Sympathy for Harper {/}
August 20, 2015 12:11 AM Subscribe
Imagine learning everyone you trusted lied to you.
As Nigel Wrights' time on the stand comes to an end, and the nation awaits the testimony of Harper's lawyer, Andrew Coyne presents the nation with some fine satire.
Bonus:
Previously is more fun when addressing former and current PMO Chiefs of Staff! Nigel, or Ray.
As Nigel Wrights' time on the stand comes to an end, and the nation awaits the testimony of Harper's lawyer, Andrew Coyne presents the nation with some fine satire.
Bonus:
Previously is more fun when addressing former and current PMO Chiefs of Staff! Nigel, or Ray.
I knew nothing about it, I am unimpeachable! The only people who knew about it were all the people who worked for me in my office.
Yes, that is always a great way to deflect your own criminal behaviour, by claiming your own ineptitude in your office.
"There's no way I could have done the thing that I so obviously did, I'm not smart enough. Now who wants campaign yard signs!!?"
posted by Fizz at 4:43 AM on August 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
Yes, that is always a great way to deflect your own criminal behaviour, by claiming your own ineptitude in your office.
"There's no way I could have done the thing that I so obviously did, I'm not smart enough. Now who wants campaign yard signs!!?"
posted by Fizz at 4:43 AM on August 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
Simply amazing how much bad luck Harper has had in hiring as his closest confidants and assistants only people so willing to completely deceive him on just this one issue while providing invaluable advice and exemplary service in all other respects...
Another great MacKinnon cartoon on the subject.
The worst part of this is that it can be boiled down to a scandal about paying money back.
posted by GhostintheMachine at 4:44 AM on August 20, 2015 [7 favorites]
Another great MacKinnon cartoon on the subject.
The worst part of this is that it can be boiled down to a scandal about paying money back.
posted by GhostintheMachine at 4:44 AM on August 20, 2015 [7 favorites]
Best line (truly Twainian): "He was even going to forgive Wright, and would have, had it tested better."
posted by GrammarMoses at 4:47 AM on August 20, 2015 [20 favorites]
posted by GrammarMoses at 4:47 AM on August 20, 2015 [20 favorites]
About paying back $90,000. Which in the world of government, is a small rounding error.
posted by dry white toast at 4:49 AM on August 20, 2015
posted by dry white toast at 4:49 AM on August 20, 2015
Reading this lede on the front page I assumed it was about Harper Lee.
posted by Navelgazer at 4:51 AM on August 20, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by Navelgazer at 4:51 AM on August 20, 2015 [6 favorites]
Maybe I should have sympathy for Harper, but the lead article isn't making that happen, because it's so badly done.
Examples:
I have a suspicion that the author is misleading me, otherwise he'd say what he means without all the arm-waving and histrionics. Maybe I'm just paranoid.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 5:00 AM on August 20, 2015
Examples:
Not only did he know nothing of it, the prime minister was allowed to say on multiple occasions — indeed, he would have put a stop to it had he known — but neither did anyone else.I spent some time trying to figure out what this meant, but kept losing the thread. Too much work.
It must have felt like the room was spinning, like the earth was opening up in front of him.Must it? How does the author know that?
I have a suspicion that the author is misleading me, otherwise he'd say what he means without all the arm-waving and histrionics. Maybe I'm just paranoid.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 5:00 AM on August 20, 2015
Related: Stephen Harper Supporter Hurls Profanity at Journalists Over Duffy Questions. [CBC.ca]
Carl Burnell, a 69-year-old who said he's voted Conservative for decades, said he came to the event Tuesday hoping for answers on support for seniors and the Duffy scandal. Burnell said he doesn't feel the Conservative leader wants to help seniors, and that Harper wasn't being forthcoming about Nigel Wright and the Duffy case. Burnell told reporters he won't vote Conservative again until he gets some answers.posted by Fizz at 5:01 AM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
Another supporter who overheard Burnell got frustrated, interrupted and got angry with reporters, Thibedeau reported. The man who apparently overheard Burnell spoke with a group that included journalists from CBC News, CTV, The Toronto Sun and The Canadian Press. He said, "You guys and your fantasy scandals amount to zero."
He then accused the reporters of lying on their tax returns and said that the Duffy scandal amounts to the same thing. When asked how he could make such a claim, he answered, "Because you're a lying piece of shit." When the reporters asked the man for his name, he responded, "Go stuff yourselves."
Maybe I should have sympathy for Harper, but the lead article isn't making that happen, because it's so badly done.
Andrew Coyne is painting on the sarcasm an inch thick.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 5:03 AM on August 20, 2015 [3 favorites]
Andrew Coyne is painting on the sarcasm an inch thick.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 5:03 AM on August 20, 2015 [3 favorites]
Opposition MPs are taking the PM to task:
"He has maintained he knew nothing, he saw nothing, and he did nothing."
posted by ricochet biscuit at 5:09 AM on August 20, 2015
"He has maintained he knew nothing, he saw nothing, and he did nothing."
posted by ricochet biscuit at 5:09 AM on August 20, 2015
Another supporter who overheard Burnell got frustrated, interrupted and got angry with reporters,
Just a reminder: this dude was vetted and cleared by the Party. Perhaps tantrums like this is why there is a gag order.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 5:11 AM on August 20, 2015
Just a reminder: this dude was vetted and cleared by the Party. Perhaps tantrums like this is why there is a gag order.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 5:11 AM on August 20, 2015
Andrew Coyne is painting on the sarcasm an inch thick.
So I was right, he's lying to me!
posted by Kirth Gerson at 5:13 AM on August 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
So I was right, he's lying to me!
posted by Kirth Gerson at 5:13 AM on August 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
That is some surprisingly high-quality shade coming from the National Post.
shaaaaaaaaaade
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 5:23 AM on August 20, 2015 [6 favorites]
shaaaaaaaaaade
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 5:23 AM on August 20, 2015 [6 favorites]
The most amazing part of that weird tantrum/rant is this exchange [Toronto Star]:
posted by Fizz at 5:25 AM on August 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
Reporter: Why do you think that he has no right to ask about the (Duffy) deal? He believes Mr. Harper knew. Why do you think Mr. Harper didn’t know anything?Harper and Duffy cheating is not a big deal because don't you know everyone cheats on their taxes.
Man: Because it isn’t a deal. It’s a nothing. Harper doesn’t read income tax forms, you idiot! It’s done by the people in the tax department.
Reporter: But you don’t believe that anybody else in that office knew any …
Man: (Interrupting) I believe that you cheat more on your taxes than Duffy ever did.
Reporter: Why would you say I cheat on my taxes?
Man: Because you’re a lying piece of s--t. (To another reporter) Yeah, and you too! You’re making an issue out of Duffy, he’s a nothing!
Another Reporter: He’s in court right now …
Man: Harper has produced good government. It’s nothing! It’s nothing! It’s zero! Nothing! Zero!
(Security asks him to leave)
Reporter: Do you believe any other people in the office knew …
Man: I think you’re a piece of lying s--t! And your media too with you!
Another Reporter: Sir, what’s your name?
Man: (Led out by security) Go stuff yourself!
posted by Fizz at 5:25 AM on August 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'm surprised Harper keeps talking about the trial. I would have thought that was contempt of court.
posted by dazed_one at 5:28 AM on August 20, 2015
posted by dazed_one at 5:28 AM on August 20, 2015
About paying back $90,000. Which in the world of government, is a small rounding error.
IIRC, the Watergate burglary itself didn't get Nixon any valuable intel, and of course McGovern's campaign imploded well enough on its own.
posted by Halloween Jack at 5:40 AM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
IIRC, the Watergate burglary itself didn't get Nixon any valuable intel, and of course McGovern's campaign imploded well enough on its own.
posted by Halloween Jack at 5:40 AM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
The angry man who heckled reporters may be the same man who told Olivia Chow to go back to China during last year's Toronto mayoral campaign.
posted by tallmiddleagedgeek at 6:22 AM on August 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by tallmiddleagedgeek at 6:22 AM on August 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
There's a lot I detest about Andrew Coyne. But I have to give it to him here. It's pretty fun watching people covering the entire political spectrum not picking up on the trolling.
He's keeping it going on Twitter as well.
posted by dry white toast at 6:41 AM on August 20, 2015 [5 favorites]
He's keeping it going on Twitter as well.
posted by dry white toast at 6:41 AM on August 20, 2015 [5 favorites]
Fizz "Yes, that is always a great way to deflect your own criminal behaviour, by claiming your own ineptitude in your office."
It worked for Reagan. His position on Iran/Contra was that he was a total dundering incompetent too stupid or senile to know what was going on in his administration, and the result was soaring popularity and generations of Republicans praising him as not merely the best Republican president of the 20th century, but the best president of all time.
Today no Republican can hope to gain national office without claiming to adore Reagan and to model their every political action on what they believe Reagan would have done.
There is an ongoing effort to name something after Reagan in every single county in the USA, as well as getting every governor to declare Feb 6 "Ronald Reagan Day". And they've succeeded to a frightening degree. My city, for example, has a Ronald Reagan high school, with a Ronald Reagan road leading to it.
I dunno if the approach you cite will work for Harper or not, but it does have at least one incredible success.
posted by sotonohito at 6:44 AM on August 20, 2015 [4 favorites]
It worked for Reagan. His position on Iran/Contra was that he was a total dundering incompetent too stupid or senile to know what was going on in his administration, and the result was soaring popularity and generations of Republicans praising him as not merely the best Republican president of the 20th century, but the best president of all time.
Today no Republican can hope to gain national office without claiming to adore Reagan and to model their every political action on what they believe Reagan would have done.
There is an ongoing effort to name something after Reagan in every single county in the USA, as well as getting every governor to declare Feb 6 "Ronald Reagan Day". And they've succeeded to a frightening degree. My city, for example, has a Ronald Reagan high school, with a Ronald Reagan road leading to it.
I dunno if the approach you cite will work for Harper or not, but it does have at least one incredible success.
posted by sotonohito at 6:44 AM on August 20, 2015 [4 favorites]
Stephen Harper is, and I make no apologies for the terminology, the coarse language, that is to follow; a nogoodnik.
posted by the uncomplicated soups of my childhood at 6:46 AM on August 20, 2015 [19 favorites]
posted by the uncomplicated soups of my childhood at 6:46 AM on August 20, 2015 [19 favorites]
Coyne is always worth reading even when he's wrong. He's by far the sharpest right-leaning columnist working in Canada today. For him to write this shows how bad the rot underneath Harper really is, and more importantly that even the more conservative folks are getting fed up with the lies.
I wasn't certain that we'd get much substance from the trial, just some soft shoe and jazz hands from Wright. But he was off foot from the beginning, with that bizarre bible quote and the seemingly disingenuous but-we-didn't-do-anything-wrong attitude he's had on the stand.
So ripe for the knife, and Coyne wields it like a master.
posted by bonehead at 6:52 AM on August 20, 2015 [4 favorites]
I wasn't certain that we'd get much substance from the trial, just some soft shoe and jazz hands from Wright. But he was off foot from the beginning, with that bizarre bible quote and the seemingly disingenuous but-we-didn't-do-anything-wrong attitude he's had on the stand.
So ripe for the knife, and Coyne wields it like a master.
posted by bonehead at 6:52 AM on August 20, 2015 [4 favorites]
Stephen Harper, 2015: "You hold people responsible for their own actions;"
Stephen Harper, June 2002: "He [PM Jean Chretian] is the leader and a leader is responsible for the actions of the people he leads. If he had a right or honourable bone in his body, he’d admit that and resign immediately."
posted by HighLife at 6:54 AM on August 20, 2015 [14 favorites]
Stephen Harper, June 2002: "He [PM Jean Chretian] is the leader and a leader is responsible for the actions of the people he leads. If he had a right or honourable bone in his body, he’d admit that and resign immediately."
posted by HighLife at 6:54 AM on August 20, 2015 [14 favorites]
He's keeping it going on Twitter as well.
posted by dry white toast
Wow, that is really funny. Think I'm going to have to read @acoyne twitter daily for a laugh now.
posted by chapps at 7:20 AM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by dry white toast
Wow, that is really funny. Think I'm going to have to read @acoyne twitter daily for a laugh now.
posted by chapps at 7:20 AM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
I am pissed that there are three very important scandals being ignored. More than scandals: criminal acts.
1. Duffy's appointment violated the Constitution.
2. Interference in the Deloitte audit should be criminal.
3. The PMO manipulating and trying to control the Senate is anti-Constitutional.
The rest of this debacle is a sideshow. I want to see these real issues addressed in a court of law.
posted by five fresh fish at 7:28 AM on August 20, 2015 [13 favorites]
1. Duffy's appointment violated the Constitution.
2. Interference in the Deloitte audit should be criminal.
3. The PMO manipulating and trying to control the Senate is anti-Constitutional.
The rest of this debacle is a sideshow. I want to see these real issues addressed in a court of law.
posted by five fresh fish at 7:28 AM on August 20, 2015 [13 favorites]
> I have a suspicion that the author is misleading me, otherwise he'd say what he means without
> all the arm-waving and histrionics. Maybe I'm just paranoid.
Sometimes you just gotta bury the mislede.
posted by jfuller at 7:45 AM on August 20, 2015 [3 favorites]
> all the arm-waving and histrionics. Maybe I'm just paranoid.
Sometimes you just gotta bury the mislede.
posted by jfuller at 7:45 AM on August 20, 2015 [3 favorites]
He then accused the reporters of lying on their tax returns and said that the Duffy scandal amounts to the same thing.
Welp someone's getting audited...
posted by Theta States at 7:47 AM on August 20, 2015
Welp someone's getting audited...
posted by Theta States at 7:47 AM on August 20, 2015
About paying back $90,000. Which in the world of government, is a small rounding error.
This is getting play because it touches on a number of sensitive issues: abuse of power, senatorial misconduct, conservative moralizing, insider privilege.
posted by No Robots at 8:08 AM on August 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
This is getting play because it touches on a number of sensitive issues: abuse of power, senatorial misconduct, conservative moralizing, insider privilege.
posted by No Robots at 8:08 AM on August 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
In the land of government contracting even the sponsorship scandal wasn't really that much money, and that destroyed the liberal hopes for a decade. Beyond a a few tens of thousands of dollars, this is much less the value of money are much more about the bad behaviour. I don't think this is at that level yet, but it's probably at least as potentially damaging as the Mulroney Airbus affair.
posted by bonehead at 8:38 AM on August 20, 2015
posted by bonehead at 8:38 AM on August 20, 2015
Carl Burnell is the living embodiment of the newspaper online comments section. I think we finally found it, the problem with everything. It was Carl.
posted by Hoopo at 9:15 AM on August 20, 2015
posted by Hoopo at 9:15 AM on August 20, 2015
Harper supporter's rant brings out all the memes
posted by nubs at 9:32 AM on August 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by nubs at 9:32 AM on August 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
I knew nothing about it, I am unimpeachable! The only people who knew about it were all the people who worked for me in my office.We here in New Jersey find it almost impossible to even begin to imagine what that must be like. People of Canada, you have our sympathy.
All the people. They were the only ones.
Please elect me to run that office, and also the country for four more years.
posted by officer_fred at 10:07 AM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best thing about "all the memes" is the one pointing out he has the calculator watch. I remember someone on the blue recently mentioned they still had theirs (I think in a post about the apple watch) and wondered...
posted by chapps at 10:10 AM on August 20, 2015
posted by chapps at 10:10 AM on August 20, 2015
I'm not Canadian, but I have a strong image of the National Post, so it took me a while to realize that this was actually anti-Harper sarcasm, and not just blind support. How often do they run something like this?
posted by benito.strauss at 10:12 AM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by benito.strauss at 10:12 AM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
How often do they run something like this?
Never before. Post Media is getting its second kick in face from the NDP this year, and they're looking for a way to limit their own marginalization.
posted by No Robots at 10:17 AM on August 20, 2015 [3 favorites]
Never before. Post Media is getting its second kick in face from the NDP this year, and they're looking for a way to limit their own marginalization.
posted by No Robots at 10:17 AM on August 20, 2015 [3 favorites]
Opposition MPs are taking the PM to task:
"He has maintained he knew nothing, he saw nothing, and he did nothing."
Ah. The Schultz defence.
Also: Conservative supporter identified [WARNING: The brain trust at the Toronto Star has decided the best way to deliver content is to make video autoplay, and ads autoplay on mouseover so consider this an autoplay warning]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 11:17 AM on August 20, 2015
"He has maintained he knew nothing, he saw nothing, and he did nothing."
Ah. The Schultz defence.
Also: Conservative supporter identified [WARNING: The brain trust at the Toronto Star has decided the best way to deliver content is to make video autoplay, and ads autoplay on mouseover so consider this an autoplay warning]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 11:17 AM on August 20, 2015
Also, every time I read or hear Nigel Wright's name, I get a "Making Plans for Nigel" earworm. Just thought I'd share.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 11:22 AM on August 20, 2015
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 11:22 AM on August 20, 2015
How often do they run something like this?
Just like this? I think is breaking new ground. But Andrew Coyne has been an adroit critic of Harper for years.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 11:33 AM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
Just like this? I think is breaking new ground. But Andrew Coyne has been an adroit critic of Harper for years.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 11:33 AM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm not Canadian, but I have a strong image of the National Post, so it took me a while to realize that this was actually anti-Harper sarcasm, and not just blind support. How often do they run something like this?
Absolutely, I saw that National Post banner and assumed this was sincere. If it were sincere I feel like it wouldn't even be as blatantly right wing as some of the stuff Natty Post has published in the past.
posted by wyndham at 11:50 AM on August 20, 2015
Absolutely, I saw that National Post banner and assumed this was sincere. If it were sincere I feel like it wouldn't even be as blatantly right wing as some of the stuff Natty Post has published in the past.
posted by wyndham at 11:50 AM on August 20, 2015
How often do they run something like this?
Coyne appears to be one of those conservatives who thinks that if you espouse values like honesty, integrity, transparency, and so forth, that you need to actually live them. I disagree with the man about a great deal politically, but he is thoughtful and consistent in his approach and I appreciate that. He is also a deep believer in the importance of democracy and has been pretty quick to point out when any government is doing things that undermine important aspects of it. He's gone after the Conservatives for their uses of omnibus bills, proroguing Parliament to avoid no-confidence votes, and a bunch of other things conveniently summed up in this column which ends with:
"If one were to draw up an indictment of this government’s approach to politics and the public purpose, one might mention its wholesale contempt for Parliament, its disdain for the Charter of Rights and the courts’ role in upholding it, its penchant for secrecy, its chronic deceitfulness, its deepening ethical problems, its insistence on taking, at all times, the lowest, crudest path to its ends, its relentless politicization of everything.
But you’d think you would need to look back over its record over several years to find examples. You wouldn’t think to see them all spread before you in the course of a single day."
posted by nubs at 11:55 AM on August 20, 2015 [11 favorites]
Coyne appears to be one of those conservatives who thinks that if you espouse values like honesty, integrity, transparency, and so forth, that you need to actually live them. I disagree with the man about a great deal politically, but he is thoughtful and consistent in his approach and I appreciate that. He is also a deep believer in the importance of democracy and has been pretty quick to point out when any government is doing things that undermine important aspects of it. He's gone after the Conservatives for their uses of omnibus bills, proroguing Parliament to avoid no-confidence votes, and a bunch of other things conveniently summed up in this column which ends with:
"If one were to draw up an indictment of this government’s approach to politics and the public purpose, one might mention its wholesale contempt for Parliament, its disdain for the Charter of Rights and the courts’ role in upholding it, its penchant for secrecy, its chronic deceitfulness, its deepening ethical problems, its insistence on taking, at all times, the lowest, crudest path to its ends, its relentless politicization of everything.
But you’d think you would need to look back over its record over several years to find examples. You wouldn’t think to see them all spread before you in the course of a single day."
posted by nubs at 11:55 AM on August 20, 2015 [11 favorites]
For a full-on National Post dismissal of the entire affair, see Colby Cosh's "If there’s a scandal in the Duffy affair, why can’t I spot it?"
posted by No Robots at 12:07 PM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by No Robots at 12:07 PM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
Ugh, Colby Cosh. I can imagine him writing, "So some guys popped in to an office without asking permission first, didn't take anything or hurt anyone, and really had little effect on anything. It's really hard to view Watergate as a prank, never mind a misdemeanour." I feel safe taking the opposite view from him on just about any subject, sight unseen.
posted by GhostintheMachine at 12:43 PM on August 20, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by GhostintheMachine at 12:43 PM on August 20, 2015 [3 favorites]
Opposition MPs are taking the PM to task:
"He has maintained he knew nothing, he saw nothing, and he did nothing."
Ah. The Schultz defence yt .
For those who did not click the link I posted, it is Opposition MP Stephen Harper criticizing the PM in 2004.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 12:44 PM on August 20, 2015
"He has maintained he knew nothing, he saw nothing, and he did nothing."
Ah. The Schultz defence yt .
For those who did not click the link I posted, it is Opposition MP Stephen Harper criticizing the PM in 2004.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 12:44 PM on August 20, 2015
Oh god whoops
Carl Burnell Earl Cowan is the living embodiment of the newspaper online comments section. I think we finally found it, the problem with everything. It was Carl Earl.
Sorry, Carl. I am also the problem with everything.
posted by Hoopo at 1:06 PM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
Sorry, Carl. I am also the problem with everything.
posted by Hoopo at 1:06 PM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm glad to see this, and from the National Post of all places. So much of the discussion in the media is about "what Harper knew", but the context is always just about what we can prove Harper knew. I see the reason for that in a journalistic context, but it plays into Harper's hands if we focus so much on what can be absolutely proven, instead of what anyone with half a brain knows, which is that of course Harper knew all about this, he was just smart enough to not put it in writing.
posted by ssg at 1:20 PM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by ssg at 1:20 PM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
Man, that old angry man's voice was... not what I expected. Not sure exactly what I was expecting but it sure wasn't that.
posted by mhum at 6:52 PM on August 20, 2015
posted by mhum at 6:52 PM on August 20, 2015
I didn't think the trial could take it up any more notches ... but today, Perrin testifies he believes the PM knew about the Wright and Duffy deal.
Less explosive, but my fave Perrin line of the day: "Lawyers work for all kinds of clients". Not the glowing review you'd expect about one of the most prestigious legal postings in the country.
posted by chapps at 10:41 AM on August 21, 2015
Less explosive, but my fave Perrin line of the day: "Lawyers work for all kinds of clients". Not the glowing review you'd expect about one of the most prestigious legal postings in the country.
posted by chapps at 10:41 AM on August 21, 2015
The Conservative shills on r/Canada are having a complete meltdown over Perrin's statement.
posted by five fresh fish at 11:46 AM on August 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by five fresh fish at 11:46 AM on August 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
Yeah, but awesome boy scout with attitude--and scout's canada's insistance on being non-partisan--is raining Harper's media glory (at a press conference where he is forced to reply to Perrin).
posted by chapps at 2:45 PM on August 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by chapps at 2:45 PM on August 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
Ok, it's one weird media day in Canada ... Margaret Atwood's goofy (yet awesome, of course) piece on the leading candidates' hair has been pulled by the National Post (read the cached version here) ... but the Coyne satire is ok. Baffling.
posted by chapps at 6:34 PM on August 21, 2015
posted by chapps at 6:34 PM on August 21, 2015
Kinda funny how Andrew Coyne is getting so much love from all over the political spectrum.
He's a Canadian establishment kid who is the editor now of what used to be known as Canada's most right-wing newspaper (although I have to say that the G&M has become completely boring over the past few years while at least the writing in the Post is entertaining).
I think he's great, and Coyne really personifies I think the Canadian soul.
posted by Nevin at 6:50 PM on August 21, 2015
He's a Canadian establishment kid who is the editor now of what used to be known as Canada's most right-wing newspaper (although I have to say that the G&M has become completely boring over the past few years while at least the writing in the Post is entertaining).
I think he's great, and Coyne really personifies I think the Canadian soul.
posted by Nevin at 6:50 PM on August 21, 2015
The Post has put it back up, apparently with the comment about the millionaire donors removed
Jeet Heer's twitter had some choice things to say about this as it was unfolding. 1, 2, 3, 4.
posted by nubs at 7:31 PM on August 21, 2015
Jeet Heer's twitter had some choice things to say about this as it was unfolding. 1, 2, 3, 4.
posted by nubs at 7:31 PM on August 21, 2015
The millionaire donors thing is a decade-old question that is irrelevant today. There are more problematic issues wrt Harper.
posted by five fresh fish at 11:08 PM on August 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by five fresh fish at 11:08 PM on August 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
What a relief. Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited Whitehorse yesterday and shared with the territory a fresh insight: the plight of missing and murdered aboriginal women in Canada is not, in fact, a “sociological phenomenon.” Rather, the root of the problem is that we simply haven’t locked enough people away in prison.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:46 AM on August 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:46 AM on August 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Coyne really personifies I think the Canadian soul.
Ick. An honest, intelligent writer at the National Post is a fine accomplishment, but let's not get carried away.
posted by sneebler at 8:56 AM on August 23, 2015
Ick. An honest, intelligent writer at the National Post is a fine accomplishment, but let's not get carried away.
posted by sneebler at 8:56 AM on August 23, 2015
Toronto star article : Polling suggests canadians aren't buying the PM's story of Duffy.
I find it telling when conservative commentators point out the amount of money is less than the Liberal sponsorship scandal, and that Weight, not the taxpayer, paid. As if these things, and not the lying and bribery were the issue.
posted by chapps at 10:08 AM on August 23, 2015
I find it telling when conservative commentators point out the amount of money is less than the Liberal sponsorship scandal, and that Weight, not the taxpayer, paid. As if these things, and not the lying and bribery were the issue.
posted by chapps at 10:08 AM on August 23, 2015
Yeah, it's an "ethics in government" kind of thing here, not the dollar amount.
I guess that makes it a very Canadian scandal?
posted by nubs at 10:31 AM on August 23, 2015
I guess that makes it a very Canadian scandal?
posted by nubs at 10:31 AM on August 23, 2015
The millionaire donors thing is a decade-old question that is irrelevant today.
"Who owns Stephen Harper?". Big Oil? The Koch brothers? What's the big secret?
posted by bonehead at 10:48 AM on August 23, 2015
"Who owns Stephen Harper?". Big Oil? The Koch brothers? What's the big secret?
posted by bonehead at 10:48 AM on August 23, 2015
Goldsbie has summarized the changes made to the Atwood Hairgate article.
Hard to imagine why these warranted the kerfuffle.
posted by chapps at 12:29 PM on August 23, 2015
Hard to imagine why these warranted the kerfuffle.
posted by chapps at 12:29 PM on August 23, 2015
(I should have said re the post above, hat tip to Canadaland article for the link, and the Canadaland article itself is, as usual, worth the time)
posted by chapps at 12:30 PM on August 23, 2015
posted by chapps at 12:30 PM on August 23, 2015
Well, the kerfuffle basically boils down to them taking the editorial down after posting it; they got "caught" pulling a column that moved from gentle ribbing to outright pointed questions about Harper, and then putting it back up after edits. Even if those edits are minor things, it has now drawn attention to the questions that Atwood put in the original column and now likely have more prominence in the public mind than if the Post had left it alone to begin with.
posted by nubs at 12:55 PM on August 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by nubs at 12:55 PM on August 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
At least one Tory caucus member has found a way to deal with a press not especially subservient to merely transcribing the party line: Joe Daniel, running in the recreated riding of Don Valley North, has declared he will not speak to reporters until after the election.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 3:07 PM on August 24, 2015
posted by ricochet biscuit at 3:07 PM on August 24, 2015
That's crazy! (Candidate giving no media interviews until after the election) surprised I haven't seen more coverage on that.
Andrew Coyne had another article about the Duffy trial today today, though not a satire this time.
posted by chapps at 11:54 PM on August 24, 2015
Andrew Coyne had another article about the Duffy trial today today, though not a satire this time.
posted by chapps at 11:54 PM on August 24, 2015
That's really no different than Harper not attending Question Period, not agreeing to debates, and avoiding reporters questions at every opportunity. The Conservatives know they have far more money than the other parties, so why would they bother letting someone else have a hand in their messaging? In their own hands they can say what they want, when they want, how they want to say it. Nobody's covering it because it's not news, it's been standard practice from the start, and those few times someone's gone rogue the general public really didn't give a damn.
I will be so happy on October 20, after Harper is defeated and quits as Conservative leader. I cannot imagine they've got another leader with the same level of control waiting in the wings. It will be nice to have a functioning democracy again.
posted by GhostintheMachine at 4:22 AM on August 25, 2015
I will be so happy on October 20, after Harper is defeated and quits as Conservative leader. I cannot imagine they've got another leader with the same level of control waiting in the wings. It will be nice to have a functioning democracy again.
posted by GhostintheMachine at 4:22 AM on August 25, 2015
I will be so happy on October 20, after Harper is defeated and quits as Conservative leader. I cannot imagine they've got another leader with the same level of control waiting in the wings.
Well, here's the thing.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 6:10 AM on August 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
Well, here's the thing.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 6:10 AM on August 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
If we want to ask Stephen Harper questions, we have to give his party $78000
A very detailed legal analysis of the Duffy case - the worst $90,000 ever spent
posted by nubs at 7:52 AM on August 25, 2015
A very detailed legal analysis of the Duffy case - the worst $90,000 ever spent
posted by nubs at 7:52 AM on August 25, 2015
What the hell?
I think you're all very aware of how we've structured our press conferences. This is a long-standing policy, it was cleared with everybody.
That's part of Harper's answer about the limited number of questions reporters are allowed to ask him. It was cleared with everybody? What, exactly, was "cleared"? Who is this "everybody"? Is Harper actually suggesting the Conservatives went to the media and said, hey, how many questions do you want us to answer, and all the media said five was a nice number? Like Harper ASKED PERMISSION to limit it to five questions, and media agreed? Because I don't think there's any other way to read that, and there's NO WAY anyone in the media would agree to that.
Gaaah. That, and the cancelling/limiting of debates is just plain crazy.
posted by GhostintheMachine at 12:47 PM on August 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
I think you're all very aware of how we've structured our press conferences. This is a long-standing policy, it was cleared with everybody.
That's part of Harper's answer about the limited number of questions reporters are allowed to ask him. It was cleared with everybody? What, exactly, was "cleared"? Who is this "everybody"? Is Harper actually suggesting the Conservatives went to the media and said, hey, how many questions do you want us to answer, and all the media said five was a nice number? Like Harper ASKED PERMISSION to limit it to five questions, and media agreed? Because I don't think there's any other way to read that, and there's NO WAY anyone in the media would agree to that.
Gaaah. That, and the cancelling/limiting of debates is just plain crazy.
posted by GhostintheMachine at 12:47 PM on August 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
That's part of Harper's answer about the limited number of questions reporters are allowed to ask him. It was cleared with everybody? What, exactly, was "cleared"? Who is this "everybody"?
As a citizen of Canada, I certainly don't want Harper wasting time talking about what he has done in secret or plans to do in secret. He needs all his time to create attack ads on Justin Trudeau's hair.
posted by jeather at 1:12 PM on August 25, 2015
As a citizen of Canada, I certainly don't want Harper wasting time talking about what he has done in secret or plans to do in secret. He needs all his time to create attack ads on Justin Trudeau's hair.
posted by jeather at 1:12 PM on August 25, 2015
Well, the whole five questions thing probably was cleared with everyone in the sense that the PMO said: There will be five questions allowed, four from the national media and one local. The major media outlets, being used to one or no questions at all probably grumbled and said OK. End of story.
I wish the major outlets would just report day after day something like this: Harper today refused to answer questions about X, Y, or Z. I guess they are comfortable enough with the situation as is, even if they don't really like it, because they seem pretty willing to tolerate it and report as if nothing is amiss.
posted by ssg at 2:03 PM on August 25, 2015
I wish the major outlets would just report day after day something like this: Harper today refused to answer questions about X, Y, or Z. I guess they are comfortable enough with the situation as is, even if they don't really like it, because they seem pretty willing to tolerate it and report as if nothing is amiss.
posted by ssg at 2:03 PM on August 25, 2015
Ottawa mayor cancels briefing for Conservative Party candidates after no one shows up
Nice to see that the people who want to run our country are so hard-working and responsible. They're not even pretending to care anymore.
posted by randomnity at 9:31 AM on August 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Nice to see that the people who want to run our country are so hard-working and responsible. They're not even pretending to care anymore.
posted by randomnity at 9:31 AM on August 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
It's just a tone deaf attempt at media manipulation. The sort of thing that also leads to this sort of silliness.
Poilievere is slowly getting his head around the fact that he can't just treat everyone with the utter disdain that permeates the upper circles of the CPC. Watson is extremely well respected in Ottawa (even if I have a few issues with him)--he'd be a pretty terrible enemy for Poilievre to make as a local Ottawa politician. He's been the first effective mayor we've had in a generation. I doubt he'll be going anywhere soon. Watson doesn't forget slights ever, and he's a great believer in getting his revenge as cold as possible.
The CPCs have to be already nervous from the frictions bubbling away under the surface here. Watson's big thing right now is an LRT system and the Federal agency charged with managing the extensive federal properties in Ottawa, the National Captial Commission (NCC), has not been playing nice. Watson is also against all the monuments the federal government has decided must be built, in large part because of lack of consultation (again by the NCC), but also, in at least one case, because the monument is really, really despised by 99.5% of local residents.
Ottawa doesn't likely have a lot of possibilities for the CPC to steal seats. Those they have are safe, those they don't, they're locked out of. Still, having an effective, experienced and popular mayor as your enemy can't be a smart thing to do.
posted by bonehead at 10:11 AM on August 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Poilievere is slowly getting his head around the fact that he can't just treat everyone with the utter disdain that permeates the upper circles of the CPC. Watson is extremely well respected in Ottawa (even if I have a few issues with him)--he'd be a pretty terrible enemy for Poilievre to make as a local Ottawa politician. He's been the first effective mayor we've had in a generation. I doubt he'll be going anywhere soon. Watson doesn't forget slights ever, and he's a great believer in getting his revenge as cold as possible.
The CPCs have to be already nervous from the frictions bubbling away under the surface here. Watson's big thing right now is an LRT system and the Federal agency charged with managing the extensive federal properties in Ottawa, the National Captial Commission (NCC), has not been playing nice. Watson is also against all the monuments the federal government has decided must be built, in large part because of lack of consultation (again by the NCC), but also, in at least one case, because the monument is really, really despised by 99.5% of local residents.
Ottawa doesn't likely have a lot of possibilities for the CPC to steal seats. Those they have are safe, those they don't, they're locked out of. Still, having an effective, experienced and popular mayor as your enemy can't be a smart thing to do.
posted by bonehead at 10:11 AM on August 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
"Stephen Harper is downright verbose on the campaign trail compared to some of his candidates." Conservative candidates running hard — from national media
posted by GhostintheMachine at 11:57 AM on August 26, 2015
posted by GhostintheMachine at 11:57 AM on August 26, 2015
bonehead, I'm curious about that mega-despised monument. Links?
posted by benito.strauss at 1:02 PM on August 26, 2015
posted by benito.strauss at 1:02 PM on August 26, 2015
It's the Memorial to the Victims of Communism. Here's a small selection of links for the discerning political junkies out there:
New Victims of Communism memorial in Ottawa a looming disaster
City of Ottawa to ask feds to move Victims of Communism memorial
National Capital Commission board stacked with Tories on eve of meeting on anti-communism memorial
'Political interference' moved Victims Of Communism Memorial to controversial site, MP charges
Where we stand so far is that the monument is "approved", but the final design and funding decision has been kicked down the road until after the election. A law suit, brought by local citizens, has halted construction too. Meanwhile, Watson has put forward the idea/demand that Ottawa and Gatineau both have representation on the NCC, and that further consultations be had on a final location. There's more, of course, but that the general gist.
posted by bonehead at 1:32 PM on August 26, 2015 [2 favorites]
New Victims of Communism memorial in Ottawa a looming disaster
City of Ottawa to ask feds to move Victims of Communism memorial
National Capital Commission board stacked with Tories on eve of meeting on anti-communism memorial
'Political interference' moved Victims Of Communism Memorial to controversial site, MP charges
Where we stand so far is that the monument is "approved", but the final design and funding decision has been kicked down the road until after the election. A law suit, brought by local citizens, has halted construction too. Meanwhile, Watson has put forward the idea/demand that Ottawa and Gatineau both have representation on the NCC, and that further consultations be had on a final location. There's more, of course, but that the general gist.
posted by bonehead at 1:32 PM on August 26, 2015 [2 favorites]
Bonus despised monument proposal: Mother Canada, proposed blight on a national park.
posted by chapps at 3:11 PM on August 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by chapps at 3:11 PM on August 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Fine satire is one thing, but photoshop cheap shots are another.
This Montreal Artist is Putting Dildos in Stephen Harper’s Hands and It’s Spectacular.
posted by Capt. Renault at 4:52 PM on August 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
This Montreal Artist is Putting Dildos in Stephen Harper’s Hands and It’s Spectacular.
posted by Capt. Renault at 4:52 PM on August 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
This apparently got published a while back, but I just found it. Lots to think about.
The forever campaign: Have our politicians killed democracy by being too good at politics?
posted by nubs at 11:48 AM on August 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
The forever campaign: Have our politicians killed democracy by being too good at politics?
posted by nubs at 11:48 AM on August 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Ugh. This week, construction actually began in Halifax on the new arctic patrol boats, part of a $30 billion shipyard project that should have a major economic impact in Atlantic Canada. So naturally Harper wanted to promote this federal investment (uh, even though the competition to pick the shipyard was specifically touted to be unbiased and not influenced by the government at all, so it shouldn't be a point in the Conservatives favour). Harper's team released a video, with Harper at the shoreline with a big suspension bridge in the background. Except it wasn't one of the suspension bridges across Halifax harbour, it's some bridge connecting New York and Ontario, near Ottawa. Why on earth would you go out of your way to pick a background that looks kinda similar to Halifax but obviously isn't?
posted by GhostintheMachine at 12:05 PM on September 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by GhostintheMachine at 12:05 PM on September 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Hah, it's like when they used an Atlantic salmon in an ad about "protecting BC's natural environment."
posted by Emanuel at 2:00 PM on September 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Emanuel at 2:00 PM on September 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Maybe we should save some of our sympathy for his henchmen? Like Jerry Bance, a Conservative candidate who was seen in a tv consumer sting peeing in his client's coffee mug. (Sure we've all done it, but how many of us want to represent the people of Scarborough Rouge Park?)
posted by sneebler at 8:11 AM on September 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by sneebler at 8:11 AM on September 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
Seen on twitter at some point: Number 3 in the polls, Number 1 in your mug
posted by nubs at 8:11 AM on September 8, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by nubs at 8:11 AM on September 8, 2015 [4 favorites]
Sure we've all done it,
Wait up. I have never peed in anyone else's mugs, or anything but their toilet.
posted by jeather at 8:24 AM on September 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
Wait up. I have never peed in anyone else's mugs, or anything but their toilet.
posted by jeather at 8:24 AM on September 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
And another one out too:
Tim Dutaud, who was running for the Tories in Toronto-Danforth, was forced out Monday after he was identified as a man known as the UniCaller in prank YouTube videos that included him pretending to orgasm while on the phone with a female customer service representative and mocking people with mental disabilities.
Trudeau had a great response: "But really, is [not properly vetting candidates] so surprising from a man who still believes Mike Duffy is a Prince Edward Islander?"
posted by bonehead at 9:25 AM on September 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
Tim Dutaud, who was running for the Tories in Toronto-Danforth, was forced out Monday after he was identified as a man known as the UniCaller in prank YouTube videos that included him pretending to orgasm while on the phone with a female customer service representative and mocking people with mental disabilities.
Trudeau had a great response: "But really, is [not properly vetting candidates] so surprising from a man who still believes Mike Duffy is a Prince Edward Islander?"
posted by bonehead at 9:25 AM on September 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
At this point I figure the "Just not ready" crew passing judgment on Justin in the TV ads is the same one that vetted Duffy, Wallin, Brazeau, and now Dutaud and Bance.
Nice hair, though.
posted by nubs at 9:29 AM on September 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
Nice hair, though.
posted by nubs at 9:29 AM on September 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
Dutaud was a no-hoper chair-warmer in a safe-as-houses NDP seat, but Bance, Mr. let-me-warm-that-up-for-ya, was in a very competitive riding I'm sure the CPC had hopes for. That cup could well cost the party a seat in a critical area of the country.
posted by bonehead at 9:35 AM on September 8, 2015
posted by bonehead at 9:35 AM on September 8, 2015
Robert Fife, CTV's Ottawa Bureau Chief, with some insider talk about the CPC campaign. Jump to the 2:20 mark if you don't want the whole refugee crisis bit that leads into it.
posted by nubs at 9:40 AM on September 8, 2015
posted by nubs at 9:40 AM on September 8, 2015
A seat in a critical area? How about a drop of support nationally? Every one of these stories is a nail in Harper's coffin, because it will depress the vote of his supporters everywhere. This could turn borderline wins into lost seats, and could even tip the Mulcair/Trudeau scales. The Liberals are moving from third into second these days, and most of the polling indicates the second choice for Conservative voters is the Liberals. If too much more of this goes on, the Conservatives could be responsible for deciding between the NDP and Liberals.
posted by GhostintheMachine at 9:45 AM on September 8, 2015
posted by GhostintheMachine at 9:45 AM on September 8, 2015
The current poll tracker has them in third place.
And the most recent poll in that ended on the 6th; which I think is before Peegate and whatever the hell we're calling Dutaud's thing.
posted by nubs at 9:56 AM on September 8, 2015
And the most recent poll in that ended on the 6th; which I think is before Peegate and whatever the hell we're calling Dutaud's thing.
posted by nubs at 9:56 AM on September 8, 2015
This could turn borderline wins into lost seats
Éric Grenier certainly thinks so:
The Liberals currently lead in the province with 37 per cent, a gain of almost nine percentage points since the campaign's kickoff. The Conservatives have been consistently dropping in Ontario, falling five points to 30 per cent.
The last two weeks have been really bad for the CPC in Ontario. I don't think people have really realized that yet.
posted by bonehead at 10:03 AM on September 8, 2015
Éric Grenier certainly thinks so:
The Liberals currently lead in the province with 37 per cent, a gain of almost nine percentage points since the campaign's kickoff. The Conservatives have been consistently dropping in Ontario, falling five points to 30 per cent.
The last two weeks have been really bad for the CPC in Ontario. I don't think people have really realized that yet.
posted by bonehead at 10:03 AM on September 8, 2015
Harper has said he won't do a coalition because he feels it is wrong (and certainly not because there is no one who would join up with him), and also that he won't try to convince people to cross the floor if they lose by not very much (and certainly not because no one who wanted to continue their career in politics would agree to do it).
posted by jeather at 10:08 AM on September 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by jeather at 10:08 AM on September 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
I think it's largely the refugee issues and the jazz hands around economic issues mostly. Over half of Canada's visible minorities live in the GTA and the golden horseshoe belt he pins his hopes on.
Trudeau has done a fantastic job of reminding those communities why they traditionally vote liberal, I think.
These two clowns certainly don't help, but were he leading, Harper could have blown them off easily. When you're down every seat counts.
posted by bonehead at 10:09 AM on September 8, 2015
Trudeau has done a fantastic job of reminding those communities why they traditionally vote liberal, I think.
These two clowns certainly don't help, but were he leading, Harper could have blown them off easily. When you're down every seat counts.
posted by bonehead at 10:09 AM on September 8, 2015
What happens now in those ridings? Can the conservatives substitute someone else in and do parties need the consent of the nominee to depose them? What are the time limits on something like that or if a candidate was to die in the campaign period? Or have the conservatives just conceded those ridings?
posted by Mitheral at 11:53 AM on September 8, 2015
posted by Mitheral at 11:53 AM on September 8, 2015
Well, Mr. Pee-in-a-mug has already been nominated, so he has to withdraw and then the Cons can nominate someone else. I don't think there is any right in law for the party to officially withdraw a nominated candidate. I wonder what would happen if he just refuses to withdraw. I'd imagine the pressure would be rather intense.
If someone dies in the last part of the campaign (the 21 day nomination period, plus a little more), the election in that riding is postponed so that the party can nominate someone else (even if that person dies one minute before the close of polls on election day)
posted by ssg at 1:28 PM on September 8, 2015
If someone dies in the last part of the campaign (the 21 day nomination period, plus a little more), the election in that riding is postponed so that the party can nominate someone else (even if that person dies one minute before the close of polls on election day)
posted by ssg at 1:28 PM on September 8, 2015
I wonder what would happen if he just refuses to withdraw. I'd imagine the pressure would be rather intense.
Wasn't that the problem on Marketplace? *rimshot*
posted by nubs at 3:13 PM on September 8, 2015
Wasn't that the problem on Marketplace? *rimshot*
posted by nubs at 3:13 PM on September 8, 2015
Angry Harper supporter guy and #peegate have been appropriately mashed up here.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:55 PM on September 8, 2015
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:55 PM on September 8, 2015
Also, a Vine loop for your peegating perusal.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:57 PM on September 8, 2015
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:57 PM on September 8, 2015
I saw a similar one on fb that was "As if you've never peed in a mug you lying sacks of shit"
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:04 PM on September 8, 2015
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:04 PM on September 8, 2015
Speaker of the House: The member for Flushing Meadows has the floor.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 8:11 PM on September 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 8:11 PM on September 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
The daily Nanos polls has the liberals really surging in Ontario for the past week or so. As of today: Liberals stand at 32.5%, the NDP at 31.2%, the Conservatives at 25.9%, and the Green Party at 6.1% (PDF), with most of that growth for the Grits in Ontario.
We've still got a long way to go, but Harper is starting to crater. He's going towards historical lows for his entire tenure in Ontario.
posted by bonehead at 9:44 AM on September 9, 2015
We've still got a long way to go, but Harper is starting to crater. He's going towards historical lows for his entire tenure in Ontario.
posted by bonehead at 9:44 AM on September 9, 2015
See, this is the problem with Canada's short, snap elections. Parties just don't have time to properly vet their candidates.
posted by GhostintheMachine at 11:19 AM on September 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by GhostintheMachine at 11:19 AM on September 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
Well, it was obviously impossible for the Conservatives to know anything about Mr. Bance. No true Conservative would ever watch Marketplace on that horrible CBC.
posted by ssg at 1:22 PM on September 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by ssg at 1:22 PM on September 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
You know, for someone known for his iron grip on the party machine, this suggests that the wheels are coming off. The election result is anyone's guess right now, but there's just a lot of...suprising weirdness cropping up.
As a Toronto resident, I was deeply upset about Rob Ford's election. However, on day one of his mayoralty, if you had asked me what the Bad Things were going to be, I would have reeled off a laundry list that included undermining public transit, the public library, etc.
Nowhere on that list would you have found the words "crack cocaine."
By the same token, when this federal election kicked off, I had all sorts of thoughts about the things that would be Harper's problems by this point in the campaign.
"You know," I said to myself, "once people return from summer vacations they'll tune in a bit more, and the Duffy stuff will come home to roost, plus he's managed to piss of veterans, oh and then there's...etc."
Oh no. Not at all. Now it's a dude peeing in a mug and a weird rapey prank call guy.
So yeah. Right now it's all this surprising weirdness that's suggesting Harper's level of done-ness more than anything else right now. He used to be able to keep this shit from happening, or at least keep a lid on it.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 3:44 PM on September 9, 2015
As a Toronto resident, I was deeply upset about Rob Ford's election. However, on day one of his mayoralty, if you had asked me what the Bad Things were going to be, I would have reeled off a laundry list that included undermining public transit, the public library, etc.
Nowhere on that list would you have found the words "crack cocaine."
By the same token, when this federal election kicked off, I had all sorts of thoughts about the things that would be Harper's problems by this point in the campaign.
"You know," I said to myself, "once people return from summer vacations they'll tune in a bit more, and the Duffy stuff will come home to roost, plus he's managed to piss of veterans, oh and then there's...etc."
Oh no. Not at all. Now it's a dude peeing in a mug and a weird rapey prank call guy.
So yeah. Right now it's all this surprising weirdness that's suggesting Harper's level of done-ness more than anything else right now. He used to be able to keep this shit from happening, or at least keep a lid on it.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 3:44 PM on September 9, 2015
Oh no. Not at all. Now it's a dude peeing in a mug and a weird rapey prank call guy.
Well, that, and his utter inflexibility/immobility on the unfolding humanitarian crisis that every other Western nation seems to have a found a way to start addressing. Along with crowds at campaign events who heckle reporters asking about it, the way they did about the Duffy issue earlier this summer. And I think the media has been really fucking gentle on Harper, after reading about this shit about his campaign "events" and how the media are being managed.
I think the Tory campaign has been aimed at only one thing all along - making sure their base gets mobilized and votes. They don't care about converts or winning over the public; somewhere, someone has done the math and thinks that if their supporters turn out, they'll win enough seats to form government. It's a high-handed, arrogant campaign made to make their supporters feel special and insulate them from seeing criticism of the Dear Leader. I just hope that their math is wrong or that enough people wake up and smell the shit that is being served up.
posted by nubs at 4:23 PM on September 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
Well, that, and his utter inflexibility/immobility on the unfolding humanitarian crisis that every other Western nation seems to have a found a way to start addressing. Along with crowds at campaign events who heckle reporters asking about it, the way they did about the Duffy issue earlier this summer. And I think the media has been really fucking gentle on Harper, after reading about this shit about his campaign "events" and how the media are being managed.
I think the Tory campaign has been aimed at only one thing all along - making sure their base gets mobilized and votes. They don't care about converts or winning over the public; somewhere, someone has done the math and thinks that if their supporters turn out, they'll win enough seats to form government. It's a high-handed, arrogant campaign made to make their supporters feel special and insulate them from seeing criticism of the Dear Leader. I just hope that their math is wrong or that enough people wake up and smell the shit that is being served up.
posted by nubs at 4:23 PM on September 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
Was just catching up on today's stuff, and came across this tweet from Jennifer Ditchburn : "Getting heckled as you ask about a refugee crisis. Good times."
She just filed this piece on infighting in the campaign.
I think the Tory campaign has been aimed at only one thing all along - making sure their base gets mobilized and votes.
True. But given that's all they need to do, they're making a real hash of it. Not that I'm sad about that, mind you.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 4:59 PM on September 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
She just filed this piece on infighting in the campaign.
I think the Tory campaign has been aimed at only one thing all along - making sure their base gets mobilized and votes.
True. But given that's all they need to do, they're making a real hash of it. Not that I'm sad about that, mind you.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 4:59 PM on September 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
OK, so anybody want to put money on a Liberal-NDP tie in the number of seats, and Elizabeth May having the power to side with one to break the tie?
posted by GhostintheMachine at 5:59 PM on September 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by GhostintheMachine at 5:59 PM on September 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
Metafilter Canadian election pool!!!!!!!!
posted by chapps at 6:09 PM on September 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by chapps at 6:09 PM on September 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
That Ditchburn piece on infighting echos some of what Robert Fife from CTV said a couple of nights ago. So maybe some cracks are starting. I hope so.
I live in Alberta, so I hope you'll forgive the cynicism - but when you've been around the machine for so long you have a hard time believing it might break down some day and I'm not sure I can ask for that particular event to happen twice in the same year.
Anyways, the local Tory candidate dropped by this evening; I was busy wrangling the boys towards bedtime, but Ms. nubs decided to tear a strip off of him over the refugee situation. He trotted out the "terrorists" bit, but she pointed out that not helping out was actually more likely to help the ISIS recruiters. He asked if she thought we should bomb ISIS or help the refugees, and she told him that if she had a choice about what the government does with our money, then helping people was better. He muttered something about the CBC giving out poor facts when she called him out on the government not really doing a great job meeting it's commitments on refugees already, and she told him that we watch CTV. And then he beat a somewhat dignified retreat and was at least gracious and thanked her for her time and thoughts.
posted by nubs at 7:39 PM on September 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
I live in Alberta, so I hope you'll forgive the cynicism - but when you've been around the machine for so long you have a hard time believing it might break down some day and I'm not sure I can ask for that particular event to happen twice in the same year.
Anyways, the local Tory candidate dropped by this evening; I was busy wrangling the boys towards bedtime, but Ms. nubs decided to tear a strip off of him over the refugee situation. He trotted out the "terrorists" bit, but she pointed out that not helping out was actually more likely to help the ISIS recruiters. He asked if she thought we should bomb ISIS or help the refugees, and she told him that if she had a choice about what the government does with our money, then helping people was better. He muttered something about the CBC giving out poor facts when she called him out on the government not really doing a great job meeting it's commitments on refugees already, and she told him that we watch CTV. And then he beat a somewhat dignified retreat and was at least gracious and thanked her for her time and thoughts.
posted by nubs at 7:39 PM on September 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
Paul Wells: Is this Stephen Harper’s last stand?
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:54 AM on September 10, 2015
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:54 AM on September 10, 2015
The Globe and Mail has turned on him: Why Stephen Harper is toast. If Margret Wente won't defend a con, you know they're on their last legs. Their other op-ed today compares this campaign to that of "elections are no times for issues" Kim Campbell. That's a bit of a sting.
posted by bonehead at 9:31 AM on September 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by bonehead at 9:31 AM on September 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Dear god I hope Wente doesn't endorse Mulcair! What a liability!
posted by chapps at 11:22 AM on September 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by chapps at 11:22 AM on September 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Then there's this...
For campaign magic, Harper turns to a wizard from Oz
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 2:39 PM on September 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
For campaign magic, Harper turns to a wizard from Oz
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 2:39 PM on September 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
And Monday its back to court for conservative insider Bruce carson. .. Not sure it will have the same clout as Duffy, though.
posted by chapps at 7:33 AM on September 11, 2015
posted by chapps at 7:33 AM on September 11, 2015
Apparently the Liberals are now slightly in the lead. This surprises me.
posted by jeather at 7:49 AM on September 11, 2015
posted by jeather at 7:49 AM on September 11, 2015
The nanos number has the Libs and Cons tied, one point ahead of the dippers. Too stressful to watch the polls! I guess I should take the advice of that twitter feed that is encouraging canadian campaigners across the land and @GoKnockDoors.
posted by chapps at 8:47 AM on September 11, 2015
posted by chapps at 8:47 AM on September 11, 2015
Hmmmm, that NDP ad... not sure it works the way they intend. It's nicely done, but it feels more like a Liberal response to the original. I bet more people will assume it's a Liberal ad, and overlook the mention of Mulcair in it.
Speaking of ads, though... what are people seeing in different parts of the country? Here in Atlantic Canada I'm seeing a lot of the Conservative "Just Not Ready" ad, and a little bit of the Trudeau walk-and-talk response, but little else. I can't recall seeing an NDP ad or a Conservative ad attacking the NDP or putting forward a pro-Harper case. What ads are the parties showing in other areas?
posted by GhostintheMachine at 8:52 AM on September 11, 2015
Speaking of ads, though... what are people seeing in different parts of the country? Here in Atlantic Canada I'm seeing a lot of the Conservative "Just Not Ready" ad, and a little bit of the Trudeau walk-and-talk response, but little else. I can't recall seeing an NDP ad or a Conservative ad attacking the NDP or putting forward a pro-Harper case. What ads are the parties showing in other areas?
posted by GhostintheMachine at 8:52 AM on September 11, 2015
The problem is that there's a difference between the lead in %age support and in seats.
posted by jeather at 8:53 AM on September 11, 2015
posted by jeather at 8:53 AM on September 11, 2015
The problem is that there's a difference between the lead in %age support and in seats.
Indeed. in 1993 the Tories wound up with 16% of the popular vote and two seats out of 295. The official opposition, the Bloc, had received 14% of the popular vote and 44 seats.
I would like to find interviews with Tories from just after that and see how they were feeling about proportional representation then.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 10:35 AM on September 11, 2015
Indeed. in 1993 the Tories wound up with 16% of the popular vote and two seats out of 295. The official opposition, the Bloc, had received 14% of the popular vote and 44 seats.
I would like to find interviews with Tories from just after that and see how they were feeling about proportional representation then.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 10:35 AM on September 11, 2015
I have only had CBC radio ads thus far (in BC)-- one of the Just not Ready conservative ads, I think.
I am looking forward to the mandatory airtime on CBC for the Marxist Leninist Party of Canada ads, I really enjoy those. I love that this has to happen in Canada, and I love the ads.
Oh, and Communist Party - Marxist Leninists, too. (Because they need two parties of course, as Rick Mercer has noted in past).
posted by chapps at 10:55 AM on September 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
I am looking forward to the mandatory airtime on CBC for the Marxist Leninist Party of Canada ads, I really enjoy those. I love that this has to happen in Canada, and I love the ads.
Oh, and Communist Party - Marxist Leninists, too. (Because they need two parties of course, as Rick Mercer has noted in past).
posted by chapps at 10:55 AM on September 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
When I lived in Windsor I knew some of the local CPC-ML party members.
They were not fun at parties.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:57 AM on September 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
They were not fun at parties.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:57 AM on September 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
Apparently the Liberals are now slightly in the lead. This surprises me.
They aren't really. The three parties are tied as they are all within the margin of error of each other for the polls in question. Of course, it makes better news to say this party is in the lead, this party is dropping, and so on, but statistically, this is mostly bullshit. Really, all you can say with even a reasonable level of certainty is that the Liberals seem to be up a bit over the past month.
After all the recent results that were totally different than the polls, you'd think we'd want to be a little more cautious, but nope. And of course, we still have the problem that national support simply doesn't translate to seats.
posted by ssg at 4:53 PM on September 11, 2015
They aren't really. The three parties are tied as they are all within the margin of error of each other for the polls in question. Of course, it makes better news to say this party is in the lead, this party is dropping, and so on, but statistically, this is mostly bullshit. Really, all you can say with even a reasonable level of certainty is that the Liberals seem to be up a bit over the past month.
After all the recent results that were totally different than the polls, you'd think we'd want to be a little more cautious, but nope. And of course, we still have the problem that national support simply doesn't translate to seats.
posted by ssg at 4:53 PM on September 11, 2015
OK, not sure who FORUM/TorStar are polling, but somehow the Conservatives gained 4% from Sept 1 to Sept 10 at the expense of the Liberals. The Forum president suggested that the Syrian refugee crisis is actually increasing support for Harper, which really doesn't make sense to me.
And just like that, Grenier's poll tracker puts the Liberals back in third. This is going to be a fun election season.
posted by GhostintheMachine at 6:51 PM on September 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
And just like that, Grenier's poll tracker puts the Liberals back in third. This is going to be a fun election season.
posted by GhostintheMachine at 6:51 PM on September 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
Oh, I know exactly how accurate the polls are, especially at this point in the election -- a normal election would barely have been called yet! -- but it's interesting to see.
posted by jeather at 6:54 PM on September 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by jeather at 6:54 PM on September 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
I went to high school with the son of the Communist Party president, he was fun!
Has anyone here been watching the interviews with Mansbridge? I never find him a tough enough interviewer, but I still found it interesting.
Now I'm freaked out that no one will have a clear majority and Harper will make a bid to return even if he has less seats than another party. Because he said he wouldn't which makes it seem likely!
posted by chapps at 8:32 PM on September 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
Has anyone here been watching the interviews with Mansbridge? I never find him a tough enough interviewer, but I still found it interesting.
Now I'm freaked out that no one will have a clear majority and Harper will make a bid to return even if he has less seats than another party. Because he said he wouldn't which makes it seem likely!
posted by chapps at 8:32 PM on September 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
The only media person smugger than Mansbridge right now is possibly Michael Enright (Adrienne Clarkson having retired). Still, it's fun to watch him and Harper try to out-patronize each other.
posted by bonehead at 9:32 PM on September 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by bonehead at 9:32 PM on September 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
Michael Enright
Oh man. If you want to listen to a bitter old crank sound off, you should check out the Canadaland interview with him if you haven't heard it. Guy makes Rex Murphy sound like Chris Hadfield.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:52 AM on September 12, 2015
Oh man. If you want to listen to a bitter old crank sound off, you should check out the Canadaland interview with him if you haven't heard it. Guy makes Rex Murphy sound like Chris Hadfield.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:52 AM on September 12, 2015
nubs,
You've got a much, much braver Tory running in your riding than we do in ours.
I had just left my parents' place after a visit on Saturday, when I happened to notice a couple of guys in white shirts and dark ties walking down the street with a clipboard in hand. First I thought they were Jehovah's Witnesses on their rounds, but as I drove closer I realized it was the local Tory MP (a Cabinet Minister by chance if not by talent) and his handler. Watching them come down the street was interesting. They weren't walking up to any houses that looked as if there were signs of life inside.
Now it happens that my aunt lives on the street they were currently canvassing. I also happen to know for a fact she was out running errands. And sure enough, when she got home, she found a "sorry I missed you" flyer on her door.
When I was talking to my parents afterwards (who live a couple blocks over from my aunt), I asked if they had a visit from the MP. Nope. They hadn't. My dad was working in the garage with the garage doors up, and watched the duo walk straight by the house without stopping. I joked and told him I guess he looked too working class (I mean he was doing manual labour with this hands) to warrant a visit from his local representative. I almost wish my mom had been outside as well. I'm betting she would have stopped him in his tracks for an interesting chat.
I still haven't seen hide nor hair of the other candidates that are running, and so far no information has been posted as to when/if a local debate is scheduled. Mind you, the last time we had debates the Tory MP didn't bother to show up. I think the replaced him with a potted plant.
posted by sardonyx at 10:33 AM on September 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
You've got a much, much braver Tory running in your riding than we do in ours.
I had just left my parents' place after a visit on Saturday, when I happened to notice a couple of guys in white shirts and dark ties walking down the street with a clipboard in hand. First I thought they were Jehovah's Witnesses on their rounds, but as I drove closer I realized it was the local Tory MP (a Cabinet Minister by chance if not by talent) and his handler. Watching them come down the street was interesting. They weren't walking up to any houses that looked as if there were signs of life inside.
Now it happens that my aunt lives on the street they were currently canvassing. I also happen to know for a fact she was out running errands. And sure enough, when she got home, she found a "sorry I missed you" flyer on her door.
When I was talking to my parents afterwards (who live a couple blocks over from my aunt), I asked if they had a visit from the MP. Nope. They hadn't. My dad was working in the garage with the garage doors up, and watched the duo walk straight by the house without stopping. I joked and told him I guess he looked too working class (I mean he was doing manual labour with this hands) to warrant a visit from his local representative. I almost wish my mom had been outside as well. I'm betting she would have stopped him in his tracks for an interesting chat.
I still haven't seen hide nor hair of the other candidates that are running, and so far no information has been posted as to when/if a local debate is scheduled. Mind you, the last time we had debates the Tory MP didn't bother to show up. I think the replaced him with a potted plant.
posted by sardonyx at 10:33 AM on September 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
I ran in to the Liberal candidate in my riding -- he was going door-to-door and was wondering if anyone lived in the place that looked unlived in, and I said no, and he said thanks and just sort of wandered off. I probably would have voted NDP anyhow, but he couldn't have known that.
posted by jeather at 11:01 AM on September 13, 2015
posted by jeather at 11:01 AM on September 13, 2015
(I don't know why, as a "close personal friend" of Trudeau's, he ended up with this riding -- it seems pretty locked on orange.)
posted by jeather at 11:05 AM on September 13, 2015
posted by jeather at 11:05 AM on September 13, 2015
I wonder why that doesn't shock me, chapps.
posted by sardonyx at 9:10 PM on September 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by sardonyx at 9:10 PM on September 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
Agreed, sardonyx. The only thing that shocks me is that harpercons still have voters that support them. Was out door knocking and met a couple today.
posted by chapps at 9:30 PM on September 13, 2015
posted by chapps at 9:30 PM on September 13, 2015
The nomination candidate admitted to being deeply troubled by the existence of the bond.
“It is anti-democratic and highly controlling: entirely inconsistent with how a Parliamentary democracy is supposed to work,” iPolitics was told.
If the candidate is concerned about "anti-democratic and highly controlling" shouldn't they be working to unseat Harper?
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:41 AM on September 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
“It is anti-democratic and highly controlling: entirely inconsistent with how a Parliamentary democracy is supposed to work,” iPolitics was told.
If the candidate is concerned about "anti-democratic and highly controlling" shouldn't they be working to unseat Harper?
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:41 AM on September 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
The Conservative Party decided to cover up vandalism of Harper signs in his riding and deter future defacement by warning vandals that the area was under surveillance. It did not work out quite as planned, but brought us a brilliant image.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:23 PM on September 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:23 PM on September 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
How fast can that get spun into an Anti Bill C51 ad?
posted by nubs at 8:52 PM on September 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by nubs at 8:52 PM on September 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
As soon as I saw those stickers, I thought they were c-51 protests!
posted by chapps at 7:53 AM on September 17, 2015
posted by chapps at 7:53 AM on September 17, 2015
Is anyone watching tonight? I'm not sure I can stomach it.
posted by nubs at 9:52 AM on September 17, 2015
posted by nubs at 9:52 AM on September 17, 2015
Is, uh, "enhancing" political signs on public property illegal. The conservatives have got several billboard sized temporary signs erected on public land around my town. Enhancements like this would seem to be fair game in that case.
posted by Mitheral at 12:55 PM on September 17, 2015
posted by Mitheral at 12:55 PM on September 17, 2015
After sitting through two-thirds of last night's main GOP debate, you can better believe I'll be watching this one. It will likely make me angrier than yesterday's fiasco even though the responses aren't likely to be quite a stupid. (Please, please don't let them be as stupid, I just couldn't take that.) And May should be in it. Damn the Old Boys' Club.
posted by sardonyx at 3:35 PM on September 17, 2015
posted by sardonyx at 3:35 PM on September 17, 2015
I've watched a lot of debates and participated in even more, but that was the most mind-numbingly boring one I've ever witnessed.
posted by sardonyx at 7:06 PM on September 17, 2015
posted by sardonyx at 7:06 PM on September 17, 2015
Just got home from work (in BC) so starting to watch in YouTube now. Have my ipolitics cardbingo cards ready. I think these will work for the other debates too.
posted by chapps at 8:39 PM on September 17, 2015
posted by chapps at 8:39 PM on September 17, 2015
Didn't catch it; but all the buzz appears to be about "new, existing and old stock Canadians". Not sure quite what an old stock Canadian is.
posted by nubs at 9:16 PM on September 17, 2015
posted by nubs at 9:16 PM on September 17, 2015
They're the people who understand its OK to cut health care for refugees.
posted by chapps at 10:32 PM on September 17, 2015
posted by chapps at 10:32 PM on September 17, 2015
Harper is trying to explain the Old-Stock Canadians line today by referring (inaccurately--here is an account of the various changes and reversals of changes from refugee-supporting doctors) to the refugee health system changes he made, but without addressing what he means by the phrase.
posted by chapps at 11:53 AM on September 18, 2015
posted by chapps at 11:53 AM on September 18, 2015
Is, uh, "enhancing" political signs on public property illegal.
It's technically criminal, "defacement" according to the Elections Canada Act. I think this is one of those laws that's honoured a bit more in the breach than the observance, but you never know.
posted by bonehead at 11:57 AM on September 18, 2015
It's technically criminal, "defacement" according to the Elections Canada Act. I think this is one of those laws that's honoured a bit more in the breach than the observance, but you never know.
posted by bonehead at 11:57 AM on September 18, 2015
Harper is trying to explain the Old-Stock Canadians line today by referring (inaccurately--here is an account of the various changes and reversals of changes from refugee-supporting doctors) to the refugee health system changes he made, but without addressing what he means by the phrase.
Given that those intrepid souls who have tried Googling it are reporting that hits come back from places like Stormfront - and not buried hits, like the first result - I'm not surprised he's avoiding what the phrase means.
I guess the Harper Cons have swallowed American campaigning strategy right down to the dogwhistle?
posted by nubs at 12:18 PM on September 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
Given that those intrepid souls who have tried Googling it are reporting that hits come back from places like Stormfront - and not buried hits, like the first result - I'm not surprised he's avoiding what the phrase means.
I guess the Harper Cons have swallowed American campaigning strategy right down to the dogwhistle?
posted by nubs at 12:18 PM on September 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'm sure in his mind it means "been here long enough not to have any annoying relatives applying for family reunification immigration status," (because we know the only good immigrants are those of the investor class) tempered with a bit of "not too ethnic to be troublesome"--so in other words "pur laine" Canadians.
Honestly, I'm a bit surprised by this. I thought the Conservatives were courting every ethnic group in the country they could possibly identify and were sending Jason Kenney out to every cultural centre and house of worship he could pinpoint on his GPS device.
posted by sardonyx at 12:26 PM on September 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Honestly, I'm a bit surprised by this. I thought the Conservatives were courting every ethnic group in the country they could possibly identify and were sending Jason Kenney out to every cultural centre and house of worship he could pinpoint on his GPS device.
posted by sardonyx at 12:26 PM on September 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Yeah, this "old-stock Canadians" idea cuts very close to the "pur laine" attitude, and I wonder if people (who are English speaking conservatives) will feel as comfortable with the "Old Stock" idea if this comparison keeps getting pointed out.
But then, the hard core conservatives were not disturbed by Harper criticizing the laws in Quebec Charter of Values while trying to stop women in niqab from voting or taking a citizenship oath... so maybe there will be no impact from this much-less-subtle contradiction.
posted by chapps at 1:00 PM on September 18, 2015
But then, the hard core conservatives were not disturbed by Harper criticizing the laws in Quebec Charter of Values while trying to stop women in niqab from voting or taking a citizenship oath... so maybe there will be no impact from this much-less-subtle contradiction.
posted by chapps at 1:00 PM on September 18, 2015
I guess the Harper Cons have swallowed American campaigning strategy right down to the dogwhistle?
I think more likely Australian, via the UK. This is right out of that playbook.
posted by bonehead at 1:20 PM on September 18, 2015
I think more likely Australian, via the UK. This is right out of that playbook.
posted by bonehead at 1:20 PM on September 18, 2015
I think more likely Australian, via the UK. This is right out of that playbook.
You might be right. I'm still going to enjoy the mental image of Harper attempting to swallow a dogwhistle.
posted by nubs at 3:13 PM on September 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
You might be right. I'm still going to enjoy the mental image of Harper attempting to swallow a dogwhistle.
posted by nubs at 3:13 PM on September 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Ugh! the BQ have gone farther than dog whistling with this anti-ndp ad. Someone will surely offer a better translation but roughly, "supporting pipelines, and women wearing the veil... It's too much, return to the Bloc"... Any mefites have news on how well this is playing in Quebec?
posted by chapps at 9:16 PM on September 18, 2015
posted by chapps at 9:16 PM on September 18, 2015
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This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
All the people. They were the only ones.
Please elect me to run that office, and also the country for four more years.
posted by Pazzovizza at 1:43 AM on August 20, 2015 [17 favorites]