Chretien: We're best (Canucklehead alert)

Toronto Sun ^ | 05/15/03 | Maria McClintock

[What Is Ain't]

MONTREAL -- Prime Minister Jean Chretien says Canada is a better country than the United States because we've got gun control, abortion rights and no death penalty.

Chretien issued the shopping list of Canada's virtues at his final Montreal fundraising dinner last night.

"This is why we have gun control in Canada, because we are a different society ... We don't have big debates on the rights of abortion because we decided a long time ago in Canada it is the choice of women, which is not the case in a lot of U.S. states.

'DIFFERENT SOCIETY'

"That is why we abolished capital punishment, because we believed in a civil society, because we believe capital punishment is not a remedy for social ills," Chretien told 1,200 Grits who paid $500 each to dine with him and his wife, Aline.

The PM said the proposed controversial rules banning all corporate donations to political parties and putting a $1,000 limit on other donations will bring in significant democratic reforms."

His remarks on the new political financing rules were met with silence, much as they were when he made them in Ottawa two weeks ago at a similar fundraising dinner.

But he bragged that's why the Liberals were in government -- because they were prepared to make tough decisions.

"You have the NDP who think a good singsong will cure all the problems of the world, rather than take the responsibility," he said.

"And you have the Liberal party of Canada ... I'm a proud Liberal and a proud Canadian."

SEPARATISM OVER

Chretien took the opportunity to give himself a pat on the back for keeping Quebec in Canada, and declared a victory over separatism.

"My friends, in all modesty, I think that we can state without hesitation that when it comes to the important file of national unity we can say, 'mission accomplished.'"

Now that Quebec is being led by Liberal Premier Jean Charest, Chretien said, "Everything is in place for my successor to win a large majority of seats in Quebec at the next general election."

Liberal leadership front-runner Paul Martin was in the audience last night, but Chretien didn't single him out.

[Paul Atreides]

abortion rights and no death penalty.

Disgusting how the evil can say that with a straight face.

[Dan from Michigan]

Where would Canada be economicaly without the US?

Thank you, next question.

BTW - I'll give you a good reason why the US is better.......NO QUEBEC!!!

[Numbers Guy]

We don't have big debates on the rights of abortion because we decided a long time ago in Canada it is the choice of women, which is not the case in a lot of U.S. states

Would it be that this was true. I'd like to see a list of U.S. states where abortion is illegal.

[McGavin999]

Let me get this straight. They have to allow in millions of immigrants because they don't have enough people to sustain their economy without them, but they hail abortion which kills of the offspring of their own people. Yeah, that's smart.

[Alberta's Child]

If Canada is so much better than the United States, then why is it that the five hundred Canadian dollars each person spent on this Chretien event would only buy a McDonald's Happy Meal down here in the U.S.?

[Rudder]

"My friends, in all modesty, I think that we can state without hesitation that when it comes to the important file of national unity we can say, 'mission accomplished.'"

I wonder what the "mission" was.

It certainly was not enhancing national unity, which right now is at the lowest ever in Canada. Newfoundland is revolting against the central government over mismanagement of critical fishing limits and the west is contemplating outright secession.

From The Freedom Insititute in Canada: "Chretien 'stands with Chirac for no other apparent reason than transient reassurance that someone likes him."

There cannot be any pragmatism in Chretien's approach, France has nothing to offer except old, putrid and useless European grace.

[MightyMouseToSaveThe Day]

Seriously. Twisted logic that you can kill the innocent without compunction yet spare the guilty.

[NovemberCharlie]

I wonder what the "mission" was.

Preventing Quebec from seceding.

[goldstategop]

Of course the Liberals in Quebec are conservatives but its like Jean Chretien to take the credit anyway. Nancy Pelosi and Tom Daschle would be thrilled by he has done for Canada.

[Little Bill]

My Great Uncle, Canadian Vet WW1, wounded at Blois, commenting on the frogs, "They hid in the woods like dogs."

[hgro]

Canada is a country owned by crooked labor unions and psuedo French dumb clucks.

[sheik yerbouty]

Al Qanada.

[shrinkermd]

If this man speaks for Canada, both he and the Canadians have a real problem. Seemingly, there is little reason to point out alleged superior differences with an ally and a friend. Such statements are usually part of a political disagreement with a real or imagined adversary.

Canada may believe as the article states, but what relevance does that have for enhancing and maintaining relations with the US?

[Rudder]

Preventing Quebec from seceding.

Damn good point.

Was it worth it?

[facedown]

...Chretien told 1,200 Grits who paid $500 each to dine with him...

Down here we dine on grits, as a side to three over easy and ham.

[Arpege92]

OK....who's got the shovel?