The Globe and Mail - Douglas Bell

Of cesspools and coalitions

Douglas Bell — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:42 EST

If you believe the Liberal who sounds off hereabouts, the coalition was a tactic not a strategy (ill-considered at that) and therefore deservedly still-born and well rid of. (Along these lines, my favourite formulation belonged to[amp]nbsp;Conservative and fellow blogger Tim Powers: “[The] Coalition - Follow link to read full post

Found comedy

Douglas Bell — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:48 EST

Jane Taber reports on the iron discipline of the Ignatieff caucus in the post-Dion, post-Guantanamo era: "Trying to get any information from this week's caucus proved extremely difficult.'[We] have taken a death vow,' one Liberal MP said. 'You could hold me down and tickle me. I'm totally mum on this - Follow link to read full post

Vatican II (and a half)

Douglas Bell — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:19 EST

A witty, somewhat acerbic friend writes: "This is like the Conservatives' version of Vatican II and they just don't know who they are anymore." That said, the New Democrats at least are back[amp]nbsp;in more familiar surroundings, chastizing whoever it is they find to their right. From NDP strategist - Follow link to read full post

It's the democracy, stupid

Douglas Bell — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:28 EST

Watching Andrew Coyne yesterday on the CBC getting all huffy and puffy about the Tory budget being the end of conservatism in Canada brought to mind an imaginary analogy. It was as if[amp]nbsp; Wilbur Wright had complained to Wernher Von Braun in the early '40s that the V2 rocket would someday eclipse - Follow link to read full post

Too slow for the NDP

Douglas Bell — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:59 EST

More from the NDP's Topp: A key anti-recession measure is a strong infrastructure program. This plan (much of it re-announcements from previous programs that were not spent) continues to be tied up in conditions - notably a provincial and municipal co-funding requirement. That means it will be slow - Follow link to read full post

Fighting words, again

Douglas Bell — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:48 EST

First thoughts on the budget from NDP strategist Brian Topp: At the end of November, Mr. Flaherty told Parliament that the federal budget was balanced and that nothing too serious was happening in the economy. Now he says a serious economic crisis emerged after the last election. Like the budget, that - Follow link to read full post

Dancing as fast as we can

Douglas Bell — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:39 EST

Gilles Duceppe just told a reporter that unless he can be convinced that the Olympic torch relay is a form of contemporary dance he can't support this budget. I'm pretty sure that's above Stephen Harper's pay grade. Where is Karen Kain when we need her?

And they're off...

Douglas Bell — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:31 EST

Peter Mansbridge is on the Tube and is promoting the national network's coverage. "How will this budget affect you? Will it save your job?"[amp]nbsp; Selfless stuff: Ask not what you can do for your government's budget, ask what your government's budget can do for you... Flaherty's having a chuckle - Follow link to read full post

Fighting words

Douglas Bell — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:53 EST

A little more back and forth with NDP strategist Brian Topp in anticipation of the next 48 hours: Bell:[amp]nbsp;I'm just wondering what you made of this from Jeffrey Simpson this morning: "For a few moments late last year, without adult supervision, the federal Liberals entered a coalition. Like a - Follow link to read full post

An issue of trust

Douglas Bell — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:23 EST

A quick back-and-forth with the NDP's Brian Topp anticipating the coming fireworks or lack thereof: Bell: Any thoughts heading into tomorrow? My sense is Ignatieff's going to keep his powder dry for the moment, hold the Tories'[amp]nbsp; feet to the fire for a few months then go for an election in - Follow link to read full post