The Power of the Press

I posted this comment on the CBC message boards the day of Obama's inauguration.

I feel that it is neccessary to point out that when you get past all the rhetoric and media spin and Liberal "Harper is Canada's Bush" advertising, and actually take a look at the policies, Conservative policies are actually much closer to Obama's positions than to Bush's (and closer to Obama's than those of the Liberals or the NDP).

Let me give a few examples:

Harper and Obama both support Cap & Trade carbon systems, Bush and the Liberals/NDP do not.

Harper and Obama both support universal health care, delivered in a way that is efficient as well as equitable. Bush did not.

Harper and Obama both believe in fiscal responsibility, the elimination of systemic deficits and the idea of spending only what you can afford. Neither Bush or the Liberals/NDP seem to believe this.

Harper and Obama both believe that creating a strong and stable democracy in Afghanistan is vital to western interests, and worth our troops being there. The Liberals/NDP seem not to agree with this.

Harper and Obama both believe that Israel has the right to defend itself from terrorist action, and that the reason there is still conflict in the region is the unwillingness of the Palestineans to make reasonable concessions (they were offered 94% of the land they wanted and East Jerusalem in 2000 and walked away without even putting a counter-offer on the table) The Liberals/NDP/the Media certainly do not take this point of view.

Harper and Obama both believe that North American energy security is a key concern and should be addressed. The NDP and some Liberals seem to want to shut down the oilsands, necessitating even greater imports from Russia, Venezuela and the Middle East.

This is only a few items on what is a very long list. Think about this before you label Harper as synonomous with Bush/Cheney neo-cons and as the anti-Obama.

The Leaders of Men

In honour of Barack Obama's historic victory, and spurred on by a question Dana asked me, I decided to compile lists of my most admired Presidents and Prime Ministers. Some of these men I admire because of their policies, others because of their character. I believe that each of them has contributed something vital to their country and to the world.

U.S. Presidents

1. Abraham Lincoln- One of history's truly great men

2. Franklin D. Roosevelt- Steadied the United States through both their darkest hours, and their finest ones

3. George Washington- Held together a young, fragile nation

4. Woodrow Wilson- Perhaps more than anyone else on this list, he inspires me

5. Theodore Roosevelt- His energy and passion served his country well

6. Harry S. Truman- "The buck stops here..."

7. Dwight D. Eisenhower- A commander, through and through

8. Grover Cleveland- Perhaps the most honourable man ever to be president

9. Ronald Reagan- Brought pragmatism and new ideas to Washington

10. John F. Kennedy- "The eyes of the world now look into space..."

Canadian Prime Ministers

1. Sir Wilfred Laurier- A "pillar of fire...a true Canadianism"

2. Lester B. Pearson- The last great Liberal PM

3. Louis St. Laurent- Perhaps the most competent PM ever

4. Sir. John A. MacDonald- Flawed, but brought Canada together

5. Stephen Harper- "The west is in!"

6. John G. Diefenbaker- Made some mistakes, but he'll always be our "Chief"

7. W.L. Mackenzie King- A weirdo, but an effective one

8. Jean Chretien- 50.58%, plus he did a great job with the finances

9. Sir Robert Borden- Under him, Canada was forged in the fires of war

10. Brian Mulroney- History will be kinder to him in the future than it is today

Honourable Mentions to Al Gore and Preston Manning, two men who never got to lead their country, but who I think would have made tremendous leaders. I hope if I rewrite this list eight years from now, I will get to put Obama on it. Good luck to him.