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http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1058506.html

Eight bucks for dinner?

Having mainly played stringed instruments(also toyed with a clarinet) and added rudimentary piano to my musical skills ... I could never figure if the man was part of the piano or the piano was part of the man ... when most other instruments are so much more an intimate part of the musician.

The piano is such a musical beast ... and Mozart is always nice ... lots of scales ...!!!!

How many Canadians are confused between the terms - Defecits and National Debt?

Does it not seem bizarre that some people are screeching that the Liberals got us out of DEBT and now Harper is taking up back into DEBT "saddling our poor children with their reckless spending.

Huh????

Do they not know that the National DEBT is more than 600 BILLION dollars and it has been with us, growing by leaps and bounds due to interest charges, since Trudeau?

The DEFECIT is the annual negative difference between revenues in and revenues out, like spending on a credit card.

This amount is then added to the National DEBT.

But Harper paid down $38 BILLION on the National Debt in the past three years.

So with adding a $34 Billion Defecit this year to the National Debt we are STILL $4 BILLION to the good.

Clear as mud right?? And the opposition just loves to confuse the issue for us stupid taxpayers don't they.

Interesting Article blogged on here:

http://readnsay.wordpress.com/2009/01/25/james-lovelock-wants-to-save-the-world-by-burying-charcoal/#comments

The source article is an interview in the New Scientist with James Lovelock who originated the Gaia Hypothesis (that the biosphere and other parts of the planet form a control system that creates conditions suitable for life)

The article on its own is interesting for Lovelock's views (basically it is likely too late to change things, so expect extreme population dieback), but the surprising quote for me was this:

"Would it make enough of a difference?

Yes. The biosphere pumps out 550 gigatonnes of carbon yearly; we put in only 30 gigatonnes. Ninety-nine per cent of the carbon that is fixed by plants is released back into the atmosphere within a year or so by consumers like bacteria, nematodes and worms. "

The part that got me was the numbers on natural Carbon circulated in the Biosphere (550 Gt) versus anthropogenic (man-made) additions (30 Gt). I had heard that man-made contributions were low, but I had never seen a figure on this.

On the matter of the piano and the man, Observant, I think that when a master pianist is playing a master piano, the boundary between the man and the instrument becomes seamless. Not just in music, either. I like to point out that one of the interesting things about our species is the degree to which we employ cognitively complex tools.

Sure, sure, some other critters use some tools too, for some value of tools, certainly some other critters can (1) dig caves, which is one of the three most important things that humans can do. On the other hand, past that point, things degrade rather quickly for the other critters, because only humans have mastered fire, which means that we can spend way less energy on digesting uncooked food, instead diverting that energy to powering our amazing brains, as a result of which (2) we can warm our caves, and (3) we can do metallurgy, after which point all bets are off.

And so it is, I think, that when one looks at the heights of human accomplishment, the temporo-structural core is probably the mastering of fire and cooking leading to brain enthalpy advances that produced epistemological advances that link our use of the instruments of art, from pipe organs to oil paints, to a broader human experience that appreciates our cognitive excellence beyond just art.

Lorraine,

I just finished watching the CTV news about the upcoming budget where tax breaks/cuts for the middle class are a possibility.

Guess who opposes it? Iggy and Jack.

early contact with Obama. circa 1954
he has come again in our troubled times.

http://www.ufomystic.com/wake-up-down-there/contactee-film-clip/

I enjoyed the Mozart, by the way, here's an alternative version of the Bach Toccata and Fugue in D Minor that at least keeps to Bach's idea of notation and pace, I think, although it's not the best version I've ever heard (that isn't on the internet, yet).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipzR9bhei_o

If you enjoy the piece, but not the visuals, I would suggest you minimize it and find some restful or dramatic photos to look at while you listen. The visuals in this version are the notes being played, if you're a musician you'll find it interesting, if not, you might just find it rather distracting.

As I said the other day, it is a general shame that this piece has acquired its modern entertainment overtones, because it is really a profound masterpiece, quite possibly Bach's best single piece of music, which is saying a lot.

As for another suggestion for another day, Mozart's flute and harp concerto (K 299), first movement, very nice.

[quote]The part that got me was the numbers on natural Carbon circulated in the Biosphere (550 Gt) versus anthropogenic (man-made) additions (30 Gt). I had heard that man-made contributions were low, but I had never seen a figure on this.[/quote]

Dave in AB,
This quote by Lovelock was on FOX yesterday

[Quote]not a hope in hell. Most of the “green” stuff is verging on a gigantic scam. Carbon trading, with its huge government subsidies, is just what finance and industry wanted. It’s not going to do a damn thing about climate change, but it’ll make a lot of money for a lot of people and postpone the moment of reckoning. I am not against renewable energy, but to spoil all the decent countryside in the UK with wind farms is driving me mad. It’s absolutely unnecessary, and it takes 2500 square kilometres to produce a gigawatt - that’s an awful lot of countryside.[/quote]

He is one crazy loon, but he has figured out that letting the gangsters in on the Carbon Trading Scam was a backward step for the real greenie..(Capitalism with a Capital C) The Gore group will insure that Carbon "Increases" such that the market will return them trillions. No new technology or saving grace allowed once carbon trading is established in all the retirement Trust & Hedge funds.

Science & Politics & Money don't mix... AGW has no science, the politics are not what the socialists think, its all about the money!

You may wish to try this version, Peter, it's my favourite out of what I have so far managed to discover in the Interwebothique. Yet I must say this: the BTAFIDM/BWV-565 may actually be an instrument test piece, that Bach composed at the apex of his mathematical, compositional, performance, metallurgy (you do know about that, correct?) and German Baroque pipe organ engineering skills, that together earn him my vote for the single greatest classical musician of all time (and Satchmo gets the single greatest modern musician of our time).

The "guilt" money Canada paid to natives for daring to try to move them into our society through residential schools is, surprise, surprise, being used for drugs and alcohol and is being blamed for a rise in their suicide rate. Will we have to give them more "guilt" money to offset this "guilt" money...my head hurts.

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=1217433

O's WhOWhO List Of SubpOenas.
...-

"Media averts eyes from subpoenas to Obama top staff
Thomas Lifson

"And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff."

That's how Doug Ross of Director Blue puts it, describing the import of the story the media chose to ignore. In the deadest news hole of the week, Saturday, the list of subpoenas served by Patrick Fitzgerald was released. It contained:

A veritable "who's who" of Obama staffers, surrogates and affiliates were among those served with subpoenas. Put simply, within one week of President Barack Obama's administration taking office, it is already under significant legal scrutiny that will -- at a minimum -- take precious time away from dealing with the country's monumental economic and foreign policy challenges.

If this had happened to Bush 43, do you suppose the media would have ignored it? The meme of Karl Rove being frog marched out of the White House would have been born immediately.

Doug highlights the names of the Obama biggies:"
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2009/01/media_averts_eyes_from_subpoen.html

when dilution was not the solution, but moving plants was.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090126/drug_levels_090126/20090126?hub=Health

the effect was noticed years ago in the Thames but ignored. because of "the pill" there are no male fish in the Thames. (now considered clean)

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/01/25/philadelphias-climate-in-the-early-days/#more-5324

According to several of the most widely quoted climate scientists in the world, winters were much colder 200 years ago than now - yet the boys swimming in the Delaware in January, 1790 apparently were unaware.

"Duffy to address controversy after new Senators sworn in"
Elizabeth McMillan CanWest News Services
via NNW
*Some people in PEI immediatly expressed concern because even though the he was born in Charlottetown, the veteran brodcaster has lived & worked in Ottawa for more then 30yrs.
"I dont think he should be sworn in" David Bulger assc. professor of political studies at Univ.of PEI
Duffy does own property in PEI, a summer house in Cavendish & a house in Charlottetown-and he returns every summer.
Sec.23 of the Constitution states that perspective Senators shall be(a) resident in the Province for which he is appointed, but the key term resident is not defined.

IMO
Michael Ignatieff works abroad & in the USA for more then 30yrs, Returns to Canada to become an MP & is now the Appointed Leader of the Liberal Party.
Did Ignatieff own & maintain property in Canada in that time?
Mr Duffy did & when you own property Do You Not Pay Taxes on that Property? which inturn means you are conributing to your community & country!

Meanwhile, in the most socialist state in the union:

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE50P0ZX20090126

Toronto cabbie loses license after refusing service to blind Canadian Paralympic athlete and her dog

http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2009/01/25/8139246-sun.html

The Plagiarizing Dinosaur...

http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20090125/ap_on_hi_te/gatehouse_new_york_times_2

"Opposition threatens Tories over Tax Cuts"
ctv.ca

Read the article then watch Jack's reasoning why to overthrow the Govt. at such an economic time, I gotta give giggles this one she hit him hard with how can you defeat the Govt when you have not looked at the budget, Of course Jack is soft spoken & elades the question.
After you looked at the Video go read the comments, Canadians Opinions on Tax Cuts are alot different then Iggy & Jack. If there was an election Today Iggy & Jack would be toast.
*yesterday ctv poll asking if the gst cut has helped our country
Resounding YES.
Jacks Socialist goal, save the Unions Under the Guise of the Downtrodden.

The Anchoress is red hot to-day. Contradictions unnoticed.
http://theanchoressonline.com/2009/01/25/aboard-air-force-one-more/

(Via SWJ) Jeffrey T. Kuhner, Obama's Vietnam?

By 2005, America had achieved all its strategic objectives in Afghanistan. Yet, instead of declaring mission accomplished and slowly pulling out American forces, Mr. Bush did the very opposite. He embarked upon nation-building. Washington sought to rebuild Afghanistan's economy, resuscitate its agriculture, destroy its flourishing heroin trade, entrench women's rights and establish an independent judiciary and the rule of law.

Most foolishly, the administration helped to transform the country into a centralized unitary state, where power is consolidated in the hands of a strong president and a vigorous executive branch. The result has been a violent backlash among numerous tribal chiefs and religious leaders...

Jane Macartney, Beijing holds secret talks with banned churches as 100 million defy party rules

In recent years the number of Christians has soared. Officials privately estimate the total at 130 million — far outstripping the 74 million members of the Communist Party. Most are Protestants and are affiliated with unofficial house churches...

A truly great selection Vit.

I think I have a gaggle of Perahia recordings in my CD collection. Managed to catch his concert here in Lotusland way back in the 1980s.

A masterful pianist to be sure. Claudio Arrau could also tickle the ivory very well. Here's a little gem of Claudio in his element:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=akc0v_KTZBM&feature=related

Beethoven - Piano Concerto no.5 by Claudio Arrau 1

Cheers

Hans-Christian Georg Rupprecht, Commander in Chief

Frankenstein Battalion
2nd Squadron: Ulanen-(Lancers) Regiment Großherzog Friedrich von
Baden(Rheinisches) Nr.7(Saarbrucken)
Knecht Rupprecht Division
Hans Corps
1st Saint Nicolaas Army
Army Group "True North"

David Gelernter, The Gothic Vision

Gothic architecture--which emerged near Paris in the 1140s, became a powerful artistic force in most of Europe and remained so through the early 1500s--has been studied seriously since the 19th century. No other style of art in Western history has had such an intensely magnetic (sometimes passionate, sometimes hypnotic) appeal. You might imagine that every aspect of Gothic worth recognizing has already been recognized. Not true. Ideas from computer science sharpen our focus on Gothic architecture. They help us identify a fundamental design gesture that historians have seen in particular cases, but haven't described as the widespread, general phenomenon it is--because they lack the intellectual or ideational vocabulary...

Allow me to discuss technology as a source not of tools but ideas. Computer science is useful in this case because software happens to resemble Gothic architecture in an unexpected way--"recursive structure" is important to each...

"Brown sees 'new world order' after crisis

LONDON (AFP) — Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Monday the financial crisis must not be an excuse to retreat into protectionism and instead be viewed as the "difficult birth-pangs of a new global order"."
...-

Message to the Inter-National Socialists:

"When Der Fuehrer says, " We ist der master race" We HEIL! HEIL! Right in Der Fuehrer's face ..."
(H/T Spike Jones)

I just finished watching the CTV news about the upcoming budget where tax breaks/cuts for the middle class are a possibility.
Guess who opposes it? Iggy and Jack.
Posted by: GaryinWpg

Oh yeah, borrow money to cut taxes.
Now that's real smart. Just the thing to appeal to a small dead mind.

Hey philboy, I don't know if you remember the Turdeau era but you don't have to wait long to see it again. Iggy's "change" is to bring back the Lieberal rat pack from the past. That's right, tequila sheila and boom boom boudria are back into the fold as "advisors". These are the clowns who were responsible for the national debt in the first place. I guess it's as good a time as any to get a new flag.

btw, why are leftoids so upset that PM Harper seems to want to spend our way our of the economic crisis but the Lieberals and Dippers say he isn't spending enough of the money we don't got? sounds like a case of HDS.

*
The thing is... if stuff like yoga is on your "theatens my belief system" list... where
exactly do you rank the rest of the many scary facets of the non-Islamic world?

*

"Muslims in the Lords

The House of Lords is a venerable British institution, but what does one get if one accepts Muslims in? This:

A member of the Lords intended to invite her colleagues to a private meeting in a conference room in the House of Lords to meet the Dutch politician Geert Wilders, an elected member of the Dutch parliament, to watch his controversial movie Fitna and discuss the movie and Mr. Wilders’ opinions with him.

Barely had the invitation been sent to all the members of the House when Lord Ahmed raised hell. He threatened to mobilize 10,000 Muslims to prevent Mr. Wilders from entering the House and threatened to take the colleague who was organizing the event to court. The result is that the event, which should have taken place next Thursday was cancelled.

Lord Ahmed immediately went to the Pakistani press to boast about his achievement, which he calls “a victory for the Muslim community.”

A victory for the Muslim community, but a defeat for British democracy where topics to which Muslims object cannot even be debated. That, apparently, is what one gets when one accepts Muslims into the House of Lords.

Lord Ahmed is considered to be a “moderate” Muslim." (more)
http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/3765

Of course, neo, you'll never find a christian whose belief system is threatened by yoga.

More proof the Leftoids, Liberals included, are lacking the ability to process reasoned thought.

They're crying and all concerned about running deficits for long term while hollering for more money to be put into their ideological pet projects.

Why aren't the Conservative MP's bringing up about the misappropriation of EI funds and how much of it was what gave them surpluses?

"*From Washington State on the Pacific to the State of Maine on the Atlantic an iron curtain has descended across the Continent."

OStalin and his DemOcrats will isOlate the USA.
...-

"Napolitano's priority: Canada border (New Homeland Security Sec. will end the flood of Canadians?)

"The northern border of the United States has become, since 9/11, important to our national security," Miss Napolitano wrote in an action directive issued Friday.

"As we have designed programs to afford greater protection against unlawful entry, members of Congress and homeland security experts have called for increased attention to the Canadian border," the directive said. Meanwhile, members of the National Latino Congreso are asking Miss Napolitano to use her position as the nation's leading immigration officer to emphasize immigrant rights and end the department's "immigration fear-mongering."

"Virtually every issue related to immigrants is now viewed as a 'security matter' while the positive and needed impact of immigrants on the nation's"
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2172029/posts
(*H/T WC)

The Conservative Member from Port-au-Prince just gave her speech from the throne.

Philboy,Ms.Jean was appointed by former sure-thing liberal leader Paul Martin. Mr. Martin after days of ponderous thought chose her because he found her to be 'hot'. Possibly,the fact that she sleeps with an old feeble white man appealed to him also.Why do you call her a conservative?

"Palestinian straw firms said aiming to 'steal' Gaza funds
Jerusalem Post - 1 hour ago
By KHALED ABU TOAMEH The Palestinian Authority on Monday promised to look into claims that a number of PA and Fatah officials have established straw companies with the hope of attracting financial aid being allocated to the Gaza Strip." (google)
...-

"Cull of 60000 turkeys at BC farm may begin Monday
CBC.ca"

My musical interests are nowhere near as electic as Vitruvius', but I'd like to share a nice recent experience within my own narrower range of interest.

Mrs. felis and I attended a wonderful concert yesterday afternoon. The 30 voices of the Winnipeg Singers performed selections from Russian Orthodox liturgy, the highlight of which was the divine “Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom” as set by Tchaikovsky. This powerful, yet ethereal work hasn’t been heard enough by western audiences. Tchaikovsky wanted to do a setting of the St. John Chrysostom liturgy as he considered it to be one of the greatest works of literature in existence.

For those who are interested, Youtube has a couple of recordings from this liturgy:

Part 6 of the Liturgy: “Cherubic Hymn”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyFkPd6fEuI

A collage of scenes from Bulgarian Orthodox churches accompanied by Part 10 of the Liturgy: “We Hymn Thee”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7cYquq4AHk

"“The trouble with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money” –Margaret Thatcher."
...-

"Native suicides linked to compensation

Deaths attributed to federal payments for residential school survivors"
http://tinyurl.com/bzt5h8 (np)

Vit, thanks for that link, that was probably how Bacn intended it to sound, I would guess. As you may have guessed, I'm an organist and I find this piece quite a challenge on both the technical and the sound-blending levels. It's a very moving experience to play this piece, sort of like a near-death experience in some ways. I think of it as Bach's defining statement of the glory, terror and absurdity of life, culminating in the inevitability of death, resonating with the promise of eternal life, perhaps. Or maybe it was just a test piece after all.

Coming February 2009: 33 Minutes

Geert Wilders and Robert Spencer on Human Rights and free speech.

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ODBhOTYyZWYzYjQ2MDUxOWI2OTU2YTY4Yjc2ZmFlMTk=

On March 28 of last year, the UN hit rock bottom. Its Human Rights Council—whose members include such stalwart defenders of freedom as China, Cuba, Angola, and Saudi Arabia—adopted a resolution that severely modified the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression. Instead of simply reporting on cases in which the right to free expression is being violated, the special rapporteur will now also have to report on cases in which that right is being “abused”—including when individuals use their freedom of speech to criticize Islam, or the particular elements of Islam that jihadists use to justify violence and Islamic supremacism. In essence, this means that the function of the special rapporteur has changed 180 degrees—from safeguarding the rights of individuals who hold unpopular or controversial ideas, to trying to limit the freedom of individuals to express such ideas.

As the Canadian delegation noted, “instead of promoting freedom of expression the Special Rapporteur would be policing its exercise.” This is fundamentally inconsistent with the very foundation of the human-rights tradition, as are measures combating “defamation of religions.” Such measures aim to protect institutions and ideas from criticism, instead of protecting individuals from the consequences of criticizing them. The very concept of freedom of speech has thereby been turned on its head.

"GORE HEARING ON WARMING MAY BE PUT ON ICE(sic)
Drudge Report"

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2172256/posts

I don't know if I can handle another Parliament with Count Iggy and Idiot Laydown attacking PMSH and the CPC before they have any idea what's on the table.

'Just watched The Iggster's comments on the Throne Speech and figure that novelist's sound bites, clearly formulated even before he'd heard the speech, is just too much to put up with.

As costly as another election would be, I find myself wanting a clear win ... and no more of the Natural Dumbie Party, the Librano$, and the Blockheads holding Canadians hostage by their extremely mean-spirited, petty, infantile, opposition to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government.

Our political system right now is a sham; it's been hijacked by leftwing whacko spoilers, totally out of touch with average Canadians. The NDP and the Bloc can NEVER form a government and specialize in policies that would sink our democracy if they ever were to hold the reins of power.

Deranged Dominion, alright. Mercy!

Roger that, batb.

In my car, I had the misfortune to be tuned into the CBC news (long story: I'm now out of migraine-making territory). That wasn't news at all: it was pure propagandistic opinion. In that category, we were supposed to hear about the GG's body language, but never did. (I actually wrote her about her appallingly insulting--to the PM--body langage two Throne Speeches ago: no response from the GG's office.)

God bless PMSH for sparing all Canadians the narcissistic, toddler antics of the opposition parties in this deranged Dominion over the Christmas season. What a gift! Now the inane, but dangerous chattering/nattering begins again. Good Lord, deliver us.

Socialist economics in Zimbabwe: "we have no choice'".
...-

"'No one wants to be a prostitute but we have no choice'

It is not quite what Joanna had in mind when she graduated as a primary school teacher five years ago."
urlm.in/bnxq (timesuk)

Canadian Liberals condemned for their support of murderous Tamil Tigers.
STOPIGGY.
...-

"Two plead guilty in US to supporting Tamil Tigers

NEW YORK, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Two men accused of belonging to a US branch of Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers pleaded guilty on Monday to conspiring to funnel resources to the rebel group, a court spokesman said"
...-

"Asoka Werasinghe's Letter To canadian Government

The full text of the open letter written by Asoka Weerasinghe a naturalized Canadian citizen is given below:

Honourable Stockwell Day, MP., PC
Minister of Public Safety,

Honourable Peter MacKay, MP., PC
Minister of Foreign Affairs,

Honourable Vic Toews., MP., PC
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada,
Conservative Party

Honourable Ministers of the Cabinet:

While congratulating you on your appointments to the senior portfolios in Cabinet, what you will not know, and this is neither exaggeration nor a fairy tale, is that there are thousands of innocent villagers, fisher folk, farmers, mothers, fathers and children in the North and East of Sri Lanka, who have turned their eyes up North towards you three Ministers seeking for a repeal of their death sentences that were passed by the past Liberal Government in collusion with the Tamil Tigers.

The past Liberal government for the want of the 50,000 Tamil votes in the greater Toronto area, turned a blind eye to the extortion of funds in the millions of dollars each month by the Tamil Tigers from the Tamil Diaspora for their war chest, to buy arms to kill the innocent, and those who opposed their claim for a separate, mono-ethnic, Tamil racist state, Eelam.

They did just that in 1994 with Canadian funds, when they purchased explosives—10 tons of RDX and 50 tons of TNT -- from a Chemical Factory in the Ukraine, which they used in a truck bomb in 1997, to blast the Central Bank Building in Colombo killing 114, and maiming for life 1,400 innocent others; bombed the World Trade Centre and the Temple of Buddha’s Tooth Relic.

As you may well recall the Liberal Ministers Paul Martin and Maria Minna, and their backbenchers, Jim Karygiannis, Roy Cullen, and Bryon Wilfert attended a $60-a-plate fund raising dinner for the Tamil Tigers in May 2000. And you all were dubbed as racists by Paul Martin, when you questioned the Liberals in parliament, why they supported a Tamil Tiger terrorist’s fund raiser.

I'd also like to remind you that the present Interim Liberal House Leader, Bill Graham, during the February 4, 1998 Tamil rally at Toronto’s New City Hall, to condemn the 50th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence spoke out, saying that he "wholeheartedly support the national liberation struggle of the Tamil people, and in my own mind the LTTE is like the African National Congress or the Palestinian Liberation Organization."

The Tamil Tigers have violated over 7,000 times the ceasefire agreement that was signed in February 2002. It were these same Tamil Tigers who reputedly pioneered the now pervasive technique of suicide bombing and utilized suicide bombers to murder India’s former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Sri Lanka’s President R. Premadasa, their Foreign Minister Ranjan Wijeratne, Minister of Industries C.V. Gunaratne, and a few other Parliamentarians and Mayors of Jaffna. And recently as last summer they succeeded in killing Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar with sniper bullets. The world is now witnessing with horror of the copycat suicide bombings in Khandahar and Baghdad.

The peers of these innocent civilians in the North and East of Sri Lanka are aware that Minister Stockwell Day has the strongest anti-terror credentials, and that with his persistence in the House of Commons got the Liberals to add Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah to the Canada’s list of banned terrorist groups in Canada. And they wish and pray that Minister Day would do the same with the Tamil Tigers who are the most ruthless terrorist group in the world, thus stopping the collection of funds for their war chest to buy guns, bullets, Claymore mines and hand grenades to kill and maim them."
urlm.in/bnxs
...

"Tamil Tigers outlawed:Group added to Canada's terror list
Toronto - The Tamil Tigers have been added to Canada's list of outlawed terrorist ... and the first added to the list by the new Conservative government"
www.asiantribune.com/oldsite/show_news.php?id=17564

It's interesting but the US MSM are now criticizing Obama quite openly and clearly.

With regard to his 'economic stimulus' package, on both CNN, which was devoted to him, as well as FOX, the criticisms are open and hard. They reject it; they say it won't work and will make things worse; that there's nothing there for small and medium business; that it's throwing money away - and, that Obama doesn't understand economics.

With regard to his new regulations for car emissions, the criticism is that he's harming the economy with these new requirements which are based on speculative and unproven assumptions of 'global warming'.

With regard to his "Gitmo', he's criticized on this for it's being a show, for what is the US to do with these people, who, when released, go right back into the Islamic fascist attacks.

So, it's one week, and the criticisms are mounting; it isn't said yet, but, the underlying theme is that he doesn't know what he's doing; he's not taking a long term structural approach and he's focused too much on the immediate 'image appeal'.

Interesting.

Update: Earlier I said that Canada's National Debt at the Federal level is $600 BILLION.

ON the news today an analyst said it was $800 BILLION.

That is more than 3/4 TRILLION - in debt from past government of all stripes since Trudeau.

We pay interest on this debt to the tune over more than $28 BILLION per year BEFORE paying down any of the principal.

But Lorraine, we're $4 billion to the good with Steve at the reins, right? It's all good, no?

"Backing Away from Pelosi, WH Says Birth Control Funding in Stimulus Bill Was Not Obama's Idea

(CNSNews.com) - The Obama White House on Monday backed away from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s support for increased federal funding of contraception in the $825-billion stimulus bill now under consideration by Congress.
That was not President Obama’s idea, a White House spokesman told CNSNews.com.
“The principles of what he thought should be in the package--that wasn’t part of that,” White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton told CNSNews.com. “They’re working on what the final bill should look like.” House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) was among the first to criticize the Democratic plan, specifically the provisions funding contraception. The provision..."
...-

"Mother gives birth to octuplets in SoCal hospital

A mother has given birth to eight babies in a hospital south of Los Angeles, the world's second live-born set of octuplets. Dr. Karen Maples told KCAL-TV that the babies were born Monday at Kaiser Permanante and were "doing quite well." The hospital says the mother, who asked not to be identified, gave birth to six girls and two boys weighing between 1.8 pounds and 3.4 pounds. Dr. Harold Henry told KCAL that "they were all screaming and kicking around very vigorously."
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/news-forum/index

lorraine - our GDP is 1.336 trillion; our National Debt is 62.3% of that.

The US has a GDP of 14.58 trillion, their ND is 60.8% of GDP.

India: GDP is 3.329 trillion; ND is 59%

China: GDP is 7.8 trillion; ND is 15.7%.

Australia: GDP is 824.9 billion, ND is 15.4%

France: GDP is 2.097 trillion; ND is 64.4%

Brazil: GDP is 2.03 trillion; ND is 40.7%

Zimbabwe: GDP is 2.292 billion; ND is 231.2%!