- why the serious damage control by Harper if there is no potential damage

Posted to: Globe and Mail, “Obama snubs Harper?”, Stephen Wicary, Wednesday, September 16, 2009 05:36 PM,
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/bureau-blog/obama-snubs-harper/article1290038/

I have to say it was a bit eye brow raising to hear about Harper’s greeting. Under normal circumstances I may not read too much into it. But, given Harper’s abysmal track record on diplomacy and his “in-your-face” approach to International relations, there is probably some significance to this. The fact that Harper's office would release that statement within minutes is a sure indication that there is serious significance to this - vis.: why the serious damage control if there is no potential damage.

Apparently there was to be 10 – 15 minutes, tête à tête, which is also eye-brow raising, and very ‘not-normal’. This seems to be a MO of Harper’s – i.e. hidden from the public view, and I have no problem inferring that it was Harper that requested it.

It is outrageous that Harper would talk with Obama for 10 – 15 minutes and not inform the Canadian people of what the substance of the conversation was about. This is a formal, official state visit, with Harper there only because he is the Prime Minister. Anything sensitive would have been discussed between offices before hand. What could possibly be so sensitive that Harper could not trust his assistants and official representatives, etc., to discuss it with their counterparts … Harper planning to invade the US???. This is not some private affair between two individuals, or a client seeking a lawyer’s advise.

This secrecy by Harper (other, countless, instances – countless if for no other reason than they are kept secret, hidden from us) should be a concern to all Canadians, and Americans, in this matter.