tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post4036480059633118502..comments2024-03-28T19:18:40.387-04:00Comments on Northern Reflections: The Northern Magus?Owen Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-12588201594269485532010-01-08T21:52:36.684-05:002010-01-08T21:52:36.684-05:00Mr. Harper has assumed -- once again -- that he ca...Mr. Harper has assumed -- once again -- that he can do as he wishes. If the opposition parties are wise, they will use this time to present another version of what we can and should be. More on that next week.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-52876142364777624172010-01-08T19:10:10.590-05:002010-01-08T19:10:10.590-05:00I've heard in the last couple of days that his...I've heard in the last couple of days that his popularity numbers are slipping. Here's hoping!ChrisJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13139508470517226199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-44108692973411310362010-01-05T08:30:06.181-05:002010-01-05T08:30:06.181-05:00Mr. Harper's constant need to over reach makes...Mr. Harper's constant need to over reach makes him his own his own worst enemy. Whenever his numbers get into majority territory, he always trips over himself. No, "clever" isn't the right word.<br /><br />And yes, Chrystal, we get the leaders we deserve. Our opposition leaders have not been particularly stellar of late -- and, when it comes to Mr. Harper, well . . .Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-15175294212469653262010-01-04T16:09:29.439-05:002010-01-04T16:09:29.439-05:00Good post. Agree with Colectte. Average Canadian i...Good post. Agree with Colectte. Average Canadian is either oblivious or couldn't care less what's happening in Ottawa. As long as the people believe, without effort at investigation, that our party and electoral systems deliver democratic representation, they'll do nothing. In which case, they get the government and dictator they deserve.Chrystal Oceanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00171002438761303983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-70583316729987172032010-01-04T15:49:01.636-05:002010-01-04T15:49:01.636-05:00Your point about the misperception of Harper being...Your point about the misperception of Harper being good at governing is well taken.<br /><br />The same goes for this notion about Harper being "clever." He's not clever at all - everything he does is completely obvious and transparently machiavellian. We all know he's trying to dodge every bullet possible and situate himself for springing an election where he wins a majority. Clever would be doing this without trampling all over democratic norms and customs, violating laws, slandering opponents, and exhibiting extreme degrees of control freakery within his own party. And the two times he really saw the precipice (with the coalition and with the torture scandal) he prorogued.<br /><br />Clever? I don't think so. Lucky? Yes - because there hasn't been an opposition of any merit for the past four years.djnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-69647588173141165642010-01-04T14:36:48.036-05:002010-01-04T14:36:48.036-05:00It seems to me that the opposition parties are goi...It seems to me that the opposition parties are going to have to cooperate with each other and present a united front. <br /><br />This does not mean they should engineer a formal coalition. But it does mean that they will have to make Mr. Harper the target, instead of each other.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-32108245635551242652010-01-04T13:57:14.937-05:002010-01-04T13:57:14.937-05:00The sad thing is the average voter who knows nothi...The sad thing is the average voter who knows nothing about politics and governing think he is great!!!! And that is sad indeed.<br /><br />Where do we go from here? How bad does it have to get? <br /><br />Thanks for your thoughts it is encouraging to see there are some who see the wrong that is being done.Colette Ameliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03442660605798634154noreply@blogger.com