Wednesday, January 23, 2008

This Date In History

Today marks the two year anniversary of Stephen Harper's election win. This is notable because nobody thought his minority government would last this long. Only one has lasted longer since World War II and no Tory minority had ever even celebrated a one year birthday before. Hell, I remember the media stories about the PMO opening a bottle on wine when they passed Joe Clark's 273 days.

So Canada's New Government now enters the terrible twos. I doubt it will see a third birthday but, as just mentioned, you never know...

posted by calgarygrit at 10:05 p.m.

18 Comments:

  • The most successful minority government in the last century.

    Imagine what they could accomplish with a majority.

    Cheers to Steven Harper, who's turning out to be one of the greatest prime ministers in modern history.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:37 p.m.  

  • Hahaha riight.. not quite

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:44 p.m.  

  • In the big picture, he's doing a reasonable and fairly moderate job, and I'd give him above average marks.

    On this anniversary, let me say again (I believe I've said it here earlier) that I'm convinced Harper's treatment towards Marc Emory is criminal and unconstitutional. I think any reasonably talented liberal politician could make a very persuasive condemnation of the government. Dion is failing in his capacity as Opposition Leader to point out actual wrong-doing and a genuine "hidden agenda" against these innocent Canadians, and he's failing as a Party's Leader to capitalize on government scandal to his Party's advantage.

    Dion focuses too much on criticizing ideas from his own former government. This current government has an actual scandal sitting in its lap, and an Opposition which is not watching.

    Let me say I'm a health nut and I generally stick to red wine - I have no vested interest in this issue personally. I've smoked pot before, of course, and I know dozens and dozens of highly successful, ambitious, caring individuals who have as well; several of them do it on a very regular basis. I am not a criminal; neither are they. If conservatives are so focused on lesser, smaller government in order to protect individual liberties, then I would suggest they could begin here.

    And to Dion, I'd respectfully suggest that Jean Chretien or Pierre Elliott Trudeau could take a Canadian citizen facing jailtime due to US laws under Brian Mulroney, they could nail Mulroney's ass to the Peace Tower with one hand tied behind their backs while an astounded nation dropped its jaw and then burst into cheering. And then I'd respectfully ask: Why can't you do the same???

    Politics is about getting your people aboard your train over an issue. For the life of me I can't see why the LPC (and NDP) doesn't view the prospect of Stephen Harper giving over 80% of young Canadians criminal records as a major issue that could draw Harper out of his den and into a blinding light of public scrutiny.

    That's my two cents. Another long post - thanks.

    Sorry about telling Gayle off in the other thread, I'll endeavour to improve.

    Happy Anniversary!

    By Blogger Jacques Beau Vert, at 11:02 p.m.  

  • But Marc Emory aside, Harper has Kennedy's hair and he looks great covered in kittens. And while I differ on many social positions from him, I can respect where he's coming from on them.

    www.noextradition.net

    By Blogger Jacques Beau Vert, at 11:06 p.m.  

  • The most successful minority government in the last century.

    Darn 'tootin. Sure, Lester Pearson did bring in universal medicare and the Canadian Pension Plan, and a flag. But that's nothing compared to Harper cutting a sales tax by two per cent. His place in history is secure.

    By Blogger Jeff, at 12:57 a.m.  

  • Even PET brought in Petro-Can during his minority. What has Harper done?

    Imagine what they could accomplish with a majority.

    I'm straining to think. Fire a few more independent, quasi-judicial regulators?

    Cheers to Steven Harper, who's turning out to be one of the greatest prime ministers in modern history.

    I suspect he'll be out of office within, oh, a year. Indeed, the near certainty of another minority (thus quashing the expectations of members of Harper's personality cult) following the next election will soften his support considerably. While the Liberals have done well lately in making public displays of disunity, they could never match the level of sniping and complaining of disappointed Tories.

    By Blogger JG, at 1:39 a.m.  

  • "I suspect he'll be out of office within, oh, a year. Indeed, the near certainty of another minority...following the next election will soften his support considerably."

    Josh reiterates the (well-founded) conventional wisdom that Harper will, indeed, win the next election. Unlike Paul Martin who took power in Dec. 05 and whose govt. was brought down just a few days short of two years in Nov. 05,Stephen Harper has a clear understanding of where he wants to go. That's called leadership and it is the main reason why he's not only still surviving after 2 years but also in the driver's seat.

    When all we can about him is he'll only get a minority, what does it say about the Liberals? Not to mention that 4 points and the Conservatives are in majority territory. And the Liberals had better come up with "the Conservatives are scary" meme or they will hand the Tories a majority on a platter.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:00 a.m.  

  • Ah, what's on the menu for the kiddie time celebration? A kiddie cake and kool-aid I bet.

    And, what major accomplishment did Harper bring to Canada? I'm waiting, waiting, waiting.

    By Blogger RuralSandi, at 8:44 a.m.  

  • art - your little article demonstrates what is wrong with criminalizing pot. If it is criminalized, only criminals can supply it.

    Gangs control the drug trade - and they are violent.

    By Blogger Gayle, at 1:11 p.m.  

  • Two years is indeed an accomplishment for a minority government. Harper must be doing something right.

    I'm reminded of Chretien's three majorities, an historical feat to be sure, that he gained in the face of a non-existant opposition. I'm sure history would be different if he had to face a united party.

    Harper's opposition hasn't been as split as Chretien's was, but its ineffectual performance certainly hasn't hurt Harper's longevity, just as Reform-Alliance-Tory-DRC-UA didn't hurt Chretien's.

    By Blogger sir john a., at 2:18 p.m.  

  • Gangs control the drug trade - and they are violent.

    Gangs are violent, and they scare the hell out of me.

    As my roommate always says: "But you don't need to buy your little stash of flowers from biker gangs, kids - ask around and find someone who buys it from a local farmer instead. You'll probably even like it better, too - it's a lot like local vegetables and meats."

    As far as other drugs go, I think it's a good idea to do anything that someone may have died over. Gayle is right on this - avoid gangs.

    By Blogger Jacques Beau Vert, at 5:51 p.m.  

  • Art, you grotesquely stupid thug - that man is not a "marijuana grower", he's a cold-blooded underworld hood.

    Are you really so incompetent that you would classify a glass of cab sauv as "dangerous" because Al Capone was advantaging himself of foolhardy and impossible to oversee legislation implemented by morally self-righteous lunatics?

    You're crazy.

    By Blogger Jacques Beau Vert, at 5:55 p.m.  

  • Can't complain too much about SH, Year 2+. He's a bit partisan, even for my tastes, but he knows you can't let your guard down against the Liberal hordes.

    CG, you move to Toronto, Krista Ericksen moves to Toronto. Coincidence?!?

    By Blogger Möbius, at 7:27 p.m.  

  • Two years in office only lends credibility to Harper. Canadians have grown comfortable with the Tories in power, and showing them that they can run a minority government this long demonstrates that they are fit for power. Or so the theory goes. This is not a good government. As A BCer from Toronto points out, Pearson's time as PM showed much more innovation and accomplishment. However, the fact that Harper has been PM for two years can be tossed in with their promise of keeping their GST tax cut as another merit to campaign on (cringe).

    By Blogger Wheatsheaf, at 9:56 a.m.  

  • CBC used to run a tape during a noon phone in program.

    Older woman in a quavering voice used to ask ** Will Harper cut our pensions?** What is Harper*s hidden agenda?

    Current CBC plot is to try to link Harper to rough treatment of Afghan Taliban prisoners.

    CBC also tried to link Harper to Mulroney by implanting CBC designed questions.

    That sure backfired. CBC news publisher John Cruickshank wote a **Please Forgive Me** apology on the CBC News Publisher*s Blog.

    He promised to go back to the publishing ethics manual and fix things.

    I suggested a professional news publisher knows when he is spinning the news to make the PCs look bad.

    No need to check a, *news how- to manual*. The classy thing to do is resign and let a fair news director try to repair the CBC*s broken reputation. = TG

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:05 p.m.  

  • Oh, . . . the link.

    cbc.ca/news/canada/editorsblog/2008/01/we_have_to_stand_apart.html

    Cruikshank seems to be laying all the blame on an underling while everyone knows she was only doing Cruickshank*s bidding.

    Seems pretty low. = TG

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:12 p.m.  

  • to all the pot smokers

    enjoy your "weed". don't forget the people killed, growing it, stealing it, selling it, giving it away.

    I met the man who was killed. He and his former girlfriend ended up dead. Just a couple small time dealers.

    thanks for all the kind words.

    By Blogger Unknown, at 1:36 p.m.  

  • A lot of helpful data for myself!

    By Anonymous contactos en madrid, at 12:59 p.m.  

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