THE EDITORIAL THAT HIT A NERVE

Grits: get it together
The Telegram
Editorial Feb 13, 2008

In the great provincial political football game, the Liberal party has decided to spend the next couple of years sitting in the stands instead of actually playing.

So, instead of working on their defence and building a new team under a new leader, the Liberals will watch from the sidelines for the next two years as the governing Conservatives jog up and down the field virtually unopposed.

Party president Danny Dumaresque puts the best face possible on it: "We want to take the time to put our political house in order," he says, adding that the party has decided to delay any potential leadership contest until the spring of 2010.

The party was supposed to have held a convention this fall, but instead will leave the leadership in the hands of Yvonne Jones, who took on the caretaker position after Liberal leader Gerry Reid was defeated in the last provincial election.

With $600,000 in party debt, it's easy to understand the Liberals' decision - but that doesn't mean it's easy to take.

Leave aside that, as often is the case in the dynamics of provincial politics, this decision to delay may have more to do with the personal aspirations of insiders than it does with the good of the party.

Starting in 2010, the Liberals won't even have time to build any significant credibility for their new leader. They'll have either a new, untested and untried face just in time for the next provincial election, or else a leader, like Jones, from the old school, and in all likelihood, they stand a very good chance of finding themselves once again stomped into near-oblivion.

What are they missing in all this? Perhaps the idea that, after being soundly rejected by the electorate in this province, they have to actually develop something new and fresh. They'll have to come up with new ideas, new people, and, on top of that, they have to do it with enough time before an election for voters to see what they have to offer.

Giving the government a bye for two full years is every bit as lame as refusing to open the House of Assembly. Both actions smack of putting politics ahead of democratic responsibilities, and in their own way, both carry more than a little contempt for the voters who are looking for responsible governance, not self-serving brinkmanship.

Maybe some will say it's not sporting to kick the Liberals when they are already so far down.

But it's hard not to - especially when they insist on lying down flat on the pavement time after time after time.

We've said it before and we clearly have to say it again. Clean house.

There must be Liberals with an iota of credibility somewhere in this province. And start the rebuilding.

Democracies don't work when there's only one credible party to choose from.

There must be Liberals with an iota of credibility somewhere in this province

THE LIBERAL PARTY STRIKES BACK

THE TELEGRAM
SATURDAY FEB 16, 2008
BY YVONNE JONES

I ’m writing in response to your editorial (“Grits: get it together”) published Feb. 13, on the Liberal Party’s decision to reschedule our leadership convention to spring 2010.

The decision of the Liberal Party executive board to delay the leadership convention does not mean that the Liberal caucus will be sitting on the sidelines for the next two years.Nor does that mean the party will be putting off any meaningful action until then.

As a caucus, we take our constitutional role as Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition as a serious responsibility to be discharged with integrity, tenacity and a coherent vision for the future of the province. We have no intention of giving government a bye for the next two years, two months, two weeks or even two days.

Perhaps you have failed to notice that Kelvin Parsons, Roland Butler and I have been vigorously advocating issues and positions on a wide variety of issues. This includes the failure of the government to manage paper recycling, the error of appointing Andy Wells to the PUB, government mismanagement of local water purification and the negligent loss of public money in murky private company equity stake deals. We have also
raised new issues to the public for consideration, such as our proposal to consider mandatory snow-tire use, and that’s all just in the last month.

This is in spite of the fact that the government has taken every action possible to limit our effectiveness by restricting the resources available to us to do our job, including staff funding. By refusing to open the House of Assembly until almost the end of this fiscal year, they have sought to deny the Opposition MHAs the platform of question period, the daily debates and the associated media attention.

However, despite those impediments, we have succeeded in raising substantive issues and articulating a responsible opposing point of view.

Make no mistake, the process of party renewal has not been delayed; it is already ongoing both internally and externally. Obviously, a critical part of this process is resolving the issue of leadership. I support our board’s decision to hold the leadership convention 18 months before the next election.

First, we want to ensure a fair, open and vigorous race among strong and credible candidates. The time between now and then will give us the opportunity to grow the party and to put in place the resources and structure to achieve that; we need to organize our district associations, strengthen our provincial organization and expand our financial
resources.

Second, the period of 18 months between the leadership convention and the election allows ample time to prepare.

While you are quick in your editorial to dismiss that idea, I should
note that both Premier Danny Williams and Premier Clyde Wells were selected leaders of their respective parties 18-24 months before they were elected premiers.

On one side you charge us with offering “old school” candidates, while in the next sentence you criticize us for putting forward “new, untested and untried face(s).” Clearly you will damn us if we do and damn us if we don’t.

The Liberal Party has challenges to overcome, no doubt about it. But we are taking the steps, one at a time, to put the party back on the path to where it belongs.

The Liberal Party has played a long and distinguished role in the history of our province, both before and since Confederation. It continues to play a vital role as the voice of responsible and loyal opposition. It will continue to play a vital role in the future as a responsible governing party for the province.

Yvonne Jones,
MHA for Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair,
is leader of the official Opposition.

INDY IS BACK IN THEATRES ON MAY 22

Indiana Jones rolls back onto the big screen for the May 2 -4 weekend. The movie is called Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

As a kid I played Raiders of The Lost Ark video games and the Atari Pitfall games, which I am sure were inspired by Indiana Jones. The last film came out when I was working as an Executive Assistant for an MP in Ottawa in 1989. My girlfriend at the time was a big fan of Sean Connery and my Newfoundland brogue was no match for his Scottish accent.

18 years after the Last Crusade we have a new adventure to look forward to. Harrison Ford returns as explorer Indiana Jones in the fourth film of the action-packed series. Joining Ford this time around are Cate Blanchett, Shia LaBeouf and John Hurt.

I watched the preview today and cannot wait for the winter to pass and the May 24th weekend to arrive.

CHRIS ROCK FOR PRESIDENT

Obama can deliver rhythmic cadences and rolling repetitive references to "change" and "dreams" and "hope." As he said: "No dream is beyond beyond our grasp if we reach for it, and fight for it, and work for it." When it comes down to content, however, an Obama speech is not about change at all. (National Post)

When you mine down past the Hollywood screenwriter rhetoric and the facade of his charisma, how different is Barack Obama from the traditional political establishment that he offers a change from?

Apparently his wife Michelle has advised him to "Feel--don't think," when he is giving speeches and debating.

Terence Corcoran of the National Post takes a closer look at Obama and his message in his column in today's paper.

The author makes a comparison between Obama and Chris Rock's character in the movie Head Of State.

THINNOVATION

I am trying to think of a way to convince my wife that we need to purchase a new notebook. I guess need is the wrong word, and we is wrong approach. She needs a new notebook. The MacBook Air to be exact.

It is nearly as thin as my index finger, weighs 3 pounds and is flat-out stunning. The geek in me wants one.

So much easier to prepare for her class assignments and prepare reports with a sleek notebook that offers all the features of a full-size computer in a little case. No compromises, sturdy and trendy. She would stand out at the coffee shop checking her e-mail on this machine.

Well we all can have our fantasies.

OPERATION PETTICOAT - CANADIAN STYLE

When I was a kid I used to watch a television comedy called Operation Petticoat. It was about an American pink submarine full of unlikely sailors during World War Two. I had a flashback to the series after reading a story in the National Post about our new submarine fleet.

The submarines HMCS Victoria, HMCS Cornerbrook and HMCS Windsor could be in service within the next 18 months,. That's nearly ten years after the Canadian Government purchased four of them for $890 million from the UK.

The fourth vessel, the HMCS Chicoutimi, caught fire on-route to Canada in 2004, claiming the life of one sailor. It will not be ready for service for another two years.

The navy says the boats are not considered fully operational until such a time as they have the capacity to fire torpedoes underwater. Honestly I did not make that up, I sorta thought that firing torpedoes underwater was the purpose of a submarine, part of its stealthy facade.

The spokesman for the navy, Admiral Robertson said, “These are very capable boats that show what a powerful combination you get out of stealth and skill in the hands of Canadian submariners.”

They seem to have been junk surplus when when we purchased them and it would be interesting to see how many more of our tax dollars has gone into maintaining them since the purchase.

And now from Utube.....Operation Petticoat.

FLAWED PRIMARIES AND VOTER INTENTIONS

Efforts by the Clinton Campaign to have the delegates from Michigan and Florida primaries seated is causing lots of debate in Democratic circles. While I believe that it is wrong to redo or undo an election because you do not like the results, the furor from this debate is going to reach a deafening pitch as the Denver convention gets closer.

An article posted at The New Republic today entitled "The Flaw in Clinton's Florida-Michigan Strategy" provides a fairly well thought out opinion on the matter. The comments that follow the post are also insightful.

A decision by the credentials committee to support seating these delegates as elected, and the hovering debate over super delegates promises to ensure a Clinton win will be a poisoned chalice for the Democrats.

HARBOUR AUTHORITY BEING SUED AND SCHOONER BEING SOLD

The Scademia has been a fixture in St. John's Harbour for 20 years. Today the Telegram reports that the owner is selling his boat and suing the St. John's Port Authority.

Charlie Anonsen has been locked into a deathgrip struggle with the St. John's Port Authority for three years since they decided to award another company a monopoly position for boat tours out of the harbour. Since that time it has been illegal for Anonson to operate the iconic Scademia out of St. John's.

He moved the operation out to Petty Harbour but the traffic has not followed. Every time he enters the harbour he is harassed by the Port Authority who have made it clear that the boat is not allowed to operate out of St. John's.

He is asking for $10 million in damages. What a shame!

COVERING THY ASS

The mayor of Gambo is critical of the government's decision to close all the bridges and trestles along the Provincial Linear Park known as the T'Railway. Lloyd Noseworthy says that ATV riders will now have to find other ways over ponds and rivers and this may lead to serious accidents.

I gather that the Town of Gambo is not on the hook for the liability associated with any of these structures in and around the town. I wonder how Mr. Noseworthy would react if his town was liable for a bridge that failed a safety inspection. Would he allow traffic to continue to flow, knowing the town would be on the hook if an accident were to occur? Of course not. It is a stupid reaction to a serious issue.

What has occurred in both the closure of these structures and the suspension of licenses for the 22 personal care homes is that Justice and the Auditor General have prevailed in making the government realize that they had ignored a potential liability for as long as they dare try.

Safety is the number one issue, says the Provincial Government. The fire safety violations and the potential hazards on the T'Railway are not new. They have not been completely ignored over the past few years, the risk has been managed. But at some point recently, concern for individuals' safety has taken priority over the fallout from making decisions that might make some segments of society unhappy.

Safety first, sure. If that was the case the announcements would have been made years ago. COVER THY ASS and safety together, perhaps.

REVOKING LICENSES FOR PERSONAL CARE HOMES IS THE RIGHT MOVE

The editorial in today's Telegram is right on the money. The Provincial Government's decision to slap closure orders on 22 personal care homes that are in violation of provincial fire codes is the right one.

I can imagine the lobbying by these home owners for extensions has been heavy. The government also has the public relations issue of leaving 300 seniors without a place to reside.

Leaving these homes open since 2003 when the Provinc'es Fire Commissioner first brought the issue to the public is tragic enough. At that time 83 homes did not meet fire codes, in particular they did not have fire sprinkler systems in place.

The homes' owners have had more than enough time to rectify the fire code issues. Vulnerable people's lives are at stake. The Government has made the right call. They have tried to accommodate the owners, who have used the displacement of their clients as a shield to continue to operate potential disasters for long enough.

ST JOHNS WEST LIBERALS TO MAKE DECISIONS

Liberal hopefuls in St. Johns - West - Mount Pearl are scrambling to get their supporters' party memberships signed, paid for and deposited prior to the anticipated nomination call on Tuesday February 19th.

At least two candidates have been organizing for the nomination: St. John's businesswoman Siobhan Coady and real estate agent Steve Saunders.

Coady has run unsuccessfully as the Liberal candidate in the past two federal elections but is determined to make it third time lucky. The riding is a Conservative fortress and she did increase her share of the vote last time out.

Saunders is new to the scene but has been shaking the bushes since last spring.

Coady should have a huge advantage with a good organization of solid organizers behind her, but the trick is getting people out to vote. As the Hanlon team learned in the St. John's East nomination, superior numbers do not mean anything if you do not get to the voters out to the polls.

The St. John's West - Mount Pearl Riding will be the last one in the province to choose their candidate for the on-again-off-again federal election.

If you're interested in taking part in the process you must reside in the riding and have your memebership signed, paid for and deposited at party headquarters by noon on Tuesday.

The CONservatives may or may not have quisling Federal Minister Hearn as their candidate.

SUPERDELEGATES - SOBER THINKERS

Will the superdelegates bring peace to the force or throw the Democrats into a civil war between the elected and non-elected. To seal the nomination one of the candidates needs 2,025 delegates. It is unlikely that either Obama or Hillary will have reached that number before they get to Denver.

That means the 796 superdelegates will decide the race. They may have pledged allegiance to one side or another, but they are free to switch commitments at any time. I can only imagine the pressure on these folks at the moment. Must be worse than Joey and Frank on the horn with poor old Tom Burgess in 1972. Vote for me and I will make you a deal you cannot refuse.

Keep in mind that all these superdelegates have gone through some sort of election to the DNC, an executive, congress or the senate. A wrong move might result in repercussions when the time for a vote comes. Yes, a friend in need is a friend indeed.

The New York Times has a nice feature on the role of superdelegates and an overview of how they have performed in the past when duty called.

A COMPETITIVE RACE IS SHAPING UP

The list of potential candidates for Mayor is growing. Vince Withers says he is interested in running. He feels he was in a good position to win last time but had to withdraw due to family issues at the time. He has run for the job before and has a good organization behind him.

Former Deputy-Mayor Marie White is looking at returning to the council chambers. She has expressed an interest in the job. White was known as an effective councilor who earned the respect of many residents.

There are rumours that at least two other high profile candidates from outside council are testing the waters for a run at the Mayor's chair. Of course there will be the age old argument that you should sit in council and gather some experience before reaching for the big chair. I think previous experience helps but it can hinder as well. A brand spanking new face might be a nice change.

From council we know that Deputy Mayor Doc "Snowblower" O'Keefe is going to resign his current position to seek the Mayor's chair. There are some rumblings about at least one other councilor making a run for it.

Let it rain resignations and rain candidates. Thanks, Danny, for raining on Andy's parade.

CANADIAN MILITARY BIGWIG DISHES LIBERAL PLAN

The Liberals' plan for Afghanistan is being dished by the the Canadian military. This morning the Globe & Mail has Lieutenant-General Michel Gauthier, who heads the Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, saying that it is unrealistic to separate fighting in Kandahar from security and training.

The general did not comment specifically on the position put forth by Stephane Dion but he did comment on the concept:

The military's role as it is right now is to create secure conditions in regions around Kandahar city so reconstruction efforts can occur. He noted that the panel on the future of Canada's role headed by former Liberal minister John Manley also concluded that reconstruction work cannot be separated from military efforts to make areas secure.

Michael Harris utilizes his column in the Ottawa Sun to question Dion's credibility, calling him Prime Minister Puppet and Mr. Has Bean. It is a scathing indictment of his leadership from someone who does not normally engage in this type of attack.

Makes for a bad ending to a bad week for Dion.

TRAGIC FATE FOR GOOD SAMARITAN

Just caught a glimpse of the headline "Good Samaritan, Killed By Cruiser" on the CNN webpage. Apparently a man who stooped to help a crash victim near Boston was killed when he was hit by a Massachusetts Sate Police Cruiser that was responding to the accident.

What a tragedy!

THE POT HOLE SCRAMBLE

I felt like I was playing a virtual reality off-road video game driving to work this morning. Yesterday's rain and the warm temperatures have really taken a toll on the city's road infrastructure. I can only imagine how much worse the problem will get over the spring as this process of freeze expand and wet sub grades continue to erode the roadways. Snow - ice - rain and more ice.

It used to be that one could drive around some of the larger ones but now they are everywhere, and swerving to avoid one might lead to side-sweeping the vehicle in the next lane. Slow and steady is the key to navigating the roads this time of the year unless you want to spend money on new tires, shocks and related expenses.

I seem to recall a few weather related issues each year. Spring potholes, fall rains, winter snow clearing and late summer water conservation measures. Each year seems like it is the worst. I am not sure how legitimate it is to blame city hall for the mess. Their job is to fix them as quickly as possible. With the mess we are facing this year, the outside workers are gonna be busy.

Where are the worst potholes in the city? What is the biggest one you have seen so far this year?

WHO MAKES BETTER LOVERS: REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS

While I am on the theme of love and politics here is a link to an interesting story about disagreements on politics leading to marital disharmony. It also delves into the question of who has happier love lives, Republicans or Democrats, and which make better mates. Just the thought of Anne Coulter is too much for me.

Apparently researchers at the University of California have found that 56 percent of couples discuss politics fairly regularly, and 53 percent disagree “occasionally or frequently.” Now, to be fair, that is much better rate of agreement than my spouse and I have about most things.

Here is a link to Looking For Love In All The Right (and Left) Places

IS JACK WORTHINGTON A NUT

Another story on the man who claims to be JFK's bastard son. Jack Worthington is quoted in the Globe & Mail as saying "My existence is a potential Rosetta stone for a confusing period of American history."

He claims his mother's family was very tight with LB Johnson, and he subscribes to the theory that Johnson and his Texas associates orchestrated the assassination of JFK to solidify power and protect oil profits.

I am looking forward to watching this story unravel, if for nothing else than because it'll make for some entertaining revelations. Imagine if the DNA really matches up? Where are Mulder and Scully when you need them?

BI PARTISAN ROMANCES

Considering it is the red letter day from hell, surely there must be a discussion about sex and politics, or at least romance and politics. A few years ago I was enthralled with a book entited "All's Fair: Love, War and Running For President" by Democrat James Carville and Republican Mary Matalin. They were the chief strategists for the Bush and Clinton presidential campaigns and the book tells their sides of the story, laying bare how politicians and their cohorts really operate--and revealing how their romance flourished in the most unlikely circumstances imaginable.

I sorta fooled around with a couple of tories while in University. Public Administration could be so boring and the Political Science Club Room in the TSC was so empty. Besides it was so wrong that it had do be done. That said it did not flourish. Nor did a brief attempt at dating a legislative assistant for a Block MP.

I found me a good liberal girl at a provincial convention. We campaigned together and now we are raising our own little executive of future liberals. This is starting to sound like Nixon's checkers speech.

I remember a certain federal cabinet ministers regional office director dating a provincial ministers public relations director during the Atlantic Accord fiasco. That had to be uncomfortable.

Cross-political relationships can work because even “if you clash over the issues, at some point you’ve gotta make up,” contends Bridget Johnson — optimistic about love across the aisle on Valentine’s Day. Check out her article at Pajamas Media.

THE ECONOMIST ON THE DEMOCRAT NOMINATION

Today's Economist takes a good look at the Democratic nomination race and asks the question, "Can Obama Deliver?"

" Mrs. Clinton’s resilience and the political machine she built with her husband cannot be counted out. And there is the unresolved question of the “superdelegates”

Ohio and Texas will tell the tale.

THE DOMINOES ARE FALLING

It is just a matter of time before Andy sulks off to his $160,000 a year job at the PUB and sets the wheels in motion for major changes at City Hall. Opportunities galore! There will be at least three by-elections, perhaps more depending on how many councilors decide to ante up their current jobs for something a little further up the food chain.

Should make for an interesting spring. Print shops, sign makers and Canada Post will be happy with the extra revenue that elections bring in.

I wonder what chance there is that this series of elections could be made into an issues campaign instead of a popularity contest.

What do you consider to be the big issues that should be discussed at City Hall? What impacts and peeves you? What issues will wake up the electorate and make them take notice? It is a grand time to shake things up and take a broom to city hall.

IS DEPRIVING ANDY OF THE MAYOR'S JOB ENOUGH

The Telegram continues to raise the issue of Andy Wells' appointment to the PUB as CEO and Chair. The editorial raises some interesting issues. Those who supported Andy's appointment are starting to have doubts since his Jurassic environmental stands became public. Andy Wells has made an ass of himself and everyone is laughing at his expense but he has no one to blame but himself.

Political climate change
The Telegram

Sometimes the right things happen for the wrong reasons. St. John's Mayor Andy Wells will not be both the mayor and the head of the province's Public Utilities Board after all, but not because the mayor has listened to the chorus of displeasure about his plan to Hoover up the equivalent of some $280,000 a year.

Instead, Wells has been given his marching orders by Premier Danny Williams, who issued a blunt press release Wednesday saying Wells would not hold both jobs, and that the change was being made because "this issue (the double-dipping) is taking away from the fact that Mayor Wells is an outstanding appointment as head of the PUB."

Williams is not backing down from his recent support of the mayor - far from it. In fact, the premier took the time to spell out that he really doesn't have a problem with Wells doing both jobs.

"He is eminently qualified and I am extremely confident he will be a valuable asset in that organization. As well, I stand by my belief that the mayor is quite capable of doing both the job as mayor and running the PUB. We have reconfirmed repeatedly that no conflict of interest exists, with the exception of land expropriation where we have already stated Mayor Wells would excuse himself."

That's a backhanded way of saying, "There's nothing wrong with what Wells wants to do, but you all just won't shut up about all the good we're doing here."

Nice try.

The fact is that, in several provinces across the country, Wells couldn't get within 15 feet of taking both positions. Why? Because in many other jurisdictions, it's eminently clear that an incorporated municipality delivering essential utilities like water and sewer to the public is - by definition - a public utility.

The government here must be willfully blind to the fact that the city actually delivers those utilities to the public, and takes fees to do so, and that Wells would be sitting in judgment over a board whose decisions would affect his other employer, the City of St. John's.

But unless the whole press release was to solve a problem while saving the most face possible, it's hollow at best.

The reality is there's no way to defend holding down two full-time jobs - and two full-time salaries from the public purse - just because you've made bad legal decisions in the past.

Of course, the questions won't end with Andy Wells' resignation as mayor.

There's still the question of why Premier Williams picked Wells in the first place, and why the hiring didn't go through the usual competitive process of the Public Service Commission.

There's also the question as to why a premier would defend the indefensible for so long.

And there's the question of how this all meshes with the Williams boast that, "we believe that a strengthened public service will ensure that individuals are being hired on their merits as opposed to who they know in government." 14/02/08

PREMIER PAYS TICKET

It looks like the busybody that wanted to embarrass the Premier was successful in ensuring a ticket was issued. News tonight that Premier Williams has paid a ticket that he was issued for illegally chatting on his cellphone.

Now I hope the RNC are going to be as diligent at catching the 14 people I spied doing the same thing today on my way to work.

The Premier admitted that he used his cell phone while driving and admitted that it was "inappropriate" to talk while he was driving.

The Premier of British Columbia got less attention for a DUI in Hawaii a few years ago.

Now let's see, perhaps we can get some folks to keep an eye on his vehicles and make sure his stickers are up to date and that he changes his studded tires over on time! If I were the Premier I would watch those yellow lights as well.

SUPREME COURT OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR MAKES RULING

The Eastern Health Authority has lost its bid to prevent the public release of two damning reviews prior to the start of a judicial inquiry into hundreds of breast cancer tests that were done in error.

The authority argued that the reports were peer reviews and thus protected by the Evidence Act.They wanted to suppress just how bad things are at the authority. This board has bungled the issue from the start, and this latest attempt to prevent transparency into its practices just shows that shuffling the CEO was not enough to restore confidence.

Apparently at least 36 of the patients who received incorrect results have since died. There is no information to confirm how many died from incorrect diagnosis or treatment.

HOW SOON THEY FORGET

And some just want something new. They appreciate the fact that Clinton was a successful president and his wife was an able partner, but they never loved the couple as much as they feared them.

Pile on time! Seems that anybody that ever had a grievance with the Clintons is out trying to kick the shit out of them now that they could be on the way down. AP is running a commentary that says Hillary is getting her just desserts for manipulating the party and treating it like an extension of the Billary dynasty.

This is a sort of spook-the- superdelegate counter attack, probably originating from the John Kerry sore loser wing of the Democratic party. Sure let's nail the Clintons, horrible people. They ruined the party. Took us all for granted. I guess they forget whose gravy train they were all riding to the only back-to-back Democratic victories at the White House in 30 years.

I really have no time for this trivial crap. It bugs me the same way, and I know one of my good buddies is going to kick me for this, the way the zealous Martinites behaved in their rush to claim the PMO. Jean Chretien led the party to three consecutive majorities. Those are the facts. So screw success let's just bury them alive.

FORTUNE COOKIE

Chinese for supper tonight. An interesting fortune cookie

"You will soon have an opportunity to advance your career"

Hmmm.....

VALENTINES DAY

I really am not fond of this day. Never was really. I much prefer St. Patrick's Day. Festive and fun. No one tells me that I have to display my love. I had not realized how much I resent being told what to do, or what is expected of me.

Do I really need to buy a load of chocolate and flowers because society says this is the day I have to show my appreciation and my love. It is all so over the top.

If you love someone, everyday should be valentines day.

WHAT DO DO WITH FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN

All my talk about winning Texas and Ohio and I forgot all about those big states whose primaries did not count. Florida and Michigan held primaries but the DNC has ruled that they will not be awarded delegates because the states went against the scheduling rules laid out by the party.

Clinton won both states and wants those delegates given status. Millions of voters went to the polls and made their choices and the national party is refusing to accept it. Where will this leave Democratic voters in the election. This is a sticky issue. My choice would be to seat the delegates as uncommitted at the convention.

Here is a good look at the issue from the WAR ROOM

CONSERVATIVE IDEOLOGY RUN AGROUND

Nancy just sent me a great link. There are a couple of races going on in the United States; I do not often refer to the Republican race because I really couldn't care less what right wing, war mongering, anti-choice moron they select. However, as I said in an earlier post both the GOP and the Democrats seem to be moving towards the middle and finding new ground.

Alvaro Vargas Llosa has written an article called Cleanse Thyselves that looks at the post-Bush Republican Party's search for an ideological identity. He is not conservative enough for the religious zealots. The conservatives are divided but can they unite in time to take on the Democrats?

DO OR DIE FOR CLINTON: JAMES CARVILLE

"If she loses either Texas or Ohio, this thing is done." JAMES CARVILLE

Not to hammer home the obvious but just in case anyone was wondering when the Clinton Campaign was going to come to a screeching halt they may want to check out James Carville's latest interview with the Orlando Sentinel.