Month: April 2005

In what is sure to create the largest media crisis for the state broadcaster since David Kelly, the BBC was caught miking hecklers at a Conservative rally at which leader Michael Howard gave a speech.

In a letter to Helen Boaden, the BBC’s director of news, Guy Black, the Conservatives’ director of communications, said that the “placed” hecklers shouted slogans that were “distracting and clearly hostile to the Conservative Party”.

The slogans included “Michael Howard is a liar”, “you can’t trust the Tories”, and “you can only trust Tony Blair”.

Shameful

The National with Peter Mansbridge

Mansbridge: “Tonight! Day 11 of the unwanted election campaign. Some Canadians still say that they aren’t ready for this election. We’ll have reaction from Liberal communications director Scott Reid.”

…

Reid: “Canadians have been forced to the polls early by Stephen Harper and they are weary of the Conservative hidden agenda on healthcare. Canadians know where Liberals stand on corruption and they know that Paul Martin is sorry. While our agenda on corruption is out in the open, thanks to the work of Judge Gomery, the Conservative agenda remains hidden.”

…

Mansbridge: “Are Canadians weary of a potential Conservative majority? Will Canadians blame the resurgence of the Quebec sovereignty movement on the Harper government following the demise of the Liberal party in Quebec? We’ll have stock footage of Jean Chretien after the break.”

…

Mansbridge: “Best buddies… How will a Conservative government align Canadians with the administration of George W. Bush? We go to Neil MacDonald in Washington to speculate on how Canada might find itself aligned with the United States, Israel and the Conservative new world order.”

…

Mansbridge: “Tomorrow, we’ll have coverage of day 12 of the election that Canadians didn’t want at this time. Thanks for watching.”

Paul Martin is facing perhaps his most devastating setback yet: Bono is “annoyed” with the Liberal Prime Minister.

Paul Martin has previously drawn upon the powers of rock. He did so most notably during the Liberal convention of 2003 when Bono gave his blessing to the coronation of the new Prime Minister at the Liberal leadership convention.

But lately, Bono’s been upset at Martin inaction on the dedication of 0.7% of Canada’s GDP to foreign aid by 2015.

“It’s a time for real leadership” — Bono