What the hell happen Mike?

POLITICS
The latest Nanos poll shows that support for the Conservatives continues to increase while Liberal support is on the decline.


These numbers speak for them seleves ...WOW


Conservative 40% +2
Liberal 30% -3
NDP 17% +2
BQ 9% -1
Green 5% NC -
(Change between
Sept 2/09 - Oct 18/09)

Sask. to limit needle exchange

The new Saskatchewan. Is not friendly place to all. It is time we have a reality check. Is this good or bad. I am really not sure but. I know one thing have they looked at all the side in this. There has toThe new Saskatchewan. Is not friendly place to all. It is time we have a reality check. Is this good or bad. I am really not sure but. I know one thing have they looked at all the side in this. There has to be a answer to having needles be throw away in parks and and street maybe safe houses.


Sask. to limit needle exchange
AIDS group calls change 'recipe for disaster'
Last Updated: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 | 9:32 PM ET The Saskatchewan government wants to put a limit on how many needles are used in various needle exchange programs in the province.

The change was announced in the legislature Wednesday as part of the speech from the throne.

"This program cannot be allowed to function as a source of unlimited needles," the official text of the speech said of the current needle exchange policy. [The government] will tighten controls around both the numbers of needles exchanged and distributed."

The government said the objective is to create more frequent contact between health professionals and drug users. The change is prompted, in part, by concerns about needles littering parks and streets in Saskatchewan communities.

Premier Brad Wall said he is concerned about the health hazards posed by discarded needles. Reducing the supply of needles might reduce the spread of disease, he said.

However, a government study examining needle exchange programs found they contribute to a reduction in the spread of blood-borne diseases, such as AIDS.

That study suggested the program may save the health-care system $4 million a year.

AIDS group slams move
AIDS Saskatoon issued a news release late Wednesday, expressing disappointment with the government plan. Restricting access to new, clean needles is "a recipe for disaster" that will increase exposure to the hepatitis C virus and HIV, the agency said.

Nicole White, the executive director, said Wall does not fully understand how the needle exchange program works.

"I wish he could spend a day in our shoes," she said in the release. "AIDS Saskatoon is already struggling to meet the growing needs of the community: why would the Wall government restrict access to new needles, thus increasing chances of exposure to HIV?HCV?"

Stephen PR is good.. Iggy bad

Sunday, October 4, 2009 10:02 AM

A political master stroke
Bruce Anderson

By all accounts, Stephen Harper puts a lot of effort into his job as Prime Minister. And over time, it’s pretty easy to see areas where his diligence is paying off. For all of the hard work of policy and management, though, last night may have been one of the best nights the Prime Minister has had since entering politics - and it had nothing to do with taxes, crime, terrorism, the machinery of government or accountability.

While some people are always looking for a reason to hate politicians, most people would rather find a reason to like them, at least a little bit. Last night, the Prime Minister gave those who are still on the fence about him a bit of a glimpse into his soul, and a pretty good one at that.

At a crowded NAC gala co-hosted by his wife Laureen, the kind of event Harper has rarely if ever been spotted at before, the Prime Minister played piano and sang the Beatles With A Little Help From My Friends, accompanied by Yo Yo Ma. This was a remarkably good decision by the PM, and a strikingly good performance. The lyrics were, in this context, ironic and fun, and he looked to be enjoying himself greatly. A spontaneous standing ovation ensued.

Politically, this was a master stroke. The video clip of the PM, singing in tune, having a laugh and enjoying a great piece of music is now launched on the Internet, and the viral impact will likely be extensive. Not a moment of it looked false, even though it could hardly have been more carefully planned.

With this revealing moment, the PM also threw down the gauntlet in the general direction of Michael Ignatieff. For months, the Conservatives have been painting the Liberal Leader as diffident, elitist, not really one of us. Liberals could be excused for wondering if Harper would really be able to win a contest around personal likeability.

Today, they have something more to be worried about than they had yesterday, and they already had plenty.