Magic Statistics

The New Democratic Party says it wants Canadians to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to meet the target set by the Kyoto Protocol.  Why then is the BC NDP crowing about introducing a Private Member’s Bill that would have the effect of increasing GHG emissions?

New Democrat Energy Critic John Horgan announced today that he will introduce a Private Member’s Bill in the B.C. Legislature to regulate gasoline prices in B.C., where motorists are forced to pay prices higher than other Canadians.

Canadian Taxpayers Federation thinks this is just another example of green hypocrisy.  That could be, but one shouldn’t rule out the possibility that the NDP isn't up on the law of supply and demand.  They do have a track record of economic illiteracy.

Whatever the reason, this bill will serve the useful function of reminding British Columbians why their economy tanked when the NDP was in power.

Previous related posts:

• Has Bob Rae learned nothing?
• New Democratic Party or Old Communist Party?
• New Brunswick caps retail gasoline prices with predictable results

While attending a meeting in South Africa, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and Archbishop of Central Africa Bernard Malango had a chat with Bishop of Mugabe Harare Nolbert Kunonga.  The two primates then issued a diplomatic joint statement.  I know that Dr Williams has no power to rein in the infamous Bp Kunonga, but I have to wonder whether saying nothing wouldn't be preferable to this.

"We are grateful for the chance to meet face to face and discuss the role of the church in Zimbabwe and the wider region in working towards the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals.

"We shared our deep concerns with the Bishop of Harare about the situation in Zimbabwe, affirming those places where Anglican ministries are bearing fruit and the church is growing, but also expressing the widespread concerns in the global church and in the international community about the deteriorating economic life of Zimbabwe and issues of human rights and peaceful non-partisan protest.

"We encouraged the development of an independent voice for the church in response to these challenges. All ministers of the gospel must be free to serve and to speak for the needs of those most deprived and disadvantaged.

"We want to find new channels of communication and to facilitate regional conversations about issues of development and justice, including the impact of sanctions, so that Anglicans may work together more effectively with and for the poor whom they serve in Christ's name."

It's good they raised those issues, but let's get down to brass tacks.  This is the man who uses Harare's Anglican cathedral as his personal fiefdom, cancelling worship services to hold an anniversary party, and then prosecuting parishioners who question such misuse of God's house.  All the evidence indicates that Bp Kunonga has been bought and paid for by Robert Mugabe with an estate stolen from its lawful owners.  Anglican clergy who speak up for the impoverished and oppressed in Mugabe's hell-on-earth have been packed off to distant rural parishes or intimidated into exile.

Bishop Kunonga is an embarrassment to the Anglican Communion.  By contrast, the Roman Catholic Church has as its leader in Zimbabwe Archbishop Pius Ncube, a courageous and inspiring man of God. 

It doesn’t help matters any that Abp Malango is providing cover for his buddy Kunongo and toadying up to Mugabe.

In this context, the opening reference to implementing the Millennium Development Goals is a cruel joke.  Zimbabwe is probably the last place on the planet where the MDGs will be realised.

Previous related posts:

• Zimbabwean Anglicans want primates to take down Bishop Kunonga
• Uncle Bob and his Mugabemobile
• Renegade Anglican bishop in Zimbabwe

Former UN Undersecretary General Maurice Strong calls on Canada to spearhead a drive to establish a permanent World Climate Commission with authority to act as the planet's climate cops.  Climate change is too big and important a problem to be left to the devices of sovereign nations, don'tcha know?

The commission would be mandated by the United Nations and would be autonomous in its operations. It would draw upon and reinforce the efforts and mandates of other organizations, notably, the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change, as the primary source of scientific advice, the United Nations Environment Program, the World Meteorological Association, and the UN secretariat serving the Climate Change Convention. It would seek out and respond to the advice of other organizations and actors, providing the channels through which they can contribute to the kind of focused and concerted action that is essential, and for which no single body is now responsible. It would monitor all activities involving climate change and report to governments and to the UN, evaluating the progress and performance of all of the actors, providing specific recommendations that would be expected to have a significant influence on public opinion and on the actions of government, industry and others.

All that’s missing is a UN Climate-Keeping Force—but that would show up soon enough, no doubt.

The commission would be "autonomous", i.e., accountable to no democratically elected legislative body.  If you like the European Union, you'll love the World Climate Commission.

When it comes to dealing effectively with international problems, the UN has no credibility, driven as it is by multiculturalism at its most simple-minded.  Rwanda, North Korea, Bosnia, Lebanon, Somalia, Kosovo, Haiti, Sudan, financial scandals, sex scandals.  The list of UN fiascos seems never to end.

Maurice Strong's track record of shady dealings and poor judgment also leaves something to be desired.  He was shunted aside as Kofi Annan’s special advisor on North Korea after being tainted, and narrowly avoiding prosecution, in the oil-for-food scandal.

Previous related posts:

• Where's the UN's North Korean envoy?
• Here’s a bright idea: Hand Iraq over to the UN
• UN guilty of “unethical and corrupt behaviour”