resurection

i've been missing for a good few months... there will be resumption of blogging soon... i feel devious.

Newless News

After having been hiding out at work all evening, I have finally just gotten home from flipping burgers and making milkshakes and am in desparate need of a shower... if only working fast food wasn't so greasy, perhaps I could come home after a shift not smelling like a giant french fry - however, I could not help but blog... blog, then shower... or blog, shower and blog some more before going to bed...

Seeing as everyone has posted something about the softwood fiasco, me rambling on about the same thing would be rather pointless... therefore, I will attempt to ramble on for a few minutes about whatever newspaper article grabs my attention... please note, that as I'm writing in my blog, I'm reading random articles at the same time... speaking of random... "blog" is quite the nifty word.

Okay... "Turkish politician charged with chewing gum at a ceremony for the country's founder"... interesting... "a military official accused Dalci of insulting Ataurk, the Anatolia news agency said. Dalci was charged and summoned to appear in court... Dalci said he had no intention of insulting Ataturk, but was chewing gum to freshen his breath after eating garlic" ... strangely enough that article made me chuckle - while I agree that perhaps it is disrespectful to chew gum at such a ceremony - I can't help but wonder, was he chewing some of that great tasting strawberry 'hubba bubba' chewing gum and blowing extravagant bubbles, or was he conservatively chewing on spearmint dubble-bubble chewing gum?

Will The Real Slimy Tory Please Stand Up?

Conservative MPs gave Stephen Harper a standing ovation during a closed-door meeting Wednesday when he told them he will not yield to criticism of the way the government commemorates military deaths... Flags on Parliament Hill will no longer be selectively lowered to half-mast when soldiers lose their lives.

Although I could understand how some families may not want to draw attention to their relative's death - what ever happened to lowering the flag in respect and acknowledgement of the sacrifice that person made for their country? I in no way whatsoever agree with Canada's role in Afhganistan - in fact, I also see this move by Harper to mirror that of our dear frightfully stupid neighbor George Bush... if Canadians don't see the coffins coming back, and the death tolls remaining to be a running tally scrolling on the bottom of the television screen, then one does not have to recognize how stupid it is to be over seas doing what we're doing. For whatever reason, people still believe that Canada is just doing some peacekeeping here and there, trying to help people rebuild their country... though I'm sure they've been disillusioned that it's not a war. It is a war which is bringing people home in coffins draped with flags, and causing people to silently weep as they've lost a loved one.

Have some respect Harper......

Wash Mouth Out With Soap

"Canada's top general is denying a report that the new Conservative government asked to approve his speeches" and "Prime Minister Stephen Harper also says there's no move to censor Gen. Rick Hillier" ... interesting...

Seems to me that they are are censoring, but not censoring - "I want to know exactly what you're going to say, and when you're going to say it, or no cookie before you go to bed"... I don't blame the government for already worrying about putting a leash on anyone that can communicate in one of Canada's two official languages... I mean, if someone says something that Harper doesn't want out, then he's kinda screwed isn't he? Too bad this censorship hasn't been working, look at how many Conservative MPs have been unable to keep their mouths shut thus far? It's actually kind of funny... and thanks to the headlines the Conservative government seems to capture everyday, I don't have to worry about running out of blog material.

However, if they're claiming that there is no such censorship... then why... "last week, an internal Conservative Party e-mail intercepted by Canadian media outlined a plan to slow the flow of communication between the party and the press... according to the e-mail, all forms of communication right down to notes letters to the editor, were to pass through the Prime Minister's office for approval." ... curious and curiouser... if they're not censoring... then what is up with wanting to frisk everyone for signs of English or French?

The Okanagan-Shuswap MP (which I regretfully have to say is my riding) was also sited as saying "I really value the ability to communicate through our local media in terms of effectiveness in Ottawa... i don't want to be corkscrewed with my political affiliation - I won't let them muscle me"... so... I take it that "corkscrewed" and "muscled" are code words for some very dirty Brokeback Mountain moments between politicians (ex: Harper and Emerson/Other Conservative MPs) OR another way of saying that there is some definate censorship going on... either way... being corkscrewed sounds wrong...

But... I suppose since we live in a constantly stealthily censored country that hides behind the mask of free speech, I guess that I shouldn't babble on about the little things that I've heard about Colin Mayes, the MP in my area that I previously mentioned... darn censorship... if it weren't for censorship, I suppose that I would go on to talk about how Mayes "is being sued for libel for allegedly making disparaging comments about fellow mayoral candidate Greg Husband during the last municipal election in Salmon Arm, B.C."

Liar, Liar Pants On Fire

I'm sure that Harper being in Burnaby and seeing an array of protesters is old news - though apparently it's not yet old news to the protesters, who "are still angry"; meh, I don't blame them... in fact, I would very much like to partake in a good wholesome Canadian protest. Harper claims to want to follow through with this and that, why doesn't he follow through with his "accountability" bullshit and follow through with all those smurf-like Conservatives who say that 'people should be able to TRUST their government'? I dunno, something tells me that if you're protesting, then you're not exactly trusting the head-cheese.

Then for Emerson to say "it's just that every once I nawhile the locusts descend on me and it creates situations that are a little abnormal, but I carry on with my work" - okay... so... voters are locusts... good one buddy - how about you stop sitting on Harper's lap, and do the right thing? I was listening to the news last night, and a man was talking about how many people voted Liberal because they didn't want a Conservative, and look what they got, a Conservative...
Keep on protesting you guys, I'll sprinkle some glitter on my anti-Emerson sign and hammer it onto my front lawn - the Conservatives on my block won't like it, but who cares? It's a lawn ornament...

Political Puppy Love

"Call Stephen Harper what you will, but don't call him a Conservative Casanova" (Canadian Press, 2006) - no problem, can do - he's not my type... I'm not into the slime-ball creepy Conservatives, thank you very much. And quite frankly, blue isn't one of my favorite colors - give me a nice mauve or crimson, perhaps a nice charcoal black.

The prime minister was quick to correct a New Democrat MP who accused him today of "seducing former Liberal David Emerson into switching parties. Harper reminded the House of Commons that his reputation is that of a bookish loner rather than a hot-blooded lothario.

Um... Okay... "bookish loner"... I have a variety of other adjectives that could be added as well, but I'm afraid none of them are too flattering. Though, I'm sure that someone finds that green flak jacket of his to be attractive - does not nothing for his expanding figure, but if he thinks he looks good then... what can ya do? Aside from throw him onto an episode of that television show "What Not To Wear" and a five-week intensive "Queer Eye For the Straight Guy" boot-camp.

" 'I don't think I've ever even been accused of seducing anyone, even my wife,' he told chortling MPs." I'm sure he hasn't... but does someone who has never seduced have children? I'm a naive young-person... and according to the "birds and the bees" metaphore, there must've been some degree of seduction there... Unless of course he ordered his wife out of one of those mail-order-bride catalogues... Maybe e-bay... I'm sure sure how that system works...

Either way, I'm sure that there was some seducing of Emerson by Harper... it probably started off with a flirty smile, a gentle touch of the arm... letting out a quiet giggle at a stupid joke Emerson had made... I'm sure things eventually escalated to Stephen making a romantic mix-cd for David... perhaps passing notes written with pink cursive writing back and forth - daring to be caught by the Speaker... oh... I'm sure it was love at first sight... and what else is one to do while in love, but to give their lover a special place, not only in their heart, but parliament?

But... oh dear, oh my... what will ever happen when Harper and Emerson break up? Will Harper cry silently in a corner wondering what went wrong? Which one will say, "it's not you... it's me"? Will Emerson go run off and connoodle with Jack? Gilles? Or will Emerson slink humbly back to the Liberals, holding wilted daisies and a handmade glitter-card that says "I'm sorry"? It's a shame when true love fades...

Nothing good can come from political puppy love. Nothing... nothing but broken hearts, crazy love-triangles and salty tears.

Hetero, Homo & Politically Insane

Like most days when I have a long break between lectures, I like to sit and "chill" in the student lounge, scrolling through random newspapers and giving my friends an ear-full when something strikes my fiesty political opinion. Oh, it's grand being an opinionated university student... for that reason alone, I felt compelled to blog about the random articles that I have read this morning - and give my two-cents even if you already have a nickel and have no need for spare change.

First off... I read an article outlining the throne speech yesterday - needless to say, I wasn't cheering on the Govenor General as she read Harper's scripted eleven-page skit... I suppose if they used sock puppets instead, I would have been more amused.

Stephen Harper used his Conservative government's first
throne speech to set a course oward a more flexible federalism, greater respect
for Quebec and smoother relations with "our best friend" the United
States.

I'm sure the only flexibility there is going to be is if Harper takes up yoga classes every Tuesday and Thrusday night - or perhaps, be more flexible and stealthy in doing this and that and not be held accountable for their actions; case and point (thus far): the Emerson defection. As for greater respect for Quebec, I'm absolutely smitten with that province - it's particularly lovely during July (spent my summer there last year). As for the United States being our best friend, made me want to vomit... I'm sure the only thing that is going to come from this government is that we're going to become Ameridians... a disgusting mix of American and Canadian... I hope the romp in the hay with Bush is worth it for Harper... I'm sorry... that was so Brokeback Mountain...

Speaking of Brokeback Mountain, that got me thinking about the article "Tories to hold free vote on same-sex marriage says justice minister" that was in the news paper this morning. I don't know about you, but does Harper already have nothing better to do than bring up old news?

The federal Conservatives say they will follow through
on a campaign promie to hold a free vote in the House of Commons on same-sex
marriage... While the issue was not mentioned in Tuesday's throne speech,
Justice Minister Vic Toews says the vote will be held "sooner rather than
later." The Tory campaign platform says if MPs vote to overturn same-sex
marriage, a bill will be introduced to restrict marriage to unions between men
and women.

Who really cares? If two people loves eachother, they should be able to declare that by getting married, if they so chose to do so. Who cares if it's two men, two women, or a man and a woman? Hell, in the United States a woman was able to marry a freaking dolphin! Who cares?! As the Canadian for Equal Marriage says, "the issue should be put to rest".

I suppose that is all the rambling that I will do for today, I have a pb&j sandwich in my backpack that is calling my name, and the possibility of catching a few mintues of sleep before my next lecture.

Et... Erm, DM Phone Home

The Anti-Emerson Walk for Democracy protest was yesterday in Vancouver-Kingsway; it's a pitty that I wasn't able to go... I was the typical university student slaving away on multiple term-papers, however I must say... I'm damn proud of how many people showed up to defend what they believe for. It's obvious that the government and blue-tinged smurf-like Conservatives will be able to sweep people's disappointment and loathing under the carpet.

"'We're getting calls from all across Canada,' event organizer Mike Watkins, a Conservative, told the assembled crowd. 'There are De-Elect David Emerson signs in Nova Scotia.'" Wonderful - I wonder where I can get one of those signs... maybe get a blimp saying that, though in a Conservative riding I'm sure that would get a few reactions... n that I'm scared of Conservatives at all - good luck them chasing me out of town with their pitch forks and torches , because GASP (!) I'm a Liberal.

I got a comment a few days ago to the effect of 'there wer 70,000 people who would argue against the protesters'... if that were so true, why is it that people across the country are banding together PROTESTING against Emerson? Obviously there is reason behind it, people voted for a LIBERAL canidate - and what does he do? Nothing more can be said other than their vote was abused. Hell I'd be just as angry if the canidate I'd voted for switched over just because "he wanted to"

So, thus I conclude my blog for today, by applauding those hundreds of people that walked for democracy. That truely was an amazing thing to see.

Hunny, Where's My Teddybear?

Has anyone else noticed that green vest Harper always wears? Not only was he wearing it out in Afganhistan but it found his way to Mexico as well. This gives me yet another theory about our beloved PM... the green vest is Harper's security blanket. His wife would not allow him to pack his teddy bear or tickle-me Elmo... so he was stuck with the green vest - poor guy, how is he going to sleep without his Elmo?!

"Hunny, did you see my Elmo?" Harper calls from his bedroom.
"Stephen, I told you already, you're too old for a stupid stuffed animal" his wife yells back.
"Mommy would let me take him to Mexico with me!"
"You didn't just use the Mommy-card!!"
"Oh, I did, now give me my Elmo bit - ... "
"You know what, you're sleeping on the couch tonight buddy"
"Fine, I won't bring Elmo with me"

That is perhaps the conversation that took place - however, if the vest is not there as Elmo's replacement, than perhaps it's some sort of weight-compression garment, or bullet-proof vest. The weight-compression garment wouldn't surprise me, though with today's fashions, I'm sure he could have found something a little bit more flattering - green isn't his colour, and damnit, it just doesn't do anything to flatter his girlish figure.

Now... if the green vest is a bullet-proof vest... than perhaps our PM is a wee bit paranoid that someone's out to get him. A bit early into his career as prime minister.... it was even a good few months before Bush started hiding behind bullet-proof glass... poor guy...

Either way, I'm sure that there's some reason behind the tacky green vest... next week, I will tackle the idea of Harper's hair - toupe... or whatever it really is

Assault MPs With Passionate Letters

In a news article that I read today, Harper said "Conservative supporters and Canadians at large should flood their MPs with demands for the kinds of change they want to see in government" If he wants change, then I suggest that he starts with his hair - would it absolutely kill him to get some highlights? A haircut? Or a new toupee? The one change I would like to see however, is another Liberal government - I know, I know Harper's our PM... but I'm not gonna be happy about it...

"Harper pledged again to introduce an Accountability Act" to clean up government corruption. e repeated promises to cut the GST, crack down on crime, give parents money for child care, and develop a health-care wait-times guarantee." Okay... so Harper's all for government accountability, then how is it that he got off scottt-free from the ethics commission for the Emerson incident? Isn't that something to be accountable for? Or am I just a stupid 18-yr old? And give money to parents for childcare? Isn't that $200 a month? How are needing-parents going to work with $200? I think that's cutting it a bit tight.

"And friends, make no doubt about it, Canadians are with us." And friends? I read on "Blog Boy's" Liberal blog during the election, that a true friend is someone who you would share your socks with. I'm sorry, but is there any sock sharing? I have a hole in my left black sock, and no replacement for it from Harper yet. Furthermore, "friend" you're not my friend. Calling everyone your "friend" like he does, is something that perhaps one of those snot-nosed rude obnoxious "popular kids" would call everyone - even if they despised you for your non-comformist ways with a passion... hell a friend is someone who in kindergarten, you would share your purple crayon with. Sorry Harper, I'm not about to let you borrow my crayon.

Fashion Police!

Seeing as I have a few minutes to waste before going to my Psychology
lecture, I thought that I would take a few minutes to blog - while I criticized Emerson yesterday, I thought that I would switch things up and poke fun of Harper's fashion statements.

I'm sure that everyone has seen the hideous cowboy-getup, dear God, I have never seen something so ugly... a slightly over-weight politician wearing a black leather cowboy outfit - sooo Brokeback Mountain! Minus the homosexuality of course, Harper doesn't like homosexuals... nevertheless, the cowboy costume is the worst I've seen yet.

I imagine that it's quite hard to constantly be in the public eye; people watching your every move and ... in Harper's case, his expanding waistline. Though along with the sad weight gain, comes the horrible suits. Has anyone noticed how his suits are always either way too baggy? I must admit, my sleeves are sometimes too long, and due to my short stature, my jeans will occassionally drag on the ground (hey, you try finding a good pair of jeans when you're 5'0"!) ... but seriously, you'd think that a high-profile man such as himself, would spend an extra five minutes or a couple dollars to see a tailor... or go to a fashion consultant ... blue may be the Conservative Party colours, however it just doesn't do anything for him. Maybe a nice charcol gray... might match his hair... or black... black would be a good colour - I hear that black is a very sliming colour... not to mention, black goes with everything.

Anyways, aside from complaining about his lack of fashion sense - I don't have anything more to talk about... despite having a few more minutes before having to go to class, I think I've rambled on enough for now...

We Don't Love You Either

Constituents in Vancouver-Kingsway are still not pleased with David Emerson - not only are they plotting to plant "de-elect Emerson" signs on their front lawns like pink flamingos, but to send messages to Emerson via the clouds - sending an Et-esque message, saying "David Emerson Call Home"

"A Vancouver-Kingsway resient has hired a small aircraft and piolet out of Toronto to fly over Ottawa as Parliament opens April 4, towing a banner with a message for Emerson." while the plane won't fly directly above the Parliament buildings, it will fly close enough for all the MPs to see - this is all to "highlight the fact Emerson has not been available to constituents in his riding since he joined the Tories"

My hypothesis is that the banner is going to read "David Emerson Call Home", because the messages that the constituents really want to leave with him would not fit onto the 40-meter banner - after all, how many explict words can you fit onto a 40-foot space?

So... they've asked him questions, he hid in a corner - I'm sorry, but Emerson should, as the saying goes "grow a pair of balls" and face his fear - a couple hundred very angry constituents... I'm sure that it's nothing worse than having to go to the dentist for a root canal...

Furthermore, and yes, there is more for me to bitch about - this airplane stunt will be held only a day after an angry protest against Emerson, dubbed the "Walk for Democracy" - which he won't be attending, because you know - it's Emerson, I'm sure that it's not a case of him not wanting to face the mob of angry citizens armed with pitchforks, torches and "de-election" signs - but a case of he didn't know whether the mauve or periwinkle tie went better with his charcoal business suit, and black leather gucchi shoes.

"I Don't Love You Either"

Give Up Harper, It's Pointless

It seems to me and our beloved pollsters that Prime Minister Stephen Harper's trip to Afghanistan failed to boost the "waning public support for the combat mission" (The Ottawa Citizen, March 25, 2006) ... recent polls suggest that only 52% backed the use of our troops "for security and combat efforts against the Taliban and al-Qaeda" ... so, as most polls go - subtract an extra couple percent from the percentage given, in order to get an accurate answer... therefore, it's quite doubtful that 52% of the population supports this, for lack of a better word, "bullshit"

"Mr. Harper's trip didn't do much" yea... that was kind of obvious - something tells me that hoping on a plane, fleeing the country and supporting a cause that a great many of Canadians think to be utterly ridiculous isn't going to gain any popularity points - getting a new hair cut would probably have been more successful, instead of a couple hundred dollars to cross the ocean in a big air plane.

Furthermore, during an interview for CTV, Harper told them "it was hard for him to comprehend why come Canadans have such deep-rooted objections to the military mission in Afghanistan" - um... "dude" it could be either because military action is uncalled for, or the fact that every few weeks, one of our own come home in body bags - death for no cause, military action with no reasoning - you do the math.

There are a great many of people who don't like Harper to begin with - I'm even one of them, I'm not going to lie. But there's a decline in support for military operations, and going to munch on camp food and get sand in a pair of shoes isn't going to gain popularity.

One Ultimatum, Two Ultimatum, Three!

OTTAWA - Opposition party leaders warned yesterday they are willing to bring down Stephen Harper's minority government if it does not change its course -- particularly on the Tory promise to provide a child-care subsidy to parents -- in the next two weeks.

In separate meetings with the Prime Minister, interim Liberal leader Bill Graham and the Bloc Quebecois' Gilles Duceppe reminded the Conservative leader his party is outnumbered in the House of Commons and urged him to compromise on the government agenda as he drafts his Throne Speech.

The speech, which will be delivered by Governor-General Michaelle Jean on April 4, sets out the agenda for the coming parliamentary session and will be passed or defeated in a confidence vote that could spark another election.

Mr. Graham insisted the Liberals are willing to face the consequences of a confidence vote even though they won't have a new leader until December and are still struggling with the fallout of the party's defeat in January.

He laid out his party's well-known concerns about the Tory agenda, including the fate of a $5-billion deal -- signed by the Liberals last year -- to improve living conditions for aboriginals, opposition to a cut to the Goods and Services Tax and Mr. Harper's promise to pull out of child-care agreements that were also signed by the previous Liberal government.

"We'll make our decision about how to vote when we see the Speech from the Throne," Mr. Graham said. He noted the New Democrats and the Bloc joined with the Conservatives last November to kill several initiatives they now want to see passed.

Despite Mr. Graham's threat, his party is ill-suited to face an election until at least 2007. The Liberal executive agreed last weekend to hold a leadership convention in December to replace former prime minister Paul Martin.

Mr. Graham pointedly refused to say whether he was prepared to lead his party into an election if Mr. Harper's government suffered a quick defeat. He called one reporter's scenario "hypothetical."

Mr. Layton, who met with his opposition counterparts yesterday but not with Mr. Harper, shares Liberal opposition to the Conservative plan to give parents $1,200 a year for every child younger than six. The Tories will cancel a Liberal plan that involved sending money to provinces to set up institutional daycare programs.

Toronto NDP MP Olivia Chow has suggested opposition parties use their majority to pass legislation protecting the Liberal initiative.

The Bloc, with 51 seats in the House of Commons, also wants to see Ottawa respect the child-care agreement signed with Quebec Premier Jean Charest. But unlike his opposition counterparts, Mr. Duceppe struck a less-than-dire tone following his meeting with the Prime Minister, perhaps encouraged by Mr. Harper's high-profile overtures to the province since being elected.

Warning that his party's support will be considered on an "issue-by-issue" basis, he said Mr. Harper has made encouraging promises but must now begin to deliver on them.

"It seems there's a place for a new approach, but we have to see concretely what these things will be," he told reporters.

Mr. Duceppe said the Conservative leader promised to "find a way" to respect the child-care agreement with the Quebec government, which already has an institutional daycare system, but did not explain further.

Other Bloc concerns include guaranteeing Quebec a seat at international cultural forums, respecting the Kyoto environmental treaty and ensuring a vote for future military deployments -- not including the current mission in Afghanistan.

Mr. Harper promised he would consult with opposition party leaders on his Throne Speech before Parliament opens in April, but cautioned them not to become too hopeful or too insistent with their demands.

"It will ultimately be my decision and the decision of our Cabinet how much we accept," he told reporters just after the election.

"We've run on a series of priorities that are very clear and I think are popular with Canadians, and I think Canadians expect us to pursue those priorities

You're Not So Strong

"It's up to New Democrats and the Bloc Quebecois to see that the minority Conservative government survives its first throne speech, says Opposition leader Bill Graham", the interm Liberal leader paid Harper a visit to remind him, that he's not as strong and mighty as he thinks he is... if political leaders Stephan Harper wouldn't be the roaring lion that he thinks himself to be, but rather a scruffy looking ally cat.

"Harper's Tories captured 36% of the popular vote, and 123 seats" during the last election - only 36%, if this had been highschool student president elections, he would be the nerd with the pocket protector whining about how none of the kids like him; needless to say the Conservative government is still walking on egg shells, one wrong move, and the popular vote may drop a bit more, perhaps to 34.587% - though I'm not fortune teller - I'm just a conservatively-pessimestic university student.... which a smidgin of personal opinion thrown in for good measure (perhaps some sarcaism and wit as well).

"Today, the Conservative government is adamant it will pursue only five specific governing priorities: a GST cut; a child care credit for parents; new accountability legislation for parliament; a patient wait times guarantee; and tough new criminal sanctions." they had to drop the sixth priority, which was very "hush hush" - having those fab-5 queer men giving Harper a major fashion makeover - thus there will be no "Harper Edition" on "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy"....

I find is most entertaining that despite all of the hoopla (yes, I just said hoopla) with the Conservative government that they're still out to put in that "accountability legislation", especially since Harper got off scott-free from the the Emerson defection - can you say "hypocrit"? Because I can... hypocrit, hypocrit, HYPOCRIT! If you've read my previous posts, you won't be surprised to see that I still hold that grudge. We all know how well women can hold grudges for long periods of time - and I am a woman... so I will hold my grudge.

"A Harper spokeswoman said Tuesday there is no set timetable for further meetings between the leaders concerning the throne speech before April 4, but did not rule them out" Yea, there aren't going to be any little "meetings" nor interviews with the press - has anyone else noticed that Harper has yet to speak with a reporter out in the open? Sending post-it notes and throughly edited press releases to the media don't count - is our prime minister camera shy? Afraid that we won't like what he has to say? Or is it simply a fear of the camera adding ten-pounds?

You're Kidding, Right?

Harper Cleared Of Ethics Violation

Bruce Cheadle, Canadian Press
Published: Monday, March 20, 2006

OTTAWA -- The practice of switching political stripes for a cabinet job needs a good public airing, says the federal ethics commissioner, but does not break current ethical rules for MPs.

In a report Monday, Bernard Shapiro cleared Prime Minister Stephen Harper and International Trade Minister David Emerson of any wrongdoing under Parliament's conflict-of-interest code.

But Shapiro said the timing of Emerson's move to the Conservatives, just days after he won his Vancouver seat as a Liberal in the Jan. 23 federal election, raised ethical questions for voters who felt their ballot "was somehow devalued, if not betrayed.''

"Although technically there has been no violation to the rules of conduct of the members' code, the incident in question does raise the whole issue of whether the principles upon which it relies have been respected,'' Shapiro wrote in his report.

"In the final analysis, the most appropriate place to settle issues of this kind is not in the office of the ethics commissioner but in Parliament itself.''

Harper's reaction was terse.

"This was never an ethics issue,'' the prime minister said in a release. "Today, the ethics commissioner has confirmed that there was not even a basis for an investigation. This comes as no surprise.''

Harper called the widespread criticism of Emerson's cabinet appointment "nothing more than a partisan effort to demean his fine record of public service.''

Emerson, in keeping with a recent PMO gag order on all cabinet members, was not available to comment.

New Democrats responded by vowing to reintroduce a floor-crossing bill when the Commons returns next month.

Winnipeg MP Pat Martin praised the Shapiro report, saying it makes clear that under the existing rules it is fair game to offer a cabinet job to get someone to switch parties.

"That's helpful information for us,'' said Martin. "Now, we've got to go fix the root of the problem.''

The NDP floor-crossing legislation, which was supported by 40 Conservative MPs in the last Parliament, died on the order paper when the election was called. The bill would force any MP contemplating a party switch to first sit as an Independent, awaiting re-election under a new banner.

Three opposition MPs had alleged that Harper improperly induced Emerson to switch parties by offering the former Liberal industry minister the perks and pay of a cabinet minister.

This, they argued, broke three sections of Parliament's Conflict of Interest Code for MPs.

Shapiro ruled otherwise.

"I am satisfied that no special inducement was offered by Mr. Harper to convince Mr. Emerson to join his cabinet and his party,'' he wrote.

"In addition, there is no reason and certainly no evidence to contradict Mr. Emerson's own claim that accepting Mr. Harper's offer seemed, at least to him, a way to better serve his city, province and country.''

Yet the report doesn't give a blanket clearance for any floor-crosser to demand or to be lured by a cabinet post.

In fact, Shapiro wrote that MPs who switch parties just before important parliamentary votes are breaking the ethical rules.

"Clearly, if the prime minister were to approach a member with an offer of a cabinet position with the sole intent and specific purpose of acquiring that member's vote directly linked to a parliamentary proceeding existing at that time, such conduct would be inappropriate and unacceptable,'' he wrote.

Both the NDP and the ethics advocacy group Democracy Watch said Monday they intend to continue to pursue a complaint against Liberal MP Belinda Stronach. She jumped from the Conservatives to Paul Martin's cabinet last May, just two days before her vote proved instrumental in the Liberals surviving a confidence measure in the House.

Shapiro has not yet responded to requests for a Stronach investigation.

Democracy Watch is taking Shapiro to Ontario court next month in an effort to have him forced from his job for failing to enforce the provisions of the ethics code. His latest ruling just reinforces their case, said spokesman Duff Conacher.

"It's typical. He wants to let everyone off the hook. He's done it again and again.

"Voters have a right to have this code enforced, even if parliamentarians keep in place a hack who doesn't enforce it.''

One issue the report did put to rest was opposition threats of holding Harper in contempt of Parliament next month for refusing to assist Shapiro.

Despite public assertions from his office that he was "loath to co-operate'' with the investigation, Harper in fact provided the ethics commissioner's office with both an interview and a written response, the report said.

They Hate Me! They Really Hate Me!

It does not look like David Emerson will be weeping into a tissue murmering "they love me, they really love me" as many beauty pagent contestants or actors say after winning some sort of award - perhaps "they hate me? Why do they hate me?" or something like that... as in the Vancouver Kingsway riding thousands of signs saying 'De-Elect David Emerson' will be hammered into the freshly spring-green grass.

Sorry buddy, but it's been weeks since the election, and people still have their under-garments in a knot - hell I'd even put up a sign if my front lawn wasn't covered in snow and ice. I say "good for them" they're standing up for something that they believe in - while "Emerson claims the attacks against him are from a clique of 'partisan zealots.'"

"Partisan zealots"? I know true-blue NDP'ers that are just as disgusted...

So hammer those "De-Elect David Emerson" signs, pin one of those pins onto your jacket and be a "zealot"!

Tory Support Isn't Faultering?

According to a news article that I read, the latest poll suggests that "Tory support is as strong as it was in the Jan. 23 election" I'm sorry, but who exactly did this poll? Did the pollster walk into a room of conservatives? Or did they walk into a room of random people and asked "So, do you like the complimentry cheese and crackers?"

Polls all depend on who's being asked... "In this week's poll, the Conservatives have more support than the Liberals in every part of the country except for Ontario, where they trail by only three percentage points" Um... again, did they ask a room filled with tories? Or did the hire a bunch of starving actors and university students with a box of kraft dinner and a cookie? Wait, wait... they bribed them with gold stars and said they're special... didn't they?

Either way, despite all of these popular polls, I for one can say that I loath Harper and his Conservative minions as much as I did back before the federal election. Sorry, it's gonna take more than a box of KD and a gold star to twist this girl's arm.

On Your Mark, Get Set... GO!

Potential Liberal Leaders Meet In Halifax

Broadcast News
Published: Sunday, March 05, 2006

HALIFAX-- The starting gun for the federal Liberal leadership race appears to have been fired in Nova Scotia.

A half dozen potential contenders -- and one declared candidate -- were in Halifax this weekend for the provincial party's annual meeting.

They're talking to delegates and testing the waters as they try to determine how much support they might be able to drum up.

There were so many possible leadership candidates there yesterday, they could barely avoid bumping into each other at the hospitality suites.

They included Belinda Stronach, Scott Brison, Carolyn Bennett, Ken Dryden, Maurizio Bevilacqua, and Michael Ignatieff.

Martha Hall-Findlay, however, is the only person to officially announce her candidacy.

The Toronto lawyer says she planned to use the convention as a way of introducing herself in Nova Scotia where she's not well known.

The meeting wrapped up last night.