91 Replies to “SWTE: The Harper Scrolls”

  1. Like I said, Mark Steyn couldn’t have said it better. But I wonder how many of the other writers in this little “competition” will even understand what you wrote.

  3. the first para . . Harper tells ’em Canada is the best country in the world.
    But he does in a very diplomatic way, not a Martin poke-a-stick-in-their-eye-and pee-in-their-cornflakes childish way.
    GREAT writing , esp “logical linguini’
    Mind if I use that ?? . its super

  4. whilst the Libs are leaking memos about getting trounced in Quebec Pravda is leaking Harpers truthful speech–but all indications are its “the hidden agenda”
    I would have thought Paris Stronach would have had her copy of the hidden agenda already revealed.
    Good work Kate

  5. Very good reading. Unfortunately, I also decided to have a read of some of the other bloggers and it looks like it is open season on Kate & Stephen.
    Your fellow bloggers/columnists also seem to have selective recall syndrome. They can remember when Stephen Harper said “XYZ” and that he has changed his stance but never mention Mr Dithers’ 180s on just about everything.
    I hope you continue to take the high road and don’t get down to their name-calling kindergarden… err I mean Daycare mentality.

  6. Well done, and well written, Kate.
    In the early hours of this morning I drafted a similar article for my site, even tying it to the “first to go negative” implications. But a few hours later I decided to just invoke a “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn” slant to the post.
    No use giving more coverage to this than it deserves.

  7. Another great post Kate….wouldn’t it be truly pathetic if Iraq has a greater voter turnout than Canada. I’m trying to decide whether I would prefer to dodge bullets or snowflakes.
    I read Glyn Evans post, and he is so far out of his league.
    In his post today (and correct me if I’m wrong) but the Stephen Harper quote that follows was made in reference to supporting the Canadian troops that were in Iraq ( I believe that they were somewhere around 30 of them working with US Forces).
    “It was probably not an appropriate term, but we support the war effort and believe we should be supporting our troops and our allies and be there with them doing everything necessary to win.” – Stephen Harper supporting the U.S.-led war on Iraq, Montreal Gazette, April 2, 2003.

  9. Very good writing, Kate.
    But maybe think a bit more about the audience. When you write at SDA and the WS, your audience are generally literate and well read people who can appreciate complex concepts and rational thinking, presented in a condensed and succinct manner. In other words, most of the audience speaks the same language, and have a similar world-view.
    A CBC website will have a generally different audience, many of whom may find libertarian and conservative concepts foreign to their thought process. Speaking from personal experience, they’re not stupid, just victims of years of spin and bias. Your/our philosophical world-view will be completely foreign to many of them, having never thought about it.
    What do you think of maybe “dumbing it down” a bit? Your commentary is a whole new language for CBC.
    Mad Mike

  10. Read Harper’s speech and Q&A from the Liberal website – and want to observe:
    a) I took a class from Skagit Valley College’s Dr. Anne Will on the subject of antebellum America – great college, great teacher – and agree with his observations on that. He clearly identifies the secession forces correctly – and the political party alignment.
    b) He was (luckily) wrong on another Quebec referendum, but is right that the Reform forces won over the conservative movement. Exhibit A: Joe Clark. Exhibit B: Belinda Stronach. Exhibit C: BC Premier Gordon Campbell who clearly had aligned himself with the Canadian Alliance, then with the allied Conservatives.
    c) Finally, best for last – this “hidden agenda” rhetoric is nothing more or less than the ignoble (but at least open) attempt of those on the left to create a “straw man” to run against.
    Why would the left campaign against Steven Harper’s Conservatives with their bold ideas when they can campaign against Jack Layton’s/Paul Martin, Jr.’s “Conservatives”?!?!? I hope some of you see what I am saying here – and pontificate accordingly.

  12. Just read the ENTIRE TEXT of Stephen Harper’s “infamous” 1997 speech, including answers to questions. Thanks to the CBC for making this available. What character does this reveal? He doesn’t agree with the Trudeauian vision of Canada. Arrest him immediately!! There is nothing there, so this will end being another failed attempt to discredit Mr Harper, to show his “true” agenda. This speech is essentially a historical description of the Canadian political culture (and he used the word “firewall” once). So what. If this is the best the Libs and their chattering buddies can come up with, the are truly pathetic. I hope Martin tries to use it tonight; then Harper can show that this man is truly desperate, that he will take a harmless speech, spin it out of context, for personal gain. Can’t wait.

  13. Those undecided voters, hearing this ‘chatter’ though, might not want to bestir themselves to look beyond the spin. If it takes breaking down years of spin/corruption/malfeasance into ‘beer and popcorn’ to outrage Canadians, it’s unlikely they’ll actually go looking for the truth behind this current smear tactic. And the Libs know it.

  14. “So far, so good. Now – would someone please explain to me why speaking such truths out loud is a bad thing?”
    Kate, What makes what you said the truth? Why is “bad” in italics? Who is doubting this supposed truth?
    Try dropping the cryptic code cute linguini crap. Clever does not equate to effective communication, rather it muddles and only impresses the confused.
    This smacks of Gerry over at the NCC stating an obvious self-fulfilling prophecy so later he can say “look at me, see how smart I am.”

  15. Unfortunately you know the Liberals and their media will not let this go unless the Conservatives can turn it around to bite the Liberals…With all of the important issues to be debated, this stupidness could actually influence the outcome of the election – especially for undecideds. What if the Conservatives suggest that Paul Martin likely has some quotes that he would regret from when he was a young man in his mid 30’s (as was Mr. Harper 8-9 years ago) before he entered public life. If the Liberals refuse to accept the entire content and context of Mr. Harper’s speech, their sound bytes will stick with Canadians. Susan Murray on CBC Politics today tried to draw these into supporting more recent quotes from Mr. Harper. In that case – it should be war…Mr. Martin currently demonstrates how much he holds Canada in distain. Mr. Martin is above medicare – using his private clinic (with Income Trust!), and registering his ships off-shore instead of fixing the taxation problem that his company is circumventing, and hiring Chinese workers instead of Canadians for CSL…All these are current examples of how Martin truly feels about his Canada…words certainly don’d jive with deeds.

  16. Spicoli’s er uh, Glyn’s Ehhhhhhhhxcellent hippie-wannabe antiUS site has an election poll. 🙂

  17. Hmmm… two votes for “dumbing it down”. One from the left, and one on their behalf. That’s a unanimous vote on something….

  18. Paul Martin is a very smart business person. He does what he has to do to ensure that CSL not only stays in business but produces a profit. If he were to change laws to benefit CSL that would be an abuse of power. Every shipping company in the world is structured like CSL.
    This country needs a qualified experienced person like Martin. What are Harper’s qualifications? Of everyone I’ve asked nobody knows. Why the big secret?

  19. Boudria was a busboy. He seemed to do rather well for himself thanks to Cretin and not his credentials, apparently.

  20. Kate, I wouldn’t say to dumb it down, but I did find that post to be less clear than the first.
    Some of that may be because I am American, but I do think that your posts at CBC have been somewhat different than your usual writing style here at SDA. I think that you are a great writer, and an amazing voice in this troubled world, and am thrilled to read whatever you write. But I do hope that you will trust yourself, and not feel any need to be anything but your own genuine self…. Thanks for inspiring and educating us all!

  21. “This country needs a qualified experienced person like Martin. ” . . . to do what ??
    Suck & blow at the same time ??
    Stand up in front of the world and lie about Canada’s Kyoto progress ??
    I could go on but Ron is just a Lieberal troll . yaaaaaaawn, haven’t the time today to bait fools.

  23. Peggy – to answer your question, the format at CBC forum is different than it is here, where the focus is on lighter, quicker linkage and timeliness. They asked for more of a viewpoint type of commentary, as opposed to the drive-by snark to which I generally devote myself.

  25. What are Harper’s qualifications?
    Let’s start with how he is NOT a lying, thieving, mafia-friendly lawyer from Quebec.
    And if he comes out with a proposal for free lobotomies for anyone still stupid enough to vote lieberal, he will attain near-messiah status.

  26. “And if he comes out with a proposal for free lobotomies for anyone still stupid enough to vote lieberal, he will attain near-messiah status.”
    Let’s put Ron’s name at the top of that list !!
    He won’t even have to wait in a loooong long for his cherished Liberal Health Care Rationing system to come to his aid.
    Do you think we will notice any difference in Ron’s behaviour in the before & after status ??
    Probably not.
    Shweet 🙂

  27. The question still remains unanswered.
    What are Harper’s qualifications?
    BTW I’m not a Liberal troll or anybodys troll for that matter. I’m a realist that believes all politicians are either corrupt or become that way eventually somewhat…It’s the nature of the beast. Knowing that, I support the most qualified person. At this point it just happens to be Martin. You’re welcome to convince me otherwise but you’ll have to show me the straight goods not just a bunch of child-like negative rhetoric.

  28. Ron
    You ask “What are Harper`s qualifications”…there are many but one of the most important is that he is HONEST and he will not steal our tax dollars. Can you same the same for the Liberal Party? As for CSL being structured like every shipping company in the world this is just a cop out to avoid taxes and pay low wages…otherwise known as GREED…it`s a Liberal tradition! One other thing….so called “other shipping companys” don`t pollute our great lakes like CSL does! When the CPC forms the next Govt they will close the tax loophole and go after CSL for clean up costs that will run into the multi millions.

  29. Good work Kate.
    Harper isn’t scary.
    Its that humans tend to gravitate towards someone that will tell them the good things, even if its a lie. Harper will tell you the truth even if its uncomfortable news to hear.
    Examples:
    Saddam is a tyrant that needed to be forced out, WMD or no WMD.
    Our Health care system isn’t a health care system at all. Its an accounting system.
    You can’t keep peace like hearding sheep. You enforce it with force.
    The media is biased, because they are human beings like the rest of us. Humans have likes and dislikes, thats bias. The problem is that the media pretends that they are not biased.
    Our biggest trading partner is the US. It is not good US-Canada relations to attack them to score points. You disagree, fair enough, say so, but don’t rant from the top of your ivory tower with the clay foundation.
    A gun is an inanimate object, just as a knife, a blunt object, even a paper clip is. They don’t become a weapon till they are picked up by someone with the intent to do harm with due prejudice. And if the nutcases can’t find a weapon, they tend to resort to their bare hands. Banning the weapon doesn’t keep the nutcases from doing harm, incarceration does.
    The charter is was never intended to award new rights and special statuses. The charter has a NWSC for a reason, to keep activist judges from getting out of hand. Laws are for the benefit of the whole, not a tool to create new rights.
    Harper scary? No he’s not. Political correctness is.

  30. Honesty is not a qualification it’s a trait yet to be demonstrated and to stand the test of time. This is my point precisely, you ask a question then get an off topic response. That’s dishonest!
    If CSL is polluting the Great Lakes and what they’re doing is against the law then they should be charged.
    Greed is what fuels business. Without business there would be no jobs…anywhere! Right back to caveman days. The neo-conservatives are greedy too. They lust for power. What about PC Mulroney, he was the most greedy SOB ever to walk this planet.

  31. what were PMPMs qualifications.
    right hand man to Maurice Stong.piloted in there by the old money of baystreet and daddy in parliament.
    buys Canada Steamship lines at about age 30– must pay big bucks between age 25 and 30 at Power Corp. front office. All he did was represent some old montreal family money.

  32. Kate,
    Your post on the pravada’s election site made me feel so good, I fear you might get busted for dealing digital drugs.
    Watch out there Kate. Telling the truth can be addictive.

  33. Since the question can’t be answered we have to assume Harper has no qualifications just a bucket load of bluster.
    What’s wrong with representing old money. Do I detect jealousy?

  34. Ron you say,
    “I’m a realist that believes all politicians are either corrupt or become that way eventually somewhat…It’s the nature of the beast”
    First, you are conceding the Liberals are crooks
    Secondly why not switch your vote to a party with no running start lead on stealing your money ?

  35. Way off topic, but just noticed on CBC Kate:
    http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/12/15/officer-shot.html
    The man arrested in the police shooting death in Montreal has been banned from owing firearms since 1999, yet was still able to get permission to own a huge-ass hunting rifle. That’s $2 Billion well spent!! While I am mindful of the sacrifice of this police officer and mean no disrespect to her memory or loved ones; this tragedy prefectly illustrates the problem will the Liberals approach re: guns. Mr. Harper would do well to mention this in the debates if it can be done in a sensitive & respectful manner.
    Thanks.

  36. richfisher…That’s the smartest thing I’ve read here so far. Yes, I beleive the Liberals are a bunch of crooks. However, I believe the conservatives will become that way eventually but with the added bonus of loss of free speech, rights/freedoms, bigotry and racism.

  37. Ron,
    Dare I suggest a novel idea for a Lieberal lefty but perhaps you could do a google search. Look up say Conservative Party of Canada for example. Look under LEADER drop down menu and Gasp! there it is: Biography…
    Truth is that the likes of you tend to sling mud and crap than engage in meaningful discussions. You will probably take every third and fifth word from this and spin it into a satanic hidden agenda.

  39. As I undedrstand the history of CSL – PM’s daddy Paul Senior was main instigator in selling the Crown Corporation known as CSL to Power Corparation(Maurice Strong CEO at the time)for small change with proviso that Paul Jr. would become owner of CSL at future date. Once Martin family was financialy secure the son would be in position to become PM, an opportunity missed by the father. This was all layed out in an article by Peter C. Newman for MacLeans magazine away back in 70,s. So Martin’s qualifications as PM are not very convincing Ron.
    Regardless – great second article Kate.
    Alex
    Winnipeg

  40. Thanks Texas, I will check it out and let you know of my findings. FYI I like to use even numbered words to spin my satanic web. The yin yang is better (it’s a more balanced view).

  41. Kate,
    Very well done. I violently disagree with the “dumb it down” folks who believe that you should write poorer English prose so the Ryerson educated Tranna weenie crowd will feel affirmed in their CBC bottle fed, Ken Dryden daycare induced prosodic coma.
    If any of your fellow bottle feeders on the CBC forum get too snarky, I’d be happy to toss in a few verbal mortar rounds — gratis — to clear the stage of any pablumesque Eastern whiners.
    We could also call in the JTF to clear them a path home through the snow.
    Best,
    Plato’s StepThong

  42. Looks like this Ron fool is another liberano plant. Or maybe its just because it appears his mind is about as smart as one. PMPM is a crook!!!! Get it? Or do you really enjoy getting ripped off?

  43. Alex…Don’t believe everything you read. Journalists are experts at nothing other than painting pictures to sell copies. There might be some truth there but where’s the rest of the story. Witness Kate and her angst towards the media.

  44. Call me crazy but I don’t feel ripped off at all. The older I get the better I feel and the happier I’ve become.
    The only plants here seem to be conservative vegetables. All in a neat uniform little row waiting to be harvested.

  45. Harper’s qualifications:
    he’s an economist. Most would agree that the economy drives all other issues in the country. Doesn’t it make sense to put an economist in charge?
    Regarding the ’97 speech, I think he should just pick a place and give it again. This would nullify any “hidden agenda” argument. Would show he stands by his words, and if his opinion has changed, why.

  47. I can mention a number of cases over the past decade of Liberal rule where ‘free speech’ has become less free – or is this because of the conservatives somehow too?

  48. Ron said:
    “BTW I’m not a Liberal troll or anybodys troll for that matter. I’m a realist…”
    Why would I call a liberal troll like you crazy? I think liar fits much better. Your words betray a consistency of blather and arrogance that lead nowhere. You make statements on the Conservative leader but provide no logical basis to back it up which is typical Liberal modus operendi.
    If you’re nobody’s troll then I guess you’re calling PMPM a nobody.

  50. ” Don’t believe everything that you read..”
    This can only be coming from a liberal point of view.I am sure though that you take as gospel any diatribe written about Mr. Harper.It seems that you have swallowed the line,hook and sinker on the Conservatives being bigots, racists and anti-choice.Some of the worst bigots i have met in my life were liberals,with their smug contempt for people,ideas and values in opposition to their own.
    As an aside,i find it amusing when liberals paint with a broad stroke of the brush,Conservative politicians as being possibly as corrupt as theirs.The idea being,since everybody does it,what we did was not so bad,and as the natural governing party of Canada,who else would have your best interests in mind? Sure we steal your money,and waste billions in useless schemes,but we are the voice of you!
    Hogwash…

Proudly powered by WordPress & Skyrocket Themes

MENU

Navigation