Last week, Jason Kenney claimed that Russian aircraft provoked HMCS Fredericton as it participated in a NATO exercise in the Black Sea. When the Ottawa Citizen asked DND for a comment, they refused to go near Kenney's statement and referred the paper to NATO. Stewart Webb writes:
NATO brusquely dismissed Kenney’s tales of an old-fashioned Cold War showdown involving Canadian forces — stating that Russian overflights have operated at altitudes higher than the 500 feet cited by Kenney’s office and that there had been no confrontation with Russian warships. NATO reported that at one point two Russian warships were seen off the horizon by the Canadian task group in the Black Sea, but that the Russians followed all regulations required of vessels in international waters.
Some might put the blunder down to the new defence minister's inexperience. But Kenney's claim is part of an entrenched pattern:
In April 2009 Kenney’s predecessor, Peter MacKay, reported that two TU-95MSs had come within 192 kilometres of Canada’s Arctic coastline. This incident occurred the day before President Barack Obama visited Ottawa. “I am not going to stand here and accuse the Russians of having deliberately done this during the presidential visit,” MacKay said at the time. “But it was a strong coincidence”.
In August 2010, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s communications director Dimitri Soudas e-mailed journalists claiming that a pair of TU-95MSs had been intercepted approximately 56 km from the Arctic coastline by our CF-18s. “Thanks to the rapid response of the Canadian Forces,” Soudas wrote, “at no time did the Russian aircraft enter sovereign Canadian airspace.” NORAD’s commander did not rebuke the accusation this time, but NORAD’s spokesman Lieutenant Desmond James has this to say: “Both Russia and NORAD routinely exercise their capability to operate in the North. These exercises are important to both NORAD and Russia and are not cause for alarm.”
The international community knows that, when it comes to crying wolf, the Harperites have established their bona fides. And, as the man who is rumoured to be first in line to replace Harper, Kenney has established his bona fides as a man who is well qualified to mislead the nation.
15 comments:
"Kenney," not "Kenny"
To think that 'Canada's Chubbiest Army Cadet' could one day be prime minister is hilarious.
I admit that the thought strikes one's funny bone, Anon. But it appears that he'd do anything to get there.
Correction made. Thanks, Anon.
"Crying wolf" while hiding in a closet broom closet of all places is what the Harper government does best. I have more respect for Putin than I do for Harper even though I do not agree with either. Never forget Russia was our ally before Harper started the saber rattling from inside the queens broom closet...
Ha ha Harper the biggest coward in Canada that snarls at the snap of some rich men's fingers. Um trained seal no that insults the seals whose babies get clubed to death yearly in Quebec. Um how about Mr. Stephen Harper Mr. Jason Kenney and Mr. Peter MacKay are all deliberate liars and can't help themselves and need counsiling and treatment badly...
Cheers,
Mogs
And they continue to believe that Canadians know they speak the gospel truth, Mogs.
The CBC has an article today on the use of "Dog Whistles". As your blog conveys Owen,Kenny and the rest of the Harperites use them constantly. They are intended to placate their base as well as influence the uninformed.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/dog-whistle-politics-accusations-fly-between-canadian-parties-1.2998724
Owen, it reminds me of the editorial in the German financial newspaper, Handelsblatt, last summer when they warned that, in the West, the public is being 'mentally mobilized' for war. I think Kenney would like nothing more than to stoke Canadian public opinion against Putin. What's next, Russian torpedo boats reviving the Gulf of Tonkin non-incident?
It's always been the case, Mound, that those who beat the drums of war loudest know nothing of war.
And those who have experienced it don't want to go back.
To the Harperites, Anon, voters will answer to the right stimuli -- like Pavlov's dogs.
Recent history has given their take on things some credence.
For more on the subject I recommend
http://thegallopingbeaver.blogspot.ca/2015/03/outright-liars.html
Where's the budget?
Excellent question, Hugh. Remember when all they talked about was their stellar management of the economy?
Dave's post is excellent, Anon. He has what Kenny lacks -- real world experience.
Yes, Dave does. On military issues I find he is one of the top bloggers around to read in the Canadian political blogosphere. I cannot recommend his writings highly enough for quality and competency, which are my two highest compliments to give to someone.
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