This was supposed to go up earlier, but nevertheless:
Phillies in 5.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Dion Gone, Who's Next?
While the Liberals continue to search for a quick fix to a rather large problem (namely, the Conservatives continue to crunch them from the right, and the NDP and Greens push from the left), Dion announces he will step down, but not until an interim leader is chosen.
This is apparently to avoid infighting over "which camp" an interim leader would come from - Ignatieff or Rae.
Of course, there will already be plenty of infighting over who the next leader will be, so Dion might simply figure too much is too much.
In terms of who the candidates might be, my guess it will be someone from the list of Ignatieff, Rae, McKenna, Kennedy, Hall Findlay, Coderre, Manley or Tobin. And from that, the only ones I really see with any reasonable chance of winning are Ignatieff, Rae, McKenna and Manley. And as a friend said to me recently, of that group, Manley should probably be a Conservative (agreed), and I would suggest that McKenna probably should be as well.
Weirdly, the best thing the Liberal party could do for their electoral forture is elect a right-leaning leader and try to steal back those right-of-centre votes they lost as a result of the left-leaning of Dion.
This is apparently to avoid infighting over "which camp" an interim leader would come from - Ignatieff or Rae.
Of course, there will already be plenty of infighting over who the next leader will be, so Dion might simply figure too much is too much.
In terms of who the candidates might be, my guess it will be someone from the list of Ignatieff, Rae, McKenna, Kennedy, Hall Findlay, Coderre, Manley or Tobin. And from that, the only ones I really see with any reasonable chance of winning are Ignatieff, Rae, McKenna and Manley. And as a friend said to me recently, of that group, Manley should probably be a Conservative (agreed), and I would suggest that McKenna probably should be as well.
Weirdly, the best thing the Liberal party could do for their electoral forture is elect a right-leaning leader and try to steal back those right-of-centre votes they lost as a result of the left-leaning of Dion.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Canada Election 2008
A few thoughts:
1) Please, please, please stop those of you making the comments that "Harper just wasted $300 million on a federal election that returned the exact same result." I have a feeling a good number of incumbent MPs that were turfed would disagree with you, not to mention those who have a new representative for them. Furthermore, if Harper was able to predict the election prior to the votes being counted, he should have a different job. And finally, the fact that no party other than the Bloc (and MAYBE the NDP) is fully happy today should be proof enough that the landscape has been altered.
2) And the landscape has been altered. The Liberals have taken one in the teeth, with shockingly low popular vote numbers, and bad (and surprising) losses around the country. There was nary a riding that was a positive surprise for them (never a good thing). The Greens have been emphatically declared "irrelevant". The NDP has put together yet another "good" result, but I wonder if Layton had actually gone after Dion (his real competition) instead of Harper (almost nobody actually chooses between NDP and CPC), if we could be seeing a NDP Official Opposition today. The Bloc will be happy, although I continue to wonder what purpose their party actually does play in the Canadian political spectrum. And the Conservatives will be mixed - happy they won more seats, disappointed they missed the majority, happy they broke through in Ontario, disappointed they failed to break through in Quebec and Toronto.
3) Speaking of Toronto, I'm still baffled that (apart from Layton and Chow) it always goes straight red.
4) Elizabeth May - why did you sell out the Greens and tell them to strategically vote Liberal in certain spots? Like Layton, if you had gone after the Liberals instead, you could REPLACE them, rather than simply be an afterthought. This election should signal the end of Ms. May's political career.
5) Same for Dion. Although I am still surprised that the Liberals seem to feel their choice is either Rae or Iggy. In the time we are in where the economy is a big deal, I have a feeling that the CPC war room would eat Rae for dinner.
1) Please, please, please stop those of you making the comments that "Harper just wasted $300 million on a federal election that returned the exact same result." I have a feeling a good number of incumbent MPs that were turfed would disagree with you, not to mention those who have a new representative for them. Furthermore, if Harper was able to predict the election prior to the votes being counted, he should have a different job. And finally, the fact that no party other than the Bloc (and MAYBE the NDP) is fully happy today should be proof enough that the landscape has been altered.
2) And the landscape has been altered. The Liberals have taken one in the teeth, with shockingly low popular vote numbers, and bad (and surprising) losses around the country. There was nary a riding that was a positive surprise for them (never a good thing). The Greens have been emphatically declared "irrelevant". The NDP has put together yet another "good" result, but I wonder if Layton had actually gone after Dion (his real competition) instead of Harper (almost nobody actually chooses between NDP and CPC), if we could be seeing a NDP Official Opposition today. The Bloc will be happy, although I continue to wonder what purpose their party actually does play in the Canadian political spectrum. And the Conservatives will be mixed - happy they won more seats, disappointed they missed the majority, happy they broke through in Ontario, disappointed they failed to break through in Quebec and Toronto.
3) Speaking of Toronto, I'm still baffled that (apart from Layton and Chow) it always goes straight red.
4) Elizabeth May - why did you sell out the Greens and tell them to strategically vote Liberal in certain spots? Like Layton, if you had gone after the Liberals instead, you could REPLACE them, rather than simply be an afterthought. This election should signal the end of Ms. May's political career.
5) Same for Dion. Although I am still surprised that the Liberals seem to feel their choice is either Rae or Iggy. In the time we are in where the economy is a big deal, I have a feeling that the CPC war room would eat Rae for dinner.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Demise of the Economy...
...appears to be somewhat exaggerated.
While it does appear that a downturn is coming, it seems beyond doubt that we are better prepared to deal with it than the USA.
While it does appear that a downturn is coming, it seems beyond doubt that we are better prepared to deal with it than the USA.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
MLB League Championship Series Previews
Well, after a decidedly weak 1-3 record, I need to run the table to get over .500 for this year. Not looking good.
Dodgers/Phillies
The Dodgers team looks pretty locked in right now, but they did earlier in the late summer as well (winning 8 in a row), before crashing back and then recovering. They're a weird team to figure out.
The Phillies, on the other hand, are looking like they have some leftover business to take care of after last year's disappointing loss in the NLDS to the red-hot Rockies.
This one should be very close, but the Phillies just seem like an all-around deeper team. If the Phillies are smart and don't let Manny beat them, they should have enough hitting to get past the Dodgers.
Phillies in 6.
Red Sox/Rays
I strongly dislike both of these teams due to their residency in the AL East. A couple of years ago, the Red Sox zoomed past the Yankees for the title of "most disliked team in the AL East", and this year the Rays managed to do the same. So it's tough to pick between them.
I still don't believe in the Rays, so I'm grudgingly picking the Red Sox to make yet another World Series (and make Boston fans all the more insufferable).
Red Sox in 6.
Dodgers/Phillies
The Dodgers team looks pretty locked in right now, but they did earlier in the late summer as well (winning 8 in a row), before crashing back and then recovering. They're a weird team to figure out.
The Phillies, on the other hand, are looking like they have some leftover business to take care of after last year's disappointing loss in the NLDS to the red-hot Rockies.
This one should be very close, but the Phillies just seem like an all-around deeper team. If the Phillies are smart and don't let Manny beat them, they should have enough hitting to get past the Dodgers.
Phillies in 6.
Red Sox/Rays
I strongly dislike both of these teams due to their residency in the AL East. A couple of years ago, the Red Sox zoomed past the Yankees for the title of "most disliked team in the AL East", and this year the Rays managed to do the same. So it's tough to pick between them.
I still don't believe in the Rays, so I'm grudgingly picking the Red Sox to make yet another World Series (and make Boston fans all the more insufferable).
Red Sox in 6.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Very Briefly
Spending mass amounts of dollars in governmental programs and jacking up the tax burden on the average person is not the way to deal with an economic recession or crisis. This will only add more burdens to the average joe who is struggling to make their mortgage payments.
Ironically, when it comes right down to it, most people hate governmental interference in their lives, except when wannabe governments are advertising billions of dollars in spending (then they love it...except when they forget where the government money is actually coming from).
I think most people feel that they know how to spend their own money alot better than the government does.
Ironically, when it comes right down to it, most people hate governmental interference in their lives, except when wannabe governments are advertising billions of dollars in spending (then they love it...except when they forget where the government money is actually coming from).
I think most people feel that they know how to spend their own money alot better than the government does.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Captain, My Captain
Roberto Luongo, goaltender and unequivocal leader of the Vancouver Canucks (who happen to be my favourite hockey team), was named captain by the team yesterday, despite the fact he is unable to wear the "C" or perform some of the on-ice duties of the captain due to a rule in the NHL from the 1940's. He already leads the team in the dressing room and in the media, as well as leading the team from the ice surface. The only place he cannot play an active part in is on the bench (because he's on the ice for the full 60 minutes).
A great article supporting the notion that a goaltender should be the captain is in today's Globe and Mail. Rather than quote it, I'll let you read it if it interests you. But it's a solid, well-written, eloquent article, with a bit of humour thrown in.
Contrast that with an article written by Sean McCormick from Sportsnet.ca. Sean is a well-known Sportscentre anchor, who happens to suffer from the inenviable disillusionment of being an Edmonton Oilers fan, and outspoken Vancouver Canucks hater. Sean had this to say about the Canucks honouring of their leader.
First, he goes through several other candidates, and then provides a reason for why each of them weren't the best choice for captaincy (including both Sedin twins, Bieksa, Ohlund and Mitchell). Then, he ends his ridiculous post with this conclusion:
This is clearly NOT simply a stroke of Roberto's ego, for the exact reasons that Sean says in his 2nd paragraph. Well, Sean, I'm not a member of the Gillis family tree, and neither is Gary Mason (who wrote that nice Globe article).
What this is is merely yet another chance for Sean to take another shot at the Canucks. I look forward to seeing his next post explaining why Hemsky is better than Gretzky and Crosby combined, and why the Oilers will finish 30 points ahead of the Canucks this year.
A great article supporting the notion that a goaltender should be the captain is in today's Globe and Mail. Rather than quote it, I'll let you read it if it interests you. But it's a solid, well-written, eloquent article, with a bit of humour thrown in.
Contrast that with an article written by Sean McCormick from Sportsnet.ca. Sean is a well-known Sportscentre anchor, who happens to suffer from the inenviable disillusionment of being an Edmonton Oilers fan, and outspoken Vancouver Canucks hater. Sean had this to say about the Canucks honouring of their leader.
First, he goes through several other candidates, and then provides a reason for why each of them weren't the best choice for captaincy (including both Sedin twins, Bieksa, Ohlund and Mitchell). Then, he ends his ridiculous post with this conclusion:
The Canucks had plenty of legitimate candidates and options for the
captaincy before they had to turn left down Gimmick Street this week. This
is clearly nothing more than a stroke of Roberto's ego in hopes of persuading
him to re-sign next summer.
And if Gillis and his boys think that's
what it's going to take to help keep Roberto in Vancouver,
it sure isn't
saying much about the rest of the equation. In fact, it reeks of desperation. To
assume anything more would make you a member of the Gillis family tree.
This is clearly NOT simply a stroke of Roberto's ego, for the exact reasons that Sean says in his 2nd paragraph. Well, Sean, I'm not a member of the Gillis family tree, and neither is Gary Mason (who wrote that nice Globe article).
What this is is merely yet another chance for Sean to take another shot at the Canucks. I look forward to seeing his next post explaining why Hemsky is better than Gretzky and Crosby combined, and why the Oilers will finish 30 points ahead of the Canucks this year.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
MLB Divisional Series Previews
Without further ado.
Dodgers/Cubs
The key to this series will be who's pitching holds up. Both teams look like they have solid (or solid enough) hitting, especially now that Manny is in LA. Chicago looks a little more solid on both sides of the ball, but the questions surrounding the health of Harden and Zambrano are yet to be fully answered. If Harden and Zambrano are both fully healthy, this one should go 4 games, max. If not, the Dodgers might be able to steal it in 5. My money are that at least one of Zambrano/Harden will be okay, and that should be enough.
Cubs in 4.
Phillies/Brewers
Both of these teams can mash, and with potentially 3 games in Philadelphia's bandbox, this could be a slugfest. But pretty much all signs point to the Phillies. A deeper and healthier lineup, and a deeper rotation should ensure a series victory. CC Sabathia is the best pitcher in the game right now, but even he isn't a guaranteed victory for the Brew Crew (not when he's going against the underrated Brett Myers). Even if the Brewers win Game 2, the Phillies look like they are on a mission right now, and will find a way to prevail.
Phillies in 5.
Rays/White Sox
I honestly though the Rays would fold this year, they never did. I thought the White Sox would be 4th in the AL Central this year, and they won the division. Apparently I'm not so good at this prediction business. The short version here is that the pitching heavily favours the Rays, and the hitting heavily favours the White Sox (it would heavily favour them even more had Carlos Quentin not been an idiot and self-destructed his season). Pitching and defence wins in the playoffs, right? Generally true, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say the Rays bats will tighten up a bit in the playoffs, and the White Sox will finally prove all of us who have been saying the Rays are overrated right (albeit a bit late).
White Sox in 5.
Angels/Red Sox
In my mind, these are the best 2 teams in the AL by a long shot, and 2 of the best 3 teams in the league (the other being the Cubs), and yet here they are meeting in the first round. The Angels have better pitching, are healthier, and finally have not one, but two helpers for Vlad (Teixeria and Hunter). They've also lost to the Red Sox in 2 of the last 4 years in the playoffs. Hungrier? Check. This will end up being a surprising mismatch.
Angels in 3.
Dodgers/Cubs
The key to this series will be who's pitching holds up. Both teams look like they have solid (or solid enough) hitting, especially now that Manny is in LA. Chicago looks a little more solid on both sides of the ball, but the questions surrounding the health of Harden and Zambrano are yet to be fully answered. If Harden and Zambrano are both fully healthy, this one should go 4 games, max. If not, the Dodgers might be able to steal it in 5. My money are that at least one of Zambrano/Harden will be okay, and that should be enough.
Cubs in 4.
Phillies/Brewers
Both of these teams can mash, and with potentially 3 games in Philadelphia's bandbox, this could be a slugfest. But pretty much all signs point to the Phillies. A deeper and healthier lineup, and a deeper rotation should ensure a series victory. CC Sabathia is the best pitcher in the game right now, but even he isn't a guaranteed victory for the Brew Crew (not when he's going against the underrated Brett Myers). Even if the Brewers win Game 2, the Phillies look like they are on a mission right now, and will find a way to prevail.
Phillies in 5.
Rays/White Sox
I honestly though the Rays would fold this year, they never did. I thought the White Sox would be 4th in the AL Central this year, and they won the division. Apparently I'm not so good at this prediction business. The short version here is that the pitching heavily favours the Rays, and the hitting heavily favours the White Sox (it would heavily favour them even more had Carlos Quentin not been an idiot and self-destructed his season). Pitching and defence wins in the playoffs, right? Generally true, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say the Rays bats will tighten up a bit in the playoffs, and the White Sox will finally prove all of us who have been saying the Rays are overrated right (albeit a bit late).
White Sox in 5.
Angels/Red Sox
In my mind, these are the best 2 teams in the AL by a long shot, and 2 of the best 3 teams in the league (the other being the Cubs), and yet here they are meeting in the first round. The Angels have better pitching, are healthier, and finally have not one, but two helpers for Vlad (Teixeria and Hunter). They've also lost to the Red Sox in 2 of the last 4 years in the playoffs. Hungrier? Check. This will end up being a surprising mismatch.
Angels in 3.
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