BS: Wild Canadian Politics

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 07 Dec 08 - 08:35 PM

Must be experiencing bad weather up in Moncton.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Dec 08 - 08:35 PM

Hey, Jim Lad, which province are you located in?

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: GUEST,Joe Kebecker
Date: 08 Dec 08 - 10:34 AM

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081208.wquebec08/BNStory/politics/home

Remember you heard it here before......

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: gnu
Date: 08 Dec 08 - 11:49 AM

Ahhhh... wha happen?

And, did you hear the news? Iggy Wednesday?

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Dec 08 - 12:10 PM

Iggy Wednesday? Will that be a new national holiday? It would be kind of nice to have a break in the middle of the week for a change.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Jim Lad
Date: 08 Dec 08 - 12:23 PM

I'm in the Highlands, just outside of Victoria on Vancouver Island.
I spent much of my time in the interior of BC as well as about 5 years in Margaree. Of all the places I've lived in, Margaree has become my second home. The likelihood of me ever living there again is very slim but I became totally immersed in the Cape Breton culture which is a wonderful blend of three peoples. The Scots, the Acadian and the Mi'kmaq.

So Iggy gets his way.
Didn't Dion just kick his arse?
What happened to the will of the people?
Does this lack of respect for democracy have its roots within the Liberal party.
See, once you start picking and choosing whose vote counts, you find yourself on a very slippery slope.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Jim Lad
Date: 08 Dec 08 - 12:25 PM

To clarify.
Victoria, BC.
Margaree, Cape Breton, NS.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Dec 08 - 01:41 PM

Ah.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: gnu
Date: 08 Dec 08 - 01:50 PM

And CP has just said Dion is gone today.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Peter T.
Date: 08 Dec 08 - 03:25 PM

Margaree is the best place (I am a good friend of Elizabeth May's, a denizen of Margaree) -- surprised you aren't gung ho for the Greens.......

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Beer
Date: 08 Dec 08 - 04:40 PM

I am very disappointed in Domenic's decision to pull out of the race.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Dec 08 - 05:25 PM

Damn shame that Chongo doesn't have his Canadian citizenship at this crucial juncture...

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Beer
Date: 08 Dec 08 - 08:56 PM

Liberal Majority for Quebec. Yahooo! No more elections (hopefully) till 2013.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Jim Lad
Date: 08 Dec 08 - 09:48 PM

I know her brother and his wife but didn't realize the Elizabeth was his sister.
Seemingly she's burnt her bridges in Margaree.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Peter T.
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 12:53 AM

I think when they built the bypass bridge to Cheticamp was what burned her bridges a long time ago.....

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Jim Lad
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 04:07 AM

They were just building the new bridge when I left.
Crane fell in the water.
What a hoot!

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: sian, west wales
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 11:13 AM

Well, there we are: Iggy it is.

Seat belts fastened, everyone?

sian

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Jim Lad
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 12:06 PM

So why do I have the Monty Python score ringing in my head?

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: sian, west wales
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 12:22 PM

Dunno. I'm hearing, 'Jaws'.

sian

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Peter T.
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 03:30 PM

At least someone had the good sense to talk Bob Rae down off the cliff.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Jim Lad
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 03:34 PM

I can sea Bob Rae taking Jack Layton's job.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Little Hawk
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 05:45 PM

I'd be glad if he did. I much prefer Rae to Layton.

However, if I was Bob Rae I'd get out of politics altogether and find something more (emotionally) rewarding to do with my time.

If I was ANY of them, I'd do that! ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Jim Lad
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 06:54 PM

"See"
Typo, sorry.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Peter T.
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 07:16 PM

Naa, Bob already ditched the NDP, that bridge has burnt (to repeat the bridge theme). They would never have the "traitor" back.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: filidh
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 11:12 PM

mr ladd. to call the normal votes in parliament a coup is the kind of exagerated attack dog politics that the usa just finaqlly rejected.. there is no coup and every bloc party member of parliament has the same rights as every conservative member to vote how he wants for the government he wants. to say otherwise is the coup to democracy. the only poll that matters is the election. we just elected a parliament and if harper refuses to cooperate he deserves everything he gets.

it is very disturbing how few canadians understand their own government, especially out west.

moreover the bloc campaigned to not bring forward separation of any kind at the present time and thier support ofany governemt--and the conservatives have relied on their votes over fifty times--can only get the bloc and quebecois used to the idea of cooperatibe federalism.

stopp the dumb redneck smear tactics and spin spin and learn how the government works

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Jim Lad
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 01:39 AM

I bow to your superior intellect and creative use of the English language and am most appreciative of the lesson in Canadian politics.
Thank you.
Most Sincerely
Jim Lad

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Cluin
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 01:43 AM

Tag out, Jim Lad. Tag out!

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Jim Lad
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 02:39 AM

I think so.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 09:49 AM

so this means that Harper can still do important deals, domestic and local without any parlimentary oversight until Jan. 26 ?

now there's a scary thought.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: gnu
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 09:52 AM

"... domestic and local..."

Why not free trade deals with other countries?... like he WAS doing?

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 09:52 AM

international as well..... like the recent free trade deal with Columbia.. and signing the mutual response deal with the US allowing troops to cross the border either way in times of 'civil emergency'.... whatever that implies...

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: bobad
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 10:06 AM

"mutual response deal with the US allowing troops to cross the border either way in times of 'civil emergency'.... whatever that implies..."

Most likely to help with snow clearing in TO.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: gnu
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 11:41 AM

Amazing that anyone could expect the "coalition" not to kick his ass for such arrogant disregard for Canada, Canadians and Parliament.

Hehehee.... almost ironic that the Yanks will be rid of W at least six days before Stevie Wonderboy MIGHT be de-crowned.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 12:21 PM

Jon Stewart/ The Daily Show, had a really funny take on the situation here.....

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Peter T.
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 01:08 PM

Where is this mutual response thing? Do you have a reference?

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: bobad
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 01:18 PM

There's something about it here Peter.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 05:27 PM

thanks bobad... I can understand floods, fires, and maybe snowstorms, but it leaves a lot open in the hands of a few to determine what would be a civil emergency... civil unrest? mass dissent ? native blockades ? When in doubt , use the "T" word... terrorist, separatist, scare-orist.Okay, It seems that an agreement like this was slipped by the public, with little attention from the media, much like the free-trade deal with the heavy handed union-busting Columbian gov't....

it just makes me wonder about the sleight of hand deals pulled off by Ottawa...

now to find a leader who I can trust....

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Peter T.
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 07:44 PM

unbelievable.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 08:59 PM

The question is, how does a leader whom we can trust ever find his way to the top of the present political system? And what forces will be brought to bear upon him if he does?

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: filidh
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 11:51 PM

unlike that poser laddy boy, i actually am part acadien half highland scott from cape breton . too bad he didn't pick up some of the basic kindness and decency of people there. but then a tourist who"emmerses" himself is the bigger cliche down east. they all say how people are so nice . funny how few of them "get it". yeah compared to you.

canada as two founding european immigrant peoples. british and french. this is the simple fact of our history. we ougt to call it three founding peoples, including natives.

for ladd's information(and a few others) the habitants came out by the thousands for guy carleton when the american invasion got as far as the plains of abraham outside quebec city and soundly defeated them. without wich there would be no canada!!!

when i lived in the west--including victoria where my daughter went to school, i noticed that people there know almost nothing about canadian history, but then the neo cons don't want people to remember a canada before they were in existence. don't want people to remembr that canada was a creeation of government intervention, from the subsidy of the canals to the railroads to the government hybridzation of number one northern fife wheat before which there was no wheat that would grow on the prairies.

harper and his neo con allies funded by the oil industry have created an anti canadian monster which will leave us with no distinctiveness that was created by the bicultural liberal policies with the multicultural policies for all immigrants.

and yes parliament is elected to vote . even the reform used to want free votes in parliament but now that that might stop harper they now have the least free votes in canadian history. all this covered by the smoke screen of smear and spin smear and spin.

people shouls read john raulston saul about the debasing of language.
when we let spin doctors change the basic meaning of language the real casualties are truth and honest communication.

A VOTE IN PARLIAMENT IS NEVER A COUP ITS CALLED DEMOC RACY and no amount of spin will change that it will just destroy the basis of civil society

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: meself
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 12:03 AM

Unless you know something about Jimlad that none of the rest of us know, I don't think you have any basis for calling him a 'poser' - what is he posing as? As far as I can tell, he has always been straightforward about who he is, on this forum. Yes, he can be a little prickly on political issues, but that doesn't warrant this sneering attack from - who are you anyway?

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Jim Lad
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 05:04 AM

Just give him the thread, Meself.
He lost me at "Redneck".

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: 3refs
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 07:51 AM

filidh
For your first three paragraphs, I was quite impressed. And then.......

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: gnu
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 09:27 AM

Jim Lad... "He lost me at "Redneck"."

Who? Guess I missed sommat???

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Little Hawk
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 11:18 AM

I think he's fairly much got it right, although he does rant on...

The Canadian society we have was created from the beginning by the diametrical opposite approach to American laissez faire tactics (in opening up the frontier, and everything after that). It resulted in a far more peaceful, socially progressive, and orderly society in Canada...with far better social protection for its citizenry. The neocon movement since the early 1980s has been attempting to systematically dismantle and destroy that type of society by privatizing, de-regulating, and turning over the public services to privately owned profit-driven entities (corporations) so that a few rich people can get much richer and everyone else can get poorer. To do that is to imitate the American system, which is one hell of a bad idea. The present financial crisis the USA is in right now is a direct result of the laissez faire policies of the neocon revolution launched by Ronald Reagan, and we do not need politicians in power who are loyal to those policies, in my opinion. I think Harper is a believer in the neocon approach, therefore I cannot support him. I don't object to him on a personal basis, I object to him on a policy basis.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Jim Lad
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 11:47 AM

You missed a few things, Gnu.
Looks like you've recovered just fine though.
I had been wondering if this was you having us on but you usually save that kind of stuff for April Fools day.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Peter T.
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 12:07 PM

My objection to the neocon approach in Canada (apart from its intrinsic flaws) is that it is much more dangerous in a country that absolutely requires a strong federal presence to hold together. Americans can muck around because they already fought their civil war, and they have this coherent myth they adore. Canada is not like that. It is inherently deeply fragile as a country. The great threat to Canada is provincial separation -- first Quebec, and then Alberta. Alberta is much more likely to separate than Quebec. Harperism is where it is leading to (ironically, Harper is, for example, the only person who can do anything about Alberta's climate change problem without breaking the place apart. Anyone else who tries to do anything that threatens Alberta's oil revenues will precipitate things.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Little Hawk
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 12:10 PM

That's it, Peter. In a nutshell. I think you are correct that there is more danger of Alberta separating than Quebec. This country desperately needs a strong federal government to hold it together, just as you say.

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Jim Lad
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 12:22 PM

Go on then ...199

Subject: RE: BS: Wild Canadian Politics
From: Jim Lad
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 02:14 PM

200
You know, as the sole Conservative voice on this thread, it's easy to miss the fact that throughout the recent events, the Conservative numbers have risen drastically. They are ahead of the Liberals by 20 points and 76% of Canadians are opposed to the coalition.
That being said, Mr. Harper has rung the bell to start the second round.
One rival is out and the coalition is in tatters. Dead in the water.
Today he has announced that he will be filling the 18 vacancies in the senate to "Better reflect" the political make up of the house of commons. I referred to those vacancies way up there somewhere.
Watch how this one unfolds.
If the opposition makes a big enough fuss he will come out of this with a Conservative majority in the house.
Remember too that I had suggested there may be some floor crossing?
There are a number of opposition members who would gladly accept a position as Senator (Under Mr. Harper's terms) as a viable way out of Mr. Ignatief's or Mr. Layton's leadership and a separatist coalition.
Too clever by far but in the face of the Liberals using backroom deals to proclaim a leader, I'd have to say that the opposition party is in a glass house.