Conservatives Appoint Binns Ambassador

[Michael Bluth]

It is funny to see the argument that Binns is more qualified than Irwin for the position. According to who? Next, we see some trying to say that the man who was replaced approved of Binns as his appointment. Nope. All he said was that he stepped down for personal reasons, not that he approved of a political appointment.

Somebody said that the man Binns replaced approced of his appointment? Really?

It wasn't me in this post.

Even though the supposed 'brother' they were defending didn't have an issue with the appointment.

There is a big difference between not having an issue with something and approving of it.

Don't say anything about it in Stan's post either. We are the only two posters who even mentioned the outgoing Ambassador's views at all.

Must you mischaracterize everything people say that doesn't confirm with your world view?

[jdobbin]

Accountability, where is it? Was he the only person Steve could think to suggest for the job?

Now you'll get reported for not saying Stephen.

It is funny watching people bend over backwards to say this appointment is somehow not the same type of patronage appointment made by the Liberals.

[Michael Bluth]

Now you'll get reported for not saying Stephen.

It is funny watching people bend over backwards to say this appointment is somehow not the same type of patronage appointment made by the Liberals.

It is funny seeing people out right lie, then completely walk away from those statements. Example #1, "Like Binns, Irwin had no foreign experience." But Binns does have foreign experience.

Edited September 2, 2007 by Michael Bluth

[jdobbin]

Here's what the reaction in Nova Scotia to Binns appointment is.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/856763.html

This week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed Mr. Binns ambassador to Ireland, a couple of months after Mr. Binns came to Ottawa to testify before a Senate committee about how great the federal Tory budget was — an Atlantic antidote to the message of betrayal coming from Rodney MacDonald and Danny Williams.

Mr. Binns, a former bean farmer, has no particular qualifications for the ambassadorial job, although he probably knows a few things about potatoes, and politics.

This is not one of those appointments, though, that sticks in the craw — like Jean Chretien sending Alfonso Gagliano to Denmark or Mr. Mulroney sending John Buchanan to the Senate.

Mr. Binns was a good premier. He’ll probably be a good ambassador. Peter MacKay and Mr. Harper are just looking after a friend who likely has no chance of winning a federal seat on the island.

But Mr. Harper had promised not to use diplomatic postings as rewards for former politicians.

Edited September 2, 2007 by jdobbin

[Michael Bluth]

Accountability, where is it? Was he the only person Steve could think to suggest for the job?

The Halifax Chronicle-Herald said Binns will probably do a good job. They aren't a Harper rah rah outlet by any misrepresentation of the truth.

[jdobbin]

From the Globe and Mail editorial from Friday.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/Pag...orce_login=true

The next time Prime Minister Stephen Harper talks about his Conservative Party turning over a new leaf and shunning the excessive patronage of past prime ministers, his critics need only mention Pat Binns. Mr. Harper, you may remember, told a group of senior civil servants in Gatineau on March 23, 2006, that his government would be different from the others.

I'm sure the civil service is wondering why this particular job had to go to a friend of the prime minister.

[Michael Bluth]

Do you really think Binn's is underqualified for the post? He seems to have been quite the political force previously, in both government and bureaucracy.

Yes, Binns has accomplished a lot in his career.

Probably his biggest mistake was going for the record tying fourth majority.

He'll do Canada proud in Ireland. The story has died. Nothing to be found from Saturday or today on it.

[jdobbin]

Here is Coyne's thoughts on the last few months including the Tory appointment.

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/st...f5e&k=18166

. The Conservatives, for their part, seem to have lost all interest in policy, contenting themselves with packing diplomatic posts with party supporters and other delights of office. Before long they will be haranguing each other in Question Period, to the immense uninterest of the public.

He has negative things to say about all politics in Canada but it seems strange that Harper would draw attention to political appointment for loyal Tories in traditional civil service jobs.

Edited September 2, 2007 by jdobbin

[Shakeyhands]

Yes, Binns has accomplished a lot in his career.

Probably his biggest mistake was going for the record tying fourth majority.

He'll do Canada proud in Ireland. The story has died. Nothing to be found from Saturday or today on it.

It really amazes me how you seem to completely miss the point on this.... you're an apologists dream

[Canuck E Stan]

Here is Coyne's thoughts on the last few months including the Tory appointment.

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/st...f5e&k=18166

He has negative things to say about all politics in Canada but it seems strange that Harper would draw attention to political appointment for loyal Tories in traditional civil service jobs.

Funny you look for anti-conservative messages in your articles and I find Liberal stuff.

I like where Coyne says,Liberals have simple minded solutions to complex issues.

When did the Liberals ever have any other kind of solution to anything?And how is Dion's simple green group going to convince the voters that any of these simple solutions will be attainable.Yes, the Puffin is a perfect mascot for the Liberals,hidden shit and all.

The federal Liberals are well prepared for the fall session, having staked out a series of facile, simple-minded positions on difficult, complex issues: a plainly unattainable 35% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by next year; a unilateral withdrawal from a multilateral mission in Afghanistan; hints of bailouts for manufacturers, and so on.

[jdobbin]

Funny you look for anti-conservative messages in your articles and I find Liberal stuff.

I like where Coyne says,Liberals have simple minded solutions to complex issues.

When did the Liberals ever have any other kind of solution to anything?And how is Dion's simple green group going to convince the voters that any of these simple solutions will be attainable.Yes, the Puffin is a perfect mascot for the Liberals,hidden shit and all.

As I said, Coyne went on a rant about all politics. He riffs on Ontario parties as well.

He does have one thing one: Harper's appointment is a reward to a loyal Tory and nothing more.

[Michael Bluth]

I like where Coyne says,Liberals have simple minded solutions to complex issues.

When did the Liberals ever have any other kind of solution to anything?And how is Dion's simple green group going to convince the voters that any of these simple solutions will be attainable.

The Liberals have no answers. Only attack, attack, attack.

Binns is a decent choice.

Coyne's issue is simply he's a hardline dogmatist. No practical reality in his analysis. He'd be happier with a true 'Conservative' party forever being in opposition. Is a one party state really the best thing for Canada?

[jdobbin]

It really amazes me how you seem to completely miss the point on this.

I don't think I have ever heard why Binns is a better choice than a career foreign service officer for this position. It is just another broke promise by Harper who said he would not do this to the department.

[Michael Bluth]

I don't think I have ever heard why Binns is a better choice than a career foreign service officer for this position. It is just another broke promise by Harper who said he would not do this to the department.

How is this a broken promise?

Seems like the 'interpretation' of Harper's actions is bordering on the absurd.

[jdobbin]

Toronto Star Editorial on Binns appointment.

http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/252193

Last week, Harper appointed former P.E.I. premier Pat Binns, an old crony who campaigned for him in last year's election, as ambassador to Ireland. Binns served as a Conservative MP under Brian Mulroney from 1984 to 1988 before returning to Prince Edward Island to lead the provincial Conservatives to victory in 1996. His Tory party was soundly defeated by the Liberals in last May's provincial election.

Binns will succeed Christopher Westdal, a career diplomat who had previously served as ambassador to Russia, Ukraine and South Africa as well as being high commissioner to Bangladesh.

Harper's flip-flop on patronage has been stunning, given that his Federal Accountability Act, enacted in December, allows for an independent commission to control appointments. But after a fight with opposition parties over who should head the agency, Harper opted not to set it up. Since then, he has made hundreds of appointments. In just one week in March, he gave jobs to 10 party faithful.

It is quite the flip flop. I guess he doesn't care what the optics are on the appointment.

[Michael Bluth]

I like where Coyne says,Liberals have simple minded solutions to complex issues.

Right on. We have ample evidence of simple minded supporters who are questioning the value of a very strong former Premier as Ambassador.

A simple minded diatribe by the national party organ, i.e. the Toronto Star.

Seems like people who look into this fairly are staying on the sidelines.

Not all civil servants are questioning this appointment.

The man who was replaced did not take umbrage with it.

[Shakeyhands]

Bluth, you must have missed the post directly above yours.... waiting to hear your comment on it!

[Michael Bluth]

Bluth, you must have missed the post directly above yours.... waiting to hear your comment on it!

I commented on it directly.

Here's my comment.

A simple minded diatribe by the national party organ, i.e. the Toronto Star.

[Shakeyhands]

so you don't believe this is Harper going back on what he committed to?

why not comment on the substance of the argument instead of using the age old tactic of attacking the messenger?

[Michael Bluth]

so you don't believe this is Harper going back on what he committed to?

why not comment on the substance of the argument instead of using the age old tactic of attacking the messenger?

I have. Please see posts 2, 4, 6, 11 and 15 of this thread.

My comment in each of those posts deals with the 'substance' of the Binns appointment. And why the public appointments commission was scrapped.

Will you now do as you asked me to do?

[jdobbin]

why not comment on the substance of the argument

I find it hard to believe that Binns was appointed because there was no competent foreign service officer available.

It is why the Post, the Globe and the Star have all said it is strictly a patronage appointment.

[Shakeyhands]

yes, we're all very clear on how you think the appointment is great, now what about the promise, is there a commission set up?

[Higgly]

The Conservatives have brought a different view to the role of ambassador.

They have realized the most important job of an ambassador is to build trade ties. Ireland is a great market for Canada.

Having Binns in the job is good for Canadians.

Yeah we all know how crazy the Irish are for potatoes.

Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss...

[Michael Bluth]

yes, we're all very clear on how you think the appointment is great, now what about the promise, is there a commission set up?

Harper tried to. The opposition used it to 'teach him a lesson'. A purely partisan attempt to prevent the first appointment.

If the opposition was going to play games with the commission it wouldn't serve its purpose.

Hence, no commission.

[Fortunata]

Thats the thing with the Cons under Steve - if you don't play by my rules (never mind agreed-upon rules) we're going to take our toys and go home. It's a bully organization. Have you forgotten the manual they distributed on how to disrupt parliamentary business? It's disgraceful.