Friday, March 19, 2010

Harper uses students as backdrop, one of them faints (with video)

Jane Taber has dutifully regurgitated the latest Conservative talking points on her blog today. The Conservative war room wants us to know that Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff using students as props (by talking to them and answering their questions) is totally wrong (because we have a military for that very reason, apparently).


Sayeth the Conservatives, via Jane:
“Ignatieff’s Liberals shouldn’t use our kids to promote their political agenda,” says a new Tory internal memo, dripping with outrage and incredulity. “It just demonstrates that Ignatieff isn’t in it for Canadians. He’s just in it for himself.”
I know speaking to students, listening to what they have to say, and answering their questions sounds crazy to the Conservative war room, but it's really not.

I am annoyed, though, that he tried to send students water bottles with big Conservative logos on them though, that's really lame ... oh, wait, no. Sorry. That was Shelly Glover.

Ironically though, the Harper Conservatives are not above actually using students as a political prop. Such as in this video from the last election where Harper speaks to reporters, behind a podium with the Conservative logo, in front of a backdrop of school-age youngins all wearing Conservative logo t-shirts, with an actual backdrop with still more Conservative logos behind them.

Take a look at what happens when these student props have to listen to Stephen Harper. The PM's reaction is particularly endearing...

Recommend this Post on Progressive Bloggers

7 comments:

archivist said...

Props don't talk Steve! Like those dutiful soldiers who stand at attention for you as tho you were some hero instead of a so-called economist who never finished his education.
Props don't talk; students do!

Kim Leaman said...

Thanks Jeff, great story great video. AndI agree, that his reaction was remarkable.

The simple fact is, I don't know when I last saw a public figure with the Super-human strength and fortitude to completely ignore the poor kid, and get straight back to his so important work like that. It was amazing to watch.

Of course, Stephen Harper being the Great Leader of Men that he is known to be, he knew almost immediatley and "Instinctively' that the Kid was OK, and did not waste a single precious word on his condition.

Not that he seemed to care at all about the fate of the young Canadian.

A lesser (mere mortal) man would have shown his human weakness, and actually given the kid what he needed most. A drink of water.

Apparently there was none provided for the props, only for the Propagandist.

Of course others might interpret his reaction differently.

archivist said...

This is scary! From Wikipedia:

Characteristics of people with antisocial personality disorder may include:[3]

* Persistent lying or stealing
* Superficial charm[4][5]
* Apparent lack of remorse[4] or empathy; inability to care about hurting others
* Inability to keep jobs or stay in school[4]
* Impulsivity and/or recklessness[4]
* Lack of realistic, long-term goals — an inability or persistent failure to develop and execute long-term plans and goals
* Inability to make or keep friends, or maintain relationships such as marriage
* Poor behavioral controls — expressions of irritability, annoyance, impatience, threats, aggression, and verbal abuse; inadequate control of anger and temper
* Narcissism, elevated self-appraisal or a sense of extreme entitlement
* A persistent agitated or depressed feeling (dysphoria)
* A history of childhood conduct disorder
* Recurring difficulties with the law
* Tendency to violate the boundaries and rights of others
* Aggressive, often violent behavior; prone to getting involved in fights
* Inability to tolerate boredom
* Disregard for the safety of self or others
* Persistent attitude of irresponsibility and disregard for social rules, obligations, and norms
* Difficulties with authority figures [6]

Gene Rayburn said...

I always found this title more appropriate for that clip

http://www.spike.com/video/stephen-harper-is/3041708

Big Winnie said...

Hot: Imagine, a leader the leader of the opposition taking the time to engage young people in politics?

Not: Could you imagine Harper actually talking to ordinary Canadians (regardless of political stripe) and then answering questions from these same people? Not gonna happen.

Not: Taber...enough said

Anonymous said...

That video is a classic! Fresh as a daisy every time see it.

Anonymous said...

I assume with two days of relatively bad news for the Conservatives they need to attack Ignatieff in some manner. So they came up with Ignatieff using youth as props.

Not the finest moment for the Conservative party attacks given I recall Harper showing up at a daycare last election which means either he has used children as election props or he enjoys taking a break during a campaign to play with kids at a random daycare.