Steve to the Rescue !

"Prime Minister Stephen Harper surprised his staff and further complicated the Canadian evacuation from Lebanon Wednesday with a sudden decision to detour his jet to Cyprus and personally rescue about 100 Canadian evacuees."

So what to think of this? First, yes, it is definitely a political stunt. But is it necessarily bad, or is he helping by doing this. I think he acknowledged that it was just a drop in the bucket, given the number of people who want to come home from Lebanon. But it's better than nothing, right? Better than flying home with a plane full of advisors and journalists. But did flying to Cyprus create more problems than it solved? That's where all sides will spin this to their own advantage. I don't know yet.

I heard that John Howard phoned Steve and asked him if Canadian ships could collect some stray Australians in Beirut, and Steve said yes. We are such pals to the Aussies, aren't we? John and Steve, closer than ever.

Meanwhile, the poll numbers on support for our Afghan mission are sinking. Steve will have to deal with that when he gets home and hangs up his superman cape.

UPDATE: The National just reported that the ship was very late and Steve-o ended up sitting 24 hours in his plane waiting for them. May I quote Nelson from the Simpsons? HAH HAH!