[Canada] Canadian Politics Redux

[Neil]

I don't think Harper is celebrating.  The medium-term outlook of the Liberals just looked up though, as the NDP just became non-viable.

[crazy canuck]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/video/video-harper-regrets-not-having-musical-session-with-layton/article2137755/

This is the most emotional I have seen Harper.

I heard a report there will be a State funeral.

[Malthus]

There will be a state funeral.

I'm actually reasonably impressed by the amount of class shown by political types of all stripes concerning Layton's death.

[Neil]

There will be a state funeral.

I'm actually reasonably impressed by the amount of class shown by political types of all stripes concerning Layton's death.

Yeah, although some of the public reaction is starting to get a little mawkish I think.  If people show up at the funeral weeping ostentatiously and tearing at their clothes, I might become ill.

[Malthus]

There will be a state funeral.

I'm actually reasonably impressed by the amount of class shown by political types of all stripes concerning Layton's death.

Yeah, although some of the public reaction is starting to get a little mawkish I think.  If people show up at the funeral weeping ostentatiously and tearing at their clothes, I might become ill.

Public mawkishness is inevitable on occasions like this. Our culture positively encourages it.

So far though most of the talking heads have been like 'I never voted NDP, but everyone respected Jack as a decent guy and an honest politico', which hits the mark pretty well.

[Neil]

Honesty being relative, of course.  I think that basing half of his last campaign around Ignatieff's attendence in the House of Commons was a low blow, and there's the political fiefdom that his family holds in Toronto, but he wasn't all that bad.  I don't see how he was more honest or had more integrity than Ignatieff, he just had much more charisma and was far, far, far better managed.

[Grey Fox]

Ignatiff was (is) the University teacher that fails you for retarded reasons.
Layton was the fun Uncle.

[crazy canuck]

I'm actually reasonably impressed by the amount of class shown...

I was wondering when Neil would try to turn things around.

[Neil]

I'm actually reasonably impressed by the amount of class shown...

I was wondering when Neil would try to turn things around.

Fuck you.  He's been dead for a few days now, so it's not beyond the pale to point out that he wasn't a super-perfect ball of light.  Quit being such a faggot.

[Gaius Marius]

Honesty being relative, of course.  I think that basing half of his last campaign around Ignatieff's attendence in the House of Commons was a low blow, and there's the political fiefdom that his family holds in Toronto, but he wasn't all that bad.  I don't see how he was more honest or had more integrity than Ignatieff, he just had much more charisma and was far, far, far better managed.

His 70% absent figure turned out to be a bit inaccurate (IIRC it was more like 59%), but I would say its more of an astute observation than a low-blow. He simply hit a theme that Joe Q. Public could understand - if I don't show up to work, do I expect a promotion? Most would not, so it was easy to make the connection. And well, Ignatieff left himself open to it by happening to have the worst attendance record of the leaders, particularly in relation to Layton and the Prime Minister.

[Barrister]

I've been following the "if you can't say anything nice about the recently deceased, then say nothing at all" strategy.

[crazy canuck]

I've been following the "if you can't say anything nice about the recently deceased, then say nothing at all" strategy.

Almost as bad as Neil since there are a lot of good things that can be said about Layton.  No need to stand mute in these circumstances.  Harper certainly didnt.

[Barrister]

I've been following the "if you can't say anything nice about the recently deceased, then say nothing at all" strategy.

Almost as bad as Neil since there are a lot of good things that can be said about Layton.  No need to stand mute in these circumstances.  Harper certainly didnt.

[crazy canuck]

His 70% absent figure turned out to be a bit inaccurate (IIRC it was more like 59%), but I would say its more of an astute observation than a low-blow. He simply hit a theme that Joe Q. Public could understand - if I don't show up to work, do I expect a promotion? Most would not, so it was easy to make the connection. And well, Ignatieff left himself open to it by happening to have the worst attendance record of the leaders, particularly in relation to Layton and the Prime Minister.

Agreed.  It was the perfect position to take because what was Iggy going to say - "I was out trying to connect with Canadians".

[crazy canuck]

I've been following the "if you can't say anything nice about the recently deceased, then say nothing at all" strategy.

Almost as bad as Neil since there are a lot of good things that can be said about Layton.  No need to stand mute in these circumstances.  Harper certainly didnt.