normanchateau

Thank you jc. I have a feeling quite a few people agree with me on the marijuana issue but they're reluctant to say so because they'd be forced to agree with me on something. See, it didn't hurt. Not only Joe Clark but even Stockwell Day, when he was leader of the Alliance Party, supported decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana. Here's the link: http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/1722.html

Good point justcrowing. Australia now has a simple and effective saliva test technique that detects small quantities of marijuana in the body. Australian police use it regularly. Personally I think Canada should have such a system in place even if we don't legalize it so we can catch marijuana-impaired drivers. Whether it's alcohol or marijuana, no one should be allowed to drive impaired.

What makes a policy immature? You not agreeing with it or is there some objective standard you're employing? Is alcohol and cigarette legalization "mature" and marijuana legalization "immature"? If so, why?

I'm delighted that young adults like you are voting but I see no purpose in forcing those who don't care about the issues to vote. And the same holds for older people.

Thanks Clopin, I didn't know that there were more Muslims than Jewish people in Canada. Whether nonArab Muslims support a more proIsrael stance is debatable.

Well let's rehash. We were talking about Muslims, Christians and Jews. You then said that Christians and Jews believe in the same God. That implies that Muslims don't. But clearly you didn't mean to imply that.

I'm not a socialist and CPC supporters are mistaken if they think that every Harper opponent is a socialist. What I oppose is social conservatism, not fiscal conservatism. I'd have no problem voting for a Progressive Conservative or any other party that was not full of social conservatives. Besides, for all his faults, I'd never accuse Harper of trying to give people what they want.

Good point virgil. When the Netherlands stopped enforcing marijuana laws they found use of hard drugs went down. This is because many marijuana dealers make more money selling hard drugs than they do selling marijuana. So when they sell marijuana to their young customers, they often provide a "sample" of a hard drug. This problem disappeared in the Netherlands because the marijuana buyer can get marijuana from a cafe that does not sell hard drugs. The Fraser Institute, by the way, did an economic cost/benefit analysis and found that on virtually every economic measure, including law enforcement costs, marijuana legalization made sense. I do agree with Harper in his opposition to the Liberal decriminalization bill but that's only because decriminalization wouldn't provide the same economic benefits as legalization would. If Harper were to promote legalization, he'd inherit a huge number of NDP votes, especially in BC.

You'll have to convince Harper. He now opposes a two-tier system even though he previously favoured it.

Ridiculous idea. I may not agree with my CPC opponents on this board but at least I credit them with having considerable knowledge. I would like to think that those who vote actually have knowledge rather than are voting in order not be fined. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> would it change your answer to know that they may put a possible "non of the above" to spoil the ballot, that way if you have no favourites you dont have to vote for them. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> that would be an improvement but I see little purpose in government getting involved in forcing people to vote who are disinterested and uninformed and are voting merely to avoid a fine.

Stephen Harper announced today that his party will not re-introduce the Liberal bill to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana. He made this statement in BC, the province with the largest percentage of marijuana users where Harper is well behind in the polls. More British Columbians support outright legalization than people in any other province. Harper seems to be his own worst enemy at election time. Here's the link: http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes/ This latest Harper pronouncement is bizarre given that 69% of Canadians favour decriminalization and 47% actually favour legalization. But Harper wants to treat marijuana the same way that prohibitionists wanted to treat alcohol in the 1920's and 30's. Even the conservative Fraser Institute has called for the legalization of marijuana so that profits would flow to Ottawa rather than to the Hell's Angels and similar gangs. Here's the link: http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2004/06/09/canada/pot_fraser040609 One good thing coming from this announcement is that it might make the 8% of British Columbians who plan to vote Green reconsider and vote NDP or Liberal. Is it just a coincidence or does Harper seem to get some of his campaign platform from the US Republicans?

Martin a left wing radical? How do his policies differ from the former Progressive Conservatives? How do they differ from Joe Clark's? Or are the former PCs also left wing radicals by your definition?

They will? Every recent poll shows that a majority of those polled in BC, Saskatchewan and Manitoba plan to vote either Liberal or NDP. Numerous recent polls have shown both the Liberals and NDP ahead of CPC in British Columbia. Only in Alberta will a majority vote CPC.

In your opinion, what decisions have they made that earns them the label "radical left wing" judges? The majority of Canadians support the Liberals, NDP or BQ. Do you think this silent majority views them as "radical left wing" judges or could it be that only Harper and his supporters do?

Being uncertain does not constitute a slam. Implying that they have a different God does.

Yes it is. Time for CPC to change leaders so they can get a shot at forming government.

Well I was polled and said I was undecided. I am undecided as to who I'll vote for but I've decided who I won't vote for...CPC.

Correct, Harper's party would not be viewed as right wing in some other countries. But he's running in Canada.

The point is, second place is the first loser. The Liberals will be shut out after having many seats in Quebec. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You think that the Liberrals will be shut out in Quebec? You think the anglophone ridings and the allophone ridings will vote BQ? You think Irwin Cotler's riding isn't safe? You must be kidding. Show me one poll that suggests thus. Just one.

yep. I'd vote for that set of baggage in a heart beat, and so would 31% of Canadians as of today. We're gettng closer! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Fortunately 69% of Canadians still support parties to the left of CPC. CPC will never form a majority government with Harper as leader. they will need to adopt a leader with moderate policies like Joe Clark, Diefenbaker and the PCs did.

Ridiculous idea. I may not agree with my CPC opponents on this board but at least I credit them with having considerable knowledge. I would like to think that those who vote actually have knowledge rather than are voting in order not be fined.

Are you referring to Harper's baggage?

I never said all conservatives are untrustworthy nor did I say that all liberals are trustworthy. Claiming that I did is referred to as creating a straw man argument. There is no shortage of trustworthy individuals in both camps. As far as Quebec goes, Stephen Harper is in fourth place, lower than any conservative candidate ever has been in Quebec. Quebec won't separate and they'll continue to elect Liberals, even in 2006. But the shutout of CPC in Quebec guarantees they can't govern. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Your information may be a little dated since Quebec now hates Liberals. Ever hear of the Gomery Inquiry? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Dated? OK, you tell me which is the second most popular party in Quebec according to every single poll on the issue?

A good 70% of Canadians are not social or religious conservatives. That's why the former Progressive Conservative vote has eluded poor Stephen Harper. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Where did you get the 70% figure? Please provide some proof of this. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> See the link in my first post on the thread Half of CPC MPs are "Religious Conservatives"

My point is that you slammed Muslims. Jews and Christians don't have identical names for God either but that doesn't mean she's a different God.