Wednesday, September 23, 2009

He's Always Got Time For Tim Hortons



Stephen Harper has received some flack for his decision to skip Barack Obama's address to the UN on climate change, in favour of a photo op at the Tim Hortons Innovation Centre.

I know, I know. Donuts over diplomacy. It doesn't look good. It makes Harper look like a leader who doesn't give a rats ass about climate change. But when you examine the issue closely, Harper's decision was clearly a difficult one. Let's compare:

Prominent Event Speaker
UN: Barack Obama
Tims: Stephen Harper
Edge: UN

Food Served at Event
UN: A selection of hors d'oeuvre prepared by the world's best international chefs
Tims: Double-double and a Boston Cream donut
Edge: Tims

A Chance to get the Votes of...
UN: Environmentalists
Tims: Tim Hortons crowd
Edge: Tims

Major Accomplishment
UN: Deployed 35 peace keeping missions
Tims: The triple chocolate donut
Edge: UN...barely

Shameful Moment
UN: Oil for food scandal and inability to prevent Rwandan genocide
Tims: Firing that single mom for giving a free timbit to a baby
Edge: Tie

Feel Good Moment
UN: Raising billions for UNICEF
Tims: When the kid realizes his dad secretly came to watch his hockey practices when he was younger
Edge: Tims. Hands down. Who didn't cry a little bit?

Charitable Cause
UN: World peace and averting a global warming catastrophe
Tims: Youth hockey
Edge: UN


So, it's 3-3 between the two events. Still, I think we all know roughly what Obama will say ("global warming is a threat...we should reduce our carbon footprint...blah blah blah...hope and change...blah blah blah"). Whereas, who on earth has any idea what actually happens at a donut innovation centre? Seriously.

Out of sheer curiosity alone, I think I'd make the same decision as Harper.

Labels: , , ,

posted by calgarygrit at 6:38 p.m.

30 Comments:

  • I'm unclear: being present in person for Obama's speech would accomplish what, exactly?

    I'm sure it's available on YouTube.

    But if Harper were at the speech, you can bet dollars for donuts that all anyone would talk about was how empty and meaningless a photo-op it was.

    By Blogger Paul, at 6:46 p.m.  

  • Of course they would talk about how Harper was at the UN for a photo-op.

    Its because with Stephen There is less than meets the eye. Always. And its a perception he has created all himself.

    By Blogger Jay, at 6:59 p.m.  

  • Harper just looks bad. What Canadain is going to be thinking: "cool! Our Prime Minister is at Tims when every other leader is at the United Nations! He's such a rebel!"

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:37 p.m.  

  • The false postulate is that the UN is worth having. Therefore, not wasting time on the forum for thugs, thieves and dictators is a positive development. Canada should withdraw from UN membershipeverboa and us the money for worthwhile investments. Like helping the poor people of Africa, not the governments that oppress them.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:29 p.m.  

  • Finally , an issue the Libs can bring down the government on .

    By Blogger Bill D. Cat, at 8:31 p.m.  

  • Looks like all of the credible leaders of the world followed PM Harper's and Canada's lead in walking out on that tyrant from Iran's speech today. The EU member countries were praising Canada's lead, ha.

    Iggy is worse than Dion, not a leader too.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:33 p.m.  

  • Why is this a tough decision?

    Harper can always schedule a personal visit with OBAMA if necessary.

    Who spoke next Libya room half empty?

    Iran?

    Again why is this a tough decision?

    I will take a Tim's run over a UN speech any day.

    How do you think this will play with most voters in Canada?

    The US follows Canada in protesting the Iranian Speech.

    Liberals criticize Harper for not leaving room personally?

    Liberals are now pandering to the UN for votes?

    How many people showed up to protest the Iran anti democratic actions in Canada?

    Another voting Bloc to Harper.

    Who is advising the Liberals?

    By Blogger CanadianSense, at 8:56 p.m.  

  • I don't remember which country in africa it was but if you include the food to children for sex by the UN peace keepers Tims wins hands down http://michellemalkin.com/2005/02/21/the-other-un-sex-scandal/
    http://michellemalkin.com/2005/02/12/who-is-didier-bourguet/

    By Blogger brdwzhr, at 9:16 p.m.  

  • When cycling by or taking the bus, I watch the lineup of cars and trucks idling away while waiting for their big morning coffee and donuts at the Tim Horton's donuts takeout. Healthy,eh?

    By Blogger Oemissions, at 9:35 p.m.  

  • I think this is one of your funniest posts.

    By Blogger french wedding cat, at 9:51 p.m.  

  • Why is this a tough decision?

    Harper can always schedule a personal visit with OBAMA if necessary.

    True. It's probably easier to get time with the President than to tour a donut factory...

    By Blogger calgarygrit, at 10:11 p.m.  

  • fwiw, I don't think this is a bad political move on Harper's part. And the Tim Horton's HQ moving back to Canada (at least on paper) is a tangible accomplishment, his government should be promoting.

    It would just be nice if serious leaders did serious things.

    By Blogger calgarygrit, at 10:13 p.m.  

  • It is amazing, that PMSH can stand in a Tim Hortons and give a speech that is heard by millions...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrL-PrAM96w

    By Blogger wilson, at 11:46 p.m.  

  • Or put it another way,
    PMSH got the attention of the world, standing in a Tim Horton's.

    Stephen likely told Barack he was going to opt out of the UN meeting, I'm sure O was fine with it.

    By Blogger wilson, at 11:50 p.m.  

  • Palin better watch out: Harper in 2012!

    By Blogger Scott in Montreal, at 12:26 a.m.  

  • I think this is one of your funniest posts.

    True, but that's like saying Anne of Green Gables was one of Megan Follows' better movies.

    By Blogger Robert Vollman, at 10:24 a.m.  

  • For the tie-breaker:
    UN: Cruel dictators coddled
    Tims: Cruellers served.

    By Blogger nuna d. above, at 1:25 p.m.  

  • I was once a peacekeeper. Triple chocolate wins hands-down. (Althoough honestly, I've never seen such a beast).

    By Anonymous herringchoker, at 4:25 p.m.  

  • I agree H 2 H - Really funny stuff Dan.

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