theloniusfleabag

Dear szkw1, I work beside the Calgary Drop In & Rehab Centre and I can tell you that these people are mostly drug-addicted (hard drugs, I mean, as well as alcohol) violent criminals with absolutely no regard for the well-being of others, no morals whatsoever and no incentive to do anything else but collect the free lunches, free beds and free money in the form of 'social assistance'. The reason most of them are on the streets is because they had these same 'qualities' all their lives, and are only there because they have been shunned from everywhere else. Granted, some few have legitimate medical conditions that 'disable' them, but these are some 2-5% (as far as I see everyday for the past 6 years), but the majority of them actually like living like, and with the morality of, animals. These are the ones that bleed the 'social safety net' dry, and those 5-10%ers that actually need assistance suffer for it. The system needs a total overhaul, throwing cheques at the problem doesn't really help in the long term. As to ending the cycle that causes these people who actually can work but have become 'downtrodden' because of their upbringing, I can only suggest a crackdown on this generation to help the next.

Dear PocketRocket, from... http://www.ec.gc.ca/cleanair-airpur/Pollut...F53482-1_En.htm As to the US, from... http://www.energy.gov/engine/content.do?BT_CODE=COAL Still, some gov'ts seem to be moving away from 'high pollution' power generation, but some people still think that the earth is invincible.

Dear Army Guy, I must admit that I am quite impressed by your candor. Your spelling and punctuation are suspect, but you still make a lot of sense. Does Canada need a military? I think that this may be what Black Dog is indicating. We don't use our military as a 'foriegn policy tool' like the US, nor does ours threaten anyone in a defensive manner (nor did it ever, really), though as Black Dog points out, if the bell gets rung, we'll show up. We'll put up a damn good fight, too. The actual scenarios for Canada to 'do war' upon someone are few and far between, and at least for now, even a mighty military has been proven to be ineffective against far less capable foes.

Dear PocketRocket, The old National Post forum....as I recall, there was a terrible 'troll' infestation just before it became defunct a couple of years ago. It seems Yodeler (before being banned as..a 'troll'...) recalled it for some reason... Kooky, huh? Actually, PocketRocket, it is my contention that this 'troll' was previously Yodeler, then masterkush, etc to the tune of being responsible for approximately (and at least) 800-900 of the last 1000 'new members'.

Burns, To the best of my recollection, and searching the answer, I did say later "I stand corrected". However, that issue has never been 'put to the test', as the separation of Quebec might foment. Regardless, with this you admit to breaking the forum rules, for an extended period of time with your worthless that spawn no debate but aim to disrupt, and yet you can claim that there was another reason for me to call for administrative discipline? I shall report this post Greg myself, I do hope he reads it. For a forum administrator to discuss the content of reports, or posts in question, with other posters that should rightly be held 'in confidence' is appalling. Certainly, it should be for him to judge what or what is not acceptable. However, what has transpired here I find truly disgusting.

Dear BHS, There will always be sect of boobs who have 'fugues of enlightenment' and think that they can apply them immediately, without thinking things through. Besides, my "benevolent gov't's" role would be to offer tax breaks for those that produce more for 'common good' than for 'consumption'. I believe an economy (as well as a person) can serve a purpose greater than itself.

Dear BHS, I mean it is a step along the road to anarchy( you are correct, though, that being somewhere is a step in no direction), though one on that journey is hobbled by two things. Morality and Law. Remove those two fetters from the human spirit (of self-gratification) and you'll have anarchy. Well, I can't really name it because it hasn't been tried yet. Sort of a cross between anarcho-syndiclism and Marxism-Fleabagism, with a healthy but moderate dose of Buddhism. Democratic Socialism is similar in theory, but has been bastardized so badly by some few that is has made them dirty words. My personal 'fascism' isn't exclusive, it includes all.

Dear August1991, More is required than an apology, August. I don't mean reparations, either. Acknowledgement and cessation are required. Like the alcoholic, apologizing doesn't address the primary issue.

I only suggest that people who are derogatory, derisive and post false (for the purposes of 'flaming') information be disciplined/banned. If Greg has a problem with me, I'm sure he'll say something. However, you seem to have proven my point, that you only post imflammatory rhetoric against those you disagree with, and never contribute to debate. (Well, mostly never. I have, in the past, noted some 2-3% of you posts actually had something to do with a topic, 95% is ad hom attacks. Again, another post with 100% rubbish content. Perhaps I will give Greg a miss this time.You are a 'DU reject' (by your own admission), for being an asshole, no one believes your bullshit about it being over the word 'why'. The sooner you fuck off the better. No forum should be subjected to assholes like you. If the moderator shall find issue with this post, no problem. My only hope is that he reviews your posts also, and takes the appropriate action that is best for everyone.

Dear BHS, Ah yes, the fastest and most exciting way to personal gain. All legal and ownership disputes settled by the law offices of "Gimme, Gimme and Blam!". Mind you, this is a step in that direction.

Dear August1991, I do not like Ralph Klein, but I can tell you that if you he says something, he means it. I remember when he was the Mayor of Calgary, and it was there that he earned his reputation as the most honest and well liked mayor in recent history (anywhere in Canada). He used to drink beer at a shabby hotel called the St. Louis, 1 block from city hall (there was actually some joking about him having a 'private tunnel') and he was seen as 'one of the common folk' (and to hear him speak, no wonder).So, again, if I was asked "Do you like him?" I would say 'No'. If I was asked "Is he honest?", I would have to admit "Yes".

Dear Leafless, Indeed, the most serious concern now should be: 'how do we keep it from happening again' (or at least 'over and over')?

Dear Toro, It works out to about 55 cents a day. The Mojo Candy Corp. must be all a-quiver. I can imagine better things that the gov't could do with $30 billion (mind you, I have seen a lot more wasteful things too).I think the Canadian public should be asked "What would you do with an extra 55 cents a day!?" Possible answers; "I'd hire me another mexican!" "I could buy a newspaper! Well, not a real newspaper, just the Calgary Sun, I suppose." "At a meter in downtown Calgary, that's a whole 9 minutes of parking!" Of course, 55 cents was the average, the 'low income' bracket is reputed to get (or keep an extra) 33 cents a day. Which would you give up first, one trip to the emergency room or one X-Box?

Dear Leafless, Yes, Mulroney was as innocent as OJ Simpson and Michael Jackson. Note that Mulroney left Canada to go to the US to become a director on a huge multi-national corporation that was subsequently fined hundreds of millions for price-fixing.

Dear sharkman, As can you, though my point was having the option to dispel myths by looking for yourself is the preferable option. Of course, some find it easier to simply hang on to the myth.

Dear Shady, Yes, and I did not mean to imply yours was the disingenuous post, just the original one. As I say, so it is not surprising that anyone opposed to US foreign policy would pick up on it. As has been said in the past, (although some things have presumably changed the situation) including Bin Laden himself, 9/11 happened because of hatred of US foriegn policy, and US actions such as the US support of tyrannical dictatorships that oppress Muslims, not because of a hatred of freedom nor democracy.

Dear sharkman, (and Argus) I suggest you both try reading al-Jazeera once in a while, it isn't quite like that. In fact, when reading reports about the Palestinian conflict, it is often quite dry and 'no-sided'. They don't use the word 'murdered', they say 'killed'. There are plenty of biased news eports out there that will blatantly take one side or the other, but I find al-Jazeera to report the stories 'rhetoric-free', which is often a refreshng change. Further, a lot of the opinion columns are quite critical of Islamic Fundamentalism, as well as US foriegn policy, in equal amounts. I find more 'anti-americanism' on israelinationalnews.com than on al-Jazeera.Here are the links, http://www.israelnationalnews.com/ http://english.aljazeera.net/HomePage Compare the two, read some editorials and note the wording. I think you might be surprised.

Dear shoop, You are correct, I should have used different wording, but you are incorrect also, for I am not a 'Liberal'. I would actually like to see a conservative government, but I have two major problems. Firstly and most importantly, I do not see Harper as fit to govern the nation, as his most recent actions would indicate. Second, the Conservative candidate in my riding isn't one I could be bothered to toss a heavy rock to if he were drowning. What I should have said regarding Klein's actions might have been..."Ralphiwe seems intent on sabotaging the CPC party and I think this clearly shows he has no faith in Harper" (and by showing it publicly he seems to be tring to influence the rest of us). Why did Ralphie say something like "Harper is the man to lead the nation.", or "Canada needs or would do well with a Conservative gov't"? Instead, he said something that is basically detrimental to his own party's national standing. I believe that Ralphie deeply wishes that Harper NOT run the country, and that is another thing that worries me. If Peter Mackay were to assume leadership, I think it would be a positive thing for the CPC and Canada. There are others, to be sure, but Harper's playground level slander cannot help the party, especially when there should be enough ammo to sink the Liberal ship without resorting to 'gutterpress'.

The 'opening gambit' of the CPC led by Harper seems to have headed straight to the gutter on the first day. from.. http://start.shaw.ca/start/enCA/News/Natio...c=n1124107A.xml While I have no love for the corruption that taints the Federal Liberals, this comment is dangerously close to 'slanderous libel' and could have been presented in a far more responsible manner. Like this comment... Seems the tories have begun 'winning over the Canadian public' by shooting off their mouths, and themselves in the foot. Perhaps Ralph Klein is right, that Harper is unfit to run the country, and could only let the rest of us know through his bizarre actions of predicting a Liberal (albeit minority) win.

Dear Shady, This is pure sophistry. I can't believe you could be so simple-minded as to fall for it by making the leap with this... The first quote blatantly implies that Moore has a terrorist organization 'doing his bidding' by distributing his movie. Your quote clearly implies that the offer came from a terrorist organization to a UAE distributor, and the only way Moore is involved in this deal is that he made an 'Anti Fascist-America' movie. If the UAE distibutor accepts the help of the Hizbollah, you can bet Moore and his US distributor will pull the movie out of their hands pronto. So, the first post it is obviously not true because the offer has only been made, not accepted, nor will it likely ever be. A classic case of disingenuous posting, going beyond misrepresentation to the realm of outright lying. And you seem to have fallen for it.

I'll have to echo PocketRocket's sentiments about 'censored' stuff being a draw to kids. First, I heard an interview with Paul McCartney years ago, talking about the PMRC putting warning labels on albums. Paul said Also, Ice-T in his song "Freedom of Speech" (from the album Bodycount) had the line "Hey PMRC, you stupid f#@king a@#holes, the sticker on the record is what makes it sell gold.."However, I do believe that this whole imbroglio is about banning the person from Canada, not the music. I would think that if this 'Fifty Cent Negro' (if you'll pardon the pun) has a criminal record, including gun-related ones, it should be quite easy for the Canadian gov't to say, "Thanks, but no thanks, your kind isn't welcome here". (and I mean jerks, not Negroes, or 'coloured people', or 'people of colour', which I find an odd classification because technically Black means the absence of colour, so 'african-americans', even if they aren't from Africa any more recently than the rest of us, should be called 'people without colour') I think that most here would have to agree that advocating robbery and murder is somewhat different than Elvis' evil 'hip gyrations'.

Dear shoop, Just because he can't pronounce his own name doesn't mean that journalists should start using 'pidgin english' also. What if he had a harelip or mild retardation? Pronouncing his name the same way he does would then be seen as mockery. Journalists need to stick to the English language (though I realize it can and does change) and not start taking 'the lazy way'...(fitty cent indeed...more of a drunken/drugged mumble than a pronounciation)

It seems that Prs. Bush had suggested bombing the al-Jazzera network at it's base in Qatar. I remember hearing about this suggestion at the time, but now it is being 'officially denied'. Further, Bush's 'lap dog' Tony Blair, is threatening the media should the memo about it get published. from... http://politics.guardian.co.uk/comment/sto...1649442,00.html I tend to agree with the Guardian's statement that al-Jazeera is actually quite impartial, and presents news in 'a fair and balanced manner'. the official denial can be found here...http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/...51123-voa06.htm "outlandish and inconceivable." don't actually mean that it isn't true.

Dear shoop, You are right, censorship is an ugly thing. If you really want to hear his message, you probably can, with or without his coming to Canada. Just like the KKK, you can visit their website if you want. (I can even post it for you, and others like it, if you wish) I don't think the KKK should be able to hold rallies and cross-burnings under the banner of 'free-speech' though. It is, in it's way, a freedom of speech. However, the extreme of free speech (and the absence of rules) is anarchy, and I believe that anarchy is something to be avoided, even if it hs to be through legislation. Where do I draw the line? That is a toughie. Why should my personal choice or moral compass affect you? Again, a tough one. That would depend on whether or not you advocate this sort of thing.

Dear August1991, Quebec has 'come out' August. They enjoy more influence than any single other province. The influence (some say appeasement) Quebec has over the nation is palpable (I am shocked to find products in a grocery store without Francais on the label), and Montreal is known internationally as Canada's hotbed of culture, sexual liberalism, etc. it's hashish, it's car racing and it's 'culture'. Gay marriage has been accepted, as well as gay parenting. Yet, somehow, the 'gay kid' still says, in a pique of angst, "You just don't understand!"What is it, August, that we don't understand? What is it that Quebec (through secession) hopes to gain?