perfidy

I officially declare this Canada day on the Ministry. In the spirit of this official celebration of the lives, achievements and peculiarities of our neighbors to the north, herewith, some linkage:

• Canada now has a conservative government. Right wing wacko, neocon and Albertan Steve Harper is now the Grand Poohbah of Canuckistan. This is great news on several levels. First, a wacky neocon is control of another real country. Second, that country is Canada, which needs a dose of wacky neocon adventurism to overcome its recent reputation as a effeminized moral weaklings. Third, the leader of a real country is named "Steve." That great name has had a checkered history when its been the moniker for a head of state. King Stephen of England managed to plunge the country into bloody civil war in only a few months. And that's pretty much the beginning and the end of the story of Steves in power. I think one US President's middle name was Stephen, but I can't verify that.
• Austin Bay has a fine essay on the decline of the once mighty (pound for pound) Canadian military.
• Mark Steyn on the Election in Canada and its result. Has anyone really noticed that Mark Steyn is the living embodiment of the idea of the Anglosphere?
• Reuters, somewhat predictably, predicts that the new conservative leader will have a tough row to hoe.
• Beer!
• Pardon my English has noted that Michael Moore's Jesusland map needs updating.
• A couple more thoughts on the end of Canada.
• A couple more thoughts on Canada's gun problem, or rather problem with the lack of guns.
• Some insightful commentary on what it all means, Canada-wise.
• For those who aren't ready to believe that Canada is, in fact, an independent nation despite several attempted invasions - here's the classic Onion parody, "Perky "Canada" Has Own Government, Laws" - you have to scroll down a bit, it's the fourth item. For some unknown reason, I can't find it on the Onion site.
• And lastly, CANADIAN WORLD DOMINATION!

[wik] Our resident Canadian, Ross, is cordially invited to comment on the momentous events underway in his frozen homeland.

[alsø wik] Murdoc has a round-up of blog commentary, of which my favorites are Joe Katzman at WoC (no surprise) and this seemingly counterintuitive bit from Frank Warner that makes more sense if you think about it for a second. Murdoc also dared to use the "H" word.

[alsø alsø wik] I should also mention that the Austin Bay piece, well, I stole that from Blackfive.

[wi nøt trei a høliday in Sweden this yër?] Joe also links to this nifty graphic.