He is "entitled to his entitlements"

If you were as generally loathed as Harper is, I wouldn't let him fly commercial either.  But the Conservatives led by Harper made great hay out of Don Dingwall's unfortunate English usage.  The Cons were successfully able to paint him as nickel and diming the taxpayers through expense claims.

The same accusation can't be leveled at Harper.  He isn't a hypocrite in the sense that he made expense claims for small personal amounts.  It is hypocritical to have railed against Liberal expenditures and then connived to underpay for personal flights on government jets.Recommend this Post

A Benefit of a "False Majority"

Lots of pearl clutching regarding how the Liberal majority isn't based on a majority of the popular vote.  While that may be the case and relevant for a discussion of electoral reform, I find this story to be an indication of how probable a constitutional crisis would have been if there were a Liberal or NDP minority victory.

If he’s set on swearing in his new cabinet as planned next Wednesday, Justin Trudeau may have to do something he likely thought had dropped off his to-do list forever: namely, call on Stephen Harper to resign — not publicly, necessarily, and with the greatest possible respect for the outgoing leader, but definitively.
Or, if he has indeed done so, make a public announcement to that effect.
Because at the moment, it doesn’t appear that Harper has formally served notice to Governor General David Johnston — or anyone else — that he will voluntarily cede power to the incoming Liberal government next week. No official notice has been released to the media, or posted to the Rideau Hall website, nor has Harper’s office issued a statement confirming that he will resign.

Yes, yes, after the non-resignation story was published, there was a less than definitive commitment to resign:

Shortly after this story went out, the governor general’s senior communications advisor Marie-Eve Letourneau got in touch to say that, “in keeping with Canadian practice,” Harper “signified his intention to resign when he visited the Governor General at Rideau Hall immediately following the election,” although he won’t formally do so until Nov. 4, “just prior to the swearing-in of the new ministry.”
She also said that the governor-general met with Trudeau following the election as well.
What we still don’t know, however, is why the process has been conducted in such a clandestine fashion, without even an after-the-fact advisory that these meetings had taken place. There is also some uncertainty around whether that secrecy is, as Letourneau put it, “in keeping with Canadian practice.”

It would be a hypothetical bet, but if Harper lost to a minority, who would put money on him actually resigning without a messy fight (or at least a hissy fit).  The quirkiness of our system might have saved us from a big problem.Recommend this Post

The Scouring of The Shire

Tolkien protested when it was suggested that The Lord of the Rings was an allegory for the Second World War

I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done so since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence. I much prefer history – true or feigned– with its varied applicability to the thought and experience of readers. I think that many confuse applicability with allegory, but the one resides in the freedom of the reader, and the other in the purposed domination of the author.

And while there may not have been an intentional allegorical reference to WWII, in his stories about Hobbits, there may be an unintentional one.  His description of The Shire has a lot of parallels with Canada.  From the Cliff Notes on the Return of the King:

From the novel's outset, the Shire stands as an ideal country, characterized by green hills, sparkling rivers, and pleasant woodlands. The inhabitants of that community are farmers, tradesmen, and country gentry, all of whom indulge in the innocent pleasures of rustic life: good food, strong beer, and idle gossip, all amply represented at Bilbo's birthday party.

The Shire and its inhabitants were generally ignored by their allies to the south in Gondor, although the Hobbits have proved themselves as fierce warriors when then had no other choice.  They are not oftne included in the councils of the "wise" but they are instrumental at the key times.  If that isn't Canada, what is, eh?

And life went on like this for the Hobbits of The Shire.  Until there came a time when the Hobbits let their guard down and individuals driven by greed.

When they return home, however, the Shire hobbits discover their cherished ideal corrupted. A totalitarian state has replaced the carefree rural life, dominated by "the Rules" and suffering from "no beer and very little food." Journeying deeper into the Shire reveals a devastated countryside. Homes have been replaced by ugly row houses and barracks, trees have been wantonly felled, and the old mill has been replaced by "a great brick building straddling the stream, which it fouled with a steaming and stinking outflow.

Is this due to external forces?

At first glance, Frodo and the others blame outside forces for the destruction. Evil men, brigands, and thieves have moved in while the protecting Rangers have gone to war. Sharkey, their leader, has urged them to "hack, burn and ruin" since his arrival. The hobbits soon learn that Sharkey is their old enemy Saruman, who has ravaged the Shire in revenge for his own losses.

(Yes, Harper is not the ultimate evil.  He is the banal equivalent of the lesser evil to Sauron.)

But the Hobbits are inspired to fight back and reclaim the home and native land they knew was still there somewhere.

With determination and cooperation, the hobbits expel the invaders, destroy Saruman and his henchman Wormtongue, and eradicate the last vestige of Sauron's evil in Middle-earth. Then they apply the same energy to the restoration of their beloved homeland. "Now there were thousands of willing hands of all ages, from the small and nimble ones of the hobbit lads and lasses to the well-worn and horny ones of the gaffers and gammers." The result is not just an ideal restored, but surpassed: "a gleam of beauty beyond that of mortal summers that flicker and pass on this Middle-earth." As with the novel as a whole, the ending of evil means little without the assurance of continuation, that the life and land, once saved, will be preserved and remembered.

Not a bad allegory at all in my opinion.  Well done and very prescient Mr. Tolkien.


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The Encouraging Things About High Turnout

The was a great turnout to the advance polls.  It could be people looking to rebel against robocalls or for other reasons.  It is great to see regardless of the reasons.

But I would like to draw attention to one added reason I like to see high turnouts by highlighting a pot from long ago...The Downside for Harper

 am hoping the turnout is massive.  And let the chips fall where they may.Recommend this Post

Am I The Only One Who Sees The Karma In This

Cast your mind way back to 2006.  When a leak occurred during the finals days of a closely fought election.  In 2006, it was a leak from the RCMP regarding a case that was eventually found to be bogus.

Now fast forward to 2015, and the RCMP is called in to investigate leaks of Harper Government ineptitude and inhumanity.Recommend this Post

I Would Like to Think Canada does not have a Racist Prime Minister

Some people have given Harper benefit of the doubt and posited that he isn't a racist but is just an incredibly cynical politician.

Nah.  Anyone who would do this is beyond cynical.

The Prime Minister’s Office directed Canadian immigration officials to stop processing one of the most vulnerable classes of Syrian refugees this spring and declared that all UN-referred refugees would require approval from the Prime Minister, a decision that halted a critical aspect of Canada’s response to a global crisis.

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A Hopeful Message in Which Canada Reclaims its Place of Leadership in the World

I am by nature, an optimist so I expect the Liberals to form the next government and Harper to be cast into the pit of irrelevance except for the numerous times he is called to account for his as of yet uncovered crimes.

And Trudeau's victory will mean more than the first step of Canada returning to her rightful place in the affairs of the world.  It would also mean that the cynical application of racism, suppressed voter turnout and other despicable deeds as tools to win elections were unsuccessful. If the rest of the world sees that Canada found a way to fight back Lynton Crosby and the use of unlimited funds, hatred and the politics of despair for the hope of a better way, Canadians will have, once again, shown the world the possibility of a brighter future.

This is what I hope transpires.  And this is what will happen if we vote.  If we vote in numbers large enough to overwhelm the Conservatives picayune voter suppression tactics and racism.

If we vote.

Get Out The Vote!Recommend this Post

A Leaked Call to the "Barbaric Cultural Practices" Tip Line

I have been a steadfast critic of the Harper Government but, after reading this transcript of  a call to the Barbaric Cultural Practices Tip Line,  I have seen seen the light and switching my vote to the Conservatives.  Here is the call in its entirety:

Snitch-Line Supervisor: Hello.  Barbaric Cultural Practices Tip Line. How may I help you? 

Really Apprehensive Tattletale: I have called to make a report on my neighbours. 

SS: Go on. 

RAT:  They seem determined to not fit in to mainstream Canadian society. 

SS: How so? 

RAT: They have lived here for decades and still speak such heavily accented English that I can barely understand them.  As a matter of fact, they appear to be determined to continue speaking like this. 

SS:  Interesting. 

RAT: And they primarily hang out with others from their homeland.  You should hear it when they get together.  They play the most obnoxious music, if you can call it that.  I tried to drown them out with my Best of Nickelback Collection but it even cut through that. 

SS: Hmmm. 

RAT: I have tried to help them assimilate but they are so stubborn in clinging to the cultural practices they grew up with.  For example, we had them over for a barbeque to introduce them to burgers and O'Keefe Old Stock but when they had us over they served us a meal made up of animal entrails. 

SS: You poor thing.  That sounds horrible. 

RAT: And they kept going on about the proud history of their nation.  But all I could make out going on about through the accents were stories about rebellion and fighting.  When they told me that they were descended from a guerilla leader I would have thrown up if I hadn't hid my dinner in my napkin. 

(Stifled sob) 

SS: Take a minute.  This must have been hard for you. 

RAT: I have been so worried I have barely been able to sleep since I discovered they came from a place with such a violent history.  They keep going on about being unwilling to live under an oppressive ruler. 

SS: Oh my.  We will definitely add them to all of the enemy lists. 

RAT: But the clothing is the final straw.  They even insisted on wearing their traditional clothing to the sacrament of the citizenship ceremony. 

SS: We can't have that. 

RAT: Defintely not.  One insisted on being covered with a scrap of fabric.  And spouted  off about coming to Canada because for freedom and opportunity.  That while they are proud to become Canadian, they want to maintain ties to their past. Why, part of this so-called traditional clothing included a dagger!  They claim it is ceremonial but I have my doubts.

SS:  Don't worry.  Dear Leader will put a stop to that. 

RAT: I knew he would protect me from these ungrateful savages. 

SS:  Do they have any children? 

RAT: Yes.  A boy and a girl.  My kids say they seem normal enough but they have been indoctrinated into the habits of their parents.  Especially after they have been back "home". 

SS:  One last thing for the record.  We need to know where to deport them after we strip these barbarians of their citizenship.  Where are these ingrates from?  The Middle East? 

RAT:  Worse.  Scotland.

I have been living in fear and didn't even know it.  Only a Tested Leader like Stephen Harper can keep us safe from people like these.

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Harper will "win" the election

Stories like this and an article on the Calgary Eyeopener this morning about a transgender woman with a confusing voter id card (the link isn't available yet but the card was made out in her previous name and sent to an address that she didn't move to until after her name change) lead me to think that the Harperians have somehow gamed Elections Canada.  The Muslim fracas isn't moving enough bigots to win the election out right.  But if they can work it so that enough non-bigots can't vote, it may just swing them enough seats for a minority.

Expect long lines in swing ridings.  ID problems for probable non-bigots.  A clusterf--k that an Ohio Republican would be proud of.  In 2006, it was in and out.  2008 saw the Dion-Duffy disgrace.  2011 was Robocalls.  We have to be careful not to looking for Robocalls when their gambit might well be something different.

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Get yer Stephen Harper Wind-up Doll Here!

Even his supporters acknowledge that this fellow is a bit robotic but it is getting painful to watch Harper dependably spout the lines fed to him by the Lizard of Oz:  "Old Stock Canadians" (Still not certain what that means), Niqab!, Dual Citizenship!  It will go on and on for the next 16 days.  But this one has him looking like a parody of HAL 9000.

Harper is supposed to be the apogee of the Canadian Tea Party.  And the best he can do is run around like the Robot from Space Family Robinson spouting "Danger!" about whatever Lynton Crosby tells him to?  I have never had a high opinion of Harper but I am beginning to be a bit embarrassed for him.

The answer is to vote.  Please ensure you vote for ABC.  A high turnout will ensure Harper's defeat.Recommend this Post

This is not a "Seinfeld Election"

Warren Kinsella (the ultimate example of a "pisser inner") called this the Seinfeld Election.  In that it is about nothing.

Wrong.  It has become about the most important of things.  Citizenship, civil and human rights.  Fighting bigotry.

Do not be afraid to speak out!  The more people who here that this tactic by the Conservative Racist Party is un-Canadian, the more we can turn the tise against this abomination.Recommend this Post

Mulclair's Redemption

I would never vote for Thomas Mulclair or any other Laytonesque version of the NDP.  They will never be able to atone for their guilt in enabling Harper to come to power in the first place.  The Sherbrooke Declaration is another inexcusable betrayal of principle in order to pander for votes.

But in the most critical of tests, he has passed with flying colours.  His steadfast refusal to backdown in the niqab issue is to his credit.  So in the net analysis, he has my respect if not my vote.Recommend this Post

I Will Speak Out

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Martin Niemöller

Susan Delacourt lays it out for us:

So all this agitation over the niqab, all the fierce declarations of what the majority in Canada wants at citizenship ceremonies, is about fewer than a handful of people. Except that it isn’t about those two people; it is about tapping into support that any responsible politician shouldn’t want.No political party in the 1980s or 1990s, except the occasional fringe one, was actively whipping up antipathy to the French minority in Canada. You can’t make a country work that way, even if it does yield some crucial votes.And no party in this election, similarly, should be whipping up antipathy to Muslims, or any religion or culture. It’s repulsive if it works and even more repulsive if it was planned to work that way.

Take a stand against intolerance.  Speak out.  Loudly. Obstreperously.  Vehemently.  Proudly.

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The expediency of wedge issues and the judgement of history tied together by a strip of fabric

The Lizard of Oz has given Harper his wedge issue and it is paying dividends since the Conservatives have started to move up in several polls.  

Forum Research president Lorne Bozinoff attributes the latest bump in Tory fortunes to the party scoring points amid the recent flare up in the controversy over the niqab, the face veil some Muslim women wear.

One can only hope this benefit for the Conservative Racist Party is a short term hiccup and that this manufactured issue flares out soon enough for people to recollect the manifold failings of the Harper Government.   We seem to have regrettably been able to forget about a little boy soon enough.

Andrew Coyne summarizes why the niqab is a non-issue and the shame that accompanies a politician willing to utilize this odious tactic:

That so many, especially in Quebec, have somehow been persuaded to believe their lives are materially affected by it — worse, that so many politicians have been willing to pander to this sentiment — is also what makes this ridiculous issue terribly serious. They are marking out a small and easily identified minority, already made to feel vulnerable by the presence of a few violent extremists in its midst, for shame and suspicion. They are trafficking in their humiliation....A liberal society is pluralist, not relativist. It allows each of us to pursue our vision of the good life, to hold and espouse our ideals of what is just, without prejudice to the notion that goodness and justice exist: indeed, precisely so that we may more nearly approach them as a society. Neither is a liberal society incompatible with the idea of cultural norms: beliefs that are commonly shared, practices that are commonly observed. It draws the line only at enforcing these norms upon the unwilling.

And the inevitable fallout from the utilization of hate tactics has begun:

On Tuesday, Le Journal de Montréal reported that Oumessad Khoufache, 31, was walking to pick up her child at school when two boys on bicycles approached her, grabbed her hijab and knocked her to the ground. She’s four months pregnant.

What brave boys. Knocking down a pregnant woman picking up her child from school.  (I wonder if they had swastika streamers on their handlebars)  But they are just taking their lead from the Harper and his ilk.

Harper won't be Prime Minister forever and historians will not be kind to him.  (There is a better than even chance that he will be gone after October 19 as some have suggested).  Regardless, Harper will eventually be called to task and compared to the legacies of other Prime Ministers.  His risible results in the field of economics and finance, the pervasive corruption of his PMO, the disdain for responsible government have pretty much reserved a unique space for Harper as the worst Prime Minister ever.  When his legacy is compared to the Nobel Peace Prize of Pearson, the efforts on behalf of Nelson Mandela of Mulroney and others before him, Harper is guaranteed to be alone as the worst person to ever hold the office.Recommend this Post

I would like to heap Mounds of praise on this post

Hear, hear Mr. of Sound.  I have nothing to add to this.Recommend this Post

Which party has the most growth potential (if strategic voting actually works)

Having a quick count through Strategic Voting's website, it is evident that the party with the most growth potential is the Liberal party.  A quick count, indicates that if people voted strategically, the Liberals could hope for 80 of the 128 seats up for grabs.  This growth potential has the potential to increase as more Canadians realize the danger in Mini-Harper and move away the NDP.Recommend this Post

Canadians have a unique opportunity to save the world's economy

Every time Stephen Harper calls an election, the world's economy goes in the tank.  In the 2008 election, Stephen "Buying Opportunity" Harper didn't see the Great Recession coming but come it did.  In 2011, there were lots of troubles "lapping at our shores.  And during this election, the recession is due to factors external to Canada.  The correlation coefficient is 1.0.  He has a preternatural ability to cause world wide economic chaos.

The solution is clear.  Canadians must ensure he can never call another election by voting him out of office on October 19.  We have a duty to the world!Recommend this Post

Crosby gave Harper a dog whistle

And boy did Harper ever breathe deep and blow.

"Old Stock Canadian".  Did Harper, an experienced campaigner with incredible self control, let slip a glimpse of his bigoted soul with this slur?  Or was it another message to his base?

I believe it is the latter.  They are doubling down.  looking to energize their racist base and get them out to vote.  Despicable ?  Yes.  Predictable Yes?  Can  it be defeated?  Yes.  Progressives need to get out their vote.Recommend this Post

Rumours of Harper's Political Death Are Greatly Exaggerated

There has been a lot of speculation that Harper is whipped and has given up.  I don't think so and everyone who wants him out of power must keep their eye on the ball.  Consider Harper's reaction to the refugee crisis in the context of his campaign.  He doubles down on his politics of hate.

Describing Harper's emoting on the death of Alan Kurdi as crocodile's tears would be an affront to even the coldest bloded of crocodiles.  Haroon Siddiqui enumerates the ways Harper has persecuted refugees to curry favour with "The Base" (my emphasis in bold).

You are Stephen Harper. Your government spends years demonizing asylum seekers as “bogus refugees.” It denies them health care. It takes pride in detaining and deporting many of them.

In tandem with pandering to nativists, you cater to Islamophobes by conflating law-abiding Muslims with Muslim terrorists. Your Conservative Party runs a fundraising campaign based on the warfare waged by your government on a single niqab-wearing woman who’s keen on becoming a Canadian citizen but not on you telling her what to wear....

You fan fears of terrorism to justify yet another war in the Middle East. You build an election campaign not so much against the Liberal or New Democratic opposition as against “jihadists,” “jihadism,” “violent jihadism,” “jihadi terrorism,” “the international jihadist movement,” “jihadist monsters.”...

You try and emote sympathy, talking about little Alan Kurdi. You even sacrifice your well-guarded family privacy and bring wife Laureen and son Ben into the conversation. But you can’t go too far without upsetting the constituencies you have so systematically cultivated over the years...

Rescuing refugees “alone is not remotely a solution to this problem.” We must attack “the root cause of this problem” (by the way, didn't he set his attack puppies on Trudeau for saying we need to deal with "root causes" after the attack that drove him into a closet?) — “the jihadist movement,” “the violent campaign being led against millions of people by ISIS.”...

The government’s game of divide and conquer stands exposed, as do its excuses and obfuscations...

If he was going to go quietly into that good night, he wouldn't have hired this guy.

Mr. Crosby is a master of wedge politics – where parties exploit social issues such as crime or race or immigration to split public opinion in their favour...

Mr. Crosby has been accused of helping exploit fears over refugees to win elections – the Harper government has been taking a hardline stand on that very same topic, justifying its pace of acceptance by saying Ottawa must screen people from a “terrorist war zone” very carefully.

He isn't quitting.  This election is about to get very very nasty.  Harper is going to try to re-energize his base through their bigotry and strive to keep everyone else at home on October 19 by attacking the other parties, particularly the Liberals.  He is no master of strategy.  He only has one pony and he is going to ruthlessly ride it into battle.

In the Referendum battles, the Non side was referred to as the Rest of Canada.  Now ROC refers to the 70%+  that isn't narrow minded and fearful.  

The ROC must show no fear and stand firm in their desire to oust him and reclaim our country.Recommend this Post

See? Standing up to bullies isn't that hard

Lots of excitement about Rosemary Barton's smackdown of Chris Alexander tonight.  Well done Ms. Barton.

But the thing is, it isn't that hard or radical.  The Dictator and his lackeys have gotten away for too long bullying the media.  Journalists have a responsibility to do this sort of thing to politicians of every stripe.  They may have held back for a number of reasons but the fact that Ms. Barton decideded to hold Chris Alexander to account before having a glass of wine is a good thing.  Do more and more and more of this.

By all means, pester Harper along these lines too.  And Trudeau.  And Mulclair.  Particularly Mulclair.  If he is to run the country, ask the questions.Recommend this Post

It is kind of muffled through the beard

But if someone is on record as admiring the legacy of Margaret Thatcher, defends that admiration and then goes on to quack about no deficits now matter what, he is a duck.  An duck at home with the Harper flock which he tried to fly with before he found a home fowling the NDP nest.Recommend this Post

I am Tony Turner!

Posted in solidarity with the real Tony Turner, whose suspension gives another illustration of the need to depose Harper.  Hey Steve, I thought you could "take a punch"?

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Decision Time

A part of the sorrow wrought when an incompetent like Stephen Harper rises to a position of power is the destruction the candidate for Calgary South West causes to the careers and reputations of several people within smelling distance of the influence of his regime.  These are people who should know better.  They have fought the good fight their entire lives.  They have been good people by all accounts.  They are entrusted with positions of power and influence but they are subsumed by the wake of corruption and incompetence ploughed by the  Nixonian thug-boat of the Harper government.

There have been several cases in point lately.:

• Nigel Wright took the stand under oath and presented a very unconvincing case that Harper did not approve of the $90,0000 payment to Duffy.  The conclusion drawn by sentient beings paying attention to the trial was that Wright sacrificed his image as a "choirboy" for Harper.  But Mr. Wright appears to have decided to fall under the Harper Bus.  and that is the fate of a political person.
• Benjamin Perrin was faced with a very similar conundrum.  He presented starkly different testimony.  He was faced with a decision and made a different choice.  And his reputation seems the brighter for it.
• Andrew Coyne, a person recently praised on this blog, is Comment Editor at the National Post.  Stating that Post Media is pro-Harper is a given.  So in a way, finding out that an editorial critical of Harper by Margaret Atwood was censored by the Post is not surprising.  But this is an editorial that Andrew Coyne had approved.  Does this not make his position at the National Post untenable?  Mr. Coyne is a smart man and a good and knowledgeable writer.  If he were to resign as a point of principle, he could get work in no time flat.  So it follows that he has less concerns than others for resigning on principle.  How can he retain his position at the Post after having his decision countermanded?  He appears to have chosen to stay on at the Post in a diminished capacity.  At the diminishment of his reputation.  Choices have consequences.
• The RCMP has a long and glorious past.  But, definitely, since 2006 on, they have been in the Harper bag.  The sandbagging of Martin with the bogus Trust accusation by the Zaccardelli led RCMP was odious enough.  They can try and pass the embarrassing changes to the Musical Ride off as not tied to and directed by the Harper PMO but suspicions remain for good reason. These can be sloughed off.  But Commissioner Paulson has a choice to make. The questions surrounding the RCMP handling of the Duffy affair remain.  This contradiction is very stark.  Does he protect Harper or the integrity of the RCMP.  He has dedicated his career to the RCMP.  Is he going to throw that away to protect the person currently in third place in the polls?

And on and on it goes.  As the dark days of the Harper regime wind down (I hope.  This is no time to relax) numerous people will have their integrity tested as a fall out of the depredations of the Harper Government.  I hope they are all able to live with their decisions.

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Andrew Coyne is very witty

I have always found his stance on constitutional matters to be very commendable.  I now add a sense of humour to his credit column after reading this.  Still wouldn't let him anywhere near the economy however.Recommend this Post

Doesn't matter who you are, $32,000 is a lot of money

So if, as testified by Nigel Wright, "Good to go" refers to Harper's approval the Irving Gerstein plan to pay ~$32,000 to Mike Duffy from the Conservative Party bank account, why did Wright pony up for the entire $90,000?  Why did he not top up the amount Harper approved by $58,000 to get to the $90,000?Recommend this Post

The Memory Hole is pretty deep but not deep enough Stevie

To paint the bribery scandal with broad strokes, Harper knew that a difficult problem needed to be  addressed.  He put his best man on the case but gosh darn it, the otherwise dependable fellow went rogue and offered the antagonist a bribe to make the problem go away.  Now Harper is in hot water because no one believes the story concocted to cover Harper's butt.  And the former right hand man is thrown under the bus.

No silly.  I'm the sordid affair I am summarizing is not the Duffy mess.  It is the Cadman Affair.

Harper is no strategic genius.  He can't even come up with new cover stories.  He is cunning and ruthless.  But he is crooked.  His government has served us poorly.  And he must go.

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Don't Build a Mother Canada Statue. Build 10! 20! 30!

Yes, it is ugly hubristic and just plain wrong.  So, build several across the country.  And the Monument to Victims of Communism while we are at it.  Let the first ones be built as what are essentially Stephen Harper's tributes to himself.  This will allow him to, at least temporarily, assuage the demons that torment him.

Both are ugly and reminiscent of the worst Soviet public art.  Build the rest as a constant reminder to all Canadians that we get the government we deserve.  And that, if we ever again allow an anti-democratic tyrant like Harper to attain office through a divided opposition, low voter turnout, compliant corporate media, and flawed voting systems, the next Supreme Leader will build similar monstrosities to themselves.Recommend this Post

Why is Mulclair getting a free ride on his dalliance with Harper?

It doesn't matter if the reason he walked away is corroborated by senior conservatives.  What matters is that he entered into discussions in the first place.  A Liberal going to the NDP, fair enough.  Someone who wandered to and fro between the centre to the far hard right to the left is something else.  Even in 2007, a politically aware person knew exactly what Harper was all about.  A man of principle hangs up as soon as he hears that it is Harper's Team on the other end of the line.

A future leader of the NDP doesn't enter into negotiations.  |He shouldn't be allowed to skate away with the claim that it wasn't about a salary dispute but rather it was about environmental policy as if that was a display of principle.  If Harper had called Stephen Lewis would he have entertained the idea of working with Harper?

Exactly.  But just as Harper is not of the timbre of Diefenbaker, Stanfield or Clark, Mulclair is no Lewis, Broadbent or McLauglin.  The heritage of the NDP is about character and principle.  Mulclair is about Mulclair.

Why bother changing our current tyrant for a wannabe one?


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The Irony at the Heart of Harper's Economic Failure

|It is probably not an over statement to posit that Stephen Harper hates Pierre Trudeau and his legacy more than anyone or anything.  Given the malignant nature of Harper's soul, that is a lot of hate. This fervent bile is born of a mix of good old conservative anti-intellectualism, ethnic bias, jealousy of an intellectual superior and his accomplishments.  This hatred is a large part of why the Conservative base still support Harper notwithstanding all of his incompetence. It is not the prospect of losing to Pierre Trudeau's son that is the irony.  That is just the poetic coup de grace.  The irony is the strong parallels in the reasons the economic programs of both mean foundered.

At a time when OPEC manipulations caused catastrophic increases in oil prices, the Liberal government of Pierre Trudeau instituted the National Energy Program to shield Canadians from the world price of oil and provide tax revenue for social programs.  When oil prices fell, the entire program was in tatters and Trudeau's legacy as an economic steward of the country was destroyed.  He was able to salvage his reputation with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and repatriating the constitution.

At a time when OPEC manipulations caused catastrophic increases in oil prices, the Conservative government of Stephen Harper instituted a program to transform Canada into an Energy Superpower and let the rest of the economy pound sand.  When oil prices fell, the entire program was in tatters and Harper's legacy as an economic steward of the country was destroyed.  He was able to decisively ruin his reputation by seeking re-election under the boogey man of terrorism and eviscerating the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and repatriating the constitution.Recommend this Post