I always hesitate to link to a Jim Travers column because I believe it encourages him to continue on his mission to disparage the Conservatives and also probably validates Roy MacGregor’s theory of lazy journalism.
However if you peel away the layers of hate, contempt and barely concealed (and all too common) murder metaphors in Traver’s piece today, They used to behead kings what Harper is doing [sic*], you begin to see that he is extremely frustrated with the opposition:
…For opposition parties, there’s a catch in that apparent humiliation: It serves Harper surprisingly well. Conservatives would almost certainly consider censure a loss of confidence, plunging the country into an election fought, at least in part, over the red herring issue of support for the troops.
Opposition parties don’t want to go into a campaign defending their patriotism. So it’s extremely unlikely that an NDP effort to reinforce Parliament’s supremacy, or a less well-known, lone-wolf effort by one Liberal MP, will gain the needed traction.
In one way, that’s a shame. A loss of Commons confidence is the appropriate response when a prime minister tries to seize powers that once belonged to monarchs.
In another, it’s simply pragmatic. Even if the government falls over disregard for democratic principle, the central election issues will be leadership, jobs and the economy. On those, wobbly Liberals are in no hurry to test their strength…
Translation: The Liberals are incompetent cowards. And perhaps a bit self-serving?
Travers closes by suggesting that if the Opposition parties don’t get rid of the Harper government then they are neglecting their democratic duty by not representing their constituents:
…By ducking the responsibility to hold Harper accountable for what happened in Afghanistan on his watch, Parliament is allowing the Prime Minister to drift that much further beyond its oversight, discipline and control.
So what we have here is a lefty journalist chewing out the Liberal party for backing down from their job of holding the Prime Minister accountable.
I think I can suggest a Facebook site where Travers can vent some of his frustration: Canadians Against Liberals Not Doing Their Job.
* * * *
Note:
*When I first started writing this post around 7 am this morning the headline at the Star was “Once upon a time, they beheaded kings for acting like this”. We’ll see how many times it changes today.
Noon headline update: I see they’ve at least corrected the grammatical error and added the word ‘for’.
Related
Memories of beheading threats past.
* * * *
Update:
Don’t forget that Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be answering your questions on Youtube tonight (Tuesday) at 7 pm Eastern.
I’ll have to take your word for it that by peeling back the layers, Travers chews out his own.
Why doesn’t he just say that then instead of this BS monarchy put down. No Travers, WILL NOT get a hit from me. He writes with an evil pen.
Good for you Bec.
MSM/GlobeMail’s Windmill Whirring Whining Wailing Machine revs up:
“But why?” “But why?” “But why?” …….
(Hear “But Why?” below)
…-
“Tories pounce as ‘Ignatieff prorogues himself’
Talking points target Liberal Leader’s decision to skip House duty this week for national speaking tour”
…-
“Exploring the politics of emotion
A unique national poll shows that, while Ignatieff is seen as smarter, more Canadians buy into PM’s plain-spoken style. >>>>> But why?”
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Since Travers is so frustrated that his beloved can-do-no-wrong Liberals are floundering , he should either put his money where his mouth is and run for off office , or shut up and do honest journalism … ah … but I forgot that is not possible with a polarized journalist … I recommend a “de-programming session” like those popular in the US in the 70′s/80′s!
It is amazing how the left-MSM is so distressed that any party other than the Liberals are in power , yet when their favoured left attains power they fail to objectively criticize . The same vitriol was heaped on Bush in the US and from Canada when he was in power , as Harper is now receiving … perhaps all these journalists have some sort of genetic defect ?
Why do you think this guy is always on Jane Taber’s, Tom Clark’s and Rosemary’s program? Along with all the other lefty’s, they draw the ire of normal Canadians more often than not.
How do the hosts pick them? Controversial at the best of times they contribute nothing to the conversation except the publics wrath. The man has a sour attitude at the best of times and he will never change his outlook on politics. No doubt Travers probably has never apologized to anyone in his life.
The always “right” guy.
I’m sad to say, he is not the only one and we know the rest of gang. “Round up the usual suspects!”
Well we know where Travers stands, he’s all consumed with getting rid of this Conservative government. If he were merely “reporting” on politics surely he’s see some of the great things this government has done and continues to do in spite of people like himself tearing them down at every opportunity. Well, they don’t need an opportunity, they create one. One thing the Conservatives will not do is pick up the lunch bill or bar tab.
Okay, I just heard a reporter on CBC radio, saying that she talked to some Dipper MPs yesterday, and it looks like the Dippers will drop their motion, that was scheduled for Friday !
Supposedly, the Dippers will revert to pursuing this thing in Committee. Whoopdeddoo.
It all looked so obvious and risk-free–table a “censuring” motion, which PM Harper would make a matter of confidence, then wait and watch as Lib MPs do their disappearing act.
Damn. I was so looking forward to that gong show.
Travesty isn’t a journalist — not really. He’s a columnist in the category of “pundit,” which means he’s being paid to “call ‘em as he sees ‘em.”
Of course, he “sees ‘em” through rose-coloured, ego-warped trifocals, which tends to render him drunkenly incoherent at times.
The Star doesn’t fire him because they think he enrages Conservatives, which they figure is a good thing: who wants to vote for ranting raving lunatics, which is what Travesty is supposed to convert regular Tories into?
But once the Star realize that BTers are laughing at the man rather than enraging them, they’ll figure out that paying him is a waste of money. Of course, since the Star is big-L Liberal, wasting money doesn’t bother it.
LibIffy’s WalkingTalkingWhileChewingGum Tour includes:
My Theory of Productivity: Prorogue Myself.
…-
“Productivity gain highest in 11 years
Canada’s dismal productivity record turns around in the fourth quarter as output increases and hours worked are flat
Canadian labour productivity posted its biggest gain in 11 years in the fourth quarter as businesses boosted output while working hours stayed unchanged.
Productivity rose 1.4 per cent, the first increase since the third quarter of 2008 as the H1N1 flu had little impact, Statistics Canada said Tuesday. It’s the highest growth rate since the first quarter of 1998.
Canada’s poor productivity record, which worsened through the recession, has long been a source of concern to both economists and policy makers because of its potential to hurt the country’s standard of living.
While the recent pickup in productivity is welcome, “sustainability remains the key concern as hours worked begin to ramp up again,” said Bank of Nova Scotia economists before the report was released.
Businesses increased their output by 1.4 per cent in the quarter, the highest growth rate since 2002, fuelled by exports, consumer spending and residential investment.”
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/productivity-posts-biggest-gain-in-11-years/article1501860/
My Theory of Productivity: Prorogue Myself.
lol! Maz2 I love your dry humour.
Nicely done Joanne!
I just had a visit and post from my new best friend Cynic. It’s going to be a good day! All I suggested was if the Liberals want to cut $10 mil in junk mail funding, they should also be behind $30 mil cuts to subsidize the parties. Isn’t $40 mil better than $10 mil? This is so exciting – I’m going to get lots of extra traffic today!
Anyway, the Left eating itself is nothing new. But it’s nice to see a well known one partaking in the ‘cannibalism.’
Hinchey, you know you’ve arrived when Cynic takes a shot.
I’m going to try posting this as a comment at his article, but I know it will not get through, since he hates any criticism of his wonderful persona. He himself frequently uses alliteration.
Travers: a bilious bag of boundless bitterness bellowing and blathering about bagatelles.
Blare on, Bulbous Beak!
Travesty like Oliver has a chip on his shoulder because his Liberals lost power, are doing an abysmal job as official opposition and has little chance into getting back into power anytime soon. That’s why both seem cranky all the time.
About time both of them were put out to pasture. Live out their golden years fishing or doing something that’s a little less harmful.
Once upon a time if someone spewed hatred towards the king… Off with his head! I guess Travesty doesn’t speak irony.
Gabby @ 10:08, wonderful alliteration and so fitting, describes him perfectly so it won’t get through.
BTW, all the Liberals shills may think they’re making some headway given Nicky Nanos has a poll out, Libs and Cons are fractions apart.
“I am not going to comment on tabloid journalism” says Dykstra to Tommy.
Tommy got is back up said thereabouts ” I resent that comment”
Way to go Dykstra
‘..Dippers will drop their motion..’
ha, all that talk from LibDippers
then Iffy puts himself on prorogue and flies the coup
then motion left in their court, Dippers back down
I read something about the committee asking for docs dating back to 2001, so maybe Dippers are keeping their powder dry to shoot 2 birds with one stone..?
Interesting eh, the coalition partners may have some very serious issues, with each other.
The silly season led by Jimbo, liberal biased public opinion makers are very unhappy their Senate appointments have been delayed or cancelled indefinately.
They have put in over 20 years carrying the bags for the LPOC and are coming to the realization No appointments are available.
Liberals new Party Anthem:
“It’s my party and you would cry too if it happened to you”- Lesley Gore
Looks like the Lib natives are getting restless over at Steve V’s latest blog posting … Liberals must reject Iacobucci Immediately
Here’s a good idea from JimmE:
I took your suggestion, & wrote Mr Lee, Iggy & a Senator I know urging them not to fear an election on this issue. I suggest others who agree with your post to follow suit.
Facebook group anyone?
Personally I am trying to use the word prorogue more in my every day life. “Can you just prorogue for a second I have to take this phone call” or “I can wait, I’ll just take this magazine and prorogue myself for a few minutes”.
Traverse + Travesty = Traversety?
I don’t think that Senate posts were high on the priority list for various Liberal loving media “pundits” and influence peddlars.
The real juicy postings they got under the Liberals were yummy ambassadorships – all expences paid to a tropical paradise or exotic country of your choice.
A google would knock your socks off at the types of people from Trudeau on who were gifted this big prize. The Senate is small potatoes in comparison.
Remember the AdScam guy who Chretien sent as ambassador to Costa Rica? The neighbours complained about the wild parties and there were big questions about the cases of expensive booze being paid for by the taxpayer.
Nice places for Liberals to go on “official visits” for a little taxpayer funded holiday.
I think Jim Traversity had his eye on something like that.
Biggest gain in eleven years, yes that’s right, eleven years;
Canadian labour productivity posted its biggest gain in 11 years in the fourth quarter as businesses boosted output while working hours stayed unchanged. And a separate report showed manufacturing was stronger than expected in January.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/productivity-gain-highest-in-11-years/article1501860/
Meanwhile, Iggy is not in Ottawa, he’s busy in a last ditch attempt at selling himself to Canadians. Hey Iffy, people are taking to you just like they do to any of your books, not.
CJ, the opposition parties brought the subject up into the invetigation of the detainees. they haunted the cons every day for it and now that the PM has put it before LAMOCCUCI(name missplet) the liberals are hoping that the investigation into the story will begin from 2006, but for any judge, you just can’t investigate solely from 2006 but from the root of the problem which indicates 2003-4-5.
Now the liberals are trying to sing a different tune.
Bruce says:
March 16, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Biggest gain in eleven years, yes that’s right, eleven years;
Canadian labour productivity posted its biggest gain in 11 years in the fourth quarter as businesses boosted output while working hours stayed unchanged. And a separate report showed manufacturing was stronger than expected in January.
Bruce, how can that be? according to the liberals the prime minister is not doing anything.
Speaking of beheadings, any comment in the media about the 4 that were beheaded in Mexico the other day. Not by police, but by those gangs out killing the general public.
Hey Jen, maybe it’s Stephane Dion’s turn to say to Iffy, “Michael, we just didn’t get it done”.
It looks like Dont’nolo hasn’t got a clue about what to do…………….
Jen: “Now the liberals are trying to sing a different tune.”
Right. And one would think the media would be all over them (and the Dippers) for their backing down.
So far, Kady took a sarcastic shot at Iggy. And Andrew Coyne’s line was that the Opps are yelling “Stop ! or we’ll shout ‘stop’ again”. LOL
But hey, this is the kind of evolving story that the media should be eating up. It’s basically:
“The shoot-out at the OK corral has been cancelled, due to one side not showing up, because they forgot to bring their guns”
Sheesh. What more do you want, mdeia ? This is Waaaaaaaay
more interesting and entertaining than anything else happening at the federal level.
Don Martin was actually criticizing Mr. Iffy on Power & Politics for going on his Tour instead of staying in Parliament.
What’s the Toronto Star? North of the GTA they can’t give those away!