Canada's political volcano..

[fajrdrako]

I, the person who usually avoids politics with all my might, just watched Prime Minister Steven Harper address the country with commodorified, iclysdale, auriaephiala and raynedaze.

To quote Patrick Nielsen Hayden, "Every so often, after long stretches of preternatural boringness, Canadian politics becomes, for brief periods, the greatest show on earth."

The Prime Minister had his say. "He seems to be confusing himself with the heritage of Canada," I said.

"He seems to be confusing himself with the government," said commodorified.

"L'état c'est moi, motherfuckers," said iclysdale succinctly. I do love my friends.

Stéphane Dion is making more sense in two sentences than Harper did in his whole speech. I've heard a lot of people say they don't trust Dion, but I find it amazing that, given Dion and Harper, anyone could choose Harper as the more trustworthy.

The journalists had to point out that Harper said nothing new. I'd say... he had almost no substance at all. He was just begging Canadians to keep him on.

It's not looking likely.

I'm planning to go to the rally on Parliament Hill tomorrow, to support the coalition.

Comments

[tudorpot.livejournal.com]

I'm amused that Dion and Layton only appear to have made a move when funding to political parties was threatened. Why didn't they do this in the last four years? Also, who would choose a coalition when Dion is leaving in a few months?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'm amused that Dion and Layton only appear to have made a move when funding to political parties was threatened.

I suspect they panicked. The last straw?

Why didn't they do this in the last four years?

I don't know. I wish they had.

Also, who would choose a coalition when Dion is leaving in a few months?

Is this what they call a power vacuum?

[dewline.livejournal.com]

I can work and live with the "last straw" theory.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I've been wondering how much this was pre-planned and how much it is improvisation and opportunism.

[dewline.livejournal.com]

Have you been following Denis McGrath's blog lately? He posted recently about how one of his other fellow TV industry participants blogged about how it seems as if the "Coalition" was expecting the financial update to take the form it did and reacting surprisingly jubilantly.

The New Conservatives?

Not so much.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I don't think anyone could have anticipated things to happen the way they did, but some political crisis was bound to occur (especially given Harper's style of government) that would give them an opening for this eventuality. I'm not saying I disapprove - I like it - but I do suspect a decree of pre-planning dating back to the time of Harper's re-election.

[xinef.livejournal.com]

I like YarnHarlot's take on the whole thing (http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2008/12/03/what_is_happening_in_canada.html), esp this bit (quoted from her journal):

Obviously, the Prime Minister thinks that this is a pretty bad idea, and he is wigging out, mostly because of three things.

1. He doesn't want to lose his job. (Totally understandable.)

2. He says it is undemocratic. Many conservatives have called this a "coup" or "overthrowing the government" and have implied or claimed outright that it is illegal.

3. He claims that it is especially wrong because it includes the Bloc, a Quebec only party, claiming that it is a "betrayal of the best interests of our country."

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

the Prime Minister thinks that this is a pretty bad idea, and he is wigging out

Yup. He has that sad and nervous look.

He doesn't want to lose his job.

And he just got it back. If/when he falls, his party will Not Be Happy.

He says it is undemocratic.

Legally interesting. No doubt this will be determined. He doesn't convince me; it's all a kind of numbers game. The MPs in the coalition were elected just as much as the ones in his party. I know this is unprecedented in Canada; is it unprecedented elsewhere?

He claims that it is especially wrong because it includes the Bloc, a Quebec only party, claiming that it is a "betrayal of the best interests of our country."

Well, he would say that. If they were supporting him, he'd be happy to point out how much in the interests of Canada their intentions were. Besides, the Bloc isn't part of the coalition, they're just supporting it, and they are legally elected just as much as his Conservatives are.

Thanks for the quotes; I'll toddle over and have a look at YarnHarlot's comments.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I see that YarnHarlot says the coalition plan isn't unprecedented in Canada; I know it had been proposed before but not that it had happened. Cool.

[lilithilien.livejournal.com]

I'll see you there!!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yay!

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

ROFL. I must say I'm rather enjoying your Dramarama, here 100 miles south of the border. And am curious to see how it all falls out.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'm rather enjoying your Dramarama, here 100 miles south of the border. And am curious to see how it all falls out.

As are we all!

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

After all, it's another country's turn to take over the political entertainment. We Americans have been putting on the show for well over a year now [wry g].

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

LOL @ Dramarama. And yes, it's weird to see this in another country's admin. The PM sounds like he took long notes from our soon-previous admin.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

The PM sounds like he took long notes from our soon-previous admin.

One of my main complaints with Harper is that I saw him as a lackey of the Bush administration. Once Obama was elected, I worried about Harper much less.

I still hope Harper will soon be gone, though. I don't like his politics, his character, or his personal style.

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

He does. I think this is more than just an American changing of the guard, although the news on the CBC affiliate I get on my cable was rather more pessimistic.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Pessimistic about Obama, you mean? Or Canada's prospects? Or the Coalition's?

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

The Coalition's. They didn't even mention Obama, and Canada's prospects in general weren't mentioned.

I'm not saying that they should have mentioned Obama, but you introduced him into the conversation and I was just responding to that.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Right.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

it's another country's turn to take over the political entertainment.

True 'nuff. We were all complaining how boring our elections were compared to yours. Now it's our turn to show a few fireworks.

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

Works for me [g,d,r].

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

They've suspended parliament. The drama continues!

Does Harper really think that after this, he can placate the Opposition in January?

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

From this outsider's opinion, I think he's toast. But I don't know enough to make that kind of a pronouncement [g].

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

RE Stephen Harper:
From this outsider's opinion, I think he's toast.

I hope so. And can't imagine how it can be otherwise: hasn't he lost his credibility twice over now? After the things he has said about the Bloc Quebecois, virtually labelling them traitors and villains, I can't see them welcoming him with open arms however he pretties up his proposals in future. And without their numbers behind him, how can he negotiate with the NDP and Liberals?

But I don't know enough to make that kind of a pronouncement [g].

You don't have precognition? Me neither!

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

I probably shouldn't say this as a non-Canadian, but even back when he was leader of the opposition he always struck me as kind of smarmy. He sounds like he's as good at burning bridges as Bush was. My sympathies.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Well, you can see why I thought of Harper as a sort of wannabe Bush. As far as burning bridges... We'll see who ends up burnt in January.

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I can. Well, we finally got our other party into office. Maybe you'll be able to, too [g].

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I live in hope!

[gypsylady.livejournal.com]

Splain to me, plz...I read that your PM is claiming it is illegal to challenge him? Or words to that effect. Am confuzd.

Then again, I watch "The Border" and think it's a real police procedural...so what do I know? LOL! But I did find the article confusing (it was in the Huffington Post and I'll see if I can find the link if you want; I read it on my phone on the way home tonight.) It seemed like Harper was saying that acting against him--in a way that I KNOW Canadians have acted against previous PMs when public opinion so demanded--was against the law. Has the law been changed recently or something?

I must admit it's nice that for once it's not the US having to watch our political leaders make fools of the citizenry. Sorry if has to be our nice neighbor, though.

[dewline.livejournal.com]

Well, for all its flaws, The Border is certainly fun to watch. I bought the first-season DVD set for it, and look forward to seeing elements and aspects of the first year that I missed on first viewing.

And yeah, that sounds like something Harper would believe and try to persuade others to believe. He thinks he changed the Elections Act, and in some ways he has. But I'd be surprised to learn that this was one of them.

And so would a lot of other Canadians, a good chunk of whom would have considered themselves his supporters up to now.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

for all its flaws, The Border is certainly fun to watch.

I'm hoping to see that some time. The ads for it always look intriguing.

He thinks he changed the Elections Act, and in some ways he has. But I'd be surprised to learn that this was one of them.

Interesting to see how it transpires.

Re: The Border DVD?

[dewline.livejournal.com]

We'll talk. Soon.

Re: The Border DVD?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Okay.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Splain to me, plz...

If I can.

I read that your PM is claiming it is illegal to challenge him? Or words to that effect. Am confuzd.

The easy answer: he's lying. It's legal enough. Whether it will work is another matter, but he tried the same strategy himself in the past, and he thought it was legal when he wanted to do it.

Like any con man, he's hoping the electorate will believe him if he says it loudly and clearly enough.

I watch "The Border" and think it's a real police procedural...

You mean it isn't? [g]

It seemed like Harper was saying that acting against him--in a way that I KNOW Canadians have acted against previous PMs when public opinion so demanded--was against the law. Has the law been changed recently or something?

No. He's just... flailing. I might add that this man has been known to make and then break his own laws. I suppose it's also possible that he sees himself as some sort of benign dictator who can't be challenged. The laws don't back him on that, either.

I must admit it's nice that for once it's not the US having to watch our political leaders make fools of the citizenry.

I wish I could claim that we have some special dispensation from the flaws of mankind, but no. Canadians can be as stupid as anyone. And it's my observation that politicians are pretty much the same anywhere: it all depends on how much they can get away with.

(See why I roll my eyes and avoid politics, usually?)

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

Yo, baby! Go, Canada!!!

"No substance" is what my government has given me for the past eight years. I kept getting echoes in my head of Kim... alas, I apologize, what was her last name? Anyway, she at least had some honor and common sense. This guy Bush, not to mention the evil netherlord Cheney, well... they immediately forgot that when they got into office, it wasn't a gift, it was a job. We hired them. Duh!

Today being the day of your rally -- yes!! Onward, ye collated Canada! (Heh. Or something.)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I kept getting echoes in my head of Kim... alas, I apologize, what was her last name?

Campbell. Funny, her name has come up a few times in conversations within my hearing in the last little while, usually mangled to "Kim Cameron" or some such thing, because, well, no one really wants to remember her name. Poor woman.

Onward, ye collated Canada!

We were all revved up, but the PM locked thoe doors and threw away the key till after Christmas. Doesn't make him look good. The drama continues to unfold!

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

I'm bad with names. Nothing against Kim. I thought she might have done an adequate job, had she had the advantage of being able to work up to the job in the usual way!- Clearly, she had no familiarity with the state of being of having one's every utterance put into the public record!

Do you remember that I had a semi-encounter with this former PM? When I was a window clerk, a woman came up in with a little box going to Canada, and when I asked about contents she said it was just a dog toy. I then noticed the name: Kim Campbell. I glanced up at her as I laughed in polite surprise and started to say, "I doubt it could be that 'Kim Campbell'--?" but before I even got it out, she looked right back at me and said, yes, that's who it is. I was put off stride by this (being then still very new at verbal interaction on the spot, also), just thinking how could she even assume that I would ever have heard of the woman? She said that they knew each other through a dog club, which I found charming. So, I prepared the little parcel and sent it on its way to a former prime minister of Canada. Cool.

As for Harper locking the doors... heh. Do you know how foolish he'd be looking to Americans right now if the American press had put any of this into print at all? Lucky for him that Americans all think that Canada just keeps on going and never needs talked about! or something. And, dang, I forgot to get a paper yesterday... no, I can still get one today! Yes, it may be in, your Parliament Hill rally. I hope I don't forget to do that.

Maybe we can still turn some embarrassment Harper's way. Put him on the front page: Canada's PM Wants No Parliament! He's A Doofus!

Hey, it could happen.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Re meeting the woman who knew Kim Campbell: that's very cool.

Do you know how foolish he'd be looking to Americans right now if the American press had put any of this into print at all?

No idea. Why would it look foolish? What would the American perception be?

Put him on the front page: Canada's PM Wants No Parliament! He's A Doofus! Hey, it could happen.

Wouldn't that be a little too much like... the honest truth?