I'm feeling this overwhelming need to sound off on the matter, so I'll use this entry to do so. This is not meant to offend anyone, or to set off any controversial discussion.

Let me begin by saying: I side w/ Israel in this matter. They are defending themselves against Hezbollah. I agree that what is unfolding for Lebanon is a tragedy- but the country/government is unable or unwilling to control it, and so Israel is doing it themselves. Hezbollah, as well as other parties are unwilling to recognize the existence of Israel; even calling for its complete anhilation. I am of the opinion, that as long as such hatred exists in the region; it will never be entirely at peace- and such violent periods as we're seeing now would be inevitable.

Now we come to the thorny issue of how to solve the current situation. Does the international community allow it to run its course? or does it step in and solve it? Here, I think that even if there was to be an instant ceasefire tomorrow, it would be too late; the damage would have been done.
I think that the USA, and Brits have lost their credibility with the international community- to act as mediators because of the mess they're making in Iraq. The U.N. is pretty ineffectual as well- the damage done by the USA is catching up with them. But the U.N. is still in a better position to negotiate; having a wider-range of countries represented on it.
And speaking of the United Nations; the bombing of their post, was a mistake. What would Israel have to gain in purposefully bombing a UN post? Think about it. A better question: Why didn't the UN take their personnel out before the fighting got too bad? Now, that could have an interesting answer...

The best approach, I think would be a limited international force, including a majority of soldiers provided by middle-eastern countries themselves. It's time that Iraq/Iran/Syria/Jordan/Egypt/Israel/Saudi Arabia, all had a hand in ensuring peace- maybe then, they'd be less likely to break it.

History they say; is doomed to repetition. It's almost like people never learn their lessons the first time around. Let's see if we can prove that saying wrong; and find a lasting peace for the Mid-east for all our sakes.

17 people, have been arrested after a sting operation by: C.S.I.S. (Cdn. Security Intelligence Service), and the Mounties. They were charged with various offenses under the Criminal Code pertaining to terrorism. That happened Saturday.

I'm not surprised, and I think most Canadians aren't surprised; we knew we were on the list, and the majority of us have accepted that. What I am disturbed at, is the fact that these were some of us; fellow Canadians that did this- it feels like a slap in the face to me as a Canadian, and to those who are waiting to become Canadians. To use, such an incredible gift as citizenship in Canada to destroy Canadian society is just incredibly treasonous to say the least.

Now today we hear word that one of the accused allegedly said he wanted to behead the Prime Minister, and storm Parliament. I was shocked at that; I'd been expecting: The CN Tower, Air Canada Centre, and Skydome (which geographically are located right along the same block), maybe the stock exchange, and a couple office towers as targets. But allegedly planning to behead a Prime Minister? I'm no scholar here, but when a citizen of a country plots to do something like that, isn't it called treason? or in this case: Alleged, or attempted treason?

Note: The Prime Minister, and Parliament buildings are in Ottawa Ontario- approx 4 hrs by train, or 6 hrs by car away from Toronto. The Provincial legislature in Ontario is at Queen's Park- the current Premier: Dalton McGuinty.

Questions are being raised as to whether or not these gentlemen will get a fair trial because of the media attention. I say yes, because I believe that despite being angered, and violated like this, Canadians have an inherent sense of fairness and will give them a fair trial.

I really think it doesn't matter so much that these people are Muslims, but it's that they're Canadian that is the kicker.

Well, we did it. We actually changed our government, an shifted right. Stephen Harper and his Conservative Party won a total of 124 seats out of the 308 seats in Parliament- not a majority by any means, but still enough to give him a minority government.
What this means, isn't that he'll be George W. Bush's new ally, nor does it mean that he'll govern from the extreme right as feared. It just means that he'll have a shot to implement some changes in Canada.

As for what this means for Canada's recently adopted Gay Marriage legislation: Yes, Harper has promised to re-open the matter, and to have a free vote on whether or not to adopt a traditional definition of marriage. But with the numbers the way they are (NDP at 29 seats, Bloc at 50 seats, and Liberals at 104 seats), it is highly doubtful at best. And if it does go through- in order to pass a peice of legislation it has to have 3 readings in the Senate before recieving Royal Assent. And with the Senate being controlled by the Liberals that could take years to change it. This gay marriage issue has more to do with Harper wanting to appease more right-wing members of his party, nothing more.

Remembrance means different things to different people. Generally it means a time to pause, and reflect, upon the sacrifices made by soldiers past, and present.

It is also a time to most importantly say thanks to those vetrans, and to those soliders. Because it is they who made the ultimate sacrifice, it is they who fought to gain for us the freedoms that we so enjoy today. Sadly, as the years pass, so do the vetrans, and my country (Canada) only has 240,000 vetrans from the 2nd world war. Their avg. age is 82, with the vets from the Korean war sitting at 72.

It is important to keep that memory alive, to always no matter how painful remember what happened in the two great wars, as well as conflicts currently going on around the world. We need to remember, need to teach our children the history, and in doing so keep the memory alive so that we may learn from the past.

So to the vetrans I must give a heartfelt thanks, for Canada, and the freedoms for which it stands.

It's been a decade since the last Quebec Referendum. A decade since the No side barely won. Have things changed?

Yes, and no. Yes, because we now courtesy of Jean Chretien have the Clarity act- (yes I am aware of the humour: Chretien in the same sentence as clarity) which demands a clear question on the ballot next time. Quebec is now also recognized as a unique society.

No: Because after the last referendum, Jean Chretien saw fit to establish the 'Unity fund' which was used to fund special projects in Quebec. Long story short: the money was through ad agencies funneled back into party coffers. Over decade it totalled: 300 million; the vast majority of that money has still not been found. Because of this, there is a lot of anger in Quebec- so much that the Bloc Quebecois could get as many as 60 of 75 seats that Quebec has in the next parliament.

Related to this is the fact that Quebec's current Premier wants to lay the groundwork for the province to sign the constitution.

Will it finally end the bickering?

Who knows, such an asupicious event is a long way off yet I think.