If Iggy's Un-Canadian, So's Steve-o!

I've got to give it to the PC's for the new commercial they put out about Ignatieff's "otherness". It's classic, it get's straight to the point and it's funny.... but not for the right reasons.

By now I'm sure that most Canadians who read are aware that Michael Ignatieff lived outside of Canada for over 30 years prior to his foray into the Canadian political scene. He is an internationally known intellect and author and he was a professor at Harvard. This, to me, is a plus. In fact, by criticizing this the Conservatives have made themselves appear to be a carbon copy of the doofus, knuckle-dragging, monochromatic party that the US Republicans are right now- and judging from what transpired on November 4, 2008, that look hasn't been working out too well for them. Not to mention that by criticizing Ignatieff's "otherness" or "worldliness" the Conservatives are indirectly insulting the thousands of Canadian well-educated immigrants who may not have grown up in Canada, but are enthusiatically involved in their adopted homeland's political process. But this is not why I found this commercial funny.

This commercial is hilarious because the irony is so rich. By attacking Ignatieff as being a "stranger" to Canada, the Conservatives inadvertantly point to their own leader's conspicuous absence from Canada. I mean, when's was Stephen Harper last seen on Canadian soil? The last I remember seeing him was right before Obama went shopping for Beaver's Tails and key chains in Ottawa in February. He's been on CNN and the BBC smiling away, but he's given the CBC the proverbial finger since he moved into 24 Sussex. Let's face it- the man has been AWOL from Canada for last three months and everyone knows it. Well, everyone except the Conservative party. Looks like the joke's on them.

Harper Shames Canada Once Again!!!!

Our Prime Minister is apparently on a rampage to prove how big a fool he truly is. Today the Canadian Supreme Court ruled that Stephen Harper should pressure the US government to have Guantanamo detainee, Omar Khadr returned to Canada. Iggy and perpetual deer-in-headlight looking Gilles Duceppe have written letters to both Barack Obama and Stephen Harper urging them to bring Khadr back to Canada. Khadr was accused of throwing a hand grenade and killing a US soldier in Afghanistan in 2002. Khadr has yet to be prosecuted for this crime. He was 15 years old at the time.

Now, whether or not one thinks Khadr is terrorist is irrelevant to the argument. Omar was a child at the time of his arrest and come to think of it there are a lot of child soldiers around the world who could be placed in the same boat as Mr. Khadr. Would we prosecute them as war criminals and detain them for years on end without charge? Probably not, but I digress... The fact is Stephen Harper has a responsibility to bring Canadian citizen back to Canada to face the justice our soil. Why would he appeal the decision made by the Canadian Supreme Court? What does he have to gain from delaying what is clearly inevitable?

I hope every Canadian citizen reading this realizes how embarassing Mr. Harper is as a head of state for this country. For the first time in my lifetime I have felt ashamed to be a Canadian. I've never considered this country a utopia, but I know that I am most fortunate to live here. The twice-elected Harper government has made me question Canadian values and the thinking of many of its citizens. I hope people realize that our current Prime Minister cares very little about Canada's image as well as what it used to represent. Yes, folks-- Harper only cares about himself and his political career and is willing to sacrifice his own country's image for his personal gain. Remember that the next time you enter an election booth.

Breaking News: Stephen Harper Is DR. CLAW!!!!!!

I am fully convinced that our Prime Minister is Dr. Claw. Why else would a grown man be posing in so many photographs with poor, defenceless kittens? You know what this means? Michael Ignatieff is Inspector Gadget.

Laureen Harper's Outfit Underwhelms at the G20

It appears that in addtion to Stephen Harper's stubborn refusal to spice up his look, he is also dictating his wife's wardrobe. Laureen Harper wore a boring "Conservative Party" navy blue suit to the G20 First Wives Dinner last night that I'm sure I saw on sale at the Bay three weeks ago. What a waste! She couldn't have gotten more than 5,000 HBC Reward points for it. Although, she could cash in those points for a totally rad Braun hand-held blender and really get her money's worth, but I digress....

I, and many others have often asked, where is our Obama?, but I think we all know by now that that's a lost cause, so the better question is, where is our Michelle? The US First Lady looked great and very stylish, as usual. It's at times like these that I begin to miss Mila Mulroney. Sure, her husband was a jerk and possibly even a felon, but her wardrobe was off the hook! I even find myself wishing Margaret Trudeau was still on the scene. Yeah, she definitely was and is insane in the membrane, but who cares? She had cute clothes and partied with Mick Jagger! She was a two for one combo!

Oh poor Laureen! How small and insignificant she must have felt amongst all that silk taffeta, colour and Swarovski crystal. Well, at least she's buying Canadian...

Stephen Harper & Friends Embarass Canada... Again!

Yesterday I watched the interview with the infamous British MP George Galloway on The Hour on CBC. Mr. Galloway has been banned from speaking in Canada due to his alleged support of the Palestinian government represented by Hamas, a democratically elected political party that is seen as a terrorist organization by most Western countries. Some of you may be unfamiliar with Mr. Galloway's background and the reason for all the controversy, so I'll do my best to explain.

George Galloway is a British MP who has served in that capacity for 18 years. After being kicked out of the Labor Party (Tony Blair's party) for opposing the war in Afghanistan and the war in Iraq, Mr. Galloway formed his own party, Respect. Mr. Galloway has been an outspoken opponent of the Israeli occupation of Gaza and he has given more than $45,000 in humanitarian aid to the war-torn region. The problem? Hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization by the Canadian government. This is of course is the reason why the Canadian government has decided to ban Mr. Galloway from speaking in person publicly in Canada.

I guess it goes without saying that I am truly disgusted and angry with our government and most especially with our Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Canada has long been seen as a tolerant and peace loving nation, but Mr. Harper has managed to destroy this image in 3 short years. You know things are really bad when the United States appears to be more liberal than Canada. The PM's blind and inconprehensible support of Israel and its illegal occupation of Palestine is mind boggling to say the least. He refuses to entertain dissenting views and has proven time and time again that he has complete disregard for the right to free speech and the opinions of the people he was elected to represent. Sound familiar? Yeah, Harper is Bush. Even worse... Harper is Bush with intelligence.

But Harper's diplomatic tone-deafness is symptomatic of a much broader problem: the international community's apathy for the plight of the Palestinian people and the criminal behaviour of the Israeli government. The Israeli's continuous attacks on, and economic stifling of Palestinians is nothing short of 21st century apartheid. But this time, no one with any power is doing anything.


Alas, my words are sorely lacking. Listen to George Galloway's speech in the British House of Commons earlier this year explaining the West's double standards with regard to Israel vs. Palestine:




Do you think this guy is a terrorist?

NATIONAL CRISIS ALERT: Prime Minister Stephen Harper Needs A New Haircut!

Folks, this has become a very real and serious problem. Our PM’s hair totally sucks and I’m not going to take it anymore! How does this country expect to be taken seriously when our Prime Minister looks like a member of both the Chess Club and the AV Squad? Now, I don’t like the guy at all, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel some compassion for him. I mean, look at him! He’s in desperate need of a make-over!

He needs ideas, people. Maybe he’d look good in a footballer’s haircut à la David Beckham circa 2003. Or maybe one of those super cool goth cuts that Adam Lambert of American Idol sports on the show. He might even consider shaving off all his hair, like the Skinheads. Lord knows he wouldn’t have to change his attitude much.

The haircut is only the tip of the iceberg. What about Stephen’s wardrobe? Okay, okay, the fuzzy sweater thing didn’t really work all that well during the election. I, for one, would have preferred that he stuck to a lovely spring palette of pastels, a silk ascot and those beautiful velvet slippers... with the crests on top- but what’s the use crying over spilt milk? I say he go for the gusto- skinny jeans, a vintage Lacoste sweater vest and Nappa leather pointed dress shoes (of the Prada variety).

Our Prime Minister needs our help, my fellow Canadians! Please send in your ideas with pictures so we can start this revolution, already. Our country is depending on you!