Author Archives: susanonthesoapbox

A $6 Billion “Bitumen Bubble”…Really?

Posted on January 27, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

It’s the “bubble’s” fault.  According to Alison Redford a “bitumen bubble” triggered a nose dive in oilsands crude prices resulting in a $6 billion shortfall in Alberta’s resource revenues and leaving Albertans $6 billion short for the upcoming budget.*  Ouch! … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 21 Comments

Drs Love and Boswell, I Presume?

Posted on January 20, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

When Mr Stanley tracked down Dr Livingstone on the shores of Lake Tanganyika he greeted the doctor with the now famous phrase “Dr Livingstone, I presume?”  Dr Livingstone replied “Yes, I feel thankful that I am here to welcome you”.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 14 Comments

When “The Duchess” says jump, you jump! Sheila Weatherill testifies at the Queue Jumping Inquiry

Posted on January 13, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

Has the public inquiry into preferential access (queue jumping) into healthcare been a colossal waste of time?  Not on your life! The inquiry created a window, rather like that in the cannulated cow, into the byzantine and sometimes Machiavellian antics … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care | Tagged , , , , , , | 13 Comments

The Summons (!!)

Posted on January 6, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

“You’ve got mail!  It’s a letter the Alberta Department of Justice.”  Mr Soapbox solemnly passed me the envelope. Yikes!  It’s the PC thought police!  I ripped it open and found…a Summons for Jury Duty. Groan, this is even worse than … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice | Tagged , , | 30 Comments

Ode to the Smack Down Chocolate Orange – with apologies to the poet John Keats

Posted on January 1, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

John Keats’ poem Ode on a Grecian Urn was a flop when it was first published in 1819, largely because of the last two lines:  Beauty is truth, truth beauty, that is all ye know on earth, and all ye … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrations, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

Alberta: Poised on the Fiscal Cliff. Again!

Posted on December 30, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

The Alberta Progressive Conservatives are in deep trouble when the only PC making any sense is Ron Liepert (yes, that Ron Liepert, Alberta’s former finance minister and one man wrecking crew).  Mr Liepert says it’s time for the government to … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Merry Christmas from the Soapbox Family

Posted on December 25, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

I love Christmas and the quirky Christmas traditions that have sprung up in the Soapbox household. The tradition I love the most is me not making the turkey dinner.  I was banned from the kitchen years ago after the safety … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrations | Tagged , | 21 Comments

Merry Christmas Florence Nightingale

Posted on December 23, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, once said “No man, not even a doctor, ever gives any other definition of what a nurse should be than this –‘devoted and obedient.’  This definition would do just as well for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

The Redford Government’s Descent into 1984

Posted on December 16, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

On Nov 21, 2012* the Redford government took Albertans to the threshold that divides the world of reason and accountability from Orwell’s 1984.  We’re teetering on the brink, trying to hack our way through the double-think, newspeak and historic revisionism … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

We are not the Borg!

Posted on December 9, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

The Borg is an alien race that exists in the Star Trek universe.  Its sole purpose is to assimilate all other species, usually by force, into the “hive mind” in order to achieve perfection. OK, hold that thought… …now consider … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments