Comments for Alberta Diary http://albertadiary.ca Wed, 22 May 2013 13:58:34 -0400 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on Pack the Senate with cheats, then call for reform, then take off for Peru? Good plan! by jerrymacgp http://albertadiary.ca/2013/05/pack-the-senate-with-cheats-then-call-for-reform-then-take-off-for-peru-good-plan.html#comment-76951 jerrymacgp Wed, 22 May 2013 13:58:34 +0000 http://albertadiary.ca/?p=10043#comment-76951 Re Mr. Merali: I suspect the only way out of this for Alberta taxpayers is if there was some sort of ethics clause in his initial job application process or his employment contract, requiring him to attest that he has no skeleton in his closet. If there is such a clause, he might be hoist by the petard of his previous work in Ontario, with their air ambulance service. As for his past employment at Capital Health, it appears that his expenses were in accordance with the rules then in force, however loosey-goosey they might have been. Re Mr. Merali: I suspect the only way out of this for Alberta taxpayers is if there was some sort of ethics clause in his initial job application process or his employment contract, requiring him to attest that he has no skeleton in his closet. If there is such a clause, he might be hoist by the petard of his previous work in Ontario, with their air ambulance service. As for his past employment at Capital Health, it appears that his expenses were in accordance with the rules then in force, however loosey-goosey they might have been.

]]> Comment on Preston Manning is no saint, as secretive Carleton University scheme illustrates by Media and Policy News: 13 August 2012 http://albertadiary.ca/2012/07/preston-manning-is-no-saint-as-secretive-carleton-university-scheme-illustrates.html#comment-76845 Media and Policy News: 13 August 2012 Wed, 22 May 2013 00:44:53 +0000 http://albertadiary.ca/?p=6398#comment-76845 [...] An interesting examination of Preston Manning and the Carleton University school for Conservative apparatchiks: http://albertadiary.ca/2012/07/preston-manning-is-no-saint-as-secretive-carleton-university-scheme-i... [...] [...] An interesting examination of Preston Manning and the Carleton University school for Conservative apparatchiks: http://albertadiary.ca/2012/07/preston-manning-is-no-saint-as-secretive-carleton-university-scheme-i… [...]

]]> Comment on (Prime) ministerial responsibility and all that … surely the wrong man has quit! by anonymous http://albertadiary.ca/2013/05/prime-ministerial-responsibility-and-all-that-surely-the-wrong-man-has-quit.html#comment-76756 anonymous Tue, 21 May 2013 16:10:49 +0000 http://albertadiary.ca/?p=10029#comment-76756 --------------------------------------- The Tale of Sir Stephen --------------------------------------- Brave Sir Stephen ran away. Bravely ran away away. When danger reared it's ugly head, He bravely turned his tail and fled. Yes, brave Sir Stephen turned about. And gallantly he chickened out. Bravely taking to his feet, He beat a very brave retreat. Bravest of the braaaave, Sir Stephen! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4SJ0xR2_bQ —————————————
The Tale of Sir Stephen
—————————————
Brave Sir Stephen ran away.
Bravely ran away away.
When danger reared it’s ugly head,
He bravely turned his tail and fled.
Yes, brave Sir Stephen turned about.
And gallantly he chickened out.
Bravely taking to his feet,
He beat a very brave retreat.
Bravest of the braaaave, Sir Stephen!

]]> Comment on (Prime) ministerial responsibility and all that … surely the wrong man has quit! by Don Bruce http://albertadiary.ca/2013/05/prime-ministerial-responsibility-and-all-that-surely-the-wrong-man-has-quit.html#comment-76632 Don Bruce Tue, 21 May 2013 02:32:19 +0000 http://albertadiary.ca/?p=10029#comment-76632 Another affront to the people of Canada.....when will the majority speak? Another affront to the people of Canada…..when will the majority speak?

]]> Comment on (Prime) ministerial responsibility and all that … surely the wrong man has quit! by David Climenhaga http://albertadiary.ca/2013/05/prime-ministerial-responsibility-and-all-that-surely-the-wrong-man-has-quit.html#comment-76603 David Climenhaga Mon, 20 May 2013 22:53:04 +0000 http://albertadiary.ca/?p=10029#comment-76603 Maybe it's better that they got my name wrong. They seem to have quoted me in a way that - intentionally? - gives the impression I thought Mr. Wright should remain, presumably in the service of the prime minister, and Mr. Duffy have gone. As readers of this blog will know, my view is that the PM should accept his responsibility and resign, naturally taking Mr. Wright with him. As for r. Duffy, he can stay to lend credibility to the huge Conservative contingent in the Senate. Maybe it’s better that they got my name wrong. They seem to have quoted me in a way that – intentionally? – gives the impression I thought Mr. Wright should remain, presumably in the service of the prime minister, and Mr. Duffy have gone. As readers of this blog will know, my view is that the PM should accept his responsibility and resign, naturally taking Mr. Wright with him. As for r. Duffy, he can stay to lend credibility to the huge Conservative contingent in the Senate.

]]> Comment on (Prime) ministerial responsibility and all that … surely the wrong man has quit! by CuJoYYC http://albertadiary.ca/2013/05/prime-ministerial-responsibility-and-all-that-surely-the-wrong-man-has-quit.html#comment-76583 CuJoYYC Mon, 20 May 2013 21:10:24 +0000 http://albertadiary.ca/?p=10029#comment-76583 When your political modus operandi consists mainly of finger-pointing, mirrors are unwelcome. That's why Dear Leader™ and his cabal won't ever acknowledge their unethical behaviour. When your political modus operandi consists mainly of finger-pointing, mirrors are unwelcome. That’s why Dear Leader™ and his cabal won’t ever acknowledge their unethical behaviour.

]]> Comment on (Prime) ministerial responsibility and all that … surely the wrong man has quit! by CuJoYYC http://albertadiary.ca/2013/05/prime-ministerial-responsibility-and-all-that-surely-the-wrong-man-has-quit.html#comment-76580 CuJoYYC Mon, 20 May 2013 21:04:53 +0000 http://albertadiary.ca/?p=10029#comment-76580 Ah, the sweet smell of Karma. "The Prime Minister should have known that. He cannot get away with saying, "Don't blame me. I was only the piano player. I had no idea what was going on upstairs". Stephen Harper Hansard Nov 24, 2005 Ah, the sweet smell of Karma.

“The Prime Minister should have known that. He cannot get away with saying, “Don’t blame me. I was only the piano player. I had no idea what was going on upstairs”.

Stephen Harper
Hansard Nov 24, 2005

]]> Comment on Schadenfreude, evidence and politics: a half-hearted defence of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford by Lois Lockwood http://albertadiary.ca/2013/05/schadenfreude-evidence-and-politics-a-half-hearted-defence-of-toronto-mayor-rob-ford.html#comment-76534 Lois Lockwood Mon, 20 May 2013 19:22:55 +0000 http://albertadiary.ca/?p=10010#comment-76534 All I can say is that Mayor Ford makes the task of elevating the voters' perception of the public service in Toronto even more rewarding than it would be anyway. The juxtaposition of the hard-working, honest, diverse, skilled, dedicated membership of CUPE 79, versus this administration, is remarkable, whether he is guilty of this latest allegation or not. I agree that guilt cannot be presumed but I am not surprised that Torontonians believe this could all be true. Sad. All I can say is that Mayor Ford makes the task of elevating the voters’ perception of the public service in Toronto even more rewarding than it would be anyway. The juxtaposition of the hard-working, honest, diverse, skilled, dedicated membership of CUPE 79, versus this administration, is remarkable, whether he is guilty of this latest allegation or not. I agree that guilt cannot be presumed but I am not surprised that Torontonians believe this could all be true. Sad.

]]> Comment on (Prime) ministerial responsibility and all that … surely the wrong man has quit! by Alex P http://albertadiary.ca/2013/05/prime-ministerial-responsibility-and-all-that-surely-the-wrong-man-has-quit.html#comment-76515 Alex P Mon, 20 May 2013 18:02:29 +0000 http://albertadiary.ca/?p=10029#comment-76515 Dear, Canada Please make a different mistake. That's all. Dear, Canada

Please make a different mistake.

That’s all.

]]> Comment on (Prime) ministerial responsibility and all that … surely the wrong man has quit! by Filostrato http://albertadiary.ca/2013/05/prime-ministerial-responsibility-and-all-that-surely-the-wrong-man-has-quit.html#comment-76505 Filostrato Mon, 20 May 2013 17:21:57 +0000 http://albertadiary.ca/?p=10029#comment-76505 Nothing about this whole thing adds up. Duffy has an (apparently) free-and-clear property, a cottage, in P.E.I., but I don't know, and don't know how to find out, when he actually bought the place. A senator must own property in the province he represents. It doesn't have to be a lot but he does have to own it. Good old <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senate_of_Canada" rel="nofollow">Wikipedia</a> to the rescue again. <i>"A senator must possess land worth at least $4,000 in the province for which he or she is appointed. Moreover, a senator must own real and personal property worth at least $4,000... [a]bove his or her debts and liabilities."</i> So, did Duffy buy the property recently, after he found out about the impending Senate appointment? Did he buy it to fulfill his residency requirements in the province of his birth? To own it free-and-clear, did he have to remortage his house in Ottawa to pay for the place in P.E.I., thus establishing his residency by property ownership? I know that having a large mortgage in your mid-sixties isn't a crime, but a $360,000 or so debt on a house in Ottawa is a bit unusual, especially since Duffy lived there and was gainfully employed since the 80's at least. Was it a "don't worry, your expense claims will cover the new mortgage" piece of advice? As usual, more questions than answers. Nigel Wright seems to be a bit of a cypher, too. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_S._Wright" rel="nofollow">good old Wikipedia</a> entry didn't seem to help much. I came away from reading it feeling kind of disturbed by the whole thing. I'll have to think about it and try to figure out why. Nothing about this whole thing adds up.

Duffy has an (apparently) free-and-clear property, a cottage, in P.E.I., but I don’t know, and don’t know how to find out, when he actually bought the place. A senator must own property in the province he represents. It doesn’t have to be a lot but he does have to own it.

Good old Wikipedia to the rescue again.

“A senator must possess land worth at least $4,000 in the province for which he or she is appointed. Moreover, a senator must own real and personal property worth at least $4,000… [a]bove his or her debts and liabilities.”

So, did Duffy buy the property recently, after he found out about the impending Senate appointment? Did he buy it to fulfill his residency requirements in the province of his birth? To own it free-and-clear, did he have to remortage his house in Ottawa to pay for the place in P.E.I., thus establishing his residency by property ownership? I know that having a large mortgage in your mid-sixties isn’t a crime, but a $360,000 or so debt on a house in Ottawa is a bit unusual, especially since Duffy lived there and was gainfully employed since the 80′s at least. Was it a “don’t worry, your expense claims will cover the new mortgage” piece of advice? As usual, more questions than answers.

Nigel Wright seems to be a bit of a cypher, too. The good old Wikipedia entry didn’t seem to help much. I came away from reading it feeling kind of disturbed by the whole thing. I’ll have to think about it and try to figure out why.

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