Harper gets high praise from convict

The great stars of Copenhagen were the Chinese and the Canadians...All Canadians should be proud of Stephen Harper. Of all the leaders of serious countries, he is the most conspicuously skeptical of this great eco-scam. This is Canada's finest foreign policy hour since Mackenzie King supported Charles de Gaulle's takeover of St. Pierre and Miquelon from Vichy at Christmas 1941, against the mindless opposition of the U.S. state department. - Conrad Black


mhmm...the great stars.  Well of course, that's pretty obvious from all the comments of the common folk and unwashed masses from all around the world.

Conrad the Con offers us a seasonal gift by imparting some of his lofty wisdom to the peasantry:


A s we say farewell to this rather dismal decade, which opened with Millennial celebrations of a New World Order and The End of History, and has been thoroughly disfigured by terrorism, economic stupidity, inept political leadership and untrammeled vulgarity of public tastes.

He should know about vulgarity.

Lisa Raitt Award goes to: Colin Mayes

The Raitt Award goes to Colin Mayes.

Unashamedly lifted from ACR who finds it as difficult as I to decide which Harpercon has made the most stoopid statement of the week.

In e-mails sent to several voters, British Columbia MP Colin Mayes wrote that the cause of climate change “has yet to be substantiated”.

“…I am careful not to over react and spend billions of taxpayer dollars because a few scientists say CO2 is causing the planet to warm,” the e-mail says.

A few scientists?  Far fewer are those oil servants claiming to be scientists saying there is any doubt about climate change or its causes.

This is not a mere bungle that can be written off as Mayes' personal opinion.  He was responding to a question regarding the government's stance, and was acting in his capacity of a member of that government.

The Climate Action Network obtained the e-mails, which originated from Mr. Mayes's Parliamentary account and were sent to at least three people who had contacted the MP about the government's stance on global warming.

Harper' actions seem in keeping with Mayes's words, reflecting that the CONs really aren't all that concerned about climate change, except on managing the message.

Harper kept a low profile, making his first public statement Friday night. The prime minister hobnobbed with other leaders Thursday at a royal dinner hosted by the queen of Denmark, passing up the chance to deliver Canada's address to the UN climate talks. He delegated that job to Environment Minister Jim Prentice.

With messengers like Mayes, their even screwing that up.

Bonus stoopid Mayes from ACR:

In a column e-mailed this week to several B.C. newspapers in his riding of Okanagan-Shuswap, Colin Mayes said that jailing reporters might help the public get accurate information.
    “Maybe it is time that we hauled off in handcuffs reporters that fabricate stories, or twist information and even falsely accuse citizens,” Mayes wrote.  

Where to start?

My PM went to Copenhagen and all I got were these lousy photos

Harper's Big Trip to Copenhagen, as reported to us from the PMO site  (you know, what Soudas tells us is how the government keeps us informed since the press is such a dismal failure?)
     

photos


Good job he managed to snag Obama for that quickie.  Sure spent our money well over there.

In fairness, Harper did provide us with this detailed account of the summit (PMO statement, if full):

“This agreement is the result of two weeks of negotiations in which Canada and Environment Minister Prentice, our chief negotiator, played a key part.  And over the past 24 hours, I have met with numerous leaders to reaffirm that Canada remains committed to a comprehensive, post-2012 agreement that is fair and effective.

“All countries must commit to taking concrete action to address climate change as part of a new treaty – actions which are measurable, verifiable and reportable. Canada is working to align our clean energy and climate change policies with those of the Obama Administration.  This approach recognizes the high degree of integration of our two economies.  Canada is prepared to contribute our fair share of financial support, particularly to the poorest and most vulnerable nations.”      (PMO statement released but not yet posted to pmo site)

Yes, yes.  He did bring back several awards: three Fossil of the Day awards, and the prestigious Fossil of the Year award.   but since I didn`t vote for him, don`t support him, and don`t share his war on doing anything to fight or cope with climate change, I gladly hand over any claim I might have to those who do.  Way to go, guys!  Third time in a row!  Earned the name Colossal Fossil for Harper`s government`s ``strategy to sabotage efforts to tackle climate change.``

There was a greater sense of urgency at this summit than at previous ones.  With many people already suffering directly from the impact of climate change, and with leaders less able to hide the inevitable consequences from those they govern, there was the overall sense of trying to co-ordinate people greatly at odds in order to put out a blaze well out of control.  No plan, and those involved fighting over who does the work, and who pays for the tools.  Meanwhile, the flames grow.

The final day showed this sense of anxiety as leaders, recognizing that little headway would be made because they simply weren`t prepared for the vast divergence in interests, knew they couldn`t go home empty handed without risking the displeasure and increase in very real fear from those they are accountable to.  So they come up with mixed messages, empty statements, and ``toothless`` deal that is non-binding. 

But it has no long-term global targets for emissions cuts or a timetable to turn the agreement into a legally-binding treaty.

Another monumental expense for all involved to come up once more with we have to come up with something or we are screwed.

The only way we will ever get any kind of grip on managing the devastations of climate change is for everyone - leaders and every person on the planet who can put pressure on them - to accept the reality that this is a growing global problem which does not wait for politics or protectionism.

We go to sleep wrapping ourselves in the comfort of our flag, secure in the knowledge that our borders are inviolate only to wake up and see that the way we live has destroyed that comfortable dream.  We love fictitious movies where the world pulls together to fight a common enemy like an alien invasion, but when we face the reality of a common threat, we scream and balk at co-operating.

Blind faith in bad leaders is not patriotism

That diarrhea dispenser Soudas, while in Copenhagen trying to control what Canadians hear, falsely accused Steven Guilbeault, a climate change activist of perpetrating a hoax that embarrassed the Canadian government. When the truth came out, not only did Soudas refuse to apologize to Guilbeault -

Guilbeault said he is also off ended because the Canadian government accused him of being unpatriotic, due to his criticism of its policies. "It's scandalous," said Guilbeault. "It seems like we've lost freedom of speech in Canada."

I’m going to exercise my swiftly eroding right to free speech, now. Anyone who still supports this Harper...regime is either complicit in its corruption, or is a complete fucking idiot.

I’m not saying this of all conservatives, but I am saying it of anyone who supports Steve Harper and his lackeys. If you can sit back and still support that Prop Minister after this comment by Soudas, then not only are you an absolute moron, but you are unpatriotic as well.


No!!!!! We support the TROOPS! you may be screaming. We support our GOVURMENT!!!! Unlike you leftie-commie-pinko-soc’lists who bash 'em!

Well, let’s look at that.

Patriotic: Inspired by patriotism; actuated by love of one's country; zealously and unselfishly devoted to the service of one's country; as, a patriotic statesman, vigilant.

Notice the definition says country, not government. It also includes vigilance as an act of patriotism.

Our democratic system relies on our ability to question, debate, and criticize. That is why there is more than one political party - to represent the differing views, ideologies, and needs of Canadians. So - now listen carefully, I know this is very difficult for some of you - when elected members criticize or question the ruling party, they are helping to make sure that all Canadians have a voice and get to apply the power of that voice in shaping their own country. It is not unpatriotic, it’s their job, their responsibility.

Democracy also relies on individuals’ rights to voice their concerns directly. How else will the government know what they want, and since the government constantly tells us it is working for our welfare, then they need to hear what affects that welfare, and how.

But-but-but- (adscam?)

Hold your tongue and sit down.  I’m not done.

Those of you who say that criticizing the government is unpatriotic, were you unpatriotic when you criticized the Liberals when they were in power, or did you just take a sabbatical from patriotism? See how it works? You love your country, you say, and that’s why you beat on those damn Liberals and Dippers, even when they are in power. And somehow, that’s patriotic. But anyone criticizing Harper and Co. is unpatriotic because he’s in power.

So, you are all fucking idiots.

You are also unpatriotic, because you place a political party above love of country.

You are unpatriotic as well because you are not vigilant: carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger; "a policy of open-eyed awareness"

A patriotic person is vigilant, and a vigilant person questions, examines, takes active part in “a policy of open-eyed awareness.”

Many hesitate to question any actions even remotely related to the military, because they fear questioning implies criticism and how can we criticize people who put their lives on the line for their country? I get that. I believe that avoiding questioning in such case is very wrong, but I get it, I understand the unspoken taboo. We are fortunate that our military is a decent enough one, overwhelmingly made up of decent people, I’d say (although there is the odd lying sack of shit) All the more reason to be vigilant, to make sure it is accountable to the country, not to the governing party. There are many examples in history and around the world today of what can happen when a military body serves the government rather than the country and we have only to look at the mess the RCMP finds itself in to understand what happens when we allow agencies to self-regulate and dodge questions from impartial, public panels.

So while I understand why it is difficult for some people to question or criticize anything possibly connected to the military, this accusation by Soudas against Guilbeault is a different beast. Politicians in power do not risk their lives for their country. In fact, they are paid quite well to serve and represent us. That means they should damn well listen to our concerns.

Harper has it backwards, and most of you who follow him do as well. Steve thinks it’s his job to change Canada and Canadians, make them act as he thinks they should, get them to serve who he believes they should serve. A Prime Minister should lead Parliament and make it work for the will of the people. The government should bend to our will, not us to theirs.

A final word on patriotism -
Love of one’s country: we should want it to be healthy. We should want it to function well. We should want it to grow, and to be something we can be proud of. That means paying attention, having the courage to criticize if needed, getting off our lazy butts and learning how our government works, what it’s up to, and whether or not it’s being straight with us.

Harper's Anywhere but Copenhagen adventures

Help Steve decide where to go.

 

Give credit where credit is due.

Come on!  It isn't fair for Canada to claim this prestigious prize.  Afterall, not all Canadians helped achieve it.

Canada has been awarded a Fossil of the Day “award” on the first day of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.  “Canada garnered today’s award for its unwavering commitment to stand firm in its inaction throughout these negotiations.” 

This should go exclusively to Harper, his CONs, and every damn person who supports them.  You earned it, wear it.


First day!  Way to go, assholes.