Hot Canadian Political Action
I never thought it would happen to me..Nobody thought it could happen to anyone, as a matter of fact..I'm captivated by Canadian politics.
Even though I write another blog that deals mostly with U.S. politics, I rarely watched the soporific C-Span. Exciting things happen in the capitol, but it seems like C-Span intentionally focuses on mind-numbing minutiae. It's as if the channel exists in order to foster apathy. I wouldn't be surprised if it's funded under the table by mediocre sitcoms like "According to Jim" ( I've never actually watched the show, but it is Jim Belushi after all, so I feel an assumption of mediocrity is fair on my part).
The Public Affairs channel in Canada, on the other hand, is often riveting drama. The liberal government of Paul Martin is beseiged by charges of corruption. There is a public inquiry, claims of bribery, and even a smoking gun tape promising a cabinet position. A prominent conservative defects to the liberals in the 11th hour, spurning the conservatives and her former lover simultaneously. Bitter invective leaps off the T.V. screen, and while the MPs speak, the angry cries of the opposition rise to the rafters. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the political scene has been reduced to a third-rate zombie flick featuring stiff-armed, slack-jawed pundits repeating "Bush Good...Must Eat Brains" while the liberal opposition shrieks in terror and barricades the door to no avail a la Thriller.
It's good entertainment, but is it good politics? As an American, I've seen my share of mudslinging, and I've seen the corresponding lack of faith in democratic institutions that occurs as a result. I've rarely voted for someone. Instead, I've voted for the lesser of two evils.
Will Canada descend into vicious negative campaigning, thereby sullying its squeaky-clean international reputation? Will the Grewal tape be proved a forgery? Will the sexy heiress Belinda Stronach reconcile with her conservative lover Peter MacKay? Tune in to the Public Affairs Channel for next week's exciting episode.
Even though I write another blog that deals mostly with U.S. politics, I rarely watched the soporific C-Span. Exciting things happen in the capitol, but it seems like C-Span intentionally focuses on mind-numbing minutiae. It's as if the channel exists in order to foster apathy. I wouldn't be surprised if it's funded under the table by mediocre sitcoms like "According to Jim" ( I've never actually watched the show, but it is Jim Belushi after all, so I feel an assumption of mediocrity is fair on my part).
The Public Affairs channel in Canada, on the other hand, is often riveting drama. The liberal government of Paul Martin is beseiged by charges of corruption. There is a public inquiry, claims of bribery, and even a smoking gun tape promising a cabinet position. A prominent conservative defects to the liberals in the 11th hour, spurning the conservatives and her former lover simultaneously. Bitter invective leaps off the T.V. screen, and while the MPs speak, the angry cries of the opposition rise to the rafters. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the political scene has been reduced to a third-rate zombie flick featuring stiff-armed, slack-jawed pundits repeating "Bush Good...Must Eat Brains" while the liberal opposition shrieks in terror and barricades the door to no avail a la Thriller.
It's good entertainment, but is it good politics? As an American, I've seen my share of mudslinging, and I've seen the corresponding lack of faith in democratic institutions that occurs as a result. I've rarely voted for someone. Instead, I've voted for the lesser of two evils.
Will Canada descend into vicious negative campaigning, thereby sullying its squeaky-clean international reputation? Will the Grewal tape be proved a forgery? Will the sexy heiress Belinda Stronach reconcile with her conservative lover Peter MacKay? Tune in to the Public Affairs Channel for next week's exciting episode.
