SpiralArchitect said:
I know we have a lot of Canadians on this board, can they give me their opinion on the recent happenings in your government?
I read an article on it on CNN.com and it sounds like things are really being shaken up out there, and Quebec might finally become it's own country??
Very exciting news indeed, my friend. Many people here are torn up about it...claiming that nobody has a right to do this, as the Conservatives were voted in just seven weeks ago, and therefore they represent the will of the nation blah blah. Historically it has been done plenty (actually, the now outraged Stephen Harper proposed his own coalition with the Bloc in 2004)--the problem is that most people don't understand the nuances of Canadian politics (and I'm CERTAINLY no expert here). It all goes back to responsible government...in Canada there is the House of Commons, which is made up of the democratically elected MP's, individually representing both a riding a greater party. Like all politics, Canadian politics are notoriously esoteric and confusing, but for the most part the Prime Minister is merely the leader of the most representative party in the House of Commons. He/she can only remain in power as long as he/she retains the confidence of the majority of the MP's in the Lower House. By forming a coalition and thereby drawing their seats together, the "minority parties" (together making up a greater percentage of the vote than Conservatives) have more "sway" and can all cast a vote of non-confidence, effectively forcing the Governor General to strip leadership from the Conservatives and either call another election or appoint leadership to the newly formed coalition. Because we just held an election, it is very unlikely another would be called. That's really what all the excitement is about...now there's a lot of talk about blocking the vote, about Harper trying to get Jean (the Governor General) to more or less shut down parliament for a period of time--basically do whatever he can to defeat this motion. There is SO much more to what's going on now...but politics are convoluted and not my area of expertise, so that's all I can really say. I know that's not an opinion per se, but I don't know that you get everything from reading the news articles...so I'm just trying to inform a little bit.
As for Quebec becoming its own nation under this new coalition...that's news to me. Harper is a liar and a bigot (
), and I personally don't believe a word that spews from his tightly drawn lips. I'm not saying it's impossible, just HIGHLY improbable and not something I've even heard referenced anywhere but in that little sound-bite. Again...not my area of expertise, so there's a high probability I am misinformed. As for my own opinions...well, I couldn't be happier. I won't give political justification (although I've never voted Conservative, and most likely never will), but on a personal level I will say I have NEVER, EVER trusted or admired Stephen Harper. I have no other justification for this than that deep, cockles of the gut bad feeling that I (for better or worse) tend to trust over my highly confused reasoning faculties any day of the week. I sense it when I look in his beady little eyes: there is something horribly, horribly off with that man. I have been waiting with bated breath for the day when he will be "de-throned", and if it comes in the guise of a non-confidence motion, all the better: I've not had confidence in his abilities as a leader since day one of this charade.
Edit: I shouldn't have said I have no other justification than my personal feeling: I DO have political justification for my opinions re: Harper and the Conservative party in general, but I simply don't have time or reason to expound on them here...not exactly the time or place. Lets just say that the leadership of our Country at the current moment is anything but concerned with out Countries best interest, and that is well documented in its actions (especially in the termination of COUNTLESS public interest, eco-strategical and forward looking studies, programs and projects).
Then again...have they ever been? I don't mean to rattle the chain on my first night back, but who really thinks that Barack Obama is going to solve all the problems faced by the USA? I'm not saying he doesn't have huge potential, that he doesn't possibly portend great change and all of these things, but will placing a new face on the rotting throne of a system of governance and power that's been corrupt since day one REALLY change a thing? Or does it simply give the illusion of change? I'm very keen to watch both what's happening in Canadian politics now and certainly what will happen in 2009 with American politics, but I think if we're waiting for the grand summons to be passed down from on high which will make our lives complete and fulfilled, well...I think we may be waiting forever. To borrow the words of Michael Tsarion, all our focus on these celebrity politicians and political game-playing may amount to nothing more than the "re-arranging of the deck furniture on the Titanic"--if the whole ship is sinking, what good does it do putting another leader at the helm?
![:\](/i/s/hmm.gif "Hmm :\")
) morning cloud to everyone. 
I woke up at 1pm today.... so yeah.. :/
but I'm strangely looking forward to it. Abstinence is my only form of moderation and its been a full on 8 months without a break. 
in this house, and I hope you're all having a wonderful day/night/whatever.
. What are you guys vaping out of at the moment?