tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708375.post114587617643125435..comments2024-03-28T03:54:21.932-04:00Comments on Canadian Cynic: We're at war? Since when?CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11406057201126015750noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708375.post-1145990225847040502006-04-25T14:37:00.000-04:002006-04-25T14:37:00.000-04:00This mirroring of Bush's tactics has gotten downri...This mirroring of Bush's tactics has gotten downright ridiculous. Secrecy and aggrandizement of power in one leader. Plus ending speeches with "God Bless Canada" and wearing a flag in his lapel. Although I hear that aids have to remind him not to say "God Bless America," and to put a Canadian, rather than a U.S., flag in his lapel.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708375.post-1145958229879848172006-04-25T05:43:00.000-04:002006-04-25T05:43:00.000-04:00The Entity can only be destroyed by using a modula...<A HREF="http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Crystalline_Entity" REL="nofollow">The Entity</A> can only be destroyed by using a modulated graviton beam.<BR/>Everyone knows that.Alisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09811694143714068436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708375.post-1145955507241202962006-04-25T04:58:00.000-04:002006-04-25T04:58:00.000-04:00wilson61 quoted:We believe the answer is clear: Ca...wilson61 quoted:<BR/><BR/><I>We believe the answer is clear: Canada, like the rest of the civilized world, is at war -- not only against the Taliban, but also against every other entity that seeks to pervert Islam into an excuse for senseless slaughter.</I><BR/><BR/>"Against every other <I>entity</I>?" Man, but that's vague, isn't it? So who would get to sign the declaration of surrender?CChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11406057201126015750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708375.post-1145937318170325712006-04-24T23:55:00.000-04:002006-04-24T23:55:00.000-04:00Excerpt from National Post story:We believe the an...Excerpt from National Post story:<BR/><BR/>We believe the answer is clear: Canada, like the rest of the civilized world, is at war -- not only against the Taliban, but also against every other entity that seeks to pervert Islam into an excuse for senseless slaughter. It is also a war to bring stability and freedom to Afghan society. In this war, as in all wars, people will be killed. And sometimes, those people will be Canadian.wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03589410224972050999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708375.post-1145929411727603382006-04-24T21:43:00.000-04:002006-04-24T21:43:00.000-04:00There has been no formal declaration of war agains...<I>There has been no formal declaration of war against any country or any group. By us, the US or Britain.</I><BR/><BR/>I believe that's debatable (as much as I love you, Dave).catniphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10444186590009089070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708375.post-1145929251277944882006-04-24T21:40:00.000-04:002006-04-24T21:40:00.000-04:00Okay, okay, don't bitch slap me please. I get your...Okay, okay, don't bitch slap me please. I get your point.<BR/><BR/>What I probably should have written is that Canada is *in* the middle of a war in Afghanistan. No, we didn't declare that we were officially *at* war, but we sure as hell are over there fighting one.<BR/><BR/>As far as Iraq goes, I'll stick with 'illegal' war, because that's exactly what it is.<BR/><BR/>I understand these nuances and you're right to call me out on it, but rest assured, I have no desire to spout right-wing talking points. Sometimes, you need to use their language to describe what you're talking about. For example, I can say "so-called WoT" or I can choose "this crusade for global domination that the neocons began right afterr 9/11 when they decided they could get away with killing people wherever the hell they wanted to in the world in the name of stamping out terrorism".<BR/><BR/>Sometimes, brevity wins.<BR/><BR/>On things military, I defer to my new friend Dave from the Galloping Beaver. Point noted.catniphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10444186590009089070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708375.post-1145919417760402432006-04-24T18:56:00.000-04:002006-04-24T18:56:00.000-04:00We have rules in place in this country governing t...We have rules in place in this country governing the declaration of war. The last time I checked, our competing political parties hadn't rolled over and died quite yet. So we're not at war. Parliament hasn't confirmed a declaration of war on anyone.<BR/><BR/>If someone has the email address for one of the party leaders in Parliament, please send them a copy of this post asap. <BR/><BR/>We need to see some Question Period Fur fly over this idiotic and irresponsible statement from Kenny.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708375.post-1145919068616798962006-04-24T18:51:00.000-04:002006-04-24T18:51:00.000-04:00He has never impressed me with his skills as a spe...He has never impressed me with his skills as a speaker, because he doesn't have the honesty or the intellect to pull it off. And you're right, he is among the best of them...<I>them</I> being a bunch of used-car salesmen.<BR/><BR/>We are doomed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708375.post-1145917415743982062006-04-24T18:23:00.000-04:002006-04-24T18:23:00.000-04:00ti-guy:Kenney has a great deal of influence in the...ti-guy:<BR/><BR/>Kenney has a great deal of influence in the CPC Caucus in Ottawa. On paper his role as "Parliamentary Secretary" to Stephen Harper doesn't mean much, but it effectively gives him a seat at the Cabinet table - without the accountability of being a minister.<BR/><BR/>While I think he's absolutely awful as an MP, I will concede that he's very good (if annoying) with a microphone in hand. His reasoning is crap, but he can play a room quite well.<BR/><BR/>Among the CPC's "orators", he's one of the ones to watch out for.MgShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183962674882855323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708375.post-1145914619036966782006-04-24T17:36:00.000-04:002006-04-24T17:36:00.000-04:00It really comes as no suprise to me that Harper wo...It really comes as no suprise to me that Harper would want centralise communication from the government through his office. Jason Kenney and all the other gifted orators in the CPC just can't help themselves.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708375.post-1145913820327693912006-04-24T17:23:00.000-04:002006-04-24T17:23:00.000-04:00The operation in Afghanistan is not a war. Canada ...The operation in Afghanistan is not a war. Canada is not at war, despite what Jason Kenney, Stephen Harper, Jaunty O'Connor or any of those other drum bangers say.<BR/><BR/>The Canadian Forces are engaged in a Contingency Operation in Afghanistan. A war is declared; a Contingency Operation can range anywhere from sandbagging the Red River to hunting down armed guerillas to securing the borders of somebody else's country to providing food and medical assistance in Rwanda.<BR/><BR/>There has been no formal declaration of war against any country or any group. By us, the US or Britain.<BR/><BR/>The Rules of Armed Conflict, however, do apply. They always have. There is no change for Canadian troops going from Contingency Ops to a declared war, particularly with respect to weapons use, accepting surrenders and the treatment of prisoners in the custody of a combat unit. <BR/><BR/>I know Stephen Harper wants to be a "reluctant war prime minister", but he'll just have to wait.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03203592149876300192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708375.post-1145909739652622922006-04-24T16:15:00.000-04:002006-04-24T16:15:00.000-04:00Jason Kenney has a track record of two things:1) ...Jason Kenney has a track record of two things:<BR/><BR/>1) Hyperbole<BR/><BR/>2) Button Pushing<BR/><BR/>He usually gets his facts <I>wrong</I> in both cases.<BR/><BR/>During the last election, I heard him in an "all candidate's forum" (the only one his lardship deigned to attend) claim that Canada was the last "major democracy" with an unelected upper house. (ummm - shall I start my enumeration with the UK?)<BR/><BR/>The difference between JK and the Commenter formerly known as Jinx is this - Kenney's in elected office.MgShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183962674882855323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708375.post-1145909212649208162006-04-24T16:06:00.000-04:002006-04-24T16:06:00.000-04:00Niles, you make a fair point. But war is a serous ...Niles, you make a fair point. But war is a serous thing. I defy one to come up with a more serious issue. This seriousness requires honesty in speaking, especially from those whom the public decides to represent us internationally on such issues. Mr. Kenedy, sadly, is such a person.<BR/><BR/>When a Member of Parliament refers to an action as war, he had better be sure about what he is talking about. I supect if the question was put to Mr.s Kennedy, Harper, or O'Connor would not refer to our action in Afghanistan as warfare, and would not say we were at war.<BR/><BR/>Thus, Mr. kennedy is being dishonest and delibately resorting to rhetoric and hyperbole. This has been a tactic of Goob and his brownshirts from before the election in 2000.<BR/><BR/>It's particularly infuriating to see the word "war" used so selectively and inconsistently. "We are at war," a President might way to stir up patriotism of stiffle dissent. But when people say that the USA lost the Vietnam Wart, it suddenly qualifies as a "Police Action."<BR/><BR/>Whatever "war" is, we are either at it in Afghanistan, or we are not. If we are, then I would like to know on whom we have declared t. If not, then I would like Mr. Kennedy to correct himself and clearly state he was mistaken to use the word.<BR/><BR/>War is the most serious duty a government can make. We deserve a government that can take is as seriously as it is. If we don't have that now, then we'd better get on with choosing another.<BR/><BR/>Scott F (Vancouver-Kingsway)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708375.post-1145903040779135362006-04-24T14:24:00.000-04:002006-04-24T14:24:00.000-04:00I don't know. Korea and Vietnam have been pointed...I don't know. Korea and Vietnam have been pointed out to me as un 'official' wars. They were police actions, not a war like WW2. But in popular usage, they were called wars. I'd have to presume the politicians are trading on that 'popular' understanding, even while they're also trying to equate the conflicts with the surety of WW2. It's handy. Bushco has been able to flip on 'at war/not at war', depending on what powers they want to spin that day.<BR/><BR/>Jason Kenny has never been one to shrink from hyperbole when offered a microphone and we /know/ he has PMO permission to spout this, so it's no accident.<BR/><BR/>I'd like to say I am continually baffled by Harper and the CPC openly plagiarizing past Bushco talking points, but the cynic in me can't help but think they're only taking advantage of the Canadian 'sponge' mentality. The one that has already absorbed all the American rhetoric stabbing into our ears from all the US media sources (conciously or subconciously). Canadian Conservative based rhetoric can cakewalk in along pre-messaged/massaged anxiety, hoping to instill enough fear to get that majority election.<BR/><BR/>And it makes it much easier for Peter (I turned my last girlfriend Liberal!) Mckay to gush for autographs from Condi.<BR/><BR/>But is anyone warming a journalist seat /going/ to bitchslap them for using loose and fast language?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708375.post-1145900659116345612006-04-24T13:44:00.000-04:002006-04-24T13:44:00.000-04:00Wayne, that was actually a serious question with s...Wayne, that was actually a serious question with serious implications. If you can't contribute to the conversation in a meaningful way, then, really, as I suggested before, start your own blog, and leave this one for the grown-ups.CChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11406057201126015750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708375.post-1145900613406286932006-04-24T13:43:00.000-04:002006-04-24T13:43:00.000-04:00When we have soldiers with guns hunting down India...When we have soldiers with guns hunting down Indians IN Canada (Oka, etc.) does that mean we're at war? Point is......there is a process to declare war, (ahem, Parliment anybody?) Who attacked us? Harper and the Tories are are clearly attempting to pull "W" on the citizens of Canada, do and say whatever you want (make it up!) and avoid the media like the plague (you there! register and get in line if you wish to present a question before our King Harpy!).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708375.post-1145900265052009262006-04-24T13:37:00.000-04:002006-04-24T13:37:00.000-04:00Since we have soldiers with guns hunting people do...Since we have soldiers with guns hunting people down and killing them, I guess.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03314603669176202647noreply@blogger.com