Kate can you send this letter to all the newspapers especially mine the Windsor Star.

With regard to the students' drawings of Jesus, in their student newspaper, the President of the U of Oregon writes:

"I understand why it may seem as if the University should have prevented publication or should take some action against those responsible for the publication. The Student Insurgent is not owned, controlled or published by the University of Oregon and is funded with student fees. Therefore, the University cannot exercise editorial control over its content.

"The best response to offensive speech often is more speech. ... I am strongly opposed to speech that makes individuals feel that they or their beliefs are unwelcome or belittled, and I can assure you I will use all permissible means to respond to publications such as the recent Insurgent."

Now - I agree with the first part of the sentence above - 'the best response to offensive speech is more speech'..but I certainly don't agree with the second part.

Why shouldn't one react to someone's speech with an assertion that their conclusion is 'unwelcome'? Why should one belittle their conclusion?

On rabble.ca, there are posters asserting that more Canadian soldiers should be killed in battle in Afghanistan. Now- why shouldn't we react to their opinions by saying that we don't accept them as just, as valid, as ethical? Why shouldn't we belittle their opinions? In other words - the President of the U of Oregon is refusing to evaluate opinions!

Everything is OK; everything is welcome. No - it isn't. Sure, speak out, write it up, but - be prepared to defend and argue for your opinions.

Are we supposed to welcome and not belittle the Islamofacist assertions that the west is evil and all westerners must be killed?

Harper does not ban bad news about the War, in fact he does not ban media coverage of coffins at all in Afghanistan. If the media want pictures of coffins they should go to Kandahar and hang out with the troops. In the meantime they might just learn something valuable to report back to Canada instead of harassing the grieving families of our soldiers.

A great letter to the editor in today's NP from a former armed forces member about how the media and those Canadians who protest the flag staying high and not being able to see greiving widows on the 11 o'clock news. (BCL - this includes you)

He takes them to task for this new found "interest" in all things military and their "support" in the past when caskets came home to lonely tarmacs and the fact a soldier had died maybe was found on page G12 of any given newspaper.

Kate I hope you do forward this on to our disgruntled media so they can see how absolutely hypocritical they can be. I don't hold out much hope though as unfortunately the media and those like BCL will continue their "rightous indignation" at the "horrible" way the CPC is treating those who have made the ultimate sacrifice!

Mr. Ed brays at Bob Rae Days: LOL.

Where is CAW...CAW...CAW...?

Mr. Rae and the Grits deserve each other
Defining one's political goal as seeking the middle ground is laughable, says former federal NDP leader ED BROADBENT
Globe and Mail
April 27, 2006

ED BROADBENT

Bob Rae began his apologia for the Liberal Party by quoting Sir Wilfrid Laurier. Given his subsequent argument, William Lyon Mackenzie King would have been a much better choice.

After all, while he pursued power, Laurier also had deep convictions -- King merely wanted the power. Carefully tailoring his policies to shifts in public opinion, King held power for many years,

all the time noting the fact that, whether on his left or right, other politicians were guided by

principles.

Mr. Rae offers us much the same. His variant on an old theme is found in his recent discovery that politics is "about people," not "ideology," as if these were mutually exclusive categories. Like many Liberals, Bob Rae creates the undefined straw man, labelled "ideology," to attack. In part this seems intended to deflect our attention away from his own unexceptional ideology, i.e. mainstream liberal democracy. Consider a short list of the things he tells us he is for: a united federal country; economic growth and environmental sustainability; the rule of law; investing in education; free, fair and open trade; and, markets that are neither despised nor worshipped. No Canadian politician would oppose any of these. Only someone capable of describing himself as being part of the "progressive centre," could imply that these are uniquely Liberal ideas. Here in Ottawa, I can hear Stephen Harper laughing half way across town. Pierre Trudeau would have scorned such banalities. +
http://www.voy.com/178771/4216.html

Kate, you are indeed correct. That letter should have been published and the fact that it hasn't speaks volumes about the mindset of the MSM in general. Lefties are probably not the best of neighbours to have around and count on in times of need. " Help you sandbag neighbour? Doesn't the government have a department for that?" Socialism tends not to help others up as it is to pull everyone down to their level.

Technically, as a member of the military, a soldier is representing his/her country and as such cannot say or do anything that is not approved nor can they say or act in any way as to discredit the military and government. This includes the CDS. If you are told to go and soldier on in Afghanistan or shovel snow in Toronto, you say "Yes Sir" and do it. If they were allowed to speak freely and were asked as to why they are in Afghanistan, most would say because that is their job and that is what they do. The fact that a hell of a lot of them would agree and echo the same sentiments as the letter writer, just reinforces their resolve. They would also have some not so kind words for the protesting moonies, Moores and Kerrys left behind to spout their crap.

Oh yeah, Troll be gone!

David Warren's column featured this paragraph, which, I think, says it all for me, particularly the last sentence.

"Am I biased against everything Islamic? No, my biases are more selective. There have been moments in history when Muslim peoples were among the most civilized, and in which their cultural achievements could be ranked with the best the world had seen. I wish any of those moments had occurred in the last three centuries."

This is worth re-posting...the most cogent and authoritative discussion on the matter, IMHOI (emphasis added):

Why the flag stays high

Christopher McCreery
National Post

Thursday, April 27, 2006

The question of whether or not the flag flown from the Peace Tower should be lowered in honour of the sacrifice made by Canadian Forces personnel serving overseas has been clouded by grief and, to some degree, uninformed hysteria.

The grief is excusable and reveals the importance and esteem with which many Canadians hold our Armed Forces; the hysteria is inexcusable and requires clarification.

Historically, the flag on the Peace Tower -- often referred to as "the National Flag" -- is only lowered to half-mast upon the death of the Sovereign, a current or former governor-general, a current or former prime minister, a current or former senator, members of the Privy Council, the chief justice, lieutenant governors, serving MPs and on specific days such as Remembrance Day and Vimy Ridge Day. It is also lowered on national days of mourning, such as that held after the Sept. 11 attacks. (No doubt, some will balk at the half-masting for senators and MPs and not Canadian Forces members, but that is a side issue.)

This general policy is the norm in other countries, including Britain, France, the United States, Germany and South Africa, and was in place in Canada from Confederation until 2002, when four Canadians were killed in the now infamous friendly-fire incident at Tarnak Farm, near Kandahar, Afghanistan. At that time, the government decided to break with tradition and ordered the Peace Tower flag to be flown at half-mast.

This policy remained in place until November, 2005, when the Liberal government decided to revert to the traditional practice of not lowering the Peace Tower flag every time a Canadian is killed overseas. Thus, when Private B.S. Woodfield was returned to Canada in late November 2005, the Peace Tower flag was not lowered to half-mast -- yet there was no great outcry on the part of Canadians.

It is important to remember that even if the Peace Tower flag is not being flown at half-mast, flags at the Department of National Defence Headquarters, the Canadian base in Afghanistan, certain other Canadian Forces bases and, perhaps most importantly, the home base of the deceased, are. Thus, their sacrifice is not going unrecognized and is not dishonoured by the failure to lower the flag on the Peace Tower.

Veterans of the Second World War and Korea War are right to argue that if a policy of lowering the flag to half mast on the Peace Tower was in place during the conflicts that they so valiantly served in, the flag would have been permanently at half-mast those years. We must also not forget the more than 130 Canadian peacekeepers who have given their lives since 1948 -- the flag was not half-masted for them, either. The Royal Canadian Legion and other veterans' groups, with more than 250,000 veterans of the Second World War supporting them, believe that the traditional policy of not lowering the Peace Tower flag to half-mast is the correct one.

We have a national day of recognition for the service rendered by those who have served and died in the defence of our country -- Nov. 11, Remembrance Day. This is the day when all Canadians stop and reflect upon the sacrifices made not only by those who have recently lost their lives in Afghanistan, but in all of the conflicts that Canada has fought in. Would but all those people who are now engaged in hand-wringing over the decision to respect Canada's traditions and not lower the National Flag attend Remembrance Day services, the numbers would surely swell.

The point is this: When you see a flag at half-mast, you need to pause and reflect on the service given by the person who has died. But if it is routinely lowered to half-mast this effect is lost, and we become blind to the symbolism intended.

Perhaps the furor over the half-masting of the flag is a more general reaction to Canadian's shame and disgust over the systemic underfunding that the Canadian Forces has been subjected to over the past 15 years. Canada's military needs our support and better funding. If we seek to honour the brave service of our troops, we should take forward an appreciation of their sacrifice every day, and not reduce their service to an ignominious political debate about "flag up or flag down."

Dr. Christopher McCreery is the author of The Canadian Honours System, published by Dundurn Press, The Order of Canada: Its Origins, History and Development, published by University of Toronto Press, and a number of articles on flags and protocol.

© National Post 2006

"More Jesus cartoons by a university publication called - you guessed it - The Insurgent."

That's what free speech is all about folks -- deal with it.

Kate, I too am for peace, motherhood and prosperity, but I nevertheless will play the devil's advocate.

Given the stated noble aims and actions of our troops, why we are in Afghanistan and not in Darfur or any of the other human disaster areas?

Let's not let sentiment obscure realpolitik.

Agitfact:

The practical answer to your question is that Afstan is where the terrorists were based & were trained. Had the Taliban responded to the US demands to turn Bin Laden & co. over, it is most probable that Afstan would still be under Taliban control. Getting rid of that hateful regime is a by-product of the war on terror, a good thing, but a by-product nonetheless.

Because those darlings of the Left - Russia and China - in the Left's favourite wet dream inducing organization - the U.N. Security Council - keep vetoing any action on Darfur.

BCL has been banned, after several warnings. (That is not a topic for debate, but to explain the disappearance of the comment referred to.) Unfortunately, other users of the Toronto Real Estate Board computers may now have problems accessing the site as well.

A great letter from someone who's been there and done that:

'Canadians have not earned the right to share our grief'

Ian Parker
National Post

Thursday, April 27, 2006

As a retired member of the Canadian Armed Forces, I'm disturbed by the media frenzy and the artificial public outcry over the government's decision to restrict the media from CFB Trenton for the arrival of Canadian war dead. I fully support this decision, and I am ashamed of my fellow Canadians. For the past dozen years, when the Liberals were decimating the Canadian military, there was no public outcry. There was no media frenzy. You did not care. Canadians have -- due to their self-centred, insatiable demand for social programs -- wilfully neglected the men and the women of the Canadian Forces and allowed the federal government, under the Liberals, to gut the Canadian military. And now the media and other pundits wish to share in the grief of the military families for their fallen ones?

Where were the public outcry and the media frenzy over the government's obvious agenda to emasculate the Canadian Forces? There was no outcry when the air force was arbitrarily cut due to lack of resources; no outcry that the army, cut to the bone, is now unable to survive on a modern high-tech battlefield; and there has been not been a word over the decimation of the once-proud Canadian navy. In short, there has been no outcry that the Canadian Forces cannot fulfill its mission to defend Canada.

The Canadian media -- and Canadians -- have not earned the right to share our grief. Shame on the Canadian media, and shame on Canadians.

Ian Parker, Carleton Place, Ont.

© National Post 2006

Bruce, I know that, but I protest these essential facts being obscured by boy scout good deeds either accidentally or on purpose.

Thanks, Bruce - you are right. It's perfect; it's accurate; it outlines the facts; it's 'cogent and authoritative'.

Now- why has the MSM been misleading the public - and informing us that Harper's decision to actually return to tradition is 'a break with tradition'?
And - why is the MSM misleading the Canadian public? They don't inform the public about the OTHER flags that ARE half-staffed!

It was Chretien who broke with tradition - and he did it for his own political agenda of power, which was based on emotion, and, in this case, anti-Americanism (which is always a key component of the Liberal ideology).

Harper is rejecting Chretien's abuse of the military and the soldiers - and returning to tradition.

The Canadian MSM is not serious about the War on Terror nor about our troops. If it were serious, it would hire David Warren to do a daily front-page column telling us what is going on and why. I was as surprised to learn David Warren was Canadian as I was surprised years ago to learn the jazz virtuoso Oscar Peterson was Canadian. That the MSM would keep this much talent of a David Warren in the background is all the proof that I need of its real intentions.

The MSM doesn’t care about the what and whys in this War. They care only about their own mission, which is socialism. Therefore, all their effort will go into making conservatism look as grim as possible, even if it means diminishing our chances on victory against our terrorist enemies.

But the MSM will lose the information war, their propaganda will not hold up against the internet which democratizes the media.

Aqitfact;
Just how big do you think your military is? We can barely handle Afghanistan as it is, we could not handle Darfur as well. Did you know that there are more Muslims living in Ottawa than we have members in the whole military, Army, Navy and Air Force? We have been continuosly cut in size and are now down to less than 60,000 and those are not all "warriors". We, like our equipment, are aging and are likewise not being replaced.

As to why we are in Afghanistan, I draw your attention to Article 5 of the NATO Alliance. This is a NATO mission, either you participate or withdraw from NATO since you have failed to keep the agreement. That is why we are there, Darfur is a UN mission, thats where we send the Military to watch and report on Genocide, like in Rwanda, while denying them permission to take action.

The "noble stated aims and actions" have nothing to do with the troops but with the government that sent them there to fulfill their obligations to NATO. Once they got there they realized that the place was a rats nest of human rights violations and would not be cleaned up quickly, what would you have us do? Adopt the Liberal/NDP "holier than thou atitude" and refuse to get our hands dirty while throwing money at the problem?

Lets not let realpolitik obscure reality and logic.

For the past dozen years, when the Liberals were decimating the Canadian military, there was no public outcry. Canadians have -- due to their self-centred, insatiable demand for social programs -- wilfully neglected the men and the women of the Canadian Forces and allowed the federal government, under the Liberals, to gut the Canadian military. with all due respect to Bruce, Canada's reduction in military spending and reduction in number of troops has been in step with most Nato nations since the decline of the cold war. It should also be remembered that Mulroney and his tories reduced the number of troops by 7,000 while in govt.

i apologize for the italics frenzy in above post. oops. wasn't paying attention to my typing.

Re: Jesus drawings. As a Christian I am appalled at their lack of sensitivity. By the same token, this is a small price to pay for freedom of expression. I think it delineates up from the Islamofascists who hate our guts. After all, I haven't heard (yet) of Christian hordes rioting in the streets, destroying businesses and murdering Muslims. I know some people are deeply hurt by these drawings, but I am not; I just consider the source, with an understanding that it is not my place to judge them. In other words, I'm not taking the bait. I hope nobody else does.

Davidson, you are correct in pointing out that both Conservatives and Liberals have been responsible for cutting our military capabilities. However, to give credit where credit is due, Harper has moved to not only increase funding but to also give the respect that our military so richly deserves. The disdain that Chretien/Martin showed for our military was shameful. In my view the most important thing that defines us as Canadians is not the fact that we are not Americans. Nor is it our health care system. It is our proud military history and our role of pulling our weight in the international community to assist in achieving peace in areas of conflict.

Who opposes this? Not a surprise:

The socialist/liberals of Premier McGuinty, aka Liar-Liar McGuinty of Hogtown Ontario, aka Toronto.

Prime Minister Harper and George Bush, POTUS earn kudos for this.

Oh, yes... credit goes to David Emerson from B.C.

Eat CAW, CAW... liberal/socialists. +

U.S. Settles Lumber Dispute With Canada
AP via Yahoooo ^ | April 27, 2006 | MARTIN CRUTSINGER

Posted on 04/27/2006 8:19:05 AM PDT by ARealMothersSonForever

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration announced Thursday that it had reached a tentative agreement to settle a bitter three-decade-long battle with Canada over softwood lumber.

The administration said it now wants to hear from American lumber producers to see if they accept the terms of the agreement. Their initial reaction was favorable, officials said. The United States has been imposing penalty duties on Canadian lumber for a number of years, contending that Canada is unfairly subsidizing its own producers. + more...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1622524/posts

Ontario Rejects Softwood Lumber Deal
Josh Pringle
Wednesday, April 26, 2006

The Ontario Government says a new US-Canada softwood lumber agreement would kill lumber jobs in the north.

The province calls the deal unacceptable.

Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay says Ontario has been short-changed by the deal because it favours BC at Ontario's expense.

The Ontario Government says the deal will allow BC to increase the volume of its lumber trade into the US, but reduce Ontario's below historical levels. + cfra.com

It is a noble thing to want to take Afgan women out of the middle ages. The problem is much larger than that. Illiteracy is 96%. The people are conservative Islamists. It is very near the poorest country on earth. The peoples' loyalty can be bought and sold from day to day. The person you smile and shake hands with today can try to kill you tomorrow. There is a very long tradition of hostility towards outsiders. I don't think this has changed since the Russians gave up trying to occupy Afganistan. The Taliban live there so they aren't going anywhere. As long as we completely understand that what we are trying to do is monumentally hard and generations in the making that is fine. However, I don't believe most Canadians have any idea of the history, or the reality of Afganistan. We, Americans and Canadians, have been discovering over the past five years that this task is
Sisyphus-like.

Davidson:

I agree with you vis a vis the cuts made by Mulroney's government; I hold Mulroney in nearly as much contempt as I do Chretien.

The February 1991 budget imposed huge cuts in the military and the RCMP.

At that time I was A/OIC of national Drug Operations for the RCMP. Seeing what the 1991 cuts to the RCMP budget (10% overall) was probably one of the more traumatic experiences I faced. I had to oversee the cancellation of nearly-complete investigations against major organized crime targets, the shut-down of countless wiretap operations, selling off surveillance vehicles, cancelling many, many investigative positions etc. And this occurred throughout the country.

The RCMP never recovered from the '91 cuts; continuing neglect under the Liberals just made things worse. It was the first time that the military and RCMP were subject of an across the board budget cut; prior to that, both functions had been treated differently due to the government's regard for security and public safety.

Not long after the cuts were announced, I attended a meeting of A/Dep. Ministers, along with members of the military. Of course, this was around the time that the cold war was won. One of the A/Dep. Minister's gleefully announced that the cuts to the military were overdue, now that the cold war had been won, because the military had "run out of enemies".

I recall exchanging glances with my counterparts from the armed forces, both of us silently communicating our wonderment that our government had such morons in positions of power...

Well, it loks like the same old same old is happening in Alberta... again. According to CHQR, the politicians have figured out that having a private sector with the public health system will not save them any money so out with any innovation and the "third option". I honestly would like someone who doesn't have any personal stake in the results (politicians, Regional Health officials, Nurses unions) take a honest look at what the rest of the world is doing.

By spending 1.3 million on a consulting report they predict by 2016 half of the budget will be health care funding. Most taxpayers could have predicted that and at a fraction of the cost. The really scary thing is that if Alberta doesn't have the cajolies to get out of the rut then what shape will the rest of the provinces be in? something tells me that PEI, Newfoundland and yes Saskatchewan will be in a world of hurt by then.

I haven't got my copy of the Charter with me but is it written in stone that Canadians (and any refugee that hits Canadian soil) are entitled to healthcare, even if it brings the country into bankruptcy?

commsguy - thanks for your post. It clarifies a lot of things. And - I liked your comments about the Liberal/NDP strategy. Again, thanks.

agitfact: You've been reading the Star too much about Darfur. They do not have a clue, viz this editorial "End Darfur carnage":
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1146088213644&call_pageid=968256290204&col=968350116795

Sudan has rejected any UN force for Darfur. The UN's second-ranking peacekeeping official has told the Security Council that, if the Security Council nonetheless authorizes intervention, the force should not be under the UN (as was the case with the NATO force in Bosnia).
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/26/AR2006042602484.html?referrer=email

A senior US State Department official has said such an intervention, without Khartoum's agreement, would be equivalent to an invasion.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/27/world/africa/27diplo.html

NATO has made it clear that it will not send ground forces to Darfur.
http://news.monstersandcritics.com/europe/article_1158496.php/Irans_nuke_crisis_Afghanistan_and_Darfur_to_top_NATO_talks

Moreover China--which has important oil interests in Sudan (yes, in this case it is all about oil)--and Russia will most certainly veto any attempt to have the Security Council mandate a non-UN intervention force. After their experience with Iraq there is no way the US will "invade" Sudan on its own, or even with some small coalition, without such a mandate.

The editorial urges Prime Minister Harper to "support this drive for stepped-up UN action". Sadly, the US-led drive is going nowhere. Many Canadians are still demanding, in our typically moralistic but impractical fashion, that we "do something". What, pray tell, might that be that would achieve anything effective?

You might read the guest-post at "Daimnation!" for a fuller account of reality:

"Darfur update: the one-two punch (has no wallop)"
http://www.damianpenny.com/archived/006341.html

Mark
Ottawa

And a great letter in the Star!:
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_PrintFriendly&c=Article&cid=1146088213698&call_pageid=970599119419&source=somnia

'Canada not alone in Afghanistan
Apr. 27, 2006. 01:00 AM

Canadians in Afghanistan

April 25.

In reading and listening to media reports, one would think Canada is the only country, other than the United States, that has placed troops in harm's way. Nothing could be further from the truth. Twelve NATO countries currently have a total of 15,000 troops deployed, of which Canada has supplied 2,300. Regrettably, 15 Canadians have lost their lives. But so, too, have many brave soldiers from other countries — all of which deserve mention, honour and our gratitude: Germany 18, Spain, 17, U.K. 7, France 4, Italy 3, Romania 3, Denmark 3, Sweden 2, Australia 1, Norway 1, Portugal 1. We stand together.

Don Mustill, Unionville'

H/t to "Spotlight on Military News and International Affairs"
http://www.cfc.forces.gc.ca/spotnews_e.html

Mark
Ottawa

Talk radio reports that some Liberal MPs, along with their fellow socialists, the NDP,today in the House of Commons, are wearing red poppies. The last refuge of a scoundrel is patriotism (Dr. Samuel Johnson).

These socialists have no respect for the Armed forces, the veterans, the Legion: the fallen warriors of Canada. These socialists have dishonoured the fallen of Canada.

These socialists do respect stolen taxpayers' money,filthy lucre, money looted by the AdScam artists, Chretien/Martin, & their ilk. +

Tories refuse to pay AdScam bills
OTTAWA -- Requests for financial help by AdScam players wanting taxpayers to foot their legal bills will be "dead on arrival," Treasury Board President John Baird has vowed. +
via canoenews

Good one maz2. Libs and NDP wearing poppies in the house has to be the ultimate hypocrisy.
The Legion has had to fight tooth and nail for every veteran since WW1, to pry any benefits out of the (mostly) Liberal governments.

Main Entry: in·sur·gent
Function: noun
1 : a person who revolts against civil authority or an established government; especially : a rebel not recognized as a belligerent
2 : one who acts contrary to the policies and decisions of one's own political party

***WARNING*** Watching too many Hollywood movies in order to review them will rot your brain.

Voters like idea of a Liberal-NDP merger: poll

A new poll, released as two more left-leaning candidates prepare to enter the Liberal leadership race, suggests a merger of the Liberal and New Democratic parties could be an electoral winner.

NEW: Blogger: CTV Misleads with 'Liberal -NDP Merger' Headline +

nealenews.com with link to boundbygravity who rewrites headline & article.

CTV Headline Writer Snorts Cocaine
http://www.boundbygravity.com/2006/04/ctv-headline-writer-snorts-cocaine.aspx

We should not be in Afghanistan if we are not also in Darfur.

Because I cannot help everyone I should help none.

Since I cannot contribute to all charities I should contribute to no charity.

Therefore any help I offer to any individual is demeaning and offensive to all others needing help. A clear violation of their human rights, an act of discrimination on my part.

I must be punished. No mercy can be extended to me unless all receive mercy.....

Sean writes:

""More Jesus cartoons by a university publication called - you guessed it - The Insurgent."

That's what free speech is all about folks -- deal with it."

Well, Sean, then why don't you walk around in downtown Toronto or Montreal with a t-shirt with a picture of Mohammed with an erection standing next to a small girl? I'd love to see you act consistent with free speech in this way... openly exposing the truth about the Prophet... and by extension Islam... and the beliefs of devout Muslims...

No? I didn't think so. Political correctness and violent Muslims trumps free speech! Oh, yeah, there's also the Human Rights Tribunal... expect to be subpoena'd and end up thousands of dollars poorer...

The difference is that the Jesus drawings are pure defamation while it's a fact that Mohammed was a pedophile, in addition to other even worse things. He was evil, actually. Isn't it amazing what one finds out when one begins to do serious, independent research?

The Muslims threaten us with death wrt exposing the truth about Islam because they know that if the whole Free World learns about what the Islamic world really is like, then the Free World will no longer listen when they claim to be about tolerance and peace... which they are definitely not, for Islam is about the opposite.

I did not make this up.

Go visit:

http://www.faithfreedom.org

...and be enlightened... if you have an open mind and a desire to discover the terrible, frightening truth about those who currently threaten us with nuclear bombing...

Talk radio says Andre Arthur, Indep. MP., has been appointed by Prime Minister Harper to the Parliamentary committee which oversees the CRTC. Arthur said to be the overseer.

Confirm/verify/comment(s)? +

Political Forums > Andre Arthur
Andre Arthur, erstwhile talk show host and the independent MP from the Quebec ... He claims that Jean Pelletier had the CRTC force his removal from radio. ...
www.mapleleafweb.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t5425.html - 13k -

It must be a frightening thing for the Lefties and the MSM to behold.

Here is a PM that not only went to Afganistan, but he ate and slept with the troops. You heard me, actually bunked down in the same tents with Canada's best infantry, all with loaded rifles, and slept soundly, know that he was surrounded by those that can and would give their lives to protect him.

Yep, slept with folks that would make good neighbours.

Must be frightening to the poor neighbour crew.
Pat

Random ideology-related (but not political) tip: for the love of reason, no...

Rand is spinning in her grave.

Sorry I wasn’t around to deal with the comments sent my way, but life intruded. Having reviewed this thread, I see that there would be no point replying to most of them anyway. Questions of proof, fact or logic being irrelevant, the totality of wisdom on this site is “Conservatives (and Right) great, Liberals (and Left) bad, and what is bad for Conservatives must be liberal.” What a way to go through life. The reality check will be interesting.

I never found Stephen Harper scary, but must confess that some of his admirers frighten the hell out of me. On to other topics, where the same subjects no doubt will crop up again.

April 26, 2006
“You Just Can’t Believe Anyone Hates You That Much”

TEL AVIV - After living in an Arab country for nearly six months, arriving in Israel came like a shock. ...

Lisa is a journalist who has been writing for the Guardian lately. She moved from Canada to Israel years ago when Ehud Barak was prime minister. Peace between Israelis and Palestinians looked imminent. Israel was on the threshold - finally - of becoming an accepted and normal country in the Middle East. It was the perfect time to relocate, a time of optimism and hope. A cruel three weeks later that dream was violently put to its death. The second intifada exploded. Israel was at war.

“It was so traumatizing,” she said. “And everybody blamed us. I don’t think I will ever get over it.”

Last year she wrote a six-part series on her blog called How Lisa Came to Israel. It’s riveting and terrifying to read. She must turn that material into a book. Do yourself a favor. Set aside some time and read Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, and Part Six. If you’re a literary agent, send her an email.

“I was near 11 or 12 suicide attacks during the intifada," she said. "But that’s nothing. I know people in Jerusalem who were near 40 or 50.”

She kept going to restaurants, cafes, and bars even while bombs exploded somewhere almost every day. She even chose to sit right next to the front windows, the least safe place in any establishment.

“The staff kept asking me if I was sure I wanted to sit there," she said. "I did.”

“I didn’t want to visit Israel then,” I said.

“Hardly anyone did,” she said. “The thing is, though, even when the intifada was at its peak you were far more likely to be killed in a traffic accident than by the bombers.”

She’s right about that. Most supposedly dangerous countries in the Middle East are considerably safer than they appear from far away. The region is not one never-ending explosion. Even so, suicide bomb operations are far more terrifying and traumatizing than car crashes. They're murderous. They’re malevolent. They’re on purpose. +
http://www.michaeltotten.com/archives/001131.html

Lisa's blog:

Excerpt:

"But here's the thing: I was travelling on my Canadian passport. I wonder why he assumed that I spoke Hebrew? Don't any non-Israelis fly from Amman to Tel Aviv?" =
http://ontheface.blogware.com/blog/_archives/2005/1/20/1456925.html

a soldier need not worry about politics and such,you have orders -you follow them-u cannot be held to blame,and never should be.
you are the bravest we have-thank you.

ALERT! Be on the lookout for one outsized and meglomaniacal ego escaped from his aerie ("nest of a bird of prey," Canadian Oxford Dictionary):

DR. David Suzuki is in Southern Ontario this weekend on a tour to publicize--and SELL, SELL, SELL--his autobiography. I wonder how many half truths, outright untruths, and coverups?

And how many others have received the e-mail asking for signatures to the Nobel Committee, nominating Stephen Lewis for the Peace Medal for his AIDs work in Africa? Two of my friends--they go back a long time--have sent it to me. DELETE: Click.

Friday, April 28, 2006
Hosting Matters Attacked

I’ve received quite a few emails this morning from people having trouble getting to blogs like Power Line and Captain’s Quarters.

The reason for the problem: Hosting Matters is experiencing a Denial of Service attack. They’re working to block it now.

More info on DoS attacks: Wikipedia: Denial-of-service attack.

UPDATE at 4/28/06 8:43:47 am:

Although LGF is also at Hosting Matters, we were moved to a different network after experiencing a similar attack. (That’s why we’re still up.)

UPDATE at 4/28/06 8:48:17 am:

I may have spoken too soon; some parts of the LGF system are beginning to act a bit flaky.

UPDATE at 4/28/06 9:27:25 am:

The attack reportedly originates in Saudi Arabia. + LGF

The article cited below from the SF Chronicle does not mention this fact:

Arab Muslims are killing black African Muslims.

The MSM is engaged in a cover-up of this fact. Why? To smear President Bush, of course. +

Comment is free: Darfur: the awful silence
With the number of corpses in Darfur steadily mounting, and President Bush ... A genocide in which Arab Muslims are killing black African Muslims doesn't ...
commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/glenn_reynolds/2006/03/darfur.html - 37k

Five members of Congress arrested over Sudan protest
- Jim Doyle, Chronicle Staff Writer
Friday, April 28, 2006

(04-28) 08:51 PDT WASHINGTON - Five members of Congress, including Rep. Tom Lantos (D-San Mateo) were arrested today when they blocked the front entrance at the Embassy of Sudan in Washington, D.C. Their protest and civil disobedience was designed to embarrass the military dictatorship's ongoing genocide of its non-Arab citizens. +
http://www.paulding.net/bin/url.cgi/13266.19

Guess the University of Oregon student newspaper - The Insurgent wants their 15 minutes of fame too...

Jesus homo cartoons.

The President of the U, weigh's in...and basically the same response as the Univ of Sask - the paper isn't under the control of the University, but still are funded by student fees

http://president.uoregon.edu/A%20student%20publication.htm

Sean: "More Jesus cartoons by a university publication called - you guessed it - The Insurgent.That's what free speech is all about folks -- deal with it."

We are you twit. Freedom of speech is not freedom from social responsiblity. Freedom of speech is not freedom from maturity also.

To have true freedom, there must some rule or guidelines to operate within.

Otherwise you'd end like a twit.

A good line from the Edmonton Journal:
"“Anti-Americanism is always the last refuge of Canadian scoundrels."

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=e0c91ac0-1dae-485a-8a1d-e768b0de8b60&k=58394