So what do you think?

Is this not the epitome of poetic justice?

Best news I've heard in ages!

We're going to have a great reason to celebrate this New Year's Eve!!

One down, and way too many to go.

* * * *

Update: Sorry, but I'm having major computer problems and have had to turn on Comment Moderation. I hope things will be resolved in a day or two. Thanks for your patience.

* * * *

Wednesday Afternoon Update: Finally back on-line!

The bad news - I couldn't blog.

The good news - I couldn't blog.

I have been amazingly productive during the last 24 hours!!

One more reason to stop public funding for CBC

This is pretty poor:

A Nova Scotia MP said he may urge Canadians to avoid travelling to Mexico if a jailed Canadian woman, Brenda Martin, is not set free soon.

Bill Casey, the Conservative Party MP for Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley made the remarks in a letter sent to Mexico's ambassador to Canada...

Good grief! What is this? Amateur hour?

* * * *

Update: CBC caught the error! I wonder which member of the brain trust at the Mothercorps figured that one out? Ah, it came from comments. Ha!

* * * *

This is priceless! Via Liberal Arts and Minds who links to this Chronicle Herald article... Comment by 'Family Doc':

The best way to ensure Canadians stay out of Mexico is to remove all Immodium stocked on pharmacy shelves here. I am sure the medical community would lend its support.

Priceless.

* * * *

Sunday Update: Greg Weston has really jumped the shark here - Prisoner hopes to see enlightenment of Day. "As Brenda Martin reaches for what may be her only lifeline out of Mexican hell, she can only pray for the amazing grace of Stockwell Day."

Oh pull-eeze!!! Is that an Easter reference, Greggy? What a load of simpering saccharin.

Next it will be, Save Saint Brenda from the "foreign hellhole"!

Just how gullible does he think we are?

Gutsy Post

Today's letters to the Editor alerted me to an item I had completely overlooked in yesterday's National Post - They had reprinted one of the infamous Danish cartoons.

I had read both articles on the page regarding the arrest of three men who had plotted to murder the Danish cartoonist, as well as the one about Soharwardy dropping his HRC complaint against Levant, and not even noticed the accompanying graphic of Mohammed with the bomb in his turban.

Which all goes to show that either I am a very unperceptive reader, or else this whole issue has been blown out of proportion to a ridiculous degree.

By way of contrast to the moxy of the Post, consider Ezra's observation of how the Mothercorps handled the cartoon - pixellated! Yet no holds barred when it comes to depicting anything that might offend Christians.

Normally I would say to purchase your media carefully, and yet when it comes to the CBC we have no choice. Our taxes fund it whether we agree with their editorial viewpoint or not.

Something has to change.

* * * *

Islam and the war against freedom of expression - Spero news.

Saturday Update - Our cherished right to blaspheme: Post.

Does integrity matter to the Ethics Committee?

Should Pablo Rodriguez be questioned by the Ethics Committee about alleged lies concerning questions that he asked during the recent Mulroney-Schreiber House Ethics Committee probe?

CBC has pretty much contradicted his story, and Conservative MP Dean Del Mastro wants the truth to come out. He has introduced a motion to call Mr. Rodriguez as a witness in order for him to "admit that he lied." (Hill Times via National Newswatch)

The opposition will likely vote down this motion as CTV's Graham Richardson noted last week (concerning Del Mastro's desire to have Mike Duffy appear as a witness regarding Jay Epworth's alleged conversation confirming that "yes, they did receive questions from CBC and those were the questions that Pablo Rodriguez did, in fact, ask" - H.T.)


The Hill Times article quotes NDP MP Pat Martin as not considering this to be a relevant issue:

NDP MP Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre, Man.) told The Hill Times last week that "there´s no appetite from anybody other than a few other Conservatives so we won´t be dealing with that issue if I have anything to do with it."

So one would assume that the opposition feels that it is not necessary to question the integrity of of those involved in the Ethics Committee probe. Mr. Martin does however have some concerns about Roger Thibeault having dinner with Schreiber, citing it as an issue of bad optics.

He said although Mr. Thibault is "free to have dinner with whoever he wants," the public perception is not good. He said he doesn´t return Mr. Schreiber´s calls for this reason. "I think we have to remain objective and deal with testimony as presented in an unbiased way," Mr. Martin said.

So it would seem that the issue for Pat Martin is the appearance of ethics and integrity, rather than the real thing.


What a sham. No wonder Canadians are cynical about politicians.

Duff to be called to the Ethics Committee?

Mike Duffy announced on his show yesterday that he may be asked to appear in front of the Ethics Committee to provide information regarding CBC-gate.

Liblogger Yappa Ding Ding has declared this to be a "subversion of the committee process" and is urging readers to contact various politicians including the Ethics Committee chairman Paul Szabo. She applied a "corruption" label to the post.

Where to begin with this incredible piece of irony and hypocrisy? Well, for starters she's misquoted both Graham Richardson and Mike Duffy (interesting that the clip isn't on the CTV website. Always record the show.)


It was actually Greg Weston who said the following:

"... this is the most trumped-up, ridiculous pandering to the Conservative core who believe the CBC is part of the enemy... Unfortunately it's politicking with somebody's reputation, and that's really the worst... thing."

(Can you believe it?)


Graham Richardson chimes in:

"...Well publicized mistakes have been made - it's on the website.... It sounds like the opposition is going to vote this down. It appears to be a maneuver much like Greg was saying to try to keep this thing alive..."

Duff attempts to interpret Graham's meaning:

"..try to embarrass the Liberals and the CBC - Get a twofer."

Richardson:

"Sure."

Details aside, the main argument here seems to be, 'Well everyone does it'.

Everyone? Not likely. Anyway, a lot of people cheat on their taxes. Does that make it ethical?

And has it happened before in an Ethics Committee hearing?

And is there a difference when it comes to the publicly-funded CBC, which admits themselves that they should be held to a higher standard?

And if the alleged collusion between the LPC and the CBC reporter was an attempt to sidetrack the process and go on a fishing expedition to fling as much mud as possible at a former PM and anyone he may have had contact with, who really deserves that 'corruption' label?

* * * *

Related: Excellent post here - The Black Rod: The Cruickshank Redemption.

SDA - What did Szabo know and when did he ask it?

CBC finally coughs up a name

Stephen Taylor has the latest. More at CNEWS - CBC transfers reporter who fed questions to MP.

National Post's Full Comment has a response up already - Jonathan Kay on Pablogate: The CBC does the right thing.

How do you feel? Do you agree with Jonathan Kay that we can all 'put Pablo-gate behind us' now?

* * * *

Update: Great discussion going on at Jack's Newswatch - Ethics committee not so ethical after all...

Tuesday Update: The Black Rod - CBC to Canadians: Sure Krista helped the Liberals ambush Mulroney. Get over it.

Steve Janke - Giving Jason Cherniak credit for bucking the Liberal Party line.

ASTTR - CBCgate Comes to an End - Or Has It?

Thursday Update: SDA has the latest - To this end.

MSM Coverup

The Black Rod brings us up to date in Pablogate or CBCgate - whichever you prefer to call it. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between the LPC and the Mothercorp.

In National Post misses mark in Erickson editorial, The Black Rod applauds the Post for 'breaking ranks' with the rest of MSM, and highlighting the story, but also criticizes the newspaper for not going far enough.

The story of the collusion between the CBC and the Liberal Party of Canada is a watershed in journalism in the country.

Never before has the great divide between the Old Media and New Media been so stark.

I noticed that too, but probably the Post had to protect itself legally, because the name of the reporter in question has never been officially released by the CBC.


But why the apparent 'code of silence' among the rest of the media?

One theory is that the CBC employs many free-lance journalists, so few are anxious to stick their necks out.

Therefore, this appears to not only be a collusion between the LPC and the CBC, but also between most of MSM.

Where is the transparency in a supposedly democratic society?

Why are so many media sources in Canada simply not doing their job?

* * * *

Update: New story here from a brand new reporter - First week published in the Hill Times!

Fulford not impressed with CBC's 'The Border'

Good. It wasn't just me left wondering if The Border was a bad imitation of 24, with way too much moralizing and political correctness - Different show; same message:

Peter Raymont, the executive producer of The Border, has said his show resembles Kiefer Sutherland's 24 -- "but with a conscience." You can't get any more CBC-sanctimonious than that.

"With a conscience".

How utterly hypocritical.


Hey! I have a suggestion!!

How about a series on the oppression of the free speech of citizens who are hauled in front of Canadian Human Rights Tribunals for reprinting cartoons and commentaries from European publications?

* * * *

Update: Another excellent review on "The Border" - The Legion of Decency: Straddling the Border.

Stupid is as stupid does - Updated with another MSM POV

Friday Update: Taxpayers deserve better from their national network - Calgary Herald via National Newswatch.

Why don't we dispose of any pretense, and get the powers that be to name the CBC as the Liberal party's official communication team?

The CBC is unique -- and therefore uniquely accountable to its viewers -- because it is funded by the state. As such, it has a particular mandate to present the Canadian story...

...The CBC ombudsman is apparently looking into the incident, but it isn't likely to be the transparent investigation that is needed to truly serve the public good.

There has been no word of any investigation within the Liberal party.

Yet, all of them remain on the public payroll...

Awesome letter in the Post - Media's silence is shameful by Bill Parish of Ottawa.


Check out Steve Janke's Karlheinz Schreiber Timeline to see why Pablo Rodriguez and any complicit others are on a fool's mission.

Excellent! Let's keep it going.

* * * *

(Original Thursday post)

Adam Radwanski weighs in on Pablogate - She just got caught.

According to Adam, "it's common practice for journalists to use MPs as they try to advance their stories." Apparently, the unfortunate part apparently is that one got caught - Someone who works for a publicly-funded broadcaster.

Adam calls it a stupid question - "For suggesting a really stupid question, the reporter deserves some flack. But for suggesting a question at all, she shouldn't get raked over the coals any more than a whole lot of other reporters."

Instead he puts the onus on the one(s) who actually went ahead and used the questions (in an Ethics committee).

I think Adam is making sense here. Is the person who asks someone to do something shady actually more in the wrong than the person who agrees to the idea and carries it out?

Of course not. Someone in the Liberal party obviously made a stupid, unethical, politically-motivated decision.

Time for Liberal party to step up to the plate and divulge the details. Who was in on this, and how high up the ladder of authority did it go?


SDA - Mr. Carlin: Tear down that wall! - with interesting comments and speculation why we're not hearing much about this from MSM. I guess the CBC will never hire me now.

Speaking of the CBC, check out The Tea Makers - Guest blogger: In the court of the crimson logo.

More questionable tactics at the CBC - With Updates!

Breaking: Stephen Taylor has a 5 p.m. update on Krista Erickson's fate. (Jan. 9)

More Breaking News - MSM editorial! We want a name - National Post (Jan. 10). This is a must-read, although L. Ian Macdonald broke the story first.

They obviously either not know or don't want to disclose the information that Stephen has, but it's great that MSM is picking this up.

What remains to be seen is what repercussions the offending Liberal MP's will suffer.

* * * *

Lack of transparency at the CBC? Who knew? More from the Star.

Meanwhile, Stephen Taylor has an update to an earlier fiasco.

And Clive has a pertinent question - CBC coincidence?

* * * *

More at the Post.

Platty - Where'd She Go?

NB Tory Lady: More Happenings regarding CBC journalist--ethics -- pablo rodrigues question. Everything you ever needed to know.

Interesting discussion at The Tea Makers if you can get past the language.

Thursday Update - CBC sale of TV rights sets off a series of alarm bells - The Province.

L. Ian Macdonald on CBC-Gate

I know we're all busy getting ready for Christmas, but please take a minute to read L. Ian Macdonald's piece in the Post today - Look Who's Talking (En Anglais).

Great update on CBC-Gate and a bonus Pablo Rodriguez smackdown!

Oh, and he gets a shot in at Paul Szabo too.

Nice way to relax after a long night of wrapping.

* * * *

Steve Janke - CBC Reporters, Liberals, and Double-Standards.

Interesting how the CBC is quick to divulge names in some circumstances, but not others...

John Oakley: Who do you find less unsavoury? Brian Mulroney or the CBC?

The Black Rod - Bloggers out Krista Erickson as CBC-Liberal collusion suspect.

A view from the other side of the fence - So much Szabo, so little space - X Marks the Spot.

The Honourable Member from CBC has the floor. Order!

Some folks are trying to downplay the significance of the allegations that the CBC fed questions to the Liberals in preparation for the Mulroney Inquisition.


But reader 'Ron' made a good point on a previous post:

At Sat Dec 15, 12:36:00 AM EST, Ron said…

The comments about Szabo and his handling of this line of questioning during the committee meeting is bang on -- I watched the proceedings and was surprised he allowed this line of questioning - up to then he was relatively within bounds in his chairing of the committee but that ruling was way out to lunch. I want to know if he was aware of it in advance; did he know the source; who instructed him to allow the question. I hope the Conservatives come back with questions about Liberal actions and behaviour. Mulroney may not have evidence or direct knowledge but neither did Schriber - just lay out a few suspicions, inuendoes, and broad quesions on what may have happened to the 40 million missing in the sponsorship matter. Since Szabo is so free with the range of questioning, I am sure there will be no problem with this line of questioning.

Sandy also makes a great point at Jack's Newswatch:

...what is not right is when a journalist influences a member of parliament in what questions to ask on a parliamentary committee. Why? Because that member of parliament has been elected by his or her constituents, is under oath and is granted parliamentary immunity from prosecution of libel.

Therefore, if members of parliament use leading questions provided by a reporter, the journalist and his or her media outlet are enjoying parliamentary privilege by proxy — the result of which could be unfounded allegations, innuendo and smear with absolute impunity...

Sandy also references a great post at The Black Rod.


If this is common practice amongst reporters and elected Members of Parliament, I think we the people need to get involved and scream our heads off!

MSM sure won't do it for us.

* * * *

Update: On the other hand, I have to congratulate the Star for keeping up with this story:

The CBC has begun an internal investigation and possible disciplinary process after one of its parliamentary reporters suggested questions to a Liberal MP on the Commons ethics committee.

The probe follows a formal complaint by the Conservative party. It centres on claims that MP Pablo Rodriguez (L-Honoré-Mercier) directed questions from the CBC to Brian Mulroney during a highly anticipated Commons committee hearing on Thursday.

Now exactly what does the LPC plan to do regarding their part in this alleged collusion?

* * * *

Sunday Update: The Black Rod has a new post up -
Ethics expert investigating CBC-Liberal collusion. CBC Ombudsman Vince Carlin has just been handed the hot potato from Hell.

I think I just found my new favourite blog.


Sandy found an update to the CBC 'investigation' buried at the end of this article.

* * * *

Monday Update: Stephen Taylor - CPC keeps pressure on CBC, shifts focus to Liberals.

Steve Janke - The Conservatives are demanding answers to allegations of Liberal-CBC collusion.

Wudrick Blog - CBCGate: Name that Journo. This is a great post, and Dean Del Mastro actually comments!

CBC reviewing complaint - Story getting MSM attention

The CBC is reviewing the allegations that one of their reporters fed questions to the Liberals - CBC reviewing claim reporter fed questions to Liberal MP.

(Update: CBC is messing with the links. See National Newswatch. Story now found under 'Arts & Entertainment'. Ain't that the truth...)

Considering how much the Liberals discounted this, things could get interesting.


Check out MDL link - Mike Duffy Live: Scott Reid and Tim Powers on the allegation that the Liberals allowed a media outlet to write their questions.

Listen to Scott Reid deny, deny, deny.


Stephen Taylor has the whole story here.

Also see Steve Janke.

Canwest has picked it up - Alleged CBC-Liberal collusion triggers Tory complaint.

Now the Star. H/T Wudrick Blog.

The Canadian Press story here discusses the outrage in the conservative blogosphere towards the end of the report.

* * * *

Saturday Update: National Post - CBC looks into allegations over Mulroney questioning.

Paul Wells - Don't Tell Doug Finley...

Sandy has a great post on this at Jack's Newswatch. Are reporters supposed to have 'Parliamentary Privilege'?

Dr. Roy - MSM reports on CBC misdeeds. (Comment from 'Ron' nails it, as far as I'm concerned.)

Breaking - Did CBC coach the Liberals?

Afternoon Breaking News: CTV's Mike Duffy show reports that Dean Del Mastro has issued a press release in relation to Jean LaPierre's earlier allegations on CTV that the CBC had sent questions to Pablo Rodriguez to ask Mulroney.

5:15 p.m. - Rodriguez denies the allegation on MDL.

Stephen Taylor's on it!

More at Crux-of-the-Matter.

PTBC - Alleged CBC/Liberal Party collusion claimed by former Liberal MP. Joel has part of the press release.

Le Politico - Mike Duffy confirms it: CBC wrote questions for Liberal MPs on ethics committee.

L. Ian MacDonald - As low as they come.

* * * *

(Morning post)


Brian Mulroney is testifying now in front of the Commons Committee and how his life has been impacted by spurious allegations.

This will be quite the day for media and bloggers.

CTV is providing the testimony live.

Paul Szabo is not off to a good start in trying to pretend to be non-partisan. He cuts Mulroney off continually. A Conservative MP asks that Mulroney be granted the same courtesy as Schreiber.

Star - Cash payment 'Not illegal'.

Post - Mulroney denies wrongdoing before ethics committee.


Post live-blogging here! - Brian Mulroney - Live on the Hill.

From the Post:

"He's sitting over there in his mansion in Rockcliffe chuckling ... he got his get out of jail card. He got what he wanted ... I think he seriously misled every member of this house with this false affidavit."

We've all been played for fools.


Macleans also Live-blogging.

Globe - Schreiber will 'say anything, sign anything, do anything' – Mulroney.

CTV - Mulroney explains cash payments from Schreiber.


Update: AA - Did CBC write some of the Liberal questions to BM today?

SDA readers heard it too!

* * * *

Friday Update: Steve Janke - The CBC and yellow journalism. (With very interesting comments)

SDA - Mulroney Testimony: CBC on the hotseat.

Stephen Taylor - Stephen updates post with press release from Doug Finley writing to CBC Ombudsman.

7 p.m. Breaking! CBC reviewing claim reporter fed questions to Liberal MP.