Why I Don’t Ask Skaters For Political Advice
“Canadian Olympic icon Nancy Greene Raine says Prime Minister Stephen Harper had to make a rash of Senate appointments if he was ever going to make any inroads on reforming the upper chamber.
“It’s obvious to me that he had no choice, really, because if he wants to get the Senate reformed he has to put people there that are willing to [reform],” said Greene Raine, who was one of 18 Canadians named to the Senate on Monday. “I think it is important that this step be taken and certainly I think everybody can be assured that it’s on its way to being changed so long as things keep going in this direction.”
Translation: in order to achieve a democratic Senate the Prime Minister has to unilaterally appoint a whole bunch of folks who’ll back him, since most Senators don’t and most Canadians voted against his party in the last election. But don’t worry, the more handpicked, unqualified sycophants he appoints, the more likely it is that he’ll get his way.
Well put. It’s good to know that that depth of analysis and perception will be steering our ship of skate. Errr…state.
You do realize Greene Raine won her medals in skiing, right? Or would this qualify as Why I Don’t Look to Bloggers for Sports Coverage?
Well given Greene won that medal before I was born (and I’m 41) I think we can give balb a break…he had better things to do in the 60’s.
Yeah but one of the few pleasures I have left in life is giving a hard time to people who aren’t old enough to know all the trivia I can remember.
You’re anticipating my next post: “Why I Don’t Ask Former Paperboy Heavy Equipment Operator Roadie Writer Consultants for Sports Trivia History.”
Greene Raine? Wasn’t that the album Prince did with Al Gore?
Speaking of trivia, remember her doing those Mars bars commercials in the 70s?
Speaking of Mars Bars, hear about the new Bar on Mars?
Nice place, but not much atmosphere.
Those seats need to be filled, it’s up to the PM to fill them. Unless the provinces, the house and the Canadian public want reform it’s not going to happen, and with the exception of policy wonks and political junkies, there is no desire for reform, at least to the point where anyone wants to make it a serious issue.
And c’mon, Greene is far from the dumbest pick ever. Senator Frank Mahovalich? Senator Tommy Banks?
Advocating senate reform is one thing, but has Harper ever said he would never make those assignments?
And I’m not being a Harper or senate apologist here. I can’t stand either, but until the system is changed, it still has to be maintained.
Mmmmmm…..bars Mars.
Let me see if I catch your drift.
a) The Prime Minister never promised NOT to pack the house, so it’s fine for him to do it. (I can’t recall him ever promising not to fuck a dead squid on the floor of the House of Commons either. Should be an interesting session.)
b) The Prime Minister can’t muster support in the House OR Senate for senate reform, and the electorate have twice refused him a majority mandate. Therefore in the name of democracy, he should pack the house with appointed folks who’ll vote the way he wants.
c) Nancy Greene is not the worst pick in the history of the Senate.
Holy God, you’re having to squirm like a dead squid being…well, never mind. You’re squirming.
balb,
No all I’m saying is that it’s a fucked system, and the PM isn’t doing anything outside the system, or any worse than any other PM before him. i don’t like it, but that’s the way it is. Same with the “coallition”. I didn’t like the idea of it, but it was a possible outcome allowed by the Canadian parliamentary system.
All I’m saying is that it’s disingenuous for people to point and scream “hypocrite” at Harper like Sutherland at the end of Body Snatchers, when he’s acting in accordance to a system that most of those same people don’t see fit to change.
And live squid are better. They put up a fight.
Shrug. He’s a liar and a hypocrite. I’m not screaming it: I’m saying. And ever since I was a little kid, “They Did It Too” was not acceptable as an excuse.
I used to think Brian was lyin’. Now what rhymes with “Harper”… ?
balbulican
Shrug. He’s a liar and a hypocrite. I’m not screaming it: I’m saying. And ever since I was a little kid, “They Did It Too” was not acceptable as an excuse.
I don’t include you in the people I addressed in my previous post. You’ve always been consistant in your opinion. That’s what I respect about you.
Dang. Well, uhhh….peace on earth. I know what a special time of year this must be for you – birthday of the first and greatest zombie of them all – so have a good one.
Second but greatest. Lazerus would be first. You have a good one too.