Allergy to the Fans

My favourite “holiday” of the year is Groundhog Day. The origins seem to date back to the Celts (European not Boston) to celebrate the “special days” between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. During these “special days” animals got special powers (mind reading, talking, etc.) that would freak out most anyone - especially in those early days (5th century, 1976, etc.).

The earliest known North American reference to Groundhog Day can be traced back to Reading, Pennsylvania. According to Wikipedia:

“The reference was made Feb. 4, 1841 in Morgantown, Berks County, Pennsylvania storekeeper James Morris’ diary: “Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate.”

2007!!!
It looks like the likes of Balzac Billy, Punxsutawney Phil, Staten Island Chuck, Wiarton Willie, Shubenacadie Sam and General Beauregard Lee, Malverne Mel are all predicting an early Spring for 2007. There were two dissenters - Jimmy the Groundhog and Holtsville Hal - that predicted six more weeks of winter.

In 2006, this is how it broke down:
6 more weeks of winter — Dunkirk Dave, Punxsutawney Phil, Buckeye Chuck
Early Spring — Spanish Joe, Wiarton Willie, General Beauregard Lee, Staten Island Chuck, Shubenacadie Sam, Jimmy the Groundhog, Malverne Mel, French Creek Freddie

And in 2005:
6 more weeks of winter — Dunkirk Dave, Punxsutawney Phil, Shubenacadie Sam, Spanish Joe, Octorara Orphie, Malverne Mel
Early Spring — Wiarton Willie, Jimmy the Groundhog, General Beauregard Lee, Balzac Billy, Staten Island Chuck

Whatever happened to Spanish Joe? French Creek Freddie? Man I loved those groundhogs!!
Happy Groundhog Day suckers!!!!

Democracy can suck sometimes. You spend all that time and money, hiring the best PR agents and spin-doctors you can, campaign for two years, orchestrate a plan for the province and then watch as the nice guy standing to the side walks in and takes the grand prize.

Ed Stellmach wins as the “second best guy”, sneaking by Morton and Dinning to grab the top job as Alberta’s next Premier. Ralph Klein was soooo excited all he had to say was “Thank you. Thank you very much” before he slipped out the back door and left the Alberta Leadership gong show behind. Wow. To say that Jimmy Dinning is shocked at this outcome is an understatement. He took defeat graciously but his defeat is the end of the Rod Love era of politics. Guaranteed that once PC party members are done Xmas shopping they will be planning what to do once they lose the next election. What is on the horizon doesn’t look good. A continued dip in oil and natural gas prices, overinflated housing prices, crumbling public infrastructure, etc. could trigger the end of this government, just like the Social Credit crew experienced in 1970.

Yes my friends, it is just starting to get interesting now. ‘Steady Eddie’ will have to rally the troops, consolidate polarized opinions and try to run this place. It has been said that 1% of your time as a leader is spent leading and the remaining 99% is spent on babysitting party members, making sure they do not stuff feet into mouths, or worse, stick each other in the back with shameless self-promoting daggers. This PC party is divided and will be interesting to watch over the next year. Place your bets now - how many seats will the “new” PCs capture in the next election? It is wide open and ripe for anyone’s taking.

Smell that? Democracy…Ahhhhh…Stinky. So the Battle for the Alberta Premier position is down to three - Jim Dinning, Ed Stelmach and Ted Morton. Lets call them Jimmy, Eddie, and Teddy. Debate is all about whether or not to join the PCs or not. I have chosen not to. Why? Let me outline why I am not joining.

One, it gives that party $5. Five bucks times 100,000 voters adds another half million dollars into the coffers of a party I really do not support. Two, picking the “lesser of the evils” is still picking “evil”. I don’t honestly think Jimmy, Eddie or Teddy really reflect what I want for Alberta nor do I think they actually reflect what PCs want either. Three, I am not wanting to get the dozens of weekly email updates and annual phone calls blitzing my already taxed emailbox and phone messagebox. Stop the electronic pollution! Fourth, you reap what you sow. Don’t be surprised if an organization you believe in gets inundated by a group of “outsiders” that what to “make change” or worse, elect the “lesser of the evils” (re: if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em). Call it karma - call it whatever - just do not be surprised if someone, some group crashes your party one day.

If you are going to vote in any election - especially one that is internalized for a party member, a leader - then follow it through. Go to every meeting, join committees, go the full mile. Do not go in half-assed. Better yet - spend your time 365 days each year writing letters, calling your elected reps and truly get involved. Understand what sphere of influence you belong to and start there. Elected one fool over another fool is truly a waste of your time if you do not actually participate in the “clubs”/political parties you sign up for.

California is truly one fantastic state. Hollywood, earthquakes, Jack on the sidelines at Laker games - you name it. The best part about California? Democracy.

You may recall the California election a few moons ago where Gary Coleman battled pretty much everyone in the contest for Governor. In the end Arnold Schwarzenegger won and became forever known as the “Governator”.

It is election time once again in California. Check out the latest proclaimation from Arnold to try and win over state workers after trying to cut back their pensions. Nice work.

PROCLAMATION
Managing the affairs of the eighth-largest economy in the world is no small task.
Without the dedicated team of men and women who work for California, our state’s
progress and prosperity would come to a grinding halt.

Few organizations in the world call upon such a fantastic array of talents to ensure
that its goals are met. In California, we rely on state workers who represent almost
every field imaginable: law enforcement, medicine, information technology, food
services, administrative support, law, engineering, education, science, maintenance,
aviation and architecture, just to name a few. Each serves in a different capacity,
but all serve the common good of our Golden State.

Today is a special day set aside to honor the tremendous accomplishments of each
and every one of our more than 215,000 state workers. No matter the
responsibility, they are an integral part of what makes our state the successful and
enjoyable place it is to live, work and play. I extend my gratitude for their
contributions towards making California the greatest state in the greatest nation in
the world.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the
State of California, do hereby proclaim October 4, 2006, as “Thank You State
Workers Day.”

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have here unto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 3rd day of October 2006.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA