The Libranos are busy behind the scenes ridding themselves of pesky Information CommissionerJohn Reid to ensure that unfortunate events like the uncovering of Adscam are never repeated.
Mr. Tom Lukiwski (Regina–Lumsden–Lake Centre, CPC), June 14, 2005;
We on the access to information committee recognize that. When I say “we”, I mean all opposition members on the committee voted in favour of extending the appointment of Mr. Reid for another year. The only members of the committee who opposed the motion to extend Mr. Reid’s appointment were the members of the Liberal Party of Canada.
It is fascinating to me, when a former Liberal cabinet minister, someone who served for six consecutive elections and for close to 20 years in this place with great distinction, that members of his own party would be the only ones on the access to information committee to oppose his extension for one year.
We all have to ask ourselves why the Liberal members of the committee oppose such an extension. It cannot be because of his qualifications. He has served this Parliament well for seven years. It cannot be because of lack of experience. He probably has more experience as a parliamentary officer than anyone else. In addition, he has extensive experience in the field of access to information. His lack of experience just does not hold true. It has to be something else.
The only thing I can think of is that Mr. Reid has categorically stated that what he would like to see in new access to information legislation would be the increased level of information that would be available to all Canadians upon request.
Mr. Reid has stated that if his vision of a new act comes into being, we could probably safely say that incidents, such as the sponsorship scandal, would not have happened in the first place. Individuals, whether they be members of this place, members of the media or individual Canadians, would have the ability to receive information from government departments that would have triggered the fact that the sponsorship scandal was in full bloom.
Via Newsbeat 1, where there’s a lengthier exerpt and link to Hansard.
Might have something to do with the fact that he “blew the whistle” on the Liberals toothless whistleblower legislation. He went on record as saying it would actually discourge people from coming forward. A backward step, much like the Libs much vaunted, but highly flawed Access Act changes.
Well, I read the whole excerpt and almost wish I hadn’t. We are well and truly f*cked, aren’t we?
Active effective Whistle Blower law would slap the wrist whose elbow is up to it’s armpit in the till. That would put a damper on available mad money for the LIBSCAMMERS.
No wonder they are dragging thir feet on this one.
You can see the details of, and the state of progress through parliament, along with interesting views of Cdn. Taxpayers Federation at BendGovt.blog.ca 73s TG
Yes we are Candace, and we didn’t even get dinner and a movie out of the deal.
We have to get more Ontario people reading blogs. It’s the only way to get them out of the spin cycle. Promote blog readership relentlessly.
dinner & a movie? hell, I’d settle for a kiss!
Am I the only one that finds it sad AND creepy how long pmpm talked about his stupid diet book. And the “delayed” laughter in the H.O.C. Why don’t I just go on atkins, idiot! Nothing better to say?
Raising the standard of debate: Mindless Martin in Question Period today suggests, O how humourous, that Stephen Harper use “The South Beach Diet”. And waves the book in the House (props?).
Civility? Seriousness? Hypocrisy? Arrogance? “Making Parliament Work”?
No amount of vulgarity can equal the confirmation of all my worst fears.
And will the MSM make mock of Martin’s mockery of Parliament? Place your bets.
Mark
Ottawa
Kate, isn’t it frustrating banging our heads on the wall asking these rhetorical questions about why the Libranos did thus-and-such? We know why they did it. It’s in plain public view. That’s how bold and arrogant they have become: they carry on with their cutthroat methods right in our faces. That’s what I find most offensive – their boldness. It leaves me – Shaken.
Boudria really dances in trying to defend this stunt — it seems the only actual point he’s got is that an appointment like Reid’s has never been extended before (which I find very hard to believe). Other than that, he tries to take the CPC to task for wasting its opposition day on a committee report, takes the odd potshot at Harper, and even works the word “splice” into one of his speeches a few times. What a sad spectacle.
A couple other Liberal speakers try taking up that same point but don’t do any better with it. Derek Lee makes a real idiot of himself by actually asking “Why extend his term?” when several opposition members have been speaking about the reasons why for the past hour.
Has Commissioner John Reid even been asked to look into the blood scandal? Go to http://worldnetdaily.com scroll down the left side column to COLUMNISTS, click on that and find the name Joseph Farah, click on that and scroll down on the article that he has written amount others, “Clintons Human Rights Crimes” and you will see where Clinton with the help of the Canadian Red Cross could be Canadas worsr mass murderor in the history of the country during peace time, with 3000 Canadians dead, and counting not to mention the maimed and the wounded, and to add insult to injury the victims that survived so far are not getting their money. Chretien , I understand was on the board of the Canadian Red Cross at the time, is he COMPLICIT in the 3,000 deaths and counting? This is the biggest crime and scandal that Clinton has got away with, mekes Monica look like a fairy tale. What if anything can we do about this, can the PCP start ask the Governmnet to start proceedings and sue Clinton, even if not successfull, it would give the CPC exposure even if the “legalls” manage to keep on covering it up. Reid get on to this before your “kicked” out.
Stephen ww 2vet.
My apologies for being a bit off topic here. Any ideas how can we promote blog readership not only relentlessly but most important of all effectively?
From anectodal experience, I had at the time of reading Andrew Coyne’s initial exposition of what the Liberals are doing to this country through the adscam and later on via the vote buying schemes, sent out an e-mail to my friends and peers, appealing to their sense of patriotism and fealthy to this country , to read, understand and learn what is going on in the hallways of power in this country that are hidden from what the Main Stream Media are feeding for the consumption by the general public . In that e-mail, I deliberately added links to both MSM and BloggingTories in order to let them decide for themselves what to consume and believe in.
In discussions along the hallways when politics of the day becomes a topic, I cite stories and news information that I secured from reading this alternative form of news reporting . And to be honest, talking to people from the West and from those in Ontario, there is a noticeable chasm of difference on the opinions each one believe in, to the point of a somewhat blind ignorance expressed by those from Ontario of what corruption is all about. More often than not, I perceived Ontarians to be clinging more to this indefensible generalization that “All politicians are dirty, look at what Mulroney did when they were in power…” arguement. I must admit, I do not have much knowledge of what were the issues during the Mulroney years, owing to the fact than at that time I was a new immigrant who was blind to the political realities of those days and did not know any better about what really went on and how systematic was corruption in the branches of government during thise years. And in fact, I voted against Mr. Mulroney then, because it was what the MSM told me so.
Through the years, even as I shaped my opinions leaning more towards Conservatism, I mostly relied on print and broadcast media in Canada for information. Thanks to access to the internet, I recently literally stumbled on http://www.bloggingtories.ca thru googling for the latest political information about this “Gomery Inquiry” opinions voice out by readers of MSM. To say the least, that was the beginning of my journey for seeking the real truth behind the fog. I am not a blogger by any means and I do not have any inkling to be a one like most of you are. The burning question in my mind now is how can I translate further these types experiences in order to reach others and make them realize that the “truth is out there” and that people like me are not just a “closet conspiracy theorists” but one who cares deeply about this country and my children who shall inherit this great nation in the generations to come…
On the South Beach Diet stunt by the PM during QP, I really wonder if MSM will treat it the same way Stock Day was pillored during the leadership debates of days gone by, for having a prop of “No 2-Tier Healthcare” placard. Any bets ?
As for yesterdays’ QP, anybody heard what “former hockey legend” Dryden unitelligently muttered to cause one radio station host in Ottawa to express his disgust against Dryden ?
Stephen – re Blood Scandal – I actually heard that one of Paul Martin’s companies was also involved in this.
Headlines, links anybody.
Not that it matters – we have so much scandal on Martin that it should sink one of his Chinese made ships but – he’s still floating around handing out YOUR money as goodies to anyone who will bow to the Liberal master propaganda machine.
Oh well….as I have been to four funerals for hepatitis C victims , uncompensated – the only loss to the Liberals is a few lost votes from yet more victims who was promised help.
And American politics are criticised for sound-bytes? spin? staying on-message? James Carville has certainly conquered the Liberals.
And if you wish to know how truly bad Canadian politics are, read this from Mr Kinsella:
http://www.warrenkinsella.com/words_speeches_ol.htm
How I relish Sunday mornings, before the NFL, NASCAR, or golf, when members of the House of Representatives or the Senate sometimes try to discuss issues rationally. Sometimes. Here never.
Mark
Ottawa
Start by posting the names and constitencies of every Liberal member of parliament who voted against the extension of John Reid’s Access to Information post. All of them! Post it on every blogsite! Put it on your harddrive, and send it off to your printer. Email it to everybody on your address book! Every single person I know who has a computer, is now onto SDA.
Ron,
When you find a post that rings true to you, copy it to word with the URL on top. Print a couple dozen copies and slip them under windshields at the local mall.
Thomas Paine and the American patriots had to painstakingly spread their ideas via printing press and word of mouth. Thank God brilliant men like Bill Gates have given us, the people, the tools to change that dynamic.
As an American who has actively sought to better understand our “allies” in these hard times, I am discouraged with how easily those who believe in the principles of freedom in “allied” countries throw up their hands. I must suffer from that ugly “American idealism” problem that I’ve read so much about, but I do still have great hope that Canada will stand up honorably among the nations of the world. I still believe that Canadians are, at heart and soul, good and decent people who believe in freedom and democracy, instead of tyranny and oppression.
Please, make a few copies and spread these nuggets of truth you find. The truth has a power that cannot be measured.
OK I read the Kinsella piece… thoughts anyone?
What really stuck out for me, Candace, was when he said…oh wait, given his propensity to sue everyone who looks at him sideways, and given his stern warning at the bottom to not reproduce the speech in any form, I’ll have to paraphrase, but when he said that studies have repeatedly shown that television is where most voters get their political info from, well, I feel that that explains an awful lot about this country.
I think that for the forseeable future any non-Liberal party is really behind the proverbial eight-ball. The CBC is a 24/7 propaganda juggernaut for the Liberals, and the characters on CTV are all good Ontarian Liberals who just want to be liked, and to get invited to the next government/media dinner.
But he started out by saying “the media hates us” (might have been “hated”)… when was that??? end of Trudeau era maybe?
I actually thought it was pretty interesting reading. I hope any MPs reading through comments check out the link… God knows, they could use some help.
What stood out for me were keeping the message to 10 seconds, laughing at screwups, and hammering on mistakes (actually, I think the CPC already KNOWS about the last one).
But interesting reading for a non-politico, non-journalist.
asd
Libranos are like salamanders or lizards caught in the dead of night : when you attempt to shine a light on them to get a better look at their activities, they scurry under the nearest rock or down any available crevice to escape scrutiny. It should come as no surprise to anyone that the libranos would employ the same survival tactics that are favored by the lower life forms on this planet.
100 points to Ron and TomPenn. You both are beginning to toy with the idea of gaining focus and thus gaining power with Blogs and all these people who are better informed.
widening our group by printing off choice posts
and placing them on windshields does have some merit. The selected post or posts would have to be brief and gripping to be effective.
Listing a few top blogsites like this one could get more people involved as well.
I bet a vast number of on line people do not realize that setting up a blog is both easy and free of charge. [Blogger.com]
Ron, you mention how reaching out to others is not all that easy. My experience also.
This has given me the idea to place the printed sheet as you suggest, but on the counter of the store where I buy my computers and supplies.
The sheet would have three points.
[1] Blogs are free to set up and great fun.
[2] 2 or 3 great example posts.
[3] list of 5 or 6 good blogsites to check.
The sheets would be picked up by computer users in the computer store. Less waste than mall parking where sheets are tossed by ball-caps and management calls you at home to come and pick-up.
Small steps to be sure, but if we can gather some mass and focus on one cause at a time, mountains can be moved…eh?
73s TG
OK, I put an invitation to Blogsville sheet together on TonyGuitar.blogspot.com This is just a first attempt. It should draw some computer users into the blogosphere.
Some of you Advertising / layout types could
do something far more effective no doubt.
These blogging invitations on computer sales counters may well interest and inform those who may never have considered blogs.
73s TG
All,
thanks for the kind words and pointers … I’ll digest and move forward ….
TonyGuitar, single sheets on the GO train and subway would work well in “vote-rich” Ontario. There could be a business opportunity for someone to harvest the best of the blogs, wrap a bit of advertising on it, and insert into the commuter rags, or standalone.
Did anyone catch the smarmy subliminal hatchet job the CBC did in running the story? It came off like a; “you aren’t fooling anyone, you’re a racist, bigot homophobe and you’re gloomy and impersonal and you can’t win against Martin….we say so… so stop trying to buck the edicts of the MSM.
That’s how it came off to me anyway….and Martin’s doings?…off the hook MSM wise for news copy yesterday.
Excellent idea Shaken. Forward thinking bears fruit. Anyone use SkyTrain in Vancouver? 500 photo copies are soooo cheap today. 73s TG
ron, I think your idea is a good one. I think leaving ccopies of good blogs in Dr./Dentist/Hospital waiting rooms etc. is a good idea too. Many people do not know about the internet News mostly older people. The Western Standard has an INCREDABLE amount of information in it’s bi weekly publications. Mass distribution of this magazine would lead people to The Shotgun and all the blog sites for those who are semi internet literate; for all others it would give them the basics. The Western Standard employs excellent writers. That is my 2 cents worth – Conservatives could ‘contribute’ by sending some of their funding to the Western Standard Mail Out Fund. It is the ONLY media magazine/newspaper in Canada that is not run by the left wing wackos.