Beyond The Commons

Aaron Wherry covers all the goings-on in and around Parliament Hill. Follow Aaron on Twitter: @aaronwherry

Categories: Beyond The Commons, Capital Read

How democracy in Canada is like Gilbert Arenas

by Aaron Wherry on Thursday, January 7, 2010 11:54am - 47 Comments

A not-disinterested observer—which is to say, for the record, someone who works for a political party that has some interest in this matter—passes along the January 6th issue of the St. Albert Gazette, which includes an interview with Conservative MP Brent Rathgeber, during which he apparently said the following, a gem that should surely be repeated no matter the source of the tip.

“Democracy and Parliament are not being sidestepped — they are only being suspended.”

Tags: Afghanistan, Brent Rathgeber, detainees, house of commons, Parliament, prorogation, Prorogue, torture, transfers

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Dave

Yes, but if was Library of Congressed, it would be just as easy to meet someone at HD103.6 W14, near the corner of HA.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Ricard_S_Argent Richard_S_Argent

Huh, I thought my hometown of Bramalea was the only place that had alphabetized sections. It usually annoys the everyloving crap outta visitors…especially those who don't bother to write down directions and instead just remember that your street name is "M-something" ;)
http://intensedebate.com/people/SisyphusThis SisyphusThis

Democracy can't dunk and (mostly) can't defend the pick 'n roll.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Lord_Bob Lord Bob

On the other hand, as a former St. Albertan – the St. Albert Gazette. Ungggh. Anything in there becomes less credible just by virtue of having been soiled by that fishwrap.
Dave

they are only being suspended

Well, that's a relief!
http://intensedebate.com/people/Jenn_ Jenn_

What kind of comment is this? Nothing in it to argue about, or even tweak.

I am left only to agree with every word.
http://intensedebate.com/people/tedbetts tedbetts

The Raptors are at .500 now. Another win and their winning percentage will equal the number of Canadians opposed to the suspension of Parliament.
Dan

You know… a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, an evil Jedi who wanted to, let's say suspend the Galactic Senate, still had to actually ask the members of that legislature for permission to do so through a democratic vote.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Lord_Bob Lord Bob

That's actually surprisingly useful. Somebody tells you they live at Walden Park, you can say that it must be in the Ws and have your general bearings without even consulting a map.

This is my favourite thing about St. Albert.

Actually, that's probably the only thing I like about St. Albert (see that "former" in my comment up above?)
Anon

Stephen Harper is the Tiger Woods of politics. Brilliant at his game when the lights are on, self-destructive when they're off.
Out There

The part that got me was this:

"They are going to be hearing all of these spurious, but very serious accusations about Canadian soldiers being involved in war crimes [...]"

Someone should perhaps tell Mr. Rathgeber that no one, on either side of the Afghan political debate, has accused Canadian soldiers of anything. It's the politicians and the top brass that are taking the deserved blame.

Mind you, he's probably getting his own comeuppance right about now: one or more PMO staffers, if not Himself himself, is probably tearing a strip or two off of him right now for straying off message and delivering commentary not previously approved by Central Authority.
http://intensedebate.com/people/sea_n_mountains sea_n_mountains

Sis would also have to add that Democracy can't hustle, block out and rebound too if Democracy was to be the Raptors, WDM.

tobyornottoby

Or defend the preimeter ~ sigh ~

Scott

I realize that this is a bit of a tangent, but I took a look at the St. Albert Gazette article referenced, and I’m sad.

The reporter writing the article only included Rathgeber’s voice in the article. No dissenting voices on an obviously controversial issue. That’s bad journalism.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Jack_Mitchell Jack Mitchell

. . . run by Maple Leaf Foods.
http://intensedebate.com/people/doug_rogers doug_rogers

Suspended like a marionette dancing on a little puppet stage. We are fooled and amused by the life-like motion, but we know the puppeteer is really fooling us.
http://intensedebate.com/people/sea_n_mountains sea_n_mountains

i got talked into going again on Sunday and I just know I am going to walk away frustrated.
Dr Barry J Barclay

Well Scott I guess I am that dissenting voice (at least one of many) that wasn't heard in the Gazette article. My name is Barry Barclay. I am a molecular biologist with a background in cancer research and I am seeking the Liberal nomination to oppose Mr Rathgeber as member of parliament for Edmonton-St Albert in the next federal election. I am appalled that Mr Harper closed down parliament for purely selfish reasons, for his own political aggrandizement and with complete contempt for parliament (and thus for the people of Canada). Unlike my Tory opponent I believe that a healthy democracy should not only tolerate dissent but should embrace honest criticism and open debate. Such dissent breeds excellence. Without dissent a single party can rule beyond public accountability and over time dominate the political landscape with a single ideology- as has been the case in Alberta for many years. However, it is clear that the winds of political change are blowing in Alberta. People have had enough. So have I. I want to be part of that change.
http://intensedebate.com/people/WDM WDM

Wait, democracy is the Raptors now?