Chronological Index of Ensign Articles for
December of 2003

Parkland Photography Club November Meeting

Monday
December 1, 2003
by: Gerald Crawford
Tisdale: The Photo Club met last Tuesday night to compare projects and get the kind of creative support that leads each member to try new things in expanding their ability and photo taking skills. This Month's competition was "Squares."

Instant Computer Lab Monday December 1, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: An outstaniding system allows a school to move a complete lab into any area providing each user with fully operation computer and a connection to the Internet with printing capability.

Marriage, be it same sex, same family, same harem Monday December 1, 2003 by: Ron Thornton Edmonton: The same day that a Saskatoon Member of Parliament was embarrassing himself and his party over this issue, an Edmonton reporter wanted to find out what Liberal Member of Parliament really thought about it and she reported what he said. Our man in Edmonton, Ron Thornton took exception to her comments. Might be a good idea to read the references first then this story.

The Greenwater Report Monday December 1, 2003 by: Gerald Crawford Greenwater Provincial Park: Blowing snow, a wolf, an angel food cake, a hiding fawn and Foam Lake kids make up some of this week's report.

The Conservative Party of Canada: An 'evolution' of the Tory Party? ... or Reform's latest guise? Monday December 1, 2003 by: Joe Hueglin Niagara Falls: It is clear now that Alliance members have swamped the Progressive Conservative Party's process to vote on a merger. As with so many things that seem attractive when you want them, once you get them, is this really a workable situation or just yet another name change.

You can do your shopping here this year Tuesday December 2, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: Join me in downtown Tisdale to see what's here for this year's Christmas shopping season.

Another year another Dividend day Tuesday December 2, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: Another year has sped by as seniors made their way to the table at the back of the Beeland Co-op today to pick up their dividend cheques.

Ryan S-C 1938 to 1941 Wednesday December 3, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Oshkosh Wisconsin: As the depression was beginning to recover somewhat in the United States the Ryan Aeronautical Co. produced this remarkable all metal three place flying sports coupe.

The hypocrisy of the American Free Market and the fallacy of Productivity: Agricultural subsidies, steel tariff, quota on bras, and casualties of wars Wednesday December 3, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin: Though the Americans preach the wonders of the free market system yet at every turn they do everything possible to undermine and conflict with that same system when it is not to their advantage. This story has outstanding references that illustrate the points made.

Signs of Economic Recovery Haven't Trickled Down Wednesday December 3, 2003 by: Mark Weisbrot Washington: The Economy of the United States talks big, well sort of Texan at that, but even though it showed a remarkable 8.2% growth in the last quarter the employment rate and other economic indicators have not matched the action on Wall Street.

Shopping Tisdale 2003, Part I Thursday December 4, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: Today I set out to get a sample of Christmas shopping in our fair town taking 120 pictures to share with you but I had a little problem with the second set and lost 40 pictures which I will re-shoot tomorrow. But today's tour involves the two blocks downtown.

The Grand old party is gone Saturday December 6, 2003 Today the Progressive Conservative party was taken over by the Canadian Alliance and that seems to be that but earlier this week two different views of the inevitable came in and we can see what Mr. Wolferstan from Victoria has to say in his piece "honourable and noble!" while on the other hand we have Robert Ede's optomistic view "Making the Best of the Tory "Yes", after Voting "No."

honourable and noble! Saturday December 6, 2003 by: W. H. Wolferstan Victoria, B.C.: This commentary also appears in the Friday edition of the Toronto Globe and Mail as Mr. Wolferstan objects to the charactisation of the loyal Progressive Conservatives by a founder of the Canadian Alliance, Scott McDougall. He wonders if this is the way to win friends and influence people.

Making the Best of the Tory "YES" Vote, after Voting "NO" Saturday December 6, 2003 by: Robert Ede Richmond Hill Ontario: The reality of the absurd has happened, this story sums up both the reality and the absurd and tosses in some "perhaps we might" thoughts that help to clarify the situation that now faces a sizeable number of Canadians.

Congratulations for your "Foot in Mouth Award" Mr. Misleader Rumsfeld! Saturday December 6, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin: We all chuckled at the convolutions of the American Secretary of Defence's responses but it now is official his "unknown knowns" recitation has been rewarded with the "Foot in Mouth Award".

Shopping in Tisdale, Part II Sunday December 7, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: On Friday we were able to post twenty-one stories or businesses in Tisdale and today we add to that number with most of the businesses in the Tisdale Mall. We still are missing a few and will get them late this week in part III.

The United States is officially breaking the constitutionality of the Rule of Law Sunday December 7, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin: This dramatic series of quotes points out the dangerous cross over the world's remaining superpower has taken as it now considers only it to be able to judge what is right and unless the issue is in that country's interest it will carry out whatever action it chooses.

Regina, December 2003 Thursday December 11, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Regina: For three days I drove around Regina, a place in which I have lived and worked but now only viist. This story is a set of pictures with some commentary about what it is about yet the pictures and the story are well above the surface.

The Greenwater Report Thursday December 11, 2003 by: Gerald Crawford Greenwater Provincial Park: Clear ice, northern lights, stories of wildlife and a new bar for Porcupine Plain.

Reindeer and Santa Claus Friday December 12, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: Time for a picture with Santa or with his reindeer. Today at the Tisdale Mall.

Al Gore endorses presidential candidate Howard Dean: An opportunity for peace and a just American Community Friday December 12, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin: Howard Dean, the former governor of Vermont seems to be taking the lead in the American Democratic nomination process and further gathered momentium this week when the Democratic candidate from the last presidential election Al Gore endorsed Dean because of his appropriate attitude toward the Iraq mistake.

America's Hidden Human Rights Problem: Freedom of Association Friday December 12, 2003 by: Mark Weisbrot Washington: The United States is in the worst shape of all developed countries as its workers have not shared in the gains in productivity while at the same time the laws that govern Union member ship have been almost completely eroded while Americans who would if they could join a union are prevented from doing so.

So Peter MacKay feels "vindicated" Friday December 12, 2003 by: Peggy Smith Thunder Bay, Ontario: Though you have heard this argument before here is a clear statement that outlines why the vote to merge the Progressive Conservative Party and the Canadian Alliance was fixed.

Isn't this an opportunity? "Unite the Bright" Friday December 12, 2003 by: Jim Love "I didn't leave the party, it left me!" Canadians from coast to coast wonder what political alternative will best represent the way they feel about things. David Orchard hit a powerful chord that resonated with so many simply because he is a politician who makes sense, practical sense. Maybe its time to be practical, pragmatic and stick to the principles that make us all Canadian.

Watson, the home of the Santa Claus Day Saturday December 13, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Watson: This unique little prairie town is all dressed up for Christmas and we have some pictures to show you taken as a light snow was falling and flakes melting on the windshield.

Judy died of Ovarian Cancer Saturday December 13, 2003 by: Carol M. Martin Courtenay, B.C.: Though we hear a lot about Breast and Prostrate cancer it seems the public is much less aware of the killer Ovarian Cancer which steadily each year takes a remarkable toll of human life. Carol Martin spells out for us the basic information about this deadly disease, a personal story as her good friend died in August.

The ultimate deception of Bush's Free Market: "You are either with us or against us" Saturday December 13, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin: The American press and news media are now beginning to take some hard shots at the American President and what his policies are doing both to the economy and the credibility of the country in general. Ultimately the Americans have to accept the contempt that they as a people are going to be viewed for their conduct during this first part of the century. This story hurls out the points you must ask yourselves and the references provide you with some unpleasant answers.

Ups and Downs, What has been 2003 and what might be 2004 Sunday December 14, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Qu'Appelle Valley: Though it is still two weeks from the end of the year this one is a tough one to call and today we do a little preliminary to the annual New Year's prediction project.

A deeper Free Market in Canada: Charest fights for his privatisation of Quebec Sunday December 14, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin: It appears as though the government of Quebec like that of British Columbia has begun a process of reducing the numbers of public workers and reducing the earns of those still employed while moving more government services into the private sector. The unfortunate facts are that there is no evidence to support the economic positive affects of such action while at the same time the public will be subjected to strikes and the kinds of problems that brought Ontario situations like Walkerton and the inability of Toronto to deal with a medical crisis.

Not exactly a thing of beauty Sunday December 14, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale:It is almost a month since Tisdale's Town council decreed that the people of Tisdale no longer put their garbage in the garbage can stands in their back yards by the alley but instead each garbage day take the cans out to the front of their houses for curb side pickup.

Christmas baking Monday December 15, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: Of course you can go to the bakery but if you want to give someone something that really means something, make it yourself. How about some great cinnimon buns?

Judge Martin’s Cabinet on the job titles and record, not on map locations Monday December 15, 2003 by: Walter Robinson Ottawa: The very large government set forth by the new prime minister has many wondering about costs. Knowing that the prime minister watches the flow of money carefully he has served up a very large platter of government this means he has two choices, either cut many existing programmes or follow the pattern he has followed in the past creating excuses to slap on more taxes.

The Greenwater Report Monday December 15, 2003 by: Gerald Crawford Greenwater Provincial Park: Winter advances as Greenwater folks get together for a pot luck, some fishing stories, and Porcupine's Bar is getting ready to open.

The malfeasances of Bush's Free Market: Halliburton's profits and failure to securitize the Iraqi Army Monday December 15, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin: Something is very rotten in the state of Iraq as Vice President Cheney who still gets $400,000 a year from his company Halliburton each year is charging many times more than a reasonable profit for services and products while the Iraqi Army looks to be very suspicious. Can anyone say "Vietnam?"

Cutting Edge Cutlery Co. Monday December 15, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Regina: Here are a set of pictures of a really unusual shop in Regina's Victoria Square Mall.

The first hundred years Tuesday December 16, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Oshkosh Wisconsin: A hundred years ago powered flight began and it has been rising ever since. We celebrate this occassion with a set of 29 pictures mostly from the third decade of flight when it became a facility of life instead of a screwball experiement.

Van versus wheel and tire Tuesday December 23, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Rose Valley : Trip from Winnipeg nearly complete when a wayward tire torpedoes van early this morning.

The Greenwater Report Tuesday December 23, 2003 by: Gerald Crawford Greenwater Provincial Park: Things have warmed up out at the park while Gerald was off on a hockey trip to Manitoba. But this week's report includes Fisherman's Cover holiday hours and a salute to the new Sears outlet in Porcupine Plain.

May the blessing of Christmas be with you all Wednesday December 24, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: Charles Dickens captured the wonder of Christmas in his "Christmas Carol" and we all remember the line from Tiny Tim "God Bless us everyone."

Bringing Peace at Christmas with our hopes and work Wednesday December 24, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin: A message of peace and hope.

So you got a camera for Christmas, Now what? Saturday December 27, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: The magic of picture taking is less than a positive experience if you expect things to happen without planning and forethought. This is a bit of advise on how to make the results useful and useable for you.

New Advents Facing a New Year Tuesday December 30, 2003 by: Ron Thornton Edmonton: The new year is filled with adventure for those who follow and support politics in this fair land. The new Conservative Party is anointing Stephen Harper and the new prime minister will send us all to the polls in the spring. Ah! just the winter to get through.

Europe and Italy Wednesday December 31, 2003 From: Mario deSantis Nipawin: Mario is a regular serious contributor to this site and today he is bringing us a little humor. We all know how intense Mario and his fellow country-men can get but it is equally true that a fine sense of the ideosyncracies of Italians and their way of life.