Scary Stephen's downward spiral
In the policy section of the Conservative’s website, there is a section entitled “Strengthen the role of the Ethics Commissioner”. According to this plan, Steven Harper will, among other things, "Give the Ethics Commissioner the power to fine violators; Prevent the Prime Minister from overruling the Ethics Commissioner on whether the Prime Minister, a minister, or an official is in violation of the Conflict of Interest Code; Enshrine the Conflict of Interest Code into law.” (http://www.conservative.ca/EN/2275/28982).
These bold statements formed much of the basis of Harper’s campaign. Now, for those of you who are not aware, responding to NDP and Liberal complaints, Bernard Shapiro (Canada’s Ethics Commissioner) announced last week that he would be conducting an investigation into the appointment of former Liberal MP David Emerson as Conservative Industry Minister (see blog entry for Tuesday Feb. 7th). The quick and dirty version of this story goes like this: Despite actively campaigning as a Liberal against scary Steven and his cartel of Conservatives, Emerson crossed the floor to accept the Conservative cabinet appointment (Much to the dismay of his constituents, campaign staff, and many Canadians).
So here’s where it gets REALLY juicy. What does scary Stephen do when he hears of the impending investigation? He does what any crooked politician would do- he tells Bernie to mind his own beeswax! Not only does he publicly announce that he will not cooperate with the investigation; he calls up Ed Broadbent and offers him Bernie’s job! According to Harper’s Director of Communications, Sir Stephen “is loathe to cooperate” with a “Liberal appointee”. Which is total bunk, by the way. According to Bill C-4 (the Act that introduced the creation of Office of the Ethics Commissioner), the Commissioner is appointed only after approval by a resolution of the House of Commons (http://www.parl.gc.ca/37/3/parlbus/chambus/house/bills/government/C-4/C-4_4/90225bE.html#3).
Bottom line is that our Prime Minister has violated campaign promises and is attempting to prevent the Ethics Commissioner from ascertaining whether or not a conflict of interest has occurred. So, what are we to make of this blatant act of hypocrisy? That’s where you, the readers, come in. I will now put forth a list of possible reasons for scary Stephen’s big fuck-you to the Ethics Commissioner, and you get to choose the one you think is right! Click on the “comment” button at the bottom of the message to inform us of your selection, or submit your own!
Stephen Harper is blatantly acting like a hypocritical jackass because:
a) He’s drunk with power.
b) He thinks the “bad-boy” image of being a callous liar is hot.
c) He’s suffering from amnesia and has no memory of his campaign promises.
d) He’s hoping to get fired so he can run away and join the rodeo.
e) He doesn’t give a shit what the Canadian public thinks.
f) None of the above (if you select this answer, you must write in with an option of your own!)
Looking forward to your responses!
In the policy section of the Conservative’s website, there is a section entitled “Strengthen the role of the Ethics Commissioner”. According to this plan, Steven Harper will, among other things, "Give the Ethics Commissioner the power to fine violators; Prevent the Prime Minister from overruling the Ethics Commissioner on whether the Prime Minister, a minister, or an official is in violation of the Conflict of Interest Code; Enshrine the Conflict of Interest Code into law.” (http://www.conservative.ca/EN/2275/28982).
These bold statements formed much of the basis of Harper’s campaign. Now, for those of you who are not aware, responding to NDP and Liberal complaints, Bernard Shapiro (Canada’s Ethics Commissioner) announced last week that he would be conducting an investigation into the appointment of former Liberal MP David Emerson as Conservative Industry Minister (see blog entry for Tuesday Feb. 7th). The quick and dirty version of this story goes like this: Despite actively campaigning as a Liberal against scary Steven and his cartel of Conservatives, Emerson crossed the floor to accept the Conservative cabinet appointment (Much to the dismay of his constituents, campaign staff, and many Canadians).
So here’s where it gets REALLY juicy. What does scary Stephen do when he hears of the impending investigation? He does what any crooked politician would do- he tells Bernie to mind his own beeswax! Not only does he publicly announce that he will not cooperate with the investigation; he calls up Ed Broadbent and offers him Bernie’s job! According to Harper’s Director of Communications, Sir Stephen “is loathe to cooperate” with a “Liberal appointee”. Which is total bunk, by the way. According to Bill C-4 (the Act that introduced the creation of Office of the Ethics Commissioner), the Commissioner is appointed only after approval by a resolution of the House of Commons (http://www.parl.gc.ca/37/3/parlbus/chambus/house/bills/government/C-4/C-4_4/90225bE.html#3).
Bottom line is that our Prime Minister has violated campaign promises and is attempting to prevent the Ethics Commissioner from ascertaining whether or not a conflict of interest has occurred. So, what are we to make of this blatant act of hypocrisy? That’s where you, the readers, come in. I will now put forth a list of possible reasons for scary Stephen’s big fuck-you to the Ethics Commissioner, and you get to choose the one you think is right! Click on the “comment” button at the bottom of the message to inform us of your selection, or submit your own!
Stephen Harper is blatantly acting like a hypocritical jackass because:
a) He’s drunk with power.
b) He thinks the “bad-boy” image of being a callous liar is hot.
c) He’s suffering from amnesia and has no memory of his campaign promises.
d) He’s hoping to get fired so he can run away and join the rodeo.
e) He doesn’t give a shit what the Canadian public thinks.
f) None of the above (if you select this answer, you must write in with an option of your own!)
Looking forward to your responses!
posted by Emma Jo Aiken-Klar, PhD at 11:53 AM
3 Comments:
How about Option (g): Stephen Harper doesn't care about Black people.
The Man Who Would Be King...
It has become clear this last week that one of the misconceptions which many of us are labouring under, is our idea that the recent federal election was about the election of MPs, and the ability of a political party which gained most seats, to decide who should be the Prime Minister of Canada.
Silly us! The election was not about that at all!
It is now clear from the defence of his actions in not cooperating with the officer of Parliament, the Ethics Commissioner, that Mr Harper was not appointed Prime Minister.
Move aside, Queen Elizabeth, and make room for our new monarch, Emperor Stephen the First.
The Queen is gone; long live the King!
I now have a new understanding of the expression royal blue Tory....
I'm going to have to go with All of the Above, although if forced to choose only one, I'd take B. Harpie seems to be trying to reinvent his image these days, and since being photographed shaking his kids' hands (instead of hugging them) on their first day of school in Ottawa (wtf?) didn't quite get the response he was looking for, he's decided to ditch it and go with the bad boy image. He's so hot. (I almost pulled off a straight face on that one)
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