Posted on 08/25/2004 4:37:12 PM PDT by bubman
OTTAWA - A group of vocal Liberal MPs appealed to Prime Minister Paul Martin to think twice about taking part in the U.S. missile defence program, as party members gathered for their annual caucus retreat.
Ontario MP Carolyn Parrish, who called Americans "bastards" in the runup to the war in Iraq, used a new term on Wednesday to voice her opinion.
"We are not joining a coalition of the idiots," she told reporters. "We are joining a coalition of the wise."
When asked about Parrish's comments, Martin said that kind of language was uncalled for. He declined to say whether he would reprimand her.
Some MPs at the meeting asked the prime minister to delay his decision on the controversial program until after the U.S. presidential elections in November.
However Defence Minister Bill Graham said the U.S. elections won't influence Canada's decision timetable.
"We'll have to see if the conditions are right and we'll have to see what agreement is reached," said Graham.
"If the Americans said, for example, that this would mean Star Wars or something like that we would absolutely say no."
U.S. President George W. Bush wants to create a system that will shoot down missiles aimed at the U.S. Canada has agreed to exploratory talks.
In a private meeting with Martin on Monday, NDP Leader Jack Layton warned his party would aggressively oppose joining the program when Parliament resumes in October.
With a minority government, Martin needs support from opposition MPs to avoid defeat in a parliamentary vote.
That would be interesting... If anything happens with China and N. Korea, I bet Canada will be clamoring for a missile defense system of their own.
We might even experience an influx of Canadians over our borders... Should we turn away all the liberal ones? We don't want them diluting our population.
Refugee status is hereby granted, but please...don't bring too many with you....we already have the libs to keep us entertained LOL
No offence, but it's safe to say that Canada is useless. They serve no purpose and are irrelevant. Sad really.
I'm telling you Viking, this country is going to the dogs. There is a visceral hatred of GWB and a undercurrent of anti-Americanism that permeates the collective consciousness. If you are in Quebec, it is even worse. My wife and I are seriously considering moving to the states (if you guys will have us!) NY is too liberal but I like FLA!
Canada stands for nothing. Utterly worthless.
In math they call it an Empty Set.
Canada is going to bail on the project and then expect that we'll protect them when North Korea or whoever chucks a nuke at Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, or Victoria. I doubt like hell we'd stop a nuke from flattening Montreal...come to think of it, most Canadians wouldn't either!
Bush visited Mexico shortly after his term began ... it was never a secret PM Chretien of Canada (at the time) would have preferred a Gore victory in the last presidential election ... has GWB ever visited Canada as President?
Memo: If there's a big rock or a big missile incoming to Toronto or Montreal,,,,,ignore it.
All we have to do is say that we will defend against missles directed against the US. Any missles aimed at Canada we will let go. You can have asylum, get here before we close the borders.
I guess being the drab, wallflower stepchild to the dazzling, mighty USA all these years kinda grated on the libs up there. I really feel sorry for them. Look at what they have to do to get any attention at all....kidding! Canada? I hate those @#%$%&%*
I too want to apply for refugee status in the US. My government is very distasteful with their words and I didn't realize till now just how undignified the current Canadian government is. If only they would chose their words wisely like in the US when politicians voice out their opinions. At least there, they don't call people names, they simply use some sort of SPIN to mean the same thing.
Actually, my fiance and I are hoping to live in the US. I'm just waiting for her to petition me. I am actually a Filipino immigrant turned Citizen of Canada and I've always wanted to be an American since I was a kid. I even promised myself that I will join the US military when I become an American.
I am an aircraft mechanic by trade and when 911 happened, I was still in college. I watched as the demand and my dream of becoming an aircraft mechanic dissappear right infront of me. It's been a year now since I graduated and I still can't find a job. This makes me very angry. If only I can join the US military to have my vengence against the terrorists and their damn beliefs. Unfortunately for me, my government is nothing more than a whimp and I don't want to join a Canadian Military, who's trigger is in the hands of cowards and hippies.
I've always believed in the US and I believe in their crusade against terrorism. I want to be an American!
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