. Rick Santorum is too Catholic/young/scary/not scary enough/big government? How much bigger can the government get? Obama is fulfilling Ayn Rand’s prophesy virtually by the book. Everyone agrees that the current pack of candidates leaves something to be desired, but it seems you are expecting for the Second Coming of the Gipper. That is understandable given how you current Commander-in-Chief believes your Constitution is of little more value than toilet paper, but at this point, anyone on the Republican side would be an improvement. And it just might pull the U.S. out of the nosedive in time. So please, choose one candidate, stand behind him or her, and unify to save your country. Really, any one will do. Except for Ron Paul, of course. That guy’s just crazy…

Underappreciated movies that should be in you DVD collection: Serenity, Jackie Brown, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Darkman, and the entire Russ Meyer library…

An Open Letter to Kevin Bacon

2012-01-05T11:00:00.001-07:00

I was part of the Footloose generation. I used to shake my ass to the theme song countless times at junior high school dances, and have followed your career with some interest through the years (full disclosure: Tremors is still my favorite Bacon flick).

How disappointing it was then to read this morning of your recent slide into the cult of EnviroCelebs regarding the protesting of Alberta’s oil sands and their associated proposed Keystone XL and Northern Gateway pipelines.

We as Albertans are used to seeing certain celebrities getting face time in front of the camera protesting against our energy sector, but have long written them off as entertainers on the downward slide of their careers hoping to grab a bit of the spotlight. We have come to see them as self-serving hypocrites – Robert Redford claiming the environmental high ground while thousands each year attend his Sundance event (certainly not travelling to their destination via bicycle), Leo DiCaprio condemning the use of oil then boarding his own personal jet, etc.

It is common knowledge that these and many other L.A. celebs would not recognize the real world if they were smacked with it.

But for a fan such as myself learning that you would so easily exchange your integrity for a spot on the bandwagon is disappointing, to say the least.

I will refrain from throwing statistics and figures at you, as I abhor the idea of doing someone else’s homework for them. I will also break with current tradition and not invite you to tour the northern section of our province as we did with James Cameron. Come with a bias and you leave with the same bias no matter what you witness.

The facts of the oil sands are easy to find, the truth is public. I will say what you already know, however: at this point in time, the world must use oil. Society cannot function without it, and there is no mass-produced ‘clean’ alternative available.

Therefore, the choice that everyone from the average person to the largest corporation is faced with is this: what source of oil will you use? Oil from such totalitarian and oppressive regimes like Iran and Saudi Arabia, where the terms ‘environmental standards’ and ‘human rights’ do not exist, or from Canada which has strict environmental regulations and oversight?

Would you choose to endanger real jobs for real people in a free and open society in favor of enriching a few world leaders who kill their own people with no more thought than they give to killing a housefly?

To condemn Alberta’s oil sands and the means of transporting our product is to empower and encourage higher oil production from nations where the well-being – the very lives – of many of your friends and colleagues in Hollywood would be endangered if they were to live there.

As you use your celebrity to attempt to sway the general public to your way of thinking, I use my knowledge and experience as an Albertan in the attempt to sway yours. Do some research. Learn the facts about Canada’s energy sector.

Perhaps then your own personal ‘degree of separation’, that between your opinion and the facts of the oil sands, may not be so large.

Reader Mail

2011-12-29T16:04:00.000-07:00

My site has always generated feedback, which is something I have encouraged since it was launched almost seven years ago. As to be expected, comments have run the gamut from insightful and intelligent to rude and offensive with the obligatory colorful words peppering the latter.

While the subject of most emails is of the political variety, I get a surprising number of questions of a non-political, sometimes personal, slant.

Yes folks, I save every one.

Here are some of the more common and some interesting questions and comments that readers of The Moderate Separatist have sent in…

Q: Are you part of the Wildrose camp? – G.H., Calgary, AB

A: I am a card-carrying member of the Wildrose party and a strong supporter of leader Danielle Smith. I have no other affiliation other than that.

Q: Do you still believe in Alberta separation? – T.C., Calgary, AB

A: Do I think we should hold a referendum today? No. Do I believe, if the nation finds itself once again led by someone who purposefully implements policies designed to destroy Alberta’s socio-economic structure like Trudeau, that we would have that right? Yes, absolutely.

Q: What is your favorite Tarantino flick? – J.W., Vancouver, BC

A: In order from fav to least fav (I love ‘em all): 1. Reservoir Dogs. 2. Inglourious Basterds. 3. Jackie Brown. 4. Pulp Fiction. 5. Kill Bill I&II.

Q: Do you consider yourself a traitor for leaving the P.C.s for the Wildrose? – B.B., Edmonton, AB

A: Only as much as I consider the P.C. party traitorous for leaving me.

Q: You are a Jew-loving racist who has been brainwashed and suced into the Zionist trap. You will burn forever for your words and Allah will see to that. Your bigotry is your curse! Are you so stupid you cannot see you are been manipulated? - name withheld

A: Mom?...is that you?

Q: Boxers or briefs? – A. Campbell, Iowa City, IA

A: Leather thong, actually.

Q: So do u not like the mooslims ? – M. Mairaq, place unknown

A: Is that a bovine who prays to Allah?

Q: Have you ever run for office? If not, why not? – L. Thompson, AK

A: No. It’s a long wait for a lobotomy with this health care system, and without one you can never become a politician.

Q: Han Solo or Greedo. Who shot first? – T.S., Toronto, ON

A: Han, of course. George Lucas should have left well enough alone.

Q: Who would be your choice to win the GOP nomination? – I. Dyson, Modesto, CA

A: None of the above. But, if I had to choose out of this bunch, I’d have to go with…none of the above. Right when the world needs the Republicans to deliver a worthy nominee in order to stop Obama, they offer Amnesty Newt, RomneyCare Mitt, and Ron ‘Bend Over for the Bad Guys’ Paul. Yikes!

Poll: Who Would You Vote For Today?

2011-12-28T20:50:00.000-07:00

There has been a spike in the number of polls lately, many of them focusing on rookie Premier Alison Redford. Voting intention polls and cross-country 'who's your favorite Premier?' stats seem to be the current flavours, with many of the results indicating good, but certainly not great digits for the new Progressive Conservative leader.

Given that most of the polls were conducted early into Redford's term long before she implemented an agenda of what some consider controversial policies, plus the fact that a growing number of people on the street are becoming wary of an unelected premier who constantly claims that 'Albertans have told us...' when putting said controversial policies into practice, I decided it was time to conduct a little polling of my own.

Sure, it's unscientific but at least the question is straight forward. Check out the poll question on the left sidebar and place your vote.

The Biggest Move Harper Could Make

2011-12-27T10:12:00.001-07:00

When Stephen Harper’s Conservatives finally achieved their long-sought majority victory in the last federal election, many right wing Canadians believed that the long awaited time had finally come when their long list of policies – added or removed – would be addressed.

Voters expected swift action on the usual suspects such as the long gun registry and the tightening of immigration. Those with more gumption also thought there would be action like privatizing the CBC or ending the national policy of multiculturalism or official (read: forced) French/English bilingualism.

Half a year into his majority, P.M. Harper has started to act. The useless and pricey long-gun registration law is history. Immigrants now must remove all head coverings such as burkas and hijabs during the swearing-in oath of citizenship, much to the chagrin of Canada’s socialist left.

The Harper government has changed our international image in a short period of time, from that of a so-called ‘peacekeeping nation’ whose ill-equipped and bureaucratically shackled Armed Forces were often placed in situations to ‘keep the peace’ when there was no peace to be kept, to a much more vocal nation on the world stage which takes a stand, politically and militarily, against the bad guys.

While the Conservatives may still use their unique position of having majorities in both the House of Commons and the Senate to end the $1.1 billion per year the C.B.C. sucks out of our pockets and uses to promote it’s left wing agenda, given that one of the Tory government’s first acts after their election victory was to give a slight increase in the network’s funding, I’m not going to hold my breath.

I propose a much more radical in unexpected move to come. Given this country’s new take-no-crap image, I believe the time is right for Canada to make what would probably be the biggest statement internationally in our history.

It is time for Canada to withdraw from the United Nations.

It would surely be buzzworthy, and would go a long way to forcing the United Nations itself to undertake a long-overdue self-assessment. The list of U.N. embarrassments is long. Considering its intended purpose, the world organization has become its own antithesis. Voting blocs have formed; corruption is ingrained in its very fibre.

The credibility of the organization is virtually non-existent thanks to moments of sheer insanity. North Korea and Gadhafi’s Libya chairing Human Rights committees; Warlord leaders and murderous dictators using the pulpit to spew their venom; an unbelievable and offensive ‘moment of silence’ in memory of nation’s leader who brutalized his own people, and on and on.

Even the staunchest supporters of the United Nations are having to admit to the evidence of failure. The ‘it’s not great, but it’s the only world body we have’ refrain doesn’t stand up to the test. The United Nations, like the League of Nations before it, has collapsed into dismay. It has now become a caricature of itself.

The U.N. is all about promoting its own agenda, which is mostly from the Al Gore Book of Ideas. Environmentalism is the focus, while rogue nations are accepted and their unconscionable actions ignored.

The Western world pays billions per year to the U.N., and even the worst accountant could see that there is no return on that investment. By stating our intentions to end our membership, Canada would be sending a clear message to the world: the United Nations has failed. We will no longer be a part of the asylum. We will no longer associate with and enable the scum of the Earth.

It would make a great lead-in for the (privatized) CBC news.

Today a Savior Has Been Born To You

2011-12-24T08:17:00.000-07:00

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
- Luke 2:8-14

Christmas List 2011

2011-12-23T14:47:00.001-07:00

When the eggnog is flowing you know it’s that time of year again for the Moderate Separatist’s Annual Christmas List for 2011.

Being practical, I searched for the perfect gift that, while it may not be a ‘want’, it certainly is a ‘need’. (The sizes are estimated and no, you can’t return it.)

The people known as Occupiers: a deep rinse, a touch of cologne, and directions to the nearest employment agency.

President Barack Obama: a copy of Atlas Shrugged (book or film), a clue, and directions to the nearest employment agency.

The Republicans (GOP): the same gift I’ve tried to give for the past few years: the scientific know-how to reincarnate Ronald Reagan (…um, not to be rude, but judging by the current crop of hopefuls, you might want to accept this year.)

Alberta Premier Alison Redford: a set of encyclopedia with highlighted entries for ‘Liberty’, ‘Unelected’, and ‘Autocracy’; a copy of any Grant MacEwan book, and a shared cab ride with Obama and the Occupiers.

The Chiquita Banana Corporation: a bitumen bath courtesy of the Canada’s ethically produced and environmentally friendly oil sands and a huge-ass lump of coal in their stockings.

Pamela Geller, Atlas Shrugs (http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/) : The gratitude and appreciation of freedom-loving citizens of the world; the courage to keep speaking the truth in a time where the truthful are the villains; and an unofficial honorary Alberta citizenship.

Alberta Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith: the number for a fabulous interior decorator. She’s going to have to start thinking about new curtains for an old office.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper: a pair of designer underwear in thanks for the huge set of balls he has given the country, and the long gun of his choice.

The Province of Quebec: nothing. I’m done with giving a gift every year and receiving nothing in return except bitching that my gift ‘wasn’t enough’.

Asia: pipeline access to our oil.

The United Nations: a new address (I hear Tehran is beautiful), and a letter stating the withdrawal of Canada from the ~~circus~~ organization.

Alison Redford's Agenda 'Dangerous'

2011-12-21T08:25:00.001-07:00

After Alison Redford’s surprise (bought and paid for?) victory in the Progressive Conservative leadership race, Albertans wondered what the new premier would bring to the table.

After years of Ed Stelmach’s directionless leadership interspersed with embarrassing public relations blunders, voters were curious and hungry for some positivity. Now, just a few months into the Redford era, many Albertans – including some long-time card-carrying P.C. members – are feeling a little more than disappointed. Some are downright mad.

Due to one of the few deficiencies of our democratic system, Alison Redford is currently enjoying the job of Premier without having to endure the headache of a provincial election. She is the Unelected Premier, and she has quickly taken advantage of that fact to institute an agenda that is becoming increasingly restrictive.

Implementing previously unmentioned policies such as the controversial .05% drunk driving law which allows the police to seize your vehicle and suspend your licence even though you have not broken the ‘criminal barrier’ of .08% (and allows you no recourse), as well as floating the trial balloons of a provincial sales tax and banning smoking in cars, Redford has, without a mandate from Albertans, set the provincial government on a path of social engineering.

Premier Mom: Dangerous

The Unelected Premier’s lawyer stripes and the arrogance that comes with them are exposed for all to see. Redford has swiftly assumed the role of ‘Premier Mom’, and has become Western Canada’s answer to Ontario’s Dalton McGuinty. She assumes she knows what’s best for Albertans, and tells us so on a seemingly-daily basis.

The backlash against her agenda is growing, even though traditional Albertan culture has been slightly diluted over the years by the influx of Eastern Canadians bringing their own traditional political ideology – love of big government – with them. Redford has also been praised by some in the media who usually show a better grasp of common sense. The Sun’s Rick Bell comes to mind, with several of his newspaper columns focusing on his perceived strength of the new premier while ignoring her habitual encroachment on individual rights and liberties.

Albertans don’t put up with overbearing governments, whether in Edmonton or Ottawa. The more Alison Redford governs with an ‘I know what’s best for my people’ attitude, the more voters will be looking for a pro-rights and freedoms party to become their government. For the first time in decades, Albertans do have that choice.

The favorite overused mantra of the Redford government is ‘Albertans have told us…’. Redford uses this tag-line whenever explaining her latest act of liberty infringement. Well, I’m calling you out on that, Alison. I don’t believe you. In fact, in my opinion, you are outright lying to the province. Your lawyerese just don’t fly.

As one former P.C. member stated recently: “…she’s becoming dangerous.”

Do the right thing, Ms. Redford. Refrain from taking advantage of your unelected position by implementing your scary agenda, and instead put your money where your mouth is. Place all of your wonderful ideas into the P.C. platform and run on it. Take your .05% law, your PST idea, your suggested tax hikes, and all of your other overbearing plans intended to strip away personal responsibility (and your defense of Chiquita's boycott of our oil sands) to the people.

Then, and only then, will Albertans tell you how they feel.

Chiquita Boycott Radio Ad

2011-12-16T22:57:00.000-07:00

Give a listen to the radio ad from EthicalOil.org:

Listen to our Chiquita Boycott Radio Ad

Ban on Face Coverings Draws Absurd Comparison

2011-12-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

It was as inevitable as it was expected.

Following Immigration Minister Jason Kenney’s decision to ban niqabs and burkas during the swearing of the oath of citizenship for new Canadians, it was only a matter of time before cries of unfair treatment were heard from the Muslim community.

Right on cue, Syed Soharwardy, founder of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, filled the role of number one whiner. In what can only be described as unbelievable, the Imam compared what he perceives as the poor treatment of Muslims in Canada to that of Jews under Nazi rule before the move to extermination.

Soharwardy’s claim is so profoundly absurd it can only be attributed to one of two possibilities. One, he truly believes that followers of Islam have been persecuted for their beliefs despite the fact Canada affords all races and religions far more freedoms than most other countries, or: Two, he is following the modus operandi of Islamic groups in the West forever pushing the envelope with the goal of implementing their religious beliefs and ideology by playing the ‘oppressed religion’ card. (The third possibility would be that the Imam is, in fact, a stranger to reality with some slight mental issues. Not enough evidence to prove that, however, so I’d guess it’s the second choice.)

The Imam self-destructs his own structure of credibility by using 1930’s Jews as an analogy. Not only is such an attempt at a comparison akin to equating apples to snow shovels, but the fact that Soharwardy uses Jews as an example – the very religious and cultural group radical Islamic factions have claimed to be their sworn enemy and have vowed to ‘eliminate’ – assumes the average Canadian is naïve of the truth.

The Calgary Imam isn’t the only one stepping over the edge of reason. Leave it to the left to be complicit in the idiocy. As reported in the Sun, Professor Bev Baines of Queen’s University shows her ignorance by seemingly siding with the Imam, stating that Kenney’s move could violate the Charter rights of women who choose to wear the head covering for religious reasons.

There is one huge problem with that thinking: head coverings for women are not stated as a religious requirement anywhere in the Koran. It has nothing to do with Islamic belief whatsoever. It does, however, have everything to do with the oppression of Muslim women.

One wonders, if the long-overdue and good first step move by Minister Kenney is reversed by our overly leftwing and all-to-powerful court system, what would be next? If an Imam claimed that leashes were a requirement for ‘their women’, would Prof. Baines defend that as well? How about the growing list of honor killings in Canada and the U.S.? Should we look the other way because of ‘religious freedoms’?

Ridiculous.

Jason Kenney used common sense in his decision to ban the burka for new citizens. False claims and outright lies by spokespersons from Islamic groups such as Imam Syed Soharwardy cannot be allowed to stand without opposition. His warped idea of equality is in reality special rights for his religion and culture over those of all others. There is no place for that in Canada if we are truly a nation of equals.

As more special rights and absurd demands are made by Muslim groups in Canada, the greater number of natural-born Canadians will breathe life into the cliché: if you don’t like it here, go home. If you don’t like the laws of Canada, don’t come here. The gates at our borders go both ways.

We will not bend our national identity to suit the wishes of a radical ideology. Play by our rules or stay in your own country.

Imam Soharwardy, that goes for you as well.

Unfamiliar Territory: P.C. Members Can't Defend Government Policy

2011-12-07T09:04:00.000-07:00

When Alison Redford replaced Unsteady Eddie Stelmach as Premier, many Albertans anticipated some change in the way the ruling Progressive Conservative government operated.

We had grown tired of the milquetoast approach of the government and the endless James Cameron-esque embarrassing moments. More than that, we were tired of useless, flawed, and even rights-infringing Bills that Stelmach and co. had become known for.

So when a new leader was declared, even some of us who don’t support the P.C. party felt a degree of relief that Ed was gone. At least the bad policies and embarrassments would be a thing of the past. Or so we thought.

Now we find ourselves with an unelected Premier leading a group of the same old Stelmach era MLAs. In her short time at the helm, Redford has managed to create an image of a flip-flopper who habitually breaks the promises she made during her leadership campaign. From the questionable link to unions that gave her the P.C. leadership victory to the lifting of some policies right from the Wildrose Party to her steering her party sharply to the left, ‘untrustworthy’ has also become part of her image.

Bill 26, the new .05% drunk driving law – given the statistics, essentially nothing more than a money grab by punishing the innocent – suddenly became her most important piece of legislation, even though Redford never mentioned the issue at all during her fight for the P.C. crown. Moving to invoke closure reeks of the desperation of a government not willing to debate and defend their own policy.

Many Albertans feel that little has changed with Alison Redford in charge. Some feel that things have slightly changed and not for the better.

But if you look closely and in the right places, you will see an unanticipated change is indeed occurring. It’s not in the Premier’s Office or the MLA lounge. The real change that is underway is at the membership level of the P.C. party itself.

Newbies and life-long party members alike have found themselves in a rare and uncomfortable position. They are experiencing something not seen since the days of Don Getty:

They cannot defend their own party’s policies.

The government’s continued efforts to push through unpopular laws and Redford’s own leap to the left has caused confusion and dismay down in the trenches. Party members, many of them wearing the arrogance that comes from decades of uninterrupted rule, are now unable to defend the government. They try their best to spin, but it ends up looking like the obvious grasping at straws.

It is understandable, of course. How can someone who describes themselves as a ‘small-c conservative’ – traditionally the heart and soul of Alberta’s P.C. ideology – be expected to stand strong and defend policy that could easily have come from the Liberal or New Democrat camps? How can a conservative justify a purely progressive government? Of course, they can’t.

An old political mentor of mine once stated that the more a party tries to smear their opponent the worse their own policies are (think Chretien Liberals circa 1990’s). If this is true, then the Progressive Conservative party membership must be quivering.

New media is full of P.C. members lashing out against all those questioning the Redford government. Ask a member to explain the rationale behind Bill 26 and you will get a shot at the Wildrose television ads as an answer. Ask what Redford plans to do about the health care debacle and in return you get false allegations – lies - about Wildrose leader Danielle Smith.

Like a fish out of water, P.C. folks are flailing around hoping for some sort of grip. They can’t give a reasonable explanation for the direction Alison Redford has taken the government so they attempt, almost pathetically, to deflect as best they can.

For a political party which has ruled the province for so long, it is almost sad.

Poll Results and Updates

2011-12-02T09:38:00.000-07:00

>> A conversation I had with former Alberta Treasurer Jim Dinning was the impetus of an online poll I've conducted on my site regarding restructuring of the tax system. Specifically, the idea was to study the possibility of a provincial consumer tax and elimination the of personal income tax. The results are in. The question:

Would you support a harmonized PST in exchange for elimination of provincial personal income tax?

44% - A provincial sales tax in Alberta? Over my dead body.
34% - I'd like to see the idea studied.
22% - Yes. It would be a fairer tax system with lower overall tax.

>> Republicans are pushing a Bill that would all but force President Barack Obama to make a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline. Lots of media focus as been on Obama's hesitation on the issue, as well as on a few anti-Keystone rallies attended by a wide array of Actors Formerly Known As Known. The overlooked player in this three-handed game is Canada's Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper. When Obama decided not to decide, the Harper government wasted little time in exploring other avenues and customers for Alberta bitumen. His talks with Asian leaders was noticed in the U.S., and indicated that if Obama continued to waffle out of his responsibility, other countries like China, Japan, and South Korea would be more than willing to take America's spot. Thanks to a quick decision by TransCanada to re-route the pipeline away from disputed areas, as well as continued pressure by American conservatives, Obama may not have any other choice but to make the call.

>> I received another call from 'John', the long-time member of Alberta's Progressive Conservatives who provided a behind-the-scenes look at the goings-on of our governing party. It seems the last straw has been spotted on the camel's back:

"I've had it. I've had enough. I thought I'd tell you first," he began. "I just can't continue to support this government. I can't support their policies." I inquire as to what specifically has set him off. The answer is not unexpected.

"Look, I lost a brother-in-law and nephew to a drunk driver, okay? I'm not soft on the issue by any means. I've always argued for not only more severe laws for drinking and driving, but for more enforcement as well. But this...is a complete waste of time and money. Actually, it's for the money, I believe. Being punished for almost breaking the law? Think of the results if the resources, time, and money that will be wasted nailing the innocent while the idiot with 8 beer in him swerves his way down the road. Well, that's it. I'm done. I'm not a liberal and I can't support a liberal government. For the first time in my life I won't be voting for the P.C.s the next time around."

"And I know I'm not alone."

What Albertans are REALLY Telling the Government (and what they are refusing to hear)

2011-12-01T13:57:00.000-07:00

The controversial new .05% drunk driving law being rammed through the Legislature by the Redford Progressive Conservative government has become the hot topic around the water coolers. Some see it as a good move by the Tory government, while many others have voiced their opposition, labelling it as everything from useless to evidence of a government low in 'governing' and high on 'ruling'.
Redford and her gaggle of leftover Stelmach MLA's maintain that it is a proactive move to 'make our highways safer', even when statistics are not on their side.

Rolling out some well-worn cliches, the Minister responsible has said that '...we have to change the culture', which in layman's terms means social engineering. The biggest line used by the government is that they are 'listening to what Albertan's have told them'. Really? Which Albertans would this be? Alison Redford's union benefactors?

Here's what some Albertans are really saying about the .05% law:

A small sampling from the Calgary Sun comments section -

"If Redford had been so upset about this and for sometime now, why didn't she include this in her platform? Why did she not tell Albertans that if she becomes Premier, I will re-write the drinking and driving law?"

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"This woman was 'selected' by about 4 thousand Redford supporters . The people whose lives are now directly affected by her fanciful actions were only spectators when this farce happened a couple of months (ago)."

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"If this is something she truly believes in then she should save it for the next provincial election. At least the W.R.A. has laid out their platform and can be held accountable but Redford is making it up as she goes."

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"...start passing out jail time to people who break the law and leave the innocent tax payers alone!!"

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"Charging people with .05 as opposed to .08 (legal level of impairment) is to akin to charging one for driving 50 km per hr. in an 80 km per hr. zone. Justice Minister Verlyn Olson states that .05 constitutes impairment. How did he determine this?"

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"Her leadership win might have been within the rules but it certainly gave me concerns about her ethics (just another lawyer). Now she is an unelected Premier throwing her weight around! Not the type of person I want as the leader of Alberta. She has lost my vote."

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"As a tow truck operator I think the province should just concern themselves about the drivers over.08. The police already have the ability to suspend a license for 24 hours when you blow a warning(.05 or more) so why do they need to make it 3 days. They already impound the vehicle also. If they are serious about drinking and driving while impaired then stop giving the vehicles and licenses back to repeat offenders."

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"...it took the Alberta Government well over 2 years to pass the distracted driving legislation and yet mere weeks to push this new one thru. One wonders what the real motivational force is behind this?"

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"The average BAC for drivers involved in injury or death accidents is .16. That is TWO times the legal limit. How is hammering people 33% BELOW the legal limit going to have an impact? Tax grab pure and simple! The reduction was from a massive increase in check stops in BC."

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...and my own two cents -

The problem with this 'law' is obvious and inarguable: it punishes the innocent.