Much has been written about the Proroguing of Parliament, so I am going to keep this rant short!

  I am getting so sick of hearing about these liberal hipsters creating an false issue, but it just goes to show that they are so out of touch with everyday Canadians.  Over the past month, these "engaged" citizens have arranged Prorogue Protests all over the country, often with a few thousand ( or dozens in Alberta)  supporters showing up. ( I think they had free hot chocolate, but that has not been confirmed.)   To me, this is just not an "issue", so I hope that they keep wasting their organizational resources and volunteer moral.  Perhaps it is just the trap that Ignatieff needs to get his ego smoking again!

I see that there is a large Facebook Group created by a university student.  If anyone is interested, the link is here at Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament and with over 233,000 members ( most of whom are not old enough to be able to spell P-A-R-L-I-A-M-E-N-T, let alone Prorogue.)  you may feel this is quite impressive at first glance. But friends, don't be fooled!

You know who else has a real big Facebook following?

The Banana's in Pajama's!   Take a look at the link....they have 610,000 followers.   ( this is 100X the number of Facebook follows that the Liberal Party of Canada has...ouch!)

It just shows you how powerful these Facebook sites really are.  Go ahead Iggy....run with it all you want.

Shane

I have been so darn busy with the new baby and work that I missed my one year Blog Anniversary!  I am actually shocked that I made it this long.  I have not posted as much in the past 6 weeks for a few reasons, but I hope that this will change soon.  I am not sure if its just a slow time politically, the fact that I am mellowing out with the arrival of my new son ( check out my other blog to see me being nice... www.calgarydaddy.com )  or if I am just so frustrated politically that I am "biting" my tongue while I reserve judgement.  Knowing me, its likely a combination of all three.

 Here is a link to my first post from last January and a link to my six month anniversary post, where I give kudos to the blogs that got me going and encouraged me during the first few months!  Check it out. 

 Over the past year, I have found some interesting people online and I am glad that I can read their views.  We may never agree on everything, but I love the passion!  I am also proud to be part of a new crop of bloggers that include the Alberta Altruist and Politicalgary among others!

Anyways....thanks again to everyone who stops by the blog to read my views on the things that bug me!  Your support means a lot to me.

More posts to follow!

Shane

Great video from the New Brunswick legislature this week!  Perhaps this is what the PC party needs to pump up its "communications" issues?



Wow..... Close your eyes for a moment.....who do you visualize singing this in Alberta?

Shane

I thought I would put on a quick post to share the wonderful news with everyone! My wife gave birth to our beautiful baby boy yesterday! Since he will likely be the future Prime Minister of Canada, ( say around....2055) I am considering all media offers for his elusive "first interview"!
Anyways, more info on my blog ( with a picture also) at  http://www.calgarydaddy.com/2010/01/ive-got-baby-news-its-boy.html
Shane
PS> All the naysayers that say that the Alberta Health care System is lacking can eat their hat! We had a wonderful experience. But I'll save that for another post!

  Wow...what a year it has been!  I thought a nice lazy post would involve me looking back through all of my posts in 2009 and making a quick list of my favorite ones.  Going through the list I was amazed at some of the things that were going on politically and locally during the year, most of which seems so irrelevant now.  I found that many of my beliefs on some of these subjects were different than what I think today, which I found fascinating.  As I creep up on my first year of blogging, I am amazed at some of the nonsense I write about!

Any ways, here is a quick list of links my favorite posts during 2009:

January:  WOW! Could they be any more arrogant?

February: No Sympathy for Calgary's Millionaire Mayor


March:  When did Calgary become a Socialist city?

April:  More Sugarplums from Ald. Druh Farrell

May: "Don" Andre (Soprano) Chabot protects his turf

June: George Dadamo...One Ambitious Fellow  and  WAP Leadership Race via Social Network Stats!

July: Only $25Million for this Peace bridge...are you sure?

August:  McCarthyism & Why the Wildrose Alliance will never succeed!

September:  Wildrose Alliance Membership Sales.... PART 1  or Who Is the Best Looking Candidate?

October: Alberta PC Party...Be Careful What You Wish For!

November: Survivor: Red Deer.. Ed Stelmach PC Leadership Vote

December:  Who Is Really Blocking Alberta's Cellphone Law?

My most popular posts in terms of traffic still seem to be the two rants I did on Concrete Equities.  If you have not seen them, here are the links:

1)  Concrete Equities.."No Money Now....or Later?
2)  Concrete Equities? Not so great after all...( and how I dodged that bullet!)

My Favorite moments of the year?

1) My Wife telling me she was pregnant!  ( Check out my dad blog at http://www.calgarydaddy.com/)

  It is a misconception that Canadians and Americans do not know that much about one another. We share many similar cultural phenomenons including McDonald's, Celine Dion, Micheal Buble, the Internet and Nickelback. ( Uggg....you can have them though!) Some people are shocked to learn that while we have a different day for Thanksgiving, our Christmas Holiday's mysteriously fall on the same day as our American friends. While Canadians still practice most of the same Christmas traditions as the Americans, I thought I would share some of the Canadian Christmas nuances with our American friends! Here are some of my thoughts:

• Not many people know that Santa is actually a Canadian as he is from the North Pole. Like most good Canadians, he always leaves the country for fame and recognition, only to come back for its Peace, Order and Good Government...not to mention the free health care!
  
• Many people in Canada believe that in addition to being a wonderful singer of Christmas songs, Elvis Presley was actually one of Santa's most trusted elves. It is believed that Santa appointed Elvis as a famous singer so he could distribute gifts to the people that Santa missed. Many people think Elvis was just being generous when he gave away cars and jewellery to total strangers, but he was really just completing Santa's delivery list!
  
• It is a Christmas tradition in Canada to dress up as Elvis ( as I have above) and sing Christmas Songs. The sewing of Elvis Christmas costumes was once the third largest export from Canada after talented Alan Thicke, maple syrup and Cirque du Soleil! In memory of Elvis the Santa Elf, we also like to make Fried Peanut Butter and Back Bacon Sandwiches on Christmas morning. Yummy!

• No Canadian Christmas morning would be complete without the Elvis dance off. Before you can open your presents, everyone must gather in a circle around the Christmas tree and break off your best Elvis moves! The winner gets to be the first to open a present and is allowed to have extra sugar sauce on their deep fried turkey that night! I have been practicing for months...so wish me luck!

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas or as we say in Canada...Eilerts Jul! ( In the Canadian language, this means "Elvis Christmas")
Note: If you have not already clicked the "back" button on your screen... As you are probably aware, I am completely joking about this! We don't eat back bacon in Canada....
Shane