Friday, February 10, 2006
Blazing Start
This was probably the worst, most inept first week any Canadian Prime Minister has ever had... The chances of Stephen Harper ever pulling a Diefenbaker have diminished substantially (but I still say its a possibility).
To start with, there was the Emerson case. My initial outrage has diminished considerably. Emerson was never a politician, he was always a policy man who wanted to promote British Columbia's interests at the federal level. He did this extremely well in the Martin Cabinet, and I suspect he will do it well in the Harper Cabinet (if he holds on). This appointment, however, has been a complete communications nightmare. No one is running any kind of damage control on it. Emerson has gone into some kind of bubble. The Tory MPs are beginning to make noises. You definately know you've fucked up if you already have dissident MPs a mere five days into your administration. The hypocricy of Harper is now clear to all Canadians. They have proved themselves to have no more integrity than the Liberals. But at least the Liberals have come to terms with their sleaziness.
Next up we have our friend Michael Fortier. I am completely dumbfounded by this appointment. The Public Works Ministry is probably the most sensitive and controversial in Ottawa. We just got through a $100 million waste of time and money called the Gomery Commission that examined the workings of that department. Harper said that he would bring transperancy and accountability to government, with particular emphasis on PWGS. So what does he do? He appoints someone unelected to head up the Ministry. He appoints someone who is accountable to no one (save Harper). Harper then says that he will appoint Fortier to the Senate. Harper said this. The same Harper who campaigned on introducing Senate elections. But Fortier will be appointed. Harper has shown he's a liar, an opportunist, and above all, extremely stupid in terms of politics.
No wonder Canadians have no faith in politics.
In a non political note: Tonight sees the two hour season (and probably series) finale of what is easily the funniest show on television, Arrested Development. It is a damn shame that this show is about to go, but I can only hope that they'll go out on a bang.
:(
To start with, there was the Emerson case. My initial outrage has diminished considerably. Emerson was never a politician, he was always a policy man who wanted to promote British Columbia's interests at the federal level. He did this extremely well in the Martin Cabinet, and I suspect he will do it well in the Harper Cabinet (if he holds on). This appointment, however, has been a complete communications nightmare. No one is running any kind of damage control on it. Emerson has gone into some kind of bubble. The Tory MPs are beginning to make noises. You definately know you've fucked up if you already have dissident MPs a mere five days into your administration. The hypocricy of Harper is now clear to all Canadians. They have proved themselves to have no more integrity than the Liberals. But at least the Liberals have come to terms with their sleaziness.
Next up we have our friend Michael Fortier. I am completely dumbfounded by this appointment. The Public Works Ministry is probably the most sensitive and controversial in Ottawa. We just got through a $100 million waste of time and money called the Gomery Commission that examined the workings of that department. Harper said that he would bring transperancy and accountability to government, with particular emphasis on PWGS. So what does he do? He appoints someone unelected to head up the Ministry. He appoints someone who is accountable to no one (save Harper). Harper then says that he will appoint Fortier to the Senate. Harper said this. The same Harper who campaigned on introducing Senate elections. But Fortier will be appointed. Harper has shown he's a liar, an opportunist, and above all, extremely stupid in terms of politics.
No wonder Canadians have no faith in politics.
In a non political note: Tonight sees the two hour season (and probably series) finale of what is easily the funniest show on television, Arrested Development. It is a damn shame that this show is about to go, but I can only hope that they'll go out on a bang.
:(
# posted by Lord Mayor @ 5:18 PM 
