Nothing up Harper’s sleeve – except additional sleeve

Belated congratulations to Stephen Harper on the successful defence at the Calgary Stampede of his Least Intimidating Cowboy championship.

You’d think the Prime Minister would get a little cocky, a little complacent, after capturing four straight titles – but no. This year, the hat/glasses combination would alone have been enough to outnerd anyone short of Tony Clement in plastic chaps, but Harper sealed the deal by wearing a plaid shirt that was at least a size too big, its mighty sleeves extending well past his wrists to the middle of his palms. He looked like a six-year-old boy who’d lost both his Mommy and his personal stylist. (Not pictured: Nice old lady buying him a sugar-free sarsparilla.)