Harper linked to American far Christian right

[hiti]

New York Times links Prime Minister Stephen Harper to American far Christian right

Edited Iain Mackenzie

Over 20 candidates and members of Parliament for the Conservative Party of Canada, including leader Stephen Harper, Justice Critic Vic Toews, Foreign Affairs Critic Stockwell Day and Firearms Critic Garry Breitkreuz, have had on-going links to organizations established under the umbrella of the Council for National Policy (CNP), an American group that the David Kirkpatrick in a New York Times article on August 28, 2004, calls a “club of a few hundred of the most powerful conservatives in the country.” Robert Dreyfuss in the January 28, 2004 edition of the Rolling Stone reports that the CNP -- which is not well known in Canada -- has “funnelled billions of dollars to right-wing Christian activists.”

Several years before Stephen Harper would become Prime Minister of Canada, he reportedly addressed CNP members in 1997 at its meeting in Montreal. Reportedly, the effort to impeach then U.S. President Clinton was conceived at this meeting, as reported by Robert Dreyfuss, “Reverend Doomsday,” Rolling Stone, January 28, 2004,

Addressing the elite group is no small feat, given that guests may only attend meetings with the unanimous consent of the Executive Committee, as confirmed by David Kirkpatrick, “Club of the Most Powerful Gathers in the Strictest Privacy,” New York Times, August 28, 2004 edition, and specifically on p 10.

Since Mr. Harper’s address, links between Conservative Party members and groups sponsored by the CNP like Focus on the Family, the Christian Coalition of America and the National Rifle Association have grown. In turn, these groups have taken an increasingly forthright role in influencing Canadian politics through radio broadcasts, Canadian affiliates, and training for grassroots advocacy efforts in support of Conservative Party candidates. This should perhaps come as no surprise given that the Vancouver Sun estimates that “roughly half the current 98 members” of the Conservative caucus “are religious social conservatives,” which is “well over double the national average.”6 It suggests, however, that powerful forces may be affecting the distribution of political power in this country about which Canadians may not be aware.

http://www.agoracosmopolitan.com/home/Fron...4/10/01485.html

http://dawn.thot.net/harperstiestousa/

Text of Stephen Harper's speech to the Council for National Policy, June 1997

http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes/leadersparti...per_speech.html

And this is what we have as PM. What a shame.

[Who's Doing What?]

Nothing really new here.

[margrace]

Yep nothing new except the wool that is being pulled over Canadian voters eyes right now. A leopard does not change its spots it only cover them up for the unwary sheep.

It this what you want to happen to Canada.

[M.Dancer]

Sounds like the back room boys are scrambling to counter tha last SES opinion poll on Harpers's desirability as PM

[scribblet]

Sounds like the back room boys are scrambling to counter tha last SES opinion poll on Harpers's desirability as PM

LOL that's what I thought too. Guess they have to get the fear machine going, oooohhh those nasty scary Christians, that evil man actually goes to Church. Wonder if the starter of this thread would be posting the same tripe if Stockwell Day happened to be PM.... -

[M.Dancer]

Sounds like the back room boys are scrambling to counter tha last SES opinion poll on Harpers's desirability as PM

LOL that's what I thought too. Guess they have to get the fear machine going, oooohhh those nasty scary Christians, that evil man actually goes to Church. Wonder if the starter of this thread would be posting the same tripe if Stockwell Day happened to be PM.... -

If Stockwell Day was PM I would be posting the ....ahem....tripe.....

[scribblet]

If Stockwell Day was PM I would be posting the ....ahem....tripe.....

Even if Stockie was your darling before getting the boot -

[B. Max]

New York Times links Prime Minister Stephen Harper to American far Christian right

Someone should tell the NYT that Harper and gang including the NCC have become liberals or at the very least, went to the dark side.

As someone once wrote, "Canadians need an alternative grounded in conservative ideals such as smaller government, lower taxes, the equality of citizens and the rule of law. For if all we want is the exercise of power, we might as well join the Liberals."

http://www.rbcinvest.theglobeandmail.com/s...xComment/4/4/7/

[geoffrey]

Fear fear fear! Everyone should be living in fear of these evil Conservatives that are going to take your rights, your children! And then force feed Jesus down your throat through massive speaker tower complexes. We'll have annual cruxifications and people won't be able to shop at the mall on Sundays!

FEAR PEOPLE! The time is nigh! Secularism is under attack!

--

Or in the real world, sit back and laugh at the fools and wanna-be journalists that make up the liberal media?

If speaking at a fundraiser dinner makes Harper a Christian (I don't know when this became a bad thing), then Paul Martin was a terrorist that uses child soliders to kill thousands of people.

Choose your Canada? I think not. Only the ignorant would use something like this to pick their checkmark (or 'x' I suppose... though that may be conceived as a Christian symbol of evil!) on the ballot.

--

I just love how margrace hates George Bush so much, but uses his fear tactics daily. Margrace, are you and George good buddies because I'm starting to think your very similar people, can't prove your points without attempting to instill fear in your followers.

[ScottSA]

Good Grief. This is soooo lame. Khrushchev talked to American politicians; does that make him a capitalist? Nixon visited China; does that make him a Chinese Communist? And every Canadian politician that I can remember has gone to Church, even Chretien, who was a woooscary Catholic. What nonsense this stuff is.

[scribblet]

Good Grief. This is soooo lame. Khrushchev talked to American politicians; does that make him a capitalist? Nixon visited China; does that make him a Chinese Communist? And every Canadian politician that I can remember has gone to Church, even Chretien, who was a woooscary Catholic. What nonsense this stuff is.

Absolute nonsense, just fear tactics with no basis in fact.

[Canadian Blue]

The Conservative Party is no Republican Party. The Conservatives have basically adopted alot of Liberal ideas, and I can't really see much of a difference between them and the Liberals. As well they want back to back majority government, so I don't see Canada becoming Mississippi North.

I think the only debate going on in the House of Commons right now is questioning who is the "biggest bully."

[Canuck E Stan]

And this is what we have as PM. What a shame.

Check back with Harper's old high school,I understand that there may be some assignment papers he wrote that might be of interest to you.

P.S. this crap was tried a couple of elections ago.

[Michael Bluth]

Good Grief. This is soooo lame. Khrushchev talked to American politicians; does that make him a capitalist? Nixon visited China; does that make him a Chinese Communist? And every Canadian politician that I can remember has gone to Church, even Chretien, who was a woooscary Catholic. What nonsense this stuff is.

I do like the link to a *ten year old* speech.

There is a reason the mainstream media isn't giving these stories any credence.

They are old news and only fringe publications like "Le Canadien" run this tripe.

From their about page.

The aspirations for a sovereign Canada had inspired the journalists of 'Le Canadien', as well as Tommy Douglas, former Prime Minister Trudeau, and other Canadians, toward the pursuit of the Canadian Dream.

Interesting how the OP tried to obscure his source by referring to a "NY Times article". Too bad that article appeared in the Times over three years ago.

This is the evidence you use against our Prime Minister. The left in Canada is so blinded by hatred they can't contribute to honest debate.

[Catchme]

dang got my format all muddled, ooops

[Catchme]

New York Times links Prime Minister Stephen Harper to American far Christian right

Over 20 candidates and members of Parliament for the Conservative Party of Canada, including leader Stephen Harper, Justice Critic Vic Toews, Foreign Affairs Critic Stockwell Day and Firearms Critic Garry Breitkreuz, have had on-going links to organizations established under the umbrella of the Council for National Policy (CNP), an American group that the David Kirkpatrick in a New York Times article on August 28, 2004, calls a “club of a few hundred of the most powerful conservatives in the country.” Robert Dreyfuss in the January 28, 2004 edition of the Rolling Stone reports that the CNP -- which is not well known in Canada -- has “funnelled billions of dollars to right-wing Christian activists.”

Several years before Stephen Harper would become Prime Minister of Canada, he reportedly addressed CNP members in 1997 at its meeting in Montreal. Reportedly, the effort to impeach then U.S. President Clinton was conceived at this meeting, as reported by Robert Dreyfuss, “Reverend Doomsday,” Rolling Stone, January 28, 2004,

Since Mr. Harper’s address, links between Conservative Party members and groups sponsored by the CNP like Focus on the Family, the Christian Coalition of America and the National Rifle Association have grown. In turn, these groups have taken an increasingly forthright role in influencing Canadian politics through radio broadcasts, Canadian affiliates, and training for grassroots advocacy efforts in support of Conservative Party candidates. This should perhaps come as no surprise given that the Vancouver Sun estimates that “roughly half the current 98 members” of the Conservative caucus “are religious social conservatives,” which is “well over double the national average.”

oops forgot to cut it down to size,

And yes you are correct Hiti it is a shame, but people must remember, why Harper wants a majority.

[Michael Bluth]

Yes, it is hiti thanks for this info, I have it all bookmarked. There is no doubt about what Harper would do with a minority, now is there?

We have seen what Harper has done with a minority.

A majority of Canadian voters are now comfortable or somewhat comfortable with the thought of a conservative majority.

Really gonna try scary-scary-scary again?

You are only preaching to the converted with that one now..

[blueblood]

This fear mongering of the left towards conservatives is ridiculous. Two can play at that game. How about if Taliban Jack got a majority lets start that one, any right winger here can add on to my fear list

-All private business will be expropriated and we'll all be on welfare

-Our economy will go in the tank like the USSR

-Our armed forces will be reduced to an organization of volunteers when natural disaster strikes but they'll be dressed in green

-Our oil industry will be shut down

-Christianity will be outlawed

-All farm land will be expropriated and given back to the first nations

-The police force will have to relinquish their sidearms as they are too violent

-Saying anything offensive will be outlawed

-affirmative action will be mandatory, who cares about skill

-our country will be infiltrated by a massive amount of spies

Feel free to add on...

[Catchme]

Yes, it is hiti thanks for this info, I have it all bookmarked. There is no doubt about what Harper would do with a minority, now is there?

We have seen what Harper has done with a minority.

A majority of Canadian voters are now comfortable or somewhat comfortable with the thought of a conservative majority.

Really gonna try scary-scary-scary again?

You are only preaching to the converted with that one now..

Yes, we have saw what Harper has done with a minority, and that is why there will be no spring election, the CPC are stalled and perhaps would lose their minority government even, if an election was called. But good try, Canadians in the majority know what he is up to.

But the latest national SES-Sun opinion survey suggests the vast majority of voters are not crying for a chance to exercise their democratic rights, and forcing them to do so risks a ballot backlash.

In fact, Canadians overall seem somewhat inclined to leave well enough alone.

Nationally, only 27% of voters polled by SES said they support Harper's calling an election, while 36% are opposed.

When we throw in the more tentative voters who say they are only "somewhat" opposed or supportive of an election call, national public opinion is split more or less evenly for and against.

But it is the regional and demographic breakdowns that are likely to give long pause to the prime minister and his Conservative strategists as they ponder their next move.

First, even fellow Tories are not exactly jumping at the chance to start pounding lawn signs, with only 32% of Conservatives polled saying they favour an election, while 34% want no part of it.

Among various age groups surveyed, the biggest keeners to get to the ballot box are young people age 18-29, a demographic that generally wouldn't be voting for Harper anyway.

On the other hand, those least eager for the onslaught of attack ads and other campaign irritants are seniors over 60, a definite target group for the Conservatives.

Regionally, it is much the same story.

The SES-Sun poll indicates an election call would earn Harper cheers from only 28% of voters in seat-rich Ontario, and boos from 41%.

Same deal in the Maritimes and even in the West where one would think the Conservative blood-lust would be strongest

http://www.ottawasun.com/News/Columnists/W...12/3991532.html.

And please do stay on topic, when you try to deflect away by bringing another topic in, you really are showing how scared you are.

The above SES Greg Weston comments say it all, and that is why you are afraid.

[scribblet]

This fear mongering of the left towards conservatives is ridiculous. Two can play at that game. How about if Taliban Jack got a majority lets start that one, any right winger here can add on to my fear list

-All private business will be expropriated and we'll all be on welfare

-Our economy will go in the tank like the USSR

-Our armed forces will be reduced to an organization of volunteers when natural disaster strikes but they'll be dressed in green

-Our oil industry will be shut down

-Christianity will be outlawed

-All farm land will be expropriated and given back to the first nations

-The police force will have to relinquish their sidearms as they are too violent

-Saying anything offensive will be outlawed

-affirmative action will be mandatory, who cares about skill

Feel free to add on...

My inheritance will be taxed away so I'm spending it now...

Its the mindless ranting/fearmongering that is scary, heck we all know Harper is going to take away all our socialist give aways, and those pigging out at the trough might have to get their snouts out and work a bit harder.

Yes, the CPC is doing well and the future looks bright but a spring election is highly unlikely. I l think that spring 2008 offers the CPC the best chance to win a stable majority and establish themselves as the'Natural Governing Party of the 21st century'. -

Besides, lets face it, Harper is about as scary as he’s ever going to get, and he must be doing something right to get the opposition so riled up. But then, they always are.

[Michael Bluth]

Its the mindless ranting/fearmongering that is scary, heck we all know Harper is going to take away all our socialist give aways, and those pigging out at the trough might have to get their snouts out and work a bit harder.

Yes, the CPC is doing well and the future looks bright but a spring election is highly unlikely. I l think that spring 2008 offers the CPC the best chance to win a stable majority and establish themselves as the'Natural Governing Party of the 21st century'. -

Harper still has another five weeks to call an election. My guess is a spring election is still a possibility. The biggest drawback being continued high levels of casualties in Afghanistan.

If they don't go this spring they'll go this fall.

If they go in the fall they will have lasted longer than most minority Governments in Canadian history. Link

By the fall any cries of early election will have disappeared. The fighting won't be as intense in Afghanistan. The Government will be able to present a mini-budget. The grassroots will hopefully be re-energized and ready to fight another election.

If Harper hits the summer bbq circuit hard that is the surest sign you will get there will be a fall election.

[blueblood]

Its the mindless ranting/fearmongering that is scary, heck we all know Harper is going to take away all our socialist give aways, and those pigging out at the trough might have to get their snouts out and work a bit harder.

Yes, the CPC is doing well and the future looks bright but a spring election is highly unlikely. I l think that spring 2008 offers the CPC the best chance to win a stable majority and establish themselves as the'Natural Governing Party of the 21st century'. -

Harper still has another five weeks to call an election. My guess is a spring election is still a possibility. The biggest drawback being continued high levels of casualties in Afghanistan.

If they don't go this spring they'll go this fall.

He'll wait until the mission is over to call an election. In 09, the troops will be home, no more casualties, A-Stan hopefully made improvements. Also the more time he's in office, the more and more people are starting to like him. He'll keep his A-Stan promise and win a majority because of it. Better to win a solid majority than maybe win a majority.

[Michael Bluth]

He'll wait until the mission is over to call an election. In 09, the troops will be home, no more casualties, A-Stan hopefully made improvements. Also the more time he's in office, the more and more people are starting to like him. He'll keep his A-Stan promise and win a majority because of it. Better to win a solid majority than maybe win a majority.

Do they have to wait for the mission to end?

What about when they announce that they won't stay past 2009? That would basically take Afghanistan off the table as an issue.

That could still fit into the timeline for a fall election.

[blueblood]

He'll wait until the mission is over to call an election. In 09, the troops will be home, no more casualties, A-Stan hopefully made improvements. Also the more time he's in office, the more and more people are starting to like him. He'll keep his A-Stan promise and win a majority because of it. Better to win a solid majority than maybe win a majority.

Do they have to wait for the mission to end?

What about when they announce that they won't stay past 2009? That would basically take Afghanistan off the table as an issue.

That could still fit into the timeline for a fall election.

yes they should wait, an announcement is useless, people don't have to believe announcements, but will believe when they see a massive amount of troops coming home in planes to army bases on TV. Harper has it all timed out, he'll go till 09 unless brought down, no need to get antsy. Harper wants power, he won't make them stay past 09, that would be suicide. He'll call an election in the spring of 09, the troops coming home in Feb 09, the budget coming up, probably getting a higher approval rating, it would be the perfect storm.

[Figleaf]

Text of Stephen Harper's speech to the Council for National Policy, June 1997

http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes/leadersparti...per_speech.html

Scary.