Go to Religion in the Modern World
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WileyJohn - it's truly a one pony race
Harper is the only candidate with experience. And as you say, he generally looks and acts the part of a Prime Minister while the other choices are far less appealing. I hated the idea of him being our country's leader when he started his "on the job training" as PM a couple of years ago but now it is a little different. No major gaffs during these past two years and what seems like a tendency to be pragmatic, I think work in his favour.
posted by
gomedome
on September 11, 2008 at 9:08 PM
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Gomedome
Seems to me we don't have any choice anyway,it has to be Harper, I agree. Well, I am one that appreciates that he has quietened down and taken control of his MP's, I like hearing less from mine and just watching them govern. At least he looks and acts like a Prime Minister right? Have a good one!!!
posted by
WileyJohn
on September 11, 2008 at 8:22 PM
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mightyjo - Welcome to Blogit
That little furry animal is actually a Canadian mouse. They grow a lot bigger up here.
posted by
gomedome
on September 11, 2008 at 7:45 PM
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im going to read your blog but first--
sorry...i havent gotten a chance to read your blog but plan to because theology is a hobby of mine--anyhoo--i read your "about me" & just wanted to let you know that you are a prairie dog, not a ground squirrel. im guessing canada doesn't have a lot of prairie dogs so you might have been raised by ground squirrels. or smoked too much....
posted by
mightyjo
on September 11, 2008 at 12:07 PM
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Bhaskar.ing - thanx for stopping in
I am still surprised by what is often posted in promotion of one political view or another. Religion plays a central role to a much greater degree in US politics than it does in my country.
posted by
gomedome
on September 10, 2008 at 7:36 PM
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kooka_lives - Re: Having to live with it all around you is not easy
You inadvertently denote a big difference in our societies. I couldn't tell you who my in laws or even my parents voted for in most elections. Party allegiences exist here but not anywhere to the same degree as in the USA. It is safe to say that the "undecided" generally comprise the largest voting block in Canada. We tend to vote people out of office as much as we vote people in and it is still considered impolite to ask someone who they are going to vote for.
posted by
gomedome
on September 10, 2008 at 7:32 PM
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WileyJohn - I think we are going to see a big change come this election
I think our apprentice Prime Minister and his party are going to make big headway in Quebec. The realization has finally come that the Bloc is mostly irrelevent and we may see them begin to fade into oblivion after the upcoming election. Where elections in the past have had different reasons for momentum shifting in one directrion or another, with voting people out as common as voting people in, this one has a different flavour. This is a case of which of the 3 contenders would we like to represent our country? I can't see Layton or Dion as Prime Minister, so it looks like the apprentice gets his papers.
posted by
gomedome
on September 10, 2008 at 7:27 PM
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gomedome
Loved every bit of your article and also the comments were very apt, especially Talion's, as you rightly say.
posted by
Bhaskar.ing
on September 10, 2008 at 7:26 PM
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Re: Talion has said all that there needs to be said. I salute the master!
Kabu - thanx for stopping in
posted by
gomedome
on September 10, 2008 at 7:18 PM
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muley12 - Re: Are you ready to rumble!!!
That's the scary part, they seem to come up with something new and more ridiculous every day.
posted by
gomedome
on September 10, 2008 at 7:16 PM
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Gomedome
Sure is a nasty business and you state it well. Seems to me we've got the same thing going on here but instead of black and white it's French and English.
Sorry I haven't commented for a long time but my mental state was such I couldn't handle some of the comments in your blog or arguments about religion.
I have been reading at times and find you an excellent writer with a very open mind that I admire.
posted by
WileyJohn
on September 10, 2008 at 3:27 PM
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Talion has said all that there needs to be said. I salute the master!
posted by
Kabu
on September 10, 2008 at 3:21 PM
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Are you ready to rumble!!!
You ain't seen nothing yet. Still months before the election.
posted by
muley12
on September 10, 2008 at 3:02 PM
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Having to live with it all around you is not easy
I did all I could to stay away from all that crap until Bush got in office. After that there just seemed no way to stay out of it. I generally consider myself a independent, but I will admit I do favor the Democrats for the most part.
Now my wife's family are a bunch of die-hard republicans who really just vote for that party no matter what, no thinking involved. Her grandmother has even boycotted companies who give out same sex benefits to their employees. Her grandmother and I did get into a debate about Bush at one time, and I found it very hard to keep myself polite about it since I didn't want to offend her. Although I guess her family is already a little upset that she is planning on voting for Obama.
We get alone with her family just fine, although we are much closer with my family doing more and being more relaxed with them. But there is an awkwardness in dealing with them some times. And now that I am much more open about my political ideas, I find I have to keep my mouth shut a whole lot more around them.
posted by
kooka_lives
on September 10, 2008 at 2:26 PM
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mousehop - thanx for stopping in
I guess I should also add a belated welcome to Blogit.
The "anti-science" trend you mention is another observable social phenomena. Having written in this category for a few years now, I am still somewhat shocked at what is contended by creationist proponents. It's as if they have drafted up a list of ridiculous proposals, named that ridiculous list the scientific theory of evolution and are arguing against it as if it were the real scientific theory of evolution. I haven't as yet met one of these people that can accurately define what they are against. . . . how does such a large segment of a first world nation society, get that far down a path of misinformation?
posted by
gomedome
on September 10, 2008 at 12:47 PM
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Talion_ - That definitely is another theme I have noticed
The blame game runs rampant on both sides and to a certain degree it is a natural part of political competition but religious beliefs add an irrational element to the fray. The sell (con) job of religion as being necessary to instill values in the individual and the notion that those without these beliefs are deficient, or incapable of having the same values, has rendered its proponents blind to their own shortcomings. They are effectively erecting barriers to inclusion and entitlement for all but their own kind . . . and this in the name of a religion with an all inclusive philosophy . . .
posted by
gomedome
on September 10, 2008 at 12:29 PM
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Re: gomedome
Very well stated.
Even the act of naming this debate the Culture War was a hostile blow on the part of the conservatives. It is a play on the liberal idea that every culture should be accepted on its own terms, and not criticized on the basis of modern concepts. Therefore, to criticize conservative dogma as anti-science is simple intolerance rather than a statement of demonstrable fact. But such tactics only work from their side. They have no qualms about damning anyone for anything they don't like.
I have said I wanted to enlist in battles of the Culture War to fight on the side of culture, but I get tired of beating my head on rocks.
posted by
mousehop
on September 10, 2008 at 12:15 PM
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Re: gomedome -- Posted by Talion
I am totally in agreement with your statement,
posted by
Xeno-x
on September 10, 2008 at 11:48 AM
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gomedome
The most troubling aspect of these "culture wars" is the unspoken, but completely obvious implication that if every American was white, conservative, Christian, and straight, all of our social ills would miraculously disappear. Those who stray from this very narrow path are the cause and sole perpetrators of every crime and problem that plagues this nation. This, from the land of the free.
posted by
Talion_
on September 10, 2008 at 11:43 AM
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