Dan Cook: June, 2006
DAN COOK,
Globe and Mail Update
Friday morning news
[Top Court] Reins In Bush: White House Sent Scrambling After Justices Rule That Special Military Tribunals For Guantanamo Bay Detainees - Including Canadian Omar Khadr - Are illegal
[Hamas On Brink] Of Collapse [Israel Intensifies Campaign] [Editorial]
[Electoral Chief] Asks To See Tory Books: Follows Liberal Allegations That Conservative Party May Have Broken Electoral Law By Not Publicly Reporting Fees Delegates Paid To Attend 2005 Convention
[GST Cut] Just The Start, Flaherty Says: Ottawa Wants To Chop Taxes Across The Board, Finance Minister Declares
[The Transformation] Of Zakaria Amara: Thousands Of On-Line Posts Tell The Story Of A Teenager's Journey From Outgoing High-School Student High-Profile RCMP Terrorist Suspect
[Ottawa] Takes 'Big Step' To Biometric ID
[Feds Try To Bar] Radical British Imam's Visit
[Chuck Guite] Appealing Conviction
[Adscam] Not A Scandal, Grit Senator Tells Tory
[Caledonia: Day 123] Police Plan Heavy Presence In Caledonia Over Weekend: "…there is a level of tension arising from the (Douglas Creek Estates) land reclamation issue,"
[NDP MP Slams] Tories For Boosting Canada Day Funding To Quebec
[Ontario Moves To Ease] Property Tax Furor: Assessments Frozen For 2 Years
[N.S. Superstore] To Defy New Regulation By Opening Six Locations Sunday
[Wrongly Convicted, Quebec Man] Wants Premier's Name
[BC NDP Leader] Shakes Up Critics To Sharpen Focus
[Fit And Unfit] To Print: What Are The Obligations Of The Press In Wartime?
[Release al-Zarqawi's] Body, Bin Laden Tells Bush
[NSA Database] Incomplete: Lawmakers
Updated Friday, June 30 at 10:25 a.m.
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Updated Friday, June 30 at 10:25 a.m.
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Thursday morning news
[Israeli Forces] Arrest Hamas Cabinet Ministers
[U.S. Supreme Court] Blocks Guantanamo War Crimes Trials
[Tories May Have Broken] Political Financing Laws: Liberals On Warpath After Discovering Federal Conservatives May Have Illegally Accepted Millions In Unreported Donations
[Hateful Chatter] Behind The Veil: Wives Of Four Of The Central Figures Arrested In An Alleged Terrorist Plot Last Month Held Radical Views, Web Postings Reveal
[Gordon O'Connor] Unveils $8.3-Million Plan To Purchase Aircraft
[New Copters] Unlikely To Fly In Afghanistan: Two Years Needed To Fill $2-Billion Order
[Privacy Czar] Ponders SWIFT Action: Suspects That U.S. Intelligence And Financial Authorities May Have Been Illegally Monitoring The Banking Transactions Of Some Canadians
[Ex-Judge Sentenced] To Six Years For Taking Bribes
[Jim Flaherty] Fails In Bid For Single Regulator: Finance Minister Pitches Nationwide Watchdog — But Provinces Won't Bite
[Ralph Klein] Touts Alberta Oilsands As Election Winner For U.S. Republicans
[PM And Koizumi] Skirt Kyoto Issue
[PM Signals Need] To Tend Relations With Japan: Harper Calls For Improved Commerce With Canada's No. 2 Trade Partner
[Two U.S. Senators] Try To Stall Passport Requirement
[Fix Equalization, Charest] Urges Ottawa: Quebec Premier Rules Out Raising Taxes [Editorial]
[Bling] Becomes Focus Of N.L. Audit Scandal
[John Tory] Blasts Trillium Tampering: Logo Redesign A 'Pork-Barrel Poison Ivy Look-Alike,' He Says [Save The Trillium]
[Caledonia: Day 122] Man charged With Assault After TV Crew Attacked [Judge Orders Parties Back To Court] [Land Claims Talks Resume]
[N.S. Sunday Shopping Ban] Will Stand Up In Court: Cabinet Minister
[Margaret Wente] The Shame Of The United Church [Editorial: CUPE And Israel]
[CanWest Plans To Sever Ties] With CP: Company Wanted To Water Down Service Provided By The Canadian Press News Co-Operative
[Jenna Bush] Set To Leave U.S. For New Job: Report
[Vladimir Putin] Kisses Boy's Stomach Walking Through Kremlin
Updated Thursday, June 29 at 10:20 a.m.
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Updated Thursday, June 29 at 10:20 a.m.
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Wednesday morning news
[Israel Keeps Pressure] On Palestinians: Israeli Warplanes Bomb Hamas Training Camp; Electricity, Water Knocked Out For Most Of Gaza Strip's 1.3 Million Residents
[Prosecutors] Poring Over More Sponsorship Files: Further Charges Could Be Laid As Police Submit Reports On Ad Work
[Quebec Liberals] Eclipse PQ In New Poll [Konrad Yakabuski
[CIA May Have Accessed] Canadian Banking Records
[Consensus Forming] On Equalization
[Let Illegal Workers] Stay In Canada, MPs Urge
[Tory MPs] Call For Better Access To Information
[Tens Of Thousands] Won't Get Child Care Cheque
[Harper Organizer] Appointed To Bench
[Quebec Innu] Seek $11-Billion In Damages For Hydro Dams
[Backlog On Unsolved] Land Claims Nears 800 As Minister Plans Overhaul
[Influential Tory Senator] Joins Liberal Criticism Of Ethics Bill
[Military To Spend] $1.2-Billion On Trucks
[Newfoundland Audit Queries] Bauble Buys: $2.6-Million Of Taxpayers' Money Paid To Three Companies For Novelty Items Such As Lapel Pins, Fridge Magnets And Key Chains
[Deep Panuke] To Be Revived, N.S. Hints: Announcement On Friday, Premier Says
[N.S. Swearing-In Proves] Frugal Event: Premier's Second Cabinet Ceremony Costs $668, Down From $25,000 The First Time
[Canadian Press] Waits As CanWest Mulls Pullout
[Op-Ed: Preston Manning] Either Kyoto Or Not Kyoto
[U.S. Flag Measure] Fails By One Vote: Majority Leader Says 'Old Glory Lost Today,' As Amendment To Ban Desecration Is Rejected
[Iran] May Be Able To Build A Nuclear Weapon By 2009
[Vladimir Putin] Orders Special Services To Hunt Hostage Killers
[Howard Kurtz] Piling On The New York Times With A Scoop: Story On Secret Program Further Rouses Critics
Updated Wednesday, June 28 at 10:20 a.m.
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Updated Wednesday, June 28 at 10:20 a.m.
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Tuesday morning news
[Militants] Say Abducted Israeli Soldier In 'Secure Place'
[Provincial Unrest Grows] On Fiscal Imbalance: Flaherty Accused Of Sending Out Mixed Messages As Finance Ministers Gather
[Louise Arbour's] Role In Torture Case Under Fire: UN Rights Chief Calls For Ban, But Critics Cite Her Part In 2002 Supreme Court Ruling
[Witnesses Lied] To Me: Gomery
[Ottawa To Buy] Three New Supply Ships For $2.1-Billion
[MPs Hike Expense Allowance] By 20 Per Cent [Video]
['Lack Of Clarity' Mars] Canadian Spy Agency: Watchdog Concerned That Eavesdropping May Not Be Meeting Legal Requirements
[The One Per Cent] Loophole: Businesses Not Obliged To Pass On Cut In GST To Consumers
[Harper A Hypocrite] On Donations, Volpe Says
[Canadian Government] May Be On Wrong Track With Some Policies: OECD
[Nfld. Auditor] To Report On Scandal: Ever-Widening Expense Account Scandal Threatens To Ensnare Politicians From All Three Parties
[Alberta Sets] $8.7-Billion Surplus Record [Minister: Economy May Have Hit Its Peak]
[N.S. Cabinet Decision] Ignites Controversy: Ernie Fage Reappointed
[Poll] Harper, Tories Gain Favour In The East
[Scott Brison] Gives Opponents Flak: Says Liberals Initiated Afghan Mission And Should Stand Behind Tory Resolution To Extend It
[A Summer] Of Backyard Party Politics: Liberal Candidates Are Using Some Innovative Ways To Slowly And Surely Gather Financial Support
[Sheema Khan] We All Share The Fight Against Extremists
[EU Urged] To Probe CIA Allegations: Top Justice Official Says Charges Of Secret Flights And Prisons In Europe Warrant Further Investigation
[$2-Billion] 'Breathtaking' Waste And Fraud In Hurricane Aid
[Howard Kurtz] Over The Top Times-Bashing
[Scrawled Bush Threat] Sparks U.S. Port Scare
[Worldwide Marijuana Use] 'Out of Control': UN
[BBC Sorry] Over Hoax Palace Report
Updated Tuesday, June 27 at 09:45 a.m.
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Monday morning news
[Dalton McGuinty] Floats Using GST To Fix Fiscal Imbalance
[PM Accused] Of Insulting Quebec
[Military Set] To Receive $15-Billion Boost
[Grit Senators] Won't Rush Accountability Act, Despite PM's Warning
[PS Faces Critical] Loss Of Workers: As Boomers Leave, Young People Don't Want Their Jobs, New Survey Suggests
[Canada] Bites Ballot Bullet, Reviews Policy On Dual Citizens Running Abroad
[Michael Geist] Gov't Copyright Lobbying Contract Raises Accountability Concerns
[High's And Low's] Of The Past Five Months
[Jim Flaherty] Calls For More Co-Operation: Finance Minister Wants Provinces' Help For A Host Of Economic Initiatives
[Province] 'Missing In Action' In Mining Dispute, Lawyer Says: Ontario Government Under Fire For Standing By While A Dispute Has Escalated With Indian Band
[Ignatieff Chides Tories] Over Caledonia
[Liberals Finding It Hard] To Sell Party Memberships: Hall Findlay
[Tories Erasing] Tattoo Plan: Controversial Prison Program Considered A Safety Hazard And Waste Of Taxpayers' Money
[G-G Urges] Soldiers To Take Pride In Afghan Mission [Video: Speech]
[Gordon Campbell] Enjoys Second Honeymoon Buoyed By Love Of Labour
[No More Sunday] Sales For Two N.S. Grocery Chains: Government Ends Brief Shopping Experiment
[N.S. Residents Move Mailboxes] In Hopes Of Moving Canada Post
[Norman Spector] Call Him Michael Enigma
[Op-Ed: Lewis MacKenzie] Forget A UN Army
[Editorial] The PQ Is Tainted by That Donation Mud [Lysiane Gagnon]
[Israel Readies Military Operation] Against Gaza: Prime Minister Orders Army To Prepare For 'Broad' Action Against Militants Following Kidnapping Of An Israeli Soldier [Al-Aksa Claims Chemical Capabilities]
[Lawmaker] Wants New York Times Prosecuted
Updated Monday, June 26 at 10:06 a.m.
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Friday morning news
[PM Won't Attend] Opening Of AIDS Forum In Toronto: World Leaders To Join 20,000 Researchers And Activists At International Gathering
[Border Passport] Requirement Will Be Delayed, Canada Told
[Four N.L. Legislators] Accused Of Misspending $1-Million
[Seven Arrested] In Sears Tower Plot: Official
[Two Senators] Propose Constitutional Amendment To Increase Size Of Senate
[Tory Cabinet] Launches Quebec Blitz
[PM Calls For Arrest] Of Iran's Chief Prosecutor
[Minority Electioneering Moves] To Barbecue Circuit As Commons Session Wraps Up
[PM Offers] Apology, 'Symbolic Payments' For Chinese Head Tax [Jeffrey Simpson] [Editorial]
[Don't Alter] Donation Reforms, PM Warns Senate: New Rules Could Hurt Liberal Leadership Hopefuls
[Caledonia: Day 115] OPP Cedes Control Of Caledonia Road: Won't Go To Calls From Non-Natives [Land Price Revealed: $12.3-Million]
[Ottawa To Advertise] Language Czar
[Green Party] Investigates Leadership Candidate Elizabeth May
[Ottawa Tables Bill] To Raise Age Of Sexual Consent To 16
[Drug Makers] Expected To Shun Canada: Price Disputes Will Likely Keep New Products Off Shelves, Group Predicts
[N.S. Election Ads] That Used Phrase May Have Breached Trademark
[Grit MPP] Accused Of Targeting Papers
[C.D. Howe Warns] Against Ottawa's CPP Proposal
[Louise Arbour] Denounces Secret Detention Of Terror Suspects: Top UN Human Rights Official Says Issue A 'Grave Concern'
[Successful Missile Intercept] Reported In U.S. Test
[Senate Rejects] Democrats' Calls For Iraq Timetable
[U.S. Media Refuses] To Hold Surveillance Story
[In Praise Of Golf] The Antidote To Bonds, Enron And Abramoff
[Globe Garners] Excellence Award
Updated Friday, June 23 at 10:04 a.m.
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Updated Friday, June 23 at 10:04 a.m.
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Thursday morning news
[Harper To Unveil] $15-billion In Defence Spending
[Liberals Refuse] Standing Vote On Tory Ethics Bill: Key Legislation Passes, But MPs Don't Have To Stand And Be Counted; Liberal Leader Bill Graham Refuses To Say Whether His Party Supports The Bill
[PQ Knowingly] Took Illegal Donations, Judge Says
[Cabinet Minister's Resignation] Rocks N.L. Political Circles
[Helicopters Would Cut] Afghan Toll, Ottawa Told
[PM Offers $20,000] And Apology For Chinese Head Tax
[A Political Storm] Hits Tory Rona Ambrose: Environment Minister Fends Off Calls For Her Resignation As Kyoto Debate Rages
[Peter MacKay] Objects To Kazemi Prosecutor At UN Human Rights Council
[Caledonia: Day 114] Judge Wants Answers: Why Aren't Police Evicting Native Protesters? [Price Of Land Not Secret: Lawyer]
['Laughing Stock' Fears] Aside, Senate Plans To Study Itself
[Scattered Protests] Set To Greet Harper Government's Quebec Love-In
[CBC Execs] Try Damage Control: As Senators Speak Out Over Broadcaster's Long-Term Strategy, Programming Chief Says Bumping The National Is Part Of A 'Huge Opportunity' [Margaret Wente] [Editorial]
[Air-India Inquiry] Begins With Victims
[Ontario Faces] Fresh Native-Rights Storm: Mining Company And Protesters Set To Square Off Over Property Claim
[Conservative MP] Cleared By Ethics Commissioner; Warning Issued
[It's Harder To Find] An MD: Only About 1 In 10 Ontario Family Physicians Are Taking New Patients, Study Finds
[Stephen Harper's] No-Gun Salute: Unlike Other Visitors To Washington, PM Will Do Without Pomp Next Month
[Poll] BC Liberals Open 16-Point Gap Over NDP On Rising Support From Union Households
[Yes] To Commonwealth Games, But Not At $1-Billion, Halifax Mayor Says
[Lawrence Martin] Atten-Hut! Sideways, March! Left, Right, Right, Right
[Iraq Debate Previews] Presidential Bids: Votes On Senate Proposals For Withdrawal Set For Today
[Japan Dispatches] Ships, Planes To Monitor North Korea
[Saddam Hussein] On Hunger Strike Over Security
[Congressman Apologizes] For Insulting Helen Thomas
Updated Thursday, June 22 at 10:00 a.m.
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Updated Thursday, June 22 at 10:00 a.m.
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Wednesday morning news
[Ottawa Eyes Cut] In CPP Premiums
[Tories Backtracking] On Accountability Bill: Government Amends Ethics Bill To Allow Senior Conservatives Who Worked On Its Transition Team To Become Lobbyists Under Certain Conditions
[Rona Ambrose] To Face NDP Motion For Her Resignation: Tories Threaten Fall Election Over Demand
[Thousands Of PS Jobs] Could Move To Gatineau: MPs Consider Exodus From Ottawa To Restore Official 75%-25% Ratio
[The Liberals Hundred] Days Of Solitude: Party Seeks A Way To Get Itself Out Of Opposition Fun
[21 Years] Later, Air India Inquiry To Begin
[Feds To Examine] Property Rights Of Native Women
['Idol' Knockoff] To Bump Peter Mansbridge
[Video Distributed Outside Mosque] Praised 9/11: Fahim Ahmad, Alleged Ringleader Of A Bomb Plot Against Toronto, Reported To Have Distributed Al-Qaeda Recruitment DVDs
[Merchants] Left In The Dark On GST Cut
[Accepting Myanmar Refugees] Signals Immigration Shift: Bringing In Groups Is More Efficient, Minister Says
[Study Says] 60 Per Cent Cut In Greenhouse Gas Emissions Feasible
[All Aboard] The Redress Express: Next Stop, An Apology In Ottawa
[Caledonia: Day 113] Residents Say They've Lost Faith In OPP To Protect Them [Price Of Caledonia Land] Deal Remains A Secret [Financial Assistance Available]
[Human Rights Advocate] New Lieutenant-Governor Of N.S.
[Ontario Tops] Corporate Tax Burden Study
[Alberta's Labour Woes] Threaten Economic Growth
[Lab Fails] To Find Any Avian Flu Viruses
[Ken Dryden] Woos London Liberals
[Op-Ed: Belinda Stronach] Solution For Africa's Food Crisis
[Jeffrey Simpson] Tories' Teaser: Climate Change Fails The Tangible Test
[Roy MacGregor] Hall Findlay's Big Red Bus Brings Some Needed Energy To Liberal Leadership Race
[Kofi Annan:] World 'Sleepwalking' Toward Nuclear Arms Spread
[Israeli Air Strike] Kills Three Children
[Captured In] Iraq: A Fate Worse Than Death
[Lawyer For Saddam Hussein] Killed In Baghdad
[Iran Won't Respond] To Offer 'Til August
[Democrats Divided] On Withdrawal Of Troops: Senators To Debate Timeline Today
Updated Wednesday, June 21 at 10:00 a.m.
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Tuesday morning news
[Harper Defends Canadian Diversity] Prime Minister Rejects Calls To Curb Immigration In Wake Of Alleged Terrorist Plot Uncovered In Toronto; Labels Open Society 'Our Greatest Strength'
[Chuck Guité] Jailed, But Probe Continues: With Three Prominent Players In The Scandal Now Behind Bars, A Crown Prosecutor Said The Sponsorship Investigation Is Still Alive
[Up In Arms] Over Long-Gun Legislation: Police Chiefs, Others Blast Government's Bill To Dismantle The Federal Registry [Editorial]
[Liberal Questions] Tory MPs' Trip To Game On Gov't Jet
[Caledonia: Day 112] Native Protesters Use A Backhoe To Dig Large Fortified Pits, But Deny Anything Untoward [Police Union] "We're Supposed To Be The Law Enforcers And Somehow We've Ended Up In A United Nations Peacekeeping Mission" [Murray Campbell]
[David Emerson:] Softwood Deal Unlikely Before Fall [Video]
[Rona Ambrose's] Top Adviser Leaves Amid Flak Over Tories' Kyoto Stance
[Government's Accountability Act] A Political Slam Dunk For Conservatives
[Committee Asked To Review ] Allegations By Tory MP's Ex-staffer
[Liberals:] Health Minister Must Go; Former Aide Now GM Of Canadian International Pharmacy Association
[Stockwell Day] To Look Into Ian Bush Case: 22-Year-Old Killed In RCMP Scuffle
[Defeated N.S. Liberal Leader] Mum On Future
[Saskatchewan Party] Holds On To Seat In By-Election: Governing NDP Finish A Distant Third Behind The Liberals, Who Don't Even Hold A Seat In The Legislature
[N.B. Premier] Wants Electoral-Reform Referendum
[Avian Flu] Signs Not Showing Up At Second PEI Farm
[James Loney:] Catholic Camp Closed Because I'm Gay
[Ontario Assailed] Over Energy Plan: Watchdog Criticizes Nuclear Fast-Tracking
[Poll] Canadians Pick Liberal Child-Care Plan Over Tory Cheques
[Poll] Suggests Canadians Accept Gay Marriage, Don't Want Issue Reopened
[Small Parties Demand] Financing Share: Government Says Thresholds Are Necessary To Prevent Misuse Of Public Funds By Groups That Might Register Solely To Cash In On Federal Funding
[Toronto Ranks Third] As 'Most Courteous' City
[Bill Gertz] N. Korean Threat Activates U.S. Missile Defence Shield
[Missing G.I.'s] Found Dead, Iraqi Military Says
[Ex-Liberian President] Taylor Leaves Sierra Leone: Faces Trial At The Hague On Charges Of Allegedly Backing Brutal Rebels
[Op-Ed: Mowaffak al-Rubaie] The Way Out of Iraq: A Road Map
[Police Union] Seeks Ethics Probe Of Cynthia McKinney
[Angered U.S. Prosecutors] Threaten To Revoke Conrad Black's Bail
Updated Tuesday, June 20 at 10:15 a.m.
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Dead air
Proving the media muzzle extends beyond the 49th parallel, Sandra Buckler, the Prime Minister's director of communications, personally cancelled a confirmed interview between Ambassador Michael Wilson and NPR Radio. The raison du jour: unwanted attention to the arrest of 17 terror suspects.
Ironically, a speech by the Prime Minister Monday, for the World Urban Forum mentioned the 17 suspects.
Updated Monday, June 19 at 7:37 p.m.
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Week in review
ּ Scott Brison on sixty-eight year olds: "Barbara McDougall is a voice from the past. We don't need wax-museum figures to solve what is a modern issue (Caledonia.)"
ּ Joe Volpe, straight from the heart: "The old-style politics of power brokers, bagmen and backroom boys can no longer have a place in our Party."
ּ $745.45, the amount taxpayers were being dinged daily for Tony Clement's aide. The un-tendered contract benefited Gord Haugh, the health minister's senior election campaign aide.
ּ The Ottawa Sun forgets Election 2006: "Grits tighten travel plans: Using $250M to secure Canuck air, sea ports"
ּ While interviewing Alexandre Trudeau, CPAC digs deep for this oft-used screen-graphic: "Does he fear being arrested for opposing security certificates?"
ּ Bloc MP Benoit Sauvageau wades into Ontario politics: "If there's no problem, there is at least the appearance of a problem."
ּ Proving you can be immature at 27, in the span of a week (on national television) —- Tory MP Pierre Poilièvre says "f--k you guys" and showcases his 'bended-arm-fist' routine. Unfortunately, the camera missed Poilièvre's 'pixie-dance' mocking Speaker Peter Milliken. [Video]
ּ Liberal MPs Judy Sgro and Ruby Dhalla both claim they were enticed to crossover to the Conservative party. Problem is, neither will name names.
ּ Despite a thumbs up RSVP, Green Party leadership candidate Jim Fannon skipped the first of two official debates. With one chair empty, moderator Suzanne Laberge announces, "…we hope that he is not in any danger whatsoever." [Video]
Updated Monday, June 19 at 1:47 p.m.
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Monday morning news
[Dispute Blocks ] Cancer Drug: Federal Agency Says Distributor's Price Too High
[Harper Scolded] Over Military Bans: Canadians Swamped PM With Criticism, Documents Show
[Candidates Sharpen Knives] In Liberal Leadership Race: Fighting For Lead Before Summer Holidays -- Slow Campaign, Candidates Take Whacks In Weekend Debate
[Supreme Court] To Weigh Limits Of Police Powers
[Gun Legislation] Could Be Unveiled Today
[Watchdogs Demand Scrutiny] Of Casino Spending: Casino Rama Has Poured $1-Billion Into Dozens Of Ontario Native Bands Over The Last Decade, But Tracing That Cash Is Like Chasing Lightnin
[Amended Federal Accountability Act] A Blow To Government Relations: Lobbyists
[Tories Add To Cost] Of Gun Registry Contract
[Caledonia: Day 111] Reported Shooting, High Speed Car Chase
[Police Getting Smeared] While Doing Thankless Job In Caledonia: Union Groups
[Former Adscam Boss] Guite To Be Sentenced Today
[Backing Of East Coast Business] Elite Key To Scott Brison's Liberal Bid
[A Handshake] And A Dance Tame Critic Of Ethics Bill: Amendments And A Delicate Overture Make A Convert Out Of NDP's Attack Dog
[Guess Who] (Quietly) Likes Quebec's Carbon Tax?
[Single Soldier's] Parents Denied Compensation For His Death
[Miles Of] Aisles: N.S. Retailers Use Loophole To Open Sunday
[Lysiane Gagnon] Mr. Ignatieff Is Canadian Enough For Me
[Norman Spector] This Isn't Your Father's Equalization Program Any Longer
[Rafe Mair] Get Used To Gay Marriage: God's Not The Issue. He's Not Even In The Game
[North Koreans] Said To Be Near A Missile Test
[U.S. Missing Two] Soldiers: Iraqi Group Says It Abducted Them
[Barack Obama's] Profile Has Democrats Taking Notice: Popular Senator Is Mentioned As 2008 Contender
Updated Monday, June 19 at 10:00 a.m.
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Updated Monday, June 19 at 10:00 a.m.
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Friday morning news
[Quebec Unveils Carbon Tax] Province Hopes Levy On Oil And Gas Firms Will Put $1.2-billion Toward Its Kyoto Goals; Petroleum Industry Spokesman Says Cost Will Be Passed On To Consumers
[Gordon O'Connor] Seeks $15-Billion In Extra Equipment For Troops [Video]
[Tories] Strike Out In Attempt To Entice Liberal MP Ruby Dhalla
[Harper] Says He's Not George W. Bush's Puppet
[Tory Ethics Bill] Could Cripple Grit Leadership Convention: Proposed Limit Of $1,000 A Year In Donations To A Political Party Mean $995-A-Delegate Convention Fee Puts Most Attendees Over The Legal Top; Donations Over $5 Would Bar Delegates From Attending
[Law Won't Deter] Street Racing, Experts Say: Harsher Penalties Could Even Encourage Culture Of Dangerous Driving, Police Warn
[Case Illuminates] Court's Inner Workings: Justices Weigh Charter Rights Of Detainees Against The Primacy Of National Security
[Winnipeg Arrests] In Ontario Biker Slayings: Former Police Officer In Custody
[Caledonia: Day 108] Judge To Follow Up On Unenforced Injunctions
[Toronto To Keep] GST Cut: Looking To Save That 1% On Golf, Parking Or Cab Ride After July 1? Look Again
[Fundraiser Invite] Spurs Storm Over Subway Deal
[Be Tough, Guité Judge] Urged: Former Head Of The Sponsorship Program Deserves 3 To 4 Years, Prosecutor Says
[N.S. Liberals] Turning Backs On Leader: Caucus Says MacKenzie Must Quit So Party Can Rebuild [Voter Turnout Lowest In N.S. History]
[Quebec Tables Bill] To Expand Private Health Coverage
[Ottawa Freezes Funding] For Audited Native Group
[Romeo Dallaire] To Endorse Ignatieff
[Op-Ed: Lloyd Axworthy] Responsible, liberal Liberals: A Consensus Is Emerging Among Leadership Hopefuls That Protection Takes Precedence In Afghanistan
[Security Tightened] At Queen's Park
[Parties Face Off] Over Iraq War In 11-Hour Debate; Vote Today
[U.S. Bipartisan Query] Will 2006 Reprise 1994? As Midterm Elections Loom, Both Parties See Parallels With Past Congressional Power Shift
[Marine Animals] Given Biggest Playground As Bush Turns Greener: 140,000 Square Miles Protected
[Daily Show Ad] "We Had Fake News Years Before CBS Hired Katie Couric"
Updated Friday, June 16 at 10:15 a.m.
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Thursday morning news
[Nuclear Plan] Skips Key Green Review: Critics Blast Ontario's Decision To Forgo A Complete Environmental Assessment [Editorial]
[CSIS Spoke] To Suspects' Parents Prior To Raids: Spies Urged Mothers And Fathers To Keep An Eye On Their Children, Alleging They Were Embracing 'Extremist Ideology'
[October Election?] Be Prepared
[Softwood Pact] Remains Stalled On The Fine Points
[Tories Table] Street-Racing Bill
[Security Trumps] All, Crown Tells Top Court: Judges Fire Back On Contentious Security Certificates
[Canada Limiting] Stockpile Of Anti-Flu Drug Tamiflu
[Grit Motion Could Kill] RCMP Move To JDS Office: Opposition Wants To End Unsolicited Offers; Deal Set To Expire Today
[From Quitting To Coalition] N.S. Liberals Fielding Offers To Join With Someone To Form Majority
[Hands Wrung] Over Tory MPs' Fist Gestures [Video]
[Grit Seeks] RCMP Investigation Of Tory MP
[Harper Worried] Comments About Homosexuality Would Derail Tory Merger: Ex-MP
[Guité Sentencing] Hearing To Begin
[Al Gore] Preaches Green Gospel To Canadians: Liberals Tell Former U.S. Vice-President That They're Upset By Harper's Stand On Climate Change
[Ignatieff's Carbon-Tax Remarks] Draw Fire: Harper Compares Liberal Contender's Suggestion To National Energy Program
[Caledonia: Day 107] Natives Keep Crime Suspects Under Wraps [Protester Gets One Day In Jail]
[Editorial] Bob Rae's Weak Line
[Emran Qureshi] A Debasement Of Islam
[Jim Dinning] Makes His Bid Official: Alberta Ex-Treasurer The Front-Runner As He Launches Tory Leadership Campaign
[Ontario Legislature] Needs More Women, Party Leaders All Agree
[CUPE Locals] To Protest Boycott Call
[Students Perform Play] For G.G. Based On Her Life
[Iran Reduces] Nuclear Cooperation Since Offer, EU Says
[GOP Measure] Forces House Debate On Iraq War: Divisions Within Party Likely To Surface
[U.S. Military Deaths] In Iraq Hit 2,500
[Bush Sorry] For Mocking Vision-Impaired Reporter [Video]
[Japan's PM] Going To Graceland
Updated Thursday, June 15 at 10:15 a.m.
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Odds & Ends
ּ Between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Thursday, the Prime Minister is hosting a garden party for the Parliamentary Press Gallery, spouses and kids at 24 Sussex. Despite the gesture, gripes from the gallery's top-dog: "That's peak deadline time for about 90 per cent of the journalists who work on the Hill," says press gallery president Yves Malo to the Ottawa Citizen. "There's no deliberate boycott on our part, it's just that not many of us are free at that time."
ּ President Bush to a blind reporter: "Are you going to ask that question with shades on?"
ּ Iconoclast, a Canadian satire site, picks up where CUPE President Sid Ryan left off: "Grieving Canadian Labor Union Sends Representative To Al Zarqawi Funeral" [More: Third Item]
ּ Charles Adler, syndicated talk-show host and columnist: "I'm not dumb enough to become a radio terrorist."
ּ February's $300,000 spaghetti revelation: An editorial and column worth repeating.
ּ Further to a Friday item, Antonia Zerbisias, the Toronto Star's media columnist, apologizes for her "Christie-nacht" commentary; the original article has since been modified with an editorial notation.
ּ "Godless" author, Ann Coulter has been accused of "possible plagiarism." Compare and contrast:
[Coulter, 2006] "The massive Dickey-Lincoln Dam, a $227 million hydroelectric project proposed on upper St. John River in Maine, was halted by the discovery of the Furbish lousewort, a plant previously believed to be extinct."
[Portland Press Herald, 2000] "The massive Dickey-Lincoln Dam, a $227 million hydroelectric project proposed on upper St. John River, is halted by the discovery of the Furbish lousewort, a plant believed to be extinct."
Updated Wednesday, June 14 at 4:30 p.m.
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Wednesday morning news
[Nova Scotia Premier] Fiddles, Liberals Burn: MacDonald's Progressive Conservatives Win Minority As Grit Rival Loses Own Riding And Resigns [Interactive Election Results]
[Justices Weigh Civil Rights] Against Security [Editorial]
[RCMP Criticized] For $1.6-million Data Fee: Journalist Faced Exorbitant Bill For Criminal Records, Report Says
[Liberal Leadership Race] To Feel The Crunch Of New Donation Rules
[Ontario To Build] Two Nuclear Reactors
[Terror Suspects] Could Be Less Dangerous Than Street Racers: MP Garth Turner
[Poll] Ontario Grits, Tories Statistically Tied
[Fort McMurray Votes] To Put Brakes On Oil Sands
[Day 106] Caledonia Talks Resume; Residents Launch Class-Action Suit
[National Developer] Eyes 200 Hectares In Caledonia
[Harper To Apologize] June 22 For Chinese Head Tax, Compensation Still Unclear
[Quebec Pushes Through Bill] Privatizing Orford Park [Editorial]
[Lawsuit Against Him] Contains False Allegations, Tory MP Says
[Tony Clement] Resists Conflict Claims
[Report Decries] Secrecy Of Government
[Inmates] Equal, Official Says: Ontario Rejects Claims Terrorism Suspects Treated Differently Than Other Prisoners
[Britain's Highest Court] Rejects Bid To Sue Saudis: Court Rules That Canadian William Sampson And Three Britons Cannot Sue Saudi Officials They Accuse Of Torturing Them
[Fisheries Battle] PEI, Ottawa Head To Court
[Softwood Deal] Holding Up Aid For Mills: N.B. Minister
[Insider] Says He Raised Alarm On B.C. Ferries: Former Safety Director Says Tragedy 'Could Well Have [Been] Prevented
[Kim Campbell] Lobbies For Nuclear Controls: Former PM Returns To Parliament Hill
[Bush] Slips Out Of His Jammies And Into Baghdad
[Global Approval] Of US Falls Sharply, Even Among Close Allies, Survey Says
[FEMA Funds] Paid For Divorce And Sex Change
[Liberal Activists] Boo Hillary Clinton: Rejection Of Iraq Timetable Gets Cool Reception At Conference
[Patrick Kennedy] Pleads Guilty To DUI
[Not So Neutral] The Debate Over 'Net Neutrality' Is Roiling The World Wide Web; Moby Vs. Welfare For Billionaires
Updated Wednesday, June 14 at 10:15 a.m.
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Tuesday morning news
[Change Sought] In Definition Of Terrorism
[Officials Deny Allegations] Of 'Torture': Lawyers Say Terror Suspects Have Been Treated Poorly, Roughed Up By Jail Guards [Stricter Disclosure Laws Face Resistance] [Christie Blatchford]
[Edward Greenspon On Kenneth Thomson] A Boss Out Of The Movies [The Gentle Magnate] [Part Two] [Editorial] [Video]
[Government Snubs] Protest Of Lobby Ban [Editorial]
[Supreme Court] Begins Hearings On Security Certificates
[N.S. Election Day] Bring On The Ballots: Another Minority Could Be Result
[NDP Seeks Investigation] Of Personal Donations At TD
[Ontario Lobbies] To Change Lumber Deal
[Quebec Forces End] To Debate On Park Sell-off
[Terror Suspects] Who Want To Avoid Jail Should Quit Canada, Says Day
[Tories Mull] Roadside Drug Tests
[Terrorist Threat] Prompts Canada To Eye Stronger Security At Foreign Missions
[Quebec Group] Seeks Referendum Alternative: Calling For Vast Public Consultation On The Province's Political Future, Instead Of Another Vote On Sovereignty
[Day 105] Caledonia Protesters Get Ultimatum: McGuinty Won't Talk Until Barricades Come Down [One Roadblock Dismantled]
[Confidential Police Documents] Taken In Caledonia Fracas
[Cabinet] Heads To Quebec City: First Meeting Outside Of The Nation's Capital Part Of Conservative Government's Strategy To Woo Province
[Ontario] Wants Ottawa To Guarantee Reactors' Costs
[Bill Would Rein In] Payday Lenders: Ottawa Addresses Worry That Consumers Face Giant Interest Rates On Small Loans
[Mulroney, Author] Settle Lawsuit
[Editorial] Bad Medicine For Tony Clement
[John Ibbitson] Stopping Iggy Will Not Be An Easy Task
[Mark MacKinnon] Israeli Border Town Plays Rocket Roulette
[Bush] Lands In Baghdad For Surprise Visit
[Karl Rove] Won't Be Charged In CIA Leak Case
[Tipper Gore] Ready to Support Another White House Run
Updated Tuesday, June 13 at 10:30 a.m.
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Updated Tuesday, June 13 at 10:30 a.m.
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Monday morning news
[Top Tory Organizers] Challenge Lobby Rules: Derek Burney Unhappy With Harper's Decision To Prevent Transition Team From Lobbying
[Critics Raise Questions] About Post-Election Lobbying
[Ontario] To Build Nuclear Reactor
[On Political] Donations, TD Bank Breaks Ranks: Ten Of The Most Senior Officials Agreed To Make Nearly $100,000 Worth Of Personal Contributions To The Liberal And Conservative Parties [Editorial]
[Ken Thompson] Dead At 82
[Softwood Lumber] Draft Plan Hits Snag, Report Says
[Grit MP] Wants Light-Rail Tram Down Wellington Street To Secure People, Parliament Hill
[Alleged Terror Leader] Just Wants To Be With His Children
[Lawyer Says Terror Suspects] Declared Guilty By Prime Minister
[Rights Of Detainees] Goes Before Top Court: First Major Constitutional Test
[Equalization A Raw Deal] For Ontario, Experts Say
[N.S. Leaders] Ready For Tuesday Election
[Liberals Would Be Hardest Hit] By Proposed Donation Limits
[Ujjal Dosanjh] Throws Support Behind Bob Rae
[Day 104] Ontario Police Seek Arrest Warrants After Caledonia Violence [Cameraman Considering Lawsuit] [End Standoff, Ottawa, Ontario Say]
[Business Worried] About Spilling Secrets: New Accountability Rules Could Force Companies To Reveal Private Information
[Debate Casts Ignatieff] As Front-Runner: Leadership Rivals Take Potshots At Rookie MP's Foreign Policies
[NDP MP Pushes] For Set Gas Price
[Michael Geist] The Untold Story Of CRIA Lobbying
[Tory Denies] Cattle Call Accusation
[Condoms Put Troops] At Ease About Disease
[Guantanamo Suicides] Stir Fresh Outrage: One U.S. Official Calls The Deaths 'PR Move'
[Hamas Scrambles] To Block Abbas Referendum On Israel's Right To Exist
[Al-Zarqawi Lived] For 52 Min. After Strike
[Op-Ed: Michael Dell] We Must Bridge The Digital Divide
[Howard Kurtz] The Coulter Conundrum
Updated Monday, June 12 at 10:30 a.m.
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Updated Monday, June 12 at 10:30 a.m.
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Antonia
Over at the Toronto Star, Antonia Zerbisias finds herself in a media spotlight emanating from the National Post.
Robert Fulford takes Zerbisias to task for vile, allegedly libelous comments. Over to you Bob:
"For this statement of truth, [Christie] Blatchford was compared to a Nazi. Her Globe column was "a Christie-nacht screed against a single community, tantamount to hate speech," Zerbisias wrote. The phrase "Christie-nacht" presumably struck the author as a brilliant bon mot.
"But in fact, the punned reference to the Nov. 9, 1938, Kristallnacht pogrom against Germany's Jews represents both a libel against Blatchford and a snide insult to the memory of those Jews who perished at Nazi hands. If anyone can claim fealty to the Nazis' habits of mind, it is the Islamofascists, not their enemies."
Warren Kinsella:
"On her Toronto Star-sponsored web blog - which has lately become a gathering place for all manner of anti-Israel bigots, conspiracy theorists and anti-Semites (some of whom she relies upon as researchers, presumably unpaid) Zerbisias mocked award-winning Globe and Mail writer Christie Blatchford. And then she accused Blatchford of using hate speech, and went on to make a joke about Kristallnacht."
If you're not familiar with the blog Kinsella speaks of, here's a refresher. Lean politically to the right? Some of the 'journalistic' name calling headed your way includes: Blogging Whories, wingnuts, right-wing angrysphere, right-whingers, right-wingdingosphere, right wingdings, right-whingosphere, excreTories, Con-o-sphere, Cons…on it goes.
Last month alone, Zerbisias wrote approvingly of pen pal Robert McClelland three times. Problem is; McClelland is known in these parts for statements such as: "Fuck the Jews." And: "It's sad when Jews act like Nazis."
If you're starting to see a trend, I am too.
[Welcome Bourque Readers]
Updated Friday, June 09 at 10:45 a.m.
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Friday morning news
[U.S. Politician Blasts Toronto] As A Hotbed Of Islamic Extremism
[Alienation] At Home, Criticism From Abroad: Suspects' Families Suddenly Become Pariahs Within The Muslim Community
[A Severe Blow] To al-Qaeda [Analysis] [Mark Mackinnon] [Al-Zarqawi Alive] When Iraqi Forces Reached Him
[Suspect Looked To Profit] From TSX Bombing: Report
[Senator] Mike Forrestall, Veteran Of Commons And Senate, Has Died
[Premiers' Bid] For Unity Turns To Acrimony: Leave A Closed-Door Edmonton Meeting Bickering, Finger-Pointing And Even Name-Calling After Failing To Agree On Equalization Plan [Murray Campbell]
[Election Call Kept Mandarin Mum] On Gun Registry Costs, Colleague Charges: Then Deputy Minister Of Public Safety Under The Liberals, Balked At Revealing Registry Was Over Budget Because She Feared Potential Repercussions On The 2004 Election Campaign, Parliamentary Committee Told
[Grits Grind Away] At Health Minister's Drug Firm Holdings; Clemente Has Major Stake In Pharmaceutical Company [Editorial]
[Harper] Says Alleged Threat To Behead Him Affects Wife, Children More Than Him
[RCMP Deal] Grit-blocked? "The Liberals don't want Nepean to get this deal because Nepean doesn't vote Liberal. It's that simple," said Pierre Poilievre
[N.S. Premier Backtracks] After Accusing NDP Of Wanting To Force Elderly Out Of Their Homes
[Charest Supporter] Could Benefit In Park Deal: Fundraiser Bought Shares In Firm Seeking To Develop Ski Hill After Premier's Win
[Ontario Poll] McGuinty Liberals, Tory Conservatives Statistically Tied
[Day 101] Some In Caledonia Feel Police Aren't Allowed To Do Their Job [Reporter Robbed, Assaulted]
[Secretive, Powerful] Bilderberg Group Meets Near Ottawa: Members Include European Royalty, National Leaders, Political Power-Brokers, And Heads Of The World's Biggest Companies
[Ahenakew's Conviction] Overturned: New Trial Was Ordered By Judge Who Questions Whether The Former Aboriginal Leader Willfully Intended To Spread Hate
[CBC] Fires Brian Williams
[Saskatchewan Marijuana Party] Officially Registered
[Iran Pushes] Ahead With Uranium Enrichment
[Troop Cuts In Iraq] Won't Meet Goal This Year, Officials Say
Updated Friday, June 09 at 10:21 a.m.
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Thursday morning news
[Al-Qaeda's] Iraq Chief Al-Zarqawi Killed [Military Photo] [Video: Bush, Rumsfeld, Blair] [Al-Qaeda In Iraq Vows To Continue Holy War] [Relatives Pray For 1,000 Zarqawis]
[Terror Funds] On Ottawa's Hit List: New Legislation Will Strengthen Government's Ability To Fight Terrorism Financing And Money Laundering [U.K. Link] [The Accused Leader] [Suspects Unfamiliar With Ottawa] [Hill Security Increased] [The Plot] [Father-In-Law Talks] [Margaret Wente] [Tasneen Jamal] [Editorial] [NY Times]
[Donation Brouhaha] Hasn't Hurt My Campaign: Joe Volpe
[Canada Lags] In Global Trade Race: David Emerson
[Pessimistic Premiers] To Talk Equalization: Klein Says He'll Try To Keep People Cool, But Won't Budge On Including Resources
[NATO Ministers Confident] On Afghan Mission
[Federal Environment Minister] Can't Be Seen At Smog Summit: First Federal No-Show
[Moving In] For Registry Kill: Minister Plans To Table Gun Bill This Month
[Jane Taber] In Question Period, It's Anything But The T-Word
[Happy Anniversary] 100 Days Of Fear, Anger In Caledonia: Native Occupation Drags On In Uneasy Stalemate
[B.C. Ferries Boss] Says Ferry Sinking Comes Down To '14-Minute Black Hole'
[Negative Ads Hits N.S.] NDP Soft On Crime, Bad For Economy, Tories Warn
[Andre Boisclair] Ready To Seek Seat: Will Stand This Fall In East-End By-Election
[BC NDP] Looks To Bury Bitter Past With Mining Sector
[South Korean President Roh] Takes Inspiration From Mulroney
[Canada Post Overreacted] On Rural Mail, Union Says
[Bush Says] Deporting Illegal Immigrants "Ain't Gonna Work"
[George Bush Sr.] Asked Retired General To Replace Rumsfeld: Salon
[Ann Coulter, Hillary Clinton] Spar Over 9/11 Widows' Grief
Updated Thursday, June 08 at 10:30 a.m.
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Updated Thursday, June 08 at 10:30 a.m.
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Wednesday morning news
[RCMP Foiled] At Least A Dozen Plots In Past Two Years, Documents Reveal [The Alleged Plot] [How The Police Watched The Plan Unfold] [Terror Suspect Served In CDN Military] [U.S. Connection] [Shadow Work Precede Arrests]
[U.S. Senate] Rejects Gay Marriage Ban [Editorial]
[McGuinty, Harper] Hold Unannounced One-Hour Meeting
[Joe Volpe] Loses Support Of Indo-Canadian Heavyweight
[Canada To Spend $3.5-billion] On Afghan Effort: Job Won't Be Over Until Peace, Security Have Been Restored, MacKay Says
[Two Mothers] Should Be Allowed On Birth Document, Judge Says: Found In Breach Of Charter, Ontario Told To Alter Rules To Include Lesbian Parents
[Intelligence Watchdog] Group In The Works: Tories Want Senators And MPs To Report On Activities Of National Security Agencies
[Canadian Navy] Talks About Role In $225-Million Drug Bust
[Critics Blast Ottawa] Over Leaked Research: Health Canada's Objectivity Is Questioned After Findings On Herbicide Safety Were E-mailed Out, Posted On Web
[Senate Unlikely To Stall] Conservative Budget: MPs Caught Off Guard By Final Reading
[Liberals, NDP] Push To Include Floor-Crossing Rules In Accountability Act
[Tory Accountability Act] Faces Major Amendments
[Wait A Minute, Mr. Postman] Riled N.B. Residents Deliver Message: "I remember when I was young and, if I refused to work, I'd be fired"
[PEI Poll] Provincial Tories, Liberals In Statistical Tie
[Ontario Premier] On Caledonia: 'We Bring A Different Approach' To Standoffs
[Eliminate] 'Poverty Trap,' Rae Says: Liberal Leadership Hopeful Urges Audience In Toronto To Care about Poorest Citizens
[Abbas Extends Deadline] For Hamas: Referendum Call Deferred, To Give Islamists More Time To Reconsider
[Italian Foreign Minister] Confirms Iraq Troop Withdrawal
[U.S. Senators] Won't Grill Phone Companies: Lawmakers, Cheney Strike Deal On NSA
[Silence Angers] U.S. Judiciary Panel: Justice Official Mum On Possible Prosecution of Journalists
Updated Wednesday, June 07 at 10:00 a.m.
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The unapologetic Mr. Anders
Conservative MP Rob Anders is under fire. No, not for calling Nelson Mandela a "Communist and a terrorist." Or, for refusing to take Mandela's phone call to address Anders ill-informed views.
Anders is the subject of a lawsuit which alleges he:
ּ Falsified government travel expenses
ּ Dismissed a Hill staffer without cause
ּ Paid debts via furniture in his Constituency office
Canadian Press: the lawsuit "also alleges several members of Anders' constituency office worked on unspecified campaigns for Stephen Harper in 2004, while still being paid their salaries from the House of Commons."
Meanwhile, over at Grit HQ, Liberals (more familiar with being the subject of investigations) are calling upon the RCMP to investigate Anders.
[Real Video]
Updated Tuesday, June 06 at 10:20 p.m.
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Day in quotes
ּ Finance minister Jim Flaherty on the procedural flub by the NDGrits in permitting the Conservative's budget to pass unopposed: "We did not anticipate the unanimous consent of the opposition to the budget. But I thank them. Thanks very much.''
ּ "I'll be going the appeal route, for sure," said Chuck Guite to Justice Martin after being found guilty of five counts of fraud in the sponsorship debacle. Guite's sentence will be handed down Friday; until then, he's in jail.
ּ Prime Minister Harper reacts to the alleged beheading threat: "I can live with these threats as long as they're not from my caucus."
ּ Imam Aly Hindy confesses he warned the family of terror suspect Ahmad Ghany -- their son was being watched by CSIS: "I don't want to say how I knew. I have my sources for getting information, but I knew that they were being watched by security."
ּ Bill Clinton explains why his White House private office reigned supreme: "And I would go in there, often after Hillary went to bed, or late at night, play my music, and that's where I did my reading and thinking and that's where my daughter would find me late at night when she called me from Stanford. I had a lot of happy times there."
(Ken) Starr Report, circa the blue-dress era: "According to Ms. Lewinsky, she and the President had ten sexual encounters… The sexual encounters generally occurred in or near the private study off the Oval Office…"
Updated Tuesday, June 06 at 8:56 p.m.
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NDP, Conservatives: Protecting school children everywhere
[Charlie Angus, NDP] "Mr. Speaker, this week one of the potential leaders of the Liberal Party of Canada had to give back money he had taken from schoolchildren. What is astounding about this, though, is that the Liberal Party of Canada condones the practice of shaking down kids for their lunch money.
"As the father of three youngsters, I am very concerned that one of the leadership candidates lurking out there might try to put the touch on one of my kids for cash. Will the government make a revision to the Canada Elections Act which would guarantee that no potential Liberal leadership candidate will be allowed within 500 metres of a school, a kindergarten or an amusement arcade?"
[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative] "Mr. Speaker, now that I have finished applauding the member's question, I would like to try answering it.
"We are against the Liberal practice of shaking down kids at lemonade stands. We are pushing for swift passage of the accountability act, which reins in the kind of irresponsible anti-kid approach to raising funds that we have seen from the Liberal Party of Canada.
"In fact, I applaud the member and his party for working with the Conservatives to pass swiftly the accountability act. I for one can say that as a member of that committee I will support any amendment to stop this obscene practice of picking on our school kids."
Updated Tuesday, June 06 at 3:35 p.m.
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If I were Prime Minister
[Jack Layton, NDP, May 20, 2006] "We also have to put an end to the security certificates -- the security certificates and that whole piece of legislation, Bill C-36, must be thrown out!"
[Luc Portelance, CSIS, June 3, 2006] "This is the largest counter-terrorism operation and arrests in Canada since the creation of the Anti-Terrorism Act [C-36] and the amendment of the Criminal Code to better define terrorism."
Updated Tuesday, June 06 at 3:23 p.m.
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Toronto/Ottawa terror update
Gary Batasar, the lawyer for terror suspect Steven Vikash Chand has confirmed the following allegations against his client:
ּ Chand "would personally like to behead Stephen Harper"
ּ 'Storm' Parliament Hill and "take politicians hostage"
ּ Demand Canada's withdrawal from Afghanistan; failure to comply would result in the beheading of MPs
ּ Take-over CBC's Toronto studio's
Updated Tuesday, June 06 at 2:40 p.m.
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Tuesday morning news
[Charges Hint] At Varying Roles [The Friendly Zealot] [The Charge Sheet] [RCMP's Sensitivity Training] [Nine Lessons] [Margaret Wente] [Lawrence Martin] [Editorial]
[Terror Suspects] Arrive In Ontario Court
[Ottawa's Blue-Ribbon Panel] Backs Enriched Equalization Program: Would Give Poorer Provinces Another $900-Million A Year, More Than Two-Thirds Of Which Would Be Funnelled To Quebec
[Napping Liberals Lose] On Caledonia: Ontario MPPs Endorse Motion Calling For A Public Inquiry Into The Three-Month-Old Dispute
[UN Troops Left Canadian] To Die In Haiti, Magazine Says
[CUPE's Israeli Boycott] Draws Fire: Four Toronto Locals Launch Complaint
[Praise For Police] Replace Partisanship By Wary Conservatives And Opposition
[Security] Of High-Profile Buildings Beefed Up: Trucks On Parliament Hill Searched, But Front Gate Guarded By Lone RCMP Car
[Thanks For U.S.] Help, Harper Tells Bush In Call: Ottawa Seeks To Counter Terrorist-Haven Image
[MP Recalls] Confrontation With Terror Suspect [Video]
[Suspect Accused Our Troops] Of Raping Muslims: MP
[Quebec To Beef Up] Privacy Law To Hamper U.S. Surveillance
['Our Families] Are Truly Our First School,' G-G Tells Grads
[N.S. Election Poll] Shows Grits Dropping, Tories Nearing Majority
[Angus Reid] Who Trusts Their Media? Canada 49%; France 86%
[Preliminary Report On B.C. Ferry] Sinking Points To Human Error: Says Crew Members Were Unfamiliar With The Queen Of The North's New Steering And Navigation System
[N.S. Politician] Pleads Not Guilty To Domestic Assault
[West Presents Iran] With Incentive Package: Initiative By The United States And Other World Powers An Attempt To Persuade Tehran To Curb Its Nuclear Program|
[Republicans Reignite] Hot-Button Issues: Senate Votes on Gay Marriage, Estate Tax Are Aimed at Rallying Conservative Base
[Bill Clinton] Aims To Raise $20-Million For The Democratic Party; Bush Has Raised $125-Million Since 2005
Updated Tuesday, June 06 at 10:20 a.m.
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Updated Tuesday, June 06 at 10:20 a.m.
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Monday morning news
[Plot Targeted] Peace Tower, Police Say [Christie Blatchford] [Colin Freeze] [Editorial]
[Mosque Was Warned] About Suspect: The Oldest Member Of The Group Used A Mississauga Strip-Mall Mosque To Draw Young And Impressionable Muslim Minds To An Extreme Version Of Islam, Says One Of Mississauga's Prominent Islamic Figures
[Canadian Catch] Leads To American Anxiety: While They Laud Successful Strike, U.S. Politicians Say It Is A Bad Omen
[More Arrests] Could Be Coming, Says RCMP [Stockwell Day]
[Multinational Inquiry] Led To Canada Terror Arrests: Authorities Are Looking For Connections Between Those Jailed In Raids Over The Weekend And Suspects Held In At Least Six Other Countries
[Four Liberal] Leadership Candidates Still Haven't Raised Any Money
[Most Canadians Oppose] Tories On Afghanistan, Kyoto, New Poll Suggests
[Foreign Affairs Called In] After Child Hit In Store: Shoppers Witness Group Leave In Van With Diplomatic Plates
[Licence Hoarding] Has No Place In The Fishery, Minister Hearn Says
[Guité Judge Rejects] Request: Jury's Demand For Review A Sign Of Case's Complexity
[Tempers Flare Again] In Caledonia: Groups Of Aboriginal Protesters And Area Residents Face Off Briefly On The Main Street Of Southern Ontario Town
[David Suzuki] Supports Green Candidate Elizabeth May
[Cities Applaud] Harper's Approach: Municipalities Hopeful That Ottawa's Promise To Tackle The 'Fiscal Imbalance' Will Ultimately Ease Some Of Their Financial Woes
[PQ, Bloc Join] Greenpeace To Back Kyoto
[Hamas Rejects Abbas's Challenge] To Recognize Israel
[Al Gore] "If nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve."
[U.K. 7/7 Report] Criticizes Emergency Services: 'Lack Of Planning To Care For Survivors,' 'Failure Of Communications Underground'
[Rep. Kennedy Returns] To Rhode Island After Rehab Stint
Updated Monday, June 05 at 09:40 a.m.
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Updated Monday, June 05 at 09:40 a.m.
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In quotes: Joe Volpe on well-to-do kids
"Apparently, I had seen the kids when I went to their school and gave a talk during the [federal election] campaign. They went back home and said 'that's a guy we want to help, we want to support.' "
Updated Friday, June 02 at 11:11 a.m.
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Friday morning news
[Ottawa Will Offer] Carrot To Richer Province: Equalization Report Recommends Cap On Potential Payouts
[Liberal Senator Accused] Of Improper Spending: Lavigne Under Investigation For Expenses Linked To Travel, Non-Parliamentary Work
[Minister] Under Fire — Some Of It Friendly: Trip-Ups Put O'Connor On The Defensive
[Volpe Campaign] Gets Tangled In Website Spoof [Spoof] [John Ibbitson] [Editorial] [Video]
[Accountability Act, Senate Elections Raise] Constitutional Issues: 'Unconstitutional' Says House of Commons' Law Clerk
[Harper, Mayors] Meet In Montreal
[Judge Pulls PM] Into Caledonia: Ottawa Given Two Weeks To Appear In Judges Court
[Poll] Canadians Cool To Tory Majority: Just 30 Per Cent Of Survey Respondents Said They'd Like To See Stephen Harper Form A Majority Government
[Chuck Guite's] Attempt At Fraud Self-Defence Receives Mixed Results At Trial
[N.S. Leaders Debate] Winner Debatable: MacDonald Wants To Move Forward, But Takes A Beating From Dexter, MacKenzie For Party's Past
[Paul Martin] To Introduce Bill On Aboriginal Accord [Video]
[Taliban] To Canadians: Get Out Or Face Death
[Ken Dryden Power Play] Includes Two Hamilton Liberals
[No Money Allocated] To Move Troubled Ont. Reserve: Announcement By Indian Affairs Minister Has Left Kashechewan First Nation Chief Fuming
[U.K. MP Ed Vaizey] Looking For Answers: Like The Tories In Britain, The New Conservative Government In Canada Is Seeking Serious Policy Proposals To Tackle Climate Change
[Ottawa Extends] EI Pilot Project, Which Gives More Weeks Of Benefits To High Unemployment Regions, By 18 months
[Health Ministers Feud] Over Waiting-Times Issue
[Dosanjh Fires Salvo] At O'Connor On Geneva Rules
[Vancouver Mayor] Won't Face Charges: RCMP Concludes Probe Into Sullivan's Relationship With Two Drug Addicts
[Game Of] Love: Sorbara, Rae In Political Union: Tennis Buddies Were Rivals At Queen's Park
[Bush To Promote] Gay Marriage Ban
[N.Y. Official Apologizes] For Saying Bush Should Be Shot Between Eyes
Updated Friday, June 02 at 10:20 a.m.
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Updated Friday, June 02 at 10:20 a.m.
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Bush's hidden platform?
Now you see him; now you don't.
Updated Thursday, June 01 at 2:35 p.m.
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Youth for Joe Volpe
For the politically active, well-to-do grade sixer.
Update Site has been suspended: Archived version available here. PDF version available here.
[News]
Updated Thursday, June 01 at 1:47 p.m.
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Thursday morning news
[Border ID Cards] Have A 'Long Way To Go,' Report Says: U.S. May Not Implement Cards Until 2008, U.S. Agency Says
[Twins, 11, Donated] $10,800 To Volpe's Campaign: Liberal Leadership Candidate Received Additional $5,400 From 14-Year-Old Boy For His Campaign
[Government Hopes] To Raise Age Of Consent To 16: "Under the proposed legislation, 14-year-olds could legally have sex with a partner up to the age of 19"
[Harper Muddies] Equalization Debate: Provinces Angered As PM Sends Mixed Signals On Election Pledge To Exclude Natural Resource Revenue
[Protesters Chase] Immigration Minister Solberg From Church
[Tories Shy Away] From Same-Sex Quagmire: Growing Number Of Cabinet Ministers And MPs Question Wisdom Of Reopening The Divisive Marriage Debate
[Motion On Lowering] The Flag Doesn't Fly: Liberal, NDP Motion Fails
[Geneva Convention] Applies In Afghanistan: Defence Minister
[No Rubber Stamp] For Senate Bill, Opposition Says: 'Controversial' Legislation To Restrict Terms Will Get Careful Scrutiny, Top Liberal Asserts [Editorial]
[Provinces Prodded] To Move On Waiting Times: Clement Critical Of Slow Progress
[N.B. To Change Gas Prices] Every Two Weeks: Energy Minister Says Regulation, Which Begins July 1, Offers Stability, But Not Necessarily Lower Prices
[Police Probed Ties] Between Brault, Guité And Liberals
[$328-Million Fund] 'Scam': 'Borrowed' Cash From Wealthy Immigrants Meant To Create Jobs -- But Doesn't: Tax Man
[Liberals] Planning Meeting To 'Vent' On Election
[Chef] Who Served Chretien Gets Delicious Honours
[Clark Offspring] 'A Lovely Little Baby': Newborn Alexandra Makes Grandparents Of Former PM, Wife
[J.L. Granatstein] How Mr. Harper Can Win Over An Anti-War Quebec
[B.C. Launches] Gun Amnesty Program
[Iran Cool To Conditions] On U.S. Nuclear Talks Offer
[Tony Blair's] UN Gaffe Sinks Relations With Brazil To New Low
[Iraq Veteran Sues] Michael Moore: Vet Says Filmmaker Used Portions Of An Interview To Falsely Portray Him As Anti-War In Fahrenheit 9/11
[Fundraiser] Admits Illegal Bush Donations
[Tiger Woods] Tells of Game With Clinton; Recalls Some 'Interesting Math'
Updated Thursday, June 01 at 10:20 a.m.
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Updated Thursday, June 01 at 10:20 a.m.
Send your comments on this item to email@dancook.com
Posted at Wednesday, July 05, 2006 EDT 
