I know that we all can fall into the trap of only being informed and concerned about what happens within our own borders - sometimes I do that too.
But I hope Americans will watch what is happening up here with interest. It's sure of interest to us!
The reigning Liberal government had a lead in the polls a few months ago when they lost a vote of confidence in our Parliament. In Canada, we often get "minority" governments - meaning no one has over 50% of the seats in the house - due to having more than two parties in our Parliament.
In an effort to garner votes, this same government ( one that that spent 2 BILLION dollars establishing a gun registry - after telling the Canadian taxpayers it would cost about 2 MILLION!!! ) made more stupid decisions.
Since the registry (which some estimate only 50% of gun owners complied with) has existed - gun crimes went up 20%!
So, for this election, they decided to demonize guns again - and said they'd ban handgun ownership up here.
To make a long story short - the biggest opposition party (the Conservatives) went from somewheres around 28% popularity in the country - to over 40% in the election run-up. This means they (due to a huge amount of Quebecers voting for a provincial party) that the math says they are on the verge of - not only winning the election next week - but in gaining a majority!
They've promised to trash the gun registry - NOT ban handguns, put more cops on the streets, have minimum extra sentences tacked on to gun crimes, increase Canada's military spending 600% and all kind of other "right thinking" policies!
They are on the right track - and I love the fact that it appears Canada's liberal party is headed for a huge defeat.
So, America - watch the news, send us your best thoughts and wish us well. I know jokes about a 600% increase in military spending might happen - but it's a welcome start for us - and about time! It's only a baby step - but, if these Conservative programs go through - it bodes well for everyone living on this continent.
I'll be in Detroit on the night of the election watching a week's worth of NHL and NBA games - but we've already cast our votes.
I hope it's a landslide!
Brian
Vernon BC Canada
"Nothing in life - can compare to seeing smiles on your children's faces."
Liberal policy seems to be doing in Canada exactly what it's been doing in America. Making an embarrassment of itself as it gives up ground. We don�t need no Chocolate Plantations around here....
Ironic isn't it that French Premier Chirac is being called an idiot by other EU leaders for threatening nuclear reprisals against terrorists. So the French have learned you if you "make nice" with terrorists / barbarians they take it as a sign of weakness. Maybe the liberal Canadians will realize the same goes for armed criminals. You don't make nice with them, you squash 'em.
We're watching. Well, I can only speak for myself. I follow gun rights news where ever it pops up. I look forward to the day when I feel welcome to cross the border with a couple of rifles and a NRA sticker on the back window of my truck. I have read too many stories of hunters being hassled at the border and being subjected to extensive searches because of firearms in the vehicle.
If the conservatives do gain a majority, I hope they know what to do with it. In the US, the Republicans sometimes forget that they are in power.
Brian, a lot of us are very interested and I for one appreciate the updates from folks up north. Unfortunately our media tends to ignore anything outside the US borders unless it's going to get great ratings so it's difficult for us to get accurate information.
Good luck and thanks for helping us keep informed!!
I know that we all can fall into the trap of only being informed and concerned about what happens within our own borders - sometimes I do that too.
But I hope Americans will watch what is happening up here with interest. It's sure of interest to us!
The reigning Liberal government had a lead in the polls a few months ago when they lost a vote of confidence in our Parliament. In Canada, we often get "minority" governments - meaning no one has over 50% of the seats in the house - due to having more than two parties in our Parliament.
In an effort to garner votes, this same government ( one that that spent 2 BILLION dollars establishing a gun registry - after telling the Canadian taxpayers it would cost about 2 MILLION!!! ) made more stupid decisions.
Since the registry (which some estimate only 50% of gun owners complied with) has existed - gun crimes went up 20%!
So, for this election, they decided to demonize guns again - and said they'd ban handgun ownership up here.
To make a long story short - the biggest opposition party (the Conservatives) went from somewheres around 28% popularity in the country - to over 40% in the election run-up. This means they (due to a huge amount of Quebecers voting for a provincial party) that the math says they are on the verge of - not only winning the election next week - but in gaining a majority!
They've promised to trash the gun registry - NOT ban handguns, put more cops on the streets, have minimum extra sentences tacked on to gun crimes, increase Canada's military spending 600% and all kind of other "right thinking" policies!
They are on the right track - and I love the fact that it appears Canada's liberal party is headed for a huge defeat.
So, America - watch the news, send us your best thoughts and wish us well. I know jokes about a 600% increase in military spending might happen - but it's a welcome start for us - and about time! It's only a baby step - but, if these Conservative programs go through - it bodes well for everyone living on this continent.
I'll be in Detroit on the night of the election watching a week's worth of NHL and NBA games - but we've already cast our votes.
I hope it's a landslide!
It really makes me sick to see what is going on up in Canada with the liberal leadership and what they are doing to you the citizens. We are seeing the liberal establishmet here trying the same garbage. Now that they are out of power (sort of) they really are showing how hostile and bitter they really are.
Interesting that while your liberal canidates seem to be running on attacks on our president and leadership, they have not learned from the Germans. While their leadeship tried to gain votes by attacking the US a conservative woman is now their new leader.
So to all the liberals in Canada, keep atacking Bush. Maybe it will help the conservative cause up there.
I pray you are right and that we can be true neighbors once again.
- Might I suggest that you "Google" and then do some reading about "Operation Anaconda" or "Worlds Longest Sniper Kill" describing what happened when American forces found themselves surrounded, and subject to heavy enemy fire. Canadians saved their lives - at great risk to their own lives.
If you do you might be suprised to learn about how Canada's sniper teams were requested over and over again by their American counterparts - due to their having superior equipment (.500 Browning Sniper guns verses 7.62's) and superior combat training. The Canadians saved many an American's ass - over there in Afghanistan. Five of them got Bronze Crosses - from America.
It never pays to denegrate an allies efforts to help your own country's troops - especially when they are putting their own lives on the lines to do so.
Brian
Vernon BC Canada
"Nothing in life - can compare to seeing smiles on your children's faces."
Brian, I don't denegrate the Canadian forces any more than I do the U.S. Army. Picking on the Army is like picking on a brother; the Canadians (like the Brits) like picking on a first-cousin. Understand that it's meant that way.
We know who has our 6 covered, and whose we cover.
BTW - that was one helluva shot, regardless of who was behind the trigger.
BC, I'm sure I speak for many guys here and want to echo VA's sentiments. WE APPRECIATE and are very grateful for the support Canada gives us. The joshing about Canada's armed forces is in the same vein as the way our Marines and Navy and Air Force and Army all rib and dig at one another, you would think they would never be able to pull off a joint venture but when the sh*t hits the fan, they are brothers in arms, much like our Canadian brothers.
"This ain't dress rehearsal....it's the life you get to live, make it a good one."
I think blammer was - excuse the expression - "Yanking" your leg just a bit... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I just finished reading "Recon Scout" by Fred Salter - a fellow Alaskan- about his experiences thru 4 campaigns in WWII.
He had nothing but good to say about the various Aussies, Kiwees, Brits, and Canadians that flanked his units at various times. When he "reconned" into their lines, he was as if a long-lost brother.
We here in Alaska consider Aussies and Kiwees to be our only slightly retarded <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> brothers. Remember the line in Crocodile Dundee, where he asks "What day is this?" Not one of the 5 Alaskans (with bush experience) that I watched it with in college the first time even reacted to it.
I find that vastly amusing!
As I do when I hear Canadians referring to US citizens as "Americans".
Canadians- well, not everyone made it to Alaska..... but we love you anyway. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
As to the Canadian Govt offering (or not) thanks to the US for providing medical help to wounded Canadians allies-
Regarding the border, eh? My dad was on his way up to Revelstoke for a vacation and he decided he'd like to bring his Win 94 in 30-30 just in case of bears, eh? This is an Air Force officer, eh? He's hunted and fished in Canada lots of times, flew with the Canadian Air Force, lots of good neighborliness, eh? They took the car pretty much completely apart so it took 5 hours to get across. And this was before all the registry crap, eh? No more trips to Canada for him, eh.
Up hills slow, Down hills fast Tonnage first and Safety last.
