159 - 124
That will be the score of the next federal election. Stephane Dion lost the election today. This was not a sign of leadership by any means. M. Dion played politics with the safety of Canadians. It is unfortunate. The next election will be about leadership. M. Dion will not pass the test of Canadians. As much as 65% of Canadians wanted these provisions renewed. M. Dion did not want to throw the Conservative Government a bone. This blatant partisanship is a shame. And it could very well lead to the death of our party.
To that end, the Government has lost to many votes. The Prime Minister has a responsibility to call an election now. The House obviously has no confidence in him. I just wish I could say he wouldn't undoubtedly win.
I will note though that not all Liberals voted with M. Dion on this. Those 4 MPs are as follows:
1) Irwin Cotler (MP for Mount Royal and former Attorney General) was absent
2) Bill Graham (MP for Toronto Centre and former Interim Liberal Leader) was absent
3) Paul Martin (MP for Lasalle-Emard and former Prime Minister of Canada) was absent
4) Tom Wappel (MP for Scarborough Southwest and associate member of the committe for Public Safety and National Security) voted for the provisions
Think about the importance of a few of those name choosing not to vote with our leader on this one. I would say it sends a very important message to the rest of the party that the party elite may very well not be behind M. Dion.
To that end, the Government has lost to many votes. The Prime Minister has a responsibility to call an election now. The House obviously has no confidence in him. I just wish I could say he wouldn't undoubtedly win.
I will note though that not all Liberals voted with M. Dion on this. Those 4 MPs are as follows:
1) Irwin Cotler (MP for Mount Royal and former Attorney General) was absent
2) Bill Graham (MP for Toronto Centre and former Interim Liberal Leader) was absent
3) Paul Martin (MP for Lasalle-Emard and former Prime Minister of Canada) was absent
4) Tom Wappel (MP for Scarborough Southwest and associate member of the committe for Public Safety and National Security) voted for the provisions
Think about the importance of a few of those name choosing not to vote with our leader on this one. I would say it sends a very important message to the rest of the party that the party elite may very well not be behind M. Dion.
posted by Jordan | 8:37 PM
14 Comments:
Jordan:
Thanks for an honest and thoughtful post; my political leanings are different from yours, but though I agree that M dion did himself gret harm today, I take no pleasure in this. This is a sad day, for ultimately it is Canadians--those who have already been victimized by terrorism and those, G-d forbid, who may now be imperilled--who have truly suffered from today's vote. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I wish Mr Rae had won!
Incidentally, Mr Cotler was in the House but honourably abstained. Otehrs absent, though, included Roy Cullen, Derek Lee, Keith Martin and some 6 or so others.
Jordan.
I am picking up what you are putting out however, I do not think that Mr. Dion made a mistake. The provisions that were voted down have NEVER been used before.
Why Keep them?
I think it is sad that the liberal caucas could not stand together on this if only to show support for our leader.
We need to keep them because we may need them. And in the case that we do need them we must have access to them. And again I say this, this is not a matter of politics. It is a matter of Canadian safety. And, quite frankly, I feel less safe today than I did yesterday.
But this will harm us. The next election will be about leadership. Whether we agree with his politics or not, Mr. Harper has proven to be a better leader.
I think Mr. Harper showed exactly why these provisions are dangerous.
He used the name of someone who could potentially be a witness to slander them, call them out publically, and gain political advantage by associating them with terrorism.
An innocent person not charged with anything!
Just sick, I am glad these provisions are gone. That harper is not to be trusted.
Jordan,
You're just over 20 years old, and ready to start selling away your freedoms in order to feel safe.
I wonder just what you'll have left when you're 60?
Harper has not shown leadership in any of this All he has shown is the basest form of fear-mongering politics, accusing those with legitimate disagreements as "supporting terrorists."
And you're ready to just wallow in that fear, and blame those who would stand on the side of liberty. Well, enjoy the feeling because you will never feel safe if you can so easily relinquish your birthright of freedom.
I think it is unfortunate that Harper demeaned this debate by doing such a thing. It took the attention away from what this debate is really about -- public safety and public freedom.
When our society is safe, only than can we be free.
I would not make such a claim that those who voted against these measures support terrorism. However, I would claim that they do not understand it.
I am not prepare to sell my freedom. I am just prepared to do whatever it takes to protect them.
Well said, Jordan.
Sad day for the LPC.
Let's put the bunting back up at the Palais de Congres and elect a REAL leader - Dion just ain't up to the job.
It's even worse than you think.
3 page article out today:
National security vs. Liberal ethno-politics
Jonathan Kay, National Post
February 27, 2007
...Among veteran Liberal insiders, it is believed that the several hundred Sikh convention delegates Bains and his allies led into the Dion camp (via Gerard Kennedy) came with a price: an end to the investigative powers contained in the Anti-Terrorism Act, which was opposed for predictable reasons by various Sikh, Tamil and Muslim organizations...
Indeed, I am informed by a well-informed source that the critical deals were cut months in advance, and were driven by Bains -- and, in the case of Muslim delegates, by Arab-Canadian MP Omar Alghabra -- through Kennedy, who'd been staked out early by ethno-politicians as an empty vessel into which they could pour their parochial agendas...
http://stevejanke.com/archives/217160.php
Wow. I thought I was in a bad mood over the Ryan Smyth trade and how the Oilers screwed the pooch.
At least my summation is based on reality.
The Liberals did not lose out based on this issue. They took a stand for all Canadians and didn't pander to the fear mongering. And that's exactly what these clauses did.
This ATA would not have passed if the Liberals didn't put the sunset clause on these two issues.
How many Maher Arar cases would you like to see us settle before people realize how wrong pandering to a right wing ideology is wrong.
I congratulate Dion for not giving into fear like you have Jordan, nor so willing to throw away our civil liberties.
You talk of giving into fears as if terrorism were not something to fear. It is.
But it has become quite clear that if people like me have given into fears than people like you have done the very same. You are afraid that by allowing these provisions to exist you are giving up liberty. There is no need to give into such fears.
Further, I need to address the idea that this is right wing ideology. This is the problem that M. Dion addressed. It is not about politics. It is about safety. Bob Rae understands this. Irwin Cotler understands this. Paul Martin understands this. Bill Graham understand this. And so do many other Liberals.
Do not give into your fears. This will not deny liberty to anyone -- rather, ensure it.
"Those Who Sacrifice Liberty For Security Deserve Neither"
Benjamin Franklin
I am sorry you feel so afraid Jordan, but I have to agree with other posters in saying to you that Canada is not less safe then yesterday. Canada is stronger today than yesterday because we do not rely on suspect laws and inhumane treatment of suspects to keep us safe.
Today Canada told the world that we are overwhelmingly opposed to terrorism and we are determined to keep our Canadian freedoms in the face of all base attacks without becoming base ourselves.
Chin up, Jordan, Canada will always be the winner for choosing freedom over fear. You'll see as time goes on.
p.s. If we need stronger laws, let government propose them and let them be voted on and passed by Canadians. This country runs on freedom, not fear.
Well said Jordan.
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