Monday, October 08, 2012

Thanksgiving and the Madness of King Harper


It's Thanksgiving Day in Canada. The day when you realize that summer isn't coming back.

And a day when I feel particularly close to  our U.S. neighbours. 

For although they don't celebrate Thanksgiving until November, we both share the Pilgrim turkey, on this most North American of holidays.

As well as the happy legacy of having lived side by side in peace for so long.

So I thought it was particularly unfortunate that the New York Times should choose this weekend to write about the Con regime's obsession with the War of 1812. 

As sweeping government budget cuts affect historic sites and national parks, the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper has set aside about $28 million for events, advertising and exhibitions to commemorate the war.

And expose the insanity of it all.

Much about the war is fiercely debated by historians but one thing is clear: Canada was not yet a country at the time of the war, which pitted the United States against the British.

So now we have to explain to our neighbours don't blame us eh? Blame our mad King Stephen Harper.

The War of 1812 is part of our history, and that’s fine,” said Mr. Cohen, who first publicly took issue with the government’s effort in a column for The Ottawa Citizen. But, he added: “It’s turned into a form of propaganda, and it seems to have married the government’s interest in the military with its interest, some would say obsession, with the War of 1812. It’s clearly, to me, part of a campaign to politicize history.”


















For only a maniac like him would spend $30 million, and counting, on an old British war like that one. While preparing to cut more than $50 million from the budget of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, at a time when a dangerous bug is invading our country. 

And only a Con like him would pose as a patriot while selling us out to foreign interests.

But you know what ? It doesn't matter. Not this weekend.

Because Thanksgiving for me is bigger than small men like Harper. It's a time for reunions. A time for family and friends to get together and celebrate the fact that even in the horror of Harperland they still have each other. 

And for me it will always be the time Sébastien once surprised me at a judo competition, by coming home from a very dangerous place a day earlier than expected.

Just like the American basketball player Meyers Leonard, was surprised by his big brother Bailey ...



And yeah, I hate to admit it, but I cried too. I was that happy.

Just like I'm sure I'll weep with joy the day the grotesque Con regime crumbles, before it shames us further.

For it will be like welcoming home the other great love of my life.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Canada, the True North, strong, peaceful, and soon to be FREE.

Isn't it beautiful?

















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9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am thankful for the political situation we have now. The NDP is about too swamped by a Liberal Party led by the most unqualified choice ever! Basically they will destroy each other and Harper will sweep-up what little is left! Thank God Canada is back on track again! It is a wonderful thing, to bad for those on the wrong side of history......I guess......nah, screw them.

Anonymous said...

No politics today. Happy Thanksgiving, Simon, to you and yours. I'm eternally grateful for the lady who married me.

Kev said...

Happy Thanksgiving Simon

sassy said...

I'm thankful for many things and Montreal Simon is one of them :)

Simon said...

hi anonymous...well I'm glad you are in a state of denial, because it will make what lies ahead for you and your party a whole lot easier to take. I see that both Justin Trudeau and Tom Mulcair are hugely popular, while your man Steve not so much. In fact by the time the election arrives I fear the Cons may be as popular as the Bloc Quebecois. Which would be too bad...I guess...nah, screw them... ;)

Simon said...

hi anonymous...thank you and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Judging from the sound of it that lady is as lucky as you are... :)

Simon said...

hi Kev...thanks a lot and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. All things considered I do have a lot of things to be thankful for. Seb is still with me, and it's his turn to cook the turkey, or order the chicken from Swiss Chalet... ;)

Simon said...

his sassy...thanks for that, that's so sweet. I certainly don't deserve it, but I am very grateful for all the encouragement you have given me over the years.
All the best to you and yours...

Anonymous said...

Keep holding on to your empty dreams as they are pretty much the only hope you got left. Harper is going mop the floor with these two twits. No more Francos in charge! Enough! You people have to learn that you don't own the country.