Another Lesson in How It's Done: Mainstream Media Kick in to Oust Leader -- & -- PMO: Purchasing Dept. for Liberal Votes

This is presented as unbiased news but . . . if you read to the end, you will learn:

John Duffy is a volunteer advisor to Paul Martin and a registered federal lobbyist.

So why present the following as news in the National Post? I love some of the National Post writers but this bodes ill for the newspaper.

An Asper Media Outlet: "The people have spoken" John Duffy, May 20, 05

To call last night's confidence vote a defining moment restores to that term what years of overuse has robbed it of. The vote harnessed the unities of time, place and action into a political drama as compelling as any in our nation's history. Moreover, last night brought together several narrative threads that have been increasingly visible over the past several months.

The first is the tremendous political resilience of Prime Minister Paul Martin. [. . . . ]

The second major thread of this episode has been the performance of Stephen Harper at centre stage. A pattern is beginning to emerge with Mr. Harper, on two levels. [. . . . ]

The third and final point that has been defined last night beyond further question is the growing supremacy of the people over their parliament.

PMO: Purchasing Dept. for Liberal Votes


Bill Carroll of NewsTalk 1010 online radio and Similar Mainstream Media Opinion on Stephen Harper

This morning Bill Carroll called on Stephen to resign the CPC leadership.

Absolutely not! This is a media point of view coming out of Ontario, the Centre of Canada, the old Progressive Conservatives who hate that a leader comes from the West, those

Throughout his tenure as leader of the CPC, the mainstream media have criticized Stephen Harper's leadership for the following reasons; it is not a definitive list, but it may get you thinking of your own list:

* not "centrist" enough (not from Ontario? not bought by all the "right" people yet) -- or it could refer to . . .

* not "progressive" enough -- as though principles are arrived at after consulting and polling for the concensus of those who have supported the way things are now -- and those who have brought Canada's government into disrepute (perhaps those from the "centre"? Toronto? Ontario? even better if from "progressive" Quebec with all the politically correct views on marriage, gays, assymetrical language rights / promotion / federal job openings limited to 20% of the population?

* not enough charisma (hasn't developed the mendacity to plaster on a sickly, faux-smile -- a practiced art by dissemblers such as . . . )

* not able to keep high-profile people in the party (Liberals-in-conservative-clothing / Red Tories such as Belinda Stronach, Scott Brison, Keith Martin? What education and experience did Belinda Stronach bring, outside her money? What is Scott Brison's salient quality for the Liberal Party but as its front and center mouthpiece for Paul Martin? Should we mention that he proves the Libs are gay-friendly. Keith Martin, I suspect, is genuinely more leftist and is more at home in the Liberal Party.)

* crankiness -- as if there were no reason (Should he pretend that it is fiscally responsible to throw money at every problem? That buying votes from people whose principles are elastic or whose ambitions override other considerations is "leadership"?)

These media types are propagandizing for the disgruntled Progressive Conservatives in order to get power back to Central Canada. If it helps the Liberals, well, the Liberals know how the system works; they invented it. CBC-LPO will take care of Liberal concerns.

An outbreak of real integrity? Of genuine emotion? Of warranted indignation at the criminality being revealed as connected to the government / Liberal Party (alleged, still?) by the Gomery Inquiry? Of real democracy instead of rule from the PMO? A political leader who considers the Canada's citizens' best interests ahead of personal ones? That would ruin everything. We can't allow democracy to break out in Canada; the centre has to maintain control!

Mainly, the media abet the Liberals in keeping the moneyed tribe in power. Why can they not see that attractiveness and charisma are often the garb of self-interest in Canada.

Do any of these media types not understahnd that genuine integrity and principled leadership does not lend itself to currying favour as the follows:

* by handng out power positions in any organization including government, positions not earned

* by dipping into the public purse to to buy the support of every bloc / province that recognizes that the Prime Minister's weaknesses have replaced principles

* by buying support with other people's money for something as crass as remaining in power.

Bring on more Stephen Harpers for me! We could use his character in that house of ill-repute, the purchasing department for Liberal votes, the PMO.

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