Politics do indeed make strange bedfellows.

Wow! There's definitely blood running in our veins after all and its running hot! Canadians in record numbers took to the airwaves to voice their displeasure in no uncertain terms at the turn of politics in this country. Nice and polite gave way to incredulity and virtual vitriol as Canada's citizens climbed down off of their proverbial fence and took their politicians to task. Any ambivalence or indifference as witnessed by the less than stellar turnout of voters at the recent election was quickly dispelled.

There was nothing ambivalent or indifferent in Canadian's reactions to what amounted to be am attempt at a power grab. Little can be added here that has not already been dissected in print, radio and TV. No longer can we say that politics in Canada are dull.

For the uninitiated non-Canadian readers, a quick summary of the week that was. We just had an election in October. Early September the Prime Minister called for an election. He was governing with the smallest minority government in the history of Canada. Having done what he could and being frustrated by the opposition parties, he called for an election. He was re-elected. Again with a minority albeit a much stronger minority.

Ours is a government of several parties. The "runner up" holds the title of opposition. Four parties hold sway, one of which ironically holds the position of separation from Canada --- yes, I know, it is a complicated issue and fodder for grist for another day. The elected minority government won the most seats of any party, but if faced with a united front from the other three, would be outvoted.

The new Parliament opened with what in retrospect may have been an unfortunate postion taken by the Prime Minister rescinding government funding of political parties according to votes garnered. Stay with me - there is a formula. There were other items which did not sit well with the opposition and they took this opportunity to form a coalition with the other parties so as to topple the government. If successful they could form the next government without going to the electorate. What is most interesting about this is that the parties in question are not exactly fans of each other, in fact a scant month and a half ago, they were barely civil to each other. So, as the saying goes, politics do indeed make for strange bedfellows.

Suddenly things got exciting. The rapier sharp "he said, she said, you said, I said" ascerbic rhetoric that followed was worthy of a verbal fencing gold at the Olympics if such an event existed.

What I enjoyed most about this whole episode ... this being my Four o'clock Thursday hour, is that it seems to have galvanized Canadians to action. Got them off their keesters. We have found our spine!

Oh yeah...things will now be held in abeyance until an actual budget is brought down January 26.