A LOAD OF BALLS

It’s good to see a real crack down on crime. Britain’s Daily Telegraph reports this vigilance from a robust police service: “A grandmother described yesterday how she was arrested and questioned by police after her neighbour claimed that a football had been kicked into her garden and that she had failed to return it. Angela Hickling, 56, was taken to the police station, quizzed, fingerprinted and required to give a DNA sample. Police searched her garden and every room in her house for the ball but failed to find it and dropped the case two days later for lack of evidence. Although he found nothing, he arrested her on suspicion of theft and took her to the station, where she was questioned, fingerprinted, and had a DNA sample taken. She was freed after an hour and a half.”

Imagine that! A wicked, nasty grandmother hiding a football kicked over her garden fence by well mannered, neatly dressed, "do good" children. What is the world coming to. Its this kind of thing that led Britain to deport people to Australia not that long ago. Thank goodness it wasn’t a cricket ball – no earthly chance of finding that. She may have boiled it up and served it with a rice pudding.

The DNA sample, which the police have a right now to keep under the Anti Terrorism legislation, will help to track down ball hoarders – obviously a new crime under British law. Her behaviour obviously requires an Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO), preventing her from being near a ball for 100 days. I am sure the police are working on it.

Another Film..

The Lake House – Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves star in this simple, elegant story about a woman who leaves a house and a man who takes it and what happens between them. Nothing special about the script – but a nice film. She starts to write love letters to the new tenant, even though they have met (remind me of the Steve Wright line “I had a relationship with a psychic once, but we broke up before we met”). - and there is a reason for this, which is the film's twist. Christopher Plummer makes an appearance – elegant, stylish as always. A film for a winters evening.

Films to Watch Out For

Looks like being a promising few months at the home cinema. The History Boys - Alan Bennet's award winning play - found its way onto the screen with a Royal launch on Monday October 2nd. I find Alan's work compelling, and this is meant to be outstanding. Then there is Dame Helen Mirren at The Queen (Elizabeth II this time) - the story of the 2 weeks after the death of Princess Dianna. FInally there is Forrest Whittaker as Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland - a compelling and convincing performance looking at the complex psychi of this madman.

I am also trying to track down The Deal - the story of the Blair-Brown agreement before he became Prime Minister, a "deal" which is playing itself out on a grand scale right now.

I have been reading some trashy novels - for example, Peter Abrahams Oblivion. These are largely crime thrillers, but occassionally there is some good writing. Abrahams, for example isnt bad.

The Zen of Fly Fishing

There is something about fly fishing – rainbow trout. Steelhead, artic char this season – that I find deeply satisfying. Just spent 30 hours in a boat over 4 days at Dee Lakes near Kelowna in British Columbia with Mike (50), Matt (19) and John (75). The fishing is wonderful – we brought back 24 fish, ate 4, put back 50+. But it’s the concentration, focus, passion and engagement that strikes me as the core.

The routine is simple. Hearty breakfast, on the lake by 0930 and back to the cabin by 1930. Continuous fishing. We concluded that there are four kinds of fish: rainbow trout, gay fish (I caught one with a hook up the rear end), blow fish (they suck the fly in and blow it out again) and bastard fish (you know they are there, they show themselves, but refuse to be caught). Such taxonomies do not assist the task of catching, but offer comfort to we anglers.

I have become so enamored by the art of fishing that I have decided to tie my own flies. Bought a kit and materials on ebay and intend to tie several basic patterns – Tom Thumb, Royal Coachman and so on. I used to do this when I was very young (and I did it very badly), but now there are great resources online and in print and wonderfully useful CD roms – I feel sure I can get at this. I think it will be satisfying and will stop me working.

That’s the other thing. Fishing is both hard work and not work at the same time. You put a lot of energy into fly fishing – just one example, I suspect I cast every 2 minutes. Taking into account travel on the lake time, this means I am casting with my right arm and wrist some app. 250 times an hour for around 9 hours – 2.250 times a day for 4 days or 9,000 times. This is a lot of exercise for the right arm.

Enough. Now its back to work. Challenging organizational change issues in northern Ontario, intellectual property challenges in Alberta and the future of the ICT industry - should see me through till Xmas.

September Films

The Weatherman – Nicolas Cage in a solid, underplayed performance. Not a great screenplay, but good casting and well made. Not a waste of time, but not a film to go out of the way to see.

The Man Who Was Never There – Billy Bob Thornton in a powerful film noir, Coen brothers movie - murder mystery with James Gandolfini and others. Enjoyable.

Mrs. Harris – Anette Benning (still stunning) and Sir Ben Kingsley in a dreadful account of this well known murder.

The Ice Harvest – another Billy Bob movie with John Cusack. Two guys steal from the mob with consequences. Enjoyable.

Mr Holland’s Opus – second time around, still a good movie.\ - made in 1995. Richard Dreyfus is a skilled and able actor and this is a benchmark performance (as is his performance in Rosencrantz).

The Matador – an interesting little film with Brosnan as a drinking assassin who is partly burned out and who befriends a man who is a marketing guy – a solid story

Sojourn in Oxford Street, London

In London for a few days, getting ready for a workshop at the Jenner Institute for animal health. Took time out to enjoy a few days rest.

Charlotte Church, who used to be an angelic little girl singer, has turned into a hot totty with her own late night chat show on channel 5. In one segment she managed to get the words “shag”, “twat”, “fuck” and “tits” into a paragraph. Not quite the girl who sang Palestrina.

An afternoon with the National Ballet of Cuba dancing Don Quixote. I used to think one went to the ballet to see the girls. While the girls of Cuba are very attractive, the men are stunning – brilliant, energetic, focused dancers. My friend Jean Grand Metre (Artistic Director, Alberta Ballet) recently worked with them to choreograph their next works…bet he had fun. Last night of the proms – now has matching concerts in Swansea, Hyde Park, Edinburg, Ireland and its become quite something. A good musical day.

Sitting on a bench in Oxford street outside Debenhams (where I was once mentor to the CEO and the Board coach), I saw eleven pairs of women’s knickers (mainly thongy things) stroll by, seven women wearing stocking of various kinds that showed because their skirts were too short, two women whose breast were not exactly technically exposed but might as well been. I heard dozen expletives being shouted into cell phones – mainly at builders who didn’t arrive to fix shower doors or a broken kitchen cabinet or a leaking toilet. I saw two kids being hit very hard by their mothers and one women hit her bloke with such a thump that he was on the pavement. All this in less than twenty minutes.

Tate Modern for the Kadinsky exhibition – he didn’t start painting until he was in his mid 30’s (was a law Professor before). Moved from representational art to abstract and produced some stunning work. The exhibition shows his transitions to his final leadership of the abstract movement in Paris between the two great wars (being in exile from Russia). Well worth the entry fee.

Now resting in the hotel (which is very sensible place all round – and, by English standards, not bad from a cost point of view). Watching good old British television.

Films and Updates

We have been away a lot during the period since Augsut 1st - Oregon for 10 days, a few days back home and then Canmore - fishing (artic greyling, trout, steelhead), walking (lovely Larch Valley Banff walk), eating (found a great place in Oregon), Shakespeare at the Globe theatre in Ashland in Oregon and lots of reading...

Also the odd film..

Dot the I – a creative, intelligent suspense drama with a great many twists and turns, not to mention quality acting by Natalie Verbecke and Kit Winter. Strongly recommended.

The Sisters – based on an idea from Chekov’s Three Sisters, this stage to screen adaptation is a strong, emotional drama with strong stage like acting from Elizabeth Banks, Maria Bello and Erika Christensen. Emotion, raw edge drama and surprises. You need to be in a mellow mood – some scotch recommended.

The Sentinel – Michael Douglas, Kieffer Sutherland, Kim Bassinger (always welcome in a movie). Thriller about US President and an assassination attempt - possibly by someone inside the FBI guard detachment. Douglas plays his usual self and Sutherland plays a version of Jack Bauer of CTU/24 on the big screen. OK.

Russian Doll – (second time around) – Australian quirky little film, fun and frivolity. Hugo Weaving (of Matrix, Lord of the Rings and other great movie fame) stars with a vivacious Sacha Horler lead this cast into an intriguing love triangle.

V for Vendetta – probably the best film I have seen in a while – compelling, demanding, intriguing and well written. Hugo Weaving plays V (not that you would know) and the other lead part is the very stunning Natalie Portman, with an interesting role for John Hurt. A largely British cast plays this well and it’s a very good story.

Derailed – Jennifer Aniston is turning into an excellent actress, seems to me. Here is a very good example of her new work, working alongside Clive Owen (this is also a strong role for him) and Vincent Cassel. Strong and interesting story line, very well directed and filmed suspense drama. Up there as a good film, despite the critics…

The Bridge of San Luis Rey – this simply dreadful 2004 film has a strong cast – Robert de Nero, Kathy Bates, F Murray Abraham, Harvey Keitel and many other normally excellent actors. It lacks energy, commitment, passion, direction (it was directed by Mar McGuckian – not her first effort). Avoid at all costs.

- no doubt I have missed some of the ones we saw while traveling - the good news is that I am home. The next news is that I am about to go on the road again – Sept 6 – 20^th inclusive (UK, Banff again and Ontario).

Listening the complete Mozart Piano Concerto's (Ashkenazzy) right now - what a stunning achievement. Also writing until my hand wont work (well, wont type - good enough for fishing).

Being in Toronto

Saturday, 15th July

Toronto is, to say the least, an interesting place. Take today as an example.

It began, after a decent but expensive breakfast at the Sutton Place hotel, with a pedicure and manicure – something I believe is a civilizing thing to do if you intend to wear sandals without socks (if you intend to wear sandals with socks, especially white socks, then its time to get back to Britain). A man came in and wanted his bikini wax. I was there at 0930 – by 10am the place was packed – almost all men, almost all wanting waxing (some just their legs). Just doesn’t happen in Edmonton.

Caught two parades which followed each other down Yonge Street. The first was five persons wide and over one thousand lines of people deep – a celebration of Hari Krishna. Amazing. It was pure 1960’s / early 1970’s. I though these guys had died out, along with Bhagwaan Shree Rajnish and Dallas, but no they are alive and well and busy in Toronto. Unlike their Dutch counterparts, the Toronto Haris’s have a lot of East Indian members – they used to avoid these guys like the plague.

Behind these Hari’s and their thumb-bells was another parade with pipe bands. It was the annual Orange Day Parade – a parade to celebrate Irish Protestantism and their support for William of Orange. In Ulster, this has often been a violent day – a parade of defiance which deliberately goes through the Shankhill Rd so as to aggravate Catholics. Here, given the peace and calm created by the Hari Krishna lot, all was fine. Mind you, given that the average age of those parading was 65+, I was not really expecting much troeuble (unless someone stole one of their walking frames).

By then it was very hot. So off to Sam The Record Man’s classical station, where I came upon fifteen members of the Huddersfield Choral Society singing various well known hymns along with a CD of the same. I used to watch these guys sing with the Halle – Messiah, Britten’s War Requiem – so a very nice half hour was had by all. I joined in. (Given that they almost closed their classical store some years ago, it is nice to see it so vibrant – all thanks to their classical music manager who is a “one off”).

Then strolling Yonge Street. The breast popping out count was 4.5 (the .5 was deliberate and frequent – so I am not sure whether it counts at all – she was a flasher). The too short a skirt showing panties count was 3 while walking, and six while sitting having lunch, coffee or my evening meal. The pan handler count was four and the guys reciting weird poetry three, selling weird things without a permit or license seven or selling themselves two.

Now the evening meal was interesting. A young couple – he with the jeans 28 sizes too big, crotch at the ankles. T shirt down to the knees, beanie hat and black and she white, see through blouse (no bra) and white skirt that doubled as a belt (black panties). Pasta place (very nice meal, including dessert and coffee for $17). He broke up with her as soon as she paid the bill. Told her he never wanted to see her again, but ate a good meal beforehand. She sat. He left. His trousers followed closely behind. She looked at me and said “he’s a jerk – I always knew it!”. She ordered another plate of pasta and kept pulling at her non existent skirt.

Walking back from my pasta, a couple were “at it” in the doorway of a store that had just closed. It was 6pm on a very bright evening. People inside the store, who were tidying up and getting the place secure, had a better view than those of us walking past. I think you could have made money selling tickets.

Back to the hotel. Thank goodness for air conditioning. The good news is that I have found several nice places to eat – great dim-sum at lunchtime (three dishes, nine dollars) and had a nice Nepalese meal last evening for $25, including a beer. The other good news is that I finished my writing assignment – another $4,000 in the bank. A good day.

Now tomorrow…

Yet More Films

Rumour Has it – Jennifer Aniston stars in this Rob Reiner comedy (produced by George Clooney and several others) with Kevin Costner, Shirley McLaine – the idea is that Aniston’s mother is the lady from The Graduate…funny. Nice script and a pleasant distraction. (There seems to be a lot of family movies around – Junebug, Family Stone..).

Syrianna – another problematic movie. I am sure all concerned are very earnestly concerned about oil and politics, but this is a messy piece. Poor storylines, not very credible stories mixing with credible ones. The audience does the work of editor. I am not sure its worth the effort. Good acting by George Cluny. If you miss it, you wont have missed much.

The Libertine – Johnny Depp plays a realistic 2nd Earl of Rochester – a debauched, odd, brilliant courtier to Charles II. The film is based on a play of the same name, which is itself based on a great deal of historical work about the Earl. Odd bloke. Interesting story. Not a film for family (lots of words most people are offended by).

Eve and the Firehorse – a nice Vancouver made film about a Chinese family’s two daughters and their emerging Catholicism. Compelling acting by the two girls and a good family story. Well worth watching. Won a special jury prize at the Sundance film festival.

24 Season 2 – Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a good thriller and I admire the team behind this TV show. But really. This is very silly. Too many far fetched stretches of the imagination, suspensions of belief and poor plot lines get in the way – just how dim is Kim Bauer, how many shouts down the telephone can Bauer have with the President and how dumb is he? Anyway. Starts strong but then just gets silly. Suggest the next series be called 4.

A Good Woman – set in the 1930’s with Helen Hunt, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Wilkinson and many others. Set in the Amalfi coast of Italy (super scenery), strong writing (some great one liners - just as one would expect from Oscar Wilde, this is an adaptation of Lady W's fan) and very good period setting from a costume/props point of view, it’s a strong story line and Hunt is excellent as a mature, professional mistress. Good acting all round. Strongly recommended. Best line in the whole thing: *Saussages and women are best not seen as they are being prepared".

Tim Bits

Thank goodness.

We are in day three of Wimbledon and Tim Henmann - the British public school pain who has dogged Wimbledon for years by raising British hopes only to be dashed by grim, painful, sometimes traumatic and excessively passive tennis - was beaten today by Roger Federer. I am so relieved I could start playing myself.

For years and years we have watched Tim struggle, win some, loose a lot. He sometimes gets as close as a quarter final or semi final, only to collapse under pressure. At least its done with.

And so convincingly too - 6-4,6-0,6-2 - cant get much better bashing than that.

The other good news is that his co-star the British (or is it Canadian) Greg Rusedski is out. He's another pain - always promising, never delivering....

Now I can watch and enjoy...

I also look forward to England's world cup game against Portugal, having enjoyed France vs Spain the other day (we shan't talk about the debacle with Portugal's game against Germany... tho the good news is that the ref has been sent home!!).

Sports

I can hardly be described as a follower of sports, but these are unusual times.

First of all, The Edmonton Oilers ice hockey team are in the Stanley Cup finals. While they are down 2 games to 3 they have the advantage of emotional and community support. Game six is tonight and I hope they win. Its a must watch game.

Then there is the world cup. I caught the Czech vs Ghana game which Ghana won in fine style with a tremendous free flowing game. Then it was Italy and the the US. Italy scored two goals in the first half, sadly one in their own net. They also are down to 10 men, since the ref sent one off. He then sent a US guy off too. WHat drama. This is only the first half of the game.

Soon, starting Monday June 26th it will be Wimbledon - must watch TV. Sadly, Tim Henman will still play creating angst and pain throughout Britain - but there will be lots of excitement, especially now that the Williams sisters are basically "done".

Doesnt end there. In July, England plays Pakistan in a cricket testmatch. Difficult to catch on Canadian TV, but where there is a will (and a TiVio) there is a way.

So, sports look like my summer..

Films to Watch and Some to Avoid

The White Countess – a good film – Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson (as the Countess), Vanessa Redgrave, Lynn Redgrave, John Wood – set in Shanghai in the 30’s shortly before Japan invades China. Strong storyline, good acting and excellent images – story by Ishiguro. This was the last film James Ivory made before his production partner, Ismail Merchant, died in 2005 (they were also gay partners), and it is very much in the style of Merchant Ivory productions. Keep an eye on Madeleine Daly (the young girl playing Katya) – a young actress who will do well.

Secret Agent – a quiet little film with Robin Williams, Bob Hoskins (producer and actor), Depardieu, Jim Broadbent, Patricia Arquette, Eddie Izzard (as Vladimir, the Russian ambassador) and a strong overall cast. This is the Joseph Conrad novel – not exciting, but classic 1920’s drama. Well done.

Anytown, USA – IMBd summarizes this documentary in this way “Candidates, Two blind Politicians, One Race. Anytown USA follows a tightly run race in the small town of Bogota, New Jersey and resonates as an all-too-familiar look at partisan politics in our increasingly polarized nation”. (Bogota is pronounced Boga da). A great little documentary – Kristian Farga (Mind’s Eye, Severe Clear) directs. Enjoyable, amusing, intriguing and well worth watching on a rainy day.

The Family Stone – Diane Keaton plays her usual role in this misfit family movie, which is both dull and predictable. Some nice starts, but no strong finishes in either dialogue or plot. Craig T Nelson (Coach) best actor in this movie and Sarah Jessica Parker does a good job as a stuck up “bitch-like lady – Claire Danes is a very stunning lady with not enough to do in this movie.

Ǽon Flux – Charlize Theron stars in this sci-fi thriller along with the “hunky” Marton Csokas (Bourne Supremacy, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and several others), directed by Karyn Kusama (Girlfight). Brief glimpse into the future after a pandemic wipes out 95% of the world’s population. Has a kind of strange familiarity to it – Minority Report pace and feel. Sophie Okonedo also appears alongside Charlize – she’s an interesting (and busy) actress who also appeared in Hotel Rwanda, the TV series Spooks as well as the Inspector Lindley Mysteries and several films. Not a great film this, but amusing (and occasionally sexy with a few nice visual effects). Nice minimalist settings and poor dialogue. A very atheletic Charlize shows no sign of the knee injury, which forced her out of the Joffrey Ballet in New York. She did however get injured in making this movie – neck problems – and production stopped for a time.

Dominion – The Prequel to the Exorcist – what a total and absolute pile of pants – crap from start to finish. Avoid at all costs. Cant believe this was made in 2005 – its almost as bad as Michael Winner’s first films.

Black and White – Robert Carlyle (2002) movie with Charles Dance (fresh from his performance as Mr Tulkinghorn in Bleak House and his directoral debut – Ladies in Lavender). Set in Australia, based on a true 1958 story of the aboriginal sentenced to hang for the murder of a young white girl. The aboriginal part is played by David (Ned Kelly, Rabbit Proof Fence, Harry’s War) – excellent court drama. My friend the Judge checked out the details and thinks its not that bad from a dramatic point of view, though there are errors of fact.

Break a Leg – an actors movie about acting. Written by actors. It is a total an absolute pile of pants (probably underpants). Rent it or buy it and destroy – do us all a favour! If you are about to watch it, go for a long walk – with luck, it will be over by the time you get back. Not only is the script poor, the acting is dire and the plot is as imaginative as a one legged beetle trying to make it with a dandelion.

Torpedo Run – this 1958 movie has Robert Hardy in one his ealy roles, Glenn Ford and Ernest Borgnine.. usual 1958 U-Boat drama. Give me Das Boot anytime.

Elizabeth 1 – Helen Mirren, Hugh Dancy, Jeremy Irons in this visually stunning, made for TV well written piece (3hours plus) focusing on her relationship with the Earl of Leicester (Irons) and Early of Essex (Dancy). Strong performances all around, with good political vignettes. Well worth watching. Mirren, as usual, outstanding.

Flightplan – I generally like Jodie Foster – she is an intelligent, smart and skilled actor. She was roped into this at the last minute and would have been wise to drop out – its not a good film. Predictable, slow, repetitive – no thriller at all. Sean Bean (Sheffield lad) plays the aircraft captain, Jodie the mother of a girl who goes missing during the flight and the rest of the cast do average job with a poor script and far fetched plot. Avoid.

Freedomland – directorial debut of Joe Roth, a well known studio executive. Big cast – Samuel L Jackson, Julienne Moore (The Hours), Edie Falco (The Soprano’s), Bill Forsythe (The Last Marshall) – based on the novel by Richard Price. A car is hijacked in one of the projects, inside is supposed to be small 4yr old boy. Car driven by white women. Lots of levels, good acting, lots of drama. Ebert didn’t like this movie. I do.

World’s Fastest Indian – a nice film with Sir Anthony Hopkins as an old New Zealander who wants to break the world land speed record. Amusing, sensitive, textured. Good film.

If Only.. – a gentle, UK film looking at what would happen if you could anticipate the future. Jennifer Love Hewitt and Paul Nichols carry this film, which she also bankrolled it. Good evenings viewing.

Prime – intriguing film with Merly Streep as a therapist whose client dates her estranged son. Uma Thurman is the love interest here and it’s a well crafted piece with a set of Jewish lines. Good entertainment for a pleasant evening with a nice wine.


Films I am still wanting to see:

Da Vinci Code (Tom Hanks)
The Libertine (Johnny Depp)
Take the Lead (Antonio Banderas)
Syriana (George Cluny)
What the Bleep do we Know?
Nine Lives (Dakota Fleming, Kathy Baker, Glenn Cose, Ian McShane)
Hustle and Flow (Terence Howard)
Friends with the Money (Aniston)
Magnolia (William H Macey)

Hancock for Premier

Dave Hancock is a good choice for Premier of Alberta. He is passionate, intelligent, creative, focused and was probably the best Minister of Advanced Education we have had in a considerable time. Though not brash and glamorous, Dave "gets it". He knows that the future is a challenge and not "God given", knows that there is work to be done and understands this work well - he was key in developing the 20 year strategy for Alberta (which, whatever you think about it, is important - we actually have one!). Read more about what Dave is up to and why he should be supported at his web http://www.davehancockcrew.ca/

I will be working for Dave and pushing the strong line that this is a crucial choice for Alberta - we have 2 years before another election, and he could refocus Government in this time. Whatever happens, he needs to be one of the key influencing voices - the intelligent man's choice.

I would like him to focus on:

• Our democratic deficit
• Rethinking our reliance on commodities
• Reimagining the innovation system
• Reducing government spending and slimming down government
• Increasing taxation
• Reiventing health care and social support systems

There is a lot to do...

Lyle Oberg is another interesting candidate - but I find him weak and wishy washy. Jim Dinning (who I worked with on the non fiscal side of his first two budgets when he was Provincial Treasurer / Finance Minister) is also able and bright, though I dont see many policy statements and he is very busy kissing babies, shaking hands and walking the mile...all key tasks, but I will be voting for imagination, plans and action.

630 CHED puts Dave in the lead....so hey, I could be on a winning team!!

Robot Does Surgery...

For the first time, a robot surgeon in Italy has carried out a long-distance heart operation by itself. "This operation has enabled us to cross a new frontier," said Carlo Pappone, who initiated and monitored the surgery on a PC in Boston, ANSA reported. Pappone is head of Arrhythmia and Cardiac Electrophysiology at Milan's San Raffaele University.

The 50-minute surgery, which took place in a Milan hospital, was carried out on a 34-year-old patient suffering from atrial fibrillation. Dozens of heart specialists attending an international congress on arrhythmia in Boston also watched. Pappone has used the robot surgeon in at least 40 operations. "It has learned to do the job thanks to experience gathered from operations on 10,000 patients," Pappone said, pointing out that the robot carries the expertise of several human surgeons used to boost its software.

From http ://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Science&article=UPI-1-20060518-16332100-bc-italy-robotsurgeon.xml

Game Boy 911

Nice story for today - thanks to 630 CHED. A 12 year old had his game boy temporarily confiscared, due to his bad behaviour. The mother explained why. He argued that it was a human right to have a game boy. It was still locked into a cupboard. The boy rang 911.

Sign of the times ?

The other story I picked up today is from a headline in The New Scientist. Under the headline Did Humans and Chimps Once Interbreed? the article by Bob Homes explores the evidence..and concloudes that we dont know....so how about Did Humans and Once Interbreed?

Doing the RIGHT Thing in Alberta

The two most radical policies the new progressive conservative Premier of Alberta will need to pursue, once elected are: (a) reduce government spending and lower expectations of the Alberta government’s future prosperity; and (b) increase taxation so that people start to pay more of the real costs of Government services. This is what a true conservative would do and here’s why.

First, the Government are subsidizing a range of services and, by doing so, encouraging demand for these services to grow. As demand grows, the cost of these services also grows and they become increasingly difficulty to pay for. Health care is a good example. The more we provide health care services at modest costs to people, the more these services are demanded. If growth in health care costs continues at its present rate – around 11% each year – that at some point in the future, health care expenditure will cause the Province to return to deficits and debt.

Alberta has been spending too much. Annual growth in government expenditure is around 6% on average – some 1.5% more than the rise in inflation and the growth of the population would suggest as appropriate. To balance the books on a continuing basis, annual growth in expenditure needs to be no more than 4%. This will minimize the risk of Alberta returning to debt.

Just tackling spending does not solve the problem of responsible Government. If Albertan’s are serious about key issues – education, health, environment and the future – then they should start to build up the Heritage trust funds and focus on adequate base funding for the services they need, preparing Alberta for an inevitable fall in commodity prices. Our taxes should be around 19-20% of GDP, not the 17% Alberta now enjoys. Why? It is at this rate that citizens become much more critical of Government services and waste and use the level of taxation to determine what really matters. They challenge government to get out of some areas of activity and to focus on the real work of Government.

Cutting spending without increasing taxation rarely works – it simply stimulates special interest groups to complain and creates a “defensive” government who then avoid taking bold measures. Increasing taxation without reducing spending also rarely works, people will pay more for specific services like health and education provided that they can see the additional taxes being used intelligently. It is the combination of “tax and cut” that produces real changes in attitude and behaviour. “Tax and spend”, in contrast, is the mantra of another political party.

As taxes increase, the nature of these taxes needs to change. We need to shift the tax burden from personal taxation to consumption taxes – higher taxes on environmental spending (gasoline, for example) and lower taxes on environmentally friendly fuels (bio-diesel or ethanol blends, for example). To reduce demand for health services, there should be a strong focus on prevention and patient education and encouragement of self-care. Patients who abuse the system by not showing up for appointments or seeking medical help for the common cold or similar non treatable ailments should face penalties. We need to change attitudes and behaviour to change the demand for service.

None of the declared candidates for the Premiers position are likely to push the argument for smaller government and higher taxes. More likely, we are going to hear bigger government and lower taxes – exactly the opposite of what Alberta needs. It is when times are good Government needs to be bold and show courage – protecting the longer term interests of Albertans by doing the right thing.

Imagine this scenario. Government spending continues to grow at current rates; taxes are reduced and we all continue to receive $400 bonus payments each New Year. By 2008, the Province will be looking at annual deficits and by 2018 debt will be the same as it was in 1992. If oil prices fall below the estimated $60/barrel for oil, as most serious commentators think it will, then Alberta will start debt funding sooner. Health care costs double every nine years – and by 2015, health care and education will account for almost 80% of Alberta’s government expenditure, leaving little for other areas. This is where we are headed unless someone shows courage, calls a spade a spade and does the right thing.

Alberta Ballet

I have become involved in an art form which is about passion, inspiration, movement, music and dance. The ballet. I have joined the Board of Alberta Ballet.

Its an interesting company - at a tipping point in terms of its reputation. Well able to produce outstanding neo-classical and modern pieces, really able to command respect and poised to become one of the most interesting middle sized ballet companies in north America. New works this coming year include a ballet tribute to Joni Mitchell.

Like all arts companies, there are issues - but there always will be. So, I am learning...

Celebrity News: Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes had a baby girl. She weighs 7 pounds 7 ounces and is 20 inches long…wait that's Tom.

China News: President Hu of China visited the White House and gave President Bush a traditional Chinese gift, a pirated bootleg copy of "Mission Impossible 3", two weeks before it came out.

China News: There was an awkward moment during President Hu's visit to the White House. A protester yelled, "Stop the persecution, stop the torture" and President Bush ask, "Which one of us are you talking to?"

National News: Here is some good news. President Bush is creating thousands of new jobs. Unfortunately, all of them are at the White House.

Pentagon News: Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced that we are making progress and we are very close to capturing some high ranking officials. Unfortunately they are all retired U.S. generals.

China News: While in the United States the President of China made the rounds at Wal-Mart stores. You know, doing inventory.

Nevada News: Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said he will not run for the U.S. Senate saying he prefers Las Vegas to Washington D.C. He prefers to stay in a city where trading cash for favors is still technically a crime.

Fashion News: The Bikini turned 60 years old this month. In a related story Liposuction turned 59.

Pentagon News: Despite six retired generals calling for his resignation, Donald Rumsfeld said he will stay until the entire Middle East is safely in the hands of warring religious fanatics.

FEMA News: Seeking repayment of $4.7 million from victims of hurricane Katrina, FEMA today ordered those victims "to stop being homeless" so that it would have somewhere to send the bills.

China News: The White House agreed to allow China to export chickens to America despite the outbreak of the bird flu virus in China. Republicans won't interrupt global trade until there`s a lobster flu virus.

FDA News: The FDA released a statement saying they have found no sound scientific studies showing benefits of medical marijuana. There are benefits, it`s just that researchers are too listless to write the report.

Random Thought: Both Condi Rice and Donald Rumsfeld made "surprise, secret visits" to Iraq last month and said things are going well. Our question is then why do they have to keep making "surprise, secret visits?"

Pentagon News: General Charles Swannack became the sixth retired general to demand Don Rumsfeld's resignation. The Pentagon isn`t taking this lying down. They just canceled all retirements.

Iran News: The bad news from the Middle East is that Iran is now capable of making a nuclear bomb. The good news is they have to drop it from a camel.

US National News: On his tax return President Bush listed Scooter Libby, Tom Delay and Jack Abramhoff as dependants. Then he caught himself and said, "Dependants? Oh, I thought it said defendants!"

Income Tax Update: The IRS now allows you to write off weight loss plans because the Bush administration considers obesity a disease. As opposed to the Clinton administration, which considered obesity sexy.

Pentagon News: Six retired generals are calling for Donald Rumsfeld to step down. But not all the generals are against him. He still has the support of a lot of generals: General Electric, General Dynamics, General Motors.

US National News: President Bush dismissed reports that the U.S. is planning to attack Iran as wild speculation. He then left to go to the Pentagon War Room to help plan "Operation Wild Speculation."

Reminder: Ask your accountant if paying taxes is right for you.

White House News: A man jumped the fence and made it onto the White House front lawn. It is the fourth time the same man has done this. We want to build a fence along the entire Mexico border to prevent illegal immigration and we can't even keep people out of the White House!
Mexico News: This is what we don`t get about this. They`ve got oil. Their citizens love the United States. Forget Iraq, we should have invaded Mexico.

Immigration News: Hispanics took off work in ninety U.S. cities to stage amnesty protest marches. It seemed to go well, but when they got back to their jobs they had been replaced by illegal aliens.

More Films..

Wicker Park – thriller made in 2004. A young Chicago advertising executive believes a woman he sees in a cafe is his long-lost love. His conviction leads to obsession, as he puts his life on hold to trail her – that’s the plot. Played largely by unknowns, likely to remain so. Exceptions are Josh Hartnett (Black Hawk Down, Pearl Harbour, Virgin Suicides and several other films) and Rose Byrne. A very average film,.

Capote – excellent film and strong acting from James Seymour Hoffman, who well deserved the Oscar for this performance. Outstanding.

Mrs Henderson Presents – the true story of the Windmill Theatre between the wars with Judi Dench, Bob Hoskins, Will Young, Thelma Barlow (who plays a wonderful 1900’s Lady – a far cry from Coronation Street) and many others. Good, old fashioned story – excellent character acting and a well deserved Oscar nomination for Judi. Well worth watching.

An Unfinished Life – Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Lopez – a pastoral modern rural story with quality acting (as you would expect). Nice interweaving story, well crafted script. Strong film.

The Lord of War – Nicholas Cage, Ian Holm. Dreadful, dull, predictable film. I think Cage has lost the plot.

Earth – wonderful film set in India at the time of partition (1947). Strong storyline, excellent cinema photography. Good acting, especially by those in female roles. Part of a trilogy (Earth, Fire, Water) directed by Deepa Mehta in 1998.

Water – another excellent film (with a terrific soundtrack) by Deepa Mehta made in 2005 but set n India in 1938 just as Gandhi was becoming important. Powerful. Great story telling, good casting. Won 3 Genies – Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Cinematography and Best Music.

Fire – the third of the Deepa Mehta trilogy, the first made and the weakest of the three. Two married women become lesbian lovers when their husbands either become holy and celibate or celebrate marriage by sexing up a mistress.

Agata and the Storm – an Italian film, focusing on a very beutifiul middle aged women and her brother (who turns out not to be) and her attempts to find meaning in her life. Mildly amusing, but good film.

Ginger and Cinnamon – also Italian and a strong story line, with strong acting and good scenes. Highly recommended.

Antares – This is what one review said: The convoluted love-lives of three women living in a Viennese apartment block provide the emotional payload for this gripping, at times devastating, drama. From married Eva's steamy, reckless affair with a kinky businessman, to Nicole's harassment by her obsessive ex-husband, the film is intricately constructed (with each of the three stories illuminating some hitherto-unseen aspect of the others). Faultlessly acted by its ensemble cast and utterly convincing throughout, this is an occasionally shocking (ie. explicit sex) yet always insightful study of infidelity, deception and sexual hunger, shot in wintry tones that contrast sharply with the heat of the passions aroused. Its a long film, but interesting...

Raja – a Moroccan film – about a man wanting to seduce a 19 year old girl who works in his garden in Marrakech. There are other story lines here too, but the core is an old man of 55 trying to seduce a young woman who in turn wants to be captured. Nice set pieces, strong story and convincing characters. Also recommended.

Memoirs of a Geisha – beautifully filmed, good story line and excellent acting (though sound quality could be better). Recommended.

The Last Remake of Beau Geste – the great Marty Feldman film with Terry Thomas, Peter Ustinov, Roy Kinnear, Trevor Howard, Irene Handel, Sinead Cusack, Spike Milligan, Michael York and many others. Good, 1970’s (it was made in 1977) laugh.

Match Point – very well made, clever Woody Allen movie. Serious, creative and a terrific storyline. His best in a long time.

Get Ready for a Major Conflict - Iran

The world is suddenly a very dangerous place. More dangerous than the Cuban missile crisis and as dangerous then the lead up to the Second World War. The reason: Iran. The cause: the nuclear threat that Iran poses to the world.

Many dismiss the Iran “crisis” as just another Bush created scenario. It is not. In fact, Bush is showing a great deal of caution and is seeking a multinational diplomatic solution, through UN institutions. But all NATO allies should be engaged in contingency planning for a military intervention if diplomacy and sanctions fail.

Here is the problem. Iran is using nuclear power to meet its growing demands for energy. It is also using its nuclear program to generate the capacity for nuclear weapons production and it has made clear that it intends to both use the weapons against Israel and to share the technology with other states.

Some think that the threats to use the weapons and share the technology are “empty” threats – aimed at increasing Iran’s revenue from the increased price of oil caused by promoting regional “uncertainty”. They seek appeasement. Others, including the majority of serious regional analysts, are not sure. They vacillate between believing that, while Iran’s intentions are complex, they are unlikely to use any weapons they create to indicating that use is inevitable while the current power structure remains in Iran. In short, we need to be ready for all possibilities.

The President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has challenged the reality of the Holocaust and said that Israel must be “wiped off the map.” He has repeated these comments several times – they are not “off the cuff” remarks, but part of his thinking about Iran’s position. He has held rallies to promote these ideas and the rallies have been well attended. He has replaced well trained Iranian diplomats and foreign office officials with members of the revolutionary guard and is following a “script” which puts real pressure on the West, with the script being written (or at least approved) by the Supreme Ruler of Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei. This is the same cleric who is a clear supporter of terrorist groups.

No one is sure how long it will take Iran to build a nuclear weapon – estimates vary from three to ten years. This gives some room for diplomacy, though Iran shows real defiance in the face of such threats. Sanctions are likely, but they have power too: oil. By their defiance, they will force up the price of oil and benefit from lowering their supply of oil to the world market.

The International Atomic Energy Authority (IAEA) will try and ascertain what is going on in Iran, but will be denied access to key sites and key information. It is likely, as was the case with Iraq, that only partial information will be available when some key decisions will need to be taken. This time, the IAEA should be given the opportunity to undertake their work and recommend action to the UN Security Council.

But get used to the idea of an air strike against Iran. Get used to the idea that, despite the debacle in Iraq, Iran poses a real and present danger to peace and stability in the world. Get used to the rhetoric of this conflict become more dramatic and shrill. Get used to the Israeli’s becoming increasingly concerned about their vulnerability. Get used to having poor information on which to base your judgment about whether Iran or the UN is right of this issue. Get used to the US being willing to act alone, or with a limited number of coalition partners, with the aim of regime change.

The prelude to the Second World War was one of confusion, denial, hope, appeasement, defiance. There was a prelude when, with hindsight, more could have been done to prevent widespread war and to reduce the generational impact of conflict. Now is a moment of prelude – a time for wise counsel, focused action and intelligent planning. We should use it wisely.