Stop SOPA or loose your internet rights! Watch this video and pass it along!

Watch and pass it along to everyone you know!

Harper takes aim at pipeline opponents

"Prime Minister Stephen Harper says there are some Americans who want to turn Canada into a "giant national park" and he wants to ensure their opposition to the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline doesn't delay regulatory hearings into the project.

Harper made the comment in an interview with CBC broadcaster Peter Mansbridge aired Monday.

In the interview, Harper answered questions on topics such as the controversial pipeline, health care, publicsector pensions, Iran and Aboriginal Affairs.

The prime minister was asked if the proposed pipeline - which would bring Alberta bitumen from that province's oil fields to the British Columbia coast so it can be shipped to Asia - is a fait accompli.

"What I think I'd make clear is that I believe selling our energy products to Asia is in the country's national interest," said Harper.

"It is in our interests for all kinds of reasons, that we diversify our exports, particularly our energy exports."

Still, Harper stressed there is a regulatory process in place and he is not ready to endorse any specific project.

The $5.5-billion Northern Gateway project is now being reviewed by a National Energy Board panel. In recent days, Harper and Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver have complained that foreign-financed "radical" opponents of the plan have hijacked the Northern Gateway debate and threaten to slow down the hearings.

Harper was pressed by Mansbridge on whether the government was guilty of a double-standard by attacking environmental groups while not doing likewise with foreign-backed entities that support the pipeline.

"These are all valid questions," Harper said. "But just because certain people in the United States would like to see Canada be one giant national park for the northern half of North America, I don't think that's part of what our review process is all about." " - Mark Kennedy, Post Media.

What do you think? Should we deface our beautiful Canada, like Harper says we should?

The Gift Not Yet Given: "The unknown is the scariest part&" (A heart-breaking story about a 20-yr-old Ottawa native).

The Gift Not Yet Given: ‘The unknown is the scariest part’

Harper is "selling out Canadian privacy"

"Despite being very outspoken on the question of crime, Prime Minister Stephen Harper seems far from eager to discuss the legislation he’s promised to pass within 100 days of taking office — legislation that will allow online spying without a warrant.

The proposed legislation will force every phone and Internet provider to allow “authorities” to collect the private information of any Canadian, at any time, without a warrant.

This will create legislation that is:

 • Warrantless: A range of “authorities” will have the ability to invade the private lives of law-abiding Canadians and our families using wired Internet and mobile devices, without justification.

Invasive: The laws leave our personal and financial information less secure and more susceptible to cybercrime.

Costly: Internet services providers may be forced to install millions of dollars worth of spying technology and the cost will be passed down to you.

Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart has repeatedly voiced her concerns about online spying, and has called for strengthened oversight and privacy safeguards in the bills.

Any proposals to expand telecommunications surveillance must be based on a clear need for new powers, which must be demonstrated by verifiable evidence. And these new powers must include comprehensive internal controls, clear oversight, meaningful deterrents, and a system of enforcement.

Harper is planning on sharing that information with the U.S. selling out Canadian sovereignty." - James Taylor, The Star (Opinion Letters).

Do you think he's right?

A little Apple humour for you...

"Lost dog comes home for the holidays — eight years later"!

"When Frankie Pruitt came home from school for the holidays, he stopped on the way up the driveway to hug his pit bull, who had run to him with her tail wagging. “Petunia!” he said, and rubbed the fur around her ears, and looked into her brown eyes.

“Same eyes,” he said. “Same old Petunia!”

He hadn’t seen the dog since 2003, when she ran out of the house one morning just like she always did, headed toward the family alpaca barn, and didn’t come back.

For anyone who ever lost something beloved, here is a Christmas homecoming story.

Tell us your lost-and-found pet story in the comments below. 

Perhaps a million pets get lost every year, and some 3.7 million are killed at shelters. Petunia beat the odds. She was found, in a wilderness area 2,700 miles from her Virginia farm, and sent home.

Eight years ago, Kristen and John Pruitt and their children worried that their friendly, affectionate American Staffordshire terrier had been hit by a car. Or, maybe even worse, pulled into a brutal dogfighting ring.

Instead, their dog seemed to have embarked on a cross-country trip that took her — who knows where? All they know for sure is that she was found wandering in the foothills of a wildlife preserve in Northern California, got picked up by a wildlife biologist, then jetted home for an improbably glamorous return via Times Square mixing with celebrities, political candidates and Rockettes, all just in time for the holidays.

* * *

Frankie Pruitt was 7 when his dad passed a sign for puppies and decided, on a whim, to take one home. He told Frankie not to tell his mom. They had plenty of room for another dog on their 100-acre alpaca and horse farm near Fredericksburg. But Kristen Pruitt said she didn’t want a pit bull in the house with her children; it seemed too dangerous.

“Then I saw her, and she was so small, and so ugly, and so cute,” she said.

And sweet: That’s why they named her Petunia.

The sandy-and-white dog slept with Frankie, wiggling up to his pillow during the night, snoring her head off. She ran free, following him around the place, an old family farm that played a key role in the Civil War battle of Chancellorsville, with a pond, tall magnolias and horse fences crisscrossing the fields.

Then one morning around Thanksgiving 2003 he was drinking hot chocolate in their big stone house while Petunia, Booboo and Bear ran out before breakfast, and only two dogs came back.

Frankie didn’t worry at first; in rural Spotsylvania County, they figured someone would see their missing-dog signs. But as the winter wore on, they gave up hope.

* * *

A few days after Thanksgiving this year, Meg Eden, a wildlife biologist from Oregon, was camping in the Spenceville Wildlife Area in California. It’s a remote spot miles from any houses, mostly grasslands and oak trees with mountain lions, foxes and coyotes Eden heard howling at night. One morning, a dog appeared over a hill and came toward Eden with her tail wagging.

Eden, who rescues dogs, had just a moment’s hesitation because it was a pit bull. But the dog seemed so delighted to see her.

The dog snuggled with her and her dogs that night. “Her personality is 100 percent sugar,” Eden said.

Eden called an animal shelter, which began searching for an owner. In this rare case, it was easy: The Pruitts implant microchips in all their animals. Only a small minority of pet owners do that, but the number is growing, said Adam Goldfarb at the Humane Society.

The Pruitts’ vet called them. Frankie didn't believe it until he saw a photo. Petunia!

Then Petunia went big time, appearing in local papers and on national TV when Fox paid to fly her back east. She was friendly in the New York studio when she saw the Pruitts, but they weren’t certain she remembered them.

But as soon as they got back to the farm and let her out of the car, Petunia seemed to know she was home. Her tail was wagging so fast it’s invisible in the photos they took. She touched noses with Booboo, their tiny fluffy Maltese-toy poodle, then raced into the house right to the spot where her water bowl had always been.

“She seemed ecstatic,” he said.

* * *

The Pruitts can’t help but wonder where she’s been all this time.

When Frankie saw her, he immediately noticed the eight or 10 jagged scars, and traced them with his hand in the short fur on her head. They think it’s from a barbed-wire fence, not from dogfighting or abuse. Because she seems to be the same old Petunia: sweet, gentle.

With maybe just a tiny wild streak underneath it all.

She does seem to be the kind of dog who loves to wander, Kristen Pruitt said; sometimes now Petunia will stop outside, and just stare off into the woods.

The other day, they opened the door and Petunia trotted out, headed toward the alpaca barn. “Frankie!” Kristen Pruitt called, leaping forward to grab her collar. Petunia looked back at her, tail wagging. “Get her leash!” " - Susan Svrluga, The Washington Post.

Christian Bale 'Flowers' overseas in his new Chinese movie.

"LOS ANGELES - Christian Bale has never been afraid to speak his mind. But the Oscar-winning actor took his outspokenness to new levels during a visit to Beijing last week for the premiere of his film The Flowers of War.

Days after appearing at the official unveiling of director Zhang Yimou's epic (opening in select U.S. cities starting Wednesday), the 37-year-old actor drove eight hours to visit the home of Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng. The blind lawyer has been under house arrest since September 2010 after speaking out against the government's alleged human rights abuses.

The resulting footage, from a CNN crew traveling with Bale, shows the actor being roughed up by government-backed guards. "What I really wanted to do was shake the man's hand and say 'thank you,' tell him what an inspiration he is," Bale told CNN.

Perhaps compounding the public-relations fallout for the government, Bale is starring in what's touted as the most expensive Chinese film in history (at an estimated $94 million). The film also is the country's official submission to the Oscars.

As director Yimou notes in a joint interview with Bale prior to the China visit, Bale looks to play a significant role in Chinese popular culture with the release of the film.

"Everyone in China is really familiar with his work," says Yimou, speaking through a translator. "But after this movie, Christian is going to be a really big star. Everyone is going to fall in love with him."

The film, which received a Golden Globe nomination last week, features Bale as a selfish Westerner who turns sacrificing protector to a motley crew of schoolgirls and courtesans during the brutal Japanese occupation of Nanking during World War II.

It is not new historical territory for Bale. He broke into Hollywood as a child actor, earning rave reviews in Steven Spielberg's 1987 Empire of the Sun, set in an internment camp during the Japanese occupation. Yimou says he was inspired to cast Bale for his film after visiting Spielberg's home in 2010.

Christian Bale in Steven Spielberg's Empire of the Sun (1987).

"Steven read the script and said it was like the Schindler's List of China," says Yimou. "He said, 'You have to cast Christian for this!' He even wrote a personal note to Christian. It was destiny.''

Bale jokes that the casting conversation went a different way. "(Spielberg) probably said, 'Do not do it,' " says Bale, laughing. "But it was probably just translated incorrectly."

The actor found time before the production of the Batman saga Dark Knight Rises (due next summer) to shoot Flowers in Nanking and immediately was blown away. Yimou had overseen the production of an elaborate set, including a nearly full-size re-creation of a cathedral.

"I am accustomed to the types of (set) buildings where you can't lean too heavily or the whole thing is going to fall down," says Bale. "This thing was a concrete, heavy-duty cathedral, which will probably be standing in 100 years' time. The commitment to the work was amazing. I have not seen anything like that before."

Whole portions of 1937 Nanking were re-created for the movie. While the production required more than five months of non-stop shooting for the rest of the cast and crew, Bale shot his role in two intense months.

"In China, there is no union. So everyone works. There are no days off whatsoever," says Yimou. "Christian actually sacrificed his weekends and resting time to keep on working."

The actor had to get used to many cultural differences on the set. He was asked to mentor the actors ("It would have been rude not to," he says), which he found difficult to get used to. Away from the set, Bale was constantly pleading for restraint from his well-meaning but highly intimidating bodyguard, whose presence was mandated by the filmmakers.

"He would pick people up and move them out of the way on the street," says Bale. "I was like, 'Don't do that. I am just walking down the street.' (The bodyguard) was like, 'Respectfully, this is what I must do.' "

Bale certainly set a great example on the set as the rare Hollywood actor in a Chinese domestic film. He had no entourage during his time in China (normally, even minor Chinese stars have multiple assistants) and went beyond expectations to aid the film's completion.

Says Yimou: "He set an example for Chinese people to understand Western people and actors. …We're a little bit spoiled now.'' " - Bryan Alexander, USA Today.'

Kent v. Kent: Which is the wiser, I wonder?

Environment Minister Peter Kent has recently announced what Canadians had already suspected for a while - Canada is officially giving up its spot in Kyoto. Looking at our 'white christmas' going on right now (for future reference and those not in Canada, everything right now is pretty green), I can't help but agree with him.

However, Kent was not always so... harper-esque. Watch George Stroumboulopoulos' Debrief:

I wonder if current Kent has ever met past Kent, much like story of two Mitt Romneys... Which will you listen to, Canada? It's our move.

"December 14, 2011

With Canada pulling out of Kyoto, who do you turn to for information about the possible effects of climate change on the Earth? How about Peter Kent, the current Environment Minister... Circa 1984.

It turns out the '80s version of Peter takes the Greenhouse effect very seriously.

Meanwhile, the present-day Peter Kent is facing some rude language in the House of Commons today - Justin Trudeau got into a heated argument with Mr. Kent over the Kyoto Protocol, and apparently yelled "you are a piece of shit" at the Environment Minister. This is not the first time the two men have traded words in the House." - CBC.ca.

Say what now? MacKay threatens to sue MPs who questioned veracity of his chopper tale

"Defence Minister Peter MacKay is considering legal action against MPs who accused him of lying about a ride he took aboard a search-and-rescue helicopter.

Opposition members have called for Mr. MacKay to apologize and even to resign over his use of military resources to shuttle him to the airport in Gander from a personal vacation at a remote Newfoundland fishing lodge.

Documents released last week showed some National Defence staff predicted the trip could be perceived badly, with one suggesting the pick-up was only to be under the “guise” of a search-and-rescue exercise. The cost of the flight has been estimated at $16,000.

Mr. MacKay has said the 30-minute trip was pre-planned and that he’d been waiting for the opportunity to check out the work of the search-and-rescue team in the region. He said his personal vacation was cut short by government business in London, Ont.

Some MPs, including Interim NDP Leader Nycole Turmel and Liberal MP Marc Garneau have said Mr. MacKay “lied” to the House of Commons about the trip when he initially answered questions about it earlier in the fall.

Search-and-rescue operations on the East Coast have been under severe strain because of chronic technical difficulties with the fleet of Cormorant helicopters. A briefing note to Mr. MacKay in 2010 warned that the Cormorant's availability was “barely adequate” to meet the search-and-rescue (SAR) requirements.

Two men involved in the pick-up are now publicly backing the Defence Minister.

A military technician who hoisted Mr. MacKay into the helicopter as it hovered near the lodge said it was entirely positive that the minister was actively involved with the work of the search-and-rescue team.

“As a SAR Tech, I appreciate the support the [Minister of National Defence] provides the [Canadian Forces] and I welcome future opportunities to conduct this style of contact training with any member of the government,” Warrant Officer Morgan Biderman said in an email sent to the Defence Department's public affairs office Wednesday.

“The positive aspects of Minister MacKay becoming actively involved in our training and the absolute trust he puts in the personnel of the Air Force, is what need to be emphasized! If it has a spin off benefit of transporting him-them, where they need to be, I consider it a win-win for all concerned!”

The pilot who flew the helicopter and commanded the Cormorant squadron told the iPolitics news website Wednesday that the trip was legitimate, given that it occurred during a regularly scheduled training flight and would have gone ahead with or without Mr. MacKay.

“This was a training flight that we were going to participate in,” said retired major Stephen Reid. “If the minister was able to slide his way in, in some fashion, that was fine with us.”

He added that the hoist technician, WO Biderman, needed the training.

Mr. MacKay's office says statements like that show the minister was telling the truth when he said he was taking advantage of an opportunity to participate in an exercise.

“Minister MacKay has had his character and personal reputation attacked,” spokesman Jay Paxton said. “Minister MacKay is looking into legal options against those who have attacked his integrity.”

Who exactly Mr. MacKay is considering suing is unclear. Some MPs accused the Defence Minister of lying outside the Commons, where they do not benefit from parliamentary privilege. Others, such as Interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae, used terms such as “concocting the truth.”

Still, documents released to the Toronto Star under access-to-information legislation suggest air force officials had examined more options for Mr. MacKay's trip than just the Cormorant helicopters.

The documents showed scenarios were considered that included sending a crew from CFB Gagetown, or a CH-146 Griffon from Goose Bay, Nfld. Both options were ruled out because they were too far away.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has defended Mr. McKay by saying that flight was legitimate because the minister had been called back for government duties." - Jennifer Ditchburn, on The Globe and Mail.

But here's the thing, though: we don't question MacKay being brought *from* his vacation to his governmental duties, it's taking that same chopper *back* to his family vacation...

Check out this awe-inspiring, inspirational story (Click here).

A smiling face of optimism and hope as she battles for every breath she takes...

"From the time she was born, [20-year-old] Hélène [Campbell] has been on the move. Moments after birth, she had her groove going -her hands would not keep still. Now at twenty, not only is she constantly on the go, but her joyful personality contagiously lifts the spirits of others. Whether at school, work, church, in hospital, or studying in Spain, people have easily joined with her and enjoyed her positive vibe.

Hélène has been famous for her kindness towards others and she received an award for this in grade six. At her high school graduation, she was given the Christine Proulx Award for her cooperation and perpetual willingness to help others. Someone commented “She has such a bubbly disposition; she should have a new soft drink named after her.”

Hélène loves music. People marvel at the variety she keeps on her iPod and how she integrates it with another passion of hers – film making. She loves capturing memorable moments, but her specialty seems to be creating them. Her mini musical dance documentary in Spain involving many friends and strangers is the perfect example of her ability to create joyful moments out of daily experiences. She believes life is worth living and sharing, a theme through many of her videos. With music in the background, camera in hand, smile on her face and not a minute to lose, she’s on the move…

In July 2011, Hélène was admitted to The Ottawa Hospital with collapsed lungs. It was discovered that she suffers from advanced Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. This means that her lungs have been permanently scarred by inflammation and the root cause of the inflammation is unknown. Treatment with Prednisone has not stopped the progression of the disease. Hélène requires oxygen to perform physical tasks. With twenty-four percent of remaining breathing capacity, a lung transplant is the next step. She has been referred to the Transplant Program in Toronto. She and some of her family must relocate from Ottawa to Toronto. 

This is a time of loss for Hélène - independence, physical strength, employment income, and savings for school. Despite this, she chooses to focus on the positives in her life like family, friends, new friends from her stay in hospital and creative media. We see her with her radiant smile, enjoying even the simplest things in life, like orange juice and Reese’s limited edition chocolate bars. Even though she must now pace herself, she is still always moving onward. 

-Hélène, you are an inspiration- 

If you wish to donate to Hélène's living expenses in Toronto, while she waits to receive new lungs and during her recovery, please visit alungstory.ca".