Clearly Tom Mulcair very much is buying what Stephen Harper is selling...
This picture is part of what is wrong with politics. Question Period is just theater for reporters. It is proably the biggest waste in our politics. Days spent planning trying to get the perfect sound bite and defend against. Instead of short direct questions they use it as a stage to go everywhere and te the non question is just given a long answer. Flawed soundbites make the mediaand everyone goes back to prepare for another round.
Such a waste of resources and this picture with Muclairs theatrical laugh in the backgroung of a disinterested Harper sums it up nicely.
This picture is part of what is wrong with politics. Question Period is just theater for reporters. It is proably the biggest waste in our politics. Days spent planning trying to get the perfect sound bite and defend against. Instead of short direct questions they use it as a stage to go everywhere and te the non question is just given a long answer. Flawed soundbites make the mediaand everyone goes back to prepare for another round.
Such a waste of resources and this picture with Muclairs theatrical laugh in the backgroung of a disinterested Harper sums it up nicely.
It is, but at the same time the questions here are interesting because they force Harper on the record. He won't talk to the media, and won't answer anything ever. Mulcair grilling him is interesting because he is at least making distinctions about whether Wright was fired or quit (which Harper wouldn't answer today). It leads you to wonder whether Wrights lawyers had a chat with Harper about some of the comments he was making.
I also think that there is something still hidden here. Duffy hasn't released everything he has yet. What is he bargaining for? Harper and the CPC spent a lot of time bashing Wright, who they previously said was a really ethical and straight shooter. Obviously the missing piece is something they're going to pin entirely on Wright. They just need to impeach his credibility enough before it gets out.
Is it normal to laugh like that when the PM of Canada says something? I mean I think Harper is lying through his teeth, but he is still the PM of Canada and deserves at least the respect of not laughing like a fool when he says something.
Is it normal to laugh like that when the PM of Canada says something? I mean I think Harper is lying through his teeth, but he is still the PM of Canada and deserves at least the respect of not laughing like a fool when he says something.
Some pundits were talking about that on CBC last night actually. It is disrespectful, but I guess when the guy across the aisle is looking "brutal and hapless" as they described him, what does it matter?
The "At Issue" panel was quite interesting. One of them mentioned that he had chosen the defence of being clueless and that is making it harder for him. He wants to say he had no idea about everything that went on around him, and to do that and look like you're in control is really difficult.
It is, but at the same time the questions here are interesting because they force Harper on the record. He won't talk to the media, and won't answer anything ever. Mulcair grilling him is interesting because he is at least making distinctions about whether Wright was fired or quit (which Harper wouldn't answer today). It leads you to wonder whether Wrights lawyers had a chat with Harper about some of the comments he was making.
I also think that there is something still hidden here. Duffy hasn't released everything he has yet. What is he bargaining for? Harper and the CPC spent a lot of time bashing Wright, who they previously said was a really ethical and straight shooter. Obviously the missing piece is something they're going to pin entirely on Wright. They just need to impeach his credibility enough before it gets out.
Except they are asking the wrong questions. Instead of asking short direct questions to get Harper on record they ask there question in the form of a media sound byte so that Muclairs question gets reported which implies guilt. I dont think he cares how Harper answers.
I agree with you tht there is more to this story and it needs to come out. Its just that times like this really show how terribly partisan question period is. I have really like Andrew Coynes thoughts on this scandles.
Is it normal to laugh like that when the PM of Canada says something? I mean I think Harper is lying through his teeth, but he is still the PM of Canada and deserves at least the respect of not laughing like a fool when he says something.
It's the Westminister system, they do that garbage in the UK and Australia too. It's so low rent in my opinion.
It's the Westminister system, they do that garbage in the UK and Australia too. It's so low rent in my opinion.
Yes, its pretty common (sadly). Go to the HOC, Senate, any provincial legislature - I've seen it in Alberta and Nova Scotia etc, from all parties involved.
Is it normal to laugh like that when the PM of Canada says something? I mean I think Harper is lying through his teeth, but he is still the PM of Canada and deserves at least the respect of not laughing like a fool when he says something.
Have you been watching Question Period? Harper's "answers" are at best laughable. He has shown absolutely no respect to those asking him questions (and Canadians in general) with his replies. Respect is earned. Harper is getting all of the respect he has earned.
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Except they are asking the wrong questions. Instead of asking short direct questions to get Harper on record they ask there question in the form of a media sound byte so that Muclairs question gets reported which implies guilt. I dont think he cares how Harper answers.
I agree with you tht there is more to this story and it needs to come out. Its just that times like this really show how terribly partisan question period is. I have really like Andrew Coynes thoughts on this scandles.
They are asking short direct questions (at least Mulcair is). Harper is not answering them.
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Except they are asking the wrong questions. Instead of asking short direct questions to get Harper on record they ask there question in the form of a media sound byte so that Muclairs question gets reported which implies guilt. I dont think he cares how Harper answers.
I agree with you tht there is more to this story and it needs to come out. Its just that times like this really show how terribly partisan question period is. I have really like Andrew Coynes thoughts on this scandles.
In fairness the media should be reporting Muclair's questions, he is the Leader of the Opposition.
I haven't been listening to Question Period, but I would think a short direct question to get Harper on the record and a media sound bite would essentially be one in the same.
I'm not disagreeing that a media bite and a pointent question can be different, nor am I disagreeing that Muclair could be asking better questions; only because I haven't been following.
Can you give examples of what Muclair is asking?
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In fairness the media should be reporting Muclair's questions, he is the Leader of the Opposition.
I haven't been listening to Question Period, but I would think a short direct question to get Harper on the record and a media sound bite would essentially be one in the same.
I'm not disagreeing that a media bite and a pointent question can be different, nor am I disagreeing that Muclair could be asking better questions; only because I haven't been following.
Can you give examples of what Muclair is asking?
Mulcair:"Did Nigel Wright resign or was he dismissed?"
Harper: non-answer
Mulcair:"who from the PMO knew about the cheque?"
Harper: non-answer
Mulcair: "Did Arthur Hamilton know about the cheque?"
Harper: non-answer
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Mulcair:"Did Nigel Wright resign or was he dismissed?"
Harper: non-answer
Mulcair:"who from the PMO knew about the cheque?"
Harper: non-answer
Mulcair: "Did Arthur Hamilton know about the cheque?"
Harper: non-answer
And that's why the work of the opposition is so important. If Harper answers these questions, he knows he will see the answers he gives down the line. The opposition is right to sit and laugh because they know Harper is either lying or just plain avoiding.
I have to say it's a bit ridiculous. Just answer the bloody questions and come clean.
A stage director from Hollywood wants to give the House of Commons a new look and style so it can be more appealing to the public. The NDP party is to wear overalls and carry lunchboxes, and the Liberals and Conservatives are to wear red/blue suits to distinguish them, along with musical accompaniment.
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Is it normal to laugh like that when the PM of Canada says something? I mean I think Harper is lying through his teeth, but he is still the PM of Canada and deserves at least the respect of not laughing like a fool when he says something.
I don't really frequent this thread, but I find this sentiment to be oddly royalist for a democratic country.
Harper is just a guy, and if you think he's making a fool of himself, you're fully within your rights to laugh away. That's what everyone being equal is about.
Besides, laughing is at least more polite than shouting him down and telling him to stop the BS and answer the damned questions because he's wasting everyones time.
Which is what would happen to most normal people.
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When I hear someone saying "But he is the PM and deserves respect" I flash back to all the times I heard the same thing said about GWB. "He is the President and even if you don't agree you need to respect the office". Then Obama was elected and apparently that logic only applied for white, republican Presidents.
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When I hear someone saying "But he is the PM and deserves respect" I flash back to all the times I heard the same thing said about GWB. "He is the President and even if you don't agree you need to respect the office". Then Obama was elected and apparently that logic only applied for white, republican Presidents.
Ummm didn't the whole world make fun of George Bush? He wouldn't have my respect or most of the educated world.
