[Newsbot]

Title: Mike Duffy's the one on trial, but blame and shame abound
Category: Political
Posted By: andyt
Date: 2015-04-11 12:50:03
Canadian

[andyt]

Probably be lots of stories coming out of the trial, mabye we can use this post for all of them.

[andyt]

$1:

And Holmes went further. He suggested Duffy probably wasn't eligible to be appointed as a senator from Prince Edward Island in the first place, because he'd lived in Ontario for decades.

That little detail didn't stop Harper from doing exactly that in December 2008, when, faced with possible defeat by a Liberal/NDP coalition, the prime minister filled 18 vacancies in the Senate in an orgy of appointments, just to ensure the Liberals wouldn't get a chance to do it.

Residency, apparently, was not a concern. The truth is the prime minister, and the Conservative Party, got from Duffy exactly what they wanted. Here was a broadcaster recognized by Canadians across the country, a guy who could spin a yarn with the kind of folksy appeal Harper could rarely muster, a guy who would help the party raise thousands of dollars at a pop.

When the prime minister was selling his 2009 economic update, Bayne told the court, it wasn't a cabinet minister on the stage with Harper. It was Mike Duffy.

Only Duffy's on trial here. Only Duffy's accused of breaking the law. Even if there's more than enough blame in this whole affair to go around.

Seems that Harper should bear responsibility for appointing Duffy as senator for PEI. Doesn't the PM check before he appoints someone as senator from a specific province?

[raydan]

Wonder when we'll get our first, the Liberals did it "first, also or better" post?

[andyt]

raydan raydan:

Wonder when we'll get our first, the Liberals did it "first, also or better" post?

You can probably hold your breath.

[Jabberwalker]

Mikes's not on trial.


Lard is on trial.

[smorgdonkey]

Harper the control freak was well aware of everything that took place and anyone who can't see through the plastic "I was unaware" expression is just unconscious enough to vote for him. What a waste of a country the past 9 years has been.

[Jabberwalker]

Maybe he'll resign before the next election and pass it on to someone else. That might happen if these trials are sufficiently damaging. He may have to make himself a lightning rod to spare his party a defeat. It does all seem to revolve around the PMO, which is the danger of being a control freak.

[Freakinoldguy]

Given the fact that Duffy's lawyer has pretty much proven there were "no" hard and fast regulations for Senators expenses or residency don't be surprised if they all get off.

So, this whole debacle might be considered an evolution in futility because, after all the money that's been spent it's quite likely nothing will change for those lucky enough to be invested in that sainted stale crackers and cold camembert eating institution .

[OnTheIce]

Freakinoldguy Freakinoldguy:

Given the fact that Duffy's lawyer has pretty much proven there were "no" hard and fast regulations for Senators expenses or residency don't be surprised if they all get off.

So, this whole debacle might be considered an evolution in futility because, after all the money that's been spent it's quite likely nothing will change for those lucky enough to be invested in that sainted stale crackers and cold camembert eating institution .

If I were digging, I'd look at the meal allowance. It's a sure thing he blew through that budget real quick.

[Freakinoldguy]

OnTheIce OnTheIce:

Freakinoldguy Freakinoldguy:

Given the fact that Duffy's lawyer has pretty much proven there were "no" hard and fast regulations for Senators expenses or residency don't be surprised if they all get off.

So, this whole debacle might be considered an evolution in futility because, after all the money that's been spent it's quite likely nothing will change for those lucky enough to be invested in that sainted stale crackers and cold camembert eating institution .

If I were digging, I'd look at the meal allowance. It's a sure thing he blew through that budget real quick.

True, because nobody could end up looking like that from eating the "stale crackers and cold camembert" that the airlines supposedly feed our poor disadvantaged Senators.

But, in all honesty the food allowance rules were probably as clear cut as the residency ones meaning, that he'll walk on those to.

The whole thing is disgusting and I can't help but get the feeling that there were intentionally no hard and fast rules for any expenses in the Senate just in case something like this ever came up.

[DrCaleb]

I wonder if the Senate appreciates the irony that so many of them that voted to suspend Duffy over rules that didn't seem to really exist; now seem to also be facing Auditor General audits with respect to their expense claims.

[BeaverFever]

Freakinoldguy Freakinoldguy:

Given the fact that Duffy's lawyer has pretty much proven there were "no" hard and fast regulations for Senators expenses or residency don't be surprised if they all get off.

So, this whole debacle might be considered an evolution in futility because, after all the money that's been spent it's quite likely nothing will change for those lucky enough to be invested in that sainted stale crackers and cold camembert eating institution .

He might get off on a lot of it as you suggest but some of it sounds like it will stick, like where he got a contract awarded to his friend's business and then submitted expenses to paid from that business.

[andyt]

none of that addresses the accepting the bribe charge, with Nigel Wright not charged for giving the bribe. That should get interesting. That's got nothing to do with senate rules.

[PluggyRug]

andyt andyt:

none of that addresses the accepting the bribe charge, with Nigel Wright not charged for giving the bribe. That should get interesting. That's got nothing to do with senate rules.

Should be lack of rules.