Sympathy for Stephen Harper

 

 

The bill is about “threats to the security of Canada,” which include but are not limited to: interfering with the ability of the Canadian government to maintain economic or fiscal stability; espionage; interference with critical infrastructure; terrorism; and doing anything in Canada that undermines the security of another state.

 

(“Lawful advocacy, protest, dissent and artistic expression” are exempted from being threats to the security of Canada. But how well do governments define those things in times of “great evil”?)

 

What happens when government policy threatens the security of Canadians - like, say veterans, or aboriginals, or racialized youth?  What happens when targeted groups stand up for themselves in protest, possibly blocking highways and the like to ensure they have an impact and are heard?

 

Such acts of self-advocacy certainly interfere with the government's ability to maintain stability.  But then, so was a singular dependence on oil, but that's off-message.

 

This is the message:

 

On Friday, Mr. Harper – intoning that “a great evil has been descending over our world” – tabled his new anti-terrorism act.

 

A great evil is indeed descending over our world.  It's nothing new.  In fact, we know exactly what this evil looks like.

 

Wonder whether Harper likes the Rolling Stones?

 

 
So if you meet me
Have some courtesy
Have some sympathy, and some taste

Use all your well-learned politesse
Or I'll lay your soul to waste
 

Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name

But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game

 

Tell me baby, what's my name
I tell you one time, you're to blame