Funny how the pros do not buy the "not in the nature of the country to investigate private individuals" line:
"...it's important to understand that the RCMP is alive to the fact that organized crime, some terrorist groups, are proactive – even strategic – in trying to access our public institutions, to corrupt public officials. That's the nature of organized crime and other groups. We're aware of that … . If there's some basis that somebody has to believe that's going on, it's important that they tell us and then it's important that you trust us that we're going to do a proper investigation...That's Mr. Bob Paulson, the RCMP's acting assistant commissioner for national security and criminal investigations outside the House of Commons public security committee today.
Thanks Bob. Thanks for doing your job.
Comments
Chris Taylor - June 11, 2008 11:23 am
Sorry Alan, have to disagree with you on this one. The police have a job, but they are entirely unclear on what it is.
Botched the investigation of Air India 182, provided incorrect information to U.S. law enforcement resulting in the arrest of Maher Arar, </a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070507.wrcmp08/BNStory/National/home">irregular handling of contracts</a> for their own pension fund, not to mention the deaths of Leo LaChance and Robert Dziekański, Texas troopers performing unlawful detention under RCMP supervision in B.C... Oh and the three officers tasering that 82-year-old guy in his hospital bed. (Which leads me to wonder how many officers are required for a non-tasered takedown of a bedridden 82-year-old?)
The RCMP is an old and honourable institution, but they have lost their way of late. Whatever they think their job is these days, it differs from my expectations of a police force with national jurisdiction.
Alan - June 11, 2008 1:56 pm
I am sorry but that is classic obfuscation. None of the things that you have raised relates to the question. Would you apply the same broad brush to other institutions like, say, the US military due to known incidents in the WoT?
In this case, as explained, the job of the RCMP is to identify risks, give notice of those risks and not buy the Harper line that the state has no business in private lives of high officials.
Chris Taylor - June 11, 2008 3:17 pm
If the senior uniformed officer resigned under a cloud due to some of those incidents, like Commissioner Zaccardelli of the RCMP (or more recently, General Moseley of the USAF), then yes, I think the broad brush is entirely acceptable and warranted.
With regard to this particular case, I expect the RCMP to exercise the same judgment that they have traditionally in politically-loaded issues, and that is to make noise but ultimately side with preferences of the government of the day.
Alan - June 11, 2008 3:29 pm
That would depend on whether they can keep track of the Tory dance card.
Chris Taylor - June 11, 2008 4:21 pm
Now <i>that's</i> entertainment.
She seems to have pretty good luck at making high-level contacts, but not too much luck lobbying them to implement her plans.
Alan - June 11, 2008 4:41 pm
...that's if you think you know all there is to know! I know I don't know and I know Harper won't be telling me.