gdp's Comments

Macleans.ca : Harper's version

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:39:50 +0000

Just as it is hard to argue that, in 2004, a fairly blunt letter to the GG reminding her of her ''options'' was done as a simple courtesy (as if somehow the GG wasn't quite aware of her job description).

Macleans.ca : Harper's version

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 19:37:55 +0000

''... as opposition leader I was seeking to put pressure on the government to influence its agenda without bringing it down...'' This could just as much apply to the motivations of Dion/Layton/Duceppe. Before the ''coalition'' threat came down, Harper's gang had a bit of a laissez-faire attitude towards the economic crisis (and stimulus related response). In fact, his plan was to tend to it months later (if required). This did not suit the Opposition and they sought to change that approach. They did what they had to do... And just like that, Harper went about it differently, mostly borrowing from The Opposition's stimulus plans and then marketing it as his own. The Opposition succeeded in influencing the Government's agenda without bringing it down...

Macleans.ca : 'A price solution for an income problem'

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:03:45 +0000

Dippers advocating for tax cuts, Cons advocating for ''giving money away''... And the times, they are a changin'!!!

Macleans.ca : 'A price solution for an income problem'

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:01:00 +0000

Agreed... When Harper came riding in on a promise to lower the GST by one (then two) percentage points, it was terrible policy-making. In fact, it was much more ''classic retail politics'' than this proposal.

Macleans.ca : McDonald’s at the Château Laurier

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 18:00:11 +0000

I agree, I doubt their regular fare were featured and, I agree that it may very well be a lobbying shenanigan... Which brings it back to my (above) question... Why would politicians get themselves involved in any of that? it seems rather improper.

Macleans.ca : McDonald’s at the Château Laurier

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 17:44:03 +0000

I'd like more info on this reception... Why (or in what honour) was McDonald's hosting a reception featuring many politicians? From some of the pictures, it would appear McDonald's was heavily promoting its menu... Why would politicians get themselves involved in any of that? Is this some kind of endorsement of McDonald's menu items and/or policies (one picture seems to indicate something along the lines of employment policies)? Will Harvey's be doing a gala at the Lord Elgin? And St-Hubert at Chateau Frontenac?

Macleans.ca : Downtown Toronto elite infiltrate Prime Minister’s Office

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 22:19:27 +0000

Granted, I would not be automatically alienated by someone who has globe trotted in pursuit of academic and professional endeavors, I agree with you on many of the points you bring up... In the case of Ignatieff, ''the country he left behind'' is a bit harsh considering the context. But alas, as you said, I think that point has become rather moot.

Macleans.ca : Downtown Toronto elite infiltrate Prime Minister’s Office

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 21:03:04 +0000

Excellent... And so, I would assume such a diverse skill set, including international academic accomplishments, broad professional experiences, etc..., could/should be considered a valuable asset in the job of Prime Minister (and not a detriment to such a post)? Assuming your answer would be yes... Should this now end the constant denigration of anyone who has such accomplishments? My point in all this is that, managing a conglomerate aside, there are many similarities between the paths (academic and professional diversity) of Wright and Ignatieff... I'm all for attacking policies and ideologies but, it disgusts me to hear one labeled as elite, out of touch, etc... Or, if you prefer, to dismiss such assets as incompatible with high ranking posts. Concerning Wright... I'm fine with this nomination. However, Harper ought to shut up about Ignatieff's credentials. It furthers the hypocrisy to which Harper seems so prone to practice. (I am reminded of Harper's claim that his shtick is not about hobnobbing with celebrities only to juxtapose that with a flood of pictures, captions and stories of Harper hobnobbing with celebrities)

Macleans.ca : Downtown Toronto elite infiltrate Prime Minister’s Office

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 20:27:13 +0000

Kermit, could you elaborate on your assessment? You note the he is a ''very impressive hire''... What makes him an impressive hire? Is it his resumé? Is it his academic credentials? Is it his intellectual potential (perhaps tied to his academic and professional life? Or, in a broader sense, is it a combination of all this?

Macleans.ca : Harper's version

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 19:45:24 +0000

''Soon to be Conservative MP from Ottawa-Vanier'' - Hahahaha!!!! That ain't gonna happen! ''We didn't invent projects out of thin air, etc...'' - Is this including or excluding Tony Clement's riding (as an example)? ''created more jobs than lost during the recession'' - Can anyone point to me a source that would show this to be true, and then we can look at qualifying that statement (ie. losing a secure and salaried position but gaining a clerk position at Tim Horton's ain't much of a gain) ''Canada will not return to the era of growing deficits...'' - This government has been very much part of that era. ''My friends... My Friends... My friends...'' - John McCain, is that you? All I can say is that I hope voter turnout improves...

Macleans.ca : Undash those dreams

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:12:35 +0000

''It would have to generate tangible benefits'' Like HoC seats in Québec? (good luck with that!)

Macleans.ca : A modest proposal

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:10:21 +0000

Am I getting this right? A government who has actively sought privatization for some long standing federal assets (Canada Post, AECL, prisons, etc...) and has already sold some off (nine operating federal buildings to to a private firm called Larco Investments for $630 million - only to become a renter of those buildings)... And now would entertain the notion of owning an NHL caliber arena (in a small market), running it as a crown corporation? There has to be a punch line forthcoming... No good joke should be without.

Macleans.ca : Should the Pope face charges?

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 04:20:40 +0000

I'll reserve my comments until I can have certain questions answered... 1. Could you cite (or offer a link) to Bush granting immunity to the Pope in 2004? 2. Assuming that point is fact and, as you indicated, done in 2004, was it for the position of papacy, or the specific Pope in 2004 (John Paul II)? 3. Regardless of whom received this immunity, Bush's jurisdiction would be limited to prosecution in the United States, right?

Macleans.ca : Should the Pope face charges?

Sat, 11 Sep 2010 22:46:49 +0000

It isn't that you have a little perspective, it is that you have very little perspective... In conversation/discussion concerning pedophile clergy and/or its institution systematically covering up such crimes, your bringing up Islam and/or Islamo-terrorism is at best, irrelevant and non-sequitur... You claim that ''Muslims worldwide have harboured terrorist groups that have maimed and killed millions of people...''. No, this is not so. At best, SOME Muslims have harboured such things. However, Islam has not. This cannot be said of the Roman Catholic Church concerning its handling of pedophilia (amongst its ranks). It isn't ''some'' Catholics that have harboured pedophiles, it is the very institution (the Church itself, the Vatican, etc...) that has harboured it and allowed it to carry on (devastatingly). ''every single day there is an act of terrorism perpetrated by Muslims in the name of their religion somewhere in the world...'' Nah, that too is a stretch... One can concede that many perpetrators of terrorism have used scriptures of sort to defend or support their actions. However, that is convenience by design. And, it most certainly isn't limited to Islamo-terrorism. Bush himself defended his decisions concerning Iraq through scriptures and his ''faith'', Blair has done the same (come to think of it, American arms have had scriptural citations imprinted on some barrels)... Were they in fact waging war on behalf (and in support of) of Christianity? I don't think so. Let's be honest, the vast majority of what we consider to be Islamo-terrorism is actually nationalistic and ethnic in nature. The Palestinian cause is one such example. ''nowhere do we see a condemnation of the highest levels of the Muslim faith...'' Are you kidding me? Your very words (particularly those that I have quoted above) imply condemnation of that faith. The whole brouhaha behind the Park51 centre is, at the very heart, a condemnation of Islam and, this condemnation has only gained momentum with time. The Koran burning nonsense is also condemnation of that religion (oddly enough, I can recall many examples of Muslims burning up national flags but, Bible burning rallies, not so much). If requested, I can come up with many more examples of condemnations of Islam. Should the Canadian Islamic Congress face charges you ask... I have the Canadian Criminal Code (pocket size) directly in front of me, I await your suggested charges... Meanwhile, I am quite clear of which charges many clergy members are very much deserving of... As clear as I am of what charges apply to the various terrorists (and recognize/support the many outstanding warrants out on suspects of such crimes). In terms of this Blog article, the discussion of it and, even, the book in question, The Case of the Pope: Vatican Accountability for Human Rights Abuse, I'll tell you what we are fixated on... The viscous and heinous pedophile acts (crimes) of clergy, and the systematic cover-up of these crimes.... Focus on that, nevermind your smokescreen.

Macleans.ca : The Righties are coming! The Righties are coming! (And they're speaking French...)

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 22:35:41 +0000

Considering the one he brought at Rideau Hall for his ministerial swearing-in, imagine the plastic knockout he would have at his side at his prime ministerial swearing-in!!!

Macleans.ca : Great split-seconds in rock history

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:33:10 +0000

In the music video category... In what is a rather simple and ''low budget'' video, I dig Malajube's Montreal -40°C... When the guitar gets smashed against the wall and the drums kick in (at about 0:08), the ride begins! Great tune, great tempo! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHwSk8bFS4M

Macleans.ca : Great split-seconds in rock history

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:12:48 +0000

In my favourite Floyd tune, Fearless, I absolutely dig the integration of the Kopites' ''You'll Never Walk Alone'' (and this coming from a Manchester Untied supporter)... It (the chant) has complete relevance to Fearless and makes the Floyd tune that much more powerful.

Macleans.ca : I've read this novel before

Mon, 9 Aug 2010 18:24:45 +0000

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/Prohibition/3371... As examples of just how the prison population will expand, selling any quantity of marijuana will now become a ''serious'' crime or, having your friends over for a Friday Night poker game can also be considered as a ''serious'' crime... Libertarians supposedly scored a point on the census changes (I don't believe that for a second), and lost 10 points on this!

Macleans.ca : I've read this novel before

Mon, 9 Aug 2010 18:00:32 +0000

Perhaps it becomes a little more obvious as to why this Government is gung-ho about expanding the prison system... They figure they'll need it.

WAVY.com : Teacher anoints students with holy oil | wavy.com

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:46:55 +0000

How do you figure ''holy oil'' will have an impact on this alleged ''rudeness, disrespect and lack of desire to learn'' issue you speak of?