The media failed IMHO as usual to get to the facts and the truth. Photos of Ms. Oda wearing sunglasses and smoking was plastered all over the papers to make her look in as bad light as possible. The photos have nothing whatsoever to do with the issue at hand. They've hung her before all the facts are known. Instead they keep repeating the coalition talking points. Did they not pay attention to what was testified to in committee? Did they not listen to what Margaret Biggs, CIDA's president and accounting officer had said?
I don't know if it's just plain laziness, the strong dislike they have for PM Harper and his government, especially the women in this government, or is it incompetence? There has not been any common sense fairness in this story whatsoever. For that you have to go to the blogs for that including this one from a Liberal blogger no less. It is thorough, well though out, fair and clear. Others to check out are Climbing out of the Dark, CruxoftheMatter, Bluelikeyou, and The Iceman. It has taken citizen journalists to do the job of the so called profession journalists. No wonder the lame stream media is losing credibility.Ms. Margaret Biggs (President, Canadian International Development Agency):Mr. Jean Dorion:Ms. Biggs, was the word “not” handwritten on the form that you signed on September 28, two months before the minister signed it?
No, it wasn't, sir.Mr. Jean Dorion:
So then, when you signed the form, you were in fact giving your approval. You were recommending approval, since the form states:“Recommendation: That you sign below to indicate you approve a contribution of $7,098,756 over four years for the above program.”
So then, on September 28, you were recommending that the minister approve the project.
Ms. Margaret Biggs:Yes, I think as the minister said, the agency did recommend the project to the minister. She has indicated that. But it was her decision, after due consideration, to not accept the department's advice.
This is quite normal, and I certainly was aware of her decision. The inclusion of the word “not” is just a simple reflection of what her decision was, and she has been clear. So that's quite normal.
I think we have changed the format for these memos so the minister has a much clearer place to put where she doesn't want to accept the advice, which is her prerogative.
Greg Weston from CBC stated something rather disturbing on Power and Politics the other day that really should be investigated. He hinted at maybe some collusion going between civil servants and media. You can hear it here at the 18:45 mark.
“Good for us potentially, because, I think, I’m hearing more and more from the senior public service saying ‘enough’. And if they turn against the Harper Government there is no more ferocious enemy because they have all the brown envelopes.”What did Greg mean by "us anyway?" If this is true, it's not good and I believe needs to be looked into. This is a good example of why PM Harper and the Conservatives need a majority. House needs to be cleaned in the service.
The media and the opposition coalition have taken it upon themselves to be prosecutor, judge,jury and executioner before all the evidence is in. They are seeing what they want to see. They are hearing what they want to hear never mind the truth. They are looking for out their own self interests only and are trying everything in the book to bring this government down even if it means ruining reputations in the process. They don't' care. They don't care about you. They don't care about me. They don't care about the country.
Shame on the media!!! Thank God for the internet and blogs!
