bad politics should make for good cartoons...

Sorry to bore you, but my posted comments are really starting to accumulate again.


February 1st


It never ceases to amaze me that so many people actually take George W. Bush seriously. Did anyone ever seek out his opinion on anything before he was elected Governor of Texas? I was amused to note that the Democratic response to the State of the Union address was ably voiced by the recently elected Democratic Governor of Virginia. It seems the Republicans are on the way out, just in time for the Democrats to start cleaning things up after them all over again. And I thought the right was supposed to be responsible for all the fiscally sound policies. (Bush tries to shift to a policy agenda.)


In response to Mr. Shortpants, an urban cowboy is still a cowboy. I took a train through Saskatoon and Edmonton last summer, and don't recall seeing anything resembling the Windsor-Montreal corridor in between those two "cities".
As for the Liberal rebuilding: as a man in his late thirties who hasn't taught at Harvard, what are my chances of standing for the Liberals in the next election? Mr. Ignatieff just parachuted into my home riding where I've resided since birth, but I'm ready and willing to relocate. I'm not above riding the wave of the backlash against Mr. Harper's failed hidden agenda. Where do I sign up? (Tobin out of leadership race.)


Edward Tilton, is it common practice for the U.S. military to open fire on civilian vehicles? I guess when there's no clearly defined enemy, as in an opposing military, anything goes. Iraq is seeming more and more like Vietnam every day. And I thought it was now a democratic country, what with Saddam Hussein standing trial and proper elections having been held. Weren't diplomatic relations with the U.S supposed to become more cordial now that Mr. Harper is going to be in charge? (U.S. forces fire on Canadian vehicle in Iraq.)


If any old maids or confirmed bachelors are considering proposing to their "special" friends, perhaps now might be the time to do it. Wouldn't it be romantic to be one of the few couples in the world to be legally married in a country that has decided not to recognize such unions anymore? In spite of the thoroughness of the Globe and Mail's investigation, it seems as if Mr. Harper's policy advisors still need to subject this issue to further probing. Not everybody agrees with him yet. (Same-sex vote likely to be tight.)


How about this for a new slogan:"Visit Vancouver for the views, stay for the health care."
And I thought good old Tory Alberta had the solution for everything. Isn't B.C. being run by a bunch of no-account left-of-centre radicals? (Report gives B.C. top marks for health system.)


"They are treating people here like Arabs," said legislator Arieh Eldad in a telephone interview from the scene with Israel Radio. Mr. Eldad said he suffered a broken arm.
Perhaps if a few more Israelis actually started treating Arabs like people, such disturbing outbreaks of anti-government violence might cease. (Israel completes clearance of illegal West Bank outpost.)


Chris Chelios, I thought he had retired by now. It's nice to know that the U.S. Winter Olympic comittee respects seniority. Apparently Michelle Kwan has also been allowed to join their complement of athletes to Turin. Did you know that the one thing American athletes have been doing since Salt Lake City is winning? It's part of the Winter Olympics preview advertising on the American Forces Network here in South Korea. And of course, who better than Chris Chelios to lead glorious team USA to victory once again. I guess the gold in Lake Placid in 1980 was won by a bunch of grizzled veterans as well. Didn't Chelios play on that team too? (Chelios named captain of Team USA. Twelve hours on and still the only comment...)


January 31st


How exactly Palestine is identified by the United Nations is what I'd like to know. Perhaps the next article detailing the economic plight of a Hamas-led government could outline some of the UN resolutions regarding Israel as well. I seem to remember something about an illegal seizure of territory some thirty to forty years back. Perhaps there is no financial aid forthcoming from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, or any of Palestine's other near neighbours, but I do suspect that Hamas might not be too quick in relinquishing its hard-line stance vis-a-vis a nation that has seemed ready and willing to carry out such operations as targeted assassinations of its leaders. (Hamas seeks new aid donors after Western threats.)


I'm not sure how this works so maybe someone can explain; wasn't their another filmed titled Crash released less than ten years ago and filmed in Toronto? Didn't it win an award or two at some European festivals? Wasn't it directed by David Cronenberg? One of these days some genius is going to come up with an Oscar contender titled Pulp Fiction. I can hardly wait. (Wait, there's more...)

I don't recall typing 'their' for 'there' or 'filmed' for 'film'. Perhaps someone might misunderstand my point: isn't there an overwhelming lack of originality evident here? Biopics about Johnny Cash and Truman Capote? How about an icon most people aren't so familiar with? And a gay cowboy movie? Anybody see Midnight Cowboy? Some horses just don't quit, do they? (Canada's Haggis wins Oscar nods for Crash. I had comments two AND three.)

(Some of the repercussions. Seems I struck a nerve here.)
Geoff Isaac from Oakville, Canada writes: Granted there is a lack of originality in Hollywood especially when one considers the plethora of remakes in the works. However I think Gordon Foster's definition of originality is so loose it borders on the absurd. Comparing Midnight Cowboy and Brokeback Mountain because they both have gay cowboy characters is like saying Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is just another heterosexual love story. (Actually, I haven't seen any of these movies, except for late-night TV snippets of Dustin Hoffman and Angelina's dad. Snicker snicker he used plethora snicker snicker)

Lawrence Crofton from Mississauga, writes: Attention Gordon Foster: It was a Canadian film (read:Foreign). Ergo, it doesn't count. By David who? Oh yeah, the "Fly" guy! Cool FX (I don't get his point either.)

James Clarkson from Yuhorf, Canada writes:
I must say, David Cronenberg's movie Crash is easier on the eyes. (I couldn't say. I haven't seen Haggis' film.)

Jack Robinson from London, Ontario, Canada writes: I'll resist the gnarly impulse to to crack on your 'Canada's Haggis' approbation, but can't resist noting that, according to what I read in these pages last December, Cronenberg's 'History' was selected as Best Film of the year by over sixty major North American critics, a much larger consensus than for Lonesome Cowboyz, et. al. But then by Oscar Meyer standards, he's just another C.R.A.Z.Y. Canuck. (Aren't we all?)

Max Power from Windsor, Canada writes: Way to go Haggis! Not only are you an excellent director and writer, you're also a delicious Scottish meal! (I do concur.)


By the way, did anyone notice if the groundhog saw its shadow or not?