UN authorizes `all necessary measures' in Libya

[Asher]

How come you lose your **** whenever a politician in the US panders to the anti-gay vote in token ways?

Because when they pander to it, there are serious ramifications to it? It was untenable politically in Canada to revoke gay marriage, so the pandering was clearly just trying to convince mental midgit Christians into voting for him, not a serious threat. Do you understand or do you need more explanation?

Edit: To be more precise, since comprehension is not your forte, there was no serious risk of there being a revocation of gay rights with Harper being elected. Everyone knew that. The majority of Canadians supported it, and all the courts in Canada repeatedly ruled that it was unconstitutional to prohibit gay marriage. Unlike in the US, we care about freedoms protected in our constitution, so Canadians willingly accepted gay marriage. And polls also said the same thing.

By contrast, in the US when a politician campaigns on anti-gay rights grounds, not only does he get elected, but he actually prevents gay rights from ever happening by trying to amend constitutions, etc.

[Asher]

The other sad point about Canadian Conservatism (borrowed from the right wingers south of the border).

Being educated and traveled is a percieved liability to conservatives.

There's nothing wrong with being educated and traveled. But spending the majority of your adult life out of the country and parachuting in after years of living abroad to exploit political opportunity? That rubs people the wrong way.

[MOBIUS]

You seem to not be understanding my argument. I'm sure America had the best intentions in supporting Iraq, they didn't mean to piss people off. What I'm arguing is the result of their decades of good intentions are laid bare before us. They support one regime to topple another, then later come in to topple the regime they supported. Each time they do this, there's bloodshed and each time it costs the Americans countless dollars better spent elsewhere.

The reasons are obvious -- it is none of their concern. I don't buy the human rights argument, because the US knew Saddam was a war criminal long before they decided to invade Iraq under proven lies and false circumstances, desperately trying to inaccurately label it part of the "war on terror".

Not to mention right this very moment where the US is happy to be hypocritical and overlook the fact that its allies like Bahrain and Saudi are employing increasingly similar tactics to Gaddafi...

[Wezil]

That rubs people Conservatives the wrong way.

Fixed.

I've never seen such an anti-intellectual bunch.

e.g. - Their Dumb on Crime policies.

[Asher]

Well, even setting aside "intellectuals" like Dion and Ignatieff, the results speak for themselves. Maybe there's a point to be made there, that people with their heads in the cloud (GREEN SHIFT!) shouldn't be operating in a position that demands practicality.

[Dinner]

The icing on the cake?

The US owes the UN tons of money in dues that they've not paid. It's something like half a billion dollars last I checked. Or did they finally pay up?

Edit: I stand corrected, Obama paid up the debts. The Republicans, just last month, have introduced bills to try to stop paying the UN again.

As I understand it the US is refusing to pay until the UN makes some much needed reforms such as not allowing countries like Libya and other primary human rights abusers to head the UN Human Rights Commission.

[Wezil]

Well, even setting aside "intellectuals" like Dion and Ignatieff, the results speak for themselves. Maybe there's a point to be made there, that people with their heads in the cloud (GREEN SHIFT!) shouldn't be operating in a position that demands practicality.

You support a party with the same MO as the Republicans - BE VERY VERY AFRAID (and trust us to keep you safe). Crime, immigration, defence... all reflective of this.

Strangely you lap it up while condemning Americans for the same. You have a double standard that you refuse to see.

[DinoDoc]

I interpreted it as Gadaffi having killed the opposition and the West was too late to do any good .

Unless the Egyptians have been supplying heavy weapons (which we've seen scant evidence of) and military advisors (which they sorely need), it's fairly obvious that the West is about 2 weeks late to do anything other than ensure a stalemate.

[Asher]

I don't lap it up. As I said, that's the part I do not like at all. I "support" the Conservatives because at the moment they're better than the alternative. That's all. If the Liberals ever nominate a competent leader AND that leader is NOT out to steal from Alberta or otherwise screw the province over to benefit other provinces, I'd happily switch.

I couldn't give a **** about their crime and immigration policies.

[Asher]

To be clear, Wezil, have you EVER seen me defending the Tory policies on immigration, crime, or defense?

[Wezil]

From what I see your big complaint was the former Liberal leader's Green Shift (you always mention this) and apparently the fact Iggy spent most of his life working and teaching abroad.

To cut to the chase, I think it is your fear that some leader other than a Conservative will talk about something you deem detrimental to AB oil. You will take absolutely anything over that.

[Wezil]

To be clear, Wezil, have you EVER seen me defending the Tory policies on immigration, crime, or defense?

Nope. You never condemn either (unlike with the Americans). If Harper were US President he would be top of your "bad guys" list.

[Asher]

From what I see your big complaint was the former Liberal leader's Green Shift (you always mention this) and apparently the fact Iggy spent most of his life working and teaching abroad.

To cut to the chase, I think it is your fear that some leader other than a Conservative will talk about something you deem detrimental to AB oil. You will take absolutely anything over that.

That is my main concern. It's BY FAR the policy the government controls that affects me directly and most severely.

Whether the Tories imprison rapists for longer doesn't affect me, but if the Liberals come in and try to nationalize the energy industry or try to halt oil sands growth, then that is a MAJOR concern of mine. And they have a nasty track record...

[Asher]

Nope. You never condemn either (unlike with the Americans). If Harper were US President he would be top of your "bad guys" list.

To be honest, it's mostly because I do not follow the policies at all. As I said, I couldn't give a **** about their defense, crime, or immigration policies. So why bother discussing them? CanPol as a whole I can't ****ing stand, my only concern is they don't **** with the Alberta economy.

[Wezil]

Well if you are a single issue voter that's fine. Just be honest about it. Don't blame it on the guy having taught at Harvard.