Harper, Bernier and Julie

[jdobbin]

I suppose it's occured to you that as long as you're backing Stephan Dion people will only laugh at you questioning the competence of other leaders?

Most Opposition leaders look weak compared to being Prime Minister. Remember Harper facing a plan to ouster him just five month before the last election?

Having said that, I've plainly indicated the Liberals will lose the next election. It doesn't mean that I think Harper is the right person for the job.

Would you like a list of the incompetent idiots the Liberals have had in their cabinets?

But the Liberals!

As for security, the lasting memory I have which most suits the Liberal Party's concerns over security issues was when they were being questioned in the house as to why Paul Martin attended a fund raising dinner for the Tamil Tigers terrorist group, and Martin mockingly replying something to the affect of how the Liberal Party, unlike the Alliance, respects ethnic groups and cultures - then him and Chretien guffawing and snickering and all-but high fiving each other at the opposition outrage.

I still remember how Harper had a Tamil candidate in the last election who was surprised that the Tories placed the Tamils on the terrorist list after the election.

[madmax]

The story that keeps on giving.

New revelations on Bernier's ex

Report links Couillard to Hells associate as late as 2006

Elizabeth Thompson, Canwest News Service

Published: Thursday, June 05, 2008

OTTAWA - New revelations that place Julie Couillard with a close associate of Hells Angels leader Maurice (Mom) Boucher mere months before she began dating former Foreign Affairs minister Maxime Bernier raise new questions about Prime Minister Stephen Harper's judgment, Bloc Quebecois MP Serge Menard said Thursday.

Menard, a former Quebec justice and public security minister, said it also raises serious questions as to why the RCMP didn't warn the government that Bernier's girlfriend had past links to organized crime when her links appear to be far more recent than she had let on.

Maneater

[August1991]

The story that keeps on giving.

She left him ages ago. He's quit.

For some, sex is prurient but for most, it's not. This story will die in English Canada. (In French Canada, Harper has a bigger problem.)

-----

Serge Menard. It is sad that Harper never recruited him. He'd be a good minister.

[jdobbin]

She left him ages ago. He's quit.

But the issue of Harper's appointment and support as well as cavalier attitude towards security will be remembered.

For some, sex is prurient but for most, it's not. This story will die in English Canada. (In French Canada, Harper has a bigger problem.)

The story has already faded. People are more and more going to be scared about the economy, full-time jobs dropping, oil rising and how the government handles it.

[Argus]

But the issue of Harper's appointment and support as well as cavalier attitude towards security will be remembered.

As opposed to your party's steely eyed, righteousness on security matters, eh?

[guyser]

As opposed to your party's steely eyed, righteousness on security matters, eh?

Why not save some time and just keep on posting "But the Liberals...But the Liberals" ?

Its the only reply you have posted so far.

Welcome ladies and gentleman to the Slimy Crooked Derby Horserace. They're at the pole , and they're off.

Rounding the first turn the Chretien the Cretin has a large lead, but Martin Shipman is closing in fast. The lead in the Slimy Derby is getting larger by the furlong folks.

Rounding the last turn now, oh look Harpie in a Bad Vest is gaining fast , coming down the stretch its neck and neck.

Oh look a photo finish in the Slimy Crooked Derby.

For the record Hoof Hearted came 4th.

[jdobbin]

As opposed to your party's steely eyed, righteousness on security matters, eh?

I think I can remember a prime minister who said: "Just watch me."

The Liberals certainly should have had a more concerted effort on security matters for Canada. Does this give Harper a pass on legitimate questions about security in regards to the Bernier affair?

[Fortunata]

Why not save some time and just keep on posting "But the Liberals...But the Liberals" ?

Its the only reply you have posted so far.

Welcome ladies and gentleman to the Slimy Crooked Derby Horserace. They're at the pole , and they're off.

Rounding the first turn the Chretien the Cretin has a large lead, but Martin Shipman is closing in fast. The lead in the Slimy Derby is getting larger by the furlong folks.

Rounding the last turn now, oh look Harpie in a Bad Vest is gaining fast , coming down the stretch its neck and neck.

Oh look a photo finish in the Slimy Crooked Derby.

For the record Hoof Hearted came 4th.

[Argus]

Why not save some time and just keep on posting "But the Liberals...But the Liberals" ?

Its the only reply you have posted so far.

Welcome ladies and gentleman to the Slimy Crooked Derby Horserace. They're at the pole , and they're off.

Rounding the first turn the Chretien the Cretin has a large lead, but Martin Shipman is closing in fast. The lead in the Slimy Derby is getting larger by the furlong folks.

Rounding the last turn now, oh look Harpie in a Bad Vest is gaining fast , coming down the stretch its neck and neck.

Oh look a photo finish in the Slimy Crooked Derby.

For the record Hoof Hearted came 4th.

The reason I point out the corruption, incompetence and negligence of the Liberals is because you and that other hypocrite would fall to your knees and and lick Chretien's feet if he passed by. Both of you were 100% in support of every single thing the Liberals did, both of you laughed off every complaint about corruption and negligence, and both of you want them back again so they can continue with the same practices.

So while pointing out that the Liberal corruption, patronage, negligence and incompetence was far, far, far worse than anything we've yet seen from Harper serves a purpose in itself, I'm also pointing out how dishonest and disingenuous you hypocrites are in your sniveling complaints about every little thing the Tories do. Because the truth is that neither one of you gives a good godamn about how much is stolen or wasted or lost by the federal government so long as that government is made up of Liberals. The instant the Liberals get in again both of you will immediately start defending the very same things you now attack.

Which shows the level of hypocrisy and gall needed to call yourself a Liberal.

[Argus]

I think I can remember a prime minister who said: "Just watch me."

The Liberals certainly should have had a more concerted effort on security matters for Canada. Does this give Harper a pass on legitimate questions about security in regards to the Bernier affair?

If there were any - no. There aren't. It's at best a minor matter you're desperately trying to blow up into something big because you and your party really have nothing to recommend them to voters.

[jdobbin]

If there were any - no. There aren't. It's at best a minor matter you're desperately trying to blow up into something big because you and your party really have nothing to recommend them to voters.

The security experts who are not tied to any of the parties have repeatedly said there are legitimate security questions to be asked despite what the right wing defenders of the Tories say.

[BubberMiley]

As opposed to your party's steely eyed, righteousness on security matters, eh?

Altogether now, "But the..."

[jdobbin]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080608/...nier_girlfriend

Julie Couillard gave $1,000 to a Conservative riding association near Montreal in March 2007 when she was being considered as a potential Tory candidate, a Montreal newspsper reported Sunday.

If the election had happened any time sooner, she may have been an MP now.

Edited June 9, 2008 by jdobbin

[blueblood]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080608/...nier_girlfriend

If the election had happened any time sooner, she may have been an MP now.

Good thing, the last thing we need is Criminals on team Blue. Swap Fortier and Bernier next election, Bernier needs to go for the good of the party.

The Libs have a solid case here, Touche.

[madmax]

Good thing, the last thing we need is Criminals on team Blue. Swap Fortier and Bernier next election, Bernier needs to go for the good of the party.

That has been the view of most people in these forums. Even those whom early on chose to back Bernier, have stepped back and clearly seen that he is a liability and she is not the innocent angel, rescued by a caring MP.

There are only a few still clinging to the "private life" defence.

The ones on these forums I am not to worried about. The ones in government, I am not certain why they retain the view.

But all real change happens within, and if CPC readers/supporters get it (and the silent majority does)

then the government should move quickly and cut Berniers umbilical cord and let him sit as an independent.

[blueblood]

That has been the view of most people in these forums. Even those whom early on chose to back Bernier, have stepped back and clearly seen that he is a liability and she is not the innocent angel, rescued by a caring MP.

There are only a few still clinging to the "private life" defence.

The ones on these forums I am not to worried about. The ones in government, I am not certain why they retain the view.

But all real change happens within, and if CPC readers/supporters get it (and the silent majority does)

then the government should move quickly and cut Berniers umbilical cord and let him sit as an independent.

They tossed out their MP for leaking cabinet secrets, which IMV is not as big a deal as potentially being linked to organized crime, dobbin or other liberal supporters can elaborate.

[eyeball]

Man, talk about an issue that has boobs.

[eyeball]

Oops, I mean legs.

[peter_puck]

If there were any - no. There aren't. It's at best a minor matter you're desperately trying to blow up into something big because you and your party really have nothing to recommend them to voters.

If this was happening when the Liberals were in power, the Conservatives would be doing exactly the same thing. Politicians are all the same. If you think that yours are better than theirs, you are lying to yourself.

My main concern with the Bernier affair is why was this guy given a cabinet post when he was clearly not up to it ?

The answer is that Harper needed a cabinet minster from Quebec. I am sure there are plenty of talented western MP's, but Haper had to take the not-so-wise guy from Quebec.

The Liberals have done exaclty the same thing in the past (although they were luckier). The Liberals were weak in Alberta so they had to make the MP's there ministers.

I think everyone should learn from this mistake and find a way to make sure it does not happen again, rather than competing for sound bites.

[peter_puck]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080608/...nier_girlfriend

If the election had happened any time sooner, she may have been an MP now.

Probably not. If you look at all the candidates from the major parties, most are just cannon-fodder. The NDP and Liberals do not have a hope of winning a rural seat in Alberta. The Conservatives don't have a prayer in urban riddings in the east. They don't always run the most skilled candidates in those riddings. If they let her run it would have been to keep her out of Biker bars rather than thinking she could win.

[Shakeyhands]

ruh roh Reorge!!!!!!

http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/440655

[blueblood]

Probably not. If you look at all the candidates from the major parties, most are just cannon-fodder. The NDP and Liberals do not have a hope of winning a rural seat in Alberta. The Conservatives don't have a prayer in urban riddings in the east. They don't always run the most skilled candidates in those riddings. If they let her run it would have been to keep her out of Biker bars rather than thinking she could win.

If I lived in that particular riding, I would vote Liberal just to keep this trash out of office, and considering that I don't much care for the Liberal party, that's how important it is to keep people like her on the outside.

If the tories had her in parliament, they would have no case against the Liberals for being crooks.

[madmax]

If they let her run it would have been to keep her out of Biker bars rather than thinking she could win.

I could logically follow your two consecutive posts right up until this comment. I doubt very much that the CPC was interested in having Coulliard as a candidate for the purpose of keeping her away from her Outlaw Bikers, and Mafai connections.

Regardless, I follow your logic on the ill equipped Bernier and the stronger Candidates for the position that were available.

None of this address the cavalier attitude and naive Liberal idealism that the CPC government adopted to defend the incompetent actions of Bernier or their lack of concern for a person with Criminal Associations flying around on the Tax Payer Tab.

Is this why the CPC flew Her around the Globe? To keep her out of Biker Bars.

It is a good thing that the Government isn't using that as a defence either. They have already handled things bad enough. I think that if the government knew her background prior to the media leak, then there actions are not defendable.

Bernier knew her connections. He accepted them and knowing full well who she associates with, and that these associates continue to this day, why would the government downplay his incompetence with a classified document.

This isn't about just a "biker girl".

This is about Quebec, and the likely pursual of OutLaw Bikers trying to find another hook into power, and a government dismissing the affair as a private matter between a squabbling couple.

[madmax]

I am surprised. This story continues to have strong legs

Minister's aide fired after Couillard links emerge

Special assistant to Fortier dated controversial woman last year: newspaper

Last Updated: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 | 7:57 AM ET Comments108Recommend68CBC News

Julie Couillard, shown arriving for a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa last August, has been named in the latest downfall of a government employee, this time an aide to Public Works Minister Michael Fortier. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)Federal Public Works Minister Michael Fortier has had to dismiss a senior member of staff because the man had a romantic relationship with Julie Couillard last year when a company she represented was bidding on a big government contract, according to a report.

The Toronto Star reports Fortier says he only became aware on Tuesday that Couillard and one of his Quebec advisers, Bernard Côté, had been dating last year, before she became the girlfriend of former foreign affairs minister Maxime Bernier.

I am not surprised that....

Neither Bernier nor Prime Minister Stephen Harper will testify at the hearings, described by Harper as a "partisan circus." Conservative MPs on the committee voted against holding the hearings, but opposition members are in the majority.

Would you want to associate your "accountable" government with this....

I have never been comfortable with the appointment of CPC "Bagman" Fortier to the Senate and to put him in charge of "PUBLIC WORKS".

We were worked over by the Libs in Quebec.

Why would the CPC follow in the same footsteps?

I am curious to know how the French Press is covering the story.

Edited June 11, 2008 by madmax

[Topaz]

This last problem of the Cons only proves that they aren't experienced enough to be the seating government. Harper , himself as far as I know has never held a minister position and its time for them to go and graze in the pasture and get more experience behind them. Their behavior in QP is another example how immature they are. IF Julie worked for a terrious group, then Canada could be in danger of its own 9/11 and the blame would be at the feet of Harper who always comes off as blameless.