Gold Medals, Gordie, Martha and Life

Great to be able to watch the Juniors breeze to yet another (15th in a row) victory at the World Junior Championships. I had occasion to watch the game with good pals the German Panzer (Willy Hoff), DDP (Dynamite Dave Petrishen), DB (Darryl Balasko) and T (Tony Balasko) with a slight interlude from our pal on Main Street Gordie Steeves and the City's Chief Mosquito man Taz (who was entertaining a sweet young lass at the next table). The event brought back good memories as DB, T and I (along with the Portugese Prince Shtev) had watched the Gold medal game - live - one row up from the off duty Russian referees in Grand Forks just 2 short years ago. Good to wave the flag, wear our game day gear and cheer on our country. We all brought prognostications of a Canada presence in the Wednesday Semi Final and Friday Gold medal games. On the other end of life but equally therapeutic was knowing that true evil on our planet is dealt with severe prejudice as Saddam Hussein was hung yesterday. Our world is safer, better place with him not in it. Now the manner and process for emancipating his evil will be debated for some time and as a Canadian Roman Catholic I have deep and sacred respect for life and my fellow human beings but Saddam was pure and undiluted evil to the core. I do not partake in the "eye for an eye" old testament scripture but I do agree with protecting our world from evil.

Browner Gender Balanced Bouquets for the Year 2006
Female - Martha Hall Findlay she has changed the landscape of women in politics and within the Liberal Party of Canada and will be counted on for a major role in leading the party to government. She has her challenges and trusting and bringing close advisors into her thinking to better support her is one. She will be a force in the immediate future of Liberals in Canada. She will recruit great people and create good policy and will be a major player in shaping party dynamics as she did on the faithful Saturday Morning in December. The bus is gone but the drive is alive in '07!!!

Male - Gordie Steeves- The largest number of votes of any councillor and biggest win at Main Street plus a real ability to bring people together. 2007 will be his stepping out year as he is up to be the next President of the Canadian Federation of Municipalities. After 6 years at City Hall what will be his next step? Many speculate Mayor and the people around Sam Katz are hesitant to bring him in tight as a result. Others state Liberal Member of Parliament Winnipeg South and still others say a "legal beagle" with might on Broadway as a member of Hugh's team not Jon's. He has his faults and I hope he will grow as a political leader and not just a representative of the great people of St. Vital but the man is good. Whatever path he charts he has an extremely capable ability to achieve electoral wins and has the "smell of success" about him. Gord is a guy who sees the good in people and is one of the good guys.

A Reflection on '06 and the impending new Canadian Challenge

This time of the year is always a great time to dissect the year that was and what might have been. I was particularly taken by a story a friend shared with me. Her niece, while happy to be alive and utilizing all the great new technologies at our finger tips JUST could not understand that different etiquette's exist and should be respected. The gal, a thriving 14, was at RWB and being unable to take the time to appreciate the performance and event became rather enthralled in texting her pals. When asked, politely and without direction, to perhaps ejnoy the performance and put away her phone she became appalled and would not leave the texting. My question - have we gone so far with tech toys that we no longer appreciate the traditional stimulus of a wonderful performance? OR are we, as a Canadian Society, just so self absorbed that we do no longer care what others think or how our actions affect them? Now before you answer I would simply suggest that at the crux of your answer is where we must move towards and challenge not only the leaders of tomorrow but ALL Canadians to become engaged with our country and way of life and not be bystanders in the cheap seats "yelling and cat calling" AND not trying to change our world. We must try to address this new era and try to make our society a better place to live, work and play. Deep but a real challenge to All Canadians to change the direction our society is headed from the "self absorbed stop-at-no-limits-for-my-own-pleasure-seeker" of the present day to a "new way" which encompasses some of each of our past victories - the "world peace keepers" of the 1950's, the "avante garde" aviators of the 60's and cutting edge innovators of the 90's ..what lies ahead for Canada and its citizens in the 21st century?

Martha's Big Red Bus up for sale on Ebay !!!

Sad news Martha's Big Red Bus is on sale on Ebay ..what a buy

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190063854904

Truly a sad day that we could not generate more revenue for the women of substance !!

Blogs are BIG with Canadians

A juicy little tidbit from the "Liblog King" Jason Cherniak - blogs are big with 60% of Canadians reading them ..here is the link for your viewing pleasure
http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/12750.asp

thought of the day ..I see my pal Ryan was misconnected on the flight to the "Gap" province but yet in his high finance kind of way uncovered a nice bit of cyber plagarism

Great to be alive

Lots of conjecture and opinions on blogs and their usefullness. My opinion is simply this I believe in the "good and just" nature of people especially Canadians dialogue is good and discussion brings about change and the more people at the table the better but RESPECT is not only requested but demanded. ...recent polls show Manitobans now have elevated Infrastructure ahead of Health Care and Crime as needing to be addressed. The ailing nature of Winnipeg roads has hit home and the Federal Government needs to take leadership and put money into ensuring we have safe streets to walk and drive on ...can you say Red Book and new policy direction......big birthday Bash at Baileys for the lovely Ms. Sheila Balasko she even gave a nice speech for those in attendance and WOW big turnout from the Gord Steeves Team ....speaking of Gordie he spoke at length on the Habs and their good start to the season..I agree BUT lets see it continue ...big controversy starting over at Aggy Canada employees taking up to four turns at the buffet lines around time and a healthy lifestyle initiative is needed especially in the "bean counters section on Main Street"...Question - what can we do to increase Liberal fortunes for Dr. Jon Gerrard and the Provincial Libs? - Answer start a multi- stakeholder committee to enforce some policy direction and creation and have non-political organizations buy in then back up the Mini Red Book with a stipulation that this must be done or the Leader changes..bold and innovative new and renewing ...thoughts?
Browners Bouquet - Sheila Balasko lovely, engaging and takes great care of herself..this girl has punch and pizzaz with a lively out look on life and can you say 29 and holding !!!

Christmas and Friends - Browner's Bouquet Joe A-L-O!!!

A pal is going through a divorce and he is in rough shape emotionally and spiritually..just a good guy going through bad times my heart goes out to the journey he is about to take .....his life..it does get better...it seems separation, bad times and divorce are far more prevalent then we know..challenges and how we confront these are keys to success in today's society...great turnout for Stepane Dion breakfast and real energy about change and renewal as the Tories dismantle the Wheat Board the Libs provide more support as former Ag Minister Wayne Easter was along with Stephane ..Browners Bouquet of the Week Joe A-L-O having just lost a loved one to cancer this guy steps up to the plate and gets personal having his back waxed for Cancer and still manages to be the best morning guy in the Winnipeg radio market keep it going JOEY!!!

Big Leaf Wins and Lots of Optimism

Well on the sports front Canada's team the Toronto Maple Leafs for the newbees are improving a HUGE win over the Rangers Saturday and a nail biter against Tampa Thursday spell good times for the Buds but some changes are still needed...man I tell listening to Joe A-L-O on 92 CITI in the am is awesome some great personalities such as Jimmy the Greek bring out some belly laughs on the way to work in the AM ..this morning he was talking about the Cincinnati Bengals and some nice comparisons on food and football such as "you can't hurry the curry" and such...just good natured "ribbing and laughing".. Joe carries the show..Coach has some good dialogue on sports and Olly and his news are superb ...
on the political front it is a time of celebration and join with friends and festive parties are everywhere..big turnouts for the Liberal family as Winnipeg Centre MP Anita Neville has her get together Sunday and Ray Simard in St B Big turnouts spell good things for the Liberal community as we move forward after an exhaustive leadership process ...the Manitoban Liberal community is alive and well...lots of discussion on Stephane naming Deputy Leader Michael Ignatieff - great move !!!! Next move should be Ray Simard as Whip and Ken Boshcoff as Natural Resources Critic..on the AGM front new date for next meeting Tuesday January 23 7 pm at Molgat Place .. everyone is singing the praises of Liberal President Sharon Appleyard .she is super and we need her for 2 more years so you heard it here first her ...lets start the move to keep her going ..ticket sales for Wednesday breakfast with Dion going very good slow start turns into a big end ...Wheat Board Single desk is here to stay and if the Tories take it down they will loose ..PERIOD!!! Adrian and Ward are here to stay!!!
Lots of talk about inclusiveness and the changes within the party new Liberal National President Poulin is really work hard to continue this with weekly meetings and calls contact and communication the key to any team
Browner Bouquet of the day ..Darryl Balasko "DB" as he is affectionately known by the large bench of pals - is a "go to guy" on policy and event management ..a great wordsmith he also knows how to bring the team to the game ..thanks for being you DB !!!

Browners Bouquet - Caroline Neufeld

Todays kudos go to the lovely, talented and wise Caroline Neufeld.... a consummate professional Caroline has the pulse on the community and is definitely a "must have" for any campaign of substance she has managed to maintian a unbiased and objective outlook on politics and life and is the "get things" done kind of person we all know, need and love !! Thanks for just being you Caroline !!!

Great YouTube of Martha at Convention thanks to Jung Suk ..Awesome job!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIxcBA4FdtQ&eurl=

Fergy has to gas the Tenders!

Thoughts for this wet and slippery "WinterPeg" day the Leafs are in rough shape. A bare clawed win over Tampa and Fergy has to make some changes ...soon and painful changes or it is hello golf clubs in May. Tenders ALL should go and Pogge should be given a crack at the Bigs. The D ..Gill has to go and White needs some time in the Minors to get his act together ..upfront throw in Sundin for a good package deal with the Tenders and get a prolific goal scorer..Forsberg would be nice..Sakic...why not reach for the stars and go for Syd the Kid we need to shake up "Canada's Team"..
On the Liberal Leader front I hear ticket sales a "little light on the loafers" for 100 dollar a plate breaky Monday ...should pick up when this weekend..also hear the quota aspect of gender "enforcement" is not going over well with women's associations and groups

(article in toronto star - http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1165877415949)

interesting manner of approach on the subject of more women in politics create thresholds...hasn't that been done before and backfired? I cringe thinking of Linda Aspers comments on this one ...
Browner Bouquet of the Day ..Wizzer our ED is just superb at getting things done and trying to accommodate all our divergent liberal communities ..man we are going to miss her !!

WOW AGM 07 Going smooth - Notice for last meeting

Just wanted to share the last communique with the AGM committee and note that the next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday January 16, 2007 at 7 pm ...

Lots of good discussion and some great ideas from those present including Darryl, John and Bill!!!

WOW !!! What a great weekend of Liberal action !!!
We have a refreshing and energetic new leader who plays the "quintessential Canadian card" and comes from behind to take victory. Great ideas and even more change for a party seeking renewal and a brighter future, add a few blogs , some sexy technology and some inspiring Former Prime Minister speeches which have instilled "participatory democracy" as a battle cry for the next election and we have a party moving "cyber-fast forward".

The AGM Committee Meeting will be held as scheduled Tuesday December 12 at 7:00 pm at Molgat Place 635 Broadway.

Agenda for the Meeting

The agenda for the night will again be within an hour and will include and not be limited to a brief introduction of the Committee to date, introductions of those present, a statement of the theme "Lets Get the Party Re-Started!" and the Proposed AGM Agenda (as of December 11). Before closing the meeting and setting the date for January's' Meeting we will discuss remaining open positions on the AGM Committee and updates on the Friday Event, Saturday Events and the Sunday Media Event. Also we need to have more direction and input on Programming/Speakers Committee as we may move from a separate Committee to the AGM Committee deciding on the program so please be prepared to bring your thoughts on this matter. Specifically yon that issue there has been some thought to Policy Session in the Morning and Election Readiness in the Afternoon with Party Elections on Sunday before the Media Forum. Your opinions will be solicited.

Please prepare yourself for an enjoyable meeting complete with yours and all participants unique viewpoints on how we can do things better. Our goal is to make this very important AGM a "uniting affair" and help move our party and way of thinking forward complete with a New Leader.

Please RSVP so that we know how many to expect.

Other progressions for the 07 AGM Committee :

Kristine McGhee has agreed to be AGM Co-Chair. If you do not know Kristine you will she is a women of substance and integrity. She is also the Nominated Provincial Liberal Candidate in Kirkfield Park.
Darryl Balasko of Balasko and Associates fame and an Event management Specialist has agreed to Co-Chair, along with Dave Petrishen, the Friday Night Liberal Event.
Carolyn Neufeld has agreed to take on the task of Registration.
John Petryshen has agreed to be Returning Officer.
Kevin Carlson has agreed to help on programming.
Chris Holloman has left the Committee
Theme song of "Lets Get the Party (Re) Started!" by Pink has become a real hit !!

There are still available positions which would suit a wide variety of individuals so if you have anyone in mind who would make a contribution to our committee

Dion and Liberal Futures

Well a very thought provoking analysis by our good friend in DC the high finance of DC has in fact not tainted his love of life and people and the true Canadian compassion, understanding and appreciation for the world community !! Having said that a few items are unstated in his analysis of the Liberal Party and the future course for our new leader, our 3rd from Quebec, Stephane Dion. The entrenchment of the establishment ( a use the term for the loosely nit fabric within the Liberal party containing both intelligentsia, donors and post 1968 organizers) and their influence is no longer a comfort we can take for granted. This is particularly obvious in the Prairies where Alberta Derek Raymaker, Saskatchewan Ralph Goodale and Manitoba Lloyd Axworthy all were defeated. This is astounding and an important change for the Liberal Party of Canada. I will speak more so to The Prairies and Northwestern Ontario as these are areas were I have literally the same hundreds of conversations than to the East and BC. The NWO Prairies Region in effect has an in consequential establishment and today, 2007, not only need but demand that a systemic change/overhaul take place in fundraising, organization, communication, policy development and recruitment. No easy task for an organization as old, clearly branded and well respected as the Liberal Party of Canada - but possible. I Will simplify my concerns into what I feel is the first line challenge - the new age manner in which we as a party approach this overhaul. I mean do we simply revert into the past practises and replace the Provincial Lieutenants with new ones OR do we apply a best practises 21st century model and create stronger, divergent committees complete with discussion and dialogue and which are based on an inclusion model which integrates not only the varying riding associations but also the new constituencies of 21st century and the global economy of the 21st century. All bets are off as to which model will be assumed. Divisions, strong, exist and the need to be properly dissect and heal these wounds is necessary and we must respect our history before we can chart a new future. When we move boldly forward I for one hope to be apart of the changes.I will also address one other movement which was identified in the original blog - Martha Hall Findlay move to Dion Saturday morning. This move not only was the "king maker" but one which Martha, I feel, made with considerable input and with her own biase clearly in tact. She made that move because of a leadership process that placed the candidates in a bubble bringing the full menu of personal characteristics of each candidate. Martha honed her instincts through that process and she applied her life ling and very much worldly understanding on people and situations. A learning curve none of us has had the pleasure of going through but one which very much has changed the complexion of the Liberal party.The honeymoon on new leader if we consider Turner , Chretien and Martin is roughly 6 months before the back benchers OR the more myopic MPs start choosing their futures..I only hope in that 6 months we have a strong enough network of ERC's across the 13 Provinces and territories.

My challenge to myself and my colleagues of which I enjoy pursuing the grander notions of life, love and liberty is how do we get to where we want to go?

Live, Love and Liberalism

This was sent to the Martha Hall Findlay Big Red Bus Team in early October..I thought it capsulized my thoughts well...any comments would be appreciated...

Live, Love and Learn !!!

I gotta tell you I love this campaign ..spirit ..energy ...and a life changing cause that will impact our country and way of thinking for generations to come ...all by joining the Big Red Bus....If I have not had the pleasure of meeting ANY of you .....I hope to meet YOU ALL in December ...

I enjoy helping support a person of Martha's integrity and conviction and I am helping her organize Northwestern Ontario and Manitoba. You may have seen by the results of the 27 delegates we had none in the 17 riding which I helped organize on Martha's behalf were elected ..my mother actually lost on coin toss in Thunder Bay Rainy River organizer...although this is a major set back for my organizational resume as I have been doing this for quite some time and put hundreds of hours of time and energy into the organization and have working knowledge on what works and what does not .....I also comprehend why we lost the way we did in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario and want to fight EVEN STRONGER to have Martha's Big Red Bus on the stage and heard in December '06 ......

My walk with Martha ...I first became aware of Martha in the 2004 Election when she came up just short of the Conservative (later turned Liberal) Belinda ..I thought ..from afar ....that this gal has substance and "pizzazz" and we need her fighting the Liberal cause in Parliament ...I then watched as the seasoned Liberal strategists and organizers with their "heads up there collective asses" proceed to treat her like "a child with a balloon" nice novel new idea , looks great and nice to smile at .............HELLO ....Martha whom has been involved in our country and way of thinking throughout her lifetime ...as a parent ...as a coach ... as a small business owner ...as a volunteer ...as a thinker with Couchiching Institute ...as an athlete with our National Ski team ..all this over a period of decades ...you want accountability and a vetting process try helping parents with children learning to ski ...or consumers find a niche market item ..she attained success at every level ........................new kid on the block ..give me strength..

anyways I watched and listened as she accepted her plight that the establishment of the party has tried to and is trying to predetermine as old school influence shapers became scared and worried about the unknown commodity - the free thinker ...they ALL want - more than anything - the stability for themselves and they ALL fear that this free thinker may get some strength and really change our party and THEIR PLAYPEN ..I watched some more as MP's and new Liberal thinkers (Post Martin and Post Chrétien) say good, fluffy things about the new spirit in the party BUT give no support ...I went initially to Maurizio Bevilacqua because I felt he had worked hard, been left in oblivion as well and whom I felt represented the Canadian Dream of coming up intergenerational into the decision making bodies of our society but alas my faith in him was forever tarnished with his sell out - for power to the Rae camp...I was going to just sit back and watch all this go down and say "I tried and failed"..... then epiphany hit ....I let my idealism and spirit be forged and say "NO!" I am going to help change it !!!! I called Martha and asked her some pointed and personal questions, chatted and talked about the future then I told Mr. Dryden, Mr. Ignatieef and Mr Kennedy all of whom had phoned me that I would not be supporting them and that I would be supporting Martha .....I gotta to tell you lots of silence on the other end of the phones but to Mr. Dryden and Mr Ignatieff's credit they wished me well (Mr Kennedy said I was making a mistake - I hung up)

This campaign is about Martha and her battle cry for change and renewal but to give you a small window into why I am a supporter of Martha Hall Findlay - I have been involved in politics since I was Student Council President at the age of 16, ran myself and lost by 300 votes to Howard Hampton, organized campaigns, Chaired AGM's, presided over ridings associations, organized marches of protest and of support, lobbied Conservative and New Democrat Governments, presented Memorandums to Cabinet on behalf of Ministers and 3 decades later I am involved because I want to help my community and country grow , I want to help support a refreshing spirit and a person of honesty and integrity .. Martha has ALL that PLUS a inherited strong and pure energy, a strength of conviction which could bend steel, an intelligence that makes people stand up and say "wow" and a passion to change our world ...my world .....BUT the thing I most admire about her is her cleansing approach to politics she wants help and knows she needs to bring in allies in her cause but WILL not "make a deals with the devil" to achieve the "good end with the wrong means" this is not only reasonable in the Post Gomery Canadian Body Politic ......but represents what every Liberal should respect and admire - strength of conviction for not only herself but for those coming after her and with her .....admittedly I am fearful for her and her aspirations ....actually most fearful for her as her "battle cry" although worthy is lofty (to say the least) but I will do anything I can to support her and carry her message of change and renewal...


Before I go I gotta to share with you my most inspiring moment with Martha it was at the Winnipeg Free Press Editorial Board and its 5 members are peppering absolutely interrogating Martha like she is the bank robbery with all the money and has it hidden for no one to find ...question after blessed question on private health care this ..new change why ...health problems since the act came in ...no stone left unturned 2 hours later I am absolutely sweating thinking about the headlines the next day and feel I have forever let Martha down by not stepping in to stop the "blood letting"...anyways after it is all said and done the Legislative Reporter whom I have known for years and know can be anti-Liberal at times comes up to me and says in a hushed quiet voice "Great bus when we going to have beer on it?" ......Here is me expecting "Can we get her written policy for this or can we have that in writing" but no he wants to meet and chat and be a part of something bigger and better than what we have ..Martha Hall Findlay and her Big Red Bus ...I lost about 4 pounds of water sweating and just about had a heart attack of relief when he asked that but what a great moment to be alive and a part of our campaign ....I guess I will have to wait until the General Election to bring the reporter on board for a cold clear Molson Canadian !!!:)


thanks for the chance to share my thoughts on Martha and her Big Red Bus and looking forward with great anticipation in seeing each and every one of you in December !!!!