Well now we know why Rahim Jaffer received a plea bargain that many believed was too lenient, because the arresting officers denied him access to his attorney. In fact, had Rahim declined the deal there was a high probability that he would have won his case. Denying a suspect access to his attorney is a mighty big screw up. I'm curious if the opposition members who suggested that Rahim scored the deal with back room Tory judicial influence peddling will be preparing their apologies for Wednesday? Oh that's right, baseless accusations are immune from legal accountability in our House of Commons. Marlene Jennings doesn't have to concern herself with a libel suit, unless she spouted her mouth off outside the protection of the House...
Manbridge broke the story this evening, and yet on the CBC Politics page the headline is the return of Colvin, not the bungled arrest of Rahim Jaffer. I would like to repeat a poll question asked by Evan Soloman earlier today: "Has Helena Guergis been mistreated by the media?"
No 74% (339 votes)
Yes 24% (109 votes)
Unsure 2% (8 votes)
Evan's audience seems to think alleging wild rumours is completely fair treatment, and when the OPP screw up an arrest, it is okay to allege Jim Flaherty asked a judge for a favour. Remember that Evan is part of the media, so he is asking his own audience if he and his CBC colleagues have mistreated the former Minister. I wonder how many of the 456 votes came from the thousands of CBC employees?
You don't understand, it is okay for the opposition and CBC to make "baseless" accusations because the Prime Minister didn't tell us all the details of the police investigation.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you make of this "mysterious" third person, the licensed PI who tipped a conservative lawyer about a potential blackmail threat to the government? Apparently this fella likes to photograph his marks in "compromising situations" inside strip joints. Oldest trick in the book. You don't need to read the Sidewinder Report to believe this still works. Ah but like the CBC, I am only speculating here.
ReplyDeleteAs I suspected, it's a very different matter than Jaffer being innocent, as he and his lawyer have basically claimed.
ReplyDeleteThank God for Ryan Hastman. I don't think I could bear the thought of the very prospect of voting for Jaffer again.
The "in-depth" report by Peter Mansbridge last night came across as if the story was about a serial killer or a Watergate burglar. Also I thought for sure the bulk of the reporting last night would have been about the nuclear summit, but no.
ReplyDeleteI am shocked, Evan has around 500 viewers.
ReplyDeletelol, Jaffer personal problems aside, the witchunt has crossed to many lines.
ReplyDeletePrivate citizen, ex MP, spouse to ex-minister, ex CPC caucus.
Poor judgement and bad behaviour aside is this non-story worthy of two - three weeks of Question Period?
The media circus, opposition calls to ignore due process, rule of law are the problems.
The double standard. BTW I have ALWAYS been in the minority on allowing the proper authorities to investigate the rumours.
It would be fair to demand the third party that provided the letter come forward and be investigated for any political bias.
Patrick Ross @12:01 am said
ReplyDelete"As I suspected, it's a very different matter than Jaffer being innocent, as he and his lawyer have basically claimed."
It's a very different matter than Jaffer being innocent? How so, Patrick?
If the police managed to deny Jaffer of his rights, how is it not possible that he also may have been NOT GUILTY?
You see here is the thing. The charges were laid, the media got a hold of it, the speculation and innuendo allowed to simmer and then boil over. All the time the accused is not permitted to speak and defend himself while the media, blogs and contributors speak for him.
No one, including me and you are in a position to decide what occurred because a) we weren't there and b) he was not convicted and the last time I checked, that makes him worthy of the benefit of the doubt and discontinued speculation and accusations.
If that's not the case then we may as well start building town centre pyres for all those deemed unworthy because we say so.
What a great day! Thanks to a little help from my friend CC, I am currently on pace for over 2000 hits today.
ReplyDeleteThanks bro!
PS: I agree with Bec, not Patrick.