BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 05:32 PM

I think you are absolutely right, Jack. That is what worries me about the USA.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 03:35 PM

Good point about Quebec Q .... I agree

as per Tommy Douglas .... we could certainly use another one like him.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 03:15 PM

Canadians are lucky to have a province (Quebec) which is "the odd man out," sometimes going in the opposite direction to that of other Canadians.

Lucky to occasionally listen to and follow a Tommy Douglas.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 02:30 PM

Little Hawk, I can't imagine there being a dictator in Canada. Canadians just are not wired that way. On the other hand. Give the leader a crisis and enough flags and it can easily happen here.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 01:35 PM

we do have crazy democracy

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: CarolC
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 01:27 PM

But the Canadian way produces better results for Canadians than the US way does for USAns. You guys complain about your government regardless of who is in power. In the US we only complain about the ones on the other side. So in the eyes of the people here, the government can do no wrong when those on our own side are in power. They get away with a hell of a lot because of that.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 01:21 PM

By the way, I would describe myself as moderately willing to be led, provided I like and trust the leader....reluctantly rather unwilling to be led if I don't...a BIG complainer! (grin)....and expecting just about NOTHING from government, therefore demanding nothing from them either, because what's the use demanding something when you have no expectation of receiving any worthwhile response?

Be that as it may, I'm fairly gratified by the fact that the Canadian government is generally not too dangerous to its own people...so far. (with the occasional exception of some stupid young cops who have very poor judgement)

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 01:11 PM

Most dogs act much the same way, Jack. ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: bobad
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 07:48 AM

Here is the previous thread on the airport taser incident.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 01:09 AM

Vast majority of Canadians: reluctantly willing to be led. Big complainers, very demanding of government.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 12:50 AM

"I've never met a Canadian who is not reluctantly willing to be led."

I'm not sure what you mean by that, Jack. Could you elaborate?

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: CarolC
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 12:35 AM

...but I tend to pay attention to things that are happening in Canada, and my guess is that most people in the US do not.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: CarolC
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 12:33 AM

I've known about that Canadian airport taser incident since it happened two years ago. And it has been discussed here in the Mudcat since then.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 12:31 AM

Well maybe not 30 million dictators. But certainly not one. I've never met a Canadian who is not reluctantly willing to be led.

On the other hand about half of this country seems to like to pick a side and follow without question.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Neil D
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 11:57 PM

I remember seeing this video because of a link from a Mudcat thread as well. I did not see it in any U.S. media, only on here.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: GUEST,999
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 11:13 PM

"I would be happy to be proved wrong."

As soon as the search function is functioning, you will be Ebbie.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: bobad
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 09:57 PM

We did discuss it on an earlier thread but I can't find it as the search function appears to be non-functioning.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: GUEST,999
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 09:49 PM

"Why don't we on the 'Cat know about it?"

Maybe most people on Mudcat do not read anything about Canada or Canadian news? We sure as hell know about it here in "The Frozen North".

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 09:30 PM

This is a rather damning speech that Harper made to American right wingnuts long before he became PM.

The True Harper?

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 09:15 PM

Thanks, Sandy McClean. A few minutes ago I noticed that it was in 2007, rather than last year.

And I'm glad that Canadians are angry about it. The question remains: Why don't we on the 'Cat know about it? I did a search before I posted the first time and found nothing. I would be happy to be proved wrong.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Rapparee
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 09:14 PM

"We are the impartial police force,
The impartial police force are we,
We'll protect all you metis and newfies and...."

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 09:12 PM

Ebbie, there's been an absolutely enormous amount of both public and press outrage over this incident in Canada for at least 2 years now. Don't blame us if your USA media can't be bothered to tell you about it. ;-)

Now and then the police misbehave badly. Anywhere. In any country. But you only generally hear about it much when it happens on your own ground.

I bet that today police brutalized people in at least 50 countries. No...make that 150. Whether you will ever hear about it is another matter entirely.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 08:28 PM

Ebbie, it happened over two years ago and Canadians are still mad as Hell about it! The mounties involved seized the camera at the time and then lied about their actions. The camera owner had to get a court order to have the camera returned. If not for that there would be no proof of the truth. Senior officers also have lied saying that the officers involved acted properly. As stated in the "damning report" above:
"Kennedy has been increasingly critical of the RCMP during his term as commissioner, which expires at the end of December, and he was not reappointed to the position by the federal government."
That is what one can expect from our government and Prime Minister.
The mounties involved are still drawing pay. But it ain't over........
There are many fine people in our RCMP but unfortunately they are being dissed by some of a much lower caliber.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 08:22 PM

Seldom happens anywhere.

Cressida Dick, the police officer in overall charge of the bungled operation that culminated in the killing of the completely innocent Jean Charles de Menezes, shot in the head repeatedly while being held down by other police officers, was decorated in the recent New Year's "Honours" List.

She was awarded "the Queen's Police Medal for distinguished service".

Perhaps these Canadian killer cops will get some equivalent reward.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 08:21 PM

sheesh and worse. Do you Canadians realize what most of you would be saying about US citizens - INCLUDING MUDCATTERS- if we didn't comment or bring this horrendous thing to public attention and condemnation? This happened last October, for pity's sake.

Come on, guys. Show a little.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: bobad
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 08:10 PM

A Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP released a damning report that faulted the officers involved. This has so far has produced nothing more than a slap on the wrist. The guys that did this should be in jail but that seldom happens in Canada.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 07:57 PM

Damnation! I'll bet you those thugs didn't know they were being videotaped.

When did this incident happen? Have there been any repercussions? if not, I will have lost all respect for the RCMP. God. An acronym comes to mind.

Do or will Canadians let this slide right on by? At least in the United States an incident like this gets pejoratively labeled- think 'rodney king'.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Beer
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 07:51 PM

dick tater ED!
Where do they grow?

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: gnu
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 07:04 PM

Never heard a Newf talk like that. Unless it was a joke... typical Newf... hehehehehe.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 07:01 PM

My, goodness, Jack! And how many more have you found south of the border? You never know, it might be contagious.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 06:45 PM

Unless it has changed since I have left, Canada has about 30,000,000 dictators.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: GUEST,Number 6
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 06:34 PM

The people on our street all got together en masse and complained to city hall to get the 8 feet snowbanks removed .... they complied to our demands and removed the snow.

nope ... not a dictatorship in Canada

mob rule rules !

biLL    :)

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Ed T
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 06:22 PM

Good diction. ...but, not a dick tater.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 06:17 PM

Little Hawk "It doesn't have the obvious hallmarks of a dictatorship, such as paramilitary government security police all over the place, etc...no, life here is generally peaceful and not threatening."

I'm not so sure about that either LH.

National Police Force

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: gnu
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 05:05 PM

What about NB selling NB Power to Quebec? Is that a dick up NB, PEI, NS and NF?

I am tellin ya... if this bullshit keeps going on, someone is gonna get killed... and some power transmission lines blown up. You try to dick-tate the Newfs and yeeeee might be fookin wit da wrong bunch when dat der offshore oil kicks in me zon.

Oh.... sorry... looooong story... a 60 year story... read up on Churchill Falls.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 04:50 PM

Is it? ;-) Well, it depends on how you look at it. It doesn't have the obvious hallmarks of a dictatorship, such as paramilitary government security police all over the place, etc...no, life here is generally peaceful and not threatening.

On the other hand, a majority government (and even some minority governments) tend to act as if they were dictators until election time...meaning they do whatever they damn well want to, regardless what anyone thinks about it (and assuming it's legal).

I think your answer is a carefully qualified "no".

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 04:50 PM

But we don't fight with our war ships. We send 'em to catch pirates. If we catch 'em we let 'em go. A catch and release program.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 04:49 PM

Separate dictators for each province.

Only 746 for Stelmach (Alberta).
Millions in tax money from the oil sands (two fields have produced over 1 billion barrels and a third is approaching that; a conventional field also is over 1 billion barrels, but the province is short of doctors and hospital beds. He has increased the royalties. Where does the money go? Certainly not to the public.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: gnu
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 04:48 PM

It's a dick up yer... the things that have gone on since this country allowed Brian to start selling it down the river have multiplied... it's a sham, a scam, a shame... greedy politicians are destroying and weakening this country for a buck.

Mum actually weeps. And she and and father and their forefathers and mothers toiled and sacrificed... for what? To be sold down the river?

Dictatorship? Yes.... and worse.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 04:46 PM

The potatoship only governs Prince Edward Island, I believe, but you must be getting more than on hit from each citizen.

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Paul Burke
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 04:42 PM

"Harper War" gets 9,450,000 hits. Canada is a warship!

Subject: RE: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 04:37 PM

If I Google "Harper Potato" I get 1,180,000 hits. So is Canada a dictatorship or a potatoship?

Subject: BS: Is Canada a dictatorship?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 04:31 PM

If I Google "Harper dictator" I get 1,940,000 hits. Perhaps this should be of concern to others as well!

Google result