11.20.2011 01:00 AM

In today’s Sun: what would Confucius say about Stephen Harper?

Confucius didn’t predict Stephen Harper, but it seems that the great Chinese philosopher certainly anticipated politicians like him.

“The superior man understands what is right,” Confucius observed some 500 years before the birth of Christ, “the inferior man understands what will sell.”

And what “sold,” up until 2009 or so, was the Conservative leader’s undisguised contempt for China and its government.

13 Comments

  1. Chris says:

    And the Liberal Party communication strategy to exploit this flip flop on China and foreign policy shortcomings is?…………..s-i–l-e-n-c-e. Bill Maher has said it best, Liberals are horrible marketers and the fact we can’t come up with a coherent message, simple talking points and stick to them over and over again shows why we are currently in third party status. In times like this I always think to myself what would Harper do – and my response is never remain silent but rather attack, attack, attack yield not even a square inch.

  2. MississaugaLibPeter says:

    I wonder if all the justified praise Alison is receiving will hurt her relationship with egomaniac King Harper?

  3. Brammer says:

    Speaking of His Royal Highness…

    I wonder how this is going to work next time a minister is about to be investigated:

    http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1089656–government-puts-tighter-leash-on-rcmp-public-statements?bn=1

  4. JStanton says:

    What interests me is what the basis of his disdain for China was. Now that he is accountable for his actions, and he needs somehow to fix the economy he spent 5 years undermining in order for his legacy not to be “worst PM Canada ever had”, he has of course become conscious of how facts overshadow his mere opinions. There are only 3 markets in the world for Alberta tar, and China is the only one that is showing any eagerness.

    But why did he hate China? We know it can’t be because of the human rights record of the regime. That they have murdered over 70,000,000 of their own people, and tortured and imprisoned tens of millions more. And that this behavior continues on a daily basis, making Canada now complicit in the largest- scale crimes against humanity.

    Mr. Harper has shown himself to be blase or ignorant about social issues in Canada, so its highly doubtful that issues of conscience with respect to China could have moved him. Perhaps he just doesn’t like the Chinese? He most often makes decisions based on whim rather than facts, so this would be consistent.

    One thing is for sure – because of his puerile behavior, the Chinese regime are going to find a way to humiliate him, and a way to punish Canada for foisting him on them. That’s what despotic regimes do, when they think they have a higher purpose. Come to think of it, that sounds like Mr. Harper…

    .

  5. jon evan says:

    No please, Alison Redford is no conservative.
    Keystone will proceed: it’s a no brainer: there must be jobs and oil for the USA. But China well they need oil and with Gateway it will be possible. But even President Hu is aware (especially as he looks at Libya & Syria) what Confucius also said: ‘An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.’ China will bend in the end as it’s appetite for oil increases and Harper may well have his stick.

  6. allegra fortissima says:

    What did Jean Chretien say about Stephen Harper?

    http://youtu.be/VmcG-9uvEJs

  7. Tiger says:

    Re “As she spoke, it was also evident that Redford isn’t prepared to exchange short-term gains for long-term pain. Confucius might say it’s that kind of approach — and not Harper’s — that wins friends. And jobs. And elections.”

    So, um, how many elections has Redford won?

    And how many has Harper won?

    • Tiger says:

      There’s a chance she keeps enough PC voters onside to win a thumping majority.

      But there’s a chance also that she looks like she’s running without a compass, and people flee to Wild Rose… Seems a lot like her old boss. (The Man From High River, per the CBC.)

  8. steve says:

    Ah if only the left did not control the media. CTV’s QP is the Conservatively themed political discussion in Canada and even they were willing to raise an eyebrow at a draconian provision stuffed into the crime bill. Passing a joint near a school will be an offence with a minimum two year jail term. Considering 50% of University students pass a joint near a school, and this probably rises to 75 if you include ones that don’t take a draw, it would seem a ridiculous law. What is truly odious is the mindset of those who included and defend this measure. They say no problem, its not going to be enforced. How many times can the conservatives say this with a straight face. Oh all those internet laws, they are not going to be enforced. All those drug laws, they only apply to organized crime. I suspect the truth is the pass it measure was included to give the police the ability to sweat offenders to get them to narc out who gave them the pot. IMHO this is a stasi type measure. This is truly a harbinger of a police state.

  9. steve says:

    Federal Liberals are sunk, when Rex Murphy thinks your great, your not.
    http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/11/12/rex-murphy-bob-rae-may-be-the-liberals-saviour/

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