Gimbol's diatribe and screed

Crank call screed

With regard to the current automated call rant the opposition and the media are adamant is proof of the biggest scandal in Canadian history, there are some points that need to be noted:

1. The biggest scandal in Canadian history was Adscam, dead stop. Right now there is circumstantial evidence that somebody made some calls. The reach has been made that there was intent to breach Election laws, there is also the presumption of innocence that is part and parcel of our system of laws. The investigation is still on going and until then anyone that has information that proves that there was an act to breach the law, and that said act was done with intent to breach said law, they have an obligation to submit that information to Elections Canada. If they don't, the same standard being used to presume guilt can apply to the accusers.



2. The presumption that there was a breach of elections law, specifically by the use of the automated calling services, requires that the presumption should also be made that the supposed perp, whoever it is, did so with the knowledge that the chances they would be caught where very high. Therefore, its safe to assume the perp, if there is one, is either very stupid, or getting caught was part of the plan.



3. There is a time limit to lodge a complaint with Elections Canada. I believe its 30 days. I can be wrong about the time limit, but I do feel confident in the contention that there is a time limit. I also feel confident that it isn't nine months. Does this mean I can lodge a complaint with EC about the flyers I receive from Irene Mathyessen addressed "supporter" as proof of them attempting to subvert my vote? Many websites will have as requirement of entry, particularly political party websites, that you either enter address information, or check of a check box (placed in very small print at bottom of the page) that you be placed on their contact list. That check box is default in some cases to yes. How many party workers in there idle hours, especially during campaigns, are lurking the oppositions websites, editorial columns, partisan sites, and adding their name to a mailing list during these searches? How many of those same people would put their true address, or would they use a false one or one that is outside of their riding?



4. If one is allowed to entertain the idea that there was an organized attempt, then we can also presume that such an attempt should not be restricted to political parties. Taking into consideration the modus operandi of what is known, who would commit such an act with the knowledge that the possibility of being found out is extremely high, but committed to the act anyways? We can then presume that for such individual(s) the goal was not to subvert the vote, but something else. They knew what they where doing was wrong and with a media that has a predisposition to accuse the government of wrongdoing, the story would be self-perpetuating on the theme that our electoral system is broken. Keeping with this MO, one should compare to other recent events where the acts of individuals where presented as proof that the system was not working. A few examples come to mind, the G20 riots. Where organized protests where co-opted by the "black-block" to instigate a response from police, in so doing capturing that "Youtube moment" to demonstrate the oppression in the system. The Occupy protests would be another example where there didn't seem to be any reason or purpose to the protests other than to cause chaos and a reaction from the authorities. The occupation of Caledonia, where a land claim is made where one does not exist, but the government so obsessed with the political ramifications, forces the police to invoke two-tier policing, again giving the perception the system isn't working. I would even throw in the current environmental hearings into the Northern Gateway Pipeline, a hearing we find out where foreign interests are trying to bog down the process and by doing so give the perception of an unresolvable conflict.

Taking these points into consideration, the writer is of the belief that if there was collusion to break election law during the last federal election, it wasn't any of the political parties that where responsible, matter of fact I believe that mistakes got made due to false or incorrect voter lists. Regardless, what is now happening is that there are individuals using the media and the opposition parties as useful idiots to what ends I can only presume.

Here's a list of predictions:

• This issue is going to be dragged out for as long as possible



• The black block/Occupy protests will be using this as a backdrop



• There will be a call to replace the system we have now with something else, however the reason to do so will not be to actually come up with a replacement, but to convince a critical mass that the system we have now is broken.



• That if the evidence starts indicating that the Conservatives didn't do anything wrong, or that there was no organized effort, you will hear silence from the critics..almost like nothing ever happened.


• The PM is not going to modify his response to satisfy either his critics, or the media. He will continue to insist that the proper authorities be allowed to complete their investigation. The expectation that he would make the mistakes of the last liberal government will not be satisfied, if someone did something illegal, let them be charged and stand trial. If guilty they serve the sentence. If innocent, then the opposition can expect to wear it, and the CBC particularly can expect some pressure to take them off the public teat...and no doubt the PM may insist on it.

Labels: the free lunch crowd at it again

posted by gimbol @ 9:32 AM