I love animals. They're delicious.

It is widely speculated that Bob Rae will have no difficulty securing a seat in the House of Commons as the MP for Toronto Centre, following the March 17th by-election. But wait. He should face a stiff challenge from the Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada. That's right. There's an Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada. Who knew? You can view the Wikipedia entry here.

The Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada was formed in 2005, presumably to get around third-party advocacy rules during elections. By running one candidate in the 2006 general election, the Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada was able to claim party status for the duration of the election campaign. The Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada received 72 (yes, count 'em, 72) votes, surging a full 6 votes ahead of the Marxist Leninists, who are still sucking on the AAEVP's dust. So, watch your back, Bob!

It is also widely speculated that Stephane Dion may actually threaten to say that he might decide to maybe pull the trigger on the current parliament and maybe, possibly, allow his caucus to actually attend a parliamentary vote and bring down the government. That is, if the Liberals are able to win the four mostly Liberal-friendly by-elections on March 17th. Well, here's a thought. Seeing as the by-elections are being held on St. Patrick's Day, wouldn't it be appropriate if (just this once) the voters in those four ridings elected Green Party candidates? I'm just saying.

Oh, but wait. He would be forcing an election after Easter. That would mean that the campaign would take place during the springtime. But with Victoria Day in May, and people planting their gardens, and other people opening up their cottages, etc., etc., etc. -- oh, 'I do not tink Canadians would want dat.'

Still, if he does pull the trigger (a nasty, western gun-culture metaphor, to be sure), that would certainly be an interesting deVLOPment.