There's something about the spirit of people in Alberta that I love. Fiercely independent, hard-working, and honest; I still see many of the ideals that the pioneers brought with them in their descendants and those who join them in Alberta. I admire these values and am working to live up to them.

One man taught me so many of these things - my stepdad. An avid outdoorsman, he (along with my mother) taught me a love of the outdoors and the importance of environmental preservation and wildlife management. He demonstrated the value of education and hard work when he went back to school and enrolled at SAIT in his forties. He was always honest with us kids; we knew he meant what he said and he said what he meant. He taught me respect for my elders, my country, our military and police forces, and the world we live in.

My stepdad embodies the Western spirit I cherish in the people of Alberta. Happy Father's Day, Rod. You make me proud to be an Albertan.

And Happy Father's Day to the Alberta Bloggers who are dads as well!

First off, I'm giving a Rant-of-the-week award to Aaron at Grandinite for this post on ATVs being exactly where you want to go to get some peace and quiet. WORD.

Floods

The floods were obviously a big topic in the last two weeks. Phil at 8-Track mind comments on the crazy amount of rain in Calgary. Bert at Hanger 19 has some pictures (of dubious origins) of the crazy weather.

Calgary Observer writes about the new lake in his neighbourhood, and Civitatensis has some pictures. Darcey at Dust My Broom, who is just getting settled in, also has some pictures. Even more pictures, from Heather at Lectio.ca, can be found here.

Kevin at Kevin G Powell got up close and personal with the flood... in his basement. Hope things are getting cleaned up alright!

Huck at BumfOnline writes about the insanity brought on by the aftermath.

Health Care

Another big topic was the health care decision by the Supreme Court. Matt at Jerry Aldini has a series of in-depth posts, starting with this one. CalgaryGrit looks at the issue from the perspectives of different parties, and has a heck of a comment thread going. Kerilyn at albertapropagandists isn't too scared by the decision, even though she is a firm believer in universal health care. Duncan (hey, another old friend!) at Phendrana Drifts still supports socialized medicare - but just until someone can come up with something cheaper!

Russ at Burkean Canuck has a post dealing with some of his own experiences with the system, and links to several more posts. Calgary Observer has some thoughts as well. Justthinkin at Crittermusings weighs the pros and cons of private care. As well, Tim at The Black Kettle looks at some interesting statistics.

Ed over at Maple Leaf Blog wonders, in light of the text of the ruling, when Alberta is getting an apology for all those times we were supposedly "ruining healthcare". I've wondered about that as well, Ed.

Alberta Politics and News

Daveberta has some good posts on the Alberta political scene - one on freedom of information, and one on the joys of partisan politics.

Ian at Ian's Messy Desk has a post about the Edmonton serial killer, something M. K. Braaten also discusses.

Micheal at Bow Valley Blog has a few posts on the bear attack and some possible solutions.

Also, Stupidangrycanajun discusses Alberta separatism.

National and International Politics

Russ at Burkean Canuck has some advice for Stephen Harper and his communications team. Darcey at Dust My Broom also has some thoughts. (I throw in my 2 cents here.) Ed at Maple Leaf Blog doesn't think Harper is going to have much of an improvement. Duncan at Phendrana Drifts is unimpressed with the Tories' positioning on the NDP budget. Lex Luthor at Going Green in Alberta is just getting started, but has a post up about the Conservatives' opposition to the NDP's budget as well. William at Noise From the Right takes a jab at Belinda Stronach, and Steve at Points of Information takes a jab at the floor-crossing bill she inspired.

Herbinator launches his personal website, which should help him as a candidate for the Green Party in the next federal election, whenever that comes around.

Laurie at Strong and Free, who will be running as a Conservative candidate in the next federal election, writes about the abandonment of parliamentary traditions in Ottawa.

CalgaryGrit has a funny pair of posts about the Liberals' and Conservatives' top priorities.

Idealistic Pragmatist has some thoughts on electoral reform.

Kerilyn at albertapropagandists discusses federalism and separatism in Quebec.

Richard at The Cannuckistan Chronicles has an interesting

Justthinkin at Crittermusings has interesting post about the Tamil Tigers in Canada. Related - Stupidangrycanajun wonders about where all that tsunami relief money is going.

Vitor at What It Takes To Win has introduced me to a new term related to political blogging - astrofturf.

Internationally, Tim at The Black Kettle looks at how things are going for the EU.

On social issues, Cycles2k at Political Cycles writes about the links between povery and education. Allie at Walks Like Summer Rain discusses a case similar to the Terri Schiavo case. Kim at Our Thoughts has a post about infant mortality rates in different countries, and wonders about a correlation with undernourishment. Tangentially, Ricia at Impetus Online has been busy with exams, but has found time to post about mandatory vasectomies as a possible solution to unwanted pregnancies. If I was a guy, I would probably not be amused.

Life, the Universe, and Everything

Civitatensis continues his/her Multicultural Redneck Albertans series. Larry at Our Thoughts has a great post up about his family's history in Alberta. William at Noise From the Right also writes about why Alberta is special, and Cycles2k at Political Cycles writes about what makes Canada great.

Matt at Jerry Aldini celebrates his blog-versary. M. K. Braaten is also celebrating - his last term paper! Whitefinger at Voices of a Distant Star is celebrating both his mom's wedding AND his convocation. Congrats all around!

In computer and techie toys news, Richard at The Cannuckistan Chronicles has a new toy! I am jealous. Ian at Ian's Messy Desk promotes some Open Source programs... I heartily agree. Gimp is 'teh awesome'. Allie at Walks Like Summer Rain is having some fun baiting a spam-scammer.

Bert at Hanger 19 is moving into a new place, which doesn't sound like much fun what with the rain and all.

Fearthainn at Elephants with Wings has made herself a Slytherin scarf, and is starting a Gryffindor scarf for her nephew. She also links to some neat Dance Manuals from the American Library of Congress. Heather at Lectio.ca is also knitting; some gorgeous baby booties. You ladies have talent!

Over at Capitalist Pig vs. Socialist Swine, some interesting art is presented by a guest blogger. Mmm, plastination (shudder). Lucky ducks Capitalist Pig and Socialist Swine are in Italy! Phil at 8-Track Mind, another traveller, posts more on his honeymoon here and here.

At the movies, Huck at BumfOnline writes a review of the new Batman flick, as does Harlem Spanish at Cosby Sweater, and Colby Cosh comments on some rather obsessive Star Wars fandom.

In media news, Rob at Doucheblog doesn't like Rachel Marsden, and laments non-creativity in the media. Vitor at What It Takes To Win writes about "Jamie's School Dinners" program everyone seems to be talking about.

On the blogging front, Harlem Spanish at Cosby Sweater was having a bit of trouble getting his words out, once he had time to actually blog. Boy, do I understand that feeling. Aaron at Grandinite tracks the book tag meme from the Governor General on back as far as he can. He also has this cool picture and some links that took up most of one of my afternoons last week - it was really interesting! Herbinator does some blog-surfing... why does everyone hate the cat-bloggers so? Does it apply to dog-bloggers too? Whitefinger at Voices of a Distant Star does some dog-blogging, which I think is awesome. Cute dogs!

Toque at Little Man in a Toque introduces us to some fun British slang and celebrates perogies. That post made me have perogies for dinner.

Simon at Simian Farmer is kicking ass at work, and offers some interesting parenting advice.

Peter at Rempelia Prime has been away on business, but still found time to update his banner. And start a blog war.

On hiatus, missing or busy: Le Revue Gauche, Red Vs. Blue.

Whew!

____________________________

* Yeah, I know I didn't actually get this post up on Father's Day. I manipulated the date stamp. I seriously underestimated the amount of time this would take. Y'all are loquacious.