About a month ago I wrote a column satirizing the federal Conservative Party's seeming desire to create a "personality cult" around the person of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
It was a supposed to be a joke. (Although a lot of Tories didn't find it funny)
But maybe I was closer to the mark than I figured.
Turns out the government has actually created a special gallery in the House of Commons that features nothing but pictures of the Prime Minister.
According to Green Party Leader Elizabeth May who toured the gallery:
"When you walk in the door, all you see are pictures of Stephen Harper. I'd say between every window, in every available space of the wall, at eye level, every available space has a photo of Stephen Harper."
And she adds, "You've got photos of Stephen Harper, but not of previous prime ministers. Photos of Stephen Harper in different costumes, in different settings, dressed as a fireman, in Hudson Bay looking for polar bears, meeting the Dalai Lama, even the portrait of the Queen had to have Stephen Harper, but in a candid, behind her."
No doubt plans for the giant Stephen Harper statue are in the works.
H/T Janet
Truth is stranger than fiction.
ReplyDelete... Gerry, I respectfully suggest that you consider dropping the personality critiques- whether Dion or Harper- and stay on the high road of principles and policies.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work Gerry...
ReplyDeleteIt must irk you that your former colleague has left you way behind and been must more successful...
Green is very becoming on you...
Little man!!!
Gerry - much as I can agree with you on some issues you are starting to resemble another square peg who claimed to be conservative but was really in politics for his ego. You and Garth Turner have qyite a few things in common. You both write quite well and like to use sarcasm trying to convince your readers that you are wise and witty and you both have trouble hiding a very disturbing character flaw that you disguise as political commentary - that is the ugly politics of envy which is targeted at Stephen Harper.
ReplyDeleteYou both agree with yourself that you are smarter, wiser and aptly more qualified to out think our PM and want to tear him down to build yourself up.
And, you both owe your so called "fame" to blasting the PM and the conservatives from the inside to a gleeful liberal media who use you to try to show division in the party. (not that you would be at all considered someone within the party - you are but a citizen like the rest of us and surely not a CPC supporter)
It is not becoming to you, Gerry. In fact, it is very sad to watch you sink to those levels.
All Gerry [and Janet] are saying is that Stephen Harper has an overly healthy ego. Does that surprise anyone in the slightest? We should thank Gerry for telling about this curious news. After all, we live in a parliamentary democracy... don't we?
ReplyDeletePhotos of previous Prime Ministers would be nice.
Your so vain
ReplyDeleteYou probably think this session of parliament is about you
Your so vain
You probably think the press gallery can't get enough of you
Don't you? Don't you?
Apologize to Carly Simon (I hope I don't get dinged by the new copywrite laws)
The big money question is did Canadian taxpayers have to foot the bill for makeup and photography.
Afternoon Gerry,
ReplyDeleteSeems the blogosphere is all a twitter because there are lots of pictures of the Prime Minister and his visitors hanging around.
What's the big deal, other than to get the hysterical Liberals wound up like cheap watches.
Now that's seriously funny.
My favorite is the one with Stephen and the stray cat he adopted.
Art imitating life.
"Gerry is now a Senior Fellow with the Democracy Institute"
ReplyDeleteMore like "a Senior Embarrassment."
Yeah, I don't care if you like Harper or not, this is hilarious.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we should sneak in a replace the photos with pictures of Hayek, Friedman and Mises. Our economist PM could use a subtle reminder of the ideas he used to espouse.
ReplyDeleteSomeone in Harper's inner circle has a gay crush or something, cause chicks don't find him hot. The whole thing is bizarre!
ReplyDeleteRemember, don't ever dare say anything critical about the apparently infallible Harper - his little crowd of followers will attack you.
ReplyDeleteHarper has never, ever EVER done or said anything that is not 100% absolutely factually correct.
How dare anyone suggest otherwise?
I guess it never occurred to anyone (because it is not possible for Harper to do anything right) that this is a bit of light hearted fun - after all all the pictures printed in the newspapers of this gallery were ones where Harper was photographed in terrible dress or pose. Could it be a gallery of the worst pictures of Harper, meant to remind people to lighten up; to not themselves too seriously -- can't be -- after all it must be that the mean, evil Harper is ensuring his party worships his image at all times. This is one more example of how some two bit partisan looks for the worst possible explanation and has the MSM regurgetate it for negative effect. How utterly surprising.
ReplyDeleteI don't suppose it is possible that these framed photos and paintings were donated by the various communities that intended to honour their PM, after visiting them in their local constituencies. It sounds quite likely to me. It could be construed as a slight against them if their gift was not displayed with the others.
ReplyDeleteThat would be just a plain odd site to see...
ReplyDeleteBTW did you finish Mr. Frum's book on "Conservatism that cannot win again!"
As I said quite awhile ago, adios, Rudy and David!
Let's give some real conservatism a try next time...
I have already bought my Danny Williams "Viva La Revolucion" tee shirt... This guy would make a great conservative PM!
ReplyDeleteLOL..Thanks Gerry!
ReplyDeleteIt is truly amusing to see how the Harper cronies whine when you poke fun of their master!
Dear Gerry:
ReplyDeleteYour repeated insults directed against our great and glorious leader have reached a level that is now unacceptable to the Ministry of Truth.
Please report for reprogramming where you will be required to repetitively recite the following stanzas:
(1) The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the best hockey teams in the World!
(2) Celine Dion is a truly gifted performer!
(3) Steven Harper is a Conservative!
You will then disseminate only this above information in your future columns.
Thank you! That is all!
Sincerely,
An overpaid Conservative appointee
Ministry of Truth.
Canuckistan
I'm not sure Elizabeth May is a reliable source in this regard.
ReplyDelete