A Fair and Balanced Look....

I just finished reading Al Franken's book: Lies & the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair & Balanced Look at the Right. As I mentioned elsewhere, the problem with reading a book written by a satirist and a comedian is that you aren't always sure when the author is being serious and when he's having some fun. That and the fact that the book is definitely about the minutia of American political discourse (or what passes for discourse down there...).

However, there were many good lines and it was especially fun to try and apply them to Canada's current political situation. So, some tidbits:

1. Post-9/11 the balance between civil rights and national security became a wee bit more tenuous. Examples were given of the kinds of actions being contemplated or carried out in the name of national security. Those still advocating civil rights were called out by the US attorney general (Ashcroft) who said: "To those who scare peace-loving people with phantoms of lost liberty, my message is this: Your tactics only aid terrorists - for they erode our national unity and diminish our resolve. They give ammunition to America's enemies."

In Canada, Canadians who were asking for information about what happened to Afghan detainees a few years ago were accused of "standing with the Terrorists" and, more recently, privacy advocates have been accused of "standing with the pornographers".

2. The book did spend almost all of its words describing what the author feels were lies...egregious lies...made by members of the American Right. At the end of the last chapter, the author muses about whether the liars believe what they are saying or not. Although not certain about the answer to that question, the author does feel that the best action is to call such people on their dishonesty and eventually, their dishonesty will lose its effectiveness. Then, he says, "...[they] will have to resort to Plan B: name calling. Which, I think, will expose them for what they are. Stupid bastards."

No, the author doesn't hold back much. In Canada, of course, we've experienced, over the past few years, the spectacle of ordinary Canadians who don't agree with the government being called terrorists, child pornographers, Hitler, radical extremists, environmental extremists.... You get the picture.

So when our Dear Leader says that in four years you won't recognize Canada, and you wonder what he might be talking about, maybe have a read of this book to see what our future might be.

For those of you who still see the service of your country as a higher calling, there was one quote just for you:

"Politics is not about power. Politics is not about money. Politics is not about winning for the sake of winning. Politics is about the improvement of people's lives. It's about advancing the cause of peace and justice in our country and in our world. Politics is about doing well for people."

'Nuff said.

Vic Toews goes phishing

I guess I must have had stereotypes on my mind because I was surprised to read this article from a Calgary newspaper.

Vic Toews goes phishing

Smart Meters - Another Viewpoint

Snoop & Spy Bill - Two Days On

The Harper Conservatives' Bill C-30 has certainly stirred up a hornet's nest, to an extent that even our Dear Leader probably didn't expect. Certainly not from a nation of peaceable, normally-gullible folk. But even some Conservative backbenchers are stepping out of line.

Quite frankly, this bill introduces the thin edge of the wedge. It's good to see that so many Canadians aren't prepared to take this bending over.

Since the "official opposition" parties aren't doing much to oppose (maybe out of fear of being called hypocrites), it's good to see that the National Broadcaster is laying out some of the facts for the Comrades. Now you do realize this is exactly why the Harper Conservatives so hate the CBC and want to demolish it.

Please - read on:

Online surveillance bill opens door for Big Brother - Politics - CBC News

With the Government or With the Pornographers ... Really?

Dear Mr Toews:

I wish to express my deep concern with statements attributed to you recently over criticism of your so-called "Lawful Access" bill. I object to the invasion of privacy of law-abiding Canadians. As one of those Canadians, I take very strong objection to being called a supporter of child pornography just because I also value the privacy of Canadians and have concerns about allowing police the right to spy on the country's citizens.

It is also my understanding that this proposed bill has very little in it to do directly with child pornography. It seems widely agreed that accessing IP and e-mail addresses, phone numbers and the like has not had much to do with apprehending the people responsible for such crimes. Isn't this really just a smoke screen to allow spying on Canadians?

Frankly, your comments sound more like something we would expect from totalitarian regimes like Iran or China. They do not have any place in a democracy like Canada.

I view your comments as borderline libelous and unworthy of a Minister of the Crown and I believe that decent, law-abiding Canadians deserve an apology from you.

Sincerely,

More on the American Political Sideshow

An interesting read on the political situation south of the 49th.

Why Obama Will Win « Right Off A Cliff

Little Green Lies?

There's long been a disconnect between anything the Harper Government says about the environment and what it's prepared to do. Actions speak louder than words. This article spells out some of the specifics.

http://www.desmogblog.com/little-green-lies-prime-minister-harper-and-canada-s-environment

The worst government for the environment? You decide.