(no subject)

[felis_ultharus]

Life

I had very minor surgery on my back today. Nothing serious, but quite painful, and it's reduced my mobility some. I also have to go into the CLSC for bandage changes. I should be back to normal sometime next week.

I still got very far on my writing, though today. I'm pleasantly surprised at my current pace. And we're still having a game this Sunday, minus foi_nefaste, who has no car access.

Politics

I was still seething from the Bloc Québécois's support of the budget. While they were a separatist party, they were cool on a lot of other issues, but they've really jumped the shark. First the ugly compromise with the homophobes in the party, and now supporting the budget from hell.

I wanted to find out what Liberal support for the budget was, and came across a nasty surprise. This is the page of the edited Hansard -- the minutes of government debates -- that mentions the passing of the budget. This is the same page for last year's budget.

Anyone notice a difference? We no longer get to find out who voted how. We no longer get to find out how our elected officials are voting on issues.

Even Martin would never have dreamed of operating a government at this level of secrecy.

EDIT: It's not as diabolical as it first appeared -- the House voted not to have a formal vote, and pass it without one. That's still kind of creepy -- and I can't find a single other budget where that's happened -- but it's legal.

Comments

[urbangeo.livejournal.com]

I just came across this article about the budget. I'm not sure why it came out so late but it's interesting to read:

http://www.cbc.ca/story/business/national/2006/06/06/budget.html

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

I just found about that, too. No one was more surprised that they were entered as supporting a Harper budget than the NDP and Liberals.

I don't think the new Speaker knows what he's doing :/