Job Opportunity At SFU

The Department of Political Science at Simon Fraser University invites applications for a twelve month limited term appointment at the Assistant Professor level in the areas of Canadian politics and government and Quantitative methods. Completion or near-completion of a Ph.D., demonstrable ability to teach quantitative methods, and a well developed research agenda are required. The appointment will be made at the Instructor level in the event that the successful candidate has not yet competed the Ph.D. This colleague will be responsible for teaching four semester-long courses over the twelve month period: POL 201 and 423 [fall]; POL 221 and 321 [spring]. For course descriptions, please consult http://www.sfu.ca/polysci/undergrad/ug_courses.htmldescriptions

The successful candidate will join a department of 24 faculty members, with degree programs at all levels, including Ph.D. Simon Fraser University offers programs to approximately 25,000 students, and is consistently ranked among the top comprehensive universities in Canada. The main campus of Simon Fraser University is situated on Burnaby Mountain, with sweeping views of the mountains and Greater Vancouver below. As a result of its many cultural and multicultural events, skiing, boating, hiking, favorable climate, and clean, safe environment, Vancouver has consistently been judged among the top three cities in the world in which to live and work.

Applications should include a curriculum vitae, an article-length writing sample and letters of reference from three referees, who should be asked by applicants to send references directly to our department chair. Please send applications to Dr. David Laycock, Chair, Department of Political Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby B.C., V5A 1S6. Applicants must include among their referees one who can comment on their teaching experience and potential. The deadline for receipt of applications and associated materials is July 1, 2006.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents will be given priority. Simon Fraser University is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from all qualified women and men, including visible minorities, aboriginal people and persons with disabilities. All appointments are subject to final budgetary approval.

Osama The Uncut Version - Funny

This is the Family Guy version of Osama uncut. Very funny.

*** Sorry, I posted a bad link last time. Here's the video.

Harper's Dilemma

Ten years ago last week, Stephen Harper attended the "Winds of Change" conference in Calgary to discuss the possible merger of the Reform and Progressive Conservative parties. In a keynote speech, Harper outlined what he saw as a recipe for winning a national government.

According to Harper, the key was to build a coalition focusing on three core constituencies - the "three sisters" as political architect, Tom Flanagan, put it. The first - populist reformers in the West; the second - traditional "blue" Tories in Ontario and the Atlantic provinces; the third - Quebec nationalists.

Harper began to foster relationships with each of the three sisters and it was their support that insiders credit for his minority election win in January. But while last week may mark a special anniversary in Harper's rise to power, there are also signs that tensions between those three sisters may be on the rise.

It started with Quebec Premier, Jean Charest's announcement that Quebec was willing to go it alone with it came to the Kyoto accord. Then another sister chimed in last week - Ralph Klein, the voice of populist Alberta itself, over ideas about reforming the Federal government's equalization payments to the provinces by adding resource revenues to the equation. I guess "blue" Tories in Ontario could also be added to the list depending on how upset they are over Harper's treatment of McGuinty.

I'm not the only one noticing tensions.

This is why I can't see the Tories staying in power too long.

Dion's Camp Runs Into Trouble

TDH Strategies posted today about rumours that the Dion campaign is quickly running out of money to the point where some formerly paid organizers are now being asked to carry on without financial compensation. Later, TDH updated their site to mention that the information regarding the financial shape of the campaign has been confirmed by another source.

There are a lot of rumours going around that this is the case - Dion is running out of steam. Apparently an event, hosted recently in BC, was only attended by 9 people. Also, the change in the campaign's tone - Dion wanting to rebuff his image - is just another signal that Dion is falling behind.

Dion isn't one of my top picks, but I like him a lot. He has been a huge contribution to the Party and Canada as a whole. Dion made sure the environment played a significant role in his campaign platform, and for that, I truly commend him.

I posted in the past that I would never support Rae and that he would be a lousy leader for the Liberals. Indeed, he brings a lot of baggage, but after hearing Rae speak this weekend in Abbotsford, I am convinced that if Michael Ignatieff were to lose to what are probably the two other front runners in the race, Gerard Kennedy and Bob Rae, I would perfectly content to support them and would have confidence in their abilities to successfully lead our Party .

Paul Martin: RIP

*** I truly apologize if I offend anyone with this photo. It's meant to be funny and illustrate the fact that with Jean Chretien and Paul Martin behind us, we can only go up.

For quite some time, I've wanted to call myself a Liberal. My views, attitudes and beliefs have always been well reflected in the Party, but I've been hesitant in the past because of how the Party was run out in BC. LPCBC, for me, was a corrupt organization and I wanted nothing to do with it.

I became involved with the Liberals after hearing that Michael Ignatieff wanted to run. As a political science major, I've read and appreciated his works and ultimately it was him who inspired me to take out a membership. I'm glad I did.

The Party is really changing quickly. The hegemony that Paul Martin had is coming undone. Martin has been reduced to a footnote and his floor organizers have been dispersed, resulting in the greater democratization of our Party.

Good.

No more censoring opinions and keeping dissenters out of the fold. Now, it's time to debate and I couldn't be more excited about it.

Power is best exercised when it is evenly distsributed among the masses. History has proven that when power is so tightly concentrated, massive abuses take place (Tories, take note!).

I don't think every leadership candidate is equally qualified, but I am encouraged that there are so many. Power is being diffused and we are forced to go back to the grassroots.

The number of candidates is also forcing the contest to be kept rather "friendly". Now we all know that isn't the case at the executive level, but at least when dealing with the average Joe and Jane of the Party, people are open-minded and tolerant... well, with a few exceptions... but overall, at least people are talking and debating. That is what is important and that is what politics is about.

I'm happy to see the Party evolved for the better and I truly believe that there is no better time than now to get involved. The death of Paul Martin's administration has been, perhaps, the best thing for us. From here, we will only get better and stronger... well, we don't really have a choice.