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Heard and seen at the Colbert-Stewart rally in Washington:

Canada said things, but just wasn’t there  (Saunders)

This is the problem: As the world sees it, Mr. Harper’s supposed principles are more often observed in the breach. A week earlier, members of the European Union – who’ve spent the past year in free-trade talks with Ottawa, surely a matter of core Conservative principle – watched as Quebec-based Bombardier (with a token French partner) was given a $1.3-billion no-bid contract to build Montreal subway cars, despite more competitive-looking offers (never considered) from Chinese and Spanish companies. That contract may have destroyed the trade deal; it certainly caused many of the 27 EU member states to go to New York with a certain idea of Canada.

These things get noticed.

Memo to Europeans and/or to D Saunders: Er, that was a Charest decision…the very same Jean Charest who pushed for the negotiations

This one speaks for itself

War Measures Act was ‘psychological state terrorism:’ Bernard Landry

Canada would never have gone on to win a seat on the United Nations Security Council if the War Measures Act had been publicized around the world 40 years ago, former Quebec premier Bernard Landry said Saturday.

Siddiqui: Japan keeps certain style through economic strain, political drift

The economy, stagnating for two decades, has shattered the post-World War II social contract. Working hard was a patriotic duty, in return for a lifetime job with benefits.

Unemployment has hit a historic high of 5 per cent. Nearly a third of the workers are part-time or on short-term contracts. Many are juggling two, three jobs. Salaries are down 12 per cent over the last decade. Suicides are up, to a record 26,000 last year….

The nation is waiting for a Pierre Elliott Trudeau or a Barack Obama for a vision.

Memo to Haroon: If the Japanese are looking to improve their economy, they’d best look  for other role models.

SEPTEMBER 25-OCTOBER 1

Siddiqui: How Michaëlle Jean was bullied by Harper

Outside Canada, the GG is received as head of state, entitled to the full 21-gun salute and 100-person guard of honour, just as the American and French presidents, the only two G8 leaders so entitled because they are both the head of government and head of state. But in Canada, Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia, the two jobs are separate. Our GG, therefore, is as much a head of state as, say, the president of Germany.

Fat question was below the belt | Joe Warmington

Is Rob Ford too fat to be mayor?

Believe or not this is how in the gutter this election race became this week when retired physician Dr. Marvin Kay asked that very question.

It has opened up a whole pizza box of debate.

“I’m a physician and I look upon you as a possible patient,” Kay told Ford before an audience at the Canadian Condominium Association debate at the Novotel in North York Thursday.

“I am concerned about your weight. Do you think you’ll be able to handle the entire four-year term?”

Pow!

What’s next? Someone asking Joe Pantalone if he’s too short?

Obama official praises old Liberal world view

Axworthy said he's spent a lot of time in Washington lately, so he was not completely surprised by what Brimmer had to say.

"I've found that the Obama administration in terms of its world view and practices it tries to apply seems to accept the basic premise of the human security policy we had," said Axworthy, who is now the president of the University of Winnipeg.

Memo to Lloyd: Especially the targeted assassinations

CIA Steps Up Missile Strikes in Pakistan

Mallick: Waking up with Mayor Rob Ford

Voting for Ford is like sleeping with someone to get revenge on your spouse. It seems like a good idea at closing time, which is what an election is. Last call, and you neck down your last shot of good cold vodka. “Sure, whatever,” is what you say to everything said to you. “I hate streetcars too!” And you leave the lounge of the Empire Hotel on the arm of some big guy.

It is Oct. 26, the day after the election, and you wake in a hard, unfamiliar bed. Your eyeballs are congealed chip fat and your contact lenses have gone crispy. Your liver is en route somewhere. You appear to be missing a tooth. And there's something in bed next to you. It is the sweaty, beer-smelling oik from the bar last night.

Of course, you'll say what you always say, “As God is my witness, I will never ever do this again.”

You won't have to, Toronto. He's there for four years.

Mallick: A ‘bloodslide’ of honour killing

We have honour killings in Canada, and if there are fewer than in other countries, well, are we proud that Robert Pickton had plenty of easeful years to slaughter and gut as many as 49 women?

Knelman: Summit mugged great city

Had this happened in Montreal, the outrage could have reignited the separatist movement and triggered a new referendum on sovereignty.