A return to sanity: 2007

[Ricki Bobbi]

Yes,

Welcome Borg.

Geoffrey I'd say the Liberals haven't been centrist since the late 60s

[tml12]

Yes,

Welcome Borg.

Geoffrey I'd say the Liberals haven't been centrist since the late 60s

The Liberals are not left, centre, or right. They are whatever they think appeals to a significant portion of the Canadian population at any given point in time. They will cut funding to health care, then claim they created Medicare in this country, then reinvest in it again if they think it will win them a majority government. And, of course, they propagate the anti-American myths that Canada is less like America than any other country in the world because they think that is what a lot of Canadians want to hear so they can get elected.

As for Harper...I haven't written a post on this forum in almost 6 months but I will continue to now what I said then...that Harper is still the best guy to run this country because he has consistently stuck to his gut and governed this country to the best of his ability, which is more than I can say for any of the silly ridiculous Liberals running around Canada seeing who can feign their "Canadian values" platform better.

[gerryhatrick]

Yes,

Welcome Borg.

Geoffrey I'd say the Liberals haven't been centrist since the late 60s

The Liberals are not left, centre, or right. They are whatever they think appeals to a significant portion of the Canadian population at any given point in time.

Lot of back scratching going on in this topic.

The Liberals are what they are. The irony of your general insult though is that the Conservatives are twice as guilty of what you speak than the Liberals have ever been!

Have you not noticed how they've governed? It's been an election campaign from the beginning. And now we learn they're polling on the environment.

Did you hear about that? News just this last week. Stephen Harper hired Strategic Council to poll Canadian attitudes on the environment.

What a thing to poll about.

So the next time you want to swiftboat the Liberals about acting on Canadian attitudes just remember that that Cons polled on the environment. Don't forget to mention that at the same time.

[tml12]

Yes,

Welcome Borg.

Geoffrey I'd say the Liberals haven't been centrist since the late 60s

The Liberals are not left, centre, or right. They are whatever they think appeals to a significant portion of the Canadian population at any given point in time.

Lot of back scratching going on in this topic.

The Liberals are what they are. The irony of your general insult though is that the Conservatives are twice as guilty of what you speak than the Liberals have ever been!

Have you not noticed how they've governed? It's been an election campaign from the beginning. And now we learn they're polling on the environment.

Did you hear about that? News just this last week. Stephen Harper hired Strategic Council to poll Canadian attitudes on the environment.

What a thing to poll about.

So the next time you want to swiftboat the Liberals about acting on Canadian attitudes just remember that that Cons polled on the environment. Don't forget to mention that at the same time.

Stephen Harper has governed more or less as he campaigned. Can you say that about the last few Liberal PMs???

[gerryhatrick]

Yes,

Welcome Borg.

Geoffrey I'd say the Liberals haven't been centrist since the late 60s

The Liberals are not left, centre, or right. They are whatever they think appeals to a significant portion of the Canadian population at any given point in time.

Lot of back scratching going on in this topic.

The Liberals are what they are. The irony of your general insult though is that the Conservatives are twice as guilty of what you speak than the Liberals have ever been!

Have you not noticed how they've governed? It's been an election campaign from the beginning. And now we learn they're polling on the environment.

Did you hear about that? News just this last week. Stephen Harper hired Strategic Council to poll Canadian attitudes on the environment.

What a thing to poll about.

So the next time you want to swiftboat the Liberals about acting on Canadian attitudes just remember that that Cons polled on the environment. Don't forget to mention that at the same time.

Stephen Harper has governed more or less as he campaigned. Can you say that about the last few Liberal PMs???

More or less? He has governed "more or less" as he campaigned?

Look, some of us are taken in by 5 election promises. 5 little items, easy bite-sized things for a distracted electorate to digest with the right amount of PR.

Nevermind that one of those items has not only NOT been delivered on (hence your "more or less" I presume) but has actually been removed from the list and not talked about (how can he or anyone in his government be required to talk about anything since they don't talk to the media???)

Harper is running a joke of a government. He hides from the press and pretends to be......what? I dont' know. He can't hide forever though.

[Ricki Bobbi]

Hmmm, they are formulating a new environmental to replace Kyoto. They have said that since they took power and they promised a new policy this fall.

Oh no, they are asking the people what they think of an issue as part of the process of formulating a policy on it. My what a terrible style of governing. Better to use those funds in an elaborate kickback scheme to reward party workers. *cough cough* Adscam.

Have you not noticed how they've governed? It's been an election campaign from the beginning. And now we learn they're polling on the environment.

Did you hear about that? News just this last week. Stephen Harper hired Strategic Council to poll Canadian attitudes on the environment.

What a thing to poll about.

So the next time you want to swiftboat the Liberals about acting on Canadian attitudes just remember that that Cons polled on the environment. Don't forget to mention that at the same time.

[tml12]

If you were Harper, would you want your cabinet to talk to the media? The media in this country is funded by Liberal/NDP special-interest groups who want desperately for Harper to fail. He has to be extra careful because the media is looking for him to slip so they can produce something big that they can give to the Liberal/NDP candidate in the next election.

I think Ricki Bobbi makes a lot more sense than you Gerry.

[gerryhatrick]

If you were Harper, would you want your cabinet to talk to the media? The media in this country is funded by Liberal/NDP special-interest groups

You need a tin foil hat.

That is flaky sh#t.

[tml12]

If you were Harper, would you want your cabinet to talk to the media? The media in this country is funded by Liberal/NDP special-interest groups

You need a tin foil hat.

That is flaky sh#t.

I guess we'll agree to disagree, unless of course you can offer me proof that the CBC is centrist.

[Ricki Bobbi]

So you are faulting him for accomplishing what he said he would because he didn't offer a lot???

More or less? He has governed "more or less" as he campaigned?

Look, some of us are taken in by 5 election promises. 5 little items, easy bite-sized things for a distracted electorate to digest with the right amount of PR.

Nevermind that one of those items has not only NOT been delivered on (hence your "more or less" I presume) but has actually been removed from the list and not talked about (how can he or anyone in his government be required to talk about anything since they don't talk to the media???)

Harper is running a joke of a government. He hides from the press and pretends to be......what? I dont' know. He can't hide forever though.

[uOttawaMan]

I'll have to agree with that idea in principle:

-Better to promise a little and follow through on it, then to promise alot and not deliver.

I'm sure you'll all debate whether he really delivered, but meh.

[gerryhatrick]

If you were Harper, would you want your cabinet to talk to the media? The media in this country is funded by Liberal/NDP special-interest groups

You need a tin foil hat.

That is flaky sh#t.

I guess we'll agree to disagree, unless of course you can offer me proof that the CBC is centrist.

Huh? I need to offer that proof.....why?

The CBC is professional. They're not perfect, but painting them as the enemy is idiotic nonsense. Unfortunately that's what Harper may be engaged in.

[Ricki Bobbi]

So now you are calling Harper's behaviour idiotic nonsense ... but you aren't attacking him. Right.

What about the CBC apology for that story a couple weeks back. Terribly unprofessional behaviour. Here's a link in case you forgot the story.

Huh? I need to offer that proof.....why?

The CBC is professional. They're not perfect, but painting them as the enemy is idiotic nonsense. Unfortunately that's what Harper may be engaged in.

[gerryhatrick]

So now you are calling Harper's behaviour idiotic nonsense ... but you aren't attacking him. Right.

There's something wrong with labelling some behavior or action as idiotic nonsense? Why, exactly?

If all you can do is run around complaining that people are being mean to Harper then don't waste your time.

[Ricki Bobbi]

There's something wrong with labelling some behavior or action as idiotic nonsense? Why, exactly?

If all you can do is run around complaining that people are being mean to Harper then don't waste your time.

But you aren't attacking Harper personally? Right...

[gerryhatrick]

There's something wrong with labelling some behavior or action as idiotic nonsense? Why, exactly?

If all you can do is run around complaining that people are being mean to Harper then don't waste your time.

But you aren't attacking Harper personally? Right...

I already told you, if you think personal attacks are occuring against third parties then report it. You've been here so long and seem to have such a good grasp of the place, I'm surprised you don't know that.

I can appreciate why you want to change the subject, but the purpose of a forum topic is to discuss the topic. To insist on doing otherwise is trolling.

[tml12]

So now you are calling Harper's behaviour idiotic nonsense ... but you aren't attacking him. Right.

There's something wrong with labelling some behavior or action as idiotic nonsense? Why, exactly?

If all you can do is run around complaining that people are being mean to Harper then don't waste your time.

Every media outlet in a democratic society should seek to present a fair and balanced broadcast unless they clearly state their partisan opinion up front. When I watch Sheila Copps or Ann Coulter I know what kinds of opinions I am going to hear.

CBC should be as non-biased as possible but it is not because it fears greater fiscal conservatism in a Conservative government will mean the end of more taxpayer money. It is about as pro-left as Fox News is pro-right and that is unfair.

[gerryhatrick]

CBC should be as non-biased as possible but it is not because it fears greater fiscal conservatism in a Conservative government will mean the end of more taxpayer money. It is about as pro-left as Fox News is pro-right and that is unfair.

That is your opinion. The CBC is under constant attack from the rightwing mostly due to the fact that it's paid for (mostly) by taxpayers.

I listen to the CBC news every morning and I hear no bias. It's the straight news. Every day during the sponsorship scandal the CBC gave me all the developments and opposition accusations. Where you crying "bias!" then?

The accusation that the CBC opposes a Conservative government because it fears for it's funding is ludicrous and unfounded.

[tml12]

CBC should be as non-biased as possible but it is not because it fears greater fiscal conservatism in a Conservative government will mean the end of more taxpayer money. It is about as pro-left as Fox News is pro-right and that is unfair.

That is your opinion. The CBC is under constant attack from the rightwing mostly due to the fact that it's paid for (mostly) by taxpayers.

I listen to the CBC news every morning and I hear no bias. It's the straight news. Every day during the sponsorship scandal the CBC gave me all the developments and opposition accusations. Where you crying "bias!" then?

The accusation that the CBC opposes a Conservative government because it fears for it's funding is ludicrous and unfounded.

Not every second of the CBC is biased. I can turn on the CBC right now and probably not hear somebody say something biased but that's not the point. The point is the CBC makes suggestive comments now and then that shows they have points to make and views to express and if my tax dollars go towards that I find it unfair.

[Ricki Bobbi]

There's something wrong with labelling some behavior or action as idiotic nonsense? Why, exactly?

If all you can do is run around complaining that people are being mean to Harper then don't waste your time.

Because it is disresctful and blatantly breaks the rules of the board.

I'm only taking offence with you *being mean* to Harper. Other posters don't do it to the extent that you do. For some reason you have gotten a free pass on the rules of the board, as your fellow posters have only sometimes stood up to your behaviour...

[gerryhatrick]

Because it is disresctful and blatantly breaks the rules of the board.

I don't care what you think, understand? Stop polluting the forum, take your complaints to the admin.

edit: Harper is a bad PM thus far. He is dishonest and divisive. His policy in many things is following lockstep with Bush, and given that they share the same Frank Luntz advice it's not surprising. Assuch, I am free to be critical of Harper to my hearts content. I care not at all that you find it "disrespectful" to Steve, because it's respectful to our great Country. If Harper starts acting like a PM...if he treats issues like global warming with full honesty and engages the press openly THEN I will start to respect him. Until then he gets what he deserves. The partisanship that you accuse me of is what you have fallen victim to, ironically.

[tml12]

Because it is disresctful and blatantly breaks the rules of the board.

I don't care what you think, understand? Stop polluting the forum, take your complaints to the admin.

edit: Harper is a bad PM thus far. He is dishonest and divisive. His policy in many things is following lockstep with Bush, and given that they share the same Frank Luntz advice it's not surprising. Assuch, I am free to be critical of Harper to my hearts content. I care not at all that you find it "disrespectful" to Steve, because it's respectful to our great Country. If Harper starts acting like a PM...if he treats issues like global warming with full honesty and engages the press openly THEN I will start to respect him. Until then he gets what he deserves. The partisanship that you accuse me of is what you have fallen victim to, ironically.

Harper agrees with Bush about some issues, yes, but does that mean he has not been a good PM so far? Right now, he's the best option but we don't have much to go on and not much to compare to.

We are all partisan to some degree on this forum. If we weren't interested in politics, we wouldn't take time to sign up and type here right? I respect people no matter what they believe and I don't think my opinion is better than anyone else's. I am pretty open and moderate. However, gerry, I find it sad that you criticize Harper for polling on the environment. That is more than the Liberals did. And you forget that Mulrooney won that award for being the greenest prime minister.

[Ricki Bobbi]

I don't care what you think, understand? Stop polluting the forum, take your complaints to the admin.

edit: Harper is a bad PM thus far. He is dishonest and divisive. His policy in many things is following lockstep with Bush, and given that they share the same Frank Luntz advice it's not surprising. Assuch, I am free to be critical of Harper to my hearts content. I care not at all that you find it "disrespectful" to Steve, because it's respectful to our great Country. If Harper starts acting like a PM...if he treats issues like global warming with full honesty and engages the press openly THEN I will start to respect him. Until then he gets what he deserves. The partisanship that you accuse me of is what you have fallen victim to, ironically.

It's obvious you have no respect for the rules of the forum or any poster who doesn't share your hatred for Harper. But do you honestly expect me to do what you order me to do? Control issues methinks.

Your disinformation is painful. Luntz is not Bush's pollster. Take a look at Luntz's Web site. Don't you think a Republican who had the sitting President as a client would put that on his client list?

Harper has given many press conferences and is leading the country the way he said he would in the election. Did Chretien ever have a campaign plank about paying off campaign *volunteers* with the sponsorship program?

It isn't my error for pointing out your desrespectul attitude to the PM or your repeated violations of the rules of the forum.

[Argus]

edit: Harper is a bad PM thus far. He is dishonest and divisive.

Compared to those who came before, Harper is as honest as the day is long. As for divisive - I would say that's more a response from intollerent lefties who hate - and I don't use that word lightly - who hate conservatives and are reacting to him being one.

His policy in many things is following lockstep with Bush,

Drivel. Harper feels, as just about any conservative in any western nation feels - that the Islamists must be fought. So in what other way is he in lockstep with Bush? He wants to settle the softwood dispute - a minor trade irritant which is damaging relations largely due to shrill, anti-American media and politicians. So what? In what other way is he in "lockstep" with Bush? You're inventing things out of sheer hate for Harper because he's conservative. There really is nothing more to it than that.

If Harper starts acting like a PM...if he treats issues like global warming with full honesty

You mean like Chretien did? Chretien proudly signed the Kyoto Accord - for publicity reasons, then spent the next decade doing not one single solitary thing to live up to it. Now there is NO possible way for us to meet our obligations under Kyoto but to pay billions to third world countries to buy points off them. Screw that.

and engages the press openly

Most of the national media rabidly hate conservatives as much as you do. Harper clearly can't rely on any honesty or integrity from them for they have none. So he's speaking over their heads to local and regional media. So what? Chretien rarely held any kind of news conferences and when he did they were tightly scripted. That never bothered you, though, because you didn't have the same level of hate for him as you do for Harper.

[Argus]

CBC should be as non-biased as possible but it is not because it fears greater fiscal conservatism in a Conservative government will mean the end of more taxpayer money. It is about as pro-left as Fox News is pro-right and that is unfair.

That is your opinion. The CBC is under constant attack from the rightwing mostly due to the fact that it's paid for (mostly) by taxpayers.

I listen to the CBC news every morning and I hear no bias.

There's a helluva surprise.

Then again, you're taking the position the bias has to be so utterly obvious and noticeable it can be pointed to with utter certainty. It rarely is that clear. It's in choice of words, choice of stories, choice of guests, choice of interviewees, the slant placed on certain stories, the determination to pursue certain stories strongly and not others. I'd nuke the whole network, personally. It's highly unprofessional, wastefully bloated and overstaffed, without a creative bone in its collective body. It certainly isn't worth a dime of taxpayers money.