Harper kept public in dark, July 6
When the stuff hits the fan, “plausible deniability” allows politicians to say, “I didn’t know; no-one told me.” This is what our Prime Minister would have us believe about Mike Duffy’s bailout with Nigel Wright’s cheque.
But now we hear from the RCMP that at least three others in his office, besides Wright, knew about it. This contradicts the Prime Minister’s claim that it was all Wright’s doing.
By all accounts, Stephen Harper is a control freak, so his denials stretch credibility to the breaking point. The real question is not what he did or didn’t know, but rather: how could he not have played a role in this comedy?
Perhaps this is a case of “implausible deniability.”
Salvatore (Sal) Amenta, Stouffville
In the best case scenario — gross negligence and incompetence — Mr. Harper expects us to believe that there is this big conspiracy going on right under his nose and he is wilfully blind to it.
In the worst, he is part of a criminal conspiracy and cover up.
Thomas Wall, Whitby
Senator Mike Duffy’s alleged use of taxpayers money to increase his wealth is only the symptom of a culture of entitlement by politicians of all parties. Politicians use our money as if no one owns it. The average Canadian citizen is becoming more mistrustful of politicians for that very reason. The government wants every penny that they can get from taxpayers of this country and this how they spend it.
It is unfortunate that Senator Duffy appears not to have learned a simple rule: “The pig that remains at the trough longest gets slaughtered first.”
Calvin Lawrence, Ottawa
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Star Readers Opine On Harper's Self-Reported Ignorance (I Didn't Do It) And Mike Duffy's Avarice
Some days, all I have to do is open my newspaper for my blog post. Today is one of those days. Enjoy.
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The way this case is unfolding, it appears that the cleaning staff at the PMO probably knew about Wright's payoff to Duffy.
ReplyDeleteBut stick to your story Steve, because we all believe you.
A good one, Anon. One wonders what rankles 'Dear Leader' more, being accused of complicity in a crime, or wearing the mantle of gross incompetence.
DeleteIt would appear, Lorne, that the prime minister who has been so successful at fooling the public has lost his touch.
ReplyDeleteFlawed human being that I am, Owen, I am relishing every moment as the noose gets tighter.
Delete"One wonders what rankles 'Dear Leader' more, being accused of complicity in a crime, or wearing the mantle of gross incompetence."
ReplyDeleteIt is truly sad that Canadians have to ask themselves such questions. But, in this day and age, they must. Do not vote for the neoconservative agenda that you do not believe in and that does not represent your interests.
Those are wise words, Anon; people ignore such advice at their peril.
DeleteLorne, this whole thing comes down to Duffy's incredibly stupid e-mail in which he related to his confidantes - let's call them half of Tory Ottawa - of a four point fix for all his problems. 1. They were going to give him the money under the table to clear his tab. 2. He was to immediately clam up about his expenses. 3. He was to cease any cooperation with the Deloitte auditors. 4. In addition to the cash the PMO would see to it that the Senate report "went easy on" Duffy.
ReplyDeleteWhat nobody can deny is that all four of those elements subsequently transpired. Duffy even made up a flimsy cover story about getting the money from the Royal Bank.
What Duffy never (and quite foolishly) foresaw is that his e-mail would be forwarded to the other half of Tory Ottawa which included some who had scores to settle with Harper and, from them, straight to the CTV newsroom and Bob Fife who had his own scores to settle with Duffy.
For Harper to say he didn't know of this is ridiculous. Tory Ottawa knew of it. The Conservative Fund knew of it. Lebreton, Tkachuk, Olsen all knew of it. Duffy's counsel knew of it. The top aides in the PMO knew of it.
Now recall that Sideshow Steve has had experience of this before when, at first, he denied knowing anything of Bruce Carson's rich criminal past. He tried to blame that on his PMO keeping him in the dark. Finally he had to admit he knew just a little bit of Carson's shady history but felt inclined to give him another chance, to be charitable and try to rehabilitate Carson. Again it was all bullshit.
There were reasons Duffy, unlike Wallin, was brought in-house and this was made a PMO matter. There were reasons Duffy was given under-the-table cash and protection in the Senate. What hasn't emerged yet is those reasons but I'm told they will come out or at least some of them.
Why is the Senate not moving to turf Duffy? Why are they not attaching his income to cover his ill-gotten reimbursements? Right now Duffy is still ahead of the game to the tune of $92,000. He hasn't had to make any restitution whatsoever. And nobody, it seems, is laying a glove on him. I'm told there are reasons for that too that also have yet to come out.
I think it was you, Mound, who said that Duffy knows too much that could hurt too many high-level Conservatives, hence his kid-glove treatment. The fact that the Senate has not moved against him suggests that he poses an ongoing threat.
ReplyDeleteWhile I realize that the investigation is ongoing and still in fairly early stages, I would be interested to know your thoughts on whether it is likely our politically-compromised RCMP will lay criminal charges against The Puffster over his improper acceptance of the $90,000. From what I have read, there seems to be ample basis for charging him.
Regarding Sideshow Steve, I am heartened to see that his credibility is continuing to erode. Perhaps Canadians are finally awakening to the importance of exercising a bit of critical thinking about the one they chose to lead the country. Anyone for a bit of Brazilian outrage?
Stephen Harper reminds me of Richard Nixon.
ReplyDeleteWould that be Richard "I am not a crook" Nixon, LeDaro?
DeleteLorne, there you go. "I, Stephen Harper, am not a crook." :)
Delete