Stephen Harper Takes On The Russians: The PMO Movie

Well I'm sure you remember the day Stephen Harper borrowed a Canadian frigate, the HMCS Fredericton, and went for a spin on the Baltic Sea.

And how the appearance of two Russian frigates on the horizon was hyped by his propaganda machine into sounding like he had faced down Vladimir Putin himself.

With the help of Jason Kenney...



Well now the PMO movie is out, and it turns out to be considerably less dramatic.



I mean who knew that such a life and death confrontation could be so BORING?

But then as Scott Taylor, the well known military journalist points out, it was just a stunt or a non story. 

I’m not sure exactly who is masterminding Prime Minister Harper’s public image machine these days, but whoever it is, they seem intent on convincing Canadians that he is some sort of Warrior King. The latest instalment was last week’s photo op aboard HMCS Fredericton, conducting a NATO exercise in the Baltic Sea. 

To drive home the level of intimidation on the part of the Russians, it was announced that, at one point, the Russian ships came as close as seven nautical miles from Fredericton. This, of course, sounds a lot closer than the metric equivalent of 13 kilometres, but then, why hesitate to torque up what was truly a non-story?

And far from defending the free world Harper's expensive photo-op was actually undermining it.

The ironic part of Harper’s photo op, complete with anti-Russian aggression rhetoric and hype about Canada’s contribution to NATO’s containment of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was the fact that in order to stage the PM’s visit, Fredericton had to interrupt its participation in the NATO squadron exercise. In other words, if we really are on the brink of Armageddon, Harper actually jeopardized the safety of the free world by taking Fredericton off station in order to get his photo taken.

So much for Great Warrior Leader...



But of course there are consequences for needlessly provoking the Russians.

And now Putin seems poised to humiliate Harper.



Russia appears to be angling to make it the G8 once again and President Vladimir Putin suggests it’s something Prime Minister Stephen Harper will just have to accept.

“I don’t want to offend anyone, but if the United States says Russia should be returned to the G8, the prime minister will change his opinion,” Putin told The Canadian Press during a meeting with the heads of world news agencies at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

For if the Russians do make it back to the G8, as they almost certainly will, it will be embarrassing.

Washington’s position is unclear, but having Russia resume its seat would mark an important thaw in international relations after months of Cold War-like rhetoric over Ukraine. 

It would also represent a small personal embarrassment for Harper, who has been among Putin’s most vocal critics.

And judging from Harper's performance at other summits, let me guess how this one will end...



Oh boy. One day we will have a real Canadian Prime Minister, who seeks to defuse dangerous situations instead of inflaming them, for crass political purposes.

And makes this country a force for peace, in a world that badly needs peacemakers not war mongers.

But until the day we defeat that wretched chicken hawk we are stuck with him.

And it couldn't be more embarrassing...

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