And so, three years later, the farce that is Canadian progressive politics continues apace. Liberals and New Democrats persist in fighting amongst themselves, while Stephen Harper’s regime giddily reaps the benefits. Even with the blossoming Robocon scandal, Harper retains the loyalty of the 30-plus percent who classify themselves as hardcore conservatives.

Progressives, meanwhile, remain powerless — despite the fact 60% of the electorate favour them. The sad saga continued last week. Speaking to a group of students in Victoria, Liberal MP Justin Trudeau said this: “… If by 2015, with the election approaching, and neither party has gotten its act together enough to shine and to be the obvious alternative, then there will be a lot of pressure for us to start looking at that.

“I think there is not anyone in Parliament, outside the Conservative Party of Canada, that is willing to risk seeing Stephen Harper become prime minister one more time.”

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Gary Mason’s (typically) thoughtful column, here, reminded me of a cautionary tale about another BC Liberal, here.

Abrupt changes in your ideology and your identity – your authenticity – can be as disastrous as, say, plaid shirts.

In this business – and in BC, in particular – authenticity isn’t just something.

It’s everything.

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Since the election fraud story broke, I’ve heard from a lot of Conservatives – a lot – who have been appalled by what they’ve seen and heard. “This isn’t how we wanted to win,” more than one has said.

Ian Brodie’s another one, seems. Good on him.

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As many of you are aware, Your Humble Narrator is a dutiful and pious Irish Catholic. As such, during this time of Lenten observance, I have – as in previous years – dispensed with the demon liquor.

And, as all of you as who have cast your eye over a calendar today would know, tomorrow is the sacred and historically significant feast of St. Patrick’s. Whilst I am permitted a wee drink or two on Sundays during Lent, this is not necessarily so on Saturdays during Lent. Consequently, I’m seeking special dispensation from the many of my readers who happen to be priests – and/or those of you who possess the faculties to concoct a suitably plausible case for arguing that St. Patrick’s Day is excluded from noble Lenten sacrifices such as mine.

I eagerly await your submissions, and wish your vote to be in the ballot box an hour before the Devil (ie., Stephen Harper) knows you have voted.

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As my staff and my children will tell you, I was in awe of that man. He was, and is, a god-like genius. I adored in him, in the way that fathers adore their children, but times two.

It’s been a couple days, and I am still pissed off. It’s better that you do not speak to me today. Thank you.

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“An investigation by CBC News has turned up voters all over Canada who say the reason they got robocalls sending them to fictitious polling stations was that they’d revealed they would not vote Conservative.

Although the Conservative Party has denied any involvement in the calls, these new details suggest that the misleading calls relied on data gathered by, and carefully guarded by, the Conservative Party.

Chief Electoral Officer Marc Mayrand announced Thursday that he now has “over 700 Canadians from across the country” who allege “specific circumstances” of fraudulent or improper calls. CBC News examined 31 ridings where such calls have been reported and found a pattern: those receiving those calls also had previous calls from the Conservative Party to find out which way they would vote.”

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It means that Ontario Liberals need to work even harder, and earn the privilege of governing every single day.

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In which we discuss Justin Trudeau’s latest, Vikileaks, Pat Martin’s apologies, and the Press Gallery.
Also, I show Krista this cool new device called a “Blackberry.”

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I’m at Sun News, and the gang just played this clip for me. Trudeau was speaking to a group of students in Victoria, got asked The Question, and here’s what he said:

“…if by 2015, with the election approaching, and neither party has got of our act together enough to shine and to be the obvious alternative, then [pause], there will be a lot of pressure for us to start looking at that. I think there is not anyone in Parliament, outside the Conservative Party of Canada, that is willing to risk seeing Stephen Harper become Prime Minister one more time.”

Did he misspeak? Will he walk this one back? Has he changed his view, having seen how popular Nathan Cullen’s become saying the same thing?

Beats me. But he said it. And I’m surprised.

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Five million. That’s how many visitors we’ve had to this puny web site – not “blog,” dammit! – since it was revamped in 2008. My elflords tell me that is 1,500 days, which is 3,333 visitors a day, which is the square root of no one gives a rat’s ass.

When it got started, back in 2000 or so, it had the production values of a Fourteenth Century woodcut, and the word “blog,” blessedly, had yet to enter the vernacular. Since then, I’ve resisted doing what a lot of others have done, like putting up a “donate” button, or cramming it full of advertising.  I’ve also reversed myself on a couple of things, the most significant of which is comments.  At the start, I didn’t allow ’em, because (a) I get sued for my own stupidity quite enough, thank you very much, and I don’t need to get sued for your stupidity, too and (b) moderation software sucked back then.  Now that I can moderate quick ‘n’ easy – in church! in the bath! on the campaign trail! – I am proud to be able to provide a home to the woodland creature named Gordus Tulkus.

Why do people read the damn thing?  Beats me.  Mostly, I think, because it’s free.  People like free stuff, as the newspaper industry has been discovering the hard way, and my modest Internet portal is without cost.  It’s not profound or intelligent, mind you, but it’s free.

What sayeth you, O Five Million?  Why in the name of all that is holy and unholy do you bother to come here?  Why, why, why?

Fill my inbox, as it were, with your love.  Tell me why you like it so very much.  I’ve had a Man Cold™ for days and I’ve been perfectly miserable.  Make me feel better.

You, too, Gord.  The way my elflords figure, you account for about 92 per cent of that five million.

 

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