Sir Bandelot

If I were from Zortron, I wouldn't kill squirrels. They're blameless

The link for those who insist on these things- http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43929476/ns/business-stocks_and_economy/

Posturing about whether and how Congress should increase the debt ceiling by Aug. 2 has been a hollow exercise. Failure to increase the borrowing limit would harm American prestige and the global financial system. But that’s nothing compared with the real threats to the U.S.’s long-term economic health, which will begin to strike with full force toward the end of this decade: Sharply rising per-capita health-care spending, coupled with the graying of the populace; a generation of workers turning into an outsize generation of beneficiaries. Hoover Institution Senior Fellow Michael J. Boskin, who was President George H.W. Bush’s chief economic adviser, says: “The word ‘unsustainable’ doesn’t convey the problem enough, in my opinion.” Even the $4 trillion “grand bargain” on debt reduction hammered out by President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) — a deal that collapsed nearly as quickly as it came together — would not have gotten the U.S. where it needs to be. A June analysis by the Congressional Budget Office concluded that keeping the U.S.’s ratio of debt to gross domestic product at current levels until the year 2085 (to avoid scaring off investors) would require spending cuts, tax hikes or a combination of both equal to 8.3 percent of GDP each year for the next 75 years, vs. the most likely (i.e. “alternative”) scenario. That translates to $15 trillion over the next decade — or more than three times what Obama and Boehner were considering. The term "death by a thousand cuts" seems appropriate...

That is not implicit in 'support the trooops'. However: SB -> "I support the persons..." I understand what a THREAT means. Sometimes it's impossible to ignore a threat, and it has to be dealt with. Havng said that, I would not compare WWII with Iraq or Afghanistan.

But even so... do I really support people who are willing to mindlessly follow orders given them by some wealthy minister? No, not really. I support the persons, but not the idea.

Support the troops is not clear cut. It's an open statement. Support them in what? Make me a bumper sticker says, "Support the troops... NOT THE WAR!" and I'll consider it.

Then they'd be atheists...

Intelligent life is the most rare thing in the universe. If it exists at all. Perhaps it's just an idea, like Santa Claus... if we all dressed up and pretended to be Santa Claus every day then there'd be a chance for intelligent life. If I came from Zortron and landed here and saw what was going on, I would sterilize. Cleanse and sterilize...

The article states that the debate was on putting these stickers on city transit vehicles. "The Council of Canadians opposes the "Support our Troops" decals because it is unacceptable for public vehicles to carry any political message, let alone one that promotes the views of the governing party," stated a COC press release from 2007. "This is disturbing considering that the "Support our Troops" message is a political statement of explicit support for the current mission in Afghanistan — support that isn't shared by a majority of Canadians . . . The Council of Canadians is also deeply concerned that the use of public resources to endorse the war in Afghanistan represents a militarization of our society." Yes I agree. Enough already with the jeering of you mindless fools. But unfortunately it goes on to say- the City of Calgary has offered a compromise to detractors of the motion — city workers will have the option of opting out of the program by simply removing the ribbon from the vehicle they operate. The so-called "negative option". You have to make a public political statement, one way or another.

Cha-chinnnggg

Evidently the guy Ford has a big ego problem, as is often the case for people who seek positions of power. It's shown in his comment that she should get elected if she wants to have any say in the matter. In other words, "I'm in charge here, so I'm the one who decides". In this democratic society I say, whoever the people elect, they deserve everything they get.

I agree but then, we have such things as "Chinatown", "Little Italy", places like that.

Is it possible that the SEED is an American product, (ie. Monsanto "Roundup Ready" GMO corn which is their closely guarded, patented product), but is grown by a farmer in Ontario?

Most likely they even purposely created it, using the plight of starving people for their own benefit. I read that they block the food aid, or steal it, and use the funds to buy weapons. If there ever was a reason to invade a country to liberate its people, for justice, this is it.

Message from Jack Layton- "On February 5th, 2010 I shared with Canadians that I, like 25,000 other Canadian men every year, had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I have received overwhelming support from my loving family, my friends, my caucus and party, and thousands of everyday Canadians. Their stories and support have touched me. And I have drawn strength and inspiration from them. In the closing days of the most recent session of the House of Commons, I suffered from some stiffness and pain. After the House rose, I undertook a series of tests at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. My battle against prostate cancer is going very well. My PSA levels remain virtually undetectable. However, these tests, whose results I received last week, also indicate that I have a new, non-prostate cancer that will require further treatment. So, on the advice of my doctors, I am going to focus on treatment and recovery. I will therefore be taking a temporary leave of absence as Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada. I'm going to fight this cancer now, so I can be back to fight for families when Parliament resumes. To that end, I have requested that the President of our party, Brian Topp, consult our Parliamentary caucus and then convene a meeting of our party's federal council to appoint an interim leader. The interim leader will serve until I resume my duties. I intend to do so when Parliament meets on September 19th. I am also making a recommendation on who the interim leader should be. I suggest that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel be named interim leader during this period. Ms. Turmel enjoys unanimous support as the national chair of our Parliamentary caucus. She is an experienced national leader in both official languages. And she will do an excellent job as our national interim leader. Let me conclude by saying this. If I have tried to bring anything to federal politics, it is the idea that hope and optimism should be at their heart. We CAN look after each other better than we do today. We CAN have a fiscally responsible government. We CAN have a strong economy; greater equality; a clean environment. We CAN be a force for peace in the world. I am as hopeful and optimistic about all of this as I was the day I began my political work, many years ago. I am hopeful and optimistic about the personal battle that lies before me in the weeks to come. And I am very hopeful and optimistic that our party will continue to move forward. We WILL replace the Conservative government, a few short years from now. And we WILL work with Canadians to build the country of our hopes Of our dreams Of our optimism Of our determination Of our values... Of our love. Thank you." Jack Layton

Even if it goes against what we personally believe, even if it is harmful to the individual themselves when they take it, the question is do they deserve incarceration for making those mistakes? Smokers do that now, boozers can do that now. And when denied, the pathetic addict resorts to something even more harmful to themselves. We see how natives or any kids in remote areas resort to sniffing gasoline or spray paint to get high. Why? Who knows. Boredom, mental anguish, depression. That is beside the point. I think the idea should be to put emphasis on harm reduction. And remember, everyone needs a break from the stress of living. Some have a drink or three on a Friday night. Some want to spark up a joint. Let them have their clean weed, and offer alternatives to get them off it. Fight a war on drugs, or any substance abuse by giving youth something better to do. Leave prison for the real bad boys, those who want to hurt others.

Sure they do. I can give a couple of examples. Alcoholics who committed assault while drunk, Drug addicts, and people who can't control their emotions and harmed someone in the heat of passion.

In Singapore you can go to jail for 3 months, just for spitting on the ground! That is the world Scotty wants us to live in. The posters views are completely inflammatory, and should be disregarded as long as they remain such.

Not everyone is as you think. People make mistakes too. Those who regret their actions, who WANT to be rehabilitated, deserve a second chance. That's the Canada I want to live in. If you don't see any room for rehab and forgiveness, move to Saudi Arabia.

Like I've said, I believe what I want to believe. Nothing needs to exist.

Sounds to me like a philosophy for Bonobo monkeys. Then there is no law. Bonobos can do anything they want, even kill one other and nothing would stop them. Hardly an example to live by. Besides, to me it's not always what is "true" that matters. It's whether a belief results in certain actions, and what gets you through the day.

I know you have some morals, you believe in certain things as right or wrong but I wanted to address the so called immoralists, those who detest the idea that other people can tell us what to do. With the example we see the dilemma of rejecting morality. Those ones who are now silent, I would like to hear their opinion on it. I expect they will say, "It is wrong" and we can go forward from there. No I do not. The slippery slope is not heterosexuality, it is morality. Remember what I said, I do not hate gays, I would not avoid talking to them or interacting with them in normal social situations. Normal, I say. Because, let me reinforce this, I do not think what gays do sexually is normal. But that is still their private business, as far as I'm concerned. Your quote is significant at this point in my response- bm -> "Is it so impossible for you to imagine that those who might disagree with you politically could nonetheless be honest, and not hiding some sinister agenda?" Don't forget. If we are to be liberal about anything, it should be the ability to talk about anything! I know we are different on this and I still have the right to my opinion. The only difference between you and me that I see at this point is, you draw your line of what's acceptable somewhere beyond where I do. That is all.

I doubt it as well but feel there is still good reason to investigate, or at least explain the rationale for lack of an investigation. Then there's no need for such long and speculative debates...

Yet the CEO is like the top-dog and often reaps the greatest rewards for a business. What bothers me is how someone like a CEO can hold every advantage when things are going right, but then claim they are at arms lenght if things have gone wrongly. Even if not aware of what could be a sytematic abuse or crime carried out by the corporation they represent, they should be held responsible and fall on the sword. To me it's fair, part of the price they pay for the position.