Harper on Stage

[Keepitsimple]

I suppose by now, everyone's seen Stephen Harper's performance over the weekend. The media and pundits have gone to great lengths to analyse the "strategy" behind the event. What were the image people up to? What strategic advantage was he trying to gain. Well, here's the story:

The architect of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's surprise concert performance with superstar cellist Yo-Yo Ma at an Ottawa gala Saturday was not a Conservative spin doctor, campaign strategist or image consultant.

The executive producer credit goes to his wife, Laureen, who was the honorary chair of the event and says there was “no big strategic thinking” behind his vocal rendition of the Beatles' anthem, With a Little Help from My Friends.

“I just thought it would be a fun surprise. When was the last time you were shocked? I wanted people to be surprised,” she said.

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politi...article1311750/

For those who haven't seen his performance:

Edited October 5, 2009 by Keepitsimple

[fellowtraveller]

Was he wearing a sweater vest?

[capricorn]

All monies raised by the gala are used for the National Youth and Education Trust, which includes the visiting ambassadors program of First nations children from Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Laureen Harper, Harper's wife and Honourary Chair for the fourth year, announced that the event had raised $575,000 for the trust.

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/23371/

Well done! And it didn't cost the taxpayer. Hopefully, the positive PR around this year's fundraiser will lead to an even bigger success next year.

[jdobbin]

And it didn't cost the taxpayer.

It didn't? Charitable donations equal tax deductions and therefore cost the taxpayers.

[capricorn]

Anyone who feels that badly about it shouldn't declare their charitable donations on their personal income tax.

[jdobbin]

Anyone who feels that badly about it shouldn't declare their charitable donations on their personal income tax.

Good idea. Until then though, we should not say that taxpayers are not tapped in charitable fundraising.

[Argus]

I suppose by now, everyone's seen Stephen Harper's performance over the weekend. The media and pundits have gone to great lengths to analyse the "strategy" behind the event. What were the image people up to? What strategic advantage was he trying to gain. Well, here's the story:

You know, I'm not surprised it turned out to be his wife behind it. I've often said the Conservatves have the most incompetent communications team/spin doctors of any major political party in the country, and have had for years. They are incapable of coming up with something like this which is so easy to arrange yet will do wonders for Harper's image. Any halfwit could have seen since he became leader of that party that there was a profound need to soften his image and make him seem more like a "regular guy" but his handlers' best effort since that time has been to put him in a sweater for an election ad. Harper should fire his communications team and let his wife take over.

[Oleg Bach]

Obama gets YO YO MAH as his musical PR man..now Harper is using the great cellist also..I guess YO YO is making a good buck - what a sell out he is in his old age. Anyone with half a brain with such backing muscially and a bit of rehearsal is going to sound passable....wonder when he's going to pair up with Clinton on sax? Poor Iggy is beside himself and totally uncomfortable with the musical coup....I told yah - send me Iggy and I will make him a star...after all I am the last of the king makers...but I don't consult for free...

[capricorn]

Until then though, we should not say that taxpayers are not tapped in charitable fundraising.

I'll grant you that. Yet, as in the case of this fundraiser, I would rather see 2,000+ well-to-do music enthusiasts fork over $575,000.00 of their own money in support of young musicians receive a non-refundable tax credit, than the feds forking over the full $575,000.00 on our behalf.

[Topaz]

I don't know if this is true but someone told me that the song Harper say was about POT. They said that heard Beatle John say it was about his "friends" pot that he smoked. Anyone ever hear of this?

[kimmy]

It didn't? Charitable donations equal tax deductions and therefore cost the taxpayers.

Boo! Charities rip off Revenue Canada! Down with charities!

Any halfwit could have seen since he became leader of that party that there was a profound need to soften his image and make him seem more like a "regular guy" but his handlers' best effort since that time has been to put him in a sweater for an election ad. Harper should fire his communications team and let his wife take over.

Harper's image is what it is. Everybody knows him by now, and everybody has an opinion.

For me, Harper reminds me of men I know, men like my dad. A little tubby, not much of a fashion sense, not a very good haircut, not very eloquent, not very good at expressing emotion... but none of those things reflect their merits. If I judged the quality of a man by the quality of his haircut, my dad and my prime minister would both be sorely lacking. I know my dad isn't, and I don't believe my prime minister is either.

I liked this because it reminded me of times when my dad did something completely unexpected that was fun and charming and reminded me that there's more to him than I usually saw.

For people who don't like Harper, none of that applies. For people who don't like Harper, I'm sure this was just a calculated ploy to make the kitten-killing fag-hating Evangelical fundamentalist psycho seem like a nice guy, and they're not buying any of it.

For better or worse, Harper's image is what it is.

I don't know if this is true but someone told me that the song Harper say was about POT. They said that heard Beatle John say it was about his "friends" pot that he smoked. Anyone ever hear of this?

And if it were, so what? The song stands on its own merit, regardless of whatever in-jokes or bong-inspired experiences may have inspired it.

-k

[Bryan]

I don't know if this is true but someone told me that the song Harper say was about POT. They said that heard Beatle John say it was about his "friends" pot that he smoked. Anyone ever hear of this?

The line; "I get high with a little help from my friends" is a pretty good clue. Harper didn't change it when he sang it either.

Harper isn't going to have a music career when his political one is over, but he certainly did not embarrass himself. He definitely needs to do more of these kinds of things that show his real softer side as opposed to contrived "image" projections.

[jdobbin]

Boo! Charities rip off Revenue Canada! Down with charities!

I have nothing wrong with charities. Just don't tell me that taxpayers are off the hook.

[capricorn]

I have nothing wrong with charities. Just don't tell me that taxpayers are off the hook.

dobbin, kimmy said nothing about taxpayers being on the hook. You made your point in a previous post and it was recognized. Move on man.

[jdobbin]

dobbin, kimmy said nothing about taxpayers being on the hook. You made your point in a previous post and it was recognized. Move on man.

She said Revenue Canada gets ripped off.

[kimmy]

She said Revenue Canada gets ripped off.

As a taxpayer, it really gets me riled up when scumbags like United Way and UNICEF are going around taking money that ought to be going to Revenue Canada. That's all I'm saying.

-k

[Mr.Canada]

As a taxpayer, it really gets me riled up when scumbags like United Way and UNICEF are going around taking money that ought to be going to Revenue Canada. That's all I'm saying.

-k

How are they doing that kimmy?

[Who's Doing What?]

I suppose by now, everyone's seen Stephen Harper's performance over the weekend. The media and pundits have gone to great lengths to analyse the "strategy" behind the event. What were the image people up to? What strategic advantage was he trying to gain. Well, here's the story:

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politi...article1311750/

For those who haven't seen his performance:

The strategy is easy - Make him look more like the regular guy who likes the Beattles and jams with his "friends".

It worked well for Clinton, why not try it. Another good tactic by the CPC. You have to give the PR guys credit. THey have over the last few years done a great job in promoting the party, Harper and the CPC platform.

[jdobbin]

As a taxpayer, it really gets me riled up when scumbags like United Way and UNICEF are going around taking money that ought to be going to Revenue Canada. That's all I'm saying.

For some taxpayers, I'm sure it does. Since the United Way supports family planning, there are people opposed to the organization and taxpayer support that comes with it. Likewise, the same accusation is made against UNICEF and abortion and it is why some Catholics don't donate to the organization.

I don't oppose charitable deductions on our income tax and never claimed any opposition here. All I pointed out is that charitable fundraising comes with lots of taxpayer support.

Other than that, I'm not what you are upset about.

[jdobbin]

How are they doing that kimmy?

Read this:

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/oct/04101201.html

And this:

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/sep/04092302.html

It is why some people do not support them. And don't want them to receive taxpayer support through income tax deductions on donations.

I have supported both and made donations to both. And taken a tax deduction for it. So both organizations have received taxpayer support since it affected how big my donation would be.

[Mr.Canada]

That's a good reason I do not support or know much about these organizations. I am firmly pro-life and am against the killing of human life. I will do more to spread the word in my community about both of these organizations to see if we cannot get them to fail at raising money here.

Thanks for the links dobbins.

EDIT here is our Pro-Life group up here in Halton for those who are interested.

We just had a life chain last week end.

Edited October 6, 2009 by Mr.Canada

[Dave_ON]

That's a good reason I do not support or know much about these organizations. I am firmly pro-life and am against the killing of human life. I will do more to spread the word in my community about both of these organizations to see if we cannot get them to fail at raising money here.

Thanks for the links dobbins.

EDIT here is our Pro-Life group up here in Halton for those who are interested.

We just had a life chain last week end.

Ah yes how very sanctimonious of you, so is it also your civic duty to tell others how they should live their lives and what choices they can and cannot make? Thankfully the CPC's aren't as draconian as you but they really need to purge the vestiges of your brand of social conservatism if they ever wish to capture their ever elusive majority. The anti-abortion, anti-gay, anti-women's rights folks will do them nothing but harm. Perhaps the Christian Heritage party would be more suitable to your line of holier than thou thinking.

[Mr.Canada]

Ah yes how very sanctimonious of you, so is it also your civic duty to tell others how they should live their lives and what choices they can and cannot make? Thankfully the CPC's aren't as draconian as you but they really need to purge the vestiges of your brand of social conservatism if they ever wish to capture their ever elusive majority. The anti-abortion, anti-gay, anti-women's rights folks will do them nothing but harm. Perhaps the Christian Heritage party would be more suitable to your line of holier than thou thinking.

Not at all. I don't tell anyone how they should live their lives, that is up to them, the choice is the individuals to make. I cannot control anything beyond my own actions and feelings. I live my life by a certain set of values and morals that are of my own personal choosing. People are free to live their lives as they deem fit.

I just like to make sure that women are making an informed decision. Women are free to choose of coarse as I'm also pro-choice you see. I just to help women make the correct choices. Giving them as much information as I can helps in that regard. You'd be surprised how much disinformation is actually paraded as fact. Everyone is entitled to make a informed decision.

Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing to be celebrated.

[Who's Doing What?]

That's a good reason I do not support or know much about these organizations. I am firmly pro-life and am against the killing of human life. I will do more to spread the word in my community about both of these organizations to see if we cannot get them to fail at raising money here.

Thanks for the links dobbins.

EDIT here is our Pro-Life group up here in Halton for those who are interested.

We just had a life chain last week end.

So I guess you are all for supporting welfare moms who pop out kids instead of finding jobs?

Sure make every pregnant woman go to term and have the kid and then we can start sending them their cheques.

Nothing like a good 14yr old having a kid and ruining her life. Why let's outlaw birth control all together. IT would be a bloody utopia.

It must be a wonderful life for those who are reminded of the night they were raped everytime they look at their child. Makes me jealous.

Edited October 6, 2009 by Who's Doing What?

[Mr.Canada]

So I guess you are all for supporting welfare moms who pop out kids instead of finding jobs?

Not at all sir. I'm all for people making informed decisions and waiting until marriage before starting a family. Having children is a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly but today it increasingly isn't a decision at all but a by product of a Friday night out. If a man and woman waiting and made the decision to have a family after marriage with an intact family unit it would greatly reduce the number of single parents in Canada. Education is what's needed and a healthy respect for ones own self.

Sure make every pregnant woman go to term and have the kid and then we can start sending them their cheques.

As I answered above it's sad that so many single women are choosing to have babies it is much better for a child to be born into a complete family unit with mother and father. The love and support is much more complete.

Nothing like a good 14yr old having a kid and ruining her life. Why let's outlaw birth control all together. IT would be a bloody utopia.

Instead of trying to make young people out to be the problem we, as adults, must take responsibility to properly educate young women and teenagers of the dangers of premarital sex. Teach them to have more respect for themselves and their bodies. So that they understand that just because they feel pressure to have sex in todays society doesn't mean they must give in. That they would be much happier if they waited for marriage to make a meaningful bond with someone significant.