December 17, 2005

The utter hypocrisy of Paul Martin

I don't understand how the Liberals can still be ahead in the polls. Between PM and Team's stated lofty goals and the reality falls the shadow every time. Let us start with the conference on the Kyoto Accord held in Montreal. Martin had the gall to hector America about not having a global conscience on pollution. Here Martin managed to skewer two of his election promises. First, he angers our major trading partner and security blanket; then he tries to come off as a pollution fighter, even though, under the Liberals, Canada has seen pollution emissions rise 24%. Roughly twice the amount in America. The only saving grace was that the conference wasn't held in Toronto, which was probably smogged in again.

Wattles shaking, Paul Martin stands up for the little taxpayers and delists former acceptable tax havens. Well, not all of them. Certainly not the Barbados, where his shipping empire enjoys a tax shelter that allows it to evade hundreds of millions in taxable income. A classic "Do as I say, not as I do" attitude.

Then there is Martin's "Only I can save confederation" schtick. This bit of hyberbole from a man who was Finance Minister and chief lieutenant for Quebec under Chretien's reign. In 1995, the feds nearly lost the sovereignty referendum because of hubris. Now Adscam has reduced the Liberals' hold on Quebec down to a few Anglo seats in Montreal and the Eastern Townships. He can't play the "scary Harper card" there. The Quebecois are so scared of a federal government that would stop pandering to them that the Conservatives have no chance there. Plus, it is worth remembering that Martin's chief lieutenant is Jean Lapierre, who publically refuted the validity of The Clarity Act--the supposed ace in the Liberals' hand to win a future referendum.

Perhaps there is no hypocrisy more despicable than Martin trying to fob off the aboriginals with bags of loot. He knows--every thinking person in his government knows--that the only long term solution for the present squalor and degradation on reserves is to move towards assimilation. Certainly, it would be a difficult adjustment, but over time, the natives would join in the country's prosperity. Instead, Martin goes through some sweet grass ceremony and hands over an extra $6 billion to the natives. That will placate the rapacious Indian leadership until the next crisis, he must hope.

Fixing the democratic deficit was a major plank in the Liberals' last election platform. Now Martin has to walk that plank in every leaders' debate. He stuffed the Senate with his buddies and bagmen. He and Irwin Cotler still get to pick a fellow ideologue for the vacant seat on the Supreme Court. In Parliament. he gerrymanders the Opposition days so he won't have to face the thought of being brought down. Oh, I nearly forgot about Bernard Shapiro, the new, less ethically-challenged Ethics Commissioner. No lapdog he, Martin insists. However, it is strange that this epitome of ethical behaviour, Ed Broadbent, has felt it necessary to call for Shapiro's resignation. This, after Shapiro failed to act on disclosing Martin's various business dealings. There were also other shipshod actions to cover Shapiro with shame. To give Martin his due, I haven't heard him talk about ending the "democratic deficit" in this election round. However, there is still time if panic mode sets in.

"I will mend relations with America" was another slogan Paul loved. The results of his efforts can be seen in the barbed comments of Mr. Wilkins, the American ambassador. Wilkins was so infuriated by Martin's comments about "global conscience", and America's lack of it, that he bluntly told Martin and his Yankee-bashing colleagues to back off. He diplomatically issued a veiled threat about our advantageous trade with the United States. Even CBC had to admit that Paul's statement about "global conscience" rang hollow in the face of Canada's 24% pollution increase. Another invitation to The White House cancelled.

My aching knees rejoiced at the news when Martin exclaimed that the public health system was fixed for a decade. They however started aching again when I realized millions of us have the same problem, but there are not enough orthopedic surgeons to operate on them in a timely fashion. This is due to two factors. The then-Finance Minister, Martin, cut the health budget and the Liberal government of Chretien purposely restricted the building of new medical training centers. Doctors were also limited in the number of surgeries they could perform. This led to many doctors moving to the United States. But Martin, and I'm sure many in his Cabinet, are not worried because they have private health centers they can access. This access doesn't stop them from harassing provinces that allow private health care. Provinces have even been fined for this transgression. Somehow Quebec, the leader in private health care services, has managed to escape Liberal censure and those fines. I'm sure that was just an oversight, and soon Martin will notice them too. Not too soon, of course.

So there is my mini-list of hypocricies. It omits some, but I'm sure you diligent readers can fill in the blanks yourselves. For instance, making the loyalty-challenged Belinda Stronach--an instant Cabinet Minister--the Minister responsible for correcting any "democratic deficit". You can't say that Martin doesn't have a sense of humour.

© Bud Talkinghorn


December 16, 2005

Gremlins & Posting Difficulties -&- the Skinny from the Trusted Ones on the Debate -- Read the fine print here

Updates below with much more information. I have copied in navy blue the basic information here to save time for readers.


Updated: Li Ka-shing Benefactor, CSL & CITIC -&- Follow the Yellow--Red--Brick Road #1 to #7

Update 1: This occurred in 1986 ...

Canada Steamship Lines partnered with China in 1986 -- "There’s a stench here that smells more like nepotism than narcissus." -- "A business cooperation agreement was signed here today [1986] between CITIC (China International Trust and Investment Corporation and CSL (Canada Steamship Lines Inc.)." Brian McAdam & Judi McLeod, Friday, December 16, 2005


Update 2: This is how to network -- how it is done in Canada
I noticed an advertorial that is worth the price of the National Post today. There is a MASSIVE advertisement of Li Ka Shing's* vast generosity to Canadians:



Li Ka-shing Gift of Knowledge to St. Michael's Hospital

St. Michael's Hospital receives transformative $25 million gift to build one-of-a-kind institute



You might want to learn more about Li Ka-shing, benefactor to Canada, to various politicians, as well as learn more of his network both in China and in Canada.

[. . . . There is more omitted from below. ]

* variously spelled Li Ka-shing, Li Kashing, Li Ka Shing I have noted. There are probably other names . . . if you are interested.


Main post: Follow the Yellow--Red--Brick Road #1 to #7 Dec. 15, 05


Don't forget the leaders' debate on television tonight.




Gremlins & Posting Difficulties -&- the Skinny from the Trusted Ones on the Debate -- Read the fine print here

Every time I try to post anything lately, I have trouble gettin into Blogger. Posts develop changes almost immediately, changes that I did not make. Why are my posts "redirected", coming out of the Maritimes? Are the Gremlins at work? Is it Microsoft redirecting, since I happen to be using its browser right now? Is the problem one of difficulty--the extreme difficulty--of getting past the hub through which all information, all internet traffic flows to and from the Maritimes? Who control that? What group(s)? Or is this just propinquity? -- the kind of propinquity that kicks in only at certain times and with selected topics?

I have mentioned hacks and spoofs. There is no freedom of information nor of information flow in Canada.

I have mentioned before the difficulty of posting when there is what might be termed "sensitive" information in a post. Figure it out. It is not difficult.

Today, CBC has been--positively ecstatic sounding, in my opinion--recounting the story of Frank Stronach's Magna Corporation and its efforts in Louisiana to set up a new community for some Hurricane Katrina victims.

Why have CBC presenters been burbling excitedly about this big corporation, Magna's humanitarian gesture?

Did the gambling monies help -- the ones mentioned in a post Dec. 13, 05 entitled "Of Babes and Bets"? Did CBC's burble have anything to do with Belinda?
(Belinda Stronach, sometimes known by someone I know as 'that turncoat')


Why is CBC doing this also? Pre-election, the day after a party leaders' debate, which CBC is trying convince us was dull--by putting the idea in listeners' heads that there were no fireworks--why is CBC so intent on getting this across to the electorate that perhaps we can expect tonight's debate to be not worth watching? This taxpayer funded CBC is interfering in the dissemination of information. Why is CBC attempting to direct viewers away from tonight's leaders' debate, something Canadians should be interested in, and that CBC will present on its own CBC network? The MotherCorps doing its Liberal Propaganda Department work.

There are recent other posts which might be worth reading before they develop Gremlins.

Previous Posts this week

Poll & Opinion of Leaders, Web & Worms, Memory Lane: Bombardier, The wisdom of friends: The News & How to sell a dead Donkey

Memory Lane: the Breakdown Lane

Paul Martin, Medisys, Income Trusts, Tracks & Trails -&- Scott Reid, Robot Bartender

Dear Minister: On the occasion of the PWGSC sale -- pre-Christmas & pre-election?

PWGSC selling Maritimes' RCMP HQ Bldg? With Others, More Gremlin Spoor -&- Lib Gets Wind Power Contract--Keep your friends close & LibGov(s) closer

Of Babes and Bets

Bribery, Paul Cochrane & Native Treatment Center, PWGSC Etc, Jean Chretien & $7,000 Dinner, Business, China, Liberals & Ignatieff, Putch, Quotas

More Gremlin Spoor -&- Links Corrected

EDC, Trust & Trusts, "Not" coaching, Handgun Owner, Adler, US, McKenna & Martin, Video, Bonding

Was Maurice Strong at the Climate Conference? Questions: Trent & International Consortium on Anti-Virals (ICAV), Emergency Preparedness & Navy





Updated: Li Ka-shing Benefactor, CSL & CITIC -&- Follow the Yellow--Red--Brick Road #1 to #7

Two Updates follow and there is another new post below, entitled "More Skunks at the Garden Party":

Update 1: This occurred in 1986 ...

Canada Steamship Lines partnered with China in 1986 -- "There’s a stench here that smells more like nepotism than narcissus." -- "A business cooperation agreement was signed here today [1986] between CITIC (China International Trust and Investment Corporation and CSL (Canada Steamship Lines Inc.)." Brian McAdam & Judi McLeod, Friday, December 16, 2005


Update 2: This is how to network -- how it is done in Canada

I noticed an advertorial that is worth the price of the National Post today. There is a MASSIVE advertisement of Li Ka Shing's* vast generosity to Canadians:


Li Ka-shing Gift of Knowledge to St. Michael's Hospital

St. Michael's Hospital receives transformative $25 million gift to build one-of-a-kind institute


You might want to learn more about Li Ka-shing, benefactor to Canada, to various politicians, as well as learn more of his network both in China and in Canada.

May I suggest you start digging. As time permits, I shall post (that is, if I am able to even enter Blogger to post). I posted some information, News Junkie Canada (Feb. 24 or 25, 04, Mar. 1, 04) and, while some links have Gremlins (Spoor) and one source has been defunct for a while, there are others for the same information. I have posted new links since, perhaps in Aug, Sept. or early Oct. 2005 -- when hackers were very active. I shall look further. There are other links on Frost Hits the Rhubarb, as well.

* variously spelled Li Ka-shing, Li Kashing, Li Ka Shing I have noted. There are probably other names . . . if you are interested.


End of Updates





Link to the whole series, #1 to #7: Follow the Yellow--Red--Brick Road #1 to #7 posted Dec. 15, 05

Table of Contents only: Follow the Yellow--Red--Brick Road #1 to #7 -- includes a brief idea of what are included

I have not had time to write an adequate introduction to all of this. Perhaps it is not necessary. If you skim all seven posts, you will get the idea. NJC



Follow the Yellow--Red--Brick Road #1

The Universities: Centers for Intellectual Exploration of Ideas and Free Speech . . . or are they? -- Global Governance and Paul Martin -- "A blueprint for world government " -- Paul Martin's vision for the globe

"an example of how the global governance crowd through NGO's and the UN are able to bypass the electorate"

Note that there is Gremlin Spoor: a link was missing

Defeat of Bills C-31, C-32 -- "the opposition parties joined forces and defeated Bills C-31 and C-32, the bills to split the Foreign Affairs Department and the International Trade Department." -- "things came out of the" Foreign Affairs Committee that caused the critic and the leadership to say they didn't want to support the bills. "-- "there are problems"

There is mention of Louise Frechette, Kofi Annan, the UN, and more.

Follow the Yellow--Red--Brick Road #2

Note: What follows is lengthy but I believe it has more impact now that some time has passed and an election is in the offing. It is time to consider this government's priorities. The place to start is with the Budget. Anything in green is important or has implications, in my estimation, while red is used to draw attention to others. I have commented liberally throughout, usually coloured blue, but not always.

Suggestion: Always note Gremlin Spoor in the original posts. I have found that when links become corrupted, it is usually worth looking further.

I believe that the first link developed a problem, too, so maybe people did not get the file nor the full impact of the PM & Team's plans.

The Budget 2005: Chapter 6 -- "Meeting our Global Responsibilities" -- the chapter with security information -- Note what is emphasized in chapter 6. -- This is the chapter with the details that should not be missed; emphasis is all. The following is from my commentary on the original document when I first posted.





This chapter includes several aspects before it gets to what we usually think of as protecting Canadians' security-- RCMP and CSIS -- "eye-catching blocks. Note what is highlighted" -- much more emphasis on the "global" than on the "national" and this chapter seems heavily weighted in emphasis toward trade and business.


Follow the Yellow--Red--Brick Road #3

Canadians' Taxes, Globalization and Other Agendas

Follow the Yellow--Red--Brick Road #4

Background: Tracing Threads and Networks

What follow are what I consider the main points of the post Media Hatchet Job in the Maritimes ... Global TV 'News' posted Dec. 6, 05

That one item is what started this quest to learn more, an investigation which grew and became more wide-ranging than that little news item on Global TV would have led me to expect.

Follow the Yellow--Red--Brick Road #5

Preserving Indigenous, Non-Official, or Second Languages -- "Commissioner Dyane Adam used a four-day government business trip to Beijing" . . .

This section will explore another government project--an academic project, possibly an academic job development and departmental expansion project--using tax money which benefits a few and which, in this case, may not help the natives, but will use the good-will of its participants.

Follow the Yellow--Red--Brick Road #6


Linguistic Development of a Heritage Language: Innu-aimun [on the government helping in the North

"Our government, the helping professions and the long-term planners . . . working together . . . to improve lives . . . and the world . . . "


Follow the Yellow--Red--Brick Road #7

Globalization and UN activism in Canada with Big Brother and the Enablers

This section touches upon the Kyoto Accord, women's issues and issues not discussed, media complicity in the closing down of debate and discussion . . . and why.

A quotation from that section:







What must change in Canada is the disenfranchisement--the exclusion from discussion--of the views of Canadians whose positions differ from those of the current government, the mainstream media located in Canada's centre, and those who live off the work and taxes of others. . . all those--erroneously--known as 'elites'. Government funding and perquisites do not an 'elite' make.

While I have considered Kyoto and women's issues as incomplete explorations of societal concerns, as well as mainstream media and government's complicity in narrowing debate, it is the UN's influence in all this in Canada that presently concerns me. . . .



Follow the Yellow--Red--Brick Road #1 to #7 posted Dec. 15, 05 -- the complete series







More Skunks Kicking up Their Heels at the Garden Party

Gremlins hate Woods Kitties so you will find spoor tracks; you might also find information that may be related to:

Gremlins & Posting Difficulties -&- the Skinny from the Trusted Ones on the Debate -- Read the fine print here

Updated: Li Ka-shing Benefactor, CSL & CITIC -&- Follow the Yellow--Red--Brick Road #1 to #7



Spoor Tracks!

Note the space: That is how Gremlins work -- a space here, a corrupted link there.

Oct. 2, 05

http://
frosthitsthe
rhubarb.blogspot.com/ 2005_10_02_frost
hitstherhubarb_archive.html

Correct Link (without the Gremlin Spoor)

http://
frosthitsthe
rhubarb.blogspot.com/2005_10_02_frost
hitstherhubarb_archive.html

Search: Your Privacy, Foreigners, Influence, Priorities, Ownership & RADARSAT 1 & 2




Privacy Concerns: RADARSAT 1, RADARSAT 2

Hansard Oct. 4, 05 -- "Canadian taxpayers have funded approximately 75% of the development of the satellite. That is $450 million of Canadian tax dollars that were invested in the satellite that will be 100% commercially owned."

Remote Sensing Space Systems Act




I have noted more popular skunks at the garden party which might be worth checking, until I post again:

June 23, 2005

http://
frosthitstherhubarb.blogspot.com/2005/06/
security-food-pandemic-torture-china.html

June 19, 05

http://
frosthitstherhubarb.blogspot.com/
2005_06_19_frosthitstherhubarb_archive.html

Canada's North and Security

Global warming opens Northwest Passage
Levon Sevunts, Washington Times, June 13, 05 . . . .

Canadian Research in the North -- "international cooperation"

CHAPTER 8 - SUPPORTING SCIENTIFIC, EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL COOPERATION IN THE ARCTIC


http://
www.parl.gc.ca/committees352/fore/
reports/07_1997-04/chap8e.html




In my opinion, no northern or circumpolar foreign policy in Canada will have tangible success if it's not based on the continuity of Canadian research in the North. But that research must heretofore also offer opportunities and possibilities for development; development in training, education, economic development and business opportunities for our northern populations. . . .

Michel Allard, Director of the Centre d' tudes nordiques,
Laval University
. . . .



The Canadian North: Embracing Change -- pdf -- Centre for Research and Information on Canada (CRIC), 2000 McGill College Avenue, Suite 250, Montréal, Quebec H3A 3H3. 1-800-363-0963, Fax: (514) 843-4590. www.ccu-cuc.ca

http://
www.cric.ca/pdf/cahiers/
cricpapers_june2002.pdf

Search: Table of Contents

Stephen Kakfwi, Premier of the Northwest Territories
Aboriginal Peoples in Northern Canada: The Peaceful Revolution Meets Global Capital
Politics and Government in the Territorial North: Familiar and Exotic [. . . . ]

Search: UNRESOLVED SOVEREIGNTY

[I wrote at the time, June 19, 2005:]




Canada is hoping to encourage immigrants to move to areas other than the big cities. Want to make a guess? Can Inuktituk as a language of global commerce be far behind? -- in my humble opinion, of course. Check for language programs and funding for them within agreements.


[Was that precient, or not? ]

Bombardier Transport décroche une commande de 239 M$US -- needs translation but the rough translation I found online was of interest. Check for an article on "Équipe Canada signs for 340 M$ of contracts in Russia"

http://
argent.canoe.com/lca/infos/quebec/
archives/2005/05/20050509-091021.html



Kyoto: triggering government funding & "broadcast quality" -- Government information control is insidious.

http://
frosthitstherhubarb.blogspot.com/
2005_05_08_frosthitstherhubarb_archive.html

This site is amazingly difficult to find sometimes if you do not know that it is:

canadafreepress.com -- not .ca

Kyoto Protocol--Propaganda or Censorship?
by Garth Pritchard, Canadafreepress.com
Saturday, May 7, 2005

http://
canadafreepress.com/2005/cover050705.htm



Scroll down for several posts:

Now, to Science for Peace and where that led

http://
frosthitstherhubarb.blogspot.com/
2005_03_27_frosthitstherhubarb_archive.html

Science for Peace -- University of Guelph and I noted a branch at Pugwash, Nova Scotia, though it is listed without a link and along with McMaster.

Center for Peace Studies, McMaster University

Very interesting links: Centres and Organizations & NGOs and Other Resources , one of which led to Pugwash.

Pugwash, listed along with McMaster University, actually does have a website; an excerpt follows.

Pugwash, how it began -- "In their Private Capacity" ....





[B]ecause of the stature of many of the Pugwash participants in their own countries (as, for example, science and arms-control advisers to governments, key figures in academies of science and universities, and former and future holders of high government office), insights from Pugwash discussions tend to penetrate quickly to the appropriate levels of official policy-making.

The Pugwash Conferences take their name from the location of the first meeting, which was held in 1957 in the village of Pugwash, Nova Scotia, Canada, birthplace of the American philanthropist Cyrus Eaton, who hosted the meeting.[I believe this is the man who maintained ties with the USSR during the Cold War.]
. . . .

. . . . By late 2002, there have been over 275 Pugwash Conferences, Symposia, and Workshops, with a total attendance of over 10,000 . . . . A basic rule is that participation is always by individuals in their private capacity (not as representatives of governments or organizations. [. . . . ]

Pugwash Online: Conferences on science and world affairs

http://
www.pugwash.org/about.htm

There are posts, that may be of interest, omitted here.

UN conference in Waterloo March 29, 2005, 570 News staff - 11:17 am
[check for link.]

Search / do further research: Paul Heinbecker, Allan Rock, Louise Frechette, Centre for International Governance Innovation

Two links for some information on the background of Canada's Louise Frechette:

Scroll down Frost Hits the Rhubarb, Feb. 27, 05, for "Kofi Annan’s #2 is Canada's Louise Fréchette. Louise Fréchette served under Prime Minister Paul Martin when he held the title of Canada's Minister of Finance."


FOXnEWS.COM - U.S. & World - Annan's #2 Blocks Oil-for-Food Scrutiny [#2 is Louise Frechette]

Major UN conference slated for Canada -- University of Waterloo March 28, 2005, CP.

Note: This is the university employing the founder and head of the Canadian Islamic Congress, Mr. Mohammed Elmasry, the one who made rather intemperate statements on jihad and Jews on the Michael Coren show.

Waterloo, Ont. — About 90 top diplomats, politicians and other international experts from around the world are expected to attend a three-day conference in this southern Ontario city to discuss United Nations reform.

Conference attracts leading United Nations experts to discuss future reforms March 30, 2005




The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), the Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS) and Wilfrid Laurier University are co-sponsoring . . . . Paul Heinbecker, senior distinguished fellow at CIGI and director of Laurier Centre for Global Relations -- Canada's former ambassador to the U-N, Paul Heinbecker . . . . CIGI, which is supported by the Government of Canada as well as the private sector, is an independent centre . . . .



Incomplete: There is much more but I have no more time.

See also: July 27, 2004

http://
frosthitstherhubarb.blogspot.com/
2004_07_25_frosthitstherhubarb_archive.html

July 25, 2004

Identity Theft, Security, Terrorists, Syria, NW Airlines, Military Helicopters & Cormorant -- The Usual -- Snafu

April 17, 05

http://
frosthitstherhubarb.blogspot.com/
2005_04_17_frosthitstherhubarb_archive.html

UNSCAM: More on the Canadian Connection, Sudan's Refugees & Slavery--For Oil-TotalFinaElf-PetroChina-& Other Slavery-Terrorism Supporters

'The Maustro' admits connection to `Koreagate Man' Judi McLeod, Editor, April 19, 2005

A Canadian Connection Through TotalFinaElf & Canada's Desmarais Family

May 22, 05

http://
frosthitstherhubarb.blogspot.com/
2005_05_22_frosthitstherhubarb_archive.html

Ottawa set to speed course toward native self sufficiency Sue Bailey, May 26, 05

http://
cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/
2005/05/26/1057566-cp.html

OTTAWA (CP) - The federal government is set to sign a new deal that sources say would dramatically change how Ottawa treats First Nations. . . . meant to ease access to natural resources

May 26, 2005

Newsbeat1: Media, Gomery: Kroll Lindquist Avey, "Creative Integrity"

"Forensic study backs allegations from Brault" Christie Blatchford, May 25, 05

http://
www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/
TPStory/LAC/20050525/BLATCHFORD25/TPComment/Columnists

Testimony at the Gomery Commission yesterday: Aide now in PMO says he was once paid by Corriveau Tu Thanh Ha and Daniel LeBlanc, May 26, 05

Search: Gaetano Manganiello

http://
www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/
TPStory/LAC/20050525/GOMERY25/TPNational/TopStories


Atlantic Canadians can click way to millions with new online lottery service -- also, a link to articles on developing "gaming" software using taxpayers' money through ACOA grant(s)

http://
newsjunkiecanada.blogspot.com/
2004_07_27_newsjunkiecanada_ar
chive.html#109093639755257405


Atlantic Canadians can click way to millions with new online lottery service , Susan Aitken, July 25, 04

http://
cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/TechNews/
TechInvestor/2004/07/25/556941-cp.html

June 24, 2004

Our Government, Your Tax Dollars, Gambling/"Gaming", Regional Development Agencies, ACOA, Biometric Identification and Associated Material

http://
newsjunkiecanada.blogspot.com/
2004_06_24_newsjunkiecanada_archive.html

In a Nutshell -- Minister of Defense: Bill Graham

http://
www.smalldeadanimals.com/archives/000593.html

Public Works still a mess -- Missing ad files, poor supervision cited in latest audit July 26, 2004, CP

Chretien's Legacy--A Short List

http://
newsjunkiecanada.blogspot.com/
2003_11_17_newsjunkiecanada_archive.html


December 14, 2005

Poll & Opinion of Leaders, Web & Worms, Memory Lane: Bombardier, The wisdom of friends: The News & How to sell a dead Donkey

Make your views known.

See The Starat the top right: Party leaders

http://
www.thestar.com

http://
www.thestar.com/cgi-bin/star_static.cgi?section=news&page=/Forms/speak_out/051214_partyleader.html

Who do you think is the most effective party leader?

Paul Martin
Stephen Harper
Jack Layton
Gilles Duceppe

Note: you have to trust The Star's privacy policy and those who do not do not record their views -- so that definitely influences poll results.


Several times I have mentioned this problem: Computer Security -- and several links to more information -- watch for spoofed emails too.

Jack's Newswatch Dec. 13, 05, had a link to information about a new computer worm seemingly scheduled for January. Check his site for it.


Should the UN control the internet?

Pajamas Media: Whose internet is it anyway? Part III


Ghosts of Christmas Past John Burtis, Dec. 3, 2005



Memory Lane: Bombardier, the company Canadians have so generously supported with their tax $$$

This came to my attention through Google while I was looking for something else. Check further. What about all the Canadians' hard-earned tax $$$ that have gone into propping up Bombardier? Do Canadian workers get a refund? Should those Canadians who lose their jobs as a result of this not get that money?

Debates - Issue 92 - October 26, 2005

Mira Spivak: Honourable senators, over the weekend it was reported that Bombardier is set to outsource jobs to Mexico. The company is expected to announce ...

www.parl.gc.ca/38/1/parlbus/chambus/senate/ deb-e/092db_2005-10-26-E.htm?Language=E&Parl=38&Ses=1


The wisdom of friends

From a US friend: Comment on the News

"TV news of significance gets 10 second sound bytes, but silly videos, or an execution of a quadruple murderer and founder of a gang that caused untold grief get discussed all day, day after day, while really nothing of much sense is being said. For any decent news one has to turn to the BBC."




Today's Dedication and comment from a friend

How to sell a dead Donkey......

A young man named *** bought a donkey from an old farmer for $100.00. The farmer agreed to deliver the donkey the next day. When the farmer drove up the next day, he said, "Sorry son, but I have some bad news...the donkey is on my truck, but he's dead."

*** replied, "Well then, just give me my money back."

The farmer said, "I Can't do that. I went and spent it already."

*** said, "OK then, just unload the donkey anyway".

The farmer asked, "What are ya gonna do with him?"

*** said, "I'm going to raffle him off."

To which the farmer exclaimed, "You can't raffle off a dead donkey!"

But ***, with a big smile on his face, said, "Sure I can. Watch me. I just won’t tell anybody that he's dead."

A month later the farmer met up with *** and asked, "What happened with that dead donkey?"

*** said, "I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at two dollars a piece and made a profit of $698.00."

Totally amazed, the farmer asked, "Didn't anyone complain that you had stolen their money because you lied about the donkey being dead?"

And *** replied, "The only guy who found out about the donkey being dead was the raffle winner, when he came to claim his prize. So I gave him his $2 back plus $200 extra, which is double the going value of a donkey, so he thought I was a great guy."

*** grew up and eventually became the PM of CA, and no matter how many times he (lied) misspoke himself or how much money he (stole) acquired or taxed away from CA voters, as long as he gave them back some of the (stolen) money, most of them thought he was a great guy.



Dedicated to *** ... and Merry CHRISTmas



Memory Lane: the Breakdown Lane

Paul Martin's Shady Financial Transaction of the Day June 09, 05

FHTR Sept. 4, 05 to Sept. 10, 05 -- Search: "...Terrorism, UN, Strong: Two Views, Navy & Communication Problem, Trusts & Taxes" , among other items, some of which follow.

FHTR week of Sept. 4-10, 05: Diversity "Success": Home Buyers and Businessmen -- You want to read of some immigration and diversity "successes"? Read on. and do look at the rest of the information on this web page on the diversity in the businesses

[. . . . ] The **********-based criminal organizations engaged in marihuana cultivation follow a systematic procedure. Well-spoken individuals are usually hired to lease or buy a house. [. . . . ]

The companies catered exclusively to ********** customers. On top of the usual sale of equipment, they were offering a whole array of services, from setting up the equipment and supplying clones to harvesting the plants and finding buyers for the crop. [. . . . ]

Many *****-based criminal organizations are known for their propensity for extreme violence, especially among their own community. Competition between those groups is often fierce, which leads to major crimes such as home invasions, assaults, and homicides.


Unfortunately, no-one checked their business methods before they were allowed to enter.

Check the site for which group(s) this involves. Is it a hate crime if the names are omitted in telling the truth?



Police investigating Toronto's 53rd homicide, two shootings

There are more items, if you have time to skim.



Memory Lane: Paul Martin’s Future Cabinet -- choice quotations

FHTR week of Sept. 4-10, 05: Paul Martin’s Future Cabinet September 2, 2005

[following an article on PM and possibly shuffling his cabinet reported in the G&M, August 27, 2005 -- Some have been omitted; these seemed currently of interest.]

Jim Peterson, Minister of Labour: The federal Liberals won't weep for Canadian jobs lost to cheaper labour markets in China and India, says Jim Peterson (Winnipeg Free Press, February 9, 2005).[. . . . ]

Jean Lapierre, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Official Languages: “You know some people have lived in a dream world for years… Maybe it’s time they wake up – there’s an English Canada and a French Canada.” (Kitchener-Waterloo Record, March 16, 1990).

Keith Martin, Minister of Health: "We need a new Canada Health Act that […] will allow the provinces to explore different funding models. One option the provinces should consider is to allow private facilities to operate completely independently from the public system." (Windsor Star, March 2, 2004).

Scott Brison, Minister of State for ACOA: “I’m an Atlantic Canadian MP who had the guts to say ACOA isn’t working for Atlantic Canada, and getting rid of it,” (Halifax Daily News, February 2, 2003). “I believe we need to replace failed regional economic development programs and corporate welfare with dramatic corporate-tax reductions, because the market can pick winners and losers better than bureaucrats.” Scott Brison (Ottawa Citizen, May 17, 2003).[. . . . ]

Reg Alcock, Minister of State for Western Economic Development: On Western Economic Diversification: “I don’t think it is a very effective organization and I think it is a lot of money for very little return. It’s just an enormous Ponzi scheme.” (Winnipeg Free Press, November 17, 2003).

Dan McTeague . . . .
Paul Szabo . . . .
David Emerson . . . .

Hedy Fry, Political Minister for British Columbia: “You can just go to British Columbia, and Prince George, where crosses are being burned on lawns, as we speak…Yes. I know of this Mr. Speaker, because I was contacted immediately that these incidents occurred by the Mayor of Prince George (the Mayor of Prince George denied contacting her).” (The National, CBC-TV, March 22, 2001).

Senator Eymard Corbin, Leader of the Government in the Senate, with special responsibility for transportation and infrastructure: Corbin has called for a special extra lane for Senators arriving on and leaving Parliament Hill and called for security procedures not to apply. . . . "We are here by command of Her Majesty and we have a job to do. For that reason, we should be respected." Making matters worse, even leaving is annoying. There is traffic. Corbin suggested that Senators could get their own special lane to speed their departure. (Moncton Times and Transcript, October 14, 2002).

Jack Layton . . . . “I’ve never campaigned on tax cuts and I’ve never promised not to raise taxes if it needed to be raised. I don’t see taxpaying as a sin.” (Victoria Times-Colonist, August 7th, 2002).

Roger Gallaway has expressed concerns about the government’s lack of scrutiny on Kyoto. (London Free Press, October 31st, 2002)."I think it's an act of insanity." (Sarnia Observer, November 2, 2002).

Belinda Stronach, Deputy Prime Minister (responsible for standing in for the Prime Minister when he is away): "They tell me that I'm Paul Martin in a cocktail dress, but let me ask you, who can bake a better economic pie?" said Ms. Stronach (National Post, March 20, 2004). [Read: "Of Bets and Babes" -- on a Stronach family member's economic pie -- posted Dec. 13, 05

http://
frosthitstherhubarb.blogspot.com/
2005/12/of-babes-and-bets.html ]



December 13, 2005

Paul Martin, Medisys, Income Trusts, Tracks & Trails -&- Scott Reid, Robot Bartender

PAUL MARTIN'S INVESTMENT HOLDINGS TorontoTory, December 11, 2005

Bloggers like Stephen Taylor and MK Braaten are hot on Paul Martin's trail, establishing links between his circle and the Income Trust insider training schedule.

MK Braaten mentions Medisys. I wrote about Medisys here, and the company's donations / other connections to Paul Martin. Enjoy. :)

In case it helps, there may be something in Paul Martin's Investment Holding Disclosure:

Paul Martin has declared the following: [. . . . ]


A goodly list from another member of Pack-Rats-R-Us, obviously.



PRIVATE HEALTH CARE GAVE MONEY TO PAUL MARTIN TorontoTory, June 13, 2005 -- links are within the article on torontoTory


Paul Martin says "We're not going to have a two-tier health care system in this country and nobody wants that!"

Except for Paul Martin, of course. Paul Martin goes to Medisys. Medisys claims that they are "the largest private, preventative health care company in Canada". Also, "Medisys believes that the corporate vision it has implemented will help it maintain its leadership role in the health care industry for years to come".

[. . . . ] Have a look at the management team at Medisys. At the very top of the page, you will notice a man named Dr. Sheldon Elman. He just happens to be the "Founder, PResident and CEO".

I cross-referenced this name with donations to Paul Martin's campaign. [. . . . ]


Search: Board of Directors , Senator Leo Kolber , unnamed, numbered corporation



Income Trusts: Suspicious activity prior to Goodale's announcement StephenTaylor, December 11, 2005


[. . . . ] So, prior to the Goodale announcement on November 23rd at 6:00pm, it is alleged that a few people received advance word of either the details of finance minister's announcement or just that he was going to make one. What follows are volume graphs that I made of the most acutely traded income trusts prior to Goodale's announcement. The volume of the trading is listed as "unusual" on stocktrends.ca.

Click each of the following graphs to enlarge. [. . . . ]



Don't miss all those graphs.

Example: Medisys--See StephenTaylor.ca for others.




Martin linked Medisys Income Trust stock volume increased 3400% the day before Goodale trust announcement MKBraaten, December 10, 2005


[. . . . ] The volume of shares traded for Paul Martin linked Medisys Income Trust shares the day before the Income Trust announcement seems way to high to be a ‘co-incidence’. The volume increased 3400% from the prior day, and the following day, dropped back down about the same amount. [. . . . ]



Another chart for Medisys Health Group (MHG.UN-T)

Globe Investor: Medisys -- jpg

Goodale may give direction on trust strategy STEVEN CHASE AND SINCLAIR STEWART, 00:00 EST Wednesday, Nov 23, 2005


OTTAWA, TORONTO -- Finance Minister Ralph Goodale signalled yesterday he may provide investors some direction on a proposed solution to the income trust dilemma before his Liberal government topples on Monday, a sudden change of timing that experts believe could pave the way for a politically popular dividend tax cut.

[. . . . ] Finance-watchers said the minister appears to be floating a trial balloon to gauge whether there would be huge opposition to an early solution.

Toronto-Dominion bank chief economist Don Drummond predicted in September that there was a 50-per-cent probability of the Liberals cutting the effective rate of tax on dividends if they acted on income trusts before an election.


Search: Jack Mintz, president of the C.D. Howe Institute



MPs cry foul; Paul Martin's doctor runs private clinics CBC, 07 May 2004 21:38:56


OTTAWA - Opposition politicians are calling Paul Martin a hypocrite after finding out that his personal physician heads a private health care clinic in Montreal.


Dr. Sheldon Elman is the founder and CEO of the Medisys Health Group. He has been Martin's doctor for 23 years.


[. . . . ] . . . 2003 revenue as $53 million . . . private MRI clinics.


[. . . . ] "My primary health coverage…is my medicare card and that's what I use all the time when I go to a public clinic," says Martin. "I don't believe in queue-jumping."




Some time in the last year, I received an unexpected phone call, medical-related, offering me an appointment with a specialist, and I had no idea what it was about. It turned out that well over two years previously, a physician had requested it. Whatever diagnostic or other purpose the appointment had been intended for, nature had instituted a cure and I had forgotten, if I ever knew. With wait times so lengthy, can you imagine if it were something really urgent? Such a wait time for someone in real need and in pain would be simply dreadful.

My standard cures won't always work--read, listen to music, have a drink and then go to bed--but what happens if and when they won't? That day will come eventually. . . . what if?



Scott Reid blowing our money on...


Scott Reid is probably the highest of top-level advisors to our Prime Minister. On Sunday morning, he complained that parents should not be able to get any money from the government (under the Conservative plan) because parents can't be trusted to spend it on things that their children might need.

"Don't give people $25 a day to blow on beer and popcorn." -- Scott Reid, spokesman for Prime Minister Paul Martin


[. . . . ] Let's take a look at Scott Reid's hospitality expenses for 2005 (Jan 1 - Jun 15)... [. . . . ]



Worth checking. If you do, you'll understand why it seems fitting to include at this juncture:

The Robot bartender -- diversion

A man enters a bar and orders a drink. The bar has a robot bartender. The robot serves him a perfectly prepared cocktail, and then asks him, "What's your IQ?"

The man replies "150" and the robot proceeds to make conversation about global warming factors, quantum physics and spirituality, biomimicry, environmental interconnectedness, string theory, nano-technology, and sexual proclivities.

The customer is very impressed and thinks, "This is really cool." He decides to test the robot. He walks out of the bar, turns around, and comes back in for another drink. Again, the robot serves him the perfectly prepared drink and asks him,"What's your IQ?"

The man responds, "about a 100." Immediately the robot starts talking, but this time, about football, NASCAR, baseball, supermodels, favorite fast foods, guns, and women. Really impressed, the man leaves the bar and decides to give the robot one more test. He heads out and returns, the robot serves him and asks,"What's your IQ?" The man replies, "Er, 50, I think."

And the robot says... real slowly... "So............... ya gonna vote for the Liberals again?"



Dedicated to Our Glorious Leader & Team -- and thanks to H, the friend who supplied this.





Dear Minister: On the occasion of the PWGSC sale -- pre-Christmas & pre-election?

I have been thinking of the sale of Canadians' real estate by the PWGSC, buildings such as the RCMP headquarters for the Maritimes, situated in NS; then I thought of the the Minister, a Maritimer, involved in such weighty decisions and $$$. It seemed the time to write a note to the Minister, in the spirit of the season. NJC


Dear Minister Brison:

Did you have any idea what a can of worms PM & Team were handing you when you [sold your spritely soul] offered your principled abilities in the service of the present government and crossed the floor to become Minister of PWGSC last year, all because you felt more at home with PM's Liberal Team? . . . Of course, you had lost your chance to lead the Conservatives . . . but we know, you must have been thinking of leaving on principle, even then. You didn't know what you were getting into, we can be certain.

Now you have to run and account for this massive--in my humble opinion, ethically-challenged and possibly corruption-riddled--department, one of the black holes into which taxpayer $$$ are sluiced by . . . to . . . ?

Oh, Scott, Oh . . . woe!

I wish the best of the (holy) holiday season to you during (your travails) this joyous season.

Merry CHRISTmas

Yer humble fellow citizen and neighbour . . . unable to afford a government building . . .

PS: On second thought, may I suggest you just test my willingness to . . . 'trade' . . . 'barter' . . . for a chance to get in on the sale--the Perpetual Pork--that appears to have been the hallmark of government for . . . lo, these many years. Just try me. You'll find I'm as flexible as de udder guys.

PPS: I'm thinking about going back to the fold this year too . . . so you'll have to catch me soon with that offer . . . before I'm saved.



PWGSC selling Maritimes' RCMP HQ Bldg? With Others, More Gremlin Spoor -&- Lib Gets Wind Power Contract--Keep your friends close & LibGov(s) closer

Bumped up--important. See sections in green, at least.


PWGSC selling Maritimes' RCMP HQ Building?


What's going on? Who (What Liberals) are buying? Or are these for the other unsuspecting fellers?

Will they sell RCMP buildings so they can give their friends favorable government leases?? Dec. 11, 05


"Bill Casey says he can’t believe the federal government wants to get rid of the buildings housing the regional RCMP headquarters in the four Atlantic provinces.

"It just doesn’t make sense to sell these buildings and put those offices into rental facilities, especially when we live in a time of heightened security and new threats that we’ve never seen before," the Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit MP said Saturday.

"It also doesn’t make sense to do it at a time when the auditor general just came out and said the RCMP doesn’t have the resources they need to work with.

""Taking their headquarters and privatizing them is an idea I just can’t fathom."




Ottawa studies selloff of federal buildings

Process could create new era in private-public partnerships
By Mike Levin - Business Edge (Mike Levin can be reached at levin@businessedge.ca), Published: 06/23/2005 - Vol. 1, No. 12

This article has become more interesting with the passage of time, IMHO


The divestiture is being overseen by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC).
...327 government-owned buildings...PWGSC's internal audit...$3.3 billion [. . . . ]


[. . . . ] Francois Brazeau, outgoing director general for alternate service delivery at PWGSC, [. . . . ]


High up the priority list of possible actions are selling and then leasing back some or all of the properties; entering partnerships with private buyers; or forming a real estate investment trust (REIT) that would give unitholders a market-determined return on investment.


...40 years old...need renovations...high environmental standards...energy efficiency. [. . . . ]
...unprecedented in Canada...


In the early 1990s, PWGSC began outsourcing day-to-day management of its buildings. Taking the next step and outsourcing ownership is seen by Minister of Public Works and Government Services Scott Brison as the best way to make the assets more efficient.


[. . . . ] $2.2 billion to manage [. . . . ]


Brison . . .$925 million over five years.


[. . . . ] Dennis Devine, a vice-president with Royal LePage Advisors Inc. in Ottawa.


"Possible buyers. . . institutional investors like pension funds," . . .


The inventory is spread throughout Canada, and includes 112 buildings in Ontario, 30 in British Columbia and seven in Alberta.


Among the candidates are Place du Portage in Gatineau, which houses PWGSC's headquarters; Natural Resources Canada's Booth Street Complex in Ottawa; 4900 Yonge St. in Toronto; the Harry Hays Building in Calgary; Canada Place in Edmonton; the Government of Canada building in Red Deer; and the Sinclair Centre, Library Square and 401 Burrard St. in Vancouver. [. . . . ]


Brazeau .... PWGSC ....to commission a study. [Where have I heard that phrase before? I remember, the House of Commons.]


In April, PWGSC began soliciting [. . . . ] it is expected that a contract will be awarded before the end of the summer. [Which Liberal got this contract?]


[. . . . ] "I can't see how a REIT would make sense here because it's based on income growth, and (the government) is talking about long-term fixed rents," Charters says.


"The methods need a lot of due diligence. . . . need a pretty good leaseback. . . .


[. . . . ]...short-term cashflow...long-term use of public resources...gives up...control...


[. . . . ] strategic properties, ... maybe the private sector can do a better job. [. . . . ]


Distribution of Buildings
* Alberta 7
* British Columbia 30
* Manitoba 10
* New Brunswick 30
* Newfoundland 38
* Nova Scotia 28
* Ontario 112
* Quebec 56
* P.E.I. 10
* Saskatchewan 6
- Source: PWGS [ PWGSC ]


Thanks to Pack-Rats-R-Us for this. Is it just the normal work of the system? ***


There are many links and items worth reading on Newsbeat1 so I have listed some headers; however, some items are so important to Canadians that I have posted excerpts below.

Articles of Import:

* Pretty condescending way to treat the Canadian public- inferring that the Liberals would know how to spend your money better than parents

* Parents of slain teen say prime minister's proposed handgun ban will do nothing to stop youth violence-via jacksnewswatch.info


"Once steadfast Liberals, Huxtable and his wife Yvette, both Jamaican immigrants, now say Liberal crime policies help create teen gang violence. [. . . ]


Worth reading.

* Protecting Canadians? Looks like they handcuffed the Mounties and left the criminals free to prey on Canadians


"The registry was a bureaucratic nightmare which was so over-budget and underperforming that .... not many in the media seemed to notice? [. . . . ]

This latest announcement is basically an admission of understaffing ....even more demands placed on the services of the RCMP after 9/11 -air marshalls, intelligence, infrastructure protection which required even more officers.Throw into the mix the fact that . . .

[. . . . ] some enterprising journalists should find out how [. . . . ]


Links with the above

If they were fully staffed why the need for additional officers?If they were truly interested in protecting the public they would have added 500 officers/yr for 5 years but it's all smoke and mirrors anyway.In fact they should have been added just after 9/11.It's not like they didn't have the money available or anything.

Ron Moran, CEUDA's National President, says, "If the Liberals want to be taken seriously about stopping crime and murders from handguns in Canada, they have look at the flow of those guns across the border; they have to make our border more secure. Simply making handguns illegal is almost pointless when the border is so porous and unarmed. All we hear from them is they've spent in the neighbourhood of $9 billion on security since 9/11, but who's kidding who?"


* The gun ban announcement was nothing more than a drive by photo op to pretend they were doing something.........Jack sees through the BS -- "and he should know"

* Income Trusts "here's something Martin and Goodale could do: They could voluntarily disclose the records of all phone calls made from the finance minister's office that day"

* The gun ban announcement was just a cynical ploy designed to create a wedge than get the criminals off the streets. After 12 years the track record of -- "start colouring the air purple"

Important!

* Good thing the Auditor-General was on the ball to highlight these items

http://
newsbeat1.com/2005/12
/good-thing-auditor-general-was-on-ball.html

CTV article -- Auditor-General -- baggage handlers

http://
www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/
CTVNews/20051210/baggage_handlers_051
210/20051210?hub=Canada

Newsbeat1's link has a Gremlin [ It is done with the addition of a 'hard return' ] so I have included a corrected link:

Auditor-General's 2004 Report

http://
www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/domino/re
ports.nsf/html/20040303ce.html


Criminal associations are a significant threat to air transport security.

3.143 Increasing level of criminality. . . . [. . . . ]

3.144 . . . . based on our analysis about 5.5 percent of clearance holders hired between January 2001 and May 2003 had criminal records.

3.145 . . . . The risks of drug smuggling and other criminal activity were not necessarily regarded as grounds for denial of a clearance.

3.146 . . . . Police and Customs had identified 247 individuals with clearances to restricted areas who were involved in criminal conspiracies, almost all of them in Toronto and Montréal . . . . A single criminal may bribe or coerce entire work teams to facilitate smuggling. Those involved rarely know what is being smuggled.

3.147 The RCMP's assessment of clearance holders . . . . At the two airports where police and Customs had no active investigations, clearance holders included individuals who may have significant criminal associations.

3.148 . . . . none of the 405 clearance holders in our sample had been assessed by Transport Canada for criminal association.

3.149 . . . . about 4,500 persons or 5.5 percent have possible criminal associations that warrant further investigation and possibly withdrawal of some security clearances. This represents a serious threat to security at airports.

3.150 . . . . RCMP identified 16 businesses operating at airports that were linked to criminal activity such as providing travel arrangements for organized crime, facilitating identity fraud, and selling stolen passes. The firms were associated with biker gangs, organized crime, and drug trafficking. . . . .

*****************************************************
(Then there's this little gem.-)

Intelligence lessons learned from critical incidents are incomplete [. . . . ]

[Plenty of information here too.]

3.71 The lessons-learned report (30 August 2001) noted . . . several significant issues remained unresolved. The report was based on separate lessons-learned reports submitted by individual departments and agencies. However, some agencies had not produced reports. For example, we found that while the Passport Office was significantly involved in the Ressam affair, it did not conduct a lessons-learned analysis.


Minister of Transport? . . . Jean Lapierre [La Pierre?]
Minister Responsible for the Passport Division . . . Minister Pierre Pettigrew? [ Or is that DFAIT which would be Minister Bill Graham? Check. ]

End of Newsbeat1 excerpts and links



Memory Lane -&- More Gremlin Spoor

This concerns bad links -- from the Dept. of Foreign Affairs & Int. Trade (DFAIT)

The Header: Media Bias: CSIS Downsized-Needs Funding, 'Planting' Spin? Bud, Budget: Security-Military vs Politics, 'Honour' of Women, Operation Last Chance & More

News Junkie Canada Feb. 21, 05 and Frost Hits the Rhubarb

http://
newsjunkiecanada.blogspot.com/
2005_02_21_newsjunkiecanada_ar
chive.html#110901816847393776

Sub-headings:


Are Liberal Supporters 'Planting' Stories with the Media on the Cost of the Gomery Inquiry? Any ulterior motive?

CSIS Downsized 700 Agents - Report of Manpower & Funding Problem, Spinning Defeat of Bills to Split Foreign Affairs & Int. Trade


FHTR week of Feb. 20, 05 to Feb. 26, 05

http://
frosthitstherhubarb.blogspot.com/
2005_02_20_frosthitsthe
rhubarb_archive.html

Auditor General's Report on Foundations

[. . . . ] Accountability of Foundations -- Main Points

http://
www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/domino/
reports.nsf/html/20050204ce.html

. . . . Paul Martin's government wanted to place two departments, Foreign Affairs and International Trade, under the control of one minister. Would that minister have been Bill Graham, Pierre Pettigrew or someone else to run the combined department?



[Spoor Sightings: Bad Links -- Adding a hard return [ < + br + / + > ] at the end of a link produces it -- see below what is orange.]

" target=_blankCSIS Downsized 700 Agents - Report of Manpower & Funding Problem, Spinning Defeat of Bills to Split Foreign Affairs & Int. Trade or the " target=_blankoriginal article

http://
newsjunkiecanada.blogspot.com/
2005_02_21_newsjunkiecanada_ar
chive.html#110901816847393776 [< + br + / + > ]

http://
www.thehilltimes.ca/html/index.php?dis
play=story&full_path=/2005/february/21/bills/&c=1 [< + br + / + > ]

Corrected Links:

First Link -- CSIS Downsized 700 Agents -- refers to an article in the Toronto Sun with a misleading title

http://
newsjunkiecanada.blogspot.com/
2005_02_21_newsjunkiecanada_archive.html
#110901816847393776

[. . . . ] The second link is even more intriguing:

The Defeat of Bills C-31, C-32 'a shot across the bow' to 'arrogant' Libs Hill Times, Feb.21, 05, Kate Malloy and F. Abbas Rana

http://
www.thehilltimes.ca/html/
index.php?display=story&full_path=/
2005/february/21/bills/&c=1






The governing Liberals' surprising and embarrassing defeat of last week's bill to split Foreign Affairs and International Trade was a "shot across the bow," from opposition parties to [. . . . ]

Mr. Solberg, his party's high-profile finance critic, said it was his understanding "that things came out of the" Foreign Affairs Committee that caused the critic and the leadership to say they didn't want to support the bills.



Said Mr. Solberg: "As far as I understand, the way it worked is when the bill was first introduced we said, 'Well, it looks like a housekeeping bill and we're comfortable with it and we'll probably support it. Then you get into committee, you discover things that you don't like about it and discover information they deny they initially have and I think at that point, it's completely justifiable to say, 'No, we realize now there are problems with it, we don't want to support it. That's my understanding of how it's all worked out."





Other Memory Lane Headers from Feb. 21, 05 that might prove useful to someone are below:



Bud Talkinghorn: Confederacy of Dunces, Tale Told by a Ditherer, Feminists' Horns of a Dilemma, PM-Gay 'Marriage', Question Period

Rape as Pillage, Theo Van Gogh Murder a Terrorist Attack, The 'Honour' of Women, Socialist Welfare Policies and Immigration

The Budget, The Real Power, Mr. Rossignol's Report -- Political Considerations, Mr. Dithers, JC and the Military -- & Cracks

[Search: Auditor General Sheila Fraser , foundations in , Quebec tail wags dog on foreign policy -- Rudyard Griffiths says domestic reality is paralyzing minority Liberals , helicopters , Canada's search-and-rescue helicopters , Sikorsky , Cormorant ]

Police Chief or Politician? Men-Women Inequality, DoD on China, Operation: Last Chance, Insurance, Cronyism-Wheat Board? Never! -- Looking for a police chief most perfect -- THE REPLACEMENT Search hampered by growing list of must-have characteristics

[Search: the hiring of Avis Gray, Alcock's one-time campaign manager, by the Canadian Wheat Board ] -- CIA Translation of Secret Chinese Military Manual – Details Here -- War on Terrorism -- [ government meddling also -- Search: insurance industry to keep these poor drivers ]

Shotgun: "Toronto Star Does Not Declare Bias"-- Reliable Sources-Kurtz-PowerLine on Bloggers





Friends . . . Close

Liberal insider gets wind-power contract -- worth $475 million



. . . the government awarded a multi-million-dollar contract to a company whose partners include a Liberal party insider.

Mike Crawley, president of the Ontario wing of the Liberal Party of Canada, is a partner in Erie Shores Wind Farm.

From NOV. 25, 2004 - Province unveils renewable energy projects [link on CBC site]


On Wednesday, Energy Minister Dwight Duncan announced that Erie Shores was one of a number of companies hired by the province to sell it electricity from generating systems powered by wind, sun, water and methane gas. [. . . . ]




Of Babes and Bets

Renewal . . . well, not exactly 'democratic renewal' . . . but, hey, connect the dots for yourself. AngryGWN has connected a few -- a must read.

Belinda Stronach's link to online gambling -- trackback

[. . . . ] Second, the system is designed to work around laws that forbid placing bets online...and the babes are a key part of it:

[. . . . ] A novel wagering format will be introduced by the inventors that uses live employees carrying data transmitting systems (PDA, telephones, wired systems, wireless systems, Blackberries.TM., laptops, etc.) through which [. . . . ]

The babes are actually critical to this "format". You put money in an intermediate account. You call the babe to place a bet. The babe takes the money out of the account and then places the bet. You can tell the government that you've never placed a bet. No record exists linking your money transfer with a wagering facility. You've avoided the rules in your jurisdiction that might prohibit or limit the availability of funds in a wagerng account, or so the patent claims.

Because the babes are actually placing the bets on your behalf, you never enter a racetrack, physically or virtually. [. . . . ]

SheTips subjects itself to Ontario law, and is explicitly attempting to [. . . . ]

Canada's federal and provincial laws are inadequate to deal with the onslaught of virtual gaming. [. . . . ]


To see how or whether Min. Belinda Stronach, her brother Andrew, her father Frank, owner of Magna International, and Canada fit into this whole thing, read AngryGWN. There is informative commentary at bottom.



Bribery, Paul Cochrane & Native Treatment Center, PWGSC Etc, Jean Chretien & $7,000 Dinner, Business, China, Liberals & Ignatieff, Putch, Quotas

Thou Shalt Not Protest the Chinese human rights record in France Judi McLeod, Dec. 7, 2005

Do you remember Jean Chretien and the Asia Pacific Economic Conference -- Min. Andy Scott and "Let Hughie take the fall"?


France, whose government soft peddled on last month’s massive youth violence, is forbidding demonstrations during a visit to their country by the Chinese Prime Minister.

Protesters, who held French society hostage for weeks and torched thousands of vehicles, faced curfews rather than the country’s military.

An edict from the French government in advance of the pre-Christmas visit of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to its citizens: Thou Shalt Not Protest the People’s Republic of China.


Gee, do you suppose France has plans for business too. . . plans that might be affected?



Memory Lane: Bribery, Paul Cochrane, Manitoba Native Treatment Center, HRDC / PWGSC / HRDC / Health Canada -&- Jean Chretien -- $7,000 dinner

www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/
www.pwgsc.gc.ca/text/index-e.html

They Do Think Differently in Ottawa< -- Jean Chretien's Farewell Fund-Raising -&- Aug. 8, 2003


Gillian Cosgrove has a column in Saturday's (Aug. 9) National Post that tells us that Chretien is demanding a farewell fund-raising dinner. A table for ten at his Confederation Dinner in Toronto on Oct. 30, will set one back a cool $7,000.

[. . . . ] "This guy Chretien has no effing shame. First, he rams through Bill C-124 virtually outlawing corporate donations. Then as his swan song he comes back cap in hand to The Street and asks us to do what will be illegal next year. Talk about cheek!" [. . . . ]

Another article in the preceding day's paper (Aug. 8 A3) details how a federal bureaucrat, who resigned in disgrace for taking bribes from a Manitoba native treatment center, was then rehired by HRDC and Public Works Canada as a contract worker. The scam basically had Mr. Paul Cochrane steering millions in Health Canada grants to the center in exchange for a $50,000 bribe, along with three SUVs, vacations, and other goodies. The native center folded when the scandal broke, and is, like Cochrane, being investigated by the RCMP. . . . .John Williams, CA MP, and Chairman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee, points out: "It's incredible. Two departments that have scandal written all over them have opened their doors to a man who left another department under a cloud. It shows that the ethical malaise in the federal government is very much alive and well."

And what were Mr. Cochrane's contract duties? Well, it seems his expertise was needed in helping oversee job competions for the massive Public Works department [PWGSC]. I wonder if that task did not have a lucrative sideline to it. [. . . . ]


The Shotgun: Kevin Steele-Former Health Canada Asst. Deputy Minister Paul Cochrane Pleading Guilty-Huge Scandal-Millions-Native Treatment Centre FHTR, week of Mar. 6-12, 2005.


How do you tell benchmarks from quotas?

(Did Paul Cochrane have anything to do with this department? )

White males need not apply -- Internal e-mail reveals hiring ban at Public Works -- "Managers in the Public Works department must hire only visible minorities, women, aboriginals and the disabled, except with written permission from their superiors, David Marshall, the deputy minister, ordered in an e-mail circulated yesterday." Tom Blackwell, National Post, Nov. 19, 05


Pierre Teotonio, a department spokesman, said last night the order was prompted in part by a precipitous drop in the number of employees hired from the designated groups this year. The proportion of female, disabled, aboriginal and non-white new hires fell from one in eight this March to only one in 20 by September, he said. The federal benchmark just for the hiring of visible minorities is one in five.




Ministers plotted to oust Chrétien if referendum was lost, CBC says -- "We asked ourselves difficult questions such as: Could a prime minister from Quebec represent Canada in negotiations?" Mr. Tobin said. Could a team from Quebec negotiate on Canada's behalf if the province's left Canada? Rheal Seguin, Sept. 9, 05

Angry GWN lists the ministers at the time and separates the list by whether from Quebec or not. -- Jean Chretien: Was the target of a putsch Angry GWN, Sept. 9, 05



Memory Lane: Libs, Parachutes & Ignatieff

Frost Hits the Rhubarb, week of Feb. 20, 05


That's my prognostication. For the PM -- chicanery on the way up -- shivs on the way down.

All eyes on Ignatieff Peter C. Newman, National Post, Feb. 26, 05

http://
www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/
news/issuesideas/story.html?id=5b76f3e9-ff
a0-4a4e-bdbd-a71eef6943d8


[. . . . ] The real star at [the 2005 Liberal convention ] the gathering will be Michael Ignatieff, who has been asked to deliver the keynote address. [. . . . ]

Liberal kingmakers often ignore the clamouring of ambitious Cabinet members and opt instead to pluck from obscurity an untried but inspiring outsider.

That's political sorcery of the highest order. Instead of having to defend the corruption and patronage of the ancien regime, the freshly-minted leader can innocently declare: "Who me? What Sponsorship Scandal? This is moi, a new guy with new ideas."

Thus does discontinuity rule. [. . . . ]




Memory Lane: Doing Business

FHTR week of Sept. 4-10, 05: So You Want to Do Business in China

"Mr. Cai added that cultural barriers face people of Chinese origin who don't speak Chinese."

The moral of the story is use a Chinese intermediary who was sent to the West to study?

Pitfalls in China's progress -- What your business should know about China's headlong campaign for change There are other articles on the FHTR Sept. 4-10, 05 on China.

On the War on Terror, Part I: The Unexamined Effect of the Hainan Island Outrage -- Communist China was already helping Osama bin Laden launder money through its financial fronts around the world. China e-Lobby, Sept. 9, 05

AsiaPundit: "Below is a Chinese copy of the abstract of an official Propaganda department circular" Search AsiaPundit.com for the exact link which is Sept. 9 or previous. Check Jackie Jura: Orwell Today


Norman Spector: B.C. yacht in 1.5 tonne coke bust from Chad Skelton and Lori Culbert, Vancouver Sun

FHTR week of Sept. 4-10, 05 -- Jamal Akkal of Ontario -- A student of terror: How a Windsor man was recruited by Hamas -- "he intends to return to Canada once he is released" from prison. Stewart Bell, National Post, Friday, September 09, 2005

On the War on Terror, Part I: The Unexamined Effect of the Hainan Island Outrage -- Communist China was already helping Osama bin Laden launder money through its financial fronts around the world. China e-Lobby, Sept. 9, 05

FHTR week of Sept. 4-10, 05: Read the excerpt from MacFlecknoe and see if it applies to anyone featured in this election . . . or previous ones

Merry CHRISTmas.


There are more articles but that is all time permits right now.



December 12, 2005

More Gremlin Spoor -&- Links Corrected

It is always instructive to note what develop link problems -- hint: usually something sensitive or otherwise worth reading. The parts in orange show the error resulting from insertion of a hard return [ < + / + br + > ] -- which come from gremlins, I suppose.

From Frost Hits the Rhubarb, Apr. 3, 05

http://
frosthitstherhubarb.blogspot.com/
2005_04_03_frosthitstherhubarb_archive.html

" target=_blankGreet the hydrogen economy, end addiction to Mid-East oil

Correct Link:

Greet the hydrogen economy, end addiction to Mid-East oil

http://
canadiancoalition.com/forum/
messages/6338.shtml

" target=_blankIn Reply to: Re: Greet the hydrogen economy, end addiction to Mid-East oil , Posted by Richard D. Masters on 13:17:02 2005/04/06

Correct Link:

In Reply to: Re: Greet the hydrogen economy, end addiction to Mid-East oil , Posted by Richard D. Masters on 13:17:02 2005/04/06

http://
canadiancoalition.com/forum/
messages/6385.shtml

[. . . . ]

There is a link to the James D. Harder article (Scroll down for "Juneau") [. . . . ]

" target=_blank James D. Harder: Canada Targeted by China Agents , Insight Magazine online, March 28, 05.


Correct Link:

James D. Harder: Canada Targeted by China Agents Insight Magazine online, March 28, 05.

http://
www.insightmag.com/news/2000/12/18/
InvestigativeReport/Canada.Tar
geted.By.China.Agents-213392.shtml