Sometimes it is worthwhile to review a sequence of events.
As it relates to the SNC situation that we find our Country transfixed by - the discussion around the deluge of lobbying by the company as they sat charged with serious criminal offences - has been somewhat vetted.
Many have also talked about the fact that changes to the Criminal Code were buried in a Budget Bill. Most seem to find that inappropriate.
Obviously there are continued questions and escalating mistrust which will likely continue to haunt the PMO and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau - as long as there are no comments from Jody Wilson-Raybould.
This post however will review a surely impossible sequence of events that lead up to the tabled change to the Criminal Code within the Budget Bill.
Let's make this short. It will add to the call for investigative measures to take place regarding this SNC mess.
You've probably heard by now that Canadians were told that the government was considering Deferred Prosecution Agreements. The spin - partially true - was that the public could have commented on this idea. Let's say the MP's did not do a full court press to constituents on this very important matter. The MSM were not all aflutter with advising Canadians of this very important consultation process.
Putting that aside - the consultation took place between September 25th - December 08 2017.
The report on the consultations found (PRESS HERE) was dated February 22nd 2018. The report is a general summary of what was heard or submitted by participants, a copy of the questions given to participants to answer, and a paragraph at the end of report titles "Next Steps", The following is that paragraph: The Government of Canada will further review the feedback received and assess whether enhancements to the Integrity Regime are warranted to ensure that the Regime continues to achieve its objectives, is efficient in doing so, and addresses new trends and risks in a constantly changing marketplace. Feedback will also be used by the Government of Canada in considering the possibility of introducing a Canadian DPA regime as an additional tool for prosecutors, to be used in appropriate circumstances, to address corporate crime. (emphasis added)
Further the last paragraph reads: While this public consultation has ended, the Government of Canada remains committed to hearing from interested parties regarding both the Integrity Regime and DPAs.
So on February 22nd of 2018 the report for consideration - to be assessed and reviewed - and even to possibly continue to hear from other people was released. It could be reviewed by Canadians and Parliamentarians alike. Let's have a discussion kind of tone.
5 days later there is a Budget Bill presented to the House of Commons that included the changes to the Criminal Code on these matters.
The proposed law was written and presented to Parliament 5 days after the report is released for assessment, review, and even more invited commentary.
Please take the time to think about that. In 5 short days 3 months of material and findings were reviewed - assessed - and already presented for passage of the Budget Bill.
Any reasonably minded person would conclude the proposed changes to the Criminal Code were already written before the report was released.
Any reasonably minded person knows that Criminal Code changes just don't happen that way or that fast.
The report does not allow Canadians to see who said what - and what exactly was being submitted.
But lucky for Canadians - SNC Lavalin put its submission on their site.
Have a look at the report referenced above and then the changes to the Criminal Code (PRESS HERE) and then decide who influenced our law.
Undue influence? Need to get the fix in place for SNC in a timely manner?
Next post will deal with the change in language from Deferred Prosecution Agreements to Remediation Agreements. Funny that when GM Butts resigned - he actually used the term Deferred Prosecution Agreements instead of Remediation Agreements - the latter of which is actually law.
Showing posts with label national post. Show all posts
Showing posts with label national post. Show all posts
Monday, February 18, 2019
Friday, November 06, 2015
1st days of PM Trudeau reveals one critical weakness
On September 27th 2012 - Sue's Blog predicted that Justin Trudeau would be the next Prime Minister.
There were 20 reasons given for this call - some of which dealt directly with who I thought Trudeau was and where he came from.
What that post did not deal with were possible weaknesses. I believe the stated strengths noted in the 2012 post are proving to have merit and now we need to look at what weaknesses are there and how Trudeau can rise to strengthen them.
As a public figure - I like the way he carries himself and that will reflect on Canada and her people as a whole. I do not know him personally and perhaps never will. Some federal Liberal Party stalwarts remain and they will not find memories of my criticisms in the past pleasant. Be that as it may - Trudeau is a new leader and a new Prime Minister - I can neither judge him by his colleagues nor of ever-present partisans who reside in all parties.
I am a Canadian citizen and I like to participate - usually causing politicians to avoid rather than engage. This unfortunately dismisses real and valid points and policy suggestions that I and others like me have. Trudeau will be faced with many people like me and it will be instructional to see how he and his Cabinet respond. I hold out hope that this leader will draw from society - will seek to listen with non-partisan ears - and truly unite Canadians.
The election win was a combination of people wanting to get rid of Harper and of choosing the alternative that provided the most potential.
There is no doubt that when Tom Mulcair listened to or participated in the decision to attack Trudeau versus choosing to raise his profile from Opposition leader to the nations Prime Minister - he and the NDP lost. Conversely when Trudeau and his team chose to take the road of answering critics head on by offering reasoned, calm, and modern thinking - he lead the party to victory.
The media - in their usual - deer in headlights response to an unexpected result - chattered and giggled about how the Niqab killed the NDP. Not only was that wrong - it was illogical. Trudeau took the same position on the Niqab as Mulcair - yet took ownership of Quebec.
Journalists on the Hill had bought into the "just not ready" theatrics which helped in their defence of propaganda coverage dictated by Stephen Harper. The five questions - no follow up rule was juvenile and mainstream media sucked it up in an equally juvenile and unprofessional manner. Andrew Coyne's very public sulking at the end of the campaign - added fuel to the fire that they all had bosses to listen to. Then in a very apparent/non-transparent way - we were all left to pity them.
Now the media floodgates are open - they are all over Trudeau and his Cabinet. Tripping and giggling at their regained power. The very same day - they failed to scrum Harper and let Rona Ambrose control the number of questions permitted.
Canada is a geographically large and culturally diverse nation. Our confederation continues to be challenged by obvious problems that politicians have yet to address - let alone improve. If and when a leader has the courage to deal with these problems - our confederation may permanently remove the threat to separate by any province.
On Wednesday I watched the Cabinet unfold with millions of other Canadians. For the most part I believe Trudeau ticked most of the important boxes and as he said "it is 2015". Gender equality in Parliament is important and there was no reason based on qualifications - that it should not have been achieved. There was also a great representation of age and experience. New ideas versus tried and true policy will provide great debate at the Cabinet table.
In all the newness that is Justin Trudeau - in all the forward looking that is Justin Trudeau there remains an antiquated view of regional representation in Cabinet. It is the final bastion of Upper and Lower Canada. It can be argued that we got Harper because the West (primarily the prairies) wanted in and they seen the Reform/Alliance as the way to get there.
If there is any such thing as "Old Stock Canadian" thinking it is geographic not racist and it is most assuredly the position that Ontario and Quebec are the most important pieces of geography in the country and also the most needy people when it comes to Cabinet placements.
We are a confederation of provinces - joined to form a Country based on common interests. All MP's are concerned with homelessness, affordable housing, health care, education, justice, transportation, taxation, security, and sovereignty - therefore all are representatives of these fundamentals. Cabinet should be utilized to deal with regional issues. This should not be based on population but rather on geography, assets, and particular needs.
If Ontario's focus is on the auto sector, banking, transit, manufacturing, and immigration - surely five competent MP's placed into Cabinet should be able to represent this. Likewise with all provinces and the North. A combination of population, geography, industrial sectors and cultural issues should be at the forefront of Cabinet appointments.
If we cannot have an equal, elected, and effective Senate - we must certainly strive to level the Cabinet playing field.
If Ontario has 11 Cabinet members to represent its interests there is no doubt that policy direction will favour that province. Quebec holding 6 posts and the Prime Minister means it has plenty of people to speak. 18 of 31 Ministers held by Upper and Lower Canada means that economic growth, population growth, and social growth will be dominated by these provinces. The fact that mainstream media - more often that not - refers to Atlantic Canada, Western Canada, Territories, Ontario and Quebec when describing our country demonstrates the real problem in identity and regional preferences in our country.
By reducing Ontario and Quebec's representation in Cabinet to 10 from 18 - would allow all provinces and the Territories to at least have 2 Cabinet posts. This better reflects Canada and its confederation.
This is a weakness in Trudeau. He needs to look outside the population box to unite the provinces and territories in a real partnership. It is outdated, regressive, and divisive - it must be corrected. If 8 provinces and 3 Territories feel a Cabinet direction is favouring the growth of Quebec and Ontario at the cost of the other 11 then real action could be taken.
The real and obnoxious attention to Quebec and Ontario was most recently witnessed in the election. All leaders with the exception of Elizabeth May (who concentrated efforts in BC) doted on the neediness of Upper and Lower Canada. It is time for real leadership on this most troubling and chronic problem.
If Canada continues to govern itself based on the preservation, growth, and dominance of 2 provinces we will cease to be a real confederation.
British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the North are the sea borders of our country and are bountiful in natural ocean resources. These resources being owned and managed by the federal government is absolutely wrong and patently unfair. More than this - Cabinets dominated by central Canadian MP's have either neglected or mismanaged these resources at a unfathomable loss to the affected populations.
The fishery, oil and gas, and search and rescue assets have been crucified by Cabinets dominated by people who have no clue about them or real interest in the fall-out of critical errors. The House of Commons - dictated to by population representation - can kill a small province with one vote.
For all the modern and youthful thinking of the new Prime Minister - Justin Trudeau demonstrated significant weakness in the area of Cabinet representation. Ironically 5 of the 36 seats held by the Liberals were from Newfoundland and Labrador. We represented 1/7th of what they had. What are we now?
If somebody does not deal with the inequalities in Cabinet representation and provinces continue to suffer losses in population growth, economics, and industry - there will come a time when people want out not in.
I wait to see if our new Prime Minister recognizes and then attempts to deal with this.
There were 20 reasons given for this call - some of which dealt directly with who I thought Trudeau was and where he came from.
What that post did not deal with were possible weaknesses. I believe the stated strengths noted in the 2012 post are proving to have merit and now we need to look at what weaknesses are there and how Trudeau can rise to strengthen them.
As a public figure - I like the way he carries himself and that will reflect on Canada and her people as a whole. I do not know him personally and perhaps never will. Some federal Liberal Party stalwarts remain and they will not find memories of my criticisms in the past pleasant. Be that as it may - Trudeau is a new leader and a new Prime Minister - I can neither judge him by his colleagues nor of ever-present partisans who reside in all parties.
I am a Canadian citizen and I like to participate - usually causing politicians to avoid rather than engage. This unfortunately dismisses real and valid points and policy suggestions that I and others like me have. Trudeau will be faced with many people like me and it will be instructional to see how he and his Cabinet respond. I hold out hope that this leader will draw from society - will seek to listen with non-partisan ears - and truly unite Canadians.
The election win was a combination of people wanting to get rid of Harper and of choosing the alternative that provided the most potential.
There is no doubt that when Tom Mulcair listened to or participated in the decision to attack Trudeau versus choosing to raise his profile from Opposition leader to the nations Prime Minister - he and the NDP lost. Conversely when Trudeau and his team chose to take the road of answering critics head on by offering reasoned, calm, and modern thinking - he lead the party to victory.
The media - in their usual - deer in headlights response to an unexpected result - chattered and giggled about how the Niqab killed the NDP. Not only was that wrong - it was illogical. Trudeau took the same position on the Niqab as Mulcair - yet took ownership of Quebec.
Journalists on the Hill had bought into the "just not ready" theatrics which helped in their defence of propaganda coverage dictated by Stephen Harper. The five questions - no follow up rule was juvenile and mainstream media sucked it up in an equally juvenile and unprofessional manner. Andrew Coyne's very public sulking at the end of the campaign - added fuel to the fire that they all had bosses to listen to. Then in a very apparent/non-transparent way - we were all left to pity them.
Now the media floodgates are open - they are all over Trudeau and his Cabinet. Tripping and giggling at their regained power. The very same day - they failed to scrum Harper and let Rona Ambrose control the number of questions permitted.
Canada is a geographically large and culturally diverse nation. Our confederation continues to be challenged by obvious problems that politicians have yet to address - let alone improve. If and when a leader has the courage to deal with these problems - our confederation may permanently remove the threat to separate by any province.
On Wednesday I watched the Cabinet unfold with millions of other Canadians. For the most part I believe Trudeau ticked most of the important boxes and as he said "it is 2015". Gender equality in Parliament is important and there was no reason based on qualifications - that it should not have been achieved. There was also a great representation of age and experience. New ideas versus tried and true policy will provide great debate at the Cabinet table.
In all the newness that is Justin Trudeau - in all the forward looking that is Justin Trudeau there remains an antiquated view of regional representation in Cabinet. It is the final bastion of Upper and Lower Canada. It can be argued that we got Harper because the West (primarily the prairies) wanted in and they seen the Reform/Alliance as the way to get there.
If there is any such thing as "Old Stock Canadian" thinking it is geographic not racist and it is most assuredly the position that Ontario and Quebec are the most important pieces of geography in the country and also the most needy people when it comes to Cabinet placements.
We are a confederation of provinces - joined to form a Country based on common interests. All MP's are concerned with homelessness, affordable housing, health care, education, justice, transportation, taxation, security, and sovereignty - therefore all are representatives of these fundamentals. Cabinet should be utilized to deal with regional issues. This should not be based on population but rather on geography, assets, and particular needs.
If Ontario's focus is on the auto sector, banking, transit, manufacturing, and immigration - surely five competent MP's placed into Cabinet should be able to represent this. Likewise with all provinces and the North. A combination of population, geography, industrial sectors and cultural issues should be at the forefront of Cabinet appointments.
If we cannot have an equal, elected, and effective Senate - we must certainly strive to level the Cabinet playing field.
If Ontario has 11 Cabinet members to represent its interests there is no doubt that policy direction will favour that province. Quebec holding 6 posts and the Prime Minister means it has plenty of people to speak. 18 of 31 Ministers held by Upper and Lower Canada means that economic growth, population growth, and social growth will be dominated by these provinces. The fact that mainstream media - more often that not - refers to Atlantic Canada, Western Canada, Territories, Ontario and Quebec when describing our country demonstrates the real problem in identity and regional preferences in our country.
By reducing Ontario and Quebec's representation in Cabinet to 10 from 18 - would allow all provinces and the Territories to at least have 2 Cabinet posts. This better reflects Canada and its confederation.
This is a weakness in Trudeau. He needs to look outside the population box to unite the provinces and territories in a real partnership. It is outdated, regressive, and divisive - it must be corrected. If 8 provinces and 3 Territories feel a Cabinet direction is favouring the growth of Quebec and Ontario at the cost of the other 11 then real action could be taken.
The real and obnoxious attention to Quebec and Ontario was most recently witnessed in the election. All leaders with the exception of Elizabeth May (who concentrated efforts in BC) doted on the neediness of Upper and Lower Canada. It is time for real leadership on this most troubling and chronic problem.
If Canada continues to govern itself based on the preservation, growth, and dominance of 2 provinces we will cease to be a real confederation.
British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the North are the sea borders of our country and are bountiful in natural ocean resources. These resources being owned and managed by the federal government is absolutely wrong and patently unfair. More than this - Cabinets dominated by central Canadian MP's have either neglected or mismanaged these resources at a unfathomable loss to the affected populations.
The fishery, oil and gas, and search and rescue assets have been crucified by Cabinets dominated by people who have no clue about them or real interest in the fall-out of critical errors. The House of Commons - dictated to by population representation - can kill a small province with one vote.
For all the modern and youthful thinking of the new Prime Minister - Justin Trudeau demonstrated significant weakness in the area of Cabinet representation. Ironically 5 of the 36 seats held by the Liberals were from Newfoundland and Labrador. We represented 1/7th of what they had. What are we now?
If somebody does not deal with the inequalities in Cabinet representation and provinces continue to suffer losses in population growth, economics, and industry - there will come a time when people want out not in.
I wait to see if our new Prime Minister recognizes and then attempts to deal with this.
Harper hands off to MacKay
As a political junkie and an active citizen - I always like to review the term/s of any Prime Minister or Premier.
Usually there are good and bad policies in all governments regardless of stripe. Then again - usually in Canada the mainstream parties Progressive Conservative, Liberal, or New Democrat are just left or right of center. They are not right or left wing zealots attempting to change the very soul of the Country.
Then came Stephen Harper - one half of a deceitful duo - with Peter MacKay. These two politicians were supposed to "unite the right". In truth - it was the Reforms effort to mask itself enough and form government and for Peter MacKay it was a lazy and selfish way to bring his Progressive Conservatives back from near extinction.
For PC's like David Orchard and Joe Clark the merger represented the greatest act of treachery in the party's history.
The right wing extremist Harper and the self-centered MacKay had no problem moving on - each with their own agenda. Harper is not a stupid man and understood immediately that he was smarter than the lazy selfish MacKay. As long as Harper kept MacKay happy - Harper could keep the ideologically fractured caucus in check.
Satisfying Peter meant just that - satisfying Peter. He could have the portfolios he desired, the travel he desired, and the prominence he desired. Little by little Harper changed our Country - right under the nose of MacKay who give in little by little on ideology if it meant progressive improvement for himself.
MacKay did not care if the Country was being stripped of democratic principles, stripped of judicial values, stripped of its Constitution as long as he - Peter MacKay - was upwardly mobile. Mackay became more and more arrogant - more and more aloof - more and more deceitful.
The Harper era was - I believe - based on an agreement. That is to say - he and his political partner - set rules for each other and more importantly time-frames. I have no doubt that the merger of the parties came with an opportunity for both to lead it.
The red-carpet send off for MacKay by the Prime Minister was unprecedented and quite unusual. The political love-in was scripted by both and in my opinion written a decade earlier. All of this was pulled off because an ever weakening media answered the call. Sure MacKay leaving was a story - but that news was not important enough for live coverage of every word.
Shifting away from the extreme right will be the reason to elect MacKay sometime in late 2016 or early 2017 - it will be determined as "necessary" to lure the public back with moderate social policy.
Peter in the meanwhile will be a free agent - but very accessible to an adoring press. He's already begun playing them like a fiddle.
Harper did considerable damage to the "free" press - they became the propaganda delivery team - trained like a circus animal - through continued punish and learn exercises. The odd journalist that delivered news had to do so very carefully or with the blessing of a boss through commentary.
There were media rules and deals that we the public did not see during the election - we seen the result but not backroom agreements.
Have you ever watched a flock of hungry starlings upon the discovery of food? If not - all you had to do was watch our national media question the hours old Cabinet - to envision what the starlings are like.
As many of you know - I - as one citizen - insist on freedom of the press. I am unforgiving as a voter to a leader or MP who demands full control of media. I did not expect or need particulars about what the Ministers were going to do in their new portfolios on day one. I would expect them to tell me their priorities and any urgent and immediate changes within a week or two. The "Hill" reporters were savages on Wednesday - they even giggled - (watch the video) if there is one. Justin Trudeau said they were important and should be able to ask tough questions - and as if Trudeau was Pavlov - he rang a bell.
For the past five years at least - they were obedient - if they complained it must have been at a virtual kitchen table - we never heard it.
They have become so irrelevant that when Trudeau opened the access and advised them they were important again - they fed like piranha.
Let me be clear dear media - before you increase your dislike of me - you demonstrated it again in spades when you "interviewed" Ms. Ambrose. You were respectful of the rules Harper put in place for you.
Without considerable determination of journalists - the next couple of years will be high-energy focus on keeping Trudeau "accountable" while allowing MacKay and Ambrose to play by Harper media rules. Peter will become the heir apparent and will demand of the media - respect and boundaries that will be set by him.
The media continues to let Harper off the accountability hook and unless this changes - Trudeau's commitment to revitalize the CBC will only mean a license for journalists to investigate and report on Liberals - while letting MacKay and the CPC go unchecked into the next election.
Ready - set - go....
Usually there are good and bad policies in all governments regardless of stripe. Then again - usually in Canada the mainstream parties Progressive Conservative, Liberal, or New Democrat are just left or right of center. They are not right or left wing zealots attempting to change the very soul of the Country.
Then came Stephen Harper - one half of a deceitful duo - with Peter MacKay. These two politicians were supposed to "unite the right". In truth - it was the Reforms effort to mask itself enough and form government and for Peter MacKay it was a lazy and selfish way to bring his Progressive Conservatives back from near extinction.
For PC's like David Orchard and Joe Clark the merger represented the greatest act of treachery in the party's history.
The right wing extremist Harper and the self-centered MacKay had no problem moving on - each with their own agenda. Harper is not a stupid man and understood immediately that he was smarter than the lazy selfish MacKay. As long as Harper kept MacKay happy - Harper could keep the ideologically fractured caucus in check.
Satisfying Peter meant just that - satisfying Peter. He could have the portfolios he desired, the travel he desired, and the prominence he desired. Little by little Harper changed our Country - right under the nose of MacKay who give in little by little on ideology if it meant progressive improvement for himself.
MacKay did not care if the Country was being stripped of democratic principles, stripped of judicial values, stripped of its Constitution as long as he - Peter MacKay - was upwardly mobile. Mackay became more and more arrogant - more and more aloof - more and more deceitful.
The Harper era was - I believe - based on an agreement. That is to say - he and his political partner - set rules for each other and more importantly time-frames. I have no doubt that the merger of the parties came with an opportunity for both to lead it.
The red-carpet send off for MacKay by the Prime Minister was unprecedented and quite unusual. The political love-in was scripted by both and in my opinion written a decade earlier. All of this was pulled off because an ever weakening media answered the call. Sure MacKay leaving was a story - but that news was not important enough for live coverage of every word.
Shifting away from the extreme right will be the reason to elect MacKay sometime in late 2016 or early 2017 - it will be determined as "necessary" to lure the public back with moderate social policy.
Peter in the meanwhile will be a free agent - but very accessible to an adoring press. He's already begun playing them like a fiddle.
Harper did considerable damage to the "free" press - they became the propaganda delivery team - trained like a circus animal - through continued punish and learn exercises. The odd journalist that delivered news had to do so very carefully or with the blessing of a boss through commentary.
There were media rules and deals that we the public did not see during the election - we seen the result but not backroom agreements.
Have you ever watched a flock of hungry starlings upon the discovery of food? If not - all you had to do was watch our national media question the hours old Cabinet - to envision what the starlings are like.
As many of you know - I - as one citizen - insist on freedom of the press. I am unforgiving as a voter to a leader or MP who demands full control of media. I did not expect or need particulars about what the Ministers were going to do in their new portfolios on day one. I would expect them to tell me their priorities and any urgent and immediate changes within a week or two. The "Hill" reporters were savages on Wednesday - they even giggled - (watch the video) if there is one. Justin Trudeau said they were important and should be able to ask tough questions - and as if Trudeau was Pavlov - he rang a bell.
For the past five years at least - they were obedient - if they complained it must have been at a virtual kitchen table - we never heard it.
They have become so irrelevant that when Trudeau opened the access and advised them they were important again - they fed like piranha.
Let me be clear dear media - before you increase your dislike of me - you demonstrated it again in spades when you "interviewed" Ms. Ambrose. You were respectful of the rules Harper put in place for you.
Without considerable determination of journalists - the next couple of years will be high-energy focus on keeping Trudeau "accountable" while allowing MacKay and Ambrose to play by Harper media rules. Peter will become the heir apparent and will demand of the media - respect and boundaries that will be set by him.
The media continues to let Harper off the accountability hook and unless this changes - Trudeau's commitment to revitalize the CBC will only mean a license for journalists to investigate and report on Liberals - while letting MacKay and the CPC go unchecked into the next election.
Ready - set - go....
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Is Pierre Poilievre being monitored?
The most obvious example of how blatantly corrupt the Harper government is was on full social media display the past few days.
The Universal Child Care benefit - touted as everything short of the savior of mankind (which it is not) - is being used by the Harper government as a major election plank.
Pierre Poilievre Harper's choice for Minister of Employment and Social Development has taken propaganda, deception, and unethical to a whole new level.
This born again Harperite preaches from the Conservative Party Pulpit wearing a CPC Cassock and expects that thinking Canadians will accept his version of the Harper bible.
In a completely abused Twitter account Poilievre spams the Canadian Twitter-sphere with garbage like: "One more sleep until Christmas in July for Moms and Dads!"
This Minister should be removed from his portfolio and made to apologize to Canadians for ignoring/breaking Treasury Board rules. This extremist should be monitored to insure this zealot is not dangerous to the social well being of Canada. He is knowingly and deliberately ignoring established guidelines and is a Minister of the Crown.
I have no idea - as a Canadian - how far this fellow will go to promote the CPC doctrine - which in and of itself is concerning.
The fellow who once said - "But I can’t accept a union representing public servants working for the government of Canada which forcefully takes money out of the pockets of Canada’s public servants to support parties that want to break up the country. How can it be in the interests of public servants to support the breakup of Canada? - has no problem using government money (our tax dollars) to support a political party.
The fellow who used the term "tar baby" and used foul language in a committee meeting and made unparliamentary gestures - continues to believe he is not out of control.
The fellow who despite his vocal concern on national security did not believe rules applied to him and "got impatient waiting at a Parliament Hill checkpoint and pressed a button to open the security gate and drove his car through without being identified and without having his vehicle inspected."
The fellow who suggested that aboriginals need to learn the value of hard work more than they need financial compensation - should probably apply that thought to himself.
The fellow who when talking about the Fair Elections Act (a complete fiasco) claimed the Chief Electoral Officer wanted "more power, a bigger budget and less accountability." - when Marc Mayrand dared criticize the Act.
It is time that Canadians from coast to coast to coast removed from office - through the election process - this Minister and many more of the CPC zealots.
On another note - the NDP and LPC should remember that the majority of Canadians do not want Harper or the Conservatives re-elected - therefore they should do everything to insure that does not happen. Focusing on their own political lot versus focusing on defeating the CPC is self-serving - not nation-serving.
The Conservatives believe that the collective intelligence of the Canadian public can be mitigated by sending out this Minister who acts like the head cheerleader of a dictator. Listening to him - one wonders if there will be only one name on ballots this fall.
Lastly - while the national media made an attempt to counter the propaganda of the CPC on the Universal Child Care benefit bribe - they continue to fall short on holding Stephen Harper to account. The PM continues to successfully manipulate journalists by avoiding scrums and open interviews.
The national media continues to be a source for parliamentary secretaries to chant CPC propaganda - while hoping to convince Canadians that such rubbish is news.
Is this Minister being monitored?
The Universal Child Care benefit - touted as everything short of the savior of mankind (which it is not) - is being used by the Harper government as a major election plank.
Pierre Poilievre Harper's choice for Minister of Employment and Social Development has taken propaganda, deception, and unethical to a whole new level.
This born again Harperite preaches from the Conservative Party Pulpit wearing a CPC Cassock and expects that thinking Canadians will accept his version of the Harper bible.
In a completely abused Twitter account Poilievre spams the Canadian Twitter-sphere with garbage like: "One more sleep until Christmas in July for Moms and Dads!"
This Minister should be removed from his portfolio and made to apologize to Canadians for ignoring/breaking Treasury Board rules. This extremist should be monitored to insure this zealot is not dangerous to the social well being of Canada. He is knowingly and deliberately ignoring established guidelines and is a Minister of the Crown.
I have no idea - as a Canadian - how far this fellow will go to promote the CPC doctrine - which in and of itself is concerning.
The fellow who once said - "But I can’t accept a union representing public servants working for the government of Canada which forcefully takes money out of the pockets of Canada’s public servants to support parties that want to break up the country. How can it be in the interests of public servants to support the breakup of Canada? - has no problem using government money (our tax dollars) to support a political party.
The fellow who used the term "tar baby" and used foul language in a committee meeting and made unparliamentary gestures - continues to believe he is not out of control.
The fellow who despite his vocal concern on national security did not believe rules applied to him and "got impatient waiting at a Parliament Hill checkpoint and pressed a button to open the security gate and drove his car through without being identified and without having his vehicle inspected."
The fellow who suggested that aboriginals need to learn the value of hard work more than they need financial compensation - should probably apply that thought to himself.
The fellow who when talking about the Fair Elections Act (a complete fiasco) claimed the Chief Electoral Officer wanted "more power, a bigger budget and less accountability." - when Marc Mayrand dared criticize the Act.
It is time that Canadians from coast to coast to coast removed from office - through the election process - this Minister and many more of the CPC zealots.
On another note - the NDP and LPC should remember that the majority of Canadians do not want Harper or the Conservatives re-elected - therefore they should do everything to insure that does not happen. Focusing on their own political lot versus focusing on defeating the CPC is self-serving - not nation-serving.
The Conservatives believe that the collective intelligence of the Canadian public can be mitigated by sending out this Minister who acts like the head cheerleader of a dictator. Listening to him - one wonders if there will be only one name on ballots this fall.
Lastly - while the national media made an attempt to counter the propaganda of the CPC on the Universal Child Care benefit bribe - they continue to fall short on holding Stephen Harper to account. The PM continues to successfully manipulate journalists by avoiding scrums and open interviews.
The national media continues to be a source for parliamentary secretaries to chant CPC propaganda - while hoping to convince Canadians that such rubbish is news.
Is this Minister being monitored?
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Stephen Harper and Seamus O'Regan
The latest gutless action by our Prime Minister and his party comes in the form of an anti-Seamus O'Regan ad. This is an extension of the Trudeau ads attacking perceived lack of experience.
The Not Ready ad uses a clip from an open interview with an NTV reporter who was covering a political event of O'Regan's.
Harper and the CPC continue to utilize clips of open arena (scrum like) comments or replies to questions by Trudeau and now O'Regan.
This is juvenile - misleading - and therefore just like Stephen Harper.
You see Harper will not do scrums - he hides. Harper will not face an open media on our soil - he hides. Harper will do the photo-op but runs from media questions after - he hides.
Harper's message to Canadians is: I won't be caught making mistakes or even lying - because I know how to hide and I won't scrum. Harper is informing us that he's ready because he will not be scrutinized by the media. Harper is ready because his appearances are produced, choreographed, staged, and restrictive. Harper is ready because he lines up visible minorities behind his photo-op's but will not be scrummed on important issues such as immigration and multiculturalism.
The series of advertisements should be a reminder to us all - the people the CPC are mocking - are only guilty of being accessible. Open appearances allow the voter to see the candidate good and bad. No open appearances mean they are afraid - unwilling to be open and accountable - and essentially undemocratic.
Any one of us could produce an ad which shows a police line-up of Harper appointees. Then perhaps we could segue to a court setting where Minister MacKay is complaining to judges - then finally fade to a debt and deficit chart of Conservative economics.
I am surprised that national media are not asking the Prime Minister for a scrum on his ads.
These ads should serve to do nothing more than remind Canadians that Harper will not answer to the people through open media access.
As for making fun of things done and said in the past - Harper should be the last one seeking to revisit history.
The Not Ready ad uses a clip from an open interview with an NTV reporter who was covering a political event of O'Regan's.
Harper and the CPC continue to utilize clips of open arena (scrum like) comments or replies to questions by Trudeau and now O'Regan.
This is juvenile - misleading - and therefore just like Stephen Harper.
You see Harper will not do scrums - he hides. Harper will not face an open media on our soil - he hides. Harper will do the photo-op but runs from media questions after - he hides.
Harper's message to Canadians is: I won't be caught making mistakes or even lying - because I know how to hide and I won't scrum. Harper is informing us that he's ready because he will not be scrutinized by the media. Harper is ready because his appearances are produced, choreographed, staged, and restrictive. Harper is ready because he lines up visible minorities behind his photo-op's but will not be scrummed on important issues such as immigration and multiculturalism.
The series of advertisements should be a reminder to us all - the people the CPC are mocking - are only guilty of being accessible. Open appearances allow the voter to see the candidate good and bad. No open appearances mean they are afraid - unwilling to be open and accountable - and essentially undemocratic.
Any one of us could produce an ad which shows a police line-up of Harper appointees. Then perhaps we could segue to a court setting where Minister MacKay is complaining to judges - then finally fade to a debt and deficit chart of Conservative economics.
I am surprised that national media are not asking the Prime Minister for a scrum on his ads.
These ads should serve to do nothing more than remind Canadians that Harper will not answer to the people through open media access.
As for making fun of things done and said in the past - Harper should be the last one seeking to revisit history.
Monday, June 01, 2015
Duffy Trial over?
The deal may be made between Crown and Defence in the trial of Senator Mike Duffy.
The only way Stephen Harper is going to eliminate the messiness that is the PMO is to make the Duffy trial go away.
Justice Charles Vaillancourt has allowed a critical Senate Committee report to be entered as evidence.
So if the Senate fights this ruling and is successful - it will be determined that the Defense is being unfairly restricted.
The trial has adjourned today with witnesses now set to testify tomorrow.
Will tomorrow ever come - and if so will it be a short one?
It appears the raising of the report may work as well for Stephen Harper as it does for Mike Duffy.
This may have been all planned with negotiations just complete.
Win win for the CPC and buddies and lose lose for the people of Canada.
The trial of Mike Duffy may well be over before we - the people - had a chance to hear witnesses like Nigel Wright.
This is justice right?
The only way Stephen Harper is going to eliminate the messiness that is the PMO is to make the Duffy trial go away.
Justice Charles Vaillancourt has allowed a critical Senate Committee report to be entered as evidence.
So if the Senate fights this ruling and is successful - it will be determined that the Defense is being unfairly restricted.
The trial has adjourned today with witnesses now set to testify tomorrow.
Will tomorrow ever come - and if so will it be a short one?
It appears the raising of the report may work as well for Stephen Harper as it does for Mike Duffy.
This may have been all planned with negotiations just complete.
Win win for the CPC and buddies and lose lose for the people of Canada.
The trial of Mike Duffy may well be over before we - the people - had a chance to hear witnesses like Nigel Wright.
This is justice right?
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Canada's National Media - News or Propaganda?
I would like to scrum the national media. I would like to ask
questions about their coverage of "news" and of their editorial
decisions. I would like to grill the assignment editors and get reasons
for their choices.
Yesterday I watched a Harper orchestrated media fest and watched our Prime Minister do what he does best - direct our national media outlets as he sees fit. The fact that our media complies is another issue and one that should concern all Canadians.
The federal election is in October and the Conservative Party Script is unfolding.
Yesterday morning many of us were alerted - on Twitter - that Peter MacKay was "resigning". This set the stage for the all-day puppy like behavior of our national "journalists".
Next we were told that the RCMP had released the remainder (18 seconds) of the video left by the deceased Parliament Hill shooter. This too began a Pavlovian like fear conditioning of the voting public. The timing of the release begs questions that were not forthcoming.
Today Canada's media stopped being journalistic and became part of the Conservative Party of Canada narrative.
The media - for a brief second - mused that the 18 second video release was not much more than what had already been released. Regardless of that assessment - the media then spent half the nation's daily media time to talk about ISIS, terror, war, and national defence.
With regard to the MacKay story - Canada's national media spent an entire day predicting, chasing, and musing on the announcement that the CPC co-founder and PC defector was not going to run again. This of course became frenzied once it was determined that the Prime Minister was going to attend the "announcement".
Oh good I thought - finally the media would trap the Prime Minister in Nova Scotia and scrum him. That hope was quickly dashed when I recognized the choreography unfolding. Harper spoke first - then MacKay - then a tea - and finally Peter MacKay gave a scrum. Prime Minister Harper - once again - used the media for free campaign advertising. You see the PM began and ended with CPC talking points on the government's "accomplishments" - without one second for the media to question him on those statements. That is not news. That is propaganda.
Peter MacKay is not running again because he "loves his family more". As a senior Cabinet Minister and long time MP a News Release was warranted and could be noted by the media. What we got however was a soap opera of the entire MacKay family - probably best kept for a thank-you party for his dedicated volunteers - in private.
We are without a fully functioning fourth estate - making the fifth estate more important now than ever before.
It is now suggested by noted academics that bloggers, social media, and non-mainstream forums are the fifth estate. READ MORE HERE
It is time that our national media refuse to cover photo-ops and prepared self-serving events of the Prime Minister until he opens himself up to proper media scrutiny. It is time that we challenged our mainstream national media. We have the social media tools and technology and we must use these to protect our democracy.
We must have the courage to challenge our media and hold them to account as we would our politicians. There is no doubt there are some in the mainstream media that can be as vindictive and petty as the worst of our hyper-partisan elected officials. Some spend more time attacking the general public on social media than they spend keeping our MP's honest. There are journalists in our country who maintain professional standards and understand the important role they play in our society. Ironically - many of them have turned to blogs and use of social media to free themselves of outside or inside (management/executive) influence.
Twitter, Facebook, and Blogs all enable the citizens of Canada to communicate with one another and share opinions, information, and ideas - with relative ease. We can now utilize more resources to get the news of the day and different spins of it.
With these relatively new communications tools - people are seeing the mainstream media in a new light. The national news broadcasters, national papers, and news magazines are seen as one source of news not the only source. Breaking news often comes from citizen reporter and often provides evidence in the case of criminal activity.
Political events have changed as live tweeting occurs during the affair. What a politician says one day can be replayed at a moments notice. Budget documents - legislation - the Hansard and talk shows - all easily accessible.
Some journalists have embraced this new communications era. They supplement and improve their own material with information from social media. Sadly others dismiss bloggers, tweeters and citizen reporters. They actually spend work time attempting to marginalize people - ironically the same people they want to support their work.
So yesterday was a banner day for mainstream media. Mackay's announcement that he was not going to seek election again was given coverage usually reserved for a second coming. Just to pump the CPC a little more - they threw in 18 seconds of video that added nothing substantial to what we citizens have already seen regarding the Parliament Hill shooting.
Yesterday was Stephen Harper's day - orchestrated and directed. We were subjected to hours of propaganda and free CPC advertising.
Paid political pundits and "journalists" going on about Peter MacKay and his love of family. I would hope that all our politicians have such love and that all politicians do not find it necessary to bail on public service when they have a family.
When my children were young - I spent a period of time working full-time - raising two wonderful children (now wonderful adults) and on the side spending 30-40 hours a week for 2 years trying to stop the privatization of hydro. I am not alone - there are parents out there doing the same thing everyday - some having to work three jobs to support their families. We have thousands of volunteers giving of themselves while raising children and earning income.
The media should know that a cardiologist putting in 80 hour weeks so others may live to be with their families - retire without a word - let alone a Prime Ministerial visit and speaking engagement.
As for Peter's body of work - well after they dispensed with his political pedigree (the history of Elmer) they spoke ad nauseam about his portfolios and importance in the political history of Canada. The fathers of Confederation had nothing on Steve and Pete. MacKay's body of work has for the most part been a failure. I cannot speak to the benefits received directly by his district - but looking at his national contribution he has been a failure.
1. The first order of his business was to be slimy - how did he win the PC leadership? What did he swear not to do?
2. Pesky helicopters.
3. Questionable comments about women - (judges, lawyers, past girlfriend).
4. Extreme right-wing "family" values. Marriage, Right to die, or how about a woman's right to choose which political party she'd like to support?
5. Complete dismissal or ignorance of our Constitution.
6. “far-fetched hypothetical scenario” he says while condemning the Supreme Court of Canada (arrogant much?)
7. "life cycles" of F-35's fiasco.
8. Harper's lieutenant (wow) there's a plus
The mainstream media did a complete disservice to the public yesterday and once again showed how fearful or supportive they are of Harper. The Prime Minister who ducks debates, ducks scrums, ducks first Minister's conferences, and ducks real democracy - pulled the strings of our national media yet again.
Yesterday I watched a Harper orchestrated media fest and watched our Prime Minister do what he does best - direct our national media outlets as he sees fit. The fact that our media complies is another issue and one that should concern all Canadians.
The federal election is in October and the Conservative Party Script is unfolding.
Yesterday morning many of us were alerted - on Twitter - that Peter MacKay was "resigning". This set the stage for the all-day puppy like behavior of our national "journalists".
Next we were told that the RCMP had released the remainder (18 seconds) of the video left by the deceased Parliament Hill shooter. This too began a Pavlovian like fear conditioning of the voting public. The timing of the release begs questions that were not forthcoming.
Today Canada's media stopped being journalistic and became part of the Conservative Party of Canada narrative.
The media - for a brief second - mused that the 18 second video release was not much more than what had already been released. Regardless of that assessment - the media then spent half the nation's daily media time to talk about ISIS, terror, war, and national defence.
With regard to the MacKay story - Canada's national media spent an entire day predicting, chasing, and musing on the announcement that the CPC co-founder and PC defector was not going to run again. This of course became frenzied once it was determined that the Prime Minister was going to attend the "announcement".
Oh good I thought - finally the media would trap the Prime Minister in Nova Scotia and scrum him. That hope was quickly dashed when I recognized the choreography unfolding. Harper spoke first - then MacKay - then a tea - and finally Peter MacKay gave a scrum. Prime Minister Harper - once again - used the media for free campaign advertising. You see the PM began and ended with CPC talking points on the government's "accomplishments" - without one second for the media to question him on those statements. That is not news. That is propaganda.
Peter MacKay is not running again because he "loves his family more". As a senior Cabinet Minister and long time MP a News Release was warranted and could be noted by the media. What we got however was a soap opera of the entire MacKay family - probably best kept for a thank-you party for his dedicated volunteers - in private.
We are without a fully functioning fourth estate - making the fifth estate more important now than ever before.
It is now suggested by noted academics that bloggers, social media, and non-mainstream forums are the fifth estate. READ MORE HERE
It is time that our national media refuse to cover photo-ops and prepared self-serving events of the Prime Minister until he opens himself up to proper media scrutiny. It is time that we challenged our mainstream national media. We have the social media tools and technology and we must use these to protect our democracy.
We must have the courage to challenge our media and hold them to account as we would our politicians. There is no doubt there are some in the mainstream media that can be as vindictive and petty as the worst of our hyper-partisan elected officials. Some spend more time attacking the general public on social media than they spend keeping our MP's honest. There are journalists in our country who maintain professional standards and understand the important role they play in our society. Ironically - many of them have turned to blogs and use of social media to free themselves of outside or inside (management/executive) influence.
Twitter, Facebook, and Blogs all enable the citizens of Canada to communicate with one another and share opinions, information, and ideas - with relative ease. We can now utilize more resources to get the news of the day and different spins of it.
With these relatively new communications tools - people are seeing the mainstream media in a new light. The national news broadcasters, national papers, and news magazines are seen as one source of news not the only source. Breaking news often comes from citizen reporter and often provides evidence in the case of criminal activity.
Political events have changed as live tweeting occurs during the affair. What a politician says one day can be replayed at a moments notice. Budget documents - legislation - the Hansard and talk shows - all easily accessible.
Some journalists have embraced this new communications era. They supplement and improve their own material with information from social media. Sadly others dismiss bloggers, tweeters and citizen reporters. They actually spend work time attempting to marginalize people - ironically the same people they want to support their work.
So yesterday was a banner day for mainstream media. Mackay's announcement that he was not going to seek election again was given coverage usually reserved for a second coming. Just to pump the CPC a little more - they threw in 18 seconds of video that added nothing substantial to what we citizens have already seen regarding the Parliament Hill shooting.
Yesterday was Stephen Harper's day - orchestrated and directed. We were subjected to hours of propaganda and free CPC advertising.
Paid political pundits and "journalists" going on about Peter MacKay and his love of family. I would hope that all our politicians have such love and that all politicians do not find it necessary to bail on public service when they have a family.
When my children were young - I spent a period of time working full-time - raising two wonderful children (now wonderful adults) and on the side spending 30-40 hours a week for 2 years trying to stop the privatization of hydro. I am not alone - there are parents out there doing the same thing everyday - some having to work three jobs to support their families. We have thousands of volunteers giving of themselves while raising children and earning income.
The media should know that a cardiologist putting in 80 hour weeks so others may live to be with their families - retire without a word - let alone a Prime Ministerial visit and speaking engagement.
As for Peter's body of work - well after they dispensed with his political pedigree (the history of Elmer) they spoke ad nauseam about his portfolios and importance in the political history of Canada. The fathers of Confederation had nothing on Steve and Pete. MacKay's body of work has for the most part been a failure. I cannot speak to the benefits received directly by his district - but looking at his national contribution he has been a failure.
1. The first order of his business was to be slimy - how did he win the PC leadership? What did he swear not to do?
2. Pesky helicopters.
3. Questionable comments about women - (judges, lawyers, past girlfriend).
4. Extreme right-wing "family" values. Marriage, Right to die, or how about a woman's right to choose which political party she'd like to support?
5. Complete dismissal or ignorance of our Constitution.
6. “far-fetched hypothetical scenario” he says while condemning the Supreme Court of Canada (arrogant much?)
7. "life cycles" of F-35's fiasco.
8. Harper's lieutenant (wow) there's a plus
The mainstream media did a complete disservice to the public yesterday and once again showed how fearful or supportive they are of Harper. The Prime Minister who ducks debates, ducks scrums, ducks first Minister's conferences, and ducks real democracy - pulled the strings of our national media yet again.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Hill Journalists PR for PM
I have for some time been commenting on the National media and their coverage of Prime Minister Harper.
Clearly there are problems - the PM will not allow scrums, will not hold unfettered news conferences, and dictates who can ask a question and how many questions may be asked.
More recently the behavior of Harper has gotten worse as he ducks and hides from open media scrutiny of the whole Senate scandal - more particularly the Mike Duffy affair.
The highly paid and educated journalists on the Hill have been reduced to news interns chasing the PM around to photo-ops. When not doing that these otherwise skilled professionals are gathering groups of people together in panels to see if anybody else might know what Harper is thinking, doing, or involved in.
Yesterday took the cake - reaching new heights - (no pun intended) as the PM sat in the front of Canada's version of Air Force One - while the media was herded to the back. The Prime Minister was his usual self stating no questions were to be asked or answered - but allowed them a little visit to the front to see his guests, former Prime Ministers Mulroney and Chretien.
It was almost pathetic to watch the media scramble and excitement as the former PM's joined them in the back of the plane for some chit-chat.
What a disgrace - and what a pathetic sight. Journalists have allowed their integrity and professionalism to be damaged because Stephen Harper won't talk to them.
There is only one answer to this and that is that all media on the Hill STOP covering Harper. Ignore the News Releases from the PMO and do not attend his photo-ops. Cut him off and instead spend your time covering the Opposition parties, leaders, and MP's. Let the Opposition do all the speculation without an Harperionette inputting talking points.
And one more thing - when Stephen and Laureen stop at the top of the boarding stairs and wave - please show us a reverse angle so we can see who they are waving at.
Clearly there are problems - the PM will not allow scrums, will not hold unfettered news conferences, and dictates who can ask a question and how many questions may be asked.
More recently the behavior of Harper has gotten worse as he ducks and hides from open media scrutiny of the whole Senate scandal - more particularly the Mike Duffy affair.
The highly paid and educated journalists on the Hill have been reduced to news interns chasing the PM around to photo-ops. When not doing that these otherwise skilled professionals are gathering groups of people together in panels to see if anybody else might know what Harper is thinking, doing, or involved in.
Yesterday took the cake - reaching new heights - (no pun intended) as the PM sat in the front of Canada's version of Air Force One - while the media was herded to the back. The Prime Minister was his usual self stating no questions were to be asked or answered - but allowed them a little visit to the front to see his guests, former Prime Ministers Mulroney and Chretien.
It was almost pathetic to watch the media scramble and excitement as the former PM's joined them in the back of the plane for some chit-chat.
What a disgrace - and what a pathetic sight. Journalists have allowed their integrity and professionalism to be damaged because Stephen Harper won't talk to them.
There is only one answer to this and that is that all media on the Hill STOP covering Harper. Ignore the News Releases from the PMO and do not attend his photo-ops. Cut him off and instead spend your time covering the Opposition parties, leaders, and MP's. Let the Opposition do all the speculation without an Harperionette inputting talking points.
And one more thing - when Stephen and Laureen stop at the top of the boarding stairs and wave - please show us a reverse angle so we can see who they are waving at.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Rex Murphy Blows It in the National Post
Rex Murphy - Newfoundland and Labrador's Mano'Words stings critics of the Oil Sands while ignoring the elephant in the room. From there - Rex proceeds to demonstrate why he needs to come home more often and talk to the impacted people, their families, and their communities.
Below is an excerpt from Rex's Column in the National Post. Oil sands are a triumph for the human 'environment'.
In my view, this is the first and deepest justification for Fort Mac and the oil industry. Jobs are essential for the human environment — for a woman’s or a man’s sense of self-reliance and independence. By this, I mean the right to be able to obtain what you need for yourself and your family from what you have honestly earned. Being able, because you are employed, to stay off welfare, to turn aside from handouts — this is good for the environment of human dignity.
It mightn’t have the smug appeal of a panda face, and you will not see it on the vivid posters of the Sierra Club or Greenpeace, but having a job and earning a living is a great thing. Those who have been out of work know what a cruel “environment” that is — an emotional and psychological assault of frightful power. So we should celebrate some of the contributions that the oil sands have already made to the fundamental human environments of so many Canadians.
I have thought, and thought again, of my own province of Newfoundland, caught in the great calamity of the fisheries’ close-down in the 1990s, and how providential it was that “out West,” an oil economy was booming at the same time. Many Newfoundlanders (and Maritimers) migrated there in a time of real need.
Great social misery was averted because of the oil boom and Newfoundland’s related offshore developments: Thousands of divorces never happened, thousands of families didn’t break up, thousands of men and women didn’t fall into the trap of depression and worse, which so often attends long-term unemployment — because there was a great oil industry that allowed them the wherewithal to feed their families. It is a great story of modern Confederation: How Alberta, in particular, modified and mitigated the misery of Newfoundland — and other places.
__________________________________________________________________
Let's start this way Rex - jobs at all costs is one of the main reasons your homeland has suffered. It is the reason we delivered raw resources to other provinces in Canada - while no secondary processing occurred.
Next Rex - your idea that human 'environment' consists primarily of the ability to get a job - be self-reliant - and stay off welfare is ignorance at its finest. Bring on the asbestos right Rex? There are concerns of the human 'environment' - Rex - that include our children's right to clean water, air, and a safe food supply. When our parents are gluttonous of resources regardless of how they are extracted, developed, or utilized so we as the children can guarantee that our family has income - does come at a price. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who were 'employed' during the development of the Upper Churchill were happily employed, self-reliant and off welfare - yet left 100 years of misery in its wake. If developed, utilized, and contracted properly - your homies would be enjoying an additional $Billion a year - but hey it was great that we employed a few while it was being built.
Finally Rex - the fisheries example you use on our collective back - is the one that takes your entire argument and destroys it. You say the Oil Sands have been a savior to Newfoundland and Labrador after the shut-down of the fisheries in the 1990's. You use the worst man-made environmental disaster on our planet (the loss of the ground stocks) to show how great it is that we have yet another environment to potentially destroy. Perfect Rex - that is very sound judgement.
On this issue of the Oil Sands preventing thousands of divorces, thousands of family break-ups, thousands of people suffering from depression, and worse outcomes - here you are most ignorant.
There have been too many divorces - thousands of family break-ups, significant cases of depression and worse because they had to move away from Newfoundland and Labrador. Rex - people had to leave their homes - now worthless - as the community essentially died - people left their aging parents to the life of a private or public care home as they were not here to care for them (as is the rural way), children had one parent as many could not afford to move the family, and yes oh yes there was and is depression abound. That's not to mention how many of our people have lost their young lives tragically either on the job or on the great Canadian highway on their way to the job. These children who have left with their parents are lost to us as is their employable futures and the tax base.
As we enter into an aging demographic and retiring Newfoundlanders and Labradorians migrate home to live out their lives - they leave all their productive tax in Alberta.
Maybe it's time to move home Rex - get assimilated - and then rewrite this column.
Now that you have found the oil sands - keep looking to find the tar sands.
Below is an excerpt from Rex's Column in the National Post. Oil sands are a triumph for the human 'environment'.
In my view, this is the first and deepest justification for Fort Mac and the oil industry. Jobs are essential for the human environment — for a woman’s or a man’s sense of self-reliance and independence. By this, I mean the right to be able to obtain what you need for yourself and your family from what you have honestly earned. Being able, because you are employed, to stay off welfare, to turn aside from handouts — this is good for the environment of human dignity.
It mightn’t have the smug appeal of a panda face, and you will not see it on the vivid posters of the Sierra Club or Greenpeace, but having a job and earning a living is a great thing. Those who have been out of work know what a cruel “environment” that is — an emotional and psychological assault of frightful power. So we should celebrate some of the contributions that the oil sands have already made to the fundamental human environments of so many Canadians.
I have thought, and thought again, of my own province of Newfoundland, caught in the great calamity of the fisheries’ close-down in the 1990s, and how providential it was that “out West,” an oil economy was booming at the same time. Many Newfoundlanders (and Maritimers) migrated there in a time of real need.
Great social misery was averted because of the oil boom and Newfoundland’s related offshore developments: Thousands of divorces never happened, thousands of families didn’t break up, thousands of men and women didn’t fall into the trap of depression and worse, which so often attends long-term unemployment — because there was a great oil industry that allowed them the wherewithal to feed their families. It is a great story of modern Confederation: How Alberta, in particular, modified and mitigated the misery of Newfoundland — and other places.
__________________________________________________________________
Let's start this way Rex - jobs at all costs is one of the main reasons your homeland has suffered. It is the reason we delivered raw resources to other provinces in Canada - while no secondary processing occurred.
Next Rex - your idea that human 'environment' consists primarily of the ability to get a job - be self-reliant - and stay off welfare is ignorance at its finest. Bring on the asbestos right Rex? There are concerns of the human 'environment' - Rex - that include our children's right to clean water, air, and a safe food supply. When our parents are gluttonous of resources regardless of how they are extracted, developed, or utilized so we as the children can guarantee that our family has income - does come at a price. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who were 'employed' during the development of the Upper Churchill were happily employed, self-reliant and off welfare - yet left 100 years of misery in its wake. If developed, utilized, and contracted properly - your homies would be enjoying an additional $Billion a year - but hey it was great that we employed a few while it was being built.
Finally Rex - the fisheries example you use on our collective back - is the one that takes your entire argument and destroys it. You say the Oil Sands have been a savior to Newfoundland and Labrador after the shut-down of the fisheries in the 1990's. You use the worst man-made environmental disaster on our planet (the loss of the ground stocks) to show how great it is that we have yet another environment to potentially destroy. Perfect Rex - that is very sound judgement.
On this issue of the Oil Sands preventing thousands of divorces, thousands of family break-ups, thousands of people suffering from depression, and worse outcomes - here you are most ignorant.
There have been too many divorces - thousands of family break-ups, significant cases of depression and worse because they had to move away from Newfoundland and Labrador. Rex - people had to leave their homes - now worthless - as the community essentially died - people left their aging parents to the life of a private or public care home as they were not here to care for them (as is the rural way), children had one parent as many could not afford to move the family, and yes oh yes there was and is depression abound. That's not to mention how many of our people have lost their young lives tragically either on the job or on the great Canadian highway on their way to the job. These children who have left with their parents are lost to us as is their employable futures and the tax base.
As we enter into an aging demographic and retiring Newfoundlanders and Labradorians migrate home to live out their lives - they leave all their productive tax in Alberta.
Maybe it's time to move home Rex - get assimilated - and then rewrite this column.
Now that you have found the oil sands - keep looking to find the tar sands.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Harper - Capitalist Despot - Attacking Canada's Democracy
The question of robo-calls and other various oddities during our last federal election has left many Canadians feeling disenfranchised.
This followed the Conservative in-out scandal from the 2006 election campaign.
Obviously there is a real problem and efforts by the Prime Minister or his Caucus to downplay these events further emphasize the need for concern.
Stephen Harper and his ilk have been playing the Gods of Morality since they entered the federal political scene - they have pushed the value of "family" - as they see it - they have spoken about individual freedoms - as they see them and basically condemned all governments before them.
We were going to get an elected Senate - remember? Harper continues to stuff the Senate with under-qualified partisan buffoons and has removed the public funding of elections - in an effort to maintain power by any means.
Stephen Harper believes that you too will see the "right" way if he and his cronies, MacKay, Baird, and Toews keep spewing it. With that "right" way also comes the arrogance of a class system where they as leaders are above the people who elect them.
The Harper reformers are arrogant, cheating, and lying, despots who believe they owe nobody an explanation. They are opposed to transparency and accountability - all under the guise of knowing what is best for you and me.
These overstuffed suited Byzantinians are not into democracy and they do not believe in our electoral system. The question is - how much trouble are we in?
I contend that if these elections irregularities were noticed in countries where democracy is in its infancy - our independent observers would cry foul. If there are in fact over 30,000 incidents where voters felt their free vote was tampered with in any way - we have an election which should not be valid.
Determining how many "rogues" there were does not make me feel any less angry and I demand that Canada stop this major erosion of our democracy.
I have listened to various media outlets attempting to downplay these irregularities - in part - because they play partisan and in part because the reporters along with millions of Canadians do not want to accept that this erosion is actually real.
We - as Canadians - had better wake-up quickly or we may lose the real values we hold dear and find ourselves surrounded by right-wing economists who are treating our resources and people as part of a collective corporate pot - possessing absolutely zero ethics and social conscience. Canada is a country not a company and it does not belong to entities registered on the various stock exchanges.
That is the real message of young people who stand as anonymous and with the Occupy movement. The wearing of masks simply highlights that we no longer have a face - we are no longer human beings - we are just a cog in a resource extracting wheel that knows no borders and recognizes no human rights.
This Prime Minister was politically raised to do just what he is doing - and for Canadians that spells danger. We must all fight to have our democracy restored and to remove from office these robos that want to vote the people out.
Even posts like this one - coming from an identifiable IP address - are something the Conservatives want control of.
This followed the Conservative in-out scandal from the 2006 election campaign.
Obviously there is a real problem and efforts by the Prime Minister or his Caucus to downplay these events further emphasize the need for concern.
Stephen Harper and his ilk have been playing the Gods of Morality since they entered the federal political scene - they have pushed the value of "family" - as they see it - they have spoken about individual freedoms - as they see them and basically condemned all governments before them.
We were going to get an elected Senate - remember? Harper continues to stuff the Senate with under-qualified partisan buffoons and has removed the public funding of elections - in an effort to maintain power by any means.
Stephen Harper believes that you too will see the "right" way if he and his cronies, MacKay, Baird, and Toews keep spewing it. With that "right" way also comes the arrogance of a class system where they as leaders are above the people who elect them.
The Harper reformers are arrogant, cheating, and lying, despots who believe they owe nobody an explanation. They are opposed to transparency and accountability - all under the guise of knowing what is best for you and me.
These overstuffed suited Byzantinians are not into democracy and they do not believe in our electoral system. The question is - how much trouble are we in?
I contend that if these elections irregularities were noticed in countries where democracy is in its infancy - our independent observers would cry foul. If there are in fact over 30,000 incidents where voters felt their free vote was tampered with in any way - we have an election which should not be valid.
Determining how many "rogues" there were does not make me feel any less angry and I demand that Canada stop this major erosion of our democracy.
I have listened to various media outlets attempting to downplay these irregularities - in part - because they play partisan and in part because the reporters along with millions of Canadians do not want to accept that this erosion is actually real.
We - as Canadians - had better wake-up quickly or we may lose the real values we hold dear and find ourselves surrounded by right-wing economists who are treating our resources and people as part of a collective corporate pot - possessing absolutely zero ethics and social conscience. Canada is a country not a company and it does not belong to entities registered on the various stock exchanges.
That is the real message of young people who stand as anonymous and with the Occupy movement. The wearing of masks simply highlights that we no longer have a face - we are no longer human beings - we are just a cog in a resource extracting wheel that knows no borders and recognizes no human rights.
This Prime Minister was politically raised to do just what he is doing - and for Canadians that spells danger. We must all fight to have our democracy restored and to remove from office these robos that want to vote the people out.
Even posts like this one - coming from an identifiable IP address - are something the Conservatives want control of.
Monday, July 11, 2011
What Happened to Gordon Campbell's Appointment as "high" Commissioner to the United Kingdom?
A few weeks ago the central Canadian media was all abuzz over the pending appointment of former BC Premier - Gordon Campbell - to the post of High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
Since that flurry of press - there has been silence from everybody, the feds - the Minister of Foreign Affairs - and Campbell himself.
Tough on Crime Harper - seemed poised to appoint this convicted drunk driver to a prestigious post. One that should require good-judgement, diplomacy, and a clean record.
In Canada everyday some family loses somebody they love as a result of a drunk driver. Organizations such as MADD describe impaired driving as a violent offence, irresponsible, dangerous, and intolerable.
Take that information and apply it to Gordon Campbell - convicted of impaired driving in the USA and blew .149 on his breathalyzer - nearly twice the legal limit.
The other charges included failure to drive on the right side of the road, disregarding traffic lane markings and speeding. Maui police allege his vehicle swerved across the centre line and then jerked into the roadside bicycle lane before he was stopped.
The only saving grace to this sordid tale is that Campbell did not kill anybody.
Okay so justice - such as it was in Hawaii - was served. He paid a fine of just over $900.
The question is what happens to the life of Gordon Campbell versus the life of an impaired teenager making a bad choice?
Check it out yourself - see how many convicted drunks go on to be "high" Commissioner to the United Kingdom?
What makes the situation with Campbell more atrocious - the man has an MBA, was the Premier of a Province, a legislator, a children's book author and generally had a very comfortable life. This was not poor judgement - as might be seen by a youth raised in an alcoholic and violent family - this was arrogance. This was a "do you know who I am" moment - where he was above us and above the law.
This was a man who had everything and was elevated to the top post in his Province - and he simply chose to get drunk and drive.
So go ahead Harper - get tough on crime - and give Mr. Campbell his just reward ("high" commissioner). Do we all think this sets a good example for our youth?
Since that flurry of press - there has been silence from everybody, the feds - the Minister of Foreign Affairs - and Campbell himself.
Tough on Crime Harper - seemed poised to appoint this convicted drunk driver to a prestigious post. One that should require good-judgement, diplomacy, and a clean record.
In Canada everyday some family loses somebody they love as a result of a drunk driver. Organizations such as MADD describe impaired driving as a violent offence, irresponsible, dangerous, and intolerable.
Take that information and apply it to Gordon Campbell - convicted of impaired driving in the USA and blew .149 on his breathalyzer - nearly twice the legal limit.
The other charges included failure to drive on the right side of the road, disregarding traffic lane markings and speeding. Maui police allege his vehicle swerved across the centre line and then jerked into the roadside bicycle lane before he was stopped.
The only saving grace to this sordid tale is that Campbell did not kill anybody.
Okay so justice - such as it was in Hawaii - was served. He paid a fine of just over $900.
The question is what happens to the life of Gordon Campbell versus the life of an impaired teenager making a bad choice?
Check it out yourself - see how many convicted drunks go on to be "high" Commissioner to the United Kingdom?
What makes the situation with Campbell more atrocious - the man has an MBA, was the Premier of a Province, a legislator, a children's book author and generally had a very comfortable life. This was not poor judgement - as might be seen by a youth raised in an alcoholic and violent family - this was arrogance. This was a "do you know who I am" moment - where he was above us and above the law.
This was a man who had everything and was elevated to the top post in his Province - and he simply chose to get drunk and drive.
So go ahead Harper - get tough on crime - and give Mr. Campbell his just reward ("high" commissioner). Do we all think this sets a good example for our youth?
Thursday, June 16, 2011
From Bonavista to Vancouver Island - There is a difference!
As our song goes "from Bonavista to Vancouver Island - this land belongs to you and me"...
From the start of the Stanley Cup final series - there was a difference. Although Michael Ryder is a Canadian - he is not the great Sidney - so Canada's team became the Canucks and not the Pittsburgh Penguins. If the Pens were in the final and Crosby was playing the massive broadcast attention would have plunked itself down in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia.
Michael Ryder is a tremendous talent in his profession - but he's from Newfoundland and Labrador - that's the province that most national broadcasters like to skip when they do a coast to coast commentary starting with the phrase, "from Nova Scotia to British Columbia". As such the CBC - CTV and most Canadian news agencies focused on Vancouver and not the real hockey fans in a real hockey town like Bonavista, NL.
We all awoke this morning to see our national image virtually destroyed by the city that hosts "Canada's Team". Unfortunately that image was not countered with images of beautiful Bonavista NL, scenic, peaceful, and genuinely excited about their boy Michael Ryder doing Canada proud as he participated in this athletic test of excellence .
What a missed opportunity - Canada could have showcased an absolutely jaw-dropping coastline and natural vistas untouched by over-population and urbanization and a community that epitomizes "hockeyville" not "crimeville". They could have told a story about a young man from a small town - that beat all the odds by making the NHL cut.
The CBC and CTV could have camped out in Bonavista and the only pepper spray their reporters would have suffered would have been a few sprinkles of the spice drifting from a shaker being used by a livyer while barbecuing. They would have been adopted by 3000 or so people who would ensure they were well fed on lobsters, mussels, and crab while listening to stories dating back to 1497 when John Cabot made landfall at this historic site. With a population that is about 10% of Cole Harbour which itself is considered small when compared to a Vancouver - Bonavista is extremely proud of Michael Ryder.
Perhaps some damage control is still possible for Canada - if our media focuses on Ryder bringing the cup home to Bonavista - Newfoundland and Labrador. We can showcase the beautiful places and people of Canada - minus the looting, arson, rioting. Perhaps a whale will sing in the foreground of an iceberg dwarfing all around it.
In Bonavista Newfoundland and Labrador - you might see a salt and pepper hat, salt spray from the mighty Atlantic, or a riot - which defined here means a great old time of dancing, local music, and feasting on fresh seafood.
Congratulations to Michael Ryder and Bonavista - who last night did Canada proud.
Instead of mobs of gangsers running around drunk carrying stolen manikins - Bonavista celebrated with kids running around carrying Stanley Cups of tinfoil in their Boston Jerseys bearing Ryder's #73.
If the media of this country wants to show the real hockey spirit of Canada - load themselves on a plane and come on down to Bonavista. I am sure the images they capture will cure the hangover of embarrassment they are suffering from Vancouver.
You want something to celebrate Canada? Hats off to Bonavista - now Micheal bring the Stanley Cup home. Congratulations to Betty Fitzgerald, Mayor of Bonavista, who did not have to resort to tweeting apologies. They were happy in Bonavista regardless of the outcome.
From the start of the Stanley Cup final series - there was a difference. Although Michael Ryder is a Canadian - he is not the great Sidney - so Canada's team became the Canucks and not the Pittsburgh Penguins. If the Pens were in the final and Crosby was playing the massive broadcast attention would have plunked itself down in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia.
Michael Ryder is a tremendous talent in his profession - but he's from Newfoundland and Labrador - that's the province that most national broadcasters like to skip when they do a coast to coast commentary starting with the phrase, "from Nova Scotia to British Columbia". As such the CBC - CTV and most Canadian news agencies focused on Vancouver and not the real hockey fans in a real hockey town like Bonavista, NL.
We all awoke this morning to see our national image virtually destroyed by the city that hosts "Canada's Team". Unfortunately that image was not countered with images of beautiful Bonavista NL, scenic, peaceful, and genuinely excited about their boy Michael Ryder doing Canada proud as he participated in this athletic test of excellence .
What a missed opportunity - Canada could have showcased an absolutely jaw-dropping coastline and natural vistas untouched by over-population and urbanization and a community that epitomizes "hockeyville" not "crimeville". They could have told a story about a young man from a small town - that beat all the odds by making the NHL cut.
The CBC and CTV could have camped out in Bonavista and the only pepper spray their reporters would have suffered would have been a few sprinkles of the spice drifting from a shaker being used by a livyer while barbecuing. They would have been adopted by 3000 or so people who would ensure they were well fed on lobsters, mussels, and crab while listening to stories dating back to 1497 when John Cabot made landfall at this historic site. With a population that is about 10% of Cole Harbour which itself is considered small when compared to a Vancouver - Bonavista is extremely proud of Michael Ryder.
Perhaps some damage control is still possible for Canada - if our media focuses on Ryder bringing the cup home to Bonavista - Newfoundland and Labrador. We can showcase the beautiful places and people of Canada - minus the looting, arson, rioting. Perhaps a whale will sing in the foreground of an iceberg dwarfing all around it.
In Bonavista Newfoundland and Labrador - you might see a salt and pepper hat, salt spray from the mighty Atlantic, or a riot - which defined here means a great old time of dancing, local music, and feasting on fresh seafood.
Congratulations to Michael Ryder and Bonavista - who last night did Canada proud.
Instead of mobs of gangsers running around drunk carrying stolen manikins - Bonavista celebrated with kids running around carrying Stanley Cups of tinfoil in their Boston Jerseys bearing Ryder's #73.
If the media of this country wants to show the real hockey spirit of Canada - load themselves on a plane and come on down to Bonavista. I am sure the images they capture will cure the hangover of embarrassment they are suffering from Vancouver.
 | |||
| Photo From the Telegram |
 |
| Majestic Icebergs Bonavista |
 |
| The beautiful whales Bonavista |
 | |||
| Bonavista is built upon sedimentary deposits of the Precambrian Age (600 million years ago). On the road between Lance Cove and Bonavista you'll find one of nature's carvings - the Dungeon. It is a circular opening in the cliff with two seaward-side channels where the sea roars through. It is approximately 300 feet across and 15 metres deep. Tidal action has created a natural beach. You can swim or go through the channels in a small punt. Many people explore the bottom and sides of the Dungeon, climbing its high cliffs looking for plentiful iron pyrite (fools' gold) embedded in the rocks. |
You want something to celebrate Canada? Hats off to Bonavista - now Micheal bring the Stanley Cup home. Congratulations to Betty Fitzgerald, Mayor of Bonavista, who did not have to resort to tweeting apologies. They were happy in Bonavista regardless of the outcome.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Harper's Stategy - The Media not Canadians are stupid
I give Harper and his strategists credit. They have a new twist on politicking in Canada.
Most politicians that are underhanded, deceitful, and/or unlawful usually rely on the population being stupid. For instance in Newfoundland and Labrador - Kathy Dunderdale and the Willderdale administration believe that our people will simply follow her and them blindly into a disastrous development deal on the Lower Churchill.
Harper on the other hand - intelligent - but a liar, decided that Canadians generally speaking are somewhat intelligent and would therefore utilize the media and competent journalists to get a fair and balanced package of information. On that basis - Harper and the Reform Party strategists - set about whipping the national media - and selling his propaganda to them. I believe that a significant portion of the Harper strategy relies on the predictability of the media in delivering his message.
When Harper won his first minority - he started right in on "paralysing" the media by picking and choosing journalists that would be allowed to ask a question let alone the ones he would answer. The Press Gallery uttered their displeasure quietly and then quickly conformed. That same attitude was evident again on Friday when he refused to answer questions after his government had been thrown out of office by the Parliament of Canada. Thrown out under historic conditions as a result of being found in contempt of Parliament. In some societies that shame would be unbearable and with some molecule of remaining integrity they would remove themselves from office while apologizing profusely.
Harper decided some months ago that the issue for the upcoming and planned election would be the evil "coalition". The man who clearly lies with ease and without regret - carries on with his pitch that this election is about a "coalition" who rejected his government's budget initiatives. Like clapping seals or herding sheep the media almost to a one (there were some exceptions) carried his message to the people of Canada - despite his refusal to answer media questions. The fact that Harper would not take questions demonstrates that he does not believe in democratic principles and is paramount to a witness giving testimony without the other side having the right to cross-examine. Harper acts and behaves like a wannabe dictator - stuck in a country that will not give him unfettered access to that title. That is why Canadians fear a majority under this Reform Party ultra-right wing Conservative leader.
The media of our country might want to step back - remember how Harper treated them - and smarten up. A Harper majority would also change the landscape for the "freedom of the press" concept.
Once again - ironically - Duceppe is doing more to preserve Canadian democracy than any Conservative on the campaign trail.
Most politicians that are underhanded, deceitful, and/or unlawful usually rely on the population being stupid. For instance in Newfoundland and Labrador - Kathy Dunderdale and the Willderdale administration believe that our people will simply follow her and them blindly into a disastrous development deal on the Lower Churchill.
Harper on the other hand - intelligent - but a liar, decided that Canadians generally speaking are somewhat intelligent and would therefore utilize the media and competent journalists to get a fair and balanced package of information. On that basis - Harper and the Reform Party strategists - set about whipping the national media - and selling his propaganda to them. I believe that a significant portion of the Harper strategy relies on the predictability of the media in delivering his message.
When Harper won his first minority - he started right in on "paralysing" the media by picking and choosing journalists that would be allowed to ask a question let alone the ones he would answer. The Press Gallery uttered their displeasure quietly and then quickly conformed. That same attitude was evident again on Friday when he refused to answer questions after his government had been thrown out of office by the Parliament of Canada. Thrown out under historic conditions as a result of being found in contempt of Parliament. In some societies that shame would be unbearable and with some molecule of remaining integrity they would remove themselves from office while apologizing profusely.
Harper decided some months ago that the issue for the upcoming and planned election would be the evil "coalition". The man who clearly lies with ease and without regret - carries on with his pitch that this election is about a "coalition" who rejected his government's budget initiatives. Like clapping seals or herding sheep the media almost to a one (there were some exceptions) carried his message to the people of Canada - despite his refusal to answer media questions. The fact that Harper would not take questions demonstrates that he does not believe in democratic principles and is paramount to a witness giving testimony without the other side having the right to cross-examine. Harper acts and behaves like a wannabe dictator - stuck in a country that will not give him unfettered access to that title. That is why Canadians fear a majority under this Reform Party ultra-right wing Conservative leader.
The media of our country might want to step back - remember how Harper treated them - and smarten up. A Harper majority would also change the landscape for the "freedom of the press" concept.
Once again - ironically - Duceppe is doing more to preserve Canadian democracy than any Conservative on the campaign trail.
Stephen Harper is a Liar - Terry Milewski CBC finally takes him on.
"my people love me" "all my people love me" says Ghadafi - as protests fill the streets of Libya.
"the coalition says no" "the coalition said no to" to various budget measures says Harper - as his government was felled by elected representatives for CONTEMPT of parliament.
When Ghadafi does it - Harper and others says he's a delusional dictator.
When Harper does it - the media reports it and re-reports it and fails to correct the lies Harper continues to perpetrate on the people of Canada.
The only difference is - the people of Canada can throw Harper out politically, peacefully at a ballot box.
The media is doing a disservice to Canadians. We want to talk about issues -socio/economic and talk about trust, integrity, and demand that politicians obey the laws of this country.
CBC just had a political "panel" on the election consisting of Rob Russo, Bureau Chief Ottawa Canadian Press and Tasha Kheiriddin, columnist National Post.
They proceeded to talk about how "coalition" is the issue of the campaign and that the Liberals need to come up with one or two key messages like that to make a difference.
Who made "coalition" the issue of the campaign? They downplayed the role of social media and then went on to talk about the "coalition".
Finally Terry Milewski, senior correspondent Ottawa CBC has taken a stand and stood up to be counted. He has taken Harper to account on the created "coalition" issue and he pointed out that Harper is calling a "coalition" "illegitimate" now when Milewski added in "fact" Harper said the opposite during the Martin minority. He has called Harper out on this major inconsistency - which I would call a lie as he has done with Newfoundland and Labrador, income trusts, elected senates, and on being lawful.
In comparison the last question from a reporter - taken by Harper at a campaign event in Ontario was:
"what are you going to do to get the Maple Leafs back in the playoffs?" What a joke!
"the coalition says no" "the coalition said no to" to various budget measures says Harper - as his government was felled by elected representatives for CONTEMPT of parliament.
When Ghadafi does it - Harper and others says he's a delusional dictator.
When Harper does it - the media reports it and re-reports it and fails to correct the lies Harper continues to perpetrate on the people of Canada.
The only difference is - the people of Canada can throw Harper out politically, peacefully at a ballot box.
The media is doing a disservice to Canadians. We want to talk about issues -socio/economic and talk about trust, integrity, and demand that politicians obey the laws of this country.
CBC just had a political "panel" on the election consisting of Rob Russo, Bureau Chief Ottawa Canadian Press and Tasha Kheiriddin, columnist National Post.
They proceeded to talk about how "coalition" is the issue of the campaign and that the Liberals need to come up with one or two key messages like that to make a difference.
Who made "coalition" the issue of the campaign? They downplayed the role of social media and then went on to talk about the "coalition".
Finally Terry Milewski, senior correspondent Ottawa CBC has taken a stand and stood up to be counted. He has taken Harper to account on the created "coalition" issue and he pointed out that Harper is calling a "coalition" "illegitimate" now when Milewski added in "fact" Harper said the opposite during the Martin minority. He has called Harper out on this major inconsistency - which I would call a lie as he has done with Newfoundland and Labrador, income trusts, elected senates, and on being lawful.
In comparison the last question from a reporter - taken by Harper at a campaign event in Ontario was:
"what are you going to do to get the Maple Leafs back in the playoffs?" What a joke!
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