Is _Harperman_ to Stevie what _Pussy Riot_ was to Vlad?

Perhaps a living saint like Jean Vanier could genuinely feel a modicum of compassion for the venal and malevolent crew that is toiling to keep the Harper regime in power.

I do not.  In fact, I'm genuinely thrilled to gloat about the latest Harper government shit to hit the fan. 

An Ottawa federal scientist is being investigated for breaching the public service’s ethics code for writing and performing a highly political protest song to get rid of the Harper government.

Tony Turner, a scientist in habitat planning at Environment Canada, was recently sent home on leave with pay while the government investigates the making of Harperman, a music video posted on YouTube in early June that has attracted about 48,000 hits.

Mark Johnson, a spokesman for Environment Canada, said the department wouldn’t be commenting on the case because of “privacy concerns.” He said public servants agree to comply with the value and ethics code — which lays out expected behaviours — when they join the government regardless of their level or job.

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, which represents federal scientists, said the union was representing Turner. It said he was put on leave pending the outcome of the probe into allegations that he violated the ethics code by writing and performing a political protest song.

“We will stand up for its members who face the prospect of being disciplined for exercising their democratic rights as citizens. The Supreme Court of Canada has confirmed that public service workers, like all Canadian citizens, benefit from freedom of expression,” said PIPSC president Debi Daviau.

A disclosure.  I know Tony Turner, as a fellow congregant in the same community of faith.  He never speaks of his employment.  An avid singer and composer, he has worked with the congregation's youth in organizing hootenanny-style musical evenings.

Last June I posted and tweeted _Harperman_ with its exuberant cast of performers.

At the time, it did cross my mind that a humourless, vindictive prick like Stevie might use his regime's power to suppress the video.  And now we learn that Tony is being hounded through his employment.

_Harperman_ is trending today on Twitter. And @chris_sigurdson created this hilarious, brilliant meme.

We've produced many blogposts about _Pussy Riot_ here at DJ!  The parallels are clear: Harper, like Putin, is an authoritarian, ruthless, prevaricating leader who abuses his political power to stifle ideological dissidents.

In addition, Tony is a scientist. The Harper regime systematically suppresses research, muzzled government scientists, cut highly regarded programs and destroyed libraries.

No wonder the malignant narcissist who promised to destroy Canada is affronted by the words of _Harperman_.

Bad times, good times.

As I wrote to a friend this morning:

"These times are tough indeed for CONs. Though a week late, I think the New Orleans jubilant exhortation for Mardi Gras is more than appropriate for democracy-lovin' folks who can't wait to see the back of those carpetbaggers: 'Laissez l'bon temps rouler!'

Ouais. Rouler all over them like a MASSIVE steam roller, though the CPC scam will leave a stain that'll never wash out. Good. Our history and collective memory need a reminder that democracy requires vigilant defenders."

On May 2nd pale at A Creative Revolution posted, with links to CBC news items, a report of the curious incidents of robocalls harassing and mis-directing non-reformaTory voters.

DAMMIT JANET! also raised the issue last May here, here and here.

Yesterday Dr Dawg noted the heavy silence of the Globbin'Fail with regard to the alleged CON robocalls. Sour grapes? Imagine being scooped by the NatPo!

The Toronto Star's Joanna Smith reminds the NDP sent a letter to Elections Canada in April.

The Montreal Gazette has the Liberals' response.

If the so-called 'mainstream media' overlords had allowed their journalists to be diligent and vigilant - as many of the bloggers are - this story would have emerged in May, before the odious, vote-suppressing, corrupt CONtempt Party started its wrecking ball on the Canada we love and cherish.

It appears even Radio-Canada is vulnerable to pressure from Stevie's Politburo. This week the director of news reporting, Alain Saulnier was fired. On his watch "Enquêtes" did ground-breaking investigative journalism that exposed the corrupt underpinning and religious zealotry of the CPC.

The best word on this vote suppression scam belongs to Stephen Lautens:

"It just goes to show that the only way a far right agenda can win in Canada is by cheating."

The last image: a smug, complacent PMSHithead at the Calgary Stampede.

The last words (from good cop John McClane): "Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker."