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Canada's Top Ten Weather Stories for 2011

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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

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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

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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

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

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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

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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!

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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 accom

Greg Selinger Strikes a Blow for Fire Safety - Shuts Down "Occupy Winnipeg!"

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If you like this blog, please consider a donation. Thanks! Larry PLT: Congratulations, Mr. Premier, I feel much safer now that you have evicted the three remaining protestors from the camp in Memorial Park. It was, after all, a firestorm waiting to happen - perhaps enveloping your place of business - the provincial legislature - if not much of the capitol, itself! (Sarcasm intended.) Might we now expect provincial authorities to move in on owners of million dollar homes and evict them under cover of darkness, if they do not have firewalls installed between their houses and attached garages?   Of course not. That would be ridiculous!  But is it any less ridiculous to bring down the heavy hand of government on the Occupiers and no one else? The inference here seems to be that any fire where there are a few tents - (perhaps $89 specials from Canadian Tire?) would represent a much larger hazard to public safety than the massive fire which recently destroyed the huge home in Li

The Home of "Canada's Reindeer" is Being Destroyed. They Need Your Help!

Please donate generously to this Nature Canada cause. =====  PLT; If there were any justice in this world,  it would be the tar sands corporations (and their mindless investors) who are paying the bill to help our caribou. Afer all, who else (apart from our hollow, compliant politicians) is responsible for denuding vast areas of precious boreal forest,  depriving these bautiful, vulnerable animals of critical habitat!

The 20 Worst Wall Street Banks Funding Our Filthiest Polluters

Dec 13, 2011 Alternet A new study identifies the top 20 "climate killer" banks by the amount of financial support they give the coal industry. Details here. PLT: Please also read, "How Ethical are Canada's Ethical Funds?"

Greenpeace's Year in Pictures (Video)

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