Note: as provided by commentator Morning - Bliss isn't a journalist but a well respected historian who has been critical of Harper in the past. That said, he should know better...
I have here referred to him as a journalist, but this post is actually based on an opinion piece Bliss wrote.
Michael Bliss, published in the Globe and Mail (too bad Stevo didn’t look to partisan media hacks for this latest round of Senate appointments, eh, Mikey?) Tells us that we Canadians have very short attention spans, should just stay the hell out of politics, do buy work studying Olympic figure skating so we aren’t ridiculously giving a damn about our democracy, and well, none of it matters anyway because we’ll all forget about this whole prorogation thing anyway and sit around talking about real important shit like who place where in the Olympics.
Bliss could stand to do a bit of studying of his own on prorogation, it’s purpose, and what it takes to maintain a healthy democracy:
It's hard to see why there is so much fuss about the Harper government's prorogation of Parliament. The House of Commons, which is not very well respected by either ordinary or informed Canadians when it is sitting, will now sit for three weeks less than it would have otherwise.
Standard fodder from the CON script of “what’s the big deal?”
Bliss deliberately avoids even going through the motions of fairly presenting his argument. The big deal has been explained dozens of times in the media these past few weeks. It has been written on protest signs, spoken of by politicians, analyzed and explained by political experts.
Proroguing Parliament to avoid being accountable to the electorate is a big deal, Michael. Avoiding debate and accountability as you try to ram through changes to our systems without allowing debate by elected representatives (representing us, the electorate, the ones the government is supposed to work for) is a big deal.
That Harper’s lapdogs go around the country bragging about how much easier it is to get things done without opposition or the threat of a non-confidence vote is a very big deal, Michael. Tow thirds of Canadians, as of the last election want to have their say through those they elected, want the government to have to get approval of the majority before making certain changes. And according to recent polls, that number of Canadians is consistently and solidly on the rise.
Some useful government bills are going to have to be reintroduced.
Thank you for saying that, Michael. Yes certain Bills will have to be re-introduced, at great expense. Please remind us of that when Harper goes on and on about how those very Bills have been held back by an unelected, Liberal Senate, will you? Just remind us of who really slowed their progess - not only slowed it, but stopped it dead.
The Afghan hearings, into events of several years ago, will be delayed for a few more weeks.
Yeah, what’s the big deal if a few more brown people are tortured, meanwhile, if a few more critical records are white washed, if a few more witnesses are threatened and harassed in a bid to silence them?
And that's about it.
Not quite. Jobs are still being lost, programs are not receiving funding - costing more jobs and killing some damn good programs - issues such as the problems at Chalk River and the listerisosis crisis are not being addressed...
One would think from the heated rhetoric of opposition politicians, the strange gaggle of academics who signed the long, sanctimonious letter against prorogation, and the fulminations of some editorialists and pundits, that our democracy is somehow imperilled by the government's resort, twice, to one of the most common of all parliamentary practices.
“Strange gaggle...” Is that like the chattering classes, Michael? Oh, wait. Academics. I get it. If the chattering classes in question are also academics, does that make them a strange gaggle?
I love concise, clear writing by journalist. Love it.
“Sanctimonious...” Give me a sec as I wipe up the coffee I just spewed all over my keyboard.
OK.
The most common of all parliamentary practices. A little over the top on that one, aren’t you Mikey, beside being acutely dishonest. Listen up, ok? I will only repeat what has been said DOZENS of times by experts, lately: Prorogation is not uncommon. It is why and how Harper did it that is, and it is also why and how he did it that imperils democracy. You contemptible hack.
(...) the opposition parties are trying to keep the pot boiling, largely by playing on public ignorance of the workings of government.
Well, actually, if you, a journalist, would actually, you know, read what other reporters - real ones - are reporting, it isn’t nearly so much the opposition who are drawing attention to this abuse of power by the Harper government, but the strange gaggle of academics, the chattering classes, the average Canadians who got their asses out on the National day of protest organized not by the opposition, but by other average Canadians. The attention is being drawn by experts in political affairs who recognize the dangers of such a practice applied as it has been by Harper.
People obsessed with the ins and outs of how to prorogue Parliament would do better making book on Olympic figure skating.
Really? Why is that, Michael? Because if people who are interested in their own fate, in the future of their country, in shaping the democracy of their country (you know, people acting responsibly by being informed and actually doing their part as good citizens) look at the shiny object rather than at the fact they are being discounted, trivialized, ignored, insulted, trod upon, they will offer no resistence to a government that seeks to impose its narrow ideology upon them despite their will?
Is that why, Michael?
That one statement of yours is the most insulting to Canadians, the most appalling coming from a journalist whose role should be to make people think, to inform them, to have them become engaged in their own government.
The appointed Senate of Canada is obviously a standing, outrageous disgrace to democracy and ought not to be tolerated by a free people. It's surely to Stephen Harper's credit, both short and long term, that he keeps trying to change the Senate. One of his reasons for resorting to prorogation and falling back on making his own partisan appointments appears to be to try to stop the egregious abuse of their power by certain Liberal senators.
Of course, no CON partisan hack column is complete without mentioning the evils of a Liberal, appointed Senate. Then of course to go on and justify the angelic, saintly, god-driven purpose of an appointed, Conservative Senate.
Sort of like the battle of the angels in heaven, right, Michael? The bad ones are cast out by the good ones? Well, hell, god had to appoint good angels to drive out the bad ones. And if they stick around for all eternity afterward, doing angelly things, what the hell? Might need them for other wet work later on, right?
And besides, the Liberals did it first, so it’s cool.
A few days after prorogation ends on March 3, Canadians will mostly have forgotten all the words written and spoken about it. They'll be rehashing the Olympics instead.
Uh-huh. Right. Isn’t it that very arrogant, ignorant, insulting argument that drove so many Canadians to protest prorogation? That keeps them chattering away? That’s causing them to stage flash rallies? That’s causing Harper’s crash in the polls?
Seriously, if you think we Canadians, the very ones who read the news and allow you to have a venue for your nonsense are so shallow, so easily distracted, why don’t you write for a reality show?
Instead, the dancers just kept on, encouraged by their media and academic acolytes, not noticing that the music had stopped and the audience had gone home.
Correction, Michael. As much as you would like it to, the music hasn’t stopped, and the audience is still paying attention. I know, because we are making the music, and we are very, very much engaged in it.
I don’t know what Canada you have been living in these past few years. Maybe that alternate universe Harper spoke of last week when he said Canada is better off now than it was four years ago.
But in this Canada, Canadians do see Harper’s latest abuse of prorogation as a big deal. In this Canada, they know that the Olympics, which should be an inspiring event of many countries coming together peacefully to celebrate the excellence of their athletes is being used exactly for what you try to use it for - a distraction from the corrupt and undemocratic practices of a government which doesn’t give a damn about the will of the people and which views democracy as an inconvenience.
You write to us, Michael, try to convince us of your great insight and wisdom. But as you tell us we are stupid not to hear your words, you add that we are just generally stupid overall, and that we should just mind our own business - which of course does not involve being good, responsible citizens contributing to their own government - and go play with an expensive toy so that the ones accountable to us don’t have to be impeded by that very accountability.
You can keep your Canada, Michael. I, and many, many other like me will continue fighting for ours.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Because this is what we need in these hard economic times
More VERY IMPORTANT photos of the Prime Poseur.
Sorry, no phone call photos today, folks.
Here he is, the Big Guy, making sure we know how he really, really cares about Haitians by taking time to have his photo taken. Ms. Clinto doesn't seem to be buying it.
Oh, Look! Here he is, getting off a plane (!!!) in Davos, and there he is again, sitting (!!!) at the world economic forum in Davos.
Good job he made time for those very important photos. How else would we have critical information?
Steve Harper: spending our tax dollars on his self-promotion.
Sorry, no phone call photos today, folks.
Oh, Look! Here he is, getting off a plane (!!!) in Davos, and there he is again, sitting (!!!) at the world economic forum in Davos.
Good job he made time for those very important photos. How else would we have critical information?
Steve Harper: spending our tax dollars on his self-promotion.
I thought the idea was to create jobs
Not cut them.
As students are finding job prospects slim and Harper is going around spending vast amounts of money on self-promotion, several organizations are suffering and will have to cut back on staffing since funding which they have received for decades is no longer coming and that probably won’t change.
The Bedeque Bay Environmental Management Association, along with 15 other Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP) organizations, has learned Environment Canada's Atlantic region programs under the National Ecosystem Initiative, will not be ready for implementation in the 2010 fiscal year. Currently there are no plans out of Ottawa to maintain conservation and environmental education in the Atlantic Region. Community programs such as BBEMA will wind down and critical youth employment opportunities will cease.
There’s problem number one: this government doesn’t feel environmental project are worth funding.
Problem number two is this government’s arrogance in wanting to control everything despite evidence that projects are best managed by experts and those who have been working on them for years.
"We've had great success but unfortunately, the way the money goes, BBEM and our sister organization Southeast Environmental Association are community-based organizations," (Tracy Brown, BBEMA executive director) said. "So our projects and what we do and how we react is driven by the community. "The federal government is looking to go the other way . . . they want to be governing from the top down so they're the ones controlling where things go."
There is not much honesty in a stimulus push that create temporary construction jobs while existing ones are slashed, especially if they are part of effective programs such as those managed by ACAP.
We will be seeing more cuts such as these, especially in the public service with this government that thinks nothing is worth investing in unless it turns a buck for private businesses. The cost to that path isn’t only jobs, it’s accountability, and the provision only of services that translate into big profits for private companies.
As students are finding job prospects slim and Harper is going around spending vast amounts of money on self-promotion, several organizations are suffering and will have to cut back on staffing since funding which they have received for decades is no longer coming and that probably won’t change.
The Bedeque Bay Environmental Management Association, along with 15 other Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP) organizations, has learned Environment Canada's Atlantic region programs under the National Ecosystem Initiative, will not be ready for implementation in the 2010 fiscal year. Currently there are no plans out of Ottawa to maintain conservation and environmental education in the Atlantic Region. Community programs such as BBEMA will wind down and critical youth employment opportunities will cease.
There’s problem number one: this government doesn’t feel environmental project are worth funding.
Problem number two is this government’s arrogance in wanting to control everything despite evidence that projects are best managed by experts and those who have been working on them for years.
"We've had great success but unfortunately, the way the money goes, BBEM and our sister organization Southeast Environmental Association are community-based organizations," (Tracy Brown, BBEMA executive director) said. "So our projects and what we do and how we react is driven by the community. "The federal government is looking to go the other way . . . they want to be governing from the top down so they're the ones controlling where things go."
There is not much honesty in a stimulus push that create temporary construction jobs while existing ones are slashed, especially if they are part of effective programs such as those managed by ACAP.
We will be seeing more cuts such as these, especially in the public service with this government that thinks nothing is worth investing in unless it turns a buck for private businesses. The cost to that path isn’t only jobs, it’s accountability, and the provision only of services that translate into big profits for private companies.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Proroguing access to information
Though little known to ordinary Canadians, the information commissioner is considered an essential player in ensuring accountable, transparent democracy.
You would think that a government that made transparency and accountability the focus of their election in ‘06 would make sure we have a good commissioner in place.
Not so.
The federal office charged with prying the lid off government secrecy has been without a permanent leader since June and is unlikely to get one for several more months. Critics argue the failure to swiftly replace this key watchdog is part of a pattern by Stephen Harper’s government of cloaking information from the public.
Understanding the role of the Commissioner explains why Steve would really rather not have one. They kind of get in the way, like having a sitting Parliament does. Two birds with one stone for Harper, here. The appointment of the information commissioner has to be approved by the House and Senate, but since Stevo prorogued Parliament, this can't happen until March. Then of course, there will simply be too much to do.
The lack of a permanent leader is “particularly troubling because of all the officers of Parliament, it is the access to information commissioner that has been most concerned about the performance of government vis a vis accountability and compliance with the law,” said Liberal MP Paul Szabo, former chairman of the Commons committee on access to information, privacy and ethics.
On Saturday, all across Canada, Canadians held rallies to protest prorogation and the general undermining of democracy this government is engineering. This is yet another instance of Harper’s systematic attack on democracy.
Col. Michel Drapeau, a lawyer with expertise in access to information, said he found the federal government’s delay in naming a permanent commissioner “disturbing.” The government, he said, has not only hesitated to name a permanent information watchdog, but has also not replaced other key commissioners, such as the chair of the military police complaints commission. It only recently named an interim RCMP complaints commissioner.
“They all, in their own way, serve to enhance democracy and permit checks and balances within our system of government,” Drapeau said.
Several of us have been saying that for years. The public service needs to be protected from Harper’s attacks. Keen, Measner, Tinsley...getting rid of accountability and destroying democracy by slashing one public servant at a time.
You would think that a government that made transparency and accountability the focus of their election in ‘06 would make sure we have a good commissioner in place.
Not so.
The federal office charged with prying the lid off government secrecy has been without a permanent leader since June and is unlikely to get one for several more months. Critics argue the failure to swiftly replace this key watchdog is part of a pattern by Stephen Harper’s government of cloaking information from the public.
Understanding the role of the Commissioner explains why Steve would really rather not have one. They kind of get in the way, like having a sitting Parliament does. Two birds with one stone for Harper, here. The appointment of the information commissioner has to be approved by the House and Senate, but since Stevo prorogued Parliament, this can't happen until March. Then of course, there will simply be too much to do.
The lack of a permanent leader is “particularly troubling because of all the officers of Parliament, it is the access to information commissioner that has been most concerned about the performance of government vis a vis accountability and compliance with the law,” said Liberal MP Paul Szabo, former chairman of the Commons committee on access to information, privacy and ethics.
On Saturday, all across Canada, Canadians held rallies to protest prorogation and the general undermining of democracy this government is engineering. This is yet another instance of Harper’s systematic attack on democracy.
Col. Michel Drapeau, a lawyer with expertise in access to information, said he found the federal government’s delay in naming a permanent commissioner “disturbing.” The government, he said, has not only hesitated to name a permanent information watchdog, but has also not replaced other key commissioners, such as the chair of the military police complaints commission. It only recently named an interim RCMP complaints commissioner.
“They all, in their own way, serve to enhance democracy and permit checks and balances within our system of government,” Drapeau said.
Several of us have been saying that for years. The public service needs to be protected from Harper’s attacks. Keen, Measner, Tinsley...getting rid of accountability and destroying democracy by slashing one public servant at a time.
This watchdog doesn’t need teeth
The new man in charge of holding the Mounties to account is a Toronto estate lawyer who describes himself as "collegial." But his predecessors question whether a "neophyte" with that mindset is up to the job. Ian McPhail, who has spent most of his career focusing on wills and real estate, acknowledges he has much to learn about the RCMP.
"Look, you probably know more about the background there than I do," Mr. McPhail said in an interview last week. "I'm going up Monday, it will be my first day on the job."
So why did Steve pick him, I wonder?
Oh. I see.
While he has worked as a Conservative organizer and chaired Ontario government bodies, he has never before tried to police the police.
Shirley Heafey, the RCMP Complaints Commissioner from 1997 to 2005, spent two years inside the agency as a vice-chair before taking the helm. Prior to that, she worked for the Security Intelligence Review Committee, the oversight body of CSIS, Canada's spy agency.
Asked about Mr. McPhail's appointment, she said the Mounties "are going to love to have him there. He's just a caretaker. There's no power to do anything unless you really push the envelope," she said. "He's coming in cold. There's no way he can do anything in a year . . . he's a complete neophyte."
But that’s exactly what Harper wants. To get nothing done on this, and many other files.
Harper still shamelessly cashing in on Haiti's misery
A few more REALLY IMPORTANT photos giving us good value for our money as our tax dollars are spent to project the image of a hard working, compassionate PM who just doesn't have time for Parliament.
Lots of time for photo ops, though.
Miserable failure on that compassion thingy.
Because Steve is just too damned busy to worry about guarding democracy.
Lots of time for photo ops, though.
Miserable failure on that compassion thingy.
Bad shot of Harper there with Haitian PM Jean-Max Bellerive. Makes Steve's thighs and hips look positively lard-heavy. Heads will roll.
But look! A photo of Steve...on the phone, having a very important phone call with a very important person - Obama!
Can't get enough of those phone call photos! Especially with Obama.
See? Steve's wearing a different tie. Well worth our tax dollars.
Meanwhile, in news Canadians don't give a shit about:
The new RCPM Complaints Commissioner knows fuck-all about security, crime, policing, or justice. He is, however eminently qualified as he has experience as a Conservative organizer.
And the federal office charged with prying the lid off government secrecy has been without a permanent leader since June and is unlikely to get one for several more months because such a commissioner has to be approved by the House and Senate, which, as you may have heard will not be sitting until March.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Is there some other Canada I don’t know about?
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, speaking to his caucus on Parliament Hill, says "Canada is safer, stronger and better off" after four years of Conservative rule.
Really?...really?
That man needs to start reading Canadian news. http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/714708--if-the-news-is-canadian-harper-s-not-watching
"The classic test, as set out by Ronald Reagan, is are you better off four years later?" Scott Reid, former prime minister Paul Martin's communications director, told Canwest News earlier this week. "Here's the verdict: We're less prosperous, less respected, less fair and we're less democratic. That's Stephen Harper's record."
I’ve been kind of picking up on the same things myself.
Unemployment:
December 2005: 6.5
December 2009: 8.5
Deficit and spending:
Harper & Co. Quickly ate up a 12 billion surplus left by Paul Martin. Steve then delivered us a deficit he promised would never occur, earning Flaherty the name of Deficit Jim.
His budgets have featured steep spending boosts averaging roughly 6% per year, a surge described as "reckless" by the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation. (Oct.2008)
As the rest of the world and most economists agreed we were headed into a recession, Harper denied this and failed to prepare accordingly. We now face years of massive deficits.
The federal government is expected to run a deficit of $55.9-billion this fiscal year, and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has said that could be reduced to $5.2-billion by 2014-05. However, parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page has recently said the Canadian government could be facing a “structural deficit” of almost $19-billion at around that time as an aging population leads to a shrinking labour force and diminished economic potential.
Freedom of press:
Took a dive under Harper.
Human rights:
Poverty - Canada's backsliding on indigenous rights has upset its chance for global leadership on poverty and human rights, says Amnesty International secretary general Irene Khan. By refusing to sign the UN's declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples and failing to close the poverty gap between aboriginal communities and the rest of Canada, Khan said it will be difficult for the Harper government to gain a moral edge when it hosts the landmark G8 and G20 summits at Huntsville next year.
Women’ rights - While most coverage and concern was focused on the SWC regional office closures, the words "equality," "advocacy," and "action" were quietly removed from the Terms and Conditions of the SWC mandate, and from various SWC documents, such as their website (a chilling process of erasure that attempts to change history -- borrowed directly from the Bush administration’s ‘handling’ of women’s organizations in the US). Oda also eliminated virtually all funding for research on women and women’s issues and made it impossible for women’s organizations involved in advocating or lobbying governments to be eligible for SWC money.
Child soldiers - Back in 2002, Canada signed on to an international treaty aimed at rehabilitating child soldiers...Canadian troops in Kandahar indeed capture child fighters, only to turn them over to Afghan security forces for what is usually a brutal interrogation.
That, he says, is a clear violation of Canada's international obligations and – depending on how the children are treated by the Afghans – almost certainly a crime under Canadian law..."Canada was once at the top of the heap in this regard," says Attaran. "Now we're keeping company with those at the bottom."
The Omar Khadr case shows just how poorly Harper has performed when it comes to rights of child soldiers.
Death penalty - Canada has actively opposed the death penalty in recent decades, refusing extradition requests to the U.S. unless there are assurances the U.S. prosecutors won't seek the death penalty...In late 2007, however, Stephen Harper's Conservative government indicated a change in procedure.
Then public safety minister Stockwell Day stated Canada would "not actively pursue" the return of Canadians facing the death sentence "who have been tried in a democratic country that supports rule of law."...The Tories' decision drew harsh words from Amnesty International, which accused Canada of softening its opposition to capital punishment.
Environment:
Do I really need to explain this one?
Asbestos:
World Call of Conscience to Prime Minister Stephen Harper to Stop Obstructing the Rotterdam Convention (asbestos)
Afghanistan:
"Quite frankly, we are never going to defeat the insurgency... “ - Harper
And his new position raises the obvious questions: If the Taliban can't be beaten, what are Canadian troops doing in Afghanistan? If the Taliban can't be beaten, why are our soldiers still dying? If the Taliban can't be beaten, why are Canada and its NATO allies encouraging the Afghan government to keep fighting a war that, according to Harper, it may be able to "manage" but can't possibly win?
Soldiers killed in Afghanistan:
Since 2002, 139 Canadian soldiers have been killed serving in the Afghanistan mission. Four Canadian civilians have also been killed, including one diplomat, one journalist and two aid workers.
Changing the nature of our involvement in Afghanistan drastically increased the number of deaths among our military stationed in that country.
Under the Liberals - 2002-2005: 8
Under Harper - 2006-Jan. 2010: 131
Pensions and retirement:
Harper not only fails to protect seniors and their pensions, he threatens them further.
Geneva conventions and torture:
Orders from former Canadian Forces chief of defence staff Rick Hillier and the federal Cabinet hindered Canadian troops as they were attempting to process Afghanistan detainees in compliance with international war law and likely contributed to severe detention conditions at the military police compound in Kandahar, previously unreleased documents indicate.
Accountability and transparency:
Information Commissioner Robert Marleau said Thursday the grip on federal files is tightening, largely because of the Conservative government's "communications stranglehold" on the bureaucracy. "There's less information being released by government than ever before. And that's alarming."
Democracy:
Even the venerable Economist magazine, which normally hovers above the fray of Canadian politics, has condemned the move as a clumsy attempt to muzzle the sound and fury of parliamentary debate..."It's yet another step in a pattern of leadership and governance by Prime Minister Harper that is in an authoritarian direction," said Peter Russell, a constitutional scholar at the University of Toronto. "He seems to want to minimize his exposure to critical review. And I think that's a very dangerous thing."
There are many more items that could be added to the list showing that the real Canada is certainly not the one Harper boasted about in his speech.
Does he think simply making such a statement will convince the chattering classes, or has he isolated himself for so long, listening only to his own words echoed back from his compliant members that he actually believes it himself?
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Even the BLOC showed up
Yeah, that party Harper claims is illegitimate, except when it isn't, whose vote doesn't count, except when it does because the CONs happen to need it. Sorry, will update with the MP's name, I was engaged when he was presented, but his speech was good as were those of Layton, Dewar, Lizzie May and Ignatieff.
Over 3, 400 on the Hill and their signs showed they understood what the rally was about.
Excellent speech by a retired military fellow who told us to thank Harper for the good whether since Stevo was bound to take credit for it.
PSAC also gave a terrific, powerful speech. I was hoping they'd repeat it in English, but no go. Sierra club kept theirs short, to the point, and very relevant to the rally.
The crowd behaved, remained engaged until the end.
Fun with sing-a-longs lead by the wonderful Raging Grannies.
Lots of Canadian flags!
Some good music by the Arrogant Worms (they played the beaver song!) and they did the "just Prorogue" the one performed by Rae.
A couple of ladies made a terrific effigy of Stevo, complete with the cheap Burger King crown, kitty, and long pinnochio nose.
My co-pilots took lots of pictures and when I wrestle them away, I will post some here.
We froze our feet and warmed our hearts.
Good going, Ottawa! And you were just one of 65 rallies. Heard T.O. had over 7,000 attend, but while the numbers are nice, it is that this happened at all that is amazing and encouraging.
It was especially heartening to hear so many of the speakers say this is a beginning, and that we will continue.
Carried our tired asses back several blocks to our vehicles, holding our signs high as we walked, and people off the Hill the whole way smiled, waved, gave thumbs up, and honked.
Massive thank you to those who organized here in Ottawa, and those who coordinated the rallies across Canada and in other countries.
So, Harper...can you hear us now?
Over 3, 400 on the Hill and their signs showed they understood what the rally was about.
Excellent speech by a retired military fellow who told us to thank Harper for the good whether since Stevo was bound to take credit for it.
PSAC also gave a terrific, powerful speech. I was hoping they'd repeat it in English, but no go. Sierra club kept theirs short, to the point, and very relevant to the rally.
The crowd behaved, remained engaged until the end.
Fun with sing-a-longs lead by the wonderful Raging Grannies.
Lots of Canadian flags!
Some good music by the Arrogant Worms (they played the beaver song!) and they did the "just Prorogue" the one performed by Rae.
A couple of ladies made a terrific effigy of Stevo, complete with the cheap Burger King crown, kitty, and long pinnochio nose.
My co-pilots took lots of pictures and when I wrestle them away, I will post some here.
We froze our feet and warmed our hearts.
Good going, Ottawa! And you were just one of 65 rallies. Heard T.O. had over 7,000 attend, but while the numbers are nice, it is that this happened at all that is amazing and encouraging.
It was especially heartening to hear so many of the speakers say this is a beginning, and that we will continue.
Carried our tired asses back several blocks to our vehicles, holding our signs high as we walked, and people off the Hill the whole way smiled, waved, gave thumbs up, and honked.
Massive thank you to those who organized here in Ottawa, and those who coordinated the rallies across Canada and in other countries.
So, Harper...can you hear us now?
Friday, January 22, 2010
We define ourselves
We care about our country, our democracy, the future of both for generations to come.
We care about our constitution, and the promises enshrined within it.
We care about the rights and freedoms so dearly won.
We care about our role in shaping our country and our fate.
We care about how our government acts, and recognize that it is supposed to work for us.
We care about representation through our elected members of Parliament.
We care about openness and accountability in government.
We care about the freedom to debate without fear.
We care, and tomorrow, and every day after, we will make ourselves heard.
Stay safe, all, stay focused, and take time to have some fun.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Stayed up all night waiting for these...
Soooooo disappointed that there isn’t a single photo of Steve on the phone with an important person talking about important shit.
But here he is, the Big Guy, at a pre-budget consultation with the right wing think tank, C.D. Howe Institute, and consulting more on budget matters with members of the GTA Ontario caucus.
Sort of like being in an echo chamber, isn’t it?
Steve seems unusually relaxed, even a little excited to be among his own kind.
Probably needed to feel the love (or facsimile of) considering this news:
After that, Steve figured we needed more photos of him doing real important shit, so instead of letting MacKay hold up a giant fake check and announce infrastructure funding in his own riding of Central Nova, the Big Guy spent our tax money and flew his ass over to Nova Scotia to do that very important thing himself.
Oh, look! There’s Steve again, making sure to let us know who's really in charge by staying dead centre in the photo, the others fanned out each side of him, and him pretending he gives a damn about what MacKay has to say. Notice the patronizing smile that says, “isn’t that cute? MacKay has something to say!”
What a man! What a leader, stealing the show from his own Ministers! What a hard worker, flying around on our tax dollar to stage photo ops and announce how he is spending our money in yet another Conservative riding!
Really, with such VERY IMPORTANT stuff to do, it’s understandable that he can’t manage a functioning Parliament at the same time. Good to see he has his priorities straight.
Stay the course, Steve. Now is not the time to do anything different. Musn’t panic. The economy is good, except when it isn’t, and the future looks promising except when it doesn’t. Steady hand at the helm, and all that. And don’t forget that the US is our greatest partner and you really need to wait and see what it does before you make any decisions.
Sort of like being in an echo chamber, isn’t it?
Steve seems unusually relaxed, even a little excited to be among his own kind.
Probably needed to feel the love (or facsimile of) considering this news:
What a man! What a leader, stealing the show from his own Ministers! What a hard worker, flying around on our tax dollar to stage photo ops and announce how he is spending our money in yet another Conservative riding!
Really, with such VERY IMPORTANT stuff to do, it’s understandable that he can’t manage a functioning Parliament at the same time. Good to see he has his priorities straight.
Stay the course, Steve. Now is not the time to do anything different. Musn’t panic. The economy is good, except when it isn’t, and the future looks promising except when it doesn’t. Steady hand at the helm, and all that. And don’t forget that the US is our greatest partner and you really need to wait and see what it does before you make any decisions.
The Beowulf Award
As I looked at the facebook site he had created, it hit me. Not only Christopher, but all of those people who contributed really do fit the criteria. They have taken on the monster of apathy, the evil of the assault on democracy, the defeatist attitude that average Canadians cannot effect change and they got this incredible momentum going, never stalling in the face of criticism or ridicule as others tried to trivialize what they were doing.
It is not necessary to succeed completely to win the award, it is only necessary to have made a stand, and Christopher White, along with all who joined in have done that.
But they also succeeded. Regardless of how the rallies go, they woke up many Canadians, drew attention to our ailing democracy, inspired thousands, established a network of activists and concerned citizens that will no doubt outlive the prorogation issue.
So the winners of the Beowulf Award are:
Christopher White, creator of the facebook account “Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament;”
All the legitimate members of Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament (excludes trolls), special mention to the many who are working so hard organizing events, doing research, up-dating us on events, informing us of articles of interest, setting helpful links, networking, finding speakers, getting material together for rallies...;
All of those who support the rallies in any way, either by showing up, spreading the word, organizing, donating, or taking the time to become informed;
All of those who have written letters to newspapers, posted on blogs, written to Parliamentarians or other people in a bid to fight for our country and rights in this instance.
I have personally seen people go from feeling they could do nothing against Harper’s onslaught on our rights and freedoms to getting very involved in helping prepare for the rallies, distribute information, convince others of the importance of getting involved, and most important, realizing that we citizens have power and are responsible for shaping our democracy.
What Christopher White and those who have worked so hard as a result of his initiating this movement will help us create a healthier democracy if we continue what they have started.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Monster of the week: Pat Robertson
Monster of the week: Pat Robertson for his comments on Haiti:
ROBERTSON: [S]omething happened a long time ago in Haiti and people might not want to talk about it. They were under the heel of the French. Napoleon the Third and whatever. And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, “We will serve you if you get us free from the prince.” True story. And so the devil said, “OK, it’s a deal.” They kicked the French out, the Haitians revolted and got themselves free.
But ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after the other, desperately poor. That island of Hispaniola is one island. It’s cut down the middle, on the one side is Haiti, on the other side is the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic is prosperous, healthy, full of resorts, etc. Haiti is in desperate poverty. Same island.
They need to have, and we need to pray for them, a great turning to God. And out of this tragedy I’m optimistic something good may come. But right now, we’re helping the suffering people and the suffering is unimaginable.
Boundless Christian compassion.
Go to Bruce’s place for the Hatian Ambassador to the US having his say. It’s excellent.
Don't give Haitians a penny, says rightwing US shock jock
Amid the rash of appeals for Haiti donations has come a call from one of the most prominent voices on the American right for people to hang on to their cash because Barack Obama might steal it.
Rush Limbaugh, the most popular radio talkshow host, who is sometimes described as the real leader of the Republican party, says Americans should not give a penny to a population struggling for survival after the earthquake.
and more Rush (but not that cool music stuff), also stolen from CC:
Hostile to Haiti: Rush Limbaugh is classless in attacking hemisphere's poorest country
Wednesday, May 20th 2009, 7:25 PM
Reacting to ex-President Bill Clinton's appointment as UN special envoy to Haiti, radio personality Rush Limbaugh had this to say yesterday:
"I'm just gonna tell you, if I was named envoy to Haiti, I'd quit government. Envoy to Haiti? You can't even pick up a prostitute down there without genuine fear of AIDS."
CC adds: And if anyone knows third world, immuno-compromised hookers, well ... I'm sure you see where I'm going with this.
A very important photo of Steve and notes on the shuffle
Because, you know, it isn’t about the Ministers. It’s all about Steve. All the time.
I'm rather disappointed that there's no new Harper on the phone with some important guy for my collection. I almost have enough of them that if I put one on each page, I can make a little flip book and make it look like he's having an actual conversation, complete with hand movements.
About that cabinet shuffle (in which the government takes time off to re-calibrate, tweak, and fine-tune his ministry) – what the media is saying:
There is general agreement by journalists that the shuffle was a “minor make-over” meant to:
Reward some members – Christian Paradis, Rona Ambrose
Punish some Ministers such as Lisa Raitt and Peter Van Loan for poor performance
Focus on two main priorities: Security and fiscal restraint
Vic Toews ‘ background in Justice and move to Public Safety suggests more attention will be paid to implementing tough security laws and policies.
The shuffle was largely viewed by journalists as signaling “no significant change” in the government’s course and offering no new message. Focus of the government is expected to remain on the economy when Parliament resumes March 3, 2010. The agenda deals nearly exclusively with the economy and law and order/security. Actual funding, according to a leaked memo is to go only to projects dealing with health and safety as well as security.
Jack Layton came out with a clever line as he criticized Raitt’s move to Labour: “Jobs, jobs creation and the issue of our labour force should be a top priority and not seen as some kind of penalty box for a misbehaving minister.”
Economy
Despite the economy coming up in speeches related to the shuffle, senior economic portfolios remain unchanged (Finance, Industry, Infrastructure and transport, Human Resources)
This leaves the government with the same talented team of Ministers under which spending went up by 17.6 % from 2006-2009 and under which revenues were cut, resulting in a 56 billion dollar deficit.
Stockwell Doris Day
Considered to most significant appointment in the shuffle.
Day’s job will be to help plan restraint following the March 4, 2010 budget as the government plans to end stimulus spending and must find areas where cuts to spending can be made.
Journalists agree that Day, already being called the “new Dr. No in Ottawa,” was apparently chosen by Harper for his experience as treasurer in Alberta where he preached restraint. Most believe the real dude behind money matters (other than Harper himself, that is) will remain Flaherty. Day’s appointment sends a message that Harper plans to stay focused on the economy. Day can also tow the line although he is prone to making monumentally stupid comments - which I am very much looking forward to.
When he was treasurer for Alberta, Day famously wore a loonie pinned to his lapel to recognize how hard taxpayers work for their “sweat-soaked” dollars.
That turned out to be laughable, however.
But Day’s fiscal reputation as a penny-pincher is exaggerated. As Alberta treasurer in the late 1990s, he pledged to respect every loonie he spent as soaked with the taxpayer sweat, but then presided over hefty leaps in government spending as oil prices soared.
I expect we’ll see more of the same. Dorky words and gimmicks delivered by Day, meant to sound all folksy in order to pretend the CONs can relate to real people during economic hard times. Yeah, Day is just a regular guy - who happens to make a hell of a lot more than the rest of us, and who believes humans walked with dinosaurs.
Day’s bland face can easily be mistaken for innocence, at a glance, and Harper may hope that will appeal to people as well. However, it is simply a lack of any kind of imagination, and indication of an intellect so dim it must remain in shallow water or risk being lost in concepts that include more than one main, overstated principle.
Samples from yesterday showing Day’s brilliance with rhetoric:
“I think we’ll be hearing two words: no and no.”
“We’ll all sit down and sharpen our pencils and look at the best way to keep the message out: that we’ve got a strong economy, but we need to keep spending under control.”
Be prepared to hear a lot of euphemisms. There won’t be job cuts; positions will be declared surplus and that surplus will be eliminated through attrition.
There won’t be cuts to programs and departments; there will be re-allocation of resources.
Benefits won't be cut; benefits will be equalized.
Soldiers won't be killed; Canada will make contributions on the international stage.
And remember – CONs never, ever lie. They just occasionally miss-speak.
Bonus: exciting news!!!!!!! Straight from the PMO!!!!!!!!!!!
(emphasis mine)
Truro, Nova Scotia
1:30 p.m. – Prime Minister Stephen Harper will hold a photo opportunity. He will be joined by Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence; Scott Armstrong, Member of Parliament for Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley; Darrell Dexter, Premier of Nova Scotia; Bill Mills, Mayor of Truro; and Bob Taylor, Mayor of Colchester.
I can hardly wait. I hope he finds a phone near by...
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Oh, wow! A New Year’s invite from my MP and MPP!!!!!!
Got this flyer today (sorry, scanner’s on the fritz, will load original later)
Uh-huh
Too bad I’ll be busy attending the rally on the Hill, Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament.
Pure coincidence, I’m sure.
Do they think we can be bought for a cheap buffet?
You are cordially invited
to join
Mr and Mrs Scott Reid, M.P.
And Mr and Mrs Randy Hillier,
M.P.P.
At the following
New Year’s levees:
From: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
January 23, 2010
Napanee Lions Club
57 County Road 8
Napanee, ON
________________________
January 24, 2010
Dufferin Square Boardroom
105 Duffering Street
Perth, ON
Dress: casual
to join
Mr and Mrs Scott Reid, M.P.
And Mr and Mrs Randy Hillier,
M.P.P.
At the following
New Year’s levees:
From: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
January 23, 2010
Napanee Lions Club
57 County Road 8
Napanee, ON
________________________
January 24, 2010
Dufferin Square Boardroom
105 Duffering Street
Perth, ON
Dress: casual
Uh-huh
Too bad I’ll be busy attending the rally on the Hill, Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament.
Pure coincidence, I’m sure.
Do they think we can be bought for a cheap buffet?
You think "Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament" is rousing the public?
"nothing would galvanize even the most apathetic public servant like touching their pension"
No kidding.
Journalist Kathryn May explains why decent pensions were granted to public servants:
Secure and generous pensions were historically considered key to protecting the public service from corruption. Also, many public servants aren't as free as private sector workers to invest in the market because of potential conflicts of interest on policy issues they are working on.
Not only are public servants barred from certain investments, there are many other things they are barred from unless they take a leave of absence since such actions would constitute a conflict of interest, or violate policies they are subject to.
Furthermore, some of these people have been paying into these pensions for close to 25-30 years, planning for their retirement responsibly under a signed agreement they went into when they accepted their position. I'd be pissed if my employer decided to welsh on that agreement after all those years.
And the pathetic reason Harper & Co. offer? Many people in the private sector have crappy retirement plans.
So rather than put through measures to secure decent pensions for all working Canadians, they want to lower the bar for everyone - except themselves, that is.
Well...I've been saying that if the government squeezes public servants too hard, especially while kicking them in the face, serving them up as scapegoats, bashing them in committees, firing them for doing their jobs, they will start pushing back.
But union leaders say the government should be prepared for an all-out war with its employees if it tampers with their defined benefit pension plan or tries to convert it to a defined contribution plan as has happened in Britain.
Canada's 18 federal unions are meeting in Ottawa for two days starting today to develop a united front against what they believe is the Harper government's gathering assault on the public service.
"When you attack people's retirement savings, you are asking for the fight of your life and I think it would be a most unwise thing for any political party to do. And if they did it to public servants, they would have to do it to the military and RCMP, and do they really want to annoy them?" said (Ron Cochrane, co-chair of the National Joint Council).
And the unions will be the first to pounce on MPs, judges and deputy ministers whose pensions are even richer than those of the rest of the public service.
With roughly 450,000 federal public servants, they and their families can create quite a painful pouncing.
No kidding.
Journalist Kathryn May explains why decent pensions were granted to public servants:
Secure and generous pensions were historically considered key to protecting the public service from corruption. Also, many public servants aren't as free as private sector workers to invest in the market because of potential conflicts of interest on policy issues they are working on.
Not only are public servants barred from certain investments, there are many other things they are barred from unless they take a leave of absence since such actions would constitute a conflict of interest, or violate policies they are subject to.
Furthermore, some of these people have been paying into these pensions for close to 25-30 years, planning for their retirement responsibly under a signed agreement they went into when they accepted their position. I'd be pissed if my employer decided to welsh on that agreement after all those years.
And the pathetic reason Harper & Co. offer? Many people in the private sector have crappy retirement plans.
So rather than put through measures to secure decent pensions for all working Canadians, they want to lower the bar for everyone - except themselves, that is.
Well...I've been saying that if the government squeezes public servants too hard, especially while kicking them in the face, serving them up as scapegoats, bashing them in committees, firing them for doing their jobs, they will start pushing back.
But union leaders say the government should be prepared for an all-out war with its employees if it tampers with their defined benefit pension plan or tries to convert it to a defined contribution plan as has happened in Britain.
Them's fightin' woyds.
And it isn't just talk -
Canada's 18 federal unions are meeting in Ottawa for two days starting today to develop a united front against what they believe is the Harper government's gathering assault on the public service.
"When you attack people's retirement savings, you are asking for the fight of your life and I think it would be a most unwise thing for any political party to do. And if they did it to public servants, they would have to do it to the military and RCMP, and do they really want to annoy them?" said (Ron Cochrane, co-chair of the National Joint Council).
If Harper and Flaherty want to stick with that "public servants' generous pensions" line and how it's unfair considering the private sector generally doesn't have such security, they'll have trouble with this -
And the unions will be the first to pounce on MPs, judges and deputy ministers whose pensions are even richer than those of the rest of the public service.
With roughly 450,000 federal public servants, they and their families can create quite a painful pouncing.
Holy South Park, Batman!
Like a really, really annoying Cartman episode -
Transport Canada says no new incidents or intelligence information prompted its security branch to send a "vigilance" notice to airlines, airports and the federal agency in charge of airport screening a week ago—contradicting statements by Transport Minister John Baird and Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan.
So, as I said a few days ago, these terrorist scares are bull shit, most likely spewed out by Baird and The Mouth Van Loan at Steve's orders to divert attention from what monumentally, undemocratic, lying fuck-ups they and their entire party are, and to shove through appalling changes to security that violate our rights and freedoms.
And just in case any of you are about to scream about those Liberal appointed public servants at Transport Canada just trying to give those poor Conservatives a hard time by making this story up -
Seriously. How many pictures of Harper on the phone do we have to pay for to stay informed? How many staged shots of Stevie must come out of our tax dollars in his endless quest for a majority so that he can completely destroy our democracy and force his narrow, atavistic ideology into all aspects of our lives.
How many more. How, how many more?
Meanwhile, as Steve is gettin' the job dun doing real important shit and making sure we see him in all his glory and many variations of The Phone Call, news average Canadians don't give a shit about -
So, as I said a few days ago, these terrorist scares are bull shit, most likely spewed out by Baird and The Mouth Van Loan at Steve's orders to divert attention from what monumentally, undemocratic, lying fuck-ups they and their entire party are, and to shove through appalling changes to security that violate our rights and freedoms.
And just in case any of you are about to scream about those Liberal appointed public servants at Transport Canada just trying to give those poor Conservatives a hard time by making this story up -
The statements from the two ministers, claiming the government was of aware of new information about potential terrorist activity, appear also to have diverged from security assessments at the time by the Transportation Security Administration in the United States.
And if the Americans are saying that Baird and Van Loan are lying sacks of shit, it must be so.
In case Johnny and Petey try to say they simply both, through sheer coincidence miss-spoke, take noote that during interviews held days later, both confirmed what they had said earlier.
Dewar and Holland had a few words to say, explaining that the government needs to be honest about security risks, they owe it to Canadians, and that by exaggerating risks for political reasons, people won't know what to believe when a real security risk is announced.
Really. Considering the many, many cases of misinformation and outright falsehoods Steve & Co. have prompted, we should just assume everything they tell us is a lie.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Portraits of a sociopath
Any time something happens - any event, whether in their immediate sphere or not, sociopaths asks two things: how can it harm them, and how can they benefit from it?
The PMO photos issued by Steve since the Haiti disaster hit the news are all about him using the horrifying, tragic event to present a staged, fabricated image of who he thinks the public will want to vote for.
In nearly every photo, Steve is the main event. With little exception, he directs meetings, or he is the only person in the photo, or he is the one everyone else is looking at.
The PMO photos, according to Soudas, are to keep the public informed of important governmental events. Sure. Take a look and ask yourself if these photos give any indication of what the government is up to or what's going on in our country. Many photos do not even provide us with context for location. Just more and more and more of Harper's face, talking.
The pics of him and his prop wife donating to the Red Cross are not a bad idea if the intention was to motivate Canadians to give as well, but since no statement accompnaied the photos indicating that, and because all of the others are so self-serving, it is difficult not to see them as nothing more but self-promotion on the part of our malignant narcissist of a PM.
I love the expression on the face of the one man at the back in the Red Cross photos. I don't think he was terribly convinced of Stevo's sincerity.
Harper just doesn't get it, because he's incapable of viewing anything from a perspective other than his own self-interested one. That's scary shit, when the guy is supposed to be making decisions for the welfare of all Canadians.
The PMO photos issued by Steve since the Haiti disaster hit the news are all about him using the horrifying, tragic event to present a staged, fabricated image of who he thinks the public will want to vote for.
In nearly every photo, Steve is the main event. With little exception, he directs meetings, or he is the only person in the photo, or he is the one everyone else is looking at.
The PMO photos, according to Soudas, are to keep the public informed of important governmental events. Sure. Take a look and ask yourself if these photos give any indication of what the government is up to or what's going on in our country. Many photos do not even provide us with context for location. Just more and more and more of Harper's face, talking.
The pics of him and his prop wife donating to the Red Cross are not a bad idea if the intention was to motivate Canadians to give as well, but since no statement accompnaied the photos indicating that, and because all of the others are so self-serving, it is difficult not to see them as nothing more but self-promotion on the part of our malignant narcissist of a PM.
I love the expression on the face of the one man at the back in the Red Cross photos. I don't think he was terribly convinced of Stevo's sincerity.
Harper just doesn't get it, because he's incapable of viewing anything from a perspective other than his own self-interested one. That's scary shit, when the guy is supposed to be making decisions for the welfare of all Canadians.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Harper`s real important shit gets highjacked
From the PMO, these real important photos (paid for by us) of Steve, doing real important stuff:
Unfortunately for Steve, Charest doesn't go for the one man show thing, nor does he feel subject to any Stevie gag order or scripted messaging.
Charest got to draw attention once more over his concerns at how Harper is stalling on climate change action by simply waiting to see what the US plans to do. Nice. Reminded Canadians of the severe problems our country faces as Parliament is prorogued. Problems to big to hide behind self-promoting photo ops.
Who is distancing from who?
Been reading quite a few comments concerning Tom Flanagan and speculation that the CPC is distancing itself from him.
I don't really see that, but maybe I've missed some information.
Shelley Palin Glover's dumbass comments were just that: stupid words from a stupid woman. She may have chosen to respond to questions about Flanagan's comments surrounding how the CONs have been royally screwing up their expressed justification of proroguing, but I don't see that as being the party line for a couple of reasons: I have yet to hear of any other CON taking the same line, and I can't see publicly trashing Flanagan as good for the CPC. His beliefs are hard core far right, he has never swayed from that, and he probably is saying aloud what many conservatives are thinking.
Harper may have a temporary strangle hold on his MPs, but with screw up after screw up, and his inability to climb out of minority territory after four years where he has had so much direct control over the party's message, there are likely several influential members who are thinking it's time for him to go before he sets the party back even further.
I'm inclined to believe that Flanagan is one of those people. He still spouts the same hard right ideology, but in this latest interview, he drew a line. After the short clip of Flanagan, the interviewer adds that Flanagan "went on to say this proves that he is no Harper stooge."
That sounds more to me like Flanagan has come to the realization that Harper is bad for the party, not someone he wishes to support fully, and he is making that clear by offering up Harper by name - possibly because he knows it's time to oust Mr. Petulant and back someone else.
The CPC can try to hang in there, try to ride out this latest dive in the polls brought on yet again by Harper's actions, arrogance, and failure to connect with the public, but I think most members are realizing there is a very high possibilitry this fall will happen again and again. In addition, the public is not warming to Harper, not after four years, and there are so many instances of his deceit and callousness that the opposition can keep reminding us of.
There is growing international criticism of Harper as well, due to his poor performances on international issues. By running his party and the government as a one man show, anyone considering his continued role as leader knows that decisions made by the CPC and the current government rest squarely on his shoulders. If our reputation has dropped internationally, it is due principally to Harper's actions and choices.
Four years is long enough for him to have demonstrated his own impact as PM. Blaming the Liberals for current problems no longer flies, since it is easy to show direct connection between negative consequences and the actions, policies, and changes implemented under his leadership. Nor does saying the Liberals did it before work, since he has done little to change systems and policies that allowed the Liberals to perform badly.
The CPC seems to have lost some cohesion, lately. More people talking without scripted notes, more leaks to the press.
I don't believe in the apocalypse, but Harper may. He may be about to meet his own, personal day of judgement.
I don't really see that, but maybe I've missed some information.
Shelley Palin Glover's dumbass comments were just that: stupid words from a stupid woman. She may have chosen to respond to questions about Flanagan's comments surrounding how the CONs have been royally screwing up their expressed justification of proroguing, but I don't see that as being the party line for a couple of reasons: I have yet to hear of any other CON taking the same line, and I can't see publicly trashing Flanagan as good for the CPC. His beliefs are hard core far right, he has never swayed from that, and he probably is saying aloud what many conservatives are thinking.
Harper may have a temporary strangle hold on his MPs, but with screw up after screw up, and his inability to climb out of minority territory after four years where he has had so much direct control over the party's message, there are likely several influential members who are thinking it's time for him to go before he sets the party back even further.
I'm inclined to believe that Flanagan is one of those people. He still spouts the same hard right ideology, but in this latest interview, he drew a line. After the short clip of Flanagan, the interviewer adds that Flanagan "went on to say this proves that he is no Harper stooge."
That sounds more to me like Flanagan has come to the realization that Harper is bad for the party, not someone he wishes to support fully, and he is making that clear by offering up Harper by name - possibly because he knows it's time to oust Mr. Petulant and back someone else.
The CPC can try to hang in there, try to ride out this latest dive in the polls brought on yet again by Harper's actions, arrogance, and failure to connect with the public, but I think most members are realizing there is a very high possibilitry this fall will happen again and again. In addition, the public is not warming to Harper, not after four years, and there are so many instances of his deceit and callousness that the opposition can keep reminding us of.
There is growing international criticism of Harper as well, due to his poor performances on international issues. By running his party and the government as a one man show, anyone considering his continued role as leader knows that decisions made by the CPC and the current government rest squarely on his shoulders. If our reputation has dropped internationally, it is due principally to Harper's actions and choices.
Four years is long enough for him to have demonstrated his own impact as PM. Blaming the Liberals for current problems no longer flies, since it is easy to show direct connection between negative consequences and the actions, policies, and changes implemented under his leadership. Nor does saying the Liberals did it before work, since he has done little to change systems and policies that allowed the Liberals to perform badly.
The CPC seems to have lost some cohesion, lately. More people talking without scripted notes, more leaks to the press.
I don't believe in the apocalypse, but Harper may. He may be about to meet his own, personal day of judgement.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Oh. My. Effing. Dog.
This may take awhile, so grab a coffee. Better make that something with a kick to it. I’ll wait...
...OK. The dividing line between sanity and insanity is not clear or precise. Most insane people permanently cross that final zone between reality and massive delusion gradually. They may have at one time questioned their own rhetoric, wondered, when comparing themselves to others, if they were normal, noticed odd little differences such as others having something called a conscience. But let a borderline case sit long enough listening to nothing but the echoes of his own disturbed ideas, well, you can end up with this:
Harper was asked if Canada's reputation as a stable democracy will suffer from his prorogation of Parliament. Harper said there was "zero risk" of that. In fact, he said it's when Parliament is sitting that Canada's stability comes into question.
I know. Read it again. Take your time. I’ll wait...
That is our Prime Minister, folks. The guy who is supposed to lead our country through Parliament, the guy who is supposed to help guard our democracy and promote Canada internationally. And he is saying that Canada is more stable when the democratic process of elected representatives acting on behalf of voters is by-passed, suspended.
He of course blames the instability of a sitting Parliament on the fact that he has a minority government, and somehow, this just isn’t fair, or workable, and if it is dysfunctional, it simply isn’t his fault. We Canadians just aren’t doing our part in giving him a majority, and the opposition MPs are, well, behaving like opposition MPs.
Yes, Steve, that’s what it means to have a minority. You either work with the opposition (which collectively represents the majority of Canadians who did not vote for your party) and develop legislation accordingly, or you quit and let someone who really grasps and respects that fundamental concept of a democratic Parliament do the job.
When I read this article today, I decided that yes, Steve has finally permanently crossed that line into insanity. He finds nothing wrong with making such statements, finds them in fact so reasonable that he thinks the majority of Canadians will find them truthful, brilliant, and just the very reason to give him a majority.
It is Steve’s failure to grasp how appalling his reasoning is that shows him to be mad.
He sees nothing wrong with stating that it is better to suspend Parliament than to have to deal with the 2/3 of Parliamentarians representing 2/3 of Canadians voters. He sees nothing wrong in praising the virtues of proroguing as a means of avoiding democratic votes in the House, votes made on behalf of those we elect.
And somehow, after telling us through these crazy words that 2/3 of Canadians aren’t worth listening to, that 2/3 of Canadians’ rights don’t mean shit, he thinks those very Canadians will see the wisdom of having their rights ignored, and will give him a majority so that he can crush even more of those rights with even fewer barriers.
That’s insanity. That’s sight so turned inward that it can do nothing but invent its own version of reality in a mind so isolated from normal people that it begins to believe the craziness it has made up.
And that, Steve, is the kind of instability of mind that prevents you from convincing more Canadians to vote for you.
Steve seems to think he is Special. The Chosen One. The saviour just waiting to be anointed. There have been others like him, people who have started out with a sense of entitlement, believing that they were born special, and that rules did not apply to them. They believed they were meant to make the rules for those lesser beings, the mindless masses.
Kim Jong-il Caligula L. Ron Hubbard
Leaders who ignore the public and create their own rule of law to suit their personal objectives are not leaders. They are despots.
...OK. The dividing line between sanity and insanity is not clear or precise. Most insane people permanently cross that final zone between reality and massive delusion gradually. They may have at one time questioned their own rhetoric, wondered, when comparing themselves to others, if they were normal, noticed odd little differences such as others having something called a conscience. But let a borderline case sit long enough listening to nothing but the echoes of his own disturbed ideas, well, you can end up with this:
Harper was asked if Canada's reputation as a stable democracy will suffer from his prorogation of Parliament. Harper said there was "zero risk" of that. In fact, he said it's when Parliament is sitting that Canada's stability comes into question.
I know. Read it again. Take your time. I’ll wait...
That is our Prime Minister, folks. The guy who is supposed to lead our country through Parliament, the guy who is supposed to help guard our democracy and promote Canada internationally. And he is saying that Canada is more stable when the democratic process of elected representatives acting on behalf of voters is by-passed, suspended.
He of course blames the instability of a sitting Parliament on the fact that he has a minority government, and somehow, this just isn’t fair, or workable, and if it is dysfunctional, it simply isn’t his fault. We Canadians just aren’t doing our part in giving him a majority, and the opposition MPs are, well, behaving like opposition MPs.
"As soon as Parliament comes back, we're in a minority Parliament situation and the first thing that happens is a vote of confidence and there will be votes of confidence and election speculation for every single week after that for the rest of the year," he said. “That's the kind of instability I think that markets are actually worried about.”
Yes, Steve, that’s what it means to have a minority. You either work with the opposition (which collectively represents the majority of Canadians who did not vote for your party) and develop legislation accordingly, or you quit and let someone who really grasps and respects that fundamental concept of a democratic Parliament do the job.
When I read this article today, I decided that yes, Steve has finally permanently crossed that line into insanity. He finds nothing wrong with making such statements, finds them in fact so reasonable that he thinks the majority of Canadians will find them truthful, brilliant, and just the very reason to give him a majority.
It is Steve’s failure to grasp how appalling his reasoning is that shows him to be mad.
He sees nothing wrong with stating that it is better to suspend Parliament than to have to deal with the 2/3 of Parliamentarians representing 2/3 of Canadians voters. He sees nothing wrong in praising the virtues of proroguing as a means of avoiding democratic votes in the House, votes made on behalf of those we elect.
And somehow, after telling us through these crazy words that 2/3 of Canadians aren’t worth listening to, that 2/3 of Canadians’ rights don’t mean shit, he thinks those very Canadians will see the wisdom of having their rights ignored, and will give him a majority so that he can crush even more of those rights with even fewer barriers.
That’s insanity. That’s sight so turned inward that it can do nothing but invent its own version of reality in a mind so isolated from normal people that it begins to believe the craziness it has made up.
And that, Steve, is the kind of instability of mind that prevents you from convincing more Canadians to vote for you.
Steve seems to think he is Special. The Chosen One. The saviour just waiting to be anointed. There have been others like him, people who have started out with a sense of entitlement, believing that they were born special, and that rules did not apply to them. They believed they were meant to make the rules for those lesser beings, the mindless masses.
Kim Jong-il Caligula L. Ron Hubbard
Leaders who ignore the public and create their own rule of law to suit their personal objectives are not leaders. They are despots.
No bounds to their arrogance and dismissal of the public’s will.
The Conservatives appear unfazed by the criticism (over prorogation), however, with Industry Minister Tony Clement saying Monday that ordinary Canadians don't consider prorogation to be a big issue.
"It may not be what the chattering classes want, but we're not here to govern on behalf of the chattering classes," he said.
So according tho Clement, people who engage in political discourse and exercise their democratic right to voice their opinions are chattering classes, just annoying background noise.
They are also, according to sides-with-angels-Tony, elites. Definition: the best in a particular society or organization. Gee, thanks, Tony! If the chattering classes are really the best, maybe you should side with them just a little.
Conservatives: working hard at re-defining Canada and Canadians in their dumbed-down image.
"It may not be what the chattering classes want, but we're not here to govern on behalf of the chattering classes," he said.
So according tho Clement, people who engage in political discourse and exercise their democratic right to voice their opinions are chattering classes, just annoying background noise.
They are also, according to sides-with-angels-Tony, elites. Definition: the best in a particular society or organization. Gee, thanks, Tony! If the chattering classes are really the best, maybe you should side with them just a little.
Conservatives: working hard at re-defining Canada and Canadians in their dumbed-down image.
Harper and Co. doing more real important shit.
So good of Steve to keep us up-to-date on what Canadians really care about: more pictures of Steve.
An’ check eet out, mang! A 13 second video, with no sound! (just creeeepy) (original, without sound)
How fucking cool is that?
We can set the video on a loop, sit back, and just imagine what VERY IMPORTANT words the Big Man is sharing with his VERY IMPORTANT Ministers of VERY IMPORTANT shit.
Might as well imagine what’s being said since this is obviously a staged shot of a fake meeting meant to deceive what the CONs think of as a very stupid public into thinking Steve & Co. are hard at work.
Canadians don’t really care about what is actually said in meetings so why not just hold fake ones? Why bother telling Canadians tiresome little details about changes in security measures that could affect us in our travels, in our daily lives? Why even bother making information reasonably available to those radical few who might actually want to be informed?
We just want those shiny photos of Steve doing...stuff.
This photo and video, like most from the PMO, do provide us simple-minded, average Canadians with a little direction. Just a nudge in the right-wing direction.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper receives a national security briefing from Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan, Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon, National Defence Minister Peter MacKay, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Rob Nicholson.
And golly-gee! What a coincidence that we are fed this suddenbull shit diversion security alert.
So here we see Steve receiving a briefing by making the others shut the fuck up and listen, because...well, get real, guys. We have MacKay thinking, “Man! I can’t believe I let this S.O.B. screw me out of the leadership.” Nicholson is wondering if he should use his position as Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada to have Steve declared legally insane or if he should just go down with the sinking ship. Cannon is thinking his French is better than Harper’s and his hair more natural looking, so if he keeps his mouth shut, lets MacKay and Steve talk, he can let them drown in their own idiocy and snap up the leadership. The Mouth Van Loan is waiting in his bus-boy suit to see if Harper actually wants coffee in his prop cup - note the cashing in on the Beatles thing. (h/t BCL)
‘Cause even when our PM is hard at werk protectin’ avrige Canajuns, the chattering classes, and the elite who aren’t that interested in Parliament or what it does, he is just the coolest dude evah! Why, he’s so cool he can make Canada more stable without a Parliament!
For you idiots out there who have been commenting on articles relating to this VERY IMPORTANT meeting and saying things like “good to see our PM hard at work!” “Finally, a PM we can be proud of!” and “We are so lucky to have a PM who gets things done instead of wasting time in Parliament debating,” rub your two brain cells together, wait for that tiny flash, and think - fast - before the light goes out: if it’s a briefing on security, where are the folks who actually, in real life that is, do such briefings with Ministers? That would be the specialists from various departments: Deputy Ministers and reps from DFAIT, the RCMP, DND, and Transport. (more on this here with The Jurist)
Speaking of which, where is John Baird, how dumb is he, and why, oh why does he hate Canadians? As Minister of Transport, shouldn’t he be at a national security briefing that came up as a result of concerns over transportation security?
Oh, I see...he’s busy shaking down elderly women and keeping Canada safe from grannies.
Meanwhile, in news that average Canadians don’t give a shit about:
The country's budget watchdog and some of Canada's leading economists are contradicting Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, saying he cannot balance the books without raising taxes or slashing spending. Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page warned Monday Canada could be headed back to the financial bad old days of the 1970s and 1980s when the country was crippled by public debt.
Who needs Second Life to escape to when we have Steve Harper creating an imaginary environment for us?
An’ check eet out, mang! A 13 second video, with no sound! (just creeeepy) (original, without sound)
How fucking cool is that?
We can set the video on a loop, sit back, and just imagine what VERY IMPORTANT words the Big Man is sharing with his VERY IMPORTANT Ministers of VERY IMPORTANT shit.
Might as well imagine what’s being said since this is obviously a staged shot of a fake meeting meant to deceive what the CONs think of as a very stupid public into thinking Steve & Co. are hard at work.
Canadians don’t really care about what is actually said in meetings so why not just hold fake ones? Why bother telling Canadians tiresome little details about changes in security measures that could affect us in our travels, in our daily lives? Why even bother making information reasonably available to those radical few who might actually want to be informed?
We just want those shiny photos of Steve doing...stuff.
This photo and video, like most from the PMO, do provide us simple-minded, average Canadians with a little direction. Just a nudge in the right-wing direction.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper receives a national security briefing from Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan, Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon, National Defence Minister Peter MacKay, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Rob Nicholson.
And golly-gee! What a coincidence that we are fed this sudden
So here we see Steve receiving a briefing by making the others shut the fuck up and listen, because...well, get real, guys. We have MacKay thinking, “Man! I can’t believe I let this S.O.B. screw me out of the leadership.” Nicholson is wondering if he should use his position as Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada to have Steve declared legally insane or if he should just go down with the sinking ship. Cannon is thinking his French is better than Harper’s and his hair more natural looking, so if he keeps his mouth shut, lets MacKay and Steve talk, he can let them drown in their own idiocy and snap up the leadership. The Mouth Van Loan is waiting in his bus-boy suit to see if Harper actually wants coffee in his prop cup - note the cashing in on the Beatles thing. (h/t BCL)
‘Cause even when our PM is hard at werk protectin’ avrige Canajuns, the chattering classes, and the elite who aren’t that interested in Parliament or what it does, he is just the coolest dude evah! Why, he’s so cool he can make Canada more stable without a Parliament!
For you idiots out there who have been commenting on articles relating to this VERY IMPORTANT meeting and saying things like “good to see our PM hard at work!” “Finally, a PM we can be proud of!” and “We are so lucky to have a PM who gets things done instead of wasting time in Parliament debating,” rub your two brain cells together, wait for that tiny flash, and think - fast - before the light goes out: if it’s a briefing on security, where are the folks who actually, in real life that is, do such briefings with Ministers? That would be the specialists from various departments: Deputy Ministers and reps from DFAIT, the RCMP, DND, and Transport. (more on this here with The Jurist)
Speaking of which, where is John Baird, how dumb is he, and why, oh why does he hate Canadians? As Minister of Transport, shouldn’t he be at a national security briefing that came up as a result of concerns over transportation security?
Oh, I see...he’s busy shaking down elderly women and keeping Canada safe from grannies.
Meanwhile, in news that average Canadians don’t give a shit about:
The country's budget watchdog and some of Canada's leading economists are contradicting Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, saying he cannot balance the books without raising taxes or slashing spending. Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page warned Monday Canada could be headed back to the financial bad old days of the 1970s and 1980s when the country was crippled by public debt.
Who needs Second Life to escape to when we have Steve Harper creating an imaginary environment for us?
Sunday, January 10, 2010
I'm sure it's because Canadians don't care, right?
With the environment near the top of the public agenda this year, Prentice's door swung open the widest for lobbyists, with 136 face-to-face or telephone contacts reported in the year, the data show.
Isn’t that nice? Harper’s government not only realizing that the environment is near the top of the public agenda, but our very own environment minister meeting with lobbyist as a result.
Let’s see how what Harper, through Prentice has in mind for our environmental future.
Of these contacts, the majority -- 81 of 136 -- were with lobbyists representing oil, gas or other energy companies, including EnCana, Suncor, Shell Canada and ConocoPhillips. Prentice met to discuss energy issues with Imperial Oil on 14 occasions, more than any other company or organization.
Over half of the meetings were with companies lobbying to develop more energy sources harmful to the environment? Not good. But let’s be fair and look at how many environmental lobbyist groups our, you know, environmental Minister met with.
In the same period, he took just two meetings with environmental group the David Suzuki Foundation and another two with the Pembina Institute.
Steve Harper: once more ignoring what Canadians really care about.
Isn’t that nice? Harper’s government not only realizing that the environment is near the top of the public agenda, but our very own environment minister meeting with lobbyist as a result.
Let’s see how what Harper, through Prentice has in mind for our environmental future.
Of these contacts, the majority -- 81 of 136 -- were with lobbyists representing oil, gas or other energy companies, including EnCana, Suncor, Shell Canada and ConocoPhillips. Prentice met to discuss energy issues with Imperial Oil on 14 occasions, more than any other company or organization.
Over half of the meetings were with companies lobbying to develop more energy sources harmful to the environment? Not good. But let’s be fair and look at how many environmental lobbyist groups our, you know, environmental Minister met with.
Steve Harper: once more ignoring what Canadians really care about.
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