I Think Deepak Obhrai May Have an Inner Ear Problem. He Can Shimmy But he Can't Dance.

Sticking to tradition, many Conservatives are refusing to get involved in local debates. Stephen Harper isn't the only one who can cluck the theme to Scooby-Doo.

But Deepak Obhrai of Calgary East has taken it to a new level, with the most convoluted explanation I've heard to anything.

He begins by suggesting that he has more important things to do. Fair enough.

But then he goes into a rant about his Liberal opponent, Josipa Petrunic, calling her a "visitor from Toronto". He does realize that Stephen Harper is from Toronto, right?

And the Ontario born Jason Kenney, who grew up in Saskatchewan, "is visiting" Toronto area ridings campaigning, while ignoring the folks back home.

Or that "Petrunic is a born-and-raised Calgarian who grew up in the riding in Marlborough Park, but has completed graduate studies around the world. She is currently employed by the University of Toronto (on a federal scholarship) as a researcher in her field of the history and philosophy of mathematics, but conducts her research in Calgary and visits the U of T every few months."

Nope. Guess not. "I do not wish to debate a Liberal from Toronto."

Frightening.

Canadian Soldiers Should Not be Dragged Into This Jane Taber. You Should be Ashamed.

“Slander is the revenge of a coward, and dissimulation his defense”

The above quote has been attributed to Samuel Johnson, but since many argue that it is not his, I will leave it as 'unknown'.

To me it doesn't matter who said it, but that it so aptly describes Stephen Harper's handling of the Afghan Detainee issue, as he has consistently used the coward's calling card in an attempt to conceal the truth.

Jane Taber has already revealed her dislike of Mr. Ignatieff, so she no doubt salivated over the opportunity to stick it to him again.

But this isn't about Michael Ignatieff, or the Liberal Party, or even the Conservatives' continuous poisonous assaults.

It is about our troops in the field, who are trying to do a job in a hell hole of a place, and don't have the luxury of proroguing, or slinging mud from behind a desk in a safe and comfortable office.

And it is about our men and women in uniform who often return home broken; physically and mentally. Tim Naumetz reported this week for the Hill Times:

More than 6,000 Canadian Forces members and discharged veterans who are receiving physical or psychiatric disability benefits from Veterans Affairs Canada have either served in Afghanistan or have a disability that has been related to their service in Afghanistan, the department says.

The majority of the soldiers receiving benefits are likely suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or war-related psychiatric conditions, according to global figures the department and the Canadian Forces provided The Hill Times.

They also do not appear to be included in Afghanistan combat or non-combat casualty figures the Canadian Forces compiled, even though the veterans and serving members who have psychiatric conditions likely have them as a result of serving in the Afghan war.

So you can imagine how they would feel reading a headline that includes the phrase "disdain for the Canadian forces.' This is inexcusable for a newspaper that has been part of the Canadian landscape for more than a century and a half, and possibly a new low in journalism.

Since Stephen Harper changed the channel on this issue, making it about the opposition parties accusing our soldiers of war crimes, in an attempt to deflect blame; it may have done irreparable damage to the good name of our country and our military.

He suggested to Peter Mainsbridge, in one of the rare interviews he grants our media, that the detainee issue was just something that the opposition parties have been flapping their gums about for the past four years, and that the Canadian people really don't care at all. Boy, was he wrong.

But to set the record straight, it was not the opposition who raised the alarm on this issue, but our own military police, the International Red Cross, Amnesty International, Oxfam, NATO, The U.S. State Department, our diplomats ... the list goes on.

And it is not our troops who could possibly be charged with war crimes, but members of our own government. Because you see, there's a little clause in International law called 'Command Responsibility'. According to University of Ottawa law professor, Errol Mendes: "While the front line soldiers may have done the actual transfer, the culpability actually lies at the civilian command level: The ones who set the framework in place."

Stephen Harper knows this, which is why he is so desperately using dissimulation as a defense, for actions that are clearly indefensible.

In Taber's piece she refers to two quotes: "Canadians have been involved with ... " and : "Canadians have committed war crimes ... ". Not Canadian soldiers, as most of us know.

In fact, on at least one occasion, they took a prisoner back after witnessing abuse, and from there on in started taking photographs before handing them over. Because you see they know about the Geneva Convention, and they know about honour and dignity. Sometimes their very lives depend on it.

I read an online article recently from the Jamaica Gleaner, entitled Tsk, tsk, tsk Mr. Harper. The author John Rapley informs his readers of the abuse of power that has upset a nation, and the fact that it was found in the " Westminster [Parliamentary] systems ... only three times when prorogation was used to avoid political inquiries: all three were in Canada; two were by Harper."

But it was another statement he made that was more profound: "Over the Christmas holidays, faced with a parliamentary enquiry into abuses of Afghan prisoners by Canadian soldiers, Harper asked the Canadian governor general to prorogue parliament."

See this is what happens when you transfer blame. It sticks.

I immediately fired off an email correcting Rapley, by telling him that it was not the Canadian soldiers who abused the prisoners, but the people they transferred them to.

But it begs the question: Why am I having to defend the honour of our troops on the International stage? Shouldn't that be the job of the prime minister?

Stephen Harper's Cowardice Has Reached New Heights

We knew it was coming. We knew that Stephen Harper would cut and run and leave the troops to bear the shame of the Afghan Detainee issue. We knew he would NEVER EVER stand up for them, when he prefers to hide behind them.

But his cowardice has reached new heights, when he once again will use OUR money for HIS campaign; this time to attack our men and women in uniform.

Boy when he suggested he hated Canada, who knew it was this much?

The Conservatives are planning a full frontal attack on the troops by implying that the opposition members are accusing them of all sorts.

However, every single person in this country and abroad, with any sense at all, knows that the only ones who could be complicit in torture and potentially charged with war crimes; are Stephen Harper, Lawrence Cannon, Peter MacKay, Rick Hillier and Gordon O'Connor.

I find their latest ten per center to be unconscionable, and may be even more vile than their antisemitic profiling of Jewish Canadians.

For the record, it was NOT the opposition who raised the alarm over detainee abuse. It was groups like Amnesty International, B.C. Civil Liberties, the Red Cross, OXFAM, NATO, the U.S. State Department, our military police, the Afghan Human Rights Commission; to name just a few.

This man is unbelievable. I hope it backfires and Canadians finally see him for what he is. A spineless, gutless bully, who huffs and puffs and then hides at the first sign of trouble.

Tories fight back over Afghan detainee controversy
By KATHLEEN HARRIS,
Parliamentary Bureau Chief
February 2, 2010

Conservatives are fighting back over the Afghan detainee controversy, accusing Liberals of questioning the actions of Canadian troops in a flyer that will arrive in mailboxes this week. The householder — known as a 10-per-center — highlights quotes from Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff and other Grit MPs — including one that suggests soldiers might have committed war crimes.

“The men and women of the Canadian Forces serve our country proudly each and every day. From Afghanistan to Haiti, our troops lead the way in helping to rebuild shattered societies and provide security. Sadly, Michael Ignatieff and the Liberal Party have questioned their actions in Afghanistan,” the flyer reads.

Everything I Wanted to Learn from Scott Brison But Was too Afraid to Ask

On June 3, Liberal MP Scott Brison, was the guest speaker at a Townhall meeting in Kingston, Ontario.

I had been looking forward to the event for weeks, studying his resume and creating what I thought would be intelligent questions, that I could present to the Critic for International Trade.

I was going to get a picture with him to post on my facebook, and give a glowing report of our exchange of ideas.

But when the big day finally arrived, I started having second thoughts, and developed a case of nerves.

What was wrong with me? I've never been one to be star struck. I once bumped into Dan Ackroyd, literally, and after an exchange of pleasantries and demands for the name of my lawyer, he asked if I would like an autograph.

I replied; "No thank you." He chuckled and walked away, while I banged myself on the forehead "Idiot, idiot, idiot." Why didn't I take the damn autograph? I could have thrown it in the trash or given it to someone. I like Dan Ackroyd, but autograph seeking has never been my thing.

However, with Mr. Brison it was different. He is smart and I have always been intimidated by smart. What if I asked my question and he realized that I was a fraud? What if he demanded I return my recently acquired Liberal membership card, and cut it up in front of me?

But after a bit of soul searching and a lot of booze (kidding, I don't drink, but really wish I did at that point), I mustered up my courage and headed for the local City Hall.

Making my way through the coiffed and well dressed crowd, I plonked down in the front row, tucked my $20.00 Payless shoes under the seat and carefully placed my notebook over the stain on my pants, determined not to be thrown off by anything.

Mr. Brison finally arrived, only very fashionably late (the day's session didn't end until 4:30 and he had to be in Kingston by 7), and I was immediately impressed with his warmth. Rather than taking his seat at the table where a microphone was placed, he grabbed the mike and stood facing the crowd, as he gave a short speech.

He then opened the floor to questions, and I could feel my hand wanting to go up, but for some reason, it refused to move.

Fortunately a gentleman on the other side of the room arose and after citing facts and figures, posed an intelligent query on what Canada's position would be on whatever those facts and figures were.

Through glazed eyes, I looked down at my notebook and realized that 'boxers or briefs' just wasn't going to cut it.

The rest of the evening continued in much the same way. People cited their visits to Africa and South America; their studies and their life experiences and Mr. Brison was spot on in his answers, never faltering.

He joked and inspired, and the audience was captivated. I just sat on my hands and pretended to be invisible.

At one point, when he was discussing a program, whereby the brightest university students would be given an opportunity to work abroad for a year in a mentoring program, I wanted to ask 'but wouldn't that mean they were just visiting'? But I didn't. At least I assume I didn't, because he had already moved on to another topic.

So I continued to sit on my hands, deciding to wait for the promised 'meet and greet', that would take place when the formal question period was over.

I dutifully stood in line, got my camera out of my purse, accidentally snapped a picture of my foot, and charged out the front door.

Later, however, I found an opportunity to finally engage him in conversation. I was waiting for my ride when he and his aid came out the front door. Standing in the shadows, I finally found my voice and blurted out 'Bye', perhaps a little louder than I intended.

The poor guy jumped about three feet, but when he realized that I wasn't armed, graciously extended his hand. I may or may not have said something else, but I doubt it.

As Mr. Brison finally drove away, I banged myself on the forehead "Idiot, idiot, idiot."

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