Bob Rae sings the prorogation blues
Stephen Harper isn't the only one, it turns out, who can put a piano and the Beatles to good use in politics. Here, with much thanks to blogger Jeff Jedras (A BCer in Toronto), we see Bob Rae at the keyboard at the Royal York last night, treating us to a musical protest against Harper's shutdown of Parliament.
Ms. Delacourt :
Please read a well researched article from quality reporter Kady O'Malley .
Truth, in talking about the Truth in Sentencing Act...January 21, 2010 6:34 PM By Kady O'Malley
Bill passed by Senate as fast as House of Commons !
" Although the bill was granted Royal Assent on October 21, 2009, the new provisions won't come into force until February 22, 2010 -- a full four months after the fact. "
Delayed by Harper four months ..... Could have affected the "Toronto 18" if Harper was not soooooo slow and flexible with facts ?
Posted by: anonlinereader | January 22, 2010 at 08:23 AM
The Left is not dead, it just needs to be shot. Might plays piano a little righter but the singing cries out even louder for doctor shotgun. Both could learn a lot from this one man band, who is seen here playing a dirge for losers of the next election, followed by some suitable rally music for Saturday's playlist. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H57pWC5rvk
Posted by: Jim M | January 22, 2010 at 09:20 AM
Whenever something effective happens in the Liberal party it seems like it is Rae who is doing it. Maybe the Liberals should consider tossing Iggy and going with someone who shows up from time to time.
Posted by: Phil N | January 22, 2010 at 09:28 AM
Bob sucks big time but he still has a brighter future in music than politics. Harper's musical antic was more positive, talented and entertaining.I find just about everything the Liberals do is depressing and negative and without talent.
Posted by: Clyde Gilmour | January 22, 2010 at 09:37 AM
It seems the Liberals are scrambling to keep up with the piano playing and singing of the PM; a little too late!
Posted by: MJH | January 22, 2010 at 09:44 AM
Wow, the little Harper Helpers are out in full force for this one...Incidentally, what Mr. Rae is doing is called "satire". He doesn't have to perform well musically, just get his point across. Which he did.
As much as you may idolize Harper, he does have a penchant for tearing off like a scared rat when there's trouble. I hear he might even move into the GG's basement so she can take better care of him!
Posted by: Peter Reynolds | January 22, 2010 at 10:57 AM
That is hysterical! Good for Bob Rae.
Posted by: Pamela Becking | January 22, 2010 at 12:13 PM
(To the tune on Yellow Submarine: (sung by Stevie and the Conservative Caucus Chorus singers...)
"In the town of Ottawa; lived a man who was PM
and he asked Michaelle Jean to prorogue the Parliament"
"We are parliament's laziest MPs
The Laziest MPs, Laziest MPs (repeat)"
And we flew --- beneath the radar
None of the press corps -- know where we are;
Afghan torture? we're not to blame,
So we're off for the Olympic Games!
"We are parliament's laziest MPs
The Laziest MPs, Laziest MPs (repeat)"
While Haiti is a catastrophe; there's no debating the help they need!
So we collect our monthly pay -- while we take a holiday!
"We are parliament's laziest MPs
The Laziest MPs, Laziest MPs (repeat)"
Posted by: Alex Hoechsmann | January 22, 2010 at 01:17 PM
It was a wonderful evening, Michael Ignatieff was there as well and made a great speech. There were also many MP"s and several MPP's. George Smitherman was also there. I made a point of talking to as many of them as possible. As I did this, the difference between this party and the Harper Conservatives started to show itself. The more difficult and sensitive my questions were, the more these people seemed to be intrigued with the exchange. It's just a different mentality. When I left the room I was quite confident that this party would not prorogue Parliament to simply avoid answering sensitive questions.
Posted by: Kelly Birch | January 22, 2010 at 05:55 PM
Bob Rae's performance was spontaneous, genuine and fun satire.
Stephen Harper prerecorded his performance without an audience and it was replayed to the gathering later. Blech!
Posted by: Emelie Hubert | January 22, 2010 at 07:54 PM
This is hilarious, did not know Bob Rae had such a sense of humour.
Posted by: David King | January 22, 2010 at 09:12 PM
I hate Bob , why he didn't sing when Liberals' Prime minister did the same things before.
Bob just a joker.
Posted by: chu | January 22, 2010 at 11:13 PM
lol..Bob Rae, The King of Provincial Prorogations sings....What a farce he is..as are all liberals whose masters have prorogued more often that any group in history
Posted by: MarcFl | January 25, 2010 at 11:42 AM
Bob Rae sings the prorogation blues???
What a joke of a hypocrite!!
Rae’s NDP won power in Ontario on Sept. 6, 1990.
On Dec. 19, 1991, Rae prorogued the House. They didn’t come back until April 6, 1992 (about 3 1/2 months).
He then prorogued again, Dec. 10, 1992 — and didn’t come back until April 13, 1993 (roughly 4 months).
By 1994, his government were running double-digit deficits and he’d doubled the debt.
He prorogued for the third time on Dec. 9, 1994. The House did not sit again until the legislature was dissolved April 28, 1995 (almost 5 months).
Rae didn’t even bring in a budget that year.
Posted by: Bonnie Mckenzie | January 25, 2010 at 01:05 PM