Garth claims to put his constituents 1st & the party 2nd, but I think he let his ego get in the way and has betrayed his constituents. He really believes he was elected because he is Garth Turner, and not because he was the candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada. I wonder how effective he'll be now for his constituents.

“We had national caucus this morning. I cannot tell you what was said because caucus only really works when people know it is private.” Garth Turner, Feb 7/06(Quote credited to CTV NEWS)

=====================

Garth knew that privacy was the only way for caucus to work AND YET he chose to behave differently.

Mr. Turner, you’re pathetic.

Greens woo ousted MP Turner
SUSAN DELACOURT

...Greens leader Elizabeth May told the Star she is "absolutely" ready to make the invitation and Turner, interviewed last evening, said he might be interested, after he's talked to his constituents about his abrupt ouster from Tory ranks yesterday...

thestar.com

Why now? What actually happened today or yesterday to precipitate this?” Turner told a news conference in Ottawa on Wednesday.

"Why now", he asks? Well lets see -

Turner wrote of a series of “unhappy meetings” with caucus officials over some of his comments, including one with Prime Minister Stephen Harper

=============

Turner said he expected to be assigned an office in “a renovated washroom somewhere in a forgotten corner of a vermin-infested dank basement…………It was made abundantly clear to me that they’d prefer if I shut up and went home. I didn’t.”

============

Turner also said on his website that his “career options within the Conservative caucus are seriously limited,” but that reality is unlikely to stop him from speaking out in the future.

===========

The party had been warning Turner since the summer to stop with the injudicious blogging. Before MPs returned to Parliament, the Conservatives held a special caucus meeting to lay down the law with Turner.-Robert Fife

“In case you are wondering, I am still in caucus! Wonders never cease.”

So you see Garth, your plantive protestations of “why now?” ring a little hollow. Obviously, you got turfed because you simply cannot learn to keep your big yap shut.

Garth, your big fat mouth and ego have spoken, but we remember. You KNEW what you were doing, so spare us the self righteous indignation and don’t act so mystified as if this suddenly came down the pike.

Grow up Garth. Seriously.

BTW, props to CTV News for the above quotes.

Garth: Loose Lips Sink Ships, guess you just sunk.

Stephen's post clearly shows that Garth revealed information from Caucus and then changed it. What else was revealed?....enough said.

Where was all of this criticism before Turner was ousted?

Ayn: No political party is going to go public with internal bickering. YOU wouldn't go public with the bickering that goes on in your family, so why would you expect to hear anything about this? But regardless, it had already been reported in the news a few times that Turner had been "called onto the carpet" by the PM.

Well Ayn, where were all his Grit/Dipper/Green friends before Turner was ousted? Its interesting to see all these well wishers and supporters now that he isn't a Tory. Gee, I wonder why?

The criticism was always there. The Tories just had enough of him and his efo and his big fat mouth.

That should read "ego" not "efo".

Agreed, but I'm talking about the criticism from commenters here, or from Kate - not from within the CPC. Will anyone around here ever criticise someone who is still in The Party?

Sure Ayn. But obviously anyone who necesitated being turfed from the Party is going to get roasted more.

Ayn I think there may have been a thread on him while in the party that was somewhat critical.

This is not about Turner. This is about the CPC. The first thing that Harper did was to bring in two outsiders to the cabinite. The real question is why didn't anyone else object. The CPC cannot handle criticism. They will not respond to anything but praise. CPC this is to confirm you've already lost one vote in B.C.

Personally I hope Garth doesn't go to the Greens but instead the Liberals. They are welcome to him. See how much damage he could do before they kicked him out.

Anyone following Turner's weblog knew he liked to tweek things, everywhere he went.

And Turner was not shy to say so.

In fact he rather wore that as his badge of glory, speaking out, and sometimes out of turn.

That is fine, as long as others can trust that their confidences are safe...they could not feel that way.

Too bad on a number of levels, as he had the ear of more people where he was, but, trust is never easy, and usually impossible to earn back.

Tony W, criticism the CPC can handle, and its done so since its inception, and has from Mr. Turner. That is well and good. However, it is foolish to think that they should continue to keep someone who is willing to breach Caucus confidentiality for his own sake and for his own ego. Simply put, Garth Turner has proven that he cannot be trusted to keep his big mouth shut, so he was dumped. Point finale.

It is also fine and noble for Mr. Turner to want to represent his constituents to the best of his ability. However he chose to join a political party (this would and should apply to any party) that was supposedly in line with his views and for the obvious benifits they confer; benifits that he would not have come close to receiving had he chose to run as an Independent. It was up to him to conform to what was expected of him and he clearly coulnd't or wouldn't do that.

I'm sure that Mr. Turner would be welcomed back should he do what was initially expected of him; aspects of party participation that he knew that was expected of him. However, if he cannot, goodbye, best of luck pal, don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.

Here is a post from Turner's website with a reply from him that might clarify a lot of chaff:

"You say you don’t change your blog postings, however when challenged on Rob Breakenridge’s show on CHQR last night. Rob asks “Have you changed anything”. Garth responds “No. Everything’s the way I wrote it”. But then when he challenged you with the fact that one of you posting has been changed as documented on www.stephentaylor.ca you didn’t dispute that you changed it, except you called it editing it. It just so happens that you edited out the part that may have be seen to breach cacus confidentiality. What version of your own words is true.

Actually, check Stephen’s site again. I let him know this post was changed back in May after being up for a day when the Conservative Whip asked me to make an edit. Always trying to be a team player (ironic, eh?), I was happy to do so - which is why two versions ended up existing digitally. — Garth

By Ron Heron on 10.19.06 9:52 am"

Is Garth Turner dating Tie Domi now?

Some people haven't figured this out - when a member of a party, an MP in this case, makes statements that are his opinion, this is misinterpreted by many as government or party policy. It misleads people and is evidence person is not team player. It's not some black and white issue of someone "speaking their mind," and by implication only, that of their constituents. Enough simplistic analysis from the likes of Don Martin please.

Tories and Liberals in dead heat....not anymore.

Why anybody would want to be in the CPC caucus is beyond me...Cheap lunches and bad haircuts.

The dominoes are starting to fall.

"I've certainly heard from one major political party who has asked me to come and join them," he [Garth Turner] said.

Feed Garth's ego(s): Speculate on which "major political party who[sic] has asked me to come and join them".

(Remember Garth said "who", not -which- party.)

Who?
StopIggy? Taliban Jack? G. Duceppe? Willy Graham? John Nunziata? Bob? Scotty? Not Joe.

Garth and May? It's May. Surprise: The Green Mole Party brings forth The New Jerusalem, aka the Green, Green Hills of Home, to wit:

The leader of the Green Party of Canada, Elizabeth May, today released the Green Party Green Plan (GP2) – a detailed environmental blueprint focusing ... as of 17 Oct, 2006

Agitfact: Garth Turner posted to his blog information that came directly from a caucus meeting and actually quoting what happened at the caucus meeting...therefore he broke confidentiality rules and expectations. He then editted it so that it didn't SOUND like it came directly from the caucus meeting.

He said he didn't expose anything that arose at a caucus meeting, and when evidence surfaces that he clearly DID, he says he editted it so that it didn't SOUND like he did.

Therefore, he broke confidentiality rules and expectations. And that is just one example that was easily and quickly caught. There must have been more examples for him to be ousted.

And I love the CBC "Your View" portion on their website regarding this issue. So many commenters passing judgement as to whether the CPC were right or wrong...AND NONE OF THEM HAVE THE COMPLETE STORY. Just uninformed, knee-jerk reactions arising from pre-existing biases (and that works both ways).

http://hallsofmacadamia.blogspot.com/2006/10/canadian-political-idol.html

Canadian (Political) Idol

The other day I received an email from a fellow blogger, asking me what I thought about the Garth Turner situation. I replied as follows...

I only know what I see in the papers, but I think Garth is all about, well... Garth. He obviously feels his own needs, whether it's just ego, or a totally separate agenda, are more important than the party line.

Do I think he was unfairly booted out of caucus? Lemme put it this way... if he was an outlaw biker, he'd be lyin' in a shallow grave with a small hole behind his ear.

Trust is an issue.

And not just with Mr. Garth Turner. Anyone following the failure of the Canada-USA missile defence agreement or the softwood dispute has seen the political power plays that exploit the big problems that occur when people believe that their friends and neighbors can not be trusted.

Personally I have a problem with those who do not know where their best interests lie or those who do not recognize friends and collegues or even worse, undermine them.

IMHO, Mr. Turner has no idea how to be part of a team and his actions actually hurt his team so the coach sent him to the minors.

Too bad. So sad. Buhbye. I hope Mr. Turner enjoys the back bench and I look forward to not reading his next book.

Tories and Liberals in dead heat....not anymore...........

====================

Get real David Brown. A poll conducted by the company in question that once laughingly projected an 18 point Tory lead cannot be credibly expected to be taken seriously.

And this pathetic little myth that the Liberals are trouncing the Tories even (ooooooooo!!!) WITHOUT a leader is completley baseless. These kind of poll results usually tend to favour a leaderless party because that party has the media attention of a leadership race. Add that to the fact that because of a leadership race, they have no solid platform with one leader to attack while the Governing party has policies in place that can be scrutinized.

So keep playing with dominoes and other little games David. And don't worry; ONE day the Liberals will have their leader. And judging from the slim picking they are displaying, it won't be much of one. THEN we'll have some fun.

Go back to sleep now.

david re: cheap lunches
Ya your right, iam sure most canadians would prefer the liberal "brown bag" lunches

Oh i forgot the liberals favor Pizza too!!

Oh & one more thing what was the name of the Liberal MP that liked stomping on dolls so much & had a problem Martin?
The NDP had a rogue too, they booted her because she favored marridge between a Man & a Women, Now what was her name?

Only those who were in the cuacus meetings would know for sure what comments posted by GT were directly pointed at caucus business.

Frankly I don't see the need to justify or substantiate the claims of the members against GT.
If he is truly being unfairly victimised he should be able to defend himself but saying "Prove It" does not make a very convicing defence.
I think Garth showed a consistent pattern of unwillingness to work with the group except on his own terms.
Now he is free to work entirely on his own terms.
Has he served his constituents well?

"Do I think he was unfairly booted out of caucus? Lemme put it this way... if he was an outlaw biker, he'd be lyin' in a shallow grave with a small hole behind his ear.

Posted by: neo at October 19, 2006 11:59 AM "

One is awed by the natural civility and commitment to the democracy of the new CPC. Does the recurring desire to shout at radios and other inanimate objects signal the onset of this lunacy?

Mr Turner claims to be looking out for the rights of his constituants to hear what he puts out as his version of what happened behind closed doors. What an egotistical pompous waste of oxygen! Kind of the guy you would put on the Security Intelligence Review Committee... NOT!

I do find it troubling that there are people out there that figure Turner was going to spill the beans on some CPC hidden agenda or something. howeverm these are the same people that believed Martin when he didn't know where the adscam monies went even after he signed the cheques as Minister of Finance. Such is the mindset of the left.

Who cares about Garth Turner? Does him being thrown out of caucus affect any of our lives? Can we just get back to cutting taxes and paying down debt? I think the Liberals are outraged about that, too. And, unlike Garth Turner, it will still be an issue on Monday.

But I thought Barf Turner didn't approve of floor-crossers...

"Don from http://www.centreofcanada.blogspot.com/ wrote above...Does the recurring desire to shout at radios and other inanimate objects signal the onset of this lunacy?"

Dear Don... perhaps someone who writes a post with the oh so subtle title, "RIGHT WING JACKASS OF THE MONTH" should be a little more careful about casting aspersions.

There's a subtle difference between calling someone a jackass and demanding someone be executed, without trial or due procedure, with a bullet behind the ear. But, fear not neo, my search for this month's right wing jackass has been simplified thanks to you.

It is significant that the vote to boot him out was UNANIMOUS.

Don, Gee, you seem to be very liberal in your "quotes". I've read over the comments and nowhere did I read "demanding someone be executed" or even implied. Kind of like saying" If he did that to Guido, he'd be wearing cement overshoes." I guess some people have thin skin and a persecution complex. Geesh!

Yes Gord. A vote by, according to Don Martin in today's National Post, "rookie lapdogs."
Stunningly impressive for sure. Tulk, you trying to edge out neo for this month's prize?

Gee, you mention lapdogs and in bounds the
Tex-ass Canuck. I thought my work was done this month, but, oh no, you boys want to have a contest. Such is life.

There's a subtle difference between calling someone a jackass and demanding someone be executed, without trial or due procedure, with a bullet behind the ear.

Geez. Never speak in abstract, comparative, humourous, or metaphorical terms with a liberal; it seems they can't understand anything but absolutey literal, direct speech. Either that, or they look for any opportunity to manufacture outrage and sanctimony. Sheesh.

Gee Don, are you that low that you have to resort to name calling? Pretty sad I must say.

Gee, Tex. If you would at least once in your sorry existance demonstrate the possibility of having at least one independant thought, rather than eagerly beseech the opprotunity to kiss the hem of "dear leader's trouser's" I might cut you some slack. Until then, you're a petty lapdog.

Duddley? Was a dope, is a dope, aspires to always be a dope.

Oooh! Just watch now, Texas C. - Don will be calling us "racists!" soon...

Re: Garth's ouster...

Garth's first priorities have always been about Garth, not his constituents, nor his party.

Garth is the opposite gender equivalent of Carolyn Parrish.

Remember her? Maybe the two of them can start their own party now. :))

So I happen to have a conservative outlook and agree with another conservative and that makes me a lapdog? grow up junior I guess that makes you a Taliban Jack ass for agreeing with him?

You are commenting on a blog with conservative leanings. Think about that for a minute. Now isn't it a strong possibility that a lot of commentors would be like minded?

I think you look at the jackass of the month every morning in your mirror. Now please, either make some meaningful dialogue or go back to your site.

My original comment still stands, telling all the details from a confidential meeting is certainly not being a team player.

"Don from http://www.centreofcanada.blogspot.com/ wrote: There's a subtle difference between calling someone a jackass and demanding someone be executed"

good lord man, how simple are you? the exact words are... "Do I think he was unfairly booted out of caucus? Lemme put it this way... if he was an outlaw biker, he'd be lyin' in a shallow grave with a small hole behind his ear."

if you actually believe that i am calling for his execution, one... you can't read, and two... you have an obligation to call the police right away.

as for thinking you are some sort of kingmaker with your "right wing jackass thing", you are suffering delusions of adequacy.

truly, i am embarrassed for you.

Tex: Like-minded or lickspittle? To me, it's a judgement call. But thanks for your pathetic attempt to explain why you cringe from original thinking.

don... is this your best stuff?

"balloting procedures were dreamed up by a drunken pirate, three monkeys on acid and a zeydeco band?"

instead of just sounding things out, you might want to pick up a copy of "strunk & white" and a dictionary... zydeco - n. a type of Black Cajun music

flame away, my son

Don has broken down into "all adhominem, all the time"
Very original thinking Don.
You could also try "no it's not", and "Bush is an idiot"
Then you have all left "original thought"

I see Don is *really* missing Kinsella's feedback site, where his Turette's syndrome was allowed to run amok.

Acid? Zydeco? Say, that don is quite the hep cat, isn't he? And you really have to admire that big chrome peace sign hanging around his neck...

don is also the gifted wordsmith behind, "After all, the current PM is their hallowed captain and they yearn to do intimate chin ups on his zipper."

his prose puts me in mind of those really puerile porn flicks i saw in my teens. i actually feel kinda sorry for him now.

a) Cut the flamewars

b) I haven't posted on Turner until now because I dismissed him early on as an attention seeking media whore. What items I saw always returned eventually to the same core issue - GARTH. He did everything but refer to himself in the third person. Perhaps he did.

No need to give him more.

Now, he's finally become blogworthy, to the extent that Stephen Taylor has caught him airbrushing his blog to suit his claims.

"Do I think he was unfairly booted out of caucus? Lemme put it this way... if he was an outlaw biker, he'd be lyin' in a shallow grave with a small hole behind his ear."

To the degree that this message from neo is typical, I guess a guy might conclude that Garth Turner does not have a large following on this website.

"If I were to establish a relationship with the Green Party, it would be a historic first," he told reporters at a news conference in Milton, west of Toronto. "It is a very important decision for me to contemplate." (national newswatch)

Mr. "I-Me" Garth would make "history"?

Down the memory hole; Garth Who?

http://www.torontosun.ca/News/Canada/2006/10/20/2077886-sun.html

File this under "highest bidder" or "mephisto waltz... "I'm a free agent right now," he said. "I got the big number ripped off my sweatshirt. I'm skating out to centre ice and I'm saying, 'Who wants to play hockey with me?'"

And no, it isn't Tie Domi.

"If I were to establish a relationship with the Green Party, it would be a historic first. It is a very important decision for me to contemplate." - Garth Turner, National Newswatch

A historic first, eh? Gee, Mr. Turner's ego is not involved here is it? Nawwww not at all.........

I followed Garth's blog regularly, from before the writ was even dropped, to last week, when he started developing a strange stalker-like crush on the lovely Elizabeth May. It's obvious that this courtship with the Sierra Club - er, Green Party of Canada - was the final nail in his coffin. He also laid a constant hate-on for the (truly) lovely Rona Ambrose.

The guy had some good moments (questioning the Lebanese evacuation) and some ridiculous ones (getting into a public pissing match with Rev. Charles McVety), but it was always apparent that he represented the party of GARTH, not the CPC. He was indulged for nearly a year, but patience wore out, and he was cut loose before he could do serious damage by jumping ship himself. Now the only question is: will he become irrelevant, or will he become the media's go-to Harper-bashing blunt instrument?

Does Garth have visions of Deb Gray, being the lone Reform member and her party going form zilch to government in 10 years. He will never get the attention that Chuck Cadman got as an independent.
Doesn't the green party take its orders and agenda from the European green party. Seems Harper was a great success last night with the B'nai crowd. Remember, Chretain lied and soldiers died. Question. Why does it take almost a year to elect a leader of a corrupt party, and 6 weeks to elect a government. If Peter made those remarks as reported, he should apologize, he insulted dog lovers.

For those of us with longer memories, Garth Turner was telling everybody to load up on tech stocks in 1999, just before the market crashed. His "financial" advice has ruined many, just as his political advice has ruined him. To me, he's just a self-aggrandizing glory hog with no substance at all.

The media & liberals/NDP are all over this, But how soon they forget about there own "rebels without a cause"
Just last Parl. NDP booted one of there own(for being against SSM) & Liberal Booted(because she had a doll Fetish & was simply nuts)
Garth will most likely try for the Green as he knows he has a better chance at becoming the leader of the party eventually.

The leader of the green party is going to run in London, Ont if there is a by-election. Green, isn't that the color you turn when you are ill.

All these comments about Garth Turner seem to lean on the negative and , quite frankly, juvenile side of things, completely ignoring the fact that Garth has done something no MP has ever attempted to do: Be completely open about how Parliament works and report back to his constituents the daily grind, not to mention some of the less than attractive machinations that go on. It isn't only the media that look unattractive these days. Many newly elected MPs from all stripes tend to quickly get into the 'Ottawa mindset' and find out all too soon how to 'play' the system. Not necessarily for their constituents good. Most often for their own personal betterment.
I had held the CPC to a higher standard than that and Garth had assured his constituents that , he also, would hold the political process to a higher standard. This caucus secrecy is not always a good thing..particularly the Ontario caucus..in whom was held, apparently, the keys to Garth's ouster...with Doug Finley in attendance.
IF the CPC has no secrets and wishes to be open, the optics of ousting a sitting MP when one is in minority government status smacks of complete idiocy to me. I have yet to fathom what , exactly , Garth has 'really' done to warrant such behaviour from the Ontario caucus... unless the name Finley is a clue... and I think it is.
Suffice to say, I believe that this whole episode has much more to it than meets the eye at present.

And let us not forget, that IF the libs had exercised more open government, we might never have been ripped off to the tune of many millions ...secrecy in a democracy is a democracy killer. And an open invitation to corruption for which WE the taxpayer and citizen pay very dearly and not just in dollars!

If GT wanted to communicate with his constituents he could have done it in a less public way. He communicated with all of canada, and I really have no interest in what affects his constituents as I am sure it is different than mine in Southern AB. I still think he is a failed leadership guy with an ax to grind. What do his voters think of his flirting with the greens or other parties. What if the polls show they want him to sit as an independant instead of taking orders from taliban jack or the unknown leader of the libs.

Snowbunnie, I think you are missing the point. It is not because GT communicated with his constituents, it is because he continually broke the confidentiality of the closed door meetings. As I said before I would not want him in any security group. Loose lips sink ships, eh.

All the Garth fans are making out these closed meetings as plotting to do something nefarious. Think of it more like a football huddle or you and your spouse talking about inviting the mother-in-law over for a visit. "Welcome mom, although jim wasn't too happy about you coming over this weekend we decided that we would invite you anyhow."

Toronto likes to think of itself as the center of the universe, but look at who and what they elect.
I am sure that BS's constituents are happy knowing they elected an adulteress and GT's elected a blowheart. And we worry about them putting the libs back in power. As for Harper losing support in Que because of Kyoto, if he bends to them he will lose the west. Time for Que and TO to realize the rest of us could care less about their concerns. I see Dalton now wants taxpayers of Canada to pay for his booboo re Caledonia, after saying many times the Feds had no say in the matter. Welfare rats are all both Que and TO are.

I simply do not think that Garth 'betrayed confidences and secrecy' in the caucus. I have been reading his blog for a long time, all through his campaign in Halton. He is honest, forthright, down to earth and extremely articulate and friendly. The honesty just shines through his writing.
I just don't see the conservatives looking good on this, particularly the Ontario caucus and in particular Doug Finley and by extension, I think perhaps Stephen Harper.
Again, I simply can see no reason for their action. There is NOTHING in his blogs, no matter what Stephen Taylor says ( Garth explained that to satisfaction) or all these naysayers... everybody shooting their mouths off with an opinion without knowing any background.
Garth is not all about Garth, he is not a publicity hound, nor does he have leadership aspirations. He just genuinely wishes to serve and in particular serve his constituents. It is democracy in action and the very CORE of democracy for he was elected to SERVE constituents NOT the party. There IS a certain amount of political reality that must be adhered to and I think Garth did do that. He told us all a lot of how things work...and now, let's face facts: We need more open government and Garth provided that and offered us a refreshing look at how things work in Ottawa.
He did not deserve to be treated the way he was treated and the Conservatives and Stephen Harper have not done themselves any favours by behaving in this way toward one of their own.
Actually, it is a disgrace. And we supported this new government, actively and fervently. I am proud of how Stephen Harper has behaved as PM since he took office. But the way Garth has been treated? Word was, PMSH did NOT know about this and if that is true, then the fault lies with the Ontario caucus. Doug Finley was at that caucus meeting for a reason. So, why did it happen?
Still, I seriously doubt it has anything to do with the official version plied in the media.
I feel badly for Garth , because I feel he has done an excellent job. Not only for his constituents but for all of us in Canada who read his blog and learned a lot of things that we should know.
And, I support his policies that he feels we all should have implemented...the party is headed in that direction and they could get there a lot quicker if they'd stop this bs internal fighting that is totally unnecessary.

I would have no problem with what Garth was doing if the Conservatives had a majority but right now the govt. is minority and in a very serious situation. One false move and it could all be over. That is what Garth doesn't seem to understand. This is a war until the next election and things have to be played very carefuly. If the next election resulted in a majority then all Mps could be free to blog all they want with no danger of an election coming.