Monday, December 31, 2012

Out of Touch



There is no love lost between Stephen Harper and Joe Clark. When Clark's official portrait was hung in the Centre Block four years ago, Stephane Dion and Paul Martin attended the ceremony. But, breaking with tradition, Harper managed to be away in Europe.

So, when Clark came out in support of Theresa Spence last week, it's a sure bet that Mr. Harper was not pleased. Michael Harris writes:

But for a former prime minister, and a Conservative one at that, to pay his respects to Chief Spence presents a challenge to the sitting PM. After all, Harper has shown himself to be the Tin Man of Canadian politics, a calculator on two legs who lacks a heart. You get the feeling he would rather have a root canal than a discussion with someone who had a beef with him.

Instead, Harper enlisted Senator Patrick Rousseau to carry his water. Rousseau told Spence she should call things off. But he's in the Prime Minister's pocket. And his relationship with First Nations organizations these days are rocky:

This is the guy who effectively called a CP reporter a bitch, who dubbed the former native organization he headed up a “Mickey Mouse” operation, and who is now suing that same organization — which he says should cooperate with him as a Canadian senator. Brazeau claims that Theresa Spence isn’t a good role model for native kids. Maybe Justin Trudeau punched him a little harder than anyone knows.


Mr. Harper won't come to a premiers' conference. Why should he meet with Chief Spence?

And so Stephen Harper has placed his bet. It is clear from his strategy that he believes he will be going neither to a meeting nor a funeral and that sufficient pressure can be brought to bear on Chief Spence that she will voluntarily discontinue her hunger strike. That is why he has placed the prestige of Leona Aglukkaq and Patrick Brazeau squarely on the barrelhead by having both of them support the government’s position.

If Harper is right, his victory will be, at best, a partial and temporary one. Yes, there will be people who will praise his steadfastness on matters of protocol as a sign of leadership. But those will mostly be white people who are simply tired of wrestling with the profound issues raised by Chief Spence.

Harper is betting that Theresa Spence -- and the problems she personifies -- will go away. He doesn't understand the desperation of Canada's native peoples. The man at the top is truly out of touch.

8 comments:

Lorne said...

Cynic that I am, Owen, I have a feeling that Harper and the PMO are constantly reassessing the Chief Spence 'file.' I wouldn't put it past him to meet with her 'at the last minute' when it looks like her health is reaching the point of no return, his reasoning being that should she die, the political cost to him and his party will be much greater than if he breaks his resolve not to submit to her strategy. That way, he will appear more humane, and criticism of his intransigence will be at an end.

Owen Gray said...

I wouldn't be surprised if that happened, Lorne. From proroguing Parliament, to claiming that a "separatist coalition" was illegitimate, Harper knows how to save his own skin.

When his political survival is at stake, he is capable of anything.

Anonymous said...

Harper the Hun declared himself, some sort of a devout Christian. I guess his Minister's, are his Disciple's. They dare not oppose Harper. Perhaps these days, Harper's Ministers are Robots rather than Disciple's.

Even if Harper does speak with Chief Spence? Nothing will change for her nor her people.

Harper is every bit as hateful as, Stalin, Hitler and Mussolini. No Dictator values human lives.


Beijing York said...

Let's not confuse Brazeau with the more honourable Senator and later General Lovell Harrison Rousseau from Kentucky. Although it would seem that they both liked using their fists every once in awhile :-)

"Grinnell pretended not to know what Rousseau was talking about, enraging Rousseau who struck him repeatedly with the iron handle of his rattan cane until it broke. He struck him chiefly in the face but a few blows hit Grinnell's hand and shoulder."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovell_Rousseau

Owen Gray said...

Even if Harper saw Chief Spence, Anon, he would be doing it for his benefit, not hers.

Owen Gray said...

There surly are people with more courage than the Senator, Beijing.

Anonymous said...

All it would take would be gesture on the PM's part, except he's too narrow or small minded to even think about it.

A sad situation brought about by Haper's small mindedness.

Owen Gray said...

Greatness shows itself in generosity of spirit, Anon. Stephen Harper is not a great man.