Fear and Loathing in the Great White North

It's good news for those of us who are politically inclined - for those who understand the importance of voting and try to hold those in power to account for their actions - and inactions; it's election time, folks! For political junkies, this is the Stanley Cup play-offs, the Superbowl and the Olympics all rolled into one - but so much better because it's not about waste, distraction, or ignorance, which major sporting events - even global ones - always are.

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Alright so this *is* still about waste, distraction and ignorance - but at least it's important. It affects our lives; broadcast sports rarely should.

And we're off to a good start. The puck was dropped today in the house of commons by Michael Ignatieff. It's about time he did something, because other than driving around in a bus last summer, the only activities he is confirmed as having done in the last year is take in sustenance and changing his clothes once every 24 hour period. Seriously - why hasn't this guy, who's supposed to be an intellectual, is a published author of many poli-sci titles, gained any ground on a man who represents exactly the kind of frightening politics - the very kind of ideology that Ignatieff himself has written about? Useless.

Until today, that is, as he grabbed the Harper Government, (no longer the Canadian Government on official masthead, no, no), and with the help of Duceppe and Layton, pulled it down from power in a vote of no-confidence. Why? Because the HG won't release enough information regarding it's legislation for parliamentarians to do a proper job. No - you don't say - the very same asinine gang of thugs that gutted Statistics Canada? The same ones that ripped a giant funding hole in environmental funding for monitoring - wiping out a record of temperatures, rainfall patterns, and other variables recorded over decades? The same one that attacks information wherever it might chafe against it's ideological inanity? Of course they don't want to give out information. To them, information is deadly. The truth defeats them - it's really the only thing that will ever take down a real bad asshole like Stephen Harper.

Harper has already begun referring to Ignatieff and the 'coalition' of the opposition bringing him down.

We here at the IO have difficulty containing our rage when BS like this is used to propagandize, belittle, stupefy and disturb the Canadian public.

HEY ASSHOLE - THERE IS NO COALITION - EITHER YOUR PARANOIA OR YOUR HATE-ON FOR THE TRUTH OR YOUR PROPAGANDIZING - IS CAUSING YOU TO SPEW BULLSHIT!

We apologize for the language. And yes, you're supposed to be more savy if you can express your disgust without resorting to the age ol' go-to of cussin'. But unfortunately folks, the blood's boiling a little too hot here at the IO to do without the profanity. This is a multiple re-write - cussin' reduced by 79%!

Stephen Harper and his cronies will be sure to continue using this phrase over and over again in an effort to continue to distract from their own corruption, ignorance, and outright disbelief in what is considered to be logical reality. We cannot allow them to continue to abuse our nation's laws for their own benefit, to blind our lawmakers with assaults on information, or stand up in parliament and scoff at honest concerns about where Canadian democracy is headed.

Unfortunately, there's no honest alternative. Ignatieff told the Canadian people immediately after session today that a vote for anyone but the Liberals was a vote for more of the same - a Harper minority.

So on one hand we have our leader - oh, excuse me, no - our very recently EX-leader, (let's keep it that way!), Stephen Harper; a bald-faced, fact-fucking liar, and Michael Ignatieff's claim that the only way to boot the asshole is to strategically vote - for him. So if you don't like Harper, there's room in bed beside me - and I'm your only other choice, so balls to you.
Then you've got the vote only valid in Quebec, for a Separatist. And Jack Layton.

The drama will still be enjoyable, but the theater is a toss up between a comedy and a tragedy. There is no discussion of the real issues; just this petty, ignorant posturing all while standing ass-deep in bullshit, and the spitting out of more.

The IO will not endorse any candidate in this election; except a campaign to bring truth, integrity and intelligence back into Canadian politics - as well as proportional representation.

Strategic voting may help, and it may not. An 'anyone but Harper' campaign would be nice - but so would someone other than 'anyone' - and there ain't.

It's like that radio station that proudly proclaims, "80's, 90's, and whatever!" No - I do not want whatever.

Give us a leader. Give us someone who can rise above the din of the distraction and obfuscation that has become the main thrust of political campaigns. We can no longer afford to accept the system as it stands; and we recommend you say you don't.

But enjoy the show anyway. Just be warned - it might not have a happy ending.