Warren Kinsella

VOX POPULI

Warren Kinsella — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:25:09 GMT

My one-person focus group is my gal; she's smarter and more intuitive than me, even if she was a Tory, long ago. She laughed out loud when I read her this line from the Prime Minister. I was laughing, too.

"Mr. Dion and Mr. Duceppe are quite a group of gossipy old busy-bodies."

Sorry, fed Lib pals, but that was a killer line. Game, set, match.

Let it go, move on.

KIDS AND VIOLENCE

Warren Kinsella — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:07:47 GMT

A million years ago, when I was a young fella - when I thought I would be dead before I hit 20, say, and then when I hit 20, highly unlikely to ever reach 30 - I got in fights. My mug, and my hands, still bear little mementos of various youthful stupidities. Between my mouth and my nose, for example, I've still got a nasty-looking scar from the time in Calgary I tangled with a mountain-sized army reservist. (We ended up shaking hands and having a pint together, I dimly recall.)

Anyway. All of this is to say that - when me and my gang were still scrappin' - we scrapped with our fists. I'm not saying we weren't stupid - we were - but we generally weren't out to kill each other.

These days, as all of us are reminded on a daily basis, kids don't seem to fight so much with their fists anymore. Every once in a while, they actually use guns. And, with much more frequency, they carry and use knives.

I don't know about you, but I think that when a kid is apparently stabbed over a cell phone - in his school, where he is supposed to be safe - I think it's time to acknowledge that there has been quite enough chit-chat about this insanity. And if one solution has to be metal detectors at schools, so be it. (The need for a handgun ban, meanwhile, is so self-evident, anyone who debates against it is clinically insane.)

Kids and fights go together, unfortunately. It happens. When it happens, however, I will continue to vote for the guy or gal who want to ensure knives are no longer within arm's reach.

DOUBLE VID HIT: DOA AND TIGER ARMY

Warren Kinsella — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:56:29 GMT

My pal Joey Shithead and the legendary DOA are in town Saturday night - and our youngest's favourite threesome, Tiger Army, are here tonight. I'm heading up to the cabin, so I'll miss both. As a consolation - and as an incentive for all of you to go see these two great bands - here is a double YouTube sampler.

TOO FUNNY

Warren Kinsella — Thu, 08 May 2008 22:40:33 GMT

I'm heading to a celebration of Israel's 60th year, and who do I see in a blue van right behind me? John Tory.

I know this because, if his guy had been tailgating anymore, we would have been doing a little piggyback dance.

Crazy old town, is Toronto.

LIZ THOMPSON ISSUES A MEGA MEA CULPA

Warren Kinsella — Thu, 08 May 2008 20:20:28 GMT

...and therefore shows that she is a classy person. And human, like the rest of us who have messed up (and still regret it very much).

Here.

INVITATION TO MARK STEYN TO DEBATE

Warren Kinsella — Thu, 08 May 2008 17:33:02 GMT

"...The Public Policy Forum (PPF) is holding a symposium entitled: �Revisiting Canada�s Human Rights Commissions: A Public Symposium.� This half-day event will take place in Ottawa on the morning of Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008. I am writing to determine if you are available and interesting in being a speaker in a panel discussion. If you are available, an official invitation will follow. In the meantime, a draft copy of the agenda and proposal is attached...

As you know, there has recently been a great deal of public discussion concerning the mandate and effectiveness of human rights commissions (HRCs) in Canada. The PPF believes that the current public focus offers an excellent opportunity to examine the public policy role HRCs play in upholding human rights and reducing discrimination in Canadian society.

The Public Policy Forum has gained a reputation as a trusted, neutral facilitator capable of bringing together a wide range of stakeholders to discuss and develop policy. This symposium will feature a spirited and timely discussion about freedom of speech and the role of the state. As important as the free speech debate is, the PPF would also like to address the effectiveness of HRCs in helping to push Canadian society in the direction of greater respect for individual and group human rights. Doing so will require frank and honest debate about their mandates, resources, and relationships to legislative bodies. It will also require consideration of the views from both rights groups and the private sector.

We welcome feedback on our attached proposal, including ideas about speakers and any other topics that need to be examined. Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have regarding this symposium. Thank you for considering this invitation. I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience..."

...

That's the letter the Public Policy Forum sent to Mark Steyn, inviting him to debate Yours Truly.
Twice.

Two other respected free speech types have declined, politely. Impolitely, I think, Mark Steyn hasn't responded at all. However, Steyn is - by all accounts - still alive. My readers tell me the great man is still out there in ether, doing what he does best - you know, cheerfully defaming Muslims (whom he calls rapists), Chinese people (whom he calls Chinks), Japanese people (who he calls Japs), Indian people (whom he calls Wogs), and so on.

John Daly heard him on the radio this morning, on the Breakingridge Islamophobic Hour. Here's what John wrote in the comments section, herein: "...I listened, this morning, to His Steyness interviewed on the Brekenridge (sic) show. I was almost shocked at his response when the host informed him you were willing to debate him...the very mention of your name reduced him to a pissed of seven year old. He basically said you are a dirty bum and he sees no point in spending one more moment in your company. He's SCARED Warren! Not sure, exactly, what the basis for the fear, but damn sure he is scared. So do not let him off the hook."

I won't. Neither will the Public Policy Forum, I am told, until they get an answer.

Stay tuned. In the meantime, we can safely regard Mark Steyn as a chickenshit.

Because he is.

UPDATE: Ezra wants in on the fun. He's got a big post up about me. In it, he goes on and on about how I was named by my good pal Judge Gomery in his report, which Stephen Harper and others have disowned. True, dat. Not mentioned: the time Ezra came to my office at McMillan Binch and offered me House of Commons property in exchange for a political donation (for him). Ez desperately wants to debate, which is understandable - the poor fella has been unemployed for months. I'll debate you right after that little Alberta Law Society matter is cleared up, okay? You know the one. Promise.

BOLDED BITS AND PIECES

Warren Kinsella — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:25:59 GMT

� Memo To Tim Horton�s Communications Staff: (a) jump off a very tall building, because sometimes that is all that communications advisors can do (b) before leaping, explore ways to sell Tim�s back to Canadians.
� The Atomic Hug: That�s what the eight-year-old calls what he delivers to me when I leave in the morning, and come home at night. Does a running start, jumps at me for the big squeeze. The he heads off to play what we call the GNDS (cf. Goddamn Nintendo Double Screen).
� Paying a lot for gas? We want you to pay more! That, it seems, is the shiny new Liberal Party of Canada platform. Make sense to you? Me neither.
� Chicken-stein Update: The Public Policy Forum and I want Mark Steyn to come to a debate about human rights and speech. Some of his winged monkeys, rarely capable of independent thought, even think it would be fun. So what are you afraid of, O Pompous Windbag-o? Surely not me! You'd make short work of me, wouldn't you?
� So, um, where was David? He�s got a not-bad op ed, here. Makes some good points. But where was he when we at the OBA � which represents him, and of which he is arguably a member � was making submissions on Bill 107? Hmmm.

PORTRAIT OF MARK STEYN AT NEXT MONTH'S DEBATE

Warren Kinsella — Thu, 08 May 2008 01:01:31 GMT

C'mon Mark! You're not afraid to debate little old me, are you?

SANDRA BUCKLER

Warren Kinsella — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:55:00 GMT

I hope she gets well soon, and both of us wish her the very best (my wife knows her from way, way back).

The way in which this news is reported, meanwhile, is completely unbecoming of Liz, and completely undeserved for someone in Sandra's position.

HEY THERE, POMPOUS WINDBAG

Warren Kinsella — Wed, 07 May 2008 01:05:53 GMT

I'll debate you.

I've got the forum, too. In Ottawa, in June. Proceeds split and going to the litigants on our respective sides.

Let's go, tough guy.

UPDATE, MORE THAN TWELVE HOURS LATER: Steyn is even linking to this web site, but - curiously - hasn't yet responded to my offer. So I will send him a letter, just so he doesn't miss my modest challenge. He should be able to take me easily, shouldn't he?

SHE'S DONE LIKE DINNER

Warren Kinsella — Wed, 07 May 2008 00:37:53 GMT

It's now just a question of when she, he, accept that. Or will they stubbornly hold on, and tank the Democratic Party's chances in November?

I sure hope not. But it sure looks like that's where this thing is headed.

As I told the folks who kindly came to see me speak in Ottawa today: the Democratic race is a five-alarm mess, and John McCain has therefore got to be a pretty happy guy. Can the G.O.P. actually re-take the White House when (a) the U.S. is in a massive and enduring recession, and (b) the Republicans created the Iraq quagmire in the first place? Can they win again, in such circumstances?

That would be amazing, but the Clintons are - as of tonight - facilitating just that.

POLICY STATEMENT

Warren Kinsella — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:26:56 GMT

Rob Breakenridge has admitted he went "over the line" in linking me to Elmasry. He's deleted that lie.

Here's the bottom line, for me - Elmasry, Lemire, Klatt, et al. are all the same. They're haters, and if you defend them, you are well on your way to becoming just like them.

Breakenridge's email:

"From: Rob Breakenridge [mailto:Rob.Breakenridge@corusent.com]
Sent: May-06-08 2:08 PM
To:
Subject: RE: Warren Kinsella

Fair enough, "BFF" may have been over the line. The phrase has been removed."

ON MY WAY TO OTTAWA TO GIVE A SPEECH

Warren Kinsella — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:42:53 GMT

...and I spot this:

"In all, only 404 pledged delegates remain to be chosen, and Tuesday's total of 187 makes it the biggest single primary day left. Clinton would need to win 70 percent of the remaining pledged delegates to catch up with Obama."

The "Reverend" Wright stuff has been unhelpful, clearly, but Obama's still got the edge. Like CNN says - Clinton needs to win big in both tonight. I don't think she will.

Off to our seat of government!

RELIGION AND POLITICS MIXMASTER

Warren Kinsella — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:58:53 GMT

Religion and politics don't mix, and - in this country, at least - they never will. My friend and I were discussing this very subject at a fundraiser for the disabled at Labatt House last night, in fact.

But while religion and politics don't mix, the fact is that when you mix them, people sure like to mix it up about the resulting mix-up.

...

Legislature Lord's Prayer (Legislature-Lords-Praye)
Source: The Canadian Press
May 6, 2008 3:24

TORONTO - Thousands of people are telling politicians what they think about doing away with the reading of the Lord's Prayer in the Ontario legislature.

Some 57-hundred people have weighed in so far on the issue through the legislature's website, causing it to crash temporarily.

It's now up to an all-party committee to sift through the opinions and talk to other faith groups before making a recommendation.

Premier Dalton McGuinty says he's looking forward to a new system which will reflect the values of all Ontarians.

He says that may mean getting rid of the prayer altogether or rotating it with other readings.

Conservative Leader John Tory says people would probably rather discuss clogged up emergency rooms and the weakening economy than the Lord's Prayer.

(The Canadian Press)

CHARLES CACCIA

Warren Kinsella — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:34:18 GMT

He was a regular reader of this web site, he told me once, and a great Liberal in the Trudeau/Chretien tradition. He will be greatly missed.

MY ELECTION PREDICTION

Warren Kinsella — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:20:01 GMT

In today's Hill Times, here.

Comment away!

THIS IS SO LAME

Warren Kinsella — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:08:02 GMT

Do they also ask themselves for autographs? Do they buy tickets to their own gigs? Do they plaster cast themselves?

Fellas, "fan" is derived from the word "fanatic." You play the instruments, the fans be fans. Simple.

BABY I'M AN ANARCHIST

Warren Kinsella — Sun, 04 May 2008 13:54:01 GMT

Sort of.

(Words here, in case you have as much difficulty as some of the kids in the vid.)

SAVING NEWSPAPERS

Warren Kinsella — Sun, 04 May 2008 00:21:40 GMT

Here's how.

PET PEEVE AT BLOCKBUSTER

Warren Kinsella — Sat, 03 May 2008 23:53:17 GMT

...for which Bjorn has a really rude alternative name. But anyway.

Here's the pet peeve: why do they have to holler out the movies you want to rent? So that everyone can hear?

"Okay, sir, A Clockwork Orgy and Angela's Asses are due back on Sunday night...oh, wait: I see that you still have out Free Your Willy, Lap Dances with Wolves and On Golden Blonde. You need to pay a three hundred dollar restocking fee before we can rent to you. Sorry!"

Or: "Rebel Without a Condom is no charge, because you have a credit. Or would you like to apply the credit to Saving Ryan's Privates and The XXX Files ?"

Or: "Bob! Bob! This guy up here and his girl want to rent Lust of the Mohicans and Hannah Does Her Sisters. Can you check the shelves for those?"

These things have never happened to me, but they could happen to you.

LONG OVERDUE

Warren Kinsella — Sat, 03 May 2008 18:01:44 GMT

Good. I was no fan of General Hiller - becuase, like many generals, he had seemingly forgotten that we have civilian control of the military, and not the other way around.

Good on Peter McKay for gutting through the Hillier-era cult of personality hysteria, and reminding them who is the real boss.

I SING THIS TO MY DAUGHTER

Warren Kinsella — Sat, 03 May 2008 03:30:19 GMT

She rolls her eyes, but she can't stop me.

Was listening to these geniuses, late, coming back from the new offices. Bagged but glad. Was listening to the Weakerthans' 'Plea From A Cat Named Virtue,' which has no video I am aware of, but you can and should listen to, here, and read the lyrics of, here.

John K. is probably the best lyricist on the planet. Canada is made better by these guys.

You're welcome, and goodnight.

I HATE MOVING

Warren Kinsella — Fri, 02 May 2008 03:52:40 GMT

I really, really hate moving. And movers.

REALLY BAD NEWS FOR WARREN

Warren Kinsella — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:23:54 GMT

He is or has been intimately associated with the three bottom-feeder occupations. Sigh.

From Norman:

...

An Angus Reid poll that you�ll not see reported tomorrow

"In the online survey of a representative national sample, a large majority of Canadians say they have a great deal or a fair amount of respect for doctors (94%), police officers (83%) and teachers (83%). At the bottom end are politicians (25%) lawyers, (44%) and journalists (49%).

The professionals who endured the most noticeable decline are journalists. In 2008, less than half of all respondents say they have a great deal or a fair amount of respect for journalists (49%), compared to 73 per cent in 1984."

FINALLY, A POLITICIAN LISTENED TO ME ABOUT FUEL PRICES

Warren Kinsella — Thu, 01 May 2008 12:14:08 GMT

And, happily, he is the most compelling politician in the world, at the moment.

Man, I wish I could figure out a way to go work for this guy.

YAFFE NAILS THE SLEEPER ELECTION ISSUE

Warren Kinsella — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:58:42 GMT

If Canada is in deficit, the "economic leadership" story line is in the burn unit, too - along with the ethics story line and the outsiders story line.

Solution? Bomb the living shit out of the main opposition during the writ.

The campaign, when it comes sometime in the next decade or so, is going to be nasty.

WHY THE ONTARIO NDP WILL NEVER BE GOVERNMENT AGAIN

Warren Kinsella — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:48:51 GMT

Reason 4,219: whilst two of their most prominent members push to make Toronto's transit union an essential service - In the same week! In the same city! - these characters come up with this.

Perhaps they thought we wouldn't notice.

...

McGuinty Liberals douse NDP plan to make it easier to unionize ( NDP-Unions)
Source: The Canadian Press
May 1, 2008 3:24

TORONTO _ The governing Liberals are pouring cold water on an NDP proposal to make it easier for Ontario workers to unionize.

NDP Leader Howard Hampton's private member's bill calls on the province to bring back card certification, which currently only applies to the construction industry.

Under card certification, a union can be created when more than 55 per cent of workers signs a union membership card.

Hampton says the former Mike Harris government changed that in 1995, and required that a vote be taken even when a majority of workers have signed union cards.

He says that gives employers the opportunity to intimidate workers to stop them from forming a union.

THE NEXT TIME YOU PASS SOME ROAD KILL, GIVE PAUSE...

Warren Kinsella — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:44:52 GMT

...that sad-looking lump was smarter than a significant number of Members of Parliament. Clearly.

H/T this guy.

WHOA, DUDE

Warren Kinsella — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:11:26 GMT

Like, my hand? So, dude, it has John Lennon growing out of it.

THE PAUSE WE ALL TAKE TO REMEMBER WHY GOD PUT US ON EARTH

Warren Kinsella — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:05:15 GMT

"Must. Raise. Taxes. Must. Keep. Reducing. Services. Must..."

[Source.]