Of course, they already know that.

“Unfortunately, since 9/11, many average Canadians have lost that compassion we were once known for.” – Yup, I have noticed that too. Even those who were once in the middle or a bit to the left have made a marked shift to the right… yes, as a resuult of 9/11 but more because Western gov’ts – Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. in particular – have exploited that tragedy for their owqn partisan gains. I wrote a post about the politics of fear at some point in the past few years… but I’m too lazy to search it out right now.

As for Grit cooperation with the Robot?

You’re right. Iggy doesn’t have much of a choice. No, don’t just roll over – at least cooperate grudgingly. Harper WOULD win a majority on this issue by playing the “us or them” card. And in this environment where the Timmie’s crowd is out muscling the Starbucks group, that is almost a (sad) certainty.

Again – good post.

The Afghanistan detainee/prisoner issue is probably of low priority for most Canadians. If Ignatieff were to campaign on democratic accountability, he would need to show a relationship between democracy and concrete issues such as family economics, personal taxes, health care, and the personal environment.

Another problem right now is that we have several MPs who will be eligible to receive pensions in a couple of months. These MPs do not want an election right now.

Like yourself and others, I thought Milliken’s ruling would have been cause for celebration for most Canadians. It really hasn’t been. Nor has it changed many Canadians’ minds. As I’ve pointed out, many don’t understand parliament and how it’s supposed to work, nor do they care; at least, not in this case.

It doesn’t matter really what you and I think. It matters more what so many Canadians think. The average Canadians you talk to everyday; yes, the “Timmy’s” crowd. Fact is, many swallow that Harpercon kool-aid and are content to do so. Personal experience taught me that there is no use in trying to educate folks like my coworkers and other aquaintances. Many of them have that vigilante mentality.

Canadian Cynic pointed out the relationship between Iggy and Steve (I assume that’s what he meant anyway) can be compared to that of battered women’s syndrome. An unhealthy, but (for the moment, anyway) an unbreakable but toxic relationship.

Steve has already hinted that he is prepared to call an election on the matter.

I already illustrated Steve’s strategies. He is nothing, if not predictable.

If it were anybody else but Iggy and Steve, I would say, yes, go for broke. But, we’re stuck with Steve the totalitarian. Nothing is more terrifying to me than a Harpercon majority.

If this were about say, the continued legalization to accessible abortions for all, I would also say, yes, go for broke there too, even with Iggy and Steve. Most Canadians are either pro-choice, or at the very least, believe that abortion should always remain legalized, even if they themselves are pro-life.

Go for broke on the Canada health Act, most Canadians are concerned about accessible health care, no matter how little money they have.

Even go for broke if the detainees were a more sympathetic bunch Canadians can actually have empathy for. However, war detainees of any stripe, colour or ethnicity are often the worst dregs of humanity (let’s face one fact, the Taliban are scum and no one can white wash them; surely, even the left has to agree with that!), and humans have a natural instinct for vigilante justice. Hence the reason why laws such as those found in the Geneva Conventions are necessary. Most of us know that two wrongs don’t make a right, but, unfortunately, many do believe in that whole “eye for an eye” stuff from the bible.

There are just so many other issues for Iggy to come up with to hammer Steve with.

I guess what I’m saying is, If Iggy doesn’t negotiate and Steve calls an election, don’t be surprised to see a Harpercon majority. And, as mentioned, nothing terrifies me more than a Harpercon majority. I’m surprised it doesn’t frighten many others.

But unfortunately, many Canadians simply don’t care about “thugs who throw acid on girls’ faces”. And they certainly don’t want any stain on their heroes (the troops). Reality is, more Canadians than we like are prejudice against Muslims and particularly so since 9/11.