betsy

Bwahahaha! Now you made me giggle some more! You guys are really serious....bwahahaha! Don't munch out too much. I ain't munching! I'm drinking! Red wine! Bwahahahaha!

Bwahahaha! Now you really got me laughing! You guys are really serious....bwahahaha!

If your kid ever comes to my daycare...and his eyes are rolling around like marbles around his head...I'll be giving your name and address to the busy-body group that wants to focus on "stoned parents!" So yeah, I'd say you should be scared!

Can you explain how dictating what individuals can and cannot wear is going to make a difference? You concede its petty and will have minimal practical effect. So what's the point? What is the big "message" being sent? A shift in tolerance! A defiance!

It's winter time now, guys. Anybody noticed how those skidoos really belch up those awful smelling fumes? I'll be taking license numbers, and if possible also names. Any future busy-body groups that want to focus on "skidoo belchers" can contact me for the list. I'll be on the look-out for every kid walking by my house and see if they are dressed properly for the season! A lot of kids start sounding like seals during winter when they cough! They give me the creeps. I'll be taking down names and addresses. Any future busy-body groups that wants to focus on "winter dress-up" can contact me for the list.

The Netherlands is especially known for being quite liberal! For it to impose a ban on burquas...which actually only affects a very minimal percentage of women, thus making it look petty....is actually stating a clear message to the Muslims. I really think this is not just about burquas! Europe is shifting! They're fed up, to put it simply.

Well, after reading the happenings in Britain (please refer to the other topic "British Muslims groomed to Kill at the "rest of the world" section, especially the article I've posted, Piggybacking On Terror In Britain), I have changed my views...dramatically. I hope to see the west take a strong stand. Tolerance is not for those who seek not to tolerate others...but also seek to destroy. The west had been generous in opening its doors....but its way of life should not be jeopardized, nor its citizens be endangered by doing so. Not in our own soil! Only those who truly wish to partake of the freedom and the way of life that we offer should be welcome to stay. Those who seek to change our way of life by every means possible, should not be welcomed by us.

Post #26 had already addressed that. From Post #26 All good questions. But what about other religious persons who put their faith above their commitment to their citizenship - how would they react if they were forced to choose? We have seen abortion clinics bombed, albeit by a few and, of course, this has been condemned by mainline religionists. There have been instances of homophobia with gays being assaulted but again I would regard this as isolated. It will be interesting to see what happens in RSA after legalizing what is referred to as "gay marriage" but which in effect is a registered partnership a la the UK. Feelings against homosexuals run a lot higher there than here. Will be see an outbreak of attacks on gays? You're forgetting one thing: Bombing abortion clinics and violent attacks on gays...or any other human beings...are against the teachings of Christianity. In fact, such acts are condemned by the church! Whereas, suicide bombings and other terrorist acts are endorsed and actually...considered as an act of martyrdom by Islam. So let's put things in the proper perspective here.

You can always find someone, backed by the tobacco industry, to refute the studies. Even if it isn't conclusive, that's no excuse for jeopardizing children's health just for the convenience of smoking indoors. Anyone who does so should be ashamed of themselves. You can always find someone to back the lefties' agenda!

Be careful on tampering with rights. We just might get what we never really bargained for. We just might make it so easy for the next government...or whoever sits in power...to tweak it some more. Heaven forbid that someone takes the notion to fight to ban promiscuous sex and make it an offense to have sex without the use of condoms....to prevent the spread of AIDS! Or to ban drug users from having any children at all! Do I hear a collective gasp from the left?

Irresponsibility. Turning around to yell at kids fighting in the back of your car, while you're driving...is an irresponsible act! Drinking coffee...chatting on your cell phone...while driving with your kids in the back...is irresponsible! Believe me, I also saw a dad busily picking on his nose while doing so.... So where do we stop? Do we start legislating for every little thing? I mean...they all involve kids' safety/health...and kids have no control over those actions.

The EPA in the States says second hand smoke is a class A carcinogen. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/tobac-tabac/s...ir/index_e.html But there are also clinical studies that says it doesn't make that much of a difference. It's not a matter of how many says what and who says boo! As long as it's being refuted by other medical studies...it is NOT CONCLUSIVE!

Betsy, it's up to Chapters whether they want to carry it or not. I don't see how that amounts to us being manipulated. Isn't Chapters still owned by Gerry Schwartz ? I wonder why they wouldn't carry it? If there is a demand for it, surely they can accomodate customers, right? Just so to show that they (Chapters) are neutral when it comes to politics.....they have tons of anti-Bush, anti-American, anti-Iraq war non-fiction books....so what's wrong with Steyn's book? of course one would easily deduce that Steyn's philosophy does not agree with the powers that be controlling Chapters.

I agree. I was appalled at Madonna using a cross as part of her act. But you know what, we are also setting us up for other extremists from various religions. Once they see that terrorism is effectively working in imposing one's view and beliefs....who knows, maybe we'll see more abortion clinics blowing up...or High-protein diet proponents and butchers being butchered....or gyms nextdoor to churches of all kinds getting bombed...

Post #26 had already addressed that.

The relevance is that their belief goes against the western way of life. For those others (Jews, Christians etc) who put their religion ahead of their citizenship should we be also accusing them of going "against the western way of life"? How will you support that accusation....that they are against the western way of life? You may not know it...and others may scoff at it...but no one can deny the fact that the way of life we enjoy now, is derived from the Judeo Christian values!

I agree. I was appalled at Madonna using a cross as part of her act. So was I! But did someone try to blow her up? Or did a massive protest...violent protest? Shoot any other hollywood members (just like someone shot a nun over what the Pope said)? Did anyone threaten to contract a hitman to put a bullet through her head?

The relevance is that their belief goes against the western way of life. For those others (Jews, Christians etc) who put their religion ahead of their citizenship should we be also accusing them of going "against the western way of life"? Why, do they believe and shout, "death to all infidels"?

No, it does not. It does not. It does not. Do you mean before or after you label ALL OF THEM with false accusations??? Wait a minute..... How does "Islam" decide anything??? Because we have tin-foil hats that can protect us. No, I do not see it. You can close your eyes....or look the other way.....and pretend that all is nice and rosy....and that everybody will end up going all huggy-huggy...and patty-patty on the back....just give it a chance....we all love peace...blah-blah-blah. But you cannot deny the fact...oil and water do not mix well. If things don't change positively (on Islam's side)...there'll come a time when liberal-thinkers will have to make a stand and be definite and exact as to where your loyalties lie. There will come a time when you cannot sit on both side of the fence...trying to do a juggling and balancing act.. We'll all have to come to a decision for the good of EVERYONE. And by everyone...I also mean the 20% of muslims who had placed their citizenship above their faith...doing the ultimate sacrifice in their decisions...in their bid to stay in a society where there is no repression!

Anyway, why should we tolerate this religion that is sytematically turning us...slowly, but surely...into their repressive belief? Who are these people to dictate that NIKE SHOES must get rid of a little logo in the back of shoes...just because they resemble a figure in their Koran? Nike had recalled most of their shoes back....but apparently that is not good enough! Some Muslims are still complaining that ALL must be recalled! You guys, you don't see that? The meaning of that to our way of life?

The relevance is that their belief goes against the western way of life. If Islam sees the western way of life as evil.....and if Islam calls for all muslims to rise up cos it's time to rid the world of evil....how do you think those 80% British muslims will react....if they valiantly place their religion above all else? We see some radicals answering to calls of jihad...and fatwa! They anwser to calls of protests...violent protests! All over the world! What if Islam had decided to place a fatwa on each and every infidel's head? What if the choice a muslim faces is that of his...faith, or British citizenship? 80% muslims had already placed their faith above their citizenship. And if these muslims are called upon to, prove it? Yes, there are other religious sects other than Muslims...but those mentioned groups do not have a belief such as that doctrined by Islam! There is no threat from them!

There is a shift happening in Europe. This burqua banning is so seemingly petty actually (with only a few women affected)....but because of its seeming "pettiness," it does speaks quite loudly! The message is clear.

I think you've hit the nail on the head there Betsy, they are trying to take a stand against a growing problem of social and religious tensions and unrest. Maybe Muslim women should revolt and burn their Burkhas (or at least the veil) I think it's time the Muslim immigrant communities made a statement as to whether they want to be part of their hosts, or the parasite that destroys their hosts. From what I've read regarding "moderate" Muslims in Britain...those who would wish to be part of the western societies should grapple with only one crucial decision: give up Islam. It is suspect for a muslim to insists on living in a western world under western ideologies if he is not willing to give up his religion. His religion sees the west and what it stands for as the epitome of "evil". Why would he insist on living in "hell?" Btw, 80% of British Muslims polled had placed their religion to be top priority...over their citizenship. Freedom of religion (in our society) should not apply to those whose belief is, death to all non-believers...or death to anyone, for that matter. We do not tolerate Satanism carving out hearts of infants as sacrifice, do we? Hell, even PETA goes ballistic over animals being used in lieu of humans in such sadistic rituals!

It was mentioned in an article how it's so hard to get Mark Steyne's book in Canada. One of the largest book company (I think it's Chapters) refused to carry it. If true, then we are being manipulated to read what we are only "allowed" to read. It really makes you sit back and wonder....what is Canada?

If you are going to tamper with our rights...using childrens' health as an excuse.....then, at least BE CONSISTENT about it. Make it thorough! At least then, we can really say that we've sacrificed and given up our rights for a real reason. It's easier to swallow that way...how bitter the pill may be. That is, IF the real goal is childrens' health.