Big News on Net Neutrality

Today New Democrat Charlie Angus introduced a bill on Net Neutrality in the house. Geist has details.

Wikipedia has a good article on network neutrality if you aren't familiar with it. Essentially it's about a persons right to use the bandwidth they pay for as they see fit. Read more.

Interview with Jack Layton

Q&A: Jack Layton on EI
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/640084

Someone sent me this, from today's hill times. What do you guys think?

LAVIGNE: You may have written a book on negative campaigning Warren, but the "Just Visiting" ads on Ignatieff are a far cry from the "Face" ads against Chrétien.

Here are five reasons why these ads will have an impact.

5. They're timely. Most of the country doesn't know Michael Ignatieff. These ads, and his response to them, will have an effect on how he is defined by voters.

4. The narrative is simple. It's not about working overseas or about who is a good Canadian (that's the Liberal talking points trying to change the channel). The storyline here is questioning the motivation for coming back to Canada after 34 years to get power and if he doesn't get it he'll leave again. Average folks grasp that. Doubt is being planted in the mind of the jury. Once credibility on motivation is lost it doesn't matter what Ignatieff promises after that.

3. They use Ignatieff's own words. One reason why the "Not a Leader" ads were effective was because they used Dion's own words ("Do you think it's easy to make priorities") and Ignatieff's own words ("Stéphane, we didn't get it done") to carry the message. This is also the case with "Just Visiting." This is Ignatieff on Ignatieff. And his lines "this is just as much as my country as it is yours" in reference to the U.S.A. is devastating to cross-pressured Liberal-New Democrat vote switchers while "I don't want to take a GST hike off the table" will be a tough sell to Liberal-Conservative switch voters.

2. The buy is large and the campaign is multi-platform. There's no question there is some substantial weight behind the ad buy. Pick a non-elite channel or show, including Blue Jays games and Family Guy and you'll see these ads. It's a full campaign using a variety of platforms including the web and Facebook meaning that its reach will be substantial.

1. We're talking about them. And as a result, we're analyzing Ignatieff's motivations much more closely than had the ads not been produced. There is huge gulf between the bubble of Ottawa and Main Street Canada. While some commentators suggest that these ads are "stupid," others need to get over the fact that just because you don't like the messenger (Harper and his Team), doesn't detract from the relevant question their ad campaign poses.

But Warren, you are right to suggest that average folks would much rather have their federal leaders focused on the economy. And while you manage the latest flip-flop and Tim defends his ads, Jack Layton and the team will continue to dominate Parliament by getting EI reform, real credit card protection, a right to repair bill, a charter for airline passengers and help for our vets passed through Parliament.

NDP Releases speaker list for '09 convention.

It's available at hfx09.ca

Highlights include Obama insider Anita Dunn, Alexa McDonough, and the unforgettable Ed Broadbent.

In credit card news

Stephen Harper, standing up for Canadians bankers!

Conservatives fail to stop credit card fleecing

Thu 21 May 2009

Harper abandons Canadian families by giving in to the big banks’ demands

OTTAWA – Middle class families who are feeling the pinch of irresponsible credit card company policies can expect no relief from the half-measures announced by the Conservatives today.

“The Conservatives said they wanted ideas, New Democrats supplied them. We said protect consumers, put a limit on interest rates and stop the outrageous fees and penalties,” said New Democrat Leader Jack Layton. “The measures announced today fall short of the New Democrat policy that was just adopted by the House of Commons. American legislators have shown they get it – they have helped American consumers by passing a bill that will stop arbitrary increases of credit card rates – the Harper government still doesn’t get it,” he added.

The New Democrat plan to stop credit card gouging was tabled by Consumer Protection Critic Glenn Thibeault and passed in parliament last month. The motion mandates the Harper government to create legislation that will protect consumers from the unfair practices of credit card companies. The motion includes measures to stop abusive fees and penalties; and ‘any time, any reason’ interest rate increases; and account changes. The legislation would also protect cardholders who pay on time and protect young consumers from aggressive credit card solicitation.

“Increasing the font size on credit card contracts doesn’t help Canadian families who are hurting right now. Interest rates are at an all time low, yet credit interest rates remain at an all time high,” said Glenn Thibeault. “Banks are targeting vulnerable Canadians. Why during this recession are the Conservatives just sitting by while Canadian consumers are still getting fleeced?”

Maurizio Bevilacqua -- Stand up for women*, blame Jason Kenny

*women in his caucus, other women will be thrown under the bus

The major news channels have decided, understandably, to focus on Mulroney's testimony today. However it's a shame that the reporters are missing Bevilacqua's bizarre conspiracy theories involving Jason Kenny's staff.

A site that needs to be seen

Let me present "Mustaches of the Nineteenth Century."

From the Star:

"I had to polish their shoes ... for Miss Ruby and her brother," Alvarez said in an interview from western Canada, where she is now living and working. "She has a lot of shoes, downstairs and upstairs."

Somehow it's just so much sadder with the line "She has a lot of shoes."

BC Campaign 2009 Photos from flickr

I find the sign colours questionable, but this beret is awsome:

More at

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/tristanbrand/sets/72157616900129454/

An important petition everyone needs to sign

In order to stop the violence in Sri Lanka it's important to sign the petition at http://www.ndp.ca/srilanka .

Remember, the NDP are leading this effort.

New Democrats launch petition to stop violence in Sri Lanka

Mon 04 May 2009
Let’s show the Conservatives and Liberals that this issue is serious: Layton

OTTAWA – Today, the New Democratic Party of Canada has launched an online petition, urging all Canadians to sign and show their support to stop the violence in Sri Lanka.

...

Continued at http://www.ndp.ca/press/new-democrats-launch-petition-to-stop-violence-in-sri-lanka

In case you were wondering why the Liberal Party never seems to have any money...

(click to enlarge)

I'm announcing SRs first Photoshop contest.

To get you started, here's an example.