Since the CP candidate is somewhat credible, I believe that will be enough to draw support from Hedy Fry. Thus allowing Svend to slip in

Scott, thats an interesting synopsis and I will have to look at the polls closer to 23 Jan but as it stands right now I plan on voting NDP to get rid of corrupt Liberals - letting the Tories into office in Ottawa.

Good Bye Hedy! She’s turning 65 in August ..time to retire!!
Svend Robinson will work very hard for his constitents. He has proven this in the past and will do so under any of those minority governments.
He will be on guard for thee!!

Paul you are day dreaming my friend.

Yes time for an improvement in Vancouver Centre! I’ve heard Hedy Fry called insensitive by a wide range of people in our riding, frustrated with her arrogant responses to serious concerns. Her manner at all candidates meetings is abrasive. More of a political opportunist than of service to the people.

Svend Robinson has a track record that speaks for itself. The hardest working MP. People rightfully have concerns about his incident with the ring. Have you ever done something shameful, a real lapse of judgement, a mistake? You wish the ground would open and swallow you to erase it. Well Svend did just that, but very much in the public eye, no ground to swallow him up. He, like all of us, deserves a second chance. I expect that with the incident of the ring in people’s minds he will work harder than ever to apologize for this. He always won his riding in Burnaby by a very wide margin because of his service to the people. People appreciate a member of parliament who listens and responds. We have an opportunity to have Svend represent us in parliament. I cannot imagine a better situation for us in Vancouver Centre.

The polls are showing a strong Conservative majority government will be elected. WOW! THe worse nightmare!! An elected NDP must be there to voice and stand up for our rights. Svend Robinson must be elected to do this job and will do a fine one.

the Vancouver gay village must be in this riding ??

David Suzuki endorses Svend:
“his total commitment to social justice and the environment”

But where is the Green party ?
Out to spoil their own cause !

Good riding for Svend to go international from.
And have his independent thinking be recognized !

Calling all Red Tories, support Svend to block re-election of corrupt Liberals.
Calling all Greens, elect an MP who will fight for proportional represention so some Greens can actually get elected to the Parliament of Canada.

SVEND HIM PACKING - TO OTTAWA!

Hedy’s invincibility has been pierced by Hogtown corruption.

Green and Red Tories had first peel of soft core Liberals.

A fate worse than death, for a Hardcore Liberal, is a Tory Bean Counter.

When the Tory possibility is realized, Hedy will be abandoned !

(edited) Politicians are kept in low esteem as is, because they steal our tax-dollars, but this fellow is beyond the pale. Keep criminals out of government don’t vote NDP in Vancouver Center vote liberal and keep criminals out. Jack Layton –the biggest phoney — now admits having gone to a private clinic to get his hernia fixed. Jack says private clinics are good for him –the powerful– but only public clinic for the little chinese. When a hungry man steals a loaf of bread he/she is jailed. But when Svend Robinson steals a $10000 dollar ring he can run for parliament, but he should NOT WIN.

(edited) Many politicians are held in low esteem by the public for a variety of reasons - some are legitimate reasons (e.g., SOME of the Liberals diverting millions of tax dollars to their cronies…) others less so. Some members of the public find it very easy to make sweeping generalizations about politicians devoid of reasonable critical thinking on their part. The truth is that ALL parties have a number of hard-working, oustanding MP’s who sacrifice for their constituents (constituents who often have unreasonable expectations of perfection for politicians) and ALL parties have less stellar candidates who are motivated by ego and personal ambition. No political party has a monopoly on virtue, and anybody who thinks so just isn’t thinking, period. As for Svend, he definitely has his flaws…but then so does Heddy and the others. Svend was elected for 25 years by the people of Burnaby for one reason in particular - he was a notably outstanding member of parliament in terms of attending to local constituents’ needs. Hedy has been truly abysmal in this regard. Try to vote thoughtfully based on the overall platform of a party and strengths of a candidate.

I too have problems with the idea of Svend returning to parliament but only because of the ring affair and the ‘light slap on the wrist’ he received. It is a good race to watch — can Hedy hold off the Tory tide, or will VanCentre swing right or left? I’m betting there will be a slight bounce-back for the Grits, getting Hedy a slim margin of 300-500 vote win.

Svend Robinson intended to steal a ring that cost thousands of dollars (I’ve seen the range as $35,000 - $64,000.00). Apparently he took the ring out to his car and went back to the sale. Once he figured out, a day or two later, that the jig was up, he turned himself in. It was clear that this was a pre-meditated act. In pleading guilty, Mr. Robinson acknowledged that he intended to steal the ring.

Somehow, he received a conditional discharge instead of a suspended sentence. He was given the opportunity to avoid a criminal record. He began to blame his actions on mental illness now resolved.

In trying to minimize his accountability for his actions, Svend Robinson has done a grave dis-service to thousands of Canadians who are suffering from mental illness and who have never contemplated theft, committed theft, let alone theft over $5000.00. His basic argument seems to be that I was mentally ill and therefore not resposible. It is clear that Svend Robinson did not meet the test for “not criminally responsible by reason of mental disorder”. Those folks that do meet the NCRMD test get 30 days inpatient psychiatric remands and when you see them in the docket and hear them speak, you can tell that they have serious health issues.

I feel for them. I don’t feel for Svend Robinson. Not a bit. By saying that his mental illness is now resolved, he intimates that those suffering from bi-polar disorder, stress or whatever he claims can take a few pills and be healed like him. It is not as easy as that.

This was a pre-meditated theft of a ring worth many thousands of dollars. Go watch a few court sessions and see how many conditional discharges you see ordered for actions like that. None.

Svend Robinson has severe character issues. When push comes to shove, he will chuck anyone under a bus. He will minimize acccountability at all costs.

He is a disgrace to the NDP. Vote for him if you will but make no mistake what he is about.

(edited) If everyone is so worried about Svend Robinson getting in there are two things you can do:
1) Vote Liberal - if you enjoy being ripped off by the government. Mr Dithers is quite possibly the worst Liberal PM EVER!
2) Vote Conservative.

Simple!

Hedy Fry - “There are crosses burning on the lawns of Prince George as we speak Mr Speaker!!!!” Arrogant fear mongering liberal or out and out liar?

Svend Robinson - Stole a $50,000 ring, got caught, cries on camera while while using the excuse of Post Traumtic Stress Disorder due to a fall while hiking a few years earlier, goes to court pretended to be bi-polar, got off Scott-free. Hmmmmm… actor or liar?

Wow, what choices. Ask yourselves why has Svend picked this particular riding to run in.

VOTE FOR SVEND.

Why??

Because only Svend or Hedy Fry can possibly win. And Hedy Fry is atrocious. And so are the Liberals, who Hedy Fry represents.

VOTE SVEND, because nothing is worse than the Liberals and Hedy Fry.

Our riding clearly shows how hard it is for the individual constituent to have his/her vote be meaningful.
I am a capable, hard-working single-parent/worker/student in the riding, who struggles to make ends meet. I want to vote for the candidate who will be a voice for low-to moderate income constituents wanting respect, strength and opportunities within this community and in the country.
The Conservatives offer tax breaks should a person be able to pay out for a service in the first place (i.e. education, lower GST rate) - out of reach for me. The Liberals offer a bit more in the way of educational grants and a promise of future quality child care availability, but Federally they have a dismal reputation and locally Hedy’s availability for her constituents and her sometimes exaggerated commentary diminish the worth of a Liberal vote. The NDP propose a look at low-income student housing and a re-evaluation of tuition fees, as well as a general platform to support the “under-dog”. The NDP has a strong national momentum right now (not to win of course, but to gain seats)… but I still don’t know how I tell my kids why I would vote for Svend who recently was caught stealing over $5K. NPD or Liberal, must I dismiss ethical integrity in order to have representation in Ottawa. Is the message to our youth that anything goes if you can wiggle out of it and keep on going?

Only the Liberals and NDP can win?! Is that why the Conservatives took a full six percentage of the decided voter poll ending 07Jan? The riding is changing and Tony is a moderate Tory with progressive views. I am going to say this will be a three way race come election day.

Stephen Harper wants to be PM at ANY cost, and he has no intention of keeping any of his “promises”. His party has a HUGE hidden agenda and is enormously funded by the religious right, with a lot of money pouring in from the good ol’ USA. Harper himself stated to a recent meeting of right wing religious fundamentalist that their members in the USA were a “beacon of light to us here in Canada”. I do NOT want religion controlling gov’t in Canada, I believe firmly in the separation of church and state, and I also believe that if religions want to get involved in politics they should PAY TAXES like the rest of us! A conservative (read “Reform-Alliance-NOT PROGRESSIVE-Conservative) gov’t would be one of hate, intolerance and division.

I became an equal citizen in this country when this liberal government passed the gay marrige law. They produced this legislation that the consertaves would like to repeal, and the NDP will never have the power to pass.
As well, this government kept us out of the Iraq war. If Harper was PM we would now be counting Canadian casualties from Iraq, paying for a war, and be a terrorist target.
Despite their flaws, I’ll be voting Liberal in Vancouver Center.

Interesting! At Hill & Knowlton’s Election Predictor, the two latest polls (Jan.14th) from Ipsos-Reid and Strategic Counsel are predicting Svend Robinson and the New Democrats will win Vancouver Centre. Look in the right hand menu on their website for the top two (latest) polls and click on ‘View Prediction’. The pop-up window displays the predicted number of seats across Canada. In the upper right-hand corner click on ‘View Affected Seats’. Of course this is just two polls, not a crystal ball, nor an actual election. Still it is interesting…

http://predictor.hillandknowlton.ca/

SVEND ROBINSON will be crown King (or Queen) on
the eve of January 23/06. He will serve us proudly in Vancover Centre.

The best choice for us!

Actually i think Fogarassy has over 20% in the latest polls in the riding. Each of them picked from Hedy’s Ballot boxes. Each time a liberal voter moves to the fogarassy camp, it’s like one less vote Svend needs to win. So if u look at the graph for this riding youll see that the NDP should slip past the post. Very very close though. 500 votes or less though, either way.

Actually, scott, the numbers on the graph above are a week old - a lifetime in politics!
But you’re still right I think.
Go Tony go!

I met Svend years ago and I found him to be an articulate but somewhat smug fellow. Almost condescending. Here we are, years later, and he’s a convicted thief with bi-polar illness. Hardly an ideal candidate. I don’t know why he ran. Maybe he thought the large gay contingent in the West End would help him in. If that’s the case then he’s just another political opportunist. I think he needs to retire and write a book or maybe be a tv host. He is certainly not fit to be in public office anymore.

The trend to Svend in Vancouver Centre continues according to the two latest polls at Hill & Knowlton (See my earlier post above.)he will carry Vancouver Centre. Of course this is not written in stone - we still gotta vote, eh?
Red Tories who want to put the ‘progressive’ back in conservative should consider supporting Svend.
And Greens - Svend is your best hope of getting proportional representation enacted.
Think about it.

DougP

Dont you mean if you want to plus the thief back in Parliament vote NDP?! Tony has worked hard for the Conservatives in Vancouver Centre and I doubt anyones sanity if they want to send someone who admittedly has a mental disorder to Parliament. I would even actively vote Liberal if the polls showed the NDP may carry the riding. OMG I cant believe I just said that!!!

(edited) We are trying to clean the House of Commons from corruption. Voting for an admitted convicted jewelry thief Svend Robinson is crazy. Sending another thief to Ottawa when trying to boot the thief Paul Martin is insane. Don’t vote NDP. Mr Robinson claims to have a mental illness, working under pressure this patient my struck out and hurt a fellow MP. Sending another mental case to the House of Commons is silly. Don’t vote NDP. Layton is trying to empty our pockets through even more taxes and give it to his NDP friends and to African foreign aid. How much more taxes is the NDP going to unload on the working people of this riding? Don’t take a chance if you value your maney Don’t vote NDP. Layton had hernia surgery in a PRIVATE Toronto clinic, yet he says that for us little chinese people only public clinics are allowed. This phoney thief and liar is dangerous. Don’t vote NDP. Remember the Casino-Porch Glen Clark NDPer. Don’t send another thief to the House of Commons, value your hard earned money.

DougP

I wrote that one in way too much of a hurry, sorry. I was trying to say if you want to put a thief back in Parliament vote NDP. On a lighter note shouldnt he be running for the Liberals as they are a bunch of thieves as well? I happen to be true-blue (gay) Tory who totally and unequivocally supports gay marriage but will not vote for a party just because they support gay marriage if said party has nothing to offer me ie the NDP or the Liberals. You have to look at the wider picture in politics and I find the Tories have the policies that I agree with most. I will vote, I always do. I always say those who DONT vote have no right to complain when things go wrong. The last thing I want representing this riding is Svend Robinson as he is a total embarassment!

My prediction for Vancouver Centre? Tories will take enough votes away from Hedy to let Svend squeek through by less than 400 votes.

This riding will be close. I think the edge is to Hedy right now… just because it’s Hedy. Her vote will go down though because people are sick and tired of the Liberals. If the Con does well, it could put Svend in the winner’s column.

For Wong & Wong,
Here’s what a prominent and well-respected member of the Chinese-Canadian community has to say:
“I have known and worked with Svend for many years, and I know that he will be a strong advocate for all of his constituents, including Chinese Canadians. On issues like the head tax, fair taxation, immigration policies, and human rights, he can always be counted on. I look forward to seeing Svend back.”
Jenny Kwan MLA, Vancouver-Mount Pleasant

The NDP is the best way to go trust me on that as a 65 year old voter lived in Canada all my life. From Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax. With my experience the NDP are the best choice if they ever win majority (which will not happen till people have a taste of the conservatives (which I have had) than NDP will have a chance of majority) the NDP would make Canada into a Country which all would want to live in, work, and educate their children. With my experience as a voter I believed the unbelievable (liberals) and turning our country into a US state (conservatives) and than the NDP some mistakes but nothing compared to other parties. The party to trust, the party that fights for Canada and its citizens and knows what Canadians need and want! Vote NDP trust them and you will not regret it = ). Best wishes to all candidates in all ridings and parties! GOOD LUCK!

Don not forget to vote January 23 2006
NDP!

When Martin loses the election I have the perfect job for him - Canadian Envoy to Afghanistan!

Anyone who believes the liberals can win this election must be strung out on halucigenic drugs!

Any update on the polls for Vancouver Centre as the latest we have is for 07 January? Thanks

I still say its a hard riding to vote in and feel comfortable with your vote (excluding those whose political views run Conservative). I hope a very high percentage of the constituents do vote and then STAY INVOLVED after January 23. Our voter frustration will lessen only if we express ourselves clearly and regularly in the political matters which we consider important. Just as in this blog, lets send our thoughts to MP, MLA and municipal representatives, as well as editors of the papers.

At the start it was Hedy’s to lose. If CPC growth in Que and NB spread this could even go to them. Personally I know lots of NDP supporters that would love to vote for Libby, Ian, Penny, Dawn, etc. but just won’t vote for Svend. I’d put him at 10-1 underdog, Hedy 3-2 and Gary 2-3.

Liberal win, sorry svendy.

You know, after meeting with some of the challengers (ie. Svend and Tony), I appreciate what they want to bring to VanCentre. I have known and worked with Hedy on the National Homelessness Initiative, and am convinced that she is the best person at the moment to represent this riding; however, on a National level, I don’t really know who I want as PM. I have always been Liberal, but with all the scandals (one after the other), I am not so sure.

My opinion, in short:

HARPER - Hidden agenda, will not be a friend to Quebec. Sorry Tony, I would like to keep the country together.

MARTIN - sincere, but clearly no longer in control. Seems desperate to hold power.

LAYTON - well-spoken, like most politicians, but party platform that a majority of Canadians are not willing to support.

PREDICTION: The con vote will be a significant factor.. they seem to be moving up while Hedy is in a free fall and Svend seems to be stable. It will be a 3-way race come Monday, but I predict that people will go with habit and experience and allow Hedy to go back to Ottawa in opposition.

Patrick, you say Harper has a hidden agenda so I can only assume you are a liberal? What is hidden, his agenda is there for all to see! To say he is not a friend of Quebec is quite ridiculous as Quebecers seem to like him as he is up 24% points since the election was called.

What makes me laugh is people claim Harper has a hidden agenda but can NEVER come up with specifics.

Every time a Liberal government gets elected, from the 70s until now, seperatism in Quebec goes up. So, how can people claim that the Liberals are the party of national unity?

Paul,
How about a free vote on gay marriage? Free vote on abortion? Boosting for-profit health care? Un-doing the Kelowna accord? Canceling our commitment to kyoto? and a huge push at decentralizing the federation? laughing hard enough now? Being in quebec, i can also tell you that your thoughs on quebecers liking harper are COMPLETELY misguided…. the separatist love him cause the see he will cave to their demands for more power to quebec… and they will still vote OUI in a referendum…no matter how much harper bends to their demands…

Hedy Fry is entitled to my vote? Just because Svend is gay does that automatically mean that gay voters should support the NDP, what an embarassment he would be in Parliament. A convicted thief representing our riding, what next? Thats why I have decided to firmly park my vote with Tony Fogarassy and the Conservatives. Why? Tony seems to have got himself out there to see what is actually going on in Vancouver Centre. The Conservatives have the most cohesive plan for Canada and Tony’s views on gay marriage will ensure a progressive voice for Vancouver Centre in the new Conservative federal government.

Voting NDP is a wasted vote which ever way you look at it as they will NEVER form a government and the Mr Dithers’ Liberal Party record of corruption and entitlement means they need the boot - as NDP advertisements keep telling us.

And I defy ANYONE to tell me that Mr Dithers had nothing to to with the corruption because he is a member of the Liberal Party of Canada so he is guilty by association but even worse guilty of NOT knowing what was going on!

On 23 January vote for Tony Fogarassy and the Conservatives!

hope tony is paying you well….

Chris

Harper has promised a free vote on gay marriage, that was his point! Harper has stated that Canada’s abortion laws will NOT BE CHANGED, twice in this campaign. For-profit healthcare is supported by 61pc of Canadian according to a National Post poll published in todays paper. What is so scary about allowing people to buy healthcare if they can afford it?! It gives money to the govt system and clears backlogs, whats so scary about that?! The current system clearly is NOT working thanks to Mr Martin taking CAD25billion out of the system between 1993-1995. I dont know enough about the Kelowna Accord to offer any opinion, to be honest. Kyoto is a joke, what is wrong with a “Made in Canada” solution? Decentralising the federation, I think the provinces should have more say in how and where their taxes are spent so I say ‘why the hell not?’. Conservatives have surged in the polls in Quebec because they have said they will decentralise federal powers to ALL provinces not just Quebec. Finally, as to Quebec seperating from Canada, if the PQ were truly serious about leaving Canada they would ask the following question of Quebecer’s “DO YOU WANT TO SEPERATE FROM CANADA?” not “DO YOU WANT TO SEPERATE FROM CANADA, PROVIDED WE CAN GET BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OFF OF THEM TO DO SO?”.

To close your so called argument against the Conservatives I dont work for politicians of any irk - I am just a well informed voter. You can vote for your liberal party, it wont get you anywhere!

oh yeah, i can see that you are OBVIOUSLY very well informed… yawn

Chris, glad to see you have something CONSTRUCTIVE to add to the argument.

Given a chance, Liberals will sell out the West to gain Ontario favors with Bloc Québécois.

If the Liberals were doing well, and Hedy were re elected, riding would get a few crumbs off the Ontario table, maybe a bone or two.

In a weak position, the Liberals do not have the power to hurt or reward.

Winner by majority or governing by coalition,
most reward, or punishment, would be from the Conservatives. Svend might also be looked upon positively for having knocked off Hedy.

Voting Liberal means that discretionary money will not come to this riding, for at least a 4 year period !

Please think this out.

Voting Liberal … we have done that before look at the results they speakclear enough. Vote Conservative if you want to be a US State. The NDP are the best choice. VOTE NDP JAN.23.06 MAKE CANADA WHAT IT SHOULD BE!

LOL!!

The ring thief is going to be defeated in Vancouver Center according to the latest polls.
So we Hong-Kong immigrants can sleep peacefully tonight.

And here is me thinking we were all Canadians!

People will vote as they want to of course, but I do wish that there was more informed, thoughtful discussion — not petty personal attacks or half-baked, vague ‘notions’ about policy, etc. I am voting for Svend in Vancouver Centre after careful consideration of the NDP’s overall platform, his stellar reputation as a responsive MP to local concerns (doesn’t anybody care about that?…the man got elected over and over again in the ’small c’ conservative riding of Burnaby for a reason - he was a great MP for his constituents…despite all of his publicity hound tendencies), disappointment at Ms. Fry’s performance as an MP for Vancouver Centre, and my belef that the Liberal Party has not taken full responsibility for the corruption that has occurred by SOME of its members in positions of power and influence. On another topic, so many people go on and on about Svend being a “thief”. Yes, he was a thief on that day. He did something irrational, out of character, and very wrong. He paid a price for it: resigning as an MP in a riding he had served for several decades, the huge public humiliation of the episode, and the impact it has had on his personal life. If you don’t feel comfortable voting for him because of that or other reasons — fine…..but ask yourself if you’ve ever made irrational stupid mistakes in your life (my guess would be yes)….and then ask yourself if you’ve appreciated people treating you with compassion and giving you a second chance afterwards. We are all human and we all fall down. I would argue that I’d rather vote for a man who has made his kind of mistake (and taken responsibility for it) than a party that has demonstrated corruption, or a Conservative Party that has soft-peddled its public image to garner votes. Doesn’t anyone remember the Mulroney government years? Well, get ready for something similar — but with a leader and membership that is far more ‘true blue’ socially conservative than Mulroney’s government ever was….

Paul,
I will say this without sarcasm; I think you are well-informed, and quite passionate about a Conservative government. To answer your question from before about providing specifics in Harper’s hidden agenda.. the reason I didn’t provide specifics is because it is a HIDDEN agenda. So I do not know what to expect. But i will say this, cutting the GST to as low as 5% while raising the income tax to eliminate liberal tax cuts could be termed “hidden”. Also, these secret meetings with US Conservative groups don’t look too favourable.

And about my point for Quebec, Mr. Harper does not share the same progressive values as a majority of Quebecers. the people of Quebec respect the rights of gays who want to marry and need the support and guidance of a strong federal government.

Harper’s comments years ago about Canada being a welfare state and cozying up to the US is not what this country needs. We need a leader who will stand up for a united and sovereign Canada; I am not saying that is Martin or Layton, but so far Harper has not given me the impression that he will be a positive Canadian Prime Minister.

On an unrelated note, I really wish we could have these debates by some other medium.

Voting Conservative is a vote for Tom Flanagan and his Calgary School.

Back in Alberta, Ted Byfield, the unabashed voice of the West remarked “All these positions which Harper cherishes are there because of a group of people in Calgary – Flanagan most prominent among them,” Byfield says. “I don’t think he knows how to compromise. It’s not in his genes. The issue now is: how do we fool the world into thinking we’re moving to the left when we’re not?”

The Conservatives have adopted the tactic of the Liberal Party. Tell the electorate what is not offensive and promise them what they like to hear until you are in power.

For sure, if Harper gets in the wheel house, he’ll steer this ship on a different course. The country will undergo major changes that will see the central government greatly weakened.

Patrick, you sound paranoid. Haper wants to cut the GST to 5% and eliminate the liberal bribe oops sorry “tax cut”. I fail to see anything to indicate to me the Tories have a hidden agenda by doing so. What it looks like to me is he will cut the GST and use the “tax cut” given to us as a bribe to pay for it - how honest could anyone be in politics? Its ‘in your face’ what Harper did - not hidden in any way. On the Quebec front I have already said if they dont like Harper why has his support there shot up. If he has a hidden agenda why would people of Quebec seem ready to embrace his agenda. Are you trying to imply Quebecers are idiots? Secret meetings with US conservatives? Liberal scare tactics, as they are getting desperate. The liberals HAVE no agenda for Canada anymore, they have their worst leader EVER (at least Chretien had balls and Trudeau had charisma) who seemed to become a leader with so many ideas and goals when he became PM but blew it. They dont call him Mr Dithers for nothing, ya know.

As for hidden agendas I really dont think ANY liberal has the right to even try and throw that around. One word - ADSCAM - syphoning off taxpayer money to feed back to the LPoC. That was dispicable and anyone with 1/2 an ounce of common decency would boot them out for a LONG time for doing so!

Paul “For-profit healthcare is supported by 61pc of Canadian according to a National Post poll published in todays paper. What is so scary about allowing people to buy healthcare if they can afford it?! It gives money to the govt system and clears backlogs, whats so scary about that?!”

For-profit medicine seems to be limited to medical services that can be quickly processed in a specific time period to maximize profits. If for-profit medical care is more efficient in providing a comprehensive, universal health care system for this nation, I would support it. However, it seems for-profit health care providers are only interested in certain medical services that do not involve long-term care and consequently that must be handled by the public health care system.

In the current mix, it appears the public health care is subsidizisng the private care providers - not the reverse. The private providers don’t train their personnel, they raid the public system. How do you clear the backlog if the same personnel work both systems?

The failure of the public healthcare is mostly due to underfunding using the argument of fighting the deficit. At the time the cost to GDP of social programs was 6 percent - hardly the costly item for fighting the deficit. The greater cost for creating the deficit was the interest rate policy adopted by Liberal government that amounted to approximately 50 percent of the deficit while the tax cuts that benefited corporations and the wealth made up the other portion. And, when Mulroney cancelled out the banking reserves the wealthy were getting tax cuts (Martin brags about his $100 billion ta x cut)and providing money that the government needed at the high interest rates to win at both ends. Martin himself set up his own tax loophole for his company CSL International in the Barbados so that he pays little or no taxes but can take the profits back into Canada tax-free.

Also, remember the Bronfmans $2.2 billion family trust the Mulroney government allowed to be taken out of Canada tax free. The taxes owing were estimated at $750 million. The Chretien government defended that decision of the Mulroney government against the advice of the former auditor general. Apparently he had remarded that with that decision by the Mulroney government, it may have endangered the tax base for the country since throughout the 1980s a number of public expenditures of that type occurred.

The latest tax announcements by both Liberals and Conservatives continue this charade of claiming to offer help to the poorer members while enriching the already well off.

Whether one votes for the Liberal Party of the Conservative, don’t expect that the situation will change much for the bottom 80 percent of the population.

Per CBC Radio commentator,
the polls are not accurate enough.

We just don’t know what will happen.
In privacy, where the X will land.

Ontario runs and ruins Canada.
Mabe a few good years, before central Canada realizes the West has something for them to steal !

This is a tough one. I was in this riding until the lines were redrawn and I ended up in Quadra, where I will vote Green. I like Svend, but the ring affair is a lingering concern. He probably should have waited until the next election. Hedy is not as bad as she is painted in some of these comments, but really, we need to send the Liberals a message. Given this, let’s look to the future. The Greens are the only party that are open to policy development by the community at large, see their website, and they have the most coherent policies on productivity, sustainability and diversity. These are the policiy issues that will shape Canada over the next thirty years. Let’s look to the future and vote Green.

I have voted Green many times but this time my green ballot is for Svend.

With appreciation for his lengthy history of service for all of us on issues of environmental concern and social justice. Svend admitted his error and apologized, very publicly. I accept his apology and wish him well. His conduct in the future will speak for itself as it has in the past. I expect the guilt he feels over the ring will propel him into proving himself and working for us harder than ever.

Svend will get my vote and the vote of many quiet people who are committed to environmental concerns. The other parties will slap plastic inflatable bats together and make a lot of pointless noise. Svend is out there quietly shaking hands and hearing from the people. When it comes down to selecting a candidate who is committed to the people, the people will choose Svend.

Bipolar manic depressive people may make a mess of their personal lives, and those close, but we need workaholic whilstle blowers. At least a few in parliament.

Having inside knowledge of Union lies and corruption, Svend is in a good position of making history.

Is he that honest, to expose the silent hand of pretentious Unionism ?

He could start with the complaint files of the Labor Board.

Go Svend, rise above it all !

================

These are 2 quotes from labor lawyers.
Good material for Svend to run with !

“Lot of Canadians just hate their Union, but there is little they can do about it”

“Union owns your rights”

In Addition
From Galiano the Mafiosi Liberal:
“I would advise for you to do exactly as your Union tells you”

Go Svend Go

already voted for svend at the advance poll. he will be harper’s worst enemy.

Paul: I am by no means paranoid. Just a concerned citizen, and I think you should appreciate that. You sound quite concerned yourself.

I take offense in the statement you made, suggesting that I see Quebecers as “idiots”. Half of my family is from Quebec and in the end, we all have to respect the decision of the Quebec electorate.

As for Harper’s surge in Quebec polls, it is most certainly not because they embrace his agenda; but because people in Quebec are so upset at the Liberals for the scams that they would see anyone but the Liberals dominate in Quebec. They have a right to be upset, because the opposition parties have done so well at blaming this current Liberal government for corruption. Now everyone has someone to blame in PM Martin. It also does not help the Liberals to have some weak cabinet ministers in Quebec ridings in danger of losing their seats.

PM Martin inherited the Sponsorship Scandal and the Option Canada issue (Option Canada; however, is a scandal shared by both the Liberals and the Tories). These issues date back to 1995, when the referendum was big news. Paul Martin had minimal involvement in the campaign, even if he was a senior cabinet minister at the time. Justice Gomery has cleared all members of the current Liberal Government, and the party has refunded funds that were misappropriated to the LPCQ. Sure PM Martin is not as charismatic as PM Trudeau, but for someone to say that Chretien is better than Martin is truly troubling. I would be paranoid to have a leader with your judgement in power, where you would clearly allow someone as sincere as PM Martin take the fall for something that he has been exonerated for. Chretien is the real culprit.

Oh by the way, Tories meeting with US Conservatives is a fact. Harper did do that! Of course the Grits will use that to their advantage, but the Canadian people should know and be warned about the activities of the Leader of the Official Opposition. The opposition leader is #1 contender for the top job in the country, and Canadians should be warned that a Harper Government would lead to a more “Americanized” Canada.

As a single mom I glad to read the the NDP in Vancouver Center is going to loose. I have found the NDP to be the most incompetent party in our Province. On the national level the NDP has proven to be totally useless. The NDP remainds of a dog that barks a lot but cannot bite or that of an eunuch in a turkish harem, the NDP knows the act but cannot replicate it. DO NOT VOTE NDP EVER

Patrick, all I have left to say is your leader has blown it! Get used to having a Conservative PM in office. :-)

from gregg:
“already voted for svend at the advance poll. he will be harper’s worst enemy.”

I would like to see Svend become the Union Movement’s worst nightmare.

As a Union lawyer, Svend would have been aware of the underhanded Liberal - Union arrangements.

Exposing this unfairness would go over well in an affluent riding.

=====================

Amanda Wu

NDP in the West has the deserved reputation of a wishful Utopia powered by a perpetual motion machine.

Polls are not accurate enough to rule out Svend.

There still might be an important role for him.
He is a servant of the voters. In a way, a tragic figure.

Svend to shake it up or Hedy to be ignored ?!

Paul,

you are a quebec separatists wet dream…

thanks god you seem to be very isolated over there in Van center… and most quebecers take your trash talking for what it is… trash

have fun monday night… i think you will be surprised

Comment by Paul 01.20.06
“Patrick, all I have left to say is your leader has blown it! Get used to having a Conservative PM in office.”

The real bad part will be that Ontario will still get more than their fair share through the Conservative Bloc alliance.

BC conservative ridings will be rewarded.
No one will pay attention to Hedy’s riding.

Liberals might need more than one election to recover.

Ok everyone, I’d like to hear some specific guesses for the outcome in Vancouver Centre. I say Svend will win by 400 votes. What about the rest of you?

Yuk Yik Wong. If you want to see a waste of taxpayer money look at George W’s Iraq War. What a waste of Money & Lives. I thought as you in Cansda stayed out of that you would have all had mores sense and vote NDP

To you people worried about Svends crime or Hjack going to a PRIVATE clinic. That s nothing look at the lies Blair Bush, Rice, Wolfowitz told us to get into a costly & illegal Iraq War. Do Canada proud & vote NDP

David G. I’m with you but I think I’ll wait & see what Mr. Morrow has to say here over the weekend before placing my bet!

p.s. Just so you know where I’m coming from - I’ve already voted for Svend in the advance poll so I can volunteer for him on E-Day. ;-)

Buzz Hargrove, the slave master, and Paul Martin campaigning together. Last few hours, Paul Martin trying to sell it all out, in desperation, to the Union. He should have gone down in style, not in slime.

Good opportunity for Svend to turn whistle blower, and leave Unionism behind.

======

Tide going out for Liberals, including those sentimental for bra burning feminism, or coercive unionism.

Three sided coin.
Svend by 97 votes

Git yer ‘Straight’ slate here:

http://www.straight.com/content.cfm?id=15437

In response to David Graham regarding the possible winner, I would love to say it will be Tony Fogarassy as he may yet perform a miracle. In absence of said miracle I am going to say Hedy by 200 votes coz I sure dont want a criminal as MY next MP!

As the first to comment on this forum(Van Centre)I
suggested that the credible Conservative candidate would draw enough liberal support Svend to squeak in. It appears that Fogarassy hasn’t achieved what I expected.

However, after seeing Svend campaign I’m very impressed, I now see why he was re-elected so many times. He really is an amazing politicican. As little as a week ago I was near giving up, but his abilities and energy are making it very very close.
So close that it could come down to the weather and the political organisations behind the candidates..
Hedy and Svend come within 500 votes on E-day!
Giving the edge to Svend because of his intensity and maybe because I’m NDP too!

From DougP link to georgia straight:
“Fry …. she’s pretty much a spent force now”

Sinking with Hedy Fry or choosing to Svend to the boat NDP ?

In the past, Svend has been an independent ombudsman for his riding; Not just an NDP Unionized Robot.

For the sake of the riding, he could get along with Bloc and the Conservatives.

“Get used to having a Conservative PM in office.”

I could if he was actually a conservative-but he’s not. In my eyes, he is and always will be the Reform/Alliance party

Id love to see some poll numbers for Vancouver Centre to enable me to make a decision as to whether I vote tactically or for the person I would like to win.

If Tony doesnt stand a cat-in-hells-chance then I would vote for the Liberals to keep the cleptomaniac out of office. Svend just rants and raves anyway and acts like a beligerant teenager most of the time.

Now who would have thought eight weeks ago I would EVER vote Liberal.

And in response to Chris’ posting on 20January, no real surprises in store as to who will form the next government. I would be absolutely flabbergasted if Martin won but he came on strong too late. THANKFULLY!!

You are all incredible! The only party with any moral worth are the Conservatives. Good Lord! Choose Fry for corruption or Robinson for criminality or mental disorder (choose one). It doesn’t matter by the way which candidate you like better. All that matters is the party and the Conservatives are the only ones with ANY integrity. Sorry socialists.

To all of the Tony people out there..get out and vote for your man and take Hedy people with you so that the best working candidate will win Vancouver Centre. This former Liberal voter will vote for a hard working Svend Robinson. Time for a change in Vancouver Centre.

Green Voters:

Don’t waste your vote ! A vote for Svend will bring in a voice to parliament. A strong voice that is needed more than ever. Svend is needed in Ottawa.

Liberals are embarrassed in Ontario.

Both NDP and Conservative supporters, who strategically voted Liberal last time, are switching back.

Last rats with the liberal ship will drown.

“The only party with any moral worth are the Conservatives.”

Eleven cabinet ministers in Mulroney’s ten years were plagued by scandal, a Tory senator went to jail, the national debt double during the last Conservative government - need I say more to this.
Brian Mulroney and Michael ” I am going to balance the budget and pay down the debt” Wilson are working with the Harper camp and i suspect are part of the transition team.
What do Stephen Harper, George Bush and Brian Mulroney have in common - a big broad paint on smile - we have seen what two of those gentleman have done to their country - don’t let the third one do it to Canada again - I hope that Hedy does win - I am not sure that Svend’s recovery is far enough along to go back to the pace of being a west coast MP.

Well David G. - I’ll call it for Svend by less than 100 votes. Clearly (see chart above)red tories are moving his way to retire Hedy. (She’s 65 this year & will have a nice fat indexed pension after 12 years in Parliament.)
We’ll see tomorrow!

Incredible arrogance(see ‘Where’s Stephen?):

http://pacificgazette.blogspot.com/

nice fat indexed pension after 12 years in Parliament - anybody know the value of Svend’s pension after 25 years in Ottawa vs Hedy’s.

The difference ?
Greens have brains.
In addition, Liberal dip will drag Hedy down more.

New Conservative and Bloc Québécois day is dawning in Canada. Better to have Svend tolerated than Hedy ignored and isolated.

Ok my guy isnt gonna win, its a tactical vote for Hedy to keep Svend out!

I don’t understand the “vote for the lesser of 2 evils” way of thinking. Why not make a stand and vote for a candidate or a party that you actually believe in? The way I see it Paul Martin in a conservative in Liberal clothing. People don’t like hypocrites and so have decided that he doesn’t deserve to be PM.

His entire platform have become “vote for me so scary Harper doesn’t get in”. It didn’t work for Kerry in the U.S. and here it seems to have turned people to the New Democrats.

Paul Martin is a Conservative in Liberal clothing. People don’t like hypocrites and so have decided that he doesn’t deserve to be PM. Now Martin’s entire platform have morphed into “vote for me so scary Harper doesn’t get in”. It didn’t work for Kerry against Bush and it won’t work for Martin. It only turned people to the New Democrats.

Real scary is Buzz Hargrove and Paul Martin combination.

Lot of noise from Svend may be our best bet.

Joe B, I am a gay conservative but according to the above poll he isnt going to get in so I will vote for my second choice. The NDP are a fringe party and always will be, the way some folks are talking in here Layton is set to be the next PM. The NDP has the knack of telling people what they want rather than asking what it s they want. Prime example, healthcare! in a recent poll, 61pc of Canadians support some kind of private-public healthcare initiative but Jack Layton doesnt want that. Layton has ZERO credibility as he keeps going on-and-on about private healthcare as though is is some saviour but then it is discovered he used a private clinic in the 90s - I HATE HYPOCRITES!

I fully intend on voting for Hedy Fry - at least she doesnt have a criminal record!

Shaw ch4 commentators think this is 3 way race.

One pollster says Conservatives typicall poll 3-5 percent lower than voting day.

Another says some NDP supporters want Svend to finish #3.

Tossup till votes counted !

NDP win. Too much blithering on about Svend’s criminal record. You all realize that some of Hedy’s colleagues have much longer records then Svend right? Get over it. I’d rather have Robinson in government then either Harper or Martin, who have each not bothered to tell us very much of what they will do for Canadians. Martin goes on about how scary Harper is and Harper tells us that there are tax cuts in the works but when I look at the way it’s written up, all the tax cuts are for those who already make way over the average income in Canada. From what I could tell of the $100/month rebate for kids under 6, the figure of $100 was only a maximum. From the looks of things, the more money you make the closer to the $100 mark you’ll get. So, lower income Canadians shouldn’t be home with their children? Is that what Harper is saying?

I’ve already voted for Svend. So have several of my friends. Svend will win this riding by a slim margin (200 votes?), but he will win nonetheless. The reasons I voted for Svend:

Too many social conservative candidates have been in hiding and not answering questions or attending debates. How can we trust them when they don’t even answer questions??? Is THIS being open and accountable? I think not. And Tony supports this party - a ’silent’ party - a party filled with social conservatives that aren’t speaking DURING AN ELECTION. HELLO!!!

Hedy Fry is probably going to retire soon anyway. But regardless, I am sick and tired of watching her do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for our riding. Yes, she is a bit looney with the “crosses burning” thing, but she also REPRESENTS A CORRUPT PARTY. How can we possibly vote for someone who appears to represent a corrupt party and has seemingly ignored that her party has stolen MILLIONS of taxpayer dollars??? Shame on the voter who votes for that!

Svend has had a great record in politics. He is so well-known and loved by so many. My mother once met him and said that he is the most down to earth and well spoken politician she has met in a long time - very genuine. yes, he stole a ring. He also apologized, paid his dues, and made amends, which is far more in my books than what Hedy’s entire party has done! Wow - Taking responsibility for one’s actions - How about that! Indeed, Svend has given a full apology and explanation on his website for the ring incident. You can see it here:

http://www.svendrobinson.com/ring2.htm

Yes- if we want a clear voice to stand up to Harper and the social conservatives, Svend is the best option. Can you honestly imagine Hedy standing up for anything or even bothering to stand up against the social conservatives? I can’t. Svend will be a strong voice against the far right, extreme Conservatives.

Send a message, Vancouver Centre! Vote for Svend to send a message to BOTH the Conservatives AND the Liberals!!

Harper stated all families with a kid under 6 would get $100 per month, per child “beer and popcorn money”. I dont quite know where you saw the term “up to”. Problem with Svend had he not been caught on CCTV he would have not taken the ring back. He is a liar and a thief. How many other things had he stolen before he got caught? What I find very offensive was his pathetic crocodile tears on TV and the fact he never went to jail for his crime. If you or I had have stolen that ring we would STILL be in jail. I find it pathetic he was parachuted into Vancouver Centre by a party of yap-dogs on the premise that every gay man and woman would vote for him just because he is gay.

I am not sure he is mentally fit to be an MP!!

Looking back on this forum I notice someone said I was dreaming if I thought the Tories would form the next government.

Looks like I had the last laugh, kal!

Looks like a lot of Conservatives are switching to NDP to punish either Hedy or the Liberals - or both. That doesn’t mean that the NDP will win, but they stand a chance. Having Svend running probably hurts more than it helps.

Paul, I hope you don’t pop a gasket laughing.
Your vitriolic slanderous attacks on Svend have been completely counterproductive. Just take a look at the chart above. More Tories like you who are leaving Tony’s Titanic as she goes down are moving Svend’s way than Hedy’s. She’s still falling & Svend’s clearly the benificiary - gaining votes from both his opponents - the momentum’s all with him.
Some much for a ‘true blue (gay) Tory, eh?
We’ll see tomorrow just who enjoys the last laugh!

Make that “so much for a ‘true blue (gay) Tory, eh?”
Sorry, the scent of victory is getting me all excited!

This will be interesting to watch. It’s too bad Svend had to take on a progressive Liberal rather than trying to take down a regressive Tory. Unfortunately, he likely wouldn’t have a chance outside this heavily urban riding.

I feel compelled to respond to the people who placed the ad in Xtra West (Jan. 19, 2006) entitled Friends of Hedy…and those who may have read it. I apologize for the length here but I’ve done my best to be concise and still include the pertinent facts. I hope in the interests of social justice you will give this a few minutes.

Repeatedly on this advertisement Hedy Fry is praised for her dedication to human rights and equal rights. I have been working with other activists around the world to advance a human rights issue for many years now and Hedy has not been one bit of help at all, quite the opposite she has been part of the problem. I think you should consider a few details of this story and this issue before you give Hedy any more praise.

I became active in sexual politics many years ago here in Vancouver back in the early seventies. With other members of G.A.T.E. (the Gay Alliance Toward Equality) we attended all-candidates meetings and observed the responses of various candidates to our questions concerning gay rights. In those days our strongest supporters were NDP candidates Rosemary Brown, Gary Locke and Emery Barnes. The responses from others were often negative and uncomfortable revealing the homophobes running for office like Bert Price the incumbent Social Credit MLA who jumped up out of turn and screamed at us from the stage of Kitsilano High School, “One day society will castrate the lot of you to keep you from reproducing your kind!”

Mr. Price’s hysterical (and historical) outburst not only exposed his misunderstanding of homosexuality and human reproduction, but also revealed the degree of sexual shame he’d been taught.

My interest in sexual liberation never waned, particularly around issues of gender expression and equality. In 1992 I began to look critically at a related issue of sexual repression, discussion about it still so taboo that many people can only fidget nervously at its mention, or jump immediately to the myths which help perpetuate it. Surgically amputating parts of children’s genitals. Sexual surgery without consent. Circumcision.

After several years of studying this compelling and often horrific subject I began to visit all-candidate meetings again in 1994 to ask the political hopefuls their views. My question was a simple, “Who among you understands circumcision as a human rights issue?” I wasn’t entirely ready for the variety of answers and reactions this question would spawn.

I imagined Tim Stevenson, a gay man and a minister would have no trouble supporting the rights of an individual to their own body, isn’t it a creation of god or nature and therefore worthy of supreme respect? Tim’s response was not what I’d hoped for. He stammered about not being able to answer the question as it might be construed by some as anti-Semitic. Didn’t he value the right of an individual to freedom of religion over the rights of the parents to physically impose religious rites?

Imtiaz Popat a gay man of Muslim heritage and candidate for the Green Party kindly revealed that Green Party Policy clearly states their opposition to genital mutilation of all children.

Duncan Wilson publicly declared he was glad he was circumcised, and pleased his parents had made that decision for him. My esteem for Duncan grew considerably when the following week, after watching the film, Whose Body, Whose Rights? he publicly thanked me for bringing the issue to his attention and indicated that his thoughts on the subject had broadened considerably since viewing the film.

These revelations were before a large and attentive audience at the West End Community Centre. Laura McDairmid told a chilling story of being in a coma following her son’s birth and the only thing she was aware of in her unconscious state were her new baby’s piercing screams as he was being circumcised.

I am still very grateful to everyone who has shared their personal stories so very publicly because like other forms of sexual repression I feel circumcision will die a natural death when people can talk openly about it.

In 1996 I wrote a letter expressing my concerns about circumcision to my Member of Parliament Hedy Fry. I also wrote to Svend Robinson. I wondered why Canada had seen fit to specifically write protection for female genitalia into the Criminal Code of Canada but male genitalia was not similarly protected. Svend responded with a very prompt and thoughtful letter telling me he had forwarded my concerns to the Federal Health Minister and others who should hear them. Hedy’s response was less encouraging and somewhat evasive.

Shortly thereafter another all-candidates meeting this time sponsored by Xtra West. Once again my question was not intended to be confrontational, simply, “Since female children are protected by the Criminal Code of Canada to any and all forms of genital mutilation, why are male children not similarly protected? Who among you understands this as a human rights issue?” Hedy Fry immediately jumped up and verbally attacked (shades of Bert Price again). First she criticized me for bringing female genital mutilation into the discussion, suggesting I didn’t understanding the differences in genital structure between men and women. Then she attempted to justify cutting infant male genitals quoting statistics about urinary tract infections. I saw a side of Hedy I hadn’t understood before. I realized I’d hit a nerve; she was guilty. A circumciser. Fighting to squelch discussion of the topic. Like other forms of sexual abuse circumcision has at least two victims the abused and the abuser.

In 2004 three more Canadians died as a result of circumcision. Two babies Ryleigh McWillis of Penticton and Baby X of Edmonton died from surgical complications. David Reimer one of the famous cases of a boy, who was raised as a girl, took his own life at 38, after a lifetime of struggle following total destruction of his penis when he was a baby. Somehow these casualties do not factor into the pathetic statistics some unscrupulous doctors still use to promote circumcision.

The colleges of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan and of British Columbia have recently released the most strongly worded guidelines to date, to deter physicians against circumcision, urging doctors to carefully consider the human rights implications and the very real likelihood of future lawsuits.

Recently my friend Gloria Lemay (the renowned and celebrated midwife) announced she would dedicate her considerable energy to help eradicate circumcision. One morning she heard a knock on her door and was surprised when she opened it to greet Hedy Fry. Hedy was campaigning and asked Gloria if there were any issues she felt were important. Yes, Gloria replied, there was one topic of particular importance to her, infant circumcision. Hedy responded by telling Gloria that was very interesting but she’d never heard anyone bring up this issue before.

Now to the present election and another all-candidates meeting. Several other people including Gloria bring up the issues around infant circumcision. Once again Hedy jumps to the defense of reduction surgery on infant penises and refuses the opportunity to defend these individuals from what the Canadian Pediatric Society calls unnecessary surgery. For a candidate who campaigns on a platform of human rights this is a pretty dismal performance.

Several candidates express their intent to work against animal cruelty. A retired nurse asks, “If you are against animal vivisection what about human vivisection? Isn’t circumcision human vivisection?” Nervous titters of recognition again from the audience. All of the other candidates agree to give serious consideration to the issue, all except Hedy.

Everyone is for gay rights. Hooray we made it! Hedy proclaims again, “Gays and lesbians are the last oppressed minority in Canada!” While others are cheering this I‘m wondering, isn’t this statement utterly presumptuous and false? How would anyone know who the last oppressed minority is? Might some still be oppressed and as yet unrecognized? Might our understanding of human rights still be evolving?

The issue of genital mutilation of infants and children will not go away. People around the world are discussing this in a new way. The casualties will no longer be swept under the rug. In fact this issue will keep rearing its very ugly head until the rights of children to their genital integrity are recognized and protected by law. The question now is, which country will be first?

Though I often vote Green this election I will vote for Svend, with appreciation of his lengthy history of service for us all on issues of environmental concern and social justice. Svend has a difficult hurdle to get over with the ring thing. Svend admitted his error and apologized very publicly. I accept his apology and expect the guilt over this incident will propel him into proving himself and working for us harder than ever. But it seems there are a lot of people willing to cast the first stone.

For those who think they cannot question or criticize circumcision for fear of offending someone on religious grounds I ask, were you so concerned about offending the religious rites of others when you were cheering for gay marriage? Do you hesitate to condemn other sexually repressive acts because they are shrouded in religion? Many of the most passionate and articulate voices opposing ritual sexual mutilation are Jewish and Muslim scholars.

To those who still think this may be a trivial issue I invite you to Google “circumcision” and be prepared to get an overwhelming education. It’s connected to everything else.

Like racism, slavery, misogyny and homophobia, genital mutilation of children will eventually be a thing of the past. Circumcision is instinctively abhorrent to citizens of a just society. In the meantime it’s interesting to consider who is part of this problem and who is part of the solution.

If you continue to praise Hedy for her recognition of human rights I think it’s important to know she is purposely ignoring an important human rights issue. If you continue to praise her for her support of equal rights you should consider that she considers it fair that female children are protected from all forms of genital mutilation but she does not extend that same consideration to male children. That is unfair, unequal and unjust.

I do not have anything against Hedy personally. She obviously has the support of some wonderful people. But the issue of genital mutilation of children is here, its not going away and we need every sane person to understand the harm done and raise their voice to oppose it. I can see Hedy has personal reasons for trying to squelch honest discussion of this issue, but serving the public requires putting aside personal attachments for the good of the people. Perhaps someone else will have an easier time convincing her that it’s time to support the rights of all children to genital integrity and bring an end to sexually repressive surgery without consent.

In the meantime we have an opportunity with Svend. I predicect many who say they are voting for Hedy will quietly vote for Svend.

The NDP didn’t win last time wih a fantastic candidate like Kennedy Stewart, how can they win this time with ‘damaged goods’ Swend? If Stewars had run again the NDP could have won. But Svend has as many negatives as positives…..for every voter he attracts with his record on the issues, he looses 2 for the ring, etc.
Red tory here voting liberal for the first time.

Looking back on this forum let me realise what complete public fools some folks have made of themselves. Just days ago they were ranting about ADSCAM, and much else besides about Liberals (and New Democrats). Now they tell us they’re going to swallow a camel (ADSCAM) while straining on a gnat (the ring thing). Rave on, John Dunne, but ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee, oh fickle Tory. I pray enough New Democrats (like Svend) be elected to keep a leash on the theo-Con monster who, it seems, may be our new PM for awhile - a short while I trust.
Anyway, I bear no one any ill will (really!) so don’t get run over jaywalking to the polls tomorrow and hold your nose when you mark your ballot, so the stench of Liberal corruption doesn’t asphyxiate you on the spot!

Comment by James
“In the meantime we have an opportunity with Svend. I predicect many who say they are voting for Hedy will quietly vote for Svend.”

Horrible human rights abuses !
I agree, for this issue, best to have Svend.

I think it was in the Dave Anderson interview, pointed out, that the polls in the West are simply not accurate enough for strategic voting.

Now that Svend understands himself, smarter, wiser and still fearless. He could become the ideal crusading representative of the abused and oppressed.

People might look at this as a metamorphasis
from worm (union hack, ring swiper etc.) to butterfly.

Too old to remain a sinner;
He is talented to high expectations and good results. After all his problems, what other goal can he have in life ?

DougP, if I thought that Tony would win here if Vancouver-Centre then I would vote for him. If Svend wasnt running I still would but I hate Svend that much I would rather see Hedy as MP than vote for my own candidate.

So we lost the battle here but we won the war nationally.

Going by the Buzz Hargrove ‘lesser of two evils’ theory, let’s booth Svend out. If anyone in this country is ’scary’ it is Svend and HIS hidden agenda.

Hiding from pollsters; Concrete Tower Conservatives and those embarassed to be Liberal or Svend supporters may put Tony the Red Tory into 2nd spot.

Add a secret Svend deal with Green. (yes they are friends)

The winner is . .. …

Thanks to all of those who posted and reminded us of Svend’s ring debacle. Also thanks for the links you provided about the story. Not that I forgot about it, just good to always keep it in mind. I wish the media had guys like you when the wife of Toronto’s mayor shoplifted and was caught. Only then she didn’t admit her mistake, and the mayor exerted enough influence to make sure the police don’t lay charges and the media stop covering the story.

Svend had a lapse of judgement on this affair but everything he did afterwards regarding this was noble, as is everything he did before in Parliment.

Layers of abstactions and entertainment.
The real issues are hard to determine.
Spend, conserve, whom to reward ?
Voting for the local or federal personality.
Direct or strategic.
All the created confusion to baffle.

That is representative democracy.

I would like to thank Gregory Morrow, they guy wh runs this site, for having the patience to update this site daily and giving us all a place to voice our opinions. I bet you are glad elections dont happen too often, Gregory.

Thanks!!

Well, I sure got it wrong about the Vancouver Centre outcome; i.e., predicting a Svend win by a few 100 votes. I guess I grossly underestimated just how polarizing Svend is. In addition, I suppose Vancouver Centre has never voted NDP and is being increasingly inhabited by a more affluent (and thus often more conservative) population. Overall, the Liberal vote held up extremely well in all of the Vancouver ridings. It’s quite interesting how the 3 major urban centres in Canada (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver) are all quite Liberal, isn’t it? The urban/rural divide is quite striking.

I was suprised how well the Liberals did nationally and how the NDP vote collapsed here in Vancouver Centre. The final tally here was Libs 43%, NDP 28%, Conservative 21%. On polling day I actually thought twice about my vote but voted strategically to keep the NDP out - looks like it worked.

We are all entering interesting times, folks.

Strategic negative voting,
to keep Hedy or Svend out, was the local theme.

Combined with high oil prices,
Paul Martin was a good finance minister.
That may have prevented Liberal collapse.

Svend should become a journalist or reporter for a while. Ins and outs of politics would make a good book. How does Buzz Hargrove unionism influence Canadian politics. Mafia Don was Labor minister for a while. All the secret deals Svend couild expose ? But it may be too dangerous.

“On polling day I actually thought twice about my vote but voted strategically to keep the NDP out - looks like it worked.” Paul

Hate to break this to you Paul but your one vote hardly rocked the outcome. I think David Graham’s observation, “I suppose Vancouver Centre has never voted NDP and is being increasingly inhabited by a more affluent (and thus often more conservative) population.” is decidedly more apt.