Drea

We also lent them out to other ranches in the area and charged a pretty penny for their "services".

Leafless, we've never tried to go after the European market. We've been pretty stupid (lazy, complacent) all these years, always relying on the US to buy our resources. We should be aggressively marketing our Canadian "stuff" (resources ft.) to the EU to broaden our base.

Buy your stuff??? LOL They do not want your stuff, they want your resources. Capitalist??? Japan and China are going to take you to the cleaners. You think you are insulated being in Canada? Do you own any resources? LOL. You talk like some big cheese, big talk. Funny man. I didn't mean my stuff personally. Silly. Of course I mean Canada's resources -- we are a resource based country. Wood, lumber, minerals... stuff. And yah, as a matter of fact, as a citizen of this country I DO own the resources. Our resources, for the most part, belong to the "crown". Look it up if you don't understand. I'm no Canadian cheddar. Just a sales rep with an interest in world affairs. And with a name like "Drea" you assume I am a male? You must know some girly men there Ft. ;-) All I want is for Canada to ensure a market for our resources. Preferrably many markets. For too long we have depended wholy on the US to buy our "stuff" and in today's economic climate (globalization, the decreasing power of the American dollar, etc.) we need to look out for #1.

No, we had 7 very horny bulls. LOL They were Dad's favorites and got the best of everything! The best silage the best paddock the best medicine.

Funny how some folks want us to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Americans no matter what they do simply because we are next door. Would you stand by your neighbour if he's shooting up the neigbourhood? Would you stand by him even if you think he's delusional? If he says "The neighbours in the blue house are out to get me!" Do you believe him or do you investigate the blue house neighbours yourself? (I love analogies!) Reminds me of that cartoon -- two dogs, one little one which keeps jumping up and down "Hey Spike lets play!" (or something like that) and the big dog says "Ah Shad up!" and slaps the little dog down. Well Canada is no longer the little dog. We used to be. We used to look at America with wistful envy but now we look on America with disgust. Sorry but that is the truth. The world has not changed in the last 6 years. America has. The only way America get get her groove back is... frankly I don't think America will ever really get her groove back. Sad really.

FT Niagra, instead of painting all arabs with the "terrorist brush" -- why not just say it like it is. People from Saudi Arabia flew planes into the buildings. Not all arabs are bad people, just as not all Americans support GW Bush's policies.

Who's, I was absolutely disgusted when this $100 a month childcare subsidy was introduced. The first story I saw was a family - a mom, a dad, a 4 year old, 2 year old twins and a baby. The mom proudly says "We are going to take the money, save up for a year and go on vacation in Disneyland!" (at the end of the year this little family has $4800 extra) Hope they are friggin taxed on the income! FFS! spending MY tax dollars in a foreign country. Grrr. The mom was a stay at home mom so they did not need daycare subsidy. BTW, there are provincial subsidies for daycare calculated by level of income (how sane is that compared to Harpers Idiot scheme) AND if you are low income you also recieve a "child tax benefit" from the federal and provincial govts. When I was low income I recieved $278 per month for one child. (I was earning $27,000/year then).

Yes! and I personally will be responsible for the overthrow of America and the institution of China as "world overlord"! *holy crap I had no idea I have so much power -- lil ol me!* The US economy is going to tank. That is a given. Of course Canada could go down with 'em OR we can seek new markets. China is a biiiig market. I compared the two (China and the US) because China is where we were 50 years ago. The middle class is up and coming and will be a powerful buying force in the near future. UNLIKE the US, whose middle class is getting poorer and poorer. Housing starts down 14% for example... As a selfish capitalist, I just want a market for our stuff. I don't give a rats ass what kind of human rights or whatever, as long as there is money to buy the resource.

Liam, I'm not understanding the meaning you are trying to get across. I'm sorry for coming across as sarcastic. The world (and a good many Americans) are sick and tired of the rhetoric coming from the Bush League. The sooner they are outta there the better and hopefully America will get back to being her real self instead of this paranoid/war mongering Bush America. Ft. Niagra you are buying into the notion that arabs caused all our problems -- not so. This "war in Iraq" and "war on terror" were in the works long before 911. Don't be fooled, arabs are certainly not out to terrorize us all. I apologize for anti-Amercian bigotry, but it's now worldwide and nothing is going to stop it. The world is looking at America and not liking what it sees anymore. That is not the fault of the rest of the world, that is the fault of the current US policy and how it has been percieved around the world.

Yes Oysters! I'd forgotten all about that. Mom battered fried 'em and we fed them to my uncle from the city -- we all laughed -- they were not really on the menu. We told him they were "Rocky Mountain Oysters" and he fell for it. HA! We had cow horses (lol, not a mix of a "cowhorse" but working horses) as well and me my little nag would tag along when driving them up to the range. Never did we need spurs. And my little nag was a great cow horse, all I had to do was hang on, she did the rest. I loved calving season - many times a cow would reject her calf and I would get to bottle feed it. Of course I tried to never get too attached because baby steers were food. Got attached to the little heifers tho! Whatever we did to the animals on the ranch - branding, dewlapping, castrating, dehorning, etc was always done in the quickest, most painless way possible. IMO, It takes an animal lover to get up at 2am and shove your arm into the vagina of a pregnant heifer to help get the calf out! Country kids find out about the birds and the bees real quick!

Funny as in Ha Ha Funny, of Whoo hoo Funny? LOL I don't think he'll be the downfall of the country. I don't think he'll ever get to lead it. As a liberal-voter (centrist minded -- Liberals are supposed to be a tad right of centre) I am not happy with Dion as leader of the party. I actually agree with the ads. As a BCer I cannot relate to him and really no nothing about him. I know more about Obama for goodness sake! btw. what happened to the emoticons?

Yes it is called Darrone Ranch and is located 25 miles south of Quesnel. I moved there when I was 9. And yes, ffs, I meant castrating. I watched, but didn't do it though -- as a girl, in the 1970s, all I HAD to do was cook and look after the garden! Nor did I even go near the grown bulls (scared of them) but I had a horse and a Yamaha 80 to boogie around on. AND we ate beef every friggin day. I DID drive the silage truck and sell corn on the side of the road... I'd help our hired hand feed the steers and as they put their heads into the trough he'd punch 'em in the nose for fun (made me mad). The heifers were right beside the house and many times I helped with the birthing. For many years I wanted to be a vet. But alas at about 14 I discovered boys in the city and never looked back LOL. I never used a spur in my life. Nor did my stepfather, so excuuuuuuuse me for not knowing the propery terminology. "Stabbing" is an acurate description however, so I used it. But why am I justifying this to you -- for all I know you could have been feeding your goldfish that you "consider" cows... LOL

You didn't have a point. Commie bbaaaaad -- America gooooood. China is a growing economic force in the world. The USA is a dying country. Should we continue to depend on the US to purchase our resources or shall we look for new markets? I said nothing about people immigrating or emmigrating did I? But you gotta run out yelling "WHERE WOULD YOU RATHER LIVE? CHINA OR THE USA? NORTH KOREA SUIT YOU? WHY ARE NO BOAT PEOPLE LEAVING THE USA?" Well today, in 2007 I would say that the USA still has China beat regarding human rights etc, but it won't be long before China surpasses them and then there will be people leaving the US in droves (if their govt allows them to)

Catchme, it sickens me how Canadians will bow down to the US hedgemony, -- even in light of 85% of the American public who are questioning 911 and the policies of GW Bush. He may be on his way out but whoever takes his place will be a puppet too and will continue on the course as set. Democrat Obama -- cute as can be, and a fresh new face. But only a face -- the mindset remains the same. Republican Guliano (sp) -- imagine that -- a man who was obviously complicit regarding 911 running the country -- of course! Once again, the mindset remains the same. Frig, why not vote FEMA's "Your doing a great job Brownie" into office? For that matter, why not Bush's cute little dog Barney? Poor Americans! Their country has gone to hell and they know it. They know there is no changing anything no matter whether dem or rep win the "election".

Ah yes, SARS... I remember a few years ago, a school teacher from the states was going to take her class to Vancouver (BC) but didn't because of the outbreak of SARS in Toronto. Not knowing, of course, that TO and Vancouver are 3,000 kms apart! LOL Ah yes, the border... it's still safer for an American to come to Canada than visa versa. Just the other day on Global National a woman (blonde blue-eyed) reported that she was harassed by American border guards. I have yet to hear of an American citizen being harassed by a Canadian border guard. Ah yes, the lines... with all that border security (forced upon us by the US Admin) there are bound to be lineups -- but no worse than the lineups for Space Mtn in Disneyland so I fail to see this as a real problem. Ah yes, the high loonie... Americans are just going to have to get used to their "dollar store" (Canada) having had a price increase. LOL Ah yes, the liberal antiAmerican perception of Canada... you mean the liberal anti American perception of the rest of the world surely! The world and Canada are on the same page -- only the US and Isreal are stuck reading the table of contents LOL

The world was at war during those years. The world is not at war today -- no matter what the US administration says LOL. I have, a longtime boyfriend's mom was in the camps. She was from Czhecoslovakia (sp), her father was killed in the camps. So yes, I do believe there was atrocities committed against people by the Nazis. Do I believe 6 million jewish were killed. No. So you beleive that Christians who speak against homosexuality are "conspiracy theorists"? There will always be nutbars at either end of the spectrum. Some would say "No Jews were killed at all!" while others say "6 million jews were killed!". The truth is somewhere in the middle. Regardless, we should not be jailed for what we believe. We should not be jailed for questioning authority or questioning the "official version" of anything.

Hydro electric power is much cleaner that coal so we've got to give them credit for trying. Good thing (for citizens of the USA war machine) they are not looking into nuclear power! America would have to go and "win the hearts and minds" of one billion people -- can't even get 50% of their own population on board, imagine them trying to "sway" a billion "commies"! "But we bring democracy and freedom!" ahhaaa haaa haa.

I think those who don't fill out the census form should forgo anything they get from the govt'. Their children should be pulled from school, their provincial medical cut off, etc. Because if one does not fill out the census one does not exist in the eyes of the govt and therefore should not need any govt services or funding. The cenus is done so that federal transfer payments, etc can be accurately doled out. You are shooting yourself in the foot by not participating as your community stats would not accurately represent the community. For example, if a town with 4000 people, only 1000 filled out the census, then the govt believes that the population of the town is 1000 and services for 1000 (not the actual 4000) would be provided. It's baffling that right wingers think it's perfectly ok to collect personal info from the internet or wiretap phones, but they draw the line at the census. I shake my head at the hypocracy.

What if he is correct? What if there really wasn't a holocaust? Should we not be allowed to question, to examine all evidence? Or do we have to take the "official story" at face value, keep our heads down and not question anything? What if it was decided that those who question 911's offical story are criminals worthy of jail? What if it was decided that those who question the official story of JFK's assassination? What if it was decided that those who question the morality of homosexuality and speak our against it be considered criminals? What then?

And just how have we "pissed off" American tourists? I mean really, we have a conservative gov't now (not that 90% of Americans know anyway) so being "liberal" isn't the issue... We have troops in Afghanistan so not supporting America's "war on terror" isn't the issue... Our dollar is still a bargain (save 15%) so that isn't the issue... What exacly IS the issue Borg? And how can we, as Canadians get them to come back?

Of course, commies really shouldn't have nukes or space programs or big modern armies! Only western -style democratic countries should be entitled to these things. The ecomomy of the USA also dwarfs many. Have you got a link regarding "contributes little to others" or is this just an opinion? Canada is also planning to build coal fired plants -- your point? USA -- a country that is spending billions on war to take over foreign business including engery and mining. At least China is willing to buy it rather than take it. The USA -- a country that has begun (has done for a very long time) very serious inroads into the middle east to ensure continual supply of energy. Again, your point? USA -- a country that uses money and spies to enrich their technical capability. Again, your point? This one made me laugh out loud! The USA -- a dangerous country that sooner (already is folks!) or later will go to war against Iran for trumped up "terrorism" charges. The USA - a country that kills its own citizens. An apparently "civilized" country that still insists on killing its own. Shameful IMO. The USA -- a country with a dismal human rights history. Ranks at the bottom (39th I think) regarding child welfare. More children per capita are poor than in many other "less civilized" countries) Your point again? The USA has already proven that it cannot be trusted. Mistrust of China is merely speculative.Go China! -- our next big (bigger actually, much bigger!) trading partner, we have wood, ore and oil for you to buy! *hug*

This isn't the first time. After 911, Bush thanked everyone except Canada and the right wing made the excuse "Chretien is anti-American so we understand Bush's lack of thanks" Well, now that Harper is in -- what is Bush's excuse this time? If you and your neigbour and three other neighbours from down the street help you move, do you forget to thank your closest neighbour? Do you simply assume that he "knows" you appreciate his assistance? Do you thank the guy who moved one box for you while forgetting the one that moved the piano? (this folks is called an analogy) Pffft. Bush is a moron.

Obviously I am a big fan of the combustion engine. I believe that these motors were made over 100 years ago to service people like me whom are too lazy to engage in organic power. But your opinion leaves alot to be desired. My Grand Am is over 100 years old! OMG I oughta get collector plates or sumpthin! Get a grip -- factories pollute more than all the vehicles on the planet put together. And Kyoto just moves money from our (taxpayer) pockets to some buttfuck country that is SUPPOSED to use the money for "green initiatives". Will the money be used to reduce emmisions in buttfuck countries? Highly unlikely. So, why isn't some right wing organization advertising this to the public? Why not make it visual and show our money flowing out of our pockets and into foreign pockets while the emmissions from factories around the world continue to flow unabated into the atmosphere. Kyoto has nothing whatsoever to do with reducing emmissions. Its about money. MMax -- your opinion leaves alot to be desired.

NIST does not claim that fire alone caused the steel frame buildings to collapse. The NIST says that structural damage from the plane impact weakened the buildings to the point that the fires triggered the collapse. IOW - the author of that article is basing his entire argument on incorrect facts which makes all of his conclusions and assertions irrelevant.Ask yourself this question: how many steel frame buildings prior to 9/11 caught fire after being hit by planes? The answer is 0. That means that it is impossible to make any assumptions about what should and should not happen based on prior experience. you did not read the link either.... I regret putting these the two paragraphs here because you naysayers will read ONLY that. Typical head in the sand mentality.

you did not read the link typical