has joined the Liberals.
Or so I’m told in the comments. (I’ve been crawling around a concrete floor all morning laying out flames on an HHR.)
Open thread as I have to get back to work. I’m sure there’s lots in his archives explaining how deeply unethical it is for any member of parliament to switch parties without resigning his seat. You folks might start getting busy saving page sources.
CTV
Update – Now there’s video from Canada’s best known champion of the little me.
My reaction to the announcement? I’m torn between disinterest and pity. Of course, he jumped to the LIberals. It’s been three months since he saw his name in the paper. He needed a fix.
Now, why Dion took him? That’s the better question.
Update – Commentor “Boots” advises that “Garth Turner is getting ripped to pieces by Breckenridge tonight. (QR 77 archives 7:00pm) In fact I’ve never heard Rob B. so adversarial. He’s absolutely ripping Turner to pieces. It’s brilliant! Turner is stammering and stumbling and Rob B. is relentless. Turner has never experienced this kind of questioning and it shows. Click… he just hung up at the end of the interview.
Link to the audio vault is here, Tue Feb 6 … 7 pm. Turner starts the hour, callers for 20 mins, then Stephen Taylor to finish. The link requires free sign-up. I haven’t heard it yet, but it sounds like fun.
What a grand farce, Kate.
When is Garth going to hold his “bye bye” election?
A lot of stuff.
I’m on his weblog now, pressing CTRL-F and putting in “liberal” and coming up with a lot of things he’s going to have to answer for.
Where’s the Tsunami money, Garth?
“I am a democrat who believes everyone in the House of Commons, including the cabinet members who make up the government, should be elected. They should sit in Parliament as they were elected. If they decide to change parties, they should go and get re-elected”.
Garth Turner
Garth said on being kicked out of the Conservative caucus.
” …..I can now be more effective for you than I was as a member of a caucus where everyone was told to be quiet.”
“But I know Independent MPs are rare in Canada. Most politicians think they need to be part of a party to get things done. But as an experienced member of Parliament, I’ve learned how the system actually works, and I’ve now come nose-to-nose with a party discipline in which the views of constituents just don’t matter. I’ve no doubt that as your Indie MP, you will be better served.”
So it took four months to go back on these sage pronouncements.
Some rationalizing to come I expect.
It will be interesting to see if some “reward” is offered for his shifting alliance back to a caucus.
http://www.garth.ca/weblog/2006/10/28/local-column-3/
“Everybody who makes up the government should be elected. They should be elected as members of the party that forms the government. Anybody who switches parties should go back to the people. To do otherwise is to place politicians above the people when, actually, it’s the other way around.”
Garth Turner, 9th February, 2006.
http://www.garth.ca/weblog/2006/02/09/
“I am a democrat who believes everyone in the House of Commons, including the cabinet members who make up the government, should be elected. They should sit in Parliament as they were elected. If they decide to change parties, they should go and get re-elected.”
http://www.garth.ca/weblog/2006/02/09/mr-emerson/
stated principles……or
narcissistic desire for attention
stated principles……or
narcissism
hmmmmmmmmmmm………….
ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME!
(It was inevitable.)
Yes, when the “me me me me me” factor is gone, what next for the Garthster?
After a face to face with his constituents they voted.
“But can one man change the system, I asked? The room thundered in applause amid shouts of “You bet.”
And then we voted.
(1) Resign your seat – zero
(2) Negotiate back into caucus – 17
(3) Join the Liberals – zero
(4) Go Green – 17
(5) Stay independent – 31
How many voted for Liberal again?
http://www.garth.ca/weblog/2006/10/21/your-bosses-are-in-this-room/
Can hardley wait for Julie Van Dusen’s interpretation of Dion’s speech welcoming Turner.
Bet she won’t tell us what the other Lib Mp’s are ‘really saying’…
If it happens (ctv subscribing to the highest standards in the field of journalism….lol), If it happens it will just be more evidence that (Mr) Turner is only out for Garth…..
Consider the Khan Defection almost 1 month ago to the day and the Lapierre resignation that made Turner irrelevant as an independent. Before those two events one side might actually have had to court his vote (NDP/Con =153…now 154, lib/block = now at 151..maybe 152).
He is no doubt finding that no power is no fun.
I think this is a great turn of events for the Conservative Party. Garth Turner is total loose canon and any party affiliated with this fellow is going to get what it pays for. He is seemingly incapable of keeping his mouth shut so I wish Mr. Dion luck.
This will again bring out the bias of the MSM . I wonder how much publicity in the MSM will go to shrieking for Garth Turner to resign . I’m sure their will be no criticism of Mr. Dion or Liberal Party from CBC and CTV.
I noticed Jason Cherniak ultimate Liberal hasn’t set up a petition demanding that Garth Turner resign his seat.
The double standard is alive and well.
“Dear Editor:
It would a real shame if the Oakville Beaver fell into that camp of Liberal media outlets who have been trying to portray the Conservative Party as a bunch of right-wing, fundamentalist rednecks who are little more than northern George W. Bush wannabes. But your editorial, “Right wing approach failing,” clearly suggests you are at risk.
Let’s get the facts straight: The Liberal government is daily at the Gomery Enquiry being proven to be corrupt and probably criminal. The Liberal government survives only because of a deal with the NDP that lets Jack Layton write the budget. The Liberal government has gone on a $25 billion spending orgy to try and buy support. The Liberal government bribed a Conservative MP with a cabinet seat to win a confidence vote.
And you say Conservatives are scary?
Stephen Harper may not be Mr. Charisma, just a thoughtful and principled man trying to do the right things. And there may be people in this party, like all the others, who are social conservatives and worry about slipping moral values.
But the real goal is finding the best bunch of people to run Canada. Even newspapers should not forget that.
Garth Turner
Conservative Party candidate
Halton”
Garth Turner, May 2005, letter to the editor about “Liberalitis of the Big City papers”.
http://www.garth.ca/weblog/2005/05/
Barcs, it is on the globe, star, and citytv websites.
Power is still 154 Con/NDP, 151 Bloc/Liberal, 1 independent, speaker, Lapierre’s vacant seat.
As I said on stephen taylor’s blog, a great day if you’re a conservative. I’m now taking bets as to when McGuinty will get booted out as environment critic for Turner. Mark my words, this is a gift that will keep on giving.
Well, old Garth certainly has his faults, but he always seemed to want Mr. Harper to live up to his promises made regarding Income Trusts. So do I.
You guys may want to email a few of those quotes from Turner to Duffy… I’m sure this will be front and center on Duffy Live today. I think having a few of Garth’s recent comments on this issue would be fitting for an open discussion on the subject!
rd
Ah mak introduce on mah fallow Canadiens dis proud momont for bring to mah team anudder “izzy peeble”.
You guys may want to email a few of those quotes from Turner to Duffy… I’m sure this will be front and center on Duffy Live today. I think having a few of Garth’s recent comments on this issue would be fitting for an open discussion on the subject!
rd
No surprise first rate SOB and tattler and all about me, Garth! has found a home in the Liberal Fold. They are a perfect fit and deserve each other. Wonder what portfolio he will get? It had better be leak proof.
Garth is against floor crossing, but in his case he was booted out, so it’s got nothing to do with crossing the floor,anyway that is allowed in our system, forget it.
To the Liberals: May you live in interesting times.
It totally is a crock of shit. But hes nothing more than a self centred (pun intended) fudge packer.
Na na na na……..
globe, star, and citytv websites.
Don’t forget the CBC too Trev…. All pillars of journalistic integrity… O_o
Anyone want to bet on whether Turner will run in the next soon to be held Liberal leadership campaign??
Garth is going to say it would be impractical to run in a by-election because, as he’ll put it, an election could be called at any time.
Unlike with Emerson and Khan, the MSM will not make Turner’s floor crossing and the will of constituents the issue, they will fill report air time with what they will refer to as Harper’s rigid ways.
In fact, as I’m typing this, the CBC has already begun to spin this.
Don Newman has just said that Garth hasn’t crossed the floor because he was sitting as an independant.
This and more is what you’re going to see from the MSM.
Yawn…..
Here is my opinion of Garth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpraJYnbVtE
Barcs…..2:02
Anyone want to bet on whether Turner will run in the next soon to be held Liberal leadership campaign??
HAHAHAHAHAHA……HA! good one!
Van Dusen interviewed Elizabeth May who, while disappointed Garth won’t joing the Greens, is happy for him and says that she’s sure he consulted his constituents and that this is what they wanted him to do.
She added that Turner has joined the Libs for the right reason, unlike the unsavory ways Emerson and Khan did.
She said nothing of Ms. Stronach … and Van Dusen did not inquire.
Yep, the spin on this has begun.
I can see a tag team of Garth and Mark Holland taking turns sticking a foot in each others mouth.
I can see even a stoic like Harper breaking down in laughter when Garth gets up to ask his first question.
This is entertaining. Turner makes a move and out come the Flying Monkies. I count at least 2 bigoted anti-Francophone comments and one guy who is a confirmed homophobe. Maybe a furhter explanation on why Mr. Turner is now a “fudgepacker” is in order.
In the meantime, thanks for the giggles kids. You never let me down. You’re everything I think you are. And less.
Just a random poll – How long before Garth Turner is kicked out of the Liberal caucus?
http://splatto.net/blog/?p=409
Liz J, I’m not bothered about the floor crossing. In fact, it has to be allowed, as an MP is elected as a representative of his constituents, not a representative of his party.
No, I love this story because Garth himself is against what he is doing 🙂
Garth had a chance to make history if he would have joined the Green party yet he chose to join the Liberals and once again prove what a mediocre man he really is.
Ah… Garth Turner defects to the Liebrano$$$. Big surprise.
Let them deal with him. Two things will happen: he’ll cause as much annoyance for them with his big, stinky mouth as he did for the Tories… or he’ll submit to the iron fist and shut his yap like a good little Liberal sheep.
Kate: am I the only one who knows that “HHR” stands for Heritage High Roof and is Chevrolet’s response to the Chrysler PT Cruiser?
Folks, that’s like a little tiny retro Suburban. I think flames will really make it look hot.
Do I win anything? Of course, I could be making a fool of myself; HHR could mean something else of which I’m unaware…
Whatever… I’m sure that when you’re done with the work, you’ll rightly take pride in it.
“This is entertaining. Turner makes a move and out come the Flying Monkies.”
Don, nice try at the broad swipe.Stick to lib blogs Don, they’re more down to your level of intelligence.
Kate,
This is just one more reason why we should never trust a politican!
Well, he has found his perfect home in a party that created the perfect flexible value system.
To be a liberal in Canada today one needs to perfect flexible policy, flexible principals and most of all flexible positions to be altered daily to pander to the loudest whiner.
I hope Garth hoasts his very own, “pity” party for his coming out debut with that guy who is a citizen of france.
only in Canada, eh! what a hoot!
Good point Barcs. I’m sure Turner sensed that Dion would not be leading the libs for long and is narcissistic enough to believe that he will be a shoe in for the Lib leadership when next it happens.
He may have a tough row to hoe as I suspect THE ANNOINTED ONE Justin will have a cakewalk next go around. Dion is just a fill in until Trudeau is old enough to be taken seriously by Toronto.
Noticed a comment on Income Trusts. Give me a break – unbelievable ignorance on this issue.
Maybe this helps:
Business Trusts – yes, distributions will be taxed, so cry me a river. Business decisions based purely on short-term tax advantages deserve to be dealt with as they were.
Energy trusts – income DEFERRAL ONLY using depletion allowance. Part of that will be removed. Every dollar of tax free income flowed out reduced adjusted cost base (ACB) by same dollar. These are unsuitable as core holding in portfolio. No tax difference if in RRSP/RRIF; every cent is income when it comes out
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – 95% unaffected.
Garth Turner, stop talking about stuff you know just enough about to be dangerous. This is the same guy who told people to borrow from home equity for investments, which is used to pay loan interest. VERY DANGEROUS. No proper financial advisor would let you do this.
The world according to Garth – no MP should be allowed to change parties prior to resignation and byelection, unles it’s ME ME ME ME ME!!!
Someone on another thread suggested turner will be appointed Minister of Translation.
QP today, no congratulations from dion, just started to attack. Why does he always have to read his questions, who writes them. Same with Iggy. When a conservative responed he said a year ago cdns elected a new government because they wanted change. Dion did come back with But, the cdn people did not know they were electing a government of mass destruction. Baird then read a stmt on what canada needed to to re ghg etc, and big grins on lib faces, until he said, do you know who said that yesterday, algore. Holland still has laryingitis, no questions. Has he been silenced on order. And who is the dictator, who has strict rules for his caucus. If turner follows that policy it will really tell cdns what he is made of, hot air. But, without crossing, how was he assured of a nomination for any party, the question is what do his constituents think.
“He has a failed track record on his one major issue – achieving Kyoto targets – and that makes him vulnerable to attack.”
Garth Turner on Stephane Dion.
http://www.garth.ca/weblog/2006/12/02/
It’s going to be great when Stephane asks a Kyoto question during QP and Harper stands up and reads from a sheet containing that quote from Garth.
Harper: “Mr. Speaker, let me tell you what the Liberal MP for Halton said about the Leader of the Opposition…”
It’s amazing how quickly one’s principles can be rearranged. Does he even know what he stands for anymore?
Don , I interpreted fudgepacker as being full of $hit.
what does it mean in your world?
…..and feigned ignorance from cal2. smaal dead animals is the gigt that keeps on giving. Pore it on boys and girls. We have an election coming. I want to be able to show the folks in my riding the true musings in a right whinger mind. Make a hell of a brochure…
Has anyone seen or heard from dions dream team, volpe, bisson, dryden, and who were the others. How soon they are forgotten. Also noticed no green ribbons on the libs. Guess they got the message, green means hezzbola support and anti Israel.
Calgary Grit Posts:
Turner Turns
I’ve made it clear in the past that I certainly don’t have much time for Garth “It’s tough to live off a six figure salary” Turner. I think Harper made the right choice to dump him from caucus, and I don’t think the Liberals are any better off with him. …-
First comment following the post is a spam: LOLOL
snowfly606 said…
hello! A Good News,google introduce a very user-friendly browser,Free download Quickly,Please visit my blog thank you [Garth Turner?]
…-
OT
Hope you can post a picture of the finished HHR somewhere. I have one also, and have been thinking of a flame job also!
Turner will fit well in the Hypocrite Party after all of his comments re: floor crossing, Then again I guess he was booted out so of course that will be different. Yup, as i said earlier he will be appointed Dions Minister of Translation, the reason is. Dion will have to give him some sort of job for his loyalty & since Garth’s World(blog) is such a hit Where better to promote Dion’s Trek of Canadian Domination.
Van Dopey,is too busy trying to slag the military today,to focus on Garth..busy running around the Hill,trying to get MP’s to comment on the ALLEGED abuse of prisoners by Can.boys in uniform.When she didn’t get the outrage she was looking for,she made comment to Navdeep Bains(Lib)..”are you under the impression,that this is something they wanted to sweep under the rug?”Not sure who “they”are,but nice setup you vainglorious,hair-brained idiot!Get the slime out there early,and never miss an opportunity to misrepresent,or slag the military.I think this is more disgusting than her anti-conservative rhetoric,and thankfully the 2 mp’s she nailed didn’t bite.Cow is too good a word for her!
I have to copy a post I’ve already made elsewhere on this topic.
With Garth joining the Liberals, I am reminded of something that the late Tommy Douglas said after MP Ross Thatcher (the eventual last ever – so far – Liberal Premier of Saskatchewan) completed his political defection (CCF to Independent to Liberals):
“We had him yesterday. You have him today. Heaven help who has him tomorrow.”
I guess i should not have used Minister of, they are not in power So Iam going to revise my prediction for turner’s job in Dion’s Shallow Cabinet, It will be “Chair of Lost in Translation”
There’s a pun thats just waiting to formulate on buying hot air credits, the liberal environmental platform, and Garth going to the liberals.
Any wordsmiths out there want to work on that one?