civility

Friday June 9, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday June 9, 2017

James Comey says it’s ‘not up to him’ to decide if Trump’s ‘disturbing behaviour’ was obstruction of justice

Former FBI Director James Comey said it was not up to him to determine whether Donald Trump behaviour was obstruction of justice.

April 21, 2017

“I don’t think it’s for me to say whether the conversation I had with the president was an effort to obstruct,” Mr Comey said during his testimony in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee, but added that Mr Trump’s behaviour was “concerning…and disturbing”.

Mr Comey, fired on 9 May, detailed in a written statement ahead of his ongoing testimony that Mr Trump said to him during a one-on-one White House dinner: “I need loyalty, I expect loyalty.”

The former FBI Director said his “common sense” said that it made him feel as if Mr Trump was “looking for something in exchange for granting my request to stay in the job” of FBI Director.

June 24, 2016

Mr Comey, a prosecutor himself, said that the determination of obstruction of justice should be left up to the Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller, who was appointed as an independent counsel in the investigation into the alleged ties between Mr Trump’s campaign team and Russia and the country’s possible interference with the 2016 US election.

The former Director’s comment today, however, may mean that Mr Trump’s possible obstruction of justice or possible collusion with Russian officials is also under the purview of Mr Mueller’s investigation.

Obstruction of justice is an impeachable offence but is a tricky legal issue because it has to do with Mr Trump’s actions rather than his intent or how Mr Trump’s actions made Mr Comey feel.  As a lawyer, Mr Comey is aware of this and likely why he is leaving that determination up to Mr Mueller. (Source: The Independent)

 

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

Friday June 9, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday June 9, 2017

James Comey says it’s ‘not up to him’ to decide if Trump’s ‘disturbing behaviour’ was obstruction of justice

Former FBI Director James Comey said it was not up to him to determine whether Donald Trump behaviour was obstruction of justice.

May 11, 2017

“I don’t think it’s for me to say whether the conversation I had with the president was an effort to obstruct,” Mr Comey said during his testimony in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee, but added that Mr Trump’s behaviour was “concerning…and disturbing”.

Mr Comey, fired on 9 May, detailed in a written statement ahead of his ongoing testimony that Mr Trump said to him during a one-on-one White House dinner: “I need loyalty, I expect loyalty.”

The former FBI Director said his “common sense” said that it made him feel as if Mr Trump was “looking for something in exchange for granting my request to stay in the job” of FBI Director.

December 17, 2016

Mr Comey, a prosecutor himself, said that the determination of obstruction of justice should be left up to the Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller, who was appointed as an independent counsel in the investigation into the alleged ties between Mr Trump’s campaign team and Russia and the country’s possible interference with the 2016 US election.

The former Director’s comment today, however, may mean that Mr Trump’s possible obstruction of justice or possible collusion with Russian officials is also under the purview of Mr Mueller’s investigation.

Obstruction of justice is an impeachable offence but is a tricky legal issue because it has to do with Mr Trump’s actions rather than his intent or how Mr Trump’s actions made Mr Comey feel.  As a lawyer, Mr Comey is aware of this and likely why he is leaving that determination up to Mr Mueller. (Source: The Independent)

 

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

Saturday May 21, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday May 21, 2016 Trudeau apologizes over Commons scuffle as controversial motion withdrawn The morning after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau barged swearing into a knot of opposition MPs, grabbing one and elbowing aside another to hurry up a vote, he made very public displays of personal contrition.Ê Trudeau appeared at an MPs prayer breakfast to read aloud a scripture of his choice, Romans 12, that counsels: donÕt think you are better than you really are. Then the prime minister delivered an abject apology in the House of Commons. Rising in the Commons after a scathing rebuke by official Opposition leader Rona Ambrose, Trudeau said he was Òsorry,Ó Òapologized,Ó or ÒregrettedÓ his actions 16 times over the course of an hour. The prime minister said he would willingly accept a committeeÕs decision on his behaviour. But he was non-committal faced with opposition fury and calls for him to withdraw a controversial and provocative motion that was the backdrop of the Wednesday night scuffle. Known as Motion 6, it would have givenÊthe Liberal government unilateral control over the parliamentary agenda as it scrambles to push through its legislation, including Bill C-14 on medically assisted suicide, before a June 6 deadline. But by midday, TrudeauÕs entire government was in damage control mode. TrudeauÕs longtime friend and House leader Dominic Leblanc withdrew the motion heÕd insisted was necessary just the day before. Leblanc offered to co-operate with the opposition to extend debate time so all MPs could speak to Bill C-14, and said the government still wanted to try to meet the June 6 deadlineÊimposed by the Supreme Court of Canada. (Source: Toronto Star)Êhttps://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/05/19/justin-trudeau-to-address-house-of-commons-over-scuffle.html Canada, USA, election, manhandling, elbowgate, civility, decorum, Parliament, apology, Donald Trump, Justin Trudeau, leadershipÊ

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 21, 2016

Trudeau apologizes over Commons scuffle as controversial motion withdrawn

The morning after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau barged swearing into a knot of opposition MPs, grabbing one and elbowing aside another to hurry up a vote, he made very public displays of personal contrition.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Tuesday, March 29, 2016 Canadians, Donald Trump's candidacy is no reason to panic Since the 1990s, the U.S. political roller coaster has often confounded Canadians. Many scoffed when the largest country in the world seemed to be paralyzed for months by the oldest scandal in the world Ñ a married man, Bill Clinton, making time with a younger woman, Monica Lewinsky, who wasnÕt his wife. Many were dismayed when the eminently prime-ministerial Al Gore lost to the easily mockable George W. Bush in 2000 Ñ especially because Gore won more popular votes than Bush did. Still, nothing compares to the panic and horror Donald TrumpÕs candidacy has evoked. Canadian confusion about the American presidential campaign circus makes sense: most Americans are equally disturbed. This campaign has been one of the most surprising and upsetting clashes in decades, and it has only just begun. Remember the too-long Canadian campaign of 78 days? U.S. Election Day, Nov. 8, is still eight months away. The United States appears hopelessly divided, with the Republican surprise and the Democratic surprise suggesting the country is being pulled in opposite directions. Bernie Sanders may be the American Canadians most love to love: down-to-earth, earnest, substantive, unstylish, collectivist and socialist in a cuddly, non-Stalinist way. Meanwhile, Donald Trump is the type of American Canadians most love to hate: arrogant, flamboyant, egotistical, jingoistic and demagogic, playing personality politics. A president Donald Trump meeting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would be even more awkward than Ronald Reagan meeting Pierre Trudeau. When they met in 1981, Reagan wore a suitably statesmanlike dark suit with a conservative striped tie, while Trudeau, looking more Floridian than Washingtonian, wore an open-necked shirt with a tan sports jacket, while sporting a dandyish red rose. (Continued: Montreal Gazette) http://montrealgazette.com/o

March 29, 2016

Trudeau appeared at an MPs prayer breakfast to read aloud a scripture of his choice, Romans 12, that counsels: don’t think you are better than you really are. Then the prime minister delivered an abject apology in the House of Commons.

Rising in the Commons after a scathing rebuke by official Opposition leader Rona Ambrose, Trudeau said he was “sorry,” “apologized,” or “regretted” his actions 16 times over the course of an hour.

The prime minister said he would willingly accept a committee’s decision on his behaviour. But he was non-committal faced with opposition fury and calls for him to withdraw a controversial and provocative motion that was the backdrop of the Wednesday night scuffle. Known as Motion 6, it would have given the Liberal government unilateral control over the parliamentary agenda as it scrambles to push through its legislation, including Bill C-14 on medically assisted suicide, before a June 6 deadline.

But by midday, Trudeau’s entire government was in damage control mode.

Trudeau’s longtime friend and House leader Dominic Leblanc withdrew the motion he’d insisted was necessary just the day before. Leblanc offered to co-operate with the opposition to extend debate time so all MPs could speak to Bill C-14, and said the government still wanted to try to meet the June 6 deadline imposed by the Supreme Court of Canada. (Source: Toronto Star)

 

Thursday May 19, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, Thursday May 19, 2016 Justin Trudeau ÔmanhandledÕ MP in Commons uproar, opposition says Parliament turned downright ugly when an impatient Prime Minister Justin Trudeau crossed the aisle to drag an opposition MP forward so a vote could take place, knocking aside a female NDP MP who was so shaken she had to leave the chamber.Ê The encounter Wednesday led to a shouting match between Trudeau and NDP Leader Tom Mulcair after Trudeau briefly crossed the floor a second time appearing to look for someone. Mulcair can be heard on Commons video footage yelling at Trudeau: ÒWhat kind of man elbows a woman? YouÕre pathetic.ÓÊ The confrontation took place late in the day prior to a vote on a government bid to limit debate on its assisted suicide bill, with the opposition already furious at another Liberal move to seize control over the parliamentary agenda.Ê The mood was tense as each side traded insults. By the end of the day, tempers before the vote were running high. As Trudeau crossed the floor, he was allegedly overheard by NDP MPs to say ÒGet the f--- out of my way.ÓÊ The opposition erupted in outrage as the Speaker called for order, and ordered MPs to stop taking photos. At the far end of the Commons, former prime minister Stephen Harper stood watching it unfold. New Democrat House leader Peter Julian rose to accuse Trudeau of ÒmanhandlingÓ the Conservative whip, Gord Brown, and physically pushing aside the NDPÕs whip, Ruth-Ellen Brosseau. ÒI have been in the House now for 12 years and I have never seen what just transpired in the House of Commons,Ó he said. Trudeau stood to offer an apology, saying he thought Brown, the official Opposition whip Ñ who ensures Opposition MPs are in place for a vote Ñ was Òimpeded,Ó causing the vote to be delayed. ÒI felt that this lacked in respect for Parliament,Ó he said,Êadding he Òoffered my arm, extended, to help him come through the gaggle of MPs standing there.Ó (Source: Toronto Star) ht

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, Thursday May 19, 2016

Justin Trudeau ‘manhandled’ MP in Commons uproar, opposition says

Parliament turned downright ugly when an impatient Prime Minister Justin Trudeau crossed the aisle to drag an opposition MP forward so a vote could take place, knocking aside a female NDP MP who was so shaken she had to leave the chamber.

The encounter Wednesday led to a shouting match between Trudeau and NDP Leader Tom Mulcair after Trudeau briefly crossed the floor a second time appearing to look for someone. Mulcair can be heard on Commons video footage yelling at Trudeau: “What kind of man elbows a woman? You’re pathetic.”

The confrontation took place late in the day prior to a vote on a government bid to limit debate on its assisted suicide bill, with the opposition already furious at another Liberal move to seize control over the parliamentary agenda.

The mood was tense as each side traded insults. By the end of the day, tempers before the vote were running high. As Trudeau crossed the floor, he was allegedly overheard by NDP MPs to say “Get the f— out of my way.”

The opposition erupted in outrage as the Speaker called for order, and ordered MPs to stop taking photos. At the far end of the Commons, former prime minister Stephen Harper stood watching it unfold.

New Democrat House leader Peter Julian rose to accuse Trudeau of “manhandling” the Conservative whip, Gord Brown, and physically pushing aside the NDP’s whip, Ruth-Ellen Brosseau.

“I have been in the House now for 12 years and I have never seen what just transpired in the House of Commons,” he said.

Trudeau stood to offer an apology, saying he thought Brown, the official Opposition whip — who ensures Opposition MPs are in place for a vote — was “impeded,” causing the vote to be delayed. “I felt that this lacked in respect for Parliament,” he said, adding he “offered my arm, extended, to help him come through the gaggle of MPs standing there.” (Source: Toronto Star)

2016-05-19tearsheet

 

Saturday February 27, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Saturday February 27, 2016 No mixed martial arts or boxing, please, weÕre Hamilton (By Andrew Dreschel) For a city that claims to be open for business and eager to generate revenue, Hamilton sure has a funny way of showing it. Get a load of this story. Boxing promoter Tyler Buxton figured he had a perfect fight card lined up at the city-owned Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena. After preliminary bouts between local pros, the main event would feature Hamilton's own Kevin Higson defending his Canadian super welterweight championship in front of a hometown crowd. But then the word came from city staff Ñ no combat sports allowed at city-run facilities. Why, you ask? We'll get to that. For now let's just say banning combat sports is not a council-approved policy. It's strictly a staff decision. Buxton, president of United Boxing Promotions, was stunned by the refusal. How could this be? Boxing is a legal and licensed sport, overseen by the Ontario Athletics Commission, which sets rigid safety, medical and liability insurance standards. Buxton has run boxing events in city-owned community facilities in Ajax and Belleville, and regularly stages fights at the Hershey Centre, privately managed but owned by the City of Mississauga. "This is the first time I've ever had any issues," he says Maybe the first for him, but he's not alone. Garnet Ace, president of Global Warriors, tried to run a mixed martial arts (MMA) event at the Mountain Arena. The Ancaster resident says city staff was initially very receptive to renting to him until he got a phone call several weeks later. "Somebody at City Hall basically said, 'No, we don't want it. It's against our policies.'" Ace says he pressed but didn't receive a more detailed explanation. Instead, he moved the event to Burlington's city-owned Central Arena last May, which was attended by about 2,500 fans. Both promoters say they want to grow events in Hamilton. Id

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday February 27, 2016

No mixed martial arts or boxing, please, we’re Hamilton

(By Andrew Dreschel) For a city that claims to be open for business and eager to generate revenue, Hamilton sure has a funny way of showing it.

Get a load of this story.

Boxing promoter Tyler Buxton figured he had a perfect fight card lined up at the city-owned Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena.

After preliminary bouts between local pros, the main event would feature Hamilton’s own Kevin Higson defending his Canadian super welterweight championship in front of a hometown crowd.

But then the word came from city staff — no combat sports allowed at city-run facilities.

Why, you ask?

We’ll get to that. For now let’s just say banning combat sports is not a council-approved policy. It’s strictly a staff decision.

Buxton, president of United Boxing Promotions, was stunned by the refusal. How could this be? Boxing is a legal and licensed sport, overseen by the Ontario Athletics Commission, which sets rigid safety, medical and liability insurance standards.

Buxton has run boxing events in city-owned community facilities in Ajax and Belleville, and regularly stages fights at the Hershey Centre, privately managed but owned by the City of Mississauga.

“This is the first time I’ve ever had any issues,” he says

Maybe the first for him, but he’s not alone.

Garnet Ace, president of Global Warriors, tried to run a mixed martial arts (MMA) event at the Mountain Arena.

The Ancaster resident says city staff was initially very receptive to renting to him until he got a phone call several weeks later.

“Somebody at City Hall basically said, ‘No, we don’t want it. It’s against our policies.'”

Ace says he pressed but didn’t receive a more detailed explanation. Instead, he moved the event to Burlington’s city-owned Central Arena last May, which was attended by about 2,500 fans.

Both promoters say they want to grow events in Hamilton. Ideally, Ace would like to do four at the Mountain Arena this year alone.

FirstOntario Centre and Hamilton Place are too costly to rent. Private convention facilities too small. With a seating capacity of 3,000 or more, the Mountain Arena is the ideal venue.

The problem is, city staff keep turning thumbs down. It’s not clear who’s making the call or how far up the ladder it goes. Recreation director Jack Brown bounced inquiries to communication staff. (Continued: Hamilton Spectator)