Afghan Documents flip flop
We’ve seen the headlines in the past 24 hrs. Examples being:
Harper open to suggestions on detainee documents
Compromise appears possible in Afghan detainee dispute
But see here’s the thing, the headlines are misleading. If you watched Question Period yesterday (April 27th), you’d know that Stephen Harper is not truly willing to compromise on this issue. Well at least that’s what he said but he also said he would compromise. So which is it?
The Toronto Star is reporting a similar story. In the House during QP Stephen Harper gave mixed messages, mostly appearing to not be willing to follow Milliken’s ruling.
“The fact is that the government has certain obligations” to protect the release of documents that might threaten national security, said Harper.
Yet at the same time, his Minister, Rob Nicholson appears to give the illusion of working with the other parties to come to an agreement.
Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said while the government welcomes the possibility of a compromise, “our government will not compromise Canada’s national security, nor will it jeopardize the lives of our men and women in uniform.”
With all of that said, the parties are meeting to try and work something out. I have very little faith that the Cons will truly work towards a compromise.
For a government that likes to preach about accountability and transparency and also touts itself as being “law-abiding” and tough on crime, what do they have to hide? Why can’t they let some Opposition MPs see these documents? The Speaker has already stated that it is Parliament’s right to see them, yet the Cons believe they are above it all. Stephen Harper likes to wrap himself up in our flag and pretend that this is a national security issue. I fail to see how it is, especially if Opposition MPs are willing to swear to an oath of secrecy on this.
So then, what is Stephen Harper telling us with this latest flip flop? He’s telling us a few things and here’s how I see it:
1) He will give the illusion of working with the other parties to reach a compromise i.e continuing his trend of playing petty partisan games that keep the electorate thinking that he is a leader
2) He is not afraid of going into an election on this issue
3) There is something really big in these documents and will do anything to keep that hidden
4) He is above the law even though he preaches on tough laws in this country.
In summation? He’s flip flopping on this, he is a hypocrite and there must be something really bad in these documents.
