Chronological Index of Ensign Articles for
September of 2003

A little hail and a little rain

Tuesday
September 2, 2003
by: Timothy W. Shire
Monday night a modest but attention getting storm passed through Tisdale leaving us with half an inch of moisture and leaves and twigs all over the place.

The Greenwater Report Tuesday September 2, 2003 by: Gerald Crawford The summer is beginning to wind up as the park store closes for the season and Gerald was off harvesting. This weeke's report as always includes some outstanding pictures.

Mr. Ribs reopens Tuesday September 2, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire A big lunch hour crowd was on hand to welcome Mr. Ribs back to town after its absence from the community when it burned down about seven years ago.

Labour Day 2003: Nothing to celebrate Tuesday September 2, 2003 by: Mark Weisbrot Washington economis Mark Weisbrot explains the decline in the American standard of living and says that it is a deliberate policy of government and business leaders in his country. We have added some interesting references to this story and you will discover he is hardly alone in his assessment of things.

Wynyard Thursday September 4, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Wynyard is a busy prairie community with industry, tourism and seems to be handling the assault of urbanised marketing.

Wynyard Court house Thursday September 4, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire It was some time ago that we posted a series of stories about Saskatchewan court houses and it is nice to be able to add to this collection. At the bottom of the page on this story is a link to the other court house pictures done in the past.

Mr. Ribs: Review Thursday September 4, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Wednesday I had supper at the newly re-opened restaurant. For a review of the menu and meal check this out, if you don't have time the bottom line was, look elsewhere.

Big g-OIL-vernment Thursday September 4, 2003 by: Walter Robinson Spot market pricing / barrell has dropped well below the $30US level but we are seeing up to 85.9¢ at Saskatchewan pumps. What gives, well Walter Robinson figures a little help your self by the oil companies is to be expected but the government taxes on fuel and aviation travel is mean spirited.

Thoughts on marriage and same sex marriage Thursday September 4, 2003 by: Cassandra Loiselle Reacting to Barbara Reid's expression of her thoughts on the use of the term "marriage" in a same sex union Cassandra Loiselle of Winnipeg takes a quite opposing view and with it quotes one of the greatest poets of the last century. This is not a long discussion but one you definitely need to read.

Ebon Fall Ride, Drive and Dine Race and Horse Comfort Clinic Friday September 5, 2003 by: Sharon Elder This is some serious horsing around as the Saskatchewan Long Riders are planning the fall event with a ride from Saskatoon on a 25 mile and 50 mile endurance race.

Automotive repair shop moves Friday September 5, 2003 by : Timothy W. Shire We need to keep up with the changing landscape of the community as a small repair shop disappeared Tuesday and was relocated.

Good Spirit Friday September 5, 2003 by: Shawn Ratushniak Here are some outstanding pictures of water sports taken by Shawn at Good Spirit Provincial Park. If you have some summer shots you would like to share send them along we would love to see them.

Eduardo Galeano's deep understanding of U.S. unsecure prosperity: defending the dollar by sending Marines and by assuming markets Friday September 5, 2003 By: Mario deSantis Mario deSantis wrote this story Wednesday, it is important to note this fact because today several world economists in an international meeting in Calgary reported their extreme distress at the US economy which appears not only to be in serious trouble but is also running up the biggest deficit in recent history. Several US politicans referred to the growing unemployment and rising debt yesterday while the Dow dropped 84 points today.

Early Birds Friday September 5, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Certainly the season has accellerated with harvest almost complete here but it seems pretty warm and extremely early for geese who often do not leave until late October, to be forming up migration flocks.

Cattle Auction today, first since mid May Monday September 8, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire This summer's caves were being sold this morning going from $1.15 to $1.55 as buyers began the process of restocking the feedlots.

The Greenwater Report Monday September 8, 2003 by: Gerald Crawford This week we find out about diving geese, bad driving, railway stories, software tip and a beanstalk. All this and great pictures as well.

Tisdale's sports weekend Monday September 8, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire TMSS annual senior volleyball tournament and Trojan final camp were on this past weekend.

Mike Tatarynovich has picture selected for international calendar Tuesday September 9, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire The Canadian Wheat Board calendar is distributed world wide and this year's calendar has Crooked River farmer, Mike Tatarynovich's picture featured for November 2003.

Politicians work for us Tuesday September 9, 2003 by: Ron Thornton With eight provincial elections and a federal election in the works Canadians have an opportunity to make their wishes known and it is just possible that those seeking office might just pay a little attention.

You can vote … you just can’t think, speak or spend Tuesday September 9, 2003 by: Walter Robinson The Canadian Taxpayers Federation dislikes federal election laws which limit spending on elections by special interest groups. This issue is soon to come before the Supreme Court.

Power and courts Tuesday September 9, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire There are powerful forces who want to see the progress that mankind has made in the last twelve centuries go away so that they can exploit, use the wealth to create even more wealth and power. What stands in their way are centuries of law and a court system. The use of "no fault" and out of court deals are signs of encroachment on civilisation. You have been warned!

Oshkosh AirVenture float base Wednesday September 10, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire On our trip to the Oshkosh AirVenture 2003 one of the highlights of the experience was our visit to the float base. This story includes a 1MB QuickTime VR panorama.

Charles McKenzie and Carole Beal McKenzie of St. Pauls Thursday September 11, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire With summer over St. Paul's United Church in Tisdale welcomes a married couple to serve their church community.

Protectionism Trumps Free Trade at the WTO Thursday September 11, 2003 by: Mark Weisbrot While discussions over the developed countries persistent subsidising of agriculture dominates the news from the World Trade Organisation's conference in Cancun, Mexico Mark Weisbrot explains that the patent drug monopoly threatens the negotiations at this round of discussions with no common ground in sight.

A world turned upside down: Bush's $87 billion for Iraq, the Scandal of the Century in Saskatoon Thursday September 11, 2003 by: Mario deSantis If you think you understand what is going on in this world you just haven't been paying attention. Strange things and even stranger reasoning seems to propel the world and its people, though it would nice if this were forward, the evidence is that regression is now the norm.

Aggressive Testing Friday September 12, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire It looked far more like a chase scene from a movie than what was really taking place. Walk and drive at your peril, driver testing in progress.

The Bush administration's policies: against elimination of poverty, against the development of democracy Friday September 12, 2003 by: Mario deSantis An analytical explanation of the divided world through the understanding of the exponential curve in the Free Market. Noted author, with several books online Dr. J. W. Smith is quoted in this story with references to the important issues which he and his institute are so deeply concerned.

As in Adam all die. . . ashes to ashes, dust to dust Sunday September 14, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire A discussion about the loss of loved ones and the healing process that must take place to resolve the suffering.

Riverside Golf Course Monday September 15, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Here is a chance to look around this beautiful Tisdale golf course. These pictures were taken Sunday afternoon. This page has a QuickTime VR panorama 380K.

The Greenwater report Monday September 15, 2003 by: Gerald Crawford The geese are getting together and it has rained, all reason enough for Gerald to off across the province checking things out. All this and more in this week's report.

Unforgiving Tuesday September 16, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Rough, filled with holes, to dangerous for a wheel chair or walker and hard enough to break kneecaps and wrists; Tisdale's downtown sidewalks.

Canada's Only National Alternative and Other Tory Stories Tuesday September 16, 2003 by: Ron Thornton With parliament back in session the rumors and discussions about uniting the fractured conservative portion of the Canadian political scene are once again tumbling around.

Cross country in the rain Wednesday September 17, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Area schools launch their cross country running season with today's meet here in Tisdale.

Downtown sidewalks Wednesday September 17, 2003 by: Doug Hay Yesterday in the story "Unforgiving" there were pictures and information about the poor condition of the sidewalks downtown. Today the town's Economic Development Director explains the lack of wheelchair access, what we need to do about hazzards and plans for upgrading the downtown area. The pictures of repairs on the area photographed yesterday were taken at 4:30 this afternoon.

Bureaucrats and expense accounts: The never-ending feast Wednesday September 17, 2003 by: Walter Robinson It seems goofy spending is a part of government as yet another expense account scandal is ermerging. A thirty-four year old former assistant to Heritage minister Sheil Copps seems to have come close to the line of abusing the money we all send to Ottawa. Walter Robinson has some suggestions about the problem.

St. Paul's Fall Sale Thursday September 18, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Several of Tisdale's churches hold various fund raising events. Today and tomorrow the United Church is holding their huge sale.

China is growing by waging peace, the Bush administration is regressing by waging war Thursday September 18, 2003 by: Mario deSantis In this story Mr. deSantis gives you the broad strokes of something that seems ironic and that is that China is doing well by maintaining peace with its neighbours. To fully appreciate this concept be sure to look over the references he has provided you.

World Trade Organisation Beached in Cancun Thursday September 18, 2003 by: Mark Weisbrot The WTO conference in Cancun was a complete failure and Mr. Weisbrot points out that this was fully predictable. Clearly, the purpose of promoting trade has been surplaced with capitalistic merchantile political issues.

A Walk in the Park Friday September 19, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Fall with colour, light rain and cool temperatures, ideal conditions to enjoy one of the best places in Tisdale, the trail by St. Theresa Park. This story includes a QuickTime VR panorama requiring QuickTime to view.

COALITIONS CONSIDERED....Again: A Tory's Point of View Friday September 19, 2003 by: Brian D. Marlatt What matters is how things are done and why, and for that reason, there is little common ground between the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservatives. Even if a deal is worked out the Canadian public, the voters, will not accept such a contrivance without substance.

TAG open for business Saturday September 20, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Heavy highway hauling truck parts is the specialty at this new parts shop located just East of Bow Mar Sales Ltd.

Conservatives need to have faith in their leadership Saturday September 20, 2003 by: Mark-Allan Whittle Yesterday Brian Marlatt gave us a much different view of a possible conservative/alliance merger but Mark-Allan Whittle tells us that Conservatives should trust Peter McKay and Stephen Harper to bring the two like minded groups together.

Delorme's Steel & Repair expands, again Sunday September 21, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: Since this business began operations it has been a scene of continous growth demonstrating not only the popularity of this business but of the continued growth and development of the community in which it operates.

Understanding Bush's bloody dollar and American foreign policies Sunday September, 21, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin: You must read this story carefully because both in Geoffrey Heard's explanation and in the references for this story is the basic conditions that are allowing the United States to muddle along deeply in debt and still considered the world's strongest economy.

Peter MacKay's speech on the Alliance same-sex motion Sunday September, 21, 2003 by: Peter MacKay Ottawa: This issue has been emotionalised and taken to such extremes and it might be useful for us to read a moderate approach to the issue that has both reason and a desire to see a peaceful resolution come about. Peter MacKay is leader of the Progressive Conservative party and it is interesting to note that he has for some years had a close relationship with a Halifax woman in public but they have chosen not to marry.

Curiousity Corner Mural Sunday September 21, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: The addition of a mural to a blank wall on main street is a major addition to the communities appearance.

Doghide trails, Tisdale's special place Monday September 22, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: The hiking trails and park area along the Doghide is a place where you can escape to a never never land that is ever changing and always special. This story includes a QuickTime VR panorama (360MB).

The Greenwater report Monday September 22, 2003 by: Gerald Crawford Greenwater Provincial Park: Fall closes in on the park as Homstols are building a new cabin and Gerald got his boat lift out of the water. All this and more.

Beriev Be-103 Tuesday September 23, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Oshkosh, Wisconsin: Though the OshKosh AirVenture is an amateur/homebuilt convention the star of the show this year was a commercial aircraft designed and build in Russia. This remarkable, low wing, twin engined, amphibian is simply off the scale in innovation and outstanding engineering. For me this was the most exceptional aircraft of the thousands to be seen at this incredible event.

IMF and World Bank: the international business of privatisation September 23, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin: This brief story summarises the underlying issues that affect the development of the third world which is suppose to be one of the goals of these American dominated institutions. Check out the references as we have included some actual news stories from Dubia with a viewpoint from that part of the world.

AeroCat Wednesday September 24, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire and Andrew Shire Oshkosh Wisconsin: An amateur/homebuilt fibre glass, carbon fibre amphibian sold here in Canada and in New Zealand with one or two engines and amazing performance. The second most astonishing aircraft at this year's Oshkosh AirVenture.

Only the Progressive Conservatives are facing the issues Wednesday September 24, 2003 by: Jason Inness Calgary: As the Progressive Conservative and Canadian Alliance negotiate some sort of agreement Jason Inness points out that the federal Liberal party has been pretty well absent from responding to the series of crisis facing the country and the Alliance has been wasting time on emotional issues. He feels only the Progressive Conservatives are dealling with things that really matter.

"As we rush along, are we running, or being pushed?" Thursday September 25, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: Insight into the human condition. One way or another we all wonder what is it all about and where do we go from here. Here are some clues.

Scotia Bank pitches in with hot dog fund raiser Friday September 26, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: On the heels of the truly remarkable success of the spring Cancer fund raising projects Tisdales organisations and businesses are getting behind the Tisdale Hospital's Diabetes fund. This afternoon the Bank of Nova Scotia held a fine hot dog sale and Tisdale folks were there in significant numbers to support the project.

Exporting the American democracy in Iraq: The Free Market of Deregulation and Privatization Friday September 26, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin: Mr. deSantis has spotted an interesting inversion both criminals being placed in power and dogmatic imposition of economic formats that are site specific. What works in America is not necessarily what will work in Iraq, Afghanistan to Venezuela. The references on this story are exceptional and give you an opportunity to explore this topicmuch more fully than an interpretive summary.

Washington Pursues Dangerous Policy in Vernezuela Friday September 26, 2003 by: Mark Weisbrot Washington: The actions of the American government attempting to desabilise and over throw a democratically elected government is setting a bad example and could seriously undermine the international relations around the world including the way countries relate to the United States.

SCOGOE says NO-GO or GO-SLOW or NOW-GO to bureaucracy Saturday September 27, 2003 by: Walter Robinson Ottawa: Not everything gets swept under the rug, the Standing Committee on government Operations and Estimates is on the job checking and often putting down the big foot on waste and sometimes downright bad operations.

Day of Defeat Sunday Sepember 28, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: Computer games have made enormous progress to the point that interactive team play with several people can take place in a shared virtual reality experience. Saturday a full event of interactive game play took place with participants working with and against each other in a game simulation of the Normandy invasion of "D" Day.

The Greenwater report Monday September 29, 2003 by: Gerald Crawford Greenwater Provincial Park: The Crawfords are off on another jaunt but we get to hear about owls, Gerald's days as a CNR operator and a new guy in town.

Bridging the divide of an upsidedown world: Critical thinking with System Dynamics Monday September 29, 2003 by: Mario deSantis Nipawin: The devolution of the third world continues largely orchestrated by the United States as it sells more weapons than any other country and the gap between rich and poor widens. Perhaps its time to think of this problem some other way.

The splendor of fall 2003 Tuesday September 30, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: On this last day of September I took a short drive into the country and want to share with you the beauty of the colour of the country-side. This story has two QuickTime Virtual Reality Panoramas of 1MB each so this page will take a while to open on a dial up connection but the scenes are worth the wait.

Alfalfa seed Tuesday September 30, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Tisdale: The crop to be harvested each year is alfalfa when it is grown for seed. Most of Tisdale's alfalfa goes to the dehydration plant but the fields are finished for this year and the dehy plant is already cooking baled alfalfa but the fields of alfalfa in seed production are now being harvested.

Bush Growing More Vulnerable on Credibility, War, and the Economy Tuesday September 30, 2003 by: Timothy W. Shire Washington: The tide of reality has shifted, Mark Weisbrot explains the importance of both Democrats and doubting Republicans who have begun to speak out strongly about the deception carried on by the Administration of the United States government.