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Everything posted by SpankyMcFarland
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CPC Leadership Predictions
SpankyMcFarland replied to cybercoma's topic in Federal Politics in Canada
The Iraq war was an entirely avoidable disaster. Questionable intelligence was used in a wilfully dishonest way. One of Chretien's 'greatest' achievements was keeping us out of that mess when Harper and his friends at the National Post were baying for involvement. He never apologized for that error which would have brought misery to many Canadian families. -
CPC Leadership Predictions
SpankyMcFarland replied to cybercoma's topic in Federal Politics in Canada
Politicians take way too much credit for such successes. Canada is well run mainly because of ordinary Canadians. -
CPC Leadership Predictions
SpankyMcFarland replied to cybercoma's topic in Federal Politics in Canada
Greatness is rare - otherwise, the honour is devalued. Off the top of my head, I can recall only one English king who was called great in well over a thousand years. So, by that yardstick, I think you'd have to limit the great PM title to no more than five which is probably too generous. Who are your five great PMs and why? -
CPC Leadership Predictions
SpankyMcFarland replied to cybercoma's topic in Federal Politics in Canada
I predict the next leader will not contest five elections. Utter megalomania. -
CPC Leadership Predictions
SpankyMcFarland replied to cybercoma's topic in Federal Politics in Canada
The financial crisis looked bad at the time but the world economy did not collapse. It's typical of Harper that he showed no gratitude to Chrétien and Martin for the state they left the country and banks in that enabled us to weather the storm so well. -
CPC Leadership Predictions
SpankyMcFarland replied to cybercoma's topic in Federal Politics in Canada
You compare those events to the birth of a nation, to a world war that could easily have ended in Canada's disappearance? There is a modern tendency to think we are living in the scariest times EVER, every day. The markets have their problems, oil goes up and down in price and the world goes on.Who are considered the greatest US Presidents? I would say Washington and Lincoln would feature in most lists, and probably Roosevelt too. What makes them great is the ordeals they suffered, the extraordinary wars they led their nation through. -
CPC Leadership Predictions
SpankyMcFarland replied to cybercoma's topic in Federal Politics in Canada
Harper did not have an opportunity to achieve greatness. There were no serious crises in his time. Certainly, he could not be ranked with Trudeau, whose legacy is still all around us for good or ill, Mackenzie King or Macdonald. Dull times are good for most people. Harperism will not become a commonplace word. He managed the economy well enough but he left a mixed legacy elsewhere, dividing Canadians relentlessly and further diminishing Parliament's role in government. Has any defeated PM who was resigning failed to announce his resignation in a concession speech before? -
Name the next CPC and NDP leaders
SpankyMcFarland replied to hitops's topic in Federal Politics in Canada
I have a very different view of human nature - that we don't even control much of how we think about a political candidate. A lot of it is unconscious. We TEND to prefer tall, slim, good-looking candidates. Obviously, other factors come into play or Jean Chrétien would never have had a career. He was fit, though. And humorous. -
Name the next CPC and NDP leaders
SpankyMcFarland replied to hitops's topic in Federal Politics in Canada
I think they do subliminally and I would venture to suggest that most US Presidents have been leaner than Kenney which is probably a good indicator of where we are going in these matters as we move towards a more presidential system. If he is going to be leader for an extended period, it could be a sign of health problems to come. -
Name the next CPC and NDP leaders
SpankyMcFarland replied to hitops's topic in Federal Politics in Canada
Kenney will perform well in Parliament, as he has already. Were I a Conservative, I would have no worries on that front (actually, as a Lib voter, I am concerned for JT in there). The challenges are more outside the chamber. Is he likeable enough? And can we cope with a single man in charge? It's a long time since Mackenzie King and his Irish terriers. -
Name the next CPC and NDP leaders
SpankyMcFarland replied to hitops's topic in Federal Politics in Canada
I'm trying to consider the candidates objectively but I may not really want the best one there. My main exposure to these guys is on CBC shows like PandP. Kenney impressed because he seemed to come up with his own answers rather than relying on PMO boilerplate like Rempel, who did improvise, Calandra, who had a sense of humour, James, who was a bit of a zombie and the utterly dire Parm Gill. This can be dangerous, of course, as he found out at Defence, but it does command respect. Although it could be claimed he never had one of the really big ministries, Immigration has become that in any Western democracy and he certainly left his imprint there. On the campaign front, the pivot to target new Canadians was brilliant and completely unexpected by the likes of me, anyway. It became a third limb in the Reform/PC chimera. On the downside, I would put: another Calgary pol; male; single; small 'sunny ways' rating: BMI. I was surprised at his relatively young age. He looks older and the bod ain't great. There could be health issues ahead. Even Harper got leaner. JT sets a new standard in these matters. -
CPC Leadership Predictions
SpankyMcFarland replied to cybercoma's topic in Federal Politics in Canada
In some ways, yes. He had a nice turn of phrase and some of his letters were excellent. -
CPC Leadership Predictions
SpankyMcFarland replied to cybercoma's topic in Federal Politics in Canada
I find Lisa Raitt a lot nicer and more genuine. Rempel is too fond of grinning at the wrong moment. -
CPC Leadership Predictions
SpankyMcFarland replied to cybercoma's topic in Federal Politics in Canada
It shows the limits of terms like conservative, liberal, progressive or socialist. They have been bent so out of shape by special pleading, they mean very little now. The current US campaign has further complicated matters. Two of the major candidates on the extreme of each party, Trump and Sanders, express similar concerns about the US economy esp. on trade deals. -
CPC Leadership Predictions
SpankyMcFarland replied to cybercoma's topic in Federal Politics in Canada
The more lightweight you make Trudeau, the more substantial you make his achievement. How did he do so much with so little? It's a problem us Dubya haters faced a while back. Is it all about the family tree? I feel a Supertramp song coming on... Of the very early Conservative possibles, Lisa Raitt annoys me the least. Heck, I could vote for that woman, something warm about her. She even speaks well of her opponents and there was a lovely moment on PandP today where Raitt celebrated Megan Leslie's achievements. Smirky Rempel, not so much, way too full of herself, unCanadian bombast being shown there but she sure has something going on, maybe more appeal to younger voters and she certainly is quick on her feet. I don't rate Ambrose or Leitch at all. Kenney? A big gamble for them. He'll never be giving us the tweetstorm Rempel just treated us to. At least I hope not. -
In the end, Assad will lose Syria. It's a numbers game. His allies Iran and Russia also have limited appetites for a protracted losing war.
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But Israel does not threaten Iran? How many times a day are we told that?
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Name the next CPC and NDP leaders
SpankyMcFarland replied to hitops's topic in Federal Politics in Canada
I presume this question can eventually be answered by the numbers people. My take is that Harper kept the hardcore vote solid at 30% but could not recruit potential Conservative curious centrists this time. Whether this was primarily a content or style problem is another matter. Kenney does give good answers which are worth hearing, certainly compared to common PandP performers like James, Calandra or Gill. He had a few missteps in Defence, for example over what a front line is, but he's an excellent performer. One big question is the single man issue. There is no such thing as privacy any more for a leadership contender. Are Conservatives ready for such a situation? -
The Liberals didn't win. The Conservatives lost.
SpankyMcFarland replied to Machjo's topic in Federal Politics in Canada
Conservative leadership hopefuls may be grateful Harper took the loss which was probably coming anyway. There's a right-wing 30% in this country. To win, that party needs a few more centrists and a divided opposition. -
CPC Leadership Predictions
SpankyMcFarland replied to cybercoma's topic in Federal Politics in Canada
Lisa Raitt sounds like she is interested in the job. I presume that someone from Ontario, not too extreme, would have a shot. Doug Ford would be an utterly wacko choice. Liberal moles must be putting that man's name forward. -
The Next Canadian Liberal Cabinet
SpankyMcFarland replied to Big Guy's topic in Federal Politics in Canada
Between gender parity and provincial representation, merit may have a hard time being recognized. And I hope Ms. Freeland, who would be a merit appointment, will remain as keen to sanction Russian oligarchs in Canada as she was before the election. -
Harper is doing the right thing by staying on and providing continuity.
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French supporters are still steaming over Joubert's many bad decisions at the last RWC final that handed the game to NZ.
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Joe Oliver Bills for Flight and Room Upgrades
SpankyMcFarland replied to cybercoma's topic in Federal Politics in Canada
OK but what about no more comfort up front? You've seen our last two finance ministers? Do you not think they are entitled to a LITTLE consideration given what they had to put up with otherwise? There seems to be this relentless desire to cut any public servant down to size. These guys suffer enough.