I hope the opposition parties remember that campaign slogan I suggested recently: it's the stupid, stupid.
In recent weeks we've seen Gary Lunn write an ill-advised letter to the president of the CNSC which has taken an issue that was sinking into obscurity and put it front and center all over again. Now the public knows much more about Lunn's inappropriate behaviour, the opposition has called for his resignation and the parliamentary committee hearings began today. And since Lunn is cowering somewhere out of sight, we're being treated to the sight of nuclear physicist and renowned seismologist Jason Kenney defending the government by chanting the same phrases to whoever will listen.
Meanwhile Helena Guergis, in an attempt to score some cheap, partisan points on the leader and deputy leader of the official opposition while they were in Afghanistan, revealed their itinerary. That kind of thing is generally considered a no-no, don't you know. When you're at war it's considered bad form to reveal the movements of the folks on your side when they're in enemy territory. Even if they're not members of your political party.
Links for the above are available on request but I haven't bothered for now because so much has already been written I'm thinking most of the people who cruise through here will already know the high points. But here's a link. It seems that Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier decided to do his best impression of Stephen Harper dealing with the media yesterday. He was answering questions at a press conference in the West Bank and decided that a question on one of the most delicate issues in Middle Eastern politics was a good time to look like a complete idiot.
The confusion on the potentially explosive issue of Israeli settlements arose Sunday when Bernier was twice asked during a West Bank news conference whether Ottawa – which officially opposes new settlement activity by Israel – makes a distinction between housing construction in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem.Both times, the Canadian minister pointedly ignored the question. The second time it was asked, he abruptly ended the news conference and left the room.
Did our foreign affairs minister — and the people who "handle" him — seriously make a big deal about a trip to the Middle East to meet world leaders and not anticipate that this question might come up?
Given the title of this post, it won't be complete until I say it: don't bother, they're here. We're being governed by morons.
Hat-tip to the Jurist.
Mornin', pogge. Harper fired Keen. At 10 p.m. last night. Class act, eh?
See the G&M, canada.com, and Dave at the Beavers.