Bold Leadership

So, there's a poll out there that indicates Canadians would be more likely to vote for Barack Obama, than for any of our national leaders. This is very interesting news indeed - but not surprising.
The sad thing is, the poll is very telling. We have a very bland group of leaders. We haven’t had a true “visionary” since Trudeau. Not saying that these leaders are not CAPABLE of doing great things for their perspective ideologies... They are capable, but choose to be too guided by what they THINK people want - not pursuing what their ideologies dictate. Jack Layton isn't as much of a social democrat as he pretends to be. A lot of my NDP friends would vouch for that. If the NDP leader introduced more socially progressive policy in Parliament - a'la Tommy Douglas - they would help sway the mood of the country closer to the center, or center-left. While Canadians may not want "left wing" ideas (or what are considered "left wing" ideas by our media), repeated exposure to ideas makes people THINK about those ideas. The same philosophy has worked for the right. A conservative media bias across North America has allowed for folks to think the macho swagger, uncaring, "me first", and aggressive ideas of the right are "cool" or "chic". It seemed a few years ago that being a gun-slinger was the only way to be - lest you be considered a traitor. A conservative-biased media controlled by people like Conrad Black and Rupert Murdoch flooded the public domain with "dumbed down" editorials bashing liberalism and social democrats at every opportunity, and selling this "neoCon dream".
Stephen Harper has angered a lot of conservatives within his own Conservative Party. He certainly sent shockwaves through the hard right "Guard" members of the old Alliance/Reform bunch when he did not do enough (in their eyes) to combat same-sex marriage. He has been "faking" being a "centrist" so he can stealthily acquire a majority. Still, he has managed (not without help from South of the 49th) to introduce enough right-wing ideas to Parliament to swing Canada from center to center-right in a couple of years. What may tone him down once again is an election (gotta hid neo-con ideas from the public), and the right wing's plummet South of the border.

What about our leader? We heard him during the leadership campaign. We know he is passionate about this country. We know he is passionate about the environment. What else is he concerned with? We need to know, but more importantly the PUBLIC needs to hear it. Muddy policy talk will not create public interest. We need to put out ideas that carry and resonate with the public. Wedge issues that separate us from the Conservatives.

What areas can we create wedge issues in? How about immigration. A BOLD immigration plan to help salvage our labor force would be a good start. Something visionary that once and for all unclogs the traffic jams the Conservatives have created (we know that "real" immigration has declined since the Cons took power). We need to really open up the doors. Listen to the xenophobes howl. We also need to take REAL ACTION on the issue of foreign trained professionals. I hope - sometime within my lifetime - to see the last taxi-driving doctor, because he is working in a hospital somewhere in rural Saskatchewan. Somewhere where they can't get or keep a doctor.

The environment is fine and dandy as a "cool" issue. It's really "cool" to dress up all green for the cameras (vis-a-vis Montreal 2006). It's fine to say we want to take real action. But, when we don't take REAL action, we look like hypocrites. We have the grounding to take real, BOLD action on the environment. Dion's the guy to do it. We need to strike forth and talk about a targeted carbon tax. Not something that hits consumers directly. It needs to be something that is more industry related. Industry sets the example for consumers. Like we have cigarette ads that warn against smoking, our government CAN sanction environmental reminders, and helpful green tips on cartons, boxes, and bottles. It seems that consumers tend to "believe what they buy". A message on their purchase is the easiest way to educate them. We also need to ensure that industry abides by the rules - not just soft and continuously changing targets. Not just "empty" regulations like Alberta's joke of an attempt. BC Liberals have been bold in this vein. Time for the national party to step up.

What about Canadian corporations and MNCs? The Conservatives have created a mess in Ontario. No - wait, I'm wrong - they haven't created a "mess" in Ontario, they've openly declared war on Ontario. With industry dying in Southern Ontario and Quebec, the federal Conservatives are happy to prop up Alberta, while trying to also buy votes in Quebec. Let Ontario sink or swim on her own. You can't just neglect Canada's most populous province. That many people going into an economic tailspin will have repercussions for the whole country.

What can we do along with our MNCs that will help create jobs, sustain Canadian ownership, AND help us in areas we need help badly? How about infrastructure? Infrastructure around Canada is a real mess. The Trans-Canada highway - our great national route - is a death-trap in many places, including much of rural BC, parts of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Canadian Shield Region. Yes, it will cost money. Yes, it will be expensive. It is, however, the duty of our national government to help fund - or entirely fund - these types of ventures. Local and provincial governments can't, or won't. A mega-project of this type will only help our economy. We will be able to put more Canadians to work, help the environment and transport industry (right now trucks spend countless hours idling in traffic jams), and help with tourism. Some of the world's best skiing occurs in the Canadian Rockies and points West of that. It would be a boon to those areas to have a 4 or 6 lane highway from Vancouver or Calgary to those areas. The Americans did it years ago. The Finns and Swedes have excellent highway systems in similar Northern climates. It is a shame that we cannot do the same.

What other projects need funding? What other ways can we properly invest our surpluses? We have critical needs for Northern development. We currently don't even have a permanent highway "up North". To go from Edmonton to Yellowknife you need to take a temporary road over permafrost and frozen lakes. You can't get there in the summer - by land. We need to "connect the dots" on the Northern map. This is part of exercising our sovereignty, but also of being inclusive of our Northern communities and First Nations.

Speaking of First Nations, perhaps our ONLY national shame is the treatment of our First Peoples. Living conditions of our First Nations are constantly criticized around the world. It's actually pretty much the ONLY bad thing you hear about Canada when traveling abroad. We need to invest in our First Nation communities - heavily - to ensure that we bring these vital parts back into the Canadian fold. We need to provide the infrastructure and education to ensure that these communities grow - for the benefit of all. We have a large untapped resource within our First Nations. Just who would make up the skilled workforce that helps build our national infrastructure? The large First Nations populations - particularly on the Prairies and up North - would be a huge part of it.

Education. Canada's university system should be free for those who qualify. The defeated Paul Martin government was set to make 1st and 4th year university education free (a fact that received little hoopla in the partisan politics of the time - not a single student I spoke to on the campaign trail was aware of this). Thinking BOLD would include a fully funded education, with properly funded universities and trade schools. The more we help fund our institutions, the more we can avoid the bad influence of big corporate money biasing research (vis-a-vis drugcos and big oil). Imagine a publicly funded education system that pushes real research and development that truly benefits Canadians. Imagine the most highly educated workforce in the world.

Pharmacare - REAL pharmacare. The Brits can do it. Their economy wasn't the best when they began this project, but one can certainly argue that it is very strong now. We have to take our medicare system to the next level. We can take the opportunity to bolster our domestic, generic drug companies. Proper funding for hospitals is a very important part of that process. A program of rural residencies for health professionals should become a required part of the admission requirements for medical school. We need to protect our healthcare system from commercialization. There's no "profit motive" clause in the Hypocratic Oath, and there shouldn't be one in our healthcare system.

Investment is the key word here - not "spend". What we do with our surpluses will be our legacy to our children. We can choose to squander that legacy on tax cuts that won't even be remembered past the budget (typical taxpayer response is, "when's the next tax cut"?). Or, we can choose to make this country more the envy of the world than it already is. We can have the best highway and public transit systems in the world, with the world's most advanced communications network. This, of course, will require cash, but also the skills of some of Canada's best homegrown companies (Bombardier, CN, CP, Nortel, The cable and phone companies, etc.).

What else is bold? How about closing some government tenders to foreign companies where domestic companies have the skills and expertise? We may still require some foreign tenders - but only AFTER we have exhausted all domestic providers. It's sickening to see companies like Bombardier bypassed for contracts by Brazilian, American, or EU companies. We have to have a two step tendering process, with provisions for cases where: 1) No domestic provider exists, or 2) the domestic cost is far outside of the "world average". This measure would support existing Canadian business, BUT it would also encourage new Canadian businesses. Canadian venture capitalists would be quick to create new companies to support our national ventures.

When Americans talk about the Democratic contenders as being "bold", or signifying real change, they are identifying something real. The REAL change is beyond Hilary’s gender, or Obama’s ethnicity. It is things like Obama’s refusal to accept donations from Big Oil, Big Insurance, and Big Health companies (or any big corporate interest group for that manner). No major Canadian political party can claim that. The other BIG change is that the VERY NATURE of the differences of these two candidates (Obama/Clinton) will cause people from those demographics to be “uplifted”, and receive a boost in their public perception. This will open all sorts of doors for people who too often saw a glass ceiling. Now, in America, the sky is truly the limit for those demographic groups…
It was refreshing to see the interesting comparison of Canadian leaders with Barack Obama. We really could learn a lot from our neighbors down South - no matter how strange that seems... Perhaps our leaders will take queues from the "new Camelot" that seems to be coming to America. Perhaps they will change their way of thinking. Perhaps they will help put an end to the creep of the right-wing into daily reality. Only by espousing liberal democratic ideas - and implementing them on a clear and bold platform - can we ensure that we don't all get sucked into the consumerist, pan-Americanist vortex that Harper and his henchmen are fomenting.

Infantile Conservative Government

So what exactly is it with a government that denies any accountability for any wrongdoing, or even error? That yells and screams when accused of wrongdoing? That will go to any length to attack, yet no-one DARE attack them? A government that in little more than 2 years has created more - and far more serious - scandals than any past government in such a short time frame.

What do we call a government, that, when it doesn't get it's way, wants to take all it's toys and go home? That loves to say, "wasn't me". Cries to "Mom" (Auditor General, Ethics Commissioner) for years, but when it's their turn to be looked into, discredits "Mom"? A government that decides not only to bully and pick fights in it's own neighborhood, but goes out of it's way to be influenced by the juvenile delinquent in the adjoining neighborhood (Dubya, of course) into doing his bidding (see Foreign policy, NAFTA-gate, Kyoto-denial, etc.)?

What do we call that scornful, angry, prejudiced, infantile, collection of haters? Why, the federal Conservatives, of course. The federal Conservatives have given a new definition to the word "juvenile". They are the schoolyard bully. The aggressive child with insecurity issues. And their leader - le infante terrible - none other than Stephen Harper. The chief pig at the trough. The bully who knows all - insists on it, as a matter of fact - yet, apparently lies to Canadians and claims, like Schultz on Hogan's Heroes, "I know noth-ing..."

In due time, this band of would-be destroyers of the Canadian identity will go down in defeat. As a Liberal Opposition, it is our duty to ensure we hold le infante terrible's feet to the fire. Let's see the pigs at the Ottawa trough become the pigs on a spit, as we carefully slow roast them to ensure they show all their warts...

Conservative Scandals Continue Today... But...

Conservative scandals continue today, but we have some interesting news coming out of the Liberal camp. Time to touch on this - briefly.

Concerning the upcoming motion in the HofC by our party - you all know the one... Is this a brilliant tactical move, or just a "loose motion"...? Several bloggers have already condemned the motion - before it even hits the floor...

Looking at the motion, it does certainly "tell it like it is". It is really to the point. The challenge is, it seems to lament a past, that is just that - the past. It's intent is not to do that, but the spin will be there. Still, once the motion is voted on, and voted against by the NDP and Bloc, it will be in the books. Nothing will prevent a Liberal ad from carrying the info and making it clear to voters just where the NDP stood on the matter.

This motion is NOT for a bump in the current polls. No, it is planning for the future, and future radio and TV ads. They can make fun of us now - they won't when the ads are released come election time. Of course, this is all just wild speculation on my part, but doesn't it make sense? Actually, it's the only rational explanation that makes any sense - besides the "holy shit, they've lost it!" approach.

I'm taking a more fatalistic approach to politics these days. What we have is a result of karma. The balance of the universe (or the political status quo, if you will), will stay close to center as long as we have: a) no Conservative majority, or b) no NDP majority (they being the two parties furthest to either wing of the political spectrum). Point "a" is a real (and frightening) possibility. Point "b" is a joke.

I'm looking at it all this way: We have a leadership team that is trying to make their best go of it. We could say they're inexperienced, but c'mon, Dion's been around through a LOT of campaigns, and a lot of his top lieutenants came from the old Martin or Cretien camps. A "green" leader is one who was not an MP for very long, or one who just came up from provincial ranks - or private life. They know what they're doing, and let them accept the responsibility for their actions. Sure there have been gaffes, but most everything is part of the plan, I'm sure. One has to wonder, however, if some of the bad advice is being given by advisers who worked with some of the other camps that joined with Dion in his leadership victory... Perhaps still planning on completing their run??? Nah... that would never happen.

Let the powers that be do their elected jobs. If, after the best laid plans, we fail, look like a bunch of blithering idiots, or what have you, then we have a clearly defined process within our organization to make changes. We are a party LOADED with extremely bright and hard-working MPs. Our party is NOT bereft of talent (as is the case with the Federal Conservatives). As a matter of fact, being middle of the road allows us to have some of the best thinkers of our times within our ranks. We have some incredibly adept politicians waiting in the wings, and some real young stars: People like Brian Tobin, Ralph Goodale, Ruby Dhalla, Mark Holland, Nav Bains, Denis Coderre, David McGuinty, Pablo Rodruiquez, Justin Trudeau, etc. What do all these folks have in common? Inspiring performance in the Commons (Justin, not yet), solid educational backgrounds, worldly experience, exceptional people skills (very important in our game), and just the right amount of flair and panache to lead.

So... fellow Liberals, unlike the Conservative Party, we don't have to focus entirely on one man or woman. Our party is MUCH more than just the leader, or leadership team. If that team does meet with failure, we have a VAST field of stars to choose from to replace them. But, until we can say we have "issues" or "challenges", LET THEM ALL DO THEIR JOBS!!! Remember, we haven't had an election yet. I'm a "hawk" too, but we need to ensure our ducks are in a row before we pull the plug on this scandal ridden government. Besides, we need to keep the Cons around long enough to hear more of the delectable scandal stories.

Cadscam cont'd... More Conservative Scanda

More and more and more. When will the Conservative scandals stop coming out of the woodwork? Hopefully not soon. We have a long list of very tricky situations coming up for the Cons - and currently going on... They will have some pretty wild excuses for some of them. Plausible? Probably not. We'll have to see...

Let's review just a small sample of what the Con-servatives have served up for dinner...

Election financing "troubles". To say the least. This matter is being looked into by the appropriate legal authorities...

Stockwell Day's brewing scandal. What were the terms of Day's "negotiation" with his would-be nomination opponent?

The blatant lie that was Shawinigate. New bank records show that there were NO agreements on paper for financing involving the Cretiens. Just Conservatives (with help from the Nat Pest) trying to smear another good man.

The income trust scandal. The Conservatives made an election promise that they turned completely around. The scandalous part is the "evidence" that they used to change their minds on their election promise.

The Mulroney-Schreiber Affair. Mr. Mulroney was one of Harp's "best buddies" all through the last election campaign. One of his closest advisors. The Harper government knew about the Schreiber ick many months before it hit the public "fan". What did the PMO know? Did they do anything to hide it...

Isotope-gate. There was some real bullying going on here. A government that criticizes, then fires a civil servant better have some really good reasons. These guys don't seem to have any valid reason for doing what they did. There is also the question of public safety that seems to be overlooked.

Baird-O'Brien Scandal ("Bob-gate"). We all know about the potentially shady dealings that seem to have transpired in this race in Ottawa. This too is being investigated by the appropriate legal authorities.

Cadscam. I've written a lot on this. There is still more to come. We have taped evidence that SOMETHING happened. It is either for the RCMP, or the courts, but definitely for the public to decide. Mr. Harper cannot go on without explaining what the words "financial considerations" meant. He also needs to disclose WHAT happened in the meeting on the 17th.

Now we have "NAFTA-gate". It appears to be a very deliberate act that has interfered with the US election campaign. So much so, that it became a major issue for Mr. Obama. And the Con's have the gall to challenge us on our party's stance on US policy??? When they appear to have interfered directly with that country's election? Where's the respect for the American people in that??? It appears the only respect the Cons have for Americans, is for the Republican variety - particularly those with close ties to big oil. They have no place for 50%-plus percent of the American populace - who in their NeoCon-publican way of thinking are nothing but a bunch of lefty pinkos...

A time comes when an Opposition (not just one party, but all the opposition) need to start asking some pointed questions - and getting answers. We are at that point now. We know that there are RCMP investigations ongoing - and to come - based on these Conservative scandals. We need to ensure that the Canadian public is aware, and apprised of all the events. Like Mr. Martin's very public pursuit of the Gomery Commission, it will have to be a Liberal, once again, that steps forward and begins the honest pursuit of answers in these new Conservative scandals. Our democracy requires that we act. Our people require that we be stoic in our resolve.

Not Cadscam... But Did "The Con-father" Have Something To Do With This Too???

Interfering in another country's election is pretty much an international incident. Actually that's exactly what it is. Did Peter McKay's Foreign Affairs Dept. (who begged and pleaded for an interview with a low level Obama "advisor") intentionally interfere in Obama's campaign to cast doubt on the (likely) Democratic nominee's integrity???

Was this another case of the all-knowing, control-freak, "Con-father", helping his American Republic masters? One has to say, "why not"? I mean, half of Stephen Harper's election machine is made up of Republican advisors from the US - helping the Conservatives brew an American-style campaign up here in Canada (yeah, it still is Canada the last time I checked)...

Harper is an all-knowing control freak. He knows all the things going on around him. His office ceaselessly briefs and debriefs his MPs and Cabinet. AS IF he doesn't know what's been going on in this scandal, or Cadscam, or Isotope-gate, or any of the numerous other scandals a-brewin' in Conservative-land.

Sometimes, Mr. Harper, being an all-knowing control-freak isn't such a good thing. You run the most centralized PMO and power structure in Ottawa in all of Canadian history. Do you really expect ANYONE to believe you had know prior knowledge (or helped with the planning of) of any of these scandals??? C'mon, get off it.

The "Confather" Speaks.... Cadscam Pt. 4

It's pretty typical for the Don, Stephen Harper - "The Confather", if you will, to say one thing, then say something completely different days, months, or years later...

Remember the "defeatist attitude" of the Maritimes?

Remember the "immigrants living in ghettos West of Winnipeg"?

Remember him calling Canada a "Northern European welfare state"?

Remember his (in writing) call for a firewall to be built around Alberta?

Remember his answers to questions about all these things in the last election? All "The Confather" could say was, "Gomery, Gomery, Gomery.... Blah... blah... Gomery... Libranos... Gomery... Blah, blah, ... tax cuts... He didn't ANSWER the questions. He ducked and dodged and went after some low level operatives in the Liberal Party - and managed (with media help) to taint the entire party just enough that some votes slipped away. Add to that the false allegations and attacks on the honorable Mr. Goodale (yes the Dippers brought it up first, but where did the info come from?, and the Cons DID make it one of their OWN questions), the false allegations against Mr. Cretien (re: Shawinigate).

Wow... seems like "The Confather" found a great way to get elected: level deviously shady allegations against the government - let the conservative-dominated media machine (see: CanWest/NatPost, Quebecor, etc.) run with it, and voila' - instant "New Government". It didn't hurt that all the blustering about the Gomery Inquiry covered up Harper's own "imperfections", like, for example, all his two-faced stances when it came to the issues listed above...

Now, "The Confather" would like us to not believe what he was "on the record" as saying to the writer of the Cadman book (even the part about, "uh, this is not for publication?"). He would like us not to believe what he said about, "financial considerations" (again, ON THE RECORD). No... "The Confather" would like Canadians to believe that his new story is the right one (after he's had a chance - cerebral guy that he is - to carefully craft his crafty response to the scandal).

I think Canadians (and hopefully the media) are seeing right through this stuff, and are ready to bring "The Confather" and/or his henchmen to the mat on this one. At the VERY LEAST we need a full investigation. Anything else is a slap in the face of democracy.

Cadscam... Proof Is Still The Proof... Malfeasance, Part 3

"I didn’t regard it as a “Party” initiative, but rather; the overzealous indiscretion of a couple of individuals…."

And with those words, and Harpo's ugly threats, some neoCons think the issue is "done". Think again.

The fact remains the TAPES are still there. The tapes and a book - both insinuating that "financial considerations" (right from Harpo's mouth) were made.

The fact IS, that the public still gets a look at the uglier side of Parliamentary politics - involving the Conservative Party and/or senior members/employees of that party. A party, might we add, which was "creating a new level of openness and integrity" in Parliament. LOL... LOL... I say, "same old Tory, same old story".

Fact is, Stephen Harper gave an interview on the topic, and was very worried that the interview would be "public". Why was Stephen worried the interview would be "on the record"? What does he not want the public to know? He needs to be asked, and in a forum where he can't give a terse political answer. Only a court can help clear this up.

Fact is, Donna Cadman indicated that an offer was made by SOMEONE with power in the CONSERVATIVE PARTY.

Fact is, the Cadman's daughter was very clear, very recently, about an "indecent proposal" being made.

Fact is, EVEN IF this was, "the overzealous indiscretion of a couple of individuals…", it makes it a MORE TROUBLING ACT than what occurred in the whole "Adscam" affair. Adscam involved "overzealous" low-lying members of the Quebec wing of the Liberal Party with an inappropriate fundraising scheme. Cadscam seems clearly to involve Conservative Party operatives (in what appears to be a pre-defined mission) attempting to secure an MP's vote with "financial considerations".

What's good for the goose, is certainly good for the very malfeasant gander... Cadscam - appearing as it does to be more serious than Adscam - deserves a very thorough investigation. Stephen Harper - if anyone - should be jumping up and down screaming for an investigation, if he is indeed innocent of any wrongdoing - rather than threatening lawsuits so he can pull a snap election and avoid this issue from harming his re-election chances.

Cadscam: The Proof Is The Proof... Is STILL The Proof...

(Note Nixon-like Image, "I'm not a crook")

So this morning I wake up to news about Donna Cadman's continued interest in running for the Cons, and her thoughts on "what it would take" to get there... We also hear about Harper with his threat of a lawsuit...

Thing is... the proof is still the proof, or so to speak. We have tape recordings of Conservative Party members - including this PM - talking about financial considerations with Mr. Cadman, not to mention the "on the record" comments in the book. This merits further investigation.

Mr. Harper is threatening a lawsuit because he is pushing to force an election, and wants this thing to be held back by the courts until at least when the election is over. A Conservative Majority would buy Harper and his henchmen another 4 to (probably) 5 years. The threatened court action will give enough people the opportunity to say, "no comment", or "this is in the hands of the courts", until the election is gone.

As Liberals, we need to ensure that the public is apprised of every part of what appears to be some pretty heinous activities. It is to the benefit of the Canadian public that we DO NOT force an election on this issue, and take the time to ensure Parliament hears every bit of evidence in this shady story. The Cons, of course, will want to force an election as soon as possible.

As we say, "the proof is the proof...", and there seems to be plenty of that right now...

Cadscam - The Proof Is The Proof... Is The Proof...

Conservatives were quick to lie and cast disparaging words at good men of integrity like Ralph Goodale (they lied and got the RCMP to investigate a supposed leak of financial information from his office - he was absolved - of course), and Mr. Cretien (Shawinigate - another blatant falsification). Now, when they have some huge scandals of their own brewing (Cadscam, federal election financing, Stockwell Day's potential buying of an opponent in a nomination contest, the little issue with Ottawa's mayor, Isotope-gate, and many, many more), the federal Conservatives are jumping up and down crying, "no evidence, no evidence!"

Well... like a great man once said - "The proof is the proof". We have more than just heresay evidence - as the Cons did when they more than likely coaxed their friends (Conrad Black and Company) at the National Pest to publish lies about Mr. Cretien's involvement in the hotel financing situation in Shawinigan. We have - in the public eye - transcripts, interviews by a biographer, family testimonials, AND - most telling - the proof: tape recordings. There isn't just one tape recording. There are recordings of Mr. Cadman mentioning that the Cons offered him bribes - while the Liberals did nothing of the sort. There are recordings of our "new" Prime Minister admitting that they offered some financial considerations to Mr. Cadman. There are further interviews of Mr. Harper (now as PM) contradicting his very own statements, years later. We also have admissions by the PMO - and Mr. Harper himself - that they were aware of this situation for some time now.

So, once again the question arises: what did they know, and when did they know it? Why was the RCMP not called in, or internal party discipline carried out IF, as they are bound to claim, some rogue Hill staffers, or Party executive decided to make the offer on their own (although we know this is not true - since we have the PM on tape clearly indicating that he was aware some financial dealings were attempted)?

This scandal stinks to high hell... And it has Stephen Harper written all over it. This self-proclaimed man of integrity, from the self-proclaimed party of integrity, has sullied the reputation of our great institution - our Parliament. Now we know these angry, hateful Reformers never liked anything about our government, or the way it operates. They took potshots at institutions like Stornoway - until Preston Manning moved in, cabinet limos (ancient Chev Caprices, by the way) - guess what they ride in now? The Conservative jackals have been driven to dissemble the Senate - our body of sober second thought. They only attack what the media publicizes about the Senate, while leaving out the massive amount of Parliamentary Committee work that would never happen if it wasn't for Senate involvement (while MPs from the House are busy trying to get re-elected). These angry Cons have also attacked our nation's judiciary. They are bent upon replacing justices with their own neo-Con brethren in a move that smacks of what Musharraf tried in Pakistan. They even have tried to Americanize our electoral system by fixing election dates - like that won't result in the 4th year of a term becoming a permanent election campaign and PR show...

Stephen Harper and the "new Conservatives" have trodden upon our Parliamentary institution. They despise what Parliament stands for, so why wouldn't they find it easy to bribe, to lie, to cheat, to get their way? These neoCons have - with Republican help - tried to destroy the very fabric of our nation. Their American Republican campaign advisers - along with the old Mulroney crew have created a level of anger and scorn in Parliament that has never been seen before. Anything can be attacked. Everything is turned into a media circus. Sound bytes are becoming the new "factoids". Angry partisan barbs from the likes of drooling pitbulls like John Baird are the political currency of this bunch of Conservatives.

So what should the buying public - the Canadian public - read into all of this? Quite simply that a bunch of angry, spiteful neo-Conservatives who never had any love for the institutions of this land, made clear attempts to bribe an elected official. The current Prime Minister is involved in some way, and was clearly aware that there were "financial considerations". There is all sorts of evidence. It's now the duty of reporters with integrity, news outlets with integrity, and the Police to delve further into this. As we say, "the proof is the proof..."

Cadscam - After Scandal, After Scandal, After Conservative Scandal...

What exactly have the Cons been up to on the "covert ops" front??? Some very interesting stories catch one's eye over the short while the Cons have had their gnarled grip on power... They certainly merit further investigation.

We've all been hearing about the possible buying off of Ottawa's mayor by Conservative operatives since the least election. This story is being investigated further, and is beyond the grasp of Parliament for now.

The Stockwell Day scandal is also getting a lot of press right now... The "head" of the RCMP is himself being investigated for a potential criminal act - paying off Jim Hart (another Reform/Alliance/CCRAP MP) to the tune of $50,000 so he would vacate his Interior BC seat. Can't wait for the RCMP's assessment - however, I do worry about who their boss is...

Oh yeah - how can we skip over the Harpo-Mularkey scandal - where it is pretty clear the Harper Conservatives are trying to stop any further investigations into Brian Mulroney's (Harper's key campaign adviser in the last election) dealings with Karl-Heinz Schreiber? Mulroney seems to be getting protection from the PMO or the Cons, or both. It is still not clear what the PMO knew, or when they knew it - but it is clear that they knew for quite some time that this was coming. They simply chose, it seems, to attempt to cover it up, hide it - anything to keep scandal from tarnishing what they liked to tell everyone was a "new" and "clean" government. So much for that bogus claim - like we didn't know all along!

More recently, we're hearing that the so-called "Shawini-gate" was really a blatant lie perpetrated on Canadians by the National Pest, and perhaps (most likely) their Conservative overlords. Conservatives and their right wing brethren were so hot to get something - anything - on Mr. Cretien that they went wholesale into all sorts of attempt to discredit a great PM: primarily the lies about the so-called Shawinigate affair, and the blowing up of the events surrounding the so-called "ad-scam".

Now, we have "Cadscam" (thanks CAITI). The "Con" servative gov't of Stephen Harper apparently made attempts to bribe a sitting MP for his vote to help topple the Paul Martin Liberal government. This new scandal may just be the one big scandal that topples this ridiculous, secretive, punitive, angry, talentless, dictatorial, secret-agenda-driven Conservative government....

There is a lot to do in the few weeks/months before an election. The corruption running rampant through this gov't has to be pointed out. The Canadian people have a right to know the truth. The RCMP need to be involved - if required. The Ethics Commissioner and the Auditor General may need to be involved as well.

Now to write my "Chuck Cadman - People's Hero" folksong... ; )

Conservative Scandal! Accountability? We Don't Need No Bleepin' Accountability...

So Harper and his merry band of "holier-than-thou" neo-Con apologist, hater, hypocrites are now immersed in another scandal - and perhaps the most damaging one in years. Actually trying to pay off the wife of a dying man - simply for his vote in the House. How low can you go? Pretty low, it seems, if you're a member of CCRAP/CPC/CA/Reform.

Before I delve further into details, I must say, "kudos" to Mr. Cadman, for being the upstanding citizen he was, and standing up for his principles. He did not bite on the bribe - knowing full well, the fate that awaited him. He was truly an MP worthy of his role. Also, the story makes a point of noting that the Paul Martin Liberals DID NOT approach Cadman with any type of offer.

So, the "accountable" Prime Minister - Stephen "I'm a fibber, watch my nose grow" Harper - is now faced with yet ANOTHER example of how he and his party have no idea what integrity really is. To watch this Conservative government (and I use the term loosely) distort, cheat, basically do everything they can to destroy the fabric of Canadian Parliamentary Tradition, and think they can get away with it is SICKENING! Sure, it appears they have the public duped. Sure, the media still seems to be in the "Canada's New Government love-in phase". Still, one needs to ask how the hell are they getting away with all this? Is it because the public and media were so desensitized to scandal through the over-airing of the Gomery fiasco, that they no longer care what comes along? Surely people don't believe the so-called "Accountability Act" cleaned everything up???

Perhaps, more importantly, what are WE going to do about it? We could do nothing - perhaps because we're too disorganized in the OLO, or the Caucus Research Office... We could let Pat Martin make this "his baby", as he's sure want to do... For best results, however, WE should make this OUR axe to grind. After being tainted by the whole Gomery debacle, NOTHING could be better than having a couple of our fastest swinging MPs (give it to some young back-benchers) come out throwing punches - and keeping at it up to, and through the next election. It took Con MPs several years of jumping up and down, and manufacturing public doubt, to get the reaction they needed to win a slim minority. Nothing could be better for our party than to turn the tables on really their ONLY reason for eking out those extra seats in the last election. We CAN'T let them get away with trying call us corrupt - not when it exists in their party to the highest levels (yes, Harper knew about this). Not when they try to steal 13 years of a Liberal economic miracle at the hands of men like Cretien, Martin, and Goodale, and make it theirs.

Although I don't expect much, I'm hoping for the opposite... I hope our MPs make time in their busy days, weeks, and months ahead to get real answers about the Harper-Cadman Insurance Scandal, rather than whittle away their time arguing semantics about a budget... Time to let our best Parliamentarians loose. It will be great to see the likes of Goodale, Dhalla, McGuinty, Rodriguez, and Holland make this part of Question Period - on a regular basis. These Liberals have repeatedly shown a tenacity, and an ability to be at the forefront of any well-planned attacks or rebuttals to the Cons. Time to let 'em loose.

Proud Liberal Brothers and Sisters - Reclaim Your Past!

For the past couple of years, WE as a party have tried so hard to put behind us a past that we allowed others to tarnish. A past which had little but the slightest blemish when put in context, and compared to the lies perpetrated by the current Conservative government. A past rooted in the creation of record surplus budgets, an economic responsibility unparalleled in the Western World. We brought a nation back from economic ruin, and were the toast of the G8.

While being the careful stewards of Canada's economy we allowed this land to grow in respect around the world. We maintained Canada's autonomous voice. We reached out to the world. We lived the legacy of Lester Pearson and Pierre Trudeau. We opened our doors to the world and led a celebration of Canada's social diversity.

As a party, we have - in the past couple of years - so distanced ourselves from those incredible 13 years, that we've allowed the "con-self-servatives" to help themselves to our record of economic excellence. To buy themselves an election with the surpluses WE created. To allow these liars and cheats to take credit for ANY of that economic success, would be to disgrace the memory of our great past PMs.

When is enough enough? When is it time to stand up and shout out loud, "what the hell is going on here?" in the corridors of power, on TV, on the campaign trail, and at every opportunity we have?

Now is the time to stand up and take back our legacy fellow Liberals! Shout out loud that you're proud to be a Liberal, and proud of our immaculate fiscal record of well over a decade. We will be vindicated! Let's get out there and take this message to the people! WE cannot let Harper and his band of thugs lie and cheat their way to another victory! Our party has always been the party of fiscal responsibility, of nation-building, of inclusion!

Time to reclaim our fiscal record! One slap across the chops is enough. Repeated slaps across the face are an insult this proud party need not accept.

Oh Alberta - Say It Ain't Still So...

It's pretty sad when this still goes on in this day and age. For the record (and for the ignorant), Aman Gill is of Indian descent - not Pakistani. Not that it should matter - a slur is a slur...

Wonder whom the person who defaced the sign is going to work/vote for in this election? Give you two guesses... (neither of them Liberal or NDP)...

Jim Prentice: If You're Going To Lie, Might As Well Make It A Whopper...

Liar, liar, pants on fire...

Conservatives love to talk about anything proven to be false as "debatable". Greenhouse gases and global warming? Debatable. Poverty in Northern Canada? Debatable. WMDs? Debatable - even after Bush was proven wrong. Now, after respected global publications even rejoiced in Liberal Canada's "Northern Tiger" economy, the Con's would like to "con" Canadians into believing that Harper created our surpluses?

Stephen Harper has increased gov't spending to record highs. He sends out his lying peon to try to contort reality and "con" Canadians. Even though these are Steve's marching orders, he will keep himself "clean" from the negative publicity lying (and being caught in it) brings.

In a continued Con-servative smear campaign of lies, Conservative MPs continue to try to re-write history, by lying about the Liberal record of budget surpluses, and paying down Canada's debt.

Flaherty's career has already been killed by PM Cartman, so now he decides to send out another potential leadership rival: Jim Prentice (perhaps the only Con Cabinet member who could threaten him). You recall Prentice running for leadership in the past. He would try again - if it wasn't for his "boss" making him a liar on national TV.

Liars. Liars. Liars? Like someone said a long time ago (must have been a Conservative): If you're gonna lie, might as well make it a whopper...

While We Sit

It's called gaining the initiative. We haven't been good at it lately. While "seasoned" Liberal politicos jump up and down and scream "gotcha", and "lie" about the Conservatives' recent public efforts to paint us as big tax and spenders, it's the Cons who are chuckling mirthfully. We Liberals tend to be poor on the the PR initiatives, and this may have a lot to do with Conservative ownership of most major media outlets in Canada. Still, we do ourselves a disservice if we don't go on the offensive against this gov't. While we're focused on our next policy platform, the Cons are out there "soundbyting" the public into a trance...

You can just hear the average (non-political-junkie) voter: "I remember hearing somewhere that the Liberals are just a bunch of tax-happy, over-spenders...". The more you put something out there, the more the public is apt to consume and believe it. 95% of the voting population is not as into it, politically, as we are. They tend to consume a lot of the material the media puts out as "fact", and often have nothing to balance it.

The "tax-and-spend-Liberal" label is about as misleading, and as much a blatant lie, as the "Liberal crooks" label Harpo's gang stuck to us in the last election. We now are faced with fighting the labeling of a "tax happy party with a 'weak' leader, that will throw Canada into a deficit". Now this ad could help turn the tables quite a bit - if we can get it out there...

We're not exactly the same Opposition as in the days of the "Brat Pack". We need to start getting more vocal - and repetitive. The repetition is what will get us heard. Every interview one of ours' gives HAS to include an attack on:
1) Conservative Election improprieties being investigated by RCMP/Elections Canada
2) Harper's out of control spending killing off our surpluses (general financial mismanagement)
3) Isotope-gate - and other gov't attempts to influence gov't depts illegally
4) Income Trusts (lies, lies, and more lies)
5) The "openness" of this gov't
6) The EXTREME lack of talent behind Harper (no real cabinet)
7) THEN, if still time - the Cons' extreme Reform ideas on the family, sexual orientation, minorities, social programs and infrastructure spending, etc.

Time to start chanting this mantra on a daily basis. It has to be required for ANY Liberal MP giving an interview...

US "Spy" Satellite To Be Shot Down

I may just be posting this purely in jest...

Can't remember the last time a US "spy" satellite had to be shot down. Maybe because there never has been one needin' shootin'. The Yanks want the world to believe this satellite is a simple "spy satellite". Couldn't be further from the truth. Spy satellites have sensitive camera and surveillance equipment, but never have they needed to be shot down because of hazardous materials on board. Especially rocket propellant.

Why does the presence of rocket propellant concern this writer? What is America's urgency to shoot it down? Perhaps because this satellite contained a huge quantity of the rocket propellant (not that this coming down on a civilian population has ever been a concern before). Propellant of this sort is used to fuel rocket boosters, but also is usable on missiles - like the type used on SDI ("Star Wars") anti-ballistic missile defense shields. This includes nuclear missiles.

What don't the Americans want the world to know? Spy satellites have come down to earth before. Could they be afraid of a "defense satellite" - potentially armed with ballistic missile defense technologies - perhaps even space-bourne nuclear warheads - being found out?

A normal surveillance satellite should come crashing to earth, and mostly burn up on re-entry. Nothing for a foreign power to learn from, or benefit in any way from. Now (and I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist here, but...) a satellite loaded with space-WMDs - perhaps even a nuclear load, when the US has been afraid to admit to the nuclear weaponization of space - that's something the Pentagon would want to hide. Nothing like a 500 mile long trail of fallout to make you look like the world's bad guy - especially if it comes down near a civilian population. That would be a tough one to "PR away".

The US has continued to weaponize space at an alarming rate. There is no doubt there are nukes somewhere in the equation. We really hope someone starts to offset the global power imbalance that seems to let some powers do whatever they feel they want to.

(If this writer's place of work happens to have part of a recently shot down US defense satellite fall through the roof, you'll know I was right).

Now That John Edwards Is Out...

Since John Edwards' untimely defeat in the primaries, I would have thought there would be a vacuum in candidacy of Democrats wanting REAL change. After all, Edwards was a true liberal in every sense of the word. He was definitely someone who stood for the little guy - against big corporations.

With Edwards out, there is really only one choice - and also someone who would bring historic CHANGE - Barack Obama. Obama has exceptional elocution skills. He has a commanding presence in a room. He can get a crowd going. But more than that, Mr. Obama has also NOT been bought out by healthcare, insurance, or defense contractors...

Obama brings a new perspective on looking at things. His election will bring real change - as never seen before in the US. It will not necessarily be a change in policy (although we see him moving on Iraq, and having some clear ideas on other things - including corporate interference in national progress). It will be a change in the American psyche that delineates his candidacy. An American psyche that - thus far - has felt that a visible minority could not be president. For years people said it would be a woman first (remember Geraldine Ferraro?). Either would be good for America. Someone has to tone down the chauvinistic, paternal, hormonally charged, rhetorical discussion carried by the American nation as a whole. Seriously - the nation has become a young teenager charged with a testosterone-induced rage. The machismo needs to be toned down a little, and a woman or a visible minority President would more than likely set the tone from the top, with focus on other issues aside from "making war". Obama would probably make strides in tackling poverty in America, as well as corporate responsibility. He may also be able to make real changes to healthcare - without being tied down by healthcare campaign funding. Most bets are that Hilary would also bring a softer tone to the White House.

Up North - here in Canada - we need to be watchful of more conservative attempts to bring that raging "American psyche" up here. A new President down South will certainly help cool conservative heels up here. If these Northern bad-boys start behaving more like Joe's Tories (or even Mulroney's - in policy - not integrity), we would be a much better nation for it...

We may learn something from the US in the next few years. Wouldn't that be a change. Perhaps the changes down South will help us perpetuate changes up here. That's usually the way it goes - and it wouldn't be bad either.

Afghanistan - What Next?

Now that we're at a crossroads on the Afghan question, maybe we can start taking a more objective look at the possible solutions. A lot of people have put up the idea of Canada moving to more of a "peace-keeping" role. Abdicating responsibility to the US is another possibility. Still another is to have other UN powers "rotate" through the combat-intensive roles.

The key item of importance here is that Afghanistan NEEDS the West's help - if not for anything else other than to clean up the schmozzle we helped create with the US - leaving a vacuum after bombing them further back into the stone age. The Taliban has to go. I don't think the Liberals and Conservatives are far apart on that one. There still remain questions as to whether the NDP want to defeat the Taliban, or "negotiate" with them. Not sure where the Bloc stands, since they don't exactly register outside of Quebec.

Canada in a peacekeeping role is the best solution - as long as we can fill the void (and NATO - with the US's leadership must). Our senior General Staff were all field officers back through decades of Canadian peacekeeping missions. They are at their best in that milieu. Having said that, we are also adept at "real" battlefield ops. We (even with less superior machinery) routinely trounced the US in simulated conflicts and exercises. British Commonwealth soldiers simply are better fighters than American armies - and we've seen that down through the past few hundred years - after the American Revolution, of course. Still, we are best "exercised" at peacekeeping - and we've tooled our army for that. To decide to start building our forces for frontal combat in a complex warzone is folly. We would need to spend billions $$$ just to retool our forces. Then the training - for counter-insurgency would be required. This would take years. This is probably we Liberals had a deadline for the time spent in the Khandahar region by our troops.

So who in the world is best suited to fighting insurgents? One thing needs to be kept in mind when considering this: insurgents - if representing the feelings of a particular community, in a particular region of the world - tend to win out. It may take decades, and even outside help, but it is hard to oppress people and keep them down. The Taliban represents a vast swath of Afghani tribal areas. It is their home - even if some of their commanders/advisors are outsiders. You don't easily whoop someone in their own back yard. So who would best be suited to such a role? Here are a few nations which could take on a combat role, letting Canada get back to our area of expertise in peacekeeping and nation-building (not saying these nations would agree to go along with it):
1) Russia - The Russians have fought insurgents around the world (during the Cold War), including right in Afghanistan. They have mercilessly pounded Chechnya. They have a hardened experienced core of soldiers who know how to survive an insurgency. Even with all the experience, the Russians have experienced one bloody nose after another fighting the insurgencies.
2) Columbia - America's allies in South America. This army has been fighting FARC to a standstill for years. They aren't exactly winning, but with US military aid they are at least surviving. The US should easily be able to buy a small force from the Columbians after all the help Bush gave them.
3) South Africa - Although it's been years since they were seriously involved in places like Namibia, they still have the tools and the training to take on insurgencies. Their entire army was built to take down tribal insurgencies, rebels in neighboring propped-up states, and civilian uprisings. Their older general staff would have pretty clear recollections on what to do.
4) Indonesia - The Indonesian Army is large, well-equipped, and well suited to counter-insurgency measures. Forget about them coming out though - they have enough trouble stomping out civilian unrest in their own back yard.
5) India - India has fought an Islamic insurgency in Kashmir for years. They have also fought several other insurgencies (Sri Lanka, Assam, Punjab, Tamil Nadu) over the years. Indian counter-insurgency forces are seasoned, well-trained, and capable. We're not sure they would want to get involved in a regional dispute that may not have a "friendly" conclusion - especially with nuclear Pakistan and Iran closeby - both of whom have covertly or overtly supported the Taliban.
6) Blackwater - Can they fight a war? Damned straight! They're doing it in Iraq right now. As far back as March of 06 Blackwater has been ready for real combat operations. According to Cofer Black (Vice-Chairman of Blackwater) at a 2006 military fair: "We're low-cost and fast, the issue is, who's going to let us play on their team?"

"Unlike national and multinational armies, which tend to get bogged down by political and logistical limitations, Black said, Blackwater could have a small, nimble, brigade-size force ready to move into a troubled region on short notice."

"Black's remarks were reported by Defense News, a military publisher that sponsored the conference where he spoke, the Special Operations Forces Exhibition."

The "two forces" idea is one I advocated over the past few years: one engaging the enemy, while the other "builds the nation". There are some problems in involving Muslim nations: Most of them are concerned about Al Quaida sympathizers in their own back yards, and won't do anything to agitate them (see Pakistan). Even the Muslim nations more likely to support world peace-keeping operations (Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco) have to be really worried about their own "home grown" sympathizers. For them to tread ground in Afghanistan won't happen too quickly.

Apart from this, nations like Pakistan have always benefited from the existence of the Afghan militants. These very same forces - along with Pakistan's ISI - have worked together to destabilize India's Kashmir region for years. The Saudi's have a lot of internal problems. Remember how they jumped to help in Gulf War I? Where are they now? They won't help chase after one of their native sons (Osama). Remember the Saudis bankrolled the whole Osama gang. The Egyptians won't risk domestic instability to venture into this quagmire.

It will be very hard to get Muslim nations on the ground in that land. And remember - there are some former Soviet Republics helping now (who happen to be predominantly Muslim). These nations could have been involved on the ground, but chose not too... and Al Quaida hides out in their back yard - in those countries - in the mountains.

The most practical solution may be for us to save $billions by hiring Blackwater - with US help and NATO financing - for the frontal role (they would train Karzai's army quite well), then use our forces to secure the main cities and the Khandahar Airport, while beginning the human process of rebuilding, and winning hearts and minds. Of course, then we'd have to contend with Blackwater's "collateral damage" every day.

Afghanistan will most likely end up being sub-divided after a civil war which the UN will be hard-pressed to stop. We have to hope the old "Northern Alliance" will reign supreme - although this kind of war will really come down to who wants it more. Already Karzai is doing everything he can to appear not too close to the West. The last thing he wants is to appear to be a Western puppet. We all recall what happened to the old regime the Soviets tried to prop up...

Harper has painted himself into a corner on this one - and it can only get worse. The longer we wait, the more Canadian casualties, and less world interest in jumping in feet first. Too bad theres no oil in Afghanistan. Only Karzai's opium.

Harper Daring Libs To Go

In a "not-so-dangerous" game of chicken (I mean, c'mon, if they lose, we may get rid of them), PMSH (aka Cartman) is pushing for an election campaign.

I don't think Harper is rolling dice on this one. It's pretty calculated. They are trying to pull the same thing as we did to them with elections before the new leader is ready... Calculated strategic thinking. This time it's backed up by a few other things:

1) Weakening economy - usually goes against incumbents, but this time it is the incumbents who've created the perfect conditions for economic turmoil (this guys an economist???). The Conservatives have ran up spending, almost eliminating our huge, mega-billion surpluses. Mind you, they didn't run these up to make us recession-proof with safety nets for workers, businesses, etc.; and they didn't do what families traditionally do when tough times are comin' - pay down debt. Nooooosireee... they decided to spend massive amounts on the military, and tax cuts - including the stupid idea of a consumption tax cut - rather than an income tax cut (that would have helped Canadian families in possible tough times coming). On top of his ridiculous spending (typically Conservative if one checks back in history), Harper decided to destroy many seniors' savings with his income trust "brainwave".

2) Dion's starting to get better. Yes, our leader has made strides in his public persona, and with each moment he grows stonger. It's easier to fight off a "wimp" image or "not a leader", vs. what Day had to fight (incompetent religious zealot), or Harper (hidden agenda, closet dictator, did we say secret hidden agenda?).

3) Conservative scandals are brewing, or have already gone public. Mulroney-Schreiber-Harper PMO; election campaign financing (at a huge scale); "Poll-gate"; etc.

Since they're headed down in the polls (probably also in the millions of internal polls they commissioned), they are deciding to go now, before it gets worse. If they don't get their way with an election, at the very least they will get their way with the confidence votes. "Win/win", or so they think...

I'm one to believe that we don't compromise OUR principles on these issues, but that we also make this VERY PUBLIC, so it is very clear that we are sticking to our guns (bit of a conservative analogy there, but...). It may be time to fight an election - because PM Harper wants one so badly. If we go through the exercise and it's another minority, the public ISN'T going to be happy at all. Thanks Stevie.

Harper PMO's Attitude on Racism: "Who Gives a $h!t"

Just glanced over at Warren Kinsella's website, and wasn't really shocked to find this story here. Seems the PMO heard about a racist comment on a bathroom wall in Parliament, and emailed an answer (Warren provides the IP address of the sender, and lookup) which showed the REAL Conservative opinion on racism...

I've locked antlers with some of these folks out on the Prairies - so I know exactly what type of attitudes a lot of them have - but, I think their glossy PR campaigns and pro-Conservative media bias (CanWest/Nat Post, almost every major Canadian Daily, etc.) really helps hide their warts. Time we put them out on full display.