The absolute horror of what happened in Paris this week saddened and outraged right-thinking people everywhere.
The slaughter of journalists whose only crime was to challenge authority and poke fun was gut-wrenching.
Charlie Hebdo is not anti-Islam. It goes after all organized religions with satire and sometimes with questionable taste.
It is not racist.
But for some twisted maniacal believers, it was too much and dissent, as in much of the Muslim world, is not tolerated.
It’s impossible to try to understand why someone would kill because of a cartoon, and in the process trying to kill press freedoms which, like it or not, include the freedom to be offensive.
In many countries modern ideas such as democracy, free speech, and sexual equality are abhorrent.
The message to silence free speech is equally abhorrent.
Once again the terrible events of this week show us how terror can strike anytime, anywhere, and certainly no one is immune; not in Canada, not in Australia, not in France.
We are at war with fanatics and their Jihad.
It’s up to us to ensure in this battle that we never sacrifice our freedoms.
Too many Canadians died defending them.
Terror threats could boost Stephen Harper
In Canada, the more the world seems unsafe the better it is for Stephen Harper’s prospects. Security is the Tories’ strong suit.
We will have an election this year.
The date circled on the calendar is October 19th but it’s not unreasonable to think that we could be voting in the spring.
Harper’s approval numbers keep going up, although he is still second in polls, because the alternatives seem to be having an increasingly difficult time making their cases and connecting with voters.
Provincially in this new year, the A word will be front and centre this year as the Liberals push through their austerity agenda.
Expect a rowdy spring full of protests but the government will not back down.
That’s the strong medicine Quebec needs right now
The real treat will be watching the PQ leadership race unfold as this cast of characters stumbles down sovereignty lane with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads.
Making predictions in politics is pretty much a mug’s game as Churchill said.
Political ability is being able to foretell what’s going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month and next year and to have the ability afterward to explain why it didn’t happen.
Pathetic snow removal in Montreal
Finally this week, let’s be honest, somebody screwed up in snow and ice clearing in Montreal after Sunday’s ice storm
The city blames the unions. The unions blame the city for the slow response in getting salt and sand out, particularly on our sidewalks, which were disasters.
The city of Montreal said global warming was to blame because crews are best trained for snow, not ice.
Really? That’s the best you can come up with?
Here’s the thing… when it’s pouring rain and every forecaster for days has been predicting a flash freeze you don’t sit around to consider your options and wait until it happens.
You act, because that’s why you are elected.
Broken promises in this case have led to broken bones.
