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Well, I think in this case, the evidence against a conspiracy by high ranking government agencies to perpatrate a crime and cover up on 9-11 is thin enough that people can see through it. For a "scandalous statement" to gain enough traction to do serious harm to the reputation of an org, it has to be plausible. Which brings me back to the incompetence thesis... I don't think 9-11 was planned by the government, but I do think the people in charge of preventing such an event were too incompotent to do the job, which basically amounts to criminal stupidity. I've seen little in the past 5 years to put that theory to rest. Conspiracy theories are just that, theories which gain momentum over time, replacing facts with fiction. IMO they are started simply to discredit an organization for malicious and specious reasona. As far as I'm concerned most people believe simply that a group of Islamist terrorists hijacked four planes destroying the towers killing thousands. ... Too bad that what happened is being hijacked by groups of armchair conspiracy mongers who only denigrate the people who died.

Well since the Conservatives are apparently committed to sticking with Kyoto, they will need to find cash to pay for the emmission credits that we will be forced to buy under the agreements. Unproductive environmental programs seems like a good place to start. I will be very upset if the CPC does pay for emmission credits, it is simply unacceptable that we should fund the likes of China et al who can continue to pollute, while we pay.

Thanks but no thanks, if I want labour or left wing I would vote NDP, and wouldn't this splinter the left and split the votes? BTW is this anything to do with Buzz Hargrove who did mention starting up his own party?

Oh come on, we all know the GST was a visable replacement to another hidden tax. At least we knew the government was taking our money, before it was just a hidden 15% on some random collection of items. The GST lowered the tax burden, and now the conservatives are lowering it again. The liberals have constantly shown they will not lower taxes, until an election is a calling. That's the way I see it also, good points that the tories lowered the taxes once and are now lowering it again. We are in the market for another car but will wait and see. It is definitely interesting to read an hear the reasons for not wanting the GST lowered, from a party which promised to abolish the dreaded - hated GST. A recent Environics poll released yesterday shows some pretty interesting numbers. It shows the tories picking up support, even in Ontario. http://erg.environics.net/news/default.asp?aID=603 Conservatives 41 (+5) Liberals 22 (-8) NDP 21 (+3) BQ 10 (-1) Green 5 (nc) Other 1 (nc) I'm thinking that if the opposition are foolish enough to try and bring down the gov't in the near future the Tories would get a majority. What is even more hypocrital these days is the liberal bashing of Quebec, and here I thought the tories were mean to Quebec etc. etc. http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2006/04...pf-1523170.html OTTAWA (CP) - The Conservative government accused the Liberals of engaging in Quebec-bashing to score cheap political points Thursday. Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon said some Liberals appear to be pandering to anti-Quebec sentiment as their party launches a leadership race. "It looks like that to me," Cannon, the Tories' Quebec lieutenant, said Thursday. "(They) are literally using Quebec as a basis for launching their campaign in a negative way. . . . What they are doing is divisive, it's not correct." Cannon called a news conference, surrounding himself with the government's four other Quebec ministers, to respond to comments by a pair of Liberals a day earlier. Leadership hopeful Joe Volpe and ex-minister Wayne Easter accused the Tories of playing favourites with Quebec.

here's a good laugh on behalf of Belinda Stronach for a Thursday morning. http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=2090&sc=2 <snip> During her address to Liberal party faithful, Stronach said she's seriously considering a run for the leadership of the Liberal party. She said she'll decide shortly. Liberals will choose a new leader in December. Stronach still has to convince hard-core Liberals that she has the depth to lead the party, considering she was a Tory up until May 2005. In her address, Stronach actually made a slip, referring to herself as a Conservative and then quickly correcting herself. "This is my first visit back to P.E.I. as a Conservative," said Stronach, stopping before completing the word Conservative as the crowd erupted in laughter. "Oh boy." <snip>

G & MThis is very good news. Canada's democracy has been compromised for many years because of the ways polling officers are appointed. Parties divied up the "spiles" according to votes in previous elections. Quebec has a permanent election list. In the US, federal election voting is entirely organized by the state governments.Maybe we should do the same and let the provincial governments be responsible for organizing federal electoral lists, balloting and counting. This would remove a conflict of interest. Agreed. As far as I know, the appointment of DROs and Poll clerks will still be submitted by the parties in power, that is something that definitely should be changed. The R.O. can use his/her discretion and remove someone they feel is incompetent etc. but they will get flak from the party.

Back to child care, and this is good, took it out of the National Post (subscription required so no link) Human Resources Minister Diane Finley indicated Wednesday that millions of dollars worth of research grants and subsidies to public daycare advocacy groups and researchers are under review. She emphasized that the government will review all funded programs, not specific ones in an effort to ensure that taxpayers are receiving value for their money. Minister Finley made these comments after gov't officials spent several hours behind closed doors with the Vancouver-based Kids First Parent Association of Canada, which is lobbying for grants and subsidies for daycare research to be slashed. After obtaining figures from the PMO, the parents group alleged that advocates of public daycare are using money from government contracts to finance a campaign against the Conservative agenda. Any surprises there?

According to a Globe and Mail report, the PM will hand over the job of appointing returning officers to the chief electoral officer, which will mean the party in power will no longer have these appointments at its disposal. The measure will be part of the Federal Accountability Act. Insiders indicated that CPC MP Scott Reid lobbied cabinet ministers to include this provision in the Act . wwwlglobeandmail.com page 4 This is something I am in full agreement with (provincially also). I've seen firsthand where a very good RO was given the boot in my riding, to be replaced with an incompetent liberal hack. The R.O. should have to apply and be hired on merit. Personally, I would like to see a permanent riding office used both provincially and federally with one non partisian returning officer. This would be ideal if we could have set election dates both fed. and prov. It would make for a better and smoother running operation. Even permanent polling stations would help, no more running around looking for sites and getting contracts. IMHO there should also be a better process for hiring DROs and Poll Clerks, the tradition of names coming from the parties should be looked at, and taken out of the election act. (too many dummies wanting the jobs )....

Typical Conservative tactic, if it goes against what we say, declare it in a disarray or a failure, discredit at will. So maybe you could give us some insight as exactly how well the Sierra Club has spent our dollars. Gary Lunn says that environmental groups lost federal funds if their performance was deemed ineffective, or if they successfully completed assigned tasks. He did not provide examples, say how many groups were affected or give the amount of the funding cuts. CBC-TV News reported that 40 percent of this year's budget for climate change programs has been cut from Environment and Natural Resources, including the One-Tonne challenge program . So, it seems if they didn't perform, they don't get the cash - not too unusual in any corporation (well except maybe for gov't.) -

I thought Harper handled QP very well, with a good strategy of letting the CPC remaining seated for the first 11 questions from the opposition while they took in and absorbed opposition attack strategy. Harper noted in response to an attack from Opposition leader Bill Graham that his gov' has has allready released three-quarters-of-a-billion dollars to farmers in its first act, which is more than the previous government did in 13 years. I thought Harper's comeback to the NDP question about the floor crossing was pretty good - "the only parties that really have this (floor crossing) as an obsession are the parties that no one ever crosses to." I also liked the response to Le Blanc's demand that Minister Emerson excuse himself from softwood lumber discussions to avoid conflicts of interest. Good reply from Emerson who says that the Liberals were happy to have his involvement on softwood lumber when he was a Liberal MP but now have changed their minds... Also thought it was noteworthy that Harper pledged to uphold the Canada Health Act So far, looking good for the CPC.

I thought it was pretty good too, especially the part about the daycare. IMO Harper is being decisive and doing what has to be done in, maybe, a short time. Also, a minority government is about compromise, and Jack Layton seemed to be reasonably happy that he had been consulted. -

I just thought it was very informative, I don't see anything wrong with it , it gives a better informed picture of Canada then the media does. What is CanadianAlly.com? CanadianAlly.com is an electronic newsletter maintained by the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC, designed specifically for an American audience. The goal of this e-publication is to bring together pertinent defence and security information from a variety of government departments, agencies, military commands and bi-national organizations. The intent is to give American citizens a better sense of the scope of Canada's role in North American and Global Security and the War on Terror. CanadianAlly.com is managed by: Lt.Col Jamie Robertson Counsellor (Military-Media Affairs) Canadian Embassy Washington DC, 20001 (202) 448 6324 CanadianAlly.com was established on May 24, 2004. Contact Us Visit the Canadian Embassy website

IMHO, overpopulation is the cause of most of the world's problems. Canada and the environment cannot afford any more people, we should be just replacing ourselves, zero population growth, until something is done, nothing will change. We as individuals may recycle and reuse etc., but its a drop in the bucket. Remember Dr. Paul Ehrlich's book The Population Bomb in the late 60's ? Many of his dire predictions have not come true however, food production has increased and there has not been any mass worldwide starvation; so, maybe there is hope afterall. http://www.populationconnection.org/ formerly Zero Population Growth. If you can't feed em, don't breed em !

Good grief, surely Dalton wouldn't do this - deduct the childcarea llowance from social assist. and disability payments. http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/mar/06030105.html Ontario Liberals Propose Denying “Working Poor” Federal Child Care Supplement Ont. Bishops’ spokesman slams McGuinty Liberals for unconscionable proposal By Terry Vanderheyden TORONTO, March 1, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Ontario Liberal government has proposed denying the province’s poorest families a Conservative campaign promise of a federal childcare allowance. Under an election promise from the federal Conservatives, $1,200 per child per year would be given to families with children under the age of six years old to offset the cost of childcare. Stephen Harper said that passing the childcare supplement bill will be a priority for his government when MPs return to the house in April, with cheques going out by July. The Ontario Liberals have said that they have not overlooked the option of deducting the proposed federal childcare supplement from social assistance and disability payments, as it already does with the National Child Benefit Supplement. Contact Ontario MPPs: http://olaap.ontla.on.ca/mpp/daCurRdg.do?locale=en&ord=R... Contact Sandra Pupatello, minister of community and social services: http://olaap.ontla.on.ca/mpp/daMbr.do?locale=en&whr=Id=8...

This is too good to cut, have to hand it to Lorrie G. he's hit this nail on the head. HypoGrits live on By LORRIE GOLDSTEIN http://www.torontosun.com/News/Columnists/...05/1520316.html Toronto Sun April 5, 2006 So let's get this straight. According to Liberal House Leader Ralph Goodale, Prime Minister Stephen Harper will have a big fight on his hands from the Grits if he does either of the following things: (a) Fails to implement the national daycare plan that the Liberals promised in the 1993, 1997, 2000 and 2004 federal elections and never, ever delivered. ( Cuts the GST from 7% to 6% even though former prime minister Jean Chretien promised to scrap the GST entirely in the 1993 federal election and never ever delivered. So what's the Liberals' logic here? That Chretien can fib about scrapping the GST but Harper can't shave one lousy point off it? Goodale's argument is that the Grits won't allow Harper to pay for his GST cut by scrapping income tax cuts the Liberals promised. That's rich. Perhaps the Liberals can show us the law they passed authorizing those income tax cuts? What really happened is that two weeks before the Liberals fell on Nov. 28, Goodale introduced a desperate "bribe us with our own money" economic statement that retroactively lowered income tax rates to Jan. 1, 2005. Harper is honouring the 2005 cuts, but not the ones the Liberals introduced at the last minute for 2006, just before they lost a non-confidence vote. That's Harper's right. Why should he have to deliver a Liberal election promise? Would Goodale have implemented Harper's GST cut if the Grits had won the election? That said, I agree with John Williamson of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation that Harper should cut both the GST and deliver the Grit income tax cuts, not because he has to dance to Goodale's tune, but because the !@@!?! Liberals had so much of our money stashed under the mattress that we all deserve a big tax break. As for the Liberals' so-called "national daycare program," as long as they and the pro-daycare lobby, who might as well be Liberal shills, keep pretending that's what the Grits delivered just before they fell from power, the more important it will be to keep setting the record straight. It was not a national daycare program. All it was, was a promised money transfer of $5 billion to the provinces over five years (which either side could bail out of with a year's notice) for daycare-related -- often vaguely related -- programs. It set no national standards. It was a series of one-on-one deals with the provinces. If any Liberal tells you it was a "national daycare program," ask them this: "What guarantees did you receive when you made the deal with Quebec that it would spend any of this money on daycare?" Watch them stutter. The truth is, a real national daycare program would cost about $10 billion a year and would send Canada plunging back into deficit. Harper's plan to give parents $1,200 (taxable) annually per child under age 6 to help defray the costs of child care isn't a national daycare program either. But unlike the Liberals, he never pretended it was. And while we're on the subject of Liberal horse manure, here's a handy quote for future reference. Remember, when the Liberals were in power, how they accused Harper of plotting to wreck the country every time he talked to the Bloc? Remember how Belinda Stronach said she bolted from the Tories to the Grits because of it? Well, here's Interim Liberal Leader Bill Graham, quoted by The Canadian Press this week, about how the Liberals now intend to work with the Bloc to "moderate" the Tory government. Said Graham: "There are many things in politics where the Liberal party and the Bloc Quebecois are on the same wavelength." Really? You mean like hypocrisy? By the way does Stronach know about this? Does she have any comment? Is she now going to re-rat to the Tories?

If this http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2006/2006-04-04-01.asp is true, then good for Rona. What - actually do something in spite of the bureaucracy amd the self-righteous? How dare she! The final paragraph "The Harper minority government has no mandate to destroy more than a decade's worth of research programs and knowledge networks ..." just froths at the withdrawal of comfortable environmental sinecures and gravy for a host of worthies, including The Sierra Club's Bennet himself, I'm sure. Note that The Sierra Club, who's objective is to force their political and aesthetic whims upon the populace, are now suggesting the government is not respecting democracy ... lsure - ike they do. The Sierra Club does not make government policy.

From the GG's speech on opening parliament: "This Government believes that Canadians pay too much in tax." Well, I never thought I'd hear the day. That makes all the running around at election and other times worthwhile. A little noticed promise in the throne speech was the statement: "Significant international treaties will be submitted for votes in Parliament". This will close another loophole in our present legislation arrangements, whereby courts determining their judgements recognise as law treaties to which the Canadian government has acceded without reference to Parliament. I think that this is a very good - and unanticipated statement. Let's hope that the government follows through

These same people who are never wrong gave Mulroney 2 majority governments and in 84 Canada's largest ever majority gov't!! I think Harper will get his turn at majority, much to the dismay of people like you! I agree, I'm beginning to think he will have a majority next time around as the approval rating seems to be increasing. His accountability package will likely pass as the NDP put forward a similar deal. If the opposition votes against the law and order issues it will look bad for them, IMO most people want a firmer stance on serious crime. Also, it appears we may be getting a GST cut as well as keeping the liberal tax decrease. After all, Ralphie told us there was a larger surplus than thought. So far, other than the Emerson deal, of which he was cleared, Harper is doing well and appears to be pretty shrewd as he realized his window of opportunity might be limited, and so, nipped the bud of generally pro liberal media sniping which seems to be working in his favour. Better to let the media sulk than give them opportunity to spin and misinform the public. He has made some good decisive decisions while all the press can do is harp about his waist line and how he dresses. As if that makes for good governance. So all the whining about Bush etc. means nothing, let em whine.

Thug or whatever, thats only your opinion. Sometimes, the hatred of George Bush and another country's politics colours a person's perception and clouds the mind. I don't like the war, but it doesn't mean we should call names or refuse to improve relations. Its about time we worked at mending fences. Harper admires 'all things Republican" thats a pretty broad statement, and even it were true (and so far no proof) he should be improving relations with our closest neighbour and trading partner. I'd get more worked up about it if I lived in the U.S. and could vote, but I don't. Harper is doing the right thing by trying to negotiate, and renew relations.

Just curious but what is a 'news transmater' ? and "Mujahedeen Shura Council announces that those who hold the banner of Jehad stand apart from all false curriculums." does that statement mean that you/they believe that the banner of Jehad is the true curriculum ? enquiring minds want to know.

Hey, where does the government get the money to pay for the day care spaces? Does it fall from the sky? I'm willing to argue whether the government should give money directly to families with children, or give it to them indirectly by creating daycare spaces, but for heaven's sakes, can we at least agree that in either case, the money comes from taxpayers? In addition, how is this in any way connected to "laziness"? Whether the government gives the money directly to families, or gives it to them indirectly through day care spaces, the money is not dependent on their laziness. There is much to criticize in Stephen Harper's policies, and in the child care policy in particular. But this criticism is just dumb. Ok, genious, at least you should read before you talk. There is no question that the money comes from taxpayers. My point was that it comes from working taxpayers and goes to those who are too lazy to work and use their kids as a convenient excuse for not doing so. There is a huge difference in how the money is spent. If it is given to people in the form of daycare spaces, then it makes it easier to put your kids in daycare and get a job (or at least you will not have an excuse for not getting one). In this case, you are both being productive (and paying for at least part of the daycare through your taxes) and are also creating other jobs (for daycare workers). If the money is given to you for staying (lazy-ing at) home, then you are not being productive, you are not paying for any of it (i.e. and are living off other people's efforts and effectively taxing the economy) and you aren't creating any jobs. In short, in the first case you are a productive member of society and in the second case you are a lazy bum who burdens the economy. Get it? Or are you arguing that sitting on your ass is an activity one deserves to be paid for? Mimas, You are being a complete and utter imbicile. FTA Not only that, he is actually saying that women have no value unless they are in the outside labour force. Isn't that one of the tenets of socialism - you know, motherhead and applie pie are forms fo slavery. Wasn't it a Marxist follower and Engels who said staying home and raising kids is a source of 'oppression'. IMHO many of the problems in society today is because of the breakdown of the family, leaving kids to be raised in institutionalized day-cares.

Well, the Liberals are in full opposition mode Interesting to note that Bill Graham admitted that Goodale says the gov't is indeed pretty flush with the money - and - there is room for both a GST cut and income tax cut.

http://www.canadianally.com/ca/news/index-en.asp This government website is worth a looksee, this is the first I've heard of it, there's a good link on it to the military operations in Afghanistan..

I thought this was a good comment, and confirms my own opinion that the lib-left dominated media are having a hissy fit. Looks good on them, although I do believe Harper will eventually have to open up a bit more. So far, he seems to be managing them to his advantage as latest polls show Canucks are ready to give him a chance. http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Columnists/Jac...04/1518879.html Paul Jackson Tue, April 4, 2006 Taming rat pack Media needs Stephen Harper more than he needs them By Paul Jackson Prime Minister Stephen Harper has good reason not to trust the Eastern-based Lib-Left dominated media. So did Canadian Alliance leader Stockwell Day. As did Reform party leader Preston Manning. The Lib-Left media -- led by that wholly-owned subsidiary of the federal Liberal party, the CBC, the Toronto (Red) Star, the pompous Globe and Mail and their naive hangers-on and acolytes -- did all they could to mock, heap scorn on, ridicule and twist just about everything Manning and Day said. During the 2004 and 2006 federal election campaigns, they tried to do the same with Harper, though not quite as successfully. But for the Lib-Left media -- which played to then prime minister -- now tug boat operator -- Paul Martin, the Conservatives would have won the 2004 election, thereby saving Canadians an another agonizing 18 months or so of deceitful and duplicitous Liberal rule. Manning, being a decent fellow, always thought he would eventually convince members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery and the media establishment his vision of Canada was the right one. Instead, the haughty pundits laughed at him behind his back, and painted glowing pictures of the crafty and cunning Jean Chretien. -snip- The Lib-Left media are going to find out they need him far more than he needs them.

Regarding 'tolerance': Don't remember where I got it, but had it saved. Quote: Intolerance Is a Beautiful Thing It is common these days to hear the word, "tolerance." It is the politically correct buzzword of the day. However, many people will be surprised to discover that tolerance does not mean what it used to. In the past, tolerance has meant, "the acknowledgment of the views, beliefs, and practices of others that differ from one's own." It includes the attempt to understand others, to respect them as human beings--without agreeing with their every thought or opinion. This is an honorable character trait, part of our Judeo-Christian heritage, which has long been taught and practiced in many sectors of American society. The new tolerance, however, has gone much further. Today, when the word tolerance is used, it means, "viewing all values, beliefs, lifestyles, and truth claims as equal." The new tolerance goes beyond respecting a person's rights; it requires praise and approval of that person's beliefs, values, and lifestyle....... In fact, the new definition was designed to exclude Christians. " unquote