We need an election. Now.
Sure, there are lots of reasons not to go through the bother and expense of a vote and, yes, it’s only been a year and a half since the last ballot. The polls are volatile, I know. There is no clear preference on the part of Canadians. The outcome could be most uncertain. Quebec voters have election fatigue while Manitobans are already in a campaign. The federal NDP and BQ may want to hide from the voters, and the Liberals, with a new leader, may not be quite ready for electoral battle. We’re in the middle of a war in Afghanistan, and the latest budget has not been passed into law. In many ways, it’s the worst time to send us to the polls. But in many others, the best.
I cannot expect you to know this, since you have not walked in my shoes, but Stephen Harper is a truly dangerous man. It is time to stop him. I’ve seen him close, and in action. I know the people he has selected to be around him, and I know his agenda. He is an ideologue, masquerading as a populist politician. His goal is not to give Canadians the country they desire and deserve, but rather the nation-state he wishes to create. The man who not so long ago preached Alberta separatism, who refused to allow any accommodation with Quebec, who denied the reality of climate change, who denigrated Maritimers as welfare addicts and who has consistently curried favour with the American political right wing, somehow slipped through our national filter to become prime minister.
He did this by donning the cloak of a moderate Progressive Conservative, after he killed off that party, and appealing to middle-of-the-road Canadians at a time when the Liberal party was in disrepute. Give us change, country said. And Stephen Harper was there, engineered into place, the only alternative.
But a year and a half of power has revealed the man I saw clearly when we first met after the January, 2006 election. It should be evident now, he is unworthy to be prime minister.
You may say this conclusion is the result of my own experience. Without a doubt, that’s an influence. I cannot respect a political leader who has such disdain for an MP who puts voters before party, who cannot tolerate open discussion, and who works to destroy every perceived opponent through smear, reputation assassination and belittlement. Being ejected from my own party by a man who is in the process of destroying it was a shock and a trauma. I will not forgive him. I will not forget. But that is not why we need an election.
Rather, Stephen Harper is doing to the nation what he did to conservativism. He’s taking it from a consensual middle road of quintessential Canadianism onto a path to nowhere. His actions are designed to win and consolidate more power so his own ideological view can prevail. Give me a few years, he once said, you will not recognize this country.
True, enough. A conservative does not bring in a budget which takes government spending to the highest level in history, just as the economy has peaked. A conservative does not increase the rate of personal income tax, or attack the retirement savings of Canadians with a new tax on investments.
Most Canadians, of any political leaning, do not support stacking the courts with judges who agree only with the ruling party. They do not cheer a leader or his ministers who refuse to answer questions on the floor of the House of Commons. They do not want elected officials forced to vote on whether or not gay people can have lasting and legal relationships. They have grave doubts about turning peacekeepers into front-line combat troops for a decade, or spending hundreds of millions on second-hand tanks. They do not support declaring as a ‘nation’ a group of people within our own sovereign country. They disagree that our flag cannot be lowered when a fallen soldier returns to Canada. They cannot tolerate the reluctance of the national government to act for the environment, or the timidity when it does. They do not support the muzzling of the MPs they send to Ottawa to represent them, or the ease with which their country can turn its back on accords, agreements, protocols or covenants.
Mr. Harper is our national leader, and yet he does not embody the nation’s values. He is an aberration of our flawed political system, a party leader elected when not enough of us were paying attention, then chosen by an absolute minority of the people, and yet handed the power of an American president. Such power, he has used in a reckless and arrogant fact, while ironically calling his government ethical, accountable, open and transparent.
But, transparent it has become. And we need an election. Now.
249 comments ↓
Garth, I agree with your call for an election although I think that picture is a lot of the top unless you are purposely trying to compare Mr. Harper with Adolph Hitler.
But, other than that, what’s wrong with him Garth?
An appropriate caption for the photo would be “Heil Me”.
AMEN
Hi Garth,
You have mentioned on many occasions that you saw through Stephen Harper the moment you met with him after the January 2006 election. I believe that it was probably a frightening experience for you to come to such a terrible realization about your own leader — at the time.
Can you give us a hint of what he said and/or did to jolt you into realizing that the Harper we see now (and many of us saw way back when) is the Harper you saw suddenly and so starkly at that first meeting?
Also, love the photo. That salute he is giving reminds me of something, a right-wing party, I think!!
25 billion dissapeared from Canadian Investors
1 year of inaction and smoke and mirrors on the enviroment
Allegations of torture on Afghan detainees
This government may have set the record for worst government ever in Canada.
Most damage done in shortest amount of time.
Absolutly disgraceful!!!
Right now it’s hard to remember the Canada I grew up in and was so proud of. What ever happened to Peace, Order and Good Government? Whatever happened to compassion and Rules of Order. We used to be able to disagree with someone without trashing them. Schoolyard bullies used to be denigrated, now they (and their friends) are elected to form our government. What happened? How did we go so wrong, so fast? I agree, Garth, there has to be an election before the country I knew is gone forever. Harper IS a dangerous man and he ‘leads’ us at our own peril. M. Dion is an honourable man. I trust him. To those who claim he cannot communicate effectively, listen with your heart and mind to his words and his tone – his passion for this country and his COMpassion for other people. When my ears fail me, my eyes can see the truth. M. Dion believes he can make a difference in peoples’ lives and in the world we live in; Mr. Harper believes he can get a majority government and follow HIS OWN agenda.
Thank you, Garth, for following your conscience and allowing us to share your world in cyberspace.
Jan
It will be no surprise that I wanted an election, like, yesterday: Écrasez l’infâmie!
All you have to do, Garth, is convince Dion to bring the Government down and get on with it. The problem I see is that none of our political leaders, opposition or government, is ready to let the chips fall where they may. They’d rather wait for polls that hold out some probability of success for their respective parties.
I can’t see the Harper Government suddenly turning competent and pulling their chestnuts out of the fire. Time will work against this greatest collection of non-entities we have had in Cabinet, so Harper may pull the plug himself to have a chance to survive with another minority.
Herb, I believe it is Mr. Layton that has the balance of power and the ability to ‘bring down’ the current government. The Liberals, by themselves cannot do it.
Garth- you keep throwing around the word “ideology” and that somehow Stephen Harper’s “ideology” is dangerous. Could you be more specific about what that “ideology” is? I know he is a self confessed Monarchist who believes in the Constitution and the specific federal/provincial jurisdictions instead of a central Big government in Ottawa that controls everything. I know that as far as “social” issues that are hot buttons to many sides that he, and the party policy as endorsed by members, is that all MPs have a free vote.
Can you be more specific about what “ideologies” he has that are dangerous (aside from you and he have personality differences) and perhaps outline what “ideologies” the Liberal party has in comparison.
Thanks
Nice picture is it real or made up?
Quite real, I believe. Certainly not changed by my hand. — Garth
The biggest problem the Libs have now is Mr. Dion. The party has to do something about his “marketability†to win a majority in the next election.
SES Research provide accurate polling data – see their prediction about half way down this page http://www.sesresearch.com/main.asp – within 0.1% on all counts. They did another poll “Which Federal Leader Would Make the Best Prime Minister†(here http://www.sesresearch.com/library/polls/POLNAT-S07-T230.pdf) from March 31 – Apr5. Mr. Dion doesn’t do too well.
He worries the hell out of people. The environment is not the most important issue out there. Yet the perception is that it is the only issue of high importance to him. The goofy red/green deal was environmentally driven.
From your blog of March13 re your Halton “Ecosummutâ€, Dion spoke for maybe ten minutes about today’s carbon budget announcement, and then we opened it to questions from the floor. For the next 45 minutes he answered them, one after the other on topics like urban sprawl, infrastructure, hydrogen power, mass transit, the GST cut, his record in government, and why anyone should trust Liberals. Mostly environmental…
We need to start hearing a whole lot more specifically about the other two pillars in his so called “three-pillar policy approachâ€.
I’ll vote Lib due to my one-tract mind—revenge for having to work an extra couple of years before retiring. And I truly feel he’d make a fine PM. But he apparently needs to win over a large number of Canadians before that’s going to happen.
Yes – I want an election now too. The sooner, the better. My reasons are the opposite of yours!
Stephane Dion’s action this week confirmed in my mind that this man is not fit to be a Prime Minister candidate.
Bring it on!
That’s pretty scary
gah. what the hell is wrong with you? That picture will back fire?
Garth
A quick point or two, you say “turning peacekeeper to frontline troops” I would assume you are referring to the troops in Afghanistan. Is it your view that if combat is required the Canadian Forces should not partake? If not us who? I understand that the public can be unhappy with Germany and France for not fighting in the south but do we as a country want to abandon Afghanistan to the Taliban so they can not allow women to go to school, hold public hanging in the Kabul soccer stadium etc. When the Canadian government entered WWII did we say we will only fight if the US does? No we did not. The Haper government is only meeting a commitment that the Liberals made and it would be foolish to do otherwise. I wish all parties would understand that we are in this like it or not and that it requires serious debate not partisan mud flinging. If we as a nation want to only peacekeep or have no Armed Forces at all we can decide that in honest open debate but when we are engaged in combat operations we should support the mission until it is concluded. As to the used tanks if PC s and the liberals who followed them had funded the Armed Forces we would have new Main Battle Tanks and not have to buy them used. Cheers
Huh? I guess this isn’t *exactly* a 180 change in direction, but the difference in tone from your previous posts is marked.
Before, it was “the Conservatives will declare an election soon, which Canadians don’t want and you deserve better than this crude politicing.” And fair enough – we do, and everyone thought there would be one.
But now, it is “we must have an election soon, to unseat the Conservatives no matter what.” I’m afraid I just don’t see the danger. I don’t trust Harper and Co. at all, and I thoroughly dislike both his politics and his public persona, but the sky certainly hasn’t fallen in this minority government. Why not stick the plan, and let the Conservatives continue to fritter away their trust and support? Jumping on the election bandwagon at a small swing the polls seems foolish at best.
JLW,
of course Dion can’t bring down the Government all by himself, but he has got to start the process. I don’t think Layton would be too happy hanging out to dry in the wind blowing against this government. Duceppe will make up his mind when the time comes.
The point is to step up and give voters an alternative, and the LPC is the only party able to do that.
How about everyone thinking for themselves for a change. Harper says…so that’s the way it is? Talk about dumb.
I didn’t need Garth of the former Liberal government to tell me Harper is scary. I took it upon myself to research Harper’s history, statements and views – and that did it.
Idealogues? The issue with Richard Gere in India is because of a handful of Conservative right-wing idealogues in India who have pulled this stunt before and the cases are always thrown out of court.
The issue with Alberto Gonzalez and the judges – those being fired didn’t fit into the Republican right-wing idealogue and were winning cases of corruption in the Repulican Party.
Harper hated Mulroney – now, he’s used him to get in power by using Mulroney’s advisors, etc. to pretend to be middle of the road.
I don’t understand Quebec at all. Obviously, they need to do their research because Harper doesn’t really believe in bilingualism.
Harper studies Stalin and uses the “pit one against the other” method.
Harper uses sound bites that are repeated so often they are perceived to be true, and yes, this was a method Goebels used in Germany.
Wake up Canada! Do your research.
I’m not making this up.
Actually, I think the photo is real. It’s one of Mr. Harper asking a reporter for the next question. Did any of you catch his speech in York?
He is by far the best Prime Minister in Canada’s history. I look very much forward to the next election when the CPC wins a huge majority!
Here’s the speech:
http://www.conservative.ca/EN/1004/77295
On crime.
You may be right that Canadians don’t want another election, but we can make it more interesting. Why not have the leaders mud wrestle in speedos? Winner takes all! he he he
Tom, I am totally with you on your comment, I strongly suggest that picture be removed, It is obvious that is a still picture of someone waving out to a crowd that was snapped in rapid succession with high speed film. I do not care what political stripe you wear on your sleeve it is totally wrong to in anyway suggest that the PM and or any political leader anyway equates to the most hated man in the twentieth century. Garth I respectively requested that you remove this picture.
Garth ,, Thanks
Leasa – why don’t you go for a walk or something. Best PM in history? He hasn’t done anything amazing yet.
Why do you bother commenting on this site (are you paid by the Harper tactic crowd?) – you come off sounding so naive and pathetic.
Try some reading and learn something.
You are truly annoying – hope those Conservatives working for Harper reading this site are enjoying it – because oh gee, Garth is so dangerous.
You know, I’ve never disliked a PM more or a party more in my whole life.
Are you freelancing Garth? You realize that this “call for an election” could be interpreted by many as having had the support of Dion.
Since I do not wish the illustration to diminish the message, it has been replaced.
It didn’t diminish the real message but rather underlined it. The real message is a message about you, not about Harper. Calling your recent rantings “over the top” is a bit of an understatement. Isn’t their anyone in the Liberal party who can act as a calming influence? As bad a week as the Conservatives have had, you Liberals are jealously guarding your reputations as the most emotionally unstable fruitloops in the box. Calm down if you want to be taken seriously.
LEASA,
What on earth has Mr. Harper done to make you say that he is ‘the best Prime Minister in Canada’s history’? He has been in power for a little over a year and has managed to destroy the savings of many seniors who trusted him; create an atmosphere in the HoC more like an elementary school playground, than a respected place of government; blame other parties for any and all problems which have arisen ON HIS WATCH; reward derision and bullying and stifle all ideas which don’t agree with his agenda; lie and cover up more than any previous government in so little time; spend more money than any other government; pitted the Provinces,and people living in them, against one another; and made me ashamed, for the first time, to admit that I am Canadian.
I think he will be remembered, but only for the damage he has done in so short a time. Hopefully he is not the last Prime Minister of an autonomous Canada, after the ‘integration of the U.S. and Canadian economies’. I wonder how many taxpayer dollars we’re paying to study that? Perhaps our Department of Finance can tell us that, if they dare.
Actually, I think the photo is real. It’s one of Mr. Harper asking a reporter for the next question. Did any of you catch his speech in York?
He is by far the best Prime Minister in Canada’s history. I look very much forward to the next election when the CPC wins a huge majority!
Here’s the speech:
http://www.conservative.ca/EN/1004/77295
On crime.
You may be right that Canadians don’t want another election, but we can make it more interesting. Why not have the leaders mud wrestle in speedos? Winner takes all! he he he
By Leasa on 04.28.07 1:19 pm
Best…prime…minister…. I think I threw up a little in my mouth.
I think the cons are handing out pills now, not just kool-aid.
Time to WAKE UP leasa! Dictator harper needs to go!
TORONTO — The Conservatives’ new environmental platform is a “complete and total fraud†that is “designed to mislead the Canadian people,†former U.S. vice-president Al Gore said Saturday.
The noted environmentalist was presenting his documentary An Inconvenient Truth in Toronto at a consumer environmental show, with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and environmentalist David Suzuki in attendance.
Mr. Gore praised Mr. Suzuki for confronting Environment Minister John Baird on Friday, saying he saw the two exchange words on TV.
When Mr. Baird told Mr. Suzuki the Conservatives were going further than any other government in Canadian history, Mr. Suzuki said it wasn’t enough.
Fraud,fraud, fraud .Harpo and his minions are trying to foist a severely damaged ‘Clean Air Act’ onto the Canadian people .
No hard caps. No targets. No punishment.
Just a big, fat zero .
This is the best these idiots can do in fifteen months ?
They should all be hanged in the public square for ,even, trying to shove this nonsense down the publics throat .
Yea, they’ll get a majority alright when they are chipping the ice off the locks to the gates of hell .
Canada is reafy to send the Barnum & Bailey party (all clowns) packing .
They will be a mere footnote in Canadian political history . Count on it . Know it. Believe it .
I think it would be a great time for an election. All the cover up on Afghanistan,the income trust lie, and the appointment of Fortier, have shown what openness and accountability means to Mr, Harper. I think that everyone like myself who voted Conservative in the last election because we honestly believed that the Liberals needed to be punished and that here was a leader who was claiming the high road on ethics, we have seen the error of our ways and will return to the Liberal party. Added to that, the number of seniors whose retirement has been put in jeopardy and the absolute minimum I can see is a Liberal minority.
To The Hon. Garth Turner:
I humbly request that you leave the likeness of Stephen Harper exactly the way it is. It is most truly representative of a megalomaniac and control freak who has proved he would stop at NOTHING to become head of a chop-shop.
Besides, he and his coterie of ‘suits’ owe me $113,000 which I plan to extract in LUMP sums, preferably in a facefront election campaign.
Dyin’ to Vote Dion!
Thankyou
“For those about to Rock we salute you ”
http://tinyurl.com/2owrxn
TORONTO — The Conservatives’ new environmental platform is a “complete and total fraud†that is “designed to mislead the Canadian people,†former U.S. vice-president Al Gore said Saturday.
The noted environmentalist was presenting his documentary An Inconvenient Truth in Toronto at a consumer environmental show, with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and environmentalist David Suzuki in attendance.
Mr. Gore praised Mr. Suzuki for confronting Environment Minister John Baird on Friday, saying he saw the two exchange words on TV.
When Mr. Baird told Mr. Suzuki the Conservatives were going further than any other government in Canadian history, Mr. Suzuki said it wasn’t enough.
Fraud,fraud, fraud .Harpo and his minions are trying to foist a severely damaged ‘Clean Air Act’ onto the Canadian people .
No hard caps. No targets. No punishment.
Just a big, fat zero .
This is the best these idiots can do in fifteen months ?
They should all be hanged in the public square for ,even, trying to shove this nonsense down the publics throat .
Yea, they’ll get a majority alright when they are chipping the ice off the locks to the gates of hell .
Canada is reafy to send the Barnum & Bailey party (all clowns) packing .
They will be a mere footnote in Canadian political history . Count on it . Know it. Believe it .
http://tinyurl.com/2c5979
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/21852/print
10 min Gore Vidal PBS audio interview, commenting on the VA Tech killings. Very powerful.
Why do I include it on this thread? Because, Canada seems to be doomed to slowly but surely go where America goes, although with a year or two delay, as we absorb and consume their culture on a daily basis.
I don’t want to be saying about my country, what Vidal is saying about his, 5-10 yrs down the road.
Garth, might I suggest that the Liberal caucus try really hard to convey what they see the SH Conservatives doing on a daily basis in parliament in such a way that the average Canadian gets it? You must stop using words like ideologue, bully, fear-mongerer, neocon. People don’t get that. They don’t know what you mean – they are not there everyday, they don’t watch CPAC. They have no reason to find Harper frightening or dangerous. Quit with the labels and start explaining without labelling. Give evidence. Compare and contrast. Show the lie, using reason and logic and evidence. Prove your case. Average people will apply the correct labels once they have the correct info. Quit telling them what to think, tell them why and they will draw the same conclusions you have.
When I talk to my family about Harper, they roll their eyes and think I am being melodramatic. They do not see any evidence to convince them to agree with me, even though most of them probably vote Liberal in the end and consider themselves informed people.
Bottom line is that Dion is trustworthy and honest while Harper is not. Demonstrate that with evidence because the average person does not see that and needs to have the facts.
An election can come none to soon. Garth you would be well advised to update your Curriculum Vitae.
“Note, posted April 28 1:45 pm ET: The election campaign photo I originally selected to illustrate this article was interpreted by some to make Mr. Harper appear too dictatorial. Since I do not wish the illustration to diminish the message, it has been replaced.”
The message was not diminished in deliberately chosing that original photo!
But, you were!
Garth:
I of course agree with all you have said, except for one point. Canadains were told about Harper by many politically educated people. I heard several times ” If Stephen Harper is elected Prime Minister May Heaven Heip us ALL”
M. Dion is by his nature a man who listens and knows how to deligate this and other qualities sit well with our younger generation. Times have changed and M. Dion I believe is part of that change so do not let the polls fool you.
Leasa,
Best Prime Minister in Canada’s History? My god girl, I pity you. He has done more damage to this country in the shortest time in history. Divided us as Dryden so aptly emphasised a week ago. Both sides are virtually screaming for an election- better read Catherine’s post girl.
Best PM in history? I just can’t believe my eyes on that post. This man is currently and will destroy this country and all it has known and loved. He will NEVER get a majority. Not now, not next year, not ever. Both him and Layton ‘are’ history. As leaders they have both failed and they have sealed their fates.
Hurry up Canada- take back what is rightfully ours.
Democracy!
Call your friends and family. Take the time to explain to them the importance of writing letters to their MP’s, their newspapers, their radio stations.
Bring democracy back to Canada- before it’s too late!
Dear Garth, I have not seen the LIBs challenge the CONs on its interest deductibility policy like it has with the IT tax policy.
Why is that? I think the interest deductibility is a bigger mistake by the finance minister/dept.
Again, the CONs used the tax loophole/leakage argument to justify its policy. I think this is another imaginary leakage in Flaherty’s mind.
NOBODY AT THE HELM
Why has Canada put no demands on the foreign buyers of its biggest mining company, its two largest hotel chains, its best-run steelmaker, its top wine producer, its major retailer, when both Britain and Germany won no-layoff guarantees from Bombardier when it bought aircraft maker Short Brothers of Belfast and German railcar maker Adtranz?
As part of:
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/article/208163#
I’ve been reading the posts and opinions carefully on why each of the parties seem reluctant to bring down the current government and it occured to me that perhaps it’s time for the people to speak up instead of letting small groups of back room party strategists and pollsters call the shots. From the Bloc to the NDP, Liberal and Con- all of us ‘insignificant can’t do anything on our own, plain old voters’ of all political stripes could rise to the occasion. We could write a simple letter- we could take a small step – we could rally collectively and send a loud message, that we want this question answered of who should be in charge of ‘our’ country. Minority situations cause unrest and chaos. Enough!
Let’s go to the polls, but first let’s tell everybody we can that we want to.
Get the message out!
I am one voter- I want to vote. NOW.
I cannot expect you to know this, since you have not walked in my shoes, but Stephen Harper is a truly dangerous man. – Garth
Many can honestly say that during the election – they told you so. Sorry Garth, but you were blinkered by the desire for a conservative government not to see the truth about this man.
I cannot expect you to know this, since you have not walked in my shoes, but Stephen Harper is a truly dangerous man. – Garth
Sound like Mike Harris and we all know what he did to Ontario!
Now tell it to Dion, Layton and Duceppe.
I know the latter wants the budget money for Quebec, but once the budget is passed (IT rules can be amended in the next budget!)…..Duceppe has no reason to vote to maintain this government! I would also suggest that you abstain from the vote on Baird’s environment bill. Its not tough enough, but if you vote it down, then we’re back to square one and more delays reaching our Kyoto targets. The rules can be toughened by the next government.
Harper isn’t going to give us an election. He loves being in power and while he can keep the opposition divided, he’s going to keep on “making this parliament work” in his own not so sweet way.
Garth,
The environment issue (meeting Kyoto target) itself, I think, is worth an election. Its urgency is beyond politics and Canada itself. On the same token, if Canada could be a leader fighting this biggest threat to the future generations, that would make us the proudest Canadian.
Conservatives’ strongest argument so far for their new climate change plan is the fact during last decade under Liberal government the GHG actually grew. (I found it is unfair considering the reason they could afford the biggest budget is also from the surplus from the same Liberal government). Although I am unhappy with the old Liberal government, however I can imagine that there were a lot of ground work need to be done to lead to a sound legislation on environment.
So I think Liberal should stand up to tell Canadians what they have done since they signed Kyoto, right or wrong, and the reason to that. This will not only stop Conservatives blaming but also show Canadian the complexity of the issue.
Personally, I think we have no choice but to meet Kyoto and hope it has not been too late. I will do 150% my portion for Kyoto because i know there are others who have less options than I have. I will fight for my daughter’s future. Period.
I like Green party platform the best because it is aimed to change people’s behavior which is the root cause to climate change. But bottom line is we have to meet Kyoto if we could not exceed it.
Thanks!
Some side thoughts on the party NDP.
I think in the next election it will end up badly for NDP. And after the election, the party will have to find a new leader…
Garth, Good on you to take down that first photo. It was definately the right thing to do.
I guess PMSH and his loo attendants, principally Bev Oda, want to be the purveyors of manna* to the masses. Of course, there is another name* for it.
Eyking EI bill for ill Canadians defeated–Halifax Chronicle
OTTAWA — Nova Scotia Liberal MP Mark Eyking’s private member’s bill that would have extended EI benefits to gravely ill Canadians for a year will not become law.
The bill passed second reading in the House on Wednesday, but the government announced Thursday it will not allow it to proceed to third reading.
That means Canadians dealing with cancer or other serious illnesses will continue to receive employment insurance for only 15 weeks. All Tories voted against it.
In the words of Ken Dryden “I want my Canada back”. Says it all.
It’s not about who’s in – Conservatives or Liberals – it’s about one man’s view of how Americanized he’d like Canada to be.
At least when there were Progressive Conservatives even if they weren’t your party of choice – the vision and/or passion was still for the great ol’ Canadian way.
I don’t understand why Harper doesn’t move to the U.S. He could be a governor. Oh, but he couldn’t be the end all “power” man because he wasn’t born there.
I suggest if Harper is to enthralled with the American way he move there so he can be happy.
But of course the CPC refusal to extend the EI crisis payments for poor health does NOT agree with their propaganda.
Eyking EI bill for ill Canadians defeated
“These programs are essential and must be provided without fail through any and all events,” says Steven McLaughlin, Director, Payment Products and Services Directorate.
“Approximately 60 per cent of Receiver General payments represent the sole, or principal, source of income for the Canadians who receive them.”
These include everything from Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan payments to Child Tax Benefits and Employment Insurance.
“Dion is a man who knows how to delegate” Maybe – but the mark of a good manager is to know the credentials and motives of the people he delegates TO. For example – Dion must have delegated for the Liberal Deputy Leader, Ignatieff to go on the Duffy show on Friday. On that show Ignatieff said the Liberals had NO ANSWERS. The government had to have the answers – NOT the opposition. Duffy was quite incredulous when he said “You have no answers??? But, you are supposed to be the government-in-waiting!!!”
So proof again that the Liberals are where they belong – the Opposition CRITISIZES . They do not HAVE ANSWERS.
Just like all of us armchiar critics. That’s the easy role isn’t it?
Voter Fatigue could be a factor with MB/ON/NF/& possibly PEI doing elections between now and Oct:
People probably don’t want to be bothered with voting during summer.
Lots of reasons not to have an election.
AND THEN THERE’S THIS:
Harper doesn,t want anything that doesn’t give him a majority.
For me herein lies the problem.Why is he so desperate to have a majority?
I’m certain that I cannot trust a person (Harper) when you consider his ideology at the National Citizen’s Coalition and then The Alliance.
How can you trust a PM who keeps most of his party silent like some dictatorial puppet master.
How can you trust a PM who just this past week gave so many different answers
about Afghanistan it was comparable to broken promises which got him elected in the first place.
Now we wait for an answer-if it ever comes-why Karzai’s Attorney General Abdul Jabar Sabet and Information Minister,Kharim Khoram want to smother free journalism in the capital.And why is Sabet-who was denied entry to the US now connected to Montreal.
I direct you to http://www.skyreporter.com and Arthur Kent.
If this is the type of democracy Canadian soldiers are fighting and dying for then bring them home.
To be quite honest I once saw Harper as a reasonable alternative to the Liberals.I took him at face value with no knowledge of what made him tick and because I was upset with the liberals.That was then-This is now.Lots can change in 15 months and now is the time. Now I see the other face and it is not a pretty sight for this country.Maybe he can learn that silly dance the networks keep insisting we see “DUBYA” doing and and they can each sign each others dance cards in Crawford,Texas.
Steve, it is time to leave.
Jim, its sink or swim
John, too late for the con
Drop the writ and face the hit!
Bring on the election!
Jack and Gille, go for the kill!
Like anyone believes Duffy – he should be on Fox News. He’s become a Harper strategist.
No answer – well, perhaps it’s called “honesty”. And, the opposition parties are not privy to ALL the information – you can’t make good decisions and “half information”.
Not rocket science.
SLG, See that be your problem, A lot of people believe Duffy, I cannot begin to tell you how many times both my mother and the in-laws when were visiting and they want to talk politics start with, I saw Mike Duffy’s show the other day.
The Liberals, NDP and Bloc do not have the guts to force an election now because they know full well that the Conservatives would still get elected as a minority government.
Unfortunately for the Liberals they need a lot more than Dion’s “marketability” to even get elected as a minority government and a majority is just not in the cards under the present leader. He just doesn’t have it.
But hey if the opposition wants an election then let them bring it on but I for one will not be holding my breath for it to come.
Garth,
Why don’t you just take the picture of Harper off all together?
FINAL RANT OF MY DAY
Steve really ticked me off when he lied and broke his promise on Income Trusts that really hurt seniors.
Jim acts before he thinks and that is why I think he stinks.
John is a person that enjoys talking at people and blaming others for a job he has undertaken to complete.
I will not be voting for people I do not trust or understand. It is quite simple. It will be Liberal. The sooner the better. Bring it on!
Canada has become a disgrace and needs dramatic change.
We need a Reagan Thatcher Harris federal government and maybe Harper will do that in his majority which will turn Canada around for the better
Actually SLG to carry that one step further, one of the reason I enjoy this blog is at least when Garth is bit*hing about policy he offers up a counter point to what the other guys are doing, might not always agree with it but its there.
I’m pretty content with the minority government right now and don’t feel we need an election right now. But if we do it is to bring in a Harper majority sooner rather than later.
While Pierre Trudeau wasn’t 100% bad, he screwed up Canada for the most part. We need to undo the damage he did.
Garth wrote.
“Most Canadians, of any political leaning, do not support stacking the courts with judges who agree only with the ruling party.”
I agree with you Garth but give your head a shake. Successive Liberals governments of the past have been stacking the the courts with Liberal judges for years. Anybody who doesn’t believe that has their head stuck in the sand. Unlike the Liberals, Harper is at least up front about it which is far more honest.
Putting a police officer on the evaluation boards is brilliant. If anything it will keep all the lawyers on the board on their toes because the police officer is on the sharp end and knows what really is required of judges instead of the lawyers living in their ivory towers.
The government’s stance on crime including the selection process of judges is right and is closer to the publics view than the Liberals position.
garth,
why has there been a media blackout (yourself included)on the ndp proposal for an immediate afghan withdrawal?
as far as i am concerned this exposes the duplicity of the ndp and the liberals. the ndp could have voted for the two year time line and still table the quick withdrawal legislation. it looks like nothing will achieved with these tactics.
the liberals and bloc will look like phonies when they don’t support this legislation.
it is like world wide wrestling. what a show!
Garth, I couldn’t agree with you more – we need an election now before this man does more damage to our nation.
The reasons you’ve outlined are compelling but Harper has an even scarier trick up his sleeve: deep North American integration.
Secret meetings in Mexico City, Banff, Quebec City. Agenda: one currency, one border, one “security” force and ultimately one capital for Canada, Mexico and the US.
This is the follow-up to NAFTA and is to be implemented through “evolution by stealth” by the Security and Prosperity Partnership (the SPP’s own words).
Harmonization between Canada and the US through regulations not overseen by Parliament or the US House of Reps. Steps are already being taken: the dismantling of the Canada Wheat Board, fixed election dates (4 years just like the US). And of course the sell-out of our natural resources like oil and gas. Income Trusts were standing in the way – that’s why they had to be destroyed.The CWB is standing in the way, that’s why it must be destroyed. And why has David Dodge left the Bank of Canada after only one term. Could it be he wasn’t onside with a single North American currency?
Yes, Harper is dangerous. His agenda is basically high treason. He must be stopped.
“No answer – well, perhaps it’s called “honestyâ€. And, the opposition parties are not privy to ALL the information – you can’t make good decisions and “half informationâ€.
Not rocket science.
By slg on 04.28.07 3:44 pm ”
Well, apparently the Liberal’s did have answers about torture on Taliban prisoners, as far back as 2003. In spite of the allegations they signed a deal to hand over these prisoners. National Newswatch has the full story.
After all the chest thumping by Dion-Iggy in question period this week, lets see them explain away the fact they were repeatedly warned about the torture allegations when the party was in power.
Every time it looks like Harper is on the ropes, the Liberal’s gift wrap something for him to throw back at them.And Iggy looked like a total buffoon on Duffy. For a guy who has the ability to be a great speaker, every now and then he must get a severe braincramp or something.
Garth, sure you don’t want an election because you were so sure in predicting one before, the one you said no one wanted? Remember.
I want one, and you can be sure we’d be having one if PMSH thought he could win it. — Garth
Read ‘em and weep Mr. Flaherty, soon you will have no cards left to play:
Alcan says tax makes it takeover bait
Proposed end to tax deduction will hurt foreign and domestic operations, CEO says
ANDY HOFFMAN
MINING REPORTER
MONTREAL — Alcan Inc. will be severely disadvantaged by a controversial federal budget measure that scraps a tax deduction for companies investing abroad, chief executive officer Dick Evans said yesterday, warning that the initiative could make the company more susceptible to a foreign takeover.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070427.RALCAN27/TPStory/Business
***
Flaherty’s loophole mania is sheer madness
Headshot of Derek DeCloet
DEREK DeCLOET
Somebody should install a new whiteboard in Jim Flaherty’s office, hand the guy a permanent black marker, lock the doors and refuse to let him leave until he writes, 100 times, “I will not obsess about tax loopholes.” Please. Do it for his own good.
Our elfin Finance Minister is a man fixated on making sure companies pay enough tax. And yes, that is part of his job. The problem is that whenever he spots some wrinkle in the tax code that’s being exploited, he becomes a man with a hammer. Make that a sledgehammer.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070428.RDECLOET28/TPStory/Business
Hi everyone, the text “An Introduction to Government and Politics” 7th edition (published by the University of Calgary) defines neoconservatism as, “An ideological term characterizing parties or politicians who not only advocate an end to government expansion, byt also believe in reducing its role via downsizing, privatization, and deregulation.’
Chapter 11 of this text on Conservatism explains the origins of neoconservatism as such: “After the Great Depression and World War II, the state had become generally accepted as a force for implementing a more just and equitible society. But a countermovement started with the election of Margaret Thatcher in Great Britain in 1979, Ronald Reagan in the United States in 1980, and Brian Mulroney in Canada in 1984. Parties espousing conservative ideology also governed Japan,Italy, and West Germany for most of the 1980s; and other nominally liberal of social-democratic governments, such as those in Australia and New Zealand, followed economicm polices similar to those of conservative governments. It became common to refer to this conservative revival as NEOCONSERVATISM, a term first used in the 1970s by a circle of writers in the United States who had once identified themselves as liberals or even socialists but had become disenchanted with developments in reform liberalism.”
If this doesn’t ring a bell, Pierre Trudeau was a example of a reform liberal: he believed government could change society for the better and establish a more just order. Basically, neoconservatives question the ability of governments to do so, and instead rely on the market to do what they believe government can’t.
This would explain why the government cut funding to the Court Challenges Program, the Status of Women, the ACOA program, etc..: simply because they don’t believe that such programs do anything to improve society.
Does anyone recall Reagan’s “Tickle-down theory?”: he believed that by giving huge tax-breaks to the rich, they’d turn around and spend it on the upper-middle class, who’d then receive that money and spend it on the middle class, who’d receive it and spend it on the lower-middle class, who’d use what they need and spent it on the poor.
Basically, neoconservatism (similar to Chretien’s liberalism, which had to have elements of neoconservatism to ensure they defeated the Reform Party and PCs) put their faith in the ability of self-interested individuals to spontaneously establish the best order possible.
I’m a little concerned for Jackie Chan. Ref his 1:56 post today. He appears to be having a difficult time finding his village. Someone should get him to the mental health clinic as soon as possible. That is good advice Chan. “Tank you so much” for taking my advice. With the GRITS you get three for the price of one. Mr Dion, the Peon and the Nutty Professor. Watch your blood pressure now.
Mr. Garth TurnerMP,
Is PMSH the “Anti-Christ’, or just one of the Devels Neo-Con, sociopathic/psychopathic helpers,
the people without a conscience.That
think money and power is all there is to life, disregarding everyone else and all other life. (You can’t eat, drink, or breath money, no mater how much you have!)
He seems to want us all and our childen to go to ‘Hell’ so to speek.
He doesn’t beleive in Global warming!
(Belief in Myth, avoids the discomfort of thought.)
There isn’t anyone coming to safe us from ourselfes!
Has he even heard of ‘peak oil’, if we keep using know oil and gas at procented rates we will be all out in about 50 years! They’ll still be lots of coal. More CO2, smoke, mercury ect.
Is PMSH still drinking the fluoridated water? Or was he given to much as a child and it lowered his IQ?
see http://FluorideAlert.Org
Some quick math on the oils sands and Canadas CO2 emitions if we stick to PMSH NON-clean air plan.
We saw that in Canada our oil sands operations produce about 12 barrels per second in 2007.
Depending on the technology used to extract the bitumen from the oil sands 80 – 120kg of CO2 per barrel is dumped into the atmosphere.
Recently the Canadian government has proposed a 20% reduction in this per barrel rate by 2020.
Herein lies the problem. The climate physics in the atmosphere only cares about absolute emissions.
Let’s do the math.
At the moment the oil sands emits somewhere between 1000-1500kg per second of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Many analysts are projecting that growth in the oil sands will triple the daily production by 2020. ie. 12 -> 36 barrels per second.
Supposing the industry meets the 2020 intensity targets. ie. the CO2 emissions drop to 65-100kg/barrel.
By 2020 the oil sands will emit 2300-3600kg per second.
In absolute terms this represents 240% increase in absolute emissions in 13 years.
What were the deals that PMSH signed in Huston the day after he got elected?
Is he really looking out for the canadian people who elected him?
I’d like to leave a world so it can support life for all the people in this
world, the only one we now about!
We need a real leaders that understands the problems we have, and who is ready to take action why’ll there is still time to act. No mater how inconvenient.
There isn’t much more time left to act!
If we had an election today it wouldn’t be soon enough!
Bring it on!
Leasa,
Come on ,MAJORITY? . He cannot even buy that.His own party is splitting.
Selling out true conservatism
Gerry Nicholls, National Post
Published: Friday, April 27, 2007
Every time it looks like Harper is on the ropes, the Liberal’s gift wrap something for him to throw back at them.And Iggy looked like a total buffoon on Duffy. For a guy who has the ability to be a great speaker, every now and then he must get a severe braincramp or something.
Blah,blah,blah,blah,blah !
Keep spinning you’re almost fully immersed .
You are a brain cramp .
Opposition CRITISIZES . They do not HAVE ANSWERS.
By Lorraine on 04.28.07 3:20 pm
And that is why the conservatives belong in the opposition benches. Have they stopped blaming the Liberals for everything yet?
Canada has become a disgrace and needs dramatic change.
We need a Reagan Thatcher Harris federal government and maybe Harper will do that in his majority which will turn Canada around for the better
By Liberals Suck on 04.28.07 4:43 pm
All of whom are comparable to Alfred.E.Newman .
While Pierre Trudeau wasn’t 100% bad, he screwed up Canada for the most part. We need to undo the damage he did.
By Liberals Suck on 04.28.07 4:45 pm
Wake up clown . Trudeau is ancient history , in the archives .
Sheesh ! It is the 21st century .
Get a grip !
Fact of the matter is Harpo knows he can’t win and will never win a majority in Canada .
He has tried every angle in the book and all for naught .
Huge bribes to the Quebecois .Spending money like a drunken sailor .
No,what this country needs is a Liberal majority with a Green opposition .
Best of both worlds .
What me worry ?
Garth,
Why DID the Conservatives refuse the third reading of the EI amendment? I thought the EI Fund has a large surplus, which is not supposed to be used for General Revenue? We give 6 months to a year of benefits for maternity and paternity – which is a CHOICE, so why on earth would they deny the same benefits to someone who is gravely ill – and has no choice in the matter, but definitely need our help. Where’s the compassion? This isn’t welfare or charity – it’s INSURANCE! Why are we forced to pay into it if we’re not allowed to claim it?
Do you know why this bill didn’t pass?
The only trouble about getting rid of Harper is that we have no replacement for him or his government.The Liberals are still stumbling around in the dark and if possible, maybe a worse government than the Conservatives.
You are mirroring yourself Garth…for it is you who is the dangerous man.
You are a one man show and I dont expect you are happy being with the Liberals either.
Your words have no credibility with me.
I see we have comments about “have they stopped blaming the liberals yet” – it is serious business…cleaning up after a government who either didnt follow through or diverted money elsewhere…remember ADSCAM is still playing out on the canadian stage…so get your head back into reality…they were not so great…these liberals…and canada needs to be reminded. The truth hurts I guess so many liberals have adopted their own spin and now believe it.
We must undo the damage Pierre Trudeau did to this country and bring Canada to its former glory
This article says it all. It even has a Garth mention:
http://www.thestar.com/News/article/208205
I can’t wait for an election to happen. I want to see where you will go after the Liberals lose and your friend Dion is replaced as leader. Dennis
Why not have the leaders mud wrestle in speedos?
Harpo in a speedo? yech! Too much information!
Leasa, a majority for the cons? You are delusional and sick!
“Garth- you keep throwing around the word “ideology†and that somehow Stephen Harper’s “ideology†is dangerous. Could you be more specific about what that “ideology†is? I know he is a self confessed Monarchist who believes in the Constitution and the specific federal/provincial jurisdictions instead of a central Big government in Ottawa that controls everything. I know that as far as “social†issues that are hot buttons to many sides that he, and the party policy as endorsed by members, is that all MPs have a free vote.
Can you be more specific about what “ideologies†he has that are dangerous (aside from you and he have personality differences) and perhaps outline what “ideologies†the Liberal party has in comparison.
Thanks
By Lorraine on 04.28.07 12:52 pm
Lorraine – How many times have people posted articles about your messiah’s ideologoies. Seems you either never read them or can’t remember them. If you want to live under shrub’s (Harper’s) system, why the heck don’t you emigrate. Can’t you neocons get it in your heads that Canadians believe in democracy, and in a society that cares for all, is better than just a society of the have and have nots. We pay lots of taxes – yes too much perhaps because of waste (Harper’s make-up artist e.g.)and politics – but I’d rather our system that that of the US anyday. As I said before, go live in the US. I have family and friends who did and would now never trade Canada for the US.
Wow Jackie, that response was so to the point. Not!. Please do explain Jackie, why Liberal’s signed an agreement in 2005 when they knew there was a allegations these same prisoners might be tortured? The same Liberal’s in such a snit now because they think its Harper’s fault.
We need a Reagan Thatcher Harris federal government and maybe Harper will do that in his majority which will turn Canada around for the better – Liberals Suck
I don’t know too much about the internal policies of Reagan, but Thatcher and Harris I do.
Mrs. T was an absolutely great PM following the flip -flop of governments of Labour (read NDP) and Conservatives. Even life long labour voters voted for her!
However, after her second re-election she makes Harper look like a nice guy. That’s why the Tory’s gave her the boot!
Harris, what good can be said about Harris. Nothing! He created problems in education just so he could change something that he didn’t like when he was a teacher. Not to mention the cut backs…small wonder we have a shortage of physicians and other professionals. And the so called balanced budgets..fancy accounting!
So an early Mrs. T, ok… a later Mrs T./Harris/Harper…..I believe Yuk Yuks is hiring! Send your resume to…….
The other difference between Mrs. Thatcher and Steve, her smile is genuine!
When I look at the picture above, I have to wonder what on earth he’s thinking….”What a bunch, they believe everything I’ve said, hook, line and sinker!” The smile is fake!
Let’s see: Steve gave the gold mine to Quebec, we got the shaft. Steve gave the gold mine to corporations, seniors got the shaft. Steve gave the gold mine to American business interest, Canadians got the shaft. Steve gave the gold mine to the oil and gas barons, our children and grandchildren will get the shaft.
He’ll look you straight in the eye and lie and not even blink.
Perhaps that is why he is so detested by so many.
“Former Glory”? Canada wasn’t even a country until the 60′s. We were still a Dominion. I remember singing God Save the Queen in school, and flying the Union Jack. Until the day JFK was assassinated, I thought Canada was part of the United States. I want my children to know, and be proud of, Canada for its uniqueness, not as a USA wannabe.
This from a Yankee doodle that couldn’t win an election and couldn’t get the Kyoto farce passed by his own government. And now he’s trying to tell us how to run our country.
How much is getting paid to promote this fraud of Kyoto ?
How many of you have read the Kyoto Protocal when India and China, the world’s worst polluters are exempt ? When only half a dozen pollutants are covered and they are far from the worst.
Send this guy back fron whence he came and tell him to mind his own business and clean up his own back yard with his mansion of extreme energy wastage.
TORONTO — The Conservatives’ new environmental platform is a “complete and total fraud†that is “designed to mislead the Canadian people,†former U.S. vice-president Al Gore said Saturday.
I guess PMSH and his loo attendants, principally Bev Oda, want to be the purveyors of manna* to the masses. Of course, there is another name* for it.
Eyking EI bill for ill Canadians defeated–Halifax Chronicle
OTTAWA — Nova Scotia Liberal MP Mark Eyking’s private member’s bill that would have extended EI benefits to gravely ill Canadians for a year will not become law.
The bill passed second reading in the House on Wednesday, but the government announced Thursday it will not allow it to proceed to third reading.
That means Canadians dealing with cancer or other serious illnesses will continue to receive employment insurance for only 15 weeks. All Tories voted against it.
By Pyotr Petrobitch on 04.28.07 2:59 pm
Hi Peter – I’m a fortunate one who, as a former prov. govt employee, still has an insurance plan, did not have to incur costs due to chemio and the monthly costs of an ileostomy. But, I know of many who do, and are living from hand to mouth. And I read about the devastation to families whose incomes cannot provide the care they need. I was a youngster before Medicare came into being in Canada. Even tho my Father worked for a Fed. crown corp. and had some meducal insurance, with 6 children, and a few severe health catastrophies (major heart attack) and with his children (polio, 2nd degree burning, hit by car, etc., etc.) I totally appreciate our health care system. These events in our lives left my parents with next to nothing. So yeah, I’d rather pay taxes for health care. Hopefully many will never need it, but at least those who do can receive it and won’t go bankrupt.
Did anyone eons ago read Pierre Berton’s ‘The Naked Pew’?
KPN
You are mirroring yourself Garth…for it is you who is the dangerous man.
You are a one man show and I dont expect you are happy being with the Liberals either.
Your words have no credibility with me.
By NB Tory Lady on 04.28.07 6:30 pm
Then why are you bothing to post here AS YOUR WORDS have ‘absolutely’ no credibilty with us.
Hey..if this echo chamber wants an election..I’m all for it. Bring it on. It will be great on voting day + 1 to come on here and rub it in. If you rubes think this country is going to vote Deyawn into government, give your head a shake. Let’s get at ‘er baby! I can’t wait.
Man these neos make me laugh . Have another drink of Kool-Aide .
No way Harpo is going to be re-elected in Canada .
Think 93′ where the Cons were wiped off the political map .
Same deal .
Buh,bye neo-con nerds . Nice knowing ‘ya.
Come again when you can’t stay as long.
Here’s your hat ! What’s your hurry ?
Tory Kyoto strategy mirrors U.S. plan
May 15, 2006
Environmentalists say the Conservatives’ communications strategy on climate change almost exactly echoes advice in a three-year-old briefing book written by U.S. pollster and communications adviser Frank Luntz…
“If you look at the advice he (Luntz) gave to the Republicans some time ago and compare it to how the Conservatives are talking about these things, it’s just cut-and-paste, basically,” said Stephen Guilbeault of Greenpeace Canada…
“First, assure your audience that you are committed to ‘preserving and protecting’ the environment but that ‘it can be done more wisely and effectively.’ Absolutely do not raise economic arguments first.”…
Luntz advises use of the term “climate change” rather than “global warming,” which he says is more frightening…
“The reality is that the Harper government has studied Republican tactics carefully and is implementing them one at a time,” said Louise Comeau, project director of the Sage Climate Project.
http://www.desmogblog.com/bushs-chief-climate-spinmaster-tells-harper-how-its-done
Harper is a very dangerous man. We all know dozens of reasons why.
Everything is done according to a plan and to a vision “he” has and god know what he has promised or threatened the flying monkeys on his side of the aisle to maintain discipline. Everyone has a price or a secret I suppose.
From the top the Harper and the CPC are damaging everything they touch. And all we get are the same talking points over and over instead of real explanations, discussions or the truth. They must be stopped.
My greatest fear is that too many people will become complacent and simply used to the garbage that is swirling about them. And they will not go out and vote at all even if an election is called.
LIBERALS SUCK: Of course you don’t have the courage to include your name along with your dumb postings. Tell me what great PC leader has inspired you so.
Yes – I want an election now too. The sooner, the better. My reasons are the opposite of yours!
Stephane Dion’s action this week confirmed in my mind that this man is not fit to be a Prime Minister candidate.
Bring it on!
By Catherine on 04.28.07 1:02 pm
Catherine – you’d say that no matter what. If he’d guarantee everything you wanted, you’d still say that. You’re just a neocon troll. Get a life lady – your, and other cons’ comments here and on lib blogs are not going to change our feelings about your ‘saviour’ one iota. You’re wasting your breath. At least I don’t waste my time reading the ‘tripe’ on con blogs. I instead read con columnists in con papers who are starting to see the cons for what they really are – a bunch of harpercrites who’ll promise anything, lie about everything, black out every paper yet think they are moral. How truly, truly sad.
I hope people starting to see Harper is a dangerous man he got to go He is the worst PM i ever have seen in Canada let get rid of the nut He has a hidden ajenda.Nobody cant trust him He is a con art and a lyre
Where did all these Conservative nut cases come from? They must be very worried.
Let me count the names -
Dennis Richard, Liberals Suck, NB Tory Lady, Nobodie, The Shadow Knows, JCCS, Lorraine, Details, Terry Newman, Larry Garvin, Leasa, Catherine.
We have 12 Harper acolytes pushing the Conservative line on Garth’s blog to-day. That looks like a record to me. It could even be a sign that the CPC election campaign has started, and that we’ll be off to the races soon.
I have a feeling all the cons on this blog are direct from the harper factory, looking to put a wrench in a well oiled machine.
To bad for them that there is a well established community here that can tell the new con (paid or otherwise) trolls looking to stir up trouble.
I don’t really know what they think they can accomplish, but it can certainly be annoying. The con government has more important things to worry about.
JLW; You said this about Leasa.
What on earth has Mr. Harper done to make you say that he is ‘the best Prime Minister in Canada’s history’
Maybe Leasa is Mr. Harper. Sits in waiting making comments from “Leasa”.
Who else would be so stupid to believe all the lies & broken promises made & honestly believe Harper is the best Prime Minister in history.
Regards Leasa,
No arguments here, but then I have recognized the threat from Harper and his Calgary School fellows since well back in the early days of Reform, which is why I opposed Reform and then the CA as I did. Straussians are dangerous to democratic societies for they do not believe that the multitudes have any business influencing governing, no that belongs to the elites alone, and that the “noble lie†is acceptable for those elites to tell to gain/hold power. That all by itself should have made clear exactly how dangerous Harper is for a PM, and his refusal to accept the premise that the rule of law binds him and his party/government (as we are seeing regarding Geneva and Kyoto along with some domestic scandals like buying off candidates and then lying about it, Grewal fraud and cover-up, etc) makes him dangerous. His refusal to honour agreements other parties entered into while government (let alone also ratified in Parliament) is also a very bad sign. Take this and combine it with the refusal to admit error/mistakes (Gee, where else have we seen that recently?) and the refusal to take responsibility for actions and inactions that occurred while they were the government instead preferring to try to blame the out of power party underscores just how unfit to hold office this party under Harper truly is.
So the sooner he is gone the better, and Kyoto issues certainly seem strong enough to warrant it, as in my mind does the lack of concern for making sure we are honouring our Geneva obligations/requirements in Afghanistan. Harper and the CPC wanted to be government and to have power, well with power comes responsibility, and to date that latter is something we have not seen from this government except when it is to take credit for a positive, all negatives/problems are always the Liberals’ fault somehow. Now while that works in the short term it looks bad over time, and the best before date on that tool was at least 3 months ago and more like 6-9 IMHO. It also leaves many wondering that if he is this bad and unaccountable with this weak a minority what would he feel he could do if he had a majority? I think that thought is in the backs of a lot of undecided Canadian voters and the many that voted CPC last time out to punish the Libs more than to support Harper’s CPC, indeed I suspect there is more than a little buyers remorse in that group and I’ll wager they are glad they did not help this man to a majority instead of this weak minority after all they have seen from PM Harper to date.
The sooner we have an election and put the liberal party out of it’s misery the better.
Funny thing, every picture I see of Harpo now, I see him doing the one armed, stiff armed salute.
(then I check if his make-up is nice)
“It also leaves many wondering that if he is this bad and unaccountable with this weak a minority…”
Dude, if this is what you call a weak minority, I can live with this. We don’t need an election. Harper and the CPC have done more since being elected than the Liberals did in 13 years…with a “weak” minority….
I think that Stephen Harper is a very handsome young man. I volunteer at a nursing home and the residents there think he looks like JF Kennedy.
They just love him and respect his values. Trudeau was an abhoration to all this country stood for when these pioneers built it.
It is really quite something to see them all around the TV in the lounge watching Question Period – disgusted with Liberals and the cheap shots and really respecting how the PM represents strong respected leadership that has been so lacking for so many years.
Might I suggest some of you get these kinds of insights from seniors who have been there, seen that and done that.
They do not suffer fools and they do not expect perfection from their government but Stephen Harper is a breath of fresh air after the farces from Trudeau on.
Herb: So you think we are acolytes eh? I would rather be an acolyte than a Luddite like you liberals.
If there is anyone that is afraid of an election it is the Liberals, Bloc and the NDP.
We acolytes post here to put some class into this site and to bug liberals like you. I know it is annoying for you having us here but OH so nice that YOU permit that.
I can tell how afraid all you liberals are about the next election. The poor old nutty professor will never be PM because he isn’t a leader and is not PM material. What is there that you don’t understand about this? Its all Gerard Kennedy’s fault anyway that you haven’t got a leader.
In passing I wonder why Jackie Chan is watching the Bill O’Reilly show because he is using the kool aid trick which Bill uses. I think Chans left hand is a Harper fan in disguise. Watch out Chan because the shadow knows. Have a good evening and keep smiling eh?
Why on earth would we listen to an American President wanna-be on our policy making? I mean a guy who burns enough energy in one of his mansions than the average family uses in one month? A guy who owns and profits off of a strip mine for gawd’s sake. Have you all lost your minds? ha ha ha Then we have Suzuki, who’s head is so big it hardly fits on his shoulders these days. Who rides all around the country on a diesel eating bus telling us how to save the planet in a ‘his way or no way’ style. Suzuki is a millionaire who can well afford any increases in the cost of living without blinking an eye. He doesn’t live on an average income with a house full of kids. Gore & Suzuki are both rubbing their hands in greedy expectations on the money they’ll make when the dirty credits become very valuable when Canada is forced to buy them. That’s why they both think Kyoto is THE ONLY WAY. ha ha ha…what suckers we are.
Stephen Harper is agreeing we must do something to clean up greenhouse gases, but he’s going even further in taking on smog as well…we have a record number of children living with asthma…smog kills. Funny how smog doesn’t bother Gore or Suzuki? Just get those carbon credits rolling eh?
Conservatives are people. Liberals are sheeple. ha ha ha
Even though we disagree, I still love ya Garth, you riley rascal you. L
I mean a guy who burns enough energy in one of his mansions than the average family uses in one month
Oops.. that should read: …a guy who burns enough energy in one of his mansions in one month than the average family uses in one year…
btw: If you are serious about Dion actually trying to get elected Prime Minister of Canada…he should give up the French citizenship…should have done it 15 years ago. But, then again, we still don’t know which country he’s loyal to do we?
In truth, there is plenty of evidence that Harper’s political strategy is crude, over-calculated and fundamentally schizophrenic. One thing more: It’s not working.Not working at all on the proletariat . They are hip to this little fascist,weasel and his dictatorial ways .
A spate of recent polls show support for Harper’s Conservatives once again in retreat, leaving the political class in a twitter. How can this be? Isn’t Harper’s triumph inevitable?Only if Canada is suddenly seized by aliens and subjected to a mind control drug/machine.Only then will he get a majority. In other words it ain’t on. Ever.
People like Kenney ,Van Loan,Ambrose,Prentice,Day, Oda,Baird.Clement,Flaherty all life long losers continue their losing streak. They will be a one Parliament wonder reduced to foot note status in the history books of Canada’s biggest political blunders and the losers who led them .
The inability of the Prime Minister to march confidently into majority territory has left official Ottawa baffled. Like the whereabouts of Wajid Khan’s Middle East report or John Baird’s shame reflex, Smart Stephen’s inability to pocket 40 per cent of voters is treated by media as one of the shocking mysteries of contemporary politics like where is Jimmy Hoffa buried ?
All you neo-con losers keep on bleating on about how great Harpo is . Well not on planet Earth .Here on Earth he sucks. Big time ! On Earth he is a despicable despot .
By Scotian on 04.28.07 9:02 pm
Thanks Scotian.Your comment was an education in itself.
For more on what Scotian is talking about check this out.
Harper, Bush Share Roots in Controversial Philosophy:
You can do that at http://www.thetyee.ca
Article by Donald Gutstein.
Lots here to think about for all you Harperites.
In passing I wonder why Jackie Chan is watching the Bill O’Reilly show because he is using the kool aid trick which Bill uses. I think Chans left hand is a Harper fan in disguise. Watch out Chan because the shadow knows. Have a good evening and keep smiling eh?
By THE SHADOW KNOWS on 04.28.07 9:49 pm
And you know two thirds, of five eighths of nothing.
http://tinyurl.com/32zbes
” Neo-con tax fairness machine “
Where did all these Conservative nut cases come from? They must be very worried.
By Jacquie Gavarkovs on 04.28.07 8:03 pm
Of course their worried . Their minimal power is slipping away into the void .
Once they are gone they are gone for ever .
You can smell the desperation .
I think that Stephen Harper is a very handsome young man. I volunteer at a nursing home and the residents there think he looks like JF Kennedy.
How dare you mention Harpo (the clown) and JFK in the same sentence .
You are despicable.
… and Neoprog, Nemississs, and Kevin O’Neill take the 8:24 PM list to 15.
Things are either very boring at Harper CyberHQ, or the place is humming. Take your pick. In any case, too much exitement for someone who is old enough to remember Trudeau, right Lorraine? Good night.
Leasa: Are you certain which country Harper is loyal to? Seems like most of his policies favor or are lock step with george bush and the U.S.
No made in Canada plans from Steve.
Leasa: Please explain how intensity based targets are going to lower GHG emissios?
It’s like telling an alcoholic he has to cut back his 10 ounce glasses of rye to 8 ounce glasses, BUT he can have as many glasses as he wants!!!
Lorraine: what nursing home would that be that has “pioneer era” seniors living in it???
I live in a small town with seniors who still get out–they think Harper is a liar and a back stabber.
Anyone catch Helena Guergis on Inquiry tonight?
She was able to cram every Conservative lie, flip-flop, spin, and deceit on the Afghan detainee situation into a 5 minute rant.
She actually said that the allegations that Afghans use torture in their prisons is false!!!
Every NATO country in Afghanistan has read the reports that abuse and torture are the norm.
What did Harper say to her to get her to go on national T.V. and lie?
She never once explained how the Cons gave 5 different answers to the queries on who is actually monitoring the detainees.
She is the Cons female version of Baird.
Attack dog with no substance.
JCCS ON – do you homework. Don’t just go by one article by La Presse, the writer is a Harper fan.
I suggest you read the article by Mcleans on this before you get too excited.
Macleans articles is called “It’s Hillier’s Fault”.
Check out the history of the whole thing first. In that time frame we were peacekeeping – not at war.
Also, there’s a mix up here about the Red Cross – their website says one thing and yet they claim another.
“Liberals suck” – by the quality of your bloggy name – I’d say you are about 16 years old and really don’t know what you are talking about. You’re picking up troll sound points.
NB Tory Lady
Hi Elsie, are you still using the Bay of Fundy as the toilet for ALL of St. John?
I believe your final words, before you jumped into the DEFINED PENSION WORLD, were that, “You just wished people would not talk about their problems with government.”
Geez, Elsie, anyone could do a better job than you did!
If they asked how much I miss you, I would have to call my brother in Blacks Harbour. You see, my electron microscope just doesn’t have that kind of setting.
Judy – is there any proven instance of a Taliban detainee or prisoner that was caputured and turned over by the Canadians to the Afghan authorities (it is their country and their prisoner) that torture took place?
Can you name one instance that has been proven from 2002 to present?
The PM said they were investigating the allegations made to a reporter by Taliban. Credible source?
So far I have heard that of the 30 Taliban who told these stories to this eager reporter only 5 were ever detained by Canadians.
So – you and the rest of the opposition passed judgement BEFORE any proof, before investigations were completed?
Not a good example of the human rights we claim to have of innocnet before proven guilty is it?
Garth…For weeks you seemed like you were expecting an election behind any corner but deploring the possibility.
Now, I see that you feel the danger of such a spring election dimming…you seem to be wishing for what probably won’t be happening.
What is the deal? Do you just like to complain about what won’t happen? Does this make good blog conversation? I suppose so.
However, why not decide what would be best for everyone and just work toward that end? Like developing a good set of policies that the Conservatives will have to consider because they MUST! First because they can’t keep pulling house votes out of the rabbit’s hat. Second because good policy is what is best for our country and with the environment also for the rest of the world.
Let’s get on with doing what’s best for Canadians. Let Harper enjoy implimenting what parliament passes for now.
If the Liberals do this right they will be accepted as a possible government in waiting. For the moment, that remains to be seen. I lost interest in the Liberals for a while at least after the last enquiry fiasco.
We need politics done in a fresh new way…that isn’t just tit for tat. It’s not about reacting…it is about acting prudently and compassionately for everyone. You can do this Garth. Thanks for all your efforts.
Guess I came too late to see the original picture, but from what I’ve read here, I’m guessing it was probably this one. A serendipitous moment for the photographer … or the visual equivalent of a Freudian Slip for the subject? As for the body of your text, Garth, I’m pretty much in agreement, for many years now, in fact: the man is a stain on the office. I did a search here for a countering reagent, found nothing under “H”, so had to settle for this one.
Actually, no one seems to have paid attention to Craig Oliver’s statement after Duffy did his Harper supporter gig – Oliver said to Duffy that he knows from personal experience that if the Geneva Convention is not upheld – it’s the soldiers that pay the price dearly. Duffy didn’t say anything after that. It’s not about the Taliban, it’s about protecting our soldiers which is the government’s responsibility.
Now, nimwit Baird has issued a statement about Gore’s critique and claims Gore didn’t sign on to Kyoto or put a bill throught the house during the Clinton years – well, duh. The Republicans (the deniers and affiliates of the oil industry) held the majority in the Senate and in Congress. Baird is a big mouth who doesn’t let true facts get in the way of a story(lie). I think Gore wanted to make it clear publically because the Conservatives lied and tried to claim he approved of their first pathetic plan. Now, everyone knows and the Conservatives can’t lie about his views on the dumb plan.
Pyotr,
NB Tory ehem, Lady, is that Elsie??
Lorraine doesn’t volunteer at a nursing home, she lives at the nursing home, she forgets all the times is all. She is the only one who watches QP and yells at the others who may want to watch something else. They all laugh at her because they think Harpo is a horrible man who looks nothing like JFK, who was a handsome man. Harpo’s eyes are too close together, his smile never reaches his eyes and he needs to lose a lot of weight. His cholesterol count is too high they are sure. His haircut only is similar to JFK but he does that on purpose with his fancy stylist that we have have to pay for. They don’t like that at all. That’s what the seniors tell Lorraine but she doesn’t listen. She’s watching QP and drinking kool-aid and yelling at the tv.
Smoker,
Actually the exempt countries are not only China and India. But have you asked why they are exempt?
Give you an example. Suppose you are back to your high school days. You were not only robbed by a bully but also has to buy him smokes at the end of the day. Feeling bitterness? I bet. So you would rather be the bully Smoker.
Lorraine,
“Might I suggest some of you get these kinds of insights from seniors who have been there, seen that and done that.”
Might I suggest you stay out of the way of their canes and chairs when they find out that their CPP fund has lost money due to Harper. Maybe their kids will fill them in soon when the writ is dropped? I can hear it now; “Oh mummy dear, you mustn’t vote con, they’ve taken a chunk of the inheritance and wiped it out and you’re being shipped to the cheap place soon because of Harper. He lied to you and cheated you mom”
Garth, I can agree with you that Stephen Harper definately is more complex than he first appeared. On the other hand, for two months straight you stated your disapproval with what looked like an election call for this Spring. I guess If I was wrong about Mr. Harper, I could’ve been wrong about you too.
Politics is ever-changing. PMSH has turned reckless and dishonest. He must go, hence an election. — Garth
For anyone supporting Harper & Co blindly, I must ask one question and I pray that it isn’t one that will become reality. What will you say, if only to yourself about people such as the ones on here, myself included, that question the government? If MPs are already muzzled into silence under a minority how far will that escalate until people that were supported by the US like Pinochet are in power here? Yes, I admit it is a long stretch to go that kind of extreme, and believe I pray it never gets to that stage. But what if it happens?
Although this song is relatively old and is about life in America, I don’t want to think the same thing…
I look at the t.v.
Your america’s doing well
I look out the window
My america’s catching hell
I just want to know which way do i go to get to your America?
I just want to know which way do i go to get to your America?
I change the channel
Your America’s doing fine
I read the headlines
My America’s doing time
I just want to know which way do i go to get to your America?
I just want to know which way do i go to get to your America?
Go west young, go west young man
Don’t want to crossover
But how do i keep from going under?
Where is my picket fence?
My long, tall glass of lemonade?
Where is my vcr, my stereo, my t.v. show?
I look at the t.v.
I don’t see your America
I look out the window
I don’t see your America
I want to know how to get to your America
I want to know how to get to your America
America
Oh, by the way NB Tory Lady, I tried to post a reply even semi anoumously and surprise surprise, I could not. Here at least Mr Turner has left himself wide open to be criticized. Outside of outright defamation the comments should be here, yours included. Perhaps you could be more of a human and actually allow yourself to have the same level of interaction on your pitiful website as well. If not, do retreat back to your headquarters as I think your brainwashing session needs to be reinforced again.
“Is PMSH the “Anti-Christ’, or just one of the Devels Neo-Con, sociopathic/psychopathic helpers,
the people without a conscience.That
think money and power is all there is to life, disregarding everyone else and all other life. (You can’t eat, drink, or breath money, no mater how much you have!)
He seems to want us all and our childen to go to ‘Hell’ so to speek.
By Greg W., Oakville on 04.28.07 5:39 pm ”
Of Greg’s comments is not over the top, eh Garth?
Your loyal followers of late would probably round up all the “deniers” and g** them.
And then we have Gore, the biggest hypocrite of all. Doesn’t he remind you of one of those old time preachers, who stand at their pulpits, and scream and point at us condeming those sinners to hell! Yup, Gore and Susuki have become the new gods, and Kyoto protocol, their bible.
I guess people need something to believe in now that the mainstream religion has deminished in their lives.
So I have a questions for you sheeple, was is Gore living in 10,000 square foot house, that cost 30,000$ a year to heat and light? Why is Gore wasting fuel resource fpr travel to deliver his message? Surely Gore should be using the technologies, like video conferencing. Buying offsets from his friends’ companies, in which he, himself, has invested, doesn’t remove his environmental sins. It’s like battering someone, and saying “sorry”.
btw: If you are serious about Dion actually trying to get elected Prime Minister of Canada…he should give up the French citizenship…should have done it 15 years ago. But, then again, we still don’t know which country he’s loyal to do we?
By Leasa on 04.28.07 9:59 pm
You are very desperate!
For those who do not know why Mike Duffy is backing Harpo. Simple, Mike Duffy wants to be “Senator Mike Duffy” and only man will nominate him, Guess who?
Re Kevin O’Neill on 04.28.07 9:43 pm
Should read:
Harper and the CPC have done more DAMAGE since being elected than the Liberals did in 13 years…with a “weak†minority….
And Dion, Layton and Duceppe have let him get away with it!
Macleans articles is called “It’s Hillier’s Faultâ€.
By slg on 04.28.07 11:12 pm
‘This is really all Hillier’s fault’
The law professor who helped kick off the detainee debate on where Canada went wrong.
Kate Lunau-Macleans.ca-Apr 27, 2007
http://www.macleans.ca/homepage/features/article.jsp?content=20070427_143457_8448
Tories backtrack on monitoring detainees
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070426.wdetaineesreax26/BNStory/Afghanistan/home
Mixed messages on Canada’s obligation
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070423.wdetaineeside23/BNStory/Afghanistan
I puruse Garth’s blog occasionally, but usually leave feeling annoyed at all the spins, falsehoods and misinterpretations that I read there. This is just to thank those 15 ‘neo-cons’ (whatever that means) for adding their voice of reason. It seems liberals enjoy being nasty; they shout you down rather than outline valid points.
By deb on 04.29.07 7:49 am
Thanks for your ‘critique’ Deb. I remember a ‘Deb’ who was part of the Harris inner circle, wife of a Minister, then Consumer Affairs, I think.
Apparently, THAT Deb was able to secure preferred treatment and a VP position in Hydro One as the direct result of an e-mail [for which the 'headhunter,' also part of the inner circle, was paid $115,000].
If I recall correctly, the ‘headhunter’ had earlier been responsible for resurrecting the dead in a remote Gaspe graveyard, as his loyal leadership followers.
I agree, Deb, you can’t be TOO CAREFUL, when it comes to ‘spinning’ to the masses. The shredders in that camp were lined up for several weeks at various ministries … because they had read the polls too.
For definition of ‘masses’ please see Stephen Leacock. I’m one member of the unwashed PRO-TEL-ARIAT,* myself.
*Not misspelled either, Deb.
So I drink my coffee, do the newspaper, and catch up on Garth. Reading comments from the bottom up for the latest developments, what greets my eye?
“… This is just to thank those 15 ‘neo-cons’ (whatever that means) for adding their voice of reason. It seems liberals enjoy being nasty; they shout you down rather than outline valid points.” Deb at 7:49 am
Someone please review the posts by our neo-Con 15 and point out any facts or sounds of the “voice of reason” I may have missed. It’s just the neo-Cons doing the neo-Con thing: reviling. They are showing us the future they would lead us into. Wan’t to go there?
Écrasez l’infâmie!
I totally agree that we need an election now. I never trusted Harper and he is more than living up to my expections. I was so happy when he only received minority status, for God help us if he had won a majority. His time is up – the conservatives will no longer exist after the next election.
Can you setup an Gore-Baird debate? I’d pay good money to watch Al Gore tear John Baird a new one.
Hey Judy, glad to see you’re still not letting facts get in the way of your slanderous rants. I’m amazed you can think all that stuff up all by yourself.
All the bitching and moaning about detainees…they are still being processed under the policy set up by the previous government. Funny how no one had a problem with it then.
Okay, sheeple and people, have a great day…it’s going to be so nice out.
Garth, you should try quading, we’ve got some magnificent trails in my area…
L
Macleans.ca–April 27
“This really is all Hillier’s fault”
“M: So what’s the solution?
AA: The Canadian Forces’ own doctrine manual on detainees, which formerly was a public document but like so much has become a victim of secrecy, is no longer public. It was pulled off the website. It has plans for a POW camp.
Their own policy document has blueprints, even, for a POW camp.
The blueprint shows where the dormitories are, where the exercise is, where the officers sleep, where the interrogation room is, where the female accommodation is … Further, this is part of the actual operational plan for former detainees – that’s in the title of the document. The document is entitled, “Prisoner-of-War Handling, Detainees and Interrogation and Tactical Questioning in International Operations.â€
M: Why hasn’t the Department of Defence chosen to follow this model?
AA: Ask DND why they’re not using their own policy. I don’t know.”
I can already smell a new defence minister. I hope it’s not this one. He told his troops, who were gathered to adore him, at one of his Iraq meet-and-greets, “Your expectations are too high. You expect too much.”
They were asking for thicker armour plate on their APC’s which were being demolished, with serious casualties by roadside IED’s.
http://corrigan.ca/april29-07.jpg
Has anybody heard anything more on Vladimir Zhirinovsky’s “Iraqi Oil for Bell Mobility” program? Or, where the $9 Billion Iraq reconstruction allocation went?
Leasa: They are not being processed unless in your book processing involves beatings and hangings???
By the way, where are the 3 detainees that “mysteriously” disappeared?
Why haven’t we heard about their “processing”?
Careful dear citizens of St. Narcisse-de-Beaurivage, Que. !
When you hear fluffy words from HARPOON like you heard yesterday:
“There is nothing more precious than the family farm, which represents so well all the values on which our country has been built”. I seriously doubt he wrote this speech.
Now let me rephrase that for you.
“There is nothing more precious than my party which represents an illusion upon which I am clinging to power.”
Remember..the same person promised not to tax Income Trusts and that was in the CPC Platform to get elected.
Garth, glad to see Cons read this blog. It must confuse the hell out of them relative to what CPC ATTACK HEADQUARTERS are telling them to believe.
Catherine: I hope you sent the same advice to Harper, Baird and other ministers who travel the country deliverying photo op speeches (the substance which has already been leaked)
Shouldn’t they also just set up video cameras in the Parliament buildings and do away with one day trips from one coast to the other? And have you also scolded Ms. Oda on her outrageous limo usage???
If you haven’t, then you too are being hypocritical about which side you continue to attack.
it’s going to be so nice out. L
By Leasa on 04.29.07 9:00 am
If it’s BFA, Leasa, don’t leave it out.
You’re not a nudist, are you? Do you realize, in a nudist colony, you can always tell whether the person is right or left-handed.
That’s the hand they raise to cover their snickers when another person, either insufficiently or excessively endowed, walks by.
Just so you’re clear on that, you don’t wear snickers … although I think Nike Nicholls wears the AIRHEAD brand.
As for the surveillance, they have safeguards in place. If you ain’t doing anything wrong, they don’t bother you and what better way to prove your innocence than by using the police’s own video!
Please, honestly consider what the comments on this web site would look like if tomorrow SH decided that cameras will be placed on every major corner of every major city, that your face would get scanned and ran through a terrorist watchlist every time you walked by them. Then tell me it’s quite allright what they are doing in the UK.
Lorraine: The guy who said only 5 were captured by Canadians, lied. The names of the 30 were never released publicly. What he did say was that “someone” in the Department of defense told him that. He was called out on that lie.
And if there is even one investigation being held about prisoner torture than I fully support the immediate stop of prisoner transfer until the outcome of such hearings is known.
Otherwise, if true, we are continuing to transfer prisoners into possible torturers hands.
For years, Afghanistan has been held up as a country that endorses torture.
If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, I say it is a duck. Can you prove that Afghanistan torture policies have changed in the last 5 years?
The Canadian Afghan ambassador admitted that his country uses torture. He said they are “trying” to remedy it.
How can you remedy a centuries old custom when the sitting government is loaded with war lords and Taliban supporters who support torture and abuse??
You should cite all of an interview and not just the once sentence that was proven wrong.
All the bitching and moaning about detainees…they are still being processed under the policy set up by the previous government. Funny how no one had a problem with it then.
By Leasa on 04.29.07 9:00 am
Was this the agreement signed in 2005? The one where the report that identified the cases abuses was released in 2006? Who was in power when the report came out? Who was it that buried that report? Who was it that editted the report? Who was it that lied abuot the report ever exisiting? Who was that called any person who dared say that we shouldn’t allow people to be tortured a Taliban Sympathizer?
Leasa – you just don’t get it. If this report came out under the Liberals, and they handled it the same way Harper did, I would be all over them on it. But guess what, they aren’t in power. The buck stops at THIS PM.
All this government does is blame others. I thought Baird was real classy too, when his comeback to Gore was “well, you didn’t do anything when you were in power.”
This PM and his governmemt is an embarressment.
Reads a bit like, ‘This Day in History,’ but it does adequately express some of the western sentiment as it relates to charitable thoughts toward humankind.
Broadcast Jan. 7, 1982—CBC Archives
http://archives.cbc.ca/IDD-1-73-378/politics_economy/alberta_oil/
At a dinner in Calgary, Mayor Ralph Klein tells a group of newcomers that his city does not welcome “bums” and he’ll protect Calgarians from “a lot of creeps” looking for work. Newspapers across the country carry stories with the mayor’s statements attacking easterners. Klein denies the reports in this CBC Television clip, and says “the word I used was kick ass and get them out of town.”
Eastern Canadians flock to Boomtown — 2,600 new people arrived in Calgary last month — to find jobs during a North American recession. As a result, the city deals with a housing crisis and migrants commit the majority of bank robberies.
http://archives.cbc.ca/IDC-1-73-378-2138/politics_economy/alberta_oil/clip4
I was one of them thar Easterners who didn’t ‘freeze in the dark’ like King Ralfy wanted.
I’m not seized by the idea of throwing everything into my bandanna poke, tucking my well-thumbed Kerouac into my vest and setting out for the tent city in Fort McMurray.
BTW, has anyone ever seen Rahim Jaffer when he’s not sitting in the lap of his ventriloquist?
That “Deb” certainly isn’t me… never had anything to do with a politican, nor am I or was I ever related to a politican.
Glad you spelled your word correctly. A lot, and I mean a lot, of people on this blog don’t know the difference between ‘there, their and they’re’. Not hard to learn, and makes for more pleasant reading… just an idea.
Can you setup an Gore-Baird debate? I’d pay good money to watch Al Gore tear John Baird a new one.
Remember Gore’s the guy that could not even get a convincing win over Bush in the 2000 debates.
http://thetyee.ca/Views/2006/10/06/Afghanistan/
For a non-partisan look at the pros and cons-Canada-Military-Afghanistan.
Don’t be afraid now.There are no Harper or Taliban viruses connected with the link.
James Chatham,
You should have emended, as well, Kevin O’Neill’s post of 04.28.07 9:43 pm.
You wrote: Harper and the CPC have done more DAMAGE since being elected than the Liberals did in 13 years…with a “weak†minority….
The phrase ‘with a “weak” minority’ should have been placed between ‘CPC’ and ‘have’. Otherwise it states that the Liberal government was a minority one for 13 years.
Didn’t nobody nohow pay kmow attention to there teachurs?
The problem I have with having an election at this time is what if the Conservatives DO get a majority government? They will be able to run amuck without anyone keeping them in check as the minority government we have now has been able to do. There is more power in the House of Commons now than there has ever been.
I know Conservatives who want a majority government so that they don’t have to work so hard to stay on top of their game! They want to be able to relax a bit and coast for a few years before having to do the election thing again. They are tired of kissing babies, doing all of the BBQs, staying at work 14hrs of the day and going to endless meetings.
I say don’t give it to them! I want to see them kept in check because God help us if they do get in power as a majority government!
The other down turn for Harper in an election is that he doesn’t have the ability to muzzle his candidates as he is able to do to his MPs. For a micor-manager that probably scares the hell out of him!
Keep them all in the hot seat for a while!
Hi Herb,On.,
For an explanation of what a ‘Neo-cons’ means/are watch
speech given by Congressman Ron Paul on the house floor on July 10, 2003.
‘Neo-CONNED! by Congressman Ron Paul
-part 1 of 11, (About 1 hour long).
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=neo-conned+ron+paul
My two cents worth on a few points blogged here recently. Regarding Mike Duffy Live – I used to watch the programme several times a week, but I became more and more disillusioned with the same old ‘experts’ and no real substance. Most days it looked and sounded like a toned-down version of Question Period – lots of heat, but no light. And I am really tired of listening to the rants of both Scott Reid and Tim Powers. Nothing of substance ever seems to come out – just backhanded sarcasm, bullying, and carping about each other’s political affiliation. We get the picture! I missed the Friday show with Ignatieff and when I tuned in CTV news on Friday evening – there wasn’t a word about the Afghanistan prisoner exchange problems, nor anything about what the state of SNAFU regarding the issue. I hope this is not CTV company policy – I find much more topical information on CBC and find myself viewing it more often – then comparing information to CTV news – trying to get a balanced perspective. While I may not always agree with the CBC panel critics – there is mostly intelligent, thought provoking discussion, and who can’t like cousin Rex? Even when I completely disagree with him, I respect his forthright manner and intelligent review of a situation. For me, MDL has become a disappointment – I hope that he returns to journalistic roots as a moderator and reporter – as I believe the programme was designed to be.
As for an election now – one can always hope that the unravelling of the ‘new’ federal government has just begun – and for those hoping that a vote of non-confidence should be engineered by the opposition parties – can only happen on a money bill – OR a bill that the government reveals to be a confidence vote. So we are stuck with who and what we have until PMSH visits the GG and requests an election (not going to happen with the CPC sliding in the polls). The odds of a confidence vote are extremely remote in my humble opinion – and the government is not going to engineer its own defeat to force an election unless and until they feel that the time is right for them, not the country. But I would sure like to see PMSH riding off into the sunset…going back to build that firewall around Alberta.
Hi Catherine, On.,
Do you have any childern?
Climbate change is going to make it harder to grow food for everyone!
Calgary gets most of it’s drinking water from melting glaciers (The ones that are dissappering fast!)
The lates UN report says that man is the cause of climbate change for sure!!!
You should read at a minium;
-Kicking The Carbone habit, Globel warming and the Case for Renewable and Nuclear Energy, by William Sweet
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cup/catalog/data/023113/0231137109.HTM
-The Weather Makers, How we are changing the climate and what it means for life on earth. by Tim Flannery
http://harpercollins.ca/global_scripts/product_catalog/book_xml.asp?isbn=0002008319
Catherine, have you seen Al Gores movie?
-An Inconvenient Truth. You can rent it!
http://www.climatecrisis.net/
Catherine, have you also heard of ‘Peak oil’.? Do you really comperhend it’s implication? And why we need to make changes to our primary source of energy we use in the world, sooner that latter!
(Never mind Climbate change!)
Keep in mind, ‘Belief in myth, avoids the discomfort of thought’.
If we all start using out so-called big brains, and act now! We might leave
a livable planet, with clean water, food and air, that isn’t hotter than ‘HELL’ for future generation.
Catherine, Just for fun, see Monkeys
4 min. http://www.fugly.com/videos/5655/monkeys.html
Ted, Just my opinion from another political junkie, but they Tyee is so far to the left that it makes the Toronto Star looks like a Conservative Rag. The Tyee wouldn’t support military action if the CF was fighting off an invasion of Vancouver Island. I would like to comment on Dufar again, There would be no peacekeeping there or peace making at the onset, they do not want western soldiers there and the African Union seems unable to prevent it for a number of reasons, some justifiable, it would have to be a all out invasion, the death toll to the civilians would be massive. Modern warfare has changed, we do not or we try not to come charging off landing craft or jump into prepared defensive positions, we bomb and strafe the crap out of anything that moves in the invasion zone as to prevent the loss of our own soldiers. As much as I wish it was possible, even guided munitions cannot differentiate between combatants and civilians.
So far I have heard that of the 30 Taliban who told these stories to this eager reporter only 5 were ever detained by Canadians.
So – you and the rest of the opposition passed judgement BEFORE any proof, before investigations were completed?
Lorraine, don’t accuse everyone who doesn’t agree with you of passing judgement BEFORE the PROOF is in without including looking at yourself first including, Lesa, & the rest of you Tory trolls .
That’s kind of like calling the kettle black. I think its time you & your friends stick to facts & quit trying to lie your way out of trouble. Just remember; the more Harper & his goons lie, the sooner it will be for the Alliance Parties to dissapear into the sunset.
Have a good day Lorraine.
Even though we disagree, I still love ya Garth, you riley rascal you. L
By Leasa on 04.28.07 9:54 pm
Garth, you should try quading, we’ve got some magnificent trails in my area…
L
By Leasa on 04.29.07 9:00 am
Ought,oh . Garth can you say fatal attraction ? I see pots of boiling bunnies in your future .
Have no idea what a riley is but it sounds risque .Leasas nick name for Garth-Rily .
Wanna go qudra-tracking with the loon Garth,er,Riley ?
there, their and they’re
By deb on 04.29.07 10:19 am
Well Deb, I’ve used all three variations when I meet up with a NeanderCON monster with three heads. I just reach out, ever so gently, and pat them on their heads with the words
‘there, their, they’re’ … Seems to work wonders, for a very short time.
I know another ‘Deb’ too, who swore she’d NEVER, EVER, participate in the MP gold-plated pension plan. Just before she left [retired from politics, still works as a consulting pundit] she availed herself of a 4% government loan to repay/restore [retroactively to day one] her pension entitlements. I can also remember the calls, SO-WEE, SO-WEE, upon her entry to the House. That would provide a stipend of ~$5K+ per month … more than ample for gassing up the Goldwing in readiness for any destination.
The most colourful comment came from the WildRose man, who suggested to the media, his pension was N-O-T-B, although up to that point, he had been agin’ it.
Meanwhile, Fryer Tuck, who to this day, has taken a vow of astinence [excluding pension entitlements] was attempting to harass fellow party members on the issue … While he was, in fact, already a member.
It has the consistency of what you’d find in a solid waste lagoon with a 2-bladed paddle.
I intend to go after them big time, for what they did to the nest eggs of all the GOOD PEOPLE in the Income Trust debacle. I delight in seeing their discomfort and red faces when I throw a saddle on them.
Garth I don’t think you Lib’s have the guts to pull the plug.The sooner you do the better…..Mr. Dion needs to retire soon!!!!!
Dear Mr. Grammar Purist… you right.
Harper and the CPC have done more DAMAGE since being elected with a “weak” majority than the Liberals did in 13 years with a majority.
I would also like to point out to those that keep revising history, that whilst the Liberals were indeed the government for 13 years, Kyoto did not happen for sometime after they were first elected. Therefore to say they did nothing on the environment for 13 years with reference to Kyoto makes no sense.
True, the Liberals then dilly dallied but Mr. Martin did eventually introduce an environment bill to meet Kyoto. Guess who squashed it? Mr. Harper.
As for Mr. Baird counter that Mr. Gore didn’t put Kyoto to the senate as Vice President, unlike Canada’s Senate which can only delay passage, the US Senate can quash any legislation from the White House. Since the US. Senate at the time was dominated by republicans, Mr. Gore knew he would be wasting his time.
So Messrs Baird and Harper are just like Dub’ya et al. with their heads in the sand when it come to climate change, and there’s going to be a lot more of it for them to hide in!
Time’s up Mr.Harper.Good riddance.Give me the Canada my parents brought me to in July of 1959.Best PM ever-you must be kidding.On a list of the top 40,I would put him at #41.
I see Harper was in Quebec interfering with provincial politics again and pushing hatred. Yes, hatred for those who may have a different political point of view. He wants Canada to hate Liberals.
I take it then, Harper hates me. If I’m to be hated like this – I want my tax money back including the portion that pays his salary.
He isn’t standing up or representing ALL Canadians – those of a different political stipe are to be “hated”.
This is sick.
Leasa,
Please take a few moments to read the excellent article (link posted below) on Stephen Harper’s idealogy/philosophy.
It’s what’s outlined in this article–and in the many others written about the man–that has caused so many people to fear that he, if allowed to continue his rule (aka, regime), will Americanize Canada to such a degree that we’ll eventually no longer be able to differentiate our two countries. I’m a proud Canadian and I couldn’t bear to see that happen.
For that reason (and a host of others), I’m putting my support behind Stephane Dion and the Liberal Party of Canada. This party is not perfect, that’s for sure, but I believe they will be able to restore some stability, civility, and sanity to our currently hostile and divisive political system.
Close advisors schooled in ‘the noble lie’ and ‘regime change’
http://thetyee.ca/Mediacheck/2005/11/29/HarperBush/
Alf
Alf
By Al Neuman on 04.29.07 1:49 pm
At least the Liberals don’t believe in the twisted works of Leo Strauss .
“Noble lie ” indeed .
Sorry Al, but the Tyee? Surely you jest? Check out this also true accurate story in the Tyee…
http://thetyee.ca/Views/2004/12/21/PaulMartinStuntedIm/
Then we’ll talk. L
By KH on 04.29.07 11:29 am
Ted, Just my opinion from another political junkie:
Hey KH:
Left-Right-Center.There are a lot of people starting to point out what I consider reasonable issues for consideration.This one just happens to be Afghanistan.
For me it’s all part of life’s continuing education.Democracy is being defined and re-defined to primarily suit the powers that be or want to be.
In the process the-as usual-too many innocents get killed.
One of my main problems with Afghanistan is we as Canadians deserve at the very least some truth.What we don’t need is 6 or 7 variations of lies.
All the bitching and moaning about detainees…they are still being processed under the policy set up by the previous government. – Leasa
Excuse me, I like to call a spade a spade and hate political correctness just for the sake of it.
But these people are being “processed.”
I know this term is used by lots of people including the police services and other….but these people are people, not chickens going through a “processing” plant.
Or is it just a way to dehumanising these folks so that we can do as we please?
I see Harper was in Quebec interfering with provincial politics again and pushing hatred. Yes, hatred for those who may have a different political point of view. He wants Canada to hate Liberals.By SLG 04.29. 1:40 PM
You are a work of art SLG. Have you finally lost it? If anyone is sick it has to be you. It is time for you to step back and think about what you just said. Is this the more gentle Dion crowd that I have heard so much about lately? If this is the high road then I don’t want to walk it. “Tank you so much”. All you are doing is showing your true colours. Luddites like you have always been difficult to understand. I won’t call you stupid names lke you do to others because anyone with any intelligence can see the venom in your writings.
By the way was Dion, the Peon and the Nutty Professor, doing the same thing in Halifax last night? I would never accuse them of doing what you say Harper was doing. The shadow always knows.
The above article on Harper as a Straussian reminds me that Minister Flarety is defending the Straussian Paul Wolfowitz
By Judy on 04.29.07 9:58 am
~maybe they ran away?
This little old lady calls 911. When the
operator answers she yells, “Help, send
the police to my house right away! There’s
a damn New Democrat on my front porch and
he’s playing with himself.”
“What?” the operator exclaimed. “I said
there is a damn New Democrat on my front
porch playing with himself and he’s weird;
I don’t know him and I’m afraid! Please
send the police!” the little old lady
repeated.
“Well, now, how do you know he’s a New
Democrat?”
“Because, you damn fool, if it was a
Liberal, he’d be screwing
somebody!”
Mr Harper In Quebec last night.Quoted from the Montreal Gazette:
And he borrowed a quote from Maurice
Duplessis, Quebec’s longest-serving premier, whose Union Nationale was allied with the federal Progressive Conservatives, to take a swipe at the Bloc Quebecois: “Two parties are enough – a good one and a bad one,” the prime minister quoted Duplessis saying.
The prime minister also attacked the federal Liberals, noting their opposition in the Senate, where they still hold the majority, to Conservative bills like the Accountability Act – which Harper said was framed to ensure there would never again be another sponsorship scandal.
“My friends, the Liberals say they will reverse our tax cuts, take away the family allowance, vote against benefits for seniors, cancel the softwood lumber agreement, tear up the military contracts and all the benefits for industries in the regions, and restore the fiscal imbalance,” he charged.
“For that reason we should never turn back to the Liberals. Never.”
A re-elected Conservative government would lead a Canada that was “strong, united and free, with a Quebec (that was) autonomous and proud,” he said
Tomorrow is Harper’s birthday. After his speech, which was entirely in French, he was serenaded to the Quebec birthday theme, “Mon cher Stephen, c’est a ton tour de te laisser parler d’amour,” to the tune of Gens du Pays.
The prime minister will be 48.
Andre Arthur, the independent MP for Portneuf-Jacques Cartier, who also attended the event, commented: “That’s the separatist national anthem
Lorraine – nursing homes with pioneer era seniors? Are you hanging around cemeteries?
Seniors are known to be conservative, but lately some are questioning – at least in my group of friends, relatives, etc. Harper’s motives. They also worry about what Flim-Flam and Harperliar will do to their pensions.
Lorraine: do dead people speak to you?
Lorraine on 04 28 07 9.44
You advised that we libs should listen to your seniors. Well not all seniors believe that PMSH is a hansome man I am a senior and I have believed for a long time that Mr Harper is a very dangerous man and have said to all and sundry since the day he prolonged the Afgan mission with only six hours of debate
then threatened to take it to the people if he didn’t get his way that is what I call blackmail. Please don’t say that because I question the Afgan mission I don’t support the troops I’m the mother of one. Are you Lorraine?
By Al Neuman on 04.29.07 1:49 pm
I just read that Tyree article (not being a regular reader of that magazine myself) to see how well it describes the Straussians and the influence of the Calgary School within the current government and CPC, in particular how well it tied it to Harper himself, and I would have to say it does a decent job of it. So anyone wanting to actually learn more about the underpinnings of the political ideology that has driven our current PM for his adult life this is a reasonable article to do so from. It may be written /published at a strong left leaning source but the underlying facts regarding Strauss, the Calgary School and the networks it interacts with are accurate to the best of my understanding of it. I added this because I believe I was the first one in this thread to reference Harper’s Straussian connections via the Calgary School.
Harper represents a movement within our political dynamic that has never been more than fringe prior to Reform, and never more than third place even then until it was able to murder its main rival/competitor on the right and then stealth itself in its corpse to appear far more mainstream Canadian based political philosophy/ideology than it truly is. The Harper CPC is GOP north, pure and simple. This is why it must be stopped, it is why it is fair and reasonable to make comparisons to the GOP and Bushco (especially given the constant replication of GOP/Bushco talking points on issues and media strategy) and to be concerned that Harper has a “hidden agenda†(not so much hidden as unmentioned these days, he was most open about it up until after it got him defeated in 2004) for when he gains a majority.
It is the belief in elites making decisions for all of us and the acceptance of the noble lie being used by those elites in their pursuit of that power that is the real concern though. These two elements are inherently anti-democratic no matter in whose service/ideology they are. This is what makes Harper and this version of the CPC so dangerous to this country and why for example some of us find the NDP refrain of Liberal Tory same old story to be such utter nonsense. This is not the PCPC; this is Reform/CA in the appearance of the PCPC and without some of the more populist/democratic elements that was within Reform at that.
I do not call these folks Tories because to do so debases an honourable political tradition in this country. They are CPCers or Conservatives, they are *NOT* Tories in any meaningful sense/definition of the word. That is why they cannot be permitted to gain majority or even to remain in power any longer than absolutely necessary to expose them and discredit them and then dump them from office/power. If now gives us the best chance and Kyoto provides a strong enough political basis to do so with then I am fine with it, for me the only goal is the removal of Harper from power, discrediting his political ideology within the right, and seeing a more traditional Canadian rooted Conservativism like the old PCPC come to power and reform the CPC into something I do not have to fear will destroy this nation.
If you Liberals are soooo afraid and hateful of Americans WHY do you worship Al Gore, Bill Clinton, Michael Moore and salivate over having American political strategists speak at your conventions?
Does not make sense.
Could John Baird cram any more words into a 5 minute tirade? His tongue has trouble keeping up with his lips–but the snarl remains no matter how fast his lips are moving. Please tell him that quality outweighs quantity especially when it comes to explaining your policy. But if the quality is missing, heck, quantity will have to suffice.
Re: Judy on 04.29.07 10:03 am,
I guess, Judy, you forget that Al Gore isn’t Canadian!
Surely, you don’t overlook your god’s sins. Seems that your gorite religion, (or is it suzukite?), is a tad hypocratical. Surely, you would want your god, Al Gore, to lead by example.
Or is Al Gore leading by an example, by using resources and then funding his offsets (sin forgiveness) investments. Not really an environmental conservation example, but, an example of hypocracy.
And Judy, don’t forget to FLICK off.
Re: Greg W., Oakville on 04.29.07 11:29 am,
Yeah Greg I have children. Yeah Greg, unlike the born again Gorites and Suzukites, I have practiced good environmental practices for decades!
I recall the UN lead Kyoto Protocol was architected by a man named Maurice Strong. The same man that had a major hand in Food for Oil program. So forgive me if I am suspicious of the UN motives and its purity.
Of course, our Earth is constantly evolving and changing. That’s nature. Of course, man contributes to pollutions (air, water, and land). Of course the 6 BILLION people are contributing to CO2 by using resources(simply exhaling CO2 contributes, too). Of course drowning lands to build dams contributes to methane increases (another “global warming” gas). So don’t simply blame Alberta for its GW gas increase – blame Quebec for it hydro dams!
BTW: the same UN is predicting that the ice caps in Peru will be all gone by 2012. Care to take bets?
By Al Neuman on 04.29.07 1:49 pm
Engaging, Energizing, Infuriating.
Strauss, who died in 1973, believed in the inherent inequality of humanity. Most people, he famously taught, are too stupid to make informed decisions about their political affairs. Elite philosophers must decide on affairs of state for us.
I have a particular interest in one named Fryer Tuck, author of the Pink Piggy Exhibit, on the Parliamentary lawn. Does anyone remember how Houdini’s end came about?
Don’t … Don’t …D..D..Don’t Forget!
We won’t Stevie, we sure as Hell won’t.
I repeat Dalton Camp’s warning, “What kind of people do they think we are?”
He was speaking of the various morphings on the right, through Reform, Alliance and then, finally stealing the Conservative brand name.
(simply exhaling CO2 contributes, too)
By Catherine on 04.29.07 4:47 pm
I’ve arrived back a little late Catherine. I want to personally thank you for holding your breath while I was smoking.
Yeah Greg I have children. Yeah Greg, unlike the born again Gorites and Suzukites, I have practiced good environmental practices for decades!
I recall the UN lead Kyoto Protocol was architected by a man named Maurice Strong. The same man that had a major hand in Food for Oil program. So forgive me if I am suspicious of the UN motives and its purity.
Yea, but you’re still brainless.
Well liberal politics and politics in general could get more interesting.Justin Trudeau is on board.
The Bloc only won this riding by about 1000 votes last time beating Pierre Pettigrew.If he can help the Liberal party get re-elected all the more power to him.
Does not make sense.
By Lorraine on 04.29.07 3:47 pm
“A Conservative government will stand for certainty for seniors and never allow raids on seniors’ nest eggs by changing investment rules or imposing death taxes on inheritancesâ€â€”Mike Wallace
Our Stand Up Plan for the country and for Burlington…Accompanied by a photo depicting TWO FAT GUYS walking through the east end of Burlington, telling lies to anyone who would speak to them.
I do hope they have the courage to canvass me for my vote in the next election. It’ll be like the running of the bulls in Pamplona.
Lease
You are a very sick bird Get some help or sit beside Harper and Baird van Loon you fit right in with them You not a normal person .
Does not make sense.
By Lorraine on 04.29.07 3:47 pm
I find Harpo and most Kool-Aid drinkers hateful and even frightening, including you Lorraine, but that doesn’t mean I include all Canadians in that. I leave the worshiping and salivating to you…more your style.
Catherine, re your 4:47 PM –
in the months I wasted my time on small dead animals, one of the things that caused me puzzlement was the unholy trinity that was named and reviled now and then as a matter of course: Naom Chomsky, Michael Noore, and Maurice Strong. Never did I see anyone prove the error of their ways; it was simply taken as fact that they were wrong and the gravediggers of civilization as we know it.
There must be something right about those three to warrant such treatment by neo-cons. Care to clue me in?
David Velo,
Smoker,
Actually the exempt countries are not only China and India. But have you asked why they are exempt?
I never said they were the only one. I said they were the worst.
And your point about bullies-=-explain please.
But whaterver , does it make it right to have a foreigner come here and meddle in our business. Let him straighten out his own country first.
WHY do you worship Al Gore, Bill Clinton, Michael Moore – Lorraine.
We don’t. Why? Because they, unlike Dub’ya and most of the American right, know that there’s a big world out there and that they are equals not superior. They can also see that National Security means more than bombing the hell out of sabre rattlers like Saddam.
(Note, Osama and Saddam were, at one time, best buddies with and supported by old Rumsy, when it was in the interests of the US.!)
So why do you worship Dub’ya?
WHAT!!!!!
Garth – just a few weeks ago you were pontificating that PMSH was going to call an election that nobody wanted – but, yet here you are calling for one???
Should we call you Flip-Flopper!!!
Harper would seize the moment if he thought he could win, no doubt. But in the meantime he has ushered in a bad budget, walked into an Afghan crisis and let us down again on the environment. Time for a vote. — Garth
Well just when you think that this can’t get crazier I just read that Monte Solberg is being considered for Minister of Defense. I know that there is a shortage of brains in the C.party but this is insane. A disc jockey will run the war.
http://growupharper.net/
Moses and Jesus were in a threesome playing golf one day. Moses pulled up to the tee and drove a long one. The ball landed in the fairway, but rolled directly toward a water hazard. Quickly Moses raised his club, the water parted and it rolled to the other side, safe and sound. Next, Jesus strolled up to the tee and hit a nice long one directly toward the same water hazard. It landed right in the centre of the pond and kind of hovered over the water.
Golfing with Jesus Part 2 :
Jesus casually walked out on the pond and chipped the ball onto the green. The third guy got up and randomly whacked the ball. It headed out over the fence and into oncoming traffic on a nearby street. It bounced off a truck and hit a nearby tree. From there, it bounced onto the roof of a shack close by and rolled down into the gutter, down the drain spout, out onto the fairway and straight toward the aforementioned pond. On the way to the pond, the ball hit a stone and bounced out over the water onto a lily pad, where it rested quietly. Suddenly a very large bullfrog jumped up on a lily pad and snatched the ball into his mouth. Just then, an eagle swooped down and grabbed the frog and flew away. As they passed over the green, the frog squealed with fright and dropped the ball, which bounced right into the cup for a hole in one. Moses turned to Jesus and said, “Frig! I hate playing with your Dad.”
Leasa on 04.29.07 3:15 pm
Hi Leasa, really like your humor… But whoever told you this one, she only gave you a subtracted version. The original one completes as following …
The operator agreed. “Yah!” She said. “Of course, and if he is a Con, you won’t be able to make the call.”
Garth,
I’m trying to bear with you here but you’re really starting to lose credibility. Just a few weeks ago you were all for delaying an election. First Stephen Harper was awful for wanting to force an election, now he’s awful for not wanting one, and you say that we need to have one right away. I’m seriously having trouble keeping track.
But seriously though, this is an issue where pretty much the whole country agrees: WE DON’T WANT AN ELECTION THIS YEAR. The fact that you don’t like Harper and Harper doesn’t like you, and Liberals don’t like Conservatives, and Conservatives hate Liberals, is not a valid excuse for spending millions of dollars and wasting everybody’s time with another election. These things are supposed to happen every four years, not every one and half. Don’t expect that the people are just going to be some kind of pressure valve for politicians like yourself every time you get really pissed at each other.
That’s my rant for the day, sorry if its overly long.
Quasimodo decides to take a vacation. He has to hire someone to ring the bell for him while he’s gone. So he posts a sign pertaining to the job and receives an applicant. He takes the guy to the top of the Notre Dame tower and shows him how to ring the bell, he jumps on the rope and swings back and forth. He then instructs the applicant to do it. The man jumps for the bell, grabs and misses. Instead, his face becomes entangled in the rope and he swings back and forth, is vaulted out of the tower, and falls fifteen hundred feet to his death. Quasimodo then runs down the tower to where then man’s body now lay. A small crowd was gathering and a priest approached. Eyeing Quasimodo, he says, “Do you know this man?” “No.” he replies, “But his face sure rings a bell!” The next day the deceased’s brother shows up for the job. Quasimodo takes him up to the tower and shows him how to ring the bell. The man jumps for it, grabs and proceeds to ring it. He loses his grip and also falls fifteen hundred feet to his death. The same small crowd gathers, the same priest asks him the same question, “Do you know this man?”
“No, but he’s a dead ringer for his brother!”
Jacquie: perhaps steve is confusing monte solberg with general (monty)montgomery??
Steve needs a history lesson.
Catherine: Typical Con response when challenged-spout nonsense. If you think it is O.K. for our P.M. and his ministers to fly the skies for photo ops from coast to coast and back again, then why is it wrong for others to take their messages to the people?
Surely Steve and John who are promoting self-conservation and personal responsibility should take the lead and have all their announcements aired via video in Ottawa? Why the need to traverse the nation if it is more environmentally responsible to broadcast to the nation from one spot?
And explain why you worship at the throne of the deniers?
Ted, Reasonable response concerning the Tyee, I still hold to my statement concerning it’s leanings and put as must faith in it as I do the Western Standard. They are both usefully to provoke me to do further research but I would not attempt to base an argument on either one using it as my only authority. As to this whole detainee mess, and as everyone here knows I am serving military and I strongly support this mission. Did the govt totally screw the pooch on this issue, well you do not have to be a member of the NDP to see that. I was previously impressed with their professionalism concerning communications messaging of staying on point but not this time. They screwed this one up big time , all they had to say is, 1. We have no official reports of torture actually occurring, 2. Your darn right were looking into it. Done, thats its, that was all that was required. As to the fact of torture, well I haven’t been in a Afghan prison but I am willing to bet ours look like the Hilton compared to their. I am willing to bet that even people that are imprisoned for simple crimes are not treated much better then the detainees.
Lorraine: And don’t you feel Stephen Harper should have stayed and spread his anti-Canadian messages to Canadians instead of being guest speaker at all those Republican-only meetings in the U.S.?? Don’t you think a lot of Americans wished Steve had butted out of Americas business???
Jackie Chan’s Left,
thanx for showing us with your golfers and ringers how seriously the politics of the CPC should be taken.
The Harper pacifiers are a great portend of things to come.
Justin Trudeau wins nomination on first ballot .
Jackie Chan’s Left Hand,
A word of advice.
If you’re thinking of a future in stand up comedy, don’t give up your daytime job.
Hi Catherine, We are all (myself included)contributing to climate change, we all have a carbon foot print of some size. Some bigger and some smaller.
If we don’t act/make changes soon to curtail the human collective contrabution to climate change, we are going to loose any chance of stopping the negative effects it will have on the whole planet. And the planets ability to support life as we now it!
PMSH carbon intensity targets is not going to cut it, period.
I don’t think PMSH gets it, or really cares! Perhaps he just isn’t capable of
undersatnd the science of climate change???
I hope you take the time to read the books that I suggested on climate change. They also include some ideas of how to fix the delema we have gotten ourselfs into, why’ll there’s still time to pervent the most brutal effects it will cause.
BTW: The glaciers in the Canadain rockies are shinking at an alarming rate! They may soon be gone also.
There are millions of poeple all over this world that rely on the melting of alpine glaciers for drinking water and water and to grow food!
Perhaps we should us CANDU technology to help extract the oil from the tar sands, instead of burning natural gas?
Jackie Chan’s Left Hand.
A word of advice.
If you’re contemplating a career in stand up comedy, DON’T give up your day time job.
Peeks in, reads a few comments, and then RUNS to the nearest exit! Sheesh, they are fighting like ???? Cats and dogs get along better than this.
Anyway, I’m back, tied from a long weekend, enjoyed driving through Garth’s riding, but happy to be home.
Maybe tomorrow after I have some solid rest in home turf bedding?
Hi Catherine and/or Leasa,
I was browsing through today’s postings and found that each of you had, in one your postings, used the term “sheeple”. Is this term universally applicable, or only specific to subscribers of certain ideologies, because the allusion I took away from its application, in both instances, was that it only described individuals with political leanings that differed from your own. Logically I could not establish why that might be so, so I was wondering if you might elaborate on the distinction: what makes a follower of one political ideology sheep-like, and a follower of another ideology, say Conservative, non sheep-like? It seems to me they are all adherents to a particular locus of values and belief systems and hence as the keyword “follow” suggests, all sheep in their own right.
Thanks in advance for the explanation. While formulating a response, by all means, take your time to ruminate for awhile.
[
Hmm, now which type of those 200 varieties of Ovis Bovidae might I be, a black sheep, a white sheep, ... maybe this guy can help?]You are delusional and sick!
…
Funny thing, every picture I see of Harpo now, I see him doing the one armed, stiff armed salute. (implying Harper is a Nazi)
…
I find Harpo and most Kool-Aid drinkers hateful and even frightening
Look in the mirror Georgine. I posted a few of your ‘loving’ quotes from today. Why, oh why must you be such a hypocrite.
Hi Garth. I agree with you. We DO need an election right now… WE’VE GOT TO GET RID OF THAT CON GUY!!!! I am tired of his anti-democratic ways and his crap-for-brains ideology.
It IS time for change in Ottawa Garth!I’m with you for cleaning house in the House of Commons.
Let’s get a government in who represents the interests of ALL Canadians – a government that tolerates all views and appreciates multiple opinions. I see the Liberal party as being the only party ready and willing to work on behalf of all Canadians.
GO GET ‘EM GARTH!!!!!
As always, best wishes.
I cannot help but be nauseated by the Stepford-esque loyalty of you lefties to the Liberal party.
Let me make it clear to you. The Liberal party is a den of thieves only interested in lining their own pockets and those of their friends. They should have been dissolved as a political party after adscam.
The Liberal party only believes in huge fascist central government and if they had their way, they would disarm the populace and turn us all into 50-60% income tax paying sheep. Well, this free man says NEVER!
Sure the CPC has made some missteps, but at least now Canada stands for something. Harper is a man of action, not a dithering dolt like Dion.
Election? Hell yes, bring it on, so you Liberals can start enjoying your long stay in the political wilderness that you so richly deserve.
Conservative majority? Guaranteed!
Jackie Chan’s Left Hand,
A word of advice.
If you’re thinking of a future in stand up comedy, don’t give up your daytime job.
By Grammar Purist on 04.29.07 9:22 pm
Typical neo-con . Lacking in humour or anything relevant to say .
Beat it ‘ya creep .
Écrasez l’infâmie!
By Herb on 04.29.07 8:36 am
If you Liberals are soooo afraid and hateful of Americans WHY do you worship Al Gore, Bill Clinton, Michael Moore and salivate over having American political strategists speak at your conventions?
Does not make sense.
By Lorraine on 04.29.07 3:47 pm
Lorraine, who are you trying to kid? Let me tell you that Gore & Clinton look like hero’s compared to Bush & Harper. And BTW, we don’t hate American citizens, only dirty leaders like Bush which you can’t trust. How dare you accuse us of hating American citizens. They are our friends & for some of us, our personal family.
Get that through your thick scull if you can.
After reading most of the comments, it looks like you are preaching to the choir, Garth. Anybody who takes issue with the endless stream of your obvious bitterness is set upon by an swarm of name-calling insult-hurling locusts. I think this weblog as it stands now is more likely to turn voters off than attract them.
Pity, you started off so well…
The fact that you don’t like Harper and Harper doesn’t like you, and Liberals don’t like Conservatives, and Conservatives hate Liberals, is not a valid excuse for spending millions of dollars and wasting everybody’s time with another election. These things are supposed to happen every four years, not every one and half. Don’t expect that the people are just going to be some kind of pressure valve for politicians like yourself every time you get really pissed at each other.
That’s my rant for the day, sorry if its overly long.
By Ted on 04.29.07 8:46 pm
Ted, may I remind you that Harper with the help of Jack Layton didn’t wait 4 years either to bring the Martin government down. Adscam was mild compared to whats going on right now before our very eyes with Harper & buddies. That lying has to stop. I say bring an election now. Millions or not. It will be money well spend.
And Ted, that’s my rant for the day & further more, its not long enough.
Welcome Back Bill M
I envy you your weekend away. I sorted out plastic containers, bottoms to lids. Among other boring things. But my garden is growing and blooms are blooming and it’s balmy on the wet coast.
By Judy on 04.29.07 8:59 pm,
You are a typical Suzuki and Gore apologist.
By Herb on 04.29.07 7:15 pm,
I’m sure you can do some research on Strong and his involvement with the UN, and Kyoto Protocol, etc.
And explain why you worship at the throne of the deniers?
By Judy on 04.29.07 8:59 pm
And please explain why you, as an ex-educator, can’t understand that man’s knowledge is minute in the scope of Earth’s evolution. While computer models are useful for our discussions, we need to accumulate more actual facts to prove and disprove these models. Remember, in the 60 and 70′s these same UN scientist were adamant about imminant ice-age in our life time. These theories were taught to us by distinguished educators. And now these same distinguished educators are claiming the opposite!
I have advise for these eductators, how about teaching our young not to be greedy, glutomous, and non-disposable. Not sexy enough eh? Not chicken little enough eh?
Well, Judy, next time you and your ilk go to buy a home – how about demanding that the builder doesn’t build gigantic homes with 9 or more foot ceilings, 2 1/2 baths, football fields for master bath rooms, etc. And instead of planting a pool in your back yards, you plant trees (sure you will need to rake them up in the fall).
Well Judy, next time your children go to buy disposable diapers, how about convincing to buy cloth diapers.
Well, Judy and your ilk, next time you choose to fly to that sunny winter destination, you explore your surroundings.
Will you sacrifice your lifestyle? No? Though so.
“I’m sure you can do some research on Strong and his involvement with the UN, and Kyoto Protocol, etc.” Catherine 5:00 am
Of course I can, Catherine, but what I haven’t been able to find out all by myself is why Strong and Chomsky and Moore are so particularly offensive to neo-cons and neo-Cons. Why is there never any argument against them, only contradiction? What makes them so dangerous? That’s why I asked you, since you are of the Conservative cloth.
Personally I just fine Mr.Moore obnoxious, it might just be a personal thing, but I think it has more to do with how contrived his documentaries are.
Thanks in advance for the explanation. While formulating a response, by all means, take your time to ruminate for awhile.
[Hmm, now which type of those 200 varieties of Ovis Bovidae might I be, a black sheep, a white sheep, … maybe this guy can help?]
By Dube on 04.29.07 9:50 pm
Easy. Sheeple are the people who remained blindly loyal to liberals all through the hotel scandals, Gags, the bank scandal, adscam, the boondoggle and many others.
Killing the Golden Goose
http://caiti-online.blogspot.com/2007/04/fables-and-foibles.html
KH,
and Michael Moore is a fat slob to boot, but the real question is whether his “contrived” documentaries are slander or document realities.
How do two thumbs up signify a Hitler mentality? The thumbs up signal is universal and existed long before Hitler was even born? You Harper-haters will grasp at any straw. And, Garth – he is unworthy? Why, then, did you ever run under his leadership? Why did you not run as an independent? Why did you not remain independent instead of crossing the floor?
I did not cross any floor. — Garth.
Election? Hell yes, bring it on, so you Liberals can start enjoying your long stay in the political wilderness that you so richly deserve.
Conservative majority? Guaranteed!
By Jim on 04.30.07 12:03 am
You Kool-Aide swilling neo-cons are too funny .
A MAJORITY ? Not even close .
The all idiot crew will be lucky to get 50,seats in the next election .
Thanks for stopping by so I could staighten you out.
Re.By richard on 04.30.07 10:45 am
Richard the Hitler reference was due to the picture Garth originally put up before changing it to the current one. Jackie Chan put it on a link on this post By Jackie Chan’s Left Hand on 04.28.07 2:02 pm. It is funny how Garth blasts the Conservative negative ads about Dion and then posts the picture he did of the PM. I think Garth had to know what the picture would represent and would be taken.
It was a shot taken during a campaign speech. He looks the way he looks. Would you rather I use the goofy cowboy shot? — Garth
How do two thumbs up signify a Hitler mentality? The thumbs up signal is universal and existed long before Hitler was even born? You Harper-haters will grasp at any straw. And, Garth – he is unworthy? Why, then, did you ever run under his leadership? Why did you not run as an independent? Why did you not remain independent instead of crossing the floor?
I did not cross any floor. — Garth.
By richard on 04.30.07 10:45 am
Typical neo-con a day late and a dollar short .
Reference is to the original pic that Garth posted showing PPSH doing a salute for his audience .
Get with the program .
http://tinyurl.com/2owrxn
Try and pay attention .
It was a shot taken during a campaign speech. He looks the way he looks. Would you rather I use the goofy cowboy shot? —
Garth
Oh,yes please. Can’t get enough of the Gabby Hayes lookalike pic. Too funny .
Harper has had a hidden agenda from day one – and pays only lip service to the Canadian electorate.
His main agenda now?
How he can manage to hold on to the power that he loves.
Notice to Governments at all levels;
In the event that you’re not getting the message here – Canadians are fed up with the double-talk, deception and dissolution…
Perhaps it’s time to require newly elected governments to sign an ‘Agreement of Performance’ of their election campaign promises – and for non-performance they would be liable to legal action by the electorate.
We don’t need an election! Do you really believe the Liberals will compromise the economy to meet the Kyoto deadlines? Do you really believe they will reverse the Income Trust decision? Does NFLD Williams really believe Dion will give them their cake and eat it too?? A party in OPPOSITION says just about anything to get your vote but in power they have to rule for the whole country! A very difficult task. Have you forgotten the Liberal history? Trudeau defeated Joe Clark protesting the high taxes on gas. Surpise he raised them even higher! Chretien said he would get rid of the hated GST imposed by the Conseratives and he won a landslide. Surprise he kept it and poor Sheila Copps resigned and ran again to ge her seat back. Who initially opposed free trade and then used the economic windfall to boast how they had turned the countries and government fortunes around? Our problem is that we never VOTE FOR SOMEONE. We always seem to be voting against someone. We need a better strategy. The plain and simple truth is that in our current political options – no one and no party lends itself to great enthusiasm and because of that – A MINORITY is the best option for our country. That is my opinion.
By Herb on 04.30.07 7:21 am,
Surely, you have some analytical skills and surely you can read about Maurice Strong and determine what those baaad, baadd knuckle-dragging neo-cons are writing.
Ken,
I’ve read a lot supporting a minority Gov. for Canada. But what I’d like to see in that case is the CPC in opposition. Say, a harmless 2 or 3 seats if that.
They are not the PC. Mackay produced the knife and Harper plunged it in.
Too much more of this and the damage may well be irreversible. An election, sooner than later. It’s too important.
Shucks, Catherine, my analytical skills are limited to fact and logic, cause and effect. They do not extend to ideological motivation and gut reaction.
If Strong is tarred by Ezra Levant and othes of that stripe, he can’t be all bad. Besides, he is only one of three devils in the right-wing paradise, and I’d like to know why neo-Cons have to cross themselves whenever their names are mentioned.
Garth you did cross the floor from an Independent to a Liberal. That is crossing the floor in any rational persons book.
Then you weren’t paying attention to what side I was on. Nonetheless. I am not a quitter, so get used to it. — Garth
I would like to point out to those that post here that this country has hate laws. Some of the posts here are pushing the envelope. I will produce a few and those that have said them will know who they are. “heil me”, “Reminds me of something” (indicating the PM is a nazi), “Harper agenda basically high treason”, “Harper an anti-christ”, “does a one armed,stiff armed salute”,(again indicating he is a nazi), “Harper like Pinochet”, “Harper a separatist”. You all know who you are.
Actually in my books none of you luddites amount to a hill of beans. You even accused Mike Duffy of being a conservative. Just because someone doesn’t agree with you doesn’t indicate what party they vote for.
I would like to advise those that don’t know, that “two pack” Scott Reid posts here under one of the two nom de plumes, either Jackie Chan’s left hand or Pyotr Petrobitch,or both, because both of these luddites sound like “two pack” Scott Reid, spitting out nothing but venom. Scott Reid could do with a good dose of Immodium and some beer and popcorn. In addition there is also liberal MP’s posting here as well. All are trying to prop up Mr Turner’s site.
This liberal party is a party that is going no where for many years to come folks so get used to it. There would be disapointment galore for all of you liberals should an election be held today. I heard on TV tonight that the NDP has replaced the liberals in popularity in PQ and that the Conservatives and Bloc are fighting it out for first place. Still want an election?
Always remember The shadow knows.
Garth you did cross the floor from an Independent to a Liberal. That is crossing the floor in any rational persons book.
No,that is a floor crosser in a badly deluded,delusional,ignorant persons deranged mind .
Garth is off the cross and had a resurrection . Are you paying attention?
The shadow knows squat.
Écrasez l’infâmie!
The shadow knows squat.
Écrasez l’infâmie!
By Herb on 04.30.07 8:48 pm
The shadow . Less than zero .
I would like to advise those that don’t know, that “two pack†Scott Reid posts here under one of the two nom de plumes, either Jackie Chan’s left hand or Pyotr Petrobitch,or both, because both of these luddites sound like “two pack†Scott Reid, spitting out nothing but venom.
Venom ? You haven’t seen anything yet you flagrant idiot .
I agree completely with your characterizations of Harper. He is a threat to my country and I have alwaya known that it seems. Good that you have rid yourself of that millstone.
I have to say Garth, I Concur. I think back to when Harper was starting out with the Canadian Alliance, and his ideology back then. Not much has changed, besides the wolf in the sheep outfit. Unfortunatly, if there were to be an election now, Harper would get his majority, due to Quebec being bought off by recieving th sponsership program again, only for 20 million less this time, and Quebec doesn’t have to saythanks even, no mention that the government of Canada is paying for random Community events, that the nation as a whole, do not partake in. The only way for Harper to be taken off his throne is one of two ways:
1) The Liberals and the NDP form a coalition.
2) The Liberals get someone who could actually beat Harper, perhaps Justin Trudeau, but keep him under control by pairing him with Dion as his Deputy. If Trudeau continues speaking in manners that could be misconstrued, his political life won’t last long.
Personally, I’d like to know why despite recent studies done pointing to lack of accessiblity for the disabled nation-wide, nothing has been done about that, let alone spoke of. I’ve noticed there is a Conservative MP who, like myself is disabled, has never brought up this issue himself, which is disturbing, knowing the difficulties dealt with on a daily basis for all disabled individuals. Maybe I should touch on John Baird’s environment plan? Why is most of the financial burden is on the average consumer? The Conservatives say that the burden will actually be on major industry. That may be true, but who do you think will absorb those raising costs? Consumers. This is why there has not been a Conservative Government since Kim Campbell in 1993, who took over for Mulroney, who before him, was Joe Clark, who, might I add, was only PM for one year, before Pierre Trudeau was back in office for an additional four years, after already serving eleven years. 15 years of Trudeau, That’s the Canada we all want again. If he were here, none of this would be happening, hence, Justin has finally decided to do what so many expected. He will be the one to defeat Harper.
Ha ha Garth, Dan Cook gives it to you nicely in the Globe today! Go check it out. And to the majority of posters on here, get a life! Most of you are on crack!!
Garth, you are a silly little man. How you ended up an MP is beyond me.
[...] my previous posting, I referenced a blog posting written by that lovely, nieve MP Garth Turner, and how him and I agree that we need an election [...]