Dragon

Unfortunately, right now legalization just isn’t an option for marijuana. We have signed up to numerous international conventions (UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961), UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971), UN Convention Against Narcotics Trafficking (1988)) , and pulling out of these would cause a lot of international headaches. Fact is we don’t supply the US with that much pot, they import mainly from south of their border. I really don’t see long border waits a problem for very long after C-10 is passed for two reasons. First, the border patrol will realize that the amount of pot coming across the border won’t be increasing much if any. When that happens, I believe they will cut back inspections so they can use the money in other places. Second, American businesses waiting for things from our side of the border will bitch and whine to the government about the extended wait times for things. My field, the automotive sector, relies on just in time deliveries, and longer wait times at the border would screw up production lines which would cost the big 3 plenty of $$$. When that happens, you can be guaranteed the government will hear from their lobbyists...a lot.

I can’t/won’t comment about the Quebec station or FOX news, but I really don’t see a problem with Al-Jazzera. Fact is the US based news channels are obviously biased in favour of American interests. I don’t see why there would be a huge problem with getting news from a source with a different bias. That being said, I’ve never seen an Al-Jazzera program, so I don’t truly know how bad their bias is.

Actually there have been a few intolerances towards Christians in the public school system. Saying of the Lord's prayer each morning is banned which was a cneturies long tradition in all public schools, there are no bible study classes during regular class times anymore and the most recent is the hoopla over Christmas, which is celebrating the birth of Jesus. Now we call it winter festivals, winter break, what have you. People want the benefits of Christmas but do not want to acknowledge that it is a Christian holiday. What is next, Easter? It seems that as soon as a person is called a Christian, then they are labeled intolerant and extreme. Yet, it seems society is allowed to walk all over centuries long beliefs but a Christian is not allowed to voice their beliefs in public. Canada seems to love to pander to the wants and whims of minority groups and gladly step all over Christian beleifs to do so. As long as all this labeling crap continues, then we will continue to have these problems. as we as a country evolve, so should our traditions. I really don't see why non-christian children should be forced to study the bible or say a christian prayer. I wouldn't say there is an intolerance when it comes to christian prayers and classes in schools as there is an entirely separate educational system for christians that gets a chunk of tax revenues. I do agree with you that changing the name of the Christmas holiday is excessive as nobody is being forced to actuially celebrate the birth of Jesus.

He released the film to affect the results whose election, ours or theirs? If it was to affect ours, do you have a link to that article? It is important to look at WHO said the comment IMO. When a film maker makes a comment on who to vote for, its not very important because they rarely (if ever) have any direct dealings when our government. If a politician like Bush, Celluci or Kerry had said it though, that’s a whole different ballgame, because those are people our elected officials have to deal with. If the people they supported did not win, then that could lead to problems in those dealing between the winner and the person who made the comment.

Technically, she's got a point. But really, is this something that we really need to waste the court's time with?

Does anyone really believe a word that is coming out of their mouths for one second? No but it helps them look like they are thinking, atleast we would have had an answer with the conservatives. I personally hope the NDP can get the Liberals to say no to strategic missile defense, but we will have to wait and see on this one, of course a Liberal-conservative yes vote could put it through. A Lib-Consv vote would put it through, but since the Libs will be looking to the NDP for support a majority of the time in this government. The last thing Martin should do is piss them off by getting Harper’s help when/if a vote comes up on this issue

Economic Left/Right: -5.38 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -3.79 I'm close to Ghandi, which I will say kind of suprised me. I thought I'd be closer to the middle

I think the predicted minority government helped bring down the turnout this year. Since many were predicting a close seat count between the Liberals and CPC’s, I get the feeling some people thought that not much would get accomplished so they held off till the next election. Maybe a lower turnout wouldn’t necessarily be such a terrible thing, as long as those who vote are making informed decisions (the old quality over quantity argument). Would you rather have 100% turnout with 40% of people voting for somebody because that’s who they were told to vote for or because thats who they voted for last time. Or would you rather have 60% turnout but with 100% people knowing why they are voting the way they are?

The problem I see with this is, given our history with minority governments, we'd probably be voting every year or 2. After a couple of quick minorities, I think you'd have alot of people really sick of voting and the turnout may end up dropping even more