Partisanship should take a back seat to due process; It's all that stands between us and the commies.

Off topic sort of:

National newswatch isnlonking to a repot that employment in Canada INCREASED by 35000 jobs. I suspect iggy and the MsM will remain mute a little while longer.

Count Chocula hiding? Nah, maybe the pork sandwich made him sick.

Are people aware that Dhalla's accusers have not filed any formal complaint? National Post: www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/story.html?id=1575781

Are people aware that the only request for any formal investigation into the actual facts was initiated by Dhalla herself earlier this week?

Is anyone at all puzzled about why this comes to light now even though the nannies quit or were fired OVER ONE YEAR AGO(!!) and even though the first public complaints were made several weeks ago?

or why the Conservatives seemed to be campaign ready for this controversy and so very ready with their own talking points, press releases, Commons questions?

or why, by pure chance, a Parliamentary committee hearing just happens to be scheduled to deal with migrant workers issues (and Tilson, the Conservative chair, is calling on Dhalla and the nannies to appear)?

I am beginning to agree with the National Post: "Dhalla affair doesn't pass the smell test[...] Something doesn’t smell right in having two former nannies step forward a year after they left the Dhalla family’s employment to suddenly complain about conditions that don’t seem unusually onerous for immigrant workers. Perhaps I’m being excessively suspicious, but a Conservative hit squad has taken aim at Dhalla for more than a year and her opponent in the last and next election, Parm Gill, has his website up and is a regular tagalong with Immigration Minister Jason Kenney." . (network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/05/07/don-martin-dhalla-affair-doesn-t-pass-the-smell-test.aspx)

Perhaps he's writing another book.

And, your point would be Ted ?

A Conservative hit squad? Yeah, they were there, forcing those kids to steal her purse so she could order them beaten. They were also there, demanding that those nannies, you know, not anny anyone, and instead do the housekeeping.

All the dastardly Cons fault, Teddy. Yep, you nailed it.

I wonder if Mulroney has anything to do with this?...I mean, we've been investigating, re investigating, re re inv...You get my drift. Let's get the CBC and the Fifth Estate on it right away!
Meanwhile, I have not seen true justice rendered to Canadian taxpayers off the Liberal adscam scandal. Mulroney = $300,000 (Non tax payer cash), Adscam = At least $42,000,000 (Tax payer cash)...Jane Stewart's $1,000,000,000 that 'dissapeared' under the Human Resources Min. was'nt even investigated I think. 1 billion dollars gone. With no paper trail!!!, but let's keep digging on Mulroney.
What the hell is Harper doing?...Is it the minority thingy still?...(Calm down, take a deep breath, "I love my country", "Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver are not braindead, just missinformed"...)

This Ruby thing will be cleared by next month with no one being 'hurt' except the 3 nannies (Yes there's a new one that came forward last night) who probably won't get proper justice.

This land's institutions are Liberal highjacked, stacked and corrupt to the core.

The fact 2 Ontario Liberals tried to ignore this in an attempt to cover for their Fed cousin smacks of the Election Canada "in and out" investigation again'st Harper's Conservatives while ignoring that other parties including Liberal had done the same for years.

It is to note that just these past few weeks, the Ontario min of labour and immigration stated publicly that whoever abused immigrants should face jail time...Rubygate had not surfaced yet. If Dhalla is found guilty, the only justice appropriate would be for her to go to jail. PERIOD!

Just read that Ruby told Judy Sgro during the Liberal convention that the Star was going to be running a story about her nannies.
Got that timing???? The Star waited until AFTER Ignatieff's coronation and held back the story.
If this was a Conservative the media would have LOVED to blast a story like this during a convention to take any good news off the front pages.
And, one asks, Ruby KNEW about the story in advance????? Why would that be?

This shows how those hillbillies that acquire power behave. (this is not to throw other hillbillies under the bus).
Anyone who has been around for a while would know that there is no worst tyrant.
Suddenly they “feel” they have the power to order plebeians to do things for them as they see fit.
Note in Janke’s post where the MP is calling on commissioner of HOC to look into a matter that is of no business for the commissioner.
This country has laws and if they are broken then it is for the justice industry to sort things out. There is the crime and then there is the punishment.
No crime, no punishment.
Socialism/fascism is on march.

''or why the Conservatives seemed to be campaign ready for this controversy and so very ready with their own talking points, press releases, Commons questions?''

Gee Ted, just how long to you think it takes to whip up a reaction to a story?
Your leader may need a week or 2 to respond, but this government has the experience to handle issues as they pop up?

Explain how in your world of CONspiracy,
the CPC got the McGuinty Liberals to stage a public forum to trap Ruby in.
And then conspired with the TorontoStar to have the issue kept under wraps until Iffy was crowned...

It can’t be long until Dhalla claims it a cultural norm where she comes from to treat employees as slaves and that anyone not realizing it is a RACIST!

I’ve always felt Dhalla is one of the more scummier scumbags who populate the House of Commons; she’s always had no trouble uttering the most outrageous accusations against her political opponents. So I’m enjoying her current problems immensely.

Can a Sikh rally in support of her at University & Queen in Toronto be long off?

By the way, Ted, have you gone over the allegations from the other 30-odd complaints that were aired at the meeting? No, of course not -- they were probably plants as well. This is all just a Conservative Hit Squad (tm) operation.

"OVER ONE YEAR AGO(!!)"

Great use of caps, however your punctuation needs a little work. Try this next time:

OVER ONE YEAR AGO(!!!!)

David (10:33 AM): Count Chocula? What's the connection?

The LPC war room must be working on this. Let's be realistic. They'll pay off these 3 immigrants, maybe 5 or 6 figures each, and this whole thing will blow away. Ignatieff knows doing nothing (which is much better than lying and stealing) is better than saying anything at this point.

But I think this has more steam in the Ontario legislature, as it is now clear a LPC MPP did not promptly follow-up on these allegations.

Ted;

Dhalla's request for a formal investigation is with an irrelevant investigative body.It was carefully selected for that reason. You know it.

It is not just Cons. that are on the offence. Ndp's and even some Liberals are also on the case.You also know that.

The Count himself is hiding from this because even he understands the consequences.Perhaps your beef is really with him. Why doesn't he defend her?

Lorraine!!! I'm shocked at what you have said!! Are you implying that the Noble Red Star..er, I mean the Toronto Star were biased in their news presentation and that the CBC didn't do anything during that convention other than gush about what a swell guy the Puffin is? I'm shocked to my core!

''Just read that Ruby told Judy Sgro during the Liberal convention that the Star was going to be running a story about her nannies.''

Wow! If true, Iffy has some explaining to do.
Surely he knew, and told McGuinty too.

What did Iffy know and when?
Why didn't Mr Human Rights get out ahead of the story and come clean?

Umm, Lorraine...she knew about the story because the Star reporter interviewed her for it.

"employment in Canada INCREASED by 35000 jobs

Does this mean there's 34,997 possible Rubi Slaves out there ?

Nice try Ted, trying to say the National Post has dismissed this as a non-story. The only thing I read to back up your statement was Don Martin's own opinion piece, and it's been rightly dismissed as, shall we say, lacking in intelligience.

And Dhalla asking for a formal investigation as you put it is a lark. What Dhalla asked for was the ethics commissioner to investigate. The commissioners purview does not include Ontario labor laws or federal immigartion laws. The investigation would only determine whether she was in violation of conflict-of-interest in her position of MP.

And I nmight note that today the Star has a picture of Dhalla with her arm around the third nanny. But Ted, I thought Dhalla already said she wasn't involved with any of the nannies?

When I look at the G&M comments on this issue, I'm totally baffled.

As Dave suggests, this issue first became public during Question Period in the Ontario legislature when the NDP questioned possible labour standard violations ... a provincial jurisdiction.

Yet, a few G&M commentators have somehow managed to pin the blame on the Prime Minister. And, others have invoked racism and sexism as factors in why this issue became public.

Dhalla is now damaged as a player on the national level, yet there's parliamentary committees studying this issue?

I'm unsure why it's any of parliament's business to clear Dhalla's name. But, until the nannies are willing to press charges, not much will get resolved other than her public embarrassment.

It seems, though, Dhalla feels no shame.

If she gave the nannies room and board, plus $250 a week pocket money, that seems reasonable. How many of us have $250 a week left over after our mortgage, grocery and utility bills are paid?

Ted, this from the National Post editors own piece on Dhalla:

"Mr. Rae says Ms. Dhalla “has a right to defend herself, and there will be full investigations, I’m sure at both the federal and provincial level” — which is no doubt true. But for her own part, Ms. Dhalla has gone further, telling the media that “anyone who has ever worked in our home has been treated with a lot of love, with a lot of care and compassion.” The mere fact that two women in her employ have stepped forward in a move that will likely ruin her political career, we believe, would seem to suggest otherwise"

Dave
The reference to a Count is well documented. Compare the links below if you will.

The first is Iggy.The second is our hero on every kids favourite cereal box Count Chocula. The resemblance is uncanny.They both are also not to be taken seriously as far as Counts go. Both figures are made to make you feel unthreatened and safe.I do not know however, if the Count on the cereal box has written a bunch of books.

http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2006/12/18/ignatieff-dion_cp_11295750.jpg

http://hubbub.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d8d9253ef010536a51aa3970b-800wi

He will emerge and throw her the standard political rope that we are supporting you until it is proved and then you are outta here, the problem is he needs time to arrange for her soft landing afterward and time for the images of him Ruby at the convention to not be so fresh in peoples minds.

He cannot take a stance early because he has a 50% chance of being wrong and sinking the whole ship.

So he will come out and claim his party takes these allegations seriously and will do everything in his power to make sure the truth is brought to light, he has accepted her stepping down as critic and will wait for the results of an investigation.

Boilerplate Ottawa Scandal response # 216.

Where is WaldoIggy?

Liberal.caca. has Iggy's position; and, Anita's and Maria's; but, not Ruby's position. tsk tsk

Iggy's Song: My Nanny is a feisty fighter, furiously scrubbing my floors.
SOW is my labour pool, Iggy 'xplains; ask Boob Rae (Hi! I'm Mao Stl...).

More here: "Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games and Beyond".
...-

"May 5, 2009
Harper government needs comprehensive plan to fight human trafficking

OTTAWA – The Harper government must take stronger action against human trafficking, particularly as Canada prepares to host the world at the 2010 Vancouver OIympic Games, the Liberal Women’s Caucus said today.

“There is evidence that high-profile international sporting events are accompanied by increased demand for human trafficking victims for the purposes of sexual exploitation within the host country,” said Liberal Status of Women Critic Anita Neville. “We must do everything we can to ensure that the Vancouver Games do not become a feeding ground for this type of activity.”

Women’s Caucus Chair Maria Minna said while Liberals support Bill C-268 – the private member’s bill that calls for mandatory minimum sentences of five years for human trafficking – the government must go farther.

“Yet again, we have a Conservative member who believes that simply increasing jail times will solve problems,” she said. “It doesn’t. It requires a more comprehensive approach that brings the world’s police forces, prosecutors and social agencies together to work on issues of prosecution, protection of victims and prevention.”

Recently in Vancouver during the Liberal Party's Biennial Convention, members of the Women’s Caucus met with the Citizens' Summit on Human Trafficking at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games and Beyond to deliver this same message of support and to back their declaration that calls for, among other things, increased resources from the Conservative government to effectively fight this battle.

“Canadians can be assured that we will continue working to press for federal government action on this matter,” said Ms. Neville."
(lib.caca)

Ted, I agree we should wait for the facts to come out in more detail. The only problem with Liberals making this point is it's hypocritical of them, given the nonsense they have generated over the Mulroney non-affair, torturing soldiers, and many other faux scandals which Liberals, especially in their joke parliamentary committees, have subjected the public to.

Thanks to the Grits, and their cohorts at CBC, the public is being subjected to international humiliation v.v KH Schreiber being allowed to remain in Canada when he should be sitting in a German jail now.

That's the real point, Ted.

Paul:

There have been more than Don Martin article questioning this "story". I linked to one other at the Post.

And seriously Paul, there is a photo of Dhalla with her mother's nanny and that is proof of "being involved" with her nannies??? You think she should stay away from her mom's place.

To me the really puzzling thing about this media/Conservative created circus is, if what happened was so horrendous (Kate here and others refer to "slavery", why have the nannies not filed any complaint?

They could have filed a complaint easily with the police, Ministry of Labour, etc. But despite no complaints in all the years they worked for Dhalla's mother and after waiting for over a year since they worked there, they go not to any authorities but to the press?

The only one who has asked for any kind of formal investigation into the truth of this has been Dhalla herself in the only venue she can.

Maybe she was meanie with her nannies. Maybe she crossed some ethical line. But why wait for things like facts to inform us when there is a great opportunity to distract from real government business and the Conservatives falling numbers and failing economic "plan".

Just a coincidence this all comes out the week after the convention. Uh-hunh.

Say it quick... Ignotenough...

Ummm, john g.....IF the star knew about it BEFORE the convention...funny they kept it under wraps until AFTER the convention, huh.

or why the Conservatives seemed to be campaign ready for this controversy and so very ready with their own talking points, press releases, Commons questions?

Alas, poor Teddy... Methinks he theorizes too much about conspiracy...

Indeed, a conspiracy between the Toronto Red Star and the Conservatives... right, sure, ok.

Nice attempt at diversion, Teddy Bear. But don't waste your efforts.

Ted - for a split second, I will pretend that you actually put some thought behind your comment instead of spouting LPC sheeple speaking points.

First - the nannies met with two Ministers. I will lay dollars to donuts that they figured that speaking to not one, but two Ministers did constitute a formal complaint and that one of the TWO Ministers would have done more than just posed for photographs.

Second - the labour Minister handed out a 1-800 number. So...why would these nannies think that they had to call the number when they just spoke to two Ministers? I am sure that, in their minds, they think that Ministers actually do something other than smile, pose for photos and then sit on their hands and brush off all of their concerns.

Third - the 1-800 number that the Minister handed to the nannies, after listening to them and posing for photo ops, did not work.

So, Ted, how are they supposed to file a formal complaint when the number does not work and they do not know where and how to file a formal complaint. After all, they aired their concerns with TWO Ministers...who, in the end, sat on their hands.

Ted:

Since this issue was first brought up in the Ontario legislature by an NDP member on a provincial jurisdiction, how does that make it Harper's fault?

Ted.

#1. They didn't work years for Dhalla's mother, it was weeks.
#2. The hiring agency said it was Ruby Dhalla who contacted and did the hiring.
#3. The spokesperson for Intercede has verified that one of the nannies contacted them as she could not get her passport back.
#4. That same spokesperson has notes, dates, and details of the call madeto Dhalla.
#5. It has already been confirmed the women were paid cash under the table.
#6. This was not a Conservative created scandal. The Toronto Star has been doing investigation into the treatment and abuse of nannies for months.
#7. The nannies were probably reluctant to file a complaint as they were working illegally, and being paid cash under the table with no deductions.
#8. The allegations were brought up two weeks ago during a meeting with LIBERAL cabinet ministers of the Ontario government.
#9. By Dhalla's own admission, she knew of this story coming out at the leadership convention, yet remained silent.
#10. Whether these allegations are proven or not, the fact Ignatieff is mia, and has refused to take questions since the story broke, is not a great example of leadership.

When Ignatieff talks about hope, I guess he means he hopes nobody finds him till this thing blows over.

East:

Why don't you call up a Minister, any Minister, and see if you can set up an appointment with them? Something very fishy about the way this is being played out.

No formal complaint. They don't even bother to follow through on the advice given. But instead, over a year after ceasing employment, they go to the media first.

Hmmmm.

"The first is Iggy.The second is our hero on every kids favourite cereal box Count Chocula." ...

...And David McGuinty is Frankenberry. John McCallum is Booberry. Scott Brison is the Lucky Charm's leaprechaun. Pablo Rodriguez is the crackpot Coco Puff bird.

Ralph Goodale?: Just plain old prairie Puff Wheat (Remember those cheap huge bags your mom got at the store of tasteless, nutritionless, immediatly soggy when hit with milk in which you finally dumped half a pound a sugar over to make them somewhat eatable? your mom got them because that Saturday you had decided to go play with your friends instead of 'supervising' the cereal aisle to which you would have nagged to get the top choice: Captain Crunch!

Did this whole thing not come from an Ontario Govt Inquiry? Not a Federal.
Like Bob Fife said just the other nite on Power Play, If this had been a conservative MP the Liberals would be burning down the house to get to the bottom of this.

I agree these are allegations, But they are also very serious allegations of violations of the Ontario Labour Act along with others.
Also i see that another Nanny has come forward & for those that said this was a year ago, you must remember quite often immigrants are not aware of their rights & quite often where they came from they would be afraid to come forward.

"Maybe she was meanie with her nannies. Maybe she crossed some ethical line. But why wait for things like facts to inform us when there is a great opportunity to distract from real government business and the Conservatives falling numbers and failing economic "plan"".

Check out those employment numbers today Ted?. The TSX has had several weeks of decent gains, and is now back to November levels and still showing improvement. BoC head says no further stimulus needed as economy showing signs of recovery. Unemployment rate is where it was 7 years ago, under the Liberal's in boom times. Government is expected to post $800 million surplus for the last fiscal year ending March. Pretty impressive during a world-wide global recession. Dollar climbing today.

Yep, that economic plan is really failing Ted.

"Just a coincidence this all comes out the week after the convention. Uh-hunh"

It is a coincidence Ted, you're right...they knew about it before, how come they waited until AFTER?

Speaking of conspiracies, Ted, I would look at the conspiracy between the MSM and the Liberals to keep things out of the news until after Iggy is crowned to make sure that he doesn't have to answer anything too hard.

Paulstuff:

Well, thank you at least for engaging in facts, instead of attacks and insults, the modus operendi here.

The facts don't really fly though, but they are a decent attempt at least. Take this one for example:

"The nannies were probably reluctant to file a complaint as they were working illegally, and being paid cash under the table with no deductions."

So reluctant that... they spoke to a minister and spewed it to the public? Seriously, does that argument even make sense?

Dhalla's affair has certain symbolic dimension how Liberal Party is an old rusty organization just thinly painted on the surface. The show is as phony as Ignatieff himself.

Ted, they never went to the media. The Star in it's investigation found out about the meeting with the two Ontario ministers. and why do you keep talking about the Conservative's? Have you seen NDP Olivia Chow's comments?

So Ted, when will Iggy come out of hiding and address the issue? You know, show some leadership.

No formal complaint yet? Interesting but proves nothing. Perhaps that's pending. Then I guess that'll prove everything, eh?

Leftists wage wars using the Big Media all the time.

But with the notoriously Liberal-friendly, Conservative-unfriendly Toronto Star all over the scandal like the dust cloud surrounding Charlie Brown's friend Pigpen, one can hardly claim a "Vast, Right-Wing Conspiracy" just because the National Post is also, like every other paper, talking about it, and the Tories, like also the NDP, had something to say when asked. Yep, it's all a Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy, what's happening to Dhalla. Sure.

Geez... this is the best the Liberals can do when under inconvenient heat? The leader, Iggypoopypants, runs away to exile, unable to deal... and some guy named Ted claims there's a vast, right-wing conspiracy afoot...

Sorry, Teddy Bear... there is no vast, right-wing conspiracy.

Ted, you asked why they never complained ayear ago, and the reason was they were working illegally and being paid cash. And according the the two Liberal ministers, who I'm sure are not Conservative hacks, the nannies only spoke out when prodded to do so. The nannies never went public, and nobody ever heard their names before the Star spilled the beans.

It's just common sense that once the story broke every news agency would be seeking interviews.

The entire Dhalla affair is a tempest in a teapot and will soon pass without any significant consequences. Harpo and Harperites attempting once again to deflect attention from their own ineptitude. Their administration is in freefall and Harpo sees the writing on the wall; his government is in trouble. Don Martin of the Post is usually very pro-conservative, and for him to categorize this as a non-story, well, I think that speaks volumes.

Hurray for the MSM.

Without it, we would never know the details of this story.

So in Liberal Lawyer Ted's opinion, this is a non-story because the foreign nannies don't know the proper procedure to complain?

"There has been no complaint to the proper channels" is a particularly pitiful excuse when dealing with any non-politician or lawyer.

Hell, I was born here but would have no clue which of the billion or so federal and/or provincial bureaucracies to complain to had I been in their position.

And how about the fact that these nannies did complain or there wouldn't be the political fallout from the complaint, would there? Maybe it took them a year before they had enough courage to speak out against so powerful a foe. Maybe it took them that long to find someone to take them seriously or who wouldn't cover-up or sweep it under the rug, eh? For 13 years, the RCMP was Chretien's personal attack force. They bullied his foes and covered up his wrong doings.

You liberals keep gripping on about how subject to abuse minorities and immigrants are when bashing the evil corporations but fault the same minorities for not knowing their rights and who to complain to when it's your lot doing the abusing? Shame. As usual, when the "victim" group leaves the reservation, they get to be attacked by leftard mercilessly. Got any Oreos to throw at them?

And Ted, a liberal crabbing about making a political issue out of a scandal before the conviction just makes you more contemptible. If this was a conservative, you'd be organizing the lynch mob and your buddies in the media would not be questioning the treatment.

You would also be screeching about cover-ups if the provincial conservatives were burying a story for their federal friends.

So, like liberals everywhere, just you try and deflect blame away from your own. Yup, the real story isn't our alleged malfeasance but those evil, plotting conservatives pointing it out. Pitiful.

Don Martin pro-Conservative?

Good to see you have a sense of humor Ted. Let's look at one of Martin's columns, where in another instance there were some unsubstantiated allegations made, and whether Martin thought the accused deserved to be preumed innocent till proven guilty:

"Don Martin: Patrick Brazeau should have stayed a ’senator-in-waiting’
Posted: February 03, 2009, 10:44 AM by Daniel
Don Martin

…But the allegations, investigations and accusations against newly-appointed aboriginal Senator Patrick Brazeau, 34, are piling up in such a frenzy that it’s quickly put the unelected Senate under a negative light, and must surely embarrass Canada’s other six native senatorial representatives."/

Yep, pretty pro-Conservative there. I guess with allegations piling up against Dhalla Martin needs a higher level of allegation to rule out smoke-and-mirrors.

Your probably right T, nothing will come of it.

After all, we are talking about a pretty, young India native representing a Toronto Liberal seat and not some old white christian Conservative from Calgary.

"So in Liberal Lawyer Ted's opinion, this is a non-story because the foreign nannies don't know the proper procedure to complain?"

Not at all.

I am saying there is a huge disconnect with the rhetoric of those trying to spin this for partisan political gain (and frankly, Cheri DiNovo of the NDP and Bob Runciman of the provincial PCs make the federal Conservatives almost look not hypocritical with calls to throw Dhalla in jail and for the Minister of Labour to resign) and the actual facts that we know of, including among others the fact there has been no formal complaint or investigation yet the Conservatives want to haul Dhalla and the nannies up before a Parliamentary Committee for a full hearing (even though, even if the worst of the accusations were true, would still have nothing to do with the federal government or that committee).

T:

As has been correctly pointed out here, the issue was first raised as a provincial matter by the Ontario NDP Party.

Labour code issues are provincial jurisdiction and the allegation is that there was some cover-up by the Ontario Liberal party on this issue.

The issue involves the conduct of a Liberal MP and may involve some federal jurisdictions, such as immigration.

Has anybody noticed that by her comments Ruby is ready to throw her own brother or her own mother under the bus on this issue?

She claims that is was her brother who did the hiring and supervising of household staff - not her.
And, they were supposed to be care giving her "disabled" mother ( the one who globe trots on the taxpayer dime with Ruby and dances the night away at Liberal parties)- so Mom must have supervised their "care" of her - n'est pas?

Further, various comment sindicate Ruby was promising quick action on the immigration because she was a parliamentarian and had "friends" in the Immigration department. Is that not influence peddling for personal gain?

How very Liberal of her. Now, if she was Conservative this would be world wide breaking news and leading every newscast don't you think?

(even though, even if the worst of the accusations were true, would still have nothing to do with the federal government or that committee).

Thanks Ted, you just proved my point about Dhalla demanding the ethics commissioner investigate, and how it had nothing to do with that office.

Paulstuff:

I wasn't the one who said Martin was pro-Conservative. It was "T" not "Ted" who said it. Martin is not pro-Conservative. Nor is he pro-Liberal though. No one went after the Liberals with as much force as he did under Martin and Dion.

I'd say Martin is personally more conservative than liberal and generally prefers or leans moderate/red tory conservative, and leans to the Conservative Party at least the Conservative Party as he thinks it should be, but he definitely does not like Harper, so I would never call him pro-Conservative, certainly not these days.

Harpo and Harperites attempting once again to deflect attention from their own ineptitude. Their administration is in freefall and Harpo sees the writing on the wall; his government is in trouble.

That you, O Pauper of Dimness? Eerily ye sound like he.

A veilled accusation against the PM and the Conservatives of fabricating and orchestrating the whole thing to divert attention. Yeah, sure. Par for the course for a Liberal attack clown. Lie, lie, lie... and lie some more.

Don Martin of the Post is usually very pro-conservative, and for him to categorize this as a non-story, well, I think that speaks volumes.

Whatever you want to believe, "T". And the fact that you're blatantly obviously anti-Harper and anti-Conservative speaks far greater volumes. Of bovine manure. From Heck.

Ted:

It's news to me that “the Conservatives want to haul Dhalla and the nannies before a Parliamentary Committee."

All I've heard is Dhalla herself would like to appear before the Parliamentary Ethics Committee to clear her name. Which is strange, since this is not an ethical question about actions in parliament.

Since you made the allegation, it is now up to you provide proof that the Conservative Party has any interest before hauling anybody up before a Parliamentary Committee.

For your sake, I hope it's not a case of overactive imagination.

"Thanks Ted, you just proved my point about Dhalla demanding the ethics commissioner investigate, and how it had nothing to do with that office."

I never said that it did, Paul. I only noted it for the fact that Dhalla is the only one who has tried to get to the bottom of the facts in any formal way. Whether it will amount to much - and I'm frankly sure it won't because she has not done anything unethical as a Parliamentarian - the point was only to highlight that the Conservatives and the NDP are creating a circus out of this before the facts come out. So much so in fact that that seems to be the intent.

Moreover, the Conservatives are trying to make this issue the government's business and so there is even some loose rationale.

Poor Iggy Puff...as the recently coronated leader of the only Canadian political party offering Hope and Change(TM) this is not the type of press he was hoping for.

It seems that LPC H&C amounts to hoping that Canadians don't notice that nothing has changed in the sleazy, hypocritical, world of the champagne socialist set.

If only Ruby were more skilled in the application of the Puffin Principle none of this would be anywhere near a fan.

Then again, with conservative news organizations like the Toronto Star hounding the LPC it was inevitable that a turd or three would bob to the surface.

I guess not all Puffins are created equally and it should come as no surprise that Ruby and Judy Sgro are tight.

Birds of a feather and all that.

Syncro

Iggy isn't hiding . . . he's sulking.

Last week he reached out and placed a crown on his head, his Coronation the proper outcome of a life spent as a foreign intellectual.

This week he expected to bask in the media afterglow, in the adulation of the little people, in the adoration of his Party.

And then some cutey-pie bumpkin with a flashy smile and a nice rack rains on his parade.

He's right to sulk. He's not getting his way.

Well 'Ted' its that VRWC theory that 'Kate' is pushing on her SDA blog. Ted there is a book that the VRWC put out, how to kill a liberal hopeful, by hiring nannies as slave labor and paying them under the table, taking away and with holding wages, on page 13. Oh, and by the way Ted as you are making excuses for the political party, why don't you think about if an ordinary Canadian worker done this.

Even though Ruby Dhalla was born in Winnipeg she is the daughter of a Punjabi immigrant family. I see no reason why she, a Sikh woman, cannot come to Ottawa Canada and treat her hired help in a manner she is accustomed to in her own culture.

If not, then Canada's multicultural system of selling out our hard earned morality and values to the scum of the earth, has failed Ruby Dhalla.

Don Martin thought that because he was from Calgary he would get lots of yummy career building insider tips from the Harper Conservatives.
It did not happen. Don Martin is bitter. His claim to fame??? is writing a slavish butt kissing bio of Belinda and being shmooosed and buddied up to by Liberals. Now he runs to Ruby's rescue like a good Liberal toady.

Only anti-Conservatives need apply for the PPG so Martin gets to be a member of the "club" by blasting Harper so he can hob nob with the Ontario "elite" instead of Conservative heathen.

He won't every be welcome back in Alberta- he has burned pretty well every bridge to journalistic integrity for his own career aspirations IMO.

This whole scandal will only harm Iggy and the Liberals in the eyes of the voters.

Iggy running away when the going gets tough is the worst kind of optics, particularly for a newly-coronated "leader". People will be asking how can this guy face the problems of Canada and the world if he can't even deal with problems within his own caucus?

Not looking positive, the future for Iggy and the Liberals, I'm afraid.

Even if it turns out that Dhalla did nothing wrong, too late- the damage is already done, particularly for Iggy, who's failing to stand up and deal with it, is hiding out, hoping it'll pass quickly. That's the way it works in politics, unfortunately.

Stephen Harper, on the other hand, his colors don't run; he doesn't cut and run away. He stands up and deals with whatever shee-it happens.

Rather unfortunate for Iggster to be faced with a public relations fiasco so soon after underbussing the jackal...

It's just liberals cleaning house before Iggy decides to go for the brass ring.Iggy can't have this sort of thing popping up on the campaign trail when liberal talking points focus on protecting the most vulnerable.
Or,liberal unity is a myth and right wing Iggys coronation has really po'd the left.

Don't waste your time with Ted and others of his ilk (leftists,) logic and empirical evidence means nothing to them... its all about the leftist cause. It is the same the world over, the liberal left do nothing wrong or if they do it is because of the conservatives for whatever reason. The liberal left are perpetual 10 year olds - it is always someone else’s responsibility/fault. It has always been like this and it will never change. The only difference for us today, is that so many liberal leftists are in positions of power in government, business, education, the arts... everywhere. These folks will hand us over to the despotic hordes for slaughter and blame us for having to do so.

Ted, if the lallegations have nothing to do with the federal government, as you said, then nor do they have anything to do with the ethics commissioner.

If Dhalla really wants to clear her name, than the ministry of labor (wages and working conditions), immigration (illegal workers), and RCMP (taking and holding of passport), are the ones Dhalla should be demanding investigate. Of course since the you kniw what hit the fan I imagine those investigatons have already started, whether Ruby wants them or not.

So I'll ask aagian Ted, when will Iggy show leadership and address the issue in public?

Ted

Remember "lipstick on a pig"?

I'm sure you'll at least agree that perception is reality. Nobody can predict how this will turn out, but it is a story. Ironically, Ruby appears to be a victim of PC because it's women who have accused her of abuse. You are guilty until proven innocent when a woman accuses you of abuse, and even after you are proven innocent there is still the perception of guilt.

As far as timing and politics, I have no doubt that both are involved; and, you're being a good (L)iberal feigning anger, just as any good (C)onservative would do if the shoe was on the other foot.

Way to take one for the team Ted.

Set You Free:

Always remember, Google is your friend.

David Tilson, chair of the Parliamentary immigration committee told reporters yesterday after question period that the committee would be calling Dhalla and the two nannies in for a public hearing. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/politicalbytes/2009/05/a_forum_for_ruby_dhalla.html

Ted.

So, the federal responsibility of immigration and treatment of guest workers and the possibility of illegal behaviour by a federal member of parliament is none of the federal government's business?

If I were Iggy's strategist I would cut her loose immediately.

What sez the Jackal?

Syncro

My comment is, how is this such a big news story in Canada, when the global warming fraud and the theft-in-plain-sight of free speech don't cause even a ripple of discontent?

We need more principled leadership from all our parties, it cannot be allowed to stand that a Conservative prime minister would say nothing about the global warming and free speech issues for over three years of his mandate. I don't care how Tim Hortons he is, there are higher principles than cutting the GST by one per cent.

There might be quite a few 'nervous Nellie's' in the HOC, and elsewhere, who have hired foreign nannies. Many of today's 'working women' like having a 'maid' but few of them wish to pay them proper wages so they 'hire' foreigners.

In B.C., many in the immigrant communities brought in workers from their own country (acting as the 'sponsors') to work on the wealthy 'new Canadian's' holdings. The workers were paid dirt until they paid off their passage. Some were slightly better off, some were way worse off..non were free - the Romanian girls who Judy promoted coming to this country as strippers were in the same boat as any of these Dhalla nannies. Anyone who travels knows that a person without a passport is nobody outside his native land.

I pity those nannies, they were trapped when Ruby seized their passports. They were defacto slaves because they were 'nobodies'. It must have taken great courage for them to come forward with complaints against a powerful person like a Canadian M.P. They were like the Irish people who worked for 'sponsors' in the past...they were in the same boat as many gument workers..in the YT, a friend of mine was a cook at the dryout centre when the local Liberano government took over that private service - she was asked to sign a paper guaranteeing that she would support her employer (the Lib gument). The gument's dry out centre (a place for drunks to spend the night), of course, failed. Too many rules, no smoking, no coffee in the kitchen with a nice cook (like my acquaintance) too many self righteous 'councillors'....Drunks went elsewhere to sort out their problems.

IMO, this is an explosive story and has a lot more legs than a spider.

"Even though Ruby Dhalla was born in Winnipeg she is the daughter of a Punjabi immigrant family. I see no reason why she, a Sikh woman, cannot come to Ottawa Canada and treat her hired help in a manner she is accustomed to in her own culture."

Time to get out the victims hierarchy card to figure out who's a bigger victim. Since they're all "brown" women does anyone know what the tie-breaker is?

A Sip From Mason's Jar.

Agatha spouts to the MSM with an agonizing plea:

Get off Iggy/Dhalla/Liberals.

Agatha is another Hopester.
Fear not, Agatha: WaldOIggy is in hiding.
...-

"Mason says she hopes the focus can shift to the larger issue - first and foremost being problems with the federal Live-In Caregiver Program."
urlm.in/cjpd

Peter O

With respect ,I have to disagree with you(politically speaking). First of all, that 1(actually 2) percent you speak of is effective stimulus (conservative style) that has contributed to Canada's strength at this time. Secondly, PMSH realizes there is no up-side to taking a stand on AGW. The bottom line is: as an exporter to the US we will have to participate in whatever market they dictate. That being said, being proactive is quite entrepreneurial and kills two bird with one stone because it takes this wedge issue away from the left. Lastly, the HRC's must be approached cautiously. Why? Perception. In Ontario and Quebec any Conservative moves on the HRC's will be perceived as racist. This will undoubtedly hurt the Conservatives in central Canada.

PMSH is betting his career on the fact that western Canada will deliver Conservative seats regardless of his strategy. Small 'c' conservatives have no other options, except to stay home.

Time to get out the victims hierarchy card to figure out who's a bigger victim. Since they're all "brown" women does anyone know what the tie-breaker is?

Posted by: Indiana Homez at May 8, 2009 12:48 PM
---------------------------------------

Don't worry Indiana Homez,they're going to get the crew of writers from the TV show "Law and Order:SVU Anti-White Unit" to cook up a plot that eventually blames "White men in Suits" as the culprits for Ruby Dhalla's heinous treatment of her Non-White slaves!

So, the federal responsibility of immigration and treatment of guest workers and the possibility of illegal behaviour by a federal member of parliament is none of the federal government's business?

Well, the Minister of Immigration for one, Warwick.

This is a standing committee on policy. Bringing the nannies and Dhalla in is a ridiculous abuse of government for partisan gain.

Don Martin has been predictable ever since PMSH canceled his watering hole entitlements.I just skip over anything he writes these days,his bitterness is easy to recognize,sucks to be him.

Do you think CBC will demand live TV airing of the parliamentary committee like they did for every single committee that was an allegation related to anything conservative - including Mulroney?

Will every breathless comment by Ruby and the nannies be disected by Don Newman and Susan Bonner with veiled innuendo?
Heh!

Yes Ted,

The liberals would never hold ridiculous grandstanding abuses of power on committees...

Who are you trying to kid here? The last election was partially over the circuses created by liberal (and NDP/Bloc) idiocy on the committees.

I guess it isn't a problem when they target conservatives. Save your tears for people who haven't seen what your lot do every time they get a chance.

A little off topic but shows the mindset. Adler spoke of Iggy's book that said he cared for his ailing mother. It was touching but actually it was the story of his brother that did care for his ailing mother. Iggy used 'I' 156 times if memory serves but labelled the book as fiction to avoid any blowback. Was this the brother he told not to speak or stand by him at UCC? I carry no party's card, I vote for the least worst.

Ted:

So Dhalla steps into the doo-doo at the same time a Parliamentary Committee has had an ongoing examination on the issue of immigration.

Sucks to be her.

Don Martin use to write some good stuff - but that was a long time ago. He's now gone into the cave to join the rest of the lib morlocks.

I repeat again
Bob Fife said it on Power Play
"If this was a Conservative MP"
Well we all know the answer to that.

And as usual the Liberal Spinners are at it again, pissing on a grass fire before it becomes a full blown forest fire.

Hiding ? Found - on WK's site ! Fuzzy warm picture of him.

Dhalla ?? Dhalla !!?? Are you crazy !? Carpet. Sweep. Nothing to see here, move on. Mom's the word. Obfuscate. No time to report, meeting with god - he so approves of the fatherly punk, drug culture, free spirit, not responsible for actions kinda daddy, ya know. Sorry to hear you need some medical attention :(

ethics are never a problem when you lack morals.

Does the Dhalla family have a caregiver for Mama in their home now? What does said caregiver do when Mama Dhalla goes globe hopping with Ruby?

Don Martin is as biased as they come. Compare and contrast how he treat very similar situations.

My, my...how touching...the small dead minded
championing the cause of underpaid and exploited workers. I'm all choked up.

It's now complete.

All the wingnuts have been let out of mom's basement.

Off topic but kinda related:

Michelle Obama on her continuing whining for more social justice tour yesterday:

"Everyone should have a chief of staff and a set of personal assistants," she said at a meeting of Corporate Voices for Working Families, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works to develop and promote policies to help working families.

Absent personal assistants for all, Mrs. Obama said workers should have paid sick days, schedules that give them time for their family responsibilities, such as picking up children or taking them or parents to doctors' appointments, and quality child care on the job.

Also needed is paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, or to deal with serious illness, she said.

"These types of policies can be the key to whether a family remains economically viable or slips into financial uncertainty," she said.

Some 22 million working women don't have one paid sick day, Mrs. Obama said, meaning they lose money anytime they have to skip work because of an ill child. Current law, the Family Medical Leave Act, provides unpaid leave for birth, adoption or serious illness.

President Barack Obama's wife talked openly during last year's campaign for the White House about her feelings when she juggled work as a top administrator at a Chicago hospital with raising two young daughters.

The issue, balancing work and family, is one she wants to focus on as first lady.

Mrs. Obama told the meeting that growing up in Chicago her family, including her mother and brother, lived on her father's salary from his job as a city worker. Her mother, who now lives with her at the White House, stayed home.

But "one income really doesn't always cut it anymore," she said.

"I personally ... know the challenges of leading a busy life at work and at home, trying to do a good job at both and always feeling like you're not quite living up to either," Mrs. Obama said. "If people here are like me, I call myself a 120 percenter. If I'm not doing any job at 120 percent, I think I'm failing. So if you're trying to do that at home and at work, you find it very difficult and stressful and frustrating."

--------------------------------------------------
We know government workers have these kinds of benefits and as the Obama Admin continues to grow the government, more lucky people will enjoy it down the road. No wonder young people out of school all look for government jobs (Here in Canada anyway)

What pisses me off is that she knows a 7/11 or Walmart job will never provide such benefits and that private industry will only get worse in this regard as taxes will go up to pay for expanding government and all of their benefits.

IMO, the devide is getter larger and larger.
Two distinct classes are being set:
- The private enterprise class. (Peasants)
- The public sector class. (Royalty)

Guillotine anyone?

It is so perfect! Stephen Machiavelli takes off for Europe and Afghanistan leaving the Lieberals to wonder about all the black storm clouds that have suddenly replaced the convention blue skies and bright sunshine, plus they are now getting hit federally and McGintyally by friendly fire from the ragStar. Could the money losing fishwrap soon be in need of a helping hand as well? Will Ruby reveal she has been supplying cut rate "nanny/helpers" to other needy families within the party? Why has "Baby Point Bob" ridden to her defense with all adjectives blazing for no apparent reason? Does she have pictures? Will Iggy sulk in his tent until fall or soon appoint Trudeau as his successor, return to Harvard, and then resign via email? Stay tuned.

So, Howard Levitt's livid over Ruby Dhalla's dilemna.

Too bad. So sad.

I agree with other commenters' views of Don Martin. He's a total Lib sellout and excels at anti-CPC vindictiveness.

But even he, as one of the "political pundits" on Don Newman's Politics on the CBC tonight, criticized Levitt's handling of Dhalla's press conference, hardly allowing her to speak and displaying such blatant anger.

My take on the press conference is that Levitt knows things aren't looking good for Ruby and that's why he didn't let her talk much and why he was so rattled. Ruby Dhalla's gravy train is about to crash and there go her privileges, perks, and pensions.

I think it's begun to sink in that, just like Dorothy's not being in Kansas anymore, Ruby's not in Sri Lanka anymore, either.

So, Howard Levitt's livid over Ruby Dhalla's dilemna.

Too bad. So sad.

I agree with other commenters' views of Don Martin. He's a total Lib sellout and excels at anti-CPC vindictiveness.

But even he, as one of the "political pundits" on Don Newman's Politics on the CBC tonight, criticized Levitt's handling of Dhalla's press conference, hardly allowing her to speak and displaying such blatant anger.

My take on the press conference is that Levitt knows things aren't looking good for Ruby and that's why he didn't let her talk much and why he was so rattled. Ruby Dhalla's gravy train is about to crash and there go her privileges, perks, and pensions.

I think it's begun to sink in that, just like Dorothy's not being in Kansas anymore, Ruby's not in Sri Lanka anymore, either.

So, how come the 7:09 comment showed up ONLY after I posted the 7:18 comment? Sorry for the double comment but that's why ...

You know what this means for the Liberals:

"Time for another Brian Mulroney scandal!"

I started a Ruby fan club. Anyone interested?

And where is Ikky Piquie? Hiding out in Stornoway? First it was French citizon Deyawn hiding out and pouting in there, now it is the American from 'Out of USSR", hiding out in there.

We, the Canadian taxpayers pay the taxes on that property and we pay the leader of the opposition who occupies that place, at our pleasure.

If that foreign type 'new' Puffin leader does not come out, we should evict him.

The Romans had the Circus. We have Parliment. Both are blood sports.

I guess we're going to have to start calling Stornoway Stowaway: a great place to hide for Librano leader$ in the midst of a crisis.

Batb, something I've noticed as well, my solution is that if you post a comment and it's not showing, just hit F5 (refresh) on that same thread and most often it appears. If you get the 'hold' (usually if a link is posted) feature it does take a few mins. And once in a while, not at all.

Thanks, Idd. I'll try the F5 button when my post doesn't show to see what happens! My comments are seldom held for comment, they just don't show.

Momar. Try not to speak.

Ted, were you hoping nobody would read the Chris Rands link? A committee exmaining the issues of migrant workers is only policy oriented? Even if that is true, there is relevance here. Dhalla, for her part, is trying to deke out the committee by throwing herself on the mercy of the Ethics Commissioner, no doubt in the full knowledge her conduct in this matter is not within the purview of the commissioner's investigative powers.

Hmm, Ted, sounds like the Gomery inquiry, which was pre-determined to disallow findings of personal misconduct.

Different time, same old shell game.

Ted, I do agree, however, this is a tempest in a teapot. It's probably payback too. Like someone said above, politics is a blood sport.

You just don't like being on the receiving end. I can sympathize with you on that.

Ted:

Bringing this before the ethics committee will only bring that committee into disrepute.

The issue isn't what any MP did in the HoC, its whether someone is guilty of abusing people that where in their employment, and worse still, that where working illegally in Canada at that time.
Get that last part Ted?
Illegal immigrants.
People that jumped the que.
And worse, those that knew they jumped ahead of the immigrants that observe the laws of this country, used it to blackmail them.
Doesn't that fit the description of a conspiracy?

Now I guess the question that could be asked at the committee that might do some good is...did Ruby know these "nannies" where illegals?