AngusThermopyle

Whoa!! Back up that pony! Are you saying that in Canada we must tolerate all different races and their practices when they come here but they don't have to be tolerant of Canadian practices? Maybe in your personal vision of this country thats true, not mine though. As far as I'm concerned tolerance is a two way street, as I was just trying to point out to Kengs in regard to his religious beliefs. I think your personal ideology may tend towards the Communistic, as evidenced by another statement you made claiming that the populace should serve the government. Thats fine, you're entitled to your opinion. Your personal opinion does not automatically become fact just because you believe it to be so. I'm sure if you asked the average Canadian for their view on this they would overwhelming agree that tolerance should be a two way thing and not the one sided thing that I believe you espouse.

You misinterpret what you read, no anger or hatred here, just a profound disinterest in what you believe. Once again you assume to know what others think while ducking the point that was made. So how exactly is expecting me (a non-religious person) to make concesions based on your religious beliefs an example of tolerence? Would that not merely be a variation on other religious groups expecting concesions based upon their beliefs?

(Just a note here, my boss is not a practising christian in any way. He's just a very good man.) Well well, thank you for beautifully illustrating the point I was making. From your response it would appear that you dont believe in freedom of religion or belief. It would even seem to extend to individual free will since you believe I should be restricted in my desire to work on Sundays in order to "respect" your personal religious choice. How bout I just continue repecting it the way I always have? By not really giving a damn what you believe or choose to do unless it impacts my life in a negative way? In other words no special respect, but also no disrespect either. I suppose thats not good enough for you though, I should be happy to have my life dictated to (even in any small way) by your religious beliefs. Like I said, very tolerant indeed.

Let me see if I understand what you are saying here. It appears to me that you believe those who don't believe in god, or are of another religion are anti-christian? Thats interesting, I believe there should be separation of church and state, I don't believe in a higher being who directs every moment of our lives. So I guess in your view I'm anti-christian? Thats interesting, I never knew that about myself, thanks for making such a life changing observation about me. It looks to me like you believe that everyone should be christian and christians should run everything. Sorry man, just cant agree with you on that. I don't believe dictators should run anyones life, don't care if they're christian, hindu or worshipers of the sacred marshmallow. I hate to say this but I've found christians to be among the most intolerant of any out there. Sure they dont go to the extremes some religious believers do, but they still condemn those who dont adhere to or follow what they believe. The whole letters incident serves only to illustrate this. In fact where I live in Southern Alberta its very christian. My boss wont let me work Sundays because as he said 'People would talk and I'd be looked down upon". Hmmm, about as tolerant an attitude as any I've ever experienced before. Nice example of the shining beacon that is christian tolerance.

As soon as I see a statement along those lines I file it under the "I'm taking my ball and going home" category of statements. Does it really matter who's family has been in this country the longest? I know of people who's family line goes way back, and they're useless jerks. On the other hand I know of first gen people who contribute more to the country than the way back jerks ever could. The whole last post was heavily laced with elitist bull. As for the coming from better bloodlines part of it, who cares? The whole idea of the "good bloodline" concept is archaic and somewhat pathetic. What your ancestors did or did not do has very little relevance on a day to day basis. What is far more important is what you do. Living in the past will only shackle you to the past and its antiquated notions.

At first based on the thread title I thought perhaps that many people had decided to give gifts of urns to all the local churches and then take something in exchange. This is pretty typical actually. It's the kind of behaviour that has been happening for years in countries located in that part of the world.

Yay! A new contender for most stupid statement in the thread so far! Now, would you care to explain to all of us how he is "blowing" money? Next you can explain how the necessary tools to do the job can be considered "toys". Then perhaps you can clarify the "irony" part of your statement. Perhaps you would prefer the good old days of the Liberals when all they did was cut the budget and leave the guys under equipped and ill paid. Not to mention making Canada a laughing stock among the NATO nations. After all, the plight of a serviceman doesn't affect you in any way so why should you care?

Damn! You're right! I should have seen it. Thats it, I've had enough, lets re-criminalize Alcohol!!

Do you really want to go there? Start listing non substance using prominent people who have been as looney as a Jaybird? I hope not, it could go on for months. In other words, your post was pretty meaningless and indicative of nothing.

WB and GT, excellent posts, well presented and logical. As I said before I'm opposed to irrational arguements being taken as "Gospel". I'd say that between the two of you the point has been made pretty clearly. I find a huge amount of irrational hysteria surrounds the whole subject of Marijuanna. I really think that its a hell of a lot less harmfull than Alcohol. As for the addict thing. From what I'm seeing here some people think that smoking a joint makes you an addict. What about having a few drinks on the weekend? Does that make you Alcoholic? If we could eliminate the unfounded negative ideas about weed we could actually do something positive with it, instead of creating a new industry based on criminalizing normal citizens.

I sleep quite well knowing these things, now days anyway. I know what you mean MG. I did a total of six tours. Somalia, Yugoslavia, Rwanda and three glorious trips down to Haiti. Pretty much some of the most destitute countries in the world ( Yugo wasn't at first but did become so). The problem is as stated previously though, not so much from indifference in the West as the cruelty of man towards his fellow man. We do what we can to assist but you can not change situations so easily or quickly. It took quite a while for me to be able to put those memories into perspective and find solace in that perspective. Part of it was realizing how many of those lives I had actually made a difference in (except Rwanda, that god forsaken piece of sh*t that is the U.N. made sure we didn't help anyone). For instance Somalia. If we had not been there a lot of food and supplies would never have made it to the Somali's. Not to mention stepping in and preventing the wholesale slaughter of the non affiliated population when they tried to gain access to the supplies. So, as you can see we do our best to change situations for the better. We just can't do everything at the same time. Believe it or not one excellent way to contribute is to join the Millitary. Lately all the focus has been on the war in Afghanistan. It's not always that way though. The Forces deploy to many places to assist and aid. One must be aware of the realities though, in order to help and aid it is quite often neccesary to bear arms and be willing to use them. The world is changing and even though things may look bad they mostly are vastly better than in the past.

My my, you do make a lot of assumptions don't you. Did I ever say I'm a drug addict? I just don't happen to like unfounded accusations. Actually, some very prominent people have and do use Marijuana.

What a load of bull. It has been shown numerous times that the use of stimulants is natural in living organism that have developed a threshold mental functionality. Birds will fly for miles to seek out fermenting fruit. Cattle likewise will seek out the ole loco weed. Marijuana seeds have been found in cave dwellings. Before making such opinionated statements do a little more research instead of basing your "facts" upon watching Reefer Madness.

I have one question for you KFC. Are you going to debate any issue? is it you intent to merely avoid debate and continue to sling insults. Yes, sometimes I use the Oxford dictionary, other times I use other accepted dictionaries. I guess you only have access to the Oxford one though. I could insult you tit for tat but what would be the point?

For one who performs an exemplary impersonation of a pompous ass I'm surprised you didn't know that there is more than one accepted definition for vitriol. If the best you can do is try to pick apart others posts based on petty and childish nit picking I suggest you just read and learn. We have quite a few good posters here, they actually know how to debate an issue, rather than hurl juvenile insults. Maybe you should take a page from their book.

Not necessarily. Everything is not black and white, life is full of shades of gray. In this case I support them, they're basically telling government that they are going too far, similar to the vets and legions with reference to this issue. However, society does require laws. Smoking is a minor issue compared to other offences. If I understand you correctly, I think you are implying that Natives should not be subject to the law. Thats a rather indefensible position. If for instance a native murdered someone it would appear that you believe there should be no legal consequences. This is clearly an unacceptable stance to take. As I said, there are many shades of gray. On some issues I'm supportive, on others I'm opposed. The one thing I do not bend on however is blatant hypocrisy and manipulative tactics. I find that both sides in the Caledonia situation are resorting to such positions. This is why I'm not really supportive of either side. The native position presented here so far is that they are 100% in the right and have done nothing of any harm to anyone or anything. This is clearly fallacious and dishonest, therefore in all good conscience I cannot state that I am supportive of their cause as presented. I do believe that efforts must be made to settle these matters in an amicable manner within the bounds of reason. It is after all the just thing to do. However that does not mean bowing to every ridiculous or over the top demand being made. You may not believe this but at my place of employment we go far out of our way to employ Natives. We've gotten a couple of good guys this way. Unfortunately for every ten we try to help we might get one who actually wants what we offer. In fact we just promoted one up to foreman, he'll be running his own crew from now on, damn good worker, really knows his shit, nice guy too. The truth is I've offered native guys pan handling downtown jobs about ten times this year, not one has accepted. So, I do not blindly give blanket support. I give support where it is justified, where those to whom I give it have shown that their cause is legitimate. Sorry for going on at such length, its just that the question required more than a line or two to answer. Now I've gotta take off and finish my Christmas shopping. Merry Christmas all.

As an aside to the whole Apartheid thing which is really off topic. I just read today that the Tsuu Tsina have finished constructing their new Casino. Apparently this is the biggest Casino in Alberta. They have stated that smoking will be allowed in the Casino, despite a smoking ban in the province. For that I say good for them, its about time someone stood up to the nanny state and told them to go pound sand. I really don't think there is much the province can do about it other than to accept the situation. Now on a personal note. I hate the idea of another Casino. Our society enacts silly laws dealing with weed yet we allow the construction of Casino's. The cash cow known as a Casino is in my view far more harmfull than an oz of weed.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that. I do disagree with some of Harpers policies, but on the other hand I also happen to think he's doing quite right in other area's. I have to agree 100% with you on the whole weed issue. He's taking a very illogical and somewhat primitive stance on that issue. I guess it plays well with conservatively minded voters.

Bullsh*t propaganda. I suggest you do a little studying and find out about the actual roots of Apartheid. The whole concept began way before 1895. Simply because a reserve system was employed does not mean it originated in North America. The roots of Apartheid pre date the time period of which you speak by many many years. Read about it and you'll see that it came about due to Boer dissatisfaction with British law which did not make a distinction between people based upon the colour of their skin.

Actually KFCandC I merely wanted to know who the slag with the foul mouth was. That you respond with such vitriol would indicate an extremely defensive attitude. Now why so defensive? One obvious answer would be that you don't like to see the obvious or have it pointed out to you. This Paradigm of native womanhood appears to be nothing more than a common boorish lout. Or perhaps it could be that you view a foul mouthed person as being the pinnacle of social acceptability. As for leave you guys alone. I hate to break this to you pal but there are growing numbers of Canadians who want nothing to do with you people and your treaties. You know, those wonderfull documents that appear to be more flexible than a Romanian gymnast. I love the way you guys spout off about the law but break it at your convenience. I guess your view of the law is whatever suits your purpose at the time. As Wild Bill said, go your own way, just quit demanding the Earth and the Moon. Hell, we'll even let you keep the wheel, makes a nice book end when combined with your "Great Law".

Yep, you're right. I also think that Canada as a collective could use another hole in the head as well.

I disagree. Why should we gratefull towards a province that constantly causes trouble, laps up government projects and contracts in a disproportionate amount and syphons off more in transfer payments than anyone else? Then as a whole views the rest of Canada with disdain and contempt. I think we'd be better off if we told them to take a hike (after paying up what they would owe of course). That way we wouldn't be subject to constant petty petulant demands and complaints.

You make a very pertinent point with that statement. Its a shame that you waste it in your following paragraph when you go off on a tangent and start babbling about Christian Fundie and all that none sense.That sort of thing really does detract from what you have to say. But what of the question I asked earlier? If as you state these Natives are law abiding peacefull people then why did they try to block the closing of an illegal operation? You know, the illegal smoke shop that is at the center of this incident. Actually I would think that if they were law abiding and peacefull then they would have assisted in any way they could in order to shut down this illegal operation.

She wouldn't happen to be the one who publishes the Mohawk Nation News would she? I just went through the list that was linked to. I didn't see anyone who remotely resembled the video harpy, so where is she on the list? This leads to the next question. Who says she's one of the 100 most powerfull women in Canada? Enlighten us please, we wait with baited breath for this revelation.

And what if pigs could fly? Your statement is a blatant rationalization. I'm not entirely sure what it is you are trying to rationalize, but it appears to be a denial that culture played an important part of this murder.