…and other opinions we won’t hear from the Ottawa Parliamentary Press Gallery anytime soon.
Ian Davey is Michael Ignatieff’s principal secretary and he admires Stephen Harper’s steely control over the national media and the Conservative caucus.
More than once, Mr. Davey has dismissed a reporter’s attempt to get behind the scenes of a Liberal decision, noting the Harper Tories do not allow the media that kind of access.
Tearing a page from the Harper playbook is revolutionary for a Liberal. For years the Grits have suffered from very public in-fighting – battles which landed on the front pages of newspapers, aiding and abetting the party’s demise – while not a peep has been heard from the Tory caucus since Mr. Harper became leader.
“It’s worked for Harper,” Mr. Davey said, suggesting that iron discipline over caucus members and keeping the media at arm’s-length are the keys to victory.
…
Stephen Taylor is a scientist, political analyst and a blogger. Taylor writes here regularly and is the founder of bloggingtories.ca. Taylor has contributed to Macleans, CTV, talk radio and has been a featured speaker on new media at numerous events including the Western Standard Cruise and the Forum for Public Policy. In December 2008, Taylor organized Rally for Canada, a series of rallies held coast-to-coast to protest the proposed coalition government.
January 29th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Gee – isn't it funny how acceptable and admirable it all is now that it is a Liberal leader doing it ! Of course Jane has no comments on that story – probably because she knows that she would get lambassed.
January 29th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Uh, excuse me?
Bob and Scott, and John and many others have been <a href=”highly visible.
At some point, you conservatives should try joining the reality based world, the one that is not just a regurgitation of Tory talking points and wishful thinking.
January 29th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
What's next is he going to select members of the press to lob pre-selected questions? Now, that would be scandalous….
January 29th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Here's the thing though. Ignatieff is looking far meaner and mean-spirited lately than Harper. Down right arrogant and nasty if you ask me. Hey, but keep it up. At least Mr. Harper has a good sense of timing and knowing when to fight back smartly, and when to keep quiet.
Actually, it's about time the MSM got its own report card.
January 29th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Hear ye the thunder from the Big Ig, the Canadian Fog, Count Ig, the privileged son of entitlement, seeks only self aggrandisement, personal power and ego satisfaction. We will rue the day when we let this interloper sway our minds. He has done nothing for Canadians in this budget thing, seeking only to position himself and his party (may they rest in peace) for the challenge for power. He signed the coalition agreement with the separatists. His father is rolling over in his grave, wailing in despair at his son's crass politics.
January 29th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Re Ted's comment: “Bob and Scott, and John and many others have been <a href=”highly visible.”
At first, I totally agreed, because I thought Ted had said, “Bob and Scott, and John and many others have been highly RISIBLE.”
Calgary Junkie: “I just don't see Iggy as having earned the kind of loyalty that Harper earned early on as CA, and then CPC leader.” Good point. Iggy was parachuted into the Etobicoke-Lakeshore riding and now has been parachuted into the leadership position. The guy's a poseur. I especially love his furrowed brow, which passes for gravitas and professorial wisdom. Nice try, Count Iggy, but no cigar. On the other hand, PMSH has actual gravitas and is a pretty shrewd political strategist, something that really irks the Liberal patsies in the MSM. Well, tough.
As for Tonda McCharles and other journalists' whining about the CPC and PMSH's reticence to be open with the media: Why would they after the abysmal abuse of the PM and his party by the MSM? 'You kick someone in the solar plexus over and over again and then get sore because they won't shake your hand or invite you home for dinner? What kind of sadists are these folks?
January 29th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Ignatieff is starting to get to the point where a politician is ridiculed.
I wonder how many hours he stands in front of a mirror practicing his “stern looks”.
January 29th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
michael said:
''First of all, Michael Ignatieff is world renowned as a public intellectual. Stephen Harper is has an M.A. but that's hardly public intellectual material.''
Are you fool enough to think that because some dude has 37 letters behind his name, he can run a country?
Less than 15% of Canadians can relate to a guy who likes the smell of cowpoop yet has never had to shovel any.
''Secondly, for Ignatieff to show up on the scene and so quickly move to the top (and replace Harper at the top of popularity polls since) clearly demonstrates his ability as a politician and strategist. He couldn't have done the things you allege unless that much is true.''
Iggy's numbers didn't even come close to the highs Dion got from his 'bounce':
Liberal popularity peaking with Dion: poll
CanWest News Service
December 08, 2006
• 38 per cent of decided voters would cast their ballots for the Liberals, up by seven percentage points since the last Ipsos Reid poll in November;
• 32 per cent would vote for the Conservatives, a drop of five percentage points;
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id...
Dion Liberals jump in poll
Leader's upset win puts party six points ahead of Tories, new survey shows
It shows that if an election were held today, the Liberals led by Mr. Dion would garner 37 per cent of the vote, compared with 31 per cent for the Conservatives.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RT...
New poll out today, first post budget poll for Iggy:
Cons 38
Libs 29
http://www.angusreidstrategies.com/uploads/page...
That's where we were on election day, Liberals worst showing in 100 years.
Iggy has done nothing for you.
January 29th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
The adjective that comes to mind for Iggy is 'BULLY'.
Wouldn't it be nice to start hearing that in the MSM?
January 29th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
wilson, I hope you read the full poll and noted that Harper's credibility has nosedived and pleas read the articles out tonight that has everyone of his old mentors and coworker at the NCC being severely critical of him. His days are now numbered after his major screw up in November.
January 29th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Gee Terri, you don't have to go far to find an article critical of PMSH, and that's been the case since at least 2003 when 'opinion was' Harper was unelectable, even from 'supposed conservatives'.
Did you read the numbers Terri?
Voting intentions, Cons 38, Libs 29
41% say Harper has a clear plan to deal with the economic crisis; 26% say Ignatieff does
In Ontario, the Conservatives hold an eight-point advantage over the Liberals (41% to 33%)
The Conservative leader also edges the Liberal leader on having a strong team (40% to 31%).
After issuing the budget, at least three-in-ten Canadians perceive Harper as a leader they trust to deal with taxes (35%), boost the national economy (34%), get Canada out of a recession (33%) and minimize the federal deficit (31%). Ignatieff cannot clear the 30 per cent mark in any of these issues.
The governing party is holding on to 91 per cent of those who supported it last year, even after the first deficit in more than a decade.
Iggy is not likable. He just isn't. He is not nice, he is not fair and Iggy is not loyal to anyone or any country.
Iggy loves Iggy, and it shows.
January 29th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
I haven't seen polls saying Ignatieff is on top, but I'll take your word for it. That said, he has a total of about 5 minutes of opposition leader experience under his belt. (Pardon my exaggeration.) If he is on top, it has absolutely nothing to do with abilities as a politician and strategist, but rather to do with the honeymoon new prominent politicians get in the polls shortly after they step into the limelight. You can't read the numbers in the paper a week after the new kid strolled into town and expect them to read like tea leaves.
Secondly, you are equating intellectual knowledge with political ability and strategy. Apples and oranges! Even if such a thing DID matter, Ignatieff has a PhD in HISTORY. Of the Social Sciences, History might be the least useful in the political arena. (Somewhere between anthropology and linguistics.) On the flip side, Harper's MA is in economics – something that might come in handy considering the recent market conditions.
I hate getting into tit for tat arguments, but I just had to point out that the 'ridiculous contradictions' are in fact all yours.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Type your comment here.
If, in comparison to Harpo, you consider Iggy to be a control freak, you must live on a planet far from the sun where there is very little light.
January 30th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Geeze, I can't look at the picture of Iggy on this thread too long, I'd have nightmares. He looks like an eagle about to pounce on it's prey.
Gabby I did notice them using the HOC doors as a background. I also recall all the chatter when PM Harper did the same. Alas, that's all changed, Bush is gone, the US has a Democrat in Office , all's right with the Lefty world.
Problem is, Obama has a conservative edge they can't see through the stars in their eyes.
January 30th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Well, it appears the bloom is off the Obama rose, given the news about the protectionist measures threatened in the “Buy America” bill set to wend its way through Congress.
However, I'm sure the blame will be placed on PM Harper, instead of where it belongs, should the Americans pass the bill as is. Already some of the talking heads are saying that Obama cannot possibly veto the bill at this time, given the dire US economic conditions AND the infancy of his presidency. Pres. Obama has already been absolved of any blame, and PM Harper is being measured for another hairshirt.
January 30th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Mr. Ignatieff is not a leader. He is into lofty rhetoric, spin, and public lecturing where he comes across as angry waving his finger impolitely at us! It is hardly the message of hope.
You can't call a budget flawed and then go and support it! He should have led instead either by becoming leader of Jack's coalitiion and presented his own budget or go to an election with a better budget plan if he had one. But he has nothing to offer Canada. He doesn't understand Canada because he thinks with an American mindset. He does not think as a Canadian and he scares me and my children.
January 30th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
I seem to remember Layton using the entrance to the House of Commons as a backdrop a couple of times before Obama was sworn in, and even before the U.S. election happened.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
The Ekos/Globe and Mail poll suggests the Liberal Party is gaining momentum as economic concerns grow, with a majority of Canadians now holding a negative view of Conservative Leader and Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Of the 1,000 respondents, 55 per cent disapproved of Mr. Harper's handling of his responsibilities, while 35 per cent offered their approval.
January 31st, 2009 at 3:15 am
dbo789…..Harper may have a degree in economics but an economist he is not. He has scrwed us royally for many years to come with his populist stupidity.
January 31st, 2009 at 3:27 am
Wlson you can quote that poll, which is speculative based on its timing, but underneath it Harper's reputation has suffered immeasurably and when people in your wn party start talking about his time being over you know he's toast sooner than later.
The governing party is holding onto 91% of its voters you say. That decline of 9% will cost him the next election if it holds. Losing 9% of his voters when we know Lib voters sat on their hands could be the best present ever for IGGY who will sooner than later be PM.
Running a deficit right now is fine but Harper is paying the price for his November fiasco and will continue to pay the price for that. It looks good on him.
January 31st, 2009 at 5:49 am
Michael: “Stephen Harper is [sic] has an M.A. but that's hardly public intellectual material. … for Ignatieff to show up on the scene and so quickly move to the top … clearly demonstrates his ability as a politician and strategist.”
When I read this, I laughed out loud and asked myself, “Where’s Michael BEEN all these years — or is he just very young, inexperienced, and naive?”
GOOD G*D!! First, Michael Ignatieff is neither a politician nor a strategist, just well connected, and second, the LAST thing Canada needs in a prime minister is “a public intellectual.” What IS “a public intellectual” anyway, except a writer or professor who has heavy exposure in the media or is declared to be “a public intellectual” by Wikipedia? So, how is it that The Iggster got all this media attention?
Might it have something to do with the silver spoon in his mouth, or the connections he made at Upper Canada and Trinity Colleges, or his connections through his father's diplomatic, and latterly, academic career, or his exposure to the public via the CBC and the BBC, neither media corporation exactly known for its objectivity? Or all of the above?
Just so you know, Michael, Mr. Ignatieff''s reputation as a “public intellectual” isn't the pinnacle of either high moral or political ground that you've cracked it up to be.
January 31st, 2009 at 7:26 am
I don't see the reason behind the GAG ORDER. It is not to say that the MSM like Taber, Tonda, or who ever may be in the liberal world MSM will speak against the Liberals or say anything to damage the reputation of the liberal party; in fact, the MSM only will speak against the conservatives on a regular basis while protecting the liberals.
If canada had a Democratic MSM like they do in the United States, Canadians may not have to dig into the net for up to date news. because, if one side MSM(dem or rep) decides to hide from the public; the other MSM(dem or rep) will reveal the whole story which makes things much easier.
In the meantime, Canadians who want to know the truth of a story have no choice but to go to the NET and BLOGS.
January 31st, 2009 at 9:49 am
Bec. you are so right. My mute button also gets a lot of overtime. In particular if that twit Ruby Dahla comes
on. Can she ever say something that is grown in her own backyard.?
January 31st, 2009 at 9:58 am
Michael your are out to lunch. Being intellectual does not mean being a good politician.
Mr. Iggy stayed 30 years in the USA (I guess Canada was not good enough). Now he wants to be
MP. Parachuted one at that. No Convention, No election. Yea, right.
January 31st, 2009 at 10:00 am
Michael ,jealousy will get you nowhere
January 31st, 2009 at 10:10 am
Gabby, When Obama Mania started I said: they will rue the day. Well ,they are already on the way.
Our left danced in the street when Obama was elected. I wonder if they continue to dance if this bill goes through.
January 31st, 2009 at 10:31 am
Iggy does like to use finger pointing for added drama, it's the professor on him. He may not be quite as forceful with the fingers a Lizzy May , who I thought was going to poke the PM's eyes out in the bogus/pseudo Debate, but he's every bit as arrogant.
January 31st, 2009 at 10:35 am
And, Gabby, I'm in total agreement about Don Newman's BROAAAAAADCAST: He needs far fewer convoluted questions, he needs to give the Conservatives far more air time and the Liberal and NDP's windbags far less, and he needs to try and make his clear Liberal bias far less obvious.
Are these requests for fairness and balance too much to ask the publicly funded CBC and their political commentators?
January 31st, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Well, you know who will be fingered if the bill does go through.
Canadians are free to react the way they like towards Pres. Obama. I just wish they knew what they like about the guy – i.e. maybe have a vague idea of the policies he wants to implement. That done, they can worship the ground he walks on if they like.
January 31st, 2009 at 4:00 pm
And you think that all economists magically agree on how the economy works and what should be done to stimulate it? There are as many views in economics as there are in politics – perhaps more.
Furthermore I'm confused about how you feel he 'screwed us'? Are you naive enough to think that a the world economic recession, which has affected every country from the USA to China, was caused by ideals that our PM believes in?
Furthermore, what qualifications do you have to question whether Harper should be called an economist?
January 31st, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Au contraire my leftist friend, my second minor is history. Why? Because I enjoy it. However, It would be a cold day in hell if I ever thought that such area of expertise would assist me if I ever ran the country. While I am not dismissing the subject's usefulness in areas of academic life, there are few advantages that history would directly provide that would come in useful while campaigning for office or verbally battling across the green carpet.
However, the entire argument is moot, for as I mentioned before, intellectual knowledge has very little to no bearing on political ability. Perhaps no better example can be found than in Stephane Dion. He has a doctorate in sociology, and I think it can be easily accepted by both the left and right that he is perhaps the worst politician in Canadian history. (Aside from possibly Kim Campbell.)
While I disagree with him on almost everything that comes out of his mouth, I am not saying Ignatieff is a bad politician. All I am saying is not to form any preconceptions just because he has a couple letters after his name.
January 31st, 2009 at 4:30 pm
And the Liberals were perfectly content and happy during the Paul Martin minority days? As for emasculation, it is funny you use that term, especially considering Mr. Ignatieff's predecessor. I've seen larger cahones on Anne McLellan.
ZING! One point for the blue team!
Ok, all jokes aside, your comment is childish, not constructive, and obviously intended only to evoke the type of response I just gave you. I do sincerely hope you enjoyed yourself.
January 31st, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Second minor…isn't that like saying you wandered into a history class by accident one day, thought it was interesting, and decided to stick around for a while?
We're not talking about an expert in the enlightenment in the principality of Lichtenstein during the late 16th century. We're talking about world renowned expert on human rights and international relations – present and historical.
February 1st, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Gaby. You are so right. I wonder how the press is going to portray this. In the past it was Bush
You think they now switch to link Harper with Obama? It would be realy far fetched.
But with our so ” unbiased ” Press you never know.
February 1st, 2009 at 12:15 pm
batb. I have banned the CBC from my house for the last 20 years. The CBC is on outhouse of misinformation
and distortion. I wished we could cut out they money they receive from the taxpayer.
February 1st, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Cale, You know Prof. Iggy is running into a problem with all the MP's from Newfoundland & Lab.
I beginn to wonder how long he is going to tolerate this. Of course Premier Williams is shooting off his mouth again. You think Iggy may pay special attention to him. Or are the Lib's doing what they did in the past abstain from voting. Only time will tell.
February 1st, 2009 at 12:33 pm
DB0789
If the Ilberals were'nt so desperate after Dion and the last election, I don't think Iggy would stand
much of a chance. Frankly to watch his arrogance and condescention on TV makes me want to
vomit.
As far as History is concerned, I have to disagree with you. History is so close to politics that you often cannot tell where one starts and another ends. We historians( I am one of them) say:
no event in history stands ever alone. There was always something else before ,that leads up to it.
I think the same thing can be said of politics.
February 1st, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Omanatur: I gave up watching the CBC evening news for Lent one year, well over 20 years ago, and it was the best thing I ever did. 'Slept like a baby. But Lent lasts only 40 days — and nights.
I find that I need to check in on the CEEB from time to time. After all, they're using MY money to fund their lib-left crapola. I guess I feel that if I don't know what they're doing, I can hardly comment with any authority, so I tune in on a regular basis. I'm always disappointed and quite often enraged, but I'm then able to speak truth into lies whenever I can — and to point out to whomever I'm talking that the CBC is often full of cr*p. I give them chapter and verse of the CEEB's take on things and then use the opportunity to correct the inaccuracies. I'm hoping to get the other person thinking about Canada's “national” broadcaster and questioning their integrity.
When it comes to fight or flight regarding the CBC, I usually go into fight mode.
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:13 am
Just because half of the Tory caucus is gunning for Harpers position doesnt mean hes less controlling all of a sudden, it just means hes an ineffective control freak.
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:23 am
I personally do not believe this is Harper's fault, or that it can be controlled in Canada. But the questions I must always ask are these:
1. Have the actions of the Harper government affected us at all?
2. If not, why not?
3. If so, how?
4. And at the end, is life in Canada better or worse for their decisions?
5. Or, could someone else have done better?
And when I look at things like the GST cut which did virtually nothing to stimulate the economy, but which cost the government $13 billion – the same amount as the pre-stimulus deficit in fact – and all this after blowing a rather large buffer, I see a government that spent unwisely when times were half-decent, and therefore had no money to respond with better stimulus sooner when things really went south.
I also see a government that introduced no stimulus when every other major country when every other major country is doing so (the November F.U.) and a P.M. that shut Parliament down for a holiday to save his own skin.
Now you may or may not agree with the idea of stimulus, but as you say “There are as many views in economics as there are in politics – perhaps more. ”
But (a) when the majority of nations are led by politicians who, (b) relying on the majority of credible economists, said (c) stimulus was needed many, many months ago…and (d) Canada's Conservatives decided not to deliver…
…I see a government that certainly hasn't (a) made life any better, (b) may have in fact made it worse, (c) definitely responded later than everyone else, and (d) abandoned it's principles in the process – to a much larger tune than it might have had to, had it responded more wisely sooner.
Not a good track record for an “economist” Prime Minister.
What do you see?
February 2nd, 2009 at 4:17 pm
To start with, I do applaud your ability to realize that Harper is not the cause of all the world's problems. It is a rather unique quality to find in a leftist Canadian. However, that is the only part of your post I can agree with.
There was no bail out in November because it would have been premature. While Canada is now feeling the effects of the recession more, at the time we were better off (and still are) then our American friends. Not to mention, had Harper launched a bailout program at that point, it would have been without the input from the provinces, without substantial input from Canadian business and community leaders, and without knowing exactly how bad it was going to get. Simply throwing random amounts of money at a problem is completely ineffective if you don't know where to aim.
Secondly, I am not getting into another 'confidence of the house' argument, but I have to comment on the prorogation. Shutting Parliament down was needed because it was non functional. Period. There was no way that anything was going to be passed by Duceppe, Layton and their puppet Dion, even if the mini-budget had outflanked the NDP to the left. (If that's possible.) There weren't acting on what they felt was right for Canadians, they were conspiring solely in a power grab. Even if they Conservatives had been ousted and the coalition took over, it would have taken them just as long as it has to put together a bailout plan. Just recently there was a comment by good ole' Taliban Jack about how he would vote against the Conservative budget without even seeing it. If he has that attitude now, imagine what he was like when there was a chance he would get a cabinet seat. (http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Liberals+fear...)
Lastly, judging the Conservatives' performance in the recession right now is like trying to write a book review after you've read only the first chapter. Everyone likes to think they know what is going to happen and how it is going to work, but the honest truth is that no one can read the future. Making judgements now, before the budget is even PASSED, is not just pointless, it is immature and partisan. At least wait until the clouds clear, so you have some numbers to back up your arguments.
February 2nd, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Watched Prof. Ig at the “Power Play ” How amazing. When PMSH anounced that he would cut Equalisation PAYMENTS to the Provinces across the board, because they were growing at an alarming rate,the Prof did not have a word to say.
Now that Williams is throwing himself on the floor and drumming his heels, Iggy's spinn is, its only New Foundland and Lab. and is threatening to bring the house down. He is the best spinn doctor I have ever seen. I almost wish he would bring the house down and we could have an election.
If Tom Clark keeps his word, some of the screamers we saw under Richards will not be allowed on the program.
We will wait and see. As far as Oliver is concerned someone should tell him to retire. He is a very good spinner
too. Obviously he likes the Liberals now. For any one to suggest, that Harper did not try to reform the Senate is
insane. What was the PM to do ,wait until the Liberals had the chance and stacked the Senate some more. There was also the possibility that we would have new Senators that were members of the Block, whose aim is the destruction of Canada. Of Course Mr. Oliver would not talk about that.
destruction of Canada.
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:39 pm
I agree with your sentiments on history; disagree with your take on Ignatieff.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:54 pm
It is funny how, the Dippers and the Bloc not but two short years ago constantly bashed the Republican goverrnment of George Bush, and rediculed the CPC and Prime Minister Harper at every turn. Now under Obama we have to bend over backwards to accomodate him; yet, the Democrats when in power have always been more protectionist than the Republicans. When Canada had a Conservative government the relationship between the US and Canada was always at its peak.
Under the Trudeau, Chretien and Martin eras all that we heard from them was insults. Remember Carolyn Parish stomping on a Bush doll, and Chretiens assistant calling Bush a moron.
February 3rd, 2009 at 4:43 pm
You seem to fall into the same trap as all the people who thinks Harper should
have acted differently. As a Canadian, I could see no other alternative. Besides
If we had ended up with a Coalition we would have been much worse off. None of the other jokers would have been better for Canada, in fact I believe infinitely worse. Besides things started to happen very fast. I still don't believe that Canada needed such a huge stimulus. We were pushed and panicked into this.
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Well, Gabby you are wrong in my chase I was very very busy on the hastings instead.
I want to throw something at all the bloggers. Its an Idea which originated in the history of my life, post war Germany. You Economist better read up on the German Wirtschafts wunder. Remember. They devalued the Reichsmark ten to one and printed new money. Within 6 month the economy was booming Investor pured in, rebuilding like you have never seen and the economy kept booming for another 20 years. I am asking myself if such a measure would save the USA. As it is right now their debts are so enormous that the next 6 unborn generations will be in debt. I remember when I came to Canada – I belief it was Diefenbacker who froze our $ at 75 cents and it stayed that way for several years. If the US devalued their money, they would be able to manufacture cheaper and be more competitive on the world market. Of course a lot of people would loose their saving at 10 to one as well.
But how many are hurting now? I am not so convinced that the stimulus package will work. What do you think?
February 4th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Gabby in QC: Thanks for that. I'm not familiar with Sun Tzu, but his words are wise ones. Isn't one of the first rules of combat, that you have to study, understand, and know what your enemy is about? Surely, that's the only way to successfully plot your strategies.
Unfortunately, it seems that most Canadians want only peace (of mind) where there is no peace, and that's why life's become such a mess.
February 7th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Iggy is not likable. He just isn't. He is not nice, he is not fair and Iggy is not loyal to anyone or any country.
You wish.
He's the MP in our riding, and I've had the chance to meet him a couple times at some charity functions. I've also read some of his writing.
If you're really students of Sun Tzu, then open your eyes. Ignatieff is formidable. He also happens to be a personable guy. This is very early days; sit back and watch him for a few months.
Also, what's with this “Iggy”? is this Grade 2? I haven't seen anyone refer to the Prime Minister as “Harpy” or “Harpo”.
February 12th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
You may like the Prof. Iggy. Some people liked the Empress Katharina of Russia too. I cannot help see
in the Prof. only the Russian Aristrocrat. We are treated like the dumb peasants and are supposed to scrape and bow. After eo years his comes back to ” save the country” This man's condescention gets on my nerve.
His contempt for Canada for 30 years is the most telling story.
February 13th, 2009 at 3:35 am
You may like the Prof. Iggy. Some people liked the Empress Katharina of Russia too. I cannot help see
in the Prof. only the Russian Aristrocrat. We are treated like the dumb peasants and are supposed to scrape and bow. After eo years his comes back to ” save the country” This man's condescention gets on my nerve.
His contempt for Canada for 30 years is the most telling story.