Harper can disagree with U.S.: MP

[Harper_is_Bush]

Harper can disagree with U.S.: MP
Beth Gorham, Canadian Press
Published: January 28, 2006

Canada's Conservatives can strongly disagree with the United States on issues like Arctic sovereignty and still be friendly, says MP Jason Kenney, who promised a more mature, diplomatic and sophisticated tone in bilateral relations.

"We Canadians, we're supposed to be friendly folks," he told a forum Friday on the election at the Woodrow Wilson Center think-tank. "We can be friendly when we're disagreeing with our neighbours." "We're going to fight U.S. protectionism, we're going to fight to protect our Arctic sovereignty, but we're going to do it in a way that's diplomatic and gets results," said Kenney.

"(You can) disagree without being disagreeable." Text

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html?id=a2acee52-6dc6-4dfa-b846-9554a57f290b&k=38292

Blah blah blah blah. If you can get results then just shut it up and go get them.

This staged spat over Arctic sovereignty being played out by the US ambassador, Stephen Harper, and now his MP's is getting boring. Harper was "firm" with the US over Arctic sovereignty, so who cares? All he told the US ambassador is he gets his mandate from Canadians, big deal.

All the Canadian press is frothing over it saying it was a "rebuke" by Harper. Harper is being "firm" with the US. What a premeditated pile of bullshit.

And since then the US ambassador has said:
"We look forward to working with Mr. Harper and his new cabinet ... we're going to make every effort to work with whatever government the Canadian people elect,"
He declined to comment when asked about Harper's "rebuke". of course.

[Spazito]

1. Yep, pre-planned and pre-packaged for sure

so when Harper caves on the major issues his spokespersons can point to this 'rebuke' to say Harper isn't in the bush cabal's back pocket.

[Kagemusha]

2. Like Martin didn't do the exact same thing.

And I don't care for Harper. I know his Reform Party history very well. But still, as I said, Martin did the same damn thing.

[Harper_is_Bush]

3. I don't think you understand where I'm coming from....

If I understand you, you're making the point that Martin "stood up" to the US and likely did it for political points at times. I agree.

What we have HERE though is the cooperation of the US in the endevour. Arctic sovereignty is about the best, most harmless issue the US ambassador could have thrown at Harper to allow him to respond to and earn the gratitude of Canadians who don't want to be pushed around by the US without pushing back.

It was a setup.

As well, when Martin used to say anything to the US, it was labelled "self-gratuitous anti-Americanism". Now that Harper has done it we see the new frame from the media. Now it's being "firm" and "standing up".

Think there will be one editorial calling it anti-Americanism? Bet the farm no way.

[kevinbgoode]

5. Yep...in the best wingnut tradition. . .staged.

You won't see any rebuke from the O'Lielly clan either. . .or the wingnuts, Freepers and the slew of American wingnut editorial pages. They'll let this affront against their idea of American hegemony pass without a word because it was all designed to make Harper look like he isn't as big a puppet of the American Right as everyone already knows. . ..

[CHIMO]

4. Now See Here

A more mature virgin outlook. These guys don't have a clue.

[Mend]

6. the phony "snit" against bush, followed by the total cave-in

for all other issues. Absolutely going to happen.

[Harper_is_Bush]

7. I have a crystal ball.....let me tell you what's going to happen

The US will make concesions on Arctic sovereignty.

Softwood lumber will get wrapped up this year or early next.

Ballistic Missile Defense will be supported by Harper.

The Canadian media will churn out amazement and admiration verging on quite wonder at the fabulous relationship Harper has forged with the US and the advancement of issues.

Bush & Co. sits back and prays for a Conservative majority in next Canadian election.

Canadians realize they've been duped and send the slimy bastard back to Calgary.