By now you've undoubtedly seen what our, too clever by half, Minister of Justice has decided to do as it relates to the documents surrounding the handling of Afghan detainees.After months of first dismissing the whole issue as partisan politics by the opposition, followed by months of reassuring all and sundry that they had complied with the demands, (saying that as recently as yesterday by the way), what really stands out about this move is their tacit admission that indeed, the request has not been complied with.
It's clear to me that this is yet another stall tactic, as it was pretty clear that Derek Lee was going to take action, that the government wasn't looking forward to. It was widely speculated that Lee was going to rise in the House either today or next week. Nicholson appears to have rushed to beat him to the punch. I say rushed, because he had no details to what he wants Iacobucci to do exactly. No terms of reference were available for the opposition to review.
Obviously the terms of reference are critical here, both in terms of what conclusions Iacobucci can reach and in what they say about the government.
This is one to watch. If the issue of parliamentary privilege are not raised in the terms of reference, I suspect Mr. Lee will not be deterred.
Update - After watching some of the political shows tonight, it's clear to me that media aren't even close to understanding what the Iacobucci appointment means. They seem to think it should pacify the opposition. Afterall, they say, the parliament now has a chance of seeing documents, should Iacobucci rule that way.
No. Nicholson appears to have engaged him to report to the government, not the parliament, and lest we forget (no, I can't work the word doth in here), that simply brings us full circle to the government making the call. Ridiculous.
Media, I beg you. Expose the nonsense.
15 comments:
If Iacobucci is a credible as Minister Nic sez, he should decline the appointment and tell PMSH, "Be a man and don't hide behind a Judges robe, when you make a political misstep!"
Hmmm....Iacobucci was a Mulroney appointment as a Supreme Court Judge.
I think Derek Lee has scared the hell out of Harper. Lee is usually low key, but boy does he know his stuff
Ken S, while I think you have a point, it is odd to me that he has agreed w/out terms of reference.
So, it's likely that ToR have been issued. His integrity then, as you cite it, will be measured by what they include.
If on the other hand they have not been outlined and they are anaemic, it would show character and blow the #cpc plan out of the water, were he to refuse.
Sandi, Iacobucci was appointed by Mulroney, but I think his credentials are pretty outstanding.
Not prepared to go the bias route at this point.
I do however think you are right re'Lee scaring the hell out of the government.
My hope is that Lee moves forward in spite of all of this distraction.
According to what I heard .... under the Constitution it allows members of parliament to see the original documents. They have a right to see them
Indeed they do.
The most laughable aspect of all of this, is when the government invokes national security.
Essentially they are saying that Conservative MP's are going to keep secrets, but members of other party's aren't capable.
This is ridiculous beyond belief and the sooner the media gloms on, the better.
Very interesting lead story on the National tonite!
"The most laughable aspect of all of this, is when the government invokes national security."
Not so laughable after all. Let me explain. If the new allegations that just came out yesterday that the Govt. deliberately wanted detainees tortured & handed them over for this act then there is a national security situation here.
Do you think we won't be targeted by terrorists, (Al Quaeda specifically) & soon, if this was made public? So I can see their point BUT this does not mean they can't give the Docs to the Opposition as ordered by Parliament. The Opposition is not stupid & would not make public anything that could be of national security importance. Parliament does have Supremacy over the PM, etc., & this MUST go forward for the sake of democracy as we know it.
I just hope Ignatieff & the Libs do not back off & that they do not accept the judge proposal by Nicholson. If they do all will be lost/go nowhere/die.
This is an aside. It isn't difficult to understand why the Harper Government wants to sell off the CBC to private broadcasters. This country will be in a sorry mess if CBC is sold. We will not ever get unbiased reports again. Please protest this attempt to let CBC go.
This is a good move by Nicholson. He can get out of the shadow of partisan purposes for redacting the documents by getting a third party to make the decisions.
It appears that the Liberals have indicated they support this solution. We'll see whether Dosanjh and Rae try to split the party on this.
penlan said...
"The most laughable aspect of all of this, is when the government invokes national security."
Not so laughable after all. Let me explain. If the new allegations that just came out yesterday that the Govt. deliberately wanted detainees tortured & handed them over for this act then there is a national security situation here.
Actually they are even more laughable than the previous 'allegations' because this time the Liberals are desperate enough to claim that prisoners were handed over with the deliberate intent of HAVING THEM TORTURED. By other people. On purpose.
And you're actually buying this, are you? Wow.
Yep, that's kind of where this looks like it's heading, Fredelda. Pretty nasty stuff, eh? But, you're right. I think we should all be more concerned with the PMOs assertion that Michael Ignatieff is playing politics with the seal hunt and the lives of those who depend on it! I mean, lets not get too ratcheted up on our international shenanigans when the sealing industry is in possible jeopardy. Priorities, my man. Priorities.
LOL
Omar said...
Yep, that's kind of where this looks like it's heading, Fredelda.
That's so precious, feminizing my name like that. My nephew would really see the humor in it (he's 14, of course). Don't let any of the other 'progressives' see you do it, though...you guys like to pretend that you're above all that...;)
Pretty nasty stuff, eh? But, you're right. I think we should all be more concerned with the PMOs assertion that Michael Ignatieff is playing politics with the seal hunt and the lives of those who depend on it!
I think we should all be more concerned with today's revelation that the Liberal party knew all about the torture allegations back in 2002-2005. All the memos written to the government were ignored, though. Guess this means you're throwing Paul Martin and Bill Graham under the bus, eh? heh...
I mean, lets not get too ratcheted up on our international shenanigans when the sealing industry is in possible jeopardy. Priorities, my man. Priorities.
LOL
Absolutely. Let's focus on how much it costs the government to have light bulbs changed and doorbells installed...
Oh, wait...let's not. Turns out that the maintenance contract with that company runs until 2011 and was signed by the Liberals. Just like the single-source contract to produce the H1N1 vaccine, remember?
(you have GOT to stop shooting yourself in the foot like this, Omar...:)
Harper's latest numbers show that despite Olympic gold-medal performances, a quick and generous response to earthquake-ravaged Haiti, a stronger economy and a new Throne Speech and budget, Stephen Harper’s Conservatives cannot command more than 33 per cent of voter support. Mr. Graves calls this “political lethargy” and says the statistical logjam is unprecedented.
I don't think my firearm aim is the one you need to be concerned with...:)
Fred, the Lib's motion has always included their time in government/Afghanistan. They have not run away from that.
Harper on the other hand, given the Terms of Reference released today, (see next post), continues to run.
Pacify yourself that this means nothing, but know what it means for the country is huge.
Not everything in life is measured by the optics of tactical political moves at home. Our reputation in the world and the ability for countries to rely on us, is of immense importance.
The implications of having Harper at the helm...well let's just say I've never made a secret of how I feel about that and what it means for the country.
Here we are. Our reputation has already been tarnished in a variety of areas, Human Rights, Environment, etc. and here at home? Well, he's spent us into a very transparent state that, oops, just happens to fit his (not hidden) agenda. Cut's on the way. Asset sales on the way.
30 something per cent of this country is bringing it to ruin and sadly when I read their comments and blogs, they have nary a clue. Parroting talking points without the ability to actually argue or defend.
Democracy? I think not.
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