Our Prime Minister is laughable.

Does Stephen Harper truly think that he has managed to flex some muscle in Asia? Seriously his mutterings of a mad man were barely audible on the big international scene. Sending some “diplomats” to North Korea barely registered with Japan and China—the people with the most interest in the security of Korea. Saying we will not tolerate China’s human rights record at the expense of trade income was not even mentioned in papers over there. China really could care less if Canada wants to be involved or not.

All this flexing—or pretending to—reminds me of another cowboy. Look where he stands on the international level. Two cowboys are making it very hard for the rest of the cowboy nation to be taken seriously. Why whenever I think of cowboys now I can’t help but feel sorry for their lack of intelligence. I’m sure there are some pretty intelligent cowboys out there but when you put those two cowboys in charge it makes a person wonder. Thank goodness we had the insight to only give a minority and we can rid of our cowboy at any given moment. I suspect our cowboy is going to be leaving in late winter early spring 2007. People are just sick and tired of the crap that comes out of parliament hill.

As someone who has lived and worked in China I know that the country is changing. It’s not as fast as some would like but there are ripplings within the people of the country. What I think is happening is China is being smart about how they introduce capitalism and democracy to their country. Unlike Russia who one day just did away with communism I think China is slowly weaning it out. It’s starting with the people on the ground—as most democratic change occurs at the grassroots level.

I listened to my students while there and heard their voices. They are beginning to question the greatness of Mao and the state of communism. Despite all the control the state media is trying to flex the students are getting around it. They are becoming informed students. They are becoming informed when they travel abroad to study, they are becoming informed when they read blogs, and they are becoming informed when teachers like myself go over to China to work and tell them about how our government works.

I’m not saying we should excuse China from their human rights violations but the approach Stephen Harper showed undermines any relationship building with this nation. As some of my readers know I try to let people know about the human rights violations that are occurring around the world as I like to have equality for everyone, but I also understand for each nation there are a serious of approaches to take. With China it is often about saving face. Stephen Harper did not allow for this to happen.

However I also know that China isn’t a stupid nation and will therefore overlook his mad rantings for just that…they’re mad. They know that he is just a lame duck sitting waiting to be removed from office and that the real Prime Minister will back on the scene soon enough. The question is who will be the new Prime Minister. It will be a Liberal—who is yet to be seen.

*Note to my readers--I had written this piece on the way home from work after reading an article in the morning newspaper. After some google news searching my thoughts on Harper and his laughability was confirmed by other news sources. Such as the following two articles in the Globe & Mail.

My first jump on the campaign trail!

So this has been a very exciting day for me. I am down in my old stomping ground of London, Ontario helping out on Elizabeth May's election campaign.

I was put on the phone lines doing the phone canvassing piece. I must tell you I was very hesitant about this job. When I was 20 years old I did what every kid does when they need some cash. I did telemarketing. I hated it and only lasted a few hours before I ran far far away from that industry. As expected I wasn't looking forward to doing this part of the job. I couldn't get out there to do the foot canvassing as I've got a bummed up knee so here I was in campaign headquarters doing the phone thing.

For the most part it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. People were for the most polite. I did have some interesting conversations though. My favorite would have to be when I got the singing answering machine. I wonder if my message would be enough to persuade this person to vote for Elizabeth May in the LNC election!!

I'm off the phones now but the party hasn't ended for me on my first experience in the election push. It'll give me experience for when Peter Davison runs in Davenport--providing he gets the nomination!!

Oh Mr. Toews here we go again!

You and your tough on crime agenda. It's doesn't dig deep enough!

You want to impose mandatory minimum sentences for people who commit gang and gun related offences. That's all fine and dandy if you just want to punish the people but why not prevent the crimes from happening. We've seen an increase in gang related shootings of late. Stats Canada released the information yesterday stating the very same information. You want to use this information to scare people into believing that you need to stiffen the sentences and get tough on crime. What you need to be asking is what has brought on the increase in gang related activities. If you really want to get tough on crime you need to get at the roots.

I don't know how many times I have to tell you Mr. Toews but your solutions to a problem that can be prevented is irresponsible of a government. I truly am disappointed that you did not comment or read my open letter to you!

Well here's to hoping the opposition has some foresight and stop this from going through making it law!