Alberta Needs Jim Prentice!

Whispering in the Wind (WITW 42) August 27, 2014

Reaction to last week’s Whispering in the Wind column was varied and interesting –the article dealt with my musings on the battle between globalization and nation building.  One dear friend offered that the article was “fluffy” and that I should write about “more interesting less far reaching topics in politics”.  In deference to those who want some opinions on political events in Albert, read on.  For those who wish to look at the big, big picture I recommend a review of David C. Korten’s work, including his 1995 book, When Corporations Rule the World.

The Oh-Hum Leadership Campaign in Alberta

A few weeks ago I wrote that watching the three contenders (Jim Prentice, Thomas Lukaszuk, Ric McIver) in the Alberta Progressive Conservative leadership campaign was like watching paint dry on a hot day without a cool drink.  Things haven’t changed in the last couple of weeks and ballot day is less than two weeks away.  All conventional wisdom and for that matter, all unconventional wisdom has Jim Prentice becoming Alberta’s 16^th Premier, Province of Alberta on September 6, 2014.  As to the other two candidates only Thomas Lukaszuk has positively positioned himself to being a part of the new Prentice Team – although Mr. Lukaszuk recently has been painted with the “entitlement” brush and that’s not good for the PC party. A leaked document indicates that Mr. Lukaszuk racked up a $20,000 telephone bill while he was deputy premier, on a single trip to Poland.  Unfortunately Ric McIver will be cast aside because of his association with a far to the right religious group that is openly homophobic with its pastor recently claiming that last year’s flood in southern Alberta was a result of God’s wrath on homosexuality.  Jim Prentice is not without scandal – apparently organizers working for the Jim Prentice camp are offering free memberships to supporters – tsk, tsk.

The Jeff Johnson Factor? 

Another political personality that deserves some mention is Jeff Johnson, currently the Minister of Education and MLA for Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater constituency – that would be the constituency in which I  live.  Minister Johnson got into a lot of hot water recently related to an “independent” task force report which recommended a more effective teacher evaluation process – that got the ire of the teacher’s union.  As well, Mr. Johnson directly communicated with teachers on the report in the middle of contract negotiations – that got the ire of the  privacy commissioner.  The reaction by Jim Prentice was understandably muted but he did suggest that the Minister of Education must work more closely with the union when instituting change – from my perspective, that’s pretty good advice.  As to Jeff Johnson’s future with the new premier one will have to wait and see.  In my opinion Jeff Johnson has a lot to offer the province and a government led by Jim Prentice.  What I have read and observed, Jeff. Johnson has considerable insight into economic development, economic diversification and resource upgrading.  Mr. Johnson’s research paper entitled, Upgrading Alberta’s Future – Securing long-term economic opportunities through adding value to bitumen is a particularly good read and fits in well with a positive, environmentally sustainable vision for Alberta – the Jim Prentice vision. 

Globalization Versus the Nation State

Whispering in the Wind (WITW41) August 20, 2014

I’ve been an enthusiastic observer of Canadian politics for many, many years and in those years I have always viewed political matters through a more conventional, conservative set of rose colored eye-glasses.  In a strange, idealistic way I thought that it was up to the business sector, the entrepreneurs of this great country to provide the jobs and a taxation base to fund the country’s admired public services.  And if left alone, the commercial sector would continue to provide the necessary steam to keep the economy chugging along in a positive direction.  As to the role of government in commercial matters, the elected lawmakers were there to monitor and regulate business activity and only do overseeing to the extent that business was operating in the national interest.  The rationale and reasoning just described was more than adequate for politicians in the 1960s and 70s and totally inadequate for the 21^st century’s globalized world.        

Growth of Globalization –

Globalization has evolved over the past fifty years to become the guiding principle of doing business internationally and has greatly influenced how business is being conducted domestically.  Canada had (and still has) the opportunity to become a major international player in the energy field but lacks the political tools to accomplish this achievable goal.  The first step is to cooperatively develop a national energy strategy that includes a meaningful national environment strategy.

Nation Building –

Nation Building is the antithesis of globalization, so building a stronger, more sustainable nation is not going to be an easy task in light of globalization and the monstrous grip it has on international, unregulated commerce and finance.  In my view there are two big issues facing Canada if it wants to build a stronger, more independent nation – and it will be up to our political leaders to see it through.  First, integrating the aboriginal groups into Canada’s multicultural fabric and allowing these aboriginal cultures to truly flourish in the 21^st century. Prime Minister Harper has some good ideas but totally misjudged and did not account for the more militant, more dependant reserve chiefs.  And secondly, allow the Quebecois culture to grow and flourish in the province of Quebec and the rest of Canada.  The sentiments for separation in Quebec are at a low but Quebecers are patiently waiting to see what happens in next month’s referendum vote in Scotland – Decision day in Scotland is September 18.  As to strengthening Canada’s governance system and its institutions – making the Senate a chamber of sober, second thought; making the Supreme Court more effective in protecting the constitution; making parliament more transparent and accountable for its actions; and being more cooperative with the provinces in pursuing national goals – let’s wait for our politicians to determine and explain how they would deal with globalization and how they would build a stronger more sustainable nation state?      

Vladimir Putin - Russia's New Tsar

Whispering in the Wind (WITW 40) August 13, 2014

Military activity in the eastern Ukraine and the Gaza Strip has dominated the international news lately with many observers concluding that the carnage and turmoil is being engineered by two very forceful “outside” personalities – Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation and Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the State of Israel.  To add further confusion to an already chaotic world where there are many military hotspots, President Barack Obama of the United States directed US airstrikes last week on Iraq, to deal with Islamic extremists and provide humanitarian aid to the Iraqi people.  So we have three political leaders, who in their own way are trying to offer their own type of stability to an unstable, uncontrolled set of circumstances.  These leaders (and there are others) have taken it upon themselves to act in their nation’s interest and independently take action against another independent nation – with their actions being guided by personal motivation, visions of grandeur and a fixed mindset.  What is amazing in international disputes, there is no group or leader strong enough to stop the arbitrary, indiscriminate actions of destruction and domination.   

Vladimir Putin – Russia’s New Tsar

A lot has been written about Vladimir Putin’s personality and his vision for the Russian peoples.  For some Russians, Mr. Putin is thought to be a “muzhik” (a Russian peasant) while others have labeled him a “mench” (a man of integrity and honor).  To put it in more contemporary, western terms, Vladimir Putin is viewed in his homeland as a “dude,” a “manly man” and if the polls are correct, his persona has captured the imagination of the vast majority of interested Russians.  Mr. Putin’s introduction of anti-gay laws last year successfully argued that Russia must retain its traditional family values stance – the law gained the unanimous support of Russia’s Duma and presumably a majority of the Russian peoples.  The “success” of the 2014 Sochi Olympics further bolstered Mr. Putin’s image amongst Russians.  The annexation of Ukraine’s “autonomous” Crimea region through military occupation and a questionable referendum allowed the Putin strategy of successful annexation, without a shot being fired.  Many Russians feel that the glory days of the Mother Russia are again possible under the guidance of a strong leader like Vladimir Putin.  As to the amassing of Russian military forces along the eastern Ukrainian boarders, the engineered Russian conflict in the eastern provinces of the Ukraine and the downing of MH17 Malaysian Airline flight killing 298 people are viewed as mere blips in Mr. Putin’s strategy – President Putin’s strategy remains intact and moving forward.  As to the response by the western nations on the matter of Russia’s incursions in the Ukraine, the west’s sanctions portfolio isn’t working and could actually work to the detriment of a number of western countries.  Canada’s strong support of the regime in the Ukraine and the recent additions to its sanctions list against Russian nationals has brought a response from the Russian government – a one year ban on Canadian food exports to Russia.  Also, Mr. Putin recently signed a 30 year gas delivery contract worth $400 billion with China. That single contract has caused Canada considerable concern in its resource development strategy and for Europe it means higher gas prices.  As to the big question, is there a western strategy that can contain events and Mr. Putin?  Canada did have a reputation as a moderate mediator (the Person Way) but that opportunity has been taken away with Mr. Harper’s major change in foreign policy – very unfortunate for Canada and limits the west’s options.  The Russian Bear has again reared its head and the west had best arm itself to the teeth.

A Very Troubled World

Whispering in the Wind (WITW 39) August 6, 2014

Writing “Whispering in the Wind” has been a rewarding experience for me personally and for those that have offered feedback to the column; a good number have encouraged me to continue the column and continue offering “informed” opinion.  That’s not to say I have not been criticized for offering opinions that are counter to other points of view.  A year or so ago I was labelled a “racist” for criticizing some aboriginal chiefs and their excesses.  More recently I was labelled a “communist” by a good friend for not watching the “right” newscasts.  While there is some merit to any criticism, I defend myself by saying:  it is very difficult to sort out fact from fiction in today’s media frenzy – where scripted propaganda rules much of the media reports in daily newscasts.  For me I rely on “informed” opinions and take a good deal of the daily news reports with a grain of salt.

Two international news stories have overtaken a number of other major international news stories that haven’t been resolved and the reporting are laced with propaganda:

The Eastern Ukraine

The downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 three weeks ago in the eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 passengers and crew, is rife with charges and counter charges as to responsibility and accountability – it has become a propaganda war where experts in the west have concluded that Russian supplied weaponry to Russian operatives in the eastern Ukraine and it was they who shot down MH17.  In Moscow the story is different, it is claimed that Ukrainian operatives shot down what was thought to be a Putin plane flying over the eastern Ukraine – I can’t believe anybody in the west is buying the Russian version, but it is apparently going over well in Russia.  The big question: will responsibility ever be assigned through any international justice system and will those held responsible ever be held accountable? Not likely, so the civil war in the eastern Ukraine will continue with no resolution in sight.

Gaza Strip

The propaganda war in the Gaza Strip region (including the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights and the Sinai Peninsula) has been going on for over 50 years and there is no end in sight.  The latest incursion into the Gaza Strip has apparently been provoked by Israel’s wish to stop rocket attacks from the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip – the Hamas dominated government is considered a terrorist organization by a number of western nations, including Canada – many feel Israel is justified in protecting and defending its territories – other nations in the region feel that Israel is not justified in its dominance in the region and do not recognize Israel as a nation state.  No resolution is in sight, but Egypt has brokered a 72 hour cease-fire – there is still no resolution in sight and the battles and bloodshed continue.  Prime Minister Harper has taken a particularly hard line against the Hamas government and fully and totally supports the Israel government stance which is a major change in foreign policy for Canada – Canada for decades has been a peace broker and up until now has tried to work behind the scenes to broker peace and resolution – oh how things have changed..