Mr Sinister's Translation Service

The Tories just axed another arts program and the PMO spokesthingee used the following justification:

Kory Teneycke, the Prime Minister's press secretary, declined yesterday to address the decision to close Trade Routes, but noted that Ottawa "spends $3.5-billion on arts funding ... and is spending more on arts than did the previous [Liberal] government. In the case of PromArt, we think the [funding] choices made were inappropriate ... inappropriate because they were ideological in some cases, with highly ideological individuals exposing their agendas or [money going to] wealthy celebrities or fringe arts groups that in many cases would be at best, unrepresentative, and at worst, offensive."

Here is my translation:

"We cut this particular program because some the things funded either questioned the status quo or offended Charles McVety. Oh and by the way, we are better than the Liberals".

Say what you will about the Tories, they know their base. This will be very well received by the Blogging Tories. It's a threefer. It offends the arts elites, the media and the residents of downtown Toronto. As far as the Harperites are concerned, reactions to policy decisions don't get any better than that.

Recommend this Post

From The "Ya Right" File

From today's Globe:

The Harper Tories, who are often accused by the Grits of being too tight with the Republicans, are not saying yet who they are sending to watch Arizona Senator John McCain become the Republican candidate.

Like Jason Kenney would miss a chance to rub shoulders with his political heroes. Here is the the 2004 list: John Reynolds, Stockwell Day, Peter Van Loan, Jason Kenney, Rob Anders and Tony Clement.

Recommend this Post

Why The Conservatives Deserve To Lose Part 2

I realize this could be construed as piling on, but how arrogant do you have to be to disregard the advice of the people you are apologizing to and then stalk off the stage before they even have a chance to deliver their own (PMO approved) speech? Maybe Harper is getting bored with the whole apology of the week strategy? Maybe he just doesn't think Indo-Canadians matter as much to his re-election as the Japanese and Chinese? Whatever the reason, I have always believed that apologizing for historical grievances is a mug's game. Stephen Harper, that political genius, has other ideas. Let the chickens now come home to roost.

Update: How much do you want to bet that Jim Abbott isn't the only BC Conservative calling for a change in direction? The only question left is whether Harper will take one for the team and change his mind?

Recommend this Post

Why The Conservatives Deserve To Lose

Making poor Tony Clement look like a complete idiot by supporting the WHO's harm reduction strategy and opposing Insite. Such a position tends to generate such tongue-in-cheek paragraphs as:

Mr. Clement has never clearly stated why the government supports needle exchange and rehab programs but so sternly opposes the existence of a facility where drug users can actually use the safe needles and be encouraged to enter rehab. The sticking point appears to be that, at Insite, drug users cannot be arrested and prosecuted.

The government seems to be like Homer Simpson proclaiming loudly that they love addicts so much that they want to help them, while under their breath mutter to themselves how much they hate them and want them in jail. It would be really funny if it was a sitcom, but these guys are supposed to be running the country and representing Canadians internationally. I know that the WHO is a UN agency and is therefore anathema in the eyes of the Tory base, but it is taken seriously in the real world and so the government might be a tad worried that it is making Canada a laughing stock (yet again) on the world stage.

Recommend this Post

Why The Liberals Deserve To Lose

Can anyone imagine the fun the Conservatives are going to have with the Liberal's version of "I was for immigration reform until I was against it"? Of course "progressives" will still be expected to salute this nonsense and claim that this was the plan all along (and condemn the NDP for not seeing the brilliance of the Liberals' strategy).

Recommend this Post

That Sounds About Right

Dennis Perrin on McCain and the politics of race:

Many observers are amazed that McCain would use race this early in the campaign. But really, what choice does he have? McCain's only shot at winning the White House is to stir up as much racial anxiety and fear among American whites as he can. He cannot compete with Obama as a speaker, as a perceived agent of "change," and certainly not as an inspiring symbol. Obama has youth, verve, sexiness, and global appeal. McCain is still bitching about gooks. And yet, that may be his saving grace. It's a vile approach, but it could work. Never underestimate the power of personal racism. A lot of whites might not be crazy about McCain as a man or a candidate, but at least he's not black with a foreign name. You work with what you got.

I agree (not a surprise) with Perrin. McCain only has one card to play and he is playing it. BTW, check out the last paragraph of Perrin's piece, those of you who think Perrin might actually be an Obama shill.

Recommend this Post

Mr. Sinister's Public Service

As a public service to my three readers, I am going to provide the script that Peter Van Loan will (I suspect) be using this fall every time someone asks a question about the Bernier Affair:

Mr. Speaker, the Foreign Affairs Department has thoroughly investigated this matter and its conclusions have placed the greater responsibility for this incident on another person. Mr. Speaker, the government, unlike the Liberals, has nothing to hide and that's why we on this side, are always found innocent whenever there is an investigation into our behavior. The government now considers the matter closed and if the official opposition insists on wasting the time and resources of this parliament trying to pursue this matter further, we will conclude they have nothing else to offer the Canadian people and will go to the Governor General to dissolve this House.

There, now you don't have to watch question period in the fall.

Recommend this Post