Quick Note

From President Bush's speech last night:

He was given an ultimatum -- and he made his choice for war. And the result of that war was to rid a -- the world of a murderous dictator who menaced his people, invaded his neighbors, and declared America to be his enemy. Saddam Hussein, captured and jailed, is still the same raging tyrant -- only now without a throne. His power to harm a single man, woman, or child is gone forever. And the world is better for it.

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It is also important for every American to understand the consequences of pulling out of Iraq before our work is done. We would abandon our Iraqi friends and signal to the world that America cannot be trusted to keep its word. We would undermine the morale of our troops by betraying the cause for which they have sacrificed. We would cause the tyrants in the Middle East to laugh at our failed resolve, and tighten their repressive grip. We would hand Iraq over to enemies who have pledged to attack us and the global terrorist movement would be emboldened and more dangerous than ever before. To retreat before victory would be an act of recklessness and dishonor, and I will not allow it.

To hear a speech such as this, and then to listen to the party "leaders" here in Canada, causes me to despair. Compare those strong, resolute words with "pancake" Harper's comments last week,

"If I were prime minister, we would not be involved in Iraq. I would encourage the Americans and hope they're successful, but our government would not be there." Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, Dec. 13, 2005 at a press conference in Trenton, Ont.

Just what in the blue hades is he trying to do here? This is going to do anything to prevent further "hidden agenda" talks. He certainly isn't going to win over the hippie/leftist/pacifist/anti-war crowd in Vancouver, Toronto, etc. And now he has given his conservative base another reason to roll their eyes. You picked a position, Stephen, now you are flip-flopping and pandering and it makes no sense.

Is it possible to elect a leader in Canada whose spine does not consist of raspberry Jello?

And this is the best candidate for the job. Ergh.