tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post3111517325592591305..comments2023-10-22T09:18:16.885-04:00Comments on Far and Wide: ScrewedSteve Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04871113039374739208noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-8036366163066188482008-09-08T21:42:00.000-04:002008-09-08T21:42:00.000-04:00northwestern_lad I think you are the one who needs...northwestern_lad I think you are the one who needs to get their facts straight - the Greens have an elected member - whether or not he was elected as a Green is an immaterial fact. Wilson is still an elected member, regardless of how you want to spin it. <BR/><BR/>Or would you like to suggest that Harper's own David Emerson and Wajid Khan, plus Garth Turner, and Joe Comuzzi are all also illegitimate - as they all crossed the floor to join other parties?<BR/><BR/>If you have an axe to grind with floor crossing - that is a separate issue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-81380922803353399282008-09-08T20:20:00.000-04:002008-09-08T20:20:00.000-04:00I thought I remember the media consortium spokespe...I thought I remember the media consortium spokesperson on Duffy live say that three leaders who opposed said they would walk was included. If that is true than it was more than just Harper would be missing. Might have to watch it again.<BR/><BR/>And for those who say, as Western_lad did, that the GPC has yet to elect an MP. That is true, but not a reason to keep the Greens out. I have read the response by the CBC ombudsman to the GPC complaint at being excluded from the last election. Having an elected MP (or any MP for that matter) is not, nor has it ever been, the excluding criteria. Nor was it listed as the reason in the last election, where the media consortium simply said:<BR/><BR/>"The decision about who is invited to participate in the leaders’ debates is made by Consortium members on editorial grounds. In this election, the Consortium has only invited the leaders of the four most prominent parties with representation in the House of Commons."<BR/><BR/>It was not the media consortium, but the political leaders like Layton and Harper who, after the announcement last time made up the excuse that the Greens should elect an MP before they have a spot in the debates.<BR/><BR/>Out of the several criteria that the CBC says are looked for having a seat is but one of them considered for inclusion or exclusion. Nor is it necessary for a party to achieve all of the criteria (the Bloc never has, neither did the Reform party). <BR/><BR/>The CBC ombudsman also made clear that the other political parties played a major role in the structure and make up of the debates saying:<BR/><BR/>"In other words, organizing a televised debate involves negotiations between the broadcaster and the various parties contesting the election. The parties play a decisive role in fact: if there is no agreement, there is simply no debate." <BR/><BR/>Tthat is for the last election, not this one. "Decisive role." So it may very well be that this is at least the second time that the Greens have been excluded from the debates by Layton, Harper and Duceppe (and possibly Martin last time).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-6711113765945733462008-09-08T19:55:00.000-04:002008-09-08T19:55:00.000-04:00Interesting too, listening to the phone in reactio...Interesting too, listening to the phone in reaction on cspan. A few "fence" sitters are slagging the NDP and saying they will vote Green. Canadians want May in, so this will play badly.Steve Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871113039374739208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-20259185916563353852008-09-08T19:54:00.000-04:002008-09-08T19:54:00.000-04:00The media might want to let it go, because they ar...The media might want to let it go, because they are complicit, but May sure won't.Steve Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871113039374739208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-10730707757743144752008-09-08T19:50:00.000-04:002008-09-08T19:50:00.000-04:00The other parties are trying to say there would be...The other parties are trying to say there would be no point in having a debate without Harper.<BR/><BR/>I agree it could have been coordinated, but they are prepared to let Harper take the fall for it.Gaylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08112657859825911939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-76797147977548485122008-09-08T19:45:00.000-04:002008-09-08T19:45:00.000-04:00gayleThey should have told Harper to walk then, ra...gayle<BR/><BR/>They should have told Harper to walk then, rather than cave. Look, if they took a stand, he would be forced to debate or it might cost him the election. It amazes me the way people are intimidated. In the end, it sure helped having the other parties singing from the same hymn book, I bet it was co-ordinated too.Steve Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871113039374739208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-61072809747573131132008-09-08T19:17:00.000-04:002008-09-08T19:17:00.000-04:00I think dalestreet may be onto something.Also, doe...I think dalestreet may be onto something.<BR/><BR/>Also, does anyone else find it funny how the CPC and the NDP complain about a coalition between the Greens and the LPC, and yet, on political talk shows, they seem to be building each other up. They actually agree with each other to a large degree, and both parties are running with the same election dialogue.<BR/><BR/>Big problem to me is that the consortium gave in to Harper. That is just sad.Gaylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08112657859825911939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-70028783844813323892008-09-08T19:00:00.000-04:002008-09-08T19:00:00.000-04:00Also, Harper has a problem with outspoken women an...Also, Harper has a problem with outspoken women and he is trying to improve his ratings with women.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-7979748060820377692008-09-08T18:35:00.000-04:002008-09-08T18:35:00.000-04:00Harper doesn't want May in the debates because the...Harper doesn't want May in the debates because the Greens are the only party advocating income-splitting, which is a VERY DESIREABLE policy among traditionally-conservative voters. <BR/><BR/>Income-splitting would be a major tax break for single-income families and would allow a lot of dual-income families to seriously consider becoming single-income families.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-38095334623886730152008-09-08T18:25:00.000-04:002008-09-08T18:25:00.000-04:00" the debate is on the same night as the Biden/Pal..." the debate is on the same night as the Biden/Palin VP debate"<BR/><BR/>I wonder how they decided on that night? Accident?Steve Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871113039374739208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-22537035143591205602008-09-08T18:20:00.000-04:002008-09-08T18:20:00.000-04:00You know what else - for so-called leaders....Harp...You know what else - for so-called leaders....Harper and Layton are sissies...and it's kind of sexist.RuralSandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09552973218865121867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-5370913797380762732008-09-08T18:18:00.000-04:002008-09-08T18:18:00.000-04:00Well, there's another way to let them know your an...Well, there's another way to let them know your anger.<BR/><BR/>Guess what - the debate is on the same night as the Biden/Palin VP debate....write the stations and tell them that you are going to watch a debate that represents true democracy and not one controlled by Stephen Harper.<BR/><BR/>That one would be more interesting anyway.RuralSandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09552973218865121867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-32933615459013496962008-09-08T18:08:00.000-04:002008-09-08T18:08:00.000-04:00Looks good on our guy Dion.(And very crafty to sup...Looks good on our guy Dion.<BR/>(And very crafty to support including Greens when this was the very predictable outcome!)Northern PoVhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04670080478290108536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-67876246742661851102008-09-08T17:20:00.000-04:002008-09-08T17:20:00.000-04:00Just exactly who the three parties are needs to be...Just exactly who the three parties are needs to be made explicitly clear quickly. Some responders to the story are trying to pretend that the Liberals are one of the three.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-33428699777283644122008-09-08T17:16:00.000-04:002008-09-08T17:16:00.000-04:00kleimbuch... "The Greens sit at about 10% in the p...kleimbuch... "The Greens sit at about 10% in the polls, with more than 1,000,000 supporters in this country - now with an elected MP!"<BR/><BR/>Check your facts please. Blair Wilson was elected as a Liberal, not a Green. The Greens have yet to elect an MP, period.northwestern_ladhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16833632861345350726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-62561737651766898972008-09-08T17:10:00.000-04:002008-09-08T17:10:00.000-04:00Whooee! Well Steve, I usually try to be civil and ...Whooee! Well Steve, I usually try to be civil and keep the language on a "family man" level but, sorry, I'm lettin' loose. The actions of Harper, Layton and Duceppe are actions of anti-democracy chickenshit bastards. Sonsabitches of the first order. <BR/><BR/>I'd like to see Dion boycott the debates unless May is included. <BR/><BR/>The more I think about it, the more I see the invisible hand of corporate manipulation at work. TV is built on needless consumption -- selling cars, vacations, blue pills, ocean cruises, gasoline and gewgaws of every description. The Green Party is built on the concept of reducing needless consumption. Harper, Layton and Duceppe have shown their cowardice and their fealty to corporate interests. This is a disgrace. It is worse than a shame. It shamelessly strikes at the heart of democracy.<BR/><BR/>BOYCOTT THE DEBATES!<BR/><BR/>JBJimBobbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04603665575714484326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-58755385976523975552008-09-08T17:09:00.000-04:002008-09-08T17:09:00.000-04:00Of Course the greens should be included period.wi...Of Course the greens should be included period.<BR/>with the 10% popular support it is crime NOT letting her to be in the debate..<BR/> <BR/> The Left is devided badly this is the Only reason con.s are coverning....<BR/>how about some kind of Formal Coalition??? <BR/><BR/>martaDamehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15548065189088501935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-35954663695198348122008-09-08T17:00:00.000-04:002008-09-08T17:00:00.000-04:00Let them know how you feelSign the petitionhttp://...Let them know how you feel<BR/><BR/>Sign the petition<BR/><BR/>http://demanddemocraticdebates.ca/petition.html<BR/><BR/>I'll be votng Liberal, but in support of May and the Greens I've decided to give them a donation this week.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-17082150536315319162008-09-08T16:52:00.000-04:002008-09-08T16:52:00.000-04:00This is a spineless affront to democracy. What bus...This is a spineless affront to democracy. What business it is of these broadcasters to interfere in our political process anyways? <BR/><BR/>The Greens sit at about 10% in the polls, with more than 1,000,000 supporters in this country - now with an elected MP! <BR/><BR/>There is one thing that these cowardly power-hungry elites have done for certain - they just created another Green Party voter right on the spot!<BR/><BR/>The illiberal Corporatocracy that rules our great nation deserves one thing - the boot.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-25497447433189403402008-09-08T16:47:00.000-04:002008-09-08T16:47:00.000-04:00markYou're wrong. If you listened to Harper today...mark<BR/><BR/>You're wrong. If you listened to Harper today, he almost admitted that he would pull out if she was allowed in. I think the parties conspired against May.Steve Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871113039374739208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-1499675347079621192008-09-08T16:46:00.000-04:002008-09-08T16:46:00.000-04:00I thought it was the TV ststions that had their sa...I thought it was the TV ststions that had their say. Harper is just repeating what someone in his office said. She said she would rather see Dion as Prime Minister instead of Harper.<BR/> I think she should have a chance. It is a wonder Layton can get in the debate, because you might have two Conservatives.A Eliz.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11088834823455226692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-88395644405225635702008-09-08T16:45:00.000-04:002008-09-08T16:45:00.000-04:00So we get to watch four middle aged white men shou...So we get to watch four middle aged white men shouting at and over each other.....again. <BR/>Me, I'll skip the farce.<BR/>Two days in, and this election is a bad, boring joke. <BR/><BR/>May should be in, PEROID!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-75739081697131278372008-09-08T16:43:00.001-04:002008-09-08T16:43:00.001-04:00@steveif anyone was afraid of May it was Layton, n...@steve<BR/><BR/>if anyone was afraid of May it was Layton, not Harper.Mark Dowlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01399115211805036553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-3341556622330747362008-09-08T16:43:00.000-04:002008-09-08T16:43:00.000-04:00not only can Duceppe participate but he can keep M...not only can Duceppe participate but he can keep May out. However, if Wilson retains his seat on a Green ticket I suspect they will be in next time.Mark Dowlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01399115211805036553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-71051239617044825222008-09-08T16:17:00.000-04:002008-09-08T16:17:00.000-04:00I think Harper just made his first gaffe. I'm tak...I think Harper just made his first gaffe. I'm taking my ball and going home will not play well. Let's not forget, Canadians OVERWHELMING said they felt May should be included. Let's see how this shakes out, if Harper was seen to threaten a pullout, working in concert with others, it's a bad frame.Steve Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871113039374739208noreply@blogger.com