Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Dear Department of Culture Supporter...
As you are undoubtedly aware, this past week has brought unprecedented change to federal politics.
We believe the proposed NDP/Liberal Coalition government is a welcome change to the ideologically driven ultra-right wing policies that Harper represents. With a formal agreement from the Bloc Quebecois and the support of the Green Party, this government now represents 63% of Canadian voters. Meanwhile Harper is trying to use his millions in fundraising advantage and ignorance of parliamentary procedure to keep power.
He can be stopped and there are several things that we encourage you to do:
1. Email the Governor General
We need to flood the Governor General's e-mail box with support for the coalition government. Copy and paste this letter or write one of your own. Send it along with your name and address to Michaëlle Jean. DO THIS NOW. It is essential that we show the governor general that there is massive support for this plan.
Send your message to: info@gg.ca
Your Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean,
I am writing to encourage you to accept the proposal by M. Dion and Mr. Layton to form a coalition government in cooperation with M. Duceppe. The actions of Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party are motivated by a lust for power, not the best interests of the people of our country. I believe that the coalition - which duly represents the voices of 63% of Canadians - should be given the opportunity to form a government. I also do not think that an election is a prudent choice at this juncture. We need leadership and a cooperative process. I look forward to the days ahead with
hope; please act in the name of democracy and good government.
Best Regards,
[Insert your full name and address.]
2. Go to a rally in support of the coalition government.
On Saturday December 6th there are rallies right across the country. The Toronto rally will take place at the same time as a Conservative Rally at Queen's Park. Don't be confused by the Conservative rally at Queen's Park. Pro Coalition people are gathering at NATHAN PHILLIPS SQUARE. Jack Layton and Stéphane Dion will be speaking at NATHAN PHILLIPS SQUARE. Musical guests will follow.
The Conservatives are using their own considerable resources and sympathetic media in an attempt to escape a confidence vote and maintain power. We must demonstrate that the majority of Canada's citizens support the coalition by showing our numbers at rallies right across the country.
CLICK HERE for the time and location of pro-coalition rallies across the country
MANY OF THESE RALLIES ARE ON THURSDAY DECEMBER 4th
3. Sign these petitions:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/coalition_for_canada/98.php/?CLICK_TF_TRACK Canadians for a Progressive Coalition
http://www.progressivecoalition.ca/form.php
[ + http://www.62percentmajority.ca
http://canadianlabour.ca/en/coalition-governm ent-en
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/coalitiongovernment/]
4. Join these Facebook groups:
Canadians for a Progressive Coalition
Canadians United Against Stephen Harper
5. Copy/Paste this message and send it to everyone you know via Facebook and email:
This situation is unprecedented. It is imperative that you act. The massive cash advantage that the Conservatives have means there are people BEING PAID to write emails and messages supporting Harper's cling to power across the country. At this moment, each action reverberates and makes a big difference.
We believe the proposed NDP/Liberal Coalition government is a welcome change to the ideologically driven ultra-right wing policies that Harper represents. With a formal agreement from the Bloc Quebecois and the support of the Green Party, this government now represents 63% of Canadian voters. Meanwhile Harper is trying to use his millions in fundraising advantage and ignorance of parliamentary procedure to keep power.
He can be stopped and there are several things that we encourage you to do:
1. Email the Governor General
We need to flood the Governor General's e-mail box with support for the coalition government. Copy and paste this letter or write one of your own. Send it along with your name and address to Michaëlle Jean. DO THIS NOW. It is essential that we show the governor general that there is massive support for this plan.
Send your message to: info@gg.ca
Your Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean,
I am writing to encourage you to accept the proposal by M. Dion and Mr. Layton to form a coalition government in cooperation with M. Duceppe. The actions of Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party are motivated by a lust for power, not the best interests of the people of our country. I believe that the coalition - which duly represents the voices of 63% of Canadians - should be given the opportunity to form a government. I also do not think that an election is a prudent choice at this juncture. We need leadership and a cooperative process. I look forward to the days ahead with
hope; please act in the name of democracy and good government.
Best Regards,
[Insert your full name and address.]
2. Go to a rally in support of the coalition government.
On Saturday December 6th there are rallies right across the country. The Toronto rally will take place at the same time as a Conservative Rally at Queen's Park. Don't be confused by the Conservative rally at Queen's Park. Pro Coalition people are gathering at NATHAN PHILLIPS SQUARE. Jack Layton and Stéphane Dion will be speaking at NATHAN PHILLIPS SQUARE. Musical guests will follow.
The Conservatives are using their own considerable resources and sympathetic media in an attempt to escape a confidence vote and maintain power. We must demonstrate that the majority of Canada's citizens support the coalition by showing our numbers at rallies right across the country.
CLICK HERE for the time and location of pro-coalition rallies across the country
MANY OF THESE RALLIES ARE ON THURSDAY DECEMBER 4th
3. Sign these petitions:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/coalition_for_canada/98.php/?CLICK_TF_TRACK Canadians for a Progressive Coalition
http://www.progressivecoalition.ca/form.php
[ + http://www.62percentmajority.ca
http://canadianlabour.ca/en/coalition-governm ent-en
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/coalitiongovernment/]
4. Join these Facebook groups:
Canadians for a Progressive Coalition
Canadians United Against Stephen Harper
5. Copy/Paste this message and send it to everyone you know via Facebook and email:
This situation is unprecedented. It is imperative that you act. The massive cash advantage that the Conservatives have means there are people BEING PAID to write emails and messages supporting Harper's cling to power across the country. At this moment, each action reverberates and makes a big difference.
"Lies, Lying Liars... and a fun quiz!"
Messages from Allies...
There's a lot of spin being rolled out of the Harper camp these days-- it's to be expected. Maddening as it is, it's the reality of the political game. But as the situation becomes more desperate for the Conservatives, so do their tactics. Now they're just making shit up.
It's desperate, but it's also calculated. It puts the opposition on the defensive, muddies the issues, and the public is left scratching their heads in confusion. All we can do is counter and counter again with the truth until the truth is heard.
That said, I figure we might as well have a little fun in the meantime. Yes, this can only mean one thing:
!! FUN QUIZ TIME !!
1. Of the following options, which we have chosen TOTALLY RANDOMLY, which is NOT illegal?
A) Bribing an elected MP
B) Recording a group conversation without the consent of at least one of the intended participants
C) Paying for a fifty-cent item with pennies
D) Forming a coalition in the House of Commons as a result of a motion of censure or want of confidence
ANSWER: D! But not according to Harper, who said, "[The coalition is an] illegal grab for power through the back door". (We would never imply, by the way, that Harper or any of his MPs ever tried to pay for anything with a fistful of pennies.)
2. Using the photo at the link below as a reference, which DOES NOT appear in the picture?
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2206727&l=7d163&id=596390760
A) Stephen Dion
B) Gilles Duceppe
C) Jack Layton
D) the Canadian flag
E) A funny-shaped thing that looks like camera equipment
F) Paris Hilton
ANSWER: F! Stephen Harper would have flunked this one: "Yesterday ... we had these three parties together, forming this agreement, signing a document and they wouldn’t even have the Canadian flag behind them." (Paris, meanwhile, is mad about missing the photo opp and is consulting her lawyers.)
3. A "coup d'état" is...
A) "the sudden, violent overthrow of an existing government by a small group" (Britannica)
B) "the sudden unconstitutional overthrow of a government by a part ... of the state establishment — usually the military — to replace the branch of the stricken government, either with another civil government or with a military government" (Wikipedia)
C) "a sudden decisive exercise of force in politics" (Merriam-Webster)
D) "Sounds like a frenchie thing to me. Can't be good." (the clerk at Joe's Guns n' Ammo)
ANSWER: A, B, and C. (And now we know where Natural Resources Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn got his schoolin' from.)
4. Which of the opposition parties is NOT a formal partner in the coalition?
A) The Liberal Party of Canada
B) Bloc Québécois
C) New Democratic Party of Canada
ANSWER: B. OK, that was easy. Harper knows this, too, but is trying to convince Canadians otherwise.
5. How many Bloc MPs will be offered Senate seats by the new coalition?
A) 6
B) 12
C) One MIIIIILLION!
D) 0
E) Less than zero
F) Pas de chance !
ANSWER: D, E and F are all acceptable answers. Even though 'zero' is the same in both French and English, Harper apparently confuses it with 'six'.
----------------------------------------------
If you answered all questions correctly, congratulations! Fabulous prizes include a voice in the House of Commons and a BRAAAAND NEEEEW GOVERNMENT !
Thanks for participating!
Lara
UNITE THE LEFT - Canadians for a Coalition Government
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=47793722787&ref=mf
* * *
There's a lot of spin being rolled out of the Harper camp these days-- it's to be expected. Maddening as it is, it's the reality of the political game. But as the situation becomes more desperate for the Conservatives, so do their tactics. Now they're just making shit up.
It's desperate, but it's also calculated. It puts the opposition on the defensive, muddies the issues, and the public is left scratching their heads in confusion. All we can do is counter and counter again with the truth until the truth is heard.
That said, I figure we might as well have a little fun in the meantime. Yes, this can only mean one thing:
!! FUN QUIZ TIME !!
1. Of the following options, which we have chosen TOTALLY RANDOMLY, which is NOT illegal?
A) Bribing an elected MP
B) Recording a group conversation without the consent of at least one of the intended participants
C) Paying for a fifty-cent item with pennies
D) Forming a coalition in the House of Commons as a result of a motion of censure or want of confidence
ANSWER: D! But not according to Harper, who said, "[The coalition is an] illegal grab for power through the back door". (We would never imply, by the way, that Harper or any of his MPs ever tried to pay for anything with a fistful of pennies.)
2. Using the photo at the link below as a reference, which DOES NOT appear in the picture?
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2206727&l=7d163&id=596390760
A) Stephen Dion
B) Gilles Duceppe
C) Jack Layton
D) the Canadian flag
E) A funny-shaped thing that looks like camera equipment
F) Paris Hilton
ANSWER: F! Stephen Harper would have flunked this one: "Yesterday ... we had these three parties together, forming this agreement, signing a document and they wouldn’t even have the Canadian flag behind them." (Paris, meanwhile, is mad about missing the photo opp and is consulting her lawyers.)
3. A "coup d'état" is...
A) "the sudden, violent overthrow of an existing government by a small group" (Britannica)
B) "the sudden unconstitutional overthrow of a government by a part ... of the state establishment — usually the military — to replace the branch of the stricken government, either with another civil government or with a military government" (Wikipedia)
C) "a sudden decisive exercise of force in politics" (Merriam-Webster)
D) "Sounds like a frenchie thing to me. Can't be good." (the clerk at Joe's Guns n' Ammo)
ANSWER: A, B, and C. (And now we know where Natural Resources Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn got his schoolin' from.)
4. Which of the opposition parties is NOT a formal partner in the coalition?
A) The Liberal Party of Canada
B) Bloc Québécois
C) New Democratic Party of Canada
ANSWER: B. OK, that was easy. Harper knows this, too, but is trying to convince Canadians otherwise.
5. How many Bloc MPs will be offered Senate seats by the new coalition?
A) 6
B) 12
C) One MIIIIILLION!
D) 0
E) Less than zero
F) Pas de chance !
ANSWER: D, E and F are all acceptable answers. Even though 'zero' is the same in both French and English, Harper apparently confuses it with 'six'.
----------------------------------------------
If you answered all questions correctly, congratulations! Fabulous prizes include a voice in the House of Commons and a BRAAAAND NEEEEW GOVERNMENT !
Thanks for participating!
Lara
UNITE THE LEFT - Canadians for a Coalition Government
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=47793722787&ref=mf
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