Category Archives: Politics

Welcome to 2018

Posted on January 1, 2018 by phantomobserver

Yes, I’m back. I’m not sure if I can explain my absence. Lost interest, perhaps. In terms of politics, there was certainly a lot of fodder to work with, but … Here’s the thing. Justin Trudeau is essentially a okay … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging, Politics, Yankees | Tagged , | Comments Off on Welcome to 2018

Rob Ford, R.I.P.

Posted on March 25, 2016 by phantomobserver

There’s a talent called “the common touch:” the ability to connect, on an emotional level with a significant population. This is something that Rob Ford’s detractors, now that he’s passed on, are finally admitting that he had. All politicians in … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, R.I.P. | Comments Off on Rob Ford, R.I.P.

What’s A “Merit-Based” Senator?

Posted on August 11, 2015 by phantomobserver

Justin Trudeau’s latest campaign promise pretty much describes the typical Liberal campaign promise: it sounds good, but it’s also too vague to be taken seriously. Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is promising to reform Senate appointments and introduce an “open, non-partisan, … Continue reading →

Posted in Federal Government, Justin Time, Politics | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Fisking John Boyko’s Ten Election Rules

Posted on August 10, 2015 by phantomobserver

There’s a writer named John Boyko who’s published an essay in the Montreal Gazette (if for some reason you hit a paywall, it’s also available on his blog). One note: the fact that the graphic he uses for his blog … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging, Election 2015, Politics | Tagged | 2 Comments

Tin Ear Lizzie

Posted on May 12, 2015 by phantomobserver

There is one truism in modern politics that its practitioners always seem to forget: politicians have never been, and will never be, “hip.” It’s the nature of the beast. To have a career in politics implies an ability to display … Continue reading →

Posted in It Ain't Easy Being Green, Politics | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Random Thoughts On An Orange Alberta

Posted on May 6, 2015 by phantomobserver

Well, those who would have thought Jim Prentice would be Stephen Harper’s successor should be thankful they didn’t bet any money on the idea. No, I’m not going to weep / wail / mourn the so-called “death” of conservatism in … Continue reading →

Posted in New DiPsticks, Politics | Tagged | 2 Comments

Why Peanuts Should Matter to Margaret Wente

Posted on April 6, 2015 by phantomobserver

There’s a passage in Margaret Wente’s otherwise readable Globe column that bothers me: No matter how outraged we may be, the actual amount of money scammed from the public adds up to peanuts. The cost of Mr. Duffy’s lengthy trial, … Continue reading →

Posted in Can Cons, Politics | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Why Sensible People Don’t Become Members of Parliament

Posted on March 22, 2015 by phantomobserver

So what do you think of your MP? Odds are: not much. I don’t mean that you have a low opinion of your member of Parliament. I do mean that whatever she or he does, doesn’t occupy a significant chunk … Continue reading →

Posted in Federal Government, Politics | 1 Comment

Note To The Wise: Political Parties Never Leave People

Posted on March 19, 2015 by phantomobserver

Does this sound familiar to you? For a long time now I have found myself defending my membership of the Labour party while wondering what values of mine it defended any more. I didn’t leave the Labour party. It left … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Why Jeb Bush Is Braver Than The Ontario Liberal Party

Posted on December 25, 2014 by phantomobserver

Private e-mails made public, as Sony Pictures executives and now surely attest, can sink a career. They can also, with a certain amount of bravery, bolster it. as Jeb Bush is now wont to demonstrate. It’s a risk, certainly. Something … Continue reading →

Posted in Ontario, Politics, Yankees | Tagged , | 2 Comments