Date: Tue Feb 26 12:41:50 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
Winter sucks. I want to become American. I'm fairly educated. I have a bit of
money. How do I get in?
And, I'm actually fairly serious. If I could live in work in America I would do
so. Truth be told, I could handle a warmer climate. Plus, I like the fact that
you have such a wide selection of cities in America. In Canada we only have a
few major cities where I could earn a living in my profession.
Any of you guys want to switch passports?
Date: Tue Feb 26 13:16:45 2008
Sender: Just Oz
You have to promise to vote Republican and then I'll tell you.
The easiest way is to marry an American girl... but there are other ways.
Date: Tue Feb 26 13:23:42 2008
Sender: Morris Cohen
Jeff, the best thing to do is to look for a job. If you're in a "highly
skilled" field, you can often get a quick visa once an employer agrees to
sponsor you and makes you a job offer.
http://www.uschamber.com/issues/index/immigration/h1b.htm
Date: Tue Feb 26 13:26:25 2008
Sender: Anthony Young
actually jeff, start yourself an american branch of your company. then transfer
yourself there as an executive. even faster.
Date: Tue Feb 26 15:13:51 2008
Sender: Joshua MacOscar
Turn south.
How long does the processes actually take?
Date: Tue Feb 26 15:48:52 2008
Sender: AJ Perko
Get yourself a fake ID from Cuba and just show up here on the beach in Miami.
I'll tell INS you just swam ashore.
You'll have full citenzship + benefits in 3 wks.
Date: Tue Feb 26 15:54:45 2008
Sender: Brian Pate
Just be careful where you become an American to escape winter. I'm actully a
fair amount north of the GTA, probably why I'm one of the few non-Canadian
hockey fans around here, lol
Date: Tue Feb 26 18:37:29 2008
Sender: Vinchenzo Ramzini
Really Jeff,,,,,,,,think about it,,,,,you are 40 miles from Buffalo,,,,,,you
have been there i am sure,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,i will bet you are reconsidering now
arent u?
Date: Tue Feb 26 20:07:35 2008
Sender: Laurent Boudias
As a former h1b holder, it's feasible but not that easy. Not that many
companies are willing to sponsor visa. In IT, most of the companies willing to
do so are the ones hiring contractors/consultants. It took me almost a year
from first resume sent to a company and my arrival at Dulles airport in DC.
Date: Wed Feb 27 05:04:46 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
Jeff,
Im never one to ever hold people back from pursuing what they want to do.
Having said that - if you do make the move (and theres no doubt that you could,
if thats your choice) heres hoping everything goes your way and you dont hit
road blocks along lifes journey that you are unable to overcome. Its a cruel
world out there, and especially south of the border.
Of course the issue youre struggling with now is one virtually all Canadians
consider for at least a little bit during their lives.
But, whats wrong with being like the Tragically Hip, or Bare Naked Ladies - not
everyone here needs to end up like Celine Dion or Bryan Adams.
Theres something to be said for home.
Its a great country - in my opinion the best in the world.
Cheers,
CB
"I am a Canadian,
free to speak without fear,
free to worship in my own way,
free to stand for what I think right,
free to oppose what I believe wrong,
or free to choose those
who shall govern my country.
This heritage of freedom
I pledge to uphold
for myself and all mankind."
The Rt. Hon. John Diefenbaker, from the Canadian Bill of Rights,
July 1, 1960.
Date: Wed Feb 27 06:54:25 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
Chris, you are the #1 Canadian without a doubt.
Truth be told, there is a lot I like about Canada. Can't think of a place I'd
rather be in the summer. I appreciate many of the social services (libraries,
public pools, quality of education, etc). The taxes are higher than I like, but
not as bad as some make them out to be.
The two main reasons why I'm considering moving is:
1) long cold winter
2) limited choice of places to live
The winter is far too long in the north. I don't mind a little snow and cold,
but November through March is a wee bit insane. Can't the Greenhouse effect
kick-in already?
The other problem is that in my line of work I really need to be in a
English-speaking cosmopolitan center, and Canada really only has two: Toronto
and Vancouver. Meanwhile the US has several potential places I might choose to
live, several of which have moderate-to-warm climates.
Anyhow, good advice from everyone. It will be a while before I go anywhere, but
I'm hopeful that I'll have the chance to live in the States for a while. Maybe
not forever, but at least for a few winters.
Date: Wed Feb 27 07:37:01 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Jeff, I bet AJ can hook you up if you're looking to buy a house stateside!
Date: Wed Feb 27 11:40:43 2008
Sender: AJ Perko
yeah...
Canadian financing is a piece of cake. Actually any foriegner financing is
easy.
25% down, no questions asked.
the goal is finding a good property where you can get your 25% right back...
Date: Thu Feb 28 05:46:30 2008
Sender: Laurent Boudias
yeah, easy, many foreigners are coming with 25% of a 1/4 or 1/2 million dollars
in their pocket. :)
Date: Thu Feb 28 13:17:48 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
If you put down less than 25% than you have to pay an additional % or two.
Date: Thu Feb 28 13:31:25 2008
Sender: AJ Perko
Banks don't really lend to someone with no citizenship more than 70-80%.
Think about it-
You have no ties, no US credit, no real repurcussions if you default on the
loan. If the bank takes back the property it needs to be worth their while.
Date: Thu Feb 28 13:59:03 2008
Sender: Jamie Davies
You work in marketing/advertising, right?
If so, I know most ad agencies in the US are thirsty for international
talent--as many of their clients are managing their mar/comm more and more from
an international perspective--as that is where much of the incremental growth
opportunity lies.
If you could land a job with one of them, I bet they'd facilitate the
citizenship process.
Working at agencies, you'd have a lot of prime cities to choose from: San
Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago are all obvious and the most easy.
But you could also end up in places like Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Minneapolis,
Seattle, etc as they have decent agencies as well.
And if you want to work on the client side, the country is your oyster--but
some options may be easier than others depending on what industry(s) you have
experience in.
Date: Fri Feb 29 03:00:12 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
"Go global, because you will have to.
But do me a favour. Stay Canadian."
-Rt. Hon. John Turner, P.C.
Date: Fri Feb 29 06:57:31 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
Jamie I'm basically a mar-com guy. I've worked with a lot of the big ad
agencies (BBDO, Anrold Worldwide) but I was on the client side as a brand
manager.
Right now I am working as a Marketing Manager for a smaller outfit, so I am
more active in the creative side of advertising. I also run my own business and
do all the creative for that as well.
Truth be told, I would love to work in advertising, but I probably don't have
the agency experience to land the job.
As for industries, my primary experience is in consulting (2 years), personal
care/cosmetics (3 years), and education (2 years).
Perhaps my business is my best chance of going to America. It's growing
steadily, and we've got a majoy site launch coming up that could blow the roof
off... at least that's the hope. Maybe one day I'll set up shop in the States.
Date: Fri Feb 29 07:06:47 2008
Sender: Kyle Mayhugh Too
I'll trade you identities. I'd hate to leave America forever, but I'd hate to
live my whole life in one country, too.
You can have my SS card and I'll teach you to fake my signature. Wouldn't be
that hard to go from there. I have a spotless criminal record and relatively
small amounts of debt for an American my age. Rubbish credit rating, though.
Date: Fri Feb 29 17:07:05 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
Deal!
My credit rating is pretty good. never late on my credit card or on mortgage
payments.
Date: Fri Feb 29 17:08:49 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
P.S. The winter thing still has me down a bit, but it turns out I'm going on a
2 week business trip to Brazil in March. then, two weeks after getting back to
toronto, I have a business trip to Saudi Arabia.
After all that heat I might feel very different about the winter.
Date: Sat Mar 1 03:13:54 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
“For all our imperfections, we remain in Canada a country of promise and a
people of hope”
~ Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney, October 1983
Date: Thu Jul 10 07:00:24 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
Luddy,
Make sure and read Maclean's this week.
Cheers,
Blackie
Date: Thu Jul 10 13:07:19 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
will do.
got to say. just got back from Washington, and there was a lot that impressed
me about America. The HOV lanes are a great idea in Washington. We should turn
the express lanes on the 410 into HOV.
Prices on furniture was very impressive also and gas prices are still much
lower. Best of all, booze is affordable.
don't like the guns and ghettos much though.
Date: Thu Jul 10 15:14:47 2008
Sender: Doc Barnes
Jeff,
Considering you're line of business, you might try applying for Abercrombie and
Fitch here in Columbus, Ohio. My sister works there and it seems like 30-40%
of the people she works with are international, but mostly Canadian. Most of
them now call Columbus home and I haven't heard any of them talk about problems
with having to move back to Canada.
And Columbus is a good town if you have a family. Things aren't as expensive
here as they are on the coast, except for gas, and you essentially have access
to everything the coastal big cities have.
That's just what I know from my sister's Canadian friends.
Oh yeah, and if you like football, you're set, plus we have NHL.
Date: Fri Jul 11 08:13:35 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
cool beans. Columbus sounds like a good town.
The wife and I have actually been talking about putting our name in for the
green card lottery. Alternatively, we can try to get in via my business, but I
need to grow it first.
I guess we'll see what happens over the next year or two. Maybe Blackman can
get off his duff and make some more position changes in Ottawa. Knock down the
taxes and put more $$ in my pocket. Maybe global warming can help to, cause I'm
tired of these long winters.
Date: Fri Jul 11 08:40:40 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
This Conservative Government is creating a proud legacy of tax reduction, debt
repaymant and incresed social investment, all while balancing the books!
-We have lowered taxes in each and every way the federal government collects
them
-restored fiscal balance, and significantly improved relations with the
provinces
-massive social reinvestment in healthcare, education and the largest
infrastructure program in the nations history
-more Canadians are working than ever before
-inflation is lower than any of our friends in the G8
-just passed our Third Balanced Budget
-there isn't currently acountry in the G8 that boasts Canada's strong ecojnomic
fundamentals
-and all of this in a minority Parliament situation, which is certinaly a
difficult situation from a legislative and governance standpoint.
I am quite proud of our accomplishments, and look forward to much more over the
coming months. But now, its time to focus on correcting my slice...
:)
Cheers,
CB
Date: Fri Jul 11 11:29:34 2008
Sender: AJ Perko
and free healthcare!!!!
Conservative Americans would say it's because you are not spending 80 billion a
month to protect yourselves like we are in Iraq.
The US is doing it for you.
Not that I agree with it, I just thought I'd answer it first.
Date: Fri Jul 11 13:58:47 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
Free healthcare, yes. But we have to often wait months to actually see a
specialist. Personally, I think we need to graduate more doctors. As is, it's
virtually impossible to get into a Canadian med school. And I hardly think you
need to have a GPA in the 99.99 percentile to be a good doctor.
As for you Chris, if you keep cutting taxes you'll get my vote. Overall, I'm
quite happy with our current federal govenment. That being said, I would love
to see more progressive action at the provincial and local levels. HOV lanes
and increased mass transit would be at the top of my list. Someone also needs
to take on the bloody unions as well (TTC, Teachers, government workers, etc).
Date: Fri Jul 11 15:36:55 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
The term 'free healthcare' makes me cringe. Thankfully Canadians have
'universal healthcare', but it doesn't exist and operate magically.
The system could benefit if every individual was informed how much various
procedures actually cost. Sure people can look at the total amounts or
percentages of government budgets allocated to health care, but that doesn't
give them much of an idea of how much their coverage as an individual costs.
As ever-increasing percentages of government budgets are being devoted to
health care, the system will require reform. It's a shame that every time the
topic is raised, the fear-mongers rush in shrilly claiming it's the first step
towards implementing a system identical to the U.S.
Luddy, I agree, med schools need more spots and there's little justification
for current acceptance restrictions.
Blackie, I wonder what Stephen Harper could accomplish if he knew how to
delegate and trusted the people in his cabinet.
Date: Fri Jul 11 21:46:33 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
Brian, do you really blame Harper for not trusting his cabinet. Afterall, he's
got guys like Blackie running around.
IF Blackie plays politics like he does Risk... man, we are doomed.
Date: Sat Jul 12 05:33:17 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Luddy, I don't think I've ever seen Blackman run! Stride angrily while
cursuing like a sailor and berating anyone within earshot, definitely!
Date: Sat Jul 12 06:14:57 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
P.S. I suspect one of the reasons why Scott Edwards left DEL was he couldn't
handle Blackman cussing at him in A&A.
Date: Sat Jul 12 08:58:58 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Chris, good humour with your post! I had to check to see if it was April 1
after reading it.
Date: Mon Jul 14 07:04:13 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
AJ;
"The US is doing it for you."
I guess in a free country we can hear all kinds of opinions. But have to tell
you, thats not one I've heard. Any American I speak with here seems well aware
that Canada is taking a leadership role right along the generally agreed upon
front line in the War on Terror: Afghanistan.
Was actually along with 3,000 others at the residence of the US Ambassador on
the 4th of July for their yearly celebration here in Ottawa. The theme of the
party this year was "Support our Troops", and logo acknowledged the
contributions of both countries in Afghanistan.
Brian - you can disagree of course, but nothing in my last post is false. Even
the part about me being plagued by a wicked, chronic slice. This Government is
doing an excellent job.
Cheers,
CB
Date: Mon Jul 14 07:42:06 2008
Sender: AJ Perko
You know I'm about as internationally supportive as any American you meet...
in fact, I don't even like most Americans I meet in contrast with English,
Aussies, and other rugby playing nations... except South Africans, and
Argentinians... they suck.
But-
"a leadership role" Blackie?
You have nothing in Iraq... and maybe 2500 in Afghanistan, what is that like 2
or 3% of your military force?
Date: Mon Jul 14 08:19:06 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
AJ,
Canadian military is actually quite small. The 1993 to 2006 period was
exceptionally difficult time for the CF (Canadian Forces).
Our Government since Jan of 2006 has been a strong supporter of our military
and of the need for Canada to be able to play a more hands on role in the
world. There has been massive re-investment, and the morale in the CF is
currently quite high.
Having said that, I think there would be general agreement that while small,
the CF tend to be well equipped and well trained. As a smaller nation we focus
on a few key areas and try and do that as well as anyone in the world.
2,500 troops in theatre is a huge committment for Canada.
I Appreciate that Iraq gets the vast majority of attention from US media. The
thing about Afghanistan, I believe there are about 25 or so provinces - and of
these more than 95% of the violence takes place in 2, and primarily in Kandahar
region. The thing is, these two regions are where the Canadians are stationed.
They work alongside the US, and Brits - but the other NATO countries have
refused to help out in these specific areas. So when you take that into
consideration - even though its 2,500 troops, I am confident that describing
Canada's contribution to the mission in Afghanistan as a 'Leadership role' is
fair and accurate. Of note, approximately 75 Canadians have been lost in this
mission, making it the largest loss if Canadian military personnel since the
conflict in Korea in the 1950's.
Iraq is off the table from a Canadian point of view. A completely separate
issue.
Regards,
CB
Date: Mon Jul 14 09:29:21 2008
Sender: AJ Perko
I served at Naval Ocean Processing Facility, Whidbey Island WA. One of the
only joint Canadian/US commands...
the only thing I was overly impressed by was the Canadians didn't have to
shave, drank beers at lunch, the military women were generally more attractive,
and the enlisted were much higher paid then their US counterparts....
that was 1995-1997.
Date: Mon Jul 14 09:29:47 2008
Sender: AJ Perko
oh yeah... and you march like dorks
Date: Mon Jul 14 11:39:03 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Blackman,
How much have the Tories reduced the capital gains tax?
This current crop are a bunch of chumps tilting at windmills.
Fiscal imbalance...stop slipping Quebec more money and tell it to spend its
allowance wisely.
Cheers,
Brian
Date: Mon Jul 14 17:38:51 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
"You have nothing in Iraq"
Thank God for that.
Date: Tue Jul 15 06:14:42 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
Dear Brian,
Vote Liberal.
Regards,
CB
Date: Tue Jul 15 06:48:34 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Blackie, what's Maxime Bernier up to these days? The Globe is aching for
justification to run more pictures of Julie Coulliard's lovely cleavage.
Date: Tue Jul 15 07:07:35 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
I am trying to understand what that comment has to do with either the
Governments fiscal record, or Canada's leadership role in the War on Terror?
To answer your earlier question about Cap Gains; you will be pleased to learn
that as of Jan 1, 2009 you will have the opportunity to invest up to $5,000 a
year, and as this money grows it will be forever safe from the tax man. So
this goes a long way towards meeting this campaign commitment (by the way, Cap
Gains is the lone campaign commitment that the Government had yet to address
prior to this new and exciting program).
That's getting the job done. The Previous Liberal Government from 1993 to late
2005 managed to keep under 5% of their campaign commitments.
You are welcome.
CB
Date: Tue Jul 15 07:27:25 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Blackie, the requirement for relevance went out the window when you tried to
make a point about the mythical fiscal imbalance.
Date: Tue Jul 15 07:34:34 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
"...by the way, Cap Gains is the lone campaign commitment that the Government
had yet to address prior to this new and exciting program... -CB
They did a great job honouring their promise not to tax income trusts. Of
course, politicians have an uncanny ability to ignore any facts that get in the
way of their arguments.
Date: Tue Jul 15 07:44:01 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
Because you fail to recognize the exitsence of a fiscal imbalance in this
federation (just as the official policy of your new Liberal friends!!!) does
not mean that it didnt exist.
Sort of in the same fashion as your last girl-friend was convinced you lacked a
male reproductive organ. Doesnt mean she was right, just disappointed.
I will send your name and contact info to my colleague working for the Liberal
Party of Canada so you can donate and get involved to help raise taxes for
Canadians, derease employment, contribute to an infrastructure and social
investment deficit and disarm the Canadian Forces.
Cheers,
CB
Date: Tue Jul 15 07:51:43 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Great retort regarding the Conservatives failure to keep their promise not to
tax income trusts.
After the Liberals provided a decade's worth of instruction on how to balance
budgets, even Stephen Harper shouldn't have any difficulties grasping the
concept. No gold stars there.
Date: Tue Jul 15 07:55:37 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Of course, this is the same group that when faced with a $12 billion surplus,
couldn't figure out how to budget for repairs to its real estate holdings.
Figuring instead it made more sense to sell the properties, then sign 20-year
leases. Given such financial aplomb, I really should be thankful they haven't
plunged us back into deficits!
Date: Tue Jul 15 08:26:23 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
The Conservatives might as well make a unicorn the official mascot of their
party if they believed a fiscal imbalance existed. Have Jim Flaherty inform
the tooth fairy Luddy's boy has a loose tooth.
Date: Tue Jul 15 08:51:06 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
Dear Brian,
RE: Income Trust decision.
1) show me any campaign literature that mentions this....
2) Date: Thu Jul 10 00:58:37 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
"The distinction between 'flip-flopper' and 'pragmatist' depends whether the
switch has been made due to voter sentiment and pandering to populist dreck, or
a better understanding of how to solve a problem."
bonne journee!
CB
Date: Tue Jul 15 08:57:22 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Hahaha...great attitude considering their promise not to tax income trusts
swung voter sentiment in their favour!
Date: Tue Jul 15 09:06:39 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
Brian - do you have any idea how many Canadians are invested in Income
Trusts???????
Date: Tue Jul 15 09:08:46 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Now, or prior to the Conservative's announcement that decimated trust
investors?
Date: Tue Jul 15 09:23:36 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
"decimated" - hahaha. Brian Dust doing his Bill Shatner impression.
Would it surprise you to learn that after an admited initial decline in the
value of Income Trusts, that as of about 4 months ago the vast majority of the
Trusts had reached their previous share prices?
Its times when you act like this that im tempted to drive to Toronto, drink
some scotch, and then go and punch you in the face.
CB
Date: Tue Jul 15 09:30:00 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Just alert other motorists you'll be on the road, as they'd likely want some
Scotch too!
Hey, which riding elected Michael Fortier?
Date: Tue Jul 15 09:40:22 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
As an investor, one should never be excited when it takes two years to break
even.
Date: Thu Jul 17 07:28:06 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
"You know some people say that the Opposition would spend like drunken sailors.
I’ve always said I think that’s unfair to drunken sailors. (Laughter.)
Because, after all, drunken sailors spend their own money. (Laughter.) So
there we go. (Applause.)" - Federal Finance Minister, James Flaherty, July
16th, Calgary Chamber of Commerce
Date: Thu Jul 17 07:48:30 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Yeah Jim! That's good humour.
Date: Sat Jul 19 16:41:16 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
Luddy - did you read this yet?
Special Canada Day Report: How Canada stole the American Dream
The numbers are in. Compared to the U.S., we work less, live longer, enjoy
better health and have more sex. And get this: now we're wealthier too.
DUNCAN HOOD | June 25, 2008 |
http://www.macleans.ca/canada/national/article.jsp?content=20080625_50113_50113
CB
Date: Sat Jul 19 16:49:37 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
i think this says it all:
"We drink more often, but we live longer and have fewer diseases. We have more
sex, more sex partners and we're more adventurous in bed, but we have fewer
teen pregnancies and fewer sexually transmitted diseases."
It reads like a Molson commercial eh!
CB
(though apparently every girl-friend Brian Dust ever had disagrees with this
finding)
Date: Sat Jul 19 20:53:56 2008
Sender: AJ Perko
"and have more sex"
I'd say it was about twice as easy to score in Canada...
I don't think it has much to do with you fellows.
Date: Sun Jul 20 21:12:30 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Much like Blackie often does, Stephen Harper blew his wad too early and will be
challenged to produce an encore!
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080718.wcosimp19/BNStory/specialComment/home
Date: Sun Jul 20 21:19:42 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
Chris, the fact that we actually bothered to do a survey comparing us to the
USA bothers me. I seem to hear a lot of that from Canadians.
Ironically, many of the problems that plague the US also plagues Canada. Rather
than deal with these issues we just point out that it's worse in America.
Date: Mon Jul 21 03:24:16 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
While he is being charitable to imply Stephen Harper and the current
Conservative offerings had an image of competence, Lawrence Martim makes some
good points:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080721.COMARTIN21/TPStory/specialComment/columnists
Date: Mon Jul 21 06:29:57 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
Jeff, i have no doubt this article horrifies most Canadians. On the other hand
of all the people in the world we do tend to lack for blowing our own horns.
Truth is: these are the good ole days. Lifes never been better for the vast
majority of Canadians.
Cheers,
CB
Date: Mon Jul 21 06:32:11 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
Brian - ive made the decision to 1) ignore your comments on here clearly
designed simply to irritate me, and 2) (and much more fun), had lunch on Sunday
with a colleague at the Canada Revenue Agency (our IRS), and mentioned your
name etc, that you are likely someone worth scrutinizing very carefully at tax
time. So youve got that to look forward to.
Cheers,
CB
Date: Mon Jul 21 08:50:08 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Chris,
Like you, I'd also be very irritable if it was my job to defend the record of
Stephen Harper et al. Good for you for fighting a losing battle!
Regards,
Brian
Date: Mon Jul 21 08:57:06 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
why am i no longer invtied to Axis and Allies games? id promise to be less
verbally abusive, but we all know thats simply not possible.
CB
Date: Mon Jul 21 08:57:13 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
Chris, you may be right. Life might be better for most Canadians. However, I
still think we're not nearly as progressive as we need to be as a country.
I should add that this criticism isn't really directed at our politicians, but
at Canadians in general. We've got a long way to go, but I'm not so sure most
Canadians would agree. They're just happier being "better" than the States.
Personally I feel we have some major shortcomings in Canada. Most irksome is
the fact that unions rule our cities. Toronto alone we've had unannounced
transit strikes (hurts the poor more than anyone), multiple teacher strikes (I
guess kids don't need school that bad, and parents can always just take a
vacation), a garbage strike in the middle of summer (every park had its own
garbage mountain), and so on. Currently in Toronto we are being held hostage by
unions that clearly don't understand the concept of supply and demand.
Health- we're not really getting any healthier. I may be wrong but I think
we're probably fatter. Heart disease and diabetes is probably on the rise, etc.
But that's okay cause Australians, Americans and Mexicans are fatter right?
And let's not forget those ridiculous wait times. People with serious illnesses
waiting, sometimes for months. I guess the medical industry hasn't figured out
supply and demand either, cause we don't have enough doctors.
Education- my son just started public school in Canada. Many of his classmates
have already fallen well behind and probably will never catch up. I don't blame
the system on this at all, but rather parents that are failing to provide kids
with the support that they need.
Environment- I believe we consume more per capita than any country in the
world.
The list goes on and on. Again I'm not directing these problems at our current
Federal government, but rather at Canadians in general. Stop being so critical
of the States and start solving some of our own problems.
Judge not, before you judge yourself.
Date: Mon Jul 21 09:03:13 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Blackie, if you promised to actually finish games, is that one you could keep?
Date: Mon Jul 21 09:05:37 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
Id encourage you to let Macleans know how you feel. As i mentioned earlier, i
expect the piece rubbed a great many Canadians the wrong way.
Still, got us thinking and talking - which i expect was the point.
Cheers,
CB
Date: Mon Jul 21 09:06:04 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Chris and Jeff, I suspect both of you would find WHY MEXICANS DON'T DRINK
MOLSON makes several insightful observations, if you haven't already read it.
Date: Mon Jul 21 09:08:22 2008
Sender: AJ Perko
once they finish the North American Highway, tear down the border and we start
all using the Amero...
their won't be a Canada..... It will just be Ameracanamex. So you better
enjoy your soviergny now, the wheels are already in motion and it will be
submersive, you won't even realize it's happened until it's too late.
Date: Mon Jul 21 09:10:58 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Tear down the border? I thought the Americans were busy spending billions of
dollars building fancy fences along the borders.
'Americanmex'? I'd be shocked if Canada and Mexico even garnered
mentions/references in the name of the new country.
Date: Mon Jul 21 09:25:48 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Jeff,
While there is much to criticize about Bob Rae's disastrous tenure as Premier
of Ontario, it's interesting to note that while the Tories and the Liberals
lambasted him for reducing the number of spots in medical schools, neither
party has corrected the situation while in power.
The health care system, whether it's in Canada, or the U.S., is an instructive
example of the difficulties of changing the status quo. While many strive to
implement best practices, merely the suggestion of change brings out the fear
mongers who shrilly insist that's merely the first step of implementing an
entirely new system, to the detriment of all.
Consider the idea of private, for-profit clinics in Canada, and people will
insist the next thing we'll have is a system identical to the U.S. Or, if
someone in the U.S. has the gall to suggest every American citizen have basic
health care coverage, the rhetoric turns to trying to convince the masses that
would mean life-threatening wait times, etc. It's all quite frustrating.
Regards,
Brian
Date: Mon Jul 21 09:26:44 2008
Sender: AJ Perko
there is some weird contradiction...
"Were gonna build us a giant wall, and me and my cousin Billy Bob will sit up
der with our shotguns and shoot dem Mexicans like wild Turkeys... and our buddy
President Bush said he'll help build it"
Yet the Nafta Super Highway is scheduled to start construction next year, right
through Laredo Texas. (also a Republican backed venture)
I guess we should be thankful... we will only be able to afford Mexican
products on our welfare checks since all our jobs will be in Mexico.
on the other hand Mexican women are hotter and cheaper.
Date: Mon Jul 21 10:38:29 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
I have never been the type to write magazines, but if I ever do it will
certainly be Macleans. It's great Canadian stuff, eh.
Brian, in many ways I agree with your ideas of health care. I was actually
turned on to thinking this way, while in Korea.
You see, Korea doesn't have much of a public health care system. Instead they
graduate about 30 times more doctors then we do in Canada. As a result, health
care costs are lower.
How low? Well I caught Bell's Palsy in Korea and was in the hospital for one
week and rehab for two. The bill... roughly $150.
We had our baby in Korea and labor fees plus one week in the hospital cost
$500. That's cheaper than a hotel!
A friend of mine had major facial reconstruction and it costs him about $1000,
and that includes 3 weeks in the hospital.
Another buddy was diagnosed with the most aggressive form of MS. He decided to
stay in Korea because the costs of medicine and doctors visits was roughly 30%
the cost.
Given these facts, I would support private health care so long as we graduated
more doctors. This really isn't that difficult to do. In Korea, doctors take
pre-med during their undergraduate studies, which cuts med school down by
several years. It's also easier to get into med school, which makes perfect
sense to me.
Date: Mon Jul 21 10:49:31 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
OK, so you are both going to be the ones who advise which party exactly to take
on the physicians' lobby in Canada?
Your career will last until cofee break.
One last point, just for the record - its an area of provincial jurisdiction.
CB
Date: Mon Jul 21 10:49:42 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Jeff,
The system could also be improved if credentials obtained in other countries
were more readily recognized in Canada. Instead we have a siren-like
immigration system where the feds lure skilled immigrants to Canada, then the
provinces erect barriers to prevent taking advantage of those skills.
Regards,
Brian
Date: Mon Jul 21 10:50:55 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
We already have private health care in Canada. As long as the clinics respect
the 5 principles of the Canada Health Act.
Cheers,
CB
Date: Mon Jul 21 10:51:56 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Blackie,
Simply another example of the detrimental affect of lobbyists.
Cheers,
Brian
Date: Mon Jul 21 11:04:14 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
"The system could also be improved if credentials obtained in other countries
were more readily recognized in Canada."
You incorrectly state "Canada" - you need to appreciate again that its up to
the provinces who they decide to certify to legally practice medicine, law etc.
Not trying to be hard to get along with, just that its a very key issue needed
to understand the problem. Surely you both realize what a hullabaloo it would
cause if Ottawa was to arbitrarily impose rules allowing foreign credentials to
be autamatically recognized upon entry into the federation, regardless of
province.
Congrats - youve both given reasonable cause to relieve you of your political
jobs on your first two ideas.
CB
Date: Mon Jul 21 11:05:49 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
Chris, maybe I should have included some lobbyist groups with unions.
Again, I feel it's Canada's biggest problems. We have these massive groups that
completely dictate the way out country is run an nobody wants to take them on.
It's an absolute joke.
I appluad the judge in New York State that stuck it to the transit workers that
went on strike. We need some of that in Canada.
It's ridiculous that unions have a higher wage than supply and demand would
dictate plus job security. By jove, that's not the kind of capitalism I signed
up for.
It's ridiculous that physicians have the power to dictate our health care
system. That's not the sort of democracy I signed up for.
Date: Mon Jul 21 11:09:39 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
All i really want is to be included in a game of A and A.
Date: Mon Jul 21 11:11:01 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Chris,
It should be clear when I wrote 'then the provinces erect barriers to prevent
taking advantage of those skills' that I understand where the bottleneck
occurs.
Then again, it was rather pointless of Diane Finley making a big show of the
reforms she announced to the federal immigration policy when much of the
trouble is one of jurisdiction. Perhaps the Torys can call it a Skills
Imbalance, and the next time they bribe provinces with funds, they could tie it
to setting national standards.
Cheers,
Brian
Date: Mon Jul 21 11:12:01 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
Brian - i rarely actually read your posts.
Date: Mon Jul 21 11:14:41 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Blackman, your time in Ottawa has clearly reduced your intelligence, as nothing
prevents you from starting A&A games.
If doctors, whether they be foreign trained or good Canadian ones announced a
cure for the A&A disease of Blackman Syndrome, where a player neither resigns
nor finishes a game, I'd include you in ones happily.
Date: Mon Jul 21 11:15:44 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Chris, not surprising, as politicians and civil servants never allow facts to
stand in the way of their positions.
Date: Mon Jul 21 11:25:24 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
full government audit.....goes back 5 years.....very, very unpleasant!
Date: Mon Jul 21 11:29:00 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
I understand you volunteered to be a test subject when they devised the
auditing process, to ensure maximum unpleasantness was achieved.
Date: Mon Jul 21 11:31:45 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
haha
though you should at least be aware, that full body cavity search, well its not
a normal part of the usual process eh...
Date: Mon Jul 21 11:43:24 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
A game of A&A with Blackman is a recipe for a very large British navy with
three sheets to the wind while the Russians and Americans get plundered.
That and a lot of swearing.
Date: Mon Jul 21 11:47:30 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
It's quality entertainment, until Chris gets bored and stops playing!
Date: Mon Jul 21 11:49:14 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Chris + a love of all things British + three sheets to the wind + marketing fad
= business opportunity
Who wants to join me selling a green tea with lemon vodka beverage?
Date: Mon Jul 21 12:15:53 2008
Sender: AJ Perko
"It's ridiculous that unions have a higher wage than supply and demand would
dictate plus job security. By jove, that's not the kind of capitalism I signed
up for."
so you signed up for the Walmart kind?
where people are so poor they will work for pennies?
The natural progression of Capitalism is one King and everyone else is a slave-
if not unchecked.
Date: Mon Jul 21 12:44:26 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
Count me in Brian!
Mr.Perko, I don't know about the American situation, but I assure you that
things are way out of hand in Canada when it comes to unions, especially public
worker unions.
Take teachers for example. They start at about $45,000 per year and can quickly
work up to well over $65,000. They get summers off and have the best benefits
you can imagine. Oh, and they basically have to kill someone to lose their job.
Transit is another example. Bus/subway drivers are clearing close to $30 per
hour, have job security, great pensions and minimal skills. Must be nice.
Now I might be able to live with the high salary, but combine it with job
security and the ability to cut off an essential service by striking and I get
a little uncomfortable. Call me crazy.
P.S. It's also important to note that Wal Mart in Canada is nothing like
Walmart in the USA, thanks to salary regulations.
Date: Mon Jul 21 12:56:11 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Jeff, to be fair, it should be noted that while teachers enjoy summers off,
they also don't receive a paycheque during that time.
Also, while I appreciate Canadian labour legistlation, the prospects of relying
on employment at Wal-Mart Canada chills me as much as it would if I was in the
States.
Date: Mon Jul 21 12:59:49 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Windy Sheets Beverage Company Incorporated?
Date: Mon Jul 21 13:33:23 2008
Sender: AJ Perko
I think 60K is plenty fair for a teacher.
the only problem I have with unions is sometimes lousy employees keep their
jobs when they should lose them.
I've worked several times for the Communications Workers Union there is good
and bad.
But I don't see how you can have a capitalist system without a union to
protect the workers.
I mean in its simplest form what is a union? Simply workers sticking together
to fight for a bigger peice of the pie. I don't get much more capitalistic
than that....
Personally I think unions should fight more for profit sharing then raises.
Date: Mon Jul 21 13:43:33 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
AJ, I agree on the profit sharing angle. Align the interests, and everybody
wins.
Date: Mon Jul 21 13:59:10 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
I'm not against all unions. My father owns a commercial electrical company that
is unionized. Although I think the electrical union probably hurts electricians
more than it helps them, I'm not dead set against their union.
However, supply and demand partially dictates the need for the electrical union
to work with electrical companies. Otherwise, the electrical companies are
priced out by non-unionized shops, and the union loses.
With the teachers union is different. They basically have a guaranteed supply
of students and cash. No real competitors. They are totally beyond supply and
demand.
Is a 60K salary fair for a teacher? For good ones... I might agree. That being
said, how much is job security, the ability to be home at by 4:00, a great
pension and summers off worth to me? Hmmmm.... maybe about 20K.
That's why my wife is considering leaving her position at LG Canada (she's an
assistant manager). At LG she has no job security... she could be gone
tommorrow. She's usually works nights, occasionally weekends, and travels a
lot. She's educated, works her ass off, and is under constant pressure to
perform or she's out.
In short, the real world. Now it would be real nice if we could all enjoy
security + high salary. It's like communism, but you get 50 loaves of bread
instead of 1.
Sadly, it can't work, so we're stuck with supply and demand. Public unions
should be subject to this reality too.
Date: Mon Jul 21 14:10:39 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Jeff,
A single anecdote does not make a trend, but a friend of mine tried for a
career change. He wanted to become an electrician. He took some college
courses, but then couldn't find anyone to take him on as an apprentice.
The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board does an excellent job of investing its
members asset since they expanded their mandate of how to use the funds, but
members likely fall short in pension accumulation than if they took the same
amount of funds and invested it themselves sensibly. Further, because they
make automatic contributions to their pension plan, it limits the amount they
can contribute to an RSP, so the tax-savings hit is significant. While no one
should invest strictly on the basis of tax-savings, it deserves consideration.
Also, I don't think teachers are out the door shortly after the last bell
rings.
Cheers,
Brian
Date: Mon Jul 21 14:13:37 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Again, one of the beauties of a free society, if someone considers the working
condition of teachers highly attractive, they are able to pursue a career in
teaching.
Date: Mon Jul 21 14:30:51 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
Brian, I imagine your friend was trying to get into a unionized shop, which is
difficult to do because the union controls the ratio of apprentices to
journeymen. Of course name hiring is possible, but you have to be within the
ratio.
My brother got in largely because my dad owns the company and because he was
below the ratio. That being said, he still had to go through the relatively new
pre-apprentice program. Maybe your friend should explore that option.
"Don't think teachers are out the door shortly after the last bell rings."
Actually my point is that teacher's have the option of leaving after the bell
rings. Often they'll have work to do once they get home, but at least they have
the option of doing it at home. This benefit is HUGE for parents, as is the
summers off.
"Again, one of the beauties of a free society, if someone considers the working
condition of teachers highly attractive, they are able to pursue a career in
teaching."
Very true. I am certainly thankful that my wife has this option. That being
said, as a taxpayer these unions drive me nuts because they result in wasted
tax dollars and/or a worse quality public service.
Date: Mon Jul 21 14:38:10 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Jeff,
I didn't plumb the depths of my friends bitterness to learn what attempts he
made to gain an apprenticeship. He decided he would stick with his current
career, so I dropped the subject.
I agree that wildcat strikers should face meaningful repercussions, as they
weaken the system.
No one else seemed to share my amusement about Buzz Hargrove negotiating CAW
membership for Magna workers in Canada, without the right to strike. That's
rather sweet for CAW executives; we'll skim union dues, but provide nothing in
return. What do you think of that?
Cheers,
Brian
P.S. I wonder how long it takes Blackie to fellate Stephen Harper. He hasn't
added his ingorant views for quite some time.
Date: Mon Jul 21 15:03:32 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
According to a W5 report I watched a while ago, it's very difficult to lose
your job if you're a police officer in Ontario, given their union, er, police
services board. Even with a criminal conviction, an officer could spend months
on paid leave.
Date: Mon Jul 21 15:12:06 2008
Sender: AJ Perko
Jeff...
if teacher is such a great job, why isn't the competition immense? Isn't that a
form of capitalism?
I pay 50.00 an hour for a mechanic to change my sparkplugs, I should
certainly pay that for teacher to educate my children.
In the US, anyway- teacher quality is already low. I would rather see teachers
make 100K per year, so we had better educators.
You pay someone 20k to teach, you'll have day laborers in there.
Date: Mon Jul 21 15:33:12 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
My main problem with teachers is it seems like a default option for the
majority. The get their undergraduate degree at university, then have no idea
what they'll do with it, or the rest of their lives, so they apply to teachers'
college, and settle into a routine for the rest of their lives.
Date: Mon Jul 21 15:36:06 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
I don't know the details, but I like the NYC programme of attracting former
executives and other professionals to teach after they retire, or simply want
to take a break from the business world.
Date: Mon Jul 21 16:19:36 2008
Sender: AJ Perko
In the US most teachers go to university to teach, it's a 4 year degree.
Some get their education masters for more pay.
I don't think it's a "I've got nothing else to do profession" here- I know
several teachers who chose that occupation and went to college for it.
Date: Mon Jul 21 17:13:45 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
I should clarify that a few anecdotes don't make a trend, but in the majority
of conversations I've had with people who are teachers (again, not a huge
number of conversations), prior to them joining the profession, it was
something along the lines of what I posted previously, "I have this degree, and
no idea what to do with it, so, I'll be a teacher." Rather than someone who
was entered the profession because they were passionate about instilling
knowledge in youth.
Date: Mon Jul 21 17:23:48 2008
Sender: Bill Edwards
Jeff....I don't know how it is in Canada, but here in the USA the Teachers
Union is one of THE MOST powerful Unions. You can probably guess how I feel
about that, so I will leave it at that. I will email you sometime where I can
talk freely...:)
Date: Mon Jul 21 18:23:25 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Bill,
I've also read the union for California prison guards is very powerful. Would
you agree?
Regards,
Brian
Date: Mon Jul 21 18:55:26 2008
Sender: AJ Perko
Exxon profits were more than all 1.3 million members of the teachers Union
combined.
Now thats power.
One company selling oil, more powerful than the entire education system of the
United States.... any you know how I feel about that.
Date: Mon Jul 21 18:58:55 2008
Sender: Bill Edwards
You Libs are so easy to bait...:)
Date: Mon Jul 21 20:06:56 2008
Sender: Kendell R Jillson
"Exxon profits were more than all 1.3 million members of the teachers Union
combined. Now thats power.
One company selling oil, more powerful than the entire education system of the
United States.... any you know how I feel about that."
If Exxon put out product like the majority of public schools in the country,
they probably wouldn't make much of a profit. Unless people like paying $10 a
gallon for goat piss.
Date: Mon Jul 21 20:10:16 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
$10 a gallon for goat piss? That's not a nice thing to write about Molson
Coors products!
Date: Tue Jul 22 06:12:09 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
"Jeff... if teacher is such a great job, why isn't the competition immense?
Isn't that a form of capitalism?"
AJ, the competition is immense. That's why the GPA to get into Teacher's
College is at an all-time high. (The thing is, I don't thing you need to be an
A student to be a good teacher.)
"I pay 50.00 an hour for a mechanic to change my sparkplugs, I should certainly
pay that for teacher to educate my children."
The mecahnic is not making $50 per hour. I bet William can attest to that.
If teacher's salaries were lower, we could hire more teachers, which means
smaller class sizes, which is key to learning.
Date: Tue Jul 22 06:26:18 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
Hey Bill, email me anytime with your thoughts on teacher's unions.
And maybe I can share my younger brother's (Andrew) experiences with teachers
strikes, as he went through THREE of them (including a one-month strike during
the year he was learning to read).
Thankfully, my mom worked from home during those years. I can only imagine what
low-income single working mothers would have done during those strikes. I
wonder how many ended up losing their jobs because they couldn't get to work. I
wonder how many kids had to look after themselves while mom went to work.
The transit union pulled the same crap. One morning they even went on strike,
and didn't tell anybody. People waiting all around the city to go to work, and
no buses or trains show up.
Talk about a major screw over, especially to the poor, as they are the people
that really NEED public transit to get to work and can hardly afford to take an
unpaid day off work. Not to mention businesses that lose thousands of
productive hours because of the transit unions decision.
Personally I am sick and tired of being held hostage by these public unions.
The first leader that is willing to take them on gets my vote and full support.
Date: Tue Jul 22 09:08:58 2008
Sender: AJ Perko
you guys are nuts...
you complain about the product of schools...
you complain about the salary of teachers...
this must be the only product in existence that you can lower the salary and
increase the quality.
I know, lets make all schools private and that way parents can pay 30K a year
to get a good education for their 6 yeat old. Thats the Republican way.
Date: Tue Jul 22 10:19:55 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
Mr.Perko, as I said before, it's not really that the salary is too high. It's
the combination of benefits (salary + job security + pension, etc) that ALL
teachers get. Not just the good ones.
And for your information teaching is not a product, it's a service. And there
are lots of examples of SERVICES that improve when you lower the salary.
For instance, try comparing Canadian retail to Korean retail. In Canada
employees earn a higher salary, and in response companies hire less employees.
As a result, you can never get help at stores like Canadian Tire, Home Depot,
etc.
In Korea you will never wait longer than three seconds to get help in a retail
store, mostly because there are more employees due to a lower minimum salary.
Before you take what I'm saying out of context, let me say that I am NOT
suggesting we need to lower salaries of retail workers in Canada. I am simply
trying to illustrate how a lower salary can result in an improved service.
you complain about the product of schools...
you complain about the salary of teachers...
this must be the only product in existence that you can lower the salary and
increase the quality.
I know, lets make all schools private and that way parents can pay 30K a year
to get a good education for their 6 yeat old. Thats the Republican way.
Date: Tue Jul 22 10:20:36 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
Mr.Perko, as I said before, it's not really that the salary is too high. It's
the combination of benefits (salary + job security + pension, etc) that ALL
teachers get. Not just the good ones.
And for your information teaching is not a product, it's a service. And there
are lots of examples of SERVICES that improve when you lower the salary.
For instance, try comparing Canadian retail to Korean retail. In Canada
employees earn a higher salary, and in response companies hire less employees.
As a result, you can never get help at stores like Canadian Tire, Home Depot,
etc.
In Korea you will never wait longer than three seconds to get help in a retail
store, mostly because there are more employees due to a lower minimum salary.
Before you take what I'm saying out of context, let me say that I am NOT
suggesting we need to lower salaries of retail workers in Canada. I am simply
trying to illustrate how a lower salary can result in an improved service.
Date: Tue Jul 22 15:13:52 2008
Sender: AJ Perko
"Canada employees earn a higher salary, and in response companies hire less
employees."
I see this as a problem of executives making too much money not the employees.
Instead of hiring less, maybe more profit should be re-invested into the
product/service instead of some executives pocket.
take oil for example... people are whining about 4.50 gas, at the same time
there is 40 billion in quarterly profit for Exxon.
If there was a fair unbiased competitive financial model in place, gas would
be 2.00 per gallon and Exxon profits would only be 15 billion or something-
Date: Tue Jul 22 16:19:40 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
AJ, you may be right. Executives might be making too much. That being said, I
think you might find Canadian Execs making substantially less than their
American counterparts.
However this argument doesn't really apply to the teaching profession, since
the highest paid "execs" make nothing near people in the private sector.
Oh and by the way, I looked a bit deeper and found that the average teacher
makes $65,000 per year, or $82 for every class hour they teach.
Date: Mon Aug 11 05:48:37 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Deft display of diplomatic mastery by Harper declining to attend the Olympics.
Date: Mon Aug 11 10:34:18 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
If Prime Minister Harper HAD attended, then today your message would have been
critical of Canada's Conservative Government for being too soft on Chinese
human rights abuses....
Brian - you cant suck and blow at the same time.
CB
Date: Mon Aug 11 12:14:15 2008
Sender: Jeff Luddingsmash
If he could he'd have a hell of a future in gay porn.
Date: Mon Aug 11 13:13:18 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Blackie, does that mean your position is it wouldn't benefit Canada to improve
diplomatic relations with China? I guess that makes sense, considering it
mirrors Harper's position. You guys must be right, no point trying to increase
trade with a nation of 1.3 billion people.
As for your human rights' sophism, you can't put that forth since I've never
given any indication it concerns me.
Date: Tue Aug 12 05:28:48 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
sure i can.
and give me credit at least for not letting the discussion get sidetracked into
a debate about the merits of your gay porn career eh.
cheers,
cb
Date: Tue Aug 12 05:29:36 2008
Sender: Chris Blackman
A couple of Karim's favourites:
"Brian's Song"
"The Life of Brian"
cb
Date: Tue Aug 12 07:38:11 2008
Sender: Brian Dust
Blackie, that's admirable, as I know how easily distracted you are by gay porn.
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