PING!
Posted on 05/20/2006 7:50:30 AM PDT by GMMAC
Friends deserve respect
National Post: Editorial
Saturday, May 20, 2006
If anyone could have stood to benefit from the message delivered in Ottawa Thursday by John Howard, the Australian Prime Minister, it was quite a few members of the Liberal caucus. Mr. Howard told a joint sitting of the Houses of Parliament that Australia "is an unapologetic friend and ally of the United States," and called the U.S. a "remarkable power for good in the world." He went on to warn that those who would prefer the U.S. to have less influence "should be careful what you wish for, because a retreating America will leave a more vulnerable world."
It was a sage lesson from the Commonwealth leader, the prime minister of a country with which Canada shares more than just an alliance; we have a fraternal relationship with Australia. Unfortunately, the lesson was not heard by many Liberal MPs, because the Official Opposition, a party with elements of unabashed anti-Americanism, chose to stay away in droves from Mr. Howard's address.
There are certain basic courtesies that members of Parliament should extend to visiting world leaders: When the prime minister of one of Canada's closest allies addresses a joint sitting of the Houses of Parliament, it should be a no-brainer for Canadian MPs of all political stripes that attendance is in order.
Yet when Mr. Howard spoke to Parliament -- the first time an Australian prime minister has done so since 1944 -- dozens of Opposition Liberal MPs did not trouble to show up. Even former prime minister Paul Martin, who used to pride himself on his diplomatic skills, gave the occasion a pass. The result was a disconcerting number of empty seats, leaving a distinct impression that Canada's Liberals were giving Mr. Howard the cold shoulder.
If the no-show MPs stayed away out of principle, rather than merely bad etiquette, then they chose a juvenile way to express their disagreement with Mr. Howard's policies. Yes, Mr. Howard is tough on terrorism and a staunch ally of the U.S. -- positions for which he should be commended, though they may have offended the delicate sensibilities of the Opposition -- but it is still incumbent on Members of Parliament to meet basic standards of civility.
Regrettably, even those Opposition MPs who were in the House of Commons for Mr. Howard's speech gave the visiting leader a less than cordial reception.
Because the Australian prime minister chose to praise the United States, NDP and Bloc Quebecois MPs greeted his speech with a frosty silence. Meanwhile, the Liberals who did bother to show up managed little more than subdued applause.
Undoubtedly, Mr. Howard is too self-assured and busy a world leader to be much troubled by the impoliteness of Canada's opposition. But Canadians should be concerned and, frankly, embarrassed, by these MPs' behaviour.
© National Post 2006
PING!
Dispicable behaviour from the opposition. I hope that the Canadian electorate is paying attention.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of good Canadians are enveloped by the stench rising from the bitter, disgraced few.
Ping
Howard has balls. I thank the Aussies for being such a strong ally to the US.We dont forget who our brothers are.The anglo-sphere has to stick together in this coming century because they are huge threats looming over the horizon(China,Russia,Iran,Islamic terrorist to name a few).
I wonder if Canadian liberal politicians will pay a price for their disrespect.
Except for his stand on guns I think that John Howard is the finest leader in the world.
"He went on to warn that those who would prefer the U.S. to have less influence "should be careful what you wish for, because a retreating America will leave a more vulnerable world." "
Ooh! Well said! Only instead of "a more vulnerable world" I would have said "you'll be licking the Nazi boots of Muslims and Communists!".
Thanks for the ping, I doubt John Howard would be much bothered with this sight. He has seen day in day out the tactics of the ALP Left, not to mention the Bob Browns.
Now these Canadian opposition MPs will probably suffer heart attacks if the one addressing them were Joh...
The Canadian liberals would love Bob Brown, wouldn't they? A gay, tree hugging, aged anarchist who lives in an isolated ancient farm house without electric power. If he had his way, we would all be the proud owners of a horse and buggy. I cringe when I hear him use the words 'alternative energy' - he means the kind of horsepower that eats hay.
Joh Bjelke-Petersen, in contrast, was an agriculturalist, a successful man who brought much prosperity to Queensland. The Canadian liberals would have loathed and despised the farmer who employed a woman pilot to fly his government owned 'private' jet aircraft. I miss the man, he was one of a kind, sometimes a little foolish, but always creative, incredibly energetic and inventive.
Bob Brown would be NDP or on the fringes of the Liberals (of course the Canadian one). He probably has enough support to become the mayor of Toronto and even the Premier of Ontario. Or even Montreal for the matter.
Urban Canada with English heritage or influence (Montreal is half-way into English Canada) is very detached from the rural side. I'm not sure if they have someone like Joh he would be safe in Toronto.
How about Pauline Hanson addresses the parliament...!!!!!!!!!
John Howard wouldn't have given a stuff about the Liberals not turning up.
You have summed up what the liberals really are quite nicely. I couldn't have said any better.
Joh would have been very quick to point out to the Liberals that they were leading Canada "up a dry gully".
"Don't you worry about that..."
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