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Election Quebec, April7, 2014

04/05/2014

      The Parti Quebecois called the election because their in-house polls agreed with others that were conducted by polling firms, that their Cultural Values proposal was very popular and not only with their base, but overall. These polls indicated that they will win a majority if an election was called, and so Pauline Marois gambled ( like Paul Martin did federally in 1984), and called an election when none was  needed and which went against their own law on "fixed-date election". Now she is about to suffer the same fate as Martin, whose Liberal Party was crushed almost into oblivion, by Brian Mulroney's Conservatives, which won 211 seats.
     The campaign statred out serenely, with a confident Marois, a concerned Couillard and a desperate Legault. Now it is a confident Couillard, an energised Legault and a very desperate Marois. What went wrong for the PQ and what has caused the Liberal upsurge and the CAQ's revival? Campaign gaffes by the PQ who could not control the agenda; a revealing first debate that showed a premier-like Couillard and a second debate performance by a "charged up" Legault.
     The PQ started to unravel when their star candidate, Pierre Peladeau, pumped his fist in the air and stated that he was in the election to create a country for his chilgren. The sovereignty/ referendum bogeyman was out of the bag and in the open and nothing was going to put it back in. Marois had built her entire campaign on the Charter of Values. Now all hell broke loose and try as she did, she could not get away from the R & S words. It has dominated the campaign. It did not help that she also added to her problems by talking aout borders and passports. In the second debate she tried again and again to state that only when Quebecers are ready, will there be a referendum, and this further muddied the waters. Lisee, did not help when said that a referendum will be held in a year. Others also got caught up in the referendum conundrum, like her female "Jewish" candidate.     Then her "Values Charter" became a problem, when some of her candidates statred to defend it by stating that anyone who loses their jobs, will be helped to get a new one in the private sector, while others like Drainville (minister responsible for the Charter) repeated that there will be no changes and that those who do not obey it when it became law will lose their jobs. Then came the fantasy of Janette and her " rich Muslims from Mcgill" tgaking over her swimming pool.
     In the meantime, the Liberals had the steady and calm hand of Couillard guiding them, even when he was pressured on his connection to Porter, his job in Saudi Arabia and his off-shore bank account. Nothing stuck to him. He is the "teflon" man. He was cool under attack and while he did not perform too well in the second debate, where he was put under "the gun" by Legault, he still held his own and after the debate he immediately returned the focus on the PQ and the referendum.
      Legault went for broke in the second debate and would seem to have saved his party from losing most of their seats, but it may still happen, if he is caught between the Liberals and PQ. If ( and it seems like it) the PQ loses support, it may well go to the CAQ, but if the CAQ loses support, especially in the Quebec City area, it will go to the Liberals.
     At this point, the Liberal are about 7-10 points ahead of the PQ. If this holds true, the Liberals will form a majority government. There is no coming back for the PQ.
     Here is my prediction.....Liberals 71; PQ 36; CAQ 15; QS 3.
      8th April.......   Well the verdict is in and the Liberals have emerged as the big winner with 70 seats. The CAQ made progress, better than expected with 22 seats, even though thsy lost their base in Quebec City, which returned to the Liberals. The CAQ did well in the 450 region with their economic message. The PQ was devastated, with their worst showing since 1989. Marois lost her seat but Lisee, Drainville and the "fistmsn" Peladeau won and now they are elbowing each other for the vacant leadership.
     The PQ are a generational party and now they have to broaden their base or sufferr a slow death. The language issue has run its course. Quebecoises are gaining in confidence and the new electronic world has drawn them into the larger world. As Couillard, the biG winner stated bilingualism on the factory floor is a benefit.
     it's now time to enjoy 4 years of social peace, economic growth and stability. Cheers.

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Pauline Marois the puppet mistress of "minorities"

03/08/2014

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     That Pauline Marois, such a prankster, the puppet mistress, laughingly pulling the strings of the "minorities", using them as sacrificial "ewes", placing them in unwinnable constituencies, while giving a safe one to the "pur laine" Martine Desjardins. Two Algerian Muslims, Yasmina Chouakri and Leila Mahiout and one Moroccan Jewess, Evelyne Abitbol, who have allowed themselves to be used as "show monkeys" , in Marois' circus. Pathetic.
     In a democracy you have choice. You are free to choose which political party you want to support, who you vote for, what you believe in, your values and beliefs. However to allow yourself to be used to promote wedge issues, under the guise of secularism, is ignorance masquerading as choice.
      The so-called "values charter" is a PQ stalking horse, clearly meant to appeal to and consolidate the Quebecois(e) base, to drive a wedge between cultural communities. This takes away from the real issues of jobs (25,000 lost last month) and the economy (stagnant and declining), as a whole.
     If Marois was serious about getting support from the " cultural communities", she would have placed these candidates in safe ridings. Instead she is using them and sacrificing them in unwinnable ones. This is a slap in their face. This is blatant insult. This is " i AM GOING TO USE YOU TO COVER ME AGAINST CHARGES THAT i AM IGNORING THESE CVOMMUNITIES, THAT i AM ISOLATING THEM." Such gall and these " sacrificial ewes" are oblivious.
     "It's the economy stupid'
     Now that Peladeau has joined the PQ, the party has moved to the right, with a corporatist agenda. They have shafted the labour movement which has been the backbone of the PQ and has had many bruising battles with Peladeau, calling him the " worst employer in Quebec's history".
     Peladeau has made it very clear that he joined the PQ in order to bring about an independent Quebec " a country for his children". He has hogged the limelight, calling himself the " negotiator" and making himself the co-leader of the PQ ( shades of Parizeau and Bouchard, 1995).
     The e3ntire PQ campaign will now be centered on separation and referendum. They continue to mislead the people on the issue of common currency and passport with open borders with Canada. First they dismember and then they want to benefit from a Canadian passport and monetray policy. They are either stupid, confused or both. But that has always been the split personality of the PQ....ON THE ONE HAND SOCIALIST AND ON THE NATIONALIST. Now they have added Corporatist.
    March 25 and all is not well in the PQ camp. They are now accusing out-of town students studying and living here of trying to steal the elct6ion. The law is clear. To vote you have to be over 18, a Canadian citizen and must have lived in Quebec for more tan 6 months. This new bogeyman to rall the troops will not fly.
     The Liberals have an edge and they have to be careful and build on it. So far Couillard has performed well. He is articulate and unruffled, even when his integrity is questioned. At this point the Liberals are solid in 49 ridings and tghe PQ in 43 with Caq in 3 and QS in 2. The fight is in the other 28 ridings and the next two weeks will be frenzied.

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Ukraine.....The Russian Game

03/01/2014

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      Russia will do what is in its interest and that is take control of the Crimea and the warm water port of Sevastopol, where the Russian Black Sea fleet has been anchored over the years. This is Russia's only warm water port and its access to the Mediteranean and the Middle East. There is no way that Russia will give this up.
     The fall of the corrupt and incompetent Viktor Yanukovych, after bloody riots and demonstrations has forced Putin to act, and act, he will, irrespective of the sound and fury coming from the West and especially, the USA. This is all puffery, because Obama can do very little and the feckless British and French, together with Canada are simply inconsequential. They may threaten sanctions and embargo and send "strong" messages, wag their fingers or even visit, as Harper, "he of little consequence" has done, but it is to no avail. Putin will do whatever is in the interest of Russia. He is no Yeltsin and he is brimming with confidence what with the success of Sochi and the bounty of oil and gas.
     Nikita Khrushchev, who was Ukrainian and had imbibed too much vodka, had given Crimea to Ukraine in 1954, but had retained control of Sevastopol for the use of the Black Sea fleet. Ethnic Russians dominate East Ukraine and the Crimea and they will not accept to be ruled from Kiev. Already they have taken certain actions, like occupying the parliament, raising the Russian flag and even set up local militias There is also the Tatars, who have had a very hostile relation with Russia.. Only Putin can prevent a bloody civil war ( there is a lot of animosity on both sides...the Russians remember that some Ukrainians had sided with Hitler and the Nazis and Western Ukrainian have chafed under the control of Russia. The Tatars remember their forced settlement.
     The USA and Britain cannot talk with any credibilty about intervention, given their recent history in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. The French and Canada less so also, given their actions in Libya and in the case of France, its forner colonies. So what is there to do? Diplomacy is the only way. Not threats. They are meaningless. No one in the West, is going to go to war for the Ukraine. Ukraine will either be split violently or some arrangement with Russia will have to be made and the Russians wiil dictate the terms.
      So stop with the blusters and get down to talks with Russia. This is their backyard and it is their national interests that are at stake.
       Russia has taken the Crimea without firing a shot. The locals have welcomed the Russians as saviours. The newly appointed head of the Ukrainian navy has joined the Russians. The West led by the United States continue to fulminate and threaten, but can do little. They do not want an economic war with Russia which sits on the second laggest reserves of oil and gas. So they should try to limit what the Russians do, with diplomacy. That would mean recognising Russia's concerns about its security, especially with regards to the Crimea and Eastern Ukraine. The Americans and the rest of the West have played the "game of national interests" when they attacked Iraq and Afghanistan and Libya. They failed and created a greater disaster, same as the Russians in Afghanistan, but there, they, the Russians, were confronted with military weapons, especially shoulder-fired missiles which wreaked havoc on Russian helicopters, given to them by the USA. They will not do this in the Ukraine.
     The Crimea had been a part of Russia for over 300 years. The Russians had sacrificed much blood over the years, against the British the Turks and the Germans. 60% of the population are ethnic Russians; 25% ethnic Ukrainians and the rest are Tatars and others. The port of Sevastopol is crucial Russia's national security and economic interests and important pipelines run through Ukraine taking Russian oil and gas to Europe. 40% of Germany's oil come from Russiaa and 30% of Europe's gas. Germany and Britain has many trade and financial deal with Russia and will not support strong economic measures. The 28 members of NATO
are divided. So the USA has to focus on building a workable coalition. It can only be diplomatic.
     Russia's concerns have to respected. The USA and the WEST have been pushing to the Russian border with NATO expansion. Russia has historically suffered with the fear of invasion ( Napolean and Hiler) and they feel threatened with NATO expansion, which started with Clinton in 1996 and a weak/drunken Yeltsin. Now Putin is pushing back
     The invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan and the attack on Libya has taken away the high ground from the USA and the WEST. The French military involvement in their former African colonies exposes their hypocrisy also and the continued occupation of the West Bank and the gradual siezure of land by Israel, while the USA welcomes Netanyahu to the White House has put a lie to the contention of " territorial integrity". Double standards expose and weakens and that is   why the USA and the WEST have little or no credibility. They are judged by their own actions and are found wanting.

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The Arab Spring.....A tale of two Countries.....Tunisia and Egypt

01/28/2014

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January 26, 2014, three years after the revolution, known as the Arab Spring spread across the Arab world, from Tunisia to Egypt to Libya to Syria to Yemen, Tunisia celebrated a new beginning with a new constitution, approved by 200 of the 216 members of the National Assembly. " We have known fear for our country and its institutions, " said President Moncef Marzouki. " Today, we have the right to be joyful" and he held the document aloft, kissed it and signed it. It was then signed y he Speaker of Assembly, Mustafa Beb Jafar and the Prime Minister Ali Larayedh.

It all began with the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi, a young fruit seller ( he, like many youths were unable to find employment, something that still adversely affect the country today and with poor economic conditions, rising prices, debt and demonstrations, pose a possible threat to stability of the country), whose wares were confiscated by a municipal inspector, Dec 17, 2010 (this had happened time and again and was the only means he had to earn money for his family). An hour later he doused himself with gasoline and set himself on fire. His death on Jan,4, 2011, brought together various groups, dissatisfied with the system.....the unemployed, students, labor, trade unionists, educators, lawyers and others. The revolution had its spark. It then spread to Egypt to Libya to Syria to Yemen and elsewhere, where autocrats had trampled on the rights of the people and used repressive measures to terrorize and control them, while they , their families and cronies live in luxury.

The last constitution was adopted in 1959, three years after Tunisia had won its independence from France. However the country swiftly descended into a dictatorship as Presidents from Habib Bourguiba to Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, used he various state apparatus, from the police to the military to the courts to stay in power. The military, unlike its counterpart in Egypt had had never experienced combat and did not dominate the domestic economy or had much political clout and so was of little use to Ben Ali when demonstration after demonstration took to the streets and demanded his ouster ( he and his extended family were particularly rapacious and greedy, dominating the economy and business of he nation). He fled the country on Jan. 11, 2011 and a caretaker government took over, organised and held an election which was dominated the Islamist Ennahda Party which won 40% of the seats in the Assembly. It was decided that the Assembly would draft a new constitution.

A culture war had broken out in the country between the secularists and the Islamists. It was a tense, bloody struggle, that only ended when Ennadha ( perhaps seeing what had happened in Egypt with Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood, who were ousted from power by the military coup, arrested, hunted down and declared as illegal) decided to make concessions and stepped down from power in favour of a caretaker government This willingness to compromise and negotiate ( there had been some killing of prominent secularists, and the Salafists. a hard line Islamist group aligned to Ennadha, was blamed),was in stark contrast with the Brotherhood in Egypt.

The constitution, which introduces democracy and protection of civil rights will be sorely tested, especially by the Islamists and the very serious economic conditions. It establishes a civil democratic state , with an independent judiciary and the protection of basic individual rights. An entire chapter, some 28n articles, is dedicated to protecting citizen's rights, including protection from torture, the right to due process and freedom of religion. It guarantees equality between men and women before the law and the state commits itself to protecting women's rights. One of the most hotly debated articles , the one on religious freedom, guarantees " freedom of belief and conscience". This would allow atheism and the practice of non-Islamic religions ( something frowned upon in other Islamic countries). It also bans incitement to violence and declaring a Muslim an apostate ....a fallen Muslim....which leaves open to death threats.

There are many contradictions ----stating that Islam is the Tunisia's religion, but also that it is a civil state; old laws have to reconciled with new laws and must be reformed ( a Constitutional C ourt will be established to interpret and clar settle disputes).

It is a glorious beginning , a fresh start for Tunisia. Unlike Egypt where the ouster of Mubarak was followed by the holding of the first democratic election, which saw the Muslim Brotherhood in power, with Mohamed Morsi as president, a military coup ousting him and the anointing of Army Chief Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi as the next president ( only waiting for the formality of an election, which he is expected to win handily with the support of a scared middle class, the business community and the military which dominates the internal economy).

Egypt has gone backwards. Tunisia has taken a step forward. The Arab world looks on with interest. Our wishes for success go with Tunisia, always one of the more forward-looking countries in the Arab

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The Quest for Peace in Palestine/Israel

01/05/2014

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     John Kerry is persistent, but as long as Netanyahu is Prime Minister, there will be no peace. He is more interested in remaining in power, and thus is held hostage to the demands of the religious right/ colonizers, who continue to seize more and more land, this time in the Jordan Valley. It was a direct slap at Kerry, by this group, led by a senior cabinet minister and a dozen or so legislators, most from Likud.

     The Jordan Valley settlements were created as a buffer against possible Arab attack from the east, though Israel security experts say that long range missiles, are a greater threats than tanks. This however has not stopped the expansion, a clear provocation, which may well jeopardise the peace treaty with Jordan. The event to expand Gitit, a community of 70 families was staged by the Land of Israel, a pro-settler lobby of 39 of the Israeli parliament 120 legislators

     The Palestinians want to establish their state on the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, lands that Israel seized in 1967 and where more than 600,000 settlers have moved in and carved " osaes", subsidised and protected by the state of Israel at huge costs, which has to a great extent beggared the country, jacked the cost of living and deprived the other Israelis of much needed services.

     In the past, Israel had depended on the politics of the USA and the guilt of Europe to defend its policy of building settlements on security grounds, but gradually this policy has been exposed as nothing more than a land grab and especially to deny the Palestinian people a country of their own in the land that had belonged to them.

     The times are-a -changing and there is less willingness to turn a blind eye to this continued encroachment. Tough talk ( even comparisons to " apartheid" ) are beginning to percolate in Europe and America ( the Harper Govt continues in lockstep with Israel), and by three score and ten years ( after 1948), 2018, hopes will be replaced by reality. The Israeli "tail" wagging the "world" dog, will come to an end and the Palestinian people will have their country and not an open-air prison, to live in.

    As of Jan.9, Lieberman, recently cleared of fraud charges announce his support for the Kerry plan. This will take some pressure from Netanyahu. Also on Jan.11, Ariel Sharon, one of the chief architect of settlements, a man adored by the Israeli as a hero-warrior but reviled by Palestinians as a murderer, the man who blasted people from their homes in Qibya, in which 42 houses were detonated killing 67 men, women and children; who built the security fence; who allowed the slaughter at Sabra and Shatilla and who turned Gaza into an open air prison, died.

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Postscript 2013

12/31/2013

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       In eight hours, it will be 2014.

       Africa, most importantly Northern Africa is in turmoil. Southern Africa, seems to be moving ahead, led by South Africa and by the spirit of Nelson Mandela. Hopes spring eternal, but with out it, it is mere despair. Central Africa, looks to France, its colonial master for reprieve, but this diminished, former colonial force is spent, both of ideas and influence, and so it sells its soul to the Wahhabis of Saudi Arabia, thinking that it can like De Gaulle in the early 60's, it can carve out a place with the "big boys".. USA and the USSR., by "sticking out its tongue" at the US. Not to be, however. The times, they are a-changing.

     Africa, thy soul has been ripped apart by your richness. The beauty, that lies dormant could have been and may yet be, the guide to the enrichment of us all. " The child is the father of the man"

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The Year, 2013

12/25/2013

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     Wars, threats of wars, scandals a death, marked the year.

     The vicious civil war continues unabated in Syria, death and suffering pile up and there seems to be no end to this misery. In Iraq, the sectarian violence spirals out of control and in Libya, a combination of warlords, tribal and regional fighting create a longing for another strongman a la Gadhafi and that may well be what will happen. Yemen, Somalia, Sudan are on the brink and in Egypt and Tunisia, the promise of democratic change is on hold. The Palestinian issue has seen the EU taking a more robust stance, especially on the continued building and the expansion of settlements and there is even talk of comparison to " apartheid"( this may be as a result of the death of Nelson Mandela, that stirred memories of guilt, for doing too little too late to dismantle the vicious, racist policy of apartheid)

     Threat of war with Iran has receded and the American withdrawal from Afghanistan is in trouble with the irrational/erratic Karzai, who want to wait until after the elections to formalise details. Pakistan is still beset with sectarian violence and the upcoming trial of Musharraf. Kim Jong Un has executed his uncle, in what would seem to be a power struggle and the world remain mystify, about him. Myanmar is making slow strides towards modernity and democracy and Thailand is in turmoil again. Sectarian , Christian/ Muslim continues in Nigeria and Kenya and the French with the consent of the UN is active in its former colonies.

     In Canada, the Harper government continue to be on the defensive over the Senate/ Duffy scandal and there is a fight between Flaherty and Kenny over disgraced, crack-user/mayor of Toronto Ford. Obama has been able to avoid another bruising budget battle with the Republicans, with Boehner lashing out at the Tea Partyers and their financial backers and finally, there is an Improvement over the registration for the Affordable Care.

     Hopefully, 2014 will bring better news. Goodbye 2013 and all the best for 2014.

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America's Asian Pivot

12/01/2013

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     Pres. Obama has decided that Asia will be the focus of America's economic and military attention in the coming years. Economically, because of the growth in India, China, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia and South Korea ( and the economic decline and problems in Europe). The growing military spending of China and its recent flexing of military muscle, in laying claims to territories in the South China sea, which has led to great concern in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, and the Philippines, and the thus the "Asian pivot".
     The markets are growing as the middle class in these countries expand and demand more and more consumer goods. Trade is the key in exploiting these markets and the American military umbrella is urgently needed to counteract the new Chinese "movements". Even India, which has a huge middle class, eager for "western goods", needs the assurance of the American presence, as it also has territorial disputes with China It is however the recent Chinese claims, that is of immediate importance, especially its declaration of a "fly zone", which was immediately challenged by America, by flying two "unarmed" planes through it. Japan did so too, encouraged by the American flight.

      These small disputed "rocks" are important for the wealth in oil, gas, fishery and other resources around them. China with its growing demands for more and more resources to fuel its growth and feed its teeming population is adamant about its claims and without the American presence may try to bully its way over its smaller and weaker neighbors. Thus it was somewhat fortuitous that the recent havoc/ damage to lives and property in the area, especially the Philippines and the very swift and overwhelming American aid response, has opened the door for the USA to return to the Philippines. It used to have two major military bases, the largest outside the USA in the Philippines ( Subic Bay and Clark Air Force Base), which it was forced to leave in the 90's as relationship had soured as a result of the years of support for the deposed dictator, Ferdinand Marcos. Now as a result of America's immediate and abundant response, in the face of the recent disaster, the Philippines want them back and America is eager to do so as if fits well with its Asian Pivot.

     The question is now about China's response. Chinese success is tied to its trade, especially with the USA, and with its investment in many countries in, America Europe, Africa and Latin America, Australia and Canada. It cannot lose these. As such its response has to be tempered and this allows Pres. Obama and his Asian Pivot a greater chance of bearing fruit, and helping to restore America's influence in Asia, which was in decline after the Vietnam fiasco.

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The Degrading of Parliament.......The Senate fiasco has seen the worst excesses of the Harper government, not only in the "cover-up" but the manner in which it has gone about it. Question Period is one of the main the means whereby Parliament holds th

11/29/2013

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Harper, the Senate and Scandals

10/31/2013

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      The chamber of " sober second thoughts", has had its underbelly exposed, and it is not a nice thing to behold. Senators appointed from amongst, friends, defeated colleagues, bagmen and with little experience of how the place works or even what their real "job" is, find themselves receiving a "fat" paycheck and other perks for attending at least one "sitting" a year. Most of their time is spent away from the chamber. mostly on party business and that entails a lot of travels, giving speeches and attending functions on behalf of the party. They are allowed to claim expenses for travels and also for housing and because the rules were lax and/or unclear, many of these claims could not stand close scrutiny and usually are not scrutinised. That is until the claims become so preposterous that attention is drawn to them as is the case with the housing and travel claims of Duffy, Wallin, Brazeau and Harb and maybe more to come.
      Senators are chosen to represent their provinces, and their main residence has to be in those provinces. In the case of Duffy and Wallin, it was well known that they (because of their jobs in the media), had spent the past many years outside of their province and yet Harper appointed to represent those provinces. They made tens of thousands of dollars in travel claims to and from Ottawa and their province and also made housing claims, based on their main residence. The same with Brazeau and Harb.
     Official investigations led to the introduction of a motion in the Senate to suspend them for two years, with no pay or medical coverage. Initially Harper and the Prime Minister Office (this is the political body that is hired, works for and advises the Prime Minister), defended Wallin and Duffy, who had done yeoman service for the party, but then things started to unravel as more and more "juicy tidbits" were revealed by the media.
    Support for the duo ( Harper even stating that he had looked at Wallin's receipts and found nothing wrong) turn to concern and then embarrassment and then outright hostility. In the meantime Brazeau (who has had some personal problems) was isolated and alone and he , (based on the official investigation , which cleared him,) decided to fight back. Later on Duffy and Wallin started their fight back to save their salary and reputation. The media was having a field day and Harper and his advisers in the PMO, at first decided to pay off Duffy's bill ($ 90.000), this to be done (depending on who you believe) through a loan from Duffy's bank, which later on became a loan from Harper's Chief of Staff, Wright. Was this a pay-off to shut Duffy up or was it a personal gift from a friend, as Wright claim. This is when "..it" hit the fan and the real cover-up began.
     A week is an eternity in politics and this has gone for longer and is going away. There a new proposal before the Senate that would soften the punishment ( the previous motion was criticized from all corners for among other things denying them "due process"), but it won't go away (Harper was hoping for an end before the Party's Convention this week-end). His performance has been ragged and contradictory during Question Period, claiming for instance at one time that Wright "had done the honorable thing' and resigned over the cheque and then, after heated questions from the NDP's leader Mulcair and the media changing his story to say that he fired Wright; that he supported Wallin and Duffy and then calling for their firing; that only Wright knew about the check and then saying " a few" people knew.......
     There are rumblings from the party base. Some senior members have broken ranks and saying that they will vote against he party motion. It is going to be a real interesting time this weekend at the Convention, even if the Senate do vote.
     This has focused much needed attention on Senate appointment and exposes not only   Harper's injudicious and questionable appointments, but on the entire process of appointment and more importantly on the relevance and need for the Senate as presently constituted. The

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fig 2-b My Father and Mother to whom I owe everything

"Ecce Homo" ("Behold the Man"), Antonio Ciseri's depiction of Pontius Pilate presenting a scourged Jesus to the people of Jerusalem.

fig 1-b

figure 1-a

F. Goya
Two men fighting with clubs
circa 1819-1823

The Black Paintings Period

(Fig 2a) The Death of Innocents

Author

Ishwar R. Prashad recently retired from over 35 years of teaching.

He taught Political Science variously at Dawson College, Loyola College, Algoma University College, Sir George Williams University, Concordia University and Vanier College.

Previously, he taught for nine years in Port Mourant, Guyana.

He became Principal of Corentyne Comprehensive High School at the tender age of 21. During this time he turned down Scholarship offers to study overseas in England and the U.S.S.R.

He chose Canada and after graduating from Sir George Williams with a B.A Honours with Distinction, he accepted a Fellowship to complete his graduate work at McMaster University. He completed his first two degrees-Bachelors and Masters- in three years.

His last position was as Co-Ordinator of Political Science and Economics at Vanier College and Adjunct Professor of Political Science at Concordia University.

He is married to the former Juliet Ramcharan (Library Supervisor, McGill University) and together they have three children – Indra R. Prashad, P.Eng. ,McGill (Presently Manager, Ontario Safe Water Drinking Agency), Ishwar R. Prashad Jr., B.A ,McGill (Presently, President, Kismit Gear Inc.) and Rabindra Y. Prashad, (Presently, Artist and Chef).They are the proud Grandparents of eight grandchildren-Miranda, Kamal, Ayesha, Élan, Anĵa , Étienne, Chloé, and Jasmine.

Election Quebec, April7, 2014

Pauline Marois the puppet mistress of "minorities"

Ukraine.....The Russian Game

The Arab Spring.....A tale of two Countries.....Tunisia and Egypt

The Quest for Peace in Palestine/Israel

Postscript 2013

The Year, 2013

America's Asian Pivot

The Degrading of Parliament.......The Senate fiasco has seen the worst excesses of the Harper government, not only in the "cover-up" but the manner in which it has gone about it. Question Period is one of the main the means whereby Parliament holds th

Harper, the Senate and Scandals

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