The Audit With a Twist #cdnpoli

$3.1 Billion is missing according to a damning audit of the Harper Government. Let’s see what political pundits recently have said about audit failure:

Federal government audit ‘severely critical’

- The Star headline

“The independent audit [...] speaks for itself, and we accept its conclusions and recommendations,” said Jan O’Driscoll, spokesperson for the Minister.
[The auditor] called the lack of records “inappropriate for any recipient of public funds.”

- The Star

“I cannot in my lifetime recall such a devastating audit. [...] A stunning indictment.”

- Ian Lee of the Sprott School of Business

“It just seems to be difficult to do the basics, and then that raises red flags [...] for the government,”

- Chuck Strahl

John Ibbitson said that the audit will be a smoking gun for people who those who criticize the [government] system.
Rob Silver said that even if the audit was leaked to discredit [a politician] doesn’t mean that it’s not important, and that it reads like any other audit of a government bureaucracy gone wrong.

Embattled Senator Brazman has an opinion:

“Just because [an audit is published], it does not mean money is well spent,” said Sen. Patrick Brazeau, a controversial and outspoken critic [...]. “Where does the money go? Is it being properly spent . . . and more importantly, is it going to [where there are] needs?” “Accountability is a two-way street.”

The perpetually petulant Levant even gets in on the audit pile-on action: “Audit nightmare: The RCMP, [...] should be meeting with [those involved]“

“If the people involved had Italian names and were from the Montreal construction industry, or French-Canadian names from Montreal ad agencies, [...] there would be resignations and criminal charges flying.”

Wait a moment, there’s a twist. The above quotes are all real, but they seem so unlikely, don’t they? Well, that’s because they are not talking about the Conservatives’ most recent audit failure, they are talking about another recent audit of which they were more critical, over much less unaccounted-for public money. They said these things about much less than 3% of the unaccounted-for $3,100,000,000 Harper has frittered away without proper documentation.

Aboriginal Students Centre Launch at UofR

The expanded space for the ASC was launched on Thursday in the RIC building. Many dignitaries were on hand. Shawn Fraser was rep’ing the City, and gave a short and sweet 2 minute speech. Everyone else was a bit more verbose, but all heartfelt and excited by the newly christened space intended for all students to have a common gathering place with support staff nearby. The older space in College West remains part of the ASC.

The reception after had excellent food, including four kinds of bannock! Baked, baked with Saskatoon berries, fried, and fried with cheese.

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I spoke briefly with Regina MP Ralph Goodale, and MLA Warren McCall. I also introduced myself to MLA Mark Docherty afterward, who I learned had heard of my blog. We traded stories of civic politics and our hopes for improved, honest political discussions around hot topic national and provincial issues like alcohol and marijuana. Having both run for city council at times, we each had to agree that anyone putting their name forward for public service is taking a bold step that not everyone cares to make (not saying that to pat ourselves on the back, Mark noted). Try running, and you’ll feel it too I’m sure.

Forward Together #UofR: Buffy St. Marie – Live Blog

Buffy St. Marie tackled the subject of Aboriginal peoples’ self image. What has been the basis for it? In many cases in popular culture, it’s from philosophers in Europe who never met the First Peoples in their life!

#Buffy event at #FNUniv is almost full 10 min to start. http://t.co/TNO8jZ4K0a—
John Klein (@JohnKleinRegina) March 27, 2013

#Buffy lecture opened with an elder ceremony and #FNUniv president. http://t.co/JXQy3d3jYL—
John Klein (@JohnKleinRegina) March 27, 2013

The reality is that First Nations civilizations were much more complex, scientific, and peaceful than depicted by European and settler academics and politicians.

Team sports were an invention of Native Americans. Helmets with animal logos. Basically the NHL. #Buffy #APTN—
John Klein (@JohnKleinRegina) March 27, 2013

The bully who is running the politicians will keep at it unless you are setting a stronger example. #Buffy We are creative. Grow.—
John Klein (@JohnKleinRegina) March 27, 2013

War is caused by greedy people. It is a choice. The wealthiest nations still go to war. #Buffy #APTN #UofR #IdleNoMore—
John Klein (@JohnKleinRegina) March 27, 2013

Wab Kinew at UofR Minifie Lecture

On Tuesday I tried to live blog Wab’s lecture from my smart phone, but the WiFi or something else wasn’t working right. The lecture will be online soon, and is on Access Communications coming up very son on Friday and again on Sunday I think I heard. Check it out, it’s awesome.
One story involved how he protested against a memo from CBC brass.
“Survivors” of residential schools were to be called “former students” according to CBC. More than 3000 children died in those schools. The brass did not heed his caution.

Wab threatened to resign from the CBC. The CBC reporters were unanimously behind Wab.

Whenever he hears Mansbridge say “survivor” in the context of Residential school students, he does a little fist pump. I feel like doing one when I hear the media use that word too.

@saskboy feather is a sacred item, I use it to keep me grounded in a spiritual sense—
Wab Kinew (@WabKinew) March 20, 2013

Newspaper Comments Highlight Canadian Racism

The comments sections on some newspapers and online news sites can be infamously bad. The Calgary Herald’s commenters, many of them frequent enough to be “top commenters”, put on a despicable display today. Chief Spence ended her hunger strike, and was hospitalized as a precaution because she’s been without proper nutrition for six weeks. Obviously such a drastic diet, with the purpose of forcing an emotional outpouring of support for political ends, is not healthy.

Mike Neumeier · Top Commenter
Look at her, there’s no way she was on a liquid-only diet – stop lying already. I’m pretty sure I saw her pounding down 6 mama-burgers at A & W the other day.

Ah yes, fat jokes about the lady who has been starving the past six weeks. Starving because the Prime Minister is too prideful to grant even an hour for himself and the Governor General to meet in person with some First Nations leaders. Starving, because First Nations people across Canada tend to suffer and be murdered at higher rates than other Canadians, yet this is not deemed an emergency that needs immediate correcting, according to the Prime Minister. She was starving for justice, and you mock her.

At least one journalist at CTV realized that there are some stories where there is a clear morally just side, and another where people die needlessly*. Can the corporate media as a whole begin to extend this realization to the issue of racism also? It’s not like racism has ever killed millions of people before, but their imaginations need to be stretched (if they can’t recall any race based genocide).

I don’t know how these people listed below will feel later about their negative comments, but if I’d ever made a nasty comment about someone based on their appearance or their race, I’d feel ashamed. These people signed their names to racist, fat jokes, some while listing their employer. That either takes guts (minus a heart), or a heck of a lack of brains.

Ken Schmied · Top Commenter
Hopefully the poor dear will be able to quickly put on some weight. She looks emaciated.
Reply · 16 · Like · Follow Post · 22 hours ago

David Kolling · Telephony Analyst at Shaw Communications
I think we as canadian tax payers should pony up and pay to send her to a really nice spa for 3 or 4 months to help her heal. You’re right she looks awful. Hahahahaha.
Reply · 7 · Like · 17 hours ago
Ken Schmied · Top Commenter
Grand Valley would be a wonderful resort for her to spend 6 to 10 years with time off for good behavior.
Reply · 3 · Like · Edited · 17 hours ago
Alan Beaulieu · Top Commenter · Calgary, Alberta
Looks like she could have done a few pushups and situps while she was Idling.
Reply · 1 · Like · 2 hours ago

#IdleNoMore University of Regina Round Dance

Cadmus Delorme started off the speaking without a mic (and was audible!). Here he is with some amplification. Let’s amplify his message over the Internet, also.

The noon hour finished up this way:

It’s my third Round Dance of Idle No More. Here’s the second, on Albert St. First Nations people and supporters in Regina kicked things off for the country on December 9th, 2012, with the organizing assistance of Marie Crowe and Chasity Delorme (who deserve to be considered among the Idle No More movement founders, in my opinion).

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Today at FNUniv is another Round Dance, but not specifically for IdleNoMore.

Oh Kay, That’s Low

“The doctors haven’t actually examined Ms. Spence. They seem more like political cheerleaders with medical-school degrees.”
(fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2013/01/04/barbara-kay-on-theresa-spence-you-call-that-a-hunger-strike)

But Barbara Kay has examined Chief Spence? She questions the seriousness of the Chief because her hunger strike includes no solid food for 25 days, but has some nutrients suspended in water? No, Kay has no medical degree, or first hand inspection of the Chief.

Then, it gets worse:
“Meanwhile, she may actually end up doing her body a favour.”

This is the kind of shitty, racist, unhealthy, Government-defending editorial section we get when Conservatives own newspapers. I didn’t think it likely there would be more than one Kay at the National Joke who deserves harsh criticism.

“I am not actually encouraging Chief Spence to go on a real starvation regime. I am only saying that at this rate, it is going to take her a very long time to get the job done — if that is indeed what she wants.”

What she wants, clearly is justice for her people, you jerk! Do you think anyone truly wants to starve themselves? Not even people with eating disorders want to starve to death, they just want to attain a goal through extremely dangerous eating habits.

I honestly can’t read any more of that filth from Kay. I think newspapers may stay in style, because I have a strong urge to throw one across a room, or paper the bottom of a bird cage now, and can’t do that with an iPad.

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Hat tip to Mr. Glass

The Hunger for Justice

Harper and the Governor General don’t offer a spoonful of respect, let alone justice.

Attawapiskat Chief Spence reissues call for PM, GG treaty meeting

I wish our Prime Minister and Governor General cared enough about the self-imposed suffering of a brave First Nations leader, to meet with her for an hour at least. We probably can’t, as a nation, expect the Prime Minister, or Queen’s representative to meet with just any old person holding a hunger strike — but Spence isn’t just any old person.

The Conservatives’ leadership seems to be without redemption. Imagine their further plunge in the polls* if they allow a woman to starve on the steps of Parliament.

The faces in these protests won’t be smiling quite as often.

*(Which Canadian gives a damn about polls, other than political wonks and manipulators?)

#IdleNoMore Prayer Rally in Regina

A bitterly cold -16 Celsius temperature didn’t deter over 100 people from turning out to voice their concerns about the Conservatives’ omnibus bill C-45 passed in haste last week. The people also were there to support the First Nations leaders who attempted to confront the MPs in the House, and now must be consulted by the Senate and the Governor General. C-45 removed long-standing federal environmental protection from most of Canada’s lakes and rivers, and the threat to water is not taken lightly by First Nations, organizers of the event explained.

- The crowd was in support of protected fresh water.

Victor Lau, Leader of the Green Party of Saskatchewan

Dances With Oil

If Stephen Harper were a character in a Hollywood epic movie about the western Canadian frontier, and went to live with the First Nations people, I can’t help but think his alternate name would be Dances With Oil. He sure doesn’t dance with the one he brings to the ball. He wants to give the appearance of listening, but he won’t because he sees First Nations as his “adversaries”.

DFAIT hilariously has labeled First Nations as “adversaries” in their struggle to promote Tar Sand oil, and ship our brains out to the USA and China. The PMO calls environmentalists “enemies of the state”.

-A sample of Harper’s “enemies of the state”

Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has labelled aboriginal groups and environmentalists as “adversaries,” while describing the National Energy Board, an independent federal regulator of industry, as an “ally” in its public relations strategy to polish the image of Alberta’s oilsands, a newly released internal document has revealed.

The document outlines key goals for the government’s diplomats in promoting the industry, which is considered to be the fastest-growing source of global-warming-causing emissions in the country, and in lobbying against foreign climate change policies.

Rich U.S. groups that funded environmentalists also gave to Canadian government

Tax returns show the Canadian government has also been the beneficiary of millions of dollars in largesse from some of the wealthiest private organizations in the United States.

And some of that money came from the same U.S. groups that helped fund Canadian environmentalists.

The grants to the federal government come to light as Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservatives and the pro-oilsands website EthicalOil.org take Canadian environmental groups to task for accepting money from big American foundations to finance their campaigns against the oilsands.

Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver accused “environmental and other radical groups” of trying to use money from “foreign special-interest groups” to hijack hearings on a pipeline that would bring Alberta oilsands bitumen to a port on the British Columbia coast.

But the Canadian government seems to have no qualms accepting grant money from private U.S. foundations — including some of the same organizations that gave to Canadian environmental groups.

For example, U.S. tax records show the California-based William and Flora Hewlett Foundation gave $750,000 to the David Suzuki Foundation and a whopping $40 million to the International Development Research Centre, a federal Crown corporation.