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Columnist - Al Hollingsworth
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Written by Al Hollingsworth
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Saturday, 01 November 2008 |
With two elections behind us and, with any luck, a provincial vote at least a year away, those who follow current events will be for awhile spared those god-awful speeches we are forced to endure. I swear if it weren’t for buzzwords and catch phrases many of our elected leaders would be speechless.
Forgiveness can be granted those at the civic level because they do not employ speech writers. Tune in to Eastlink any Tuesday evening and prepare to be entertained. There are several who, I am convinced, like the sound of their own voices and are led of the Lord to speak on everything and anything. But at least they haven’t paid someone else to construct their tortured sentences.
A new book has hit the shelves. The initial review I read on author Sarah Vowell’s The Wordy Shipmates is compelling and makes me anxious to read this bestselling writer’s latest potential masterpiece. |
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Columnist - Al Hollingsworth
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Written by Al Hollingsworth
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Saturday, 25 October 2008 |
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Last week I wondered aloud about the failure of so many to vote in the federal election. If I had waited a few days, and factored in the turnout for the civic elections, I could have had a real rant. This week, I can almost see why so many can’t be bothered. On Tuesday, HRM council gave thumbs down to the Armour Group’s Waterside Centre. Was it a good decision? I am not an expert on development so I won’t go there. Where I venture is to comment on the decision-making process. Council made a decision, and unless the appeal to the Utilities Board is exercised, that should be the end of it. |
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Columnist - Al Hollingsworth
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Written by Al Hollingsworth
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Friday, 17 October 2008 |
In World War I, also known at the time as “The Great War”, 600,000 Canadians answered the call to serve their country. Of that number, one in ten, or 60,000, paid the supreme sacrifice. One quarter of those who served were wounded. While I was growing up in Windsor, Nova Scotia, I knew a number of the veterans who had come home from this “War to end all wars”, maimed, missing legs, arms, and for many, who were gassed, struggling to breathe.
During the six years of World War II, 42,789 gave their lives in the name of freedom. The Korean Conflict killed 516 young Canadians. In the Vietnam bloodbath it is estimated that between 500 and 1,000 Canadian men and women were killed serving with their American cousins. The exact statistics were difficult to track, because the Canadian contingent was fighting under the American flag.. |
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Columnist - Al Hollingsworth
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Written by Al Hollingsworth
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Friday, 10 October 2008 |
“What you have is an exceptionally lucrative but hidden compensation package”
The above words were uttered by Sean MacDonald, a compensation expert at the University of Manitoba’s Asper School of Business, his take on the pension packages for the members of the Nova Scotia Legislature. “Gold plated; there’s no doubt about that,” he added. Gold plated, hell make that platinum, or some other form of precious metal!
MacDonald has tried to justify the pensions by citing the “low salaries” the MLAs earn. The low he talks about is $84,177. While I take issue with it being “low,” I hasten to add that I have no problem with this salary level. I’m sure most would agree that to attract qualified and competent individuals to run for elected office, we must offer adequate compensation. After all, not everyone would want the life of an MLA – it’s not the most stress free way to earn a living. |
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Columnist - Al Hollingsworth
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Written by Al Hollingsworth
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Saturday, 04 October 2008 |
There is spin doctoring and then there is stupidity. As my departed friend Breen Driscoll used to say, “Here’s two shovels, take your pick.” I don’t know if Len Goucher was trying to spin his way out of the immigrant fees fiasco, or is just unbelievably dense. Either way, his attempt to slough off the report of the Auditor General was nothing short of pathetic.
This is a minister of the crown, an individual sworn to serve the people of Nova Scotia, not just the cluster of Tories who think they own Bedford. Let me tell you a bit about that crowd. |
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Columnist - Al Hollingsworth
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Written by Al Hollingsworth
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Sunday, 28 September 2008 |
I think the cake walk Peter Kelly was expecting is beginning to crumble. When Shelia Fougere changed her strategy and came out swinging at the Chamber of Commerce debate, she suddenly got the attention of the voters. Is it too little too late? I don’t think so.
By focusing in on the leadership issue, she has put Kelly on the defensive, and at the same time exposed his major weakness; playing it safe. The mayor likes to see which way the wind is blowing and then take a stand.
He says by doing this he is representing the majority and addressing our wants and needs. Don’t eat that Elmer.
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Columnist - D.L. McCracken
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Written by D.L. McCracken
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Saturday, 27 September 2008 |
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Thirty plus years ago I walked into a little jeanware shop on Argyle Street in Halifax called The Warehouse. As I was searching for that perfect pair of bell-bottoms the clerk put a new song on their stereo system. At first I paid little attention but gradually I found myself listening intently and thinking that this was the coolest song I had ever heard. I walked up to the counter to pay for my jeans and inquired about the artist singing that hauntingly dark melody that was so compelling. Two minutes later I walked out of The Warehouse clutching my new jeans in one hand and a slip of paper in the other that read, "Madman Across The Water" by Elton John.
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Columnist - Al Hollingsworth
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Written by Al Hollingsworth
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Saturday, 20 September 2008 |
I don’t own a cell phone, I don’t want a cell phone. In fact, I often wish the damned things had never been invented.
Three days a week I ride the Link from Sackville to Halifax .For the most part, the 185 is a pleasant trip….especially the return ride when the traffic has eased. As the price of gas goes up, the ridership on the Link buses increases. In the morning the lineups to board the bus are amazing. |
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Columnist - Al Hollingsworth
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Written by Al Hollingsworth
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Saturday, 13 September 2008 |
Canada’s 16th prime minister gets better with age. Joe Clark, who during his short tenure as prime minister bore the brunt of some pretty cruel jokes, is today one of our most respected citizens. Aspiring politicians should look no further if they are seeking a role model.
On Wednesday, September 10th, at the height of the furor stemming from the exclusion of Elizabeth May from the Leaders’ debate, Clark penned an op-ed piece for the Globe and Mail entitled, “Let Elizabeth May speak.” |
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Columnist - Al Hollingsworth
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Written by Al Hollingsworth
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Friday, 05 September 2008 |
My wife, an astute judge of character, thinks Stephen Harper is a tyrant, and that for him to win a majority would be devastating for our country. I tend to agree, although I will say I like his stand on tougher criminal laws.
That aside, I do concur that a Harper-led majority government would probably drastically change Canada forever. A lot of damage can be done over a four year period. Any doubts? Have a chat with the folks in the arts community. He slashed $44.8 million in federal funding to the arts without batting an eye. |
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Columnist - Al Hollingsworth
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Written by Al Hollingsworth
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Saturday, 30 August 2008 |
Watching Stephen Harper and Stephane Dion spar reminds me of my playground years when a couple of the big boys would strap boxing gloves on a couple of toddlers and we would be reduced to belly laughs as neither could master the gloves, let alone throw a punch.
This statement borders on the politically incorrect, but those two are the classic sissies. Neither inspires me, giving me the urge to jump in line and follow them to Parliament Hill. Years ago, there was a local boxer who said he had a “peek-a-boo” style. Every time he peeked, he would get hit and the fans would boo. Could be Harper, could be Dion. As my old departed friend Breen Driscoll would say, “Here’s two shovels - take your pick.” |
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