Dan Cook: February, 2006
DAN COOK,
Globe and Mail Update
6 U.S. ports
Spin away, Mr. President.
Updated Tuesday, February 28 at 07:20 p.m.
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Timing is everything
[Olympic Flag] Raised in Vancouver
[Whistler-Blackcomb's] Owner Signals Possible Sale
Updated Tuesday, February 28 at 04:57 p.m.
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In quotes
[Premier Dalton McGuinty] "We're 40 per cent more than the others."
Updated Tuesday, February 28 at 02:15 p.m.
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Media cheers
[WSJ] Splashy Front Pages Help Once-Staid Newspaper Prosper
[Tony Burman] CBC 'Balanced' In Election Coverage, Studies Show
[Drudge] Bush Cheers Decline of Mainstream Media, Rise Of Alternative Press
Updated Tuesday, February 28 at 01:00 p.m.
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Morning news
[No activist,] Supreme Court nominee says [Editorial] [John Ibbitson] [Tom Oleson]
[Canada] Takes command in southern Afghanistan [Tories] Under fire for denying vote on Afghan mission [Discussion]
[Fall Talks] On elected Senate planned [Real Audio] [Senator Fortier]
[$160-million] NDP fisheries critic Peter Stoffer calls for DFO audit
[Gomery] 'Misquoted' finding on privy council, researcher says
[Crown Urges Jail Time] For sponsorship fraud
[PM] Won't touch issue of abortion: Wants to put end to Liberal 'lie' [Shaking Hands]
[Gomery Aide] Set to reveal inside story
[Harper, Charest] Plan third meeting
[Two Ministers] Booted from Quebec cabinet [Former Sovereigntist Promoted]
[Balkans: Part 2 Of 5] For many, UN's grip worse than civil war
Updated Tuesday, February 28 at 08:45 a.m.
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ECMA
Prime Minister Harper will be in attendance for tonight's East Coast Music Awards, hosted by the Trailer Park Boys. After all, it's a family affair.
Updated Monday, February 27 at 05:47 p.m.
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Supreme Court hearings: Justice Rothstein
[Watch] Video stream starts at 01:00 p.m. EST.
[Blog] Live play-by-play starts at 01:00 p.m. EST.
[Latest News] Updated throughout the hearings.
Updated Monday, February 27 at 11:00 a.m.
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Supreme Court hearings: today's agenda
All times noted (EST)
13:00: Meeting begins
13:00-13:10: Opening remarks by Hon. Vic Toews, Committee Chair
13:10-13:25: Introductory remarks by Professor Peter Hogg, Q.C.
13:25-13:45: Presentation by Hon. Mr. Justice Marshall Rothstein
13:45-16:45: Questions by committee members (excluding Chair)
13:45-15:15: First round: 8 minutes per member (approx. 90 minutes)
15:15-16:00: Second round: 4 minutes per member (approx. 45 minutes)
16:00-16:45: Third round: 4 minutes per member (approx. 45 minutes)
16:45-16:55: Summary by Professor Hogg
16:55-17:00: Final remarks by Hon. Vic Toews, Committee Chair
17:00: Meeting adjourned
Updated Monday, February 27 at 11:20 a.m.
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Day 22: the easiest way out of a hole is to climb out
[Minister David Emerson] "I actually do think I could probably win an election as a Conservative."
[Video]
Updated Monday, February 27 at 10:40 a.m.
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Morning news
[SCC] Nominee Rothstein to field MPs' questions [Real Video] [Quicktime]
[Defence Minister] Won't support vote on troops in Afghanistan [Video] [Poll]
[Unelected] Public Works minister has 'zip, zero' accountability
[Finance Minister] Facing limited cash, wide demands in crafting federal budget
[Key Ipperwash] Witness killed in highway crash
[Conservatives] Admit it could be a long wait before they cap wait times
[Liberals] Talk leadership, party renewal
[Gas Price] Pushes Alberta's surplus to $10-billion
[Reporters] Strike war-footing with PMO, but Harper won't be dictated by national media
[One Busted] At Emerson's office [Protesters Continue Push]
[PM] Applauds Canadian Olympians
[Mark Steyn] Needing to wake up, West just closes its eyes
[Jamaica] Set to appoint first female prime minister
[Balkans: Part 1 Of 5] New borders, old tensions key to volatile area's future
[30 Million Blogs] And Counting . . .
Updated Monday, February 27 at 08:45 a.m.
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In quotes
Excerpts from Ann Coulter's discussion at Indiana University:
Liberals "hate God and hate America,"
"You don't want the Republicans in power, does that mean you want a dictatorship, gay boy?"
"They don't think the little brown boys could handle democracy,"
Charlie's Pundit Angels
Updated Sunday, February 26 at 05:54 p.m.
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Egosphere
Yesterday, The Globe and Mail's Leah McLaren penned 'Logging out of the blogosphere.' Twenty-four hours later, Technorati (which tracks 28.9-million blogs) ranks McLaren in the top five searches. Looks like the ever-vocal blogosphere aren't so fond of being critiqued by the MSM.
Updated Sunday, February 26 at 01:37 p.m.
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Saturday news
[PM] Eyes Afghan sojourn
[Six U.S. Ports] Homeland Security Objected to Ports Deal [Democrats Hit Bush On Security]
[Baghdad,] Surrounding areas under curfew [Video]
[Missile Defence] U.S. envoy sees no talks soon
[Canadian Military] May recruit immigrants
[Iranian Advisor:] We'll strike Israeli nuclear facility in response to U.S. attack
[Where Are They Now?] MPs move on, consider options, land new jobs
[Premiers] Urge PM to tackle fiscal imbalance [Daycare Cuts At Dinner]
[Four Arrested] During sit-in at Emerson's BC office [Video]
[N.S. Premier] Takes newest stage
[Unelected] Fortier needs help in real estate
[Oracle Of Ottawa] Is The West Really In?
[Bill Clinton] Power to the people: now everyone can make a difference
[Double-Double] New battle brewing in Kandahar
[SAQ] Chairman of Quebec's liquor board steps down
[Bureaucratic Inertia] B.C. ministry assailed for Sherry review delays
[Once skeptics,] Tories now trumpet action on Kyoto
Updated Saturday, February 25 at 03:50 p.m.
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2-2
Fresh from his foray into the Liberal riding of Vancouver-Kingsway, the Prime Minister has now resorted to raiding his neighbor's kitchen.
Updated Friday, February 24 at 07:27 p.m.
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In quotes
[Feb. 23, 2006: President Bush] "People don't need to worry about security."
Updated Friday, February 24 at 05:30 p.m.
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Mark your calendars
Christopher Hitchens is hosting the social event of the season, and all are welcome.
Meanwhile, back on this side of the unarmed border, Stephen Harper will be entertaining the premiers and Territorial leaders at 24 Sussex. Unfortunately, B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell is unable to attend, as he's in Italy on official government business with Dr. Les Vertesi, the premier's brother-in-law.
Updated Thursday, February 23 at 04:30 p.m.
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3 election defection polls: Same conclusion
[Ipsos-Reid] Canada wide poll: "Thinking again about federal politics, please tell me if you agree or disagree with the following statement: David Emerson, the Vancouver Liberal who crossed the floor and was appointed to the new Conservative cabinet, should immediately resign his seat in the House of Commons and run in a by-election?"
62% Agree
[CTV] Vancouver-Kingsway poll: Do you want a bi-election?
61% Yes
[Ipsos-Reid] B.C. poll: "Do you approve or disapprove of the actions taken by David Emerson?"
62% Disapprove
[Letters]
[Lawsuit] Against Emerson in the Works
[$] Transition team travels to Emerson
Updated Thursday, February 23 at 01:00 p.m.
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SCC
Winnipeg-born Justice Marshall Rothstein has been nominated to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court of Canada.
Even though the Prime Minster has final say, the three-hour televised sideshow hearings take place this Monday.
[Where It Goes From Here]
[Official Announcement]
[Dossier]
Updated Thursday, February 23 at 10:57 a.m.
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In quotes
"Dear Mr. President:
In regards to selling American ports to the United Arab Emirates, not just NO—but HELL NO!
Sincerely,
Sue Myrick
Member of Congress"
[White House spokesman Scott McClellan] "This is one where we probably should have consulted with or briefed Congress on sooner,"
Updated Thursday, February 23 at 10:21 a.m.
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Morning news
[Harper] Set to name Supreme Court nominee [Real Audio]
[Leak Of Short List] Draws fire as Harper ponders Supreme Court choice
[Lawsuit] Against Emerson in the Works
[$] Transition team travels to Emerson
[Liberal] Shadow cabinet takes on Harper's stars
[Tory MP Turner] Mulls run for Speaker
['Change'] Cited for Tory win
[Buzz Hargrove] Won't rejoin NDP
[Justice Minister] Vows parole probe
[Ontario: CUPE] Calls off wildcat strike [Murray Campbell]
[Arming Border] To take four to five years
[Stay Tuned] On medicare, Klein says
[Klein Needs Vision] Where his money and mouth are
[Charest's] Office to control what the public hears
[Cancer Society] Sends Harper a message-scented bouquet
[National Group] Renews its call for pharmacare
Updated Thursday, February 23 at 08:45 a.m.
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Liberal Opposition Critics
Leader of the opposition, Bill Graham has just announced his party's 41 opposition critics.
Interestingly enough, Michael Ignatieff, who will most likely run to be the next leader of the Liberal party, and billed himself as the 'new face of federal liberalism,' was sidelined with the junior position of associate critic for Human Resources and Social Development.
Updated Wednesday, February 22 at 04:33 p.m.
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The Monarchy
Prince Charles' diary has been released and among the notables, he refers to Chinese diplomats as "appalling old waxworks" and likens a Chinese ceremony to "an awful Soviet style display."
[Video News Report]
Updated Wednesday, February 22 at 01:26 p.m.
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Morning news
[Supreme Court] Short list tests conservative mettle [Editorial]
[U.S.] Reopens abortion debate
[New Clerk] Of the Privy Council known as strategic thinker
[John Ibbitson] Harper fond of shooting the messenger [Don Martin]
[No Extra Health-care] Cash now, PM says
[Federal Government] Posts $7.3-billion April-December surplus
[MacKay] Takes cautious tone on hostages in Iraq
[Harper] Doesn't see quick softwood fix
[Canadian Diplomat] In gun spat
[MacKay] Trip puts focus on Europe
[Ontario: Public Workers] Set for illegal strike
[OPP] Caught off guard, Ipperwash probe told
[No Bells] Or whistles in B.C. budget [Taylor's Shoes Cause A Stir]
[Two papers,] Two views on Hamas
[Governor General] To meet Pope Benedict XVI
[Secrecy Battles] Delays Arar report
[$1-billion] For Alberta's rainy day
[Newfoundland Tories] Reclaim empty seat
[Defecting MLA] Says he didn't make demands
Updated Wednesday, February 22 at 08:45 a.m.
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Number 9: Unilingual / Bilingual, in a Harper government it's all the same thing
Former lobbyist Sandra Buckler now holds the new title of communications director for the Prime Minister of Canada. Daily duties include speaking on behalf of Mr. Harper via the press corps and media messaging. One small problem: Ms. Buckler doesn't speak French.
For those of you keeping count, that makes nine:
(1) Turncoat David Emerson
(2) Unelected Public Works Minister and Senator Michael Fortier
(3) Convicted Justice Minister Vic Toews
(4) Defence Minister Donald 'Airbus' O'Connor
(5) The appointment of Conservative campaign co-chair John Reynolds to the Privy Council.
(6) Unilingual Conservative MP Ted Menzies named Parliamentary Secretary for La Francophonie and Official Languages [Since removed]
(7) Calgary based Conservative MP Deepak Obhrai named Parliamentary Secretary to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency [Since removed]
(8) Gun registry bureaucrat promoted: PM gives top official of program new job
Updated Tuesday, February 21 at 04:46 p.m.
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Prime Minister Press Release
Question Julie Van Dusen, CBC: "Can we assume that your discussions with us yesterday and today are perhaps a new opening in terms of your availability to the media? Because since you were sworn in February 6th, we have seen and heard very little from you and even less from your cabinet ministers."
Answer Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper: "I will be available whenever I have something to announce."
[Video Part One] PM Harper Press Conference
[Video Part Two] PM Harper Press Conference
[Kevin Lynch] Clerk of the Privy Council
[PM Harper] Praises Quebec health plan
Updated Tuesday, February 21 at 03:20 p.m.
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Mingle with Scott Brison
I must have missed the memo where Scott Brison announced he was running for the leadership of the Liberal Party.
Updated Tuesday, February 21 at 01:15 p.m.
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1 of 2 Western Standard's anonymous sources revealed
The Globe and Mail's Katherine Harding reported this morning that Alan Hallman is one of two unnamed sources quoted in the Western Standard's article on Alberta Premier Ralph Klein.
However, one of the Premiers 'fishing buddies' who was attributed with the following racist quote is still unknown: "Once she stops being the premier's wife, she goes back to being just another Indian,"
[Don Martin] Wrath awaits those who insult Ralph Klein's wife
Updated Tuesday, February 21 at 12:35 p.m.
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Poll: Tories & Liberals statistically tied
Another day, another poll? This time around, the numbers are courtesy of SES Research, the same firm that came within 0.1% of the actual 2006 federal election results.
Pollster Nik Nanos has the details here, for the honeymoon that never was.
Updated Tuesday, February 21 at 09:50 a.m.
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Morning news
[Top-court Nominee] Faces fire Monday [John Ibbitson]
[Day 15] Harper loses aide over Emerson row
[Empower Provinces,] CEOs say
[Carole Taylor] Dons off-white pumps to deliver B.C. budget
[PM] Plans chat with premiers
[Liberals, NDP] Should join in coalition, Hargrove says
[Canadians] Asked to review UN operations
[Minister] Vows to ensure safe water on reserves
[New Defence Treaty] With U.S. to include maritime surveillance: Defence minister
[PM's Deal] With Quebec has Ontario fuming
[Air-India] Report filed 'under budget,' Bob Rae says
[Canadian Hostages] Are alive: Peter MacKay
[Social Inequality] In Toronto must end, GG says
[Ontario] To cut delays in human-rights cases
[Health care,] Leadership dog Klein's big speech
[Mike Harris] Accused of lying to Ontario Legislature
[Danish PM] Defends handling of cartoon crisis
[Annals Of The Pentagon] How an internal effort to ban the abuse and torture of detainees was thwarted.
Updated Tuesday, February 21 at 08:35 a.m.
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New process for Supreme Court appointee
One of my colleagues calls the new system a sideshow and I have to agree. If you're going to open the nomination process up to public scrutiny, then allow Parliament to vote on the selection. At the end of the day, one man has final say and this jumbled process serves no means to an end.
Wednesday, Feb. 22: 12-member committee will be formed, comprised of members from all parties.
Thursday, Feb. 23: Committee members will be provided with the candidate's name.
Monday, Feb. 27: Televised public hearing. [Periodic blog updates throughout.]
Wednesday, March 1: Government announces new Supreme Court Judge.
Monday, April 10: Supreme Courts Spring term begins.
Updated Monday, February 20 at 04:50 p.m.
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Separated at birth
Michael 'I didn't want to run in the election' Fortier and David 'I'm entitled to my entitlements' Dingwall.
Updated Monday, February 20 at 11:15 a.m.
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Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety
Now meet Mr. Day's senior policy advisor, Scott Newark: "Anything effective in law enforcement will inevitably be forbidden under the Charter (the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms). As we always say, the Charter helps only murderers, pedophiles and judges."
"The linkage between human rights violations and not selling arms is typically wrongheaded to begin with," said Scott Newark. "Let's face it, Myanmar, Zimbabwe and the Sudan are no doubt nasty places but we really don't need to be that worried about what they might get up to with French fighter jets or German submarines."
[Genesis?]
[Public Safety] Keeping Canadians Safe
Updated Monday, February 20 at 10:15 a.m.
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Morning news
[Bloc] Plans to prop up Harper's minority
[Liberal Daycare Plan] Dead in a year, Flaherty says
[Jim Flaherty] Mum on $75-billion in promises
[Probe] Into trusts suggests wider circle of insiders
[Day 14] Liberal campaign workers join Emerson protest; demand action from PM [Video: Emerson protest] [Harper remains quiet]
[Next Top Court Pick] To face public hearing
[Liberal Practice] Of alternating French and English leaders deemed outdated
[Tories] Plan new defence pact with U.S.
[Defection] Puts N.B. government on brink
[Jean Charest] Promises to bite into Quebec's debt
[Israel] Shuts off funding to Hamas-led authority
[Editorial] Close Guantanamo Bay
Updated Monday, February 20 at 08:35 a.m.
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Headline of the Day
[CBS Denver]
[Via]
Updated Friday, February 17 at 12:53 p.m.
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Morning news
[Quebec] Opens door to private health care [Analysis] [MIA: Clement]
[Former PM] Mulroney helped bring Wilson on board as ambassador to U.S. [Chemistry right, Wilson says] [Letters]
[Stockwell] Day: An armed border would keep out the 'bad guys'
[John] Reynolds defends Emerson defection to Conservatives
[Day 12] Jack Layton enters Emerson fray
[Liberal] Leadership contenders define issues
[Stockwell Day] True cost of gun registry will shock
[Ipperwash] Harnick testimony 'shocked' Harris [Striking a blow for democracy]
[Tories] To get tough on fish turf
[Ontario] Premier turns up heat as CUPE tries to cool it
[Tories] Under pressure to keep tax cuts
[White House] Rejects UN call to shut down Guantanamo
Updated Friday, February 17 at 08:53 a.m.
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Poll: Tories would still win
According to Decima Research, if another federal election were held, the results would be as follows:
Conservatives 35% (Jan. 23: 36%)
Liberals 25% (Jan.23: 30%)
NDP 24% (Jan. 23: 17.5%)
Quebec: Bloc 35% (Jan. 23: 42%)
Updated Thursday, February 16 at 05:15 p.m.
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Reynolds gets a new job
Stephen Harper's election campaign co-chair, John Reynolds, has joined the law firm of Lang Michener as a 'strategic adviser.'
Now to your questions: Yes, Lang Michener lobbies the government. And no, John Reynolds is not a lawyer.
Updated Thursday, February 16 at 02:00 p.m.
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Wilson In, Rock Out
Even though the news was leaked days ago, it's official: Michael 'GST' Wilson has been appointed as Canada's ambassador to the United States.
In other diplomatic news, John McNee will replace Allan Rock at the United Nations.
Updated Thursday, February 16 at 09:30 a.m.
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Morning news
[Liberals] Unwilling to prop up Harper: Graham says onus now on Bloc and NDP to support Conservative minority
[PMO] Forced to help ministers with hiring of staff
[Mr.GST] New envoy Wilson backed Bush on Iraq
[Evening Of The Peacemakers] Liberals plan bash to honour Sheila Copps
[Ipperwash] Testimony reveals an intemperate Mike Harris
[1965] Ottawa salutes the original Maple Leaf
[Quebec] Harper won't rush to fix fiscal imbalance, Charest says
[News] 'I'm the guy who pulled the trigger that fired the round that hit Harry.' [Video] [Transcript]
[Election] Préval declared winner of Haitian election
[Canadian] Aid cutoff would cost Hamas millions [Editorial: See Hamas for what it is]
Updated Thursday, February 16 at 08:43 a.m.
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Afternoon news
[From Europe] Paul Martin 'astonished' by Emerson's defection
[Ralph Klein's Wife] Aboriginal groups upset with Western Standard column
[HRDC Boondoggle] Jane Stewart named Bill Graham's chief of staff [Press Release]
[PM Majority] Harper and Charest meeting shrouded in secrecy
[Tories] Paint bulls-eye on long-gun registry [Gun registry bureaucrat promoted]
[Australian TV] Shows purported new Abu Ghraib abuse photos
Updated Wednesday, February 15 at 04:55 p.m.
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New Tork, USA
Dick Cheney's undisclosed location disclosed
Updated Wednesday, February 15 at 3:42 p.m.
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Number 7
[Canadian Press] Gun registry bureaucrat promoted: PM gives top official of program new job
For those of you keeping count, that makes seven:
(1) Turncoat David Emerson
(2) Unelected Public Works Minister and Senator Michael Fortier
(3) Convicted Justice Minister Vic Toews
(4) Defence Minister Donald 'Airbus' O'Connor
(5) Unilingual Conservative MP Ted Menzies named Parliamentary Secretary for La Francophonie and Official Languages [Since removed]
(6) Calgary based Conservative MP Deepak Obhrai named Parliamentary Secretary to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency [Since removed]
Updated Wednesday, February 15 at 12:15 p.m.
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Election defection polls
[Ipsos-Reid] B.C. poll: "Do you approve or disapprove of the actions taken by David Emerson?"
62% Disapprove
[CTV] Vancouver-Kingsway poll: Do you want a bi-election?
61% Yes
Updated Wednesday, February 15 at 10:48 a.m.
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Morning news
[Michael] Fortier now part of Treasury Board [Unelected] Michael Fortier off to see the Games
[PM] Why has Stephen Harper stayed out of sight?
[Mr. GST] Harper to name Wilson as U.S. ambassador: CTV
[Pablo Rodriguez] Next Liberal leader 'must be bilingual,' key MP says
[Michael Ignatieff] Liberals: "deeply factionalized and divided." [Via]
[Justice Minister] Toews wants to speed up selection of new judge
[Union Boss] Puts ball in McGuinty's court
[Potential Clash] Equalization plan puts Ontario, Ottawa at odds
[PM] Harper defends free speech but regrets cartoons' publication [Statement]
[Cheney] NY Times: "a fatality would immediately spur a new report from the local sheriff and, most likely, a grand jury investigation."
[Election] Burned ballots discovered in Haiti [Préval claims victory, charges fraud]
Updated Wednesday, February 15 at 08:45 a.m.
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Top 10: Order of Succession
[Privy Council] "List of Ministers to act for the Prime Minister in the event of his being unable to perform the functions of his office."
(1) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon
(2) The Honourable Jim Prentice
(3) The Honourable Robert Douglas Nicholson
(4) The Honourable David Emerson
(5) The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
(6) The Honourable Gregory Francis Thompson
(7) The Honourable Marjory LeBreton
(8) The Honourable Monte Solberg
(9) The Honourable Chuck Strahl
(10) The Honourable Gary Lunn
[Profiles]
[Via]
Updated Tuesday, February 14 at 05:56 p.m.
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Afternoon news
[One Man Show] No news from PMO as Harper talks to head of Hamas, other world leaders [Palestine News Agency]
[Mike] Harris denies Ipperwash profanity
[Liberals On Ethics] Accountability - Conservative Style
[Ariel] Sharon's Son Sentenced to Nine Months
[Warren Kinsella] New media columnist, National Post
[Valentine's Day] Erin 'Hearts' Harper
[Cheney] Visual Hunting Aid
Updated Tuesday, February 14 at 04:56 p.m.
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Photo of the Day
[Associated Press] Birdshot causes 'minor heart attack' in Cheney's victim
[Dana Milbank] McClellan Takes Aim at Cheney
[Editor & Publisher] Fitzwater, Former WH Press Secretary, Blasts Handling of Cheney Shooting
Updated Tuesday, February 14 at 02:04 p.m.
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17,010 v. 87
This past Friday, blogger Dave Platten launched the 'Do Not Recall David Emerson' petition. Despite a mention Saturday in five Sun Media newspapers, as of writing, Dave has only garnered 87 signatures.
Meanwhile, over at 'Recall David Emerson,' the petition is showing no signs of slowing down. The current count stands at 17,010. Eighteen hours ago, the number stood at 16,113.
Last word goes to talk-show host and columnist Charles Adler, who writes via e-mail: "Unfortunately for the bloggers fragile egos, they are about to learn how 'uninfluential' they are when they are on the wrong side of an issue."
Updated Tuesday, February 14 at 11:20 a.m.
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Morning news
[Election Defection] Martin left him in lurch, Emerson suggests
[Day 8] Emerson vows to quit if guilty
[Bob] Rae stays coy on plans for Liberal leadership at foreign-policy talk
[Mike] Harris set to testify at Ipperwash inquiry
[Finance] Lobby groups target Flaherty over insurance
[Ontario] Premier takes fire over Takhar — again [Related] [Strike On Hold]
[Western Standard] Magazine dives in to cartoon furor
[Defence Minister] Magazine puts troops at greater risk
[PM Steve] Whole new party in power means whole new parody for Air Farce
[Olympics] Conservatives urge PM to go to Turin
[One Day Reporting Lag] First official report released in Cheney hunting accident
Updated Tuesday, February 14 at 08:30 a.m.
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Early news
[Turncoat] Emerson says he might support floor-crossing law
[Election Defection] NDP to try again on floor-crosser bill
[Western Standard] Western Canadian magazine publishes Muhammad cartoons [Discussion]
[NDP] Layton says he would not have suspended Hargrove's NDP membership
[Reuters] White House under fire in Cheney shooting accident
[One Day] Reporting Lag In Cheney Shooting
Updated Monday, February 13 at 05:10 p.m.
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Emerson: 'Partisan Zealots'
Bill Good, CKNW: "You shunned the rally at Charles Tupper school on Saturday, why?"
David Emerson: "Well, I thought it was, it was a partisan rally, it was not going to be a constructive opportunity to engage people in a, in a reasonable discussion. And I think it was really driven by a lot of partisans and zealots"
Bill Good, CKNW: "But you're not here this morning to resign?"
David Emerson: "I am not here this morning to resign. Because, well, I have to admit that I gave thought to that, and talked about it with my family, we were all even more resolved today to not be driven from office by what has been going on with a lot the partisan zealots and party operatives that have been spinning the media…"
[CKNW Audio: Choose Feb 13, 8A. Runs at :36 & :42]
Updated Monday, February 13 at 02:56 p.m.
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International news
[The Sunday Times] CIA chief sacked for opposing torture
[Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi] 'I am like Jesus'
[Vice President] Dick Cheney shoots pal in hunting accident
[News] Britain to probe alleged beatings in Iraq [Graphic Video]
[Election] Slow count spurs fears of tampering in Haitian vote
[Prime Minister] Ariel Sharon stable after surgery
Updated Monday, February 13 at 09:24 a.m.
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Day 7: Election defection views & news
[Globe and Mail] Vancouver Kingsway voters urge recall of Emerson: Protesters tell embattled cabinet minister to run as a Conservative in by-election
[Canadian Press] Fallout worry grows from Emerson role
[Hill Times] Emerson's switch blasted as 'corporate,' cynical move
[National Post] Conservative refuses to quit or be quiet
[Vancouver 24 Hours] Protests echoing on Kingsway
[Winnipeg Sun] PM's credibility 'jumped the shark'
[Letters] Black mark on process
Updated Monday, February 13 at 08:50 a.m.
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Sunday news
[Ciao] NDP gives Buzz Hargrove the boot
[Vancouver Province] Angry protesters fail to sway Emerson
[Garth Turner] Not quitting caucus
[Washington Post] Katrina Report Spreads Blame
[Radio Sweden] Gay Penguins Still Fending Off Female Advances
Updated Sunday, February 12 at 11:45 a.m.
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Line of the Week
[Andrew Coyne] "Say this for him: if you're going to break a promise, you might as well rub everyone's noses in it."
Updated Sunday, February 12 at 11:12 a.m.
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Tweaks
Unilingual Conservative MP Ted Menzies is no longer Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages.
Calgary based Conservative MP Deepak Obhrai is no longer Parliamentary Secretary to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
Updated Sunday, February 12 at 10:20 a.m.
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Saturday: Election defection views & news
[Globe and Mail] Conservative MP Turner says he'll move bill to stop MPs jumping parties
[Calgary Sun] Tory MP may quit caucus
[New York Times] Awkward Start for Canada's New Leader
[Canadian Press] Horrible first week for Harper despite seasoned transition team
[Toronto Star] Emerson might quit, sources say
[CBC] 'I won't quit' embattled Emerson tells CBC
[National Post] Majority approve of Tories so far
[Peace Arch News] It's OK just this once, Tory Senator defends Harper's moves
[Vancouver Sun] Anti-Emerson protesters rally
[WorldNetDaily] Is Steve Harper forgetting the right?
[Letters] Governing starts with lies, deceit
[Globe and Mail Editorial] Emerson v. Stronach
[Charles Adler] True blue sit on pity potty
[Brandon Sun Opinion] Cry us a river, Mr. Emerson
[Satire] Conservatives Provide Open, Accountable Government for Minus 17 Minutes
Updated Saturday, February 11 at 05:15 p.m.
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The news
[Dear Ethics Commissioner] NDP requests inquiry into Emerson floor crossing
[Katrina] White House Knew of Levee's Failure on Night of Storm
[Foreign Affairs] Emerson defection 'different,' MacKay says [Archives: "At least dogs are loyal."]
[Video] MPs career "limited" for criticising turncoat [News] [Blog]
[Gomery News] Conservative MP calls for probe of claim that Mulroney was paid from Swiss account tied to Airbus
[Canada Health Act] Health officials keep close eye on private clinic's access fees
Updated Friday, February 10 at 01:51 p.m.
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Reality Check with Prime Minister Steve & Unelected Mike
[Cabinet Minister Fortier's Statement] "Montreal needs a voice in this cabinet and will do this."
[Prime Minister Harper's Statement] "We need to have a cabinet minister from Montreal,"
[Reality Check] Fortier's Senate riding doesn't include Montreal. In fact, Fortier wasn't even born in Montreal.
And this concludes Reality Check. Tune in next week for Episode 2: Election Defection starring the convicted Justice Minister, English Menzies and Airbus O'Connor.
Updated Friday, February 10 at 10:26 a.m.
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Election defection news
[Globe and Mail] Dissident Tories demand Emerson resign
[Vancouver Sun] Emerson accused of violating Parliament's conflict code
[Garth Turner's Blog] Choices
[Letters] Wake up Canada! We've been duped again
[Report On Business] Switching teams: No big deal in business, but Emerson learns politics is different
[Globe and Mail Editorial] The risky calculations Stephen Harper makes
[Vancouver 24 Hours] "Vancouver Kingsway Conservative Kanman Wong says he had a backup plan to step aside for controversial new cabinet minister David Emerson - long before January's election."
[New Website] Recall David Emerson
Updated Friday, February 10 at 08:40 a.m.
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Unilingual, bilingual: In a Harper government, it's all the same thing
Meet Conservative MP Ted Menzies: Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages.
Problem is, he doesn't speak French.
Updated Friday, February 10 at 08:10 a.m.
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The easiest way out of a hole is to climb out
[Media Relations] "International Trade Minister and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics David L. Emerson will be available for a conference call with representatives of the media at 4:30 p.m. today."
Updated Thursday, February 09 at 03:40 p.m.
Update 4:52 p.m. EST: Still on hold.
Update 4:54 p.m. EST: Operator announces Minister Emerson has been caught in traffic; the conference call has been cancelled. Guess they don't have cell phones in limousines.
Updated Thursday, February 09 at 04:54 p.m.
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2005 Donations
Conservative Party = $18,189,917.90
Liberal Party = $9,044,812.06
NDP = $5,145,908.51
Bloc Québécois = $773,070.83
Green Party = $439,368.86
[Source]
Updated Thursday, February 09 at 02:27 p.m.
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The news
[Sovereignty] Forces plan Arctic 'land is ours' mission: Armed snowmobile patrols hope G-G will meet them on disputed ice
[Swearing In] New painting for new PM
[Pentagon] Rumsfeld cartoon angers military brass
[Vacancy] Tories urged to act fast on top-court nominations
[Red Chamber] Key Liberals back televising Senate debates
[24 Sussex] A 'paradise' for young kids like Stephen Harper's, Ben Mulroney says
[Defector] Colleagues of new Tory Emerson think floor crossers should run in byelection
[Election] Préval builds big early lead in Haiti
[US Plans Massive Data Sweep] Little-known data-collection system could troll news, blogs, even e-mails. Will it go too far?
Updated Thursday, February 09 at 12:54 p.m.
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Emerson news
[Softwood] Did Emerson block deal? [CTV]
[Defector] Emerson rejects call for resignation
[Trade Minister] Softwood truce a 'top' priority, Emerson says
[Globe and Mail Editorial] Mr. Emerson should face his riding's voters again
[Jim Coyle] New PM makes us miss Mulroney
[Letters] Conservatives not slow to hit the floor-crossing trail
[David Haskell] Misplaced optimism [Original Column]
Updated Thursday, February 09 at 09:43 a.m.
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In quotes
[David Emerson, Feb. 8, 2006] "If I could wind back the clock two years, I wouldn't have entered public life at all." [Video 9:35]
[David Emerson, Nov. 22, 2005] "Mr. Speaker, I find it breathtaking that the party members think the only thing the economy needs, and I presume the auto industry needs, is a 2% reduction in the GST and happiness will follow. What kind of economics is that?
She (Conservative MP Bev Oda) should explain to her constituents that the auto industry would collapse under a Conservative government."
Updated Thursday, February 09 at 08:53 a.m.
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Mulroney & Spaghetti
$300,000
[Video]
Updated Thursday, February 09 at 08:20 a.m.
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Return to senders
Liberals send Emerson letter 'return the money': $96,755.00
[Via]
Updated Wednesday, February 08 at 04:43 p.m.
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The news
[No Media Questions] Harper's ministerial rookies attend all-day training session
[Web-exclusive: Peter Donolo] Who'll save us from this accountability crusade?
[Adieu] Monte Solberg signs off
[Associated Press] Vote-counting drags on in Haiti
[Peter MacKay] Ottawa condemns cartoon-protest violence
[Reuters] Gaza shopkeeper stocks up on Danish flags to burn
[Guardian Unlimited] Sweden plans to be world's first oil-free economy
Updated Wednesday, February 08 at 03:19 p.m.
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CNN Headlines
[Bush Urges End To Cartoon Violence]
[Deadly Cartoon Riot Near U.S. Base]
[The New Headline]
Updated Wednesday, February 08 at 02:54 p.m.
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Applications welcome: Previous experience not necessary
[Public Works Minister Michael Fortier] "I didn't run in the election because I didn't want to run in the election,"
If you want to be just like Mike, with a six figure salary and a limousine, you can apply here.
Updated Wednesday, February 08 at 10:59 a.m.
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Tory news
[14 to 16] Raising the age of consent 'a priority' for Tories
[Agriculture Minister] Rare inoperable cancer is not slowing Strahl
[A400] New Defence Minister lobbied for Airbus
[Airbus] Minister's role as defence lobbyist questioned
[Globe and Mail Editorial] The defence lobbyist who became the minister
[Charles Adler] From belle to bride of Frankenstein
[Commodities] $1-billion windfall forecast for Ottawa
Updated Wednesday, February 08 at 09:51 a.m.
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Double talk
[Vancouver Sun] "B.C. Tory MP James Moore (Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam), who was expected to get a cabinet post before Emerson's arrival on the scene, was asked if he would apply the same words to Emerson as he did to defector Belinda Stronach.
Moore called Stronach the "poster child for hypocrisy" after she left the Tories to become a Liberal minister last May and help Paul Martin survive a non-confidence vote.
"There are two kinds of people in public life. People of principle and people like Belinda Stronach," Moore said then.
Moore, while arguing Tuesday that the two situations are "very different" because Stronach approached the Liberals whereas Harper approached Emerson, refused to elaborate."
Updated Wednesday, February 08 at 09:24 a.m.
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Emerson news
[Poll] Liberals more popular than Emerson in his riding: Poll done in October found only 25% knew he was their MP
[Prince Rupert] Tories axe plan to privatize port: Defector Emerson has spoken against Liberal selloff of B.C. terminal
[Riding Association] Vancouver Liberals want Emerson to repay $97,000
[Vancouver Province] Angry Emerson seethes at critics
[Vancouver 24 Hours] Emerson gets no breaks from blogs
[Petition] Recall David Emerson
Updated Wednesday, February 08 at 09:00 a.m.
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In quotes: Conservative MPs on Emerson & Fortier
Some MPs did not want to be publicly identified.
[Veteran Conservative MP from Western Canada] "This looks like expediency, even hypocrisy,"
"This is shocking. It's just unbelievable. Who was Stephen talking to? We campaigned against this kind of stuff," the MP said.
[Rookie Conservative MP] "I'm not sure how I'm going to explain these appointments to my constituents. It's bewildering."
[Conservative Prairie MP] "Maybe we can dig a bit of a hole for ourselves right now, but we better make some serious progress on this before the next election, or I won't ever be able to go home again,"
[Conservative MP] "How do I explain this to my (riding) board? What do I say to my volunteers?"
[Conservative MP Myron Thompson] "I was hoping to have a nice quiet trip home, but I guess I can forget that now,"
[Conservative MP Maurice Vellacott] "I'm a little bit uncomfortable with it, but I guess we'll go from here and work with him (Emerson) as a colleague,"
[Conservative MP James Rajotte] "My view, my personal view, is that an MP has to consult his constituents before he makes a move to another party,"
"That's why I voted for that bill. If it were presented again, I'd vote for it again. I think there should have been a byelection or something (in Emerson's riding), so the constituents could have some kind of input."
[Conservative MP Ken Epp] "I feel the electorate should have the choice. I still believe that, and I wouldn't be honest if I said I didn't," he said.
"The last thing I'd want is to hear the Liberals saying we're just like them."
Updated Wednesday, February 08 at 08:30 a.m.
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Side notes
[Parliamentary Secretaries] Harper names 26
[
Jay Hill] Chief Government Whip
[
Democracy Watch] Will file ethics complaints on Dingwall payment fiasco and David Emerson's party-switching cabinet post, other cabinet postings highly questionable
[
Canadian Press] "Albertan Myron Thompson predicts constituents will give him an earful over Fortier's appointment to the Senate to gain a cabinet job plus Emerson's switch in parties to get his job."
[
Election] Haiti extends hours of presidential vote
Updated Tuesday, February 07 at 05:30 p.m.
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Four Presidents: Coretta Scott's funeral turns political
[President Carter] "It was difficult for them personally with the civil liberties of both husband and wife violated, and they became the targets of secret government wiretapping and other surveillance,"
[Rev. Joseph Lowery] "She extended Martin's message against poverty, racism and war/She deplored the terror inflicted by our smart bombs on missions way afar," he said.
"We know now there were no weapons of mass destruction over there/But Coretta knew and we knew that there are weapons of misdirection right down here/Millions without health insurance. Poverty abounds. For war billions more but no more for the poor."
After the service:
[President George Bush Sr.,] "Lowery 21, Bush 3, it wasn't a fair fight."
Updated Tuesday, February 07 at 04:23 p.m.
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The news
[Agence France-Presse] Iran to publish Holocaust cartoons
[
Doug Saunders in Copenhagen] Danes fear cartoon furor will lead to terror attacks
[
Royal Visit] Governor General making first official visit to Quebec this week
[
Public Works Minister] 'Didn't want to run' in election, Fortier says
[Blog War]
Wells v.
SDA
[
Vancouver-Kingsway] Emerson's riding president responds
[
New Blog] Remove Emerson
Updated Tuesday, February 07 at 02:10 p.m.
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Site redesign: globeandmail.com
With close too seven hundred online comments, it seems everybody has an opinion on our new look. If you want to make your voice heard, or are curious to find out the rationale behind the changes, join Angus Frame, the editor of globeandmail.com, and Adrian Norris, designer, from 1:00 p.m. EST until 2:00 p.m. EST today.
Updated Tuesday, February 07 at 12:50 p.m.
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In quotes: Stronach on Emerson
[Belinda Stronach] "David Emerson is a fine individual. But I look at what Harper did and said when I left the party and I look at what he did to get David to come over and you have to conclude that's a double standard and hypocritical,"
"I was opposed to a budget being defeated, concerned about the party leadership and trying to defend national unity. And when I crossed the floor, I could've been out of a job in 48 hours if the election had been forced. But David Emerson was just elected as a Liberal two weeks ago,"
Updated Tuesday, February 07 at 12:26 p.m.
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That makes 4
Aside from the card carrying Liberal, and the cabinet minister who wasn't elected, here follows two more goodies from Prime Minister Steve:
[Norma Greenaway, The Ottawa Citizen] "The man who built the Conservative campaign around a centrepiece platform of cleaning up government also raised eyebrows by appointing Ottawa-area MP Gordon O'Connor, a former defence lobbyist, as minister of defence and Manitoban Vic Toews, who was
convicted of breaking provincial campaign finance laws, as justice minister."
And that makes four; a convicted justice minister, a former defence lobbyist as defence minister, an elected Liberal with three portfolios, and finally, an unelected cabinet minister plopped into the senate.
Out with the old, in with the same.
Updated Tuesday, February 07 at 11:22 a.m.
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The morning after
[24 Sussex] Thursday: House bound
[
Defector] Reynolds brokered Emerson's right turn
[
Cabinet] 26 Conservatives and a Liberal
[
Didn't make the cut] A peek in the cabinet maker's workshop
[
Toronto Star] Harper forgets why he won
[
National Post] Harper's risky start
[
Calgary Sun] Ushering in new Tory era
[
The Guardian] MacKay appointed voice for P.E.I. in new Tory cabinet
[
Gary Mason in B.C.] Serve his constituents? No, just serve himself
[
Vancouver 24 Hours] Emerson, Harper now pals
Updated Tuesday, February 07 at 09:54 a.m.
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In quotes: Leaders' debate, Dec. 16, 2005
[Stephen Harper on floor crossers] "I understand the frustration and probably no one feels it as much as me, who saw this spring a determined attempt to lure various MP's from our party with various offers of cabinet positions…"
Updated Tuesday, February 07 at 08:50 a.m.
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Numbers
Parliament reconvenes: April 3
Cash for daycare: July 1
Cabinet size: 27
Number of non-elected cabinet ministers: 1
Western Canada cabinet ministers: 10
Ontario cabinet ministers: 9
Quebec cabinet ministers: 5
Atlantic Canada cabinet ministers: 3
Women in cabinet: 6
Visible minorities in cabinet: 2
Defectors: 1
Updated Monday, February 06 at 05:15 p.m.
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New face
Out with the old
In with the new
Updated Monday, February 06 at 04:53 p.m.
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In quotes: January 23, 2006
[David Emerson] "I'm going to be Stephen Harper's worst enemy," he warned. "We're going to stir the pot and you better believe we are going to make a heck of a lot of noise."
Via Calgary Grit
Updated Monday, February 06 at 03:54 p.m.
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David Emerson: Pundits respond
[Andrew Coyne] "David Emerson??? Has crossed floor -- days after being elected as a Liberal. First reaction: he should immediately resign his seat and run in a byelection, having effectively won it by false pretenses. Second point: so much for Tory fury over Belinda Stronach trading her vote for a cabinet seat. This is not a good note to be striking on their first day."
[
Warren Kinsella] "I guess all of the noise in May 2005 about Belinda Stronach crossing over for the promise of a cabinet post was just that, noise.
I deplore what was done in her case, and I deplore this. This is one of the principal reasons why people are so cynical about politicians. Shame."
[New blog:
David Emerson must resign and be elected as a Conservative]
Via The Infozone
Updated Monday, February 06 at 03:36 p.m.
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Cabinet minister David Emerson & Tory hypocrisy
It was 265 days ago that Belinda Stronach crossed the floor. Here's how Conservatives reacted:
[
Stephen Harper] ''There's no grand principle involved in this decision, just ambition,''
[Stephen Harper] "This will ultimately negatively affect Belinda Stronach's chances of being re-elected,"
[New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord] "This is just another action, another moment, that breeds cynicism of electors."
[
MP Rob Moore] "And I think it shows she has no principles, so she'll fit in well with the Liberals."
[
MP Carol Skelton] "I will tell you honestly, I was sick to the stomach when I heard it,"
[
Alberta MLA Tony Abbott] Stronach was "whoring herself out for power,"
[Ontario Conservative Bob Runciman] "She sort of defined herself as something of a dipstick, an attractive one, but still a dipstick, with what she's done here today. She is, at the end of the day, going to paint herself as something of a joke."
Updated Monday, February 06 at 02:30 p.m.
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22
It's official: Prime Minister Stephen Joseph Harper.
[
News]
Updated Monday, February 06 at 11:54 a.m.
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9 of 27
So much for that theory of Ontario not being represented in Harper's government: one-third of Tory cabinet ministers are from Ontario ridings.
Updated Monday, February 06 at 12:21 p.m.
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Harper's cabinet
Peter MacKay, Foreign Affairs
Lawrence Cannon, Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Chuck Strahl, Agriculture
Rona Ambrose, Environment
Vic Toews, Justice
Monte Solberg, Citizenship and immigration
Tony Clement, Health
Jim Flaherty, Finance
Stockwell Day, Public Safety
John Baird, Treasury Board
Maxime Bernier, Industry
Rob Nicholson, House leader
Bev Oda, Heritage
Diane Finley, Human Resources and Social Development
Gary Lunn, Resources
Jim Prentice, Indian affairs
Josée Verner, International Co-operation
Loyola Hearn, Fisheries
Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Labour and Housing
David Emerson, International trade
Carol Skelton, National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic Diversification
Marjory LeBreton, Leader of the Government in the Senate
Gordon O'Connor, Defence
Gregory Thompson, Veterans Affairs
Michael Chong, President of the Queen's Privy Council / Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs / Minister for Sport
Michael Fortier, Public Works and Government Services
[
Profiles]
Updated Monday, February 06 at 11:43 a.m.
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Crossing the floor
[Globe and Mail] "Liberal cabinet minister David Emerson today joined the new Conservative government and will be sworn in as a cabinet minister this morning, party officials say."
Updated Monday, February 06 at 11:02 a.m.
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Morning news
[Resignation] Paul Martin resigns as prime minister, Stephen Harper poised to be sworn in
[
39th Parliament] PM Harper has some potential minefields to navigate into Parliament
[
Privacy] Is Harper's health part of public interest?
[
BBC] Four killed in cartoon protests
[
Postage] Internet giants announce plans to charge for speedier emails
Updated Monday, February 06 at 10:40 a.m.
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Swearing-in of Prime Minister Harper
The official ceremony takes place at 11:00 a.m. EST.
[
Watch] CPAC coverage begins at 10:00 a.m. EST.
[
Listen] CBC coverage begins at 11:00 a.m. EST.
[
Latest news] Who's in cabinet?
Updated Monday, February 06 at 10:00 a.m.
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In quotes: Dingwall's severance
[MP Jason Kenney] "I believe that could have been the difference between a Conservative minority and a majority,"
"This was a cover-up that affected the result of the election and I think in away subverted democracy." [
Video]
[
PM-designate Harper] "I am very disappointed that Parliament was misled on this matter. The public now has all the facts, and it will be the judge of the Liberals' actions in this affair,"
Updated Monday, February 06 at 09:40 a.m.
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Cabinet picks
According to The Globe and Mail's sources, here follows Stephen Harper's cabinet:
Peter MacKay
Rona Ambrose
Rob Nicholson
Jim Flaherty
Tony Clement
John Baird
Lawrence Cannon
Diane Finley
Bev Oda
Jay Hill
Chuck Strahl
Stockwell Day
Gary Lunn
Jim Prentice
Jason Kenney
Diane Ablonczy
Monte Solberg
Vic Toews
Saskatchewan: Carol Skelton or Gerry Ritz
Josée Verner
Maxime Bernier
Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Loyola Hearn
Peter Van Loan
Parliamentary-secretary positions: Michael Chong, Tom Lukiwski, Jacques Gourde
[
Profiles]
Updated Monday, February 06 at 09:00 a.m.
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Sunday news
[Toronto Star] How wives changed Parliament's face
[
Associated Press] Syrians torch Danish, Norwegian embassies
[
Canadian Press] PQ no longer the only separatists on the block
[
Media Monitors Network] What did Stephen Harper actually win?
[
CTV] Graham says Liberals have time to get new leader
[
Ontario] Another Call For A Handgun Ban
[
Newsweek] Can the President Order a Killing on U.S. Soil?
Updated Sunday, February 05 at 12:45 p.m.
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Secret Society
[National Citizens Coalition] "The former president of the National Citizens Coalition is now the Prime Minister of Canada.
Score one for the
Secret Society."
Updated Sunday, February 05 at 10:00 a.m.
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Saturday news
[Tony Clement] Recount finds Tory MP victorious in Parry Sound
[
Mrs. Harper] From Turner Valley to 24 Sussex Dr.
[
BBC] Embassies burn in cartoon protest [
Video]
[
$417,780] Government pays former Royal Canadian Mint president David Dingwall compensation
[
Wikipedia] On Capitol Hill, Playing WikiPolitics
Updated Saturday, February 04 at 04:57 p.m.
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Day 12: Rogers sues over cartoon, but hasn't apologized for employees Hitler comments
Rogers Communications is easily offended by cartoons, but not by their own employees who make comments about Hitler.
Perhaps
Rogers morality only comes into play when it has a price tag attached to it.
Updated Saturday, February 04 at 11:30 a.m.
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MP's & Money
[Debt left from leadership bid] "The man touted as a possible finance minister in Stephen Harper's government owes the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party as much as $64,000, the Toronto Star has learned."
[
$50,000] "Rookie independent member of Parliament André Arthur was hit with a larger-than-expected bill Thursday as an appeals court ordered the controversial radio host-turned-politician to pay extra damages in a libel case involving a former Quebec premier."
Updated Saturday, February 04 at 10:34 a.m.
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Afternoon news
[Chief Justice] Keep politics out of top court, McLachlin urges
[
Liberals] Graham Announces Official Opposition Transition Team
[
Pm-designate] Renovations delay Harper's move to 24 Sussex
[
Congress] Bush Request Would Push War Total to $440-billion
[
Courier] Fedex in Afghanistan: Frighteningly Easy
Updated Friday, February 03 at 05:31 p.m.
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UN Hoax
[PBS] "On the third anniversary of former Secretary of State Colin Powell's landmark speech to the United Nations, an administration insider (Lawrence Wilkerson) who helped write it makes a startling claim: that he participated in a hoax."
[
Lawrence Wilkerson] "It makes me feel terrible. I've said in other places that it was-- constitutes the lowest point in my professional life. My participation in that presentation at the UN constitutes the lowest point in my professional life.
I participated in a hoax on the American people, the international community and the United Nations Security Council. How do you think that makes me feel? Thirty-one years in the United States Army and I more or less end my career with that kind of a blot on my record? That's not a very comforting thing."
Updated Friday, February 03 at 04:00 p.m.
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In quotes: D'OH
[President Bush in Nashville] "I'm proud to be traveling with your two United States Senators, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, Bill Frist. He's a good man. He's a good guy to deal with, he is doing a fantastic job of herding cats."
Um, Mr. President, Bill Frist
used to kill cats.
[
Wonkette]
Updated Friday, February 03 at 11:50 a.m.
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Liberal leadership
[UN ambassador] Allan Rock won't take stab at Liberal leadership
[
York Centre] Ken Dryden ponders leading Liberals
[
Oops] Private e-mail hints at Brison bid
[
Letters] Give Stephane Dion a try
Updated Friday, February 03 at 09:11 a.m.
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Morning news
[PM Idol] Common touch is top trait valued in PM, poll finds
[
Quebec] Parizeau says Tories will not deliver
[
$400] Ralphbucks turning up all over country
[
MPs] Rookies face the cameras on Parliament Hill for the first time
[
Coalition] Blair-Bush deal before Iraq war revealed in secret memo
Updated Friday, February 03 at 08:47 a.m.
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Reality Check
[Knight Ridder Newspapers] "One day after President Bush vowed to reduce America's dependence on Middle East oil by cutting imports from there 75 percent by 2025, his energy secretary and national economic adviser said Wednesday that the president didn't mean it literally."
Updated Thursday, February 02 at 05:07 p.m.
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Afternoon news
[Referendum] Quebec pollster apologizes for wrong numbers
[
Julian Bond] NAACP chairman compares GOP to Nazis
[
No Guns] B.C. customs agents walk off job again
[
Brokeback] President Bush tells a joke
[
China] Gagging for IT
Updated Thursday, February 02 at 04:57 p.m.
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Au revoir Paul: Martins' final press conference as PM
On the RCMP income trusts investigation: "No comment."
On what's next: "Some of you may know in the interim period after being finance minister, I headed up a United Nations commission on private-sector development for the United Nations," said Martin. "There is a lot that flows from that that remains to be done, and I would suspect that I'll probably be spending a reasonable amount of time on the international scene doing that kind of thing."
On
Gomery: "There's no doubt that political analysts will debate both sides of that issue," said Martin. "Politically, you can debate it; from a moral imperative point of view, it was the right thing to do. And I don't think there was another alternative."
On the Liberal leadership race: "wide open."
[Video: Press conference part
one]
[Video: Press conference part
two]
[Video: Press conference part
three]
Updated Thursday, February 02 at 02:36 p.m.
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Francois Perrault: Gomery Spokesman & Author
[Warren Kinsella] "Here's a not-so-hypothetical question: If you were a litigant, and you discovered that a senior court official was writing a tell-all book about you and your case while it was underway, would you be upset? Would you be concerned?
No? How would you feel if you learned that the book was being written in secret, with the approval of the presiding judge -- and, moreover, that this same judge penned the preface to the book -- again, while your trial was underway?
Would you be concerned then?"
[Additional commentary by
Steve Janke]
Updated Thursday, February 02 at 01:50 p.m.
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Harper government not welcome
Prime Minister-designate Stephen Harper isn't welcome at the Progressive Governance Summits (Feb 11-12) in South Africa. However, the following are:
Canada - Paul Martin
America - Former President Bill Clinton
America - Senator Hillary Clinton
Argenitina - President Néstor Carlos Kirchner
Brazil - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Czech Republic - President Václav Klaus
Dominican Republic - President Leonel Antonio Fernández Reyna
Ethiopia - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi
Germany - Chancellor Gerhard Schröder
Hungary - Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány
India - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
South Korea - President Roh Moo-hyun
New Zealand - Prime Minister Helen Clark
Poland - President Aleksander Kwasniewski
Portugal - Prime Minister José Sócrates
Spain - President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
Sweden - Prime Minister Göran Persson
U.K. - Prime Minister Tony Blair
Uruguay — President Dr. Tabaré Vázquez
Updated Thursday, February 02 at 11:00 a.m.
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Morning news
[Gomery] 19 recommendations
[
Gomery] Report seeks to change the very way Ottawa works
[
SSM] Same-sex law unlikely to change, Justice Minister says
[
$1,200] Provinces fear Tory child-care plan
[
$400] Ralphbucks make it into Ontario mailboxes
[
A Million Excuses] James Frey, in author's note, acknowledges extensive alterations in memoir
Updated Thursday, February 02 at 08:45 a.m.
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In quotes
[PM-designate Harper] "I don't plan to make these kinds of structural changes during the transition period or the early months of government. I don't need the complication of creating major structural changes, but I think the (Gomery) recommendations have merit,"
[Mr. Justice John Gomery] "I had not imagined that money was delivered in brown envelopes to high-level officials in a political party to pay for the services of election workers," said Gomery.
"I was disgusted to learn that, as were many people.
I lost my innocence."
Update Reader H. Berglas writes: "So I guess that Gomery's unethical decision to allow his spokesman to write a book about the inquiry while it was still going on was only as a result of lost innocence."
Updated Thursday, February 02 at 08:15 a.m.
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Francois Perrault: Gomery Spokesman & Author
[Canadian Taxpayers Federation] "Since taxpayers have footed the (Gomery) Inquiry's entire bill, it seems ridiculous that any insider will now profit from its existence."
Updated Wednesday, February 01 at 05:15 p.m.
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Afternoon news
[v2.0] Harper hails Gomery report, but won't pledge to adopt all recommendations
[
Interim] Bill Graham named as interim Liberal leader
[
Commando] Secret military force coming to the Ottawa Valley
[
Satellite] Howard Stern added to Sirius Canada lineup
[
Hollywood] Report: Lindsay Lohan in stitches after teacup accident at Bryan Adams' house
Updated Wednesday, February 01 at 04:55 p.m.
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Gomery v2.0
Recommendations.
[Video: Gomery
Press Conference]
[Official Report:
Gomery Commission]
[Official Statement: Prime Minister
Paul Martin]
Updated Wednesday, February 01 at 03:35 p.m.
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Promises
[Toronto Star] "Asked why the military has been so slow to add the 8,000 troops promised by the Liberals, (Gen. Rick) Hillier had a blunt reply — the government has yet to give him the money to make good on the pledge."
Via Small Dead Animals]
Updated Wednesday, February 01 at 02:52 p.m.
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Abdicating power
[Prime Minister Paul Martin] "I'm going to follow the tradition that has been established for a long time, and that is that I will stay as leader until the new leader is chosen at the convention but I will be giving up all of my powers and my authority to the new interim leader,"
Updated Wednesday, February 01 at 02:10 p.m.
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State of the Union
[Cindy Sheehan] "I was never told that I couldn't wear that shirt into the Congress. I was never asked to take it off or zip my jacket back up. If I had been asked to do any of those things...I would have, and written about the suppression of my freedom of speech later. I was immediately, and roughly (I have the bruises and muscle spasms to prove it) hauled off and arrested for 'unlawful conduct.' "
[Republican Lawmaker's wife told to leave during
Bush speech]
[FrontPage Magazine:
Run, Cindy, Run!]
[Partial Iraq Withdrawal Tops U.S. Wish List for
2006]
Updated Wednesday, February 01 at 01:57 p.m.
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Liberal debt
[Jonathan Ross] "The financial management committee contended that the Liberal party was only in debt to the tune of $4 to $5 million. This figure came as a shock to most, as according to Elections Canada the final annual filing for 2004 stated that the Liberal Party of Canada was $34,818,257.32 in debt by way of 13 bank loans. Furthermore, reviewing the published fundraising activities of the Liberal Party shows that they reported only $4,194,591.49 in fundraising for the first 3 quarters of 2005.
Something doesn't quite add up."
[
TDH Strategies]
Updated Wednesday, February 01 at 11:25 a.m.
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SSM
The Globe and Mail has conducted a survey of MPs on whether Harper's free vote on same-sex marriage would retain its current definition. Here are the findings:
153 MPs: Voted in the past for SSM or would vote for SSM.
136 MPs: Voted in the past against SSM or would vote against SSM.
19 MPs: No comment, would abstain, would follow their constituents' wishes or haven't made up their minds.
Conclusion: Considering 155 votes are needed, the '
narrow majority of MPs would agree to retain current legislation.'
Updated Wednesday, February 01 at 10:02 a.m.
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Morning news
[Interim Leader] Tobin won't pursue top job
[
Finance] Goodale vows battle over income-tax cuts
[
Health] Alberta's health plans may give Harper woe
[
Infrastructure] B.C. to invest $3-billion in bridges, highways
[
Internet] Microsoft Amends Blog Shutdown Policies
Updated Wednesday, February 01 at 08:33 a.m.
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In quotes
[President Bush] "America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world,"
[State of the Union:
Real /
Windows /
Text]
Updated Wednesday, February 01 at 08:15 a.m.
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Posted at Tuesday, March 07, 2006 EDT 
