[Promoted from a comment by Eric Finley to the last post. I'm taking his preamble to mean he has no problem with this. I'm still mulling this over myself but certainly this would demonstrate that opposition to Stephen Harper and to the events of the last week isn't just some fleeting, momentary frustration. And it would demonstrate that objection to today's decision is based on both serious concern for our democracy and for the urgency of the occasion. So, for your consideration, consider this to be a guest post. -p]
Keep meeting.
To the coalition: Keep meeting.
Parliament has been prorogued. So you're not meeting in an official capacity. But nonetheless meet as if you were not prorogued.
Find a site. Pay for it yourselves, and be explicit about that. You're citizens meeting to speak. But in so doing, keep up the business of Parliament. Debate. Draft bills. Hold (unofficial) committee meetings. Vote... on memoranda of understanding.
Show the country, its citizens, and its investors that while you do not argue with the legality of the delay, you see no need to go on vacation in this crucial economic time. Assume (without even explicitly saying it) that in January when Parliament reconvenes, Harper will fall, the coalition will form government, and the memoranda of understanding and drafted bills will be dealt with, bang-bang-bang, because you have already hashed this out.
Invite the Conservatives to join you. If you get some momentum, you might get no few disgruntled members willing to bet that Harper's fury will not control their lives.
Let the Conservatives take an extended vactation. Shrink the proposed vacation period instead, to mark the severity of the economic need.
Make it plain that you do not dispute Her Excellency's right to consent to her nominal first minister's request to prorogue, and that you respect her for making a difficult decision in uncharted waters. Open each session with a consistent, well-crafted adaptation of protocol which is sufficiently distinct that it does not trespass upon Parliament's formal privileges... but that nonetheless shows clearly that you do this out of the uttermost respect for the Queen, the Governor General, and the Canadian people.
Repeat frequently that you're just trying to get work done now, so that things can happen fast when the doors unlock in January. It can't be trespass upon the privileges of government if its level of formality is that of a caucus meeting.
Be completely transparent. Defeat the smoke-filled rooms meme. Heck, hold it in a bar, if you can find one big enough.
The media will come to you. I can think of no more efficient way to stretch your advertising dollars than a bold, newsworthy stroke like this.
If you do this, I will donate to the limit of my ability. I will write letters to the editor praising your actions. I will take my four children and go door to door. In Edmonton. In December.
Pass it on.
KEEP MEETING.
Excellent post, do you mind if I post it in it's entireity on my blog and reference you?
Eric was just in the comments on the original post to say that he's quite happy I put it up on the front page. I'd say go for it.
Please do! The more the better.
I've linked to this too. It's what MPs need to hear and then do now.
Posted: http://www.1337hax0r.com/2008/12/04/pogge-to-the-coalition-keep-meeting/
Eric:
We take our memes real serious in this here blogosphere.
Fantastic. Awesome idea.
And while they're at it, they should take a page from Garth Turner's book - go home and hold a Town Hall meeting with their constituents. Listen to their concerns. Explain the facts to them. And invite the local media.
It would be scary, and they'd probably get an earful, but it would also cut past the Conservative propaganda campaign.
It's a bit early for the "dual power" option, I think.
However, the Coalition should definitely continue to hold meetings and public events throughout the Prorogation Period.
They should make it clear that, no matter what, they are going to govern after January 27th.
Finally, they should create a MASSIVE stimulation package, and present it on the day Parliament returns.
They should make clear that if the Conservatives want to sign on to the Coalition plan, they can, but under no circumstances will Harper be allowed to return to office.
Jeff: I don't think this is a dual power thing, it's just the legislative branch asserting itself.
As in POGGE's post:
I think this would work wonderfully.
And while you're at it, elect the new Liberal leader.
Harper has been too smart by half. He's given the Liberals enough time to renovate the party and capture the media narrative. What will he do without Dion to kick around in January?
And make the point, hundreds of times, that the last thing Parliament should be doing in the midst of an economic crisis is taking a vacation. Then ask, pointedly, why Harper would put his own political survival ahead of the well being of Canadians.
Then, ask it again. And, again.
Every time Harper screams about the separatists, and lies and smears, ask why he is on vacation.
arborman, don't just ask yourself.
Write it in a letter and send it to every newspaper you can think of.
Phone it into radio shows.
Let people hear your voice.
Wonderful proposal, Eric, and then wot everyone else says.
I agree especially with arborman -- to suspend Parliament at such a time is worrisome.
"Why are you on vacation during a crisis?" might be a good way to frame the issue publicly, but I worry even more about what Harper will carry on with on his own. Harper hates the legislature to begin with and, like Bush, is happiest when he can rule by executive, or "administratively." No question that he is going to continue with that apace.
This has become such a serious political problem over the last decade at least. We have to find a way to educate citizens in what it threatens.
Jumping on the memewagon and helping to keep it rolling.
Now also posted at A Creative Revolution.
Mr. Finley, very good, sound notion.
Given that, I'd say there's little or no chance it will be adopted, but let us do what we can to advance it.
Up at the regina mom and about to be emailed to several listservs and individuals.
Up at the regina mom and about to be emailed to several listservs and individuals.
PLG, might I suggest you always remember and never forget "courage, my friends, tis not to late to build a better world?"
The point is to continue the energy and excitement around the coalition, to keep people out of despair! I've talked to too many people today who are devastated by the G-G's decision. I am not one of them because I can feel the energy -- it is palpable -- and this exercise, though it may not get us this precise manifestation of an idea, will do a fuck of a lot to keep the movement alive, to keep people thinking and talking. And that's what we want, isn't it? To build that better world, one person at a time?
Yes! Thank you Mr. Findlay, and thanks also to pogge for posting this intelligent suggestion. The beauty is that much of it can be implemented by any/all of us. In numbers, it will be difficult to ignore. For all its faults, our Cdn media seems less malleable than the US ditto, so it should produce some echo.
Ladies, gentlemen, shall we? And as a last resort, Cdn Tire offers both torches and pitchforks.
Letters off today, to my Liberal MP and my NDP ex-MP, and copies to the newspapers in the vicinity.
Woohoo!
As well as posting this around, can I suggest that people hit that "Vote for this entry at Progressive Bloggers" link?
One thing to keep in mind: Do NOT let Harper crib/plagiarize any of the solid economic ideas the coalition comes up with.
Except for the partisan attack, the economic update Flaherty presented was devoid of any practical solutions and my guess is that they seriously lack talent. The only thing Steve The Economist Harper seems to understand is tax cuts, corporate welfare and privatization. Plus he can no longer mimic every move made by his mentor to the South. I bet you he has pissed off and hampered the public service enough that they probably couldn't help much with any creative and practical ideas.
If he were to acknowledge theft of ideas, it would only be to prove that the coalition is only after a power grab. I can hear it now, "We have extended an olive branch and included your ideas. How can you vote against this budget?"
Let him work in a vacuum of his own making.
Beijing York, if he stole the ideas, it should be the other way around. Coalition: "Great, you finally agree with us. But you're still the minority party; why shouldn't we -- the people who came up with these ideas **in the first place** -- lead the country for once?"
Exactly... put good ideas on the table and be generous about them, it is about time these people think about Canada the way the BLOC thinks about Quebec. In these tough econimic times (world) by looking after Canada we would be looking after Quebec (good for unity) and yes the world. It now appears that all our future governments will be in a minority due to more polariztion than ever.... so why not start now!
Might I suggest to the original writer of this to submit it to every national newspaper?
Or at very least, can someone try to put him in touch with a media relations person so this gets right out in public, beyond the blogs?
This could be good, very good, but as per usual with Harper would be perceived as bad. The media would downplay the vision of this coalition. Ideally Harper should not receive pay for this time out. Bad boys should have consequences.
It's now been picked up by psa at Canadian Cynic.
In a couple of hours I will be attending a pro-Coalition rally that will be addressed by my MP, Alex Atamenenko -- the first of two rallies he will attend tonight and of many more to come in this huge riding. CTV/Global and the rest may continue to play interviews from bunkered Calgary, but Alberta is not Canada and most Canadians will support this Coalition.
Fantastic plan. Just thought I'ld voice my support. I'll even second his "do this and I'll go door-to-door for you" but here in Ontario. Seriously, Edmonton is cold.
I was at the rally in Halifax which was very well attended. So far there's nothing in the news on it, which is odd, as there must have been a few hundred people packed in at least.
For my part I am, first and prior to other political affiliations, committed to seeing the end of Harper. Anyone, any party, any member of any party that capitulates deserves the utmost of political oblivion, starting with Karygiannis. I wish there were a way that we could make that clear to the parties without seeming rather nasty.
But goddamn anyone who lets this tyrant continue. Duceppe's comments about Harper the arsonists couldn't have been nearer the mark. This is a dark day in Canadian history and I pray our mediating elites like the media do their civic duty better than hitherto. I'm a bit sad that Don Newman is being so disinterestedly sports announcerish about it.
We don't have an Olbermann or a Rachel Maddow, or even a Chris Matthews, an influential media figure who would take something like the horror of Michelle Bachmann's interview with Matthews (the media should investigate senators to see which of them are anti-American -- ???!!!???), or Sarah Palin's ugly lines about real and not-real Americans, and just drive home to large numbers of people how ugly those politics are.
We need Canadians to wake up to what must be rejected. We are not getting much help at all from the msm.
Which isn't a new problem, either. We probably bear some small part of the blame for being in each others faces in several parties, and some of these things just come from letting the market and one poor old, bullied institution take care of things like journalism rather than channeling our civic passion and political involvement into demanding more and better.
It has to be said that in spite of their damned Tory bias of late the Globe turned on Harper fairly responsibly, for a paper with their ideological bent. And I was somewhat amazed to see the CTV running an online story, "Harper Wrong on Democracy" calling bullshit on almost everything he's said in the crisis.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20081203/harper_undemocratic_081204/20081204?hub=Politics
And the final panel of Don Newman was a spirited two way smackdown by Brad Levine and (of all people) Scott Reid. I knew Reid was pissed at Harper, but he laid out some very well placed attack lines that were just great to hear on the air.
Maybe there will be some leadership shitshow in the LPC, maybe not, maybe it'll be a disaster, maybe not, but I'm for stopping Harper and I think enough people are that Jimmy Ks will get a serious (*&@#$ earful for giving Harper the newsclips he's desperately praying for.
I was somewhat amazed to see the CTV running an online story, "Harper Wrong on Democracy" ...
I'd be more impressed if their own staff was actually debunking Harper. That's a Canadian Press story they've picked up. The "CTV.ca News Staff" stories are the ones I usually attack.
We have a window here. We have a chance. Write your MP. They - the Neocons - will be vocal. So must we be.
March. Write. Speak. Post. Let it be known that the coalition DOES speak for the majority.
Let the Coalition know that too!
And forward to your friends the following (courtesy of The Galloping Beaver (god bless'em).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xe-DFZA6pR0
It's hopeless.
With Dion as our leader we're cooked.
Any other way of doing this?
we need to lay low - the polls are killing us.
The link you left doesn't seem to work unless I add "the" in front of it. When I do, I end up at a blog written by someone who is clearly opposed to the coalition. That would make you a fraud and a troll.
CP - currently only running in the Edmonton Sun - estimated the Halifax crowd at 450, not clear if that's including or excluding the overflow out the back door.
Oops. Mea culpa and most heartfelt apologies - both to pogge and The Galloping Beaver, who, I assure you is most absolutely in favour of the coalition. As am I. The link above - as noted by Pogge - should be as follows: The Galloping Beaver.
I have been accused of many things, and am guilty of many things. Including being a fraud.
But sir. I assure you (he says, with great umbrage), I am NOT a troll!!!!
Furthermore, I am dying to know to know what happens to that link when you put "the" in front of it. Doesn't work for me ...
Sorry, not you. Dave. His name is a link to secretsofvancouver.com which doesn't appear to exist. But thesecretsofvancouver.com, on the other hand,...
Sorry for the confusion.
NP.
Just checked out "thesecretsofvancouver.com".
Yep.
Fraud AND troll!!
Just got home from the Edmonton rally. Cold snap in the last two days and treacherous driving kept away many of the friends I was expecting. Turnout estimated at about 500, but down to about 50 by the time I got there 45min late (with said kids in tow).
Distributed about 20 hardcopies of this post there, to some interest.
And at least one counterprotester is goin' home with a mighty changed mind. Yay!
I guesstimate we had between 2-3,000 in Vancouver. Packed the big ballroom/hall at the Convention Centre at Canada Place with a few hundred standing outside the doors because they couldn't squeeze in.
Murphy's Law moment of the night? Dion's video message wasn't queued up when it should have been and audio didn't kick in until 10-12 seconds into his message. Groans were heard and heads hung down.
Hey Eric, I was also at the Edmonton Rally, it was a pretty good turnout, all things considered (coming from an Ontarian in the province on business and missing his local rally back home), but it only lasted 30 or so minutes before much of the crowd left. I'm glad you stayed and passed this out to the hard-core. They are probably the ones who can get it to those who need to hear it the most.
I didn't see any counter-protesters while I was there during the bulk of the rally (I'd shy way from the label 'protester'). And for all who care, it ended with a warming rendition of "Oh Canada", though I may have been the only one who knew and sang the French words ( I do recall one man calling out for a French version as the crowd was dispersing).
I would like to direct this piece to Obama... we here in the US of A have our real government on hold until late January too. Seems our congress could start getting things ready too, instead of waiting to see how much more havoc the little boy can cause between now and then. Kinda funny, eh?
Candace, some of us have the strong suspicion that, with Harper, that is not a bug -- it's a feature.
I hear ya.
Another suggestion guys?
Replace Dion BEFORE January 26th, 2009. Just as he was in the election campaign, he is liability to the coalition. If you can hang on and defeat the Conservatives on January 27th, I suspect the GG will give you your shot. But to be legit in the eyes of the population (not legally legit - they are two different things) you need to replace Dion ASAP. And raise funds like its an election. And educate people on our parliamentary traditions.
And be prepared to fight dirty. The Conservatives are.
This is exactly what I hope they are doing.
We should all send this to our favorite coalition MPs.
Off to do just that.
I'll be posting this at my blog as well, I think it's great.
I've seen this making the rounds of the net, and I can't quite see why everyone thinks it's so brilliant.
Only on the left would we see more meetings as the way to win a street fight.
Meet away if you want, but I want to see Layton, Mucair, Broadbent, Rae, Iggy and others criss-cross the country speaking out against Harper, building support for the coalition, and rallying public opinion.
I want to see five emails a day landing in my inbox asking for money to put ads on TV and radio countering the Tory PR campaign.
I want to see more demos, big and small, expressing disgust at Harper's tactics.
I want to see more letters to the editor, stacking of on-line polls, calls to talk radio, leaflets in the mail, phone calls to voters and other actions to pursuade the public that the future of Canada is at stake.
I want to see a call to action from the coalition leaders. And I want to see the rest of us taking up that call - because the only way to make sure the coalition doesn't crumble is to make sure Canadian opionion is strong.
We're in a war for the hearts and minds of Canadians. Sure we have to have a plan, and a good plan, to govern. But the best plans won't mean anything if we let the Tories win the PR war.
I wrote to Jack Layton, and included my support for this idea.