[RickW]

But how about this scenario.......Harper, being as cunning as he is, initially objects to May presence at debates, knowing it will generate much outrage -- an not uncoincidentally, interest in the party. He lets it stew for a couple of days, then "bows" to the popular will. The reson for all this? More people will vote Green, thus splittiing the vote of his "opposition", and giving him his majority.

It would be the only conceivable way for him to achieve such.

Sorry to mention the "majority" expletive, Dr. Caleb...........

[Rural]

Rick, I think you give him and his spin machine more credit than he deserves. It is the online community that in my view turned this around. We know that a large majority of Canadians wanted her included but it was the volume of outrage expressed across the blogging community, then picked up by the MSM that turned things around (IMHO).
I does give me fresh hope for the power of the people, it demonstrates that things can still change if enough folks get mad enough to speak out. Now if we can get enough of them mad about the other attacks upon our democratic processes we may have something going!

[RickW]

Rural Rural:

I does give me fresh hope for the power of the people, it demonstrates that things can still change if enough folks get mad enough to speak out. Now if we can get enough of them mad about the other attacks upon our democratic processes we may have something going!

You're right, of course. That's why "they" want to control the internet, and also why the Canadian military has better riot control equipment than it does the stuff needed to fight our 'enemies' (according to an old report from CBC's As It Happens).

The politicos are afraid of the people............

[Dr Caleb]

RickW RickW:

The politicos are afraid of the people............

As they should be. The people need to be reminded that we get the government we deserve. 50% absenteeism at the ballot box proves this.

I'm with Rural. He caved, because he didn't know the concequence of his actions. That Layton and Duceppe decided they wouldn't show if Harper didn't, shows their leadership skills as well. Baaaa Baaaaaa. Sheep, both of them.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ ... tics/home#

[RickW]

So we can't vote Harper, Layton, DuCeppe, and the Liberals have had enough time to screw up the country, so I guess I have to give Green a try. I mean, what harm can Elizabeth do that hasn't been done.

Look (for instance) at the "one-industry" country we've become. Out dollar is going down the toilet, all because we've pegged our entire society on oil, which we refuse to treat as a strategic resource. And so the pundits are predicting oil to go to less than $100 -- and because it seems to be the ONLY thing propping up the loonie, we're gonna end up with a 75 cent dollar (again).

Thank you Liberals, and Thank you Conservatives!

[Rural]

Thats the way I am going, but then the Greens have a very good chance of getting a seat here in Grey Bruce based upon past election results. We need fresh blood in the house. Talking of blood check out Garth Turners blog post
http://www.garth.ca/weblog/2008/09/11/party-of-fear-2/
if this is an example of days to come this election is going to get VERY ugly.

[RickW]

Your right. It will get nasty towards the end. The leaders debate (I find) will amountt nothing, because they are scheduled to coincide with the Yankee ones (so the netoworks don't lose precious revenues from shows), the only one that will shine will be Elizabeth May, because she will be the only force drawing people to the Canuck debates, and away from the Yankee spectacle.

Consequently, the only way the other "leaders" will have to attract people will be to trash everyone and everything. Ms. May will also find herself in the hot seat as polls show her numbers rising in the next few weeks -- no matter how Harper insists on ignoring her.

I's dearly love to get my donation to NDP back, so I could redirect it to Green......

[Dr Caleb]

RickW RickW:

I's dearly love to get my donation to NDP back, so I could redirect it to Green......

After seeing Jack pointing out the window of his Mulroney/Scriber Airbus A300 at the oils sands saying it's the biggest polluter in Canada - (He's flying. . . in a jet, remember) I have large doubts they will get my vote. I don't normally vote based on party, or party leader, but I can't ignore that leadership.

At least Ms. May is taking the train or the bus whenever she can on the campaign trail.

[RickW]

All the parties are evidently doing carbon offsets to cover their election travels (except the Conservatives)............

[SphinxMontreal]

"Sphinx:
Perhaps with May back in, the calibre of the debate will improve...........I am anticipating Harper spluttering and getting all twisted in his knickers..."

Rick, you know the drill with this character Harper. He will avoid all issues by spouting off on his phony idealisms about how the Government and the people can work together to make Canada a better country, how everything is wonderful and rosey, blah, blah, blah. You know, all the crap and distractions played up by the scumbuckets in the mainstream media.

Besides, don't except the spineless softball pitchers in the media to challenge Harper on any of the important issues confronting Canada. I'm sure the participants already have secured a copy of the shallow questions which will be asked and are busy with batting practice.

I think the Canadian debates coincide with the US debates so fewer people can notice what kind of snakeoil salesman Harper is. If the media and the politicians really cared about delivering the issues to Canadians, they would have never agreed to resorting to this kind of underhanded trickery. The theory is keep people in the dark, because if they ever wake up and see the light, watch out! The only purpose of a TV debate is to market deadbeat politicians, who would otherwise be unelectable.

[RickW]

SphinxMontreal SphinxMontreal:

you know the drill with this character Harper. He will avoid all issues by spouting off on his phony idealisms about how the Government and the people can work together to make Canada a better country, how everything is wonderful and rosey, blah, blah, blah. You know, all the crap and distractions played up by the scumbuckets in the mainstream media.

Much the same I imagine, as the words Hitler used when he was "on the stump".......