The Characterization of Harper

Originally, I was going to make this a poll, but was concerned that there would be votes before reading the thread, that the intent of this thread might be skewed and that I would miss out major reasons for what I am about to ask. Besides, it's a sticking point and I think it needs more discussing than voting.

Generally, for those who are on the left and for those who did not vote for the Conservatives, what is with the characterizations of Harper trending towards the hyperbolic? I am loathe to reveal who I voted for (since that would colour my posts unnecessarily for the next four years), but, as a person who was stuck on the fence between voting for the left and voting for the right, I just never got the terminology.

What I am talking about is the comparisons of Harper to a nazi, Mugabe, various Islamic dictators, and so forth. This seems incredibly out of line and horribly disrespectful, above and beyond where Harper went. Especially since back in 2004, we began hearing about how "American" Harper was. While I do not agree with many of Harper's personal opinions and some of the moves his governments have made, I have never had reason to call him a dictator (any more than other Canadian leaders), compare him to an infamous slaughterer of their own people, and so forth.

During the election (and previous to it) I remember hearing a lot about attack advertisements and mars on Ignatieff's character as a result. Mostly, they called him an American, and said he had little interest in staying. Is this a response to that?

Why is this done? I know attack ads have demonstrated that repeated negative inference of something will catch on, but there seems to be a difference between attacks ads and broad cultural acceptance of calling someone a hater of the Jews, slaughterer of homosexuals and user of an iron fist on other nations on the basis of racial superiority (which could apply to several dictators).

Such a gross exaggeration seems to be counter-productive. It seems alarmist, draconian, confrontational and absolute. More than many other defamatory comments out there, either from Conservatives and Liberals, it seems to be a conversation stopper, as Jon Stewart would put it, and I remember him making such references to similar actions on the right and the left.

I certainly understand both sides making such comments... but the creation and perseverence of this particular brand based on Harper and how it came to be has eluded me. I can see how some can percieve Harper as having done questionable things, but I cannot percieve how it lead him to some of his more colourful comparisons to foreign dignitaries and historical figures.

I remember Trudeau had some of this, but I don't remember anyone ever calling him Stalin, Mao, or "The Great Father." Unless I missed it. Which is possible. I've heard Cretien and Trudeau called dictators in their own times, but never to the same degree as now... and never with the apparent lack of connections as I see now, although lacking the internet may have been the cause of that. The hidden agenda and all... I simply never figured out where it came from. Can someone guide me?

I don't mean to cause an argument (no doubt this will cause one, so I do ask that comments be taken with a ton of salt, please!), but I feel I have missed out on a massive part of the puzzle and am lacking because of it. At the very least, the people I talk with on here sometimes have that stance and if I don't understand the origins of the stance, I won't be able to respond as well as I could, I think.

I'll respond to this more fully later. Right now I'm too full of Hitler, and also of Old Grouch brand bourbon, to concentrate properly.

I voted CPC, though I do not like Harper much. I wont pretend to know the machinations of the PMO, but I doubt he is much worse than Chretian when it comes to manipulation of the party message. No, I think my dislike of his as PM is simply because he lacks the charisma I would like in my national leader. hell, even George W had a certain cowboy charm that he liked to lay on (didn't do much for me) and Obama is a good speaker with plenty of charm. Chretian was a strong personality, witting, and biting. Harper is none of those, more like a robot that suffers occasional bursts of humanity. When I see those bursts, think the Rick Mercer sleep over or his piano playing, then I kinda like the guy, but those are few and far between. Add to that, the simple lack of energy in the man speech's or in the debates - constantly on message, no real emotion, way too much control. I'd love to see him tell Jack to 'go fuck himself' in not so many words, or in so many words, but I doubt that would happen. In the end when I think of Harper, I think...'grey or beige'.

I think maybe the reason is that Harper has shown himself to be a very competent but unexciting leader. As Gunnair said "beige". His policies have mostly been very middle of the road and inoffensive. He simply doesn't say or do very much to be effectively attacked on so his opponents are left in a situation where they kind of have to make things up.

Take a look at some of the characterizations of current Liberal leader Bob Rae on these boards. There's always folks that take it personally.

Harper.... Prime Minister Prozac.

Interesting subject, I voted for the CPC although Harper doesn't seem to be the most charismatic of people, but I don't understand what brings out the hate of him in people. It is similar I think to the Palin thread about the comic threatening to kill her, and now we have Harper Derangement Syndrome in Canada.

From where I sit Harper has governed very much from the centre in fact, after this budget I just wish he were more conservative. But really, why can't people accept the fact that he has a majority, discuss issues reasonably without bringing in Hitler, dictator etc. Would these same people say the same about Chretien, not likely, so why is this gov't majority supposedly 'illegitmate' and a 'tyranny of the majority', when the Liberals was not. At least that's the way it seems from reading various places.

"What I am talking about is the comparisons of Harper to a nazi, Mugabe, various Islamic dictators, and so forth." I don't recall a single comment like that on this forum.

It seems that at this particular moment in time, the Canadian Left is pulling out all of their "American-style" tricks to voice their displeasure.

I've read a few doozies. Another Vote for bad habits picked up from the US.

I wonder when some 'comedian' will propose assassinating Mr. Harper? All in good fun, of course. :roll:

Prime Minister Harper fills the same role for the Canadian left that President Obama does for the American right. Both ideologies are consumed with such intense reactionary hatred for both of the respective individuals that reasonable discourse or policy compromise with their declared blood enemies is effectively impossible.