Gomery Report set to blow up tomorrow...

[Whaspe]

For those of you not in the know Canada's sponsorship scandal, which accuses the Federal Liberals of siphoning off millions of tax payer money into party accounts, will be back in the news big tomorrow with Judge Gomery releasing his report into the investigation of what went wrong. It could bury current Prime Minister Paul Martin, or others in the Liberal party and will have a strong impact on the upcoming federal election. At 6pm Monday night, 6000 copies of the report were given to the Federal government (the Liberals) and they will pore over it all night coming up with damage control scenarios before they release it to the public tomorrow. Do you think this is proper? That the Federal Liberals, the ones being investigated in the report, get 12 hours to think up a defense before anyone else can see it? If you havn't gathered from the tone of this message what my thoughts are, well, I'm calling foul. It definitely incriminates them, if they're so protective of the report that they won't open it up to everyone else at the same time. I'm hoping they've just sent themselves off to an early defeat.

News LinkAnother news link

 

[Polish3d]

Interesting...do you think you guys will elect a more pro American or pro European government in the upcoming elections?


(If you can even say)

 

[3chordcharlie]

It doesn't 'incriminate' them, because it isn't a criminal investigation; it does however implicate a number of present and former liberals; if they had weeks to look at it, or even a week, i might be upset, as it is, they have no power to change the report, and the delay is absolutely minimal. I have no problem with it.

 

[Whaspe]

In reply to Frackal's question:
No I don't think so. I know that the Conservatives, want closer ties with Washington, but this is mainly of a trade nature. If the current trade disputes between the States and Canada remain unresolved then it's not going to matter if the government is more pro-American or not. It's definitely en vogue to be "anti-American" right now, so of course politicians will use it for their own personal gain. As far as pro-European, we definitely fall into a similar mindset with most European countries, socialist minded democracy. I would say Canada feels more like equals with the European countries, so there's no need to be pro or anti. With the States being the dominating power that it is, it's much easier to make it into a issue. Personally, I hope that in my life time, I'll see the world become a more cohesive unit and do away with nationalism.

What I meant 3chordcharlie is that by hiding away for 12 hours and not letting all mp's get a glimpse of the report, they acknowledge the fact that what happened is damning evidense of corruption within the party.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: Whaspe
In reply to Frackal's question:
No I don't think so. I know that the Conservatives, want closer ties with Washington, but this is mainly of a trade nature. If the current trade disputes between the States and Canada remain unresolved then it's not going to matter if the government is more pro-American or not. It's definitely en vogue to be "anti-American" right now, so of course politicians will use it for their own personal gain. As far as pro-European, we definitely fall into a similar mindset with most European countries, socialist minded democracy. I would say Canada feels more like equals with the European countries, so there's no need to be pro or anti. With the States being the dominating power that it is, it's much easier to make it into a issue. Personally, I hope that in my life time, I'll see the world become a more cohesive unit and do away with nationalism.

What I meant 3chordcharlie is that by hiding away for 12 hours and not letting all mp's get a glimpse of the report, they acknowledge the fact that what happened is damning evidense of corruption within the party.

I guess I see it a little differently:

In that abstract, we all have a good idea of what is in the Gomery report. It's going to say bad things with no legal basis for doing so; the report is like conviction without a trial, and the Liberal party did it to themselves. I have no problem with them getting a few hours to see what is being said about them. Simply calling the inquiry was acknowledgement of corruption, this is just a brief chance to look at the damage.

Now that the report is in, something like on time, I have to decide which idiot to vote for in this round.

So far I think it can't be a liberal, a conservative, or an NDP member. I might vote for myself

 

[Whaspe]

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie

Originally posted by: Whaspe
In reply to Frackal's question:
No I don't think so. I know that the Conservatives, want closer ties with Washington, but this is mainly of a trade nature. If the current trade disputes between the States and Canada remain unresolved then it's not going to matter if the government is more pro-American or not. It's definitely en vogue to be "anti-American" right now, so of course politicians will use it for their own personal gain. As far as pro-European, we definitely fall into a similar mindset with most European countries, socialist minded democracy. I would say Canada feels more like equals with the European countries, so there's no need to be pro or anti. With the States being the dominating power that it is, it's much easier to make it into a issue. Personally, I hope that in my life time, I'll see the world become a more cohesive unit and do away with nationalism.

What I meant 3chordcharlie is that by hiding away for 12 hours and not letting all mp's get a glimpse of the report, they acknowledge the fact that what happened is damning evidense of corruption within the party.

I guess I see it a little differently:

In that abstract, we all have a good idea of what is in the Gomery report. It's going to say bad things with no legal basis for doing so; the report is like conviction without a trial, and the Liberal party did it to themselves. I have no problem with them getting a few hours to see what is being said about them. Simply calling the inquiry was acknowledgement of corruption, this is just a brief chance to look at the damage.

Now that the report is in, something like on time, I have to decide which idiot to vote for in this round.

So far I think it can't be a liberal, a conservative, or an NDP member. I might vote for myself

Well, depending on your platform, maybe I'll give you my vote too. I'm into politics, but I'd never become a politician... at least in the current system.

 

[irwincur]

What is the point... If anything, they should release it on the streets and let the government types get it the same way John Doe does. Seriously, this screams of an elitist divide in Canada - undoubtedly the result of years of Socialism.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: irwincur
What is the point... If anything, they should release it on the streets and let the government types get it the same way John Doe does. Seriously, this screams of an elitist divide in Canada - undoubtedly the result of years of Socialism.

:roll:

He is the PM and the Cabinet is the top Power in the country below him. Those 2 groups are in effect the Government of the Land with certain powers and obligations to exercise/fulfil. If something major is afoot(doubtful) it is important for them to know about it first and foremost.

Unlike the situation in the US, they have no Power, Ability, or even Time to Edit or keep Secret this report. Everyone that wants to read the report merely needs to wait 12 hours.

That ain't no Mountain.

 

[Kibbo86]

Originally posted by: irwincur
What is the point... If anything, they should release it on the streets and let the government types get it the same way John Doe does. Seriously, this screams of an elitist divide in Canada - undoubtedly the result of years of Socialism.

You're kidding, right? Getting their hands on what could be their noose a few hours early is a socialist elitist divide?

PS: Marginal tax rate for an Albertan earning 72KUS* is 46%. Tax rate for a similar American in a high tax state is 40%. Not exactly a 5 year plan.

 

[Stunt]

Anxiously waiting the Liberal bashing!!

Can't wait!

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: Stunt
Anxiously waiting the Liberal bashing!!

Can't wait!

Hehe, you'll be happy around dinner time I'm sure. I suspect most of it will be old news, but this report will make it seem fresher and rehashed.

 

[Whaspe]

So, what's your guy's opinion on the fallout. From a strictly dramatic point of view the report was a little of a let down. It would have been more powerful if Martin had been found to have a part in it. My question is this, with a political party that's been proven to pad their pockets with taxpayer money... why keep on supporting them? If you believe in the rest of what they stand for, why not create a new party with those principles but lacking the history the Liberals now have. Sadly, I think that the Liberals will win the next election, they can push the point that Martin was exonerated and that they have correctly cleaned the air. Plus, with the support they have in Quebec and no other party but the Bloc with any real showing in the polls there I think it's unrealistic for the Conservatives or NDP to think they are capable of forming a government. What I don't get is this... if Martin was finance minister while the whole affair occured, and he had no knowledge of what was going on... doesn't this label him as incompetent? I mean he should have been aware of what sorts of funding the sponsorship program was getting and could easily have made the whole thing public... Chretien would have been ousted earlier and he, now the hero, could have gotten the PM job much earlier.

 

[sandorski]

I'll likely vote Liberal again because of Martin's proven Fiscal track record. I voted for Mulroney twice for Deficit elimination and got bupkus and continued to support Conservative/Reform until Martin as Finance Minister turned the corner on the Deficit. He, a Liberal, did what Conservatives kept saying needed to happen, but the Conservatives either backed down when the going got tough or just didn't act on it.

For me this scandal is a rather isolated incicdent that Martin was not even aware of. Those responsible should certainly pay. but Guilt by Association isn't a compelling enough reason to risk Deficits again.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

Originally posted by: Frackal
Interesting...do you think you guys will elect a more pro American or pro European government in the upcoming elections?


(If you can even say)

Why would any country with hopes for a decent future be pro-American under the current regime? The US doesn't even honor basic bilateral treaties.

 

[Whaspe]

I'll give him this much... inspite of government incompetency with regards to the sponsorship scandal and the gun registry, the fact he still managed a surplus budget is remarkable. Either that or he's got some pretty good tricks for cooking the books. Remember what happened when the Liberals took control of Ontario? All of a sudden, there was no balanced budget but deficits... sometimes it's in the eye of the beholder.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: Whaspe
I'll give him this much... inspite of government incompetency with regards to the sponsorship scandal and the gun registry, the fact he still managed a surplus budget is remarkable. Either that or he's got some pretty good tricks for cooking the books. Remember what happened when the Liberals took control of Ontario? All of a sudden, there was no balanced budget but deficits... sometimes it's in the eye of the beholder.

True. Seen that happen a few times here in BC. New Party takes over, new numbers refuting the previous governments numbers gets released with a *gasp* added for effect.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

It's Canada, no one cares.