Saturday, November 08, 2008

The Alberta Stampede

EDMONTON - Bedecked in a black cowboy hat and a bolo tie, Liberal Leader Kevin Taft stood in the legislature rotunda today and announced he would table a motion to make rodeo Alberta's official sport.

"Alberta doesn't even have an official sport. It struck me right away, well, it should be rodeo. What is more Alberta than rodeo?" he said.

I'm torn on this one. If the cowboy boot were on the other foot, I would be savagely mocking Ed Stelmach if he tried something like this (and Taft himself spends a chapter of his book expressing frustration about the great rough fescue debate).

But, the ALP needs to blatantly pander to "real Alberta" so, what the hell, yee-haw!

Labels: ,

posted by calgarygrit at 5:32 p.m.

21 Comments:

  • This sounds to me a little bit like Manitoba PC leader Hugh McFayden promising to bring back the Winnipeg Jets during the last provincial election. The pandering was so blatant and ridiculous that McFayden became even more of joke than he was before.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:38 p.m.  

  • I completely agree with you... I am a Liberal in Alberta and I have to vote for this guy?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:55 p.m.  

  • Given how the Democrats did well by showing how much some of them liked guns and the 50 state strategy and all, I'm surprised you don't mention how he goes around in 10 gallon hats.

    He doesn't, does he?...well, it's time to start!

    By Blogger Alexander Soley, at 6:09 p.m.  

  • To 5:55 Anon,
    No you don't have to vote for him...He stepped down as leader and will be replaced by the end of the year...Which is why I suspect he's started down this route. JF

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:13 p.m.  

  • Why does the description of the cowboy hat and bolo tie remind me of Harper circa 2005?

    On the bright side, that might be a good thing for the ALP. Can't be much worse than what they've been getting, anyways.

    By Blogger MB, at 7:04 p.m.  

  • This is the 1st I've heard of a Province wanting an official sport. Do other Provinces have their own official sport? Never heard of one yet if that is the case.

    By Blogger penlan, at 7:18 a.m.  

  • It's a stupid idea. Less than 1% of Albertans particpate in rodeo sports. Compare that to hockey or even soccer, and it's no contest what should be the official sport.

    It's stupid pandering to people who hold on to some outdated idea of what Alberta is supposed to look like.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:58 a.m.  

  • Without the pressure of having to face an election ever again, Taft has become even more crazy in his political judgement.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:12 p.m.  

  • This feels like such cheap, transparent, pandering. It embarrasses me as both a Liberal and an Albertan.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:09 p.m.  

  • Taft the yoo-yoo

    what happened to the Grand Vision thingy??

    another reason Alberta Liberals are going nowhere.

    dream on...........

    By Blogger Unknown, at 10:14 a.m.  

  • In the absence of any interest on the part of most Albertans in a substantive policy debate, perhaps Taft is making A Modest Proposal.

    He's gotten more ink on this than nearly any other act during his 5 years at the helm. During his tenure he has released many thoughtful, well researched policy papers to almost no fanfare. http://www.albertaliberal.com/index.php/alp/policies_index

    He shows up in a cowboy hat one day though and he's the talk of the town.

    Funny how that works.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:26 p.m.  

  • The small-community cheerleader who gets knocked up is the talk of the town too. It doesn't mean she's winning homecoming this year.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:08 p.m.  

  • A waste of the Legislature's time and the Liberals' energy. Don't we have more pressing and serious issues to tackle in this province? Really?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:20 p.m.  

  • Quite effective material, lots of thanks for the article.

    By Anonymous escorts palma, at 9:13 a.m.  

  • 먹튀검증 This is very helpful, especially for those who are planning to start their new career […]

    By Blogger 먹튀검증, at 9:56 p.m.  

  • If you are going for best contents like I do, simply go to see this website all the time as it provides feature contents, thanks 먹튀검증


    By Blogger 먹튀검증, at 9:57 p.m.  

  • 카지노사이트 I constantly spent my half an hour to read this web site’s content daily along with a cup
    of coffee.

    By Blogger oncasino.site, at 10:03 p.m.  

  • 바카라사이트 This is a topic that’s near to my heart… Thank you! Exactly where are your contact details though?|

    By Blogger Korean casino, at 10:06 p.m.  

  • Everything is very open with a really clear explanation of the challenges. It was really informative. Your website is very useful. Many thanks for sharing! 바카라

    By Anonymous oncasinositenet, at 11:37 p.m.  

  • Thanks to my father who shared with me concerning this website, this web site is truly amazing.

    Here is my web site - cab토토


    By Blogger 카지노, at 8:19 a.m.  

  • What I was thinking about was solved thanks to your writing. I have written on my blog to express my gratitude to you.토토사이트My site is We would be grateful if you visit us.


    By Anonymous 토토사이트, at 4:11 a.m.  

Post a Comment

<< Home