Cabinet Shake-Up Expected
The CBC is reporting today that Prime Minister Harper’s new cabinet may very well see the removal of several key members, the most notable being current Defence Minister, and ex arms lobbyist, Gordon O’Connor.
According to the article…
“At the top of the list of ministers rumoured on their way out is Gordon O’Connor, the embattled defence minister.
O’Connor has been pounded by Opposition leaders over his handling of the mission in Afghanistan, specifically his performance in the Afghan detainee affair.
Names that have been rumoured as possible replacements include MacKay, Prentice, Day, Bernier and Secretary of State Jason Kenney — all considered strong performers.”
If a man who believes that dinosaurs walked the earth at the same time as humans ends up the Defence Minister of this country, I am throwing myself out a window.
In Addition
Updated at 6:58 pm.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper shuffled 10 positions in his cabinet today, the most significant being the appointment of Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay as the new Minister of National Defence. MacKay’s position is being filled by Maxime Bernier, who has only two years of federal political experience.
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August 14th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Oh dear. Day is an idiot, let’s hope it’s not him.
August 14th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
MacKay, Prentice, Day? Don’t you want someone with some expertise in the military to be your freaking defense minister???
I don’t understand how the same people can play musical chairs in these extremely different cabinet positions, and why MP’s etc. are appointed to these positions that have little prior knowledge on what they are overseeing (ie: John Baird as Enivronment Minister. WTF did he know about the environment before his posting????)
August 14th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Well, in the end it doesn’t really matter. Harper keeps such a tight leash on his cabinet that none of them act without his approval in any case. They are all just puppets.
Though i read in the Globe and Mail today that it is MacKay…the guy who pouted about his relationship woes for the national media, remarking at one point about dogs being loyal. The only problem was, the dog he was pretending was his trusted friend, the faithful hound who would help mend his broken heart, was actually his neighbors dog.
August 14th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Matt,
You may want to think of putting mattresses on the street under all your windows.
Just when you think it can’t get any weirder it takes another hard turn left.
Peace All
EDIT: Chuck Strahl is Minister of Indian Affairs according to the CBC
August 14th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
They’re just rumours, remember… Not confirmed possibilities.
August 14th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Chuck Strahl ……
Wonder what this could possibly mean for us? *quietly ponders*
August 14th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
I’ll be right behind you….
Oh my god! this parachute is a knapsack!!!
August 14th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Matt said:
‘If a man who believes that dinosaurs walked the earth at the same time as humans ends up the Defence Minister of this country, I am throwing myself out a window.’
Why don’t we hold hands and jump together?
August 14th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Jason Kenney would be an even better choice. It’d at least keep him away from the gay marriage issue.
Personally I’d like to see Rob “Nelson Mandela is a terrorist” Anders take on a leading role. It’d ensure we don’t end up with a Conservative majority next time around.
August 14th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
“If a man who believes that dinosaurs walked the earth at the same time as humans ends up the Defence Minister of this country, I am throwing myself out a window.”
You are a window, so that could be interesting…
(ha ha, worst joke ever).
August 14th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
It is pleasing to see “ex arms lobbyist” affixed afront O’Connor’s name — a little piece of memory that should follow him where ever he might go.
I just checked the latest on the cabinet shuffle… they can play musical chairs all day but it doesn’t change the fact that this is an entirely ineffectual governing party that represents a fledgeling minority of Canadian interests, that, at the end of the day, amounts to an international embarassment.
August 14th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
[quote comment="23146"]MacKay, Prentice, Day? Don’t you want someone with some expertise in the military to be your freaking defense minister???[/quote]
I think Mr. O’Connor has unequivocally proven that one’s military experience has no direct relation on how well they will perform as minister of defence.
Peter MacKay (who was appointed to the position this afternoon for those who don’t know yet) is, in my opinion, an extremely honest and straightforward politician who should do much better than his predecessor.
August 14th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
*bangs head into desk*
August 14th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
doesnt matter who they put there,no one in that cabinet can do the job
August 14th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
At the risk of sounding somewhat partisan, many of the previous comments on this entry need to start substantiating their comments, or else stop saying anything at all. I’m getting tired of reading this useless drivel from individuals who refuse to support their contentions.
August 14th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
O’Connor looked like he wanted to cry during the entire ceremony. oh CPAC…how sad it is that you’re more exciting than my job…
I have to agree that MacKay is better suited for this position. At least he offers bilingualism and a younger face to the post than O’Connor.
I’m also glad that Oda got the boot from Heritage. Sweet Jebus what a fucking gong show that was…
And the last very geeky observation I feel the overwhelmingly bland need to bring up…I found it sort of disheartening that of the nine Ministers involved, only four swore their oaths of office in both official languages. I’m pretty sure if you’re in a position of representing Canadians as a whole in some manner that you should at least acknowledge the fact in French and English. Except maybe an exception in Oda’s case…maybe she can work on being coherent in at least one of them first…
August 14th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
mtw,
we have the right to express whats on our minds
August 14th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Thanks patz, I had no idea Oda might be gone from Heritage. They have announced that she will be replaced by Josée Verner. My livelihood and the direction it takes is tied pretty darn uncomfortably close to the whims of the people running that department - I guess now I hold my breath and wait to see which way the arts wind blows…
August 14th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
We need more sexy ladies in politics. I would have voted for Belinda (cause she is hawt)
August 14th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Flintstones prove they did indeed walked at the same time…
you think o’connor is more notable a change than mckay…. challenge!!
Mckay can fck up a cup of coffee …..o’connor makes a man espresso…his hands are also very soft…
August 14th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
[quote comment="23198"]…Mckay can fck up a cup of coffee …..o’connor makes a man espresso…his hands are also very soft…[/quote]
And lips as soft as butter.
[quote comment="23195"]We need more sexy ladies in politics. I would have voted for Belinda (cause she is hawt)[/quote]
ha!
August 14th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
Quoting Matt’s blog:
“If a man who believes that dinosaurs walked the earth at the same time as humans ends up the Defence Minister of this country, I am throwing myself out a window.”
I don’t know what sort of qualifications Day may or may not have, but does whether someone thinks we walked with dinosaurs or evolved from primates have any bearing on what kind of job they’d do in such a position?
Not that it matters since it was merely speculation on a now filled position.
August 14th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
mtw said:
“I think Mr. O’Connor has unequivocally proven that one’s military experience has no direct relation on how well they will perform as minister of defence.”
No, it has proven that a person with substancial military experience doesn’t gaurantee they will perform well as minister of defense. That doesn’t mean substancial military experience wouldn’t help the minister of defense a great amount.
Same as it would be very wise to have a minister of finance that has some former experience in business, or the minister of the enviroment have some expertise/knowledge about the envirnoment etc.
Seriously, what is on MacKay’s resume that shows he knows how to run a nation’s military? As for MacKay being “honest”, tell that to David Orchard.
August 14th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
[quote]what if I were in the position to become the Minister of National Defence and believed that Panda’s are aliens living among us from a distant planet sent here to monitor our development, covertly eating only bamboo shoots until such a time as we can be consumed by them when they invade earth in giant spaceships?[/quote]
In this what if case, you would never be elected if you admitted your beliefs, and would therefore never be minister of defense. If you didn’t admit your beliefs well, … the more power to you I guess.
I, for one, welcome our new panda overlords.
August 14th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
[quote comment="23209"]No, it has proven that a person with substancial military experience doesn’t gaurantee they will perform well as minister of defense. That doesn’t mean substancial military experience wouldn’t help the minister of defense a great amount.[/quote]
Isn’t that what I said?
Regardless, ultimately, as I understand it, Cabinet Ministers are, for the most part, communicators (read: talking heads). Real control lies with the Deputy Minister/Civil Servants and, especially in the current government, the Prime Minister. As frightening as it sounds, it isn’t necessary a prerequesite to have a vast expanse of knowledge on the particular area you’re entering. It doesn’t, however, hurt to have a good head on your shoulders, and Mr. MacKay, as a former Foreign Affairs Minister, and notable opposition member prior to being in government, does, in my opinion, possess this quality.
August 14th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Does it matter? “Democracy”, as we know it, is nothing but a sham, a popularity contest designed to lure us into buying our candidate of choice, much like the choice we make between Pepsi and Coke.
I’m sorry if I rained on your story, Mr. Good, but, shit, I can’t stomach this dog-and-pony show anymore. Dictatorship, even when shrouded in the guise of “democracy”, still smells like dictatorship. The Liberal, Conservative, Bloc and NDP might as well be four NHL teams for all I care: four gangs of millionaires vying for some superficial prize, while the rest of us stare slack-jawed at the proceedings.
Needless to say, I’m tired of this shit, particularly because our lives are lost in the shuffle.
August 14th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
@misinformation
exactly, thats why we should have more sexy ladies. I feel it is my duty to vote every election… but I know my vote doesn’t matter. Its all about who can ‘attract’ more people.
Thats why I think we should have more sexy ladies. If I am gonna be lied to over and over, I’d rather be lied to by Teri Hatcher than Gordon O’Connor.
EDIT: I also dont give a hoot that Teri isn’t Canadian, I’d still vote for her.
August 14th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
no seriously dude i shook ‘em…mckcay could make a hand job seem like a snickers’ blizzard from dairy queen
August 14th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
8….7…6……time left till my ejection to this site….but mckay is your barrymore…
August 14th, 2007 at 10:47 pm
[quote comment="23145"]Oh dear. Day is an idiot, let’s hope it’s not him.[/quote]
Simply not true. He is my MP; he has been doing a great job since he got the job….
[quote comment="23219"]Does it matter? “Democracy”, as we know it, is nothing but a sham, a popularity contest designed to lure us into buying our candidate of choice, much like the choice we make between Pepsi and Coke.
I’m sorry if I rained on your story, Mr. Good, but, shit, I can’t stomach this dog-and-pony show anymore. Dictatorship, even when shrouded in the guise of “democracy”, still smells like dictatorship. The Liberal, Conservative, Bloc and NDP might as well be four NHL teams for all I care: four gangs of millionaires vying for some superficial prize, while the rest of us stare slack-jawed at the proceedings.
Needless to say, I’m tired of this shit, particularly because our lives are lost in the shuffle.[/quote]
Wow, what a pessimistic cop-out. Democracy has its problems, but compared to the alternatives it easily is the better choice….
August 15th, 2007 at 12:11 am
kanji,
I wish I lived in your riding and got a chance to vote for Elizabeth May next time.
August 15th, 2007 at 1:05 am
[quote comment="23205"]
True enough. Then again, what if I were in the position to become the Minister of National Defence and believed that Panda’s are aliens living among us from a distant planet sent here to monitor our development, covertly eating only bamboo shoots until such a time as we can be consumed by them when they invade earth in giant spaceships? It’s just as plausible as man and dinosaur coexisting.[/quote]
Difference being the Panda theory isn’t as widely held of a theological point of view. I’m sure the idea of evolution is just as absurd to many who hold a similar stance as Mr. Day’s on creation. It all depends on ones perspective. Whether one agrees or disagrees with Day’s theological stand doesn’t change how capable or incapable he would be in the position of Minister of National Defence.
August 15th, 2007 at 6:06 am
Can you honestly call this “democracy”, kanji, when everything, including the politicians we send to office, is bought and sold? Our “democracy” is but an illusion.
August 15th, 2007 at 6:43 am
Kris I have to disagree. If the MND is the civilian link between the CF and the public - and the CF is charged with operating in religiously sensitive hot spots - an MND who is openly contentious on their religious views could definitely cause troubles in the position.
August 15th, 2007 at 7:05 am
[quote comment="23222"]no seriously dude i shook ‘em…mckcay could make a hand job seem like a snickers’ blizzard from dairy queen[/quote]
that’s a wicked wierd image to be starting the day off with…ew…with chunks of peanut and nougat though…ouch…
[quote comment="23233"]Kris I have to disagree. If the MND is the civilian link between the CF and the public - and the CF is charged with operating in religiously sensitive hot spots - an MND who is openly contentious on their religious views could definitely cause troubles in the position.[/quote]
Exactly.
August 15th, 2007 at 8:23 am
[quote comment="23233"]Kris I have to disagree. If the MND is the civilian link between the CF and the public - and the CF is charged with operating in religiously sensitive hot spots - an MND who is openly contentious on their religious views could definitely cause troubles in the position.[/quote]
I can agree with that, just not the idea that if one feels another persons theological views are absurd, it makes that other person incompetant in other areas.
August 15th, 2007 at 8:49 am
“If a man who believes that dinosaurs walked the earth at the same time as humans ends up the Defence Minister of this country, I am throwing myself out a window. ”
What if a Defence Minister’s stance on say… abortion, is pro-choice? If I think this is outlandish and outrageous, does this affect the way he/she handles the Defense?
how about you stop inserting unecessary jabs which usually have nothing to support your posts…. the christian/relgious joking is getting a little old and tired.
August 15th, 2007 at 9:17 am
[quote comment="23224"][quote comment="23145"]Oh dear. Day is an idiot, let’s hope it’s not him.[/quote]
Simply not true. He is my MP; he has been doing a great job since he got the job….
My parents live in Day’s riding, and I can confirm that he is indeed an idiot.
August 15th, 2007 at 9:20 am
Quoting kanji:
[quote comment="23224"][quote comment="23145"]Oh dear. Day is an idiot, let’s hope it’s not him.[/quote]
Simply not true. He is my MP; he has been doing a great job since he got the job….
My parents live in Day’s riding, and I can confirm that he is indeed an idiot.
August 15th, 2007 at 10:42 am
Coren, i like the sexy ladies idea. It would get more people to watch CPAC & to vote, at least among men & lesbians.
But the sexy ladies may not be the best qualified to run the country. Maybe a better idea would to have sexy naked ladies & super-hunks do the news so more people would watch. Actually i think thats they’ve been doing on Global, they have an odd amount of blondes on their news.
August 15th, 2007 at 10:59 am
[quote comment="23246"]Coren, i like the sexy ladies idea. It would get more people to watch CPAC & to vote, at least among men & lesbians.
But the sexy ladies may not be the best qualified to run the country.[/quote]
I think that good looking fems are just as qualified as the jokers we’ve had for the past 20 years.
Look at the state of our country… kids kill kids, we rape mother nature for a cheap buck, US opinion is how we judge success, nuns are killed in convents, Old people are mugged and knifed for $5, teenage girls are killed in Toronto’s Eatons Center on boxingday and noone comes forward saying “these people are murderers.” Our schools can no longer control and shape our young students, being stupid is popular, our police are corrupt/incompetent, do I need to continue? “We didn’t start the fire”, but has the fire ever burned as hot as in this new millenium?
My point? The jokers that have been running things aren’t qualified anyway, so lets have some sexy ‘unqualified’ ladies doing the gig so I at least get some enjoyment from the electorial process.
When they win elections, Im sure they will jump up and down…. ohhhh yeah.
EDIT: I know this sounds like a joke… but if I ever get to vote for a hawt chick… unless she is in the Nazi party of Canada, I’ll vote for her and enjoy every cent of my tax dollars going towards $2000 Gucci shoes
August 15th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
[quote comment="23220"]@misinformation
exactly, thats why we should have more sexy ladies. I feel it is my duty to vote every election… but I know my vote doesn’t matter. Its all about who can ‘attract’ more people.
Thats why I think we should have more sexy ladies. If I am gonna be lied to over and over, I’d rather be lied to by Teri Hatcher than Gordon O’Connor.
EDIT: I also dont give a hoot that Teri isn’t Canadian, I’d still vote for her.[/quote]
Only in a patriarchy can we get away with suggesting this.
August 15th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
[quote comment="23249"]Only in a patriarchy can we get away with suggesting this.[/quote]
Do you suggest that a matriarchal society would censor opinions more? If so, they can censor my opinions all they want if they are hawt :P
August 15th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Do these sexy MP babes have to be bilingual? Jessica Alba will need to take french lessons
August 16th, 2007 at 8:31 am
[quote comment="23288"]Do these sexy MP babes have to be bilingual? Jessica Alba will need to take french lessons[/quote]
Whatever helps win votes….