SpankyMcFarland

Purely hypothetical scenario. You're a fifty year old high flyer at CRA interested in fattening up the pension pot. What better way to impress potential future employers at ABCD accountancy firm (and for them to justify their enormous fees to client Mr. Moneybags) than to convey some intelligence on a big case? If a judge went to work for the Bandidos, every relevant case in his career would be reviewed. The revolving door has to stop before public trust is gone completely.

It's one industry where I desire no CanCon at all. If foreigners can do it better, let them in pronto. We need more competition, not less. Some of the high price may be down to geography but a cosy local oligopoly ain't helping matters. BTW why does arch capitalist Terence Corcoran so vociferously defend the appalling status quo?

OK one more because the points are reasonable and brief. I am not going to defend North America. We have always been self-righteous hypocrites on these issues in the British tradition as South Africans found out decades ago. However, you seem to be assuming the US does not get criticized now which it does and, while the US is guilty of many crimes in the recent past, fortunately for Canada creeping annexation of neighbouring territory is no longer on that list. Furthermore, I haven't heard a US President complaining about minority voters coming out in droves for his opponent in quite a while and when did a US govt minister last talk about minority voters like Bennett does? Israel does get too much criticism. I would say there is a combination of factors at work - it's a comfortable place for journalists to visit for a start - but its status as a special ally of America is part of it. Prejudice may play a role but it's not the whole story. What South Africans found was that as soon as the US reformed on ethnic discrimination it demanded higher standards of other countries as well. Israel does have problems with its ethnic minority - Arabs tell us so. It is not unique in that regard but the country is ill-served by denying the truth.

Which their minions write.

Revenue seem to adopt a profit-oriented approach to this kind of thing which has become the other side of tax avoidance, i.e. if the target can be easily intimidated, go after him but avoid the big fish - too many legal bills. Equity doesn't enter the picture and thus respect for the system slowly dies. Offshore accounts are not illegal in themselves but are a risk factor for illegal activity of many sorts. Notice how often they are described as 'completely', 'entirely' or 'perfectly' legal. An activity above suspicion would not attract so many adjectives.

I'm not exactly a spokesman for Hamas, having already pointed out that worse things happen elsewhere. What Europeans got away with in the past in North America and elsewhere is no longer acceptable. That's tough on Israel and, yes, hypocritical but that's how it is. If Israel takes more of the West Bank without the people, we are going to notice and say something. My prediction for 2026: Israel's de facto border will have moved a long way eastward. Let's see what happens. That's my last comment on this matter here. The tenor of the debate is just too shrill - mad, really.

Far worse things DO happen in other countries, but they are not part of the Western club. Israel has an especially privileged relationship with the US and a higher level of scrutiny comes with that.

The GST was such a bad idea it was immediately abandoned by the Liberals and is now just a distant memory for all of us.

I do hope we stop with this childish misnaming of legislation that became so prominent under Harper. Call a bill what it is and leave sales to the MPs.

Mulroney got a lot done e.g. GST, FTA, a free vote on capital punishment and principled opposition to Apartheid. Unfortunately, his legacy was marred by brown envelopes and yet I'd give him a good grade overall. He left the country in better shape. The debt did rise rapidly under him despite Michael Wilson's efforts but that was a problem largely created by his predecessors. Since Mulroney came to power, there has been a broad consensus on national debt issues in Canada that I hope we maintain. Are you taking notes, JT?

Open and accountable? You have GOT to be kidding. In temperament, he was paranoid, secretive and controlling, completely opposed to the Reform agenda. Fiscal management wasn't bad but I would have to give Chretien and Martin higher marks there. They stopped the rot and put the banks on the right track.

Seattle is a civilized spot. I first visited it properly a few weeks ago, having driven through it on the way to Olympia many years previously. There's a good atmosphere, friendly and informal despite the many great companies that are from here. Even the hobos are fairly well behaved. Pike Market is something to behold and the surrounding mountains, islands, sea and lakes are extraordinary. The powers that be need to do something about the waterfront to get the traffic out of there but otherwise I have no complaints. Great beer too.

The Guardian has been an excellent source of info on the Panama Papers. Here is one column on Britain's need for reform: http://www.theguardian.com/news/commentisfree/2016/apr/06/britain-tainted-cash-panama-papers

So what would be reasonable expectations? The play-offs next year? A Stanley Cup within five?

Ever notice how doubles tennis players talk to each other so often after points? This is more about morale than strategy. If you are playing with somebody who is genuinely supporting you in every shot, it makes a big difference. Ballesteros and Olazabal were exemplary in that regard. I imagine playing with Mickelson must be a pain. You could imagine him criticizing your play afterwards. In alternate stroke, there may be particular strengths or weaknesses you'll want to factor in e.g. if your partner has a poor bunker record, you'll play safe on the greens.

So what's the verdict on the Leafs this year? I hate that new logo. And I will leave the hockey to others.

Tax havenry undermines public trust in the rule of law at home and abroad. In the West, it leaves the road open for Trumpism and, in the developing world, it strengthens the jihadis and other nihilist forces. A large chunk of money from poorer countries in these havens has been stolen or represents the proceeds of other crimes like bribes. This creates deep cynicism about our intentions. Unfortunately, the country at the heart of this murky trade is Britain - in particular, the City of London, Dependencies (e.g. Channel Islands, Isle of Man) and Overseas Territories (e.g. the British Virgin Islands). Without a hint of shame, Dave Cameron is happy to lecture others about aggressive tax planning while his own family benefited from an offshore vehicle (sounds like a Mercedes) set up by his father.

If China fails to rein in North Korea, I would see Japan going nuclear and possibly South Korea too. They cannot tolerate increasingly brazen missile flights across their territory indefinitely. China is also becoming more assertive and at some point the US may no longer have the stomach for a confrontation far away. Under such circumstances, there's nothing like having your own deterrent ready to go.

It should be implemented ASAP here and across the Western world. The cartels would take a big hit.

Who is that question for? I support legalization. Marijuana is safer than alcohol on nearly all fronts which doesn't mean it's completely safe. No drug is.

It's well to approach this topic wth humility. We don't know for sure what would happen with legalization. As usual, there will be unexpected problems. Some of the ones we know of are: 1. Lung disease. 2. Psychological and neurological effects on teenagers. 3. Problems operating machinery and cars. 4. Assessing the blood level of the drug in drivers. Apparently, handheld devices are coming out.

They should leave him in place for a few years. JT will probably be less popular by then and may have had to move rightwards fiscally, creating more space on the left for a fresh face to contest the next election.

The performance of Canadian teams looks worse in recent years. It would be nice to see a statistical analysis.

I don't mean to sound like a Leaf hater. It's a bit unfair to pick on them. My impressions were formed as an immigrant in Alberta in the golden days of the Oilers and Flames and I've kind of stuck with that ever since. And I do understand that a basic reason for pro sports everywhere is to make money. I just think there should be a greater connection between profit and performance at the team level as there is in pro soccer in Europe. Some good things about the franchise system for fans are that it levels the playng field and ensures an even spread of teams across the continent but its anti-meritocratic approach to losing is a flaw. Very rich owners pay no serious penalty for failure. It is just odd to me that most people in North America don't seem too concerned about that aspect.

The Leafs just seem like outstanding offenders. They have the most resources of any Canadian team and have done very little to justify their inclusion in the league of late.