Smitty

Question: What will be the difference between the Oilers and Flames tee off times? Answer: About 10 days. Well, as I've said, there are three basic ways to improve your team: 1) trading 2) free agents 3) drafting The CBA really has put a damper on trading, the Oilers have a dismal record in terms of landing free agents, so nowadays, the draft is hugely important. Frankly, I am sick and tired of watching the Oilers scratch and claw their way to 10th to 8th. I'm very glad in year that we suck, we suck so bad, that we could get a top 3 draft pick. I'm hoping the Oilers don't turn this season around. I am hoping Carolina catches them. I'm hoping Khabi and Hemsky are out until next season. I'm hoping that the trading deadline will allow us to unload some veterans who are past their prime and not performing. As long as Chicago and San Jose have the teams they do, (and to a certain extent, Calgary, if they ever stop underachieving), the Oilers need a big time player (more than that of course, but a top talent like Tavares or Stamkos is a good start). And probability and the current NHL environment says the likeliest way to do that is through the draft. Nearly all Stanley Cup winning teams that have a superstar that was drafted, rather than trade or sign for them. (And if they were traded for, usually it was for a future or former #1 pick). Teams like the Red Wings have put a lot of time, money, energy, and resources into scouting, and unless the environment and CBA changes, drafting will just get more and more important. Here's hoping the Oilers suck well into April and that the draft this year is talented and deep. Smitty

Bottom line is that Phaneuf has demonstrated repeatedly that he really doesn't care if his hits are legal, borderline, or dirty. Good on the refs to try and rein him in. Smitty P.S. How's that database coming along, Hawg?

If its any consolation, you now get to play...the OILERS! The Oilers are the perfect Rx for any team close to sucking right now. Though, be warned, especially Hawgstoppah, that word on the streets is that the refs have been instructed by NHL head office to 'help' the Oilers out. Smitty

Touche! You are indeed correct. I guarantee you though, when you see it, you'll wish you'd gone to the theatre. My offer still stands... Merry Christmas! Smitty

Bhurt: Merry Christmas then! Where do I send the ticket? Nah, too complicated. How about you go see it and I'll buy you a beer and a pretzel at a pub of your choice (roughly the same price). BTW, the DVD will probably be more expensive then the movie ticket. GO SEE IT! Smitty

What a visual feast! Just brilliant. Film-making, sci-fi, special effects, taken to the next level. And the story is well told and very relevant. All in all, this is THE movie to see in the theatres. It demands the big screen, 3D. Go, and you won't feel you've wasted your money. Smitty

Robert: I can't speak for the separatists - since I'm not one - but I think it would be foolish if this province we're to try and go it alone. I only envisioned the scenario that reh outlined; where at least BC, AB, and Sask are a nation (we need access to an ocean and China and India, Sask is now a have province) and a strong arguments could be made for adding Manitoba and the territories. Smitty P.S. So the quick answer is no! AB as a single, standalone country would eventually crash and burn, because Albertans don't vote for politicians smart enough to have a vision for our province's economy that diversifies enough in the future. A good point will be made about the qaulity of available candidates to select from, but that's a whole other thread...

Rehsifylf, count me as another who supports what you said. I too wonder if people really bothered to think about what the question is implying. In the scenario that you outlined, with a "Western" Canada, I don't see alot of incentive in joining Confederation. And I hope also add, that I have no problem having at least 2 of the three northern territories in this scenario (Yukon and NWT). Though it may seem like a total contradiction, since the reality is that AB is part of confederation, I do not support my fellow AB citizens who keep proposing on Rutherford and Adler (talk radio, for those wondering) that we should separate. Smitty

Don't forget to log that game into your database! Smitty

S.N.S.S.

Well, just FYI, I wasn't trying to be a prick in my post. But the tone of the threads lately just means an "ad hominem" question/attack would likely be forthcoming. Just wanted to try a "nip it in the bud" kind of approach. And you guys are right, as an unemployed teacher, I know for myself job prospects are tied to gov't income, of which we all know a sizable chunk of pie comes from royalties. So I have an interest too, whether its through education, or owning a property in Ft. Mac. Anyways, Castus, I like the points you made, and I'm glad you chimed in (and started this thread). Part of the point I am trying to make was a satirical comment on my own creeping cynicism (I try to use rose colored glasses, comes with being a teacher), in saying "that just because you work in industry xyz, you therefore /ergo must be biased, and anything you say must be invalid." Which of course is nonsense. Just look at that guy Colvin, blowing the lid off the detainee torture issue, he's making the gov't look bad while collecting a gov't pay cheque? What's his agenda? Why bite the hand that feeds him? I'd guess that its simply to report the facts and truths as he's collected them. Good for him. I hope there are many more like him (Sheila Fraser is another good example). Smitty

Castus: As someone who is mostly a skeptic, and thus, naturally sympathetic to your post, I'll ask the question that will be first and foremost on the minds of those that would dispute what you say: "Are you connected in any way to the oil, gas, and/or energy industries, or would your livelihood be impacted by any of those industries being subjected to stringent global policies and agreements in regards to global warming". I'm just saying eventually you'll be asked that. Whether you want to answer that is up to you... Smitty

I couldn't agree more Mike. I think the fisheries along the ES under provincial jurisdiction are facing issues more pressing then fisheries policy in Jasper or Banff. However, I recognize the significance of the inter-dependence that does exist, in the sense that many of our beloved, "provincial" flowing waters have their headwaters in the national parks. Smitty

I have no idea. But, in case my post was confusing, I wasn't intending to connect those dots. I have no particular idea or interest in creating some sort of marketing program that brings hordes of people to the parks to fish. I was just saying is there was some biologically sound basis for creating policy in managing natives vs non-native species, it would seem that having knowledgeable anglers might be an asset in non-native species removal, if that's deemed the direction we ought to go. My approach in terms of popularity - or lack of - of fishing in the parks and parks policy in general is summed up by "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Nothing Kris has said has indicated to me its broke; we're not even close to the melodramatic "last" spawning pairs of Athabasca rainbows, bulls, or cutts situation. Indeed, as it was pointed out earlier, we already have C&R on the native species. It just ain't broke! Smitty

Totally agreed. (Despite my giving into temptation on posting the combat boots comment; I was trying to lighten things a bit...) Haven't read anything that changes my basic position though; very little fishing takes place in the parks when you take into account all the available water, most of the parks consist of vast empty spaces seen by few people since they are concentrated into one or two valleys, and there's no reason why the Parks couldn't implement a Quirk creek type approach for 'invasive' species and use angling as a management tool, as opposed to dynamite or rotenone (sp?), if the invasives pose that much of a threat. Also, what I don't get is how the heck we got sidetracked into the jet boat thing. While its hard not to imagine jet boats not having an impact, what on God's green earth does this have to do with the poll? Has there been a sudden explosion of jet boat use on the Atha-B or the Bow river inside the parks? Aren't they prohibited (I actually don't know). huh??? Anyways, Kris sure is one thing to me; utterly confusing. One hand he says he has this position, on the other hand he says that. I am not dumping on you PGK, its not intended to be a flame or an effort on my part to lambast you; its just that if you sort through 8 pages of this thread (which would require not having much of a life right now, something I am familiar with), you'll see that you say things that contradict themselves. Not so much necessarily on the science, but your attitude. Anyways... Mike 'Smitty'

So, I just want to know that does every thread from Sept - March "must' turn into a ShacK Nasty Sh*t Show? I will now use the acronym SNSS. Anyways, Canadensis, there is such thing as a rigorous methodology in the scientific community. Studying the Pine Beetle is a relatively straightforward process. The Pine Beetle explosion, has been a result of several warmer than normal winters over the past 20 years (oh pretty please, can we turn this into another GW debate? I can't wait!! ), plus several decades of controlling forest fires. So lots of unburnt trees + not cold enough temps = perfect storm for Pine Beetle. Smitty P.S. If there are any eye doctors on FFC, I would like relevant commentary please on whether I am at risk of semi-permanent blindness due to excessive eye rolling...

Its not killing pine beetles - yet. You need sustained cold of -40 for several days. And it will be warm again by Friday. Just sayin' there isn't case to be made for optimism here, unfortunately. Smitty

All I know is that someone's mom wears combat boots.

Well that makes perfect sense, its just that with our recent history of trying to sign Hossa, Vanek, Jagr, Heatley, its a big IF. I don't mind a quicker turnaround if it can be done. I just lack faith in the whole free agent signing thing... ******* On a completely different note; WHAT. THE. HELL.??? 5-0 on the road? Makes me want to drink. In celebration or total mystification. Honestly, what kind of Vegas odds could I have gotten with Hemsky hurt and betting the Oil would get 10 out 10 points on the road trip before the first game? I'd be a rich man.... Smitty

Wow, did you miss the boat on that. I don't care about pleasing Kris's or anyone else's ego on this board. I do believe in looking in the mirror and being honest with yourself and your motives. So, I am simply admitting that my defence of fishing comes from a "selfish" perspective, because the Parks contain some waters that I dearly love, and closing the Parks to fishing would impact me. I think that would qualify me as being human. This seems personal nebc, I am not sure why you have it in so much for PGK, but to each his own. Anyways, I think if more people on this board were frank about their motives, the discussions might - dare to dream - become a little more productive. Stated differently, if there is one thing about Kris; his ego is healthy enough without my help! Smitty

Gotta disagree with ya there, Scorpion. With the CBA the way it is, very little trading is going on. Plus, with our woes in signing free agents, we should look to have a strong draft position. And I do think if you look at the top 3 players from the last 10 years, its possible they could help alot. This year's draft is supposed to be good, so I would guess at this point a top 3 pick would look very enticing. Don't get me wrong however; if the Oilers can turn the season around and finish strong enough for a playoff spot, then great. But I'm sick of this finishing 9th or 10th and getting the 9th or 10th pick. If we're going to sh** the bed, lets do it right! Smitty

Hi. nice to meet you! This is what I have been saying. The travesty of this debate is that is a massive distraction from some incredibly more pressing problems. Anyways, I didn't vote in the poll, because there wasn't an option that said: "I'm really sick of this debate, its incredibly obvious the earth has waxed and waned for millennia between warming and cooling, and I think the alarmists are idiots, but I also happen to think its sound practice to improve efficiencies and have economies improve in reducing their carbon footprint. Its a no brainer that we should have a regulatory process that provides incentives to reduce the amount of pollutants and non-pollutants in the air, water, and soil, but as far as picking on any one industry or any one country with unrealistic, unsupportable short term goals ("lets reduce emissions by 75% in 3 years, yay!"), those tree huggers can go jump in a lake. It will take a fair and balanced process with ALL the emitters agreeing to a sound, uncorrupted science based plan. But that wasn't a choice. So I didn't vote. But then, I have always been a moderate. Truth be told, if the debate is encapsulated by SL vs Sun's position, I am neither. And probably so are most people on this board and, I suspect, in this country. Smitty

Trust the Oilers to start screwing up my dreams of a top 3 pick... Smitty

Well, good for Horcoff for stepping up, and Lubo for keeping up his steady play. Watching Deslauriers handle the puck though is causing ulcers. He needs a talking to from the goalie coach. But still, someone like Gagner and Cogliano (and Nilsson too if he can earn a keeper spot in the lineup) have to support Penner and Horcoff in the offence. Smitty

Book? Bhurt, he's looking for the annual publication, not Alberta's Trout Highway. I had some back issues, but I sold them. When I got into fishing in 1986 as a kid, I was so enamored with the AFG, I phoned Barry to get past issues; I think he thought it was funny some kid was phoning him! Anyways, the point is Barry is quite happy to sell back copies if they're available. Just do as Neil says. Smitty