A short and punchy Friday podcast scrutinizes the backstabbing of provincial Liberals by 2 former federal MP's who endorsed NDP Health Minister Theresa Oswald in Seine River, the Wolbert-esque Anita Neville and the irrelevant John Harvard. With friends like these, Jon Gerrard can declare his enemies quota filled.
Greg Selinger was on CJOB today and was dragged into addressing two of our favorite topics, the price of milk and a youth curfew. Wait till you hear how he answered the question of an outdoor sleepover in the north end.
Speaking of sleepovers, we also have an eyewitness account of the CEO PR stunt for homelessness at 201 Portage last night. Doncha dare miss it!
Here's the link to today's podcast:
http://tgctspod.podbean.com/2011/09/30/friday-podcast-liberal-fossils-back-oswald-backstab-gerrard/
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Run John Run: Interview with PC Point Douglas candidate John Vernaus
A longtime fixture on the local boxing scene, autobody shop owner John Vernaus decided to get into the race to succeed former Manitoba Speaker of the Legislature George Hickes as MLA for the inner-city riding of Point Douglas.
Vernaus has been running some very strong radio ads about the numerous murders and rampant crime in the riding (just yesterday a knifefight between rival gangbangers broke out on the street across from his campaign office) and his own accomplishments in the community. He took about 20 minutes to talk with us last week and our discussion - about why he is running, what he is hearing at the door, and what he thinks about whether Greg Selinger really didn't recognize his name - is the centrepiece of today's podcast.
Among the other issues touched on are the CBC exclusive alleging flood mis-management by the NDP at the Hoop and Holler cut; recapping the FASD coverage of yesterday; Gordon Sinclair gets beat up by his own readers for utter irrelevancy; was there a political bias behind Daren Jorgenson being hauled into court the Freep missed?; and the cushy "homeless" sleepover PR stunt tonight at 201 Portage that will feature U of M doctor-school boss Brain Postl, Free Press publisher Box Cox, and other local CEO types previously victimized by typos. (Well, at least those two were). Free Press online comments were not so accepting of the stunt; meanwhile Graham Hnatiuk, who sat in on the podcast yesterday, blogged some very good observations here about the Downtown Biz event. And at the end of the show, I reminisce about the old days at the soon-to-be-demolished Junkyard, replete with Chuck Green imitation.
Here is the link to today's episode:
http://tgctspod.podbean.com/2011/09/29/thurs-sept-29th-run-john-run-interview-with-pc-point-douglas-candidate-john-vernaus/
PS- I didn't mention it on the podcast, but for those interested, my opinion piece about the risk of electing Greg Selinger as Premier (in this week's Jewish Post) is found at this link:
Vernaus has been running some very strong radio ads about the numerous murders and rampant crime in the riding (just yesterday a knifefight between rival gangbangers broke out on the street across from his campaign office) and his own accomplishments in the community. He took about 20 minutes to talk with us last week and our discussion - about why he is running, what he is hearing at the door, and what he thinks about whether Greg Selinger really didn't recognize his name - is the centrepiece of today's podcast.
Among the other issues touched on are the CBC exclusive alleging flood mis-management by the NDP at the Hoop and Holler cut; recapping the FASD coverage of yesterday; Gordon Sinclair gets beat up by his own readers for utter irrelevancy; was there a political bias behind Daren Jorgenson being hauled into court the Freep missed?; and the cushy "homeless" sleepover PR stunt tonight at 201 Portage that will feature U of M doctor-school boss Brain Postl, Free Press publisher Box Cox, and other local CEO types previously victimized by typos. (Well, at least those two were). Free Press online comments were not so accepting of the stunt; meanwhile Graham Hnatiuk, who sat in on the podcast yesterday, blogged some very good observations here about the Downtown Biz event. And at the end of the show, I reminisce about the old days at the soon-to-be-demolished Junkyard, replete with Chuck Green imitation.
Here is the link to today's episode:
http://tgctspod.podbean.com/2011/09/29/thurs-sept-29th-run-john-run-interview-with-pc-point-douglas-candidate-john-vernaus/
PS- I didn't mention it on the podcast, but for those interested, my opinion piece about the risk of electing Greg Selinger as Premier (in this week's Jewish Post) is found at this link:
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Wed. podcast: The media talks about Harry Who while Gerrard talks about FASD; WRHA doctors get political
The intertwining of health, crime, and public safety is a major election focus of the Wednesday podcast, with a special candidate interview plus a guest commentator joining in for the Inside Politics analysis.
Or, as was said about the manufactured Liberal leadership dismay, "Harry Who"?. (Hear how Ray Simard could have done something about it and made a splash provincially, instead of getting ink in the broadsheet.)
The Liberals' $3.9 m FASD platform presser is reviewed, and St James candidate Gerard Allard speaks about his move from policing to politics, the social cost of undiagnosed FASD and of a surprising 'missing' issue at the doorsteps. Then blogger Graham Hnatiuk returns to TGCTS and has a few things to say about the media, Liberal campaign, and l'affair Wolbert.
We also dive into CBC's story yesterday about the grlforum.com we've been talking about for weeks, the online community of doctors, nurses and others (some of whom fear retaliation from the WRHA) who bring out their evidence that the NDP system is bullying and wasteful.
The CCPS Update highlights Tom Brodbeck's rip on Greg Selinger for suddenly remembering the NDP was worried photo radar was a cash grab after years of total support for it; and we explain how he isn't old enough to vote, he isn't old enough to drive, but the suspect arrested for homicide #32 is old enough at 14 to be carrying a gun in the north end at 4 in the morning on Sunday. Oh, and it might be retaliation for #30, a 15 year old knifed 4 blocks away.
And would you please take a look at this petition to support the police K9 unit and consider signing it?
Or, as was said about the manufactured Liberal leadership dismay, "Harry Who"?. (Hear how Ray Simard could have done something about it and made a splash provincially, instead of getting ink in the broadsheet.)
The Liberals' $3.9 m FASD platform presser is reviewed, and St James candidate Gerard Allard speaks about his move from policing to politics, the social cost of undiagnosed FASD and of a surprising 'missing' issue at the doorsteps. Then blogger Graham Hnatiuk returns to TGCTS and has a few things to say about the media, Liberal campaign, and l'affair Wolbert.
We also dive into CBC's story yesterday about the grlforum.com we've been talking about for weeks, the online community of doctors, nurses and others (some of whom fear retaliation from the WRHA) who bring out their evidence that the NDP system is bullying and wasteful.
The CCPS Update highlights Tom Brodbeck's rip on Greg Selinger for suddenly remembering the NDP was worried photo radar was a cash grab after years of total support for it; and we explain how he isn't old enough to vote, he isn't old enough to drive, but the suspect arrested for homicide #32 is old enough at 14 to be carrying a gun in the north end at 4 in the morning on Sunday. Oh, and it might be retaliation for #30, a 15 year old knifed 4 blocks away.
And would you please take a look at this petition to support the police K9 unit and consider signing it?
Officers in the Winnipeg Police Service K9 Unit are looking for people to sign their petition. They are petitioning the government (municipal and provincial) to put the funding back to build proper Kennels for the police service dogs. These dogs provide a huge service and they aren't being treated with the respect they deserve. There used to be kennels but they were torn down. There was a promise to build bigger and better ones when the police station on Dugald was built and that funding was pulled. These dogs need our help. Feel free to pass this link along.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Conflicting, incomplete polls lead off final week of provincial campaign
Two half-baked polls - one with less than 470 declared respondents and the other conducted online and then extrapolated - leave Manitobans no wiser as to which direction the 2011 election is headed.
Today's podcast does a quick review of the latest promises and opinions - expanding Osborne House finding favour with the Tories and soccer facilities with the NDP; our story about a political contribution by Theresa Oswald's US husband makes the online comments, if not the actual news pages, of the Free Press; some follow-up comments about the Selinger photo story, including CBC's apology to us for not providing proper credit; and what blogger Brian Gilchrist thinks about Selinger's claim on CJOB that the NDP has run a clean campaign.
In the middle you'll also hear an interview with Tahl East of CDI College, whose Bras for A Cause campaign is now featured on billboards and in Swaggerville; homicide number 32 has two north end bloggers reacting here and here ; and a look at the first day of the trial into the murder of John Radocaj, courtesy of the blog writings and Metro story of James Turner.
(Also, a reminder that PCW's 10th Annual Back to School bash takes place Thursday night at the Marquee Lounge and Event Centre, 1875 Pembina, with a career-ending casket match between Damon and Dicaprio in the main event !)
Here is the link to the Tuesday Podcast:
http://tgctspod.podbean.com/2011/09/27/conflicting-incomplete-polls-lead-off-final-week-of-provincial-campaign/
Today's podcast does a quick review of the latest promises and opinions - expanding Osborne House finding favour with the Tories and soccer facilities with the NDP; our story about a political contribution by Theresa Oswald's US husband makes the online comments, if not the actual news pages, of the Free Press; some follow-up comments about the Selinger photo story, including CBC's apology to us for not providing proper credit; and what blogger Brian Gilchrist thinks about Selinger's claim on CJOB that the NDP has run a clean campaign.
In the middle you'll also hear an interview with Tahl East of CDI College, whose Bras for A Cause campaign is now featured on billboards and in Swaggerville; homicide number 32 has two north end bloggers reacting here and here ; and a look at the first day of the trial into the murder of John Radocaj, courtesy of the blog writings and Metro story of James Turner.
(Also, a reminder that PCW's 10th Annual Back to School bash takes place Thursday night at the Marquee Lounge and Event Centre, 1875 Pembina, with a career-ending casket match between Damon and Dicaprio in the main event !)
Here is the link to the Tuesday Podcast:
http://tgctspod.podbean.com/2011/09/27/conflicting-incomplete-polls-lead-off-final-week-of-provincial-campaign/
Monday, September 26, 2011
The reaction to our Selinger photo exclusive; CJOB poll off key?; Words from Gerrard; The cost of stolen signs
It started on Twitter, with notices from James O'Connor of the Brandon Sun and local news site Chris D. Then the national online aggregator, Bourque.org, posted a link right to our story "The One Photo Greg Selinger Does Not Want You to See in an Election Brochure"
beneath stories about the federal NDP leadership race and the Ontario election. So there is no denying, the alternative media made a big splash in the provincial election on Friday.
CBC TV picked up our story about Greg Selinger alienating police by posing with the Heatbag Records crew bandana, and even led the TV newscast with it at 5 PM, barely an hour before the Leader's debate. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitobavotes2011/story/2011/09/23/mb-selinger-photo-110923.html
On Saturday, The Winnipeg Sun added details about the past violent record of convictions of one of the group and got more police reaction
Even the Winnipeg Free Press managed to crank out a few paragraphs online about the controversy, making sure not to identify our podcast as the source.
And Rae Butcher wrote on her blog about how it reinforces her concern about clueless politicians, when it comes to dealing with crime and public safety in the north end:
Today our inside story of how the story was brought to light and how the mainstream media reacted to it, what the commenters and politicians said, and how this picture of Greg Selinger being duped actually relates to a story told by my mentor Yoram Hamizrachi about Pres. Bush Jr. and the middle east.
Also today:
a dissection of the CJOB/MREA poll that had fewer than 470 respondents; a few words with Liberal leader Dr. Jon Gerrard;
why stolen election signs are a big and expensive deal;
and in the crime update, Richard Cloutier uttered the C word today at 9.47 AM. The 6 letter one we've been talking about since the podcast launched.
Plus, shout-outs to our new Twitter followers and don't forget to read part 3 of my profile of RCMP Commissioner-applicant, psychologist Dr. Michael Webster !
Here is the link for the Monday podcast:
Twitter: @TGCTS
Friday, September 23, 2011
The one photo Greg Selinger doesn't want you to see in an election brochure
A photograph of a celebration has been circulating around town. It's of a local rap and hip hop label, Heatbag Records, and their top act, Winnipeg's Most.
The photograph which we acquired, shows NDP Premier Greg Selinger with 6 men associated with the label. He is smiling widely, while holding outstretched a black Heatbag Records bandana.
At times those bandanas been seen online brandished as gangster-wear to conceal rappers' faces in photos and videos, or as a costume for some very attractive young women who pose on social media barely wearing it. In hip-hop culture, a bandana represents the thug life values the gangster rappers glorify - pro-drug, anti-police, settling scores - which infects the lives of thousands of young Manitobans.
Selinger seems quite pleased to be associated with a popular and successful music act and the crew is definately glad to have a picture like this in their back pockets.
But Manitoba Justice officials cringe at this photo. They know exactly who the rappers are. Justice officials are all too aware of who is involved in Heatbag and how their "other records" - not music, but with the courts - are a microcosm of the failure for over a decade of the crime and justice platform of the NDP. And Greg Selinger is smiling at the camera and waving their flag.
Among Selinger's associates, convictions have been registered for drug trafficking, sex offences, and breach of probation, and charges are pending for assaults, more trafficking, weapons, probation breaches, and skipping court.
Police sources tell TGCTS that at least two people in the picture have associations with the Manitoba Warriors. Officers are told to consider them armed and dangerous, and to be approached with caution.
As he campaigns for re-relection, Selinger wants credit for being tough on crime. But what justice officials see in this photograph is how easily Selinger was duped by the street-wise rappers, who have benefitted from the NDP's hug-a-thug holistic approach to crime. The picture has been going around for months, but nobody realized its significance until The Great Canadian Talk Show identified the players and discovered their criminal records.
*****
Charlie Fettah, seen second from the left, made the news in 2008 as part of a simmering dispute involving shotguns and a "rap beef" between Heatbag and a rival group.
"Heatbag is self-described as "not really a label, but a crew."
By the following March a follow-up story made clear, they see themselves as victims of stereotypes and oppression, and claim they are not gangsters but are misunderstood and mistreated. Assurances were made they are on the straight and narrow despite a leaked video showing them threatening retaliation.
Local rappers' gun-toting video on web
Group linked to string of violent incidents
By: Mike McIntyre and James Turner
Updated: September 17 2008
at 02:55 AM CDTFettah disputes the categorization of Heatbag as a gang. He said it's a label police and justice officials have made up to keep members away from each other by virtue of widely used court orders to not associate with known gang members.
Since being released from Stony Mountain in November, where he was serving a drug-related sentence, Fettah said he's been relentlessly pulled over by police looking for contraband in his car. Fettah swears he has left the criminal life behind and says he is now coaching kids to stay away from drugs and speaking about his street life. "
The story gave no background on Fettah's "drug-related sentence", or why police might have had reason to keep a close eye on him when he got out of Stony. It would have been instructive for the public to do so.
Court records reveal he was sentenced to 5 years in Stony -- for being a drug trafficker.
As part of the deal, he served no additonal time on another charge - for altering a serial number of a gun.
The Crown dropped 2 other firearms-related counts and one of possessing property obtained by crime.
In essence it was a 5 for 1 deal, and within 20 months, Fettah was back in circulation, rappin'.
After the awards for their music rolled in and legitimized the group with the media, label general manager Jon-C continued the PR spin. While he told the Free Press last December that he and his peers have been victims of police profiling and racism, he assured his fans that he abided by the gang code of refusing to cooperate with authorities and that police are not to be trusted.
A bum RAP
Three-man crew dispels myths of aboriginal hip hop
By: Alexandra Paul
Posted: 12/12/2010
1:00 AMJon C says police pulled him in for questioning two years ago before Winnipeg's Most hit it big. "I was true to the streets. I didn't say a word."
Jon C says the cops thought the rappers were a street gang and he was their leader.
Early gigs drew an unwelcome police presence; fans were carded for IDs, one club was surrounded. The rappers still get angry talking about it.
"They've laid off now," Jon C said.
Suspicion of police, after the triple shooting in the North End in October, doesn't surprise local rappers.
There is an atmosphere of fear in the North End that wasn't there before the two men died and a girl, 13, was shot in the abdomen.
The 45-minute shooting spree a week before Halloween is thought to be a random crime...
For much of the city's aboriginal population, North End and inner-city 'hoods are the new black ghettos.
"It's like what they said in Maclean's. They ridiculed the blacks in the States. Now it's like that for us," Jon C says.... "Winnipeg is like Detroit used to be, or New York or L.A., Jon C says."
"Winnipeg's Most has a recording company called Heat Bag Records, a double play on words with a cheeky message.
"A heat bag is street slang for someone who scores himself out and gets caught by the police. It's a logo they've outgrown, the crew says. Today's artists are tight, they share gigs, help each other out and they present a united front to the public outside their fan base.
"Hip hop is not gang culture. It's an expression of yourself... Our goal isn't money. It's relief of the stress built up in your chest. It's therapy with a mike. Sure there's gangsta rap," Jon C says.
"But we're hip hop," Brooklyn adds."
The reporter fell for it hook, line and sinker, stating: "That's a sea change. You'd almost think the rappers were social workers", and quoted a social worker cum rapper (how convenient) to back her up:
"Hip hop and rap have been blamed many times for many years for everything from suicides to murders. I'm not delusional, I do recognize that rap has its issues and problems," Winnipeg rapper Pipskid says by email while on tour in Europe. "But I believe the overall effect it has on Winnipeg's inner city and North End is incredibly positive."
For a record label from a troubled genre, what a public relations coup.
But had the reporter looked one inch deep into the legal status of Heatbag impressario Jon-C, the reporter would have found his dealings with the court were even more current than those of Fettah, and that legal trouble was not a thing of the past for the bunch.
In fact, Jon-C has had serious charges before the courts since June 23, 2008 - during the time the picture was taken, in which he is standing over Selinger's right shoulder.
Jon-C is due in court December 16th, to face charges of possess for the purpose of trafficking and possess property obtained by crime. Other charges for failing to comply with attending court have been dropped. By the time Jon-C gets in front of a judge in December, his charges will be over 3 1/2 years in process. So much for the success of the NDP hiring more prosecutors. And you can bet the plea-bargain card will be played.
The third member of Winnipeg's Most, Brooklyn, seen at the far right with that hat on, is awaiting two trials of his own.
One is for an alleged assault (and breach of probation) in June 2010. The other is from an incident on Valentine's Day 2011 that allegedly encompassed another assault, utter threats, mischief, possession of a dangerous weapon, and multiple breaches of conditions of probation regarding weapons and alcohol. Brooklyn is not going to court on those 11 charges until September -- of 2012.
Heatbag Records is more than just the rap trio of Winnipeg's Most. There are other rappers, MC's, and an entourage.
Take, for instance, the guy in the track suit in the photo, Ashley Blakk (third from the left). He was convicted of trafficking in March 2008 and was tossed back in the brink for breaching probation last December.
His court record also shows a conviction in 2002 for sexual assault, bargaining away 5 related charges; with yet other charges of assault cause bodily harm and 4 breaches of conditions being plea-bargained away by the Crown over the years. A total of 10 charges have been stayed on him alone.
Police have seen 15 charges stayed against members of the crew. Another 15 charges are pending. They range from drug trafficking to assaults to uttering threats to multiple breaches of conditions of release - which as we've seen are the first to be plea-bargained away and are treated by judges as jokes.
And the delays in getting the remaining charges to trial is the hallmark of the court system under the NDP.
In the meantime, the hip-hoppers are free to release more tracks, garner street cred, spread their don't snitch mantra, earn cash money, and get the number one crime fighter in the province to pose with them.
A police source told us: "They get the right photo op and legitimize themselves instantly. Perhaps Greg Selinger thought he was legitimizing himself with that crowd too - except of course that doesn't work too well because they can't cast ballots on Bebo.
The Heatbag Records website shows logos of guns, bullets, fingerprints, all the gang trappings. is it all in good fun, or something more sinister? By appearing at the side of an organization like this, Selinger is signaling -- to them at least - that slinging dope, beating people up and stuff is kool. And don't forget about the shooting up the neighborhood part. But, it's always nice to have a picture of you with the provincial juice to show a judge you've turned your life around. "
There's nothing like getting the Premier's seal of approval. Will hanging out with gangster rappers and holding up their colours win Selinger the public's seal of approval?
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
North end Liberal candidate says campaign dirty tricks "bullying"
The outspoken Grit candidate in Burrows, Twyla Motkaluk, told TGCTS today that campaign signs being stolen and illicitly removed are not the only tactics being used to try to derail her campaign. As you will hear, she claims that racism has been wielded to dissuade voters from supporting her at the ballot box.
Calling it the behavior of NDP bullies, she also told of one example of government waste that led her to seek election, a Healthy Baby subsidy program for pregnant mothers that Motkaluk claims provides about 33c per day for nutritious groceries while the administration of the funding consumes over 80% of the monies.
Along with reviewing the Liberal platform released this morning - which included Dr. Jon Gerrard endorsing our longtime call for having Legislative meetings and Question Period archived online! - a bloggers' hypothetical script for a faux Greg Selinger job interview TV ad, an email from a listener who got surveyed online about their voting intentions, Dan Lett's views on downtown safety, and the ethics of an NDP cabinet-ista ( no, not Theresa Oswald, the subject of yesterday's exclusive) - appearing in a community TV ad, are on the agenda for today.
Oh, and a great quote from my cousin Avi Saper.
Here's the link: http://tgctspod.podbean.com/2011/09/21/tgcts-wed-sept-21-2011-north-end-liberal-candidate-says-campaign-dirty-tricks-bullying/
Calling it the behavior of NDP bullies, she also told of one example of government waste that led her to seek election, a Healthy Baby subsidy program for pregnant mothers that Motkaluk claims provides about 33c per day for nutritious groceries while the administration of the funding consumes over 80% of the monies.
Along with reviewing the Liberal platform released this morning - which included Dr. Jon Gerrard endorsing our longtime call for having Legislative meetings and Question Period archived online! - a bloggers' hypothetical script for a faux Greg Selinger job interview TV ad, an email from a listener who got surveyed online about their voting intentions, Dan Lett's views on downtown safety, and the ethics of an NDP cabinet-ista ( no, not Theresa Oswald, the subject of yesterday's exclusive) - appearing in a community TV ad, are on the agenda for today.
Oh, and a great quote from my cousin Avi Saper.
Here's the link: http://tgctspod.podbean.com/2011/09/21/tgcts-wed-sept-21-2011-north-end-liberal-candidate-says-campaign-dirty-tricks-bullying/
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Exclusive: Theresa Oswald's re-election campaign takes a detour to the US
A faithful listener of our program, who has taken quite an interest in the way politicians get their message out in the hopes of being elected this October, sent along a copy of a pamphlet dropped in their mailbox, a standard 8.5 x 11 folded. They had a few questions which are a little confounding, and perhaps some of the more informed among you can help clear up the confusion.
Now at first glance there doesn't seem to be anything unusual. A candidate, in this case a government Health Minister, is providing some personal career background and towing the party line.
Oswald, of course, is well remembered from her days as an English teacher - sources say she was given the nickname "Dragon Lady" for her firm attitude with students - and was a volleyball coach. The middle section of the pamphlet has a quote - bilingual of course - beside the family portrait.
"Manitoba is a better place to live, work and raise a family than it's ever been", Oswald tells her constituents in Seine River, as she implies she shares their experiences and so, they should vote for her to continue on as their MLA.
Our listener, though, found Oswald's urging ironic.
Because it appears not everyone in the family portrait found in the Health Minister's election advertising, is living and working here.
The listener discovered that her husband, Sam McCreedy, is a member of the Language Arts faculty of Apple Valley High School.
http://www.district196.org/AVHS/
Which is in Minnesota, about a 10 hour drive from Oswald's address.
He's even a member of the state volleyball coaches association.
http://www.mshsca.org/volleyball/members.htm
The question raised by the listener was, how can Theresa Oswald ask voters to re-elect her on the basis that under the NDP, Manitoba is better than ever to work and live in, but it isn't good enough for her own family members?
Good question.
Now that is not to say that Mr. McCreedy is not supportive of Oswald's beliefs. After all, according to page 19 of the NDP Annual Returns for 2010 on file with Elections Manitoba, he gave $1020.00 to the party.
That wouldn't be unusual, except that the Voter's List shows only Theresa Oswald as a registered voter at her home.
That in itself, also wouldn't be unusual if Sam McCreedy only holds American citizenship, because Americans can't vote in our elections. The law says:
Only individual residents may contribute
41(1) No person or organization other than an individual normally resident in Manitoba shall contribute to any candidate, leadership contestant, constituency association or registered political party.
Losing Manitoba residency
8 A person ceases to be a resident of Manitoba when he or she
(a) leaves Manitoba with the intention of becoming a resident of another place for a period of at least six months;
Mr. McCreedy appeared on page 60 of the 2009 -2010 Apple Valley handbook as a Language Arts instructor.
http://www.district196.org/avhs/communications/handbooks/0910avhscal.pdf
And the same page in the next year's handbook.
http://www.district196.org/avhs/communications/handbooks/1011AVHSCal.pdf
It appears that Manitoba has never been a better place to work and live, unless you're the husband of the NDP Minister for Health, who seems to have been teaching in Minnesota for at least the last 3 years.
Based on the information at hand, Sam McCreedy's contribution to the NDP in 2010 would be illegal.
Not that this would bother the NDP, given their past record of election finance fraud and cover-up.
Heck, here's how the unelected premier handled it the last time:
"Manitoba's Finance Minister Greg Selinger, the man responsible for ensuring tax money is spent properly, admits he's known for six years of the scheme by the NDP to defraud the province of hundreds of thousands of dollars. He never went public, although he did insist on a letter from the NDP executive in 2003 exonerating him from blame."
*************
Also on today's podcast: a blogger reviews the 'Downtown' debate last night; Free Press readers raise a lot of questions why the North End is only to be made safe when the poverty industry complains and Lloyd Axworthy can grab a headline; a Free Press reporter quotes another reporter's wife without realizing it; and in the Crime Courts Public Safety update, the gentrification of the crack epidemic in Winnipeg.
PLUS, the return of Frank the Italian Barber !
Here's the link to hear the Tuesday Podcast:
Monday, September 19, 2011
Monday podcast: CJOB debate highlights Selinger's weaknesses
The outcry about the cheating tactics of the NDP campaign hit the pages of both the Sun and Free Press, and the credibility issues resulted in Greg Selinger facing pointed arguments from his opponents for the Premier's seat, OB callers, and host Richard Cloutier this morning (who seems to have identified an issue today about full time home care jobs being created as part of a "sweet deal" with the MGEU to the detriment of patient care. Imagine being told you get one bath a week, it was going to be on an afternoon you go to a church activity, and it was being cut back to 25 minutes from an hour).
Today's podcast recaps the weekend announcements and the topics of the morning debate and juxtaposes the campaign priorities the PC's and Liberals set out on strokes, diabetes, emergency response and care homes, with Selinger's performance on-air and increasingly irritated retorts to accusations of using his a way-back machine and his "Crocus calculator" to create a "phony reconstruction of the 1990's".
Harping on the supposed Filmon record rather than account for the NDP record after 12 years in power is losing traction with voters and some local media types who want answers and accountability, not homilies to "optimism" and the wonders of the WRHA. The phrase "Brian Sinclair" was heard today on CJOB, as it is in many forums now.
Also today, another phrase not heard - but it could have been - was Cheez Whiz as the price of milk in remote communities was Cloutier's punch line at the end of the debate, we report on more dirty elections tricks against a non-NDP candidate, and ask, is it proper for public and institutional officials like Dauna Crooks, Elliot Levin and Suzanne Hrynyk to be pumping the NDP campaign ?
The CCPS update looks at the plan of the University of Winnipeg and other groups to demolish the Merchants Hotel with public money. The question is why? or is it because the wine and cheese poverty pimps think it's ok for some neighbourhoods to have beverage rooms close by, but not the beer drinking working class areas of the north end they claim they want to see revitalized? Plus, what a pleasure to see that our "controversial" exposes about idiotic traffic circles in River Heights during last fall's civic election was in fact, quite on the money, with Councillor Orlikow stating what was obvious to all of us last year:
"You can’t throw out information and say the citizens are engaged."
Here is the link for the Monday Podcast: http://tgctspod.podbean.com/2011/09/19/monday-podcast-cjob-debate-highlights-selingers-weaknesses/
PS - coming up tomorrow: A star candidates' brochure says some wonderful things about Manitoba trying to woo voters but does the reality of their own life reflect those beliefs ? plus the Greg Selinger job interview parody, a great FP feature from the weekend about BiPole dividing west-side community opinions, and an exclusive insight into the gentrification of the local crack epidemic.
Twitter: @TGCTS
Radio recap of the end of election campaign week #2 made people sit up and notice
Nothing illustrated the contrasts between the strategy of the opposition parties and that of the NDP as week 2 came to a close, than the nighttime report on Friday by Kim Lawson of CJOB. A number of listeners made mention of it to us, and with good reason.
She started off by reporting that PC leader Hugh McFadyen pledged to extend operations of clinics to take the pressure off emergency brooms, add ambulances and paramedics, and initiate a specialized stroke unit to save lives; then that Liberal leader Jon Gerrard was focusing on investigating abuse of the elderly in personal care homes and the over-prescribing of anti-psychotic drugs as a way to numb patients despite the added risk of causing strokes.
Those were substantive proposals that spoke to the problems and worries of voters about their families and how health care delivery is managed.
Kim Lawson contrasted what the opposition leaders did on Friday, with what the NDP leader did.
Greg Selinger held a press conference with the owners of the Winnipeg Jets.
To hear her recap what she saw and heard in her report on the campaign day, was kind of startling to listeners. They made a point to let us know about Lawson's summary.
The un-elected Premier engaged in what the front page of the Winnipeg Sun proclaimed was outright cheating, by making a government announcement while hiding behind the purity of the Return of the Jets.
Perhaps his brain-trust figured no one would dare complain about something targeted at 'helping at-risk kids', even if they realized the law prohibited government announcements within 90 days of the vote. Maybe they planned on arguing that it was exempt from the legislation because it related to theories about child safety. But once media outlets, including ChrisD.ca and CBC, slugged their headlines as "Province and Jets team up" rather than "NDP promises to team up with Jets", it was obviously not a 'misunderstanding'. CBC, CJOB, The Sun, CTV, all picked up on the blatant breach of the Elections Act by the NDP.
If it were a misunderstanding, Selinger would not have "brushed aside questions" from reporters that morning. He would have tried to set the record straight.
Only the Winnipeg Free Press repeated, without question, the desperate cover-up spin of the NDP after being caught in a bald-faced attempt to fool the media and get an unchallenged "happy news story" in front of the public.
History
Updated on Friday, September 16, 2011 at 9:34 AM CDT:
Clarifies this was a MB gov't announcement, not an NDP party announcement
Updated on Friday, September 16, 2011 at 2:14 PM CDT:
Amends that this is an NDP campaign promise, not a Manitoba gov't announcement; includes information from Elections Act
So the Free Press reported that Greg Selinger and the NDP acted to break the elections law, then simply revised their story to match the NDP's sanitized version of their actions after Gerrard raised the ante by filing a formal complaint.
Consider it A Lesson in Journalism.
After having to think for a few hours to make an excuse, Selinger claimed to CJOB it was just a follow-up of a week-old campaign promise about mentorship, which no one buys because it was not presented that way to the media - or the headlines would have said so i.e. "NDP pledge moves forward by teaming with Jets".
We delved into this subject on Friday's podcast, as another example of the ethics and credibility gap of a party that watched over the collapse of the Crocus Fund Ponzi scheme, lies about Tory "plans" to sell Manitoba Hydro, lies about BiPole, and lies about the size of the deficit, but wants the public to be scared of a change in government to another party.
On Monday's podcast, we'll review the media and online reaction to the NDP campaign trick that failed, report on another campaign dirty trick, and reveal how the crack epidemic in Winnipeg has relocated under the NDP's watch, right under their nose. It will be online in about 2 PM.
She started off by reporting that PC leader Hugh McFadyen pledged to extend operations of clinics to take the pressure off emergency brooms, add ambulances and paramedics, and initiate a specialized stroke unit to save lives; then that Liberal leader Jon Gerrard was focusing on investigating abuse of the elderly in personal care homes and the over-prescribing of anti-psychotic drugs as a way to numb patients despite the added risk of causing strokes.
Those were substantive proposals that spoke to the problems and worries of voters about their families and how health care delivery is managed.
Kim Lawson contrasted what the opposition leaders did on Friday, with what the NDP leader did.
Greg Selinger held a press conference with the owners of the Winnipeg Jets.
To hear her recap what she saw and heard in her report on the campaign day, was kind of startling to listeners. They made a point to let us know about Lawson's summary.
The un-elected Premier engaged in what the front page of the Winnipeg Sun proclaimed was outright cheating, by making a government announcement while hiding behind the purity of the Return of the Jets.
Perhaps his brain-trust figured no one would dare complain about something targeted at 'helping at-risk kids', even if they realized the law prohibited government announcements within 90 days of the vote. Maybe they planned on arguing that it was exempt from the legislation because it related to theories about child safety. But once media outlets, including ChrisD.ca and CBC, slugged their headlines as "Province and Jets team up" rather than "NDP promises to team up with Jets", it was obviously not a 'misunderstanding'. CBC, CJOB, The Sun, CTV, all picked up on the blatant breach of the Elections Act by the NDP.
If it were a misunderstanding, Selinger would not have "brushed aside questions" from reporters that morning. He would have tried to set the record straight.
Only the Winnipeg Free Press repeated, without question, the desperate cover-up spin of the NDP after being caught in a bald-faced attempt to fool the media and get an unchallenged "happy news story" in front of the public.
History
Updated on Friday, September 16, 2011 at 9:34 AM CDT:
Clarifies this was a MB gov't announcement, not an NDP party announcement
Updated on Friday, September 16, 2011 at 2:14 PM CDT:
Amends that this is an NDP campaign promise, not a Manitoba gov't announcement; includes information from Elections Act
So the Free Press reported that Greg Selinger and the NDP acted to break the elections law, then simply revised their story to match the NDP's sanitized version of their actions after Gerrard raised the ante by filing a formal complaint.
Consider it A Lesson in Journalism.
After having to think for a few hours to make an excuse, Selinger claimed to CJOB it was just a follow-up of a week-old campaign promise about mentorship, which no one buys because it was not presented that way to the media - or the headlines would have said so i.e. "NDP pledge moves forward by teaming with Jets".
We delved into this subject on Friday's podcast, as another example of the ethics and credibility gap of a party that watched over the collapse of the Crocus Fund Ponzi scheme, lies about Tory "plans" to sell Manitoba Hydro, lies about BiPole, and lies about the size of the deficit, but wants the public to be scared of a change in government to another party.
On Monday's podcast, we'll review the media and online reaction to the NDP campaign trick that failed, report on another campaign dirty trick, and reveal how the crack epidemic in Winnipeg has relocated under the NDP's watch, right under their nose. It will be online in about 2 PM.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Ethics gap grows as Selinger drags Winnipeg Jets into Election Act scandal
As the NDP campaign of attack ads continues to backfire, unelected premier Greg Selinger resorted to playing the Jets card today with disastrous results.
A feel-good presser to announce an after school program for at-risk kids was immediately identified by media outlets (here and here ) as a (prohibited) "province" or government announcement, and not an NDP election pledge. This comes on the heels of an Elections Manitoba investigation into Cabinet minister Ron Lemieux presenting a cheque within the 90 blackout period.
Today's podcast looks at the official complaint filed with Elections Manitoba and at Liberal leader Jon Gerrard's terse accusations about the NDP being "so arrogant and indifferent to Manitobans that they think they can break the law and get away with it ... What kind of lesson is Greg Selinger sending to inner city youth by breaking the law?"
For his part, the dirtiest player in politics stuck his nose in the air like something didn't stink: "Selinger brushed aside questions from reporters about the timing of the announcement during an election campaign. He and Chipman said the whole concept has been in the works for months."(CBC)
Also up for discussion, including an email from a sharp-tongued listener, is a desperate attempt to manipulate Jewish voters using scare tactics and ancient history - by a columnist who did not reveal his links to the ruling party.
Here's the link to the Friday podcast: http://tgctspod.podbean.com/2011/09/16/tgcts-fri-sept-16-2011-ethics-gap-grows-selinger-drags-winnipeg-jets-into-elections-act-scandal/
And please feel free to read Part Two of the Mike Webster story: Ruling the Ring, I am very proud of it.
A feel-good presser to announce an after school program for at-risk kids was immediately identified by media outlets (here and here ) as a (prohibited) "province" or government announcement, and not an NDP election pledge. This comes on the heels of an Elections Manitoba investigation into Cabinet minister Ron Lemieux presenting a cheque within the 90 blackout period.
Today's podcast looks at the official complaint filed with Elections Manitoba and at Liberal leader Jon Gerrard's terse accusations about the NDP being "so arrogant and indifferent to Manitobans that they think they can break the law and get away with it ... What kind of lesson is Greg Selinger sending to inner city youth by breaking the law?"
For his part, the dirtiest player in politics stuck his nose in the air like something didn't stink: "Selinger brushed aside questions from reporters about the timing of the announcement during an election campaign. He and Chipman said the whole concept has been in the works for months."(CBC)
Here's the link to the Friday podcast: http://tgctspod.podbean.com/2011/09/16/tgcts-fri-sept-16-2011-ethics-gap-grows-selinger-drags-winnipeg-jets-into-elections-act-scandal/
And please feel free to read Part Two of the Mike Webster story: Ruling the Ring, I am very proud of it.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Deficit dishonesty drives NDP's integrity onto election radar
Two weeks ago TGCTS asked whether ethics and integrity were going to play into the consideration of Manitobans during the election campaign.
Now, after former senior executives revealed that Greg Selinger himself enacted a referendum requirement before Manitoba Hydro can be sold, with the spectre of possible criminal charges in the Brian Sinclair death at HSC in 2008 being reported yesterday, and the ongoing revelations about the NDP hiding loans and grants as 'assets' on the provincial books, the issue of honesty and integrity has gained traction in the media and in the minds of voters.
Reports about Selingers' "frustration" with opposition claims and election promises are contrasted on today's podcast with the NDP record on those 3 files and how whistleblowers and red-flag wavers (like Dr. Larry Reynolds and Miss Whistle) are treated by the government's bureaucracies and agencies.
While Free Press columnist Dan Lett portrays Hugh McFadyen's statements about the NDP misrepresenting the deficit as 'true but false', there is no doubt that voters who read the Freep online are now taking seriously the issue of NDP integrity and accountability. Potential hikes in Hydro and MPI rates to cover their spending tracks may lurk in the minds of the electorate before the campaign is through.
(Also check out the satirical Dos Equis -styled ad campaign of young Liberal Kevin Friedman running in Fort Garry - Riverview http://www.kevinfreedman.ca/media.html)
Todays' edition weaves emails and comments from our listeners into the narrative - follow us on Twitter @TGCTS
or join The Great Canadian Talk Show Facebook group
and get involved!
Here's the link to the podcast:
http://tgctspod.podbean.com/2011/09/15/tgcts-thurs-sept-15-2011-deficit-dishonesty-drives-ndps-integrity-onto-election-radar/
PS - I forgot to mention on the podcast today, that part two of my 3 part interview with former CFL Grey Cup winner/Wrestling champion/RCMP and CIA consulting psychologist Mike Webster is posted at Slam!Wresling, please look it over!
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/08/01/18495891.html
Now, after former senior executives revealed that Greg Selinger himself enacted a referendum requirement before Manitoba Hydro can be sold, with the spectre of possible criminal charges in the Brian Sinclair death at HSC in 2008 being reported yesterday, and the ongoing revelations about the NDP hiding loans and grants as 'assets' on the provincial books, the issue of honesty and integrity has gained traction in the media and in the minds of voters.
Reports about Selingers' "frustration" with opposition claims and election promises are contrasted on today's podcast with the NDP record on those 3 files and how whistleblowers and red-flag wavers (like Dr. Larry Reynolds and Miss Whistle) are treated by the government's bureaucracies and agencies.
While Free Press columnist Dan Lett portrays Hugh McFadyen's statements about the NDP misrepresenting the deficit as 'true but false', there is no doubt that voters who read the Freep online are now taking seriously the issue of NDP integrity and accountability. Potential hikes in Hydro and MPI rates to cover their spending tracks may lurk in the minds of the electorate before the campaign is through.
(Also check out the satirical Dos Equis -styled ad campaign of young Liberal Kevin Friedman running in Fort Garry - Riverview http://www.kevinfreedman.ca/media.html)
Todays' edition weaves emails and comments from our listeners into the narrative - follow us on Twitter @TGCTS
or join The Great Canadian Talk Show Facebook group
and get involved!
Here's the link to the podcast:
http://tgctspod.podbean.com/2011/09/15/tgcts-thurs-sept-15-2011-deficit-dishonesty-drives-ndps-integrity-onto-election-radar/
PS - I forgot to mention on the podcast today, that part two of my 3 part interview with former CFL Grey Cup winner/Wrestling champion/RCMP and CIA consulting psychologist Mike Webster is posted at Slam!Wresling, please look it over!
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/08/01/18495891.html
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
The Loan Act budget trick of the NDP, and more campaign dirty tricks
A lot of important people (ie the WRHA, Manitoba Nurses Union, Health Minister Theresa Oswald) had a startling beginning to their day with the report in the Free Press that a homicide investigator had recommended the Crown lay charges against both a front line care worker, and the Health Sciences Centre, over the death of Brian Sinclair after a 34 hour wait in the emergency room in September 2008. Denials that a report had been completed, let alone charges recommended, were issued in record time, but the story had the reputation of ace cop reporter Mike McIntyre behind it, and the denials did little to quell the buzz among listeners about how "the NDP had stalled the Inquiry till after the election and now this gets out".
On todays' podcast we go into depth about the Loan Act, which is the way the NDP is shifting monies to outside agencies that can never pay it back while claiming the dollars still exist in the treasury, thereby concealing how big the deficit really is. Translation: can you say tax increase to pay for the loans? Listen for the surprise realiziation about which pet project of millionaires may have benefitted from the book-cookery while providing cover for their political allies at city hall.
Another episode, another report of stolen campaign signs. It's pretty obvious from the victims, who the perps might be, and we even have a partial physical description of one of the dirty tricksters.
FP edu-beat fella Nick Martin can't stop blogging his feelings about Dr. Jon Gerrard refering to the 'Field of Dreams' purchase of the Midway Chrysler land being an unfulfilled NDP promise (and an eyesore), and the paper quickly ran a follow up to explain why the new 'green space' at Gordon Bell HS is behind schedule ie. needing to raise $500,000 for astro turf (does that count as green space), plus another $800k on top of it. We parse the stories and comments to give some perspective on the political opportunism behind it all - without even mentioning the name Pat Martin!
Plus, by stumbling across a column about the inner city by the poverty industry in today's broadsheet, we launched into a lesson in electioneering, and explain the links between the 'grassroots organizations' being lauded and the party that was not named that was also being patted on the back and promoted. Or, as one onliner said: Are the numbers in this article just a platform for the NDP?
To conclude the show, we compare the poverty industry ways vis a vis homicide #30, as if the 15 year old killed after being knifed 6 times at College and Aikens would have been saved if only there was more recreation programs. (At 3 AM ?)
There's a 6 letter word that might, might, have saved gang-involved Clarky Stevenson - and may save other children - and TGCTS is waiting for one of the leaders to say it out loud.
Here's the link to the Wednesday podcast:
http://tgctspod.podbean.com/2011/09/14/tgcts-wed-sept-14-2011-the-loan-act-budget-trick-of-the-ndp-and-more-campaign-dirty-tricks/
On todays' podcast we go into depth about the Loan Act, which is the way the NDP is shifting monies to outside agencies that can never pay it back while claiming the dollars still exist in the treasury, thereby concealing how big the deficit really is. Translation: can you say tax increase to pay for the loans? Listen for the surprise realiziation about which pet project of millionaires may have benefitted from the book-cookery while providing cover for their political allies at city hall.
Another episode, another report of stolen campaign signs. It's pretty obvious from the victims, who the perps might be, and we even have a partial physical description of one of the dirty tricksters.
FP edu-beat fella Nick Martin can't stop blogging his feelings about Dr. Jon Gerrard refering to the 'Field of Dreams' purchase of the Midway Chrysler land being an unfulfilled NDP promise (and an eyesore), and the paper quickly ran a follow up to explain why the new 'green space' at Gordon Bell HS is behind schedule ie. needing to raise $500,000 for astro turf (does that count as green space), plus another $800k on top of it. We parse the stories and comments to give some perspective on the political opportunism behind it all - without even mentioning the name Pat Martin!
Plus, by stumbling across a column about the inner city by the poverty industry in today's broadsheet, we launched into a lesson in electioneering, and explain the links between the 'grassroots organizations' being lauded and the party that was not named that was also being patted on the back and promoted. Or, as one onliner said: Are the numbers in this article just a platform for the NDP?
To conclude the show, we compare the poverty industry ways vis a vis homicide #30, as if the 15 year old killed after being knifed 6 times at College and Aikens would have been saved if only there was more recreation programs. (At 3 AM ?)
There's a 6 letter word that might, might, have saved gang-involved Clarky Stevenson - and may save other children - and TGCTS is waiting for one of the leaders to say it out loud.
Here's the link to the Wednesday podcast:
http://tgctspod.podbean.com/2011/09/14/tgcts-wed-sept-14-2011-the-loan-act-budget-trick-of-the-ndp-and-more-campaign-dirty-tricks/
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