theloniusfleabag

Dear RB, You seem to have an extremely bitter view of the world. How I make friends is by talking with them, often sharing common experiences, (such as work or hobbies) and often similar political viewpoints (but the last one isn't as important). Race or gender do not have a place on the 'fleabag's like-o-meter'. The human body is merely a vehicle, transportation for 'the soul'. I only make judgements of what is on the inside. Same for 'beauty'. I know a few people that are considered 'attractive', but are shallow and ugly inside. Their looks become way less endearing when you get to know them.

Dear leafless, This is very true, and I am vehemently against racial or gender quotas.With no quotas, the best people would fill the best positions, and over time, it should balance itself out. However, complaining of 'ethnic concentrations', (whatever colour they are) should be the first thing to go.

Dear Argus, The condemnation of US foriegn policy is based upon their own hypocrisy. As much as they trumpet 'democracy' (while crushing it elsewhere) and freedom, they only act in their own interest. Supporting Saddam or removing him isn't done for 'justice, liberty or freedom', it is done for economic and power interests (that benefit the US) only. To hear them claim it is 'for the Iraqi people' makes me guffaw.

Burns, They will probably find Bat-Boy before they find Iraq's alleged WMD's. (For those conspiracy theorists who think the "mainstream media" is biased away from the profit motive)

Dear sharkman, It is a likely scenario that this is exactly true. The he had nothing, and was trying to hide the fact. 'Blustering' (telling the inspectors to vamoose) plays well at home, it shows he's 'tough'. By not revealing that he actually had nothing keeps his enemy guessing. If you were at the beach, and stuffed a sock down your trunks to impress the ladies, would you welcome a 'close inspection', or even offer a peek to someone that was curious? Hardly.

Dear RB, Perhaps you do feel this way, but I think that this is one of the kookiest things I have read here in a while.

Dear crazymf, Very true. I don't think they will lose that much credibility, though. Especially if HAMAS gets boycotted by the major nations. They can claim perfidy, and that it wasn't their fault. It would be better that the major nations do recognize a democratically elected gov't, so that if it does fail, there can't be any excuses. And if it works, there might actually be peace.

Don't forget, HAMAS was created by Israel to undermine support for the PLO. What I find funny is that the US et al. scream 'democracy' as though it would solve everyone's ills, and then snivel when they don't like the results. Kind of like when the Model T came off the production line, the sales pitch was "You can have it in whatever colour you want, as long as it's black". So, Palestine seems to have no democratic option.."You can vote for anyone you want, but we'll only recognize Fatah".

Dear geoffrey, Anal and oral sex are, in some places (especially where is is still illegal to practice them), called 'sodomy'. I am not sure if you are actually trying to argue that they are not 'sex', but I can tell you Bill Clinton lost that argument, and had to instead attack the word 'is'.

Dear BHS, A very good post indeed. "Also, as I've stated in other threads, I genuinely believe that a free media and a vigilent public combined with a healthy, mature democratic political process place an effective constraint on government's natural tendency toward authoritarianism. In other words, I believe that government will always bend toward authoritarian impulses over time, but that our system of collective self-examination prevents government from going too far in that direction, and therefore our political process is ultimately self-correcting." (BHS) I suppose this is what led some dude (Churchill, I think) to say, "Democracy is a terrible way to run a country, but it is better than all the others". A free media is most likely unattainable, save for a few independent or publicly funded outlets, but they won't be mainstream, and will therefore look somewhat partisan (and will usually be 'left'). A vigilant public is another challenge. The 'unwashed masses' are (as seen by some) to be used as consumers, not watchdogs.

This article is mostly drivel. There are some points worth considering, but they easily get lost in a long tirade that is self-contradictory and misleading. Some might even go so far as to say it is a typical Jewish ploy to have everyone else see the Jewish enemy as their own, so you will fight their battles for them....Mind you, I don't believe stuff like that, so I wouldn't say it. Fuck Mark Steyn. I embrace multi-culturalism, and I try to learn as much as I can. I love ethnic food, clothing, and have made lots of friends that have taught me some of the languages of Cantonese, Greek, Punjabi, German and a little bit of Vietnamese. If he can't be bothered, or thinks that I shouldn't (or don't), tough toenails. I don't care what he thinks. Well, it seemed good when the Western religions dominated by 'birth-rate default'...now, Steyn seems to be knocking it. The thing that has made America rich and powerful, that being secular idol and Mammon worship, is looking to be it's downfall...fitting, really. The entire article is based on sophistry.

I also agree with Argus' assessment of the situation. It should not be too hard for Harper to avoid being seen as 'too hard line', not without a majority. He pretty much has to stay near the political middle, and I hope he realizes that most Canadians are there too.

Dear August1991, I will be voting also. A vote cannot itself make the difference (unless the counts come down to one vote....but then who can say if it was yours, unless you waited until last), but voting does. If your riding was to be automatically decided by your one vote, what would be the point of everyone else bothering to vote (or of democracy in general, for that matter)?

Dear Argus, With the expected change of gov't, you'll probably be ordered to stock up on the most worthless and expensive bunk as one can imagine. Just so the new guys can start off as wrong-footed as possible. Pallets of onion-skin toilet paper? Zircon-encrusted tweezers? Quebec? (j/k August1991)

Dear August1991, I too, have been influnced here. Hugo made my brain strain. As do you and others here on occasion. Well said, and it humourously reminds me of an old saying my mom told me..."Never discuss religion or politics at the the table or with people you just met. It is a sure-fire recipe for conflict." I partook in a 'pseudo-blog' years ago, with the purpose of putting out a book. An old friend of mine gathered a mixed bag of a few others and we sat in a pub in Calgary (this would have been about 1990-92) to banter about politics, while he took notes about our views of the circumstances of the day. I do believe he got it published, but I can't recall the name. Wonderful times.

Dear August1991, This is very true, but internet information must often be taken with a grain of salt. 'Blogs' are most often the rantings of idiots, not 'news'. Do they influence people? I certainly hope not, but I think they probably do. But then again, have you ever changed your mind about something because of something I (or anyone else here) wrote?

IMR, Sadly, I believe you are right. He will most likely get in because of the colour of his sign, I expect the entire province to 'go blue'. C'est la vie.

Dear geoffrey, A quick question... Who was the PM at the time?

Dear geoffrey, Indeed. Remember what happened to David Kilgour and Alex Kindy. They voted according to the wishes of their constituents (against the introduction of the GST) and were booted out of the old PC party for such audacity.Personally, I would like a conservative minority with the NDP holding the balance of power, with the Nuns of 'Our Lady of Perpetual Cynicism' in opposition.

Dear August1991, Your words are very true. I would also commend Layton for not not falling into this trap. I think it speaks volumes, (in my mind, amongst all the other voices) that I am thinking of voting for this 'extreme right-wing' party as an alternative to the the corruption and recent antics of the Liberals. They are facing a mighty fall, perhaps one as large as the Mulroney/Campbell fiasco. It might not have even been such a far fall if they hadn't taken on the 'negative attack' approach. Had they stuck with their own positives, including a reasonably admirable fiscal track record, they might have had a chance.

Dear kimmy, Amen. however, one can only speculate if he was involved in the other MP's activities...some 100+ bottles of booze being smuggled into the country, Anders was going to 'help him (in his campaign, wink wink) and now Anders is AWOL...drunk in a ditch perhaps?

New Member Group: Members Posts: 1 Joined: 24-September 04 Member No.: 692 Look familiar?

I have always despised my MP, now more so than ever. The trouble is, I was thinking of supporting the conservatives...but I cannot vote for Anders. If anyone recalls, he was the one who refused to shake Nelson Mandela's hand, and was the lone holdout that would have otherwise given a unanimous decision to give Mandela 'honorary Canadian citizenship'. He is also against a bill to amend the animal cruelty act, something I believe deeply in. Further, I don't like what he is presently up to... http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Election/2006/...401026-sun.html My problem is that the other two parties that I might vote for, the NDP and the Greens, are both running 19 yr old university students in Calgary West. I don't feel that a 19 yr old (call me biased) is 'up to snuff' regarding 'running our country', and I want the liberals gone. What to do, what to do....

Dear Army Guy, You raise some excellent points. My advocacy lies with handing our prison system to the military, alongside the commensurate funding. Make prisons a place people don't want to go back to.

Dear August1991, I am going to have to concur. Someone like a 'huge union' head will ostensibly draw their salary off of the backs of the union workers regardless of who is PM, and they stand a way better chance to out-'tenure' a couple, and possibly several, Prime ministers. What on earth could Hargrove have stood to gain by so blatantly attempting to influence the outcome?http://start.shaw.ca/start/enCA/News/Natio...rc=n011835A.xml betsy, if only that lovable crooner Telly Savalas were alive to run....