"By securing its first spot in a televised leaders debate, the provincial Green party claimed a moral victory in its quest to become part of Manitoba's political mainstream.
At the actual debate, Green Leader James Beddome scored additional points by nailing Tory Leader Hugh McFadyen with a Conawapa Hydro project dig."
"The leader of Manitoba's Green Party is pumped about being allowed to join a televised leadership debate this Friday. The Green's participation in the debate this year will mark the first time the party has been invited to the podium."
The financial projections for hydro's new dams are not looking good. "The Public Utilities Board concluded that Wuskwatim's revenues initially will not cover its costs." If these dams are not cost-effective, then why are we building them? "Hydro already envisions hiking domestic rates by 45 per cent in 10 years, and by 70 per cent in the next 20 years, to pay for Keeyask and Conawapa."
"It's an investment in a public service. We don't charge people tolls when they drive down the roadways so why are we charging people tolls when they get on the bus?"
-James Beddome
The Winnipeg Folk Festival Compost Crew is looking for donations of 4L ice cream pails (with lids and handles, preferably) to distribute to our campers as part of our trial campground composting project. Please drop off any pails (or containers comparable in size) to the Winnipeg Folk Festival office Monday to Friday between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Thanks for helping us with our greening initiatives!
Tom Oleson comes awfully late to the discussion of the Kyoto Accord — as if everybody doesn't already agree that we'd rather not sacrifice too much to meet its targets. But there is little common sense in his framing of our choices.
(To Manitoba Co-operator)
Highlights of the CropLife Canada meeting were featured in the September 27 issue. CropLife is the lobby organization for multinational chemical/biotech companies operating in Canada. It has done some good things like supporting pesticide container collection and triple rinsing.
CropLife complains it doesn't get any respect - that things like pesticides are misunderstood by the general public. I place myself among those Canadians who are deeply suspicious of any organization that lobbies my government on behalf of the world's multinational chemical companies.
(To Winnipeg Free Press)
Unlike Bartley Kives (Colourless Election, May 12), the Green Party of Manitoba (GPM) lives in the present reality, we do not live in 2003 and we do not for one moment confuse idealism with being unrealistic. We find truth in the writings of John Avalon who said, "Idealism without realism is impotent, realism without idealism is empty."
(To Winnipeg Free Press)
On May 12, 2007, I took note of Bartley Kives' colourless and prejudicial reporting. Now you and all reporters take note of the following: "There is a principle, which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance—that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
(To Winnipeg Free Press)
To the Editor,
Many things have been written about my oft-misreported comments related to the Harper climate plan. None were as irresponsible as your editorial. Had you made any effort to verify what I actually said, you would have discovered that I was quoting a very respected international expert, George Monbiot. As the author of the best-selling climate warning, Heat, and a well known journalist with the UK newspaper, The Guardian, Mr. Monbiot is what is generally called "an opinion leader."
