Stephen Harper is Becoming Even More Frightening

I must admit that when I heard about the Harper photo gallery, where paintings and such of former prime ministers were removed and replaced with photos of the big guy, I was scared.

Citizens who really want a national portrait gallery in Ottawa can rest easy. The government already has one. All you need to get in is a Commons security pass, a Conservative party membership and a keen desire to view exclusive pictures of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, exclusively ... "When you walk in the door, all you see are pictures of Stephen Harper," said Ms. May "I'd say between every window, in every available space of the wall, at eye level, every available space has a photo of Stephen Harper."

"You've got photos of Stephen Harper, but not of previous prime ministers," she added. "Photos of Stephen Harper in different costumes, in different settings, dressed as a fireman, in Hudson Bay looking for polar bears, meeting the Dalai Lama, even the portrait of the Queen had to have Stephen Harper, but in a candid, behind her."

When I just learned that he is using OUR money to make phone calls, rallying support for Israeli military action, I was frightened.

But this next story is absolutely terrifying. From Jeffrey Simpson:

In the Prime Minister’s Office, under officials working with House Leader John Baird, the most publicly partisan of all ministers, a review is under way of the nation’s honours system. The aim is to associate the Prime Minister with more national awards, perhaps at the expense of the Governor-General, with whose office so many awards are now associated. All honours and awards, up to and including (if you can believe it) the Order of Canada, are under review to see which, if any, might be more closely associated with the PMO, and which new ones might be created that are tied to that office and, by definition, to the occupant of that office.

He claims that too many Canadian things are identified with the Liberals. Funny. When I see the flag or sing the national anthem, I don't think Liberal. I think Canada. Reminds me of the flag flap that Harper's pal Peter Brimelow bought into.

For decades, the office of the Governor-General has been the place where honours and awards are organized, and with which they’re associated. Why? Because the office is above politics, represents the entire country and can’t be accused of having ulterior motives, let alone political ones. The Governor-General usually doesn’t even sit on the selection committees for the honours and awards, but simply presides over the ceremonies. It’s the same in the United Kingdom, where awards and honours are made in the sovereign’s name for service to the country, not to the prime minister of the day. The Queen, not the prime minister, hands out the major awards and honours.

But this is the Harper government, controlling all as none before it, eager to find political advantage in everything the government does.

I guess it's just a matter of time before we officially become Harperland. With a new flag, on which his mug is emblazoned, and a new national anthem.

Oh Stephen Harper, you scare the hell out of me
You are such a goon
But you'll be leaving soon
We voters have had enough

We want Canada
Put back the way it was
Not about guns and fear
So your time is drawing near
Don't let the door hit you ....

Ah. It needs work. But you get the idea.

This isn't the first time he's tried to take control of the Governor General's duties. I think the man might be mentally ill.

Dean Del Mastro Tells Peterborough to Forget Buying Local

While Dean Del Mastro was on his two and a half month prorogue-vacation, his boss decided that it might be prudent to cut out the middle man of the Canadian economy.

Now instead of having to determine how our tax dollars should be spent, the people of Peterborough, and indeed all Canadians; can now pay their taxes directly to foreign corporations.

I guess Dean Del Mastro believed this is what his constituents wanted, since I could find no indication that he did a thing to stop it.

Peterborough needs an MP who will stand up for them, not the fat cats of industry.

And to give you some idea of what this means, municipalities will no longer be able to buy local for their goods and services, but instead they must be tendered out through NAFTA.

This trade deal does not allow Peterborough, or any other municipality, to consider pesky things like the environment or supporting local entrepreneurs. In fact, the deal states that they could be held liable if they even attempted such a thing.

IS THIS REALLY YOUR CANADA? IS DEAN DEL MASTRO REALLY THE BEST CHOICE FOR PETERBOROUGH?

I'd Like to Fire Pierre Poilievre but With All the Tapes I Have on Him ...

Despite the fact that Pierre Poilievre has repeatedly made racist and damaging remarks, and acted in a completely dishonourable fashion, Stephen Harper has yet to remove him from caucus, or even shown any desire to muzzle him.

I know he likes that Pierre is one of his pit bulls, who is constantly chomping on the legs of opposition MPs, but when is he going to realize that that this little weasel is damaging his credibility? What little credibility he has left anyway.

After revealing the true nature of his party with his ridiculous attack on the victims of child abuse in the residential schools, he's once again showing his redneck leanings; this time with anti-black reference.

He might as well have used the "N" word. This guy has got to go.

House of Commons no place for ‘tar baby’ remark, MPs say

By Glen McGregor,

The Ottawa Citizen

May 29, 2009

OTTAWA — Opposition MPs called on Nepean-Carleton MP Pierre Poilievre to apologize for using the phrase “tar baby” in the House of Commons Friday, saying the term has racist overtones.

Poilievre, the parliamentary secretary to the prime minister, was speaking during question period, responding to Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff’s attempts to distance himself from the Green Plan (SB 'Green Shift') proposed by his redecessor, Stéphane Dion. “On that side of the House, they have the man who fathered the carbon tax, put it up for adoption to his predecessor and now wants a paternity test to prove the tar baby was never his in the first place,” he said. He repeated the line again later ....

If the Conservative attitude to everything is just 'well they said it first', then it's no wonder they're slipping in the polls. This is a remark that should not be going down in the annal of Parliament for a new millennium.

Poilievre needs to research his speeches first before risking such censure.

Besides, for God sakes, the Carbon tax is dead, despite the fact that most economists and environmentalists thought it the best idea to fight global warming. The Cons are now trying to give it another kick at the cat to create an imaginary boogey man.

Ironically, Jason Kenney's new aid, Alykhan Velshi, who was formerly part of the Bush Administration, belongs to a neo-conservative organization Foundation for the Defense of Democracies', who on their website, promote the Carbon Tax and oppose Obama's (and subsequently the Conservative Party of Canada's) 'Cap and Trade'.

Should we see if Jason Kenney has some illegitimate children he'd like to show off?

John Baird: If it Looks Like a Fool and Acts Like a Fool...

John Baird has become of a late, a well known figure on the political stage; as Stephen Harper’s enforcer and mouthpiece on issues that have proven volatile for the new Conservative Party. His best attributes for such a position are his knack for never backing down, even when proven wrong; a vicious streak that members of his own party often find unnerving, and the ability to spin any negative policy into something that at least sounds positive; until viewed in the light of the day.

He has a growing list of enemies, which I think he rather enjoys; and his obvious love of theatrics, make him often seem petty and rather childish. A former colleague, Garth Turner, says that Baird “has become a caricature of himself” and many find it hard to take him seriously. In fact, he continues: “MPs often laugh when he stands up, in anticipation of the instant outrage he can manufacture”. (We all remember the ‘yelly man’ spoof on The Mercer Report).

My own personal dislike of Mr. Baird began when he was one of the henchmen in the Mike Harris Ontario Conservative government. Initially, the mass program cuts met with approval, until we learned that the savings went into the pockets of Harris and his buddies... but more on that later.

I think we can all agree that John Baird is an easy man to dislike. Because of this, people will often pick apart even the slightest indiscretion, so that when we constantly hear the mundane, we may not truly understand just what a dangerous man Mr. Baird really is. An all round buffoon, he is the epitome of what happens when corruption, neo-conservatism and too much power unite.

As with any public figure, the media will stop at nothing to find the juiciest tidbits, and Baird is no exception. Rumours have always circulated, but his prominent position fuels the wagging tongues and you just can't get away from it. Therefore, I have listed some of the most common, that have little, if anything, to do with John Baird the politician.

Rumours and Innuendo

1. John Baird is Gay. This rumour has been floating around for years and recently Frank Magazine featured an interview with one of his 'former lovers'. Who cares? This is only a problem within his own Party, which is still predominantly from the old Reform/Alliance who are also mostly Christian fundamentalists, and believe that homo-sexuality is a sin.

For example: Garry Breitkreuz, Conservative MP for Yorkton-Melville Sask. once accused the federal (then Liberal) government of pandering to homosexuals. "In the 1950s buggery was a criminal offense," he said. "Now it's a requirement to receive benefits from the federal government."

Maurice Vellacott, the Conservative MP for the Saskatchewan-Wanuskewin riding, marches in anti-gay parades and once mailed out a pamphlet opposing the inclusion of sexual orientation as a protected category under Canada's hate crimes legislation. Vellacott wrote that the policy change "substantially interferes with the right of religious and education leaders to communicate essential matters of faith." (i.e.: the belief that homo-sexuality is a perversion and a sin).

Another Conservative Saskatchewan MP, Tom Lukiwski of the Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre riding, was in the news recently when an old video of him surfaced, celebrating an electoral victory. "There's As and there's Bs," Lukiwski says on the tape. "The As are guys like me, the Bs are homosexual faggots with dirt under their fingernails that transmit diseases."

In fact, if you peruse the list of Harper’s caucus you will find many similar views.However, the criticism I find most common with regards to Baird’s sexual orientation, is not so much that he’s gay, but that he should come out of the closet.

This might in fact help the new Conservatives who are considered intolerant, but I feel it’s a personal choice. Besides, former Progressive Conservative Scott Brison, learned the hard way what it meant to be openly gay in the new Conservative Party. On December 10, 2003, Just four days after voting in favour of the PCs merging with the Canadian Alliance, he announced that he would cross the floor to the Liberals, citing the dominance of former members of the more socially conservative Canadian Alliance, who ridiculed or ignored their new colleague.

I really admire Mr. Brison for saying that he is "not a gay politician, but a politician who happens to be gay." (He and his long term partner were married in August of 2007.)Could this be why Baird remains closeted? Who knows? Who cares?

2. Baird Opposes Family Values - This statement is popular among Tory bloggers and on social conservative websites. There are two main reasons for this. The first was when he was in the Ontario Legislature and helped Premier Ernie Eves change the law recognizing Same Sex Marriage. But the second and strongest anti-Baird sentiment came about when he was chosen as the federal Conservative candidate in his Ottawa riding; over pro-life, anti-SSM activist John Pecheco.

Mr. Pacheco had organized a march on Parliament Hill, in defense of ‘traditional marriage’ and to oppose Paul Martin’s Bill C-38 (that legalized SSM in Canada). Guest speakers included Stephen Harper, Jason Kenney and Stockwell Day, who were all in agreement that ‘the uniqueness of marriage was between one man and one woman.’

From LifeSiteNews.com

“OTTAWA, April 29, 2005 - John Pacheco, the principal organizer of the largest rally in the country in defense of traditional marriage in Ottawa only three weeks ago has been rejected as a possible Conservative candidate for the Ottawa West riding. The stunning development has left social conservatives within the party scratching their heads. Pacheco, working with life, faith and family groups drew over 15,000 people to rally for traditional marriage on Parliament Hill on April 9."The central issue in the decision seems to have been the marriage issue.

"The Conservative Party and its leader have made little secret that the Party favours candidate John Baird, a Member of Provincial Parliament for the Tories who is willing to leave provincial politics to run federally. Baird, however, is a staunch proponent of homosexual 'marriage'."In the provincial legislature Baird spoke in favour of a provincial gay marriage law striking the words "husband" and "wife" from all Ontario legislation. "

In the legislature, Baird went so far as to heckle one of his provincial Conservative colleagues who opposed the gay marriage law."Opposition also came from within Baird’s own party. Maurice Vellacott, mentioned above, once wrote an editorial arguing that marriage should be restricted to a man and a woman because of the need to have and raise children. He wrote that "homosexuals already have the right to marry, providing that — like everybody else — they marry someone of the opposite sex." He also opposed spousal benefits for same-sex couples, saying supporters of the initiative were "activist liberal judges and a small but aggressive homosexual lobby."

Harold Albrecht, Conservative MP for Kitchener-Conestoga, was bitterly opposed to same-sex marriage when he was the pastor of a Kitchener church and in a letter to a local paper in 2003 he wrote that same-sex unions "would succeed in wiping out an entire society in just one generation. Marriage is God's idea, not man's, therefore, He alone has the authority to redefine it." Kudos to Baird for not changing his views to reflect those of the Party.

3. John Baird is Dating Laureen Harper - Did I mention he’s gay? The two are spotted frequently at functions when the PM is away , so Baird has become the other man in Laureen Harper's life. "I love John," she says. "He is a great guy, he is fun to be around, he looks good in a tux and he is a great date. He is also a lover of felines."

I’m sure this rattles the cages of members of his Party, motivated no doubt by jealousy, but come on. Who cares? Besides, the most important reason why Baird is given this task, is no doubt to monitor what the PM's wife is saying. Even Tom Flanagan, Harper's right-hand bigot states that they do not let Laureen speak freely. She is an avid supporter of gun owners and as a former activist for the Reformers, you can only imagine her other views on other things.

4. Baird Was Once Arrested - In 1988, Baird was charged with trespassing, after trying to question Ontario Premier David Peterson during a Liberal campaign stop in a Kingston shopping mall. (While attending Queen’s University, Baird was president of the campus wing of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party). He has engaged in so much criminal activity since that time, that I don’t even know why it’s mentioned. Now if he’d stolen some lingerie from a store at a Kingston shopping center, that might be different, but come on. Who cares?

5. John Baird is an Insensitive Pig - I can’t really argue with that, but in his defense the incidents cited are a stretch, though perhaps not appropriate for a politician. For instance, following the SARS outbreak in Ontario, Baird mockingly coughed while entering a media scrum. After a journalist quipped that the government's new communications strategy was "to give the media SARS" Baird deadpanned: "I enjoyed my trip to Asia." Personally, I appreciate irreverent humour, but then I’m not running for political office.

6. John Baird is a Vegetarian - Really. I'm not kidding. Apparently, he's been spotted eating at a Vegetarian Restaurant. It's been suggested that he doesn't go public with this because he doesn't want to upset the Alberta Beef Wing. Unless this is a euphemism for his homosexuality, it's absolutely ridiculous. Besides, he's not a vegetarian, because he says that he eats chicken and fish (and is often seen eating crow). His healthy food choice, he claims is more about weight control and the fact that his own father had a heart attack.

I dislike John Baird for a great many reasons; just not any of the above.

More Postings on Johna Baird:

1. The Chickens Have Come Home to Roost

2. John Baird Starring in No Streetcars of Your Desire

3. Butt-Head Baird Butting Heads With Civil Servants

4. John Baird Goes to Great Lengths to Cover Up for Lisa Raitt

5. Conservative John Baird Tells Toronto to Flick Off

6. John Baird Scoffs at Accountability and Appoints Friends

7. How John Baird Railroaded the City of Ottawa

8. John Baird to Auction Off Accountability Act on Ebay

9. John Baird Had Promised to Replace Accountability with Corruption. Man Did he Keep His Promise.

10. Why is John Baird Defending the Torture of Afghan Prisoners?

11. What is John Baird Hiding and Does he Really Believe We Won't Find it?

12. 'Enron John' and Why John Baird's Accounting Mess Should Not be a Surprise

13. John Baird's Silencing of Scientists Was Only Stage One