All the snooze that's fit to peruse

What I want to do is go to bed. I've had a brutal day, which you don't want to hear about because all the brutal days are pretty much the same in their brutality. Suffice it to say our store's too small, I don't have a crystal ball, and, well, fuck it all.

But of course the news intrudes upon the snooze. I'm not amused. Are youse?

(Can you tell I'm tired?)

Mumbai first. Jesus, it's progressed a ways beyond a "terrorist attack" and into the realm of "war" now. The casualty rate may not be anywhere near 9/11's, but the organizational level is an order of magnitude higher. Several boatloads of terrorists, armed with all manner of guns, grenades, and explosives. Targets so far: a popular tourist cafe, the train station, a couple of luxury hotels, and (of course) a Jewish cultural center. The head of India's anti-terrorist squad is among those killed, which has got to count as a major coup if you're a terrorist.

I find it chilling that, according to Global National tonight, the mujahedin went door to door in one hotel, seeking out westerners. They had a pretty good idea where they'd find them, too, having procured passport copies and room numbers from the front desk. 

The intent here seems threefold. First, as always, terror for terror's sake. Second, the terrorists are obviously hoping to provoke a response from India, enraging the Indian Muslim minority and drawing them into the simmering India-Pakistani conflict.  (By way of reminder: both India and Pakistan have nukes.)

Third, there is a pointed message directed at the West: we're still here, and we can both seek you out and wait you out.

Anybody still think we can talk to these people and they'll politely cease and desist as if they were Mormons at your door? (Final point...I occasionally lash out at the Christian fundycostals and say harsh things about them. Give them their due: they may want to convert you, but at least it's not at gunpoint.)

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Canadian political news brews, toos.

(Sorry.)

The perception that Stephen Harper only notices the economic downturn as it might pertain to political popularity persists. The Opposition parties have taken notice, and served it, too: a coalition government is in formation, ready to take the Conservatives down. The Liberals and NDP are said to have already formed the rudiments of a cabinet, with Dion as prospective PM, Layton (possibly) as deputy PM, and the Liberals in charge of Finance.

Note for my American friends: it is possible in Canada to get a new government without an election. If the government falls on a matter of confidence, the opposition parties have an opportunity to request of the Governor-General that they form an alternative government. It's then up to her whether to call an election or not.

The Liberal motion reads:

"In light of the government's failure to recognize the seriousness of Canada's economic situation and its failure in particular to present any credible plan to stimulate the Canadian economy … this House has lost confidence in this government and is of the opinion that a viable alternative government can be formed."

That's only part of it. What they're really ticked off about is Harper's proposal to scrap the $1.95 per vote that goes to each party. Although it would affect the Conservatives, too, it's widely seen as an attempt to drive the Liberal Party into bankruptcy. 

It's true that Harper hasn't proposed any sort of stimulus package for the Canadian economy (which, it must be said, is still far healthier than the economy to our south...for now, at least.) His financial update proposes selling $2.3 billion worth of government assets, some sort of wage freeze for public servants, and a denial of the right to strike for public sector unions. Nothing for the battered manufacturing sector--but then again, doesn't that equal the very corporate welfare Canadians are usually against? Just sayin'. 

As of right now, Harper has responded to this by delaying the first opportunity the Opposition would have to raise this motion--to December 8. 

I haven't decided how I feel about this. On the one hand, a Liberal-NDP coalition represents more of the popular vote than the Conservatives got last month, so one could argue they're in fact more legitimate than the Conservative minority we have. But--and it's a big but--I know nothing about how Dion or Layton would govern us through this minefield of an economy. I trust the Green Shift is off the table, for now. I would hope that wiser heads prevail and that taxes are not raised. I'd much rather see this go to the polls, even though we just had an election. I do tend to side with Harper, minus the spin, when he says 

"While we have been working on the economy, the opposition has been working on a backroom deal to overturn the results of the last election without seeking the consent of voters. They want to take power, not earn it,"

Harper had better tread carefully. His first move (unless it's too late) should be to strike an all-party committee to try and deal with the economy in a fashion befitting adults. 

And with that, I'm off to bed. I'm rapidly losing coherence--may have lost it ten paragraphs ago, for all I know.