Conservatives openly evading the law

[adaminc]

It seems some Conservatives don't think the law applies to them, and are evading summons by the Commons Ethics Committee.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080813.winandout0813/BNStory/National/home

 

[Edward Campbell]

It seems some Conservatives don't think the law applies to them, and are evading summons by the Commons Ethics Committee.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080813.winandout0813/BNStory/National/home

It's not clear to me that any law is broken.

As I understand the rules, the ethics committee invites witnesses; it can also issue summonses for those who do not respond to invitations to appear, but it cannot enforce anything. It must first report to Parliament and request that the Speaker issue warrants compelling witnesses to attend, but that cannot happen until Parliament returns from its summer recess.

Some Tories are being rude to Pal Szabo and his partisan little friends by failing to rsvp his invitations, but that's hardly akin to "openly evading the law."

But, it does, I suppose, set Liberal hearts all aflutter - we'll see how fast they flutter if the PM sends us to the polls this fall.

 

[stegner]

Some Tories are being rude to Pal Szabo and his partisan little friends by failing to rsvp his invitations, but that's hardly akin to "openly evading the law."

However, it is counter to the platform of openness and accountability on which the Conservatives were elected. 

 

[Edward Campbell]

However, it is counter to the platform of openness and accountability on which the Conservatives were elected. 

Oh?

They're being quite openly rude - nothing secret about their disdain for Paul Szabo and his merry band, and since when does anyone have to account to Szabo for anything.

If Mister Speaker issues warrants then they will have to appear - however gracelessly - and answer the Liberals' pointlessly partisan questions.

 

[Edward Campbell]

By the way, I disapprove of the Tory tactics.

Paul Szabo has done enough damage to the reputation of the ethics committee - the Tories do not need to degrade Parliament further.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

However, it is counter to the platform of openness and accountability on which the Conservatives were elected. 

How can it be counter to not attend a kangaroo court. If they were truly intent on accomplishing something and not trying to score cheap political points against the sitting Gov't, it may be a different story.

Should the Conservatives call an inquiry on how Elections Canada and the libs are dodging the contribution laws, I'm sure Dion and the other outstanding debtors would be more than willing to stand before the inquiry.
-ppppfffftttt........NOT!!!!


And speaking of mockery of process, let's not forget how the petite thug de Shawinigan played the clown and buffoon at the Gomery inquiry.

 

[stegner]

And speaking of mockery of process, let's not forget how the petite thug de Shawinigan played the clown and buffoon at the Gomery inquiry.

At least he showed up

 

[2 Cdo]

How can it be counter to not attend a kangaroo court. If they were truly intent on accomplishing something and not trying to score cheap political points against the sitting Gov't, it may be a different story.

Should the Conservatives call an inquiry on how Elections Canada and the libs are dodging the contribution laws, I'm sure Dion and the other outstanding debtors would be more than willing to stand before the inquiry.
-ppppfffftttt........NOT!!!!


And speaking of mockery of process, let's not forget how the petite thug de Shawinigan played the clown and buffoon at the Gomery inquiry.

This entire fiasco will blow up in the Libs faces. Anyone with any reasonable intelligence can see the blatant prejudice that is masquerading as an impartial investigation. The only people who think that this mess is impartial are the die-hard Liberal supporters who would vote for a rock if it wore Liberal red.

 

[Brad Sallows]

>However, it is counter to the platform of openness and accountability on which the Conservatives were elected.

It is good to keep reminding Conservatives of that promise, since I believe it is one they'd rather forget they made.  But this wind blows in all directions.

Prior to the next election, perhaps Liberal partisans will compel Dion to state without obfuscation whether:
1) The Liberals intend to at least meet the standard set by the Conservatives
2) The Liberals intend to raise the bar (and in what ways)
3) The Liberals intend to not make any commitment in this regard

It would be nice to have that statement as a matter of record.  I already know where the Conservatives stand and what they have done (or not done), but there needs to be more than a one-way playground chant from the Liberals on this issue, or there's very little reason to trust them at the wheel.