RNG

I have been following this discussion for many days now. I guess I have decided to add my two cents worth. I like the monarchy for this reason. In the US, as an example of a republic. When you criticize the president, you are defacto criticizing your country. As they are HMFIC and symbol of it. We can criticize Harper but the Queen is the symbol, so we are not criticizing the country when we do that. And an elected president or whatever still has political overtones to it that I don't like. As long as we maintain a powerless symbol, and it doesn't cost too much, I'm all for it.

By the same logic, 70% or whatever are disappointed that Happy Jack is where he is.

I still firmly believe the Iraq invasion was prompted to a significant extent by Shrub's anger at Hussein having commissioned a hit squad or whatever against his old man.

I agree. But the point was that if some hostile and powerful country decided to come and establish military bases in Canada, we could try and resist but probably couldn't prevent it. That is not saying I agree with them doing it, or that I would welcome Canada doing so to some other, less powerful country. And I think that is all Derek L. was saying. This of course is all theoretical since the US wouldn't allow it to happen to Canada in the first place. Look at what happened to Cuba.

The fact that it's a basic truth doesn't matter?

The problem with this strategy is that it assumes some degree of rationality will be shown by the enemy. But I really think the rulers of both Iran and N. Korea are bat-shit crazy.

Ah, Rick and his ilk just love spouting off without realizing that their heroes are as bad if not worse than what we have now. Don't feed the troll.

Plus the concept of war is way different now than in the cold war days. The problems now are rogue states and terrorists. We need different strategies now. And unlike some, it isn't Russia or China I fear, but Iran, N. Korea and even the AQ being able to buy/steal a medium range missile and fire it from Mexico or whatever.

Yet once again I will climb on my soapbox and preach the real Keynesian philosophy. Keynes said that in economic bad times the government should spend, what we now call stimulus spending. BUT, he also said in economic good times the government should cut spending and pay off the debt. Libs, Cons, Dems and Reps all follow the first half, but very few follow, or even acknowledge the second.

Plus the fact that the US announce they had made preemptive apologies to many governments.

Don't you ever worry about N. Korea or Iran getting ICBM's and shooting them at the US? But given their technologies, probably Canada and Mexico are at greater risk.

A GPS glitch?

Alberta had an election for potential senators, so two candidates were elected by the Alberta citizens. Unfortunately, the feds ignored the wishes of Albertans, but yes, we did elect (recommended) senators.

And that is the problem, what you consider crap I might think is genius, and visa versa. And neither of us is wrong. So, keep the government out of it.

Aren't the majority of the Wikeleaks stories for abou the past 6 months from the diplomatic cables given to them by that imprisoned US forces guy?

I liked it. But as far as the topic, I think a big difference is the scale of civilian deaths in Libya, although Syria is trying to catch up.

Great hydroelectric. Amazing mineral wealth. But abject corruption et al. So they keep taking my money. Cool. They know how to play the game. It's just that me and a whole bunch of my friends aren't playing anymore. Let them go. But they ain't gettin' dick from us anymore.

You are so wrong.

Fine. Then go. But each time you guys vote, you keep voting to continue stealing my money.

What I want to hear is you admitting that all you want is more of my money. Bullshit. Go. But don't expect any aid or equalization or anything else. You want your "freedom" as long as I have to pay for it. Quit lying to us.

Go Winnipeg Jets II! Just don't let tax dollars get involved. And if fed money gets into the Quebec City arena, I'm grabbing my pitchfork and revolting.

Welcome to the People's Republic of British Columbistan.

Sure, four years down the road or whatever. Very few voters have that long a memory. Remember, politics junkies like those of us who populate these forums are, unfortunately the minority. I am really surprised that Obama did Osama now. I would have thought he would wait till about a month before the next presidential election to do it. Way more bang for his buck that way. Now, by then the average voter will be way more interested in handicapping American idol entrants.

Didn't the SCOC just blow all that out of the water? Not to mention that several news sources reported the story along the lines that "an opposition biased committee ruled on the matter and the speaker was forced to follow through"?

Are they advocating that young, struggling artists be given CPP? Are they saying that CPP money should be used for grants to these artists? And who defines who is an artist and what is art? Heavy danger here, if Happy Jack is serious. Or is it just eye candy for the followers? With him I'm never sure.