Segal Makes A Strong Case.

For those of you not already in the know, yours truly in addition to being a Liberal happens also to be a Red Tory and dare I say it, a Segalist. (some prefer Segalite) but I like the ring of the former better.

Conservative Senator Hugh Segal with his remarks today is suggesting that we will continue to need a military component in Afghanistan after July 2011 in order to protect our aid workers.

That strikes me as eminently logical. But it also brings up the question as to whether every country's military presently in that nation is charged with protecting its own nationals working on humanitarian projects. Maybe yes, maybe no.

In any event, something will indeed have to be put in place by someone to assure security for Canadian and other humanitarian groups on the ground in Afghanistan.

Sometimes I wonder why they don't just change the name of that country to Rubik's Cube...

My Secret Weapon In The PMO!

You have no idea how immensely relieved I am -- and here I was under the impression that I had to shoulder the awesome responsibility of attempting to deep six the Harper government.

And then came the news that a neutron weapon has suddenly been infiltrated into the PMO, much to my delight. Of course, this blessed event was not exactly shared with me with the intent of putting a smile on my face but it sure as hell has!

I can't help but wonder how long it will take before it goes off...they are not exactly known over there for their patience not to mention their latitude when it comes to margin of manoeuvre.

I figure we can expect detonation in less than six months. Those of you in the know are aware that six months was the threshold last time before the individual disappeared into the black hole -- a favourite destination for successive organizers.

Meanwhile, I'll keep my chin up and be on the lookout for unintended fireworks because as sure as I'm breathing there's no ifs, ands or buts about it. The only unanswered question is WHEN...

Will He Or Won't He?

For those of you who aren't inclined to patronize Nanos, feel free to input over here: the question of the week -- should the Conservative government strike a deal with the opposition parties in order to avoid a showdown over Afghan detainee documents? Yours truly is pushing it, hard.

The idea floating around is to dovetail the examination of documents by Mr. Justice Frank Iacobucci by adding credible politicians who have a strong background in national security matters.

I sense more than a hesitation to move forward with this trial balloon...personally, I wouldn't bet all my chips on which way the Speaker will go -- much less on how the Supreme Court of Canada is likely to rule on national security versus parliamentary privilege.

Time to cut losses and put egos in neutral. Otherwise...well, you can guess that part!

The Psychiatrist's Office.

Nurse: "Doctor, one fifteen and two fifteen have arrived...together!"

Psychiatrist: "What's that you say, together?"

Nurse: "They insisted on it. Said it had something to do with a public inquiry -- and delusions related to power. One keeps saying it's bound to do the trick to get his guys re-elected; the other man says it will help his side win government."

Psychiatrist: "Oh, this is much more serious than I thought. Send them both in immediately"

Nurse: "What is it Doctor, what do you suspect is the diagnosis?"

Psychiatrist: "Wishful thinking, definitely not founded in political reality."

The Certainty of Uncertainty!

Don't you just love it? I think I can safely say without equivocation that I haven't got a clue where we're going politically speaking, from this point on. I thought CanadianSense showed true warmth in sending me the roll call on the budget vote. Nice touch that. Shows how much he holds me in high regard!

Anywho -- not to put too fine a point on it, but this topsy-turvey world is in for a continuing round of earthquakes. Who knows how it will all eventually play out. Moral certainty has taken a holiday and he who happens to laugh last is bound to be the one with the most withered and worn down claws...

Yours truly will enjoy watching the parade go by: let the true geniuses across party lines take it from here. Let's seem 'em strategize their way to a majority government. Conversely, watch with me as the other guy digs himself out of the hole, or at least tries to.

Make your own beds, my friends. Prove to me that I was wrong and that you're right. I may not be Albert Einstein but I am smart enough not to hold my breath in the interim waiting for your impressive results...

He'll Be On The Ropes - Tomorrow.

I feel sorry for the Ignatieff brain trust in the OLO. They're more than hot and bothered: everything this government does or even contemplates is absolutely wrong for Canada and as far as they're concerned, this Prime Minister should be shown the door.

Trouble is, the timing isn't right! Sound familiar, didn't the last leader of the party echo those same sentiments? (And look where it got Stéphane Dion...)

Come on, wake up and inhale feverishly the smell of the coffee. Are you guys actually that out of step with modern political reality? Do you really believe that this Prime Minister will gladly pencil in his own execution for Spring 2011?

They told us with great pride that the "professionals, the adults," were FINALLY in charge of the OLO. Come again?

Quite obviously, the OLO knows next to nothing about the man serving as prime minister and even less than that about his strategic instincts. Harper will be tickled enough to coast along for yet another year thanks to Liberal and NDP bungling and will quietly hatch his plan for going to the people at a time and place of his own choosing.

In other words, nirvana for the opposition parties, projected for Budget 2011 will never see the light of day. This Prime Minister will pull the rug out from under them once again in his continual quest at remaining in power.

Some time back Stephen Harper predicted privately that Michael Ignatieff would join Stéphane Dion as charter members in the Edward Blake Club...some of us want to do our best at preventing that but hey, we need for the OLO to pull with us. Thus far, they have been found wanting.

The House That Gelatin Built.

The boys and girls are back to "do" the pressing "work" that Canadians "demand" of them! (Too bad so many people have already pre-sold the Brooklyn Bridge...)

They say laugh and the world laughs with you -- well, let the deluded continue to think that. For my part, I can't help but feel sympathy for the spineless cardboard cutouts intent on not rocking the boat on the cliffs erstwhile known as Barrick Hill.

It's a potent virus and spreading fast across all the parties with the exception of the Bloc Québécois. Talk about a reward for eventually getting over it: at minimum, one more year of Conservative government. Kind of makes me want to win the upchuck gold medal.

So stay tuned for much more of the same. Political deadlock in tandem with an equal dose of parliamentary ineptness.

Only in Canada, once again, remonstrance without result. That's half the trouble...