I’m about to give a speech to 200 pumped-up Alberta Liberals, so I don’t have time to opine about this issue at length. But let’s just say that Susan Delacourt’s take on Stephen Harper and the Almighty is the same as mine.

I go to church more than Stephen Harper does. If you are only an occasional church-goer, you are also a lot more diligent about your faith than the Conservative Prime Minister.

Confused? Don’t be. I’m not suggesting that Marci McDonald’s thesis – that the Canadian Christian Right is getting a lot cockier, and a lot more aggressive, in its efforts to smash down the wall between Church and State – is wrong. If anything, she’s understating things.

What I am saying is this: the abortion-related machinations of the Harper PMO – or the top guy, at least – is all about politics, not faith. It’s about throwing a bone to a well-funded, well-organized conservative lobby. That may be good strategy, but – as Susan suggests – it isn’t very honest.

It’s the most despicable kind of cynicism, in fact.

Comments (25)

…and they’re good ones, too, as Calgree Grit writes.

Heading up to Edmonton, this aft, to meet up with Alberta Libs. It’s gonna be a great convention!

Comments (8)

 It’s fascinating, the people you meet on the streets of my hometown. I don’t know this fellow, but he was quite interesting.

Comments (15)

How can Stephen Harper now demonize coalition – after what has happened in Britain, and after his own party was the direct result of one?

Discuss. Will approve your comments when the plane lands!

Comments (39)

Comments (9)

I am giving a speech – or about to – for a friend who is retiring.

Send comments about the Habs game so I can announce the score!

UPDATE: Wooot, as my son would say.

Dominic Moore (L) celebrates his first period goal in front of the Pittsburgh Penguins bench with teammate P.K. Subban

Comments (22)

…read this:

Fasken Martineau, a leading international business law and litigation firm, made the following statement concerning comments made today before a House of Common’s Committee.

In November 2006, Mr. Nazim Gillani of International Strategic Investments approached Fasken Martineau through one its partners, Alfred Apps, in connection with legal advice/services for International Strategic Investments. Mr. Apps met with Mr. Gillani, received documents from Mr. Gillani and accepted a retainer cheque from Mr. Gillani.

Mr. Apps previously had no knowledge of, or acquaintance with, Mr. Gillani. Very shortly thereafter, Fasken Martineau declined to act on behalf of International Strategic Investments. Mr. Apps so advised Mr. Gillani and returned the retainer to Mr. Gillani. Fasken Martineau has had no professional dealings with Mr. Gillani or International Strategic Investments in the intervening period.

Comments (16)

Obama delivers a brilliant rejoinder to the far-right drug addict.

In my experience, the universe can be neatly divided into sane people who love Obama, and red-necked, mouth-breathing nutjobs who think the scumbag racist drug addict is the Messiah.

I stand with the sane people, personally.  Anyone else?

Comments (14)

This makes me sad. I used to work with a Charles Lewis at the Ottawa Citizen. He was a wonderful, thoughtful guy. There was no bigger supporter than him for the work I was doing exposing the religious right and the far right.  No one.

That’s why I’m sad to read tripe like the linked column – the hackneyed, clichéd, anti-CBC and anti-secularism/pro-Harper and pro-religious right claptrap that the Post churns out, endlessly, while completely indifferent to the effect it has on its circulation and/or credibility.  When I wrote for them, they – the great free-speechers! – refused to let me print a goddamned word that was positive about the CBC, the Star or related subjects.  When they also refused to let me say what I wanted to say about protecting human rights, I quit.  Now, I only read them online, and sporadically at best.

Anyway.  The Charles Lewis I knew isn’t the Charles Lewis I see in the Post this morning.  He’s left the building, and I sure miss him.

Comments (12)

Here is where I’ll be this weekend – in Calgary, then Edmonton.

“Always controversial”?  Me?  I think I’m not terribly interesting, myself.

Bios of the other speakers, here. If you’re in Edmonton this weekend, c’mon by.  I have a few things to get off my chest about Liberalism, generally, and the Liberal Party of Canada, specifically.

Comments (10)