I wonder if Gulzar was there?

Or any other east indians that are trying to hijack the party.

I like how these rednecks are so scared of east indians. Why is it?? because they are effective organizers, hard workers and have a passion for politics. Or is it just the same old I'm too afraid to challenge issues so lets just make steriotypes and label them as hijackers etc. Sam...grow up and use some sunscreen on your neck.

I do not for a moment believe that anyone in Canada can mean it when they say a certain ethnic group is taking over anything....did you not take socials 11. Canadain history is made of contibutions at every level from all ethnic groups. The names out there are reflecting the make up of the city. Sam drive around Surrey sometime. Lets not always make it about race.

As someone who was actually there and in the know, Gulzar was not there. The Indo-Canadian community was well represented as was the Chinese community.

The event was tagged as the pre-emminent BBQ event of the summer season, it definitely was with a turn-out of close to 2000 people being served chicken by the Prime Minister and his wife Laureen.

Any wannabe candidate or current MP were wise to come to the event, it was the largest gathering of BC Conservatives since the election so it was a no-brainer.

So Sam or what-ever you real name is go to a white supremacist site, I think you would feel most comfortable there.

Hey Sam..if you were pulled over in Malibu at 2:30 in the morning for drinking and driving..I think I know who you would blame for society's problems.......

I actually have some sympathy for Sam. Hey...it's not easy to be a biggot now adays. Give Sam some credit.... for trying (sarcastic look).

Gulzar wasn't there, but what might be of particular interest was the fact that Dave Hayer was. As for the protests, the funniest thing about it was Emerson and his wife drove right by them and it sounded like they didn't even notice.

Come on,

Sam is not a Conservative just a lefty troll, trying to smear the Party.

I wanted to attend but I was banned! The Coleman people didn't like my postings on Langley Politics Dotcom.

Great to see our so called Liberal Cabinet member Coleman bellying up to the chicken. Just a reminder that in BC, Liberals are often Conservatives, and like someone mentioned ,if you are a Conservative wantabe you have to go there. Hopefully Steve can get Coleman on his "team" because he sure hasn't done much for the folks in BC, and maybe that's why he is one of few people here that still babbles on about some small adjustments to the mess made by Emerson on the softwood file.

What was more significant, I thought, was that the anti-Israeli and Emerson protestors wailing away about Israel's "genocide" in Lebanon and the Minister's political switch, were violent--oops did I say that!? What a bunch of hypocritical assholes. Rally against violence, but use violence to get there.

I attended with my four year old son, who was fairly upset about our truck being hit by cardboard placards. We certainly weren't alone. Indiscriminate and insane, the protesters present were an embarassment to humanity, trolling both sides of the street, banging on people's vehicles, almost at wim, whenever the RCMP, backs turned, were busy either cuffing or stuffing them.

What does this say about all the bleeding hearts previously posting on this blog about Israel's tactics?

That there is no moral equivalancy between what Hezbollah are doing and Israel's rightful defence of it's very existence. The pro-Muslim fascist group protesting at the BBQ are the problem. It was shameful. I felt for every Muslim freind I have, as none of them would condone such idiotic behavior and would rightly be embarassed by it.

Right to protest is one thing, but using violence to protest violence is just insanity--and where(?) at a family BBQ where there were at least 100 to 200 children. Nice.

Pro-Muslim fascists trying to get in, now that's interesting. I've always thought anyone there to court Stevo the harping seal would already be a fascist.

So does this mean a whole new crop of Tory candidates and memberships?

Perhaps A.G. Tsakumis might inform us if some of those so-called fascists might have just been forest industry execs looking to get some of that $1 billion that their former pal Emerson so gererously gave away on their behalf.

I'd say you were lucky it wasn't logging trucks banging into your gas guzling SUV.

Frankly I'm amazed anyone would subject their children to the likes of Emerson or Harper and I do suspect that Sam is just an alias for some disillusioned BC Lib/Tory type with membership in both right wing camps.

"What does this say about all the bleeding hearts previously posting on this blog about Israel's tactics?

That there is no moral equivalancy between what Hezbollah are doing and Israel's rightful defence of it's very existence. The pro-Muslim fascist group protesting at the BBQ are the problem."

Posted by A. G. Tsakumis on August 8, 2006 09:45 AM

Really? Protesters in Langley with cardboard signs are guilty of serious violence? I must have missed the news reports on that one.

But on the other hand, aerial bombardment and artillery shelling of Lebanon which has now killed about 1,000 people, of whom perhaps a few dozen are actual Hezbollah terrorists, that doesn't count because it's a legimate right to self-defence? Have I got this right Mr Tsakumis?

No one doubts Israel's right to self-defence, but many have doubts that these operations are consistent with that right. To take one example, how does shelling an oil depot near Beirut harbour, pumping thousands of gallons of oil into the Mediteranean, fouling fisheries and beaches, contribute to Israel's defence? Clearly, it doesn't. What it does do is ruin the Lebanese industrial infrastructure, presumably as punishment for not forcibly evicting Hezbollah, with the environment being expected to play the unintended collateral damage role.

This kind of thing is losing Israel some political support around the world, and, as polls show, it's losing your Tories some electoral support here in Canada. It's time to re-think, Mr Tsakumis, not just to reload and repeat.

Hi Budd,

Thanks for expressing the difference between supporting legitimate defense and supporting the bombing of the civilian infrastructure of the non-combatants.

The Lebanese and its civilians have not wanted Hezbollah occupying their country for some time but neither can they tolerate Israel bombing civilians and civilian targets. Israel has been using WWII bombing tactics - where Hezbollah is not. Using civilian bombing runs to cutoff 15,000 terrorists has displaced, now approaching, a million civilians and killed nearly 1,000 non-combatants - who are not linked to Hezbollah.

Lebanon is a democratic country that *used* to be pro-western. Nevertheless, the West did not help Lebanon get rid of Hezebollah when it could have been done less violently; nor did Canada (Steve Harper) speak out for Lebanese civilians - or Canadian civilians for that matter. Instead, Steve Harper used the bombings to raise money.

All Canadian political parties except the CPC have called for an all-combatant ceasefire. What is wrong with Steve Harper... too busy doing the barbeque circuit to think about being a real leader???

Difficult as it may be for Canadians to admit, both Harper and Emerson are simply obeying American orders. If you disagree with our government or the American one you must, ipso facto, support terrorism. With us or against us, have to support the troops, right to self-defence and all the rest of the fascist propaganda which masquerades as Canadian foreign policy. What did people expect from the wedge-issue-obsessed Harper Tories? Neutrality and support for international law?

Here is the political reality of Canada and something that *does* define who we are: when it comes to issues of life and death - whether it is war or healthcare - Canadians will not stand for partisan politics nor selfishness. For the moment out of apparent necessity, Canadians gave the Center-right to Center-Left a time-out for corruption... but trust Canadians to return at the ballot box both powerfully and profoundly to our belief in justice for the innocent and defense of the vulnerable. The CPC has exchanged is wait-time healthcare guarantee for military build-up, sending combat troops into battle they cannot win, and endorsing civilian bombings. Canadians will speak up about this.

"trust Canadians to return at the ballot box both powerfully and profoundly to our belief in justice for the innocent and defense of the vulnerable. "

So Israel isn't vulnerable to the hands of the Islamic fundamentalists, Eugene?

The statement sounds kind of arrogant and concieted since it was the federal Liberals that sent troops over to Afghanistan. The kind of junk that turns many people off our party.

It is Hezoballah that calls for the destruction of Israel, a sovereign state.

Israel has a right to defend itself.

Also remember it was Paul Martin as Finance Minister who yanked the transfer of payments to the provinces in regards to Health Care funding in the 1990's.

The polls are heading down Steve, so lets do a Joe Clark and get thumped on a vote of non confidence. It was going to be softwoodlumber but that sort of got sidetracked. "Oh we can't bring it into the house unless the companies want us to do so." so let's find something else and let the chips fall where they may.

I spent a lot of time hauling live ones to assorted trouble spots for years but seldom had to haul any dead ones back.

I'm tired of seeing caskets coming back,and some widow, who seem to be getting younger all the time, getting a flag instead of a husband, and at least once, a wife back. Now the new British general says 4 months to see if anything is working, 3 to 5 years to go, and Hillier says 10 years. Let's put the purchasing of US aircraft without tender to a vote. Must be a few other clangers harpo and friends have stuck us with. But as Steve says. we don't cut and run. I believe Uncle George said the same thing about three years after he crowed about "Mission accomplished". so now we have three wars in that part of the world. Who's next?

"So Israel isn't vulnerable to the hands of the Islamic fundamentalists, Eugene?"

Actually, Israel has a long-standing peace accord with Egypt to south. *Used* to have workable relations with democratic Lebanon to the North. Has diplomatic relations with Turkey (I was on the flight from Istanbul to Tel A. along with the Turkish minister when this happened). And, Israel is flanked by the US in Iraq and a US carrier fleet in the Med Sea. Israel itself has a standing military larger than all its immediate neighbours.

In contrast, Lebanon is occupied by Hezbollah and Israel and also bullied by Syria and Iran... and the life is being kicked out of the civilian population of Lebanon by Israel.

As for Afghanistan, the Liberals were not so foolish as to put our troops into major combat roles. Even Steve Harper himself said for decades that our troops were not prepared or equipped for such roles. But in power for mere weeks he changes the risk factor of the mission in Afghanistan -> as many of our troops have died in the last six months as in the last three years "So Israel isn't vulnerable to the hands of the Islamic fundamentalists, Eugene?"

Actually, Israel has a long-standing peace accord with Egypt to south. *Used* to have workable relations with democratic Lebanon to the North. Has diplomatic relations with Turkey (I was on the flight from Istanbul to Tel A. along with the Turkish minister when this happened). And, Israel is flanked by the US in Iraq and a US carrier fleet in the Med Sea. Israel itself has a standing military larger than all its immediate neighbours.

In contrast, Lebanon is occupied by Hezbollah and Israel and also bullied by Syria and Iran... and the life is being kicked out of the civilian population of Lebanon by Israel.

As for Afghanistan, the Liberals were not so foolish as to put our troops into major combat roles. Even Steve Harper himself said for decades that our troops were not prepared or equipped for such roles. But in power for mere weeks he changes the risk factor of the mission in Afghanistan -> as many of our troops have died in the last six months as in the last three years

Iran is next

"What did people expect from the wedge-issue-obsessed Harper Tories? Neutrality and support for international law?"

What did the power obsessed Liberals do in the field of foreign policy? They too sought electoral advantages in their foreign and defence policies, as all parties must. It does little good Steve for the pot to call the kettle black, simply because the pot is now in Opposition and doesn't like the seating arrangements one damn bit.

Now, now, now Mr. Tsakumis. Please don't preach morals to me. You are the one who went and broke bread with the likes of David Emerson, the man who just gave away $1 billion of someone else's money to a bunch of American crooks.

And did you stop to thank Stevo the harping seal for the generous donations to the American military/industrial complex or his porkbarrelling plans for government procurement within Canada?

"the man who just gave away $1 billion of someone else's money to a bunch of American crooks. "

Actually it was the Americans who insisted that they keep the money, not Emerson.

The original deal was to return all of the collected money back to Canadian wood producers,
but the Americans didn't want to do that and
stood their ground on it.

In the T/C today. A bit long but a lot of folks don't get to read much in the on line edtion.
-----------------
Editorial
Back to the pork barrel


Times Colonist

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Back in 1994 Ottawa and the provinces reached an agreement to give all Canadian suppliers equal access to government procurement. It was mainly to allow companies in one province to bid on government contracts over a certain price in another province, but also prevented the federal government from steering contracts to favoured companies or regions.

The agreement contained a convenient exception: "The federal government may take any action necessary to protect national security or to maintain international peace and security."

It's this exception that the federal government has invoked, according to The Globe and Mail, in choosing what Canadian companies will get the potentially lucrative maintenance contracts for 16 Chinook helicopters and four C-17 transport planes that it wants to buy from Boeing Co. in the U.S.

The government announced in July that it would make the purchases from the American company for about $8 billion, including 20 years of in-service support. Industry Minister Maxime Bernier has been meeting with Boeing officials and the contract appears to be theirs if they want it.

But there's a catch: The contract stipulates that Boeing will have to spend an amount equivalent to the purchase price in Canada. Since the aircraft are likely to be almost entirely manufactured in the U.S., the in-service support is almost the only way that condition can be met. It's not a military priority, but a regional economic objective.

Governments in Ottawa never seem to learn. When defence officials selected a consortium headed by Bristol Aircraft in Winnipeg in 1986 to maintain the CF-18 fighter fleet, the Mulroney cabinet overrode them and gave the contract to a group headed by Canadair of Montreal.

The decision had more to do with politics than defence, increased so-called Western alienation and helped inspire the creation of the Reform Party. And now the Harper government proposes to reserve its right to award jobs for votes in the guise of "national security."

The government line is that Ottawa will be able to impose minimum regional quotas in the distribution of benefits. It contends that it evens the playing field for all potential suppliers across Canada.

It may be comforting for pilots to know that Canadians are keeping their planes flying, but they'd be even more comfortable if they knew they were chosen for their skills, not for the votes.

And taxpayers would likely be much happier if they knew that the contracts were awarded with the aim of getting the best value for money, not on scoring political points.

Oh my, those American guys are insistent, aren't they?

Sorry Gritguy (is that provincial or federal btw), but there was no original deal. The long and short of it is TOUGH GUY David Emerson got out-negotiated.

NOt only did he give away the money on the table, but he appears to have pretty much sold us out on any real freetrade on softwood and left us dependent on Washington to now set our national forest policy.

Emerson simply did again what he has become infamous for. When things get tough, he abandons any principles and takes the first free ride available.
Earlier it was crapping on his Vancouver-Kingsway constituents and now applying an enema to the forest industry, all to help Stevo appease his new warlord.

You have to hand it to Tsakumis. He really knows how to bait and switch. Seeing the chat turn from his beloved conservatives to the conflict in the middle east was his goal all along. One posting by him and the tofu troop runs to the defence of terrorists. Comarades in defending terrorists are bleeding heart, Budd Campbell and Eugene Parks. Got hand it to you Alex, but at least one of us is on to you.

Budd asks "What did the power obsessed Liberals do in the field of foreign policy?". Let's see...how about leading the international campaign to outlaw land mines? Or refusing to join the "coalition of the willing" to occupy Iraq? Harper has finally become a true Tory by leaning over backwards to lick the Yankee boot, just as Mulroney did. It is likely that he too will be taking kickbacks from defence contractors and we can only hope he and his party suffer the same fate as the Mulroney Conservatives.

Steven Hopkin's lopsided Liberalism always amuses me. Yes, it's true, the Tories do play politics. Yes, it's true, so do the Liberals, but just try to get Steve to admit that! He makes a good game of it, putting forward one of Lloyd Axworthy's accomplishments, the land mine treaty, as "proof" that the mighty Liberals stood up to the Americans, and that the Tories never did our would. He expects us all to just fall for it, line and sinker.

Steve knows this is a completely childish caricature. Going back to the Diefenbaker days there were instances, in terms of trade with Cuba and China, were the Tories defied the White House. And in more recent times under Mulroney, the appointment of Stephen Lewis as Ambassador to the UN and taking a leading role in opposing South African apartheid were moves not calculated to win applause in the Reagan administration. But what does Steve care about facts or details? He's got a caricature to market and away they go, thinking everyone's as stupid and has just as short memories as what his party training manual claims.

"Comarades in defending terrorists are bleeding heart, Budd Campbell and Eugene Parks. "

That is pure slander... I've never defended terrorists. I've never defended Hezbollah.

I've spoken up for Canadian civilians and third-party non-combatants.

'Go get-em big guy' is someone who, either intentionally or through complete incompetance, accuses people of a wrongdoing that didn't happen.

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he was not out to tell a big fat whopper. Rather, I think his emotions and pre-occupation with the mid-east has my friend blinded to outside events.

I tried to deflect the debate away from the mid-east, but unfortunately the bright red light was flashing upstairs in 'big guy'.

By his standards I am pro-terrorist because I think the Prime Minister of Canada is wrong for turning military spending into a pork-barrelling circus. Or perhaps it's my comments on the tribulations of "Let's Make a Deal" Emerson.

Surely my friend is not claiming I am doing anything illegal! BTW, I reserve the right to quietly and passively support any individual or organization I deem fit. This I want for all.

Don't like it? Write a letter to the editor, but get your fact straight first.

It looks like Olmert is finally seeing the light and recognizing that he can't root out Hezbollah without losing a whole bunch of Israeli soldiers. The military kill ratio is only about one to one or one to two and that ratio is unacceptable to the Israeli military-political establishment.

The best solution for Israel realpolitik is to have an international force in southern Lebanon that can be blamed for every stray rocket that Hezbollah succeeds in launching over the next year or two. Everything will return to the status quo of the last twenty years or so and the body bags will stop coming home and everybody can refocus on Iraq and upcoming wars against Iran and Syria.

Olmert needs to kidnap a couple of Hezbollah leaders and hold them for a prisoner exchange.