Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Talk:Black hole

2009-11-13T16:08:48Z

MichaelHWC: /* Falsifiability */

==Extremely high density==

Technically, it's undefined, no? [[User:Tsumetai|Tsumetai]] 07:52, 22 March 2007 (EDT)

did you know the 'Black Holes FAQ', which there is a link to, was written in 1995? -stevenM

== Existence confirmed? ==

Perhaps I was hasty. I will reconsider. Any other sources I might find enlightening, perhaps from a YEC perspective? [[User:BHarlan|BHarlan]] 15:16, 7 January 2009 (EST)

[[Talk:Atheistic Style#Black Holes]] covers it quite well. I don't know of any evidence from a '''reliable''' source that shows the existence of Black holes. This "can't be directly observed" thing reminds me a bit too much of evolution. [[User:BHarlan|BHarlan]] 12:16, 9 January 2009 (EST)
:Even wikipedia's article notes that all of the different pieces of evidence of a black hole are problematic and can be explained by other sources. [[User:RodWeathers|- Rod Weathers]] 12:21, 9 January 2009 (EST)

::This is why the article starts by stating "A black hole is a '''theoretical''' mass with an escape velocity greater than the speed of light. They cannot be observed directly, but several have been identified via indirect observation" I also don't see how NASA or UCLA Berkely are unreliable sources for astronomy. As for "can't be directly observed",there are numerous articles on CP related to Intelligent Design that don't rely on direct observations of a designer to discuss the apparent presence of design in nature.

::The beauty of science that it's always open to review and reassessment as new discoveries come to light. In time man's understanding of Black Holes may be different from this article, but we owe the readers the best current explanations available. I'm not suggesting censorship - all credible alternate theories should be listed, but stating that there have been no observations of one is false - by definition they are not directly observable, so proving they exist relies on indirect observation and physics. --[[User:DinsdaleP|DinsdaleP]] 12:38, 9 January 2009 (EST)

:::There is no place called "UCLA Berkely".
:::ID is bolstered by the direct observation available from Genesis.
:::The best explanation is not always the explanation espoused by Californians.
:::We know how our universe began. If NASA & discovery.com deny it, they lose credibility, and their other statements come under greater scrutiny. If you met someone today who insisted that the sky is red and that Sears closes at 10, you would be wise to check the store hours yourself. [[User:BHarlan|BHarlan]] 13:58, 9 January 2009 (EST)

::::Okay, my mistake regarding Berkely notwithstanding, my last reversion is based on two simple things. The word "is" should not be replaced by "would be" - it ''is'' a characteristic of black holes within the theory that describes them. Second, the use of [[Big Science]] as a term on CP was started by an admitted parodist, and equating NASA with it, frankly comes across as parody as well. Instead of diluting references to good science, spend more time supporting alternate explanations constructively. --[[User:DinsdaleP|DinsdaleP]] 14:07, 9 January 2009 (EST)

:::::"Would be" is appropriate for hypothetical things. We say "Dole would have been a better President than Clinton," not "Dole was a better President than Clinton," even "within a theory that describes" Dole as being elected.
:::::"Big Science" was used in ''[[Expelled]]''. You don't think that was parody, do you?
:::::"Berkely" isn't a place, either.
:::::It seems like I'm the only one trying to make constructive edits towards a compromise. I guess this is not surprising, given the content on [[User:DinsdaleP]]. [[User:BHarlan|BHarlan]] 14:26, 9 January 2009 (EST)

::::::BHarlan, I believe that you do not understand a small but important bit of information, most astronomical discoveries are collaborative efforts usually initiated by small independent astronomers. When you say big science you could classify biosciences like that, but astronomy is totally different.--[[User:Able806|Able806]] 14:19, 9 January 2009 (EST)

::::::The so-called "evidence" for Black holes does not fit a pattern like the one you describe. [[User:BHarlan|BHarlan]] 14:26, 9 January 2009 (EST)

(unindent)

I'm not making any other changes to the revision just posted by Aschlafly. To BHarlan, I make no apologies for my User Page content. If the CP leadership wishes to block me over my [http://www.conservapedia.com/Special:Contributions/DinsdaleP contributions] they have the right to do so at any time, but I feel that my efforts here are constructive even when I disagree with others. Feel free to have the last word on this, I'm moving on to other topics. --[[User:DinsdaleP|DinsdaleP]] 14:45, 9 January 2009 (EST)

Black holes have been spotted by a number of well-respected astronomical institutes for decades, with those discoveries tested and confirmed repeatedly. Your edits are unsupported by either fact or citation Andy, so under the rules youelf created I have no choice but to revert your edits, whereas the edits saying that black holes have been spotted are fully cited with references from reputable sources including NASA, an organisation fully backed by all US Governments, including conservative governments, since its inception.-[[User:Ieuan|Ieuan]] 15:47, 9 January 2009 (EST)

:Your sarcastic edit comments are not welcome here. You might want to check "youelf", else you might end up wrecking youelf.
:Also, you always have a choice! Do you deny this choice? That is a typical sentiment of materialists. If you do not believe in your soul, you will receive a nasty surprise pretty soon, and it won't just be the non-existence of black holes!
:Also, that is not how "whereas" is used in standard English.
:Also, NASA has taken a sad left turn as of late. This is one of the reasons the U.S.A.F. has its own space program. Do you see?
:Also, may God bless you. [[User:BHarlan|BHarlan]] 16:10, 9 January 2009 (EST)

::My my, I miss a 's' in a typo and you decide to launch an ad hominem attack… Very 'christian' of you, or then again; not.
::''"Also, that is not how "whereas" is used in standard English".'' That might not be how you use it with your standard of English, but as anyone who has been taught the correct way to use the English language knows, it's perfectly correct. Oh, and a little, free, friendly lesson regarding the use of written English : You never start consecutive paragraphs with the same word unless it is absolutely necessary, which, in your above post it wasn't. If you are having trouble with your synonyms I heartily recommend using a thesaurus.
::The military space research programmes exist solely to explore the possible military applications of space. All civilian space programmes, including government projects run through the relevant Space Agencies (NASA, ESA, etc.). This is common knowledge amongst those who know anything about this subject.
::Stating that black holes don't exist is akin to believing the moon landing was faked. The existence of black holes and the fact that they have been spotted is undisputed by anyone who has the knowledge and experience to know what they are looking at. I have had the privilege of seeing two of these black holes myself. They are out there and have been spotted, and that is a direct, firsthand witness statement.
::May you be touched by his noodly appendage, or if that isn't your cup of tea, may you be blessed by the goat Heidrún. RAmen.-[[User:Ieuan|Ieuan]] 17:06, 10 January 2009 (EST)

:::* It's "an 's'", not "a 's'".
:::* If you missed just one 's', then that part of the sentence would read "under the rules youself created", which is ''still'' wrong.
:::* If you missed an 'r' and an 's', then that part of the sentence would read "under the rules yourself created", which is '''still''' wrong.
:::* An [[ad hominem]] attack means to reply to the logic in your arguments by attacking your character. I did no such thing. I didn't attack your character in any way. I asked if you were a materialist, then pointed out that materialists are Hell-bound. If you have a problem with your final resting place, I suggest you reconsider your path in life. I do not suggest that the Hell-bound are never able to make logical arguments.
:::* "Christian" is capitalized. Did you leave it uncapitalized on purpose? If so, I suggest you blaspheme somewhere else.
:::* That is not how semicolons are used in standard English.
:::* You need a comma after "but" for the aside.
:::* You do not need commas around "friendly", just like you don't need commas around "red" in "big red inflatable ball"
:::* I will not discuss the friendly lesson here, except to note that stylistic choices are different than maintaining correctness. Comma placement and word choice are different beasts.
:::* The sentence starting "All civilian" has no main verb, so I can't respond to it.
:::* Hyperbole about the moon landing is simply rhetoric. If there is no argument, there can be no response.
:::* Wikipedia may accept your anonymous evidence, but we are more careful here.
:::* Black holes can't be seen. What I suppose you mean is that you infer their existence. Your inference is not particularly convincing.
:::* Please take your graven goat pasta idols elsewhere. Here we show some simple respect for God.
:::* I am done with this pointless, blasphemous discussion. It is not encyclopedic. I suggest you contribute to this encyclopedia. It is a good way to improve your writing skills. I have been contributing partially for that reason. Maybe you could join me in adding articles and value, rather than taking the name of my Lord in vain?
:::* If you decide not to, you may have the last word here, as I will no longer reply to this silliness. I hope you will decide to contribute instead. [[User:BHarlan|BHarlan]] 18:33, 10 January 2009 (EST)
:::: *Sigh* ''"a wit, an arrow, across the head it passed, an apple not pierced today"'', an 'r' and an 's', my apologies, how can such typos be left to pass, expecially when they are nothing to do with the argument at hand, well done for picking up such niggling detail, and yet avoiding the point of the argument. Admittedly I missed the n in an, but again, a typo, they happen. ''"Wikipedia may accept your anonymous evidence, but we are more careful here"'', how does evidence from NASA count as anonymous evidence?…at all?…in any way?…whatsoever? As for an ad hominen attack, your argument provided no evidence against the existence of black holes, merely an attack on myself, the purest definition of ad hominen (a course in Latin will help you there). Christian or christian, depends on how you want to write it and on your own beliefs. Me, not my belief, and as I don't believe I cannot blaspheme, after all, how can you blaspheme against something that does not exist to be blasphemed? Use of semicolons in standard English? Again, I refer you to the fact the your standard of English might not be sufficient to use them in such regard. I recommend increasing your quality of English by beginning with Chaucer and reading your way up. At some point you will realise that the use of English in any form is an art, not a science, and that language is to be used in such a way as to provoke delight, wonder and thought with its writing, and beyond the obvious rules of form, there are no hard and fast rules, merely that of metre, pace and illumination. ''"The sentence starting "All civilian" has no main verb, so I can't respond to it"'', '''run''', it's a verb, hard to miss, I'll admit to missing a comma (the sentence should read ''"All civilian space programmes, including government projects, run through the relevant Space Agencies (NASA, ESA, etc.)"'', but missing the word '''run''' *shakes head in disbelief*: if you insist on a purer form for that sentence, how about "All civilian space programmes, including government projects, are run through the relevant Space Agencies (NASA, ESA, etc.)", but all things being equal, both sentences say the same thing. Moon landing = the sum of evidence gathered concerning the existence of black holes, and that they have been spotted, is greater than the evidence that the moon landing occurred in 1969, hence the corollary. ''"Please take your graven goat pasta idols elsewhere. Here we show some simple respect for God"'', I found it offensive that you forced your beliefs on me, now you have found it offensive when I have forced my beliefs on you, with luck you will have learnt a lesson there, don't force your beliefs and prayers on me and I will return the favour by not blessing you with a little sarcastic FSM (oh, and a little FYI, the word graven means carved and I'm sure that the old FSM hasn't been carved yet and, in addition, I doubt that there are any extant carvings of Thor's goats, although I'm willing to admit that I might be wrong in that regard.)--[[User:Ieuan|Ieuan]] 22:13, 13 January 2009 (EST)

I have researched an extensive amount about black holes, and am about to add more information to the article that I hope will prove to be interesting and useful (I will, of course, cite my sources). I am also adding a couple of updates, as some of the information in the article is dated. As a topic about which scientists are still learning, that happens a lot. I hope the updates will improve the quality of the article and its use for educational purposes. [[User:BlueMoon|BlueMoon]] 15:26, 24 June 2009 (EDT)

== Impossible? ==

"A black hole is a theoretical prediction of the theory of relativity. It is impossible to prove that a black hole does not exist, and thus it fails the falsifiability requirement of science."

Actually in science we cannot prove with 100% certainty that ''anything'' does not exist, you cannot prove a negative. This opening sentence needs to be rewritten first for that reason, also for the fact that black holes have been indirectly observed via Accretion disks, gas jets, gravity lensing, radiation emissions, and other orbits of other stellar bodies. Also there is no other valid explanation in science for the aforementioned effects of a black hole that we observe. --[[User:BMcP|BMcP]] 17:00, 1 July 2009 (EST)

:No, that's the point- to be scientific, something has to be able to be proven wrong. That is a major part of the scientific method. For example, God is not a scientific concept, because you cannot disprove God. But to be science, one of the criterion is that the idea be able to be disproven.

:Falsifiability is not the ''only'' criterion for whether something is scientific, so perhaps black holes are not ''unscientific.'' But that opening is pretty much accurate. [[User:AddisonDM|AddisonDM]] 17:50, 1 July 2009 (EDT)

:: Black holes are falsifiable as a theory, because the observations generally accepted as caused by black holes ''could'' be causes something else, however there is no alternative theory ''at present'' to explain the phenomenon. However you cannot prove that a black hole ''could never'' exist just as you cannot prove atoms, or anything, could never exist. God is not a scientific theory not because it is impossible to absolutely disprove God (impossible to prove that God could never possibly exist) but because the supernatural cannot be shown to exist through science, which deals only with the natural universe, if you could present a theory God existed in science, that god would no longer be supernatural by definition.

:: Honestly I don't understand the objection to black holes, there is no conservative reason for it. --[[User:BMcP|BMcP]] 19:04, 1 July 2009 (EST)

:::The existence of black holes is ''not'' falsifiable. Surely you agree with that. Black holes cannot be observed either. Addison explained the flaw well above, but you seem intent on sticking with your beliefs. Believe what you like, but black holes do not satisfy any sensible definition of science.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 20:37, 1 July 2009 (EDT)

:::: The possible existence of anything is not falsifiable, black holes, quarks, gods, even godzilla, only theories are falsifiable, such as the theory that explain what black holes are and how they work. The present theories of black holes are falsifiable, but so far no one has successfully debunked them, or offer an alternate scientific theory for the phenomenon attributed to the effects and properties of black holes. We cannot observe an isolated quark directly, but we accept that theory.

:::: However I cannot change one's mind, that is fine, I made my objections known, I am not going to step on people's toes by attempting to change the page, I just believe it is scientifically incorrect in it's proclamation and could stand to be improved for a better article. I have said what I believe needed to be said and will end my part here, anyone feel free to respond with the last word or contact me privately. --[[User:BMcP|BMcP]] 21:07, 1 July 2009 (EST)

:::::Thank you for your interest. Note that atoms have actually been observed (in refutation of what you said above, "you cannot prove atoms, or anything, could never exist". I don't think the article will be changed though. Black holes are sort of on the fence between observable, testable physics, and "theoretical" physics, e.g. string theory. There are a million sources where you can get the standard overview of black holes. Why not have a different view here? Wikipedia does not even ''mention'' the issue of falsifiability, so we are doing a service to the scientific method by at least bringing it up- even if you think the article's conclusion is wrong. [[User:AddisonDM|AddisonDM]] 21:23, 1 July 2009 (EDT)

:::::In addition to Addison's comments, note that some theories ''are'' [[falsifiable]] (such as Newton's theory of gravity), while other theories are ''not'' falsifiable, such as the theory that black holes must exist or [[string theory]]. And when a theory is not falsifiable, it is not science. If BMcP proposes an alternative definition of science, then let's hear it, but I doubt he'll do better than [[Karl Popper]] in making [[falsifiability]] part of the definition.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 21:45, 1 July 2009 (EDT)

Guys, this is becoming quite the argument; however, it is unnecessary because the idea that black holes exist ''is'' falsifiable. If NASA sends probes out to nearby black holes (which would take a long time, but it's possible), and they all turn out to be ancient Spartans in spaceships or whatever, then scientists will conclude that black holes don't exist and start working on how Spartans came to be in space and why they have accretion disks, etc. So black holes are falsifiable, and this argument is a source of unnecessary tension. [[User:BlueMoon|BlueMoon]] 12:55, 8 July 2009 (EDT)

I don't get this non-falsifiable argument. If we see light from a star, then it is not a black hole. Any claim that it is a black hole is then falsified. Black hole theory says that a star becomes a black hole whenever its mass goes inside its Schwarzschild radius, it becomes a black hole. So if we ever find a star that emits light and has its mass inside its Schwarzschild radius, then the theory is falsified. [[User:RSchlafly|RSchlafly]] 10:32, 28 July 2009 (EDT)
:The problem with that argument is that we live light years away, so what we could be seeing at one moment could be just the beginning before the light is swallowed into the black hole. --[[User:ChrisZ|ChrisZ]] 11:01, 28 July 2009 (EDT)

:: No, we can observe the radius, mass, and light all at the same time. [[User:RSchlafly|RSchlafly]] 12:07, 28 July 2009 (EDT)

::: Should we change the article then, seeing how there's no rebuttal to [[User:RSchlafly|RSchlafly]]'s post regarding the falsifiability of the black hole theory? [[User:ATang|ATang]] 11:03, 6 August 2009 (EDT)

:::: RSchlafly is absolutely right, as far as anything a graduate student could say might "validate" the statements of an actual PhD. But an additional argument: it wouldn't even be necessary to use astronomical observations to invalidate the theory of black holes. A large enough super collider - perhaps the LHC, perhaps a more powerful device - could discover a quark degeneracy pressure, or some other currently-unknown mechanism, which might offer a potentially infinite resistance to collapse, or, pressure so great at certain densities that an impossibly large amount of matter would be necessary to form a black hole.
:::: I'm not going to remove this material yet, since I see Andy put it there, but I hope Mr. Schlafly will read this page and reconsider. [[User:JacobB|JacobB]] 14:46, 8 August 2009 (EDT)

::::: There are some untestable statements that are commonly made about black holes. One might even argue that statements about the interior of a black hole are unfalsifiable, because we cannot see the inside. But black hole theory does have a lot of observable consequences, so I think that the article is misleading. [[User:RSchlafly|RSchlafly]] 10:12, 9 August 2009 (EDT)

:::::: How might one falsify the basic assertion about black holes: that black holes exist such that light cannot escape? Every time one observes light escaping, he simply concludes that it is not a black hole.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 11:31, 9 August 2009 (EDT)

:::::::Mr. Schlafly, you're absolutely right that the general claim, "There are mysterious regions of space from which light cannot escape" is an unverifiable claim. Black holes don't refer to this statement - they refer to the specific statement, "It is possible to concentrate a certain amount of mass, so that the gravity of that mass prevents light from escaping." This could be falsified by experiments in particle accelerators (possibly the LHC, I'm not familiar enough with it to know) which could demonstrate that such concentration of matter is impossible - that degeneracy pressures, currently unknown, prevent such it. This would falsify the claim that black holes exist. [[User:JacobB|JacobB]] 11:52, 9 August 2009 (EDT)

:::::::: I have an open mind about this, but fail to see how an inability to generate a black hole using a generator would falsify the existence of black holes in outer space. Most likely those who believe in black holes would simply say that higher and higher energies or densities are needed to generate it in particle accelerators.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 12:16, 9 August 2009 (EDT)

::::::::: You're right that failure to create a microscopic black hole in a lab wouldn't falsify the idea that they can form. What I'm claiming is that research which aims, not to create microscopic black holes, but to gain more insight into the forces that govern the behavior of sub atomic particles, might unearth evidence that would refute black holes.
::::::::: Here's how: right now, the theory on black hole formation states that as matter accumulates, first electron degeneracy pressure is overcome (that is, the structure of the matter in question would be not atoms side by side, but atomic nuclei side by side with no electrons in between), then the nuclear degeneracy pressure is overcome, that is, one would not longer have nuclei side by side, but neutrons and protons side by side (a neutron star), and then finally, this neutron degeneracy pressure is overcome and the matter becomes so dense it is contained by its own Schwarzchild radius and becomes a black hole.
::::::::: It is entirely plausible that a particle accelerator of sufficient power could concentrate matter to overcome the neutron degeneracy pressure only to discover a quark degeneracy pressure, or some other force. It is also possible that this new force would require SO MUCH matter to be overcome, as to be unphysical (for example, it might take more matter than is currently believed to exist to overcome the pressure). If this pressure was to prevent matter from being denser than the Schwarzschild limit, then the claim that black holes exist would be forever disproven and falsified. [[User:JacobB|JacobB]] 12:43, 9 August 2009 (EDT)

::::::::: Additional note: As RSchlafly points out, there are many claims about black holes which ARE unfalsifiable, currently - as he points out, claims about the interior of the event horizon are not falsifiable. Similarly, predictions regarding their presence in certain locations are not falsifiable by any means we yet possess. The same criticism could be leveled at my above description of an experiment in nuclear-density matter. [[User:JacobB|JacobB]] 12:56, 9 August 2009 (EDT)

:::::::::: We cannot determine what is happening in the "interior" (inside the event horizon) but that doesn't make a black hole itself not falsifiable. We are not sure what the interior of a neutron star is at all, but I think everyone here agrees they do exist. Also just because you cannot visually see something (such as a black hole, where light cannot escape from inside the event horizon) doesn't mean it isn't there or falsifiable. Most astronomical study of space is not in the visual spectrum, and there are many ways to determine the existence of a black hole. I also must point out, there has been no alternative hypotheses to explain the gravitational effects we presently attribute to black holes. Also, as pointed out before, if we are able to find an object of sufficient mass within the Schwarzschild radius, which normally would continue to collapse into a gravitational singularity (Black Hole) ''but has not'', that would disprove the theory of Black holes right there, or in other words falsify them. For example, if we found an object the same mass of our Sun, and was smaller then its Schwarzschild radius of around 3 km (the Schwarzschild radius for an object of that mass) and it '''did not''' collapse into a black hole, then the theory of Black Holes ''would be proven false''. --[[User:BMcP|BMcP]] 08:14, 12 August 2009 (EDT)

::::::::::: I hate to disagree with BMcP, because we share the same goal here (getting the non-falsifiability statement removed from the article), but there was a lot of bad science in that response and we should have an argument based in facts and truth.

::::::::::: '''I also must point out, there has been no alternative hypotheses to explain the gravitational effects we presently attribute to black holes.'''
:::::::::::: That's not entirely true. In my previous posts, I mentioned that discovering a sufficiently powerful quark degeneracy pressure could disprove the existence of "black holes." Objects which are prevent from gravitational collapse by quark degeneracy pressure, "quark stars," could explain a good deal of phenomenon currently attributed to black holes could be very adequately explained by such phenomenon - extraordinary x-ray sources, quasars, all these rely on on the affects of a large amount of mass concentrated in a small space, not necessarily a Schwarschild radius. Which brings me to
::::::::::: '''if we are able to find an object of sufficient mass within the Schwarzschild radius, which normally would continue to collapse into a gravitational singularity (Black Hole) ''but has not'', that would disprove the theory of Black holes right there, or in other words falsify them."
:::::::::::: Any object which is completely contained in a Schwarzschild radius is automatically a black hole, regardless of whether or not it has collapsed into a singularity or not. Furthermore, since the gravitation field exterior to the schwarzschild radius would be the same regardless of where the mass inside was a singularity or not, so there would be no way to tell.
::::::::::: I still think the best argument for falsifiability is the experiment I presented earlier into quark degeneracy pressure. [[User:JacobB|JacobB]] 12:18, 12 August 2009 (EDT)
:::::::::::: I was not aware of a hypothesis that offers a possibility of quark degeneracy pressure that would be powerful enough to resist the effects of gravity even if the mass would normally be large enough to collapse into a black hole. I agree if such pressure existed it would disprove our current theories of black hole formation.
:::::::::::: You are right, it doesn't have to be a singularity, although that is what current theories suggest happens, that gravity continues to collapse the matter inside the event horizon to the point of a singularity.[http://archive.ncsa.illinois.edu/Cyberia/NumRel/BlackHoleAnat.html] However that does not have to be true for the mass to collapse within the Schwarzschild radius to be a black hole, just that their is sufficient gravity to force particles within the horizon to be deformed in their path so they cannot leave. It is just theorized at the center of a black hole is the singularity[http://casa.colorado.edu/~ajsh/singularity.html]. That being said, it expected that a theory of quantum gravity will feature black holes without singularities.[http://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/gr/public/bh_hawk.html] [http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ask_astro/answers/980420b.html]. It isn't important either way, what is important is the question, are black holes falsifiable? I think you and others have already offered examples of yes. --[[User:BMcP|BMcP]] 13:23, 12 August 2009 (EDT)

== [[Falsifiability]] ==
(no text was inserted here, but the edit summary was "the falsifiability is undeniable and should not be censored, Physicists should be taught about falsifiability as part of their curriculum")

:Based on KSorenson's remarks and what I know about the curricula at schools I've attended, physicists are indeed taught about it. It seems a stretch to say that the falsifiability is "undeniable" when in fact every editor except you has denied it. --[[User:MarkGall|MarkGall]] 23:15, 12 November 2009 (EST)

::Sorry, somehow my text above was misplaced. Thanks for substituting in what I meant!

::Those who have denied that black holes lack [[falsifiability]] really seem to be denying that falsifiability should be a limit on physics.

::KSorenson cited a laundry list of philosophy-type requirements of physics majors, but conspicuously absent was emphasis on falsifiability.

::Like most college majors, physics students repeat what they're taught. If they received good grades, then it becomes even harder for them to question it. But keep in mind that the people doing the teaching are the most liberal group in the world, and they almost never encourage the student to open his mind and think critically for himself.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 23:23, 12 November 2009 (EST)

:::Please read again, Aschlafly. I specifically cited Karl Popper as part of the curriculum in undergraduate courses on the philosophy of science. In case it's slipped your mind, Popper basically invented falsifiability as the criterion for distinguishing science from non-science.

:::Incidentally, Popper cited Einstein's theories as exemplars of rigorously falsifiable science when he constructed his criterion. He wrote about it in contrast to the quote-unquote "scientific" theories of Marx. By a happy coincidence, the very same theories of Einstein's that Popper found so admirable are the ones we're talking about here. So can you ''please,'' and I'm asking for the third time now, clarify just exactly what your gripe is?--[[User:KSorenson|KSorenson]] 00:36, 13 November 2009 (EST)

:::::Hello; I'm the user who edited this article after KSorenson. If I may jump in to this heated discussion going on at at least [[User_Talk:KSorenson|two places]] : I think what Andy's saying is that black holes themselves can never be proven to not exist, because (by definition) no one can see them or visit them and return. I think what KSorenson's saying is that [[general relativity]] states black holes are possible, and that general relativity can be falsified (e.g. by sending probes to probe the earth's gravitational field).

:::::Of course, just because general relativity hasn't been ''disproven'' doesn't mean that it's been proven. There could be a better theory which accounts for all the gravity-probe data and states that black holes don't exist. We don't know yet; that's the wonder of science: God's always put more out there for us to discover! So, we don't know that black holes do exist - that claim isn't falsifiable; we'd need to survey every square millimeter of space and say "there isn't a black hole ''here''!". But, the theory that states they ''can'' exist is falsifiable. I tried to reflect this dichotomy in my edits to this article. -- [[User:EvanW|EvanW]] 00:46, 13 November 2009 (EST)

::::::You make excellent points, particularly in your last paragraph above. The introductory paragraph to [[black hole]] would benefit from this, and please feel free to edit it again (I apologize if others deleted your work). Note, however, that it is not very practical to devise a test that could falsify General Relativity, and falsifying General Relativity would not falsify the claim that [[black holes]] exist. Black holes are far too popular in science magazines and liberal publications like the New York Times to "go away" that easily.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 09:52, 13 November 2009 (EST)

:::::::On Popper and relativity, Christoph von Mettenheim (http://elm.eeng.dcu.ie/~tkpw/tcr/volume-01/number-03/node3.html) writes: "Most of you will know of Popper's admiration for Einstein, and how he was inspired by the theory of relativity (and by its high refutability in contrast to the irrefutability of psychoanalysis) more than by anything else to develop the criterion of falsifiability as a demarcation between science and metaphysics (Popper 1976, pp. 37-38)." As KSorenson has already noted, relativity was the theory that inspired the notion of falsifiability in the first place. The claim that "it is not very practical to devise a test that could falsify General Relativity" is absurd on the face of it. --[[User:MarkGall|MarkGall]] 10:02, 13 November 2009 (EST)

::::::::Popper's personal views are irrelevant; no one here says that Popper was a genius who was always right. It's [[falsifiability]] that is at issue, and the resistance to that simple, logical concept is astounding. People can teach Popper all they like, but it's clear that physics majors are not learning fully about falsifiability. String theory wouldn't exist in physics departments if they were.

::::::::If tests existed that might falsify General Relativity, then in the nearly 100 years since its proposal we would have seen many of them. Instead, as the latest discussion (and the famous 1919 solar eclipse) illustrate, margins of error in the experiments are typically greater than the deviations predicted by the theory.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 10:13, 13 November 2009 (EST)

: (unindent)
: Andy raises an interesting point. In theory, it's easy to test general relativity - take KSorenson's gravity probe, for example. This wouldn't absolutely prove it; there might always be a better theory out there. But nothing can ''ever'' be absolutely proven in science - the point is that this test could disprove it. So, in theory, it's falsifiable. "[falsifiable|A proposition or theory is falsifiable if it is hypothetically possible for a test or observation to prove it false]." Of course, a hypothetical future theory might still include black holes (there's an infinite number of possible theories), but the possibility of black holes according to general relativity (how's that for a mouthful?) is falsifiable, because general relativity is falsifiable. Or, to try to say it more simply: the possibility of the particular sort of black hole predicted by general relativity (with exactly these properties, et cetera) is falsifiable. I hope I made my verbiage understandable enough for you all to agree or disagree?

:But as you point out, the solar eclipse experiment didn't test general relativity in practice: the margins of error were too big. (I don't know if that's still true with modern experiments; could someone who knows more about that fill me in?) So, while it's theoretically falsifiable, it's possible that general relativity hasn't actually been tested yet... -- [[User:EvanW|EvanW]] 10:36, 13 November 2009 (EST)

::[http://www.ias.ac.in/pramana/v63/p731/fulltext.pdf Here] is a nice review of a variety of experimental tests of general relativity, along with discussion of other experiments that may be undertaken in the future. --[[User:MarkGall|MarkGall]] 10:43, 13 November 2009 (EST)

:::That all sounds basically right to me, EvanW. (Can I call you EvanW?) But from where I sit, it's even simpler.

:::*General relativity has been and is being tested, and so far the tests have confirmed the theory. That might change any minute, but it's still true so far.

:::*General relativity says that black holes are possible, and that if they exist they'll have certain properties.

:::*We've seen objects in the sky that have those properties, and that aren't predicted by any other existing theory. We're studying those objects as hard as we can given the limits of distance, to see if they really do walk and quack like ducks. Until we see something un-ducky, we say "Yeah, those look like ducks to us."

:::This really isn't complicated as far as I can tell, and I'm really baffled as to why we're still yaking about it amongst ourselves.

:::Aschlafly, if you want to expand the living daylights out of the "Controversy" section, I'll be right there by your side, cheering you on and helping in any way I can. As long as your contributions aren't misleading or incorrect. I don't want to speak for anyone else, but my gut tells me that EvanW and MarkGall would make the same promise. So why are we still bickering? Can't we improve the article instead? I know having to respond here is taking away from the time I set aside today to add to the [[general theory of relativity]] article. --[[User:KSorenson|KSorenson]] 10:54, 13 November 2009 (EST)

KSorenson, ASchlafly is an expert and fully qualified to write on on astrophysics as well as on American history, world history, climate sciences, mathematics, microbiology, oncology, mathematics, statistics, Theology, ancient languages, the law and economics. I suggest that instead of trying to relegate his valuable insights to a "controversy," that you open your mind and learn from him, as we all have. [[User:MichaelHWC|MichaelHWC]] 11:08, 13 November 2009 (EST)

Nidal Malik Hasan

2009-11-12T13:34:08Z

MichaelHWC:

[[File:Malik hasan.jpg|right|200px]]
Major '''Nidal Malik Hasan''' (age 39) is a U.S. Army psychiatrist. He was born in [[Arlington, Virginia]], and is a [[Muslim]] of [[Palestinian]] descent. Hasan is allegedly responsible for the most deadly terrorist attack on American soil since [[9/11]]. Malik graduated from [[Virginia Tech|Virginia Tech University]] ('97) before joining the military. He received his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (F. Edward Herbert School Of Medicine) in Bethesda, Md., in 2003<ref> [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/05/nadal-malik-hasan-key-det_n_347748.html The ''Huffington Post'']</ref>. Malik completed a six year residency in psychiatry at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in [[Washington]], D. C., where he recieved a poor performance evaluation in 2007.
[[File:Kim Munley.jpg|thumb|left|120px|Kim Munley]]
Hasan is a suspect in a shooting rampage at Fort Hood in [[Texas]] that left 13 dead and 30 wounded. The shooting took place at 1:30 p.m. November 5, 2009 at the post's Soldier Readiness Center. Hasan came to the attention of law enforcement officials because of his Internet postings about suicide bombings and other threats, including posts that equated suicide bombers to soldiers who throw themselves on a grenade to save the lives of their comrades. [[Kimberley Munley]], a 34 year-old civilian police officer from Killeen, [[Texas]], stopped the Fort Hood shooter; she was outside directing traffic before the shooting. Munley was also hit by exchanged gunfire with Hasan.
[[File:Ft. Hood.jpg|thumb|Deadly shooting spree at Fort Hood.]]
In an interview, his cousin, Nader Hasan, said that he was going to be deployed to [[Afghanistan]]. However he was not ready to be moved and had hired a military attorney to fight his case. <ref> [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1225627/Fort-Hood-shootings-Army-major-Nidal-Malik-Hasan-kills-12-injures-31-shootout-troops-army-base.html#ixzz0W7eue3RD God is great: Last words of Fort Hood gunman before being shot by police heroine.] </ref>. He also revealed that Maj. Malik was under extreme stress due to the discrimination he received for being Muslim. He also received firearms training. <ref>[http://www.makli.com/malik-nadal-hasan-0012268/ ''News Around the Globe'']</ref> From his experience as a psychiatrist, he heard first-hand the accounts of the soldiers returning from [[Iraq]] and [[Afghanistan]]:

<blockquote>
''"He had people telling him on a daily basis the horrors that they saw over there."'' Malik's cousin, Nader Hasan. <ref> [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1225627/Fort-Hood-shootings-Army-major-Nidal-Malik-Hasan-kills-12-injures-31-shootout-troops-army-base.html#ixzz0W7eue3RD God is great: Last words of Fort Hood gunman before being shot by police heroine.] </ref>
</blockquote>

Malik was called ''"Camel Jockey"'' by his fellow soldiers. He was not in favor of U.S. wars in Muslim countries. Terry Lee, a retired colonel, ''cited an incident earlier this year as having had a big influence on Hasan – a fatal shooting at an army recruiting base in Little Rock, Arkansas. The suspect, Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad, faces trial for murder.'' <ref> [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/06/nidal-malik-hasan-fort-hood-shooting1 Major Nidal Malik Hasan: Soldiers' psychiatrist who heard frontline stories.] </ref>

Malik is single with no children, and also had an apartment in Killeen, Texas.

Virginia Tech University was the ''scene of the 2007 massacre by a student that left 32 dead.'' [[Ibidem]] Virginia Tech shooter, whose family was South Korean, could had a problem of alienation.

Fort Hood, with around 40,000 troops, had two soldiers stationed there that committed suicide in 2009—nine suicide cases since the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. It was named after Confederate General John Bell Hood. It is the biggest military base in the world. <ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/defence/6511138/Fort-Hood-The-largest-US-military-base-in-the-world.html The ''Telegraph'' Online: "Fort Hood: The largest US military base in the world"] </ref>

Malik, an Arabic word, means: ''king''

== Obama transition participant ==

Hasan is listed on page 29 of the document "Thinking Anew – Security Priorities for the Next Administration." Hasan was an advisor in homeland security of [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential transition team. Hasan is listed as a participant, though not a member, of several meetings in the George Washington University's Homeland Security Policy Institute's Presidential Transition Task Force. <ref>[http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=115230 Shooter advised Obama transition, WND, November 06, 2009]</ref>

== Links to 9/11 Hijackers ==
[[File:Dar al Hijrah Islamic Center.jpg|thumb|Dar al Hijrah Islamic Center.]]
Hasan worshipped at the same mosque as two of the 9/11 terrorists. <ref>[http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/hasan_fort_hood_sept_11/2009/11/08/283376.html Hasan Linked to Sept. 11 Hijackers, NewsMax.com November 8, 2009 ]</ref> The ''London Sunday Telegraph'' reports he was at the Dar al-Hijrah mosque in Great Falls, Va. in 2001, which was led by the radical imam [[Anwar al-Awlaki]].

<blockquote>
Hasan's family attended the Dar al Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Va., where Awlaki was preaching in 2001. Hasan's mother's funeral was held at the mosque on May 31, 2001, according to her obituary in the Roanoke Times newspaper, around the same time two 9/11 hijackers worshipped at the mosque and while Awlaki was preaching. <ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091109/ap_on_re_us/us_fort_hood_shooting Lawyer asks investigators not to question Hasan.] </ref>
</blockquote>

The mosque is one of the largest on the East Coast of the USA.
[[File:Imam-anwar-al-awlaki.jpg|thumb|100px|Anwar al-Awlaki.]]
Two officials said the Washington-based task force was notified of communications between Hasan and a radical imam overseas. <ref> [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_fort_hood_shooting_suspect AP Sources: Defense Dept worker looked into Hasan.] </ref> Imam Anwar al-Awlaki, who is now based in [[Yemen]], preaches to US Muslims in online lectures. <ref> [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6534584/Fort-Hood-shooting-Nidal-Malik-Hasan-had-contact-with-911-imam.html Fort Hood shooting: Nidal Malik Hasan 'had contact with 9/11 imam'.] </ref>

===Links to Al Qaeda===
Reports have surfaced that Hasan's computer reveals contacts with terrorist masterminds within Al Qaeda, ''"Hasan had routinely visited al Qaeda and Islamic terrorist web sites in months and weeks leading to last week’s massacre at Fort Hood."'' <ref>[http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/16668 Ft. Hood shooter’s computer reveals al Qaeda connection, Canada Free press, November 9, 2009]</ref>

== External links ==

*[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2009/11/10/decide-hasan-al-qaeda-massacre-extremist/ Fort Hood Massacre: Act of Terror or Horrific Crime?]
*[http://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/11/05/texas.fort.hood.shootings/index.html Officials: Fort Hood shootings suspect alive; 12 dead]
*[http://abcnews.go.com/WN/nadal-mailk-hasan-suspected-fort-hood-shooter-psychiatrist/story?id=9010466 Nidal Malik Hasan, Suspected Fort Hood Shooter, Is Army Psychiatrist.]
*[http://www.vahealthprovider.com/results_generalinfo.asp?License_No=0101238630 Nidal Malik Hasan, MD. Practitioner Information Website.] Virginia Board of Medicine.
*[http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/major-nidal-malik-hasan-fort-hood-shootings-110509 Who is Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan?]
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8345944.stm Profile: Major Nidal Malik Hasan.]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Military]]
[[Category:Crimes]]
[[Category:Barack Hussein Obama]]
[[Category:Terrorism]]
[[Category:Islam]]

Nidal Malik Hasan

2009-11-12T13:32:36Z

MichaelHWC:

[[File:Malik hasan.jpg|right|200px]]
Major '''Nidal Malik Hasan''' (age 39) is a U.S. Army psychiatrist. He was born in [[Arlington, Virginia]], and is a [[Muslim]] of [[Palestinian]] descent. Hasan is allegedly responsible for the most deadly terrorist attack on American soil since [[9/11]]. Malik graduated from [[Virginia Tech|Virginia Tech University]] ('97) before joining the military. He received his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (F. Edward Herbert School Of Medicine) in Bethesda, Md., in 2003<ref> [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/05/nadal-malik-hasan-key-det_n_347748.html The ''Huffington Post'']</ref>. Malik completed a six year residency in psychiatry at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in [[Washington]], D. C., where he recieved a poor performance evaluation) (2007).
[[File:Kim Munley.jpg|thumb|left|120px|Kim Munley]]
Malik Hasan is a suspect in a shooting rampage at Fort Hood in [[Texas]] that left 13 dead and 30 wounded. The shooting took place 1:30 p.m. November 5, 2009 at the post's Soldier Readiness Center. Hasan came to the attention of law enforcement officials because of Internet postings about suicide bombings and other threats, including posts that equated suicide bombers to soldiers who throw themselves on a grenade to save the lives of their comrades. [[Ibidem]] [[Kimberley Munley]], a 34 year-old civilian police officer from Killeen, [[Texas]], stopped the Fort Hood shooter; she was outside directing traffic before the shooting. Munley was also hit by exchanged gunfire with Hasan.
[[File:Ft. Hood.jpg|thumb|Deadly shooting spree at Fort Hood.]]
In an interview, his cousin, Nader Hasan, said that he was going to be deployed to [[Afghanistan]]. However he was not ready to be moved and had hired a military attorney to fight his case. <ref> [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1225627/Fort-Hood-shootings-Army-major-Nidal-Malik-Hasan-kills-12-injures-31-shootout-troops-army-base.html#ixzz0W7eue3RD God is great: Last words of Fort Hood gunman before being shot by police heroine.] </ref>. He also revealed that Maj. Malik was under extreme stress due to the discrimination he received for being Muslim. He also received firearms training. <ref>[http://www.makli.com/malik-nadal-hasan-0012268/ ''News Around the Globe'']</ref> From his experience as a psychiatrist, he heard first-hand the accounts of the soldiers returning from [[Iraq]] and [[Afghanistan]]:

<blockquote>
''"He had people telling him on a daily basis the horrors that they saw over there."'' Malik's cousin, Nader Hasan. <ref> [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1225627/Fort-Hood-shootings-Army-major-Nidal-Malik-Hasan-kills-12-injures-31-shootout-troops-army-base.html#ixzz0W7eue3RD God is great: Last words of Fort Hood gunman before being shot by police heroine.] </ref>
</blockquote>

Malik was called ''"Camel Jockey"'' by his fellow soldiers. He was not in favor of U.S. wars in Muslim countries. Terry Lee, a retired colonel, ''cited an incident earlier this year as having had a big influence on Hasan – a fatal shooting at an army recruiting base in Little Rock, Arkansas. The suspect, Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad, faces trial for murder.'' <ref> [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/06/nidal-malik-hasan-fort-hood-shooting1 Major Nidal Malik Hasan: Soldiers' psychiatrist who heard frontline stories.] </ref>

Malik is single with no children, and also had an apartment in Killeen, Texas.

Virginia Tech University was the ''scene of the 2007 massacre by a student that left 32 dead.'' [[Ibidem]] Virginia Tech shooter, whose family was South Korean, could had a problem of alienation.

Fort Hood, with around 40,000 troops, had two soldiers stationed there that committed suicide in 2009—nine suicide cases since the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. It was named after Confederate General John Bell Hood. It is the biggest military base in the world. <ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/defence/6511138/Fort-Hood-The-largest-US-military-base-in-the-world.html The ''Telegraph'' Online: "Fort Hood: The largest US military base in the world"] </ref>

Malik, an Arabic word, means: ''king''

== Obama transition participant ==

Hasan is listed on page 29 of the document "Thinking Anew – Security Priorities for the Next Administration." Hasan was an advisor in homeland security of [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential transition team. Hasan is listed as a participant, though not a member, of several meetings in the George Washington University's Homeland Security Policy Institute's Presidential Transition Task Force. <ref>[http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=115230 Shooter advised Obama transition, WND, November 06, 2009]</ref>

== Links to 9/11 Hijackers ==
[[File:Dar al Hijrah Islamic Center.jpg|thumb|Dar al Hijrah Islamic Center.]]
Hasan worshipped at the same mosque as two of the 9/11 terrorists. <ref>[http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/hasan_fort_hood_sept_11/2009/11/08/283376.html Hasan Linked to Sept. 11 Hijackers, NewsMax.com November 8, 2009 ]</ref> The ''London Sunday Telegraph'' reports he was at the Dar al-Hijrah mosque in Great Falls, Va. in 2001, which was led by the radical imam [[Anwar al-Awlaki]].

<blockquote>
Hasan's family attended the Dar al Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Va., where Awlaki was preaching in 2001. Hasan's mother's funeral was held at the mosque on May 31, 2001, according to her obituary in the Roanoke Times newspaper, around the same time two 9/11 hijackers worshipped at the mosque and while Awlaki was preaching. <ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091109/ap_on_re_us/us_fort_hood_shooting Lawyer asks investigators not to question Hasan.] </ref>
</blockquote>

The mosque is one of the largest on the East Coast of the USA.
[[File:Imam-anwar-al-awlaki.jpg|thumb|100px|Anwar al-Awlaki.]]
Two officials said the Washington-based task force was notified of communications between Hasan and a radical imam overseas. <ref> [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_fort_hood_shooting_suspect AP Sources: Defense Dept worker looked into Hasan.] </ref> Imam Anwar al-Awlaki, who is now based in [[Yemen]], preaches to US Muslims in online lectures. <ref> [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6534584/Fort-Hood-shooting-Nidal-Malik-Hasan-had-contact-with-911-imam.html Fort Hood shooting: Nidal Malik Hasan 'had contact with 9/11 imam'.] </ref>

===Links to Al Qaeda===
Reports have surfaced that Hasan's computer reveals contacts with terrorist masterminds within Al Qaeda, ''"Hasan had routinely visited al Qaeda and Islamic terrorist web sites in months and weeks leading to last week’s massacre at Fort Hood."'' <ref>[http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/16668 Ft. Hood shooter’s computer reveals al Qaeda connection, Canada Free press, November 9, 2009]</ref>

== External links ==

*[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2009/11/10/decide-hasan-al-qaeda-massacre-extremist/ Fort Hood Massacre: Act of Terror or Horrific Crime?]
*[http://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/11/05/texas.fort.hood.shootings/index.html Officials: Fort Hood shootings suspect alive; 12 dead]
*[http://abcnews.go.com/WN/nadal-mailk-hasan-suspected-fort-hood-shooter-psychiatrist/story?id=9010466 Nidal Malik Hasan, Suspected Fort Hood Shooter, Is Army Psychiatrist.]
*[http://www.vahealthprovider.com/results_generalinfo.asp?License_No=0101238630 Nidal Malik Hasan, MD. Practitioner Information Website.] Virginia Board of Medicine.
*[http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/major-nidal-malik-hasan-fort-hood-shootings-110509 Who is Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan?]
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8345944.stm Profile: Major Nidal Malik Hasan.]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Military]]
[[Category:Crimes]]
[[Category:Barack Hussein Obama]]
[[Category:Terrorism]]
[[Category:Islam]]

Talk:Token conservative

2009-11-12T05:19:23Z

MichaelHWC: In regards to the article title

== In regards to the article title ==

In regards to the title of this article, the phrase "Liberal media conservative" gets me 137 google hits, only one of which--this one--seems to be germane to the topic at hand. Suggest perhaps changing it to "token conservative," which more accurately describes the intended phenomenon with more commonly-used terminology (179,000 hits) [[User:MichaelHWC|MichaelHWC]] 00:19, 12 November 2009 (EST)

User talk:KSorenson

2009-11-12T04:26:50Z

MichaelHWC:

I found your edit summary to be misleading for [[black holes]].--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 22:41, 11 November 2009 (EST)

::I'm sorry. I'll fix it.--[[User:KSorenson|KSorenson]] 22:43, 11 November 2009 (EST)

::Okay, I resubmitted my changes with a more descriptive edit summary. Thank you very much for calling my attention to it.--[[User:KSorenson|KSorenson]] 22:47, 11 November 2009 (EST)

You didn't insert a "clarification" of the falsifiability defect in the theory of [[black hole]]s, you deleted it. So again I found your edit summary to be misleading.

More generally, this is not Wikipedia where [[liberal]] distortions of science dominate. We tell the truth here. The [[black hole]] entry is no exception.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 23:08, 11 November 2009 (EST)

::I beg your pardon, sir? I most certainly did not delete it. Perhaps you overlooked it because I moved it to the bottom of the article? Or perhaps it's because I omitted rewrote it without the word "falsifiability," which … well, to put it bluntly was misleading. The Schwarzchild and Kerr metrics are certainly falsifiable.

::In either case, I will happily restore that sentence (or sentences; I'm not looking at the draft right now) and re-submit. If you still think the existing article is the better choice, then please (obviously) feel free to revert a third time, and I will leave it at that.

::Though I would very much like to work with you to come up with a draft of the article that you'll accept. The Schwarzchild and Kerr metrics are fascinating, and I'm afraid I have to say that the existing article on black holes is not as good as it could be.

::Thank you again for your feedback.--[[User:KSorenson|KSorenson]] 23:16, 11 November 2009 (EST)
K, you're fighting a losing battle here and will probably get banned for your troubles. Mr. Schlafly is an expert on black holes, and unless there is something you can add to the article that fits with a proper conservative view of the topic, you're best off to leave it alone. [[User:MichaelHWC|MichaelHWC]] 23:26, 11 November 2009 (EST)

Ben Nelson

2009-11-12T04:18:04Z

MichaelHWC: /* Political views */

{{Officeholder
|name=Ben Nelson
|image=BenNelsonphoto.jpg‎
|party=[[Democrat]]
|spouse=Diane Nelson
|religion=Methodist
|offices=
{{Officeholder/senator
|state=Nebraska
|terms=January 3, 2001 – Present
|preceded=J. Robert Kerrey
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}
{{Officeholder/governor
|state=Nebraska
|terms=January 9, 1991 – January 7, 1999
|preceded=Kay A. Orr
|former=n
|succeeded=[[Mike Johanns]]
}}
}}

'''Earl Benjamin "Ben" Nelson''', born May 17, 1941 (age {{age|1941|5|17}}), is the senior U.S. Senator from [[Nebraska]] and a member of the [[Democratic Party]]. He currently serves on the Committees on Appropriations, Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Armed Services, and Rules and Administration.

==Political career==
Ben Nelson was elected governor of Nebraska in 1990 and reelected in 1994. Nelson cut the sales tax and income tax and cut $157 million in spending. He also was able to pass eight balanced budgets. He ran for a seat in the U.S. Senate in 1996, but was defeated by [[Republican]] war hero [[Chuck Hagel]]. Nelson left the governor's office in January 1999 after two terms and was succeeded by Republican [[Mike Johanns]]. Nelson was again nominated by the Democrats for the Senate in 2000 after his fellow Democrat, incumbent Bob Kerrey, announced his retirement. Nelson won with 50.99% of the vote after a campaign in which he spent 50% more ($1,004,985) than his opponent. In 2006 he was reelected by a much wider margin, winning with 64% of the vote.

==Political views==
Next to [[Zell Miller]], Nelson became the most conervative Democat in the Senate, with his votes often placing him at odds with the leadership of the Democratic Party. A 2007 National Journal congressional vote rating placed him to the right of eight Senate Republicans. <ref>http://www.nationaljournal.com/voteratings/sen/cons.htm</ref> He was one of only two Democratic senators to vote against the 2002 Campaign Reform Act ([[McCain-Feingold]]). Nelson supports eliminating the estate tax and voted in favor with the [[Bush administration]]'s tax cuts of 2001 and 2003. He voted for the 2006 Federal Marriage Amendment. <ref>http://www.hrc.org/issues/5556.htm</ref>

Nelson is strongly [[pro-life]]. From 2007-2008 he earned an 85% rating from the National Right to Life Committee. <ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=21744</ref> He voted for the imposition of criminal penalties when an unborn fetus was harmed during the commission of a crime and is against embryonic stem cell research. Nelson also praised President Bush's two nominees for the [[U.S. Supreme Court]], [[John Roberts]] and [[Samuel Alito]].

Some of Nelson's positions fall well within the mainstream of the Democratic Party: he has consistently voted against drilling in the [[Arctic National Wildlife Refuge]]. He also opposed President Bush's plan to send an additional 21,500 troops to [[Iraq]] in January 2007.

In February 2009, Senator Nelson and [[liberal]] Republican Senator [[Susan Collins]] of [[Maine]] reached a compromise to deduct $100 billion from the 2009 economic spending package, with it still totalling $787 billion. It passed on a 60-38 vote. <ref>http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/02/6038_senate_passes_stimulus.html</ref> Nelson may join a Republican filibuster of Democratic [[health care]] legislation. "I would add the caveat that we have to be sure it is not a bad bill, that it doesn't add to the deficit, that it doesn't increase taxes, and that does, in fact, control the growth in costs." <ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/11/11/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5615006.shtml</ref>

==External links==
*[http://www.senate.gov/~bennelson/ Official Website]
*[http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/n000180/ Voting record]
*[http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/Ben_Nelson.htm Nelson On the Issues]

==References==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT: Nelson, Ben}}
[[Category:United States Senators]]
[[Category:Democratic Party]]
[[Category: 110th United States Congress]]

Ben Nelson

2009-11-12T03:37:52Z

MichaelHWC:

{{Officeholder
|name=Ben Nelson
|image=BenNelsonphoto.jpg‎
|party=[[Democrat]]
|spouse=Diane Nelson
|religion=Methodist
|offices=
{{Officeholder/senator
|state=Nebraska
|terms=January 3, 2001 – Present
|preceded=J. Robert Kerrey
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}
{{Officeholder/governor
|state=Nebraska
|terms=January 9, 1991 – January 7, 1999
|preceded=Kay A. Orr
|former=n
|succeeded=[[Mike Johanns]]
}}
}}

'''Earl Benjamin "Ben" Nelson''', born May 17, 1941 (age {{age|1941|5|17}}), is the junior U.S. Senator from [[Nebraska]] and a member of the [[Democratic Party]]. He is well known for being one of the few moderate Democrats in the U.S. Senate. He has high approval ratings in his home state.

==Political career==
Ben Nelson was elected governor of Nebraska in 1990 and reelected in 1994. Nelson, a fiscal [[conservative]], cut the sales tax and income tax and cut $157 million in spending. He also was able to pass eight balanced budgets. He ran for a seat in the U.S. Senate in 1996, but was defeated by [[Republican]] war hero [[Chuck Hagel]]. Nelson left the governor's office in January 1999 after two terms and was succeeded by Republican [[Mike Johanns]]. Nelson was again nominated by the Democrats for the Senate in 2000 after his fellow Democrat, incumbent Bob Kerrey, announced his retirement. Nelson won with 50.99% of the vote after a campaign in which he spent 50% more ($1,004,985) than his opponent. In 2006 he was reelected by a much larger margin, winning with 64% of the vote.

==Political views==
Nelson is a conservative on many issues and his votes have placed him at odds with the leadership of his party. A 2007 National Journal congressional vote rating placed him to the right of eight Senate Republicans. He was one of only two Democratic senators to vote against the 2002 Campaign Reform Act (also known as McCain-Feingold). Nelson supports eliminating the estate tax and voted in favor of both the tax cuts of 2001 and 2003. He voted for the 2006 Federal Marriage Amendment. He is also strongly pro-life. He voted for criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime and is against embryonic Stem Cell Research. Nelson also praised President Bush's two nominees for the U.S. Supreme Court, [[John Roberts]] and [[Samuel Alito]]. Some of Ben Nelson's positions that are well within the mainstream of the Democratic Party. He has consistently voted against drilling in the [[Arctic National Wildlife Refuge]]. He also opposed President Bush's plan to send an additional 21,500 troops to [[Iraq]].

In February 2009, Senator Nelson and [[liberal]] Republican Senator [[Susan Collins]] of [[Maine]] reached a compromise to reduce $100 billion from the 2009 economic spending package, with it still totaling $787 billion. It passed on a 60-38 vote. <ref>http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/02/6038_senate_passes_stimulus.html</ref>

==External links==
*[http://www.senate.gov/~bennelson/ Official Website]
*[http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/n000180/ Voting record]
*[http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/Ben_Nelson.htm Nelson On the Issues]

==References==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT: Nelson, Ben}}
[[Category:United States Senators]]
[[Category:Democratic Party]]
[[Category: 110th United States Congress]]

Lou Dobbs

2009-11-12T03:11:14Z

MichaelHWC:

[[Image:Dobbs.jpg|left]]
'''Lou Dobbs''' (b. Childress, [[Texas]]; September 24, 1945 ) is an [[American]] [[journalist]] and [[columnist]]. He has a B.A. in Economics from [[Harvard University]].He was a longtime [[CNN]] anchor and managing editor for ''Lou Dobbs Tonight''. Dobbs was originally [[conservative]], but now he describes himself as an "independent populist" critic of the "excesses of capitalism." He has focused on [[immigration]] for years.

Dobbs is impassioned about several issues, especially open immigration policies, the negative effects of big business on America's middle class, global warming, and the military involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq. He is more outspoken on his afternoon radio show, which made its debut in March 2008. On radion he has spoken often in favor of the "birther" conspiracy theory that President Obama is not a United States citizen. When he mentioned the citizenship issue on CNN over the summer, he raised the ire of his bosses and provoked criticism from progressive groups. More recently, his coverage of immigration provoked protests by Hispanic groups.

There has been much speculation about a possible move to the FOX network.

==Quits CNN==
On November 11, 2009, Dobbs announced that he was leaving CNN to pursue other opportunities to "engage in constructive problem solving as well as to contribute positively to the great understanding of the issues of our day." <ref>http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/11/lou-dobbs-to-depart-cnn/</ref>

His CNN program drew an average of 631,000 viewers in October, 2009, putting him in third place behind Fox News and MSNBC. Like other CNN programs his ratings have declined in recent months.

<blockquote>
Dobbs has won almost every award in journalism and he's a best-selling author and columnist. He's an independent populist and the leading media advocate for working men and women, their families, our middle class and the American way of life. <ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/lou.dobbs.tonight/ Lou Dobbs] CNN.
</ref></blockquote>

==Political views==
Once a self-described "Lifelong [[Republican]]" and [[fiscal conservative]], Dobbs now considers himself an "[[independent]] [[populist]]" and criticizes what he sees as the "excesses of capitalism." [[Illegal immigration]] is one such excess that he scrutinizes on his television program. He is opposed to amnesty for illegal aliens and advocates enforcement of existing immigration laws, along with a tightening of border security. On trade Dobbs advocates protectionist restrictions in order to protect American industry, and maintain U.S. sovereignty. Positions that are not regularly covered on Dobb's show include a pro-choice stance on [[abortion]], an opposition to [[gun control]] measures, and support for the [[gay agenda]].

== Books ==

* ''Exporting America: Why Corporate Greed Is Shipping American Jobs Overseas'' (2004).
* ''Space: The Next Business Frontier'' (2005).
* ''War on the Middle Class'' (2006). "The middle class is being picked apart and its future mortgaged for the benefit of a small group of powerful American interests," Dobbs says in this book.

Lou is married to Debi Lee Segura, a former CNN sports anchor; they have four children and reside on a 300-acre horse farm in Sussex County, New Jersey.

==See also==
*[[Anderson Cooper]]
*[[Larry King ]]
*[[Sean Hannity]]

*[[Conservative Links]]

== External links ==

*[http://edition.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/lou.dobbs.tonight/ Lou Dobbs Tonight]
*[http://www.nndb.com/people/234/000044102/ Lou Dobbs] NNDB.

== References ==

<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT: Dobbs, Lou}}
[[category:broadcasters]]

Lou Dobbs

2009-11-12T03:10:29Z

MichaelHWC: /* Quits CNN */

[[Image:Dobbs.jpg|left]]
'''Lou Dobbs''' (b. Childress, [[Texas]]; September 24, 1945 ) is an [[American]] [[journalist]] and [[columnist]]. He was a longtime [[CNN]] anchor and managing editor for ''Lou Dobbs Tonight''. Dobbs was originally [[conservative]], but now he describes himself as an "independent populist" critic of the "excesses of capitalism." He has focused on [[immigration]] for years.

Dobbs is impassioned about several issues, especially open immigration policies, the negative effects of big business on America's middle class, global warming, and the military involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq. He is more outspoken on his afternoon radio show, which made its debut in March 2008. On radion he has spoken often in favor of the "birther" conspiracy theory that President Obama is not a United States citizen. When he mentioned the citizenship issue on CNN over the summer, he raised the ire of his bosses and provoked criticism from progressive groups. More recently, his coverage of immigration provoked protests by Hispanic groups.

There has been much speculation about a possible move to the FOX network.

==Quits CNN==
On November 11, 2009, Dobbs announced that he was leaving CNN to pursue other opportunities to "engage in constructive problem solving as well as to contribute positively to the great understanding of the issues of our day." <ref>http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/11/lou-dobbs-to-depart-cnn/</ref>

His CNN program drew an average of 631,000 viewers in October, 2009, putting him in third place behind Fox News and MSNBC. Like other CNN programs his ratings have declined in recent months.

<blockquote>
Dobbs has won almost every award in journalism and he's a best-selling author and columnist. He's an independent populist and the leading media advocate for working men and women, their families, our middle class and the American way of life. <ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/lou.dobbs.tonight/ Lou Dobbs] CNN.
</ref></blockquote>

==Political views==
Once a self-described "Lifelong [[Republican]]" and [[fiscal conservative]], Dobbs now considers himself an "[[independent]] [[populist]]" and criticizes what he sees as the "excesses of capitalism." [[Illegal immigration]] is one such excess that he scrutinizes on his television program. He is opposed to amnesty for illegal aliens and advocates enforcement of existing immigration laws, along with a tightening of border security. On trade Dobbs advocates protectionist restrictions in order to protect American industry, and maintain U.S. sovereignty. Positions that are not regularly covered on Dobb's show include a pro-choice stance on [[abortion]], an opposition to [[gun control]] measures, and support for the [[gay agenda]].

== Books ==

* ''Exporting America: Why Corporate Greed Is Shipping American Jobs Overseas'' (2004).
* ''Space: The Next Business Frontier'' (2005).
* ''War on the Middle Class'' (2006). "The middle class is being picked apart and its future mortgaged for the benefit of a small group of powerful American interests," Dobbs says in this book.

Lou is married to Debi Lee Segura, a former CNN sports anchor; they have four children and reside on a 300-acre horse farm in Sussex County, New Jersey.

==See also==
*[[Anderson Cooper]]
*[[Larry King ]]
*[[Sean Hannity]]

*[[Conservative Links]]

== External links ==

*[http://edition.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/lou.dobbs.tonight/ Lou Dobbs Tonight]
*[http://www.nndb.com/people/234/000044102/ Lou Dobbs] NNDB.

== References ==

<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT: Dobbs, Lou}}
[[category:broadcasters]]

Imam

2009-11-12T01:18:03Z

MichaelHWC:

An '''imam''' is a person having great authority in [[Islam]]. There are five different specific meanings of the term:

* in a [[mosque]], a leader in prayer is the imam only while he leads the [[prayer]]. More generally, the imam is the most respected person in the assembly. In modern times, the term has expanded to include a leader employed by the congregation, like a priest in Christianity.

* in [[Shia]] Islam, the highest leader is the imam. The first imam was [[Ali]]. The imam is presumed to have a special relationship to [[Allah]].

* Under the direction of [[Ayatollah Khomeini]] in Shia Islam, the imam alone was no longer considered to be the sole leader and authority, and Khomeini and his associates ruled the religious life in [[Iran]].

* In the largest branch of Islam, [[Sunni]] Islam, [[caliphs]] were called imams. But there are no longer any caliphs, so the term "imam" in that sense means almost nothing today.

* Also in Sunni Islam, "imam" is added to the names of learned men, such as founders of the schools of Sharia and as an honor to the great theologian [[al-Ghazzali]].

== Sources ==

[http://lexicorient.com/e.o/imam.htm Encyclopedia of the Orient]
[[category:Islam]]

Anwar al-Awlaki

2009-11-12T01:17:27Z

MichaelHWC:

[[File:Imam-anwar-al-awlaki.jpg|thumb|Anwar al-Awlaki.]]
'''Anwar al-Awlaki''' (probably from [[Yemen]]) is a radical [[imam]]. Formerly imam in Denver, Colorado, and San Diego, California, he led prayers, taught lessons, and delivered Friday sermons at Dar al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, [[Virginia]]. He was also the [[Muslim]] Chaplain at [[George Washington University]]. He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University and an M.A. in Education Leadership from San Diego State University. Awlaki worked on a Doctorate in Human Resource Development at George Washington University. <ref> [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/liveonline/01/nation/ramadan_awlaki1119.htm Understanding Ramadan:The Muslim Month of Fasting.] </ref>

[[Nidal Malik Hasan]]'s family attended the Dar al Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Va., where Awlaki was preaching in 2001. Also Nawaf al-Hamzi and Hani Hanjour, Sept. 11 hijackers, at the same time worshipped at that [[mosque]]. Two officials said the Washington-based task force was notified of communications between Hasan and Awlaki. <ref> [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_fort_hood_shooting_suspect AP Sources: Defense Dept worker looked into Hasan.] </ref> Awlaki praised Hasan as a hero and urged Muslims in the US military to follow in his footsteps. He also said that American Muslims who condemned Hasan attack are hypocrites who have committed treason against their religion. <ref> [http://eye-on-the-world.blogspot.com/2009/11/fort-hood-murderer-nidal-malik-hasan.html Fort Hood murderer Nidal Malik Hasan reached out to radical anti-American imam Anwar al-Awlaki.] </ref>

Awlaki has been based in [[Yemen]] since August 2006, and preaches to U.S. Muslims in online lectures. <ref> [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6534584/Fort-Hood-shooting-Nidal-Malik-Hasan-had-contact-with-911-imam.html Fort Hood shooting: Nidal Malik Hasan 'had contact with 9/11 imam'.] </ref>

{{cquote|

The [[Taliban]] repeatedly said: show us the evidence and we will turn over whoever is guilty with the crime. The US should have given them the benefit of the doubt. Also our government could have dealt with the terrorist attacks as a crime against America rather than a war against America. So the guilty would be tried and only them would be punished rather than bombing an already destroyed country. I do not restrict myself to US media. I check out Aljazeerah and European media such as the BBC. I am seeing something that you are not seeing because of the one-sidedness of the US media. I see the carnage of Afghanistan. I see the innocent civilian deaths. That is why my opinion is different.
Keep in mind that I have no sympathy for whoever committed the crimes of Sep 11th. But that doesn't mean that I would approve the killing of my Muslim brothers and sisters in Afghanistan. Even though this is a dissenting view nowadays but as an American I do have the right to have a contrary opinion.
You can congratulate your Muslim friends with "Ramadan Mubarak". Anwar al-Awlaki. (2001). <ref> [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/liveonline/01/nation/ramadan_awlaki1119.htm Understanding Ramadan:The Muslim Month of Fasting.] Monday, Nov. 19, 2001. </ref>
}}

Awlaki's sermons are extremely anti-[[Israel]] and pro-[[jihad]].

{{cquote|
“Jihad is the greatest deed in Islam and the salvation of the ummah is in practicing it. In
times like these, when Muslim lands are occupied by the kuffar, when the jails of tyrants
are full of Muslim POWs, when the rule of the law of [[Allah]] is absent from this world and
when Islam is being attacked in order to uproot it, Jihad becomes obligatory on every
Muslim. Jihad must be practiced by the child even if the parents refuse, by the wife even
if the husband objects and by the one indebt even if the lender disagrees.”
“Dear brothers and sisters the issue is urgent since today our enemy is neither a nation
nor a race. It is a system of kufr with global reach. The kuffar today are conspiring against
us like never before. So could we be heading towards the great battle between the
Romans and the Muslims - Al Malhamah - which the Prophet (saaws) spoke about?” Anwar al-Awlaki. (February 5, 2009.) <ref> [http://www.nefafoundation.org/miscellaneous/FeaturedDocs/nefaawlaki44wayssupportjihad.pdf “44 Ways to Support Jihad”.]
</ref>
}}

== Some works ==
* ''The Battle of Hearts and Minds''
* ''The Dust Will Never Settle Down''
* ''25 Promises from Allah to the Believer''
* ''Hellfire & The Day of Judgment''
* ''Trials & Lessons for Muslim Minorities''
* ''Allah is Preparing us for Victory''
* ''Giving & Investing in the Hereafter''
* ''Brutality Towards Muslims'' Unpublished
* ''The War on Islam'' Unpublished

One of Awlaki's most popular video series is ''"Constants of Jihad"'', in which he translates and interprets a well-known Arabic book promoting fighting in the name of Islam. <ref> [http://insidesomalia.org/200910192527/News/Media-Technology/The-powerful-online-voice-of-jihad.html The powerful online voice of jihad.] 19 October 2009. </ref>

== External links ==

*[http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anwar-Al-Awlaki/28000817427 Anwar Al Awlaki.] At Facebook. (His page has been downed.)
*[http://www.kalamullah.com/anwar-alawlaki.html Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki.] An audio interview.
*[http://www.salaattime.com/anwar.html Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki.] Online lectures.
*[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6910276.ece Anwar al-Awlaki's online support for Fort Hood gunman Major Hasan.]

== References ==

<references/>

[[Category:Terrorism]]

Anwar al-Awlaki

2009-11-12T01:17:11Z

MichaelHWC:

[[File:Imam-anwar-al-awlaki.jpg|thumb|Anwar al-Awlaki.]]
'''Anwar al-Awlaki''' (probably from [[Yemen]]) is a radical imam. Formerly imam in Denver, Colorado, and San Diego, California, he led prayers, taught lessons, and delivered Friday sermons at Dar al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, [[Virginia]]. He was also the [[Muslim]] Chaplain at [[George Washington University]]. He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University and an M.A. in Education Leadership from San Diego State University. Awlaki worked on a Doctorate in Human Resource Development at George Washington University. <ref> [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/liveonline/01/nation/ramadan_awlaki1119.htm Understanding Ramadan:The Muslim Month of Fasting.] </ref>

[[Nidal Malik Hasan]]'s family attended the Dar al Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Va., where Awlaki was preaching in 2001. Also Nawaf al-Hamzi and Hani Hanjour, Sept. 11 hijackers, at the same time worshipped at that [[mosque]]. Two officials said the Washington-based task force was notified of communications between Hasan and Awlaki. <ref> [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_fort_hood_shooting_suspect AP Sources: Defense Dept worker looked into Hasan.] </ref> Awlaki praised Hasan as a hero and urged Muslims in the US military to follow in his footsteps. He also said that American Muslims who condemned Hasan attack are hypocrites who have committed treason against their religion. <ref> [http://eye-on-the-world.blogspot.com/2009/11/fort-hood-murderer-nidal-malik-hasan.html Fort Hood murderer Nidal Malik Hasan reached out to radical anti-American imam Anwar al-Awlaki.] </ref>

Awlaki has been based in [[Yemen]] since August 2006, and preaches to U.S. Muslims in online lectures. <ref> [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6534584/Fort-Hood-shooting-Nidal-Malik-Hasan-had-contact-with-911-imam.html Fort Hood shooting: Nidal Malik Hasan 'had contact with 9/11 imam'.] </ref>

{{cquote|

The [[Taliban]] repeatedly said: show us the evidence and we will turn over whoever is guilty with the crime. The US should have given them the benefit of the doubt. Also our government could have dealt with the terrorist attacks as a crime against America rather than a war against America. So the guilty would be tried and only them would be punished rather than bombing an already destroyed country. I do not restrict myself to US media. I check out Aljazeerah and European media such as the BBC. I am seeing something that you are not seeing because of the one-sidedness of the US media. I see the carnage of Afghanistan. I see the innocent civilian deaths. That is why my opinion is different.
Keep in mind that I have no sympathy for whoever committed the crimes of Sep 11th. But that doesn't mean that I would approve the killing of my Muslim brothers and sisters in Afghanistan. Even though this is a dissenting view nowadays but as an American I do have the right to have a contrary opinion.
You can congratulate your Muslim friends with "Ramadan Mubarak". Anwar al-Awlaki. (2001). <ref> [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/liveonline/01/nation/ramadan_awlaki1119.htm Understanding Ramadan:The Muslim Month of Fasting.] Monday, Nov. 19, 2001. </ref>
}}

Awlaki's sermons are extremely anti-[[Israel]] and pro-[[jihad]].

{{cquote|
“Jihad is the greatest deed in Islam and the salvation of the ummah is in practicing it. In
times like these, when Muslim lands are occupied by the kuffar, when the jails of tyrants
are full of Muslim POWs, when the rule of the law of [[Allah]] is absent from this world and
when Islam is being attacked in order to uproot it, Jihad becomes obligatory on every
Muslim. Jihad must be practiced by the child even if the parents refuse, by the wife even
if the husband objects and by the one indebt even if the lender disagrees.”
“Dear brothers and sisters the issue is urgent since today our enemy is neither a nation
nor a race. It is a system of kufr with global reach. The kuffar today are conspiring against
us like never before. So could we be heading towards the great battle between the
Romans and the Muslims - Al Malhamah - which the Prophet (saaws) spoke about?” Anwar al-Awlaki. (February 5, 2009.) <ref> [http://www.nefafoundation.org/miscellaneous/FeaturedDocs/nefaawlaki44wayssupportjihad.pdf “44 Ways to Support Jihad”.]
</ref>
}}

== Some works ==
* ''The Battle of Hearts and Minds''
* ''The Dust Will Never Settle Down''
* ''25 Promises from Allah to the Believer''
* ''Hellfire & The Day of Judgment''
* ''Trials & Lessons for Muslim Minorities''
* ''Allah is Preparing us for Victory''
* ''Giving & Investing in the Hereafter''
* ''Brutality Towards Muslims'' Unpublished
* ''The War on Islam'' Unpublished

One of Awlaki's most popular video series is ''"Constants of Jihad"'', in which he translates and interprets a well-known Arabic book promoting fighting in the name of Islam. <ref> [http://insidesomalia.org/200910192527/News/Media-Technology/The-powerful-online-voice-of-jihad.html The powerful online voice of jihad.] 19 October 2009. </ref>

== External links ==

*[http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anwar-Al-Awlaki/28000817427 Anwar Al Awlaki.] At Facebook. (His page has been downed.)
*[http://www.kalamullah.com/anwar-alawlaki.html Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki.] An audio interview.
*[http://www.salaattime.com/anwar.html Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki.] Online lectures.
*[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6910276.ece Anwar al-Awlaki's online support for Fort Hood gunman Major Hasan.]

== References ==

<references/>

[[Category:Terrorism]]

Anwar al-Awlaki

2009-11-12T01:15:46Z

MichaelHWC: as opposed to what other kind of Imam? there's a link to Muslim/Islam in the next sentence.

[[File:Imam-anwar-al-awlaki.jpg|thumb|Anwar al-Awlaki.]]
'''Anwar al-Awlaki''' (probably from [[Yemen]]) is a radical imam. Formerly imam in Denver, Colorado, and San Diego, California, he led prayers, taught lessons, and delivered Friday sermons at Dar al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, [[Virginia]]. He was also the [[Muslim]] Chaplain at [[George Washington University]]. He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University and an M.A. in Education Leadership from San Diego State University. Awlaki worked on a Doctorate in Human Resource Development at George Washington University. <ref> [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/liveonline/01/nation/ramadan_awlaki1119.htm Understanding Ramadan:The Muslim Month of Fasting.] </ref>

[[Nidal Malik Hasan]]'s family attended the Dar al Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Va., where Awlaki was preaching in 2001. Also Nawaf al-Hamzi and Hani Hanjour, Sept. 11 hijackers, at the same time worshipped at that mosque. Two officials said the Washington-based task force was notified of communications between Hasan and Awlaki. <ref> [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_fort_hood_shooting_suspect AP Sources: Defense Dept worker looked into Hasan.] </ref> Awlaki praised Hasan as a hero and urged Muslims in the US military to follow in his footsteps. He also said that American Muslims who condemned Hasan attack are hypocrites who have committed treason against their religion. <ref> [http://eye-on-the-world.blogspot.com/2009/11/fort-hood-murderer-nidal-malik-hasan.html Fort Hood murderer Nidal Malik Hasan reached out to radical anti-American imam Anwar al-Awlaki.] </ref>

Awlaki is now based in [[Yemen]] since August 2006, and preaches to US Muslims in online lectures. <ref> [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6534584/Fort-Hood-shooting-Nidal-Malik-Hasan-had-contact-with-911-imam.html Fort Hood shooting: Nidal Malik Hasan 'had contact with 9/11 imam'.] </ref>

{{cquote|

The [[Taliban]] repeatedly said: show us the evidence and we will turn over whoever is guilty with the crime. The US should have given them the benefit of the doubt. Also our government could have dealt with the terrorist attacks as a crime against America rather than a war against America. So the guilty would be tried and only them would be punished rather than bombing an already destroyed country. I do not restrict myself to US media. I check out Aljazeerah and European media such as the BBC. I am seeing something that you are not seeing because of the one-sidedness of the US media. I see the carnage of Afghanistan. I see the innocent civilian deaths. That is why my opinion is different.
Keep in mind that I have no sympathy for whoever committed the crimes of Sep 11th. But that doesn't mean that I would approve the killing of my Muslim brothers and sisters in Afghanistan. Even though this is a dissenting view nowadays but as an American I do have the right to have a contrary opinion.
You can congratulate your Muslim friends with "Ramadan Mubarak". Anwar al-Awlaki. (2001). <ref> [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/liveonline/01/nation/ramadan_awlaki1119.htm Understanding Ramadan:The Muslim Month of Fasting.] Monday, Nov. 19, 2001. </ref>
}}

Awlaki sermons are extremely anti-Israel and pro-Jihad.

{{cquote|
“Jihad is the greatest deed in Islam and the salvation of the ummah is in practicing it. In
times like these, when Muslim lands are occupied by the kuffar, when the jails of tyrants
are full of Muslim POWs, when the rule of the law of [[Allah]] is absent from this world and
when Islam is being attacked in order to uproot it, Jihad becomes obligatory on every
Muslim. Jihad must be practiced by the child even if the parents refuse, by the wife even
if the husband objects and by the one indebt even if the lender disagrees.”
“Dear brothers and sisters the issue is urgent since today our enemy is neither a nation
nor a race. It is a system of kufr with global reach. The kuffar today are conspiring against
us like never before. So could we be heading towards the great battle between the
Romans and the Muslims - Al Malhamah - which the Prophet (saaws) spoke about?” Anwar al-Awlaki. (February 5, 2009.) <ref> [http://www.nefafoundation.org/miscellaneous/FeaturedDocs/nefaawlaki44wayssupportjihad.pdf “44 Ways to Support Jihad”.]
</ref>
}}

== Some works ==
* ''The Battle of Hearts and Minds''
* ''The Dust Will Never Settle Down''
* ''25 Promises from Allah to the Believer''
* ''Hellfire & The Day of Judgment''
* ''Trials & Lessons for Muslim Minorities''
* ''Allah is Preparing us for Victory''
* ''Giving & Investing in the Hereafter''
* ''Brutality Towards Muslims'' Unpublished
* ''The War on Islam'' Unpublished

One of Awlaki's most popular video series is ''"Constants of Jihad"'', in which he translates and interprets a well-known Arabic book promoting fighting in the name of Islam. <ref> [http://insidesomalia.org/200910192527/News/Media-Technology/The-powerful-online-voice-of-jihad.html The powerful online voice of jihad.] 19 October 2009. </ref>

== External links ==

*[http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anwar-Al-Awlaki/28000817427 Anwar Al Awlaki.] At Facebook. (His page has been downed.)
*[http://www.kalamullah.com/anwar-alawlaki.html Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki.] An audio interview.
*[http://www.salaattime.com/anwar.html Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki.] Online lectures.
*[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6910276.ece Anwar al-Awlaki's online support for Fort Hood gunman Major Hasan.]

== References ==

<references/>

[[Category:Terrorism]]

Lou Dobbs

2009-11-12T01:08:38Z

MichaelHWC: Or should we say, ADIOS?

[[Image:Dobbs.jpg|left]]
'''Lou Dobbs''' (b. Childress, [[Texas]]; September 24, 1945 ) is an [[American]] [[journalist]] and [[columnist]]. He was a longtime [[CNN]] anchor and managing editor for ''Lou Dobbs Tonight''. Dobbs was originally [[conservative]], but now he describes himself as an "independent populist" critic of the "excesses of [[capitalism]]." He has focused on [[immigration]] for years.

On November 11, 2009, Dobbs announced that he was leaving CNN to pursue other opportunities to "engage in constructive problem solving as well as to contribute positively to the great understanding of the issues of our day." <ref>http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/11/lou-dobbs-to-depart-cnn/</ref>

<blockquote>
Dobbs has won almost every award in journalism and he's a best-selling author and columnist. He's an independent populist and the leading media advocate for working men and women, their families, our middle class and the American way of life. <ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/lou.dobbs.tonight/ Lou Dobbs] CNN.
</ref></blockquote>

'''University:''' BA Economics, [[Harvard University]] (1967).

==Political views==
Once a self-described "Lifelong [[Republican]]" and [[fiscal conservative]], Dobbs now considers himself an "[[independent]] [[populist]]" and criticizes what he sees as the "excesses of capitalism." [[Illegal immigration]] is one such excess that he scrutinizes on his television program. He is opposed to amnesty for illegal aliens and advocates enforcement of existing immigration laws, along with a tightening of border security. On trade Dobbs advocates protectionist restrictions in order to protect American industry, and maintain U.S. sovereignty. Positions that are not regularly covered on Dobb's show include a pro-choice stance on [[abortion]], an opposition to [[gun control]] measures, and support for the [[gay agenda]].

== Books ==

* ''Exporting America: Why Corporate Greed Is Shipping American Jobs Overseas'' (2004).
* ''Space: The Next Business Frontier'' (2005).
* ''War on the Middle Class'' (2006). "The middle class is being picked apart and its future mortgaged for the benefit of a small group of powerful American interests," Dobbs says in this book.

Lou is married to Debi Lee Segura (a one-time CNN sports anchor, apparently of [[Mexican]] heritage{{fact}}). They have four children: Chance, Jason, Hilary and Heather. They reside on a 300-acre horse farm in Sussex County, New Jersey.

==See also==
*[[Anderson Cooper]]
*[[Larry King ]]
*[[Sean Hannity]]

*[[Conservative Links]]

== External links ==

*[http://edition.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/lou.dobbs.tonight/ Lou Dobbs Tonight]
*[http://www.nndb.com/people/234/000044102/ Lou Dobbs] NNDB.

== References ==

<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT: Dobbs, Lou}}
[[category:broadcasters]]

Lou Dobbs

2009-11-12T01:03:49Z

MichaelHWC: Goodbye, Lou!

[[Image:Dobbs.jpg|left]]
'''Lou Dobbs''' (b. Childress, [[Texas]]; September 24, 1945 ) is an [[American]] [[journalist]] and [[columnist]]. He was a longtime [[CNN]] anchor and managing editor for ''Lou Dobbs Tonight''. Dobbs was originally [[conservative]], but now he describes himself as an "independent populist" critic of the "excesses of [[capitalism]]." He has focused on [[immigration]] for years.

On November 11, 2009, Dobbs announced he was leaving CNN <ref>http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/11/lou-dobbs-to-depart-cnn/</ref>

<blockquote>
Dobbs has won almost every award in journalism and he's a best-selling author and columnist. He's an independent populist and the leading media advocate for working men and women, their families, our middle class and the American way of life. <ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/lou.dobbs.tonight/ Lou Dobbs] CNN.
</ref></blockquote>

'''University:''' BA Economics, [[Harvard University]] (1967).

==Political views==
Once a self-described "Lifelong [[Republican]]" and [[fiscal conservative]], Dobbs now considers himself an "[[independent]] [[populist]]" and criticizes what he sees as the "excesses of capitalism." [[Illegal immigration]] is one such excess that he scrutinizes on his television program. He is opposed to amnesty for illegal aliens and advocates enforcement of existing immigration laws, along with a tightening of border security. On trade Dobbs advocates protectionist restrictions in order to protect American industry, and maintain U.S. sovereignty. Positions that are not regularly covered on Dobb's show include a pro-choice stance on [[abortion]], an opposition to [[gun control]] measures, and support for the [[gay agenda]].

== Books ==

* ''Exporting America: Why Corporate Greed Is Shipping American Jobs Overseas'' (2004).
* ''Space: The Next Business Frontier'' (2005).
* ''War on the Middle Class'' (2006). "The middle class is being picked apart and its future mortgaged for the benefit of a small group of powerful American interests," Dobbs says in this book.

Lou is married to Debi Lee Segura (a one-time CNN sports anchor, apparently of [[Mexican]] heritage{{fact}}). They have four children: Chance, Jason, Hilary and Heather. They reside on a 300-acre horse farm in Sussex County, New Jersey.

==See also==
*[[Anderson Cooper]]
*[[Larry King ]]
*[[Sean Hannity]]

*[[Conservative Links]]

== External links ==

*[http://edition.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/lou.dobbs.tonight/ Lou Dobbs Tonight]
*[http://www.nndb.com/people/234/000044102/ Lou Dobbs] NNDB.

== References ==

<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT: Dobbs, Lou}}
[[category:broadcasters]]

Bush Derangement Syndrome

2009-11-11T04:43:26Z

MichaelHWC: Rick--it's what THEY called it, not what we're calling it--using scare quotes to make it clear it's their (mis) use of the term.

In 2003, [[Charles Krauthammer]] defined the term '''Bush Derangement Syndrome''': "the acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal people in reaction to the policies, the [[President of the United States of America|presidency]] -- nay -- the very existence of [[George W. Bush]]. <ref> http://www.frontpagemagazine.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID={6A2ED953-7F19-4A6D-B095-CF59269B817B} </ref>

Examples include [[liberals]] who began demanding that Bush be [[impeachment|impeached]] almost as soon as he took office, and Congressional Democratic leaders investigating anyone they could get their hands on as soon as they gained a majority in congress.

[[Paul Begala]], former President Bill Clinton's advisor, said "George W. Bush across America, he would poll behind several different forms of venereal disease in most of this country. I mean, they hate Bush!" <ref>[http://newsbusters.org/blogs/mark-finkelstein/2007/12/10/begala-bush-less-popular-venereal-disease Begala: Bush Less Popular Than 'Venereal Disease'], Mark Finkelstein, ''[[NewsBusters]]'', December 10, 2007</ref>

Members at the [[liberal]] website ''Think Progress'' said they "prayed" for Bush to die.<ref>Noel Sheppard, [http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2007/10/06/liberal-website-members-pray-president-bush-die Liberal Website Members Pray for President Bush to Die], ''[[NewsBusters]]'', October 6, 2007</ref>,

== See Also ==
*[[Conservative Links]]
*[[Bush-hater]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[category:political Terms]]
[[Category:Syndromes]]

Bush Derangement Syndrome

2009-11-11T03:41:21Z

MichaelHWC:

In 2003, [[Charles Krauthammer]] defined the term '''Bush Derangement Syndrome''': "the acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal people in reaction to the policies, the [[President of the United States of America|presidency]] -- nay -- the very existence of [[George W. Bush]]. <ref> http://www.frontpagemagazine.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID={6A2ED953-7F19-4A6D-B095-CF59269B817B} </ref>

Examples include [[liberals]] who began demanding that Bush be [[impeachment|impeached]] almost as soon as he took office, and [[Congress]]ional Democratic leaders investigating anyone they could get their hands on as soon as they gained a majority in congress.

Members at the [[liberal]] website ''Think Progress'' said they prayed for Bush to die.<ref>Noel Sheppard, [http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2007/10/06/liberal-website-members-pray-president-bush-die Liberal Website Members Pray for President Bush to Die], ''[[NewsBusters]]'', October 6, 2007</ref>,

[[Paul Begala]], former President Bill Clinton's advisor, said "George W. Bush across America, he would poll behind several different forms of venereal disease in most of this country. I mean, they hate Bush!" <ref>[http://newsbusters.org/blogs/mark-finkelstein/2007/12/10/begala-bush-less-popular-venereal-disease Begala: Bush Less Popular Than 'Venereal Disease'], Mark Finkelstein, ''[[NewsBusters]]'', December 10, 2007</ref>

== See Also ==
*[[Conservative Links]]
*[[Bush-hater]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[category:political Terms]]
[[Category:Syndromes]]

Federal Bureau of Investigation

2009-11-11T03:11:45Z

MichaelHWC: Thanks to RobS. for pointing this out. please expand.

[[Image:FBISeal.png|right|200px|thumb|Federal Bureau of Investigation]]
The '''Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)''' is the investigative arm of the [[US Department of Justice]]. The FBI's investigative authority can be found in Title 28, Section 533 of the US Code. Additionally, there are other statutes, such as the Congressional Assassination, Kidnapping, and Assault Act (Title 18, US Code, Section 351), which give the FBI responsibility to investigate specific crimes.

==Mission==
The mission of the FBI is to protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats, to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of the United States, and to provide leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies and partners.

==Priorities==
*Protect the United States from [[terrorist]] attack.
*Protect the United States against foreign intelligence operations and [[espionage]].
*Protect the United States against cyber-based attacks and high-technology crimes.
*Combat public corruption at all levels.
*Protect [[civil rights]].
*Combat transnational and national criminal organizations and enterprises.
*Combat major white-collar crime.
*Combat significant [[violent crime]].
*Support federal, state, county, municipal, and international partners.
*Upgrade technology to successfully perform the FBI's mission.<ref>[http://www.fbi.gov/priorities/priorities.htm Facts and Figures]</ref>

==Crimes under FBI jurisdiction==
===National Security priorities===
*'''Counterterrorism'''
:International Terrorism
:Domestic Terrorism
:Weapons of Mass Destruction
*'''Counterintelligence'''
:Counterespionage
:Counterproliferation
:Economic Espionage
*'''Cyber Crime'''
:Computer Intrusions
:Online Predators
:Piracy/Intellectual Property Theft
:Internet Fraud
===Criminal Priorities===
*'''Public Corruption'''
:Government Fraud
:Election Fraud
:Foreign Corrupt Practices
*'''Civil Rights'''
:Hate Crime
:Human Trafficking
:Color of Law
:Freedom of Access to Clinics
*'''White-Collar Crime'''
:Antitrust
:Bankruptcy Fraud
:Corporate/Securities Fraud
:Health Care Fraud
:Identity Theft
:Insurance Fraud
:Money Laundering
:Mortgage Fraud
:Telemarketing Fraud
:More White-Collar Frauds
*'''Organized Crime'''
:Italian Mafia/LCN
:Eurasian
:Balkan
:Middle Eastern
:Asian
:African
:Sports Bribery
*'''Major Thefts/Violent Crime'''
:Art Theft
:Bank Robberies
:Cargo Theft
:Crimes Against Children
:Cruise Ship Crime
:Indian Country Crime
:Jewelry and Gems Theft
:Murder for Hire
:Retail Theft
:Vehicle Theft
:Violent Gangs

==The Director==
The FBI is headed by a Director who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. On October 15, 1976, in reaction to the extraordinary 48-year term of [[J. Edgar Hoover]], Congress passed Public Law 94-503, which limits the term of each FBI Director to ten years.

The current Director, Robert S. Mueller, III, was confirmed as Director of the FBI by the Senate on August 2, 2001. He took the oath of office on September 4, 2001. Director Mueller previously served as US Attorney for the Districts of Northern California and Massachusetts and as Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Department of Justice's Criminal Division. Director Mueller has experience in the private practice of law and is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. For three years, he also served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. Director Mueller holds a bachelor of arts degree from Princeton University, a master's degree in international relations from New York University, and a law degree from the University of Virginia.

==Headquarters==
FBI Headquarters is currently located in the J. Edgar Hoover Building on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. The Special Agents and support personnel who work at Headquarters organize and coordinate FBI activities around the world. Headquarters personnel determine investigative priorities, oversee major cases, and manage the organization's resources, technology, and personnel. Headquarters also has a role in gathering and distributing information. If a Special Agent in Boise, Idaho, has some information that would help an Agent in New York City solve a case, Headquarters is responsible for making sure the information gets from Boise to New York.

Headquarters plays a key role in fighting terrorism. It is the focal point for intelligence, not only from around the country, but from the CIA and various countries overseas. Headquarters takes the intelligence information it collects, analyzes it, and sends it to field offices, state and municipal police departments, and other federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security.

In the late 1990s, the FBI put a professional scientist in charge of the Laboratory and instituted reforms to improve evidence handling and optimize research. As the FBI has grown, some Headquarters functions have been moved to other locations. The Criminal Justice Information Services Division is located in Clarksburg, [[West Virginia]]. The Laboratory and Investigative Technologies Divisions are located in [[Quantico]], Virginia. Other specialized facilities, such as high-tech computer forensics centers, are at various locations across the country.

==Budget==
In fiscal year (FY) 2003, the FBI received a total of $4.298 billion, including $540.281 million in net program increases to enhance Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, Cybercrime, Information Technology, Security, Forensics, Training, and Criminal Programs.

==Field Offices==
The nuts and bolts work of the FBI is done in its 56 field offices and their 400 satellite offices, known as resident agencies. It is the Special Agent in the field who looks for clues, tracks down leads, and works with local law enforcement to catch and arrest criminals. A Special Agent in Charge oversees each field office, except for the largest field offices, in [[Washington, DC]], [[Los Angeles]], and [[New York City]], which are headed by an Assistant Director.

==International Offices==
In addition to its field offices across the United States, the FBI has 45 offices known as Legal Attachés or "Legats" located around the world. Legats are our first line of defense beyond our borders. Their goals are simple-to stop foreign crime as far from American shores as possible and to help solve international crimes that do occur as quickly as possible.

To accomplish these goals, each Legat works with law enforcement and security agencies in their host country to coordinate investigations of interest to both countries. Some Legats are responsible for coordination with law enforcement personnel in several countries. The purpose of these Legats is strictly coordination; they do not conduct foreign intelligence gathering or counterintelligence investigations. The rules for joint activities and information-sharing are generally spelled out in formal agreements between the United States and the Legat's host country. The entire worldwide Legat program is overseen by a Special Agent in Charge located at FBI Headquarters.

==National Security Branch==
The National Security Branch (NSB) was established on September 12, 2005, in response to a presidential directive to establish a “National Security Service” that combines the missions, capabilities, and resources of the counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and intelligence elements of the FBI under the leadership of a senior FBI official. In July 2006, the Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate was created within the NSB to integrate WMD components previously spread throughout the FBI.

==Training==
In the FBI, learning is a lifelong process for both Special Agents and support personnel. New Agents' Training incorporates counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and cyber investigation matters into basic investigative courses so Agents are better able to recognize and address these intertwined threats. For example, training in financial crimes shows Agents how certain acts should be closely reviewed for possible money laundering activities by terrorist groups.

FBI support personnel enjoy a variety of training opportunities throughout their careers, including in-service training on counterterrorism, counterintelligence, cybecrime, and other matters; language training; distance learning via satellite; and courses offered through the FBI's "Virtual Academy."

===College of Analytical Studies===
The FBI's College of Analytical Studies provides training for intelligence analysts using state-of-the-art computer tools. A variety of courses are offered to FBI personnel, members of Joint Terrorism Task Forces around the country, and Department of Justice analysts.

===National Academy===
Since 1935, the FBI has offered the National Academy program to experienced law enforcement managers nominated by their agency heads because of their leadership qualities.

The 11-week multidisciplinary program emphasizes leadership development. The [[University of Virginia]] accredits its academic courses. Courses offered include management science, law, behavioral science, law enforcement communication, and forensic science. More than 36,000 police managers have graduated from the FBI National Academy.

===Field Police Training===
A Special Agent at each FBI field office coordinates training programs for state and local law enforcement and public safety employees within that office's territory. Course topics include hostage negotiation, computer crime, death investigations, violent crimes, criminal psychology, and forensics. In FY 2002, the field police training programs trained 48,021 law enforcement and public safety employees.

===Leadership and Management Science Programs===
The FBI conducts three five-day National Executive Institute seminars for heads of large law enforcement agencies each year. Since the program began in 1976, more than 800 top police managers have completed the seminar. In FY 2000, 59 police managers from mid-sized law enforcement agencies completed the FBI's two-week Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar (LEEDS). The FBI also offers 18 Regional Mini-LEEDS/Command Colleges each year for the heads of small law enforcement agencies.

===International Training and Assistance===
In FY 2002, the FBI provided training to more than 8,050 police officers and executives representing 118 countries through courses offered at FBI facilities and at on-site in-country seminars. Courses were offered in Major Case Management and Terrorist Crime Scenes Investigation, among others. The FBI also administers an [[International Law Enforcement Academy]] in [[Budapest]], [[Hungary]], and supports a second Academy in Bangkok, Thailand. The curricula at both International Academies are based on the FBI National Academy model.

==History==
===Bureau of Investigation===
On July 26, 1908, Attorney General (AG) Charles J. Bonaparte ordered a small force of permanent investigators (organized a month earlier) to report to the Department of Justice's Chief Examiner, Stanley Finch. AG Bonaparte declared that these investigators would handle all Department of Justice (DOJ) investigative matters, except certain bank frauds. At first, little seemed to come of AG Bonaparte's reorganization.

In 1909, this investigator force was named the Bureau of Investigation (BOI). At this time, it investigated antitrust matters, land fraud, copyright violations, peonage (involuntary slavery), and twenty other matters. Over the next decade, federal criminal authority and Bureau jurisdiction were extended by laws like the 1910 "White-Slave Traffic" Act that put responsibility for interstate prostitution under the Bureau for a time and the 1919 Dyer Act that did the same for interstate auto-theft. US entry into World War I in April 1917 led to further increases in the Bureau's jurisdiction. Congress and President Wilson assigned the BOI's three hundred employees responsibility for espionage, sabotage, sedition, and selective service matters.

===The Gangster Era===
The 1920's brought Prohibition, the automobile, and an increase in criminal activity. Bank robbers, bootleggers, and kidnappers took advantage of jurisdictional boundaries by crossing state lines to elude capture. A criminal culture marked by violent gangsters flourished, but no federal law gave the BOI authority to tackle their crimes and other law enforcement efforts were fragmented. The Bureau addressed these matters as its jurisdiction permitted throughout the 1920's.

In 1924, Attorney General Harlan Stone appointed John Edgar Hoover as Director. Director Hoover (1924-1972) implemented a number of reforms to clean up what had become a politicized Bureau under the leadership of William J. Burns (1921-1924). Hoover reinstated merit hiring, introduced professional training of new Agents, demanded regular inspections of all Bureau operations, and required strict professionalism in the Bureau's work.

Notorious John Dillinger and his gang terrorized the Midwest from September 1933 until July 1934, killing 10 men, wounding 7 others, robbing banks and police arsenals, and staging 3 jail breaks. On July 22, 1934, Dillinger was shot and killed by FBI Agents outside the Biograph Theater in Chicago.

Under Hoover, the Bureau also began to emphasize service to other law enforcement agencies. The Identification Division was created in 1924 to provide US police a means to identify criminals across jurisdictional boundaries. The Technical Crime Laboratory, created in 1932, provided forensic analysis and research for law enforcement, and the FBI National Academy, opened in 1935, provided standardized professional training for America's law enforcement communities.

In answer to the violent crime of the 1930's, Congress began to assign and expand new authorities to the Bureau. The kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh's baby son in 1932 led to the passage of the Federal Kidnapping Act, which allowed the Bureau to investigate interstate kidnappings. The 1933 Kansas City Massacre spurred the passage of the 1934 May/June Crime Bills. These laws gave the Bureau authority to act in many new areas, to make arrests, and to carry weapons. Renamed "Federal Bureau of Investigation" in 1935, the FBI dealt with gangsters severely, earning its anonymous agents the nickname "G-Men."

===World War II===
As the gangster threat subsided, a threat of a different nature emerged. In 1936, President Roosevelt directed the FBI to investigate potential subversion by Nazi and Communist organizations. In 1940, he tasked the Bureau with responsibility for foreign intelligence in the western hemisphere and domestic security in the United States. In response, the Bureau created a Special Intelligence Service (SIS) Division in June 1940. The SIS sent undercover FBI Agents throughout the Western Hemisphere. These Agents successfully identified some 1,300 Axis intelligence agents (about 10% of whom were prosecuted). When President Truman ordered the program's end in 1947, several former SIS offices became the backbone of the FBI's foreign liaison efforts, now serving as Legal Attaché Offices. FBI efforts also thwarted many espionage, sabotage, and propaganda attempts on the home front, including Frederick Duquesne's spy ring in 1941 and George Dasch's band of saboteurs in 1942.

===Cold War===
When Germany and Japan surrendered in 1945, concern about the threat of foreign intelligence did not end. Revelations that year from former Soviet intelligence agents like Igor Guzenko and Elizabeth Bentley, information gleaned from FBI investigations during and after the war, and decrypted/decoded Soviet cable traffic called "Venona" (available to the Bureau from 1947), convinced the FBI of the seriousness of the Soviet intelligence threat long before Senator Joseph McCarthy made his 1950 speech about communist "moles." Under the Hatch Act (1940) and Executive Orders issued in 1947 and 1951, the Bureau exercised responsibility for ensuring the loyalty of those who sought to work in the government. The FBI played a critical role in US handling of the Cold War.

===Political activism===
In the 1950's, civil rights violations and organized crime became matters of increasing concern. As in the past, lack of jurisdiction hindered the Bureau from effectively responding to these problems when they first emerged as national issues. It was under the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act that the Bureau received legislative authority to investigate many of the wrongs done to African Americans in the South and elsewhere. Under existing laws, the Bureau's efforts against organized crime also started slowly. Then, with the 1968 Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act and the 1970 Organized Crime Control Act, Congress gave the Bureau effective weapons with which to attack organized criminal enterprises, Title III warrants for wiretaps and the Racketeering and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).

During the 1960's, subversion remained a central focus of Bureau efforts. The counter-cultural revolution turned the Bureau's attention towards violent student movements, as criminal groups like the Weather Underground and the Black Panthers engaged in both legitimate political action and illegal crime. The Bureau responded to the threat of subversion with Counterintelligence Programs (COINTELPRO) first against the Communist Party (1956), later against other violent/subversive groups like the Black Panthers and the Ku Klux Klan (1960's). These programs resulted in the Bureau, at times, effectively stepping out of its proper role as a law enforcement agency.

During the 1970's, Bureau actions, which were publicly revealed through a strengthened Freedom of Information Act (1966, amended in 1974), resulted in congressional investigations like the Church Committee and the Pike Committee hearings in 1975. In response to criticisms emerging from these revelations, the Bureau worked with Attorney General Levi to develop guidelines for its domestic counterintelligence investigations.

===After Hoover===
J. Edgar Hoover served as FBI Director for almost 50 years. In the wake of Director Hoover's death in May 1972, Director Clarence M. Kelley (1973-1977) refocused FBI investigative priorities to place less emphasis on having a high number of cases and to focus more on the quality of cases handled. Working with the Bureau and Congress in 1976, Attorney General Edward Levi issued a set of investigative guidelines to address the concerns of Bureau critics and to give the FBI the confidence of having public, legal authority behind its use of irreplaceable investigative techniques like wiretaps, informants, and undercover agents. These investigative techniques were used to great effect in cases like ABSCAM (1980), GREYLORD (1984), and UNIRAC (1978). In 1983, as concerns about terrorist acts grew, Attorney General William French Smith revised the Levi Guidelines to adjust the Bureau's ability to prevent violent radical acts.

Director William H. Webster (1977-1987) built upon Director Kelley's emphasis on investigative "quality" cases by focusing Bureau efforts on three Priority Programs: White Collar Crime, Organized Crime, and Foreign Counterintelligence. Later, Illegal Drugs (1982), Counterterrorism (1982), and Violent Crimes (1989) were also identified as priority programs. This concentration of resources brought great success against Soviet and East Bloc intelligence as more than 40 spies were arrested between 1977 and 1985. The FBI also made breakthroughs against white-collar crime in investigations like ILLWIND (1988) and LOST TRUST (1990), and in organized crime cases like BRILAB (1981) and the PIZZA CONNECTION (1985).

During the 1990's, criminal and security threats to the United States evolved as new technology and the fall of communism in the Soviet bloc changed the geopolitical world. The 1993 bombing of the World Trade Centers and the 1995 bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building highlighted the potentially catastrophic threat of both international and domestic terrorism. The FBI responded to the emerging international face of crime by aggressively building bridges between US and foreign law enforcement. Under the leadership of Director Louis J. Freeh (1993-2001), the Bureau dramatically expanded its Legat Program (39 offices by fall 2000); provided professional law enforcement education to foreign nationals through the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Budapest (opened in 1994) and other international education efforts; and created working groups and other structured liaisons with foreign law enforcement.

The Bureau also strengthened its domestic agenda. Responding to criticism of its actions in the 1993 standoffs at Waco, Texas, and Ruby Ridge, Idaho, the Bureau revamped its crisis response efforts. The FBI's commitment to law enforcement service was strengthened by the computerization of its massive fingerprint collection database, enhancements in the National Crime Information Center, and by the revitalization of the FBI Laboratory. In 1997, the Bureau hired its first professional scientist to head the Lab. The Lab tightened its protocols for evidence control, instituted organizational changes to optimize research specialization, and earned national accreditation.

===September 11, 2001===
On September 4, 2001, former US Attorney Robert S. Mueller, III, (2001 to present) was sworn in as Director with a mandate to address a number of tough challenges: upgrading the Bureau's information technology infrastructure; addressing records management issues; and enhancing FBI foreign counterintelligence analysis and security in the wake of the damage done by former Special Agent and convicted spy Robert S. Hanssen.

Then within days of his entering on duty, the September 11 terrorist attacks were launched against New York and Washington. Director Mueller led the FBI's massive investigative efforts in partnership with all US law enforcement, the federal government, and our allies overseas. On October 26, 2001, the President signed into law the US Patriot Act, which granted new provisions to address the threat of terrorism, and Director Mueller accordingly accepted on behalf of the Bureau responsibility for protecting the American people against future terrorist attacks. On May 29, 2002, the Attorney General issued revised investigative guidelines to assist the Bureau's counterterrorism efforts.

To support the Bureau's change in mission and to meet newly articulated strategic priorities, Director Mueller called for a reengineering of FBI structure and operations that will closely focus the Bureau on prevention of terrorist attacks, on countering foreign intelligence operations against the US, and on addressing cyber-based attacks and other high technology crimes. In addition, the Bureau remains dedicated to protecting civil rights, and to combating public corruption, organized crime, white-collar crime, and major acts of violent crime. It is also strengthening its support to federal, county, municipal, and international law enforcement partners. And it is upgrading its technological infrastructure to successfully meet each of its priorities.

At the start of the new millennium, the FBI stands dedicated to its core values and ethical standards. Commitment to these values and standards ensures that the FBI effectively carries out its mission. Or at least, [http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/fbi_blew_off_killer_mail_to_al_qaeda_Bqi6bMwstWFXefjamp9CdJ most of the time.]

==Links==
*[http://www.fbi.gov/homepage.htm Federal Bureau of Investigation official site]
*[http://www.fbi.gov/wanted.htm FBI's "Most Wanted" page]
*[http://www.fbi.gov/hq/td/academy/academy.htm FBI Academy]
*[http://www.slate.com/id/2163407/?nav=fix&GT1=9330 How to get on the List]

== References ==

<references/>

[[Category:United States Law]]
[[Category:Crime]]

Mohandas K. Gandhi

2009-11-11T00:21:00Z

MichaelHWC: /* Religion */

[[Image:5356356.jpg|right|thumb|Gandhi]]
'''Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi''' (1869-1948) also known by the honorific title ''Mahatma Gandhi,'' was a great leader who obtained [[India]]'s independence from [[Britain]].

:It was his [[philosophy]] of ''Satyagraha'' or nonviolent non-compliance (being willing to suffer so that the opponent can realize the error of their ways)—which led India to independence, and has influenced social reformers around the world, including [[Martin Luther King, Jr.]] and the [[African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968)|American civil rights movement]], [[Steve Biko]] and the freedom struggles in [[South Africa]], and [[Aung San Suu Kyi]] in [[Myanmar]]. [http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Mahatma_Gandhi NWE]

As a Indian lawyer on a one-year assignment in British South Africa, Gandhi experienced racism first-hand.

:He was thrown off a train at Pietermaritzburg for refusing to ride in the third-class compartment while holding a valid first-class ticket. Later, on the same journey, a stagecoach driver beat him for refusing to make room for a European passenger by standing on the footboard. [http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Mahatma_Gandhi NWE]

He urged peaceful [[civil disobedience]] to the British,<ref>Gandhi's ethic of nonviolence ... calls on each of us to break the self-perpetuating cycle of [[violence]] and [[revenge]] -- of [[action and reaction]] -- by recognizing the common [[humanity]] we share with those we consider our enemies. Gandhi put this philosophy into practice by developing a technique of militant [[nonviolence]] that was intended to force the British to see the humanity of those they oppressed, and the inhumanity of their own actions[http://www.transparencynow.com/news/preface.htm]</ref> calling on Indians to refuse to pay taxes to Britain and refuse to attend British schools. He also called for a boycott of British manufactures, especially for the cloths that Indian weavers are so famous for. The Indians heeded Gandhi’s leadership and stopped buying British cloth. Gandhi also called for the Indian National Congress to change from an elite or wealthy group into more of a people’s voice that could advocate independence. Gandhi drew upon [[Christian]] concepts as well as his native [[Hinduism]]. His education included studying law at the University College London, though Gandhi makes little mention of that in his autobiography and details are unclear.

One of Gandhi’s acts of protest was to lead the Salt March in 1930 for 240 miles to the sea, so that Indians could obtain salt from evaporated salt water rather than buy it from (and pay taxes to) Britain. A law required Indians to buy salt from the British government, but Gandhi’s march peacefully disobeyed that law and created much publicity. Gandhi and many of his supporters were eventually arrested for some of their protests.

At one point a British leader agreed to meet with Gandhi, who then attended with the simple Hindu clothing of a single cloth gown. Offended by this, some British demanded an explanation. Gandhi responded that the British official, who was dressed in the customary suit and tie, was wearing enough clothes for both of them!

Eventually Gandhi’s protest efforts paid off, as the British Parliament enacted the Government of India Act in 1935. This established self-rule at a local level and allowed some democratic elections. Muslims, however, feared majority Hindu rule and requested a separate state for Muslims. The Muslim League endorsed the creation of a new country called “[[Pakistan]]” for the predominantly [[Muslim]] population of that region. India and Pakistan are fully independent today.

[[Image:Gandhi3.jpg|thumb|280px|1947 U.S. editorial cartoon ridicules Gandhi for creating chaos in India]]

Gandhi was a vegetarian and would go on fasts for causes of peace. He was assassinated by Hindu ultra-nationalists on 20 January 1948, shortly after Indian independence.
==Religion==
Gandhi's understanding of religion and Indian culture was the key to understanding his public life. While his religion was grounded in the Hindu beliefs he had been taught as a child, Gandhi fashioned for himself a humanist religious philosophy on which he based his theory of nonviolence as a political method as well as his economic theories. Gandhi was eclectic in seeking and using insights from other religions, especially Christian pacifism. He rejected the fact that the Christian gospel was the necessary path for all humankind to follow. Gandhi's mixed attitude toward Islam had more direct political consequence. He rejected Islamic claims of universal validity, but political realities led him in the 1920s to support the anti-British Khilafat movement, which was based on an appeal that Islam was in danger because of the British role in overthrowing the [[Ottoman Empire]]. Some historians argue that there were unintended consequences in his support for this pan-Islamic movement, because it brought religion into politics in a highly divisive way, leading to Partition of Pakistan as a separate nation in 1947. Nanda (2002) argues that Gandhi and the Indian National Congress did not see that their vision of nationhood was not shared by the Muslim leadership. Two incompatible nationalisms were contending for living space in the same territory.

==Famous quotes==

*First they ignore you. Then they ridicule you. Then they fight you. ''Then you win.''

*“There is nothing that wastes the body like worry, and one who has any faith in God should be ashamed to worry about anything whatsoever” <ref>http://thinkexist.com/quotes/mahatma_gandhi/</ref>

*"What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy?" <ref> ''Non-violence in Peace and War'' (1942) Vol I, ch. 142 </ref>

*"Non-violence is the first article of my faith. It is also the last article of my creed." <ref> Speech at Shahi Bag, 18th March 1922, on a charge of sedition </ref>

*(When asked what he thought of Western civilization):"I think it would be a very good idea."

*(Later in his life when he was asked whether he was a Hindu, he replied:) :"Yes I am. I am also a Christian, a Muslim, a Buddhist and a Jew."

*"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

==Motion picture==

Richard Attenborough's 1982 film, entitled simply ''Gandhi,'' won eight Academy Awards, including "best picture," as well as BAFTA and Golden Globe awards. It is a biographical film that stays close to the historical facts of Gandhi's life. Film critic Roger Ebert said that actor [[Ben Kingsley]] (half Indian and half English) "makes the role so completely his own that there is a genuine feeling that the spirit of Gandhi is on the screen."

==Spelling==
[[Image:Gandhi.jpg|left|]]
Gandhi's last name is very frequently spelled incorrectly as "Ghandi," perhaps because "g-h" is a common digraph in English while "d-h" is not.

He was called the Mahatma, or the Great Soul
{{Clear}}
==Bibliography==
* Brown, Judith M. ''Gandhi: Prisoner of Hope'' (1991)
* Chatterjee, Margaret. ''Gandhi's Religious Thought'' (1983)
* Iyer, Raghavan N. ''The Moral and Political Thought of Mahatma Gandhi (1973)
* Iyer, Raghavan N. ''The Moral and Political Thought of Mahafltma Gandhi'' (1973)
* Kapur, Sudarshan. ''Raising Up a Prophet: The African-American Encounter With Gandhi'' (1992), impact on Americans
* Nanda, B. R. ''In Search of Gandhi: Essays and Reflections.'' (2002).
* Parekh, Bhikhu. ''Gandhi: A Very Short Introduction.'' (2001) 140pp; [http://www.questia.com/read/101652387?title=Gandhi%3a%20A%20Very%20Short%20Introduction online edition]
* Parekh, Bhikhu. ''Gandhi's Political Philosophy'' (1989)

===Primary sources===
* Mahatma Gandhi. ''Selected Writings of Mahatma Gandhi'' ed. by Ronald Duncan (1951) [http://www.questia.com/read/54615149?title=Selected%20Writings%20of%20Mahatma%20Gandhi full text online]
* Mahatma Gandhi. ''The Essential Writings'' ed. by Judith M. Brown (2008) [http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Writings-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/019280720X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229384833&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]
* Mahatma Gandhi. ''Gandhi An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments With Truth'' (1993 edition) [http://www.amazon.com/Gandhi-Autobiography-Story-Experiments-Truth/dp/0807059099/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229384833&sr=8-8 excerpt and text search]

== See also ==

*[[Pratibha Patil]]

== External links ==

*[http://www.mkgandhi.org/ MAHATMA GANDHI]

==References==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gandhi, Mohandas K}}
[[Category:International Political Figures]]
[[Category:India]]
[[Category:British Empire]]
[[Category:Indian History]]

Talk:Ku Klux Klan

2009-11-10T05:15:49Z

MichaelHWC: /* I was wrong about the 1920s KKK */

BY any reasonable standards, the KKK are terrorists.

Dunno...don't terrorists actually, you know...DO stuff? The think about the klan is they're not a centralized organization...just a lot of tiny splinter groups...they're no longer the powerful machine they were in the twenties. [[User:Czolgolz|Czolgolz]] 09:34, 27 March 2007 (EDT)

== Democratic link ==

I explained it in context. If the context is removed, so must be the link.-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 16:31, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

==More fantasy==
I think this is pure fantasy:

:''Prior to the [[Reagan Realignment]], the [[Democratic Party]] was the party of the South - it overwhelmingly controlled the South. Especially prior to [[Strom Thurmond|Strom Thurmond's]] "[[Dixiecrat]]" splinter movement, the [[Democratic Party]] was responsible for a good deal of racist legislation, and was perceived to be connected to the Klan. However, such a causal connection is over fifty years old and the Klan bears no connection with any modern mainstream political party.''

Facts are, the Democratic party still controls the South at all levels of government, and any so-called "re-alingnment" was fictional or imaginary. But you get an "E" for "effort", putting Reagan's name on the KKK page. And the claim "the Klan bears no connection with any modern mainstream political party", we would have to actually ask Klansman what thier party preference is for this claim to be valid; anyone willing to wager what the result would be? [[User:RobS|RobS]] 17:06, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:Well, Rob, you could ask David Duke, who served as the chairman of the Tammany Parish Republican party for a while.

:Sorry, but the GOP's Southern Strategy is no fantasy, as anyone old enough to remember the '60s and '70s will tell you. And before taking me up on this wager I should warn you, in fairness, that I am from the south, and can remember the exodus of southern racists from the Democratic Party to the GOP.
--[[User:PF Fox|PF Fox]] 17:08, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

: Actually, RobS, I could cite you to a dozen books about Southern politics describing the Reagan Realignment (they're all by Earl or Merle Black, one of which I studied with, so... got anything better?), but if you want to delete that whole paragraph, I'll remove the cartoon too. Seems a good compromise, ne? I'm shocked, though, that you don't care to understand your own party's history.-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 17:10, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

It's incredible. All I can guess is that a lot of these people unaware of the GOP's famous "southern strategy" are too young to remember that time and haven't read much on the subject. --[[User:PF Fox|PF Fox]] 17:14, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

: I choose to believe willful blindness - its practice is rampant on this site. Radiocarbon dating?! Lalalalala I can't hear you.-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 17:16, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

::''Facts are, the Democratic party still controls the South at all levels of government, and any so-called "re-alingnment" was fictional or imaginary.''
::Yet they have a hard time getting Southerners to vote for Democratic presidential candidates. How odd. It must be the same way the Liberals control the media, yet can't seem to get their candidates and policies show in a good light. --[[User:BDobbs|BDobbs]] 17:19, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:::PF Fox, wow, una.

:::AmesG & BDobbs, yes we've read much of that, too. Crossover Democrats who voted for Reagan were ''not'' restricted to Southerners; many Nothern Cartholic (whom according to the article, the KKK wants to supress), labor union Democrats also voted for Reagan. All this so-called "re-allignment", which was proven to be fiction in 1992, 1996, and 2006, tells us more about the quality of Democratic Presidential candidates (and probably the method they are chosen, too), over past decades than anything else. Facts ares, Democrats remain in control of Southern legislatures, governorships, municipal elected postions, judges, not to mention appointed regulatory positions, etc. Then we have the "blue dog coallition". In Reagans & FDR's day, they were called Democratic "bollweavils".

:::What is particularly objectionable about these falicious claims is the KKK is known for terrorist activities which have resulted in murder; there is absolutley no connection whatsoever between the name of Ronald Reagan, and/or Strom Thurmond to murder and lybnchings. This is particularly reprehensible editing activity, IMO. Now, on the other hand, a link can be forged between the name of a prominant living person, [[Sen. Robert Byrd]], and the KKK. Yet you have not done this. In my personal view, where in the case of Byrd we have such a basis to include his name on this page, other factors need to be considered first. Whereas this standared you've totally ignored in a blatant & naked attempt to paint Reagan, Thurmaond, and hence the Republican Party as racist.

:::I would suggest you stop this, now. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 17:54, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

::::RobS, if you read the full paragraph, it SAYS THAT MUCH. LOOK AT THE BOLDED TEXT now that it'll be bolded, once I revert it. My concern is that I have no desire for the KKK to be linked to the Democrats by that cartoon, and if they are linked, then it must be fully explained byt he paragraph that you just deleted. So pick it: cartoon AND explanation, or neither. Which is it?-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 17:58, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:::::You address the problem of Sen. Byrd ''first'' before impugning Thurmond, Reagen, or the GOP. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 18:03, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

RobS, you clearly misunderstand my intent in that paragraph. Re-read it with particular emphasis on the bold text. Our goals are the same. Don't get mad at me over nothing.-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 18:00, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:I read it clearly; it says the KKK is not married to the Dems anymore but maybe a bunch of "Reagan Democracts", and other Southerners who vote GOP, are klansman. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 18:03, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

::You're finding something that's not there. The bolded text could not be clearer. However, I think we both agree that associating the KKK with ANY party is bad bad bad bad bad. Accordingly I've removed the "comic." I'm sure you agree with this decision, and I'm glad we've reached a consensus.-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 18:06, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:::Too late now; you put Reagan & Thurmund's names in there and never bothered to address facts. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 18:09, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

::::I'm trying to follow this now... are we trying to say that Strom Thurmon was ''not'' a segregationist? [[User:Myk|Myk]] 21:28, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:::::Are we trying to say Strom Thurmond was a klansman? [[User:RobS|RobS]] 22:09, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

==Reverted text placed here==
[[Image:Artoon.jpg|right|thumb|A political cartoon depicting the KKK and the Democratic party as continuations of the Confederacy]]
Prior to the [[Reagan Realignment]] (after which point the [[Democratic Party]] became the "[[liberal]]" party, and the [[Republican Party]] the "[[conservative]]" party), the [[Democratic Party]] was the party of the South - it overwhelmingly controlled the South. In this era, the [[Democratic Party]] was responsible for a good deal of racist legislation, and was perceived to be connected to the Klan. '''However, such a causal connection is over fifty years old and the Klan bears no connection with any modern mainstream political party.'''<ref>Earl Black, ''The Vital South: How Presidents are Elected'' (1992, Harvard University Press)</ref><ref>Earl Black, ''The Rise of Southern Republicans'' (2002, Harvard University Press)</ref>

=== References ===
<references/>

== David Duke & Robert Byrd ==

I don't suppose mentioning David Duke's run for governor of Louisiana would help this at all, would it. --[[User:BDobbs|BDobbs]] 18:16, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

It IS one of the most notable instances of the KKK in the news in the past 15 or so years. [[User:MountainDew|MountainDew]] 18:16, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:I would suggest we discuss both Duke & Byrd before proceeding down this path. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 18:19, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

::And the fact that no prominent Republicans supported Duke (Reagan condemned him) [[User:MountainDew|MountainDew]] 18:21, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

We must either tar all party's names or tar none. I tried to tar all, but it honked RobS off, for some reason. I personally think not even engaging in this kind of finger-pointing is better practice; leave the article as it is without the comic. That way, it provides a minimum of offense.-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 18:22, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:I think these kind of efforts that we've seen will fail. While in popluar media you can get some milage out of this fraudulent garbage, it's just not gonna work here. Seriously, you need a new, fresh approach. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 18:26, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:: You stopped making sense about an hour ago, but this crosses the line of nonsense. Can you explain, please?-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 18:33, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

Yep, David Duke was pretty embarrasing to the Republican Party, and it's to Reagan's credit that he denounced Duke. The problem is, the Republicans in St. Tammany Parish liked Duke enough to make him their party chairman. --[[User:PF Fox|PF Fox]] 18:41, 1 April 2007 (EDT)
::And David Duke is now supporting Cindy Sheehan.[[User:Jaques|Jaques]] 14:16, 3 April 2007 (EDT)

==Moving forward==
Two possible routes to a solution

===mindless partisan solution===
Turn this article into an arms race, each side piling up more attack pieces on the other, which ultimately will backfire against Dems trying to imply the GOP is the home of the modern KKK, or{{unsigned|RobS}}
: For the record, I NEVER IMPLIED that the GOP is the home of the modern KKK; my bolded line specifically denounced that -'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 20:55, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

Exactly who has claimed that "the GOP is the home of the modern KKK?" --[[User:PF Fox|PF Fox]] 21:10, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

: He read my statement above as suggesting that (!?!). Frankly, I was offended. I would never slander a political group like that.-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 21:12, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

Projection. --[[User:PF Fox|PF Fox]] 21:14, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

===encyclopedic solution===
Write a clean history if this organizations first 100 years, roughly from the mid 1860s down to about circa 1964; how its membership peaked circa 1927 at about a 1,000,000, etc., and the political influence it once had at both the state and national level, etc. Then finish it off with a few paragraphs about how the organization hsa declined since the mid 1960s to what remains of it today. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 20:50, 1 April 2007 (EDT)
: Sounds fun. Get on it.-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 20:55, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

::Truth be told, US domestic history is outside my purvue (I'm only in the McCarthy junk as it relates to Comintern activities). So I'm really not the lead man here. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 21:21, 1 April 2007 (EDT)
:::You're not that big on US domestic history and you revert my political history statements.-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 22:16, 1 April 2007 (EDT)
::::It wasn't a history statement; it was the recycled DNC program agenda from recent years. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 22:20, 1 April 2007 (EDT)
The Reagan Realignment is history buddy, and I provided two books written by conservative Republican political scientists, but I can see why those would be within your area of expertise to refute. But again, no problem. The article's wound up free of anything controversial.-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 22:22, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:Well, we got the cites how groups like the SPLC go out at night and paint swastikas on tombstones, then they call in the local media to take pictures, then they cut the pictures out of the local newspaper and put them in national fund raising letters to allege the Klan is alive, active, and a big threat. All for the purpose of running a fundraising scam. Sorry, but the emphasis on writing this article to support fundraising scams, rather than accurate historical reporting, is where the probelm started. Let's put all those stupid games behind us, cause they just aren't going to go anywhere. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 22:36, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:::I'd like to see those cites. Where are they? --[[User:PF Fox|PF Fox]] 22:46, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

::::Here's one. [http://www.mail-archive.com/ctrl@listserv.aol.com/msg74257.html] Wikipedia has an interesting write up about this group, < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ásatrú#Politics >,

:::::"While Ásatrú is generally a tolerant religion, it is sometimes erroneously identified with neo-Nazi and "white power" organizations which also use the same symbolism.[6] The three largest American Ásatrú organizations have specifically denounced any association with racist groups.[7][8][9] "

:::::Amazing. You'd think WP would be bending over backwards to smear these folks. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 23:12, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

I checked the cite.

Are you serious?
--[[User:PF Fox|PF Fox]] 23:37, 1 April 2007 (EDT)
:They are just repeating information that's available elsewhere; and there is a list of cites. Personally, I recall the WCCO cause I saw it on TV in Minneapolis. Some of the cast of characters reapppeared in the 1991 San Fransicso spying case. [http://googlemail.com/attachment?realattid=f_eyf3retf&attid=0.1&disp=safe&view=att&th=110e208ac67d580b&saduie=1egnamis3jqslrufpey0ubx37b72kke&sadet=1175486168430&sads=90dc64b150d020aecbefa2cdb0d6e2e0]

In other words you have no evidence to offer that members of the SPLC have been dressing up as klansmen and defacing Jewish Cemetaries. So why should we believe such nonsense? --[[User:PF Fox|PF Fox]] 03:52, 2 April 2007 (EDT)

I have no idea what you just said, RobS. -'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 22:47, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

== Just a little grammar issue... ==

Should "Homosexuals" really be capitalized? [[User:MykalG|MykalG]] 15:30, 31 March 2009 (EDT)

== American Terrorists ==
I may be a little late to the party, but why does "terrorist organization" not appear anywhere in this article. They used fear, killed innocents, covered their faces and only a few of them ever disclosed who they were to the national public. Yet, they are not considered to be terrorists? How is that?
::good point and i'll fixit now. [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 10:12, 22 May 2009 (EDT)

::{{template|Part of this article was copied from [[Citizendium]] and [[Wikipedia]] but the copied text was originally written by me, RJJensen (under the name Richard Jensen and rjensen) and does not include alterations made by others on that site.||category=Copied Articles}} [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 11:14, 22 May 2009 (EDT)

==SPLC==
The SPLC published malicious slanders by [[Chip Berlet]] against [[David Horowitz]]. They also trashed The bradley foundation and a few others. [[User:RobSmith|Rob Smith]] 23:34, 6 July 2009 (EDT)

:SPLC listed the [[American Enterprise Institute]] as a "Hate Group." [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Political_Profiling&diff=prev&oldid=542491#.22Hate_groups.22] [[User:RobSmith|Rob Smith]] 00:22, 7 July 2009 (EDT)

== Typos ==

Found a few typos and grammatical mistakes; nothing major. Any chance we could unlock this article for an hour? -- [[User:JLauttamus|Jeff W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 17:44, 9 November 2009 (EST)
::sure --I will do so now. [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 18:41, 9 November 2009 (EST)
:::Still under <nowiki>[[Edit=sysop]] ((indefinite))]]</nowiki>, RJJensen. No rush! -- [[User:JLauttamus|Jeff W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 18:43, 9 November 2009 (EST)
::try again. :) [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 18:46, 9 November 2009 (EST)
:::All done now. You can go ahead and re-protect it. Thanks a lot! -- [[User:JLauttamus|Jeff W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 18:56, 9 November 2009 (EST)
:::: we can leave it open--the problem was an old edit war. [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 19:01, 9 November 2009 (EST)

==SPLC==
The SPLC has been involved in numerous questionable fundraising practices relating to groups it claims "make bigoted and discredited ideas respectable
", [http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=50#] like the American Enterprise Institute, the Bradley Foundation, or David Horowitz's organization. [http://97.74.65.51/Printable.aspx?ArtId=16570][http://97.74.65.51/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=29062] They are lacking in credibility given the record of these abuses. [[User:RobSmith|Rob Smith]] 22:57, 9 November 2009 (EST)
::that is an appropriate criticism about some other article, such as one on Center for the Study of Popular Culture. but their KKK coverage has not been challenged to my knowledge. We must watch out for moral relativism here--evil institutions like the KKK deserve exposure of the sort SPLC has provided for decades. [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 23:18, 9 November 2009 (EST)
:::Are you familiar with the Wilcox Report? Wilcox, who publishes an annual guide to the Extreme Left aqnd Right [http://www.questia.com/library/book/nazis-communists-klansmen-and-others-on-the-fringe-political-extremism-in-america-by-john-george-laird-wilcox.jsp] claims SPLC grossly inflates the number of Klan groups for fundraising, and mainstream sources do not question thier figures. I can send you a copy of it if you'd like. [[User:RobSmith|Rob Smith]] 23:45, 9 November 2009 (EST)
::thanks for the tip, I'll check it out. What it does well is give a very useful digest of news reports of all KKK activities.[[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 00:09, 10 November 2009 (EST)
== I was wrong about the 1920s KKK ==

...in terms of oppsing Federal policies--my bad, I misread the Prohibition thing. But the article certainly undersells activities like the lynching of returning black servicemen and the Leo Frank case. Is there a reason for that? [[User:MichaelHWC|MichaelHWC]] 23:24, 9 November 2009 (EST)
::yes, the KKK was not involved in either. [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 00:09, 10 November 2009 (EST)
:::Alright, then. Who lynched those servicemen? [[User:MichaelHWC|MichaelHWC]] 00:15, 10 November 2009 (EST)

Talk:Ku Klux Klan

2009-11-10T04:24:35Z

MichaelHWC: /* I was wrong about the 1920s KKK */ new section

BY any reasonable standards, the KKK are terrorists.

Dunno...don't terrorists actually, you know...DO stuff? The think about the klan is they're not a centralized organization...just a lot of tiny splinter groups...they're no longer the powerful machine they were in the twenties. [[User:Czolgolz|Czolgolz]] 09:34, 27 March 2007 (EDT)

== Democratic link ==

I explained it in context. If the context is removed, so must be the link.-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 16:31, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

==More fantasy==
I think this is pure fantasy:

:''Prior to the [[Reagan Realignment]], the [[Democratic Party]] was the party of the South - it overwhelmingly controlled the South. Especially prior to [[Strom Thurmond|Strom Thurmond's]] "[[Dixiecrat]]" splinter movement, the [[Democratic Party]] was responsible for a good deal of racist legislation, and was perceived to be connected to the Klan. However, such a causal connection is over fifty years old and the Klan bears no connection with any modern mainstream political party.''

Facts are, the Democratic party still controls the South at all levels of government, and any so-called "re-alingnment" was fictional or imaginary. But you get an "E" for "effort", putting Reagan's name on the KKK page. And the claim "the Klan bears no connection with any modern mainstream political party", we would have to actually ask Klansman what thier party preference is for this claim to be valid; anyone willing to wager what the result would be? [[User:RobS|RobS]] 17:06, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:Well, Rob, you could ask David Duke, who served as the chairman of the Tammany Parish Republican party for a while.

:Sorry, but the GOP's Southern Strategy is no fantasy, as anyone old enough to remember the '60s and '70s will tell you. And before taking me up on this wager I should warn you, in fairness, that I am from the south, and can remember the exodus of southern racists from the Democratic Party to the GOP.
--[[User:PF Fox|PF Fox]] 17:08, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

: Actually, RobS, I could cite you to a dozen books about Southern politics describing the Reagan Realignment (they're all by Earl or Merle Black, one of which I studied with, so... got anything better?), but if you want to delete that whole paragraph, I'll remove the cartoon too. Seems a good compromise, ne? I'm shocked, though, that you don't care to understand your own party's history.-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 17:10, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

It's incredible. All I can guess is that a lot of these people unaware of the GOP's famous "southern strategy" are too young to remember that time and haven't read much on the subject. --[[User:PF Fox|PF Fox]] 17:14, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

: I choose to believe willful blindness - its practice is rampant on this site. Radiocarbon dating?! Lalalalala I can't hear you.-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 17:16, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

::''Facts are, the Democratic party still controls the South at all levels of government, and any so-called "re-alingnment" was fictional or imaginary.''
::Yet they have a hard time getting Southerners to vote for Democratic presidential candidates. How odd. It must be the same way the Liberals control the media, yet can't seem to get their candidates and policies show in a good light. --[[User:BDobbs|BDobbs]] 17:19, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:::PF Fox, wow, una.

:::AmesG & BDobbs, yes we've read much of that, too. Crossover Democrats who voted for Reagan were ''not'' restricted to Southerners; many Nothern Cartholic (whom according to the article, the KKK wants to supress), labor union Democrats also voted for Reagan. All this so-called "re-allignment", which was proven to be fiction in 1992, 1996, and 2006, tells us more about the quality of Democratic Presidential candidates (and probably the method they are chosen, too), over past decades than anything else. Facts ares, Democrats remain in control of Southern legislatures, governorships, municipal elected postions, judges, not to mention appointed regulatory positions, etc. Then we have the "blue dog coallition". In Reagans & FDR's day, they were called Democratic "bollweavils".

:::What is particularly objectionable about these falicious claims is the KKK is known for terrorist activities which have resulted in murder; there is absolutley no connection whatsoever between the name of Ronald Reagan, and/or Strom Thurmond to murder and lybnchings. This is particularly reprehensible editing activity, IMO. Now, on the other hand, a link can be forged between the name of a prominant living person, [[Sen. Robert Byrd]], and the KKK. Yet you have not done this. In my personal view, where in the case of Byrd we have such a basis to include his name on this page, other factors need to be considered first. Whereas this standared you've totally ignored in a blatant & naked attempt to paint Reagan, Thurmaond, and hence the Republican Party as racist.

:::I would suggest you stop this, now. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 17:54, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

::::RobS, if you read the full paragraph, it SAYS THAT MUCH. LOOK AT THE BOLDED TEXT now that it'll be bolded, once I revert it. My concern is that I have no desire for the KKK to be linked to the Democrats by that cartoon, and if they are linked, then it must be fully explained byt he paragraph that you just deleted. So pick it: cartoon AND explanation, or neither. Which is it?-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 17:58, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:::::You address the problem of Sen. Byrd ''first'' before impugning Thurmond, Reagen, or the GOP. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 18:03, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

RobS, you clearly misunderstand my intent in that paragraph. Re-read it with particular emphasis on the bold text. Our goals are the same. Don't get mad at me over nothing.-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 18:00, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:I read it clearly; it says the KKK is not married to the Dems anymore but maybe a bunch of "Reagan Democracts", and other Southerners who vote GOP, are klansman. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 18:03, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

::You're finding something that's not there. The bolded text could not be clearer. However, I think we both agree that associating the KKK with ANY party is bad bad bad bad bad. Accordingly I've removed the "comic." I'm sure you agree with this decision, and I'm glad we've reached a consensus.-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 18:06, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:::Too late now; you put Reagan & Thurmund's names in there and never bothered to address facts. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 18:09, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

::::I'm trying to follow this now... are we trying to say that Strom Thurmon was ''not'' a segregationist? [[User:Myk|Myk]] 21:28, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:::::Are we trying to say Strom Thurmond was a klansman? [[User:RobS|RobS]] 22:09, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

==Reverted text placed here==
[[Image:Artoon.jpg|right|thumb|A political cartoon depicting the KKK and the Democratic party as continuations of the Confederacy]]
Prior to the [[Reagan Realignment]] (after which point the [[Democratic Party]] became the "[[liberal]]" party, and the [[Republican Party]] the "[[conservative]]" party), the [[Democratic Party]] was the party of the South - it overwhelmingly controlled the South. In this era, the [[Democratic Party]] was responsible for a good deal of racist legislation, and was perceived to be connected to the Klan. '''However, such a causal connection is over fifty years old and the Klan bears no connection with any modern mainstream political party.'''<ref>Earl Black, ''The Vital South: How Presidents are Elected'' (1992, Harvard University Press)</ref><ref>Earl Black, ''The Rise of Southern Republicans'' (2002, Harvard University Press)</ref>

=== References ===
<references/>

== David Duke & Robert Byrd ==

I don't suppose mentioning David Duke's run for governor of Louisiana would help this at all, would it. --[[User:BDobbs|BDobbs]] 18:16, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

It IS one of the most notable instances of the KKK in the news in the past 15 or so years. [[User:MountainDew|MountainDew]] 18:16, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:I would suggest we discuss both Duke & Byrd before proceeding down this path. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 18:19, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

::And the fact that no prominent Republicans supported Duke (Reagan condemned him) [[User:MountainDew|MountainDew]] 18:21, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

We must either tar all party's names or tar none. I tried to tar all, but it honked RobS off, for some reason. I personally think not even engaging in this kind of finger-pointing is better practice; leave the article as it is without the comic. That way, it provides a minimum of offense.-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 18:22, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:I think these kind of efforts that we've seen will fail. While in popluar media you can get some milage out of this fraudulent garbage, it's just not gonna work here. Seriously, you need a new, fresh approach. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 18:26, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:: You stopped making sense about an hour ago, but this crosses the line of nonsense. Can you explain, please?-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 18:33, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

Yep, David Duke was pretty embarrasing to the Republican Party, and it's to Reagan's credit that he denounced Duke. The problem is, the Republicans in St. Tammany Parish liked Duke enough to make him their party chairman. --[[User:PF Fox|PF Fox]] 18:41, 1 April 2007 (EDT)
::And David Duke is now supporting Cindy Sheehan.[[User:Jaques|Jaques]] 14:16, 3 April 2007 (EDT)

==Moving forward==
Two possible routes to a solution

===mindless partisan solution===
Turn this article into an arms race, each side piling up more attack pieces on the other, which ultimately will backfire against Dems trying to imply the GOP is the home of the modern KKK, or{{unsigned|RobS}}
: For the record, I NEVER IMPLIED that the GOP is the home of the modern KKK; my bolded line specifically denounced that -'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 20:55, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

Exactly who has claimed that "the GOP is the home of the modern KKK?" --[[User:PF Fox|PF Fox]] 21:10, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

: He read my statement above as suggesting that (!?!). Frankly, I was offended. I would never slander a political group like that.-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 21:12, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

Projection. --[[User:PF Fox|PF Fox]] 21:14, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

===encyclopedic solution===
Write a clean history if this organizations first 100 years, roughly from the mid 1860s down to about circa 1964; how its membership peaked circa 1927 at about a 1,000,000, etc., and the political influence it once had at both the state and national level, etc. Then finish it off with a few paragraphs about how the organization hsa declined since the mid 1960s to what remains of it today. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 20:50, 1 April 2007 (EDT)
: Sounds fun. Get on it.-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 20:55, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

::Truth be told, US domestic history is outside my purvue (I'm only in the McCarthy junk as it relates to Comintern activities). So I'm really not the lead man here. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 21:21, 1 April 2007 (EDT)
:::You're not that big on US domestic history and you revert my political history statements.-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 22:16, 1 April 2007 (EDT)
::::It wasn't a history statement; it was the recycled DNC program agenda from recent years. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 22:20, 1 April 2007 (EDT)
The Reagan Realignment is history buddy, and I provided two books written by conservative Republican political scientists, but I can see why those would be within your area of expertise to refute. But again, no problem. The article's wound up free of anything controversial.-'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 22:22, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:Well, we got the cites how groups like the SPLC go out at night and paint swastikas on tombstones, then they call in the local media to take pictures, then they cut the pictures out of the local newspaper and put them in national fund raising letters to allege the Klan is alive, active, and a big threat. All for the purpose of running a fundraising scam. Sorry, but the emphasis on writing this article to support fundraising scams, rather than accurate historical reporting, is where the probelm started. Let's put all those stupid games behind us, cause they just aren't going to go anywhere. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 22:36, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:::I'd like to see those cites. Where are they? --[[User:PF Fox|PF Fox]] 22:46, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

::::Here's one. [http://www.mail-archive.com/ctrl@listserv.aol.com/msg74257.html] Wikipedia has an interesting write up about this group, < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ásatrú#Politics >,

:::::"While Ásatrú is generally a tolerant religion, it is sometimes erroneously identified with neo-Nazi and "white power" organizations which also use the same symbolism.[6] The three largest American Ásatrú organizations have specifically denounced any association with racist groups.[7][8][9] "

:::::Amazing. You'd think WP would be bending over backwards to smear these folks. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 23:12, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

I checked the cite.

Are you serious?
--[[User:PF Fox|PF Fox]] 23:37, 1 April 2007 (EDT)
:They are just repeating information that's available elsewhere; and there is a list of cites. Personally, I recall the WCCO cause I saw it on TV in Minneapolis. Some of the cast of characters reapppeared in the 1991 San Fransicso spying case. [http://googlemail.com/attachment?realattid=f_eyf3retf&attid=0.1&disp=safe&view=att&th=110e208ac67d580b&saduie=1egnamis3jqslrufpey0ubx37b72kke&sadet=1175486168430&sads=90dc64b150d020aecbefa2cdb0d6e2e0]

In other words you have no evidence to offer that members of the SPLC have been dressing up as klansmen and defacing Jewish Cemetaries. So why should we believe such nonsense? --[[User:PF Fox|PF Fox]] 03:52, 2 April 2007 (EDT)

I have no idea what you just said, RobS. -'''AmesG'''[http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:AmesG yo!] 22:47, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

== Just a little grammar issue... ==

Should "Homosexuals" really be capitalized? [[User:MykalG|MykalG]] 15:30, 31 March 2009 (EDT)

== American Terrorists ==
I may be a little late to the party, but why does "terrorist organization" not appear anywhere in this article. They used fear, killed innocents, covered their faces and only a few of them ever disclosed who they were to the national public. Yet, they are not considered to be terrorists? How is that?
::good point and i'll fixit now. [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 10:12, 22 May 2009 (EDT)

::{{template|Part of this article was copied from [[Citizendium]] and [[Wikipedia]] but the copied text was originally written by me, RJJensen (under the name Richard Jensen and rjensen) and does not include alterations made by others on that site.||category=Copied Articles}} [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 11:14, 22 May 2009 (EDT)

==SPLC==
The SPLC published malicious slanders by [[Chip Berlet]] against [[David Horowitz]]. They also trashed The bradley foundation and a few others. [[User:RobSmith|Rob Smith]] 23:34, 6 July 2009 (EDT)

:SPLC listed the [[American Enterprise Institute]] as a "Hate Group." [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Political_Profiling&diff=prev&oldid=542491#.22Hate_groups.22] [[User:RobSmith|Rob Smith]] 00:22, 7 July 2009 (EDT)

== Typos ==

Found a few typos and grammatical mistakes; nothing major. Any chance we could unlock this article for an hour? -- [[User:JLauttamus|Jeff W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 17:44, 9 November 2009 (EST)
::sure --I will do so now. [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 18:41, 9 November 2009 (EST)
:::Still under <nowiki>[[Edit=sysop]] ((indefinite))]]</nowiki>, RJJensen. No rush! -- [[User:JLauttamus|Jeff W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 18:43, 9 November 2009 (EST)
::try again. :) [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 18:46, 9 November 2009 (EST)
:::All done now. You can go ahead and re-protect it. Thanks a lot! -- [[User:JLauttamus|Jeff W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 18:56, 9 November 2009 (EST)
:::: we can leave it open--the problem was an old edit war. [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 19:01, 9 November 2009 (EST)

==SPLC==
The SPLC has been involved in numerous questionable fundraising practices relating to groups it claims "make bigoted and discredited ideas respectable
", [http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=50#] like the American Enterprise Institute, the Bradley Foundation, or David Horowitz's organization. [http://97.74.65.51/Printable.aspx?ArtId=16570][http://97.74.65.51/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=29062] They are lacking in credibility given the record of these abuses. [[User:RobSmith|Rob Smith]] 22:57, 9 November 2009 (EST)
::that is an appropriate criticism about some other article, such as one on Center for the Study of Popular Culture. but their KKK coverage has not been challenged to my knowledge. We must watch out for moral relativism here--evil institutions like the KKK deserve exposure of the sort SPLC has provided for decades. [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 23:18, 9 November 2009 (EST)

== I was wrong about the 1920s KKK ==

...in terms of oppsing Fedral policies--my bad, I misread the Prohibition thing. But the article certainly undersells activities like the lynching of returning black servicemen and the Leo Frank case. Is there a reason for that? [[User:MichaelHWC|MichaelHWC]] 23:24, 9 November 2009 (EST)

Ku Klux Klan

2009-11-10T04:16:18Z

MichaelHWC:

[[Image:Artoon.jpg|right|thumb|A political cartoon depicting the KKK and the Democratic party as continuations of the Confederacy]]

The name '''Ku Klux Klan''' has been used by three entirely different organizations in the U.S. While these copied the same name and regalia, they had very different goals and activities; however, all three groups shared a similar opposition to federal initiatives that they saw as infringing on their rights and a fundamental hatred for particular social groups.

The Klan of the 1860s was a violent effort by white Southerners to fight [[Reconstruction]]; it was suppressed by the federal government.

The second Klan flourished nationwide for a few years in the 1920s as state and district organizers profited handsomely by signing up millions of members, selling them distinctive white-robe costumes. The Klan voiced strong support for prohibition, opposed sexual immorality and promoted racism, anti-Semitism, anti-Catholicism and immigration restriction. Dramatic scandals inside the organization and lack of organizational structure caused the Klan to collapse quickly in the late 1920s. By 1928 it was practically defunct.

The third Klan comprised unrelated hate groups that sprang up in the South in the 1960s to fight integration.

==First KKK==
The first KKK was an unorganized movement of white Southerners who opposed [[Reconstruction]] in the late 1860s by inflicting violence against black leaders and white Republicans. Local Klans were entirely separate; there was no organization or coordination above the county level, and no county or state officers. The Klan was broken up by President [[Ulysses S. Grant]] and the U.S. Army using the Civil Rights Act of 1871 (also known as the Ku Klux Klan Act). It had disappeared by 1872, although similar violent groups persisted in some localities around the South.

==Second KKK: The 1920s==
The second KKK was a nonviolent membership organization in the 1920s that reached hundreds of thousands—possibly millions—of men in every state. It was mostly a [[Ponzi scheme]], whereby the organizers took all the money (for initiation fees and costumes). When they had organized an area they moved on, leaving local chapters without money or leadership. No prominent American admitted he was a member at the time, but state organizers claimed vast powers. There is a possibility that some local Klans in the deep South engaged in violence against blacks, but historians are unsure; allegations of systematic violence were common but have not been verified. In recent years historians have found enough records to show that local chapters were primarily discussion groups, often with speakers who denounced Catholics, Jews, crime and violation of the prohibition laws. A series of scandals ruined the KKK's reputation and the group faded away after 1925, except for some remote areas like West Virginia. [[Robert Byrd]], now a Senator, was an organizer in West Virginia in the 1940s, and has apologized repeatedly for it. Supreme Court Justice [[Hugo Black]] admitted in 1939 that he had been a member in the 1920s.

==Third Klan==
The third Klan currently exists and comprises a few thousand members in local chapters. There is no real organization, and the group sponsors vehement hate talk as well as occasional violent threats and actions. It is racist and aims at the suppression of African-American, Jewish, homosexual, and Catholic interests. The current Klan presents itself as a Christian organization, but all denominations have rejected it as inherently non-Christian.

[[David Duke]], who was a [[Democrat]] at the time of his official membership with the Klan and after leaving, was elected as a Republican to the Louisiana state legislature and was the GOP candidate for governor. He has ties to white supremacist organizations like the NAAWP, which he founded.

==Bibliography==
* Newton, Michael, and Judy Ann Newton. ''The Ku Klux Klan: An Encyclopedia''. (1991).
Alexander, Charles. “Kleagles and Cash.” . ''The Business History Review.'' (1965) Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 348-367
* Chalmers, David. ''Hooded Americanism.'' (1987), an older survey
* Dray, Philip. ''At the Hands of Persons Unknown: The Lynching of Black America'', (2002).
* Feldman, Glenn. ''Politics, Society, and the Klan in Alabama, 1915-1949''. (1999).
* Fryer, Jr. Roland G. and Steven D. Levitt. "Hatred and Profits: Getting under the Hood of the Ku Klux Klan," ''National Bureau of Economic Research,'' September 2007, [http://ideas.repec.org/p/nbr/nberwo/13417.html abstract]; [http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:cyuQ-5WfsXAJ:www.economics.harvard.edu/faculty/fryer/papers/Hatred%2520and%2520Profits,%2520Getting%2520Under%2520the%2520Hood%2520of%2520the%2520Ku%2520Klux%2520Klan.pdf+%22Hatred+and+Profits%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us full text online]
* Glaeser, Edward L. “The Political Economy of Hatred.” ''Quarterly Journal of Economics.'' 2005. Vol. 120, No. 1, pp. 45-86.
* Goldberg, Robert Alan. ''Hooded Empire: The Ku Klux Klan in Colorado.'' (1981).
* Horn, Stanley F. ''Invisible Empire: The Story of the Ku Klux Klan, 1866-1871'', (1939)
::Horn, born in 1889, was a Southern historian who was sympathetic to the first Klan, which, in a 1976 oral interview [http://www.lib.duke.edu/forest/Research/ohisrch.html], he was careful to distinguish from the later "spurious Ku Klux organization which was in ill-repute—and, of course, had no connection whatsoever with the Klan of Reconstruction days."
* Jackson, Kenneth T. ''The Ku Klux Klan in the City, 1915-1930.'' (1992)
* MacLean, Nancy. ''Behind the Mask of Chivalry: The Making of the Second Ku Klux Klan.'' (1994).
* McVeigh, Rory. “Power Devaluation, the Ku Klux Klan, and the Democratic National Convention of 1924.” ''Sociological Forum'' 2001. 16(1):1-30.
* Moore, Leonard J. ''Citizen Klansmen: The Ku Klux Klan in Indiana, 1921-1928'' Chapel Hill: U of North Carolina Press, 1991.
* Parsons, Elaine Frantz, "Midnight Rangers: Costume and Performance in the Reconstruction-Era Ku Klux Klan." ''The Journal of American History'' 92.3 (2005): 811-36. [http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/jah/92.3/parsons.html in History Cooperative]
* Pegram, Thomas R. "Hoodwinked: The Anti-Saloon League and the Ku Klux Klan in 1920s Prohibition Enforcement." ''Journal of Gilded Age and Progressive era'' 7.1 (2008): [http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/jga/7.1/pegram.html online].
* Rhodes, James Ford. ''History of the United States from the Compromise of 1850 to the McKinley-Bryan Campaign of 1896. Volume: 7.'' (1920)
* Trelease, Allen W. ''White Terror: The Ku Klux Klan Conspiracy and Southern Reconstruction'' (1995).
* Wade, Wyn Craig. ''The Fiery Cross: The Ku Klux Klan in America''. (1987); a highly negative account of all three Klans, based on extensive research but not familiar with recent scholarship.

==Critical external links==
* [http://reactor-core.org/original-kkk.html The History of the Original Ku Klux Klan] - by an anonymous author sympathetic to the original Klan
* W. S. Simkins, "Why the Ku Klux," 4 ''The Alcalde'' (June 1916): 735-748. [http://www.law.du.edu/russell/lh/alh/docs/simkins.html online]; Simkins (1842-1929) was an organizer of the KKK in Florida in 1868, and a law professor when he wrote this memoir.
* [http://education.harpweek.com/KKKHearings/AppendixA.htm Full text of the Klan Act of 1871]
**[http://education.harpweek.com/KKKHearings/AppendixB.htm simplified version])
* [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-694 Ku Klux Klan in the Reconstruction Era] (New Georgia Encyclopedia)
* [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-2730 Ku Klux Klan in the Twentieth Century] (New Georgia Encyclopedia)

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:United States History]]
[[Category:Hate Groups]]
[[Category:United States Political Scandals]]
[[Category:Reconstruction]]
[[Category:1920s]]
[[Category:Terrorism]]

Tom Coburn

2009-11-10T03:40:58Z

MichaelHWC: /* Coburn's Senate Activities */

{{Officeholder
|name=Tom Coburn
|image=Coburn.jpg
|party=[[Republican]]
|spouse=Carolyn Coburn
|religion=Baptist
|offices=
{{Officeholder/senator
|state=Oklahoma
|terms=January 3, 2005 – Present
|preceded=Don Nickles
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Oklahoma
|district=2nd
|terms=January 4, 1995 – January 3, 2001
|preceded=Mike Synar
|former=n
|succeeded=Brad Carson
}}
}}

'''Tom Coburn''', M.D., born March 14, 1948 (age {{age|1948|3|14}}), is a [[Republican]] [[United States]] Senator from [[Oklahoma]].

== Background Information ==
"In 1970, Dr. Coburn graduated with an accounting degree from Oklahoma State University. One of the Top Ten seniors in the School of Business, Dr. Coburn served as president of the College of Business Student Council.

From 1970 to 1978, Dr. Coburn served as manufacturing manager at the Ophthalmic Division of Coburn Optical Industries in Colonial Heights, Virginia. Under his leadership, the Virginia division of Coburn Optical grew from 13 employees to more than 350 and captured 35 percent of the U.S. market.

After the family business was sold, Dr. Coburn changed the course of his life by returning to school to become a physician. Again he emerged as a leader, becoming president of his class at the University of Oklahoma Medical School where he graduated in 1983. He then did his internship in general surgery at St. Anthony's Hospital in Oklahoma City and family practice residency at the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith.

Dr. Coburn returned to Muskogee where he specializes in family medicine, obstetrics and the treatment of allergies. Dr. Coburn and his associates serve more than 15,000 patients for whom he has personally delivered more than 4,000 babies.

Dr. Coburn also is a two-time cancer survivor.

Dr. Coburn and his wife, Carolyn, a former Miss Oklahoma, were married in 1968 and have three children and four grandchildren. They are members of Muskogee's New Community Church."<ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>

Dr. Coburn is a personal friend of United States President [[Barack Obama]], though both acknowledge their polar opposition in most political matters <ref>http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/the-president-has-a-friend--on-right-flank-2009-05-06.html</ref>. Their friendship began while Obama was in the Senate and has continued into his presidency.

== A Citizen Legislator ==

"Dr. Coburn represented Oklahoma's Second Congressional District in the House of Representatives from 1995 through 2001. He was first elected in 1994, then re-elected in 1996 and 1998, becoming the first Republican to hold the seat for consecutive terms. Dr. Coburn retired from Congress in 2001, fulfilling his pledge to serve no more than three terms in the House." <ref>http://coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>

When Coburn was first elected in to the House of Representatives in 1994, the year of the Republican Revolution he stated from the beginning that he would only serve three terms (if he was re-elected each time). Coburn believes in the idea of a term limited citizen legislator. In other words, a citizen who serves in Congress for several years and then goes home to live under the laws they have helped to create.

== Coburn's Activities in the House ==

"During his tenure in the House, Dr. Coburn wrote and passed far-reaching legislation. These include laws to expand seniors' health care options, to protect access to home health care in rural areas and to allow Americans to access cheaper medications from Canada and other nations. Dr. Coburn also wrote a law intended to prevent baby AIDS. The Wall Street Journal said about the law, "In 10 long years of AIDS politics and funding, this is actually the first legislation to pass in this country that will rescue babies." He also wrote a law to renew and reform federal AIDS care programs.

During his three terms in the House, Dr. Coburn also played an influential role in reforming welfare and other federal entitlement programs. He led efforts to balance the budget, offering countless amendments to trim the bloated federal budget." <ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>
== The Interlude ==

"In 2002, President George Bush chose Dr. Coburn to serve as co-chair of the President's Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA)."<ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>

== The Road to the Senate ==

In 2004, however, Coburn decided to return to public life and ran for and won a seat as a United States Senator from Oklahoma. In keeping with the idea of the citizen legislator, Coburn has promised to serve only two terms in the Senate.<ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>

== Coburn's Earmark Fight ==
In an article entitled, "Week of July 18, 2007," columnist Robert D. Novak discussed the continuing anti-earmakr fight by several member of the Upper and Lower Houses of Congress, Tom Cobunr among them.

"Senators Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) will continue in the Senate the anti-earmark fight that Representatives Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Jeb Hensarling (R-Tex.) have been fighting in the House. Two Senate amendments to the Defense bill will target an earmark by one of Flake's favorite targets, Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), and a Nebraska defense company. Two other amendments will require a competition to determine the best rifle for U.S. soldiers and require competitive contract processes for winning earmarked Defense money. Coburn leads the charge in stripping individual earmarks, while DeMint pushes for new transparency rules."<ref>http://www.www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=21588</ref>

On his website, Coburn also provides an explanation of why he is fighting against earmarks in addition to a scorecard of what he has done during the 109th and 110th Congresses.

"I ran for the Senate, in part, to reduce wasteful Washington, D.C. spending, reprioritize spending to ensure essential needs are not compromised by parochial political interests and to reform the way our government spends money. Our national debt now surpasses $8.7 trillion, important programs like Social Security and Medicare are in danger of bankruptcy, our nation is fighting a global War on Terror and we still are paying for costs associated with the most expensive natural disaster in our nation’s history.

Every family in America must make decisions that require prioritizing and financial restraint to meet their financial situation and expect the government to do the same. But politicians in Washington have for too long avoided making tough decisions and have prioritized their next election over the next generation. Clearly this in not the time for business as usual in Washington and the borrow and spend mentality must come to an end if we are to ensure that the next generation of Americans inherit the same standard of living and that our seniors can enjoy financial security during their retirement years.

The following is a summary of the amendments I have offered on the Senate floor to reduce wasteful Washington spending and to reform the budget process. While many of these amendments have been unsuccessful — often losing in lopsided votes — I believe it is important not to be discouraged and to continue to press for change and fiscal responsibility in Washington. The future of our country, after all, depends upon it." <ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ConstituentServices.PorkBusters</ref>

== Coburn's Senate Activities ==

"Dr. Coburn's priorities in the Senate include reducing wasteful spending, balancing the budget, improving health care access and affordability, protecting the sanctity of all human life - including the unborn - and representing traditional, Oklahoma values. As a citizen legislator, Dr. Coburn has pledged to serve no more than two terms in the Senate and to continue to care for patients. He is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Indian Affairs Committee and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions." <ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>

Coburn has recently been criticized by the ''Marine Corps Times'' newspaper for stalling Senate approval of a major veterans' benefits bill. <ref>[http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/11/military_veteransbill_coburnhold_110309w/ Marine Corps Times, 3 November 2009.] </ref>

==External Links==
*[http://coburn.senate.gov/public/ Official Website]
*[http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Tom_Coburn.htm Coburn On the Issues]
==References==

<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT: Coburn, Tom}}
[[Category:United States Senators]]

[[Category:Republican Party]]
[[Category: 111th United States Congress]]
[[Category:Fiscal Conservatives]]

Tom Coburn

2009-11-10T03:40:39Z

MichaelHWC: /* Coburn's Senate Activities */

{{Officeholder
|name=Tom Coburn
|image=Coburn.jpg
|party=[[Republican]]
|spouse=Carolyn Coburn
|religion=Baptist
|offices=
{{Officeholder/senator
|state=Oklahoma
|terms=January 3, 2005 – Present
|preceded=Don Nickles
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Oklahoma
|district=2nd
|terms=January 4, 1995 – January 3, 2001
|preceded=Mike Synar
|former=n
|succeeded=Brad Carson
}}
}}

'''Tom Coburn''', M.D., born March 14, 1948 (age {{age|1948|3|14}}), is a [[Republican]] [[United States]] Senator from [[Oklahoma]].

== Background Information ==
"In 1970, Dr. Coburn graduated with an accounting degree from Oklahoma State University. One of the Top Ten seniors in the School of Business, Dr. Coburn served as president of the College of Business Student Council.

From 1970 to 1978, Dr. Coburn served as manufacturing manager at the Ophthalmic Division of Coburn Optical Industries in Colonial Heights, Virginia. Under his leadership, the Virginia division of Coburn Optical grew from 13 employees to more than 350 and captured 35 percent of the U.S. market.

After the family business was sold, Dr. Coburn changed the course of his life by returning to school to become a physician. Again he emerged as a leader, becoming president of his class at the University of Oklahoma Medical School where he graduated in 1983. He then did his internship in general surgery at St. Anthony's Hospital in Oklahoma City and family practice residency at the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith.

Dr. Coburn returned to Muskogee where he specializes in family medicine, obstetrics and the treatment of allergies. Dr. Coburn and his associates serve more than 15,000 patients for whom he has personally delivered more than 4,000 babies.

Dr. Coburn also is a two-time cancer survivor.

Dr. Coburn and his wife, Carolyn, a former Miss Oklahoma, were married in 1968 and have three children and four grandchildren. They are members of Muskogee's New Community Church."<ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>

Dr. Coburn is a personal friend of United States President [[Barack Obama]], though both acknowledge their polar opposition in most political matters <ref>http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/the-president-has-a-friend--on-right-flank-2009-05-06.html</ref>. Their friendship began while Obama was in the Senate and has continued into his presidency.

== A Citizen Legislator ==

"Dr. Coburn represented Oklahoma's Second Congressional District in the House of Representatives from 1995 through 2001. He was first elected in 1994, then re-elected in 1996 and 1998, becoming the first Republican to hold the seat for consecutive terms. Dr. Coburn retired from Congress in 2001, fulfilling his pledge to serve no more than three terms in the House." <ref>http://coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>

When Coburn was first elected in to the House of Representatives in 1994, the year of the Republican Revolution he stated from the beginning that he would only serve three terms (if he was re-elected each time). Coburn believes in the idea of a term limited citizen legislator. In other words, a citizen who serves in Congress for several years and then goes home to live under the laws they have helped to create.

== Coburn's Activities in the House ==

"During his tenure in the House, Dr. Coburn wrote and passed far-reaching legislation. These include laws to expand seniors' health care options, to protect access to home health care in rural areas and to allow Americans to access cheaper medications from Canada and other nations. Dr. Coburn also wrote a law intended to prevent baby AIDS. The Wall Street Journal said about the law, "In 10 long years of AIDS politics and funding, this is actually the first legislation to pass in this country that will rescue babies." He also wrote a law to renew and reform federal AIDS care programs.

During his three terms in the House, Dr. Coburn also played an influential role in reforming welfare and other federal entitlement programs. He led efforts to balance the budget, offering countless amendments to trim the bloated federal budget." <ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>
== The Interlude ==

"In 2002, President George Bush chose Dr. Coburn to serve as co-chair of the President's Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA)."<ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>

== The Road to the Senate ==

In 2004, however, Coburn decided to return to public life and ran for and won a seat as a United States Senator from Oklahoma. In keeping with the idea of the citizen legislator, Coburn has promised to serve only two terms in the Senate.<ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>

== Coburn's Earmark Fight ==
In an article entitled, "Week of July 18, 2007," columnist Robert D. Novak discussed the continuing anti-earmakr fight by several member of the Upper and Lower Houses of Congress, Tom Cobunr among them.

"Senators Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) will continue in the Senate the anti-earmark fight that Representatives Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Jeb Hensarling (R-Tex.) have been fighting in the House. Two Senate amendments to the Defense bill will target an earmark by one of Flake's favorite targets, Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), and a Nebraska defense company. Two other amendments will require a competition to determine the best rifle for U.S. soldiers and require competitive contract processes for winning earmarked Defense money. Coburn leads the charge in stripping individual earmarks, while DeMint pushes for new transparency rules."<ref>http://www.www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=21588</ref>

On his website, Coburn also provides an explanation of why he is fighting against earmarks in addition to a scorecard of what he has done during the 109th and 110th Congresses.

"I ran for the Senate, in part, to reduce wasteful Washington, D.C. spending, reprioritize spending to ensure essential needs are not compromised by parochial political interests and to reform the way our government spends money. Our national debt now surpasses $8.7 trillion, important programs like Social Security and Medicare are in danger of bankruptcy, our nation is fighting a global War on Terror and we still are paying for costs associated with the most expensive natural disaster in our nation’s history.

Every family in America must make decisions that require prioritizing and financial restraint to meet their financial situation and expect the government to do the same. But politicians in Washington have for too long avoided making tough decisions and have prioritized their next election over the next generation. Clearly this in not the time for business as usual in Washington and the borrow and spend mentality must come to an end if we are to ensure that the next generation of Americans inherit the same standard of living and that our seniors can enjoy financial security during their retirement years.

The following is a summary of the amendments I have offered on the Senate floor to reduce wasteful Washington spending and to reform the budget process. While many of these amendments have been unsuccessful — often losing in lopsided votes — I believe it is important not to be discouraged and to continue to press for change and fiscal responsibility in Washington. The future of our country, after all, depends upon it." <ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ConstituentServices.PorkBusters</ref>

== Coburn's Senate Activities ==

"Dr. Coburn's priorities in the Senate include reducing wasteful spending, balancing the budget, improving health care access and affordability, protecting the sanctity of all human life - including the unborn - and representing traditional, Oklahoma values. As a citizen legislator, Dr. Coburn has pledged to serve no more than two terms in the Senate and to continue to care for patients. He is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Indian Affairs Committee and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions." <ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>

Coburn has recently been criticized by the ''Marine Corps Times'' newspaper for stalling Senate approval of a major veterans' benefits bill. <reference>[http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/11/military_veteransbill_coburnhold_110309w/ Marine Corps Times, 3 November 2009.] </reference>

==External Links==
*[http://coburn.senate.gov/public/ Official Website]
*[http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Tom_Coburn.htm Coburn On the Issues]
==References==

<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT: Coburn, Tom}}
[[Category:United States Senators]]

[[Category:Republican Party]]
[[Category: 111th United States Congress]]
[[Category:Fiscal Conservatives]]

Tom Coburn

2009-11-10T03:39:48Z

MichaelHWC: Coburn called out for stalling Veterans's benefits

{{Officeholder
|name=Tom Coburn
|image=Coburn.jpg
|party=[[Republican]]
|spouse=Carolyn Coburn
|religion=Baptist
|offices=
{{Officeholder/senator
|state=Oklahoma
|terms=January 3, 2005 – Present
|preceded=Don Nickles
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Oklahoma
|district=2nd
|terms=January 4, 1995 – January 3, 2001
|preceded=Mike Synar
|former=n
|succeeded=Brad Carson
}}
}}

'''Tom Coburn''', M.D., born March 14, 1948 (age {{age|1948|3|14}}), is a [[Republican]] [[United States]] Senator from [[Oklahoma]].

== Background Information ==
"In 1970, Dr. Coburn graduated with an accounting degree from Oklahoma State University. One of the Top Ten seniors in the School of Business, Dr. Coburn served as president of the College of Business Student Council.

From 1970 to 1978, Dr. Coburn served as manufacturing manager at the Ophthalmic Division of Coburn Optical Industries in Colonial Heights, Virginia. Under his leadership, the Virginia division of Coburn Optical grew from 13 employees to more than 350 and captured 35 percent of the U.S. market.

After the family business was sold, Dr. Coburn changed the course of his life by returning to school to become a physician. Again he emerged as a leader, becoming president of his class at the University of Oklahoma Medical School where he graduated in 1983. He then did his internship in general surgery at St. Anthony's Hospital in Oklahoma City and family practice residency at the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith.

Dr. Coburn returned to Muskogee where he specializes in family medicine, obstetrics and the treatment of allergies. Dr. Coburn and his associates serve more than 15,000 patients for whom he has personally delivered more than 4,000 babies.

Dr. Coburn also is a two-time cancer survivor.

Dr. Coburn and his wife, Carolyn, a former Miss Oklahoma, were married in 1968 and have three children and four grandchildren. They are members of Muskogee's New Community Church."<ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>

Dr. Coburn is a personal friend of United States President [[Barack Obama]], though both acknowledge their polar opposition in most political matters <ref>http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/the-president-has-a-friend--on-right-flank-2009-05-06.html</ref>. Their friendship began while Obama was in the Senate and has continued into his presidency.

== A Citizen Legislator ==

"Dr. Coburn represented Oklahoma's Second Congressional District in the House of Representatives from 1995 through 2001. He was first elected in 1994, then re-elected in 1996 and 1998, becoming the first Republican to hold the seat for consecutive terms. Dr. Coburn retired from Congress in 2001, fulfilling his pledge to serve no more than three terms in the House." <ref>http://coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>

When Coburn was first elected in to the House of Representatives in 1994, the year of the Republican Revolution he stated from the beginning that he would only serve three terms (if he was re-elected each time). Coburn believes in the idea of a term limited citizen legislator. In other words, a citizen who serves in Congress for several years and then goes home to live under the laws they have helped to create.

== Coburn's Activities in the House ==

"During his tenure in the House, Dr. Coburn wrote and passed far-reaching legislation. These include laws to expand seniors' health care options, to protect access to home health care in rural areas and to allow Americans to access cheaper medications from Canada and other nations. Dr. Coburn also wrote a law intended to prevent baby AIDS. The Wall Street Journal said about the law, "In 10 long years of AIDS politics and funding, this is actually the first legislation to pass in this country that will rescue babies." He also wrote a law to renew and reform federal AIDS care programs.

During his three terms in the House, Dr. Coburn also played an influential role in reforming welfare and other federal entitlement programs. He led efforts to balance the budget, offering countless amendments to trim the bloated federal budget." <ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>
== The Interlude ==

"In 2002, President George Bush chose Dr. Coburn to serve as co-chair of the President's Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA)."<ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>

== The Road to the Senate ==

In 2004, however, Coburn decided to return to public life and ran for and won a seat as a United States Senator from Oklahoma. In keeping with the idea of the citizen legislator, Coburn has promised to serve only two terms in the Senate.<ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>

== Coburn's Earmark Fight ==
In an article entitled, "Week of July 18, 2007," columnist Robert D. Novak discussed the continuing anti-earmakr fight by several member of the Upper and Lower Houses of Congress, Tom Cobunr among them.

"Senators Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) will continue in the Senate the anti-earmark fight that Representatives Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Jeb Hensarling (R-Tex.) have been fighting in the House. Two Senate amendments to the Defense bill will target an earmark by one of Flake's favorite targets, Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), and a Nebraska defense company. Two other amendments will require a competition to determine the best rifle for U.S. soldiers and require competitive contract processes for winning earmarked Defense money. Coburn leads the charge in stripping individual earmarks, while DeMint pushes for new transparency rules."<ref>http://www.www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=21588</ref>

On his website, Coburn also provides an explanation of why he is fighting against earmarks in addition to a scorecard of what he has done during the 109th and 110th Congresses.

"I ran for the Senate, in part, to reduce wasteful Washington, D.C. spending, reprioritize spending to ensure essential needs are not compromised by parochial political interests and to reform the way our government spends money. Our national debt now surpasses $8.7 trillion, important programs like Social Security and Medicare are in danger of bankruptcy, our nation is fighting a global War on Terror and we still are paying for costs associated with the most expensive natural disaster in our nation’s history.

Every family in America must make decisions that require prioritizing and financial restraint to meet their financial situation and expect the government to do the same. But politicians in Washington have for too long avoided making tough decisions and have prioritized their next election over the next generation. Clearly this in not the time for business as usual in Washington and the borrow and spend mentality must come to an end if we are to ensure that the next generation of Americans inherit the same standard of living and that our seniors can enjoy financial security during their retirement years.

The following is a summary of the amendments I have offered on the Senate floor to reduce wasteful Washington spending and to reform the budget process. While many of these amendments have been unsuccessful — often losing in lopsided votes — I believe it is important not to be discouraged and to continue to press for change and fiscal responsibility in Washington. The future of our country, after all, depends upon it." <ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ConstituentServices.PorkBusters</ref>

== Coburn's Senate Activities ==

"Dr. Coburn's priorities in the Senate include reducing wasteful spending, balancing the budget, improving health care access and affordability, protecting the sanctity of all human life - including the unborn - and representing traditional, Oklahoma values. As a citizen legislator, Dr. Coburn has pledged to serve no more than two terms in the Senate and to continue to care for patients. He is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Indian Affairs Committee and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions." <ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>

Coburn has recently been criticized by the ''Marine Corps Times'' newspaper for stalling Senate approval of a major veterans' benefits bill. <reference>http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/11/military_veteransbill_coburnhold_110309w/</reference>

==External Links==
*[http://coburn.senate.gov/public/ Official Website]
*[http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Tom_Coburn.htm Coburn On the Issues]
==References==

<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT: Coburn, Tom}}
[[Category:United States Senators]]

[[Category:Republican Party]]
[[Category: 111th United States Congress]]
[[Category:Fiscal Conservatives]]

WALL-E

2009-11-10T02:25:14Z

MichaelHWC: /* Environmentalism */

{{infobox Film
|director=Andrew Stanton
|writer=Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon
|music=Thomas Newman
|released=June 27, 2008
|runtime=98 min.
|website=http://adisney.go.com/disneyvideos/animatedfilms/wall-e/
|imdb_id=0910970
}}

'''WALL-E''' is a 2008 [[Disney]]/[[Pixar]] film about a [[robot]], WALL-E, who is assigned to clean up [[Earth]] after mankind abandons it.
==Release==
WALL-E was released in theaters June 27, 2008. It was released on [[DVD]] and [[Blu-Ray]] on November 18, 2008.
==Reception==
Reviews of WALL-E were overwhelmingly positive, garnering it a 96% "Fresh" rating at RottenTomatoes.<ref name="rt">[http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/wall_e/?name_order=asc WALL-E] at RottenTomatoes</ref> [[Roger Ebert]] called the film "an enthralling animated film, a visual wonderment and a decent science-fiction story."<ref name="ebert">[http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080626/REVIEWS/963071290/1023 WALL-E Review] by Roger Ebert</ref>

The film received 6 Academy Award nominations, tying [[Beauty and the Beast]] for the most nominations for an animated film.<ref>http://www.usnews.com/blogs/fresh-greens/2009/1/22/wall-e-earns-6-oscar-nominations.html</ref> It won the award for Best Animated Feature.
==Synopsis==
WALL-E is a movie featuring a garbage clean-up robot, named WALL-E: Waste Allocation Load-Lifter Earth Class, who is left behind alone on a desolate version of the planet [[Earth]] in the year 2815. Unlike all his fellow units (of the same name), WALL-E manages to survive alone for 700 years, mainly due to spare parts and his occasional companion, a cockroach.

One day, WALL-E, through his rummaging, finds something in a boot filled with dirt--a [[plant]]! Never having seen a [[plant]] before, he stuffs it in with his other collections. The next day, by coincidence, an unmanned spaceship arrives on the planetary surface, bringing a new [[robot]], E.V.E: Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator.

WALL-E, seeing her for the first time is elated and in love; a full montage ensues as he tries, to no success, to impress E.V.E. However, he finally gets the courage to introduce himself, and during a sand (or junk) storm, takes her for cover inside his hangar. There, he shows her many novelties he has found--a Rubik cube and [[light]] bulb for two--and tries to dance with her to the music from [[Hello, Dolly!]].

However, after a while, he decides to show her the plant; she almost overloads and shuts down, disconnecting the power in WALL-E's hangar. Over the next few days, he tries, unsuccessfully, to wake her up, usually getting electrocuted in the process.

Unexpectedly, the ship for E.V.E returns, snatching her before WALL-E sees. As such, WALL-E decides to follow her on the [[space]]ship, eventually taking him out of Earth's orbit and even the Solar System. As they arrive closer, WALL-E sees a giant space-ship, the Axiom!

Humans, under the lead of the mega-corporation Buy N' Large, had polluted the planet in 2115 to such an extent that they had to evacuate the doomed [[Earth]], leaving many WALL-E units active to "clean" up as they waited on a 5-year voyage. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to any (except AUTO), the ship was never meant to return; a 5 year voyage had become a "sep-too-uh-sen-tennieul" (as the Captain put it) 700-year voyage!

Arriving on board, EVE is taken from the ship and placed in a containment hold to be cleaned by the ship's own OCD cleaner, M-O: Microbe Obliterator. To its chagrin, WALL-E, being extremely dirty over 700 years, leaves mud-tracks on board the ship, leaving him to follow and clean. After inspected and shown to have a green signal (the signal for a [[plant]]), E.V.E is taken on board the monorail to the Captain (played by [[Jeff Garlin]]), with WALL-E following. Mistakenly, WALL-E's exploits wake up two humans: John (played by John Ratzenberger) and Mary (played by Kathy Najimy, voice of Peggy on [[King of the Hill]].

Captain McCrea, stemming from a long line of captains, is shown to be very obese, to the extent that he cannot walk without aid, as are all the humans onboard. This is explained to be due to a lack of exercise (even though they have machines for it) and microgravity, causing quite severe [[bone loss]]. His duties are mainly for show; the ship's [[auto pilot]], AUTO controls the ship, with an ulterior motive...

EVE is brought up to the captain's quarters with an unwitting WALL-E; the captain, seeing the [[green]] signal for the first sign is unsure what to do. AUTO shows him innocently the manual on how to activate it--he does, but to his dismay, it turns up negative. EVE, as detected, was not carrying a plant.

Per AUTO's suggestions, EVE is sent to be fixed in the Recovery Ward, a ward of broken robots like a self-opening umbrella and a hyperactive masseuse. WALL-E follows unflinchingly, until he senses EVE is in trouble--he sees her head and arm being removed (both are removable). He breaks in and frees all the robots with the plasma cannon built into EVE's arm.

EVE, unaware of WALL-E's innocent intentions, forces him to follow her to a pod capsule leading back to Earth, while he refuses to do so. However, as she tries to coax him, they hear AUTO's Assistant, GO-4 heading close, bringing the plant in a tractor beam! AUTO had stolen the plant, for yet unknown purposes.

In love, WALL-E goes to rescue the plant, but is trapped inside as the pod is sent into space, and then explodes. However, to EVE's relief, WALL-E had utilised the fire extinguisher and propelled himself through space, in a waltz with E.V.E.

WALL-E and EVE sojourn back into the ship stealthily, and EVE leaves WALL-E to bring the plant to Captain McCrea, much to his dismay. He, bored and sad, follows her, going up the garbage shoot.

To clear her name, EVE presents to Captain McCrea the plant, in the boot and visible. However, AUTO, under the directive A114 (a Pixar pun) takes the plant from her and throws it down the garbage shoot. Instead of hitting the bottom, it makes a thud; out comes the head of WALL-E, holding the plant! Unwilling to give it to AUTO, he hides it in his chest cavity; unscrupulously, AUTO electrocutes WALL-E, frying his circuit board, sending him to be crushed down by the WALL-A units.

Both WALL-E and EVE wake up in the garbage centre of the ship, packed into a cube destined to be sent into interstellar orbit. EVE manages to break free from the cube with WALL-E, and the door is stopped from closing by M-O, who quickly befriends WALL-E (despite cleaning him first) and EVE. Together, EVE, WALL-E, M-O and the plant are brought up to the ship again.

To activate the Holodeck that would make an automatic hyperjump to Earth, WALL-E and EVE bring the plant to the LIDO deck of the ship, to the infuriation of AUTO. He sends all the warning bots to stop them, but are aided by the broken robots from earlier, who destroy them and clear their path.

Captain McCrea, in an act of bravery, manages to turn on the button that raises the Holodeck, but is restrainted by AUTO, who locks him in. However, Captain McCrea after a scuffle with AUTO, takes his first steps, and turns the autopilot off manually.

Meanwhile, WALL-E, unable to hold the Holodeck open any longer, is crushed under its weight, to the horror of all onboard. Luckily, EVE and M-O find the planet and put it on the deck, sending them all to Earth--home.

==Environmentalism==
Many critics {{fact}} objected to the over-wrought environmentalist message in WALL-E, which suggests that consumerism could one day render Earth uninhabitable.

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Animated Movies]]

User talk:JLauttamus

2009-11-09T23:33:59Z

MichaelHWC: /* Action Democratique? */

{{welcome|sig=[[User:Joaquín Martínez]], [[User talk:Joaquín Martínez|talk]] 16:05, 22 May 2008 (EDT)}}

== Creation science ==

I see you have reverted my edit in the second sentence without discussion. You appear to have missed the point. I made that particular change because I understand the the 6000 year figure was not necessarily used by all religions. Do Hindus for example agree on that figure? --[[User:Horace|Horace]] 19:03, 21 September 2008 (EDT)
:I disagree with the point that the entire sentence is making. I don't think that most advocates of creation science believe that the earth is 6,000 years old. I'm not very well-versed on Hindu views. However, as I said in the edit summary, there are other advocates of YEC. I don't think it is correct or fair to single out Christians in that statement. If you're going for specificity, then you should qualify with all 3 Abrahamic religions. [[User:JLauttamus|Jeffrey W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 19:07, 21 September 2008 (EDT)
::You make a valid point. Perhaps the introduction should first of all make some distinction between the creation science views of various religious groups before going on to nominate the 6000 year period for Christians (and whoever else uses it). --[[User:Horace|Horace]] 19:11, 21 September 2008 (EDT)
:::I don't touch the religious articles. I stick to politics and medicine. Your point is valid and well-taken. It's definitely something you should bring up on the talk page. [[User:JLauttamus|Jeffrey W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 19:14, 21 September 2008 (EDT)

== Award ==

Thanks for the award, but could you double-check the template? My reply to you seems to be rendering inside the blue box no matter what I do. Thanks again for the recognition :-) -[[User:Foxtrot|Foxtrot]] 16:45, 26 September 2008 (EDT)

==Local==
Hello, I'm from the Pittsburgh area as well. [[User:WesleyS|WesleyS]][[User Talk:WesleyS|Hello!]] 11:55, 16 December 2008 (EST)
:Oh, wow. Good to meet another Burgh Boy! I actually live in Northern WV, but I work in Pittsburgh. I'm about 15 miles west of the city. Which end of the city do you live on? [[User:JLauttamus|Jeffrey W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 11:57, 16 December 2008 (EST)
::I'm southeast, near Monroeville. [[User:WesleyS|WesleyS]][[User Talk:WesleyS|Hello!]] 11:59, 16 December 2008 (EST)
:::Yeah, I'm kind of foreign to that area. I work up by the zoo in Aspinwall, though a good friend of mine lives on the South Side. The only time I ever really make it into the city is for sports games (Pens, Stillers, Pirates). [[User:JLauttamus|Jeffrey W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 12:02, 16 December 2008 (EST)
:::And I see you're a Social D fan. Quite the punk scene here in Pittsburgh. I got to see Antiflag when they were here last April up at Mr. Smalls. [[User:JLauttamus|Jeffrey W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 12:04, 16 December 2008 (EST)
::::Yes, I live for Social D. There is a pretty decent punk scene here. The Misfits were just in town on Friday, also at Mr. Smalls. Monroeville is just a short trip West on the parkway (I-376) to Pittsburgh. Sporting events are usually my only reason for downtown travel as well, because it is one of the toughest cities to navigate. [[User:WesleyS|WesleyS]][[User Talk:WesleyS|Hello!]] 14:21, 16 December 2008 (EST)
==Ted==
Ted didn't make the edit to add User:Human as you stared on his talk page. That edit was made by [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Body&diff=prev&oldid=517535 Sideways]. [[User:WesleyS|WesleyS]][[User Talk:WesleyS|Hello!]] 13:45, 12 January 2009 (EST)
:Thanks, Wesley (Wes?). I made sure to strike out the comment. I feel like a real jerk...looks like I need to be more careful! [[User:JLauttamus|Jeffrey W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 13:51, 12 January 2009 (EST)
::Just happened to catch it. And, yes, Wes is fine. Everyone calls me that! [[User:WesleyS|WesleyS]][[User Talk:WesleyS|Hello!]] 14:04, 12 January 2009 (EST)

==Please don't==
What I have written is accurate despite what you say. Please leave the article on SMON alone. --[[User:RickD|RickD]] 15:50, 12 January 2009 (EST)
:You have yet to provide evidence that every administration of the drug causes SMON. I concede that it is neurotoxic in high doses, and also concede that it was a mistaken diagnosis. However, not every administration of clioquinol resulted in neuro-degeneterive effects, let alone SMON. SOME did, and I concede that point as well. All the evidence I could find supports that high doses of clioquinol cause SMON; I cannot find evidence that every administration has. Please show your sources for your claim and I will not alter the statement. I'm merely after accuracy and trustworthiness. [[User:JLauttamus|Jeffrey W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 15:57, 12 January 2009 (EST)

==vandal revert==
Thank you , I am monitoring from my mobile phone and it would have time consuming to had reverted all those, thanks again. --jpatt

==I got a feeling...==
..that Pittsburgh is going to get it's sixth Super Bowl win! Go Steelers! [[User:WesleyS|WesleyS]][[User Talk:WesleyS|Hello!]] 22:40, 18 January 2009 (EST)

==Vending machines==
I thought the liberal machine had gotten rid of all the cigarette vending machines, when they started disappearing in the late 80s or early 90s. Nice factoid about there still being some states -- those holdouts die hard, don't they? -[[User:Foxtrot|Foxtrot]] 17:41, 11 March 2009 (EDT)
:There's still cigarette vending machines in Pennsylvania, as well. Of course they charge an arm and a leg (some as high as $8.00 per pack). [[User:WesleyS|WesleyS]][[User Talk:WesleyS|Hello!]] 17:43, 11 March 2009 (EDT)
::(EC) Yeah, I was really suprised to still find one, but then I found another one in Ohio! I think it may be illegal to have them in some public places, but I know of at least 5 bars in the tri-state area (WV, PA, and OH) that still have them! --[[User:JLauttamus|Jeffrey W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 17:44, 11 March 2009 (EDT)
:::With those keen skills at finding hidden beasts, you should switch careers and start leading safaris. :-) -[[User:Foxtrot|Foxtrot]] 17:58, 11 March 2009 (EDT)

== Sorry ==

Sorry, I didn't realize you'd made a substantial change to the article. I was reverting what the guy before you did. I remedied it and re-entered your section. I'm really sorry for the mix up. [[User:ChuckR|ChuckR]] 19:15, 5 November 2009 (EST)
:Oh, no worries man. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't messing up something that you had put a lot of time into, that's all. No apologies necessary! -- [[User:JLauttamus|Jeffrey W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 19:27, 5 November 2009 (EST)

== Malik last quote ==

Please do not delete that fundamental quote. It is important to understand this horror. --[[User:Joaquín Martínez|Joaquín Martínez]] 19:18, 6 November 2009 (EST)
:I didn't delete the quote. It's in the paragraph right above where you had it. I italicized it to make it stand out a bit better. I thought it looked awkward having it stand by itself. I wouldn't remove important article content, my friend. That I can assure you. -- [[User:JLauttamus|Jeffrey W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 19:21, 6 November 2009 (EST)

== Action Democratique? ==

What's the problem--they are a right-of-centre party, at least on the Québecois political spectrum. [[User:MichaelHWC|MichaelHWC]] 18:21, 9 November 2009 (EST)
:According to my research, that's correct. I believe that I took out the claim saying that the Parti Liberal and the Action Democratique were "along" with one another. I took that to mean they shared a voting record, which doesn't seem to be the case. The text that I removed was: "... and is along with the Action Democratique du Québec one of the province's two center/right-wing parties." I'm assuming that you're more privy to Québec politics than I am, so if they do have some sort of affiliation with one another, feel free to reinsert the material; just in a more cohesive manner. -- [[User:JLauttamus|Jeff W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 18:25, 9 November 2009 (EST)
::I think the passage in question was meant to indicate that the Liberals and the ADQ represent the center/center-right option, as opposed to the more lest-leaning PQ and Québec Solidaire, not that the two parties worked together in any sense--I'll fix it this evening. [[User:MichaelHWC|MichaelHWC]] 18:33, 9 November 2009 (EST)

User talk:JLauttamus

2009-11-09T23:21:28Z

MichaelHWC: /* Action Democratique? */ new section

Talk:Pierre Trudeau

2009-11-09T18:44:36Z

MichaelHWC: /* Canada did not have the power to shape its own foreign policy, */

==Sailor's mouth==
Is Trudeau's coining of "Fuddle Duddle" notable? [[User:Barikada|Barikada]] 20:41, 23 January 2008 (EST)
:Ha ha :D but didn't the stenographer actually coin the phrase? I'm not persuaded that it's really notable. That's my opinion, maybe the N American editors think differently? [[Image:User Fox.png|10px]] [[User:Fox|Fox]] ([[User talk:Fox|talk]]|[[Special:Contributions/Fox|contribs]]) 20:46, 23 January 2008 (EST)
::No... he was accused of mouthing profanity while someone else was speaking. When asked about it (And then badgered for a bit and asked about the "nature of [his] thoughts") he responded with "What is the nature of your thoughts, gentlemen, when you say “fuddle duddle” or something like that? God, you guys…!"
::Personally, I'd say it should probably qualify as just a little piece of trivia, not it's own page or something. [[User:Barikada|Barikada]] 20:51, 23 January 2008 (EST)
:::Yeah, I know the story. But its value to the article? "Trudeau was accused of silently mouthing obscenities at his opponents in Parliament." Beyond that, you then have to start explaining what the phrase is a euphemism for, and that certainly won't stand in CP :) [[Image:User Fox.png|10px]] [[User:Fox|Fox]] ([[User talk:Fox|talk]]|[[Special:Contributions/Fox|contribs]]) 21:00, 23 January 2008 (EST)
::::Aww... :( [[User:Barikada|Barikada]] 21:06, 23 January 2008 (EST)

== 15th Canadian liberal Prime Minister ==

The way this was written, it looked like Trudeau was the 15th liberal PM, rather than the 15th overall. I removed the Liberal part. He is clearly identified as the leader of the Liberal Party in the next paragraph, so I don't think I am commiting any liberal deceit by removing it.

== Born in Montreal, no? ==

No? [[User:MichaelHWC|MichaelHWC]] 21:26, 8 November 2009 (EST)
::oui. [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 21:30, 8 November 2009 (EST)

== Canada did not have the power to shape its own foreign policy, ==

...and yet the rest of the pgph goes on to show how Canada did precisely that--friendliness towards moscow, etc. not to mention not getting suckered into Vietnem. How about the centrality of UN peacekeeping to Canada's foreign policy during the 1970s and 80s? And why take out the bits about nuclear weapons and reduced NATO commitment? [[User:MichaelHWC|MichaelHWC]] 00:07, 9 November 2009 (EST)
::Good point. Canada's defense is 99% under US control so it lacks independence in foreign policy. Therefore Trudeau tried symbolic things like statements that annoyed Americans. I expanded the military section. [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 12:49, 9 November 2009 (EST)
:::where did you get the 99% figure from? It would seem to me that if the Americans controlled that much of the Canadian military, the Canadians would have fought in Vietnam and Iraq, allowed for the deployment of a nuclear arsenal on Canadian soil, etc. etc. [[User:MichaelHWC|MichaelHWC]] 13:44, 9 November 2009 (EST)

Gallery of American Heroes

2009-11-09T18:41:13Z

MichaelHWC:

''For sports heroes, see [[Gallery of Sports Idols]]'' 
'''Gallery of American [[Hero|Heroes]]'''
[[Image:The babe.jpg|thumb|[[Babe Ruth]]]]

 
'''Abraham Lincoln's First Inauguration'''

I am loth (sic) to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battle-field, and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearthstone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.

[[Abraham Lincoln]], First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1861. [http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/today.html] [[Library of Congress|The Library of Congress]].

{{Clear}}
<center>
<gallery perrow="5">
Image:Benjamin.jpg|[[Benjamin Franklin]]
Image:George washington 3.jpg|[[George Washington]]

Image:John adams.gif|[[John Adams]]
Image:Daniel Boone.jpg|[[Daniel Boone]]
Image:TCJJ.jpg|[[Thomas Jefferson]]
Image:432px-Cpt John Paul Jones.jpeg|[[John Paul Jones]]
Image:7648ruy6g.gif|[[James Madison]]
Image:Alexhamilton.jpg|[[Alexander Hamilton]]
Image:Andrew Jackson.jpg|[[Andrew Jackson]]
Image:Zachary taylor.jpg|[[Zachary Taylor]]
Image:Davy Crockett.jpg|[[Davy Crockett]]
Image:RLee.jpg|[[Robert E. Lee]]
Image:Lincoln.jpg|[[Abraham Lincoln]]

Image:Elizabethcadystanton.jpg|[[Elizabeth Cady Stanton]]
Image:Freddouglas.jpg|[[Frederick Douglass]]
Image:3a10453r.jpg|[[Harriet Tubman]]
Image:Sherman (B).jpg|[[William T. Sherman]]
Image:Ulysses grant.jpg|[[Ulysses S. Grant]]
Image:Andrew carnegie.jpg|[[Andrew Carnegie]]
Image:875997.jpg|[[Thomas Edison]]
Image:Macarthur1.jpg|[[Douglas MacArthur]]
Image:Patton.jpg|[[George Patton]]
Image:Irving Berlin.jpg|[[Irving Berlin]]
Image:Yte7567.jpg|[[Dwight D. Eisenhower]]
Image:Earhart.jpg|[[Amelia Earhart]]
Image:George Gershwin.jpg|[[George Gershwin]]
Image:Louis Armstrong.jpg|[[Louis Armstrong]]
Image:Aaag.jpg|[[Ronald Wilson Reagan]]
Image:RosaParks.jpg|[[Rosa Parks]]
Image:Jesse Owens.jpg|[[Jesse Owens]]
Image:Archie Moore.jpg|[[Archie Moore]].
Image:John kennedy.jpg|[[John F. Kennedy]]
Image:Joseph_McCarthy.jpg‎ |[[Joseph McCarthy]]
Image:Ted Williams 1847...jpg|[[Ted Williams]]
Image:Jackie Robinson in Dodgers uniform, 1954..jpg|[[Jackie Robinson]]
Image:JGlenn.jpg|[[John Glenn]]
Image:Robert M. Hanson.jpg|[[Robert M. Hanson]]
Image:Martin Luther King Jr Washington DC. 1963.jpg|[[Martin Luther King]] Jr.

Image:NeilArmstrong.jpg|[[Neil Armstrong]]
Image:Johnny Unitas.jpg|[[Johnny Unitas]]

Image:Muhammad Ali..jpg|[[Muhammad Ali]]
Image:Michael Jordan.jpg|[[Michael Jordan]]
Image:Joe Montana.jpg|[[Joe Montana]]
Image:Peyton Manning Colts.jpg|[[Peyton Manning]]
Image:Pat Tillman.jpg|[[Pat Tillman]]
Image:McDonald- Computer Aged.jpg|Congressman [[Larry McDonald]]
Image:Chesley B. Sullenberger III.jpg|Pilot [[Chesley Sullenberger|Chesley B. Sullenberger]] III
Image:Casmier.jpg|Senator [[John McCain]]
File:Kim Munley.jpg|Police officer [[Kimberley Munley]]
</gallery>

</center>

== See also ==
[[Image:M Mantle.jpg|thumb|Mickey Mantle]]
*[[Founding Fathers]]
*[[Hank Aaron]]
*[[Mickey Mantle]]
*[[Joe Louis]]
*[[Andre Agassi]]
*[[Phyllis Schlafly]]
*[[Famous American artists]]
*[[Gallery of British Heroes]]

== External links ==

*[http://usa-hero.com/ American Heroes Who Inspire the World]
*[http://www.foundingfathers.info/ The Founding Fathers home page.]
*[http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/04/opinion/04furstenberg.html Spinning the Revolution] By FRANÇOIS FURSTENBERG, The NY Times.

[[Category:United States History]]
[[Category:Heroes]]

Gallery of American Heroes

2009-11-09T18:40:26Z

MichaelHWC:

''For sports heroes, see [[Gallery of Sports Idols]]'' 
'''Gallery of American [[Hero|Heroes]]'''
[[Image:The babe.jpg|thumb|[[Babe Ruth]]]]

 
'''Abraham Lincoln's First Inauguration'''

I am loth (sic) to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battle-field, and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearthstone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.

[[Abraham Lincoln]], First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1861. [http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/today.html] [[Library of Congress|The Library of Congress]].

{{Clear}}
<center>
<gallery perrow="5">
Image:Benjamin.jpg|[[Benjamin Franklin]]
Image:George washington 3.jpg|[[George Washington]]

Image:John adams.gif|[[John Adams]]
Image:Daniel Boone.jpg|[[Daniel Boone]]
Image:TCJJ.jpg|[[Thomas Jefferson]]
Image:432px-Cpt John Paul Jones.jpeg|[[John Paul Jones]]
Image:7648ruy6g.gif|[[James Madison]]
Image:Alexhamilton.jpg|[[Alexander Hamilton]]
Image:Andrew Jackson.jpg|[[Andrew Jackson]]
Image:Zachary taylor.jpg|[[Zachary Taylor]]
Image:Davy Crockett.jpg|[[Davy Crockett]]
Image:RLee.jpg|[[Robert E. Lee]]
Image:Lincoln.jpg|[[Abraham Lincoln]]

Image:Elizabethcadystanton.jpg|[[Elizabeth Cady Stanton]]
Image:Freddouglas.jpg|[[Frederick Douglass]]
Image:3a10453r.jpg|[[Harriet Tubman]]
Image:Sherman (B).jpg|[[William T. Sherman]]
Image:Ulysses grant.jpg|[[Ulysses S. Grant]]
Image:Andrew carnegie.jpg|[[Andrew Carnegie]]
Image:875997.jpg|[[Thomas Edison]]
Image:Macarthur1.jpg|[[Douglas MacArthur]]
Image:Patton.jpg|[[George Patton]]
Image:Irving Berlin.jpg|[[Irving Berlin]]
Image:Yte7567.jpg|[[Dwight D. Eisenhower]]
Image:Earhart.jpg|[[Amelia Earhart]]
Image:George Gershwin.jpg|[[George Gershwin]]
Image:Louis Armstrong.jpg|[[Louis Armstrong]]
Image:Aaag.jpg|[[Ronald Wilson Reagan]]
Image:RosaParks.jpg|[[Rosa Parks]]
Image:Jesse Owens.jpg|[[Jesse Owens]]
Image:Archie Moore.jpg|[[Archie Moore]].
Image:John kennedy.jpg|[[John F. Kennedy]]
Joseph_McCarthy.jpg‎ |[[Joseph McCarthy]]
Image:Ted Williams 1847...jpg|[[Ted Williams]]
Image:Jackie Robinson in Dodgers uniform, 1954..jpg|[[Jackie Robinson]]
Image:JGlenn.jpg|[[John Glenn]]
Image:Robert M. Hanson.jpg|[[Robert M. Hanson]]
Image:Martin Luther King Jr Washington DC. 1963.jpg|[[Martin Luther King]] Jr.

Image:NeilArmstrong.jpg|[[Neil Armstrong]]
Image:Johnny Unitas.jpg|[[Johnny Unitas]]

Image:Muhammad Ali..jpg|[[Muhammad Ali]]
Image:Michael Jordan.jpg|[[Michael Jordan]]
Image:Joe Montana.jpg|[[Joe Montana]]
Image:Peyton Manning Colts.jpg|[[Peyton Manning]]
Image:Pat Tillman.jpg|[[Pat Tillman]]
Image:McDonald- Computer Aged.jpg|Congressman [[Larry McDonald]]
Image:Chesley B. Sullenberger III.jpg|Pilot [[Chesley Sullenberger|Chesley B. Sullenberger]] III
Image:Casmier.jpg|Senator [[John McCain]]
File:Kim Munley.jpg|Police officer [[Kimberley Munley]]
</gallery>

</center>

== See also ==
[[Image:M Mantle.jpg|thumb|Mickey Mantle]]
*[[Founding Fathers]]
*[[Hank Aaron]]
*[[Mickey Mantle]]
*[[Joe Louis]]
*[[Andre Agassi]]
*[[Phyllis Schlafly]]
*[[Famous American artists]]
*[[Gallery of British Heroes]]

== External links ==

*[http://usa-hero.com/ American Heroes Who Inspire the World]
*[http://www.foundingfathers.info/ The Founding Fathers home page.]
*[http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/04/opinion/04furstenberg.html Spinning the Revolution] By FRANÇOIS FURSTENBERG, The NY Times.

[[Category:United States History]]
[[Category:Heroes]]

Talk:Pierre Trudeau

2009-11-09T05:10:36Z

MichaelHWC: /* Canada did not have the power to shape its own foreign policy, */

Talk:Pierre Trudeau

2009-11-09T05:07:46Z

MichaelHWC: /* Canada did not have the power to shape its own foreign policy, */ new section

==Sailor's mouth==
Is Trudeau's coining of "Fuddle Duddle" notable? [[User:Barikada|Barikada]] 20:41, 23 January 2008 (EST)
:Ha ha :D but didn't the stenographer actually coin the phrase? I'm not persuaded that it's really notable. That's my opinion, maybe the N American editors think differently? [[Image:User Fox.png|10px]] [[User:Fox|Fox]] ([[User talk:Fox|talk]]|[[Special:Contributions/Fox|contribs]]) 20:46, 23 January 2008 (EST)
::No... he was accused of mouthing profanity while someone else was speaking. When asked about it (And then badgered for a bit and asked about the "nature of [his] thoughts") he responded with "What is the nature of your thoughts, gentlemen, when you say “fuddle duddle” or something like that? God, you guys…!"
::Personally, I'd say it should probably qualify as just a little piece of trivia, not it's own page or something. [[User:Barikada|Barikada]] 20:51, 23 January 2008 (EST)
:::Yeah, I know the story. But its value to the article? "Trudeau was accused of silently mouthing obscenities at his opponents in Parliament." Beyond that, you then have to start explaining what the phrase is a euphemism for, and that certainly won't stand in CP :) [[Image:User Fox.png|10px]] [[User:Fox|Fox]] ([[User talk:Fox|talk]]|[[Special:Contributions/Fox|contribs]]) 21:00, 23 January 2008 (EST)
::::Aww... :( [[User:Barikada|Barikada]] 21:06, 23 January 2008 (EST)

== 15th Canadian liberal Prime Minister ==

The way this was written, it looked like Trudeau was the 15th liberal PM, rather than the 15th overall. I removed the Liberal part. He is clearly identified as the leader of the Liberal Party in the next paragraph, so I don't think I am commiting any liberal deceit by removing it.

== Born in Montreal, no? ==

No? [[User:MichaelHWC|MichaelHWC]] 21:26, 8 November 2009 (EST)
::oui. [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 21:30, 8 November 2009 (EST)

== Canada did not have the power to shape its own foreign policy, ==

...and yet the rest of the pgph goes on toshow how Canada did precisely that. [[User:MichaelHWC|MichaelHWC]] 00:07, 9 November 2009 (EST)

Lightning

2009-11-09T02:56:38Z

MichaelHWC: Undo revision 718205 by LennyL (Talk) nice try.

'''Lightning''' is a bright flash of [[electricity]] produced by a [[thunderstorm]]. All thunderstorms produce lightning and are very dangerous. If you hear the sound of [[thunder]], then you are in danger from lightning. Lightning kills and injures more people each year than [[hurricane]]s or [[tornado]]es; between 100 to 200 people. Lightning is an electric current. Within a thundercloud way up in the [[sky]], many small bits of [[ice]] bump into each other as they move around in the [[air]]. All of those collisions create an electric charge. After a while, the whole [[cloud]] fills up with electrical charges. The [[proton]]s form at the top of the cloud and the [[electron]]s form at the bottom. Since opposites attract, that causes a positive charge to build up on the ground beneath the cloud. The grounds electrical charge concentrates around anything that sticks up, such as [[mountain]]s, [[people]], or single [[tree]]s. The charge coming up from these points eventually connects with a charge reaching down from the clouds and lightning strikes.

[[Category:Meteorology]]

Personhood USA

2009-11-09T02:47:43Z

MichaelHWC: /* What is Personhood? */

[[File:Personhood-icon.jpg|Thumb|Right|200px| Personhood USA]]
'''Personhood USA''' is a [[Christian]] grassroots organization that was formed in 2008. Personhood USA coordinates efforts to establish legal "[[personhood]]" for pre-born children through peaceful activism, legislative efforts and ballot-access petition initiatives. The Personhood movement is sweeping the nation; it currently has thirty-two state chapters. <ref>[http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=114423 'Personhood' movement explodes in 32 states, WorldNetDaily, October 31st 2009]</ref>

==Mission statement==
{{cquote|The Primary Mission of Personhood USA is to serve [[Jesus]] by being an Advocate for those who can not speak for themselves, the pre-born child. }}

==What is Personhood?==

When the term “person” is granted to a human being, it refers to the presence of a particular set of characteristics that grant that individual certain rights such as the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In other words, to be a person is to be protected by a series of God-given and constitutionally-protected rights.

'' '''This terrifies the [[pro-choice | pro-abortion]] foes!!!''' ''

They know that if we clearly define the pre-born baby as a person then they will have the same right to life as all Americans do! This Amendment has the promise plugging the “[[Blackmun Hole]],” a startling admission that if personhood could be established for the pre-born, the arguments in Roe would collapse.''

==References==
<references/>

==External Links==
* [http://www.personhoodusa.com Official Personhood USA website]
* [http://www.personhoodcolorado.com Personhood Colorado]
* [http://www.personhoodcolorado.com Personhood Florida]
* [http://www.personhoodmississippi.com Personhood Mississippi]
* [http://www.personhoodusa.com/content/planned-parenthood-missouri-attempts-shut-down-personhood-lawsuit-against-state-missouri Planned Parenthood Missouri Attempts to Shut Down Personhood by Lawsuit Against State of Missouri]
* [http://www.personhoodusa.com/content/newsweek-features-personhood-story Newsweek featuring Personhood story]
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/PersonhoodUSA PersonhoodUSA YouTube]
* [http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=50920375154 Personhood Facebook]
* [http://twitter.com/personhoodusa PersonhoodUSA Twitter]

[[Category:Abortion]]
[[Category:Right to Life Movement]]

Personhood USA

2009-11-09T02:46:31Z

MichaelHWC:

[[File:Personhood-icon.jpg|Thumb|Right|200px| Personhood USA]]
'''Personhood USA''' is a [[Christian]] grassroots organization that was formed in 2008. Personhood USA coordinates efforts to establish legal "[[personhood]]" for pre-born children through peaceful activism, legislative efforts and ballot-access petition initiatives. The Personhood movement is sweeping the nation; it currently has thirty-two state chapters. <ref>[http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=114423 'Personhood' movement explodes in 32 states, WorldNetDaily, October 31st 2009]</ref>

==Mission statement==
{{cquote|The Primary Mission of Personhood USA is to serve [[Jesus]] by being an Advocate for those who can not speak for themselves, the pre-born child. }}

==What is Personhood?==

When the term “Person” is granted to a human being, it refers to the presence of a particular set of characteristics that grant that individual certain rights such as the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In other words, to be a person is to be protected by a series of God given and constitutionally protected rights.

'' '''This terrifies the [[pro-choice | pro-abortion]] foes!!!''' ''

They know that if we clearly define the pre-born baby as a person then they will have the same right to life as all Americans do! This Amendment has the promise plugging the “[[Blackmun Hole]],” a startling admission that if personhood could be established for the pre-born, the arguments in Roe would collapse.''

==References==
<references/>

==External Links==
* [http://www.personhoodusa.com Official Personhood USA website]
* [http://www.personhoodcolorado.com Personhood Colorado]
* [http://www.personhoodcolorado.com Personhood Florida]
* [http://www.personhoodmississippi.com Personhood Mississippi]
* [http://www.personhoodusa.com/content/planned-parenthood-missouri-attempts-shut-down-personhood-lawsuit-against-state-missouri Planned Parenthood Missouri Attempts to Shut Down Personhood by Lawsuit Against State of Missouri]
* [http://www.personhoodusa.com/content/newsweek-features-personhood-story Newsweek featuring Personhood story]
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/PersonhoodUSA PersonhoodUSA YouTube]
* [http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=50920375154 Personhood Facebook]
* [http://twitter.com/personhoodusa PersonhoodUSA Twitter]

[[Category:Abortion]]
[[Category:Right to Life Movement]]

Personhood USA

2009-11-09T02:44:39Z

MichaelHWC:

[[File:Personhood-icon.jpg|Thumb|Right|200px| Personhood USA]]
'''Personhood USA''' is a [[Christian]] grassroots organization that was formed in 2008. Personhood USA coordinates efforts to establish legal "[[personhood]]" for pre-born children through peaceful activism, legislative efforts and ballot-access petition initiatives. The Personhood movement is sweeping the nation; it currently has thirty-two state chapters. <ref>[http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=114423 'Personhood' movement explodes in 32 states, WorlNetDaily, October 31st 2009]</ref>

Per their website,
{{cquote|The Primary Mission of Personhood USA is to serve [[Jesus]] by being an Advocate for those who can not speak for themselves, the pre-born child. }}

==What is Personhood?==

When the term “Person” is granted to a human being, it refers to the presence of a particular set of characteristics that grant that individual certain rights such as the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In other words, to be a person is to be protected by a series of God given and constitutionally protected rights.

'' '''This terrifies the [[pro-choice | pro-abortion]] foes!!!''' ''

They know that if we clearly define the pre-born baby as a person then they will have the same right to life as all Americans do! This Amendment has the promise plugging the “[[Blackmun Hole]],” a startling admission that if personhood could be established for the pre-born, the arguments in Roe would collapse.''

==References==
<references/>

==External Links==
* [http://www.personhoodusa.com Official Personhood USA website]
* [http://www.personhoodcolorado.com Personhood Colorado]
* [http://www.personhoodcolorado.com Personhood Florida]
* [http://www.personhoodmississippi.com Personhood Mississippi]
* [http://www.personhoodusa.com/content/planned-parenthood-missouri-attempts-shut-down-personhood-lawsuit-against-state-missouri Planned Parenthood Missouri Attempts to Shut Down Personhood by Lawsuit Against State of Missouri]
* [http://www.personhoodusa.com/content/newsweek-features-personhood-story Newsweek featuring Personhood story]
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/PersonhoodUSA PersonhoodUSA YouTube]
* [http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=50920375154 Personhood Facebook]
* [http://twitter.com/personhoodusa PersonhoodUSA Twitter]

[[Category:Abortion]]
[[Category:Right to Life Movement]]

Talk:Pierre Trudeau

2009-11-09T02:26:15Z

MichaelHWC: /* Born in Montreal, no? */ new section

Pierre Trudeau

2009-11-09T02:21:57Z

MichaelHWC: /* Bibliography */

[[Image:Trudeau.jpg|220px|right|]]
'''Pierre Elliot Trudeau''' (1919-2000) was the fifteenth [[Prime Minister]] of [[Canada]]. He remains a towering figure in Canadian politics even to this day. He held office for 15 years in two spells, the first from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and the second from March 3, 1980 to June 29, 1984. In longevity and importance, he compares to [[William Lyon Mackenzie King]], who was Prime Minister for twenty-one years in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s.

Trudeau, leader of the [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]], is best known for sponsoring the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]], [[repatriation|repatriating]] the Canadian [[constitution]] so that Britain lost its last remaining control over Canada, his anti-American foreign policy, his failed efforts to seize federal control of [[Alberta]]'s oil riches, and his aggressive defeat of [[Quebec]] separatist terrorism by the War Measures Act during the October Crisis in 1970. In terms of American conservatism and liberalism, his Liberal Party contained both conservative and liberal elements; his policies generally were hostile to conservative positions.

==Career==
Trudeau was born October 18, 1919, the son of a wealthy businessman Charles-Emile Trudeau and Grace Elliot. Bilingual from an early age, he was educated in French-language [[Jesuit]] schools, and was a devout [[Catholic]] all his life. He attended the Université de [[Montréal]], [[Harvard University]], Université de Paris and the London School of Economics. Before entering politics, he was a lawyer, primarily interested in public affairs; he worked as a legal adviser to trade unions and was closely involved in the 1949 strike of asbestos miners. He also taught law at the Université de Montréal.

===Quebec politics===
He gained renown for his work in the field of civil liberties when Quebec was ruled by the authoritarian [[Duplessis]] regime (1944-1959). He helped the provincial Liberals win in Quebec in 1960, but then turned away from their growing nationalist orientation. Trudeau was always a strong advocate of the Canadian federal system, and repeatedly opposed all efforts to strengthen the provinces at the expense of the national government in Ottawa. He campaigned against the Liberals in the 1963 federal election for the moderately socialist [[New Democratic Party]] Meanwhile the "[[Quiet Revolution]]" was transforming and modernizing Quebec, advancing a secularist ideology and a determination that the province should be freed from the long-time control of English-speaking businessmen.

===Parliament 1965 ===
In 1965, Trudeau along with Gérard Pelletier and Jean Marchand rejoined the national Liberal Party with the stated purpose of reforming it from within. The three quickly became the leading French-Canadians in the national Liberal organization. He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1965, and repeatedly reelected until his retirement from politics in 1984. Almost immediately the young and charismatic Trudeau was seen as a [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]] star and he was made Justice Minister in 1967. Working with Prime Minister [[Lester Pearson]],<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006175 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> he became the chief government spokesman against the efforts of Quebec's premier, [[Daniel Johnson]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004149 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> , to claim special status for the province. Trudeau argued for strong but equal provinces and equal French and English language rights throughout Canada. Quebec separatism was growing, and was incited by French President [[Charles de Gaulle]], who cried the separatist slogan "Vive le Québec libre" to a crowd in Montréal; Pearson issued an official rebuke and de Gaulle promptly went home, as Trudeau tried to staunch the damage.

After Pearson retired in late 1967 Trudeau was elected Liberal leader and riding a wave of "Trudeaumania", became Prime Minister on April 19 1968. He immediately called for elections, campaigning for "one united Canada" against the opposition Conservatives, who favored a special accommodation with Quebec. He won a firm majority, with strong representation across Canada.

===FLQ===
During his first 4 years in power Trudeau faced several politically volatile situations. The most dramatic was his facing down a home grown terrorist threat of the Front de Liberation du Québec (or the FLQ). For several years [[Quebec_separatist_movement|separatist]] desires were rising in the predominantly French-speaking province, and the FLQ tried to remove Quebec from Canada by force. In October 1970, Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act. This gave the state broad powers of arrest and detention in a time of crisis. When asked how far and how long he would take the measures, Trudeau famously replied "Just watch me". Although the FLQ kidnappings would end with the death of Quebec cabinet minister Pierre Laporte, the FLQ had its back broken by military presence in the province who arrested a handful of radicals. The general public overwhelmingly supported the emergency powers and the presence of the military in Quebec. When the crisis was over, Trudeau revoked the powers of the War Measures Act.

===1974 win===
The Trudeau government was little interested in economic growth, and allowed prosperity give way to stagnation and recession as unemployment and inflation proved intractable. Trudeau was reelected with only a minority government in the 1972 election, in part because of a slowing economy. In the 1974 election Trudeau won a majority, after ridiculing Conservative economic policies, which he had to adopt himself a year later. The economy performed poorly through the late 1970s and Trudeau lost his first general election to the Conservatives in 1979 under the [[Joe Clark]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001651 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' on Clark]</ref> Clark's minority government tried to privatize Petro Canada, but soon lost a no-confidence vote.
===Foreign and defense policy===
In foreign policy Trudeau reversed previous stances, such of those common in the Diefenbaker years, of putting American interest firsts. He and Richard Nixon reportedly hated each other, and this antagonistic relationship helped to shape Canada's foreign policy in the 1970s, which would often play very well in Canadian public opinion. He opposed the deployment of American nuclear warheads in Canada. he also reduced the size of Canada's forces stationed in Europe.

===1980 win===
In 1980 Trudeau won a majority, easily defeating Conservative Joe Clark. In 1982, Quebec voters narrowly rejected a separatist "sovereignty-association" option, but many expected that sooner or later the province would vote for independence from Canada. To head this off, Trudeau engineered changes in the federal constitution, ending the role of the British Parliament in amending the constitution. Trudeau successfully mobilized Canada's major interest groups in support of a [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms|Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]--something like the American [[Bill of Rights]]. He persuaded all the to accept the new constitution, except for Quebec, which refused its assent. Frustrated, Trudeau resigned both the premiership and party leadership in June 1984.
===Policies===
In 1969 Trudeau legalized abortion if so approved by a hospital board. However the Supreme Court in 1984 ruled that the requirement for a board to approve violated a woman's rights, and so now there are no legal restriction on abortions.

In economic policy his goal was to use the riches of Alberta oil to fund national programs, despite the vehement objections of the Albertans. His National Energy Program caused a bitter dispute over the nationalization of oil companies, to increase Canadian control and generate federal revenues from the energy sector. Petro Canada was founded as a [[Crown Corporation]], although the Canadian government has since sold its stake in the company.
==Personal==
Trudeau retired from politics on June 30th, 1984 and was succeeded by [[John Turner]].

Late in life (1971) he married Margaret Sinclair, a young playgirl thirty years his junior. They were incompatible, for her image of Trudeau-as-romantic-playboy was based entirely on false media hype; he was actually a workaholic and an intense intellectual with little time for family or fun. After three children were born they separated in 1977 and were finally divorced in 1980.

Trudeau remained active in law until late in his life and passed away on September 28, 2000 at the age of 80.

==Reputation==
Candians outside Quebec hail Trudeau as the chief sponsor of the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]. Liberal partisans fondly remember Trudeau as a dashing hero. Conservatives still complain about his poor administrative practices and bad economic policies, as well as his personal arrogance and disregard of the needs of the west. Trudeau's policy of bilingualism in the civil service led to continuing resentment in English-speaking Canada. However, he is admired for facing down the Quebec separatists and keeping Canada united.

==Bibliography==
* [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCESubjects&Params=A1 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' online]
* Trudeau, Pierre Elliott. ''Memoirs'' (1996), primary source
* Bothwell, Robert, Ian Drummond, and John English. ''Canada since 1945'' (2d. ed. 1989). college textbook
* Clarkson, Stephen, and Christina McCall. ''Trudeau and Our Times''. (2 vol 1990-1994), standard political biography
* Cohen, Andrew, and J. L. Granatstein, eds. ''Trudeau's shadow: the life and legacy of Pierre Elliott Trudeau''. (1999).
* Couture, Claude, and Vivien Bosley. ''Paddling with the Current: Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Etienne Parent, Liberalism, and Nationalism in Canada'' (1998)
* English, John. ''Citizen of the World: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume One: 1919-1968'' (2007); ''Just Watch Me: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume Two: 1968-2000'' (2009); , standard biography
* Granatstein, J. L. and Bothwell, Robert. ''Pirouette: Pierre Trudeau and Canadian Foreign Policy.'' (1990). 478 pp.
* Ricci, Nino. ''Extraordinary Canadians: Pierre Elliott Trudeau'' (2009), popular biography
====references====
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trudeau, Pierre }}

[[Category:Canadian Prime Ministers]]
[[Category:Canadian History]]
[[Category:Cold War]]
[[Category:Quebec]]
[[Category:Catholic Politicians]]

Pierre Trudeau

2009-11-09T02:16:30Z

MichaelHWC: /* FLQ */

[[Image:Trudeau.jpg|220px|right|]]
'''Pierre Elliot Trudeau''' (1919-2000) was the fifteenth [[Prime Minister]] of [[Canada]]. He remains a towering figure in Canadian politics even to this day. He held office for 15 years in two spells, the first from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and the second from March 3, 1980 to June 29, 1984. In longevity and importance, he compares to [[William Lyon Mackenzie King]], who was Prime Minister for twenty-one years in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s.

Trudeau, leader of the [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]], is best known for sponsoring the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]], [[repatriation|repatriating]] the Canadian [[constitution]] so that Britain lost its last remaining control over Canada, his anti-American foreign policy, his failed efforts to seize federal control of [[Alberta]]'s oil riches, and his aggressive defeat of [[Québec]] separatist terrorism by the War Measures Act during the October Crisis in 1970. In terms of American conservatism and liberalism, his Liberal Party contained both conservative and liberal elements; his policies generally were hostile to conservative positions.

==Career==
Trudeau was born October 18, 1919, the son of a wealthy businessman Charles-Emile Trudeau and Grace Elliot. Bilingual from an early age, he was educated in French-language [[Jesuit]] schools, and was a devout [[Catholic]] all his life. He attended the Université de [[Montréal]], [[Harvard University]], Université de Paris and the London School of Economics. Before entering politics, he was a lawyer, primarily interested in public affairs; he worked as a legal adviser to trade unions and was closely involved in the 1949 strike of asbestos miners. He also taught law at the Université de Montréal.

===Quebec politics===
He gained renown for his work in the field of civil liberties when Quebec was ruled by the authoritarian [[Duplessis]] regime (1944-1959). He helped the provincial Liberals win in Quebec in 1960, but then turned away from their growing nationalist orientation. Trudeau was always a strong advocate of the Canadian federal system, and repeatedly opposed all efforts to strengthen the provinces at the expense of the national government in Ottawa. He campaigned against the Liberals in the 1963 federal election for the moderately socialist [[New Democratic Party]] Meanwhile the "[[Quiet Revolution]]" was transforming and modernizing Québec, advancing a secularist ideology and a determination that the province should be freed from the long-time control of English-speaking businessmen.

===Parliament 1965 ===
In 1965, Trudeau along with Gérard Pelletier and Jean Marchand rejoined the national Liberal Party with the stated purpose of reforming it from within. The three quickly became the leading French-Canadians in the national Liberal organization. He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1965, and repeatedly reelected until his retirement from politics in 1984. Almost immediately the young and charismatic Trudeau was seen as a [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]] star and he was made Justice Minister in 1967. Working with Prime Minister [[Lester Pearson]],<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006175 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> he became the chief government spokesman against the efforts of Quebec's premier, [[Daniel Johnson]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004149 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> , to claim special status for the province. Trudeau argued for strong but equal provinces and equal French and English language rights throughout Canada. Québec separatism was growing, and was incited by French President [[Charles de Gaulle]], who cried the separatist slogan "Vive le Québec libre" to a crowd in Montréal; Pearson issued an official rebuke and de Gaulle promptly went home, as Trudeau tried to staunch the damage.

After Pearson retired in late 1967 Trudeau was elected Liberal leader and riding a wave of "Trudeaumania", became Prime Minister on April 19 1968. He immediately called for elections, campaigning for "one united Canada" against the opposition Conservatives, who favored a special accommodation with Québec. He won a firm majority, with strong representation across Canada.

===FLQ===
During his first 4 years in power Trudeau faced several politically volatile situations. The most dramatic was his facing down a home grown terrorist threat of the Front de Liberation du Québec (or the FLQ). For several years [[Quebec_separatist_movement|separatist]] desires were rising in the predominantly French-speaking province, and the FLQ tried to remove Québec from Canada by force. In October 1970, Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act. This gave the state broad powers of arrest and detention in a time of crisis. When asked how far and how long he would take the measures, Trudeau famously replied "Just watch me". Although the FLQ kidnappings would end with the death of Québec cabinet minister Pierre Laporte, the FLQ had its back broken by military presence in the province who arrested a handful of radicals. The general public overwhelmingly supported the emergency powers and the presence of the military in Québec. When the crisis was over, Trudeau revoked the powers of the War Measures Act.

===1974 win===
The Trudeau government was little interested in economic growth, and allowed prosperity give way to stagnation and recession as unemployment and inflation proved intractable. Trudeau was reelected with only a minority government in the 1972 election, in part because of a slowing economy. In the 1974 election Trudeau won a majority, after ridiculing Conservative economic policies, which he had to adopt himself a year later. The economy performed poorly through the late 1970s and Trudeau lost his first general election to the Conservatives in 1979 under the [[Joe Clark]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001651 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' on Clark]</ref> Clark's minority government tried to privatize Petro Canada, but soon lost a no-confidence vote.
===Foreign and defense policy===
In foreign policy Trudeau reversed previous stances, such of those common in the Diefenbaker years, of putting American interest firsts. He and Richard Nixon reportedly hated each other, and this antagonistic relationship helped to shape Canada's foreign policy in the 1970s, which would often play very well in Canadian public opinion. He opposed the deployment of American nuclear warheads in Canada. he also reduced the size of Canada's forces stationed in Europe.

===1980 win===
In 1980 Trudeau won a majority, easily defeating Conservative Joe Clark. In 1982, Quebec voters narrowly rejected a separatist "sovereignty-association" option, but many expected that sooner or later the province would vote for independence from Canada. To head this off, Trudeau engineered changes in the federal constitution, ending the role of the British Parliament in amending the constitution. Trudeau successfully mobilized Canada's major interest groups in support of a [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms|Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]--something like the American [[Bill of Rights]]. He persuaded all the to accept the new constitution, except for Quebec, which refused its assent. Frustrated, Trudeau resigned both the premiership and party leadership in June 1984.
===Policies===
In 1969 Trudeau legalized abortion if so approved by a hospital board. However the Supreme Court in 1984 ruled that the requirement for a board to approve violated a woman's rights, and so now there are no legal restriction on abortions.

In economic policy his goal was to use the riches of Alberta oil to fund national programs, despite the vehement objections of the Albertans. His National Energy Program caused a bitter dispute over the nationalization of oil companies, to increase Canadian control and generate federal revenues from the energy sector. Petro Canada was founded as a [[Crown Corporation]], although the Canadian government has since sold its stake in the company.
==Personal==
Trudeau retired from politics on June 30th, 1984 and was succeeded by [[John Turner]].

Late in life (1971) he married Margaret Sinclair, a young playgirl thirty years his junior. They were incompatible, for her image of Trudeau-as-romantic-playboy was based entirely on false media hype; he was actually a workaholic and an intense intellectual with little time for family or fun. After three children were born they separated in 1977 and were finally divorced in 1980.

Trudeau remained active in law until late in his life and passed away on September 28, 2000 at the age of 80.

==Reputation==
Candians outside Quebec hail Trudeau as the chief sponsor of the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]. Liberal partisans fondly remember Trudeau as a dashing hero. Conservatives still complain about his poor administrative practices and bad economic policies, as well as his personal arrogance and disregard of the needs of the west. Trudeau's policy of bilingualism in the civil service led to continuing resentment in English-speaking Canada. However, he is admired for facing down the Quebec separatists and keeping Canada united.

==Bibliography==
* [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCESubjects&Params=A1 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' online]]
* Trudeau, Pierre Elliott. ''Memoirs'' (1996), primary source
* Bothwell, Robert, Ian Drummond, and John English. ''Canada since 1945'' (2d. ed. 1989). college textbook
* Clarkson, Stephen, and Christina McCall. ''Trudeau and Our Times''. (2 vol 1990-1994), standard political biography
* Cohen, Andrew, and J. L. Granatstein, eds. ''Trudeau's shadow: the life and legacy of Pierre Elliott Trudeau''. (1999).
* Couture, Claude, and Vivien Bosley. ''Paddling with the Current: Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Etienne Parent, Liberalism, and Nationalism in Canada'' (1998)
* English, John. ''Citizen of the World: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume One: 1919-1968'' (2007); ''Just Watch Me: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume Two: 1968-2000'' (2009); , standard biography
* Granatstein, J. L. and Bothwell, Robert. ''Pirouette: Pierre Trudeau and Canadian Foreign Policy.'' (1990). 478 pp.
* Ricci, Nino. ''Extraordinary Canadians: Pierre Elliott Trudeau'' (2009), popular biography
====references====
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trudeau, Pierre }}

[[Category:Canadian Prime Ministers]]
[[Category:Canadian History]]
[[Category:Cold War]]
[[Category:Quebec]]
[[Category:Catholic Politicians]]

Pierre Trudeau

2009-11-09T02:14:45Z

MichaelHWC: /* Parliament 1965 */

[[Image:Trudeau.jpg|220px|right|]]
'''Pierre Elliot Trudeau''' (1919-2000) was the fifteenth [[Prime Minister]] of [[Canada]]. He remains a towering figure in Canadian politics even to this day. He held office for 15 years in two spells, the first from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and the second from March 3, 1980 to June 29, 1984. In longevity and importance, he compares to [[William Lyon Mackenzie King]], who was Prime Minister for twenty-one years in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s.

Trudeau, leader of the [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]], is best known for sponsoring the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]], [[repatriation|repatriating]] the Canadian [[constitution]] so that Britain lost its last remaining control over Canada, his anti-American foreign policy, his failed efforts to seize federal control of [[Alberta]]'s oil riches, and his aggressive defeat of [[Québec]] separatist terrorism by the War Measures Act during the October Crisis in 1970. In terms of American conservatism and liberalism, his Liberal Party contained both conservative and liberal elements; his policies generally were hostile to conservative positions.

==Career==
Trudeau was born October 18, 1919, the son of a wealthy businessman Charles-Emile Trudeau and Grace Elliot. Bilingual from an early age, he was educated in French-language [[Jesuit]] schools, and was a devout [[Catholic]] all his life. He attended the Université de [[Montréal]], [[Harvard University]], Université de Paris and the London School of Economics. Before entering politics, he was a lawyer, primarily interested in public affairs; he worked as a legal adviser to trade unions and was closely involved in the 1949 strike of asbestos miners. He also taught law at the Université de Montréal.

===Quebec politics===
He gained renown for his work in the field of civil liberties when Quebec was ruled by the authoritarian [[Duplessis]] regime (1944-1959). He helped the provincial Liberals win in Quebec in 1960, but then turned away from their growing nationalist orientation. Trudeau was always a strong advocate of the Canadian federal system, and repeatedly opposed all efforts to strengthen the provinces at the expense of the national government in Ottawa. He campaigned against the Liberals in the 1963 federal election for the moderately socialist [[New Democratic Party]] Meanwhile the "[[Quiet Revolution]]" was transforming and modernizing Québec, advancing a secularist ideology and a determination that the province should be freed from the long-time control of English-speaking businessmen.

===Parliament 1965 ===
In 1965, Trudeau along with Gérard Pelletier and Jean Marchand rejoined the national Liberal Party with the stated purpose of reforming it from within. The three quickly became the leading French-Canadians in the national Liberal organization. He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1965, and repeatedly reelected until his retirement from politics in 1984. Almost immediately the young and charismatic Trudeau was seen as a [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]] star and he was made Justice Minister in 1967. Working with Prime Minister [[Lester Pearson]],<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006175 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> he became the chief government spokesman against the efforts of Quebec's premier, [[Daniel Johnson]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004149 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> , to claim special status for the province. Trudeau argued for strong but equal provinces and equal French and English language rights throughout Canada. Québec separatism was growing, and was incited by French President [[Charles de Gaulle]], who cried the separatist slogan "Vive le Québec libre" to a crowd in Montréal; Pearson issued an official rebuke and de Gaulle promptly went home, as Trudeau tried to staunch the damage.

After Pearson retired in late 1967 Trudeau was elected Liberal leader and riding a wave of "Trudeaumania", became Prime Minister on April 19 1968. He immediately called for elections, campaigning for "one united Canada" against the opposition Conservatives, who favored a special accommodation with Québec. He won a firm majority, with strong representation across Canada.

===FLQ===
During his first 4 years in power Trudeau faced several politically volatile situations. The most dramatic was his facing down a home grown terrorist threat of the Front de Liberation du Québec (or the FLQ). For several years [[Quebec_separatist_movement|separatist]] thoughts were rising in the French-speaking province, and the FLQ decided to remove Quebec from Canada by force. In October 1970, Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act, for the first and only time in Canadian history. This gave the state broad powers of arrest and detention in a time of crisis. When asked how far and how long he would take the measures, Trudeau famously replied "Just watch me". Although the FLQ kidnappings would end with the death of Quebec cabinet minister Pierre Laporte, the FLQ had its back broken by military presence in the province who arrested only 2 dozen or so radicals. The general public overwhelmingly supported the emergency powers and the presence of the military in Quebec. When the crisis was over, Trudeau revoked the powers of the War Measures Act.
===1974 win===
The Trudeau government was little interested in economic growth, and allowed prosperity give way to stagnation and recession as unemployment and inflation proved intractable. Trudeau was reelected with only a minority government in the 1972 election, in part because of a slowing economy. In the 1974 election Trudeau won a majority, after ridiculing Conservative economic policies, which he had to adopt himself a year later. The economy performed poorly through the late 1970s and Trudeau lost his first general election to the Conservatives in 1979 under the [[Joe Clark]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001651 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' on Clark]</ref> Clark's minority government tried to privatize Petro Canada, but soon lost a no-confidence vote.
===Foreign and defense policy===
In foreign policy Trudeau reversed previous stances, such of those common in the Diefenbaker years, of putting American interest firsts. He and Richard Nixon reportedly hated each other, and this antagonistic relationship helped to shape Canada's foreign policy in the 1970s, which would often play very well in Canadian public opinion. He opposed the deployment of American nuclear warheads in Canada. he also reduced the size of Canada's forces stationed in Europe.

===1980 win===
In 1980 Trudeau won a majority, easily defeating Conservative Joe Clark. In 1982, Quebec voters narrowly rejected a separatist "sovereignty-association" option, but many expected that sooner or later the province would vote for independence from Canada. To head this off, Trudeau engineered changes in the federal constitution, ending the role of the British Parliament in amending the constitution. Trudeau successfully mobilized Canada's major interest groups in support of a [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms|Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]--something like the American [[Bill of Rights]]. He persuaded all the to accept the new constitution, except for Quebec, which refused its assent. Frustrated, Trudeau resigned both the premiership and party leadership in June 1984.
===Policies===
In 1969 Trudeau legalized abortion if so approved by a hospital board. However the Supreme Court in 1984 ruled that the requirement for a board to approve violated a woman's rights, and so now there are no legal restriction on abortions.

In economic policy his goal was to use the riches of Alberta oil to fund national programs, despite the vehement objections of the Albertans. His National Energy Program caused a bitter dispute over the nationalization of oil companies, to increase Canadian control and generate federal revenues from the energy sector. Petro Canada was founded as a [[Crown Corporation]], although the Canadian government has since sold its stake in the company.
==Personal==
Trudeau retired from politics on June 30th, 1984 and was succeeded by [[John Turner]].

Late in life (1971) he married Margaret Sinclair, a young playgirl thirty years his junior. They were incompatible, for her image of Trudeau-as-romantic-playboy was based entirely on false media hype; he was actually a workaholic and an intense intellectual with little time for family or fun. After three children were born they separated in 1977 and were finally divorced in 1980.

Trudeau remained active in law until late in his life and passed away on September 28, 2000 at the age of 80.

==Reputation==
Candians outside Quebec hail Trudeau as the chief sponsor of the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]. Liberal partisans fondly remember Trudeau as a dashing hero. Conservatives still complain about his poor administrative practices and bad economic policies, as well as his personal arrogance and disregard of the needs of the west. Trudeau's policy of bilingualism in the civil service led to continuing resentment in English-speaking Canada. However, he is admired for facing down the Quebec separatists and keeping Canada united.

==Bibliography==
* [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCESubjects&Params=A1 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' online]]
* Trudeau, Pierre Elliott. ''Memoirs'' (1996), primary source
* Bothwell, Robert, Ian Drummond, and John English. ''Canada since 1945'' (2d. ed. 1989). college textbook
* Clarkson, Stephen, and Christina McCall. ''Trudeau and Our Times''. (2 vol 1990-1994), standard political biography
* Cohen, Andrew, and J. L. Granatstein, eds. ''Trudeau's shadow: the life and legacy of Pierre Elliott Trudeau''. (1999).
* Couture, Claude, and Vivien Bosley. ''Paddling with the Current: Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Etienne Parent, Liberalism, and Nationalism in Canada'' (1998)
* English, John. ''Citizen of the World: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume One: 1919-1968'' (2007); ''Just Watch Me: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume Two: 1968-2000'' (2009); , standard biography
* Granatstein, J. L. and Bothwell, Robert. ''Pirouette: Pierre Trudeau and Canadian Foreign Policy.'' (1990). 478 pp.
* Ricci, Nino. ''Extraordinary Canadians: Pierre Elliott Trudeau'' (2009), popular biography
====references====
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trudeau, Pierre }}

[[Category:Canadian Prime Ministers]]
[[Category:Canadian History]]
[[Category:Cold War]]
[[Category:Quebec]]
[[Category:Catholic Politicians]]

Pierre Trudeau

2009-11-09T02:12:38Z

MichaelHWC: /* Parliament 1965 */

[[Image:Trudeau.jpg|220px|right|]]
'''Pierre Elliot Trudeau''' (1919-2000) was the fifteenth [[Prime Minister]] of [[Canada]]. He remains a towering figure in Canadian politics even to this day. He held office for 15 years in two spells, the first from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and the second from March 3, 1980 to June 29, 1984. In longevity and importance, he compares to [[William Lyon Mackenzie King]], who was Prime Minister for twenty-one years in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s.

Trudeau, leader of the [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]], is best known for sponsoring the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]], [[repatriation|repatriating]] the Canadian [[constitution]] so that Britain lost its last remaining control over Canada, his anti-American foreign policy, his failed efforts to seize federal control of [[Alberta]]'s oil riches, and his aggressive defeat of [[Québec]] separatist terrorism by the War Measures Act during the October Crisis in 1970. In terms of American conservatism and liberalism, his Liberal Party contained both conservative and liberal elements; his policies generally were hostile to conservative positions.

==Career==
Trudeau was born October 18, 1919, the son of a wealthy businessman Charles-Emile Trudeau and Grace Elliot. Bilingual from an early age, he was educated in French-language [[Jesuit]] schools, and was a devout [[Catholic]] all his life. He attended the Université de [[Montréal]], [[Harvard University]], Université de Paris and the London School of Economics. Before entering politics, he was a lawyer, primarily interested in public affairs; he worked as a legal adviser to trade unions and was closely involved in the 1949 strike of asbestos miners. He also taught law at the Université de Montréal.

===Quebec politics===
He gained renown for his work in the field of civil liberties when Quebec was ruled by the authoritarian [[Duplessis]] regime (1944-1959). He helped the provincial Liberals win in Quebec in 1960, but then turned away from their growing nationalist orientation. Trudeau was always a strong advocate of the Canadian federal system, and repeatedly opposed all efforts to strengthen the provinces at the expense of the national government in Ottawa. He campaigned against the Liberals in the 1963 federal election for the moderately socialist [[New Democratic Party]] Meanwhile the "[[Quiet Revolution]]" was transforming and modernizing Québec, advancing a secularist ideology and a determination that the province should be freed from the long-time control of English-speaking businessmen.

===Parliament 1965 ===
In 1965, Trudeau along with Gérard Pelletier and Jean Marchand rejoined the national Liberal Party with the stated purpose of reforming it from within. The three quickly became the leading French-Canadians in the national Liberal organization. He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1965, and repeatedly reelected until his retirement from politics in 1984. Almost immediately the young and charismatic Trudeau was seen as a [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]] star and he was made Justice Minister in 1967. Working with Prime Minister [[Lester Pearson]],<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006175 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> he became the chief government spokesman against the efforts of Quebec's premier, [[Daniel Johnson]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004149 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> , to claim special status for the province. Trudeau argued for strong but equal provinces and equal French and English language rights throughout Canada. French separatism was growing, and was incited by French President [[Charles de Gaulle]], who visited Montreal crying out the separatist slogan "Vive le Québec libre" to a crowd in Montréal; Pearson issued an official rebuke and de Gaulle promptly went home, as Trudeau tried to staunch the damage.

After Pearson retired in late 1967 Trudeau was elected Liberal leader and riding a wave of dubbed "Trudeaumania", became the Canadian Prime Minister on April 19 1968. Being the first Canadian Prime Minister born in the 20th century he was flamboyant and controversial but was also an intellectual. He immediately called for elections, campaigning for "one united Canada" against the opposition Conservatives, who favored a special accommodation with Quebec. He won a firm majority, with strong representation across Canada.

===FLQ===
During his first 4 years in power Trudeau faced several politically volatile situations. The most dramatic was his facing down a home grown terrorist threat of the Front de Liberation du Québec (or the FLQ). For several years [[Quebec_separatist_movement|separatist]] thoughts were rising in the French-speaking province, and the FLQ decided to remove Quebec from Canada by force. In October 1970, Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act, for the first and only time in Canadian history. This gave the state broad powers of arrest and detention in a time of crisis. When asked how far and how long he would take the measures, Trudeau famously replied "Just watch me". Although the FLQ kidnappings would end with the death of Quebec cabinet minister Pierre Laporte, the FLQ had its back broken by military presence in the province who arrested only 2 dozen or so radicals. The general public overwhelmingly supported the emergency powers and the presence of the military in Quebec. When the crisis was over, Trudeau revoked the powers of the War Measures Act.
===1974 win===
The Trudeau government was little interested in economic growth, and allowed prosperity give way to stagnation and recession as unemployment and inflation proved intractable. Trudeau was reelected with only a minority government in the 1972 election, in part because of a slowing economy. In the 1974 election Trudeau won a majority, after ridiculing Conservative economic policies, which he had to adopt himself a year later. The economy performed poorly through the late 1970s and Trudeau lost his first general election to the Conservatives in 1979 under the [[Joe Clark]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001651 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' on Clark]</ref> Clark's minority government tried to privatize Petro Canada, but soon lost a no-confidence vote.
===Foreign and defense policy===
In foreign policy Trudeau reversed previous stances, such of those common in the Diefenbaker years, of putting American interest firsts. He and Richard Nixon reportedly hated each other, and this antagonistic relationship helped to shape Canada's foreign policy in the 1970s, which would often play very well in Canadian public opinion. He opposed the deployment of American nuclear warheads in Canada. he also reduced the size of Canada's forces stationed in Europe.

===1980 win===
In 1980 Trudeau won a majority, easily defeating Conservative Joe Clark. In 1982, Quebec voters narrowly rejected a separatist "sovereignty-association" option, but many expected that sooner or later the province would vote for independence from Canada. To head this off, Trudeau engineered changes in the federal constitution, ending the role of the British Parliament in amending the constitution. Trudeau successfully mobilized Canada's major interest groups in support of a [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms|Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]--something like the American [[Bill of Rights]]. He persuaded all the to accept the new constitution, except for Quebec, which refused its assent. Frustrated, Trudeau resigned both the premiership and party leadership in June 1984.
===Policies===
In 1969 Trudeau legalized abortion if so approved by a hospital board. However the Supreme Court in 1984 ruled that the requirement for a board to approve violated a woman's rights, and so now there are no legal restriction on abortions.

In economic policy his goal was to use the riches of Alberta oil to fund national programs, despite the vehement objections of the Albertans. His National Energy Program caused a bitter dispute over the nationalization of oil companies, to increase Canadian control and generate federal revenues from the energy sector. Petro Canada was founded as a [[Crown Corporation]], although the Canadian government has since sold its stake in the company.
==Personal==
Trudeau retired from politics on June 30th, 1984 and was succeeded by [[John Turner]].

Late in life (1971) he married Margaret Sinclair, a young playgirl thirty years his junior. They were incompatible, for her image of Trudeau-as-romantic-playboy was based entirely on false media hype; he was actually a workaholic and an intense intellectual with little time for family or fun. After three children were born they separated in 1977 and were finally divorced in 1980.

Trudeau remained active in law until late in his life and passed away on September 28, 2000 at the age of 80.

==Reputation==
Candians outside Quebec hail Trudeau as the chief sponsor of the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]. Liberal partisans fondly remember Trudeau as a dashing hero. Conservatives still complain about his poor administrative practices and bad economic policies, as well as his personal arrogance and disregard of the needs of the west. Trudeau's policy of bilingualism in the civil service led to continuing resentment in English-speaking Canada. However, he is admired for facing down the Quebec separatists and keeping Canada united.

==Bibliography==
* [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCESubjects&Params=A1 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' online]]
* Trudeau, Pierre Elliott. ''Memoirs'' (1996), primary source
* Bothwell, Robert, Ian Drummond, and John English. ''Canada since 1945'' (2d. ed. 1989). college textbook
* Clarkson, Stephen, and Christina McCall. ''Trudeau and Our Times''. (2 vol 1990-1994), standard political biography
* Cohen, Andrew, and J. L. Granatstein, eds. ''Trudeau's shadow: the life and legacy of Pierre Elliott Trudeau''. (1999).
* Couture, Claude, and Vivien Bosley. ''Paddling with the Current: Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Etienne Parent, Liberalism, and Nationalism in Canada'' (1998)
* English, John. ''Citizen of the World: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume One: 1919-1968'' (2007); ''Just Watch Me: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume Two: 1968-2000'' (2009); , standard biography
* Granatstein, J. L. and Bothwell, Robert. ''Pirouette: Pierre Trudeau and Canadian Foreign Policy.'' (1990). 478 pp.
* Ricci, Nino. ''Extraordinary Canadians: Pierre Elliott Trudeau'' (2009), popular biography
====references====
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trudeau, Pierre }}

[[Category:Canadian Prime Ministers]]
[[Category:Canadian History]]
[[Category:Cold War]]
[[Category:Quebec]]
[[Category:Catholic Politicians]]

Pierre Trudeau

2009-11-09T02:11:51Z

MichaelHWC: /* Foreign and defense policy */ That's a pretty simplistic reading of Conlin.

[[Image:Trudeau.jpg|220px|right|]]
'''Pierre Elliot Trudeau''' (1919-2000) was the fifteenth [[Prime Minister]] of [[Canada]]. He remains a towering figure in Canadian politics even to this day. He held office for 15 years in two spells, the first from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and the second from March 3, 1980 to June 29, 1984. In longevity and importance, he compares to [[William Lyon Mackenzie King]], who was Prime Minister for twenty-one years in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s.

Trudeau, leader of the [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]], is best known for sponsoring the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]], [[repatriation|repatriating]] the Canadian [[constitution]] so that Britain lost its last remaining control over Canada, his anti-American foreign policy, his failed efforts to seize federal control of [[Alberta]]'s oil riches, and his aggressive defeat of [[Québec]] separatist terrorism by the War Measures Act during the October Crisis in 1970. In terms of American conservatism and liberalism, his Liberal Party contained both conservative and liberal elements; his policies generally were hostile to conservative positions.

==Career==
Trudeau was born October 18, 1919, the son of a wealthy businessman Charles-Emile Trudeau and Grace Elliot. Bilingual from an early age, he was educated in French-language [[Jesuit]] schools, and was a devout [[Catholic]] all his life. He attended the Université de [[Montréal]], [[Harvard University]], Université de Paris and the London School of Economics. Before entering politics, he was a lawyer, primarily interested in public affairs; he worked as a legal adviser to trade unions and was closely involved in the 1949 strike of asbestos miners. He also taught law at the Université de Montréal.

===Quebec politics===
He gained renown for his work in the field of civil liberties when Quebec was ruled by the authoritarian [[Duplessis]] regime (1944-1959). He helped the provincial Liberals win in Quebec in 1960, but then turned away from their growing nationalist orientation. Trudeau was always a strong advocate of the Canadian federal system, and repeatedly opposed all efforts to strengthen the provinces at the expense of the national government in Ottawa. He campaigned against the Liberals in the 1963 federal election for the moderately socialist [[New Democratic Party]] Meanwhile the "[[Quiet Revolution]]" was transforming and modernizing Québec, advancing a secularist ideology and a determination that the province should be freed from the long-time control of English-speaking businessmen.

===Parliament 1965 ===
In 1965, Trudeau along with two colleagues Gérard Pelletier and Jean Marchand, rejoined the national Liberal Party with the stated purpose of reforming it from within. The three quickly became the leading French-Canadians in the national Liberal organization. He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1965, and repeatedly reelected until his death. Almost immediately the young and charismatic Trudeau was seen as a [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]] star and he was made Justice Minister in 1967. Working with Prime Minister [[Lester Pearson]],<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006175 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> he became the chief government spokesman against the efforts of Quebec's premier, [[Daniel Johnson]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004149 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> , to claim special status for the province. Trudeau argued for strong but equal provinces and equal French and English language rights throughout Canada. French separatism was growing, and was incited by French President [[Charles de Gaulle]], who visited Montreal crying out the separatist slogan "Vive le Québec libre" to a crowd in Montréal; Pearson issued an official rebuke and de Gaulle promptly went home, as Trudeau tried to staunch the damage.

After Pearson retired in late 1967 Trudeau was elected Liberal leader and riding a wave of dubbed "Trudeaumania", became the Canadian Prime Minister on April 19 1968. Being the first Canadian Prime Minister born in the 20th century he was flamboyant and controversial but was also an intellectual. He immediately called for elections, campaigning for "one united Canada" against the opposition Conservatives, who favored a special accommodation with Quebec. He won a firm majority, with strong representation across Canada.

===FLQ===
During his first 4 years in power Trudeau faced several politically volatile situations. The most dramatic was his facing down a home grown terrorist threat of the Front de Liberation du Québec (or the FLQ). For several years [[Quebec_separatist_movement|separatist]] thoughts were rising in the French-speaking province, and the FLQ decided to remove Quebec from Canada by force. In October 1970, Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act, for the first and only time in Canadian history. This gave the state broad powers of arrest and detention in a time of crisis. When asked how far and how long he would take the measures, Trudeau famously replied "Just watch me". Although the FLQ kidnappings would end with the death of Quebec cabinet minister Pierre Laporte, the FLQ had its back broken by military presence in the province who arrested only 2 dozen or so radicals. The general public overwhelmingly supported the emergency powers and the presence of the military in Quebec. When the crisis was over, Trudeau revoked the powers of the War Measures Act.
===1974 win===
The Trudeau government was little interested in economic growth, and allowed prosperity give way to stagnation and recession as unemployment and inflation proved intractable. Trudeau was reelected with only a minority government in the 1972 election, in part because of a slowing economy. In the 1974 election Trudeau won a majority, after ridiculing Conservative economic policies, which he had to adopt himself a year later. The economy performed poorly through the late 1970s and Trudeau lost his first general election to the Conservatives in 1979 under the [[Joe Clark]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001651 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' on Clark]</ref> Clark's minority government tried to privatize Petro Canada, but soon lost a no-confidence vote.
===Foreign and defense policy===
In foreign policy Trudeau reversed previous stances, such of those common in the Diefenbaker years, of putting American interest firsts. He and Richard Nixon reportedly hated each other, and this antagonistic relationship helped to shape Canada's foreign policy in the 1970s, which would often play very well in Canadian public opinion. He opposed the deployment of American nuclear warheads in Canada. he also reduced the size of Canada's forces stationed in Europe.

===1980 win===
In 1980 Trudeau won a majority, easily defeating Conservative Joe Clark. In 1982, Quebec voters narrowly rejected a separatist "sovereignty-association" option, but many expected that sooner or later the province would vote for independence from Canada. To head this off, Trudeau engineered changes in the federal constitution, ending the role of the British Parliament in amending the constitution. Trudeau successfully mobilized Canada's major interest groups in support of a [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms|Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]--something like the American [[Bill of Rights]]. He persuaded all the to accept the new constitution, except for Quebec, which refused its assent. Frustrated, Trudeau resigned both the premiership and party leadership in June 1984.
===Policies===
In 1969 Trudeau legalized abortion if so approved by a hospital board. However the Supreme Court in 1984 ruled that the requirement for a board to approve violated a woman's rights, and so now there are no legal restriction on abortions.

In economic policy his goal was to use the riches of Alberta oil to fund national programs, despite the vehement objections of the Albertans. His National Energy Program caused a bitter dispute over the nationalization of oil companies, to increase Canadian control and generate federal revenues from the energy sector. Petro Canada was founded as a [[Crown Corporation]], although the Canadian government has since sold its stake in the company.
==Personal==
Trudeau retired from politics on June 30th, 1984 and was succeeded by [[John Turner]].

Late in life (1971) he married Margaret Sinclair, a young playgirl thirty years his junior. They were incompatible, for her image of Trudeau-as-romantic-playboy was based entirely on false media hype; he was actually a workaholic and an intense intellectual with little time for family or fun. After three children were born they separated in 1977 and were finally divorced in 1980.

Trudeau remained active in law until late in his life and passed away on September 28, 2000 at the age of 80.

==Reputation==
Candians outside Quebec hail Trudeau as the chief sponsor of the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]. Liberal partisans fondly remember Trudeau as a dashing hero. Conservatives still complain about his poor administrative practices and bad economic policies, as well as his personal arrogance and disregard of the needs of the west. Trudeau's policy of bilingualism in the civil service led to continuing resentment in English-speaking Canada. However, he is admired for facing down the Quebec separatists and keeping Canada united.

==Bibliography==
* [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCESubjects&Params=A1 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' online]]
* Trudeau, Pierre Elliott. ''Memoirs'' (1996), primary source
* Bothwell, Robert, Ian Drummond, and John English. ''Canada since 1945'' (2d. ed. 1989). college textbook
* Clarkson, Stephen, and Christina McCall. ''Trudeau and Our Times''. (2 vol 1990-1994), standard political biography
* Cohen, Andrew, and J. L. Granatstein, eds. ''Trudeau's shadow: the life and legacy of Pierre Elliott Trudeau''. (1999).
* Couture, Claude, and Vivien Bosley. ''Paddling with the Current: Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Etienne Parent, Liberalism, and Nationalism in Canada'' (1998)
* English, John. ''Citizen of the World: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume One: 1919-1968'' (2007); ''Just Watch Me: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume Two: 1968-2000'' (2009); , standard biography
* Granatstein, J. L. and Bothwell, Robert. ''Pirouette: Pierre Trudeau and Canadian Foreign Policy.'' (1990). 478 pp.
* Ricci, Nino. ''Extraordinary Canadians: Pierre Elliott Trudeau'' (2009), popular biography
====references====
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trudeau, Pierre }}

[[Category:Canadian Prime Ministers]]
[[Category:Canadian History]]
[[Category:Cold War]]
[[Category:Quebec]]
[[Category:Catholic Politicians]]

Pierre Trudeau

2009-11-09T02:06:15Z

MichaelHWC: /* Quebec politics */ Moving

[[Image:Trudeau.jpg|220px|right|]]
'''Pierre Elliot Trudeau''' (1919-2000) was the fifteenth [[Prime Minister]] of [[Canada]]. He remains a towering figure in Canadian politics even to this day. He held office for 15 years in two spells, the first from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and the second from March 3, 1980 to June 29, 1984. In longevity and importance, he compares to [[William Lyon Mackenzie King]], who was Prime Minister for twenty-one years in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s.

Trudeau, leader of the [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]], is best known for sponsoring the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]], [[repatriation|repatriating]] the Canadian [[constitution]] so that Britain lost its last remaining control over Canada, his anti-American foreign policy, his failed efforts to seize federal control of [[Alberta]]'s oil riches, and his aggressive defeat of [[Québec]] separatist terrorism by the War Measures Act during the October Crisis in 1970. In terms of American conservatism and liberalism, his Liberal Party contained both conservative and liberal elements; his policies generally were hostile to conservative positions.

==Career==
Trudeau was born October 18, 1919, the son of a wealthy businessman Charles-Emile Trudeau and Grace Elliot. Bilingual from an early age, he was educated in French-language [[Jesuit]] schools, and was a devout [[Catholic]] all his life. He attended the Université de [[Montréal]], [[Harvard University]], Université de Paris and the London School of Economics. Before entering politics, he was a lawyer, primarily interested in public affairs; he worked as a legal adviser to trade unions and was closely involved in the 1949 strike of asbestos miners. He also taught law at the Université de Montréal.

===Quebec politics===
He gained renown for his work in the field of civil liberties when Quebec was ruled by the authoritarian [[Duplessis]] regime (1944-1959). He helped the provincial Liberals win in Quebec in 1960, but then turned away from their growing nationalist orientation. Trudeau was always a strong advocate of the Canadian federal system, and repeatedly opposed all efforts to strengthen the provinces at the expense of the national government in Ottawa. He campaigned against the Liberals in the 1963 federal election for the moderately socialist [[New Democratic Party]] Meanwhile the "[[Quiet Revolution]]" was transforming and modernizing Québec, advancing a secularist ideology and a determination that the province should be freed from the long-time control of English-speaking businessmen.

===Parliament 1965 ===
In 1965, Trudeau along with two colleagues Gérard Pelletier and Jean Marchand, rejoined the national Liberal Party with the stated purpose of reforming it from within. The three quickly became the leading French-Canadians in the national Liberal organization. He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1965, and repeatedly reelected until his death. Almost immediately the young and charismatic Trudeau was seen as a [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]] star and he was made Justice Minister in 1967. Working with Prime Minister [[Lester Pearson]],<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006175 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> he became the chief government spokesman against the efforts of Quebec's premier, [[Daniel Johnson]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004149 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> , to claim special status for the province. Trudeau argued for strong but equal provinces and equal French and English language rights throughout Canada. French separatism was growing, and was incited by French President [[Charles de Gaulle]], who visited Montreal crying out the separatist slogan "Vive le Québec libre" to a crowd in Montréal; Pearson issued an official rebuke and de Gaulle promptly went home, as Trudeau tried to staunch the damage.

After Pearson retired in late 1967 Trudeau was elected Liberal leader and riding a wave of dubbed "Trudeaumania", became the Canadian Prime Minister on April 19 1968. Being the first Canadian Prime Minister born in the 20th century he was flamboyant and controversial but was also an intellectual. He immediately called for elections, campaigning for "one united Canada" against the opposition Conservatives, who favored a special accommodation with Quebec. He won a firm majority, with strong representation across Canada.

===FLQ===
During his first 4 years in power Trudeau faced several politically volatile situations. The most dramatic was his facing down a home grown terrorist threat of the Front de Liberation du Québec (or the FLQ). For several years [[Quebec_separatist_movement|separatist]] thoughts were rising in the French-speaking province, and the FLQ decided to remove Quebec from Canada by force. In October 1970, Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act, for the first and only time in Canadian history. This gave the state broad powers of arrest and detention in a time of crisis. When asked how far and how long he would take the measures, Trudeau famously replied "Just watch me". Although the FLQ kidnappings would end with the death of Quebec cabinet minister Pierre Laporte, the FLQ had its back broken by military presence in the province who arrested only 2 dozen or so radicals. The general public overwhelmingly supported the emergency powers and the presence of the military in Quebec. When the crisis was over, Trudeau revoked the powers of the War Measures Act.
===1974 win===
The Trudeau government was little interested in economic growth, and allowed prosperity give way to stagnation and recession as unemployment and inflation proved intractable. Trudeau was reelected with only a minority government in the 1972 election, in part because of a slowing economy. In the 1974 election Trudeau won a majority, after ridiculing Conservative economic policies, which he had to adopt himself a year later. The economy performed poorly through the late 1970s and Trudeau lost his first general election to the Conservatives in 1979 under the [[Joe Clark]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001651 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' on Clark]</ref> Clark's minority government tried to privatize Petro Canada, but soon lost a no-confidence vote.
===Foreign and defense policy===
In foreign policy Trudeau went out of his way to anagonize Americans; he and Nixon hated each other. Canada did not have the power to shape its own foreign policy, but antagonizing the Americans played very well in public opinion. Trudeau decided decision, against internal opposition, to reduce Canadian forces in NATO stationed in Europe. To make up for the military weakness Trudeau tried to strength Canada's national hockey team.<ref> Paul Conlin, "The Cold War and Canadian Nationalism on Ice: Federal Government Involvement in International Hockey during the 1960s". ''Canadian Journal of History of Sport'' 1994 25(2): 50-68. </ref>
===1980 win===
In 1980 Trudeau won a majority, easily defeating Conservative Joe Clark. In 1982, Quebec voters narrowly rejected a separatist "sovereignty-association" option, but many expected that sooner or later the province would vote for independence from Canada. To head this off, Trudeau engineered changes in the federal constitution, ending the role of the British Parliament in amending the constitution. Trudeau successfully mobilized Canada's major interest groups in support of a [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms|Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]--something like the American [[Bill of Rights]]. He persuaded all the to accept the new constitution, except for Quebec, which refused its assent. Frustrated, Trudeau resigned both the premiership and party leadership in June 1984.
===Policies===
In 1969 Trudeau legalized abortion if so approved by a hospital board. However the Supreme Court in 1984 ruled that the requirement for a board to approve violated a woman's rights, and so now there are no legal restriction on abortions.

In economic policy his goal was to use the riches of Alberta oil to fund national programs, despite the vehement objections of the Albertans. His National Energy Program caused a bitter dispute over the nationalization of oil companies, to increase Canadian control and generate federal revenues from the energy sector. Petro Canada was founded as a [[Crown Corporation]], although the Canadian government has since sold its stake in the company.
==Personal==
Trudeau retired from politics on June 30th, 1984 and was succeeded by [[John Turner]].

Late in life (1971) he married Margaret Sinclair, a young playgirl thirty years his junior. They were incompatible, for her image of Trudeau-as-romantic-playboy was based entirely on false media hype; he was actually a workaholic and an intense intellectual with little time for family or fun. After three children were born they separated in 1977 and were finally divorced in 1980.

Trudeau remained active in law until late in his life and passed away on September 28, 2000 at the age of 80.

==Reputation==
Candians outside Quebec hail Trudeau as the chief sponsor of the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]. Liberal partisans fondly remember Trudeau as a dashing hero. Conservatives still complain about his poor administrative practices and bad economic policies, as well as his personal arrogance and disregard of the needs of the west. Trudeau's policy of bilingualism in the civil service led to continuing resentment in English-speaking Canada. However, he is admired for facing down the Quebec separatists and keeping Canada united.

==Bibliography==
* [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCESubjects&Params=A1 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' online]]
* Trudeau, Pierre Elliott. ''Memoirs'' (1996), primary source
* Bothwell, Robert, Ian Drummond, and John English. ''Canada since 1945'' (2d. ed. 1989). college textbook
* Clarkson, Stephen, and Christina McCall. ''Trudeau and Our Times''. (2 vol 1990-1994), standard political biography
* Cohen, Andrew, and J. L. Granatstein, eds. ''Trudeau's shadow: the life and legacy of Pierre Elliott Trudeau''. (1999).
* Couture, Claude, and Vivien Bosley. ''Paddling with the Current: Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Etienne Parent, Liberalism, and Nationalism in Canada'' (1998)
* English, John. ''Citizen of the World: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume One: 1919-1968'' (2007); ''Just Watch Me: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume Two: 1968-2000'' (2009); , standard biography
* Granatstein, J. L. and Bothwell, Robert. ''Pirouette: Pierre Trudeau and Canadian Foreign Policy.'' (1990). 478 pp.
* Ricci, Nino. ''Extraordinary Canadians: Pierre Elliott Trudeau'' (2009), popular biography
====references====
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trudeau, Pierre }}

[[Category:Canadian Prime Ministers]]
[[Category:Canadian History]]
[[Category:Cold War]]
[[Category:Quebec]]
[[Category:Catholic Politicians]]

Pierre Trudeau

2009-11-09T02:05:48Z

MichaelHWC: /* Quebec politics */

[[Image:Trudeau.jpg|220px|right|]]
'''Pierre Elliot Trudeau''' (1919-2000) was the fifteenth [[Prime Minister]] of [[Canada]]. He remains a towering figure in Canadian politics even to this day. He held office for 15 years in two spells, the first from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and the second from March 3, 1980 to June 29, 1984. In longevity and importance, he compares to [[William Lyon Mackenzie King]], who was Prime Minister for twenty-one years in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s.

Trudeau, leader of the [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]], is best known for sponsoring the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]], [[repatriation|repatriating]] the Canadian [[constitution]] so that Britain lost its last remaining control over Canada, his anti-American foreign policy, his failed efforts to seize federal control of [[Alberta]]'s oil riches, and his aggressive defeat of [[Québec]] separatist terrorism by the War Measures Act during the October Crisis in 1970. In terms of American conservatism and liberalism, his Liberal Party contained both conservative and liberal elements; his policies generally were hostile to conservative positions.

==Career==
Trudeau was born October 18, 1919, the son of a wealthy businessman Charles-Emile Trudeau and Grace Elliot. Bilingual from an early age, he was educated in French-language [[Jesuit]] schools, and was a devout [[Catholic]] all his life. He attended the Université de [[Montréal]], [[Harvard University]], Université de Paris and the London School of Economics. Before entering politics, he was a lawyer, primarily interested in public affairs; he worked as a legal adviser to trade unions and was closely involved in the 1949 strike of asbestos miners. He also taught law at the Université de Montréal.

===Quebec politics===
He gained renown for his work in the field of civil liberties when Quebec was ruled by the authoritarian [[Duplessis]] regime (1944-1959). He helped the provincial Liberals win in Quebec in 1960, but then turned away from their growing nationalist orientation. Trudeau was always a strong advocate of the Canadian federal system, and repeatedly opposed all efforts to strengthen the provinces at the expense of the national government in Ottawa. He took leftist positions, opposing the deployment of American nuclear warheads in Canada. He campaigned against the Liberals in the 1963 federal election for the moderately socialist [[New Democratic Party]] Meanwhile the "[[Quiet Revolution]]" was transforming and modernizing Québec, advancing a secularist ideology and a determination that the province should be freed from the long-time control of English-speaking businessmen.

===Parliament 1965 ===
In 1965, Trudeau along with two colleagues Gérard Pelletier and Jean Marchand, rejoined the national Liberal Party with the stated purpose of reforming it from within. The three quickly became the leading French-Canadians in the national Liberal organization. He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1965, and repeatedly reelected until his death. Almost immediately the young and charismatic Trudeau was seen as a [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]] star and he was made Justice Minister in 1967. Working with Prime Minister [[Lester Pearson]],<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006175 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> he became the chief government spokesman against the efforts of Quebec's premier, [[Daniel Johnson]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004149 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> , to claim special status for the province. Trudeau argued for strong but equal provinces and equal French and English language rights throughout Canada. French separatism was growing, and was incited by French President [[Charles de Gaulle]], who visited Montreal crying out the separatist slogan "Vive le Québec libre" to a crowd in Montréal; Pearson issued an official rebuke and de Gaulle promptly went home, as Trudeau tried to staunch the damage.

After Pearson retired in late 1967 Trudeau was elected Liberal leader and riding a wave of dubbed "Trudeaumania", became the Canadian Prime Minister on April 19 1968. Being the first Canadian Prime Minister born in the 20th century he was flamboyant and controversial but was also an intellectual. He immediately called for elections, campaigning for "one united Canada" against the opposition Conservatives, who favored a special accommodation with Quebec. He won a firm majority, with strong representation across Canada.

===FLQ===
During his first 4 years in power Trudeau faced several politically volatile situations. The most dramatic was his facing down a home grown terrorist threat of the Front de Liberation du Québec (or the FLQ). For several years [[Quebec_separatist_movement|separatist]] thoughts were rising in the French-speaking province, and the FLQ decided to remove Quebec from Canada by force. In October 1970, Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act, for the first and only time in Canadian history. This gave the state broad powers of arrest and detention in a time of crisis. When asked how far and how long he would take the measures, Trudeau famously replied "Just watch me". Although the FLQ kidnappings would end with the death of Quebec cabinet minister Pierre Laporte, the FLQ had its back broken by military presence in the province who arrested only 2 dozen or so radicals. The general public overwhelmingly supported the emergency powers and the presence of the military in Quebec. When the crisis was over, Trudeau revoked the powers of the War Measures Act.
===1974 win===
The Trudeau government was little interested in economic growth, and allowed prosperity give way to stagnation and recession as unemployment and inflation proved intractable. Trudeau was reelected with only a minority government in the 1972 election, in part because of a slowing economy. In the 1974 election Trudeau won a majority, after ridiculing Conservative economic policies, which he had to adopt himself a year later. The economy performed poorly through the late 1970s and Trudeau lost his first general election to the Conservatives in 1979 under the [[Joe Clark]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001651 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' on Clark]</ref> Clark's minority government tried to privatize Petro Canada, but soon lost a no-confidence vote.
===Foreign and defense policy===
In foreign policy Trudeau went out of his way to anagonize Americans; he and Nixon hated each other. Canada did not have the power to shape its own foreign policy, but antagonizing the Americans played very well in public opinion. Trudeau decided decision, against internal opposition, to reduce Canadian forces in NATO stationed in Europe. To make up for the military weakness Trudeau tried to strength Canada's national hockey team.<ref> Paul Conlin, "The Cold War and Canadian Nationalism on Ice: Federal Government Involvement in International Hockey during the 1960s". ''Canadian Journal of History of Sport'' 1994 25(2): 50-68. </ref>
===1980 win===
In 1980 Trudeau won a majority, easily defeating Conservative Joe Clark. In 1982, Quebec voters narrowly rejected a separatist "sovereignty-association" option, but many expected that sooner or later the province would vote for independence from Canada. To head this off, Trudeau engineered changes in the federal constitution, ending the role of the British Parliament in amending the constitution. Trudeau successfully mobilized Canada's major interest groups in support of a [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms|Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]--something like the American [[Bill of Rights]]. He persuaded all the to accept the new constitution, except for Quebec, which refused its assent. Frustrated, Trudeau resigned both the premiership and party leadership in June 1984.
===Policies===
In 1969 Trudeau legalized abortion if so approved by a hospital board. However the Supreme Court in 1984 ruled that the requirement for a board to approve violated a woman's rights, and so now there are no legal restriction on abortions.

In economic policy his goal was to use the riches of Alberta oil to fund national programs, despite the vehement objections of the Albertans. His National Energy Program caused a bitter dispute over the nationalization of oil companies, to increase Canadian control and generate federal revenues from the energy sector. Petro Canada was founded as a [[Crown Corporation]], although the Canadian government has since sold its stake in the company.
==Personal==
Trudeau retired from politics on June 30th, 1984 and was succeeded by [[John Turner]].

Late in life (1971) he married Margaret Sinclair, a young playgirl thirty years his junior. They were incompatible, for her image of Trudeau-as-romantic-playboy was based entirely on false media hype; he was actually a workaholic and an intense intellectual with little time for family or fun. After three children were born they separated in 1977 and were finally divorced in 1980.

Trudeau remained active in law until late in his life and passed away on September 28, 2000 at the age of 80.

==Reputation==
Candians outside Quebec hail Trudeau as the chief sponsor of the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]. Liberal partisans fondly remember Trudeau as a dashing hero. Conservatives still complain about his poor administrative practices and bad economic policies, as well as his personal arrogance and disregard of the needs of the west. Trudeau's policy of bilingualism in the civil service led to continuing resentment in English-speaking Canada. However, he is admired for facing down the Quebec separatists and keeping Canada united.

==Bibliography==
* [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCESubjects&Params=A1 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' online]]
* Trudeau, Pierre Elliott. ''Memoirs'' (1996), primary source
* Bothwell, Robert, Ian Drummond, and John English. ''Canada since 1945'' (2d. ed. 1989). college textbook
* Clarkson, Stephen, and Christina McCall. ''Trudeau and Our Times''. (2 vol 1990-1994), standard political biography
* Cohen, Andrew, and J. L. Granatstein, eds. ''Trudeau's shadow: the life and legacy of Pierre Elliott Trudeau''. (1999).
* Couture, Claude, and Vivien Bosley. ''Paddling with the Current: Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Etienne Parent, Liberalism, and Nationalism in Canada'' (1998)
* English, John. ''Citizen of the World: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume One: 1919-1968'' (2007); ''Just Watch Me: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume Two: 1968-2000'' (2009); , standard biography
* Granatstein, J. L. and Bothwell, Robert. ''Pirouette: Pierre Trudeau and Canadian Foreign Policy.'' (1990). 478 pp.
* Ricci, Nino. ''Extraordinary Canadians: Pierre Elliott Trudeau'' (2009), popular biography
====references====
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trudeau, Pierre }}

[[Category:Canadian Prime Ministers]]
[[Category:Canadian History]]
[[Category:Cold War]]
[[Category:Quebec]]
[[Category:Catholic Politicians]]

Pierre Trudeau

2009-11-09T02:02:20Z

MichaelHWC:

[[Image:Trudeau.jpg|220px|right|]]
'''Pierre Elliot Trudeau''' (1919-2000) was the fifteenth [[Prime Minister]] of [[Canada]]. He remains a towering figure in Canadian politics even to this day. He held office for 15 years in two spells, the first from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and the second from March 3, 1980 to June 29, 1984. In longevity and importance, he compares to [[William Lyon Mackenzie King]], who was Prime Minister for twenty-one years in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s.

Trudeau, leader of the [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]], is best known for sponsoring the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]], [[repatriation|repatriating]] the Canadian [[constitution]] so that Britain lost its last remaining control over Canada, his anti-American foreign policy, his failed efforts to seize federal control of [[Alberta]]'s oil riches, and his aggressive defeat of [[Québec]] separatist terrorism by the War Measures Act during the October Crisis in 1970. In terms of American conservatism and liberalism, his Liberal Party contained both conservative and liberal elements; his policies generally were hostile to conservative positions.

==Career==
Trudeau was born October 18, 1919, the son of a wealthy businessman Charles-Emile Trudeau and Grace Elliot. Bilingual from an early age, he was educated in French-language [[Jesuit]] schools, and was a devout [[Catholic]] all his life. He attended the Université de [[Montréal]], [[Harvard University]], Université de Paris and the London School of Economics. Before entering politics, he was a lawyer, primarily interested in public affairs; he worked as a legal adviser to trade unions and was closely involved in the 1949 strike of asbestos miners. He also taught law at the Université de Montréal.

===Quebec politics===
He gained renown for his work in the field of civil liberties when Quebec was ruled, 1944-1959, by the authoritarian [[Duplessis]] regime. He helped the provincial Liberals win in Quebec in 1960, but then turned away from their growing separatism. Trudeau was always a strong advocate of the Canadian federal system, and repeatedly opposed all efforts to strengthen the provinces at the expense of the national government in Ottawa. He took leftist positions, opposing also opposed nuclear warheads for Canada and campaigned in the 1963 federal election for the New Democrats, a moderate socialist party, against the Liberals. Meanwhile the "[[Quiet Revolution]]" was transforming and modernizing Quebec, bringing democracy, secularism, and a determination that Quebec should be feed from the long-time control of English-speaking businessmen.

===Parliament 1965 ===
In 1965, Trudeau along with two colleagues Gérard Pelletier and Jean Marchand, rejoined the national Liberal Party with the stated purpose of reforming it from within. The three quickly became the leading French-Canadians in the national Liberal organization. He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1965, and repeatedly reelected until his death. Almost immediately the young and charismatic Trudeau was seen as a [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]] star and he was made Justice Minister in 1967. Working with Prime Minister [[Lester Pearson]],<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006175 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> he became the chief government spokesman against the efforts of Quebec's premier, [[Daniel Johnson]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004149 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> , to claim special status for the province. Trudeau argued for strong but equal provinces and equal French and English language rights throughout Canada. French separatism was growing, and was incited by French President [[Charles de Gaulle]], who visited Montreal crying out the separatist slogan "Vive le Québec libre" to a crowd in Montréal; Pearson issued an official rebuke and de Gaulle promptly went home, as Trudeau tried to staunch the damage.

After Pearson retired in late 1967 Trudeau was elected Liberal leader and riding a wave of dubbed "Trudeaumania", became the Canadian Prime Minister on April 19 1968. Being the first Canadian Prime Minister born in the 20th century he was flamboyant and controversial but was also an intellectual. He immediately called for elections, campaigning for "one united Canada" against the opposition Conservatives, who favored a special accommodation with Quebec. He won a firm majority, with strong representation across Canada.

===FLQ===
During his first 4 years in power Trudeau faced several politically volatile situations. The most dramatic was his facing down a home grown terrorist threat of the Front de Liberation du Québec (or the FLQ). For several years [[Quebec_separatist_movement|separatist]] thoughts were rising in the French-speaking province, and the FLQ decided to remove Quebec from Canada by force. In October 1970, Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act, for the first and only time in Canadian history. This gave the state broad powers of arrest and detention in a time of crisis. When asked how far and how long he would take the measures, Trudeau famously replied "Just watch me". Although the FLQ kidnappings would end with the death of Quebec cabinet minister Pierre Laporte, the FLQ had its back broken by military presence in the province who arrested only 2 dozen or so radicals. The general public overwhelmingly supported the emergency powers and the presence of the military in Quebec. When the crisis was over, Trudeau revoked the powers of the War Measures Act.
===1974 win===
The Trudeau government was little interested in economic growth, and allowed prosperity give way to stagnation and recession as unemployment and inflation proved intractable. Trudeau was reelected with only a minority government in the 1972 election, in part because of a slowing economy. In the 1974 election Trudeau won a majority, after ridiculing Conservative economic policies, which he had to adopt himself a year later. The economy performed poorly through the late 1970s and Trudeau lost his first general election to the Conservatives in 1979 under the [[Joe Clark]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001651 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' on Clark]</ref> Clark's minority government tried to privatize Petro Canada, but soon lost a no-confidence vote.
===Foreign and defense policy===
In foreign policy Trudeau went out of his way to anagonize Americans; he and Nixon hated each other. Canada did not have the power to shape its own foreign policy, but antagonizing the Americans played very well in public opinion. Trudeau decided decision, against internal opposition, to reduce Canadian forces in NATO stationed in Europe. To make up for the military weakness Trudeau tried to strength Canada's national hockey team.<ref> Paul Conlin, "The Cold War and Canadian Nationalism on Ice: Federal Government Involvement in International Hockey during the 1960s". ''Canadian Journal of History of Sport'' 1994 25(2): 50-68. </ref>
===1980 win===
In 1980 Trudeau won a majority, easily defeating Conservative Joe Clark. In 1982, Quebec voters narrowly rejected a separatist "sovereignty-association" option, but many expected that sooner or later the province would vote for independence from Canada. To head this off, Trudeau engineered changes in the federal constitution, ending the role of the British Parliament in amending the constitution. Trudeau successfully mobilized Canada's major interest groups in support of a [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms|Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]--something like the American [[Bill of Rights]]. He persuaded all the to accept the new constitution, except for Quebec, which refused its assent. Frustrated, Trudeau resigned both the premiership and party leadership in June 1984.
===Policies===
In 1969 Trudeau legalized abortion if so approved by a hospital board. However the Supreme Court in 1984 ruled that the requirement for a board to approve violated a woman's rights, and so now there are no legal restriction on abortions.

In economic policy his goal was to use the riches of Alberta oil to fund national programs, despite the vehement objections of the Albertans. His National Energy Program caused a bitter dispute over the nationalization of oil companies, to increase Canadian control and generate federal revenues from the energy sector. Petro Canada was founded as a [[Crown Corporation]], although the Canadian government has since sold its stake in the company.
==Personal==
Trudeau retired from politics on June 30th, 1984 and was succeeded by [[John Turner]].

Late in life (1971) he married Margaret Sinclair, a young playgirl thirty years his junior. They were incompatible, for her image of Trudeau-as-romantic-playboy was based entirely on false media hype; he was actually a workaholic and an intense intellectual with little time for family or fun. After three children were born they separated in 1977 and were finally divorced in 1980.

Trudeau remained active in law until late in his life and passed away on September 28, 2000 at the age of 80.

==Reputation==
Candians outside Quebec hail Trudeau as the chief sponsor of the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]. Liberal partisans fondly remember Trudeau as a dashing hero. Conservatives still complain about his poor administrative practices and bad economic policies, as well as his personal arrogance and disregard of the needs of the west. Trudeau's policy of bilingualism in the civil service led to continuing resentment in English-speaking Canada. However, he is admired for facing down the Quebec separatists and keeping Canada united.

==Bibliography==
* [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCESubjects&Params=A1 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' online]]
* Trudeau, Pierre Elliott. ''Memoirs'' (1996), primary source
* Bothwell, Robert, Ian Drummond, and John English. ''Canada since 1945'' (2d. ed. 1989). college textbook
* Clarkson, Stephen, and Christina McCall. ''Trudeau and Our Times''. (2 vol 1990-1994), standard political biography
* Cohen, Andrew, and J. L. Granatstein, eds. ''Trudeau's shadow: the life and legacy of Pierre Elliott Trudeau''. (1999).
* Couture, Claude, and Vivien Bosley. ''Paddling with the Current: Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Etienne Parent, Liberalism, and Nationalism in Canada'' (1998)
* English, John. ''Citizen of the World: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume One: 1919-1968'' (2007); ''Just Watch Me: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume Two: 1968-2000'' (2009); , standard biography
* Granatstein, J. L. and Bothwell, Robert. ''Pirouette: Pierre Trudeau and Canadian Foreign Policy.'' (1990). 478 pp.
* Ricci, Nino. ''Extraordinary Canadians: Pierre Elliott Trudeau'' (2009), popular biography
====references====
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trudeau, Pierre }}

[[Category:Canadian Prime Ministers]]
[[Category:Canadian History]]
[[Category:Cold War]]
[[Category:Quebec]]
[[Category:Catholic Politicians]]

Pierre Trudeau

2009-11-09T01:58:26Z

MichaelHWC:

[[Image:Trudeau.jpg|220px|right|]]
'''Pierre Elliot Trudeau''' (1919-2000) was the fifteenth [[Prime Minister]] of [[Canada]]. He remains a towering figure in Canadian politics even to this day. He held office for 15 years in two spells, the first from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and the second from March 3, 1980 to June 29, 1984. In longevity and importance, he compares to [[William Lyon Mackenzie King]], who was Prime Minister for twenty-one years in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s.

Trudeau, leader of the [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]], is best known for sponsoring the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]], [[repatriation|repatriating]] the Canadian [[constitution]] so that Britain lost its last remaining control over Canada, his anti-American foreign policy, his failed efforts to seize federal control of Alberta's oil riches, and his aggressive defeat of Quebec separatist terrorism by the War Measures Act during [[Québec]]'s October Crisis in 1970. In terms of American conservatism and liberalism, his Liberal Party contained both conservative and liberal elements; his policies generally were hostile to conservative positions.
==Career==
Trudeau was born October 18, 1919, the son of a wealthy businessman Charles-Emile Trudeau and Grace Elliot. Bilingual from an early age, he was educated in French-language Jesuit schools, and was a devout Catholic all his life. He attended the University of Montreal, [[Harvard University]], Université de Paris and the London School of Economics. A lawyer primarily interested in public affairs; he was a legal adviser to trade unions, and he was closely involved in the 1949 strike of asbestos miners.
===Quebec politics===
He gained renown for his work in the field of civil liberties when Quebec was ruled, 1944-1959, by the authoritarian [[Duplessis]] regime. He helped the provincial Liberals win in Quebec in 1960, but then turned away from their growing separatism. Trudeau was always a strong advocate of the Canadian federal system, and repeatedly opposed all efforts to strengthen the provinces at the expense of the national government in Ottawa. He took leftist positions, opposing also opposed nuclear warheads for Canada and campaigned in the 1963 federal election for the New Democrats, a moderate socialist party, against the Liberals. Meanwhile the "[[Quiet Revolution]]" was transforming and modernizing Quebec, bringing democracy, secularism, and a determination that Quebec should be feed from the long-time control of English-speaking businessmen.

===Parliament 1965 ===
In 1965, Trudeau along with two colleagues Gérard Pelletier and Jean Marchand, rejoined the national Liberal Party with the stated purpose of reforming it from within. The three quickly became the leading French-Canadians in the national Liberal organization. He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1965, and repeatedly reelected until his death. Almost immediately the young and charismatic Trudeau was seen as a [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]] star and he was made Justice Minister in 1967. Working with Prime Minister [[Lester Pearson]],<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006175 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> he became the chief government spokesman against the efforts of Quebec's premier, [[Daniel Johnson]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004149 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> , to claim special status for the province. Trudeau argued for strong but equal provinces and equal French and English language rights throughout Canada. French separatism was growing, and was incited by French President [[Charles de Gaulle]], who visited Montreal crying out the separatist slogan "Vive le Québec libre" to a crowd in Montréal; Pearson issued an official rebuke and de Gaulle promptly went home, as Trudeau tried to staunch the damage.

After Pearson retired in late 1967 Trudeau was elected Liberal leader and riding a wave of dubbed "Trudeaumania", became the Canadian Prime Minister on April 19 1968. Being the first Canadian Prime Minister born in the 20th century he was flamboyant and controversial but was also an intellectual. He immediately called for elections, campaigning for "one united Canada" against the opposition Conservatives, who favored a special accommodation with Quebec. He won a firm majority, with strong representation across Canada.

===FLQ===
During his first 4 years in power Trudeau faced several politically volatile situations. The most dramatic was his facing down a home grown terrorist threat of the Front de Liberation du Québec (or the FLQ). For several years [[Quebec_separatist_movement|separatist]] thoughts were rising in the French-speaking province, and the FLQ decided to remove Quebec from Canada by force. In October 1970, Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act, for the first and only time in Canadian history. This gave the state broad powers of arrest and detention in a time of crisis. When asked how far and how long he would take the measures, Trudeau famously replied "Just watch me". Although the FLQ kidnappings would end with the death of Quebec cabinet minister Pierre Laporte, the FLQ had its back broken by military presence in the province who arrested only 2 dozen or so radicals. The general public overwhelmingly supported the emergency powers and the presence of the military in Quebec. When the crisis was over, Trudeau revoked the powers of the War Measures Act.
===1974 win===
The Trudeau government was little interested in economic growth, and allowed prosperity give way to stagnation and recession as unemployment and inflation proved intractable. Trudeau was reelected with only a minority government in the 1972 election, in part because of a slowing economy. In the 1974 election Trudeau won a majority, after ridiculing Conservative economic policies, which he had to adopt himself a year later. The economy performed poorly through the late 1970s and Trudeau lost his first general election to the Conservatives in 1979 under the [[Joe Clark]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001651 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' on Clark]</ref> Clark's minority government tried to privatize Petro Canada, but soon lost a no-confidence vote.
===Foreign and defense policy===
In foreign policy Trudeau went out of his way to anagonize Americans; he and Nixon hated each other. Canada did not have the power to shape its own foreign policy, but antagonizing the Americans played very well in public opinion. Trudeau decided decision, against internal opposition, to reduce Canadian forces in NATO stationed in Europe. To make up for the military weakness Trudeau tried to strength Canada's national hockey team.<ref> Paul Conlin, "The Cold War and Canadian Nationalism on Ice: Federal Government Involvement in International Hockey during the 1960s". ''Canadian Journal of History of Sport'' 1994 25(2): 50-68. </ref>
===1980 win===
In 1980 Trudeau won a majority, easily defeating Conservative Joe Clark. In 1982, Quebec voters narrowly rejected a separatist "sovereignty-association" option, but many expected that sooner or later the province would vote for independence from Canada. To head this off, Trudeau engineered changes in the federal constitution, ending the role of the British Parliament in amending the constitution. Trudeau successfully mobilized Canada's major interest groups in support of a [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms|Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]--something like the American [[Bill of Rights]]. He persuaded all the to accept the new constitution, except for Quebec, which refused its assent. Frustrated, Trudeau resigned both the premiership and party leadership in June 1984.
===Policies===
In 1969 Trudeau legalized abortion if so approved by a hospital board. However the Supreme Court in 1984 ruled that the requirement for a board to approve violated a woman's rights, and so now there are no legal restriction on abortions.

In economic policy his goal was to use the riches of Alberta oil to fund national programs, despite the vehement objections of the Albertans. His National Energy Program caused a bitter dispute over the nationalization of oil companies, to increase Canadian control and generate federal revenues from the energy sector. Petro Canada was founded as a [[Crown Corporation]], although the Canadian government has since sold its stake in the company.
==Personal==
Trudeau retired from politics on June 30th, 1984 and was succeeded by [[John Turner]].

Late in life (1971) he married Margaret Sinclair, a young playgirl thirty years his junior. They were incompatible, for her image of Trudeau-as-romantic-playboy was based entirely on false media hype; he was actually a workaholic and an intense intellectual with little time for family or fun. After three children were born they separated in 1977 and were finally divorced in 1980.

Trudeau remained active in law until late in his life and passed away on September 28, 2000 at the age of 80.

==Reputation==
Candians outside Quebec hail Trudeau as the chief sponsor of the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]. Liberal partisans fondly remember Trudeau as a dashing hero. Conservatives still complain about his poor administrative practices and bad economic policies, as well as his personal arrogance and disregard of the needs of the west. Trudeau's policy of bilingualism in the civil service led to continuing resentment in English-speaking Canada. However, he is admired for facing down the Quebec separatists and keeping Canada united.

==Bibliography==
* [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCESubjects&Params=A1 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' online]]
* Trudeau, Pierre Elliott. ''Memoirs'' (1996), primary source
* Bothwell, Robert, Ian Drummond, and John English. ''Canada since 1945'' (2d. ed. 1989). college textbook
* Clarkson, Stephen, and Christina McCall. ''Trudeau and Our Times''. (2 vol 1990-1994), standard political biography
* Cohen, Andrew, and J. L. Granatstein, eds. ''Trudeau's shadow: the life and legacy of Pierre Elliott Trudeau''. (1999).
* Couture, Claude, and Vivien Bosley. ''Paddling with the Current: Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Etienne Parent, Liberalism, and Nationalism in Canada'' (1998)
* English, John. ''Citizen of the World: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume One: 1919-1968'' (2007); ''Just Watch Me: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume Two: 1968-2000'' (2009); , standard biography
* Granatstein, J. L. and Bothwell, Robert. ''Pirouette: Pierre Trudeau and Canadian Foreign Policy.'' (1990). 478 pp.
* Ricci, Nino. ''Extraordinary Canadians: Pierre Elliott Trudeau'' (2009), popular biography
====references====
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trudeau, Pierre }}

[[Category:Canadian Prime Ministers]]
[[Category:Canadian History]]
[[Category:Cold War]]
[[Category:Quebec]]
[[Category:Catholic Politicians]]

Pierre Trudeau

2009-11-09T01:58:02Z

MichaelHWC:

[[Image:Trudeau.jpg|220px|right|]]
'''Pierre Elliot Trudeau''' (1919-2000) was the 15th [[Prime Minister]] of [[Canada]]. He remains a towering figure in Canadian politics even to this day. He held office for 15 years in two spells, the first from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and the second from March 3, 1980 to June 29, 1984. In longevity and importance, he compares to [[William Lyon Mackenzie King]], who was Prime Minister for 21 years in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s.

Trudeau, leader of the [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]], is best known for sponsoring the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]], [[repatriation|repatriating]] the Canadian [[constitution]] so that Britain lost its last remaining control over Canada, his anti-American foreign policy, his failed efforts to seize federal control of Alberta's oil riches, and his aggressive defeat of Quebec separatist terrorism by the War Measures Act during [[Québec]]'s October Crisis in 1970. In terms of American conservatism and liberalism, his Liberal Party contained both conservative and liberal elements; his policies generally were hostile to conservative positions.
==Career==
Trudeau was born October 18, 1919, the son of a wealthy businessman Charles-Emile Trudeau and Grace Elliot. Bilingual from an early age, he was educated in French-language Jesuit schools, and was a devout Catholic all his life. He attended the University of Montreal, [[Harvard University]], Université de Paris and the London School of Economics. A lawyer primarily interested in public affairs; he was a legal adviser to trade unions, and he was closely involved in the 1949 strike of asbestos miners.
===Quebec politics===
He gained renown for his work in the field of civil liberties when Quebec was ruled, 1944-1959, by the authoritarian [[Duplessis]] regime. He helped the provincial Liberals win in Quebec in 1960, but then turned away from their growing separatism. Trudeau was always a strong advocate of the Canadian federal system, and repeatedly opposed all efforts to strengthen the provinces at the expense of the national government in Ottawa. He took leftist positions, opposing also opposed nuclear warheads for Canada and campaigned in the 1963 federal election for the New Democrats, a moderate socialist party, against the Liberals. Meanwhile the "[[Quiet Revolution]]" was transforming and modernizing Quebec, bringing democracy, secularism, and a determination that Quebec should be feed from the long-time control of English-speaking businessmen.

===Parliament 1965 ===
In 1965, Trudeau along with two colleagues Gérard Pelletier and Jean Marchand, rejoined the national Liberal Party with the stated purpose of reforming it from within. The three quickly became the leading French-Canadians in the national Liberal organization. He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1965, and repeatedly reelected until his death. Almost immediately the young and charismatic Trudeau was seen as a [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]] star and he was made Justice Minister in 1967. Working with Prime Minister [[Lester Pearson]],<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006175 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> he became the chief government spokesman against the efforts of Quebec's premier, [[Daniel Johnson]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004149 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> , to claim special status for the province. Trudeau argued for strong but equal provinces and equal French and English language rights throughout Canada. French separatism was growing, and was incited by French President [[Charles de Gaulle]], who visited Montreal crying out the separatist slogan "Vive le Québec libre" to a crowd in Montréal; Pearson issued an official rebuke and de Gaulle promptly went home, as Trudeau tried to staunch the damage.

After Pearson retired in late 1967 Trudeau was elected Liberal leader and riding a wave of dubbed "Trudeaumania", became the Canadian Prime Minister on April 19 1968. Being the first Canadian Prime Minister born in the 20th century he was flamboyant and controversial but was also an intellectual. He immediately called for elections, campaigning for "one united Canada" against the opposition Conservatives, who favored a special accommodation with Quebec. He won a firm majority, with strong representation across Canada.

===FLQ===
During his first 4 years in power Trudeau faced several politically volatile situations. The most dramatic was his facing down a home grown terrorist threat of the Front de Liberation du Québec (or the FLQ). For several years [[Quebec_separatist_movement|separatist]] thoughts were rising in the French-speaking province, and the FLQ decided to remove Quebec from Canada by force. In October 1970, Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act, for the first and only time in Canadian history. This gave the state broad powers of arrest and detention in a time of crisis. When asked how far and how long he would take the measures, Trudeau famously replied "Just watch me". Although the FLQ kidnappings would end with the death of Quebec cabinet minister Pierre Laporte, the FLQ had its back broken by military presence in the province who arrested only 2 dozen or so radicals. The general public overwhelmingly supported the emergency powers and the presence of the military in Quebec. When the crisis was over, Trudeau revoked the powers of the War Measures Act.
===1974 win===
The Trudeau government was little interested in economic growth, and allowed prosperity give way to stagnation and recession as unemployment and inflation proved intractable. Trudeau was reelected with only a minority government in the 1972 election, in part because of a slowing economy. In the 1974 election Trudeau won a majority, after ridiculing Conservative economic policies, which he had to adopt himself a year later. The economy performed poorly through the late 1970s and Trudeau lost his first general election to the Conservatives in 1979 under the [[Joe Clark]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001651 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' on Clark]</ref> Clark's minority government tried to privatize Petro Canada, but soon lost a no-confidence vote.
===Foreign and defense policy===
In foreign policy Trudeau went out of his way to anagonize Americans; he and Nixon hated each other. Canada did not have the power to shape its own foreign policy, but antagonizing the Americans played very well in public opinion. Trudeau decided decision, against internal opposition, to reduce Canadian forces in NATO stationed in Europe. To make up for the military weakness Trudeau tried to strength Canada's national hockey team.<ref> Paul Conlin, "The Cold War and Canadian Nationalism on Ice: Federal Government Involvement in International Hockey during the 1960s". ''Canadian Journal of History of Sport'' 1994 25(2): 50-68. </ref>
===1980 win===
In 1980 Trudeau won a majority, easily defeating Conservative Joe Clark. In 1982, Quebec voters narrowly rejected a separatist "sovereignty-association" option, but many expected that sooner or later the province would vote for independence from Canada. To head this off, Trudeau engineered changes in the federal constitution, ending the role of the British Parliament in amending the constitution. Trudeau successfully mobilized Canada's major interest groups in support of a [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms|Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]--something like the American [[Bill of Rights]]. He persuaded all the to accept the new constitution, except for Quebec, which refused its assent. Frustrated, Trudeau resigned both the premiership and party leadership in June 1984.
===Policies===
In 1969 Trudeau legalized abortion if so approved by a hospital board. However the Supreme Court in 1984 ruled that the requirement for a board to approve violated a woman's rights, and so now there are no legal restriction on abortions.

In economic policy his goal was to use the riches of Alberta oil to fund national programs, despite the vehement objections of the Albertans. His National Energy Program caused a bitter dispute over the nationalization of oil companies, to increase Canadian control and generate federal revenues from the energy sector. Petro Canada was founded as a [[Crown Corporation]], although the Canadian government has since sold its stake in the company.
==Personal==
Trudeau retired from politics on June 30th, 1984 and was succeeded by [[John Turner]].

Late in life (1971) he married Margaret Sinclair, a young playgirl thirty years his junior. They were incompatible, for her image of Trudeau-as-romantic-playboy was based entirely on false media hype; he was actually a workaholic and an intense intellectual with little time for family or fun. After three children were born they separated in 1977 and were finally divorced in 1980.

Trudeau remained active in law until late in his life and passed away on September 28, 2000 at the age of 80.

==Reputation==
Candians outside Quebec hail Trudeau as the chief sponsor of the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]. Liberal partisans fondly remember Trudeau as a dashing hero. Conservatives still complain about his poor administrative practices and bad economic policies, as well as his personal arrogance and disregard of the needs of the west. Trudeau's policy of bilingualism in the civil service led to continuing resentment in English-speaking Canada. However, he is admired for facing down the Quebec separatists and keeping Canada united.

==Bibliography==
* [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCESubjects&Params=A1 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' online]]
* Trudeau, Pierre Elliott. ''Memoirs'' (1996), primary source
* Bothwell, Robert, Ian Drummond, and John English. ''Canada since 1945'' (2d. ed. 1989). college textbook
* Clarkson, Stephen, and Christina McCall. ''Trudeau and Our Times''. (2 vol 1990-1994), standard political biography
* Cohen, Andrew, and J. L. Granatstein, eds. ''Trudeau's shadow: the life and legacy of Pierre Elliott Trudeau''. (1999).
* Couture, Claude, and Vivien Bosley. ''Paddling with the Current: Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Etienne Parent, Liberalism, and Nationalism in Canada'' (1998)
* English, John. ''Citizen of the World: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume One: 1919-1968'' (2007); ''Just Watch Me: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume Two: 1968-2000'' (2009); , standard biography
* Granatstein, J. L. and Bothwell, Robert. ''Pirouette: Pierre Trudeau and Canadian Foreign Policy.'' (1990). 478 pp.
* Ricci, Nino. ''Extraordinary Canadians: Pierre Elliott Trudeau'' (2009), popular biography
====references====
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trudeau, Pierre }}

[[Category:Canadian Prime Ministers]]
[[Category:Canadian History]]
[[Category:Cold War]]
[[Category:Quebec]]
[[Category:Catholic Politicians]]

Pierre Trudeau

2009-11-09T01:55:23Z

MichaelHWC: Franco-albertans, Franco-Manitobans, Franco-Ontarians, Franco-Saskatchewan, French-speaking Metis, the Miqmaqs and the Acadians would beg to differ with this terminology.

[[Image:Trudeau.jpg|220px|right|]]
'''Pierre Elliot Trudeau''' (1919-2000) was the 15th [[Canada|Canadian]] [[prime minister]], and a towering figure in Canadian politics even to this day. He was prime minister of Canada for 15 years in two spells, Apr. 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and March 3, 1980 to June 29, 1984. In longevity and importance, he compares to [[William Lyon Mackenzie King]], who was prime minister for 21 years in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s.

Trudeau, leader of the [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]], is best known for sponsoring the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]], [[repatriation|repatriating]] the Canadian [[constitution]] so that Britain lost its last remaining control over Canada, his anti-American foreign policy, his failed efforts to seize federal control of Alberta's oil riches, and his aggressive defeat of Quebec separatist terrorism by the War Measures Act during [[Québec]]'s October Crisis in 1970. In terms of American conservatism and liberalism, his Liberal Party contained both conservative and liberal elements; his policies generally were hostile to conservative positions.
==Career==
Trudeau was born October 18, 1919, the son of a wealthy businessman Charles-Emile Trudeau and Grace Elliot. Bilingual from an early age, he was educated in French-language Jesuit schools, and was a devout Catholic all his life. He attended the University of Montreal, [[Harvard University]], Université de Paris and the London School of Economics. A lawyer primarily interested in public affairs; he was a legal adviser to trade unions, and he was closely involved in the 1949 strike of asbestos miners.
===Quebec politics===
He gained renown for his work in the field of civil liberties when Quebec was ruled, 1944-1959, by the authoritarian [[Duplessis]] regime. He helped the provincial Liberals win in Quebec in 1960, but then turned away from their growing separatism. Trudeau was always a strong advocate of the Canadian federal system, and repeatedly opposed all efforts to strengthen the provinces at the expense of the national government in Ottawa. He took leftist positions, opposing also opposed nuclear warheads for Canada and campaigned in the 1963 federal election for the New Democrats, a moderate socialist party, against the Liberals. Meanwhile the "[[Quiet Revolution]]" was transforming and modernizing Quebec, bringing democracy, secularism, and a determination that Quebec should be feed from the long-time control of English-speaking businessmen.

===Parliament 1965 ===
In 1965, Trudeau along with two colleagues Gérard Pelletier and Jean Marchand, rejoined the national Liberal Party with the stated purpose of reforming it from within. The three quickly became the leading French-Canadians in the national Liberal organization. He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1965, and repeatedly reelected until his death. Almost immediately the young and charismatic Trudeau was seen as a [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]] star and he was made Justice Minister in 1967. Working with Prime Minister [[Lester Pearson]],<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006175 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> he became the chief government spokesman against the efforts of Quebec's premier, [[Daniel Johnson]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004149 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> , to claim special status for the province. Trudeau argued for strong but equal provinces and equal French and English language rights throughout Canada. French separatism was growing, and was incited by French President [[Charles de Gaulle]], who visited Montreal crying out the separatist slogan "Vive le Québec libre" to a crowd in Montréal; Pearson issued an official rebuke and de Gaulle promptly went home, as Trudeau tried to staunch the damage.

After Pearson retired in late 1967 Trudeau was elected Liberal leader and riding a wave of dubbed "Trudeaumania", became the Canadian Prime Minister on April 19 1968. Being the first Canadian Prime Minister born in the 20th century he was flamboyant and controversial but was also an intellectual. He immediately called for elections, campaigning for "one united Canada" against the opposition Conservatives, who favored a special accommodation with Quebec. He won a firm majority, with strong representation across Canada.

===FLQ===
During his first 4 years in power Trudeau faced several politically volatile situations. The most dramatic was his facing down a home grown terrorist threat of the Front de Liberation du Québec (or the FLQ). For several years [[Quebec_separatist_movement|separatist]] thoughts were rising in the French-speaking province, and the FLQ decided to remove Quebec from Canada by force. In October 1970, Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act, for the first and only time in Canadian history. This gave the state broad powers of arrest and detention in a time of crisis. When asked how far and how long he would take the measures, Trudeau famously replied "Just watch me". Although the FLQ kidnappings would end with the death of Quebec cabinet minister Pierre Laporte, the FLQ had its back broken by military presence in the province who arrested only 2 dozen or so radicals. The general public overwhelmingly supported the emergency powers and the presence of the military in Quebec. When the crisis was over, Trudeau revoked the powers of the War Measures Act.
===1974 win===
The Trudeau government was little interested in economic growth, and allowed prosperity give way to stagnation and recession as unemployment and inflation proved intractable. Trudeau was reelected with only a minority government in the 1972 election, in part because of a slowing economy. In the 1974 election Trudeau won a majority, after ridiculing Conservative economic policies, which he had to adopt himself a year later. The economy performed poorly through the late 1970s and Trudeau lost his first general election to the Conservatives in 1979 under the [[Joe Clark]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001651 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' on Clark]</ref> Clark's minority government tried to privatize Petro Canada, but soon lost a no-confidence vote.
===Foreign and defense policy===
In foreign policy Trudeau went out of his way to anagonize Americans; he and Nixon hated each other. Canada did not have the power to shape its own foreign policy, but antagonizing the Americans played very well in public opinion. Trudeau decided decision, against internal opposition, to reduce Canadian forces in NATO stationed in Europe. To make up for the military weakness Trudeau tried to strength Canada's national hockey team.<ref> Paul Conlin, "The Cold War and Canadian Nationalism on Ice: Federal Government Involvement in International Hockey during the 1960s". ''Canadian Journal of History of Sport'' 1994 25(2): 50-68. </ref>
===1980 win===
In 1980 Trudeau won a majority, easily defeating Conservative Joe Clark. In 1982, Quebec voters narrowly rejected a separatist "sovereignty-association" option, but many expected that sooner or later the province would vote for independence from Canada. To head this off, Trudeau engineered changes in the federal constitution, ending the role of the British Parliament in amending the constitution. Trudeau successfully mobilized Canada's major interest groups in support of a [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms|Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]--something like the American [[Bill of Rights]]. He persuaded all the to accept the new constitution, except for Quebec, which refused its assent. Frustrated, Trudeau resigned both the premiership and party leadership in June 1984.
===Policies===
In 1969 Trudeau legalized abortion if so approved by a hospital board. However the Supreme Court in 1984 ruled that the requirement for a board to approve violated a woman's rights, and so now there are no legal restriction on abortions.

In economic policy his goal was to use the riches of Alberta oil to fund national programs, despite the vehement objections of the Albertans. His National Energy Program caused a bitter dispute over the nationalization of oil companies, to increase Canadian control and generate federal revenues from the energy sector. Petro Canada was founded as a [[Crown Corporation]], although the Canadian government has since sold its stake in the company.
==Personal==
Trudeau retired from politics on June 30th, 1984 and was succeeded by [[John Turner]].

Late in life (1971) he married Margaret Sinclair, a young playgirl thirty years his junior. They were incompatible, for her image of Trudeau-as-romantic-playboy was based entirely on false media hype; he was actually a workaholic and an intense intellectual with little time for family or fun. After three children were born they separated in 1977 and were finally divorced in 1980.

Trudeau remained active in law until late in his life and passed away on September 28, 2000 at the age of 80.

==Reputation==
Candians outside Quebec hail Trudeau as the chief sponsor of the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]. Liberal partisans fondly remember Trudeau as a dashing hero. Conservatives still complain about his poor administrative practices and bad economic policies, as well as his personal arrogance and disregard of the needs of the west. Trudeau's policy of bilingualism in the civil service led to continuing resentment in English-speaking Canada. However, he is admired for facing down the Quebec separatists and keeping Canada united.

==Bibliography==
* [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCESubjects&Params=A1 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' online]]
* Trudeau, Pierre Elliott. ''Memoirs'' (1996), primary source
* Bothwell, Robert, Ian Drummond, and John English. ''Canada since 1945'' (2d. ed. 1989). college textbook
* Clarkson, Stephen, and Christina McCall. ''Trudeau and Our Times''. (2 vol 1990-1994), standard political biography
* Cohen, Andrew, and J. L. Granatstein, eds. ''Trudeau's shadow: the life and legacy of Pierre Elliott Trudeau''. (1999).
* Couture, Claude, and Vivien Bosley. ''Paddling with the Current: Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Etienne Parent, Liberalism, and Nationalism in Canada'' (1998)
* English, John. ''Citizen of the World: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume One: 1919-1968'' (2007); ''Just Watch Me: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume Two: 1968-2000'' (2009); , standard biography
* Granatstein, J. L. and Bothwell, Robert. ''Pirouette: Pierre Trudeau and Canadian Foreign Policy.'' (1990). 478 pp.
* Ricci, Nino. ''Extraordinary Canadians: Pierre Elliott Trudeau'' (2009), popular biography
====references====
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trudeau, Pierre }}

[[Category:Canadian Prime Ministers]]
[[Category:Canadian History]]
[[Category:Cold War]]
[[Category:Quebec]]
[[Category:Catholic Politicians]]

ASPCA

2009-11-08T15:38:46Z

MichaelHWC:

The [[ASPCA]], or '''American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals''', promates [[animal welfare]] (see also [[animal rights]]). Their website states that they were formed "to alleviate the injustices animals faced then, and we continue to battle cruelty today. Whether it’s saving a pet who has been accidentally poisoned, fighting to pass humane laws, rescuing animals from abuse or sharing resources with shelters across the country, we work toward the day in which no animal will live in pain or fear."<ref>http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_home</ref> [[Henry Bergh]] (1823 - 1888) founded the organization in 1866.

It is the ASPCA’s belief that appropriate [[pet]]s carefully maintained are fully justified, and that both humans and animals benefit from the relationship.

In recent years, the ASPCA has dropped the first "A" (for "American") from its name, ostensibly to show that it is a worldwide organization.

An example of their contributions are often seen at the end of a movie when it says, "'''No animals were harmed in the creation of this movie'''."

==See also==
*[[American Humane Society]], which has likewise dropped the "A" recently
*[[ACLU]]
*[[PETA]]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Organizations]]