Sir Bandelot

It's not as simple as that, when we're talking about stochastic effects. Suggest you look that up. There is no threshold in the induction of cancer for long term, low-level exposure. This essentially means, doubling the dose doubles the risk and can be applied statistically to the population at large. As well, there is the issue of "quality", by which is meant, effects from different types of radiation sources. Alpha particles for instance, are among the most deadly, and there will likely be alpha particle contamination from the depleted uranium. It can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin, where it migrates to and gets absorbed by the bones. It stays there forever. That is why some of the corpses that were found were too radioactive to be handled in the usual way.

Agreed that there is a "grey" region beyond the normal background level, and this is an area of disputed research, that involves statistical averages on large numbers of population, the so-called 'stochastic' effects. In recent years, allowable levels of low radiation dose for nuclear energy workers (NEWS) has been lowered by a factor of two. These levels are set by the IAEA and voluntarily adopted into law by countries. Dose levels are carefully monitored for NEWS, not only in the amount but the 'quality' of radiation. Any breach or excessive exposure is taken quite seriously and always investigated. For the general public the dose levels are lower, but there is no monitoring (as in the wearing of badges,etc). The effects on pregnant women and young children is also significantly more pronounced, they cannot be NEWS. In Canada, this is enshrined in federal law and taken very seriously. During an investigation the CNSC inspectors can invoke power of attorney. They can put you under oath and if you lie to them you can end up doing jail time. So while we argue about the technicalities of unknown risk in elevated dose levels to the public over long periods of time, it is no joke and the decision to raise the allowable dose levels, because of an accident should not be taken as trivial.

I'll take a tiny dose of arsenic, and you take a big one. The effects are 'exagerrated' when the dose is increased.

He looks much older and fatter in the second video.

In politics, image and impression is everything. So it's vital to control that image... one of the significant lessons we learned from Josef Goebbels. I am not invoking nazism here, that is not the point. Goebbels created a revolution in the use of media to promote government ideology. Part of the reason for his considerable innovation in this field is that TV and radio were quite new and spreading rapidly to every home in the western world. Goebbels recognized the value of this medium and the importance for government to regulate it, to control every aspect of the message being presented to the German public. There is your definition of fascism.

The biggest one is in Ottawa

We won't go to hell, if we understand that we're all human and will always make mistakes. The road to hell is, not realizing that you are imperfect, not trying to know yourself, and not being critical and improving yourself. And how can we come to know ourselves, to improve ourselves? What does that word even mean, 'improve'. Some find that answer, in the moral codes outlined in a book. Others through meditating while sitting under a tree. Still others, through every breath they take in daily life. But no matter what your path is, or how long you're on it you have to realize, mistakes will come again.

You must mean, Ireland

I think what Angus Thermopyle said is true, but he speaks of it in the past context. He's talking about the potential threat of nuclear war during the cold-war era, that it 'was' a great threat. The potential for "mutualy assured destruction" kept the superpowers locked in a tense stand-off, were they fought wars in remote areas by proxy. This created a dilemma that they could not engage in total war, as they seem so wanting to do. Imagine, war becoming obsolete because the weapons are too horrific to use. But now that the USSR has subsided, I doubt that this threat has been diminished. The militants seek a way to use their nuclear arsenal in limited skirmishes, and to do that need to make the public less afraid of using nukes. Just small nuclear bombs please, they are so compact and wonderfully effective. But the standoff continues because of the threat of escalation, and the big johnnies are still there, in their underground silos. The dismantling of USSR may have been hailed as a victory of sorts for the west, but in some ways made the world less safe. Soviet nuclear scientists, finding themselves unemployed were offered lucritive posts in foreign lands. Now there's a threat of dissemination of nuclear technology to countries that have no treaty agreements, where it can fall into the hands of terrorists and criminals. The checks and balances have been disturbed, temporary though they may have been in this terrible chess game. Now there is no one left to reign in the white queen. She can roam all over the board freely, taking whatever square she wants. And in whatever manner she wants- rules be damned.

Jack Layton is a federalist, and his party was chosen by the majority of Quebecers to represent them in Ottawa. If he wants respect from all Canadians he should use his new position to strengthen federalism in Quebec, not be vague and not entertain any ideas of seperatism. Politicians: know what you are, and be what you are! Do not try to be all things to all people! Mr. Layton should unabashedly stand fast in support of federalism, he was never elected on any kind of seperatist mandate and should not make any concessions, whatsoever to that concept.

I don't doubt that, but so can the idiot-savant.

Yet there is still a prevailing attitude in the military, and amongs people at large that civilian casualties are an unavoidable fact in war. Regretable, perhaps, but not unacceptible. I would like to see our mlitary evolve to the point where it is totally unaccaptable, like it is with our police forces. We would not tolerate if the police killed large numbers of innocent bystanders simply because they were too close to where the heat is. If even one bystander is killed there is much outcry and an investigation.

If we look at this assesment of the level of peace in our society, within our own borders, how does the CPC respond to it. The notion that we are among the top most peaceful nations in the world must fly in the face of their ambitous plans to get tougher on crime, and to build more prisons for all the criminals we are harboring.

No, poor civilians deserve better.

No. I already understood that. My comment takes a shot at our country because, I wanted to point out we are less 'peaceful' towards others now than we've been in the past. And this is true around the world as well. The cold war was 'relatively' peaceful for a few decades, but that's over now, isn't it Angus Thermopyle

The stinking carcass that is liberalism should at least be given a decent burial. Of course, liberals themselves don't have the gumption to do that... they will ask someone else to do it, someone with intestinal fortitude, while they look away. Most of these people don't even eat red meat, they only buy frozen prepared meals that are heated in a microwave. Liberals need to realize, it's time to come to terms with something. The party needs to be completely dismantled. Since they likely don't have the courage to do that, we as Canadians can do them a further service by removing them from official party status. That will help to promote the healing. Then given enough time to ruminate over their loss, something miraculous might happen. Out of the detritous of what as once the Liberal Party of Canada, a new seed can grow. There will initially be a sprouting, then a blossoming and finally a full bloom shall arise, from the very soil that holds the decayed flesh of their destruction. Neo-liberals, having no direct ties to their leprous ancestory will be born anew, lifting their heads up to the light, so that we Canadians can behold the vulnerable shape of its face, like an awkward teenager seeking acceptance. Won't that be cute. Ten years later, it will be the same old crap. But that's the way the wheel always turns, babies.

We participate in the wars of oppression. What this says to me is, the world is not a peaceful place.

You don't like hockey? Why, that's un-Canadian

I think for most Canadians the Queen is just an abstraction, she's a picure on our currency. Aside from that we hardly know anything about her, and generally don't pay much attention. Americans on the other hand do seem unusually more fascinated, as noted on previous trips/ visits of the British royals. It must be the novelty thing.

Fate and circumstance has proven you to be absolutely correct! Bieksa with the game winning goal.

O the depravity and moral decay that has corrupted the minds of our youth! There is a pestilence upon this land, nothing is sacred. This is what decades of unfettered liberal academia has done to us!

Wow, what country are you from? Someplace where they play "Cricket"

No worries, I was only trying to make you laugh!

Ahh, that explains the bitterness... got to learn to let it go man... it's only a hockey game! For the OP, I don't see that. My hockey playing friends and I are definitely watching, and it doesn't matter what time the game comes on! Can't wait for the next game, in fact. Good hockey always worth the watch, no matter who it is. The game is a contest of wills and skills!

So you wear horns and a breast-plate?