I was never a fan of Bob Rae for obvious reasons. But yesterday he did something important. He unveiled the secret, the taboo, the hidden factor: Harper is a dangerous man. Not only because he is an intellectual fraud. But much more importantly, because his view of the world. There is no doubt that he would have gone with Bush in the war. And look what he has done in the last two years.
– Trying to outpace the US in support of Israel, including in the clear-cut aggression against Lebanon in 2006, while at the same time punishing the Palestinians, in obvious contradiction with Canada’s humanitarian and development aid traditions.
– Increasing and militarizing further our presence in Afghanistan.
– Supporting the new cold war in Georgia triggered by Dick Cheney.
– Enhancing Canada’s relations with the criminal regime of Uribe in Columbia.
Look wherever your eyes bring you in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Harper is NOT a whipping boy of Bush (like the ‘poodle’ Blair), but someone who really believes in the ‘endless war’ and wants to be one its leaders. Once in power, it will only get worse. In a few weeks or months, the US (even with Obama) will start again with their military adventures. What is the best option to push out their internal crisis except to externalize it? Harper will want Canada to be on the frontlines of that new phase of the ‘endless war’.
This is not ‘ordinary business’. This is not the usual Canadian contestation between center-right, center-center and center left. This is a point of departure. This is a bifurcation. Harper in government will radically change the way this country is governed and how it works in the world. Once the damage is done, it will bevy difficult to backtrack.
This is why the ‘strategic vote’ is necessary. So fellow Canadian comrades and friends, pinch your nose and do what we will do in Quebec on October 14. Vote for the candidate that can defeat Harper, not for the party of you choice which should be the NPD in most cases. Vote for the NPD of course if it can defeat Harper, which seems to be the case in many western regions. Where this is not the case, shut up and put up, vote Liberal.
This is not a banal moment. We will regret it for a long time if we make the wrong move.
Support rabble today!
We’re so glad you stopped by! Thanks for consuming rabble content this year.
rabble.ca is 100% reader and donor funded, so as an avid reader of our content, we hope you will consider gifting rabble with a donation during our summer fundraiser today.
Whether it be a one-time donation or a small monthly contribution, your support is critical to keep rabble writers producing the work you’ve come to rely on as a part of a healthy media diet.
Become a rabble rouser — donate to rabble.ca today.
Nick Seebruch, editor
