betsy

Actually, the US and media's definition is more defining! Whereas this literal definition, ".....a literal use that applies to states that do not regard themselves as bound by international norms." (Noam Chomsky), is too loose! What is international "norm" in your definition? Anyway, you said something about "abandoning" the geneva conventions. I hope you don't think you got that from me! I never said anything about abandoning! I mentioned, "revising." The Geneva Conventions was in placed to prevent atrocities from happening. And I approve of that! My question is what do we do with those who do not want to follow those rules at all, like the terrorists who had broken practically every rule. Having rules and laws is one thing...but enforcing it is another.

Yes, used by a lot of people! What people? The same kind of people who changed the definition of "terrorist" by saying Bush is a terrorist!

Why Gerry? 15 and 16 year-olds deserve Government protection. Do you favour pedophiles preying on 15 and 16 year olds? Hey Ricki, if this is public funded....don't we have the right to know? I want to make damn sure we are not unconsciously funding some pedophiles fighting to legitimize themselves by using a group such as EGALE!

Quite honestly the topic doesn't interest me as much as it does yourself. Why, you find nothing wrong with pedophilia? A legitimized pedophilia, that is. Something that should not happen behind hidden corners of the churches...but a legitimized pedophilia perfectly appropriate to be done out in the open. Mainstream. Acceptable. Normal-lifestyle....in the same way that homosexual lifestyle had achieved! You are deliberately ignoring a very sensible and simple question....so you seem to support EGALE's position. Therefore, I'm asking you, WHY? Help me understand.

At this point, I am very much concerned about those troubled youths being "counselled" by EGALE. I am concerned about the alleged LGBT youngsters (alleged lesbian-gay-bisexuals-transgender), who are confused and troubled. I say "alleged", for if they are confused and troubled, the confusion could very well extend to their sexuality and identities as well...especially given the ages of these kids. I want to know what constitutes this alleged "counselling"....that it is nothing like exploitation and manipulations of an already troubled youth...to gratify any other hidden motives or agenda. That should be a major concern for all responsible adults in this society!

My concern is legitimate. And based on the previous association of a major Gay/Lesbian group with some pedophile groups, one of which is a group called NAMBLA, which caused ILGA to be expelled from the UN by none other than Clinton himself (for the reason of the gay group's known association with pedophiles).....plus rumours that NAMBLA members are still very much around and had only gone "underground"...and now EGALE's insistence in fightng the raising of the age of consent....is naturallly, a very serious cause for concern to some of us. And it is suspicious...and frankly sounding alarm bells. Is EGALE receiving any public funding? I would like to be certain that we are not funding pedophiles as well. For that would be quite a travesty indeed...when on one hand we are purporting to be fighting pedophilia....while on the other hand, we are financially supporting it. So why don't EGALE come clean and explain why they don't want to raise the age to 16? Will you explain it then, Gerry? Maybe there's a perfect legitimate reason for it.

Why is it dishonest? Actually my question is quite honest. And simple. If they are truly only fighting for equality, what do they have against raising the consent to 16...since it will be the same for everyone? Why don't they want it raised to 16? Can you explain that?

Yes the term is used in popular media. But who uses the expression "rogue states" that we read in the media...the US! Therefore it is the US' definition that we talk about! The definition depends on who uses it. The very idea that the US is a rogue state is quite ludicrous. If it is a rogue state...we wouldn't be having this problem with the middle east at all. The US with all its might could've just as easily wiped them all out! And who are these so-called critics? Those who are against the US foreign policy! I take it then that Chomsky's definition is also propagandist because here's what they say about Chomsky: "He is generally considered to be a KEY intellectual figure within the lLEFT WING of United States politics. According to the Arts and Humanities Citation Index, between 1980 and 1992 Chomsky was cited as a source more often than any other living scholar, and the eighth most cited scholar overall.[3][4][5] Chomsky is widely known for his political activism, and for his CRITICISM of the FOREIGN POLICY of the UNITED STATES and other governments. Chomsky describes himself as a libertarian socialist and a sympathizer of anarcho-syndicalism (he is a member of the IWW). Anarcho-syndicalism is a branch of anarchism which focuses on the labour movement. Syndicalisme is a French word meaning "trade unionism" – hence, the "syndicalism" qualification. Anarcho-syndicalists view labour unions as a potential force for revolutionary social change, replacing capitalism and the State with a new society democratically self-managed by workers. Anarcho-syndicalists seek to abolish the wage system and private ownership of the means of production, which they believe lead to class divisions. Anarcho-syndicalism is viewed as an anachronism by many contemporary anarchists http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noam_Chomsky

Anyway Gerry...I'm really curious. What's wrong with 16? It would've been the same for everyone...gays or hetero. Equality achieved. So, why fight it?

maybe they're all worried about the GAG LAW...you know, that famous law of...guess who? SVEN!

For some reason, the number 14 seems to be very important to Svend and EGALE. What's wrong with 16?

I wonder what's in it for Svend. Ah. Gays = pedophiles. Very nice betsy. Well? What am I supposed to think? I mean why doesn't EGALE just agree to raise the bloody thing to 16...if equality is truly the issue...and not the license to diddle 14 year old boys? And lower? Why do they insist on opening the doors for the pedophiles? To think that they'd want to erase the shadow of NAMBLA. This "odd" reaction of EGALE only strengthens my suspicion that NAMBLA is still very much around....hiding under the skirts of EGALE.

I wonder what's in it for Svend.

"Rogue state is a term applied by some international theorists to states considered threatening to the world's peace. This means meeting certain criteria such as being ruled by AUTHORITARIAN regimes severely restricting human rights, accused of SPONSORING terrorism, and SEEKING TO PROLIFERATE weapons of mass destruction. In the last six months of the Clinton administration, the term "rogue state" was temporarily replaced with the term "state of concern," however, the Bush administration has returned to the earlier term. The U.S. government perceives the threat posed by these states as justifying its foreign policy and military initiatives, as in the case of anti-ballistic missile programs, which are held to be grounded in the concern that these states will not be deterred by the certainty of retaliation." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogue%5Fstate

The fall of a lot of preachers and priests does not mean something is wrong with the religion. It says either they had used the church for their own interest....or they, like all the rest of us humans, could also fall into sin. Thus Christ had warned: beware of false prophets. And also beware of those who use His name.

Ho-ho, no they didn't fall off. They're retractable! The switch being either the left or the right ball....

I don't remember the scandal about Baker and Robertson and what's it about. But Haggard and some Catholic priests who molested young boys tell me they have one thing in common: they're gays. Although the priests molesting young boys also belong to the class, perverts.

I seriously think it can either be one of those: a choice or a biological difference. Being a choice could stem from various factors and experiences. And it being a choice could vary in duration. I've seen some gay friends...and have also seen young men turn into gays and then, turn back into men again.

I would say many people feel this way. However, 'banning religion' will never work. Just as 'banning homosexuality' wouldn't work. I'd rather see an all out debate about 'Which is the one true god?" (Or scripture...and the evidence for or against the existence of god, and 'truthfulness' of all religious texts, to be put to a worldwide trial) And many people also feel religion is very benefical and gives them the strength to be forgiving. As a christian, I feel the gay lifestyle is wrong. However, I am not a 'hateful' lemming nor do I hate gays, which is the pet stereotype usually trotted out on this topic. For Elton to lash out at religions, it only shows his prejudices. To me it also reveals the true agenda of the gay/lesbian proponents. If you cannot force your beliefs on the majority through flawed legislation and a liberal minded judiciary, why not ban the biggest opponents of the homosexual lifestyle, organized religions. Since there is no hope of banning religion....proponents of this agenda have decided to do the next best thing: bash religion and dis-credit it, so much so that people will turn away from it. Start with the biggest of them all, the Christian religion.

So EGALE is still fighting it, eh? You gotta admit...they're tenacious about it, aren't they? Looks like they can't shake off this Man-Boy Love thing!

Well the whole Liberal Party should all visit Kandahar together! Give them all the credit for that visit...why, we should even do a big promotion on that visit..announce it maybe 3 weeks before the date....complete with date count down! At least it will be in keeping with that spoof ad of the Liberals on youtube, that showed all original leadership candidates under the space voyager starship Enterprise. Except that they'll be more like "Police Academy" On "Airplane: The Movie"

It's been tried. Anyway, how can you really reach a diplomatic arrangement with nations whose main goal is just wanting to see you gone?

Nasser or not...my argument is still the same. What makes you think an Arab nationalist who abhors US policy can do better than your argument...or any other here who root for Palestine? Oh I'd tell him exactly the same thing I'm telling you. Nasser may probably twist his reasoning around but there's really no argument here. It's just plain common sense. If the Palestinians had allowed themselves to be used like a wall...then they better be prepared to be treated...and be breached like a wall! If you assume the role of a shield...then be prepared to be knocked aside like a shield. Shame on these terrorists for hiding behind children! And double shame for the parents of these children for letting that happen! And what is most shameful are the hypocritical bleeding hearts shedding crocodile tears for these children! If you really want to stop the slaughter of the innocents, then have the balls to point your fingers at Hamas and the people collaborating with Hamas. If not, then stop your whining and don't bother counting little bodies. Their own people don't think much of them.

deleted. double post.

Why, have we fought terrorism before? You don't know any more than I do...I think. So can you explain why you're so sure that's the best way to go? Besides, you seem to be confused.... equating fighting back with acts of terrorism? So now, when you hit back....that's now defined as terrorism?" Too bad Nasser is gone. He could give you a good argument here. How would you feel about going to a movie or dropping a letter in a mail box if you had to worry about an Israeli terrorist blowing you up? How would you feel about staying in the King David Hotel if you had to worry about Itzhak Shamir blowing you up? Your hands are not clean Betsy. No hands are clean in war, Higgly! And some bloody hands are not something to be ashamed of...or feel guilty about! Gee, it's Remembrance Day...you forget already?