Nearly one year after the election that finally saw them capture their much-desired parliamentary majority, Stephen Harper’s Conservative government has become remarkable for being unremarkable.

Apart from killing off the long-gun registry (which was promised), musing about changes to Old Age Security (which wasn’t), and handing out pink slips to some public servants (which should surprise no one), the Harper government hasn’t done much of significance. Until last week, that is.

Last week, one of the trained seals who populate the Conservative backbench summoned the courage to re-open the abortion debate. Stephen Woodworth, the social conservative who represents Kitchener Centre — and who previously achieved distinction for making a joke on Twitter about a drunk who feared he was “crippled” — offered up a private member’s bill that would review when a human being becomes one. At the moment of birth, as Criminal Code declares — or in the womb, as Woodworth believes.

A year after their big election win, it isn’t at all noteworthy that one of Harper’s followers is attempting to re-criminalize abortion. Quite a few of us predicted a Conservative would table a private member’s bill to dilute reproductive rights.

A year later, however, something is indeed noteworthy. Specifically, how Harper and his executive reacted to Woodworth’s motion.

Quite a few of us didn’t see it coming, at all.

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Check this out:

“Mayor Rob Ford says he will work to defeat the Liberal candidate in the crucial provincial byelection in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Ford, a proud supporter of the Progressive Conservatives, threatened last year to unleash “Ford Nation” on Premier Dalton McGuinty if McGuinty did not accept his request for more funding for the city. On his NewsTalk 1010 radio show on Sunday, Ford was far more partisan.

“There is going to be a byelection out in Kitchener-Waterloo, and I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure a certain party does not win so they don’t get a majority government,” he said. “We cannot let the Liberals run this province like they are. (They’re) giving us very little respect.”

I’m torn on this one.  On the one hand, the mere existence of this porcine mouth-breather, and his desire for a far-Right hat trick, led to the Hudak PCs being entirely shut out of Toronto last Fall.  Then, on the other hand, this guy is supposed to be the Mayor for all the people – not just, you know, racist and homophobic white trash.

What say you, O readers of mine?  Helpful or not? I’m leaning towards the former.  You?

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You remember Herb Tarlek, don’t you? Well, Herb lives, to this day, in the Earthly form of Frank Klees, Tea Party North MPP.  He does: they look the same, they dress the same, they think the same. Herb/Frank this morning declared that he intended to keep the bells ringing at the Ontario Legislature, until he gets what he wants in the Ornge mess – said mess having been entirely conceived, directed, and staffed by partisan Conservatives.

Herb/Frank wants more hearings so he can call more witnesses. So, here, once again, is one of Herb/Frank’s “star” witnesses on YouTube, now watched by more than 1,000 folks. It’s perhaps the most amazing bit of footage in Canadian politics so far this year – and it fully explains why the Ontario PCs blew a double-digit lead last Fall, lost the election, and are now losing the likes of Liz Witmer.  Because they’re idiots.

Take it away, Herb/Frank!

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What a load of Deepest Annex bullshit. What a load of crap.

Jan Wong wants sympathy, after turning in a student in China to the authorities, which resulted in the student being disappeared? Jan Wong, who linked a massacre to “racial purity” in Quebec? Jan Wong, who got sued multiple times for crappy journalism? Jan Wong, who bragged about “setting up” a breast cancer survivor? Jan Wong, who gave speeches saying she “didn’t care” what harm she caused? Jan Wong, who was eventually despised and discredited by pretty much everyone?

Jan Wong is scum. She is human garbage. I was delighted to hear that the Globe eventually severed their relationship with her. And I am equally delighted that she continues to drown in her own bile, and her own irrelevance.

As long as I live, I will never forgive Jan Wong for what she did to our family.  May her misery be long and deep.

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Here. H/T BCL, natch.

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…after all the good things that have happened so far in April, it’s inevitable. It’s the Irish Catholic Theory of Balance. I’ll explain it sometime.

Anyhow, that lyric is taken from the Menzingers’ newest, ‘On The Impossible Past,’ and it is an extraordinary record. Easily best LP of the year, so far (after SFH, natch). Stand-out tune of the moment, The Obituaries:

We stumble and stare at the carnival lights that lit up New York City,
From the rooftop in Brooklyn that was covered in bad graffiti:
And there, I let a thousand splinters pierce right through my spoiled liver.
Whatever that was left of it.

‘Cuz I cursed my lonely memory with picture-perfect imagery.
Maybe I’m not dying, I’m just living in decaying cities,
But I’m still healthy, I’m still fine,
I’ll be spending all my time readin’ the obituaries.

But I will fuck this up,
I fucking know it.
I will fuck this up,
I fucking know it.
I will fuck this up,
I fucking know it.
I will fuck this up,
I fucking know it.

‘Cause I was the shadow of the wax wing, slain.
I felt the false azure from windowpanes.
I am just freaking out. Yeah, I’ll be fine.

But I will fuck this up,
I fucking know it.
I will fuck this up,
I fucking know it.
I will fuck this up,
I fucking know it.
I will fuck this up,
I fucking know it.

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We’ve got:

1. One daughter, ranked competitive swimmer
2. One son, GTHL “A” forward
3. One son, GTHL “A” goalie
4. One son, snowboarder, swimmer and lacrosse nut

I’ve decided to quit my job(s) and start driving kids to and from rinks/pools/hills full-time.
Good bye, nice knowing you, etc.

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Not sure why it’s out early, but it is. Linkage here:

Question: What does Kim Campbell have in common with Michael Ignatieff?

It’s a riddle, of sorts. The answer comes at the end. (And don’t cheat by looking!)

For starters, there are the obvious things. Both were leaders of political parties with a proud history — Campbell, the Progressive Conservatives, and Ignatieff the Liberals. Both were regarded as outsiders by the political establishment; thinkers, not hacks. Both weren’t professional politicians — and therefore initially considered their respective parties’ best candidate to recapture, or hold onto, power.

Oh, and both were academics. They were, you know, “intellectuals.”

Now, political parties get desperate, sometimes. When facing annihilation (as the Conservatives were in 1993 under Brian Mulroney), or when experiencing the indignity of being beaten by someone they saw as a lesser being (as the Liberals were in 2006 and 2008, by Stephen Harper), politicos will go looking for something BOLD! Something NEW! Something FRESH!

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I always liked her, have I mentioned that lately?

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