Jerry J. Fortin

Nice article, good points. I think that Iggy is still setting the table. His dinner plans have not yet been advertised, and he is still gathering the ingredients. The meeting with Harper has already yielded a dessert of another meeting. This guy is acting in a very calculating manner. His motives and plans are not yet evident, but I don't mistake that for a lack of plan.

I would not bet on there not being an election at this point. He proved how much Harper wants to stay in power, the only thing in question now is how much Harper will give up to remain where he is. I think there is a line that he will not cross, and that will bring an election call.

I heard that the tooth fairy was gay!

So rape should carry a 6 month sentence?

A justice system is expensive. In addition societies are judged on their quality of justice. To add to the equation even in countries with the harshest justice systems, crimes still exist. The only real functional deterrent is life styles and living standards. Even then, human greed and wanton desire result in criminal activity. So even the prevention of crime remains a goal beyond our ability. Knowing this, the entire concept of a department of corrections and a catch and release penal system flies in the face of logic. Perhaps it is time to rethink the entire mess.

Once again the penny pinching hits the Armed Forces first, and eventually the hardest.

I agree with his overall strategy, and I think this tactic is very astute. It will be Harper that gets to decide whether or not there will be an election. He is being reasonable and doing what an opposition leader should be doing.

There is the problem isn't it? The judge has the discretionary power to limit sentencing. First they say it is a big deal, then they hand out a little deal of a sentence! We need to be able to elect these clowns so we can fire them for this kind of crap.

The only determining factor is a confidence vote in the Commons. Harper will be required to buy the support of the Liberals with answers to questions, failing that Iggy says he will vote no confidence.

Edmonton Sun This kind of crap should be punishable with more than a slap on the hand.

I think that a degree in history is very useful, but not very financially satisfying.

Well.......... I suppose.

Always! I am one of the 14% who want an election.

Public service.............hmmmmmmmmmm that is a little different than Steve.

That is not really a fair statement, they support the government when they were able to consistent with their policy framework.

Let him reap what he sews.

Judges utilizing discretion just handed out a 2.5 year sentence to a rapist. I think that perhaps the use of discretion may be a bit over-rated.

Harpers agenda is personal power, nothing more and nothing less.

Harper wants power, he craves it and will do anything at all to get it and keep it.

The government is in fact taking extraordinary measures with respect to fiscal management.

They should be allowed to say anything they want within the limits of the law, just like everyone else.

Ouch! The truth hurts!

Like the bailout and stimulus packages?

I will suggest that Iggy is more than just ready for the next election he is already setting the table. It will be Harpers fault if the government fails to satisfy a majority of members in the House of Commons come the next opposition day. That is Friday folks, the next opportunity for a non-confidence motion. We will see where the chips fall, but for now the ball is in the PM's court. He can either do what a majority of members want or he can call an election. He has a third option, and that is to thumb his nose at a majority of MP's and lose a confidence motion. That would display a lack of leadership skills, and I think that is what he will do.

First he gets put on probation, now he is failing his report card. Poor little Stevie the Wonder Politician. He either comes up with the written "two page" explanation for his shoddy work or he gets suspended pending public reference. He may yet be expelled. I may be jumping the gun here, but I think the professor is going to provide some lessons in poli-sci 101 to the PM.