ALBERTA VOTES 2008

Story Tools: PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

Election Blog Squad

It's an honour just to be able to nominate

March 3, 2008 | 03:17 PM
PaulPaul Bellows

Election day speeches are rehearsed and strategic.

Each candidate says what they believe voters need to hear and also what they would not be ashamed of being remembered for having said.

For instance, Ed Stelmach is being modest, and non-committal. "It's nice to have this opportunity", "It's all up to the voters of Alberta", etc. That way if the media scare about a possible tectonic shift due to the many undecided voters turns out to be true, he can't
be accused of false pride, and if he takes it in a landslide, then he gets to maintain his humble farmer image.

Brian Mason -- who according to the polls has the least to lose -- is preaching a bit of doom and gloom (he can most afford to be perceived as pessimistic right now) to try to panic the voters into making a more emotional decision by announcing a PC majority.

Taft is trying to capitalize on that by welcoming those panicked voters into the Liberal fold without actually using those tactics himself.

At the end of the day, someone will win and everyone else will not -- although don't forget, whoever takes this has to run the place and everyone else gets to criticize them.

There is conversation about this election being a possible turning point in Alberta's history. However, this is just an election. It's the most significant citizen act in the democratic process, but no more important in the end than writing letters to your local officials when you feel strongly about something, volunteering in your community, paying taxes every year and stopping to pick up litter. Today is an opportunity to participate, like every day is.

Go vote for the local candidate who best represents your own beliefs. Take a moment and read up on their websites before you leave work today. Duck out of work an hour early and tell your boss you're going to vote! Make it count, and enjoy the experience. And if your candidate doesn't win, then next election don't just vote for them, go
volunteer for their campaign.

« The dilemma | Main | A disappointing landslide »

Story Tools: PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

World »

updated Syrian forces shell central region killing 34
Shelling by Syrian forces in the central province of Hama has killed 34 people according to the British-based group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and several news reports.
NATO chief says 'no rush for the exits' in Afghanistan video
NATO's secretary-general said his organization's commitment in Afghanistan remains strong, as leaders from 60 countries gathered for the alliance's summit in Chicago.
updated Anti-NATO protesters march through Chicago to summit video
Thousands of protesters march through downtown Chicago in one of the city's largest demonstrations in years, airing grievances about war and climate as world leaders assembled for a NATO summit.
more »

Canada »

Prince Charles and Camilla arrive in Canada video
Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, have landed in Fredericton, with New Brunswick the first stop on their three-province tour.
Montreal tuition protesters defy law and clash with police
Protesters in Montreal clashed again with police Sunday night, leading to the arrest of at least 180, in defiance of new legislation meant to crack down on student-stoked demonstrations that have rocked the province for months.
Canadian Pacific workers give 72-hour strike notice video
Unionized workers at Canadian Pacific Railway have turned up the heat at the bargaining table, serving 72-hour strike notice.
more »

Politics »

Afghanistan mission won't be extended, MacKay says
The remaining Canadian Forces in Afghanistan will come home in 2014 as planned, Defence Minister Peter MacKay says, depite entreaties from NATO to extend their training mission.
G8 leaders shift focus to growth from austerity video
The leaders of the G8 group of countries agreed that Europe's financial crisis must be addressed with a mix of growth and austerity measures, as they met in Maryland.
Quebec emergency law goes 'very far', ex-judge Gomery says audio
In an interview with CBC Radio's The House, retired Quebec Superior Court judge John Gomery tells host Evan Solomon that Quebec's new emergency law goes "very far." He also raises concerns with the media's coverage of the student conflict, describing the reporting as "increasingly extreme and immoderate."
more »

Health »

Chronic fatigue may be reversed with exercise
Taking it easy is not the best treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome, rather exercise and behaviour therapy are, a large study finds.
AT&T buys T-Mobile USA for $39B US
AT&T Inc. said Sunday it will buy T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom AG in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $39 billion US, becoming the largest cellphone company in the U.S.
Milky Way home to 50 billion planets: NASA
Scientists have compiled the first cosmic census of planets in our galaxy: at least 50 billion planets are estimated to call the Milky Way home.
more »

Arts & Entertainment»

Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb dies video
Robin Gibb, a British-born singer and songwriter best known as a member of the Bee Gees, has died in London. He was 62.
Xavier Dolan's star rises with 3rd Cannes selection
Quebec filmmaker Xavier Dolan is making a big impression at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival in France, where his latest movie Laurence Anyways is being showcased in the Un Certain Regard program.
Crowded House drummer Peter Jones dies
Peter Jones, the British-born drummer of the band Crowded House, has died, according to the band's website and several news reports.
more »

Technology & Science »

SpaceX rocket launch aborted in last half-second video
A new private supply ship for the International Space Station remains stuck on the ground after rocket engine trouble led to a last-second abort of the historic flight.
new 'Ring of fire' eclipse dazzles millions
Millions in Asia and the western United States watched as a rare "ring of fire" eclipse crossed their skies on Sunday.
Chris Hadfield prepares for 'pinnacle' in space
Astronaut Chris Hadfield has spent the past four years preparing to pliot a Russian rocket to the ISS, where he will be the first Canadian to command the multi-national orbiting station.
more »

Money »

Air Canada, pilots turn to arbitrator
A last-ditch attempt between Air Canada and its pilots to work out a new contract on their own came to a crashing halt Saturday as talks fell through and arbitration appeared the last resort.
Zuckerberg ties the knot
Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg updated his status to "married" on Saturday.
Facebook closes just above $38 IPO price video
Facebook CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg took the company public on Friday but the stock price closed just barely above its IPO price as stock markets closed.
more »

Consumer Life »

Honda recalls Fit subcompacts
Honda Canada says it will recall 14,640 of its 2009 and 2010 Fit subcompact cars to replace lost motion springs.
U.S. travel fee proposal criticized by Harper
Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he doesn't think much of a new border tax that's being proposed by the United States, calling it a cash grab designed to help a budget crisis.
Bell class action suit approved by Que. court
A Quebec Superior Court judge has authorized a class action lawsuit to go ahead against Bell Mobility.
more »

Sports »

Scores: NHL NBA

Coyotes avoid sweep in NHL West final video
Shane Doan scored two goals, including a first-period power-play marker, and Mike Smith kicked aside 36 shots in the Coyotes' 2-0 win in Game 4 of the NHL Western Conference final on Sunday afternoon.
blog Wharnsby: Coyotes finally have their day against Kings
As much as the Phoenix Coyotes were better as a unit in their 2-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday, it was difficult to ignore the contributions of Shane Doan and Adrian Aucoin.
Coyotes still alive & other stories you need to know
The Phoenix Coyotes refused to be swept by the Los Angeles Kings; Rangers forward Brandon Prust will miss Game 4 against the Devils due to a suspension; Russia steamrolled its way to a world hockey championship title; and Canadian cyclist Ryder Hesjedal lost his overall lead at the Giro d'Italia.
more »

Diversions »

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
more »