[sandorski]

Canadaka Canadaka:

I agree Thanos, that is what he SHOULD do, but Harper has shown no will at all to do any of that the last week. And blew his biggest chance last night. I suspect he will just pour millions into the propiganda machine, tons of ads and such to try and scare people and some MP's from dropping out of the coalition. Yes that is sure a leader, that sure is democracy.

Yup.

[Scape]

Canadaka Canadaka:

I agree Thanos, that is what he SHOULD do, but Harper has shown no will at all to do any of that the last week. And blew his biggest chance last night. I suspect he will just pour millions into the propiganda machine, tons of ads and such to try and scare people and some MP's from dropping out of the coalition. Yes that is sure a leader, that sure is democracy.

That's exactly what is happening right now. Effectively we have extended the election campaign from 2008 into January, 2009.

So Thanos, when we get bombarded with ads from now till January from Harper saying do it my way or we are all gonna die holding the house hostage with threats what tone will you sing then?

[canuckns]

Thanos Thanos:

I'll do my part to dial down the crazy by saying right now that Harper should reach across to the Liberals to see what they want to go in the next budget. If they can reach a detente together then it serves three purposes. One, the government stands, the situation is see to be stabilized, and harsh economic ramifications are rapidly reduced in scope. Two, it gives the Liberals time to get their own house in order, choose a new leader, and by summer or sometime next year a new election can be called and fought out fairly without the stain of associating with the Bloc hanging over everything. Three, and probably most importantly, it allows more time to see what moves Barack Obama will be making after the inauguration and will allow Canada to synthesize our own economic reactions and policies with what happens in the United States.

All I care about now is that collectively everyone should be doing what they can to move the situation back down to Defcon 5 instead of Defcon 1. No more brinksmanship by my side, and no end-runs and alliances with separatists by the other side. And hopefully everyone can now clearly see how dangerous and radical things can become when the NDP is driving even the smallest part of the agenda. Give me the two big monolith parties any day of the week over Taliban Jack and his gaggle of mouth-frothing whack-a-doos.

Good post.

[Thanos]

Scape Scape:

Canadaka Canadaka:

I agree Thanos, that is what he SHOULD do, but Harper has shown no will at all to do any of that the last week. And blew his biggest chance last night. I suspect he will just pour millions into the propiganda machine, tons of ads and such to try and scare people and some MP's from dropping out of the coalition. Yes that is sure a leader, that sure is democracy.

That's exactly what is happening right now. Effectively we have extended the election campaign from 2008 into January, 2009.

So Thanos, when we get bombarded with ads from now till January from Harper saying do it my way or we are all gonna die holding the house hostage with threats what tone will you sing then?

It all depends on if your side is still singing the praises and vouching for the inclusion of a separatist party in a federal government. Save some of that original sin for yourselves.

BTW, isn't the Liberal/NDP spin claiming that an economic meltdown is imminent performed using the very same sky-is-falling-armageddon-apocalypse-do-what-I-say-or-we're-all-gonna-die politics of terror tactics perfected by the likes of George W. Bush and Karl Rove? So save some of the smarm for yourself after you do an examination of what your own side was up to these past two weeks.

[commanderkai]

Jesus, Thanos is being the most rational guy. Good for you man, though usually you're the exact opposite (no offense). I'm going to agree with him. Let's hope cooler heads prevail, but this isn't a one way street, and I hope we can have the same cooperation with the other side

[ziggy]

commanderkai commanderkai:

Jesus, Thanos is being the most rational guy. Good for you man, though usually you're the exact opposite (no offense). I'm going to agree with him. Let's hope cooler heads prevail, but this isn't a one way street, and I hope we can have the same cooperation with the other side

What do you expect? He's an Albertan.

[ridenrain]

Good one Thanos.

I think what you'll see now are the dirty side of politics. Both sides are going to be out working the public to sway opinions and undermine their support.

[Scape]

The cardinal reason was the economic crisis but there are plenty more reasons why Harper has nails in his coffin. All by his own actions no less. Also, Harper has been more then willing to entertain the idea of being cozy with the separatists/sovereignists (depending on which language you are using) himself in 1996, 2000, 2004 so why does he protest so much when he does it every time himself?

[Canadaka]

yes calling for a $300 million election 2 months after we already had one with the lowest turnout in history is very rational in a time of unpresidented economic troubles. It is the House's and the GG's responsability to look at all possibilities to make government work before calling an election, in this case a coalition is a viable possibility.

We elected these MP's they are our representatives, we don't get to vote or have a say on every action they take, that is how democracy works. If you don't like choices they made, you will get your chance to change your vote for that person if you want in the next election. But we don't get to demand a general election for every issue they voet on that we don't agree with.

[poquas]

kenmore kenmore:

What he has done is set the country back 20yrs. He has incited hatred in Quebec. Its amazing what is going on. I spoke to my sister in Montreal this morning and she says the separatists are out in full force. nice work stevie nice work.

It'll be more than 20 years to rectify this. All because of one individual who needed to pretend he was in charge. It’s like watching a two year old having a tantrum.

Harper should have consulted with the opposition before trying to kneecap them like he promised.

I’m not surprised at the Governor General’s decision, except as has been mentioned, we’re drifting for the next two months, and the opposition is going to turf the Conservatives at the first opportunity anyway. Perhaps Harper will take the time to become human and at least attempt to clean up his mess. I’m not holding my breath.

I’m surprised at my distant cousins (the rabid Right) who consider this some kind of victory though. What’s changed? I doubt any amount of “attack ads” will turn the tide. Support in Quebec is all but gone. Most of my like thinking friends (PC supporters) are scratching their heads and wondering what the hell got into these people. Some have even vowed to vote Liberal next time. While I hate Dion, and would not give him my vote, I’m sure as hell not giving Harper my support again.

[kenmore]

heure de dire au revoir,,,Now is a time for action. Stephen Harper can no longer be trusted to act in Canada’s interests instead of his own. He must make way for someone who will.

[Thanos]

Canadaka Canadaka:

yes calling for a $300 million election 2 months after we already had one with the lowest turnout in history is very rational in a time of unpresidented economic troubles. It is the House's and the GG's responsability to look at all possibilities to make government work before calling an election, in this case a coalition is a viable possibility.

We elected these MP's they are our representatives, we don't get to vote or have a say on every action they take, that is how democracy works. If you don't like choices they made, you will get your chance to change your vote for that person if you want in the next election. But we don't get to demand a general election for every issue they voet on that we don't agree with.

Then how come none of the pro-coalition parties had the courage to tell the voters in the last election that they were open and willing to join forces with the Bloc? Wouldn't the great big heartedness of the "progressive brotherhood" allegedly shared by the Liberals, NDP, and Bloc have allayed all voters' fears about making the Bloc the lynchpin of a coalition?

I call shenanigans on your argument here. You sing about the wonderfulness of democracy to justify employing an archaic British relic buried in the constitution to subvert and undermine a legitimate minority government but don't want to allow the voters their input on what is one of the major crises of our 141 year-old political history. I've made no secret of how much I detest Pierre Trudeau but he followed the proper tradition back in 1978 of going through an election after Joe Clark was brought down rather than entering into some misbegotten bastard governing alliance with the NDP. At least Harper had the balls to face the voters openly this year even when he knew he was going to get attacked, maybe deservedly so, for violating the spirit of his own set-time election rules. Once again, if the coalition is such a grand idea then why such fear over having to approach the voters to give it the real stamp of democratic legitimacy?

[EDIT] to take the moo out of "deMOOcracy"

[bootlegga]

poquas poquas:

kenmore kenmore:

What he has done is set the country back 20yrs. He has incited hatred in Quebec. Its amazing what is going on. I spoke to my sister in Montreal this morning and she says the separatists are out in full force. nice work stevie nice work.

It'll be more than 20 years to rectify this. All because of one individual who needed to pretend he was in charge. It’s like watching a two year old having a tantrum.

Harper should have consulted with the opposition before trying to kneecap them like he promised.

I’m not surprised at the Governor General’s decision, except as has been mentioned, we’re drifting for the next two months, and the opposition is going to turf the Conservatives at the first opportunity anyway. Perhaps Harper will take the time to become human and at least attempt to clean up his mess. I’m not holding my breath.

I’m surprised at my distant cousins (the rabid Right) who consider this some kind of victory though. What’s changed? I doubt any amount of “attack ads” will turn the tide. Support in Quebec is all but gone. Most of my like thinking friends (PC supporters) are scratching their heads and wondering what the hell got into these people. Some have even vowed to vote Liberal next time. While I hate Dion, and would not give him my vote, I’m sure as hell not giving Harper my support again.

If you had your rep turned on, I would have sent about 1000 your way this week. You were the most rational Conservative (followed by Thanos) on this site this past week.

Kudos!

[Scape]

It's too bad Thanos and Poquas are in the vocal minority. We need more like them, not more of the rabid types.

[mtbr]

bootlegga bootlegga:

poquas poquas:

kenmore kenmore:

What he has done is set the country back 20yrs. He has incited hatred in Quebec. Its amazing what is going on. I spoke to my sister in Montreal this morning and she says the separatists are out in full force. nice work stevie nice work.

It'll be more than 20 years to rectify this. All because of one individual who needed to pretend he was in charge. It’s like watching a two year old having a tantrum.

Harper should have consulted with the opposition before trying to kneecap them like he promised.

I’m not surprised at the Governor General’s decision, except as has been mentioned, we’re drifting for the next two months, and the opposition is going to turf the Conservatives at the first opportunity anyway. Perhaps Harper will take the time to become human and at least attempt to clean up his mess. I’m not holding my breath.

I’m surprised at my distant cousins (the rabid Right) who consider this some kind of victory though. What’s changed? I doubt any amount of “attack ads” will turn the tide. Support in Quebec is all but gone. Most of my like thinking friends (PC supporters) are scratching their heads and wondering what the hell got into these people. Some have even vowed to vote Liberal next time. While I hate Dion, and would not give him my vote, I’m sure as hell not giving Harper my support again.

If you had your rep turned on, I would have sent about 1000 your way this week. You were the most rational Conservative (followed by Thanos) on this site this past week.

Kudos!

My wife's ardent NDP supporter friend will be attending the rally against the coalition on Saturday, she also sent Jack Layton a hand written letter saying she will no longer be donating to his party. She is the Chairperson (head hauncho) of a woman's shelter.