newbie

End result? All Canadians are afraid to say anything. Legitimate debate is forbidden. To question or criticize this nomination is to conduct a witch hunt, un procès d'intention. A columnist or politician risks accusations of racism, of being unCanadian. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> So what do you think should happen? Have Canadians publicly debate every appointment, every decision the PM makes? We'd get a lot of governing done that way. There has to come a point where discussion is over, where rumours and speculation cease. Where do you want to draw the line? I fear it is some people's hatred of this government that is clouding their minds and judgement. Michaelle Jean has made her statement. All leaders of all parties (correct me if I'm wrong) are okay with this recommendation. I see this as nothing but an anti-PM smear, clear and simple.

I know you. You work the nightshift at our 7-11.

I thought Greg dealt with this. Shoop, I think manners are in order.

Hey, a musician in our midst? Well, you can't be all that bad then.

I don't bash all Americans, just this particular administration. I was totally on board when we went into Afghanistan. That's where the roots of Al Queda seemed to be. But Mr. President had his own agenda going into Iraq. I still maintain we did the right thing to stay out of it.

Jury is out on that one mirror, but I don't think someone like Clinton would have carpet bombed Baghdad.

A time of need?? The only need here was the President's selfish desire to invade a country that exhibited no immediate threat. Most of the world saw through that and refused to support that initiative. Our former PM at least did something right by signing off on the bogus campaign.

What's really sad mirror is, regardless of how you rationalize it, those poor marines, soldiers and civilians died for nothing. What a great legacy Dubya will leave.

Dumb is in the mind of the beholder. Put me down for an international gun ban.

shoop, it was a rhetorical question. As for any other responses, I think this topic has been over-covered. I end by saying I'm glad the PM chose Michaelle Jean. I respect his decision, and have totally accepted her public explanation re the rumours surrounding her appointment.

An attempt to answer shoop's questions: 1.Was she toasting Quebec independence in that clip? How do you know she wasn't toasting the independence of French-ruled Caribbean island of Martinique? That probably was the case given the background of the film's topic: the life of Aime Cesaire. http://channels.aol.ca/news/article.adp?id...816183309990004 2. Would she choose to support the best interests of Canada or a sovereign Quebec if her vice-regal duties required her to make a choice? I believe she will be taking an oath of allegiance, and why would she even choose this position if she were a hard core separatist? 3. Why didn't she directly confront the allegations levelled against her in the statement she released today? I don't think it would have mattered what she said today, it wouldn't be enough for her critics. I think Jack Layton said it best: "Here we have an accomplished woman who has said she loves this country and is willing to take on the responsibilities of being a spokesperson for it. I think that's something that should be celebrated."

I guess folks of your political persuation will never be satisfied. Everyone and everything is suspect if it comes from the "other" party. And polls, well I suppose I could find one that says just the opposite. Like I said, use the power of the voting booth to make your statements.

Unless you get hit by one of a forum member's trucks: " Plus voting the way he does, it's a wonder he doesn't get run over by one of my crew trucks!!"

Thank you Greg for reinforcing the "rules." I am just as guilty as others and will endeavour to refrain from partisan and emotional rants.

Funny how you ---'s seem to attack the messenger. The point that seems lost on you is that Michaëlle Jean has now made her comments that you so demanded of her. The "witch hunt" I was referring to is a deliberate attempt to discredit the woman on speculation and innuendo. Of course questions can be raised, but there seems to be an automatic and spiteful knee-jerk reaction to ANY decisions made by our ruling government. You will have your chance in the next election to exercise your democratic rights.

From ctv.ca "I want to tell you unequivocally that both he (husband Jean-Daniel Lafond) and I are proud to be Canadians and that we have the greatest respect for the institutions of our country. We are fully committed to Canada. I would not have accepted this position otherwise," Jean said in a brief written statement released Wednesday. "We are equally proud of the attachment to Quebec that we have always shown beyond any partisan considerations. Let me be clear: we have never belonged to a political party or the separatist movement," she says. Okay, folks, what more do you want. There's her statement. Now put this witch hunt to bed and let her get on with her life.

Pleaes name the anti-immigrant statements made by senior members of the party. Please name the anti-Quebec and anti-Ontario statements. For that matter, please name the anti-gay comments which weren't echoed by members of the Liberal Party. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Don't mean to hijack but I found these after a very quick search on google. Oh, and there's lots more. Enjoy! "Homosexuality is a mental disorder that can be cured through counselling." - Stockwell Day, February of 1992, quoted in Alberta Report. "Well, I’ve always believed that we have to be a lot tougher with undocumented refugee claimants. Whether the best thing is to send them right out of the country or simply detain them until we get full information..." - Stephen Harper, CHML Radio AM 900 Hamilton, June 3, 2004 "You have to remember that west of Winnipeg the ridings the Liberals hold are dominated by people who are either recent Asian immigrants or recent migrants from Eastern... - Conservative leader Stephen Harper, in Report Newsmagazine, 2001. If a community decides this is how you're going to dress and these are the punishments, who are we to say [different]?" - Cariboo-Chilcotin Conservative MP Phillip Mayfield when asked why he believed that the torture and imprisonment of women for not wearing a veil should not be grounds for granting asylum, The Globe and Mail, March 24, 1995. "What happens if a boatload [of immigrants] comes over from wherever and decides that they want to to cast ballots?" - Calgary West Conservative MP Rob Anders expressing opposition to landed immigrants having the right to vote in candidate nomination races, Edmonton Journal, October 2, 2000. "In the 1950s, buggery was a criminal offence. Now it's a requirement to receive benefits from the federal government." - Yorkton-Melville Conservative MP Garry Breitkreuz commenting on same sex benefits, The Leader-Post, March 3, 2000. "For instance, I'm not opposed to gays, but if you bring one of those suckers into my school and they try to push their crap on my students, I have a problem with that. " - MP Myron Thompson opposing education promoting understanding of gays in the Belleville Intelligencer, April 29th 1994. "I want the whole world to know that I do not condone homosexuals. I do not condone their activity. I do not like what they do. I think it is wrong. I think it is unnatural and I think it is totally immoral. I will object to it forever whenever they attack the good, traditional Canadian family unit that built the country." - MP Myron Thompson. "Do you notice that in Toronto there has been increased crime from certain groups, like Jamaicans? " - Calgary Northeast MP Art Hanger during a get-acquainted tour of Toronto's ethnic communities, to a storekeeper about crime, quoted in the Edmonton Journal, March 14th 1994. "The [homosexual] activists that organized in those days [encouraged] people of their persuasion to enter into educational fields, and to do this with the feeling of a mission, you know, of going out there as pioneers in a -- quote-- human rights area, and I think they were successful as we've seen." - Canadian Alliance MP Larry Spencer, speaking about the "well-orchestrated" homosexual conspiracy, Vancouver Sun, November 27, 2003. And one more little site: http://www.straightgoods.ca/Election2004/ViewNews.cfm?Ref=55

I know, that is why he should try opening his eyes....I think he lives on Whyte with the Artsy Fartsy's I speak of!!! He has no concept of the people of Alberta! Plus voting the way he does, it's a wonder he doesn't get run over by one of my crew trucks!! LOL <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Aah, more comments to indicate why Alberta has the reputation it does.

Aliens.

Geoffrey, you are one of those persons who have take the initiative and I applaud you for it. But please realize there are many whose sitiuation is "not their choice" and don't deserve to be where they're at. I cite the many persons with disability that will never be able to access a university education on gov't grants alone. Just because you are able bodied please don't trood on those who are less fortunate. As far as poverty line, those on AISH or similar funding are well below and many do not have families for support. Again, please try to consider their situations before you tar all with the same brush. Toro, who do you define as "capable?"

Well, I'm not holding my breath nor packing my bags. Every few years this old Alberta separation issue rears its ugly head, creates a little dust and then dies until another perceived Liberal blunder. Its old news and wearing pretty thin. Young folks like this sort of thing, but most of them grow up and realize how foolish it all is.

I guess that's the difference between you and me. I don't consider rumours newsworthy.

This reminds me a bit of the "what if" scenario of Saddam's WMO. Seems to me it's only some of the outspoken Quebec separatists, Bernard Lord, and a few anti-Martin agitators who are interested in pursuing this poppycock. Even Harper and Klein are okay with Martin's choice (http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=12b86474-ea3d-46c4-8c20-875b7221518e) and I think they'd be the first ones all over this if it had any merit. Let's let Michaelle Jean do her job, and leave the conspiracy theories to Hollywood.

Argus, chill man.

I found the website (www.separationalberta.com) pretty kooky and yet scary.