JMH

Lets see: A man that knowingly associated with "people of interest" to the FBI, CIA, CSIS, MI5, MI6 etc. is suing our government for 36 million dollars because he was conducting buisness in regions that no Canadian (with a functional cerebral cortex) would dare to enter in a post 9/11 world. Furthermore, his buisness concerned high-tech computer software that has yet to be explained to the Canadian public concerning it's use or potential applications. Mr. Arrar claimed that he was tortured in Syria although the Canadian public has yet to be furnished with any evidence that this actually occured (no admition from the Syrian government, video, no transcripts of interogation, no physical evidence/ Mr. Arrar is obviously quite fit in order to maintain his busy schedual etc.). Here we have a disgraceful attempt at a money grab. Mr. Arrar: Lets give him the bennefit of doubt for a moment: as a Canadian citizen, it was completely idiotic to enter the countries that he did, conduct the buisness that he did and furthermore, behave the way he did during a time of obvious tensions between western states and the muslem world. He is culpable for his actions in this respect- given that he did this on his own accord. In addition, Mr. Arrar is of Syrian decent. To conduct himself in this way, durring this period amounts to a level of stupidity reserved for imbisiles, and given his level of education I'm afraid that he is now completely culpable for his own actions and should consider himself very lucky to be alive and living in a beutiful country such as Canada. Greed and stupidity is not deserving of reward..........period. Perhaps he has learned a valuable lesson.

Givin the latest choice for Liberal leader, I see no threat for Mr. Harper on the horizon. As long as the Cons continue with a centerest tack and avoid polarizing issues to satisfy their "lunnies" on the far right....................the deciding factor in the next election will be whether not the already apathetic population is content enough to stay away from the polls. This looks likely, at least to my eye. Mr. Dion is a very interesting man and I have nothing against him personally, but it seems unlikely to me that Northern Ontario and all provinces West will embrace yet another Quebecer at the helm of this country; unfortunately, his poor command of the english language could be a deal breaker aswell. Time will tell.

I've been underground over 20 years now..........both hard-rock and coal. It makes me furious to hear the constant plight of the "coal miner" in this country. Coal mining in Canada today is a FAR STRETCH from the toils of those that preceeded us. I'll gladley take a job in a coal mine over that in a hard rock mine these days(if the pay was even reasonable) . Coal mines are mechanized opperations, and apart from getting dirty (black) the miners are on relative "easy street" unless they get stupid. I challenge these men to work their way-up in the conventional "hard-rock" feild of mining (and I've worked both) to see how they stand-up. Real work...........by your self...........no one to look after you........and no one what so ever for "miles underground" to care. No folks, I'm not talking about 500 meter declines to the dirt............I'm talking thousands of feet/perhaps over a mile into the abyss; wrestling a 120lb drill on your own, along with all relavant services (air/water/ventilation/supplies) and finish/start your day with the control of the ground above you....................Oh sorry, I have to pack my own explosives to the working face, load them and wire them for my blast component$$$$$$. Thats how I make money...........and no we dont have to deal with methane so much.........but no-one does if they are proffesionals. After 14 years of mine rescue involevment, its time for Canadians to shift their perceptions in this regard. Logging kills more people than anything. It's time to get real with the stats, and leave the traditional stuff for folks that have a vested interest in telling you otherwise.

Why is this person on my television? Apart from being a pampered blue-blooded immbisile, what causes the Canadian media to zero-in on this individual? What credentials does this man hold that allows him to berate the current Liberal leadership candidates, all of whom possess far higher degrees of education along with many years of public service in their porfolios. A school teacher? I should have known. School teachers tend to be dellusional with regards to their appropriate place in society.........nothing new. I suppose the Canadian media is always looking for a "first family". Trudeu? Gimme a break..........the kid cant even speak propper english.

That Pierre Trudeu was the second coming of Christ.

Israel is surrounded by enemies. Although they've proven in previous wars that they can as easily hold their own, and they had won...I find it hard to just walk away. It's like seeing someone getting ganged up and mugged...and just looking the other way. It is the idea and the reality that their enemies just want to see them all dead. How can we turn away and just let that happen? Israel, is the powerhouse in the region. They are quite capable of pitched battle with any and all in the middle east. Nuclear weapons allow them to keep the Saudis' out of the fold. It's a fair fight. It's time for the talk and posturing to end and the fur to fly..........if they're willing.

After endless debates, truncated skirmishes and sandbox solutions, I think it's time to state the obvious; the path to peace in the middle east is WAR.............they're own war............all by themselves. When hundreds of thousands have died through unspeakably arcane acts of butchery, the reasons for peace will become obvious to a region that seems completely out of place in modern society. Perhaps the words of the tora and the koran will be viewed with an "evolved" perspective that is more suitable in this stage of the human development proccess. The time has come for the "advanced world" to walk away from the "pagan world" and leave it to its own devices.

My goodness, I ask: What kind of society allows these poor children to be born? What kind of Pshychotic Screw-ball celebrates this type of birth?............the Canadian media. If there is ever, ever,ever a case for terminating pregnancy at the earliest stage, this is it. To hell with the system. Lunacy. Stupidity. EGO. I dont care what happens, those poor kids will be screwed from the get go. The parents will be going out of their minds for years to come. The medical bills will be in the millions...........forever. Who pays for this foolishness? WE DO. While our parents are dying and need care, we spend millions on unspeakable breaches of a basic moral code. The pregnancy should have been terminated and the parents could try again. Is that cruel? Talk to the kids 20 years from now..........we'll see whats cruel.

I'm tired of armchair soldier/know-it-alls talking about hardware. You haven't a clue.

YES

I'm sorry folks, it's a crummy situation. Unfortunately, there is no "going back" on this one. We are a founding member of NATO and the UN. These organizations are what seperate us from U.S. foreign policy. The U.S. has treated Canada and our allies like dirt. The UN has been relegated to a laughable state. NATO and the UN must re-establish itself as THE GOVERNING WORLD BODY concerning conflict and humanitarian needs. The U.S. must never be permitted to recklessly destastabilize our planet again. Fool-hardy greed and deception; insults and inuendo; if your not with us ...........your with the terrorists.................expletive and then another expletive Mr. Bush..

There's nothing wrong with questioning the wisdom of a strategic move. I haven't been following the debate, so I couldn't tell you who's involved or what they're saying, but I would never try to stifle it. Thank you. I've just sat down to think about how the average Canadian would think about this. I'm a former ground soldier and natuarally I have issues concerning past deployment. I don't wish to be rude with anyone. I feel that it is immperative that Canadians pressure the current Gov. to send many immplements for the ground forces. We simply cannot walk away from the obvious situation that we find ourselves in. There is NO WAY OUT. There is no political venue left.........it is done. Our men need the tanks, they need Canadian air support, they need everything that Canada can offer. This cannot be half-way. It costs soldiers lives. If we commit to a UN sancioned war.........a NATO war..................there is but ONE objective. When Canada commits to fighting, we will WIN. Period. To do otherwise would disgrace our history and the people (my people) of this country. Thats it. By the way.........have you seen the price on VIAGRA? WOW..........kidding

There's nothing wrong with questioning the wisdom of a strategic move. I haven't been following the debate, so I couldn't tell you who's involved or what they're saying, but I would never try to stifle it. Thank you. I've just sat down to think about how the average Canadian would think about this. I'm a former ground soldier and natuarally I have issues concerning past deployment. I don't wish to be rude with anyone. I feel that it is immperative that Canadians pressure the current Gov. to send many immplements for the ground forces. We simply cannot walk away from the obvious situation that we find ourselves in. There is NO WAY OUT. There is no political venue left.........it is done. Our men need the tanks, they need Canadian air support, they need everything that Canada can offer. This cannot be half-way. It costs soldiers lives. If we commit to a UN sancioned war.........a NATO war..................there is but ONE objective. When Canada commits to fighting, we will WIN. Period. To do otherwise would disgrace our history and the people (my people) of this country. Thats it.

What nonsense. If you want to critisize the Liberal leadership candidates then do so with a little intelligence. Calling them all "LOOSERS" simply exposes your irrational partisanship. There is a very good chance that the candidate elected will be the next PM, given the fact that Harper cannot increase his lead over a leaderless party while he has the pulpit of government. My goodness, I suppose I'm left to you (the intelligent one) that listens to their rhetorical re-cap of yesterday. Thank god for us "dummies" for there is some hope. I'll give you this..........A freind of mine just had to put out a burning cross in his front yard...........in Prince George........disgusting.

The sending of tanks seems to be an issue with many.....as though it's the WRONG THING TO DO. You tell me who it is, that bickers in this way?

Give the men and women everything that they need. TANKS..............F-18's I dont care. GIVE IT TO THEM. ADD another 2500 troops to back them up. I dont care. Canada is their on behalf of our NATO obligations...............like it or not. It isn't going to change. Give our troops 3 TIMES what they need. This is no time for bickering. Give them what they need to WIN!..........today and tommorow.........and the rest of this shitty time . They need support from their people, and they need hardware thats usefull in a time of WARRRR!!!.

I never thought that I would witness such a pathetic state of affairs as this. After watching question period today, I was shocked to see the same crud as usual. The NDP has no realistic concept of NATO (they apparently dont know what it is) and the Liberals played Politics with a tragic event. Jeepers, we are in serious trouble. Liberal leadership candidates? NONE. These idiots can't get over their EGO'S let alone run a country. There are so many of them that it's anoying. Hedi Fry, Volpe, Kennedy, and on and on . All LOOSERS, with no chance whatsoever. These, as most of them, are people that barely made their own ridings! The public genuinely despise' these people!? Hedi Fry, was narrowly re-elected against.......... a gay thief. Are these people on DOPE? Well I hope so, because there is no other reason for them to be wasting our time..........and Liberal Money!? The Liberal Party is in shambles.

All of which is pretty much true. Which is odd given everything you write after this is such utter mindless drivel Well, since there an absolute mountain of evidence they're doing no such thing I shouldn't think much justification is necessary. I'm quite tired, really, of these panicky, wide-eyed, knowledge free posts wherein people see some rubble on television and run pell-mell to their computer to tell me how horrified they are at the awesome slaughter and blitzkreik and genocide and indescriminate bombing and murder in Lebanon. Grow up. Learn a little history. Try and buy a sense of reality. Investigate the possiblity of placing things into context. Six hundred children are dying every day in Congo, according to UNICEF. Ten thousand people are killed every month in Darfur. There are countless other intercine struggles around the world right now taking more lives than this little spat in Lebanon. What is happening in Lebanon is small change indeed. You are seeing it every day on television, and so seem to believe it's some kind of massive, end-of-the-world nightmarish struggle for survival. But it's only big news because there are lots of comfortable hotels and restaurants nearby for the international press to relax in, and because it involves Israel, which the modern liberal left has come to despise. Rather, because Hezbollah has been firing rockets into Israel for months now, and then because, in a carefully archestrated attack, two Israeli soldiers (I have seen information they aren't even Jews) were kidnapped, and a huge IED was set along with an ambush for the inevitable rescuers during which eight Israelis were killed. One of them, btw, was a Canadian, if that matters to you. The most apt comparison to this is to say that the rape victim is at fault for being attractive. Then stop watching the news. If you have no ability to place things into context and no way of understanding the underlying reasons for conflict then go and play video games. You'll feel better. I too am intolerant of having my people murdered. Fancy that. I admire your tolerance. Can I come over and kill some friends of yours later on today? Speaking of mindless drivel. I guess "your people" have it all worked out. Suddenly, after 40+ years of "mindless drivel", you'll get things right? Show me. What have you done right? .........apart from nothing. Israel acts as the spoiled child of the U.S. like a bunch of sacred babies. Somebody hits Israel with ordanance that is akin with a "sling-shot" in its accuracy, and the cruise missiles fly. Big brother offers sattelite imagry so you can defeat the evil ones...........and you still can't be decent............you have to kill as many as you can. I was in the region as a soldier for over 12 years, so don't bullshit me about the peacefull nature of the Israeli government. Their ruthless and dispicable intrusions in to other territories was both common and joyfull with the troops I met. Killing a Palestinion man/woman at long range was quite a laugh amongst the troops...........a contest if you will. Supper was brought to them and they were pampered. I never encountered that on the other side. They were simple people that would avenge these killings if they could .........believe me.......IF THEY COULD! Think of that drivel. Perhaps its worth noting that all Israeli agression in the region has acomplished nothing............as a matter of fact , it has created war........again and again. You spoiled little babies don't have a clue do you? As far as you attacking my freinds? Go for it! I can stay within my borders and make you disappear.

I always enjoy Putins' rhetorical jibes at democracy and its failings. Sure, he's not a nice guy but you have to admire his scathing sense of humour. I can't think of ANY "nice guys" running a country in this world. Currious. Democracy. What a farse in and of its self. Modern intelectuals already know that Democracy is a deeply flawed system of government; It's like milk........you buy it, and its good...........for a time; then it goes bad. It's my feeling that Democracy has run its course and is no-longer a viable framework for addressing the issues of today. Democracy has allowed corporations to RULE our western world. In my oppinion, this is a reggresive trend. When Western corporations head to the East, they do so for profits......period. They abandon the very people that have made them wealthy, and "lay waste" to the social structures that allow them to exist (the middle class). Am I the only one that has a problem with this? Lets see; you increase trade with a country because it makes you (a corporation) rich. You in turn, make (China lets say) the most powerfull nation on earth. Westerners then become "surfs" ........but thats o.k. because the CEO is rich, and his kids will still attend Harvard (it's a tradition afterall) and all is well. Wages fall off the map and corporations hire from a watershed of fresh new immigrants..........it's cheap! REVOLUTION .........CIVIL WAR................and CHAOS. Wow, I love this global economy. Dispicable greed, moral decisions becoming " fiscal speed-bumps" and the fabric of our fore-fathers being wiped away by spine-less beurocrats. Canadians have to wake up. Isolationist policy has never been popular but hey, it was never needed before. Now it is. We're sitting on a gold mine and our policies have to change. STEP 1: We (Canadians) own our resources and they should be sold to other western nations (europe preferably) and should not fund our own downfall in ASIA. Don't allow it. STEP 2: At least VOTE! Corporations take advantage of the fact that most Canadians havn't a clue. They love it! They sell you out daily to foreign interests because of greed. You pay the taxes! They don't! Remember, if corporations paid propper taxes in Canada, you and I could have excellent healthcare, education and bennefits. STEP 3: fill in as you wish.........

IF Israel crossed its borders? They ROUTINELY cross into other nations sovereign territory. This is the seventh time in 30 years that they've become unwanted guests in Lebanon alone. This behavior, has become one of the primary reasons for instability in the region. If that isn't bad enough, the Mossad has been assasinating people worldwide for 40+ years. Israel does not ,and will not make peace unless it is ENTIRELY on its own terms. They refuse to compromise on any front.........and this B.S. about them leaving occupied territorries is just that..... B.S.! They are not to be there in the first place! ......IT'S NOT THEIR LAND!. In conclusion, my point is that Israel is fully capable of holding its borders, and givin their situation, they have a responsability to their people to do so. In this case, they DID NOT. As a result, bad things happened and they are now playing "the wounded partridge" and using it as an excuse to KILL AS MANY PEOPLE THAT DONT LIKE THEM........AS POSSIBLE. It's BLATANT. Israels' response, has been ridiculous. Not suprising considering the country is run by a group of biggoted "bitter old men" from the military. If they could get away with it, they would NUKE every arab on the planet. Sound familiar? Hezbolla, Hammas, Al Quaida, Israel; there is no difference. They're all a bunch of angry religious "wack- jobs" . I would go so far to say that, the people of Israel are probably tired of their own leadership and the sledge-hammer diplomacy that results.

Two soliders got kidnapped by terrorists, root cause. The Christian/French group in Lebanon is far more powerful politically and is calling for peace. Until Israel kicked all the Palestinians out of Palestine, Lebanon was predominately Christian Francophones. From wiki unfortunately: Until the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War, Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, was noted for its wide boulevards, French-style architecture, and modernity, and was called "the Paris of the Middle East." Lebanon as a whole was known as the Switzerland of the Middle East (Swisra Ash Shark), enjoying a similar conflict-free status as Costa Rica in Central America and (until recently) Uruguay in South America. Then the Syrians and Iranians came in and had to mess it all up. None the less, 90% of Lebanese don't support Hezbollah. Well, Israel has a right to attempt to rescue their soliders through military means, and to definitely capture and prosecute the terrorists. They also have a right to take out those firing missles across their border. No, Hezbollah definitely is at fault for starting the conflict. Israel is at fault for escalating it and drawing in the civilians. Not at all, the US is far cleaner in it's operations. Not to mention they don't purposely attack civilians to punish them and send a message through destruction of infrastucture. The US is a model for keeping war as clean as war can be. Israel is not. I supposed if another Cuban revolution happened and you were vacationing at Club Med you'd be ok to be left for dead? Lebanon was peaceful until the kidnappings, people lived normal lives like us... why not go there? I hear the mountain biking is off the wall awesome too. They should be rescued, though a fee should be charged. Not a fee that would prevent someone from being rescued, but at least recover some of the costs for us. where do I start? 1. Two soldiers...........bummer. 2. French catholics had the political power? thats just incorect. 3. I worked thoughout the middle east for many years, and can honestly say that dumping this problem on Syria and Iran is, simplistic. Roughly 30% of Lebonese supported Hezbollah before this quagmire, I susspect their support is growing exponentially as we speak. 4. As a matter of fact, Israel has no right whatsoever to invade the sovereign nation of Lebanon unless it officially declares war. Thus far, Israel is conducting illegal warefare wich is commonly refered to as TERRORISM in the international court. Furthermore, I can assure you that Israeli ground forces are not capable of waltzing in and finding their soldiers even IF that were the issue instead of the conveniant excuse it has become. 5. Drawing in civilians? Perhaps you mean murdering civilians. Israel is privy to the finest sattelite inteligence known to man -in real time (thanks U.S.A) and know precisely, the location of all launches of munitions leaving Lebanon; Beirut is not a factor. Israel wants those rockets flying as much as Hezbolalh....... if they stop, they can't continue their "cleansing" of the region. The world wouldn't allow it. Unguided Rockets that actually hit something 4% of the time are a godsend for the Israeli Gov. right now. 6. The U.S. has an abhorent record concerning civilian casualties. Iraq, being only the latest example. U.S. "smart" weapons (contrary to what you may believe) are not designed to minimize civi-casualties. They were developed to minimize damage to infrastucture and hence, trim the "bottom line" concerning the rebuild of conquered nations. Hell, they can't even stop dropping ordinance on their own allies/troops. 7. CUBA? Yes, if you are a citizen of the U.S. (the only country in the world that has a problem with this former CIA trained freedom fighter) I would easily say, that this place may not be for you..........and so, you are on your own. This is especialy problematic because you dont have the option of EASILY WALKING 28 miles to safety unless of course you "pull a Jesus" ,and its been a long time since the last reported case worked out. BUT, if it did happen and I was there.........you bet.........I'm on my own. People have to take resposability for their own lives. Canada has a great deal on its plate and baby-sitting shouldn't be one of them.

I will bash any Canadian that finds themsemselves in such circunstance by their own doing. How dare these ass-holes (and thats what they are) bitch about Canadas' lack of response to their immediate needs. No air-conditioning being inhumane? Go stick your head in a steaming pile of mannure you f'ing brat. It's an embarrasment to have people like that as Canadian citizens. Ungratefull WIMPS!. It's disgracefull. Why cant we get more immigrants that actually CONTRIBUTE to Canadian society (No, I dont mean the pocket book) I mean, genuine hard working people from Poland or something. Lets face it, this multiculturalism is an F'ing joke. Integration is the only sensible immigration policy. Europe is telling us now.........and we are NOT listening. Stupid idiots.

Obviously, Lebanon's territorial integrity is being undermined daily by Syria and Hezbollah. Israel is now trying to expel them. The UN Security Council''s reaction? To try to condemn Israel (prevented only by US veto). The UN has clearly gone from being a debating society to a "hate the West" society. If tinpot dictators countries like Cameroon or Central African Republic want to criticize the West, that's fine (except in view of the non-model handling of their own minorities and own economy). The UN, put simply, has accomplished nothing. Moneys that citizens of democracies are willing to allocate to foreign aid should go directly to needy countries, if possible bypassing their governments. Let that aid money buy influence, not insults. Give your head a shake.

Dony worry, I think I understand your question. I think it would be a draw. They use the same tactics and propaganda. It seems as though Israeles hold the same chip on their shoulder as the Germans did back then; that is, they are deserving by their birthright to do whatever they want and everyone around them can join "the party" or f' off.

I feel that my Canadian prime minister did well. He even wiped the shoe-polish off his lips before his press conference. A nice touch.