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The battle of netbots: libertarian vs. 4chan .

check this out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcJn5XlbSFk

Good on ya Fox (well not really)

the bear, I think that these guys are total dipsh*ts

Bad timing, loss of four soldiers today, which is awful

Open Question: Here in Canada, do you consider Health Care to be a Right or a Privilege?

Bear, I didn't appreciate that discussion amongst the Red Eye ignoramuses whatsoever. Here are some of my thoughts.

Robert W: "Here in Canada, do you consider Health Care to be a Right or a Privilege?" Interesting question. Well, it is hard to argue that it is a "right" in all circumstances. Having said that I think it is a right in a privileged society such as Canada. Obviously it is not a right around the world, but once a society is affluent enough to be able to provide substantial health care, then I think in the context of that society, this service should be universally available.

Repulsive jerks there at Red Eye. More into themselves than the truth.

Actually, scratch that: the truth is off the table by design. They're totally up their own a**es. Not comfortable in the long run.

"a classic synth-pop tune, if I do say so myself"

I agree ...

Ever heard "Wishful Thinking" by China Crisis?

Lots of interesting stuff in The Economist this week, including a major section on entrepeneurs (most content available free at economist.com). One of the most interesting was a table of the 10 countries that have the best environment for starting/running a business. Canada was number 8, but the really interesting thing to me was that, excepting Denmark and Norway, all the others (US, UK, Oz, NZ, Singapore, HK, and Ireland) were all former colonies of Britain, or the Mother Country herself. In addition, the report cites India, not China, as the most entrepeneurial of the emerging economies.

The Empire was certainly not without flaws, but this may well prove to be its most lasting legacy.

Finally, for those with a few extra hours on hand this weekend, the following link leads to an article from Wired which describes how bits get from the UK to America or Asia or anywhere. It's ten years old, but it's still fascinating; I re-read it this week and found it fresh as a daisy. Highly recommended:

www.wired.com/wired/archive/4.12/ffglass_pr.html

Vit:

I remember visiting Santa Clara, CA, in the early 80's for some training. Our class, gathered from across North America, went out to a bar on Friday night, and we wanted to dance. They were playing the typical boring Madonna/Michael Jackson junk, so I took a napkin, and wrote "We are holding all the Twinkies in Santa Clara hostage. Play some New Wave music, or we will not be responsible for the consequences!", and handed it to the DJ. He laughed, and played "Talk Talk" and "Love My Way" (Pscyh Furs) after reading our demand over the air. I'd say that was the highlight of the night, but one of my classmates took a shine to me.. oh, this is a family show, right?

Robert W.: neither, it is just a service. Would it be a right then I could force others to take care of my health. Privileges can be granted and revoked.
In Canada - the universality of health care has been elevated to an ideology - blocking innovation and wasting resources on bureaucratic administration. If this will continue, when you'll get sick you won't see a doctor nor a nurse will care for you in hospital. You'll schedule a meeting with your health authority, then they will have a meeting about meeting with you, then they will send you a report that you need a meeting.
The Universal Health Care is neither a right nor a privilege, it is a lie.

ATLAS BLOCKED: TRUTH IS THE NEW HATE SPEECH
UPDATE: GOVERNMENT BAN TOO

http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/

I agree with xiat, healthcare is a service.

There is too much expansion of the list of rights: right to health care, right to housing, right to a university education, etc.

Let's stick to the basic rights. If we have to have government health care, could we not at least offer options as the French do for instance. (By the way I once made use for my son of a 24 hour house call doctor in Paris).

xiat i agree.as far as rights go we have god given rights that only man and government keep trying to take from us.

I was mildly encouraged to see the following article appear in the NY Times.

Interesting Op-ed in today's NP by Krauthammer on O's handling of the issues.

If you recall, O cancelled one of Bush's experiment programs (under NAFTA) that allowed Mexican trucks to xport stuff in the US. That resulted in $B2.4 in Mexican tariffs on US goods entering that country.

The number of trucks in question? 97! Number of trucks in the US? 6.5 million!

Talk about fiddling while Rome burns!!!

Goreacle at the Beach.
...-

"CA: ( SoCAL) SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT - .A BRIEF RETURN TO WINTER THIS WEEKEND..."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2211340/posts

Another Obama gaffe: "Obama apologizes for remark [comparing his bowling skill to that of a Special Olympiad.]"

Can't get too much Talk Talk. Radiohead or Miles Davis listeners may love their last two albums especially.

I Believe In You (1988)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cIWsQuYVeg

After the Flood (1991)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9HsGsB-MCM

TOTUS killed the beautiful, fragile Hope*. The murder was premeditated/plotted by TOTUS and its commissars.

The Fraud of TOTUS is now recognized as a conspiracy of the left.

Hope's sister, Fear, is now Queen.

As V.I. Lenin said, "the worse, the better."

TOTUS is left with the question posed by Lenin: What is to be done?

Is the shining path of socialism the answer from TOTUS: the Final Solution.
...-

"the fear spiral was initiated with a specific goal. Now that it's spinning out of control, the game plan is to transfer blame onto the victims in order to remove the culpability from its principal perpetrators."

"Your unswerving rhetoric injected an overdose of fear deep into the life blood of this nation giving palpable substance to the fears you were profoundly involved in cultivating for your own political gain."
...-

"An About Face on Fear"
http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/03/an_about_face_on_fear.html
...-

*Charles Lamb:

"*Hope is charming, lively, blue-eyed wench, & I am always glad of her company, but could dispense with the visitor she brings with her, her younger sister, fear*, a white liver'd-lilly-cheeked, bashful palpitating, awkward hussey that hangs like a green girl at her sister's apron strings & will go with her whithersoever she goes."
(Letters of Charles and Mary Anne Lamb)

Ctv National News mar.20 gives it's Unbias take on Obama's Special Olympics gaffe.
How? they compare Obama to Bush not able to open a door or trying to say a couple of words that are not Even close to what Obama said, bush was Not even talking about any special groups & of course we see Shriver(Kennedy) & Arnooold saying its alright no harm meant. So ctv makes a joke out of the whole thing.

Then we see their(ctv)report on Jason Kenney & his stand on learning english & french, Not one take from the agree with Kenney, Only those that disagree.

these can be viewed at ctv.ca national news vid.

Robert w - health care is neither a right nor a privilege. It's a service in society and the only question is, how is this service funded: privately or publicly.

bryanr - Insisting that citizens be able to function in one of the two official languages of Canada is hardly a 'repressive' requirement. It acknowledges the official reality, the request for citizenship, the intention of participating in the economy, and laws, of this nation - which requires an ability to communicate and basically rejects the Canada-is-only-a-hotel ideal of the Liberals.

Australia has the right idea, requiring all visa and immigrant applicants to sign a document declaring their willingness to abide by Australian societal norms, which include its laws, equality of men and women, parliamentary democracy - and - the use of the English language.

We need the same document here. Canada is not a hotel.

Rewrite MSM headline:

PM Harper puts leftist opposition in his sights.
...-

"Gun auction puts Harper in critics' sights
PM's speech at conference gives wrong message on gun control: opposition"
urlm.in/bydq

"Wise words from Harper
Toronto Sun ^ | 2009-03-21 | Salim Mansur

The recent words of Prime Minister Stephen Harper addressed to a gathering of Jews, members of Chabad Lubavitch, on Parliament Hill need wide circulation.

He said, "Anti-Semitism is a pernicious evil that must be exposed, that must be confronted, that must be repudiated, whenever and wherever it appears. Fuelled by lies and paranoia we have learned from history it is an evil so profound, indeed as we saw in Mumbai, that it is ultimately a threat to us all."

In speaking forcefully as he did, Harper reminded Canadians how in troubled times such as the present -- the perils of global economic downturn converging with regional conflicts, Islamist terrorism, and the defiant push by Iran for nuclear power -- the exclusive race-hatred against Jews, as witnessed in the hunt for killing them by Pakistani terrorists in Mumbai, can precipitate disaster for many.

Anti-Semitism is perhaps the hottest and most prickly subject to discuss. Though it is deeply irrational, morbid and soaked in vile conspiracy theories, Jew hatred has a long, checkered history."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2211400/posts

maz2 Beat me to it. They say the optics are bad. With a handgun I can see that although the Baretta wouldn't have been given to someone without the permits. This is a rifle they are auctioning off so the only condemnation can be 'I don't like it.'

Health care is a service, not a right. And the big discussion going forward is how we are going to decide what services will be covered by our respective governments - with an aging population, there is no way that we can continue the present level of services, let alone expand care with the new technologies coming over the horizon.

I can't remember exactly, but even Tommy Douglas didn't expect "everything to be covered". He said something to the effect that if someone gets sick, they shouldn't lose the family farm.

I looked for the quote - but couldn't find it. I did however find a funny quote, (no offence to our fine Maritime and Atlantic friends - I think he was referring to Danny Williams in the latter part of the statement) (and yes, I know that NF isn't in the Maritimes) :-)

“Canada is like an old cow. The West feeds it. Ontario and Quebec milk it. And you can well imagine what it's doing in the Maritimes.”

TOTUS' ACORN is the tool/mechanism being deployed by the socialists to demonize AIG employees/families.

This is a diversionary tactic to hoodwink/deceive the public of the USA.

TOTUS and his commissars are using class warfare in its push/putsch to socialism.
...-

"ACORN sponsors Bus Tour of AIG Homes

In an article this Morning the Ct. post told that the Group ACORN and working families of Ct. is having a Bus tour of the Homes of the AIG employees who received these Bonuses. It also tells of security guards posted at these homes and of the Sleazy Atty. General Of Ct. Richard Blumenthal and if you ever thought Chuck U Schumer was a sleaze bag this Blumenthal is right ther with him, is calling all these employees to Hartford to testify about these bonuses.

I guess the Jig is up Obama Hitler has now labeled these private citizens and all corporations the Jews of 2009 and the brown shirts(ACORN ) are on the March. I still am waiting for someone somewhere to explain WHY these credit default swaps were written and sold in the first place so the Blame can be put in the right place.

These banks and financial institutions were insuring themselves against losses from lax mortgage rules that the GOVERNMENT was shoving down their throats but I guess that doesnt fit Hitler Obamas plans and as I see this morning in Connecticut his plan is working perfectly."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2211398/posts

Rex Murphy has an excellent column on Obama and his lack of leadership in today's Globe and Mail

Rex Murphy

A few excerpts,

"And where is Barack Obama in all this. Well, Mr. Obama is acting curiously. He doesn't so much preside over the crisis as act like America's chosen master of ceremonies, who appears on stage to introduce its component segments. Good patter, well-chosen appearances. There's no centre to his performance. We hear as much about the First Dog (chosen, but yet to be installed) as Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner (installed, but yet to act).

Mr. Obama drops in to everyday events more than he actually manages them. He's very cool, as always, but he lacks affect. He doesn't seem to connect with the great swirl of events around him. He shows up. He doesn't act. He likes to tour, and visit happy places".

Obama is behaving now, as he's always behaved, whether as president of the Harvard Law Review where he didn't carry out his duties as editor but dropped in, occasionally, and left the job to a 'managing editor'. And, community activator, where he just 'fired up the crowd' to feel victimized and left them to agitate. He's doing the same now.

Obama has no political theory to follow, no analysis of the past or current economic or political state of the world. No idea about what should be its future state. His only focus is on controlling how people interact with him - and his narcissistic need is to have people in his 'sway', in his control. He won't get too deeply into things; his tactic is to 'be cool' and uncommitted.

And what about the economy? He does nothing; he delegates it to Tim Geithner who is understaffed and overwhelmed. And, he insists on rapid passage of 'his bills', eg, the Stimulus package - which meant that NOT ONE member of the House or Senate had the time to read the bill. That's the one that all Republicans in the House voted against and all but 3 in the Senate voted against.

And notice Obama's 'anger' and 'outrage' and those AIG bonuses. And the Democrats..

"But the congressional critters who are braying in outrage over this are monstrous Pharisees. They themselves had passed the bailout bill that allowed these very bonuses, and one of them, Senate banking committee chairman Chris Dodd, wrote in the very clause that protected them. And they themselves have stuck in 8,500 pet pork projects into the stimulus bill - that's 8,500 bonuses, if you like - at a cost of nearly $8-billion."

What about that pork? It amounts to more than those bonuses. Remember, Obama promised, that's promised, that no bill would contain such pork. Broken promise. And he promised that all bills would be made public for several days BEFORE they were voted on in Congress. Another broken promise.

As for Obama's predeliction for campaigning rather than informing the public, that will increase. He'll be on more late night pop culture shows, where he isn't subject to keen questions and only to adoring handpicked followers. He'll refuse more press conferences unless the questions are pre-selected and his answers are put up by others on his teleprompter.

Is he empty-headed? Yes. But..what's with the socialist agenda? Is it only that of old hard core latte-socialists like Pelosi and Reid? I suspect the hatred and denigration of wealth that is emanating from the Obama administration, the attack on the capacity of the middle class to progress in wealth - is an agenda of Michelle Obama. I suspect she's the one with the anger and grudge against 'rich Americans'...

I heard yesterday on the radio that Canada is going to refuse non-passport holders exiting the plane. They sit there until the plane returns to originating country. There has always been that law but it was never enforced. Did anyone else hear that or have a link? Flush and return, I like it. Don't get off the plane..don't have Canadian rights.

ET i agree wholeheartly only problem is we will never see such a document in Canada.
the reason is that we have a prior document that our glorius mesiah trudeau gave us. Can you imagine the backlog this would create in the courts of big brother( HRC).
On the flip side of it all, it would prove you correct in that Governments do create jobs as they will need more civil servants to handle the cases.

According to Paul Zed, Ignatieff's new Chief of Staff :
"Michael Ignatieff is first and foremeost a STORYTELLER"...

Hmmmm - now THAT'S supposed to be credentials to manage a multi billion dollar economy in a diverse country of 33 million people?

Why not Farley Mowat then - at least he has told Canadian stories most of his life.

J.E. Dyer, Quo vadis?

The American Character – Nature or Nurture?

If America’s unique culture and national character are to survive, and keep us from going the way of Europe, is anything needed other than a continued provision for free market mechanisms, at some minimal level?

bryanr, here's the Australian Values Statement from The Australian Government's Department of Immigration and Citizenship

A few excerpts,

"The Australian government believes that new residents should be encouraged to learn as much as they can about their new country, its heritage, language, customs, values and way of life and to apply for Australian citizenship when they become eligible.

Australian Values Statement
From 15 October 2007, all applicants aged 18 years and over are required to sign a values statement when applying for selected visas. The statement requires applicants to confirm that they will respect the Australian way of life and obey the laws of Australia before being granted a visa."

And here's the actual document:

"You must sign this statement if you are aged 18 years or over.

I confirm that I have read, or had explained to me, information provided by the Australian Government on Australian society and values.

I understand:

Australian society values respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual, freedom of religion, commitment to the rule of law, Parliamentary democracy, equality of men and women and a spirit of egalitarianism that embraces mutual respect, tolerance, fair play and compassion for those in need and pursuit of the public good
Australian society values equality of opportunity for individuals, regardless of their race, religion or ethnic background
the English language, as the national language, is an important unifying element of Australian society.
I undertake to respect these values of Australian society during my stay in Australia and to obey the laws of Australia.

I understand that, if I should seek to become an Australian citizen:

Australian citizenship is a shared identity, a common bond which unites all Australians while respecting their diversity
Australian citizenship involves reciprocal rights and responsibilities. The responsibilities of Australian Citizenship include obeying Australian laws, including those relating to voting at elections and serving on a jury.
If I meet the legal qualifications for becoming an Australian citizen and my application is approved I understand that I would have to pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people."

I see no reason why Canada cannot have the exact same document as a visa and immigration requirement.

Again, either we are a hotel or a nation. If we are a nation, then our duty to that reality is to develop citizens of that nation. This is done by education - and - with regard to newcomers, by insisting that they accept our nation's operating infrastructure...ie. the rule of law, parliamentary democracy, equality, etc.

To be fair to Obama, he did fire the guy who wrote the Special Olympics joke on his hand held teleprompter.

ONTARIO IN DECLINE
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/story.html?id=1412060

Oh goody, more bad news for Ontario. Do you think that it just might have something to do with "To help finance this agenda, he raised corporate taxes and slapped a health-care levy on households. These moves, analysts say, helped cement Ontario as one of the least attractive places for companies to invest"?

So, well done chimpy mcidiot, and a hats off to all of you Ontario libranos.....you have done the province proud !

PS: Mike Harris seen sniffing around Queen's Park....maybe time for CSR II !

"N. Korean leader thinner with no potbelly (emaciated Kim turns up)

SEOUL, March 20 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il appeared to have shed pounds and even lost his potbelly as the country's state media on Friday released the latest pictures of him visiting a new swimming complex.

Kim, 67, reportedly suffered a stroke in August, but he is now believed to have recovered considerably as he has more than doubled his public activities this year. North Korea's media have been reporting on his public tours for three consecutive days."

"Right: Giving field guidance at a military unit (published Aug. 7 2008: potbelly intact)

Middle: Meeting a Chinese emissary Wang Jia-rui (Jan, 2009: potbelly shrinking)

Left: emaciated Kim Jong-il giving field guidance at a swimming pool of Kim Il-sung University (published on Mar. 20: potbelly gone, and generally emaciated)"
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2211437/posts

RED EYE: Bunch of stoners having at it..Whats ths problem?

I give this as much creedence as, well the man in the moon. They must all have attended O's school, HAARvaad, I'm sure.

Here is a question for someone

Has Paul Martin stepped down as an MP? Gave up his seat & is no longer a sitting MP?

thanks
bryanr

"*It was the fatuity of Louis XV. and his Pompadour that made the conquest
of Canada possible."

Rex is onto the TOTUSES: "is an agenda of Michelle Obama. I suspect she's the one with the anger and grudge against 'rich Americans'..."

MO as Pompadour; O as Louis XV; the script is being written in Washington, DC.
...-

*Montcalm and Wolfe by Francis Parkman - Project Gutenberg
29 Dec 2004 ... Download the free eBook: Montcalm and Wolfe by Francis Parkman.
www.gutenberg.org/etext/14517

ET posted the Rex Murphy column...

In it's comments someone wrote:

"Should a terrorist attack succeed in the US, Obama will be history".

If the terrorist organisations are smart and I suspect they must be as they use media propaganda and manipulate weak liberal governments more effectively than the use of conventional weapons of war; they will leave Obama to take care of America.
Until Obama is replaced or dramatically changes course (Which is very doubtful) NO TERRORIST WILL ATTACK. NOT ON US SOIL OR ANY AMERICAN EXTENTION ABROAD LIKE EMBASSIES OR EVEN MILITARY.

Obama can destroy America all by himself. Bin Laden will win without a single shout.

[ We are not making this up:

Barack Obama was elected commander in chief promising to run the most transparent presidential administration in American history.

This achievement and the overall promise of his historic administration caused the National Newspaper Publishers Assn. to name him "Newsmaker of the Year."

The president is to receive the award from the federation of black community newspapers in a White House ceremony this afternoon.

The Obama White House has closed the press award ceremony to the press.

From the president's official schedule:

"Later in the afternoon, the President and the First Lady will attend a reception with the National Newspaper Publisher Association in the State Dining Room, where they will be presented the Newsmaker of the Year award. This event is closed press."

Maybe they'll let the newspaper people pass the award through the fence. ] Andrew Malcolm

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/03/obama-newspaper.html

RED EYE: Bunch of stoners having at it..Whats ths problem?

Cuz it's a staple on Fixed Noise, fair and balanced, beloved of small dead minds everywhere. They must be so proud.

bryanr - Paul Martin didn't run in the October 2008 election; he now receives his very large pension from the Cdn taxpayer, as well as all his revenues from his Desmarais setup business.

With regard to 'will there be a terrorist attack when Obama is President' - I suspect that there will be. And Obama, the Teflon Man, will blame others as he always does, and use it as a basic strategy to campaign, campaign and campaign.

We are going to see more of Obama campaigning, appearing on talk shows, Town Halls..all in situations of pre-selected adoring audiences, all removing him from any direct questions. As questions and concerns arise, Obama will move big time to the talk show campaign circuit. His agenda will be to bolster support for himself as himself. So, he'll bring in class war and racism to protect him.

Meanwhile, Congress will take the heat, reducing itself to partisan bickering and fights.

And the public, as I said, will be divided by Obama's setting them up in a class and race division, as either For Obama or Against Him, with those categories defined by class and race.
Not by his policies and programs...which won't be attached to him..but to 'his administration' or to Congress.

As for a terrorist attack - he'll blame others, and use it to increase class and racial divisions.

Thanks ET on martin i was not sure as i just read an interesting article on him in the national post.(not that i was a fan of his)

On the Immigration well i would say that the way the liberals played with the immigration act over the yrs prior to suit their adgenda, I would say we are a Hotel.
Just look at dual citizenship deal, Only in Canada you say!

*
oh buddy... from your lips to allah's ears...

" -- LONDON -- Some people are attracted to donkeys
but that does not mean it is right.”

*

The POTUSES: Pompadour and Louis XV.
...-

"Michelle Obama says her husband Barack knows nothing about fashion

Mrs Obama, who has swiftly become an American style icon with a Vogue cover to her name, says that she orders the president to stop nosing around her wardrobe, puts up with him mocking her collection of shoes and has to wear one trendy belt when he is not around because he has no sense of style.

The revelations came in an interview with the New York Times, the latest of a succession of media appearances that have been used to recraft Mrs Obama in the popular consciousness as a mother, wife, and clothes horse after she was attacked for being too overtly political during the election campaign.

Describing a scene which will sound familiar to many less illustrious couples, Mrs Obama said her husband remains bemused by her interest in clothes. "He's always asking: 'Is that new? I haven't seen that before,'" she said, revealing that she replies: "Why don't you mind your own business? Solve world hunger. Get out of my closet.""
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2211481/posts

Presenting: An expert got it right with his report in 2007.

The natural end result of socialism.

Ontario Liberal Premier McGuinty's socialism.
...-

"ONTARIO IN DECLINE

Can Dalton McGuinty see the light and reverse the decay with his forthcoming budget?"
urlm.in/byeg

Thanks to all who answered my health care question. I agree with you all that it is a service. In case you're curious, it all stemmed from this.

ET, I love your use of the famous Yann Martel quote: "Canada is the World's Greatest Hotel"

Because of my volunteer work I've met a LOT of new immigrants over the past few years. I've begun wondering what indoctrination they go through courtesy of our gov't officials? Do many of them come here with their hand out, with no real understanding that they're expected to work hard and quickly fend for themselves?!

HRC strange behaviour in Australia.

Can we expect something similar in a Canadian province in very near future?!? :-)