Adelle

Yup, including the female, gay, racial minority, religious minority and disabled members. Just a bunch of neo-facist racists, right" Unlike the Japanese government, which has never apologized and barely acknowledges the genocide that was part of its military and state policy during and prior to WWII. The treatment of the Chinese and of POW's was inexcusable. Toto and his henchmen, who were executed for war crimes, are still considered state heroes. NOTHING the Americans and British have done in Iraq comes anywhere near. It is like comparing a thunderstorm to the 'perfect storm'. Does that excuse what has happened in Iraq? No. Does that excuse Fletcher for his emotional, rather than diplomatic, response? Perhaps not. Perhaps he should have stuck to the facts; the Japanese were a xenophobic society bent on imperial conquest and genocidal racial cleansing who perceived the conquered (including surrendered soldiers) as less than cattle. There, isn't that better? Amazing what you can find on Google.

Only if he can be PM without the NDP being the government. I am old enough to know (just) what happened when the NDP became the government in BC, ON, SK, MAN. Deficit, debt and poor government. I am not saying that the NDP don't hold the moral high ground just that they don't have a good record when they actually become the government.

A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do. She will probably be the next PM so y'all might want to get on her good side. Of course, since she is filthy rich, she can donate her entire PM pay to charity and opt-out of the pension.

Sorry, I guess that would be a Theocracy but I wanted it to be clear that it would be democratic rather than totalitarian. I am not sure if Iran, which is the only present day Theocracy I know of, would apply but "religion and the government are allied" there and people do get to vote.

In this semester we are supposed to be studying Democracy in Social Studies. We will be looking at the historical development of Democracy as well as its mechanisms and political and social values. At the end of this we will be expected to produce an essay addressing some aspect of the topic. Since I have nothing better to do (and my father insists I do something other than play on the computer) I thought I would get a jump on the process (for once) and do a little real time research. (Of course the last time I tried this I only got a C+. Lesson: find out what the teacher wants to believe before providing information that messes with her worldview.) OK, so here’s the angle. Is the control, manipulation and suppression of information contrary to an accepted ideology in order to insure the maintenance of “good order and discipline” within the Democratic system (in whatever form it may take) an acceptable strategy of “good government” if it insures the survival of the nation and the continued freedom, security and prosperity of the citizens within that nation. All forms of Democracy (Republic, Dominion, Parliamentary Monarchy, Confederation, Theocratic Democracy, etc) are to be considered in this discussion regardless of the political process used (multi-party, two party, single party, independent representation) to achieve it. Though I expect and appreciate contributions from forum members living in long established Democracies, I am particularly looking forward to contributions from forum members from Russia and China (if such exist) as they are just emerging (though different means) from a more repressive political structure. (Less ‘larger than life’ examples, such as an identifiable culture or organization, corporation, club or forum, can be used, in microcosm, where appropriate to provide evidence within a system people can actually rap their brains around where these may reflect the mindset of a national government or its agencies (such as the FCC).) Although I am looking for real opinions (backed by fact) from real people in real places, lets try to play nice and have a positive, meaningful discussion focusing on the subject. The floor is now open; the chair recognizes the Right Honourable ……..