One week down... how many to go?
Mood:  down
Well THAT was a difficult week. Perhaps not "disastrous" as the Canadian Press would have you believe (like they tried to have you believe that the Liberals are the "natural governing party of Canada"), but not quite what we had hoped for.
A few thoughts:
On David Emerson: I am a bit torn on this one. On the one hand, it is fun to poke a stick into the eye of the Liberal party, and getting defectors from the opposition is usually fun sport. On the other hand, the overall optics of the situation leave a little to be desired. A coup is great when it's news today and history tomorrow. If it continues to be news day after day, then it starts to mutate into a fiasco. We can only hope that this dies down soon. For what it's worth, I don't have much of a problem with the whole thing, knowing what I know about political realities. Put it this way, I feel a whole lot better about this one than the Belinda thing. At least this guy had experience in the job.
On the Fortier front, I really don't have much of a problem with it, except for optics. Again, facing a hostile media with such situations is trying at best. Let's see what kind of job he does.
And then there's Garth.
Garth, I'm sure you don't read this blog. I don't normally read yours so I guess we're even. But let me make the following comments and suggestions:
You are a member of the Conservative Party of Canada. Now I know that you have been with the PC party previously, and that you are a former cabinet minister in the honestly awful Campbell administration. I also know that you have learned little about party discipline. Let me explain. It is OK to disagree with some of the policies and decisions of the party. Even I don't agree with everything (let the gays marry for God's sake) and I am free to post whatever I feel like. But I am not a caucus member. Any disagreements that you have with party policy or direction belongs in caucus meetings. It does not under any circumstances belong in a public forum. Further, speculating that your dissent will result in punishment being applied is presumptuous and childish, and constitutes a backhand slap at the Prime Minister. Politics are what they are. Optics are everything. I would think that by now you'd know this. Certainly, if you would like to publicly trash the integrity of the PMO and the party, and members of cabinet, then please feel free to resign from the party and sit as an independent. Then you can speak your mind... if anyone would listen.

20 hours to go
In 20 hours the people of Canada will make a fundamental choice that will determine the course this country takes for the next decade. Over the last 13 years of Liberal rule we have witnessed some of the worst examples of government largesse that this country has ever experienced. Finally it appears that it shall come to and end. Hopefully.
I am still somewhat angry however, that Mr. Martin continues to paint conservatives (card carrying or not -- he makes no distinction) as dangerous right wing extremists. There is very little that is extreme about Mr. Harper except perhaps for the fact that is has been exceptionally outspoken against government corruption. That aside, it is really quite insulting to have my beliefs and the beliefs of several million others so falsely and high-handedly dismissed as out of step or unCanadian.
Let me tell you something Mr. Martin: The moment that true debate is stifled, the moment that ideas are quashed without examination, the moment that any alternative point of view is decried as heresy is the moment that democracy ends and despotism begins. You rail against intolerance, yet you yourself are intolerant. You claim to be all-inclusive, yet you have proven in this campaign to be one of the most divisive and prejudicial leaders around (with the possible exception of M. Duceppe). The fact is it is you who is dangerous, Mr. Martin. It is you who represent an extreme agenda: and agenda of fear, anger, hatred and arrogance. It is you who have greatly damaged our relationship with our largest trading partner and arguably our best friend, the United States. True there have been some problems as of late, but considering the hostile tone you have taken with the Americans, can you blame them for reacting with some degree of indifference towards our interests? Would you not do the same?
The other legacy that has been left to us is the inability for many Conservatives to declare their political leanings publicly for fear of derision and scorn. That again is a direct result of Liberal (and NDP) conditioning that has been carefully applied to the public. Tolerance indeed.
Vote Monday. Change the government. Bring back genuine, inclusive and tolerant debate. Otherwise we will be in the grip of Liberal despotism for another generation.

I am Canadian and I am conservative
Mood:  on fire
Ok we're down to the wire here and a few things need to be said. The election is in 3 days and I am honestly quite tired of some of the onerous rhetoric coming from the mouths of Messrs. Martin and Layton. Honestly now, why are people afraid of Conservatives? And by conservatives, I do not only mean members of that party. I also mean members of the public at large that have conservative values. We have been lectured now for 5 weeks on how conservative values are "out of step" with Canadians. We have been told that we will dismantle the country, that we will harm the poor and the elderly and students and furry little woodland animals. Enough is enough!

Well Mr. Martin, I AM CANADIAN and I AM CONSERVATIVE. Does that mean that little old me is a threat? Does that mean that I am out of step with my fellow citizens? Funny my wife doesn't think so. My friends, colleagues and employees don't think so. My clients don't think so. Well gee, then it would appear that I am in good company, as 40% of the country seems to agree with me. This my friends is what is wrong with politics in this country, and with Mr. Martin's Liberals in particular. Just because I do not agree with you does not give you the right to automatically label me "unCanadian". I am personally offended that any national leader (and I don't mean to leave you out Mr. Layton) will stoop so low as to denigrate the core beliefs that many many people in this country -- including myself-- hold dear.

Those of us who are like minded will not be cowed by this mindless demagogy. We will not surrender our right to independent thought free from persecution by the Liberal state. Nor will we roll over for the left-leaning mainstream media. How presumptuous is it for the Liberals to tell us that their way is the only way.

I am angry, Mr. Martin. I am angry at the way that you yourself have become a danger to our country. You have created huge divides between east and west, between Quebec and the rest of the nation. You have played regions off against each other with absolutely no regard for the consequences save one: a chance to rule a little while longer. The collateral damage continues to mount. Witness the abusive treatment of our military in their ads. Witness the insulting language used in other ads which attack a SITTING US PRESIDENT. Tell me Mr. Martin, if by some horrible accident you were to retain power, how would you explain your ads mentioning George Bush to Mr Bush the next time you are on the phone with him? He's seen the ad. You can bet on that. Do you think you have harmed US relations by doing this or have you helped them? Like it or not the US is our #1 trading partner. Obviously you don't like it very much. But wishing reality away and spitting at the sky are equally futile.

This is precisely why Mr. Martin does not in any way deserve to be reelected. He appears at this point to be a political opportunist of the worst stripe, and has resorted to the most base accusations against his rivals in his single-minded quest to retain power.

Don't be fooled again. Don't let this pathetic little man corrupt our nation and its values any longer.


Vote him out Monday.

Game On!
Mood:  on fire
Well the election is on. I normally don't like to discuss my personal political views but... kick the bums out! 13 years of Liberal tyranny must end. The only logical choice is a Conservative government. However (and this is a big however) this will only happen if Stephen Harper manages to keep himself on topic and not (repeat not) go into any divisive issues like gay marriage, abortion, etc. It's the election stupid! Later on I will give my full analysis of what this country needs. But for now... give the Tories a shot. It's been a long time coming, and least they didn't steal millions of your money.

Bloc-heads
Mood:  irritated
This whole business of the Bloc MP that refuses to obtain flags for veterans is absolutely infuriating. These veterans are the people that literally saved our asses (and a lot of croissant eating French asses) from Nazi tyranny. These are people who put their lives on the line for the freedom of our nation. The very least any decent human being, Bloc or not, separatist or not, is to help them to get a bloody flag for Rememberance Day. Once again, the Bloc Quebecois has demonstrated what divisive useless peoople they are. It is my sincere hope that the veterans organize others to help defeat these treasonous bastards in the next election. Hell I'd move to Quebec just so I could vote against them. Hmm. On second thought, maybe not.