Stuck in the middle

Mayor Atchison should read the migrant study carefully. According to the SP the weather got a C grade and I suspect Regina's weather did as well, yet Regina had a B rating overall. It is the section on society that should catch his attention. We hear from the Police Commission that crime is down yet the report suggests it is high, comparatively speaking. I understand the low income and educational issues. Until we succeed in delivering a good educational standing to First Nations these issues will plague our city. And as much as we have enjoyed job creation they are, generally speaking , not employment opportunities at the upper end of the pay scale.

What I don't quite understand is the income differential between male and female.

Oh well, Saskatoon can be our little bit of paradise. It still is a great city and being away from it makes me appreciate it more. I even miss the eccentric citizenry!

Roll over Ghandi

Hi everyone. Had a little computer glitch yesterday and couldn't get to the blog.

I've been catching up on news in Saskatoon through the SP and see Sandra Finley is keeping the courts busy on her constitutional challenge to the Census. I'm going to watch this carefully. If you are not required to give government personal information I hope it will apply to Tax returns - no SIN, date of birth, or perhaps no T4 income thus no tax. If she pulls this off she may move up a notch in my esteem chart.

However, I suspect this is more about her anti-American/war position based on her quoted comments regarding the American company that won the bid for the software. If that is the case I wish she had followed her own advice and followed Mandela's peaceful way. I, and I suspect the majority of the public, detest war; but I suspect protesting war in Ghandi/Mandela fashion would not register with today's terrorists.

If she loses this challenge will she be required to pay court costs?

Hide your money if you have any!

I was almost sick when I read in today's SP that almost every major union is at the bargaining table this year. How does this happen? The government is broke and the province will, no doubt, be under siege as all the unions have strike mandates. After services are withdrawn the public will complain, the government will pay and everyone will point to the poor financial management by government. I feel like I am being forced to watch the same bad B grade movie over and over again and I not sure what crime I committed that warrants this penalty.

And yes, I know about the big, bad government's essential services legislation. I am just not confident that it will matter much.

If I had any money left, I'd fluff up my mattress.

The Heidt of decency

I read in the SP that Myles Heidt is suing Public School Trustee Dan Danielson. Kudos to Myles Heidt for taking on Danielson. Expressing one's opinion on an issue is laudable, slander is despicable. I did see the notice that was sent out during the election and Heidt was definitely identified by his position of office and the information was inaccurate. Danielson knew, or as an experienced trustee, should have known that the allegations had no merit. He has a history of this conduct and I'm pleased to see that finally someone has called him on it.

I have often heard from people interested in politics state they would not get actively involved because the issues get shunted to the side and over ridden by personal attacks and skewed information on candidate positions. The only way to end the behaviour is take the course Heidt is taking.

While discussing civic government vis-a-vis provincial/federal governments, a wise friend summed it up as "same sewer, bigger rats."

Laugh or you'll cry

I didn't watch the World Juniors last night as we couldn't find a channel that was showing it but tracked the score on the net. My hopes soared when it tied and I crashed when we lost. Not in the mood for celebration I then started to catch up on the SP local news.

I did catch the article were the Mayor talked about developing the 50 year plan to replace the 15 year old plan for city development. Regrettably he, and thankfully I, will not be around to pay for it. I do give him credit for a sense of humour when he stated it was driven by economics and we will be able to generate revenue. He neglected to say the revenue generation would be derived from property tax payers. Adding $1 million for maintenance costs for River Landing, operational costs for the expensive (and possibly world's largest) swimming pool and bus passes for the working poor do not generate revenue. If past performance is the best indicator of future performance, we are hooped!

The best laid plans of mice and mayors . . . .

The root of all evil?

I think Americans like me better than Canadians - they must think I'm sweet. Everyone keeps calling me "hon." "Can I help you hon?" "Everything okay hon?"

I am astounded by the religious bent in this area of the USA. Listening to the radio talk shows it seems that everyone signs off with God bless you, God bless America, God bless the world - except for those of Middle East extraction, Democrats and President Obama. I expect it must be because of the 'melting pot' theme all immigrants embrace God and Christianity dominates.

It is interesting how Christians with their values seem not able to embrace social programs that would benefit those in need if those programs might cost them money. I think God has his work cut out for him down here.

Thanks for the comments yesterday. I miss hearing the local issues. On the smoking at CUC it won't surprise me if it is totally banned. Given the aversion by the majority to smoking it is surprising pressure is not put on the government to ban the sale of tobacco in Saskatchewan. Then again, given the loss of revenue from potash, the loss of revenue from tobacco sales would demolish the whole provincial budget. Ah, the things we can over look when money is involved.

Come to think of it if God demolished money the Americans would have social programs and in Saskatchewan we would be a non-smoking territory. And I, along with others, would be holding on to my roots while strolling down the road to hell!

Confessions of a Mistress

Happy New Year! I hope each and every one has enjoyed the fellowship of family and friends over this holiday season.

It is said that confession is good for the soul and for the good of my soul I confess I am not in Saskatoon but enjoying the balmy weather in Palm Desert. I have enjoyed visiting long term friends, swung a golf club more often than I should have over 18 holes, collected a little vitamin D, swilled some decent California wine and endured an epiphany.

Like many of you I have considered myself a little right of centre conservative. Here, in the good old USA, I am experiencing being a socialist. In listening to the radio stations here you would think that President Obama is the devil incarnate. This all stems from his health care plan. I would have thought that middle class America would have heralded him as the second coming rather than an audacious spendthrift. I find myself in dialogue with descendants of Attila the Hun over the merits (and pitfalls) of the issue. I'm leaving here tomorrow before they run me out of town or, worse yet, my political acuity is questioned.

I'm following the news in 'Toon town via the SP online. Would appreciate your comments on news in our city

Best of 2010.