Once again, let me remind you that one of the things MPtv strives to do that our big brothers in the MSM just don’t have time for, is to bring you the faces and voices of MPs with a cause. It could be our finest work.
As you might imagine, Parliament is made up of many bright people who are not content to let the government and its bureaucratic support staff write all our laws. These are the ones who use Private Members bills, often with surprising success, often with dogged determination in the face of disappointment.
Brent St. Denis represents a chunk of Ontario, Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing riding, which is actually bigger than most European countries, and which takes him eight hours or so to drive across. But the guy does more than watch the trees go by. In Parliament he’s a fighter, and one of his causes is a National Peacekeeps’ Day, to recognize the incredible efforts made by brave Canadians in the name of humanity. MPtv caught up with Brent a few hours before the Hosue of Commons unanimously adopted his initiative.
It is banned now in Canada – at least the manufacture and importation of it, but the chemical PFOS still finds its insidious way into our lives. It was used for years to waterproof everything from clothese to furniture, before being found to be a cancer-causer. Toronto-area MP Maria Minna, a former minister of international development, is spearheading the effort to get rid of this junk once and for all. MPtv caught up with her in the foyer of the House of Commons.
To view these videos, click here.
95 comments ↓
Good on Maria Minna for working to get rid of cancer causers. I hope when that gets passed she or any other M.P. will take on probably the largest cancer causer, tabacco.
These people, after, no doubt, facing many obstacles throughout thier lives and over coming them, becoming one of the 1 in 100,000 Canadians who are a federal MP now have been given the extraordinary opportunity to bring forward a new law for this country, and the best half of them have come up with is a vertually meaningless national day for something.
I could probably come up with a dozen laws, even with the restriction that it cannot effect the finances of the government. I’m sure most of you could too.
Is it that the caucus that restricts private members bills, or is it that our electorial system is such that only poeple who spout feel-good retoric win elections because everyone can project thier own ideas on to them, while who have real ideas lose, because people are bound to disagree with some of thier ideas.
The CONs are going to be introducing a ban the veil bill for voting:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/10/26/veils-legislation.html
I wonder, will this apply to white hoods as well or just veils?
FYI … there are a family of fluoropolymer chemicals such as:
PFOS is in 3M Scotchgard
PFOA in in Dupont Teflon
.. which are related to CFCs the ozone depleters.
For the full story link to this:
http://www.chemicalindustryarchives.org/dirtysecrets/scotchgard/1.asp
Garth,
If people who actually attempt to accomplish something, other than badmouth others, were given more credit, then the people would realize the issues that need the attention of Parliament.
As it stands, except for your efforts, the MSM only cares about fluff and hyperbole. Thay are a sad arsed excuse for journalists.
More reporting, and a helluva lot less editorializing by the MSM would serve the people’s interests. they start by dropping all the Hollywood Loser coverage, and fill the space and time with real stories like these two. I suspect most of the MSM talking heads would not survive here on this blog.
And now for something of importance, and interest to many.
In today’s Globe an article on how the BC Finance minister is talking about tax shifting off incomes and onto carbon. We’ve been calling for this for years! : )
“Ms. Taylor and the notionally conservative Liberals are suddenly pilfering the policy book of the Green Party.” says Frank de Jong, Ontario Leader of the Green Party.
Brave B.C. talks true carbon tax
The economic logic of a carbon tax is impeccable; the politics, however, have been unpalatable.
Except in B.C., where Ms. Taylor and the notionally conservative Liberals are suddenly pilfering the policy book of the Green Party.
At least someone is catching on and acting!
Chavez has hit this squarely on the head!
Not only those loonybins in the white house, but Harper and others can be shipped off as well!
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=28672
Chavez has hit this squarely on the head!
Not only those loonybins in the white house, but Harper and others can be shipped off as well!
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=28672
By Charles Oxley on 10.26.07 6:46 pm
…………..
From the same source you got the Chavez article is this interesting tidbit:
Bush approves ethnic cleansing
An Interview with investigative
journalist Seymour Hersh
http://www.presstv.ir/Detail.aspx?id=26895§ionid=3510302
………………
Using your warped logic, shall we assume Harper also supports ethnic cleansing, since Harper supports Bush in your view??
Btw, have you ever clarified that accusation of your’s that Harper is a religious zealot and is imposing his religious views on Canadian government? I can’t recall if you verified that or recanted that accusation you made a while ago?
What goes around, comes around. What a person puts out, either in a positive or negative sense, is precisely and exactly what that person gets back at the end of his life cycle, and deservedly so.
It’s about time this happened!
http://wor.ldne.ws/node/8288
Guess where they’re coming for their water?
NAFTA (apparently) gives full access to America for Canada’s water. We come second.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071026/ap_on_re_us/vanishing_water
By Charles Oxley on 10.26.07 7:14 pm
Remember, that in the U.S. a threat to Israel and the Zionist American vote, is a ‘Clear and present Danger to America’s National Interests!’
This is nothing new.
Also remember that the Washington powers took away the ‘Football’, i.e. remote launch code unit from Bush’s Daddy because he was hyped up on Halicon.
I have watched this scenario for over a half century.
BTW, where is the UN condeming Israel for BOMBING a Syrian nucelar reactor plant?
GARTH !!!!!!!!!!
This loony “Charles Oxley” is filling your fine forum with articles from Iranian news agencies and al Jazeera … in his nutbar attempt to slag Bush and the US.
Is this what you want the forum to degenerate into .. a terrorist-supporting weblog ??
Hmm! Does Harper support ethnic cleansing?
Kelowna-Cancelled
Drug rehab-Cancelled
Supreme Court filing-Cancelled
IT’s-Cancelled
I see a pattern of behaviour far beyond ethnic cleansing. Let us include, racial, religious, lifestyle, and age in the new Harper Fianl Solution program for the ‘new’ Canada!
Say goodbye to another brilliant CON.
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=fb176cd5-d5b0-499d-9550-53bbaebec339
Hmm! Does Harper support ethnic cleansing?
Kelowna-Cancelled
Drug rehab-Cancelled
Supreme Court filing-Cancelled
IT’s-Cancelled
I see a pattern of behaviour far beyond ethnic cleansing. Let us include, racial, religious, lifestyle, and age in the new Harper Fianl Solution program for the ‘new’ Canada!
By Bill-Muskoka on 10.26.07 7:55 pm
…………………………
Kelowna-Cancelled — GOOD .. $12 Billion annually is enough and another unaccountable $5 Billion is unacceptable to the Canadian taxpayer.
Drug rehab-Cancelled — GOOD .. no more needle exchange or methadone treatment. Let them stop cold turkey rather than be subsidized by the Canadian taxpayer.
Supreme Court filing-Cancelled — GOOD.. whatever that is because the SCoC following their feeelings and the Living Tree only insults and costs the Canadian taxpayer.
IT’s-Cancelled — GOOD .. Stop the big corporations from escaping corporate taxation and off-loading it on to investors who are individual Canadian taxpayers.
But don’t let me from stopping you from nazifying Stephen Harper in your pathetic, desperate, vicious, despicable manner.
To BILL-MUSKOKA….GET A LIFE !!!!How about contributing something positive !!!!
By Harry S on 10.26.07 7:54 pm
Oh poor Harry Arse is all shook up that some news source other than Faux News is allowed to be heard. Gee Harry, life is just a constant angst of unexpected things, eh?
I can see from here (via my secret Spy-Cam and sat link), that no one is holding a gun to your head forcing you to even go to such abhorent sites.
So, whatsamatta you? Got a severe case of paranoia, or do you just despise freedom of the press and democratic debate?
Actually, al jazeera presents some very relevant news, but alas, it contrary to the Bush/Harper/Howard neo-Con mantra. Damn them , eh?
Listen, get out your credit card, make a donation RIGHT NOW to McVety, he is your True Saviour afterall.
Oh, Harry, do they allow you out to vote? Gawd, what a marvelous country!
Yes, Harry, your mind is like a Steel trap…SLAMMED SHUT! Fear not though, because the Skinners are on their way to FREE you from your imminent peril.
Oh, and Harry, sorry I can’t help, but I will be away for the weekend, and just haven’t the time to come to your aide. Call Steve!
“According to the study, by Steven Staples, Director of the Rideau Institute and CCPA Research Associate, and Bill Robinson, Senior Advisor with the Rideau Institute, Canada’s military spending will reach $18.24 billion in 2007-08—an increase of 9% over 2006-07—and will continue to rise to $19.418 billion by 2009-10.
“Military spending is higher now than it was in the peak of the Cold War, when Canada was at war in Korea,†says Staples.
Internationally, Canada is the 13th highest military spender in the world this year, up from 16th. Within the 26-member NATO alliance, Canada has moved from 7th to 6th highest military spender, dollar for dollar.
“One of the public’s greatest misperceptions is about how much Canada now spends on its military,†Staples says. “Canada’s military spending is so substantial that it outspends the lowest 12 NATO members combined.â€
Since September 11, 2001, Canada’s military spending has increased by 27%, and after the next two years of planned increases, will be 37% higher than 2000-01.
By the end of this fiscal year, Canada will have spent $7.2 billion on the full cost of military missions in or related to Afghanistan, or $3.3 billion on incremental costs which exclude fixed costs such as salaries, equipment depreciation and attrition.”
http://www.policyalternatives.ca/News/2007/10/PressRelease1735/index.cfm?pa=BB736455
Excuse me, but we only have a population of 33M, total insanity!
Since September 11, 2001, Canada’s military spending has increased by 27%, and after the next two years of planned increases, will be 37% higher than 2000-01.
By the end of this fiscal year, Canada will have spent $7.2 billion on the full cost of military missions in or related to Afghanistan, or $3.3 billion on incremental costs which exclude fixed costs such as salaries, equipment depreciation and attrition.â€
Excuse me, but we only have a population of 33M, total insanity!
By Molly on 10.26.07 10:17 pm
Whatsa madda Molly .. can’t the Canadian industrial-military complex get some benefits from our roaring economy, after all most of it is in the Ontario-Quebec region which needs a boost because of the high loonie.
Of course you Molly, would no doubt prefer to strip Canada of all of it’s military and become a nation of effeminatized pacifists .. but everybody can’t lay on their backs to be spared .. like you can.
Do a little more work on “Steve Staples says…”. He’s not considered one of the sharpest “military analysts” out there. Heck why not do more research on the whole military spending issue.
By Bill-Muskoka on 10.26.07 10:11 pm
Ah .. Bill-Muskrat waxing poetic and again revealing his self-loathing for everything American.
I feel for you Bill-M, and I eagerly await the day when Canadians turn sharp right, electing a majority Harper Conservative government, very very soon. It’s too bad your beloved Liberals will be unable to divert destiny due to their defunct existence. There’s always political hara-kiri, or moving to Cuba this weekend.
It is good to know someone — Putin — is prepared to stand up to dubya and his ilk, and take them head on.
Russia has one major friend to boot — China.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2748383.ece
America has done a remarkably good job of cleaning up Iraq and Af’stan, especially when they found those Weapons of Mass Deception.
The entire region is now in excellent tourist-oriented shape!
http://jewishracism.blogspot.com/2007/10/why-is-kasparov-badmouthing-russia.html
A second 9-11 is fast becoming more of a reality, ‘coz dubya needs new excuses to bomb Iran.
http://www.iamthewitness.com/doc/A.Second,More.Deadly.9-11.In.the.Works.htm
Mr. Ugg bears a striking similarity to Mongo, one of Mel Brooks’ characters in “Blazing Saddles”.
Ugg is also a parallel neo-con ultra right-winger, so there’s no difference there!
http://www.workingassetsblog.com/2007/10/its_time_to_check_in_on_parall.html
This is a few days old so some of you may have already breezed through it.
Nonetheless, it gives a much better indication of Harper’s secrecy (sworn to dubya).
http://www.vivelecanada.ca/article.php/20071018193134376
What we are seeing today is a case of:
Liberal, Tory, Same old story!
Garth would be better served if he no longer pretended that the Liberals were different from the Tories. All he has done is to maintain caucus solidarity with the Liberals, even against his better judgment, but at what cost?
If he were still an Independent, he could rally the masses who are sick of the Liberal Tory same old story scenario that has been going on now for decades.
Garth could be leading the charge right now for a true reform movement, and the people would support him in huge numbers if only he had not become a part of the very establishment that he used to despise with his anti-establishment views. He could be a leader to be reckoned with in Parliament Hill, and could easily tip the balance of power.
He could be a household hero today if only he had remained his own man, and been true to his real convictions in opposing the way that politics has been done in Canada for the last number of years.
Right now, the frustration level is at an all-time high, with many, many voters not seeing where they have any real choice anymore.
Garth could yet be the man to lead the charge on Parliament Hill in getting a strong nunmber of nonconforming Independents elected, or perhaps a broad coalition of grassroots candidates who put the people before the political party.
In such a case, Garth could have been true to his convictions, and voted against the Throne Speech, and not have had to resort to this phony game of partisan politics that is thinking only of the next election, and not fighting for the next generation.
With a dozen Independents like Garth, he could easily tip the balance of power in a minority government, and would be much more effective in opposing Harper than the present Official Opposition is doing.
I cn accept an Official Opposition that is loyal to Her Majesty, but not one that is loyal to propping up the CONS in power for another indefinite period with no end in sight.
It is virtually impossible for independents to be elected in sufficient numbers to change the system, since the system today is stacked against them. Wake up to that reality, and the lesson I learned well – true, meaningful and constructive change will only come from within the large parties. That is the first job, and one which I am working on daily. This blog is an example of that. — Garth
Remember, that in the U.S. a threat to Israel and the Zionist American vote, is a ‘Clear and present Danger to America’s National Interests!’
By Bill-Muskoka on 10.26.07 7:44 pm
Billy, “zionist”? Are you saying that you don’t want Israel to exist? Who are you, btw?
By the end of this fiscal year, Canada will have spent $7.2 billion on the full cost of military missions in or related to Afghanistan, or $3.3 billion on incremental costs which exclude fixed costs such as salaries, equipment depreciation and attrition.â€
Well said, follow the money……yup and the hell with health care, child care, infrustructure, and well plain old looking after Canadians…..opps did anyone mention who these untendered contacts go to. They wounld’nt be CPC friendly would they? Make War not Peace makes Money…..big money, big easy money.
GM continues to wonder what is going wrong while getting free publicity. We Canadians have been ripped off far too long. Will it take a person from the Rock to knock some sense into GM?
http://www.thestar.com/News/article/271100
http://www.thestar.com/News/article/271100
By Harry S on 10.26.07 9:39 pm
Drug rehab-Cancelled — GOOD .. no more needle exchange or methadone treatment. Let them stop cold turkey rather than be subsidized by the Canadian taxpayer.
- methadone treatment IS a method to help them quit. As for needle exchange, thats to prevent them getting illnesses like aids and hep A/B etc.. which cost far more to treat than the exchange program.
Supreme Court filing-Cancelled — GOOD.. whatever that is because the SCoC following their feeelings and the Living Tree only insults and costs the Canadian taxpayer.
- Wrong again, Harry. The court challenges program was to allow little guys like you and me the financial resources to exercise our rights granted to us under the constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms to challenge the governments legislation. That is to make them accountable and not above the law.
IT’s-Cancelled — GOOD .. Stop the big corporations from escaping corporate taxation and off-loading it on to investors who are individual Canadian taxpayers.
- Here we go again. Prove the tax leakage existed – you can’t and neither can Flaherty or Harper, but they do know how to use a Sharpee. The tax flood is from the sell off of these IT companies to foreign investors resulting in no taxes being paid from the company or the shareholders to the Canadian tax coffers. That bit is fact. So Flaherty and Harper cut off their noses to spite their faces. Not to mention the lie to gain votes. So now these corporations are paying ZERO taxes, the foreign owners of these companies are paying ZERO taxes so who makes up the difference, the individual Canadian taxpayer.
But don’t let me from stopping you from nazifying Stephen Harper in your pathetic, desperate, vicious, despicable manner.
- I wouldn’t classify Harper as a Nazi, but the adjectives you used seem very appropriate in describing the CPC Government at times.
“Canada’s military spending will reach $18.24 billion in 2007-08 … and will continue to rise to $19.418 billion by 2009-10…
Excuse me, but we only have a population of 33M, total insanity!”
By Molly on 10.26.07 10:17 pm
Insanity for sure Molly!!! That’s $588 a year for every man woman and child in Canada in support of a ‘pre-emptive strike’.
Back in the day they used to call ‘pre-emptive strikes’ ‘STRATEGIC ATTACKS’
Oh, how I long for the days where Canada kept the peace in volatile situations giving people the opportunity to build their own lives according to their own wishes.
Welcome to Stephen Harper’s New Canada!
Sincerely,
MB
By Molly on 10.26.07 10:17 pm
Very interesting post. A couple of things came to mind as I read the links and considered the information.
The most significant thing would likely be the difference in the value of a dollar in 1953 compared to 2007. Here is a link which looks at dollars spent going back to 1946.
http://www.ploughshares.ca/libraries/WorkingPapers/wp031.pdf
What you would buy in 1953 for 15 Billion and what you would get for the same amount in 2007 is vastly different. By virtue of this, what you get for 15 Billion in 2007 is minute in comparison.
The next consideration is the horrendous cost of modern military equipment. The game afoot seems to be for manufacturers to produce the most expensive and state of the art machines possible and make sure each adversary has to have them. A win win situation for the manufacturers.
Then there is the question of the Arctic. Do we spend or do we not? Many say the proposed expenditures aren’t sufficient. Many complained for years about the state of Canada’s military and it’s being underfunded.
So to be fair, we should be consistent in our thoughts and goals. We should also be careful when looking at figures that people present and how they present them.
Further, at the risk of being repetitive I will again say I am not in favor of continuing a combat role in Afghanistan, but I am in favor of seeing that our Military have adequate support and equipment to accomplish their peace keeping roles in as safe and efficient manor as is possible for us to provide.
I know a young man who is a member of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and has participated actively in Bosnia and Kosovo. Personally, I would be very upset if something were to happen to him due to inadequate equipment or poor policy decisions made by politicians.
Looks like the Comrade got up on the “Right” side of the bed this a.m. Pun fully intended.
Just trying to be objective.
Election Changes
Garth, I’m starting to wonder about the effectiveness of all these voting changes that are being brought in that are being supported by all the parties. Are they addressing a real problem, or just window-dressing for something that in reality is an insignificant non-issue?
Last week we heard how one new set of rules would cause problems for 1 million plus rural voters who do not have street addresses. As a consequence, a new exception will have to be introduced. Now there’s the requirement for visual identification. I understand the intent, but I can already see exceptions on the horizon.
If I look in my own wallet, I have only 1 piece of identification with a photo on it: my driver’s license (I still have the old-style grandfathered health card). I have a passport, but as we just learned in the Ontario election, they are disallowed because they do not carry an address. Now I personally know several elderly women of my mother’s generation who have never driven a car, they are of a time when that was part of a man’s role. If they open their wallets, will they have photo ID with an address on it? What will happen with folks who vote by mail, will they be disallowed now with no photo, or … another exception.
If these exceptions keep piling up, I’ve got to wonder, what’s the point?
BTW: Harry, you might want to listen to the interview with IT investors on CBC’s The House and become informed on the subject.
I’ll make it easy for you, here’s the link, just click on the Louise Elliots Discussion with IT panel.
http://www.cbc.ca/thehouse/audio.html
To BILL-MUSKOKA….GET A LIFE !!!!How about contributing something positive !!!!
By david on 10.26.07 9:55 pm
I, unlike many, have a life. A fairly good one. But that would not be of any interest to you and Harry because the world is all about YOU!
You probably would rather spend the money on bombs, weapons, and military fiascos to bring ‘freedumb and demoncracy’ to the savage world.
I see your future will be filled with unexpected reality checks. Enjoy them and then ‘Remember!’
Have a nice weekend. I’m out of here until Monday.
Kelowna-Cancelled — GOOD .. $12 Billion annually is enough and another unaccountable $5 Billion is unacceptable to the Canadian taxpayer.
Since a Very large proportion of the 12B$ is going to Ottawa bureaucrats I should think that getting them off the backs of the natives and US would be a good thing.—unless you are one of them? (A Bureaucrat that is)
Drug rehab-Cancelled — GOOD .. no more needle exchange or methadone treatment. Let them stop cold turkey rather than be subsidized by the Canadian taxpayer.
Yup! more aids, more Hep “C”
high medical expenses more beds in the hospitals used. Yup, cancel the only cheap working solution we have found so far for slowing the spread of any number of communicable diseases. Yup, really good thinking.
Supreme Court filing-Cancelled — GOOD.. whatever that is because the SCoC following their feeelings and the Living Tree only insults and costs the Canadian taxpayer.
What ever this is about I do not know as the spelling and meaning are obscure.
IT’s-Cancelled — GOOD .. Stop the big corporations from escaping corporate taxation and off-loading it on to investors who are individual Canadian taxpayers.
Yup, stop 2 million tax payers from collecting an income so they don’t have to pay taxes any more, and turn these companies over to foreign owners who also do not pay any Canadian taxes. Yup good plan to stop “tax slippage”.
But don’t let me from stopping you from nazifying Stephen Harper in your pathetic, desperate, vicious, despicable manner.
Yup, instead we should charge him and Flim-Flam for TREASON against the people of Canada!!!!
Harry S YOU are a Dunce!! Go stand in the corner till you learn that the people of Canada are not stupid. WE SEE WHAT HE REALLY IS! A stupid mad man with an agenda! “Destroy Canada!”
If that sounds like a description of anyone else from history, well so be it!
By Harry S on 10.26.07 9:39 pm
Good morning everyone. Sorry if I’m off topic but while checking the news on CTV, I came upon this article. Its appropriate I suppose. Check it out for yourselves. Hope this link works.
Halloween 2 Back from the dead here
Happy Halloween everyone.
Cheers
Mr. Dion checking out the war chest>>
http://timestranscript.canadaeast.com/
Trick or treat??
Speaking of Private Members Bills – I see the Conservatives are taking credit to Liberal MP, Paul Zed’s, private members bill regarding free postage for family members, etc. to send letters to the troops in Afghanistan.
Yup, getting it done -
- environment – nadda
- wait times – not done
- daycare centres – totally failed because businesses don’t want to have centres (as Harper promised).
- patronage appointments by the mega bunches
- scandals their trying to sweep under the carpet.
- broken promises
- uniting Canada – failed
You know, Harper only had 5 priorities and he couldnt’ fulfull even 5. Why is everyone so excited?
I see a pattern of behaviour far beyond ethnic cleansing. Let us include, racial, religious, lifestyle, and age in the new Harper Fianl Solution program for the ‘new’ Canada!
By Bill-Muskoka on 10.26.07 7:55 pm
Billy, you are a very, very sick man. If you are truly a “mature” individual, then, I say get yourself to a hospital asap – you are truly a scary person! If you are a high-school student – then, please read some history and find out the “final solution” was all about.
GARTH !!!!!!!!!!
This loony “Charles Oxley†is filling your fine forum with articles from Iranian news agencies and al Jazeera … in his nutbar attempt to slag Bush and the US.
Is this what you want the forum to degenerate into .. a terrorist-supporting weblog ??
By Harry S on 10.26.07 7:54 pm
So news from other sources other than MSM are loony?
Of course you Molly, would no doubt prefer to strip Canada of all of it’s military and become a nation of effeminatized pacifists .. but everybody can’t lay on their backs to be spared .. like you can.
By Harry S on 10.26.07 11:26 pm
This sexist comment is par for the course coming from a con.A party that caters to white, male , so-called christians.
Hide a CRAP mistake with Black-Out. That was easy.
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/story.html?id=680330e6-ae7b-4aa9-8f06-cba3ddb8064f
I am saddened to see that anti-semitism and anti-semitic rhetoric is alive and well, and manifesting right here on this blog.
Why is there such hatred towards a small minority of Jewish people who are surrounded on every side (to the north from Hezbullah, and to the south from Hamas) whose very goal is genocide, and to wipe Israel off the map as Hitler tried to do?
Why is there such vitriolic hatred towards an identifiable minority group that is surrounded by hostile neighbours on every side?
I can tell you one thing for sure. I have personally visited communities like Sderot (near the Gaza-Israel border) some four times now, and know for a fact that the people of Sderot are almost daily bombarded by kassam rocket attacks fired indiscriminately at civilians from just inside the Gaza border.
This is state policy for Hamas. These attacks where innocent civilians are injured and killed go unresponded to for months, and then when Israel finally does decide to respond, it is at that point, and that point only that the mass media picks up on the story, and makes it look like Israel is either the aggressor, or that their right to self-defence is the equivalent of an act of terror.
These stories are then repeated, like some are doing right here on this blog, and making it look like Israel is more guilty than Hamas and Hezbollah.
The government of Israel has been working toward a two-state solution ever since Oslo, but how do you negotiate with a partner who does not acknowledge your right to even exist?
I am not a Jew, but I have visited Israel some 12 times. Last January, I visited a hospital in the Western Galilee near Nahariya (south of the Lebanese-Israel border) where even a Hezbollah fighter was given treatment for his injuries.
This hospital is open to Jews, Arabs and Druze, all of whom receive the same care and attention on the basis of their humanity, not on the basis of their race.
I don’t know of any nation that has bent over as much as Israel had done to be fair to people in need of humanitqrian aid, regardless of their political views.
In West Jerusalem, an Arab can walk around freely, and have the full protection of the rule of law. In East Jerusalem, however, any Jew who would venture on that soil does so at the risk of his or her life.
These are the simple FACTS, and I am appalled that people right here on this blog are portraying Israel as the guilty party when they have been more tolerant and longsuffering than any of us.
How would the people of Toronto respond if they were subjected to repeated rockets attacks from the people living just south of the border in Buffalo, New York? Do you think that they would put up with it for even one day?
Yet when Israel finally does respond to these provocations, they are portrayed as the enemy. The mass media has played a big part in this.
The only war that the terrorists groups are winning is the propaganda war, and I am appalled to see people right here on this blog repeating that same propaganda as though it were the whole truth of the situation.
I have also been in communities where Jews and Palstinians are making real efforts to get along, and to live peacefully, but of course the news media doesn’t report any of this.
I know for a fact that the vast majority of Jewish people do not want to control the Palestinians. They simply want to be certain that their right to even exist is acknowledged and respected.
A party that caters to white, male , so-called christians.
By Keith Phibbs on 10.27.07 11:07 am
Keith, How did Nina Grewal get in with the Conservatives? She is neither white nor male and is not Christian.
Of course you Molly, would no doubt prefer to strip Canada of all of it’s military and become a nation of effeminatized pacifists .. but everybody can’t lay on their backs to be spared .. like you can.
By Harry S on 10.26.07 11:26 pm
Well Harry, you outdid yourself with this one. Of all the low down, ignoramus, vile comments that I have read on this blog, you have topped them all.
Your soul runs of puss.
Comrade Sniper
If these exceptions keep piling up, I’ve got to wonder, what’s the point?
By Dube on 10.27.07 9:53 am
Dube – Just several more steps being put into place so that the only possible option would be a National Identity Card – with, no doubt, a chip included in it.
Of course you Molly, would no doubt prefer to strip Canada of all of it’s military and become a nation of effeminatized pacifists .. but everybody can’t lay on their backs to be spared .. like you can.
By Harry S on 10.26.07 11:26 pm
EWWWWWW! Your what my husband calls an ‘incompetent male’ but I would say perhaps you harbour aggressive and hostile feelings towards women. EWWW!
There are no ‘real’ Liberals on this fine forum, only confident Conservatives and nutbar anarchists who claim to be Liberals but in fact are crypto-Dippers.
Even Garth has labelled himself a “red tory”, who has found a home in the Liberal party all because he fears failure as a principled independent politician.
Now the anarchists have surfaced with their pro-terrorists, anti-US propaganda. I never thought this fine forum would sink to that pathetic and low level of discourse. Shame and desperation prevails.
You can always leave, and improve our average. — Garth
Still useless if you permit voting by mail. Again it comes down to how significant is this problem? The same sort of argument that one might apply to a gun registry, for example.
(Except the latter does at least serve a partial purpose for police when previewing a residence with their onboard computers; might take a different approach to answering a call if it comes up showing a sizeable arsenal).
Harry S,
When you first appeared on this form a few weeks ago you tried to sell yourself as some kind of Conservative moderate. Well looks like the whitewash has fade. You are using the classic, Rush, O’Reilly, Neo-Con talking points. It is pathetic, and if you are representative of what the Harper Government stands for, please keep spouting off this brainless crap as it is the best advertising why Canadians should not support Harper.
Good morning everyone. Sorry if I’m off topic but while checking the news on CTV, I came upon this article. Its appropriate I suppose. Check it out for yourselves. Hope this link works.
Halloween 2 Back from the dead here
Happy Halloween everyone.
Cheers
By irene on 10.27.07 10:35 am
OOPS! I guess that link didn’t work. Try this one.
Have a good day.
http://ctv2.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071027.r-cover-intro27/business/Business/businessBN/ctv-business
There are no ‘real’ Liberals on this fine forum, only confident Conservatives and nutbar anarchists who claim to be Liberals but in fact are crypto-Dippers.
Even Garth has labelled himself a “red toryâ€, who has found a home in the Liberal party all because he fears failure as a principled independent politician.
Now the anarchists have surfaced with their pro-terrorists, anti-US propaganda. I never thought this fine forum would sink to that pathetic and low level of discourse. Shame and desperation prevails.
You can always leave, and improve our average. — Garth
By Harry S on 10.27.07 12:07 pm
Buddy, you bring civil discussion on this forum to a whole new low. I would be glad to see you leave. Your views are extremely right wing and you have no place here.
I don’t know where you THINK you are, but here you will not find anyone agreeing with your views.
There are plenty of other places where your kind gather, why not just go there, instead of stinking up this place?
By Harry S on 10.27.07 12:07 pm
You can always leave, and improve our average. — Garth
Garth, Harry is an impotent man in all prospective. I can visualize him sitting in his chair in front of his computer in his underwear, unshaven, snackies & beer within reach. He is banging away at the keyboard, insulting as many people as he possibly can in order to have conversations, any conversation. He is simply a lonely & very bitter man. His hate for people who do agree with him is driving him mad. If one were to confront him face to face & he would more than likely sneak away & hide. Actually I feel sorry for him. He needs help now. The poor man has all the symptoms of a bully
Just had an image of him. He of reminds of Homer Simpson.
Cheers
Harry s who you calling a crypto-Dippers?
More intolerance from CRAPPERS.
Now the anarchists have surfaced with their pro-terrorists, anti-US propaganda.
By Harry S on 10.27.07 12:07 pm
Ah, isn’t that always the comeback from those who can’t think for themselves and who have been taken in hook, line and sinker by the right winged ideology of Messrs Harper and Bush.
No, Harry, my friend, Liberalism is thinking for oneself. And as we’ve seen from our friends to the South, when this way of thinking doesn’t coincide with the thinking in the White House (oxymoron) it is called anti-american. Even Bush’s mob called Congress anti-american, you know the Congress which is elected by and represents the American people.
The difference is that free thinkers can see multiple shades of colour in the issues, not just the black and white, for us or against us, thinking and solutions of the Bushs and Harpers of this world.
Its this black and white thinking that has caused the loss of taxes from IT’s being sold off; its the black and white thinking of drug addicts causing their own problems so why should the government fund treatment and assistance; its the black and white thinking that the government should make the laws and not be challenged that has led to the removal of funding for the Court challenges progam, the support our legislation without amendment or else election time and their need to reform/abolish the senate of sober thought.
Bottom line, the Cons can’t think past their ideology.
Harry S,
When you first appeared on this form a few weeks ago you tried to sell yourself as some kind of Conservative moderate. Well looks like the whitewash has fade. You are using the classic, Rush, O’Reilly, Neo-Con talking points. It is pathetic, and if you are representative of what the Harper Government stands for, please keep spouting off this brainless crap as it is the best advertising why Canadians should not support Harper.
By Zorpheous on 10.27.07 12:42 pm
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Try looking into your bathroom mirror sometimes .. Zorph .. because your political cartoons are a pathetic and insulting attempt to save your beloved but defunct Liberals. Your desperation is quite palpable.
The Harper Conservatives are now a majority-minority government because of the Yellow Dijon Liberals, and all you miscreants and malcontents have left is badmouthing and bitching incessantly .. particularly the distaff Liberals posting on this fine forum.
You can always leave, and improve our average. — Garth
By Harry S on 10.27.07 12:07 pm
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I think you may have mis-spoke yourself, Garth, because with the malcontents and miscreats on your fine forum, it must be scraping bottom .. and my elevating presence improves the average .. unless you are standing on your head ..!!
Of course if you want me to leave, I won’t impose on your hospitality.
Buddy, you bring civil discussion on this forum to a whole new low. I would be glad to see you leave. Your views are extremely right wing and you have no place here.
By SJ on 10.27.07 1:24 pm
I quite enjoy reading the right winged, black and white, view of the world. It just shows how pathetic and narrow minded their ideas are.
The problem is they can’t defend their positions without stooping to name calling (anti-american, pro-terrorist was Harry’s latest rant!), probably because their arguments have little substance. At that point, I agree, their blogs are just a waste of good electrons.
“Even Bush’s mob called Congress anti-american, you know the Congress which is elected by and represents the American people.” By James- Chatham on 10.27.07 2:33 pm
Is that any worse then Garth saying that Stephen Harper is unworthy of being Prime Minister? You know the Prime Minister that was democratically elected by the Canadian people.
By Harry S on 10.26.07 11:26 pm
By Harry S on 10.27.07 12:07 pm
Do you have any idea how many people you have denigrated and verbally assaulted with your venom? Did you even give a moments thought, (if that’s possible for you) to the countless Jewish and East European women tortured, raped and murdered by the Huns? Did you think about the Chinese women brutalized, raped and dismembered by the Imperial Japanese Army? Did you think about the German women raped and tormented by the Soviet Army? Did you ever read about Comfort Women?
You are a disgrace to the party that you purportedly support. And you have the face to keep on posting. No balls, no face eh?
Are you a made up fictional character designed to make people hate the CPC or merely an escapee? I can’t imagine otherwise. Your character would have made a fine replacement for Ernst Rohm, head of the SA.
So where are all the CPC supporters and their righteous indignation? I seem to remember a great outcry at inferences regarding Harper and Nazism. Oh Brother, where art thou?
Your silence is deafening.
A party that caters to white, male , so-called christians.
By Keith Phibbs on 10.27.07 11:07 am
Keith, How did Nina Grewal get in with the Conservatives? She is neither white nor male and is not Christian.
By Marc on 10.27.07 11:35 am
I did not say that all members were. I said caters to.Read carefully.
Is that any worse then Garth saying that Stephen Harper is unworthy of being Prime Minister? You know the Prime Minister that was democratically elected by the Canadian people.
By Marc on 10.27.07 2:56 pm
Apples and oranges.
But the correct comparison to the White House calling Congress anti-american, is PMSH telling parliament that his minority government will act like a majority, that the oppositions view point is worthless and will be ignored, and that opposing his legislation will be going against Canadian values.
As Bush doesn’t deserve to be in the Whitehouse (without two term limits, he wouldn’t get re-elected), so too PMSH doesn’t deserve 22 Sussex.
By Marc on 10.27.07 2:56 pm
Your not comparing apples and oranges, but chalk and cheese!
For the record, this is what I stated in the two posting refered to in:
By Greg on 10.27.07 3:05 pm
.. and for the life of me I cannot imagine where Greg found in my two postings, the crap he went on with his insane rant about Jews, Chinese, Germans, Nazis … WOW .. talk about insane ..!!!
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Whatsa madda Molly .. can’t the Canadian industrial-military complex get some benefits from our roaring economy, after all most of it is in the Ontario-Quebec region which needs a boost because of the high loonie.
Of course you Molly, would no doubt prefer to strip Canada of all of it’s military and become a nation of effeminatized pacifists .. but everybody can’t lay on their backs to be spared .. like you can.
By Harry S on 10.26.07 11:26 pm
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There are no ‘real’ Liberals on this fine forum, only confident Conservatives and nutbar anarchists who claim to be Liberals but in fact are crypto-Dippers.
Even Garth has labelled himself a “red toryâ€, who has found a home in the Liberal party all because he fears failure as a principled independent politician.
Now the anarchists have surfaced with their pro-terrorists, anti-US propaganda. I never thought this fine forum would sink to that pathetic and low level of discourse. Shame and desperation prevails.
You can always leave, and improve our average. — Garth
By Harry S on 10.27.07 12:07 pm
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BTW Greg .. your raging tome is better suited for the babble.ca forum, and not this fine forum provided for us by our host Garth.
Harry S,
Try looking into your bathroom mirror sometimes .. Zorph .. because your political cartoons are a pathetic and insulting attempt to save your beloved but defunct Liberals. Your desperation is quite palpable.
With every continuing post you make you prove my point. But hey, for giggles I explain to you. I am not a Liberal, I am a Progressive Conservative/Red Tory. I know Harper’s history and the positions and opinions he has held in the past, and he is no Conservative. He is Neo-Conservative in the truest form, he derives his power for playing on peoples greed and fears. That is not good leadership in my eyes and if to get rid of Harper it means pitch my lot with the liberals, then so be it.
But here’s a question for you Harry, why are you not at your local MP’s blog voicing your support for Harper? Why are you here at Garth’s blog? Could it be you are here like so main of us so we can have an ear of real MP who listens? Sucks that party you support doesn’t allow that voice and you have to come here to be heard. Truth is a bitch, eh Harry?
I will say this, I am enjoying watch you become unhinged on Garth’s Blog. I have seen your type before and I do get some sick pleasure watch people like yourself slowly come undone. Please continue, it is entertaining.
You’re correct James, the Prime Minister doesn’t deserve 22 Sussex drive, that is why he lives at 24 Sussex drive.
James-Chatham ; so too PMSH doesn’t deserve 22 Sussex.
I’m sure his neighbour’s will be relieved that they don’t have to move.
But seriously – your comparisons would have been better if you had been joking. Stephen Harper is the duly elected Prime Minister of Canada and your disrespect for him – and the people who elected him – is more contemptuous of our shared democracy than it is of the individual man.
How Harper chooses to run his minority government is a reflection of his personality (for good or ill)… but he gained his power through a democratic process… and he’s exercising them in a democratic manner. The fact that Stephane Dion and his opposition party are refusing to play their part is, in no way, a flaw of Harper’s government. If Harper is ruling “as if” he had a majority it is simply because the Liberal Party has shafted it’s supporters by refusing to oppose.
If you feel that democracy has been hobbled in Canada under this Harper government then take it up with the man who refuses to fulfill the duties of hisoffice; Stephane Dion.
. . . is PMSH telling parliament that his minority government will act like a majority, that the oppositions view point is worthless and will be ignored, . . .
By James- Chatham on 10.27.07 4:01 pm
This is exactly what Joe Clark said after he won a minority gov’t. in 1979, and eventually he lost a non-confidence motion, an election was called in 1980 and Trudeau won a third majority.
However, Trudeau, Mulroney, Chretien, Harper and others will always be known for one thing: They lied and cheated while in power.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Ultimately, all we have is ourselves.
You’re correct James, the Prime Minister doesn’t deserve 22 Sussex drive, that is why he lives at 24 Sussex drive.
By Marc on 10.27.07 4:45 pm
Ok. You got me on that one…but you get the point.
but everybody can’t lay on their backs to be spared .. like you can.
By Harry S on 10.26.07 11:26 pm
You make a blatant reference to women having sex to protect their lives in a time of conflict and now make a pitiful attempt to try to distance yourself from the intent of your comment.
You didn’t need to embolden your comments, they were disgusting enough the first time.
Are you suffering from paranoid schizophrenia or psychosis?
“Even Bush’s mob called Congress anti-american, you know the Congress which is elected by and represents the American people.†By James- Chatham on 10.27.07 2:33 pm
Is that any worse then Garth saying that Stephen Harper is unworthy of being Prime Minister? You know the Prime Minister that was democratically elected by the Canadian people.
By Marc on 10.27.07 2:56 pm
Well, thats not entirely true is it? We don’t elect our PM, we elect our parties into power. So although the party was voted into power, the man was not. That was but a sad byproduct of the election. One, I TRULY hope, is rectified.
I am not a Liberal, I am a Progressive Conservative/Red Tory.
By Zorpheous on 10.27.07 4:37 pm
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You are nothing, you are less than nothing with your ludicrous cartoons. You and Garth are the laughing stock of politics. You can’t see that because you are stuck in your defunct PC/red tory delusions.
Red tory’s are just Liberals without political cajones. You are ludicrous, ridiculous and pusillanimous. Live with it, losers.
but everybody can’t lay on their backs to be spared .. like you can.
By Harry S on 10.26.07 11:26 pm
……………….
You make a blatant reference to women having sex to protect their lives in a time of conflict and now make a pitiful attempt to try to distance yourself from the intent of your comment.
You didn’t need to embolden your comments, they were disgusting enough the first time.
Are you suffering from paranoid schizophrenia or psychosis?
By Greg on 10.27.07 5:11 pm
Before you start to throw around mental health medical terms perhaps you could respond to my above post at:
By Harry S on 10.27.07 4:35 pm
… and explain how you found references in my two postings, the crap you spewed in your insane rant about Jews, Chinese, Germans, Nazis …!!
I question your sanity.
I am not a Liberal, I am a Progressive Conservative/Red Tory.
By Zorpheous on 10.27.07 4:37 pm
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You are nothing, you are less than nothing with your ludicrous cartoons. You and Garth are the laughing stock of politics. You can’t see that because you are stuck in your defunct PC/red tory delusions.
Red tory’s are just Liberals without political cajones. You are ludicrous, ridiculous and pusillanimous. Live with it, losers.
By Harry S on 10.27.07 5:47 pm
Ya kiddo, you REALLY bring the level of debate a whole new level here. I personally prefer to stay out of the basement though.
I am in the hopes that Garth is one post away from showing you the door.
No one respects, nor sees you anything more than a troll out to get attention. Why not do us all a favour and leave now. You gain nothing by staying. None of us do.
Red tory’s are just Liberals without political cajones. You are ludicrous, ridiculous and pusillanimous. Live with it, losers.
ROTFLMAO, oh this rich. This coming from anonymous, faceless poster,… So tell me Harry, who is really the lacks the cajones and guts here? People know where to find me, to email me if they so desire and Garth there is no question.
With each posting you make you prove my point that you are the ludicrous and ridiculous commenter. Your “pusillanimous” is already proven beyond the need to discuss it further. Soon I expect you will be reduced to dancing for bananas.
Actually we’re all nameless, faceless posters here, which explains so much of the uncivilized behaviour displayed all over the place. Sad but true.
You are nothing, you are less than nothing with your ludicrous cartoons. You and Garth are the laughing stock of politics. . . .
By Harry S on 10.27.07 5:47 pm
Yo! Zorpheous and Garth — better to keep silent and be thought a fool, rather than open one’s mouth and prove it beyond doubt!
Harry S. has proven it time and time again.
Let him be forever known as a fool — that is his title, and he is worthy of it!
I question your sanity.
By Harry S on 10.27.07 6:04 pm
I’m not going to explain anything to you. You know full well what the intent of your words were. If you can’t correlate my statements, or don’t wish to admit that you understand, there is no point in my participating in your facade.
My words were clear, and so was your unconscionable slash at women.
Some more of your posts;
Well, so much for principles and courtesy
By Harry S on 10.27.07 5:17 pm
If the posting is not on topic you should delete it.
By Harry S on 10.27.07 5:21 pm
Add Delusional and Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Also see Anal Retentive.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive-compulsive_disorder
By SJ on 10.27.07 5:19 pm
I stand corrected, I should have used better wording in the statement I made. He is the leader of the party that was democratically elected by the Canadian people, would have been more accurate.
By Greg on 10.27.07 7:49 pm
So you attempt to slither away to avoid responding to my posting at:
By Harry S on 10.27.07 4:35 pm
.. in your disgraceful nazi-mongering accusations. You sir are a despicable cad.
That’s it. You’re history. — Garth
Let him be forever known as a fool — that is his title, and he is worthy of it!
By Charles Oxley on 10.27.07 7:39 pm
Ya, give them even rope they’ll hand themselves. Harry S is also known around the Blogosphere as the Observer, but not to be confused with the Phantom Observer (who is from out west, Alberta I think)
I suspect Harry S/Observer has a few other sockpuppets here on Garth’s blog. He has been trolling my blog for the last few weeks. I am not as tolerant as Garth is and have dropped the hammer on him.
Hopefully more meaningful debate and discussions can now resume.
By SJ on 10.27.07 5:19 pm
I stand corrected, I should have used better wording in the statement I made. He is the leader of the party that was democratically elected by the Canadian people, would have been more accurate.
By Marc on 10.27.07 8:09 pm
Red tory’s are just Liberals without political cajones. You are ludicrous, ridiculous and pusillanimous. Live with it, losers.
By Harry S on 10.27.07 5:47 pm
If Harry S is a new Conservative troll you have to wonder how they think statements like this would be an asset to their drive for a majority. On the one hand, they try to pretend that “red Tories” are still a valuable part of the new Conservative Party and then they have their trolls come out with statements like this!!!
They don’t seem to “get it” that this is NOT the way to win friends and influence people.
Ode to Harry O ;
Buddy youre a boy make a big noise
Playin in the street gonna be a big man some day
You got mud on yo face
You big disgrace
Kickin your can all over the place
We will we will rock you
We will we will rock you
Buddy youre a young man hard man
Shoutin in the street gonna take on the world some day
You got blood on yo face
You big disgrace
Wavin your banner all over the place
We will we will rock you
We will we will rock you
Buddy youre an old man poor man
Pleadin with your eyes gonna make you some peace some day
You got mud on your face
You big disgrace
Somebody better put you back in your place
We will we will rock you
We will we will rock you
By Queen
Just wondering, who here considers themselves a Red Tory?
Oh and CB, Harry S has been hang around here for months and months, he is the Observer.
Progressive Conservative has gone the way of the CCF, the Social Credit Party, and the Farmer’s Union of Alberta.
Let’s not delude ourselves into thinking that dinosaurs still exist when they are history. We need to face the realities of today in order to stay acadmically sound and healthy.
We may mourn the loss of a loved one, gut sooner or later we need to adjust to the new reality and move on.
A good week-end to one and all!
Just wondering, who here considers themselves a Red Tory?
By Zorpheous on 10.27.07 10:44 pm
What people like Ike and Harry S can’t seem to understand id that where there are provincial Progressive Conservative Parties the Red Tory is still a significant element if not the majority. Here in Atlantic Canada I would estimate that Red Tories are dominant.
The question is what these new Conservative trolls hope to achieve by their “spin?” It appears that they are working hard to narrow the appeal of their own party as a “narrow tent” party.
Prior to the merger these same people were working to get rid of Red Tories in the PC Party, held dual party membership, and were actually encouraging Red Tories to join the Liberals.
There is no doubt that they have won the battle for the Conservative name although there is noting Conservative about them. Just their posts reveal how little they have in common with traditional Canadian Conservative values. Most of them are simply archaic Liberals.
They seem to believe that by using manipulation, deceit, vilification, and intimidation, they can win absolute power and trample the rest of us underfoot.
There are some of us that will fight that mentality until the last one standing if necessary.
There are some of us that will fight that mentality until the last one standing if necessary.
By C. B. Innes on 10.28.07 11:06 am
Agreed CB, and I’ll do it from within the Liberals is need be. Shit, the Liberals could very well become the Red Tory/Centrist Party of Canada. I personally think they are already very close to it.
Some people get to hung up on the label and not what is on the inside. I have said it before and I’ll say it again, Harper is not a Canadian Conservative, he’s a Noe-Con.
Most of them are simply archaic Liberals.
By C. B. Innes on 10.28.07 11:06 am
Hi C.B., I agree with you in respect to many considering themselves Red Tories, and defending their right to categorize themselves as such. I was wondering though, what you were referring to with the above mentioned description.
I am wondering if there is another interpretation other than the literal one. I appreciate your perspectives.
Greg on 10.28.07 3:33 pm.
I am afraid I don’t quite get your point.
I will do my best to explain the statement about archaic Liberals. The new Conservative Party has adopted a form of economic liberalism that most Liberals (not all) rejected in the late 19th century but has made a resurgence since the 1960s.
Conservatism evolved out of a system in which birth (hierarchy achieved through military success) entitled individuals to special entitlement both over wealth and public power. Conservatives believed that their entitlement to political power brought with it a responsiblity to those below them in the economic and social strata. That does not mean that they were always good at carrying out those responsibilities.
In order to break the conservative hold over wealth and the public sector, liberals promoted limiting government to coercing the public into obedience to the new economic order, private verses public ownership, and a hierarchy based on economic success determined by the accumulation of wealth rather than by birth.
Liberals believed that because “free markets” gave everyone equal opportunity there was no need for the wealthy to have any responsiblity for the less fortunate. They soon found that this did not work because the system allowed “greed” free reign and that threatened social stability. Since the old concepts of individual responsibility for the less fortunate had disappeared they determined that government had to take on the traditional role of assisting those who were left behind by the new “capitalist” system.
Traditional conservatives were just as eager as liberals to find a solution in order to maintain social stability and they both accepted this solution and built upon it. This concept was reinforced by the growth of socialism and communism.
This consensus lasted for much of the 20th century but began to break down with a resurgence of traditional economic liberalism by the 1960s and 70s but this time under the label of conservatism.
Neo-conservatives have adopted the old liberal concept of “free markets,” limiting government to its legal and military roles, increased private ownership, and a reliance on “free markets” to ensure equal opportunity.
It is another attempt to implement an ideology that failed in the 19th century only this time under a different name.
The problem is that when you try to implement an ideology, like classical liberalism, reality gets in the way. An ideology is a theory about how things “should” work not necessarily how things “do” work. People like Stephen Harper may understand ideas and strategies but they dislike and do not understand people.
By C. B. Innes on 10.28.07 9:01 pm
Very well stated. I still find it bewildering how society refuses to accept reality when it comes to ALL people being in need of a fair share and opportunity.
Those who insist on ‘bootstrap mentality’ are generally the ones who demand the most in special treatment at the expense of all others. The term for them is hypocrite.
They have never graspsed how lucky fate has been to them. yet, from the bottom of the social ladder, arise great leaders because they comprehend their own frailties and those of others.
Our current GG is such a person. She has personally witnessed the horrors of Papa Doc, yet has more class than anyone else in Ottawa.
By C. B. Innes on 10.28.07 9:01 pm
Thanks for the explanation.
This is an interesting contrast to the definition of the word Liberal, as well as it’s modern form as seen in politics.
Personally, I am thankful for the Green Party, they are Centrists, and that is how I am.
Before the CRAP was formed, both the Liberals and PC were pretty Centrist as well, leaving the extreme liberal views to the NDP. We still need ALL the parties to provide ALL the voices of the people.
That is what real democracy is about, not like the U.S. where you have to choose the least evil of two parties. It always comes down to Dumb and Dumber in the States.