Sunday, April 15, 2007
Stéphane Dion In Vernon
Stéphane Dion appeared at a public forum in Vernon today along with Ujjal Dosanjh. I attended to hear the man in person as its preferable to hear the full context of a dialogue rather than the out of context sound bytes or media quotes.
I've always thought Mr. Dion to be an intelligent, but stodgy elitist thinker unable to relate to the commoners. Having listened to the man in person, I found him to be neither stodgy or elitist. In fact, he is quite the opposite. Mr. Dion connected with the small crowd in attendance. He was affable and enjoyed taking questions. And, he provided detailed thoughtful answers - something relatively uncommon when it comes to many politicians.
Mr. Dion explained his vision for Canada and the kicker is he actually has one - complete with a strategic plan that intertwines the economy, environment and social justice issues.
If he becomes Prime Minister, I predict he will also become a statesman and in doing so join the ranks of a handful of past Prime Ministers.
I've always thought Mr. Dion to be an intelligent, but stodgy elitist thinker unable to relate to the commoners. Having listened to the man in person, I found him to be neither stodgy or elitist. In fact, he is quite the opposite. Mr. Dion connected with the small crowd in attendance. He was affable and enjoyed taking questions. And, he provided detailed thoughtful answers - something relatively uncommon when it comes to many politicians.
Mr. Dion explained his vision for Canada and the kicker is he actually has one - complete with a strategic plan that intertwines the economy, environment and social justice issues.
If he becomes Prime Minister, I predict he will also become a statesman and in doing so join the ranks of a handful of past Prime Ministers.
Labels: Dion
Thursday, April 12, 2007
RCMP Pension Fraud
Not surprisingly, Conservative MP's including the Minister of Public Safety, have placed the blame for the RCMP pension scandal on the previous Liberal government. For the Conservatives to blame the previous Liberal government is symptomatic of incurable political diarrhea.
RCMP ineptness and corruption has transcended numerous governments including the "New Government", Liberals, Progressive Conservatives, and beyond. The pension fiasco is but one of a myriad of scandals plaguing this organization over the past few decades.
Despite being aware of the pension file in September 2006, Minister Day chose to remain silent and inactive. Why should he do otherwise? After all, the RCMP handed the Conservatives their election victory nine months earlier.
The RCMP has never been accountable to the public. Politicians don't have the backbone to hold them accountable. And, the only reason Minister Day has taken any action at all is because several RCMP officers had the courage to testify before the Public Accounts Committee. Had it not been for them, Minister Day would have sat on his hands like his predecessors.
Now, we wait to see who the Minister appoints to investigate this mess and whether or not the results of that investigation will ever see the light of day.
RCMP ineptness and corruption has transcended numerous governments including the "New Government", Liberals, Progressive Conservatives, and beyond. The pension fiasco is but one of a myriad of scandals plaguing this organization over the past few decades.
Despite being aware of the pension file in September 2006, Minister Day chose to remain silent and inactive. Why should he do otherwise? After all, the RCMP handed the Conservatives their election victory nine months earlier.
The RCMP has never been accountable to the public. Politicians don't have the backbone to hold them accountable. And, the only reason Minister Day has taken any action at all is because several RCMP officers had the courage to testify before the Public Accounts Committee. Had it not been for them, Minister Day would have sat on his hands like his predecessors.
Now, we wait to see who the Minister appoints to investigate this mess and whether or not the results of that investigation will ever see the light of day.
Labels: accountability, RCMP, Stockwell Day
