| A good turn out of “severely normal” Canadians showed up at Saskatoon City Hall at noon, and a good time (if somewhat chilly) was had by all. For a round up of reports from across Canada, your best starting place is Blogging Tories. Update – Star Phoenix coverage (Via Financial Post). Yours truly is quoted. |
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Part way through the rally, I walked over to the small, noisy, (and predominantly francophone) pro-coalition group and asked them to close up so I could get everyone in the shot.
The photo taken, I told them that I simply wanted to record the faces of those who had chosen to disrupt the moment of silence that had just been observed for the fallen soldiers in Afghanistan.
And that, in a few hours, several thousand people would know them, too.
Full size image
Update – several of you have sent photos via email. I can’t possibly use them all, but here are a few… including my favourite from Ward, from Vancouver!
London, Ontario courtesy of Jason.
“No Guff” sends shots from Nanaimo, BC
Click for Winnipeg rally pics. Maurice writes “A few days ago, Winnipeg’s leftwing elite held their pro-coalition rally in a warm hotel banquet room.”
Also – Youtube of the Queen’s Park rally in Toronto.
Pelalusa has a bunch of photos and video, too. (sorry, link fixed!)
Feel free to drop links to your own albums in the comments.
I had a nice time today at the rally. Seemed like pretty decent people. The Anti-Harperites did their requisite chanting, and they obviously weren’t there to listen but rather to rudely interrupt the speakers. Oh yeah, and the moment of silence. (I do agree with Derek that they probably didn’t hear the call for silence, but what did they think we were doing? Waiting for a Dion telecast?)
Otherwise, the anti-coalition group consisted of a broad demographic, and were very respectful and positive. I also enjoyed meeting a few decent folk there too, including SDA’s own Kate and Paul. Good people all around.
Derek, if you really are the guy in the picture, you’re a dork. And your mother dresses you funny.
Please, be on Dion’s side. I like it that way.
Nice to meet you in person today, Kate. That’s a great photo.
I concur with crazybengal … that’s a mom hiding a young boy behind the sign. I’m going to give her the benefit of the doubt that she was hiding him from the camera on purpose which is a good choice.
The pro-coalition protesters need to work on creating chants that can’t be co-opted by their adversaries. They were chanting “Coalition?” but their “Yes.” answers were quickly drowned out by “No!” Too funny.
derek – because Quebecers voted for the Bloc, does not give them or their MPs the right to vett ALL confidence Motions in the proposed coalition government.
Don’t you realize that this sets up a two-tiered parliament, where the votes of all the other MPs must be submitted to a higher-level PowerBroker? And that this higher level is made up of MPs who are out of the electoral reach of over 80% of Canadians? This is not a democratic structure. Surely you realize that.
Second, as a history major, you ought to realize that a democracy rests on the Electoral Will of its people. We had an October election which elected a govt, which was sworn in, and whose Throne Speech passed parliament. It is now legitimate.
The coalition’s agenda, obviously planned for a long time, was to discard the electoral will of the people, install themselves in power without an election – and – keep themselves in power without going to the people for almost two years. They would keep themselves in power by a signed agreement with the Bloc that the Bloc would support them through any confidence vote.
That means that the Bloc has signed an agreement to ignore the content of any financial bill, because they have given their signature that they’ll support it. That’s a violation of their democratic responsibility – not to make partisan decisions, but to make decisions based on the actul Motions.
You should not be surprised that people are angry with this coalition and its attempt to take over the government without an election. It is an insult to the democratic rights of Canadians.
And, a political party whose members are outside of the electoral reach of 80% of Canadians, and is open only to people in one province, Quebec, has no legitimate right to act as Overseer for the national interests of Canada. You should not be surprised that people are angry at anyone who suggests such an idea. So, it is incorrect of you to say that they have ‘no right’ to be involved in politics; they have no right to be making decisions about the national interest when they are not electable by anyone outside Quebec.
I won’t speak of their mandate to separate from Canada because we all know that they have no such desire and use it only as a threat in order to extort more money from Canadians.
No, this time the Bloc is not ‘propping up a government’ based on its decision on one particular Motion. It has signed an agreement with the coalition that it will, regardless of the content of a motion, support the government. That is a violation of their duty to us as MPs. They are not there to set up a partisan alliance but to judge, review, debate and vote on Motions. Their refusal to do this, in favour of unlimited support – is a violation of their duty.
Again, the fact that this coalition seeks power without the approval of the electorate, is a violation of our democratic rights as citizens. I’m sure you know enough about history to have some respect for those rights. Or do you?
I’m quite astonished at your dismissal of democracy by your support of the coalition.
“I didn’t know that, because it’s not true. Senators can only stay until age 75 (this has been the case since 1965).”
Oh well, my bad, Derek.
Of course you are correct.
So they get 6 Senators who are 25 and they serve for 50 years, or maybe the get 6 Senators who are 30 and only serve for 45 years and clearly you think that is OK.
(because 75 years isn’t life even if the average Canadian male only lives to 75 years-81 for females)
I nominate you, Derek, for Evasive Leftist of the Year and Nitpicker Extraordinaire.
Tid Bit from a friend who attended one of the rallys in Alberta. She was told by a party insider that Prime Minister Harper was NOT in danger of losing the confidence vote on Monday.
He had been contacted by more than enough opposition members who told him they were disgusted by the whole thing and would either not show up or abstain.
That would have to be more than 12.
So , closing down parliament 5 days early was to let some cooler heads prevail, as the PM said.
If these opposition members had abstained it would have been public and they and their families would have spent the next two months being bombarded by the media, blackballed by their parties and as targets for the vitriolic wrath we have seen the left unleash on their own who do not toe the party line.
This way everyone can save face.
Good on the PM.
Oz: “6 Senators who are 25 and they serve for 50 years”
I seem to recall reading somewhere that the minimum age for a senator is either 35 or 40. Still, it’s pretty much for life.
“predominantly francophone”
And to think you restrained your crucifixion reflex.
Thread was going great until someone(ya,you oz…and ET??) starting feeding the troll.Can’t you guys/gals read Kate’s rules??
And regarding the pic…methinks that was a Mom slapping her kid,behind the sign, for asking why s/he was being used as a prop,instead of playing street hockey.
Derek
Are you sure you’re not taking poli-sci, because either you are ignorant, or are spinning recent events.
….”the rumour of giving Senate seats to the Bloc is as sketchy as the coalition appointing Elizabeth May as Environment Minister”….
Tell me then, why was Moonbat May front and center, proclaiming just that fact? That’s more than ‘sketchy’…although it would be a terrible day for our country to see such an abuse of power happen. Exactly what has she accomplished? What has she done that is notable? Being leader of a wingnut party, that has never, and likely will never elect a single member? Does that mean that any leader of any unelected fringe party qualifies for the senate? And a senior cabinet position?
Derek, this is the lunacy that Dead Man Walking was proposing. Lunacy. Sheer. Mockery of the democratic process. To an extreme. And you still wonder why conservatives will go to the wall fighting agianst the corrupt and power-mad coupalition?
You’re young, one day you will wise up.
Hey Kate saw you taking the picture didn’t realalize it was you, you certinatly sure do know how to make a point! (LOL)
Here’s an interesting link, plugging in the COMPAS numbers to a seat calculator.
Thanks to Norman Spector’s site for the link.
http://langhjelmletter.blogspot.com/2008/12/what-annihilation-looks-like.html
Mind boggling, no wonder Jacko Lenin doesn’t say boo about democratic elections, they are evil in his eye
Justthinkin – Troll? You can’t say that about a history major that has “taken courses on the Canadian parliamentary system”
You’re mean!!!
Look at the fat bastard holding the “Harper is a Coward” sign. Is Michael Moore really here taking up the cause of the Libs/NDP?
Did you take a survey on the major of all those disrupters (at least they look like Uni students). No, wait, let me guess – General Arts (i.e. just hanging out) 40%, Sociology 40%, Human Justice 20% ?????
Thank the Good Lord I write my last final in one week.
To be fair to the hippies, they probably did not hear about the moment of silence and did not know it was taking place. I could be wrong, a number of us took our hats off during it and they might have noticed and been able to figure it out.
I ask again, will the flag be flying at half mast on parliament hill?
No?
Why not?
It is a true low life that would use our Soldiers as a political football.
It is a true low life without a conscience that would use dead Soldiers as a political football.
As for the rest of the chorus, you are a disgrace.
I was at the one in Windsor. Seemed to be no more than 80 people there. Windsor is a socialist enclave so we can’t expect too much. It was arranged by university students and many immigrants were in attendance. I spoke to one gentleman who seemed to have known Jack Layton quite well. Said that his father was a conservative but the son is well schooled in Marxism. Must have attended the same school as Bob Rae. This gentleman was inscensed at this situation and having come from a communist country I can understand how he feels. It scares the shyte out of everyone. Looked for Sam s, but couldn’t find him in the crowd.
If this coalition is allowed I can’t see how we will ever remove them from government.
hugger – Well, its a military thing. Are you suggesting THEY change for YOU?
Anyone get any pic’s of Kinsella lurking around identifying Nazi’s? The public washroom’s maybe?
I got a cruddy video of the “performance” we had at Saskatoon on my phone. I’m sure there are better videos out there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIMQGsKHKlE
I also brought my son to the rally. We could only stay 15 minutes because I had to go to a job. My son wanted to stay longer so I put a little more money in the meter. He’s 10. He’s already a political junkie. He loves rally’s.
Just an observation from the past week, and the various demonstrations
When it comes to the left, the demos, no matter what the reason (they DO complain a lot), the ussal suspects and rent-a-crowd show up. Same old unions, same old signs, same old ranters and ravers.
The thing is, what we’ve seen this week, is people who NEVER come out to demonstrate, never protest, in truth, THESE are the ordinary Canadians, that Tally Jack claims to speak for. This is the true grassroots, the ‘silent majority’, who have woken up, are stepping out, and being vocal, telling the intolerant left,…
“WE’VE HAD IT AND WE’RE NOT TAKING IT ANYMORE”
Very civilly, of course!
This is the sleeping giant that the radical left have awoken. Congrats Jack, and thanks. You’ve mobilized, and strengthened the Center-right!
“Tell me then, why was Moonbat May front and center, proclaiming just that fact?”
Tourette’s Syndrome.
I was at the Saskatoon rally as well – Kate, sorry I missed you, I would of liked to have said hi! I did talk to my MP again though, and offered to go doorknocking again for her in Feb if we go back to the polls.
“Never, never take on a history major!!!”
I was a History Major too! with minors in political science and slavic studies. After I graduated I promptly joined the Army – and retired 23 years later as a real Major.
My guests have just gone home for the night. “Uncle Wob” did a fine job entertaining a 5 year-old and a 2 year-old but finally lost the battle on the energy front! 🙂
Anyhow, I’ve compiled Rally For Canada photos from across our nation: http://pelalusa.blogspot.com/2008/12/more-rally-for-canada-images-from.html
I’m sure there are more. Please leave me comments to URL links that contain photos and/or videos and I will update the posting!
DanBC said, “The thing is, what we’ve seen this week, is people who NEVER come out to demonstrate, never protest, in truth,THESE are the ordinary Canadians”
Exactly, when I showed up I didn’t have a clue what to expect or what to do. It was obvious that many felt the same. I observed many on arrival would stand back observing for a few minutes sipping coffee, almost timid, then work their way forward into the crowd after chatting among each other in small groups.
DanBC wrote: “rent-a-crowd”.
That speaks for itself. Who is paying the bill?
False flag operations are the scourge of decent societies everywhere.
“I ask again, will the flag be flying at half mast on parliament hill?
No?
Why not?
It is a true low life that would use our Soldiers as a political football.
It is a true low life without a conscience that would use dead Soldiers as a political football.
As for the rest of the chorus, you are a disgrace.”
-Hugger
Well said.
heard the queen might come to one of the rallys but scotty brison never showed
heard the queen might come to one of the rallys but scotty brison never showed
Thanks for the inspiration Kelly, to add to yours…
We don’t need no coalition!
We don’t need no thought control!
No dirty backroom politicians!
Hey
Dion!
leave our votes alone!
All in all you’re just another prick on the hill
Yo, Derek. You and your buds look like you’re going to the Marc Lepine Lookalike Contest. (Guess that must be a real turn-on for those lib women, yeah?)
But seriously dude, when someone takes your picture, stand up and don’t look so much like you’ve got a load in your pants.
Comprehensive report on Coalition thugs in Vancouver: http://downtowneastsideenquirer.blogspot.com/2008/12/union-member-opposing-coalition-denied.html
I was at the Saskatoon rally, too. Guess we should have started an SDA chant in order to find each other! Sorry I missed the Bailey’s, Melissa.
Marie: “[PMSH] had been contacted by more than enough opposition members who told him they were disgusted by the whole thing and would either not show up or abstain [at the vote on December 8].”
I figured as much. The antics of the Coalition Coup are enough to turn the stomachs of any but the most hardened leftbats. Now, I’m wondering how many of them might either cross the floor or sit as Independents when Parliament resumes?
‘Talk about a pivotal point in history: Canada’s there!
I was at the Toronto Rally, where about 500-600 stalwarts braved two hours of snow and a bitterly cold wind. It was difficult to get the crowd chanting at first, but as the rally proceeded, we warmed up and started to get into “the groove.”
Let’s face it, unlike the knee-jerk Marxists, Canadian c/Conservatives aren’t usually the rallying type. It’s going to take a few dress rehearsals to get the hang of it.
I was at the rally in Winnipeg and the turnout was great – it looked like at least 300 people. There was some media there, but for some strange reason, the CEEB seemed to think sending 2 vans+equipment trailer to cover Bob Rae’s make me Prime Minister Tour was more important than watching real democracy in action.
I covered a bit of the Rae-fest to scope out sentiment of the local hardcore Winnipeg Liberal faithful prior to going to the real Rally for Canada. Numbers were similar to the rally at the Leg, even though they were inside and had coffee and muffins. I knew it had to be mainly hard core Liberal party faithful as either Rae or Anita Neville were identifying most of the people participating in the Q and A session by name. Based on some of the questions I was picking up and the generally lukewarm applause even the faithful are having trouble buying this.
Here we go with the stupid flag thing again. For the umpteenth time: The flag on the parliament buildings is the the flag of the nation. It only comes down for certain diplomatic circumstances and only one other reason – surrender of the nation. Every soldier understands that, too bad the trolls don’t. Dip all the rest all you like or feel necessary to.
Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels.
If you don’t like the way our government operates, work to change it in the House. But wait, you can’t do that; Parliament has been shutdown.
Parliament has taken its xmas break, only. Patriotism is also the badge of the stalwart and the righteous of spirit.
The decision to prorogue was the decision of the Governor General, one of three choices, not the decision of the PM. So you disrespect the office of the Governor General for partisan politics?
BatB
It’s rather unlikely that Libs are going to ‘cross the floor’ or go Independent.
Much more likely they don’t show up, or, maybe, vote for the budget. It wouldn’t be a complette shock for some to do just that, and then afterwards, proclaim themselves as saviours of Canada, or other such dribble.
Just a thought, it would be pretty ballsy of them, maybe too much to expect. The Liberal thing to do is to sleep in.
Would people please get it right. The GG DID NOT make ANY f*&ing decision.As much as monarchists love to preach it,the GG has NO say in our gubbermint.She either does as she is told by the PM,or finds another non-job.
I just searched the online versions of our local ‘rags’ and apparently the Saskatoon and Regina rallies didn’t take place. After all if they are not in the S-P or the L-P they couldn’t have happened. Lots of coverage of pro ‘coup-aliton’ rallies though. Why am I not surprised!
Just something to consider if you ever get a request to subscribe!
I’m kind of appalled; Derek comes here, posts politely-worded disagreements, invites reasoned discourse, and what does he get in return? Personal insults based on his appearance – nice, Phantom and wurstmann. Snarky rejoinders when he corrects YOUR errors – tell me, Oz, what’s so evasive about pointing out senators are appointed until they’re 75, not for life as you wrote? And Derek rather doubted that Lizzie had, based on her say-so, been offered a Senate seat and the Environment portfolio, but DanBC apparently accepts it because she said it was true. Um, since she’s also said that Harper is contributing to the destruction of the planet, global warming threatens us all, and that Harper was planning to put tanks on Parliament Hill, do you believe all those are true as well, Dan? I doubt it.
I don’t mind a little blood-sport when it’s directed at manny, I, beria, and qs – they come slinging mud, and deserve all that comes their way. But Derek came in respect – he even offered an apology for unknowingly disrupting the remembrance ceremony – and received disrespect in return. This reflects poorly on all of us.
What bothers me most is the young man writes coherently, doesn’t indulge in invective, and shows himself open to discussion. It’s possible that, through engagement, we might have shown him why this coalition at this time was absolutely the wrong thing for Canada. I don’t think we can do that now.
Justthinkin, sometime subtleties just go right over your head.
Kevin B
Lizzie Moonbats words, not mine. You should know that.
From the sound of your little rant, I will call you a leftard troll! Pot, kettle, black
KevinB, one does not discuss things politely with people who are seeking to destroy the country. You DEFEAT THEM, as fast and economically as possible. Discussion and politeness is reserved for the time when you accept their unconditional surrender.
I think if more Conservatives understood this, and understood that this is how Liberals fight, maybe our f-ing taxes wouldn’t be eating half our incomes, and maybe the health of the economy wouldn’t be hinging on the incompetent morons who run Ford, GM and Chrysler. And maybe my mother wouldn’t be on a waiting list for tests to be on the waiting list for a f-ing hip replacement.
You want to get out of the corner these fools have backed us all into, you call a dork history student a DORK. If he actually STUDIED history instead of regurgitating what his profs feed him, he’d see this coalition abomination will only lead to a bad outcome. As it is, maybe a little strong language will rattle his comfy little cage just enough for him to look out the damn window for a second.
I’m not about to play patty cake with these people Kevin, I’m working toward seeing them exposed as the architects of our discontent and routed from government ASA f’ing P. On the end of my size 10 1/2 steel toed boot if necessary.
Seems only fair, since they’re working toward chucking people like Mark Steyn, Kate and Ezra in jail. Kate goes to jail, how long before I do? I go to jail, how long before YOU do, KevinB? The slippery slope gets pretty steep just before it goes vertical.
Democracy + Coalition = Demolition?
I cannot help but think that the two sides of the “coalition issue” are being somewhat hypocritical. If the roles were reversed, and it was a Con/NDP coalition (with the support of the Bloque) threatening to oust a Lib minority government, I suspect that most of the “pro-coalition” folk would be vehemently “anti-coalition” – and vice-versa.
Both camps claim to be acting on the side of “democracy”. The Bloque elected 49 MPs with 1,379,991 votes. The Greens elected 0 MPs with 937,613 votes. Democracy? Please.
DanBC: Lizzie Moonbats words, not mine. You should know that. From the sound of your little rant, I will call you a leftard troll! Pot, kettle, black
Dan, you really should work on your reading skills; I said quite clearly that Lizzie claimed she had been offered the post. Derek doubted it, and you called him to task using these words “Tell me then, why was Moonbat May front and center, proclaiming just that fact? That’s more than ‘sketchy’…”. As I pointed out, May has said many outlandish things during her annoying presence on our political scene; I prefer to believe none unless they’re independently corroborated. You apparently have some unusual power to discern when May speaks the truth, and when it’s just her usual departure from reality. My congratulations to you, and please accept my wishes that you apply your powers to something important.
Oh, and I spent over 100 hours working for my local CPC candidate last election – phoning, putting up signs, canvassing, etc. Before I’ll accept you calling me “leftard troll”, I’d like to hear just how often you got off your butt for your candidate. Yeah, that’s what I thought.
Phantom, I urge you to go back and re-read Derek’s initial comment. He doesn’t call us “fascists” or say that “Harper’s trying to destroy the country”. He does object to being called a communist, or being told to go back to Russia. He holds – for now – a different political view, which last time I looked is his right in our country. He actually invited discussion, which suggested to me that he was open to argument. Responding with insults has not, in my extensive personal experience, been conducive to changing minds.
You write “As it is, maybe a little strong language will rattle his comfy little cage just enough for him to look out the damn window for a second.” I disagree; make your points as vehemently as you like, certainly. Use strong language, OK. But please tell me how your comment “Derek, if you really are the guy in the picture, you’re a dork. And your mother dresses you funny.”
can be considered intelligent, instructive, or useful. On the contrary, it’s simply childish.
Both of you should note that I had no harsh words for ET, who penned a lengthy reply to Derek, but didn’t find it necessary to attack him personally or insult him gratuitously. You could learn from ET.
Finally, Phantom, you say you are “working” towards “exposing [the coalition] as the architects of our discontent”. I would be interested to hear more details of the work you are doing.
It is hypocritical for Harper supporters to be wrapping themselves in the flag. Harper and the Conservatives routinely worked with the Bloc in order to defeat Liberal Government legislation, and allied with the Bloc to defeat the Martin Government. Even more recently, the Harper Government depended on the Bloc for the passage of the budget. So please dump your moralizing hypocrisy.
The rhetoric about a “coup” is also ridiculous. Canadians did not give Harper a majority of the seats, and hence he has no monopoly on the position of prime minister.