small dead animals: Dirty Tricks Already?

November 28, 2005

Dirty Tricks Already?

This item has been circulating in the blogosphere over the last few hours. This arrived by private email;

MP Gary Lunn's riding is getting telephone calls from a telemarketer as we speak. The telemarketer claims they are phoning on behalf of Gary Lunn; then partway through the conversation states that Gary does NOT support Harper.

The mistake they made was phoning Gary Lunn's house; he got their phone number, is going to call the RCMP and the press... "

Lunn is the Official Opposition Critic of Public Works. I know there are others who are following this up - let me know if there's any official confirmation from his office.

UPDATE
Commentor "AsISeeIt" placed a call to Lunn's office;

Just talked to their office and they said not so. Gary Lunn did not receive that call.

Perhaps someone trying to "seed" the 'sphere with false rumours? Just some advice - don't waste your time. We can debunk faster than you can make 'em up.

Posted by Kate at November 28, 2005 11:28 AM

TrackBacks

Dirty tricks in Gary Lunn's riding? Didn't happen from Angry in the Great White North
Another confirmation that this story is a fabrication. [Read More]

Tracked on November 28, 2005 12:51 PM

Comments

Maybe to early but I will try now.

Posted by: AsISeeIt at November 28, 2005 11:33 AM

The Liberals did this extensively during the last election campaign. They pretended they were calling on behalf of the Conservative Party of Canada and would be rude to the people on the phone. We had several phone calls to our campaign office complaining of this.

Posted by: ferrethouse at November 28, 2005 11:44 AM

Just talked to their office and they said not so. Gary Lunn did not receive that call. Check for yourself, 250-656-2320. They asked that I email them a copy of the blog which I am sending now.

Posted by: AsISeeIt at November 28, 2005 11:46 AM

Kate -- it looks like a dirty trick has hit your site!

There's an unclosed <i> tag somewhere that's making everything after the blockquote in the Chickenhawk Warbloggers post italic.

Those damn Liberals! Will they stop at nothing?

Posted by: Jon at November 28, 2005 11:46 AM

It isn't who votes that counts- it's who counts the votes.

Posted by: dave at November 28, 2005 11:47 AM

CBC is making a big deal of an ice storm in the nation's capital - will this vote go ahead tonight after all? asked an anguished Nancy Wilson. "Will the freezing rain prevent MPs from being there for the vote?" Hope dripping from every word. Boy, I hope the Tories have some good ads coming down the pipe. God knows, Belinda shrieking at the PM about his mismanagement and the scandal should be more than enough to highlight her hypocrisy. Doesn't have to be all Gomery all the time. When a telemarketer calls, just hang up. Same with pollsters, I suggest.

Posted by: Iron Lady at November 28, 2005 11:51 AM

Thanks Jon - my browser closes tags, so I don't see those screwups...

Posted by: Kate at November 28, 2005 11:56 AM

Someone here makes a good point about potentially deliberate misinformation "leaked" to the blogosphere. I imagine that there is considerable effort in certain halls of power to keep the citizenry away from the blogs (although the prairie wind seems to be whistling between a certain premier's ears on this topic), so a pre-emptive discrediting is something I would not put past this regime.

The blogosphere could be pre-emptive in its own right. If we pooled resources, we could pay for advertising (banners at portal, maybe MSM) to bring traffic. Thoughts?

Posted by: Shaken at November 28, 2005 12:11 PM

Patience folks, we are dealing with the liberal slime machine here and within the month you will be putting in 16 hr. days keeping up with the criminal slime trail they leave in this campaign.

Posted by: WL Mackenzie Redux at November 28, 2005 12:20 PM

Iron Lady: "When a telemarketer calls, just hang up. Same with pollsters, I suggest."

I would disagree. Telemarketers, yes. Pollsters, absolutely not. If you don't answer, you get left out, and every count against the Liberals helps...

Posted by: EarlW at November 28, 2005 1:02 PM

Earl, I'd agree with you but I took part in a Decima poll that was long and misleading - everything to do with home improvement, family income, private versus larger big contractors, etc. It wasn't until the last 5 minutes that they got down to the real purpose of their call: how would I vote, who was more trustworthy as a leader; best leader, that sort of thing. It was a sham, and the results the following day or two showed huge support for the Libs over the Tories. I just found the whole exercise one of futility and won't do it again. I don't care how it affects polls, which are not reliable and are a mere snapshot.

Posted by: Iron Lady at November 28, 2005 1:08 PM

Let's be careful out there. The Conservatives must ensufre they don't get set up, whether is be alleged calls to Gary Lunn's office or Income Trust insider into accusations. Before they put it out there, confirm it from at least two CREDIBLE sources. This is what the press is supposed to do, but doesn't always. Get it in writing.

Posted by: Phil at November 28, 2005 1:33 PM

I agree ... those telephone pols are designed to get the stats that those who fund it want.

I co operated on only a couple before I realized that the yes/no options put you in a trick bag and what you really think is irrelevant.

I usually tell them when they call, that someone just came to the door, but I am keely interested ... please hang on ...

I put the phone down and get back to whatever I was doing before they interupted my life.

This wastes their time and money and it looks good on them.

Telemarketers are immediately asked for a visa number. If we are going to do business, my time has value too.

Laugh with me at Dukes Place

Posted by: Duke at November 28, 2005 1:40 PM

"CBC is making a big deal of an ice storm in the nation's capital" . . .

what is CBC whining about

not much ice in Ottawa from the look of this

http://www.parliamenthill.gc.ca/text/newhillcam.jpg

Posted by: Fred at November 28, 2005 2:04 PM

what is CBC whining about - not much ice in Ottawa from the look of this.

As someone currently living in Ottawa I can attest there's a fair bit of ice and crap out there, but the "storm" tonight is supposed to be pretty light and there certainly won't be enough to keep anyone shut in. The vote's gonna happen, baby, so get ready for a wild campaign ride.

Posted by: Dudley Morris at November 28, 2005 2:20 PM

A Non-poll Poll via cnews >>>

How much will the AdScam controversy factor into your vote in the next federal election?
Very much. 54%
Somewhat. 12%
Not at all. 31%
Not sure. 2%

Total Votes for this Question: 14256

Posted by: maz2 at November 28, 2005 2:36 PM

CBC is making a big deal of an ice storm in the nation's capital - will this vote go ahead tonight after all?

Are you kidding? The temperature in Ottawa as of 2PM is 9°C and the forecast is "rising temperatures with a chance of showers". It was above freezing at 7AM and the ice that accumulated during the night was already melting. This was forecast for days.

And now for the 30-day outlook for Ottawa and the surrounding provinces: continued heavy showers of lies and FUD.

Posted by: Justzumgai at November 28, 2005 2:58 PM

B.S. "I wouldn't say this is spending. These are investments -- investments in the quality of life of people, that's what this is"

Gonna ask for a prospectus next time I line up to buy groceries.

Posted by: yyc at November 28, 2005 3:10 PM

Ha, is the Ottawa ice storm reminiscent of "Wag the Dog??"

I can't picture Canada turning into wimpy L.A. where they go on "Storm Watch" with live coverage when it is misting outside. "And now, live from Griffith Park here's Maria Gonzalez with a live update on Storm Watch 2005..."

More likely "..and now, here is Ian Hanamansing with more Liberal funded crap that no one will ever see..."

Posted by: Altruistic at November 28, 2005 3:44 PM

Phil - suspicions about insider trading have appeared in the Financial Post. That it's not getting much play across the rest of the mainstream is a question about the integrity of the media - not the blogosphere - in continuing to explore it.

Posted by: Kate at November 28, 2005 4:05 PM

Just watching Duffy on CTV, looks like heis going to talk to every Lib before the vote!!

Posted by: Jake at November 28, 2005 4:13 PM

Kate, don't get me wrong. I am disgusted with the ethical, and possibly legal, lapses of this government. But, the fact that there are suspicions are only just that. Let's get some meat on the bone before we start gnawing. If not, then the Liberal spin machine will get a early Christmas present - presenting Conservatives as shotgun smearers; let the Liberals smear and let the Conservatives respond vigorously. If there is evidence that could form the basis of of an investigation, then let's have at it. If you want to lead then you must exercise leadership.

Posted by: Phil at November 28, 2005 6:37 PM

I'm with you Duke, don't answer any questions before you find out how much they will pay you. Saves lots of time.

Posted by: Jema54 at November 29, 2005 2:47 AM

Everyone: Check out Nancy Wilson's facial expressions and body language when she grudgingly refers to this supposedly unneccessary and inconvenient election.

It's like she's trying to cue the audience to the appropriate emotional reactions, at least for an 'informed' and 'enlightened' audience.

Posted by: evilprinceweasel at November 29, 2005 12:32 PM

Of course, you've probably also heard that it was actually Lunn that started the rumour, so that he would have something to say to the press...

Posted by: hairyvarmit at December 2, 2005 2:09 AM

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