PoliticalCitizen

Well, she wasn't there to look pretty and wink at the audience like Palin She has proven a formidable opponent to any and all other party leader(s). She was fast, concise, stayed on the topic, used more facts than accusations and overall was one of the best examples of women in politics.

I was waiting for Harper's pinocchio nose to start growing as he was lying through his clenched teeth and thin crooked smile... That didn't happen, but his eyes got red from all the spite and anger he had to hold back...

Politics and manners don't really go hand in hand but I believe Layton's behaviour was too agressive and Dion was the most polite.

In the end I think he held his ground pretty well, didn't even lose that fake smile of his

May didn't make any outrageous promises. But I'm sure if she ever gets a seat somehow she will be able to ensure elected government doesn't lose sight of the environmental issues.

She actually brought some facts to the table while the other leaders mostly repeated memorized campaign script fragments. I think that for a first-timer she delivered an outstanding performance and brought more quality and value than some of the established leaders. I'd love to see her in the Parliament.

Well Elisabeth May has had quite a few real jobs: http://www.greenparty.ca/en/about_us/elizabeth_may/biography

Actually I think the moderator has done an excellent job. Both debates made me proud to be a Canadian as I witnessed Democracy at its best.

Is the spoon designed to kill? How can you compare a dedicated instrument of murder with a kitchen appliance? Are you going to cut your food with a rifle?

So what's the point of keeping a gun in the house?

How can you try defending an absurd clause? What is a gun designed for? Driving? Making you high?

Interestingly enough, Harper's English performance was worse than his French. He was probably instructed by his strategists not to attack - but poor guy's eyes got red of unreleased anger Duceppe was sharp and very much to the point. Dion had some highs but his English couldn't have done him a worse service. Layton's attacks were very bold but felt more theatrical. May delivered an outstanding performance by not just going through the memorized campaing script but bringing some real facts to the table. Overall I think it was an excellent discussion. My opinion is that as a result Conservatives may lose some votes and BQ may gain some.

You have a point with the illegal weapons.. so how do they get here? AKs are not produced in North America... About home protection - BS. There are mechanisms in place to protect you (security systems, police, guards etc) that should satisfy the needs of the average citizen. Having a gun in your house is probably more of a risk than a benefit as you may end up being shot with it.

The difference between drug and gun is that one is designed to make you high and the other - to kill you.

The Greens could grow at the expense of both Liberals and NDP, plus by attracting young voters who don't care about politics but do care about the environment.

You can be sure that all the Green party supporters would support PR. That makes it 12% of the voters. NDP may want that as well.

There could be a mixed system used, such as the one that was proposed in Ontario.

I'm not saying we should set young offenders free, I'm saying we should adress the reasons that drove them to this choice. I never said the social funding would "rid" us of young crime completely, but I'm certain it will be much more efficient then putting them in adult jails.

I concur. Yet somehow when Dion was speaking (finally his mother tongue) he sounded more as a professor and less as a polititcian.

Right... that would make her just the same as Harper or any other party leader...

Their "choice" is dictated by the conditions they live in and people around them. Don't forget - we're talking about YOUNG offenders. The society should be improving the quality of life of its lowest layer - that is the only true "grassroots" way of minimizing criminality.

I like your thought direction... honestly... Canada has legalized gay marriages. What is so unconstitutional about poligamy? Why should it be illegal? It isn't illegal in many countries.... Or how about this: So a hunting rifle is OK... Why not a semi-automatic? Or an automated rocket launcher on the roof just in case the uninvited guests are armed with "legal" shotguns and automatic weapons? You can't restrict something just because it can lead to something else. Birth leads to death.

Would you mind bringing them to the table? That's what a discussion is for...

A high enough popular vote should give the momentum to a movement to change the current (or should I say archaic?) electoral system. If that happens the Greens may be just as big a power as BQ or NDP

Young offenders that choose to wreak havoc on society are products of our society. We are responsible of them behaving the way they do. Is locking them up for life the only thing we can do? Does it sound like the right thing to do? Unlike marijuana there's no ambiguity about a gun. Yes, you can use it as a paper weight, but by the same token you could argue that a nuclear bomb is a work of art. Any gun is a device that delivers deadly force onto the target. Designed to accurately and efficiently "neutralize" the target. You cannot use it to spread butter or cut bread, as you can a kitchen knife. Yes, there are knives designed to draw blood, kill and dismember. Some types are already banned. I also believed all "military-style" knives should not be sold to civilians. The argument of having a gun for "protection" is absurd... protection from whom? Another guy with the gun? Who bought it for his "protection"? Now who has the BIGGER gun? How about semi-automatic? But we can continue this discussion in the Gun Control thread...