Well I see the great postal filibuster has ended. The NDP has surrendered to reality. The union-bashing Cons got what they wanted. The workers were shafted.
And the Liberals looked lame.
But at least the workers were grateful.
And at least the NDP defined itself as THE opposition party, and appears to recognize the importance of symbolic protest.
In fact, symbolically, the NDP Commons filibuster over back-to-work legislation has been brilliant. It has gone on long enough to portray New Democrats as the party willing to defy Harper.
But, so far at least, it has not gone on so long that it materially harms the public and, in particular, those small business operators dependent on mail service whose votes the NDP hopes to attract.
Because now that the HarperCons have a majority, that's the only kind of protest we've got left.
Although I also note that Brigette DePape has some ideas in that regard.
"When they tell us to stay home they are trying to get us to forget that the power of the people in the streets is greater than the power of any government."
But here's the question. How far are we really prepared to go to block the Harper Agenda? And how many Canadians are prepared to stick their necks out to defend Canada? Like Tim DeChristopher is prepared to do to save the planet.
I ask that question because I recently watched a video of DeChristopher addressing the Power Shift conference in April.
And it was one of the most riveting speeches I think I've ever seen...
So how far are Canadians prepared to go?
I have no idea. I guess it depends on how far the Cons are prepared to go. And how much we love our country.
But I do know a couple of things eh?
If Tim DeChristopher ever runs for President of the World I'd vote for him.
Thanks to the NDP and Brigette DePape, the power of peaceful protest is alive and kicking in this country.
And the rest is up to us...
