Why do we pay Steve Paikin?

As an Ontario citizen, I'm happy to pay taxes for roads, hospitals, health care, social programs. In fact, I often argue that I should pay more taxes. I'm a socialist. I love it.

But I'm kind of getting tired of paying Steve Paikin's salary. Paikin - for those who don't know him (and that would be the overwhelming majority of Ontarians) - is the self-important twit who seems to be the only on-air personality still employed by TVOntario.

TVOntario has been slashed repeatedly first by Harris, then Eves and now McGuinty - to the point that their "news" department doesn't even have staff at the Ontario Legislature (a state of affairs Paikin happily burbles about in the Globe and Mail this week). Yet, for reasons that elude me, Paikin not only survives the cuts, he thrives.

The latest incident of his twittiness to make my blood boil was on his blog. His blogroll (which, again, I'm helping to pay for) has three shout-outs: to former Liberal staffer Hershel Ezrin, former Liberal staffer Warren Kinsella and current Liberal candidate Bob Rae.

Seriously if TVO's putting up Elwy Yost, Polkaroo, I'm happy to contribute. But money that could hire a couple of teachers should not be waste on Steve Paikin.

Jimmy Carter is a bigot. Who knew?

The US State Department has concluded that all of CUPE is anti-semitic. See page 35 of their new report.

Evidently comparing Israeli policy to apartheid era South Africa means you hate all Jews.

Someone should tell Jimmy Carter.

Harper turns to 8-year-old reporter for support

The funniest part of Stephen Harper's Statement of Claim against the Liberal Party?

I gotta go with clause 15: "On June 12, 2005 Mr. Cadman was interviewed by Daniel Cook of CKNW..."

For the record this...















... is Daniel Cook. The child star of "This is Daniel Cook" and, evidently, a key player in Cadman-gate.

Elect the most unpopular Premier in Ontario's history?

"Who knows what these people might do?" Bob Rae asks of the NDP.

The guy who became the poster-child for NDP ineptitude with his directionless leadership as an NDP Premier is now running as the guy who will save Canada from the NDP. Oh Bob.

The sad thing is, before Bob, the NDP used to have a pretty good track record with government. We elected Premiers like this guy and this guy and this guy. They brought in radical changes like socialized medicare and public auto insurance. They are widely respected and people look fondly at their time in government.

Opponents of the NDP actually had a hard time arguing that the NDP couldn't govern until Bob Rae came along.

This time they mean it!

Liberals threaten election.

Make your own platform!

This is neat. Spain's recently re-elected Socialists have their platform available online - but they insist on customizing it for you after you answer some questions about yourself.

This is either a concession of failure on the part of socilaists who promised to build a new society focussed on the collective good or a clever election outreach tool. Or both.

If you were John McCain...

... would you start your ad with a long clip of someone going on about all the places you'd be fighting?



I know Churchill is inspiring but he was talking about fighting off an invasion of his country. Not, um, invading another country and then fighting everywhere because everyone hated you.