Harper Goose Stepping To Washington's Tune

I don't know how Stephen Harper could possibly be any more blatant about his undying love for the current lot infesting the White House these days.

Last week, we were treated to Australian Prime Minister John Howard singing the praises of BushCo to the Canadian Parliament. Of course, this is with Stephen Harper smiling away at his side.

At the same time, we start getting signals about moving towards the "Asia Pacific Partnership" instead of Kyoto. (Which is basically the countries that "don't like Kyoto"). The "Asia Pacific Partnership" is a joke - and not even a particularly funny one at that. It has no process, no penalties, no objectives. At most it is a polite handshake agreement to "exchange technology that might help with climate change issues".

Yes, Kyoto is flawed, and I don't believe its objectives are overly realistic (for starters, they overlooked the impact of economic growth in setting the goals), but it's better than nothing. However, the other problem I have with Harper suddenly showing all this interest in the pseudo-alternative that BushCo cooked up is that he has just signalled to the world that Canada's signature on treaties is worth about as much as the United States right now (not much - considering the US has walked away from quite a number of treaties since BushCo came to power).

And just in case you had any delusions about HarperCrit taking his orders from Washington, take a look at the emerging story of a bombing of a village in Afghanistan. There's a misperception among many Canadians that "Canada is in Charge" in Afghanistan - wrong - we are in charge of the NATO MISSION in ONE PROVINCE of Afghanistan. Recent changes to the NATO terms of engagement leave the US once again in overall command in that country. Consulting with the Canadian command is mostly a formality - one of making sure that the Canadian troops aren't where the bombs are going to land.

What does all this mean? First, it should be much clearer now that Canada's troops are playing to a tune being fiddled in Washington, and we are serving as an "auxilary legion", freeing US troops up to fight and occupy other lands (like - say - Iraq). Second, it is becoming more and more clear to me that Harper is taking his orders from Washington - especially when it comes to "Foreign Affairs". (not too terribly smart, when BushCo's idea of "Foreign Affairs" is talking to California Governor Schwarzenegger)

The price of Stephen Harper's dogma is Canada's credibility - think about it.

[Update 15:45 24/05/06]:
Over at AP's news line, we learn that the Taliban is regaining its strength in Afghanistan. Somebody remind me why Harper just committed us to a minimum of two more years in that place?
[End Update]