Harper Accuses Liberals

[Michael Bluth]

I've got a great idea! Why don't you READ the rules, then maybe you won't feel the urge to bother me with crap like this.

I was actually talking about your reference to the actions of our Prime Minister as false and filthy.

I see, your partisan-mind-lock leaves you thinking that Don Newman, dean of Canadian political reporters, makes up stories. Yeah, that seems likely.

What exactly makes Don Newman the "dean of Canadian political reporters"? Didn't you say he reported that unnamed 'conservatives' said something about the Prime Ministers behaviour. That would be rumour land was presented as such.

Rumour does not a story make.

[stignasty]

Another low blow from Stephen Harper. Any goodwill yesterday's apology was swept away with this classless episode.

[Figleaf]

I've got a great idea! Why don't you READ the rules, then maybe you won't feel the urge to bother me with crap like this.

I was actually talking about your reference to the actions of our Prime Minister as false and filthy.

Well, here's two things about that:

1-there's no forum rule against criticising the actions of political figures

2-Harper's smears are false and filthy.

What exactly makes Don Newman the "dean of Canadian political reporters"?

Age, reputation, respect.

Didn't you say he reported that unnamed 'conservatives' said something about the Prime Ministers behaviour.

Another poster brought that up. I don't know any more about it than what was posted above. {EDITED to add: it was jdobbin in post #6 above who brought this up. He never mentioned 'unnamed' or 'rumor'. I suggest you check your facts.}

In any event, whether reported as rumor or fact, I doubt that Newman made it up as you were alleging.

[CrazyCanuck]

Everything that Stephan Harper does serves a purpose. These "smears" are calculated attempts to make Dion look foolish and weak, and its working very well. Harper is so far ahead of Dion in his ability to control the spin and create favourable optics, I'm starting to feel embarrassed for the Liberals. They are crying and whining and nobody is listening anymore. Ignatieff seems much more composed and capable than Dion right now.

[Michael Bluth]

In any event, whether reported as rumor or fact, I doubt that Newman made it up as you were alleging.

Never alleged any particular person of being behind the rumour.

Just found it very interesting that the CBC again found the most negative light in which to portray the Conservatives.

A point that was sidetracked by your foul-mouthed and disrespectful diatribe. As was the point about the Liberals disdainful and disrespectful attitude to the members of the Canadian Forces.

[Saturn]

The Liberals care more about the Taliban than about Canadian soldiers, care more about criminals than their victims, care more about pedophiles than children....

[Michael Bluth]

The Liberals care more about the Taliban than about Canadian soldiers, care more about criminals than their victims, care more about pedophiles than children....

The first two are very valid criticisms. The third is a little out there...

[Figleaf]

In any event, whether reported as rumor or fact, I doubt that Newman made it up as you were alleging.

Never alleged any particular person of being behind the rumour.

Just found it very interesting that the CBC again found the most negative light in which to portray the Conservatives.

I don't see it. Harper said disgraceful thing he said. The CBC didn't make them up. And if some Conservatives recognize that Steve's sniping is disgraceful, that's positive not negative.

A point that was sidetracked by your foul-mouthed and disrespectful diatribe.

1. Fuck that.

2. Respect is earned.

3. My comment was on point. You made the sidetrack.

4. Look up diatribe before you think about using it next time.

As was the point about the Liberals disdainful and disrespectful attitude to the members of the Canadian Forces.

Please explain what disdain the Liberals have revealed for the forces, specifically. Or slink away.

[Figleaf]

The Liberals care more about the Taliban than about Canadian soldiers, care more about criminals than their victims, care more about pedophiles than children....

The first two are very valid criticisms. ...

Ridiculous.

[Figleaf]

In any event, whether reported as rumor or fact, I doubt that Newman made it up as you were alleging.

Never alleged any particular person of being behind the rumour.

How do you know it's a rumor?

[uOttawaMan]

In any event, whether reported as rumor or fact, I doubt that Newman made it up as you were alleging.

Never alleged any particular person of being behind the rumour.

How do you know it's a rumor?

Because until any proof of such conversations occuring are brought forward, is it, in fact, a rumour.

[Michael Bluth]

1. Fuck that.

2. Respect is earned.

3. My comment was on point. You made the sidetrack.

4. Look up diatribe before you think about using it next time.

You sir are earning respect with each and every well-considered and thoughtful post you make.

Did anonymously issuing an order on an Internet message board relieve your anger at your clear lack of power and feelings of powerlessness in your everyday life?

Please explain what disdain the Liberals have revealed for the forces, specifically. Or slink away.

Starving the Canadian Forces to the point that CODS Hillier spoke out about the refreshing change and invigoration brought by the Harper Goverment to the CF.

Does the second anonymous order may you feel better?

Does my not "slinking away" add to your rage?

[uOttawaMan]

1. Fuck that.

2. Respect is earned.

3. My comment was on point. You made the sidetrack.

4. Look up diatribe before you think about using it next time.

You sir are earning respect with each and every well-considered and thoughtful post you make.

Did anonymously issuing an order on an Internet message board relieve your anger at your clear lack of power and feelings of powerlessness in your everyday life?

Please explain what disdain the Liberals have revealed for the forces, specifically. Or slink away.

Starving the Canadian Forces to the point that CODS Hillier spoke out about the refreshing change and invigoration brought by the Harper Goverment to the CF.

Does the second anonymous order may you feel better?

Does my not "slinking away" add to your rage?

I guess he missed the last decade of darkness for the CF.

Got so bad they couldn't even project the image of an unarmed person in camo with a cute little blue helmet handing out cookies and blankets. Oh wait.. that's that darned "peacekeeping army" myth cropping up again.

[Figleaf]

In any event, whether reported as rumor or fact, I doubt that Newman made it up as you were alleging.

Never alleged any particular person of being behind the rumour.

How do you know it's a rumor?

Because until any proof of such conversations occuring are brought forward, is it, in fact, a rumour.

But how do you know that there was no proof in the report?

[Figleaf]

Did anonymously issuing an order on an Internet message board relieve your anger at your clear lack of power and feelings of powerlessness in your everyday life?

W/E

Starving the Canadian Forces ...

Let's try to remember the facts, shall we? Serious money had started to flow into the forces already under Chretien, and accelerated under Martin. Steve has continued this.

Does my not "slinking away" add to your rage?

My rage! Oh yeah.

[uOttawaMan]

Because one only has to use one's mind to realise that it doesn't matter in the slightest anyway.

It's a beautiful political move.

It leaves the Liberals whining for apologies.

It locks up the CF vote. (Not that it was ever in doubt anyway)

Without having to do anything he leaves the Liberals in a whole to dig themselves out of, and get rid of those comments off the minds of the electorate.

The 'worst thing' that came out of it for him is "whispers" that these statements 'could' hurt him and the party?

[Michael Bluth]

But how do you know that there was no proof in the report?

No sources were name. No evidence was provided when Newman made his presentation.

Does that fuel your anger?

[Catchme]

Harper has no business making smearing comments such as he did, yet again QP.

"I can understand the passion that the leader of the Opposition and members of his party feel for the Taliban prisoners," Harper said. "I just wish occasionally they would show the same passion for Canadian soldiers."

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/03/21/harper-attack.html

The money being spent on the military is not just equipment build up for future use so we can better defend our borders from an actual plausitive threat. In stead of wasting it in an action where we should not be.

A few weeks ago Stephen Harper made an announcement that the government would put an additional $200 million dollars towards aid in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, Mr. Harper made clear that the aid money would be used to bolster a failing military strategy, not to support a transformation of the mission.

Since 2001 we have spent $4.33 billion dollars on our military operations. Last year alone we spent $1.5 billion dollars. But during this time we have spent only $466 million dollars on development aid. Worse still, Canadians do not know if that money has been effective or if it has actually reached the people it was intended to help. There is no transparency or accountability for that money – and the Conservatives refuse to make it subject to Parliamentary oversight.

After 5 years fighting this war, everyone knows it won’t be resolved militarily.

Afghanistan is suffering a civil war – the war needs a resolution, not more warriors. Fighting counter-insurgency warfare against a group of fighters who will always know the terrain better than us, who have a safe haven in Pakistan, and whose numbers are increasing daily due to US-led crop eradication campaigns isn’t going to solve Afghanistan’s security problems. It isn’t going to help Afghans, nor liberate the women of Afghanistan.

Chris Alexander, Canada’s former ambassador to Afghanistan and now a leading UN official in Afghanistan, who said recently that the absence of a peace deal in Afghanistan is fuelling the conflict, and with Gordon Smith, former Senior Canadian Diplomat and head of the Global Studies Centre at the University of Victoria, who called on the international community to undertake serious efforts at inclusive and comprehensive peace negotiations.

We have to ask ourselves: why is it that we are increasingly isolated on this NATO mission? Why is it that more and more of our NATO allies are refusing to participate in this aggressive counter-insurgency mission?

It is because they know, just like ordinary people in this country know, that this George Bush-style of war is misguided.

Another interestring bit of info:

As of this month Canada has sent a grand total of 10 RCMP officers to Afghanistan. They have trained approximately 1500 police officers.

Yet in Iraq, where Canada is not participating in the war, we have trained 34,700 police officers.

The government has also weakened Canada’s long standing position against the use of torture with our “no questions asked” policy of handing detainees over to the Afghan security forces. These are forces who are widely accused of torture, abuse, and violations of international law. Yet, unlike Britain and the Netherlands, the Canadian government makes no effort to check on the condition of detainees once they are handed over.

So is Harper calling the Dutch and British supporters of the Taliban too?

[Michael Bluth]

The money being spent on the military is not just equipment build up for future use so we can better defend our borders from an actual plausitive threat. In stead of wasting it in an action where we should not be.

Why shouldn't we be there?

Should we wait until Canadian's are attacked on our own soil before the threat posed by global terrorism hits home?

[jdobbin]

Without having to do anything he leaves the Liberals in a whole to dig themselves out of, and get rid of those comments off the minds of the electorate.

The fact that these prisoners are missing and could just as easily be responsible for Canadians deaths if they are not located means Harper can ill afford to ignore the situation.

Moreover, it has become clear the O'Connor was foundering in Parliament. He will continue to be a weak spot when it comes to answering questions. His visit to Afghanistan had to be an eye opener in terms of reality when it comes to how the Afghans are governing themselves. The corruption and brutality completely undermines security.

[Topaz]

NEWSFLASH.... it seems the Afghans have turn over some detainees to the Taiban so they could get the release of an Italian journalist. Could they be the same ones??? Leave Harper alone with brass mouth, he hang himself sooner or later!

[Argus]

Dion was asking for it. There were soldiers in the gallery. Harper's a pretty smart guy and made Dion look like a fool. Harper owes Dion nothing. Politics is rough, if you can't take the heat stay out of the kitchen.

Don Newman on Politics Today said that some Conservatives were privately saying that such partisan statements make Harper look bad.

Did Newman have his head up Dion's ass again? Who cares what Don Newman says? He makes things up as he goes along anyway.

[Argus]

Bullshit. There are limits of decency and Harper is too often on the wrong side of them.

Yes, well, of course he is. He's a conservative, and you're a rabid leftist who despises conservatives.

Oh wait, you're a centrist. I keep forgetting, for some reason. LOL

[Argus]

"I can understand the passion that the leader of the Opposition and members of his party feel for the Taliban prisoners," Harper said. "I just wish occasionally they would show the same passion for Canadian soldiers."

Why does the PM have to act like a demented bully? Personally, I don't care to have my government led by someone with that kind of unrestrained vicious streak. It's like having a cobra for a babysitter.

Maybe it has something to do with answering insulting, self-serving questions from dishonest men and women oozing phony self-righteous concern about issues they care nothing about in hopes of striking political points?

[Argus]

What the fuck do you mean 'called to account'??? They have nothing to account for. They weren't called to account, they were the target of a false, filthy Harper smearjob.

False? I don't think so. I think Harper was accurate. As he said, they never ask questions about the well-being of Canadian soldiers. They only ask questions about the well-being of Taliban prisoners. That is an accurate statement. And their continues sniveling and whining and demands for O'Connor to resign(?!) is more than a little disgusting. It's not so much that the Liberals don't care about Canadian soldiers. In all honesty I don't think they give a damn about the Taliban prisoners either, except as a means to attack the government. So Dion's weepy self-righteous indignation act every day is a little hard to take.