Youth-anize the vote!

I don't know if this will really surprise anyone, but it's just another instance of the unprecedented hostility Harper's Conservatives hold towards anyone with opposing views. It's the kind of openly hostile environment that leads to rogue supporters committing despicable acts.

It's especially prevalent because of how much media attention the youth vote has been getting in this election. It's becoming common knowledge that the more apathy the Conservatives can stir up the better it is for their fortunes in this election. Hopefully these students getting the boot will add fuel to the growing fire of interested youth rising up against the dis-respect this Conservative government has become notorious for.

Keon Responds to Vandals

It's nice to see that so many people across the nation were as disgusted as I was by the vandalism of Ryan Keon's campaign signs in Nepean-Carleton. Apparently there's been an out-pouring of support from people of all different political stripes, from just about every corner of the country.

As awful as it is that someone would stoop to this kind of targeted assault on a campaign, and as a result the institution of democracy, it's at least encouraging to see that Ryan is undeterred and fighting on.

Despicable

What is happening in Canada? This looks like some U.S. fanatical stuff, right here in South Ottawa.

It's honestly disturbing.

Keys to running a campaign

Exams and papers on the go so no time to really comment on it other than:

Hilarious, thank you Scott Feschuk for summing up Harper's campaign thus far. Let's hope this is the track the Conservatives stay on for the rest of the campaign.

Holy Back-pedalling Batman!

Less than 24 hours after publicly challenging Michael Ignatieff to a 1 on 1 debate, Harper is wussing out. Ignatieff originally responded to the challenge with:

"Any Time, Any Place."

Now first, it seemed that it wouldn't happen because the boring old media didn't like the idea of a face-off between the major parties while leaving out the NDP, but then good 'ol Don Newman stepped up to the plate and offered to moderate.

So now you have a challenge laid and accepted, and one of the most respected journalists in Canada offering to referee, looks like there's gonna be fireworks... right?!

WRONG! Harper backed down!!! He's now decided there's a whole whackload of conditions that need to be met, and that a 1 on 1 is actually not such a good idea for him.

Think of how huge that debate would have been, it easily could have been a major turning point in the election, particularly because Harper wouldn't be able to mis-inform the electorate for an entire 90 minutes (A possible record for the PM)!

You don't lay down a challenge and then back out, doesn't matter if it's 19th century duelling or 21st century professional MMA. It's just something you don't do!

I knew Harper was sleazy and dis-honest, but I at least figured he was a shrewd enough strategist. As a hockey fan at the least Harper should know, if you drop the gloves and challenge another player, you better not skate away as soon as he takes off his mitts.

Eroding Democracy

Yes I'm aware that it's nearly 24 hours old and has pretty much made the rounds, but for anyone who hasn't read it yet, the linked article is worth the read:

Canada Watches Its Democracy Erode.

Contempt = Impeachment

I'm not sure if the severity of this whole contempt thing is resonating with Canadians, but it should. For starters, Harper dismissed the non-confidence vote over contempt as (and I paraphrase) "just a vote in parliament". Can someone please tell me what should be more important to our Prime Minister, who's job it is to lead parliament, than a vote in parliament?? Arguably the most crucial aspect of a Prime Ministers job description is to try to retain the confidence of the House of Commons, and respect parliament by being honest (at the very least).

This Contempt ruling (and resulting vote of non-confidence) is basically the Canadian equivalent of impeachment. Legally, Parliament even has the power to imprison anyone convicted of contempt of parliament. It is not a joke. This was not "just another vote" Steve, you have orchestrated what was possibly the biggest slap in the face that democracy in Canada has ever seen.