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With a co-operative media, Stephen Harper has managed to render largely invisible his links to a cabal of right wingers determined to transform Canada in the way their American counterparts transformed the U.S. — despite widespread Canadian revulsion for George W. Bush's America.

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WRITING

If the “firewall letter” had been published during this campaign, Harper would almost certainly be heading for a crushing defeat, instead of perhaps poised to become prime minister.

I bet most Canadians don't know about the letter, or have forgotten what's in it. After all, people don't have time to go looking up what Harper wrote years ago.

Linda McQuaig disappoints me writing these opinions about how people vote. SHE credits the notion of the informed-uninformed voter as if people switch their votes based on the 'information' the media offers them daily, forgetting each 'bit' based on the latest broadcast news.

Unfortunately, campaign strategists for the NDP fall into the same trap. I thought Linda McQuaig felt more strongly about grassroots alliances and social movements. Besides, isn't it a matter of showing how Harperite pro-US strategies and the Iraq invasion will drag the majority of Canadian residents down to the level of pawns for a game of global geopolitics for the rich and powerful.

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Originally posted by Ross J. Peterson:
McQuaig is right about Harper. But wrong about the knee-jerk reactions of voters, whether to honest reporting or to the exposure of corruption.

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Lower Canadian Blues

At the grassroots in terms of groups, last night in Montreal in front of Radio Canada / CBC there were over 1000 protesters through which the candidates had to go for the televised debate.

Frankly, the hot button, single issue campaigning and the sound bite do fit into that very superficial image of the Harperite tiger changing his spots.

But I do bow before the Ontario experience with Harris. If you think he's changed, then who am I to say NOT. But on this score I agree with McQuaig.

SEE the political doggerel I wrote (actually it rivals T. S. E. and Pound)

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Originally posted by The Evil Twin:
Talking to people who are generally apolitical (but have a progressive outlook), they seem to honestly believe that the CPC is a sort of "liberal-lite" party. I think the average apolitical person (burdened by work, taxes, debt, kids, mortagages, etc) has neither the time nor inclination to "go under the hood" and examine the real bigotry in this party. They are all too willing to accept at face value the party's claim to be moderate. Unfortunately, by the time they find out the party's real agenda, it'll be too late.

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