Anyone?

It's the opposition partys minister who is supposed to stay informed on what the ruling partys minister is doing. So for every minister, there's a shadow minister and it basically means what it sounds like. They shadow them and point out their faults and mistakes.

Problem is, shadow ministers are shadow ministers because their party wasn't good enough to win the election...so they probably have some faults and mistakes of their own.

Do they actually have power or authority? or are they just a ball boy.

No power -they're the opposition, the party that's not in power.

The shadow treasurer is the person who would be treasurer if the government today fell and the opposition took power.

You'd think somone so vocal about political systems would have a grasp on this simple concept use in so many English-speaking nations :rolleyes:

:p

We have minority leaders, but they have some formal power, just not in the Executive Branch. I admit to much ignorance about the Parliamentary system of Government in many countries. I have more interest in the dictatorships and or socialist policy of European government.

One point to Ali - she has moved to foreign affairs, not defence.

happy, I went to take the test to be a 2010 census worker this evening. I got 100%. Apparently not everyone does, so I'm quite proud of myself :D

Shadow ministers may not have formal power, as such, but there are advantages that go with the role. The official opposition (as monster described they're basically a parallel cabinet in waiting) has access to resources and a level of... *thinks* ... 'regard', within the system which the minority parties (even the Lib Dems, the third wheel of British party politics) do not get.

Did you have to bring your own Chianti?

no. no whine was allowed. Didn't stop somene storming out, though

Hey batter batter Hey batter batter SWING! Get out the rye bread and the mustard, Grandma, it's Grand Salami time!!!

WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Ken Griffey Jr returns to the Seattle Mariners. Hell. Ken Griffey Jr *IS* the Seattle Mariners!

A Cincinnati Reds legacy.

Just goes to show you that there really is no such thing as loyalty in sports anymore. Highest bidder wins. I am not complaining about it, just an observation.

I woke up and my hair was perfect. Like in the movies. It was fantastic!

My car died in the grocery store parking lot. The ring connector to the battery had snapped, but miraculously, with a bit of wiggling, the car still started again. I drove it carefully to the mechanic down the road, hoping to God it wouldn't suddenly die in the street and wondering if my brakes would still work if it did.

They replaced the little ring on the spot, free of charge. Didn't even have to unload the kids.

Are you and Jinx actually the same people but in mirror worlds? That's the exact opposite of her experience today...

It's Mardi Gras!

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

I'ts Two free tacos at Jack in the Box Day!

Hang in there, Jack!

I took a personal today for absolutely no reason except I wanted to fuck off. Sometimes a salary job is great. Like today. Grilled lemon pepper chicken and a box of white wine.

Hope I don't need a sick day tomorrow.

Who is Off?

The girl I know that doesn't capitalize the first letter in her name.

lol. Good job capn! I myself, have been called in. Maybe me and the good capn are playing the opposite game?

I can relate to being called in.

If I get a call-in this eve, I'll have to call a cab.

:guinness:

Took the morning off to get my car registered at the MVA.

It's DONE. No more waiting in lines! I think I can do whatever I need to do from here on out via the web.

Things are looking up.

My cousins wife gave birth to twin boys yesterday evening. Angus and George. 5lb12 and 6lb12. Good sizes for twins three weeks early. :)

I'm going to send flowers.

Another thing that's making me happy is that I felt sick most of the night and kept waking up, but now I feel great. I feel like I could even vaccuum the house!

You can't vacuum sitting down with your feet up.

This quote:

"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." - Emerson

I like anything that has "hobgoblin" in it. :D

Case's paintings make me happy! Been away for a couple of years, and just finally found them here for the first time! Beautiful work, neighbor!

74 degrees here today with a light breeze.

also we change the time Sunday week. This is good.

What's making me happy today?

Nothing so far. I woke up grumpy. :(

Be happy that you woke up, Ali.

lol...I should be, but there's this tired part of me that wishes I was still in the land of nod. ;)

I'm happy that my kids and husband have left for the day so I have peace and quiet now.

You should have let him sleep in. ;)

haha...nice one dar. :D

Accepted an offer at the State of Montana DoA. Woohoo! I'm employed again, after only about a month of looking... Either I'm extremely lucky or the economy isn't quite as shit as the alarmism makes it seem.

good for you PW. :) Maybe you're just exactly what they were looking for.

Or maybe you're just that good, Perry!
Way to go! :thumb:

Proud for ya, Perry Winkle.

Yet another cellar prediction comes true!

Thank you! :blush:

Where in CO are you?

Perry, that's Brilliant. With a capital 'B'. How fantastic are you? eh? eh?

Good show old fruit, well done.

Fantastic news, Perry! Are you happy about moving to Montana? (Or maybe you already live there?)

Today I am happy because I decided a couple of days ago that I don't have to be in love with the guy I have been in love with for the last year or so

and also I am still young enough that I don't have to sweat the idea of being alone the rest of my life or anything. I can take a year or even two out from dating and be fine.

Dental floss inspector?

Department of Aliens, Grey Division I believe. Congrats!

:lol:

I've been here for about a month. I like it pretty well. It's much more tolerable now that I have a job. After I buy a car I'll be like a pig in shit.

Pretty much. Senior Web Developer, actually. It's all to do with stringy stuff.

Senior?
So much for the ground level entry program. Times have changed.

Oh, so you won't be hanging with Frank Zappa then. :(

Well, I've been programming in some capacity since I was 12-13 and I've been programming professionally (mostly part time) since early 2002. Senior is a stretch in my mind, but I'll take it.

What's making me happy today?

My entire life. It's all good. Even the rough spots.

Amazon-dot-com

Great deals and online service. Free shipping in many cases as well.

It makes me very happy today. :)

I've had an exhausting couple of days, and I feel like I could just sleep for a thousand years to get away from all this stress. Trying to find things to cheer myself up with.

So the things that are making me happy today are:
-I am scheduled to graduate magna cum laude in May
-First wedding anniversary is next weekend
-Going to visit my brother in two weeks
-Taking a much needed vacation with my husband in April

There. That helps.

Wow...it's been a year already! time has flown by hasn't it?

Congratulations. :)

My house is in A-Town, my work is in D-Town, my heart is in Evergreen, the Harley takes me everywhere! (Including your neck of the woods - if you've got anything on display up that way I'd love to see it in person.)

Won a recipe book!
Was only a promotional thing, and it did have a message from La Palin, but it is my first win and I am delighted!

Yay me!

It sounds like you're not too far from me. I'm halfway between E and C, about a mile from the new roundabout, where the elk and the buffalo play.

I imagine you spend some time at Cactus Jack's or Little Bear.