Apolitical Staples

Political strategy would dictate the opposite - there are twice as many Muslims as Jews in Canada, and even in T.O. Montreal, that is true …

Too bad some people can’t distinguish between polical posturing and moral principles ….

Zolf has it wrong (and so does Staples). Support for Israel is actually most pronounced on the left. Most people of Jewish heritage support Liberals/Democrats (how many Jewish folks on the Conservative bench v the Liberals, Republicans v Democrats?).

If there is a political calculation - and not just a knee jerk “align myself with the US/UK” reaction - it would be directed at the conservative Evangelical base (who support Israel for entirely different reasons).

Politically, this is a loser for Harper. He may have just kissed the Montreal island (and most of West Quebec), along with the bulk of the 416/905, goodbye.

Throw in his stance on global warming, and well, you have to conclude this is beliefs/morals based, rather than a complicated political calculus.

People seem to be under the impression that you have to be Muslim or Jewish to care about the conflict. That’s not true. Support for Israel will also gain support from many Christian supporters, and others who follow the events.

But none of that matters. You can play politics with nuances in the tax system, or election finance laws. When it comes to a situation like this, you do what you think is right. Damn the polls! There are bigger things at stake here.

It’s called leadership.

I’m with Luke. If this is the hill that Harper & the CPC gov’t die on, I’ll cry & rant & gnash my teeth, but I’ll be okay with it. However, because it probably IS about principles vs politics, this too shall pass.

Besides, he never HAD Montreal.

Too bad some people can’t distinguish between polical posturing and moral principles

Harper has no moral principles. He’s sided with a terrorist government that deliberately targets civilians.

Robert McClelland:

“Harper has no moral principles. He’s sided with a terrorist government that deliberately targets civilians.”

What a crock!

What “terrorist government” would that be, now? The one that invades another country and kills and kidnaps its soldiers?

The one that fires unguided rockets into residential neighborhoods to kill civillians?

The one that sends people wrapped in high explosives into pizza parlors to blow up young kids?

Your statement has to be one of the most stupid, ignorant, and idiotic statements ever made on this subject.

Harper is taking the right position on this. Israel has the right to defend itself from terrorists. Standing with Israel is the right thing to do, whether or not Robert agrees or not.

Zolf has had too many years of watching the liberals make every decision based on political or personal gain. He can’t fathom that Stephen Harper is actually a leader. Zolf is unable to comprehend anyone who has morals or principles. The concept of a politician who has motives beyond personal gain is something he just can’t understand.

What Harper is doing, and what Zolf is proof of, is appealing to Canadians morality. Harper has essentially pushed the issue on to the laps of the voter saying in effect that you only have a choice to either agree or disagree with him. The middle ground (traditional hiding ground for liberals) on this issue is gone.

Fish or cut bait folks.

BTW Anyone know where the liberal party stands on this?

“Your statement has to be one of the most stupid, ignorant, and idiotic statements ever made on this subject.”

Oh, c’mon - I doubt if it’s even among the most stupid, ignorant, or idiotic statements Robbo has made on this topic.

Zolf has it wrong (and so does Staples). Support for Israel is actually most pronounced on the left. Most people of Jewish heritage support Liberals/Democrats (how many Jewish folks on the Conservative bench v the Liberals, Republicans v Democrats?).

That the majority of Jews vote on the left is not indicative that the left is more pro-Israel than the right. After all, most two-state solutions and most calls to do away with the state of Israel come from the left. Clinton (Democrat) proposed a two-state solution (which, interestingly, Bush holds to), and days ago a poster on Daily Kos urged everyone to imagine what a perfect utopia the world would be if Israel did not exist.

Your theory has no real legs. It assumes the Jewish vote is based on one issue when it is not.

I doubt Harper is posturing. It’s too risky to be that. Like the vote on extending Afghan mission, it’s a stand on principle that very well could not pay off in the end. And why does it have to be a purely political strategy anyway? Has the left never heard of personal conviction?

He’s sided with a terrorist government that deliberately targets civilians.

Robert, you can’t influence thinking people by making manifestly counterfactual statements. All that does is trumpet your own ignorance and assure that people will disregard whatever you write or say.

“…and assure that people will disregard whatever you write or say.”

Sorry, but that bus left the station a long time ago

I don’t know about that, DCardno. Kinsella’s paying homage to him today.