Blue Like You

Archive for the ‘Grumpy old men’ Category

From the Globe’s Blogolitics.

I think Robert Fife’s has to be my favourite:

CTV’s Robert Fife on the Commons ethics committee: “It’s clear that this committee has run out of steam when it has to call Brian Mulroney’s former chef. What’s next, the former pizza delivery man?”

You want fries with that egg-on-your-face, Chairman Szabo?

Is it just me, or does Norman Spector have nothing other than more questions?

Update: Don Newman just read my mind on Politics - He mused that Spector seemed to have more suspicions than facts.

More at Jack’s Newswatch - Especially regarding the Allen Rock testimony - “Le Worm Wriggleth”.

Should Pablo Rodriguez be questioned by the Ethics Committee about alleged lies concerning questions that he asked during the recent Mulroney-Schreiber House Ethics Committee probe?

CBC has pretty much contradicted his story, and Conservative MP Dean Del Mastro wants the truth to come out. He has introduced a motion to call Mr. Rodriguez as a witness in order for him to “admit that he lied.” (Hill Times via National Newswatch)

The opposition will likely vote down this motion as CTV’s Graham Richardson noted last week (concerning Del Mastro’s desire to have Mike Duffy appear as a witness regarding Jay Epworth’s alleged conversation confirming that “yes, they did receive questions from CBC and those were the questions that Pablo Rodriguez did, in fact, ask” - H.T.)

The Hill Times article quotes NDP MP Pat Martin as not considering this to be a relevant issue:

NDP MP Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre, Man.) told The Hill Times last week that “there´s no appetite from anybody other than a few other Conservatives so we won´t be dealing with that issue if I have anything to do with it.”

So one would assume that the opposition feels that it is not necessary to question the integrity of of those involved in the Ethics Committee probe. Mr. Martin does however have some concerns about Roger Thibeault having dinner with Schreiber, citing it as an issue of bad optics.

He said although Mr. Thibault is “free to have dinner with whoever he wants,” the public perception is not good. He said he doesn´t return Mr. Schreiber´s calls for this reason. “I think we have to remain objective and deal with testimony as presented in an unbiased way,” Mr. Martin said.

So it would seem that the issue for Pat Martin is the appearance of ethics and integrity, rather than the real thing.

What a sham. No wonder Canadians are cynical about politicians.

I know we’re all busy getting ready for Christmas, but please take a minute to read L. Ian Macdonald’s piece in the Post today - Look Who’s Talking (En Anglais).

Great update on CBC-Gate and a bonus Pablo Rodriguez smackdown!

Oh, and he gets a shot in at Paul Szabo too.

Nice way to relax after a long night of wrapping.

Some folks are trying to downplay the significance of the allegations that the CBC fed questions to the Liberals in preparation for the Mulroney Inquisition.

But reader ‘Ron’ made a good point on a previous post:

At Sat Dec 15, 12:36:00 AM EST, Ron said…

The comments about Szabo and his handling of this line of questioning during the committee meeting is bang on — I watched the proceedings and was surprised he allowed this line of questioning - up to then he was relatively within bounds in his chairing of the committee but that ruling was way out to lunch. I want to know if he was aware of it in advance; did he know the source; who instructed him to allow the question. I hope the Conservatives come back with questions about Liberal actions and behaviour. Mulroney may not have evidence or direct knowledge but neither did Schriber - just lay out a few suspicions, inuendoes, and broad quesions on what may have happened to the 40 million missing in the sponsorship matter. Since Szabo is so free with the range of questioning, I am sure there will be no problem with this line of questioning.

Sandy also makes a great point at Jack’s Newswatch:

…what is not right is when a journalist influences a member of parliament in what questions to ask on a parliamentary committee. Why? Because that member of parliament has been elected by his or her constituents, is under oath and is granted parliamentary immunity from prosecution of libel.

Therefore, if members of parliament use leading questions provided by a reporter, the journalist and his or her media outlet are enjoying parliamentary privilege by proxy — the result of which could be unfounded allegations, innuendo and smear with absolute impunity…

Sandy also references a great post at The Black Rod.

If this is common practice amongst reporters and elected Members of Parliament, I think we the people need to get involved and scream our heads off!

MSM sure won’t do it for us.

I think I just found my new favourite blog.

Sandy found an update to the CBC ‘investigation’ buried at the end of this article.

The CBC is reviewing the allegations that one of their reporters fed questions to the Liberals - CBC reviewing claim reporter fed questions to Liberal MP.

(Update: CBC is messing with the links. See National Newswatch. Story now found under ‘Arts & Entertainment‘. Ain’t that the truth…)

Considering how much the Liberals discounted this, things could get interesting.

Check out MDL link - Mike Duffy Live: Scott Reid and Tim Powers on the allegation that the Liberals allowed a media outlet to write their questions.

Listen to Scott Reid deny, deny, deny.

Stephen Taylor has the whole story here.

Also see Steve Janke.

Canwest has picked it up - Alleged CBC-Liberal collusion triggers Tory complaint.

Now the Star. H/T Wudrick Blog.

The Canadian Press story here discusses the outrage in the conservative blogosphere towards the end of the report.

Afternoon Breaking News: CTV’s Mike Duffy show reports that Dean Del Mastro has issued a press release in relation to Jean LaPierre’s earlier allegations on CTV that the CBC had sent questions to Pablo Rodriguez to ask Mulroney.

5:15 p.m. - Rodriguez denies the allegation on MDL.

Stephen Taylor’s on it!

More at Crux-of-the-Matter.

PTBC - Alleged CBC/Liberal Party collusion claimed by former Liberal MP. Joel has part of the press release.

Le Politico - Mike Duffy confirms it: CBC wrote questions for Liberal MPs on ethics committee.

L. Ian MacDonald - As low as they come.

(Morning post)

Brian Mulroney is testifying now in front of the Commons Committee and how his life has been impacted by spurious allegations.

This will be quite the day for media and bloggers.

CTV is providing the testimony live.

Paul Szabo is not off to a good start in trying to pretend to be non-partisan. He cuts Mulroney off continually. A Conservative MP asks that Mulroney be granted the same courtesy as Schreiber.

Star - Cash payment ‘Not illegal’.

Post - Mulroney denies wrongdoing before ethics committee.

Post live-blogging here! - Brian Mulroney - Live on the Hill.

From the Post:

“He’s sitting over there in his mansion in Rockcliffe chuckling … he got his get out of jail card. He got what he wanted … I think he seriously misled every member of this house with this false affidavit.”

We’ve all been played for fools.

Macleans also Live-blogging.

Globe - Schreiber will ’say anything, sign anything, do anything’ – Mulroney.

CTV - Mulroney explains cash payments from Schreiber.

Update: AA - Did CBC write some of the Liberal questions to BM today?

SDA readers heard it too!

For all you Schreiber groupies, here are the latest transcripts courtesy of the National Post - Schreiber on the Hill, Live, Part Three.

Also starring:

Stephen Taylor - Schreiber’s threatening letter to Mulroney.

Doucet denies he asked that Airbus money be funneled to Mulroney. H/T National Newswatch.

Adam Radwanski - Back to the start.

Dan Cook - Stephane Dion’s ‘invented cover-up’.

This is great stuff for political junkies who just can’t get enough of the Schreiber circus. We now have a blow-by-blow transcript, courtesy of the National Post.

I had hoped that Committee Chair Paul Szabo might have recovered a smidgen of his dignity after the first subservient performance, but alas! It was not to be:

11:10 a.m. — More preamble from committee chair Paul Szabo. Schreiber looks cool and collected. Szabo opens with an apology?! Apparently Canadians are expressing disgust that Schreiber was escorted to his house in handcuffs. Szabo seems to feel bad for subjecting Schreiber to “ridicule and mockery.”
“The shame of one Canadian is the shame of all Canadians. Those who are responsible will take steps to make certain such a spectacle does not happen again.”

Szabo goes on to complain that the hearing have been described as a political circus. “This is not a political circus, this is the Parliament of Canada,” he says, huffily. Same thing, some might say.

…”So now I am feeling somewhat like a beggar, I am empty. I don’t know whether it is a Christmas gift or a burden. But for sure it will help you.”

Christmas for the opposition for sure. He (Schreiber) offers to dig for more, if it isn’t enough. He will more than likely be taken up on that offer.

11:57 a.m. — “This is a wonderful Christmas gift to us,” gushes Szabo after Schreiber hands over the much-ballyhooed documents.

I don’t think I can take much more of this.

These hearings should come with a disclaimer - Warning! May induce vomiting.

A while ago I wondered why some key Liberals and Liberal media were against opening up this can of worms.

The answer may lie here - Key Liberal Pushed Schreiber Project. (H/T National Newswatch)