Predictions out the window

Alot of people think that the NDP surge in Quebec indicates that the separatist movement is failing. But its not that clear to me.

A significant number of Quebec voters (more than enough to swing an election) are willing to vote for a federalist party in the Canadian election and then turn around and vote for the PQ in the provincial election. Its happened before and will likely happen again this year.

But maybe I should hold back on predictions. Who would have predicted a week ago that the NDP would poll first in Quebec? I didn't. You didn't either. And if you couldn't predict what would happen this week, why would you think you can predict what is going to happen next week?

The Liberal campaign has gone far better than I expected. Its been really solid. Ignatieff has been hitting all the right notes with me. And I really like the Liberal platform which puts families before jets, jails and corporate tax cuts.

If you believe in the Liberal vision and want to stop Harper, its time to come out swinging. Its time to fight for the country you want.


Image license information:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

Jim Travers

I always enjoyed reading Jim Travers. It was surprising to hear that he had died this week. He will be missed.

Government cover-up of interogation by torture?

A Globe and Mail editorial comes close to stating the obvious question about political involvement in alleged war crimes when they write:

"The torture issue is all about the Canadian government’s willful blindness, an incuriosity that strains belief."


Were cabinet ministers in the Harper government involved in decisions that led to the torture of Afghan citizens?


Why has the Canadian Forces National Investigative Services not investigated allegations of torture?

"The military used the NDS as subcontractors for abuse and torture"

The Globe and Mail reports disturbing allegations that innocent Afghans were knowlingly handed over for interogation by torture. This is a war crime under the Geneva Convention.

Select quotes from the article:
“I saw Canada’s military intelligence sending detainees to NDS, when the detainees did not tell them what they expect to hear. If the interrogators thought a detainee was lying, the military sent him to NDS for more questions, Afghan style. Translation: abuse and torture .... the military used the NDS as subcontractors for abuse and torture."

[...]He said he interviewed the detainees and determined none were Taliban. However, all were handed over to the NDS.

“None did anything wrong except to be at home when the Canadian Forces murdered their neighbour,” Mr. Malgarai recounted. “Yet Canada transferred all these innocent men to the NDS.”

Dion the Rebel

At a certain level of detachment, a leader is a vehicle for the type of policies that you want enacted. And I believe Michael Ignatieff will be a good vehicle for the aspirations of Canadian Liberals.

For the last two years, I have supported Stephane Dion as leader of the party because I believe he is a man of integrity and great intelligence. A great Canadian who has devoted himself to the country and the party. As a consequence, he has suffered many attacks. He led the party in the aftermath of the sponsorship scandal and was villified by Harpers political machine.

Michael Ignatieff will eventually face the same type of attacks. In my small way, I will help to defend Ignatieff and promote the party. And I hope that he is able to rise above the personal smears in a way that Stephane Dion ultimately was unable to do.





Dion worked effectively under both Jean Chretien and Paul Martin as a highly competent minister. They gave him difficult tasks (the Clarity Act, the Montreal Climate Change Summit) which he accomplished with impressive skill. And for that also the party and Canada owes Stephane Dion our deep respect and gratitude.

The linked video is not one that I would have featured when he was leader, but what the heck.
h/t Garth Turner

We love you, Stephane.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsIBtKRmjM8

Conservative Manipulation of the Media

The rumours and misinformation circulated freely by Canadian newsmedia this week is worrisome.

Ottlibs thoughtful post yesterday on conservative media bias and comments by readers might make you wonder what the news should sound like.

What are the alternatives?

Here is an example. (It starts with a 15 second commercial for RealNews by Danny Glover)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI9vtBYOsqE



I don't know much about RealNews.

But it makes you wonder whether the Internet might ultimately provide the answer (or corrective) to media concentration and its abuse by wealthy conservatives.

The Conservative use of its base as a instrument to attempt to sway talk-radio and flood message boards with party doctrine also needs to be addressed.

Cool Down Period?

The media are claiming that the prorogation is a "cool down" period.

Well think again. Brace yourself for the attack ads.

Is there anyone who seriously thinks that if Harper gets to the other side of this he will suddenly be chastened and act responsibly? Really?

When/if the coalition is off the table, Harper will destroy the opposition.