Bud Talkinghorn -&- May appear law-abiding and reasonable, but ... "

The Ethic Commissioner--from lapdog to attack dog

Here is Bernard Shapiro, Ethics Commissioner, a man who was publically censored by an all-party committee for gross negligance and called on to resign by Ed Broadbent (the only NDPer I would consider voting for). He failed to report back on PM Martin's potential to be in conflict, considering his various business concerns. He couldn't investigate Tim Murphy in the Grewal case, nor Dosanjh, for that matter. The former because he was not part of his mandate, the latter because, well, he was. He mishandled the Judy Sgro file, claiming that she was exonerated completely, when his actual report didn't state that.

Now he is tackling a case against Conservative MP Deepak Obhrai. Interestingly enough, this case involves charges by Obhrai's mentally ill brother-in-law, who claims Obhrai sold his influence for $40,000. This accuser subsequently returned to India and committed suicide, after Shapiro's lawyer tracked him down for evidence. This was despite Obhrai's telling Shapiro that his in-law was extremely unstable. However, far more interesting is the source for the fraud complaint which came out of Joe Volpe's office. A request to investigate Volpe himself was turned down by Shapiro, because "the government was no longer sitting." This from an supposedly independent officer of the Crown. Does the civil service take a two month break when government is no longer sitting? How feeble an excuse. That Harper's government is not presently sitting doesn't stop Shapiro from investigating his granting the Liberal turncoat, Emerson, a Cabinet position. That he will follow up with investigations into the Liberal Cabinet appointments of Brison and Stronach is rather unlikely.

This is the man whom Martin trumpeted as part of his "democratic renewal" program. Even in defeat, the Liberals continue their unrivaled smear campaigns using this partisan commissioner. That the Conservatives and the NDP want him removed post haste will not effect the biased reporting on his behalf by the liberal media. Howard Wilson--best-in-show for lapdogs--at least simply shielded Chretien from blame. His pitbull replacement is much more proactive. If he can't perform his duties with neutrality, then he should be muzzled.

© Bud Talkinghorn

Note: scroll down for Beryl Wajsman: "THE SHAPIRO AFFAIR" etc. He is detailed and scathing. Check the Institute for Public Affairs of Montreal for more of what he has written, as well as Canada Free Press



"may appear law-abiding and reasonable, but..."

Sudden Jihad Syndrome (in North Carolina) by Daniel Pipes, New York Sun, March 14, 2006

[NY Sun title: "The Quiet-Spoken Muslims Who Turn to Terror"]
Read the details.

[. . . . ] This is what I have dubbed the Sudden Jihad Syndrome, whereby normal-appearing Muslims abruptly become violent. It has the awful but legitimate consequence of casting suspicion on all Muslims. Who knows whence the next jihadi? How can one be confident a law-abiding Muslim will not suddenly erupt in a homicidal rage? Yes, of course, their numbers are very small, but they are disproportionately much higher than among non-Muslims.

This syndrome helps explain the fear of Islam and mistrust of Muslims that polls have shown on the rise since September 11, 2001. [. . . . ]

Indeed.



Rex Murphy--Secret agent

Is it just me or do Rex's pensive essays on CBC seem subversive? Usually ending an hour of CBC National News' politically correct, fuzzy-left analysis of domestic and international events, there is Murphy skewering many of those sentiments. While I occasionally disagree with Rex's commentary, he is dead on most of the time. He is an oracle of common sense, whose ideas do not radiate from some hardcore ideology. He is such a relief after listening to the often shrill left-wing chorus that dominates the rest of the CBC's coverage. And by god, that man has the voice of a re-incarnated Shakespeare. If the "Selected Choughts of Chairman Murphy ever come out, I will be in line to buy it.

© Bud Talkinghorn