It only took three days, but Stephen Harper finally apologized to anyone who has been removed from a Conservative rally, because, although the practice only came to light with the removal of two students from an event at the University of London, apparently it's a regular occurrence. 

It seems to be yet another page from the Bush era playbook: only partisans need apply. I always thought candidates would want rally's to be open to everyone: then they get a chance to persuade people to vote for them. After all, what's the use of preaching to the converted?  In fact, the student at the centre of this issue, Awish Aslam, also attended an NDP rally because she wanted to hear from the leaders before making up her mind. What she did do is set an enviable example of what more of us should do during elections, but all it got her was a scarlett letter 'L'. If rallys are attended and minds aren't changed, one can only assume that there would be no harm done. It is, after all, a Canadian election. Stephen Harper's Ad people might be vicious attack dogs, but the general public is not. 

And it's hard to take the apology seriously: He was basically brow-beaten in to it by the media. Harper thought that a glib remark would sweep it away, but the question kept coming: What gives? It's just more conduct unbecoming a leader, but why should he care? The polls show that his lead isn't going anywhere, which suggests to me 'apathy' over 'acceptance.' Brian Mulroney first, and then the Liberals were reduced to rubble for much much less than the litany of contemptuous deeds by Stephen Harper. And all of a sudden Canadians don't care. 

That kinda sucks.
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