Due to work pressures, I’m no longer able to keep up with the maintenance of this blog. I hope it was enjoyed. I’ll leave the existing content online for a while before removing it. Many thanks for all the comments and email feedback, it was much appreciated.
The Admiral
strong>Damage Limitation
Now that the initial shock of Jaffers drug and drink driving arrest has settled, I wonder how Jaffer will proceed from here. I wonder what I would do in his position. It is a purely hypothetical question of course. I have far too much respect for my own body to stuff crap into it, and I have far too much respect for other peoples safety to drive my car when under the influence of alcohol.
In my experience, there are two possible courses of action. The first (least likely) is to accept the blame with no excuses. This has a certain honesty and nobility to it, but you don’t see it happen very often. The other option is to play the ‘I’ve got problems’ card. Under this strategy the offender introduces a range of excuses (family problems, childhood trauma, a bad year….it could be anything). Appeals are made for time and privacy to work on these personal problems. In fact the word ‘problems’ is mentioned frequently. Sometimes counselling is sought. For some reason this approach works particularly well in court, where it is a sure fire way of avoiding a custodial sentence.
Now, we all know that this is merely a ploy. The truth is usually far simpler. I’d say Jaffer enjoys a good time, which for him involves drug use and requires occasional drunk driving (lets face it; its not easy to party hard in Angus….you have to travel). I think it is as simple as that. The only problem he really had was on the night he was stopped by police.
It will be interesting to see which way he goes with this.
Daily Hypocrisy Watch
Of course Jaffer was never the only hypocrite on Parliament Hill. Remember how before the last election Jack Layton (who I like to call the Video Professor) poured scorn on the Dion Liberals for propping up the Conservatives in their terror at the prospect of an election? He was right too! So imagine my delight to see the same Jack Layton this morning propping up the Conservatives in his terror at the prospect of an election.
Prominant local figure a felon?
No, I’m not talking about Jaffer. Local newspaper editor Ian Adams admits on his blog today that in his wild and reckless youth he may have done some things that would have got him a couple of months probation had he been caught. I wonder if there is a cold case file still open somewhere. Would you care to enlighten us Ian?
UPDATE: Looks like Jaffer is playing the innocence card instead. I didn’t see that coming. From a written statement: “I intend to fight the serious accusations that have been made against me. I am innocent and am confident of full exoneration.” Well, at least that suspends any closure until after the next election. Hmm.
UPDATE: It is a good thing that Jaffer is apparently innocent of the cocaine possession allegations against him. He would certainly not want to be subject to sentencing guidelinnes that he himself supported while a member of parliament. Jaffer voted in favour of Bill C26, now called C15, which seeks to impose mandatory minimum sentences, such as 6 months for 1 marijuana plant, on a host of drug offences.
I have just noticed this article from The Enterprise Bulletin a few days ago. I have no idea who Richard Rohmer is (is he local or is this a syndicated editorial? – perhaps Scoop can enlighten us) but I am shocked to see the OC QC after his name. Rohmer appears to have decided (on what evidence?) that he knows all about the recent Bryant vs Cyclist fatality on the streets of Toronto…
“The cruel reality for Bryant is that at one minute he was driving his beautiful car on Bloor Street without a care in the world, his reputation above reproach, his lovely wife at his side.
He had no intention of evil or harm to any person. At the next minute, according to reports, he was being attacked by a stranger, a cyclist who considered himself aggrieved by the driver’s action on the road.”
“….the Bryant incident tells you this: never have your top down and your windows down. Two ‘downs’ could change your life in the twinkling of any eye.”
Well Rohmer, it is almost like you were there. Or are you just guessing? You wouldn’t just guess would you Rohmer? Surely with OC QC after your name you appreciate the importance of hard evidence? There is nothing worse than talking out of your arse is there?
Lets have a look at some CCTV footage shall we? Perhaps you haven’t seen it.
Okay, Rohmer. My turn. It seems that Sheppard cuts right in front of Bryant at the lights. Thats quite rude. It would really piss me off. Bryant appears to lurch forward towards Sheppard but doesn’t hit him. I’m thinking the light has turned green by now. Definitely an altercation is taking place. Next thing Bryant lurches forward again, hitting Sheppard and throwing him forward off his bike several yards. Bryant reverses quickly, turning his wheel. Surely he isn’t going to make a run for it? Oh yes he is! Sheppard – apparently not too badly injured at this point – gets up and lunges for the car, but Bryant isn’t stopping. And the rest is history.
OK, Rohmer, maybe my interpretation might not be perfect. But to suggest that Bryants biggest mistake was to have his “top down” is ridiculous and offensive. Whatever the level of Bryant’s guilt, he made several really bad decisions during the incident…and someone got killed. You say “..it could have been anyone behind the wheel in Toronto”. I say thats nonsense.
Just who do you think you are Richard Rohmer OC QC?
Rant over.
The Admiral wishes to thank a reader for alerting him to the news that Collingwood is to be the home of North Amercia’s newest LFL expansion team (and the first in Canada)!
The LFL (Lingerie Football League) announced the news at a press conference in Los Angeles earlier this morning. Collingwood will join existing LFL teams such as the Dallas Desire, Philadelphia Passion and Chicago Bliss. Home matches will be played at the new astroturf facility slated for Pretty River Academy, beginning in 2010 when the weatherproof dome is completed. The facility has been controversial in recent weeks due to the use of public financing. However, when The Admiral’s Blog contacted campaigner Lorne Kenney, he confirmed that opposition to the grant would now be dropped. Said Kenney: “This is a new development that the whole community can get behind. Dunbar knew what he was doing after all…he is a genius!”
Potential team sponsors include Blue Mountain Resorts and Amaizingly Green (formerly Collingwood Ethanol). It is not yet known what the name of the team will be, although The Candy, The Charm and The Cougars are all thought to be under consideration. For further information (including advanced ticket sales) contact Pretty River Academy. Young ladies wishing to try out for the team are encouraged to contact The Admiral.
With a Little Help from Your Friends (You too can be King) is the new motivational book from talented novelist and municipal politician Chris Carrier. It is the first book since his autobiography – A Life of Achievement – and it is his first work of non fiction.
The book’s catchy title is a clever reference to one of Carrier’s mantras (always aim high) although he jokes that even he could never reach such an elevated status “because Canada doesn’t have a king”. The bulk of the book deals at length with the advantages of maintaining connections and forming alliances. Carrier points out that, with the right people behind you, you can achieve great things “even with no real ability or talent”.
On some levels the book reminded me of Dale Carnegie’s 1936 classic How to Win Friends and Influence People. But where Carnegie talked about gaining consensus and building loyalty, Carrier includes sections on “demoralizing your opponents” and “crushing dissent”. I particularly enjoyed the chapter titled Endorsements: Giving Them and Getting Them. Here he discusses the value of such support with great insight:
“If you don’t get this kind of support, there is a real danger that people will make up their own minds about you, and that way lies disaster.”
Overall I would recommend this book as essential reading for any aspiring future leader at municipal, provincial or federal level. Carrier explains his tactics clearly and concisely and there are do-it-yourself exercises at the end of every chapter. My kids and I particularly enjoyed the Municipal Election Monopoly board game at the end of chapter 5 (my youngest won the game after placing a hotel on Ward 7).
Verdict: Recommended reading for all those go-getters out there.
Note: The author has kindly agreed to donate $2 for every copy sold to The Campaign to Re Elect Helena Guergis (a not for profit organization…just like Pretty River Academy and Mother Teresa)
Note: Many thanks to no-longer-silent-sam for the cover artwork
I notice the East End Underground has set up a 2010 Mayoral Opinion Poll. This one is more comprehensive than the one on the EB website. Click here to play.
