Dumb Remark of the Day - 2008

August1991 · September 12, 2008

Jack Layton talking about the BQ:

« Nos partis ne sont pas des clones, pour la simple et bonne raison que Gilles Duceppe, lui, ne peut pas se présenter au poste de premier ministre», a insisté le chef néo-démocrate, hier, en entrevue avec l’équipe éditoriale de La Presse.

La Presse

Can Jack Layton present himself to be PM? What a dumb remark, particularly in Quebec.

CANADIEN · September 12, 2008

Jack Layton talking about the BQ: La Presse
Can Jack Layton present himself to be PM? What a dumb remark, particularly in Quebec.

It would be dumb, or more exactly wishful thinking, if Layton said that he thinks he will become PM. But almost everyone knows the BQ does not want to become the next government of Canada.

Edited September 12, 2008 by CANADIEN

BubberMiley · September 12, 2008

Just so you know, the NDP is a national party; the Bloq is a regional party.

Argus · September 12, 2008

Just so you know, the NDP is a national party; the Bloq is a regional party.

The BQ appeals to a small group of voters who happen to live in the same areas.

The NDP appeals to a small group of voters who are spread out more.

So what?

Rovik · September 12, 2008

The NDP, just like any other national party, ultimate goal is to become the ruling govt. Therefore, the leader of any national party should be ultimately running for the PM. And it doesn't matter if you win or lose the PMship but at least you give it your best try

When I hear comments like, Layton's an idiot for even saying he running for PM or the NDP will say anythng to get elected because they don't stand a chance, I have to question the intelligence of anyone who makes such comments. To me, these comments smack of elitism, arrogance, fear-mongering and just plain stupidity.

M.Dancer · September 12, 2008

Just so you know, the NDP is a national party; the Bloq is a regional party.

Thankfully then we don't have PR. It would certainly be possible then for the BQ to be the nlargest party in the House.

Wilber · September 13, 2008

Thankfully then we don't have PR. It would certainly be possible then for the BQ to be the nlargest party in the House.

Not with STV though. With it votes are only proportional within multi seat ridings, not on a national or provincial basis.

Edited September 13, 2008 by Wilber

Wilber · September 13, 2008

One of the dumber remarks I heard was from Hedy Fry (big surprise) the other day. On a radio debate she said that the Green Shift wouldn't increase the price at the pumps because it would only tax "mid level emitters". I guess as the whole damn Green Shift will only tax "mid level emitters", we won't see price increases in anything and can continue consuming as before.

DrGreenthumb · September 13, 2008

One of the dumber remarks I heard was from Hedy Fry (big surprise) the other day. On a radio debate she said that the Green Shift wouldn't increase the price at the pumps because it would only tax "mid level emitters". I guess as the whole damn Green Shift will only tax "mid level emitters", we won't see price increases in anything and can continue consuming as before.

Yeah and Harpers method of handing out huge tax cuts to big oil has totally prevented gas prices for rising hasn't it? I guess we all imagined the gas prices skyrocketing all summerand the 12 cent hike last night.

Jack Layton CAN become prime minister, he is the only one offering NEW ideas and his message is resonating well with ordinary Canadians. Saying he is stupid for saying he wants to be prime minister will only drive more people to vote for him, we are tired of the Liberal and conservative arrogance and feeling that they are entitled to run this country forever. Jack Layton would be a FAR better prime minister than Harper. At least Jack respects Canadians.

Edited September 13, 2008 by DrGreenthumb

Bryan · September 13, 2008

Jack Layton CAN become prime minister, he is the only one offering NEW ideas and his message is resonating well with ordinary Canadians. Saying he is stupid for saying he wants to be prime minister will only drive more people to vote for him, we are tired of the Liberal and conservative arrogance and feeling that they are entitled to run this country forever. Jack Layton would be a FAR better prime minister than Harper. At least Jack respects Canadians.

Do you really believe this, or just wish it were so?

Edited September 13, 2008 by Bryan

Hydraboss · September 13, 2008

Harper should name Layton to his cabinet as "Minister of Taliban Negotiations", as long as ALL expenditures he makes are vetted through the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

Jack has, and always has, had absolutely zero chance of forming even the smallest minority government. And he DOES spout "ideals" and ideas without thought of implementation or consequence because he realizes his chances of forming government.

Edited September 13, 2008 by Hydraboss

August1991 · September 13, 2008

"We cannot win against the Americans. We cannot win against the Russians. And we are too civilized to shoot the Danes."
Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion, jokingly musing about what to do about challenges to Canada's Arctic sovereignty.

Toronto Star

Uh, so what do we do? Just give up?

Peter F · September 13, 2008

Toronto Star
Uh, so what do we do? Just give up?

No. Declare war. Then we'll defeat the non-existant threats.

Argus · September 13, 2008

Yeah and Harpers method of handing out huge tax cuts to big oil has totally prevented gas prices for rising hasn't it? I guess we all imagined the gas prices skyrocketing all summerand the 12 cent hike last night.

I realize economics are not your strong suite, but when the government grants various tax breaks to "big oil" the purpose is not to decrease the price of gas but to build up infrastructure in Canada, to, in effect, increase the size and productivity of the industry in order to create more jobs and, ultimately, higher tax returns for various levels of government.

Jack Layton CAN become prime minister, he is the only one offering NEW ideas

What new ideas? What idea has Layton offered which he didn't steal from somewhere else, usually somewhere it wound up not working? Everything he wants to do in Canada has already been tried, and, for the most part, produced mixed or poor results in the US, UK or elsewhere.

and his message is resonating well with ordinary Canadians

.

Right. Which is why they're not voting for him.

Argus · September 13, 2008

No. Declare war. Then we'll defeat the non-existant threats.

International jostling for territory is an ancient game. You certainly don't win by declaring at the start that you won't cause anyone any trouble. No one is talking about declaring war on the Russians, but if we don't even have a credible military there's little to stop the Russians from simply moving in on what they believe should be their territory, their resources, and taking what they want. We've already seen just how arrogant they can be in throwing their weight around in Georgia.

M.Dancer · September 13, 2008

Jack Layton CAN become prime minister, he is the only one offering NEW ideas and his message is resonating well with ordinary Canadians.

No, socialism, WHICH is where his ideas are, is over 100 years old and he's still polling around 16%

Peter F · September 13, 2008

but if we don't even have a credible military there's little to stop the Russians from simply moving in on what they believe should be their territory, their resources, and taking what they want.

I see. And when have we ever had this "credible military" that wasn't little to stop the Russians? Since when has Russia claimed Canada's north?

Answer to both questions: Never.

Smallc · September 13, 2008

No one is talking about declaring war on the Russians, but if we don't even have a credible military there's little to stop the Russians from simply moving in on what they believe should be their territory, their resources, and taking what they want.

I'm sure we could have such a military...provided we stopped most of the rest of Canada's program spending.

Vancouver King · September 13, 2008

No, socialism, WHICH is where his ideas are, is over 100 years old and he's still polling around 16%

Do you refer to the same socialism now in practice stateside? You know, the pinko/commie brand where the govt takes over private enterprise and the public purse bails out bankers and speculators? Oh I forgot, only massive commercial losses are socialized, profits remain private.

Wilber · September 13, 2008

No. Declare war. Then we'll defeat the non-existant threats.

Who here has seen "The Mouse that Roared"?

August1991 · September 14, 2008

Gilles Duceppe, who wants a sovereign Quebec, asks that the Canadian Constitution be amended to include the recognition of a Quebec nation:

«Tout gain pour le Québec est un gain pour l’avenir du Québec, un pas de plus vers la souveraineté, a dit M. Duceppe. Quand on est reconnu comme nation dans la constitution du Canada, cela nous positionne beaucoup mieux pour avancer vers la souveraineté.»

La Presse

"Mr. Harper, are you for or against enshrining the recognition of Quebec as a nation in the Canadian Constitution as has been asked for by Mario Dumont?" Duceppe said. "Let Mr. Harper answer that question."

CBC

WTF?

Argus · September 14, 2008

I see. And when have we ever had this "credible military" that wasn't little to stop the Russians? Since when has Russia claimed Canada's north?
Answer to both questions: Never.

First, we're not talking about them claiming "Canada's north," ie, the traditional area within the borders of Canada. We're talking about the far north and the resources off the coast, which, with global warming, will soon be accessible. All the northern nations are now busily staking out claims and territory out there.

Second, we have had a credible military prior to Trudeau dismantling it. We're not talking about something that could stop the Russians, merely one that could give them pause because it would require a real fight to overcome - and that would draw in the Americans and nato.

Argus · September 14, 2008

I'm sure we could have such a military...provided we stopped most of the rest of Canada's program spending.

The size of the military was well over twice it's present size in Trudeau's time, and we had 10 million fewer citizens then to support it. Somehow, the country supported that military without going bankrupt or stopping program spending.

Smallc · September 14, 2008

The size of the military was well over twice it's present size in Trudeau's time, and we had 10 million fewer citizens then to support it. Somehow, the country supported that military without going bankrupt or stopping program spending.

And they ran massive deficits. And before that, there simply wasn't the program spending that there is today.

WIP · September 14, 2008

The size of the military was well over twice it's present size in Trudeau's time, and we had 10 million fewer citizens then to support it. Somehow, the country supported that military without going bankrupt or stopping program spending.

But, Trudeau kept chipping away at military spending throughout his terms in office, as did every other prime minister post-WWII. The P.C. leaders like Dief and Mulroney didn't stop the trend either.

I'm not happy about the way Harper tries to follow George Bush's strategy of using soldiers as a background to try to create a subconscious connection between the leader and patriotic emotions; but something has to be done to get up-to-date equipment available for them.