So Harper decides to put together an ‘independant panel’ of ‘non-partisan’ former politicians to debate Canada’s missionary position in Afghanistan. Is the deck stacked or what? Two Liberals and three Conservatives (the NDP just doesn’t exist I guess). Atta boy, Steve, you’re showing us a real poker face now…and what will you do with your full house? Guess you can go running back to Mamma if you don’t agree with the panel or they bypass your recommendations, blame it on not going strictly with caucus , and perhaps pick up John Manley, chair of your panel, as an all new Conservative ‘I didn’t get where I wanted with the Liberals because of Paul Martin”.
Wonder what he’s got up his sleeve…bunnies….i doubt it. Pitbulls? That’s more like it.
Don’t worry Steve, your party will be there for you when the chips are down.
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Excellent breakdown of the ‘players’ by Alison at Creekside
PAYPAL
A fine panel whose majority should find Harper doing the best job possible dag nabbit.
Go team!
Comment by Q — October 13, 2007 @ 3:40 pm
I think this panel is just to make people think there’s some forward momentum on Afghanistan… ie, the gov’t is thinking about the next level (leaving).
In reality, if Harper gets a majority, in 2009 troop levels will be increased, and probably we’ll have an agreement to stay for another few years.
You got it right with the cigar, it’s all smoke and mirrors.
Comment by JJ — October 13, 2007 @ 4:27 pm
Q, yes, by jove, let’s get team sweatshirts and pompoms. jesus h. christ what a fool (alas, i suppose canadians will buy the bullshit)
JJ…i know , personally, i’m dying my hair and having nips, tucks and botox in the hopes i’ll fool the recruiters with my age…of course, it may be conscription by ‘09 )
Comment by harpervalley — October 13, 2007 @ 4:39 pm
Steve laid out what he wanted in his statement announcing the panel. He’ll do what he has done with every other special panel – ignore it if he doesn’t like the findings. He isn’t serious with it anyway, it’s just a ploy to buy more time, a way to prevent Dion from voting down the Throne Speech over withdrawal of the troops. I really hope Dion holds firm and says “enough!”
Comment by 900ft Jesus — October 13, 2007 @ 6:25 pm
jesus…..you got it! i didn’t think of the dion angle but for sure that’s what he thinks is his ‘ace in the hole’. dion get tough? i guess surprises do exist.
Comment by harpervalley — October 13, 2007 @ 6:50 pm
The solution to the problem is simple: send the children of more conservative politicians and religious leaders to war torn countries. Bound to be a huge troop reduction at that point. Same goes for the Iraq travesty in the US, not many offspring of the conservative loud mouths over there. Jenna Bush anyone?
Comment by bcwaterboy — October 14, 2007 @ 5:27 am
tim….hah! ya, it’s what the repugs have always feared and why the draft hasn’t been enacted. at the onset the democrats actually put conscription forward knowing the thugs would vote it down as too many have kids of fighting age. interesting move.
so, now, how old are little ben and rachel? they could join jenna on leave.
Comment by harpervalley — October 14, 2007 @ 9:06 am