Oh My!!

[ejm]

I'm reeling!! I must say that I never knew that I was one of the elite.* I always thought I was one of the ordinary ones.

I also had no idea that the elite were in the chattering class. Somehow, that makes them less than elite, doesn't it?

The Conservatives appear unfazed by the criticism, however, with Industry Minister Tony Clement saying Monday that ordinary Canadians don't consider prorogation to be a big issue.

"I know it's a big issue with the Ottawa media elite and some of the elites in our country, but I got to tell you if reaction in my constituency is any indication, I've had maybe three dozen emails," he said.

Clement said the government was focused on the economy and the next session of Parliament.

"It may not be what the chattering classes want, but we're not here to govern on behalf of the chattering classes," he said.

Above excerpt from CBC News - Academics slam suspension of Parliament

Which class is Mr. Clement in? The silent one that sits quietly doing nothing at all and imagines that the quietness will fool the chattering classes into thinking he knows WAY more than he does?

===========
* I sent a letter to the Prime Minister to express my displeasure at his decision to prorogue parliament. I also sent copies of the letter to my MP and the leader of the opposition. Silly me. I had no idea that I was supposed to send a copy to Mr. Clement as well.

[David]

"ordinary Canadians don't consider prorogation to be a big issue". I suspect that "ordinary Canadians" means people who don't know that the word prorogation is defined as "an extended holiday paid for by taxpayers". The arrogance and greed of politicians is a constant source of dismay to me.

[David]

I've noticed that the phrase "the elite" is also being used by US politicians as a collective term for those enlightened citizens who dare to question their masters. It looks like they are attempting to turn it into a derogatory term in the same way they use "liberal".

[ejm]

Yes, it's quite interesting that some of the government employees imagine that "the elite" and "chattering classes" are not part of their constituency. I'm not quite sure who they think they are representing.

"ordinary Canadians" means people who don't know that the word prorogation is defined as "an extended holiday paid for by taxpayers".

Not to mention being ignorant of the fact that much of the pending legislation dies on the order paper and has to be reintroduced and that any parliamentary committees' work ceases as well.

What amazes me is that the excuses offered are that previous prime ministers have prorogued parliament so what's the problem?

[CAM]

What amazes me is that the excuses offered are that previous prime ministers have prorogued parliament so what's the problem?

Using this logic, does this must mean that if I am caught speeding, I can use the defence that I'm allowed to speed because others have been speeding, too?

[ejm]

Using this logic, does this must mean that if I am caught speeding, I can use the defence that I'm allowed to speed because others have been speeding, too?

Only if you're an MP.

[CAM]

Using this logic, does this must mean that if I am caught speeding, I can use the defence that I'm allowed to speed because others have been speeding, too?

Only if you're an MP.

We will see what happens after the rallies on Jan 23. They are being extremely well organized with the help of facebook. It's been extraordinary to watch the power of social media. In Iran, it was the power of twitter to communicate quickly. With the anti-prorogation movement, it's been astonishing to see the power of facebook networking to mobilize, engage and even persuade. I have a sign up on my front door (provided through facebook by rally organizers.)

I've also been amazed by the power of facebook combined with other media (particularly blogs, Youtube) in rallying ordinary citizens to bootstrap the efforts of fundraisers by posting links to preferred organizations.

EJM, I've seen you do some of this through your blog site. You might considering opening your advocacy blog entries to comments as an experiment. I doubt if you'd have any problems, but it could open up a channel of wonderful communication. Just a thought.