Hey, guys, terry1 gets Stephen a thread with 214 comments on it. Why would he want to moderate that?

If we don't want terry1's hijacking every thread Stephen's put up in the past few months, it's up to us to put an end to them. I've said it numerous times, in keeping with Kate's policy over at SDA, DON'T FEED THE TROLLS. Every time terry1 or Gayle opens their mouth, one, two, three, four, five, six, etc. commenters rebut them. I refuse to.

The only way to "moderate" a troll is to starve them of oxygen. Don't fan their flames. IGNORE THEM. They crave attention and when you even look at them sideways, that's another excuse for their blather.

For whatever reason, there seems to be a singular inability at this blog to ignore the trolls. DON'T REACT TO TERRY1 OR GAYLE. LET THEM SPIN IN THE WIND. On the one thread where we stopped responding to terry1, he shut up.

It's pretty simple, really.

Yes, East, Stephen has a particularly virulent strain of twit permeating his blog. Turns me off.

Soccermom.....nice of you to be so humble

Although, I think it's kind of sweet how Terry1 and Gayle have become BFFs. Just think, if not for us Conservatives, these two twits would never have found each other. Ah, spring.

You mean its nice of us to give you Tories reasons to get up in the morning. God knows the news on your front is not encouraging.

Just curious, Stephen - did you turn your blog over to Terry1? He/she seems to have taken over your blog. I await your return as the blog host.

By reading the comments on this post you would think it belonged to these two liberal *****. You could be like most liberal blogs and delete them, but the would defeat the purpose the blog.

stephen, here's some comments from another blog, which again leads me to ask how you can continue to support harper's government.

http://bcinto.blogspot.com/2009/05/every-day-th...

a comment from that blog:

Yes Walks with coffee ... check out the symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder and tell me half the Cabinet is not inflicted with this mental illness.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissistic_perso...

9:36 PM, May 27, 2009

or this one:
Here's what happens when Tories speak their mind..... a Warren kinsella pin up.
http://www.tvweekonline.ca/files/blog/star_trek...

or this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4Mhkd78W2g&eurl...

and one more showing the deception and crass politics practiced by tories:
http://trashysworld.ca/

"We don't like the Canada you created, and want a better one for our children.

Never forget it"

Plagrerism and stealing of copyright material by Tories exposed:

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/SPAN+Tories+o...

These guys will do anything unethical to get their scorched earth targets.

Reading only the headlines again, Terry1?
"Collins says he was contacted by a lawyer who said he was representing the Liberals after the ad came out.
[Lawyer? Hmm, I wonder if the lawyer's initials are WK]
“He wanted to know if we were aware if our video was being used in this way,” Collins said. “If our rights were being violated, he wanted us to enforce them.”

Collins said the network never gave the Tories permission to use the clip, but doesn’t see any point in pursuing a claim.

“There's nothing legal to do with it, Collins said. “Given the way video is used throughout the world, with YouTube, it would be fruitless.”
[In other words, no plagiarism involved]
Collins says he watched the ad and believes it falls within the fair-use provisions in copyright law because of the short length and subject matter."

Merely placing a link in your rants doesn't make your argument any sounder, more credible, or at all relevant.

Gabby the lone QC tory.....of course I read the whole article and used the link to ensure I wan't being unfair or tory unethical. ther article did say some other things about tory use of others copyrights.

Re: "the lone QC tory" - if you must use that kind of address, I'd rather you were accurate.
It's "conservative." Remember the "New Conservative Party"? That's the new name given to a new party formed a few years ago..
I also supported the PC party, but they're hisTORY.

I notice you quote liberally from various sources, not always enclosing those statements within quotes to indicate those are not your own words. So, are you plagiarizing?

Gabby the lone progressive amongst the many regressives...thye need to go back to their original initials...the CRAP party.

I generally try and include enclosures but sometimes I'm lazy or don't feel the need...we got more marks in University for doing that and its been a habit all these many years but I don't get marks here.LOL. The enclosures are not really required unless I put a line under the article piece I've quoted. Pay attention and you'll learn even more

One problem for your guys, terry1, "C-SPAN's corporate vice president and general counsel, Bruce Collins, said Canada’s Liberals called to alert him to the use of copyrighted footage of leader Michael Ignatieff in a Conservative attack ad. Collins added he doesn’t believe the short segment amounts to a copyright violation..."

“There's nothing legal to do with it, Collins said. “Given the way video is used throughout the world, with YouTube, it would be fruitless.”

Collins says he watched the ad and believes it falls within the fair-use provisions in copyright law because of the short length and subject matter."

Btw, 'plagrerism' should be spelled p-l-a-g-i-a-r-i-s-m. You're welcome.

Anne, Of course tou neglected to mention the use of other copyrighted material that was amentioned in the article. However, the plagiarism(thanks for the spelling lesson) and unethical use still sticks.

No worries about Iggy ever getting elected to PM. With the rabid dog Kinsella "helping", it can only turn out bad.

I think I have figured out Terry1's real identity. Think about it. No substance to his or her comments - just hatred of Stephen Harper. No reason to hate him but he/she hates him, just the same. Who do we know who has an axe to grind with our PM and who has made a recent career of slagging our PM - going on a couple of years or more. Terry1 - I am 99% sure I know who you are. Guess what - you won't turn us off on Stephen Harper so I have to ask this one question - why do you come here to peddle your hatred when there is no point. to it?

Hmmm, interesting theory, East of Eden. Since I visited the blog of the person in question only twice, I'm curious: was he also prone to making many spelling mistakes/typos, angry retorts, and rude remarks?

Your theory sounds plausible. Isn't he currently unemployed?
That would explain the number of his comments here. Mind you, I've made a few myself ... are there any quotas set?

Rude remarks, yes. Spelling mistakes, no. I believe that the person is currently not gainfully employed except in the realm of self-promotion.

wrong guy.... I don't own any blogs and you won't guess who I am becasue I am unknown to all of you here. East of Eden must be one of those conspiracy types who see bogey men around every corner. Gabby maybe a close second

Terry - funny thing happened in my neighbourhood today - a guy asked me if he wanted to trade some firewood. Do you forsee this happening in the future - firewood as currency?

that's what happens when governments print funny money... use the funny tory money you get every month, buy something that's worth more than the firewood and then do the swap. That's tory economics in a nutshell.

Don't worry about it. East has a history of screaming sock puppet every couple days or so. He used to think I was Garth Turner too. He generally accuses every person who disagrees with him of being Garth Turner at some point.

That is what happens when your ability to create a coherent argument is so limited.

I don't scream, actually, Gayle. And it has been a long time since I figured somebody was our mutual acquaintance. Every couple days or so? Not likely, Gayle. Actually, I wasn't leaning toward Garth in reference to you, but to one of his loyal followers - the one who claims to live in Alberta, remember?

Coherent argument? Gayle, dear, I don't need an argument. My statements are just fine on their own.

Gayle, you mean to say he's another dysfunctional and delusional Tory. there are lots of them around.

Garth Turner would actually be a pretty good guess.

Terry - according to your book and calculations shouldn't we be trading in firewood these days instead of in the stock market?

Miss Eden deary...you are completely off base.

A very interesting read by Brian Lilley, Ottawa Bureau Chief for CFRB and CJAD here:
http://www.cfrb.com/node/934651
“... The current national rate of joblessness in this country is 8%. Back when the EI reforms were introduced in 1996, the national unemployment rate was 9.6%. [http://www.stats.gov.nl.ca/Statistics/Labour/PDF/UnempRate_7608.pdf] …
… Does anyone remember the 1982 recession? Unemployment was much higher then, reaching 12% in 1983, this at a time when inflation was in double digits and a good deal on a mortgage was an interest rate below 20%.
[Ahhh, memories ... who was in power then ...? Oh yeah, the Trudeau Liberal years, with a very brief Joe Clark interlude ...]

Back to Mr. Lilley's blog post:
If Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff wants to improve EI for the workers of today then he should be coming up with solutions the government can and will accept or something he can force a reasonable compromise on. Instead he has taken the NDP policy of 360 hours of work to qualify for EI, made it his own and told the government "meet my demands or else." It's a dangerous game.”

Rational thinking, not just rah! rah! sections for the opposition, can still be found among Press Gallery members. Very refreshing.

Gabby before you get off your high horse let me remind you that unemployment has yet to peak in this recession and if you compared apples to apples you would hav enoted that a larger % of the population was eligible for EI back then. Don't let facts get in your way though because they seems to bother you.

You're being silly,you gotta know better. Go off and get the proper info on unemployment and get back to us with the facts. We'll be waiting. No doubt you're one of the ones flogging the Liberal plan to work a bit over a month and collect for the rest of the year. How can anyone with a brain capable of reasoned thought believe that nonsense can be sustained?

Liz J hysterical...why don't you bring our some facts instead of bleating like a know it all, typical angry tory. I posted what I know to be factual and if it isn't let us know. Unlike the Hsrperites we are human and do make some mistakes...........I'll even let you know when my first one happens for this year.....LOL

Terry1, you really must stop viewing everything posted by a conservative through your "I hate Tories" prism.

All I've done is simply point out a very different and legitimate take on EI, a very refreshing one, from a member of the Press Gallery, that's all. I believe Mr. Lilley's excellent blog post deserves a read.
Where's the "high horse" I'm supposedly on?
If anything's "high" it's your anger meter.
You'd better be careful; you sound like you're headed for an aneurysm.
Despite your vitriol and venom, I wouldn't want anything drastic to happen to you.

Gabbby the lone QC tory.....thanks for asking about my blood pressure...............it was just checked today and was 110/70. That's pretty good for a supposedly "angry person' so I expect I'll be around to see PMMI in action in the near term.

Actually we are still very near what economists call the structural rate of unemployment or 'full employment'. I'd be fascinated by what you are calling 'peaking' Terry?!

B&P..what is it, full employment or structural unemployment.

Full employment is when the unemployment rate is around 4.3 %. Structural unemployment is when the rate stays above 7.5% or so over a certain period of time.

Sorry Charlie - see below - its between 7-8% in Canada and 5-6% in the US - we are near full employment. Thanks PM Harper.

http://www.adelphi.edu/peoplematter/pdfs/Chorne...

"For the past thirty years ever since the embrace by the central banks and the financial
markets of Milton Friedman's counter-revolution in macro-economic theory
unemployment has averaged above 7 % in Canada and above 5 % in the United States.
Because of this many neo-classical economists who accept the doctrine of the natural
rate of unemployment argue that the natural rate lies between 7 and 8 % for Canada and
5 to 6 % for the United States.The natural rate argument turns on the notion that any rate
of unemployment below this rate is unstable and will cause inflation to accelerate
upwards eventually forcing unemployment up as well. "

I'm not sure why the link provided by Mr. Lilley in his blog post did not work above, but here's some interesting data from that link:
http://www.stats.gov.nl.ca/Statistics/Labour/PD...

Unemployment rates from 1993 onwards:
1993 - 11.4%
1994 - 10.4
1995 - 9.5
1996 - 9.6
1997 - 9.1
1998 - 8.3
1999 - 7.6
2000 - 6.8
2001 - 7.2
2002 - 7.7
2003 - 7.6
2004 - 7.2
2005 - 6.8
2006 - 6.3
2007 - 6.0
2008 - 6.1

BTW, the highest year listed was 1983 at 12% unemployment.

Gabby, you forgot to mention Trudeau years. how many were then unemployed?

Gabby, you don't mind if I highlight your numbers to send it to others, like the ignorant media.

Jen, the figures are all available from 1976 onwards, thanks to the link provided by journalist Brian Lilley. I copied that link into my comment above, so you can get those figures by clicking on that link, not only for Canada, but for individual provinces.

I'm sure the majority of journalists have this kind of information at their disposal, so I don't know how effective sending it to them would be, frankly. It is what journalists do with the information available to them which is important, IMO.

That is why I thought Mr. Lilley's blog post deserves highlighting. It is an informative post which gave me information I previously did not have, and provided me with a different perspective on EI than the one advanced by the opposition.

1983 was the last really serious recession and also around the time many baby boomers were hitting the job market.

also note that once regular surpluses were in order under Liberal governments the rates stayed down. I don't think that's coincidental.

The fact of the matter is - full employment is 7-8% in Canada and we are near full employment

What planet do you live on? there is obviously no point in debating this issue further with your head stuck in the mud of Toryland.

This is the response I would expect from someone who get's caught talking about something that they have no clue about and it trying to maintain a shred of credibility while spreading their propaganda as evidence we need more government control.

It's like some who predicts, at the bottom of the market, that the whole system will go off the rails, with people trading in firewood instead of stocks, and then instead a 30% rally happens.

Embarassing.

The embarrassment is you. The Country has lost hundreds of 1000's of jobs and you are trying to argue, while waxing Tory elequent, there is full emplyment in the land. How unbelievably crass and ignorant of the real facts.

As for your market rally, give it a few more weeks or through the summer and we'll see how much of a rally we really have.

With Tory governance in mind I am now in cash or bonds.

Terry - the unemployment rate is how we factually measure the rate of employment. And the FACTS say that we are near full employment and econmics tells us that that any lower an employment rate would cause inflation to accelerate.

Now if the Liberal$ want to run around and say unemployment is skyrocketing, they can, but this is contrary to the FACTS.

Good luck with that.

So some guys masters program is your expert opinion!!!!! wow is all I can say.

The fact of the matter is that the US has lost millions of jobs over the last two years and Canada has lost over 650K jobs. We were not at 7% bf this all started and had not been three since the 90's if I remember correctly.

Your illogic is still perverse.

Ignatieff lived in other countries for 34 years, and just recently returned here - just to run for politics. That makes him a CARPETBAGGER, by any definition.
If that weren't arrogant and elitist enough, Iggy not only runs for politics, he thinks that Canadians should give the biggest job in the land, to a CARPETBAGGER.
Iggy IS a CARPETBAGGER, no matter how much the Liberals and their media pals try to disguise it.
Now, or in the next election, Canadians will just have to decide, if they think someone who has lived outside the country for 34 of the last 38 years, should be given the biggest job in the land.
He sure as hell won't get me or my family's votes.

As long the new american god is there as a DEMOCRAT president -LPOC new title is 'WE ARE ALL AMERICANS'
as long as a REPUBLICAN IS THERE as a president - LPOC title is 'WE ARE ALL CANADIANS'

It is amazing that the american say CANADIANS go ' 'GAG GAG over OBAMA - EVEN HIS TRILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT IS A WELCOMING SIGHT TO THE LPOC AND THEIR MEDIA.
No wonder the LPOC AND OPPOSITION PARTIES rail on the PM for not following in OBAMA FOOTSTEPS.

Has Gayle admitted to any kind of political affliation here yet or is she still fooling herself by claiming to not be a Liberal trolling for attention??

It seems that 'terry1' would be well-advised to start up his/her own blog and leave a link on this one so that we can choose whether we wish to deliberately follow his/her particular arguments. He/she has apparently co-opted Stephen's blog as his/her own partisan response to the recent conservative truth ads. His/her recent diatribes have become monotonous and are obviously falling on deaf ears as the overwhelming majority of posters at this site are supporters of a government terry1 despises. Shoo, terry1.

Anne, maybe I'm simply trying to make people understand that Harper is not a true conservative. The guy does not respect democractic principles of any kind. Its my way or the highway according to him. Its that simple,and I want him on the highway as do the vast majority of Canadians .

Oh, please. My way or the highway? Terry1, now I know that you're only spouting talking points. One failed MP kept repeating that over and over. There is absolutely no indication that this is true - it is simply one more Lib slander against our PM. Oh, and BTW - that lie was shelved ages ago, try to keep up with the current Lib lies, why don't you?

Vast majority of Canadians? Please, another lie. Terry1, you make the most sweeping statements with absolutely nothing to back them up. You want him gone, fine. You're misguided but you have that right to be misguided.

You are so easy to shoot down. At least Gayle can give us some rational arguments, wrong though they may be, but she never makes idiotic sweeping statements like you do.

Miss Eden, please look at how harper is acting these days with his threat of blackmail yesterday as one excample. Please look at the polls particularly those two recent ones in quebec. Harper is becoming a serious liability to his own party.

Shooting me down is not so easy because I do read and understand the dynamics.....you should try it instead of playing three blind mice all day long.

the Tory partisans here should be thoroughly embarrassed to have a thug like this man as leader of our Country.

Threatening an election every time the PM sneezes is blackmail. What the PM did yesterday is mild in comparison. The PM is putting one person on notice. Ignatieff is playing with 35 million persons when he keeps threatening an election or vowing to "mess him back". Good grief, Terry1, at least lift the blinders for a split second.

Shooting you down is like fishing in a barrel. You do not understand the dynamics - if you did, your comments would make sense. Harper is not a thug. Chretien is a thug. Ignatieff is a thug wannabe.

So if iggy is wrong in trying to force an election over Harpercrite's incompetence was harper right in calling an election last fall over nothing but his own ego trying to get a majority. Harper played with 35mm people then and still does today with an economic fiasco he is creating.

Maybe its your blinders that need to come off.

If you call your ineffective arguments shooting me down I will certainty live a long politcal blog life span. Give your head a shake.

Terry - try to think about your response and at least attempt to make some sense before you just blurt out the same stuff.

Who is polling in the mid 40's in leadership?

Who defeated Paul Martin and Stephane Dion and established a more muscular minority mandate in each of the last two elections?

Who has executed a plan (renovations tax credit, oil sands development) which has stabilized unemployment , driven economic growth and created stimulus in the economy (stonger dollar, stronger equity markets)?

Harper.

Why are Liberals so concerned about Canadians wanting to know more about Mr Ignatieff's past?

Where has he been for the past 35 years and why is he back? Why did he call the U.S. his country and Britain his adopted country? These are not things that are made up. These are document FACTS. And things that Canadians want answers to.

The media can only strike back on his behalf for so long. Canadians want him to answer.

Who made the liberals broke, thereby severely impairing their ability to oppose.

Chretien.

Harper just got lucky.

And to the contrary, I think most liberals are pretty impressed with Ignatieff and his credentials. But you keep clinging to the notion that the big bad nasty evil media are biased in his favour. I have never noticed you letting the facts get in the way before. Why start now?

Iggy is polling in the high 30's and harpercrite is polling around the low 20's...get your facts straight.

Harper did not do the martin thing without help from the RCMP and the adscam scandal...he would not have made it otherwise. dion was persceuted beyond anything anyone should be and Iggy is giving some of that back with interest.

I'm not concerned about Iggy's overseas experience....I did the same thing for 15 years and did very well with the knowledge I brought back to Canada. Some of us do go out in the world and accomplish things; but it appears to be uncanadian to do so in your narrow beady eyes

Yeah, gee whiz get a clue Conservatives, if it wasn't for that widespread government corruption the Liberals never would have lost.

yep and if it wasn't for that cash Mulroney took in some hotel room the tories would never lose an election either.

If any of you have a friend who was born here but lives overseas for over 35-40 years, wants to have a cheap way of making money he can join the liberal party of canada, do as he pleases, insult the media all he wants and presto he is a real liberal politican.

Anyone no matter how serious his background can join the liberal party of canada without ever you knowing of his past -just like the media is hiding the canadian born american IGNATIEFF.

Here's grit girl with more truth videos for you boys and girls:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPH3QyTIx1U&eurl...

Stephen, once again. You seem like a principled guy. How can you support these lies?

Is it really that bad? If so then Ignatieff must pull the plug. He put the government on 'probation". Iggy and the Libs have supported the budget and propped up the gov't up to and including this day.It is clear now that he can no longer do this.

So, yet again your arguement is with him not with the Cons.Iggy says he is American and you say he is not .Fine. Iggy still supports the gov't., you don't. Fine. Your postings here won't change that.

It is essentially like you are at an Elvis convention screaming "Elvis sucks!".In the meantime those who you think agree with you are helping them put on their Elvis jackets.

Finally you should be thankful ,and perhaps you are, that Stephen puts up with your nonsense.I know that other blogs, Kinsella comes to mind, won't put up many postings that are negative to their guy,even if they are free of insults.

Thank you ,thank you very much!

David,

1.Iggy must pull the plug but I don't think summer is the time. Let him do it in September when more Canadians will think about politics a little more. These guys are simply idealogues with no economic principles or ideas on how to run an efficient economy.

2. The garbage about Iggy being an American is purely nonsensical. What sole passport does he carry?

3. I am thankful for people who create these blogs and do appreciate it. Kinsella is not a true blogger as Taylor is. There are others out there that represent values and do accept others POV's. You are writing nonsense as well.

This is a copout. Iggy has demanded the resignation of the Minister of Finance. You claim Harper is not democratic and that most Canadians want him out yet you don't want an election. I suspect in September there will be another excuse not to pull the plug as there was in the winter and the spring. The Cons. are counting on it. If people are not paying attention now that there is a huge deficit, then what will change that in the fall.

Iggy's credibility crumbles if he does nothing, He will probably take your advice and do just that.Nothing.

I didn't say I don't want an election. I said Canadians would be more engaged in the electoral process come september. you see I believe in democracy and in trying to get full participation of the population. I know that 's not the Tory way but so be it.

You under estimate Iggy and the Libs if you think he'simply playing chicken. But live out your fantasy.

Stephen, is this really the conservative ideology you subscribe to and support?

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/641670

During question period yesterday, Harper told the Commons he had lots of videotapes featuring Ignatieff, raising the spectre of using them to discredit the opposition leader before and during the next election campaign.

"I cannot fire the Leader of the Opposition and with all the tapes I have on him, I do not want to," he said.

Ignatieff described the comment as the "most Nixonian" of Harper's many remarks to him. "Every day that goes by, he's more like Richard Nixon," Ignatieff told reporters.

"We created the country you live in, never forget it"

No, don't worry, we won't. That's why it's such a dysfunctional mess that'd be better off as separate and independent provinces, and one that will never be able to compete with the US, no matter how lousy things get south of the border.

Yes, indeed, thanks a million, Liberal Party of Canada, you "Canadian institution"

I guess the Liberal Guide to Canadian History doesn't go back to 1867, when a CONSERVATIVE boarded a passenger ship, crossed the Atlantic Ocean, appeared before the British Parliament, and had the BNA Act passed.

I particularly like how he says "Mike" Pearson, to make himself sound like more of a Liberal patriot. I wonder how many pimply-faced 17-year-old doorknockers were in the habit of calling the Prime Minister "Mike" at the time ...

The arrogance of this man and his party is quite simply spectacular. If this interloping, condescending elitist ever knocked on my door, I'd slam it on his face faster than you can say "HAH-vahd."

¡Hey, Esteban! ¡Qué pasa!

I saw "Add New Comment" written in Spanish before when I clicked on post comment. What's up?
And how do I get an upside-down question mark?

Sometimes the Disqus comment system shows up in a different language. Some call it a bug, but I'd call it a "feature"!

I'm impressed at some of the level of debate here. Some of it is slightly better than a sandbox shouting match but some of it is really good. Thanks for giving debate a place.
On most of the Liblogs, anything that questions their viewpoint is removed.

ridenrain,That's not true at all. you must post smut or close to it and anything that compliments SH is smut in Liberal terms. LOL

Media / message control and social engineering - two cornerstones of the Liberal strategy

Gayle said in reply to one of my comments (the reply button did not respond):
"Yes, and suggesting his comments are "typical" of progressives, you are not hurling an attack by painting everyone else you consider progressive with the same brush."

Gayle, there's a difference between a general comment directed at a broad category of unidentified and unnamed people and specific or particular personal attacks and insults directed at individuals. See? From the general [my comment] to the particular [comments by some individuals].
If you recognize yourself among them, that is not my problem, is it?

But then, you seem to have a problem with that very elementary distinction, i.e. the general versus the particular, as was illustrated in a previous discussion between us.

The only difference is that you are making broad, unsubstantiated generalizations about many people instead of insulting just one.

it really is not that hard to figure out.

Thanks

Gayle, she simply follows her leaders wishes......be an attack dog,lie ,cheat and even steal and everything will turn up roses because voters are stupid. Just look at Harper's remarks yesterday in QP

Gabby, wouldn't that be the behavior you'd expect from trolls who come by to nit pick at anything Conservative?
Both Gayle and Terry dish it out but get all sanctimonious and offended when they get some back.

If we were to tell Gayle and Terry1 to get themselves a good old ten gallon hat and go poo in it, they're sure to accomplish something. I've had all I can take of the bores.

I know, Liz J. I often wonder why some of them seek out conservative blogs if they find us so objectionable.

It reminds me of a somewhat similar situation that happened at my place of work some years ago. Some people wanted smokers out of a common room because the smoke bothered them, so a vote was taken, and smokers were "banished" from the common room. We smokers found ourselves another space where we wouldn't bother the anti-smokers, but guess what? Soon, many of the non-smokers began to trickle into our space - despite their distaste for smoking.
I guess they were looking for some intelligent conversation. ;-)

I note Gayle has divulged she has a soft spot for the Irish. That would be a generalization so guess since I'm Irish I'm included. I am truly chuffed.

Gotta get out of here before I hurl... in a broader sense of the word.

And here I was thinking you were Canadian. Why are you so interested in our politics if you are Irish?

And why are you so interested in politics when you claim to be apolitical?

Why not seek out tory blogs and ge tthe conceit out of their systems.

Probably wasting my time here, but anyway...

I was merely pointing out that it is kind of, well, hypocritical, to complain about hurling insults when, in doing so, you are hurling insults.

Me, I do not complain about you hurling insults. They amuse me.

Please, you do so, Gayle. You are the one who always resorts to the old "personal attacks" thingie. In fact, you're the one who invented that thingie.

Gayle, I'm not about to go around in circles with you, going over what you said and what I replied etc. etc.

If you STILL cannot see the difference between a general comment and a particular comment directed at one specific person, well, as I said, that's a problem with your perception. And please - don't start with the "unsubstantiated generalizations." You know we all use those in our conversations - including you. So please spare me the lecture.

As far as being amused, I commend you for adopting the same attitude I did quite some time ago ... over at the lamented Trusty Tory blog. I hope that nascent spark of a sense of humour will lighten your otherwise ponderous comments.

Hurling: "(in Irish, iománaíocht or iomáint) is an outdoor team sport of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the GAA, and played with sticks called hurls and a ball called a sliotar. ..." (Wiki)

By the way, my apologies. When you referred to terry1 hurling insults, I thought you meant in the "throwing" sense, not in the traditional Irish sport sense.

I assume that is where the term "hurl" is derived from, so it could make sense either way.

Fun fact: in undergrad, I was on a hurling team (in the traditional Irish sport sense)

I have always had a soft spot for the Irish - which is strange considering I used to live in Scotland... or maybe that's why.

Re: hurling, I just "threw" that in for fun, apropos of nothing, simply because I like playing with words.

As for you being FIRST in the amusement department - we don't have TT's blog to check back our entries. And I don't know if Sandy keeps archives. But if it makes you happy, go ahead, say you were first. I don't need that recognition.

"I don't need recognition"...

And yet you posted this:

"I commend you for adopting the same attitude I did quite some time ago..."

As you would say:

I think she doth protest too much.

Well that is really funny. Here I thought YOU were adopting my attitude when you started to find things amusing.

How very odd. But then it is not unlike you to rewrite history...

Looks as though the Harpercrite and Flatulence credibility gap is going even further down the tubes:

Do you believe Finance Minister Jim Flaherty when he says the federal deficit will rise to $50 billion this fiscal year from the $34 billion he predicted in January?

18%
1542 votes
Yes

70%
6065 votes
No, it will be revised again _ higher

12%
996 votes
No, it will be revised again-lower

I think a revisit to the Dhalla controversy is in order as it appears that a certain cabinet minister maybe involved up to his neck in this dirty deal;

From warren Kinsella's blog;

NOOSE TIGHTENS AROUND KENNEY'S NECK

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday, May 27, 2009, 08:09 AM
First, there's the Valpy story in today's Globe, which proves that one of Jason Kenney's new friends has - shall we say - a pattern of making identical allegations against former employers.

Second, we have Big City Lib's take, which is a must-read.

Third, we have the fascinating postings below, taken from a "nanny" chatroom. They're very interesting - particularly, I think, the degree to which Kenney worker Melissa Bhagat was involved in coordinating attacks on Dhalla and two provincial cabinet ministers.

Fourth, Melissa - a failed Conservative candidate, and the "Regional Coordinator" for Kenney's department, no less! - is probably starting to feel a bit nervous right about now. Whose "career is going to be destroyed" now, Melissa? (Speaking of which, I wonder if there's a phone record of that conversation?)

Those with deets on young Melissa, and her energetic role in this affair, can reach me at wkinsella@hotmail.com. In the meantime, I'll be amazed if we don't start soon hearing calls for Kenney's resignation.

His remarks DO make anyone with different political views feel like an outsider.

"...and he will move it 1, 2, ,4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9,10 degrees to the right"
Oh, I see why they call him the Count now.

jckirlan wins the thread

Was it me or did it seem that Iggy have trouble counting to 10

Yankee Iggy says ... When harper is through we won't recognize Canada?
I hope that it true because I don't recognize the Canada the Liberals have changed over the past 40 years. It's a socialist gulag where you must be very careful what you say and what you think. You can't buy a firearm because the Liberals are afraid of an armed population ... why is that?
The Liberals have so accommodated immigrant that we can barely hang on to any of our Canadian traditions.
The Liberals have so increased our taxation in order to be all things to all whiners, that we are much poorer than we need to be. etc etc.
Please Change Canada back as fast as you can Mr. Harper

It's time to leave this blog to Terry1. He has taken ownership.

He never will.

He never will.

he never will, what? stephen tayolor

Take ownership of this blog

Take ownership of the blog.

But I think the person in question has taken something - taken leave of his senses.
In typical "progressive" fashion, he hurls attacks left, right and centre, and then whines those who reply in kind are using dirty tactics.
So predictable, and so b o r i n g!

Yes, and suggesting his comments are "typical" of progressives, you are not hurling an attack by painting everyone else you consider progressive with the same brush.

You would think LizJ, that Terry and others like him were exempted from been stolen from. I didn't realize that every liberal voter was told that none of their money will be touched-if that was the case I can understand why Terry is defending the libs. I would.

So LizJ, if Terry likes what the liberals did to canada, steal, corrupt bought golf course hotel and of course paul martin taking $161million for his shipping company and $40million still missing which the liberals refuse to get and the liberals cutting funds to military, health, education, infrastructure, provinces etc. and E I SCANDAL and Trudeau's hugh debt who ran deficits every year. Why then is he , Terry so worried about the prime minister stephen harper who was left with liberals' unpaid bills and scandals.

Stephen, how about a new blog titled...... we Tories screwed the Country and now you pay for it. I can't believe a basically logical person like you could be supportive of this bunch of misfits. You're selling your soul also if you are supportive.

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=...
Earlier this year, National Revenue Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn launched an advertising campaign to promote the Conservatives' various tax credits, including the $1,350 home renovation tax credit, also known in some circles as the Home Depot bailout.

The message was that Ottawa had created all these great tax deals that stimulate the economy and put cash in pockets. The ad slogan was: "You've earned it. Claim it."

News that Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is projecting a budget deficit this year of "more than" $50-billion suggests Ottawa needs a new advertising campaign and some fresh language to bring the message up to current fiscal conditions.

Recommended new slogan: "We've borrowed it. Now you pay for it."

There are roughly 18 million income-tax filers in Canada, which means Mr. Flaherty's new deficit will put the average Canadian taxpayer about $2,700 deeper in hock by the end of this fiscal year. Add in the deficits running up in places like Ontario, and the total average debt load per income-tax filer could run to $5,000.

http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:dd9T2in8rPU...


Liberal Trudeau left canada with his large debt which we are still battling today, furthermore he ran deficits every year.

Liberals leave a surplus before or after they cut funds to the health, education, military,provinces infrastructure.

Why did the liberals cut funding to those areas and had the liberals not stolen and missing money was not missing maybe there would be a huge surplus but there wasn't-just like Trudeau.

Today date' the media refrains from asking the liberals such questions and why should they-could be the liberal media get 'hush' money for keeping the liberals scandal particularly the EI SCANDAL at a low key.
Can you imagine the liberals using the E I to pay down the national debt then to raise the premiums. I can.

Nice people that support and believe the statement "We created the country you live in. Never forget it"

Particularly when it has developed a polarizing mindset that is capable of spewing,
"Quebec voters are simply smarter that those in the ROC especially those in Alberta"

I agree, they should be proud of their accomplishments. Good for you Liberals. What a team legacy! Win at all costs.
Ugly is as ugly does!

Bec, its not win at any cost...that's a Harpercrite role,cancelling out a law and calling an election on a whim he could win a majority. Don't spew your garbage on me.

My point is that in Quebec they vote smartly and attemtively where as in Alberta they simply vote one way. This is factual.

This will warm the hearts of all Tories:

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=...

the thrust is that Harpercrite is at 15% popularity in Quebec which is where Dion was after scathing attacks from the harpercrites. The Liberals haven't even attacked harper yet.

The more one hears that comment, "We created the country you live in. Never forget it", the more astounding it is.

It screams of arrogance in tone and content. Who does he mean by "We" and what does he mean by "the country you live in"? Does he assume only Liberals created the country from it's inception? "Never forget it"? Oh really Big Boy?

Let him scuttle on in his professorial musings, it will be his undoing. Statements like this will take him all the way back to the job Harvard is holding for him.

Meanwhile, this outrageous statement is an insult to all of us who know our history and it needs to be well publicized in ad form. It's sure to get the ire of the people. It's a dumb remark coming from a supposed learned individual, a Canadian of convenience and opportunity like Ignatieff.

liz J Hysterical....the real issue is the fact Harpercrite and Flatulence are tearing apart our economic structure with their incredible march towards record deficits on the backs of Canadians. Speak ill as you will of Iggy but lets be clear the economic destruction of our reconomy is underway by a power hungry ideolgue who will do anything in an attempt to stay in power.

we have gone from Liberal create surpluses of over $10BB to deficts of $50BB in just three plus years.

Canadians won't stand for it much longer and that's what you angry Tories are running from.

Is it just me or does Ignatieff remind anyone else of John Kerry - arrogant but at the same time kind of insecure, rambling and seems to be making it up as he goes?!

In the Star there is an interesting article about how his EI plan is backfiring and he will have to end up backing down on his election banter. This is actually not that far away from what happened to Dion when he was elected (though Ignatieff was appointed).

Iggy is not at 15% popularity in the poll out today in que. as is your so called leader. He's at 39%

The star column is by Chantal Hebert who is simply speculating and hasn't fully figured out Iggy's strategy.

They created the county I live in huh?? Well, FINALLY, they are at least taking the BLAME for SOMETHING!! I want someone to re-create the country we USED to have thank-you-very-much!

Where is this video edited. Unless you can produce one that is different and can show where it is edited , you are blowing smoke. But that is what G does.
Saying something doesn't make it true.
Funny how so many liberals refuse to accept the truth that iggy has said over the years. Remember his stmt after the referendum, Canada was lost. And how about, Quebec is no different, they just speak funny.

Go here:

http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/05/22/michael-igna...

Where you will discover the original video is 10 minutes long.

And I assume the fact Ignatieff stumbled by saying "Canada" first and then "Ottawa" means he forgets he is in Canada? I just do not get that one.

When figures were released last year on how many MPs had donated to their party it was shown that to that time Iggy had not given one cent. I just want to know if he has changed his mind and given money to the liberal party.
And does he donate monthly to the victory fund, as he has demanded all his mps have their party members do.
You do remember he ordered all sitting mps to get 400 new members and 40 of them had to make those monthly donations.
Whether Quebec fought on the Plains of Abraham, is of little importance. The battle was in Quebec and the French lost, big time. Nitpicking will not change.
The facts are still, liberals did not build this country, people did. And a lot of provinces did not have liberal governments.

What happened to your thoughtful posts on issues of substance, Stephen?

Oh wait...the issue of substance right now is the Conservatives' $50 billion elephant in the room...

Best to keep attacking Ignatieff's character, I suppose.

Another liberal with a God complex. Yippppeeee!

His I, I, I puts me in mind of that great American, Martin Luther King Jr. Ignatieff may be American to the core, but he is no ML King, let me tell you.

Even with your selective editing, that video sounds like good politics to me. The LPC has every right to claim they created this country, seeing as they have governed for the majority of time we have been a country. Staking claim to the centre (the same centre Harper has been trying to claim) is pretty darn smart - and pretty darn necessary.

I hope a lot of people come here and watch it.

Sound the trumpets - Gayle and the social engineers / revisionsist historians are back at it!

Current PM Stephen Harper thinks Canada really is terrible
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTV...


"... if you're like all Americans, you know almost nothing except for your own country. Which makes you probably knowledgeable about one more country than most Canadians...

"First, facts about Canada. Canada is a Northern European welfare state in the worst sense of the term, and very proud of it. Canadians make no connection between the fact that they are a Northern European welfare state and the fact that we have very low economic growth, a standard of living substantially lower than yours, a massive brain drain of young professionals to your country, and double the unemployment rate of the United States.

"In terms of the unemployed, of which we have over a million-and-a-half, don't feel particularly bad for many of these people. They don't feel bad about it themselves, as long as they're receiving generous social assistance and unemployment insurance."

Well done on the excerpts Acer, they are almost out of context, but not quite. Of course I read the speech to get the context and I don't find it at all demeaning to Canada of 1997, in fact, I find it very factual and I think that is what makes it hurt your tiny little feeling. We were a welfare state, in the worst sense of the word, and we still are. It will take a couple of real majority CPC governments to dig us out of that hole. I have also met a few of those folks on EI (UI, whatever the Liberals changed it to, to give it a hopey/changey feel) and they didn't seem too sad to be collecting the money. It is generous by many comparisons... don't you remember the Ontario Mom who let us know that it was better for her to collect welfare than it was to work and pay all those work expenses, like bus fare and the like.

Yup, Harper of 1997 thought Canada was terrible, and what is wrong with that when you want to change it and make it better? Oh, I said thought and you said think... at least I am not trying to force the context like you are. KMA.

Wow- Stephen - you seem to have attracted a strange few infantiles on this blog. Not quite as full of revisionist Liberal triviosa as some but vitriolic and hateful . I have to keep reminding myself that these people are my fellow Canadians too.
But, this an example of how our schools are failing the youngsters. If we don't properly teach Canadian history some opportunist will rewrite it for political fodder. Glaring example of this is the recent ratings of Trudeau. For years while the people who had to live through the deep and painful years under Trudeau who destroyed so many people's lives and dreams a similar poll based on reality would have him as the most hated PM hands down. Liberals rewriting history indeed.

Lorraine - these infants could be from anywhere, not necessarily from Canada. If Terry1 is an example of what our elementary schools are pumping out then we're in big trouble. I wonder if she will make it into high school or university?

Has iggy made any donations to the liberal party, I mean money. Does he contribute to the victory fund every month.

Mary T., I presume with some degree of certainty he does, but, I do know I am a laurier club member as are several other members of my extended family. Many of us are also contributors to local riding associations on an automated basis and none of us are church going fundamentalists.

Does that answer your question?

stephen, how about a blog on the newly self appointed tory saviour in Quebec...if that's not desperation I don't know what is!!!

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/posted...

However, the only Conservative in Quebec who seems to retain popularity is Mr. Bernier — who was re-elected in the Beauce with a 25,000-vote majority (even more than Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe), and who received the loudest cheer of the night at a large fundraiser attended by the Prime Minister in Montreal last week.

So could Maxime Bernier be the man to save the Conservative Party in Quebec?

People we are in a major CRISIS!!!

The Liberals aren't in power!

I repeat...the Liberals aren't in power!!

Sound the alarms!!!!!

What a national crisis!!

The liberals did not build this country. The immigrants from the USA, europe and Britain did it. By coming from somewhere and staking out a homestead, by surviving the dirty 30s, the depression, and sending our young men and women to war. That is what made this Country. And what did Quebec do, refused to enlist or fight for this country. There are many of us who detested (still do) the Trudeau years and what he did to ruin the country we had built. We are still suffering from him, and iggy is bringing back the author of the NEP.
No matter how hard they try to forget, or ignore, the fact is that Quebec lost on the Plains of Abraham many years ago. And who was it that put guns in our streets, in Quebec, with orders to shoot, IT WAS THE LIBERALS.
A lot has happened in the 45 years since iggy knocked on doors. Today he would get a lot of them slammed in his face.

Ummm, Mary - Quebec did not fight on the Plains of Abraham, Neither did Ontario.

That was a battle between France and England.

mary t... now we have triplets in the hysterical family.

Terri1, you've sure got the old Leftist Mental Disorder in a bad way.

Neither would canadians ever forget the LIBERALS CORRUPTION, ADSCAM, E.I SCANDAL, MISSING MONEY, AND TRUDEAU'S FAMOUS DEBT which he left MULRONEY. What next?

Jen, what 's next is the criminal trial of Mulroney.

Unbelievable arrogance! "We built the Country you live in"! And NOT said is, "and you owe us because of it". Did he actually refer to the Liberals as Canada's "natural governing Party", or was I hearing things for a moment!

Had to laugh at his reference to campaigning for Mike Pearson at 17, and later with Trudeau! Mention the names of Liberal Saints, maybe their glow will rub off. Like Obama's comparison of himself to Lincoln, Ignatieff seeks to have us forget who he is and just remember he's the new Pearson or Trudeau.

Another Pearson,I could live with, another Trudeau is the stuff of my nightmares.

D Morris.....Trudeau is still the most popular former PM in the last 50 years by a long shot. Your nightmares might be caused by taking a tory pill before you sleep at night.

Let's meet up somewhere, Liz, if the LPC win the next election. We can cry in our beer and plot our getaway ...

As far as the "fickle Quebec voters" go: They're a huge reason why Canada's in such a mess. Even though I've been totally committed to learning and speaking French all my life -- hey, why not? Knowing another language is always a plus... -- I am TOTALLY fed up with the stranglehold Quebec has on Canadian politics. Financially, they don't pull their weight -- in fact, they pull on the ROC to the detriment of the rest of us -- and, politically, they pull the strings. They've been doing this for decades and their toxic influence has not been to the betterment of all Canadians, only Quebec.

ENOUGH is surely ENOUGH. The ROC has been dupes long enough. If The Iggster gets in, no doubt Power Corp will somehow be pulling his strings, just as they pulled Trudeau's, Mulroney's, Chretien's, and Martin's. There's something fundamentally rotten in the state of our politics and, at the moment, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his CPC, as imperfect as they are, are standing in the gap between a Canada governed by all Canadians and a Canada whose leash is being pulled by big business in Quebec.

As far as I'm concerned, this is CRAP. I am a free person under God, but I'm not so sure I'm a free person as a Canadian. I don't like having my chain jerked by multi-millionaire Quebecois, thanks very much.

Bat B, are you a twin of Liz J. Hysterical...........give it a rest. Quebec voters are simply smarter that those in the ROC especially those in Alberta. Quebeckers vote intelligently and with purpose. Next purpose is the destruction of Harper. Pretty simple stuff actually.

Terry1. Your Mind is astounding . Quebequers are not smarter, they are more corrupt, see sponsorship scandal. Besides they will always vote for those who promise the most money.

Omanator...at least I ahve one that functions normally. Your continued snide remarks about Quebecers speaks of pure racism at the worst and arrogance at its best. You are why there are separatists still around .

Hysterical seems to be your latest brain fart, everything is 'hysterical".
Funny that, coming from someone so far down the rabbit hole.

Quebec voters are fickle, they play all parties and governments in power like a fiddle to exact maximum amounts of cash from the ROC . That's why they keep electing Bloc MP's, to keep the threat of separation alive. You may call them smart when Liberals are ahead in the polls, but remember, they can swing on a dime.

Liz J Hysterical.....stinky day for you today I see!!!! LOL

Its not a rabbit hole but a good perch to take shots from. :)


Yep we sure know how they can swing and they don't usually change on a dime........Harper insulted them and he will pay the price until he's long gone and hopefully that's soon. I half believe the rumours he will take his leave this summer in the hope of delaying an election even further while a new leader is picked.

Never one to speak humbly, regardless of his protestations to the contrary, Iggy says that Canadians are never to forget that THE LIBRANO$ created the country we live in? What about Canadians who've built this country and have had nothing to do with the Liberal Party of Canada?

'Seems to me in the six decades I've been living in Canada, getting an education, marrying, having a family, volunteering in my community, working, paying taxes, etc., etc., I must have had something to do with the building of my country, but in Count Iggula's vernacular, apparently, I didn't. According to his lights, it's the LPC that needs to be congratulated.

Who would have known?

So, the Liberals should be congratulated? For almost turning us into a socialist country -- which works for the elites but not for most of the rest of us, especially the middle class? For some of the highest taxes in the developed world? For having aborted over 2.5 million unborn children in the past 40 years? For a chaotic, run-amok immigration policy? For toxic multiculturalism and two-passport immigrants? For stealing $40,000,000 from Canadians through Adscam? For giving us PM Chretien and PM Martin, both puppets of a certain BIG BUSINESS in Quebec?

It's laughable his bragging about the Liberals' being "the natural ruling party of Canada." And, he's not being arrogant?

The only reason The Iggster can make these ridiculous claims is that he's so out of touch with the rest of us. He's parachuted into a country he has no organic connection with and lives only in his hermetically sealed Liberal world. He's totally out of touch with where most Canadians are.

He's an embarrassment. And if Canadians fall for him, I'm looking for an EXIT. We'll know, then, that we've been totally brainwashed -- certainly, one of the objectives of the LPC. I guess in their way of seeing things, brainwashing Canadians is something for them to be proud of. For the rest of us, it's a tragedy.

Bathb You forgot, those who don't speak french are not Canadian.

Thank the stars that Harper did not create this wonderful country he is now trying to destroy.

Oh, Lib talking lies...er...points sure do give me the shivers. "Trying to destroy" - Terry1, do you ever have an original thought?

My question to you is..... do you ever have a thought or is taking pot shots your best thought?

I express original thoughts all over the place. Try it sometime

Now that's funny!

Stephen has a troll.

Nice one, sweetness. Pot shots - why thank you, you sweet-talking little sweetie, you. Original thoughts? I have them all the time but I'm too busy shooting down your talking lies, er points. You really amuse me, dear lady, with your juvenile, robotic, speaking lies...er points. You, my dear, have nothing to contribute except your own potshots and your Lib lies. Keep on amusing us, dear one.

I will because you seem like such a sweetheart at least to a tory.

I'll be looking for an exit as well, batb.

He has to duke it out with the Bloc in Quebec and that should prove a tough fight, Duceppes has plenty of time to travel about Quebec and define the mystery man. We have to remember, Quebecers don't know Ignatieff beyond the fact he's Liberal. What le grand Fromage tells the voters is anyone's guess. He did a job lying about PM Harper last time around, anything can happen with the fickle Quebec voters.

The voice at the end of the ATTACK ad sounds familiar, seems like they're using the same gal they used for their infamous soldiers and guns etc in the streets that they didn't make up!

It's really telling he should bother to allude to his lack of arrogance. Precious that. He's the one who said the Harvard alumni were an arrogant bunch. He is an alumnus of Harvard is he not?

Give him an A+ for colossal gall. Wonder if he ever heard of Sir John A or has he been scratched from the history of this country, the Liberal version that is?

Keep talking Mr I, I, I, Ignatieff, your hole is deepening.

Another line of defense, he's telling us he was involved in politics when he was 17, the Pearson era and again during the Trudeau era. Looks like he's on the ropes and on the defensive.

Anyone watching Ralph Goodale's performance in the HOC today would deduct the Liberals are really worried. I thought he would surely pop an artery. Ignatieff's carbon tax and raising taxes ideas appear to be worrisome for the Libs at this time.

Liz J Hysterical... did Ralph sound like you write?

The more I think about what the arrogant American said, the more angry I get.

By Iffy's rules, I was only a real nation building Canadian in 1993 when I voted Liberal, before and after that I was nothing to my country.

We Canadians created the country YOU chose not to live in, Iffy

We Canadians built this country, while you were playing big shot in Britian and the US,
pretending NOT TO BE Canadian.

We Canadians do not need any lectures from YOU on what and who created Canada, Iffy
We were here, all of us. YOU weren't

Wilson, and we normal Canadians don't need your BS either.

And we certainly do not need yours, that's for sure.

Still no original thougths from you.....you are Mr. potshot here.

Kettle, meet pot.

Why, thank you sweetness.

God bless the Liberal party..May they one day in the future (around 2100) elect a leader that knows something about Canada.For now they are in the wilderness and belong there.They still haven't repaid their debt to Canada for the millions of dollars stolen and the billions missing or squandered on corruption.They still haven't apologized for this corruption and they smile and tell us that we need to get them back into power as soon as possible.They have no clue how to run a country,they have no policies,they have no leader,they rely on the MSM for their ads and the CBC to translate what they stand for and their attacks on PM Harper.They have been on the attack for 3 years now instead of formulating some sort of policy on what the Liberals would do differently if elected,all they do is attack the good work of the Conservatives.And the NDP and BQ are no better.When did it become the duty of all 3 opposition parties to continuously attack an elected government.These idiots were elected to serve us,not themselves.And these games they have been playing for 3 years now should be counted as time off their pensionable service.They have not been doing the job they were elected to do and maybe we should be demanding our money back....How we ever got to the point that we elected these type of idiots is beyond me.Does anyone remember who binder boy was..???

Binder boy, yeah,sure do remember that dude, one, Don Boudria, he was branded by Deb Gray. Wonder if he's hiding out in a cubicle in Kinsella's bunker grinding out some grist for the Liberal cause?

Liz J. Hysterical, He may or may not be in WK's bunker, but people also thought Deb Grey would get lost in a herd of cows.

Ah yes, another Liberal response worthy of the party... Hey, Cretien was talking out of both sides of his mouth when he said he would axe the tax, and then didn't... I can say that... both sides of his mouth, right, I am not really making fun of his "disfigurement" am I.... Liberal hack. KMA.

With the new numbers out on the deficit and the bluster about EI Ignatieff must try (probably won't succeed) and pull the plug now. He will look foolish if he continues to huff and puff but doesn't blow the house down.

Funny how he didn't say he worked on Chretien's or Martin's campaign(s) or that he fought for us during the Quebec referendum. Why would that be? (asking rhetorically)

The libs may have found a way to level the playing field in dirty advertising:
http://www.canadaeast.com/news/article/679282

I think the Tories use of the senate to bering forth bills is ample reason for the Liberals to use it as well.

Yep. Because if they can't beat the Conservative's they will just try and keep changing the rules until they can. And why the need for that bill. I thought Liberal's were going to fundraise $25 million this year.

the intent of politcal fund raising is not for the taxpayer to fund attack ads but to help the political party do research and other work that helps them formulate policies. Your guys have brought politics down to the gutter level.

beating the sad sack tories is getting easier by the day. next step is to get into majority territory.

Terry1 - down to the gutter level? "Guns in our streets" - I'd say that that is sub-gutter so we are higher than your party. Why do Libs refuse to acknowledge reality? Your party ran attack after attack on Harper. Plus, one of your failed MPs blogged every day against our PM - attack after attack. Lots of innuendo, insinuations, half-truths, etc. day after day. And you say that our party is low? Please, look in your own backyard.

Level the playing field? Don't you mean moving the goal posts?

Funny thing is that Liberal Senator Dawson’s bill is unlikely to get support from the NDP or the Bloc in the House of Commons, because the effect of the “truth ads” against Iggy and the Liberals is good for everybody except the Liberals.

Sure sucks to be a Lieberal eh Terri1?

That's your best disneyland answer but fact of the matter is that the Bloc has signalled they will support it and therefore the NDP will then also follow.

Are you sure you live in Canada? Where the heck does it say if the Bloq leads the NDP follows?

''Dawson's bill would amend the Canada Elections Act to classify all advertising in the three months prior to an election call as an election expense.

Dawson says his bill closes a loophole that has allowed parties with overflowing war chests to circumvent election spending limits.''

That's hysterically funny!
Once the Libs get their cofferes full, they can't use them!
So, other than the 3 months prior to and during an election , the old rules apply.
And that includes at the riding level too, I assume.

I'd go few steps further and ban polling prior to and during an election. That's where the biggest threat to the democratic process lies. This Dawson nonsense should be laughed at, it's a joke.
What's wrong with election ads which are truthful? What's wrong with any political party using funds to help them get a message out which could serve to get them elected?

These ads by the Conservative Party of Canada seem to be a big problem for Iggy because they give true information about him. If he's prepared and fit to govern the country as PM, why should we not know about his credentials and what direction or what plans he has for the country? What is he trying to hide?

Wilson, your blind ignorance is too good to ignore.

1. The liberals would use the money in their coffers to research better means of serving the country and on the demographics of voters as well as more sophisticated software that will allow them to track thir voters more closely.
2. if an election is called the money spent within those last 3 months count towards their election allowances. pretty simple concept to me.

And never mind the fact that if the Libs ever got back into power with a majority government they couldn't call a snap election unless they wanted to deduct all advertising from the previous 3 months form their spending limit.

And that in a minority government, any party that had within the three months prior spent a significant amount of money on advertisements, (say perhaps for a national convention or advertising nomination contests, etc.) would pretty much be hamstringed into not voting nonconfidence in the government.

It would be unworkable in a minority.

But it is good to see that the Liberals have clearly taken a stand in wanting to restrict information getting to Canadians.

mecheng, You call Harper's dirty pool ads getting information to Canadians. I say BS. How about him telling us what he has done for the Country. Oops, he can't because he hasn't done squat except progogue parliament, broke his own elections law and a few other gems as well.

"How about him telling us what he has done for the Country. Oops, he can't because he hasn't done squat ... '

Here's the "squat" you're talking about, Terry1 - and the list is not complete yet.
http://www.sandracruxblog.com/2009/05/26/review...

You know Terry1 is correct, he has NOT done squat, he's done much more, all the things you list Gabby, and more. The English language is so technical, gotta watch those double negatives and such as well.

However Terry wouldn't have time for such considerations, he's working on this blog 24/7,no time for spelling and grammar.

Gabby the last standing Con in QC, at least I'm not as lazy as you are and can actually comment on each one

1.Accountability Act....... a complete failure as he has cut of most funding to the guy in charge of accountability. he has continueed to use patronage for all appointments. he gets an F for that file.
2.Agent Orange compensation....... small potatoes
3. Age of consent raised...........nonsense stuff and mostly done to appease the religious right
4.Apology to Native people... they see it for what its worth;cheap words. He has not increased funding to them. I work with many aboriginal bands and see the real truth.
5. Canada Employment Credit increase...strictly done to take pressue off himself for his abject failure to address the real Ei issues
6. Child Tax Credit of $2000.. ah the beer and popcorn subsidy that goes to dual working upper middle class parents. That is agreat one all right...NOT
7. Disability Savings Plan....not aware of its benefits.
8.Home Renovations Tax Credit... in reality, revision of a former Lliberal incentive
GST tax cut from 7% to 5%..the worst tax mistake in a generation by populists not understanding the efficiency of that tax. That lower tax revenue is now rebounding into the large deficits we are going to face. The jerks have loaned us our own money and you tories can't see it just yet.
9. Income splitting for pensioners.. already planned by the civil service b/f he got in to office;in other words a former liberal plan
10.Public transit tax credit....more populist BS to try and win urban votes
11.Tax free Savings Account..... the only decent tax move he has made.
12.Softwood Lumber Agreement... it was already well under way before he took office
13.Tackling Violent Crime Act... ah yes juveniles in adult prisons doing hard time
14.Universal Child Care Program... that is not a child care program but another subsidy to mostly middle class dual working parents who would spend the money regardless....in other words a wasted exercise.

Terry1, there’s just too much verbal diarrhea here to challenge and disprove. I leave you to enjoy your ill-tempered rants in your own inimitable company..

Gabby in QC,Interesting that two people put enough counter punches together for you and your response is to walk away.

If its too depressing maybe its time for your "walk in the snow" and a wake up call.

Terry1, unlike you, I let the facts speak for themselves.
You said PM Harper and his government had done "squat" for this country.
I refuted that ridiculous statement with a long list of what the government has done (Sandy's list).
You proceeded, in your coarse and crude style, to put your spin on that list.

Since you apparently feel a need to have the last word, I let you have it, not challenging your mind-set, which is permanently stationed at "hate tories all the time."
So ... wallow in your hatred if it gives you the jollies.
If that's "walking away", well then, yes, I'd rather walk away than wallow with you in your muck.

Gabby in QC..... you had two responses to your blurb and both focused on countering your stuff.

Are you all of the 15% in Que. who still think SH is the best PM.....those polls yesterday are simply very good news and shows that quebeckers are returning to the winning team after flirting slightly with the Harpercrites. Lucky they didn't go to bed with him as they would be very embarrassed by his bedside manners.

I find it funny Sandy is claiming raising the age of consent as a Harper accomplishment (not to mention the fact that it was part of the Violent Crime Bill so she actually credits him twice). Harper actually delayed that bill by months and months because he wanted to use it as part of his election platform. Unless playing games with the safety of our children is an accomplishment...

Anyway, the CPC accomplishments on the crime file pale in comparison to what the LPC accomplished while they were in government. Tinkering with sentencing is pretty much small potatoes.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of the LPC legislation on crime:

creation of a national sex offenders registry
creation of a national DNA data bank
creation of the offence of criminal harrassment (stalking)
creation of the Youth Criminal Justice Act which increased penalties for violent youth
creation of the gun registry (supported by the police)
creation of minimum sentences for gun crimes
creation of the process by which victims of crime are able to present their views to the sentencing judge
revamping of the drug legislation

There is more but I do not feel like looking it up. This is all from the top of my head.

Increased penalties for violent youth.? You go to be kidding.

"Unless playing games with the safety of our children is an accomplishment..."

Pretty rich coming from somebody who is all in favour of "helping" little criminals as opposed to doing something about the problem. Gayle, you are nothing if not "flexible".

If by helping you mean getting high risk youth off the street, into homes, school, counselling and off drugs, then that IS doing something about the problem.

But that is a little more complicated than "lock them up and throw away the key" so you may not get it...

Gayle, you forget that I worked in your field at one time. I know all about high risk but I also know all about reality. You have not yet gotten it, yet, but some day you will. Do not be so quick to be so condescending about what people do or do not "get". You are not an expert, my dear, and have no business being that arrogant. Yes, dear Gayle, I know all about young criminals and I also know about adult criminals as well. I spent over 30 years in the field so do not even attempt to put my opinions down.

Your first comment clearly demonstrates you do not get it, your subsequent claims notwithstanding.

Nice try though.

Another arrogant bastard who doesn't believe that Canadians might actually prefer to move 10 degrees to the right. After so many years of Liberal mis-rule that would place us squarely in the middle of the road.

Why would Canadians move 10 degrees to the right when we have become the best country in the world by being in the center of the political spectrum. I don't see any proof of that when political polls continuously show 75% to 80% of the population are on the left. In quebec its closer to 90% of the population and in Ontario its around 65% to 70%.

Our Country has been amazingly succesful being where it is and as spread out as it is. Harper is acknowledging that by his recent moves to left of the NDP. Of course he would do anything to avoid being called a liberal.

There is no Left of the NDP!

Sorry, hit the submit button too soon. How did the Libs build this country, anyway? Is this dude arrogant and delusional or what?

Who, in God's name, annointed the LPC as the natural governing party? Where did that BS originate? Certainly not from the Canadian people?

Ignatieff did make one true statement - Harper does not have a secret agenda. I'm glad he finally cleared up that blatant lie. He did not make a true statement when he attempted to lie about Harper's mandate. That 10 degrees to the right is pure untruth - in other words, pure Liberal tactics.

I believe the natural governering party came from Allan Fotheringham, from his book "Malice in Blunderland". He refered to the Liberals as such - tongue in cheek, and mostly sarcastic.

There's nothing scary about turning 10 degrees to the right when your starting point is 30 degrees left of center.
Quebec, Dippers and special interest groups had been dictating Canadian policy for over a decade.

Wilson, that has turned out much better than being run by a bunch of regresssive Tories

Sound the trumpets!

Mobilize the CBC!

Trudeau's Canada is coming back to a city or town near you!

I think the more suitable line would be " The Liberal party has preyed for decades on the fact that Canadians are wonderful, hardworking, open-minded and forgiving people. Never forget it'

And the Rip Van Winkle liked Canada the way it WAS before his 34 year escape from the land of rubes, second-tier socialistic country.

And that very Liberal socialist mentality put Canada on the '3rd world country' list.

Seems to me a whole lot of conservatives have been saying the exact same thing as Ignatieff, only saying it as a bad thing instead of with pride as Ignatieff does.

In fact, didn't Harper in his Canada-bashing days say pretty much that very thing?

“Canada appears content to become a second-tier socialistic country, boasting ever more loudly about its economy and social services to mask its second-rate status.”

Isn't Harper basically saying - yeah, the crappy Canada of today is as the liberals made it.

I totally agree with you on this, you definitely got it right.

Debra

We created the country you live in. That's why I bailed on it in 1969 and only saw fit to return once Stephen Harper became PM and started getting it on the right track.

"Canada appears content to become ..."

To become Ted, not to be - the difference is one between potentiality and actuality. Of course, you read into that sentence what you want to read.

It would be appreciated if you were to provide the context, as well. Like the "firewall letter" that all you guys conveniently trot out as if it were Harper's defining tenet. I would be willing to bet the majority who use that quote have never read the entire letter.

My bad. Forgot to close italics.

The party that puts out ads like "Just Visiting" demands Harper's quotations can only be used if put into context???? ROTFLMAO.

Wow, Ted, talk about exaggeration. Little ol' me? I am the party?

I speak for myself, and do not get my talking points from anyone.

"ROTFLMAO."
"There was a young man of Madras
Who had a magnificent ass:
Not rounded and pink,
As you probably think—
It was grey, had long ears, and ate grass.
[Anonymous.]"

“Canada appears content to become a second-tier socialistic country, boasting ever more loudly about its economy and social services to mask its second-rate status.”

And PMSH tells it like it WAS.

Years of Trudeau and Chretien/Martin kissing Dipper/special interest butt to stay in power.
No more.
No mulit month EI benefits for 45 days work.
No national daycare scheme
No carbon tax
No coalition of losers

I believe a correction is warranted to number 3:
"A declaration that the election is, to Ignatieff, about the Liberal Party reclaiming its place in Canada."
should actually read
"A declaration that the election is, to Ignatieff, about the Liberal Party reclaiming its sole ownership of Canada."
We conservatives are merely indentured taxpayers who should have no say in how this country is run.
In other words, conservatives, just pay your taxes and shut up.
That's the Liberal philosophy in a nutshell.

Gabby, the liberal philosophy is to stem the hemmoraging of our fiscal soundness caused by reckless Tory tax cuts and spending.....the arrogance is all conservative all the time. Ask Harper about that. He almost invented the word.

Terry. It was your illustrious leader who was screaming in the house of commons for more spending.

Your correct on one thing terry Harper almost invented the word arrogance. That distinction would have to go to a hero of yours Trudeau.

Terry1, the Tory cuts and spending are at the behest of the opposition parties... remember the November crisis caused by the opposition to cutting their entitlement to taxpayer funds by removing the $1.75 (or so) per vote from ALL of the parties.

Also, the budget we have, that is now being screamed about by you and other liberal stooges, is exactly what you wanted, a bit less actually as back then we were told it didn't go far enough!

I know talking to you is talking to a troll, but I can't hep myself, back under the bridge troll.

Yeah, you know, Gabby, by raising taxes massively and increasing spending massively. Don't you read the Toronto Star like terry1 does?