Here And There
A twenty-four percent Presidential approval rating. I have no idea how the man can show his face in public, let alone, as Keith Olbermann and company point out, spew such utter contradictions.
Here at home, one wonders what the Liberal Party is going to do about those points in the Throne Speech with which their official policies disagree? The Liberals have held the position for some time that Canada’s role in combat missions in Afghanistan end in 2009. Of course, during the Throne Speech, Mr. Harper’s government suggested, rather ambiguously, that our involvement be extended to 2011. That said, how can the Liberals, in good conscience, not vote against the speech? While I agree that another federal election will seem a pain in the ass to many Canadians, the fact remains that the Liberal policy regarding our involvement in Afghanistan has been to see combat operations end in 2009. No matter the ineffectuality of their current leadership, to alter their position now because they find themselves politically weak would, in my opinion, do far more damage to their credibility, and that is certainly something that the Conservatives would exploit in the future. One can only hope that if the Liberals do hold to their convictions, then Mr. Dion will be summarily replaced and a new Liberal leader will emerge. As to whether that will alter anything with regards to a federal election, it’s unlikely. But the point remains, if convictions are to be so easily abandoned for the sake of future political promise, then the Liberal party will have done themselves irreparable damage nonetheless.
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October 19th, 2007 at 9:59 am
We need another federal election. Need one. Those that feel that it’s a “pain in the ass” to have to go maximum 5 blocks from their houses in order to vote is tantamount to people not wanting to do their social responsibility of recycling, composting, and/or–preferably and– using their cars less (to give a few examples) to help prevent climate changes, using the excuse of “it’s too hard!”
October 19th, 2007 at 10:01 am
I was on board with the 2009 idea - am I shocked that the tables have shifted and now talks of 2011 ? Hell no. It’s what I’ve come to expect from the Liberals.
October 19th, 2007 at 10:04 am
Unfortunately, it seems that their motive for not voting against the speech does smell of fear. Fear that the already weak party, in a federal election, would appear even weaker. (Even scarier still, the chance that Harper would win a majority). They are putting themselves before the important issues of the war and the environment.
October 19th, 2007 at 10:04 am
i was thinking the exact same thing when i heard dion say they won’t be forcing an election because “canadians don’t want one”. i don’t really mind taking 10 minutes to vote if the party or parties that i believe in oppose what stephen harper is trying to do.. i think its just a blatant excuse to completely disregard liberal policies in fear of losing badly in an election. a new leader is needed immediately if they want any serious chance at government in canada
October 19th, 2007 at 10:06 am
I think another election right now is the best route for Dion to take. Things will just get worse for him as he either abstains from or supports policies with which he disagrees. It would at least show courage on his part.
Why the heck weren’t Bush’s ratings this low in 2004, dammit.
October 19th, 2007 at 10:08 am
I absolutely agree…if the Liberals back down now then they will only appear more hypocritical, and less reliable to their voters. At the same time, I do wonder how we are going to be able to effectively complete the pull out by 2009…I mean, it’s only a year and some away…although 2009 is a good idea in my mind, I don’t see how we could get out so quickly. As for another federal election…a pain in the ass? yes, but I am looking forward to it. Hoping people see that Stephen Harper is not the lesser of the two evils that he once claimed to be.
as for Bush’s ratings…it’s just disgusting that you can have that low of an approval rating in a democratic nation, and still serve two terms as President. Disgusting.
October 19th, 2007 at 10:24 am
the liberal party does need a new leader,
Mr dion,does nt really seem to have the guts to actually stand up against mr harper or any other leader
if they ended up extending the deadline to 2011, then in 2010 wouldnt try to extend to 2013 and so one and keep adding to it
as for mr bush,only thing i have to say is no comment
October 19th, 2007 at 10:28 am
Do you believe in strategic voting? I think the Liberals are more concerned with the results of a winter election and frankly so am I. I would rather see Stephen Harper tread water in a minority government than see Canada’s federal policies set by a neo-conservative majority during America’s war with Iran.
October 19th, 2007 at 10:33 am
[quote comment="29966"]I absolutely agree…if the Liberals back down now then they will only appear more hypocritical, and less reliable to their voters. At the same time, I do wonder how we are going to be able to effectively complete the pull out by 2009…I mean, it’s only a year and some away…although 2009 is a good idea in my mind, I don’t see how we could get out so quickly. As for another federal election…a pain in the ass? yes, but I am looking forward to it. Hoping people see that Stephen Harper is not the lesser of the two evils that he once claimed to be.
as for Bush’s ratings…it’s just disgusting that you can have that low of an approval rating in a democratic nation, and still serve two terms as President. Disgusting.[/quote]
The French have far more people there than we do. We have just over 2,000 and are a part of a much larger force. We are not some all important military lynchpin, and if we are, then, well, holy shit.
October 19th, 2007 at 10:34 am
But remember, the man probably can’t do math and thinks he’s outstanding.
“what’s that 24 out of?….25?”
October 19th, 2007 at 10:38 am
Good day, Canadians.
I’m assuming you’re all Canadians becasue you’re discussing Canadian politics and I , as United States citizen, couldn’t care less about what you folks do in your country and I believe most people south of the border feel the same. That’s not to say your issues aren’t important, that your leader’s don’t matter, or that your political system is irrelevant. It’s just that, well, its your business, your country, and your problems to sort out.
My point is this. I doubt you will find a single American blog dedicated to attacking your leader and debating your political problems…actually I doubt you’ll find a blog from anyone else in the world outside of Canada thats dedicated post after post to condemning your political leaders.
So why do you insist of constantly harking on American political leaders? There’s two ways to deal with a problem, sitting around bitching about it or doing something about it. Since none of you can cast a single vote in my country, not even The Matt Good, none of you can do a single thing to fix our problems or influece our government , so all you’re doing is bithcing about it. Does it make you feel better about yourselves so say “Bush is an asshole”? “How can Americans be so stupid?” ” Its disgusting that such a low approval rating is given to the President and he’s still in office.”
Meanwhile, your parliamentary system enables you to kick your Head of State out at anytime, why don’t focus your energies on your own country and get your own house in order. Or is just easier to bitch about things you can’t change than do something about the things you can.
**I can already hear you folks “That’s totally uncalled for, this thread isn’t dedicated to bashing American policies”
No this blog in particular is not dedicated to it, but I’d say at least 60% of the threads on this blog and responses to them (that’s a modest estimate) contain some form of America/Cheney/Bush/Pelosi bashing, including this one.
Much luv,
American Democrat
October 19th, 2007 at 10:47 am
I’m just curious… what about CBC’s recent surveys?
How 51% of Afghans feel good about the countries’ direction?
(http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/10/18/afghan-poll.html)
How a mere 15% of Afghans want immediate troop withdrawal?
(http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/10/19/poll-reaction.html)
Is Matt going to address this?
edit:
and mor4652, don’t be so ignorant. Not all of us are Canadian who read this blog, and post here regularly. It’s that ‘who cares what’s going on over there’ mentality that pisses me off.
October 19th, 2007 at 10:51 am
are you for real?
The actions taken by YOUR Government are having an impact throughout the entire world. And “bitching” (being vocal) about something is the first step to seeing things change.
To not “care less” about any other country but your own shows how naive you are. Did you ever stop to think that you’re not finding blogs about our leader because the people in your country have bigger fish to fry and are too concerned about their own leader at the moment?
Did you ever stop to think that if so many people are saying the same thing that maybe they’re saying something of relevance and you should actually stop to listen?
Your attitude scares me because I think it’s one that reflects your leaders….”there’s not a thing you can do about it”. Maybe there is?
I’d like to also address - “why don’t focus your energies on your own country and get your own house in order”…..probably better to send this message to your own Government. And us Canadians are energetic like that - we can care about ourselves while taking an interest in the rest of the world as well. Don’t you worry about what we’re doing…isn’t that YOUR entire point though?
October 19th, 2007 at 10:51 am
American Troll…err…Democrat
So you’re telling me you never have bitched about the leader of another country or organization that you couldn’t vote to remove? You’ve never said “How could the Iraqi’s, Russians, Cubans…etc” be so stupid as to allow a terrible leader to continue to be in power?
I highly doubt it.
I find it further ironic that you came to a blog that you are not a member of, don’t contribute to and don’t author, and bitched about it….
much LOVE,
an American realist
October 19th, 2007 at 10:53 am
with the way they talk on the news in such,they make it sound like the french only have a few hundred troops in afgan, we have far more troops in there then anyone besides the u.s
October 19th, 2007 at 10:53 am
funny how things work
October 19th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Mor, when the day comes that our leaders influence the world in such an overwhelmingly negative way, you have my permission, nay, my blessing, to start your own blog or forum to personally pick apart and bash our elected leader of that day. As it stands now, however, Canada is a relatively neutral party on the world stage, while the United States continues on a course of destructive foreign policy. Hence why we comment on the American leadership right now.
As well, Matt, or any other blogger out there, writes their opinions for no other reason than because they want to. So really, we can discuss whatever we want, whether it’s Bush, or Harper, or Barper, or Hush. Whatever the flavour of the day is, we all partake.
On that note, sir, since you’ve been kind enough to stop by and drop us a line, would you at all consider casting a vote on our behalf against whatever future republican ticket comes up?
All the best.
-G
October 19th, 2007 at 10:56 am
[quote comment="29976"]Good day, Canadians.
I’m assuming you’re all Canadians becasue you’re discussing Canadian politics and I , as United States citizen, couldn’t care less about what you folks do in your country and I believe most people south of the border feel the same. That’s not to say your issues aren’t important, that your leader’s don’t matter, or that your political system is irrelevant. It’s just that, well, its your business, your country, and your problems to sort out.
My point is this. I doubt you will find a single American blog dedicated to attacking your leader and debating your political problems…actually I doubt you’ll find a blog from anyone else in the world outside of Canada thats dedicated post after post to condemning your political leaders.
So why do you insist of constantly harking on American political leaders? There’s two ways to deal with a problem, sitting around bitching about it or doing something about it. Since none of you can cast a single vote in my country, not even The Matt Good, none of you can do a single thing to fix our problems or influece our government , so all you’re doing is bithcing about it. Does it make you feel better about yourselves so say “Bush is an asshole”? “How can Americans be so stupid?” ” Its disgusting that such a low approval rating is given to the President and he’s still in office.”
Meanwhile, your parliamentary system enables you to kick your Head of State out at anytime, why don’t focus your energies on your own country and get your own house in order. Or is just easier to bitch about things you can’t change than do something about the things you can.
**I can already hear you folks “That’s totally uncalled for, this thread isn’t dedicated to bashing American policies”
No this blog in particular is not dedicated to it, but I’d say at least 60% of the threads on this blog and responses to them (that’s a modest estimate) contain some form of America/Cheney/Bush/Pelosi bashing, including this one.
Much luv,
American Democrat[/quote]
I think you’ll find that when US politics is discussed here, the vast majority of the discussion revolves around US foreign policy and therefore has a noted affect on Canada and the rest of the world. If US domestic issues are discussed it is often with regards to the utter disbelief of those outside the US that action has not been taken to remove the President, VP, and members of the administration from power. Your system also allows you to “kick your Head of State out at anytime”. It’s called impeachment and it boggles the mind that neither Bush nor Cheney have faced it yet.
The US plays a big role in Canadian politics. You are our biggest trading partner, and vice versa. You are also the world’s largest economy and ours is tied in tightly with it. So it behooves us to keep watch over US policy and actions, both domestic and abroad. As well as discuss it in forums such as this one.
October 19th, 2007 at 10:59 am
wow…. As Canadians we happen to live next to the most influential power on this earth. It is very much our business how they conduct themselves. We are not a domed country and cannot simply “mind our own business” when how your country conducts itself very much affect our lives.
There are folk around the globe very interested in the political workings of every country around, some find it of utmost importance, others just find it interesting. The lack of ability to vote has absolutely no bearing on my interest in world politics.
Enough of the nationalist bullshit. One world, one people and all that…
October 19th, 2007 at 11:08 am
My point is this. I doubt you will find a single American blog dedicated to attacking your leader and debating your political problemsâ¦actually I doubt youâÂÂll find a blog from anyone else in the world outside of Canada thats dedicated post after post to condemning your political leaders.
Wow. I’m going to assume pretty much every post after yours covers this but I’m going to say this anyways.
He’s George Fucking Bush. The atrocities he’s instigated in his name and his beliefs clearly entitle anyone in the world to say whatever fucking negative things they want about him.
Harper is bad, but I wouldn’t go so far as to call him a terrorist, whereas Bush, well, pretty much goes without saying. That is why the entire rest of the world doesn’t hate us on the level they hate the States.
And we’re not bashing the States, we’re bashing the people who live there who disagree with whats going on but do and say nothing about it.
Oh, and not everyone is so egocentric that they believe only the politics of THEIR country matter to them. Ever think of that?
October 19th, 2007 at 11:21 am
[quote comment="29974"][quote comment="29966"]I absolutely agree…if the Liberals back down now then they will only appear more hypocritical, and less reliable to their voters. At the same time, I do wonder how we are going to be able to effectively complete the pull out by 2009…I mean, it’s only a year and some away…although 2009 is a good idea in my mind, I don’t see how we could get out so quickly. As for another federal election…a pain in the ass? yes, but I am looking forward to it. Hoping people see that Stephen Harper is not the lesser of the two evils that he once claimed to be.
as for Bush’s ratings…it’s just disgusting that you can have that low of an approval rating in a democratic nation, and still serve two terms as President. Disgusting.[/quote]
The French have far more people there than we do. We have just over 2,000 and are a part of a much larger force. We are not some all important military linchpin, and if we are, then, well, holy shit.[/quote]
haha,
my apologies….I did actually read about the ISAF and who was in Afghanistan, believe it or not I did know who was there and how many, but I forget things so quickly. Gotta be sharp and on the ball with you. hahaha, but you would think the way Harper’s freaking out that we are for sure a paramount force out there. So now that I know that we are not so involved that the world will collapse should we leave, that makes a huge difference. :)
October 19th, 2007 at 11:30 am
This is retarded. comment awaiting moderation?
When half the people on this fucking site post comments like ‘yeah that’s whack’ ‘your great matt, *suck up*’. I offer an alternate viewpoint related to the topic of our involvement in Afghanistan? Am i on too much of a tangent here by mentioning the Afghani support for what we’re doing there? Or is that just too opposed to how many articles Matt has written against us being there? If you wanted a bunch of fans just agreeing with you Matt, congrats. You’ve succeeded.
October 19th, 2007 at 11:32 am
by the way, does anyone know how to remove ones’ matthewgood.org account? The archaic ‘wordpress’ (look at me, i’m better than PHP) bullshit won’t seem to let me do it.
October 19th, 2007 at 11:33 am
That doesn’t make sense…comment awaiting moderation? Are you implying that there’s some kind of AI implemented that specifically targeted your post because it disagreed with Matt?
Man, I *wish* we had AI like that…for email and stuff…
October 19th, 2007 at 11:37 am
yes. i posted 2 news articles from the cbc, (go to http://www.cbc.ca, and it’s right at the top) there are surveys done by the CBC in Afghanistan that support our involvement there. I merely posted them, asked if matt was going to comment on them, and I addressed some ignorant American who did not approve of our discussion of another countries’ politics.
thats all, and then moderation. search up moderation, and here’s what comes up… “We have, and will continue to, moderate those comments and threads which both derail and detract from the original discussion, and contain malicious, abusive, or otherwise inappropriate language.”
Unless calling someone ignorant is ‘malicious’ or ‘abusive,’ I ‘derailed and detracted’ from the discussion too much.
October 19th, 2007 at 11:40 am
I must have missed something, why are we trying to get out of Afghanistan so quickly? Aren’t we trying to stabilize the country? As far as i can tell, we’re having a tough time doing that. We’re just going to help blow up the infrastructure, in 2001, and then leave and let someone else deal with it?
October 19th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Ah, Deborah, our words meet again.
So which is it? Do I not care about Canadian politics because I’m naïve, or because I have bigger fish to fry in my own country? By that rationale are you saying that your own government is insignificant, and that’s why you worry about mine?
And I’m sorry but, no, I don’t think anything that a Canadian citizen has to say on a blog has any relevance to my federal government, because (as this thread mentions) your voice isn’t even relevant to your own government, which still supports the US.
And I’m glad you’re an “energetic lot” clearly your energy has been well spent seeing as how conservatives still rule your government and mine.
To the “American Realist”
“I find it further ironic that you came to a blog that you are not a member of, don’t contribute to and don’t author, and bitched about it….”
Obviously I’m a member of this blog, because I’ve signed up to comment on it. The fact that I’m commenting on it shows that I contribute. For a realist you seem to have trouble grasping reality.
To my friend Glass,
I’ve got nothing to argue with. Thanks for the comment, and I do intend and always have voted against the republican ticket.
All the best to you as well.
Dearest Fuse,
I concede that I am not a scholar of Canadian government structure, but I assume that it is based off the British system. In which case, all it takes is a vote of no confidence with a simple majority to call for new elections and remove the current ruling party.
An impeachment, although tantalizing to think about, requires a super majority in Congress to be successful. So, no, it actually isn’t an easy fix.
Daedalus,
“One world, one people” …Let me know how drum circle works out for ya….I think I can hear a faint chorus of Kum Ba Yah outside my window right now.
Zack
Honestly enlighten me as to what Canadian policy is going to effect my life?
How is it egocentric to worry about my own government instead of anyone elses? That’s like you saying if you don’t like how your neighbor runs his house you have a right to go talk shit on him in public.
Ashleigh
Awesome!! A Canadian who cares more about her government than attacking a lone American asshole! Kudos to Ashleigh for not giving a shit about me. You truly are (this is not sarcasm) a credit to your nation.
Jon
Welcome to the Church of Good, bro.
October 19th, 2007 at 11:53 am
ahaha. agreed, mor.
October 19th, 2007 at 11:53 am
mor4652,
Since you’re commenting from the center of the Popular Culture world, I’ll try a simple analogy to explain why Canadians comment on the United States, while the United States is a little too self-absorbed to really care about what Canada is doing.
You see, the United States is akin to Lindsey Lohan, drunk on past successes and high on dollars, swerving around in her gas-guzzling S.U.V narrowly missing innocent bystanders, chasing imaginary enemies who have done irreparable damage to her reputation, and showing no remorse for her actions while teetering precariously on the edge of bankruptcy. All the while she suffers no real punishment and easily confuses being newsworthy with popularity. A.K.A. Paris Hilton or Britney Spears.
Canada, however, is Ugly Betty. Just looking for some substance over style, happy to go unnoticed and just hoping to get some positive feedback here and there. When you’re Ugly Betty, you find that not causing unnecessary trouble frees up a lot of time in the run of a day to have a look around the world and try to come up with ideas on ways to improve it, while discussing them openly and honestly with your friends. She’ll quietly ask “What the hell is Lindsey doing and how does she get away with it?”
I hope this Entertainment Tonight moment helps clear up this issue for you.
October 19th, 2007 at 11:55 am
^ troll
October 19th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Fearless
It’s funny cause I made a simialr comment to a friend of mine over lunch. I said the United States is like Lohan in that it’s a big name that everyone cares about and talks about, but Lindsay Lohan doesn’t talk about average people (Canada) becasue they don’t have any effect on her life.
However lets be honest, since Canada is in the “Coalition of the Willing”..You’re not Ugly Betty, you’re the Spears to our Hilton.
October 19th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
seems like personal attacks and insults have taken the place of meaningful discussion?
October 19th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
you, my friend, are a pompous ass and most of your rebuttal makes little to no sense. But keep thinking that everyone else is an idiot and that you’ve got it all figured. Just might be that you’ve got the mirror backwards. (Why is it that you remind me of another American who displays the same attitude? You wouldn’t, by any chance, have a twin named George, would you?)
and, ftr, if your neighbour’s yard is piled with debris and rats are crawling around it, you have every right to be concerned (and talk shit, if you please). Because, eventually, they just might end up in your yard too.
October 19th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
seriously, anyone know how to deactivate your account? I could email help@matthewgood.org but then I’d be at the bottom of the pile, blah blah blah, you know how it goes.
October 19th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
“So which is it? Do I not care about Canadian politics because I’m naïve, or because I have bigger fish to fry in my own country? By that rationale are you saying that your own government is insignificant, and that’s why you worry about mine?
And I’m sorry but, no, I don’t think anything that a Canadian citizen has to say on a blog has any relevance to my federal government, because (as this thread mentions) your voice isn’t even relevant to your own government, which still supports the US.
And I’m glad you’re an “energetic lot” clearly your energy has been well spent seeing as how conservatives still rule your government and mine. ”
What part of that doesn’t make sense deb? Can you tell me or is just easier to write “Pompous ass”?
ftr, we’re not talking through text messages.
as far personal attacks go: I was calling Canada Brittany Spears not Fearless I’m sure he/she is a fine respectable Canadian.
October 19th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
Exactly mor4652…
We’ve been photographed with out pants around our ankles just like Britney, which is why in many other posts, we’re bitching about our own actions. What Paris Hilton does, doesn’t always work for….
Ok enough with the showbiz analogy.
We Canadians are consumed with Americans because we simply do not want to screw up like Americans. We’re the younger brother using the older brother as a reverse role model….
dammit! Used another analogy.
October 19th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Believe it or not I have never been in a drum circle my American friend. It is a very closed minded man who thinks things would be better if everyone minded their own business and never attempted to effect a damn thing. I do not expect you to care about our politics, but do not be shocked when every single man and woman here is greatly enthralled by yours. Are you telling me that if the president all of a sudden chose that the USA erect a giant wall to prevent any contact with Canada we should ignore it as none of our concern? Obviously a greatly exaggerated statement but things you do to yourselves change our lives for the better and the poorer. Only a fool walks into a situation blind and so on to more cliches you will call me on as proving I’m a hippie, a socialist fool, or a dirty commie…
As I said before we do not live in a self sustaining cave, neither do you. I imagine it is hard for you to fathom but, gasp, other countries policies change the lives of others in far off places.. Perhaps you should be more interested in the goings on of other countries that directly affect even the mighty USA.
If not dealing with anyone else is your goal. I’d start building that wall now.. or perhaps start the exodus to the moon.
October 19th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
I think this proves the value in taking a stand in principle. If the Liberal Party is, in fact, adamant about an “Out Now” approach to Afghanistan it would entrench those with action; not, inaction.
It might also show the Liberal Party’s number one priority is not Afghanistan, but finding the fastest incremental return to their “rightful high paying jobs”.
October 19th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
[quote comment="29976"]Good day, Canadians.
I’m assuming you’re all Canadians becasue you’re discussing Canadian politics and I , as United States citizen, couldn’t care less about what you folks do in your country and I believe most people south of the border feel the same. That’s not to say your issues aren’t important, that your leader’s don’t matter, or that your political system is irrelevant. It’s just that, well, its your business, your country, and your problems to sort out.
My point is this. I doubt you will find a single American blog dedicated to attacking your leader and debating your political problems…actually I doubt you’ll find a blog from anyone else in the world outside of Canada thats dedicated post after post to condemning your political leaders.
So why do you insist of constantly harking on American political leaders? There’s two ways to deal with a problem, sitting around bitching about it or doing something about it. Since none of you can cast a single vote in my country, not even The Matt Good, none of you can do a single thing to fix our problems or influece our government , so all you’re doing is bithcing about it. Does it make you feel better about yourselves so say “Bush is an asshole”? “How can Americans be so stupid?” ” Its disgusting that such a low approval rating is given to the President and he’s still in office.”
Meanwhile, your parliamentary system enables you to kick your Head of State out at anytime, why don’t focus your energies on your own country and get your own house in order. Or is just easier to bitch about things you can’t change than do something about the things you can.
**I can already hear you folks “That’s totally uncalled for, this thread isn’t dedicated to bashing American policies”
No this blog in particular is not dedicated to it, but I’d say at least 60% of the threads on this blog and responses to them (that’s a modest estimate) contain some form of America/Cheney/Bush/Pelosi bashing, including this one.
Much luv,
American Democrat[/quote]
I have an important question… What policies/attitude/reactions/ethics do you agree with, in regards to your leader? Is there anything you can actually back up, positively about Mr.Bush and his administration? And if you can actually find something positive about what’s going on right now, in the world, and you want to sound credible, at least get straight that almost EVERYTHING the United States chooses to do effects Canadians!… So stating that we should mind our own business sounds just a bit ignorant.
October 19th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Jon Dehm -
This is something that has happened before to other people. Sometimes, comments with links get held for moderation to verify that the links are kosher in all respects. Nobody’s out to get you.
October 19th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
[quote] [...]how can the Liberals, in good conscience, not vote against the speech? [/quote]
Sorry Matt, there’s the Achilles heel of the argument right there. I’ve never met a politician with a conscience that wasn’t near the bottom of their list of concerns. Conversely, the handful of politicians I’ve met over the years have struck me as having very “flexible” conscience/morals/ethics.
October 19th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
I have to say that people in Ontario have made the same mistake as Americans in that they voted in Mike Harris as Premier twice in a row, as Bush was voted in twice despite the fact that both groups of people were apparently disgusted with both administrations.
Having said that, I know it’s difficult to make a comparison between two different levels of government but once can still spot the similarities there.
I also wanted to note that it’s always the same with naysayers who read this blog. It’s perfectly fine and I’m sure Matthew would agree with me, to have a difference of opinion but I think the disctinction is in what kind of response one formulates for blog entries here. There really isn’t any need for malice or similar, it’s immature and unproductive.
At the end of the day, it’s *one* opinion of international politics and other goings-on. That’s what blogs are for, so we can all rattle on about whatever we want to.
I for one, am tired of reading personal attacks on Matthew just because he has the balls to continue to write what is in his head. It just gets old, after awhile.
October 19th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
I’m with Daala, let’s hear the good shit mor4652!
By the way great show last night Matt and sorry about the bus!
… and Hi to Trish and J.P. from the Newlyweds!
October 19th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
[quote comment="29976"]Good day, Canadians.
I’m assuming you’re all Canadians becasue you’re discussing Canadian politics and I , as United States citizen, couldn’t care less about what you folks do in your country and I believe most people south of the border feel the same. That’s not to say your issues aren’t important, that your leader’s don’t matter, or that your political system is irrelevant. It’s just that, well, its your business, your country, and your problems to sort out.
My point is this. I doubt you will find a single American blog dedicated to attacking your leader and debating your political problems…actually I doubt you’ll find a blog from anyone else in the world outside of Canada thats dedicated post after post to condemning your political leaders.
So why do you insist of constantly harking on American political leaders? There’s two ways to deal with a problem, sitting around bitching about it or doing something about it. Since none of you can cast a single vote in my country, not even The Matt Good, none of you can do a single thing to fix our problems or influece our government , so all you’re doing is bithcing about it. Does it make you feel better about yourselves so say “Bush is an asshole”? “How can Americans be so stupid?” ” Its disgusting that such a low approval rating is given to the President and he’s still in office.”
Meanwhile, your parliamentary system enables you to kick your Head of State out at anytime, why don’t focus your energies on your own country and get your own house in order. Or is just easier to bitch about things you can’t change than do something about the things you can.
**I can already hear you folks “That’s totally uncalled for, this thread isn’t dedicated to bashing American policies”
No this blog in particular is not dedicated to it, but I’d say at least 60% of the threads on this blog and responses to them (that’s a modest estimate) contain some form of America/Cheney/Bush/Pelosi bashing, including this one.
Much luv,
American Democrat[/quote]
I can think of a handful of reasons… the most applicable to dismissing your comments being the US has the highest concentration of mainstream media in the world, and it doesn’t stay within your borders. If we’re presented with the information, we should be expected to form opinions - and openly state them.
If we didn’t have an opinion, what would that make us?
October 19th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
[quote comment="29995"]
Ashleigh
Awesome!! A Canadian who cares more about her government than attacking a lone American asshole! Kudos to Ashleigh for not giving a shit about me. You truly are (this is not sarcasm) a credit to your nation.[/quote]
With all due respect, I have been known to go pretty hard on my Anti Bush talk. I mean, when it comes to what you guys do down past our borders, I could care less…EXCEPT when it’s an issue that reaches far enough to affect the entire globe. I think the biggest issue we’re all having up here with Bush is quite evident, and has been stated repeatedly by many others in this thread. We’re all pretty much in the same boat over here…and although your government’s smaller decisions are really of no consequence to us, there is a whole other bucket of issues that do matter on an international level. Especially since we are connected by such an expansive area. Truth be told, I don’t give a crap about your prescription drug policy down there, and I’m sure you could care less about our universal health care policies etc…(or maybe you do…whatever), point is that when a man at the head of a country is out there occupying other countries and forcing his own beliefs on other nations in the name of not only his country, but also the entirety of the western world we have a problem. 24% is a really really bad number, and to have someone out there representing ‘democracy’ when they have only 24% approval rating from their own people is crazy. Of course, we have our own problems, but the fact remains: Canada isn’t out there waving it’s shit around telling people they will comply with what they want or else….and mind you, with complete disregard for what anyone says…I mean, he was going into Iraq whether the UN said yes or not. Furthermore, the whole thing just wreaks of the same imperialistic bullshit that Europe was responsible for in Africa. Whatever the case…war is crap. There is no need for fighting, and anyone who encourages war with their own personal pursuits in mind is a concern for the world…and there is nothing wrong with anyone discussing that regardless of which side of the border we are on.
remember…
every thing works like this
thought > discussion > action
one day there will be too many people talking about it for anyone to delay action further.
(keep in mind, I’m sure you’re not all on the Bush band wagon, just upset about the states bashing…but I think concerns like these are pretty valid topics for discussion in an international forum).
October 19th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
Daedalus,
I think democratic socialism is a fine political alternative, its a shame the US is so innately against it and I would never call someone a commie for saying “One world, one people” that’s way to positive for a communist to say.
You’re right, it is a closed minded man who thinks everyone should mind their own business and never change a thing. I’m active in my political party I try to make a difference, but I don’t waste my time spouting off about other leaders that I can do nothing about.
What do you (or anyone else on this blog) hope to actually accomplish by demagoging my President (and yes I did throw up a little bit when I wrote that). You say foreign policy is important and that other countries effect the US and that should matter, and it does matter to me. Iraq selling contracts to Iran and China instead of the US pisses the hell out of me. But am I gonna go off about those leaders? No, I’m gonna call my Congressman and my senator and say WHAT THE FUCK!! How do YOU let our declared enemies make money off of our war?!
Damn it…I’d love to yell at you people some more…but I’ve gotta run. Have a nice weekend
October 19th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Hahaha….I don’t think any American can get on a soapbox about dissing another country’s politics. “Freedom Fries” anyone?
October 19th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Matt, I would really like you to comment on the poll taken by the Afghans.
October 19th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Testing this moderation business. Here’s my attempt at sending the link for the CBC article about the Afghan poll:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/10/19/poll-reaction.html
…seems to have worked!
October 19th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
[quote comment="29976"]So why do you insist of constantly harking on American political leaders? There’s two ways to deal with a problem, sitting around bitching about it or doing something about it.[/quote]
The rest of the world would have been happy to let Americans take care of their shit… if they could. Instead you elected an idiot, not once, but twice, and continue to do nothing to reign in his harmful influence on the rest of the world. Is it any wonder we, the international community, felt the need to take over your duties of public dissent and media reporting?
While you have etched an ass groove into your living room couch watching Friends reruns, happily oblivious to the ravenous machinations of your military establishment, we have been running around like busy little bees unearthing every scandal, every international incident, every gaffe committed by your leaders. In fact, if it weren’t for US, the international community, you would know about fuckall of what goes on in your own country. Believe it.
YOU dropped the ball, America, so don’t get on our case when we pick up the slack.
October 19th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
[quote comment="30018"]Daedalus,
I think democratic socialism is a fine political alternative, its a shame the US is so innately against it and I would never call someone a commie for saying “One world, one people” that’s way to positive for a communist to say.
You’re right, it is a closed minded man who thinks everyone should mind their own business and never change a thing. I’m active in my political party I try to make a difference, but I don’t waste my time spouting off about other leaders that I can do nothing about.
What do you (or anyone else on this blog) hope to actually accomplish by demagoging my President (and yes I did throw up a little bit when I wrote that). You say foreign policy is important and that other countries effect the US and that should matter, and it does matter to me. Iraq selling contracts to Iran and China instead of the US pisses the hell out of me. But am I gonna go off about those leaders? No, I’m gonna call my Congressman and my senator and say WHAT THE FUCK!! How do YOU let our declared enemies make money off of our war?!
Damn it…I’d love to yell at you people some more…but I’ve gotta run. Have a nice weekend[/quote]
Fortunately constituency politics matters in Canada… varyingly depending on the MP… but still…
October 19th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
No point in contributing much towards this discussion. Any real points have already been made, and it’s turned into mess with no real point.
Anyone that throws a fit (I don’t really care if you want to argue about it being a ‘fit’. I’m using the term as a generalization for overreactions) because your neighbouring country discusses your politics really needs to re-evaluate their priorities. Disguising hostility with politeness doesn’t actually improve an argument. If someone doesn’t want to hear someone talk badly about their political leader then I guess visiting a politically inclined blog really was a poor choice on your part. When I don’t want to hear about Paris Hilton, I don’t turn on Entertainment Tonight and whine about it.
I agree that there are a lot of people who agree with Matt on this site (if you find it unusual for people who think alike to commonly congregate to the same sites, then let me be the first to welcome you to the Internet), and sometimes they do show unnecessary automatic hostility towards those that disagree (I went over this before and don’t care enough to do it again). As far as I’m concerned though, people who come here for the sole purpose of stirring up bullshit (which is what I’ve seen done above) really need to either get a life, or come up with some real arguments and learn to take the hostility down a bit.
I don’t hate Americans, nor do I partake much in American insults, as many Canadians do (another topic I’ve discussed before), but to be honest, some of the people above really aren’t helping their cause.
October 19th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
[quote comment="30018"]
You’re right, it is a closed minded man who thinks everyone should mind their own business and never change a thing. I’m active in my political party I try to make a difference, but I don’t waste my time spouting off about other leaders that I can do nothing about.
[/quote]
Here’s the thing:
Sometimes “spouting off” can change minds. Sometimes a well articulated argument, perhaps even laced with a little bit of passion, can cause someone to take pause and think differently.
Sure, we may not have the ability to directly participate in your politics, but we may sway someone who can. If this occurs even once, then it is not a “waste of time”.
That’s the beauty of the web… there’s no telling what audience one might reach and the change one might affect if only one makes the attempt.
October 19th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Is it safe yet for another American…..?
Despite the Dismal popularity numbers GeoBush has, the U.S. Congress has an approval rating of 11%.
Heck, I bet Lindsy Lohans ta-ta’s get bigger numbers!!!!!
October 19th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
I agree 100%, Matt. I’ve been saying that since Tuesday. If the Liberals go ahead with it, they are throwing what little respect and credibility they still possess. But as far as voting, should an election emerge out of all of this, if one were to regard Canada’s mission a pain in the ass issue to go and vote for, I would think that or those persons to be incredibly STUPID as many in this world cannot afford such luxuries as opinion and the right to express it.
October 19th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
And as far as the “above”, I agree with NothingMan. Also on that note, why are Canadians so concerned with US politics and its foreign policy? Because regardless of the fact that were are not American, and nor could be vote or do anything directly to influence change, we are effected internationally. And the group of individuals who participate by replying to Matt’s blog entries, Canadian, American, or of any other nationality, are for the most part, politically aware, intelligent individuals who enjoy healthy debate.
October 19th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
[quote comment="29995"]And I’m glad you’re an “energetic lot” clearly your energy has been well spent seeing as how conservatives still rule your government and mine.[/quote]
It’s interesting that you bring up the fact that the party in power here is the Conservative Party and allude to the idea that the energies spent by those who are not in the party have been done in vain, or at least ineffectively. The truth is quite a bit more complicated than. But since you’re not Canadian and appear not to follow Canadian politics very closely, you’re forgiven for looking at our current political situation rather superficially. Though, perhaps you can understand how people outside of the US, who are affected by the policies of your government but do not follow the goings on all that closely, can make sweeping generalizations and simplistic remarks about US politics. However, there are plenty of people who have studied a great deal and know an incredible amount about US politics. Matt Good is one of those people.
[quote comment="29995"]Dearest Fuse,
I concede that I am not a scholar of Canadian government structure, but I assume that it is based off the British system. In which case, all it takes is a vote of no confidence with a simple majority to call for new elections and remove the current ruling party.
An impeachment, although tantalizing to think about, requires a super majority in Congress to be successful. So, no, it actually isn’t an easy fix.[/quote]
Yes, granted that the mechanisms by which our respective governments go about removing those in power are different, make no mistake that it is an easy thing to bring down the Canadian government. A straight no confidence vote has only ever succeeded once (which triggered the election that ultimately brought the current government to power). Even now, as the vote for the Throne Speech is coming, a vote which could easily bring down the Conservative government, there is a lot of debate going on. The Liberal party may or may not go along with it.
[quote comment="29993"]yes. i posted 2 news articles from the cbc, (go to http://www.cbc.ca, and it’s right at the top) there are surveys done by the CBC in Afghanistan that support our involvement there. I merely posted them, asked if matt was going to comment on them, and I addressed some ignorant American who did not approve of our discussion of another countries’ politics.
thats all, and then moderation. search up moderation, and here’s what comes up… “We have, and will continue to, moderate those comments and threads which both derail and detract from the original discussion, and contain malicious, abusive, or otherwise inappropriate language.”
Unless calling someone ignorant is ‘malicious’ or ‘abusive,’ I ‘derailed and detracted’ from the discussion too much.[/quote]
It seems that if you have more than one url in a post, the spam filter gets it. I’ve had a number of posts held for moderation because of this, none of which were malicious or abusive, etc. Just have a little patience.
October 19th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Do you think the business elite ever want war to end, let alone this war in particular? Do you think any ruling political party will dare contradict its wishes? Should this war last long enough - and, believe me, it will (they’re already talking 2011, ten years since the hunt for this ‘bin Laden’ began) - do you think Stephen Harper, or whomever happens to be Prime Minister by then, send his offspring into battle? He has no problem sending yours off to kill and die.
Despite your feelings towards this individual’s conduct, Mor has a point: preaching to the choir will only get us so far; sooner or later, it comes time to act, and that time is now. Remembrance Day is almost upon us, which means another year of this propaganda about the “sacrifices” made by our forefathers, how they killed and died for our right to cast our vote for some corporate lackey and consume, consume, consume. If we really wish to honour the memories of the fallen, should we allow this chicanery to continue this year, or should we let the public know the truth about war? For fuck’s sake, we’re told to wear poppies to honour the dead in the midst of an opium war! We might as well rev our engines during the salute, while we’re at it.
October 19th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
[quote comment="30035"] For fuck’s sake, we’re told to wear poppies to honour the dead in the midst of an opium war! [/quote]
Aw man, you had to go and make me spray coffee on my monitor, didn’t ya?
Too true!
October 19th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Any thoughts on Stephen Colbert running for president?
October 19th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Tiffany: That would be priceless
October 19th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Most people in Canada that are paying attention to and concerned with the United States are rightly doing so hence that they are our direct neighbours, as well as their economy and ours tend to run together (our imports total about 85% from the US). So when a policy is enacted in the US, our economy can be affected as well. So, for instance, Bush cuts taxes as he did a while back in order to increase consumption (which it actually did for once), then that effect is felt here as well. It’s amazing that the subprime problem didn’t affect us even more than it did. Look at Britain: Northern Rock’s aggressive business model triggered a bank run due to the problem.
However, as responsible people, we should be watching the entire world’s events, not just the US. Kudos to Matt for posting info from various events, because it all matters.
October 19th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
There is a facebook dedicated to that very idea! I think its “Steven Colbert ‘08″
October 19th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
“Meanwhile, your parliamentary system enables you to kick your Head of State out at anytime…” well technically our head of state is the Queen…. :-P
October 19th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Well Bruiseviolet, priceless is happening.
October 19th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
in keeping with analogies…
America is like Mor, and Mor is like America. Always interfering in other people’s business.
October 19th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
[quote comment="29976"]Good day, Canadians.
I’m assuming you’re all Canadians becasue you’re discussing Canadian politics and I , as United States citizen, couldn’t care less about what you folks do in your country and I believe most people south of the border feel the same. That’s not to say your issues aren’t important, that your leader’s don’t matter, or that your political system is irrelevant. It’s just that, well, its your business, your country, and your problems to sort out.
My point is this. I doubt you will find a single American blog dedicated to attacking your leader and debating your political problems…actually I doubt you’ll find a blog from anyone else in the world outside of Canada thats dedicated post after post to condemning your political leaders.
So why do you insist of constantly harking on American political leaders? There’s two ways to deal with a problem, sitting around bitching about it or doing something about it. Since none of you can cast a single vote in my country, not even The Matt Good, none of you can do a single thing to fix our problems or influece our government , so all you’re doing is bithcing about it. Does it make you feel better about yourselves so say “Bush is an asshole”? “How can Americans be so stupid?” ” Its disgusting that such a low approval rating is given to the President and he’s still in office.”
Meanwhile, your parliamentary system enables you to kick your Head of State out at anytime, why don’t focus your energies on your own country and get your own house in order. Or is just easier to bitch about things you can’t change than do something about the things you can.
**I can already hear you folks “That’s totally uncalled for, this thread isn’t dedicated to bashing American policies”
No this blog in particular is not dedicated to it, but I’d say at least 60% of the threads on this blog and responses to them (that’s a modest estimate) contain some form of America/Cheney/Bush/Pelosi bashing, including this one.
Much luv,
American Democrat[/quote]
Spoken like a true American ‘Republican”
October 19th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
“I have no idea how the man can show his face in public, let alone, as Keith Olbermann and company point out, spew such utter contradictions.” MG
well that link was certainly entertaining!
hey, who knew the Dixie Chicks were so insightful?
Do they have transcripts of those press conferences? It would just be a whole other level of “shock and awe” to see those contradictions in print.
October 19th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Mr. Dion is stuck between a rock and a hard place. The conservatives have been using their position in power to secure as large a power base as they can while using their much larger warchest to keep up a nonstop media blitz that has had a telling effect on Dions support in Quebec.
The Throne Speech is an invitation for Dion to make an ideological stand at a time when the conservatives are at their most advantageous point, an election now could very well give them a majority which could have very serious implications for Canada.
Dion is playing a waiting game knowing that the nuts in the backset of the conservative minivan will eventually get tired of the ride and screw things up for Harper…again. It’s not pretty, but it’s better than risking Harper with a majority and no real limits to his power…just look south of the border to see what I’m talking about.
October 19th, 2007 at 11:34 pm
Yeah, Mexican Politics is screwed up, man………
October 19th, 2007 at 11:38 pm
It’s not just an idea anymore
http://origin.www.cbc.ca/arts/tv/story/2007/10/17/colbert-presidential-bid.html
October 19th, 2007 at 11:41 pm
“Yeah, Mexican Politics is screwed up, man………”
I was refering to the You Ess of Eh?
October 19th, 2007 at 11:46 pm
[quote comment="30097"]It’s not just an idea anymore
http://origin.www.cbc.ca/arts/tv/story/2007/10/17/colbert-presidential-bid.html/quote
You got to love Colbert, in South Carolina he’s running in the Republican primary as Mitt Guiliani and in the democratic as Hillary Obama.
October 21st, 2007 at 12:08 pm
I know this comment is a little late and the conversation has passed; I’d like to add that perhaps the 24% approval rating means little. Few constituents of those in Congress are holding their representatives’ feet to the fire to redress grievances with Bush. He can implement poor policy after poor policy with a smirk because he knows that no one will try to stop him. Those that want to are too few to do so. Welcome to America where the only act of outrage that occurred on the day of Petraeus’ report was to protest the Macy’s name change in Chicago.
October 21st, 2007 at 1:27 pm
” He can implement poor policy after poor policy with a smirk because he knows that no one will try to stop him”
I’m curious as to what you think Bushs motive is? Why would he implement “poor policy” ? What’s in it for him?