Murphy: Crocodile tears for the ‘dignity’ of Parliament
Stephen Harper’s recent interview with Peter Mansbridge has spiked the prorogation debate, a lot of its fury hinging on the disrespect for the “dignity of Parliament” that the abrupt prorogation apparently conveys.
But the debate is not as unclouded as dedicated opponents of Mr. Harper would like. The Liberals, in particular, on neither the matter of setting parliamentary timetables according to partisan whim, nor on the wider matter of Parliament’s dignity, hardly enter the lists untainted.
I can easily recall when Jean Chretien, for example, laughably called an election — ended an entire Parliament, not just a single session of it — because Stockwell Day, then barely a couple of days out of his wet suit and into the job of opposition leader, allegedly “dared” Mr. Chretien to do it. The prime minister occasioned, by every account, a totally unnecessary election, just because it was tactically convenient.
Liberals, in power, have danced on the conventions of Parliament and called for “madder music and stronger wine” while doing so. Convenience, tactical advantage or just plain “gotcha,” as with the Stockwell Day example, not respect for the “dignity of Parliament,” have been their cues when doing so.
Similarly, on the matter of the current prorogation offering the Conservatives a tactical shield against further revelations into the Afghan detainee issue, the Liberals enter the outrage corral unarmed, once again because of their own example.
[More]
Popularity: 6% [?]
Male, retired and the rest is of little interest to anyone. The site keeps me busy and if it helps others to stay abreast of daily events then my time is well spent.
Cunctator Says:
“An early, or precedent, hypocrisy doesn’t make a current one more palatable.”
Murphy is entirely correct and Harper knows this already — or at least used to know it before Lord Acton was, yet again, proven correct about the nature of power.
Posted on January 9th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
MaryT Says:
What is the difference between shutting down forever, before completion, an inquiry re treatment of a Somalia boy, resulting in death, and ending a session of Parliament, to supposedly prevent info re some guy that got hit by a shoe. (following Liberal conditions for treatment of terrorists)
Oh, and Chretain dissolved a whole unit of the military over this inquiry.
Posted on January 9th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Jean Says:
Hypocrisy free politics, not taking advantage of any spin justified or not, is a thing for a political ” Saint ” ! ( An unelectable ” Political Saint ” ! Well it might work for an actual Saint like Gandhi ??? )
I guess to me it’s a matter of degree between totally shameless partisanship and not being so naive that one expects to win power or hold on to power by never playing any games or using the rules to one’s advantage. Winning isn’t everything for those more interested in the issues than in power but without power one can’t do very much about those issues of principal one cares about.
So in the chess game of politics does one start a game without some of the pieces out of disdain for the messiness of their moves i.e. I don’t like the Knights crooked moves so I will play without them and let the other guy use all the pieces …. LOL. ( Legal to the game pieces i.e. using them isn’t cheating ).
There are limits to not cross if one does value ethics: Outright lying should be avoided but spinning to one’s advantage is O.K. even if one’s arguments are not completely fair to the opposition as long as they are not lies: We shouldn’t be chocked when the other parties do it and not expect the Conservatives to always play nice !
I guess political assassination by faking information ( wafergate maybe ??? ) or extreme like burning down the Reichstag ( Sorry just a mention of something Nazi, JOKING ) or smaller stuff like ADSCAM are over the line and in human history some truly dirty politics is easy to find.
So it’s the old questions ” Of the goal justifying the means “: What goals versus what means and when do the means cross over into betraying the goals !
Posted on January 9th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Jack Says:
Completely O/T but are visitors aware they can play chess online for free?
Jean’s comment caught me and I just had a look. Chess players here may be interested.
Posted on January 9th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
MaryT Says:
If one googles Chretein Proroguing parliament one will find a story titled
Crocodile tears — Seems like Rex has used google for his headline.
OT, but global warming has hit here. Ice is melting, (icicles) and and so is the snow.
It is 40 above F. We call it a chinook.
Posted on January 9th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Pat Says:
“A larger politician would not have done so. A politician with a deeper regard for Parliament ”
I call bull$#!t on that one. It makes complete and justifiable sense to shut down the disgusting mess called Question Period to refresh the Conservative Governments plan of action, to prepare for the Budget and in my opinion it does not hurt one bit to not have the NDP Trained Defense Critics attacking the Canadian Troops and the Canadian Government during the Olympics.
To the cries of “they’re not attacking the troops”, tell it to someone that will belive you. It’s a lie and the people that advocate for it are liars, not misspeaking, liars.
Posted on January 9th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Jack Says:
I’ve been thinking long and hard about this constant harping by our media on prorogation and I don’t buy it. Here’s why — if roles were reversed and either Trudeau or Chretien were still in power they would bury these fools in an instant.
Not by proroging parliament. Rather, by calling a federal election.
Harper is different.
He’s trying to play the game, respect parliament but use the tools available to him as PM and he’s doing it well because he doesn’t want to destroy the official opposition and the jobs they count on (they would all be fired immediately if he was truly brutal).
He is a gentleman no matter what the media says about him and I note it took Canada 50 years or more to get into this situation and it will take at least ten to get us out of the mess “progressives” have left us in.
Frankly, I like “Crouton’s approach” much better but we work with what we have.
Harper doesn’t respect parliament?
Give me a break.
Posted on January 9th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Lee Says:
I have yet to hear anyone explain how this has caused any harm to the Canadian public.
Last week, Charles Adler was asking everyone that question, and never got an answer.
Well, i should say he got answers, but none that had anything to do with the question.
Posted on January 9th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
Undecided Voter Says:
If the left handnt brought the subject up, I dont think many Canadians would have even notice.
Posted on January 9th, 2010 at 5:49 pm
jema54 Says:
I agree with Pat @4;03. Our troops have been attacked by the bottom feeders of the nation; the troops are the thin line of brave soldiers who allow us (and the bottom feeders) to live and eat and sleep without fear of death around every corner.
I have nothing but heaps of praise for our Prime Minister who has admiration and respect for our troops – and always considers them in the top drawer. Thank-you PMSH.
Posted on January 9th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
Pat Says:
Good point Jack!! The Liberals, knowing they had the wind at their backs would have called an election as soon as they were sure of their position. Hadn’t thought of it like that and surely hope that PMSH knows the blood sport that he’s engaged in…..and somehow I think that he’s a bit of a sleeper in the scrap department.
Posted on January 9th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Mac Says:
The manufactured outrage over the latest prorogue will disappear soon. Count on it.
Posted on January 9th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
marryanne Says:
There would be no difference, what party is in power, the results will be the same. Read up on the NAU. Read up on the New World Order. Canadian and US citizens, are, having the same type chaos. Neither country ’s citizens, have a voice. Both country’s, have lost their, Constitions, freedom and liberties. Democracy, doesn’t exist. The, NAU, seems to fit the events.
Posted on January 18th, 2010 at 1:42 pm