kimmy

WTF Kimmy? Your support of the CPC hinges on Canada's Paris Hilton? That's pretty weak if you ask me. My support for the CPC hinges on my belief that they're a "big tent" with room for moderates... today's events make me wonder if the tent is as big as I thought. I don't think you can dismiss how important she was in the party, IMR. She wasn't just "Canada's Paris Hilton". She was also the party's bridge to more moderate voters like myself. She was also the party's bridge to young female voters like myself. Get ready for lots and lots of Rona Ambrose, the CPC's only other woman under about 50. She's already been handed Stronach's former responsibilities as trade critic. I think Rona speaks 4 or 5 languages, as opposed to Stronach's 1. Just watching Paul Martin speak; the press corps giggling as Martin asserts that Thursday's vote is still in the air. "I'll tell you, I can count..." Martin says, trying to keep a straight face. -k

This looks to be pretty devastating to the CPC. I did think that Belinda.ca would be a moderating influence in the party, and also someone who was critical in the CPC's efforts to reach former PC voters. Losing her probably deals a serious blow. This makes me less likely to support the CPC. I'm going to have to do a lot of reflection. If she went to Harper to talk about her concerns and his reaction was more or less STFU, then he's probably made a fatal mistake. (But if she crossed without any attempt to hash things out with Harper, then it doesn't reflect very well on her, in my view.) If she's going to be in charge of enforcing Gomery's recommendations, then that (in my view) makes those efforts more credible. The appearance created by Belinda.ca's defection is obviously a huge blow to the CPC. But how much of that is because of the appearance created by the defection, and how much is because Belinda herself is a big political asset? I think some of both. Why she was an asset to the CPC: -she was the only high profile "red tory" in the party. -only high profile member with appeal to young female voters Why she'll be an asset to the Liberals: -she's a high-profile member untainted by any connection to the Chretienites or scandal She can't speak french. She's an awkward orator. She's largely a product of celebrity-- she's a young, attractive, rich, jet-setting blonde who just happens to be an MP and former leadership candidate. For all that, she's still one of the best known MPs the CPC had, and this looks devastating to their efforts. -k

Ok, now I can't log out. Using the log-out button does nothing; next time I visit it says I'm already logged in. This is a problem because (despite repeated, graphic threats of violence) my annoying little brother sometimes uses my computer because the other computer sucks at games. If I can't log out, he might sign on and post something like "AHAHA HARPER SUCKS HAHAHHAHAHA". I could try stuff like manually blowing up all my cookies, but I thought I'd mention this anyway, in case others have annoying little brothers. -k {ScottBrison isn't my little brother... as far as I know...}

I don't believe a "secret deal" would even be necessary; they know the CPC and BQ will be up for bringing down the gov't whenever they get a shot. However, doesn't the Liberal government have to hang on long enough for the NDP's budget amendments to be put in place? I thought the budget deal had conditional terms contingent upon surpluses at the end of the year, and so forth. Is the NDP's deal iron clad once (if) the vote passes on Thursday? In any case, I do agree: the NDP is doing a very good job playing the hand they've been dealt. -k

Did Newsweek "get it wrong"? Or do they simply lack sufficient documentation to prove that they "got it right"? In respect to the notion of honor killings, I'll mention that I recall reading somewhere that in Brazil, "honor killings" of cheating wives or girlfriends are also not uncommon, and given laughable treatment in court of law. -k

I suspect that Kilgour and Martin will come to some kind of arrangement. I believe Kilgour is sincere in his desire to assist in Darfur, and recognizes that this minority situation remains the best opportunity for him to influence policy. And Martin's good at math. I think they'll get something together. Why won't someone 'pair' with him? Who? In a party lines vote, which side should give up a crucial vote to make up for an independant who hasn't even indicated which way he'll vote? A sincere one, I think, one who feels strongly about his position and is using his leverage to support his beliefs, not much different than the NDP have done. -k

"Precisely, Kimmy", and yet when the Liberals engaged in those actions we heard nary a peep from those who now furiously claim that the "rule of law" (in spirit if not in letter) has been challenged. Can you blame me for thinking that the real source of this anger is partisan politics, not outrage over the rule of law? Was the rest of my response childish? Flippant, perhaps... but the hysteria called for it, in my view. "The fate of the country"? "Centuries of struggle"? Come on. If I really thought it was that serious, I'd be very concerned. If I really thought everything depended on Paul Martin ... well, I think the only rational response would be sheer mindless panic. -k

I wasn't trying to correct you, just support you. Different statistic. -k

Why does it amaze you? If anything, it strikes me as very predictable. I'm sure that many NDP-boosters who object to the conventional wisdom that the NDP can't manage money buy into and even promote the "hidden agenda" line of attack. I think it's the same phenomenon at work, I think it's a telling comment about the average voter, and I think it's something that has enabled to the Liberals to maintain their hold on power in this country. -k

A related statistic popped up in an article I read this weekend... Canoe article The article is about the Alberta government's decision to pursue a deal similar to the one Ontario received last week. -k

Sure, sounds good, but even if some of the Sunni religious leaders promise to join in with the freedom thing, they can't guarantee that the fanatics are going to stop disappearing people or blowing shit up. -k

I take it you've given up on Action Jack's attempts to boost NDP fortunes in La Belle Province? -k

I had no intention of voting Liberal last election, of course, but if I had planned to do so, I'd have faced a real dilemna: the Liberal candidate in my riding was a complete tool. I won't mention his name. You know how lawn signs often have the candidate's personal website address? So you can visit the site and read what the candidate has to say, party platforms, his personal comments about issues that are important, his qualifications or whatever? I visited the website at the address printed on my local Liberal party candidate's lawn signs... and it's the guy's personal injury law practice. (you know.. "Been injured? You may be entitled to seek compensation...") So, essentially, the dude used Liberal election signs (which I assume were at least in part funded by the party?) to publicize his own personal business enterprise. And, a family friend is the assistant manager of a local pub which this candidate had booked for a fundraising dinner. I don't recall the exact numbers, but I believe he booked for 30 but only 22 people attended. Or something like that. The pub's policy is that a day of notice was supposed to be required, or the money wasn't refundable. So he was charged for 30 seats. Came in the next day and went into a screaming rage, threatening to sue... and finally succeeded in bullying the manager into returning payment for the 8 dinners that weren't needed, even though the pub had gone to the expense of preparing them and even though the policy about advance notice was clear. I can't imagine having voted for such a person even if I'd been firmly behind Team Martin. The recent provincial election provided somewhat the opposite experience for me. I'd planned to vote NDP, as I believe this province needs a more effective opposition, and I believe that Brian Mason is better suited to the job than Kevin Taft, whoever he is. But in the final days before the election, I received 3 (!) phonecalls from my Liberal candidate's volunteers; they were the only contact I received from any candidates in the election. I was so impressed with the effort of the Liberal candidate's organization that I decided to vote for him. He quite simply worked his ass off, and I decided that was the sort of persistence that I should vote for. -k

... like cancelling opposition days? Or bundling unrelated matters into "omnibus bills" for strictly political reasons? That seems rather melodramatic... does the fate of the country really rest on PM PM being able to extend his Reign of Error for a few more months? If our destinies are all in PM PM's hands... man, we're all screwed. This is like watching Lord of the Rings and discovering that Frodo Baggins will be played by Eric Cartman. There's just no way that guy's going to be able to get the Ring to Mount Doom. We might as well start evacuating the Shire right now. -kimmy {really quite worried.} {{or Pauly Shore as Luke Skywalker. Do you really think that goof is going to blow up the Death Star? Don't count on it.}}

I'm not surprised at the non-chalance of Canadians. The non-chalance of Canadians is as surprising as the sun rising (yet AGAIN! that thing is so amazingly consistent!) I just think the Liberals' arbitary decision to reschedule opposition days was the real cause for upset here. There does seem to be a legitimate process in place for the opposition to put forth a non-confidence vote, and it appears that process was derailed at PM PM's whim. I notice you have a kitty in your profile! What a handsome little guy! I'm going to put my kitty on my profile too. -k

And cheesy. Did you sincerely feel that the flying "Connie" logo invoked memory of the Twin Towers catastrophe? I didn't see any "crashing" ... the flying logo flies past the Peace Tower and makes what appears to be a very smooth landing later in the video. I took it as some sort of message that she is travelling to Ottawa (perhaps travelling there in a flying logo...) and it made me wonder if this person is hoping to be elected, or has just decided that her travel plans needed some sort of video fanfare. Silly, cheesy, and entertaining in a "Plan 9 from Outer Space" sort of way... but offensive? -k

Dude, she's not leaving until Wednesday May 25. CBC Saskatchewan: Queen's visit. She'll be here during the non-confidence vote. The Star: Queen to visit during turmoil. Either they've moved Commonwealth Stadium, or Calgary has annexed the rest of the province. Klein's doing, no doubt. -k

A music act that's had much commercial success both in Canada and the US. I'm having a hard time deciding whether Alberta's most regrettable export is Nickelback, or Mad Cow Beef. -k

Is that for real? That the Queen wouldn't come if there was a non-confidence vote? I honestly don't understand the logic that the vote had to wait until she's already here. -k

It's all gimmickry. I think that the start of this war of gimmickry was when the Liberals used their own gimmickry to reschedule opposition days to prevent a real non-confidence motion from being brought forward. They were patting themselves on the back for their cleverness at that tactic, but in fact it's what started this mess. Harper's immediate response-- within a day or two-- was the procedural amendment that precipitated the current shenanigans. -k

While many will doubtless view this as Courageous Freedom Fighters taking on the Corrupt US Puppet Regime, the factional aspect should not be overlooked. I'm sure I posted months ago that the only thing that a US pull-out would accomplish would be a Sunni/Shiite bloodbath, so this can hardly be considered surprising. So, who's gonna win? I'm picking the Sunnis, because they've got the guns and the wackos. -k

I'm confused... I had to adjust my time zone settings to Moroccan Standard Time to get the board to match up my actual time. What's the deal? (should I invest in a burqa? ) -k

That would require that people care. I don't think very many do care anymore, and think their numbers will decrease further with another Liberal win. -k

You said it Kimmy...communist idealogy was brought up, hence the (?) in my original statement. There was no blatant distortion...you reinforced the Anders line and added communism to the mix. Personal attack. Feel free to attack my arguements, but personal attacks serve no purpose here. Anders is alleged to have accused Mandela of having been a communist and a terrorist. I pointed out that one could make a case for both claims: -Mandela joined the ANC, a group that may have had communist ideologies. -Mandela led the Umkhonto we Sizwe, a group that can certainly be argued to have been terrorist. Mandela could be argued to have been a communist because he was part of group that might have been communist. Mandela could be argued to have been a terrorist because he led a group that was arguably terrorist. I think that's crystal clear. I don't think it can get any clearer than that. I can't imagine how anybody could possibly have read my post and conclude that I was saying Mandela was a terrorist because he was a communist. For you to represent my message as "the justification in calling Mandella a terrorist because he's a communist" is a piece of dishonesty that most people on this forum would be embarrassed to have written. -kim

You should get together with Inky Mark and Joe Volpe and start a band. -k