Gerald Ford - a statesman of great integrity and honor.

I had the personal honor of meeting President Gerald Ford twice in my life. Once briefly at the White House in November of 1974 and then in Regina, Saskatchewan at a dinner in honor of President Ford on September 10 1981 at the Hotel Saskatchewan in Regina.

I also was present at the Republican leadership Dinner on March 7 1975 in Washington DC when President Ford was the guest speaker and I attended a breakfast in honor of President Ford at the 1984 Republican convention in Dallas Texas.

I will treasure the signed book and photographs I have of President Gerald Ford.

Gerald Ford was truly a great American statesman. He brought great honor and integrity to the White House and will go down in history as a really good and decent American president.

Christmas Greetings from Michael McCafferty

  

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Year End Interview with Toronto Star

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has a very impressive record for his first year in office, and I hope you might take the time to read his interview with THE TORONTO STAR. Click here.

TIME names Stephen Harper Canadian newsmaker of the year.

TORONTO -- Time Magazine has chosen Prime Minister Stephen Harper its 2006 Canadian Newsmaker of the Year. And Michael McCafferty says: "Right on" !

Prime Minister Harper introduces Senate reform

Prime Minister Stephen Harper introduced a Senate reform bill Wednesday that gives Canadians a say about who represents them in The Senate.

MICHAEL McCAFFERTY says: A promise made -- a promise kept !

Republican US Senator Chuck Hagel speaks out on Iraq

Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006
Every day that goes by, we are losing ground.
— Sen. Chuck Hagel

a frequent critic of President Bush's war policy, on the Administration's decision to delay an annoucement about Iraq policy until early next year, which he called "unpardonable".

MICHAEL McCAFFERTY SAYS: Senator Chuck Hagel is a decorated 'war hero', a genuine American patriot and statesman -- and I agree with him.

Pearl Harbor Day. Veterans return for the 65th anniversary.

In what could be their last gathering to remember the 1941 attacks on Pearl Harbor, a dwindling group of aging survivors laid wreaths under life preserver rings to honour their ships Thursday in Hawaii.At precisely 7:55 a.m., the nearly 500 survivors bowed their heads. Sixty-five years ago to the minute, planes began bombing the harbour, ushering the United States into the Second World War.

The world must never forget the day that will live in infamy. Hundreds of young Americans lost their lives at this surprise attack that woke up 'the sleeping giant' -- the USA.

The godparents of my daughter were young children at homes in little towns in New Hampshire and Indiana when they heard the news on the radio. They have told me it was
so very shocking -- but at the end of the day freedom and democracy won.

Baker and Hamilton Iraq Report urges major changes

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 — A bipartisan commission warned on Wednesday that “the situation in Iraq is grave and deteriorating,” and handed President Bush both a rebuke of his current strategy and a detailed blueprint for a fundamentally different approach, including the pullback of all American combat brigades over the next 15 months.

In unusually sweeping and blunt language, the panel of 10 Republicans and Democrats issued 79 specific recommendations, including a call for direct negotiations with Syria and Iran and a clear declaration that the United States would reduce its support to Iraq unless that weak and divided government makes “substantial progress” on reconciliation and security in coming months.

MICHAEL McCAFFERTY COMMENTS:

Now more than ever before in America's history is the time for sweeping change with respect to the United States role in Iraq. James Baker and Lee Hamilton are truly genuine statesmen and American patriots and President George W. Bush 'must' listen to them -- or his presidency will be doomed to failure. I do believe President Bush has the courage and leadership to act.

Stephane Dion elected Leader of Canada's Liberal Party

In one of the most historic and exciting political conventions in Canada's history the delegates to the federal Liberal Party convention in Montreal elected 51 year old Stephane Dion as their Leader.

The Liberal convention was truly grassroots democracy in action because Mr. Dion defeated the two front runners for the leadership.

Mr. Dion represents a new generation of leadership in Canada as does Prime Minister Stephen Harper -- and time will tell what kind of a leader Mr. Dion will be.