I’ve stayed out of the latest Tory scandal (involving Chuck Cadman) because I’ve been somewhat underwhelmed by it all. When the news first broke I told my family that these sorts of deals happen all the time; the only thing that surprised me (and still does) is how apathetic Harper was in basically admitting it to the press. Tells me he just doesn’t care what people think of him, so long as they think he’s a Prime Minister.
But this story really infuriates me, and is a telling lesson of the true character of the Conservative party. I can’t remember the last time the Federal government issued such a mealy-mouthed and ineffectual response to a Canadian being sentenced to execution overseas.
Should I be surprised? Their defense of the kangaroo-court proceedings towards Arar is at least couched in the terms of due-process and fairness, but Saudi Arabia is hardly a bastion of balanced and fair jurisprudence. Harper and the Tories have clearly stated that defending Canadian citizens overseas is not their highest priority. Say what you will about the Liberals; they never directly put the immediate-lives of Canadians abroad on the back-burner for political or economic reasons.
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These deals don’t happen all the time. I imagine your thinking of Belinda, Emerson, or Grewal, but none of those were cases of bribery. None of those cases was illegal. In this situation valuable considerations were offered BEFORE Cadman voted a certain way. In all those other situations offices were given after. Furthermore I don’t even know how you can say “These deals happen all the time” when you don’t even know all the facts.
Comment by scott ross — March 4, 2008 @ 9:52 am
Whooee! Scott, there are those who argue that by offering MP Stronach a cabinet post should she jump, the Liberals were, in effect, offering cash. The cabinet portfolio carries a sizable increase in pay. I know that wasn’t a factor for richgrrl B-Linda but I’m just pointin’ out that the idea of illegality has been raised and some are still contending it was illegal. Offering a higher paid job can be regarded as financial inducement.
I see Ezra Levant is singin’ the praises of Harper and Flanagan in NatPo. I ain;t sure Ezra’s opinion’s worth much but I’d agree that the sleazy link in the chain was Finley. I predict Finley’s head will roll.
Whither my PM, then? Mrs. Doug Finley, Minister of Immigration and Citizenship.
JB
Comment by JimBobby — March 4, 2008 @ 12:13 pm
Perhaps you could direct me to one source that indicates Belinda was offered a cabinet position before she switched.
Comment by scott ross — March 4, 2008 @ 5:47 pm
So nobody cares about the “leaving a Canadian citizen to be beheaded” part of the story? Yikes.
Comment by Joseph — March 4, 2008 @ 9:12 pm
I made a comment on my blog about Dalton McGuinty and climate change and would like your intelligent feedback.
Comment by Alex — June 3, 2008 @ 8:48 pm