Someone has started a blog anticipating the election to come called "Harper Government Accomplishments." It's a useful tool if reason to pause about the meaning of "accomplishment" as it is merely a list of things done without consideration of whether they have been done well. Also, as an alphabetical list, there is no hierarchy so that the Poland — Youth Mobility Agreement has equal standing with the establishment of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission. As someone who was a mobile youth in Poland in 1991 on a year long contract, I wonder what that accomplishment is meant to suggest.
But this is useful. We need a means to weigh what has been done to compare it to what is offered if the election is actually called in a few days. We have to be honest that Harper has led a government that has been more and less than expected. More sensible in fiscal matters, largely following the pattern established by Chretien in the early 90s. Less sensible in the absence of vision to inspire the nation - unless you accept the implicit "Ich Bein Ein Nunavuter!" agenda as a call to the Johnny Canuck in all of us. Pass the muktuk, wouldja?
We will use the list as a tool for discussion purposes. Have a look and tell us of your favorites.
Comments
Hans - August 28, 2008 10:38 am
Harper Government Accomplishments? I read the list. Yawn. The list could have easily been called Liberal Government Accomplishments. I agree with most of the items on the list but they are pretty pedestrian "accomplishments". Here's one that, not surprisingly, I didn't see: Stopped the pork-barrelling.
I hope the elevated rhetoric of all the Parties doesn't disturb my slumber during the election. Wake me when its over or when one of them articulates a vision and plan for the future.
James Bow - August 28, 2008 10:47 am
The list is the work of one Sandy Crux (http://crux-of-the-matter.com/), a nice enough lady if unabashedly partisan. Be warned, though, that she's copyrighted her list for Conservative eyes only.
Alan - August 28, 2008 2:01 pm
Fortunately - as you note on your blog - under the copyright act, I have the right to review under s. 29.1. Discussion of these items as "accomplishments" is well within fair dealings. I think I will copy the list to my own server to ensure I can continue to enjoy that right. Besides, seeing as I am a "conservative", I am licensed to the use.
Hans - August 28, 2008 2:08 pm
I assumed that that proviso about copyright was the kind of pure nonsense a semi-understanding of some things about law a non-lawyer will sometimes create. Naturally, I ignored it. Not that I'm going to re-produce or anything anywhere, as I think it a rather boring write-up. But when did lists of things become coyrightable? How does she think that is somehow original work? Wacky....
sean - August 28, 2008 3:17 pm
Semi-aside.. in preparation of the election, I'm working with another fellow on a small series of badly made youtube faux-commercials that are not necessarily promoting any particular party, but do find a way to fin humour in the last few years of Canada's New GoVerNmeNt! Harper makes it so easy to do these things..
Ben (The Tiger) - August 28, 2008 4:04 pm
Will they finally give us an election?
I'll believe it when I see the footage of Harper heading to Rideau Hall to ask the GG for it...
Alan - August 28, 2008 4:30 pm
I wonder if announcing the name of a ship not at its christening is bad mojo. That would be an accomplishment.
Ben (The Tiger) - August 28, 2008 4:56 pm
I'm used to American practices, now -- those super-carriers get named far in advance.
Ben (The Tiger) - August 28, 2008 4:57 pm
Like this one.
Alan - August 28, 2008 5:15 pm
The Prime Ministerial theme is certainly appropriate.
sean - August 29, 2008 9:29 am
I was nothing but impressed at Steve's ability to arrange for not only the scrambling of four F-18's to intercept a Soviet (whoops I mean Russian) Bear patrol plane while he was up north but the pilots admission on air that they were there for that very purpose (they don't do that) and their startegic placement on a tarmac for his photo-op purposes. Maybe he'll be around when CSIS arrest someone next week for terrorist activities and he'll be able to get some more photos having lunch with them and discussing tactics.
kontrol - September 1, 2008 7:24 pm
From a length perspective, the list is impressive because it is long (and has something under almost every letter), but when you look at the specifics, such as:
(8) B’nai Brith International President’s Gold Medallion awarded to PM Stephen Harper (Link)
You have to wonder how many of these items can be considered "accomplishments".