Wilber

A heartfelt thanks to you and your buddies Army Guy. It must be nearly the 12th where you are but you have a special place in our thoughts today. Stay safe.

Seems to me that the pool is made up by people from the judicial system who are under no scrutiny when it comes to picking candidates, have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo and a closed shop when it comes to who may become a judge. What's the matter with having one representative from law enforcement? They are effected by what this group does as much as anyone.

That's interesting, nothing wrong with paying tribute to the vets at any time but I guess the more important question would be, what are they doing on the 11th.

Everyone on this forum has their own way of looking at things and although I may not like to admit it at times, I must say that some of the issues raised by those with whom I basically differ has affected the way I perceive some things. My only problem is with those who's agenda is relentlessly unchanging. I soon get so I can't be bothered with them even though there may be some good stuff mixed in with the dogma.

As you say, up until recently. The Rand has gone from 2 to the US dollar in 1985 to just under 6 to the US dollar. In 1998 a new Ruble was introduced at a rate of 1 new for 1000 old and it lost 70% of its value against the USD within a year. What's your point. Governments try to gain from deficit spending by trying to buy your vote.

It's the beginning of a strategy. You can't build the rest of it unless you make a commitment in the first place. I'm sure the military would agree but they don't have more troops so they have to use whatever other resources they have until they can get more troops. Lighter weight more fuel efficient 4X4's.

Name me a currency that is backed by gold. Most countries have some gold reserves but not remotely enough to cover the amount of currency they have in circulation. The decision to increase spending and run up debt is made by government, not the central bank.

Would you rather have that money staying in Canada or given to US lumber producers?

You mean kind of like when Doug Young called Deborah Grey a "slab of bacon"?

I'll bite, what kind of conspiracy is involved that connects the lack of monetary reform with voting machines? Just curious.

I don't know what kind of scrutiny they are subject to. Do you?

Come on, in politics almost all personal attacks are aimed at calling someones competency to govern into question, either directly or by association. Get real.

But by continually applying those labels you help perpetuate stereotypes. You apply different values to bad behavior according to whom it is directed rather than just condemning it for what it is, bad behavior.

It's not a secret society, it has a very informative website that describes very well how it operates.

A cheap shot taken at a woman is not always sexist. Cheap shots which perpetuate stereotypes about women probably are. It's people who take offense at everything and continually try to apply labels to those perceived offenses who perpetuate stereotypes more than the ignorant clods who take the shots. In an effort to avoid being sexist I use the word clod, generally applied to males.

Why is it that a cheap shot taken at a woman is always sexist but one taken at a man is just a cheap shot?

The point is, it is a big deal because people like you make it a big deal.

I can't believe this crap. I guess anyone who says something about The Donald's hair in public is now sexist. Some people have far too much time on their hands. They should try to find something useful to do rather than spending their lives looking for offense and excuses to be outraged in everything that is said.

Things just work out the way they work out. Conservatives have often had bitter relationships with American presidents in the past. True but it often depends on the existing governments view on using anti Americanism as a political tool.

Just curious if Harper will have a hostile relationship when Democrats try to end free trade. It was the Liberals that had the hostile relationship with Washington remember. The Chretien bunch thought scoring points at home by poking the US in the eye was more important. Harper believes Canada needs good relations with the US so why wouldn't he try and work with Democrats to achieve the same end?

Good post Army Guy. Unfortunately for some, what the troops think doesn't matter, Their mind is made up.

Didn't the Sudanese government say not long ago that the presence of UN or NATO troops would be considered an act of war?

The only reason we need hate crimes legislation is because our weak kneed judiciary don't treat violence against anyone with the seriousness it requires. Why does a violent act against a gay person require more attention under the law than a violent act against one who is straight? You are raising a different but very important issue, namely, why do we need hate crimes legislation. Had Harper said he opposed hate crimes legislation per se, I would have no problem with that position. But in fact he said he favoured hate crimes legislation for race, ethnicity and religion but not for sexual orientation. Harper and I don't agree on everything and this is one of them. I don't believe we do need hate crimes legislation, we just need to prosecute those who's motivation is hate to the full extent of the law that applies to all of us. Sorry, wasn't trying to hyjack the thread, honest.

15+ million Afghani women perhaps. Well, why don't we turn over the reigns of our foreign policy to them then! Why bother to have a foreign policy at all if we don't consider those we are supposedly trying to help, or are we there only because of what we think is in it for Canada?

No Gerry, it's because you never post anything that doesn't have a built in anti Harper stance. When I see your name on something I don't even have to read it to know where it is going.