Derek 2.0

I agree, in that thread, I can't fathom how you were off-topic......

Agreed 100%.......The excessive moderation (for what I don't know?) is in my opinion, detracting from an interesting topic.....

How is discussing global warming in a thread on increasing/decreasing levels of sea ice thread drift?

Lang's father was a PET cabinet Minister and her brother ran as a Federal Liberal.....to say nothing of her Keynesian economic commentary....Lang is hardly right-wing......that was O'Leary's shtick...

And of course, P&P host Evan Solomon just got turfed for pimping high end art.........It seems the "star-power" at the CBC is just as bad as the Canadian Senate, yet nobody is calling to get rid of the CBC? It should be said, the Senate has nearly a $100 million annual budget, yet the CBC is over a billion...hmmm

Here's the link: If a Duceppe led Bloc is able to get ~30% of the left-of-center Quebec vote, as this one pollster suggests, there goes any chance of an NDP Government, or NDP led coalition (which I believe unlikely anyways).........In 2006, the Bloc won 51 seats with ~43% of the vote.

It is a political statement, as Guard units are cheaper to run in peacetime and in many cases, they are near peers to their regular force counterparts

Yes and no, many of the cuts and proposed cuts have been to Air National Guard units.......With the army Guard units being typically ring-fenced, or at worse not receiving promised regular force hand-me-downs........outside of the Texas Guard, I can't think of any of the Guard units that has seen resources taken away, resources that not only aide in response to a disaster, but could/can be used to patrol the Southern Border.

Don't be so sure: and I wouldn't count the Donald out, he'd have no chance in the National election, but I feel has more credibility than Cruz or Paul........I'm surprised how far Christie has fallen........... Regardless, I don't see how the GOP won't have a Bush/ and one of Kasich-Walker-Rice-Rubio on the ticket in 2016.....

To an extent I agree, the divided left will ensure one more Harper majority this Fall, likewise in the aftermath, the political left will have to rethink their divide for 2019, to displace the then Jason Kenny regime -But- I disagree with the notion that an eventual merger between the NDP-Liberal will result in a given ~60+ % vote share......clearly there are still elements from with the Liberal party, the Manley/Brison/Garneau/ type Liberals, that won't feel at home within the NDP, unless Mulcair is able to steer the party right to reach the political center.....which without a doubt will cause the far left socialists to jump overboard for the Bloc and Greens......... Much the same for the Tories, a significant leftward drift will see our own kooks jump overboard for Christian Heritage or the Libertarians........clearly a difficult act for both camps. The merger of the Right has been a gradual process, far longer in the making than Peter MacKay or Prime Minister Harper is the point. Where did I equate the two as like? If you want to continue, highlight it, or we're done.

The formal merger of the political right began after the Federal Social Credit party abstained from a confidence motion that brought down the Clark Government......... Then, what is your point? I have zero confusion on the subject, nor did I suggest as much.......I'm losing interest in this conversation with you fast Waldo.

No, nor will he (or the party) at any great speed, taking a Laissez-Faire approach to social issues. In my opinion, outside of politics, this is rooted within a philosophical understanding in both the classic liberal and newer populism based libertarian mantra that dominates the "political right" within this country.....less control by the State is better, and when the populace wants legalized drugs/prostitution/assisted suicide etc it will have it, just not at the insistence of the Conservative Party of Canada.......

The merging of the right began when Mackay was still a teenager, and Harper in University...... Not at all, I reject your implication that "progressiveness" was the sole purview of former Progressive Conservatives like Peter MacKay........as both the former Reform/Alliance and PCs comprised both, progressive "red Tories" and "social conservatives"....... Now please, continue telling me the history and complexity of my own party

And he, or this party won't, fore the "social conservative rump" is but a very small part from within the party. Progressive social policies, I feel, are a natural progression , despite social conservatives or "progressives", that foment within themselves in society despite party politics. The social battles of the 80s and 90s (and early 2000s) involving abortion and gay rights were, in my opinion, a forgone natural conclusion........just as, going forward, so to will be drug policy, prostitution and doctor assisted suicide. With that, there is very little social conservatives can do to impede natural progression among society, inversely, despite their efforts, so called "progressives" also have little impact on the speed as to which such topics gain natural acceptance among society at large. As such, the best policy any party can adopt with regards to social policy is too stand back and allow the wave to crash when it so chooses.......both Harper and MacKay, like Tories over 100 years ago with Suffrage, understand this.

No, not confused at all.........the former Progressive Conservative party very much so comprised social conservatives and economic/fiscal (non-Keynesian) conservatives.........that is how Mulroney formed his two majority Governments in the 80s. Again, you're talking out of your arse.........Mackay, nor Harper for that mater, form said "inclusive view", as party policy is formed by the pan-party membership, as such, is a reflection of the Party, not one man.

Right, hence your continued laughable assertion of rounding up your political opponents...........kinda hard to throw a civil war sans lawyers, guns and money

You've suggested such action prior, one problem with that plan though:

No confusion at all, as clearly both are near polar opposites.......I fail to see what would lead you to this opinion. I thought we're looking at history back.......As both Wayne and the PC party are both vestiges of history........whats next, a looking at the Manning era Social Credit party and its impact on today's party? What you're failing to understand is that the CPC is but one party, comprised of a whole host of differing "camps". Mackay's leaving, though I and many others liked him personally, will have going forward very little felt impact on Party policy, and in turn, the Government's agenda. Likewise, your implication that the Party lost a "progressive voice" due to Mackay's departure, which doesn't hold water, as during his tenure, Mackay had little influence on party social policy.......

Exactly........for example, the Federal Government wide cuts won't impact the BC Ministry of Environment.....which as you pointed out, actually enforces laws and conducts environmental studies within British Columbia.

It isn't? Says who? The union representing former Government scientists? Which water bodies are no longer being tested? And why do we need the Federal Government to do this? Sure I believe it, likewise I believe you're making a mountain out of a mole hill.......when after all, it is the Provinces that conduct Environmental assessments, likewise both enforcement of laws and regulations....... Let me know when Harper guts each Provinces own Ministry of Environment..........inversely why taxpayers need duplicity with the Federal Government........ Likewise, let me know when you acknowledge that the Harper Government has enacted strict environmental regulations on two of the largest polluting sectors within Canada, transportation and power generation......

Every Government department (except Veterans Affairs), 60+ in total, were required to find 5% and 10% annual savings from within their budgets.....With Environment Canada reducing namely large salary staff scientists that very much so analyzed data and samples, choosing instead to contract out data assessment to private industry and academia........ The better question, why would it harm the environment by having air and water samples being studied by less expensive labs then staff scientists employed by the Federal Government? One would think, if one was concerned with the government's environmental record and aura of secrecy, combined with climate change denial, third party labs would be at arms length and less able to be silenced or controlled by the Harper Governments "agenda".......

Never heard of her? One of the most socially conservative MPs to ever sit in Ottawa, a former senior member of the Progressive Conservative Party..........And yes, I do understand the various labels, likewise their current position within the Party matrix, but I have not a clue as to what is your point.

Confused? I see your Progressive (social) Conservative and raise you Elsie Wayne!!!

I suppose you will read and interpret posts how you may.......the post your're quoting was a response to another member suggesting the CPC should return to its "progressive roots". Of course the term is subjective, as current "centrists" from within the party are an integral part, likewise its a foolish notion to suppose such centrists were only found from within the former PC party, and not the former Alliance/Reform portion. Inversely, its also foolish to submit that former PC members, due in part to the Progressive label, did not also comprise staunch fiscal and/or social conservatives. In some circles (from within the Party) he will be missed, likewise, he was one of the most popular MND the Canadian Forces have ever known (Up there with McNaughton). On the International front, through his time as Minister of Foreign Affairs (and MND) he gained respect from our International partners and allies, namely right-leaning Governments. As an MP, he was very popular within his own riding and will likely be a tough act to follow. So yeah, he will be missed, but his departure will also allow newer members of the Party to climb the political ladder.....cycle of life and all that etc etc.