David Emerson: Media Watch

Media Highlights for Friday March 3 2006 – David Emerson

Updates added as they come in until the end of the day

Mar 2: (Robert Billyard, Canadian Democratic Movement) The Emerson Flap – A Matter of National Urgency

It would be very easy to make light of the sudden deification of David Emerson and resort to tart references, such as “the softwood Pinocchio”, “certain parties have being whacked by a 2X4 and not yet fully recovered”; “blockheadedness”, “knotty behaviour”, “warped wood”, and constituents being sold construction grade lumber rather than cabinet quality material suitable for “fine finishes”. Then there is the age-old philosophical question of what sort of timber is this man and government made. But this would only divert us from more serious considerations.

A good communications director in the PMO (if they can hang on to their job long enough) would spin this as a bunch of NDP/Liberal malcontents trying to rock the boat and set up a by election they could win. Unfortunately, for the government and Emerson, this issue is crossing all party lines. It is a national issue and is even deemed offensive to many MPs in this newly minted government- and the reason many of these guys started their own party the Reform/the Alliance but now reform is extinct in all its aspects.

Mar 3: (CBC Television) The Royal Canadian Air Farce

Tonight on The Royal Canadian Air Farce (8pm, most locales – CBC Schedule): Gambling Mrs. Gretzky; Dick’s Quails of Justice; Party hopping with David Emerson. Hey, you try sitting out the Olympics when everything funny happens.

Mar 3: (Garry Horsnell, The Hamilton Spectator) Harper’s moves show a leader who thinks voters are gullible

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he wanted openness and accountability in government. Then, he appointed dubious candidates to his cabinet such as David Emerson, who betrayed his constituents, and Michael Fortier, who was not elected to Parliament. When will Emerson be accountable to those who elected him and to whom is Fortier accountable? Even Harper can’t get rid of Fortier because he has been appointed to the Senate for life.

Should we be electing leaders who have so little respect for voters that they seem to think voters are gullible enough to believe that these travesties represent openness and accountability?

Action Against Emerson - Upcoming Events

Take action against Emerson – participate in one or more of the events taking place this weekend. I urge everyone in Vancouver to support our cause in any way possible.

Funeral for Democracy

What: Come pay your respects for Canadian democracy, so ruthlessly murdered by Stephen Harper and David Emerson. Our street-corner rally will be joined by a solemn funeral procession, complete with coffin and pall bearers.

Vancouverites have been hugely supportive of our street-corner rallies; its very uplifting to get their approval as they honk for democracy – so come out and join us!

When: This Saturday March 4 at 10:00am and 1:30pm (two sessions)

Where: Corner of Kingsway and Victoria Drive

More information: Event organized by the Campaign to De-Elect David Emerson

Vote in the People’s By-Election

What: Stephen Harper and David Emerson under the cloak of secrecy, within 24 hours of the federal election, conspired to make our votes meaningless. Organizers have created the People’s By-Election in response – a chance for Vancouver Kingsway voters to cast a ballot that Harper and Emerson won’t be able to steal. Vancouver-Kingsway residents – come out and cast your vote! Results will be available later in the day at http://www.recalldavidemerson.com/

When: Saturday March 4th, 1:00 – 4:00pm

Where: Voting Locations:

• South East Corner of Cambie Street and 18th Avenue
• South East Corner of Main Street and 26th Avenue
• Victoria Drive and 41st Avenue (In front of London Drugs)
• North West corner of Kingsway and Stamford Street (2 blocks East of Joyce, in front of the Starbucks)

More information: Event orgaqnized by the Recall David Emerson campaign