Perhaps I have told you this. Can’t quite remember. But it bears repeating.
The first time I met Stephane Dion, was in an emptied-out dining room in mid-town Toronto a few weeks after he’d won the Liberal leadership. Over a fish dinner I was straight with the guy.
I’ve been a Progressive Conservative all my life, I said. I misjudged Stephen Harper, who’s a Reformer. First he stole my party, then he gave me the boot. I have found working as an Indie is frustrating and ineffectual. That’s why I am here meeting you.
And I told this new leader what I believe in – lower taxes, less government, help for the middle class, get-tough enviro policies, sound economics and a moderate, mainstream, tolerant approach to most everything else. It’s what makes me a PC, I said. Can you live with that?
Stephane Dion dropped his napkin, rose out of his chair and thrust his hand across the table. As I shook it he said, “I am honoured to have you as a Progressive Conservative in the Liberal caucus.â€
That, you might recall, was before Jim Flaherty brought down a budget which massively increased government spending. It was before PMSH broke the Atlantic Accord. Before interest rates and inflation started to rise. Before the longest-serving Conservative MP, Bill Casey, was also thrown out of the Harper Party. Before a new war started between the prime minister and the premiers. Before the finance minister refused to provide reasons he was jamming it to seniors with a new tax on income trusts.
Today I am unreservedly satisfied with the choice I made to work with Mr. Dion. Each day I grow more convinced Mr. Harper has squandered one of the greatest political opportunities in a decade. And it astounds me that the Conservative brand has now been tarnished and reduced to slogan politics, the paint on a dragster and an incoherent jumble of reactionary Reform policies and old-style pork barreled vote-buying.
Stephen Harper is likely the worst thing that could ever happen to the party of Macdonald and Dief. His bullying has had immeasurable impact on thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of people who were once proudly both Conservative and moderate. This organization, now firmly in the grip of people with nothing but disdain for everyone from elected MPs to voters themselves, may never recover.
A small example: When I was ousted from the Conservative caucus my local CPC association was neither informed nor consulted. In time, it fractured. The best workers, representing the heart of the organization, resigned to form an independent advisory board while I sat without party affiliation. And next week most of them will be joining the executive of the Halton federal Liberal association.
That Dion handshake, I think, is shaking Canada.
73 comments ↓
Interesting blog entry, Garth …. and I commend you on your strategy to attract more ex-PC voters to the Liberals. Unfortunately for you, Dion will need a lot more help than you can muster, particularily in Quebec where he personally is in last place as francophones choice for prime minister.
Your selfless effort to help the Liberals with your Town Hall meetings and your brave effort to save the Liberals in Ontario cannot go unnoticed in the Liberal party. However I think your and the Liberal’s problem will be Dion’s unacceptability as the next prime minister of Canada … no matter how sincere he may be.
Liberal ex-MP Cauchon, I think, was correct when he said he would not run for the Liberal leadership “because Canadians will not want another prime minister from Quebec, and I can understand that” … so forget about the Conservative brand and what you allege Harper has done to it … that’s their problem. Your problem is Dion, and if you deny that reality it will be at your own peril. Perhaps by 2009 the problem will be resolved.
It would be nice if you and the Liberals stopped slagging Harper and try to raise the level of political discourse in the country. Your negativity is getting really sad.
Wow, Garth, you are dynamite. Your written communication skills are undeniably convincing.
Well, we have a lot to be thankful for. We had Bill Graham for many years. He is a remarkable, honest person.
It’s people like him, with compassion for mankind that firm my beliefs in our liberal democracy.
Garth, thank you for the wonderful dialogue and your sharing your strengths and weakness with Canadians. We are who we are, and we are what we are regardless of political beliefs. Our voices are like a pebble of sand on the beach; then we have MP’s like yourself and Bill Graham that illuminate our values, standards, and beliefs. Ralph Goodale is one of most honored heros; he was dragged through the media on false charges to muddy his name. Good Lord, my parents taught me not to ‘shit on someones head to get to the top, this is only a bandade solution’. Goodale withstood so much ridicule and so polorization of what real Canadians face in our daily lives. He was defensive, just as many of us are Yet, he stood up for Canada and Canadians without even attempting to defend himself against the ‘false criminal investigation that was anounced mid election.
Great people in the Liberal party. Honorable, honest and compassionate for the betterment of our country.
Thanks.
Let freedom ring-all the way to 24 Sussex
If your in Garth so am I
Well, Harper, in this photo-op, Harper looks more like a loser than the leader of our dear great Canada. This is not a photo-op that would convince me to vote for Harper. Sorry. Hope this isn’t offensive to anyone.
Prior to November 1 last year I don’t suppose I had ever given Mr. Dion as much as a half hour’s attention. I inadvertently referred to him as Marcel Dion on a couple of occasions (at least I didn’t call him Celine!). I was convinced that whether he, Ignatieff, or Rae prevailed really didn’t matter since whoever it was their fate would be a long residency at Stornoway, a prospect that suited me just fine.
Of course my perspective changed completely with Flaherty’s Folly; abruptly the fact the Liberal heavy weights had declined to run became a serious concern and I now desperately hoped the Grits could come up with someone with a realistic chance to beat the Harper Tories. It did not look good. There was Rae the failed NDP premier, Ignatieff the carpetbagger, Kennedy the complete dark horse, and Dion the…, the what? A Chretien appointee – logically immaterial but disturbing nonetheless, a man unpopular in Quebec – just like Chretien, could the Quebeccers be right again? Someone whose command of English reportedly left something to be desired, and an academic who would probably get killed in competitive party politics.
Well, I got the opportunity to see Stephan (see, I do know his name now!) Dion at a local meeting, and like Garth I am very favourably impressed. The man is clearly very intelligent, and he is also personable, engaging, and responsive. This was a Liberal meeting so the crowd was generally friendly, but there were some intense and hostile questions, which he handled adroitly. Yes, occasionally his accent was quite jarring, but I’m guessing he will either improve or we Anglos will get used to it. There was absolutely nothing wrong with his English comprehension or expression, and I have every confidence he will more than hold his own against Harper and Layton in any English debate when the chips are down. And being unilingual I’ll never know, but I expect he’ll destroy them in French. As for his political competence, let’s give him some credit for having won the leadership. And he does have the Liberal establishment supporting him now, which is probably worth something.
How ironic it is. If McKenna, Tobin, and Manley could have foreseen how incredibly inept the Tories would be I’m sure they would have contested the leadership and Dion wouldn’t have had a chance. Now he’s in, and although the verdict will have to wait until there’s an actual campaign my gut feeling is he will do a better job than any of them would have. This Liberals have lucked out. And, just maybe, so has Canada.
I do have to admit one major disappointment with Dion. His admonishment to the Senators to pass the budget legislation is, I believe, a big mistake. The budget includes the so-called tax fairness plan, a provision supported by a Department of Finance analysis that has been kept secret, and there is very good evidence that analysis is seriously flawed. The House of Commons Finance Committee recommended that analysis be made public, and the government has refused. In this context I believe the Senate can and should demand the working papers be made public, and if the government still refuses they have the moral authority to defeat the budget. And I hope they do it.
Regards,
EHBC
I jumped ship the moment Peter Mackay sold out. I’m surprised it took you so long.
Ah but Garth, steps are underway beyond the “paint on a dragster” to make the new “brand” a household name:
Breaking News
Ottawa – June 19, 2007
As a follow-up to its “historic” announcement yesterday of sponsoring a NASCAR race vehicle, further strides are being taken today to solidify support amongst the Sun “letters-to-the-editor” crowd and followers of the antics of Ricky Bobby and Luke Duke, and is expected to strengthen both the C©®™ and New©®™ brand names. The Conservative Party of Canada is anticipated to announce later today that it will snap up the contract of Rob “The Con-Man” Conway, on the heels of his recent move to free agency after having been released from his WWE contract on May 11th, 2007.
“This is regarded as a real coup”, said an unidentified Party spokesman (off-the-record, at risk of severe sanction from the PMO for speaking without pre-approved talking-point notes). In the past, “Con-Man” man had been promoted as part of a duo of haughty French Canadians who carried the flag of Quebec to the ring, with partner Grenier often heard singing the Canadian national anthem as they did so. The team held the World Tag Team Championship three times, a big plus given that the Harper government really likes to back a winner. “The people who follow WWF are our kind of people. They’re hard-working taxpayers who don’t give a hoot about no fancy Greco-Roman rules. This development should not only appeal to the same ‘middle class crowd’ that the earlier NASCAR venture is expected to capture, but when taken in conjunction with the base of Montreal race fans, it should really bolster our fortunes dans la Belle Province and pave the way to Majority. I don’t know why they [the other parties] didn’t think of it first.”
As part of the promotion, Conway has been asked to have a large blue lick-on “C” tatoo applied to his torso. Grassroots supporters are estactic to see their $10 donations as moneys so well spent.
For further details, refer to the following biography.
Now that you’ve sat in a Liberal caucus, and worked under a Liberal leader, would you say that You are a Liberal?
Would that be such a bad thing?
It would be nice if you and the Liberals stopped slagging Harper and try to raise the level of political discourse in the country. Your negativity is getting really sad.
by observer…
And the winner of the most IRONIC statement ever declared goes to…
Seriously…I think that statement needs some reworking. Perhaps Mr. Harper should stop slagging Mr. Dion and the Liberals. Mr. Harper is the most negative politician I think Canada has ever seen!
For a conservative to speak about Liberals being negative about Harper is the biggest laugh of all…Garth, the Liberals will have to stop running all those attack ads that cost millions..LMAO
I voted Progressive Conservative because they were progressive, middle of the road small c conservatives
I voted Reform because there was some hope there influence would produce some electorial reform. (didn’t happen)
I couldn’t vote for a party built on a broken promises.
I now vote Liberal because thats the closest thing left to a progressive conservative party.
Garth,
you once said you would start to introduce bills that will provide independent MPs with more power (i.e. the right to be part in comities, speaking in the house etc.)… how is that coming?
Motions to that effect were placed on the order paper months ago. They will not come up for Parliamentary attention for months more. — Garth
It would be nice if you and the Liberals stopped slagging Harper and try to raise the level of political discourse in the country. Your negativity is getting really sad.
By Observer on 06.20.07 12:32 am
It would be nice if the Conservatives, including you, would stop slagging Dion, and raise the level of political discourse in this country and on this blog. Your negativity, and constant ranting about Dion and Quebec, is not only really sad, it is really tiresome.
You see no problem in a one-province party from Quebec having so much power by being in bed with the Conservatives, but seem to have a problem with the liberal leader being from Quebec. You seem to think that if you repeat this illogical rant enough times, people will be convinced. The opposite is the case.
I am disgusted with the radio ads that negatively, and dishonestly portray Dion. I don’t care if it is my tax dollars or not that pay for those ads…the point is they are inaccurate attacks. One wonders if you aren’t the person who wrote those ads.
Your needle is stuck, Observer. It seems every time Garth posts, you are the first one up there with a rebuttal, playing the same song over and over. Is that all you have?
Ummm. Liberals were very upset that the Conservatives were attacking Mr. Dion. So, now the CPC decided to do something fun this summer to build their party, something that has nothing what-so-ever to do with Mr. Dion…and the Liberals still are not happy. I’ve read more bashing over the ‘car’ then I did over the attack ads. It’s fun, it burns a very clean fuel and it’s summer. Why can’t the Liberals relax a little and just have some fun this summer? Have a cold one, watch the races.
L
Continuing my periodic efforts to offer discomfort to our Conservative friends, and right on topic, here is the conclusion of Susan Riley’s Ottawa Citizen column skewering the divide-and-conquer strategy of the Harper CPC -
“It may some day occur to Tory strategists that a little civility goes a long way. Until then, it’s them against us. A lot of us.”
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/columnists/story.html?id=51466804-3a1c-40d9-b747-5269378b2932
In short…Stephen Harper is NOT a leader! This we know!
Now, what will be done about it for the good of Canada?
I think Canadians have to grow up. Who cares what province a PM comes from as long as he/she is capable. I sure don’t.
If Harper truly wants to reform government, etc. why doesn’t he do it the right way? Why bits and pieces of nonsense? Is he afraid to tackle anything complicated?
Think about it. He only touches on things – details and legalities are not important. I’m surprised more people haven’t noticed. The so-called universal child care plan, for example. No work there – just “cut a cheque” and it’s suppose to be getting things done. How hard can that be?
I’ve never seen such a negative nasty, immature government in my whole life and I do include PC’s of the past and Liberals. There used to be some sort of respect. Harper and his gang act like gang members – they really do.
We’re losing the most dignified parliamentarians who have always been considered to be mature and treat parliament with integrity. Bill Blaikie of the NDP, Bill Graham, Liberal, Ed Broadbent, NDP, etc. There isn’t one member of Harper’s caucus that could even hope to reach that level of respect – one exception Bill Casey who’s gone from caucus now.
There is nothing the conservatives would like more than to have the heat turned off this summer, relax, have a cool one…sure….while we write another secret manual on how to destroy Canada’s parliament!
By Lana on 06.20.07 7:36 am
Thank you. I find no need to re-state what you have stated so very well.
My suspicions are it is a very disturbed Separatist in Quebec who’s only real beef is that Stephane Dion ceased being a Separatist when he matured and became a Federalist. Some in Quebec will never get over that fact. Too bad. They are highly vocal, but otherwise ignored.
Or, as I postulated yesterday, (By Bill-Muskoka on 06.19.07 1:51 pm in ‘What’s next?) he is an American on a mission to misguide Canadians.
The other possibility which carries logical weight is that he is, in fact Michael Ignatieff. The obvious self-love oozes from most of his comments and fits very well that psychological profile of self-promotion and egocentric personality type so typical of an American Ivy-League faculty member.
Regardless, his endless rants and comments have become as boring as they are ludicrous, therefore further engagement is deemed a waste of time. It is like attempting to have a conversation with a parrot…you will only get back what the parrot has been trained to say.
As the wise counsel of the WOPR computer said ‘The only winning move is not to play!’
Leasa, could you please provide some info or a link on the NASCAR car burning a very clean fuel? I haven’t read anything either way on that, except for an article that said these cars (in general) burn leaded fuel and get about 2 mpg. Thanks!
Garth wrote:
“lower taxes, less government, help for the middle class, get-tough enviro policies, sound economics and a moderate, mainstream, tolerant approach to most everything else.”
Ditto.
I used to agree most of the time with the likes of Brison and Stronach, and thta’s when they were PC’s. I also strongly identified with Joe Clark — who I saw as the most honest man in politics, and who saw what the Reform Party was really about.
Garth, you politically straddle the ideals of roughly 60% of the population. Most Canadians are in fact Garth-Brison-Clark “Red Tories”..or “Centrist Liberals”, and in fact, that’s what has always made a governing party so popular:
When it’s elite are directly aligned with the majority of Canadians. (It doesn’t matter if 25% of the population will always vote Liberal out of tradition, even a PC government can win if it straddles the centre.)
This is a fundamental Canadian fact that Harper et al refuse to believe.
They believe they can move the centre.
Such arrogance, I tell you, such arrogance.
Out west, intellectually and in the editorial pages, they have this bias that being “centrist” is akin to being “soft”. After all — there’s no such thing as a “Passionate Centrist” is there?
Well sir — you’re reading one, right here.
Garth, I believe that you’re also a passionate centrist.
” Your needle is stuck, Observer. It seems every time Garth posts, you are the first one up there with a rebuttal, playing the same song over and over. Is that all you have? ”
By Lana on 06.20.07 7:36 am
Believe me Lana , that is really all he has!!!!
I have tried to have a factual debate with this guy for the last 2 weeks now on the income trust file–to no avail–he , like the Conservative party he represents , believes it is easier to use personal attack that any fact based material–he appears to haver a fistful of talking notes that make sense only to him.
It is sad indeed when he feels there is no need to have fact based policy discussions–sounds a lot like our feerless Finance Minister Mr Flaherty who believes that decisiveness must come before anything else
I , like Mr Turner , have been betrayed by my party & for this I show no forgiveness & make no excuses for my vote in the next election.
To Observer , I say , “get a life” & have a good day!!
Dr Mike P.
Leasa: The Cons decided that the NASCAR Canada families represented Con values. Just wonder how many Con M.P.’s have actually attended a NASCAR event?
The cars are pollution emitters, big time. Take your family to the track–make sure your infants have ear plugs, and face masks to block the fumes, your eyes will burn from the dirt in the air. You can’t talk to your kids or your wife for the constant noise of the race cars. You sit for hours in the blazing sun eating junk food and drinking way too much beer or pop.
Yeah, the Cons picked a great family activity to sponsor. They are such hypocrites.
Yeah, the Cons picked a great family activity to sponsor. They are such hypocrites.
By Judy on 06.20.07 10:06 am
Actually, they picked, as I said yesterday, the people they can count on for support. They deserve what they get.
The real question is where is the money for their NASCAR adventure coming from?
If we discover it is taxpayer money then what will this scandal be named?
If I were a CPC member I would be rather miffed at my donation being used for such a silly venture, and very costly silly venture. But then I am not, so I do not care if they empty their contribution account to the last penny.
If there is one penny of taxpayer money involved then I want them criminally charged and brought before…let’s see…Judge Gomery!
Good for the goose? Good for the gander!
Re: comments by Bill-Muskoka on 06.20.07 11:03 am
There is a third option: some corporation is funding it under the table. That would also be illegal.
That would also be illegal.
By C. B. Innes on 06.20.07 11:40 am
Yes, you are quite correct. This is a multi-million dollar adventure, not some backwoods guys like the ‘Dukes of Hazard’ running aorund in the ‘general!’
Time for Auditor General to snd out the team I think! Same goes for the Death Star! Lease required, construction costs involved, where is the money really coming from? I would say that AdScam has just been out scammed by the ‘open and accountable’ CPC!
C.B. Innes,
Oh, and did I mention that there has NOT been an election called? Therefore, the campaign laws should have a few points to be brought in on all this as well by elections Canada!
Garth … will you be doing your Town Hall meetings in other provinces, like in the Maritimes or Quebec? I can see your TH meetings on the Montreal West Island as very successful. Perhaps you should consider becoming fully bilingual if you have not already done so.
You are definitely a rising star in the Liberal party, and you certainly outshine the other PC floor-crossers.
Dion must be very proud to have you as a Liberal MP and your services to him must far exceed expectations. You have been a great investment for Dion. Keep up the good work.
So Liberals are fuming over the Conservative venture into NASCAR… LOL
Perhaps the Liberals should also sponsor a racing car, unless they fear the Conservative car could beat their jalopy …!!!
But the consolation for Liberals is the Million$$$$ of free supportive advertising by the CBC and the rest of the Liberal-controlled MSM … which the AG should also investigate to stop taxpayers dollars from subsidizing the CBC so they can slag Harper, traitorously support the Taliban and put Canadians on an unnecessary Kyoto guilt trip.
Stop the CBC … it’s totally corrupted.
Leasa, more than having a ‘bash’ at Pierre Bourque’s Big ‘C’ race car, we’re having a big ole laugh about it.
Leasa, you do realize that NASCAR is known as the ‘left-turn only circuit’. If Mr. Bourque tries to take the car hard right he can only crash along the wall.
Didn’t the CPC braintrust think of that? Your sponsoring a car in a race series where almost all, if not all, the turns are left.
As I said, we’re having a big ole gutbusting laugh.
You’re being had.
NASCAR will make the transition to unleaded fuel one year earlier than previously announced as it plans to have all three series run almost the entire 2007 season on unleaded fuel.
They are also currently working on ethanol conversions.
~Judy, you really need to unpucker. You’ve never been to a derby or race? Wow. Tons of fun and yes, 90% of those there are families and the kids have a really great time, the noise, the dust…excitement!
CPC has tons of it’s own money. Tax payers have not paid for the offices or the car. It’s fun without slagging anyone. Why do you Liberal supporters have such a hard time understanding that? Anal retention raises blood pressure and it just ain’t good fer ya.
L
Bii-Muskoka,
I’m pretty sure it’s been established that the car sponsorship is coming out of party funds, not government funds. Or at least Lawrence Cannon said something to that effect.
The guy who owns the CASCAR series doesn’t seem too impressed with the idea.
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=092f1792-075a-48b1-87b3-4f9ff005b6cb
Bourque also has CanWest Mediaworks sponsorship for his gas guzzler.
http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/May2007/23/c3733.html
So, what is the LPOC doing for fun this summer, besides having black tie events for the rich and famous? L
Indeed Garth, Mr. Dion’s handshake IS shaking Canada and progressives are uniting behind him. They’re realizing that there’s nothing progressive about the CPC.
Mr. Harper has been very successful at advancing a conservative agenda in Canada. Consider these recent “achievements”:
- Cancelling the Kelowna Accord
- Neutering the Atlantic Accord
- Ignoring the Kyoto Protocol
- Cancelling the National Childcare Program
- Cancelling the “safe tattoo parlours” project
- Passing legislation that assaults the environment, “Clean Air Act”
- Appointing industry officials to oversee regulatory agencies
- Cutting taxes while the country is at war
- Destroying the Canada Wheat Board
- Centralizing communications power in PMO to an unprecedented degree
- Rolling back basic regulatory protections
- Stacking the deck on various Advisory Panels (gun buffs on firearms advisory committee, majority of for-profit child-care supporters on the Ministerial Advisory Committee on the Child Care Spaces Initiative, police on the federal Judicial Advisory Committees, no fertility experts on the Assisted Human Reproduction Agency of Canada)
- Cutting $1 Billion out of aboriginal programs, skills and literacy training, social policy research, law reform commission of Canada, Court challenges programme and funding for the status of women of Canada
Not bad for a minority government run by a bully and a liar with incompetent MPs. Well, it all makes sense when ya think about it — lying is justified as an end to a means. Bullying is required because Canadians are far too critical in their thinking to simply accept things at face value. Tinkering with public policy happens because the Harper analytic focusses narrowly on causes and effects instead of the big picture.
Mr. Harper knows that the longer we focus on his faults, the more we miss the real issue — the conservative’s guiding philosphy. Conservatives are undermining the best of Canadian values and weakening our country. The conservative vision is harming Canada and the world.
Remember, movement towards the goal must be “incremental” so the public won’t be spooked.
One step at a time.
-R
So, what is the LPOC doing for fun this summer, besides having black tie events for the rich and famous? L
By Not a Free Trade Fan on 06.20.07 2:01 pm
My guess would be to continue to watch the Harperites self destruct!
Your needle is stuck, Observer. It seems every time Garth posts, you are the first one up there with a rebuttal, playing the same song over and over. Is that all you have?
By Lana on 06.20.07
The bitter truth deserves repeating, because Dion’s disasterous leadership will suck down the Liberal party come the next election. Dion consistently polls lower in popularity than the Liberal party … which means that his leadership is not being acknowledged as popular as the party.
In Quebec, Dion is political “viande morte” .. and of that there can be no doubt. What I find incongruous is the belief amongst those Liberal supporters on this forum from the rest of Canada, is that somehow Dion is a winning leader. If he can’t win his home province of Quebec, how can he be expected to win over the rest of Canada?
There seems to be no good answer to this question on this fine forum.
From the article linked above:
“…while the “NASCAR dads” comprise a strong Republican party force in the U.S., that sort of narrowly segmented approach to the electorate is of dubious value in Canada.
‘That sort of tight demographic focus works in the U.S. where there’s very low voter turnout and you have to target who to motivate at the polls,’ says Peter Donolo, who was communications director for former prime minister Jean Chretien and is now with Strategic Counsel in Toronto. ‘Canadians are a lot more label-resistant. They tend to defy that type of facile characterization.’”
Just another poorly thought-out monkey-see-monkey-do stunt by the Bush Lite camp.
The article also states the cars get 2-5 mpg. Unleaded or not, at that mileage rate it’s not very intelligent to affiliate your “brand” with such an environmentally unfriendly activity.
So Liberals are fuming over the Conservative venture into NASCAR… LOL
Perhaps the Liberals should also sponsor a racing car, unless they fear the Conservative car could beat their jalopy …!!!
But the consolation for Liberals is the Million$$$$ of free supportive advertising by the CBC and the rest of the Liberal-controlled MSM … which the AG should also investigate to stop taxpayers dollars from subsidizing the CBC so they can slag Harper, traitorously support the Taliban and put Canadians on an unnecessary Kyoto guilt trip.
Stop the CBC … it’s totally corrupted.
By Observer on 06.20.07 1:15 pm
Talk about a post that missed the filter….
This is a total bait post. I hope this doesn’t become the norm again.
NASCAR will make the transition to unleaded fuel one year earlier than previously announced as it plans to have all three series run almost the entire 2007 season on unleaded fuel.
They are also currently working on ethanol conversions.
~Judy, you really need to unpucker. You’ve never been to a derby or race? Wow. Tons of fun and yes, 90% of those there are families and the kids have a really great time, the noise, the dust…excitement!
CPC has tons of it’s own money. Tax payers have not paid for the offices or the car. It’s fun without slagging anyone. Why do you Liberal supporters have such a hard time understanding that? Anal retention raises blood pressure and it just ain’t good fer ya.
L
By Not a Free Trade Fan on 06.20.07 1:31 pm
Why the name change leasa?
I’m curious here. Alright, they choose a sport to sponsor for publicity (something I really don’t get, I mean, they are a political party… do they NEED publicity like this?). But why not do something for the betterment of Canada? Why not sponsor an orphanage? Or Teen help line, or kids sports, or homeless shelters, or SOMETHING that helps out Canada, and not just some frivolous thing like racing?
And I am not saying they shouldn’t be allowed, as they can do whatever the hell they want with their own money. But come on, is this really what you want your party doing? Putting millions and millions into some stupid sport that (does in fact pollute, has massive sound pollution, and big rigs that pollute as they move the vehicles).
I simply don’t agree with their approach, I don’t think it works to attract people, I don’t think it’s a worth while cause for, not only the conservative party, but the very party that is running this country.
I, quite frankly, find it embarrassing. Their are plenty of alternatives out there, it would have been nice if they chose one that did not have such negative baggage.
Here’s a little enlightenment for you as well (not the most trust worthy of sites, but they do provide the links to verify all information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASCAR#Environmental_impact
In other words. You can think and say whatever you want about this issue. To me, it’s loaded with hypocrisy.
Oh, and did I mention that there has NOT been an election called? Therefore, the campaign laws should have a few points to be brought in on all this as well by elections Canada!
By Bill-Muskoka on 06.20.07 12:03 pm
There are several different issues that come out of the NASCAR strategy.
Third party advertising is something that Harper has always supported but it is still a questionable practice under the Elections Act.
If a private organization is funding the direct political advertising of a political party it seems to me that it is the same as making a contribution to a political party which is limited to the cash value of $1100 per year (I think). It is irrevelant whether an election writ has been dropped or not.
If an organization is supporting a particular policy, as the organization that advertises its support for Harper’s ethanol policy, outside an election period that appears to be legal. During a writ, depending on the cost of the advertising, it could be illegal.
If the party is spending money from a wide range of private donations to the party that complies with the legal contribution limits than there is no problem. The auditor general does not have jurisdiction over party funds only the spending of taxpayers money.
The NASCAR strategy is certainly an attempt to enhance the “red neck” image of the new Conservative Party. Whether that is a positive or negative image depends on who receives the message.
The other issue is that the traditional “red neck” adheres to a strong code of honour. Many of the actions of the Harper government has violated that code so this may be a sign of desperation. It may be aimed at a traditional support base which they see weakening based on their internal polling.
NASCAR will make the transition to unleaded fuel one year earlier than previously announced as it plans to have all three series run almost the entire 2007 season on unleaded fuel.
By Not a Free Trade Fan on 06.20.07 1:31 pm
Well, Golly Gee Bubba…ain’t they just the latest and greatest. The Indianapolis 500 cars run on 100% ethanol. Hey, that would be also known as Moonshine, and we know they’all got lots of that, at least down south of hereins! Daggum Revenuers been chasin’ them distillers for a century now through those Appalachian Smokies!
Guess it’s a little slow gittin’ that news out thar in them thar Boonies, eh?
Daggum, where is JimBobby when these things come up?
I’m not a fan of car racing, including NASCAR, however this probably isn’t much of an issue, good or bad, in any event.
And I am not saying they shouldn’t be allowed, as they can do whatever the hell they want with their own money. But come on, is this really what you want your party doing? Putting millions and millions into some stupid sport that (does in fact pollute, has massive sound pollution, and big rigs that pollute as they move the vehicles).
By SJ on 06.20.07 2:59 pm
……..
The NASCAR strategy is certainly an attempt to enhance the “red neck†image of the new Conservative Party. Whether that is a positive or negative image depends on who receives the message.
The other issue is that the traditional “red neck†adheres to a strong code of honour. Many of the actions of the Harper government has violated that code so this may be a sign of desperation. It may be aimed at a traditional support base which they see weakening based on their internal polling.
By C. B. Innes on 06.20.07 3:10 pm
Talk about posts that missed the filter….
These are total bait posts. I hope this doesn’t become the norm again.
NASCAR
The very notion of a ‘sport’ of supped up cars running around a race track like a hamster on a wheel as ‘entertainment’ is already hard enough for me to swallow. Now it is supposed to be endorsed by the CPC as the every day man/family’s sport? What? That is arrogant to lump me in with people with such low standards (as according to my perceptions.
) I think it was summarized easily enough in the CGI film Cars with the hillbilly dialect of the acting voices giving me the impression that while there was a level of common sense somewhere within the characters there would be no way in hell I would be normally associated with these people.
Hmm, I can see it now, Adscam for the Liberals, and now NASCAM for the CPCs. YEEEEEEEEEEE HAWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
But yes, I must also agree that Observer seems to be borderline obsessed with being the first at the table, I mean trough, to get his/her $0.02 in. No doubt to try to set the tone for the rest of us.
Well since one individual seems intent on repeating the same regurgitated materials as the CPCs then I might as well state my position. I am undecided on the impact Dion will have with the Liberals with the next two elections, possibly three. That is not to say I don’t think he will be effective, rather I do not know. So far, he has shown maturity, which could be due to a limited amount of party resources. But let it be known, had he responded with the same lowest common denominator tactics of a series of ads I would be making myself much more known politically. It is already bad enough that there is one party of Neanderthal knuckle-dragging politically wannabe elites that this country does not need two.
Once Dion starts to act in a manner similiar to Harper, believe me, I will become VERY critical of his political decisions and be wanting his head on a platter. So, to anyone that believes that someone such as myself with a wait and see attitude to not make a d
Hmm, maybe all the CPCs need to get a ’68 Dodge Charge, paint it …orange and ensure the doors are welded shut and no seat belts.
Way to go you Einsteins. This is only re-inforcing my image of a bunch of gud ol’boys doun der on deh farm runin’ round wid de cars an de ‘shaine in de back.
You know, Japan with it’s hellish summer is really starting to look a lot more attractive being a white guy with light coloured hair in a sea of black hair.
Seen as people are talking about the nascar sponsor ship I will share my expierence from a race. I was walking to the grandstands and went passed the tailgate area. I noticed a race fan with tattooed arms on top of an R.V. with a can of Busch in one hand and waving a big American flag while urinating off the side of the R.V. I shouted up but I don’t think she heard me.
Why is it the Harper Party has to label everyone, are we either soccer moms, Nascar dads, working families, married seniors. When will we become Canadians and be treated equally. By the way I don’t fit into any of Mr Harper’s target groups.
Re: the Nascar file.
Some semiotics seem in order here. Note the characters in ‘Talladega Nights’ There’s Ricky Bobby, driven to always be first. There’s his good buddy, Cal, who always finishes second. Last but not least, there’s that French homosexual, who wants to dislodge our hero from his rightful place at the top of the podium. Shall we attempt to put some Canadian political names with each character; let’s say PMSH = Ricky Bobby, John Baird = Cal, and Stephan Dion = the Frenchie. Subliminal messaging is the order of the day.
The car is not the issue, the inherent elevation of PMSH and Baird as good old boy buds, and the casting of M. Dion as a French homosexual is yet another attempt to denigrate the opposition.
I wonder if the architects of this had themselves a good old laugh as they worked through the symbolism here.
Have a nice one.
Why not sponsor an orphanage? Or Teen help line, or kids sports, or homeless shelters, or SOMETHING that helps out Canada, and not just some frivolous thing like racing?
~Give me a break! Did you have a BBQ yet this year? Bad for the environment! The dollars you wasted on those steaks could have been better spent helping someone somewhere! Does Garth ever go for rides for pleasure? He does? Oh my God! He has fun at the expense of the environment and all that time wasted, he could have spent it volunteering in a soup kitchen. tsk tsk tsk. I also think all school trips should be banned…all that pollution from the buses…so bad, very bad. If those kids have that kind of ‘spare time’ they should be sewing mittens for the homeless. Liberals are very stuffy people. Blah. L
I wonder if the architects of this had themselves a good old laugh as they worked through the symbolism here.
Have a nice one.
By persona sine ingenio on 06.20.07
Now try the same with this cast of characters:
Dion
Ignatieff
Rae
Dryden
Volpe
Martha
Brison
Kennedy
Belinda
Martin
Chretien
Goodale
Coderre
McCallum
.. and of course our Garth …!!!!
Can you fit them into one of the Star Wars saga??
i>I shouted up but I don’t think she heard me.
By Marc on 06.20.07 4:33 pm
ROFLMAO! Yeppers, them NASCAR events are a family affair. The guys bring their wives, which also often means their sister, and all the kids they think that are their’s. Gotta keep that generational feeling alive at all costs.
Budwieser is the beer of choice ’cause no matter how many Buds you drink, you still ain’t gonna git no wiser…and that’s a fact!
SJ, I wonder why Observer considers our observations “bait”?
And I am not saying they shouldn’t be allowed, as they can do whatever the hell they want with their own money. But come on, is this really what you want your party doing? Putting millions and millions into some stupid sport that (does in fact pollute, has massive sound pollution, and big rigs that pollute as they move the vehicles).
By SJ on 06.20.07 2:59 pm
……..
The NASCAR strategy is certainly an attempt to enhance the “red neck†image of the new Conservative Party. Whether that is a positive or negative image depends on who receives the message.
The other issue is that the traditional “red neck†adheres to a strong code of honour. Many of the actions of the Harper government has violated that code so this may be a sign of desperation. It may be aimed at a traditional support base which they see weakening based on their internal polling.
By C. B. Innes on 06.20.07 3:10 pm
Talk about posts that missed the filter….
These are total bait posts. I hope this doesn’t become the norm again.
By Observer on 06.20.07 4:10 pm
Are you serious? Where exactly is the baiting in my comment there kiddo? Keep tryin.
Observer, the question of fitting a collection of Liberals into a Star Wars story has no relevance here. The closest I come to the Star Wars saga comes as I ponder weak and weary on the great similarity of our prime minister to Palpatine, master of misdirection and obfuscation.
Whats I’s wants ta know is who is playing Daisey Mae?
Judy I’d add “hardworking ( insert audience being sucked up to) families” to your list. It seems to be the latest
phrase of the day for politicos of all stripes.
Jody wrote,
>Mr. Harper is the most negative >politician I think Canada has ever seen!
If we judge Garth by his blogs then I feel Garth is far more negative than Harper is.
But I’m so huggable. — Garth
Bill-Muskoka wrote,
>In short…Stephen Harper is NOT a leader! >This we know!
No you don’t know!! your comment is just
more Liberal supporter spin as poll after poll do not support your position. In fact they shows that Harper is considered to be a better leader than Dion.
Why not sponsor an orphanage? Or Teen help line, or kids sports, or homeless shelters, or SOMETHING that helps out Canada, and not just some frivolous thing like racing?
~Give me a break! Did you have a BBQ yet this year? Bad for the environment! The dollars you wasted on those steaks could have been better spent helping someone somewhere! Does Garth ever go for rides for pleasure? He does? Oh my God! He has fun at the expense of the environment and all that time wasted, he could have spent it volunteering in a soup kitchen. tsk tsk tsk. I also think all school trips should be banned…all that pollution from the buses…so bad, very bad. If those kids have that kind of ’spare time’ they should be sewing mittens for the homeless. Liberals are very stuffy people. Blah. L
By Not a Free Trade Fan on 06.20.07 4:50 pm
Are you kidding me here? Your drawing comparisons here to children in SCHOOL? Your drawing comparisons to individuals having outings? Your drawing comparisons to politicians going out and MEETING the public?
Your losing it. None of those things have ANY bearing on a political party. A party is not a being, it does not equal one. Nothing that you said makes any sense in this situation.
Individuals can do as they please. A political party has the responsibility to be a reasonable entity, to show Canadians what is important, and make the right decisions with it’s massive amounts of money.
Are you trying to tell me that sponsoring a youth group or a baseball team for kids would NOT be fun? Are you saying that only spending millions of dollars on a sport that pollutes on several levels is the only way to enjoy summer?
I’m sorry I do not fit into your little square box, but you need to wake up. This is not how a party represents itself. You show me some good that party has done in or outside of parliament. I’d be shocked to see harper in a soup kitchen. At least with that you could commend him on at least TRYING to do the right thing.
Whatever. I am certain to not change your mind. They can do whatever they want. I simply and completely disagree with this policy. I don’t like the con tactics, and even their ideas of fun seem out of touch with the Canada I know and love.
But hey. To each their own.
Bait? Okay, here is how it’s made to go with those Buds after ya’all done watching that NASCAR race.
Take some Wheaties, crumble them up real fine like.
Add equal amounts of sugar and flour, and jest ‘nough water to make it real sticky.
Then make little balls outta the goo, or jest wrap it up in some tinfoil, grab your fishin’rod, and head down to the river. Dem Catfish be awaitin’ on ya!
Now, when ya’ll git some, ya wanna make sure their bellies are white, not yeller. Them yeller bellies be nasty, but them white bellies be tasty.
Ya’ll take ‘em home and stab ‘em in their heads with your huntin’ knife…make sure they are good and dead…then throw ‘em in a big ol’ pot of boiling water for about 5 to 10 seconds (that’ll be countin’ on all yer fingers on yer one hand, or all yer fingers on both hands like yer Pa taught ya)…take ‘em up and out and jest peel that ol’ skin right offin dem!
Then ya’ll kin gut ‘em, cut off thar heads, and cover ‘em in corn meal and flour. Grab yourself a beer, go sit down, and tell yer women to git a cookin’ ’cause ya’ll is really hungry! Oh, make make some Hush Puppies ta go with them Cats too! Git another beer, cause it’s gonna be a ‘romantic evenin’ with yer Miss’s…yessiree Bob!
Bone appetite!
If we judge Garth by his blogs then I feel Garth is far more negative than Harper is.
But I’m so huggable. — Garth
By Van on 06.20.07 5:53 pm
How about we judge him by his remarks in the House..
His comments in the house are less than Prime Ministerial. Harper accused Liberal MP Marlene Jennings of putting her spouse on the Immigration and Refugee Board and Lucienne Robillard, a former Immigration Minister of installing her husband as well. Deliberately trying to mislead the Canadian public and defame what he perceives the enemy.
In fact, Robillard’s ex-husband, Jacques Lasalle, was appointed to the board in 1990 when Brian Mulroney was prime minister, and Jennings’ husband, Luciano del Negro, joined the board in 1996, before his wife was first elected to the Commons in 1997.
Are you losing it? — Garth
No you don’t know!! your comment is just
more Liberal supporter spin as poll after poll do not support your position. In fact they shows that Harper is considered to be a better leader than Dion.
By Van on 06.20.07 6:01 pm
Yes we do know Van…
HARPER LIES:
On Income trusts: Will not tax.
Result: millions lost to Canadians, millions lost through tax leakage.
Elected Senate:
Result: First act…appoint an unelected Minister to the senate
Atlantic Accord:
Result: divides the country
Widow’s benefits: Will do immediately.
Result: over 18 months of nothing done.
Campaigning in the House:
Result: Lies about Liberal appointments
HARPER’S INABILITY TO MANAGE GOVERNMENT
HIGHLIGHTED BY:
LIES OF THE DEFENCE MINISTER – 3 TIMES
BLAMES THE TROOPS FOR THE DEFENCE MINISTER’S LIE
THE LIE OF THE FOREIGN MINISTER
DECEPTION OF THE FINANCE MINISTER
USING AMBROSE AS SCAPEGOAT FOR FAILED ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
THE CPC MANUAL ON HOW TO DESTROY PARLIAMENTRY COMMITTEES
Bill-Muskoka,
It isn’t about Daisy Mae, but about Carly, the one who is escorted everywhere by the best bud, Cal, until Ricky Bobby falls off the pedestal…
Hey, maybe Ricky Bobby will hook up with that waitress Harry checked out in Calgary. What a story line.
Are you losing it? — Garth
By pjw on 06.20.07 6:16 pm
Not that I am aware of, but I am sure I will be the last to know!
In fact they shows that Harper is considered to be a better leader than Dion.
By Van on 06.20.07 6:01 pm
It depends on how you define a leader. I am not prepared to argue that Dion is a leader since I have nothing on which to evaluate that at this point.
On the other hand, I have enough information to form an opinion that Harper is not the kind of leader needed in a representative democracy.
Rather than showing leadership characteristics Harper is showing characteristics of a bully: a personality that is “authoritarian, combined with a strong need to control or dominate.” Other factors include “quickness to anger and the use of force, addiction to aggressive behaviours (verbally), mistaking others’ actions as hostile, concern with preserving self image, and engaging in obsessive or rigid actions.”
Could the school yard bully be considered a leader? In many cases he or she is because others will follow in fear of becoming the target. Those who were bullied at some time in their lives often make good followers for a bully who draws them into his circle.
In the end an election may not depend on whether Dion is seen as a leader but on whether people want the kind of leadership Harper represents.
Personally, I would reject the bully.
In fact they shows that Harper is considered to be a better leader than Dion.
By Van on 06.20.07 6:01 pm
Yeah, okay whatever you says their Pardner. Hey, there is a NASCAR race gonna start any minute now. Ya’ll got sat service their at the Death Star? I think it’s gonna be the Troglodyte 250!
Brought to you by the little Blue pill!
The opinions of those on this fine forum are just that .. individual opinions and trying to extend that to everybody through wishful thinking. I base my opinions on the objective scientific polling done by such reputable firms as SES … as in this poll to determine the Best PM:
http://www.sesresearch.com/library/polls/POLNAT-S07-T230.pdf
A particularily revealing set of data shows how Liberal and Conservative voters perceived Dion and Harper as their choice for Best PM.
Liberal voters — 40% chose Dion and 26.4% chose Harper.
Conservative voters — 3.3% chose Dion and 78.9% chose Harper.
What must be disconserting to Liberal strategists is that only 40% of polled Liberal voters considered Dion as best for PM .. which surely reveals that Dion is not even wanted by a majority of Liberal voters.
In Quebec, the polling data is even more devastating for Dion, and these numbers have been backed up by other polling firm’s data.
So the questions must be: “When and how will Dion be able to establish himself as a Best PM and hence an acceptable leader for the country?”
So far all we get on this fine forum is reasons for hating Harper and wishful hopes for Dion … not exactly how you would want a political party to be run and compete in an election … hatred and delusion.
This has been most entertaining reading after a day of reading newspapers. Seriously, Robert W. has written a good summary of CPC neo-con actions/inactions.
PJW and Mr. Innes also are good contributors. Judy made a bit of a mistake…the words usually used to butter up the voters are ‘hard-working families’. About the Nascar thing, some supporters have just been car-jacked. Actually, it’s just one more example of broadsiding as many people as possible who the CPC think are likely below the radar insofar as taking politics very seriously is concerned. As for Mr. Dion, I am not looking for a rock star. I am far more interested in a leader who can think, consult,consider and treat people with respect. He is respectable and, from what I have read, a very hard worker. Actually! Keep caring!
I base my opinions on the objective scientific polling done by such reputable firms as SES … as in this poll to determine the Best PM:
By Observer on 06.20.07 8:57 pm
Isn’t it a wonderful freedom that you can allow a poll to determine your thinking for you? Enjoy!
I, and the others will apply a far more accurate means, that of human experience and intelligence to form our opinion of who is fit to lead this nation.
We choose to exercise our freedoms as well. It is called critical thinking as an individual.
I am far more interested in a leader who can think, consult,consider and treat people with respect. He is respectable and, from what I have read, a very hard worker. Actually! Keep caring!
By Pat G. cont’d. from incomplete mssge) on 06.20.07 10:33 pm
As should we all be! Good comment Pat!
I often wonder how many people answer polls correctly at this point in a political cycle. I refuse to take part in polls but I note that pollsters never report how many refuse to answer or the undecided. At one time I was being called more often than random sampling would warrant.
It appears that some polling firms such as Angus Reid recruit people for their lists through the internet and certain newspapers. Others also use set lists rather than random samples to create what are called “push” polls.
At one time some of the polling firms posted their methodologies on the internet but most of them have abandoned that practice so they can’t be evaluated.
Usually polls become more accurate as an election approaches but at times they are radically inaccurate. When John Hamm formed his majority government in Nova Scotia he was running in third place in the polls behind the Liberals and NDP.
So far all we get on this fine forum is reasons for hating Harper and wishful hopes for Dion … not exactly how you would want a political party to be run and compete in an election … hatred and delusion.
By Observer on 06.20.07 8:57 pm
This is how the CPC got elected the last time… Harper is driven by his hatred of liberals and he deluded people into thinking he would keep his promises which you admitted recently he did only to get their vote. Canadians are looking for a leader with integrity…it is not hatred of Harper that fuels others, it is his inabilty to keep his word and his attempt to deliberately smear others, in other words, he has no integrity and Dion does.
I hate the old Liberal crooks who are still manipulating the Liberal party, and I believe a new leader like Ignatieff would purge the Liberals of their legacy of slime and crime.
Perhaps Liberals on this forum should look in their own mirror before they judge others.
I hate the old Liberal crooks who are still manipulating the Liberal party, and I believe a new leader like Ignatieff would purge the Liberals of their legacy of slime and crime.
Perhaps Liberals on this forum should look in their own mirror before they judge others.
By Allan on 06.21.07 6:28 pm
Perhaps we don’t care what your opinion is .
Blogginmorons.com wants you .