Dave Ng is a scientist, not a political scientist, and doesn’t actually know too much about the candidates, but decides to review them anyway (First up: Stephen Harper).
That would go something like this:
STEPHEN HARPER: Voting for a harpist would be cool. I mean, I’m no classical musician, but that Stephen Harper seems downright magical on the harp – a real virtuoso. His fingers just seem to glide over the strings. His technique and speed are unmatched, and his concentration, you can see it in his eyes. It’s like he’s Eddie Van Halen, but on the harp, and with a sweater vest I guess.
Well, it’s election time, and I probably fit in that category where I know a bit, but probably not as much as I need to about the candidates. So as a public service, I’m going to have a little fun and review each of the candidates myself as if I know nothing about them. More importantly (plus hopefully, a bait to cull some much needed comments to this blog), I’d like to hear what you think about Mr. Stephen Harper.
Should we vote for him? Why? Or why not? Thumbs up? Thumbs down? Leave some comments, serious or otherwise. Links about his good or bad deeds would also be good.
(Other reviews: Stephen Harper | Stéphane Dion | Elizabeth May)
7 Responses to “Dave Ng is a scientist, not a political scientist, and doesn’t actually know too much about the candidates, but decides to review them anyway (First up: Stephen Harper).”
[…] if you’re a canadian reader, I’d love to hear your opinion of him. Better yet, leave that opinion here, so that our students can hear you […]
As a scientist, this article beautifully summarizes all I need to know about Harper:
http://www.dangardner.ca/Coljan3008.html
This is a truly amazing statement. Mr. Harper implicitly acknowledges that his claims about crime are not supported by data. But that doesn’t matter, he says. What matters is subjective perception. Rational inquiry isn’t the best way to discover the truth. Feeling is.
This is much bigger than the debate about crime policies. It is an epistemological claim of staggering primitiveness.
Ignore statistics. Forget rational inquiry and science. Damn the Enlightenment. Our feelings reveal what is true.
Coming from an 18th-century king, this would be an appalling defence of ignorance. From a 21st-century prime minister, it is much worse.
Tape Harper in his ads wearing a sweater, and emoting. Turn down the volume and put on Meryn Cadell’s “the sweater”.
OMG, I have such a crush on him.
WEAR. THE SWEATER. TO PARLIAMENT.
Harper is not better when it comes to the Arts. To get a sense of this, you should check out whatisstephenharperreading.ca which nicely encapsulates the problem. This website is run by Yan Martel of “Life is Pi” fame.
There’s also a good roundup at http://putyourendtowar.livejournal.com/43888.html (which is how I found this site by the way – good job so far!)
[…] nancy: Dave Ng is a scientist, not a political scientist, and doesn’t actually know too much about the candidates, but decides to review them anyway (First up: Stephen Harper). […]
[…] (Dave Ng’s doing it, why aren’t you? […]
[…] reviews: Stephen Harper | Stéphane Dion | Elizabeth […]