Jean Chretien, public revelations, and stupid f*cking idiots!
Jean Chretien's memoirs are coming out, and boy, don't they just play into the whole "don't air Liberal Party problems in public" issue in a big way?
Stephane Dion is not going to be served well by the assertion by Jean Chretien that Canada was on track to meet Kyoto commitments until Paul Martin took over as prime minister in December 2003. Paul Martin quickly put Stephane Dion into his cabinet as environment minister in July 2004. Dion served in that role until the fall of Paul Martin's government nearly two years later in February 2006.
Sure sounds to me that Jean Chretien's published memoirs are going to put the blame for Canada's poor environmental performance right on Stephane Dion's shoulders.
And we already know that people who go public with problems inside the Liberal Party are "stupid f*cking idiots".
From Jason Cherniak's polemic on the need for party discipline and the importance of keeping feuds private and out of the public eye:
Unfortunately, the people fighting back put themselves before the party. They did not privately call for people to be fired. They did not publicly claim to have no idea who was responsible. They did not use their internal party positions to effect the organizational changes that they were elected to use. Instead, they convinced themselves that it is their responsibility to be the public face of the Liberal Party and they went public. They were wrong.
And now just days before a critical Throne Speech vote, and on the heels of a poll showing that the Conservatives continue to pull ahead in the polls and the Liberals continue to fall behind, former prime minister Jean Chretien is going very public with his view on the most debilitating Liberal feud of all:
Former prime minister Paul Martin is responsible for Canadian troops ending up in the "killing fields" around Kandahar because he took too long to make a decision, former prime minister Jean Chretien charges in a new book.
In a memoir likely to rip open old Liberal wounds and exacerbate divisions within the party only days before a possible plunge into a federal election, the former Liberal leader attacks Martin on several fronts, from his scheming to force Chretien out of office to Martin's handling of Canada's Kyoto environmental protocol commitments. He also argues that Martin has only himself to blame for the grief he suffered as a result of the sponsorship scandal.
The environmental bit is going to be brutal. Even if Liberal Party leader Stephane Dion is not mentioned by name, Dion was the environment minister for Paul Martin:
Chretien says when he left office, Canada was on track to meet its commitments under the Kyoto accord.
"Unfortunately, whether for political or ideological reasons, my successors succumbed to the fears and threats of the anti-Kyoto forces and did serious damage to Canada's progress and our reputation in the process."
I wonder how Stephane Dion will spin this as having nothing to do with him when people ask him whether it was political reasons or ideological reasons that the Liberal Party jumped off the Kyoto bus during Dion's tenure as environment minister. Paul Martin did serious damage? And what was his environment minister, Stephane Dion, doing at the time?
Probably just trying to set priorities. Should we fail because of political reasons or because of ideiological reasons? Oh, it is so hard to set priorities!
Besides the environment though, there is the question of Afghanistan. Yesterday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper asked Liberal John Manley to head a panel to make recommendations on the future of the Afganistant mission. Manley served under Jean Chreitien under several important portfolios, but left politics soon after Paul Martin completed his takeover of the Liberal Party. This is interesting, because Chretien is alleging that he had set up the Canadian mission to keep soldiers out of the danger zone, but that Paul Martin allowed them to take on the work in dangerous Kandahar province.
Not because of an affirmative decision based on strategic interests or a sense of moral need, but because of Paul Martin's dithering:
Chretien also recounts that after the Taliban government of Afghanistan was overthrown, he carefully engineered things so Canada's soldiers were stationed around the safer area of Kabul, helping to rebuild the Afghan capital.
"Later, unfortunately, when my successor took too long to make up his mind about whether Canada should extend our term with the International Security Assistance Force, our soldiers were moved out of Kabul and sent south again to battle the Taliban in the killing fields around Kandahar," Chretien writes.
So according to Jean Chretien, Paul Martin allowed Canada to stumble into the Kandahar mission?
Wow, I guess it is really hard to set priorities in politics, and not just for Stephane Dion.
Now did we really need to know this? Is the Liberal Party served by airing this sort of thing? Does this not stand to undermine Stephane Dion ever further, either because of the environment revelations in particular, or because of the massive body blow aimed at Paul Martin and the people around him in general?
Couldn't Jean Chretien have waited another year before writing this book?
I leave it to Jason Cherniak to answer these questions:
In December, the Presidents of the Liberal Party will gather in Ottawa for our first President's Council. At that time, the National Executive is going to have a hell of a lot of questions to answer. We support the leader; not the stupid fucking idiots (i.e. "Whoever leaked Jamie Carroll's memo") who can't do their jobs.
Happy birthday to me. The advantage of swearing is that nobody can quote me.
Now Jason Cherniak was speaking of the Jamie Carroll memo leak in particular, but in general his fury was aimed at anyone in the Liberal Party who put their own interests ahead of the party's interests, and then go public in an attempt to enhance their image at the expense of the party's image.
Does Jean Chretien fall into that category now? Is Jean Chretien a "stupid f*cking idiot"?
Oh, and as for not quoting someone who uses the f-word, really, it doesn't stop at that, does it? I mean, think of what Jason Cherniak is capable of saying to someone who really gets under his skin. And he puts it in print, making it eminently quotable:
However, Wulf, I am sick and tired of you feigning superiority while you sit in Kingston sucking donkey dick and filching little boys. Please just do us all a favour and shove a hot poker up your ass!
Nobody can quote you? That's a direct quote from Jason Cherniak, aimed at someone who made a comment about his weight. So who is worse? The person who makes a comment about his weight, or a person who is hurting, indeed crippling, the Liberal Party? Based on this quote, I hope the person who makes the insensitive comment about weight is worse in Jason Cherniak's hierarchy of villainy. If not, you have to wonder just what Jason Cherniak really thinks of the people who leaked the Jamie Carroll material.
It makes you wonder what Jason Cherniak will think of Jean Chretien.
It makes me wonder just what other Liberals are thinking too. And saying. I suppose vile language might just make you quote-proof in the mass media. Jean Chretien might be benefiting from that.
Addendum: And when it comes to making pointless comments about someone's weight...
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Comments
Well well..it was just a question of time before the next episode of this liberal implosion hit the news.That arrogant little man from Shawinigan just couldn't stay on the high road for very long....and the dirty laundry will only help the Conservatives climb the polls to majority territory.....Well done Ti-Jean!!! The proof will be proven
Posted by: Squiggy at October 13, 2007 06:59 PM
"Sure sounds to me that Jean Chretien's published memoirs are going to put the blame for Canada's poor environmental performance right on Stephane Dion's shoulders."
Well, he's actually putting the blame all on Martin since he was in charge. However, it does encourage questions as to what exactly Dion did as environment minister to get Canada 'off-track' of our Kyoto commitments. It definitely would be an uncomfortable question for Dion to be asked since he essentially has to dump on Chretien by saying that Kyoto goals would have been met if his plan was implemented. Otherwise, his green credentials take another serious blow.
Posted by: at October 13, 2007 07:03 PM
This was my favourite part of the article:
"Knowing Auditor general Sheila Fraser's report was going to be "tough," Chretien was prepared to receive it, thank her for her work and then say if there was evidence of theft or fraud that the police should catch the crooks and the courts should put them in jail.
"Of course, I expected to have to take some hits in the press for a couple of weeks, but that hadn't frightened me in the past and it didn't frighten me now. By the time Martin was to take over, the whole issue would have been history and he could have begun his mandate without that albatross around his neck."
Jean Chretien, his cabinet and government would have been perfectly happy sweeping the Sponsorship scandal under the carpet. It would have cost the a "some hits" in the media - but you know, that's the price of power in the Liberal world.
Posted by: BBS at October 13, 2007 07:56 PM
Chretien released his book now, knowing that Dion is on the way out and anything he says about Martin that might reflect on Dion is irrelevant.
Ignatieff screwed Dion's environmental record with his: "We didn't get it done .. WE DIDN'T GET IT DONE !!". Then Dryden followed that up with his: "Why couldn't we do better?" These rhetorical accusations would be again used in TV ads to torpedo Dion .. but since Dion will not run in any next election, Chretien probably felt free to slag Martin and indirectly Dion.
Liberal blood will now flow copiously as old scores are settled .. and we wait for more Iggy supporters to inflict their wounds on Dion's quivering carcass. Best show in town on October 16 - 18 ..LOL
Posted by: Observer at October 13, 2007 08:15 PM
What are the odds on Dion changing the name of his dog from Kyoto to maybe Toto?
Sit back and enjoy the show, free of charge, the Liberal implosion, starring the whole bloody cast from the back rooms to the front benches.
"Stupid f*cking idiots? You betcha!
Posted by: Libby at October 13, 2007 08:52 PM
- To any Canadian with a memory, this actually casts Dion and Martin in a GOOD light - after all, who ever believed a single word out of J.C. Superstar's mouth?
What a nasty old man! Still brooding about being shown the door, still heaping polemic and invective on the head of anybody who peeved him, in total disregard of anything but his own miserable ego.
I recall his comment after the Maritimes voted solidly Conservative in his first election; "Well! They should have known what to expect when they chose not to vote Liberal! I hope they don't expect to get any government money this term!" After all, our tax dollars were HIS to spend as he wished, so I suppose that was fair - and in point of all-too-uncomfortable fact, as the western Provinces received less federal money than his own home riding throughout his tenure, NOBODY needed expect any federal money from him.
And I don't really blame Allan Rock for his grand multi-billion-dollar gun-control fiasco. J.C. announced at a Liberal conference before he even became Prime Minister, that there would be "tough new gun laws" - Allan was just following orders.
It's all old news, Jean, as are your biased, poisonously self-serving reminiscences. As for that matter, are you - go away and quit bugging us.
Posted by: Jim at October 13, 2007 08:53 PM
So, I guess all those Liberals who thought it was so classless and wrong for Mulroney to say bad things about a former Prime Minster (Trudeau) will be the first to criticize Chretien for doing the same??? Wow, what a bully Chretien is! He's so angry and mean-spirited!
Posted by: Barbara at October 13, 2007 09:57 PM
I don't think Mulroney was classless for criticizing Trudeau. He was classless for saying that Trudeau did not have the "moral fiber" to be Prime Minister, because he chose not to fight the second world war. But, that is memoirs are all about. You say things that you would not have said as Prime Minister, but you thought about it. I haven't bought Mulroney's book and won't, because it's too long with 1200 pages. I understand Chretien's book is just under 500 pages, so I think I am going to buy it.
Posted by: Eric at October 13, 2007 11:04 PM
Chernie's a tad defensive/edgy these days.. I posted a (nice enough) comment on what a great job I think Dion is doing and how I think he should just stay the course with hand firm on the rudder.. and give Garth an even more visible role.
And he didn't post it! go figure..
Skal!
Posted by: The Hammer of Thor at October 13, 2007 11:14 PM
What a nasty old man! Still brooding about being shown the door, still heaping polemic and invective on the head of anybody who peeved him, in total disregard of anything but his own miserable ego.
On CTV tonight, Craig Oliver said that Chretien mostly only vilified Martin, and was more gracious towards pretty much everyone else, including, surprisingly, Brian Mulroney.
Posted by: randall g at October 13, 2007 11:22 PM
So Chretien is a bitter, twisted, old prick? Just exactly how is this news?
Posted by: DCardno at October 14, 2007 01:58 AM
Contrary to what JC says, Kyoto was never going to be implemented as policy by the libs, they never intended to make it anything more than a big publicity stunt..all talk no action...
Posted by: kursk at October 14, 2007 04:21 AM
Hate to say it, well, maybe not, but JC is a f*cking storyteller of the fictitious variety. They/he had no flipping plan to implement Kyoto, it was impossible. Beyond paying carbon credits to big polluters like China he didn't have a plan in place. If he did he left it for someone else to take the heat knowing what it would do to the economy of this country.
Maybe even that is giving him too much credit.
The already disintegrating Librano Party will get it's mercy killing with this get even book of JC memoirs. The Great I AM could be another option for a title, or Wasn't I the Greatest.
Martin was not a great team player for sure and not as clever as JC in the political arena. It's not too smart to divide a Party into camps for over a decade and expect to run the affairs of the country with a fractured party of warring factions.
Posted by: Libby at October 14, 2007 08:03 AM
The little punk from Shaggin'again will have to leave out at least 25% of his little bullszchiddt fairy-tale. Rather that, than admit his crimes.
Posted by: Feldwebel Wolfenstool at October 14, 2007 08:08 AM
What could possibly interest Canadians about this vicious old werewolf.
His "memoirs" are things that normal moral people can't relate to...we don't think it's chick or "savvy" to devise ways to destroy people, lie, contort the truth, intimidate, blackmail, steal and influence peddle.
Memoirs of a Powercorp pimp would be a more appropriate title.
Posted by: WL Mackenzie Redux at October 14, 2007 11:16 AM
WMLR: Right, I was trying to be slightly kind. There'll still be a Powercorp pimp(s) in the Liberal ranks to some extent, we have Rae and his brother John, they'll be well represented.
This is more of a tell tale book on the character of Monsieur Chretien. It may bite his own butt as much as Martins. They deserve each other,they were a destructive team, each used the other.
They're both losers.
Posted by: Libby at October 14, 2007 11:31 AM
Now, this is interesting. One has to ask the question: "Why is he doing this now?" I guess some could argue that Jean Creetin wants to take some more revenge on certain members of his party for some perceived slight (ie. Paul Martin and his backers). Could Jean be trying to deliberately stab his old party in the back and help the Tories get a majority; hoping that it will cause the Liberanos to ''rebuild'' themselves?
I also wonder, could there be any grounds for any of the parties mentioned in the book to launch a civil action against Jean or the publisher? Any thoughts?
Posted by: D-Man at October 14, 2007 02:40 PM
Chretien's book was scheduled to be published long time ago. Do not read too much into it. Not many outside of the Chretien-Martin clique will.
As for the Cherniak-Janke homoerotic blog-a-blog, may I suggest that you two lovesick bairds please take it off the blogosphere.
Posted by: at October 14, 2007 04:26 PM
So Chretien didn't like Martin's palace coup against him? Sigh! This from someone whose friends and supporters were constantly undermining John Turner (particularly during the early stages of the 1988 campaign - there was talk of Turner being dumped in mid-campaign) while he (Chretien) did absolutely nothing to discourage them.
Posted by: Brian in Calgary at October 14, 2007 04:46 PM
"Chretien's book was scheduled to be published long time ago. Do not read too much into it. Not many outside of the Chretien-Martin clique will."
Actually CTV reported it is scheduled to be released now, but Chretien's recent health issues have prevented the "official launch".
Posted by: paulsstuff at October 14, 2007 04:47 PM
hi
this book will be in SA stores for 50 cents in 6 month
Posted by: george at October 14, 2007 08:01 PM
Looks like the Little Shyster from Shawinigan is suffering from wanting to rewrite his legacy to make him look good by making others look bad. With his lying about being on target with Kyoto, what others lies are there in that book.
I have enough wood to last this winter so I'll wait for when his book is on sale then buy it at 25 cents and use it for the fireplace. It will be of better use to me then.
Posted by: Fiumara at October 14, 2007 11:05 PM
Some great descriptions of da liddle guy on this thread: "biased poisonously self-serving"; "bitter twisted old prick"; "memoirs of a Powercorp pimp".
It's just laugable that Cretch would blame Dithers for the Afghan assignment and Kyoto, issues about which he has as much, if not more responsibility than Dithers. Some of this says more about Cretch than Dithers: that he would (apparently) believe so strongly that Canada should take the softest possible assignment and leave all the heavy lifting to our American and British allies. How very Euro-sophisticated of him! Remember how offended he was when George W failed to mention Canada among the nations that he thanked for their assistance. Did he never wonder why? (Of course his buddy, Slick Willy, soft on terrorism but hard for just about everything else would have thanked him profusely and sent him a gross of monogrammed golf balls for his briefcase.)
There are surely enough other matters over which to hold Dithers accountable: his ten plus years of disloyalty to "da boss", his tolerance of corruption; his mindless anti-Americanism, his kowtowing to the unelected judiciary, his decision against BMC; his desecration of the institution of marriage, all the while proclaiming his devoutedness as a Catholic; and all the myriad other ditherings that he did.
I won't be reading Cretch's latest book; I'm waiting for Chuck Guite's.
Posted by: felis corpulentis at October 16, 2007 06:32 PM
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