Fear and loathing

Fear and loathing

The Liberals are holding a session on "governance" today on Parliament Hill and it's proving to be fascinating. Present are three former watchdogs of government, who have been dismissed or replaced after being publicly critical. They are: Linda Keen, who oversaw nuclear safety, Peter Tinsely, who oversaw military complaints, and now, as I write this, Paul Kennedy, formelry the RCMP complaints commissioner.
All are sounding warnings about politics' intrusion in oversight of government. The crowd here is silent and riveted -- even and maybe especially the journalists -- because what's being discussed here isn't just governance. It's about intimidation and bullying, which is definitely not governance.
 

Comments

[jenna]

From live-blogger O'Malley at 11.09 this morning:

"After a not-quite-brief-enough recap of the history of governance in Canada, Franks (Professor of Political Studies at Queen's University) reminds the crowd that these abuses didn't start with this government, and invites us to recall the outrageous actions of the then-Liberal government, and specifically then-prime minister Jean Chretien - towards embattled former BDC president Francois Beaudoin"

[MCBellecourt]

Well, jenna, these are information sessions when it comes down to it, and the best part of it, is that Michael Ignatieff is listening, learning and taking note to come up with, hopefully, solid policies that will benefit Canada.

The one thing we have been lacking for too many years is a political leader who listens and learns from the people who serve and the people who are our future.

I like that, it's about time.

[jenna]

May he go on listening and learning for many, many years to come.

[Peter]

Your statement, is not only misleading but also at variance with the facts. that three former watchdogs of government, were"dismissed or replaced after being publicly critical".
Kennedy and Tinsley had their terms expire and were not renewed so they were not dismissed. They were replaced because their terms expired.Your readers are entitled to know that, unequivocally, that is true and the fact.
I would also submit that Ms. Keen was fired for incompetence and incompatibility not only with government but also with other board members.

[Pat]

We don't have to talk about governance anymore.
Heavens Stephen has just written an article today about the importance of looking after the health and so forth of the poor women and children (no mention of widows or education) of the world. A very `sweater' point of view. Who could argue against it?

[Jim M]

When previous groups of politicians intruded into oversight of government, did they intrude into areas as sensitive as those identified in this post? Nuclear safety, military complaints, RCMP Commissioner? If there is an attempt to hijack this country going on then Michael Ignatieff better be brave enough to say "let's roll" before we get shot down.

[MyThought]

jenna - it goes further than that - look at why Chretien did that. "ONE" bureaucrat? For a reason !

[geo]

I'm expecting one, if not all of these former "watchdogs"
to become Liberal candidates in the
next election.