betsy

Have you guys heard of NAMBLA? National Man-Boy Love Association. This group supports and root for the triumph of the Gay Rights Movement, for the simple reason that once the can gets opened, anything goes. This will prove to be a very controversial discussion....and I'm already bracing myself of getting labeled, "homophobe!"

I can relate to that. When I was new here, some "old-timers" immigrants would explain to me that the Liberals are the "friends" of the immigrants. That the Conservatives hated the immigrants and want to stop them from coming here. This is somewhat off-topic, but this gives an example how some immigrants are given their "orientation" in adapting to life in Canada. A handy advice was given to me by a Quebec woman (French origin) who had 4 kids of her own and unemployed: " You have to have children. If you have children you get more money from the government."

Btw, what's the credentials of Stronach, aside from being super-rich? The first time I've heard of her was when she ran for leadership in the Conservative Party.

My husband and I were sort of depressed last night....deep in our hearts we were hoping for a majority...or at least, a strong minority. At the liquor store last night he told the cashier, "this one for a majority, and this one for a minority." The lady behind him raised her own bottle and said "this is for the big blue!" We didn't open either bottle...just went straight to bed. It is disturbing to see how the Liberals could have possibly won that many seats after all that they've done in 13 years? It is worrisome to see how our society is like....what would it take to shake them up to wake up?

Sorry. Didn't mean to hijack your thread. I just responded to others' views with mine. Anyway, I wish I could help you. I kept hearing Layton talking about the 40 or so Liberals that concurred with the CPC view on gay marriage, but I never saw them all named anywhere so I don't know. Oh no, I don't mind. I find it amusing actually when a simple question had elicited quite a reaction from the opposition....

Why isn't it? I don't need to redefine society -- nor do I need supposed representatives of "society" to define my life for me in their terms. Alrighty. Actually, it's not. But I'll not focus on that part of the argument for now. So what about churches or religious traditions outside of Christianity which will marry two men or two women? Why aren't their views valid? Why should the state be involved in deciding who gets tax benefits, death benefits, etc? Shouldn't people be able to assign those to whoever they want? See, this is the big problem of putting government in such a role. Not only are you opening yourself up to having other people's view of marriage made official, but you're also making the government in charge of who gets your stuff when you die, tax free, rather than you, and who can visit you in the hospital, who you can import as a partner from abroad, etc. Frankly, given the continued crumbling of government-registered "marriages," which lack a real rational basis other than letting government control freaks run our sex lives for us, "marriage" as defined by the government today is already a laughable joke and pretty much out of business. As for "protecting it from further decay" by limiting participation, that's a bit like saving a store which is about to go out of business by turning away paying customers. It doesn't make much sense. I don't think the present marriage situation in Canada (or most other countries) makes sense anyway. Get government out of the business of deciding who is or isn't married entirely, open up the rights and responsibilities of licensed marriage to everyone, including single people, and let those who see religious or secular significance in ceremonies get "married" however they want. Gee, I was just asking how many SSM-opposing Liberal MPs won. I don't care what your definition is. I don't want to bother debating about it....for we've done that already. I think if you scroll back and read the arguments posted you'll know that you can re-define it every which way you want....but it won't make any difference to the ones who share the same regard for its traditional value. Our own definition of it will always be upheld in our views, even though the government succeeded in making a mockery of it . Relax...no one is initiating any voting in parliament yet. I'm just curious here.

Thos Liberal Mps who were opposed to the changing of traditional definition of marriage, did any of them win? I think there were about 30 of them.

I just heard the same thing from one of my parents who went to vote, warning us that it was misleading. At first he thought it was Conservative...but luckily, he knew the name of our Conservative MP. We worry that this will split up the votes since it may confuse a lot of people....especially the elderlies. This parent is going to write to the MP complaining about this. Why didn't they specify the full name of the party? Was it done deliberately to confused people? I know I sound paranoid..... This is serious!

Haven't voted yet. We'll have to wait til all kids are gone....told parents no late pick-ups...or kids will be sold!

Yes that's him! In a way, there's something kinda sad about this.

Corruptions Military Ad His desperate attempt at damage control....where-in he kept contradicting himself.

I saw that news clip...and the anchorperson said "....he was strumming on air."

Just because I'm expressing my views? Is this some sort of "intimidation" for me to shut up? Liberal style? C'mon Shakeyhands....if it bothers you so much, there's always that freedom of choice for you to use. It just amazes me, it really does. So, are you a member of the CPC? Do you volunteer or are you paid? No intimidation intended, I just think you are, are you able to be honest in return? No, we have not had the chance to become members of the Conservative Party this year, although last year we were. Wouldn't it be nice if I were being paid doing this? Unfortunately I'm not. Although I've toyed with the idea of volunteering. Maybe next election. What is so amazing about this? I have to admit that this election campaign has got me glued to Mike Duffy twice a day, with CPAC tv running at intervals. I joked that this election campaign had become what hockey is to hockey fans. I like it that it's happening at winter time...it sort of takes the winter blahs away. I dread the boring days to follow after it's all over! My information come from tv or the radio CBC btw. It's just my nature to tend to be passionate over issues that interest me...and this election is very crucial, imho. Like I said, the Liberals scare me. That may be hard for others to understand since they'e all been looking at Harper with wary eyes. But because of what I've experienced under Marcos' rule....I can somehow see some similarities! Although I've graciously acquiesced and answered you...I do resent the pressure you put upon me to have to explain myself for just expressing my views. You have branded me a "witch" and put me on the "stand" just like we're in the time of the Inquisition. All these, for just expressing my views.

Wow! This could very well mean very good for Conservatives in Toronto!! The latest poll tonight was sort of depressing....since this paper's today, Torontonians will get the chance to digest everything said and could very well be the persuading influence needed. My God, 24 hours from now we'll start hearing the results....the suspense is just killing me!

I'm going to call into question any poll released this late. It's not only exercising undue influence on the actual results, but released by itself like that has no peer review. It's also completely misleading. Read the actual who'd ya vote for category and the Conservatives are up by 6? This is ridiculous, I was ok with polling. But releasing one so late on the night before the election, thats just crap. Hopefully the general population doesn't read this. Or at least reads the whole polling result that shows the lead has only shrunk 1% to 6%... not down to 1%. They were talking about that just a while back on CPAC with the SES president and a political science university professor. They say the concentration of attacks on Harper by all three candidates in the last 48 hours seem to have worked. Btw SES says that from the last election 2004, 10% of voters decided whom to vote right there on the spot while filling up their ballots. I guess the real poll is tomorrow.

Arif and Mowich, My brother in-law is a vegetarian. He is easy to please when he comes over for dinner. And my stepdaughter, who already has a family of her own, is a wiccan. She introduced me to burning incense. Not only that, she and her husband were Liberals...and although right now she's disgusted with the party and won't vote for them, I don't think she'll go for the Conservatives either. You can just imagine when we get together. My husband (who is a Canadian of English and German ancestry) and his daughter are both the same in being stubborn and sticking to their guns...so debates can be explosive around here. Sometimes I act as the referee!

Just because I'm expressing my views? Is this some sort of "intimidation" for me to shut up? Liberal style? C'mon Shakeyhands....if it bothers you so much, there's always that freedom of choice for you to use.

This "STOP-HARPER-AT-ALL COST" brutal dirty campaign smacks of a desperate cling to power. But is there more to this desperation than meets the eye? A caller to a talk show raised a valid reason for such desperation. Harper government might un-earth more buried theft and corruptions. And with the Conservatives in power, a more likely meting out of justice. I tend to believe that.

That's why I fume everytime I'm reminded that we're still wasting taxpayers' money on a gun registry that obviously does not work. That money could've easily gone to other social programs....such as re-opening community youth centers that the Liberals had torn down. Harper's plan for tax cuts for children enrolled in physical fitness and sports is topnotched brilliance at work. Two birds in one policy: Promotion of healthy lifestyle through encouragement of physical activities (our children are becoming obese)....and getting these young children used to being involved with positive activities in our community.

I predict.... That Harper will immediately launched his Accountability Act. In an interview with one of the candidates, he revealed that several months before, Harper got all his candidates and their staff in one big room and laid out his policy for Accountability. He stressed the new policy for lobbying practices and told them pointedly that if they do not agree or cannot abide by these new policy, now is the time to say so and go straight for that door. If it is a minority, Harper will have a tough time proceeding with his other policies, since there's the big possibility that Liberal, NDP and Bloc will come together to oppose them. Harper will be able to work out something about the Soft Wood lumber dispute with the US. His determined effort at diplomacy in his treatment of the US and its president, somehow will iron out a few snags and wrinkles, paving way for a real progressive talk and resolution. There will be some easing up on the border. Harper will not initiate any arguments on Same Sex marriage. He'll be busy trying to get his top 5 priorities going. These were the reasons he got elected...and he knows he had to prove himself. So these will be his main focus. If they survive, Liberals will try to sabotage and oppose Harper every step of the way....even at the expense of our nation's best interest. Of course they will concoct a a reason justifying their action. Harper will emerge as a close-to-center right. He has age on his side. If he becomes a well-liked PM, it is possible to have several terms.

A couple of days ago Harper was in a big rally in Toronto. As he was speaking, there were shouts from the side which was off-camera. The people on the stage, including Harper all turned towards the direction of the shouts. The camera panned towards the direction. Two men wearing clown noses were jeering at Harper. Security calmly led the two out. Harper just brushed it off and continued with his speech. A PC candidate guesting in radio talk received a call from a "viewer" who accused him of sexual assault on-air. The candidate denied the accusation. The call was traced to a Liberal campaign headquarters. Axworthy, the Liberal candidate made the defense pitch....the same old re-hashed line that we've been hearing over and over again since Chretien: We'll look into this and if we find out there is any truth to this, the guilty will pe punished. A Conservative candidate attended a debate. I can't remember where this took place. After the debate the candidates were milling around with the people still in the hall. A man sort of tried to corner the Conservative guy and asked him a question about the US, saying "You did not answer my question!"...I didn't get the question. The Conservative guy looked intimidated by the very aggressive tone and stance of the man....who had an in-your-face attitude, getting into his space. The Conservative tried to ignore the questions. I think security or concerned individuals managed to steer the aggressive guy from the Conservative. A seemingly concerned guy came to him and asked what it was all about. The Conservative said the guy wants him to answer a ridiculous question that he have no answer to. Then this seemingly concerned guy became hostile and aske hima question...something like ...Canada becoming a new State of the USA! Obviously those two men were together. It was a concerted effort to embarassed and ruin this candidate. The PC candidate backed out from the guy and proceeded to leave. On the way, an elderly woman stopped to give him support saying, "I'm glad you did not bother with those two." Yesterday on the news, they showed a woman reporter trailing a group of men, calling out, "Excuse me sir, can I talk to you?" repeatedly. It was a Conservative candidate. The tone of the woman was hostile. The men continued. A man, probably from Security, came from behind and touched the woman's shoulder to get her attention. She suddenly whirled around and jabbed a finger to his face, hissing and spitting, "Don't you dare touch me! Don't you dare touched me." What next? I hope it don't get violent.

Maybe, Christians ought to boycott stores that no longer want to cater to Christians as clienteles. Just order our cards from the web. I'm sure stores wouldn't mind losing some business for the sake of political correctness. There are a lot of Christian stores in the net...they could use our business.

Hi Arif.... Small world huh? I'm from Carleton Place too and have just recently discovered this forum. I have not read the column of the mayor so my response to it (from topic "A Visible Minority's POV") was just based on the information you posted. I think what most Christians are offended about is the pressure being placed by the government and alleged representatives of non-Christians to the general public that Christmas is no longer just for Christians....and that using the word "Christmas" in greetings is no longer politically correct. I said ALLEGED representatives of non-Christians for just like yourself who don't really mind about us celebrating our Christmas....I'm sure...and I will bet that majority of Non-Christians who had established their lives in Canada would rather abide by the rule "to each his own, " as long as that rule does not hurt or cause harm to anyone. Commercialization of Christmas...I don't think it is being blamed on immigrants or minority groups. It is just the way the society is evolving....and the more materialistic our society is becoming...that changes the true meaning of Christmas. True, it's being exploited by everyone out to make a buck out of it. But then again, what doesn't get exploited these days? Even the poor and suffering children that gets portrayed so pathetically on tv for monetary donations are being stripped of whatever dignity they've got left. The marketing is so different nowadays. Mr Dulmage's comment about practicing the right to leave may have come on strong....but if you put yourself in his shoes, you know what he means. Complaining about injustice or racism is very much different from demanding that a group forsake their own religion, tradition and culture for the sake of political correctness. As I've said from my other post, if a Canadian comes to the Philippines (my place of origin) he'll be welcomed...for we are known for our hospitality. However, if he started demanding that we change our way of life and modify our culture, he'll definitely be told to "go back to your own country!" Courtesy work both ways. Dulmage seems to have lashed out in frustration. I feel frustrated...and angry. There is an unfair treatment to Christian practices. I feel that we are being singled out. I do not blame the other Non-Christian groups. But I do blame our leaders of the so-called "progressives" who with their bullying tactics in interference only sow discord....for of course, when one group's right is forcefully diminished or taken away....anger and resentment results. Of all the candidates for PM, only Harper can unite the country. Our system is flawed right now. We are rotting from within. We should concentrate on fixing our nation first...or we will not have the credibility before the whole world. Cheers!

Salamat Hydraboss. Last time I went home was in 1992....I miss the kalamay and bibingka. Maligayang Pasko to you too....and Manigong Bagong Taon.

Wow! You're a Pinoy too? Btw, let me drop another bombshell: I am from Carleton Place. I have not read that column though and do not know the mayor.