caesar

There could be a problem there; He seems to be giving out mixed message regarding Health Care in Alberta. Seems to be having problems with decisiveness. He has been in office quite a few years and obviously has done well for Alberta.I hope he is not having problems. Harper may be looking for a change of jobs (shudder) he may want to take on the job as Premier.

That is a cheap shot and beneath you. The drugs were put in by divers under the ship. It has NO connection to the steamship lines nor any of the personnell on the ship. Don't try to make it out to be anything else. Are you that desperate to find something to use to criticize Martin. I could find some valid arguments for not supporting him. I don't have to use innuendo that has NO merit.

Cartman; There is lots of evidence to show that there may be a lot of truth in what you have heard. I can give you lots of web sites but first try a search for Ramsey Clark, former Attorney General (Johnson ) assistant attorney general (Kennedy) There is evidence that the "gassing of the Kurds" that is attributed to Saddam was actually an accidental gassing; during the Irag / Iran war when both sides were attempting to gas each other. According to the American War College the gas that poisoned the Kurds was actually from Iran> The two sides were using different gases. Mind you at that time Iraq and Saddam were American allies. The truth; who knows????

Youth has to learn a bit of cynacism when it comes to politics. You cannot believe everything you are told. You cannot believe everything you hear or see in our media. Everything is spin; very little "real" news. You have to search for the true picture and even then it is just everyone's best guess and analysis to decide what sources you can believe. Perhaps we should involve them more in the voting in areas that they are involved. Let them cut their teeth on education issues first. Referendums for the youth issues. I know there are many who do understand quite a few of the issues; the majority are not interested nor had the time to really consider many of the larger issues; nor do they have the experience.

"If this country has not one intelligent brain to lose, then why are we wasting the youth? " How are we "wasting" the youth. We are training and developing our youth. When they wer tiny, we gave them training wheels; before we let them ride a bike. My generation; we learned in the school of hard knocks; falling and scraping our knees etc; getting up and trying again. Youth needs some time to mature; lets not pick them before they are ripe. I do not like seeing them being sent to fight wars in foreign countries.

Mapleleaf; why would you compare teenagers; most of whom are not of an age to vote (18 isn't it) most of whom do not pay taxes due to still being in school with seniors. Seniors are usually very much more knowledgeable and do pay taxes and have for many many years. That was a rather poor comparison and insulting.

Well, I went fishing and caught a nice jack spring salmon today; so I had a great day.

Harper wanted to add dramatically to our deficit. I do appreciate that Paul Martin has been able to pay down our large deficit that Mulroney ran up. An increased DEFENSIVE military is more the Canadian way. Canada can stay with peacekeeping forces for our international obligations. We do not require an invasion style army.

Playful; Do not say West when you mean Alberta. We in BC are the REAL west;I haven't heard anyone grumbling or even discussing it here. I am all for Canadian ownership for ALL our resources and our media.

I have been saying that for a long time. That includes the disgusting practice of using blood products instead of milk to feed calves. There are now 2 possible cases. If they are positive; look for the USA to attempt to fost them off as Canadian.

The people have spoken; we have a large Liberal minority government. It is time for us all to become Canadians, again and work towards a stronger Canada. Now, is the time to let the politicians work out the kinks. We should watch closely and with open minds to see whether they keep the promises we were given. Watch the opposition parties to see if they have any constructive advice or points to make. When they can only criticize the ruling party and never agree; they seem childish and this is not constructive criticism. You can't ALWAYS be against EVERYTHING the ruling party proposes and remain credible. Let's stop the EAST vs WEST nonsense. Hopefully, one does not support the Conservatives only because they are from the west. Let's look at the policy and statements by ALL parties and be ready for our next decision based on facts not emotions. Canada is a great country that we can all be proud of. I am, despite our flaws; we are a pretty tolerant and balanced country that has respect around the world.

Rev; don't include BC in that separation talk; that is not a normal outlook here. We wouldn't want to be at the mercy of our own lying, crooked politicians. The conservatives don't play a part in BC provincial elections. We have our own right wing Liberals which I feel confident we will give the boot come next election. These Liberals claimed the NDP were wasting our money but the Liberals despite selling off our BC Assets; hydro (partial), ferries, BC Rail, etc have allowed our deficit to grow. Our medical premiums have risen; seniors co cost for prescriptions have sky rocketed, Despite these increased costs to consumers; waiting times for medical care have greatly increased. Private clinics do exist. We do not want our private clinics dismantled as it may be our only route to get medical help we need. BC does have lots of money to spend on improving roads to a ski village; a top of the line RAV line to the airport ( going for 3rd vote soon after being denied 2x). If it is for the olympics; we have money to spend. If it is for Health care, schools, or children's ministries; we don't have the money. Yeah right. These BC Liberals have the same ideas and outlook as do the federal Conservatives.

We do like to complain and play spin the bottle in electing political parties here in BC but I know no one who wants to separate from Canada. We just like to whine and complain. We have a tendency not to vote for anything that the party stands for; just vote to replace the ruling party. Most people don't care enough to learn anything about the parties. It is not the different governments fault; it is our own for not getting involved.

It was not so much an East West vote as a city/ rural vote. Not very many Conservative voters in the cities. Liberals probably lost many votes thanks to Gordon Campbell. Campbell is right winged just like Harper but some people don't really understand that.the federal Liberals are very different from the Provincial Liberals. Joe Clarke's Conservatives are much different than the Harper gang. Clark type of Conservatives may have garnered more votes. A Brian Mulroney we don't need again.

If the Conservatives want to ever gain power in Canada they better go back to the more moderate leaders and members. The Liberals did not defeat them as much as they defeated themselves. Giving out hints of changes they supported; then denying them. Calling the Liberals and NDP supporters of child porn was a big turn off too. Many Canadians will not forget that Harper went to the USA and apologized for Canada not backing the USA in Iraq; He said Canadians were wrong. Well buddy, Canadians were NOT wrong; Harper was.

We do not want closer relations with the USA until that country becomes more credible and obeys international law. They do not even honour NAFTA decisions. Why do you think Harper wanted Transport planes for; to send out troops to wars; to help our "American Friends". No thanks, we didn't agree with the Iraq invasion and we soundly criticized by Bush and Co for making a decision not similar to theirs. That is our choice and our right. Canada took the high road and have been shown to have been correct. When the USA returns to a law abiding; humanitarian and honest and fair trading partner; let them make the first move. An apology would be in order.

It is ridiculous taking of separating. Canada as a whole is considered a small country when it comes to trade. We always get the short end of the stick in trade issues with the USA. A Western country separated from the rest of Canada we would have no clout at all. No one with half a brain wants to join the USA in their present state. They invaded a country without cause; they ignored the Geneva convention. Finally their own courts are putting an end to Bush's unlawful treatment of prisoners being held in Cuba and Iraq. Canadians voted for the Liberals as they are not ready to join the USA and rebuild that relationship closer; at this time. Many will not give that reason; as when we criticize the USA it is always interpreted as anti American. How come we can criticize our own government and not then be called anti Canadian.

The Liberals have a large enough minority not to worry about the speaker. The chances of the Bloc and Conservatives teaming up to defeat the government are negligible for some time. No party wants another election at this time. Relax.

A Conservative/BQ coalition would not happen. Harper gave out hints of wishes to abandon biliqualism in Canada. That backward step would not win him many friends in Quebec. The Conservatives better fine tune their agenda and show what they are about. Hints coming out of their intentions are what saved the Liberals. I think the main reason Canadians did not go Conservative is because of Harper's wish for stronger ties with the USA while Bush is still in office. Many do not publicly wish to criticize the USA but still do not want to be sucking up to that country until they return to being a less arrogant country that shows more respect for international agreements and Canada's right to decide international issues independent of the USA. We do need a stronger military but not of the type Harper envisioned that would be more aggression capable. Home Defense is what we need; capable of assisting in times of disasters. Health Care needs to be refreshed not dismantled.

Actually, neither the NDP nor the BQ will hold a real balance of power. The Liberals will only need the support of either one or the other. They will only need this support when there are issues where one of these two parties would support the Conservatives. They will have to court the BQ / Quebec vote on many issues to bring Quebec back into the fold. We do need to keep Quebec happy or face more separation threats. At this time, a Liberal/NDP coalition would require Chuck Cadman's support. Perhaps he holds as much a balance of power as do the BQ and NDP. He won handily after being dumped by the Conservatives who said he would not be welcomed back into their fold.

I don't think they would necessarily make it a formal coalition. They will have to keep either the NDP or the Bloc happy to stay in power. The Liberals need time to show that they are going to do what Canadians want. I guess I should go listen to what they have to say. Anyhow, it has to be better than before or Martin will join that list of short term Prime Minister.