Can you believe that Prime Minister Harper, the master of micro-managing-message-control, was out of the loop for seven months on a letter sent to him from Karlheinz Schreiber alleging serious wrong-doing by former PM (and current Harper mentor) Brian Mulroney?
Given that the letter was accusing former Prime Minister Mulroney of serious abuses of the highest political office in the country, can you believe the Privy Council Office’s characterization of the letter’s content? What were they thinking when, according to media reports, the CPO decided the Schreiber letter to Prime Minister Harper as merely dealing with a civil suit between two private citizens and therefore Harper need not even be advised of the letter's existence, never mind the content?
Mr. Harper’s recent threats in response to the opposition parties (and many Canadians) saying they want him to investigate this matter saying we had “better be careful what we ask for” in demanding a sitting PM investigate a former PM. This attitude was pure unvarnished and unscripted Stephen Harper at his most insinuating, intimidating and threatening best. He implies with such a request to investigate the Mulroney/Schreiber affair there could also be other investigations of other former PMs. Scary stuff.
Mr. Harper’s recent threats in response to the opposition parties (and many Canadians) saying they want him to investigate this matter saying we had “better be careful what we ask for” in demanding a sitting PM investigate a former PM. This attitude was pure unvarnished and unscripted Stephen Harper at his most insinuating, intimidating and threatening best. He implies with such a request to investigate the Mulroney/Schreiber affair there could also be other investigations of other former PMs. Scary stuff.
If further investigation of other PMs is warranted Mr. Harper, then that sir, is exactly what I and other Canadians would expect you to undertake. Your insinuation that this may bear some “consequences” to other politicians and other political parties is damaging to your own reputation as PM and brings into question your own fitness for service the highest political office in the land.
The last time Harper launched such an investigation it was politically motivated and over certain communications, polling and advisory contracts with former Prime Minister Martin and a consulting firm. That firm was also heavily involved in Martin's bid for leadership of the LPC and in his last two election strategies. The investigation mandate Mr. Harper set then was to look for any wrong-doing and skullduggery by the contractors and Mr. Martin. That appointee was seen by most as more of a political provocateur than an indifferent and independent investigator. He was supposed to report back on his findings in 6 months and that time has long since past without any report being released by Mr. Harper. We don’t even know if Harper has actually received such a report as yet. Not an encouraging record Mr. Harper.
Mr. Harper indicates he will appoint an independent third party to investigate the issues and allegations around the Mulroney/Schreiber affair. He says that appointment announcement may come as early as this week. Mr. Harper needs to prove, through this action, that he has the character and capacity for service in the highest political office in the land. If he aspires to a majority government with virtually unfettered control that would bring to him, and as was enjoyed by Prime Ministers Mulroney and Chrétien, he can do much toward ensuring that outcome in the next election by the appointment of a truly independent person to do this review.
Be careful who you appoint this time Mr. Harper and be very open and transparent with the mandate and terms of reference and be generous with the resources you afford this investigation. We are talking about the integrity of the highest political office in the land and not some clever political out-of-season campaign ploy like your series of “who-is-not-a-leader” negative TV ads against Mr. Dion. Please do not politicize this situation Mr. Harper.
The last time Harper launched such an investigation it was politically motivated and over certain communications, polling and advisory contracts with former Prime Minister Martin and a consulting firm. That firm was also heavily involved in Martin's bid for leadership of the LPC and in his last two election strategies. The investigation mandate Mr. Harper set then was to look for any wrong-doing and skullduggery by the contractors and Mr. Martin. That appointee was seen by most as more of a political provocateur than an indifferent and independent investigator. He was supposed to report back on his findings in 6 months and that time has long since past without any report being released by Mr. Harper. We don’t even know if Harper has actually received such a report as yet. Not an encouraging record Mr. Harper.
Mr. Harper indicates he will appoint an independent third party to investigate the issues and allegations around the Mulroney/Schreiber affair. He says that appointment announcement may come as early as this week. Mr. Harper needs to prove, through this action, that he has the character and capacity for service in the highest political office in the land. If he aspires to a majority government with virtually unfettered control that would bring to him, and as was enjoyed by Prime Ministers Mulroney and Chrétien, he can do much toward ensuring that outcome in the next election by the appointment of a truly independent person to do this review.
Be careful who you appoint this time Mr. Harper and be very open and transparent with the mandate and terms of reference and be generous with the resources you afford this investigation. We are talking about the integrity of the highest political office in the land and not some clever political out-of-season campaign ploy like your series of “who-is-not-a-leader” negative TV ads against Mr. Dion. Please do not politicize this situation Mr. Harper.
Our faith in our democracy demands that we look to you Mr. Harper as our Prime Minister and as the leader of our government to ensure the necessary accountability is extant in dealing with these difficult circumstances.
While you ponder the appointee and the nature of the assignment please put a stay on the extradition of Mr. Schreiber for a while too. We need him in Canada to be examined under oath surrounding the various allegations in his recent affidavit on this matter. The Germans can wait a bit longer to pursue their tax evasion and fraud charges against him. Right now Canadians need to know if he can prove his allegations or not.
While you ponder the appointee and the nature of the assignment please put a stay on the extradition of Mr. Schreiber for a while too. We need him in Canada to be examined under oath surrounding the various allegations in his recent affidavit on this matter. The Germans can wait a bit longer to pursue their tax evasion and fraud charges against him. Right now Canadians need to know if he can prove his allegations or not.
I'm not taking bets on if Schreiber can prove his allegations or not. I am hoping, for the sake of the confidence of the country in our political institutions, that he can't. Time will tell.
It stretches credulity to believe Harper had no knowledge of Schreiber's letter. After all this is perhaps the most micro-managing prime minister we have ever had in this country. And if they try to run "plausible deniability" up the flag poll in the Commons tomorrow, I don't think it will fly.
ReplyDeletePlausible deniability and willful blindness are variations on the same theme of cowardice and conniving. It is bad governance and poor leadership.
ReplyDeleteTruth is a judgement call. That is why God invented judges and why Harper wants to exert political influence on who gets recommended for judicial appointment.
What if the CPO kept the letter back intentionally just to get even for the bad leadership and policy approaches that has been the talisman of so much of the Harper government?
What if this is just good old fashioned bureaucratic payback time? My guess is the relations between the PMO and the PCO is as bad if not worse than the PMO - media kinship.
So they merely keep the letter off the PMO radar screen knowing it will get exposed sometime leaving Harper to twist in the political wind. Kind of like the old movie with Paul Newman and Sally Fields Absense of Malice!!! If you have not seen it - rent it.
I am not into conspiracy theories...reality is complex enough already. That said, however, it would be an interesting turn of events and could form the plot line for a "Who Undone It" political book.
Wow, don't let facts get into the way of your analysis. Maybe you should wait for the facts to come out instead of believing everything Schreiber has said.
ReplyDeleteMulroney himself has called for a full public inquiry to clear his good name. It shameful for you and other liberals to once again go on a witchunt without first determining allowing for a full examination the facts.
Your speculation is just that - unsubstantiated assertions without no factual foundation but for the affidavit of a serial liar.
Anon @ 10:04 - I think you are not giving a fair reading of this post. My point is that these matters align significantly with yours.
ReplyDeleteWe don't know the facts...we merely have unsubstantiated allegations from both Mulroney and Schreiber.
Based on what we know for sure so far, none of these two gentlemen deserves the benefit of the doubt on these allegations. We need to get to the bottom of this and Canadians need to be reassured there was no wrong-doing in the office of the Prime Minister.
I supported Harper's initial step of an independent investigation - kind of like a preliminary inquiry in a criminal trial...is there any evidence of substance here that justifies a full inquiry?
I admire Mr. Mulroney's call for going directly to a full inquiry. That is the only way to get to the truth and in a way where citizens can see and understand what is going on.
The truth is always an interpretation and a judgment call based on facts and context. So based on Mr Mulroney's request I think Mr. Harper can go straight to a judicial inquiry.
Perhaps it is time to bring Mr. Justice Gomery out of retirement.