Linda_K
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posted on April 7, 2006 09:57:12 PM new
Canada's New Conservative PM Calls US 'Our Best Friend'
By Howard Williams
CNSNews.com Correspondent
April 05, 2006
Ottawa (CNSNews.com) -
Declaring the United States to be his country's "best friend and largest trading partner," Canada's new Conservative Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, has announced a series of proposals to improve ties across the 49th parallel.
Although short on details, Harper made it clear that improving the tattered relationships between the neighbors was among his top priorities.
In a speech outlining his new government's legislative agenda, read at the start of the new parliamentary assembly by Governor-General Michaelle Jean, Harper said "the government will work cooperatively with our friend and allies and constructively with the international community to advance common values and interests.
"In support of this goal, it will build stronger multilateral and bilateral relationships, starting with Canada's relationship with the United States, our best friend and largest trading partner."
Political analysts and commentators said they could not ever recall a Canadian prime minister describing the U.S. specifically as "our best friend."
The comment came toward the end of the "speech from the Throne," delivered as is customary by the representative of Queen Elizabeth II as head of state of Canada.
It followed a general domestic program including pledges to cut taxes, end corruption (the single issue held responsible for the collapse of the outgoing Liberal government), toughen criminal penalties especially when guns and other weapons are used, and to beef up border security which has been a sore point in recent months between Washington and Ottawa.
On crime, Harper said Canadians had always taken pride in a low crime rate, but there now facing an increasing "threat of gun, gang and drug warfare."
He pledged tougher sentences for violent and repeat offenders, particularly in the case of weapons-related crimes.
Among the tax measures planned by the new government is a one percentage point cut - from seven to six percent - in the federal sales tax on both goods and services, to be followed as soon as possible with a further one percent cut.
Not covered in the speech, but still on the Harper agenda according to statements he has made in the past week, is a plan to have a new debate on same-sex "marriage," which was legalized by the previous government.
Harper has promised to reopen the debate and hold a free vote in which individual members of the different political parties will be free to vote their conscience rather than follow any party line.
The prime minister has made it clear that he would like the legislation reversed, but he will not consider it a confidence measure which could bring down his government if it lost the vote in parliament.
He also announced that he would not proceed with legislation introduced by the Liberals to decriminalize the possession and personal use of small amounts of marijuana.
Observers here believe it is extremely unlikely that a bill to overturn the same-sex union law would succeed as all three current opposition parties supported the original legislation. Combined, they have enough members of parliament to outvote the Conservatives.
But the Liberal marijuana plan -- an irritant with Washington which feared it would lead to an increase in cross-border smuggling -- is now considered to be dead in the water.
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WashingtoneBayer
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posted on April 7, 2006 10:27:15 PM new
Sounds like the canadians finally have PM who knows what he is doing. Hope he keeps at it.
Ron
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dblfugger9
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posted on April 8, 2006 06:18:55 AM new
Linda LOL...you know the liberal canadians are not happy aboutthis one bit!!
hahaha!!
But maybe SOME...i,,,i,,,i,,, say SOME people are waking up. 
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kiara
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posted on April 8, 2006 08:57:44 AM new
Nothing new, Canada has always been friends with the US and they have always been good trading partners so it makes sense for a leader to say so once again. Just because so many think that Bush is an idiot it doesn't change their feelings towards their US friends or the country as a whole and they still have strong ties and always will.
Kind of like here at Vendio......... SOME don't judge the entire site by a few clueless idiots and whack-jobs that choose to post here.
EH?
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Linda_K
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posted on April 8, 2006 09:18:27 AM new
...."SOME don't judge the entire site by a few clueless idiots and whack-jobs that choose to post here."
I never thought I'd see the day when you'd admit that about yourself. Things ARE improving here.
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kiara
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posted on April 8, 2006 09:24:12 AM new
Read into my remarks whatever you choose to, lindak. I figured I'd get a cutting response from you because I knew you wouldn't approve of what I posted and it would send you into another uncontrollable rage. tsk tsk tsk lol lol lol
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Linda_K
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posted on April 8, 2006 09:39:04 AM new
Even without your name being mentioned now. tsk tsk tsk. lol lol lol
And STILL.....nothing relevant to say....just more of your normal BS.
While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation:
What would a Democrat president have done at that point? Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack.
Ann Coulter
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kiara
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posted on April 8, 2006 09:45:01 AM new
It was my sentence you copied and no one else was here, you dummy.
Besides, I know exactly what you'd like me to say that would seem relevant to you. It will never happen because I remain true to my own beliefs.
[ edited by kiara on Apr 8, 2006 09:48 AM ]
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kraftdinner
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posted on April 8, 2006 01:39:57 PM new
Harper's just another Bush clone. What else do you expect him to say?
It's too bad some can't understand the difference between loving the citizens of a country and not the government. 
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dblfugger9
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posted on April 8, 2006 01:54:35 PM new
And STILL.....nothing relevant to say....just more of your normal BS.
Amen to that Linda. Double talk en mass. But I am tipping my tap to you once again on game! LOL!!! Just mention Canada and she is flying in here.....
But read any thread where the country is keyed:
1. No she does not represent all of Canada
2. Yes she will speak for Canadiansas a rep on this board.
Eyeroll:: talk about a coward with no opinion!
Now, Linda, I hope you are just A-ok with this little Canadian tag team. I havent had much time for Vendio lately.
..
[ edited by dblfugger9 on Apr 8, 2006 01:56 PM ]
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kraftdinner
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posted on April 8, 2006 01:59:21 PM new
And while we're talking about the US, Mr. Kraft LOVED his trip. He couldn't believe how beautiful California was. They drove to Las Vegas and said you could see the lights from 100 miles away. They saw the Hoover Dam and the Sequoia trees (and General Sherman). Both want to go back again.
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kraftdinner
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posted on April 8, 2006 02:20:13 PM new
LoL Doublemint! I wonder if Linda thought beforehand if a thread about Canada would interest the only 2 Canadian posters here? Especially if she knew in advance she didn't like what the 2 Canadian posters ever had to say and still posted it? LOL! You 2 old broads are soooo transparent!!
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kiara
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posted on April 8, 2006 03:18:24 PM new
just mention Canada and she is flying in here.....
Well, it took me about 12 hours to get around to this topic and it took Kraft even longer ........ not like you, dblbabble who eagerly awaits each word we post so you can immediately fly in with your nonsense and gibberish because you have no rational thought when it comes to an actual discussion.
Then you lie and claim you haven't had much time for Vendio lately....... why? because after attacking everyone including Profe51 with your racist hatred you cowered away for a day too scared to peek out?
Eyeroll:: talk about a coward with no opinion!
Ya, let's all talk about you....... the silly coward psychobitch with no opinion. I bet you're thrilled lindak is here more often now so you have someone to helplessly cling to for support. She's about the only one that encourages your endless mindless drivel because she lies as much as you do. EH?
I agree, Kraft......... both old broads are soooooooo transparent.
Glad to hear Mr Kraft enjoyed his trip...... now it's your turn!
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bigpeepa
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posted on April 8, 2006 03:24:54 PM new
Kraft, your right the 2 bags are transparent. Both have nothing left.
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Linda_K
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posted on April 8, 2006 03:38:35 PM new
"It's too bad some can't understand the difference between loving the citizens of a country and not the government."
LOL Oh SOME understand alright....and are very quick to acknowledge, that they thank God...that the two female??? canadian's here don't represent all the citizens of Canada.
The 'mind think' that says, "between loving the citizens of a country...and not the government".... is nothing more than 'liberal speak'.
Because, of course, you FAIL to acknowledge that those same citizens ARE the citizens who elected these leaders to our government to represent us.
Or....maybe those are the citizens you DON'T LOVE. LOL
[ edited by Linda_K on Apr 8, 2006 03:46 PM ]
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Linda_K
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posted on April 8, 2006 03:42:57 PM new
Now kiara.....here I THOUGHT....wrongly it appears....that since you had finally admitted YOU have a big problem...that you would begin to get help to deal with it.
But now....you're projecting once again...."Ya, let's all talk about you.......the silly coward psychobitch with no opinion."
Please stop calling yourself such terrible things....with help...you will improve.
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kiara
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posted on April 8, 2006 03:50:06 PM new
LOL Oh SOME understand alright....and are very quick to acknowledge, that they thank God.
Uhhhhhh.......... lindak. God has nothing to do with this one so save your prayers for a better cause. 
Kraft and I have never claimed to represent Canada and have always made it known that we each voice our own opinion from our own life experience and not for the entire country. I realize you find that concept hard to grasp seeing as you think you can talk for Bush, the whole government, all the military and the entire country from your googled-up mind experience.
You also need to improve your reading skills... it was dblfugger/neroter who identified herself as the coward with no opinions.
[ edited by kiara on Apr 8, 2006 03:52 PM ]
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Linda_K
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posted on April 8, 2006 03:54:53 PM new
I understand kiara....you just can't admit the truth about YOUR OWN actions here.
LOL denial is your game....not addressing the topic....is your MO.
So much more fun for you to 'make everything personal'....it's your LIFE....it FEEDS your need to have something to say....you SHY person you.
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kiara
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posted on April 8, 2006 04:00:55 PM new
As I said, lindak...... your reading skills are sorely lacking. I did address the topic but it wasn't what you wanted to hear so you went into another one of your uncontrollable rants.
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kraftdinner
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posted on April 8, 2006 04:01:50 PM new
Linda, the people who elected Bush aren't quite the same as the people who voted for him, are they? LOLOL
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dblfugger9
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posted on April 8, 2006 05:43:00 PM new
Kraft, you know, I cant even read your posts any more they are so transparent...
You better get a new game girl
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dblfugger9
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posted on April 8, 2006 05:45:52 PM new
Linda, the people who elected Bush aren't quite the same as the people who voted for him, are they? LOLOL
But the FACT remains...he won the election...he is president..whoo hoo kraft. Would you like to change the fact?
[ edited by dblfugger9 on Apr 8, 2006 05:46 PM ]
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kraftdinner
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posted on April 8, 2006 06:49:25 PM new
Double, I didn't know everyone in the US voted for Bush.
P.S. Did you really mean that Kato Kailen comment you threw at Classic?
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WashingtoneBayer
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posted on April 9, 2006 10:32:58 AM new
Anyone that considered that moron Martin a friend of the US hasn't got a clue of what friendship is.
Ron
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dblfugger9
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posted on April 9, 2006 11:22:58 AM new
KRAFTDINNER, you severely need a life.
but keep spewing your LAME-O fat chair azz veggie smelling crap here. Its about all you apparently do.
.
[ edited by dblfugger9 on Apr 9, 2006 11:23 AM ]
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kraftdinner
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posted on April 9, 2006 11:48:15 AM new
Bush was/is like a very bossy next door neighbour, telling Canada to spend billions on border security, spend billions on going to war in Iraq, spend billions on the drug war, etc. Don't you think Cretien and Martin had good reason, Ron? Is Bush as bossy with other countries that supply oil? Is he as bossy with Vincente Fox regarding security and drugs?
And I'm sure most think Canada should cow-tow to the U.S. because of the military, but you have to remember, Canada supplies the US with most of its oil - that's the trade off for military protection.
In my opinion, Canada should be able to tell Bush to pound salt like most other countries have, but we love the American people too much to be blindsighted by this kook.
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kiara
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posted on April 9, 2006 12:02:18 PM new
Anyone that considered that moron Martin a friend of the US hasn't got a clue of what friendship is.
Washingtonebayer, Martin was intelligent and recognized the difference between friendship and doing business. He may have been a bit curt for your sensitive soul but he did get the message across. Friendship had nothing to do with it.
Would you bend over and give in to all your friend's demands and sacrifice your own beliefs and do it even if it hurt you monetarily and destroyed part of your business just because it was a friend?
Politically speaking, most countries realize that friendship with the US comes at a high cost.
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kraftdinner
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posted on April 9, 2006 03:12:53 PM new
Right as usual, Kiara.
Doublemint, are you fishing for compliments again?
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WashingtoneBayer
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posted on April 9, 2006 03:13:07 PM new
That is because friendship with the US has the most reward.
Harper will be good for the US-Canadian relationship.
Ron
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kiara
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posted on April 9, 2006 03:48:13 PM new
U.S. Loses Court Ruling Over Byrd Law, Lumber Duties
April 7 (Bloomberg) -- A U.S. federal court ruled that the Bush administration erred in how it applied the so-called Byrd amendment to Canada and Mexico -- a controversial measure where the Customs bureau collects duties on lumber, steel and other imports and distributes the money to U.S. companies.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000082&sid=awlQLC4fLX_A&refer=canada
The US owes Canada about $4 to $5 billion.
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