Layton Strikes While Iron Is Hot

[maplesyrup]

Missile pitch stuns Martin

George W. Bush has further fuelled a Canadian controversy with an aggressive pitch for Ottawa's participation in a continental ballistic missile defence program, something Prime Minister Paul Martin had sought to avoid during the U.S. president's first visit to the nation's capital.

It was a harshly discordant note in a day when the two leaders, showing genuine comfort with each other, spoke often about what Martin called the "unshakeable friendship between our two countries."

`Lefty' Layton trades jabs with president

For six minutes last night, while the top layer of Canada's political class schmoozed with cocktails and canapés, New Democratic Party Leader Jack Layton told President George W. Bush why a lot of Canadians don't like the idea of a missile-defence shield over North America.

At least Layton has the cahones to stand up and tell US President Bush what Canadians really think rather than our Canadian sycophants Martin & Harper!

[Choke]

You need to be registered with the Star to follow that link.

Anyway...this is the single stupidest thing Layton has done yet. What an idiot...I saw him interviewed once and he said he could work with anyone, that if he were the PM he would accentuate the positive and look for things he could work together with Bush on. So much for that.

Layton is weird...he's not charismatic or funny, even though he seems to think he is. Watching him at the press gallery dinner was just painful.

[maplesyrup]

Most Canadians oppose Canada getting involved in missle defence. Bush needed to hear it loud & clear.

PM Martin little games of deceiving the Canadian people is beginning to backfire on him!

[Choke]

What did Layton's little tirade accomplish? Nothing.

Bush did NOT need Layton to tell him something he already knew (you think his advisors haven't told him about this?). Layton helps no one by doing this.

[maplesyrup]

Wrong - what Layton said is what most Canadians want, so it is imperative for Bush to hear it.

[Choke]

How many times do I have to say it?

BUSH ALREADY KNEW!!!

[ndpnic]

How many times do I have to say it?

BUSH ALREADY KNEW!!!

Then maybe if Bush KEEPS getting told the message may sink in!!!!!

[Guest eureka]

How many times do you have to say it. None, because you are talking nonsense. Stop saying it for long enough to take in the message. Bush did not know that he could not bully Canada into compliance.

Not only does Bush now know that Canadians will not have anything to do with his "mad scientist" scheme but Layton has probably garnered several percentage points for the next election.

It is not a bad electoral position to be the only party that will tell the American Bulldozer where it must stop.

[August1991]

Then maybe if Bush KEEPS getting told the message may sink in!!!!!

If life could be so simple.

In fact, Layton is not going to change anyone's mind in a six minute discussion at a cocktail.

"Every country needs a good lefty. ... We even have some in our country."

Bush Jnr.

Instead, Layton was playing to the audience. And behaving as a jerk in the process.

The more I get to see Layton in "action" (I recall the TV debate during the campaign), the more I see him as some high school kid.

[maplesyrup]

Bush not aware of polls showing unpopularity in Canada

If Bush is that unaware of his unpopularity, then Layton did Canada, the US, and Bush a favour by speaking out against missle defence with the President.

Layton proably scored political gains amongst Canadians with his efforts in his conversations with President Bush, Colin Powell, and Ms Rice on Tuesday, as his concerns represented the views of a large number of Canadians.

PM Martin & the PMO, who had hoped to slide missle defence under the table past Canadians, lost control of the agenda and it showed.

[kimmy]

If there were no such thing as North Korea or Iran, Bush reportedly said, then there would be no need for missile defence. He seemed to like Layton's spunk, however.

As Bush started to slide away, to shake more hands among the three dozen or so high-ranking guests invited to the private reception at last night's gala dinner, he smiled and told Layton: "Every country needs a good lefty. ... We even have some in our country."

It sounds like the discussion was at least civil. And it didn't sound like Bush was angered or upset or offended by it. Just the opposite, in fact.

To me it sounds like Layton did a good job. No indication that anyone was called a bastard or idiot. No dolls were stomped, from what I gather. It sounds like a positive exchange. I expect that while President Bush was not swayed, he was at least left with a better appreciation of why many Canadians oppose our participation in the missile defense plan.

-kimmy

[kimmy]

If Bush is that unaware of his unpopularity, then Layton did Canada, the US, and Bush a favour by speaking out against missle defence with the President.

He might say he hasn't heard, but he's heard. They have people whose job is to follow Canadian affars full-time. He would have been thoroughly prepared before his visit.

-kimmy

[Choke]

The level of ignorance here is ridiculous...of course Bush knew, kimmy is right.

If so many Canadians oppose missle defence, why did such a huge majority vote for the Liberals and Conservatives? Everyone knows the plan is going ahead no matter what Layton does and there are times when it's best to shut up. Layton is only playing to his base here, people like maplesyrup, who already like him, he isn't winning any friends doing this, certainly not a few percentage points.

[maplesyrup]

August constantly rants against the CBC, Layton, the NDP, and anything else that represents Canada's independence from the US. His constant personall attacks against Layton with nothing of any substance sound like a broken record that keeps playing, and playing, and playing......................

If you are looking for evidence of Layton's effectiveness Tuesday in discussions with President Bush, Powell, & Rice, concerning the first questions, by separate English and French reporters, given to PM Martin's during his press conference, following President's Bush's departure, were about BMD (Ballistic Missle Defence!

Now finally, thanks to Jack Layton's efforts, Canada will probably have a thorough debate on what Canada's role in the universe should be. This is a very positive development for Canada.

[Stoker]

Now finally, thanks to Jack Layton's efforts, Canada will probably have a thorough debate on what Canada's role in the universe should be. This is a very positive development for Canada.

.......And then the majority of the Liberal party, alongside the Conservative party will vote for BMD........thanks for coming out Jack

[Black Dog]

If so many Canadians oppose missle defence, why did such a huge majority vote for the Liberals and Conservatives?

Neither party made much of NMD during the campaign, so it wasn't an issue that was top of mind for most Canadians.

And then the majority of the Liberal party, alongside the Conservative party will vote for BMD........thanks for coming out Jack

And this is a good thing...why?

[Choke]

Stoker is right.

Neither party made much of NMD during the campaign, so it wasn't an issue that was top of mind for most Canadians.

The NDP tried to make a big deal out of it then to no avail.

And this is a good thing...why?

Because they're our biggest trading partner and if we don't participate, they're still going ahead with it, but we won't have any say in it or any access to info on it.

[Black Dog]

The NDP tried to make a big deal out of it then to no avail.

Because people were more interested in profound important issues that affect the nation: like who should be allowed to marry.

Because they're our biggest trading partner and if we don't participate, they're still going ahead with it, but we won't have any say in it or any access to info on it.

The Missile Defence system doesn't work: that's really all the information we need.

[maplesyrup]

PM Martin says he doesn't believe in the weaponization of space. Why then are so many Canadians worried that for all intense and purposes, he has already signed on?

Quite frankly in spite of the demonization of Canada's military, Canadians are quite capable of looking after our own defence.

What Bush is really looking for on this visit is to grab more of Canada's resources, at rock bottom prices - for example, let's keep our eye on our fresh water systems in Canada, as they are in jeopardy from the US.

[Cartman]

To me it sounds like Layton did a good job. No indication that anyone was called a bastard or idiot. No dolls were stomped, from what I gather. It sounds like a positive exchange. I expect that while President Bush was not swayed, he was at least left with a better appreciation of why many Canadians oppose our participation in the missile defense plan.

This sounds reasonable enough. I can see some people getting angry about mob violence and inappropriate adjectives for the prez, but certainly a polite explanation of how many Canadians feel is appropriate. Are we to just abdicate on everything?

[maplesyrup]

Just say No to missile defence

As the above article states, we need to be focusing on the Arctic Circle before we lose our sovereignty up there. This is a wonderful opportunity for our First Peoples to participate in economic development, which could help to pull them out of their dire economic circumstances. Let's do something that benefits Canada and Canadians for a change.

[Choke]

PM Martin says he doesn't believe in the weaponization of space. Why then are so many Canadians worried that for all intense [sic] and purposes, he has already signed on?

The weaponization of space will be reality within 20 years no matter what Canada says. We can be on the side of the guys who have the weapons...or not, but we can't stop it from happening.

Quite frankly in spite of the demonization of Canada's military, Canadians are quite capable of looking after our own defence.

While true, that misses the point entirely. This is all about placating the Americans and not at all about our own defence.

What Bush is really looking for on this visit is to grab more of Canada's resources

What a revelation...

[maplesyrup]

President, not U.S., the real issue

What's changed since then are attitudes toward this particular president. Canadians who routinely and overwhelmingly declare the United States this country's best friend have reached a consensus that Bush is not.

Those opinions have only hardened in the weeks following the U.S. presidential election. Fresh data collected by EKOS Research finds that Canadians are hungrier than ever for policies other than those Bush offers.

That presents a significant problem for a minority prime minister who, sooner rather than later, must fight an election that will ultimately be decided by voters in provinces most opposed to Bush.

Who is PM Martin really going to represent - the Bush regime or Canadians?

Good Article although I don't agree with all the author's points.

[Cartman]

The weaponization of space will be reality within 20 years no matter what Canada says. We can be on the side of the guys who have the weapons...or not, but we can't stop it from happening.

Rape, disease, poverty, starvation and wars are realities and it does not matter what Canada says or does, but I hardly think this is a good reason to just give up trying. Apathy is not a cure.

[Choke]

What did Bush ever do to Canada? NOT Iraq. CANADA. Why are we so worried about his policies elsewhere when his policies toward us especially on trade have been better than the Democratic alternative?