Throne Speach

[RACooper]

Has anyone else been watching the Throne Speach or the following debate?

The Speach itself wasn't really groundbreaking or impressive, but hit all the base issues you'd expect....

but the Opposition comments (Harper) have done more to convince me that they are grand-standing and downright ignorant of the issues at hand. I hate partisanship and attack politics... which is why I use to despise the NDP... but now the Conservatives have jumped firmly into that role...

National Defense -
well let see were do I begin... they seem wolefully unaware of both the nature of military organization or even of unit names and deployment - case in point a reference to a member of the Bloc going overseas with the 2nd Canadian Armoured Regiment... um there is no 2nd Canadian Armoured Regiment moron. Next the commentary about the creation of a new Brigade group... the Conservative insinuation that the existing units be strengthen is pathetically short-sighted, as it wouldn't ease the burden on the existing units; the proposal to create a new Brigade would actually expand the capability of the military to deploy forces worldwide - it would involve the promotion of Reserve regiments to Regular service, or perhaps see the re-activation of units on the SUPORBAT (Supplementary Order of Battle).

Missile Defense -
Downright moronic... a missile defense network seems to be a short-sighted and costly program - mobile missile defense equipment or airborne interception capability would be more cost feasible and upgradable with advances in technology or changes in world politics. The only reason to go along with it would be not to have our role in NORAD diminished - a weak arguement at best.

Same Sex Marriage -
References to "familiy values" or "morals of the nation" scare me... and lead to believe that the Conservatives are being influenced to much by the religious right or special interest groups. Religion and politics went out of favour around the time of the Great War... why bring it back?


I'm starting to seriously question my ties to the Conservative party if they continue in the shameful use of attack politics, or if they continue to move further to the right.

[Taualumna]

I didn't see it, but it sounds like people need to do their homework regarding defense. As for same-sex marriage, etc, I think it really should be up to the faiths to decide. I know that many new Canadians and those who are very religious are the ones who are against it, but if you don't want to do it, then don't. If your church/place of worship doesn't want to bless gay marriages, then don't (I attend an Anglican church near campus, and for a while, they were trying to get the congregation to sign a petition. I kind of got tired of it, and I'm glad that they're putting it on hold right now. Let's hope that it is permanent)

p.s.: Rob, if you're a member/have ties to the Conservative Party, then why were you at Jack Layton's reception in June?

[RACooper]

Originally posted by Taualumna
I didn't see it, but it sounds like people need to do their homework regarding defense. As for same-sex marriage, etc, I think it really should be up to the faiths to decide. I know that many new Canadians and those who are very religious are the ones who are against it, but if you don't want to do it, then don't. If your church/place of worship doesn't want to bless gay marriages, then don't (I attend an Anglican church near campus, and for a while, they were trying to get the congregation to sign a petition. I kind of got tired of it, and I'm glad that they're putting it on hold right now. Let's hope that it is permanent)

p.s.: Rob, if you're a member/have ties to the Conservative Party, then why were you at Jack Layton's reception in June?

Personal beliefs aside I believe that it is vital that the Supreme Court makes the call on this one... after-all they are much more qualified in making changes or amendments to both the Criminal Code and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms than your average person. Besides I see them as less swayed by emotion reactions than say your average citizen or supporter on both sides of the issue... let the experts decide what is possible legally and constituionally - thats what they are there for.

Oh as for me at the NDP reception... Jack's son is a good friend; and politics should never get in the way of friendship or supporting friends - besides it was a great chance to discuss/debate issues with someone who will have an impact on Canadian politics. Besides I was invited by Jack Layton....

[RACooper]

Well the Bloc's speach was pretty much what you'd expect, touching on the issues of Francophone cultural identity and the concerns of Quebec... the sovereignty issue thankfully didn't take a primary place in the arguement... oh well the NDP is next.

[RACooper]

and now the NDP are done...

Well they hit on the standard NDP issues of health care, education, and the enviroment - they only breifly touched on foreign policy or defense policy...

I have to say I was disappointed by Layton's speach... a little too much about harping on his own accomplishments or past accomplishments of his party. I think there should have been more content about what the NDP wants to do and how thet would like to see it done. Layton also needs to lose his urban and regional attachment to Toronto - Toronto may be the biggest city in Canada, but what works in Toronto or concerns Toronto doesn't always translate to the rest of Canada - if he keeps his mind stuck in the Toronto mode the party's federal future won't be that bright...

[AlphaSigOU]

Forgive this Yank's ignorance... is the Throne Speech the Governor General's address on the opening of the Canadian Parliament? (Much like the State of the Union is here.)

[RACooper]

Originally posted by AlphaSigOU
Forgive this Yank's ignorance... is the Throne Speech the Governor General's address on the opening of the Canadian Parliament? (Much like the State of the Union is here.)

Yes it is the address given by the Governor General... but it is concieved by the current government's ruling party. Now the reason that this one is so interesting is that the we have a minority government right now, so if the opposition parties want to they can force amendments to the speach, if they co-operate. If this happens despite opposition from the ruling party (Liberals) then that is a could be seen as a vote of non-cofidence and the Governor General would then have to turn to another party in the hopes that they could form a viable government (through coalitions)... so in this case we have the Conservatives and Bloc bringing forth motions for amendments while the NDP are trying to support the current goverment... all in all interesting political wrangling going on.

[Rudey]

When are you all going to get rid of the monarchy?

-Rudey

[RACooper]

Originally posted by Rudey
When are you all going to get rid of the monarchy?

-Rudey

I hope never... but the subject tends to comes up about every other election campaign since the 60s.

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by Rudey
When are you all going to get rid of the monarchy?

-Rudey

When Britain gets rid of it.

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally posted by Rudey
When are you all going to get rid of the monarchy?

-Rudey

Number one reason the US is better than Canada.

Seriously, I understand nothing about Canadian politics.

[RACooper]

Great... I have sooooo much trust in the Tories now... getting into bed with the Bloc to try and bring about a no cofidence vote and cause the collapse of the minority government. When the neo-conservatives unite with the seperatists it can't be a seen as a good portent for the future....

[kappaloo]

.

[Lady Pi Phi]

Speaking of Gay marriage. In my law class we were actaully discussing an article in the Toronto Star, about Gay Marriage and how one of the questions being asked of the reference is "Does the Charter protect religious opfficials from being compelled to perform same sex marriages?"

I personally feel that this is a stupid question to ask, because no church is compelled to marry anyone. A religious organization can refuse to marry any heterosexual couple. They don't even have to have a reason. They can flat out refuse. So my question is why would this new bill suddenly say religious organizations had to marry homosexual couples, but could still refuse to marry heterosexual couples?

[bcdphie]

I didn't get a chance to watch the speech from the throne yesterday - but I am sure I will get caught up after watching Air Farce and This Hour has 22 Minutes tonight .