You are staying up late why? God bless and sleep tight.

I can retire the Bananada theme!

My husband, last night: Oh-oh, that's cool but he's going to get it for that.
Me: But he's been saying that at the end of speeches for a while now. At the end of the debates!
Him: But no one's been listening before.
Me: You mean, no one in the GTA, or Vancouver.
Him: Right.
Me: (exasperated American eye roll)

I wonder how many Liberals/Liberal voters knew that Paul Martin is a Roman Catholic?

And that he had expressed in the past, not only through personal statements but also via his vote as an MP, his opposition to abortion and same sex marriage?

Someone at work today mentioned he didn't believe Harper's 'transformation' from a right-wing demagogue to a centrist politician. I pointed out Martin had opposed abortion and SSM in the past, only to change his position when it was politically convenient to do so.

I was met by silence.

Yes, God bless Canada, and God bless those who seek righteousness and justice.

...I know, swear words for politically right air heads...

cheers
Tom

Aaargghh one of those links took me to Rabble.ca. Have to go shower.

I'm a very cynical atheist - and I'm not the least bit offended by Harper's blessing. It's not like he's trying to force me to attend church or anything. Anyone who whines about this one needs to lighten up.

Right on, Kate!

"I was met by silence."

Last night while waiting for the polls to close I had a long conversation with a Liberal scrutineer. She is VERY afraid that Harper won't ban guns.
Me: "Guns are already banned."
Lib: "People don't need to COLLECT guns! Do you know WHAT SORT of guns they collect? It's despicable! There is no need for gun collectors! Criminals will steal those guns."
Me: "The bulk of gun crimes are illegally smuggled, not stolen from collectors. As well, the massive paperwork & processes for those that shoot competitively are very detailed. The guns used in crimes are not from them, either."
Other CPC: "What we need is stronger border security to STOP the illegal guns from coming into Canada. We don't need gun bans."
Lib: "Well, still, he's going to open the Charter and give everyone the right to bear arms."
Me: "That's the first I heard of it. In fact, I don't recall EVER hearing that one. Who told you that?"
Lib: "That's why he's going to cancel the gun registry."
Me: "I was under the impression that was the long-gun registry, which is an incredibly expensive boondoggle that makes our rural citizenry across the country very angry, not just Albertans."
Lib: "Well, they sure did spend too much money on it. Probably another scandal there. I would have probably voted for Jack except for my personal relationship with Anne."

LOL!

God bless sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite.

I object to the "stand on guard" part of the anthem, because clearly our border guards do not stand on guard:

A police chase at the Canada-U.S. border forced the closure of the Peace Arch border crossing south of Vancouver on Tuesday.

It also caused dozens of Canadian guards to walk off the job, fearing for their safety.

The incident started when two men, both murder suspects, tried to get into Canada.
...
CBC News has learned that when unarmed Canadian border guards found out the murder suspects were coming their way they left their posts at four crossings along the B.C. border. Only two supervisors were left at each crossing to protect the Canadian side.

Lottsa yuks on CBC radio this evening.

" Well religion is back in Canadian politics. Last night Stephen Harper concluded his victory speech with, Allah praise Canada and a lot of Canadians woke up this morning and said Frickin Mohamed!"

No, no, just kidding.

" Well religion is back in Canadian politics. Last night Stephen Harper concluded his victory speech with God Bless Canada and a lot of Canadians woke up this morning and said Jesus Christ!"

Really.
I'm not making this up.

And the vilification starts. The Baltimore Chronicle commentary is just sickening. To those who say Harper will be like Bush I say "GREAT"!!!

God Bless them both.

O Canada? bah, the liberals will be back in power soon, so this little dream world we live in today will be just a faint memory like all the 65+ year olds who all remember when they had it good during the Joe Who and Defenbaker had power. Who can forget that fool mulruney who brought in the GST. Give it time, this country will go back to liberals and certainly piss off all of us conservatives.

Here's something funny..

I just typed www.stephenharper.ca in my browser!

You'll laugh at where it leads to!

Really.
I'm not making this up.

Don't worry, Cal, we all believe you. After all, it's a well known fact that conservatives don't have a sense of humour so it would have been impossible for you to make that up.

Someone at work today mentioned he didn't believe Harper's 'transformation' from a right-wing demagogue to a centrist politician. I pointed out Martin had opposed abortion and SSM in the past, only to change his position when it was politically convenient to do so.

I was met by silence.

Allow me then to break that silence. It doesn't matter one bit what a politician's personal feelings are about these issues. What matters is whether or not they will direct his policy. In the case of Paul Martin, we know for a fact that he was not going to reopen the same sex marriage issue since he was the one who finally brought forth and got the legislation passed.

You see, Martin was not an unknown quantity like Harper is. We knew what we'd get from another Martin government but we don't know what we'll get from a Harper government. And since Harper changed his positions quite quickly it's only reasonable for people to be suspicious of him.

Canada Border Services Agency officers are bound to DEMAND protection after today's terrifying high-speed chase which ended just FOUR FEET FROM THE CANADA BORDER.

Thanks to the extraordinary heroism of an unidentifed Whatcom County Sheriff's deputy who rammed the suspects' car with his police cruiser, the two fugitive murder suspects did not enter Canada and did not pose a danger to Canadians.

I encourage all readers here to write thank-you e-mails to the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office at Sheriff@co.whatcom.wa.us Their heroism today possibly saved the lives of some Canadians.

Commies fear God.

Robert
I bet that this situation did not happen - only in your head. I bet. i see your writing here your have sickning imagination.

You aren't suggesting for one moment Robert is a commie, are you?

Adler talked about this

Thanks for posting that Kate!

Why does the Prime Minister (any one) speak in both French and English? To be inclusive. When I hear a speech where the PM switches back and forth between languages, I think, 'oh, this is a national speech'. By including 'god bless canada' it is a small gesture at including people of faith in our country, who, let's face it, are held in open contempt by the media, academe, and the bien-pensant of this country. As an athiest, I have exactly ZERO problem with including the blessing. I take it too mean, that we (all Canadians) have been blessed by living here, and a call for that blessing to continue. Jeez, it's on our money; check any coins in your pocket, they all have D.G. Regina on them. Dei Gratia Regina: By the Grace of God, the Queen. No one objects to that do they? Maybe because its in Latin and nobody worries about us hicks learnin' that speak. So to Stephen Harper I'd say, keep us the blessing and if people don't like it, throw the tolerance and inclusiveness (admirable canadian values) argument back in their faces.

In the case of Paul Martin, we know for a fact that he was not going to reopen the same sex marriage issue...

We sure do. Stephen Harper knocked him off his pedestal and he's now a lowly opposition MP.

Oh my God! Pardon the pun, but I'm stunned someone is capable of being so out of touch with reality that they actually think like that!

www.stephenharper.ca

haha so funny. the ex-pmpm looks much younger here than this weeks real foto.

Dei Gratia Regina... I did not know what that meant.. Thanks for telling me that!

Keep spreading that sh** Robert, you've got lots to go around.

"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace."

Take that liberals!!!

Hey Robert, I agree with you! We did all know what to expect from Martin. That's why Harper's driving the bus today and Paulie is playing cards at home.

The only remaining question is, what the hell are they putting in the water down there in 416/905 land? Hamilton didn't go red, but Trawna sure did. Better a crook than a [gasp!] Christian! Ew!

Stephen Harper didn't write the words to 'O Canada', nor did he engrave the scriptures on the Parliament Bldgs, nor did he add God to the Charter. He was included at PET's (R.C.) insistence.

Chaplains accompanied our servicemen into battle in two world wars and prayed with them and over them. (One won the Victoria Cross.) At Remembrance Day services, veterans pray and sing hymns.

The founding fathers prayed over Canada, and in 1981 the Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. Joe Clark (R.C.), made this public statement at an outdoor telecast on Parliament Hill:

"..I will ask that we never forget the faith and the vision of the people who originally brought this country together - the fathers of confederation, who, from the depths of their own profound faith, took as their guide a verse from the Psalms of David, a verse that has since become a motto for our nation, "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea and from the river unto the ends of the earth." We pray today that God's sovereignty over our Canada continues to bless and guide us.."

And to that I say, Amen!

I knew this would come up. Next the CBC will put Harper on a 7 second delay so they can bleep out God. I hear he's a SciFi fan. Perhaps he should end his speeches with "may the force be with you".

Relax; as they say, "Religion, like whiskey, are fine when taken in moderation". God is part of his (and much of our) culture. Let's be nice tolerant Canadians.

It's not as though he's inviting Bush to a prayer breakfast.

Here's an interesting tidbit - this is the THIRD major election that Paul Martin has used ABORTION as the major issue to demonize his political opponents - in 2004 against the Conservatives and Stephen Harper and in this election he demonized the Conservatives for being the boogy men who MIGHT take away a women's rights to murder her fetus.
Get this - for those tracking the Martin hypocricy's - in the Liberal leadership battle (around 1988 or so I think) he demonized the other leadership candidates, including Chretien for NOT standing up for legislation regulating abortion and waxed eloquently about the "murdering of the unborn".
And, he is quoted as saying such things as "we have to call Parliament back immediately to pass abortion legislation as the most important, very very very even issue facing our country.
Abortion - unborn defenceless babies, little emerging human beings Paul Martin's opportunistic weapon of choice.

The first sentence of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in English: "Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law..."

Harper's phrase "God bless Canada" is a harmless and non-sectarian bit of rhetorical flourish and nothing more. Why anybody could be so uptight that they get their panties in a bundle over it is beyond me. I wonder if such people laugh or smile very much.

Harper needs to dump the gun registry pronto.

News Alert: You hear about Belinda? She quit the liberal party to join the Green Party. I DID NOT MAKE THAT UP. I'm not allowed to.

Dam! I thought Robert finished his research....

Maria, great points on "devout Catholic" Paul Martin. Paulie needs to spend some time in the confessional at church; that is, if they even let him in the door. He has some 'splainin' to do, that's for sure.

This whole time, I wondered what his wife Sheila thought about his tactics. How could she sit there and let him say those things? It sure was a sleazy campaign run by those Liberals.

Ya gotta be "tolerant" to gays, ya gotta respect the rights for them to marry, you don't have to agree with abortion but you have to be tolerant and respectful of a woman's right to kill a future taxpayer, and you don't have to agree with the Oprah's and New Agers but you have to respect them, listen to their point of view and kiss their feet.

But if you mention the Christian god, then wow, are the pot smoking lesbian feminist environmentalist liberal arts majors down at the local college going to raise their voice about how they shouldn't have to be subject to those foul words....

Tolerant Canada, ya right.....

I would easily support the dismantling of the CBC for their bias, unbalanced POV, and they can take they ineffective, uninformed and ill-fated CRTC with them.

Seems to me Paul is not nor has he been his own man. Probably for some time.. For some years.
From the Zenon water photo op in Sri Lanka to many flip flops on what he does and does not stand for, Paul mouths the words, it seems to me, that have come from somewhere else..certainly not him.. just out of his mouth.
Maybe now he will get his soul back if it isn't too late.
For the 103 liberals who now hold seats , maybe this will be a wakeup call.
As for the nation it has just taken the first step to getting back to where it belongs.
There will be many attacks particularly from the media and the screeching and rabid ranting from the intolerant of anything they don't agree with.
If it is about abortion, religion, same sex marriage...one had better not state their views or the rabid dogs of discourse are let loose.
ENOUGH.
Stephen Harper and the Conservatives are a breath of fresh air and a beginning. Let's make the most of it. If there is going to be a firestorm every time Harper says God Bless Canada or someone else makes a comment along those lines, let's make sure that they don't get away with shredding these people to bits.
They have the right to be rabid and ignorant if they choose. We have the right to call 'em on it and EVERY time they pull it.

Seeing as how I voted for Harper, I don't object to his use of 'God Bless Canada', it just strikes me as unoriginal.

Although I can see why he uses it, I'd prefer it if he tweaked it to something like "Goodnight Canada and god bless", "Thank you and god bless", et al.

Of course, knowing the posters here, I'm gonna get slagged for these suggestions but anyways...

The word "God," believe it or not, isn't what is objectionable to most lefty Canadians.

It's the use of a trademark slogan so shamelessly nicked from Mr. Bush that's making many of us squirm. Uttering the sentiment isn't a problem, or even the particular words used. It's the rhetorical use of the phrase after every speech.

this one is a histrionic for my taste, and I doubt many here will give the man's argument fair hearing for all his incendiary wording...but if you can stomach it, try: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00173.htm

sis

Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.

WOW.....

A lot of what appear to be "strong feelings" being expressed by posters tonight.

It often puzzles me as to what type of person will spend the time to type a message that says nothing, solves nothing, provides no help to anyone and often doesn't make any sense at all??

GOD BLESS BLOGS!!

LOL

grampa

Oh, sis, please . . . like Bill Clinton didn't say "God bless America" after every speech. Like John frickin' Kerry didn't - ! (As an American, I can assure you they sure did.) That phrase is definitely not ™George W. Bush, nor is that formulation uniquely American. If it gets metro Canadians' knickers in a twist, that says more about those Canadians than it does about this politician.

P.S. Please, make no mistake, Chuckman's column is so chock-a-block with error that it is far too fatiguing to even attempt a rejoinder as I'm off to bed. Just to say he's wrong overall, as well as in the particulars. But thanks for playing. I guess I'm still trying to figure out why people will pay any price and try by any possible means to enter the police state, rogue nation, and theocracy that is America, my homeland.

(God bless her.)

Aurora Newmarket blew my best riposte when they hired Belinda. I was going to say"Poor Belinda, the only two parties left for her are the Bloc and the NDP, The bloc is out, so she joins Jack L. Can you image, the leftist, and the I"ll take whatevers leftist

After sparing everyone a long convoluted rant, LOL I've boiled it down to.... Does it really matter?? Who cares! If Harper and others feel better for blessing us all... then go for it! When PMSH starts mixing his religion into his policy (NOT gonna happen), then I'll start getting antsy. Until then, let the man work!

Well, the Christianophobes and religionophobes and conservatophobes can go and fornicate amongst themselves now.

Their radical left-wing extreme social agenda is now dead. Hope it ain't resurrected for a loooong time, like Jason Voorhees, in which case we'll have to pulverize the bloody bastard all over again...

But for the time being...

*Sigh of relief*

Our country will be normal again... let's make the most of it and do it right this time...

:-)

And continue to stand on guard for thee.

I can only surmise that John Chuckman is five years old and had his mommy's help with the bigger words.
That he would research his article is undoubtedly too much to ask. That he would have watched TV in the last 20 years doesn't seem all that much of a stretch - if only it wasn't The Smurfs and Sesame Street all the time, he might've discovered, if even by accident, that every president ends formal, national speeches that way.
You know that we set a record for number of consecutive rainy days out here on the West coast recently? You know who's to blame? You guessed it: George W. Bush. Same guy who withered your crops and rendered you impotent.
Man there truly are some Mensans out there who just can't let facts get in the way of a good story, hey John?

Mr. Harper, you continue ending your speeches with God bless Canada, because it's what you believe to be right, and it's what many other Canadians believe to be right.

And people, his saying this doesn't mean he is disrespecting atheists or followers of other religions. Nor does it mean that he will run this country like a theocracy. But he believes in God, he believes that God has blessed us in Canada, and he wants God to continue blessing us. There is nothing wrong with this at all.

God bless Stephen Harper, and God bless Canada.

I think we need a new theme.

MAKE IT WORK!

I don't want another election for 4 four years.

Fixed election date NOVEMBER 11 or 12 to honor the veterans who suffered fought and died for this right.

Election day to be made a holiday.

Public transit to be free on election day to encourage voter turn out and promote public transit.

Proportional Representation seeing as the NDP support it and the CPC is willing to consider it.

MAKE IT WORK!

got some good ideas there NL. Might work.

I read chucker's column and couldn't resist drafting a reply. Was tempted to use the asbestos paper but didnt wanna give the turd the satisfaction. Instead I used words...big words... words beyond his comprehension *grin* I said his "Hitler-esque" vision was in his mirror. I wonder if I'll get a reply. And if I do... will it be ticking? LMFARO!

Yeah CS... I just hope we get the chance to do it up right.

Anything - anything - that gets the delusional "progressives" over at rabble.ca flustered and keeps them in denial has got to be worthwhile.

Keep it up, Stephen!

And Robert McLelland was revealing: clearly he sees elections as an unnecessary hindrance to continued Liberal rule.

After all, we know what we're getting with the Liberals so obviously they should be the ruling party.

Actually I found the the good folks over a rabble are taking Harper's victory quite well.
http://www.rabble.ca/babble/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=005199

Largs:

Thanks for the link! I've been laughing so hard reading the contents of that thread I'm actually crying!

Here's a memorable excerpt:

"Perhaps what Canada really needs is the dissolution of the NDP into an activist organization at grassroots level, which organizes to support the 17.5% who voted progressive with a self-financed cooperative social program, and let the rest fend for themselves. Canadians keep telling the NDP that its social democracy is not wanted nor desired."

Perhaps that last sentence would read better if the writer just cut to the chase:

"Canadians keep telling the NDP that [it] is not wanted."

Again, thanks for making my day!

Ok it's a little off topic but.
Here's a protest of one
Google set up a web site in china, and they are playing by the Chinese rules.
In other words if you say something wrong you go to jail.
People think its secure because it’s a western site, but its not true, and there have been arrests.
So I set my home page to Yahoo instead.
I understand that it means nothing because no one cares, but at least it makes me feel better.

The election is over! but you liberal pundant's just don't give up, You keep on smearing at every turn, on radio, tv, newspaper insisting that Harper will break-up the country. The voter's have spoken and change is what they wanted!. Harper won fair & square now let's give him a chance to prove what he is saying. You liberal's will try to roadblock at every turn, which could prove to be even more distasterous in the long run. Proof of this, Martin saying he would instruct the senate to veto legislature from Harper. Liberals, your toys have been taken out of the sand box for bad behavior, so now go stand in the corner until you can learn to behave, Canada has spoken, God Bless Canada & those who want a clean, working government back in Ottawa.

Good Morning, eh.

I have a few observations I would like to share:

1. Mr. Chuckman has a right to his opinion. Whether or not his “facts” are valid is immaterial. The fact that Al-Jazeerah is running his article speaks volumes. And please, enough with the Hitler stuff. I caught the Adler/CTV piece where the Halifax commentator used old Adolph and Satin. That stchick gets old pretty fast.

2. Almost all of the self proclaimed atheists, agnostics and such that are of a conservative persuasion, have no trouble with anyone saying “God bless Canada”. Indeed, that is precisely why my grandfather, uncles and myself served and fought for this country.

3. Reading rabble.ca and most other “progressive” blogs clearly shows the amount of hate and venom their readers have for someone who doesn’t share their views. Add to that their infantile level of debating leads one to believe they are in a kindergarten playground (or maybe daycare?).

4. All Canadians have a right to entitlement. They are entitled to positively contribute to Canada and it’s society. They are fully entitled to serve their country or community, pay taxed, vote, and help other Canadians and a right to live free from oppression.

5. At this hour of the morning I really don’t have a great closing paragraph. Damn!

Out, damned Harper, out!

(H/T Lady Macbeth/Carol Jamieson).

Andrew Coyne has the complete list. >>>

Funny. There sure were a lot more of you six months ago.

MORE: In fact, there was even a website devoted to pushing Harper Out. Paul Wells has linked to it before, but I feel this does not give those involved the credit they deserve. Here, then, for greater ease of purging, is the complete list of signatories "asking for Stephen Harper's resignation":

Lucien Richard – 2004 election candidate
Francis-Pierre Rémillard – 2004 election and current candidate
Philippe Giguère – 2004 organizer
Payam Eslami-Manoucheri – 2004 election candidate
Patrick Lemieux, militant, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles
Olivier Caron, militant, Brossard-La Prairie
Carol Jamieson, Director of two Toronto EDAs and Vice Chair GTA Presidents Council , more: >>>

http://andrewcoyne.com/

"Whatcom County Sheriff's deputy who rammed the suspects' car with his police cruiser, the two fugitive murder suspects did not enter Canada and did not pose a danger to Canadians"

At NHL games, the only part of the Canadian National Anthem I will sing is "We stand on guard for thee", because I always figured that part was written for us to sing, your American brothers.

I boo and whistle at the rest because I figure that must be how Canadians show respect...

Sort of kidding,
--moptop

God Bless Canada!
God Damn the Liberals!

Inclusive enough for everyone?

Oh yeah, and as another cynical atheist, I can only figure that those who complain about "God Bless this or that" are not atheists, but anti-theists, with a religion of their own, which they want to force others to practice.

It's funny, but I was also feeling quite patriotic today for the first time in a while. I wish I could be in Canada to soak this all in ( and to gloat to a few Liberal associates.) Can't wait to see the Cabinet. I hope Harper can get the GST cut and childcare passed. If he can follow through on these two promises he will turn some more heads. I don't know if he should risk an SSM vote in a minority. Would this be a confidence motion? Anyway, don't rock the boat too much. I'm thrilled with these results. I would like to thank SDA and everyone who contributes for keeping my spirits up in the dark days. We were Conservatives when conservatism wasn't cool.

the MSM now screaming that Toronto wants in, Montreal wants in and Vancouver wants in.

CBCpravda main story is that people voted Tory just for a change , no mention of the criminal investigations, the dithering , or the waste of the previous regime.

Sheila Copps for Liberal Leader.!!!!

hmmm....pretty sure he didn't say George bless Canada, i'm sick of whiny athiests with too much time on there hands. GOD BLESS CANADA! we can use all the help we can get!

I wonder if the MSM and lefties would be creaming with multicult pieties if Harper had said "Allahu Akbar!" instead...

I hear that Stephen Harper has set up prayer booths, is flying the American flag, and is renaming 24 Sussex "Whitehouse Deux"...oh yes, and there are soldiers with guns in the streets of our cities. I also heard that the anti-Christ is starting to campaign in Toronto and he's getting a lot of support already.

Another atheist here who doesn't have any sort of problem with Harper expressing his views; when he starts pushing it down others' throats, THAT'S when I'll start to worry. The first thing he needs to do is get the Accountability Act through, then fixed election dates and PR/Senate reform, and by that time, the Auditor General will have released her report on how much of a crock and private piggy-bank for LIEberals the gun registry has been; it'll die a quick death after that.

I have a mind to REALLY start pissing off Liberals and posting the words to "The Maple Leaf Forever." Kate, should I do it?

My response to the Chuckman column:
"One of the most misinformed pieces of historical and cultural misinterpretation I've ever had the misfortune to read. You seem to live in a world populated by bogeymen of your own imaginings (while neatly leaving out the Saddams, mullahs, and Castros from the mix.) Harper has every right to express his faith: his right to free speech does not bind or injure any but those who choose to be offended by it. And I'll now use my free speech to wish God's blessing upon you for wisdom, and for peace. It must be tough to be you."

someone in this thread said Harper should be "more original" - sorry, but "God bless..." has been around for quite a few centuries.

David... post it, please. Just remember, it's Wolfe, the dauntless hero, not Wolfe, the donkless hero. LOL

Gormley talking on CKOM.com about Premier Calvert's pre-election attack on PMSH's values. Excuse me, values are displayed not by what you say, but what you do. Calvert and his upset NDP cohorts need to cut the new PM some slack.It'll become clear over however long the mandate lasts just what the values, i.e. what he thinks are important, are.

My email to PM Stephen Harper dated Jan 13

Remember when your Paul Martin suggested he would fight corruption, mismanagement come HELL or HIGHWATER… “This is not a slogan, this is reality.” Well before your eyes your prayers are answered. HIGHWATER arrived with multiple floods and electoral HADES for the “LIEBERALS” is unfolding presently.

The lesson for Paul Martin is that it is contradictory to summon HELL and invoke DIVINE PROVIDENCE in one’s throne speeches. Divine Providence will not be easily mocked!!!

Craig Oliver on CTV tonight cited “The Apocalypse Canada Ad". Oh beautiful, a complete and utter Liberal political Chernobyl meltdown. Welcome to Hades ladies and gentlemen! That will teach them to suggest they would “consider not observing confidence votes” (Karen Redman May 25, 2005)

Funnier too was CTV journalist Craig Oliver's characterization of the Liberal campaign thus far:

"Paul Martin fell out of the 40th floor window, around the 20th floor someone asks him how are you doing?"

PM Martin replies: "Oh pretty good, but I haven't worked out the landing yet."

Keep the faith, and Godspeed.

Yours sincerely,

Actually, God Bless the Dominion of Canada.
(Removing Dominion was one of PET's contributions.)
In the last election (don't know the figures yet for this one) it is estimated that only 50% of the Christians in this country voted, so don't get so uptight abt the Christian agenda. Out of that 50%, the vote would have been spread over all the parties - the Green included. The same would be true of the voting pattern in this election.
To everyone who is screaming abt Stephen Harper's faith - Martin isolated his to Sunday and made a public announcement to the effect that the church would have no effect or influence on the decisions he made as PM. Has anyone noticed how well that worked for him?

Linda: The Anti-Christ would be a perfect new leader of the Liberal party! They are looking for a new one, aren't they?

Stephen Harper could kill this stupid fear-mongering debate with one stroke. At the end of his next major televised speech, he should look at the camera, smile, and intone "Allah be with you". The ensuing explosion will shine a light on the ridiculousness of the attacks, and end the debate.

*grin*

Looks like the JesusLand map is going to need to be redrawn.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesusland_map

to Robert Mclellan,

You suggest that Stephan Harper has just recently changed his opinion on SSM. I think if you were actually educated in the matter you would discover he has always had the same stance. Traditional Defenition of Marriage, create legislation for same sex unions, in step with the rest of the Western world, whats the problem where's the issue. As opposed to flip flop Paullie who uses every issue as a wedge to try and stay in power.

O Canada, terre de nos aïeux
Ton front est ceint
De fleurons glorieux
Car ton bras sait porter l'épée
IL SAIT PORTER LA CROIX
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits
Et ta valeur, DE FOI TREMPÉE
Protègera nos foyers et nos droits
Protègera nos foyers et nos droits

For anyone who doesn't know the original French verses, the capitals refer to GOD !

Another atheist here who doesn't have any sort of problem with Harper expressing his views; when he starts pushing it down others' throats, THAT'S when I'll start to worry.

I know what you mean, the view that disoriented people can have a legitimate marriage was pushed down our throats.

Same gender people obviously cannot become one except through mistaking the digestive system for the reproductive system.

Before the words to the anthem were changed, we all vowed to guard Canada without asking for outside help. Now we can't decide whether to do it ourselves or ask God to do it for us. I say, let God keep us free -- that way we can save on the defence budget and cut taxes. You see, faith and smaller government really do go together.

"that way we can save on the defence budget and cut taxes"

Uh, how much money for tax cuts exactly is left in the Canadian military?

Wasn't your navy dwarfed by Martin's personal fleet of ships? I think I saw the whole thing tied up to one wharf in Victoria, on day.

I say, let God keep us free -- that way we can save on the defence budget and cut taxes.

God helps those who help themselves. That's why leftists don't get any help.

Here it is, for all you Canadian Tories who have earned this. Here is your REAL NATIONAL ANTHEM, courtesy of your old Tennessee admirer:

In Days of yore,
From Britain's shore
Wolfe the dauntless hero came
And planted firm Britannia's flag
On Canada's fair domain.
Here may it wave,
Our boast, our pride
And joined in love together,
The thistle, shamrock, rose entwined,
The Maple Leaf Forever.

{chorus}
The Maple Leaf
Our Emblem Dear,
The Maple Leaf Forever.
God save our Queen and heaven bless,
The Maple Leaf Forever.

At Queenston Heights and Lundy's Lane
Our brave fathers side by side
For freedom's home and loved ones dear,
Firmly stood and nobly died.
And so their rights which they maintained,
We swear to yeild them never.
Our watchword ever more shall be
The Maple Leaf Forever

[CHORUS]

Our fair Dominion now extends
From Cape Race to Nootka Sound
May peace forever be our lot
And plenty a store abound
And may those ties of love be ours
Which discord cannot sever
And flourish green for freedom's home
The Maple Leaf Forever

[CHORUS]

Soccermom: Wonderful idea. I've never seen such a foaming at the mouth over religion or the word God. Belinda=anti-Christ?? okay... it might work

The Maple Leaf Forever is a great anthem for Brits (rose), Irish (shamrock) and Scots (thistle). What about the Welsh? (mabe they're the freaking thistle?). I'm Irish, but there seem to a lot of people from Germany, Ukraine, Poland, Italy, etc., not to mention China, India, Africa, Jamaica, Indonesia, etc around my town (TO). What about them, eh?

As for the God talk in the national anthem, go look at the French version. Sounds like it was written during the Inquisition!

From Bill Blaikie's website, that wild moonbat:

http://www.billblaikie.ca/updir/CCPA_Monitor3.pdf

Lessons learned:

-Religion , particularly Christianity, has been characterized as being a politically conservative value.

-Liberalism and social democracy (in Canada) have their roots in Christian values.

-Faith plays an important role in a person making their own informed decisions.

-Extremists at either end of the political spectrum will justify their agenda with religion as it suits them.

-The majority of Canadians, of faith and not of faith, have much more common ground than not.

This, perhaps, is the most balanced, reasonable and intelligent article on religion as it relates to politics that I have seen in a long time.

Bill Blaikie - Minister of National Harmony???

Godd Bless Canada!

Oh the sweet redemtion if Sheila Copps were to become the leader of the Lberal party!
I might even consider voting for the Natural Governing party just to vindcate her, and scorn Martin.