As we head into a fall federal election - Canadians are probably facing the most important election ever. The very structure and design of our confederation and democracy is at risk.
The past couple of days have sent red flags flying everywhere.
Stephen Harper is a cunning and manipulative zealot of extreme ideology not suited to Canada. He is also a liar.
What we know as fact:
Harper is not a good judge of character - he has appointed crooks, cons, liars, and extremists,
Harper has inserted Canada in global war games not usual for our country,
Harper is consumed with oil economics and the corporate culture attached to it,
Harper is a liar,
Harper does not believe in our constitution,
Harper has damaged our economic health as a nation,
Harper does not hold First Minister's Conferences,
Harper does not believe in free press,
Harper continually abuses taxpayer dollars by mixing government policy with party promotion,
Harper is a fan of controlled populations,
Harper is an enemy of science and as such puts our country at risk.
This is a short list and does not include one point that I will address now.
Yesterday during the Pan Am Games - Harper and PR cronies did something that can only be seen as disgraceful.
Harper - as we know - likes photo-ops but does not like scrums. His manipulation of the national press is legendary and has been for the most part been successful. There are exceptions as some journalists fight back. This thankfully is picking up as the election looms.
I have watched some of the games - online - and have enjoyed the medal ceremonies where Canadian athletes accept the adoration and accolades of their fellow citizens.
During these ceremonies two people are assigned to do the presentations. One is from the Pan Am association and the other would be local politicians or first nations representatives. One of the two would present the medal and the other present a stuffed mascot.
Arguably the most watched event at any summer games (Olympics, Commonwealth, Pan Am, Nationals and Worlds) is the men's 100 metre sprint. This interest usually translates into mass media coverage and hype.
Canada's Andre De Grasse was the victor in last night's final and also became a casualty of the Harper PR machine.
Instead of the two person presentation team - this event had three. The normal reps and then there was the third wheel. Bal Gosal Minister of State for Sport who was introduced and then presented the mascot to De Grasse only.
It cheapened and politicized the event and attempted to upstage the amazing performance of De Grasse who may well end up being our greatest male sprinter.
It was a typical Harperization - do not miss capitalizing on the success of anybody. Do not miss a prime time photo-op. The only surprising element of this typical Harper PR was that Gosal was not wearing a Conservative Party of Canada shirt or that the gold medal did not have the CPC logo imprinted on it.
It was odd - uncomfortable - clumsy - and manipulative. It was Harper.
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