Daily Digest January 19, 2008

The DAILY DIGEST: INFORMATION and OPINION from ST. JOHN'S to VICTORIA.
ARCHIVED at http://cdndailydigest.blogspot.com/

EDITORIAL PAGEs

CORNER BROOK WESTERN STAR -
We've witnessed the positive side
http://www.thewesternstar.com/index.cfm?sid=212298&sc=30

CHARLOTTETOWN GUARDIAN -
Celebrating the giants of our history
The Dominion Institute is right to encourage more celebration of Sir John A.Macdonald and other historical figures.
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sc=103

CAPE BRETON POST -
Bush sincerity a thin legacy
http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?sid=212095&sc=151

SAINT JOHN TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL -
Federal budget must have national impact
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/opinion/article/544043

OTTAWA CITIZEN -
Parsing a presidency
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/editorials/Parsing+presidency/1193224/story.html

Go fast, but carefully
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/editorials/fast+carefully/1193225/story.html

BELLEVILLE INTELLIGENCER -
Harper too slow on inquiry
http://www.intelligencer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1393446

TORONTO STAR -
Retraining needs rethink
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/573249

Obama can build on Gaza ceasefire
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/573248

GLOBE & MAIL -
Productivity before stimulusComment2
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090118.weSpending19/BNStory/specialComment/home

Truly environmental
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090118.weEnviron19/BNStory/specialComment/home

NATIONAL POST -
Behind the gushing: true history
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1192464

The new man
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=1192493

BCTF's war on accountability
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=1192466

HAMILTON SPECTATOR -
Tragedy sends message to all
http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/article/498489

K-W RECORD -
NDP puts its needs ahead of Canada's
http://news.therecord.com/Opinions/article/474163

WINDSOR STAR -
As Olympic costs soar
http://www.windsorstar.com/opinion/editorials/Olympic+costs+soar/1192581/story.html

SUDBURY STAR -
Cut the spending, give us tax cuts
http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1394070

THUNDER BAY CHRONICLE JOURNAL -
Preparing for the budget
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories.php?id=159219

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS -
Once the spigot is open, it's hard to turn off
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/once_the_spending_spigot_is_open_its_hard_to_turn_off.html

SASKATOON STARPHOENIX -
Wise to require divorcing parents to attend course
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/forum/story.html?id=6ed7bd9d-9777-41d8-adb7-8a146f5a7a63

Haters taint protests
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/forum/story.html?id=9b3e4719-b45c-482d-ae78-6196e086ffbd

REGINA LEADER-POST -
Recession the right time to invest in volunteers
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/viewpoints/story.html?id=6f8d46f6-55e7-496e-8de0-5cbb50ba025b

CALGARY HERALD -
Financial woes offer chance for reforms
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/theeditorialpage/story.html?id=2646b66e-53de-45cc-9b3d-56cc536c6caf

CALGARY SUN -
Bush takes too much credit
http://calsun.canoe.ca/Comment/POV/2009/01/19/8066876-sun.html

GRANDE PRAIRIE DAILY HERALD TRIBUNE -
Bush takes too much credit - Real legacy is problems left behind
http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1394431

LETHBRIDGE HERALD -
Hockey keeps dodging the issue
http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/content/view/23897/56/

RED DEER ADVOCATE -
Grits' leftward shift a losing idea 
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradvocate/opinion/Grits_leftward_shift_a_losing_idea.html

PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN -
Program rebirth only fitting
http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/20090119170551/opinion/editorials/program-rebirth-only-fitting.html

VICTORIA TIMES-COLONIST -
Forest policies don't match reality
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=a2a2aa68-c6c7-4e3e-aea9-38f328774688

Be the best -- don't just say it
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=82ebd8cf-d7e3-47cb-873f-7437f5863136

Bush's words the legacy of a failed leader
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=8406aa84-9082-48ee-9c6f-b29a48e137ea

New senator a poor choice for native representation
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=65cb8281-9928-4f3a-bcd6-f7955b74400a


ISSUES

ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS -          
Compensation for Canadian aboriginal group championed by U.S. Senator
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1192458


AFGHANISTAN -
Canadian Ambassador speaks on warlords, body counts
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/1101609.html

Russia agrees to Afghan request for defence aid
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090116.wecon17/BNStory/politics/home

Attack disrupts Afghan supplies
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2009/01/200911965138539972.html

Security beefed up ahead of voter registration in Kandahar
http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/World/2009/01/19/8070786.html

NATO urges allies to follow Obama's Afghan lead
http://in.reuters.com/article/southAsiaNews/idINIndia-37536920090119

War of words breaks out between Nato, Karzai govt
AFP (01/19/2009)

Afghanistan allies 'equally responsible': ministry
AFP (01/19/2009)

Time for a New Afghan Strategy
Khaleej Times (01/19/2009)

Afghanistan held back by weak leadership: NATO
Reuters (01/19/2009)


CANADIAN FORCES -
Canadian soldier injured in Afghan bomb attack
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=1193973

Canada's top soldier says any additional help in Afghanistan 'invaluable'
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090119/national/20090119_cda_afghan_natynczyk


CANUSA/USACAN -
UN official asks Obama to stop Khadr trial
http://www.thestar.com/SpecialSections/article/573178

New U.S. administration a golden opportunity for Canada: experts
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090119/national/20090119_cda_obama

Canada will press trade with Obama and lobby against anti-NAFTA talk: Wilson
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090119/national/20090119_cda_obama_ambassador

Obama popularity in Canada an opportunity for Harper
Prime Minister has golden chance to test central theme of his foreign policy
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090119.OBAMACANADA19/TPStory/National

U.S. mortgage insurers press Ottawa to guarantee policies
http://business.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090119.wmortgage19/BNStory/Business/home

How Ottawa can help clean up Obama's first mess
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090116.wcogitmo19/BNStory/specialComment/home

Omar Khadr case back before military commission today amid ongoing confusion
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090119/national/20090119_omar_khadr

Ottawa should follow U.S. lead on technology
http://technology.canoe.ca/Columnists/Canton/2009/01/19/8071076-sun.html

Harper needs stronger U.S. relations: Report
http://www.montrealgazette.com/Harper+needs+stronger+relations+Report/1194252/story.html


ECONOMIC AFFAIRS -
What's stimulus, anyway? A simple user's guide
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090116.wcostanford19/BNStory/specialComment/home

Stimulus Week, day 1: Stimulus: What works, what doesn't
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fpcomment/archive/2008/12/15/stimulus-what-works-what-doesn-t.aspx

The Chrysler solution
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fpcomment/archive/2008/12/15/david-booth-the-chrysler-solution.aspx

A very long way from a Great Depression
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/editorial/story.html?id=9e6df69f-22b2-4945-bb77-7422490a2e33

Stimulus spending doesn't work: Cut taxes and spending instead
http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/op-ed/Stimulus+spending+doesn+work/1193106/story.html


FOREIGN AFFAIRS -
Shaky truce holds in Gaza Strip
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/01/200911915726719317.html

Has Iraq regained its sovereignty?
http://www.investorsiraq.com/showthread.php?t=119994

Foes pursue stable peace as Gaza falls quiet
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090119.wgazamain19/BNStory/International/home

Analysis: Winners and losers in the conflict
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090119.wgazaanalysis19/BNStory/Front

Obama must redefine success in Afghanistan
http://ekerala.net/news/special/2009/01/20/obama-must-redefine-success-in-afghanistan-paul-taylor/


HEALTH CARE RELATED -
Ottawa - The law on infertility revised before being applied
http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ledevoir.com%2F2009%2F01%2F19%2F228224.html&sl=fr&tl=en&history_state0=&swap=1


JUSTICE SYSTEM -



MIGRATION -



POLITICS IN THE PROVINCES -
Days of cutting Charest slack are over
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/573319

Are Charest and Iggy about to dance?
http://business.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090119.WBSpector20090119065631/WBStory/WBSpector

Charest called the 'spoiled child' of Confederation
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/posted/archive/2009/01/19/charest-s-demands-earn-him-spoiled-child-label.aspx

New U.S. president could mean big changes for Alberta's oil industry
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2009/01/18/edm-obama-alberta-energy-policy.html


FEDERAL POLITICS -
Ignatieff still unknown, Harper too well known, new poll finds
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090118/national/20090118_poll_ignatieff_harper

Tensions ease ahead of budget votes
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/090119/canada/canada_us_politics

Harper promises quick, efficient action on economy
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090119/harper_economy_090119/20090119?hub=Canada

Harper shares Liberal stimulus concerns and need to avoid lasting deficit
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090119/national/20090119_harper_economy

Harper sees agreement on middle class stimulus
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/090119/canada/canada_us_politics_stimulus

Liberals won't back tax cuts
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/573312

Liberals set to oppose potential broad tax cuts
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090118.wignatieffcaucus0118/BNStory/politics/home

Ignatieff backs 'modest' deficit
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/573631

Aboriginal group led by Brazeau must return funding
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090119.wbrazeau17/BNStory/politics/home

Ignatieff weighs in on Brazeau controversy
http://blog.macleans.ca/2009/01/19/was-this-the-kind-of-story-he-had-in-mind/

Despite warnings, PM touts fixes for short term
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090116.wecon17/BNStory/politics/home

Conservative MPs hold private Hill pre-budget meetings
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/html/index.php?display=story&full_path=2009/january/19/prebudget/&c=2

Layton restructures political staff with extra $1-million
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/html/index.php?display=story&full_path=2009/january/19/climbers/&c=2

Ignatieff doing a swell job of not being Dion
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/editorial/story.html?id=2be4db67-1949-470e-8016-fe37f7fcc841

Ignatieff won't speculate on acceptable size of deficit
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/01/19/ignatieff-budget.html


PROGRAMMES -
Ottawa unveils new funding for business
http://business.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090119.wottawa0119/BNStory/Business/home

Pass the savings on, Canadians tell banks
Cost to borrow isn't budging, despite low rates
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Business/Pass+savings+Canadians+tell+banks/1193211/story.html

Canada seeks quicker deployment of automotive aid
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/090119/canada/canada_us_autos

Ottawa demands lower auto worker costs
To tap federal funds, GM, Chrysler must slash labour costs to U.S. levels – which means equalling Japanese competitors
http://business.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090119.wrautos19/BNStory/Business/home

Pace of talks between government and automakers 'disappointing': Clement
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090119/national/20090119_economy_clement

CWB deregulation off government's radar, for now
http://www.manitobacooperator.ca/issues/ISArticle.asp?id=94756&issue=01192009&story_id=&PC=FBC

Federal government offers financial backing for Arctic pipeline
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/090119/canada/canada_us_energy_mackenzie


PRESSURE POINTS -
RCMP to create anti-terror force in Alberta
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/RCMP+create+anti+terror+force+Alberta/1193769/story.html

Green cars the way of the future, when oil prices are high and economy is strong
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/editorial/story.html?id=bf70d84e-c772-4dfa-8ffe-ad3c310c6c31

CSIS has changed its ways, hearing told
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=1194918


OPINION AND INFORMATION -
DECLINE OF PARTIES
Political machine usurps power of the people
Alan Heisey's eyes sparkled with glee as he surveyed the scene last November inside the cavernous Winnipeg Convention Centre.
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=1160173

A recession plan or a re-election plan?
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/9010363.html

Doctor promotes HIV duplicity
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/573316

Putting fast rail back on track
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090116.wcorail19/BNStory/specialComment/home

In war, what is murder ?
http://www.ottawasun.com/Comment/2009/01/19/8067171-sun.html

New 'it' site has Net gen all atwitter
http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/Today/Columnists/Simunac_Daniela/2009/01/19/8069476-sun.html

When news is free, there will be no news
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/1101573.html

All people want freedom
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/op-ed/people+want+freedom/1193228/story.html


INFOS -
Le PLC conclut son caucus en prévision de la rentrée
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200901/19/01-818953-le-plc-conclut-son-caucus-en-prevision-de-la-rentree.php

Le Canada doit tendre la main à l'administration Obama
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200901/19/01-818949-le-canada-doit-tendre-la-main-a-ladministration-obama.php

Harper: «Obama n'aura pas de meilleur allié que le Canada»
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200901/19/01-818999-harper-obama-naura-pas-de-meilleur-allie-que-le-canada.php

Ignatieff énonce ses conditions
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200901/19/01-818781-ignatieff-enonce-ses-conditions.php

Ottawa - La loi sur l'infertilité révisée avant d'avoir été appliquée
http://www.ledevoir.com/2009/01/19/228224.html

Sondage Nanos Research - Ignatieff est mal connu, Harper l'est trop
http://www.ledevoir.com/2009/01/19/228211.html

Budget fédéral - Ignatieff fourbit ses armes
http://www.ledevoir.com/2009/01/19/228222.html

Onéreux recours au privé
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/National/2009/01/18/001-fonction-publique-prive.shtml

Réduisez les salaires, dit le gouvernement Harper
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/Economie-Affaires/2009/01/19/001-clement-salaires-tca.shtml

Une coalition fragile
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/Politique/2009/01/19/001-Caucusliberal2.shtml

Récession au Canada
Vers une nouvelle baisse du taux directeur
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/Economie-Affaires/2009/01/19/002-banque-taux-directeur.shtml

Caledonia
La signature d'une ministre
http://www.radio-canada.ca/regions/Ontario/2009/01/18/003-finley-petition_n.shtml

BELOW(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)30)(30)(30)(30)(30)

"I am not a number! I am a free man!"
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/theeditorialpage/story.html?id=3faa5c98-5ba9-4458-9c2e-a0c0c143c269

for some of us of an age a walk down memory lane with a message for the present - and future.

What's stimulus, anyway? A simple user's guide
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090116.wcostanford19/BNStory/specialComment/home

a basic introduction for those of us without economic degrees.

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Subject: Petition - Conservatives Against Deficit Spending
From: Eric Valens <valens.eric@gmail.com>
To: valens.eric@gmail.com

Petition - Conservatives Against Deficit Spending

It is reported that Prime Minister Harper's Conservative Government will table a budget on January 27th 2009 that includes $40 billion dollars worth of deficit spending.  During the last federal election the Prime Minister explicitly promised voters that his party would not engage in such deficit spending.  A few short months later the Prime Minister seems to believe that, unlike 'the Coalition', his party has received a mandate from voters to put this country in to a debt that will take subsequent generations of Canadians to repay.  As conservatives and responsible stakeholders in the Conservative Party, we must make it clear that we will no longer support a party that tables a budget that clearly goes against what we were promised when we supported our party in the last federal election. 
Please sign the following petition and please do whatever you can to let your MP know that you against this massive deficit spending by send them an e-mail, making a phone call, or even speaking to them in person if you are able to do so.
 
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/conservativesagainstdeficit/index.html

===================================
From: Bob Taubman

Hi Joe,
 
I'm going to comment again on Ron Thornton's comments regarding the American Civil War.  One thing we must remember though that slavery at that time was legal in the United States.
 
Ron would be right that the North's first priority in 1861 was to preserve the Union believing that it was illegal for state/s to secede from the United States.  I agree that the abolition of slavery was not what ignited the war but there was fear among the seceding states that the election of Lincoln would eventually lead to that end and that he, Lincoln, would allow inter-racial marriage and the granting of equal rights to former slaves.  (Sarcasm switch on) Heaven forbid!! (Sarcasm switch off)  To that end, the seceding states, as they believed, in order to protect their peculiar institution of slavery, tried to leave the Union.   Their right to own and treat slaves as property was the "state's right" used to justify their secession from the Union.
 
In the United States when one applies for citizenship, the Immigration and  Naturalization Service requires applicants to complete a questionnaire.  One of the questions is; "The Civil War was fought over what important issue?".  The correct answer, or answers is either a) slavery, or b) state's rights.  So there is really no consensus over what "really" caused the late unpleasantness.  From what I have read, where one lives in the U.S. will determine which answer you believe to be correct.
 
Lincoln said a lot of things regarding slavery, which in today's reality would be considered racism.  But obviously he matured in his views and was responsible for the Emancipation Proclamation wherein slaves in the seceding states were deemed freed.  Note that this only included seceding states.   The abolishment of slavery in the U.S. only occurred with the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Consitution in December, 1865. 
 
I suppose this discussion is a little more poignant because of what is occurring south of the border next week.  I believe President-elect Obama will swear his Oath of Office on Lincoln's Bible.  I wonder what the ghost of Jefferson Davis, proclaimed president of the Confederate States of America, thinks about that?
 
Also, thanks to Ron Thornton for helping me back into my civil war readings, something I have neglected for the last couple of years.  The war is still being fought.
 
Bob Taubman

===================================
From: "Rebecca Gingrich"
Subject: DD

Joe--John Harris completely misses the point. I am a Reformer who saw what
a leader who spouts citizen involvement as the main plank can do. We had
citizen input until the leader decided he wanted power instead.
I spoke personally with Stephen Harper when he was President of NCC. I had
phoned him to ask why, all of a sudden he dumped Reform and sided with Tom
Long when Long was running for leader of the UA. Harper's response--'Tom is
a friend and I have to support him!' When expediency becomes the mantra of
our politicians what can we do? Unless and until there is accountability
demanded of politicians STV will change nothing. At least STDs are
treatable--a corrupt politician and a numb electorate are fatal.

becky

===================================
From: "Suan H.Booiman"
To: "Ottawa Citizen" <letters@thecitizen.canwest.com>
Cc: <galloway@uvic.ca>
Subject: Citizenship

January 19, 2008
 
Glen McGregor, Ottawa Citizen
Prof.Donald Galloway, University of Victoria
 
Gentlemen,

Citizenship changes could create "inferior" citizens. Vancouver Sun 19/01/09
  http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=6f38faf9-fa64-4b81-bce8-8aeec972632e&k=71821

Indeed it already took place, Canadian Citizenship is no
more than an insurance policy with no obligation or
commitment from the person that obtained it.
 
One does not have to speak the English language or know
something about the country to become a citizen in
three years.
 
The risqué teams are waiting, so is all the health care
when you return. Today Canada, as Lucien Bouchard said
is not a Nation, we have become a warehouse for people
that seek safety without asking them about their past.
 
All the excuses about children of parents that have Canadian
Citizenship living outside the country, those children should
become citizens of the country they live in, like our children
born in Canada became Canadians and not Dutch Citizens.
 
This liberalism has taken the country down since the top down
management of Trudeau, a country so proud and well accepted
around the world, so clearly confirmed by OUR veterans at that
time till 1969.
 
Today what does it mean to be a Citizen, little as the country
is divided by multiculturalism and special status, such as the
French and Natives. Speak French and you are a better citizen.
 
Time to return to FIVE years of waiting, to proof that you are
indeed capable to speak the language and can quote a fair
amount of the countries history as it did happen, not redesigned
by politicians.
 
For that we need a Government that will install a central
registry, so they know who and where people live and what
nationality, today the only source of information the country
has is the tax return and a letter from Hydro at the polling booth.
Citizenship means nothing those that receive it can leave
the following day without telling anyone where they went and
for how long.
 
Each citizen should have the obligation, within three month, to
let the government know of changes of address, leaving the
country for whatever time pay the Canadian Government 10%
of your total income or loose your citizenship if not paid each year.
Simple.
 
Yours truly,
Suan H.Booiman
White Rock BC

===================================
From: "Peggy Merritt"
Subject: Becky's dilemma

Hi Joe:  As a political activist and proud Canadian I am appalled to hear anyone say they are ashamed to be a Canadian. Unfortunately humans are human and are flawed so we don't live in a prefect world. If we can't tolerate the system ,we get involved and try to change it.  But it is sooo much easier to sit at a computer and spout ideas than put in some quality time in the grassroots system and try to understand how it all works.    Some people I talk to tell me they are too busy getting along with life to figure out how to vote.  So political parties depend on spin they create and media create to attract the voters attention on issues.  My observation  is that the partisanship in the Canadian political system is very important and gives people pretty broad choices in for voter preference.  Canada is a wonderful free country  and on the whole has had pretty good governance but there is always room for improvement and on how Canadians pay for it.  The global mess we now find ourselves in was not of Canada's making and it is still unfolding day by day making it difficult to make firm decisions.  I get ashamed of the partisan spin  that accuses the conservatives of being untrustworthy (because changing circumstances force them to change direction on previous promises) and then turn around and call them inflexible idealogues. So I am an ancient PROUD Canadian who hopes that our country will survive this latest uncertainty and also hope that common sense will pull us through. A Peggy Merritt

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America has produced more than just epically
corrupt politicians. We've produced some
pretty good music too.

Bushie, Dick, Condi, and the whole neo-con
crew...this one's for you. 

Enjoy:

http://www.jazzonthetube.com/page/53.html

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From: Larry Kazdan
Subject: Letter to Editor re:  'Misunderestimated',  Tom Oleson

Re: 'Misunderestimated',  Tom Oleson
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/misunderestimated.html                  

According to Oleson, if by refusing to "cut and run" from Iraq and Afghanistan the Americans are able to transform them into secular, stable, functioning democracies, then Bush will have changed the course of history and will rehabilitate his reputation.  The Middle East has always had a special regard for people with faith in miracles.

Larry Kazdan,

Vancouver, B.C.

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From: Ray Strachan
Subject: Hi Joe

Would you please print this site for your readership www.pppl.org. It is a
video documentary and commentary called Peace Propaganda and The Promised
Land.It contains  commentary from many people including both American and
Israeli Rabbis and Israeli citizens and others. Very enlightening.

Ray Strachan

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Subject: SantaMas, RetailMas ... considering the practical untruth about        modern Christmas.
From: Robert Ede

SantaMas, RetailMas ... considering the practical untruth about modern Christmas.
 
When a child discovers every scrap of "truth" they've been told about Santa is not true ... is it odd that the next question posed by the child is ...what else that you've told me is also not true?
 
Is it possible that the mind ... that created the idea that parents would deceive their children about the existence of a seemingly-wonderful person, whose annual, world-wide, overnight, reindeer-powered, sleigh-ride provided gifts to deserving children, did NOT consider the ramifications and consequences within the dear-sweet-child's "trust node" when that child discovers that their parents have lied to them.
 
Surely the creating mind must have considered the consequences of each child finally finding out that Santa was a fanciful lie. A lie so fancifully impossible that each and every one of the dear-sweet-children and his/her friends/siblings had many discussions during the tender few years between 2 and 6, on the unlikeliness and/or improbability of 'one person being able to deliver all those presents, to all those places, in such a short period of time' AND had discussions about the "new and contrary information" received from older brothers/sisters about the Santa story.
 
BUT despite those discussions, each and every one of those children had tossed off the doubts, denied their own tiny knowledge of logistics and cast aside the opinions of other people because the source of their Santa information was ... their own parent(s)".
 
Is it possible to believe that the originating mind saw no potential harm? no chance of eroding the child's faith in their parent(s)? 
 
Is it possible for us to believe that the person originating Santa Claus, thought that no child would be affected or insulted by the effrontery of the fancifulness of Santa's story being presented as fact, when each little mind discovered that they'd been deceived by a lie that served no purpose except to perpetuate itself as a lie?
 
Further, was there no consideration of the child's future reactions towards other information from the parent(s) when the child discerned that even though the lie's stated purpose was "for the kids' enjoyment", it really was for the adult's enjoyment and an excuse for the adult to buy themselves (and others) gifts they would not otherwise buy?
 
I cannot precisely recall my own personal experience, but I do know that I was cajoled into not spoiling the fun for my younger brother and sister and do recall still receiving the presents 'from Santa' after learning the truth about that lie. So maybe self-interest scuttled my indignation or maybe I didn't have any indignation at that age and in that previously, pretty-innocent state.
 
But as I think of the Santa story now ... it's just about the most distasteful thing I can imagine. Purposely telling an innocent, a crazy story knowing it was untrue,  and also knowing that in a very short time, that belief would be shattered, when (inevitably) the truth was discovered.
 
Actually in terms of today's victims-everywhere mentality and considering the 'position of authority' of the source of this information and the vulnerability of the recipient ... it might just qualify as child abuse.
 
So it's mid-January, and given that, and notwithstanding that, (and for me probably because) we've just been through the "late December holidays" and heard the annual positions of:
 
1) "the reason for the Season" from the put Christ back in Christmas folks;
 
2) the politically-correct, inclusive-of-everyone-except-Christians alliance and their continued ardour for nothing more than "Seasons Greetings";
 
3) the rantings about "He wasn't born on Dec25th - it's the pagan Saturnalia you folks are unknowingly celebrating" from the First Century as-literal-as-possible crowd;
 
4) the people who now-know the unfortunate then-decisions of the leaders of the Ancient Roman church in sanctioning the syncretic adoption of pagan festivals  ... but who cares ... everybody behaves most-like a Christian at this time of year ... lets encourage not discouage that behaviour!
 
Let's never mind all that. 
 
Instead let's do a favour to our children and get rid of the Santa lie.
 
Let's do a favour to ourselves and every senior generation from now on and get rid of the lie about Santa.
 
Let's stop this silly story from any further contribution towards the disintegration of the "faith and trust" bond between ourselves and our children ... or do we want to continue to lay the groundwork for our children to NOT believe what we tell them?
 
Robert Ede,
Thornhill

"There is no shame in turning back - when you find yourself on the wrong path"

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