On Tuesday night Barack Obama will become the next American president, unless people have been lying to pollsters. This, of course, will be remarkable. John McCain is one of the most outstanding candidates to be the US leader since ever. He’s the kind of man you want in the White House – a moderate conservative maverick independent bipartisan experienced talented well-traveled and multidimensional war hero who also happens to be an adroit senator and bone fide national leader.
However, he’ll lose. For many reasons.
Superficially, he’s the Old Thing and Obama is the New Thing. In the politics of CNN and the Internet, that’s enough. McCain is also far too associated with George Bush, who ends his two-term presidency at a low water mark. McCain is a strong proponent of the Iraq war, which Americans in general are not. When Obama says at every rally that he’ll end the conflict, there’s thunderous applause.
Mostly, though, John McCain will lose to the economy. Things in the States are atrocious, and getting worse. The entire system of American capitalism is on trial right now, and there’s hardly any defence for the crimes committed. The middle class is being eliminated as the value of their houses is whittled away more each week, as millions owe more than their homes are worth and hundreds of thousands more are evicted. Over 700,000 jobs have been lost this year, and it looks like 200,000 more evaporated last month.
Stock market loses have crashed 401k’s and sent millions into retirement shock. Three of five Wall Street investment banks are gone. Also gone is a company that held 20% of the nation’s mortgages, while the two state-backed firms that own most of the rest are now wards of the government. Main Street families are suffering in what looks like the worse mess since the 1930s, and yet Washington bailed out bankers, insurers, tycoons and asset-swappers with billions of tax dollars.
GM and Chrysler are set to merge (using public funds) which will close assembly plants, wipe out hundreds of dealerships in every major town and city and eliminate 35,000 more jobs. The federal deficit is a trillion and the debt is nine trillion. The war is costing $10 billion a month and the current financial crisis bailout tab is over $2 trillion. This will mean some pain for a decade, if not three or four.
Against this background, McCain offers more of the Bush economic agenda – at least in the public’s mind. But Obama offers hope, change and a way out – even if that’s fantasy. It’s hard to see how the promise of a multi-billion-dollar tax cut or affordable health care for all can be realized when America has exported so many jobs, is so much in debt, is questioning capitalism, is sinking into a multi-year recession and is still the world’s cop.
But, more power to the guy. He raised $600 million, largely on the Internet. He went from zero to hero to president in four years. He wiped the floor with the Clintons. He has become the icon of hope in a disintegrating and discredited American empire.
And that’s why it’s America.
168 comments ↓
It is interesting how circumstances are similar between the U.S. and the Liberal party.
Both are broke.
Both are searching for hope in a new leader.
Both have abandoned the grass roots in favour of the rich and priveleged.
Both are in need of fundimental changes to the way they do things to modernize their very existance to become relevent again.
both enteties are doomed if they don’t start dealing with individual problems at the local level one at a time until the sheer force of numbers pushes the rest in the right direction.
Sadly the Liberal party will destroy itself from the top down while the U.S. will give away its last penny to the rich that screwed them in the first place and leave their citizens bankrupt. Nothing in this world changes until you are willing to change the rules to favour the majority the way democracy is supposed to work.
Are you saying Stephen Harper embodies democracy? Not the one I know. — Garth
And that’s why it’s America.
No Garth, I must disagree. America is the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Those are the values, lost as they seem to be most of the time, that embolden the American People to Stand Up and be counted. When a Despot rises, they rise against that Despot.
Canada could learn from that simple principle, but DIDN’T this latest election.
As to John McCain…I personally have met the man, he is NOT what people think he is. He is a typical ego-driven Jet Jock that has not matured into a true Stateman. Obama is a Statesman in every sense of the word. Simple as that.
The time for True Statesmanship has risen again after the long years in the Dark Ages, of which the Founding Fathers would have written a far more scathing Declaration against George W. Bush than they did against King George III.
This time the People are going to speak, and God will not protect those who tamper, or attempt to tamper with their hard won Democracy.
McCain, and his mentor behind the cutain, Karl Rove, have tried to use the Harper approach. Unfortunately, Americans are smarter than Canadians. They vote FOR a government and a future.
Things changed for Obama once he was given Oprah’s endorsement. That helped him raise the funds and get him the Democratic nomination.
McCain lost the election when he picked Sarah Palin. As a woman, I would love to see a woman in the Whitehouse, and I had initially hoped that Hillary would get the nomination; however, Palin is way out of her league. Did you hear the phone conversation with the Quebec comics? Duh? She sounds so high school.
Obama will do well; he will serve his country well as he cares about more than just the top 5% earners that John McCain is worried about.
I actually heard Palin talking against socialism and that the US needs to preserve democracy instead. Duh! The two are not mutually exclusive. In fact, I think socialism is what democracy is all about. Power to the people. Do the most good for the most people. Only the wealthy would oppose that. When the disparity becomes too great, revolutions occur.
Before you make any judgments or decisions about this economic melt down you MUST listen to this 60 Minutes piece by Steve Kroft. This the real truth about what happened and why!
60 Minutes Podcast – The Full Broadcast @ podcast.com
In this week’s edition of 60 Minutes, CBS News Correspondent Steve Kroft takes a look at the unregulated shadow market that helped lead to Wall Street’s …
podcast.com/show/3151/ – 190k
There are a handful of men who made out like super pirates making trillions on this debacle of the Century!
What are the implications for Canada with an Obama presidency and a Democratic House and Congress?
Let me tell you what I think may happen.
1. Obama and the Democrats are protectionist and even isolationist in their beliefs. Obama is beholden to the big US unions, and he has promised to “bring back the jobs” to the US homeland. He speaks about jobs lost to Asia, but it will include jobs in Mexico and Canada.
2. Obama is on the public record saying he will unilaterally re-negotiate NAFTA when he was campaigning in Ohio (notwithstanding the denials). Obama has called NAFTA “devastating” and “a big mistake” … he’s a protectionist who is ready to alienate the US’s BIGGEST trading partner – CANADA.
3. Obama has proposed a “new job” tax credit to US companies keeping jobs in the US instead of manufacturing in Asia. In effect this is a work subsidization scheme that will also impact on Canada and Mexico. He intends to strip auto jobs from Ontario and relocate them in Michigan where he has 100% union support.
4. Obama will most likely begin the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and position them in Afghanistan for a while. Within 24 months the US troops will be out of the Middle East regardless of the consequences. This will destabilize the Middle East in countries such as those in the Arabian peninsula, because what they fear is the growing influence of Iran. Israel will be left to fend for itself without substantive or significant support from an Obama USA.
5. The Harper government will be forced to renegotiate NAFTA and possibly even NORAD with the hardball Obama Democrats. We will descend into a virtual economic war with the US, as will Mexico and even China. In the meantime, over 100,000 mostly Ontario manufacturing jobs will hang on a thread.
6. One extreme solution is to seek a merger with the USA so that Canadians are not subject to onerous and disastrous trade sanctions and industrial devastation in Ontario. A United North America would be an economic giant and would benefit both Americans and Canadians. Are Canadians willing to give up their national identity and join in a common trade and job market???
John McCain is one of the most outstanding candidates to be the US leader since ever. He’s the kind of man you want in the White House – a moderate conservative maverick independent bipartisan experienced talented well-traveled and multidimensional war hero who also happens to be an adroit senator and bone fide national leader.
posted by Garth Turner on 11.02.08 @ 9:59 pm |
Garth, on this one you are off base. There is a very dirty inside story about the real John McCain and it involves physical brutality, bad temper, and cover up of personal out of control behavior behind the scenes. A republican supporter was with his family on vacation on an exclusive Pacific Island resort where the McCains showed up amongst the guest families. His report can be found on line I suppose, but I saw him interviewed on TV. That man statement was very anti McCain and contained accusations that I will not repeat. You owe it to yourself to search this one out and make up your mind as to the validity and veracity!
From what I saw, and heard from that father and husband, it would be an understatement to claim that McCain is not suitable material for elected office! If he is suffering some sort of flash back or what ever he should be given treatments for it. He also is suffering from melanoma cancer that has recurred more than once. His statistical probability of finishing one term in office as President is slim to very poor. At his age and health he is not a prime selection, and his choice of a VP team mate leaves much to be desired from several points of view.
Having done some research on Barack Obama and watched most of what is available on TV and online, I believe he deserves a chance. He will have more support and backing in his first term than John F. Kennedy, plus he is one smart cookie. He will put together a Cabinet that will shock you with talent. He means business, and when Ret. Gen. Colin Power crosses over to support him that speaks volumes. I know some things you won’t find on line about Powell, during his service in Korea as a Captain he was a straight shooter, and busted men who went AWOL with a jeep to the nearest town to get drunk on a Friday night. He did not bend the rules, and ran a tight ship. He also is privately steamed about the lies he was fed re: Iraq when he was in the first cabinet Dubya appointed. There will be more payback coming in the days ahead. Stay tuned, because the fat lady is not ready to sing any time yet!
Garth, I feel very sorry for McCain. He seems like a good man, yet he’s getting savaged pretty badly. He was never a hardcore partisan and he’s shown that he’s willing to across the aisle and show his independence. However, with an unpopular Bush and bad economy, it’s going hard for McCain to distance himself from the president although the two are totally different politicians.
It looks like McCain is going to lose, but if he makes ANOTHER comeback and wins….then wow…
It’s hard to see how the promise of a multi-billion-dollar tax cut or affordable health care for all can be realized when America has exported so many jobs, is so much in debt, is questioning capitalism, is sinking into a multi-year recession and is still the world’s cop.
I think it has something to do with that $10 billion a month they WON’T be spending in Iraq. Of course Obama wants to send a lot of those troops to Afghanistan, but I still doubt they’ll be spending a fraction of what they have been. I guess we’ll see.
I wonder, though – is your admiration for McCain at all diluted by the revolting campaign of smears and lies he’s run, or the even more revolting campaign of religious fear-mongering and overt racism he’s tolerated from his supporters?
At any rate, I still maintain that the real story of this election is not Obama – it’s the reawakening of the American electorate. It’s the individuals behind those millions in donations who are standing in line for 3, 4, sometimes 8 hours to cast their ballot – in advance! It’s the prospect of a country where voter turnout averages close to 50% suddenly having a significant majority of its population not only voting, but becoming actively involved in the political process.
I would have thought that you of all people would be excited about that.
The US debt is over 10 trillion Garth
U.S. NATIONAL DEBT CLOCK
The Outstanding Public Debt as of 03 Nov 2008 at 05:11:09 AM GMT is:
$ 1 0 , 5 4 3 , 5 2 0 , 6 5 1 , 2 3 6 . 7 0
Actually, it’s one key difference between the Democrats and the Liberals that is most telling. Obama and the Democrats are flush with cash. As a result, they’ve been able effectively counter whatever smears the McCain campaign has thrown at them — if the GOP comes out with a negative ad, the Democrats can counter with three positive ones. They have the money to effectively ignore their opponents in their own advertising, allowing them to focus solely on their message of hope and change. The Liberals, on the other hand, were never able to defend Stephane Dion or, later, the Green Shift, against the baseless charges levelled by the Cons. That, more than anything, cost them the election. It certainly wasn’t decided on policy.
Nothing in this world changes until you are willing to change the rules to favour the majority the way democracy is supposed to work.
Are you saying Stephen Harper embodies democracy? Not the one I know. — Garth
By W. D. on 11.02.08 10:38 pm
What a friggin’ lunatic !
Change the rules ?
Here comes WWIII .
If the American people succeed in getting themselves out to vote in vast numbers, then maybe they will have at least taken the first step to responsibility. They took democracy for granted and they believed liars, and they are being punished for those two mistakes.
Democracy can never be taken for granted. With that said, Canadians made the same two mistakes. That lack of vigilance for our country by our citizens, is inexcusable. And because we’ve taken democracy for granted, we’re left with a leader who will cause us the same harms.
Each Canadian who did not research the truth about the issues in the election, and every Canadian who ignores their own vote, and all who did not contribute in some way to the election, can hang their heads in shame for their lack of effort. They are responsible for what’s to come.
Bush 44 here in Canada will not save us let alone a Bush 44 (Steve Harper) who garnered only 27% of the total voting public. PMSH has no other choice than to move to Liberal policies and ideas, as most of his words have come from in part (Washington) and total from other world leaders (Australia). It would appear PMRH will just have to move to another political night club for new fresh ideas. As for the facts on the real US debt check this out once again http://zfacts.com/ and couched in all this are the hidden costs of new replacement equipment and long term health care cost (military and senior boomers) totalling in the Trillions! (do y’all think Canada’s costs are free)….. to be continued on the Gulf Coast and infrustructure and future years fire floods and disasters!!!!!
To MSM…please try some investigative journalism this time around rather than cowing down to what’s his name, we the 73& who did not get on our hands and knees for Stevie bye deserve honest investigative accountability from y’all don’t you think?
The old story is “that we get the governmet that we desrve” If the American vote is as big as it is expected, good for them. We had a puny turnout and we got what we deserve. (not all of us) We truly do not deserve to have a Harper government.
Isn’t it amazing that people are having to wait anywhere from 2 to 8 hours to vote. This looks more like a 3rd world system.
See RACHEL MADDOW – THE NEW POLL TAX – PAYING TO VOTE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EAyiA5Rmf0
watch the stock market crash if Obama gets elected.
How could you possibly tell? — Garth
McCain, and his mentor behind the cutain, Karl Rove, have tried to use the Harper approach. Unfortunately, Americans are smarter than Canadians. They vote FOR a government and a future.
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 11.02.08 11:37 pm
I beg to differ. The American people are fed up of the Republicans after George W.. McCain, tarnished with the same brand, wouldn’t stand a cat in hell’s chance regardless of whether he supported Bush’s policies or not. (Supporting Bush doesn’t help him either!)
Obama is just offering a change.
Just like Paul Martin after the scandals of the Cretien government. Harper just offered a change. Thank God for our system, which allows us to give a minority administration, vs all or nothing, especially with a Democratic Congress. (True, if Obama oversteps the mark, voters can change the latter in 2 years!)
McCain just might pull out a victory, albeit by a very slim margin. Americans are no different from Canadians and right now they feel like the republicans need a spanking.
Whatever happens, the next 4 years in the U.S. will be turbulent and full of surprises. Interesting times to say the least. L
McCain, and his mentor behind the cutain, Karl Rove, have tried to use the Harper approach. Unfortunately, Americans are smarter than Canadians. They vote FOR a government and a future.
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 11.02.08 11:37 pm
I am surprised that you are so supportive of the intelligence of the American voter that elected the Bush/Chaney ticket twice. I never took you for a Bushie in disguise!
Are you saying Steve Harper embodies democracy-Garth
Not at all in fact he represents the exact opposite by changing the rules we live by to favour a minority of people and slowly eliminate any part of our culture that does not represent pure capitalism as in Bushes U.S.
I have read several people suggesting that the U.S. made a big mistake by not putting the 700 billion into a bank of last resort which buys up mortgages and credit card debt going bad and dealing with each case individually to prevent bankruptsy were possible. Right now they are following the rule of law and forclosing on thousands of people every week which simply drives down house prices more causing more people to default as a result. At some point when the rules we normally follow make things worse someone needs to change them at least temporarily until until things stabilize. If the government keeps throwing good money after bad they will never be able to help a single person until it is too late.
If the Liberal party is serious about wanting to form a government they need to change their constitution to the same as the other parties where each membership equals one vote for leasder or policy. By including the grass roots they will probably be surprised at how they start collecting more donations just like the other parties. Again when something isn’t working under one set of rules the only way to get it working again is to change the rules.
Sure, Muskoka. That’s why we saw two terms of Bush II.
Do the most good for the most people.
By Marg on 11.02.08 11:45 pm
The U.S. Constitution states Article I, Section 8. The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
Traditional behaviour shows if one asks a Democrat what that means they will say ‘Whatever we can think of! Ask a Rethuglican and they will be totally CLUELESS, unless it is for a wealthy campaign contributor.
Interestingly, the word ‘Con’ in the context we use it regarding LIARS, stems from Ireland’s King Lugaid MacCon, who was infamous for issuing false judgements. He was confronted by the young lad Cormac at tara who was a Truthsayer. The story of the Act of Truth is a lesson for all to learn.
At any rate, I still maintain that the real story of this election is not Obama – it’s the reawakening of the American electorate…
By Jennifer Smith on 11.03.08 12:48 am
You have properly analyzed what is truly happening. The People have the real power and they are exercising it. I think the Rethuglican Party will look like Humpty Dumpty after tomorrow. The ‘yolk’ will be on them, not on the People this time.
Some claim to be populist or ‘Grass Roots’, well Obama’s campaign has set the Paragon for those terms.
Sure, Muskoka. That’s why we saw two terms of Bush II.
By Herb on 11.03.08 9:43 am
Two words explain it Herb. Florida and Ohio. The first time the U.S. Supreme COurt was involved. The second, just plain FRAUD.
The U.S. really needs an Elections Canada to run their elections instead of a Secretary of State like Bush’s brother’s in Florida.
Bush has had the lowest favoured support of any president in history (as best I recall) at 30%, which is still higher than Harper at 27%.
I believe democracy is based on majority rule, not minority deviancy?
I am surprised that you are so supportive of the intelligence of the American voter that elected the Bush/Chaney ticket twice. I never took you for a Bushie in disguise!
By C. B. Innes on 11.03.08 9:33 am
I was speaking in the present and immediate future tense, not past tense C.B.
I am most definitely NOT a ‘Bushie’! In fact, I have never in my entire life been more disgusted with a President (by title only, certainly not by intellect nor actions) than Dubya.
He, and Cheney, and their entourage of LIARS and brain dead fools, are a disgrace to Americans, my ancestors (who, BTW, wrote the DoC, US Constitution, and Bill of Rights), and the world at large.
Not because they are Republicans (I was one once upon a time), but because they have flagrantly violated the most sacred of trusts…TRUTH! The real WMD’s are Words of Mass Deception.
I seriously hope that Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld are tried for War Crimes, and I believe there are grounds for TREASON as well. They swore to uphold the Constitution and have made a shambles of it.
Wow, I would not have thought to hear praise of McCain from you. That guy is a hot-headed, spoiled elitist who’s had everything handed to him his whole life. The only reason he’s considered a war hero is because he’s a shitty pilot who got shot down long after he should have lost his wings for crashing other planes (his dad was an admiral so he kept his wings). Apparently he folded like a lawn chair during investigation so he could earn his freedom.
His campaign features nothing but negative attacks on his opponent while offering no answers of his own (much like our current conservative party).
You seem like such a smart, well-informed guy, I’m really shocked you haven’t seen through all this.
Democracy as practiced and as hoped for in the Land of the Free -
Michael Moore, http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?id=239
By Herb on 11.03.08 10:40 am
I truly expect there to be some’ incidents’ which, will probably go unreported, wherein poll workers attempting to manipulate the vote will be thoroughly dealt with by voters.
Perhaps they will be called Sabots? The Big Bad Machine is about to have its guts ripped out one gear tooth at a time.
BTW, CNN’s latest election poll shows Obama with 291 electoral votes to McCain’s 157. With 270 needed to win, and most swing states now changing to Obama this will be avery educational election to the world. The Sleeping Giant has been awakened I think. I also think the Giant is very PISSED!
WD is right on the mark, and Garth, you’re dead wrong about McCain. He’s just another neo-con, market fundamentalist, not a conservative. I’ll bet the mortgage however, that he becomes the next head of state of, well… whatever one is supposed to call the former USA nowadays.
Sadly, McCain will be “the Man” because the US presidential elections have been rigged since 2000, and they’re simply going to do it again. Guaranteed that the same thing will happen here too if our own little Bush clone ever gets his majority government. In fact, Harper has already badgered Elections Canada about using electronic voting machines. How convenient it would be to manipulate votes electronically with no paper trail. A despot’s dream come true!
Think I’m just being paranoid or alarmist? The whole CRAP performance so far, has been an entirely unimaginative, page-by-page rip-off from the playbook of their ideological cousins to the south. Vote stealing is simply the next step in the march toward the one-party state.
As for the future of the Liberal Party of Canada…sigh. Wake up, you guys!
There used to be a liberal party in England. It’s gone. It went bankrupt. It lost its identity over time by trying to borrow planks from both the Labor and Conservative parties. It couldn’t decide where to place itself on the political spectrum, the voters became confused, slowly gave up on the party, and eventually it expired. Sound familiar? Sound like the near future?
Martin began the confusion in the Canadian Liberal Party by trying to be fiscally right and socially left at the same time. One doesn’t have to be in caucus, or indeed even an astute observer, to see that this is still the big, festering wound. Of course, this suits Harper just fine. It works for him.
What will further please him is a new Liberal party leader who goes Center-Right…which is likely the outcome of the next leadership convention. A very blue grit like say, John Manley, will become leader but he’ll be co-opted by Harper at the next election by being ridiculed as “not the REAL Center-Right guy”. No matter that Harper falsely presents himself as a centrist, marginalizing and “swift-boating” the new Liberal leader will do the trick. The Liberals will have gone left with Dion and lost, and right with Manley (or whoever)…and lost again. And of course, the party will have bankrupted itself by then. The winner once again? Harper. He sees that far ahead, Garth, and sadly, you guys don’t.
I don’t like the look of the future. Harper is utterly contemptuous of democracy and of Parliament. He thinks what Hitler once said, namely that one must use the democratic process to destroy the democratic process. In this, he is succeeding admirably, and the opposition parties are abetting by their negligence and partisan selfishness.
The opposition parties had a chance to avoid a federal election, keep Parliament functioning and blindside Dear Leader by forming a coalition government, but you guys blew it. Instead, you decided to focus your energies, and your scant, precious finances on narrow Party politics rather than working to defend the interests of your constituents…you know, the people of Canada…us little peasants out here. The reason for low voter turnout shouldn’t be such a dark, invisible mystery for politicians, but I guess it is when you’re blinded by partisanship. And, god forbid that Parliament should ever revert to its original purpose of representation, instead of serving the interests of parties first, I guess.
But hey, in a ruthless, competitive Party system, the best strategist will come out on top, and it’s clear who that is. While we still must tolerate party politics, for chrissake, at least stand together, you opposition parties!
If you guys don’t hang together, you will surely all hang separately…which once again, is exactly what Harper wants.
Muskoka,
s’all right, I was merely trying to temper some of your “irrational exuberance” (pace, Alan Grenspan).
I think that just about everyone in the whole world, except fixated Republicans, wild-eyed Right Wingers, and those who need a Great Satan for their own purposes, hopes for an Obama landslide to erase the international disgrace of the Bush Administration.
Obama may promise and even try to stand the power-pyramid on its head, but he will quickly discover – as if he didn’t know – that presidential power is limited by the sphere of interest of real power. It’s economic power – all the Halliburton’s and their major stockholders – that dictate what a President can and cannot do.
The reality of the democratic dream as we know it is sops and soporifics to the people, and power to those who have it. I don’t know of any place on earth where it’s different. There can be no “revolutions”, only incremental improvements.
By Darlene on 11.03.08 8:20 am
My pleasure – and thanks for your response. I’m off to Asia for 2 weeks – so I probably won’t be responding to much – but I think we basically agree.
I’m 35 with 2 young kids, I want “fiscally right, socially left” as well – I just hope the Liberals move that way – they have been seen as moving more and more left – and that is a big problem.
While we still must tolerate party politics, for chrissake, at least stand together, you opposition parties!
If you guys don’t hang together, you will surely all hang separately…which once again, is exactly what Harper wants.
By Javor Frajkor on 11.03.08 11:12 am
Agreed 100%! Try setting aside your egos and let your love for Canada be the controlling factor. That goes for Elizabeth May as well who said she will NOT join the Liberals. Granted that ‘May or May not’ (All puns intended) be a refusal to form a coalition government, but more a flat refusal to disban the Green party and join with the Liberals.
As to her blaming the NDP, No, I cannot agree. Democracy should be people casting their vote for who they believe in, not who they do not.
May won’t join Liberals and blames NDP for Harper’s victory
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 11.03.08 10:17 am,
I just wondered on what your opinion of the superior intelligence of the American verses the Canadian voter was based.
How low down and dirty the Rethuglicans will play is still yet to be seen. However, this article shows they seem to have no bottom to their abyss of deceipt and FUD.
Dirty tricks pile on in final hours of Presidential campaign
A few examples:
Complaints have surfaced in predominantly African-American areas of Philadelphia where flyers have circulated, warning voters they could be arrested at the polls if they had unpaid parking tickets or if they had criminal convictions.
Over the weekend in Virginia, bogus fliers with an authentic-looking Commonwealth Seal said fears of high voter turnout had prompted election officials to hold two elections – one tomorrow for Republicans and another on Wednesday for Democrats.
In Pennsylvania, emails appeared linking Democrat Barack Obama to the Holocaust. “Jewish Americans cannot afford to make the wrong decision on Tuesday, Nov. 4,” said the electronic message, paid for by an entity calling itself the Republican Federal Committee. “Many of our ancestors ignored the warning signs in the 1930s and 1940s and made a tragic mistake.”
There can be no “revolutions”, only incremental improvements.
By Herb on 11.03.08 11:27 am
Au contrare mon ami, there is one ongoing right NOW! this is more like ‘V is for Vendetta’ than the classic armed variety of revolution. It’s supply line has been right ebfore our eyes and is called the INTERNET!
The Net provided the Obama Revolution not only with funding, but a voice that cannot be censored by the Old Guard.
We need to Thank Garth for providing the forum as an MP, and for his stalwart dedication as a True Canadian and true supporter of Democratic principles.
THANK YOU GARTH!
This forum, unlike the solely insane partisan ones, which do not even deserve to be mentioned, has allowed us all to witness just how diverse and extreme things can be.
There can be no “revolutions”, only incremental improvements.
By Herb on 11.03.08 11:27 am
I meant to include, Garth has also provided a forum where oppossites have come together and agreed on issues which shows the People have more sense than the Harper Parliament.
Let us never forget that this past election cost Canadians $300 million dollars because Steve is a spoiled brat power pervert who couldn’t work together with the other elected MP’s of OUR Parliament.
Mr Turner reference Harper and democracy
Do you not think that it is time to get over it. The people have spoke and have given the conservatives a mandate to run the country. This is true democracy at its best. I believe Mr Harper wants what is best for Canada. He lives in a democratic society. He is only one person and cannot go on a personal seek and destroy mission without the support of the party and their suppporters the people. When you criticize Harper on his beliefs you are also doing likewise to all the people who have voted conservative.
Personally, I do not see him as any worst than any other Prime Misister we have had. He is a very good family man who does the normal things like taking his children to sports and other activities. I have been in the arena to witness this. He is just like most canadians who want the best for their family and the country.
We will have an opportunity to voice our opinion in a couple of years until then we should chill it and support the government as we work through this period of uncertain times.
As for the USA, they may be similar to canadians as far as cultures are concerned but they practise politics a lot different than we do in Canada. In addition their process is more than a 37 days election span. Making it very tough.
59% of Canadians voted, and Mr. Harper received less than 40% of that vote. “The people have spoken,” for sure, and they were obviously not too impressed. — Garth
…by some nut around 11:35 pm
The above tactic has been a Karl Rove meme for decades. Rove dedicated his life to cheating in politics, and making it “seem” like everyone else cheated & lied too.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Rove
Once annecdote was the time Karl Rove planted a listening device in his own office, thinking he could garner public sympathy to help win a race. The FBI found the battery was so small it needed changing every few hours. They dropped the investigation, knowing it was yet another Karl Rove tactic.
Two of Rove’s tactics are found in the above quote..
1) always ‘grow apathy’ that “there’s not much difference between politicians” because in the long term it benefits the cheating Rethuglican-type who then slinks under that radar as just part of the so-called ‘lying crowd’ so that they can sorta get away with fibbing all the time
2) creating more Public apathy decreases voters, which statistically helps the Rethuglican-type
Part of the U.S. public has now learned that the Rovian smear campaigns of lies and cheating has put our world in great harm. Despite the fact that dishonesty sometimes rears it’s ugly head in politics, Rove brought it to a paralyzing state.
With the Rove consultations to the Harper camp, we’ll continue suffering this affront to our democracy, but someday, Canadians will also reach a “tipping point” of citizens who fight back for our democracy, to actually support our honest politicians, instead of falling to the false apathy created by ‘harper peons’ planting false statements to pretend that “there’s not much difference between politicians”. Canadians have not learned that lesson yet. But we will.
The blame lies with the public — they must learn to protect their interests by becoming involved.
Oh, and a little reminder of the American Presidential Election Reality:
Americans cannot vote for president
It’s an oft overlooked fact that when Americans enter the privacy of the polling booth on Nov. 4, they will not actually be directly voting for the next president of the United States.
Instead, in a peculiar quirk of the U. S. political system, they will choose a slate of state officials or party leaders known as electors, either Democrat or Republican, who will make up the Electoral College.
These 538 representatives will then meet in their state capitals on Dec. 15 to elect the next occupant of the White House, based on whether Democrat Barack Obama or Republican John McCain won the most votes in their states.
…
The Electoral College was established by the founding fathers and has been around in some form since the early 1800s when vast distances and a lack of communications meant organizing and counting a national popular vote posed immense hurdles.
Once the Electoral College meets, if anything were to happen to the president-elect before the January inauguration, then the vice-president elect would step into his shoes.
So much for REAL Democracy, which the Electoral College is NOT! It is an antiquainted means to corruption, as was seen the last two elections.
Brought in during the days of the Pony Express, this should be cast onto history’s scrap heap along with our completely non-representative First Past The Post system here in Canada.
No longer do we have to rely on horse carried paperwork, we have high speed communications, and it is long overdue that we use them.
This from the self-proclaimed world wannabe leader of ‘freedumb and demoncracy’!
Physician heal thyself!
watch the stock market crash if Obama gets elected.
How could you possibly tell? — Garth
By gary v on 11.03.08 8:47 am
You mean the last three weeks have been a mild correction >
I believe democracy is based on majority rule, not minority deviancy?
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 11.03.08 10:07 am
Well said Bill .Very accurate .
Obama will win no matter what the despicable Republicans throw at him.
The Thufs stole two election in s row.
Enough is enogh .
Likewise, should you see THIS you will not be replying. LOL
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 11.02.08 11:45 pm
Love it !
Courtesy of Inkless Wells, here is a brain scan of Republican thinking in the 10 reasons why Canada’s own David Frum is for McCain -
http://frum.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MjE5NDk2NzQ5YzRlNGM4ODA0OWUwNjE0ZTk1MjU3YmM=
Anyone else frightened by this devotion to unreality?
How we must think, but especially Steve:
Protesters make noise at Biden event
For the first time since being named the Democratic vice presidential nominee, a small group of McCain and Palin supporters tried to interrupt the Delaware senator’s remarks from the public sidewalk about 150 yards from the podium. Their chants inaudible through a megaphone, they took to using the device’s siren to disrupt.
Biden referred to “the people in the parking lot” four times, using them as an example of those that Democrats will have to reach out to after Tuesday.
“I mean it literally. Not a joke. I know you find some of that obnoxious,” said Biden. “We gotta end this. Somebody’s got to be big enough to stand up and end this.”
There’s also a practical reason, Biden argued, legislation won’t be able to pass without bi-partisan support.
“You think we’re going to get education reform? You think we’re going to re-establish and end this war and re-establish our place in the world without getting a significant portion of Republicans to agree with us as well? No one party can do this.”
Garth, have you noticed that your blog seems to have been high jacked by the liberal left?
I knew you would speak out in support of a conservative at some point, though McCain isn’t really a conservative. It figures that when you did there would be a litany of your former supporters who don’t think you know what you are talking about anymore.
Anyway, do a test. Count how many posters support McCain and how many support Obama.
Your expose’ of the economy and your criticism of the Harper record is fodder for those that already are anti conservative. You won’t have to convince them through debate or reason. They already hate him.
But when you speak out in a bipartisan opinion that indicates more conservative leanings, you won’t get any amens from this crowd. They aren’t here to debate, reason, or discuss. They have their own agenda and are using your forum to promote it. And if there is a conservative leaning poster, he/she is quickly ganged up on, again, not using reason and debate, but personal attacks, smear, profanity and the like.
That’s just an observation I have. Its not really an important one either. I just pass through here occasionally to see whats up. Thought I would throw a stone into the pack.
“The people have spoken,” for sure, and they were obviously not too impressed. — Garth
And the people were even less impressed with the Liberal party, more so with the N.D.P. and fewer wanted Green Party representation. So by default, the Conservatives were the best of the worst, so rightly win the election.
Re: By W. D. on 11.03.08 9:37 am
If the Liberal party is serious about wanting to form a government they need to change their constitution to the same as the other parties where each membership equals one vote for leader or policy. By including the grass roots they will probably be surprised at how they start collecting more donations just like the other parties. Again when something isn’t working under one set of rules the only way to get it working again is to change the rules.
…………………………………………………..
How true, W.D. ……..
The Liberal party old dog backroom hacks selected Dion as their stopgap leader, fearing that an Ignatieff-led Liberal party would be purged of all the old dog croox. On the first leadership vote based on grassroots support, Ignatieff got 29%, Rae 19% and Dion 17% … and then Dion was selected by the delegates through brokering … highly undemocratic. If this happens again, the grassroots members will abandon the Liberal party in droves.
The Liberal party leadership selection process is highly undemocratic, and if the next leader is selected through this brokering process, the Liberal party will implode and disintegrate. Liberals must institute a one member one vote scheme to elect their next leader. Another brokered leader, selected in the backrooms will crash and burn.
>59% of Canadians voted, and Mr. Harper received less than 40% of that vote. “The people have spoken,” for sure, and they were obviously not too impressed. — Garth
Given the visceral anguish so many loudly have about the purported Conservative agenda, I think this constant incantation of low voter turn-out actually *undermines* your point.
39% of voters chose Conservatives (much more than chose any other party, and imaginations that the other parties represent some common theme is laughably ridiculous), yielding the minority government that was expected. Logically, the most motivated voters would have been those loud, obstinate people running around yelling about the end of Harper’s purported dictatorship, so the turnout among anti-Harperites was likely extremely high. ABC, right?
So if the turnout was higher, I would wager good money that the higher the turnout, the higher the proportional vote for the Conservatives would have been.
Be careful what you wish for.
Americans’ take justice very seriously, and this ‘Joe The Welder’ decided the Town Council had screwed him enough.
Local businessman decides to LEVEL the playing field LMAO!
Good stuff, Garth! McCain is a man who has and will serve his country…Obama is a man who expects his country to serve him. The MSM has given Obama and his plagiarising sidekick a free ride while relentlessly trashing McCain and Palin as they also trashed Hilliary. As for they race card and dirty politics Obama is like Pontius Pilot who let others do the dirty work for him. Look what they did to Bill Clinton.
In any case, we got Harper, thanks to the MSM and the USA will get Obama thanks to the MSM…probably.
By HARRY S on 11.02.08 11:53 pm
“A United North America would be an economic giant… ”
Canada linking up with the U.S. would be like being in a Titanic lifeboat but not casting off.
You know – Stevie’s ark settling with a thunk at the bottom of the sea.
—–
By Barb the proofreader on 11.03.08 3:37 am
“And because we’ve taken democracy for granted, we’re left with a leader who will cause us the same harms.”
Exactly. Oh damn! What do we do now?
One report from North Carolina says that 41% of registered voters have already voted. Apparently they have a lot riding on their congressional and gubernatorial (good word, that) races, too.
I hope it’s not too chaotic tomorrow. With the racism and deliberate falsehoods spread around, it could get nasty.
Southern white Repub’s were heard saying on the Sunday talk shows regarding early voting that people should get out and vote because “they have already voted”. Nice. Three guesses for who “they” are. The first two don’t count.
A couple of videos:
“Early voting forced a crabby Fred Barnes to come into contact with “all these poor old people” who were trying to cast their ballots in a crowded building with limited parking in that third world outpost known as Alexandria, Va. How dare they.”
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/fred-barnes-early-voting-was-crowded-poor-
—–
Why you should vote – because these people may be voting too.
Recognize any of these types?
http://crooksandliars.com/bluegal/open-thread-10
—–
To paraphrase Ken Dryden, “[McCain] is not a nice man. He’s not.”
McCain the “Gook Hater”
Johnny’s Tantrums
By PATRICK IRELAN
http://www.counterpunch.org/irelan10312008.html
“Early in 2008, Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi said, ‘The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He is erratic. He is hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me.’ (Boston Globe, 1/27/2008)”
“Do we really want an angry, racist president, one who makes decisions by rolling dice? Think about it.”
—–
I can’t go a bundle over Obama. The United States will do what it has to do to save itself. Canada shouldn’t think it will get any preferred treatment out of either administration. In any deal with another country, the U.S. position is to come out the winner. Mutual benefit is never a goal, only an accidental outcome.
Maybe we should stop pandering to them and start taking care of our own welfare.
I think Obama may be, as Noam Chomsky put it, the “lesser of two evils”. He said that choosing the lesser of two evils is not a bad choice if that’s the only one you have. Still pretty hard to do.
Isn’t it fun being human?
From Real News (interview with Chomsky):
http://therealnews.com/t/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=7&jumival=2593
—–
Meanwhile, Canada’s Oracle (unfortunately always wrong) Jeff Rubin at CIBC says:
“OTTAWA — Forget blaming the global recession on dubious mortgage practices in the United States – blame high oil instead, says Jeff Rubin, chief economist at CIBC World Markets.”
http://ctv2.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081103.wrecession1103/business/Business/businessBN/ctv-business
Dear Gods of the Economy, could you do something with this guy? He’s been so wrong so many times that the best position to take is a complete 180 from anything Mr. Rubin says.
How much do they pay this guy?
—-
Bill-not-in-Muskoka:
You were once a Republican? I don’t believe it!
Gotta watch Virginia and Ohio .
Twenty five million new voters registered for this election .
Yea, and they are all going to vote for French fry guy .Riiight !
watch the stock market crash if Obama gets elected.
How could you possibly tell? — Garth
By gary v on 11.03.08 8:47 am
An Irish bookmaker paid out on an Obama victory weeks ago. The stock markets, given such a sure thing, would have already factored in an Obama win.
If your premise is correct, maybe some of the steep decline was due to factoring in an Obama win. Or not; given the record of Bush’s Republicans on the economy, and McCain’s support for the same, I would think any change would be seen as good by the markets.
Here is a REAL HERO of the Vietnam conflict (I refuse to call it a war because it was never declared as one by the Players in Washington, D.C. despite losing 58,000 American lives to the fiasco. We call it a CLUSTERF#@k instead).
John Ripley, Who Led 600 in Battle Against 20,000 North Vietnamese, Dies at 69
In a videotaped interview with the U.S. Naval Institute for its Americans at War program, Ripley said he and about 600 South Vietnamese were ordered to “hold and die” against 20,000 North Vietnamese soldiers with about 200 tanks.
“I’ll never forget that order, ‘hold and die’,” Ripley said. The only way to stop the enormous force with their tiny force was to destroy the bridge, he said.
Semper Fi! (with a tear in my eye for a REAL HERO’s memory and a SALUTE)
I think I feel a major depression coming on, and I’m not talking about the weather.
From the Top Ten Toys for this year:
“A $50 toy machine gun called the Nerf N-Strike Vulcan EBF-25 also proved a star item in the early going, shooting plastic darts fed on a bullet belt.
EyeClops Night Vision Infrared Stealth Goggles, taking five double-A batteries and selling for $100, offered real-life battlefield technology for children 8 and older. ”
Plastic darts fed on a bullet belt? Wow. What could possibly go wrong with that? The people in the ER are going to be ecstatic this holiday, extricating plastic darts from tiny eyes.
And “battlefield technology for children 8 and older.” Gee. Can’t see anything wrong with THAT idea.
Oy.
http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/article/529533
More on John Ripley, well worth sharing!
“He was a Marine’s Marine, respected, highly respected by enlisted men, by his peers and by his seniors,” Madonna said.
Miller said Ripley, who was born in Radford, Virginia, descended from a long line of veterans going back to the Revolutionary War. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1962, after enlisting in the Marines out of high school and spending a year in naval school in Newport, Rhode Island.
He earned the “Quad Body” distinction for making it through four of the toughest military training programs in the world: the Army Rangers, Marine reconnaissance, Army Airborne and Britain’s Royal Marines, Miller said. He was also the only Marine to be inducted in the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame.
Ripley earned the Navy Cross and Silver Star for his service in Vietnam. He later served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff and was regimental commander at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, among other postings.
He did it and did NOT have a Daddy Admiral to help him.
As for they race card and dirty politics Obama is like Pontius Pilot who let others do the dirty work for him. Look what they did to Bill Clinton.
In any case, we got Harper, thanks to the MSM and the USA will get Obama thanks to the MSM…probably.
By Michael on 11.03.08 2:17 pm
That would be “Pilate!”
But you have a point with regards to the MSM. What they do is to take each candidate and their policies and show them in the light of a caricature of how they preceive them.
Doesn’t matter how much the candidate tries to shake this off or refute the MSM interpretation of their policies, the MSM always revert back to the perceived caricature.
You were once a Republican? I don’t believe it!
By CM on 11.03.08 2:37 pm
Precinct Committeeman actually. That was back when the Democrats were all a tither tilting at windmills. I have also been a Democrat and a Libertarian.
Actually, I have always been an Independent, but in the U.S. system you have to declare party affiliation in order to vote in the Primary Elections.
My Dad taught me ‘Son, you don’t vote for the best man, you vote for the one who will do you the least harm.’
Dad was a very wise man. But, for the first time since JFK, I can honestly say I am so, so happy to see Barack Obama, a real Statesman, running for the office of President of The United States of America. We haven’t had Statesmen in a long, long time. The world see it as well.
By Herb on 11.03.08 1:50 pm
And Frum’s NUMBER ONE REASON is:
1) John McCain is white, the son and grandson of admirals, married to a wealthy heiress
Love it !
By Men With Hats on 11.03.08 1:50 pm
One of my all time favourites MIH!
Here it is for those who may have missed the link!
Look! Up in the sky!
Look what they did to Bill Clinton.
In any case, we got Harper, thanks to the MSM and the USA will get Obama thanks to the MSM…probably.
By Michael on 11.03.08 2:17 pm
What page from the neo-con CON Manual did you get that BULLSHIT from?
Trying for a Harry Hairball are you? Hack! HACK! GACKKKKKK!
BY HARRY S 02.08 11:53 PM
Harry,
I’m really glad you’re so “afraid” of Obama. All the Harper Agenda fear-mongering comes out when you go full throttle like that. And it’s interesting to see how the CPC ties it’s shadow ‘agenda to join the U.S.’ into it’s fear-mongering campaigns.
Well said. Every time I see those lines of people voting early, the effort, the reawakening.. it gives me hope.
The voters are the story here, and I think Garth has included that in his last two lines.
Marc: How sad: Canadians voted and got as you stated “the best of the worst”.
When are we going to get the “cream of the crop”???
Here it is for those who may have missed the link!
Look! Up in the sky!
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 11.03.08 3:20 pm
Thanks for the reprise .
What are the implications for Canada with an Obama presidency and a Democratic House and Congress?
Let me tell you what I think may happen.
1. Obama and the Democrats are protectionist and even isolationist in their beliefs. Obama is beholden to the big US unions, and he has promised to “bring back the jobs” to the US homeland. He speaks about jobs lost to Asia, but it will include jobs in Mexico and Canada.
Answer for 1.
No jobs in the U.S have been lost to Canada.
2. Obama is on the public record saying he will unilaterally re-negotiate NAFTA when he was campaigning in Ohio (notwithstanding the denials). Obama has called NAFTA “devastating” and “a big mistake” … he’s a protectionist who is ready to alienate the US’s BIGGEST trading partner – CANADA.
Answer to 2.
Sen. Obama more than likely views Canada as a fly in the ointment but not big enough to lose any sleep over. He will do what is best for the U.S. Harper, I would imagine is not one of his favourite people, especially since it is obvious to all that he tried to destroy the democrats in Ohio. That being said, he has bigger fish to fry than to worry about a small man from a great country.
3. Obama has proposed a “new job” tax credit to US companies keeping jobs in the US instead of manufacturing in Asia. In effect this is a work subsidization scheme that will also impact on Canada and Mexico. He intends to strip auto jobs from Ontario and relocate them in Michigan where he has 100% union support.
Answer to 3.
What auto industry might you be speaking of, certainly not the former big three, they are history by their own hand.
4. Obama will most likely begin the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and position them in Afghanistan for a while. Within 24 months the US troops will be out of the Middle East regardless of the consequences. This will destabilize the Middle East in countries such as those in the Arabian peninsula, because what they fear is the growing influence of Iran. Israel will be left to fend for itself without substantive or significant support from an Obama USA.
Answer to 4.
It is about time someone showed some intelligence and withdrew troops from a land they invaded under false and bogus security information. Who appointed Bush God? Maybe Iran would be more reasonable without the U.S. parked on its’ borders, or maybe you subscribe to the view they should be forced by military means to have a regime change and we could have another Viet Nam, opps Iraq on their hands. Maybe the CIA could manufacture some more wonderful information.
5. The Harper government will be forced to renegotiate NAFTA and possibly even NORAD with the hardball Obama Democrats. We will descend into a virtual economic war with the US, as will Mexico and even China. In the meantime, over 100,000 mostly Ontario manufacturing jobs will hang on a thread.
Answer to 5.
Manufacturing jobs will hang by a thread regardless of who is elected in the U.S. Might be a very good idea to get engaged with China and India on a positive note as that is where Canadian exporter”s futures lie. Economic wars are a waste of time, follow the money and trade big time with China and India.
6. One extreme solution is to seek a merger with the USA so that Canadians are not subject to onerous and disastrous trade sanctions and industrial devastation in Ontario. A United North America would be an economic giant and would benefit both Americans and Canadians. Are Canadians willing to give up their national identity and join in a common trade and job market???
Answer to merger…over my dead body!
I love Americans but those who control Washington could be considered mad! Of course I can understand your suggestion considering how you view Canada.
By HARRY S on 11.02.08 11:53 pm
By CM on 11.03.08 2:55 pm
When I was a kid (seems like eons ago now) the Hot Toys were Lincoln Logs, American Flyer and Lionel train sets, Tinker Toys, Erector Sets, etc.
Weapons were the Colt 45 Six Shooter (Matell had one that fired bullets using a spring loaded cartridge), Davey Crocket Coon Skin Hats. Then came the G.I. Joe toys, simulated military weapons.
We, as kids, played Cowboys and Indians. Oddly, there was a great sense of honour being the Indian.
My grandsons are into Batman, Spiderman, Transformers, and (thankfully) Thomas The Train toys. But they have passed through Dinosaurs, and have way too many Hot Wheels cars. The latest movie fad is ‘Cars’.
I agree there are too many ‘War Like’ toys, and they do not teach kids how to resolve problems peacefully, but rather through brute force. The video and computer games are, for the most part, over the top in violence.
Look at the kid in Barrie who ran away from home because his parents cut him off from his X-Box. The police have spent tens of thousands in searching for the kid. Microsoft has offered a $50,000 reward. He was obsessed and addicted to violent games (I forget which ones) and now may or may not be alive. If he is alive and staying with his gaming friends they should throw the bloody book at him and his friends under criminal prosecution.
So much for the bleeding hearts that think discipline should only consist of ‘Time Outs’. Yeah right. When I was a kid I feared my Old Man a helluva lot more than the police, and when my ‘friends’ tried to persuade me to do something I knew was wrong all it took was remembering ‘Dad would find out and be waiting!’
The profiteers who write this unnecesary trash should bear the costs.
Oh, and the big toy was The Daisy Air Rifle, aka, BB Gun. I think more adults owned them for the stated use than the kids. LOL
By Michael on 11.03.08 2:17 pm
Your point regarding the MSM is accurate however. Their goal has been, and will be, to sell their trash to collect advertiser’s dollars.
Yes, Obama will win tomorrow and rightly so. McCain thoroughly disqualified himself when he chose Palin as his running mate. As I have been saying all along, if he had really wanted to make a smart choice, given his circumstances, he would have chosen Condoleezza Rice.
Be that as it may, Obama is truly the best candidate in this election. It is not surprising, therefore, that so many conservatives (Christopher Buckley, Colin Powell, Susan Eisenhower, etc.) have come out in full support of Obama. He’s not a socialist, but straight shooter.
Canadians can only dream of the middle-class tax brackets and cuts that Obama will give to the middle class in his country — if we had the American tax system, the Canadian middle class would still exist, instead of hovering near or below the poverty level (remember: Canadian households spend 45% of their annual income on taxes alone; that doesn’t leave much for the bare essentials like food, clothing and shelter).
Oh! Look another shiny thing, only this one raises some very serious questions about the Speaker of the House? Is he attempting to prevent Canadians from knowing the TRUTH? Garth, I seriously would appreciate your input to this question.
Parliamentary budget officer under fire from Commons, Senate speakers
A letter obtained by Canwest News Service shows Senate Speaker Noel Kinsella and Commons Speaker Peter Milliken are at loggerheads with budget officer Kevin Page over the way he is interpreting his mandate. In an Oct. 28 letter, written to parliamentary librarian William Young, they argue Page is ‘exceeding’ his mandate and instructs Young to rein him in with an “appropriate accountability and operating framework.”
They argue the budget office – which last month reported the Afghan war will cost Canadians $18.1 billion by 2011 – is an extension of the library and reports to Young rather than an independent officer of Parliament who publicly posts his reports and research.
Seems to me that the ‘Ghan WAR is costing Canadians a helluva lot and Milliken doesn’t want it to be public knowledge by using procedural rules to achieve CMA (Cover My Arse)?
Of course I can understand your suggestion considering how you view Canada.
By HARRY S on 11.02.08 11:53 pm
By wjp on 11.03.08 4:04 pm
Yes, Canada is a ‘Rat Shit Country’ in Harry The Hairballs view. Could we possibly expect more than him supporting merging with the U.S., and their tens of TRILLION dollars in DEBT? Could we expect more than him wanting Ignatieff, the American seeking to be PM, to be the Liberal leader?
No surpirse in either of those positions from Harry.
So by default, the Conservatives were the best of the worst, so rightly win the election.
By Marc on 11.03.08 2:10 pm
That has got to be the most telling statement of just how screwed up our electoral (first past the post) system really is.
“Whatever happens, the next 4 years in the U.S. will be turbulent and full of surprises. Interesting times to say the least. L
BY LEASA 03.08 8:49 AM
I can say that about the last 8 years.
By Judy on 11.03.08 3:47 pm
I used my vote not to vote for a party or candidate I agreed with, but to have my vote count against a party and candidate I did not agree with. Our riding is a 2 horse riding. N.D.P. and Conservative.
59% of Canadians voted, and Mr. Harper received less than 40% of that vote. “The people have spoken,” for sure, and they were obviously not too impressed. — Garth
Yup … you got that right, Garth, and 41% of eligible Canadian voters decided to stay home … abstaining !!!
When Parliament reconvenes and the Liberal Official Opposition Party abstains from voting, I trust you will excoriate them as well.
For the record, you, Garth did vote and refused to abstain … so I expect you to continue with your principled stance now as an active and cogent observer of Canadian politics.
BY JAVOR FRAJKOR ON 11.03.08 11:12 AM
Well Said!
BY HERB ON 11.03.08 1:50 PM
Yes, Frum’s piece is sickening. And he’s always been that way, not able to speak a word of truth.
JC,
re. Your 2:10 pm, stones make lousy bait to rise to. Try something else.
For the record, you, Garth did vote and refused to abstain … so I expect you to continue with your principled stance now as an active and cogent observer of Canadian politics.
By HARRY S on 11.03.08 4:48 pm
I can’t believe this but——-I have to agree with a Harry statement.
You’re not a very good observer. Garth has written from the perspective of what is. As in it is what it is.
He has written what the public mind, the collective whole, looks at… McCain is otherwise, going back through history, remarkable, on paper.
And if you never researched McCain, or if you did, all would agree that the man has that scary charm. You know, the “he seemed like such a nice guy next door” charm.
He looks like my brother, so I’ve always given him a bit of a break, and had resigned myself a year ago that if he won, maybe the world wouldn’t end entirely, although it probably would.
But as the year went by, and I dug for the real man, it just got worse. I’ve ignored any shallow fear stories around him. He’s just not nice person, never was. I just wanted to know his past. The past that doesn’t show up in election campaigns. It’s not good.
McCain’s done a lot, he’s done some good, he stands for some good things. But he’s been very bad too, and he’s now being very bad as far as deceit and his VP choice. He’s lost it. McCain was good on paper..
A writer like Garth is not in the business of educating us about the real McCain, he is simply giving you the public version of what the collective voter knows about McCain.
It seems like the left won’t be able to unite due to egoes and because they may not share enough in common. But, why can’t they get together, if all parties are against Harper’s legislation proposals, and ALL parties vote against a bill. I don’t think that Harper could go to the GG and say parliament is dysfunction. Somehow I think that all opposition parties must meet and decide upon a strategy to vote against legislation that is non socially progressive – for the sake of Canada. Each progessive party must make compromises to rid Canada of Harper’s ultra right wing, undemocratic, & religious based fundamentalist policies.
We’ve seen what has happened in the US & Canada with those who believe that Greed is Good, and screw the the middle and lower classes.
Might not be able to express myself as well as others on this fine formum, but I really fear for what Harper & his ilk will do to this country. They don’t give one iota for the middle & lower classes, except to pander to them for their votes.
6. One extreme solution is to seek a merger with the USA so that Canadians are not subject to onerous and disastrous trade sanctions and industrial devastation in Ontario. A United North America would be an economic giant and would benefit both Americans and Canadians. Are Canadians willing to give up their national identity and join in a common trade and job market???
By HARRY S on 11.02.08 11:53 pm
Harry, something you do not understand is that Americans discriminate amongst themselves by region never mind race or creed. If Canadians ever joined up with America it would only be the beginning of more troubles. I have been told by Floridians that “people from Kentucky and Tennessee are just a bunch of pigs”! This is an example of the nature of rampant ruthless discrimination. As a trans border driver, I was always treated well in most states because they thought I was from Wisconsin or Minnesota, but the minute I mentioned I was Canadian, then there were comments of why don’t you go back where you came from, and why do you come over here in the first place! It does not enter there minds that most American drivers won’t or can’t come up to Canada to pick up the imports they want and need! And those that do, experience serious discrimination from their own Customs Agents! You have no idea of the things that I witnessed in a decade and a half of crossing the border and in 45 of the 48! Even if there was a future amalgamation, the real problems between various regions would continue, not unlike some of the same that exists here in Canada!
So by default, the Conservatives were the best of the worst, so rightly win the election.
By Marc on 11.03.08 2:10 pm
That has got to be the most telling statement of just how screwed up our electoral (first past the post) system really is.
By A.R.Wainwright on 11.03.08 4:39 pm
ARW – I think FPP is not demomcratic; some form of PR is our best hope. Just not sure what type of PR is the best, considering the number of parties that could arise. I know it works in some countries and most pudits use Israel as an example, but I think that’s an extreme case.
By Harry S 2:12pm
That you are perspicacious is obvious…that the Liberals fail to learn from such insight is a testiment to their arrogance.
By James-Chatam 3:07PM
Thanks for the elucidation.
By Bill Muskoka 3:08PM
Obama a statesman…you gotta be kidding. More like an undertaker,if you ask me, and you can spend the next year or two watching him take the economy under. The last I heard; “a politician is a man who understands government. A statesmanis a politician who has been dead for 15 years.” Harry Truman, I believe.
The last I heard; “a politician is a man who understands government. A statesmanis a politician who has been dead for 15 years.” Harry Truman, I believe.
By Michael on 11.03.08 5:55 pm
You definitely need to upgrade you definitions. But, then never mind, no amount of information could change you.
By Truth B Told on 11.03.08 5:46 pm
Some in the U.S. would regard Canadians as being from the ‘Taint’ and if you don’t know what that is look it up!
By Go Green on 11.03.08 5:47 pm
I could support a PR system, so long as confidence votes are done away with. A government should be able to work collectively in the best interests of those who put them in there. If it is in our best interest to have an election every 2 years, then that should be the term given. If it is 4, then that should be the term given. Italy uses PR and they have elections forced by the opposition every 2 years or less. That model would not be a workable solution in my opinion. Unless of course Joe and Jane Taxpayer are not funding the election costs, then the Government is free to go to the polls bi weekly if they so desire.
not unlike some of the same that exists here in Canada!
BY TRUTH B TOLD 03.08 5:46 PM
I can back you up on that TBT. I have been eye witness to the most amazing racist comments, bigotry, etc. from all areas of the U.S. as well as Canada. We’re just not past it by any stretch of the imagination.
Of course there’s many here who know where a lot of the hate comes from, it’s stirred up by those who would benefit.
When I witness seemingly decent people go on and on about blacks, gays, indigenous (“Indians” as one or more of the CPC trolls here spits), etc., I shake my head in amazement.
I’ll give you an example of the ignorance: I won’t name the source, that blacks have caused what is going on in Detroit. When I explain to them that once you dig a hole for people, throw them in it and make them slaves, disempower them, destroying their lives and everything they had or ever will have, there’s going to have to be more than a few generations to sort out the damage. Switch to modern day and the U.S. cities in the most trouble are the ones who refuse to take part in the rebuilding process. Areas of Detroit were burned out 40 years ago, and yet the city has done nothing to rebuild. With discrimination, and the legacy of discrimination still surrounding their lives, help is needed to rebuild. Where’s the help. The more recent version is New Orleans. Same story. The catastrophes of nature or the catastrophes of neglect and prejudice, can be overcome by the victims only to a certain extent. They need help, until the day comes when education is equal, jobs and discrimination aren’t barriers. Help is temporary, but it just doesn’t seem to be coming anytime soon. Blame racism and hate for keeping people down. Don’t blame the victims.
6. One extreme solution is to seek a merger with the USA so that Canadians are not subject to onerous and disastrous trade sanctions and industrial devastation in Ontario. A United North America would be an economic giant and would benefit both Americans and Canadians. Are Canadians willing to give up their national identity and join in a common trade and job market???
By HARRY S on 11.02.08 11:53 pm
Where have you been for the past eight years? Under NAFTA we have already faced damages to our economy from the US as they make it up as they went along – softwood lumber comes to mind.
Deep integration would never be accepted as it won’t resolve Ontario or Quebec’s problems. The problem with the economy in Ontario has nothing to do with trade – it has everything to do with making the wrong product and not considering that consumers would not continue to buy them at some point. This was not caused by the autoworkers – it was the stupidity of the automakers.
There is no better example of trying to fix something with old solutions and forget that they fail because they do not support a way forward.
No Sir, integration is not the way to Canada’s future.
Little Johnny and hairy are both away, each spending quality time at The Stupid Medical Walk-Out Clinic For The Lunatic Fringe Of Society, so neither will be available for a few millenia.
Fortunately, there are plenty of well-qualified substitutes to replace them, and this an opportunity to meet some of them . . .
****************************************
The Bus Ride
Two bowling teams, one of all Blondes and one of all Brunettes, charter a double-Decker bus for a weekend trip to Louisiana.
The Brunette team rode on the bottom of the bus, and the Blonde team rode on the top level.
The Brunette team down below really whooped it up, having a great time, when one of them realized she hadn’t heard anything from the Blondes upstairs. She decided to go up and investigate.
When the Brunette reached the top, she found all the Blondes in fear, staring straight ahead at the road, clutching the seats in front of them with white knuckles.
The brunette asked, ‘What the heck’s going on up here? We’re having a great time downstairs!’
One of the Blondes looked up at her, swallowed hard and whispered . . . (ooohhhh, this is bbbaaaaaddd) . . .
‘YEAH, BUT YOU’VE GOT A DRIVER!?!’
****************************************
Seems most are debating Tuesday’s vote, so I’ll leave it alone; anyways, I’m a chocolate chip short of a full load of cookies.
It doesn’t matter who wins, as it will be post-election syndrome that bites, e.g.:
(courtesy Money & Markets)
“The end of the decline in home prices will come only when there are no new economic forces driving them down.
“When will that be? I’d love to say it’s just around the corner. But everything I see tells me that, despite the sharp declines already recorded, a steeper plunge in home values is dead ahead.
“The reason: So far, most of the troubles in the housing market have been caused by bad mortgages going sour. Meanwhile, the more common causes of housing slumps — high interest rates, rising unemployment, and recession — are just starting to kick in.
“The most powerful causes — depression and deflation — are still on the horizon.”
————
Although the report is American, it should be applied here as well.
One thing remains consistent: Worldwide stock markets crash first (which they will do — up / down then down / up); when the dust settles, then the Depression sets in.
The GD didn’t take effect until ’31-’32, and it took WWII to get out of that funk and kickstart the world’s economies.
Further: “The crux of the problem today: That phase of the housing crisis still lies ahead. Moreover, this time, because of massive debts, the pressure to abandon or sell homes is far greater.
“Conclusion: If the U.S. sinks into a depression, home price declines could be as deep as, or deeper than, those of the Great Depression, especially in the hardest hit regions of the country.
“It is a frightening thought. Yet, on the positive side, a sharply reduced price for the average home is the only fundamental, enduring mechanism for making homes more affordable and restoring demand — especially if the days of easy credit are gone.
“Already, in 2008, one in ten American homeowners has defaulted on their mortgage or lost their home in foreclosure. Nearly four in ten owe more than their home is worth.
“And all this is before the recession deepens and before we experience the next phase of the Great American Housing Nightmare.
“. . . the Great American Housing Nightmare, millions of Americans bought homes with zero money down!”
So guess who gave Cdns. 0/40 mtgs. and screwed IT investors?
That’s right — harpo and dimdumb — and it seems very clear that all this was done deliberately with the intention of bringing the NAU in.
Tomorrow’s election doesn’t even come close to matching this, that’s fer sure!
Don’t blame the victims.
By Barb the proofreader on 11.03.08 6:53 pm
………………………………..
May I help you up on to your cross where you can display your stigmata on behalf of “victims” … on behalf of all of us guilty “perps” ……. nails anybody …????
…the big toy was The Daisy Air Rifle, aka, BB Gun. I think more adults owned them for the stated use than the kids. LOL
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 11.03.08 4:11 pm
The Daisy continues to be a very useful toy for controlling small varmints.
Say it isn’t so …
http://www.gregpalast.com/how-mccain-could-win/
Mr Turner
Thanks for the statistics as I was not sure of the percentages.
I think 40% of the vote when you take into consideration that we had five recognized parties running is not all that bad.
When you look at all the elected majority governments they has been no one to gain 50% or better of the popular vote in the last 20 years. We are electing majority governments in canada with a little over 38%.
Not wishing to rehash the election. I watched the debates and the other party leaders gave Harper quite a rough ride.
Whatever party we support I believe it is safe to say that Mr Harper has grown into the job of Prime Minister. He really look comfortable in the part. Lets all lighten up and cut him a bit of slack. He is doing the best job he can based upon the situation.
The Finance Minsiter is also handling the financial crisis very well. He is displaying a lot of confidence.
In these uncertain times it is nice to have a steady hand on the tillers.
Europe has come to the realization that it is either on the brink of, or in a recession; Circuit City is closing 155 stores, GM sales down 45% for Oct.; dubya’s mess is ‘staggering’; friends of ours arrived back Sunday from three weeks in Maui and Kauai — said that the economy is dead thruout the islands, so what good news is there?
Following link compares Sarah Palin to Britney Spears. One advantage Spears has — she turns out really good tunes, whereas Palin is Whistlin’ Dixie.
http://tinyurl.com/6jo52b
If not already, take a gander at today’s Dilbert — shows how top management and govt. really works.
http://www.dilbert.com/
May I help you up on to your cross where you can display your stigmata on behalf of “victims” … on behalf of all of us guilty “perps” ……. nails anybody …????
BY HARRY S ON 11.03.08 8:27 PM
Harry s,
You are such an S.
I try to point out that the results of bad behaviour (slavery) has repercussions that make recovery of the victims take a long time, including continued racism against them. Your type would prefer to blame the victims I guess, and shoot the messenger for even mentioning it. Well, that says a lot about you. How do you live with yourself.
Harry s, You are such an S.
By Barb the proofreader on 11.03.08 11:24 pm
…………………………………
I give you a dose of yer own medicine and you cry … boohoo … and complain that you the messenger have been shot down unfairly. Look in the mirror if it isn’t cracked.
By David Halfkenny on 11.03.08 10:12 pm
Doing the best job he can? “THIS” is his best???? My god, this is it????
He screwed over the Income Trust holders and lost close to $800 million in taxes, he lowered consumption tax and lost over $10, billion in taxes, he hiked up spending more than 12% over any previous government – totally ???, he blew the consistent Liberal surplus and we got -what- to show for it> No infrastructure money, no more health care money, no more education money, no personal income tax cuts, (just need a kid under 6 years or in hockey)no investments in anything for Canadians… so where is the surplus??? And now there is a bigger fat-assed bunch of MPs with fancy titles -like the USA Secretary of this and Secretary of that- costing an additional $4 million a year that this country does not have to waste.
And all you, David Halfkenny can say is “he is doing his best.” That is totally disgusting.
Displaying a lot of confidence while screwing Canada over and running up a $10 billion deficit cause you haven’t a clue is not acceptable. Many thieves display a lot of confidence.
By Emilie on 11.04.08 1:22 am
And for any who haven’t heard, another goverbment document, concerning the security risks to Environment Ministry’s enforcement database Nemesis, was found on the sidewalk.
Mr. Baird stated that the document was not sensitive and could have been obtained through access to information.
Yet, when the CBC made such a request, they recieved a heavily blacked out version.
So which is it, Mr. Baird, don’t you know what what in the document or are those in the access to info. dept a little over zealous with the sharpie?
Either way, what is such a document doing on the sidewalk in the first place?
By David Halfkenny on 11.03.08 10:12 pm
You are exactly right David. I can’t remember if it was the last time Chretien won a majority or the time before, but I do remember it was with 38% of the vote. Having 5 parties sucking votes, not to mention the few indies, we will rarely see one party or person win over 40%. L
David: Your description of Harper “looking the part” is telling. I agree: Harper has been “acting” the part. He morphed into what he believed Canadians wanted to see through vests, baby kissing and sweet talking. We all know that is not the real Harper. He should win an Emmy for best fictional portrayal of a Canadian Prime Minister.
Today is the DAY the world is going to change. I note Garth, or someone, has been deleting comments that were here yesterday. Gee, just like the MSM, eh?
Bull. You may have seen one or two comments of yours (out of 87) which were in the moderation queue, and which I did not approve, for various reasons. But nothing published here was deleted. — Garth
Bull. You may have seen one or two comments of yours (out of 87) which were in the moderation queue, and which I did not approve, for various reasons. But nothing published here was deleted. — Garth
Yes, the ones countering your resident PIA, Harry The Hairball. His racist tripe is more than annoying.
OK Garth, your blog.
Military Plane mystery solved! My local media finally found the answer:
Just got a call back from the Hamilton airport…the plane was from the Hamilton airport and is a Lancaster bomber. They were taking veterans out for a ride..”
LOL…I hope they had fun!
Leasa
Lets all lighten up and cut him a bit of slack. He is doing the best job he can based upon the situation.
The Finance Minsiter is also handling the financial crisis very well. He is displaying a lot of confidence.
In these uncertain times it is nice to have a steady hand on the tillers.
By David Halfkenny on 11.03.08 10:12 pm,
This is the big mistake that partisans always make. They give their anointed too much slack.
It may be that a “steady hand” that is based on “free market” ideology is not what we need at this period. If that is the case than it would be up to party insiders to change the course but I have no confident that there are still people within the party that are practical. A party that is still designating itself as an ideological party does not have the flexibility to do anything but stay the course.
That can result in a government destroying an economy that has so far been “relatively” resistant to the U.S. meltdown.
Remember that the Harper government had already started the process of removing checks and balances in the system but its agenda was slowed somewhat by the minority Parliament.
What will happen with a lame-duck Liberal opposition over the next few months is a big question. If Harper continues the direction he has promised during the election (a total commitment to free enterprise, free markets and free trade) I fear for the country. Giving more freedom to corrupt influences driven my selfishness and greed is not the direction to take.
If he changes direction and moves away from using ideology to make decisions then he could do o.k.
I noted that on the weather report this morning that the weather patterns have been moving in a cyclical motions or ‘spinning’, could this be a natural phenomenon resulting from the recent numerous elections on the N. American continent? BTW…I am into ‘mysteries’ now. LOL
87 eh Garth? Is that a record? I remember counting Harry’s posts in one 24 hr period and I believe it came to 40 something if memory serves.
Just for a lark, do you want to publish the list for the top 5?
More on topic, I’m afraid I can’t share the enthusiasm for Obama than some have, but I hope for the best. I have heard all that “It’s time for a change” stuff before. We got change allright. Musical chairs in the legislature, Bricklyn and 2% Brenda to boot. Nuff of that.
Travelling around the blogosphere lately like a wandering Bedouin, I can’t help but notice the disarray among liberal supporters and bloggers. Between the infighting and the pre posturing for the upcoming leadership thing, it’s almost as if there are numerous parties within the so called party. Strange lot those liberals.
I imagine the Cons are singing the McDonald’s jingle regularly.
Re: By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 11.04.08 10:27 am
Bull. You may have seen one or two comments of yours (out of 87) which were in the moderation queue, and which I did not approve, for various reasons. But nothing published here was deleted. — Garth
Yes, the ones countering your resident PIA, Harry The Hairball. His racist tripe is more than annoying.
OK Garth, your blog.
…………………………………
Racism??!!! Where??!!! Maybe in the eye of the beholder – your’s. Back up your mendacious accusation or just be “(not anymore)”..!!!!
Back up your mendacious accusation or just be “(not anymore)”..!!!!
By HARRY S on 11.04.08 12:39 pm
Your entire anti-Obama rant is sufficient, but you are just too much of a coward to get to the real point your keep trying to make. You may fool Canadians, but you don’t fool me.
You are like a boil on the taint Harry!
Oh, and if Canada has half a brain it WILL re-negotiate NAFTA, and do exactly what you accuse Obama of doing…protect our workers and economy.
Just for Harry!
Alberta has large stake in U.S. election outcome
No matter who wins the presidential race today in the United States, American energy and environment policies are expected to shift with the new leader — with potentially big ramifications for Alberta and Canada’s economy and climate change strategy.
Both Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama have taken great pains to highlight the differences between their environmental policies and those of George W. Bush’s administration.
So, regardless, things are going to change. You failed to mention McCain’s position, just ranting on Obama.
I noted that on the weather report this morning that the weather patterns have been moving in a cyclical motions or ’spinning’, could this be a natural phenomenon resulting from the recent numerous elections on the N. American continent? BTW…I am into ‘mysteries’ now. LOL
By Leasa on 11.04.08 11:19 am
North America has been stuck on the ‘Spin Cycle’ for more than two years between our’s and the American’s elections. What’s to be surprised about? LOL
Someone call the Maytag Repairman FAST!
Here, if you are interested, is some of the most sentient coverage and opinions I have read todate on the U.S. Election.
Make your own US poll prediction
Tonight will be verrrrrrrrrrry interesting to say the least.
The Star’s cartoon says it well based on the previous two U.S. elections! LOL
November’s Calender
By Leasa 11:19AM
Naa…just the contrails from your broomstick.
59% of Canadians voted, and Mr. Harper received less than 40% of that vote. “The people have spoken,” for sure, and they were obviously not too impressed. — Garth
By David Halfkenny on 11.03.08 12:07 pm
Yea, the Con-clones managed to up their popular support by a whopping 1 per cent .
Wow ! What a mandate .
cent
Naa…just the contrails from your broomstick.
By Michael on 11.04.08 1:26 pm
LMAO! Here I thought Halloween was over?
Re: By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 11.04.08 1:02 pm
So, regardless, things are going to change. You failed to mention McCain’s position, just ranting on Obama.
………………………………….
The Calgary Herald article you depend on for your argument solely addresses Alberta oil exports to the USA. I am concerned about the impact of a protectionist Obama and Democrat houses on Ontario’s manufacturing base, and specifically the auto industry.
Former US ambassador Paul Cellucci has warned us about a protectionist Obama and the likelihood of loss of manufacturing jobs going from Canada to the US under an Obama administration. That’s the point I have been making and you completely missed.
I’m betting on an Obama win and the adverse effects on Canada and in particular on Ontario. Obama is heavily beholden to the big US unions, and they want, nay demand job protection. The easiest route to more US jobs is to take them away from Ontario … and that’s likely now.
You may fool Canadians, but you don’t fool me.
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 11.04.08 12:58 pm
He doesn’t fool me either Bill. I ceased replying to he and his ilk. A waste of time & energy.
Re: By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 11.04.08 12:58 pm
Your entire anti-Obama rant is sufficient, but you are just too much of a coward to get to the real point your keep trying to make. You may fool Canadians, but you don’t fool me.
………………………………………………..
Wanna play the race card, you cowardly twat and make-believe marine racist …??!!!
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 11.03.08 4:11 pm
re Daisy Air Rifles.
I remember those being advertised on the back of comic books. Roy Rogers, the Lone Ranger and all those guys were pretty popular when I was small. My sisters and I all had cowgirl suits and cap guns. (I ditched the skirt but kept the gun and the hat.) We shot each other regularly, when we could afford the caps at 5 ot 10 cents a roll, that is, but otherwise contented ourselves with making our own sound effects. We haven’t shot at each other since – not that they haven’t deserved it sometimes.
My experience with firearms since then has been target shooting with a rifle, twice. Hit the target both times. Luck or a finely tuned hand-eye co-ordination? It MUST be the latter.
I worry about that young kid in Barrie. It was some kind of war game he was addicted to, something that ended with “Tour of Duty”, I think. The newspapers have left out the name of the game after the first mention of it shortly after Thanksgiving. Gamers out there could probably fill me in on that one. An argument on a family holiday, an upset teenager – lordy, lordy, that’s trouble.
I know people say that you can make a gun out of anything, but the difference is that you can’t actually shoot them with it. The lack of judgement in young kids isn’t backed up with a lethal firepower.
—–
By Judy on 11.04.08 9:17 am
“[Harper's] vests, baby kissing and sweet talking.”
The Real McHarper is something few people have seen. Garth has been one of the lucky ones.
I hope those babies were up to date on their vaccinations.
—–
Obama’s already won – in New Hampshire.
The town of Dixville Notch, with 20-something registered voters, opened its polls at midnight and has completed the voting. He won 15-6. I guess not everyone voted.
—–
Juan Cole (Professor of History at the University of Michigan) has a Ghoul’s Glossary for this U.S. election day.
Some excerpts:
- Friends: Persons whom John McCain does not know and does not actually like very much, but whom he wishes to persuade to vote for him by grimacing at them while gesturing as though he is measuring their waists for new pants.
- Neoconservatism: The theory that Muslims would be grateful if only the United States would invade and militarily occupy them without provocation.
- Withdrawal: A way to avoid the worst consequences of a moment of pleasurable conquest, which, however, often comes too late to avoid years of support payments.
- Youth vote: The expectation that 21-year-olds will save the nation from the folly of their elders, in preference to gulping shots from the navels of hot barmaids during a Tuesday happy hour.
– Zionism: The theory that because Nazis hated Jews, the latter would be much better off all gathered together on disputed land in the midst of 300 million Arabs and Iranians.
http://www.juancole.com/
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 11.04.08 1:17 pm
I think the calendar has it wrong. From what I hear, the legal challenges have already begun.
Small wonder when you have to queue for hours, to fill in a multiple choice test, to elect everyone from the President to the local dog catcher,
that takes 40 minutes plus, but you’re only given 10 minutes to complete!
Tell me, is the vote for the President the first question?
One good thing I heard from Michigan, which still uses paper, the ballots can be scanned, to ensure the voters ballot will count as they intended, before they put it into the ballot box. Any errors can be corrected.
NJ, reverted back to paper when the computers crashed!
Will the San Fransisco ballot on renaming the water treatment plant pass.
Some are opposing it because it demeans the workers at the plant. The issue is whether they change the name to the George W. Bush Sewage Plant!
To Men in Hats 11.04.08
What did the other parties do that was so great. If people were following this blog for the past year or so would have felt that Harper should have been minus % points rather than one up. They received a larger mandate than the other parties.
Thanks Leasa
You obviously follow the political scene very closely. I have a deep passion for politics and follow both the Canadian and American daily.
You are correct !! It is going to take an extra ordinary person to lead a party to a majority government in canada for some time to come.
Thanks Judy
If Harper was role playing he did a very good job. When you take the comments that were posted here daily for the past two years one cannot understand how he ever held on to 160 seats.
It is nice to see that my comment generated some real serious debate.
You’re welcome, Leasa.
A couple of years ago we toured the Nanton Lancaster Society Air Museum.
http://www.lancastermuseum.ca/
I was so impressed with the size of the old plane. We had to wear helmuts to climb up and walk through it because the old war planes are bare bones and rugged inside!
My friend and neighbour, a 91 year old WWII RCAF/RAF pilot is one of the men who is instrumental in restoration of the old planes here.
Dad is also 91 and was a WWII RCAF/RAF pilot. He would love a ride in that Lancaster. The Tillsonburg Club gave him a ride in a Harvard a few years ago. That was a thrill. Actually, he’d love a flight in a Hawker Hurricane… that’s his first love, it was his plane he flew in Libya in 1941 and he was shot down while looking for Rommel’s staff car that day, which was rumoured to be in the area. He was immediately taken prisoner and driven through the German lines. They had to stop to let Rommel’s vehicle pass and he got a good look at him. Dad says if he’d been a few minutes later, he’s sure he would have had a shot at Rommel.
There was a Hawker Hurricane in Hamilton but I think it was lost in a fire about 20 years ago.
Anyway Leasa, I’m really glad you got to see the Lancaster. It’s really an awesome looking old plane. And it’s so nice that those old vets had a chance to fly in one, and yes, they’d be thrilled. I love old vets, heroes all, and the older the cuter.
One other thing Shit Head.
I know a moron that would like to join you on speaking tours. His talk is as good as yours. He talks about why it gets cold in the winter, why ice melts in the sun, and other important crap like you talk about.
Go to hell Turner.
Don’t you Cons ever give up? I’m dead already. Move along. — Garth
To Emilie\
You have been reading this blog for far too long. It is time you started following the issues yourself rather than listening to the pap that is being feed to you daily.
By David Halfkenny on 11.04.08 3:24 pm
Never forget that Ronald Reagan was America’s ‘Acting’ president, when he was able to remember that is. LOL
Like the comic said about the Iran-Contra Affair ‘Mr. President, next time you sell weapons to our enemies…Jot it down!’
Naa…just the contrails from your broomstick
BY MICHAEL ON 11.04.08 1:26 PM
I don’t know who you are, or what party, but that was uncalled for. If she had posted misinformation, correct her. If she had posted really bad information on purpose, then call it like it is as necessary and display it for all to see. But your sort of Harryesque attack, is just plain McNasty.
Somewhere along the line she got taken by the misinforming messages of the reform party. She hasn’t fully looked yet, not yet, at the big picture about it, it’s underbelly that many of us out west know, we had our eyes opened, that it operates in a truly insincere manner, I dare say fraudulent. So if you want her to find out, if you want her to seek the truth, you won’t do it that way. We all have to work together to eradicate bad leadership wherever it rears it’s ugly head. Leaders should not lie. Followers should know better. Let’s just keep educating each other.
If “the people” are smart enough to learn better, then maybe we’ll deserve better leaders some day. And then maybe, just maybe, ‘good’ leaders will once again step forward to help us, rather than taking advantage of us.
By Barb the proofreader on 11.04.08 3:24 pm
If ever you or friends get a chance to visit an Air Show in the States and the Confederate Air Force is there…you will see birds you thought had long passed into history.
The have quite an assortment of WWi and WWII aricraft in operation. I got to fly in a B-17 bomber and that was a thrill. They also have restored many German aircraft from WWII. They also have a flying B-29 Superfortress in operation.
By all means visit our excellent Air Museum in Ottawa. They have restored hundreds of aircraft including they have the forward section of AVRO Arrow 206, an Iroquis engine, and a BOMARK Missile on display.
Halfkenny, your comments have done two things. First, you sound like a Harper public relations spinner, dealing not with realtity but still trying to shove that blue sweater down our throats. Gag. Talk about a disconnect from reality.
And for you to attack and insult Emilie’s intelligence like that — you are being ridiculous.
And I’ll quote you:
And yet Halfkenny your own words were the following:
Good people of Canada, the U.S. and the world are fed up with your kind of slather. We have an incompetent leader, and incompetent finance minister and an incompetent government. Oh, they’re good at getting elected, but it stops there.
We have had enough damage in Canada because of Harper, and you will not stop good people from sharing what we know, and sharing with our families, our friends and our fellow Canadians. The U.S. came together and will hopefully stop the horror show. We strive to do our part. Don’t get in the way of democracy with your obfuscation campaign.
Repeat after me, people:
Arguing with a troll is like wrestling with a pig. Everyone gets dirty, but the pig loves it.
Judy,
You got that so right. Harper’s whole gig the past two decades had been to figure out how to go around what Canadians want in order to get what he wants. He hooked up with the types who could do that, followed the pattern set out by the mentors he rubbed with for many, many years, and viola. Geez, if you take a look at the crowd immediately around him, the ones you don’t get to hear about much, your eyes burn.
Harry,
I’ll put it this way, why did you inappropriately and suddenly attack me out of the blue when I agreed with someone else “that Americans discriminate amongst themselves by region never mind race or creed” and that America has lots of problem areas where they refuse to help their own?
Why, the moment I speak up for minorities do you try to create a target of some sort?
By HARRY S on 11.02.08 11:53 pm
Oh Boy, are you out of touch. Typical really, because you still behold Conservatives are better managers of the economy (see Paul Martin cleans up debt and deficit, Flaherty puts us back in deficit!) and that left leaning paties are dependant on Unions (NDP wasn’t supported by CAW.)
1. Obama is beholden to the big US unions, and he has promised to “bring back the jobs” to the US homeland.
No he isn’t. Most of his campaign funds were raised over the internet and not from union lobbyists. Even McCain has said he’ll bring jobs back to the US. What else were they going to promise, Harry?
2. Obama is on the public record saying he will unilaterally re-negotiate NAFTA when he was campaigning in Ohio (notwithstanding the denials).
Go for it Obama. It needs to be renegotiated since the US. FTC, supported by George W. ignores it anyway. Who says we do worse under the Democrats? Seems to me, we got Pres. Clinton to ignore the FTC when Cretien picked up the phone. Not now, Harper just says how high, Mr. Bush?
3. Obama has proposed a “new job” tax credit to US companies keeping jobs in the US instead of manufacturing in Asia.
The US. is imfamous for applying its laws tyo its citizens when they are abroad. So why not extend that to the corporate “citizen.” They have labour standards in the US, why not ensure US. companies operating abroad follow the same rules? That would even the palyinf field.
4. Obama will most likely begin the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and position them in Afghanistan for a while.
That will help our troops in Afghanistan. Plus it appears Iraq’s government wants to see the back og the US troops asap.
5. The Harper government will be forced to renegotiate NAFTA and possibly even NORAD with the hardball Obama Democrats.
NAFTA, see above. NORAD, that scares the hell out of me. Democrats are further right than our traditional conservatives, probably about as right as Harper. Harper will agree to everything.
6. One extreme solution is to seek a merger with the USA… Are Canadians willing to give up their national identity and join in a common trade and job market???
Why do we need to give up our identity?
There is one European Union, but all the countries maintain their unique identities. The question is will the US. give up the greenback for a common currency, or the Fed. for a united monetary policy? Only then will it be a partnership of equals.
Don’t you Cons ever give up? I’m dead already. Move along. — Garth
Tell us Garth …. will an Obama Democratic White House and both Houses of Congress throw up protectionist walls against Mexico and Canada ???
Will they strip auto jobs from Canada and bring them back into the States to fulfill their election promises ???
Will SW Ontario become a vast wasteland of closed factories and 100,000+ unemployed (and 90% of them were Obama-lovers)???
The Liberal party has openly supported Obama .. what will be the consequences of that in the next election ???
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1888086
Only then will it be a partnership of equals.
By James – Chatham on 11.04.08 4:42 pm
James,
You forgot the MOST IMPORTANT part…will the U.S. give up its 51 sets of laws (1 Federal and 50 States), or will Canada have to adopt being under them? That is the ULTIMATE question.
Modern conquerers do it not by soldiers but by lawyers. I, for one, want nothing to do with such idiocy. Canada is to remain Canada, and not become the 51st State.
Trust me, I know how America works, and we do NOT want the same here.
By Geiseric the Lame on 11.04.08 5:27 pm
Thanks. That was hilarious!
>By david
>When you look at all the elected majority >governments they has been no one to gain 50% or >better of the popular vote in the last 20 years. We >are electing majority governments in canada with >a little over 38%.
There has been only two governments in the last 50 years who’s vote share was over 50%. The fact is that the majority of governments since the 1920 (I think it was 1920) have received less then 50% of the vote when a third party came on the scene. The Conservatives and Progressives battled with the Liberals of the day.
Whither Peter Milliken?
Hopefully, they select Da Arnold and we may finally have a REAL Speaker who can control the Kindergarten properly!
I say send Milliken packing and he can have his ‘Dream Job’ in his sleep.
“the ballots can be scanned, to ensure the voters ballot will count as they intended”
BY JAMES – CHATHAM 04.08 2:44 PM
James,
Thanks for that reminder of the Geo.Bush Sewage Plant question
John King’s Magic Finger Map on CNN is tracking trouble — it’s interesting.
Hope it’s not needed.
Voter Hotline 877-GOCNN-08 (1-877-466-2608)
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/voter.hotline/
(the online map is not interesting, just the TV one)
Repeat after me, people:
Arguing with a troll is like wrestling with a pig. Everyone gets dirty, but the pig loves it.
By Herb on 11.04.08 3:57 pm
Come on Herb, the correct quote is:
“Arguing with a truck driver is like mud wrestling with a pig. Very quickly the pig begins to love it!”
And since trolls live under bridges it follows that the supply of mud is extensive!
Furthermore, arguing with a politician is like talking into an echo chamber. You frequently hear your own words coming back at you!
Harry is behind the times as usual. Ontario is a vast waste land of closed factories. He just doesn’t pay attention because his cue card has no such reference.
Not Obama’s fault Hairball, it is Ontarian’s fault for putting their underpriced eggs in one basket. That is a basic business No-No to anyone who knows better.
Why not go south to the Land of Freedumb and Demoncracy where your message of No Hope is wanted!
By all means visit our excellent Air Museum in Ottawa. They have restored hundreds of aircraft including they have the forward section of AVRO Arrow 206, an Iroquis engine, and a BOMARK Missile on display.
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 11.04.08 3:42 pm
While on the way to Ottawa, if you are East bound on 401, take exit #526 South then left on Hamilton Rd. and right on RCAF rd. Just opposite the Timmy’s on the right is the RCAF Museum on CFB Trenton. You will see a very extensive collection and much material on view. There is also the museum at Hamilton, Ont. Internat’l Airport. but that is in the other direction. I have been to all three but only Trenton recently. They are all worth the trip!
I also visited the Confed. Airforce at Kissimee Florida when Desert Storm one was on. That too is worth the day if you are in the area!
By Leasa on 11.04.08 11:19 am
North America has been stuck on the ‘Spin Cycle’ for more than two years between our’s and the American’s elections. What’s to be surprised about? LOL
Someone call the Maytag Repairman FAST!
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 11.04.08 1:07 pm
It is obvious some people do not understand the science on the weather channel. MOST WEATHER PATTERNS ARE SPINNING AND ROTATE AROUND CENTERS OF LOW AND HIGH PRESSURE! Also it is a well known phenomenon of physics that nature tries to rapidly fill any vacuum. That sudden rush of air might just mean something to your current pressure status!
David: Your description of Harper “looking the part” is telling. I agree: Harper has been “acting” the part. He morphed into what he believed Canadians wanted to see through vests, baby kissing and sweet talking. We all know that is not the real Harper. He should win an Emmy for best fictional portrayal of a Canadian Prime Minister.
By Judy on 11.04.08 9:17 am
In Saskatchewan during the 70s Roy Romanow was Alan Blakney’s goon. He was the one who bought up the potash mines, pulp mills, farm land et al with the socialist agenda that the state would own industry and the people would work for the government. He was also one of the architects of the constitution that refused to include individual property rights because it would limit the government’s ability to transfer wealth.
Once he became premier his mode of governance changed. It has been said, with all of his government cuts, that Saskatchewan finally got their conservative government.
After he left politics he chaired the inquiry into the state of health care in the country. His concluding solution was to tax more and spend more. He never considered the role private delivery may have in the system. He just reverted back to his heart felt view.
With Harper, he was one of the founders of the Reform movement then president of the National Citizens Coalition, both right wing ideologies. He has made wild statements like putting a firewall around Alberta among others.
Since he has become Prime Minister he has not moved on any of his previous ideologies. In fact he has spent like a drunken sailor increasing the size of government, the same as previous governments, in an attempt to buy votes, particularly in Quebec. His government is not conservative at all. It is left of the Chretien government.
The point here is that one may have a political view that they believe would be the best for the country. But once in the seat of power they realize pragmatism trumps ideology.
What you see with Harper may not be what he wants to be, but that is who he is going to be as long as he is in politics.
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 11.04.08 5:46 pm
If I understand the US, the States are not really that united. so I can’t see why Canada and the provinces wouldn’t be able to do the same.
The problem areas will all be at the Federal level. But I cant see it coming to pass, without selling out Canada.
I think you’ll agree, the US. wouldn’t give up the FTC, the Fed or the Greenback1
MOST WEATHER PATTERNS ARE SPINNING AND ROTATE AROUND CENTERS OF LOW AND HIGH PRESSURE!
By Truth B Told on 11.04.08 6:33 pm
As one who used to fly into Atlantic Hurricanes I am more than well aware of pressure differentials and rotational characteristics.
I might add that a Low Pressure system revolving counter clockwise, whereas a High presure system revolves clockwise.
This is confirmed in the political arena by the following facts.
1. Obama has a created a Low Pressure system around the McCain campaign which has been sucking money and votes from the Rethuglicans. Moving things counter-clockwise, thus slowing the rate of American decline and giving time to heal the massive wounds created worldwide by Bush, Cheny, and Rove.
2. Obama’s campaign has, therefore, caused McCain’s blood pressure, and the RNC’s, to grossly increase which is running their expiry date forward at a relativistic rate. Thus moving the nation forward towards a brighter and meaningful future.
That sudden rush of air might just mean something to your current pressure status!
By Truth B Told on 11.04.08 6:33 pm
Excuse me . But, hunh ?
“59% of Canadians voted, Mr. Harper received 40% of that vote” – Garth
Whatever! That argument has been done to death, dude!
Using your criteria very few, if any, Canadian government in many years would be legitimate
Redneck-ism. Scourge of societies everywhere, but clinical trials are beginning to show marked improvements in test subjects.
For instance, take hairy with a jet fuel placebo. Please — hairy needs a massive overdose of extra-strength Pathetic Pills to help him recover from assimilation into CRAP eons ago!
Hep me, Bwana Herb, Massa Bill and Dr. Who, hep me! Group therapy, along with an enormous group hug — it may yet work!
***************************************
How do you know when you’re staying
in a Redneck motel?
When you call the front desk and say
‘I gotta leak in my sink,’ the clerk
replies, ‘Go ahead.’
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Did you hear that they have raised the minimum drinking age for Rednecks to 32?
It seems they want to keep alcohol
out of the high schools.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two reasons why it’s so hard to solve a
Redneck murder:
1) The DNA is all the same
2) There are no dental records
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Who invented the toothbrush?
A Redneck. If it had been invented by anyone else, it would have been called a teethbrush.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A State Trooper pulls over a pickup on Highway 16 and says to the driver,
‘Got any I.D.?’ . . . and the driver replies ‘Bout wut?’
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Did you hear about the $3 million Redneck Lottery?
The winner gets $3.00 a year for a million years.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A new Redneck law was just recently passed.
When a couple gets divorced, they are STILL cousins.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Did you hear that the Redneck governor’s mansion burned down?
‘Yep. Prit’near took out the whole trailer park. The library was a total loss too.
‘Both books went poof . . . up in flames and the governor hadn’t even finished coloring one of them.’
Tip of the day: By increasing your cooler space, more liquid gold can be consumed, so open the clothes washer, fill it half full with ice, put a few dozen beer in then turn on the spin cycle and enjoy!
That’s all folks!
****************************************
For the record, I predict the sun will turn blue with orange spots tomorrow!
What you see with Harper may not be what he wants to be, but that is who he is going to be as long as he is in politics.
By JC on 11.04.08 7:02 pm
JC – I disagree in that he is disseminatng (sp?) Canada’s social values a step at a time. If he should ever obtain a majority, I for one would not want to live in his vision of Canada.
Excuse me . But, hunh ?
By Men With Hats on 11.04.08 7:13 pm
When you deal with a vacuum there is usually a lot of sucking and blowing!
Failed Physics 101, Eh!
2. Obama’s campaign has, therefore, caused McCain’s blood pressure, and the RNC’s, to grossly increase which is running their expiry date forward at a relativistic rate. Thus moving the nation forward towards a brighter and meaningful future.
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 11.04.08 7:08 pm
Just like these incredible barometric gradients over the recent days:
http://www.weather.com/maps/maptype/currentweatherusnational/index_large.html?from=hp_main_maps
Then the high pressure sunny weather pushes the low pressure snotty shluck off out over the Atlantic eventually! Following that the permanent sun tan from Hawaii will smile on all of us with a benevolent grin!
Time to go on a lecture tour Garth .
Lecturers make good coin .
You have a unique perspective having been a member of an ultra-right wing
( fascist ) government,independent and a Liberal .
No more of this “I am already dead ” talk.
It is tres depressing .
How can I resurrect without first being dust? — Garth
Failed Physics 101, Eh!
By Truth B Told on 11.04.08 8:15 pm
Yea, but I am aces at quantum theory and metaphysical bodies colliding .LOL .
Then the high pressure sunny weather pushes the low pressure snotty shluck off out over the Atlantic eventually! Following that the permanent sun tan from Hawaii will smile on all of us with a benevolent grin!
By Truth B Told on 11.04.08 8:25 pm
Ahh yes, the much ballyhooed “Pineapple Express”
How can I resurrect without first being dust? — Garth
Garth, do you have a secret?
BY JC ON 11.04.08 7:02 PM
JC,
Although you have expressed your view well, and it’s interesting it plays too Flanaganish.
Harper doesn’t mean a thing he says and everything he does say is just to further the cause of the New Cons parallel sections like NCC. That is confirmed by what Tom Flanagan, his former professor, campaign manager and one of his closest confidants says often in these planted interviews he gives. He does so because they really like to hide everything in plain site, and I dare say, Flanagan’s element is very arrogant and cannot help but brag and take credit.
They hijacked the good tories and are taking their own ride, much similar to Bushers.
To Men in Hats
Learn to spell !! Then go back and read your slop and see how stupid it sounds..
So the all idiot party had to get their stupid illegal election over before Obama wiped the floor with John McCain .
His win would have given the Liberals between a six and ten point boince in the polls .
Now we still have a major moron as PM who
embarrasses our nation on a daily
basis .
“Out damn spot ”
Obama already knows Harpo is a joke from his stupid relationship with the shrub .
Can’t wait for Obama to reopen NAFTA and stick it up Harpos ass .
To Men in Hats
Learn to spell !! Then go back and read your slop and see how stupid it sounds..
By David Halfkenny on 11.05.08 12:18 am
English must be your second language .
Your grammar is atrocious .
To men in hats
If my grammar is arocious is because I had difficulty understanding your slop. I never read your articles as they seldom make sense.