Harper got nothing done in Cancun
- Thread starter Jersay
- Start date
Harsh on Harper
I think that, dare I say, this thread may be being a bit harsh on the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P. (the Member for Calgary Southwest, and Prime Minister of Canada). To suggest that he should have somehow created some sort of utopian situation for Canada out of these conferences with His Excellency the Honourable George Bush, President of the United States of America, and His Excellency Vicente Fox, President of the United Mexican States, is somewhat unreasonable (and I am no fan of the current premier, by any stretch of the expression).
While he may not have done anything that we are going to see the immediate effect of, the North American leaders reached more of an understanding than anything else (which could be elaborated upon, when Canada hosts the next conference of the leaders). I think it is important for us to understand the context of this conference — I don't think it was ever intended to represent some sort of one-stop shop for the issues that North America (and Canada) is facing in modern times.
:?: Sources
1. Click here for the Web site of the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada.
I think that, dare I say, this thread may be being a bit harsh on the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P. (the Member for Calgary Southwest, and Prime Minister of Canada). To suggest that he should have somehow created some sort of utopian situation for Canada out of these conferences with His Excellency the Honourable George Bush, President of the United States of America, and His Excellency Vicente Fox, President of the United Mexican States, is somewhat unreasonable (and I am no fan of the current premier, by any stretch of the expression).
While he may not have done anything that we are going to see the immediate effect of, the North American leaders reached more of an understanding than anything else (which could be elaborated upon, when Canada hosts the next conference of the leaders). I think it is important for us to understand the context of this conference — I don't think it was ever intended to represent some sort of one-stop shop for the issues that North America (and Canada) is facing in modern times.
It saddens me that I am defending the current Prime Minister, but we have to be realistic in how we judge his actions; if our representatives jumped to such conclusions, such as Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, then we would be plagued with another unproductive Parliament of Canada. We don't need to agree with everything that the Government does, of course (such would defeat the purpose of democracy here in Canada), but we should be realistic in terms of our criticism.The Web site for the [color=blue said:
:?: Sources
1. Click here for the Web site of the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada.
RE: Harper got nothing do
The trouble is, he didn't even seem to stand up for Canada's interests. Instead, he more or less conceded in the issue of passports for the US/Canada border. Businesses on both sides are just starting to get organized to challenge the proposition and our PM just practically gives in without hardly any voice for our country.
Why should the Americans be concerned about our issues, if Harper doesn’t seem to show much concern? I don’t want a leader who appears as some sort of pushover, and I have to say, he looked pretty weak out there.
Enough making excuses for this guy. He wanted to become leader of Canada. He better start acting like one.
The trouble is, he didn't even seem to stand up for Canada's interests. Instead, he more or less conceded in the issue of passports for the US/Canada border. Businesses on both sides are just starting to get organized to challenge the proposition and our PM just practically gives in without hardly any voice for our country.
Why should the Americans be concerned about our issues, if Harper doesn’t seem to show much concern? I don’t want a leader who appears as some sort of pushover, and I have to say, he looked pretty weak out there.
Enough making excuses for this guy. He wanted to become leader of Canada. He better start acting like one.
Re: RE: Harper got nothing do
He put himself in a corner. He’s so wanted to show so badly he would be on the United States good side that he’s only going to appear as some sort of pushover. How can he take a strong position with our interests and not ruffle a few feathers?
The United States government doesn’t care what we want. They would take our water and resources if they could, and they are just going to take advantage of Harper putting himself out there in the way he has.
The only way Bush likes to deal with people is when people give him what he wants. Don’t say I’m wrong on that one. Look at the backbone (lack of) Harper has shown with our interest relating to Passports. He pretty much said there wasn’t much he could do. (??? He’s our PM! At least try!)
Sorry, but there is no getting around confrontation with the United States when trying to stand up for our interests. With the way Harper is going, at best they will give him something if they can have something more in return as in the case of Missile Defense.
You have to play hardball in business. Both sides always want more than what's fair and so far we've had what has been less fair (softwood lumber). Why? Because the US wants more than what is fair and Harper won't even appear to take a strong stand. Even though World Trade Courts have ruled in our favour!
I’ve never seen one business CEO say to his shareholders, “aside from trying to close a deal, the most important thing is that everyone can see the other CEO like me.”
He put himself in a corner. He’s so wanted to show so badly he would be on the United States good side that he’s only going to appear as some sort of pushover. How can he take a strong position with our interests and not ruffle a few feathers?
The United States government doesn’t care what we want. They would take our water and resources if they could, and they are just going to take advantage of Harper putting himself out there in the way he has.
The only way Bush likes to deal with people is when people give him what he wants. Don’t say I’m wrong on that one. Look at the backbone (lack of) Harper has shown with our interest relating to Passports. He pretty much said there wasn’t much he could do. (??? He’s our PM! At least try!)
Sorry, but there is no getting around confrontation with the United States when trying to stand up for our interests. With the way Harper is going, at best they will give him something if they can have something more in return as in the case of Missile Defense.
You have to play hardball in business. Both sides always want more than what's fair and so far we've had what has been less fair (softwood lumber). Why? Because the US wants more than what is fair and Harper won't even appear to take a strong stand. Even though World Trade Courts have ruled in our favour!
I’ve never seen one business CEO say to his shareholders, “aside from trying to close a deal, the most important thing is that everyone can see the other CEO like me.”