marcus

FYI jbg: It's very rare that I find myself agreeing with Khamenei and the rest of those idiots, but in the case of removing the Zionist regime, I do. But also I think Khamenei should also be removed.

According to you. In the real world, anti-Zionism is being against a disturbing, inhumane ideology.

By "religious idiots", I'm assuming you mean, fighters or "terrorists" as Israel calls anyone who fights back against it. There is a world beyond the simple bubble you have created for yourself. Your narrative always has a lot of holes in it. It sounds like your selective memory forgot that over 1500 innocent civilians were killed in the last attack by Israel. Meaning that majority of the people that Israel kills are innocent civilians. Innocent civilians that Israel did not have to kill. If you want to play tit for tat, then the fanatics on the Palestinian side still have a long ways to go, before they can say: "Well. There we go. We've killed just as many innocent civilians on their side! We're all even now!"

This is a callous and inhumane act. Unfortunately, some of those who are enraged by the act, like the Rue's, hold very little credibility since they are selective on the worth of people's lives. On many occasions, the Rue's have tried to excuse the astounding number of murdered innocent Palestinians, committed by the Israeli military. At the end of it all, these killings of innocent people could have been prevented. The killing of innocent civilians, whether Palestinian or Jewish are the fault of the culture of hatred and revenge and those who excuse them.

Majority of Jews were foreigners who moved there less than a century ago. They displaced many of the inhabitants forcefully and destroyed over 500 towns and villages. This injustice continues today. The displacement and land grab continues today. This is a simple fact. However, now it's unrealistic to expect for these European and Eastern Jews, who before had no ties (except for religion) to leave. The least that should happen here is for Israel to follow international law and honour the latest borders that were drawn up and to pay compensation for the re-settlement of the refugees that are scattered in the surrounded areas.

"Goldstone" report was never reputed. You may want to check your information so you don't spread misinformation - Here is what happened: On 1 April 2011, Goldstone published a piece in The Washington Post titled 'Reconsidering the Goldstone Report on Israel and war crimes'. Goldstone noted that the subsequent investigations by Israel and recognized in the U.N. committee's report "indicate that civilians were not intentionally targeted as a matter of policy" while "the crimes allegedly committed by Hamas were intentional goes without saying." The other principal authors of the UN report, Hina Jilani, Christine Chinkin and Desmond Travers, have rejected Goldstone's reassessment arguing that there is "no justification for any demand or expectation for reconsideration of the report as nothing of substance has appeared that would in anyway change the context, findings or conclusions of that report with respect to any of the parties to the Gaza conflict".[15][16] According to journalist Connie Bruck, writing in the the New Yorker magazine, "Goldstone came under such pressure that threats were made to ban him from his grandson’s bar mitzvah at a Johannesburg synagogue."[ You should be more worried about your tax money going to Israel. The biggest welfare recipient of United States.

Again. Lots of opinion in your comments, just like your ignorant opinion on Toronto and Vancouver which have been repeatedly ranked as two of the best cities in the world. Go to any engineering company. Go to an accounting firm. Go to hospitals. Go to a mechanic shop. You will see an increasing number of immigrants in which English is not their first language. So what? Are they not able to do their jobs? You have demonstrated time and again that you allow your bigotry and stereotyping to formulate your opinions. Like there isn't heavy encouragement both in pushing people to have more kids and to attract Europeans. There are special visas only given to those from Europe, Australia and New Zealand. It's still not enough. You will just have to live with the fact that non-white people who can speak another language are going to be coming to Canada.

Here we go again. Israel commits (not 'possible war crimes' - we all know they did) war crimes, then does what it can derail any investigation. This is exactly what Apartheid South Africa did. Of course, Israel knows that the findings will cement the fact that Israel violated international law during its one-sided operations in the Gaza. Israel has officially declined to cooperate with the UN Human Rights Council committee’s investigation into the country's 50-day 'Operation Protective Edge' over possible war crimes committed, saying it is obvious the probe will find it guilty. The Israeli government refused entry to the investigation team on Wednesday, which arrived in Jordan’s capital of Amman with plans to travel through Israel and into the Gaza Strip. The decision not to cooperate was due to the team’s “one-sided” view of the events, Haaretz reported, citing Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nachshon. “The council’s obsessive hostility toward Israel, the committee’s one-sided mandate and committee chairman William Schabas’ declared anti-Israeli positions” were listed as reasons for refusal by Nachshon. This is another indication that Israel cannot be trusted to police itself and to commit to international law. This is why less time should be wasted in trying to engage with Israel and more effort should be made in isolating it and putting political and economical pressure on it. That kind of pressure will not be instigated by Western governments, as they are heavily influenced by the Israeli lobby groups. This is why international movements like BDS are so important in pushing to end the impunity that Israel has had for so long.

See. You don't know. There is a threshold in the language requirement for people coming into the country under the skilled worker program. Achieving a minimum of 6 out of 9 in all four abilities (Reading, Speaking, Listening and Writing) in IELTS is not easy to do. I know that because I taught ESL in the past. Also, SO WHAT if immigrants don't start off at the same level as those who have been in Canada all their lives. It is reasonable to assume for someone who has just entered a new country, with a new culture to start slower in the first few years. So what if there is a period of adjustment? This is a stupid excuse to be against immigration. Argus: I think everyone is waiting with anticipation in regards to your solution to tackle a serious problem with the demographic and the aging population and the lack of people in the workforce both now and even more urgently in the future.

Having any Muslim/Arab people around you means that Obama is part of the Muslim Brotherhood... (which, by the way, is large and multi-layered group that cannot be pinned into one category and has nothing to do with ISIS - but who wants to look at reality when they have MUSLIM in their name!) Can't everyone else see the logic in that?

Argus: Have you figured out the changes in the immigration programs which have become quite selective and restrictive? For example, here are some of the changes to the Federal Skilled Worker Program: - Minimum English/French language requirement - Must have experience under one of the 50 eligible occupation which Canada is in dire need of - Maximum of 1000 applicants per occupation - Must have sufficient settlement funds - One of the factors in the point system is Age. For every year above 35, the applicant loses 1 point. - Education credentials must be assessed to see if they are at the same standard of Canada's I bet you didn't know these rules and restrictions exist. Rules and restrictions that did not exist when your 2003 and 2007 articles were published by the Fraser Institute. You see; These changes were made in order to allow immigrants adjust and settle easier in Canada. The changes are a direct response to the problems immigrants have had in the past.

Not really. It's for all wars. The federal Department of Veterans Affairs states that the date is of "remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace"

I agree. But on Remembrance Day, it's all about romanticizing wars and repeating the same old: "Protecting our Freedom" or "Sacrificing for our Freedom".

Why did we sacrifice people in Afghanistan? I feel for the soldiers and their families. Whether people died, were maimed or became mentally crippled, most of the wars, especially the most recent ones have not been about "protecting our freedom". Why can't we talk about that? Why is there so much sensitivity when it comes to questioning wars and questioning the narrative? Why do we need to feed each other with lies? Why do we need to feed the kids at schools with lies? Why do we need to romanticize wars, especially to our kids, when they have very little to do about protecting us or our freedom?

I agree with most of that, except the bit about not making any changes. The reason is because once the seniors out number the children and the workforce is unable to respond to the needs, then there will be instability. The least we must do is to replace the baby boomers who are now retiring. Their lack of contribution to the workforce aside, the amount of taxes they pay will decrease and their contribution to the raising cost of healthcare is going to become an issue in the near future. We need to adapt and respond to the needs. Here is information that was buried after Argus' tantrum which shows that the current government has been worried and alarmed about the aging population for quite a few years and that their increasing of the number of immigrants may only be partly about the coming elections: Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and the highest levels of the public service are immersed in a flurry of closed-door talks aimed at tackling the rising costs of health care and retirement benefits in the face of a shrinking number of working-age taxpayers available to foot the bill. Internal government documents obtained by The Globe and Mail show Canada’s aging population is no longer a problem on the horizon, but rather one that will impact the federal government this year. It's a challenge Ottawa is now discussing more openly and with added urgency. ... Canada, currently the 27th oldest country in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, is on track to become the 11th oldest within 20 years. It’s a challenge that will spark debate over Canada’s retirement age, fertility rates and immigration, while risking generational tension between a growing population of older voters and a shrinking pool of younger taxpayers. ... “The oldest baby boomers start to turn 65 in 2011, meaning the dependency ratio will start to increase significantly in a matter of months,” states the draft report, which was obtained in redacted form by The Globe under Access to Information. Prepared by officials at Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Finance Canada, the report is full of alarming statistics. It also lays out several measures the government could take to limit the impact, including incentives to boost fertility rates, bring in younger immigrants and encourage Canadians to work longer. “A Canada where seniors outnumber children is uncharted territory,” the report states. Globe and Mail - 2011

Tell me, do 1.5 billion Muslims all have the same view?

It does matter what the immigration system is like. The government has taken the issues with immigration into consideration and is trying to address them. Just because you know very little about the rules and regulations and the considerable changes that have been implemented after the article/research you have posted, it doesn't mean that they didn't happen and that they should not be considered. You cannot expect for someone who immigrates to Canada to perform at the same rate that a Canadian who has been here a lifetime. It just doesn't work that way. So the few years it takes them to get adjusted and accustomed is understandable and should be expected and accepted. I know your xenophobic and bigoted personality can't handle the reality, but this is Canada. Without immigration, Canada cannot survive and cannot move forward. Immigration and the nurturing our workforce is the way to success and to respond to our aging work force. If you have a better solution to the major problem we have, then by all means, share it.

It's outdated because it points to an immigration program that no longer exists. Canadian immigration programs have changed drastically since the article was published. In 15 years, population growth can only come from immigration. We are no longer having enough children to sustain this economy and to show any growth. Canada is one of the largest countries in the world. It has a lot of land and a lot of potential. It's not like it's a small little, landlocked country. It has room to grow. Unless you and I are going to do our part to have 3 children to sustain the population, Canada is going to fail in many ways. Stopping or slowing down immigration is not an option. Tweaking and making it better for Canada is. Thanks for another old article. This opinion peace is from 2007. Again, before the huge changes that happened in the immigration system and continue to happen. Take this for example, from your 2007 article: Ottawa has revamped Canada's immigration system to attract highly educated foreigners, not skilled tradespeople. This has created a workforce that is out of sync with the country's labour needs. It has also stunted the careers of many well-qualified immigrants, who arrive only to find their academic and professional credentials aren't recognized here. Guess what? Canadian Immigration has had a Federal Skilled Trades Program since 2012. Many of the rules and regulations for other programs have also been changed and tweaked. So this is why most of your outdated articles and opinion pieces are irrelevant. Conclusion here is that you are screaming the sky is falling because your understanding of the immigration system is superficial. You also seem to have a bigoted view of those off-coloured foreigners. Without really understanding the situation and without learning to adapt to the always changing world, you're going to fail. Luckily, majority of Canadians don't hold your views.

I disagree with that assessment. Israel, especially the current government, is not interested in a real Palestinian State and definitely not interested in giving up any land that belongs to the Palestinians. In fact, Likud's platform specifically says "To never allow a Palestinian State West of Jordan".

I also don't think the way Israel was created was fair or just. Europe's problem was shoved down the Palestinian's throat. But Israel exists and there is no turning back the clock. I cheer for a peaceful, prosperous and secure Palestinian State just like I do for an Israeli one within the 1967 border. As far as I have researched BDS also accepts Israel within the 1967 border. BDS is about justice for the Palestinians, within international law.

The governments are doing very little. U.S. is hopeless and the European countries are dragging their feet. After decades, they have finally succumbed and are "recognizing Palestine". Gee, that's great. But it is a movement and the BDS movement is gaining momentum. This is the only way to battle Israel's impunity and actions. To some extent, this is how Apartheid South Africa was brought down to its knees. It wasn't the governments, but the people who made a difference through cultural and economical boycotts.

The outdated article uses Europe as an example to make their point. The problem is that a country like France does not have a selective and restrictive immigration system like Canada does. So you can't really compare their findings with Canada. It's also mentioned in the article that an increase of 1% of immigration will not respond to the rapidly aging population and that 3% increase, which is needed to offset the workers and taxpayers we will be losing to retirement is unpalatable. Thanks for the opinion! What the government has been doing since after the last article was published in 2009 is to make the immigration policy even more selective. Come January, there will be a new program where employers will be able to select immigration applicants, who have to meet certain age, education, financial and language criteria, from a database. So an oil company in desperate need of engineers will be able to get the help that it needs. Don't be afraid of the immigrants so much Argus. They are a benefit to our country. A country that has been built by immigrants.

I've heard this before. It's a poor excuse to allow a business to operate on land that has been stolen. An action that is deemed illegal under international law. The business can no longer take advantage of the amazing tax incentives they receive by operating on these stolen lands. This is a positive step for those who care about doing the right thing.

Sodastream will be closing down its controversial factory, located in an illegal settlement in the West Bank. “SodaStream’s announcement … shows that the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement is increasingly capable of holding corporate criminals to account for their participation in Israeli apartheid and colonialism,” said Rafeef Ziadah, a spokesperson. “[The] BDS campaign pressure has forced retailers across Europe and North America to drop SodaStream, and the company’s share price has tumbled in recent months as our movement has caused increasing reputational damage to the SodaStream brand.” The BDS movement is one of the main engines of the non-violent Palestinian resistance against the brutal Zionist regime. This powerful and influential movement continues to gain momentum and will be a huge part of the inevitable, which is when Palestinians will experience freedom, human rights and self-determination.

You are posting so-called research done by Fraser Institute. Two of the links are to the same article from 2009 and the other to a 2003 article. Fraser Institute is an organization described as conservative and rightwing libertarian. An organization which has received funding from oil companies and right wing organizations like ones owned by the Koch brothers. If you want an agenda, there you go. Your outdated, mostly opinion based articles, show concerns in immigration which have already been addressed by Immigration Canada. For example, citizenship and the type of immigrants we bring into Canada. For example, the Federal Skilled Worker program, which is the most popular immigration program, allows people who have work experience in one of 50 eligible occupations that Canadian companies are in desperate need of filling. Mostly engineering jobs and jobs in the health industry. Also, every permanent residency program, except for family sponsorship, require a minimum level of English. You see, we have a very strict and selective immigration program. Yet, you're running around like chicken little and screaming the immigrants are coming! What I posted was information from the Harper government. Yes, The Harper government. I also posted statistics from Statistics Canada. All of this shows that Canada is in danger. You obviously failed to address anything that I posted, so here, I will post again: Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and the highest levels of the public service are immersed in a flurry of closed-door talks aimed at tackling the rising costs of health care and retirement benefits in the face of a shrinking number of working-age taxpayers available to foot the bill. Internal government documents obtained by The Globe and Mail show Canada’s aging population is no longer a problem on the horizon, but rather one that will impact the federal government this year. It's a challenge Ottawa is now discussing more openly and with added urgency. ... Canada, currently the 27th oldest country in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, is on track to become the 11th oldest within 20 years. It’s a challenge that will spark debate over Canada’s retirement age, fertility rates and immigration, while risking generational tension between a growing population of older voters and a shrinking pool of younger taxpayers. ... “The oldest baby boomers start to turn 65 in 2011, meaning the dependency ratio will start to increase significantly in a matter of months,” states the draft report, which was obtained in redacted form by The Globe under Access to Information. Prepared by officials at Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Finance Canada, the report is full of alarming statistics. It also lays out several measures the government could take to limit the impact, including incentives to boost fertility rates, bring in younger immigrants and encourage Canadians to work longer. “A Canada where seniors outnumber children is uncharted territory,” the report states. Globe and Mail - 2011 Let me know how Canada will be tackling the fact that we will have more seniors than children. Let me know how we will be paying for health care and everything else that working taxpayers are supposed to pay for. Considering that even 280k immigrants will not address the issue.