Canada's Top Ten Weather Stories for 2011

Environment Canada 

1. Historic Flood Fights in the West. Details here.

2. Please also read: "Second Warmest Year on Record for the United Kingdom" 

 Ice suspended in roadshide shrubs, 

a testament to how deep the floodwater 

had been in the ditch before it subsideed.

Spring '11 - western Manitoba. PLT photo

Spill Makes Waves Amid Brazil Oil Boom

Vincent Bevins, Los Angeles Times De 31 '11

Brazil's plan to become a top petroleum producer is grounded in the state-run oil company's difficult deep-water extraction project. So a relatively small offshore spill has stirred big concern. Details here.

CWB: Farmers Should Sue for Damages

By John W. Warnock, The Leader-Post December 31, 2011

The Harper government has quickly pushed through legislation abolishing the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) single desk. This was done without...

Combine in wheat field.
PLT photo

The People's Corporation Loses the Common Touch

If you like this blog, please consider making a donation. Thanks! Larry

Dear Editor,

It's sometimes referred to as "the people's corporation." I don't believe the CBC deserves that endearing title any longer.

Just last night, we were treated to another spectacle on "The National."

Each member of the high-profile "At-Issue" Panel, to one degree or another, pooh-poohed almost every question posed by viewers as part of a year-end special.

No, they chimed, there is no serious gap between the rich and poor in this country. On the contrary, Andrew Coyne informed us, huge progress is being made in reducing poverty in Canada. 

Rex Murphy seconded the motion, reminding us, we've actually never had it so good! (Rex seldom opens his mouth but to change feet!) 

No, the Occupy Movement has had no real impact. (No one offered, of course, that this might be because blind, narrow and stupid politicians refuse to recognize good, new ideas even if they are there for all to see.)

No, paid corporate lobbyists aren't really all that bad, either.  (Try reading "The 10 Worst Corporate Lobbyists" & see if you agree.)

And no, there are no major problems with our present, non-elected Senate. (Never mind that it is now dominated by trained Harper seals, some embroiled in blatant conflicts of interest, which have dragged on, unaddressed thanks to an impotent "Ethics Commissioner.")

And no, a switch to proportional representation is just not in the cards for Canada. The panel's inference seemed to be, we probably don't need it anyway, because we are all in such darn good shape without it!

So who are these panelists, anyway?

Well, Andrew is a columnist for the ultra-conservative National Post and son of James Coyne, former Governor of the Bank of Canada. While these things should not, in and of themselves, disqualify him as a "man of the people," they sure do make it harder!

Rex is a courageous defender of multinational corporations, a vicious critic of environmentalists and climate scientists, and a mass distributor of false information about global warming. (When not appearing on programs on CBC Radio or TV, he also contributes to the same, right-wing paper as Andrew, the National Post.)
Rex Murphy caricature (L.) courtesy of By the Bay Art Studio 

Chantal Hébert, also a print journalist, has been a voice of reason before. But lately, she seems more interested in protecting the status quo, including our antiquated electoral system, than anything else.

Bruce Anderson, the "new guy," is not even a journalist. He apparently has a background in public relations. And we all know PR people are never known to "spin" the facts.

Sadly, it was Peter Mansbridge himself, (CBC photo r.) the panel moderator, who put the icing on the cake. Apart from a weak attempt to reign in Andrew on the rich-poor topic, he failed to mention that, earlier this month, he had himself reported: "The gap between earnings by the rich and the poor is widening in almost all OECD countries, including Canada, where the top 10 per cent of Canadians earns 10 times more than the bottom 10 per cent." 

(Please also read: "Canadian CEOs vs. the 99%. No Contest When it Comes to Pay.")

For whatever reason, I believe the CBC (esp. TV news) is fast losing its "common touch," retreating instead into a comfortable and smug cocoon of self-importance. Sadly, it too seldom speaks any longer for ordinary Canadians and too often for those who can already afford to speak for themselves.

I would expect this of "the corporate media." 

The CBC is supposed to be different.

Larry Powell
Roblin, Manitoba CA

‘Secret’ Environment Canada Study Warns of Oil Sands’ Impact on Habitat

Postmedia News  22'11 - Mike De Souza
OTTAWA — Contamination of a major western Canadian river basin from oil sands operations is a “high-profile concern” for downstream communities and wildlife, says a newly-released “secret” presentation...Details here.


Courtesy of the Guardian

Santa, Give Our Farmers Some Love

Laura Rance Wpg Free Press 12/24/2011

Some moisture, some better prices very welcome under the tree. Details here.

The True Spirit of Christmas is Alive and Well in Winnipeg!

For a few years now, my stepdaughter, Coralee Crowe, has been involved with some friends, making blankets and distributing them at random to needy people in the City of Winnipeg at Christmas time. This year was no exception. 

I decided it's time to put aside for awhile, the usual kinds of stories on this blog, (which some might consider "gloom & doomish,") so that my readers (and I) can be reminded, there's another world out there, where hope for a better future burns as brightly as ever.  

And where people like Coralee never give up that hope.

Coralee, your mom and I are proud of you! 

If your objective this year was to make a difference in someone's life by your contribution to 100 Good Deeds, then consider your mission accomplished.    

Below is Coralee's report to friends and family on how things went this year (2011). 
Larry.
==
"Cael, myself, Terry and Heather headed out last evening to accomplishing the final stage in our 100 Good Deeds mission. We began the night dropping off gifts and blankets at two separate residences of single parents. 

"A miscommunication and misunderstanding (and slight language barrier) changed our first mission as the father was working towards seeking visitation rights to see his son...and his wish for Christmas was for us to try to send his son a gift through his lawyer. He would not accept the small gift we had for him but I did convince him to accept the non-perishable hamper. He was very humble and told me he was working very hard and doing everything possible to get his son back. He overheard Cael tell me he was thirsty and, without hesitation, offered Cael a juice he had in his fridge. Here was a man who was sleeping on the floor (I could see the blankets and pillows made up in the bedroom) and had only one chair in his living room but was offering up his last juice.    

"Our second stop was a single mom with two young girls (3 & 5 years old). We entered the house to find two very excited and sweet little girls. They were over the moon to see the gifts we had for them and carefully placed them under their bare Christmas tree. When we showed them the blankets that we made for each of them the 5 year old squealed with delight "we love them." It was a very special moment. Their enthusiasm and appreciation was a gift all in itself. We made up two gift bags for "mom" from the girls and  they were gleaming when I told them that they were for them to give to Mom at Christmas. The mother was very appreciative and  I do believe started to tear up when Heather told her that we were happy that we could help her out during the Holidays.. 

"The rest of the evening we drove the streets delivering our random acts of kindness. We targeted the laundromat again and surprising a man who was waiting for his laundry to be washed. We surprised another on Salter waiting for a walk sign and another whom was picking up waste and garbage around his home on Higgins. A young man and his daughter (approximately 3 years old)  heading into a Native Youth Centre on Dufferin St were very grateful and taken back by our random generosity. He made his little girl acknowledge us with a "thank you" and  as I was heading back towards the van I heard him yell out "and Merry Christmas to you."  Our last random act was to a couple that we followed down the street after they exited a 7-11. Both the woman and man's face lit up when we handed them over their new blanket.  

"A half dozen of our blankets were also delivered by Tamara and her family to the Children's Hospital yesterday afternoon. They will be handed out to children who will experience the hospital environment either through surgery or an over night stay. My family, as well as Tamara’s family, have both spent many hours at the Children’s Hospital and may you find comfort in knowing that you are helping a child cope during a very terrifying situation, and providing their parents with a moment of peace as the fear in their child's face escapes. I know how special this moment is as Dave and I were “those parents” when Chase was given a small blanket before his surgery in Edmonton this past spring.  

"Thank you again for your efforts to make 100 Good Deeds a reality. Thanks to all of you for taking time when life couldn't be more hectic and setting it aside for a family or individual you have never met.  This morning over breakfast Cael says  “Mom, remember how happy those girls were when we gave them presents to put under their tree.”  It seems that I was not the only one to walk away with a warm heart and a valuable lesson this year.

"Last night I once again discovered how great it feels to not only give to others, but to have so many good people in our life. We are blessed to know each and every one of you and we thank you for your friendship.

"From our family to yours Merry Christmas and a SAFE holiday season.
The Crowe’s"    
                            
PLT: Please also read: "Unwrap a Gift Economy"