(no subject)

EU threatens Canada with visa war.

Amusingly, it's the completely opposite story of what's going on with the U.S.: whereas we're complaining that the U.S. is going to require us to have passport to walk in, in this case it's the E.U. that's complaining that we're still requiring people from 8 of the newest E.U. members to apply for visa to come to Canada. The E.U. wants us to drop the requirement, just like those countries had to drop requiring Canadians (and many other people, presumably) from applying for visas as part of their entry package in the E.U. If we don't drop the requirement, we might have to apply for visas to visit places like France and the U.K. I'm putting $20 on the E.U. winning this round.

---

Le Monde Diplomatique March 2007

Secrets and lies
By Ignacio Ramonet
( Read more... )

Two recent events bear witness to the prevailing schizophrenia. On 7
February representatives of most European governments assembled in Paris and solemnly signed a United Nations convention against enforced disappearances that prohibits secret detention (1). On 14 February the European parliament in Strasbourg adopted a report accusing the same governments of colluding with the United States Central Intelligence Agency in secret abduction operations.

( Read more... )

(no subject)

Le PQ, l'ADQ et le PLQ à égalité statistique

Last week, one week ahead of most commentators, I started talking about a minority government in Québec. Now that they have talked about that, these new poll numbers lead me to think about a possible ADQ minority. I don't think the ADQ can muster a majority (the PLQ is strong in Montréal, and the PQ is gaining some ground on the Liberals in ridings were the Liberals wouldn't win anyway) but after seeing Brian Mulroney on The Hour yesterday, I'm thinking, you know, everything is possible.

An ADQ victory would be a huge boost for Harper's future fortunes in Québec. Keep your eyes peeled.

ETA: Michel Auger, in his cyberpresse blog, recounts the 1990 Bob Rae scenario (en français) to imply that the ADQ (he doesn't name them) is in line to win the election.

compasspoints, what are the options in your riding? :]

(no subject)

Mayan priests to purify sacred archeological site after Bush visit [via mark_morford]