Alberta Politics & Government Thread 3.0

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Slava

Could well be. This government has had so many missteps that I’ve lost track. It’s one after another and just so many bad decisions.

They’re also making a habit of announcing deficits during labour negotiations then pulling a deficit out of their…hats. Like 2024 was projected at -$5B and ended at +$8B. Now they’re back projecting -$6B and couldn’t possibly improve their offer to the teachers

[Looch City]

Omg Smith's comment on the book removals is so ####ing infuriating. #### I just want to strangle her and be like #### YOU YOU ####ING STUPID ####.

Is that too far?

She's like "the point is to remove graphic pornographic content from school". Which ####ing school library has open porno? You dumb ####, we can all see through what you're doing. ####.

[Fuzz]

Some people think it's a good thing.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

https://albertapolitics.ca/2025/08/d...gaining-holes/

Premier Smith was none too happy with the EPSB’s proposed proscription as per Dr. Nicolaides’ orders of Ayn Rand’s#Atlas Shrugged, a book the premier has indicated in the past is more to her taste than Ms. Atwood’s oeuvre.#

“I didn’t read#Atlas Shrugged#until I was 22,” Ms. Smith confesssed to an inquiring reporter, explaining a lot. “I had a friend in Grade 10 who read it. Maybe we should make it mandatory reading in high school, because it is a pretty influential book and I think it does really articulate how important it is that that we value our entrepreneurs and we value a free-enterprise economy.” Moreover, she added, it is “absolutely appropriate for school children of that age.”

I will leave readers with screenwriter John Rogers’ famously accurate assessment of the late Ms. Rand’s#magnum opus: “There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old’s life: The#Lord of the Rings#and#Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs.”

I think Smitty is very confused about which of the novels between Atwood and Rand is the influential and articulate story and, moreover, they are both shockingly accurate 'cautionary tales' but I think both went so far over her head they have to report to Air Traffic Control.

[getbak]

When I saw the list from the Edmonton school board, my first thought was it's a case of malicious compliance. Basically, you're given ridiculous instructions and you know you can't counter stupid decisions by making smart arguments, so you instead follow the instructions to the letter and let the idiocy make itself clear.

Putting Atlas Shrugged on the list forces the government to expose itself as hypocrites. Unfortunately, we live in a world where that just doesn't matter to a lot of people.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Looch City

Omg Smith's comment on the book removals is so ####ing infuriating. #### I just want to strangle her and be like #### YOU YOU ####ING STUPID ####.

Is that too far?

She's like "the point is to remove graphic pornographic content from school". Which ####ing school library has open porno? You dumb ####, we can all see through what you're doing. ####.

There’s a lot of sex in Atlas Shrugged. It clearly fits.

[Locke]

I think if anything, Atlas Shrugged should be mandatory reading, it should be part of the curriculum.

Simply to sharpen the tools of personal critical thinking. I remember when I was first reading it, my thoughts were all over the place.

"Is this satire? This lady can't be serious. Oh. She is serious. Well. This is batcrap nuts. People believe this?"

[WideReceiver]

They’re banning Jaws. Freaking Jaws. That shark must be trans.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Some people think it's a good thing.

Christo-Facists.

Who read these naughty books under the covers when no one is looking.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by WideReceiver

They’re banning Jaws. Freaking Jaws. That shark must be trans.

The Benchley novel differs somewhat from the movie.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Next they'll bring back corporal punishment and give kids who read Margaret Atwood the strap.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Locke

I think if anything, Atlas Shrugged should be mandatory reading, it should be part of the curriculum.

Simply to sharpen the tools of personal critical thinking. I remember when I was first reading it, my thoughts were all over the place.

"Is this satire? This lady can't be serious. Oh. She is serious. Well. This is batcrap nuts. People believe this?"

Rush dedicated 2112 “to the genius of Ayn Rand.” I think Neil would like to take that back.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by WideReceiver

They’re banning Jaws. Freaking Jaws. That shark must be trans.

The shark had a taste for seamen

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

The shark had a taste for seamen

Acquired it after the first kill?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Acquired it after the first kill?

Well the first kill was a teenage girl and then...it ate a little boy...maybe Trumpists figure thats a little too 'on the nose?'

I read that book when I was very young, I'm thinking 10-ish? It was a long time ago, Bill Clinton was President and the economy was booming!

Regardless, as I recall that book is profane. I mean, Benchley was not holding back on the F-Bombs, but thats just standard East Coast Maritimer vernacular! He was being authentic!

They dont call it 'swearing like a Sailor' for nothing!

So maybe that book should be a Jr. High to HS level reading? I dunno, I dont make policy.

Great book though.

Granted, it could have the unintended side effect of making some of the wimpier kids afraid of doing their swimming lessons, but then the weak will drown and that just fits right in with the UCP's Libertarian agenda. You dont have to vaccinate dead kids.

[Ped]

Gee, if only they could come up with a way to ensure that books are not being read by students at inappropriate age levels. Nope, that's too hard, just ban them all!

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Acquired it after the first kill?

Indeed, the killing and maiming are all A-OK.

[fotze2]

I gotta admit, as much of a degenerate shrew, I like the digital ID and health card. I’m sure it will be botched but I like the idea. Maybe get that garbage Covid passport app the government have to grift from.

[Fuzz]

All they have to do, which is what most provinces did, was put it on the drivers licenses. And if you don't have a DL, you get a basic ID card with it on. Most provinces had this figured out years ago. The Digital ID is fine as an add-on to this, but it can't be the only option.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

All they have to do, which is what most provinces did, was put it on the drivers licenses. And if you don't have a DL, you get a basic ID card with it on. Most provinces had this figured out years ago. The Digital ID is fine as an add-on to this, but it can't be the only option.

That would make sense but have to grease someone with an app.

This is a gear grinder, apps, can we F off with the apps? I want to order a pizza, I don’t want to download your app.