Chronological Index of Ensign Articles for
October of 2003

Trojans win season opener over Beardy's Blackhawks

Wednesday
October 1, 2003
by: Timothy W. Shire
Tisdale: A full house was on hand to welcome the first game of the regular "AAA" midget hockey season with Tisdale dominating play in the first, wall to wall penalties in the second and end to end hockey in the third. (This page contains a 500KB QuickTime video clip)

American Wars as an expansion of the privatisation of the Free Market: John Pilger shows the truth behind the war on terror Wednesday October 1, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin:The evidence is piling up and the extent of the cruel lies and the consequences are coming home to roost in the American government's leadership. This story includes a link to a streaming video by John Pilger that documents what is really happening.

Sneaking Under Wednesday October 1, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: Clever work avoided the digging up of the main street through Tisdale this week as repairs to a water line were carried out by drilling under the street.

Hannigan's closes Wednesday October 1, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: The club house for hundreds of Tisdale folks closed today. After nine years owner Garry McPeak said that two issues made operating just to much of a burden, staffing and fixed costs that seem to grow each year.

Schapansky Auction Continues to grow and expand Thursday October 2, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: Bruce Schapansky's auction business seems to have an exponential growth of its own as the site East of town has been developed, redeveloped and now in the process of growing even larger.

The Race to the Bottom of the Free Market Thursday October 2, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin: It seems that to increase profits, the goal of business, is resulting in a never ending search for lower and lower wages that increases the widening gap between extreme wealth and extreme poverty, world wide. To add to this exaggerated devolution the United States has reintroduced warfare as a business strategy.

The leaving leaves of 2003 Friday October 3, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: This page presents a set of fall images from within the town of Tisdale as some tree turn colour while others drop everything on the ground.

Paving the roads with gas tax: Paul Martin’s conversion on the road to 24 Sussex Drive Friday October 3, 2003 by: Walter Robinson Ottawa: Paul Martin as Canada's finance minister found many many ways to grab tax dollars from Canadians under various excuses then plowed that money into general revenue instead of using it for what it was originally collected.

In search of breakfast Friday October 3, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: With Hannigans closed a lot of Tisdale people have had their world seriously upset so it is the editor's quest to find a place to fill the bill for a weekly breakfast, or a daily one for that matter. This story reviews Chicken Delight's breakfast and the "farmer's" breakfast at A&W.

The Free Market of Journalism: Leonard Asper Friday October 3, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin: The Global television network and most of Canada's newspaper are controlled by the Asper family from Winnipeg. Yesterday, Leonard wrote an editorial in which he spells out what he thinks about things and it is implied that his employees if they wish to remain employees had better agree. Mario deSantis has provided you with a link to this interesting document and gives us he impression of the implications.

Lutheran fall rumage sale Friday October 3, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: Another church sale and like the others are bargains. This sale was on today and tomorrow. Be sure to check out the dishes and books.

Our Tree Sunday October 5, 2003 by: Timothy W, Shire Tisdale: This huge poplar (Aspen) tree by our back door is an enormous show off and rarely a day goes by that it does not some how impose itself on the affairs of or lives. Now it has turned to gold and by Thanksgiving will be nude.

Swift Current Civic Election and the Casino Sunday October 5, 2003 by: Edwin Wallace Swift Current: The spread of First Nation run casinos in Saskatchewan has been the promised magic pill to solve economic woes as one city or community after another things they are going to become the next great Las Vegas. This "iffy" question is before the folks in Swift Current and it is interesting to hear what Edwin Wallace has to say about it as he feels the business community has lined as cheerleaders to back a questionable and definitely not proven idea.

The Greenwater Report Monday October 6, 2003 by: Gerald Crawford Greenwater Provincial Park: Lots of people out at the park this past weekend and the Crawfords are back from a trip into Southern, dry Alberta where the harvest as poor as it is, is yet to be completed. Fabulous pictures with this report

.Saskatchewan Autumn Monday October 6, 2003 by: Timothy and Judy. Shire Tisdale: Here is a photo essay showing some scenes from Tisdale to Regina on Saturday.

Isabel Monday October 6, 2003 Somewhere in the Atlantic: Every so often a picture gets sent from friend to friend so that after a short while there is no way of knowing were it came from. Ken Styan got this image and passed it along and even though we have no way of crediting the photographer it seems appropriate that you have a chance to see this remarkable scene.

Trees for a Golden Age Tuesday October 7, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: Today some spruce trees got their start in the field by the Golden Age Centre. With spruce trees living several hundred years this was an historic event.

China's economic experience: social tension, controlled privatization and sustained economic growth Tuesday October 7, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin: We are so often told that there is only one way to success and that's the American way. This story and the referenced material it relies upon suggests that quite the contrary is true. There are many ways for a country huge or tiny to find success in its own way unique to its culture and traditions.

Sasko Park Lodge: no food Tuesday October 7, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: The kitchen staff at Sasko Park Lodge are out of work and the people who live in the facility now eat hospital food.

We aim to please Tuesday October 7, 2003 by: Stan Will Tisdale: Stan Will is manager of Chicken Delight and after checking out "In search of Breakfast" posted last Friday he want to set the record straight. The pictures with this story were taken this morning and include some of Hannigans loyal refugees.

Saskatchewan Party should put tax cuts back on the table Tuesday October 7, 2003 by: David MacLean Regina: The Saskatchewan Party has backed off from its position of seeking tax cuts in Saskatchewan. David MacLean of the Canadian Taxpayers Federations considers this a mistake and wants taxes reduced for business and individuals.

American Trade Deficit and Jobs Losses: Econometric correlation to the undervalued Chinese currency 'yuan/renminbi' Wednesday October 8, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin / The Great Wall near Bejing: Economists and political commentary on television love to use number to support their arguments and points of view. Ultimately, this practice is truly misleading and ignores so many contribution factors which, had they been considered, would have lead to quite different conclusions. The United States is in financial trouble and blames China for its woes when it is the cause of its own problems. This story explains the missing parts that CNN's Lou Dobbs should have been able to explain, but could not. As always, Mr. deSantis has provided you with some amazing references that deal with this issue and what it means for the world economy.

Parkland Photography Club September 2003 Wednesday October 8, 2003 by: Gerald Crawford Greenwater Provincial Park: The September meeting report tells us about projects that the club is working on this year and five pictures showing "part of a building."

This Is Our World, So Let Us Be Glad In It Wednesday October 8, 2003 by: Ron Thornton Edmonton: With only a little sarcasim Ron Thornton points out that with so many things that we can do little about we might as well try to make the best of it.

Pilatus PC-12/45 Thursday October 9, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: A large charter aircraft from Fort Lauderdale Florida was parked at Tisdale airport yesterday. This nine passenger Swiss made, 1997 single engine turbo prop is becoming extremely popular as a regional commuter and executive aircraft. Its single engine lowers maintenance costs and gives this aircraft a remarkable range and load carrying capability.

Martin’s gas tax plan borrows “liberally” but now “wholly” (too bad) from Canadian Taxpayers Federation Municipal Roadway Trust Thursday October 9, 2003 by: Walter Robinson Ottawa: The new deal that future prime minister Paul Martin is talking about is a diluted adaptation of the Canadian Taxpayer Federation's propose set forth many years ago as Mr. Martin and his government have continued to take taxes in the name of road improvements and have used that money for general revenue.

Trojans over Yorkton Harvest 4 - 3 Friday October 10, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: An excellent game in Tisdale last night with most of the scoring in the second period. Tisdale skate and Yorkton kept the action going end to end throughout the game. This story consists of seven video clips showing each goal in the game. To see these clips you need QuickTime installed in your computer.

We have found the enemy and it is the United States: Americans attack the Chinese weapon of undervalued Yuan Friday October 10, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin: The intention by United States and Israel to push for a regime change in Syria is now taking shape and at the same time the economic forces are festering in the United States as that country has identified the Chinese Yuan as the culprit that is hurting its self abused trade deficit world position. This story gives you the facts and the sources that will allow you to much more fully understand the economic basis for this problem.

The Greenwater Report Monday October 13, 2003 by: Gerald Crawford Greenwater Provincial Park: A grandson has gone to China, a banquet, fall colours, photo collections and a pitch for poplar planting are all part of this week's report.

Save some sky for me Tuesday October 14, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire and Andrew Shire Tisdale: This photo collection of sky scapes were taken on Saturday and Monday evening tells both in the pictures and text about thanksgiving. As part of this page is a 750KB QuickTime VR panorama.

Harley Davidson Anniversary Edition Wednesday October 15, 2003 By: Timothy and Andrew Shire Tisdale: On his way home from buying his very own dream machine a Hudson Bay resident stopped at the Tisdale 7/11 and we got these pictures so that you too can see what captured his imagination.

Waiting to go South Wednesday October 15, 2003 by: Timothy and Andrew Shire Tisdale: Arctic migratory geese North of Tisdale on Saturday fill the camera with images of clever travelers who make their way North and South each year dodging buckshot.

The in-between Wednesday October 15, 2003 by: Andrew Shire Tisdale: They are everywhere, over streams, gullies, rivers, they connect one place with another, they are bridges and are one of man's attempts to over come his environment. As an effort of humans to triumph over nature they are almost always in places that are interesting and present a contrast worth yet another picture.

St. Matthew's Fall Sale Thursday October 16, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: This sale is a big one, running from this morning until noon Saturday and there are all kinds of mysterious and wonderful items. From pumpkins to pullovers the Anglican Church pulls in a huge crowd.

The Mall Sunday October 19, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Regina: A culture, a sign of the times and perhaps a marketplace, this pictorial story examines the Cornwall Mall in Regina as it appeared Saturday afternoon.

Pulling the Plug Monday October, 20, 2003 by: R. W. Shire Regina: This set of outstanding images was created this morning and shows Wascana Lake in Regina as it was being drained to get ready for the deepening of the man-made lake this coming winter.

Flossing Guinness record attempt Monday October 20, 2003 by: Matthew Shire Regina: People are an odd lot and when it comes to setting world records it seems you just can't hold them back. Today one of Regina's high school's had a shot at breaking a world record and we have the pictures that tell the story.

Flu shooting Monday October 20, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: The public health programme to reduce the risk of serious and possibly chronic illness from each year's infections that make their way from community to community each fall and spring when Canadians spend much of their time indoors.

Election platforms lacking key components Monday October 20, 2003 by: David MacLean Regina: On first reading it sounds like Mr. Maclean is coming out pretty strongly in favour of the Saskatchewan's tax cutting plans for the province but his real message is that all three parties are not paying attention for the need for fiscal responsibility and debt retirement.

The division of the Free Market, Geo-Politics and Religious Dogmatism Monday October 20, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin: The United States Deputy minister of Defense is an active General in the United States Special Forces yet claims that God put the US president in power and that he is confident because his God is bigger than the enemy's God. This is not a joke.

PC/CA Merger - History In The Making, Or Just History About To Repeat Itself? Monday October 20, 2003 by: Ron Thornton Edmonton: The struggle to rationalise the conservative and reform elements of the Canadian political landscape is not knew and though it could be a historical event there is more coersion in this merger than seems appropriate.

The Saskatchewan Party In Carrot River Valley Tuesday October 21, 2003 by: Allan Kerpan Tisdale: Here you get to hear and see the candidate for the Saskatchewan Party, Allan Kerpan gives you his intentions and what he aims to do as member of what he expects as a Saskatchewan Party government after the provincial election. This page has a 1.8MB QuickTime video clip of Mr. Kerpan.

A decade of taxpayer abuse … from politicians and bureaucrats alike Tuesday October 21, 2003 by: Walter Robinson Ottawa: What is most objectionable about the present government has been its bold dishonesty about the reasons it collected taxes and what it did with the money. This story lists the violatons of public trust and suggests that Paul Martin is likely to follow this same trend for indeed it was he that carried out most of the deception in the past.

Wasn't this province down that very road? Tuesday October 21, 2003 by:: Joyce Neufeld Waldeck: Never ask a weatherman about the predictions he made yesterday about today's weather. Politicians have counted on the public thinking in terms of weather rather than consequences of bad government and Joyce Neufeld provides us with a quick recall of the last time election promises like the ones we are hearing this year were made and we are still paying for the tax cuts and corporate give-aways of a decade ago.

The Greenwater Report Tuesday October 21, 2003 by: Gerald Crawford Greenwater Provincial Park: The flowers still bloom as fall moves along. The neighbour saw up some lumber and Gerald gives us his wisedom on cartoons, rural industry and China.

Another democratic step forward in Bolivia: Gringo Gony Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada has gone Tuesday October 21, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin: Once more the oppression of colonialism and exploitation by the developed world has been sorted out as Bolivia changes presidents and the pro-American former president flees to Miami. This story is accompanied by borrowed images from various news sources taken yesterday and some outstanding references that document the story.

Total about face Tuesday October 21, 2003 by: Rebecca Gingrich Princeton, Ontario: Both leaders won their jobs but promising not to merge with anyone else and both have reversed their position. Now they want to go into an election without hammering out policy, they think they should be trusted.

Curling season sliding along Wednesday October 22, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: The curling season got underway this week in Tisdale.

The end of a national alternative Wednesday October 22, 2003 by: Joe Hueglin Niagara Falls: With the membership of the Progressive Conservative Party open Canadian Alliance members are buying up memberships and will be eligible to vote on a merger with the Alliance. To many Progressive Conservatives it looks like their party has been hijacked.

Shallow-brained sellout Thursday October 23, 2003 by: Judith Koritar Lennoxville, Quebec: A poem to let you consider the merger of two of Canada's political parties.

Mark Pitzel New Democratic Candidate for Carrot River Valley Friday October 24, 2003 by: Mark Pitzel Tisdale: Its about what is important to a civil society and recognising what is good and how to retain the elements of Saskatchewan life that make it a good place to live and raise a family. (This page contains a QuickTime video clip of nearly 6MB but will stream in download.)

Finding Nemo Friday October 24, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire (Images by: PIXAR) Tisdale: Here is a short review of the very best picture I have seen this year. Created by PIXAR and distributed by Disney and showing as a free matinee Saturday and Sunday in Tisdale.

The Free Market needs restructuring and Conventional Economists need a new mind: People before Money, Employment before GDP Friday October 24, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin: Throughout the world the economic situation for all developing countries has been a failure for the past twenty years, since the prominence of the World Bank and the International Monitary Fund with one single exception, China. This very well researched article with its references exposes the deep set cause for so much resentment and hostility toward the world's only remaining superpower.

First snow of the season Friday October 24, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: It is inevitable, once a year the snow falls and after that it tends to fall again and again. It has begun.

Friday there was snow Monday October 27, 2003 by: Timothy and Judy Shire la Ronge: Driving back to Tisdale from LaRonge the scene was definitely that of winter.

Regina drying up Monday October 27, 2003 by: Matthew Shire Regina: This is a collection of some pictures in Regina taken this past week that shows the emptying of lake.

The Greenwater report Monday October 27, 2003 by: Gerald Crawford Greenwater Provincial Park: Snow, more snow and rain wet down the park a bit but Gerald has time to get to a farmers market, a dinner theatre, fall supper and Kelvington's Harvest Hoedown.

Tisdale Writers Group celebrates fifteen year anniversary Monday October 27, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: Saturday afternoon the writers of this prestigeous group did readings from their latest work an anthology for the group.

laRonge sunset Monday October 27, 2003 by: Timothy and Judy Shire laRonge: These scenes are dramatic and share with us the moments photographed by Judy Shire last wednesday as the day came to a close.

A new street in laRonge Monday October 27, 2003 by: Timothy and Judy Shire laRonge: Development is the norm in Saskatchewan's most central Northern centre as it continues to grow year after year and a new street is being cut through the forest.

Tec-Water Supplies Tuesday October 28, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: High tech company moves to its new facility in downtown Tisdale where it provides processed water and manufactures complete water systems for farm water purification.

What's fair is fair Tuesday October 28, 2003 by: Bev Currie Swift Current: The unusual goings on in Ottawa with the former Privacy Commissioner definitely caught our attention but there is more to this story and maybe there is something in it for us, . . . maybe not!

MacKay accepts what he speaks against Tuesday October 28, 2003 by: Joe Hueglin Niagara Falls, Ontario: The weekend meetings of the Progressive Conservative national executive has left the door open for Alliance members to buy memberships in the party and control the vote on a merger with their own party.

A splendid beginning Tuesday October 28, 2003 by: Matthew Shire Portage la Prairie: A marvellous set of pictures of a prairie sunset as seen looking West on the Transcanada highway on October 19th.

Is this NDP Saskatchewan Government a Jerk? The hiring of SAIC and the protecting of Police Superintendent Brian Dueck Tuesday October 28, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin: Based on the decision by the government to continue to waste money on the SHIN project and use a United States military contractor SAIC while still failing to do anything about the mess within the justice system, Mr. deSantis does not want to see the NDP government re-elected. This story includes a 936KB video clip.

When in doubt . . . Wednesday October 29, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: So what was all that unseemly behaviour about? Some explanation of what was really happening and the winners and losers.

Big Tents, big Hopes, Big Deal? Wednesday October 29, 2003 by: Ron Thornton Edmonton: Though many want to see a united conservative movement in Canada that can provide an alternative to the Liberal party the reality is hopelessly confusing as Canada's historical and political structure is what it is and Canada is not the sum of its parts but the sum of Quebec and Ontario.

Freestar Thursday October 30, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Naicam: Ford sets out to match and exceed the imports and has redesigned the Windstar. The changes are so significant that it warranted a name change.

The politics of deception and manipulation in changing economic structures: Saskatchewan politics, Professor Shadia Drury and the Bush's Straussians Thursday October 30, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin: A University of Saskatchewan Professor has spotted the problems that stem from political leaders assuming a role as authoritarian know it alls and what happens when they misslead their followers. This story has some fascinating ramifications and you owe it to yourself to find out about Leo Strauss and Professor Drury.

Turning the page Thursday October 30, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: The moment in time that sees one season become another is not always clean as we have some years where it is hard to tell what season it is. This year the changes have been dramatic, no question about when fall arrived and just as clearly this weekend and the week to come we are seeing winter line up and walk its way across this part of the country.