Canadian politics gets innerestin'

[Dr. Medulla]

In a nutshell, last week the Harper Conservatives announced a mini-budget of sorts that contained no stimulus spending to counter the global recession, killed the subsidy for funding federal parties during elections, and reduced the ability of public employees to strike. The three opposition parties in Parliament—the Liberals, NDP, and Bloc Quebecois—held talks to defeat the Conservatives in a non-confidence motion, then petition the Governor General to let the Liberals and NDP form a coalition, with Bloc support. A deal appears to have been struck between the three, where the Liberals would have three-quarters of the cabinet positions and the NDP the remaining. (The separatist Bloc do not want to formally govern.) Add to this that the LIberal leader, Stephane Dion, announced his resignation after the election six weeks ago, so the Liberals have a lame duck leader for the next five months. One of those vying to replace him, Michael Ignatieff, would apparently become the interim PM. The Conservatives quickly backed off on the subsidy issue and are now engaged in procedural efforts to delay a vote—today is supposed to be the day when opposition parties can introduce motions, but that's been cancelled for another week—and to paint the non-confidence motion and proposed coalition as a coup d'etat. Never mind that it's all constitutional and that Harper himself proposed something similar when he was Opposition leader. The main question now is whether Harper, a guy who always goes for the jugular and sought political gain from the current economic and political situation but grossly miscalculated, completely retreats and tries to save himself by capitulating on the budget. This shit be fun.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/12/ ... talks.html

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/20 ... 16-cp.html

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ ... tory/Front

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ ... comartin01

[arsebundren77]

Fun indeed... this is some seriously enthralling minority government intrigue. I highly doubt the government will fall, but who knows. Regardless, Harper certainly has shot himself in the foot with his neocon sawed-off and anytime he ends up with egg on his face is a good time. Exciting times in Ottawa! Have I mentioned before how much I hate that city? And it's not just the Senators. But I digress...

[Wolter]

I hate to admit that my first, knee-jerk thought was: "No it doesn't."

But I'm sure if that paragraph was interspersed with enough pictures of Batman savaging a thug or something, I would read it.

[eumaas]

I hate to admit that my first, knee-jerk thought was: "No it doesn't."

But I'm sure if that paragraph was interspersed with enough pictures of Batman savaging a thug or something, I would read it.

Parliamentary wrangling is always dull.

[Dr. Medulla]

Fun indeed... this is some seriously enthralling minority government intrigue. I highly doubt the government will fall, but who knows.

It's going to depend on how much Harper wants to hold onto power. If it's about holding onto the job, he'll have to retreat completely because the situation has moved to the point where any backing off by the opposition will end up strengthening him. They have to carry thru on their threat if he doesn't meet their terms otherwise they look weak. But if it's all about principle, well, he can go down with his chin up. I have no idea how the polls on this will look, but the media has jumped all over Harper for his role in this, even the more conservative papers. How much of that is payback for his contempt for the media, I don't know.

Have I mentioned before how much I hate that city? And it's not just the Senators. But I digress...

I've only been there a couple times, but really liked what I saw. I've put Ottawa and Montreal as the two main cities in Canada that I'd consent to a move if the wife were offered a position at one the universities there. That I'd be a fairly quick train ride to Fenway is only partially connected to that …

[Wolter]

I hate to admit that my first, knee-jerk thought was: "No it doesn't."

But I'm sure if that paragraph was interspersed with enough pictures of Batman savaging a thug or something, I would read it.

Parliamentary wrangling is always dull.

Even if the departing Dion tosses a car battery into Harper's chest in a found object junkyard fight (as is covered on p. 33 of Robert's Rules of Order)?

[Dr. Medulla]

I hate to admit that my first, knee-jerk thought was: "No it doesn't."

But I'm sure if that paragraph was interspersed with enough pictures of Batman savaging a thug or something, I would read it.

Parliamentary wrangling is always dull.

This isn't parliamentary wrangling; it's about bringing down a government. Wrangling is about about scheduling and committee appointments.

[eumaas]

I hate to admit that my first, knee-jerk thought was: "No it doesn't."

But I'm sure if that paragraph was interspersed with enough pictures of Batman savaging a thug or something, I would read it.

Parliamentary wrangling is always dull.

This isn't parliamentary wrangling; it's about bringing down a government. Wrangling is about about scheduling and committee appointments.

Lord knows once Harper's out of office there'll be mass chaos in the streets. The people will storm the barricades and raise high the flag of the mild welfare state. A thousand novels will be launched from this single moment.

[Dr. Medulla]

If you don't find what's happening in my country interesting, don't comment. To a lot of those of us who do live here, getting rid of that fucker is important. It won't turn Canada into a paradise, but it will slow or reverse some of the ugly shit that's been happening here. Sorry that it doesn't meet your standards of serious discussion.

[eumaas]

If you don't find what's happening in my country interesting, don't comment. To a lot of those of us who do live here, getting rid of that fucker is important. It won't turn Canada into a paradise, but it will slow or reverse some of the ugly shit that's been happening here. Sorry that it doesn't meet your standards of serious discussion.

Cheezus, boss, I'm just giving you the business. He's a true asshole and it'd be great if he were gone. What's with you taking everything I say today seriously?

[Dr. Medulla]

If you don't find what's happening in my country interesting, don't comment. To a lot of those of us who do live here, getting rid of that fucker is important. It won't turn Canada into a paradise, but it will slow or reverse some of the ugly shit that's been happening here. Sorry that it doesn't meet your standards of serious discussion.

Cheezus, boss, I'm just giving you the business. He's a true asshole and it'd be great if he were gone. What's with you taking everything I say today seriously?

I just fail to see why you immediately felt a need to take a dump on this thread dealing with a pretty serious situation in my country. Next time you start a thread in this sub-forum about the Roma or another matter that has significance to you, I'll be sure to drop my pants and shit on it, y'know? Thread drift/evolution/mutation is always cool but immediately disparaging a topic—a serious topic—is just being a dick for the sake of being a dick.

[dd_]

Have I mentioned before how much I hate that city? And it's not just the Senators. But I digress...

Hey that is my home town!

I've only been there a couple times, but really liked what I saw. I've put Ottawa and Montreal as the two main cities in Canada that I'd consent to a move if the wife were offered a position at one the universities there. That I'd be a fairly quick train ride to Fenway is only partially connected to that …

Yes, both of the cities are nice and close to each other as well. It is only the squabbling politicians make us look bad.

[eumaas]

If you don't find what's happening in my country interesting, don't comment. To a lot of those of us who do live here, getting rid of that fucker is important. It won't turn Canada into a paradise, but it will slow or reverse some of the ugly shit that's been happening here. Sorry that it doesn't meet your standards of serious discussion.

Cheezus, boss, I'm just giving you the business. He's a true asshole and it'd be great if he were gone. What's with you taking everything I say today seriously?

I just fail to see why you immediately felt a need to take a dump on this thread dealing with a pretty serious situation in my country. Next time you start a thread in this sub-forum about the Roma or another matter that has significance to you, I'll be sure to drop my pants and shit on it, y'know? Thread drift/evolution/mutation is always cool but immediately disparaging a topic—a serious topic—is just being a dick for the sake of being a dick.

Why'd you jump on me for it? I was just replying to Wolter. Go take a shit on him.

[dd_]

Fun indeed... this is some seriously enthralling minority government intrigue. I highly doubt the government will fall, but who knows.

It's going to depend on how much Harper wants to hold onto power. If it's about holding onto the job, he'll have to retreat completely because the situation has moved to the point where any backing off by the opposition will end up strengthening him. They have to carry thru on their threat if he doesn't meet their terms otherwise they look weak. But if it's all about principle, well, he can go down with his chin up. I have no idea how the polls on this will look, but the media has jumped all over Harper for his role in this, even the more conservative papers. How much of that is payback for his contempt for the media, I don't know.

I think you are right, that is about where it is at right now. I did hear today that Harper may actually shut down the parliament session before the Dec. 8th vote can be made to give him even more time over the holidays. Certainly not boring like it usual is.

[Wolter]

If you don't find what's happening in my country interesting, don't comment. To a lot of those of us who do live here, getting rid of that fucker is important. It won't turn Canada into a paradise, but it will slow or reverse some of the ugly shit that's been happening here. Sorry that it doesn't meet your standards of serious discussion.

Cheezus, boss, I'm just giving you the business. He's a true asshole and it'd be great if he were gone. What's with you taking everything I say today seriously?

I just fail to see why you immediately felt a need to take a dump on this thread dealing with a pretty serious situation in my country. Next time you start a thread in this sub-forum about the Roma or another matter that has significance to you, I'll be sure to drop my pants and shit on it, y'know? Thread drift/evolution/mutation is always cool but immediately disparaging a topic—a serious topic—is just being a dick for the sake of being a dick.

Why'd you jump on me for it? I was just replying to Wolter. Go take a shit on him.

Hey! I said what he wrote MIGHT be interesting.