Liberal departures

[Figleaf]

People who find that their attachment to foreign interests and causes prevents them from participating in the policy discourse of a Canadian political party do the honorable thing by acknowledging that and resigning.

We surely don't need a situation where people whose primary focus lies abroad unduly influence our government into mistaken choices. (As, for example, it seems may have happened to our unfortunate neighbor to the south, with Perle and Wolfowitz appearing to basically act as fifth-columnists.)

[Argus]

People who find that their attachment to foreign interests and causes prevents them from participating in the policy discourse of a Canadian political party do the honorable thing by acknowledging that and resigning.

You mean like when Bob Rae left the NDP because of it's anti-Israeli policies and zealots?

[Figleaf]

People who find that their attachment to foreign interests and causes prevents them from participating in the policy discourse of a Canadian political party do the honorable thing by acknowledging that and resigning.

You mean like when Bob Rae left the NDP because of it's anti-Israeli policies and zealots?

Did he do that? Amazing how he wound up in the "anti-Israel" Liberal party then!

[mikedavid00]

People who find that their attachment to foreign interests and causes prevents them from participating in the policy discourse of a Canadian political party do the honorable thing by acknowledging that and resigning.

We surely don't need a situation where people whose primary focus lies abroad unduly influence our government into mistaken choices. (As, for example, it seems may have happened to our unfortunate neighbor to the south, with Perle and Wolfowitz appearing to basically act as fifth-columnists.)

Couldn't agree more.

I find all of our provincial south asian politicians have first and formost an obligation to issues in their country, and then their ethnic/religious communities and not the Canadian people as a whole.

[jbg]

People who find that their attachment to foreign interests and causes prevents them from participating in the policy discourse of a Canadian political party do the honorable thing by acknowledging that and resigning.

You mean like when Bob Rae left the NDP because of it's anti-Israeli policies and zealots?

Or the departure of Cotler's wife, as well as Indigo's President, because of the shamelessness of the Liberal Party?

[Figleaf]

People who find that their attachment to foreign interests and causes prevents them from participating in the policy discourse of a Canadian political party do the honorable thing by acknowledging that and resigning.

You mean like when Bob Rae left the NDP because of it's anti-Israeli policies and zealots?

Or the departure of Cotler's wife, as well as Indigo's President, because of the shamelessness of the Liberal Party?

It was Cotler's wife whose choice preciptated my analysis. Now I wonder where that leaves Irwin ... still a Liberal, does his wife think him a race-traitor?

[jbg]

It was Cotler's wife whose choice preciptated my analysis. Now I wonder where that leaves Irwin ... still a Liberal, does his wife think him a race-traitor?

Maybe Cotler will be Emerson II, after the next election.

[jdobbin]

Maybe Cotler will be Emerson II, after the next election.

Doubtful. Cotler's wife wanted to leave a few years ago over gay marriage, something her husband as Justice minister was not against.

[belinda emerson]

People who find that their attachment to foreign interests and causes prevents them from participating in the policy discourse of a Canadian political party do the honorable thing by acknowledging that and resigning.

As in Stephen Harper's attachment to U.S. foreign policy interests, U.S. softwood lumber interests, Republican social conservative interests...?

[Argus]

People who find that their attachment to foreign interests and causes prevents them from participating in the policy discourse of a Canadian political party do the honorable thing by acknowledging that and resigning.

As in Stephen Harper's attachment to U.S. foreign policy interests, U.S. softwood lumber interests, Republican social conservative interests...?

Heck, he likes dogs too. Hitler liked dogs! Did you know that! Harper must be Hitler!!! Agghhh!

[jdobbin]

Heck, he likes dogs too. Hitler liked dogs! Did you know that! Harper must be Hitler!!! Agghhh!

Actually, he's a cat person. Which means he's a witch.

[Argus]

People who find that their attachment to foreign interests and causes prevents them from participating in the policy discourse of a Canadian political party do the honorable thing by acknowledging that and resigning.

You mean like when Bob Rae left the NDP because of it's anti-Israeli policies and zealots?

Or the departure of Cotler's wife, as well as Indigo's President, because of the shamelessness of the Liberal Party?

It was Cotler's wife whose choice preciptated my analysis. Now I wonder where that leaves Irwin ... still a Liberal, does his wife think him a race-traitor?

The question of Israel is important to many Jews in Canada for obvious reasons. But most Jews do not vote based primarily on a party's friendliness to Israel.

On the other hand, Israel and Palestine appear to be THE only issues of real importance to Canada's organized Arab community. Every election questionaires are sent to candidates by the Canadian Arab Federation. Most of the questions concern Israel and the middle east, and those who make the proper sounds about the need for a Palestinian state, and the need to reign in/punish Israel get recommended. Those who support Israel do not.

No Jewish candidate of any kind has ever been recommended, of course.

[belinda emerson]

People who find that their attachment to foreign interests and causes prevents them from participating in the policy discourse of a Canadian political party do the honorable thing by acknowledging that and resigning.

As in Stephen Harper's attachment to U.S. foreign policy interests, U.S. softwood lumber interests, Republican social conservative interests...?

Heck, he likes dogs too. Hitler liked dogs! Did you know that! Harper must be Hitler!!! Agghhh!

Brilliant logic! It certainly refutes the notion of Stephen Harper's attachment to U.S. foreign policy interests,

U.S. softwood lumber interests, Republican social conservative interests...

[Ricki Bobbi]

Brilliant logic! It certainly refutes the notion of Stephen Harper's attachment to U.S. foreign policy interests,

U.S. softwood lumber interests, Republican social conservative interests...

Welcome to the board.

Actually Belinda he provided just as much support for his assertion about Harper as you did about yours.

*scary* *scary* *scary* needs a little more support than just your sayin'

Let's provide some evidence, eh?

Just goes to show the laziness of the Canadian left. All you gotta say is Republican and that automatically discredits any Canadian politician in their eyes.

[Canadian Blue]

Heck, he likes dogs too. Hitler liked dogs! Did you know that! Harper must be Hitler!!! Agghhh!

Actually, he's a cat person. Which means he's a witch.

You know how you can tell most of Harper's opponents can't come up with better ideas when all they do is say Harper's a scary Republican akin to Bush. I'd say Harper's closer to Clinton then Bush.

Heck, he likes dogs too. Hitler liked dogs! Did you know that! Harper must be Hitler!!! Agghhh!

Actually, he's a cat person. Which means he's a witch.

I thought Stephen Harper eats kittens

[geoffrey]

You know how you can tell most of Harper's opponents can't come up with better ideas when all they do is say Harper's a scary Republican akin to Bush. I'd say Harper's closer to Clinton then Bush.

Agreed. A Clinton with principles.

[Argus]

As in Stephen Harper's attachment to U.S. foreign policy interests, U.S. softwood lumber interests, Republican social conservative interests...?

Heck, he likes dogs too. Hitler liked dogs! Did you know that! Harper must be Hitler!!! Agghhh!

Brilliant logic!

Yes, about on the same level as yours above.

It certainly refutes the notion of Stephen Harper's attachment to U.S. foreign policy interests,

Why would I need to? The suggestion is silly. Harper shares a certain measure of ideological kinship with the conservative elements of Bush's foreign policy, he shares the same objectives and thoughts with regard to terrorism. But so do I, and I have little time for Bush or the White House.

You seem to be operating from the belief that if any politician shares any belief with George Bush then they're simply sucking up to Bush and want what's best for the US. Silliness. As I've pointed out before, Tony Blair spoke passionately of the need to unseat Sadaam years before GWB ever came to power. Yet because he supports Bush in Iraq people call him Bush's poodle.

Try to recognize that people can support a given position for reasons of their own.

U.S. softwood lumber interests,

Ludicrous drivel. Only fools fail to recognize that Canada's economic interests are inextricably tied to the US, and can be aided or damaged by the good will of the White House. The softwood lumber dispute was a minor, minor, minor part of our overall trade with the US - a trade which we own an enormous surplus, and have for many years. Yet nationalists in Canada, and unscrupulous politicians, had been using it to attack the Americans and to create anger and resentment on both sides. It was an irritant which needed solving - for our sake, not theirs. The Americans were perfectly happy with the status quo. We gave up very little in that agreement, and the only people who will really suffer are American consumers.

You appear to be addicted to the notion that we have to "stand up to" the Americans by sneering at them, making pointless accusations, taking stands opposite to theirs just for the sake of being opposed to them, and acting morally superior. Maybe you should read what Clyde Wells, that evil conservative, had to say the other day, in his not-very-subtle attack on Paul Martin for stirring up anti-Americanism for crass political reasons.

Republican social conservative interests...

Republican social conservatives? You mean Christians? Yes, Harper is a dedicated Christian. Just which "republican social conservative" belief do you think a dedicated Christian in Canada - or anywhere else - would likely not share?

[Figleaf]

Speaking of liberal departures ...

Edited July 28, 2007 by Figleaf

[Figleaf]

Speaking of liberal departures...

Edited July 28, 2007 by Figleaf

[Rue]

People who find that their attachment to foreign interests and causes prevents them from participating in the policy discourse of a Canadian political party do the honorable thing by acknowledging that and resigning.

We surely don't need a situation where people whose primary focus lies abroad unduly influence our government into mistaken choices. (As, for example, it seems may have happened to our unfortunate neighbor to the south, with Perle and Wolfowitz appearing to basically act as fifth-columnists.)

Well Figleaf if you feel your strong sympathy of Palestinian terrorists and anything anti-Israel clouds your judgement that much, then by all means, stop supporting the NDP.

Your self-righteousness and puffed sense of self-importance and need to wag your finger at others never ceases to amaze me. Problem is every time you wag it, it seems to get stuck up your ass with blatant hippocracy for the very thing you think you are citicizing but merely exposing in your own arguement.

Um uh try figure that out.

[Figleaf]

Heck, he likes dogs too. Hitler liked dogs! Did you know that! Harper must be Hitler!!! Agghhh!

Actually, he's a cat person. Which means he's a witch.

You know how you can tell most of Harper's opponents can't come up with better ideas when all they do is say Harper's a scary Republican akin to Bush. I'd say Harper's closer to Clinton then Bush.

What would make you say that?

In fact there are many points of similarity between Harper and Bush, or where Harper appears to defer to Bush: social conservatism (e.g. same sex marriage), harsh punishment for crimes, softwood lumber, the idea of invading Iraq, and sustaining Israel's occupation of Palestine.

That said, it is only fair to note that Harper has differed from and disputed American positions from time to time as well.

[Figleaf]

I won't miss the idiots.

Edited July 28, 2007 by Figleaf

[Figleaf]

speaking of liberal departures, read my signature

Edited July 28, 2007 by Figleaf

[Argus]

The softwood lumber dispute was a minor, minor, minor part of our overall trade with the US - a trade which we own an enormous surplus, and have for many years. Yet nationalists in Canada, and unscrupulous politicians, had been using it to attack the Americans and to create anger and resentment on both sides.

The problem with softwod lumber is that according to the terms of NAFTA, Canada is in the right. Therefore the Harper agreement in effect excuses an illegal stance taken by the US on this matter. However insignificant the $$ involved, sacrificing the principle here is troubling

I agree we're in the right and they aren't. But I recognize the complexities and time consuming nature of legal arguments, and the complexities of American politics - and that the Bush white house is not one to stand on principal. Realpolitik says settle.

Republican social conservative interests...

Republican social conservatives? You mean Christians?

That's a very funny stereotype to leap to. There are many Christians who are neither Republican or social conservatives.

Most Republican social conservatism springs from its religious base, as it does in Canada.

[Rue]

People who find that their attachment to foreign interests and causes prevents them from participating in the policy discourse of a Canadian political party do the honorable thing by acknowledging that and resigning.

We surely don't need a situation where people whose primary focus lies abroad unduly influence our government into mistaken choices. (As, for example, it seems may have happened to our unfortunate neighbor to the south, with Perle and Wolfowitz appearing to basically act as fifth-columnists.)

Well Figleaf if you feel your strong sympathy of Palestinian terrorists and anything anti-Israel clouds your judgement that much, then by all means, stop supporting the NDP.

Are you drunk again?

Your self-righteousness and puffed sense of self-importance and need to wag your finger at others never ceases to amaze me.

Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black, there, Rue. Could you blow any harder?

I didn't initiate the comment you did Figleaf. I am only calling you on it because you seem to be full of these self righteous judgements as to others motives and beliefs as if you have a monopoly on truth.

Your comments were subjective, and deliberately odious. I do not find them amusing. People have the right to their beliefs and if you want to smear them because they don't conform to yours, I will blast you for being a hippocrate. It aint blowing its throwing the excrement back where its thrown from and that is what it is.

People have the democratic right to not agree with politicians. It doesn't make them disloyal to Canada because they have specific views that you don't agree with.