Wednesday, July 7, 2010

'MPs cancel oilsands pollution probe, tear up draft reports'-But How? Opposition Had Majority On Committee!

Politicians cancel oilsands pollution probe, tear up draft reports Shocking story - But I don't understand how it can be, as Opposition had majority on committee (Bezan of CPC in chair, so Opposition had 6-5 voting majority). I know they are bound by in camera strictures, by WTF?! Can someone explain? LPC Scarpaleggia (pro-Dion in 2006) and NDP Duncan both claim they'll keep on it and issue own reports. Did Bloc do the deed, for some completely incomprehensible reason, given Bigras' etc. stated views? Did McGuinty or Tonks, for Iggy - is that why JTrudeau had Tonks replace him, to avoid casting that vote? Is this what Spector is getting at (along with comment on Iggy's queasy China suck-up, ignoring even criticism from brave Chinese student that he didn't address human rights)?
If the idea of summoning business leaders to parliamentary committees takes off, perhaps we will learn one day why Stephen Harper no longer believes that human rights in China are much of a problem — a position that former human rights professor Michael Ignatieff extended yesterday in China. And speaking of the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, wouldn’t you love to know who in the business community helped Mr. Ignatieff better understand the importance of Alberta’s tar-, oops, oil-sands?
PS. Inspiring (sic):
Another student, 22-year-old computer science undergrad Xiong Chao said he came to the lecture to, see how “top politicians in the world,” conduct themselves on a podium. (ed. comment: "top"?)
“I think he enjoyed his lecture,” Xiong said, “but as a politician he avoided some crucial questions.” (ed. comment: shurely not)
Xiong said Ignatieff properly praised China for pulling so many people out of poverty with the success of its economic engine, but he had avoided saying anything substantial about human rights challenges, “the fact, for example, that there are many activists currently imprisoned for no apparent reason. He just avoided that.”
In an interview, Ignatieff said he didn’t believe in “megaphone” diplomacy — a reference to Prime Minister Harper’s early, high-profile, public criticisms of China on human rights.
But he would raise such issues in private discussions, he said.
“I will raise lots of cases,” he stressed. (ed. comment: that's OK then chaps. Don't fret Xiong, while you're in prison and being tortured, Iggy will mention it over tea, between meetings w/ Chinese Leadership and Desmarais)

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