No Gun No Funeral is Michael Bryant's site
Attorney General Michael Bryant has come out to say that he is responsible for No Gun No Funeral. But it is not political, nor is it designed to have him re-elected, nor is it using Liberal Party resources.
Or so he says.
As reported in the Simcoe Reformer and reprinted in NoGunNoFuneral.ca:
A provincial Libertarian candidate and gun club member has complained to Elections Ontario about a website promoting a handgun ban because it doesn't identify the person behind the site -- Attorney General Michael Bryant.
Whitby-Oshawa Libertarian candidate Marty Gobin, also a member of the Canadian Shooting Sports Association, said that anyone who views the site would believe it's the product of an independent group of citizens supporting Bryant's call for a handgun ban.
Gobin said it should be identified as political advertising. Bryant said he wanted the website to be about ideas -- not politics or politicians -- so he did not put his name on it.
The gun lobby is clearly furious that the "no gun, no funeral" phrase is gaining traction with the public, he said.
"It's my phrase; it's my idea; it's my website," Bryant said. "It's bizarre that people who don't want to register their guns think I should register my website as a dangerous weapon."
I think that's a cheap shot. People want accurate information to be provided, especially when it comes to attempts to change public policy. Not just Marty Gobin, of course, but the Canadian Internet Registration Authority as well.
Michael Bryant explains no taxpayer resources were used to create the site:
The site administrator is the Liberal riding association president for St. Paul's in Toronto, where Bryant is seeking re-election.
A person answering the phone at a number registered to the site says, "Michael Bryant's campaign."
Bryant said constituency resources, which are provided by taxpayers, were not used to develop the site.
Gobin said he was told by Elections Ontario that the website doesn't meet the definition of political advertising because it does not promote a politician or party, but he wants officials to look more closely at the website and the resources used to develop it.
I wouldn't hold my breath. Elections Ontario is taking a very literal view. That this site is encouraging people to support Michael Bryant's position (and so vote for him) is not considered political advertising because Bryant was very careful to not actually put his name on it (but colour the site Liberal red). That Bryant is admitting to have created the site that encourages people to support his position (and so vote for him) seems not to matter.
"It's my phrase; it's my idea; it's my website."
But it's not supposed to help re-elect him? Even if the phone number goes to the Michael Bryant Election office?
Michael Bryant's riding association president is running the site, Michael Bryant's director of operations is getting the emails, the VP of the federal Liberal Party youth wing set up the domain nameserver, and Michael Bryant's election staff is answering the site's phone number.
But it's not related to electioneering and it's not using taxpayer money. OK then.
Update: I'll be discussing Michael Bryant's admission this afternoon at 3:30 EST on Roy Green's radio program, broadcast on the Corus network on their AM talk stations.
If you are interested in listening to the radio spots done on this issue, you can access the CHQR Audio Vault (free subscription required):
- August 17, 1pm segment, starting at 7:10
- August 18, 1pm segment, starting at 46:33
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Comments
I can't seem to stop smiling Steve.
You're making my weekend.
Posted by: Pete S. at August 17, 2007 07:34 PM
I really have to thank Michael Bryant.
Before his smug little response, I was debating whether or not to volunteer my services to John Tory's and my PC candidate's campaigns.
The decision is much easier now.
I don't particularily take too kindly when a politician tries to insult my intelligence.
Didn't want his name on the website because he wanted it to be about ideas and not politics? Please. For him, there is only one idea-his-and it's about banning guns.
Posted by: tori at August 17, 2007 07:38 PM
How can anyone have any confidence that those we vote for are believable? Bryant is an embarrassment to the human race. Elections Ontario doesn't have any more credibility that Bryant. They, along with Bryant, think we will believe the spin. What does one have to do to be charged in a case like this? Will the Auditor be allowed to follow the money trail before the election?
Posted by: George at August 17, 2007 07:51 PM
Bryant is a twit - put him in a dress and pearls and he's still a twit, and a dishonest one at that. I'll respect a whore who'll admit she's one. Bryant is a political whore who deserves the respect I give my dogs' turds. I pity the people who elected him: they're the laughing stock of any Canadian with an IQ higher than room temperature in Dawson City in January. I do hope his constituents will have a sudden surge of intelligence and vote for anyone, anyone (including the deluded Marxist candidate) other than Bryant.
Posted by: Caveman at August 17, 2007 07:53 PM
George.
I don't know if it would warrant a complaint for a police investigation.
It's (pretty damning) circumstantial stuff. I think someone would need a "smoking gun" (hahahaha) for it to go that far.
It would be amusing for the Attorney General to get investigated and charged.
This will probably be relegated to the "Court of Public Decision" which convenes on Oct 11.
Posted by: Pete S. at August 17, 2007 08:00 PM
Yeah... because when something calls itself a grassroots organization and it is made of nothing but people who work for the Liberal parties, run with the phone numbers for Liberal riding associations, set up on the net by organizers for the Liberal party and its youth wing...
...yeah, real grassroots there. I guess their definition of "grassroots" is about as accurate as their definition of "advertising dollars".
Posted by: Surecure at August 17, 2007 08:10 PM
I just thought of something... he says that they are not using Liberal party resources to fund this. I wonder if that include:
- email or long distance telephone support between Bryant's office and the Quebec address of the domain registrar
- computer use of Liberal party computers to build the site
- billable work hours at the Liberal party ridings for the people who created the site
As well, you have to wonder, if the people who set this site up at the Liberal riding offices did it and claim to have done it for free, if it is done at the riding offices doesn't that technically make it a work donation to the party? And if so, would that not fall under Elections Canada's laws in regards to political donations since web design is a service and not a volunteer opportunity?
Just saying... it's kind of a big grey area for Bryant to say his resources were not used.
Posted by: Surecure at August 17, 2007 08:16 PM
I worked for Bryant's PC opponent in the 1999 election. Right after she was nominated, Bryant's web designer purchased her .com domain.
When it comes to the underhanded stuff, Bryant's is gnarled and well-practiced.
Posted by: Joan Tintor at August 17, 2007 08:34 PM
*
why doesn't someone set up "nobeggarnofuneral.ca" in memory of ross hammond?
or "nobryantnodickhead.ca"
these people are simply hollow, manipulative assholes.
*
Posted by: neo at August 17, 2007 08:47 PM
If it looks like political advertising, if it reads like political advertising, if it sounds like political advertising, if it behaves like political advertising, if it has all the characteristics of political advertising, then common sense indicates that it is political advertising.
Posted by: Brian in Calgary at August 17, 2007 09:51 PM
Dear Marty Gobin:
Going to the government asking them to shut down a website you don't like is not a libertarian act. It presumes that ordinary people, such as Steve Janke and his readers, and all others with a web browser and a brain, are too stupid to filter out political chaff from honest facts and opinion, and that because of this inherent stupidity our Daddy the government must constantly intervene, control and command what is said and not said. Besides - the kind of bullshit, Big Brother Knows Best, interventionist laws which you wish government to wield on your behalf weren't actually made to shut down establishment parties or the powerful and connected. They were intended to shut up YOU and YOUR FRIENDS.
Posted by: at August 17, 2007 10:07 PM
Owwwwww
Someone doesn't like it when deceit or dishonesty is questioned and brought into the light.
Posted by: Pete S. at August 17, 2007 10:34 PM
I am above the law!
Posted by: at August 17, 2007 10:44 PM
Re: "Dear Marty Gobin"
Dear Anonymous Person,
I do not propose the hampering of private, free speech. However, constituency association resources have been used in this case, and those resources are subsidized by the taxpayers through tax receipts and often post-election rewards for candidates with a certain percentage of votes. This website is not private free speech worthy of protection but instead publicly funded propaganda that is being used to degrade the freedoms of the taxpayers who are forced to subsidize it.
I would like to inform you, however, that you have falsely assumed that I actually requested that Elections Ontario shut down the website. I did not. I requested that they investigate whether any elections laws have been breached, and that Bryant the Tyrant's website bear the indication that it has been authorized by his constituency association as required to by the Election Finances Act. No request was made to shut down the website, and I certainly did not request that the website be registered as a dangerous weapon as Mr. Bryant claimed while defending the existence of his shill organization.
Wanting to expose and possibly stop a website whose operation is publicly subsidized is not un-libertarian. The existence of such a website in the first place is un-libertarian.
Posted by: Marty Gobin at August 17, 2007 10:48 PM
Seriously people would a man who owns a copy of "A Few Good Men "on DvD abuse my own title? I think Canada should stop worrying about my ill judgment and move towards a communist party. I will create a new website to inform you on proper terms of society it is http://www.nofreedomhappybryant.com/
Posted by: Michael Bryant at August 17, 2007 10:53 PM
Micheal Bryant is a thief. He is the biggest fraud liar scumbag I've ever saw. Whenever his lips are moving hes is most likely lying. If he were in my movie riddick i would have tore his head off his fucking shoulders.
Posted by: Vin Diesel at August 17, 2007 11:02 PM
You see here, Theeeeeo. Micheal Bryant is full of LIIIIIIIIIIIES. with his gobble gobblin and the yapper smapperin. with the jello pudding micheal bryant is a huge pussy
Posted by: Bill Cosby at August 17, 2007 11:05 PM
Wow, what a scumbag.. I wonder how he will explain THIS ONE to St. Peter, when his frivilous plee time comes
Posted by: Doug at August 17, 2007 11:51 PM
It was said that no public funds were used in the operation of the site. That is in doubt. What about the poor dumb bunnies who support guns and no gun control who donated to the Association? What about all the party faithful who don't give a fig one way or the other on the subject of gun control and the status of the issue that he( Bryant) is tying to manufacture. He is certainly stealing from them to pursue his personal agenda.That is no different from the recent alleged fraud of the woman in another Liberal Riding Association- in reality it is worse. The cops should be brought in- not that I have any faith in them, but it will heat up Bryant's butt a little.
Posted by: Dave from Campbell River at August 18, 2007 01:12 AM
noliberalsnolies
Posted by: Gerry 114 at August 18, 2007 06:58 AM
Bryant has proven he's typical of the Liberal brand. What more need be said.
Don't you just love the way Liberals have taken to tossing around the terms "grassroots" and "progressive". Wonder where they think they apply to their brand?
McGuinty and crew are getting slimier by the day, re-electing them will ruin the Province. Interference into so many facets of people's lives by government can't be rewarded. We are lucky his term is running out and we have a chance to boot the bums.
Posted by: Libby at August 18, 2007 07:10 AM
RUMINT has it that Michael Bryant officially had his middle name changed to "Grassroots" so he could use it on his website ??
Seriously :)
Posted by: Fred at August 18, 2007 08:39 AM
And then there is the actual policy.
In 2003 there were 548 homicides in Canada, 161 resulted from shooting.
so three quarters of all murders did not involve guns. Even assuming his policy is perfect and substitution is impossible three quarters of all murders will still happen
no gun = no funeral is a fraud
they are calling guns not gangs the problem so they can put the blame for failure on the federal govt.
Posted by: Bruce at August 18, 2007 10:16 AM
Steve, you have done Ontarians (and all other Canadians) a great service. You were equally impressive on Roy Green's programme yesterday (luckily I was switching from Bill O'Reilly's substitute to Dr. Laura when I paused for a moment and heard your commentary).
Libby and Surecure, do you think that you might hear the term 'Ontario values' some time soon (prior to the coming provincial election)? Liberals liked using the term 'Canadian values' against Stephen Harper and the Conservatives in the last two federal elections.
Bryant is from British Columbia? And worked on coastal ships? Two of my favourite topics! Obviously, he's not a quiet westerner like Gary Cooper. In fact, very few of our premiers were actually born in British Columbia - which may explain a lot - it does to me.
Lance M. Jefferson
Richmond, British Columbia
Posted by: Lance M. Jefferson at August 18, 2007 12:23 PM
Who cares? I mean, really... I have no love for the Liberals, but is this an issue at all?
Honestly... would it really be all that bad for us Canadians if hand guns were outright banned? That might mean more serious jail time for the thugs that end up using them.
To dismiss something because it's a "left" or "right" thing is stupid and ignorant.
I'd rather have my tax dollars going to that then a whole lot of other McGuinty programs or policies.
If you are going to try and make yourself famous (ya... I heard you on the radio), you better find a bigger issue than this.
Posted by: Mike at August 18, 2007 01:37 PM
Funny, no sign of Ted:)
Posted by: paulsstuff at August 18, 2007 01:48 PM
Mike.
You really need to the bigger picture.
Your narrow-sightedness doesn't seem to grasp that the things you choose to enjoy freely can be singled out at someone's whim...and taken from you...against your will.
Broaden your horizon's, people are making a "fuss" over something you might have no interest in. BUT if was something that interests you, then you'd be looing for them to "fuss" for you.
The AG and the Liberal's HAVE FAILED to come up with a solution. The Liberal's are trying to pull a fast one and have gotten caught.
Enjoy your freedoms today, someone might want to take them tomorrow.
Posted by: Pete S. at August 18, 2007 02:16 PM
Steve that sounded good on Roy's show today.
I like the fact he gave you time today too.
I don't think he wanted to miss the people who couldn't hear yesterday at work. Gave them a chance to get "informed" on their leisure day off.
Attaboy!
Posted by: Pete S. at August 18, 2007 04:12 PM
"This is Captain McSquiggly speaking, The SS Tyrant now sailing for Davey Jones' Locker."
"Rats have 5 minutes to desert....."
That is all.....
TOOT! TOOT!
Posted by: at August 18, 2007 04:17 PM
"This is Kaptain McSquiggles speaking. The SS Tyrant will be sailing for Davey Jones' Locker. Rats have five minutes to desert....That is all"
TOOT! TOOT!
Posted by: Happy Pants Dance at August 18, 2007 04:23 PM
lmao at Mike. Let's see.. Steve's website is getting tons of traffic from this story, he's getting media airtime because of this story...and he has exposed a high ranking official in the leadership of the Ontario provincial government. Yet this is nothing? Maybe you should avoid this site. You're obviously too much of a waterhead to understand any of it.
Posted by: levesque at August 18, 2007 06:25 PM
How about:
More guns - Less Bryants
Posted by: Bill at August 20, 2007 11:14 AM
Mike, funny line, "Honestly... would it really be all that bad for us Canadians if hand guns were outright banned? That might mean more serious jail time for the thugs that end up using them."
Get a grip! We don't put dangerous people in jail now, what make you think that banning guns would make any difference? Mike please stay away from this site because you do not have anything of value to offer or stick around and learn something....you choose.
Posted by: Sheldon at August 20, 2007 03:10 PM
Mike please stay away from this site because you do not have anything of value to offer or stick around and learn something....you choose.
Sheldon's point notwithstanding, Mike, I would like it if you kept coming back. Everyone's point of view is welcome (with some very few and very specific exceptions). I think Mike made an interesting point.
And you might all notice that I'm not actually taking a position on gun control or handgun bans, but on politicians creating sock puppets to present a point of view as if it was coming from someone else. Also called astroturfing.
Posted by: Steve Janke at August 20, 2007 04:20 PM
 
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