Canada official insults Bush

The big deal is that a high-ranking government official got caught speaking her mind! Ack!! Wha--!? [face_shocked]

 

Although I support Bush as President, think he's a good leader thus far, I also understand he's not exactly a genius.

He is a bit of a linguistical doofus at times. I just chuckle.

For this lady to say it or write it whatever, ONE WORD, and resign over it seems overblown.

 

If every public official who had ever called Bush a name resigned, we'd be down about half our world leaders, and our hallowed halls of Government the world over would be desolate.

- Scarlet.

 

EDIT: Name calling isn't nice. Please refrain.

Furthermore, this post is blatently off-topic. There is already a discussion of Drug policy on this board.

(I also reformatted for ease of reading)




just because something ain't on cnn.com doesn't mean that it's not true. Media is censored by the government. Here's the proof for whoever said they didn't believe a word that I said, with credited sources.

part one proves they will make it legal

part two cites treats from our gov if they do

case closed---proof posted

Legalize and Regulate Cannabis, Canadian Senate Committee Says

September 5, 2002 - Ottawa, ON, Canada

Special Report Finds Pot To Be Less Harmful Than Alcohol Or Tobacco;
Calls For Licensed Distribution Of Marijuana For Recreational And Medical Purposes

Ottawa, Ontario: Members of a special Senate committee unanimously urged Parliament to amend federal law to allow for the regulated use, possession and distribution of marijuana for recreational and medicinal purposes, in a 600-page report released yesterday by the Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs.

"Scientific evidence overwhelmingly indicates that cannabis is substantially less harmful than alcohol and should be treated not as a criminal issue but as a social and public health issue," said Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, who oversaw the Committee's two-year inquiry. "Whether or not an individual uses marijuana should be a personal choice that is not subject to criminal penalties. [Therefore,] we have come to the conclusion that, as a drug, it should be regulated by the state much as we do for wine and beer, hence our preference for legalization over decriminalization."

Several previous government-appointed committees, including the U.S. National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse (aka The Shafer Commission) and the Canadian Government Commission of Inquiry Into the Non-Medical Use of Drugs (aka The Le Dain Commission), have recommended decriminalizing marijuana - a policy whereby criminal penalties on the use and possession of pot are eliminated, but distributing the drug remains illegal. However, Canada's Special Senate Committee is one of the first government-appointed commissions to recommend legalizing marijuana outright.

"In our opinion, Canadian society is ready for a responsible policy of cannabis regulation," their report concludes. "[We therefore] recommend that the Government of Canada amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to create a criminal exemption scheme, under which the production and sale of cannabis would be licensed ... to permit persons over the age of 16 to procure cannabis and its derivatives at duly licensed distribution centers."

The Committee calls on Parliament to enact a similar exemption on the production of marijuana for personal use, as well as provide amnesty for any person convicted of pot possession under current or past legislation. Over 50 percent of all Canadian drug violations involve marijuana possession, the Committee found. Among the general population, 30 percent of Canadians have used marijuana in their lifetime, and approximately 50 percent of high school students admit to having used it within the past year.

"A look at trends in cannabis use, both among adults and young people, forces us to admit that current policies are ineffective," the report concluded.

Regarding the use and regulation of marijuana for medicinal purposes, the Committee determined that there are "clear therapeutic benefits" of inhaled cannabis in the treatment of various conditions - including chronic pain and multiple sclerosis - and recommended Health Canada "provide new rules regarding eligibility, production and distribution" of medical pot. Although Canada legalized the use and cultivation of medicinal marijuana to qualified patients last year, the government has since backtracked on its promise to establish a regulated, medicinal pot distribution system.

Other findings by the Commit

 

Here's the proof for whoever said they didn't believe a word that I said, with credited sources

// raises hand

The article states that the US would tighten border checks and possibly erect some form of trade sanctions, not stop trade with Canada entirely.

 

The U.S. and Canada need to develop closer ties to combat terrorism, not enact trade sanctions or other nonsense.

 

Does anyone know the definition of sanction?

sanc·tion ( P ) Pronunciation Key (sngkshn)
n.
Authoritative permission or approval that makes a course of action valid. See Synonyms at permission.
Support or encouragement, as from public opinion or established custom.
A consideration, influence, or principle that dictates an ethical choice.

A law or decree.
The penalty for noncompliance specified in a law or decree.
A penalty, specified or in the form of moral pressure, that acts to ensure compliance or conformity.
A coercive measure adopted usually by several nations acting together against a nation violating international law.

tr.v. sanc·tioned, sanc·tion·ing, sanc·tions
To give official authorization or approval to: ?The president, we are told, has sanctioned greed at the cost of compassion? (David Rankin).
To encourage or tolerate by indicating approval. See Synonyms at approve.
To penalize, especially for violating a moral principle or international law.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=sanction

I don't think we are in any position to punish another country for exercizing democracy. That is moronic. Make sure you know the definition of that which you question.

 

Even as a supporter of GWB, I have to disagree with Ms. Ducrose having to resign. I believe that it was inappropriate, but not worth her job. That seems a little over-the-top to me. The Crossfire title was also ridiculous, but I don't really expect much better from CNN nowadays.

EDIT: Make sure you know the definition of that which you question.

Who was questioning it?

 

I don't think we are in any position to punish another country for exercizing democracy. That is moronic. Make sure you know the definition of that which you question.

Canada's decision would concern us, and by enacting sanctions we'd be casting our vote (how democratic, eh?) to let them know where we stood. It's not like they have a "right" to trade with us.

Not that I'd agree with sanctions, but I'm just saying.

 

Ummm, yeah. We're... like... Waaaaay off topic again. Ooops, scratch that. I guess only a mod can tell us to get back on topic.

 

Right ... sooo ...

Is there anything left to discuss?

 

If they want to do something, that is their choice. They are not hurting us. Why do we have a vote in their laws. Do they have a vote in ours? If you read their report it is justified by medical reports and such. Why would we interfere with someone elses domestic policy. The United States does not own the world, and because we try to, the rest of the world dislikes us. We are no one's daddy, we have no place. A grown man should do what he wants as long as the rights and freedoms of others are not infrindged. Americans need to learn more tolerance and equality. We are a bunch of biggots trying to change the entire world to what we want it to be. That, in itself, is moronic. It's not like they are communist bent on taking over the world, they just like to smoke and eat doritos on the couch. We need to give them a break and mind our own business.

I wish I could find a job in Vancouver, I'd be out in a heartbeat.

 

Eh, I don't think states enacting sanctions is exactly democratic starfire.

The nations governments are making the descisions, not the people directly.

EDIT: "they just like to smoke and eat doritos on the couch."

What?!

 

Back on topic (sorry, I get worked up)

I guess it boils down to what ob1 said,

"many of the truths that we hold dear are told from a certain point of view"

It just might be that people think GW is a moron, they are entitled to say that.

I think he's doing well, but the war with Iraq might be a bad idea. Perhaps if we had some real information to base things on, but that is what he feels we should pursue. I support him until he commands me to take up arms, which I will not do for personal beliefs. I am not a killer, and do not want to be, but I support with taxes and what not, and will do so. GW Bush just needs to learn that maybe we are not all like him. He needs to learn tolerence, just like the rest of us.

 

The sanctions they speak of are exactly what the reporter was trying to refer to when he wrote about increased border checks and awareness. Its not that the US is going to stop trading with Canada, only that trade would be hindered and slowed at the border.

Though I completely disgree with John Walters attitude toward medical marijuana and the legalization of marijuana, he has a responsibility to safeguard the borders of the US for drug trafficking. If Canada legalizes, then our border checks of imports must be more thorough.

Though, this could be easily remedied by decreasing restrictions on marijuana here. But that's a whole other thread entirely.

 

If they want to do something, that is their choice. They are not hurting us.

They are affecting us, though. I don't think anybody doubts that some of that pot would find its way across our border (which is why we'd tighten border checks).

I want to make it clear that I don't generally like sanctions/restrictions designed to affect policy if that policy doesn't affect us. However, such a policy would do so (arguably). By denying them of a few of the benefits of our trade relationship, we're essentially telling them to what degree they are negatively affecting us. Again, I'm just saying, not advocating.

 

I think that we should honor the sovriegnty of all democratic peaceful nations. That is what Canada is. They should be our closest allies, yet they cannot agree with our totalitarian governmental policies. What free country arrest it's own citizen, in his own house for a single joint. Only in America. land of the free

I just don't like the fact that we are bullies. We try to push morals and Christian beliefs on people. We ourselves aknowlege that you can't force people to live a certain way. We should let them be.

I do believe alot of the hate towards the US is spawned by our interference. Sometimes we have to interfere like when Iraq invaded Kuwait. Like when bin Laden struck the towers. Like when Pearl Harbor was bombed.

When things happen that hurt us, it is our business to stop it. Do you think that pot comes from Canada now? I heard that atleast half of US is supplied from there. Most places in Canada (or so I have been told by friends who went there) tolerate pot smoking and dealing and growing right out in the open for a long time. They make us think that it does not happen, but they just might be lying? My friend saw it with his own eyes. He said he smoked in restaruats, clubs, beaches, and on the street in Vancouver. It happens all the time, but Washington is trying to keep us from knowing.

Those reports I posted are from the 2002 Canadian Senate reports. They are full of medi info and the such. Please, for the sake of knowlege, learn things first hand, and don't trust CNN or MSNBC, they have to do what they must to make money. Read the facts only from the sources. Thanks.

 

As the thread creator, I feel this thread has gotten wayyyyy off topic as I have come back to check on it.

I'm pretty much over the whole Ducros thing. It's just another example of Bush-bashing and how politics is about the lowest-common denominator. I know if a high-ranking American official had slammed a foreign official in public, especially an ally and trading partner, I would be embarrased and call for his head to restore our honor.

 

For this lady to say it or write it whatever, ONE WORD, and resign over it seems overblown.

I agree that it seems silly, but politicians have been forced to resign for less. Remember a few years ago when a politician from D.C. had to relinquish his position because he described something as "niggardly" and some illiterate journalists thought it was a racial slur? Obviously, many politicians have said things that could potentially spawn as large a scandal as Ducros's remark did, but she just happened to be the one who was in the wrong place at the wrong time - and got quoted.

 

Wow. Talk about being late for the party.

One comment:
"Pootie-Poot" was very disrespectful. Russian leaders often change their name for political office. Stalin, Lenin, Yeltsin. The suffix "in" (although it doesn't appear that way in slavic linguistics) is a dead give away. "Putin" isn't his real name. Names are statements of heritage or political agenda. For example Lenin. This is from the name of the river Lena on the eastern portion of Russia.

It is also traditional to distort the names of those that you consider lower in stature or considerably younger than you. So Yeliveta might turn into Leezka. GWB, although he didn't know it (b/c he is a moron), was demeaning Valdimir Putin. Bush was distorting a fake name. It would be like calling Bush a "Repuy-Rep", or calling Clinton "Arky-ark". A smart politician, that is to say an intelligent one, would know these little ins and outs of foreign cultures.

But Bush is powerful, Vladimir Putin isn't in a position to dictate rules to foreign leaders. The resignation of the Canadian Official, in the very least brings suggests political pressure applied by Bush and his administration. And to what end? A little name calling never hurt anyone but the insecure.

 

DLM: Yeah, I remember that whole scrap over that word. Good point. Still, neither should've resigned, IMO.

The lady's remark was rude and unprofessional, but a apology would have been enough.

She could've pulled a Clinton and said it depends on the meaning of the word "moron".

 

Sounds mostly like there was a political push by political opposition in Canadian Parliament, rather than any pressure by the Bush administration. I agree with you that Pootie-Poot was highly demeaning, whether Bush intended it or not.

And I think it makes him look like a moron.

I know if a high-ranking American official had slammed a foreign official in public, especially an ally and trading partner, I would be embarrased and call for his head to restore our honor.

Can I quote you on that?

I'm trying to find it, but haven't members of the Bush camp offered some very insinuative words regarding certain other world leaders? Checking my facts before I post 'em. Be right back!

 

Those of you saying Bush and the U.S. have pressured Ducros into resigning:
Wrong again.


The comment made in a discussion with a radio reporter last week at the NATO summit in Prague, Czech Republic, has dominated Canadian media, and opposition politicians have called for her resignation.

She apologized last week, but the furor has continued in Canada.

He [Chretien] also denied that the comment harmed relations with Washington, saying he received no official complaints from U.S. officials at the summit.




Sounds like your ire should be directed further north, no?

 

Someone run a quick political primer of Canada by us who need to brush up.

Cretien is socialist? Center-alliance? I've forgotten.

 

Those of you saying Bush and the U.S. have pressured Ducros into resigning:
Wrong again.

Didn't I just say that? Drop the stick, the horse dead!!

While we wait with gasping anticipation for my quotes from Pres. Bush insulting other leaders, here are some others who happen to share Ms. Ducros' observation. These quotes, for some strange reason, did not result in International Incidents or calls for a public apology:

"Hopefully, he is not as stupid as he seems, nor as Mafia-like as his predecessors were."
- Fidel Castro

"Logically unsound, confused and unprincipled, unwise to the extreme."
- Jiang Zemin, Chinese President on George W. Bush

"Maybe it's knocked his syntax straight."
- Cokie Roberts, on Bush banging his head on the door while boarding Marine One

"Well, he got this new globe for Christmas."
- Bob Dole, dispelling rumors that George W. Bush lacks a grasp of foreign affairs

"If George W. Bush is a reformer, I'm an astronaut!"
- John McCain

"I'm not sure he really understands a lot of issues. He seems to be given his lines by other people."
- Sting

"I have been disappointed in almost everything he has done."
- Jimmy Carter

"As President Bush so eloquently put it in his address to Congress: 'Mathematics are one of the fundamentaries of educationalizing our youths.' I could not have said it better with a 10-foot pole."
- Dave Barry


"Bush was not elected president, but appointed and therefore why should the US [complain] (explitive deleted) about Cuba not holding free elections?"
- Fidel Castro

And who can argue when it comes right from his own mouth?!

"Those stories about my intellectual capacity do get under my skin. You know for a while I even thought my staff believed it. There on my schedule first thing every morning it said, 'Intelligence briefing.'"
- President Bush, on himself

"Are you with the Chinese press? Your English is perfect. You speak better English than I do."
- George W. Bush, to a Chinese reporter