For What Good?

There’s a new look for the provincial cabinet following a swearing-in ceremony this morning
at Government House in St. John’s.

Premier Danny Williams announced his senior rank move, just two days after his buddy Steve in Ottawa did the same with his. There is a silly kind of humor intact with that I do believe, but who is laughing now? None the less, Dan could not meet Stevens challenge by tossing back a similar Mackey punch.

Realistically, ABC now reads more like Assholes Behind Conservatives, and that is exactly where Danny has put this province, it's where Harper really wanted us, at his mercy and"Behind Ottawa" Danny did not do Newfoundland & Labrador any favours with that stupid "ABC" campaign, he acted like a school yard bully, and I believe he lost - Correction "we lost".

William said "a renewal in a number of portfolios will enable the provincial government to provide strong leadership". I am not sure what the word "strong" really defines here, after all there really isn't much human change in cabinet, just one new face added, with titles and roles making up for the rest of the change.

Cynicism attached, if Danny can micro-manage any particular elected member or any number of of elected members, it doesn't matter what their tag reads; Machine washed, hand washed or blow dried, the result is the same. A caucus full of coat tail followers.

Kennedy is now Finance Minister while Marshall becomes Justice Minister. Did you ever see the movie Al Capone Meets Machine Gun Kelly? same thing! Insignificant to the poor amongst the poor, but a sure slap in the face for Marshall. After all, the man with the purse, is the man with the power, you could tell he liked that power.

More cynicism, and further to an earlier post I wrote, the finance post is huge, each other department depends on that one department doing the best job... It's whee they get their budgets after all. Well, five years has given Tom Marshall the experience to run finance; how will a junior league rookie compare to a seasoned pro?

Susan Sullivan is the only new face in the cabinet taking up duties as minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. Her job also includes minister responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, the Labour Relations Agency and Francophone Affairs. Now Brudder that's a plate full for a newbie.

The following is a list of new cabinet ministers by department (cabinet portfolios not listed remain unchanged):

Susan Sullivan Is:
Minister of Human Resources Labour and Employment
Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities
Minister Responsible for Labour Relations Agency and Francophone Affairs.

Kathy Dunderdale Is:
Deputy Premier &
Minister of Natural Resources
Minister Responsible for the Forestry & Agrifoods Agency
Minister Responsible for the Status of Women

Trevor Taylor Is:
Minister of Transportation & Works
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation;

Dianne C. Whalen Is:
Minister of Municipal Affairs
Minister Responsible for Emergency Preparedness
Registrar General

Thomas J. Hedderson Is:
Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture;

Shawn Skinner Is:
Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
Minister Responsible for the Rural Secretariat;

Dave Denine Is:
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Minister Responsible for the Volunteer and Non-Profit Sector.
Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Finance and president of Treasury Board,

Kennedy is minister responsible for the Public Service Secretariat and the Office of the Chief Information Officer.

Williams also announced that Clyde Jackman will serve as Acting Minister of Environment and Conservation, while Charlene Johnson is on a medical leave of absence.

No better way to put it Danny my son! Acting Minister... they all act, some rather poorly to boot, way I see it, you boasted to loud, to soon.. Peter and Steve will determine our next four years, don't keep your empty collection plate out in the rain too long, it will rust. A world in recession, a world of hurt for Newfoundland and Labrador, falling oil prices and a country leader who hates the tenth province. Way-to-go Mr. Premier.

Brudder