You know something? Based on Garth's musings, I think he's going to go against his leader and vote against the Throne Speech tomorrow.

Then the question becomes: how many Liberal MPs will join him?

If he gets more than two, but not enough to actually defeat the government, then the news cycle won't focus on "Harper's narrow escape." Instead, it'll put the lights back on Dion's leadership ability and how he'll deal with recalcitrant MPs, in comparison with Harper's treatment of Bill Casey. Which is something Dion definitely does not need.

The only good news about this is that if Dion decides to throw Garth out of the caucus, then he personally won't suffer very much.

The other thing to remember is that the opposition day vote can be a straight-up non-confidence motion, with no connection whatsoever to either the Throne Speech or any subsequent legislation. I suspect Garth will probably push that option as an persuasive one for Dion, but Dion knows that the Liberal party infrastruction in Quebec still isn't as election-ready as he would have liked.

Posted by: PhantomObserver at October 23, 2007 12:41 PM

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Garth is an embarrassment to Halton.

Let's have an election so we can vote this guy out of here.

Posted by: Lex Luthor at October 23, 2007 12:54 PM

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Garth = Casca: One of the conspirators against Caesar, he starts the actual assassination of Caesar by stabbing first from behind.

We are waiting for some high profile Liberal to stand up and do the Dalton Camp thing ... but Garth may be Dion's 'Dalton/Casca' .. ya think ..??

Somebody like Garth would do well in an Ignatieff Liberal party ...!!

Posted by: Observer at October 23, 2007 01:13 PM

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Garth Turner is Dion's Special Advisor, of course he knows what is going on. The writing is on the wall for Dion and his confidant; they need to force an election. Remember that cartoon on Garth's blog where he and Dion are portrayed as two US Marines fighting back to back, well it's coming true. Life imitating art.

Posted by: muttsrus at October 23, 2007 01:30 PM

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THIS JUST IN...STEPHANE DION IS ILL....

Patient Name: Stephane Dion Diagnosis: Electile dysfunction

Electile dysfunction (ED or (male) impotence) is a fear based dysfunction characterized by the inability to develop or maintain an election of the caucus. There are various underlying causes, such as extreme fear of losing elections which are medically treatable.

The causes of electile dysfunction may be physiological or psychological. Physiologically, elections are based upon blood entering and being retained in the brain, and there are various ways in which this can be impeded, most of which are amenable to treatment. Psychological impotence is where election or winning fails due to thoughts or feelings (psychological reasons) rather than physical impossibility; this can often be helped. Notably in psychological impotence there is a very strong placebo effect.

Electile dysfunction, tied closely as it is to cultural notions of potency, success and masculinity, can have devastating psychological consequences including feelings of shame, loss or inadequacy; especially when faced with an opponent that is superior, more masculine and smarter. There is a strong culture of silence and inability to discuss the matter among Liberals. In fact around 9 in 10 Liberals will experience recurring election problems at some point in their lives.[1]

Folk remedies have long been advocated, with some being advertised widely since the 1930s. The introduction of the first pharmacological approved remedy for impotence, Bourbon & Scotch in the 1990s caused a wave of public attention, propelled in part by heavy indulgence among Liberals.

The Latin term impotentia liberali describes simple inability to insert the caucus lies into the main stream media. It is now mostly replaced by more precise terms. The study of electile dysfunction within medicine is covered by psychiatric under the terms absolute fear and cowardice.

Posted by: Leasa at October 23, 2007 01:37 PM

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Garth has been saying for several months now that an election is coming. He wants to be the source of the media's scoop so he blabs away.

This is the only way he can feel his presence is justified so that the history books will say Garth Turner brought down the government. The man is sick, plain and simple and is surrounded by so many yes men and women who have completely falling for this goof balls line, its not funny.

Let him yap to the media, its only going to make him look like even MORE of an idiot when it doesnt happen.

Posted by: Halton Resident at October 23, 2007 02:09 PM

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It's eiher that or the Libs figure that if they bring down the government and lose that gives them carte blanche to boot Dion and get someone else in there. Who knows? All I know for sure is that I'm sure happy the CPC showed big mouth Turner the door. I feel bad for Halton residents... who wants to be represented by a doofas like that?

Posted by: Jamie at October 23, 2007 02:19 PM

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Garth will have to vote against the Throne Speech, after all, he's a man of principles, Principles according to Garth.

Didn't he say anyone switching parties should sit as an independent until the next election?

Posted by: Libby at October 23, 2007 02:33 PM

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An Opposition Day vote? Didn't the Tories do the same thing in opposition? They had a non-confidence motion brought in on their Opposition Day and even when the vote passed, the Liberals just ignored it and went right on governing.

Remember?

Posted by: OttRob at October 23, 2007 03:03 PM

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My personal opinion is that had anyone other than Stephane Dion won the leadership convention, Turner would still be an independent. The symbiotic relationship appears to have been very one sided.

Who else would have welcomed Turner into the party had they, instead of Dion, won? Ignatieff? Rae? Kennedy? Dryden? I'd say nada. Why attach your party's future prospects to an anchor?

Turner is there because Dion lacks a vision or longer term view for the party beyond the short term media and internet blog novelty of Turner. Turner saw this and took advantage of the situation, for his own benefit. But any politician who had spent any time reading his posts, listened to any of his townhall meetings (and I hate to admit that I have online - p.u.), or looked beyond the vitriole he regularly hosts and writes on his blog, wouldn't have touched him with a ten foot pole. Yet Dion, in recent desperation, goes even further and promotes him to a "special advisor".

In many ways, returning to politics after a twelve year absence, perhaps Turner should be best referred to as Dion's "Amorphophallus Titanum".

http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/?articleID=3672

Somehow, "Mr. Stinky" seems more apropos to me.

Posted by: Old Enough to Remember at October 23, 2007 03:36 PM

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Steve is right. This is downright confusing. Even the TV news reporter said as much during his piece that Steve linked to.

Maybe Turner is musing out loud and doesn't have a clue. However, Iggy seemed to confirm that there's something to the idea.

I suspect they might bring forward a motion of non-confidence that the other opposition parties might be forced to vote against, just like they voted against the amendments to the throne speech that the Liberals put forth.

In fact, now that I think about it, I suspect that that's what they'll actually end up doing. They'll put forth a motion that touts Liberal talking points and declares non-confidence in the government. The former is a poison pill for the NDP and the bloc, the latter allows them to thump their chest, I guess.

In other words, a carbon copy of their amendments to the throne speech, except attaching non-confidence to it, too.

Is it confusing? Yes. But it must be what they're trying to pull off, try to embarrass the other opposition parties for a change, maybe.

Posted by: Dennis (Second Thots) at October 23, 2007 03:39 PM

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You know what? Its all about Garth...always has been, and always will be. Beware the mainstream reporter who gives him press....they will be burned down the road.

On his blog he states that a majority of his constituents want a new government. I live in his riding and KNOW thats not the case.

Maybe it should have been said that a majority of the people he speaks with from the liberal party events want a new government.

And really, how would he be able to track the over 150,000 constituents in his riding... is he keeping TRACK of them some how?

Posted by: Its all about Garth at October 23, 2007 05:36 PM

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While I strongly dislike Garth Turner, he is not a stupid man; small minded, mean, vindictive, arrogant, snobby...yes, but not stupid.

I feel that this is his way of getting kicked out of the Liberal caucus much in the same way as he got himself removed from it's Conservative counterpart just over a year ago.

By doing so, he makes it look (or at least tries to) like he's being punished for "sticking up for his principles" and his constituents (like he cares about them one iota). Then, once he's out of caucus AGAIN, he can pull a Belinda and declare that he won't be running for office in the next election.

Now being the Canadian political hero (in his own mind) he can pursue a position as a lobbyist for the income trust lobby.

What do you think?

Posted by: Paul M at October 23, 2007 05:48 PM

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The Garth! may sit in the caucus of one party or another, but the only party he has any loyalty to is the Garth! Party. That Dionne would not only allow him in the party but appoint him as 'special advisor' displays an incredibly, almost unbelievably poor sense of judgement.

I hope D'yawn is Fiberal 'leader' for a long long time to come, it will be VERY good for Canada, (not so good for the Gliberals).

Posted by: Jon at October 23, 2007 05:52 PM

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If Libs don't do it, Dippers will:
use opp day to move that Bill C30 (ammended Clean Air Act)
be reintroduced to parliament.
Dippers changed the CAA to re-commit Canada to the Kyoto obligations.

CPC has stated that there are ammendmenta to C30 that were good and worth keeping.
All of the opps ammended CAA, Conservatives did not put forward any ammendments. Maybe they will now.
So C30 could be reintroduced, with Conservative ammendments that do not include ' Kyoto ', and be deemed a confidence vote.

The Conservative ammended C30 would be an all party agreement without the Kyoto targets. Would opps want to vote it down?

Posted by: wilson at October 23, 2007 06:04 PM

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And maybe it is that the majority of his voters want a new MP. What are his chances of being elected as a liberal?
And Dion strikes me a man who likes to get even. If he is replaced as leader before an election, would he resign, or maybe join the NDP as revenge. And, if dion has to resign, would a liberal win his seat?

Posted by: Mary T at October 23, 2007 09:44 PM

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Mary T has hit it on the head...

The majority of people in his riding dont want a new government, they just want a new MP. Sadly Garth has surrounded himself with YES men and hasnt taken the time to survey his constituents. He confuses the support in the riding for the PROVINCIAL Libs in the last election with support for HIM. Two different things. People supporting libs (at least a very good portion of them) were protesting the faith based education funding (Garth of course tries to tie Harper in with that...if a bird died in Garths yard, hed find a way to blame Harper for it) and not really supporting Dalton McChretien.

The majority of the people in his riding want a new MP. And despite several assurances from Prime Minister Harper and House Leader Peter Van Loan...Garth refuses to give us the bi election that he promised last November when he crossed the floor to the liberals. (Sorry Esther, this isnt the wiki page, you cant edit this one)

C'mon Garth...take that chance. Id put up your nomination against the CPC candidate who hasnt even been PICKED yet... And Id bet on the CPC every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Why doesnt Garth make true on his promise WAYYYYY back a year ago when he offered the PM his resignation. Reason??? He has no money. The Liberals have no money. Garth is putting forward his best attempt at a bluff.

If Dion listens to Garth (eeek I know) and calls an election, Dion is toast...which opens up the opportunity (at least in Garth and Esther's mind) that he takes a stab at running for leader.....stay with me now.

Garth runs for leader after the next Liberal leadership review and throws Dion under the bus....He places last out of how many others there will be... 10?? 15?? 3?

As with the federal PC leadership he ran for in 93 hes assured of a nice plumb spot...on the off chance the new leader IGGY (you heard it hear first folks) wins the election ,Garth is back where he feels he otta be...in cabinet. If he loses its because the Harper machine attacked him...if he wins its because hes the second coming of Christ.

Hes got his victory and his exit plans all set. As Paul M said, hes not stupid...a vindictive, little, whiny, bitchy man? ABSOLUTELY. Stupid? NO.

Posted by: Halton Resident at October 23, 2007 10:31 PM

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when I read this comment from garth to a poster I had to laugh and respond:

"Is it not the job of the opposition to oppose - to guard against government overarching and arrogance? — Garth"

To which I replied: "Which opposition would that be?". It was there last night. He's edited since and my comment was turfed. I guess Garth does not like the truth.

Posted by: tori at October 24, 2007 06:39 AM

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Tori;

I believe I wrote the original email that prompted that response.

Can you believe the people on his blog? SLG, Bill-Muskoka, Pyotr Petribitch, C.B. Innes, Georgine, James - Chatham, etc. etc. Do people like this really exist? Is it Garth with multiple personalities? These people are so brain dead, it makes you wonder...

Look at Bill-Muskoka. He claims to have a job but posts 10+ messages on Garth's blog ever day.

Do Garth have this many people fooled or are there many stupid people in the world? I'm confused...

Lex Luthor (aka Graeme Edge)

Posted by: Lex Luthor at October 24, 2007 07:42 AM

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To Tori, Yes, Garth is now monitoring his blog more and more. I've had a few kicked. He really hates it when you try to let facts get in his way. I tried to post about Dion's disease (see above, electile dysfuntion), but he won't post it. I wonder why? LOL BTW, Begbie on Bourque came up with the name of the disease and I ran with it. So much fun! Leasa

Posted by: Leasa at October 24, 2007 07:43 AM

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Leasa;

It's only fun when Garth posts those sad and pathetic cartoons lampooning Stephen Harper and the Conservatives.

Poking fun at the Liberals is not funny, right? I mean, there is no humour in that (he said sarcastically).

Lex Luthor (aka Graeme Edge)

Posted by: Lex Luthor at October 24, 2007 07:49 AM

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lex and leesa,

no, I can't believe there are people like that. I've been reading Garth's blog since before the election when he was a conservative. even then, I thought his posts were full of platitudes and cliches, but at least there was a mix of people with differing ideas. Now it's hijacked with ultra left wingers or garth's employees :)

The thing I can't stand about him is whenever someone does call him on his BS, he won't answer the question civily- he always has to insult. I don't know, if I was an MP answering to people who may be part of my consituency, I'd probably try not to piss them off with the insults. But that's just me.

As for his latest "Brazen", I wonder if Garth has had any experience with protocol when there is security with the PM. It does not matter if the hall is off limits to the public, the PM (of any stripe) has to be protected with motorcades/foot patrols, etc. Just look at the man who broke into 24 Sussex and Aileen Chretien had to defend herself. You would think that 24 Sussex would be secure. Things happen.

Garth is just a little man filled with lots of hate and vitriol. Entertaining, tho :)

Posted by: tori at October 24, 2007 07:59 AM

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Tori;

That's why I frequent his blog. Entertainment. Things have just become so stupid, it's comical.

I spread the word in my workplace about Garth's blog. There is a huge mix here in terms of policial affiliation (Conservative, Liberal and NDP), but many here browse his blog every day just for a laugh.

Posted by: Lex Luthor at October 24, 2007 08:04 AM

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Booting Garth Turner out of the Tory Caucus was an excellent move based on foresight. No, scratch that, not foresight; everyone already knew what kind of a blustering, shrill, loud, attention seeking blabbermouth he was; it was no secret. Not only did the Tories extract a problem, but the Liberals ended up taking it on. Double win, he is the Liberals headache now. Congrats Dion on a wise political coup. You're leadership has proven once again to be astounding.

BTW, Garth, I know you're paying even more attention to this blog now. You even refer to him in the HoC. Well, Van Loan took you out behind the woodshed the other day in QP and handed you your ass. Even I had to look away from the TV, it was that embarrassing. I'm so glad you're the Liberals embarassment now.

Posted by: Lycan Stark at October 24, 2007 08:23 AM

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Garth will be part of political history after the next federal election.... so he is going for as much photo play as he can get from his grandstanding antics as possible...it's his last walk in the sun and he knows it.

Garth's legacy and contribution to Canadian politics will be the new edition of the Canadian Oxford dictionary which will bear a new graphic entry under "buffoon" which will be a photo of Garth blow-viating from a podium on his western tour.

Posted by: WL Macakenzie Redux at October 24, 2007 08:45 AM

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I just can't get my head around my some people still support him.

Here is a man who first sat as a Conservative (I voted for him as a Conservative). He sent out literature to my home describing how great it was to be a Conservative.

Just as he did that, he broke the caucus rules and left the Conservative party. Then, he sent out literature to my home describing how great is was to be an Independant.

Just as he did that, he joined the Liberal party. Then, he sent out literature to my home describing how great is was to be an Liberal.

Who can take Garth Windbag seriously? Is he going to join the NDP or the Greens next?

Posted by: Lex Luthor at October 24, 2007 08:46 AM

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I agree with Halton Resident that Mr Turner is bluffing about an election. All this man wants to do is fight. He jumps up and down about what he wants to do but has little census and credibility to do so.

He pretends he fights for Canadians and Haltonians but he knows there will not be an election. He is appealing to simple minded people for votes that he is trying to fight the big machine on behalf of them.

To fight against Harper, the same leader with same principles before he became Prime Minister. He pretends Harper is changing and that a battle must be ensued. To anyone with a open mind, you have to see through this game that Turner plays. He has his election campaign ready to fight for you! Fight for what? The Prime Minister is doing a great job and has earned my respect and my vote.

Posted by: Jen S at October 24, 2007 09:28 AM

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Sometimes, when I read Garth's stuff, I actually kind of like the guy. Then he blows it by saying some hateful stupid comment. It's only been a short while that I've been reading his blog, but as time goes by, he takes whatever credibility he had and flushes it away. He's always making statements that he refuses to back up. Like, in one post he said "Liberals are no better than Conservatives". When called on it, he ignores he said it. When I go back and listen to others, I realize that before he jumped to the liberals, he hated every single thing about that party, including many who he now calls 'friends'.

Anyway, yes it is great fun reading his blog. I love it when his supporters get caught in a lie, they resort to intelligent come-backs like 'sucks donkey balls' (Zorph), or start the outrageous name calling. Not much in a brain trust happening there.

Anyway here is what I posted on Garth's blog regarding the 'letter' in the most recent Zorph cartoon (it may be deleted at any second):

Garth has said that Mr. Dion 'has a lot of balls'. I contend that if that is true they must be made of glass.

Why is Mr. Dion afraid to make these statements outside the House of Commons? Why is it that this letter says 'apparently', yet in the House Mr. Dion states that 'Conservatives/Mr. Harper broke the law. Yet, he REFUSES to make the statement outside the House? Why is Dion so frightened? Only one answer can apply: he is lying.

"If he believes what he said, he should make those accusations outside the chamber where those whom he is libelling and slandering have recourse to the courts to hold him responsible," said Mr. Harper.

Yes, Mr. Dion is a liar. Or he'd back it up by saying this crap outside the House.

Canada Elections Act. Chief Electoral Officer Marc Mayrand has refused election reimbursements for ad costs being claimed by up to 67 candidates, but has not accused any of the candidates or agents of breaking the law.

Lisa

Posted by: Leasa at October 24, 2007 10:48 AM

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It's only been a short while that I've been reading his blog, but as time goes by, he takes whatever credibility he had and flushes it away. - LEASA

Garth sounds good at first. However, the more you research him, the more skeptical you become.

Only about half my posts make it through on Garth's "Unedited" blog.

Posted by: Lex Luthor at October 24, 2007 11:00 AM

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"Only about half my posts make it through on Garth's "Unedited" blog" - LexLuther

Thats exactly why I don't bother posting on Turner's blog. Why give him control over my political expressions?

Posted by: Paul M at October 24, 2007 11:15 AM

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Paul M;

The "Unedited" part always makes me laugh.

Posted by: Lex Luthor at October 24, 2007 11:23 AM

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I'm not a blogger, but might join this, seems like a good outlet to unleash opinions. I checked out Garth's blog and tried posting, but was blocked. With the arrogance and love for himself, I can't understand why anybody would vote for him. Even when he got elected as a conservative, the guy is too self-indulgent to vote for.

Posted by: Marc at October 25, 2007 12:02 AM

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Abstract paintings
Angel painting
animal paintings
ballet paintings
beach painting
Boat painting
building painting
Children painting
Christ painting
church painting
City painting
Cottage painting
Dancer painting
field painting
Floral paintings
Garden painting
Hunting paintings
impressionist painting
Knight painting
Lady painting
Landscape painting
Lighthouse paintings
Music painting
Nude painting
Oriental paintings
Piano painting
Seascapes paintings
Still Life paintings
street painting
sunset painting
Tropical paintings
Venice paintings
Village painting
wine paintingsalvador dali paintings
thomas kinkade paintings
pablo picasso paintings
vincent van gogh paintings
claude monet paintings
diego rivera paintings

Posted by: aswkin at July 17, 2008 09:13 AM

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