Why Can't We Have That Debate?

I'm so sick and tired of those who want to stifle debate on anything to do with abortion or any other issue.  For example Conservative MP Stephen Woodworth brought forth a motion to debate whether or not to set up a special committee to discuss when life begins.  What's so wrong with that?

You'd think it was Armageddon the way some are reacting.  Why can't we have a debate on abortion, the death penalty, climate change, health care or anything else?  The beloved Charter that the left loves to tout says we have freedom of speech but really it's an illusion. 

Take a couple of Wildrose candidates in most recent Alberta election,  One, a former pastor who wrote in blog over a year ago that quoted the Bible sayng gays along with every other sinner will burn in a lake of fire if they don't turn from their ways.  The other made a statement that was totally taken out context about race. You can agree or disagree with those two gentlemen. That's up to everyone to decide. They and the Wildrose party were crucified and some believe that's why they lost the election.  Is one not allowed  to voice their own views or have their own beliefs when it comes to religion or race?

Free speech only seems to be for one side. The Left. If those of us on the right speak out about the issues we believe in etc we get called hater mongers, bigots,racists, neanderthals, knuckle draggers and a whole bunch of other names.  We are the ones who are told we have to be tolerant but the other side seems like they are the ones who are the most intolerant and hateful.  We must be politically correct. 

Those of us who have different views on abortion, climate change and all the other topics that are verboten, are told to sit down and shut up, it's settled, we don't want to go there. Well I don't think we should sit down and shut up.  It's exactly what the other side wants..  There has to be a time when we say enough is enough.

Are we not grown up enough in this country to debate the  issues from all sides?  Can't we have a civil debate without one side demonizing the other? 

No topic should be off the table  Everyone should have their say.

  We should never forget this famous quote from Thomas Jefferson: "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."  

 And this one from Edmond Burke:  "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

Wildrose Roots Were Not Deep Enough

Ok, I am finished licking my wounds from the Alberta election.  Sure I was really wanting Wildrose to win.   I thought Danielle Smith would make terrific premier and I still do.  It's obvious Albertans were not quite comfortable yet handing them government.  Wildrose roots were just not deep enough yet.

 I know we all believed the polls and the pundits.  Most were projecting a Wildrose win.  The expectation was high.  It looks now like the polls were wrong.

But hey, thinking about it most of the day yesterday, it wasn't a total loss.  Wildrose came away with 17 seats including Danielle's. PCs came away with fewer seats than they had before. Wildrose is now the official opposition, the government in waiting.  Danielle and her team will keep hammering away at Red Ali and her PC minions as they keep mucking the province up. 

It was the same situation with the Lougheed PCs at first. They were in opposition first to prove themselves, then government.  Same too with the CPC. Look where they are now.

As the time passes, Wildrose will gain experience, get more media and public attention. Their roots will grow deeper.  Albertans will get to know them better and become more comfortable.  If they do a good job, keep their noses clean, keep getting their message out, they will gain the trust of Albertans come next election in four years, they will be rewarded and Danielle Smith, a smart, charismatic, articulate woman will be handed the keys to the premiers office.

I think we just have to be patient.  As the Wildrose roots grow deeper, the more stable they will be and next time will not be blown over.  The next election campaign is just starting.

Alberta PCs Have No Sense of Humor

 

Yesterday was April fools day.  All the parties in Alberta has some fun except, REDford's PCs. 

Alberta political parties tried their hand at humour on Sunday, with a smattering of April Fools’ jokes on a quiet day on the election campaign trail.
The Liberals issued a news release responding to a made-up PC party plan to build a Calgary airport overpass instead of a tunnel. Attached to the news release is a link to what appears to be the Calgary Herald’s political blog – until you look more closely at the web address.
The Wildrose issued a press release calling for a merger with Saskatchewan to form a new province called Saskberta. The merger would see the capital located in the border town of Lloydminster, which would be renamed Regimonton.
The tongue-in-cheek news release said the merger presents a number of important economic benefits for Alberta, including significantly expanded parking.
“Alberta and Saskatchewan are both blessed with abundant natural resources, which is clearly an area we can better pursue as a single province,” leader Danielle Smith said in the statement.  “We also have a shared commitment to eliminate pirate activity on the North Saskatchewan River.”
The Alberta Party announced a plan for reducing congestion on the QE2 with a new “high-speed” gondola connection between Edmonton and Calgary.
The party said the project would be designed to take advantage of corridor that will come with PC government plan for high-voltage transmission lines between Alberta’s two largest cities.
“The towers are already being built to accommodate the transmission lines,” said party leader Glenn Taylor. “We’re simply adding one new line, suspended between the towers. This is a shovel-ready program, no further regulatory approvals would be needed.”
The news release added “according to leading gondola transportation authorities, the commute time could as little as a blazingly fast 7 1/2 hours.”
Probably the best of the April Fools’ Day pranks is the NDP re-posting their video from the 2010 legislature Christmas party as an “attack ad” against the Wildrose. The joke video features NDP Leader Brian Mason in a drill sergeant role, trying to whip Wildrose party members into shape for question period. It will likely be the only time you see the Wildrose members dressed up in NDP orange, or Airdrie Wildrose incumbent Rob Anderson professing his admiration for Tommy Douglas (under duress).
 Albertans go to the polls on April 23.  (h/t) Calgary Herald

Election campaigns are long and grueling.  Issues are discussed hopefully and sometimes campaigns can turn nasty.    So it's nice at least to see some parties take a break and have some fun. 

Come on what's wrong with you PCs?   Do you have no sense of humor?