02-26-2008

Tax Free Savings Accounts…In Canada?

Yup….

.

It seems too good to be true and, unless the CPC is elected again it may not happen. However, come 2009, may become a reality in Canada.

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Read the full post jaycurrie in Uncategorized | | Edit

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01-24-2006

Deck Of Liberals

If you are looking for the Deck Of Liberals please click here. The complete .zip file can be downloaded here. Feel free to link to or borrow these images as you wish. Enjoy.

Read the full post Anonalogue in Uncategorized | | Edit

01-07-2006

“Damn white guys just accomplished too much”

Kid Mad Because There Aren't Any Statues To Losers, or Ladies & Gentlemen, Meet the Future of America...

"James J. Hill, the 'Empire Builder,' glowers from atop his pedestal outside More Hall. Across the street, Jaebadiah Gardner, ’05, a 22-year-old of African and Mexican descent, glowers back at him.

“'He looks like a plantation owner,' Gardner says.

(...)

“'It’s a struggle, going to class every day,' he says. 'Nobody looks like you. You’re talking about European history. You’re talking, basically, about everything that’s not you.'"
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01-07-2006

If you don’t read anything else today…

Hugh Hewitt & Fr. Fessio: Mark Steyn, the Pope and Islam:

HH: "Special hour now, as I'm joined by Father Joseph D. Fessio, who is the Provost of Ave Maria University in Naples, Florida, also the founder of the publisher Ignatius Press. He's a Jesuit. He's also a student and a friend of Benedict XVI, and a second time on the program. Father Fessio, welcome back to the Hugh Hewitt Show.

"(...) I wanted to talk to you today, because Mark Steyn, a tremendous writer, wrote a piece yesterday on the loss of the West, because of depopulation, and because of a lack of seriousness. And I believe that this has been a theme in your teacher, Benedict XVI's first nine months as Pope. Am I right about that?

JF: "Absolutely right, Hugh. (...)

"...Benedict XVI, even before he was Pope, has talked about the remnant, the fact that we as Christians, if we are truly faithful to Christ and His word, we're going to be a minority, and a minority which is becoming more and more marginalized, and even oppressed. So I don't think, I don't think Benedict XVI is thinking that we're going to have a new Christendom, in which Christian principles permeate all of society. I think he probably is more, his vision is that we must be faithful to Christ, and He will support us and strengthen us, and we can't predict what our role will be in society. But it's probably going to be as a minority."

(...)

"Muslims, many of them, perhaps a majority of them are serious about their faith. They're devout. But they have a religion whose principle is based on God's word, not in the words of men, but God's word delivered directly to Mohammed, which can't be interpreted, can't be changed, can't be adapted. And that word is to conquer the word, or render everyone subject to the one true religion, which is Islam. I mean, it is not a religion of stasis or peace. It's a religion of evangelization... or that's not a good word, because that's a Gospel word. But I mean it's a religion of missionary conversions.

HH: "Father Fessio, now I have Muslim friends who will argue that that's not what Jihad means. How do you respond to them?

JF: "Well, your Muslim friends are wrong, because Jihad can be largely interpreted to be a spiritual struggle. But the text themselves talk explicitly about the extension of Islam to all peoples, and they allowed either to accept, or if they reject it, they have to be... pay a tax, you know, and you become dimis, or second class citizens, or subject citizens to Islam..."
Read the full post Kathy in Uncategorized | | Edit

01-07-2006

Still even more re: Roberto Rivera

Rivera was kind enough to respond to all my blathering about Steyn, Sailer, demographics & race. Over at his blog, I’d responded to the “it’s not race, it’s culture” line by asking, “But where does ‘culture’ come from then? From race, or something like it? Seriously, I’m just asking…”

Roberto replies via email:

If by “race” you mean “biology” I don’t think so. I think it’s, among other things, an adaptation to our environment and our physical surroundings. I won’t deny for a second that Latins—as are all people of Mediterranean descent—shaped in some measure by the fact that their “homelands” are warm. The same is true of American Southerners. But, people, or at least their descendants, eventually adapt to new surroundings: I hate Summer and love Winter.

The other obvious source of culture is our beliefs, religious and otherwise. To state the obvious, much of what we call “The West” could only have originated in Catholic Western Europe because Holy Mother Church :-) taught her children to see the world in a particular way that made boring stuff like science, liberty and learning possible.

Islam, as Bernard Lewis wrote, had some of those same ideas but then went obscurantist on itself and pissed its advantage away. The Chinese had cool stuff but their ideas about governance and the individual strangled creativity, which brings to mind a point I meant to make earlier: scholars like Thomas Sowell have pointed out the paradox of what are called the “overseas Chinese.” At a time when China was economically stagnant, to put it politely, they thrived. (The same is true of South Asians and other groups, as well.) Obviously, it wasn’t race.

And it probably wasn’t culture, at least on the personal level, either. Something about the way their societies were organized and run made it difficult for creative and hard-working people to thrive. I’d like to suggest that the same is true south of the (American) border.

One more thing: as you know, Canada and the US are different in many ways. When Steyn wrote about countries that lack confidence and, thus, are unable to fend off the Islamic threat, I thought “Maple Leaf.” I hate to admit this; I may like Canada even more than you. ;-) The US, whatever else is the case, doesn’t lack that confidence. We—yes I’m an American, born and raised within sight of the Manhattan skyline—have a way of making “you” into “us.” I think that’s part of the reason you® chickens**t countrymen cheered Russia and booed our juniors at the World Junior Hockey Championship. As the hockey writer from Sports Illustrated, a Canadian BTW, wrote, the crowd knows eventually that the US will eventually match or even beat Canada at its own game. Hell, even Texas is producing first-round NHL picks! You will be assimilated! Resistance is Futile. We are Rangers . . . I mean Borg!
Thanks, Roberto. Great food for thought.

Here, Sailer addresses the “but Hispanics aren’t Muslims” comments that I’ve been getting from correspondents and commenters:
...the point I’ve been making for years is that we need to remember that when the Europeans invited in most of the ancestors of their current Muslims, from 1950-1973, it seemed like a good idea at the time. Ferocious Muslim fundamentalism appeared to be a dead letter back then. Heck, in the first half of the 1950s, Puerto Rican terrorism in the U.S. was a more pressing threat than Muslim terrorism was in Europe.

What we should have learned from history is that these things are highly cyclical, that groups with low status go through periods of anger and quietude. My guess is that we’re a few years away from an upswing in Latino unrest in the U.S., as the “wind from South” blows north from Venezuela and Bolivia.

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Read the full post Kathy in Uncategorized | | Edit

01-07-2006

“Saying ‘I don’t believe in organized religion’…

"is sort of like saying 'I don't believe in organized biological systems'":

"When people say things like 'I don't believe in organized religion' they usually mean something more like 'Life is mysterious and I don't think human systems should try to de-mystify it' (an admirable sentiment) or else 'I dislike being told what to do' (often just childish rebelliousness) or 'Thinking too much makes me tired and I'd rather not do it.'"

***
I'd add, "I'm confident in my own ability to come up with a superior religion." This from human beings who struggle just to get their laundry done.
Read the full post Kathy in Uncategorized | | Edit

01-07-2006

Oh, great.

Damian tags me.

You know, I'm really struggling with this little list because I don't really think I do anything "strange"; I figure it's all the other people who don't do these things that are weird. (Have I mentioned lately that I'm the only child of two only children...?)

Let's see:

1. It may surprise regular readers of this blog how much I enjoy visiting this (extremely popular, I might add) website. (cootchiebootchiebooboogoogoopoopoo!)

2. I sort of believe that the milk left over in the serial bowl is somehow "contaminated" and should not be drunk (Arnie).

3. Yes, slot machines are for suckers and morons, but I always play them, and win pretty big most of the time.

4. Damian mentioned the Simpsons and Little Britain catchphrases. For about twenty five years I've used obscure, non sequitor SCTV lines in everyday conversation, because they are perfectly apt shortforms for what I'm trying to say. "Sell 40 shares", "I'm the guy with the snake on his face" and "the unexplained presence of coins on your eyelids" being three of the most useful.

5. I miss the cheerful little smilely face icon from old Mac operating systems, that would pop up during start up as if to say, Good morning! Have a happy day. Come back, little smiley face! Sniff.
Read the full post Kathy in Uncategorized | | Edit

01-07-2006

tjic’s Good Reasons to Beat Up “North African” Delinquents

“Wasn’t there even one man on the train?

“There are far worse epitaphs than ‘defended a train car full of women and children, killed three Muslim teenagers by stabbing them in the heart, before being overpowered and kicked to death.’

“All of your relatives would know that you were The Bomb.”

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Read the full post Kathy in Uncategorized | | Edit

01-07-2006

I make a Best Books list!

Eve Tushnet is a fan of my poetry collection—really must get around to writing more poetry some day…

She also lists her own “Best Blog Posts By Me” (that is, her); her same sex marriage series is highly recommended. And how can you resist a blog post titled “The Pope makes me feel minty”?

Yesterday she wrote to me about the post at Roberto Rivera’s:

Just wanted to suggest (and if you’ve heard this comparison from a ton of other people already, I apologize) that up until a couple decades ago you could as easily ask, “Where are the economic powerhouses run by the Irish?”, and get the answer, “Well, there’s New York City.” Which is one reason I thought Rivera’s (or maybe one of his commenters’?) citing Miami was a really interesting point. I do think immigrants from a lot of cultures have a MUCH easier time creating businesses and creating wealth in
the US, compared to how they do in their native countries, for a lot of reasons—you’ve probably seen Hernando de Soto’s work on structural barriers to economic achievement, for example. (Have no idea if same better-in-US effect is also true of Canada, though.) ...On an even less-educated note, I would’ve thought at least Venezuela (though maybe oil wealth shouldn’t count, cf “the oil curse”), Brazil, Argentina, and Chile were global players economically, although as I understand it their societies remain super class-stratified and corrupt, and anyway they’re not the majority origin countries of most US Latino immigrants, obviously.

Muslim immigration is a different issue, partly b/c of radical Islam obviously and partly b/c religion is the heart of culture, but I think you tend to transfer the issues around Muslim immigration onto Latino immigration when that model doesn’t fit Latinos at all well.

Anyway, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. I gave one friend LOBOTOMY MAGNIFICAT and will be mailing another one GOD RIDES A YAMAHA.

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Read the full post Kathy in Uncategorized | | Edit

01-07-2006

Latest Ipsos Poll


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The headlines on the Ipsos release last night said it all: “Tories On the March.”  Check out the last one.  Harper is still far from a majority – but a potential 46-seat difference?  Wow. 

Meanwhile, in other news, there are so many scandals and police probes being revealed, I literally cannot keep track anymore.  And, you know, I feel the Ditherals’ pain, I really do.  I’m a sensitive guy.

The Ipsos headlines:

...

In The Lead-Up To The Second Leaders Debate, Tories On The March

Tories (35%, +2 Points), Grits (31%, -1 Point), NDP (18%, Unchanged), Green (5%, Unchanged)

Latest Ipsos Poll. Read the full post

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01-07-2006

This sounds grave.

From the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem:

...

Dear Friends:

As we enter Shabbat here in the land of Israel, the nation remains braced for news on the grave medical condition of Ariel Sharon. At this difficult moment, we continue to call on Christians worldwide to join the people of Israel in praying for the life of one of their most beloved countrymen.

Valiant in the field of battle and a momentous figure in high office, Sharon is being shown wide respect by his nation, as is his due.

We urge prayer for his health and for the person of Ariel Sharon, as well as for his nation, which is facing much sudden uncertainty. May the Sovereign Lord indeed lead His people like a flock (Psalm 77:20).

Yours in Him,

Malcolm Hedding,
ICEJ Executive Director


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01-07-2006

SEC Investigation: The importance of transparency

From CTV: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is reviewing last November's alleged income trust leak and may launch an investigation, the regulator revealed in an e-mail sent to NDP Finance Critic Judy Wasylycia-Leis. The e-mail was written Thursday by...
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01-07-2006

I’m Getting Back on the Instant Messaging Horse

For the last couple of years, I’ve gone out of my way to avoid using instant messaging applications. I always found them to be an unwanted interruption to whatever I was doing at a given time.


That said, like Apple computers, most of the smart people I know use instant messaging. So, I’m going to give IM another try. If you want to talk to me, you can do so here:


MSN: darrenbarefoot@hotmail.com (don’t email me there, though)

I’m Getting Back on the Instant Messaging Horse. Read the full post

Read the full post DarrenBarefoot.com in Technology | | Edit

01-07-2006

Harper: “Read my lips — more new taxes!”

Martin knew if he waited long enough, Harper wouldn't be able to stop himself -- he just has to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory:

Late last year, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper's staff told CBC Online the Conservatives would let the [Liberal] tax cuts stand if they win the election. But the Conservatives called CBC this week to say that while they would allow the Liberal tax cut to stand for last year . . . they intend to immediately raise personal income taxes if they are elected later this month. The Conservatives say a Stephen Harper government would raise the rate on the lowest tax bracket back from 15 per cent back to 16 per cent in their first budget, probably in April. As well, the basic exemption, income on which no tax is charged, would be dropped by $400 in the same budget. A Tory official acknowledged to CBC News that would likely mean taking back the money taxpayers are saving on their paycheques for the first four months of this year.
Oh, and here's the kicker:

The Tories refused to be interviewed on camera for the story.
Emphasis mine.

And if the Conservatives would backtrack on this promise, what about all the other Liberal/NDP spending programs of the last 18 months, for cities and infrastructure and Aboriginals and health care? Harper said at the time that he wouldn't pull the rug out from under these programs if he was elected (which, I must say, I did not believe at the time). But is he now going to change these promises retroactively?


So now Harper can play defense for a while.

And I note that even the press is now getting a little tired of seeing the RCMP apparently running against Martin -- the latest story is that the RCMP is now going around interviewing people on whether a portion of a $4 million grant given by Heritage Canada to a federalist group during the 1995 referundum campaign was properly accounted for, an issue which then-minister Sheila Copps told CBC had been looked at by the Auditor General ten years ago.

So, OK -- everybody into the pool!

Should we also see if we can't get the RCMP to re-open an investigation into Mulroney and Airbus or whatever that crock was all about? And why stop there? Lets rehash the NDP's Spudco scandal in Saskatchewan that cost us $34 million. . .

Read the full post CathiefromCanada in Uncategorized | | Edit

01-07-2006

Seeking Hardcore, Canadian Second Life Players

Just passing on a quick request from a journalist. Are you or do you know someone who is a hardcore Second Life player? In particular, are they in Toronto or area? If so, drop me an email.

Incidentally, their need is urgent (and isn't it always?). If you're reading this after January 9, 2006, don't bother contacting me.


Read the full post DarrenBarefoot.com in Games | | Edit

01-06-2006

The ONLY Question Remaining:

Are you afraid of having Stephen Harper as your Prime Minister?



Nothing else matters anymore. I don't want to call the election because a lot can change in two weeks but it's safe to say the Liberal government has defeated itself. Nothing they do over the last two weeks will change that. It's been a disastrous campaign, dogged by what now seem to be daily scandals. Canadians have had enough and want change.



The only hope left for Martin is that we see a repeat of 2o04 when voters did not want Stephen Harper as Prime Minister. It happened then, and I don't want to say it can't happen again but, to quote the Tory "change" commercial "something feels different this time". Harper has run a slick campaign, the media is 100% on his side, he's laid out his policy, and Martin is being dogged by daily scandals.

Read the full post calgarygrit in Uncategorized | | Edit

01-06-2006

Vote Out Anders…part 80

I got a good laugh out of this.






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01-06-2006

It’s ok to be scary — if you’re a Liberal

Via Antonia Zerbisias comes a link to the latest video exposing media bias by Proud to Be Canadian. (Good for her for linking!) This stuff is so great. I cite this as yet another example of the type of subtle bias that is omnipresent in the media but is very difficult to quantify. Amazing work by Joel Johannesen. And to get Antonia agreeing? That's really something.


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01-06-2006

Book Club

Lost in the shuffle over the latest RCMP investigation was this:



Still, Mr. Dauphin has hired a spokesman in advance of the publication of Mr. Lester’s book, The Secrets of Option Canada, which is due to be released next week.



Ouch. What this means is that in the second to last week of the campaign, we’re going to see a tell all book about the latest Liberal scandal (involving a former Paul Martin friend and staffer) launched.




Merde!









UPDATE:
 According to the National, the book will be launched Monday…debate day.

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Read the full post calgarygrit in Uncategorized | | Edit

01-06-2006

OSC Investigation: It’s worse than we imagined

Now that I'm back online (I do have a life beyond blogging), I can give the OSC statement some proper attention. A complainant, still unnamed, asked the OSC to investigate two issues: insider trader allegations a report that Ralph Goodale's...
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