# Screw you, Stephen Harper! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 7, 2011, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550 "2011-04-07T18:07:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550/21 "2011-04-08T15:08:59Z")
Well, he clearly has in his employ someone who is doing just that, to the names as they ‘preregister’. If you think this was an overzealous underling, I think you’re underestimating this man’s paranoia. I am a Canadian citizen and my access, to seeing the Prime Minister speak, should not be determined by who I vote for, other events I attend, or the bumper sticker on my car. Anyone who feels otherwise is hardly fit to be Prime Minister, in my eyes. It’s stupid and it’s offensive to every Canadian. What if he said, “I borrowed the car!”, would he get to stay or still have to go? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550/22 "2011-04-08T15:25:36Z")
It’s not a public event; it’s a political rally put on by a political party. I’m guessing they even paid for the hall rental. I think they should have some say in who attends. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550/23 "2011-04-08T15:44:59Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > In case you haven’t noticed, there’s been a bit of a global recession of late. The fact that Canada has fared better than just about any other country speaks volumes for the current, and yes, past governments of this country. I’ll give you this one, in that Canada has done quite well, especially when compared to our neighbour to the south (as we always like to compare to). I don’ want to hear about how the Liberals are fiscally incompetent though. > [@Leaffan](#): > > It’s useless to provide our military with new equipment every, oh, 40 years? Of course not, and that’s why I would never say that. Our money for the military could be much better used, however in a myriad of ways, other than incredibly expensive jets of questionable use. > [@Leaffan](#): > > I doubt it was a direct order from the Prime Minister. I’m sure he has more useful things to do than peruse Facebook looking for enemies. Nobody thinks that Harper is poring over Facebook himself. There is little doubt, however, that he has directed his handlers to carefully screen anyone coming near him who might have a negative thing to say. Even media photographers have been detained, just in case they might take an unflattering photo. The RCMP needs to provide security, not control of access. We should just start calling Harper [The Joe Miller of Canada](http://articles.cnn.com/2010-10-18/politics/alaska.miller.reporter_1_security-guard-private-security-cnn?_s=PM:POLITICS) And I’ll say again, his “apology” was pathetic weasily, and completely in character. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550/24 "2011-04-08T15:46:07Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > It’s not a public event; it’s a political rally put on by a political party. I’m guessing they even paid for the hall rental. I think they should have some say in who attends. Legally, yes. But he’s fostering an image of a man who will not tolerate any dissension from anyone. That is not a healthy attitude for any leader. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550/25 "2011-04-08T17:06:29Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > It’s useless to provide our military with new equipment every, oh, 40 years? I think it’s perfectly valuable to question whether Canada needs F-35s. I’m not sure I buy that argument, but it’s not an entirely crazy position to take. That isn’t to say that the Liberal position is a good one, since 1. Their record on this sort of thing is rather spotty, cough cough EH-101 cough. 2. They have not actually provided a coherent national defense plan beyond “We won’t buy the F-35 but we’ll replace the F-18 someday for a price we cannot actually precisely define,” cough cough EH-101 cough cough submarines. If they actually came out and said “Canada doesn’t need new jet fighters in the foreseeable future, period” I’d respect that. 3. The Liberals frigging STARTED Canada into the JSF project! But this belongs in Elections, not here. . [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![Grapefruit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@Grapefruit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grapefruit)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550/26 "2011-04-08T18:18:39Z")
I remember when a little while after I turned 18, I was so giddy at having the privilege of casting my first vote in the federal election. I was under such delusions that MY VOTE COUNTS!!! But after some years, I just sigh at the thought of having to do it again under such a political clusterfuck. Now I understand why people get so apathetic about the whole thing. You have MPs and MP wannabes who instead of saying what they’ll do for their community just attack their opponents. I guess messages don’t get through to the public unless make their statements an answer to “Why shouldn’t we vote for the other guy?” “Why should I vote for you?” just isn’t a good enough question. Despite this bad publicity, and despite being found in contempt of parliament, I suspect Stephen Harper will remain PM. Mostly because he has a political point of “Look how well Canada is doing fiscally compared to other countries. And it was all under my leadership.” The only thing I’m really hoping for is that it’s another minority government. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550/27 "2011-04-08T18:52:42Z")
There’s not much doubt that you’ll get your wish, **Grapefruit.** ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550/28 "2011-04-08T18:57:34Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Yes. An astute politician. You misspelled lying POS of a politician. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550/29 "2011-04-08T19:13:33Z")
> [@detop](#): > > You misspelled lying POS of a politician. You’re being repetitious. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550/30 "2011-04-08T20:27:54Z")
Iggy? Who’s Iggy? You mean Iggy Stardust, from the David Bowie records? Why would the Canadian Prime Minister (or his security team) care about that? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550/31 "2011-04-08T21:03:57Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Iggy? Who’s Iggy? > > You mean Iggy Stardust, from the David Bowie records? Why would the Canadian Prime Minister (or his security team) care about that? No, no no. Harper is clearly terrified of Iggy Pop. ---
**Author:** ![Grapefruit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@Grapefruit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grapefruit)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550/32 "2011-04-08T21:47:16Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > There’s not much doubt that you’ll get your wish, **Grapefruit.** Good good. I was a little worried since the Conservatives were short of majority by something like 12 seats last time. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550/33 "2011-04-08T21:54:04Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > No, no no. > > Harper is clearly terrified of Iggy Pop. Well, who isn’t? ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550/34 "2011-04-09T01:26:01Z")
Myself, I am praying for a rogue movement, perhaps among young Canadian’s, a mere few days before the election, perhaps started on social networking, encouraging Canadian’s to be heard by destroying their ballots, or some other silliness! Anybody with an agenda could steal the election, when you think about it. Like, if you motivated enough university students, you could impact the outcome, because voter turn out, drops to new lows, every time they force us to make another choice between two bad choices. Canadian’s are tired of being forced to the polls, to yet again, face another shitty choice, only to end up with a shitty minority government we started with. Waste of everyone’s time and money. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550/35 "2011-04-09T01:42:31Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > …Canadian’s are tired of being forced to the polls, to yet again,… No. I’m Canadian and I kind of like it. Don’t tell me what I want. ---
**Author:** ![Grapefruit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@Grapefruit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grapefruit)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550/36 "2011-04-09T02:07:43Z")
I’d rather have elections than government shutdown when it comes to arguments about passing bills. I think the Rhino party is still floating around out there somewhere. At least, some new version of it… ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550/37 "2011-04-09T02:29:05Z")
> [@Grapefruit](#): > > I’d rather have elections than government shutdown when it comes to arguments about passing bills.\ Heh - I made a similar comparison to my husband today, too. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550/38 "2011-04-09T18:10:25Z")
I don’t know much about Canadian politics, but that Harper was a bastard came already on the reports and cites that deal with the issue of Global Warming/Climate change. > [@](#): > > Tory senators kill climate bill passed by House > Gloria Galloway > > Last updated Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010 4:46PM EST > > The Conservatives have used their clout in the Senate stacked by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to kill an NDP climate change bill that was passed by a majority of the House of Commons. > > Without any debate in the Red Chamber, Conservative senators caught their Liberal and unelected counterparts off-guard on Tuesday by calling a snap vote on Bill C-311, the Climate Change Accountability Act introduced by Bruce Hyer, a New Democrat who represents Thunder Bay-Superior North in the House. > > It is the first time that the unelected Conservative senators have used their near-majority to kill a bill passed by elected politicians. The absence of more than 15 Liberals from the Senate allowed the bill to be defeated by a margin of 43 to 32. > > “This was one of the most undemocratic acts that we have ever seen in the Parliament of Canada,” NDP Leader Jack Layton said at a press conference Wednesday morning. > > “To take power that doesn’t rightfully belong to them to kill a bill that has been adopted by a majority of the House of Commons representing a majority of Canadians is as wrong as it gets when it comes to democracy in this country.” > > Mr. Harper used his power to destroy an initiative on climate change so that “he could please his friends in the big oil companies” and so he could go to an upcoming international conference on the environment in Mexico without having the bill languishing in the Senate, Mr. Layton added. > > The bill had required the federal government set regulations to establish targets to bring greenhouse gas emissions 25 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, and to set a long-term target to bring emissions 80 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050. > > Mr. Hyer said Wednesday that Conservative senators have told him the Prime Minister’s Office warned them not to talk publicly about the bill or to allow it to be debated. > [@](#): > > Although the Liberals used the majority they enjoyed in the Senate during the first years of the Harper government to suggest changes to a couple pieces of legislation, and one or two bills were delayed, they never killed bills that had been passed by a majority of the Commons. > > Environmentalists chimed in on Wednesday’s news as well. “Stephen Harper has done what he always promised never to do: use unelected officials to counter the will of Parliament and the Canadian public.” Graham Saul, executive director of Climate Action Network Canada, said in a statement. > > The NDP bill “won the support of a majority of Members of Parliament, not once but twice, at a time when the majority of Canadians are demanding stronger action on climate change in Canada,” Mr. Saul said. “Despite this, government Senators voted the bill down before even taking the time to debate or consider it. This both irresponsible and unprecedented.” ---
**Author:** ![El\_Presidente](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c2a13f/32.png) [@El\_Presidente](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Presidente)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2011, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550/39 "2011-04-10T07:17:24Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > You know, I’m no Stephen Harper fan, but I have trouble believing that he has time to comb through facebook pages looking for people to bounce from his rally. > > If you want to get your shirt in a knot about an over zealous campaign worker, be my guest, but I don’t think you can hang this particular incident on Harper. On top of that, the evil Stephen Harper thugs shredded their badges, right in front of them!!! The OP is total bullshit. Elbows, admit you made this up, or at the very least, you weren’t there when this alleged incident happened. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2011, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550/40 "2011-04-10T09:52:32Z")
> [@El\_Presidente](#): > > The OP is total bullshit. If you read the Canadian Election thread linked to above, from posts 280 thru about 298, you’ll find that it is not bullshit. The incident certainly occurred. Now, blaming it on Harper personally is a stretch. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-stephen-harper/577550.md?page=3)