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April 04, 2005
Ratting and re-ratting
I have been watching Conservative reaction to this weekend's events regarding the "Gomery Commission", "Sponsorship Program" and rumoured Jean Brault testimony. Here is what I think is going to happen. I think the Conservatives will see an opportunity to take the prize without moderating any of the lunatic voices in their midst. Typical. I think the Liberals will see the writing on the wall and some close, close friends will be thrown to the lions. Also typical. In fact, I think enough dear friends will be thrown to the lions that Canadians will once again look at the alternative and decide, like me, that they would rather take the Liberal devil they know than the socon deep blue sea. The Liberals will not deserve to win the next election but the Conservatives will certainly deserve to lose it.
Following the recent Conservative Party of Canada policy convention some positions that had been up in the air have landed with a resounding thud. Or thump. For some of us the outcome of that convention meant we could not support the party in good conscience. But for some of the party faithful it does not matter what policy is advanced provided the party win the day. Well, I am not one of those people. I could care less which political party is in power provided we get the best government possible. In the meantime I am delighted and honoured to find myself in the company of Sean McCormick and Jay Currie. As Jay put it to me in an email we will have the luxury of a 360� field of fire for the next election.
That, apparently, is not good enough for some folk in the Canadian blogosphere. While I wish them all luck I cannot say I have much patience for their vexation. If you are so disposed to vote Conservative for no better reason than it is your political tribe I cannot see what separates you from the Liberal hacks in power now. Seriously, is a country governed by a Conservative in the pay of Power Corp. any different than a country run by a Liberal in the pay of Power Corp.? Call me when we have Magna money at the helm.
There, that should annoy the right people.
All of this has given me cause to wonder why so many would choose party affiliation over what they believe to be right. Perhaps they do not have many convictions to fight for beyond the prospect of a tax cut and the hell with anyone's rights but their own. I do not see anything conservative, or liberal, in that attitude. I have also had cause to think of at least one politician who was condemned by lesser men for crossing the floor. I am no Winston Churchill but I cannot think of a better model of conviction in the face of small-minded expediency.
Update: The Liberal party has reportedly asked the RCMP to investigate if the Liberals were... wait for it... this is a good one... victims of fraud. Now that is a thing of beauty. (hat tip to the Flea's beer expert)
Update: Mader Blog considers if NealeNews was in violation of the publication ban.
Colby Cosh weighs in.
Posted by Ghost of a flea at April 4, 2005 08:54 AM
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Comments
B-B-Belinda?!?
Hack! Cough! Spit!
Posted by: Sean M. ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.ghostofaflea.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at April 4, 2005 11:19 AM
Hey, at least you're leaving open the possibility of re-ratting. That's something to work with.
I do believe the future of conservatism is in the libertarian side -- but there's a long path from here to there.
Posted by: Ben at April 4, 2005 01:08 PM
Yes, Sean! This is going to be Belinda Central on the internet! You hear me? All Stronach... all the time!! Bwa haha hahah!
And Ben, I agree it is a long road from here.
Posted by: Ghost of a flea at April 4, 2005 02:39 PM
No! I'm rebelling!
If I can't have Ron Jeremy as PM then I want Traci Lords instead.
But please, no more Belinda. I'm afraid that I don't have the stronach for it.
Posted by: Sean M. at April 4, 2005 04:13 PM
Nick, it's interesting that you're able to swallow your rising bile at Liberal mendacity and corruption, inspired essentially by an anticipatory feeling of what a CPC government would be like. There's no reason to think that Harper - or whomever would replace Harper - wouldn't go about throttling and whipping his "rogue" members in line, either before or after an election. This country's politics is based on bruising compromise, and I don't see why the CPC would break that mold.
And this is coming from one of those dread "socons", so take from it what you will.
Posted by: rick mcginnis at April 5, 2005 03:01 AM
Rick: I hope you are right. We may be about to find out.... Frankly, that policy convention spooked me. My concern is that Stephen Harper may * not * be yet another cynic but may actually have the courage of his convictions in which case compromise seems unlikely. The absolute dismissal of contradictory religious beliefs, let alone opinions about gay marriage, etc., I saw almost daily at the Shotgun last year leaves me little hope for compromise with some segment of CPC supporters. Some of the bile that has been directed toward me as a result of these reservations (not in any comment I have published at the Flea) has only underlined my concerns. How influential are they within the party? I do not think anybody knows.
Yes, I would rather stick with the Devil we know even with events of this weekend.
Posted by: Ghost of a flea at April 5, 2005 06:22 AM
Can I just say that the Green Party is looking pretty good right now?
Posted by: Sean M. at April 5, 2005 12:13 PM
Sean --
I'm sure the noble Flea will not mind me quoting him on the Green Party, from my own comments section:
"Green... gahh! I cannot stomache that 'neither right nor left but radical' stuff. Frankly, I find it dubious and fascistic."
(See here.)
Posted by: Ben at April 5, 2005 02:09 PM
"Frankly, I find it dubious and fascistic."
Feh. Not so dubious and fantastic as Ms. Stronach as PM. Do you know why she has two openings in her rump? So that two puppeteers can operate her at the same time (Stronach Sr. and Peter MacKay).
Nick usually strikes me as being much more logical than this. The only possible explanation is that Ms. Stronach's booty holds the same attraction for him as Ms. Minogue's booty.
Double feh.
Posted by: Sean M. at April 5, 2005 05:53 PM
