betsy

Your own cited article did say as much: "Canada will lead the other G7 countries in economic growth in 2009, a muted honour considering that the global economy should slow markedly, according to a new International Monetary Fund study released Wednesday." So who was the sitting government for the last two years to make it possible so for us to lead the other G7 countries in economic growth? Considering that the global economy should slow markedly? Was it the Green Shifters? Or the Conservatives who were in government? Furthermore there was an interview of an economist from University of Toronto who clearly stated that the IMF commended the way Canada was going. This is not a figment of my imagination. I don't only hear what I want to hear. I hear the facts that are reported. I had tried searching for sites about the latest IMF report....but it's hard to find one! Usually when there's something positive about Canada, especially when it comes being the world's leader, you never hear the end of it! So why suddenly this deafening silence? Considering when we're in the midst of one of the most disastrous happening in global economy...and WE'RE LEADING THE WORLD! I know why. It's counter-productive for the liberal-biased media to report the very thing they don't want to hear. That the Conservative plan is very effective, and therefore the completely contrary Liberal plan will be disastrous! No bias? Yoo-hoo.

Except to obtuse reference about 9/11, what do you have to say about this? On the last week-end of the 40-day campaign to elect a new government in Canada, the IMF and a Conference of the G7 reported facts that could only be favourable to the government in power in Canada over the last year during the economic crisis that the world is facing. Not only did they say that Canada's economy is head and shoulders above other western powers and that the Canadian banking system is the best and most stable in the world, they also endorsed the current Canadian government's actions over the last year or so. The problem was the media completely ignored these commendations in interviews and political commentaries for the last three days of critical election campaign. Does this not seem odd? Had there been evidence that the Liberal or indeed any of the other parties were on the right track...even remotely, I have no doubt that the CBC and all other Canadian television media would've made a giant fuss, especially had they been able to throw it in the face of the Conservative government. Even a liberal with half-a-brain...and there are lots out there... would be able to see this bias. Witholding this critical information not only exposes the media in this country as shamelessly biased, but also shows them as neglectful, incompetent and irresponsible. They're serving themselves, not the public they're meant to serve.

Mind you, Dion himself was quick to chop off his MPs heads by firing them for any insensitive or stupid remarks! The firings were done in a flash - a knee jerk reaction for the sole purpose of winning. There was no semblance of reflection over these decisions. He was only too quick to offer them as sacrifice.

I'm curious, what do you say about this? Liberal MPs and supporters send anonymous e-mails to kick their fallen leader. Volpe was the first one to come out with his machete to publicly deliver the first blow in an Italian newspaper interview. He toned down his attact on MDuffy, saying he wants Dion to leave with dignity. All these happening barely 48 hours after Dion's crushing defeat. They didn't even give him the grace to grieve for a few days. What's all the rush by the contenders to the throne? Is this a Canadian "value" that we all share? I don't know about the rest of you, but it's not mine. Is this a sample of "decency?" Is this what the Liberals mean by "EMPATHY?" Is this how we Canadians empathized? And to think that Dion is one of their very own. I mean....it's bad enough to be so insensitive and cold - another descriptions the Liberals have been throwing at Harper - but to turn and chop up your own family....I'd hate to see what they would do to someone outside the party.

Democratic? Some Liberal-leaning media edit or distort the context of interviews. Some of these media let their bias and own opinion influence the reading public. This is propaganda! I don't blame Harper and his MPs for avoiding the media when they're getting unfairly ambushed a lot of times!

"This is a headstrong individual who refused to listen to seasoned advice in preparing for the election, ignored internal pleas to change the channel from the environment to the faltering economy during the campaign and, when he was finally pulled to the back of his campaign bus on Tuesday to be informed the election was lost, reacted with defiant disbelief to the news." http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/el....html?id=888581 Yes, big difference. When the polls are showing the path to a coffin, and your party is in a panic and pleading....I guess the survival of a party takes precedence over one's own dream of personal glory.

As the Liberals try to drag out the broken Dion for more torture and humiliation - barely 48 hours since his defeat - the media, armed with dinner knives begin to slice in deeper to get a better view of the vitals. Liberal MPs and supporters send anonymous e-mails to kick their fallen leader. Volpe was the first one to come out with his machete to publicly deliver the first blow in an Italian newspaper interview. He toned down his attact on MDuffy, saying he wants Dion to leave with dignity. All these happening barely 48 hours after Dion's crushing defeat. They didn't even give him the grace to grieve for a few days. What's all the rush by the contenders to the throne? Is this a Canadian "value" that we all share? I don't know about the rest of you, but it's not mine. Is this a sample of "decency?" Is this what the Liberals mean by "EMPATHY?" Is this how we Canadians empathized? It is interesting to note that most of these media had been silent throughout the campaign, I guess hoping against hope that by some stroke of miracle Dion will manage the improbable and emerge to unseat Harper....or to give Harper a humiliating weaker minority. They've got news for us, folks. There was no such "team!" Dion is now being exposed as a dictator of the party! Ironically painting him with the very same brush they've painted Harper with. Former Liberal Party President Stephen Ledrew called him "intellectual arrogant!" Jane Taber labelled him repeatedly as "stubborn!" He doesn't listen to anyone! So, what team were they talking about? So it shows he's a one-man army after all...just like they say about Harper. Remember how the Liberals and the media used that against Harper? Hah! At least Harper is open about it! And this brings about the Liberal hypocrisy about "open-ness!" This pretense of being something you're not! "Team" my foot, indeed! Mike Duffy had described an example of "disconnect" between Dion and the public during the last week of the campaign. When the public is worried about the economy, some people had expressed worries about the Carbon Tax, and Dion was described as "brushing aside the worries of people" by the lame response of "go to the website and read the Green Plan. It explains everything." The media is using the word "disconnect," the very same word the Liberals had used to twist Harper's statement to denounce him when he stated the fact regarding "buying opportunities." Well it seems puffing along and playing street hockey with youngsters does not resonate well enough....nor does trudging on knee-deep snow of the outdoors. So Liberals and the media touting Harper about his blue sweater....yet no one touted Dion about his props! Although Harper did not get his majority....it seemed that his blue sweater had given him a breakthrough in some areas where he wouldn't normally have. That sweater obviously resonated some warmth to some of the women and some "traditionally" Liberal-dominated ridings. And the media and the liberals are whining that here we are after spending millions of dollars and we're back to square one with no change. No change??? You only need to look at the Liberals and say with honesty that there has been no change! Starting with Dion! No need to explain other changes...about the advantage(s) the Conservatives had earned! Even the NDP had experienced some change! The Green Party's change was through the humiliating realization that when push comes to shove....the public doesn't buy going all out on the environment! Side-deals does not guarantee victory...in this case, for both dealers. Floor-crossers did not come back! I do hope the public sees this farce that's been spoon-fed to them by both the Liberals and the media. And to think that all it takes is the resounding fall of a leader to have them all come out with their cudgels and clubs to finish him off....showing their brand of values....their own interpretation of "empathy" and sense of decency....and shamelessly showing how they've been distorting and lying all along!

I think the arrogance comes from the feeling of "entitlement." It's been touted that the Liberals feel and consider itself the "natural" governing Party of Canada. It's coming out now - about Dion - how since April, 2008 he's been sent a memo by party advisers recommending he scuttle his Green Shift Plan. This was discussed last night on MDuffy Live, with a copy of the said memo. Dion's office responded to the memo stating that this is Dion's brainchild and that it should get all the support it can get to bring it out and promote it. Until the end, other Liberal MPs and advisers were trying to convince him that the Green Shift is hurting instead of helping in the campaign. Former President of the Liberal Party, Stephen Ledrew, described Dion as "intellectual arrogant."

Hold your horses.....there's speculation too that Dion may not give his resignation, but instead insist to stay on for a few months. There are rumours that his wife wants him to stay.

I don't think Harper will use the motion of confidence. I'm betting he'll come up with something to get it passed.

Liberal Leader Rae will result in a Blue wave in Ontario!

Comparing it to the age of sexual consent is not right. Children are not killers! Some children can be tried as adults in our society depending on the crime....so nothing really new there. It is Khadr's father who got his own son brainwashed to become a killer. What was his mother doing during that time? What about his older sister? Did they do anything to stop the father from doing this to his son...or did they abet and were actually his accomplice?

Adults don't normally kill people. Full intention to kill or maim cannot be compared to sex or smoking or watching porno films. It is sad that some children are programmed to hate and kill. Sad it may be, in some cases, we can't let emotions rule. His crime happened during combat. He is lucky that he sits awaiting trial. Tell me how will you handle this scenario: You are a soldier. A 10 year old strapped with bombs is rushing at you with determination. You warn him to stop. He refuses to stop and just keeps on coming. What will you do?

Myata, Tango and JBGlobe: Do you classify child-soldiers as abused children? I'm just curious. Please explain why whether you answer yes or no. Thanks.

They're talking about a meeting Harper is calling in November to discuss the economy. I don't think I heard anything about a swear-in ceremony. Anybody knows anything about this?

Assuming that all Conservative MPs all agree with him on an issue, how many more MPs does he need to agree with him for it to pass? It's been shown from previous incidents that there were MPs who voted against the dictate of their Party Leader. If Harper was able to govern before like he had a majority, what more now when he's been given a solid minority? And this man has a knack for getting his way.

Will there be any floor-crossers this time around?

Having those additional 16 seats gives him more flexibility for maneuvering. It's almost a majority. All it takes is a few votes from the oppositions who happens to agree. In some legislation in the House of Commons, like the Afghan war if I'm not mistaken some opposition voted with him and against their own party. Some party members vote with their conscience or what's best for their own constituents.

What Diefenbakerisque fits? Like how?

He governed like as if he had a majority in the past two years. What more now, when he's earned several more seats? Yes, I see him governing as a majority leader. I like that.

It's not because we don't understand. We understand very well. We're not delusional like our left-wing opponents. The fact that a rational, intelligent and competent leader is scary to liberals is the very reason why we don't want Liberals in power. Rational, intelligent and competent are not Liberal strong points. Conservatives are grateful for what WE have. And of course grateful for what you DON'T have.... Of course you're right about Harper and his economic background. He, ulike others, knows what he's talking about. And for those very same reasons, his leadership qualities and competence and intelligence...he makes a great Prime Minister. A Conservative one. Why would we want another Liberal Party? We already have 3 or 4! They're called the OpposistionS! What??? He gained 16 seats! And it looks like he got them all from the Liberals. Heck, we'll take what we can get. He only had to compete with the Liberal TEAM - Chretien, Martin, Rae, Ignatieff et al - notice there's somebody missing? WHO???? Bob Rae, the ex NDP? Remember what he did to Ontario. Gerald kennedy? He can't stop talking long enough to listen. Michael Ignatieff? An ex-pat who's come back to Canada looking for a job. Don't be too surprised if he's the first to cross the floor. After all, he is a conservative at heart. All be it....an unprincipled one. Now, imagine which one of your team are you going to try next time? Or are you going to use them all again?

By the way, he'll also have a majority after the first two years!

The way I figure it is this: if he calls an election every two years, and gains 18 seats each time. In 18 years he'll have ALL the seats. And he's still young!

Maybe Dion will cross the floor?

So it wasn't a majority. But Harper is back...and with more seats to boot! Wit a very solid minority! Only 13 seats shy of a majority? With no additional help from Quebec! But what about the Liberals? Losing more seats. Losing seats in ONTARIO! And to think that all the big-wigs of the Liberals were out in full force - actively campaigning! CHRETIEN MARTIN IGNATIEFF RAE Why did they lose to this one man?