Travers: Did we turn a blind eye to Afghan prisoners?

Prime Minister Stephen Harper suspended Parliament rather than release related documents that raise difficult questions about the role of this country’s special forces and spies in targeting, capturing and interrogating key enemies.

Linking those events are fears about what happened to Isa Mohammad and two other prisoners transferred to Kabul control by Canadians after successful Kandahar operations. In a private 2007 briefing, the prestigious International Committee of the Red Cross expressed concern to Canada that the men had either been killed or were being held by the U.S. in one of its controversial “black site” military prisons.

…Most Canadians will accept commando raids and civilian spying as particularly necessary in a war against an enemy fighting outside the accepted rules of engagement.

Much more troubling is the implication that this country was complicit in Afghans “disappearing” prisoners, or that Canada became a partner in the U.S. rendition scheme that trampled legal and human rights.

Harper prorogued Parliament in December at least in part to put an end to awkward opposition questions about what generals and ministers knew about Afghan abuse of combatants captured in routine operations.

Now the Prime Minister can only hope that next week’s throne speech and budget will distract attention from something much worse: Worry that Canadians turned a systemically blind eye to their allies’ shameful methods.

Title: Travers: Did we turn a blind eye to Afghan prisoners?
From: The Toronto Star, Opinion, James Travers
Date: February 25, 2010
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/771199–travers-did-we-turn-a-blind-eye-to-afghan-prisoners?bn=1

Harper sending wrong message says Liberal MP

Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government is sending a message that the Paralympics aren’t important by forcing MPs to be in Ottawa during the games, says Liberal MP Michelle Simson.

While Harper prorogued Parliament, saying it was done in part to allow MPs to attend the Olympics, he has cancelled the March break week which falls in the middle of the Paralympics, said Simson, MP for Scarborough Southwest.

“They’ve sent a message that this isn’t as significant to this government as the Olympics were.”

The Paralympics run from March 12-21. Parliament was originally supposed to break from March 15-19 but in the wake of the backlash over prorogation, the government cancelled it.

Title: Harper sending wrong message says Liberal MP
From: Nothern News, News, ELIZABETH THOMPSON
Date: February 24, 2010
http://www.northernnews.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2463307

Who wants to write a Throne Speech?

In the most buzz-worthy political column of the weekend, the National Post’s John Ivison assembles a small army of anonymous disaffected Tories who think Guy Giorno has been a bit of a disaster as Stephen Harper’s Chief of Staff … and a smaller army of those who defend him, perhaps because they fear his legendary wrath. The most damning insinuation, other than that prorogation was Mr. Giorno’s idea, is that the PMO is still casting around for Throne Speech ideas at this late date.

Title: Chris Selley’s Full Pundit: Much ado about English muffins
From: The National Post, Opinion, Chris Selley
Date: February 22, 2010
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2010/02/22/399028.aspx

Letter: Hold the GG accountable as well

We should also hold our governor general accountable for her part in this charade. When she gave her stamp of approval to the shutdown of Parliament without requiring Harper to make his request in person, she allowed him to make a mockery of her office and her position as the Queen’s representative in Canada. What would the reaction would have been if the British prime minister had called the Queen by telephone to notify her that he was proroguing the British Parliament?

Title: GG on spot over proroguing
From: The Toronto Star, Letter, Lou Wise, Don Mills
Date: February 21, 2010
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/article/768492–gg-on-spot-over-proroguing

The pollster who couldn’t shoot straight

Murray Dobbin disses the pollster Nik Nanos for dissing social networking movements.

Title: The pollster who couldn’t shoot straight
From: Rabble.ca, Opinion, Murray Dobbin
Date: February 19, 2010
http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/murray-dobbin/2010/02/pollster-who-couldnt-shoot-straight

Peterborough: Liberals host public pre-budget meeting; Conservatives’ was private

What I thought was of interest was this little piece:

Peterborough MP Dean Del Mastro held his own local pre-budget consultation Feb. 4 at the Holiday Inn. Manufacturers, farmers, post-secondary institution officials, municipal politicians, an emergency shelter operator and the head of a local museum participated in the invite-only meeting that was not open to the public.

Closed-door, invitee-only budget consultation events. What was presented? What was said? We’ll never know. Compare that ‘process’ to a Parliamentary committee holding pre-budget consultations: Everything’s on record.

The Liberal consultation this news item also talks about is listed as open to the public.

Title: Liberals host pre-budget meeting
From: The Peterborough Examiner, News, GALEN EAGLE
Date: February 20, 2010
http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2458616

Judging Giorno

The federal Tories admit that they did not anticipate the blowback from prorogation.

The Prime Minister has never minded criticism, but in this case all the flak he’s taken since the start of the year must be galling, since he had to be talked into prorogation against his will, according to a number of senior Conservatives.

“If it had been down to him, Parliament would have taken a 10-day break and come back to work,” revealed one MP.

Title: Judging Giorno
From: The National Post, News, John Ivison
Date: February 20, 2010
http://www.nationalpost.com/most-popular/story.html?id=2589988

Letter: Why was Parliament prorogued?

Simple, and to the point:

Dear Editor:

The following is an open letter to Gordon O’Connor, MP for Carleton-Mississippi Mills.

I have the following two simple questions for you and as our representative in Parliament, I would appreciate your early reply.

1. Could you please explain why the leader of your party, Stephen Harper, decided to prorogue Parliament until March, 2010?

2. Do you think it is a good idea?

I would appreciate your frank opinion here, not just the party line.

As you can see, I am also sending this letter to our local newspapers. I am sure their readers will be interested in your response too.

Thank you,

Jake Cole

Kanata

Title: Why was Parliament prorogued?
From: West Carleton EMC, Letter, Jake Cole
Date: February 19, 2010
http://www.emcwestcarleton.ca/20100219/editorials/Why+was+Parliament+prorogued%3F

Letter: PM’s speech as good from Ottawa as B.C.

Wouldn’t it have been better to unlock the House of Commons to give other Canadian Members of Parliament an opportunity to speak about the Olympics to their constituents as well?

Title: PM’s speech as good from Ottawa as B.C.
From: BC Local News, Letter, Paul Connolly
Date: February 19, 2010
http://www.bclocalnews.com/opinion/letters/84715857.html

Putting prorogation into (a) perspective

The decision by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to prorogue Parliament in late December ignited a firestorm of angst. Left-leaning media jumped all over the Prime Minister, with scathing editorials and commentary. Protests were organized in various communities across Canada, including Hamilton, where groups of malcontents took to the street in a public display of outrage against the Prime Minister’s decision to shut down the House of Commons until March 3.

Title: Putting prorogation into perspective
From: Stoney Creek News, Opinion, MARK CRIPPS
Date: February 18, 2010
http://www.stoneycreeknews.com/opinions/article/203112