Out of the gate: It's Harper's irony by an American mile!
It was a wild day in politics with David Emerson crossing the floor of the House to sit as a Conservative MP from the Liberals. He did exactly what so many Conservatives said was unfathomable for an honourable MP to do after Belinda Stronach left their party last year for a Liberal cabinet job waiting for her. The Conservatives now have 125 members, and the NDP 29, giving the two parties 154 seats, only one shy of a majority coalition. Oh look, there's an Independent MP in Quebec looking to change the CRTC [an organization friendly to the CBC]. Hmm, can anyone see oddball partnership coming along for the House?
In a bizzarre attempt to add to the irony of the day, Harper appointed a non Member of Parliament to a cabinet post to represent Montreal, and stuck the guy in the appointed Senate which Harper had vowed in the campaign to make an elected body of government. And who said before the election ended that Harper would go back on his word about an elected Senate? It was probably me, but let me check on that and get back to you.
[I checked, and I said on Dec 16: "Especially amusing on The National tonight was word that both Harper and Martin have promised an elected Senate. While Harper might be serious, the idea that Martin is telling the truth is laughable. Months ago he appointed 3 Alberta senators, and none of them were from the elected group that Albertans chose in a democratic fashion. Actions speak louder than words, and Paul Martin does not really want an elected Senate." Oops, I guess I was wrong, and Harper is simply imitating his idol Mr. Martin. I was thinking of this quote I wrote on January 24: "Harper might actually enact parliamentary reform, so that our senate will be elected, and elections called on a fixed schedule {which I have mixed feelings about}."] It's too bad that Harper couldn't even last one day as PM before appointing someone unelected to the Senate. What's next, handing out actual beer and popcorn to parents instead of their $1200? Oh how the mighty Conservative ideals for accountable democracy have fallen. Big surprise that was, eh?
Adding to the roundness of cabinet, Bev Oda the potential Heritage Minister that got legal money contributions from the CRIA is now in a role to scratch the back legally of the music and other copyright cartels. Oh goody. And SK got a female cabinet minister, which is good, as long as she turns out and does a good job.
posted by Saskboy @ 11:12 p.m.
4 comments
4 Comments:
Stephen Who?
On his very first day as PM, Stephen Harper showed clear signs of following in the footsteps of the bungling Joe Clark, who not only lost his luggage but succeeded in losing his bearings in Parliament as well. Like Joe, Harper seems to have forgotten that his is a minority government, not a majority one, and seems to have assumed – at great risk to his fledgling government – that the Liberals, NDP and Bloc will not oppose him and force another election for 12 to 18 months.
We shall see if that assumption is valid.
If an election is held soon, the Tories will start off with egg on their faces, due to Holier-than-thou Harper’s baffling judgment on Day One.
Why on earth did Harper harpoon his own left foot?
He did it once, with his turncoat-conversion and the Liberal into the cabinet before anyone can see it sleight of hand.
He did it twice, with his appointment of – among others – Stockwell Day to his cabinet, instead of more women, and more women it important posts. Does the other half of the population – women – not count in Stephen Who’s world?
He did it thrice, with his U-turn on an elected senate. Principles dumped for expediency?
He did it fourthly, with his appointment of a former lobbyist – and then breathtakingly wants to legislate against others being allowed to do the same.
He did it fifthly, with his introduction into Canada of the Karl Rovian doublespeak. Thanks to Stephen Who, Canadians can now also spend delightful hours parsing the speeches of politicians, to decipher just how they are being bamboozled.
What a beginning!
I wonder if he will last as long as Joe Who....
Did anyone check Harper for mittens on strings when he got to 24 Sussex?
It was a strange day, indeed!
So strange, I half expected Harper to announce that polygamy would be legal by the end of his term as PM.
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