NDP leader wants a national referendum on abolishing the Senate.
But most Canadians want to keep it and reform it.
~30% want it abolished
~20% want to keep it the way it is
~50% want to keep but reformed
Good luck Jack! Especially since to abolish it, you need to open the constitution anyway. And since we're doing that, we might as well reform it.
I don't get it. I don't get what goes on in some people's heads. How they cannot think to be on the safe side is beyond me.
During the uprisings all over North Africa, from Tunisia, Algeria, and Egypt, and the Middle East in Bahrain and Yemen, how then can our fellow Canadians in Libya not want to get the heck out of there knowing that it's likely next to fall. Why would you stay? To help with the uprising? For journalists and aid workers, sure, but for business or pleasure? Visiting relatives? Maybe there's something I don't know. Come on!
And now, they're a bit screwed... for a while anyway. The flight out of Rome to Tripoli was grounded due to the insurance being pulled out. Now the government is considering military flights and ships.
Despite my disconcerting feelings here, Godspeed to them and a speedy and safe return to their native homeland should they so desire.
The U.S. has poured a lot of dough (average of $1.3B/yr) into Egypt and forged strong ties with it's government.
Libya? Not so. Only $1 million. "We don't have personal relations at a high level. As far as I know, President Obama has never even talked to Colonel Gaddafi," said David Mack, a former senior U.S. diplomat who dealt with Libya.
The difference?
Come revolution, bloodshed.
After being in power almost as long as King Tut, Egyptian prez Mubarek stepped down today after saying, just like Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach did last week, he wouldn't step down until September. That apparently pissed the people off.
Coincidentally, on this day in 1979, the Shah of Iran was overthrown in the Iranian Revolution. And guess where the Shah went in exile?
Egypt!
So why no revolution in Alberta? Come on people! Stand up! Let's send Ed to P.E.I.!
Anyway, I don't know what toothpaste is popular in Cairo but our Prime Minister is right on this...
"I think the old expression is: 'They're not going to put the toothpaste back in the tube on this one.' " He said Canada would like those in power in Egypt to lead change.Why do I get the feeling that this isn't what's going to happen? Especially since Mubarek handed power over to the military.
"Get in front of it," he added. "Be part of it, and make a bright future happen for the people of Egypt."
I haven't commented on the so-called revolution in Egypt yet because the reports are confusing in all the chaos. Foreign policy and diplomacy are very delicate matters and decisions and taking points should be taken wisely.
The facts from what I've read are that Egyptian President Mubarek has been in power for a very long time, if not one of the longest standing leaders in the world. Similar in a way to Saddam Hussein's, his regime is not an Islamic fundamentalist one where hoping to instill shiara law is the goal. That said, human rights abuses and brutality aren't gone either. Shutting down the Internet is pure dictator-type governance. He has forged good relations with many nations, including the U.S. Can't blame him when the U.S. pours billions into 'program's there.
But it's not a democracy... "The worst form of government next to all the others."
Throughout recent history we've seen governments toppled in a day, leaders overthrown in an instant, only to be taken over by even more brutal dictators backed by their 'people revolution'. Mao, Castro, Lenin, Hitler, Il Duce, Pol Pot, Hussein, the list goes on and on. And in many of these cases, chaos is intentionally created, only to have a single leader rise out of the ashes touting "freedom", "order", "unity", and "progress", but backed by a military contingent to enforce the rise to power. These are not revolutions but well executed coups. They remind me of Star Wars I, II, and III and the complex plot orchestrated by Darth Sidious in his rise to Emperor of the Galactic Empire.
Anyway, the most difficult part in nation building is the transition to a democracy. It's never easy. In general, those countries that do rise out of it become strong and prosperous. The process is fragile indeed and always will be, but for what's right in the long run for a people, it's by far the best path.
For right now, democratic nations like Canada, the U.S., and the U.K. who have a vested interest in the Middle East, we watch how the players react to events, including our own leaders.
So what do I know? The history of building Middle Eastern and North African countries in the first half of the 20th century was shoddy at best. A lack of understanding of the various Islamic culture groups, the British created the strangest borders. Democracy was not the result but dictatorships to control the fractious citizenry and maintain order and control. So much so, that the leadership of many of these nations were in ally with Nazi Germany during WWII.
Today, I know that there are moderate citizens in Muslim nations who see democracy in Israel and now in Iraq and Afghanistan. They see democracy at work in the Western world. They see revolutions in Tunisia, and a referendum in Sudan creating a new country dividing the former nation by religion. They want a say in governance, in their lives and not be dictated to. They are educated. They are religious. They are not extremists but detest Western political influence that has interfered with their self-determination and brought and supported dictators. They are the very silent majority.
That said, underneath the media reports and general public belief of a 'democratic revolution' in Egypt, (and it appears that way because they have a dictatorship so what else is there?) there lurks other forces nipping at the bit to take power... the loud minority.
The Muslim Brotherhood is one of those forces no doubt. It's a mysterious group with ties to Middle East history dating back to 1926. It has factions. It has extremists. It has moderates. It's also banned in Egypt. It claims to restore the teachings of the Qu'ran in nations through non-violent means, thus not revered by Al-Qaeda. It has members in Hamas.
In a way, President Mubarek is right. By stepping down now, chaos WILL ensue. A slow, peaceful transition to a democracy and a well executed and internationally supervised election process is the only way to ensure stability and especially to prevent extremist factions from quickly rising to power amidst the dust while the people remain in fear and uncertainty.
Like the rich landscape of Egypt's mightiest and glorious structures, and the symbols and ancient mythology that have stood the test of time, from the chaos, let the sand and dust settle. And hopefully, similar to how the 19th century world was enamoured with its greatness, out of that, Egypt will find itself again, and be revered as a shining democratic and prosperous nation and the envy of the Muslim world.
For those of you keeping score...
Liberals
With PC leader Ed Stelmach eventually resigning, Alberta Liberal leader David Swann stepping down today and everyone turning their eyes on NDP leader Brian Mason to follow suit, think about this scenario of current and potential political party leaders in Alberta...
PCs -- Allison Redford
Liberals -- Laurie Blakeman
Wildrose Alliance -- Danielle Smith (current)
New Democrats -- Rachel Notley
Alberta Party -- Sue Huff (interim)
Kinda interesting don't ya think? Refreshing I'd say.
h/t: Doug Main via Facebook
Posts
All Comments
