Scholar, but no gentleman.

This is the footage of Dion's ride off into the sunset.
Others have had their fun with this message, but I'd like to take a crack at it when I have some more time.

Here's the link in case you have somehow missed it.

Part one: (mostly preamble, main body of speech begins well into it).


Part two: (continued from above).


Others have exposed the flaws in these arguments. Perhaps I will, too.

I'm annoyed, because, really, it IS GOOD to have a strong opposition. One that is more interested in the running of the nation than in regaining power. We now (still) have NO opposition to speak of in any meaningful sense.

The only thing left to do is bestow the man his parting gift. A quirky nickname to remember him by. Something that pays homage to his time representing his party.

Joe Who, and Mr. Dithers got their names, duly earned.

He spent much of his time telling his party not to show up for the confidence votes in Parliament.

"The smartest guy NOT in the room" is too cumbersome.

Let me be the first to suggest "The Absent Professor".

An Election Recap:

Let's see...

Duceppe is claiming to have scored a coup by Bloc-ing a Conservative Majority. Duceppe relied heavily on the federalists to accomplish "his" feat. No worry though, he doesn't mind taking other peoples' credit any more than he minds taking their capital.

He had plenty of help from the Liberals. Dion didn't mind throwing Quebec under the bus by thundering, no, bleating, the 'Harper-is-scary' meme, rather than present his own party as a worthy alternative. (As in: I can't win, but at least I can keep you from winning.)

Isn't that just what we need in Canada right now -- an emboldened separatist element. Thanks Dion, for that brilliant contribution to Canadian politics. Your fifteen minutes are up. Out of the pool, professor.

Layton has convinced himself he's relevant. We'll see how long that lasts, Mr. leader of the 4th party.

And, in a rather poetic irony, the Green Party took a page out of nature's play-book -- they ate their own young. Their supposed Party leader spent the last week of the campaign basically stumping for the wrong party, and then back-pedaling to explain how she hasn't turned on the Greens.

Those of you rank-and-file who supported, or volunteered, or invested your own time and effort to run for a cause you believed in, don't you feel well-served?

Let me point out that, leading into this election, her party has never actually won a seat in parliament (their one representative crossed the floor), and yet consider what Ms. May has accomplished. She has taken a party that has never had a duly-elected representative, and through her singular leadership, has somehow managed to finish this election cycle with fewer seats that she started with. Truly remarkable.

First Past the Post (and First Post, too)

Election day seems as good a day as any to put up a blog with the emphasis I'm looking at.

A hearty "Congrats" to those members who successfully won the confidence of their constituents. That applies especially to Pierre Poilievre (my riding's MP) and the Conservative Party of Canada.

This is just quick post to celebrate the win.

You can find the results here with reaction from each of the party leaders.