scribblet

Good grief, gimme a break will ya.

Harper's track record is pretty good actually which is why the liberals have no options but to run on demonzing and scare tactics. While I wasn't happy with the Emerson business, overall (including income trusts) Harper has shown that his decisions have been the best for the country, not for the party. That takes guts and integrity to put your country ahead of the party and possible votes/polls. In fact, he has shown pretty shrewd management by putting the best interests if Canada ahead of narrow party interests. But I'm sure their campaign strategy will be the same, demonize Harper rather than present a better plan for Canada. * Flaherty acted to end what sensible people knew was a growing problem.” - Terence Corcoran, Financial Post, November 2nd, 2006 * “The balance between corporate and individual tax burdens will be maintained. Seniors' interests are defended.” - Montreal Gazette Editorial, November 3, 2006 * “CARP is especially pleased that the Minister has balanced his Income Trust initiative with permitting Pension Splitting as of 2007.” - Canadian Association of Retired Persons, November 1, 2006 Canada’s New Government is acting in the country’s long term interests by supporting seniors and promoting tax fairness. Liberals need to be asked: * Why are they against lower taxes for low and middle income seniors? * Why are they against lower taxes for pensioners? * Why are they against a plan that ensures big corporations pay their fair share of taxes and protects individuals and families from paying more? The answer is, they are not, most of the disagreement is based strictly on ideological lines, no matter what Harper did, it would be wrong. The Liberals haven't earned their way out of the penalty box yet.

He would have been.

I would guess that the reason Garth got turfed was to contain leakage about the income trust changes. Any leak of this would have given the large org. an advantage, they (CPC) had to maintain a level playing field. Garth couldn't be trusted.

The gay prostitute admitted he went to the media at this time, eight states vote on whether to maintain the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman in this coming election - the timing was everything. The media loves this kind of scandal and is almost unanimous in its support of redefining marriage, he knew the media would be all over this, and so could undermine the movement to maintain the historical definition lf marriage. I suppose supporters of SSM feel that since they can't radically change one of society's important institutions through intellectual argument or of course the democratic process it would give them some impetous by outing their opponents. Even if most of SSM opponents turned out to be closet gays it doesn't affect the content or merits of their arguments against it.

Evidence was presented in the form of actual gov't videos and recording of sermons and speeches.

This is so true, the timing here was everything, definitely designed to do just that.

How utterly ironic is this.....think any of them will get the job. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6119928.stm Rioting by India police hopefuls Hundreds of people applying to join the police have gone on the rampage in the northern Indian city of Ghaziabad. Riots began because many felt a written test was too difficult, officials say. The mob of would-be officers rampaged along a stretch of the main road to Delhi, attacking people and property. Almost 30 people were arrested. Passengers were forced from their vehicles and reports say several women were molested. It took police an hour to bring the riots under control. Women assaulted

Guess he got his in the end...

Betsy, you are an ignorant bigot. Why don't you and Argus get together? Otherwise, I would have to tell the two of you to go f*ck yourselves. That is way over the line and uncalled for.

Sheez, things must be really tough, maybe CUPE is now understanding some of the problems many employers face when it comes to demands for money. We all want more, but how much can a company really afford. http://www.lnn.laborstart.org/more.php?id=819_0_1_0_M CUPE calls for major concessions CUPE employees are facing calls for major concessions including a serious attack on their pension plan from their union employer, CUPE and their CEO concession like president paul moist. by lloyd llewellyn kenny To say the least, the job of a National Rep is a juggling act that requires advanced skills and considerable commitment. To protect themselves as workers against their employer - CUPE, the National Reps are organized with their own union: the CanadianCanadian Staff Union (CSU). At any given time, a National Rep might be involved in multiple grievances against different employers, arbitration cases, collective bargaining, political action campaigns, and internal union struggles, to name but a few of his/her responsibilities. To assist them, the National Reps have support staff, organized under the newly formed Canadian Office & Professional Employees Union (COPE). Despite CUPE National Reps’ responsibility for the organizational well-being of the CUPE locals that they administer, their primary responsibility is to protect the interests of CUPE National and uphold the principles as defined in the CUPE National constitution. Yet CUPE National is demanding concessions from their very most valued employees just like vicious employers demand from members like you and I.

Poltically correct? Don't see how arguing *for* making smoking available in a public place is politically correct in any estimation. It is politically correct to pander to the natives and not give in, nor apply what is good for the country to them. In this case he's avoiding confrontation, as is McGuinty in Ontario over Caledonia. Nobody wants to take a stand on native issues.

I think he is being politically correct, and as i say this I'm off to the rez (close by) to get cigarettes at $15.00 for 200 for my son.... I'd rather he didn't smoke but at least it saves him money.

Financially - nothing - politically - guess it depend on where you stand, natives will thank him I'm sure.

?? guess you don't get out much.

I think it will increase the violence, not sure if might be better to keep in in jail.

We canot do away with the minimum wage, it is necessary to protect workers, but raising it to $10.00 would likely result in employers cutting back on hours worked so workers wouldn't gain anything, either that or they would be laid off alltogether. I'm not an advocate of raising welfare payments, but they are as low as they can go now, what might be a consideration is to raise the amount a welfare recipient can make while on welfare. If you live in Toronto you cannot live on minimum wage unless you live at home, it is not possible as housing and rents are out of sight. What really needs to be done is to provide more skills training for the unemployed or underemployed, bring back trade schools and apprenticeship programs. The Ont. gov't touts its apprenticeship training, but nothing kicks in until the individual has been hired as an apprentice - not easy. The plumbers union for instance does its testing and screening once a year and only a few applicant make it, there has to be more emphasis on the trades and training. Not everyone is university material. There are schools and courses but they cost and of course one needs money to live on while attending, again single people not living at home can't afford it. I would not be averse to welfare payments continuing while a recipient attends skills training or upgrading, as of now in Ontario, you cannot go to school (any type of school) and receive welfare. Unemployment is available for some but the retraining there was cut back a few years ago.

Something I wondered about too, as Canadian forces are not strictly 'peacekeeping' they do use guns and bullets. I don't understand why some people think it is fine for Canada to get involved with Darfur or Somalia as that would also be involvement with warring Muslim factions - we would be targets there and at home.

I really don't think you can inter a whole group of people, but they should be all monitored very closely. In keeping with the subject of radical Islam, did anyone see the FOX special last night, clips of the documentary Obsession: http://www.obsessionthemovie.com/ If anyone wasn't aware of what is happening in the M.E. they should be after watching this; the blatent gov't sponsored videos and brainwashing of toddlers, inciting them to hate and kill is beyond belief. No wonder radicalism is spreading. The title implies terrorism against those who are not muslim is only perpetrated by a minority, but from some of the speeches by radicals they make it clear that their beliefs are based on the Koran, and that the precept of Islam is to either convert, subjugate or kill anyone who is not muslim. It was downright frightening to see stuff we would never be exposed to on Canadian TV, an eye opener to see and hear from is being fed to the Muslim masses. Too bad it couldn't be aired on Canadian TV, but I'm guessing it would not be allowed.

Huh!!! what clout, and exactly how does this 'clout' affect these ratings, are you suggesting that they are somehow manipulating the polls? Its the rich corporations who will mainly have to pay, not the poorer people, the NDP like it Over the years it has been the Liberal party which received most of the money from big business, way more than the PCs and the Canadian Alliance combined. www.daifallah.com/rcr.htm In the decade after 1993, when the Liberals first formed the federal government, they collected a total of $91,436,281 in corporate donations. Compare that to $39,253,276 for the old Progressive Conservatives and just $18,089,629 for the Canadian Alliance. Corporations were making conversion decision only because they weren't taxable, this loophole had to be closed - so I'm assuming those who disagree with this decision believe in what they otherwise, would call corporate welfare. Have to decide where you stand. Most people appear to be seeing this strictly through ideological lenses, they hate it and attack it simply because it was Harper/CPC and perpetutate the argument simply to keep the attacks rolling.

A constituency association has proposed a name change from the New Democratic Party to the Social Democratic Party at the upcoming NDP convention - any suggestions? http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...b4-7f9e44bdd5b9 The Saskatchewan Party says the NDP must be pretty desperate if it's thinking about changing its name. The NDP says if anyone knows about that kind of desperation, it would be the Saskatchewan Party. News that a constituency association has proposed a name change from the New Democratic Party to the Social Democratic Party at the upcoming NDP convention prompted some Opposition jibes in question period Thursday. Saskatchewan Party leader Brad Wall announced his party would hold a contest and he invited provincial residents to make their own suggestions for a replacement name for the NDP. "We already have some submissions for the name because everywhere we go ... you'd be surprised how creative people are in terms of what they call that governing party opposite," Wall said to guffaws from his caucus. "We've seen it already on Highway 368 on signs 'No Darn Pavement, the New Destruction Party, New Democratic Potholes.' There's any number of suggestions out there." Wall also took aim at Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline, who mused to reporters Thursday that a changed party name should perhaps incorporate Saskatchewan, since he was bothered the Opposition had laid claim to the province's name.

From BBC The United States has said there is "mounting evidence" that Syria, Iran and Hezbollah are planning to topple the Lebanese government. The White House said Syria hoped to stop the formation of an international tribunal to try suspects in the killing of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri. Spokesman Tony Snow said any attempt to destabilise the Lebanese government would violate UN resolutions. A UN team has been investigating who was behind Mr Hariri's death in 2005. Hezbollah demand The BBC News website's world affairs correspondent Paul Reynolds says the White House statement appears to result from the tense situation in Lebanon, where Hezbollah is demanding one third of cabinet seats, thereby giving it a veto over decisions. Such a veto would enable it to block approval of the international tribunal to try suspects in Mr Hariri's assassination, our correspondent says. The Hezbollah leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, has threatened street demonstrations in support of his demand. The US is concerned that this instability could result in the fall of the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. The statement also casts doubt on any willingness by the Bush administration to consider Syria and Iran as potential partners over the future of Iraq, an idea that the Baker commission on Iraq is expected to suggest, our correspondent adds. Hariri tribunal The White House said it was "increasingly concerned by mounting evidence that the Syrian and Iranian government, Hezbollah, and their Lebanese allies are preparing plans to topple Lebanon's democratically-elected government. "There are indications that one goal of the Syrian plan is to prevent the current Lebanese government from approving the statute for an international tribunal that would try those accused of involvement in former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's assassination," the statement continued. In March, the security council approved the formation of a international tribunal that would try those accused of involvement in the murder of Mr Hariri. The UN sent a draft plan for the tribunal to Lebanese authorities on 21 October but it has yet to be approved of by Lebanon's cabinet and parliament or by the UN Security Council. A leading anti-Syrian legislator, Walid Jumblatt, has pushed for US support for the tribunal. "If [Lebanese President Emile] Lahoud and Syria's allies in Lebanon don't want the international court, this issue will become dangerous," AFP news agency quoted Mr Jumblatt as saying. Rafik Hariri, a self-made billionaire, was killed on 14 February 2005, along with 20 others in a massive blast on Beirut's seafront. UN investigators said in September they had found new evidence that he was probably killed by a suicide bomber. The assassination was widely blamed on Syria, but Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has repeatedly denied that his country had anything to do with the murder.

How does everyone feel about the proposed federal raise to $10 hour by NDP MP Peggy Nash .... is it time or does it not make economic sense?

Surely you jest

Funny how Alberta still sees this as an attack on the oil industry. You are calling them corporate welfare? Its in the eye of the beholder I guess, whatever's in it for me, who might lose and who might win. In the end, speaking for myself, I gained (income splitting which I think all couples should be able to do) and I feel he acted in the best interests of the country. Not all the oilpatch is angry, in fact, I've read that many of them didn't convert and are pleased with this as it removes pressure from shareholders to convert and levels the playing field. Also read that Encana and Sunco were next to convert. Harper represents all of Canada not just Alberta, and besides who will Albertans vote for federally - the NDP, not likely. As I said, time will tell. cheers