Sir Bandelot

Fellowtraveller and I may disagree but at least he/she is polite in their responses. I hope fellowtraveller does not take my responses personally. You on the other hand, I will not answer your questions. I disagree with you on the most fundamental level. Simple as that.

I agree you do not generally do that. My comments were not directed specifically towards you, jbg. I think the people who 'survive' here longest are the ones who do not take these discussions personally, either towards themselves or in attacking others. I prefer to engage people on neutral ground. Discuss issues, not ridicule the poster. Doing that is a sign of weakness, IMO. If the person seems to be trolling or making extreme, inflammatory statements, I generally depart from the conversation. I am not a kid and don't have time for the "yes it is... no it isn't" type of arguments. Sometimes we must concede that we have differences, and simply move on. What is surprising to me is how different we can be in some areas of debate, and how similar in others.

I don't understand why people get so angry with each other, and take offence to issues that are mostly not within our power to control anyway. Some have a need to hurl insult toward others, with name calling such as "moron", "idiotic" or "disingenuous", etc. I think people who do that have an ego problem. They somehow need to confirm to themselves that they are superior to other people, and they do so by putting others down. One part of the problem is our anonymity. I suspect that if we ad to use our real names, most people would be far better behaved. It's like when driving cars, people get behind the wheel where no one can easily see you, cannot touch you speak directly to you and don't know who you are. Once this happens, some people become sociopaths. But if we knew who they really were, and where they lived, they would become so nice...

In a sense you have answered your own question. The reason it is safer is because of the requirements, and their inherent astronomical cost. And that is one reason why it is not so eagerly adopted in the power industry. Experience has shown that the reactors cost much more to operate than was initially projected. They also did not last as long as promised, requiring extensive maintenance and overhauling. The waste problem was not solved. Worse still, the possibility that reactors can be used to make material for nuclear weapons, possibly by our enemies means that there has to be international oversight of reactor facilities. That only adds further to the cost and effort needed to run them.

Since when do I owe you any kind of answer? Someone who wants to kill people in cold blood, does not deserve the dignity of my response. We don't expect anything of value, from you.

I'm saying that's my opinion of what should have been done, if we wanted to do the right thing. How would I do that? The same way I would have invaded Afghanistan. When I get paid to be the leader of this country I will tell you how I'll do that! Now read the second clause in my statement: "And failing that, if abuses happened beyond our control we should not have covered it up, thereby taking some of the blame for it upon ourselves. Any time we lie or break laws, we should be held accountable." See, the problem with some people around here is, they accept the premise that we should walk into a pit of vipers, and when someone gets bit, they start saying "What else could we do??". Then they look to others for confirmation that we are blameless in these circumstances ourselves, or start asking someone else to think and solve their problems. I'm saying Canadians have made their bed. They vote for and support these actions with tax money. Now it's time to lie down in that flea ridden dung pile, and suck it up!!!

For the Winnipegers, it is a raison d'etre. I just want to know if that little girl who donated her coin jar to try and stop the Jets from leaving in the first place, gets her money back? or at least a season ticket

It shows precisely the problem with these irrational, impulsive types. They are a greater threat to our country and our freedom than any terrorist ever was.

Fellowtraveller, and you are blatantly ignoring the greater dilemma.

I'm suggesting those who are irresponsible and put themselves into a position where there is no option but to LIE, should finally get what's coming to them. And if that were true, what a conondrum it puts us all in. Something to think about, eh fellowtraveller?

We are whatever we believe ourselves to be. Those who have the cognitive ability to see something greater than the animal can rise above their baser instincts. Those who do not, cannot. But evolution always points the way forward, we mustn't give up hope. Even within a lifetime a person can change, and looking back on themselves see... evolution.

In this case it is based on the principle of quality of life. As stated in the OP, "The Index is based on 11 measurements of quality of life including housing, income, jobs, community, education, the environment, health, work-life balance, and life satisfaction." I think the last two points in this list are the most important, but cannot be achieved without having the former points well established. There is a "bottom line", identifying things which are essential to meet the needs of our existence in a communal society. Beyond this one finally achieves such a thing as "leisure time". This is essential to the development of a human being. Is it not important that we have a good quality of life, and that we understand how that can be achieved? Else what are we, beyond mere existential working machines.

If we wanted to do the right thing, we should have handed them over and made sure they would be protected from abuse. And failing that, if abuses happened beyond our control we should not have covered it up, thereby taking some of the blame for it upon ourselves. Any time we lie or break laws, we should be held accountable. Right action set you free.

Black willingly renounced his citizenship to take on a British title. So let the British help him now.

The above is exactly the careless liberal attitude that lets criminals get out of jail with minimal time served. The backlash for this attitude is, the Conservative Party of Canada.

They are also countries with stronger elements of socialism.

On their knees.

Many heroes, champions, great men and women draw their strength from their belief. Muhammad Ali is one obvious name that comes to mind. Being a believer does NOT make one weak. In fact quite the opposite.

Conrad Black, he go away But only for 9 months. I think the judge was too lenient. So what if he was a 'model prisoner' when he was in jail before? Why do the rich get a pass, while the poor man, the nobody is given a full sentence? Because the rich man affords an expensive lawyer and pays big money into the legal system, propping up the courts. Black made an impassioned plea that he was concerned for the effect his sentence would have on his wife and family. That's part of the punishment, for those who lived off the avails of your crimes, and lived quite well. It is rigt that they should suffer, and that it disturbs his conscience. But despite this sentence, which is only for a short time, they will continue living high on the hog and can party on, once CONrad gets out of jail.

Another bunch of lazy whining bastards that need to have their legs cut off.

Yep, Winnipeg Jets. http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2011/06/24/sp-nhl-winnipeg-name.html

It should only be over when justice is served. That goes for the Chretien government as well. Real justice is not partisan, Smallc.

"Je suis une Socialiste"

Iran wants to do the same thing.

Especially since Obama openly admitted the Taliban will be a part of Afghanistans future, ie. will have a role in government. What? The dreaded, evil, anti-democracy, anti-capitalist Taliban are now accepted? We will negotiate with the Taliban? How will Peter Mackay reconcile this.