Perhaps this newspaper’s editorial writer from last week should have said it stronger.
As in, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on the issue of separatism should not be trying to cater to both the people who want to stay in Canada, and at the same time keep the separatist wing of the UCP happy by allowing a slow march to a referendum and a vote on separatism. That’s how it looks out there.
It’s said politics is the art of compromise. Whomever cooked that slush should have their head examined. Or at least, clarified it.
Municipal politics, that of counties, municipal districts, settlements and reserves, towns and cities generally have to get along. It isn’t party politics like the Conservatives vs the Liberals vs the NDP vs Donald Trump vs Putin. The little politics at our community levels are generally understood to have to work together.
So, when somebody really smart, or really stupid, comes into office in those little politics, if they come out bullying and badgering like the “big guys and girls do”, most of the rest of the respective councils runs and hides so to speak. Or nods and kisses the ring.
Most communities have gone through such things at one time or another. There was one mayor who said, “It’s against the law for utilities to make money.” Councillors nodded wisely and sagely, even though that statement is a crock of banana smoke.
There was another who said, “I’ve got the town credit card. They give that to mayors and it means I can spend on anything I think is best for the town. Let’s order another round of drinks.”
More nodding wisely, not because they would love a free drink. It’s because they think the mayor knows what he or she is doing! Sheesh!
One councillor once said, “Golf is just about the dumbest sport I have ever seen. Who the heck is stupid enough to spend an afternoon or evening hitting a ball with a stick?”
And yet another said, “Pay off a mortgage? Nobody ever pays off a mortgage. Let’s just keep on borrowing.”
And of course, we don’t even have to mention (oh heck, let’s) the Alberta premier who built the famous Sky Palace you know, because, well, just because.
If there is a compromise between that kind of stupidity and ignorance, and a bit of common sense, we don’t know where it is. Art of compromise, sure.
Let’s take the joke about the two guys running away from a bear. If you don’t know the real joke, ask somebody. In the “political” version, one says to the other, “Hey, instead of me trying to outrun you, why don’t we both slow down. I’m pretty sure that bear will get confused which one to attack and will go away.”
That’s called political compromise!
We think the problem with Smith is she is trying to compromise. Instead, she should come out with both guns blazing. If she is on the side of Canada, go to Ottawa, demand fair treatment, get it, and come back to Alberta and kick the separatists in the teeth. Just for openers.
Better yet, go to Ottawa and say she is for Canada, and kick the Liberals in the teeth. And make damn sure the rest of Canada, and Alberta, knows why. Over and over and over again if necessary.
Make the demands. Get them. Or else. Tough words. Tough action.
Somebody has to take charge here. Over and over and over again. If somebody doesn’t, we are faced with a never-ending Quebec story that will just keep on bleeding Alberta until oil and gas dies out, we are left with a shell of a province, and the so-called Laurentians call it another day.
Preston Manning said it well when he told the rest of Canada years ago: “Alberta wants in.”
Want an honest opinion? Seems like they were only pretending to be listening down east. As usual. As always.
It hasn’t been much of a summer so far. Long lasting winter. Spring not really over it seems.
And tourism? Not much going on at all!
Yet weather forecasters are saying its going to be a really warm summer, a record in fact. Heck, we can remember years ago stores were sold out of fans the first week of June! And it was common to call June itself the Monsoon Season! We’re still waiting for either one of those.
What we are not waiting for is another outbreak of tent caterpillars.
We figured a couple years ago, since there were quite a few spots in the Peace country with the furballs popping up, it was the time in their life cycle for another outbreak. Didn’t really happen.
This year, they are showing up again in many parts of Alberta. News reports already are running with comments from “experts” this is the year! The Year!
OK! Could be so. Yes, we have spotted them. If you look around a bit, you probably can see some too. By the time you read this, a full bloom might be underway. Maybe.
So, for a change last week’s weather forecasters seemed to have hit the mark. The forecast for us in the Peace was for clouds and maybe some showers. Around the Slave Lake area, and a line going north to south all the way to Montana, heavy rain was predicted.
If you travelled that way last week, you might have seen what we did. Right around the start of the hills just east of Kinuso, it was indeed raining. And it kept on raining. And to the west, a shower here and there. Just like the forecast said.
This is troublesome. A weather forecast getting it right? What next? Russia is going to collapse? Iran gives in? Carney makes a deal to keep Alberta in Canada? Aliens reveal themselves? Gasoline prices in High Prairie are lower than in Peace River?
Holy smuckers! Gas Buddy had Peace River at 175.9, Slave Lake also at 175.9, High Prairie 171.9.
Excuse us while we check to see what is happening way down there in H-Ville. Freezing?
Anyway, If you want to really save, get a fuel card at the bulk stations, or shop at places like Joussard or Driftpile if you are heading in that direction. Gas Buddy has them at 171.9 but they are usually quite a bit lower than High Prairie.
Grande Prairie is 168.9, Whitecourt 152.9, Edmonton 145.9. Yes, indeed those fuel trucks sure cost money to go up and down all those terrible roads, mountains and rivers on the way to northern Alberta. Not to mention bandits and government toll booths.