Good On You, Stephen Harper

Yep, you're doing all right. No, I don't agree with everything you do and say, but I'm awfully surprised and even gratified in a sense that I do like much of what you do and say. Acting on behalf of this great country of Canada. You've turned out not to be the unmitigated disaster that so many in this country felt you would be. You're a decent, highly intelligent, responsible and mentschlich politician. You've turned out to be an antidote to those you've replaced as Prime Minister of Canada. So, thank you, Stephen Harper.

Oh yes, thanks a whole lot for giving a cool shoulder to that oafish man who calls himself "Bono". I think of him, using the oddly vernacular Bonehead. It fits him well. The man's arrogance is beyond belief, but perhaps not everyone feels that way. As far as sincerity and obligation go, you've got it all over people who boast celebrity and little else, having left their personal conscience high up on an out-of-reach shelf somewhere.

I'd like Canada to responsibly increase aid to developing countries. It's our obligation as a wealthy country. On the other hand, I'd like assurances that the funds we hand over to help less fortunate countries and their deserving populations don't end up pocketed by corrupt administrations. The roughly $25 billion the G8 nations are targeting by 2010 for Africa is a whole lot of money, and represents assistance that is needed on many fronts, but based on past performance what guarantees do we have it'll be used well?

I'm glad you've decided, after examining the situation from every angle without hysteria and with the concern that it merits, that you and your administration will act responsibly on behalf of this country to ensure that Canada reaches its greenhouse gas emission targets, even if those targets represent a newer, better understood and determined pact than the Kyoto Accord.

Your refusal on behalf of this country to align yourself with the official stance of the U.S. administration on climate change and pollution control is reassuring to Canadians. As, no doubt, you knew it would be. Your chastisement of the American position as a neighbour and partner in trade was well put and well deserved. We breathe the same air, and we'd like it to be as uncontaminated as possible. As well as a level playing field for trade accommodation.

Good on you for supporting the G8 summit target of halving global emissions by mid-century. You're (we're) in good company there, alongside France, Britain, Italy, Russia, Germany and Japan. Good on you for reminding China that it too must take the issue of climate change seriously enough to sign on, despite its reluctance as an "emerging economy". And for reminding that country of its obligations in many other ways.

Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. More of the same?