A twitter trend you perhaps don't want to share

The Conservatives strange fascination with the Second World War and the state of mind of the forebears of the current NDP,  has made for an interesting twitter trend, one that perhaps the Prime Minister may want to give some thought to.

The Prime Minister introduced the theme of Adolph Hitler, the Second World War and the CCF, though conveniently we imagine, forgetting to mention those letters, rather associating the conscientious objection status of the Woodsworth era with today's official opposition.

It made for some rather bizarre theatre in the House of Commons, a place that at times appears to make for a suitable stand in for the worst of community theatre.

The Conservatives it seems have been spending a little too much time viewing the stylings of Republican attack ads from the southern reaches and following up on some themes that even the GOP probably wouldn't dare touch.

At any rate, while we're not sure exactly what the objective of the Conservatives may have been, but by frequently mentioning the name of the Germany's Second World War fascist leader, the Prime Minister now finds himself as  a trending topic on the social media site twitter.

Where in the early going the PM was finding more than a few mentions among the tweets of #hitler and then as the satirists took charge he found fame at #HarperHistory all of which offered up more than a few mentions of the PM and one of the most evil figures of history.

Victoria Times Colonist-- Harper's NDP-Hitler gaffe prompts flood of Twitter wit
CTV News-- Harper's Hitler remark parodied on Twitter
Toronto Star-- History according to Stephen Harper
National Post-- Harper's NDP didn't support war against Hitler' prompts Twitter history lesson
Hamilton Spectator-- Twitter satirists seize on Harper's ham-handed Hitler reference
Globe and Mail-- Why is Harper's team invoking Hitler to debate New Democrats?
Ottawa Citizen-- Prime Minister Harper plays the "Hitler Card"...
Macleans-- Mr. Harper is not pleased
Canada.com -- PM Harper plays Hitler card against NDP, Twitterverse takes aim with #HarperHistory
Canada.com-- Harper Godwinned himself

Now, in the world of political drama, raising the spectre of Hitler probably is not a helpful thing image wise, reinforcing stereotypes that occasionally dog the Conservatives when it comes to democracy and common decency and all of that.

It was a Basil Fawlty moment, that leaves one wondering if perhaps Mr, Harper had not banged his head on the way into the Commons.

So with that possibility as our theme, a word of advice for the Tories and their baiting of the NDP with second world war remembrances, best to take the advice of Basil and just don't mention the war, or the Germans for that matter...

Of High roads and high numbers

Success, good fortune and relatively few mistakes have made for a rather happy spring for the BC NDP's Adrian Dix, the Provincial party leader currently is enjoying rather high polling numbers and seems one year out to be but a Premier in waiting.

Part of his success of course comes from the implosion of the BC Liberal party, who seem to be finding daily opportunities to shoot themselves in the foot and come across as past their expiry date.

The most recent of bizarre moments from a party currently on the down slope of popularity came when Dix himself was attacked in a rather nasty fashion from the far back benches of the Liberals in the always tumultuous British Columbia Legislature.

Liberal Harry Bloy, who granted probably isn't even very popular within his own group, let loose with one of the nastiest personal attacks in recent BC history and this, a province where nasty seems to be as much part of the process as shaking hands and raising funds.

Bloy outlined what he perceived to be the NDP leaders many character faults, a liar, a cheat, perhaps a thief and then for a complete political meltdown Bloy decided to drag Dix's wife through the mud. It was one of the most vicious attacks that the Leg has seen in many a year and one that left even the most anti-socialist Liberal wondering what the hell was going on in Bloy's head.

With the passage of 24 hours Bloy had personally apologized to Dix and his family, throw for the most part under the bus by his fellow Liberals we imagine he will be left to wander the Legislature cafeteria as one of the unwanted lunch mates, think Mean Girls or an equivalent high school drama and you'll probably fully understand the pain Bloy has caused himself.

There is however one train of thought, that Bloy may actually be doing his political compatriots a favour, by deflecting the heat away from Christy Clark at the moment, if so tis a strange way of taking a bullet for the boss.

At any rate, it's all been beneficial to Dix, who clearly has a pretty tough skin or a calculating mind, having not risen to the bizarre offerings of Bloy, nor for that matter to any other Liberal baits in recent months.

His high road, providing him with many accolades as someone who for the moment anyways, has risen above the normal garbage that passes for BC politics.

An election of course is still a year away and judging by the Liberal confusion and concern, we doubt very much of an early trek to the polls, so there is still time for many mistakes to pass from the opposition party and their leader.  Though, you have to admit, just sitting back and watching the Liberals go the full cannibal certainly seems to  be working out well.

For now, and considering the nature of his arrival as leader of the NDP but a year ago (anyone remember Carole James brave soldier that she was holding out against the Bakers dozen) the heat is clearly on the other side of the aisle at the legislature.

And it's a heat that seems to be burning out the Liberals one after the other through the early months of the Christy Clark era, a time compendium which may it seems be very fleeting.

Vancouver Sun-- Dix hopes taking the high road will resonate better with voters
Vancouver Sun-- Adrian Dix sound  more confident than ever
Vancouver Sun--  Dix not making campaign promises as he entertains thoughts of governing
Globe and Mail-- B. C. Liberal MLA apologizes, retracts accusations against Dix
CBC-- B. C. Liberal apologizes following bizarre blast at NDP leader
Vancouver Province-- New Liberal campaign czar has work cut out for him

The ever helpful Professor Iggy

Having stepped back from the day to day turmoil of Liberal leadership, quietly ensconced in his University office dispensing wisdom to the youth of today, one has to wonder if Professor Ignatieff really thought that his thoughts on Independence, whether Scottish or Quebecois might somehow remain below the radar.

Of course, whenever a former Liberal throws out the idea that the prospect of Quebec separation is all but inevitable (though he seems to believe that his thoughts have been misconstrued), well, lets just say somebody offers up more than the Coles Notes on the project.

The Professor shared his concepts on federalism and the end of it with the Scottish BBC, which was putting together a report on the upcoming Scottish vote on devolution of powers.

A movement that Ignatieff believes will spur on other like minded nationalists from Spain to Quebec to go beyond the way stations if you will.





Of course, these are not things that were shared with Canadians on the campaign trail of but a year ago, where never it seems was heard a discouraging word and the Sovereigntists were to be kept at bay all day.

Now seemingly freed of the burden of leadership and the history of the Liberal party as having some kind of attachment to a federation including Quebec, Ignatieff seems more than ready to reveal his true beliefs when it comes to the two solitudes.

Now not mentioned to our understanding in his review to the Scots was the idea that what they seem to be seeking from the Mother Parliament, is already what the Quebecois take for granted as part of the Canadian federation.

Seemingly providing but a taste for further powers and it would appear, according to the Prof eventual independence.

But hey, you can't sound worldly and sage if you point out that the devolution of powers as delivered in Canada at the moment, would probably satisfy even the most ardent of nationalists from Basque and Catalonia regions, to the Scottish Highlands and beyond.

Needless to say, the acknowledgement of our apparent fate has found a warm embrace within the Parti Quebecois and Independistes of the province, who of course used Ignatieff's scholarly review to bolster their platform for the upcoming Quebec election and we imagine for that now, at least according to Professor Ignatieff, eventual day of independence.

And while he was busy backtracking less than a day after his bluster made the news, he was suggesting that perhaps he was misunderstood, misquoted anything but mistaken we guess.

Combine the Ignatieff interview, with Justin Trudeau's recent ruminations given the current governance of the Conservatives and how even he could see how Independence would be an option and it all provides for a nice little ticking time bomb for the Federal Liberals.

A collective currently working their way towards a leadership convention, a new leader and a new definition of what the Liberals stand for and their vision of Canada.

A vision we imagine which will be somewhat different than the most recent leader apparently held.

CBC-- Michael Ignatieff warns Canadian unity at risk
CBC-- Ignatieff's quote on Quebec separation sparks strong reaction
Vancouver Sun-- Michael Ignatieff backtracks on controversial comments on Quebec
Toronto Star-- Ignatieff never has and never will understand Canada: Olive
Toronto Star-- Michael Ignatieff's BBC comments on shaky ground
Toronto Sun--  Ignatieff comments spark backlash
National Post-- Quebec is headed for independence, Michael Ignatieff tells the BBC 
National Post-- Michael Ignatieff hands Quebec separatists an unexpected gift
National Post-- "Irresponsible" Ignatieff attacked over Quebec independence comments
Globe and Mail-- Ignatieff warns on Quebec but stresses his commitment to national unity
Globe and Mail-- Michael Ignatieff was right about Quebec
Globe and Mail-- Quebec separation: Michael Ignatieff responds
Globe and Mail-- Ignatieff insists remarks on Quebec were taken out of context
Ottawa Citizen-- Don't worry, Ignatieff, Quebec isn't leaving
Macleans-- Ignatieff responds to furor over Quebec separatism comments

Bev, meet Bill...

Clearly Bev Oda doesn't watch much television these days, the Conservatives embattled Development Minister, suffering the self inflicted wound of over-indulgence, is feeling the heat over her travel exploits to London.

A magical mystery tour of swanky hotel upgrades, fascinatingly expensive orange juice and limousine service when mere cabs won't suffice.

CBC-- Oda apologizes for swanky hotel stay
Globe and Mail-- Bev Oda apologizes "unreservedly" for pricey London hotel upgrade
Globe and Mail-- Bev Oda repays taxpayers after opting for swanky hotel favoured by royalty
Toronto Star-- Five-star hotel not good enough, Bev Oda opts for posh hotel favoured by royalty
Toronto Star-- International Development Minister Bev Oda apologizes for luxury hotel spending
National Post-- Bev Oda repays taxpayers for $600 a night swanky Savoy hotel stay...
National Post-- Bev Oda has a perfectly rational explanation for living like a pasha...
Canada.com-- Dear Bev Oda: I want my money back
Sun News-- Minister for the poor has rich tastes
Macleans-- Bev Oda overconfidence
Macleans-- A glass of orange juice that shall live in infamy
Vancouver Sun--  Limo bill repaid, but opposition still want's Oda's head
Ottawa Citizen-- Conspicuous consumption

She provided the obligatory apology and reportedly has repaid the beleaguered taxpayers for her days of luxury, but at some time you have to wonder if Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservatives, who seem to subscribe to the theory of do as we say, not as we do, may wish to shuffle up a cabinet position or two.

This is not the first time that Ms. Oda's spending has raised a few eyebrows beyond the accounting offices and maybe, just maybe, this latest faux pas of largess will provide for a time out for Ms. Oda.  Perhaps banishment to the  backbenches, where travel claims never see the light of day, might help to reinforce the theory of parliamentary entitlement.

Until then, for future reference for Ms. Oda and other like minded Parliamentarians, perhaps a solution for the need for luxury combined with cost effectiveness, Bill, it's over to you...

It has a nice beat, but will we dance to it?

"Canada has a new Leader" so say the NDP as they take to the nations airwaves to introduce us all to Thomas Mulcair.

The newly minted leader of Her Majesties Loyal Opposition has been popping up on our television sets and elbowing his way onto YouTube over the last week or so, featuring a hipster kind of vibe in the music and some pretty earnest Canadians eager to share the joy of Mulcair.



Already well known in Quebec, the Mulcair advertising is a little bit different in that province, less of an introduction, as to a reinforcement of his now much reviewed change to the NDP's philosophy.



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Of course, the main message in English, as delivered by Olivia Chow is that Jack Layton's message and vision is in good hands with Thomas Mulcair.

Something that perhaps may not resonate completely outside of the province of Quebec and may provide the NDP with the need to frequently tie their new leader to the legacy of Mr. Layton.

To that theme it will be worth watching to see if Canadians outside of Quebec are on board by the time the next election comes around.

Those Magnificent Tories and their Flying Machines

Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines.
They Go Up, Tiddly, Up, Up.
They Go Down, Tiddly, Down, Down.

Those Magnificent men in their Flying Machines - Ron Goodwin lyrics

What is about the Tories and aviation, as the F35 procurement plan unravels and the opposition smells a bit of blood in the water, the Globe and Mail offers up a historical note for Prime Minister Harper, looking back at the Avro Arrow days and how that damaged the Conservatives for at least a couple of decades.

A timely reminder for the Conservatives who suddenly find themselves in a similar mess that Good Ole Dief found himself in back in the days before twitter and blogs could spread the trouble faster than a fighter jet.

With the Government looking rather out of touch with what it was being sold on, the escalating cost of the replacement plans for the Royal Canadian Air Force is looking to be the first major setback for the Harper Conservatives since they won electoral victory last year.

The F 35 mess had the Opposition in good form this week in the House of Commons, Liberal leader Bob Rae clearly got the line of the week in with his comparison of the Prime Minister as the piano player at a brothel pretending that he was unaware as to what goes on upstairs.

A pretty funny line all in all, though we doubt if as suggested the Prime Minister will resign over the issue, though that doesn't mean that the opposition may not get a sacrificial lamb for after Easter.

The implosion of the procurement strategy is leaving Ottawa observers with the impression that a cabinet shuffle may soon be in the works, something that does seem rather likely.

When the normally Conservative friendly National Post refers to the F35 procurement as a debacle which plays Canadians for fools, well the optics aren't good and someone is going to need a helicopter airlift we think.

While we're not sure how this is all going to play  out in the end, the Royal Canadian Air Force is clearly going to need some kind of replacement plan in place for the ever aging CF 18's.

All we can say to that is, if the British Government calls up with an offer of some "used planes", hang up the phone and make sure you have call block activated...

National Post-- F35 debacle see Canadians nearly played for fools
National Post-- Peeling back the layers of misconduct in the F-35 fiasco
National Post-- Blame Peter McKay for the F-35 mess
National Post-- Tories freeze F-35 funds and open door to alternatives in wake of scathing AG report
Globe and Mail-- Conservatives hit the 'reset button' on plan to buy 65 fighter jets
Globe and Mail-- Rae's verdict on F-35 fiasco: "Harper should resign"
Globe and Mail-- Conservatives scramble to save face over fighter jet plan
Globe and Mail-- Tories boost oversight -but heads won't roll- on F-35 purchase
Globe and Mail-- Tories' economic reputation shot to pieces by fighter jets
Globe and Mail-- Weighing the factors in buying a warplane
Globe and Mail-- Fewer jets, higher costs, nervous buyers
Globe and Mail-- Government's resolve wavers in plan to buy F-35 fighter jets
Globe and Mail-- Crash or burn? The Conservatives' F-35 dilemma
Globe and Mail-- Latest Tory line of F35 jets: 'All options are on the table'
Globe and Mail-- Harper's handling of F-35 file further erodes accountability
Globe and Mail-- 'Overly confident' DND failed to properly assess F-35 costs: auditor
Globe and Mail-- Deep cuts to military mark reversal for Harper
Globe and Mail-- F-35s needed to fight alongside Allies, Mackay says
Toronto Star-- Ghost of the Avro Arrow haunts the F-35
Toronto Star-- Auditor general slams Canada's plan to buy F-35 jets
Toronto Star-- Ottawa to overhaul purchase of F-35 fighter jets in wake of AG report
Toronto Star-- Auditor-General Michael Ferguson prepared to hit high-flying Conservatives
Toronto Star-- Conservative government pledges support for Walter Natynczyk
Toronto Sun-- Time to ground F-35 jet setters
Toronto Sun-- F-35 jet turbulence
Toronto Sun-- Grits want Harper to resign over F-35s
Toronto Sun-- Tories flying blind on F-35 purchase: AG
Toronto Sun-- Opposition hammers Tories over fighter jets
Toronto Sun-- F-35 could survive AG criticism
CBC-- True F-35 cost likely known by cabinet, auditor says
CBC-- MPs battle over F-35 fighter jet costs
CBC-- Tories rush to contain F-35 fallout
CBC-- Should Canada drop the plan to buy F-35 jets and start over?
CBC-- F-35's exorbitant cost clouds its future
CBC-- Harper government accused of rigging F-35 purchase

With Friends like these...

The line up is forming (kind of, sort of and seemingly hesitantly so) to provide the obligatory endorsement of Mitt Romney as the Republican candidate for the 2012 US election.

Though, it would appear that endorsements aren't exactly what they used to be, the Republican faithful that eventually have seen the Romney light have offered up a less than stirring salute to their anticipated leader and perhaps President of the United States.

An eagle eyed Jon Stewart ran the highlight reel on Monday night and if this is the best and the brightest that Romney can count on towards the convention and beyond, he may be in a wee bit of trouble by the time November arrives.

The road to electoral success is PAVED with lots of projects.

Working on the highway laying down the blacktop
Working on the highway all day long I don't stop
Working on the highway blasting through the bedrock
Working on the highway, working on the highway

From Bruce Springsteen's Working on the Highway, Born in the USA 1984

It's an old adage in BC politics, that electoral success comes underneath a load of asphalt and if ever that adage is to be proven true, it would seem that the next year or so may be that time.

British Columbia Premier Christy Clark is set to announce some 700 million dollars in infra structure money geared towards British Columbia's Gateway strategy, creating roads and port development around both Greater Vancouver and Prince Rupert's ports.

Some of that 700 million is of course a bit of recycling,  as a few of  the Prince Rupert initiatives were announced earlier in the year. The Northern Gateway to Asia a common theme for the Liberal government of late, which at times seems to make the port's southern cousins a little bit jealous.

As for the rest of the bounty of provincial money, details won't be shared today on who will be the lucky winners of provincial transportation funding, those announcements are to be staggered over the months to come.

Helpful for whistle stop visits whenever the government needs a little bump in the Good News cycle of the day.

Which considering the Liberals woes of late, could be an announcement a day right up to election day.


Global BC-- B. C. rolls out new $700 million road, rail plan
Global BC-- New funding set to be announced for Asia Pacific Gateway Project
Vancouver Sun-- B. C. rolls out new $700 million road, rail plan

We have a winner, the Undisputed Champion is....

Saturday night's charity boxing match in Ottawa provided headline writers (and twitter fans) across the nation the chance to brush off their prose, with no shortage of snappy lines about the battle between Liberal MP Justin Trudeau and Conservative Senator Patrick Brazeau.

The bout, televised live on the SUN News Network (perhaps gaining its largest audience since inception) also gained much traction in social media with a blow by blow description available on twitter, as the two political opponents wading into pugilistic battle, in aid of the fight for a cure cause.

The preamble to the bout over the last few weeks was kind of an Ali/Frazier light, snappy one liners, lots of boastful promises and the rather worrisome visual of the weigh in last week, in which many of Mr. Trudeau's followers may have feared for his life, such was the the nature of the side by side pictures, which seemed to show Mr. Brazeau as being in slightly better physical fighting form.

Still, it's what you do in the ring, and by all accounts, after the initial flurry of punches by the Blue corner, Mr. Trudeau in his snappy Red Liberal trunks took the fight to the Tory, earning a TKO in the third and final round.

It was a strange little thing to view, both tended to lead with their chins (a fact Mr. Trudeau made comment on post fight), never a great strategy. And while Mr. Trudeau has been boxing for over 20 years and Mr. Brazeau has earned a black belt in karate, neither boxer it would seem stands ready to challenge Manny Pacquaio for the crown.

However, when it comes to fund raising the two were both champs.

Over 230,000 dollars were raised for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation as part of the Rumble of the less than Humble and for Mr. Brazeau the pain will endure for a few more days.

Besides the pounding he took in the ring over the course of the three rounds, he now has to have his legendary locks of hair shorn and for good measure of humiliation must wear a Liberal hockey sweater around the streets and corridors of Bytown for the week.

The video of the bout is popping up across the YouTube universe, the highest reproduction value seemingly from the offering below, offering Canadians from coast to coast to coast to work on their french while watching the bout...




Below some of the reviews of pre fight hope and the bout itself , an er, epic? battle, that perhaps may gain an honourable mention on a Don Cherry video down the line..

Globe and Mail-- Just Watch Him: Trudeau victorious in charity boxing bout with Tory Senator
Globe and Mail-- Brazeau, Trudeau enter the ring tonight
Globe and Mail-- Justin Trudeau or the senator with a black belt: Who will win in the ring?
National Post-- Justin Trudeau scores major upset in Fight for the Cure boxing match...
National Post-- Justin Trudeau probably can't win his boxing match. But politically...
National Post-- The MP vs. the Senator: Which politician will win a sold-out charity boxing match?
National Post-- Political heavyweights Justin Trudeau and Patrick Brazeau throw verbal jabs..
National Post-- Charity boxing match strikes blow for charity
Ottawa Sun-- Trudeau shows grit
Ottawa Sun-- Brazeau ready to lay a beatdown on Trudeau
Ottawa Sun-- Political pugilists settle into pre-fight routine
Ottawa Sun-- A round in the ring with Trudeau, Brazeau
Ottawa Sun-- Not much hope for Trudeau: Boxing Poll
Ottawa Citizen-- Trudeau beats Brazeau in charity boxing match
Ottawa Citizen-- Trudeau comes out of the ring a winner, no matter what