Smackdown

Double Smackdown – John Baird Serves Up Double Trouble To Liberals

Mulder

I knew when the PM mixed up the Rubik’s Cubinet on us a few weeks ago that he did it for a solid reason. After two days of watching Question Period, I now know why.

1) I am glad Monte Solberg is in the forefront with HRDC. He is a sharp witted man who can really handle himself in Oral Questions. Diane Finley did fine, but Monte has a magic touch in the verbal sparring department.

Monte Solberg

But more importantly,

2) The PM put John Baird, the equivalent of debating juggernaut into the environment portfolio. Watch him dismantle the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member from Ajax-Pickering (while giving a subtle shot at the member from Wascana) in today’s oral question period.

(Click the video below once to start the show)

If you cannot see the video play above, try clicking the following link instead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HouCOMEJKGY

Smackdown – KerPlonka Lands One On Chin Of Rob Edger (And Paints Another Face On Stephane Dion)

Mulder

In an assessment of Stephane Dion’s call for aid to help minority’s deal with hate crimes, Jarrett Plonka does a find job dismantling the argument and pointing out numerous flaws with various Liberal’s positions on this matter. But what gave me a smile was his reply to a comment from Stephane Dion’s Blog Campaign Co-Chair, Rob Edger.

Rob Edger: What’s your alternative?

Jarrett: Basically, either treat all these so-called “hate crimes” as leniently as we do with “normal crimes,” or treat all “normal crimes” with the fire and brimstone with which we appear to want to treat “hate crimes”.

Jarrett is wise beyond his years and disarms the question quite handily. He goes on:

I know which one I’d choose in an instant. The decision is harder for the Cotlerites to whom I referred, who have to balance their desire to have that progressive society while reconciling some of the internal contradictions (including a few that I outlined) that notion presents.

I know which one I would choose too Jarrett.

Smackdown – Minister of Defence Lays Into NDP MP Dawn Black

Mulder

This is from Thursday November 9th, 2006 – Oral Questions.

“Ms. Dawn Black (New Westminster-Coquitlam, NDP): Mr. Speaker, when it came to support for his war in Iraq, George Bush told fellow Americans, “You are either with me or against me”. After last night’s mid-term election results, it looks like the Americans are against him, with Republican after Republican getting booted from office for their support for this unpopular war.

When it comes to Afghanistan, will the government learn any lessons from last night, or will it stay the course and meet the same fate as its American cousins?

Hon. Gordon O’Connor (Minister of National Defence, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I consider that basically a silly question.

Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

The Speaker: Order, please. The Minister of National Defence has the floor.
Hon. Gordon O’Connor: Mr. Speaker, it is the equivalent of me asking the NDP if the election of Daniel Ortega will have changed its policies.”

Simply priceless Minister O’Connor, simply priceless.

H/T to DBT

Smackdown – Minister Ambrose Teaches John Godfrey A Lesson About Bob Rae

Mulder

The following took place during the Oral Questions in Parliament on October 31st, 2006:

Hon. John Godfrey (Don Valley West, Lib.):

Mr. Speaker, the government’s cop-out plan on global warming has no short term targets, no medium targets and no action on greenhouse gases for 50 years. While the Conservatives talk, greenhouse gas emissions are increasing.

This dead air act is a sham. It is a smokescreen designed to avoid doing anything real on global warming. No amendments to the bill could ever change that fact. When will the minister withdraw this embarrassing mistake?

Hon. Rona Ambrose (Minister of the Environment, CPC):

Mr. Speaker, I would point out to the hon. member that I believe the Liberal leadership candidate he is supporting has the same target that this government has adopted and that was recommended by the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy.

I will also suggest to him that we will not do what the former government did and set arbitrary targets. We have given our word to the provinces and territories that we will work with them over the coming months and we will set short term targets in the very near future. I hope his party will work with us to make sure we can implement them.

(bold text emphasis is mine)

It’s nice to see that the Conservative Party knows more about the views of the Liberal leadership candidates than the supporters of said candidates.

Smackdown – Minister Oda Discredits Stronach's Feminism

Mulder

Last Wednesday in Question Period, there was an exchange between MP Belinda Stronach and the Minister of Heritage, Bev Oda. It starts out with Stronach giving a bit of a low blow to Minister of the Environment, Rona Ambrose, and it ends with Minister Oda laying the smackdown on Stronach.

Hon. Belinda Stronach (Newmarket—Aurora, Lib.)
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of the Environment drives a car with a bumper sticker which says, “A woman’s place is in the house, the senate and the oval office”. That is a great sentiment if we were all Americans, but it is too bad that she did not advocate for rights and equality for Canadian women within her own cabinet.

In fact, the six women in cabinet sat back, said and did nothing, while equality was dropped as part of this government’s mandate.

…

Hon. Bev Oda (Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, CPC)

Mr. Speaker, I shared with you an experience this morning of honouring some very significant women and in fact these women are with us today.

I would suggest that the member opposite who had the opportunities, at one time being recognized as the most powerful businesswoman in Canada, did very little about it. Consequently, when we look at her board at Magna, there is no female representation on that board.

Ouch!!!!

Bravo to the Minister from Durham for pulling this one out. Considering the statement, I find it hard to take any comment on women’s issues seriously when it comes from the mouth of Stronach.

Smackdown – Bill Graham Caught Off Guard

Mulder

After 13 years of listening to Liberals twist and turn while answering questions in Question Period, I am really enjoying watching the Conservatives square off and answer questions with real answers. I think some Liberals are also surprised that the Conservatives aren’t squriming like Chretien or Martin did.

A couple of days ago I caught this clip of Liberal leader Bill Graham humming and hawing in confusion after he gets a straight answer from the Prime Minister that he obviously was not expecting. Graham’s expression is simply priceless.

If the above video does not appear for you, try clicking the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnLfdvW0J1w