The Nastiness is Back

When the Conservatives began their systematic slagging of Stephane Dion, a regular ritual was Conservative members standing up just before question period, with all the members duly assembled in the House, reading from a text carefully scripted in Stephen Harper's office, slamming the leader in most personal terms. The House of Commons ritual allows for fifteen minutes of what are called "Standing Orders 31's" which permit members to read statements. Before Harper's team arrived they were reserved for members praising the achievements of a local school or athlete, remembering a distinguished citizen, or speaking out on an issue of local concern.

Part of the Harperite approach to life was to end all that, to script SO 31's from central casting, and to use them to carry out whatever character assassination or propaganda seemed appropriate.

The last SO 31 before leaders' questions became the most vitriolic when Stephane Dion led the party - they were the precursors to the ads that dominated the airwaves during the last election.

Many commentators has noticed a more "sombre and responsible tone" in the House with Michael Ignatieff assuming the leadership of the Liberal Party.

The House took a break last week, and on return on Monday it soon became clear that the knuckle grazers are back with a vengeance. The hooting and hollering has returned, and so have the nasty SO 31's, timed just as the Leader of the Opposition is about to get to his feet. So instead of praising local achievement we have the worst kind of personal attack, cheap shot and character smear.

Nice to know the kind of folks we're dealing with.