Canada Votes to Uphold UN Charter

[capricorn]

Unless incoming U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton went rogue at her Senate confirmation hearings this week, Canada's pundits once again have egg all over their faces.

Remember how, while constantly singing the praises of U.S. president-elect Barack Obama for his "multilateralist" and sophisticated view of the world, our pundits killed off entire forests blasting Prime Minister Stephen Harper for his lack of "nuance" in supporting Israel when it was under attack from Hezbollah rockets in 2006?

Well, here's what Clinton, speaking for Obama who becomes the U.S. commander-in-chief on Tuesday, just told her Senate confirmation hearing, with Israel now under attack from Hamas rockets.

"We cannot negotiate with Hamas until it renounces violence, recognizes Israel and agrees to abide by past agreements. This is just, for me, an absolute. The president-elect and I understand and are deeply sympathetic to Israel's desire to defend itself under the current conditions and to be free of shelling by Hamas rockets."

Holy Lack of Nuance, Batman! Harper could have said that -- and repeatedly has! (So, more recently, has Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff.)

Now we'll have to wait for our pundits -- assuming they can rouse themselves from their normal position at Obama's feet and Harper's throat -- to explain the following.

Bush clone?

Why, since they have the same views on Hamas, is Harper a war-mongering "Bush clone" who destroyed Canada's reputation as an honest broker in the Mideast, while president-elect Obama is an enlightened visionary who will bring a welcome change from George W. Bush's inflammatory, knee-jerk, pro-Israel, rhetoric?

This is yet another example of the pickle Canadian pundits constantly get themselves into by substituting their own wishful thinking about Obama for analysis of what he actually says and does.

http://www.ottawasun.com/Comment/2009/01/15/8028686-sun.html

It must drive some anti-Harperites crazy to know that Obama's administration-in-waiting is on the same page as the Conservatives in their views on Hamas.

Had the US been a member of the UN Human Rights Council, there's every indication it would have opposed the resolution. Canada and the US would have stood alone.

The similarities in Obama/Harper policies are becoming more apparent. In light of the tremendous support Obama enjoys with Canadians, this should give Liberals (and pundits) pause for thought. In one week's time, the "Bush clone" attacks will be redundant and ineffective. How many will dare convert to "Harper, Obama clone"? Very few, I think.

[KeyStone]

http://www.ottawasun.com/Comment/2009/01/15/8028686-sun.html

It must drive some anti-Harperites crazy to know that Obama's administration-in-waiting is on the same page as the Conservatives in their views on Hamas.

Had the US been a member of the UN Human Rights Council, there's every indication it would have opposed the resolution. Canada and the US would have stood alone.

The similarities in Obama/Harper policies are becoming more apparent. In light of the tremendous support Obama enjoys with Canadians, this should give Liberals (and pundits) pause for thought. In one week's time, the "Bush clone" attacks will be redundant and ineffective. How many will dare convert to "Harper, Obama clone"? Very few, I think.

Give it a year. Obama is better than Bush, but by how much.

Ultimately, Obama is still American, still grew up with the pro-American propaganda and still puts American rights ahead of human rights.

The US system is corrupt through and through. Even if he's not corrupt now, he will be soon enough.

Clinton was certainly no saint or saviour despite all the ballyhoo about him.

[Muddy]

Maybe Obama is a Harper clone?