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Oct-19-2010 03:19TweetFollow @OregonNews Calgary Elects Canada's First Muslim MayorDaniel Johnson Salem-News.comNenshi’s election is apparently the result of a resurgent youth in the city.
(CALGARY, Alberta) - The political tectonic plates in Alberta shifted on Monday when Calgary, a city of more than a million people and widely perceived to be the most conservative city in the country, elected 38-year-old Naheed K. Nenshi to the post of Mayor. I have never really followed local politics very closely and admit that I only first heard of Nenshi a few days ago when I saw some of his supporters wearing “Nenshi for Mayor” sweatshirts when I was downtown. What really piqued my interest, however, was the endorsement only on Sunday of Nenshi by the Calgary Sun, a newspaper I have always considered a rag. They gave good reasons for supporting him and I agreed with their points. (I still, however, consider the Sun to be a rag.) Nenshi managed the classic political trick called “coming up the middle”. His two conservative opponents, Ric McIver who has been an alderman for nearly a decade and Barbara Higgins, who had been a Calgary news presenter for more than twenty years and had quit that job to run only a few months ago, split the conservative vote. In that scene it was not even close. Nensi received a full 40% of the vote (139,000+) compared to McIver at 32% (112,000+) and Higgins at 26% (90,000+). These numbers are only approximate because as of this writing (2 AM Calgary time) two out of 241 stations have not yet reported. But the outcome is not in any doubt. I went out yesterday and voted for Nenshi in what I think is the first time in more than four decades as being eligible to vote, that I have ever actually voted. The overall turnout is expected to be around 50% compared to 33% in the last election, four years ago. (If anyone is interested in a more expanded overview, here’s the link to the Globe and Mail story. (www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/prairies/calgarys-naheed-nenshi-becomes-canadas-first-muslim- The fact that he only received 40% of the votes (by extension, only 20% of eligible voters) may be used as a weapon against him when his policies conflict with conservative interests. How conservative his approach will be remains to be seen, although commentators have described him as “business friendly”. He is a business professor at Calgary’s Mount Royal University. I’m reminded of what Calgary’s mayor Ralph Klein (who went on to become Alberta’s premier) said to me when I interviewed him in 1980: This city is big business. Big business is our industry, like the steel mills in Hamilton [Ontario]. That’s why we have such a strong central core. Everything is interconnected. The computer banks are connected to the offices and to the secretarial pools. The whole city is linked together by Plus-15 bridges, and people scurry from office to office. Calgary is an assembly line. Calgary is still very much like that, but Nenshi’s election is apparently the result of a resurgent youth in the city. Are these young people progressive or did they see Nenshi as progressive? This will come out in the next few months. But what I see happening is a real shift in Alberta politics. When a brown non-Christian person, sits down with the Premier of the province, Ed Stelmach (a pig farmer by trade) and the rest of his white-bread ministers of government, politics in this province will never be the same. And Calgary and Alberta, largely being political clones of the Republican Party, I suggest that there may be a positive spillover into the U.S. We in Canada don’t automatically see Muslims as potential terrorists and once our American cousins see that Muslims can be significant political actors, it may be that Americans can learn something from we politically naïve folks. Daniel Johnson was born near the midpoint of the twentieth century in Calgary, Alberta. In his teens he knew he was going to be a writer, which is why he was one of only a handful of boys in his high school typing class — a skill he knew was going to be necessary. He defines himself as a social reformer, not a left winger, the latter being an ideological label which, he says, is why he is not an ideologue. From 1975 to 1981 he was reporter, photographer, then editor of the weekly Airdrie Echo. For more than ten years after that he worked with Peter C. Newman, Canada’s top business writer (notably on a series of books, The Canadian Establishment). Through this period Daniel also did some national radio and TV broadcasting. He gave up journalism in the early 1980s because he had no interest in being a hack writer for the mainstream media and became a software developer and programmer. He retired from computers last year and is now back to doing what he loves — writing and trying to make the world a better place Articles for October 18, 2010 | Articles for October 19, 2010 | Articles for October 20, 2010 | Support Salem-News.com: | |
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Akmann November 8, 2010 2:16 pm (Pacific time)
Diversity makes America stronger: Multi-cultural sex slavery by muslims, the oldest slavers on the planet. Indictment: Somali gangs trafficked girls for sex . By: AMY FORLITI //The Associated Press //Monday November 8, 2010 04:34 PM//Twenty-nine people have been indicted in a sex trafficking ring in which Somali gangs in Minneapolis and St. Paul allegedly forced girls under age 14 into prostitution in Minnesota, Tennessee and Ohio, according to an indictment unsealed Monday. The 24-count indictment, unsealed in U.S. District Court in the Middle District of Tennessee, said one of the gangs' goals was recruiting females under age 18, including some under age 14, and forcing them into prostitution so the defendants could get money, marijuana or liquor.The indictment details several instances in which young Somali or African American girls were taken from place to place and forced to engage in sex acts with multiple people. One girl was under 13 when she was first prostituted. Another girl was 18 when she was raped by multiple men in a hotel room, the indictment said. http://www.timesonline.com/bct_news/news_details/article/1373/2010/november/08/apnewsbreak-somali-gangs-ran-sex-ring-in-3-states-1.html //Import the third world...become the third world.
J.J. Metcalfe November 7, 2010 11:07 am (Pacific time)
Last week in Germany the muslim followers demanded a quota system for hiring in the goverment sector, especially in law enforcement. I wonder how different countries in the middle east, for example Saudia Arabia, would accept a similar demand for Germans living there? We actually do have a quota system here, and it has allowed mediocrity to grow and prosper. They call it affirmative action, but it is a quota system out of control. In Chicago blacks are 16% of the population but hold nearly 80% of the U.S. Post Office jobs. Multi-culturalism does not work if the government tries to force it, and that is the only way it would happen. It is not a natural pattern, for in time one group feels slighted by another group and resentment develops. The empirical evidence of my above statement is omnipresent.
Editor: Did they really "demand" that? Poor Germany, they have always been such a nice and fair country, I'm going to send you not one but two boxes of Kleenex to help with that. Certainly in a land of historical fairness like Germany, that is unexpected, no?
Saudi Arabia? Well isn't that a close friend of the US? Isn't the Royal Family friends with the Bush family? Face it pal, whites own and dominate and abuse almost the entire world; I do not think Saudi Arabia is a fair or just country and not a fair point of comparison in the bigger picture, at all. It truly is sad to read things like this, humans are so non advanced in comparison to where they should be. The world is multi cultural and you should accept it.
Jay November 3, 2010 9:31 am (Pacific time)
DJ I may be looking the wrong way, but I will always keeping looking in all directions, constantly re-assessing my positions. I change my opinion on different matters all the time, but I never change my principles, at least knowingly. My below comment: "As the philosopher Richard Rorty observes, the embrace of diversity and the desire for equality are not easily compatible"...and ..."most of the globe's inhabitants do not believe in equality, that such a belief is a Western eccentricity"...suggests just how difficult it is for a multi-culturalistic society to be successful, and that was what my previous post was about. Please note the poll: "A survey of young British Muslims (in England!) between the ages of 16 and 24 found that forty percent of them would prefer to be governed by sharia laws, while the figure among Muslims of age 55 and over, in contrast, was only 17 per cent." Many raised in western society simply assume everyone wants to be like us, but we don't even have very good compatibility within our own western culture(s). Our election results the other day certainly prove how divided we are, but it also shows how our distinct form of government can orchestrate a smooth change of power while other countries experience chaos, or worse, something that we see in totalatarian governments. DJ you stated that you expect a large migration of Americans into Canada if the Republicans win one of the houses. It would be interesting to compare the migration rate of both of our countries. Though the House take over is getting all the headlines, it is the state governor and state legislatures that were taken over by Republicans that will have the biggest impact for many years into the future. It was a major shift and states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Florida (key battleground states) will impact the 2012 elections big time. No president has ever won office without winning Ohio, and that state is now completely controlled by republicans. This election as per exit polls was about high government spending and it's impact on the economy. Expect very little congrssional legislation, but in the different states, well now that is where the action will be that will impact America far into the future as congressional and state legislative districts are re-drawn. As you may know, Raul Castro of Cuba is now trending towards capitalism, so those who make arguements for bigger government are losing models that they can refer to. The free market system is not going away. We do need better government oversight, so hopefully our congress can come together for that need, but unlikely to happen in my opinion. We are going to have considerable acrimony, but it will just make us stronger as our economy improves. Watch what happens when the new tax rates get set later this month. The average American citizen's life will be greatly improved over the next few years.
Daniel November 2, 2010 9:07 pm (Pacific time)
Jay I am not a large fan of Pakistan . I will say tho in your comparison you left out a few important facts . The first being , in the devision India received the most developed areas and the best natural resources . Pakistan was divided in two with 1000 miles of India in between its east and west . India always was more prosperous and controlled the natural resources between and into Pakistan . India also has many problems in its large cities with extreme poverty and discrimination by the upper cast . The extremist elements in Pakistan have their counterpart in the Indian Hindu dominated government . There was plenty of violence and death caused by hatred by both sides , it was not a one way street . Millions of refugees flowed into Pakistan during its three wars with India . Your comparison is unbalanced and incomplete , with a bit of person bias thrown in .
Jay November 2, 2010 11:38 am (Pacific time)
Jay your focus on multi-culturalism is a bagatelle. The real story is about how you and every other American (except the few thousand rich and super-rich) has been sold down the river by the business/political establishment. You're doing exactly what they want: Looking the other way. DJ
Daniel back to the theme of multi-culturalism. I have often looked at different European countries and Brazil regarding this construct. Lately I have begun assessing numerous communities here in the states. Though areas of southeast Asia and the Philippines are demonstrating the very violent nature that some bring to the cultural mix, and should not be overlooked because of their significant mix within our population. Looking at some area from a historical context can prove to be very valuable if one realizes that change you would not think possible, happens, and can happen literally overnight.
In 1947, unknowingly, a socio-religious experiment was launched: The British-ruled India was partitioned into Pakistan and India for the Muslim minorities and the majority Hindus respectively. Leaving aside their majority religions, at birth, they shared culture, language, ethnicity and culinary habits. Yet, their evolution couldn’t be any more different – while India has emerged to become a secular nation with a thriving and multi-faceted economy, constitutionally Islamic Pakistan has descended into an economic basket case and a fountainhead of terror. The Pakistani state had the opportunity, like India, to focus on development and wealth creation. But it chose not to. India’s emergence is due to the investments it made in building quality higher educational institutions in the fields of engineering, technology and management in the 1950s and 60s. During the same period, while neglecting modern education, Pakistan was busy sponsoring a myriad of homegrown jihadist groups as a means of extending its sphere of influence abroad. It is suspected of aiding some Taliban groups in order to advance its agenda in Afghanistan. It is also said to sponsor radical groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, implicated in the 2008 Mumbai attacks by the Indian government. When the British colonizers set up a Sanskrit college in Kolkata in 1829, Hindu leaders opposed it, demanding English medium schools instead. However, when the British announced a program in 1835 to introduce English in schools, Muslim clerics opposed the move by claiming that education imparted in English was at variance with the tenets of Islam. Daniel before the 1947 partition, the founder of Pakistan, Mohammed Ali Jinnah outlined a rationale behind a homeland for the Muslims: “So far as I have understood Islam, it does not advocate a democracy which would allow the majority of non-Muslims to decide the fate of the Muslims. We cannot accept a system of government in which the non-Muslims merely by numerical majority would rule and dominate us.” Immediately after the birth of Pakistan, another prominent feature of Islam called sharia was invoked to play an overarching role to help govern the new nation. This put Pakistan on an inexorable path to extremism. This is in contrast to India where there was separation of church and state due to the consensus belief that no theocratic feature of the majority Hindu religion should likewise play a similar role. A survey of young British Muslims between the ages of 16 and 24 found that forty percent of them would prefer to be governed by sharia laws, while the figure among Muslims of age 55 and over, in contrast, was only 17 per cent. This discrepancy can be readily inferred as due to the increased exposure to jihad and sharia the younger generation was subjected to, thanks to the well-resourced local mosques funded in the 1980s (and onwards) by the oil-rich Middle Eastern Sheikdoms. This is also happening here in the states at an accelerated rate. India has the caste system, Pakistan has the feudal system. Both countries have many more cell phones than toilets. Pakistan is largely run by the military and feudal lords, India has a much better democracy. India does have a generally more peaceful people, even though there are more muslims in India than in Pakistan. India has a much higher literacy rate. As you know many of our public schools have been failing in preparing our kids, which make them quite vulnerable for recruitment into groups that advocate our destruction. I celebrate all of our different cultures, but we need to draw people into also realizing that mono-culturalism, Americanism, is the over-riding value, or should be in my opinion because it promotes are survival. Equality requires a common yardstick, or measure of judgement, not a plurality of meanings. As the philosopher Richard Rorty observes, the embrace of diversity and the desire for equality are not easily compatible. For Rorty, those whom he calls 'Enlightenment liberals' face a seemingly irresolvable dilemma in their pursuit of both equality and diversity:
Their liberalism forces them to call any doubts about human equality a result of irrational bias. Yet their connoisseurship [of diversity] forces them to realise that most of the globe's inhabitants do not believe in equality, that such a belief is a Western eccentricity. Since they think it would be shockingly ethnocentric to say 'So what? We Western liberals do believe in it, and so much the better for us', they are stuck.
Daniel October 31, 2010 6:20 pm (Pacific time)
Yes Jay we perceive thru different eyes , but not on having civil discourse . We were among the last generation who had a childhood with out television . I am also in great shape with a resting pulse of 48 and no medical problems from the time I was in the service . I hike , bike , walk, and eat organic .
Jay October 31, 2010 4:17 pm (Pacific time)
Daniel regarding your mention of "fragging", please find more knowlegeable sources on the matter than you may have seen. Of course there is a formal military record, but not real pithy, unless you enjoy reading court martial records and "DR's". Lot of agenda driven myth out there. Of course for some the stereotypes and misinformation is so ingrained that factual info will never register with them as per my experience: http://www.vvof.org/factsvnv.htm // http://www.nam-vet.net/stats1.html //"The term "fragging" was coined for the intentional murder of a superior officer or non-commissioned officer since a fragmentation hand grenade, or "frag", was the weapon used in some of these incidents. Given the total number of these incidents (230) over the 10-plus years of American involement, from a percentage standpoint you were far less likely to be a homicide victim in Vietnam than on the streets of Berkeley, California...it must be understood that intentional homicides, especially of superior officers and non-commissioned officers, have occurred in every war in history. This includes Americans in WWII and Korea..." // http://www.rjsmith.com/war_myth.html#fraggings
Jay October 31, 2010 1:26 pm (Pacific time)
Daniel I'm somewhat familiar with where you grew up. Two of my paternal uncles went to Columbia U in the 1930's (one of them played in the Rose Bowl when they beat Stanford), they went to Law School there and joined law firms in Manhatten, with one living out on Long Island and another near either Union or Washington Square, though I think both are relatively close to each other. I spent time there over the years, and after finishing my undergrad degree went to the World's Fair in '64. The last time I was there was in late '65 after finishing some training at Ft. Benning, Ga., so it's been a while. It has been our country's history for immigrants coming here that in time they "melt" into our national culture. This is not happening for a growing percentage now, in fact multi-culturalism actually promotes cultural isolation in my opinion. It is refreshing to hear people acknowledge that our public school system has been failing many of our students, and the mass media, with a few exceptions, has also continued the dummying process. Some say it's been the labor/union movement that has protected poor teachers from being dismissed, but I believe the problem is far more complex. I'm a big booster of school vouchers for those who cannot afford the vastly superior private school education, especially in urban locations. Of course there are exceptions. I went to excellent public schools, as did my children and now their children. The grandkids are not in an urban setting, and their school board is staffed with top people who are no-nonsense in pedagogical matters, so things are real good at my home location. Observing who is against school vouchers, and whose putting out all the lobbying dollars to stop it, makes it pretty obvious which elected officials have been compromising our kids for political campaign dollars. No doubt where one lives and the life experiences we have create our opinions. I see some things different than you, but it appears that we have far more in common than we do not, so it allows us to have meaningful communication, even though we may have strongly held (differing) opinions. The generations following us may not have that, so unless we find some way(s) to unify our growing racial and cultural differences, bad times ahead. You are spot on about the atrocious diets that far too many people are abusing themselves with. My wife (a retired RD) and I have always maintained an exercise program, and have always eaten healthily, as does the rest of the family. Our friends are the same, in fact I still feel like I'm in my 20's, most of the time.
Daniel October 30, 2010 9:05 pm (Pacific time)
Jay I grew up in little Italy in NY , there was ethnic grouping thru out the city , you can say it was and still is Balkanized. There was also a large number who were displaced after ww2 from eastern europe . Most all have integrated well into the American fabric and have contributed greatly . Jay in the later years of the War there was a racial and cultural breakdown , culminating into fragging incidents . I agree the educational system in too many parts of the country is broken . The foreign born are the most motivated students in our grad schools . Most of the musicians in the philharmonic orchestras of our major cities are foreign born . Too many in this country are ill educated thru the mass media . Too many young brains are polluted by crappy fast food and sugar drinks full of caffeine . Often their parents or parent are adult children poorly educated with little knowledge on proper diet and exercise . I have asked a number of college graduates , who became president after JFK was shot , and whats an android . Most did not know it was LBJ , but every one had an answer for the SCIENCE FICTION android . Jay when we were growing up there was many high paying industrial jobs , requiring little education , today those jobs have moved overseas . We need a highly trained workforce today , thank god we have motivated foreign born coming in to fill the highly technological jobs . What would we have done with out all the skilled migrants who help to create the jobs of our future industries .
Jay October 30, 2010 5:51 pm (Pacific time)
Daniel I also served in the military during the 60's, and spent most of my time with career-oriented personnel, who were of all races and geographical backgrounds. I was not career military myself, but served over 3 years before resigning. The draft was going on at this time, and also saw very few enlisted personnel who re-enlisted, but obviously they did, otherwise the draft would not have ended. The draft also existed during peacetime years after Korea and before the Vietnam build-up. While in the states people of different backgrounds did group according to race and social interests while off duty, overseas most everyone grouped together regardless of race, it was a matter of survival in my various locations. Just the same our American traditions, values and mores were quite similar regardless of where we came from at that time period. As a nation we are balkanizing, if it continues at the current rate, we will have some very serious problems that we may not be able to resolve. It is predicted that future employment is going to require a highly skilled work force. The high drop out rate in our schools will create a permanent underclass that will be fertile ground for manipulation by those hostile to "whatever."
Jay October 30, 2010 2:10 pm (Pacific time)
Daniel the short term predictions that I made about the stock market and an increase in jobs is predicated on a split congress and getting a set tax rate as soon as possible. Depending on the election results (expect many acrimonious vote recounts and claims of voter fraud), the lame duck congress in mid-November should move quickly on the tax situation. As the informed know, approximately 2/3's of our jobs are created by medium/small businesses so the future tax rates should be favorable to them. We should be able to see what happens in those different states and urban areas that continue high taxes/fees on their local businesses. I expect employer/employee migration away from those areas that cannot get their spending under control and continue to raise taxes/fees. There is already considerable evidence that has been happening for a while now. We don't need any more Detroit's. Favorable federal taxes will keep jobs in the states, and will increase them, possibly bringing back some outsourced jobs (hey I'm an optimist). In terms of future legislation and the presidential veto power, my guess is the strategy is to get congressional votes on record for the 2012 election, coupled with the house investigations that will be going on beginning in early 2011, I expect a very bumpy ride that will make it difficult to pass most any legislation outside of required budget-related bills. The senate will be ineffective for the next two years. I think you may be surprised at how the democrats will vote with future house bills. Have you noticed how few democrats are running on their voting record of the last two years? They are running as though they are conservatives. That is what investor's and business people like to see because it minimizes new tax/fee increases. Obama will not profit from his "base" for they will see him as ineffective in fulfilling previous promises (many are already disenchanted), and the conservatives will be supportive of those who prevent Obama from pursuing an agenda they loath, which is reflected in national polls. The Tea party will continue it's growth and influence; even now many of it's detractors are realizing that they have just energized it's growth with their insults. That has backfired bigtime. Regardless of an improved economy, Obama will have people in his party taking him on for leadership by late next spring which will weaken him. Have you been looking at the different state governor and legislature races? The re-drawing of house districts is coming up. The election results in the individual states will have very long term consequences. They are trending towards one party right now.
Daniel October 29, 2010 7:11 pm (Pacific time)
Jay you should know the guy at the top takes the credit or blame for the economy . If your prediction comes about Obama WILL be praised for it . I personally think its much too optimistic . I also do not see the Republicans working with Obama , it will take a 2/3 majority to overcome his veto . When I served in the 1960s the most common value the men had was a desire to be home and away from the service . I only met a very few who re upped . There was a great variety of backgrounds in wealth , race and religion . Everyone worked together, most grouped together socially with buddies of similar upbringing . I also served with US foreign born solders , their values were just as high if not more than their American born counter parts . The Republicans will be in disarray by the next Presidential election with the tea party in opposition with the more intellectual and moderate party members . If the economy has improved with a decline in unemployment Obama will win big ! .
Jay October 29, 2010 4:38 pm (Pacific time)
Daniel I recall many years ago when I was a GTA (graduate teaching assistant) and because of a family emergency I had to leave school for that current semester. Well Uncle Sam came a calling and after some extra military schools that I attended, and overseas deployments it was several years before I got back to grad school. What I did learn back in the 60's, was that no matter where my troops were from, we all shared common American cultural traditions, mores, and values. Today this cultural binding has been waning in favor of racial group identification. In other words, a balkaniztion has been going on for many years now, and it is picking up speed. Earlier this week I heard a speech by our "leader" to an hispanic group where he admonished them to be sure to vote so as to "punish our enemies", and that "republicans need to get in back of the bus." I could not believe my ears. I am not a republican but felt anger for them to be spoken about in this way by our President. Sure there is campaign rhetoric during election periods, but these comments were more than a bit divisive. If someone of the opposite party said something similar would you have commented? I remain an optimist, but it's becoming more of a struggle. We seem to be recycling the same leaders who simply are out of their depth when it comes to responsible governing. I do disagree with you about an improved economy helping Obama to get re-elected, while that scenario has happened in the past, I don't believe it will make any difference this time. I expect someone like Hillary Clinton, maybe even her, to signal a run against him in mid 2011. Remember Ted Kennedy running against Carter in 1980? It really weakened Carter and the same may happen this time. Also the "internet" is going to play a major influence, as it is now.
Daniel October 29, 2010 12:20 am (Pacific time)
Jay I agree this country has gone down in many ways from 1964 , more so from 1946 . As far as being THE world power . On the other hand there has been some social progress during this period . I see the influx of new migrants as one of the saving graces that slows down the internal deterioration . I use the example of 50% of the high tech engineers in silicon valley being foreign born . There are many small and large companies started , run or owned by foreign born US citizens and permanent residents . The days of the high paying union jobs are gone ! Too much of our basic industry has been sent to China . As much as things have changed from 1964 in this country , in the poorest nations it has become far worse . There are more people in slavery worldwide today then in anytime in history .
Daniel October 28, 2010 11:21 pm (Pacific time)
Jay I hope you are correct , the next year will tell . If this is the case Obama will be guaranteed reelection and go down in history as one of the Greatest President . He will be known as the person who unified America , ended political statement and help create millions of jobs . . Make a note to remind yourself of this weeks prediction , refer to it in one year . Time is the judge !
Jay October 28, 2010 12:36 pm (Pacific time)
Daniel I certainly am no soothsayer, but feel quite confident that after next weeks election the stock market will tick up. In my opinion when congress sets our tax rates, which should have been done before they went into recess (that was incredibly iresponsible and such transparent political cowardice), private business will begin to hire and dial up their business engines. Sales after Thanksgiving will be better than last years and employers will start hiring slowly at first, then by early next year hiring will really pick up appreciably. Gold and silver prices will start to decrease by February. Having a congress divided by party helps business by minimizing new legislation that may ding them via new taxes/fees. Of course states and munincipal governments are a significant problem in that area. Not too difficult to see which local governments cause the most problems for business and their political affiliation. Daniel in terms of voter fraud a quick review on who has been prosecuted and convicted going back to say JFK, the democrats are far and away the leaders in that infamous stat. Rumor and inuendo is trumped by the offical record. Please note that when Pelosi was sworn in as Speaker the unemployment rate was about half of what it is now. I stand by my earlier post dealing with quality of life prior to 1964. It has steadily deteriorated since that time. Prima facie.
I hope you're right, but I think you are putting wishful thinking ahead of the hard reality. I, of course, am only a bystander on this topic but I take my cue from many knowlegable Americans who see things even worse than I am projecting. The U.S. has frittered away it's great potential and once gone, there is no way of getting it back. I agree that the murder of JKF was the turning point and it has been downhill ever since.
Daniel October 27, 2010 9:23 pm (Pacific time)
Jay one more point on Multiculturalism , 25% of the the medical doctors in the USA are foreign born . Over 50% of all the high tech engineers in silicon valley are foreign born . A great number of the tech companies were cofounded or created by foreign born , including Yahoo and Intel . When I taught at a large eastern University many years ago I observed the great number of foreign born students in the hard science and engineering Grad schools . That was over 35 years ago , the percentage is higher today .
Daniel October 27, 2010 8:58 pm (Pacific time)
Jay your data does not support such a rapid rise in employment . Jay what list ? What area do you expect this rapid employment growth in ? Can you site any specific time when employment went thru such an enormous uptick in ONE YEAR ? Jay it will take an unprecedented growth to support your prediction . With the nature of the current political system I see both parties continuing to working against each other causing stagnation . I also do not see the Republicans being the party of job creation , from their recent past history . Jay I have noticed great voter fraud over the years the worst example being the Diebold voting machines rigged for the Republicans . Jay its true , the very worst policies have occurred in the last 10 years . Two wars , tax cuts for the very wealthy , selling out of American jobs to China and unregulated corruption on wall street . Did you just wake up to this fact !
Jay October 27, 2010 9:21 am (Pacific time)
Daniel below is a very brief list supporting my view based on empirical evidence, thus reasoning is prima facie. Look at the quality of life data pre-1964 and currently for any of the below locations. As far as the economy upticking, well the stock market and the business investors I know, including myself, prefer to see a congress and executive branch held by different political parties because it allows for a slow deliberative process, i.e. , it is more business friendly and allows for more less risk investment, and more "private" job creation. All we have had lately has been horrible policies, a growing of government, and out of control spending. That will change if the future election goes as per polls. But have you seen the reports of voter fraud and how are overseas military has been having their votes essentially cancelled in blue areas? Brazil, England, Germany, Denmark, Detroit, Gary Indiana, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC, Atlanta, Baltimore, or any urban area considered politically "blue."
Daniel October 27, 2010 12:51 am (Pacific time)
Jay I have stated my reasons why I belive a multicultural country is better than a mostly WASP country . Please state your reasoning behind your viewpoint .
Daniel October 27, 2010 12:46 am (Pacific time)
Jay it would make me nothing but happy to see the economic prosperity you speak of . But than again you may be the guy telling people there were WMD in IRAQ . Mine is the minority viewpoint because of the brainwashing and the dumbing down by the MSM , it just proves my point . Your pie in the sky economic prediction has no basis in fact , if so please provide the data .
Jay October 26, 2010 11:50 am (Pacific time)
Daniel very few people share the viewpoints that you covered, but I believe you are use to that. I just have a much higher confidence that the majority of Americans see through the propaganda the media pushes. Just look how the mainstream media has now become less and less of a player, while other media is growing. They are attracting people because they appeal to their intelligence. Next year at this time the unemployment rate will be halved, and the economy will be growing at a good clip. The reason for this turn around will be obvious, and history clearly shows why it will happen.
Logical fallacy: The past does not equal the future.
Daniel October 26, 2010 1:33 am (Pacific time)
Daniel J you will not see the rush north of the 60's there is no draft . The change of the house and Senate will cause political stagnation that may result in another economic downturn , this WILL effect Canada is a very negative way economically . Jay I remember when JFK was running for president and there was a great opposition because many though he would take his orders from the Pope ! The religious servants of the church at the time wore strange black outfits with large medallions and headdress . Many Americans questioned their loyalty to their religion or to the USA . I would say for the most part most catholics seems to be loyal . A few hard core fanatics killed a few thousand Americans , after we bombed the crap out of Iraq and stationed troops in their holy land . In the following years we have killed hundreds of thousands of civilians in Iraq , and caused suffering for millions . There are over one Billion Moslems on the planet most are peaceful religious and hard working . A small percentage have been radicalized by observing what the war has done to family or friend . If the United Stated suffered the same level of violence we dished out on the middle east we would have the right to scream about evil islam . Its not the moslems who are knocking at my door to convert me , its the watchtower !
Daniel October 26, 2010 12:38 am (Pacific time)
Make that Violent not violet people , no offense to blue people . Just wanted to add that as much of a melting pot that the US is , it still has a long way to go . But we are in many ways light years ahead of Europe . Hitler also underestimated the USA calling us a mongrel nation .
Daniel October 26, 2010 12:18 am (Pacific time)
Yes Jay I do believe Multiculturalism is the way to go . It is what makes North America great , and has for many years . Europe is having problems today because they never truly learned to blend like the US has . North America has been graced by the migration of the best minds in the world . Look at the staff of any emergency room or high tech company . Would the US be better off as a WASP country , I think not . Of course the original native population may wish nobody migrated here and the White Anglo Saxon Protestants sure caused a lot of problems . Yes there are small minded war mongers in the media and behind it that have been causing racial and religious hatred . This has happened with every new group migrating into this country . Its a way to sell papers or war toys . Jay crime rates have always been higher for the poor . First they blamed the violent Irish migrants than the violent Italians than the violent etc etc etc . Its the nature of the melting pot . Jay you have observed the US is a very cultural diverse country . If you have traveled extensively thru it as I have , you can see an incredible variety of culture and knowledge . Much of this culture is NOT WASP based . You can look at crime stats but I look at the people and listen to their stories , and see what art , music , scientific or philosophic knowledge or talent they have . And yes I have observed stupid violet lazy people of ALL stripe and race . The mass media is whats dumbs down the population and puts them at odds with one another .
Jay Boutain October 25, 2010 6:22 pm (Pacific time)
Daniel J we have cities far larger than Calgary that have far more diversity. Rep. Ellison from Minnesota is a Muslim and was sworn into congress with a Koran that was/is in the Thomas Jefferson Library. I think it's great that both our countries have opprotunities for people of all races and ethic backgrounds to hold elective office as long as they observe our respective constitutions. Unfortunately a historical review around the world amply demonstrates that some religions pressure for changes that are not wanted. Time will tell, but looking at what's going on in different european countries suggests that some bumpy weather is coming up for future generations. May I suggest a video by a very well know directer/producer of a leftist background that shows how we celebrate our diversity via the use of humor. Based on an actual event, but it is the producer Zucker that drives home how welcoming diversity is. An interesting 2 minutes for open minded. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixiYZ9DPk8o
Jay Boutain October 25, 2010 2:58 pm (Pacific time)
So Daniel are you suggesting that multi-culturalism is superior to "Wasp?" If so, why? For example compare crime rates and how that impacts quality of life. Daniel J comparing populations of Calgary to some towns in America not making a case? Well maybe you should research the diversity that exists in our political system down to dog catcher up to President. Now that makes a "case" I would hope even for someone educated in the Canadian school system, maybe not though.
Comparing a city of 1.1 million to small centres of less than100,000 and 50,000 is comparing apples and oranges.
anonymous from Calgary October 25, 2010 7:29 am (Pacific time)
People did not realize what was they done. And not all Calgarians support this mayor due to his religion. People have never lived in predominately muslim society and they have no idea what it is. People who voted to him are politically underdeveloped. New mayor is like a magnet placed in Calgary for muslims in Canada and around the world. If this trend will continue, I think a lot's of people will have to seek asylum in US soon.
Au contraire. If the Republicans gain one or both houses next week, I expect to see a steady stream of Americans coming north, even more so than in the 1960s.
Daniel October 24, 2010 5:49 pm (Pacific time)
Daniel J it is good you voted for Naheed , altho you should be more knowledgeable of his policies . Shocking that its the first time in 4 decades that you could find someone worth voting for , even on a local level . The US on the Senatorial level is mostly big money players right to left . The congress is more open and has some varied representation from the left to right extremes . The local level offers the greatest choice and has the most personal effect on ones life . I remember when immigration opened up in Canada in the 1960's from the commonwealth . It changed Toronto from a WASP town to Multi cultural overnight . Thank God ! It brought some problems and brought out some racism , but overall it helped Canada prosper . The migration help create the engineering talent and the medical and scientific brain trust your country lives off of today . If you find Calgary so political repressive you should move to a more progressive area , Canada has lots of them . Maybe its the great weather that keeps you there .
Anonymous October 24, 2010 2:25 pm (Pacific time)
i pray that the US will never look at Canada and put more muslims in political power. I say this as a Canadian who is looking at Europe and shaking my head and wondering when it will happen to us. Muslims have a sword weilding Prophet as their highest moral example....this is scary. how can you trust a man who follows a Prophet who killed people who did not hold his beliefs? Did Prophet Mohammed hold democratic elections to gain power? no he killed the opposition....and we are supose to trust those that follow him that they will uphold our democractic systems? that is so naive. Canadians stop being stupid, pick up a history book and learn that not all religions are good.
UrKiddingRight October 23, 2010 8:51 am (Pacific time)
Daniel Johnson is again showing his anti-US sentiment. The US is much more of a melting pot than Canada, including when it comes to Muslims. Witness a Muslim mayor and Orthodox Jew deputy mayor in Teaneck, N.J. Or Dearborn, Michigan and the surrounding area which has been predominantly Muslim for a very long time.
If Muslims accept the fundamental principles of western political thinking, fine, although they might catch a lot of grief for doing that from a rather significant portion of the middle east Muslim community. The key is not so much whether they are Muslim (whatever that means), but whether they support western legal concepts or Sharia legal concepts. Whether or not "Sharia" is Muslim is besides the point, but if anyone, Muslim or not, seeks to implement Sharia law into western political societies, Canadian, US or otherwise, there will (and should be)a lot of push back. And, by the way, Sharia is not "liberal" but rather EXTREMELY conservative.
Calgary, pop 1.1 million and growing, Teaneck, NJ: pop 38,000, Dearborn, Michigan, pop 98,000. I don't think you've made your case. DJ
JT October 20, 2010 12:47 pm (Pacific time)
I am so proud of Calgary! Alberta seemed so hopelessly Conservative that I have contemplated moving to BC, but my faith has been restores :) I too, come from an immigrant family, Nenshi inspires me and I hope to one day run for Alderman in my city!
Natalie October 20, 2010 2:24 am (Pacific time)
You compare Calgary and Alberta to the Republican Party. (I assume RP of America, since I don't remember any mentioning of Canada's RP). You critisize US in general because of the RP's politics. So, if you start feeling good about your own province without negative association with the RP, which is associated with US in its turn, criticism of the US would get less harsh. (it's called woman's logic, better known as intuition, if you wonder where this comment came from)
Natalie October 19, 2010 7:50 pm (Pacific time)
Oh, so, that's where the source of your stinging cynicism is hidden...unhappy about the place where you live. Ever thought about moving? :)
Your comment is a non sequitur. Please elaborate if you want to make yourself clear.
Allison October 19, 2010 3:22 pm (Pacific time)
Good synopsis. I too consider the Sun a rag...ha!
Daniel October 19, 2010 1:22 pm (Pacific time)
Thank god we are starting to see a little multiculturalism up north .
Anonymous October 19, 2010 12:15 pm (Pacific time)
We have numerous elected muslims including a U.S. Congressman. Maybe it's Canada that is observing our political system? I find it incredulous that it would be the other way around, just saying.
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