I was able to watch some of the committee testimony of Rahim Jaffer today, and I have to say that Pat Martin not only embarrassed the NDP, but he shamed the entire parliamentary process. If you are afforded the privilege of questioning a witness it is okay to ask difficult questions, but it is not okay to make slanderous criminal allegations that he'd be sued for if he repeated the words outside the doors of that room. Alleging that the witness accepted cocaine in exchange for lobbying services and then continuing to repeat similar allegations over and over again is actionable anywhere else.
He embarrassed the whole process today. This kind of reckless partisanship, creating a circus on national television, is not going to encourage witnesses to volunteer testimony in the future. If it is going to free from libel, it should be free of cameras and media. It is not fair to have this kind of circus hoisted upon witnesses, and frankly today I was embarrassed that this kind of thing happens in my legislature.
I was shocked at Martin and others, including Conservatives on that committee. Rahim was right when he said he was being hung out to dry, by ALL parties. If all private citizens can be treated like they treated Rahim and his partner, heaven help us private citizens. Democracy was not on hand today in that committee.
ReplyDeleteThe last part was chilling in that the whole committee used their political powers to force a private citizen, with no proof of any wrong doing to come up with a private companies documents. They might have that right under the law, but ordinary citizens are going to see it as the government going after a private citizen without any reason. I hope they sue the Liberal Party of Canada and the Toronto Star.
Without a doubt Pat Martin brought down the Parliamentary process today.
ReplyDeletePat Martin is one sleazy douche bag. Ten bucks says he practiced his cocaine smear in front of the mirror this morning.
ReplyDeletePat martin is truly one of the low-lifes in parliament. he is forever making wild and slanderous accusations against anyone who happens to fall within his smarmy glance. He is the epitome of the gutless troll who likes to hide in a safe location while he throws stones at his betters.
ReplyDeleteYes you know, I felt terror for my country today. I had no idea that anything such as what I witnessed could occur and we should all be very concerned. THAT WAS NOT democracy, it was a mass stoning.
ReplyDeleteI heard many things that the panel members disregarded and the witnesses were forced to repeat only to be PUBLICLY slandered.
Pat Martin is a disgrace, a cowardly bully and I hope he has his a$$ sued from under him.
And what if said companies object to their personal business being subject to these circus clowns on the committee. How many employees will be tarred and feathered. Did Martin even think of that. I just hope that there is a connection to the ndp/libs in one of them. Can't they get an injunction or something.
ReplyDeleteJudging by the comments on the blogs, the committee did not make any friends or gain any votes with their antics. They probably got a lot of support for Jaffer today. And why was Evan so surprised that Jaffer and friend took questions after the circus. If they had refused think of how Evan would have spun that, must be guilty, must be hiding something blah blah.
We need an election now.
Martin repeated the charges outside the committee room. Sue him now!!
ReplyDeletePat Martin was all about political posturing.
ReplyDeleteYou'd think that the chairs of these committees would know how to run a meeting.
ReplyDeleteMartin is a full on commie and full time moonbat who has never to my knowledge expressed thought that was not intended as a platform to promote his politics. He seems to border on psychopathic in his thought processes and he is incapable of being anything but.
ReplyDeleteIt is unbelievable that he gets elected time after time. It says volumes about the core ridings in Winnipeg who never fail to support the walking and ever talking disgrace.
I wouldn't call him a psychopath.
ReplyDeleteSadly, that Pat Martin has been elected by his riding many times speaks volumes of his constituents...
ReplyDeleteApparently Mulcair considers Martin to be a nutcase. Time for an election.
ReplyDeletePat Martin would rip apart anyone who comes in contact with Rahim and Grimaud. Pat hates the conservatives with such intense hatred that nothing will prevent him for what he says.
ReplyDelete