Thankfully I was well clear of the hijacking of the peaceful march. Peaceful protestors have stayed clear of the vandals and their cyclone of disruption. There are varying accounts of the numbers of saboteurs (up 100 or 200???). Sad that 200 or so have blighted a massive 10,000+ peaceful march through the city.

Mayor Miller rightly branded these saboteurs as “criminals”. The news crews have all the catchy images of conflict they could have hoped for. A great negative feedback loop. We are up to about 6 Police cars torched by now. The security forces have managed to keep at least a one block perimeter safe and locked down. GO Train service is now non-existent and there are still small pockets of vandals between two different sets of solid Police lines. The ironic thing is that this small group of yahoos are relatively isolated.

Safe in the cage Mr. Harper is all smiles and entertaining his dinner guests. Such a contrast. Word is that the TFC game is still on.

Yonge and Dundas Square was another Black Bloc hotspot and Police are encouraging any stragglers to disperse from Queen’s Park (it’s unconfirmed whether they are now using force). I’m a block or so away from the Square and Queen’s Park and it’s business as usual. Many shops and grocery stores are still open. There are fewer cars and no streetcars but life goes on in the neighbourhood.

Public apathy? Perhaps. It’s more likely the fact that it a few bad apples are getting all the attention while most of us get on with life. Hoping that dialogue and issues take the spotlight tomorrow.

It’s official. British MP George Galloway’s request for an injunction to enter Canada has been denied. A Federal Court judge has ruled against his motion. Galloway was to speak tonight at Metropolitan United Church. The Toronto stop was to be the first of a four-city speaking tour GEORGE GALLOWAY: RESISTING WAR FROM GAZA TO KANDAHAR. The organizers of the Toronto stop, Toronto Coalition to Stop the War, have said that their event would continue regardless of the judge’s decision.

Galloway is no stranger to controversy. His response to the U.S. Senate regarding false allegations that he took bribes from Saddam Hussein was memorable. He has long taken criticism for his anti war stance and support for some pro-Palestinian causes. This support for some Palestinian groups has some people labeling him as a “terrorist supporter”. The Federal government stance, and latest justice decision seems heavy handed. Some have argued other “war criminals” (George W. Bush?) have been allowed into the country to speak. A view equally exaggerated, perhaps, but no doubt a strange precedent has been set with Galloway.

Let the madness stop. The “privilege to govern must be earned, not taken”. No truer words can be said. The Conservatives are in damage control mode and have sent out an appeal for donations today. This after leaking a “secret deal” between the NDP and the Bloc.

After stopping to listen to the “Conservatives eavesdropping” clips of Jack Layton at an NDP caucus meeting, (Clip 1, Clip 2, Clip 3) I expect delusional paranoia must be taking hold. The scare must be on after Jim Flaherty’s update and the resulting tide of opposition called. From the selected clips, in my opinion, Jack Layton appears to be briefing members on what has transpired to date with respect to coalition negotiations and what it would mean for the NDP going forward. I’m hopeful Mr. Layton will clarify his position and the context of comments made. Talk of any opposition party stealing the house so close to an election are far fetched. If that were the case it would have happened sooner, perhaps right after the election votes were tallied. All parties have been in consultations regarding the economy and have had face to face meetings with the PM since the election. When none of the oppositions recommendations were headed it’s not surprising see the actions of the opposition. Even less surprising is that the NDP may pursue criminal charges with respect to how these audio clips were acquired and distributed. Think of what consequences would be if someone leaked a private corporation’s conference call to the press.

Are memories that short? Harper, as leader of the Opposition, held lengthy discussions with Layton and Duceppe aimed at ousting Paul Martin’s Liberal government in the fall of 2004. The context of any meetings that may or may not have happened between any parties (other than the Conservatives) looks like less of a conspiracy or “backroom scheme” and more like a way of forming consensus in an ineffective parliament. Ignorance and inaction by key Conservatives on the economy were the tipping point to advance these meetings.

To run away from your own battle cries of “confidence motions” and tactics is puzzling. To pout, delay and filibuster is not what Canadians need right now. The crisis is here, ACT!!! The privilege to govern must be earned not taken, for granted.

There were special Remembrance Day events Queen’s Park and at Old City Hall today. The TTC gave pause to honour our veterans this morning too. If you have not already seen it, tonight until dawn the last 10,000 names of the 68,000 lost will be shown as part of the 1914 – 1918 Vigil. Coincidental or not Mayor Miller noted earlier today, about 10,000 of the 68,000 who perished in that war made Toronto their home. Lest we forget…