WildPath

I saw a few of what I assumed were Freedom Convoyers going down highway 15 today. Three to be exact. I assumed they had something to do with that play group because they had large Canada flags and hazard lights on despite going highway speed. Their message remained as cloudy as ever. No doubt that Russia would want to encourage any movement that could help weaken Canadian democracy or economy. I'm sure they were giddy with Ottawa being shut down, borders shut down, etc. They correctly see the far right in Canada as the ideal vehicle for weakening our country. Perhaps far right is even being too gracious. I think it is pretty obvious which party they will be interfering in our next election on behalf of. I assume government agencies from NATO countries also try to subtly support revolutionary groups in Russia/Iran, etc.

I wonder if some of the guidance to not recommend the shots is because the vaccines aren't keeping up to the evolution of the virus. I believe we are recommended to get flu shots every year because they have a good indication what strain will be going around, but with Covid, the virus seems to still be evolving too fast. I remember reading medical opinions that eventually that should slow down or even mostly stop and I haven't heard of any new variants with the mass infection in China, so maybe there is something to that. I'll keep getting them because I am immunocompromised, but I don't really see much of a risk to getting them without any health conditions, just that they may not have big gains for immunity and reducing the chance of severe sickness and death if you've been infected already. It seems like for those out there that haven't had an infection in the past year/half year or so the recommendation is to still keep getting the shots, especially since the boosters have been updated and are quite a bit more effective since the original rounds.

Just some background on this. Lamont had to bring the case forward as a civilian (and had to pay legal charges personally) because there was no other way to enforce accountability on Stefanson.

You're forgetting about Obby. The guy should be in charge of the department of government grants. Received the most Covid funding grants from the PCs while unsure which party he would join. Soon after receiving the grant he joins the PCs and his business is no more. Wondering if they are trying to add to the resume of some of these candidates to give them more credibility for the next election. I know Obby and Klein were tight in the byelections and I wouldn't be surprised to see Teitsma and Morley-Lecomte pushed too. I'm sure they'll all be front and centre giving away tax dollars making a ton of announcements over the next few months with Stefanson in preparation for the next election.

I'm aware and also aware that it is being considered within the city as well. Urban teachers are not getting their mandated preps because they are being forced to do coverage because of a lack of subs. There really isn't all that much motivation to sub with the pay/conditions being what they are and parents may have to accept that their kids are being taught by unqualified replacements going forward.

I'm so f-ing sick of this government having such a low expectation of the intelligence of Manitobans to fall for sh** like this! "We'll help you from the evil federal government and their unjust carbon tax". I'm also sick of so many Conservative voters living up to their assessments of their intelligence at the ballot box. Edit - I like this part from Dougald Lamont - Continually cutting revenue sources, selling off profit-making enterprises, and giving away public funds as rebate cheques in lame attempts to buy votes. Poor people making $170,000 that are struggling to survive with an oppressive carbon tax - we're fighting for you. Poor property owners that unjustly have to pay a share towards education - we're fighting for you. Meanwhile the healthcare system is bursting (by design) and non-certified substitutes are being recruited. No plan for the future other than to try to get elected again. Can not wait until they are voted out and we have a government with more fiscal responsibility. Current NDP may not be the greatest, but the PCs just keep setting the bar lower and lower. Honestly don't know how someone can legitimately defend a vote for this party anymore. /rant over (temporarily)

But think of how much the economy was stimulated! I'm sure if you look at the books from Rebel News and the like, their profits went through the roof by feeding the misinformation.

I appreciate this post, but a few points: - The divisions have been brewing for a long time, but have definitely become worst from the whole Covid situation and response. I think some people from both sides have a tendency to project the other side as the extremes of the other side. I think the right / alt-right has really used this to win political points and gain money/power. See - Pollievre, Pierre. An interesting book on the increasing political divisions is 'Why We're Polarized' by Ezra Klein. - The rich have become richer, just as they've been doing for decades. I don't believe this is any conspiracy with media or government related to Covid that has caused this as you'd really have to have a ton of people in on it that definitely aren't towing the government message anymore (see below related to medical professionals going against public messaging currently). Like all crises, Covid just provided another way for rich and powerful to adapt quickly and take advantage in a new way. - It seems to me the new government message (at least provincially) is to disregard Covid and get on with life. This was a fairly sudden change that wasn't based in medical reality according to many doctors (I believe the majority, but how would I really be able to say that for sure). Doctors Manitoba was critical of the province for this and many other doctors spoken out about it as well. - If you don't trust the government or mainstream media there are several good medical professionals I follow. All of them are very much pro Covid vaccination and many have been outspoken that they mask up and encourage others to do the same, if not call on the province to reintroduce masking requirements. A small selection of ones I've learned a lot from: Jason Kindrachuk, PhD (Assistant Professor - Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases), Dr. Julie Lajoie (U of M researcher with PhD in immunology and virology) - I've talked with her personally and she's presented in my class, Angela Rasmussen, PhD (Virologist), Dr. David Fisman (U Toronto, Epidemiology), Dr. Philippe Lagace-Wiens (St. Boniface Hospital, Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease). I think it is easy to find the odd doc to support whatever viewpoints someone may have, but I've tried to not have a selection bias for pro-vax, pro-masking. A problem is that he tries to argue what is and what he sees anecdotally as a counter to arguments about what ought to be. Its like saying we shouldn't fight climate change because he sees cars driving around daily. I'm not sure if its an intentional lack of critical thinking or just an attempt to make a convenient argument that hopefully nobody will see through. Saying that this board has some type of selection bias for people who believe Covid is serious where nobody in "the real world" would argue against him is also pretty odd.

Wonder why he would do such a thing 🤔

Singh threatening to pull support for the government if they fund provincial healthcare that expands privatization. Canada's health-care system under threat from both Liberals and Conservatives: Singh | CBC News

I think the point was the dates on the stories and how things have shifted.

If only other countries would be willing to match Russia's donations...

Not to mention how many politicians suddenly find themselves in top roles for corporations that were beneficiaries of their governing once they leave office.

'Freedom Convoy 2.0' in jeopardy as top organizer announces cancellation | CBC News So apparently the convoy is off.... or perhaps it is on? No irony in it being a "unity convoy" but they can't even have a consistent message/plan amongst their little play group.

Highly, highly recommend the book "The New Confessions of an Economic Hitman" or the older version. Spells out exactly how this happens and how the CIA is a tool of corporations. This is often done through monetary loans that pass over state power to corporate power. This doesn't just happen in Central/South America, but that is where it is most well known. For anyone who may not be aware, this book (or others like it) could change the way international relations and corporate power are viewed.

To see that another way, China has done a great job at protecting their citizens from Covid and minimizing chances of variants developing in their substantial population thus far. Their initial lack of containment and attempts to cover up the virus were very much detrimental, but their efforts to contain the virus over the past few years surely helped the global population. The lack of containment outside of China has now caught up to them. I'm not a fan of the Chinese regime at all, but from anecdotal accounts I have heard, they were mostly able to live life as normal throughout most of the pandemic. It makes me wonder where we would be in the world today if other governments took a lot of the same mitigation steps they did. Perhaps Omicron would never have evolved, I'm not really sure. Again, not a fan of the regime. Not a fan of the inhumane ways they have tried to shut down Covid (forcefully locking people in buildings for example). But after the initial failures, their containment certainly helped the world's effort to limit spread and now the lack of containment worldwide and more virulent variants have caught up to them. I also don't believe their decision to drop zero-Covid was due to economic concerns, but due to worry about anti-Government sentiment spreading and a desire to hold ultimate power over the people.

Our province has got rid of significant revenues (Education Property Tax) with no plan for funding education in a bid to buy votes with public funds then misused Federal funds they have been given. Next they spend public funds for advertising to blame the feds for a healthcare crisis. I honestly don't know how more people don't see through the B.S. They've given up significant funds, mainly given by the most wealthy in the province, and now need to use other funds to fund one of their biggest expenditures (Education). I still can't see how they can campaign as fiscally responsible.

And now threating "consequences" to US/NATO if they provide Ukraine with Patriot air defense missiles so the citizens can have heat/water. Russia warns of 'consequences' if U.S. sends Patriot air defence missiles to Ukraine | CBC News Putin is creating a humanitarian catastrophe and trying to deny other nations the opportunity to help resist it. Heartless bastard. Hopefully he gets what is coming to him soon.

Another issue is the pay received by subs. It is fairly meagre compared to the job requirements. Needing two degrees and at least 5 years of post-secondary to receive less than EAs make and not have any benefits or job security. I opted to work in construction until I had a teaching job rather than dealing with sub life.

One thing with the two most recent by-elections is that it shows voters who is the contender if they want to replace the PCs, which I think both ridings and many others in the province clearly do. The results in Fort Whyte show that, if you want to replace the PCs, you should vote for the Liberals. The results from Kirkfield Park don't really indicate who to focus votes on, but seeing as NDP were second, I'd assume a lot of the Liberal support there will go to defeating the PCs when it really matters. I think Dougald and the Liberal's strategy in these byelections is to show that they should be considered the frontrunner for the non-PC vote and they performed fairly well in that respect. Curious to where longtime PC voters place their votes if they choose not to support the party in the next election. Do they consider the Liberals? Do they just stay home on election day? The divide between the PCs and the other parties likely makes it difficult for them to park their votes elsewhere. I'd like for there to be three legitimate parties in Manitoba which make it hard to win a majority, but unfortunately the distance between the PCs and Lib/NDP mean that any non-PC vote will be split. This gives the PCs a chance to remain in power while being remarkably disliked.

Potentially, but I still see the outcome as the result of vote splitting. Liberals made almost 12% gains in the riding, which combined with NDP were over 20%. My anecdotal experience of seeing many houses displaying both NDP and Liberal signs at the same time indicates that there was a clear desire to remove the PCs. Klein is definitely a known name, especially with his recent failed mayoral election campaign. Both the Liberal and NDP candidates were running for the first time that I know of. Combined with the narrow win Obby Khan in the PC stronghold of Fort Whyte, this should be concerning to all parties. PCs are seeing large losses while NDP and Liberals are finding difficulty breaking through due to vote splitting between the two. My take on this is that if we have electoral reform like ranked ballots, the PCs wouldn't stand a chance.

For me its more that the US administration traded to get the life of one, somewhat famous American at the likely expense of many unknown Ukrainian lives & livelihoods. I don't have evidence to back it up, but I would Bout will be able to help (re)arming Russia in the face of sanctions. If that's correct, I'd say it wasn't the right thing to do. Also setting expectations that Russia can detain without significant reasons and use them as a pawn to get something they want. Maybe I'm missing something. I hope I am.

Seatbelts? Government conspiracy to try to show they can control us! Winter Tires? Attempt by the tire industry to increase sales!

This was Pallister's "possibly most diverse cabinet in the history of the country" The Metis "doctor" MLA is only part of the cabinet because the previous person resigned over Pallister defending residential schools, only for the the incoming minister to immediately defend residential schools. From connections I have, I'm aware these types of ignorant and racist views are well-known about Lagimodiere. I'm not sure which party would be considered more technically qualified. It seems as though PC party is more skewed to business and finance where NDP members are skewed towards social services. Obviously, that's not shocking. What is pretty clear is which members are more representative of Manitobans. In the latest byelection Kevin Klein had a narrow victory while the NDP and Liberals both performed well. I work in the area and there were tons of NDP/Liberal lawn signs for the same residence. I really don't see that very often. I think that is a pretty good indication Klein only has the seat due to vote-splitting of NDP/Liberals. I'm a fan of the provincial Liberal party, but starting to lean towards @JCon sentiments that they are allowing PCs to be in a position of power despite the desires of the general population.