Apolitical Staples

You mean all we have to do is become conservatives and you will vote for us? It’s all so simple. Why didn’t we think of it before?

So let me see if I’ve got his points right.

I assume your kidding (Sinister) Greg because there is nothing there saying you have to be conservative.

You can argue defense matters without invoking W. or more to the point, invoke him 1/10 of the time and when you do it is meaningful.

Don’t argue that corporations are evil argue that they are less effective than gov’t (though you will forgive my disagreement).

Etc., etc…and to be fair you could come up with a similar list for conservatives to follow if they are to be taken more seriously.

But you can ignore friendly advice if you choose.

I found it kinda patronizing, frankly, especially the last sentence.

“And as entertaining as it is for us conservatives right now, an ineffectual left is a bad thing for the nation.”

The Liberals were in power a long time before trash talking like that. Your guys seem to be naturals.

If you ever voted NDP, I would go outside and wait for Jesus. ;)

Heh. You guys wouldn’t know a piece of honest advice if it slapped you on the ass. Taylor’s not the type to try to undermine your efforts with stealth and guile. He’s the type to want to fight you head-on. Can’t do that if you’re too busy beating yourselves, now can he?

You want to ascribe alterior motives to him, believe me, you’re projecting. He’s as straight-up as they come.

And yes, Greg, you might find it patronizing. Sort of like when you tell Conservatives to start playing nice with the press if they want to get anything done. A patronizing message isn’t necessarily an incorrect one.

I’ll cop to not phrasing it delicately. That’s not my style.

I know it’s hard to believe for the congenitally conspiracy-inclined, but sometimes even your opponents would like to see you do better. The sharper you are, the sharper we have to be. Why do you think elite athletes like to compete against each other — for the soulless corporate endorsements? Ever heard the phrase “as iron sharpens iron” …?

Those five points are lost battles for you, much as reversing SSM is lost to the socon right. There is nothing to be gained from fighting self-marginalising battles.

I would like to see the NDP have a New Labour-style transformation and maybe have a shot at doing something. I know Anthony Blair’s not going to be your favourite guy and all under the cirumstances, but he’s at least removed the swear-word stigma from the Labour Party in Britain, and gotten them elected to the government. And that’s a good thing. It would be nice if some day, the NDP could do the same. I won’t enjoy it, but it will mean the party has matured and its message is being heard, understood and accepted by the nation. Is that bad news?

As for Robert’s points… he is illustrating mine. Where are George W’s CPC nomination papers, and what riding did he stand for? This is what passes for good partisan tactics?

Like lecturing children….

I don’t agree with point 2 “as foolish as conservatives who paint the so-called mainstream media as one monolithic souless agenda-driven monster”

The MSM is an agenda-driven monster. Now it’s not 100% socialist driven. But it is driven. Also, Harper is no different than Trudeau who couldn’t tolerate them. The MSM are definitely agenda driven, they want to change the world, without running for election.

“Gary Doer of Manitoba and Lorne Calvert of Saskatchewan” while these guys are technically Premiers, in fact, they are closer to being Mayors of medium sized North American cities. Mayor David Miller (unfortunately) has a bigger job than those guys. They are no big deal in the governance of the Country.

Otherwise, I agree with 99% of the stuff put forward.

Chris, all you have to do is remember election night after Harper’s victory. Jack was at least diplomatic enough to congratulate him in his speech. The chorus of boos from the audience was illuminating. As an organization, these people are so not ready for prime time. Canadians know better than to elect a party capable of such an undignified display. Bob Rae figured that one out too.

These people are high octane and have no other ideological home than what is offered by the NDP. Jack must either euthanize this element of his base or send them to finishing school. I’m for the former.