Proof that silver linings do exist:

- the N.D.P. made significant gains in the number of elected Members of Parliament;

- one of the London ridings (London-Fanshawe) elected Irene Mathyssen, an N.D.P. M.P. Too bad she doesn't represent my riding (which, again, idiotically elected a Liberal M.P.);

- the lovely-and-amazing Tina Keeper--most of you may know her from the C.B.C. series North of 60--is now an M.P. Sure, she's a Liberal, but I can't hold that against her; she's far too lovely-and-amazing;

- the Bloc Quebecois lost seats and a percentage of the popular vote in Quebec; and

- at least it's only a Conservative minority win: a win that might help Canada see some much-needed electoral reform. (It'll be a cold day in Hell before the Liberals, who--historically--have fared so well under our very undemocratic system, introduce any of those initiatives!) Cold comfort, I know, but I'll take any form of comfort I can get.



But the clouds do still exist:

- Svend Robinson wasn't able to defeat Hedy Fry;

- the N.D.P., while it has made significant inroads, still doesn't hold a firm balance of power. Nor do I think we can hold a balance of power again until we either a.) regain the federal seats/momentum we lost in Saskatchewan back in 2004 (I miss you, Lorne Nystrom!); or b.) win at least one seat in Quebec--a feat we have yet to achieve;

- the Conservative stances on same-sex marriage rights; Kyoto and climate change; deep integration with the U.S.; bulk water exports; health care privatization; education; aboriginal affairs; the G.S.T.; et cetera; and

- Prime Minister Stephen Harper--I'm surprised my computer didn't implode after I typed that.


Tonight, I leave you all with Tommy Douglas' (that's "The Greatest Canadian"/Keifer Sutherland's maternal grandfather for those of you who aren't up on your Canadiana) call-to-arms.

But first, sleep. New Democrats have got to get their sleep now, if we want to be a thorn in the great Conservative Side.