caesar

Good, he may be just as protectionist in trade but hopefully will be a little more open to the opinions of the international community at large.

Stoker; that was 2001 while they were trying to get support to invade Iraq; My report is from September 2004. Back in debt. Congress reported that about 4or 5 months ago; it did make the newspapers . What rights has the homeland security act interfered with; privacy for one big one; they can and do follow your activiity on the internet, library, etc without ANY just cause. I, myself found that I was being followed. I am sure that you are aware of this already; if you do ANY newspaper or internet reading. Just do your own search on rights violations / Homeland security act. I found 63,500 entries.

Stoker; The USA is still behind in their UN dues as of August (268 million arrrears from prev years plus 363 for 2004); Japan is another nation in arrears 219 million at last count. US Congress declared Canada too democratic Homeland Security act has severely attacked rights in the USA. I will look for a link that puts the USA at number 2 for human right violations

Citizens do not or should not be buying military equipment and ammunition. We are paying for the UN now; unfortunately, other countries are not paying up. Why should we be controlled by a country such as the USA that does not act in good faith under a leadership like the present one. As for your sudden concern for human rights; I do believe that the USA is number 2 on their list of worst offenders. USA citizens have lost much of their democratic freedoms. In fact, the USA congress stated that Canada was too democratic and had too many civil rights. Yet they think it is their God given right to force other country"s to adopt their idea of democracy. Those who protest or are in the wrong place at the wrong time are simply "collateral damage" That is what the USA is attempting to do; not the UN. The UN just facilitates those countries that wish to make the change.

Stoker; your reference was Sweden not Switzerland; different countries. If you check Switzerland with those same sources; it affirms my earlier figure of 1 % of their GDP in 2004

This was May 2003; in 2004 they were announcing that they were making drastic cuts to their military. Not 2.1 that you claim stoke. What year are you looking at??? I cannot find the page I saw earlier where in 2004; it was 1% GDP

I did; they spend only 1% of their GDP on their military; less than Canada does.

It is not as effective as it should be largely due to the USA not honouring its commitments and paying its dues. The USA and to a lessor degree, the other four countries with a veto; for misusing its veto. The UN is the way to go; with some adjustments; for a chance to make this world more peaceful. The UN needs to be given the power to collect taxes on things such as military equipment and ammunition. Making 5 countries with a veto was short sighted and did not take into account a changing world with the powers of countries rising and falling. It failed to realize that many of these favoured countries would use the veto for unfair political games.It was created with noble ideals; unfortunately it depends on it member countries living by those ideals; what a big disappointment the USA has been. It aspires to bring democracy to the world but acts as dictator to the world.

I don't think it will be very disruptive. Most of us will be celebrating. Albertans will have to wipe off that big smirk. Any wise investor spreads his investments over a larger sector. Prices will go down but really nothing drastic. I will have a big smile of relief.

Yes, I really do believe that we are much more willing to look at the whole issue not just how it affects Canada. Otherwise we could have held our noses and joined the USA in its illegal invasion of Iraq. Would have been much better for our economy. We honoured our commitment to the UN; financially and morally; more than one can say for Bush and co. Always in arrears; how dare they complain that the UN is ineffective when they are the biggest obstacle to the UN performing as it is meant to. Pay up and stop frivolous and unjustified use of their veto. They should not even have a veto due to delinquent dues.

why shouldn't we have a seat as much as Russia?? No taxation without representation. The UN should reflect a changing world. Countries should vote honestly on the issues. We should have globally minded people representing the countries. Perhaps representavies from the world should vote on who gets to represent each country.

I suppose vetoing a resolution against Saddam for using poison gas against the Iranians was self protection???? Yes, right. I suppose vetoing any resolution against Israel's aggressive acts is self defense. Yeah sure.

Yes, we do. We pay much more than several of those with a veto. We always have paid our dues on time. We are more fair minded and less politically motivated than many of those with a vet. Why should we not have a seat??

Well, who do WE need protecting from. The USA causes a lot of the problems in the world. Canada at least pays its UN dues on time even though we have no9 seat on the security counci nor any veto. The American's misuse their veto for political reasons not morally right.

No, that does not always follow. It works the other way , too. Others arm more heavily and may do a pre emptive strike. How often has Switzerland been attacked? This does not translate to less police working/ It is a completely different situation. Canada, unlike the USA, does not consider ourselves to be the "policemen of the world" We do not act on our own. We are PART of a larger contingent. n We do not need to possess every type of military equipment. Although, I believe we got shafted on the subs; they are being repaired; some are on active duty. New equipment does not mean that they too would not have problems. I have problems with lots of NEW shoddy products that I purchase.

It works both ways. Why do you think all these "rogue nations" are arming???? Why did the terrorists attack the USA???? Would they have attacked if they did not pose a threat to the terrorists and their agenda. American and British soldiers in Iraq were poorly armed without the proper gear and ammunition.... so it is not an unique problem of Canada's. We are acting as "part" of an UN force or Nato most of the time. It is no disgrace to share equipment with other countries. I would prefer to be equipped to get our men out quickly ourselves; if the conditions required it; I realize that is important. Things are never as black and white; as you think.

Neal; you know little about BC politics. Our provincial government (crooks) are the" liberals" and it is the ministerial aids for that government that are being investigated. As for Libby Davies, Hedy Fry, and Svend Robinson; all have worked well for their constituents. Svend's problems are personal problems and do not mean that he was not an effective MLA. Clinton had his personal problems (as did JFK) but they are still considered good leaders.

Lets not exaggerate. I do believe that we do have troops helping in more than two places.

Having a larger military does not protect you from attack. A large military makes other countries in dispute; see you as a threat and beef up their military. Why do you think N Korea, Iran, etc want nuclear weapons? Because Israel and the USA have them and they want to have the same threat.

I must say thanks to the American tug that is towing our guys and sub into safe waters much more quickly than the British tug was. Thanks guys.

I naturally would like to see Kerry win the election. I do not trust nor like Bush and whomever is pulling the puppet strings. I think; that for world peace; he is a very dangerous man

Not only some fat cat exporter; for one our lumber industry AND the workers it hires. Many other industries will find it harder to compete as the dollar goes up in Canada. Technology, is one of the exemptions

at this moment my most prssing thanks is thank god its Friday. It has been a long week. I will join you in your arrogance MS in declaring BC is a beautiful province with mostly temperate weather. Now if we could just get some responsible moderate politicians. Life would be good. Good health and family and good friends are most important. Have a great Thanksgiving.

It is not even that easy; most were not reported for years after they were last seen. Until it became common knowledge that there were girls disappearing; it was often assumed they had simply left town.

Whatever; one little be election really means little. The abuses on farms is nothing new and means little. Stick to the main issues. Campbell has attack the middle working class. I don't want the pendulum to swing all the way back to catering to the poor who will not help themselves. I do have sympathy for those with legitimate disabilities but not to guarantee any bum on the street a living income whether he works or not. That is going waaaaay too far.