I've been pondering why the federal government would not contribute 30 million dollars towards the reopening of the Essex Engine plant. After all, it's just a drop from the bucket of surplus they guard. They have helped out other industries in need (and some that weren't). They recently announced a big new funding pot for one-industry towns that might find themselves in dire need. Why doesn't Windsor make the grade?
Then....it hit me. There could be a federal election at any time. Is Prime Minister Harper trying to send a message to us. And by 'us' I mean those who keep electing those pesky NDP candidates.
Think about it. Is this a not-so-subtle message that Harper has the money to help us out in a big way, but if we ever want to see it, we better elect some Conservatives in this city and get rid of those NDPers who are constantly pointing out the flaws in the current government?
I actually feel sorry for Essex MP Jeff Watson. He no sooner says that good news is just around the corner and Harper does an end run around him. If Jeff Watson, a former auto guy, can't get Harper to understand the importance of the auto industry in this country, and get us the money, then who can?
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
To run or not to run
I read with great amusement a local columnist's ramblings about our mayor. It would seem the mayor is quite upset that some city councillors might be considering running for his job. What did you expect? You swore up and down that you would be a two-term mayor - maximum - period.
It seems to really offend the mayor that some councillors seem to be starting their campaigns already when an election is almost three years away. What was the purpose of this article if not to serve notice the mayor might run again. So let me get this straight......it's not okay for councillors to start a campaign, but it's perfectly all right for the mayor to start a campaign. It's not okay for councillors to disagree with the mayor, but it's okay for the mayor to take swipes at unnamed councillors. How fortunate for the mayor that he has a local columnist who is willing to put his musings to print.
By the way, my husband must be psychic. After the mayor said - yet again - three weeks ago, he would only serve two terms, my husband said "don't count on it". He said just wait, Eddie's going to say - there has been great public pressure on me to run again. It's what the people want. I must follow through with the border file. I have asked my husband to buy a lottery ticket.
As for the councillors who say noone can fill Eddie's shoes - speak for yourselves. You may not be leadership material, but that does not mean there aren't others in our community who could skillfully run this city. I'm inclined to agree with those who are mentioning the name Larry Horwitz.
As for comments that there is not a united front on council....thank goodness! There should be debate. There should be differences of opinion. These are difficult issues our council has to deal with and I would expect there are no easy answers. I'm glad Alan Halberstadt is my representative because he speaks up. I might not always agree with him, but at least he's not afraid to stir the pot. I tend to think the real dissention happens behind closed doors. If this mayor and council would bring more of the issues into the public arena, I think you might find there's a lot more disagreement on council than we're currently led to believe.
In the end, all we have is our word. It's our own choice whether our word is any good.
It seems to really offend the mayor that some councillors seem to be starting their campaigns already when an election is almost three years away. What was the purpose of this article if not to serve notice the mayor might run again. So let me get this straight......it's not okay for councillors to start a campaign, but it's perfectly all right for the mayor to start a campaign. It's not okay for councillors to disagree with the mayor, but it's okay for the mayor to take swipes at unnamed councillors. How fortunate for the mayor that he has a local columnist who is willing to put his musings to print.
By the way, my husband must be psychic. After the mayor said - yet again - three weeks ago, he would only serve two terms, my husband said "don't count on it". He said just wait, Eddie's going to say - there has been great public pressure on me to run again. It's what the people want. I must follow through with the border file. I have asked my husband to buy a lottery ticket.
As for the councillors who say noone can fill Eddie's shoes - speak for yourselves. You may not be leadership material, but that does not mean there aren't others in our community who could skillfully run this city. I'm inclined to agree with those who are mentioning the name Larry Horwitz.
As for comments that there is not a united front on council....thank goodness! There should be debate. There should be differences of opinion. These are difficult issues our council has to deal with and I would expect there are no easy answers. I'm glad Alan Halberstadt is my representative because he speaks up. I might not always agree with him, but at least he's not afraid to stir the pot. I tend to think the real dissention happens behind closed doors. If this mayor and council would bring more of the issues into the public arena, I think you might find there's a lot more disagreement on council than we're currently led to believe.
In the end, all we have is our word. It's our own choice whether our word is any good.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Asking permission
I read an article recently that went on about an old tradition that seems to be resurfacing in some places. It has to do with a man asking a father's permission for his daughter's hand in marriage. Even if we say a man asks both parents' permission, I find this a bit disturbing.
It has not even been a century yet since women were considered "persons'. Prior to that, women were considered less than that and in many cases were considered property - first their father's and then their husband's. That's also why in some cultures women were expected to take their husband's last name because she became his property upon marriage. (remember the vows - to love, honour and 'obey').
By holding up this old tradition of asking for the woman's hand in marriage, are we not just perpetuating that old notion that the woman belongs to her father (who gives her away at the alter) and then belongs to her husband. (By the way, you know slaves were forced to take their masters last name, don't you?)
While I understand for many, there is no sinister motive in this ritual, I would ask young women to think about it's implications. Think about why you want to give up your family name. Don't just do things because that's how they were done in the past. Think about it and make the decision for yourself.
Not all traditions make sense.
It has not even been a century yet since women were considered "persons'. Prior to that, women were considered less than that and in many cases were considered property - first their father's and then their husband's. That's also why in some cultures women were expected to take their husband's last name because she became his property upon marriage. (remember the vows - to love, honour and 'obey').
By holding up this old tradition of asking for the woman's hand in marriage, are we not just perpetuating that old notion that the woman belongs to her father (who gives her away at the alter) and then belongs to her husband. (By the way, you know slaves were forced to take their masters last name, don't you?)
While I understand for many, there is no sinister motive in this ritual, I would ask young women to think about it's implications. Think about why you want to give up your family name. Don't just do things because that's how they were done in the past. Think about it and make the decision for yourself.
Not all traditions make sense.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
