Scrummed outside national caucus this morning, I used the nasty male word ‘testosterone’ to describe the rising tide of Liberal hormones. It was not chosen by accident, or for the sake of a TV sound bite. Indeed, there’s a sense of militancy among Libs not evident in past months, and an awareness now that Mr. Harper is potential political road kill.
Regular readers will know to what I refer. Cadman. Brodie. Finley. The economy. Flaherty’s sad performance. Broken promises. Green plan fraud. The spiteful move to kill the RESP middle-class tax break. My former colleagues are not looking too good at the moment, and the time of this government’s demise nears as a result.
As I said Tuesday, though, it will not be this week. Not until after Monday’s by-elections are done.
And speaking of which, I noticed the Liberal candidate for Willowdale looking pissed as I strode by a television monitor in the lobby tonight. “Well,” said Martha Hall Finley to the Duffster, “I certainly will not be bringing testosterone to Ottawa.” Her inference was crystal – guys fight, they don’t. As my seatmate Robert Thibault confided to me as we sat waiting for a vote, “The thing I hate about women is that they generalize.”
* * *
On another note, there was an event to launch my book about the wobbly future of real estate, “Greater Fool” on Parliament Hill Wednesday night. Despite the fact MPs had to struggle through about ten votes, they came and packed the event.
Well, not all of them. And I offer the following small item as nothing more than a glimpse into the soul of a business in which nothing but testosterone flows through some veins.
Last Sunday my wife spent the day stuffing invitations for the book launch (printed at my own expense) into envelopes (purchased from the House of Commons), and then hand-addressing them for each member of Parliament. I asked her to do that for me, and arrange them by party and seat in the House of Commons, so I could place a personalized invitation on each member’s desk before QP. It took her a few hours, but she got them done – all 308.
At the event, an overwhelming number of my colleagues showed up, bought books and hounded me to sign them. Senators arrived, as did staff members from the Library of Parliament, the whip’s office, the House leader’s office and senators’ offices. NDP caucus members came, along with some from the Bloc Quebecois. Stephane Dion came, and media. As for the Conservatives, one lonely member walked in – Ron Cannan, the promising MP from Kelowna. Turns out we have matching motorcycles.
But that does not mean I didn’t hear from other Tories. During question period a number of them opened my wife’s invitations, scrawled messages of personal derision upon them, and then ordered young pages in the House to carry the envelopes back and put them before me on my desk.
Sadly, this defines a large swath of Mr. Harper’s caucus. They are graceless, small people.
They must also be very afraid.
I hear you can actually smell the male hormone.
181 comments ↓
The Cons like dishing out grief, but they sure can’t handle it being thrown at them. Small, very small little people.
Garth, this is a real coup on your part. You had scored infinitely more Conservative attendees than did Canada’s most recent Nobel Prize recipients at the reception held for them in the House Of Commons almost 1 month ago to the day. That should make your ♥ swell !
[ In case you've forgotten the finer details of your math, 1/0 = ∞, hence the infinite reference is indeed valid ]And as was the case for our Nobel Prize laureats, your last statement above still proves valid.
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/Story.html?id=306645
Congratulations on the book launch .
You showed ,real,class by inviting all members .
It is so high school to write rude comments on an invitation .
I told you when you first became a newly minted reform -a-tory you would learn to despise this bunch of miscreants .
One day I hope to meet you in person so I can shake the hand of a man I consider a personal hero .
Well done Garth .
Hope the book sells a million .
I’d like to see you make a collection of those returned invites part of your next book.
Garth,
You should suggest to Flaherty that he use all of the new tax revenues he’s going to get from double taxing trusts to finance the RESP tax deduction. Maybe some of us could actually recoup some of the losses in our kids RESPs caused by Flaherty.
Lastly, I think it’s time for the Liberals to grow some stugots and take these guys out.
Sorry can’t buy the book, gotta save for the RESP…you know the one you guys don’t want to defend in the vote tomorrow! Maybe later, maybe not.
Emailed you three flyers I got from my buddy Dean Allison in the last 6 days. Boy they ask for your opinion with stupid skewed questions kinda like… do you want to die today or tomorrow? Naw I wanna live long enough to see them die…metaphorically speaking in the HoC…well at least I have to say that so the RCMP don’t come knockin!!
Garth,
I find all these comments on testosterone or balls offensive. Good on Martha Hall Findley for saying she is not bringing testosterone to Ottawa. If you want to say “guts,” that is fine; “intestinal fortitude” is OK too. But to use terms which indicate only MEN have guts enough to stand up for what they believe in is rude, disgusting, and offensive to women!
Please stop this. Presently the Liberal party is appealing more to women than are the Conservatives. Don’t do anything to turn this edge around.
Congrats on your book launch Garth. I really do think it’s sour grapes on the part of most of the Cons. Will try to get a copy and try to wade through it, although you probably wrote it for laymen, didn’t you?
I’m afraid I’m with Martha on the testosterone bit though. Testosterone too often suggests–as we have noted in the HoC– some lack of control, whereas ‘backbone’ would imply a rigidity and determination of purpose and, imho, would make a better picture. But I guess that’s guy talk.
Have fun with the book launch. When did you have time to write it?
“As my seatmate Robert Thibault confided to me as we sat waiting for a vote, “The thing I hate about women is that they generalize.”
I’m not sure which is worse, what he said, or that you repeated it.
Do you even get the joke? — Garth
I’d imagine the leadership in the Liberals don’t have the luxury of wallowing in as much testosterone as some of the noisier backbenchers; keep in mind that far more rides on their decisions than that of the B-list.
How does your marketing efforts for your new book actually qualify as a parliamentary matter. Are there any rules governing what can/can’t be used as a private business venture in the House?
Why would you be distributing invitations to your book launch in the House of Commons?
I remember your column in the Sun in 88 or 89 when you saw a potential for Torontonians to see Buffalo as real estate potential.
Actually that had nothing to do with real estate, but rather with hedging against the Canadian dollar. — Garth
I hear you can actually smell the male hormone.
posted by Garth Turner on 03.12.08 @ 9:47 pm
………………………………….
Liberal musk will most certainly not help hapless Dion smell like a leader .. more like a fulsome fart … LOL
Looks good on you Garth! I’m on the same page as your readers.
“Well,” said Martha Hall Finley to the Duffster, “I certainly will not be bringing testosterone to Ottawa.” Her inference was crystal – guys fight, they don’t. As my seatmate Robert Thibault confided to me as we sat waiting for a vote, “The thing I hate about women is that they generalize.”-end quote
Hey Martha….it’s called estrogen. Get your’s cooking. Don’t make us sorry that you got elected. And if you are thinking it’s balls, just fire up your ovaries cause you’re gonna need them.
Martha, you are not being elected to charm school. Those CONS are nasty and they hate all womin. So you better set your sites out of the tent, not inward, and fire.
Cadman — Liberal necro-politics.
The economy — Canada doing just fine.
Broken promises — Responsible government.
Green plan fraud — No Billion$$$ for Chinese Kyoto CCs.
RESP — Desperate Liberal games.
… and the time of this government’s demise nears as a result.
As I said Tuesday, though, it will not be this week. Not until after Monday’s by-elections are done.
Talk is cheap .. and Liberals are chicken cheep cheep cheep ..!!
Subsequent to washing CON members’ mouths out with soap for all the lies and filth they spew, might I suggest they all then be neutered in order to prevent their procreation.
I suspect a Bill to this effect would have no trouble passing through the House and Senate.
. . . and an awareness now that Mr. Harper is potential political road kill. . . .
Attaboy, Garth. If Libs. can take at least 50 – 75% seats, then bring ‘em down so these suckers can be gone for good before Victoria Day ‘08.
As Nero says, it may be a change of ad agencies, but the blood will be fresher than the stale garbage now in charge.
They must also be very afraid. I hear you can actually smell the male hormone.
Shoot when you see the whites of their eyes and don’t miss!
Anyone remember Abu Ghraib, or Guantanamo Bay? It seems that the US also has its own forms of torture as well.
http://tinyurl.com/22molg
As my seatmate Robert Thibault confided to me as we sat waiting for a vote, “The thing I hate about women is that they generalize.”
* * *
Was Mr. Thibault being purposefully hypocritical in his generalization of women? Poor Martha, if she is elected, already has two snipers in your party. Nice welcome for her!!
Men generalizing about women genralizing. Sheesh. Do I need a powerpoint? — Garth
So, is a growing level of testosterone, GOOD OR BAD? or were you just sexist?
Geez, I didn’t know “testosterone” was a male word. Do we have masculine and feminine nouns in the english language? Or is that sexist too?
Garth … why do I get this creepy feeling that all you Liberal MPs will suddenly show up and vote down the government on the Budget on Thursday ..???!!!
Report on how some debt collection agencies are not having the greatest of times, combined with some folk finding ways around the foreclosure business.
I understand that Australia recently raised their interest rates to around seven per cent, allowing for further inflationary increases, yet the US and Canada cuts rates, and in America’s case, prints more and more money.
So who ends up with the tab? Could it be the . . .
T-A-X-P-A-Y-E-R-S ?
http://tinyurl.com/2bw6nd
Hi Garth,
I sold my place in Vancouver, Bc in 2006 and thought that was close to peak…but then i thought I was seriously wrong when it went exceedlingly high in 2008 but with US housing crashing and the financial markets in such a mess. It just proves Housing doesn’t always go up. Looking forward to reading your book…had to order it online though . Not available in Van Bc yet.
thank you for being a straight shooter …we all don’t have to follow the masses
Oh Garth, that is so rude and petty and unforgivably childish. How could they do such a thing? Leasa, Catherine, you would know. Why are so many of the Cons such CRAPpy people. What makes them so small? Did no one go to their b’day parties when they were little and it’s pay back time?
Congrats Garth, I know your book will sell like crazy and I if I had any money I’d put it on the Cons placing orders for it faster than anyone. I’m sure many of them are thinking of selling and relocating to new neighbourhoods where no one will recognize them. They will need all the help they can get.
I’m curious tho, did any of the Cons sign their names to their missives? Are you going to share some of the juicy ones with us?
Kudos to Ron Cannan for showing up. Maybe he didn’t get the memo?
Biggest Kudos to Mrs. Turner and all her hard work! All that handwriting! Yikes!! And I bet her penmanship is lovely. Unlike some of us pooter types.
Love the title too.
Geo
Well, I am glad that you took time out to do your thing on our dime.
As far as testostorone stuff. Go for it Garth – I dare you to.
I find it amusing that when I watch all your Liberal talking heads trying to talk from the same book, I hear “we (the Libs) will bring Stephen Harper on our time”. It seems you are all bluster (just like bullys would do) and then when you are confronted, you run away.
And btw, our Canadian democracry SHOULD NEVER be about the Liberal Party of Canada wants! It should be about Canada’s citizens’ wants!
Hey Garth,
Congrats on the book. I wonder if by outing Mr. Cannan you may have inadvertently gotten him in trouble with the Cons.
Just a guess, but was loudmouth buffoon Baird the rudest of the notes sent back to you? Something with ‘gutless’ or ’scumbag’ in it? Seems those are the words he prefers to shout during question period. I wonder if he knows how to spell them?
Keep taking the high road. The damn’s going to break soon and that low road the Con’s are on will hopefully flood over!
Cheers,
joe
The Harper Cons aren’t people, they’re bots. Harperbots that can’t think for themselves or do anything without permission from their leader and some of his chosen few. Ron Cannan will probably find himself kicked out into the wilderness for showing up. Any way good luck with your book, looking forward to picking up a copy.
Let me add my words of congrats on your most timely launch of your book. Speaking with a good friend (WW II vet)and is well aware of your truths on the real estate market. Also I might add writing and having a book published is by no means an easy task. We the reader take the process for granted far to easy. Bon Chance good luck on sales.
That large swath of the conservative caucus fashions itself after Stephen Harper, the most graceless and small minded person ever to hold the office of prime minister.
Very sad to read that Robert Thibault could hate something about women. I could spend hours listening to Thibault’s beautiful baritone and perfect Acadian – music to my ears.
Good luck with the book.
During question period a number of them opened my wife’s invitations, scrawled messages of personal derision upon them, and then ordered young pages in the House to carry the envelopes back and put them before me on my desk.
- Garth
It’s pretty sad when people who act like 12 year olds are paid roughly double my salary from my pockets… actually I take that back, most 12 year olds act more mature than that.
Could you post some of the comments they wrote?
Good morning all,
Garth, what are you trying to do with that picture? Give Gord a heart attack? HA HA HA HA
“The thing I hate about women is that they generalize.”
Robert obviously does not hang out with the right women.
“Well,” said Martha Hall Finley to the Duffster, “I certainly will not be bringing testosterone to Ottawa.”
You should lock these two in a room with Sheila Copps for a day. They’d emerge with a whole new outlook on life. I’m sure Sheila could teach them both a thing or two about meek women who generalize everything. That’s the thing Paul Martin hated about her, she had balls and was precise and to the point…always. I like the lady.
Leasa
Strictly speaking from a physiological standpoint (and not metaphorically), the above quote is incorrect:
http://www.usdoctor.com/testtwo.htm
A bit disingenuous turning the H of C into a book selling stall isn’t it? Remember what happened to the money changers carrying on banking business in the Temple.
You’ve lost it. — Garth
Of course your ‘leader’ showed up.Isn’t the book named after him?Good dig at Martha.If the lieberals aren’t splintered enough with Boob and Iggy scrapping,dissing Martha in public will just add fuel to the fire.No wonder the conservatives gave you the boot!
Joe Clark has some ‘concerns’ about Harper
MARY JO LAFOREST
The Canadian Press
March 13, 2008 at 5:36 AM EDT
EDMONTON — Canada is at risk of losing its international reputation due to the inaction of the Harper government, says former Conservative prime minister Joe Clark.
After delivering a speech to his alma mater, the University of Alberta, Mr. Clark said while the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper is “efficient and focused,” he has problems with its purpose on some issues.
“My concerns are in large part about our role internationally, where I fear we are at risk of losing an enormous Canadian advantage and reputation simply because we are not refreshing our high reputation in the developing world.”
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080313.wclarkharper0313/BNStory/National/home
War widow: PM broke promise
All veterans, their spouses should qualify for new aid program, crusader says
By MARY ELLEN MacINTYRE Truro Bureau
Thu. Mar 13 – 4:48 AM
TRURO — Hold their feet to the fire and never give up.
It was that kind of attitude that got Joyce Carter through the war years in her native Manchester, England, and she hopes it will see her through to the end of a long battle to make Prime Minister Stephen Harper “keep his promise” to her.
“I was told when I was younger that you never make a promise you can’t keep,” said Ms. Carter, 83, of Samsonville, Cape Breton.
Ms. Carter gained national fame when she publicly insisted the prime minister extend the Veterans Independence Program to all veterans and their spouses.
In a letter to her in 2005, then-opposition leader Stephen Harper vowed that his government would extend the program to the surviving spouses of all Second World War and Korean War veterans. The program offers financial assistance to veterans or their widows for costs such as shovelling snow or cutting grass.
Last spring, Ms. Carter confronted Mr. Harper in the foyer of the House of Commons, and during a private meeting with the prime minister she said she got a promise from him that her concerns would be addressed in the budget.
Ms. Carter said the program announced in last month’s budget was not what she would call Mr. Harper keeping his word.
On Wednesday, she joined MP Peter Stoffer (Sackville-Eastern Shore) and MLA Percy Paris (Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank) at the legion in Truro to denounce Ottawa’s “pitiful” attempt at addressing the issue
http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/1043421.html
Cadman motion paralyzes committee
GLORIA GALLOWAY
From Thursday’s Globe and Mail
March 13, 2008 at 4:30 AM EDT
OTTAWA — A parliamentary committee collapsed into chaos yesterday as Conservatives thwarted, at least temporarily, a bid to launch an investigation into what Tory Party officials offered to dying MP Chuck Cadman.
It’s the second time in less than a week that the work of a House of Commons committee has ground to a halt over testimony that could prove politically damaging to the minority government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
For the second straight day, Art Hanger, the chairman of the justice committee, walked out of a meeting rather than entertain a Liberal motion that his committee examine the issues surrounding allegations that offers were made to Mr. Cadman in exchange for his vote against a Liberal budget in the spring of 2005.
There are just four Conservative members on the justice committee, plus Mr. Hanger who cannot vote unless there is a tie. So, even though New Democrat MP Joe Comartin was prepared to side with the Conservatives, the four Liberal MPs and two Bloc Québécois MPs would have combined to win the vote.
I will not take the count,” Mr. Hanger said. “I will not let this committee turn into a circus,” he added and then walked out.
The Conservatives then added a replacement MP to their side of the table giving them five voting members and urged the committee co-chair, Bloc MP Rhéal Ménard, to take Mr. Hanger’s vacant seat, effectively taking away his vote. That would have tipped the voting balance in the Conservatives’ favour so Mr. Ménard refused.
A round of shouts, accusations and taunts were exchanged across the committee floor before Mr. Ménard finally took the chair, banged the gavel, and declared the committee adjourned.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080313.wjustice13/BNStory/National/home
Get real. do you really think Layton and Duceppe are going to support you when you do finally decide to vote?
So off topic once again I hear Mexico isn’t responding to a diplomatic note sent to them. Perhaps it was the same type of note written back to Garth, in that case I wouldn’t respond either. Don’t let this issue go away Garth make the Cons do the right thing here and get back one of our citizens who is completely innocent.
Garth: Two important Confidence votes today.Are the Liberals going to play the role of Official Opposition or are they going to go the way of the Groundhog and duck for cover? At least we know where Jack Layton stands on issues!!!
As stated here twice in two days, no election this week. Afghanistan is a compromise motion the Libs will support, and we will wait for the budget implementation bill, rather than the motion announcing it, to make our views known. Patience, little one. — Garth
By Dube on 03.13.08 7:40 am
Thanks, Dube. Now I know why my “get up and go” has “gone up and went”. lol
What about male menopause. Doesn’t it affect men by them having an increase in estrogen, and thus their “kinder, gentler” side begins to show up? Maybe the people who don’t get the subtle self-deprecating joke in the line “The thing I hate about women is that they generalize.”, are lacking in more than the right mix of hormones.
It’s like the old joke…”I’ve told you a million times not to exaggerate.” Get it now?
Anyway, I do think there is far too much testosterone in politics. One theory I’ve heard is that if women ruled the world, there would be less wars. Sounds like a sexist statement, and someone here will nail me on it, but less negative aggression and more positive assertiveness would be a nice change in question period. And so would be more honesty, as in answering the questions posed to MPs, and answering them truthfully.
Oh well, I can dream, can’t I?
Taking the long route via a trip through one of our upscale neighbourhoods I noticed more red stickers on For Sale signs…”Reduced Price” strange because houses in this area only a year ago sold almost overnight…. Also all this hype on bio fuel is driving food prices up (good food lands used to feed transportation rather than people) is not good news. As far as Martha is concerned she will soon learn that parliamentary respect is not in the Neo Cons playbook..in any rate please pass a good luck wish.
Hey Garth – we all have both sets of hormones and remember – hell hath no fury like a woman in PMS, menopause or a woman scorned.
Men identify their strength by balls, women’s strength is by calculation.
Not to be missed, junkies: Gomery on now at Operations Committee http://parlvu.parl.gc.ca/parlvuen%2Dca/
And btw, our Canadian democracry SHOULD NEVER be about the Liberal Party of Canada wants! It should be about Canada’s citizens’ wants!
By Catherine on 03.13.08 4:32 am
The majority of representative, elected by Canadians have passed a bill and
sent it to the Senate for approval. At that point, democracy would say that it has become law.
News in part from the Guardian…
Couple this with Peter McKay’s dance last evening with Don Newman stating Flaherty words of RESP vs deficit wrt spending on Afghanistan is not the same, lots of money put aside for defence contracts….hmm now who’s money might that be?
The dollar fell below 100 yen for the first time in 12 years today and hit a new record low against the euro amid fears in currency markets that the US financial system is vulnerable to the recession spreading from the crisis-hit housing sector.
With gold and oil both hitting new highs, and troubled hedge fund Carlyle Capital Corp lurching towards collapse, stock markets fell sharply as investors feared that the financial turbulance was approaching a new level.
Less than 48 hours after America’s central bank, the Federal Reserve, sought to shore up banks with a $200bn (£100bn) package of emergency fundings, Derek Halpenny, currency economist at BTM-UFJ, warned that “we are entering dollar crisis mode”.
Go Harper Go…matter of fact just go.
Hey Catherine – why don’t you give the same advice to your Great Kahuna – it’s not what Harper/CPC wants – it’s what the voters want.
Garth – you may get in trouble with the pic – Charles McVety might get the Harper CPC’s to bring in a bill to stop people from showing private parts LOL
The majority of representative, elected by Canadians have passed a bill and
sent it to the Senate for approval. At that point, democracy would say that it has become law.
By Doug on 03.13.08 8:45 am
…………………………………
Only the government can introduce money bills, and since the Liberal RESP has not been costed it is just empty rhetoric deserving of defeat.
Now that your Liberals have pushed their flawed RESP into law, the responsible Conservative government will quash it.
If Liberals want to go to Canadians to decide on RESPs so that rich university kids get a gift and avoid student debt .. be my quest ..!!!
A bit disingenuous turning the H of C into a book selling stall isn’t it? Remember what happened to the money changers carrying on banking business in the Temple.
You’ve lost it. — Garth
By Michael on 03.13.08 7:47 am
The money changes were thrown out of the temple for charging extortion rates for the exchange of money, not for changing it. Hence the phrase, Den of theives.
Congrats on the new book Garth so many opened minded people showed up to support you and educate themselves at the same time.
War widow: PM broke promise
By keith phibbs on 03.13.08 8:16 am
This comes as no surprise to most people as Harper has proven himself to be a pathological liar.
Consider also his outright lies to/wrt income trust investors, aboriginals, Atlantic Accord and Saskatchewan provinces, honesty and transparency, etc, etc, etc.
The repugnant rattlesnake should go down in ignominy.
WOW! Off topic
I just watched the pre-amble and introductory remarks by ex-Justice Gomery.
Remarks like
- the increased centralization of power in the PMO that has been worsened by Harper is a great threat to the democracy of Canada.
- the reduced influence of the legislative body (HoC) and power that has been transferred to the executive (PMO) is a disturbing trend that seems to have been made worse by Harper
- that the “Accountability Act” was written BEFORE the Gomery Report meant most of the recommendations were NOT included.
- that, after 2 years, almost nothing has been done to actually IMPLEMENT the alleged “Accountability Act”
- that, after 2 years, Mr. Gomery has not even received official acknowlegement of his work nor any form of thanks
etc. etc.
Considering the “political hay” made by the CPC of Gomery and the Sponsorship Scandal, again this is confirmation of the hypocritical acts of the Harperites.
Considering the millions spent on the Gomery Inquiry, why is Harper not acting on ANY of the suggestions, and why has this become buried.
Here is another boondoggle by the Harperites.
We must remove them!
I want my Canada back!!!!!
Either get on with taking the government down; or quit talking about it – “talk is cheap” and non-productive!
I just watched the pre-amble and introductory remarks by ex-Justice Gomery.
- – - – - -
I want my Canada back!!!!!
By maybe Rhino? on 03.13.08 9:40 am
…………………………………
I think it should be Liberals like Paul Martin who should be thanking Gomery .. or maybe not.
Gomery is undoubtedly a Liberal hack being brought out now for election timing .. rather obvious..!!
The Lieberals will never stand up to PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER.Stephool is 800,000 in debt and would lose his ability to fundraise as leader,so he won’t risk it.The Toronto Star has publicly mocked him,and his CBC buddies are making fun of him.He is done politically,and will just hang on as long as it takes to clear his debt,unless Boob or Iggy take him out first.
Only the government can introduce money bills, and since the Liberal RESP has not been costed it is just empty rhetoric deserving of defeat.
Now that your Liberals have pushed their flawed RESP into law, the responsible Conservative government will quash it.
If Liberals want to go to Canadians to decide on RESPs so that rich university kids get a gift and avoid student debt .. be my quest ..!!!
By Harry S on 03.13.08 9:26 am
There’s two sides to the books, Harry. Revenue and spending.
The RESP proposal works on the revenue side, that is it reduces the amount of taxes the government takes in.
Therefore, not being a spending bill, the RESP bill is not considered a money bill and therefore could be introduced by the opposition.
And the more I think about it, te more the RESP makes sense.
RRSP’s only taxed once, contributions are before tax, withdrawals taxed as income.
TFSA’s only taxed once, contribution are after tax, but withdrawals are tax free.
RESP’s, like TFSA’s Contributions are after tax, but withdrawals are like RRSP’s taxed as income, either at the childs rate (hopefully low/zero) or at the contributor rate (if rolled to RRSP and then withdrawn) or at contributor rate plus heavy penalties if taken straight from RESP. That is they are taxed twice.
RESP’s, even with the CESG, are getting the raw deal when it comes to taxation.
I won’t disagree that low income families will gain little or no benefit.
And that needs to be discussed as a separate issue as to how the government can help them.
Bottom line, the Flaherty TFSA isn’t going to help either. So how about telling Flaherty and the CPC to introduce a program to deal with funding education for low income families.
Your silence is deafening.
Harry, the fact that you might be read by non-neo-Republicans should be the sum of all CPC electoral fears.
Mr. Garth TurnerMP and others,
Very worthwhile video to see! 12min
Randy Pausch reprising his “Last Lecture…
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8577255250907450469&hl=en
Oh my,where you guys getting the testosterone you are raveing about.It must be synthetic,you sure have shown you have no other means of producing it.
Special gland, Barb. — Garth
Garth:
Your sweeping condemnation of your peers in the house is disappointing. These are people who want the best for their country and are willing to serve the public you are describing.
Even if your canards were true (which they are not) this level if discourse is shallow. Calling people names and pointing fingers is not what you were elected for.
I belive that all members of parliment want to serve their country and are decent persons at heart. I believe that some are mistaken in their policies, but that does not make them evil, infantile, childish, or other various slanders seen cast about freely here by yourself.
Just because other people behave badly is no excuse for you to do so. Step up, set an example, and behave like an adult. I expect that others will follow.
To what ‘condemnation’ do you refer? This comment makes little sense. — Garth
By James- Chatham on 03.13.08 10:07 am
James .. when you think about all these tax avoidance schemes offered to gullible Canadians by governments, you must come to the conclusion that they are all manifestations of a flawed taxation system.
I believe a majority Conservative government will eliminate all these RRSPs, RESPs, TFSAs, RRIFs, etc., by rationalizing our flawed taxation system. These ‘plans’ are only intended for political gain, and not part of a healthy taxation system.
The federal government is quite bloated, and it’s involvement in provincial jurisdiction is overwhelming. A majority Conservative government will trim the fat out of the federal government and save Billion$$$ for the Canadian taxpayer.
I laugh at all the covert Dippers on this fine forum promoting a ’surplus’ to cushion us from unknown future disasters .. when all they intend is to ensure the federal government overtaxes all Canadians. Wotta bunch of morons …!!!
Garth … maybe it’s time for you and your Liberal colleagues to grow some gonads and stand up in the HoCs on yer hind quarters … or are you waiting for yer PM-in-waiting BobRae to enter the halls of Parliament as a fully fledged, newly minted MP .. before you grow a set of balls …??!!
Testosterone you say? Yah, I hear you can get a prescription for that. Be careful though, they say it can cause excessively hairy palms, self abusive chest beating and the urge to cry WOLF! WOLF! WOLF!
AAAOOOOWWWW!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6qh9r74EE0
Day n of X-Days of NO PROGRESS!
How impressive!
Parliament could accomplish more with a good Old Fashioned BRAWL! At least it would mean something. LOL
I think we should vote all female MP’s into Parliament, at least they know HOW TO FIGHT! I envision the PMO being replaced with PMS,and PROGRESS happening.
I see a lot of name calling, insults, destain, lack of cooperation, deception, delays, smoke and mirrors, screaming a shouting, cat calls, puerile behavior, feints and bluffs, ducking for cover etc. but I have yet to see any displays of heightened testosterone in the HoC.
Sandbox mentality is not a display of testosterone, sry Garth, maybe you should challenge everyone to lay them out on the table and see who`s the biggest.
“Wotta bunch of morons …!!!”
I’d love to be able to comment on your level of intelligence, Harry, but since you do not post facts or personal opinions, I can’t.
Since you chose to act as a CPC propaganda prayerwheel, that’s the only Harry I see, so you’ll forgive a rather low opinion of such a low-functioning self.
Garth, when you took this shot (picture above) how did you handle the glare in mirror as you held the camera between your knees with your backside facing the mirror? I would think one would have to be pretty good with the camera to avoid the glare. Got any ‘photography’ tips for us? Also, tell us, is Bob jealous?
Leasa
Ever been to Wall Street? — Garth
HEY Harry S
There’s an old saying, it takes one to know one, you moron, get a life.
Gomery is lamenting the fact the Tories are continuing to consolidate the power in the PMO. Odd he never said a word about Martin using the power of the PM to set the terms of reference for the gomer inquiry that excluded Martin and the finance dept.
Obviously Gomery is a chosen Liberal hack intent on not having Liberal MP`s that were elected on dirty money exposed.
no justice, no investment
[...] Garth Turner had a book launch Wednesday about the future of real estate. He invited every MP to attend it – every one of [...]
As stated here twice in two days, no election this week. Afghanistan is a compromise motion the Libs will support, and we will wait for the budget implementation bill, rather than the motion announcing it, to make our views known. Patience, little one. — Garth
By david on 03.13.08 8:28 am
We have been patient Garth. We want to take out the trash. Please let us take out the trash!!!! It is smelly and ripe! The trash needs to be collected.
OK, so it won’t be this week. But we sure as hell better see an election before summer, Garth.
By Harry S on 03.13.08 10:00 am
“Gomery is undoubtedly a Liberal hack being brought out now for election timing .. rather obvious..!!”
Hey Harry, give your toque a twist, dude. From the beginning, Justice John Gomery has been saying that tough new laws are needed in Ottawa to protect the public service from political interference and to hold any politicians who break the rules accountable.
And don’t forget that when Justice Gomery released his final report, Mr. Harper clearly said that,
“Justice Gomery’s recommendations will inform the basis of a government that will be more accountable to all Canadians.
The recommendations in Mr. Justice Gomery’s report are consistent with and in some cases, identical to, the proposals we have brought forward and will only strengthen the package [Harper's Accountability Act]”
With this in mind, I would say that there was some expectation from the public that the Harper Conservatives would be more accountable than they are, today, and that there is some onus on the current government to take Mr. Gomery a little more seriously.
All the best,
-R
Prostitutes, politicians, and reality!
What is the difference between Elliott Spitzer and Stephen Harper?
Spitzer spent $80,000 and got blown, and Harper has blown million$ trying to get a majority election, er, maybe that should be erection?
Both did it using taxpayer’s money!
pissinginthetent on 03.13.08 11:46 am
I guess you already know that`s not testosterone you smell~
lol, not that either, it`s used hay.
By Nero Fiddles on 03.13.08 11:31 am
Justice Gomery’s report was purposed to identify and correct abuses of power in government, and to provide remedies for the future.
Harper ran on that very platform, and in the past two years has clearly shown, proven, and made public he had NO INTENTION of cleaning up our government, but rather that he merely was seeking power and ways to avoid conforming to the very principles he promised to adhere to.
He is far from being a Liberal hack. He is a man of honour standing amidst liars and thieves.
Just for the record, both men and women produce estrogen and testosterone. The levels of both decline with age.
Testosterone is not a precursor to estrogen. The default state of human beings is female. In times of stress, women produce more female children.
Testosterone byproducts produced in sweat smell different to different people : some detect it as quite rank, some say it smells as sweet as vanilla, and some can’t smell it at all. Studies are ongoing to see the effect it has on people who say they can’t detect a smell.
Why would Leasa want to know the technique for photographing her own backside?
That picture at the top can’t be Garth. The knees don’t bend the right way.
A Globe article today (Lawrence Martin) says that Stevie is suffering the effects of taking on Mike Harris’s Conservatives – Van Loan, Flaherty, Clement and Baird. Van Loan the incredibly petty, Flaherty the fiscally imcompetent, Clement the disappearing and Baird the bombastic. And they’re in important ministries, too. May the gods help us all!
Good luck in the House today, whatever level of testosterone you happen to have.
Garth, can you scan the invites with the comments for us? PLEASE??
Btw, nice pic on this blog! LOL
Hope your book becomes a bestseller, you deserve it!
Wishing you were my MP,
C
I’m still curious as to what the “S” stands for in Harry S – S for sissy perhaps?
Anyway, new song out h/t Susan Delacourt:
The Bible All-Stars sound a bit more like an act you’d hear at a Republican convention, but in fact, this alternative-country band, based in Ottawa, have a soft spot for the Liberals.
In fact, they’ve written a jaunty tribute to the party and Stephane Dion, with a few digs at Stephen Harper thrown into the mix (here song).
Here are the lyrics, for those who may be working in an office where it isn’t politically correct to have this blaring from the computer speakers.
Let’ s go, let ‘ s go Liberal
You know they have a plan
Let’s go let’s go Liberal
Get behind Stephane
Mister Pearson got a Peace Prize
Cos’ he put the world at ease
In ‘66 he gave us health care
And thanks to him the Maple Leaf
Pierre Trudeau shared his vision
And he gave us Charter rights
Jean Chretien said “no” to Iraq
There ain ‘t no weapons so we won ‘t fight
With the deficit long defeated
Paul Martin turned to child care
He led the way down in Kelowna
And he almost got us there
[Chorus]
We cried when Steve came to power
He ain’t a friend of mine
Right away he went and killed Kelowna
And Kyoto wasn’t far behind
No real child care program
Steve has the poor to blame
If you disagree with Mr. Harper
He’ll give y’all some of the same
Stephane Dion is moving forward
For a greener, more stronger land
He stands on the shoulders of giants
Uncle Louie and Lester B Pearson ….
[Chorus]
Congratulations on your book Garth. Any flak you got re the use of the word ‘testosterone’ is ridiculous! I like you & the way you tell it like it is. I’ll be buying your book for sure. hanks for being an inspiration to so many of us.
Just read in G&M that Dion still hasn’t paid off his campaign debt but his leadership contenders have! Also, he refuses to say how much he still owes! If this is a true story, it’s very damning PR for any future Prime Minister as people will naturally assume if he can’t handle his own personal finances any better than this story claims, then he obviously will be able to do no better with the country’s finances.
Reading between the lines of the article, one would naturally assume the liberals are refusing to go to the polls because they haven’t got enough money to run an election campaign not because of any altruistic motives Dion has been spouting out. It makes him look like a bigger hypocrite than Harper. In all this is a very disturbing story & Stephane Dion better take care of his campaign debt asap & be honest & open about it or he will not win the respect of Canadian voters.
NO INTENTION of cleaning up our government, .
He is far from being a Liberal hack. He is a man of honour standing amidst liars and thieves.
By Billon 03.13.08 12:29 pm
The first line also applies to Gomery. I do agree Harper has not made much of an effort to clean up government but due to the gomer reports failing to identify the MP`s that were elected on dirty money it makes the job immobile.
I said last summer if Dion wants to stage a Liberal come back he`s going to have to open this can of worms and wash it out.
His one and only plan so far is to make the Conservatives look worse that the Liberals. Not only is that not a plan for Canada it`s also failing the Libs.
If I were Gomery I would have refused Martins terms of reference, not much honour in living on your knees.
In case you havn`t notice it works like this in Canada.
The CBA tells the government what it wants in return for ignoring the corruption. The government tells the bought and paid for presstitues what to tell the people they want or rather what the CBA wants. When the people have been sold on what they want they tell government what they or rather what the CBA wants.
It`s called circle logic but the torque of the internet has flattened it out to an oval.
Power of the Internet, pretty basic stuff, you simply spread the truth out over the used hay and the circle is broken and then linear logic returns.
Hi Garth:
Congrats on your book. Add my name as interested in reading the comments sent back by some Conservatives….
Off topic: Re: vote on Afghanistan today. My vote is still be out of Kandahar province by Feb. 2009 and rotated to a non military Afghanistan area to help rebuild. As it is a whipped vote, I know this won’t happen. But thanks for the platform to have my say.
Emailed you three flyers I got from my buddy Dean Allison in the last 6 days. Boy they ask for your opinion with stupid skewed questions kinda like… do you want to die today or tomorrow? Naw I wanna live long enough to see them die…metaphorically speaking in the HoC…well at least I have to say that so the RCMP don’t come knockin!!
By DJ on 03.12.08 10:43 pm
The Conservatives are apparently looking at the idea of direct democracy with referenda. It is important that people see these kinds of mailouts in order to understand the problem with referenda being manipulated.
The barley issue in the west is a good example of how a less than honest government can manipulate the outcome of referenda in order to promote their own agenda.
By Harry S on 03.13.08 10:47 am
You’re correct Harry, the taxation system is far too complicated and definitely flawed.
But to call RRSP, RESP, TFSA, RRIF’s etc.. tax avoidance schemes (which incendentally are illegal and usually result in jail time)… how many times do you want to be taxed on that dollar that you earn?
The answer should be once and only once.
I’m talking income tax here, Harry, not consumption taxes like the GST/PST/HST.
So with an RRSP/RRIF, you’re taxed once, upon withdrawal. The benefit, you defer taxes and, if your tax bracket is lower, pay less tax. Avoidance, not. Tax reduction most probably. But there’s also a benefit to the government coffers. It is an incentive to save for retirement meaning less stress on CPP/OAS/GIS which the government pays.
TFSA, so why is Flaherty setting up this “avoidance” scheme? But the same applies, you’re taxed once this time before you make the contribution.
RESP’s are the exception, which are taxed twice, never mind the possible penalties. Now how on earth can you call this tax avoidance?
New York has a governor who pays for sex. Canada has a Prime Minister whose party pays for votes.
http://caiti-online.blogspot.com/2008/03/new-york-has-governor-who-pays-for-sex.html
We have been patient Garth. We want to take out the trash. Please let us take out the trash!!!! It is smelly and ripe! The trash needs to be collected.
By Zorpheous on 03.13.08 11:37 am
………………………………….
Hey, Zorph-baby … wait until next week when the stinko level really rises with the entrance of the next Liberal PM-in-waiting in the HoCs … Bobo ‘le peeuw’ Rae … the semi-dipper semi-libber MP from Toronto Centre-of-the-World riding…!!!
I guess you will be celebrating the resurrection of Canada’s saviour coming back to life as a spanking new Liberal MP … LOL
OoOoOoh .. I just can’t wait to hear the NDP dig their fangs into St. BobRae of Church Street. Talk about ‘trash’ …!!!
By Nero Fiddles on 03.13.08 1:07 pm
It was not, and is not Gomery’s responsibility to ‘clean up our government’ That responsibility lies first with US, and those we elect secondly.
Gomery’s job was to administrate the hearing, write a report, and that was it.
Don’t Scape Goat Gomery, blame the damn MP’s and corrupt pricks who were involved.
Let’s have Gomery II and this time the star is Stephen Harper, aka, Caesar Disgustus!
Perhaps you blame the Hooker, and not Spitzer for HIS choices?????
Failure To Decentralize PMO Power Poses Danger To Democracy: Gomery
The headline says it all, we are already living in an Oligarchy, if some cannot see that then they are being blinded by the Bull Shit being spread by those who would abuse our democratic institutions! That the government has only given lip service to his previous recommendations regarding “open and accountable” government show just how few lessons have been learned. Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely, as is now being amply demonstrated.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/03/13/gomery-committee.html
PM proceeds with libel suit against Liberal party
Well, how about WE file a Class Action Lawsuit against the CPC for fraud?
Harper gets more desparate with each day that passes. What is he REALLY SCARED OF? When will the real SCANDAL be exposed? When will we have a government?
Deceivin’ Stephen:
LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE!!!!!
Nero Fiddles, speaking of the Gomery, see article in today’s Guardian
Gomery says Harper is concentrating far too much power in the PMO’s office using unelected people.
Anyone hear a peep from our illustrious RCMP on the Cadman Bribe?
Anyone hear a pepp from our illustrious RCMP on ANYTHING pertaining to the Harper Scandals?
I thought not! afterall, Steve has his MAN in the Chair at RCMP HQ!
The Liberals are letting the government win confidence votes this week on the budget, the combat mission in Afghanistan and climate change legislation, and indicated they would only trigger an election in coming months if the polls shifted dramatically.
“You go when you can win. It’s very simple,” Member of Parliament Bryon Wilfert, a key adviser of Liberal leader Stephane Dion, told reporters as he entered the weekly Liberal caucus meeting on Wednesday.
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/080312/canada/canada_election_col
Never mind the river, what about the polls???
Tories learn nothing from Montgomery affair, snub Gomery’s recommendations.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080313.wgomery0313/BNStory/National
Cons use low road politics again…
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/03/13/resp-motion.html
Joe Clark voices some of the same concerns over Harpers leadership radar.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080313.wclarkharper0313/BNStory/National/?cid=al_gam_nletter_newsUp
Conservatives cover up brewing Afghanistan detainee scandal.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080313.wAfghandetainees13/BNStory/Afghanistan/?cid=al_gam_nletter_newsUp
The manufactured chalk river crisis, the 2 billion dollar givaway to oil companies for carbon sequestering (I guess the oil companies are too broke to do it themselves, what with oil only at $110 a barrel), The billion dollar softwood givaway, Cadscam, elections scam, destroying the farmer elected wheatboard, gutting social spending, no national health standards for the spread of infectious diseases (superbugs, sars and other pandemic possibilities), A billion over budget on the military last year, inept fiscal policies, still using deadly Tasers, censoring film and chopping funding to the industry, NAFTA gate, Afghan detainee torture coverup, great lakes toxicity coverup, muzzled MP’s, muzzled scientists, muzzled journalists, running the RCMP into the ground, no transparency on military spending, 5 billion in unnecessary military heli’s and air drones, no federal protection of Can corps from hostile foreign takeovers, a hot air stall on the the environment, Republican foreign policy in international affairs from Canada’s ministry under Harper, continued unnecessary oil federal subsidies at 1.4 billion annually, no movement on native affairs, swiss cheeze accountability act, flawed crime bill, failed DFO with pacific wild salmon on verge of becoming an endangered species due to fish farm lice (fish farms have to be removed from the mouths of spawn rivers but DFO does nothing), unelected cabinet ministers (Fortier), corrupt international trade ministers (Emerson, taking that Teresen directorship for shares for his efforts in the sale of BC gas to Teresen couldn’t have been more blatantly corrupt), defense lobbyists appointed by Harper as minister of defense (O’Connors, are we really surprised with a billion dollar cost overrun in the military? Expect it to be higher this year), cuts to minorities, social spending, CRTC rulings to favour media concentration by Can West and CTV, the want to privatize the CBC, AECL, and destroy the CWB and universal healthcare…
How much longer do we have to put up with this self serving bunch of scandalous, traitorous harpercrites? I’m tired of these Republicans passing themselves off as Canadians. Smaller government, Phewie! I want a government that can actually govern. I want my Canada back!
CON…
Bribery, Corruption, Deception, Untruthfulness, Evasiveness, Censorship, Fascism, Unaccountability, Injustice, Disruption, Fiscal Mismanagement, Incompetence:
WE’LL GET THE JOB DONE.
Meant to compliment you on the release of your book Garth. Am looking forward to reading it.
Extension of the Afghan “mission”?
A costly tragedy, in lives and money.
Harper gets more desparate with each day that passes. What is he REALLY SCARED OF? When will the real SCANDAL be exposed? When will we have a government?
By Bill-Muskoka on 03.13.08 2:05 pm
The short answer to this is the economy. It should be clear to everyone by now that no matter what the US Fed does or the Central Bank here this economy is deflating fast. Gold at 1000 an ounce today, record high oil and slumping consumer confidence in the US market. All these things are coming across the border sooner rather than later. Oh add to that 1.50 a litre gas by say June. That’s what Harper is afaid of, try getting re-elected with that happening on your watch.
Gomery says Harper is concentrating far too much power in the PMO’s office using unelected people.
By Canuck on 03.13.08 2:13 pm
Business as usual all the way back to Trudeau.
Still if Gomery was so opposed to the PM holding all the power why did he get down on his knees to Martin?
This is a good day for Garth Turner and the Liberals.
The will be allowed to VOTE!! on the Afghanistan motion.
Unlike Harper and the Conservatives who will do anything to get votes for a majority like when they changed Income Trusts or when Harper would not give Danny Williams his cake and let him eat it too – The Liberals on the other hand put Canada first and their own political fortunes second. That is why they continue to criticize everything the Conservatives do but never stand up to oppose them BECAUSE they know Canadians don’t want an election AND they are committed to putting Canadians first!
…All the while…in the House Of Commons…sinister little leprechaun Flaherty…searches in ernest…bellowing….
WHERE’S ME LUCKY CHARMS?
WHERE’S ME LUCKY CHARMS?
By Bill-Muskoka on 03.13.08 2:05 pm
(smile)
Gee Bill, maybe you are on to something…
I am not a legal expert but, could one consider a declaration such as “we will not tax income trusts” as a verbal contract? Might you be able to prove that there was a breach of contract by the CPC subsequent actions?
How many other breaches are there? Too numerous to count, and there are other issues as well.
Maybe, just a little, your American background is showing. “sue me: sue you blues” – the American way! Now the CPC way!!!
BTW, I do agree with you on this! The Harper legal threat is a joke considering the slander, mis-representation, character assassination comments, and other CRAP his PMO, CPC, and entire organisation has levied towards M. Dion.
What a friggn’ harpercrite!
Gomery’s job was to administrate the hearing, write a report, and that was it.
Billon 03.13.08 2:02 pm
Wrong. Martin said he would call a public inquiry to `get to the bottom of this`.
We already knew there was $100M missing so finding there was only $40M missing is barely scratching the surface. The only material of substance was when Gomery stated the government created a scam to fund the party to an election.
What we have now is a $40M burglary of the national treasury used by the government to fund their political parties election. Hardly getting to the bottom and hardly a deterrent from future criminal activity carried out by government of any stripe.
Keep trying Billy, you might find something the government has done right over the last 40 years.
no justice, no investment
It is a maxim that the closer an allegation is to the truth, the more damaging, and therefore the more libellous it is.
By William Laidlaw on 03.13.08 2:51 pm
Excellent summation of Harper’s liebel suit, William.
That’s what Harper is afaid of, try getting re-elected with that happening on your watch.
By Stephen Smith on 03.13.08 2:39 pm
While I agree that will be a major blast!
I think there is something even BIGGER headed towards Steve like a runaway train…SMACK!
I am thinking exposure of his dealing on the NAU and SPP, but even that seems too small of scandal. No, my gut tells me he is very, very scared of PRISON!
I also believe that what it is will bring Bush, and the other neo-CONS down like Mammoth’s caught in the last Instant Freeze Ice Age!
They will remain on display forever, and ever, as a reminder that the neo-Cons are NEVER to EVER be TRUSTED or ELECTED AGAIN!
Just look at the Republicans and McCain in the States! These far right power perverts are desperate as a drug addict in withdrawal. I think there are major clues in Jim Wallis’ book ‘The Great Awakening!’
Perhaps the exposure of a worldwide Mafia type organization that INCLUDES Harper and Bush, and the other such neanderthal thinkers?
Look at the laws Germany passed following the Nazi Third Reich. They criminalized such behaviours and are stringent about such acts.
Can you smell what I smell?
CONGRATULATIONS GARTH .. FOR STANDING UP ON YER LIBERAL HIND QUARTERS AND SHOWING EVERYBODY YER BALLS AS YOU VOTED AGAINST THE GOVERNMENTS WAYS AND MEANS MOTION … TO BAD YOUR LIBERAL COLLEAGUES WERE CASTRATED AND MADE BARREN IN THEIR ABJECT IMPOTENCE … UDAMAN …!!!
Hey, Andrea
Maybe you have missed this but before you write such a diatribe, you should know Dion has wanted an election for a very long time. Harper skillfully fooled some of the people for too long. Finally, Canadians are getting the real picture in spite of his obfuscation and narrow ideology. Also, some Liberals just needed to suck it up and get on with the job and get behind him.
As to Dion’s campaign debts, usually Liberals help with contributions. How can you help?
Remember Justice Gomery’s belittling (sp?) of Jean Chretien? How he said he was small-town or something like that because he gave out golf balls as did other VIP’s at VIP golf games? How does this square with Harry’s accusation that Gomery is a Liberal hack?
Try to back up your claims with a little logic, Harry. At the time of the Gomery hearings, there was a lot of talk that Gomery was Conservative hack.
The only material of substance was when Gomery stated the government created a scam to fund the party to an election.
By Nero Fiddles on 03.13.08 2:50 pm
Canada’s burning, Mr. Nero.
What Gomery found was not that the government had concocted a scam to fund the LPC, but a small number of unscrupulous members.
You asked who the MP’s were who were funded by this scandal. None or all would be the answer as the scammed money was donated back to the LPC, not individual candidates. If it was the LPC that distributed this to candidates to finance election PR, the MP’s are in the clear.
So we had the Almighty Harper saying thsi would never happen, that he would bring in accountability legislation to prevent it.
PMSH has taken a leaf right out of Duby’s book. Legislation and treaties be damned. He knows what he wants (Heaven help us if he ever gets there) and no piece of legislation, the Senate, the SOC or even the Charter of Rights is going to get in his way.
Why would he enact legislation that would hinder him getting to his ultimate goal and vision for Canada?
Thats why the accountability act is toothless.
Mr Garth TurnerMP,
I’m looking forward to see what Dion plans to do with the Gomery Report if they become the next Government, hopefully soon!
Will we need to wait for the PMSH Government to fall, to here what the Liberal plans are for the Gomery Report?
It looks like I’m going to miss QP today
at 2pm and replayed 9pm on CPAC TV.
Was PMSH there today? Did he answere the question or just more of the same?
What Gomery found was not that the government had concocted a scam to fund the LPC, but a small number of unscrupulous members.
By James- Chatham on 03.13.08 3:16 pm
Unfortunately the gomer report did not name names the current PM did.
Before the inquiry had issued it`s report Cretin said the treasury burglary by government was good for the country, so he knew.
Imagine getting the out of Order of Canada for saying government corruption was good for the country.
The laughing stock of the world our government and our country is and Dion, well Dion isn`t getting to the bottom of his Party anymore than Martin with his gomer report did.
no justice, no investment
It would be fun to assume this hasn’t been mentioned yet because Harper can’t smell bait, but just to make sure it has a chance at proper attention…
Criminal Code
PART IV: OFFENCES AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATION OF LAW AND JUSTICE
Corruption and Disobedience
Frauds on the government
121. (1) Every one commits an offence who
(a) directly or indirectly
(i) gives, offers or agrees to give or offer to an official or to any member of his family, or to any one for the benefit of an official, or
(ii) being an official, demands, accepts or offers or agrees to accept from any person for himself or another person,
a loan, reward, advantage or benefit of any kind as consideration for cooperation, assistance, exercise of influence or an act or omission in connection with…
The section goes on from there and finishes with something about no more than five yeas. Maybe someone should let The Boy Named Sue know its time to sing or stand accused by the Crown of obstructing justice.
years, not yeas.
hate for anyone to confuse my last post with an opposition confidence motion.
;o)
I HAVE A DREAM…
THAT THE CONS GET CREAMED.
YES WE CAN!
YES WE CAN!
Wow!
Based on the Libbers’ ranting today – it appears that the Libbers are getting really, really, really desperate and disappointed with their own idol – Stephane Dion.
It should be fun in the coming days and weeks to see how much their screaching will rise.
Oh btw, for you Libbers, which Liberal candidate is opposed to the Gomery recommendation? One hint – it’s Buffalo Bob!
And who is this “Buffalo Bob”? Why, it Bob Rae – who brought Ontario’s economy down to its knees!
And a side question for you screaching Libbers – why don’t you donate some of your hard earned monies to Stephane Dion’s leadership debts? Seems he is having some difficulties in raising the cash to pay off his bills.
Harry, Leasa, Catherine et al, please view the attached and tell us once again why we should give our unequivocable support to that regime to the south in its war on terror as it is being waged.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article18635.htm
I await your responses.
Mea culpa, mea culpa. I used a misnomer in my last post – unequivocable, where I meant to use unequivocal. Please adjust your reading of the post accordingly.
By Catherine on 03.13.08 4:37 pm
O Catherine .. don’t you know??!!
These trolls are all from the babble.ca neoDeviate Dipper forum … doing their mischief on Garth’s fine forum. I bet there are no more than 5 true red grits contributing here, it that.
The Liberals on the other hand put Canada first and their own political fortunes second. That is why they continue to criticize everything the Conservatives do but never stand up to oppose them BECAUSE they know Canadians don’t want an election AND they are committed to putting Canadians first!
By Ken on 03.13.08 2:43 pm
Are you serious? Canada first and the LPC second? lay off the red kool-aid, young fellow.
By persona sine ingenio on 03.13.08 4:38 pm
Unequivocably … the only good Taliban is a dead Taliban …!!!
persona sine ingnorant Canada
Ian Bush, shot in the back of the head. Evidence does not support RCMP claim.
Juvenile thrown through a elevator door with fatal results
Intoxicated individual dumped by police in a back ally, died of exposure.
Individual removed from cell and abandoned in country, froze to death.
Man shot dead while sitting in car. Mistaken identity, no identity of suspicious person on record.
How many more would you like that had 0 consequences?
There`s a war going on with many innocent women and children killed by murders roaming the streets, what`s our excuse?
on 03.13.08 4:38 pm
And who is this “Buffalo Bob”? Why, it Bob Rae – who brought Ontario’s economy down to its knees.
And a side question for you screaching Libbers – why don’t you donate some of your hard earned monies to Stephane Dion’s leadership debts? Seems he is having some difficulties in raising the cash to pay off his bills.
By Catherine on 03.13.08 4:37 pm
Your official party side-speak is pretty good Catherine.You forgot to mention the rest of the country was going through a major slowdown as well.Was Bob to blame for that too? Also more voting age people of Ontario dont remember that, they remember the fresh stench of Mike Harris, Jim Flaherty,and Ernie Eves conservatives lying about putting us in the red.
We know this would be the basis of the attack ads if Rae had won the leadership.
What would the attack ads be if Iggy would have won?
On another note , every paper I read today has this insight into how the cons are running the government and its committees.It really makes them look guilty.Coworkers who barely know who the PM is , are actually talking about the “Cadman Affair”.
Chairman’s hasty exit averts Cadman scrutiny
Don Martin, Calgary Herald
Published: Thursday, March 13, 2008
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/columnists/story.html?id=321a9b60-9be3-441f-b65d-36fcac942f94
Brian Dondo,
How did you put the words “criminal code” in blue, so that when I click , it sends me to the address?
chance at proper attention…
Criminal Code
PART IV: OFFENCES
Thanks,
CONGRATULATIONS GARTH .. FOR STANDING UP ON YER LIBERAL HIND QUARTERS AND SHOWING EVERYBODY YER BALLS AS YOU VOTED AGAINST THE GOVERNMENTS WAYS AND MEANS MOTION … TO BAD YOUR LIBERAL COLLEAGUES WERE CASTRATED AND MADE BARREN IN THEIR ABJECT IMPOTENCE … UDAMAN …!!!
By Harry S
——————-
LOL Harry are you ok? Are you frothing at the mouth yet, or banging your head on the wall yet? Are you jumping up and down screaming like a two year old in tantrum? I think you are Harry. That would be good.-}
What about male menopause. Doesn’t it affect men by them having an increase in estrogen, and thus their “kinder, gentler” side begins to show up?
Based on anecdotal observation, I believe you’re right on this one.
One theory I’ve heard is that if women ruled the world, there would be less wars. Sounds like a sexist statement, and someone here will nail me on it, but less negative aggression and more positive assertiveness would be a nice change in question period.
And I believe you’re right on this one too.
At the moment, I might not mind seeing Martha Hall-Findlay become the first elected female PM, but reserve judgment until I can see her in action in the House. That said, she’ll have to learn to turn down the politically-correct dial somewhat to widen her appeal if that is ever to become a reality. The term chosen by Garth is simply a synonym for aggressive, nothing more; to make such a to-do over semantics is assigning more weight to it than it deserves. I guess as one who loves the thesaurus, I just can’t get too negatively excited about this particular choice of word or phrase: it’s concise and makes its point just as much as saying something rural like “feeling their oats”.
To divert one’s attention from this never-ending, ongoing political claptrap, I post one of the jokes I received today . . . .
Newfie Airline Flight 101 was flying from St. Johns, Newfoundland to Fort McMurray in Northern Alberta one night, with Bill the Pilot and Glen the co-pilot.
As they approached Fort McMurray Airport, they looked out the front window.
‘Lord tunderin jeesus,’ said Bill, ‘will ye look at how fookin short dat runway is.’ ‘You’re not fookin kiddin, Bill,’ replied Glen.
‘Right Glen. When I give de signal, you put de engines in reverse,’ said Bill. ‘Right, I’ll be doing dat,’ replied Glen. ‘And den ye put de flaps up straight away,’ said Bill.
‘Right, I’ll be doing dat,’ replied Glen. ‘And den ye stamp on dem brakes as hard as ye can,’ said Bill. ‘Right, I’ll be doing dat,’ replied Glen.
‘And den ye pray to de Mother Mary wit all a’ your soul,’ said Bill. ‘I be doing dat already,’ replied Glen.
So they approached the runway with Bill and Glen full of nerves and sweaty palms.
As soon as the wheels hit the ground, Glen put the engines in reverse, put the flaps up, stamped on the brakes and prayed to Mother Mary with all of his soul.
Amidst roaring engines, squealing of tires and lots of smoke, the plane screeched to a halt centimetres from the end of the runway much to the relief of Bill and Glen and everyone on board.
As they sat in the cockpit regaining their composure,Bill looked out the front window and said to Glen, ‘Dat has gotta be de shortest fookin runway I have EVER seen in me whole life.’
Glen looked out the side window and replied, ‘Yeah Bill, but look how friggin wide it is.’
******************************************************************
I luv Newfies!
Looks like Josée Verner will be coming out of hiding again to fire one of her defensive Letters To The Editor and/or Opinion Pieces once more. And to think, our National Treasures get the same respect, due diligence and care as “office space”:
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=465e9bd9-f779-4b75-886e-d6a520e578a6&k=50087
Unfortunately the gomer report did not name names the current PM did.
By Nero Fiddles on 03.13.08 4:06 pm
So I guess we’ll see certain Liberals filing lawsuits against the PM for slander as, I’m sure, his lips were a little loose and named people who were not implicated by Gomery!
Business as usual all the way back to Trudeau.
Still if Gomery was so opposed to the PM holding all the power why did he get down on his knees to Martin?
By Nero Fiddles on 03.13.08 2:41 pm
…and I might add, why did he tolerate and accept the job with section 5 in place (by Martin) that effectively tied his hands when it came to members of government? How can the Liberals say ‘no Liberal MP was found guilty’ with a straight face? BTW…when will Mr. Dion tell us where the missing $40 million is and when will he give it back?
Martha, you are not being elected to charm school. Those CONS are nasty and they hate all womin. So you better set your sites out of the tent, not inward, and fire.
By Emilie on 03.12.08 11:37 pm
Hi Em, You should put more sherry in the sauce…
Martha knows her place in the LP. She was one of the women who ran for leadership. Like her counterparts, she wasn’t taken seriously. The women and one lone gay man were dead last with no support. Then…the one who won the leadership decided that women could not handle themselves and were not tough enough to get into politics without his undemocratic appointments. He is in effect telling them ‘dear, dear little Missy you need help from a big man like me, cause you are too feeble minded to win a nomination against us men.’
The Liberal party treats women and the young like pesky kids they have to pacify every now and then.
You will never see the CPC treat people ‘differently’ based on race, sex or physical ability.
Leasa
That’s right – Harper never had a secret agenda, there’s no need to fear a Harper-led government – WRONG!!!!
Now we have confirmation through Gomery’s message that Harper did indeed have an agenda to centralize power in the PMO from which he could singlehandedly rule our country as he sees fit.
Anybody who doesn’t see Stephen Harper for the power hungry, megalomaniac that he is, is a fool. Sadly, the longer the Conservatives stay in power the truer his words “you won’t recognize this country when I’m through” ring. This man needs to be tossed from power now before he does any more damage – if only the Liberals could muster the fortitude to pull the trigger and force and election.
Time is of the essence Mr. Dion – show your leadership and force an election.
This looks really good on dubya (supposedly, the Bush family has quite a lot of lolly invested here), as well as other war-mongering neo-cons who love to play foolish war games with other kids’ children.
The world’s financial markets seem to be deteriorating rather quickly, now.
http://tinyurl.com/2anroy
The other night, I wasn’t sure whether the UK had joined the EU or not.
Now we know.
http://tinyurl.com/2md4sz
The Cons like dishing out grief, but they sure can’t handle it being thrown at them. Small, very small little people.
I doubt any reasonable person would show up if Garth Turner called them everything he has called the Conservatives and the Conservative party the last two years.
Harper’s lawsuit against Liberal Party.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/pdf/harper-lawsuit.pdf
By Randy on 03.13.08 5:45 pm
LOL Harry are you ok? Are you frothing at the mouth yet, or banging your head on the wall yet? Are you jumping up and down screaming like a two year old in tantrum? I think you are Harry. That would be good.-}
…………………………………
It seems as if a deep, dark, distressing pall hangs over our fine forum provided to us by our MP Garth. There seems to be a deafening silence descending on the forum.
Could it have anything to do with the Official Opposition Party caving like a cheap cardboard box over today’s HoCs votes on the Budget, the RESP demise, and extending the Afghan mission to 2011 ??
Has the Dion Liberal party effectively become a rump to the Harper Conservative government ??
So I guess we’ll see certain Liberals filing lawsuits against the PM for slander
By James- Chatham on 03.13.08 6:01 pm
lol, I have no idea, still waiting on the script writer.
I think the whole thing is foolish from start to finish. Cdns don`t care about the corruption. Martin won a minority even after adscam broke and it was a bigger story than Cadman and Naftagate put together.
What Cdns are tired of is the lying deceitful manipulative attitude of the political parties.
A competitor hired a guy I fired for dishonesty when at a meeting months later he said right out of the blue, I know he steals a lot but he makes me more money than the rest of the crew.
That’s all we need, it`s that easy but for heavens sake stop lying about everything. I feel like sending you all to your rooms until you figure out the only one that believes these lies are yourselves. sheese.
Steal what you need but make some money for us until we replace the elected federal governance system.
Well, how about WE file a Class Action Lawsuit against the CPC for fraud?
By Bill Muskoka.
First you have to try and find a lawyer who will do it for you and then fill your boots. Go ahead Bill I dare you.
How come all the Liberal supporters were not complaining when Dion commenced a lawsuit against Doucette and the Bloc?
So I guess it is OK for a Liberal MP to commence a lawsuit for slander bit it is not OK for a Conservative to do the same. Is this another example of Liberal arrogance showing it’s ugly head once again.
Charles Oxley,
from someone else who is tired of “claptrap”, thank you very much for to-day’s joke – as well as its enjoyable predecessors.
MADE BARREN IN THEIR ABJECT IMPOTENCE … UDAMAN …!!!By Harry S on 03.13.08 3:04 pm
The Argument from Intimidation is a confession of intellectual impotence.
Ayn Rand
James on 03.13.08 6:01 pm
On the cost of living going up at least 10% this year.
With more land devoted to corn for cars farmers are slaughtering the cows because feed costs are eating in the profits, no pun. This will drive up the costs of beef.
Following the food chain does this mean we`ll have to pay more for the bull shit coming out of Ottawa?
Leasa: That’s rich. Harper has demoted every woman that he initially named to ministerial posts.
All sit huddled in the second row looking more and more like very sad, unwilling participants in this parties false facade.
Garth or anyone,
Can you tell me what is meant by “exempt staff?”
I posted a couple of comments on the book release issue at about 6:00 P.M. and they appear to have disappeared. Have we started censoring posts here, Garth?
Only those of idiot provocateurs. — Garth
Noted with interest and watched the vote on the war motion. It passed in tact similar to what I have stated on here several times.
It was the correct decision made and sends a positive message to the troops in the field.
I see the RESP motion was defeated. Although , I think that it is something some people could use as another tool for financial planning. I did not agree that the opposition can impose spending bills on a government. If this was the case how would budgets be prepared in the future.
This was nothing more than a tactic that the Opposition knew full well would never be implemented.
So all that is left is to keep beating away at the Cadman affair and NAFTA GATE. I have seen the Opposition has moved on today in question period and has asked a few other questions of interest.
So in the end. We have a budget and an extention of the war. The government was given confidence on the Enviroment File. If we are to have an election in the spring will mean there has to be some issue that will galvanize canadians. At the moment I fail to see anything out there that would trigger an election. The polls do not look favourable to any party.
I guess we could have an opposition day and vote non confidence in the government on some issue. It is going to difficult to defeat the government on a flimsy issue when they have set an election date for the fall of 2009. I think canadians are prepared to wait until that time to pass judgement.
Leasa: That’s rich. Harper has demoted every woman that he initially named to ministerial posts.
All sit huddled in the second row looking more and more like very sad, unwilling participants in this parties false facade.By Judy on 03.13.08 8:11 pm
You mean the head bobbers that he makes sure are right behind him all the time for a good photo-op?
We have Conservative head bobbers on this blog too.
On another note, I am disappointed that the Afghan “mission” has been extended. It makes me almost want to vote NDP. First, I’m going to the Green Party website to see what their stand is on the Afghan war, and our involvement in it. I don’t understand why the Liberal party voted for it.
Not sure how I’m going to vote except ABC. So many people feel the same. Very discouraging times.
By Lana on 03.13.08 7:49 pm
The Argument from Intimidation is a confession of intellectual impotence.
Ayn Rand
…………………………………
RumpRumpRump
NotaleaderNotaleaderNotaleader
By Lana on 03.13.08 7:49 pm
The Argument from Intimidation is a confession of intellectual impotence.
Ayn Rand
…………………………………
RumpRumpRump
NotaleaderNotaleaderNotaleader
By Harry S on 03.13.08 8:34 pm
I rest my case.
By David Halfkenny on 03.13.08 8:29 pm
It is going to difficult to defeat the government on a flimsy issue when they have set an election date for the fall of 2009. I think canadians are prepared to wait until that time to pass judgement.
…………………………………
I tend to agree on the October 2009 next election date. Canadians will make short shrift of any opposition parties who precipitate an unwanted election with only some 18 months to reach the mandated election date.
In that time, the Liberals will be able to replace Dion, and do some fundraising too. I don’t think Dion can last another 6 months as leader of an abstaining Liberal party. His situation is untenable, and the leadership competition and polls will finish him off … in spite of the Liberal MSM desperately attempting to shore up his failed leadership.
Come October 2009, the Liberal party must have a new leader and a shiny new appearance .. and then they will be ready to challenge the established Harper Conservatives.
Ex-Dipper BobRae .. Ex-Harvard Ignatieff .. ex-TD-Canada Trust Vice-Chairman McKenna …???!!!!
Garth why don’t you grow a couple yourself and show up to vote for what you apparently believe in?
Use your name and I might care what you think. By the way, I voted. — Garth
By the way, I voted. — Garth
Yes you did, Garth … and I was watching you on CPAC … you made us proud of you and your principled stance.
Btw .. with only 7 to 11 Liberal MPs only voting on confidence motions, doesn’t that mean Liberals do not meet official party status ..??!!
By Lana on 03.13.08 7:49 pm
The Argument from Intimidation is a confession of intellectual impotence.
Ayn Rand
…………………………………
RumpRumpRump
NotaleaderNotaleaderNotaleader
By Harry S on 03.13.08 8:34 pm
I rest my
caseass.By Lana on 03.13.08 8:43 pm
By slg on 03.13.08 12:42 pm
Maybe the S behind Harry stands for Sh*t head.
Where were the rest of the Libranos? Why didn’t they show up to defeat the evil Cons?
Keith, to assist with your valuable clipping service (I always come here to find out what news I missed), try this with your By keith phibbs on 03.13.08 5:36 pm posting. If you type this exactly as shown:
<a href="http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/columnists/story.html?id=321a9b60-9be3-441f-b65d-36fcac942f94">Chairman’s hasty exit averts Cadman scrutiny</a>
You’ll get this when it appears on Garth’s site:
Chairman’s hasty exit averts Cadman scrutiny
Now I’m not sure what link you wanted to use with your specific request, but if you apply the above instructions, it might end up looking like this: criminal code
An update to the Carlyle Group I posted earlier.
http://tinyurl.com/286uds
Maybe the S behind Harry stands for Sh*t head.
By Irene on 03.13.08 9:19 pm
…………………………………..
A day without Harry is like a day without a S .. S .. Sh .. Sh .. Shmile ..!!!!
By James- Chatham on 03.13.08 1:25 pm
RESP’s are the exception, which are taxed twice, never mind the possible penalties. Now how on earth can you call this tax avoidance?
Respectfully, James, this is not correct.
In an established RESP there are 3 separate pools which the trustee must continually allocate the funds to:
1)Contributions – not taxed on withdrawal
2)CES Grants – taxed on withdrawal
3)Earnings – taxed on withdrawal
When withdrawals are made, the contributor decides whether the withdrawal is taxable or non-taxable funds or a combination. It’s the contributor’s decision (i.e. they sign the form) even when the cheque is made out to the beneficiary who then receives the T4A and is responsible for the tax.
If there are any taxable funds in a withdrawal, the trustee has to allocate it between CESG and plan earnings.
So in an RESP, just like an RRSP or RPP, all funds are taxed only once, just the timing is differesnt. In an RESP the contributions are taxed prior to deposit and everything else upon withdrawal.
Also, to correct your terminology, tax avoidance is any legal tactic employed to reduce tax and will only be challenged by CRA in extraordinary circumstances. RRSP’s, RESP’s, etc. can all correctly be charactarised as tax avoidance. It is tax evasion that is always illegal and will attract prosecution and penalties.
Regards
EhBC
Leasa I got an Older Sister just Like You Love her to death because She’s My Sister,But Don’t Speak to her since she LOVES Bush and Harper also because I Don’t Like Her or her Snotty Always Right Bullshitting NeoCon Bitchy “Nice” ways. Oh and She’d DIE before every Voting Liberal because “Mom and Dad Would Never Vote Liberal”Ha she is 10 years older than me and my parents raised 12 kids and they were PROGRESSIVE conservatives like Garth Not Greedy Selfserving NEoCONs Like My Sister YOU and the rest of the CPC. All the Progressives are Leaving the CPC and all that will be Left is the Slime at the Bottom.The Green Party or the Liberals will Gain fron the PC Vote because they Proved when they Kicked Mulroney Down to TWO Seats they Will Support a Conservative ,BUT They won’t Let any Politican Think He Owns Them.That’s the Difference between YOU and Your ilk as to the Progressives Conservatives Like BillMuskoka (the guy has to be a Writer he cracks me up)and the many others here. They like my Parents didn’t Shower the PC Party with BLIND Devotion they unlike You hold “thier” Politicans like Every Other Politcan Accountible.You and My Sister on the Other Hand THINK that because You’re White You are the “REAL” Canadians.Shit I bet you think the First Nation People aren’t “Canadian” Enough for your WASPish ways.I bet You’re Real Realigious Also.we thought My sister was going to Join the Nunnery!!!Now me I got no use for the “ChurcH’ always hated it thankfully Mom only dragged us for an hour every Sunday.Dad only saw the inside of the Church when ther was a Matchin” a Hatchin’ or the Dispatchin” as Mary Walsh would say.He did read the Bible cover to cover and told us Kids that if a person had to Live Word for Word by that Book the’d go NUTS and I see the Evangelics have proved him right. So Leasa you coming to Garth’s blog to Spout your Bullshit about the “Liberals” means SFA for Canadians Know the Difference between CPC and the PC Party and it Just one word “Progressive”.I don’t consider garth a Liberal He’s Just a Progressive. He’s the same as he always was. May he have His Balls Bronzed Like Bull and His Wife hires You to Keep them Polished you do such good work Polishing Harper’s.
Good Luck with your New Book Garth and Please Tell us some of the RSVPs from the CON MPs.
C.B. Innes
I don’t know in what context “exempt
staff” is being used in the case you refer to, however where I work almost all jobs are either members of a union or managerial/non-union. There are a few jobs which, because of what they do, are “exempt”. They are mostly clerical/secretarial/administrative assistant type jobs, which are normally unionized however, because they involve issues involving human resources and similar responsibilities they are exempt from being in a bargainning unit. The main point is that having them in a union would/could put them in a potential conflict when dealing with members of that union. Intersetingly they do have a bargainning unit to act on their behalf entirely separate from the union similar jobs are part of. It seems to work out well.
Oops!
Forgive the seeming contradiction above. The “exempt staff” are not members of a union, other than the one representing “exempt staff”. Hope that clarifies my point.
pissinginthetent,
Thanks to Harper all Canadians have an opportunity on Monday to see how well Harper has been performing.
After that by-election the Liberals should be in a better position to manoeuvre Harper into an election. At least I hope and expect. But time will.
Harper says he wants an election and has been preparing the Canadian public with his stupid “not a leader” ads. If I had contributed to the CPC I would demand my money back.
Dion has been playing with him, dancing circles around him. Harper is getting even more nasty than he has been for the past 4 years. He is also getting desperate to shift the blame for all his troubles on to the Liberals. Fat chance !!!!!
A cornered animal can blow a lot of air and puff itself up with hairs standing up. Next QP (next week) watch him. He shows a lot of frustration and so do the trained seals behind him.
Dube:
The leader of the CPC’s has a poor, wizened soul and only sees the world through a narrow ideology which precludes human warmth, artistic merit and nation building. His beliefs colour his party cement grey.
How bleak this country will become as a result of his tenure in office. Let’s hope a breath of spring will blow him and his dry dust away.
By Leasa on 03.13.08 7:34 am
Garth doesn’t disgust me, Leasa.
You do.
There is very little more disgusting than a foul mouthed woman, especially one who implies that a Canadian prime minister was a Nazi.
By SUE on 03.13.08 10:08 pm
Hey SUE … do you have to shave the hair on your chest more than once a week ..??!!!
I like the lady.
Leasa
By Leasa on 03.13.08 7:34 am
You like Sheila Copps, a Liberal? Not a chance. You are not fooling anybody. You who have expressed hatred for anything and everything Liberal going back decades. Are still trying to convince people you are “the least partisan person on this blog”?
Hypocrisy thy name is Leasa.
You will never see the CPC treat people ‘differently’ based on race, sex or physical ability.
Leasa
By Leasa on 03.13.08 7:09 pm -end quote
What you smoking, Leasa cause I’d sure like some.Must be good sheet. And which one of the Bobbers are you?
Three comments to-day, then I’ll go away and sulk.
1. Sue, re your 10:08 last night, you have a way with words.
2. Straight from the heart to the applicable jugulars:
Susan Riley’s column in to-day’s Citizen headlined “The urge to punish Parliamentarians is irresistible” at
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/columnists/story.html?id=a5de6ac3-af37-41fa-bc4f-6de2d75bede4
3. Yesterday’s Afghanistan vote went as it had to go to get most politicians and military leaders off a self-imposed hook. I have always found that you can tell the validity of a cause by the validity of the arguments used to support it (elementary logic, a conclusion is only as good as its premises, or in hi-tec, GIGO – garbage in, garbage out.)
Here is an article from yesterday’s Citizen that purports to equate ending our Afghan mission with the inaction of Dutch peacekeepers during the massacre at Srebrenica in 1995: “Back to Srebrenica”, at http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/opinion/story.html?id=3b2d0a02-862b-4029-b433-40899b7ed3d0
You don’t have to google “Srebrenica” past the Wikipedia entry to ask where the ethnic cleansing, declared UN protected area, and “Dutch courage” are in Afghanistan. With an argument that fishy, our Afghan mission smells. What is worse, the argument is advanced by a professional officer turned academic who chairs the Defence Resources Management Program at Queen’s.
When fact and logic are stood down when defence resources are at stake, there is something wrong in the defence of Canada.
By SUE on 03.13.08 10:08 pm
Oh dear Sue, that was quite the rant, hard to read, but I did get through it. I feel sad for you. Would you really let politics come between you and a sister? I have written here a few times why it is important to separate the politics from the people. I guess you were away those days.
I would love to have a sister. I only have two older brothers, growing up a sister was a dream of mine. Never happened. I cherish my brothers and I would have adored a sister.
Religion? That is funny. I have been inside a church (except for sight-seeing in Europe) exactly two times in my life. Didn’t like it. I think if I had to pick a religion I would go Buddha or Hindu. I believe in a higher power, but my idea of God does not conform to the organized religions we have today. My ‘God’ makes house calls and I think he/she would be quite happy with how I am using my gift of this life.
The personal anger you have expressed I think runs very deep and is such a terrible waste of life and time. But, to each their own, I do hope your choice works out for you.
I do have friends who are ‘Liberal’ in their politics. The key is; you don’t let love for your fellow human get side lined by politics.
Any political ‘issue’ even though emotional at times, is just a blip of time in the great scheme of things and certainly not worth ruining lives over. Today’s ‘hot issue’ is tomorrow’s forgotten topic.
There are some CPC policies I do not support. Free Trade and lack of support for farmers are two. However, there is more I support than do not. On the issues that I do not support within my party, they are issues that clearly the LP would not change. They didn’t in the past, and would not in the future. I have taken my party to task on these issues many times, even here on Garth’s blog. I will continue to do so on occasion.
Sue, if I were you, I’d run to my sister and give her a big hug. It’s your choice. Time keeps ticking and some day the choice will be taken away and your sister will be gone. Separate the ‘politics’ from the person.
Wishing you peace. Leasa
So off topic once again I hear Mexico isn’t responding to a diplomatic note sent to them. Perhaps it was the same type of note written back to Garth, in that case I wouldn’t respond either. Don’t let this issue go away Garth make the Cons do the right thing here and get back one of our citizens who is completely innocent.
By Stephen Smith on 03.13.08 8:27 am
Don’t let this issue go away! On the news this morning…the Mexican Judge has already written his verdict, and there hasn’t even been a trial.
Anyone know what, if anything, is being done for Brenda? It is still getting traction on the news. Brenda is threatening suicide. If nothing else, she should be in a hospital until this gets sorted out.
I can’t believe this government can’t get her out of Mexico and back home. Maybe Paul Martin can do something they can’t. Let’s hope.
The latest on Brenda Martin’s plight.
http:/www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/345849
By Gord on 03.13.08 11:37 pm
Yes Gord, I really do like Sheila. I gained great respect for her when Paul Martin and his old boy’s club strong-armed her out of her riding. She stood up to the bully, she didn’t cry and whine but she fought him tooth and nail all the way. She stayed loyal to her party, yet she knew how to choose her battles wisely. The betrayal she suffered at the hands of her male counterparts was unbelievable. I have read several of her articles. She is amazingly unbiased in her writings. I have her book. She has done more for women in politics than any other woman I know. She didn’t need a ‘pat on the head’ or ’special treatment’. The woman has balls. The so called men called her a loudmouth and much worse for only doing what they themselves did in the House every single day.
A ‘foul-mouthed’ woman disgusts you. You don’t mention foul-mouthed men. That Gordie makes you a sexist moron. You’d make Archie Bunker proud.
Balls to you Gordie. Leasa
Forgive the seeming contradiction above. The “exempt staff” are not members of a union, other than the one representing “exempt staff”. Hope that clarifies my point.
By John L on 03.13.08 10:14 pm
The reference is to the staff in the PMO. Could this also mean that they are exempt from the rules and regulations that govern other public officials?
Pay attention now I am only going to this once .
Political expedience dictates that the Liberals cannot, should not call an election until after the four by elections to be held on Monday .
Got it ? Good .
I have it on good authority that an election will be called over the con-bots trashing of the RESP vehicle .
Fingers crossed everyone .
C.B. Innes,
my understanding of “exempt staff” is that they are exempted from the rules and regulations governing the hiring, firing, renumeration, conduct and performance of public servants. In other words, they are accountable only to the boss who hires them and serve at his pleasure.
Perhaps Garth will give us the official definition and difference.
By Men With Hats on 03.14.08 1:09 pm
Pay attention now I am only going to this once .
Political expedience dictates that the Liberals cannot, should not call an election until after the four by elections to be held on Monday .
Got it ? Good .
I have it on good authority that an election will be called over the con-bots trashing of the RESP vehicle .
Fingers crossed everyone .
………………………………..
Good planning by the Liberals … threaten to pull down the government on the Budget, then cave to let the 4 by-elections go through ….. and then a couple of months later make everybody go through another election nobody wants until at least until October 2009. Smart .. really smart … and I wonder how BobRae will explain that to the voters in Toronto Centre … LOL
As for the grand Liberal RESP that will save the nation from utter collapse .. I will personally go to the local university campus and explain to the students why they should happily carry huge student loans into the future while working at their first job and paying taxes … so that future university students will not incur crippling student loans courtesy of your beloved Liberal party.
IOW .. vote Liberal … keep and pay your huge student loans … but give future students a free RESP ride courtesy of your higher Liberal taxation. Yes .. vote Liberal !!!
I wonder how Dion will sell RESPs to current university students with big loans but still have to pay higher Liberal taxation …???!!!
There may well be positions in the PMO that are treated differently from other staff positions. I’d imagine the larger issue is if the current government has instituted a change from the policy of previous governments.
Keep in mind that MPs earn a very nice living creating things to fuss about. Most Canadians are far too busy working, paying bills, etc. to welcome an election over an issue mostly about helping out the high-income segment of society get through life. Until McTeague pushed the matter RESPs weren’t even on the Liberal radar.
Congratulations Garth. Wow, I don’t know where you get the time to be so productive and helpful.
Thanks for the opportunity to share and read the threads on your blog.
I admire your family!