felis_ultharus: The Pardoner from the Canterbury Tales (Default)
felis_ultharus ([personal profile] felis_ultharus) wrote2006-05-25 06:21 pm
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Life

I had very minor surgery on my back today. Nothing serious, but quite painful, and it's reduced my mobility some. I also have to go into the CLSC for bandage changes. I should be back to normal sometime next week.

I still got very far on my writing, though today. I'm pleasantly surprised at my current pace. And we're still having a game this Sunday, minus [livejournal.com profile] foi_nefaste, who has no car access.

Politics

I was still seething from the Bloc Québécois's support of the budget. While they were a separatist party, they were cool on a lot of other issues, but they've really jumped the shark. First the ugly compromise with the homophobes in the party, and now supporting the budget from hell.

I wanted to find out what Liberal support for the budget was, and came across a nasty surprise. This is the page of the edited Hansard -- the minutes of government debates -- that mentions the passing of the budget. This is the same page for last year's budget.

Anyone notice a difference? We no longer get to find out who voted how. We no longer get to find out how our elected officials are voting on issues.

Even Martin would never have dreamed of operating a government at this level of secrecy.

EDIT: It's not as diabolical as it first appeared -- the House voted not to have a formal vote, and pass it without one. That's still kind of creepy -- and I can't find a single other budget where that's happened -- but it's legal.

[identity profile] teecs.livejournal.com 2006-05-25 03:58 pm (UTC)(link)
I hope you're feeling better :)
It must feel good to be getting so much work done even when you are not feeling well. Good for you.

[identity profile] felis-ultharus.livejournal.com 2006-05-25 04:41 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs*

Thanks :)

[identity profile] archdiva.livejournal.com 2006-05-25 06:06 pm (UTC)(link)
I wish you a speedy convalescence.

[identity profile] felis-ultharus.livejournal.com 2006-05-26 09:46 am (UTC)(link)
*hugs*

Thank you :)

[identity profile] jenjoou.livejournal.com 2006-05-25 07:59 pm (UTC)(link)
I hope you feel better. I know from my father how painful back surgery can be. *hug*

And the Canadian government has been scaring me a lot lately....

[identity profile] felis-ultharus.livejournal.com 2006-05-26 09:49 am (UTC)(link)
This one isn't as diabolical as I thought. It's a procedural void. But it's still a problem, especially at a time when Harper is shutting down the press in this country -- this procedural void could mean we'd have no way of finding out what was going on half the time :/

And thank you.

*hug*

[identity profile] yumemisama.livejournal.com 2006-05-26 12:50 am (UTC)(link)
Minor medical procedures are always educational! This week, I learned I need two root canals, and that I'm severely allergic to Vicodin. It has not been one of my better vacations. You have all the sympathy I can actually manage to locate after the Percocet kicks in.

I have no idea what all the Canuckistanian politics are about, but I hope your back feels better soon. ^^;;

[identity profile] felis-ultharus.livejournal.com 2006-05-26 09:51 am (UTC)(link)
Yikes. I've had root canals. I can't imagine them without painkillers :/

As for the politics, don't worry. Some Canadians (and at least one American) comes here for the politics, while others are here for the humour or general geekery ^_^

[identity profile] urbangeo.livejournal.com 2006-06-07 08:23 am (UTC)(link)
I just came across this article about the budget. I'm not sure why it came out so late but it's interesting to read:

http://www.cbc.ca/story/business/national/2006/06/06/budget.html

[identity profile] felis-ultharus.livejournal.com 2006-06-08 02:20 am (UTC)(link)
I just found about that, too. No one was more surprised that they were entered as supporting a Harper budget than the NDP and Liberals.

I don't think the new Speaker knows what he's doing :/