- CTV
A short while before the last election campaign a former business partner decided to take a run a me, and filed an action, along with a statement of claim with the courts. As are all such claims, it was one-sided. As always happens in disputes, my lawyer entered into negotiations with the other party – just as the election writ was dropped.
One week later, during the election, the statement of claim arrived in a brown envelope at a major newspaper. I was called by an editor and told the paper was about to do a significant story on the allegations it contained. Did I have a comment?
I told my lawyer to settle the matter without further delay, even though we had not yet filed a defence. And it was. The lawsuit was withdrawn from the courts and the action terminated by mutual consent. That meant no allegations were ever proven or substantiated by a judge or anyone else. That’s the way the judicial system works.
But not for Steve Janke. Some days later the owner and publisher of the site, “Angry in the Great White North,” which has as its motto, “A heat-seeking missile in the Conservative arsenal”, published the entire statement of claim on the Internet. This was despite the fact nothing had been proven true and that both parties had settled their dispute and the allegations were withdrawn.
Why did Mr. Janke do this?
Some weeks before the last campaign, Elections Canada sent a confidential letter to me, my official agent and the president of the Halton Conservative Association saying it had found an iregularity in the 2005-6 election since money had been transferred a few days before it should have been. The letter constituted a quasi-judicial document. And while no action was taken by the federal agency, the matter was consequential. It was also information the agency ruled was not public.
But not for Steve Janke. Within days he had published the letter in its entirety on his web site.
Why did he do that?
During September and October of this year, “Angry in the Great White North” published 17 articles about me, and made sure that CBC TV’s Susan Ormiston, and many other media people, were sent links each time. The site published a picture of my personal vehicle after I had parked it outside a store where I went to buy my wife a book. The site did a major and inaccurate posting on a former company I had founded and owned years earlier in the hospitality sector, suggesting improper business practices. It devoted four or five aticles to bogus allegations I had orchestrated news coverage on CTV. When I and others pointed out falsehoods and inaccuracies to Mr. Janke, he did not report them.
Why did Mr. Janke do these things?
Now I see that Steve Janke is being sued by my former colleague and ex-MP Blair Wilson, of BC. Wilson fell afoul of Elections Canada for a while, defended himself and had most charges dropped, save for some relatively minor ones. During that period, Angry in the Great White North apparently published all the alleged and unproven allegations, which the federal agency had not made public.
Why did Mr. Janke do that?
I see as well that Steve Janke has started an appeal for funds to defend himself saying he is the real victim. “So what is this lawsuit about? The truth, and being punished for telling it,” he whines.
Mr. Janke may be on trial. The truth is not.
And I’d predict this is just the start.
73 comments ↓
How did this dude get access to all of these letters and information that were supposedly not public? Did he steal it? Was it leaked improperly by your staff or other Government staff?
My staff had no access. — Garth
“A heat-seeking missile in the Conservative arsenal”, – eh!
Guess the guidance system just locked in on his own hot air!
It wouldn’t surprise me if the case turned into a class action lawsuit, the number of people his has inappropriately accused.
Having business partners is not a great idea! withall your business acumen I am suprised that you would pick him for a partner. He seems like a vile person.
Business disputes are a part of business life. — Garth
That was my question. Where is he getting access to this kind of material? Someone is clearly leaking the information to him for it to be published. He has been a conduit for the Conservative smear machine and maybe those who use him for that purpose should be the ones paying for his defence.
This is a personal issue between certian parties. Now the whole world is made privy to information that it has no interest in.
The sinister plot here is trying to show a relationship between this Janke guy and the conservative party. If there was a passing of documents I cannot see how any political party would have access. It all depends on the number of people involved in this circle. It is difficult to keep a secret if more than one person is aware of the contents.
The election is over. Let the kids play in their sandbox and sue each other if that is whats required. In the meantime lets work to get the economy turned around and get things back to normal.
I will not be sending Mr Janke any money as I matter of fact who is this Janke guy. I assume from the posts he is a normal citizen of canada.
Looks like the shoe’s on the other foot now for Mr. Janke. Bummer. LOL
Nothing changesm nothing changes in the world of Republican style of throw everything agaisnt the wall true or not and see if it sticks… Soon Harper will be on the front page for his inside/outside defict spending… all accountable of course…????????
I had read about the lawsuit that ex-MP Brian Wilson brought forward against Steve Janke. Believe I read that Janke lost a previous one against him and is again appealing for funds. It’s rare that I check con blogs as so many represent the likes of Janke.
First thought too was had did he get access to this info.
Blair is also going after “Canwest” and “The Province” newspaper. Sounds like poor Blair is just misunderstood, and has some deep pockets to hire legal council. I will be donating to Steve.
There must be someone leaking like a sieve if this information found its way to the “heat-seeking missile” of the Con party. The phallic (or lack of, more likely) imagery of his self-description is pretty funny.
Is that a picture of the guy in question at the top of the blog? Niiiice.
Pity the poor victim who brought it all on himself. My heart bleeds. I will empty my bank account immediately and send it all to him. I can’t think of any better use for it
So that’s what the ConBots spend their time in the basement doing – Janke-ing off.
Sorry, but for most of my life I’m a polite and soft-spoken person. But hypocrisy pushes my buttons. I hope Wilson sues his a$$ off.
AIN’T IT THE TRUTH!!?
Joe Smith started the day early having set his alarm clock
(MADE IN JAPAN )
for 6am. While his coffeepot
(MADE IN CHINA )
was perking, he shaved with his electric razor
(MADE IN HONG KONG ).
He put on a dress shirt
(MADE IN SRI LANKA),
designer jeans
(MADE IN SINGAPORE)
and tennis shoes
(MADE IN KOREA)
After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet
(MADE IN INDIA)
he sat down with his calculator
(MADE IN MEXICO)
to see how much he could spend today. After setting his watch
(MADE IN TAIWAN )
to the radio
(MADE IN INDIA )
he got in his car
(MADE IN GERMANY )
filled it with GAS
(from Saudi Arabia )
and continued his search for a good paying job. At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day checking his Computer
(Made In MALASIA ),
Joe decided to relax for a while. He put on his sandals
(MADE IN BRAZIL )
poured himself a glass of wine
(MADE IN FRANCE )
and turned on his TV
(MADE IN INDONESIA ),
and then wondered why he can’t find a good paying job in CANADA .
I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being charged with gaining unauthorized access to these documents. Him and whoever’s feeding them to him.
I keep trying to figure out what Janke’s problem is exactly, and I think it might have to do with the utter inability to distinguish between the personal and the public. I hear it’s a common problem among stalkers and Republican political advisors.
(BTW, I saw that picture and though he looked really familiar. Then I realized – he looks just like one of the people from the new season of ‘Canada’s Worst Driver’. I wonder if they’re related.)
A moral victory at best?
How does one get blood from a Pajamadheen?
When you are nobody, have nothing besides a yackatey mouth and a website, what exactly can one extract from these entities that is of value? So they go down, never to rise again. Only to be replaced by yet another mercenary.
Loverly system we have. When you come down to it, it’s amazing how many souls are for sale for 30 pieces of Silver. How many engage in the Wanderlust of political and social engineering without really understanding the consequences.
For a brief moment I thought about how people in the West perceive Comrade Lenin. How so few understand and how quick they are to defend a political and economic concept without due regard for the truth or the consequences.
Odd how it is all coming to pass as many now point out. Socialism for the ultra rich. I wonder how it would have been if it weren’t for the wave of opposition from the Free Market powers of the World. What could they have accomplished?
For certain they understood their own region and it’s peoples. Recent events suggest that our leaders do not understand these people and these regions. I am not sure. They think themselves Kings.
The murderer Saddam Hussein said something to the effect of you will begin the Mother of All Battles. He knew his people and his region too. Unlike many including Iggy.When one actually researches what the murderer did that was good for his people, one has to wonder? Doesn’t one?
Did he suffer from the same illnesses as Western Society? i.e. We want it now. The poignant smell of a freshly oiled gun barrel. There’s no life like it.
I read a tidbit a moment ago about Britain and their equivalent of GST. Here is the link.
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/081123/business/finance_economy_britain_tax
The Labor/Liberal? party will slash the tax, and the opposition/Conservatives vehemently oppose this. From whence our great Democracy was born.
Irony or cruel joke?
By C. B. Innes on 11.23.08 11:33 am
“Not from us,” they will say.
“Your mission, Mr. Janke, should you choose toc accept it….,we will disavow any knowledge of your actions. This message will destruct in 10 seconds.”
Do we need an RCMP investigation to get to the bottom of the plausible deniability?
Garth,
Perhaps Steve Janke should get a Metal Pail out and ask his friends in Milton for money.We could also stand of the street corner and beg for money.
Perhaps I can get Mr.Janke a job cleaning S— out horse stalls.
Mr Janke what goes around comes around.
Glad to see you your day in court is coming.
Thanks Garth for this information.
Charles
“A heat-seeking missile in the Conservative arsenal”
Evidently that pretty much sums up what this Steve Janke is all about. Now he wants people to share the cost of his legal action?
What a wuss.
“. . . The truth is not. And I’d predict this is just the start.”
The truth always prevails, as truth needs no laws to support it.
Guess the reason why Janke is soliciting donations is because he already knows he will lose any lawsuits, and he will be responsible for any costs. Tough.
****************************************
Unfortunately, no (relatively) clean jokes so far, so rather than waste Garth’s real estate, it may be of more interest if I post a para. from my brother John’s e-mail from China which arrived this a.m.
He and his ladyfriend have taught ESL for nearly two years now, and have a very good idea of what is happening there, first working in Shenyang (next to Mongolia), but now next to Hong Kong in the south east.
Bill (not Muskoka) will relate to this; RMB alludes to Remnibi, the currency . . .
“There have been a few fake bank notes going around recently, not the big 100 RMB ones, but the smaller, more used ones, likes 20’s and 10’s. It is an indication that all is not well in this country. In fact, there have been riots in Shenzhen, about 2 hours from us, due to massive closures of factories that provide goods for the west. People are being kicked out on the street, no last payment, and they are getting angry. A couple of people were killed in SZ, rumours are that they were Police who tried to stop a disorderly gang. Even in Dongguan, another big manufacturing city close to us, the riots and general dissent are getting a big problem. It’s all about the sudden downturn of the western currencies. Added to this, I am currently reading a book by John Ralston Saul called ‘The Collapse of Globalism’ and it’s frightening. It is very hard reading, easier to read a couple of pages at a time, but it’s a great insight into where we are and which direction we are heading in if we keep this stuff up. A chilling quote states that the situation is ‘akin to Europe pre-1914′, and you remember where that went.”
It is a world-wide fiscal slump, akin to a row of dominoes — when one falls (the West), all collapse.
Personally, I am not a book reader, so I would not get into it. Sandy and I have long since preferred the spiritual life anyway, realizing that each is here only for a short while, and are aware of what the experience of moving into the other worlds is like when this physical life cycle ends.
John’s para. goes somewhat with: “. . . King Harper will start spending future Canadians money. (Run Deficts) …. look for all those who backed him to start lining up in front of “Pork Barrows” good times is about to roll for friends of Neo Cons….” — David Bakody, 10:59 am
Which is a good post David, as dubya did the same thing with the illegal war in Iraq. Where have dubya’s ultra right-wing policies left Americans?
A lot of them are broke and have lost everything. Sheeple can’t complain, though — they got what they voted for, IF that vote in 2004 was legal (probably not).
So will Cdns. The spending has only begun, because harpo and dimdumb are spending something that doesn’t exist. The fiscal cupboard is bare.
OT – Political Irony.
Bailout Bonanza
“The auto executives for the Big Three are being criticized now, because, before they asked Congress for billions of dollars, they all flew to Washington in private jets. Yeah, separately, in private jets. In their defense, the executives said, ‘We would have driven, but our cars only get three miles to the gallon.’” –Conan O’Brien
“Executives of General Motors, Ford and Chrysler testified on Capitol Hill, trying to get a $25 billion loan. President Bush was against the loan until Dick Cheney whispered in his ear, ‘Cars use oil.’” -Jay Leno
“Today, Congress demanded a business plan from the three automakers before they’d even consider giving them taxpayer money. A business plan? How come we didn’t get to see a business plan before Congress gave away 750 billion of our dollars?” -Jay Leno
“I’ve got an idea. How about this idea? Instead of giving $25 billion to the car companies, give it to us, with the provision it can only be used to buy a Corvette. They get the money, everybody back to work, and we all get a new car!” -Jay Leno
“In case you didn’t hear, the economy is having a going out of business sale right now. The Dow took another major dive today. It lost 443 points. That adds up to 873 points over the last two days. The Dow is dropping so frequently they have decided to just add an ‘n’ to the end of it.” -Jimmy Kimmel
“International maritime officials say 39 ships have been hijacked by pirates this year on the high seas. See, luckily, we don’t have pirates in America that rob and plunder. We just have CEOs.” -Jay Leno
By maybe Rhino? on 11.23.08 2:06 pm
Would those jobs be well paying? We gave our jobs in manufacturing things away, as we all wanted the lowest price. So the businesses had to follow the same and move to places with cheaper costs. We are recieving what we have paid for.
On the same subject as my last post, here’s a blog post from MacLeans.
The decline of the North American car
Who’s to blame and what’s next
In hall No. 5, tucked far away from the main action at the high-profile Paris Motor Show last month, visitors who looked hard enough would have found the booth belonging to General Motors Corp. Those who went to the trouble—and not many did—were disappointed with what they found.
Paris was the place GM had decided to raise the curtain on a critical piece of its future in a world increasingly focused on efficiency and economy—the Chevy Cruze. The Detroit company is pinning its hopes on the lightweight Cruze to lure car buyers in Asia, Europe and North America away from bestsellers like the Honda Civic. Yet there were none of the usual showbiz trappings at its unveiling: no models leaning against the hood, no rock-concert special effects to usher in the age of the Cruze. Just a plain white stage and the car itself: a conventional, even understated, four-door family sedan. It “had all the pomp and circumstance of a Tuesday,” noted one auto critic. Perhaps it was just as well then that few journalists bothered to show up.
Most automakers look to the Paris show to highlight their next small, fuel-efficient wonders. It’s a science fair disguised as a car show. Mercedes-Benz and BMW were unveiling their first hybrids. Nissan snagged attention with its tiny Nuvu. Hyundai brought along its new mini-car, the i20. But at GM’s second-floor exhibit, visitors were confronted by a collection of massive Hummers and a hulking Cadillac Escalade. “This was emblematic of GM,” says Maryann Keller, an independent auto analyst who has covered the industry since the 1970s. “Here’s this show dedicated to small cars, new technologies, electric vehicles. Why, to Paris, would you bring Hummers, the Escalade and a Camaro? What planet are you on?”
Also at Macleans.ca: The real reason a Big Three bailout is a bad idea
In truth, though, GM had far bigger problems than a flubbed launch. Just as the Cruze was fizzling in Paris, the company’s accountants and finance execs were assembling the final details of what was one of the company’s worst quarterly results in nearly 100 years. In just three months this fall, GM burned through US$6.9 billion in cash. In October, sales fell 45 per cent from a year ago, and it was clear the company was headed for yet another painful round of cuts. Even that may not be enough. GM ended last quarter with only $16.2 billion in cash, and there is no sign of an imminent turnaround in auto sales. Analysts have been musing about bankruptcy for years now, but suddenly it seems GM’s demise could really be at hand—a fact that even GM execs are now forced to acknowledge. “Even with our planned actions, our estimated liquidity will fall significantly short of the minimum required to operate our business,” the company reported.
To read more see:
http://blog.macleans.ca/2008/11/20/the-decline-of-the-north-american-car/
They just don’t get it do they??
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/budget/3502621/Pre-Budget-report-Big-VAT-cuts-to-boost-spending-in-emergency-budget.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/nov/23/recession-budget-report-alistair-darling
Did Darling and Harpo have a confab or what?
C.B.Innes–>Thxs for clearing Day thing, site wasn’t updated when I posted.
Janke can pass the pail doesn’t mean he’s going to get the type of currency he’s going to need to pay for his defense.
Garth, I have some questions about things around parliament and don’t know where to look to find the answers. So, I thought you, or perhaps some of your readers could enlighten me. Here are my questions:
1) Why is ‘Honourable’ given to some MPs but not all?
2) Who, and how does one become a member of the Prive Council?
3) On the government side during Question Period how is it determined who will answer the question?
Thanks for helping out here.
The title “Honourable” goes with Privy Council membership, and that is bestowed by the Governor-General through the prime minister, normally when an MP is appointed to cabinet. However, the PM does have the ability to give the title to others, as well. As for QP, it is the House Leader who quarterbacks the government responses. Answers to likely questions are practiced daily, and a briefing book prepared for each minister. — Garth
It is too bad that Janke’s existence has to be acknowledged in court. He has no currency beyond the wingnut base, and his partisan role is to add fresh fertilizer to the cesspool.
There was time when there were limits to how low practicioners would stoop in the political process. Given the lack of restraint that has come into politics with this lot of “Conservatives”, it will take the law to limit violations of truth and decency. Pity.
When you think of it – you have to be a really sick person to want to find dirt and try to destroy someone – really sick.
RCMP – perhaps should investigate about his access to info, etc.
Is this fed to him by the CPC for partisan purposes?
My staff had no access. — Garth
By Paully on 11.23.08 11:13 am
So, how did the info get to him?
So will Cdns. The spending has only begun, because harpo and dimdumb are spending something that doesn’t exist. The fiscal cupboard is bare.
By Charles Oxley on 11.23.08 2:55 pm,
As I have been saying all along: these so-called Conservatives are not fiscal conservatives.
Just a suggestion Garth but perhaps you should join in the lawsuit–there are ways to find out where his info came from.
Luxury travel contradicts Tories’ frugal image
Federal records show ministers and staff took some expensive commercial flights over the past two years.
The fares shown here are likely already discounted by up to 25 per cent because the government gets special travel deals.
These are likely round-trip fares, although that is not always clear. In many cases, the ministers listed here have moved to other portfolios.
$17,537
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Maxime Bernier (former foreign affairs minister). Flight for APEC meeting, September 2007.
$16,925
SYDNEY
Ian Brodie (former chief of staff to Prime Minister Stephen Harper). Flight listed as “Chief of Staff’s visit to Australia” in May 2007.
$13,965
NAIROBI
Rona Ambrose (former environment minister). Flight to Kenya in November 2006 for United Nations conference on climate change.
$10,400
GENEVA
David Emerson (former international trade minister). Flight to Switzerland in June 2006 to attend informal World Trade Organization meetings.
$8,668
BRUSSELS
Peter MacKay (former foreign affairs minister). Flight to Belgium in April 2006 for informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers.
$7,289
PARIS
Greg Thompson (veterans’ affairs minister). Flight to France to attend 65th anniversary of Dieppe raid in August 2007.
$7,209
PORTLAND, ME.
Michael Fortier (former public works minister). Return flight between Portland, Me., and Ottawa in July 2007 for “cabinet meeting.”
$5,880
EDMONTON
Stockwell Day (former public safety minister). Flight from Vancouver to Calgary and Edmonton to visit a Canadian Security Intelligence Service office and speak at the University of Alberta in January.
FLYING ON THE CHEAP
$1,030
LONDON
Keith MacInnis (former administrator for transport department’s ship-source oil pollution fund). Flight to England, October 2006.
$1,253
LIMA
Peter Van Loan (former parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs). Trip to Peru in July 2006 for inauguration of Peru’s president.
$2,357
NEWFOUNDLAND TO PORTUGAL TO ENGLAND AND RETURN
David Wells (senior policy adviser in fisheries ministry). To attend North Atlantic Fisheries Organization meetings in September 2007.
——————————————————————————–
STAR STAFF SCANNED 60,000 RECORDS
This investigation of federal government travel expenses began with a database assembled and analyzed by the Star’s Andrew Bailey. We looked at roughly 60,000 records of travel by ministers, political staff and senior public servants over the past four years. The records were culled from the federal government’s website in the “proactive disclosure” section of 20 major ministries. These senior level officials are required to report their travel expenses publicly within three months of completing a trip. The public can do a free search of these records at http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pd-dp/gr-rg/index-eng.asp.
Vacationing minister used private jets
Former senator and public works minister Michael Fortier billed $22,000 for four trips between his second home in Maine and Montreal over two summers.Nov 22, 2008 04:30 AM
Comments on this story (64)
Kevin Donovan
Staff Reporter
Federal politicians and public servants are blowing the bank on travel – taking a multitude of trips at high-class prices to London, Paris, Geneva, Sydney and various North American destinations.
A Star investigation found spending by ministers, political staff and bureaucrats that is far from the frugal image of the Stephen Harper government.
Some federal travellers can’t seem to get to London, England, for less than $6,000, even though economy seats were available for $1,000 to $2,000. In our analysis of 60,000 travel records over four years, we found $18,000 flights to Australia, $7,000 flights to Paris, $11,000 flights to Indonesia and $8,000 flights to Switzerland.
By contrast, travel surveys show businesses are reducing costs by choosing more economical flights. At least one other government, Alberta, has shown more care with taxpayer dollars. For example, the Alberta environment minister and an aide spent $3,200 each to fly to Bali for a United Nations conference on climate change last year. The former federal environment minister, John Baird, took a $10,920 flight to the same conference. Three political aides and two bureaucrats joined him at similar rates. Total airfare was $61,000.
In the Star’s investigation, we found that Harper’s ministers often travel with a large entourage, at a high cost.
For example, when former federal agriculture minister Chuck Strahl flew to Geneva for World Trade Organization talks in 2006, he took with him five political staff (his chief of staff, his senior policy adviser, his junior policy adviser, a parliamentary secretary, a second parliamentary secretary) and three bureaucrats – the deputy minister, the assistant deputy minister and the chief trade negotiator, who actually conducts the negotiations. The week-long trip to Geneva, which began with a meeting of provincial ministers in Newfoundland, cost taxpayers $84,000 in airfare and accommodations. Strahl’s airfare from Ottawa to Newfoundland to Geneva was $7,200.
A spokesperson for Strahl said the meetings in Geneva were “extremely important for international negotiations on supply management and the pressing issue of opening borders to Canadian beef.” Ted Yeomans said numerous aides went to support the minister at “informal side meetings” and business-class flights were chosen because “meetings commenced as soon as they arrived.”
Responding to questions about the Bali trip by former environment minister Baird, a spokesperson said the business-class flights “permitted members of the Canadian delegation to work while travelling and to assume their duties immediately upon arrival.” Asked if the travellers had, like the Alberta delegation, considered a cheaper option, spokesperson Sujata Raisinghani said “we cannot speculate or comment.”
According to government rules, approval for international trips must come from the prime minister’s office.
Confronted with the Star’s findings, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the government will now limit the number of political assistants travelling outside Ottawa to two. Kory Teneycke also said the government is considering a plan to encourage federal travellers to fly economy class.
“Our government is always concerned about how hard-earned tax dollars are being spent. We are continually improving the way we manage taxpayer money, to ensure the best value for money,” he said.
This story is based on data and interviews with government officials and travel professionals. The data is a collection of approximately 60,000 federal travel records ($70 million in expenses) disclosed by 20 of the major federal departments, such as natural resources, environment, health and foreign affairs. The travel took place during a four-year period – the last two years of the Liberal government (2004-2006) and the first two years of the Conservative government (2006-2008).
To read the rest of frugality see:
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/541681
And check out http://redtory.wordpress.com/2008/11/23/yer-deficit-battlin%e2%80%99-%e2%80%9cconservatives%e2%80%9d/
When I and others pointed out falsehoods and inaccuracies to Mr. Janke, he did not report them.
Why did Mr. Janke do these things?
Because he’s a scumbag, from what I’ve read numerous times.
Oops, meant to say Janke’s pond scrum. Think that’s lower than scrumbag.
Guess everyone is watching the NFL game. Go Montreal Allouttes.
By Go Green on 11.23.08 6:02 pm
70 million in travel expenses what a crock of shit! Good post!!>>> this is one that should be investigated>>>$16,925
SYDNEY
Ian Brodie (former chief of staff to Prime Minister Stephen Harper). Flight listed as “Chief of Staff’s visit to Australia” in May 2007.
What in the world is the benefit to Canada’s taxpayers in this little jaunt!
$17,537
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Maxime Bernier (former foreign affairs minister). Flight for APEC meeting, September 2007>>> christ how long was the meeting???
Go Green—-good post>>>>For example, the Alberta environment minister and an aide spent $3,200 each to fly to Bali for a United Nations conference on climate change last year. The former federal environment minister, John Baird, took a $10,920 flight to the same conference. Three political aides and two bureaucrats joined him at similar rates. Total airfare was $61,000.
Talk about a waste of tax dollars–an environment minister with no plan and the mentality of mickey mouse–:-)
Sounds as though Mr. Jamke should emminently recall the lesson of ‘Throwing stones in a glass house’?
The natives are getting restless, it seems. Also — would you believe anything the G20 says? After all, dubya and harpo are chronic liars.
http://tinyurl.com/6yvfbr http://tinyurl.com/5avmtq
****************************************
Zimbabwe’s inflation rate is a little high, but what if we join them in a couple of years?
The second one concerns hedge funds. There are roughly half a trillion in derivatives, which is one part. Now Soros says hedge funds (a separate issue) could be decimated.
Yet the G20 maintains the financial crisis will be over in 18 months (link above), everything will be hunky dory and honky tonky.
Is it any wonder people don’t trust politicians anymore?
http://tinyurl.com/56q34f http://tinyurl.com/6gcmj8
It appears most Canadians do not give a darn about either Ottawa or Politicians in general. M. Dion should not vote for anything that is not good for all Canadians and let the chips fall where they may…there is no need to spend big bucks anymore the Internet and the National News will cover all any voter needs to know. Think…Dion gained his best move forward during one debate and lost in one TV interview…plus he never listened to Garth Turner who said well in advance: “The next election will be on the economy” and y’all know what…so will be the next one! and if I may the Liberals do not have to wait for a Leadership convention, because most will be voting Harper out like Americans voted Bush out…and they know the new leader can select many experienced people to help run the show. And I think you could run as a Indy Garth using no sign (no hassle) and taking interviews and dominating them (Say what you want no matter what the question is) and by using your Blog… times are changing…. Think 300M for an election is nothing compared to 75B for Bay street and 25B for the banks…..and who knows how much Harper plans to give to his backers hell he gave multi millions to Charest for tax cutting votes and still fooled many in Ontario!
Why are our defenders of the “Conservative” faith not rising to the defence of Steve Janke?
There was time when there were limits to how low practicioners would stoop in the political process.
By Herb on 11.23.08 3:51 pm
agreed. ironic that Garth hasn’t deleted your comment.
You should sue him too Garth.
Force the issue
Why don’t you post the way people can contribute to those oppsing Steve?
Oh cry me a blue river for poor old Janke, let the wittle Blogging Tory whore pay his own legal bills. Jebus, these Rightwing wackjobs are always begging for money, Kate (SDA), Ezra, Kath (Five Feet of Frustration), Free Dominion and now Janke. I thought these people were all about standing on their own feet and not asking for hand outs,… well I guess it is different when their the victims.
It will be very interesting to learn how Janke got all this private insider information,… Hope it goes all the way to Court so we learn the truth about Janke’s methids of collecting information.
On television Janke told reporters he is not a member of any party and is not a supporter of any party. Just an ordinary working stiff bloging away to do his public duty to keep the public informed.
Shouldn,t be to difficult to show this Harper hack for what he is.
Are there any tape recordings availlable?
LOL, what Mr. Janke publishes on his website is no different then what is done here. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. He may have crossed a line here but false accusations and personal attacks on anything Conservative has become the accepted norm on this blog. Nobody should feel any sympathy for Mr. Janke or yourself…….the real victims are the dedicated followers of right or left wing blogs and share same narrow minded views that often cloud their judgement on reality and truth.
$17,537
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Maxime Bernier (former foreign affairs minister). Flight for APEC meeting, September 2007>>> christ how long was the meeting???
By john on 11.23.08 6:34 pm
What does the length of the meeting matter? Are you suggesting Canada makes a special request next year and dials into a teleconference bridge where all other nations are present at the meeting in person? Or better yet……maybe we just decline the APEC invite altogether?
Not sure if anyone watched Now on PBS last evening “Credit and Credibility
Video: Credit and Credibility
What role did the credit rating agencies play in the current economic crisis? This week, a former managing director at Standard & Poor’s speaks out on U.S. television for the first time about how he was pressured to compromise standards in a push for profits. Frank Raiter reveals what was really going on behind closed doors at the credit rating agencies the public relies on to evaluate the safety of their investments.
“During this period, profit was primary; analytics were secondary,” Raiter tells NOW Senior Correspondent Maria Hinojosa”
I am going to watch the video again.
Check it out. It was an eye opener for me as I didn’t realize how these credit rating agencies work.
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/446/index.html
On the bright side of things, your style of Town Hall Meetings seems to have inspired a newly elected NL Liberal MP, by the name of Siobhan Coady… she plans on hosting her first in a series of town hall meetings this coming Sunday.
” Coady to Meet with Constituents
November 23, 2008
St. John’s South-Mount Pearl MP, Siobhan Coady, will begin her town hall meetings at the end of this month. After her October election victory Coady said the regularly planned meetings would give her constituents a chance to express their views on pressing issues. St. Peter’s Parish Hall in Mount Pearl will be the site of the first town hall get-together at 7:30 Sunday evening, November 30th. ”
Link: http://www.vocm.com/news-info.asp?id=32699
Since I know you loved running MPTV, do you think it might he worthwhile to ask her if she could help with running it,as she seems open to Town Hall meetings, so it might not be a stretch.
Janke is te worst of the worst when it comes to trying to make himself look good by slinging as much dirt as he can find. It takes a little man to feel good by putting down others…. that’s Janke.
I’m glad he’s getting slapped with a lawsuit. He deserves it. I hope he gets burned so bad that we never hear his poision again!
Check out Red Tory’s blog on SNL: Big Three Bailout Hearing
He believes it won’t be on YouTube for long so watch it while you can. Its hilarious.
http://redtory.wordpress.com/2008/11/24/snl-big-three-bailout-hearing/
It’s early in the morning, but I’ve already found the understatement of the day –
Norman Spector, “Harper hugs the centre”, at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081123.WBSpector20081123131906/WBStory/WBSpector
Talk about a waste of tax dollars–an environment minister with no plan and the mentality of mickey mouse–:-)
By john on 11.23.08 6:40 pm
More like Goofy crossbred with Pluto, who contracted rabies! Mickey was the SMART one! Remember?
Expat, obviously you read neither one.
Only 30% of sports fans watched the Grey Cup… it appears all the BL by TSN and Mike Duffy’s crowd over sports contracts did not do much for paid advertisement… Now we all must watch as those investers in other things Conservative line up and wait for defict money train… be careful taxpayers when PMSH states we can see light at the end of tunnel it just might be a “Freight Train” full of broken promises…. M. Dion once again do not be afriad of calling Harper’s bluff on every single issue….who cares about 300M…when Harper is about to spend billions…. same with Rae and Iggy…. think, even by doing so you will get free political TV time… and when asked remind Canadians we would have been heading into this “R” $25 Billion in the Bank…. not down $50 Billion! and that is fact!!!!!
Norman Spector, “Harper hugs the centre”, at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081123.WBSpector20081123131906/WBStory/WBSpector
By Herb on 11.24.08 8:56 am
Herb – He hugs the centre because he didn’t get his long sought after majority. I don’t think he’s changed his ideology at all. Spector is right. Harper will pander to any group to stay in power.
Gwynn Morgan–regarding government bailing out auto plants>>>>A fundamental strength of market capitalism is that businesses no longer viable disappear, while businesses with new ideas that meet changing needs and wants, thrive and grow. Fundamental restructuring almost never occurs until a business faces the prospect of its demise. This is creative destruction, and virtually every attempt by government to interfere with this natural evolutionary adaptation process ends up wasting limited resources on businesses whose life cycle is ending, rather than creating and encouraging the enterprises of the future.
By Marc on 11.23.08 3:14 pm
Right on Marc…
The corner office crooks got everyone up on lower consumer prices that come from imported goods. The sheeple did not figure out that if THEY were not producing these goods, then they would not have job, therefore not be able to buy even the cheaper, low cost goods.
So, now we have no manufacturing sector, as those jobs moved offshore. We are back to focus on raw materials and that puts us right back to the 1700’s, when all Canada did was ship raw materials to our colonial masters.
Now, THAT’S PROGRESS!!!
Unfortunately, it is also the direction our present political “representatives” are continuing to take us. Time for some intelligent and informed trade rules that benefit the PEOPLE – not the CEO bottom line.
David Bakody,
I’m no sports fan, but watching the Grey Cup on TV or listening on radio used to be a matter of patriotic duty (especially overseas.)
Only caught snatches of yesterday’s game because everything now is so spectacular (read “garish”). I also don’t much care which team’s American imports are better than the other side’s.
As for QP, it is the House Leader who quarterbacks the government responses. Answers to likely questions are practiced daily, and a briefing book prepared for each minister. — Garth
I do thank you, Garth for taking the time to answer my questions. I guess I don’t understand what the Privy Council is, or what purpose it serves… but be that as it may.
What I do wonder though is, how does the government House Leader indicate to the MP that he is supposed to answer the question… is there green light or something on the MP’s desk? I understand how opposition MPs know who’s to ask what since that can be prepared ahead of time. But, when a question is asked, how does the government House Leader, as quarterback, let an MP know that he is the one to answer a particular question?
My favourite prophet, Murray Dobbin, again:
Best move for Liberals: Govern by coalition
“…[S]tephen Harper’s ultimate objective is not just a majority government. It is to destroy the Liberal Party as a contender for power.”
“…[O]nce Parliament has put in place measures to protect the economy, Harper will return to the agenda he prefers: social conservatism, a gradual reduction in federal spending powers, and the devolution of power to the provinces. He intends to launch round two of humiliating the Liberals into oblivion.”
And of course, Korn Kob Kory is there with bells on.
“…Earlier this month, Harper spokesman Kory Teneycke stated that the Conservatives intend to declare any bill they choose to be a confidence matter.”
Same old same old.
http://rabble.ca/columnists/best-move-liberals-govern-coalition
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Harper at the APEC summit lecturing world leaders on economics was an embarrassment. He told them that he once intended to be an economics professor – kind of like his reference to his extensive musical background.
Thing is, you need WAY more education and experience to be a professor than Harper has, you know, like Stephane Dion.
The “Economics for Kindergarteners” speech made me squirm. I’m sure China’s president was REALLY impressed.
But Harper was all for the laissez-faire economics before. He confessed that he was “surprised” at the swiftness of the meltdown. Why? I, and millions of others around the world, weren’t. We knew trouble was coming when all the while he and Flaherty kept saying that everything was just fine.
And he’s going to do something about it? Hah!
“The problems we face today cannot be solved by the minds that created them”
–Albert Einstein
—–
Garth, can a prime minister declare any vote to be one of confidence? I thought that it was for major stuff (budget, war etc.).
They seem to be doing the same as last time – trying to engineer a defeat and blame the Libs.
Flanagan wrote a piece about Harper’s Punic War strategy against the Liberals – destroy the people and salt the land so that nothing will grow. (What is the matter with that guy?) A classical scholar suggested that Flanagan flip through the index a bit further until he got to the idea of Pyrrhic victory instead – destroy the other side but destroy yourself in the process.
Confucious said that if you are bent on a mission of revenge, make sure to dig two graves before you go.
Mon, November 24, 2008
Crisis gives Conservatives hope for smaller government
By THE CANADIAN PRESS
Opposition parties fear the Harper government will use the global economic crisis as an excuse to make ideologically-driven spending cuts.
They’ll be scouring the supplementary spending estimates, to be released today, for evidence the government is using the economic meltdown to justify reductions that might otherwise be too politically explosive to touch.
But much as some Tories would like to take advantage of economic chaos to downsize government, insiders doubt Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s minority government has the necessary clout or the desire to tackle contentious budget cuts after failing to win a majority in October’s federal election.
Still, hope springs eternal among bedrock Conservatives.
“I’m hopeful there will be some ideologically-driven, neo-conservative cuts to government,” political scientist Tom Flanagan, a former chief of staff to Harper, said in an interview.
http://www.ottawasun.com/News/National/2008/11/24/7512391-sun.html
Such cuts, he added, would be consistent with Harper’s long-term goal of reducing the size and scope of government.
Intimidation, assassination, public executions, torture, genocide, etc etc have all been practiced in Canada. There is never, ever a limit. If we start to fall, there is a long way down.
http://www.parrysound.com/voice/1227291823/
I listened to the first part of Question Period this afternoon and I certainly did not see anything new from the Government. In fact, they seem to have no idea of how to deal with the economic crisis and are following the “stay the course” or do nothing concept they advocated before the election.
It appears that they hope to ride the coattails of ideas the new American administration will put forward. As their bank bail out is not working they have to cover their own lack of ideas they are using the strategy of pretending to want the ideas of the opposition parties.
The Parl. Sec. to the Minister of Finance even suggested that there was no “surplus” when they took over. Does that mean that they have been in a deficit since coming to office and only been announcing a “technical surplus”?
Maybe they should put a government spokesman armed with more than meaningless talking points.
Clement should defend consumers
http://www.parrysound.com/voice/1227291823/
By C. B. Innes on 11.24.08 3:28 pm
(smile)
Luv it CB!
I almost gagged too often, so i turned it off. That dolt, The Parl. Sec. to the Minister of Finance, seems to be progressing well on political double-speak, though he did seem to be really enjoying his non-answers!
I definitely get the impression the CPC are not prepared, do not have a “plan”, are “still studying the issues”, and from what I heard, the Canadian electorate should not expect any action or plan until the budget in ther Spring!
Now, THAT’S what I call a responsive government in this time of economic uncertainty. Just another load of CRAP – and the farmer took another load away… and you can tell by the smell it wasn’t hay…..
“The problems we face today cannot be solved by the minds that created them”
–Albert Einstein
Proven time, and time again. It is called history!
Yet the G20 maintains the financial crisis will be over in 18 months (link above), everything will be hunky dory and honky tonky.
By Charles Oxley on 11.23.08 7:32 pm
Given that the average downturn since WWII is 18 months, and this one has been going on for at least 12 months, their statement is a “Duh” moment!
If it lasts longer than 18 months, then the G20 will have screwed things up even more than they are now.
Further uses for the Fire Brigade . . .
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Hello . . .
“HELP!!! Send someone over quickly!” the old woman screamed into the phone.
“Two naked bikers are climbing up toward my bedroom window!”
“This is the Fire Department, lady,” the voice replied.
“I’ll have to transfer you to the Police Department.”
“No, it’s YOU I want!” she yelled. “They need a longer ladder!”
! YA’LL HAVE A GOOD DAY NOW ! . . . ! YA HEAR !
****************************************
With snow in Oz and Limeyland over the weekend, it appears the entire planet has gone off half cock!
BTW, job applications at brothels have surged as jobs in the regular workforce are disappearing. Wot about it, hairy?
With your luscious, creamy, slender and sensuous thighs, and moi with my stunningly handsome good looks, we could be a match for any studs or studettes!
****************************************
Heard this a.m. that a small manufacturer and distributor of pre-hung doors closed a few weeks ago, as there were no sales and let their staff go; as well, Rona quietly laid off 40 people here, mostly in the construction and home finishing sections (although this last one has not been publicly announced). I wonder why.
Along with that, a slowdown in the Tar Sands with oil companies taking a breather from all their multi-billion dollar investments to screw this planet further — layoffs there.
Guess that is not such a bad thing; it is also reasonable to say the ripple effect has begun, as there is almost no new construction here, ‘tho plenty of unsold new homes and condos.
From DailyReckoning.com: “. . . Warren Buffett’s stock — Berkshire Hathaway — has been cut in half. . . . What does the stock market see that would make it want to treat the Sage of Omaha so roughly? What evil omen has the market noticed? What devil-on-the-loose does it fear? What plague, what war, what depression, what bankruptcy, what hyperinflation… …did we say ‘hyperinflation’?
****************************************
Interesting 40-second TV clip from protestors in Chicago who want the Fed done away with, saying the fiscal stuff is all their fault.
Re: the second link — Carney worked with Paulson at Goldman Sachs. Not a great endorsement of Paulson.
http://tinyurl.com/5lxhc4 http://tinyurl.com/5nq22y
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Came over late last nite, and is unedited, typos and all . . .
I don’t really care if this is true or not, it’s a pretty good story
AND this is why we call it “POLITICS”
Judy Wallman, a professional genealogical researcher, discovered that Stephen Dion the leader of Canada’s Liberal Party great-great uncle, Robert Dion, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Quebec in 1889.
The only known photograph of Dion shows him standing on the gallows. On the back of the picture is this inscription:
“Robert Dion; horse thief, sent to Quebec Provincial Prison 1883, escaped 1887, robbed the Canadian Pacific Railway six times. Caught by Pinkerton detectives, convicted, and hanged in 1889.
Judy e-mailed Stephen Dion for comments.
Dion’s staff sent back the following biographical sketch:
“Robert Dion was a famous horseman in Quebec. His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Canadian Pacific Railroad. Beginning in 1883, he devoted several years of his life to service at a government facility, finally taking leave in 1887 to resume his dealings with the railroad. Subsequently, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency. In 1889, Dion passed away during an important civic function held in his honour, when the platform on which he was standing collapsed.”
Now that’s a great reply!
“A heat-seeking missile in the Conservative arsenal”, – eh!
Guess the guidance system just locked in on his own hot air!
By James – Chatham on 11.23.08 11:19 am
That would be a ‘Sidewinder’ missile, and how appropriately named it is!
Funny thing about them is that they love to chase the Sun, causing what is causing the most heat. LOL
The Sidewinder snake moves by raising itself off the burning desert sand, and can move very fast, but leaves a very distinctive track that identifies it to those who know.
In 1889, Dion passed away during an important civic function held in his honour, when the platform on which he was standing collapsed.”
Now that’s a great reply!
By Charles Oxley on 11.24.08 5:27 pm
Talk about Deja vu, eh? Same thing happened again in 2008!
My guess is that Steve Janke will be dropped like a hot potato ala Brian Mulroney. The reality of neoCon life is that once ‘true believers’ have exhausted their usefulness they are discarded like empty coffee cups. Perhaps someone will lift up an appropriate rock…
Now that’s a great reply!
BY CHARLES OXLEY ON 11.24.08 5:27 PM
Charles,
That’s hilarious, thanks for posting that.
If that is what is to come under Harper, you’re scaring the bejeezus out of me, 300Baud.
I know we have had such unpleasant things in our history, but not in connection with the political process. What’s a bit of larceny, vote-buying, heckling, sign-redecoration and roughing up the opposition among friends and colleagues? But cold-blooded character assassination and outright lying should continue to be beyond the pale. Sadly, they haven’t been recently.
Where is the picture of Robert Dion