Yesterday, former soldiers protested the closing of Veterans Affairs Offices across the country. They were told they could be better served on-line. And Julian Fantino, the Minister of Veterans Affairs, simply told them to go away.
Bruce Moncour was a member of the delegation which was supposed to "meet" with Fantino last week. It was no meeting. Moncour writes:
Minister Fantino didn't show up for the scheduled time, and when he did appear right before our press conference, his behaviour was condemnable.
When Minister Fantino was a no-show for the meeting I was not surprised. When military veteran MPs came to the meeting instead and repeated the same rhetoric about service centre employees who will be able to fill the void of personal support workers, or how we are "misinformed" again, I was not surprised.
What I witnessed that day is but another slap in the face, and the slaps keep coming. The slaps I have endured over the last seven plus years fighting an insurance company are unbelievable.
This is a government which preaches accountability but which dodges it whenever it is held to account. This is a government which finds money to advertise Canada's prowess during the War of 1812, but skimps on wounded soldiers from the War in Afghanistan. This is a government that accused Jack Layton of treachery for not supporting the troops. But, it turns out, the government's support for its troops is -- like everything else it stands for -- empty rhetoric.
However, there is one thing the Harper government gleefully displays -- unrestrained nastiness.
20 comments:
They also make dangerous assumptions Owen, like this being all about PSAC members and not the veterans who are so poorly served even with the resources that were in place. Like everything else this government does, they respond to any criticism accusing those who take the time to point out short falls of their ideologically driven strategies, as being misinformed or attached to an agenda they don't agree with. Fantino's display this week is inexcusable and his outright refusal to step aside shows that he cares more for Julian than he does to those he treated badly in public.
Like the woman who served as their mentor, waterboy, these people believe that selfishness is a virtue. Like Ayn Rand herself, they are absolutely hypocritical.
And veterans will still vote Conservative so who cares.
On that score, I hope you're wrong, Dana. My late father -- who was a World War II veteran -- voted for Harper.
But I can't imagine him supporting him after this.
I was talking to my oldest Conservative buddy in Ottawa last night. He figures Fantino has gored the Conservatives on this and it's going to cost them a lot of votes in 2015.
This fellow was also far more upbeat on JT than I've ever been. He's known JT and his brothers since they were kids and Margaret used to bring them with her to the Hunt Club. He agrees that JT does not have the intellect of his father but thinks he has what it takes to win an election.
I do hope this marks a turning point, Owen. Nothing says Harper's base more than faux patriotism, especially as it pertains to the troops. I can't help but be reminded of the Charlie Brown moment that Mulroney had when he was threatening the indexation of old-age pensions. Solange Denis, a pensioner, warned him of the consequences if he went ahead with his plan. To Mulroney's credit, he backed down, something the Harper cabal seems constitutionally unable to do.
When you hear opinions like that from Conservatives, Mound, you can feel the weather change -- the way it does before a snowstorm arrives.
The Conservatives are at the centre of the storm, not JT himself.
It was after the "Charlie Brown" encounter, Lorne, that Mulroney was tagged with the epithet "Lyin' Brian."
We may be close to that point with Harper. If an apt phrase can be pinned on him, his political career will be finished.
Already have a few monikers that could be used for the dishonourable prime minister. Oil Duce, Thievin' Stephen, and PM Shit Head and Canadian/Albertan of Convenience.
Could probably come up with a few epithets more over time.
I like Oil Duce, bahamut-x. It sums up Harper's agenda perfectly.
I see that Fantino and some of the other creeps are running for cover in that last familiar refuge of the libertarian milksop class – blame a labour union. There are lots of union haters in the armed forces. Let’s go for that appeal again. I’ve seen this tactic at work before: “You guys are tough and rugged individualists. Unions and any form of collectivism are for weaklings and mutineers. Guys who whine are malingerers and sick-parade artists.” This tactic is so stale, weak and readable that we should all resolve to visit the closest CRAP Party MP’s constituency office the next time one of them uses it and puke on the reception desk with sincere regards for their leader.
These folks are masters of the red herring, John. They introduce a totally irrelevant issue, hoping that the scent will force their detractors off the trail.
Any fish rots from the head down. They would do well to note the rot at the top.
The Conservatives are so out of touch, they think everyone has a computer. it hasn't dawned on them some can't afford them, some never got used to using them, some have difficulty focusing on what they are doing. The Conservatives don't know what it is like to have PTSD. Perhaps a few weeks in a war zone would do Fantino some good.
The Cons don't care about the veterans. They have served their purpose and Harper is throwing them under the same bus he has everyone else.
Fantino forgets he is there to serve the people, not to order them around like they were his servants. he forgets himself.
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This will be great fodder for the next election.
A few weeks in a war zone would do Fantino a world of good, e.a.f. It would do the same for Harper, Baird. Moore et al.
The only problem is they wouldn't survive the experience -- and they know it.
Unfortunately I have to agree with Dana. Veterans and actives service members vote overwhelmingly for Conservatives and will continue to do so. I think that the best we can hope for is that many of them are disgusted enough that they will stay home on polling day. It is a terrible sentiment really but then this is a terrible government.
So much depends on the minister, Kirby. Trudeau the Elder was not popular with vets. But his minister of Veterans Affairs -- Barney Danson -- was.
Danson was himself a vet. And vets knew he would look after their interests. Harper has vets in his caucus. But he chose Fantino to be his minister. That speaks volumes about Harper's judgment.
And, in the end, that's what this is all about.
Even on an enlightened site such as this...... all of you don't realize or accept the fact that we are well and truly fucked (in every orifice)It no longer matters who we elect or who wins in Russia. The human race was a passing fancy of whimsical mother/father nature which I am certain has been repeated infinitely throughout the cosmos for the last few billion years. As if our voices will make any difference in the face of the greed and corruption(and apathy) we face. It makes no difference any more. It's to little too late!
I have children and I have told them that if they procreate, that they are cruel insensitive FUCKING MORONS. As an aside I have actually read Ayn Rands books. They are not completely evil.
posting on this site is such a pain that i will not bother again. Move somewhere else. Probably why you get so few comments. Still not sure if my first comment actually got through!!!
Rand was intelligent, astone. Unfortunately, she was totally self absorbed.
And our own self absorption is at the root of our problems.
That's your choice, astone.
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