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Archive for January 2006

WHEE!!!

So the nifty geniuses at wordpress have a tool that let’s one import blog entries from a blogger or moveable type/typepad site. I had resigned myself to the fact that I’d either have to let the old blogger site wither and die or import all the old posts manually (not likely to happen). Now I don’t have to do that. All it took was a few clicks, a few keystrokes, and 45 seconds.

Written by The Canuck

January 27, 2006 at 9:15 am

Posted in randomness

I don’t have much to say ….

with one comment

But I will say this:

It’s Friday, and for the first time in many, many weeks I am going to have a day off. Tomorrow I don’t have to do anything. No feeding animals at the lab, no errands to run, to social events to attend. Nothing. Zilch. Nada.

Maybe I’ll sleep the entire day.

Written by The Canuck

January 27, 2006 at 9:08 am

Posted in randomness

More election thoughts

without comments

This was lifted almost verbatim from an e-mail that I sent to Katie and her sister ….

Well, I’ll see what sort of craziness the Tories get up to before I make a final decision about making a run for the border (yes, I’m showing my age by referencing a years-old ad campaign). Right now, I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. I think that, given the small size of the minority, they won’t be able to do anything too ‘nutty’. Besides, I imagine that there’ll be another election in about 18-24 months anyway.

Belinda Stronach kept her seat. This kind of surprised me, because she’s in an area that has traditionally gone Tory (she was initially elected as a Tory, but then crossed the floor about a year ago). The one result that did surprise me was Anne McLellan losing her seat. But then again, she is from Alberta, and they went completely Tory this time.

Even more surprising than all of that, though, was Paul Martin announcing that he’s going to be stepping down as leader of the Liberal party. I think it’s a good thing, because as great a Finance Minister as he was, he never seemed comfortable as PM. I honestly don’t know who could possibly step up and lead the ‘divided’ (to use what is perhaps too strong a word) Liberals right now. It’ll be interesting to watch.

I watched Jack Layton’s speech last night, and he (and Ms. Chow) were positively beaming. He’s got to be thrilled with the number of seats they won. They haven’t done this well since 1993 (I think, maybe it was even earlier). I’m happy for the NDP. I don’t think I’d want to see them running the show, but I think that if they can swing some sort of a deal with the Tories (much like they did with the Liberals after the last election) they can be a moderating force.

Written by The Canuck

January 24, 2006 at 9:33 am

Posted in canada, politics

A new sheriff in town

with one comment

Harper thumbs up

I know it’s an over-used cliche, but I just couldn’t resist.

So, after 12 years in the wilderness, plodding back from the biggest disgrace in Canadian electoral history, the Tories are running the show. All in all, I don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing (now before all the liberal [note small 'l' at the front of 'liberal] folks start sizing me up for a spit,keep in mind that I didn’t vote Tory) for the country.

Certainly I would have enjoyed seeing the Liberals win with a majority, but I think the Conservatives (particuarly since they’ve won a minority government) will manage to keep the house from burning down. I am a little bit worried about the right wing of the party. That being said, I think the small size of their minority, and the rather large number of seats won by the NDP will keep things on an even keel.

I’ll probably have much more to say about this tomorrow (or in the next few days, at the latest), but I’m tired and it’s time to go to bed.

Written by The Canuck

January 24, 2006 at 12:07 am

Posted in canada, politics