GWiz

You read something there I didn't? Nothing there particularily bothered me... Wasn't the first time nor the last that Canada voted instead of abstaining on those types of resolutions... - No one seemed to notice that on the same day, it voted in favour of or abstained from five other, less inflammatory pro-Palestinian resolutions. A few days after, Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew belatedly explained that the contentious vote signalled the start of a new "principled" approach at the U.N. From now on, Canada would not automatically align with any one, but judge each of the 20 or so annual resolutions on its own merit, weighing the content and language against its Middle East policy. And that policy is not changing, stressed Pettigrew. Ottawa still advocates a two-state solution in the Middle East. It still supports the Palestinian right to self-determination, but not the use of terrorist attacks. It still defends Israel's right to live in peace and security, but not its settlement expansion. Only now, Canada truly will be the balanced, honest broker it claims to be. - http://www.canpalnet-ottawa.org/shift2.html Works for me! Thanks...

Sure, go to the link BC posted a couple of posts up to get an idea of Canada's diplomatic role in the world and as it regards the Israeli - Palestinian issue... Thanks BC... So what? Playing may, might, could, is a muggs game at this point... Whatever happens it's not "the west's" call to make... At best "the west" (read USA) can influence "what happens down the road" as long as they remember they are walking on egg shells doing it...

So?

Maybe, maybe not, but is that really the question considering today's technological advances? As BC mentioned have a good look at the Growler varient alongside the F-18F... Sure sounds like a heck of a good "package" to me... Also I'm betting we can strike a pretty good deal with the U.S. re - servicing F-18s in operation around the world 10-20 years from now when the U.S switches over to the NEW tech (unmanned) Fighters... Kinda like Canada did servicing F-5s... Total cost: approx. $5-$6 Billion for 100+ planes, majority of service infostructure and training requirements already in place, far greater range and better refueling capability than the F-35, twin engine vs single engine, the list goes on and on as to why this is the BETTER DEAL for Canada... Have a look at these two earlier posts I made... NOW - http://www.mapleleaf...ndpost&p=621061 + links to back comments up... FUTURE - http://www.mapleleaf...ndpost&p=621074 + links to back comments up...

I disagree, at least in part... Being pro-west isn't what it's about... This event is strictly bottom up, so much so that no one in "the west", including Governments, knows much more about what is taking place in Egypt than you or I watching the events... A bottom up revolution can turn out a lot of ways depending on how the "support" for the revolution shakes out... So far, in my opinion, the west's "reaction" has not been such that should the anti Mubarak population win this struggle they will view "the west" in a particularily favourable light... On the other hand, the support, in particular monetary support, to enhance the life of the general Egyptian population AND Egyptian Military after this uprising will be paramount in whether or not this all turns out favourably to "the west" or not... The life blood of Egypt is tourism, western tourism, every bit as much as oil, so that alone may play a big factor in Egypt's future... I remain hopeful... As the Egyptian Military goes, so does Egypt...

Thank you... I think I am... That's not saying I agree with any of it...

Honestly, no... While there's no doubt that $5 Billion plus is BIG MONEY, the Parliament Buildings are the symbol of Canada and Canadian history as well as where our Government works and plays... They're old, they are crumbling, what does Canada look like if we can't even take care of Canada's center of Government? I've been there many times and my only regret is that this project wasn't started back when the surpluses were coming in, even though I strongly suport balanced budgets and paying down/off Canada's national debt...

Still NEW, as in when the actual plane is built... Works for me... No one saying we can't have a mix of planes with different roles when the COST is so much cheaper... Whatever works best for CANADA'S, not someone elses, NEEDS...

I strongly second that conclussion... Seems to have worked for the Cons. though, now the $300 Mil election expense, and not wanting that again, is the Canadian public's focus rather than the Con's billions of dollars of wasteful spending...

Hmmmm, good question... But then again, under and because of, Harper coming to power, Canada is no longer seen as an "honest broker" on world issues such as this... Perhaps a ruthless (as is now evident) dictator in power trumps even the possibility of a less "friendly" to Isreal regime coming to power for certain "Conservatives" both here and the U.S....

ALL bigotry should be reported to the appropriate authorities... That's what I'd do when I find it, and have, both in Canada and the U.S....

<bold by me> Sorry, gotta disagree... Reasoning requires at least a modicum of intelligence... In the case of Pliny I see no evidence of that requirement... http://www.mapleleafweb.com/forums//index.php?showtopic=17890&view=findpost&p=622184

You may have a point given how the "South" feels about Obama and the Democrats... Civil war round 2? Canada? Just don't touch Canada's health care or pensions or you'll find out what "Grey Power" really means...

Indeed... Showdown today?!?! Resolution of revolution could be in the offing today... Turn on your recorders... I knew there was a reason that the Mubarak forces were shutting down, or at least trying to, the media... If Mubarak wins today, it would probably be the WORST outcome of all, even worse than Egypt becoming an Islamist state like Iran... No way could "the west" be seen as supporting his regime after that and then it end's up as the next (Saddam Hussain's) Iraq... GROUND HOG DAY (NOT the movie just the content)... It sure seems humanity's inhumanity to man is elemental to humanity's survival and ultimate demise... Makes one think the 2012ers may end up being RIGHT...

Owch, stop that, I just woke my wife up when I started laughing, and now my stomach aches!

Not one bit... I Wonder who wrote that script? They're following it to the T... Even I was kinda shocked when the CBC reported that the Mubarak family had assets of around $40 BILLION and Mubarak himself over $17 BILLION... That kinda loot takes some time to get it all out of Dodge before riding away... CLASSIC Fascism, even Mussolini could've taken lessons & learned from this...

Gotta give Pliny some credit for being the "butt" of some good laughs... You guys know Pliny better than me, is he some mentally challenged 10 y.o. kid or something?

You're new to this thread... Scroll back through it, there's some "history" there that may change your mind... As I said, on CNN, they (the elites) were shown having a BBQ and cheering the arrival of those PRO-Mubarack thugs... They turned quite angry when the anti-Mubarak crowd fought back and didn't "run for their lives" as these people expected considering the violence and weapons the "PRO" forces attacked with... The Western media was WELCOME among the anti crowd, and now that same media is attacked and arrested by the "PRO" group and you still wonder? Hmmm... Sounds like early '30s reruns of --- never mind...

Dang it! BC's gonna kill me on this if he sees it... Canada, NO... Not unless Canada's Constitution is changed and the Royal Assent provision is removed... The Queen and her successors, through the Govenor General are Canada's "head of state"... Just try touching Canada's "free" health care system and the Gov. of the day would be lynched.. HEY, what am I saying! The U.S., being a Republic, ONLY if an appathetic public allows an extreme "Tea Party Conservative" Government to take over all three levels (Prez., Congress, Supreme Court) of power and then allows their Corporate handlers free reign to suppress the "working class" and dismantles social "safety nets", supported by a strong media propaganda machine... A perceived common enemy, say Muslims, would drive a certain unity for a time for a goodly portion of the population.... While it may take some time, sooner or later, the population WILL rebel once they start going hungry etc... That's when something like we see in Egypt could happen in the U.S.... The Bush admin. tried, but all the pieces never quite fell into place together... I am very surprised at how short a memory Americans have and that after only two years those elements that Bush et al started are regaining power... Perhaps it is the left that will rebel first, being they are becoming more and more oppressed and hopeless already... All while watching the Bourguoisie become all powerful on the backs of their labors and being told it's all their fault... Hmmmm....

psst, don't tell anyone, 1000 prisoners escaped about the same time as thousands of police and security went missing, the Egyption "elite" are staying safe and celebrating the sudden arrival of well armed "PRO-Mubarak" supporters, and today the MEDIA is the target of those same PRO-Mubarak supporters... I don't know about you but there must be a BIG fish fry somewhere, because I can sure smell it... Mubarak Family assets in Egypt (and Swiss bank accounts) $40 BILLION... Mubarak's personal assets in Egypt (and Swiss Bank accounts) $17 BILLION... HELL, cut ME in on that kind of cash and I think I could be convinced to support Mubarak - I can be bought... My Swiss Bank account # is xxx xxxxx xxx xx xxxxxx...

Amen to that...

Exactly my point... So answer the questions based on the fact that any "enemy" we could possibly face would be in conjuction with the U.S. and not against them... ie - If the F/A-18E/F "Super Hornet" is good enough as a NEW State of the art Fighter for the U.S. Navy, and other purchasers/potential purchasers of the F-35 NOW, why not us? It certainly has countless advantages over waiting for an unproven airframe some 8 years down the road... Let's hedge our bets like the U.S. Navy and those other countries including the UK which is also buying it's own brand NOW... Have a look: NOW - http://www.mapleleaf...ndpost&p=621061 FUTURE - http://www.mapleleaf...ndpost&p=621074

Bring on the USA, we can take them...

As I recall I agreed with your post... I thought it was good... Personally, I thought it'd be a more appropriate post during the Bush years than a couple of years into the Obama admin.... I have no particular animosity towards the United States or Americans nor do I have any particular vested interests in Egypt or Israel... History in unfolding... Analysing the why's and wherefores is a mugg's game at best... Can one look at history to better understand what's happening in Egypt, yes... Can on understand the feelings of Egyptians, yes... Can one understand the concerns of Israelis, yes... Simply put it's complicated... In my view my biggest concern right now is the Egyptian Military... They are the KEY... As they go so does Egypt and possibly a big chunk of the middle east, for better or worse and whether it's you, me, Harper or Obama we are simple relegated to watch... Between the 4 people I just mentioned pick the one that CAN make a difference, if not now, then when the situation resolves itself one way or another?