Veterans Week

Murray Brewster :

"A trove of leaked internal Veterans Affairs documents suggests bureaucrats knew from the beginning that a new system of benefits would mean less cash for injured soldiers with one analysis projecting savings of up to $40 million per year.
Another analysis, contained among 3,500 pages obtained by The Canadian Press, raised concern that some disabled veterans might be forced back to work or to take up part-time jobs to supplement their income."

Stogran is out of his job on Remembrance Day. As Rick says : "Stogran stood up for veterans. Where are the MPs who are going to stand up for him?"

Well?

Veterans Week begins November 6. On Nov 6th at 11:00, veterans across Canada are gathering at MP's offices to voice their concerns about the new system. Come out and support them and throw up a fist for Stogran .

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Rick Mercer has a great offer

Rick Mercer drives one home

From 22 Days of Snow Days:

"It is ironic that while our parliament has been suspended we are a nation at war. On New Year's Eve we greeted the news that five Canadians were killed in a single day with sadness but not surprise. We are at war because ostensibly we are helping bring democracy to Afghanistan. How the mission is progressing is open for debate but this much is certain – at present there is a parliament in Afghanistan that it is very much open for business. Canada has no such institution.

In Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai's government faces fierce opposition at every turn; many of his cabinet choices have been rejected in a secret ballot by the more than 200 parliamentarians that sit in the legislature. Simply closing parliament down and operating without their consent is not an option for Hamid Karzai; to do so would be blatantly undemocratic or at the very least downright Canadian. If Hamid Karzai suspended parliament on a whim we might be forced to ask why Canadians are dying to bring democracy to that country.

Stephen Harper doesn't have that problem. The Parliament of Canada has been suspended for no other reason than the prime minister simply can't be bothered with the relentless checks and balances that democracy affords us. He doesn't want to have to stand in the House of Commons and hear anyone question him on any subject. I don't blame him. Parliament is filled with jackals, opportunists and boors. The problem is, like it or not, they were elected.

I also don't blame the Prime Minister for wanting to keep his ministers out of the spotlight. This is a prime minister who could argue he is Canada's greenest PM simply because he's the only one who has gone out of his way to give potted plants key portfolios.

The problem is he is the one who appointed Cabinet and like it or not they are supposed to be accountable. A minister's job is not to hide in their riding; it is to be accountable in Ottawa – or at least that was the promise. This prime minister has gone from the promise of an open, accessible and accountable government to a government that is simply closed.

It is too bad that prorogation isn't something that our soldiers have in their arsenal. When faced with the order to head out on a foot patrol in the Panjwaii district of southern Afghanistan, to risk their lives to bring democracy to that place, wouldn't it be nice if they could simply prorogue and roll over and go back to sleep. Soldiers don't get that luxury. That is afforded only to the people who ultimately order them to walk down those dangerous dusty roads in the first place."

Thank you, Rick Mercer
I would quibble with "we are a nation at war" and that we are "helping bring democracy to Afghanistan" - but let those who use those words in defence of our rogue prime minister eat them now.

Colonel, Sir, pass me s'more cod and pork scraps bud.

This is really too cool.
Via Ed Hollett, is this press release from the Canadian Air Force:

Comedian and political satirist Rick Mercer has accepted the appointment as Honorary Colonel of 12 Wing Shearwater's 423 (MH) Squadron, and will begin his tenure in this honorary appointment when he conducts his first official visit to the Maritime Helicopter Squadron in the spring.

Now that's a Maritime Helicopter squadron with class. It leaves me wondering if 443 (MH) Squadron on the west coast is thinking about Luba Goy as that unit's next Honorary Colonel.

Well done, Colonel! Bravo Zulu!

By the way, on a personal note, Rick, you should be aware that a helicopter - any helicopter - is approximately 10,000 parts moving along in close formation held together by a thing called a Jesus nut.

Just a reminder

It's January and that means "tax season" is upon us.

This is just a reminder to collect your slips and file your return. Thanks to Rick Mercer.