Mark Steyn: Clear Eye For The Grit Guy – The Paul Martin Clarity Act

Direct from the Paulitburo, your cut-out-and-keep guide to all the things the Prime Minister is clear about. How much clarity can one Liberal government stand?

“I think that what will happen, for instance, is that the deputy minister of finance will eventually be testifying. He'll demonstrate that he didn't know anything about this, that the whole Department of Finance didn't know anything about it, and of course when that comes out it'll be very clear that in fact the minister couldn't have known anything about it." – Paul Martin, Saskatoon, February 20th

• on his commitment to returning all the missing millions, eventually, after two separate investigations by the House of Commons and a public inquiry have been concluded:

"Any money that has been inappropriately obtained, any money that shouldn't have been paid, is going to be recovered. And that's regardless of whether it's been paid to the Liberal party or anybody else. I've made it clear that there are no holds barred in this.'' – Paul Martin, Global TV, February 18th

"It is clear that there is damning evidence in the auditor-general's report about the involvement of crown corporations… But just let me be very clear again, we're not going to wait on any of these issues. When we are in a position to act, we're going to act." – Paul Martin in Quebec City, February 16th

"Let me make it very clear. The Prime Minister, the former Prime Minister, Mr. Chretien, is a man of unquestioned integrity and I do not believe that he was involved in this. What I do believe is that Liberals across the country want to get to the bottom of it." – Paul Martin, CTV, February 15th

February 19, 2004

Dead Pool: Iran Versus Canada

At the moment, there are two prominent pseudo-democratic states whose rulers' grip on power is suddenly under threat. But which regime will fall first: Iran's or Canada's? Both stories are evolving so rapidly that it's hard to make the call, but this chart may be useful for anyone wagering on the outcome:


International press distracted by meaningless kabuki dance between "hardliners" and "reformers"; locals not fooled.	International press distracted by meaningless kabuki dance between "hardliners" and "reformers"; locals not fooled.
Opposition newspapers shut down by ruthless government forces.	Opposition journalists shut down by ruthless government forces.
Increasingly dubious nuclear program drawing attention, censure of world.	Increasingly dubious nuclear program collapsing quietly on its own.
Likely exporter of Islamist terrorism to American-controlled regions via porous common border.	Opinions vary.
Notorious participant in 1979 hostage crisis.	Score one for Canada!
Dodgy election tomorrow not expected to cause meaningful change in government; electoral procedures apparently manipulated for benefit of ruling forces.	Dodgy election in May, October, January, or whenever not expected to cause meaningful change in government; electoral timing apparently manipulated for benefit of ruling forces.

For more on these unfolding narratives, see Hoder on Iran and Andrew Coyne on Canada.Posted by Evan Kirchhoff at February 19, 2004 06:23 PM | TrackBa

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