Much about Nothing

The House isn't sitting this week but the news flows just the same (even if most of it is just filling space with talk about spending practice during the last federal election and the economy. Not the sexiest of topics).

The French President is calling for the EU to make a joint decision on the possible boycott of the Olympic opening cerimoney.

When asked by a reporter how she would respond (assuming she became President of the US) to a Iranian nuclear attack against Isreal, she said she would 'obliterate' them. Obama took issue with the word 'obliterate' but admitted that he would also respond to an Iranian attack (nuclear or conventional) against any of their middle-eastern allies.

Next Democratic primaries are Indiana and North Carolina on May 6th. North Carolina looks to be sideing with Obama by about 10%. Indiana looks closer as of now which may be why Obama seems to be focusing his attention there so far.

Looks like Canada can't get Brenda Martin into the prisoner transfer program until the Mexian judges deliberation to be translated so that she can be charged with the appropriate crime under the Canadian Criminal Code.

When speaking to Indian interest groups, the PM expressed that Canada's trade need to (and has been to some degree) expand beyond the US. Given current concerns about the US enconomy lately, this might be a good idea. Plus there's a lot less controvery in furthering our trade with India then China these days.

However, the governor of the Bank of Canada has claimed that our slumping economic growth will cause a decline in our exports anyway. Don't be too worried though, their predictions see growth increasing in the two years following this year. The R and D words (Ressession and Deficit) are starting to be whispered but not forecasted yet. Thanks to the growing oil industry in the west apparently.

A new study has targeted the Speaker of the House as a possible reason behind the lack of civility in the House lately. Seems that some experts feel that he should be encouraged to use some of his power to get these house committees deadlocked in partisan manouvering.

Saskatchewan has been the latest province to set a fixed date for provincial election, at a rate of one every four years. This is the latest in a growing trend now including British Columbia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Ontario. Of course the Federal government has also started this policy under the Conservatives with a fixed date in October 2009 (assuming the minortiy government can last that long).

Dion and Drydan where seen taking in a Montreal Canadians game during their first round matchup with Boston. Makes sense as Drydan would be Dion's Minister of Hockey. Last week the oposition alluded to his hockey days when they accused him of 'pulling himself out of the game' while abstaining with the rest of the Liberarls during the last round of votes.

The media and the pundits are trying really hard to make this elections 'scandle' stick but now that the images of an RCMP raid have faded, the public is not going to be interested in the legality of spending federal funding on local publicity during an election last year. Although, it certainly can't help, I doubt it'll hurt the Conservatives in any way beyond the stigma or yet another 'scandle'.

Looks like Canada needs a new Chief of the Defence Staff now that Hillier has retired. Of crouse the leader of each of the three branches are the top contenders. And of course each are bringing attention to the needs of their branches as a reason for bring them in charge. Even if the theory (but not always the practice) is that the new CDS should be able to rise above their branch and be fair with the military's budget.

Baid, the Enviroment Minister, has said that Polar Bears remind a species of concern but they are not 'threatened'. If they had been raised to 'theatened' status the government would legally have to act to protect the polar bears. Of course even if actions are not legally required, plans are in abundant supply.

New polls in Quebec have bumped the newly formed ADQ down to third place behind the Liberals and then the PQ. Starting to look like a flash in the pan.

New Battlestar and Supernatural tonight. Fridays are starting to look very nice. Battlestar was good. Not on par with the last two I think, but good for setting up for the next couple. The confrontation between Tigh and Six was really interesting though.

Supernatural was very different. It had a whole 'Blair Witch' feel. It was kind of fun as a departure from the norm. But as a first episode back from the strike I feel like we where missing out on the norm we've been denied for so long. There was almost none of that coveted Winchester wit and brotherly......affection.