scribblet

Quite a startling concept isn't it? Imagine parents making their own decisions on who raises their kids. To me anyone who opposes parents making their own decision can only be in favour of little state run gulags for the future masses. Something like 1984 -

Not just the gay minority, but many liberals who like to stifle dissent. They use the word bigot, racist, homophobe far too freely, its a big stick which which to stop debate.

just found the item on Choice in Daycare. http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2005/12...1338367-cp.html Tories offer families a child-care payment of $1,200 for each child under six OTTAWA (CP) - Conservative Leader Stephen Harper says a Tory government would give families an annual child-care payment of $1,200 for each child under six. He's also offering $250 million in tax credits to help community groups and businesses create new day care spaces. The $1,200 payment, called the choice in child care allowance, would be taxable in the hands of the spouse with the lower income.

On Friday, I saw a little piece on Cutler and his nomination in the riding. Alan Riddell was interviewed and he said that he was asked to step aside for Cutler. He also mentioned something about the CPC agreeing to pay for his campaign expenses, but he has yet to receive payment. Can you imagine asking someone not to run in favour of a better candidate. I'm sure maplesyrup is underestimating the damage to the CPC. I foresee at least a 10 point drop for the Conservatives. For some reason, that I cannot explain, this story is absent from the content on CBC's website. Not sure why there would be a delay. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Press Release http://www.alanriddell.com/riday RIDDELL BOWS OUT OF OTTAWA SOUTH RACE FOR PARTY UNITY Ottawa---Alan Riddell decided last night not to enter the Ottawa South nomination race and to throw his support behind Allan Cutler. Riddell said, "Given the overwhelming support that I enjoy from the Ottawa South riding executive and membership, my withdrawal from the nomination race is the only way of ensuring that Allan Cutler could stand as our candidate in Ottawa South. The Party knows that I signed up 705 of my supporters to vote for me at next week's Nomination Meeting and some officials were worried that I would beat Mr. Cutler in a contested race. Riddell believes that the the "disqualification" story which appeared in this morning's Ottawa Sun is the result of overly nervous party officials facing an impending federal election. Riddell went on to say, "Their worries were totally misplaced. I am a loyal Conservative and Team Player and last night I chose to avoid a divisive nomination race, which could only weaken our Party on the eve of an important national election. Mr. Cutler is a great Candidate who is going to help our Party win seats across Ontario, and as a loyal Party member I feel that it is the duty of all good Conservatives to get behind him." Riddell was puzzled by media reports that he was disqualified from running. He said, "Media reports of my disqualification are untrue. On August 8th a high ranking party committee, with binding authority over who can be a Candidate formally ruled that I could run in Ottawa South and eight days later, on August 16th, Mr. Harpers's current chief of staff, Ian Brodie, confirmed in writing that the decision would be respected."

So far its only under discussion but I like the idea, probably because it would benefit me. - Maybe this could be extended to all 'couples' e.g. people who stay home to be caregivers . Either that or raise the basic personal exemption and make it transferable to a caregiver. Actually I like the idea of a flat tax, as long as all the loopholes are closed and all taxpayers pay up. He (Harper) has also made it clear there is an intention to direct child care money to parents for use as they see best, rather than tie it to the use of state run daycare centres.

Geez, that pretty bad even for the G & M, write to them and complain, I'm doing it now.

I seem to remember a video clip of Stephen Harper rushing by reporters and saying something to the effect that he would be in Iraq. By that I assume he meant that Canada would be in Iraq. He seemed very angry - like he hates Canada. That was a couple of years ago. I am looking forward to more from him on this. He seems very quiet on the subject lately. The election campaign has just started, the hard questions haven't been asked yet. And we still have to hear the opinions of invididual Conservative candidates. I think he still hates Canada, tho <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Who hates Canada. I suppose it was a joke but if you are referring to Harper, and that dumb question he was asked, Harper and conservatives love Canada as much as anyone. Liberal values are not necessary Canadian values, and one doesn't have to Liberal to love Canada. -

Tostar has bought a large share in Canwest and CTV(I think thats what it was) Toronto Star is extremely biased, so expect more of bias. CTV just ran a hatchet job on Harper, I'm not going to give it any publicity on here though. - I guess we can expect more if this type of journalism.

One thing worth pointing out is that Usual Dosage is a cabinet minister, and cabinet ministers were not allowed to against the bill. -k <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thats the problem with a whipped vote, its not democratic, the MP's can't vote their conscience or the will of the people. They can only vote the will of the party.

I can agree with that, and along the same theme which I think was lost in the election call.: Reform tougher rules on judgeships proposed Cristin Schmitz, CanWest News Service Published: Tuesday, November 29, 2005 OTTAWA - Eager to shake off allegations of cronyism as they head to the polls, Liberal MPs voted with the opposition to endorse reforms that would make it harder for future governments to use federal judgeships as patronage plums. In one of the last symbolic acts of the 38th Parliament, a Commons subcommittee tabled in the House yesterday a non-binding interim report that unanimously acknowledges that the present appointment scheme for Canada's 1,000 appellateand superior court trial judges leaves the door wide open to political patronage. Liberal members on the subcommittee continued to insist that the Martin government has never used judgeships as a political reward. But the justice subcommittee's unanimous report nevertheless signals for the first time the federal government's acknowledgment that substantive reform is in order. "We agreed on the need for change," MPs of all four federal parties wrote. "While prescriptions for reforming the system varied, the feeling that some type of change was needed was universal."

How about blaming the abductors, note they also blame the US for it's "occupation" but on the other hand they say they are there help the Iraqi people "build a new society" Really !! How hypocritical http://sympaticomsn.ctv.ca/servlet/Article..._workers_051129 Aid group blames U.S., U.K. for Iraq abductions CTV.ca News Staff The aid group whose four members were abducted at gunpoint in Baghdad on Saturday blames U.S. and British aggression in Iraq for the hostage-taking. In a statement, Christian Peacemakers Teams said it was outraged that the four pacifists, including a pair of Canadians, are now suffering for a war they didn't create. "We are angry because what has happened to our teammates is the result of the actions of the U.S. and U.K. governments due to the illegal attack on Iraq and the continuing occupation and oppression of its people," the Toronto- and Chicago-based organization wrote in the statement posted online. Earlier in the day, CPT confirmed that a video aired on Arab television does indeed show its four members who were abducted over the weekend. "We were disturbed by seeing the video and believe that repeated showing of it will endanger the lives of our friends," the group wrote in its statement.

The NDP have announced they will put an export tax on Alberta oil and gas exports to the USA in retaliation for U.S. softwood lumber tariff. Note that the tax is on exporters (Alberta) not the importers, so I'm sure Alberta vogers will be elated to this.

IMHO we don't need any more people. More people means more pollution, more land paved over for housing, more consumption of natural resources etc. etc. Personally I believe that overpopulation is the root cause of many of the world problems.

http://anonalogue.blogspot.com/2005/12/deck-of-liberals.html This is cute, read it and weep.

Poking around, I found this tidbit of info... I guess it doesn't really matter if overall violent crimes go down, if youth crimes are increasing. We're headed towards bad times if this is any indication of future adults. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It is certainly increasing in Toronto, it has been a horrific year. Mayor Miller is too wishy washy, he's among those who seem to think that building more community centres is the answer. I'd like to know how many criminals handed in their guns during the amnesty.

Good one

Its not a bad idea, there's a lot can be done without implementing Kyoto. My big problem isn't with cutting back of pollution of any kind, its buying credits from other large polluters e.g. China. Here's an article from the Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB1133...MjQwOTIzWj.html Climate Change Fiction in Montreal Is Fact in Ottawa By MARY ANASTASIA O'GRADY December 2, 2005; Page A11 There was much to celebrate in Montreal on Monday as Canada kicked off a massive United Nations climate-change conference designed to resurrect the Kyoto protocol. German guests reveled in balmy 30-something Montreal temperatures, while back home in the fatherland a massive snowfall broke records dating back to 1888. Quebeckers enjoyed the rare moment of weather schadenfreude too, as the American Midwest plunged into a deep freeze......

<{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hey shoop - think there is a full moon out tonight? Like you I agree whether alcohol or marijuna, no one should be allowed to drive impaired - legal or not. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I totally agree with the impaired driving issue. No one should be driving while drugged. 'm guessing there are quite a few people on the road who are, and until this test if widely in use here, I can't agree with decriminalizing pot. Not that I agree with that anyway, (other than for medecinal purposes) but I don't think a young person, should have a criminal record for possessing a very small amount. Anyone selling a drug of any kind should be thrown in jail for a long time.

Martin had to make cuts and grabs for how else could he create a surplus. He even threw in the civil servants pension fund into his surplus funds. Nice guy while he registers CSL in a foreign country, builds ships in China; gets loans from Canada; pays slave labour wages; and avoids paying his share of Canadian taxes. Now there's someone to worship as a leader of our country. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Just an all round sweety isn't he. Its Time for a Change

Indeed there are, lets hope the voters wake up from their sleepwalk.

I agree as well. But let's not forget the real reason; this government has been insecure for some time, and there are more Jewish than Arab voters. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> For now, these demographics could change depending on immigration. However, I'm gladd to see him supporting Israel.

Trust me, you've provided me with more chuckles than you know. -k <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How true - also, can you imagine a country controlled by unions? If we think we have it bad now - Hargrove is just licking his chops to get to the trough. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> 1 cannot imagine it, I can only image how much industry would flee Canada in a minute, if the NDP should ever become the government. How anyone NDPer can support Buzz is a mystery

I thought he looked older, this kind stress would be hard on anyone, and he's no spring chicken any more. I wonder if there is a leadership review will run again? Harper has made it patently clear that private health care is definitely not an issue. A good move on his part and he is very clear on that. Party positions change, this is a new party, new policies. The issue is now what will each party promise or assure us of, today. He actually is saying that these private businesses are appearing because the public system has broken down, so obviously if we fix the system, private care wouldn't be an issue. I believe at least 50% of Canadians agree with him on this Harper is the only leader speaking honestly with us on this issue, as opposed to Martin's fibs and duplicity, and Layton.... Mind you I am still in favour of having a choice, I still would like the option of purchasing a diagnostic procedure for instance, if I needed one and didn't want to wait. I suppose if allk parties are saying no to private care, then all the publicly funded abortion clinics would have to close down, and Shouldice surgery in Toronto. That would be a shame.

And for a change of pace, and to which I agree with: http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/652995.html Canada has decided to adopt a more pro-Israel stance in the United Nations regarding the Israeli-Arab conflict and to move closer to the positions of Israel and the United States.