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April, 2004 Archives

April 30, 2004 - From the joint press conference between Prime Minister Paul Martin and President George W. Bush this morning:

Martin: "It's very clear that, with Canada and the United States working together, we can make great progress."

Bush: "You betcha."

Well to break down the significance of that powerful exchange, that would be classified as a "10-4, good buddy." (click here to continue)

April 29, 2004 - "The Evolution of a Contradiction," by Pierre Pettigrew:

"With growing interest among the provinces to experiment with new forms of health care delivery, we need to ensure that the «rules-of-the-game» for doing so are clearly defined, and that these experiments are closely monitored through a public interest lens. We know the public administration principle of the CHA already provides flexibility on private delivery, but we may need more work to ensure our respective approaches continue to honour the purpose of the Act." - Pierre Pettigrew, Minister of Health, April 20, 2004, in a speech to the 2004 Health Policy Summit

"If some provinces want to experiment with the private delivery option, my view is that as long as they respect the single-payer, public-payer, we should be examining these efforts. If it doesn't work, they'll stop it. But if it works, we'll all learn something." - Pierre Pettigrew, Minister of Health, April 27, 2004, in testimony to the Standing Committee on Health

"Unfortunately, I now realize that I have left the impression that I favour increased private delivery within the public health system. That was in no way my intent, nor is that the intent of the Government of Canada. To put it as plainly as I can, the ambition of the federal government is not to encourage private delivery even within the terms of the Canada Health Act." - Pierre Pettigrew, Minister of Health, April 28, 2004, in a brief press conference conducted without any questions from reporters

Thank you for now putting it "as plainly as you can", Mr. Pettigrew, as one might otherwise be convinced that you don't know what the hell you are talking about. (click here to continue)

April 28, 2004 - Vaughn Palmer's column from this morning's Vancouver Sun demonstrates how very sketchy and as a result, fragile the BC Rail deal really is.  The scariest part of this story is that entirely outside of the realm of the provincial government's control, the deal might still not be ratified, which would have catastrophic consequences for the province's economy, and of course by that point, the electoral fortunes of the BC Liberals. (click here to continue)

April 27, 2004 - Paul, the country has now seen first hand several of your electile difficulties.  Hopes had been raised, but as has become convincingly evident, initiating your election has truly hampered your performance.  To avoid other problems like the premature evacuation of some of your Cabinet Minister and backbench colleagues, the time is now to back away from the potential disaster awaiting your election.

And hey, voters tend to prefer the normal banter of policy debates and a full legislative agenda, for play, at the very least.  That way, Canadians will be able to take satisfaction in your actions, which is much preferable than you and Stephen Harper running around the country telling people who has the bigger election poll. (click here to continue)

April 26, 2004 - Joe Clark seems to be much more confused than usual, which is saying a lot.  In light of an interview with the CTV program Question Period yesterday, where Mr. Clark engaged in trashing Conservatives, supporting Tory turncoats, and endorsing Paul Martin, it seems as though isolation is the state in which the former Prime Minister wants to finish out his career. (click here to continue) 

April 23, 2004 - Chuck Guité's damning revelation this morning, the winner of the caption contest, and this week's new photo. (click here to continue)

April 22, 2004 - The timing of the election, the future direction of the Public Accounts committee, and the linkages between Paul Martin and the many contracts awarded to the Earnscliffe Strategy Group as well as the sponsorship program hang in the balance in anticipation of the words of one man. (click here to continue)

April 21, 2004 - From a purely strategic point of view, the Liberal government might have done themselves the most damage in the past five months by their constant public utterances regarding the need for greater transparency and democratic reform in governance.  How could two lofty and on paper, admirable undertakings be detrimental to an administration trying to quell public cynicism about the entire political process?  Well here are a couple of reasons. (click here to continue)

April 20, 2004 - The Khadr family has caused a national debate over the past two weeks regarding the benefits that should be extended to Canadian citizens, even those who carry a passport simply as a piece of terrorist convenience.  Amidst the kerfuffle however, psychologist Dr. Marty McKay tendered one consideration that the entire country seemed to completely forget about, that being the well-being of a paralyzed 14-year old boy. (click here to continue)

April 19, 2004 - In terms of policy directions and declarations, words have been thrown around with reckless abandon from within the PMO over the last five months.  It is with great hope from many, however, that today's summit with Aboriginal leaders will not be met with the same type of empty rhetoric that has plagued the Prime Minister since he was handed the keys to 24 Sussex Drive in December. (click here to continue)

April 17, 2004 - This website feels naive, used, and worst of all, DUPED!  Any notion of virtuous motivation fuelling Svend Robinson's sniveling news conference on Thursday has evapourated with this article from the front page of the Vancouver Sun this morning.

Reading this chronology puts everything into perspective.  So, Svend celebrates the Vaisakhi parade in front of thousands in a relaxed state and with a fiery campaign-style speech, finds out that the RCMP had been contacted on Sunday, fails to contact the auction house on Monday, and then goes to the police on Tuesday because he knew that he had been caught.  Then he was in tortured anguish on Thursday, of course in front of the cameras.

Once again Svend Robinson has manipulated the media and the public through his confession in front of the country, and made fools of everyone that felt sympathy for a man mistakenly believed (at least by this commentary) to have honourable, not self-serving, intentions.

April 16, 2004 - The end of the week doesn't necessitate any more reading.  So after a tour of swearing across the country that he is not campaigning, but rather meeting with Canadians under the guise of "governing," this picture of Paul Martin seemed appropriate for a caption contest. 

Please send all entries to jonathan@tdhstrategies.com and the winner will be posted sometime next week.

April 16, 2004 - Have been getting a lot of emails regarding Svend Robinson's admission yesterday.  Similar to Don Martin's column from this morning's National Post, here is an interesting one I received:

In response to Svend's public admission of guilt; i feel for the man, especially in the highly scrutinized public profile that his job entails and i agree that it "takes guts and honour."  Perhaps it takes more then mere honour, perhaps it takes foresight and leveraging for a public political move to follow.  Myself, the eternal skeptic can't help but wonder if the ever photographed Sven is somehow masterminding the creation of an even more highly developed and strategised public profile.  It might sound like a long-shot but I believe with the publicity, fanfare and partisan support that erupts from this hoopla (hoopla is of course a very technical term also used to describe the totality of Canadian politics) Svend will rise like the phoenix and emerge the new "Golden Boy" in Canadian politics.  Correct me if I am wrong, but against the backdrop of more sinister "theft" and controversy within the Liberal party, Svend's transgression looks paltry in comparison, perhaps intentionally.  Think about it; Svend's honesty and acclaimed virtuousness will undoubtedly further endear him to the public outside his constituency, namely the Canadian voting public at large.

Keep tabs on dear old Svend because I don't think you can count him out yet.

K.M.P. Nelson
Vancouver, BC

And yes, this type of view was considered before writing yesterday's commentary.  Yet, it seemed too daunting of a label to live with for the rest of one's professional life if this was simply a political ploy.

How do others feel?  Was it a manipulated revelation, or something that had genuine remorse behind it?  Comments are always welcome.
jonathan@tdhstrategies.com

April 15, 2004 - A startling revelation from one of the most recognizable names in the House of Commons, and the spending freeze that melted. (click here to continue)

April 14, 2004 - With so many dueling polls, especially regarding party popularity in La Belle Province, prediction punditry on election results is about as accurate as the financial figures that come out of Reg Alcock's mouth.  (click here to continue)

April 13, 2004 - The President of the Treasury Board demonstrates his inability to work with numbers, and a military spending announcement that isn't all it is cracked up to be. (click here to continue)

April 12, 2004 - Political mistakes are not often corrected quickly, instead usually being relegated to the war of political rhetoric.  But this delay in correcting a mistake is absolutely ridiculous. (click here to continue)

April 8, 2004 - China's threat to Canada over the Dalai Lama's pending visit to the country is an example of the slippery slope contemporary global leaders must tread between practicing sovereign foreign policy and fostering domestic economic prosperity. (click here to continue)

April 7, 2004 - PETA was attempting to provoke the general public by comparing the Robert Pickton murders to the slaughtering of animals for human consumption. 

Deplorable, disgusting, irresponsible, and classless seem to be the collective reaction of this tactic, which should be provocation enough to go out and purchase the largest hunk of meat one can possibly carry home for dinner tonight. (click here to continue)

April 6, 2004 - The time is now for action after a disgusting display of intolerance covers the nation in smoke and shame, and the quote that sheds new light on the identities of 7 new Liberal candidates in Quebec. (click here to continue)

April 5, 2004 - Paul Martin executes democracy and encounters a UFO.  (click here to continue)