Vancouver Secrets

Opposition Blackmail

Canadians should be outraged… Layton is intent on bringing down the government at any cost.

This is politics at the gutter level, and they have been planning this for weeks. They sat in the weeds waiting for something that they could use as cover.

It’s not about what’s good for Canada – it’s about “everything they believe in“.

Sounds a lot like a third world coup to me.

Layton:

What we really want is just to get Harper out and get the new group in because it’s going to be a hell of a lot better for everything we believe in, correct? Correct. So let’s stay on that track, and not start debating whether or not it’s twenty five percent change or fifteen percent change over here, let’s get them out, on the basis of unity not the basis of division. Somebody asked about Bill Casey, absolutely, in the game, uh, on confidentiality, we now have to get out and defend the idea of the coalition.

[...]

The coalition for Canada, I love the idea, it could be a deal-breaker for the Bloc (laughter) so if we don’t go, we call it “The Coalition for Canada and Quebec,” (lots of laughter).

The condescending tone should sicken Canadians.

Part 2:

The transcript here.

Sunday Evening Viewing

Achmed the Dead Terrorist

This video should hit 75 million views soon.. amazing.

Jeff’s humor is timeless.

My favorite line: The Washington Monument – it looks like a tribute to Bill Clinton.

Enjoy.

Wait Till Spring

More signs that a meltdown will hit BC real estate this spring:

- In the comments section people are discussing making lowball offers on multiple properties – to payback the sellers for the multi-offer days.

- From a comment on pre-construction sales:

Many of them will be left holding the bag so to speak when they can’t assign their contracts,. They will have to complete at a loss. For some that may be easier said than done.

Due to financial constraints I cannot complete this purchase

http://vancouver.en.craigslist/81511.html

I have to give me deposit away for free because i can’t complete.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist…..65992.html

I’ve placed a deposit but cannot complete. Need someone to take this assignment from me.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist…..53522.html

Owner cannot complete on this property.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist…..14206.html

I won’t be able to close.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist…..66059.html

Our life-style has changed in the last 2 years and we will not be able to close http://vancouver.en.craigslist…..93833.html

the completion is in 2 weeks and my bank did not approve my financing. Therefore I can’t complete on this sale. http://vancouver.en.craigslist/40776.html

For those that like the stats:

Latest REBGV projections:

Listings: 3067 (-13% yoy)

Sales: 923 (-69% yoy)

Sell/List: 30% (-54 pts yoy)

MOI: 21.1 (462% yoy)

Actives: 19507 (76% yoy)

Avg Price SFH $753,967 (-7% yoy) (-9% mom) (-18% from peak)

Pre-construction investors killed real estate in Florida – now I’m witnessing the exact same scenario playing out here in Vancouver. I’m very happy I chose to rent – good times ahead for buyers.

The realtors will respond…

photo credit: ecstaticist

Move On Please…

On Thursday, November 20th, at over 1,000 gatherings nationwide, MoveOn.org members celebrated Obama’s historic victory and launched a new campaign to help him make real change in Washington.

Best Quote: “At this point there are no particular agendas – it’s just to get agendas through…” George Soros would be beaming.

The lady that takes her ball and goes home near the end, shows how Moveon.org operates.

Can you imagine spending an evening with these people? It’s why I have a hard time with Liberals – they step over each other with their genius and can’t shut up. I know, that’s why they are Liberals…

The comedy is that Moveon members feel that they got Barry elected. Boy, are they ever in for a surprise when they find that nothing from their agenda matters.

That Long Legged Mac Daddy

Reverend Wright Has nothing on this fella.

Hon. James David Manning tells people to support Alan Keyes and others who are demanding to see if Barack Hussein Obama is eligible to be President.

Who knew that there was a question on whether Barry is legit. Or is it Barry Santoro?

Boom Shacka Lacka Brother.

Just show the birth certificate, your Columbia University papers.. prove your past.

Don’t create another generation of 9/11 Truthers.

Saturday Funny – Catching Illegal Canadians

L.A. I.C.E. – Illegal Canadian Enforcement

Two renegade US immigration officers crack down on the toughest immigrants to catch – Canadians.

Best line: “If you want to catch a Canadian, You’ve got to think like one”

My Vote Is For The Axis of Feeble

Kate has a great contest going on at SDA to name the new party that Layton, Dion and that French traitor are trying to form.

Some of the good ones:

- The BLT – Bloc of Liberal Torontois

- The Regressive Socialist Sepera-federalists

- The CBCP = Canadian Broadcasting Company Party

- The Clown Coalition

- CCCP: Cooperative Caring Canadian Party

The Globe and Mail’s take on the story:

“Mr. Harper failed to recognize the building blood lust in the opposition parties: the cockiness of the NDP and the Bloc and the almost desperate desire of the Liberals to demonstrate that they possess testosterone after their dismal showing in last month’s federal election and the voters’ rejection of Mr. Dion”.

Also, Finance critic Scott Brison answers questions on his party’s desire to bring down the government and what it would for the economy:

Adam Radwanski: There’s been all sorts of speculation about who would lead your party into this situation – whether it would be Stephane Dion, Michael Ignatieff, or perhaps an interim leader. Can you definitively say who it would be?

Scott Brison: The leader of the Liberal Party of Canada is Stephane Dion.

Adam Radwanski: And that’s not going to change this weekend?

Scott Brison:: Not that I’ve heard. If it did, that would be news to me.

Canadians should be outraged – it’s time for the west to seriously consider getting out of this country if the separatists take power… they’ll have no reason to block our move.

Like Peter Lougheed once said “Let the eastern bastards freeze in the dark”.

photo credit: FortGirl

Meteorite Found In Saskatchewan

That didn’t take them long… this is why they call it the middle of nowhere.

Money For Nothing

Stephen Harper has prepared Canada for the recession. Let’s hope the three parties of fools don’t decide to take Canada hostage and destroy our chances of getting through it relatively unscathed.

The cut to the GST last year actually stimulated the economy by the equivalent to 2% of GDP. It’s done a great job of this without having to borrow and spend. This year should end without a deficit.

While the NDP and Liberals wail that we aren’t throwing money at something, anything (and, especially at them)… the Conservatives have prepared Canada in a number of ways other countries are following – Britain being the latest to cut taxes.

The one thing that’s overlooked in the shrill hysteria of Jack Layton and his band of jackals, is that we must cut spending in order to be in shape to tackle the unexpected. Canada is seriously over governed, and now is the time to significantly cut down the size and spending of the government.

Ontario needs to wake up and create an environment for business- not continue to drive it away through taxation. It’s the fault of their current leadership that they are becoming a have-not province.

I never thought I’d be able to point to Saskatchewan as a good example of government.

Now is the perfect time to stimulate the economy by cutting taxes – the deficit isn’t a factor yet, and if it does appear, it should be because of declining revenues, not because of increased spending.

Unemployment Insurance (whoever changed the name to employment insurance?) has had a huge surplus over the past 8-10 years… no need to increase premiums or panic if unemployment rises a bit.

If we truly want the economy to grow, drop income taxes by 5-10% points (or more) for anyone making over $50K/year. These are the people that will get the country going – giving money to the ones looking for a free ride will do nothing.

Even BC is starting to take action by lowering taxes… to all of our amazement.

photo credit: Grant Neufeld

Holding Canadians Hostage

From the National Post:

“The Liberal Party will bring forward a vote of no-confidence in the Conservative government on Monday that sources say has the “national” support of Jack Layton’s NDP and Gilles Duceppe’s Bloc Québécois…

The move would be designed to deprive Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his newly elected government from arguing that the opposition parties want to defeat them only to retain millions of dollars in political party finances the government proposes to abolish.”

When they say it’s not about the money, you know it is.

These welfare bums know that it would be impossible to form a coalition government with Dion as the leader. Imagine having a separatist party form the government. It’s a move that will never be forgiven.

Saying it’s about an economic plan is a lie at best – it’s about getting their handouts for their political parties.

They’ve even brought in the big guns – Ed Broadbent and Jean Chretian – to guide them through this hostage attempt.

You’d need to be out of your mind to believe Canadians would react favorably to such a move. And apparently they are.

photo credit: designwallah

Google Censoring Right Wing Blogs

The abuse of power by the friends of Obama…

Google’s CEO, Eric Schmidt, is a staunch Obama supporter and is in line for a cabinet post… and is now using Google as a tool against right wing thought.

A good example: In the past few weeks, Atlas Shrugs was usually in the top five of the search results for “Obama birth certificate“, “Obama odinga“, “honor killings”, “Obama campaign finance fraud“.

Now they’ve been wiped off Google search pages.

Google also shut down a number of anti-Obama sites on their Blogger network, during the election.

Here’s a small sampling:

Blue Lyon @ http://bluelyon.blogspot.com (back up after the election)

Come A Long Way @ http://comealongway.blogspot.com

Hillary or Bust @ http://hillaryorbust.blogspot.com

McCain Democrats @ http://mccaindemocrats.blogspot.com

NObama Blog @ http://nobamablog.blogspot.com

Politicallizard.blogspot.com @ http://thelizardannex.blogspot.com

Reflections in Tyme @ http://reflections-in-tyme.blogspot.com

More on the story here.

Nice Change from the Obamanauts…

Be careful what you say. The fairness doctrine has begun.

photo credit: ConnorTreacy

Doth Do Protest Too Much

The Tories proposal to slash funding to political parties has touched off a small firestorm.

Presently, a political party gets $1.95 in public funds for every vote it receives in the federal election. More »

If We Had A Wal-Mart In Vancouver…

Wal-Mart has decided to go 24/7 from now until Christmas.

Wal-Mart claims that 40% of their Canadian shoppers said that having extended store hours determined where they shop.

In Vancouver, our retail hours are regulated – meaning we have a lot less spending going on. And less employment than we should have.

The genius of Wal-Mart is that while other retailers are complaining about sales, closing stores, etc., they are going at business with a “winner take all” attitude.

You want to buy – we’re open.

Let’s hope that others follow suit.

UPDATE: Wal-Mart Employee Trampled To Death

photo credit: Thomas Hawk

Our Telcos Days Are Numbered

First Rogers screwed us with the iPhone, now the Telcos have stopped Twitter…

May not seem like much to most folks, but if you’ve been following the India story, Twitter reports are not only ahead of the news, but also they demonstrate how people in the action can frame what really is going on…

From Twitter:

Unexpected changes in our billing have forced us into a difficult situation with our Canadian SMS service. We can’t afford to support this service given our current arrangement with our providers (where costs have been doubling for the past several months.) As a result, effective today we are no longer delivering outbound SMS over our Canadian shortcode (21212)….

So, in typical fashion, the Telcos continue to gouge us in Canada for things that are free anywhere else… things like caller id, voicemail, etc.

Now that competition is on the horizon, you’d think someone in marketing would decide it may be in their favor to endear themselves to their customers.

Their overcharging will cause Canadians to leave, just to hurt them, once an alternative comes into the market.

Landlines are already dead. I know my American Vonage works great here for $29/month – all services included. PLUS my voicemail comes to my email.

photo credit: john giskes

Leveraged Buyouts Are Dead

Another sign of how the world financial crisis is impacting Canada…

The privatization of BCE Inc. probably won’t happen because the telecommunications giant cannot meet the requirements of a solvency test necessary for the $52-billion deal to close.

The Montreal-based company stunned investors yesterday when it revealed that it had been informed by KPMG that it would not receive a “favourable” solvency opinion by Dec. 11, a condition that BCE had to meet as part of its obligations.

Plus, everyone involved is having a “few” problems of their own.

As a result, the company said “the transaction is unlikely to proceed.”

With buyers sitting on the sidelines, a likely scenario is that BCE will reinstate its dividend and buy back a large chunk of stock from its weary shareholders.

It may have an upside – the stock is a steal, and with a dividend it could once again be the best stock for Canadians.

photo credit: lubart

What Will They Think Of Next – Sick Holiday Gifts

Merry Christmas… here’s a little something for those that have everything:

“People are making really tough decisions about putting gas in their car and food on their table, so we know that many women especially put healthcare at the bottom of their list to do,” said Chrystal Struben-Hall, Vice President of Planned Parenthood of Indiana…

“They can be seen for sexually transmitted disease screenings, HIV tests and general prostate exams and those kinds of things,” said Struben-Hall.

Asked if the gift certificates could be used towards abortions. The answer is yes. But, Planned Parenthood said that’s not the purpose of the gift certificates…

Indiana Family Institute President Curt Smith said he is appalled by the certificates.

“I think the way to help family planning is to give the money where there’s no agenda. So if somebody wants to help a woman at a time of crisis, they can support the life centers throughout Indiana,” said Smith.

Get yours today – sorry, they can only be used in Indiana

Terror in Mumbai

(PTI Photo) 80 dead, over 250 injured… so far.

Hostages taken, sounds like westerners.

Has there ever been an attack with this many targets?

MUMBAI: Terror struck the country’s financial capital late on Wednesday night as coordinated explosions and indiscriminate firing rocked eight areas across Mumbai including the crowded CST railway station, two five star hotels—Oberoi and Taj.

At least 80 people were dead and 250 injured in the terror attacks, hospital sources said.

Armed with AK-47 rifles and grenades, a couple of terrorists entered the passenger hall of CST and opened fire and threw grenades.

The terror strike which began at 10:33 PM at Chhatrapathi Shivaji Terminus(CST), formerly known as the Victoria Terminus(VT), claimed 10 lives in the premises of the station alone, police said.

Three persons were killed in a bomb explosion in a taxi on Mazegaon dockyard road and an equal number were gunned down at Taj Hotel. The victims in the hotel were its employees. The lobby of the Oberoi hotel was on fire and the hotel evacuated, eyewitnesses said…

More here…

And Here..

If you want to see immediate news, check this out on Twitter. Who needs CNN.