Stoker

So can you or the NDP predict the lotto numbers as well? I understand that both Martin and Harper have shown intrest in the ABM program, but I have not heard either say that they were intrested in space based weapons. Like I said, just because other programs may be developed from technology used in the ABM program (ICBMs or Space based weapons), that does not mean that we have to buy into that technology or for that mater support it. We (as in the west) have been in the opening stages of an arms race with China for over a decade. Now I for one, wouldn't want to see the United States lose it's lead in military technology to Red China. Without a doubt in my mind, in a generation or so, when Red China closes the gap/equals the same level of economy as that of the United States, I don't doubt for one minute that we will at the very least be in another Cold War, if not a Hot war with the Chinese.

Though I agree that it will be costly, how is it known that it will be ineffective and wasteful? Like I said, if we take part in the program, and if the Americans decide to put weapons in space, who said that we will have to take part? By reading your link, it seems as if some circles within the U.S government are looking at developing offensive space based weapons in the future........so my question to you is so what? The Americans have offensive nuclear weapons, so does that mean that Canada will have to develop ICBMs because the Americans have them, and would most likely use them in responce to any country that launched missiles at the U.S.?

I've read your story, but where does it say that space based weapons are a policy of the current administration? It's says that space based weapons have been talked about in "military circles", but no where in there does it say that if the United States did deploy space based weapons, that Canada would be forced to take part. Reguardless, if in a generation or two, space based weapons are deployed, why doesn't the NDP want to at least have a seat at the table with the country that will lead the way? And with all that said, it still doesn't change the fact that the current ABM defence plans don't call for space based weapons.......

maplesyrup, I don't know you, and I don't agree with the majority of what you say, but I never said that you can't say it.......I'd just think it to be easier to read all of your post reguarding polls, in one place, instead of reading numorus different threads that all say close to the same thing.......I'd say that one topic with updated poll results would be enough for this election run wouldn't you?

........I thought that the Magic Kingdom just didn't want to appear partisan, in a country that is split about 50/50, in a election year.........I've no great skills or talents in marketing, but wouldn't alienating about 50% of you potentail customers be a bad idea? If it's how you say it is, perhaps Moore should make a new story up about how Disney is nothing more then an instrument of US foregin policy

Did Jack and the Band get "jacked up on dope" in a private and relaxing enviroment after the party?

No it's to my understanding that mad Jack and the NDP are opposed to the American ABM program. Now they claim to be upset because they are against weapons in space. Now were I'm fuzzy on this whole thing is that the American's "interceptor missiles" will be based on land and on ships at sea......So how did Mad Jack make the leap to thinking that the yanks are going to build some kind of deathstar If the NDP is this confused on just one issue of their's, I'd hate to think how mixed-up they are on all of their issues....... So tell me (and other Canadians), why should I support a party that is this ignorant to the facts of an issue that it makes a big point of debate over?

Was the room 10 x 10? Ahh yes, nothing says "average joe" or "working class" like False Creek In Canada?

I agree. I'd like a elected senate, but I'd keep the current "distribution of seats" as is......... I fail to see how you could find non-partisan members from were you suggested.........maybe this could be one of the new jobs for our elected senate? One of the few things that I agree with PM PM is that we should figure out what we want our armed forces to do.....then use a scythe to cut through the chaff at the puzzle place.......then use any potentail savings to reinvest in the forces.........only then increase the budget so as to allow the forces to carry out what we ask of them with ease. Why not. I agree here also. I agree, but I'd also bring back the dealth penalty for murder in the first and the murder of a Peace officer. I wouldn't do away with the entire Heritage ministry, but I want independant oversight on the rewarding of grants and the like.......no more movies on how sand fleas screw on my dollar I've no problem with bilingualism.......just so long as it's teaching a useful language in a given area.......do high school students in BC need to learn French? Perhaps they should be taught Manderian or Cantonese instead of French. IMHO, I'd just think to carry on with Harper's ideas. I don't know enough about tax laws etc etc to comment here Who doesn't like tax cuts? I'd go a step further here.....I'd reduced all money spent on foreign aid, then put the savings into our own current social programs to help Canadians........I'd only help countires that show signs of potentail in economic development or that are resource rich. Let Darwin take care of Africa. I'd like to see increased trade within Canada and growing South American and Asian countries......but not at the expense of our bread and butter Other then perhaps tougher laws/ increased enforcement on Child porn, I don't really care about this issue. Your kidding right? Perhaps lowered fees for Canadians and increased fees for forgeign students...... I tend to agree with Harper's stance......A hand up, rather then a hand out, is the better way to go.

If we didn't have immigration, like most western nations, are population would be on the decline.......And I for one don't think that first world nations populations should be culled, but those of the third world are another storey. With that said, I think our immigration numbers(added to the birth rate) should be at such a level so as to equal the number of deaths, thus manitaining Canada's current population. Also, the standards for immigration to Canada should be increased, in that potentail immigratents should be somewhat more wealthy then what we have now Maybe 50K Cdn per head..........And I for one (and I'm a WASP) don't care what country these people come from........

This question wasn't addressed to me, but I find it intresting none the less.......If a Arson "firebombs" a Jewish school, but the Jewish school is only "one target" amongest many, which include schools, churchs, stores and homes of differnet races, would this be a hate crime? And the inverse to this question, if I were a Neo Nazi and wanted to firebomb a Jewish "target", wouldn't it make sense to also firebomb none Jewish targets, so as to "cover me arse" and appear as just a "normal" arson if I was caught?

I don't think a 45 year old should be having sex with either a teenage girl or boy......I don't care if it's "straight sex" or "gay sex"........I'm also sure that most Conservatives agree, and it's not an issue if the adult is gay or straight, but that an adult is having sex with a child.....I think thats why most where up in arms over Mr Robinson's motion, not because he is gay. At the time when Mr Robinson made his motion, did the federal NDP support him? Also, what is the current NDP stance with the laws that pertain to the age of consent? Does Mr Robinson speak for the NDP or himself?

So how do you prove that the mugger attacked the gay person because of his sexual orientation? What if the mugger had previous knowledge that the victim was gay and still attacked the person, but not because he was gay? How will the Crown prove that a hate crime has been commited? Does the assailant have to be uttering anti gay "slogans" to be charged with a hate crime?

How will a "hate crime" be defined as compared to a "regular crime"? If a straight homeless person mugs another straight person, then is caught, tried, and found guilty, the homeless person will be sentanced to "X" many years. Now if you sub the straight victim with a homosexual, does the homeless person get a longer sentace because the victim was gay?

Now if the following link and quote are true: http://www.realwomenca.com/newsletter/2004.../article_3.html What good was supposed to come out of Mr Robinson's motion? If he was concerned with parity between "straight" people and "gays", why not seek to increase the age for consensual "straight" sex to equal that of consensual anal intercourse? Wouldn't that have been a better option? IMHO it's a option that may have been supported by "right-wing, homophobic, White Anglo Saxon, western Nazis" like myself

And does any of that prove that Bush lied to the American people? Didn't nations like France and Germany also think that Iraq had WMD's? So did the French and Germans also lie? So either there still are WMDs in Iraq, the WMDs were moved to Syria (or another nation), Sadamm ordered them destroyed before the war, or there never was any WMDs and all the Western nations were fooled.

Has it been proven that Bush lied about all the things that you mentioned? It was proven that Clinton lied though..... Or could there still be WMD hidden in Iraq? And has there been any evidence that has shown that Iraq didn't have ties with Al Qaida? Didn't they find a traning cmp in Northern Iraq on the Iranian border?

I don't know that I'd call it "skrewy", I prefer the term Democratic With that said, we could also see a Green Party, Pot Party and Rhino Party government If they got enough votes......it's just a mater of how likely it is to ever happen that has to be asked..........

Well I'm sure that once it becomes a major issue with Canadians, a party will run with that as part of their platform....... ........What current parties would like to see the monarchy done away with? The NDP and the Bloc perhaps? Now once one of those parties can form a government (or together form a coalition), I don't think that this is a topic that spends alot of time on Canadians mind's........

What benifits would we reap as being a republic? EDIT: And couldn't we still elect our lieutennant-governors, governor general, and well we are at, the members of the senate......well still not becoming a republic?

Canada is still here isn't it? And what lie is that? Perhaps I should grab my tin-foil hat for this

I'm a WASP monarchists of the typical cord And Me tends to think that if it's not broke, why fix it... .....So tell me why we need to fix it?

I think we are debating two different things here. I two feel that the forces won't "go away", not just because of the reasons you suggested, but also because they are a good "tool" for a Prime Minister and his Cabinet to conduct forgein policy with. Now what I've been saying since the start, is that I'm sure if we had a review of current spending habits within DND, we could find money that would solve alot of the problems that our armed forces face now. Now after we get these current problems under control, then we should look at expanding the role of our armed forces for the reasons that I have stated. Now I fail to see why it that you go off on a tangent about the FLQ and Oka, because it is this humble westerner's opinion, those two events that you bring up are no more relevent then the Manitoba floods, the Hurricanne on the east coast, the forest fires in BC, Peacekeeping in various trouble spots around the world, or our current role in the War on Terror. Thats because they are all in the job discription of the Armed forces. Do you git my drift?

Yes. I'd still by and support Canadians first, but the only way that I'd buy a Korean wrench, is if they bought a Canadian made Hammer. Not smugness, but self defence is more important then day care. Now if your day care workers can play a key role in carrying out our forgein policy and the self defence of Canada, then you may perk my intrest.......until that time. And what would that be? I seem to think the main role of an armed forces is to carry out a countries foregin policy and self defence.

I guess we will know by the end of the summer depending when martin calls an election.