betsy

True. I had tried to imagine how it will be like to have been the parents of those two girls killed by Homolka and Bernardo....or any parents of killed children (what more when you've learned that your child did not die a quick death, but was tortured first). As a mother my soul will be consumed by pain...I will never get over it. I would've probably waited a few years after the culprit's release....then have my revenge. There are others not related to victims but have a strong twisted desire to rid society of "evil."....or those strongly feeling that the justice system had failed them. With the frustration going around about how the criminals seem to have more rights than the victims...and the leniency of the courts...is it too far-fetched to imagine that vigilante-ism is not being fantasized by some? These monsters should have a longer prison stay without early parole. Imagine one being sentenced to 10 years...but usually getting out after serving only 4! The whole 10 years should be served! And that should be for the first offense! Once you're "pardoned"....that should be it! You should have the right to a normal life like everyone else...without fear of being taken out just because your past sin and your whereabouts are posted publicly. Not all ex-convicts re-offend.

I checked out the Public Safety website. They've got tips for disaster preparedness...but not on the scale of a terrorist attack (unless I've missed it). Their recommended food supply is only for 3 days, for crying out loud! Red Cross or similar had recommended 2 weeks for natural disasters. This site have not been updated by the Liberal government I guess, even after 9/11. That's one thing the new government should aim at: provide more information and how-to for the citizens in various scenarios. The more informed and prepared we are....hopefully the less chaotic it will be. I was searching for the survivalist site way back but couldn't find it anymore. It was a real worst case scenario of surviving (from how to extend your water supply, use up your food systematically etc..,). I must be sounding like a chicken-little....but it was very interesting. Just wanting to share a basic rule that I remember from it. Rule of thumb, use up the perishables in your fridge first, or the opened stuffs in your pantry that wouldn't last long. Only after you've used up these items should you start with your freezer contents (going for the ones that would not last long first). You start with your canned stuffs only when all the perishables and short shelf-life are gone. Keep a backpack with lightweight food just in case you've got to move from your location. Have money in small denominations ($5, $10 and $20s)

With this so-called "grassroots"....you must mean those who have acquired and gleefully embraced the culture of entitlement. The real grassroots I think of are practical and sensible. They're not a bunch of self-absorbed whiners or nonsense-touchy-feely-insecured-security-blanket clutchers!

Talking about loopholes....I think you're aiming at the wrong direction. Take a good look at this universal childcare plan of the Liberals. Your preferred childcare plan does NOT even address the needs of those who REALLY NEED IT! Shift works, round-the-clock service! That includes accomodating part-time workings (and keeping up with the accepted ratios of children per adult). It places everyone at the mercy of the UNION and threats of walk-outs! This system is another astronomical boondagle about to happen! Just look at the failing system in Quebec! As for this disdain for the "have mores"....fyi, the so-called "have mores" have been shouldering the extra burden of raising the children of other parents incapable of raising their own! This disdain is nothing more but envy. Instead of griping and whining why others have more, parents who have less should focus on how to improve their lot.....or make do with what they've got. Who said it's gonna be easy raising a family? Don't shove all your responsibility on me (taxpayer). If you're having a tough time, too bad. Who isn't, one way or the other? Grow up and deal with your problem like everybody does. I don't owe you anything!

Assuming that it's true, more likely scenario, Emmerson probably did say SOME of what was quoted...BUT they were spun around to fit the way the Liberals want it, as usual. That "hard-ass" comment is actually a positive statement since it was referring to Harper being "incredibly focused". Just the usage of the word "incredibly" suggest some sort of admiration for this particular trait of Harper. Whether it was said grudgingly or not, it still was an acknowledgement.

We are not prepared, but I remember years ago looking into buying dried food, never did. Actually it would be a smart move to stock up, just never get around to it. And from what Leafless and Geoffrey pointed out....we'd best keep it quiet too. And have a good hiding place for the food...just in case. Keep a good amount in the kitchen pantry as a "decoy". The government must have some contingency plans by now in the scenario of the food supply being hit, after all it's been several years since 9/11.

As the journalists have discussed on MDuffy, Emmerson was just stating the obvious regarding his partisan comment and tight reign by Harper on his ministers. Nothing new there. As for him being a "hard-ass", that goes with being incredibly focused. And having steely resolve. At least he's not a wishy-washy unreliable leader who swings at every direction just to get votes. It's really a contrast between the former government and the new. Maybe that's why Emmerson is "chafing", since he's not used to this kind of true leadership. If, what was sensationally reported is true.

In the event of any attack, imagine the panic that will ensue in food outlets. Although we can never be sure if we do survive an attack, the lesser people on the streets the better.

6 months food per head? Wow! Right now I'd say I have about 2 weeks food/water stocked (and including medications/personal hygiene/first aid)....still building up my supply. The first time I did a stockpile (Y2K), I ended up throwing some away. So now I'm really planning it. You're lucky you could heat with wood. That's where we have a problem in case of power outage in the middle of winter.

Who wrote this? Isn't this considered a crime??? Inciting? Hate-crime?

Terrorist attack on anything is possible and is unpredictable. Some experts have been saying that food and water supply are at high risk. Following the suggestions on preparing for natural disasters (I think through the Red Cross), I had started stocking up on ready-to-eat canned items (planned with nutrition and palatability in mind), and water enough for a month (doubled the amount suggested in preparing for natural disasters). Way back during the Y2K scare, I stumbled on a survivalist site which gave tons of helpful tips. The threat will always be with us...therefore, this stock-pile will be a continuous effort. We have to use up and replace these items based on expiry or best-before dates. What I would find really helpful is for manufacturers to put a consumer-friendly best-before date...instead of codes. Campbell products are straight-forward with their dates...but the others still need deciphering. Is anyone preparing too?

I confess that I do watch Steven Segal, Van Damme, Schwarzenneger, etc.., I like thrillers and horrors...and some B-movies are good! I'll most probably end up watching this one too.

FTA, thanks for clearing that up. Does the registration supposed to be made public though? Not just for correctional officers or law enforcements' eyes only?

If a convict had already paid out his crimes by serving time....a penalty that society had deemed right, then why should he lose his privacy and get himself become a sitting duck for any zealots who would take a notion to get a few sex offenders off the face of the earth? If there is a chance to re-offend...then, this guy ought to be in prison. But if he had already served time and deemed rehabilitated....then, he should be given the same chance as everybody else.

For the past 13 years childcare advocates seemed to be doing fine with these lack of daycare spaces. How come now, all of a sudden, it's a panic situation? Working people who works shifts and odd hours are usually the ones who don't make much money...that's why they're doing these jobs. THEY are the ones that should be helped!

Perhaps we would not see such a dramatic crime increase if we have not treated juvenile offenders with such leniency. Anyone remember the Canadian teen who got caned in Singapore for vandalism or shoplifting???

Although some of us do not think the penalties for some offenses are stiffed enough...still, if an offender had served his sentences, doesn't he have the same rights that we all do? The recent alleged killings of two sex-offenders by a Canadian, who had looked up these two victims from the registry online, proved that ex-convicts on the list are being put into danger. Imagine serving time and coming out to supposed freedom...and yet, nervously looking over your shoulders, fearing for your safety, not only from those bent on vengeance....but also from lunatics. This is a violation of human rights.

Well, I like the sound of "whacked."

MDuffy today, it was discussed that La Presse journalist had an interview with Layton. Jack sez there won't be any merging with the Liberals.

Polls were discussed on MDuffy today. 36% says Harper is doing a good job. 37% says Harper is doing an average job. Whatever it is that Harper's been doing, it is meeting approval.

Teach them about moderation? "Junior...if you're going to shoot up heroin, remember to be moderate about it. If you'll snort coke, make sure to know your limit." If you'd like to teach your kids about staying away from drugs....you would be much, much better off teaching them to stay away from the one popular "starter kit" for would-be addicts of the future: MARIJUANA or weed...or cannabis! My mom scared the hell out of me in my pre-teen years by explaining in sordid, explicit details how addiction can ruin my life. That it all starts with simple marijuana. You can say it was a brain-washing she did on me...but I must say, it worked! No one could even make me smoke pot...not even my boyfriend (who ended up apologising to his friends for me when I was the only party-pooper). So you can say mom' s tactics was more powerful than peer pressure. And when I've reached adulthood, I tried it once....and it must be psychological...that I felt (or imagined) it unpleasant! So when I happen to be among folks who pass it around...I just say "no thanks, it has a negative effect on me."

That's what the drunk driver said: "I've had several pints....but I'm okay. I can drive." Then you read about them in the papers. And you hear about the people they've maimed or killed.

It depends on the mother's crime and time to be spent in jail. For minor criminal offenses and short term in jail, the child could be raised by a foster family...and for serious offenders, the child ought to be given a good chance in life through adoption. But I don't think any infants or children belong in jail. As a mother, would I want to see my child growing up behind bars with me?

I couldn't disagree with you about the importance of teaching your children about the dangers of drugs and being responsible. However, we all know that that is not enough. What's it like being a kid these days? With all the peer pressures...plus all the cool stuff they see from doping adults (whether it be simple weed or the serious stuffs). Drug dealers are using children to get to other children. It is the dealer's fault, no question about that!

So if you can't lick em, join them?