Mad_Michael

Yes a good point. But Dion and his supporters have never even suggested anything remotely similar to Venezuela. Harper and his supporters have mused about banning abortions, banning same-sex marriage, prayer in schools, loyalty oaths, anti-immigrant policies, etc. Ergo, there is grounds to the critique of Harper. Far-fetched, but rational grounds. No so with Dion. There is a difference here.

Are you proposing then to repeal the Bank Charter Act? That's government interference in the market. As you said, lets leave business to business. That Bank Charter Act is just government meddling. Let the banks have a free market - a real one that allows CitiBank to compete on a level playing field. (our bankers would have a heart attack at the thought of it). Canadian banks LOVE regulations that protect their monopoly - they supposedly hate all other regulations. How typical. Speaking of which, my 'conservative' father always ranted about 'red tape' and 'interference' in the markets. I always said, no problem. We'll get ride of the Central Bank and the SEC first. He never liked that argument at all.

Of course, homeostasis is the fundamental principal to all living things, however, it is seldom acheived, even within organisms themselves. Saying "when everything is equal" is more than a bit ideologically blinded. Um... wouldn't homeostasis equal death for a living organism?

Dont fall into the right wing trap. That statement is exactly what you hear out of the south. Neither Harper nor the Cons want to destroy this country. Change it maybe, but not willfully destroy it Agreed. Harper doesn't actually want to destroy the country - that is absurd. However, his policies could have that unintended effect. Most politicians really don't understand the actual policy ramifications of their own favoured policies. To use the American example, GWBush actually thought he was 'helping' the victims of Katrina and 'liberating' the Iraqis. He honestly believes those things.

Eventually people get over the emotions and do what's best for them an their families. Yes. As the Quebec example shows, the silent majority knows how to ignore the extremists and their ego-driven separatist policies. No comment is offered about how many years Ontario paid to subsidize Alberta (like every other Province in Canada). No comment is necessary. It speaks for itself. Ontario has been a net-contributor to Canada since 1867. It is the only province in Canada that can say the same. Alberta is only a recent recruit to the club. They are welcome, but not if all they can do is bitch about it. Very unCanadian that is.

For those of you who think this "loyalty oath" is a good idea, I respectfully submit that if Canada had one in 1867, women, blacks and jews would never be permitted to have any rights at all in Canada as at that time, such things were not part of any "Canadian values" and any oath at that time would have sworn to uphold the bias in the law that blocked these people out. Likewise with the French language. No thank you. I'm Canadian. I'm not afraid of other people. I'm willing to go to the barricades on this issue to defend my beloved Canadian heritage from the hatemongers. Loyalty oaths are for fascists and authoritarians.

Michael Coren is entitled to his own hatemongering opinions. I will defend his right to be a hatemonger. But Michael Coren's fantasies and delusions about incest, polygamy or beastiality are beyond consideration. The law is unequivical on that point. There is no room for such interpretations as the law stands. Either way, it doesn't matter anyway. This is just a rhetorical canard used to leverage opposition. For example, Canada ought not to sent troops to Afghanistan because to do so means Canada will be sending troops to every country on the planet and become an Imperialist warmongering nation. This is the same reasoning as Michael Coren is applying here to suggest that legalised polygamy, incest and/or bestiality is on its way by legalising same-sex marriage.

Agreed. I've yet to see ANY neocon ideas come out of the Fraser institution. Oh well, people might start using real terms one day instead of trying to instill fear with things they don't even understand. 1. This thread is ostensibly about one of them. 2. And it is rather amusing to see you rant about silly fear-mongering ideologies that people don't understand, yet you agree with the Marxist label being applied. Looks like the pot calling the kettle black.

Could you name a contemporary Canadian example of one please? I'm curious. Should be easy for you since you say there are so many of them.

Before any Canadians go on and gloat about this (as they tend to do) just remember that this poll only suggests that every other country on the planet has a worse international reputation. Canada's reputation is little to be proud of, only that it is perceived to be less obnoxious than all the others.

Evidence? Evidence of what? That Harper and the Conservatives rely upon US political consultants (and their passion for attack ads)? Or the leveraging of anti-gay policies? Or the Christian fundamentalist/evangelist angle? Or the anti-abortion rhetoric? Or the anti-Kyoto stance. Or the promise of big spending increases and big tax cuts promised this month? That is all textbook Republican stuff.

Gosh, kinda makes me homesick for the old Quebec separatists. They were equally obnoxious and self righteous, but at least they were resonably pleasant about.

Not likely. Polls don't support your contention. Besides which, you are suggesting that the Federal Liberals would lose Ontario? That is laughable. Fact is, the Federal Liberals are strong in Ontario. Thus, to have a succesful leader one needs someone who can carry the rest of the country. During the Liberal Leadership convention, all the polls consistently put Bob Rae as the strongest candidate on a national ballot.

Loyalty oaths??? In Canada??? That Fraser Institute is going downhill - very fast. Twenty years ago, they were at least sane and reasonable. They going over to US neocon la-la-land now. Not enough racists in the country (thankfully) to implement this kind of American crap.

Gosh, the numbers change (ever higher) everytime I see this rightwing talking point repeated. What's a good rightwing smear job without a little exaggeration eh?

You can expect Dick Cheney to take a medical retirement real soon. Either that or he gets indicted by Fitz on the basis of the conviction of Libby. Not good for the Whitehouse at all.

You are quite correct here. This series of ads is unprecedented outside of an actual election campaign. Though, as we've learned about the Conservatives' kissing cousins south of the border, a 100% political campaign all the time is the way they like to operate - everyday is a political campaign, every decision is a political campaign issue. Everything must be turned to partisan advantage - all the time. As a former card-carrying conservative, this stuff makes me ill. Been a long time since I voted federal conservative and I suspect it will be a very long time before I do again.

City didn't come up with that proposal. The city's own analysis recommended that the Keele/CNE/Pape line was the number one priority (from an actual transit perspective). Sheppard and YorkU/Spadina lines were discounted for being unlikely to ever be able to pay for their own operation (due to being built in the least dense area of the whole city - nothing but old cow-fields and suburban housing blocks up there - might as well build a subway system in Sudbury - likely to get the same amount of usage). Btw, the same 'Provincial-Federal' transit initiative is also going to poor money into a useless 403 transit corridor in Missisauga that no one really wants either. Interesting that the two projects that are tentatively green-lighted here are the two most expensive projects on the table. A dozen lesser expense, but higher need projects are ignored. Bottom line is that Federal/Provincial politicians seem to be very vulnerable to the interests of private developers and cater their projects to suit the developers - actual transit need be damned. And I'm going to be paying for operational subsidies for the Sheppard and YorkU/Spadina subway lines for the next 30 years. Wonderful - I have the opportunity to vote against both Ontario Liberals and Federal Conservatives to assuage my annoyance. Thank you. I feel honoured to have the privilege.

Yes, that pretty much sums up my view of the man.

It was pretty obvious at the Liberal Convention that they were chosing with their hearts and not their minds. By far and away, Bob Rae ran the best campaign for the leadership, his speach was masterful and he would likely be a very strong leader against Harper. He certainly has the experience to handle the media, campaign and the pressure of the position. That Ignatieff character totally underwhelms me.

How's the medicine taste? Huh? Do you have anything substantial to add to this discussion? Toronto has a long history of Ottawa policies jammed down our throats. Nothing new here. Doesn't matter if the PM is from Alberta or Quebec.

Are you looking for a particular contemporary example or are all the past examples allowed? (hint, check out the forced public tax funding for Catholic separate schools). Have what?

I'd have to say that would be the weakest presidential ticket ever offered to the US electorate. Two Senators, one of which is a rookie. No executive experience between either of them. Then you just don't know US politics. It ain't Canada down there. These are the people who not only elected GW Bush, but re-elected him. Don't underestimate the electoral power of the Republican party.

Sad yes. Tragic no. Henry Pellatt was no "industrialist" worthy of the word. The was a financier and he lost his fortune in the stock market crash of 1929. Gosh. Poor little millionaire had a tough life. Btw, what one thing did Henry Pellatt do for Canada for which I ought to honour his memory?

NATO is not involved in any Iraq operation. How can we take your CIA operative seriously if he's that confused about NATO? Its pretty obvious that 'peace' is not a goal of the Bush Administration.