Sir Bandelot

There is a certain space station that would disagree. The shuttle was getting the job done. Meanwhile, there is nothing to replace it except for unreliable Russian rockets that have a tendency to explode. I hope the folks on the ISS packed some extra underwear. There's even talk of abandoning it completely for a while, if they can't get reliable service within a certain time frame. If NASA has got so much money, why didn't they build the new design shuttle to replace it? Or even just make another one of the current design. Because they just don't have the money to do it. Economics trumps virtue, it is your nations swan song. Today they talked about a new rocket that can be used to fly people to Mars. But it's just a drawing on a piece of paper! NASA hopes to free up money for the rocket by turning over the launching of astronauts to the International Space Station, which orbits the Earth, to private companies and just rent spaces for astronauts like a giant taxi service. NASA officials aren’t sure how much they’ll save because it depends on how much the firms will charge and when they will start flying. Link Not sure what's more dependable, derelict Russian rockets or the pipe dreams of bureaucrats.

NASA expects to undergo a big round of layoffs that will significantly reduce the shuttle workforce, which currently stands at about 6,700 people, said John Shannon, NASA's shuttle program officer. If Atlantis launches on time on July 8, the agency will lay off about 3,200 contractors on July 22, officials said. Cutbacks for all of NASA's prime contractors will continue through the middle of August, leaving less than 1,000 people to manage the process of conditioning and preparing the vehicles for their future homes on display at museums around the country, Shannon said. Layoffs Loom for Space Workers But don't despair, NASA has new plans in the works and will hopefully get back in the game again someday, providing jobs for Americans. Of course! Canada is in a great position financially and is attracting a lot of attention on the markets.

There are plenty of people in Afghanistan who hold absolutely no malice towards us, and don't deserve to be killed. So for them, live and let live. Wouldn't you agree, Bob?

I don't "whine". I don't remember complaining that there was too much US consumer spending. But if I did, it would be because I personally don't like the purchase of too much junk. But that's just me. I know the economy as it works now depends on consumer confidence. That's the way the system works, like it or not. That's fine, industries must change with the times. Some will fail, and it means hard times fr those people involved. Like the people at NASA. But they will re-tool, get re-trained and make another product. That's normal. On the whole our economy is doing well, among the top in the world right now which is surprising given the size of our country. But that doesn't happen by accident. Simpy put, more people in the US need to care about their economy, ned to cooperate and make a few sacrifices. We did that in the 1990's when the PM told Canadians we would have to "tighten our belts" for a while, and he was right. It has paid off.

Well, that's great but we're doing alright, Jack. I think we'll keep our less efficient system that seems to be doing far better weathering the economic "storm" that's affecting your country more severely. What I read into it is, US companies milk their workers harder, paying out less in wages and pocketing more of the profits. But it seems to be to the detriment of working class. Hence less consumer spending. The US brand of capitalism has created its own problems.

Posted today. Good luck with that, boys. Actually it's a very informative article. Sounds to me like they will have to find common ground on many issues. It also states something quite interesting that I wasn't aware of- "In his talk at this week’s Canada-U.S. manufacturing summit in Montreal, Doer stressed that Canadian officials in the U.S. are taking the gloves off to drive home to American political leaders the importance of trade with Canada, which is the biggest export market for 34 of the 50 U.S. states. It works best when Canadian companies can bluntly show American legislators how much business and how many jobs in their districts are tied to export sales in Canada."

Ok then, Obama is full of crap. Shall we move on?

I wouldn't be too enthused. Ron Paul talks a good talk, but remember, it's easier to criticize and speak truth to power than it is when you actually are IN power. I think Obama found that one out pretty quick. Judging by the way the grey hair's coming in, the role of commander in chief removes all of ones illusions and takes its toll. But still, we need people to criticize. Only saying, that's their role. If by some freak of nature Paul acquired supreme executive power, times would be interesting yes, but only for a short while.

Does not exactly the same apply to America?

What about the rest of it? No opinion?

Perhaps lots of stuff still gets made in America, but they still need more jobs. More stuff needs to get made in America, but the cost of wages is higher than what could be done in other countries where the workforce is less well-educated, and less demanding of a higher standard of living. That attraction will always be there for manufacturers. Plus the lack of regulations, safety requirements, environmental controls. The only issue is shipping costs of course. Now certain Canadian industries benefit from having asbestos processed by peasants in Pakistan, where they have no idea how to properly handle the materials and do it "old school", with all the inherent risks. The risks we no longer allow ourselves to take. That is how the system is able to provide junk, gadgets, toys, clothing, all sorts of commodities for a low low price. by taking advantage of a labour force where "life is cheap". It worked well at first, because there is a latency in the system where people still had money to buy this inexpensive junk. but now the system has slowing down. The main problem is the lack of consumer spending. For a number of reasons, people no longer want to buy junk from faraway lands. Neither can they afford to buy home made items for higher prices, if they can even be found in stores. Kickstart the economy by creating opportunities for consumerism. "Trickle-down" economics is a failure, there should be little debate about that. There is no motivation for the wealthy to take extra wealth acquired through handouts, tax breaks and create opportunities for new business. They'd rather just go on another vacation at an exclusive resort. The answer is TRICKLE UP ECONOMICS.

I suppose some Canadians watch US news as a form of entertainment. We don't hype up our own news the way American news does. Our news is boring and bland... representative of the Canadian persona

Haven't heard of anyone in Canada getting upset about it. And no one is forcing the US to buy Canadian products. They do so by their own free will. What Obama proposes goes against the spirit of his nations own belief in free enterprise. And likely it will not work, as people will not force themselves to pay more for a product because it is made in USA, when a cheaper product made somewhere else is available. It's just smoke and mirrors, and likely Obama will be ignored. Again. Or does thine own precious maxim "Economics Trumps Virtue" no longer apply?

upon further investigation it was found to be $28,000, plus job offers. So, best of the worst, again?

I didn't read the bill but I am aware of claims it had an opt-out clause. I don't know the details. An opt-in clause would have been acceptable.

I believe the reasoning was, they are the children of Liberals who among other things allow Muslim immigration.

The article then goes on to describe that Perry attempted to pass a bill that would enforce mandatory HPV vaccination for girls age 12. What a fine conservative.

It is completely off topic with the scarf melee. However let me point out that in ancient Roman times, sex between men and boys was acceptable. Now look toward the Roman Catholic church. Priests are expected to be celibate. Women are viewed as pitiable and even, contemptible. For a priest to have sex with a woman would be a sin, but not so with a boy, as evidenced by how widespread the problem is, and for how long it's existed. It's not a leap of the imagination to believe what we're seeing is an age-old "tradition" within the church, considered an acceptable method of relieving ones self of sexual urges without committing an 'unclean' act with a woman. So it's about gender as well, though you will never find a Pope to admit it.

Not a problem for the nation that kills the most prisoners of any "free" country in the world. 1 People's Republic of China Officially not released. In the thousands 2 Iran 252+ 3 North Korea 60+ 4 Yemen 53+ 5 United States 46 6 Saudi Arabia 27+ 7 Libya 18+ 8 Syria 17+ 9 Bangladesh 9+ 10 Somalia 8+ 11 Sudan 6+ 12 Palestinian Authority 5 13 Egypt 4 14 Equatorial Guinea 4 15 Taiwan 4 16 Belarus 2 17 Japan 2 18 Iraq 1+ 19 Malaysia 1+ 20 Bahrain 1 Surprised that the US is satisfied with being fifth. But look what good company they're in, competition is high... If elected, Perry would do his best to uphold the states right to execute people, as an ineffective form of punishment.

Yes, I did not want to say anything too harsh that might offend some of our more sensitive members. Since they haven't commented about it (what can you say?) I will. On 9/11 2011 I watched TV in amazement. My thoughts were, it would be better if they got over it somehow, put it in their past and moved on. Not that it should ever be forgotten, no, but the pain and fear of it are still so apparent, it's like a wound that hasn't healed. We must all grieve for what we lose in life, but ultimately we have to let it go and move on. And there are better ways to do that, which psychologists use to help their patients. The kind of media that was put out, reliving every detail over and over, providing new details, interviews about the experiences of survivors, showing the grief of those who lost their loved ones again, continuous footage of the towers burning and falling all day, articles in every section of the media whether it was news, politics, business, sports etc. It already started weeks before 9/11/2011, so I could tell they were going to do this before the day even came. Small wonder that there would be such an over-reaction to a couple of Indians who felt sick on a plane. Likely that some other passenger, whose mind was in great turmoil having been over-stimulated saw them, felt fear and suspicion and watched their every move. The report of a "credible but unconfirmed" threat specified that two or three terrorists might working together. And here were three people. They were reported when the two men got up to use the bathroom at the same time. Well, that had to be it! Hell, the woman didn't even get up. She just happened to be sitting beside them, and happened to be an Indian as well. But when the swat team entered the plane with machine guns ready, they grabbed her anyway. It's clear to me that whether intentional or not, the whole media apparatus which benefits from showing that attracts viewers, for the purpose of profit created an unhealthy environment that added to the psychosis of people concerning 9/11. Like watching a horror movie you can't tear your eyes away from, even though it is disturbing. It became "9/11 porn".

"Privilege yields opportunity, and opportunity confers responsibilities. An individual then has choices." That also relates to how I feel about the United States, or all entities who hold power over others. We all have a certain amount of responsibility and choice, and we all have to face the consequences of our decisions, both good and bad.

Well none of this directly addresses the CERN data anyway.

Rick Perry holds the record on executions "In his nearly 11 years as the state’s chief executive, Perry, now running for the Republican presidential nomination, has overseen more executions than any governor in modern history: 234 and counting. That’s more than the combined total in the next two states — Oklahoma and Virginia — since the death penalty was restored 35 years ago." The duck of death.

A lot of people had to suffer and die for Gandhi, regardless of his doctrine. There's the belief in ideals, and there's the reality we have to face. We believe something, but others may disagree. They won't let you get away with your beliefs. Personally I hate warfare, but I understand peoples anger and their reaction when they see innocent people killed. Family, neighbours, citizens. They want to fight back, to make the aggressor stop. If you have ever dealt with a bully, you will know there is no way you can ever tell them "ok, you win..." The only way to stop a bully is to fight them, or else concede that you will always be oppressed by them. You, and your family. Your children.