1. Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism (see: wear red days,olympics, Arctic Sovereignty “Canadas Back” messaging)

2. Disdain for the importance of human rights(maher arar, afghan detainees)

3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause (“chattering classes”, Richard Colvin, Linda Keen)

4. The supremacy of the military/avid militarism (afghanistan, support the troops meme, afghan detainees, harper in military garb)

5. Rampant sexism(harper calling women ‘right wing fringe group, low participation of women in cabinet, appointing blatantly sexist senator’)

6. A controlled mass media (CTV, Canwest and Fox exclusive “friendly access” to PMO, Many trolls on media message boards, trolls in Facebook, Revamping entire Government of Canada website in CPC website image)

7. Obsession with national security (Body Scanners, Deportation, Denial of refugees, refusal to turn over documents demanded by parliament)

8. Religion and ruling elite tied together(See Charles McVety advisor to Harper)

9. Power of corporations protected (Oil Sands, Bank Mortgage Bailouts)

10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated (intimidation of public employees, clement ordering striking workers back on the job)

11. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts (“chatter”, “elites”, Harper’s comments on artists and “galas”)

12. Obsession with crime and punishment (“tough on crime” meme, non-support of safe injection sites, etc.)

13. Rampant cronyism and corruption(untendered contracts, unelected cabinet ministers, “Con friendly” TV hosts as Senators)

14. Fraudulent elections (See disenfranchisement by changing ID requirements for voters, moving electoral boundaries with short notice, snap elections, breaking own 4 year term election law)

Yes, and so has just about everything else in recent years come to think of it…sign of the times for some of us. I notice the Liberals aren’t doing too well either. Ah well, never fear, it looks like Canadian politics will soon be rescued by the ayatollas and sharia law at the rate we’re going. (I very seriously wish some wise-as-serpent-but-harmless-as-doves Canadians would form a think-tank and figure a way out of that cheery prospect.)

I think that genuine Christianity and politics mixes about as well as oil and water – even more so as the days grow more evil. Sure hope Harper doesn’t intend to make a habit of flaunting his faith to score political points the sickening way they do in the U.S.A.

Neither Teddy Kennedy or the PM are perfect believers; Teddy had his party animal streak in younger days but did strive to look after the poor and disposessed, much to the chagrin of many on the right. Torontoian will focus on the latter and forgive him the former as many progressive churchgoers are wont to do.

Harper seems to be more of a straight-shooter on the personal morality front (save some spin on political issues that may be less than frank and seen as lies from his foes) but has a different political agenda that Torontoian doesn’t like much. Harper may be more orthodox but his orthopraxis leaves liberal Christians cold.

Yes he used a friendly magazine to speak about personal things, moot point, he’d be scrutizined no matter what platform he used.

There is a lot coming up in the fall session, if you think Torontonian was blistering, don’t read some of the Blogging Tories who are currently upset, identified opposition blogs aren’t a place you’d want to wander for edification.:^)
Layton, Duceppe, Ignatieff, Harper – people have strong opnions. Harper got personal as PM – that’s open for opinion and comment.

I don’t think Torontonian’s opinion is slander; strong and forceful, tempered compared to most of what is currently being said.

I have my opinions and I vent them and if it is
necessary to be a little unsparing in the truth then
so be it.

What I am demonstrating is that his actions are
not the result of Christian upbringing and learning.
Christianity does not inform his politics in a
way of fairness and open-mindedness.

Obstinacy is not a Christian trait.

Ted Kennedy was a Christian through and through.

Harper is hardly a Christian of the type I’ve known
all my life.

Have your opinions and I’ll have mine and if Bene
Diction wants to take down my posts–then fine.

So be it.

You are right on one count. The quality of comment
on this site has gone downhill in recent months and
it seems to be several persons who relentlessly
impose themselves on the rest of us and distract
and detract from the matter at hand.

In that, you are right.

He is always front and centre when there’s
good news but nowhere to be found when
it’s bad news. That’s when a minister has
to take the hits from the press.

He short circuits convention, tradition, protocol,
accountability and responsibility–to name a few
shortcomings.

He’s never really worked a day in his life and
really had to earn a real paycheque in the real
world. He probably doesn’t know the price
of a pound of butter or how far $50 will go in
the supermarket.

He doesn’t listen to his handlers and he likes
to hold audiences hostage particularly at inter-
national conferences where he can get the last
word in and force the final communique to be
reworded to his liking.

I still cannot find anything redeeming about him and
I’ve got an open mind–unlike Harper.
I do not refer to him as Prime Minister because he
doesn’t deserve the title. He is not a leader on any
count.

Why does his office staff turn over so frequently?

They can’t stand to work with him!

I pity the caucus and the cabinet.

I fell saddened for the people whose rights he’s trampled
on or neglected.

It must be tough for his children at school–probably like
the Mulroney children in their day.

There’s a saying that “Classical music died with Elgar and
it’s been downhill ever since”.

Conservatism died with Diefenbaker and it’s been
downhill ever since.

I can’t wait to see the back of that man heading back
to a firewalled Alberta.