lily

What did you mean, specifically... since it was you that brought it up. To be honest... when I think of strengths... things people bring to the country... I don't really think about what colour they are. Why are you all squicked out about racial and ethnic diversity, anyway?

Everyone knows what is meant.... You're assuming that I'm white, right? And you're also assuming that my colour makes a difference... right?

Again... wow. Did I say "white people are boring"? I don't think so. I believe what I said was more along the lines of "order and homogeneity, a society where we all look alike and think alike" is boring. What strengths are brought by looking alike and thinking alike? Is that a strength or just you liking your comfort zone? We're a country of immigrants, so who are we all supposed to look and think like, anyway? Your people? Mine? Someone else's?

Vancouver doesn't really have a "dead of winter".

It's not gang sex... it's gang sexual assault. Sexual assault of any stripe is a crime.

Wow. Just... wow. Do you really believe all that? And do you speak for all the "rightists"? Because if so, I'm proud to be a leftist who embraces diversity. Order and homogeneity, a society where we all look alike and think alike... gawd how boring. And then you equate it to morals? Again.... wow.

The GST hike? You mean lowering it? I might agree, but I'd still rather see my income taxes lowered, for all the reasons you gave above. It's my money and I want it.

Way back when when I was at university, Queen Elizabth and Prince Phillip did a walkabout there. I skipped a class to go see. I don't know if I will this time though, but I'm very happy she's coming.

Is unity genuine when it needs tight screws? IMO, that's been the biggest problem the CPC has had.

Being Canadian means I apologize when someone bumps into me. Seriously... why is this even an issue? We're a huge country with a very small population. There is no one definition of "Canadian" that fits us all. The long list a page or so back talked about "cottage country". We don't have that inthe west - I think that's an Ontario thing. We're a young country made up of immigrants who all brought various traditions with them. We celebrate those customs publicly and privately. It's this diversity that I love about Canada. I don't fret about what the world thinks when they think about Canada.

I said "very rarely", not "never".

Oh, cool! I don't recognize you all naked without your avi. Glad to see you here. I'm a little perturbed that you seem to have recognized me from the "I'm lazy" comment though.......

I used to be. And you are/were?

I should probably read the entire thread before commenting, but I'm lazy. Wouldn't there be an ID number unique to each voter? It shouldn't be too difficult to make a system where people can't vote more than once. If it can be done in person, then why not via computer? I would like this system. I know employers are supposed to ensure you have a 4 hour block to vote, but that's not always done. I know they're legally required and can face a fine, but still. It would be far more convenient for me to log in and cast my vote than to walk over to my polling station.... but as I said, i'm lazy.

I certainly didn't vote for either of 'em.

I googled, because I thought the program was still in effect too. I agree with you though - lowering income tax would have been better than lowering the GST. One just had better optics, and better short term results.

We did. 2 years ago, apparently. I didn't know that either.

I was born during Vatican II (1960s) and I'm sure I've seen the priest place the wafer on the tongue... but as I said, I'm not a Catholic and i haven't seen a lot of Catholic Communions.

If Harper was offered to option of simply receiving a blessing, he should have taken it. A well-informed PM should have known exactly how to respond when it came to receiving communion. One of the differences between Protestant and Catholic communion is whether the host is symbolic or real. Most churches will invite anyone who wishes to partake to do so.... I would never go up and receive Communuion in another church without knowing if it was ok or not. Harper absolutely should have known ahead of time. I don't know if he pocketed the wafer. If he did, shame on him... and I'm not even Catholic. Don't the priests place the wafer directly on the tongue?

Please be more specific. About the laws, not those who dislike them.

When the forest industry was being decimated, a local group issued stamps to all the loggers in the area, saying "Forestry feeds my family". They stamped all their cheques and every bill ($5, etc) in their wallets. The idea was that even those not directly employed by the forestry indutry were still affected and still benefitted from it. Same applies here. Yes, we have 3 coasts and an ally on the other border, but we still need the capability to defend those borders. can we? Not by ourselves, I don't think. But with help from our allies, yes, I think we can. The military also does a lot domestically too.

Maybe we don't have enemies because of our military. Have you thought about that? Ok, I couldn't even type that with a straight face.

After paying off my house - or buying a new one - and buying a new car, I'd be expected to live off the rest of the million I was given to retire? That would be all well and good... if I died within a few years of that forced retirement.

Don't we all benefit from the military in one way or another? Same with health care, education and a lot of other things our taxes pay for.

My MP is very outspoken, and I respect him, even though he's fromthe "wrong" party. My MLA is an independant, and time will tell whether she will be outspoken or relegate herself to the back benches of one side or the other.