UBERGALAXY

There's not much going on politically lately, with the holiday season and all. I've been quiet, but I couldn't let Stephen Harper's sudden senate appointments slip under the radar.

The Prime Minister has from the beginning maintained that he would never appoint anyone to senate. Harper has long said that that he believes senators should be elected, not appointed. But last week that went out the window, as he abruptly announced he was appointing 18 people.

Says the CBC:

By making the appointments now, Harper sought to prevent a potential Liberal-NDP coalition government from getting the opportunity to fill the seats.

"If Senate vacancies are to be filled … they should be filled by the government that Canadians elected rather than by a coalition that no one voted for," Harper said in a news release.

My favourite reaction, though, has to be that of NDP MP Pat Martin. Martin told CTV news, "This is just a hog-troughing orgy, it seems the Conservatives have tossed their principles out the window."

"Hog-troughing orgy," you say? Love em or hate em, NDP members have a way with words.

However you describe it, the appointments, most non-Tories agree, is a slap in the political face. CTV News sums it up this way:

But the Conservatives maintain that appointing the senators remains their prerogative, despite a Liberal - NDP threat to topple the government in the New Year.

Senior Tory staffers also said that Harper's hand has been forced because the Liberal-heavy Senate is dysfunctional.

Yes, they would say that, wouldn't they. It seems the senate was leaning a little too far gauche to function as per Tory standards.

They did, after all, appoint several Conservatives, including former MPs Suzanne Fortin-Duplessis and Fabian Manning. There are also several conservative-leaning individulals, like businessman Irving Gerstein and Richard Neufeld. Although a liberal, Neufeld is considered to be a Conservative at heart.

And then there's Mike Duffy, a longtime conservative-leaning political reporter of CTV. Many links on Duffy's website have broken or outdated links, but I can tell you from watching Duffy on a number of occasions that he is a conservative individual who makes snide remarks about political views that he does not personally hold or understand. He'll make a great senator!

There's a few curve-balls in Harper's appointments, too. Notably, Harpera ppointed Michel Rivard, a former politician of the Parti Québécois. A bold move, considering how Harper vilified the Bloc in the events following the formation of a coalition against the ruling Conservatives, which was supported by the Bloc. Harper said the Bloc would divide the nation and was anti-Canadian. A bold change of heart, since the Globe and Mail uncovered the following gem on December 3:

The separatist Bloc Québécois was part of secret plotting in 2000 to join a formal coalition with the two parties that now make up Stephen Harper's government, according to documents obtained by The Globe and Mail.

The scheme, designed to propel current Conservative minister Stockwell Day to power, undermines the Harper government's line this week that it would never sign a deal like the current one between the Liberal Party, the NDP and the Bloc.

Indeed!

We'll see what happens in late January, when the prorogued parliament finally reconvenes. By then, Iggy will have gotten himself settled, and the proverbial ball will get rolling again. Then we'll see how the piggies handle themselves at the trough.

Eye Weekly recently launched a new blog, called Jim Flaherty's War With Reality. Apparently the folks at Eye are just as fascinated as I am with Flaherty's ability to, as they say on Mythbusters, reject reality and substitute his own.

Says Eye Weekly:

We worry about the federal finance minister, we really do. Every time you pick up a newspaper, there he is saying something patently ridiculous, contradicted by the known facts, the opinions of leading experts and, often, his own party’s decisions. Starting on Dec. 15, we’ll begin a daily series on Jim Flaherty’s bizarro relationship with the the facts of the observable universe.

I hope they keep it up. For launching it in the first place, I'm calling Flaherty's War With Reality the new blog of the week!

Stephen Harper appeared today on The National in an exclusive interview with Peter Mansbridge. Here is basically how it went down:

Peter Mansbridge: Prime Minister Stephen Harper, thanks for coming today.

Stephen Harper: My pleasure. I just want to clarify, for the record, that I am awesome.

PM: Uh, yes. Well, I called you here to basically ask you this: do you realize that you've successfully alienated Canadians and have bullied Stephane Dion out of Parliament?

SH: On the contrary! Did you know that the coalition is a conspiracy against me, and that the opposition parties planned it from the start? Also, I hate the Bloc Quebecois. They are dangerous.

PM: So, to clarify: you are without blame and the coalition is a conspiracy against you.

SH: Yes, of course, Peter! I have done nothing wrong, and have offered every opportunity to work with the opposition parties. But instead they are conspiring against me and are leaving me out of their special secret meetings. Also the Bloc is evil.

PM: Haven't you ever considered that the proroguing the---

SH: STOP INTERRUPTING ME PETER MANSBRIDGE!

PM: ....Yes. I was saying, don't you think that proroguing Parliament has been detrimental to the health of the Tories?

SH: No, I had to do it to save my job. Basically, everyone is stupid except me.

PM: Stephen Harper, you are basically an asshole. Why do you have so much contempt for the Canadian public?

SH: Ha ha ha! I am not an asshole, I am merely a Tory!

PM: Same thing. Well we're out of time. The end!

SH: Thanks Peter. In conclusion, I am perfect in every way.

The cameras cut away so that the viewers don't see Peter Mansbridge's head explode in frustration, while Stephen Harper continues to grin in his smug, cocky, asshole way.

Don't believe me? See the real interview for yourself.

After a busy weekend in Canadian politics, the future of the Canadian coalition government may be in jeopardy. What the heck happened?

1. The Governor General returned from vacation early to rule on the proposed coalition government.

2. Stephen Harper and Stephane Dion released public statements, with Harper saying he would do everything within his power to fight the coalition government.

3. Upon her return, the Governor General met with Stephen Harper behind closed doors for several hours. Upon emerging Harper announced that the Governor General had agreed to prorogue parliament.

4. Politicians and the public alike had mixed reactions to the move. On Saturday, groups both for and against the coalition held rallies across the country to show support for either side.

5. By Sunday, more and more rumours were beginning to surface surrounding the resignation of Stephane Dion, current Liberal leader and leader of the coalition. Dion said he'd resign upon losing the latest federal election so spectacularly.

6. Today it is confirmed that Dion could resign as early as Wednesday, as two Liberal Party members jockey for position in taking his place.

Wikipedia offers a nice break-down of the goings on, explaining things in greater detail. The CBC also explains the process and what a coalition government might mean for Canadians, as part of its in-depth coverage of the events in general.

Facing Parliament today after the opposition parties formed a coalition against him, Prime Minster Stephen Harper was frantically trying to rally support for himself.

Meanwhile, the previously meek Stephane Dion shouted all through question period; a furious and exasperated nerd standing up to his long-time bullies: the Conservative Party. Of course, bullies need a leader, and Stephen Harper is happy to lead his band of brats in their mission to make Dion miserable. At Harper's side, Jim Flaherty plays the cartoonish yes-man, rubbing his hands together as he delights in Dion's discomfort.

But no more. Dion is fed up and has successfully united all three opposition parties in a move against Harper. A few weeks ago, the NDP, the Liberals, and the Bloc Quebecois were so at odds with each other, it was hardly imaginable that they'd agree on pizza toppings, much less a coalition government.

But, as polarizing and divisive as Stephen Harper is, he is successful in uniting his opponents against him. The proverbial nerds have bolstered support from the other kids in class, and they're not going to take it anymore! No matter how much they hate each other, the opposition has agreed that Harper has to go, even if they have to become frienemies to do it.

Faced with his opponents united against him, Harper is left with face flushed, tears stinging his eyes, as he stamps his foot and declares, "It's not FAIR!"

Now, Harper is trying to muster an argument against the takeover, which is expected to occur on Monday as a confidence motion is tabled in the House.

The Conservatives' website states:

Yet, yesterday, in a shocking display of undemocratic arrogance, a socialist-separatist driven coalition announced that they will try to overturn the results of the election and seize power without first going back to the voters.

But anyone with half a political mind can tell you that the move is hardly undemocratic, nor is it illegal: the right to form a coalition government is in the Parliamentary rules. You should read them once and a while, Mr. Harper. You might learn a little about your job description.

The Conservatives also argue:

And the new socialist-separatist driven coalition is an attack on Canada itself. For no responsible national leader would ever give power to a group that wants to destroy one of the most peaceful and prosperous nations ever to have existed.

"Socialist-separatist," Mr. Harper? While the Bloc is a party with a separatist platform, Duceppe is largely in favour of working with Canada to ensure that the best interests of Quebec are protected while it remains part of the country. Duceppe is a Quebec Nationalist, warts and all, but he is not a separatist.

In fact, as Wikipedia reports (and cites), "Duceppe even went so far as to intentionally spoil his 1980 sovereignty-association referendum ballot arguing that Québécois should instead focus their efforts on staying united to fight their common capitalist enemy."

While one can question his motives or what the "capitalist enemy" and any fight against it may entail, one cannot condemn Duceppe as a separatist outright. Moreover, Duceppe is smart enough to know that making a run for Quebec separation at this stage in the game would be political suicide.

As for the Conservatives' claim that the coalition would destroy the country? On the contrary: it would appear that the coalition would look after Canadians' best interests for once. The coalition has already formed a plan to address the current economic crisis - while the Conservatives continued to pretend that the economic crisis did not exist, despite glaring evidence in the daily media to the contrary.

So while Harper and his Conservatives blow things out of proportion in an effort to save face (the 'socialist' thing was a nice retro touch), an article in today's free daily in Toronto caught my eye, and seems to largely sum up what many Canadians are thinking. I'll leave you with the link so you can read it for yourself.

After a weekend of rumours, the Canadian opposition parties today confirmed that they are forming a coalition government.

The move comes following a snap election where the federal Conservatives succeeded only in slightly increasing their numbers, but continuing to hold minority government status. Following the election, the Conservatives outlined their plans for the coming years. The Throne Speech was met with distaste from Canadians, while the opposition parties began to get vocal, declaring something must be done.

Arguably the biggest problem? The Conservatives are making light of the global economic crisis, maintaining that the Canadian economy is strong and will not follow in America's footsteps, despite glaring, widely publicized evidence to the contrary.

Finally, in a move aimed at preventing already election-weary Canadians from going to the polls again - an election was held barely a month ago - the opposition parties stepped forward today, officially declaring they will form a coalition.

So, while their proposal is drafted and pending approval from the Governor General of Canada, let's meet the candidates, shall we?

Stephane Dion: Liberal Leader
Pros: In the 1990s worked to prevent the separation of Quebec.
Considers himself an environmentalist, and served as Minister of the Environment from July 2004 to February 2006.

Cons: Largely underestimated by English Canada.
The current prime minster has successfully worked to help paint Dion as wishy-washy, indecisive, and lacking in leadership.
During the latest election, launched a Green Shift campaign that helped run the party into the ground as voters fixated on two key words: carbon tax.





Jack Layton: NDP Leader.
Pros: Energetic, one of the few politicians who bikes to work and actively practices what he preaches, environmentally.
Supports and attends various events, including Toronto's Gay Pride Parade, and other community events.
The Conservatives hate him.

Cons: Talks like a car salesman.
The moustache.






Gilles Duceppe: Bloc Quebecois Leader
Pros: Despite being a separatist party, many of his platforms are also socially democratic.
Quebec loves him.

Cons: Alienates much of English-speaking Canada by being a Quebec Nationalist.
Kind of an ass.