theloniusfleabag

Dear cybercoma, A quote from my Canadian Global Almanac (1992) pg 104. "No one can deny that Quebec is, culturally and sociologically, a distinct society. So is Newfoundland." Eugene Forsey, constitutional authority, A Life on the Fringe: The Memoirs of Eugene Forsey (1990)

Dear Aslan, That link is full of bunk. It should be called "Made Up Logic 101' if anything. No dissent? Afghanistan is far from 'secured'. This line almost made me blow beer out my nose. This is a good question, and in the book "Imperial Hubris", the author suggests that the invasion of Iraq was a gift Bin Laden and his ilk could only dream of.

Dear Argus, Interesting, Iran and Israel used to be allies... from.... http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/wor...nist-entity.htmHowever, pervasive rumour-mongering, combined with actual fact, on both sides, has muddied the waters a bit. from.. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/wor...israel-maps.htm A map of 'Greater Israel'... http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/wor...israel-map5.jpg

Dear newbie, from... http://pages.prodigy.net/thomasn528/blog/2...923674507206233 The CIA seems to be saying, "Sure we abide by the law...but please, please, puh-leeease amend the law to let us torture people".

Dear Toro, Many organizations 'hive off' the best that they can to suit their needs, including gov't think-tanks, the CIA, international law firms and banks, etc. Some of these people could rightly be called (as eureka has been so accused) 'bibliobibuli', with tons of 'book smarts' to the detriment of awareness of the world around them. That doesn't mean that they take an equal spread of personal beliefs across the political spectrum to formulate and enact their policies, though.If the World Bank was a proponent of socialism, I'm sure they would appear so. Indeed, many in the US tried to warn of 'the debt bomb' in central and south america. No credit company wishes to see anyone go bankrupt either. However, no credit company wishes you to strike it rich and never need their services again, either. They like it best when you credit is near maximum, and the interest payments are nearest the usury maximum.August1991, A lot of times (especially in central america) the US is the largest creditor (often because of arms sales) and then have the IMF and WB lend monies to the gov'ts to cover these costs. Then, they have some control over that country in two ways, both physically and finacially. Then they use that influence as a trump card to ensure ongoing 'American-friendliness' when it comes to trade, nationalization (or not) of resources or industries, or getting countries to sign things such as memberships of 'the coalition of the willing' (or coerced). Indeed, the US played hradball with many countries to sign up in that coalition, using World Bank loans as both 'the carrot and the stick', promising more loans or suggesting existing ones were in jeopardy for countries they wanted signatures from.

Dear newbie, I found out that the CIA denies drug trafficking involvment and implies that it wouldn't break the law.

Dear Toro, No, but I did meet a couple of guys who served in the Wehrmacht. Nice guys, loved beer. Your point?

Dear Toro, The IMF and the World Bank are tools of the far-right in the USA to keep the third world in debt. Paul Wolfowitz is head of the World Bank for pete's sake. This is true, but countries such as the USA (and others) have no desire to change this, because they are just after the resources. That is why the US supported brutal dictatorships such as Charles Taylor of Liberia, and fund and support UNITA in Angola. Angola is tremendously 'resource rich', with oil, uranium, diamonds, etc. but the poltical philosophy is to keep the profits from being 'shared' by the residents, and have them flow to the US and elsewhere. (Incidentally, almost all diamond processing is done in Israel). As a result, there is no 'trickle down' economic opportunity, only 'funnel away' and pay the 'dictatorship de jour' to keep the peasants out of the way. Sudan is another example of this happening, and Talisman Energy sought to unload their business interests there after the public scorn became too much. (Mind you, China has stepped in to fill the void as they have a different view of 'human rights') My brother worked in Botswana for about 3 years as a 'land use officer', teaching commercial farming methods and land management. He loved it there, but came back with a warning. He told me, "Don't ever send aid monies or goods to those ads for 'Poor African Countries'. The local and government troops skim as much as they can, almost always over 50%, and since they are generally the cause of most of the problems, you are only making things worse."

Dear RB, Very good question. I echo a lot of the sentiment here that the 'me' (greed) factor has ruined society, pre-nuptuals are merely a symptom of it.

Dear crazymf, I have to agree. I have been married 6 years, my parent are coming up on 55 years. There were times that were rough, but my wife and I are quite honest with each other, and we have found that honestly talking things out makes a hell of a difference. Personally, I couldn't give a rat's ass what Tom Cruise or anyone in Hollywood does. How could anyone care?

I will admit that Canada is somewhat hypocritical on issues of the environment. Actions such as former Alberta Environment Minister Ralph Klein giving pulp mills such as Diashowa 10 years exemption status from environmental waste regulations are deplorable.

Dear mockingbird, Somewhat backwards. Unless you will agree that the welfare system should stop handing out cash, and go back to the voucher system. For every 10 'single moms' there exists an opportunity for them all to work. If one or two are qualified to look after the children of the rest, then they could open a 'subsidized daycare' for the other 8 or 9. Further, they should qualify for tax breaks equal to, if not more, than any amount they might have lost from 'welfare' say, for at least the first year. The 8 or 9 would then be able to work, and enjoy a discounted rate for daycare, as they lessen the burden on the 'welfare system' (with a minimum 'subsidized' income to not fall below the previous welfare income that they had). It is late, I must go to bed, but there are ways around everything if one is willing to think them through, and more importantly, be willing to work for them. BTW, Please do not post crap like this again.

It seems that the US holds that nothing has value except it's own consumption wants. They would cut down the last tree, and poison the last lake for even a temporary gain before being forced (by necessity, not morality) to look at alternatives. from... http://start.shaw.ca/start/enCA/News/World...rc=w110377A.xml

Dear crazymf, A dangerous precedent to set, but to some degree I agree with you. In this country,we coddle our criminals too much, but there is also a danger of losing our 'moral compass' and, as Black Dog states, 'becoming what we oppose'. The worry we should all have is how they treat you if they decide one day that YOU are a problem...Joseph McCarthy died only recently...

Dear Shady, If your beef is only that the information 'got out', and you believe that it is ok to kidnap, torture and murder someone, to arrest and hold indefinitely without trial, etc, how on earth can you condemn the 'terrorists' for the same tactics? As Black Dog opines, Much was made of 'leaks being tantamount to treason' in the book "Imperial Hubris" by Anonymous, (Micheal Scheuer), I urge you to read it. However, you seem to be saying that "There is nothing wrong with terrorism" (as a method), so please explain exactly what you are supporting the fight against.

Dear PocketRocket, Of 'Eastern european' countries that sent troops into Iraq, the list is: Ukraine.Mind you, the Balkans may be considered 'eastern', which would include Romania and Bulgaria. Keep in mind that the secrecy was to prevent 'terrorist retaliation'.

Dear Black Dog, Not exactly, for there were plenty of shady dealings with many companies, over 2000, I believe. Secondly, according to Gwynne Dyer in the book "Future: Tense", the USA bought over 50% of Iraq's production in the month before the invasion (to top up their strategic reserve).However, noting China's aggressive approach to procuring oil supplies, the US could not stand idly by and have Saddam sell to the highest bidder (China) given the US' terrible addiction to oil.

Dear Semperfi_dani, I don't know that 'appeal' is possible on an inquiry. What he could do is sue for slander. Like Mulroney did when he was accused of receiving kickbacks for helicopter contracts. However, Mulroney went on to serve as a director of a company in the US that was subsequently fined hundreds of millions for price fixing. from... http://www.endgame.org/corpfines1.htmlOnce a crook, always a crook, I guess.

Dear Black Dog, Indeed, many of these 'human rights violations' are exactly the ones used by the US to denounce 'brutal dictatorships' (that they aren't currently using). From Guantanamo Bay recently, from... http://www.globalsecurity.org/security/lib...102-rferl02.htm BTW, I am sensing that Yodeler is our 'troll de jour'.

Dear Sully, Krusty the Klown (from the Simpsons) evidently had a great line in a show that Wal-Mart could well use in their 'Toy & T-Shirt' promos..."Made for children...by children! We pass the 'slavings' on to you!"<wink wink>" Most people abhor slave labour and 'sweatshops', but it doesn't stop them from finding a 'good deal'.

Dear Black Dog, I think you hit the nail on the head...Canadian voters feel 'safe' casting their vote right down the middle (or the toilet, whatever the case may be). Any good chance an 'alternative' or 'reform-minded' party might have is to go after this vote, not the far right or left. That is why the Greens and the "new, Improved" Conservative parties have failed to make the big time. What's Mel Hurtig up to nowadays?

Dear Sully, With the new format that came online several months ago, you can not use more that 10 quotes per post, or they get all retarded...er..'differently abled'.

Dear Black Dog, I really don't think the NDP has too much to worry about. Theirs is a marriage of neccesity/circumstance, not collusion. I don't think too many people could imagine Layton standing for any shenanigans, especially now. I personally can't see the NDP being painted with the same brush (barring any dramatic revelation), although I find it curious that no Liberals are quitting the party to become 'untainted independents'.

Dear err, I do believe Martin promised he would call an election within 30 days after the Gomery report...but I agree with you, now is not the time. The conservatives need to get their 'poop in a group', ditch Harper and gel as a unit before they stand a reasonable chance of defeating the Liberals. The NDP is too far left for most people's liking, or they could also easily win over the Liberals.

Dear Sparhawk, I remember this conversation, thanks for bringing it up. It is important because it is basically the argument Gomery is using to exonerate Martin. In effect, smaller 'expenditures' (if everyone will keep in mind that the millions weren't spent all at once) could have made it through the department without raising eyebrows. However, Chretien is using the defence that 'it was for the good of Canada', ie: promoting the Liberal Party in Quebec, an in effect is saying that it was a party mandate (however limited and secret) to do so. The question is, why would the Finance Minister be kept out of the loop on a new 'type' of expenditure, and a new program, when he would have been the one to judge 'feasability'? Further, if there actually is bad blood between Martin and Chretien, why would Chretien help Martin (when Chretien knew by this time that he himself was on the way out) by 'appeasing Quebec'? Did Chretien think he was leaving an 'anonymous gift'?