Topaz Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 Harper told Calgary audience that Calgary is the greatest city in the world, would make it the greatest city in Canada, now as a private citizen he can say whatever he wants but, as the PM of CANADA he shouldn't show favoritism to any city, province or terrority, in my view. I wonder how much money the city of Calgary has gotten for the stampede since Harper has been in the PMO? http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/politics/Stephen+Harper+draws+criticism+Calgary+Canada+greatest+city+comment+with+video/6917308/story.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msj Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 Hyperbole - Hyperbole ( /haɪˈpɜrbəliː/ hy-pur-bə-lee;[1] Greek: ὑπερβολή, 'exaggeration') is the use of exaggeration as a rhetorical device or figure of speech. It may be used to evoke strong feelings or to create a strong impression, but is not meant to be taken literally.[2] Harper was using hyperbole. I can't quite come up with the word for what Topaz is using... let's think on that for a while.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
August1991 Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 "I think that if the [stampede] founders could be here today and see the great city - see what has built up around this event - they would be amazed," said Mr. Harper, who was born in Toronto, moved to Calgary in his 20s, and now resides in Ottawa."They would be amazed to see that their Stampede has been part of giving birth to the greatest city in the greatest country in the world." Founders? Isn't that an Americanism? ---- Methinks that this is another wafer moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guyser Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 (edited) part of giving birth to the greatest city in the greatest country in the world." Meh....He is at least half right. But its such a sausagefest out there Edited July 11, 2012 by guyser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmax Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 If Prime Minister said, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver of Halifax were the Greatest City.... no one would bat an eye. This is stupid news.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shady Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 In other news, Harper burned his toast this morning while making breakfast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cybercoma Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 If Prime Minister said, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver of Halifax were the Greatest City.... no one would bat an eye. This is stupid news.... I disagree. They absolutely would. If a Prime Minister said Quebec City is the greatest city in the greatest country in the world, everyone would be trying to paint him/her as a separatist etc. My own personal opinion is that this isn't really that big of a deal. He was using rhetoric to open the Stampede. However, he's not just any person. He's the Prime Minister of Canada, so it is a baffling stupid comment for someone that is usually so pragmatic. Politics is about perception and perception becomes reality. I think this damaged the CPC's capital when it comes to painting Mulcair as dividing the regions and pitting one part of Canada against the other. It could be also used to mirror the same attack the CPC used against Ignatieff. It can paint a picture of Stephen Harper not giving a crap about anything but Calgary. Whether it's true or not, that's how it can be used. I don't ever recall a single Prime Minister in history saying "_______ is the greatest city in Canada." It's political suicide to play favourites when you're supposed to be governing for the entire country. For Harper to say this at one of the biggest most public events in Canada is stunningly stupid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mentalfloss Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 Harper confirming once again that he is the greatest strategist ever conceived. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonbox Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 I can't quite come up with the word for what Topaz is using... let's think on that for a while.... For some reason the words, "Desperate political hack" come to mind for me.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kraychik Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 Assuming that Harper was sincere when he said this and not simply pandering, who cares? I'd rather have a straightforward PM that tells us what's on his (or her) mind rather than a PM that needs to be investigated for preferential behaviour. It's not hard to see the political favouritism for various PMs and Premiers towards various cities. Consider Dalton McGuinty's favouritism to Toronto in terms of disproportionate tax funds being funnelled there for local projects. Leftists like Topaz prefer a dishonest politician who exudes the impression of impartiality, rather than candidness about a preference that every single human being must have. Who doesn't have a favourite city? Harper lived there for awhile, I'm sure he has his reasons for stating it's his favourite city in Canada and in the world. Good for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cybercoma Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 Leftists ... prefer a dishonest politicianHook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunrutz Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 Hook. So if someone offers an opinion, whatever that might be, and you respond over and over with a one word response is it really the poster you're responding to or in fact yourself that is trolling? In any case i don't see why it matters, and having been to most of the big cities in Canada i would say that Calgary is nothing special, but then none of them are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyly Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 So if someone offers an opinion, whatever that might be, and you respond over and over with a one word response is it really the poster you're responding to or in fact yourself that is trolling? In any case i don't see why it matters, and having been to most of the big cities in Canada i would say that Calgary is nothing special, but then none of them are. I live in calgary and don't think it's anything special, and I hate the stampede what a over hyped bore-fest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cybercoma Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 So if someone offers an opinion, whatever that might be, and you respond over and over with a one word response is it really the poster you're responding to or in fact yourself that is trolling? Just warning people to watch out for the fishing line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BubberMiley Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 Calgary isn't even the best city in Alberta. Too much stucco box sprawl and too many bland office towers. I'd rather live in Edmonton. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundlander Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 Finally Harper gives people a MAJOR reason not to support him!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cybercoma Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 Finally Harper gives people a MAJOR reason not to support him!!!!!!!! Is this sarcasm? I can't tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
August1991 Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 (edited) My own personal opinion is that this isn't really that big of a deal. He was using rhetoric to open the Stampede.However, he's not just any person. He's the Prime Minister of Canada, so it is a baffling stupid comment for someone that is usually so pragmatic..... Mere rhetoric? Baffling stupid? While our PM is a Protestant, a WASP, surely he should know the Catholic practice of how to handle a host.Finally Harper gives people a MAJOR reason not to support him!!!!!!!!Newfoundlander, the critical question is not whether federal Liberals such as you support Harper, it is whether you will support Mulcair, and the NDP.With a name like Mulcair, I suspect that many previously federal Liberal voters across Canada, not just in southern Ontario, are now wondering what to do. Welcome to wedge politics. If you want democracy where the winner is decided by 50% +1, competitive politicians will divide us to get that 51% and win the game. Edited July 12, 2012 by August1991 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kraychik Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 Just warning people to watch out for the fishing line. What you are essentially doing is revealing your contempt for other participants in this forum. You are presenting yourself as some sort of defender (I suppose you appointed yourself to this non-existent position) of other forum users. I am quite sure that other users can decide for themselves what they want to post in here, and do not require your patronising "warnings". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topaz Posted July 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 Assuming that Harper was sincere when he said this and not simply pandering, who cares? I'd rather have a straightforward PM that tells us what's on his (or her) mind rather than a PM that needs to be investigated for preferential behaviour. It's not hard to see the political favouritism for various PMs and Premiers towards various cities. Consider Dalton McGuinty's favouritism to Toronto in terms of disproportionate tax funds being funnelled there for local projects. Leftists like Topaz prefer a dishonest politician who exudes the impression of impartiality, rather than candidness about a preference that every single human being must have. Who doesn't have a favourite city? Harper lived there for awhile, I'm sure he has his reasons for stating it's his favourite city in Canada and in the world. Good for him. Wait a minute, Karychik, your judgement of me being a leftist is wrong. I concern myself an independent, I will judge whoever the PM is by THEIR actions and statements. Would I vote for the Conservatives? Not under this party and their leader. I did vote for Mulroney, twice and regretted it after Free Trade. Your statement that I prefer a dishonest politican, is also wrong, I voted against the Liberals in 2005-06. Dishonest politicans shouldn't be in the PMO agree? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cybercoma Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 What you are essentially doing is revealing your contempt for other participants in this forum. You are presenting yourself as some sort of defender (I suppose you appointed yourself to this non-existent position) of other forum users. I am quite sure that other users can decide for themselves what they want to post in here, and do not require your patronising "warnings". If you wish, consider it an underlining of your most "salient" points then. I'm just highlighting your "brilliance." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyly Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 (edited) Calgary isn't even the best city in Alberta. Too much stucco box sprawl and too many bland office towers. I'd rather live in Edmonton. Bland office towers? have you even been to calgary within the last ten years? well calgary is far "FROM" the best city in the world let's not get carried away comparing it to the armpits of Canada such as Edmonton, Winnipeg or Regina... edited to insert omitted word it changes the post considerably.. Edited July 13, 2012 by wyly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWTT Posted July 13, 2012 Report Share Posted July 13, 2012 Harper confirming once again that he is the greatest strategist ever conceived. I get your joke. What I will add is that Harper is always thinking strategy. And his comment is more of just that,strategy! I just read a column from some Alberta/Calgary newspaper giving the NDP 18.5% in polls in Alberta. 18.5% is a freekin crazy high number for the NDP in Alberta and this must be of great concern to Harper. It must be bad enough for him that Lynda Duncan got re-elected,but now he's hearing numbers for his competition reaching 20% in his back yard must put a bad feeling in his stomach! To most people his comment seems trivial,but to my ears (or nose) I smell blood! (or fear if you prefer). After all if Harper loses his stronghold Alberta,what is left?Better question is who will want to stick around? WWWTT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Manny Posted July 13, 2012 Report Share Posted July 13, 2012 Welcome to wedge politics. If you want democracy where the winner is decided by 50% +1, competitive politicians will divide us to get that 51% and win the game. Agreed, we need a stronger 4th party. I propose another conservative party. But this one, not as right-wing. Not as "Neo". One that is more progressive, a Progressive Conservative party..! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyly Posted July 13, 2012 Report Share Posted July 13, 2012 I get your joke. What I will add is that Harper is always thinking strategy. And his comment is more of just that,strategy! I just read a column from some Alberta/Calgary newspaper giving the NDP 18.5% in polls in Alberta. 18.5% is a freekin crazy high number for the NDP in Alberta and this must be of great concern to Harper. It must be bad enough for him that Lynda Duncan got re-elected,but now he's hearing numbers for his competition reaching 20% in his back yard must put a bad feeling in his stomach! To most people his comment seems trivial,but to my ears (or nose) I smell blood! (or fear if you prefer). After all if Harper loses his stronghold Alberta,what is left?Better question is who will want to stick around? WWWTT don't see how that's any different than before, combined progressive vote in alberta is generally in the 40% range and that still doesn't change electoral results with the FPTP system...with 60% conservative support means they sweep everything except that little spec of socialism in edmonton...I can't see the NDP putting a lot of effort into alberta it's seat count is irrelevant in the bigger picture...equal the conservative seat count in Ontario and the harper regime is done and alberta is alone in the wilderness... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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