… We’ve been told that conservatives are better money managers…

So. Um. Why is $3 billion or so, um, missing?

Money managers?

Methinks Harper is over his head. (9)

Trashy,
Ottawa, Ontario

Yes, folks, Stevo is sure to tie one on tonight in celebration of the 54th year since his construction in a robotics factory somewhere in Southern Ontario.

So, in honour of the head CPC henchman, I have composed a haiku…

Bonne Fête, oh angry man
Count your days as Emperor
You’re toast in two years (6)

Trashy,
Ottawa, Ontario

I am guilty of committing sociology. There. I said it.

I will give myself up quietly to the proper authorities.

I have also committed “analysis” in the past, so there will be more charges. And I won’t even start on my associations with known psychologists, statisticians, mathematicians and political scientists.

And this being fully aware of the consequences that being convicted of committing mathematics can bring…

In my defense, however, these are mostly home-grown felons and not from abroad.

Maybe I should cop a plea and name names… hmmm…

…

What gets me is this is an “oops” that is very uncharacteristic of our normally scripted-to-the-max PM. (52)

Trashy,
Ottawa, Ontario

… I KNOW that the only poll that matters is the one held on E Day, but for Libs like me, this is encouraging:

The latest Nanos tracking numbers reveal that national support for the Liberal Party is at 35.4%, just ahead of the Conservatives at 31.3%. Liberal support has been slowly increasing since the last federal election, but has not seen similar numbers since 2009. Ballot support for the NDP is currently at 23.6%, while the Bloc and the Greens have 4.8% and 4.2%, respectively.

And it must be a little worrying for those 25 year old staffers at the PMO… watch for the ReformCon attack machine to rev it up a notch against JT.

Any bets that this little dance will somehow be twisted into a negative ad?

“Justin Trudeau. Dancing with hot wife while thinking of ways to waste your tax dollars.”

Well, I prefer that to Mr. Roboto:

“Have a good day young Mr. Harper.” (56)

Trashy,
Ottawa, Ontario

Shurely, the respondents to the poll must have interpreted this as a rhetorical question!

I mean, who even comes close???

And forget about “since 1968″. How about “ever”???

The biggest change observed since 2011 is in the second question. One-in-four Canadians (26%, +7) think Harper has been Canada’s Worst Prime Minister since 1968. Mulroney is a distant second with 17 per cent, followed by Trudeau (11%) and Chrétien (9%).

Harper is judged to be the worst recent head of government by more than a third of Atlantic Canadians (40%) and Quebecers (36%), as well as 26 per cent of British Columbians. Trudeau fares poorly in Alberta (21%), and Mulroney has a negative showing in Atlantic Canada, British Columbia and Ontario.

“Is Harper the worst PM ever” falls in the same category as the following rhetorical questions:

• What’s another word for Thesaurus?
• Why do they call them apartments when they are all stuck together?
• Why are there flotation devices under plane seats, instead of parachutes?
• Why do hot dogs come ten to a package and hot dog buns only eight?
• Why do they put Braille dots on the keypad of the drive-up ATM?
• Why do flammable and inflammable mean the same thing?
• Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?
• If you see a heat wave, should you wave back?
• Why do fat chance and slim chance mean the same thing?
• Why is brassiere singular and panties plural?

(96)

Trashy,
Ottawa, Ontario

…banner being flown over southeast Ottawa yesterday! It went by the school playground where I was picking up my kids.

I, of course, seized upon the occasion to give a quick lesson in politics and civil disobedience to my young ‘uns and some of their friends who were curious to know what the banner was all about.

Hee hee…

(104)

Trashy,
Ottawa, Ontario

… but I am finding it increasingly difficult to avoid that word when thinking Harper’s ReformCons.

Hey, I knew and we all knew that Stevie positively DESPISES the Public Service, but not even the most bitter among us could have imagined the levels to which he would stoop. But you have to remember that he has this misguided idea in his head that the PS is rife with Liberals and Socialists – and this is his revenge.

He is THAT petty. And it is certainly not the behaviour that we should see in a leader. Not even the leader of a Scout troop, never mind a country!

The pettiness is also a function of his largely so-con caucus, most of whom are either from the redneck West or the bumpkin demographic of rural Canada. And they want red meat to feed to their sheep-like supporters.

The big question I have is: what do they think they can cut? The PS has been gutted over the past six years and there really isn’t anywhere else to slash and burn. I know this to be true.

In the meantime, they carry on with their almost comical celebrations of a 200 year war between two foreign nations.

And look! Gazebo Tony is in charge!

Sigh.

(502)

Trashy,
Ottawa, Ontario

Harper? The Robot?

A statesman?

He most certainly can NOT be called a statesman. That title is reserved for someone who demonstrates aplomb on the international stage and at home. No, he has been quite the contrary… An embarrassment abroad and a liar and deceiver domestically.

However, it seems to be a rinky-dink group led by religious fanatics that is giving him this “honour”, so I guess one shouldn’t really read too much into it.

But still, Harper? A statesman? Gimme a break. (215)

Trashy,
Ottawa, Ontario

… Harperites!

It’s not “The Canadian Government” anymore or “Canada’s Government”.

It’s The Harper Government! And here’s the proof:

h/t to James Curran for finding this. (269)

Trashy,
Ottawa, Ontario

… by renaming the Ottawa River Parkway the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway.

Whoop-dee-doo.

Seriously, is this really worth the trouble? Are there not already enough buildings and structures named after Sir John A in Ottawa?

We have an airport, a bridge, the new reception centre on Wellington Street and a building at U of O. And just down the road we have the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway (the 401)… oh, and take a look at your $10 bill.

I’m sure there are some I am missing.

However, in the spirit of honouring politicians – especially conservative ones – I am willing to suggest some more Ottawa landmarks that John Baird and the gang may want to consider rebranding.

• The Rideau Canal… too bland and doesn’t translate well… “rideau” literally means “curtain”. How messed up is that??? Why not name it in honour of that beloved but little-known Conservative PM, Sir John Abbott? Think of the crosse-marketing opportunities with the Abbot and Costello franchise. And doesn’t “let’s go for a skate on the Abbott” have a great ring to it?
• Colonel By Drive is sooooo 19th century! Why not rename it Levant Lane in honour of that truly great author and telejournalist of the same name? Guaranteed “win” in terms of increased TV exposure! All of Levant dozens of viewers will surely flock to Ottawa to gaze at the glory of this wonderful street along the Abbott Canal.
• Centre Block? East and West Block? Seriously? What happened to the creative machine the day that THESE were named? Pushing into the Abbott Canal, I suspect. In the future, I propose that these majestic buildings on the Hill be named to honour the great heroes of Canada’s emergence from the great recession – the oilsand companies! Dutch Shell Block, China National Petroleum Corp Block, and Exxon Mobil Block – MUCH better!

I’m sure that if we all put our heads together, we can come up with many more new names to replace the old and tired (and sometimes Liberal) names of several more of ByTown’s structures.

Hmmm… ByTown…

(211)

Trashy,
Ottawa, Ontario