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PTBC J-Log

A conservative OPINION blog --with bite. OPINION by Joel Johannesen.

Saturday, February 04, 2006

Toronto Star now an extreme ultra right paper?

Written by Joel Johannesen on Saturday February 04 2006 at 09:50 AM

No.  Just kidding.  But a hat tip to “conservativegal” for the fun waker-upper this morning.

Not that we suddenly start caring what the far left Toronto Star has to say, but since so many of their readers and a columnist have such a big crush on me (note however that they aren’t part of any “hatred front” against me and my web site!), I thought I’d make sure they all read the column today in their li’l bible by David Haskell—a guest columnist for them who won’t likely find a permanent job there.  Mr. Haskell and his columns are of course welcome here anytime.

Stephen Harper just can’t quit his inner-Evangelical

Stephen Harper, our newest Prime Minister, is an evangelical Christian. Over the course of the election campaign, certain media outlets, Liberal Party supporters, and members of Canada’s intelligentsia have suggested that that makes him different from the rest of us ... us being “average Canadians.”

Let me make this perfectly clear (I stole that line from Paul Martin), Harper’s faith does make him different, but not in the ways his detractors are suggesting.

As an evangelical, Harper is a strong supporter of traditional marriage but that hardly put him at odds with “average Canadians;” if anything it lumps him in with the majority. Consider this: a poll conduct last year for CBC News found that more than half of Canadians, 52 per cent, said they disagreed with the Liberal government’s plan to change the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples.

As an evangelical Harper probably supports some restrictions on abortion (I say probably, because he has never said so himself).

But again, this doesn’t set him against most Canadians, it aligns him with them.

A 2004 Environics poll showed that more than two-thirds of the population wants greater restrictions on abortion. In fact, some experts feel that percentage would increase if more Canadians knew that we have no abortion legislation and as such a pregnancy can be terminated up to its final month.

[...] While the values stemming from Harper’s evangelical faith may seem extreme relative to the values held by national media personnel, Liberal Party insiders and those in ivory towers; relative to the values held by a majority of Canadians they appear pretty mainstream.

Read the whole thing (takes one minute). 

I’ll keep you posted if any other such intelligent writing pops up from the Toronto Star.  Do not hold your breath at this time. 


Posted by Joel Johannesen on   Sat, February 04, 2006 at 9:50:00 AM
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COMMENTS

Comments do not necessarily reflect or in any way represent the opinion of the main blog entry writer or owner of this site, and claims to the contrary are spurious. Distasteful, abusive, hateful, or annoying remarks will likely be deleted; but since this is a relatively open forum, bad comments may accidentally remain on this site. The fact that a comment remains does not indicate an endorsement of the views.
  1. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) says:

    Great find conservativegal! Although I wouldn’t get too comfortable with the Toronto RED Star. Even hard core leftist entities will occasionally let a voice of reason through their gauntlet of defenses. You know, to show the world that they are, without question, “tolerant”, “inclusive”, “centrist”, and “open minded”. Those of us who know better, KNOW BETTER!

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  from  hamilton, ont.  on  Sat, February 04, 2006 at 10:43:00 AM
  2. conservativegal's avatar conservativegal says:

    It was a complete fluke as I was trolling the internet this morning.  When I saw the article, I thought it was the same old MSM, but imagine MY surprise.  I had to share it.

    I dumped the Star over 20 years ago when Rosie DiManno called Toronto Sun readers “lip reading mouth breathers.”  I like to be fair and see both sides of the political spectrum, but that comment went too far.  But, with the on-line version, I do like to lurk and see what they’re saying.

    Posted by conservativegal  from  Vancouver Island  on  Sat, February 04, 2006 at 10:55:33 AM
    — conservativegal's   s i g n a t u r e:

    “I am a Canadian, a free Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship God in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and for all mankind.”

    The Right Honourable John G. Diefenbaker, Prime Minister of Canada, House of Commons Debates on the Cdn. Bill of Rights, July 1, 1960

  3. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) says:

    Excellent article.

    If the Red Star will print that, then maybe the National Post will muster some courage and decide to really become a conservative paper again.

    Hope so.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  from  Guelph, Ontario  on  Sat, February 04, 2006 at 2:14:48 PM
  4. daverbonz's avatar daverbonz says:

    And reading that Star Blog with that windbag Antonio whats her name….is hilarious.  She is too stupid to even keep track of what she wrote on her own blog about this so called “hatred Front” accusation she points to about conservative blogs disrupting her utoptian CBC loving society.  Yeah, that was priceless but sadly I regret even wasting my time reading it because I can’t ever get those minutes back.  I feel cheated.

    Posted by daverbonz  from  Ottawa, Ontario...Nepean/Carleton  on  Sat, February 04, 2006 at 2:47:54 PM
  5. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) says:

    Sigh

    abortion, soldiers with guns on the streets, gay marriage….ARE WE SCARED or BORED YET ?!!

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  from  Alberta  on  Sat, February 04, 2006 at 3:53:41 PM
  6. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) says:

    Paul Hellyer. Now he’s scary.

    Don’t know what I’m talking about? Google this Liberal ex-Minister of Defence, and read all about the inter-galactic war the US is planning.

    Is this the hidden agenda the Liberals keep referring to?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  from  Ottawa  on  Sat, February 04, 2006 at 4:19:18 PM
  7. Dacre says:

    I don’t think we should expect much of this. It’s nice to see an article that isn’t inflammatory for a change though. Maybe it slipped past the editor by mistake.

    Posted by Dacre  from   on  Sat, February 04, 2006 at 6:49:46 PM
  8. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) says:

    The article in question was in the religion section of the Red Star,and displayed the now famous picture of PM Harper in a leather vest and cowboy hat.The story is a breath of fresh air in the barnyard that is the Toronto Star.I am certain that the editors posted the photo as a backhanded slap against PM Harper and any value that is of christian origin,and it assured that very few people had the opertunity to read this rational ,moderate ,column.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  from  center of fiberal malice {toronto}  on  Sat, February 04, 2006 at 9:27:32 PM
  9. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) says:

    I thought I’d stumbled into some repugnant party website in Arkansaw. Imagine my surprise when I read “proud to be Canadian.” I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone IRL who shares the same philosophy that is spewed here. So I’m not going to worry unnecessarily about this country falling into the lap of Harper. The true colours of this ‘conservative’ party are shown here.

    You have to post that we are now reading conservative thoughts and ideas as they leak out into society unchecked by liberals? It is to laugh! If the thoughts and ideas had any merit and were fit for polite society, they wouldn’t have to leak, but would flow unchecked to a populace that embraced and believed in them. Sneaking them out only shows the lack of courage in your convictions.

    I know this post will probably be deleted. You reformers wouldn’t know the truth if it slapped you in the face. At least have the courage to call yourselves reformers. I’ve never been a conservative but real conservatives would not be so narrow minded and hateful. You had to take a party name that didn’t rightfully belong to you and have forever ruined what the true conservatives stood for. You should have stuck with C.R.A.P. It truly represents your POV.

    I guess there aren’t enough of you to spread the word. You have to link to Coulter, Hannity, Rush, etc. The biggest fools the US has ever produced? If you can find common ground with a woman who advocates putting rat poison in the food of a democratic supreme court justice: who thinks Timothy McVeigh was a hero but should have blown up the NY Times building instead, then fly right at it. Rush, the pain med junkie who got out of going to VN because of a butt cyst! Yet he advocates the sending of another generation of young men to fight an immoral war. While he sits fighting to keep his med records sealed so he won’t have to do jail time for prescription shopping and drug abuse. What a group of hero’s you have.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  from  west coast island  on  Sat, February 04, 2006 at 11:24:02 PM
  10. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) says:

    aalborg ranted “While he sits fighting to keep his med records sealed so he won’t have to do jail time for prescription shopping and drug abuse.”

    Speaking of meds, I wonder if the problem with Aalborg is the ones he missed, or the ones he’s not supposed to have used to excess….

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  from   on  Sun, February 05, 2006 at 3:37:32 AM
  11. debsimms's avatar debsimms says:

    So you are saying you don’t like us, then Aalborg? Oh dear me! Oakalee Dokalee neighbour. Have a nice day! smile

    Posted by debsimms  from  Ottawa  on  Sun, February 05, 2006 at 4:47:04 AM
    — debsimms's   s i g n a t u r e:

    Never retreat, never explain, never apologize. Just get the thing done and let them howl. Nellie McClung, via Deb Grey.

  12. conservativegal's avatar conservativegal says:

    #9 - aalborg ranted:

    ...I thought I’d stumbled into some repugnant party website in Arkansaw.

    Beyond the wrong spelling of Arkansas, you just have to get that big, bad anti-american shot in, dont you?

    #9 - aalborg also ranted:

    ...real conservatives would not be so narrow minded and hateful

    We’ll leave that job to you.  You’re doing pretty good at it.

    Posted by conservativegal  from  Vancouver Island  on  Sun, February 05, 2006 at 5:46:54 AM
    — conservativegal's   s i g n a t u r e:

    “I am a Canadian, a free Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship God in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and for all mankind.”

    The Right Honourable John G. Diefenbaker, Prime Minister of Canada, House of Commons Debates on the Cdn. Bill of Rights, July 1, 1960

  13. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) says:

    Re: Comments by #9

    MACBETH

    She should have died hereafter;
    There would have been a time for such a word.
    To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
    Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
    To the last syllable of recorded time,
    And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
    The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
    Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
    That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
    And then is heard no more: it is a tale
    Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
    Signifying nothing.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  from  Winnipeg (Gateway to the West)  on  Sun, February 05, 2006 at 6:51:34 AM
  14. odie441's avatar odie441 says:

    The implications of these findings are staggering: it could mean that for the first time in decades Canadians might have a Prime Minister who doesn’t lie to them.

    After so many years (most of my lifetime) of politicians lieing (or saying what they think we want to hear) an honest PM will be very refreshing indeed. My dad always told me, “say what you mean and mean what you say”. Go Harper, more people than the left wing social elites, would like to believe, are behind you! God bless Stephen Harper and God bless Canada.

    Posted by odie441  from  Ottawa area  on  Sun, February 05, 2006 at 6:52:22 AM
    — odie441's   s i g n a t u r e:

    I MAY NOT AGREE WITH WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, BUT I WILL FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT!!

  15. odie441's avatar odie441 says:

    Thanks aalborg. You have done more to advance the Conservative movement in this country than we could ever have hoped to. Your left wing loony rant just proves how far away from true Canadian values the left has drifted. How about a big round of applause for aalborg as our way of sayinf thank you?

    Posted by odie441  from  Ottawa area  on  Sun, February 05, 2006 at 7:03:23 AM
    — odie441's   s i g n a t u r e:

    I MAY NOT AGREE WITH WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, BUT I WILL FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT!!

  16. debsimms's avatar debsimms says:

    But enough about Aalborg.

    Anyone want to play Name the Cabinet?

    Posted by debsimms  from  Ottawa  on  Sun, February 05, 2006 at 7:14:16 AM
    — debsimms's   s i g n a t u r e:

    Never retreat, never explain, never apologize. Just get the thing done and let them howl. Nellie McClung, via Deb Grey.

  17. daverbonz's avatar daverbonz says:

    Wow, another self righteous, everyone else is bad and I know better than you Liberal….Didn’t see that one coming… tongue laugh

    Posted by daverbonz  from  Ottawa, Ontario...Nepean/Carleton  on  Sun, February 05, 2006 at 7:20:28 AM
  18. Joel Johannesen's avatar Joel Johannesen says:

    aalborg emailed me a strongly worded personal note very shortly after posting that comment #9,  demonstrating more of that famous liberal-leftist “tolerance” this morning, saying mostly what she already said above in #9 (Linda Holmes is her real name by the way— and her email address is .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).

    But she added this to the top of that email (I reproduced it in full, below, after this):

    Why don’t you just hike on down to the US and take up residence? You will find more like-minded people of the repugnant persuasion there. You aren’t even original. This site is pretty much a word-for-word copy of the republican sites in the US. “God bless Canada”? You really mean, “God bless America and all her people”. Except the blacks, latinos, democrats, poor,  the sick etc. 

     

    Then twenty minutes later (I was sound asleep hours earlier) she sent another email in which she wrote this: 

    Subject: chicken

    I see it didn’t take long to delete my post under “Toronto Star now an extreme ultra right paper”!! What a hoot! Is the voice of dissent too much to handle? Are your views so weak they can’t stand up to criticism? I thought so. You C.R.A.P/repugnants are all the same. A sad and sorry lot.  But, I knew that.

    Linda Holmes

    I guess she’s got terrible vision or something. Or I’m a sleep walker.

    Anyway here’s her whole first personal email to me, reproduced here in case there was anything missing from her public comment in #9.  We wouldn’t want to miss any of the valuable stuff we can learn about the liberals, from this free lesson about liberals:

    Subject: this website - sad as it is

    Why don’t you just hike on down to the US and take up residence? You will find more like-minded people of the repugnant persuasion there. You aren’t even original. This site is pretty much a word-for-word copy of the republican sites in the US. “God bless Canada”? You really mean, “God bless America and all her people”. Except the blacks, latinos, democrats, poor,  the sick etc. 

    I wish you would stop calling yourselves conservative. You stole the word from the real conservatives in order to advance your evangelical agenda.  Going back to C.R.A.P. would be more indicative of your true nature. Your party sure messed up with that one, didn’t they?!

    You have to “leak” out conservative thoughts and ideas? If they had any merit they would flow unchecked and be embraced by all. Do you not realize how pathetic that statement is? 

    You link and align yourself with Coulter, Rush, Hannity etc? Have you seriously read what these people advocate? Coulter recently stated someone should put rat poison in the food of the democratic SC justice. As an aside,  she said she was just joking. Who does she think she is kidding? That from a woman who thinks Tim McVeigh is a hero. God bless America alright. With nutbars like that, they need all the help they can get. You really want to bring that level of ignorance to Canada? Strike that….I guess you have.  Rush, the pain med junkie desperately seeking to have his med records sealed to avoid jail time. Yeah, a real hero alright! 

    Anyways, keep up the good work. It is a sure fire way to destroy any chance of getting Harper elected next time around. I know I will be telling everyone I know that, what they most fear about the Harper government is true. Just go to this site and read the nonsense and avoid the conservative party like the plague. I’ll be letting Harper know also, that he should publically disassociate himself from you and the like-minded knuckle draggers who frequent here, if his hidden dream of power is to be realized to its full extent. 

    Proudtobedumb.ca would be a more appropriate heading for this site.

    Post this wherever you want. You don’t have the guts though.

    Linda Holmes

    Thanks Linda!

    Posted by Joel Johannesen  from  Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada  on  Sun, February 05, 2006 at 9:27:28 AM
    — Joel Johannesen's   s i g n a t u r e:

    I could hardly believe “ProudToBeCanadian” was available when I was looking for a web site domain name.  No liberal thought of it?  It took a true blue CONSERVATIVE to think of buying that name and starting a web site built around it?  What does that tell you?  ...  Please remember to support this site.

  19. debsimms's avatar debsimms says:

    Dear Sweet natured and open-minded Linda: Did you have a bowl of grumpy for breakfast? Your venom may just be some sour grapes, n’est pas?

    Lovely Linda, what would you do, if upon further exploration and study, upon deeper reflection and examination, you discovered that you do not occupy the moral high ground?

    Would it disturb you to have to leave the perch of She Who Knows Best in all Humanity? Good gracious, Linda. Learn to look past your stereotypes and take ideas for what they are. Ideas!

    Remember that saying about two ears and one mouth? Seems like this is one of those times for you to dig a little deeper and listen a little harder. You only think you are the smartest and compassionate person on the planet. But you actually are acting like a closed minded ultra left-wing bigot. You can ‘come around’ though. Perhaps if you speak to your favourite non-Conservative Member of Parliament, she or he can patiently explain to you about our how to listen to those on in a different party. Since you seem to think so highly of your opinions, perhaps you are thinking of running for office.

    If so, you will have to learn to reach out across the way to understand how the other party views things.

    Take care, Linda. Good luck on your journey

    Posted by debsimms  from  Ottawa  on  Sun, February 05, 2006 at 9:41:02 AM
    — debsimms's   s i g n a t u r e:

    Never retreat, never explain, never apologize. Just get the thing done and let them howl. Nellie McClung, via Deb Grey.

  20. conservativegal's avatar conservativegal says:

    Gee, Linda, even Liberals would have trouble swallowing your dose of venom.

    I’d rather be known as a “like-minded knuckle dragger” than an plain old ordinary bigot.

    As debsimms said “learn to reach out across the way to understand how the other party views things.” otherwise, your sad and bitter views will get you nowhere.

    Posted by conservativegal  from  Vancouver Island  on  Sun, February 05, 2006 at 10:12:08 AM
    — conservativegal's   s i g n a t u r e:

    “I am a Canadian, a free Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship God in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and for all mankind.”

    The Right Honourable John G. Diefenbaker, Prime Minister of Canada, House of Commons Debates on the Cdn. Bill of Rights, July 1, 1960

  21. daverbonz's avatar daverbonz says:

    Like a cornered animal fighting for it’s life.  The social engineers (AKA: Progressives) have been discovered to be frauds and no better than a 3rd world Junta.  They steal our money, make promises they have no intention of keeping, accuse others of intolerance and hatred while practicing the same art on a daily basis.  They take no prisoners when fighting for their lifes and accuse everyone that doesn’t bow down and kiss their feet.  Sort of like the most recent Liberal campaign.  Even NDPers were embarrassed by the display.  We should all remember that these wing-nuts are really the ones to be feared.  Look what they’ve done to the social and political institutions in this country.  But don’t corner them because the venom they spew is proably the most hate filled garbage you’ve ever heard or read in you life.

    Linda, I heard Cuba is nice in the winter.

    Posted by daverbonz  from  Ottawa, Ontario...Nepean/Carleton  on  Sun, February 05, 2006 at 10:36:29 AM
  22. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) says:

    guess Linda is donating her hard earn money to David Dingwall’s 418,000$ severance package cause Dingwall will support her anti american venom and her Mr. Roger’s wonderful world of make believe evangical scary monsters.

    wonder if she will also foot the bill for Jack Layton’s private health care clinic visit?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  from  Alberta  on  Sun, February 05, 2006 at 11:10:06 AM
  23. daverbonz's avatar daverbonz says:

    CGM I am so glad you brought this Dingbat garbage up.  The Liberals lied to us about the details surround Dingbats resignation.  No, this is the dirtiest form of patronage you can find.  A disgraced crook caught dipping his hand too far into the cookie-Jar, again, gets fired - wait - he resigned - no wait- dismissed without cause - wait…ahh, you get it.  And McCallum stood up in the House of Commons and LIED to every Canadian about the facts that were clearly in front of him.  They also witheld the arbitrators decision to award this Liberal Cronie this nice little cushion to land his mushy behind on 4 days prior to the election.  Would have been nice to know just before Canadians had to decide if the Liberals were as corrupt as many intelligent voters thought.  Bloody disgracful and just another example why this government needs to be investigated and then prosecute the group of thiefs….

    Posted by daverbonz  from  Ottawa, Ontario...Nepean/Carleton  on  Sun, February 05, 2006 at 12:12:06 PM
  24. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) says:

    Question: What is the major difference between conservatives and liberal-lefty’s?

    Answer: Who’s paying?

    Think about it. Everything the left stands for, everything it advocates, every program it wants to force on all of us, requires money from the taxpayer. Liberal-left ideas, causes, programs, etc. would never stand on their own if these socialists had to win over citizens and solicit funding from private sources.

    The liberal-left REQUIRES the unsuspecting taxpayer to pay for all their toys and schemes. They are oh so willing to belly up to the trough with programs, as long as it’s the private sector paying for them.

    Would we have the gigantic poverty industry and the myriad of leftist special interest groups in Canada if they had to organize, form allies, sell their ideas to the people and pay for programs themselves? Ahhh…NO.

    The vast majority (if not all) conservative organizations are never granted or refuse public funding.

    I have been a student of conservative vs. liberal ideology for some time now and what really separates the right from the left is the issue of Who pays?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  from  Prairie Canada  on  Sun, February 05, 2006 at 12:52:35 PM
  25. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) says:

    #9 aalborg from west coast island

    LOLOL..too funny..that is the farthest “left” part of Canada..how perfect is that!  Islanders in general are totally left wing and massive whiners..mostly from Eastern Canada and the Maritimes actually!  David Suzuki/Enviro worshipers of the ultra extreme left variety.  I have been kayaking and cycling all over Vancouver Island..the welfare, union and grow op state!  Peace niks and NDP and Liberal strong holds..stoned on pot and socialist drivel.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  from  Sodom & Gomorrah aka Vancouver  on  Sun, February 05, 2006 at 4:23:21 PM
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