Marathon, Ontario: microcosm of global economic crisis

I started out this morning checking out some of the major media web sites to see how the Stephen Harper media blitz in New York yesterday was playing. My first stop was at thestar.com, the web site of Canada's largest daily newspaper.

Not a mention of Canada's prime minister and his foray into the United States. However, to me, the Star's top story brought home the grim reality of the seriousness of the economic crisis we are facing in Canada and around the world.

David Giuliano, the moderator of the United Church of Canada, and a minister in Marathon, Ontario, just down the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks from Chapleau, my home town, has issued a letter urging Canadians to come together and help each other in these difficult times.

In Marathon, he notes that Marathon Pulp Inc has closed and is under bankruptcy protection, a tale being told in so many communities across Canada today. "Everyone here," he writes, "builder to baker, teacher to preacher, works directly or indirectly for the mill or the already vanishing mines..." adding that it "feels like a microcosm of what is happening to the economy across the country and around the world."

See full story at http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/592083

Just yesterday I was in a grocery store in Cranbrook, British Columbia, where I live, and the cashier was telling me how the impact of the shutdown of the Tembec mills in the areas was starting to hurt. "People have no money," she said and very bad sign, "are starting to live on their credit cards." They hope the shutdowns will be shortlived of course but who knows.

Similar stories are being told everywhere these days.

The Toronto Star article goes on to provide other examples of how the churches are moving to help in this time of crisis, which to me is wonderfully positive news. For all of us it is a time when we need to focus on those things that bring us together rather than those that divide us, and that is really to do all we can for those in need.

Back to the so called Harper media blitz. It seems to me he is trying to play Barack Obama. Well, if he is, he should note that the American president returned home quickly from his visit to Canada and has been front and centre in working on plans to solve the crisis, and tonight Mr Obama delivers his first State of the Union address to the American Congress.

Kudos to Mr Guiliano for speaking out! The letter can be read at http://www.united-church.ca/

Please post comments and any ideas you may have to help out! Email me at mj.morris@live.ca

US ELECTION NIGHT AT THE WHITE HOUSE (ANAHEIM)

I received an email from my good friend Bruno Serato who owns the Anaheim White House restaurant. He plans quite a party on November 4, election day in the United States, but it has a twist -- both Democrats and Republicans will be attending. Good stuff Bruno to focus on those things that bring people together like a great meal at your restaurant.



Two years ago I was privileged to be Bruno's guest along with model Leighton Stultz for a few days while he was working on his coffee table book "Temptation at the White House" Bruno is a most gracious host and I count my stay there among the most memorable moments of my life -- and the food at the restaurant, simply magnificent. And Bruno, I see that the lemon tarts are included in the Democrats' menu. Great!

Suspense and excitement particularly at AnaheimWhite House. We will be hosting a "Race to The White House" featuring live coverage of the election proceedings on TV screens and four-course Obama vs. McCain menus that allows our guests to support their favorite candidate. The fun begins at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4.

The prix fixe menus, four courses features such items as John McCalamari and Sarah Palin pasta e fagioli soup on the Republican menu and the more "left leaning" BarackO-Chicken and Joe Biden veal.

You can view both menus below. The evening is intended to be a good-natured event with guests from either end of the political spectrum coming together to celebrate our freedom to vote and the spirit of the electoral process.



Like Bruno says, "Where better to hold an Election Night celebration than at the White House!" Call for Reservations to (714) 772-1381


THE REPUBLICAN MENU

Republican Candidate Senator McCain Menu Appetizer Arnold Schwarzenegger Governed Gnocchi

Delicious homemade potato dumplings served in a tomatobeurre blanc

~ Or ~ John McCalamari Sliced calamari with shallots & a dash of Italian grappaover black Barilla pasta Salad



Rudy Giuliani Supported Greens Boston lettuce & Mesclun greens tossed with our famous WhiteHouse passion fruit vinaigrette ~ Or ~ Sarah Palin Pasta e Fagioli Soup Our customary preparation with Italian sausage, pasta &cannellini beans Entrée (Please select one)

Mitt Romney Short Ribs Boneless beef short ribs braised for 3 hours in a Cabernetreduction with a touch of a horseradish

Cindy McCain Sand Dabs Delicate whitefish fillets lightly breaded in a lemon & Italian herb sauce

Right Wing Rigatoni Large tube De Cecco pasta tossed in a sauce of Grana PadanaParmesan & sautéed pancetta

Dessert "Conservative" Fruit Tartlet Butter and sugar tart brushed with a thin layer of chocolate then filled with a pastry cream and topped with anassortment of fruit touched with an apricot glaze ~ Or ~ "Joe" The Plummer Chocolate Illusion A chocolate dome made from praline & butterwafers served with an orange salad

THE DEMOCRAT MENU

Democratic Candidate Senator Obama Menu Appetizer Left Wing Smoked Salmon Norwegian smoked salmon served with crème fraîche and salmonpearls ~ Or ~ Hillary Clinton Cheese Ravioli Ravioli stuffed with a combination of Italian cheeses inPorcini mushroom sauce Salad

Colin Powell Backed Caesar Salad Tender romaine hearts tossed with Caesar dressing, served ina rice paper nest ~ Or ~ Oprah Endorsed Pasta e Fagioli Soup Our customary preparation with Italian sausage, pasta &cannellini beans Entrée (Please select one)

Joe Biden Veal Tender veal medallions sautéed in a cognac & green peppercorn

Michelle Robinson Obama Salmon Poached all natural salmon served atop a white chocolatemashed potato puree

Barack O-Chicken Chicken breast rolled & filled with imported ham & Mozzarella cheese in a Porcini mushroom sauce

Dessert "Liberal "Lemon Tart Sweet butter and sugar tart filled with tart lemon curd and topped with Italian meringue ~

Or ~ "Joe" The Plummer Chocolate Illusion A chocolate dome made from praline & butterwafers served with an orange salad

More information at http://anaheimwhitehouse.com/

OBAMA CLEAR WINNER ON MYSPACE!!!

It's no contest between Democratic Party presidential candidate Barack Obama and his GOP counterpart John McCain. Obama is the overwhelming winner. In fact when one looks at the main profile pages of the two, it looks like McCain is there simply because someone told him he should be.

The Obama page http://www.myspace.com/barackobama provides visitors with all kinds of useful information including video clips - and there are separate Myspace pages for students, women, Latinos, First Americans, Obama Pride, veterans and others. It had been updated most recently of October17 with information on early voting. The Obama site also has map of the US where you can join your state's Obama Myspace. There were 735 652 friends and 118 444 messages on October 19.

On the other hand http://www.myspace.com/johnmccain appears to have been last updated on September 8 with information about early voting starting in Ohio on September 30. Not much else there really. McCain's page had 182 725 friends on October 19.

To an outside observer the difference shows the huge generational gap between Obama and McCain, with Obama maximizing the potential of the popular social networking site. McCain looks out of touch with the 21st Century

Take a look for yourself.

On POLLSTER.COM

http://www.pollster.com/ and http://www.politicshome.com/usa/ (the main site)

If you are a political junkie like me, and with the US elections just over two weeks away, be sure to make pollster.com a part of your day. I had been following the American race on http://cnnpolitics.com/ but about three weeks ago discovered pollster.com and it is part of my day, simply because it gives me much more information from a wider perspective than CNN.

The site brings latest developments almost minute by minute at peak times of the day, including results from all the major polls, the top stories and commentaries daily and from what I have observed strikes a fair balance between Obama/Biden and McCain/Palin.

There is also a map of the US showing the electoral college votes in each state and tags them as safe, leaning or tossup.

For those interested in governor and house and senate races, information on them is also included.

Good stuff!