|
|
 |
|
Columnist - Al Hollingsworth
|
|
Written by Al Hollingsworth
|
|
Saturday, 07 March 2009 |
“Because I could not stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me.
The Carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality”
The above quote, by Emily Dickinson, more or less sums up Michael Baker’s interval. He wasn’t stopping for Death, that’s for sure.
It has been said that there are two things we cannot control; or birth and our death, only the interval in between. When our former finance minister passed last Monday, I thought, “Wow, what an interval!” |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Columnist - Al Hollingsworth
|
|
Written by Al Hollingsworth
|
|
Friday, 27 February 2009 |
Steve Murphy always ends his six o’clock CTV News package with “something interesting for last.” Wednesday evening, the “interesting” part came early.
During an interview with Premier Rodney MacDonald, Murphy asked about Nova Scotia contributing $1.5 million to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. He then followed up by asking about the four VIP tickets that were delivered along with 200 other tickets to the games.
I sat in total disbelief when MacDonald said it was the first he knew about the VIP tickets. The first he knew!
Having worked (it began with a major brain cramp) in a Leader’s office for three years, I have a bit of insight into what goes on. Believe me, the Leader had to read every document that came across his desk, and was then debriefed on what he had taken in.
I have a friend who was a close confidant of John Buchanan, and he would call her at two in the morning to be brought up to speed. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Columnist - Al Hollingsworth
|
|
Written by Al Hollingsworth
|
|
Friday, 20 February 2009 |
The last thing Nova Scotia needs is four more years of Rodney MacDonald, a premier who has little or no regard for the system of governance. We have to assume this is because of the precious little time the 52 MLAs spend in the Legislature.
That is where governments are held accountable. John Buchanan, for all his warts, never shunned facing the Opposition. During his years in office, Buchanan’s sessions in the House of Assembly would last for two or three months. With Rodney MacDonald, three weeks seems to be the norm.
The fiddler from Mabou would rather play peek-a-boo, you see him there, you see him here, but never where he should be, at the Legislature. Didn’t he learn anything under Dr. John Hamm? The former premier, the epitome of statesmanlike, regularly faced the heat of accountability. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Columnist - Al Hollingsworth
|
|
Written by Al Hollingsworth
|
|
Friday, 13 February 2009 |
There was more than a touch of irony when Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil leveled both barrels at the president of Nova Scotia Power Inc, during an appearance by Rob Bennett before a Legislative Committee. Bennett, among other things, gave the committee members an update on NSP’s five-year $100 million plan to improve delivery and reliability.
McNeil, born twelfth into a family of seventeen children, knows a tad or two about the struggles of ordinary Nova Scotians. His dad, Bert, died suddenly and his mother was left to raise a large family. Ironically, Bert had been an employee of Nova Scotia Light and Power, first in Halifax and later moving to Bridgetown.
Given this background, when McNeil speaks of the struggles of the poor and working poor, I have one word of advice: listen! He is, as they say, talking the talk after having walked the walk. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Columnist - Al Hollingsworth
|
|
Written by Al Hollingsworth
|
|
Friday, 06 February 2009 |
What was Angus MacIsaac thinking when he stood in front of a wall of anti NDP jargon and tried to frighten the voters of Nova Scotia? Better still, what idiot created the scare tactic? What really galls me is that person is being supported by our hard earned tax dollars.
Quite frankly, he looked silly in the front page picture of Friday’s Chronicle-Herald.
And oh yes, where was Rodney MacDonald? He is the Premier, isn’t he? |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Columnist - Al Hollingsworth
|
|
Written by Al Hollingsworth
|
|
Thursday, 29 January 2009 |
When they begin the twinning of Highway 104 near Antigonish, the three levels of government involved with the infrastructure project should set aside a few pennies for the construction of a look-off. Nothing special; a bit of parking, a bench or two, and most importantly an unobstructed view of what many refer to as the Cathedral Town.
This would provide a place where Nova Scotians can stare at the spire of St. Ninian’s and, when leaving, pause and genuflect. Not because St. Ninian's Cathedral is the Episcopal Seat for the Catholic Diocese of Antigonish, which includes Antigonish, Pictou, and Guysborough Counties on the eastern Nova Scotia mainland, and the entire Island of Cape Breton. But rather, out of respect to the Antigonishers who rule over us. For the truth is that those who think our world revolves around the House of Assembly or One Government Place should think again.
Lest I be accused of pettifogging, let me explain. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Columnist - Al Hollingsworth
|
|
Written by Al Hollingsworth
|
|
Friday, 23 January 2009 |
Now that Fred McGillivary is about to become history at the World Trade Centre, the big question is who will take the helm, take over what is to become a much bigger centre and, maybe, an even bigger arena complex. I’m not sure we need the latter. Another debate for another time.
For the Fred fans who lament his departure, a quick reminder that our graveyards are full of people once thought to be indispensible. Predictably, not one of their departures from this earth caused the world to stop spinning.
Premier Rodney MacDonald often talks about the need to develop the downtown core. On that issue we agree. A much larger world trade centre would be a major step in that direction. That and bulldozing “Pizza Corner.” I digress. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Columnist - Al Hollingsworth
|
|
Written by Al Hollingsworth
|
|
Friday, 16 January 2009 |
About now, at this point in his political career, Rodney MacDonald is probably asking. “Why is everybody always picking on me?” - a line from “Charlie Brown,” the 1959 hit by The Coasters. The catchy tune also has the line, “Who called the English teacher daddy-o?”
We could amend that to “Who called the gym teacher daddy-o?” I stray.
The answer to the question, “Why is everybody always picking on me?” is quite simple; he keeps making himself a target.
For weeks we have been hearing about how investing in infrastructure renewal will help kick start an economic recovery. Pour billions of dollars into “shovel ready” projects and get Canadians working. I think Michael Ignatieff might have coined the “shovel ready” catch phrase. Or was it ultra-conservative John Baird? It matters not who first uttered it, it makes sense. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Columnist - Al Hollingsworth
|
|
Written by Al Hollingsworth
|
|
Saturday, 10 January 2009 |
I have always prided myself on the fact that while I may be dumb, I am not stupid. This thought came rushing back when I heard and read about the Tories gearing up for a spring election. Spring? Does that mean when the season changes or are that they going to spring it on us. Too late for the latter, they’ve tipped their hand.
Earlier this week our fiddle playing emperor, Rodney, not Nero, said when the budget comes down it will be balanced. Then a day or two later, he said the bringing down of the budget would be delayed. Michael Baker must have shown him the books.
The last thing he wants to is convene the legislature and have the truth come out. If Nova Scotia has a balanced budget in a deepening recession then Michael Baker, one of our most courageous citizens, should take over the World Bank. Or, at the very least President-elect Barack Obama should recruit him as his Secretary of the Treasury.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Columnist - D.L. McCracken
|
|
Written by D.L. McCracken
|
|
Thursday, 08 January 2009 |
One and two-bedroom apartments for rent. Fridge/stove included - not necessarily in proper working order. Sporadic heat/hot water included. Close to schools and shopping. Safe community - we have a permanent paddy wagon patrol! Starting at $550. We offer several "little extras" including:
*Pharaoh ants
*Silverfish
*Bedbugs
*Rats & mice
*Broken window glass - provides a lovely breeze in summer!
*Sporadic heating & hot water - you have to get up early if you want that hot shower!
*Mold- don't worry, it's inside the walls - no visible unsightly stains!
*Open door policy -many unit entry doors are missing locks.
*Overflowing dumpster bins - perfect for bird watching! Seagulls and crows in abundance.
*Absent smoke detectors, sprinklers and fire extinguishers - no annoying & time-consuming battery changes!
*Non-working electrical outlets - usually one per unit is working - hey, we do what we can for the environment!
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Columnist - Al Hollingsworth
|
|
Written by Al Hollingsworth
|
|
Saturday, 03 January 2009 |
Sorry, Dinah Washington, not plagiarizing, but the words from your hit of 1959 came rushing back as I stared at the morning paper and the headline Premier gave staff raises. Washington’s album, entitled What a difference a day makes, which featured that great song, won her a Grammy and it also aptly describes the period between the first two publications of the Chronicle-Herald in 2009.
With no paper on New Year’s Day, their first publication of ’09 hit the streets on Friday and had a front page story entitled Money will be tight, premier warns public-sector unions. The story went on to highlight the Premier’s warning to unions that our difficult financial times will affect public-sector bargaining this year. Either the Premier doesn’t know what day (in this case, year) it is or he likes to get a head start on difficult chores. The contract with unionized civil servants doesn’t run out until 2010.
Maybe it is something in the resin. He is back fiddlin’ and breathing in the fine dust. |
|
Read more...
|
|
| << Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next > End >>
| | Results 34 - 44 of 973 |
|
|
|
|
|
