I'm wondering if the GG's decision had something to do with the fact that a significant number of Canadians have allowed themselves to be dumbed down to the point they no longer understand how democracy works and are more susceptible to displays of arrogance and power than to common sense? Was she afraid that our constitutional monarchy would suffer as a result of a decision to deny Harper's request to subvert democracy by avoiding a confidence vote that he would lose? It's obvious that she was between a proverbial rock and the sheer ignorance of loud obnoxious hard cases that represent your average Canadian Conservative. Did Harper, in his two hour rant with the GG, threaten to destroy the GG's position and turn our government into a US style republic once he acheived a majority....you betcha!!! Time for the Libs and NDP to make a deal where they do not oppose each other in the next election and turn the Cons into a spent force with less than 50 seats total.  

Michaëlle Jean has set a dangerous precedent for future PMs.
Should their political careers ever be at risk, it's fine to suspend the country's decision-making abilities.
By putting his own interests before that of the country's, Harper has effectively paved the way for future cowards to stay in power as long as possible.  

I think the coalition needs to stop being fearful of what the voters will think and push ahead. What progressive voters are hearing is a lot of obnoxious, nonsensical noise coming from the Cons and their supporters. What is problematic for them is the fact that a large number of sometime Liberal voters are susceptible to the lies that are told by Harper and his minions. In the 34 months that Harper has been in power he has had the support of the Bloc on 140 different bills that required votes in the house. Now he is counting on the stupidity of Canadians in order to float the idea that the Coalition is somehow treasonous because they need the Blocs' support. Holy double standard!!! WTF!!!

I admit that I was overjoyed a week after I saw the Stones at the dome and Dion slipped through the middle to take the leadership but this man just does not have what it takes to allay the fears and doubts that Canadians have about this coalition. Indeed he is the cause of many of the doubts and fears. I have little doubt that even Paul Martin could have made short work of Harper and his gang this week. Dion had the opportunity to demolish Harper this week but did not get the job done because, while he has many fine attributes, he does not have the kind of personal power it takes to rise to this kind of occasion. All the coalition can do now is stay the course and start talking about how they can avoid vote splitting in the next election. As for the fear that this kind of arrangement will damage and weaken riding associations that get shoved aside in this kind of deal...I say suck it up and put your personal ambitions aside for the sake of democracy and the goal of bringing this country a government that won't stall on environment saving measures, that won't limit the rights of women and minorities, that won't sell us out to American interests and that won't run the government through fearmongering and outright lies.  

Prorouge Parliament???

I have 3 words for the GG and Harper...
Hit the Road!!!  

Prorogue?
Will we have another prorogue Jan 26th? And so on and on?
This is the most propostrous decision ever made to an equally propostrous request.
Does Harper want to be Prime Minister for life? Like Mugabe?  

cfufu
Harper is toast.
Sit back and watch this viscous neo-con monster self destruct.

I, for one , will thoroughly enjoy it. Don't fret be happy.  

And Canada is among the first to criticise countries that errode democracy.

In my book any political leader from a minority party that closes parliament to distrupt democratic opposition can be labeled a facist or despot, or both!

I think there's a missing sense of irony in the general Canadian populous.  

We need change up there - people who defy parties and do the right

http://www.hstincanada.com/2010/01/tim-hudak-not-toeing-the-line-on-hst/ thing