Slim MacSquinty

I understand that they do not return any money to the owner, the money is kept for a victims fund and to pay for drinking and dirving education programs. I seems that enforcement, prevention etc. are subordinated to monetary penalties. The other police issue that I was curious about was the RIDE program, My recollection was that initially it was a seasonal program which faced a court challenge since the police were effectively pulling people over without due cause, which of course is a human rights offence. An exception was made for the program as it was specifically aimed at seasonal drinking and was deemed to be an effective deterent. However the program is no longer seasonal and a review of the published statistics indicates to me that it has turned into a fishing expedition by the police. Few drunk driving charges are layed but many more minor charges and traffic violations are effected. In other words it has become a bit of a "let me see your papers" exercise. It occurs to me that there must be something more important for an $80K/yr officer driving around in a $60K car?

I have noticed a disturbing trend in the recent past where Julian Fantino and the other guy who looks like chief wigham (from the simpsons) seem to carry undue influence over public policy. First I find it a little disturbing that the sitting head of the OPP thinks so highly of himself he writes and releases his autobiography. Cops have been advocating the siezure of vehicles, legislature seems to readily agree, the street racing legislation allows an ordinary cop to criminilize a speeder and sieze their vehicle, doesn't this fly in the face of due process, sure when you catch a drunk driver you have to take his car away as they are in no shape to safely drive, but I do not see how that equates to speeding. Furthermore, I find it troubling that speeding 50k over in a school zone is seen as no worse than 50k over on a lonely stretch of the 401, wouldn't it be more appropriate to have the fines based on the percentage over, or can't cops do math? Now they are going to seize the vehicle of the multi time drunk driver and they will have to forfeit title to the crown, I do not see how taking the car is a resolution to the problem, in fact it will probably cause undue grief to others. What if the drunks spouse, child, sibling needs the car to go to work. How is this just not spiteful, or have we so vilified alcoholics that we assume they have no family or friends? Why could the crown not prohibit multi time drunk drivers from owning a vehicle, same efffect less collateral damage? Is it just me or does anyone else notice this trend?

You have an excellent imagination, going from the desire for a strong military to enlistment and warmongering, good for you. I once saw a spider eat a fly, soon there will be no flies.

Unfortunately science has become politics and money seems to be the motivation. In the million odd years of earth history it seems to me that a couple of hundred years of climate data is a pimple on an elephant. I understand that Mars is also getting warmer and to the best of my knowledge nobody's mining coal there. On the other hand pumping all this s*it into the air is probably not good for us and a reasoned approach to reducing emisions is bound to be good, I'm just not willing to be subjegated to a third world country to be a planet do gooder, and raising or creating new taxes has in my lifetime not resolved a single problem.

Here's hoping your right! The last thing this country needs is an arrogant sociology professor in charge, hell when I went to school most of them thought of Marx as a hero and communism just needed another chance. I'm very hopeful for a CON majority and a move toward civil liberties and better democracy. I would be very encouraged to see property rights in the charter.

Dion doesn't have the "stuff" he looks like Beaker, he mutilates my mother tongue and he can't make up his mind on the issues, then again Chretien was funny looking, also mutilated my Mother tongue and ruled by the polls. Chretien didn't really have much of an opposition at the time, so I hope history doesn't repeat itself. The Liberal's are very divided, underfunded and not enthusiastic about going to the polls. The Cons have done very well as a minority, although I do suspect that enough of the voters are still skeptical based on the Liberal campaign of neo-con BS. The proof however is in the pudding and despite all the chicken little stuff the sky remains. If the Democrats win in the US it is very likely they will pursue a protectionist, anti free trade policy which would be very bad for Canada. Harper will be viewed more favourably, the US is unlikely to tolerate a Liberal American bashing government in Canada and will be further motivated to turn their backs on us.

I think the CONS are doing a very good job, no corruption, they almost always do what they say they would do, they are doing a good job on foriegn policy, are dealing with the silly premiers well and are making reasonable compromises on the environment. What the hell do Canadians want? If Ontario and that cardboard cut out they call premier are the example then they just want sweet nothings and promises wispered in their ears with no phone call the next day!

[ QUOTE(Borg @ Feb 19 2008, 11:16 AM) I see margrace has successfully tossed a grenade in the room and walked away. Surprized or not - no one has taken her to task - instead they have started blathering about past and present practise and theory. Well done margrace you have showed your true colours again. Borg And I hope it opened a few peoples eyes on just how sneakiy this gov't is. Women in particular need to pay attention., The only eye opener is the sneaky way Liberals like you twist the facts to scaremonger! Despite all the skeptical monster theories about Harper from the last two elections, the monster has never materialised. He ain't perfect but he sure isn't scary. Harper has explicitly stated that he does not beleive in abortion, but he would not impose his beliefs on others. That seems perfectly honest and logical, many folks probably feel exactly the same way. In the US they have similar laws which allow a perpetrator to be charged for killing both Mother and unborn child, it is well supported by both sides of the abortion argument. As for abortions they should not be legal beyond the point where the fetus is viable, don't you see it as hypocritical as a society where we spend huge dollars saving premees at the same time we are willing to abort up to the time of birth? I read a comment once that said the fetus is a parasitic virus up to the point of birth, what kind of human being could actually feel that way, it frightens me. I sure could not imagine making the decision to abort a child myself, but I also couldn't imagine telling someone else they could not (within reasonable bounds). Doctors and health care professionals should be able to serve their patients according to their own beliefs, and many will not perform abortions or not perform late term abortions, that I believe is their right.

Have you read Bob Rae's latest book? It's nothing short of hillarious, I'll spoil the ending, he converts to capitalism! It seems after living most of his life on various government sponsored annuities, he finds himself the Premier of Ontario where for the first time in his life he discovers that you have to balance a budget! That brilliant discovery in his mid forties leads to the conversion. If you seriously think the NDP are capable of running the federal government you should go over to the Rabble forum and see what a bunch of scary, self righteous nutbars have to say, Orwell was an optimist!

You guys all missed one interesting point vaguely related to this topic; All the liberals lefties who eagerly support this guy, also want to compel us to wear seatbelts, smoke while in the center of the road (to be 9m from a doorway), have an inquiry every time someone dies by accident and so on. These same people, one may assume, adhere to the theory of evolution, so why not have a public health free for all and let natural selection take its course? I was under the impression, based on what I've been told by Sikhs, is that their hair is not to be exposed in the outdoors or in public, therefore all our friend would have to do to satisfy his religion and our laws is take his turban off in private, install his helmet and carry on his way, reverse the process at his destination and all is well. Perhaps that's just too much effort?

I'm pleased we'll get a CPC government small minority as it is. I think we're in for interesting times as Libs seem bitter, Brison was actually cut off by Mansbridge as he was continuing to spew rhetoric. Also some of the media pundits are saying that this is only a protest vote. This is an opportunity for serious discussion on important matters for this country, no more spewing venom, I hope we don't have a sore loser attitude. The sun will be bright tommorrow.

[quote name='eureka' date='Jan 21 2006, 04:01 PM' post='90468'] If you were listening to your own leader, you would know that he has promised to appoint Conservative judges. To fo that, he would have to abandon a rather complicated process that ensures judicial impartiality: a process that has been with Canada from its beginning and has provides us with a judiciary that is indeed independent. Do you read anything that isn't Liberal propaganda? First off that isn't what he said, even if he wanted unless he murdered them, he'll only get the opportunity to appoint on judge this term. I doubt you could even find many right wing judges since the Liberals have so dominated the patronidge appointment business in this country throughout the spectrum even the lower court judges. With Harper, you will get the corrupt Civil Service and Courts you deserve. He has told you so. Wasn't it a Liberal trying to convince us a couple of weeks ago that the Liberal politicians were all clean in the Adscam affair and was trying to blame the civil servants. What a crock.

Elections are generaly only about one maybe two actual issues, remember the last few, corruption vs scary, before that Kim Cambell's "election campaigns are no time to talk about issues" vs Chretiens I'll be safe, before that free trade vs no free trade. Remeber why we are having an election, this government was found to be corrupt, how deep it runs and how much they stole we are not sure. But it is suffice to say money was stolen confidence was lost. The smear and fear has diverted media attention from the root issue, the Liberals well know that there is really no effective way to counter the accusation of the "hidden agenda", yet they (the CPC) are forced to try and answer which just confuses the average voter who spends much less time thinking about elections than the average internet poster. The end result is that doubt replaces anger and the past becomes vague, and it is the Liberals only effective tool to counter the very well run CPC campaign. This will be their last opportunity to use this strategy as each time its used it becomes a little less effective and the polls bear this out. The truly sad thing is that the media fall for it and unwittingly or otherwise become co-conspirators, the facts are that these are generaly generational issues, both sides have virtually identical positions, there is nothing in the Liberal platform that says they support abortion, the SSM issue has significant opposition within both parties, so in many ways its a moot point between the two main parties. The only really scary thing in the whole campaign is the palpable (and often misplaced) hatred the reactionary left demonstrates to their opponents and the media's inability to research what extreme right wing might really mean both here and in other countries, because we do not have a right wing party in Canada. The bottom line is we have to clean up partisan politics in this country, clearly this election demostrates that smear debases the real issues that deserve debate, we need to clean up government to remove patronage and cronyism to have effective and efficient government.

quote: He is helping your religous fanatical base demonize the word "liberal" just as He did in the USA. No one is doing a better job of demonizing the word liberal than the Liberals themselves. He has allowed you to continue unshaken in your belief that meanness and self interest is the natural order amongst men: at least He has not yet sent a bolt of lightning to change your opinions. Meanness and self interest? You mean like dishonestly spreading false accusations agianst your foes or stealing millions of tax dollars for your own party.

That will prove an interesting endevour, Inuit are extremely well armed, and very good shots. I might suggest a generous bounty as motivation.

You silly silly people, why oh why do you know so little? It is an American tradition fro presidents to say "God Bless America", Bush did not invent this. I sincerley hope "God Blesses Canada"

This is the stupidest, weekest thread yet, what have the Liberals done so well in foreign policy, hell they can't even figure out the US and they're practically immersed in it. One man does not a government make we have stacks of foreign policy advisors that the Liberals have apparently not listened to for years. Unless we are looking to export corruption into the increasingly competive world market the Liberals have no advantage over the green party in regards to foreign policy. Moral and intelectual bankruptcy can be the only explaination for the beginning of this thread.

Thank you, we all need to be reminded of that sometimes. These discussion boards and the recent blogs have done wonders to counter the superficial "news" on TV. The political partisanship and in particular the desperation of the Libs is the result of a government system that allows to many "spoils" for the victors which promotes the clinging to power for the various perks as opposed to the old concept of public service. We need to change this system to remove this pork barrel mentality.

Quote: This topic is about valid concerns on many peoples minds and it is appropriate here or any political discussion board. While the discussion thread may take different forms, the starting point intentionally the same. To save time (and fingers) cut and paste is sometimes appropriate. Most reasonable discussion board participants will understand that. How many boards did you post the exact same "statement" which conforms exactly to the Liberal "talking points"? Whether or not you are prepared to have a reasonable discourse without resorting to accusations that any opposing opinion is a plant, is of course totally up to you. There are plenty who can articulate their arguments well and have engaged a good debate. Yet these 5 points have withstood a lot of prodding and poking. If you really want discourse and you've just "discovered" this board then go back and read the many rebuttals and explanations on previous threads. Otherwise you're not interesting in learning anything you're just making statements. There are a great many people who are as vehemently opposed to Harper and I am. They are not plants. They care about the future of Canada. I give credit to Harper for pulling off a great campaign ... However he is not fooling me and these posts are intended to ensure that he has less opportunity to fool others. Thats all well and fine, but your whole premise is that your guy cares more than their guy, that is unadulterated bull **it. And somehow your better Canadians than everyone else, and wrapping yourself in the flag is the last act of a desperate despot. Many of us have watched Harper for a long time, done considerable reading and have done the same as regards Mr. Martin. MY conclusion is that Martin wants his name in the history books, Harper wants to make his country better, Harper's plan is well considered, publically debated and supported by a policy convention, not made up on the fly and shrouded in vagaries like "values" which is historically the Liberal way of diverting attention away from their real agenda. That agenda is, and has been since WW2, to ensure that they and their elite a) stay in power and get rich doing so. The jig is up get over it.

quote: For those who have chosen to downplay Canada and our accomplishments in this thread, here is what is behind the assertion that we are respected in the world... We are one of the few industrialized nations that has managed to dramatically reduce dept and get the economic house in order. In this global climate, other governments very much respect that accomplishment. And you credit the Liberals for ecomonic performance gained through the free trade agreement which they opposed? This while they taxed the **it out of ordinary Canadians and ran the provinces into the ground? The only reason we balanced the books are free trade, the low dollar and Michael Wilson's budget. We had a leadership at the time (including some opposition leaders) that were capable of seeing beyond the moment to asses the ramification to Canada of blindly following the US into the Iraq mess. Unfortunatley Harper was not among them and chose to push for our involvement which was a bad choice. This is pure bull **it. It's always nice to look back in history and re-arrange the truth. We have been involved in peace keeping and have made tremendous contributions when disasters occur. We are there and visible in a positive way across the world. We have been quite successful on the international front in terms of some of out foreign policy directions. With second rate equipment and an emasculated military, imagine what we could do if we tried, don't credit the friggin political party credit the men and women in the uniform. GOOF Whether you are prepared to accept it or not, there is a great deal of respect for Canada because we did not blindly follow Bush into the Iraq mess. Many in the US are now vehemently against the deception and the invasion and there is extreme backlash against Bush and others. Somehow our leaders withstood the enormous pressures at that time, saw the warning signals, and stood our ground in spite of the risk of not making Bush happy. Bush is not the entire US, they have a somewhat functional government that is less prone to theft than that which we have at present. Americans think of us as a cold Argentina, we're good for cheap labour, oil and good skiing. Get over your smug self appreciation. Martin's idea of diplomacy is to suck up to China. The best leaders can look beyond the present election and get beyond naval gazing. When you compare Harper with Martin ... Harper spends his time pointing fingers and looking for opportunities to lure voters to get his party elected... not much vision beyond that. Martin spends much more time with vision and is passionate about the opportunities for Canada. Martin is a screw up, that's why they call him Mr. Dithers, he is running an election campaign on vague ideas about values, governments don't impose values that's stupid. Harper has run an excellent campaign based on issues and policy, that's what government is supposed to do. Go back to watching the CBC if you just want to feel smug and self righteous, leave the government to people with real ideas.

I'm trying to read these using the voice of William Shatner in my mind it just seems perfect.

You foolish, foolish Conservative supporters, the Liberals are far more intelligent and sensitive than you, stop bothering to look up policy, or read quotes in context, ye of little faith must simply listen. Listen carefully, the Liberals will tell you what their opponents policies are (both those spoken and unsaid). Their spidey senses help them read between the lines and determine their opponents real feelings. You could never do this as you have no feelings you're insensitive. Now as for faith, you've been fooled into beleiving that this could somehow be associated with religion, you guys are soooo backward, the messiah was named Pierre, you know he has his own mountian now and soon we'll be able to make pilgrimidges there. Now go back to watching TV, but make sure its the CBC.

So we didn't have any military bi-planes available?

Did you hear that Osama? Saddam? Adolf? COME ON DOWN!!! Why not, they can vote from jail!