tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post3067318979968683278..comments2024-03-28T19:18:40.387-04:00Comments on Northern Reflections: More Of The SameOwen Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-16023794405625795432016-09-03T02:02:10.107-04:002016-09-03T02:02:10.107-04:00Exactly, Hugh. That's because the money barons...Exactly, Hugh. That's because the money barons are in charge.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-60617075400836290232016-09-02T21:34:29.075-04:002016-09-02T21:34:29.075-04:00ISDS appears to be turning into a money-making bus...ISDS appears to be turning into a money-making business, for the companies, and the lawyers. <br /><br />NAFTA<br />CETA<br />TPP<br />TISA<br />TTIP<br />China-FIPA<br />TILMA (between BC and Alberta)<br /><br />They all have ISDS.Hughnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-83192934825858881092016-09-02T08:21:41.507-04:002016-09-02T08:21:41.507-04:00Mr. Lee's take on things is always the same, J...Mr. Lee's take on things is always the same, John, and therefore not surprising. Your speculation about Harper's motives is interesting.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-13428141865632953022016-09-01T19:16:59.030-04:002016-09-01T19:16:59.030-04:00I recall a vigorous defence, provided by Professor...I recall a vigorous defence, provided by Professor Ian Lee on one of the financial chat show discussions, of the necessity for inclusion of solid I-SDS provisions in "trade" agreements . He said that the provisions are required in order to protect "our companies". End of discussion. My question still is: What's a "our company"?<br /><br />These mechanisms can open the field for investment interests to adopt any national identity of their choosing by either buying into or selling off a minority interest in order to avail themselves of advantages associated with whatever agreement or convoluted set of agreements might be applicable to a project. Again: what's a "our company"?<br /><br />"There are no nations. There are no peoples. There are no Russians. There are no Arabs. There are no third worlds. There is no West. There is only one holistic system of systems, one vast and immane, interwoven, interacting, multivariate, multinational dominion of dollars. Petro-dollars, electro-dollars, multi-dollars, reichmarks, rands, rubles, pounds, and shekels. It is the international system of currency which determines the totality of life on this planet. That is the natural order of things today. ...<br /> <br />"Am I getting through to you, Mr. Beale?"<br /><br />Harper? My estimation always was that the boy was using the opportunity and his position to stooge for the potential future clients of Harper & Associates and, in the process, accumulate some deferred earnings for the firm.John B.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-21285742892998978412016-09-01T14:11:05.780-04:002016-09-01T14:11:05.780-04:00Given that we are the US poodle in every case when...Given that we are the US poodle in every case when the CONS are in charge they should be afraid <br />we are but a proxy for the US empire. Just like Julian Assage is wanted for rape, sure.<br />On the light side if your a man you will enjoy this<a href="http://thinkingaboot.blogspot.ca/2016/09/every-day-i-wake-up-with-screaming-woody.html" rel="nofollow"> woody story.</a>Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14162783936999869984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-63366894319431169672016-09-01T13:33:43.864-04:002016-09-01T13:33:43.864-04:00Given the opposition to CETA in Europe, Steve, it ...Given the opposition to CETA in Europe, Steve, it sounds like the Europeans fear they will be snookered by us.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-85391835995702647182016-09-01T13:13:33.439-04:002016-09-01T13:13:33.439-04:00In defense of CETA I lived seven years in Europe a...In defense of CETA I lived seven years in Europe and honestly if you ask me Austria is a better country than Canada. So I do not fear being yellow belly seared suckered by Europe.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14162783936999869984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-8970563392870582692016-09-01T10:31:43.165-04:002016-09-01T10:31:43.165-04:00This has always been about scratching each others&...This has always been about scratching each others' backs, Pam. Unfortunately, ordinary people are left with the itch.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-25416328661534387012016-09-01T10:16:15.581-04:002016-09-01T10:16:15.581-04:00Unfortunately, Steve, that appears to be the case....Unfortunately, Steve, that appears to be the case.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-22663197238568962142016-09-01T10:13:15.495-04:002016-09-01T10:13:15.495-04:00Hi Owen. When describing the CETA "trade"...Hi Owen. When describing the CETA "trade" deal Freeland called it gold plated. She has enough knowledge to know this is a lie, yet she continues to con the Canadian people. <br /><br />What I find truly astonishing is Trudeau and the liberals specifically Freeland's complete disregard for what the impact of CETA will have on the Canadian public.<br /><br />The threat to our democracy, if this deal is ratified, does not seem to bother them. What kind of Canadian PM sacrifices the rights of Canadian citizens in order to secure an unconstitutional "trade" deal?<br /><br />We just threw out a Tyrant who was constantly operating in secrecy and giving the finger to Canadians. A tyrant who was continuously attempting to violate our rights.<br /><br />I don't see where Trudeau is any different. What I've seen in the 10 months of Trudeau's governing is that the future of our democracy is in serious trouble.<br /><br />By putting in the investor protection clause, they can bypass our constitution, The Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Isn't that the point regarding why this clause was put in CETA and other "trade" deals in the first place?<br /><br />The question is, what has Trudeau and the liberal government to gain by doing this?<br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07842215982128591742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-56533507876990176692016-09-01T09:24:11.618-04:002016-09-01T09:24:11.618-04:00meet the new boss same as the old boss. The margin...meet the new boss same as the old boss. The margins may shrink and swell but the body is always made for the Kings and court.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14162783936999869984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-10373938786376236312016-09-01T09:17:56.723-04:002016-09-01T09:17:56.723-04:00You get the impression, Lorne, that your politicia...You get the impression, Lorne, that your politicians have been bought and paid for.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-62223413007426385802016-09-01T08:59:50.835-04:002016-09-01T08:59:50.835-04:00I'm glad you wrote about this today, Owen. One...I'm glad you wrote about this today, Owen. One of the things that has always bothered me about the investor rights protections put into these trade deals, beyond the obvious objections, is that I have never heard a defence of them by anyone, least of all our 'leaders.' Journalists have to start asking uncomfortable questions and demand answers.Lornehttp://www.politicsanditsdiscontents.blogspot.canoreply@blogger.com