no1ninja

It's relevant because Martin had a lot of pressure by groups urging him to spend that surplus on social programs and commercial economic stimulation. Being a tightwad, he did not. In Ireland they did just that. They spent money they did not have. They were booming for a while, fastest growing economy in Europe. I guess you can say the "global recession stopped" them... as if they had sustainable policies, lol, they contributed to this "global economic slowdown" you attribute as their unpredictable demise.

It seems, Ireland couldn't find a brain damaged monkey. (With interest rates that low, a lot of other heads of state thought it was free money time.)

Yes. If Chretien was there at the base, while they beat that Somali teen. Then yes, he too would be responsible in my books. This was Harper's show off party to the world. Come see how we beat up on our citizens. Watch us herd our dissenting masses and take away their rights. (It didn't have to happen. I watched this city be peacful through a black out.)

They were flown in from as far as Calagary and even the east cost. This was not just a provincial thing, this had foreign dignitaries in the mix. The feds needed to be in control at all times. (In fact I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the 20 something out of province cops were happy to be beating up on the Toronto unwashed.) The tactics used, were something us GTA folks never seen in our lives. (it was not consistant with day to day policing in the city, this wasn't just a bunch of Toronto cops saying lets beat up some protesters. Too much money was spent on PLANNING and the latest communications gear was deployed. How they missed the galss breakers, when they were practically breathing down the neck of grandma with a jesus sign is beyond me. It was odd, that the protesters which were the most rowdy the police moved away from, yet they had 300 pounder on bubble girl.)

I think you are going with the argument that Harper's right foot does not know what his left is doing... its too complicated. Look guys, what happened was a serious thing. People's rights were violated. I think Trudeau is the epitome of Canadian politics, but he should have been charged for the shit his admin pulled. This is not about being bi-partisan for me, I will jump a liberal just as fast for violating my rights. You conservatives need to get your heads out of your asses and realize that what happened at the G20 was a disgrace and it wasn't some little minor thing. Citizens rights were violated. Russia has been more conducive to protests under Putin than what was displayed by our authorities. A SERIOUS wrong was committed, this is not even debatable anymore, its public record now. There should be groveling, apologizing, and resignations. This isn't a joke people, we need to be vigilant with our rights. It's not, okay to watch your neighbour get roughed up by the cops for being outside.

They were flown in from all other provinces. This was hardly just a Metro Toronto Police effort. This was RCMP. It took years of planning to look this incompetent.

I wouldn't be so high on your horse just yet. For instance, I would say that there has never been a time where so many have been disenchanted with the system. Those numbers you cite are the decided. I am willing to bet that there is a large segment out there that is not happy with their predicament and could very easily muck up a poll if the right campaign got to their hearts. Canadians are seasonal politicians, best wait for the starting gun.

Good point Gwiz. Also, with these techs... it takes years to iron them out. Newer in military, does not always mean better. Sometimes you are the guinea pigs and do not have the relevant data to know how systems function under varying scenarios. With new equipment, you often need new conflict, so that the staff has improvisational experience which can only be gained through trial.

The point is that you can marry for money or you can marry for love. Some will be lucky and marry for both. However, if you only worry about the money ("as in the economy") you can easily walk into a bad marriage. Regan looked like a champ spending the money... his successors are the ones stuck looking like fools.

Yes concentration camps start of just like this. Whether you were Japanese, Jewish or Gypsie, the government would suspend your rights and due process. I talked to someone who grew up in Warsaw in that time. This is what he told me. The Germans would cordone off an entire neighborhood. Everyone in that sector needed to have valid papers. If you forgot them at home, because you were lazy, there was no time at all to call someone or to clarify. You were put on the back of the truck and driven to a concentration camp. Too many Jews and politicals claimed not to have papers, therefore anyone without them was put under the same fate. Now, you want to roll your eyes... well roll them. Hope it helps you, but these things happen in the blink of an eye. If its so easy to suspend your rights for a bunch of dignitaries, imagine if things got a little more complicated. I don't know what is reasonable about being detained without an explanation or being allowed your rights. Most of these people did nothing but protest peacefully. What was unreasonable about it? I did not see one example of protestor attacking the police. I saw plenty of police attacking peaceful protesters. It was beat up the citizen day. Something I will never forget, and will always attribute to Harper as long as I live. (and by the way before G20, I did not care much for Canadian politics. I will now vote to put Harper out of power. That incident is inexcusable.)

You mean the "fools" that decided to go OUT of their house rather than stay indoors like good little ants? From the looks of it, it didn't matter what you were outside for, whether it was protesting, or going to your pharmacy to fill your prescription. If you were in the area, tough luck. You really need to do more digging into what actually happened out there. You have a right to protest peacefully. 99.9% did just that. It's funny that the police were within 5 feet of the peaceful protesters, in any direction you would look, but somehow... were ordered away from rowdy ones. ...but hey, its not like there are tactics to these things. WRONG. Anytime you have citizens herded into cages like a concentration camp, without due process and under the guise of a 'fake martial law' than a lot more has been done to your liberties, than the monetary damage to the windows. This is unforgivable and the KEY REASON why HARPER even if he was half angelic should be voted out. Your charter of rights is 'pussy-footing'? There are some interesting regimes that your family can try to move to, Russia for instance has none of this political correctness BS.

This is exactly what happened... they went after anyone wearing black. Great police work when dealing with a crowd. Were there idiots out there, yup. Sadly, the ones with baton damage are old ladies and men with prosthetic legs.

Nothing like fixing those windows by smashing the first persons head you see in the vicinity.

Forgive me if I am worried about the heads of innocent Torontonians, who had nothing to do with smashing those windows. Last I heard we did not beat up entire groups because one person violated the law. The conservatives stole a lot more. These cozy relationships with corporate entities that are not feeling the recession, but are getting huge tax breaks just the same are taking more funds from you than a half a bill. Sorry, english is not my native language, but that is still not a good enough excuse for not C&P into word. He has not broken the law, I will go after him with my vote. I suggest you do the same.

They felt a lot safer than Torontonians on their own street. Rubber bullets used for the fist time in the history of Toronto. How many more heads have to be bashed so that they feel safe? I agree with you fully. The worst thing they can steal from you is your rights. They will always figure out how to get your money. I wouldn't charactarize a whole party by one thief, there is the example of Brian Mulroney. Honest to goodness conversation. I asked what was the state of the legal system in Canada and got a candid response from a lawyer that is more conservative than anyone I usually talk to. It wasn't about the politics for this guy, it was about the law. He was worried that our country was loosing its way, on behest of our naighbours to the south. He must be looney, after all we know that America stands for freedom.

LOL, Under the guise, "of being worried about the economy", the Americans gave out 7 Trillion to banks. Let's be careful who's interests we are serving. Looking at just the economy, may put us in the same prediciment our neighbours down south are facing.

I don't really understand how anyone can vote for Harper after what happend in the G20 protest. It was Canada's turn to beat up their citizens in front of world leaders. I guess that is how g20 nations show hospitality. ...and why does Harper want to make Canada a prison state? Is this really what Canada is about? Super prisons? I much rather go liberal with a scandal here and there, than have someone that is out of touch with the freedom that we have as Canadians. EDIT: Was talking to a lawyer friend of mine, and he shakes his head about Harper. Told me that he has never witnessed such disregard for Canada's charter as he has under Harper. I just don't understand why anyone would vote to have the US extension of the war on citizen rights here in Canada.