How Harper's European spring turned sour

[CHIMO]

This was meant to be Canada's season on the Continent.

For three years, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has had his diplomats and ministers sell the idea of a “new, muscular Canada” to Europe – a forward-leaning image of a wealthy, militarily strong, export-oriented country that is more than just another middle power.

This spring, in a dizzying series of transatlantic visits, summits, trips, meetings and forums, Canada was set to build a new and powerful set of eastward-looking relationships to shift weight away from our U.S. ties and establish us as an important power on par with Europe's best.

We would use our economic health at the G20 summit to promote a “Canadian model” of well-managed banking and fiscal prudence. We would parlay our investment of money and lives in Afghanistan into a central, influential role in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, possibly right at the top. We would use our northern presence to build influence as an Arctic power.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090515.doug16/BNStory/Front

What could one expect?

Anti environment. Anti peace. Anti everthing!

Another Munsinger meltdown is coming.

[Spazito]

1. It is fascinating given Harper has always been touted as being 'the...

smart' guy that he isn't 'smart' enough to learn from the 'Bush' experience to know that neocon bullying, aggression and arrogance does NOT garner cooperation. He really is a Bush wannabe to Canada's detriment.

[arikara]

2. He's an embarassment

We need a real clear cut choice. Iggy bothers me too what with his warmongering over Iraq, and where the hell did he come from??? Parachutes in from the US to take over the Liberal party.