While majorities in their respective parties do disagree on re-defining marriage, and there is substantial popular opposition, it’s too late for debate: gay marriage is already a fact on the ground. There are exactly two ways, both political non-starters, to un-ring this bell: sidestep the Charter of Rights and Freedoms by invoking the so-called notwithstanding clause; or amend the constitution. Everything else, as they say, is just chatter.
But both leaders would rather debate this decided issue than be seen agreeing on something far more contentious: their desire to cave in to President Bush's demand to support America’s Ballistic Missile Defense plan, a.k.a. Star Wars, which is a component of Deep Integration.
If a parliamentary vote were held today, Martin would likely need Conservative votes to pass a bill approving of Canada's participation. Such a vote is not a legal necessity, but a political one, given the government's minority status.
A November poll put the public 56% against
Canada’s involvement with 40% strongly opposed and 16% somewhat
opposed. These numbers are consistent with the country’s long-standing
opposition to the weaponization of space. Also saying no to Star Wars
are the Bloc Quebecois, the NDP, real Liberals, Quebec Liberals, and old
Tories.
Lately, Martin and Harper have blurred their positions somewhat, due to
public outrage over the President’s visit and the pushy tone of both
Bush and his undiplomatic ambassador, Paul Cellucci. Same-sex marriage
is keeping BMD out of the headlines, but the clock is ticking and
Washington is waiting for an answer. Canadian public opinion is the only
thing holding Martin back as it appears that BMD may very well mean for
him what the Iraq war meant for Jean Chrétien: a defining moment where
Ottawa must say no to prove its independence from Washington.
But Paul Martin, like Stephen Harper, is a
continentalist, firmly in the pro-integration camp, unconcerned with
maintaining Canadian sovereignty. He is a right-wing Liberal backed by
those who stand to directly profit from BMD (like the Canadian defense
and high-tech industries), and those who just can’t fathom saying no
to their imperial master (like the editorial writers at the Globe and
Mail).
Canadians should expect a flurry of propaganda from
think-tanks and the corporate media
arguing that BMD is in Canada’s interest to support, and that only a
fool would be opposed. We’ll be told that it’s time to support
America, and that if we don’t do our part to defend our country, we
should no longer expect the Americans to protect us from evil-doers and
terrorists. BMD supporters will play the economic card, the 'good
neighbour'
card and the freeloader card. They’ll use shame, guilt and fear.
All of this is will be specifically aimed at moving those in the “somewhat opposed” camp over to a more neutral position. Then Martin can obey President Bush without worrying too much about appearances, even if he needs Harper’s votes to pass some meaningless gesture in the house.
Whether public opinion shifts or not is an open question. Both the Liberals and the Conservatives have conventions coming up and have rather weak leaders. Martin has the Quebec and 'real Liberal' wings of the party to contend with while Harper struggles to keep the Tory and Reform factions away from one another’s throats and under his thumb.
Instead of pretending that he is trying to stop gay marriage, Stephen Harper should try to stop Paul Martin from supporting Star Wars. A bold move, such as announcing that he will not back anything that compromises Canadian sovereignty, is what it's going to take if he wants to become prime minister.
That would put the Conservative Party on the same side as the Canadian electorate, and force Paul Martin to either own the unpopular decision to support this crazy scheme outright, or to follow Harper in saying no to President Bush.
Copyright © 2005 NotaColony.ca [Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on February 22, 2005]
Stumble It!
NMD takes some thinking and background to understand. that takes away from kneejerk editorials and ad space. NMD is far too complex for the media whores to trot out for mass consumption. but gays! oh easy pickings, and easy for the masses to get on either side for.
Do people know that this National Newspaper is delivered every day except Christmas? I bet you didn't know that. I wonder why? Is it because the bullsheit peddlers don't want to let you go? Every stinking day but ONE. amazing.
The route was so spread out, like I'd need a car to deliver the papers. And we're talking typical interurban streets. In fact the guy was counting on me running my car around, AS IF. Wants to get me to use my money for gas and wear 'n tear. You know what I found out? So few people want newspaper delivery, that huge gaps are occuring in routes, making them ever more inefficient to service with personal delivery. I looked at the economics, and said "NO MAS"
Of course in line with the article and the comments one has to be deeply suspicious of an agenda being put forth by these media moguls to distract from more important issues that they want to see become government policy.
(no offense intended).