Wanted: Originality

You know your theory has credence when you can predict a response prior to actually hearing it. I was watching Harper comment after his meeting with Tony Blair. When the subject of Israel came up, I waited for Harper to mimic the Bush administration and he didn't disappoint. Pro-Israel to the point of objective blindness, Harper gave the Israel offensive a free pass, on both borders. No reasonable person can quarrel with a condemnation of Hezbollah for its actions, nor can anyone argue that Israel shouldn't respond. However, what we are witnessing now is completely over the top and reckless, something which Harper should acknowledge. Just once, it would be nice to see Canada assert it's role as an independent nation and craft an original thought, that doesn't move in goosestep with the Americans.

Jacques Chirac gets it right:

In a Bastille Day interview, President Jacques Chirac joined European Union condemnation of the Israeli strikes against Lebanon as disproportionate. He also condemned Hamas and the Iranian-backed militant Shiite group Hezbollah for what he call's irresponsible and unacceptable behavior. The two groups have captured several Israeli soldiers, prompting the Israeli strikes on Lebanon and Palestinian territories. A wave of Hezbollah rockets have also struck Israel.

But Mr. Chirac suggested Israel's strikes against Lebanon appeared to be deliberately aimed at destroying that country's infrastructure.

"The Israeli strikes targeted Lebanon's equipment, its roads, its communications, its energy sector and its airport. Why?" Mr. Chirac asked.

Condemnation, but also some balance that speaks to the nuance involved. Harper's carte blanche endorsement is disappointing and serves as further proof that we now take our cues from Washington. Whether it be votes at the United Nations, climate control, the war on terror or a litany of other stances, both domestic and foreign, Harper immediately adopts the American position and scarily employs the same language. Harper hurts our perception internationally, as we move from our traditional role as independent broker, to simply singing in tune. No matter what issue I pick, I am hard pressed to find anything that is actually "made in Canada". Our policies read like bad plagiarism, lifted from a bad author.