BSG “The Oath” – Payback Time

In my review of last week’s episode “A Disquiet Follows My Soul”, I mentioned how I thought the episode’s slowed pacing and focus on select character arcs was not only noteworthy, but that the character introspection was necessary to set the stage to help us understand the actions these characters would undertake in the episodes to come. Indeed, as I commented on another blog, last week’s episode felt to me like a palate cleanser that was meant to get us to move past certain plot revelations – like the true state of Earth and the final Cylon reveal – in order to savour the next course in this sumptuous meal. After watching “The Oath”, I’d say that was exactly what Moore and Eick had in mind.

While watching the episode last night, there was one word that kept coming to my mind – payback. And there are many layers or contexts to this one word, the most obvious one being the fleet lashing out at Adama et al for shoving an alliance with the Cylons that no one wanted down their throats. In my review of “Revelations”, I stated how I loved that episode right until the last 10 minutes or so because of how easily Click to continue reading the rest of this entry

Ignatieff’s Budgetary Gambit – Win, Lose, or Draw?

Well, it seems there are some interesting times ahead for Canadian politics following the tabling of Stephen Harper’s new budget. As expected, the budget features many concessions to sway the opposition parties to support the Conservative budget and allow them to remain in the seat of government. And while the NDP and the Bloc Québécois have held steadfast to their plans of bringing Harper’s government down by rejecting this budget, it would appear that Michael Ignatieff has other plans in mind despite his earlier support for this opposition-led coalition. Following the release of the full budget, Ignatieff has changed his position to express conditional support for this budget – the condition being the inclusion of an amendment that would require the Conservatives to submit three economic reports to follow-up on whether this economic stimulus package is indeed having the desired effect or whether it is simply pulling Canada into debt.

It’s certainly a bold move, one that will be closely watched to see what impact it will have down the road on Harper’s Conservatives, that is should Harper agree to this amendment. After all, Harper has already made numerous concessions to the opposition parties; despite whatever spin Flaherty and Harper try to put on their budget, I don’t think anyone sees this as being Click to continue reading the rest of this entry

How Long Can Harper’s Government Last?

With the start of the new session in Parliament yesterday, and the much anticipated release of the federal budget today, all eyes are once again on Stephen Harper’s Conservative government for clues as to just how far they will go to acquiesce the opposition parties in another attempt to maintain their weakened hold as the ruling government of Canada.

So far, the orchestrated leaks of certain details from today’s budget indicate a significant shift from Harper’s initial position that Canada would post a budget surplus this year as well his party’s stubbornness in not willing to acknowledge that Canada has indeed entered into a recession. The spin doctors will undoubtedly try to present this as being indicative of Harper’s ability to adjust his position and policies to reflect changes in the economy and the acquisition of new data or information. However, the simple fact is that Harper’s change in position has less to do with a recognition of the Click to continue reading the rest of this entry

BSG “A Disquiet Follows My Soul” – Paging Howard Beale

After watching the whirlwind events of “Revelations” and last week’s “Sometimes A Great Notion”, this week’s episode, written and directed by Ron Moore, definitely provided a slower pace and less meaty morsels for people to chew and savour. However, I think this was a wise move and will probably serve the overall story arc well by giving the audience a chance to catch their breath after the major roller-coaster ride of the last two episodes.

“A Disquiet Follows My Soul” did feature some intriguing character developments and the much needed time to explore how some characters are handling their new reality. I was thrilled to see that Gaius may finally be returning to his old, bitter self again (perhaps his shortened coiff is indicative that we’ll see a complete rejuvenation of the old, narcissistic, self-serving Gaius in the episodes to come. Or at least we can hope). However, I was disappointed to see what a short-shrift he was given in this piece after we saw that old fire returning to his character. One can hope that this scene is the segue to more Gaius-centered subplots in the subsequent episodes. I also liked the fact that they revealed that Click to continue reading the rest of this entry

Why Bailing Out The Detroit Big Three Automakers Is A Bad Idea

In my previous entry, “US Auto Manufacturers And The Dodo Bird – Birds Of A Feather?”, I examined the current economic situation of the Big Three automakers in Detroit in regards to what led them into this predicament and what parallels can be drawn between them and the history of the Dodo bird. In this piece, I want to discuss the idea of bailing out these three failing automakers and why it’s not a good idea. As we’ll see, this all boils down to the basic economic concept of supply and demand.

At its most basic, the fundamental problem facing GM, Ford and Chrysler is that not enough consumers are buying their cars as people are understandably opting to buy more reliable and better built foreign cars, some with warranty coverages that were almost inconceivable a decade ago. The continual decline in car sales, among other factors, has resulted in all three manufacturers ending up with massive debts and with little capital to cover even basic operating costs. This is why GM, Ford, and Chrysler are now pleading with the Canadian and American governments for financial aid as without the injection of new capital, they’ll have no choice but to file for bankruptcy. And yet, what will the granting of public funds really accomplish in terms of  Click to continue reading the rest of this entry

Obama’s Big Day – An Inauguration or a Coronation?

Watching the events leading up to the swearing-in of President-elect Barack Obama as the next American president, I can’t help but notice the curious reaction of Americans to the impending inauguration ceremony. Indeed, both the reactions of the public and the maneuvers of the Obama camp lend to the notion that we’re not so much witnessing the swearing-in of a political leader, but the coronation of a new king.

There’s no question that the last eight years has seen an erosion in both the strength of the American economy, but also it’s influence on the global stage and for a people that pride themselves as being the envy of the world, that’s an understandable hard pill to swallow. Usher in a young-ish, charismatic and eloquent political figure and it’s not hard to see why the general American public is currently swooning on Obama’s every move. Add to this the fact that Americans have had themselves represented on the world stage by a man who continued to butcher the English language as if it weren’t his native tongue, and Obama’s lyrical use of words becomes unquestionably a breath of fresh air. Click to continue reading the rest of this entry

BSG “Sometimes A Great Notion” – Honey, I’m Home

After months of waiting, we finally got our BSG fix. Wow – what a trip. Now I’m sure that many discussions are probably swirling around the apparent reveal of who the Final Cylon is (I say apparent since Moore and Eick have been known to throw a few wicked curve balls our way to let us know to not take anything for granted). But for me, there were other moments in yesterday’s episode which reminded me why I love this show so much. For those who haven’t seen the episode and don’t want the ride to be spoiled, don’t read further. Click to continue reading the rest of this entry

BSG Returns Tonight – Let the Mind Fraks Begin!

Tonight, BSG finally returns to the ’small screen’ with the first of the final ten episodes of this frakkin’ good series. Given this, and the fact that it’s Friday, I figure some visual eye candy is in order to get pumped for BSG’s return. And so, I present this image above of Galactica’s own Colonel Tigh, one of the final five Cylons, staring down an old BSG Cylon model on what we’re led to believe is Earth. Click to continue reading the rest of this entry

US Auto Manufacturers And The Dodo Bird – Birds Of A Feather?

I posted on my blog a couple of days ago a fake car advertisement I found on the net which mocked the notion that public taxpayers should bail out the so-called “Big Three” US auto manufacturers. In that post, I mentioned that I wanted to share my perspective on this whole idea regarding public funds being used to bailout corporations who are falling under hard times. But before I do that, I want to discuss why exactly these “Big Three” car manufacturers are in need of help in the first place since I think that’s an important factor to consider in any discussion on whether these corporations deserve such aid from the public. And as the title and corresponding image for this post suggests, we’ll see by the end of this piece whether or not these “Big Three” corporations share a common fate to that of the Dodo bird. Click to continue reading the rest of this entry

Four More Days Until It’s ”Frakkin’ Friday”

Well, I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for this week to be over. Oh, sure I know it’s only Monday and no, this has nothing to do with that, though I’m sure the picture above might have some of you thinking otherwise (I’ll admit the picture does a pretty good job conjuring up the Monday morning trudge back to work). No, as some of you may have already figured out from that very picture above, this is more a case of mind frak withdrawal, a condition I’m hoping will be alleviated when BSG returns to the air this Friday with the final 10 episodes of the series. Ah, now it all makes sense right?

As you may have read a few months ago here on my blog, I loved the last episode “Revelations” right until those last 10 minutes leading up to the scene shown above. At that point, I had less of a mind frak and more of a stomach ache like one would get eating rancid cheese (not sure why anyone would do that, but I figure the analogy makes the point rather well). But with 10 episodes left – and more importantly, no need to worry about obtaining high network ratings to ensure another season is green-lit – I’m feeling fairly optimistic that we’ll see more of the writing and character drama that we got in those first 45 minutes of “Revelations” since Moore and Eick can just go for broke in this final stretch.

Granted, it’s going to be a bittersweet affair when the series resumes in five days Click to continue reading the rest of this entry