The Difference Between NDP Surrender & Afghanistan Democracy

Jack Layton says we have to leave Afghanistan now. Right now. Yesterday even. President Karzai says he's open to dialogue with the Taliban, even offering them a place at the government table, providing that they accept that the United Nations and NATO will remain to provide assistance to the impoverished people of Afghanistan. One says "Let's get the hell out of there." The other says "Please don't leave, we need you." Both say negotiations with the Taliban are encouraged. Which brings to attention this article from the Globe And Mail. Defence Minister Peter MacKay says the Taliban will have to renounce violence and accept the NATO mission in Afghanistan if it wants to work with the Afghan government. Afghan President Hamid Karzai renewed his call Saturday for talks with the Taliban after a deadly suicide bombing in Kabul. Mr. Karzai said he wants to meet with Taliban leader Mullah Omar for peace talks and is willing to consider giving the militants a position in government. Speaking at an enrolment ceremony for new military personnel in Halifax, Mr. MacKay says any co-operation must include the preconditions that Mr. Karzai has laid out. Those include the Taliban's renunciation of violence and acceptance of the fact that NATO forces aren't leaving the country any time soon. If you haven't yet read the article, I suggest you do so. I must warn you though that you may suffer significant blood loss from the tongue if you choose to read the comments. Read cautiously, and remember that the people who commented aren't necessarily idiots, it's possible that they just haven't acknowledged the truth yet.

Jack Bauer: Keeping America Safe ( Except On Weekends )

Yeah, yeah. I know, you're probably sick of hearing about the plight of over-paid actors who make the same stupid mistake that any of us could and then it becomes a big news item. Honestly, I've learned to ignore the O.J. - Britney - Paris - Etc garbage that the media thinks our life revolves around. I just couldn't ignore this one. My favorite television actor, Keifer Sutherland, got busted again for DUI. Him getting busted isn't the problem. The problem is my first reaction, which is "Damn. There goes another good show." Kinda selfish, isn't it? H/T: The missus, and National Newswatch.

Federal Election?

As hard as it may be for the Conservative Party of Canada to avoid a Fall election, it must be even moreso for the Liberal Party of Canada. I must admit that I recognize that Mr. Dion is a very intelligent man but this didn't help him in Quebec. The unfortunate aspect of this is that with such a dismal performance, the eager beavers ( or is it puffins?) lining up behind him with knives up their shirtsleeves may decide that it's better to get rid of him sooner rather than later so that they may take another shot at fullfilling their own leadership campaigns. It's doubtful that the Bloc Quebecois will support another Throne speech, they've got to show that they have a backbone. The NDP have good reason to feel a little cocky right about now, considering their success in Outremont. This leaves Dion at the mercy of the party apparatus. I may be wrong about the prospect of a Fall election, but since I'm gambling here I may as well go out on a limb and suggest that if the Liberals do force a Fall election, Quebec is likely to pull over the car and tell the Libs to get out and walk.

There Goes The Neighborhood

From FOXNews.com: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Arrives in NYC for Controversial Visit Ahmadinejad, who has called the Holocaust "a myth," encouraged the destruction of Israel and supported terrorists in Iraq, will address the United Nations General Assembly and a Columbia University forum but will not be allowed to tour Ground Zero. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammed Alie Hosseini appeared dismayed that Ahmadinejad's request to visit the site of the World Trade Center attacks was rejected. According to all the so-called experts that I've seen on t.v. today, the purpose of the Iranian President's visit to Columbia and his initial plan to visit the WTC site was to reject America's threats against Iran and to offer us capitalist infidels information that he feels is vital to our understanding of his society. I think the experts are missing the point. In much the same way that the 911 terrorists distracted us from the plans of Bin Laden, I believe that this too is designed with the same purpose in mind. That is to say that while America's liberals are debating about what to do about this poor, misunderstood soul, his country will be able to pursue its nuclear strategy unhindered. Those of us who can see the truth for what it is won't be fooled. Those looking to win elections despite the blood, sweat and tears of our brave militaries will.

Ice-Age Hits Anbar

Apparently, sometime between February and August of 2007, Hell has frozen over. Bumps in the road are now officially seen as more hazardous than insurgents and terrorists in Ramadi. (There is a lot of hard metal inside a Humvee that you can bang your head up against.) I have my doubts about the relative dangers of each in the real world. Ramadi isn’t totally safe yet. But this kind of juxtaposition is absurdly unthinkable in Baghdad. Read Part 1 and Part 2 of Anbar Awakens. You won't find anything like it on CNN.

Upset in Outremont

It's kinda funny. The Liberal's chastized the Conservatives for their previous selection of Gordon O'Connor for Defence, but yet their own all-star goaltender couldn't keep the NDP from scoring in Outremont. It must feel awkward for Ken Dryden to be on the losing side of a shut-out. That's all; go read something intelligent now.