Harper's Stategy - The Media not Canadians are stupid

I give Harper and his strategists credit. They have a new twist on politicking in Canada.

Most politicians that are underhanded, deceitful, and/or unlawful usually rely on the population being stupid. For instance in Newfoundland and Labrador - Kathy Dunderdale and the Willderdale administration believe that our people will simply follow her and them blindly into a disastrous development deal on the Lower Churchill.

Harper on the other hand - intelligent - but a liar, decided that Canadians generally speaking are somewhat intelligent and would therefore utilize the media and competent journalists to get a fair and balanced package of information. On that basis - Harper and the Reform Party strategists - set about whipping the national media - and selling his propaganda to them. I believe that a significant portion of the Harper strategy relies on the predictability of the media in delivering his message.

When Harper won his first minority - he started right in on "paralysing" the media by picking and choosing journalists that would be allowed to ask a question let alone the ones he would answer. The Press Gallery uttered their displeasure quietly and then quickly conformed. That same attitude was evident again on Friday when he refused to answer questions after his government had been thrown out of office by the Parliament of Canada. Thrown out under historic conditions as a result of being found in contempt of Parliament. In some societies that shame would be unbearable and with some molecule of remaining integrity they would remove themselves from office while apologizing profusely.

Harper decided some months ago that the issue for the upcoming and planned election would be the evil "coalition". The man who clearly lies with ease and without regret - carries on with his pitch that this election is about a "coalition" who rejected his government's budget initiatives. Like clapping seals or herding sheep the media almost to a one (there were some exceptions) carried his message to the people of Canada - despite his refusal to answer media questions. The fact that Harper would not take questions demonstrates that he does not believe in democratic principles and is paramount to a witness giving testimony without the other side having the right to cross-examine. Harper acts and behaves like a wannabe dictator - stuck in a country that will not give him unfettered access to that title. That is why Canadians fear a majority under this Reform Party ultra-right wing Conservative leader.

The media of our country might want to step back - remember how Harper treated them - and smarten up. A Harper majority would also change the landscape for the "freedom of the press" concept.

Once again - ironically - Duceppe is doing more to preserve Canadian democracy than any Conservative on the campaign trail.