Majeres' Musings

Yes, exactly what I said.

Remember a religously brainwashed 15 year old juvinile sitting in an illegal detention center?

Kept there by Steven Harper in fact, probally did not want to upset Bush since it was Bush that put him there.  A Canadian 15 year old.

Now picture him white.   Yea, that movie.

Stephen Harper using him as example on the world stage.  Its ok to have boy soldiers.  Canada endorses it.

What an evil hypocrit.

Gitmo: Omar Khadr could have made better choice than "Roots" at USMilitaryTribun
by k.hawley Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006 at 4:22 PM
corporats@yahoo.ca

Guantanamo Bay: Unlawful "human being",Omar Khadr,who was chided by the US Military Tribunal judge for wearing a Canadian "Roots" sweatshirt,could have made a more poignant and appropos choice by donning a "Kangol" brand hat!

Canadian teenager Omar Khadar was "chided" by the judge in his Guantanamo Bay,U.S.military tribunal hearing,for wearing a Canadian "Roots" brand sweatshirt! Maybe Omar Khadar's choice of clothing would have been more pertinent and indeed symbolic to the judge and that U.S. Military Court, if Omar had picked a "Kangol" brand hat (*with the distinctive Kangaroo icon!) to wear on his head!


GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (CP) - The U.S. military lawyer prosecuting Omar Khadr said Tuesday that the Canadian teenager is no fresh-faced innocent but a terrorist murderer who deserves to be convicted by a special military tribunal.
Chief prosecutor Mo Davis blasted "nauseating" sympathetic portrayals of Khadr, who was 15 when he was captured after a July 2002 firefight in Afghanistan that killed a U.S. medic. Authorities could have sought the death penalty but didn't because Khadr was a juvenile, Davis said in comments the day before the teen's first appearance at a pre-trial hearing.
"You'll see evidence when we get into the courtroom of the smiling face of Omar Khadr as he builds bombs to kill Americans," said Davis.
"I don't think it's a great leap to figure out why we're holding him accountable," he said, charging that Khadr and others picked up the tools of terrorism at al Qaida training camps.
"They weren't making s'mores and learning how to tie knots."

 majere;  ok, now think of Michael Corin with his religous conservatism uzing out of his pores.  Now white again.  Get the connection?  If not, your a white dude who does not read the newspaper because he can't read anyway.

cheers :) majere

Shame on you Stephen Harper, sending Clement out to notify people that YOU are going to be taking away a method of help for sick people.  But of course Stevie, you think that a junkie can just dry out in prison with no medical intervention.

YOUR aligning of Cannabis with drugs is an association that is a fallacy.  Cannibis is a flower, unprocessed, while a "drug" is man processed and concentrated ex opium.  You Stephen are just preaching to your converts as the rest of us see through you. 

YOU Stephen Harper are putting us back 20 years with your so called American War On Drugs.  In case you have not heard - the Yanks have lost and will not admit it.  Get out of Bushs' butt and think for yourself herbally and medically.  Oh, I forgot you can't.

You Stephen Harper also cannot abviously read as the Senate Report states;

"The continued prohibition of cannabis jeopardizes the health and well-being of Canadians much more than does the substance itself."
- Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs, 2002
http://www.senatereport.ca

Stevie can't read, Stevie does not heed, Stevie knows nothing of weed. 

We just have to get you out of power before you administer YOUR fascist "Final Solution".

But then again Stevie, your just doing this to appease the Bible thumpers since you never had the Cannabis vote in the first place.  Your petty and pathetic picking on people who like to bake with a flower.

Stevie forcing his religous moralls on the general public as if he and his bible knows best.  Get rid of religion out of your politics and just maybe you will connect with the electorate in general.

Steve, the party is not over and never will be when it comes to cannabis flowers.  Personally I like an original African strain.  Cannabis is part of Canadian Culture not a sub-culture.  YOU are out of touch with everyone outside of your Right-Wing friends.

OTTAWA — Health Minister Tony Clement will announce the Conservative government's anti-drug strategy this week with a stark warning: "the party's over" for illicit drug users.

"In the next few days, we're going to be back in the business of an anti-drug strategy," Mr. Clement told The Canadian Press.

"In that sense, the party's over."

Shortly after taking office early last year, the Conservatives decided not to go ahead with a Liberal bill to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana.

Enlarge Image

Vancouver police check a person's identification in Vancouver's downtown eastside in 2005. (Lyle Stafford/The Globe and Mail)

Since then, the number of people arrested for smoking pot has jumped dramatically in several Canadian cities, in some cases jumping by more than one third.

Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and Halifax all reported increases of between 20 and 50 per cent in 2006 of arrests for possession of cannabis, compared with the previous year.

As a result thousands of people were charged with a criminal offence that, under the previous Liberal government, was on the verge of being classified as a misdemeanour.

Police forces said many young people were under the impression that the decriminalization bill had already passed and were smoking up more boldly than they've ever done before.

Mr. Clement says his government wants to clear up the uncertainty

"There's been a lot of mixed messages going out about illicit drugs," Mr. Clement said in an interview Saturday after a symposium designed to bring together Canada's arts and health communities to combat mental health issues.

There's also a health-care cost element to suggesting to young people that using illicit drugs is OK, the minister said.

"The fact of the matter is they're unhealthy," Mr. Clement said.

"They create poor health outcomes."

For too long, Mr. Clement argues, governments in Canada have been sending the wrong message about drug use. It's time, he says, to take a tougher approach to dealing with the problem.

"There hasn't been a meaningful retooling of our strategy to tackle illicit drugs in over 20 years in this country," Mr. Clement said.

"We're going to be into a different world and take tackling these issues very seriously because (of) the impact on the health and safety of our kids."

The Conservatives' wide-ranging $64-million anti-drug strategy is expected to combine treatment and prevention programs with stiffer penalties for illicit drug use, and a crackdown at the border against drug smuggling.

Justice Minister Rob Nicholson and Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day will join Mr. Clement in announcing the plan as part of a range of initiatives to be unveiled by the Tories surrounding next month's throne speech.

Mr. Clement said treatment and prevention programs were his key priorities for the health element of the drug strategy.

"Yes, there's a justice issue to that," he said.

"But there's also a treatment issue, there's also a prevention issue."

Mr. Clement has suggested in the past that he opposes so-called harm reduction strategies for combatting illegal drug use, including safe-injection sites where nurses provide addicts with clean needles and a safe place to use drugs.

At a Canadian Medical Association meeting last month, he was quoted saying "harm reduction, in a sense, takes many forms. To me, prevention is harm reduction. Treatment is harm reduction. Enforcement is harm reduction."

The following day, a petition signed by over 130 physicians and scientists was released, condemning the Conservative government's "potentially deadly" misrepresentation of the positive evidence for harm reduction programs.

Vancouver's Insite safe injection clinic is facing a December 31 deadline for the renewal of a federal exemption that allows it to operate.

Critics of the Conservative government's approach to illicit drug use say the federal government would be making a serious mistake by failing to renew the exemption.

"I think there's very little chance that Mr. Clement will extend the safe injection site's permit to continue," says Dr. Keith Martin, a British Columbia Liberal MP and former substance-abuse physician.

"But in doing that they will be essentially committing murder."

Advocates say safe-injection sites help to prevent the spread of serious diseases, including AIDS and Hepatitis by preventing users from sharing needles while opponents say the sites simply promote illegal drug use.

Dr. Martin says he's all for increasing penalties for people who sell illegal drugs, including gangsters, but wonders why the Tories would want to target users when he says similar strategies in other countries haven't worked.

"I can't understand why the Conservatives are embracing a war-on-drugs approach that has proven to fail," he said.

"By all means, go after the pushers. By all means, absolutely go after the organized crime gangs that are the real parasites in this situation," he added.

"But for heaven's sake, treat the user as a medical problem and adopt the solutions that have proven to work in other countries."

majere;  and yes Stevie, if I ever get into a position of power, I will prosecute you, the judges who have covered up the legalization (krieger decision) and the Prosecuting Attorneys.

cheers and have a bad day stevie :) majere

the ndp only think they count

Well they have to put the "Liberal" back into Politics.

1.  Reduce the lowest tier of Income Tax by 1 percent.  This reduces the Conservative "half percentage tax increase" as well as another half point.  Benefit - lower income and pension persons.  Drop 1/2 percent to the lowest tax tier every year in power to a totol of a 4 percent reduction.

2.  Where both parents are disabled, allow complete income splitting.  That is 50/50.  Benefit - Disabled persons families.

3.  Where both spouses are disabled, allow 100 percent coverage for all medicines.  Benefit - helping disabled to at least reach some type of quality of life by reducing deductables for meds to zero.

4.  Security - As  a Federal Government notify all Federal Policeing Agencies to put Cannabis at the lowest priority, lower than jay-walking to free them up to go after guns, cocaine, crystal meth labs and other hard crime areas.  Have convincing towards Provincial and Regional Police as well.  Benefit - no more stealing electricity as everyone will be able to grow their own indoors as in orchids or outside in their backyard under the sun.  There would be very little domestic demand.  To appease the Yanks, any Canadian caught smuggling south will get a jail sentance of 2 yrs less a day to start, after that it goes up to 5 yrs minimum.  Theft of electricity if found and not fished out, the persons will be charged with theft and jailed.  Large grows will have to be proven that it is being sent south, not presumed, due dilligence must be performed to the level beyond reasonable doubt.

5.  Hire several Customs Teams who rove unprotected Border Areas with Ultra-Light aircraft, Night Vision, 125 cc moto-cross motercycles etc.

6.  Lower Corp Taxes 1 percent per year for every year in Power.

7.  Create a Federal Law allowing all mopeds/scooters under 50cc engine size to be able to park anywhere for free in Canada.  With the exeption of Fire Routes, NO Parking areas.  This includes all public areas.

8.  Any Province can opt of any and every Federal spending dive into Provincial Jurisdiction.  If opted out, they will recieve the monies as equivalant.  I know, most of this is already agreed upon, but it would prevent direct Federal spending prior to an election to buy votes ala Chretian.  The Federal Gov will set the Standards so no one is discriminated against by the Province they live in.  Appease Quebec.

9.  Set a goal with massive incentives to have at least 1 in 7 houses and businesses install solar hot water heating.  Benefit - an incredible lowering of electricity and gas consumption.  Climate Change.

10.  Allow students to deduct tuition fees and books as tax write offs yearly as some work part-time.  The ones who don't have to work can probaly afford it anyway.

11.  Afghanistan, state that the tactics being used is not what we expected by the overall Comander and therefore will be withdrawing in 2009.  (see earlier, and much earlier posts on how to win which counters and shows as to why we are losing)

cheers :) majere

the ndp do not count, will the Bloc?

Stephen Harper once again sending out his minions to do his dirty work.  Sure they are only fishing for people above a certian amount, but its still dirty fishing.

WHY DOES NOT STEPHEN HARPER JUST ORDER EVERYONE TO PASS OVER A COPY OF THE HOUSE KEYS AND CAR KEYS TO THE LOCAL POLICE STATION FOR THEIR AND GOVERNMENT ACCESS SINCE "YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO HIDE".

I SAY STAY THE FUCK OUT OF MY LIVING ROOM, MY COMPUTER, MY BEDROOM, MY INDOOR GARDEN, MY OUTDOOR GARDEN, MY TELEVISION....... AND STAY THE FUCK OFF OF MY PROPERTY.  YOU WILL NEVER GET IN UNLESS YOU HAVE A SIGNED WARRANT!  THEREFORE YOU NEED TO PERFORM DUE DILIGENCE FIRST ASSHOLES.

Snipped> 

Taxman goes browsing on eBay

PAUL WALDIE

From Thursday's Globe and Mail

September 27, 2007 at 12:01 AM EDT

Canadians who sell a lot of stuff on eBay best beware – the taxman is watching.

The Canada Revenue Agency has won a Federal Court order requiring eBay Canada Ltd. to turn over the names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of all high-volume sellers on the popular website. The CRA wants to find out whether those individuals or companies are reporting the income they made from online sales in 2004 and 2005.

“The CRA is seeking to verify compliance with the obligations and duties under the Income Tax Act of certain Canadian taxpayers selling goods in an online marketplace,” said an affidavit filed in court by Aziz Fazal, a Toronto tax officer who heads an audit group within the CRA that is leading the probe.

“In particular, the CRA seeks to verify the reporting of income by certain Canadian taxpayers selling goods via the eBay marketplace.”

Enlarge Image

Ebay Canada president Jordan Banks is photographed at the online auction's offices in Toronto in Aug. 2007. (Kevin Van Paassen/The Globe and Mail)

A lawyer representing eBay Canada declined to comment on the order, which was finalized last week.

The company argued in court that it did not have access to the records because eBay Canada is a subsidiary of eBay Inc. All of the information requested by the CRA is stored in computers outside Canada, eBay's lawyers said in court filings.

The company also argued that the CRA had not shown enough evidence to prove that it “was conducting a genuine and serious inquiry.”

Mr. Justice Roger Hughes of the Federal Court of Canada ruled that eBay is legally obliged to turn over the information even if it is located elsewhere.

However, Judge Hughes reserved his decision on the issue of the validity of the CRA investigation. That will be dealt with in a future hearing.

“Good for [the CRA],” said Andrea Alacchi, a Montreal entrepreneur who launched an online business in 2004, called Distribution Online, after starting out by selling items on eBay. “It's unfair competition for people like us who run businesses fairly. If the other guy is not declaring his income, it's unfair competition.”

Canadians spend about $5-billion online each year and eBay is by far the largest electronic marketplace, accounting for about a quarter of the total sales. The site was visited by nearly 11 million Canadians in August, according to company figures.

The CRA said in court filings that it is targeting people who qualified for eBay's PowerSeller program in 2004 and 2005.

Only top eBay sellers can qualify for the program, which provides benefits to members. Those benefits include prioritized customer service, special promotions and sales tips.

According to court filings, there are five PowerSeller levels ranging from Bronze, which involves $1,000 a month in sales, to Titanium, which is for people or companies that sell more than $150,000 a month.

The company does not release the number of PowerSellers but, according to court files, it keeps detailed computer records on each member.

The CRA defended its actions in court filings by arguing that it has the power to ensure tax laws are followed and it offered assurance the information will be kept confidential. “The Canadian income tax system is a self-assessing system. It's integrity is dependent on the Minister's broad power to verify compliance with the Act,” the agency said in a filing.

A CRA spokeswoman declined to comment on the probe or whether it will be expanded to other websites.

Un-snip<

So Stevie, may I call you Stevie instead of asshole?  QUIT YOUR GODDAM FISHING.

Ok, I was a little peeved at the Cons trying to set boundries on the last FREE BASTION of FREEDOM......the Internet.

cheers :) majere

the ndp still do not count unless

 

Well a 10 billion surplus eh.

1 billion to compensate those busted illegally by a null and void law.

1 billion to lower Corp Taxes - they create jobs and R & D.

2 billion to lower the lowest tier tax rate percentage to help the less fortunate.

The remaining 6 billion to pay down debt.

Sounds reasonable to me.

So Harpers' going to just put it all against the debt.  Can't blame him, its a bold move that I would consider considering the state of the economy.  The downside of course is all those screaming poeple like me who could use an extra hundred or two that is not declared as income.

snipp>

OTTAWA -- The federal government is expected to unveil today a budget surplus in the $9-billion to $10-billion range, marking the 10th-consecutive year Ottawa took in more tax revenue than it paid out.

The surplus, accumulated for the 12-month period ended March 31, will be used to pay down the debt. The payment would bring the debt to roughly $467-billion, down from its peak of $562.8-billion in 1996-97.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty will be in Toronto this morning to release the final numbers, sources say. But economists and sources said they expect the surplus to be in the $9-billion to $10-billion ballpark. This is largely based on data already released by the Department of Finance.

This is slightly above the $9.2-billion projection in the 2007 federal budget, but well above the $3.6-billion forecast in the 2006 budget.

At roughly $9.7-billion, the 2006-07 surplus would mark the fourth-largest surplus in 50 years. But it would be below the $13.2-billion surplus recorded for the 2005-06 year.

Dale Orr, managing director of fiscal forecaster Global Insight Canada, said the government may decide to take write-downs or set aside cash for future liabilities, which would reduce the final surplus number of the last budget year.

Under federal law, the surplus, or revenue Ottawa has left over at the end of the fiscal year once expenditures are accounted for, must go toward paying down debt.

Ottawa insiders say they expect Harper to play up the paying down of debt as a positive and crucial to ensure Canada's economic future. By paying down debt, the government reduces interest costs, which remain the single-biggest expenditure by Ottawa.

Interest costs related to the debt have dropped to $33.8-billion from its peak of $49.4-billion in the mid-'90s.

Harper is also expected to remind Canadians of his government's tax-back guarantee, in which savings in debt charges generated from debt pay-downs would be funneled back to Canadians through tax cuts.

John Williamson, federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, said he would like the prime minister to address tax relief when he unveils the surplus figure.

"I suspect he will be forced to address this overtaxation that is resulting in these massive surpluses," Williamson said, adding that the run of surpluses -- nearly $90-billion in the last decade -- is proof there is room for the government to provide tax relief.

unsnipp<

Well Harpers not going to win any friends except  Austrian School of Economics lifelong students.  Harper was not trained in that but broached the subject in his studies.

cheers :) majere

the ndp and the stand alone Harper don't count.

Steven Harper has learned from the Yanks that you keep your hands clean with plausable denial by having your minions do the secret agenda dirty work.

In this case its ex-Reform, Stockwell Day who I believe still believes in what he said about mankind walking with dinasours when they were around.  kookoo.  OK, so Day is a Pawn/pundit for Steven Harpers' secret agenda and distates.

Case in Point, Stockwell Day attacking BC Judges with lies sprung from ignorance.  But its what Harper wants.  Get rid of Liberal Judges and replace them with more Conservative Judges who do not mind sending people away for a very long time ex.  haveing an indoor garden to CSA standards.....jail for a long long time.

I say Stephen can't stand Libertarian values of a government "staying the fuck out of my house".  Of course Stephen can't handle that since you might not be doing what Stephen is doing in his house as what he thinks and lives so should everyone else.............devils gift to Canada.  Get rid of originality amongst individual citizens.

So far Stephen hates the Senate - he attacked.

Stephen hates the Judges - sent someone else to attack.  He is learning distancing.

Stephen hates small interest groups that can get funding to change laws - he stops funding for them.

snipped> 

OTTAWA - The chief judge of the provincial court of British Columbia is criticizing Stockwell Day, saying the Public Safety Minister's recent harsh words for B.C. judges were "melodramatic," and "misleading."

In an online commentary last week, Mr. Day blasted the province's judges for allegedly handing out short jail sentences, particularly for repeat criminal offenders.

"Especially in some courts in the lower mainland, there seems to be a trend, if not a rule, that the more crimes you get busted for, the less jail time you get hit with," Mr. Day wrote.

Mr. Day wrote that "judges seem to give these prolific law breakers shorter sentences as they continue to get busted for their car thefts, home invasions, B and E's etc."

He said by handing out shorter sentences, judges are allowing convicts to "cool their heels" in provincial jails rather than federal ones, where there are more rehabilitation programs for drug addicts.

"I'm sure the sentencing judges think they are doing these serial offenders a favour by keeping them out of 'the system,' " Mr. Day wrote. "The police tell me they think most judges aren't fully aware of the programs available in the federal system."

But Hugh Stansfield, the chief judge of B.C.'s provincial courts, says Mr. Day doesn't understand how the system works.

"If Mr. Day wants to come out and spend some time with me and learn how the system works, I'd be delighted to do that," Judge Stansfield said in an interview. "But I find his comments unhelpful and misleading."

Judge Stansfield said Mr. Day is referring to the particular problem of repeat criminal offenders -- many of whom are homeless people with mental illnesses -- who live in Vancouver's notorious Downtown Eastside.

He said Mr. Day is wrong to "melodramatically suggest" that a significant number of offenders have been charged more than 70 or 80 times.

He also said Mr. Day is wrong in saying that the more times people get charged and convicted, the shorter their sentences become. Judge Stansfield said the opposite is true.

He said the criminal records of some repeat offenders may show sentences of only one or two days but, in fact, many drug addicts in Vancouver spend 30 to 60 days in detention while awaiting their day in court. They are, therefore, sentenced to time already served after their arrests.

He said B.C.'s provincial courts handle about 100,000 cases each year. About 17,000 of those are in downtown Vancouver.

"Downtown Vancouver has the greatest difficulty with chronic offenders," Judge Stansfield said. "The Downtown Eastside has a significant population of deep-set problems, with mentally ill people who are often drug addicts, who are living on the street.

"To think that these social problems can be solved by sending people to jail for longer terms is a really simplistic and unfair approach. I don't think it's very helpful to simplify a very, very complex social problem that requires a response from the whole community."

Even if judges wanted to hand out tougher sentences, they are bound by a federal law requiring courts to consider house arrest and other alternatives to prison.

Un-snipp<

What can I say eccept that Dion has to get on Harpers case and start listing these things every chance he can get then tie it into what do you think he would do if he had a majority.  The Libs can think of other things that Harper has cut that is detrimental to minorities.  Dion can then pick up these minorities.

cheers :) majere

the ndp will be brought down a few notches because they don't count.

and yet he will get extremely peeved at the below journalistic summary of a Liberalating or a true Conservative with values before ..... oh, lets say 1932, present day Court Case. 

Ohhh, and the Harpies who cannot Harp since Harper took away their Harping abilities will be peeved as well.  That is if they hold Conservative values that do not pre-ceed 1931.

Snipped>

Friday July 13 after hours, the below was released.

Judge rules Canada's pot possession laws unconstitutional

A Toronto judge has ruled that Canada's pot possession laws are unconstitutional after a man argued the country's medicinal marijuana regulations are flawed.

The 29-year-old Toronto resident had been charged with possession of about 3.5 grams or roughly $45 dollars worth of marijuana.

The man has no medical issues and doesn't want a medical exemption to smoke marijuana. In 2001, Health Canada implemented the Marijuana Medical Access Regulations, which allow access to marijuana to people who are suffering from grave and debilitating illnesses.

In court, the man argued that the federal government only made it policy to provide marijuana to those who need it, but never made it an actual law. Because of that, he argued, all possession laws, whether medicinal or not, should be quashed.

The judge agreed and dismissed the charges.

"The government told the public not to worry about access to marijuana," said Judge Howard Borenstein. "They have a policy but not law.… In my view that is unconstitutional."

Defence lawyer Brian McAllister, who represented the man, said the ramifications of the ruling have potential to be "pretty big."

"Obviously, there's thousands of people that get charged with this offence every year," he said.

McAllister said Ontario residents charged with possessing marijuana now have a new defence.

"That's probably why the government will likely appeal the decision," he said.

Borenstein has given prosecutors two weeks before he makes his ruling official. Prosecutors told CBC News they want a speedy appeal to overturn the decision.

"For the time being, nothing changes," Toronto police spokesman Mark Pugash said about how the force deals with marijuana possession. "We have to wait and see what happens with the process through the courts."

Un-snip<

OK, just to update, the gov did not Appeal.  Why?  They don't want to lose again which would hit the media large.  The gov would not want it Appealed to the Supreme Court due to the Precidant that it would set.  Harper would have a hard time trying to re-illegalize cannabis.

THE GOV JUST IGNORES IT AS THE COPS OF WHOM MOST ARE UNAWARE OF THIS, KEEP ARRESTING PEOPLE TO HARPERS' DELIGHT.

All those people being arrested have to be compensated, those who did jail time have to be compensated, those who had their kids taken away - compensated.  Yes, looking at pretty well a billion dollars in compensation here.  This is in a sense that cannabis has been legal since ... I think it was in 2003 that Krieger in Alberta did the same thing, and the government was not informed by the Prosecuting Attorney( which is where it all began, not telling the higher ups by a god damned civil servant).

Harper wanting a Free Trade Deal with Columbia, yea right.  Harper cannot hire enough Customs Officials to inspect every Container that comes from there to appease those religous zealots in the Cons Party.  Can't even allow 1 ounce into this Country says they.

cheers :) majere

the ndp still do not count, thats why they run deficets

Haa,

All this talk of environmental bull...... the government is not going to do anything because it will have to be paid for eventually by the government so therefore that money cannot be spent according to the Party hacks who want to buy votes.  Think short-term as Politicians do.

The only credible environmental task that homeowners can do, which pays itself back in 4 to 5 yrs, get a loan out from the company that installs, is solar hot water heating.

Solar hot water heating does not use solar panells that create electricity, it uses pannels to heat up an anti-freeze solution. 

Once again it is not like solar electricity panels which actually cost more than the going electricity rate which means no pay-off, no incentive since no savings.

I emailed Karen Redman about this, the only solar system that is worth it.  Have not heard a thing.  The only energy saving system that actually saves versus the current electricity rate over the lifetime.

For approx 2700 to 3500 dollars you can get a solar hot water heating system.  Also available to lower the price is gov grants Provincial and Federal.

Why the government, as I suggested, does not offer the remaining portion of the purchase and installation, offer more of a grant, or Let People Write off the Remainder on that Years Tax.  Get the commercials out and fliers to all households.  Two so called "Tonnes" saved for every household per year on average.  Rick Mercer just wanted people to save one tonne, and that did not get anywhere.

snipped after searching for a few minutes, Canadian,>

1. Do we have enough sunlight to collect in Canada?
Yes! Different locations have different meteorological conditions. In most of the populated areas in Canada, our sunshine radiation is no less than many other countries where solar products are popularly used. On average basis, Canada has 20% more sunlight strength than Germany and Ontario is at the same latitude with Austria. Germany is leading Canada more than 100 times in using solar energy, and in Austria 1 out every 7 homes has a solar system.
In Toronto, experimental research shows that sunshine radiation of the city is almost the same as in Miami. (Refer to the following Diagram.)

Historical meteorological recordings indicate that sunshine availability is 70% in Toronto. Our recording of last year’s performance is 72%. This means solar energy can produce over 70% hot water for our daily use. With additional long time storage facilities plus energy saving tips (e.g. do your hot water consuming activities like laundries in sunny days), the availability could be much higher. Additionally, our customers’ gas bills also prove that water heating gas is about 70% saved after using solar heaters.

2. Who are the eligible buyers?

All those who pay their water heating bills, including homeowners, restaurants, hotels and motels, coffee and tea houses, public laundries, car washes, hair salons, industrial processing plants, buildings, farms and etc.

3. What incentives can a user enjoy?
Different regions may have different policies. In Ontario, the Provincial Government rebates PST on solar products.

4. What about commercial entities?
Commercial and industrial (for process use only) buyers can enjoy incentives to use solar water heating systems. Federal government rebates 25% of project capital cost for commercial users (Check REDI Program at nrcan-rncan.gc.ca).

5. How does a solar water heater work? What to do with the existing heater?
Solar water heater collects sunlight photo-energy as free resource and converts it into thermal energy to heat water for us. As a standard in Canada, every home is built with an existing heater. Solar water heating never conflicts with the existing water heater. Solar heater is connected upstream of the existing heater as a pre-heater to provide as much heat as possible, whereas the existing heater acts as backup heater to cover the unavailability of solar heating. If only the existing heater is used, it has full coverage of all times, but the energy bill is high; if only solar heater is used, no energy cost is billed, but there is no coverage without extra-storage when sunshine is not available; when both heaters are used in combination, the best result is achieved. (For more information, check Solar Hot Water System)

6. Does a solar water heater freeze in winter?
No! Different solar companies have differently solutions to this problem. Many manufacturers use anti-freeze coolant to transfer heat. By this technology, no water-containing part is exposed to freezing temperature at any time.
Our design uses passive thermal insulation and electric heating to prevent freezing. Under normal working conditions in winter time, water in the solar system could always be refreshed before it drops to freezing temperature. During stagnation for more than 24 hours (e.g. family out on holidays), the system could be isolated and drained or electric heating could be switched on.

7. Does a solar water heater work in winter?
Yes! Solar water heater always works whenever there’s sunlight beamed on its collection surface. We also have sunny days in winter, though the sunlight radiation is weaker and less than in the other seasons, the solar systems still work. In 2004, our performance recordings show that in Toronto, solar heating availability is 91% for the warm half year and 53% for the cold half year, whereas the year-round availability is 72% (See Solar Hot Water System for more information).

8. Can the roof withstand the weight of a solar system?
Yes! The heaviest normal family solar heater weighs totally about 240kg fully filled with water. This weight is distributed in 2m² on 6 legs. The load on each leg is far within the permitted weight on roof stipulated by Ontario Housing Code.

9. What about changing roof?
Roof-mounted systems are designed with easy removal consideration. When changing roof, disconnect and dis-anchor it and empty the water in the tank before moving it to a convenient place. After roofing, move it back and re-anchor and re-connect it.

10. Can it withstand the impact of wind, hail and snow storms?
Yes! A solar water heater is well anchored to its foundation. The normal wind shearing force on the heater will neither damage the heater itself nor its foundation (in most cases the roof) (Disastrous tornado-like storms excepted).
The evacuated tubes are designed to withstand hail size up to 25mm diameter.
Snow doesn’t damage the heater physically. It only blocks the heat collection surface. The snow deposit on the heater collection surface is melted faster than that on the roof, because the tube glass surface is more slippery, causing the snow to slide down while melting. If convenient and easy, a user can wipe away the snow on a solar heater to collect some more solar energy. Be cautious of safety! Be careful not to break or score the glass tubes. As a matter of fact we do not advice cleaning the snow on the heater.

11. What is the environmental aspect?
One home solar water heater can save 1,000m³ of natural gas a year for the user. The burning of 1m³ natural gas will emit about 2.2kg of equivalent green-house gases emissions. So an home unit can reduce 2.2T of equivalent green-house gases emissions.
If you do ot want the blue sky and white clouds become a memory and remain a previlage of our future generations, please use solar energy!

12. How is the economy?
As technology is matured and production is streamlined, the capital cost of a solar water system has tremendously dropped. An family hot water system costs about $2,700. The money it generates for you is over $600 annually. So the capital investment could be recovered in 4.5 years even based on the current energy price! If energy price further goes up (surely it will), the pay-back period will be shorter!
Environmental while winning money! Why not!

13. Is there any daily or periodical operation?
No. Solar systems are all-time connected into family water systems. It’s as automatic as the existing hot water systems. No manual operation or switching-over is needed.

14. What about maintenance?
Our systems are designed maintenance-free.

15. How long does it last?
Our systems are made of quality long-lasting material like stainless steel, aluminum and glass. The products’ design life-cycle is over 25 years.

16. Energy saving tips on solar water heating system
1.In the summer months when weather is continuously fine, shut off and isolate the backup heater (the existing heater using gas, electricity or oil), fully relying on the solar heater. This will further reduce the amount of energy which the backup heater uses to keep the tank water at the preset temperature. In this case, the water heater bill is ZERO! When you feel the solar hot water is not enough, just switch on the backup heater (follow instructions given after installation). It takes only seconds by turning some valves.

2.Set the backup heater’s temperature to a lower grade. This will reduce tank heat loss while maximizing the use of solar water.

Added:  this happened in 98 so a long time ago............... working on new evidence though..... 

Ok, I got messed up due to work, applied for Veterans' Affairs and they and the Review Board xxxx me off.

During the first level, the Chairman admitted to not even reading my notes I took while I got messed up.  What the xxxx is that all about?

The Review Board I am sure just read over my general notes instead ot the particulars.

Both Boards changed my diagnosis to one which is very mild to my actual major diagnosis.  Again, what the xxxx.

Just prior I applied and was accepted as majorally messed up by CPP Disability as well as my Private Insurance Company, not mild.  Again, what the xxxx?

Now my only recourse is to somehow bring in new evidence to "vary" the decision, because they originally xxxxxx up twice.

yes I am peeved.

does not happen too often though, thank god.

cheers :) majere 

If the Referandum passes in Ontario on Oct 10th, I will try to Register the above name as a Provincial Party.

The "List" of candidates to be chosen shall be first come first on the List.  All we would need is 3 percent of the Provincial Vote to get one person in Provincial Parliament. (me at number one).

Election Slogan would be, "All is Welcome".

Platform to be fiscally conservative while socially Liberal, not Socialist like the NDP.

a work in progress, housework calls......

Well I have said it before,  the Liberal website just blows obscure visions.  No facts, no actions to be taken and when.  No countering the Cons with facts.

Dion has not connected with me what so ever talking about the environment which is a non-issue to most people.  So why does he think he has to be Green?

Dion, talk about reversing the income tax raise (lowest tier) that the Cons did.

Talk about allowing mopeds, 50 cc scooters just requiring a written test to help cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.  Heck you can ride a scooter here in Kitchener sometimes up to Christmas if you dress for it.  Do I need to spell out that people are peeved at the gas prices and pinching pennies is a way of life for many people now?

Tell the cities to set up free parking for mopeds and scooters along with the above.  It sounds good but is out of Fed jurisdiction.

Tell Canadians that the Military will be called back, all of them in 2009.  Explain that the Russians could not do it, give facts, that Canada will not get caught up in a Vietnam type of guerilla war.  That we (the Libs) committed the troops in error and that you are very sorry but have the obligation to stay till 2009.

So come on and start talking facts, not vague meaningless visions and that goddam green stuff.

Liberals to Be Shut Out of Quebec By-Elections?
Daniel Proussalidis with notes from CTV
Friday, September 14, 2007

A new poll in Quebec suggests Monday's federal by-elections may be bad news for Liberal Leader Stephane Dion.

According to a Unimarketing-La Presse survey, the NDP's Thomas Mulcair will sweep the Liberals in Montreal's Outremont riding.

The same poll suggests the Bloc Quebecois will take St. Hyacinthe-Bagot and the Conservatives will likely snag Roberval-Lac St. Jean.

CTV's Robert Fife suggests, if those poll results translate into actual voting results, there may be moves within the Liberals to oust Dion if he's perceived as a weak leader.

"And that's where you get forces like Mr. Ignatieff and Mr. Rae working to develop their leadership campaigns for after the next election, when there would be a mandatory leadership review, and they would try to force him out," says Fife.

The poll also suggests almost half of voters may decide to change their minds at the last minute, while 41% say they won't bother to vote at all.

Unimarketing spoke to about 1,000 people in each of the three ridings.

cheers :) majere

Edit and note about below:  The Court Case only refers to those few who have Veterans' Affairs Pensions.  But I do wonder about what I wrote below. 

I will explain this in simple terms as to what is happening so that even Stephen Harper can understand.

First you end up fully disabled in the Military.

You have paid into a private insurance company in case you become fully disabled.

You have paid into CPP which is also CPP Disability if you become fully disabled.

The Military gives you 2 percent per year of Service based on your pay if you become fully disabled.

Ok, so now you become fully disabled and released from the military.  The Militaries' obligation is to give you 2 percent per year of Service ex. 8 years of service the Military Disability Pension will be 16 percent of your pay.  The Militarys' obligation is now over.

So now your out on your own, released from the Military getting your 16 percent.  Thats it.

Now you have to apply to CPP Disability of which you paid into.  Since you are fully disabled they the Federal CPP gives you an amount based on your years of contribution.  If your years of contribution gives you the maximum, CPP Disability subtracts what you get as a Military Disability Pension.  Thats not the strange part.

While applying to CPP Disability, you also apply to the Private Insurance Company to which you paid into in case of Long Term Disability.  Since you are fully disabled, your accepted.  Now the strange part.  This Private Insurance Company that you voluntarily paid into in case of full disable-ment decides not to pay you the 75 percent of your last pay.  Instead they subtract the above two totals and just pay the remainder.

Since when does a Private Insurance Company not pay what they stated???  Why does this Private Insurance Company have anything to do with the Federal Government???? 

They shouldn't, and thats what the below Case is about.  The Insurance Company should not take into account other plans that you have paid into. 

 Quote; 

'Stop ripping off disabled vets,' group urges government

Ha Ha I guess its because I am more of a military disabled Centralist Liberalist who accepts everyone.

Steve can't stand for appointing someone like that! 

BUT, if Harper can somehow get an amendment passed where Provinces can elect Senate members than I am definately running.

Someone has to be able to tell the truth to the public, someone non-corrupted by the old boys network.  Someone who would not associate with the old boys network.  Someone who does not owe anything/favours to any person out there.  Someone who wants the government to stay out of peoples' front yard, back yard, bedroom, living room, personall computer, basement, utility usage, and gardens indoor or out.  (I like orchids and cherry tomatos, kale year around for its nutrition)  Someone who believes that even though a persons property is theirs, they can do whatever they want as long as it does not interfere with someone elses' enjoyment of their property.  None of this imaginary vicitim crap as an excuse for some laws whose sole purpose is to control individuality.

 The government is responsible for protecting the children, the infirm, and run the Country, keep peace and good order. 

oh well,,,,,,,,,,,I won't hold my breath for Stephen to call me.

Peace and good order eh?  Government intrusion into ones' living room or computer room eh?

 Updated Wed. Sep. 12 2007 10:07 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Privacy watchdogs are crying foul over an attempt by the Public Safety Canada to come up with legislation that will force telecommunications providers to cough up personal information about their clients to authorities.

A consultation document obtained by CTV News reveals the government is planning to hold talks to "address the challenges faced by police, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the Competition Bureau when seeking timely access to basic Customer Name Address (CNA) information."

Due to a current lack of legislation, the document states, some telecommunications companies choose to provide customer information to police when it is requested, while others demand a court order before releasing any information at all.

The Public Safety Department hopes to establish new legislation to ensure police are granted the information on demand. That worries some privacy advocates.

• PDF Obtained by CTV News: Customer Name and Address (CNA) Information Consultation Document.

"I was really troubled when I first read the document, in large part because it's a consultation with a limited number of choices," Michael Geist, Canada Research Chair of Internet and E-commerce Law at the University of Ottawa, told CTV News.

"It's clear that Public Safety has the expectation that all Internet service providers and telecommunications companies will be required to hand over personal information without court oversight, simply because they're asked to provide it."

According to the document, the government hopes to gain access to customers' names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, IP addresses and cellphone data, saying it is often vital to a police investigation.

"The availability of such building-block information is often the difference between the start and finish of an investigation," the document says.

A series of safeguards are proposed in the document, including limits on who would have access to the information, limiting how it is used, and internal audits on the use of the powers it hopes to legislate.

But Geist said the current system is working fine, and there's no evidence that police actually need greater access to such information without having to go through the courts to get it.

"We've been living in an online environment for a number of years, close to a decade, and there's been scant evidence to suggest the current system, whereby law enforcement does have to obtain in most instances a court order, has really created any problems from an investigative perspective."

Philippa Lawson, of the Canadian Internet Public Policy Interest Centre, agrees the status quo is serving police well.

"We know from history that the more powers you give law enforcement agencies and the government, the most potential there is for abuse," she said.

Geist said that a customer's name and address can serve as a "lynchpin" for other personal data. For example, if police can link an IP address to a specific person, they suddenly gain the ability to track their activity on the Internet.

"From an individual Canadian's perspective, their privacy and their concerns about how that information could be used and conceivably misused, suggests that it's important to ensure we do have some oversights in place," Geist said.

The consultation document obtained by CTV states that two previous "broader" consultations were done on the same topic in 2002 and 2005.

The stakeholders asked to participate in the coming talks will include police, industry representatives, and "groups interested in privacy and victims of crime issues."

Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day was not available for an interview. However, after CTV News made inquiries about the consultation, his office said the document would be posted online and Canadians would have the chance to weigh in on the process.

With a report from CTV News Parliamentary Correspondent David Akin

cheers :) majere

Lets first take a look at the definition of "policies",

pol·i·cy¹ (pŏl'ĭ-sē)
n., pl. -cies.

1. A plan or course of action, as of a government, political party, or business, intended to influence and determine decisions, actions, and other matters: American foreign policy; the company's personnel policy.
2. 1. A course of action, guiding principle, or procedure considered expedient, prudent, or advantageous: Honesty is the best policy.
   2. Prudence, shrewdness, or sagacity in practical matters.

 OK, lets all concentrate on "the plans", and the continue-ing same "course of action".  After all, our PM Stephen Harper says so.  Also he wants us to forget all about time regarding the shades of being a Vietnam losing un-declared war.  It saddens me that more young men and women shall die being used as political pawns to appease the States therefore Stephen Harpers' ego.

 As usual my comments embedded;

CANBERRA, Australia - It's time to focus on real policies (majere;  I guess all the other policies were fake or un-real)  in Afghanistan instead of arbitrary timelines about the end of Canada's military mission in the country's deadly southern region, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said yesterday.

After wrapping up a week-long trip to Australia with an address to its parliament, Mr. Harper told reporters he was fed up with critics (majere;  when one cannot debate the facts Harper insults us by calling us critics)  who are focusing on February, 2009, when Canada's current commitment in Southern Afghanistan expires.

"My hope would be that in the next year and a half, rather than just debating a date, we would talk about what the objectives of policy are,  (majere;  yes, lets keep talking, talking, talking)  " Mr. Harper said at a joint news conference with Australian Prime Minister John Howard. "Canada went into Afghanistan because of very real reasons of national security (majere;  Harper cannot explain how invading Afghanistan protects me)  and international security, (majere;  when did Canada become a World Police-ing army forcing our form of government?)   and I believe that since we've been there, particularly in Kandahar, we've undertaken obligations."  (majere;  obligations/promises in an un-winable un-declared war, yea right)

 Seventy Canadian soldiers have been killed since the armed forces moved into Afghanistan to drive out the Taliban regime and the terrorists it was protecting.  (majere;  NO, Canadian soldiers just have a sphere of influence around their camp, and minutely around their patrols at that time only)

But Mr. Harper explained that no one expects the mission to succeed before 2009 at eliminating all the havens for the terrorists who planned the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States six years ago.  (majere;  Harper must be able to read minds to know that the originator of the Sept 11 attacks was in Afghanistan at that particular time, and if he did know, why did he not do anything?)

"I don't see the United Nations telling Canada to leave on a certain date, or the Canadian military urging me to pull out on certain date, or the military families to do that," he said. "I don't see our allies urging us to do that. In fact I see allies like Australia that are increasing their commitment."  (majere;  and if they all jumped off a bridge you state that you would follow guarenteed to not gain any benefit but lose)

Mr. Howard refused to wade into the issue, but offered praise for the Canadian contribution to date. "I am full of admiration for what Canada has done," Mr. Howard said. "Canada is carrying a very heavy burden in Afghanistan."  (majere;  Australia admiring Canada in an un-declared un-winable war, some friend eh)

Mr. Harper also noted in his speech that Canadian troops appreciated the solidarity among Australia's political parties in their support for the mission, taking an indirect shot at his rivals in Canada who have questioned the mission. Afterwards, Mr. Harper repeated his desire for a discussion focussed on the right thing to do for the Afghan people instead of a decision to simply abandon them.  (majere;  I already stated how to win, no need for talking now, just action)

"I understand that Canadians want to see us eventually leave," Mr. Harper said. "The Afghans should eventually take care of their own security and I think that's what we should work towards. We should work towards that objective rather than a particular arbitrary timeline."  (majere;  see past posts as to how to win)

Mr. Harper, who arrived in Australia last week for a summit of 21 Pacific Rim countries, announced four new agreements with Australia as he wrapped up his trip: An expansion of a student working vacation program; new co-operative efforts for reconstruction in Afghanistan; a new partnership to exchange ideas and knowledge about the public service; and a joint statement on climate change, committing affordable supplies of energy to support economic growth.

The last statement also calls for the creation of a new program covering research in advanced nuclear technologies for the two countries which export a majority of the world's uranium supply.  (majere;  finally something usefull, clean nuclear energy, and it does not take hundreds of square miles to store the leftover radioactive materials, so no worry for Canada)

 Majere:  well Stephen Harper trying to get in some miss-leading soundbites for the nieve Canadians who cannot even pick out Afghanistan on a map, or realize that most 9/11 attackers were from Saudi and lived and trained in the States.

Stephen Harper is lucky the Opposition Parties just can't get their collective act together to nail Harper on his miss-direction speak.

cheers :) majere

A frustrating work in progress when one cannot see the breakdown of finances by department and the Resource Code funding thereof.  So a work in progress. 

I spent a little time going over the Liberal Party Federal website.  I was disapointed, just vague generallities.

The site explains visions and visions only using the key political buzzword adjectives.

They can't win an election like that unless quite a few undecided soft voters really get peeved at the Conservatives.  I know some people rely on the peeved factor, thats were negatives about the other Party comes into play.

Myself, I would point out their negatives, not as Americans would, but with hard cold facts.

Now for the Liberals to emphasize positives about themselves they of course need more than just visions (reminds me of psyhcosis, and thats not a good thing)

Its no secret that voters vote as to whats good for them personally.  Myself, an extra 100 dollars on the disability cheque per month would be a start.  Next would be lowering the percentage paid on the lowest tier of taxes.

Corporate taxes will have to be lowered to lure in businesses with IreLand being the perfect example.  It takes time as it took Ireland, but it paid dividends in a very high employment rate with excellant jobs available.  It did hurt in the short term of course.

Doctors, immediately fund 50 percent more student positions.  There is an abundance of unemployed nurses out there but the Provinces do not want to create them permenant positions in hospitals.......sad.

Domestic Military Regular and Reserve forces patrol forrested Border areas.  The Navy patrols the coastlines for their excercises.  This to portray a show of force for any person tempted to cross along these desolate areas of Canada.  Appease the Republicans down south if they get in next election.  Gee all we need is another low IQ'd Bush like person.

National Project to build a railway system from the container ship port in Halifax to key trucking routes for the remaining short haul.  Technically its cheaper to move goods by rail if it is over 800km and use of trucking for under 800km for imported goods.

Education, increase at inflation rate.

Slash everything else (arts etc) to pay for above and below but assure the people and show the people how in the long run this will pay large dividends for the Country and its people.

Welfare, increase/subsidize to the tune of an extra 200 dollars per month.

Security as in police forces, encourage all police forces to concentrate on Hard drugs and put cannabis on a lower priority than jaywalking.  This of course with the exception of stealing electricity.  Now why would someone steal electricity when one could grow their own in the backyard?  Remember, prized Orchid growers use the same lights and fertilizers as cannabis, and no, there is no mold.  Cannabis cannot be used if there is mold in the house, its worthless as everyone who knows cannabis would not even touch the stuff.  Humidity levels for cannabis growing must be under 50 percent so you won't get mould anyway.  Enough said as the ignorant on the matter chose to remain that way.

cheers :) majere and nooooo I am not a Dipper but a Centralist Liberalist.

where is Libby about my last para?????  The only NDP'er that counts.

Stephen Harper can't stomache a Liberal dominated Senate.  Hence try to change it.

Now, by electing Senators, Steve can formulate the prerequisites required just to run for Senator.  This would be much like writing a contract so tight that it is geared towards one company only, your favourite company.

This has me thinking that Steve must have some friends lined up, if he can pull off the Senate reform that he would like.

My questions are;

does a running Senator wannabe have to have a Party affiliation?

does a running Senator wannabe have to put down a 20 000 dollar deposit? (to keep the masses from running and ruining the Institution with single mothers etc versus well connected wealthy friends)  I have nothing agianst anyone, this is just for thoughts sake.

Stephen Harper, in my minds eye would prefer the business elite to run the Senate of course, he finds solace in economics.

Shall all running hopefulls be declared as strictly bi-partisan?

Can a person hopefully run on a "no finance" campaingn as one can today in Fed, Prov, elections?

Or, as it is now, Stephen can just appoint me, a disabled person to the Senate representing Ontario and all disabled people, giving a voice.  I guarentee my health has cut my life expectancy by 10 to 15 yrs anyway.  So Stephen, there is one of my selling points, I just might not be around to long.

Alas, Steven I am sure wants the business elite, to take a global view of Bills presented to the Senate, not just domestically Canadian or a tighter view restricting to just the Province they represent.

It saddens me, heavy sigh, that Steven, if he gets a majority, will put up many financial obstacles.

So much for the average person.

WHAT IRKS STEPHEN HARPER THE MOST IS THE TWO SENATE COMMITTEE HEARINGS SAYING THAT FLOWERS PICKED FROM THE HERB CANNABISS SHOULD BE LEGAL AND ARE LESS HARMFULL THAN CIGERETTES AND ALCOHOL

This brings me to believe that another impediment that Harper would throw up would be something like a Parliament hearing grilling a would be Senator to see if they are of the same ideoligy.

cheers :) majere

Now this is coming from a lawyer (Peter MacKay)

I feel sorry for the comabat cats and kittens under his charge.

My comments embedded; 

MacKay: NATO must succeed or risk 9/11 repeat

Updated Mon. Sep. 10 2007 7:25 PM ET

Canadian Press

ST. ANDREWS, N.B. --

On the eve of the sixth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Defence Minister Peter MacKay and Afghanistan's ambassador to Canada cautioned Monday that the world risks more attacks if peace and stability aren't restored in Afghanistan.  (majere;  as if all attacks stem from Afghanistan when most 9/11 attackers were Arab, and exactly what is the risk assesment?  shhhhhhh Peter wants us to just trust him totally)

MacKay and Ambassador Omar Samad said the price of failure is too high for nations like Canada to consider abandoning Afghanistan before it is ready to defend itself against the forces of terrorism. (majere;  what is the price of failure for Canada?  They don't say, and you cannot stop a determined terrorist)

"Let's not forget that on 9/11, terrorism came to our shores on this continent,'' MacKay said following a private address in this New Brunswick resort town to a meeting of ambassadors to Canada.  (majere;  ah they were mostly Arabs that lived and trained to fly in the States so they did not come ashore - lie-innnnngggg)

"So we have to be vigilant and very responsible in continuing to play a role'' in Afghanistan.  (majere;  the only vigilance is Canadian soldiers making sure they get home in one piece with shades of Vietnam in their minds, the soldiers are not nieve)

Samad said Canadians only have to remember what Afghanistan was like when it was abandoned and forgotten by the world in the 1990s.

"It fell into the hands of international terrorists, drug dealers, warlords and al-Qaida,'' he said. "Do we want Afghanistan to revert and once again become a failed state and become a threat not only to its own people, but to the region and to the world at large?''  (majere;  "the world at large"?  how about Iceland, Sweden, and Peru.  Afghanistan is going to fail anyways as I have stated previously)

MacKay said Canada's military mission to Afghanistan is scheduled to end in February 2009.  (majere;  this statement is a lie with a half truth to the public where the public thinks that ALL Canadians will come home when that is not the case according to below)

But he said Canada's role in Afghanistan is diverse and he predicted its involvement in the rebuilding and redevelopment of the war-torn country will continue for a "very long time.''   (majere;  sorry Petey but the military do not have enough tradesmen for a "very long time".  Another lie with only a possible half truth for the benefit of a soundbite)

"That's the exit strategy,'' MacKay said.   (majere;  already showed that his exit strategy is flawed)

"When the Afghanistan government can take care of its own interests, then we can come home. That doesn't happen quickly, but we have made enormous progress in a relatively short time.''   (majere;  Peter MacKay cannot quantify the "enormous progress", if he could, he would be bragging to Canadians and the rest of the world)

MacKay has said a vote will be taken in Parliament if there is to be any extension of the military mission and he expects this discussion will take place in the House of Commons this fall.

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion has said he will introduce a motion in the Commons setting February 2009 as a firm end to Canada's combat role in Afghanistan.

However, the Liberals also have indicated a vote would not be needed if the Conservative government would now tell NATO and the government of Afghanistan that the combat mission in Kandahar will end on that date.

MacKay said there are mixed signals coming from the opposition when it comes to the Afghanistan debate, adding there is a "clear split'' in the Liberal party on the issue.   (majere;  please tell me where this clear split is, I don't see it, where?  whom?)

MacKay would not say whether he believes Canada and North America as a whole are safer today as a result of the war on terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq.   (majere;  MacKay does not know if Canadians are making a difference in this un-declared war)

He said the size and scope of the threat is hard to gauge, but he said Canada's military involvement in Afghanistan has enhanced its international reputation as a defender of freeedom and democracy.  (majere;  if MacKay and the Commanders cannot gauge the scope of the threat, how do they know what tactics and resources are required?  Here Petey just sounds like an idiot to the World) 

"It's a volatile world and we have a very important role to play, as we have in previous conflicts,'' he said.   (majere;  use of FEAR, and I find Canada and many other countries quit peacefull - another MacKay lie)

Samad said he believes the world is safer today from terrorist attacks.

"But there are lessons to be drawn from what happened six years ago, most of which center on Afghanistan. Remember, 9/11 didn't happen in a vacuum.''  (majere;  no, most centered on Arabs)

cheers :) majere

Peter MacKay just does not get it.  No wonder he is no longer a practicing lawyer.

Mood: sad as I read the below
Listening to: various artists

I've said it before and I will say it again, the tactics used in Afghan were destined to lose lives, and lose the so called un-declared war.

I have written much earlier the only way to win........no one listening to historical lessons that parralleled the same type of conflict.  I guess I will have to re-hash that darn it.

Short version;  secure by COMPLETELY surrounding the villiage, town, or city.  Provide ALL occupants with medical, dental, roof, the utmost in nutrition and a friendly atmosphere.  THE KEY is to not let anyone out but allow people in.  This requires a vast amount of manpower and resources.  Now before anyone frets the agriculturalists, each farm will have to have one sniper team, one 11 man section of infantry with heavy crew served weapons.  This is for each and every farm, and the farmer and family do not leave the property unless accompanied by an armoured vehicle, to do business only.

OK, thats the short version of success, and as you can read below, Stephen Harper is stuck in a Vietnam losing type of conflict............to lose more lives.  nieve idiot

Some comments embedded below in itallics;

quote

Harper wants troops to 'finish job' in Afghanistan; dims hope for quick vote By BRUCE CHEADLE

Prime Minister Stephen Harper wears a traditional outback hat and rain coat during the official photo at the APEC summit in Sydney, Australia Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007. (CP PHOTO/Tom Hanson) SYDNEY, Australia (CP) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper has set the benchmark for what might be called winning conditions on a vote to extend Canada's military mission in Afghanistan. Harper said Sunday there'll be no vote in Parliament anytime soon unless he can find enough support (majere, to lose more lives and gain nothing)  to ensure his wish to "finish the job." (majere; he can't finish the job or does he mean the weaning out of soldiers)  "I don't see the necessity of rushing into a vote unless we're able to have a situation where a vote would be successful - where there would be some agreement among at least some of the opposition parties that would carry the day and would give a mandate to our Armed Forces," (majere; to lose and lose more lives)  Harper told reporters following the end of an Asia-Pacific leaders' summit in Sydney.  (majere; Harper telling everyone he's a loser)  Harper announced in June that the current military mission, set to expire in February 2009, would continue only if his minority Conservative government could get a consensus in Parliament.  (majere; as if Parliament agrees with losing the un-declared war and lives for nothing) With the Bloc Quebecois, NDP and Liberals all lined up against an extension, many pundits argued Harper was throwing in the towel after publicly declaring that Canada would never "cut and run." (majere; one should know when to run to live to fight another day, not just stay and die) Not so, Harper said Sunday. "I want to finish the mission. At the same time, I want to ensure that when we have men and women in uniform in the field in a dangerous position, that they have the support of their Parliament." (majere;  the support of Parliament in an un-declared war to lose lives) Harper said he's seeking "some kind of consensus to fulfil the government's objectives (majere; which are what?  lose a hundred lives??) and also, I think, to fulfil everybody's objectives of seeing Canadian troops leave - I hope would leave - when we've actually finished the job we've committed to do." He said that job entails getting Afghan military and police forces to the point where they can provide security for their own country.  (majere;  easily done with my statements prior to this parsed article) The Liberals said at their summer caucus they plan to bring the matter to a head when the Commons returns this fall by engineering an opposition day vote confirming the combat mission should end in 2009. Dion accused the prime minister of flip-flopping on the issue Sunday. "Canadians must understand that what the prime minister is trying to do is to be ensure that this combat mission will continue after February 2009," Dion said in Vancouver. "And he's trying to go there with a lack of transparency, a lack of coherence. And in doing so he's not helping our troops, he's not helping our allies, he's not helping the people of Afghanistan." NDP leader Jack Layton said his party remains firm that Canada should pull its military out of Afghanistan now instead of February 2009. "Mr. Harper knows there will be a vote on the speech from the throne and that speech must address the war in Afghanistan," Layton said in Montreal. "The speech from the throne will be an opportunity for a full debate about the war and we're holding to our position that the withdrawal of our troops should take place now, safely and securely. A whole new approach for Canada in Afghanistan is what is required." Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe said his party will vote against the Conservatives if the troop pullout in 2009 isn't mentioned in the speech. "In the speech from the throne we have said that we want it made clear that the mission will end in 2009," Duceppe said. "There will be a vote on the speech and if it's not spelled out there, we will vote against it." While the official end of the mandate is more than a year off, NATO will be seeking as much lead time as possible in knowing whether the 2,000-plus Canadian military contingent in the Kandahar region is pulling out. Harper has indicated a willingness to alter the existing military mandate, but not to pulling the troops out of Afghanistan altogether.  (majere;  Harper is still showing he's a loser) The prime minister said the mission should not be treated as "a political football in this Parliament."  (majere;  when Harper cannot debate the mission he deflects to empy words) "And I think it's irresponsible that it is a political football," said Harper. "So we're not going to put people in that place again." Harper said he's still seeking a consensus  ( majere; to have soldiers killed), but a government official later said that consensus has to be in line with the government's wishes.  (majere;  the government aka Stephen Harper wishes for what????  More lives lost with a battle that cannot be won with present tactics) The official said that "consensus" means 50-per-cent plus one MP in a parliamentary vote. By that definition, some might argue there is already a consensus in the Commons to end the mission in 2009. But the Conservatives point out there is division within Liberal ranks on the matter. They're hoping to flush those divisions into the open and get a firm answer from Dion about what he sees as Canada's role after the current military mandate expires. unquote Well Stephen Harper blew this one and it is costing much grief to innocent families that he himself is responsible for. cheers :) majere roger m roeder Libby Davies only counts sometimes and won't committ goddamitt.

Enough said.

cheers :) majere

Those Evironmentalists are barking up the wrong tree by going after the Government proper.

The Environment is not a Major issue regardless of what Dion states.

Instead, why not lobby that Scooters and Mopeds/E-Bikes of 50 cc displacement only requires a car drivers license, not a motercycle licence or some such licence that requires the person to take another driving test.

This is not like driving a Goldwing 1000 where you need several people to pick up.  Its a powered bicycle or close to it.

Give people a green tax incentive equivalant to reciving back 30 percent of the purchase price at tax time.  Look at how many people you could get out of cars in the major cities.

The Smart Car also deserves a tax incentive for this well OVER-PRICED car.  Give 30 percent back of the total purchase price at tax time and watch this little 800cc diesal engine soar beyond belief.

Of course, evironmentalists want everything now, no cars, mass transit, and a massive increase in fuel prices to force people.

Why force people when you can encourage through a 30 percent back of total price........thats 30 percent after all the additional costs are added on, PDI and taxes.  When you force a person - they force back just as much.

The environmentalists could do better lobbying - but I guess their green coloured glasses want everything NOW in this instant society that we now have.

Of course, if the government only gives a small tax credit not worth mentioning like their 1 percinet drop in GST ( 20 dollars a yr to me ), then the above is all for not.

Then they can go after retro-fitting homes, but how many homeowners have the money to say put up 50 percent of an upgrade with the Government putting up the other 50 percent???????????????????

cheers :) majere

the ndp don't count except Libby sometimes and sometimes only.