Danny's Coatails for by-election?

The political future for PC's in Newfoundland and Labrador is pretty grim. Now there's subtle and not so subtle moves by the Tories that demonstrate how bad the situation is.

 Many of us were wondering why Tom Marshall - the fellow who did not want to stay around anymore - was taking so much time to leave. Timing in politics is everything - we often hear - and I guess this is a good example.

Make no mistake there are still some political strategists left in the diminished Tory house - and in my opinion - they made the call on Marshall's retirement.

Humber East is the one the PC's will throw everything at to hold and they appear to have dipped back into a familiar well. Tom Marshall announced his resignation Monday - November 3rd. Uncharacteristically - Premier Paul Davis announced the by-election for the district the same day. The government that usually takes its time (subject to legislation) in calling by-elections was swift in this case.

The Tories were definitely timing Marshall's departure and were ready when he did.

What happened next?

Well on November 12th with the by-election in full swing - the screening of "Danny" is at the Arts and Culture Centre in Corner Brook with an audience full of prospective voters.

The glorification of all that is "Danny" their former MHA and Premier was there - in the flesh - saying things like - “To come here tonight was like coming home”.

Better yet - an always fawning media willing to entertain a Q&A session with Williams - including political banter - and to "report" on his political comments. Here are a few excerpts from the Telegram

1.  While saying he is staying out of today’s political scene, in true Williams style, he offered his support to Larry Wells, the Conservative candidate trying to hold on to the Humber East seat in an upcoming by-election.“Hello Larry, wherever you are out there,” he said.

2. However, he said he’s not ready to concede a Conservative defeat. “They all, like me, have a genuine love for this wonderful place in which we live,” he said of party candidates and leaders.

3. “I’m a big believer that it doesn’t have to be fracked in order to find it,” he announced to the crowd. “I am not advocating fracking. If there is petroleum there that we can access normally, and I do believe it is there on the west coast.”

4. “To come here tonight was like coming home,” he said. “To put (the film) in front of them and say, ‘you have been a big part of this.’”

5. Danny Williams says he has no real regrets from his political tenure, but he admits he would have liked to have seen more things to ignite the economy on the west coast of the province.

Here are my questions:

1.  When was the booking made for the Corner Brook Arts and Culture Centre for the screening?

2. When did the Tories become aware of that date?

3. Was Tom Marshall's dragged out (despite the groaning) retirement - and by-election call - timed with the screening of the film during the campaign?

4. Did the PC's ask Danny Williams to do a bit of campaigning at the screening?

Outside of this observation - I note the careful footing around economic growth in the district during Danny's tenure. His on-again off-again "home" had to be gently almost with humility asked to believe in a PC resurrection.

What an insult to the people this was and is.

Another excerpt from the Telegram article:

He thanked the audience for that 2001 by-election win in Humber East, which he claimed launched his entire tenure.

Well - how nice - they launched his political career - so he went home and then did so again to launch his film.

Meanwhile the hospital - you know the hospital - yes that hospital - maybe changing hospital - need more design hospital - need to change the services hospital - is NOT built. On the bright side - they did get a Court House - what's it called again?  Oh yes - I remember - the Danny Williams building.

So thanks for what you've done for me - but by the way can you do one more thing? Elect another PC.

He asked the people in former Premier Dunderdale's riding of Virginia Waters to do it. Now he wants the good people of Humber East to do it.

Never forget though - all this could not have happened right? - Cause Williams believes when Premiers leave office they should stay out of it - shut their mouths - right?
 

Minister Jim Flaherty - a Man without Culture is an Ass - The Shoe Fits

Jim Flaherty apparently must view himself as - a global citizen - a non patriot - a man without history - a man without roots - a man without a flag - a man without culture - and our Minister of Finance.

The Minister of money - who lost out to the French Minister of Finance Christine Lagarde for the top IMF post - must have been annoyed by the snub. After all - he fancies that his genius is what kept Canada afloat during the corruption induced recession. Now we all know that he had nothing to do with it - he relied on the institutional structure and regulatory system established by Ministers before his time.

In either case - Jim - is a founding partner of Flaherty Dow Elliott a law firm that describes itself this way: 

Our Firm has distinguished itself in the area of motor vehicle accident litigation.  We also litigate and arbitrate claims for Statutory Accident Benefits.

We also act as counsel in the various forms of disputes between insurers that may arise following motor vehicle accidents.

We are also proud of our expanding subrogation and property loss department that serves the needs of several insurers.

Finally, we frequently act for legitimately and seriously injured people following motor vehicle accidents and similar traumatic incidents.

(emphasis added)

Guess we won't be seeing any major reform in personal injury law - and he would not want to interfere with provinces there now would he?

Anyway the man who made a name for himself by chasing small and large ambulances (so to speak) - and revolutionizing the Ontario economy (lol) - now has his sites set on Arts and Culture. Mr. common sense himself feels "culture" is too reliant on federal cash. The suit with a fine manicure feels the "arts" should become a blood sport with real competition for government dollars. Perhaps Minister Clement could create new policy with respect to that. Clement's Counselling for Canadian Cash could be a great business success story with a slogan like "Funding for Fake Lakes Guaranteed".

I can see it now - Globe and Mail headlines of the future: Festivals Fight for Funds - Opera Sings for Supper - Librarians Lobby for Loot - or Painters Punch it our for Payola.

Yes Canada - our Minister of Money is getting tough on Arts and Culture - if you are in this sector Flaherty wants you to know you must stop relying on government grants as part of your budget. 

The following are Flaherty quotes from a CP/CBC story:

"One thing I'd say, and maybe it's different than it used to be, is we actually don't believe in festivals and cultural institutions assuming that year after year after year they'll receive government funding," Flaherty said.

"They ought not assume entitlement to grants ... no organization should assume in their budgeting that every year the government of Canada is going to give them grants because there's lots of competition, lots of other festivals, and there are new ideas that come along.

"So it's a good idea for everyone to stay on their toes and not make that assumption."

I wonder if Jim says that to all the boys? The Banks, the Auto Giants, the Oil Companies and particularly the Insurance Giants? You see Jim - bailouts, tax breaks, and favourable government policies are as good as a grant.

A man with power and influence who does not support Arts and Culture is an Ass. You Mr. Flaherty are an ass.

We can dress him up but we can't take him out.

Finally - my favorite statement from the law firm's website:

We strive to represent our clients in the true spirit of great advocacy and the proud traditions of the profession.
Funny Mr. Flaherty - when you gained the power - you lost the spirit.