Canada might have an early election … or not. The CBC provides an explainer that is rather confusing to someone who isn’t versed in the parliamentary system.

Apparently, the opposition has the votes to force an election, but they want it forced on their terms, not as a result of a failure of the budget to pass. It would seem that the budget was drawn up knowing it wouldn’t pass, so it contains “gifts” for different voting blocs so the Conservatives can tell voters that the nasty opposition parties don’t support puppies, kittens, small children, and widows, or some such foolishness.

The opposition wants the government to fall on a no confidence vote concerning certain actions that have been adjudged to be “contempt of Parliament”, so they can campaign on how corrupt and ruthless the Conservatives are.

It gets confusing for Americans, because the Canadian parties are actually different, with different policies and solutions for problems, and some of those policies are actually left-leaning. It is hard for US voters to believe that such policies and principles still exist in politics.

There are definitely going to be elections in Portugal, as the latest austerity budget has been rejected.

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I have no idea why the military seized on “impunity”, but the use of the word equates to “air supremacy”, i.e. total control of the air space.

The BBC announces: Libya air force ‘unable to fight’

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s air force “no longer exists as a fighting force”, the commander of British aircraft operating over Libya has said.

Air Vice Marshal Greg Bagwell said the allies could now operate “with near impunity” over the skies of Libya.

He said they were now applying unrelenting pressure on the Libyan armed forces.
…

Nato members have been holding talks about assuming responsibility for the no-fly zone over Libya, so far without agreement.

You’ve heard of “mission creep”? Well, in this case it would appear that many people have decided that Sarkozy is the “creep”. He really wants to go all Dubya over Libya, which is not what the others have in mind.

Since “impunity” has been declared, the US mission is over. We are packing up. The equipment, munitions, and personnel were designed to provide air supremacy, and they have. This is a package that comes off the shelf and is used for that one purpose. The “exit” is built in, and we have achieved it. Suppression of Enemy Air Defense [SEAD] is over, and now it is time for other people to take to the field.

NATO might consider handing over control to the Spanish Defense Minister, Carme Chacón Piqueras. She has a two-year-old at home, which qualifies her to handle Sarkozy.

Via Mary at Left Coaster, check out the Japan Quake Map, a time-lapse graphic that shows what has been happening off the coast of Japan since March 11^th. The colors correspond to the depth of the ‘quakes, while the diameter of the circles indicate the strength.

The BBC offers today’s update:

Tokyo’s tap water is unfit for babies to drink after radiation from Japan’s quake-hit nuclear plant affected the capital’s water supply, officials said.

Radioactive iodine levels in some areas were twice the recommended safe level.

People in Fukushima prefecture, where the nuclear plant is located, have been told not to eat certain vegetables because of contamination worries.

Workers have been temporarily evacuated from the plant after black smoke was seen rising from reactor No 3.
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