12.18.2011 01:00 AM

In today’s Sun: the Speaker, in disgrace

A lot of people were astonished by that. How can the chief judge of the Commons say he has jurisdiction, say there’s no dispute about the facts, say it’s “reprehensible” — and then do nothing? MPs, who generally never criticize the Speaker out loud, did.

And then, a day later, a new shocking fact emerged: Scheer had used Campaign Research — the same outfit that was at the centre of the Cotler case — himself. In the May 2011 election, in his Saskatchewan riding, Scheer had paid Campaign Research thousands to work their magic for him. And he had told no one, as he sat in his green velvet throne and listened to Cotler make his case. He didn’t recuse himself, or even admit that he was in a clear conflict of interest. He said nothing.

23 Comments

  1. smelter rat says:

    SOP in Harperland. I’m surprised that you’re surprised.

  2. MCBellecourt says:

    Clear evidence that he was too wet behind the ears for this posting–I felt he was far too young for it from the start. I honestly think he is too immature to realize the implications of his actions and obviously is not educated enough to have seen the conflict of interest that was right before him.

    I read your column a few hours ago and completely agree with it, Mr. K., but holy jeezus, some of those commenters in the thread are phracking psycho! Guess StunnedNews hasn’t gotten around to hiring a moderator yet, eh?

    • smelter rat says:

      Most of those comments are FROM the moderator.

    • Terry says:

      Those comments have disappeared …

    • TheSilentObserver says:

      I’m 13 years Scheer’s Junior and I realize damn well the implications of what he’s done. If he can’t, well, some of us develop slower than others, some of us significantly so

      • MCBellecourt says:

        You’ve got something that Scheer doesn’t have.

        Wisdom.

        Scheer strikes me as a puppy groomed for the Con machine, sheltered from reality. Obviously, Scheer has nothing to be proud of. Having his perky little ass in the Speaker’s Chair diminishes and degrades the Chair.

    • Ottawacon says:

      I don’t think he lacked the education to see the conflict of interest, I think he actually lacked the information. All of that level of a Conservtive campaign is basically invisible to a candidate. This affair might turn an unwelcome eye to how centralized and prefabricated Conservative campaigns have become – it is no accident that well over half of all Conservative ridings did business with this firm that only works for Conservatives. Candidates really have nothing to do with it, their role is to show up and practice ‘message discipline’. Unless Scheer for some reason decided to read the material prepared by his agent (unlikely), he probably had no clue. It doesn’t excuse it – candidates SHOULD be aware that when they engaged the services of one of the attack firms, they are tainted by association.

  3. stretch says:

    I was also surprised by the lack of balance. However, you raise an interesting point. Who has jurisdiction over the speaker? I would say its the Governor General. We should be demanding the GG to rule on such behaviour. To not, would amount to a banana republic ruled by a bully ape.

  4. William says:

    The always campaigning, never governing party strikes again!

    Conservatives launching anti-gun registry radio ad campaign

    http://www.cjad.com/CJADLocalNews/entry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10328064&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=

    I guess this will be one of their last chances to raise money off of it.

    • Ken says:

      There will be another reason for a delay in the gun registry bill. And another. And another. It might be gone by 2013. Depends on how much more money they can squeeze out of it.

  5. Windsurfer says:

    What extra-Parliamentary methods are there to get the people’s voice(s) heard?

    Even CTV press forum reporters today said how brutal it is there. I just wish that Jane Taber would STFU.

    If I were the other parties, I would be attempting to get a contrary voice heard ‘anywhere but Parliament’ and in that homily, I hope to have launched the ABP movement.

    Hey Bob, Elizabeth and Nicole – get the hell out of there and start campaigning.

  6. JH says:

    I think the downfall of all who would obfuscate and try to colour the situation to suit their own political agenda is that – the folks get it! In the good old days before the net and all the toys, you could tell the big lie and get away with it. Those who foolishly cling to that idea in todays 24/7 news cycle, the myriad of information options and the magic of the twitterverse are simply fooling themselves. And political parties who are polling all the time know this. Why do you think they so quickly glom onto and then drop like hot potatoes certain topics?
    They know voting Canadians are much more informed, much more aware and make decisions on their Party’s performance or lack thereof much more quickly. There ain’t no more of that fooling of the people axiom – the people know.

    • MCBellecourt says:

      Wonder what’ll happen when the cops are rendered able to sniff through your Internet records without a warrant. The ConClowns are determined to push that through along with the rest of that bullshit omnibus bill.

      Hopefully it becomes crystal clear to everyone–and I mean EVERYONE–what the true motives behind these laws are. I don’t think it has a hell of a lot to do with stopping child pornography.

  7. smelter rat says:

    How do you explain the last federal election if that’s the case?

    • MCBellecourt says:

      In my area, at least with the numerous people I know, we’ve had the same MP since Methuselah was a pup and the populace is in permanent brain freeze. Very, very stupid people up here.

    • Pete says:

      Money used in pre election killer ads and lies during the election mixed with lots of red meat support and anyone but Duceppe in Quebec

  8. robert ede says:

    PM is NOT part of Executrive!!

    How did this happen? … By a single Order in Council– drafted, presented and approved by Wm L M King, just 3 weeks after the death of Lord Tweedsmuir (Feb 11/1940) and prior to the appointment (June 2/1940) of Major General The Earl of Athlone as his successor.

    –Link to Order in Council PC 1940-1121 – and the only place you’ll find it —

    http://robertede.blogspot.com/2011/12/order-in-council-pc-1940-1121-allowed.html

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