Gomery report exxonerates Martin.

[Swede]

So,now what happens? (Besides Harper's head exploding)




Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin had no role in an advertising-contract scandal that cost the governing Liberal Party its legislative majority last year, an inquiry found, boosting his chances of regaining control in elections planned for next year.

Martin, 67, should be ``exonerated from any blame'' in a scheme that saw Liberal fundraisers in Quebec accept kickbacks in exchange for government advertisement contracts, Justice John Gomery said in a 686-page report released today in Ottawa.



http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000082&sid=an8wUeSMy8sY&refer=canada

[Spazito]

1. LOL, I am very much enjoying the faux Cons and the Bloc

gnashing their teeth over this, they have to go with Martin's timing on an election. Bad news for them, roflmao!

[CHIMO]

2. Now What Happens?

Chretien to challenge Gomery findings in court

OTTAWA (CP) - Former prime minister Jean Chretien waited a mere few hours before rejecting the findings of the Gomery report as biased and announced he will challenge its findings in Federal Court.

"I'm not to take the blame for something that's not true," he said. Chretien was unrepentant and pugnacious in an hour-long news conference that featured almost as many salvos aimed at his successor, Paul Martin, as his tormentor, Justice John Gomery.

Chretien couldn't resist a few sharp jabs at Martin while rebutting Gomery. His jousts included references to Jean Lapierre, the former separatist brought back to cabinet by Martin, as well as a veiled suggestion that the current prime minister is less than decisive.

Chretien said he would have banned Lapierre, Martin's current Quebec lieutenant and Transport minister, after he bolted the party in 1990 to help found the separatist Bloc Quebecois.

http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/politics/news/shownews.jsp?content=n1101109A

If Turner wasn't expecting the knife, at least Martin should. The "Little Guy" started the scheme to reach an objective. It seems aparent that he doesn't think that the new "Boss" has the same ideas.

If I was Layton I would be looking to take advantage where possible. Expect "The Little" guy to start calling in his marks.

[HEyHEY]

3. The Canadian Taxpayers federation says "Canadians are unhappy with

how their money was bilked and say the Liberals best clean up this mess."

I wanted to phone up and say, "yeah? says who, dick"

[SixStrings]

4. You're not upset about this thievery?

You're content with a gov't so inept and corrupt that it's leader and finance minister at the time plead ignorant about this?

Like it or not this all happened on their watch. Someone needs to be held accountable. People blame Bush for everything under his control on this site, yet Martin and Chretien deserve a pass?

[Mother Jones]

5. SixStrings, with 118 posts under your belt,

I would think you would understand the general drift in here.

While I have yet to see someone who is a Martin-lover post in here, surely you have gotten the sense that most of us cannot fathom the idea of Harpey at the helm.

I can't imagine anyone is celebrating adscam, but I completely disagree with the notion of "change for the sake of change". I think that could be a very dangerous scenario.


What REALLY gets me, in all of this, is that the conservative party hasn't quite gotten the message that, despite all the bad news coming from the feds, Harpey STILL isn't a viable alternative to the voters of this country.

[SixStrings]

6. This is not about the conservative party.

This has nothing to do with Harper. How did he enter this equation? Kind of like the republicans always bringing up Clinton when they're in a jam.

Please answer the orignal question. If bush is constantly at fault for things in the US, just because he is the president - doesn't that same linear thinking apply here? Why not?

[Mother Jones]

7. If your sole issue is accountability,

then steps are being taken to see that those who are responsible are being held accountable....both from Gomery, then the RCMP.

Re inept and corrupt govt, for the record, I believe the conservative party is every bit inept and/or corrupt as these Liberals.
Reminds me of Bush's ridiculous promise to restore honour and dignity to the WH. Gimme a break!


I don't blame bush for everything, only that which his policies have directly caused. ie war under false pretense, increased wealth-gap, attack on women's rights, vacationing during a national disaster, etc...


Where I believe Harper comes into play, is when Canadians, knowing that the Liberals pulled off adscam, STILL find them the best of the bunch....A very strong message from a typically apathetic bunch.

[glarius]

10. What Canadians MUST remember is Harper went on Fox TV and apologized

He apologized on behalf of Canadians for us not joining the Iraq attack!....He had NO AUTHORITY to speak on behalf of us! How dare he!!!!!!!!....If he had been P.M. we would now be in that horrible war and young Canadian soldiers would be coming home in body bags....WE DON'T WANT HIM OR HIS PARTY IN POWER!

[Mother Jones]

15. I didn't mean to turn this into a Harper-bashing thread....

as fun as that does sound! :-P

I only meant that when discussing Gomery & it's implications, you cannot separate discussions of who could potentially lead this country, if the Liberals fell.

I also didn't mean to imply that we voters find the Libs the best of the bunch - I meant the best of the 2.
Obviously Jack would be amazing, but in my pathetic, red-neck riding, the NDP don't have a chance in hell....(sadly, b/c I live near some of the poorest communities in Ont)

Jack's comments on this health-care deal are more proof that this guy is willing to work for us, vs just spewing tough rhetoric in order to further himself politically.

Just wanted to clarify that....now back to your regularly scheduled discussions....

[HEyHEY]

9. No doubt, as pissed as I am at the Libs - NO WAY would I vote for Harper

He's a piece of garbage

[HEyHEY]

8. I'm pissed about it yes, but the thing is the CTF has motives

Behind their statements. AS well, I don't need them speaking for me.

[Telly Savalas]

11. The entire sponsorship program spent what? $355 million?

Without resorting to a calculator, that's about 12 bucks per Canadian, yeah? While I think the actions of those involved in the scandal were reprehensible, I'd rather have $12 taken from me and misspent than have Canada run by a bunch of right-wing goofs.

[HEyHEY]

13. No shit eh...not to mention we're supposed to just think the WHOLE Lib

Party knew about this? That's what Harper would like

[achtung_circus]

12. I've been trying to think of a useful comment

beyond your very pithy Haper head-exploding comment. That says it all, however, we choose and chose the lesser of 2 evils.

[Marshall McClueless]

14. Now the endless counter-suits start tying up courts for years.

Chretien will not back down on this one - this is his big fight, what it always has been - his esteem and reputation.