The Sweet Smell of Pork in Alberta

Hello,

Just arrived back in Calgary from the Sultanate of Oman. I was out of Canada since September 5th and during my travels visited Indonesia and Kazakhstan, all for business. However, all are Muslim countries so I was craving a little pork when I arrived in Calgary.

Thanks to the current political environment in Alberta it did not take much time to overdose on pork.

We had the appointment of Gary Mar to the position of Alberta Trade Commissioner to Asia. One can argue this move from a political perspective;
1. Mar was qualified and had experience given his stint as the Alberta Envoy in Washington. A position he handled with reasonable success.
2. Gary's family is of course of Asian decent and one can argue this adds to the ability to understand the clients.
3. With Mar is this position it makes it damn difficult to criticize the new leadership.

Wow, that pork tasted good.

Now for the pork overdose!

Sources tell me that the next appointment will be Rick Orman to replace Gary Mar in Washington as the Alberta US Envoy.

Let's see them explain this pork to the people of Alberta. Alison supposedly represents change, a departure from "the old boys network".

How will they explain the appointment of Orman to this post;
1. Finished a distant 5th in the PC Leadership, just ahead of "ole what's his name".
2. Mediocre MLA for the Tories, 1986-1993.
3. Mediocre Energy Minister, 1989-1993, I believe we were in a recession in Alberta at the time.
4. Mediocre businessman, 1993-present.
5. Sorry, forgot the most important issue, a good looking man.

All the necessary pre-requisites to becoming the recipient of a large pork barrel position in Washington.

"Go Alison"

The Dust Begins to Settle on Alberta Politics

Time has passed, the sky has not fallen, and we have a woman Premier.

Coming from a family with a strong matriarchal head, a strong wife and four brilliant daughters, I for one applaud the decision made by the PC Party.

After all, Newfoundland saw the light as did British Columbia. I believe woman leaders will understand the needs of the citizens from the social side of the political equation and if Alison is true to form; she will balance the fiscal side as well.

Of course, there will be detractors questioning every decision including the lame left but unless they can show constructive alternatives no one will give them much attention.

No the path forward is for Alison to decide, she will make or break her future not the opposition or the media. She needs to handle tough decisions with precision such as the Gary Mar appointment. See the link;

http://www.calgaryherald.com/Gary+named+trade+representative+Asia/5552447/story.html

This scribe believes Mar was a good appointment, politically coloured but the right credentials. These will be the decisions that she needs to stay tough with, prove that the right decision can be made and defended.

I am looking forward to the future under Alison's leadership. Time will tell if I am to optimistic.

Democracy Speaks in Alberta

Like a number of political observers I was pleasantly surprised by the election of Alison Redford as the new Leader of the PCs in Alberta and now the Premier of our Province.

A moderate, a woman, a person who repeatedly attacked her own Party's performance or dare I say lack of performance?

The future of Alberta looks bright from Oman.

A woman leader is just what we need at this stage in our development.

New Tory Leader

Congratulations Alison!

Don Braid - Donn Lovett in drag

Don, thank you for reviewing the blog and agreeing with my assessment; no fall election, by-election and on with setting a direction that speaks to Albertans;

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Braid+After+vote+about+timing/5463089/story.html

Bill Kaufmann is still dreaming of a white Christmas and a fall election;

http://www.calgarysun.com/2011/09/26/mar-sets-120-day-gameplan-as-premier

What do you think

My prayers are with Alison and her mother.

Gary Mar and I agree on no fall election

As I blogged earlier and now it appears substantiated by the Mar Campaign, there will not be a fall election in Alberta.

https://garymar.ca/2011/09/mar-ready-to-hit-the-ground-running-if-elected-premier

Furthermore, if Gary is able to set the 120 day agenda outlined in this release, he will speak to Albertans in a language that Albertans understand and have been looking for from the opposition parties in this Province.

I have been saying long and loud since October 2009, when I attempted to get the Alberta Liberal Party to move to the Centre; If you speak to Albertans about the issues that Albertans want to discuss you will have their attention and their vote.

Albertans, rural or urban, all economic classes, male or female all want the same things; A well-functioning, accessible public health care system, accessible education at high standards to make Albertans competitive globally, security of the home.  These are common values we all share in Alberta. They make us moderate, caring, accepting people.

Mar seems to have captured.that sense and along with the majority of Albertans, I trust he will deliver the promise.

I am  optimistic as always, but watching with the reality of having been in politics way to long.

First step, October 2nd, 2011.

If we believe in the plan we need to get Mar elected!

Sun TV Interview on Alberta Politics

Here is the link, to bad it is not so clear;

http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/video/featured/news/868018287001/alberta-tory-leadership-race-heats-up/1170444167001/page/3