aphid

That's entirely possible, Rob. I'll try to get out more. One thing I'd like to add to any conversation specifically north of the 49th relative to guns: we don't have a 2nd, we have the Charter of Rights. It doesn't enumerate any "rights" to my knowledge in terms of private firearm ownership. We are accorded a privilege to own weapons under the current law of the land. I think therefore it is important for any Canadian dialogue to avoid dilution by importing descriptions, phrases and debates couched in the culture of our southern neighbor. John

Well, 35 million of us isn't that many either.

Why? (Just curious) Because I hope that the citizens of Canada are well armed. Thank you for your concern for our national welfare. From my experience, I think the number estimated is likely accurate. I thought the news feature was oddly skewed. For the record, I don't own any guns. I have enjoyed shooting a few over the years. Even tried a bit of bird hunting. I came to the conclusion fairly quickly, while mostly enjoyable, it just didn't interest me enough to continue. I have many friends who are active shooters, hunters, owners and buyers. I have an equal number of friends who have no interest in it. I think I might be somewhat reflective of many Canadians. I think for most of us, we really don't care. We don't typically march about with signs decrying gun violence, and at the same time, there is no large gun-owners lobby. It's really not what we collectively do as Canadians. Which kind of gets me to my opinion about the short featurette being skewed. I thought the reporter made some not-so-subtle attempts to belittle the subject of gun ownership for pleasure. At the same time, I thought the subject gentleman exhibited an unsubstantiated degree of defensiveness towards a perceived negative public image of gun-owners in Canada. So I suppose, by being skewed from both perspectives, it turned out to be rather balanced. I can only speak for myself and my experience. Having traveled this country and having many friends in almost every province, I truly have not encountered defensiveness by gun-owners, nor fear and loathing from non-owners. I suppose if you want to gauge the real measure of how we look at things up here, perhaps compare the tone of the featurette in the very civil dialogue between the reporter and the gentleman, with the interaction between Michael Moore and Charlton Heston in Moore's documentary. Perhaps that's the fundamental "culture" (they used that word a lot in the short report) we Canadian's actually share with each other. We do try to be civil, courteous and open-minded towards each other. Although, history has established we can be tenacious sons-of-bitches when necessary if backed into a corner or defending an ally. John (Afterthought): If Canadians were as fascinated by guns, there would be a larger demand. And the firearms manufacturers would delight in such a market, especially with the value of our currency the last few years. But it just isn't the case. As I said, we really just don't care. Just my opinion. J

Why? (Just curious)

They had to win I guess so, or all of Canada would have rioted. Canadians rioting after a hockey game.... oh the horror of it all I'm not going to get into a pissing match over the actions of some completely useless pieces of skin... but we shouldn't forget that some of those charged were residents of Washington state...

I blame it all on that damned Mike Eruzione. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYscemhnf88 Damned Amureekans. You guys ruin everything.

Falling 9 or 10 seconds and only 27 feet? More like 971' to 1138'. I got 1.6 seconds which might be around 35 to 40 ft. As he was hanging on before he fell, I'm wondering what was going through his mind. Besides, "Oh,shit! Oh, shit!". Can you imagine that possibly, just possibly, Arvoitus was quoting the time-code in the video to determine the unit of measure?

(from the article) Do you know John Kiriakou? Well, he’s a friend of mine. Blew the whistle on the CIA And now he’s doin’ time. source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/cia-whistleblower-kiriakou-gets-posh-send-off-to-prison/2013/02/21/b3f0a2b8-7c7c-11e2-a044-676856536b40_story.html

This was featured on CBC Radio last evening here in Canada. I was unaware of the Magdalene Laundries, so I turned to Wiki. For others in North America, here's some background: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magdalene_asylum

Contrary to misconception, the USA has THREE land-borders. Not everything revolves around southern Latino illegal immigration. From the commentary:

Commentary: http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2013/02/electronics-border-seizures/?cid=co5746764 Original government document: http://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/crcl-border-search-impact-assessment_01-29-13_1.pdf What was that Constitution thingee?

Are they unable to determine the difference between the suspect dark blue Nissan Titan, a light blue Toyota Tacoma and a black Honda Ridgeline? At the very least, would the license plates be different? Are there many elderly Latino ladies that appear similar to shaved black males weighing an estimated 215 lbs?

Of course. Be glad you never got a simple fine years ago for being caught with a doob in your pocket (It was decriminalized here long ago) Or spent the night in the city lockup (without charges ever laid) for getting a bit too tipsy during the Superbowl part and they just wanted you to sleep it off. (Our local police did that just to help you stay safe from your own silliness for night in rural Canada) Or were ever given a suspended sentence for shoplifting a chocolate bar as a juvenile. (Contrary to popular misconception, our southern neighbors have access to those files too) None of which of course apply to me, just the person who made the editorial page. My transgression was to be suspected as an "intending illegal immigrant". I don't have any concrete plans for lunch, let alone any intent to become one of those Americans. Did you hear about the 72 year old Canadian guy who is barred entry for 5 years for being on his way to his winter-house iin Florida by car? Apparently he had a small toolbox in his trunk (boot) with basic tools should he need repairs on the road. They barred him for intending to work illegally as a mechanic.

"The policy implies a U.S. that is a frail version of its former muscular self, so humourless and self-righteous post-9/11 that it has lost perspective on what constitutes a real threat." source: http://www.theprovince.com/business/Editorial+border+rules+embarrassment/7918930/story.html back-story: http://www.theprovince.com/entertainment/Victoria+barred+from+Super+Bowl+decades+marijuana+charge/7912956/story.html

It was pretty damned tame/lame. The National Women's Team woulda kicked their asses at that rate...

What if you're a vegetarian and don't drink alcohol? Watch the Phoenix Open?

Check current exchange rates... To paraphrase the movie: "Par is good, donkey" http://www.xe.com/ucc/convert/?Amount=1000&From=CAD&To=USD

Roberto Luongo. 'Nuff said.

Loonies ($1 coin) are so nicknamed because of the bird on the reverse. Twoonie's ($2 coin)... well, I'm sure folks can figure that out. Not everybody chooses to spell the number the way I do. John

Off-Topic but kinda cool... I have it on good report that Tsunami Skydivers (Rich Grimm) accepts Canadian twoonies towards jump-tickets. John

$0.00 for retail transactions in town. 10% at Square 2 and Manifest. (They took my personal cheque though because they know me well). This was levied by the retailer. $0.00 to $0.50 for cash withdrawals at banks. (I only used Wells Fargo and BofA though). This charge was levied by my bank. $1.00 to $2.00 per transaction when getting cash from those silly machines at Bars. Don't use independent Cash Machines Andrew anywhere... it's no different at home. These charges were levied in combination at the machine as well by my bank. I used the cards only for purchases exceeding $20.00. Until all American retailers will accept CDN cards, AND, don't place a minimum retail value required, there will be a need for cash. John

My Canadian credit and bank debit cards work just fine in Europe, Russia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, but to throw a little water on the parade... the last time I traveled through buttf**k Nevada (just one of a few examples), I couldn't get fuel with any card I carried. At $450 a fill, thankfully I had cash. For years Albertson's supermarket in Casa Grande (Eloy) also couldn't manage Canadian credit or debit cards. Fortunately they honoured Traveler Cheques. In all cases these were the newest chipped varieties. If you wish to promote a cashless society, first you might have to bring your entire nation into the 21st banking century. John

"Canada has allowed women into all military trades, including combat arms, for 22 years." http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/930155--u-s-to-allow-women-into-combat-a-move-canada-made-decades-ago "One of the people who reportedly had input in the US decision was Major Eleanor Taylor of the Royal Canadian Regiment as she was was the only woman to lead a NATO combat unit in Afghanistan." http://www2.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/world/story.html?id=b076ddf2-1189-4e43-889c-7f62425cfaed ETA: "American women often served with distinction in combat during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet despite the fact that more than 800 of them were maimed and more than 130 of them were killed in firefights or by homemade landmines while on patrol, they did not technically serve in combat units because this was officially forbidden."

But I found this interview with Saul Cornell, the Paul and Diane Gunther Chair in History at Fordham University this morning on CBC Radio interesting as it addressed your Constitution, more specifically the 2nd Amendment. Some people currently enjoying the debate here on DZ.com may find it provoking as well. There is a link embedded to the audio file here: http://www.cbc.ca/thesundayedition/shows/2013/01/20/second-ammendment-hr-1/ Or here is a direct link to it: http://www.cbc.ca/thesundayedition/popupaudio.html?clipIds=2326700009