Monthly Archives: January 2008
Strange Harper Clone Appears Before National Media
| 1/29/2008 | Posted by Patti under Afghanistan, Canadian Politics |
Some guy looking like, sounding like and claiming to be Stephen Harper appeared before the media yesterday to talk about Manley’s report. What made the media, and others question, who this guy was is that what came out of this guy’s mouth was a bit of humble speak which included sounding like someone who would compromise and work with at least one other party to make the Afghanistan mission work.
It is a side of Harper that I don’t know I’ve ever actually seen in motion. I know I’d like to see more of it, a lot more. Who knows,
Canadians Increasingly non-Partisan
| 1/28/2008 | Posted by Patti under Canadian Politics |
A recent Canadian Press Harris-Decima survey indicates that Canadians are becoming increasingly non-partisan just as it seems that there is nothing in Ottawa that is not defined by partisan bickering. Maybe it is Canadians desire to see leadership shaped by what is good for the country more than the stroking of egos that comes with partisan politics.
Only a small number of those surveyed indicated a commitment to either the Liberals (13%) or the Conservatives (12%). Increasingly the two parties are seen as interchangeable. I suspect that view has a lot to do with overall behaviour than any particular stand on issues. While Dion stumbles around like the bumbling professor, Harper keeps a cone of silence firmly planted over him and his party, lashing out with vicious attacks on those he can’t control when they oppose him.
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AFGHAN PRESS Launches
| 1/28/2008 | Posted by Patti under Afghanistan |
An independent media outlet in Afghanistan has launched, Afghan Press. The site’s objective is to be a free and independent source of otherwise unreported news of what is happening in Afghanistan. The success of projects like this are part of what goes into building a democracy.
As cynical as we sometimes get about how impartial or biased media is, the fact is that without a media that is not controlled by the government, democracy and freedom become limited. The sites authors write:
“We want to create a powerful Afghanistan through new media technologies. The internet is our only gateway to free speech and global outreach. We want to use digital media to show the world what currently goes unreported; things happening in Afghanistan’s remote villages, to people never given a chance to communicate with the rest of the world. In order to share a realistic portrayal of Afghanistan with the rest of the world, we aim to involve as many locals as possible in reporting the world around them, thus concretely enhancing the lives of Afghan people. We envision this taking the form of digital media, documentaries, podcasts, online TV, journalism, women blogging, youth empowerment via the internet and beyond”
I’m going to be keeping an eye on this site. I hope they succeed in meeting their goals.
Peru & Canada Sign Free Trade Agreement
| 1/27/2008 | Posted by Patti under Canadian News, Canadian Politics |
Where are the Detainees?
| 1/25/2008 | Posted by Patti under Afghanistan, Canadian Politics |
After months of controversy over the status of detainees, prisoners taken by Canadian soldiers during their operations in Afghanistan, federal lawyers revealed in court on Wednesday that Canada halted transfers of detainees to the Afghans last November. The halt immediately followed the uncovering of credible evidence that a detainee had been beaten in Afghan custody. The weapons used on him were found in his cell by a Canadian officer on an inspection visit to a detainee.
This is the first that anyone, including apparently our allies, has been informed of this quiet change in policy. The PMO’s office has tried to claim that it was a decision by the military and the government wasn’t informed, thus the government couldn’t announce the decision in parliament during the many times this issue has been raised in the house. Sandra Buckler in the PMO’s office has had to backtrack on that claim, saying she ‘misspoke’ aka lied. (more…)
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