Super Weekend

Biblio Bibuli · October 5, 2006

I hate to tell you Babs but the only reason his collegues put down their pencils and listened attentively was because his English is horrendous and they were trying to decode what he was saying.

Doesn't ANYBODY here care that if Dion is elected we'll need an "English to English" translator?

Maybe da liddle guy will offer his services. :lol: :lol:

geoffrey · October 7, 2006

I hate to tell you Babs but the only reason his collegues put down their pencils and listened attentively was because his English is horrendous and they were trying to decode what he was saying.

Doesn't ANYBODY here care that if Dion is elected we'll need an "English to English" translator?

Maybe da liddle guy will offer his services.

I don't doubt it, I can't understand a bloody thing out of that guys mouth and I'm functionally bilingual.

On the other hand Harper's French is more comprehendable to me then a fluent Quebecois'. So maybe Dion's English is more comprehendable to second language English speakers then say my English?

Biblio Bibuli · October 7, 2006

I hate to tell you Babs but the only reason his collegues put down their pencils and listened attentively was because his English is horrendous and they were trying to decode what he was saying.

Doesn't ANYBODY here care that if Dion is elected we'll need an "English to English" translator?

Maybe da liddle guy will offer his services.

I don't doubt it, I can't understand a bloody thing out of that guys mouth and I'm functionally bilingual.

On the other hand Harper's French is more comprehendable to me then a fluent Quebecois'. So maybe Dion's English is more comprehendable to second language English speakers then say my English?

Then how come that when when you & I attended that unofficial debate among Liberal leadership candidates last month in Surrey where Dion said: "We are playing the role of Canada in the century" :lol: it was you who deciphered it, telling me that what he really meant to say was, "What is at stake is the role Canada can play in the new century." Remember?

I think it was your knowledge of French that helped you. My knowledge of Czech didn't help me one iota.

Maybe YOU could be his translator!

geoffrey · October 7, 2006

Then how come that when when you & I attended that unofficial debate among Liberal leadership candidates last month in Surrey where Dion said: "We are playing the role of Canada in the century" it was you who deciphered it, telling me that what he really meant to say was, "What is at stake is the role Canada can play in the new century." Remember?
I think it was your knowledge of French that helped you. My knowledge of Czech didn't help me one iota.

Maybe YOU could be his translator!

I must have been sleepwalking again, I don't remember attending that one...

Ricki Bobbi · October 7, 2006

I must have been sleepwalking again, I don't remember attending that one...

The story, including the exact translation verbatim, is from a Paul Wells article in the current issue of Maclean's.

Geoffrey are you or are you not Paul Wells? :lol:

Seriously, the Paul Wells piece on Dion is interesting. Although I don't see Dion changing enough people's minds at the convention to win. You never know. If the ABIggy movement picks up some steam, he's got a shot...

geoffrey · October 7, 2006

I must have been sleepwalking again, I don't remember attending that one...

The story, including the exact translation verbatim, is from a Paul Wells article in the current issue of Maclean's.

Geoffrey are you or are you not Paul Wells?

Seriously, the Paul Wells piece on Dion is interesting. Although I don't see Dion changing enough people's minds at the convention to win. You never know. If the ABIggy movement picks up some steam, he's got a shot...

Oh this is a continuation of Bubber's theory that many of us are journalists posing at simple forum posters? No, I am not Paul Wells, I can promise you that.

I still think Kennedy has some potential, he's appealing to Ontario more so than Dion or Rae. What province matters? Ontario. Rae or Dion could be serious trouble to a party holding onto some of those 905's. The 416 may be all they have left if Rae or Dion is chosen. An ABIggy movement has to consider this, and as a result Kennedy is a reasonable choice. All their Quebec seats are safe, Dion won't change any movement, so Kennedy won't do any harm there... not as much harm as Rae or Dion in Ontario.

Ricki Bobbi · October 7, 2006

Oh this is a continuation of Bubber's theory that many of us are journalists posing at simple forum posters? No, I am not Paul Wells, I can promise you that.
I still think Kennedy has some potential, he's appealing to Ontario more so than Dion or Rae. What province matters? Ontario. Rae or Dion could be serious trouble to a party holding onto some of those 905's. The 416 may be all they have left if Rae or Dion is chosen. An ABIggy movement has to consider this, and as a result Kennedy is a reasonable choice. All their Quebec seats are safe, Dion won't change any movement, so Kennedy won't do any harm there... not as much harm as Rae or Dion in Ontario.

I didn't think you were Paul Wells ... no stammering in your typing. (Not very nice ricki :unsure: )

Agreed Kennedy has *some* potential, but the race is more than just appealing to Ontario.

My vibe is that the second to last ballot will have Iggy-Kennedy-Dion. With a very interesting choice for Dion and Kennedy. The decision at that point will depend on a lot of things still to be determined.

Kennedy is probably the better long-term choice for the Liberals, but selecting him as leader would be basically conceding the next election to the Conservatives.

Biblio Bibuli · October 7, 2006

Kennedy is probably the better long-term choice for the Liberals, but selecting him as leader would be basically conceding the next election to the Conservatives.

There's a big big, BIG difference between holding him to a minority (Ignatieff) and handing him outright a majority government on the platter (all others).

GO IGGY GO!

Ricki Bobbi · October 7, 2006

There's a big big, BIG difference between holding him to a minority (Ignatieff) and handing him outright a majority government on the platter (all others).
GO IGGY GO!

By him you mean Harper?

Hmmm, I think my Conservatives will win the next election.

I have said this before, Rae has the best chance of holding us to a minority. Rae definitely couldn't win, but he will keep it close.

geoffrey · October 8, 2006

Kennedy is probably the better long-term choice for the Liberals, but selecting him as leader would be basically conceding the next election to the Conservatives.

There's a big big, BIG difference between holding him to a minority (Ignatieff) and handing him outright a majority government on the platter (all others).

GO IGGY GO!

And where is Iggy going to pick up seats? In university ridings and political clubs? Ok, might take 3 or 4 seats.

I don't think the business community really likes Iggy much with all his talk of 'you don't pay enough for gas' and 'lets raise taxes especially on Alberta companies'. Remember who pays the bills in the LPC, it's all big business, they are the party of it. They'll pick someone that can maintain their struggling financing and possibly grow it... not scare away the moderates.

Ricki Bobbi · October 8, 2006

And where is Iggy going to pick up seats? In university ridings and political clubs? Ok, might take 3 or 4 seats.
I don't think the business community really likes Iggy much with all his talk of 'you don't pay enough for gas' and 'lets raise taxes especially on Alberta companies'. Remember who pays the bills in the LPC, it's all big business, they are the party of it. They'll pick someone that can maintain their struggling financing and possibly grow it... not scare away the moderates.

If I read BB's post correctly he said that the Conservatives would win a minority with Iggy as leader, but a majority with any other leader. It was a little confusing though.

Biblio Bibuli · October 8, 2006

If I read BB's post correctly he said that the Conservatives would win a minority with Iggy as leader, but a majority with any other leader. It was a little confusing though.

You got it right! Which proves that it wasn't THAT confusing.

It sure would be nice to see the best (Ignatieff) and the second best (Harper) duking it out.

And if Mr. Ignatieff were to be, by some miracle, denied the Liberal brass ring I'd just switch to Mr. Harper, it's as simple as that!

What I'm sure of is that if these two men meet, Ignatieff will chew him up and spit him out sideways. Over and over again. But whether it will be enough, THAT I'm not so sure about.

Ricki Bobbi · October 8, 2006

You got it right! Which proves that it wasn't THAT confusing.

You keep telling yourself that. :lol: Remember to use actual names if the person you are referring to with a pronoun is unclear.

It sure would be nice to see the best (Ignatieff) and the second best (Harper) duking it out.
And if Mr. Ignatieff were to be, by some miracle, denied the Liberal brass ring I'd just switch to Mr. Harper, it's as simple as that!

What I'm sure of is that if these two men meet, Ignatieff will chew him up and spit him out sideways. Over and over again. But whether it will be enough, THAT I'm not so sure about.

Yeah, I think you are over-estimating your boy Iggy. He will probably hold his own in a debate. But won't *chew* anybody up. At least not in the eyes of the swing Liberal-Conservative votes who will decide whether or not Harper wins a majority.

The only people Iggy appeals to in a debate are the snotty, intellectual elite Toronto types. Far more good, honest working Canadians out there. Much better for the CPC to appeal to them.

Biblio Bibuli · October 8, 2006

The only people Iggy appeals to in a debate are the snotty, intellectual elite Toronto types. Far more good, honest working Canadians out there. Much better for the CPC to appeal to them.

Well who do you want to elect our PM? A group of grade school graduates from Come By Chance Newfoundland? I'm sure they're good & honest & hard working ... but perhaps not the people to make Canada's decisions.

Why do you think that the British parliamentary system insitutued the House of Lords. For fear that the average Joes would elect average Joes who had average brains & made average decisions, rather than smart ones.

"Intellectual" is not an insulting word. It's considered praise. The CPC leader would certainly not be insulted if you called him that either... as Stephen surely is one.

Ricki Bobbi · October 8, 2006

Well who do you want to elect our PM? A group of grade school graduates from Come By Chance Newfoundland? I'm sure they're good & honest & hard working ... but perhaps not the people to make Canada's decisions.

Do you have a better choice for elections?

Is there a test one would have to pass in order to be able to vote?

Your choice of *intellectuals* would lead to a never ending succession of Liberal and NDP governments.

Maybe not the ideal choice...

Biblio Bibuli · October 8, 2006

Well who do you want to elect our PM? A group of grade school graduates from Come By Chance Newfoundland? I'm sure they're good & honest & hard working ... but perhaps not the people to make Canada's decisions.

Do you have a better choice for elections?

Is there a test one would have to pass in order to be able to vote?

Your choice of *intellectuals* would lead to a never ending succession of Liberal and NDP governments.

Maybe not the ideal choice...

The Reform had an intellectual leader... Preston & now the CPC has one ... Stephen , whereas we had a government led by a decidely non intellectual Liberal for decades (P'tit Jean).

So it appears that your connection between intellectuals & Liberals doesn't hold water.

As for the NDP?? Good lord! Bobble Head Layton, Broadbent ... intellectuals?

Methinks you're all wet.

Ricki Bobbi · October 8, 2006

The Reform had an intellectual leader... Preston & now the CPC has one ... Stephen , whereas we had a government led by a decidely non intellectual Liberal for decades (P'tit Jean).
So it appears that your connection between intellectuals & Liberals doesn't hold water.

As for the NDP?? Good lord! Bobble Head Layton, Broadbent ... intellectuals?

Methinks you're all wet.

Your definition of intellectual appears to be quite pliable.

Preston just finished undergrad, Harper did an MA and worked in a think tank so I guess that is considered an intellectual.

Broadbent and Layton both have earned PhDs and have worked as professors in the past.

Granted Chretien was no intellectual.

Biblio Bibuli · October 8, 2006

Your definition of intellectual appears to be quite pliable.
Preston just finished undergrad, Harper did an MA and worked in a think tank so I guess that is considered an intellectual.

Broadbent and Layton both have earned PhDs and have worked as professors in the past.

According to standard dictionaries, the definition of an intellect is a person of great mental ability.

I stand by my choices.

PHDs are routinely conferred on people of average mental ability. As for Profs ... sometimes I think the majority of them are really rather dumb, uninspired, follow-the-pack sort of folks. It's rare to actually see one exhibit above average mental ability.

Ricki Bobbi · October 8, 2006

According to standard dictionaries, the definition of an intellect is a person of great mental ability.
I stand by my choices.

PHDs are routinely conferred on people of average mental ability. As for Profs ... sometimes I think the majority of them are really rather dumb, uninspired, follow-the-pack sort of folks. It's rare to actually see one exhibit above average mental ability.

You go ahead and stand by those choices.

It is rare to see a PhD exhibit above average mental ability? Are you freaking kidding?

fellowtraveller · October 8, 2006

The Libs will ultimately pick Dion for one very important reason: he is the safe candidate. They know they'll get the same bland rhetoric, the same rehash of vague 'ideas' that Chretien and Martin championed in their time. And of course - he is from Quebec.

And I think many posters overemphasize the impact of Raes shameful record in governing Ontario, both in a Leadership campaign and in a general election. Too few people care enough to change their party in a place that was and is an absolute Liberal bastion. Millions voted for Chretien , those same GTA millions voted for Liberals after the sponsorship scandal, millions will continue to vote for whatever Lib leader is on the ballot, any ballot.

Rae is the most dangerous candidate for the Conservatives, but it will be Dion who will eventually be flayed by Harper in the next election.

Ricki Bobbi · October 8, 2006

Dion has a shot, but he is far from the assured choice.

Ignatieff still is the favourite but IMHO it is a toss-up between Kennedy and Dion if it comes down to a fight on the convention floor.

Agreed Rae is the most dangerous to the Conservatives. In the short-term.

Biblio Bibuli · October 25, 2006

After reading Barbara Yaffe's article today where she makes her pick ... all I can say is ... YOU TOO BABS, PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS!
Here are some excerpts:

It's unclear at this point how many ballots it will take the new leader to taste victory. What is clear is that the new leader will be Stephane Dion."

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/columni...82-4ca9d8d5456b

In today's column Babs tirelessly ooohs & aaahs over Bob Rae, and says that it's he (Bob) who is the "best shot to win".

Tsk tsk tsk, there ought to be a law. :rolleyes:

Ricki Bobbi · October 25, 2006

In today's column Babs tirelessly ooohs & aaahs over Bob Rae, and says that it's he (Bob) who is the "best shot to win".
Tsk tsk tsk, there ought to be a law.

The Bob does have the best shot to win a general election. Go Iggy Go!!!

Something tells me that Yaffe's earlier column was influenced by tallking to the lower mainland Liberal 'elite'. Mark Marissen, Christy Clark and Big Billy Cunningham. They are all supporting Dion...

Biblio Bibuli · December 4, 2006

In today's column Babs tirelessly ooohs & aaahs over Bob Rae, and says that it's he (Bob) who is the "best shot to win".
Tsk tsk tsk, there ought to be a law.

The Bob does have the best shot to win a general election. Go Iggy Go!!!

Something tells me that Yaffe's earlier column was influenced by tallking to the lower mainland Liberal 'elite'. Mark Marissen, Christy Clark and Big Billy Cunningham. They are all supporting Dion...

Today, the Vancouve Sun's "junior" columnist, Babara Yaffe, brags about her early prediction. Not a peep about how she later abandoned Stephane for Bob. Like I said, there ought to be a law!

Further in her column today she suggests that Dion should give Michael Ignatieff "a portfolio no more onerous than public works so he can learn on the job".

I wonder who influenced her on THAT?

In the meantime the National Post's "senior" columnist, Andrew Coyne, in his well written piece practically begs Dion to "find some way to keep Michael Ignatieff, in particular, by his side". Andrew obviously doesn't support Babs' idea of keeping Iggy occupied by giving him some scut work to do.

Whoever is influencing Babs deserves a good slap upside the head.

Could it be Justin? She seems to think a great deal of him ... he "made numerous impressive convention appearances" according to Barb.

Now I don't want to condone violence, but I doubt there's a person in the land, dead or alive, who would convict someone who slapped a little sense into that dilettante.