OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper waded into his party's internal spat over the treatment of Brian Mulroney on Wednesday, turning his verbal fire on Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff and reminding critics the former prime minister had "demanded" a public inquiry into his dealings with German-born lobbyist Karlheinz Schreiber.
Mr. Harper defended his government's handling of the "difficult issue" during a news conference in Moncton, N.B., where he also charged that Mr. Ignatieff, who this week accused Mr. Harper of not showing proper respect for Mr. Mulroney, has "absolutely no moral compass" for commenting on government conduct and ethics.
...."First of all, Mr. Ignatieff and the Liberal party -- when this matter first broke -- were practically demanding that I throw Mr. Mulroney in prison without a trial. Now they are out there pretending that somehow they are his best friends and they don't agree with any of this," Mr. Harper said.
Demanding they throw Mulroney in jail, how about wanting to hang him?? Remember this?
Hang him, hang him high! That was the Liberal MP Shawn Murphy from PEI wanting Mulroney hung, but now the Liberals are bleeding Conservative blue for him? Sending him birthday wishes? Hypocrites. You slimy little people, you started this whole thing by visiting Karl in prison and cooking up a deal to keep him in Canada, then your MP's hammered the government to call an inquiry. They did just that, but you were not happy.
The Liberal Chairman of the ethics committee Paul Szabo, who had personally visited Schrieber in jail, a clear conflict of interest, called a witch hunt on Mulroney and proceeded to shut down anyone who disputed him.
Liberals are now supposedly close friends and supporters of the very person they wanted to hang. Funny how Liberals are still using this issue to try and score political points. The MSM is obviously too stupid to investigate this matter, or even show any balance in reporting.
Hate to break it to you guys/gals no-one cares about a 20 year old scandal. Conservatives reduced the PC party to two seats because of it, why haven't the Liberal party voters reduced the Liberals to two seats because of Adscam? Where is that 34 million the Liberal party stole from Canadians while in government? Funny 34 million against 240,000 and Mulroney is the big bad guy? Typical Liberal VALUES!
UPDATE: MP Szabo has commented on this post.
Correction. The assertion that I met with Schreiber while he was in jail is untrue. The only time I have ever seen him is when he appeared before me at the Ethics Committee hearings.
I would appreciate it if someone would let me know the source of this false accusation or at least ask the source what proof they have. Then you will know they cannot be trusted.
Thursday, April 09, 2009 12:31:00 PM
Check out the comments for further posts.
65 comments:
I think that Ignatieff needs to be reminded, on a regular basis, that he is the interim leader of the Liberal party and not the Conservative party. He seems to get mixed up quite often. I have always had the perception that he's a closet Conservative. His background, his past statements, his behaviour in the public arena...they are all the same things that the Liberals used to slag Harper in the last election.
I think the guy has definite identity confusion issues. I will go out on a limb here and say that I would not be surprised if Ignatieff, at some point, tried to revive the PC party at the federal level.
Reading comments on this inquiry at different blogs and newspapers, it is obvious that a lot/most anti PMSH people think that this whole so called scandal involved government money. It did not, the money paid/received was personal money. Too bad those liberals can't get as upset over real govt theft, like adscam.
And taxes were paid on this money. It is also obvious that most liberals do not understand when money is reported on your tax return. If you are prepaid for certain things, when it is earned is when it is reported, not when you receive it. So, reporting it a few years later is not wrong. It gets very complicated. I jut knew that Hunter would get those videos up of Libs attacking BM in the HofC. I wonder how many libs could be involved and named now that a full inquiry (which they wanted) is going on. It could even taint the unelected leader, as I am sure he has no clue to what the truth is.
"And taxes were paid on this money. It is also obvious that most liberals do not understand when money is reported on your tax return. If you are prepaid for certain things, when it is earned is when it is reported, not when you receive it. So, reporting it a few years later is not wrong. It gets very complicated."
WHAT?
The PM is correct. First they killed Mr. Mulroney's reputation based on a questionable witness's accusations, and now the Liberals are crying crocodile tears over Mr. Mulroney. They are unprincipled hypocrites.
However, I also fault those Conservatives who have reportedly commented on Mr. Mulroney's standing within the party. Just because some idiot journalist asks a question about Mr. Mulroney's membership in the party, it does not mean MPs or Senators are obliged to react. This was a perfect opportunity for Conservative MPs and Senators to keep their mouth shut.
Re:"Liberals are now supposedly close friends and supporters of the very person they wanted to hang. Funny how Liberals are still using this issue to try and score political points. The MSM is obviously too stupid to investigate this matter, or even show any balance in reporting."
Operative word - supposedly.
I call bull**** on professional reform commenter Gabby.And I have a question for Huntsy
Are the Liberals officially calling to cancel the inquiry? That's not what I read. Can it be supported by fact(s)?
The LPC is not calling for an end to the inquiry. They're simply pointing out how quickly Harper turns on his own for political gain. Slimy. Sleazy.Sickening.
Harper.Must.Go.
Stereo - you raised a couple of good points. Is this sudden Liberal support of Mulroney "supposed"? Is it some sort of game? Whatever the case, what reason could there be for this sudden about face?
And, I also see that the Liberals are not calling to cancel the inquiry. This kind of flies in the face of the sudden love-in with Mulroney.
Something is just not adding up - too many conflicting factors.
What is your feeling on the whole thing?
Gabby - I agree - they should have kept their big yaps shut. It is no secret that our MSM has no principles so why give them something to use against Harper?
Freedom of speech anyone? Why would anyone give up their right to that just for the sake of the faux economist turned pm.
East of Eden, you'll have to get Gabby to help you with your usage of the word supposed.
Perhaps pmsh should worry more about the moral compass of the individuals in his own party who comply with his little gag orders. Just because they're conservatives do they have to be conformists? Their collective guilt and subsequent rebellion might be something he'll have to contend with sooner than he thinks.
Unless he's paying them with bricks of solid gold
'They're simply pointing out how quickly Harper turns on his own for political gain. Slimy. Sleazy.Sickening.'
Bullsh17 Martin,
Firstly, libs were pounding PMSH EVERY day in QP for NOT calling an inquiry, until KHS purposely drug PMSH into the mess,
and BM himself asked for and inquiry.
PMSH wasn't even in the country when the caucus had the spat.
PMSH has said NOTHING about Mulroney, then or now. NOTHING.
Mulroney had a hissy fit,
called the higher ups in the CPC,
told them to remove him from any lists, Mulroney has not paid a membership fee since 2006.
After having done that 'lying Brian' as libs called him when they didn't luv him,
said no no no.
Senator Marjory leBreton said,
yes Mulroney did call the CPC to be stricken from all lists.
For all those liberal supporters who think Canadians are uninformed stupid dupes,
you deserve your Iffy.
You deserve your born again Canadian elitist because your grassroots have no guts.
Liberal grassroots just lay there and take what ever is dished out.
pathetic.
Let us remember this quote from the intellectual genius Iffy:
''Nothing is personal in politics, because politics is theater.
It is part of the job to pretend to have emotions that you do not actually feel.''
http://www.vigile.net/article8029.html
I'd hand you a tissue if I could Wilson. It sounds like you need one but wait, are those real emotions, or are you just doing some professional political emotional typing?
How many bricks do you get for that?
East, is it my imagination or am I right in seeing a pattern?
About what?
Well, every time the PM goes abroad on a SUCCESSFUL trip representing Canada, the media somehow manages to stir up some kind of controversy back here to detract from that trip.
At the G20, Canada was instrumental in making sure protectionist tendencies were avoided and oversight and regulation of financial institutions were strengthened.
Did the media report on those achievements? Not really. What did they concentrate on? Purported cracks in the Conservative party.
And those Conservatives who commented are adding credibility to those rumours with their comments.
BTW, I think Mystereeoso has confused "freedom of speech" with "spreading rumours."
Also Wilson, in the same article Ignatieff also says, "I’ve learned that acquiring good judgment in politics starts with knowing when to admit your mistakes."
When are we ever going to hear pmsh admit he was wrong about anything? Sorry to say but it's probably too late for him now anyway.
Gabby, Huntsy spreads rumours and so does pmsh.
Even the spokesthingamujiggy says "[T]elling people what you're doing is as important as what you're actually doing"
At the G20 Canada took a really really really long time in the toity.
But let's look at something the faux economist said during the G20:
“I’m torn on that issue. Um, I’m torn on that issue. It’s a tough issue. You know as we see — um, as we see, uh, uh… the strength, a greater global spread to demand and to, uh, economic wealth, there may be to some degree an eventual inevitability of, of you know, other economies’ currencies becoming also, of playing some role in the reserve currency. But look, my view is that, as I’ve said before, the United States is our, err, closest neighbour and, um, friend and ally, and, uh, you know, in the short term I’m, I’m happy to see, uh, the United States being a reserve currency because I, I think American leadership is good for Canada and good for the world.”
I think it is interesting how he's basically inarticulate until that last bit. So meanwhile back at the ranch reformers and conservatives alike must be wondering if they're getting enough bricks for keeping quiet so this guy can talk.
One reports income when it is earned, not received. So, if Brian got 225,000 for services to be rendered at some future date, and those were preformed at some future date, that is when it is reported on your financial stmt, and thus your tax return. This money would not be reported all by itself, like interest, or dividends, but would be included in the income stmt. If you pay for a 5 yr subscription, as an example, the money goes into said bank account, but 1/5 would be reported per year.
I am sure that Brian has a very good tax lawyer and accounants to help him.
This whole issue was brought by Szabo, and it is now backfiring on the liberals. Wonder if PowerCorp or past/current liberals are afraid of what they started.
I would be more interested in an inquiry into Adscam and all the scandals of the liberals under Chretain and pals.
And fyi, I have never voted for Brian or any PC.
I think this is all an attempt by iggy/layton to get quebec support for a coalition, without the Bloc. Wont work, the rest of Canada would not accept it.
I have to wonder if the liberals called for this inquiry, hoping PMSH would say no, and thus continue to keep it alive. Now that it is happening, I think the libs want it shut down, again to put blame on PMSH. Sorry, it is going to go on, and then maybe Chretain, and I am sure we could find something to investigate PET on. What a waste of money, brought to us by those fiscal liberals.
Gabby - yes, a definite pattern.
Martin - if Harper had aligned himself with Mulroney, Ignatieff would have made a big stink about that. Now that Harper has distanced himself from something that was not associated with him and happened with another party, Ignatieff is making kissy kissy with Mulroney.
Do not even presume to call Harper sleazy or going for political gain. Your leader is doing it by kissing up to a former PM whom your party, a little while ago, was wanting to lynch. How do you explain the turnabout in your party, Martin? Or are you so blindly partisan that whatever your party does is fine?
Good grief - you are either a total dunderhead or you are a liar. To call Harper sleazy when your leader is the sleaziest and your party is the most corrupt really takes a lot of gall or just plain stupidity. You are a Liberal sock puppet quoting Liberal lies.
Stereo - unless you have absolute proof, your claims of Harper's gag orders are just Liberal sock puppet speaking points. For a moment, there, I thought you had a real brain but I was wrong. You're just another sock puppet.
Hunter - turn on comment moderation and leave it on. These trolls are really becoming a nuisance. We can't have a decent adult discussion with the likes of Martin and Stereo tossing their slop on this blog.
Mystereeoso @ Thursday, April 09, 2009 9:12:00 AM: "At the G20 Canada took a really really really long time in the toity."
You'll have to forgive me for pointing out two things:
1. Unless you were there to time - or perhaps to take a measure of the man - you have no proof to back up your statement.
2. "Toity"?
It's time to put aside the baby talk. Here are more appropriate terms for that particular destination, which by the sound of it, you like to lurk in: bathroom, lavatory, powder room, restroom, toilet, washroom.
As always, I'm glad to help with your vocabulary.
East of Eden, the man will only answer pre-approved questions from the press and he has openly eschewed the Canadian mainstream media in terms of press conferences! Read the paper!
Sorry dude and Gabby (dudette) t'was the two of you who were rushing to agree the cons should stay mute on this issue.
As for whether or not my brain is realHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I'm just a hapless troll with teeth as bad as southern quebec only younger.
Why so pedantic Gabby? Everyone knows about toity time. Where do you think bricks of solid gold come from?
East, I respectfully disagree with your comment @ Thursday, April 09, 2009 11:37:00 AM.
Don't you appreciate the comic relief?
On a more serious note, I believe anyone who has something to say and abides by Hunter's rules (stated above the comment box) should be able to comment.
Of course, like you, I wish all commenters would have some valid point or opinion to offer instead of unfounded and silly accusations, not to mention childish name-calling.
However, I don't agree with shutting off access to them, unless the person is causing some kind of mischief, like impersonating other commenters.
"Everyone knows about toity time. Where do you think bricks of solid gold come from?"
I'm always willing to learn. Explain that statement, please.
As for the "pre-approved questions from the press" - do you make the same accusation against President Obama, who chooses the reporters able to ask him a question?
Instead, the PM's press secretary compiles a list of journalists who wish to ask the PM a question, and it proceeds from there. Journalists choose whether to have their name on the list or not.
And as far as your point on "staying mute" on this issue - IMO, freedom of speech gives one the freedom to say something of value OR to say nothing at all. THAT, my friend, is true freedom of speech.
"Silence is golden" says an old adage. But you are apparently more familiar with "bricks of gold."
Correction. The assertion that I met with Schreiber in jail is not true. The only time I have ever seen him or spoken with him is when he appeared before me at the Ethics Committee hearings. I would appreciate it if someone would provide me with the source of this false and damaging accusation.
Last year, Robin Sears declared on CBC with Don Newman that I had meetings with Schreiber together with Robert Thibault and said he has proof. He still hasn't delivered. He can't because it never happened. The truth just doesn't seem to matter to some people.
Correction. The assertion that I met with Schreiber while he was in jail is untrue. The only time I have ever seen him is when he appeared before me at the Ethics Committee hearings.
I would appreciate it if someone would let me know the source of this false accusation or at least ask the source what proof they have. Then you will know they cannot be trusted.
"As for the "pre-approved questions from the press" - do you make the same accusation against President Obama, who chooses the reporters able to ask him a question?"
I'd prefer the Prime Minister wasn't openly hostile to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation while openly friendly to CanWest Media. And I'd rather not see him waste money on jet fuel so he can get face time on Fox Network.I think he can afford to let the MSM ask more than eight questions of him after an international economic summit.
Re:" And as far as your point on "staying mute" on this issue - IMO, freedom of speech gives one the freedom to say something of value OR to say nothing at all. THAT, my friend, is true freedom of speech."
Yes and while you said there were no obligations, I believe you did simultaneously find fault with those conservatives who did not take the opportunity to keep their mouths shut. And East of Eden agreed with you.
Correction to: "The Liberal Chairman of the ethics committee Paul Szabo, who had personally visited Schrieber in jail, a clear conflict of interest, called a witch hunt on Mulroney and proceeded to shut down anyone who disputed him."
The only time I have ever seen or spoken to Schreiber is when he appeared before me at the Ethics Committee. I would appreciate it if someone would let me know the source of the false information or at least ask the source for proof of the false allegation.
Mr. Mulroney and Mr. Harper both called for a public inquiry before the Committee members even voted to look into ethical concerns related to Mr. Mulroney's admitted acceptance of money from Mr. Schreiber while he was still an MP.
You too can learn more about bricks of solid gold
I think Paul might be having trouble with the blogger comments interface.
"I'd prefer the Prime Minister wasn't openly hostile to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation while openly friendly to CanWest Media."
Mystereeoso, you have a true talent - for writing fiction. I recommend you pursue it as a career option.
In addition, you have deflected my question. Is it OK for President Obama to choose the reporters allowed to ask questions or not?
As for wasting jet fuel - please direct the same plea to all those anarchists and environmentalists who descend upon summits and conferences, who not only leave a large carbon footprint, but also wantonly destroy public and private property.
And on another note ...
Although I doubt the real Paul Szabo is actually posting here, I do believe in fairness that it was indeed former MP Robert Thibault who visited Schreiber in jail and/or met with him in a restaurant, not MP Paul Szabo.
If I'm not mistaken there was even the possibility of a libel suit filed by Mr. Mulroney to prevent Thibault from continuing with his allegations during QP because of the possibility of a conflict of interest.
BTW, Mystereeoso, I would prefer you indicate which link you're providing.
Simply give the URL.
The laughing emoticon doesn't cut it.
Why?
I prefer to know my destination.
"Hunter - turn on comment moderation and leave it on. These trolls are really becoming a nuisance. We can't have a decent adult discussion with the likes of Martin and Stereo tossing their slop on this blog"
Conservatives -- for free speach until they are against it!
Gabby,(sigh) Gabby your question is already in itself a deflection of the 'but but but but Obama does it too' variety. And then you come up with 'but but but but but environmentalists do it too'! Good grief. How far off topic are you willing to stray to prove pmsh is above gag orders? You can go back in the papers at least three years to find pmsh yammering on about the awful Ottawa press gallery and how if they're too critical of the government he'll find press elsewhere who're into listening to his message. The guy's into control.
PS if you don't feel like a little levity don't click on the link, you're not obliged to, it's a free country.
PSS Just yesterday morning East of Eden was saying that he couldn't wait to hear what SQ and Stereo would have to say about Huntsy's post. My how things change.
To Gabby: Yes it is the real Paul Szabo MP posting. I prefer not to hide my identity because I often get some constructive feedback such as the third party confirmation that I wasn't the MP who met with Schreiber in jail. MPs are not held in high esteem so I do what I can to be open and accountable for my words and actions.
Hi real Paul Szabo. Gabby must have gone to put a fire out over at Macleans or something.
Funny how Air Canada is in the process of retiring many of these infamous Airbus airliners. That's right kids, the jets are worn out and the liberals are STILL snooping through Mulroney's garbage cans trying to finger him in getting a kickback.
Dig away you two faced lazy wastes of skin. The very nanosecond this kangaroo court is finished it will then be fair game to launch investigations and allegations of Librano sticky fingers with respect to Adscam, the Wheat Board and Chretien and Martins so-called 'foundations'. Crack open the books and let's start taking names and building new prison cells. I think the skeletons that will be unearthed will be reminiscent of genocidal mass graves. While we're at it, why not a look at CSL and Powercorp?
No wonder we switched to plastic bags, there was a shortage of the brown paper type during the 13 years of the Liberals at the helm.
Also get this through your heads, you pipsqueak crybaby lefties: Mulroney and Harper are not joined at the hip. He was the leader of the PC party. The PC party doesn't exist anymore. The Conservative Party of Canada ain't your father's Oldsmobile.
Watch your cards Eskimo and ask yourself what idiot would ever think Mulroney and pmsh were ever joined at the hip.
Hey mystery meat, Qu'est-ce que vous dites" watch your cards"?
As far as "what idiot would ever think Mulroney and pmsh were ever joined at the hip."
Isn't THAT what the Liberals have been trying to 'prove' with this kangaroo court along with thier dilusions of alleged kickbacks?
Just like the left loved to say Harper was in Bush's back pocket, they want to tie him to Mulroney, an alleged recipient of ill gotten 'dirty money'.
I guess you just called the entire LPC and NDP idiots.
All this left wing flip flopping is going to require some serious chiropractic care on the national level. Too bad the Alberta Stelmach government yesterday announced they were de-listing bone crackers off of health care!
Welcome to MP Szabo. Your comments are appreciated, and I will update the post with your comments. I should also note that I posted MP Murphy's apology on Youtube as well.
Umm, Paul Szabo - although I'm still skeptical, I won't argue with you whether you are or aren't the real thing. Since there have been other cases of impersonation on this blog and elsewhere, you can understand my skepticism. Let's leave it at that, as far as your identity goes.
However, I must take issue with this part of your statement (Thursday, April 09, 2009 12:55:00 PM):
"Mr. Mulroney and Mr. Harper both called for a public inquiry before the Committee members even voted to look into ethical concerns related to Mr. Mulroney's admitted acceptance of money from Mr. Schreiber while he was still an MP."
That sounds like you're suggesting that both Messrs. Mulroney and Harper were FIRST in asking for a public inquiry.
Sorry to disagree. Here’s ample proof to the contrary:
From Wednesday, October 31, 2007 Hansard:
«Hon. Robert Thibault (West Nova, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, when that minister speaks, Brian Mulroney's lips move.
[Translation]
The Conservative government has abandoned efforts to launch an inquiry into the Airbus affair because it is afraid of the potential revelations. However, when in opposition, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and the Minister of National Defence demanded an inquiry into the scandal.
[English]
The hon. member for Central Nova asked, “When will the government do the right thing, clear the air on this sordid affair and call a public inquiry into the Airbus scandal?”
[Translation]
Why is the Conservative government now afraid of such a public inquiry?"»
From the CTV website Nov. 9 2007 11:00 PM ET:
«PM announces probe into Schreiber allegations
Updated Fri. Nov. 9 2007 11:00 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced a probe into allegations surrounding cash payments made to former prime minister Brian Mulroney and his actions while in office. ...
The probe, he said, would decide whether action should be taken by the Prime Minister's Office. …
Harper said Friday the independent third party would "review what course of actions may be appropriate," and will recommend the most appropriate way to proceed.
He said he will name that person soon, likely next week. »
Please note that the PM said a probe, not an inquiry. That came much later, after Prof. David Johnston's appointment as special advisor.
From the CTV website Nov. 10 2007 4:24 PM ET:
«NDP calls for full inquiry into Mulroney affair
Updated Sat. Nov. 10 2007 4:24 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
NDP Leader Jack Layton wants a full public inquiry into the allegations surrounding former prime minister Brian Mulroney and controversial businessman Karlheinz Schreiber. ...»
From the CTV website Nov. 13 2007 7:52 AM ET:
«Mulroney calls for full-blown public inquiry
Updated Tue. Nov. 13 2007 7:52 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney wants the government to call a public inquiry into allegations he improperly accepted money from German-Canadian businessman Karlheinz Schreiber while still in office. ...»
And from a KHS website:
«Prime Minister announces appointment of independent advisor
14 November 2007
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today the appointment of Professor David Johnston, President of the University of Waterloo, as Independent Advisor to conduct an impartial review of allegations respecting the financial dealings between Mr. Karlheinz Schreiber and the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, in order to make recommendations for an appropriate mandate for a public inquiry. This appointment is effective immediately.
Professor Johnston will provide his final report to the Prime Minister, in both official languages, by January 11, 2008 … »
and
From the Nov 14, 2007 03:39 PM Toronto Star:
« ...Therefore, her excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the prime minister, pursuant to paragraph 127.1(1)(c) of the Public Service Employment Act, hereby appoints to the position of special adviser to the prime minister, David Johnston of St. Clements, Ontario, as independent adviser, to hold office during pleasure, for a term ending on January 11, 2008; and
(a) specifies the duties of the independent adviser as to conduct an independent review of those allegations respecting financial dealings between Mr. Schreiber and the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, P.C., and to submit to the prime minister by January 11, 2008 a report in both official languages, which shall:
(i) make recommendations as to the appropriate mandate for a public inquiry into those allegations, including the specific issues that warrant examination, under the Inquiries Act ...»
I hope we are all clear on the chronology, which seems to contradict your 12:55:00 PM statement. True, the Ethics Committee got involved after that, but it still remains Mr. Thibault was already demanding a public inquiry as early as Oct. 31, 2007.
While I was doing some research, it appears Hunter somehow verified your identity, so I stand corrected.
Mystereeoso: "Gabby,(sigh) Gabby your question is already in itself a deflection of the 'but but but but Obama does it too' variety. And then you come up with 'but but but but but environmentalists do it too'! Good grief."
No, M, I did not say what you claim I said. I want to know whether you have a double standard, and since you have refused to answer a simple question, it leads me to conclude that yes indeed you have a double standard: one for conservatives/Conservatives and another for everyone else.
Which reminds me of something else you claimed I said:
"Yes and while you said there were no obligations, I believe you did simultaneously find fault with those conservatives who did not take the opportunity to keep their mouths shut."
Sorry, but that statement of yours makes little sense to me.
If I find fault with some Conservatives because of their reportedly loose tongues, it is because past experience has shown that the slightest comment they make will become fodder for some scandal-mongering journalists who thrive on just such gossipy tidbits instead of REAL news. So what? Am I not allowed to have that opinion?
If you don't want pigeon droppings on your property, don't feed the pigeons. That would apply to the Conservative caucus, IMO, as much as to anyone else.
Again, that's IF the "reports" of a rift in the Conservative caucus are true. To paraphrase Mark Twain: "The reports of a rift are greatly exaggerated."
And with that ... Happy Passover and Happy Easter to all and sundry.
Re" No, M, I did not say what you claim I said."
You said, "However, I also fault those Conservatives who have reportedly commented on Mr. Mulroney's standing within the party. Just because some idiot journalist asks a question about Mr. Mulroney's membership in the party, it does not mean MPs or Senators are obliged to react. This was a perfect opportunity for Conservative MPs and Senators to keep their mouth shut."
Hunter why don't you retract your unfounded assertions about Mr. Szabo in your post?
Well, well, MP Szabo in his own words, gives us the real answer. I stand corrected, it wasn't Szabo that visited the jail, it was Thibault!
Gabby: I'm still in my MP office trying to finish off some work before leaving to visit my grandchildren.
Mr. Thibault was not a member of the Ethics Committee and when he mused about a public inquiry in the House he was doing so as an MP. The fact remains that the Ethics Committee which I Chair did not consider Airbus hearings until after Mr. Mulroney and Mr. Harper called for a Public Inquiry. The all-Party Committee, and not the Chair, decide what matters we work on. I only vote to break a tie and there was no tie in this case.
By the way, Mr. Schreiber hits the stand on Tuesday and we should have some indication of whether he has any new evidence. The Fifth Estate also has more to offer tomorrow night as well at 9pm.
Mr. Szabo, thank you for your reply.
However, once again I must beg to differ with you. You said:
“Mr. Thibault was not a member of the Ethics Committee and when he mused about a public inquiry in the House he was doing so as an MP.”
I hate to say this without the benefit of the parliamentary privilege that you enjoy, but you are dead WRONG. According to your allies at the CBC:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/02/29/mulroney-schreiber.html
« … A brief preliminary report tabled by committee chair Paul Szabo on Friday stated that the panel has completed its examination of witnesses and recommended the government "immediately initiate a formal public inquiry into the Mulroney-Schreiber affair."
According to NDP MP Pat Martin, committee vice-chair, the prime minister said that he would rather wait for the committee's full report to be released, which Szabo said should take two to three weeks.
Liberal committee member Robert Thibault said the inquiry should be given "full latitude to follow the money, to go where the leads bring him and get to the bottom of this whole thing." … »
Mr. Thibault was indeed a member of the Ethics Committee. At one point there was even a threat of a libel suit against him from Mr. Mulroney because of the conflict of interest stemming from the former's meetings with Schreiber.
As to whether the Ethics Committee was considering the Airbus question, I believe you’re splitting hairs. The topic in this thread was whether there is indeed a rift among Conservatives, and whether the Liberals are being honest now in saying they are respectful of Mr. Mulroney, when they were the ones who were calling for his head throughout late 2007 and 2008.
And no, thank you, to the invitation of yet another broadcast of the Fifth Estate. I believe it is a rehash of previously broadcast conjecture, suppositions, hypotheses, etc.
I hope you enjoy your visit with your grandchildren, and that your grandchildren enjoy the fairy tales you tell them.
M @ Thursday, April 09, 2009 6:46:00 PM, you make even less sense with that reply.
All you did was quote back to me my own words. So what? I don't need to reread them. I know what I said.
You may like going around in circles, but I don't. This is my last reply to you on this topic. Good night, and don't forget to visit the "toity" before lights out.
Gabby, why do you call the CBC allies of Paul Szabo? After all, their account that Thibault was on the ethics committee contradict's Szabo's account.
Maybe they are actually working for the CPC, putting out false information. Unless of course, this, containing no mention of Thibault, is inaccurate?
Hmm, I may be talking to myself, but despite Hunter's welcome to Paul Szabo, I'm still skeptical that the person posting here under that name is the real McCoy.
So Mr. Szabo, could we not re-open an investigation into the sponsorship scandal, this time with "full latitude to follow the money, to go where the leads bring him and get to the bottom of this whole thing.", such as Robert Thibault suggested the committee do with thier decades old axe grinding of Mr. Mulroney and KHS?
After all, what's good for the goose.....
As I've said before, the Airbuses have worn out and the liberals are STILL beating that dead horse prentending to be concerned that all of the I's were dotted and T's crossed on a ficticous back room, brown paper bag payola pipe dream.
KHS is desparate. He's a wanted man and it is mine and many others opinion that he's leading this kangaroo court down the garden path.
For the Liberals, it's all about politics and optics. Mix in a little ill conceived 'guilt by association' by trying to drag PMSH into this blatant waste of time and money and it's biz as usual at Librano Party Central.
A rudderless Liberal party, also as desparate as KHS and devoid of any morals or clear policies is
all this charade has come down to.
I'm surprised that George Bush, Karl Rove and Dick Cheney weren't labelled as co-conspirators all laughing and lighting cigars with 100 dollar bills at 24 Sussex with Mulroney and Harper. Good greif.
Enchanting Gabby. If you knew what you said, the conversation probably would have gone down a little differently. You are the only one going round in a circle. I know it must be hard on a professional like yourself when that happens. Sorry.
Also with regard to your quibble about Thibault and the Ethics Committee - check out his parliamentary profile...
http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/ProfileMP.aspx?Key=78938&SubSubject=1003&Language=E
Do you see member of the Ethics Committee listed anywhere?
Nah.
Robert Thibault was never a member
of the Ethics Committee. When the
hearings started, he substituted in
for Committee member Glen Pearson.
Don't believe everything you read in
the press.
Robert Thibault was never a member
of the Ethics Committee. When the
hearings started, he substituted in
for Committee member Glen Pearson.
Don't believe everything you read in
the press.
Robert Thibault was never a member
of the Ethics Committee. When the
hearings started, he substituted in
for Committee member Glen Pearson.
Don't believe everything you read in
the press.
Gabby in QC, I stand applauding you!
Paul Szabo at Thursday, April 09, 2009 10:49:00 PM, 10:51:00 PM, and 10:56:00 PM:
• Whether having the actual title "committee member" or not, Robert Thibault was a principal in those hearings. I watched a few of them and he figured prominently.
• "Don't believe everything you read in the press."
Oh, I know. This is a perfect example:
From an April 7 Globe and Mail story by Steven Chase:
«He [Ignatieff] said that while there is "controversy surrounding Mr. Mulroney" the Montrealer is still a former prime minister. "I have respect for the institution and I have respect for the character of the person."»
And the latest howler is Keith Boag's "report" during the CBC's At Issue panel, when he said of the Mulroney-Schreiber controversy:
“It began when Harper made a big deal about Mulroney accepting hundreds of thousands in cash from a former arms dealer … “
Worthy of a Hollywood scriptwriter - not docudrama, but FICTION category.
Hunter, thanks, especially for the opportunity to post here.
Another flipflop for iggy. He says he has respect for the institution. Then why does he have no respect for the current occupant of the PM office. Oh, could it be that our PM has not been involved in any shady dealings like so many liberals, and that is the kind of person MEME respects.
We have all kinds of awards, Juno, Accademy etc. We need an award for the biggest liar in the media. It was the liberals who started this, in QP shortly after being defeated. Remember the numerous scandals they tried to invent. Brian was one of them, helped by that guy from the 5th estate who has had a hate on for 20 years.
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