Whoever disapproves of Harper's legislation is a pedophile, porn supporter etc...

His Prime Ministerialship has authorized ads that depict the Bloc Québécois as pedophiles, all because they refused to vote with the other parties in requiring minimum sentences for pedophiles.

This is clearly low blow politics at its best, from the best in the business. There are some pertinent reservations that Bloc MPs mentioned in relation to this bill. Their believing that minimum sentences are not dissuasive is an arguable position. What's more, not only might they be on to something, but in no way does this actually pledge the support of the Bloc to all pedophiles within Quebec, or even Canada.

It is not only illogical politics at its finest, it is utterly revolting. As Ignatieff commented today, these are ad hominum attacks that are unacceptable. To actually claim that a politician is a criminal because they conscientiously disapprove of your party's position is a childish game, and anyone should be able to see through it.

Thankfully, it seems that Canadian voters are able to see through such tricks. In 2004, the Conservatives, under guess who, tried the same thing. Paul Martin did not support their anti pornography ideas, and for that reason he was labeled a pornography supporter. Canadians seemed to see through this and elected Paul Martin anyway.

So we see that once again the Conservatives are being dirty. How does this fit in the scheme of things? Well, hopefully Ignatieff will use this to his advantage. The scandals keep coming up with the Conservatives, a list would be too exhausting (though the Liberals tried in the last election with their Scandalpedia).

The problem is making sure these scandals stick to the Conservatives. Hopefully Iggy will be better at that than Dion.

I mean, who wouldn't vote for Ignatieff? With him, if you opposed you're a Dipper or a Con, Bloquiste. Much better than being a pedophile.

Recommend this Post at Progressive Bloggers If you liked this post, please vote for my blog at Canadian Blogosphere

Partisan government advertising: A beloved Conservative tactic

As I was watching a part of question period today, Thomas Mulcair made a point that I noticed also. Last weekend, on Saturday to be exact, I was listening to my radio when I heard an ad praising all the work that the government has put into providing stimulus to the economy. It also mentioned the highly contentious figure of 80% of the stimulus being spent. So, as my attention was arrested by all these exploits of our beloved government, I almost missed the tagline at the end of the ad.

I had been expecting to hear, a message from the Conservative Party of Canada. After all, there is a potential election brewing, and it would be natural for the Conservatives to be issuing such ads. Seems that they have been, but they are using government money, and the authority of the government to get their message across.

This is underhanded politics at its best. Using all the powers of a government against other political parties is something the Conservatives should be ashamed of. In fact, it is so underhanded that I am surprised I have heard no outrage about it (maybe I haven't looked close enough). After all, the first outrage I've seen was today in Question Period.

So, here is your opportunity. Leave a comment and tell me what you think. I'm almost tempted to say that this is such a gross step over the line that Ignatieff should topple the government on this alone.

Recommend this Post at Progressive Bloggers If you liked this post, please vote for my blog at Canadian Blogosphere

Chalk River leak reveals who are the elitists, and no it's not Ignatieff

As was predicted by Linda Keen a year and a half ago, the reactors at Chalk River have run into a new series of problems, and being one of two sets of reactors producing critical medical isotopes, these problems are of quite a stature. A heavy water leak is the problem this time. And, much to Conservative anguish, this could have been prevented, by their government. If only they weren't elitists.

Who fired Linda Keen for informing government that the best strategy would be to renovate the reactors? The Conservatives. And when did they fire her? At 10 o'clock at night. The Conservatives look more and more awkward on this issue. They looked awkward then, but think of what they look like now.

They fired, in a very ungraceful manner, the person who predicted this whole fiasco. And now, either they implement the strategy that she suggested, or we are hit with another such event a few years down the road. Meanwhile, Harper will also face international pressures to bite the bullet and admit that Keen was right, as a result of the international reliance on this reactor.

Of concern here is that this is a trend in the Conservatives governing patterns. They continuously have proven to be elitist, arrogant and brutish, not accepting the advice of their civil service. So really, who is the elitist in Canadian politics at the moment. It could possibly not be Harper, but it certainly is not Ignatieff, and it's one of the two.

Recommend this Post at Progressive Bloggers If you liked this post, please vote for my blog at Canadian Blogosphere

Harper, the great LIBERAL strategist?

Ever since Harper entered politics, his defining characteristic as determined by the media and his supporters has been his strategical genius. Supposedly, our Prime Minister has a brilliant tactical mind that could win the world chess championships if he hadn't entered politics (okay maybe no one has claimed that... still).

However, ever since he took office, this well-built reputation has been taking a toll. From the Chuck Cadman bribing rumors to the underhanded attempt at cutting off party subsidies in his Fall economic update, Harper has been making poor tactical decisions, giving plenty of ammunition to his opponents. And now, hopefully, it has finally cost him.

The latest installment of his ineptitude has been this whole fiasco with the issue of whether or not Brian Mulroney, the most successful Conservative PM in 50 years, is a Conservative. Harper's intentions for announcing that the former PM is not a card-carrying member are obvious. With the Karlheinz Schreiber-Brian Mulroney inquiry taking place, the PM cannot, in his mind, afford to be associated with such a scandal. In other words, for Harper, the priority is to ensure that his government's image, such as it is, doesn't take a turn for the worse because of some party affiliations.

Therefore, to deal with the issue, he decided to proclaim that Mulroney was no longer a Conservative. I'm supposing that in the great strategist's mind, this move ensured no scandal could ever reach his party. How wrong he was. The strategic brilliance of this plan is equal to Obama deciding to go around the country holding rallies telling all those that voted for him "No we can't".

Sure enough, as with all of Harper's brilliant moves (Economic update anyone?), there were some unforeseen consequences to his actions. This further reveals how misplaced the label of "strategist" is. A proper strategist considers the consequences of his plans within a wide range of areas and possibilities. Harper has revealed himself to be very narrow-minded. That is the only explanation for the decisions Harper has taken.

One of the areas that Harper should have considered was the effect of a move to proclaim the false political excommunication of a revered leader with Conservative circles on his own caucus. Either he does not know his caucus, or did not think of this action possibly dividing caucus, both of which scenarios are of serious concern. Of even more serious concern is that it is highly probable that Stephen Harper is lying to the nation.

To continue, the effects of this latest Harper gaffe have been to create rifts within the caucus, such that prominent members such as MacKay are speaking up for the Prime Minister who gave his father a cabinet post. The party is clearly fighting among itself, and Harper has seemed to lose control of some of his party.

This all leads me to declare, in the final analysis, that Harper is after all a great strategist. It's just we didn't know he was helping the Liberals.

Recommend this Post at Progressive Bloggers If you liked this post, please vote for my blog at Canadian Blogosphere