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O'Connor insists he and Hillier of like mind

GLORIA GALLOWAY

From Thursday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 7:46 PM EDT 01/08/07

'General Hillier and I are on line,' Defence Minister says as Tories gather in PEI for annual caucus ...Read the full article

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  1. I Sutherland from Canada writes: 'It's the way you interpret my words'...what a line. That must have come straight from the head Liar himself, Pinocchio Harper. So we have 'It's not my fault' Flaherty and we have 'It's the way you interpret my words' O'Connor.

    Will anyone in this 'New Government' be accountable for what they do or say?
  2. Joel Canada from CALGARY, Canada writes: I just read Paul Bertons' editorial in the Calgary Sun and I agree with him 100%: O'Connor has got to go because he just can't get his story straight and is negatively affecting the mission in Afghanistan.
  3. Ian Gunn from Minneapolis, United States writes: Mr O'Connor, thanks for clearing this up. Is this issue now closed? It seems VERY clear to me.. Media - how about you - would you like a powerpoint presentation? Liberal hacks - big crayons and tissues? NDP - a map of where Afghanistan is located?

    Time to move on, nothing to see here....
  4. D B from Canada writes: 'When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone,' it means just what I choose it to mean, neither more nor less.'
  5. MJ Patchouli from Canada writes: These are people who feel they do not need to be accountable -- for their words, actions, policies, anything.

    It is up to us, the voters, to make them accountable in the next election. That will be their day of reckoning, and as far as I'm concerned, they can reflect on their pomposity and amateur performances for years -- in opposition.
  6. Barry Johnstone from Vineland, Canada writes: I'm not really sure why any of this is news. It really makes no difference where of if the Conservatives have a conference and it makes no difference if any cabinet minister or Conservative MP even has any views. Stephen Harper completely controls the entire government with some advice from a couple of members of the PMO. Nobody else ever offers anything of importance. The PM doesn't even want to hear from anyone else. No cabinet minister makes any announcement unless it is completely controlled by Harper and he makes all the high profile announcements himself. Every time something has to be said that he knows will be unpopular he has someone else take the fall. Only discuss this topic in terms of whether or not Stephen has a disagreement with Hillier, that's the only thing that really matters.
  7. Emilie .. from Canada writes: This 'new Government' already has the Accountability Act passed and gathering dust. Do you really expect them to also implement the Act?

    Silly voters.
  8. Brian Sexsmith from Toronto, Canada writes: 'I don't make this stuff up'? Of course he does - just watch him during question period in the House of Commons - he's constantly contradicting himself, if not lying. Every time Popeye O'Connor opens his maw he embarrasses himself and the country more.
  9. The Phantom from vancouver, Canada writes:
    GET OUR TROOPS OUT OF AFGHANISTAN NOW.
    HARPER'S REFORM PARTY FASCISTS ARE A THREAT TO CANADA.
  10. b mac from Canada writes: The Liberal press has taken the Taliban Jack version of Afganistan rather then sending reporters to visit the various towns and villages throughout the country. When a few Taliban were roughed up in their transition to prison there was a huge outcry by Taliban Jack and former marxist, seperatist and now Liberal leader Dion and their respective parties. However virtually nothing in the way of a protest when the Korean aid workers were killed. The disgraceful behavior of the Canadian press, the NDP & the Socialist Liberal Party is beyond just belief.
  11. P Martin from St. John's, NL, Canada writes: Funny...O'Connor should shows how laughable he really is.
  12. Richard Roskell from Naramata, Canada writes: The disconnect between Mr. O'Connor and Gen. Hillier is simply a tactic to confuse the enemy. That it also confuses the Canadian public is just a happy bi-product.
  13. gord winters from Canada writes: truth is the first casualty of war.

    defense ministers often follow.

    let's get rid of this old fool.

    dementia and a taste for graft should not entitle you to be defense minister.

    get this loser out of our pockets.

    let's support the troops by having a decent human being in charge of defense at this vital time.
  14. G From Canada from Canada writes: I wonder if Hillier would say the same thing, or is O'Connor just making himslef look like more of an idiot
  15. Alberto Bayo from Canada writes: I heard on the CBC that Harper's government has quietly requested that the 'Van Doos' be kept away from major fighting to avoid casualties and not inflame Quebecers.
  16. A. Canadian from Canada writes: I could not have said it better myself, Barry Johnstone from Vineland. How long will it take for the majority of Canadians to open their eyes?
  17. Richard Roskell from Naramata, Canada writes: The disconnect between Mr. O'Connor and Gen. Hillier is merely a tactical ploy to confuse the enemy. That it also confuses the Canadian public is simply a happy coincidence.
  18. Steve D from St. John's, Canada writes: There never was a contradiction in what O'Connor and Hillier said. G&M and CTV insist on taking it out of context and inform those dumb enough among you what contradiction there 'seems' to be.

    I do not blame Conservatives for not wanting their statements misrepresented. In the media's defense, if the Conservatives would just keep pounding out old foolishness like Mr. Martin liked to do, then the G&M and CTV wouldn't have to make things up to fill their trough.

    Another big non-story.
  19. Dwayne Allan from Canada writes: Barry Johnstone, you pretty muched summed it up. These 'periodic' meetings with the press surely only come after many rehearsals and strict coaching from the masters of spin.(PMO/CPC PR)

    Funny how EVERY news media in the country misread O'Connor's words last week.
  20. Ray X from Ottawa, Canada writes: What a great use of the RCMP, ejecting journalists who are in a hotel lobby just trying to do their jobs.

    What is next, having Revenue Canada audit every journalist, having Canada Custom Agents cavity search every journalist on the way in and out of Canada.

    Is there any length that this control freak will not stoop to in order to try to 'control' his message?

    I can't wait until his reign of error is over, hopefully within the next twelve months.
  21. Paul F. from Toronto, Canada writes: Nice to see that the media can't even be in the same building where the Tory caucus is taking place. What does that tell us?

    The Tory caucus can't resist sticking their feet in their mouths when a microphone is put in front of them?

    What a laughing stock.

    I am glad O'Connor clarified. I nearly sprayed my coffee on my keyboard from laughing out loud. What a moron. If the Tory brainstrust in Calgary is calling for O'Connor to be canned, methinks it would be wise for Harper to act on the advice.

    On the other hand, we should remember what Napoleon said, don't interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
  22. Chris Hay from Regina, SK, Canada writes: In the interest of self-respect, Minister O'Connor should immediately stop taking lessons on communication from the US Attorney-General, Alberto Gonzales. Every time either one of these two grossly incompetent men speak, the end purpose is only to further reinforce the perception of just how idiotic they truly are. I feel for our troops, if the only way this 'new government' can show its support for them is to have a buffoon like O'Connor at the helm. They deserve so much better than that!
  23. Prairie Boy from Canada writes: The CBC? Canada's socialist network? Wait till the next election? If you haven't figured it out yet, there is no opposition except the G&M, CBC and the people holding up legislation. Oh by the way the civil service is pretty nervous too.
  24. aloysuis paczjoskteyochuk from Canada writes: For all you media bashers, if it were not for the medias probing and prying we would have no idea what any of the governments were actually doing. If you do not like the medias reporting then just read your parties information pamphlets and internet web sites and be happy.
    In most political parties whether governing or in opposition , it is usually disgruntled back benchers that tip off the media.
    As Jean Chrietien once remarked ' it is not the MP on the opposition side that I worry about, but the one that is seated behind me'. I'm sure that Stephen Harper feels the same about it, the difference from Chrietien is that Harper courageously tries his best to control his people.
  25. Joe Flow from Canada writes: Reminds me of an old joke that used to circulate when Mulroney was PM, back in the days when 'lying Brian' was his most common moniker;

    Q) how can you tell if Oconnor is lying?

    A) his lips are moving.
  26. a l from Toronto, Canada writes: Not only is the Minister incompetent, he is also delusional. To think that he and Hillier are on the same page, he must be wearing some seriously rose coloured glasses.
  27. Brian Dell from Alberta, Canada writes: So what if Hillier speaks his mind a lot? Why not give the Chief of Defence Staff free speech rights? I am disturbed by the authoritarian mentality of those who think that somebody somewhere needs to pull rank. The public debate over foreign policy in Canada, like that in the US, is better served when the generals have 'permission to speak freely'. So what if the Min of Defence says 'can be done' and the CDS says 'can't'. That's not the same problem as the Min of Defence saying 'do this' and the CDS saying 'no, I won't'. If it was a battle of wills, then, yes, you have a problem, because only one will can prevail. But when it is just a matter of messaging, we are better served by more messages from informed opinion leaders, not less. Finally, General Hillier seems to be an equal opportunity maverick, since he his remarks have been just as unflattering to the previous govt as the current govt. If I was Harper I would just let the matter carry on as is unless Hillier or O'Connor asked me to intervene.
  28. Francesco Sorbara from Toronto, Canada writes: 'Conservative caucus chairman Rahim Jaffer said that the MPs and cabinet ministers have arrived in the Prince Edward Island capital with their families and may feel intimidated by television cameras.'

    Ok so let me get this straight...these are elected representatives from various ridings across canada, that are paid by our tax dollars, who represent us, but please do not ask us (conservatives any questions) as we may feel imtimidated.
    The point of a democratic government is to allow questions to have the right to ask questions and just be told what to do ...i guess that is the way our current p.m. likes to run things ..say as i do and do not ask any questions...you have no right to.
  29. Wall Flower from Ottawa, Canada writes: I find it terribly amusing to see the lengths to which Harper will hide from the media. We now have a Prime Minister using the RCMP to eject the media from hotel lobbies.

    Great optics Prime Minister! Keep it up!

    As for O'Connor, he should have realized what his fate would be once the mission started to go south. Was he not paying attention when Rona Ambrose was turned into a pinata to shield Harpo? It is now his turn to take the heat.

    I wonder if Harper finally took Hillier to the woodshed.
  30. Wall Flower from Ottawa, Canada writes: Francesco, didn't you hear? Elected officials don't talk to the press anymore. Only military officials because under this 'new government' Canada has become a banana republic.
  31. Green Jerry from Canada writes: The Conservative MP's are in PEI to work. They are not there to satisfy the salacious whims of the media. We did have a government who spent every waking hour courting the media and doing pointless interviews just to get face time on tv. They are now in opposition. The media are getting the exact same treatment by trespassing today as they would be if they tried to sneak in to see who Paris Hilton is sleeping with.
  32. Wally Grisold from Toronto, Canada writes: Gordon O'Connor, he should change his name to Donald O'Connor, then at least he would be able to give all of us a real 'Song and Dance', just like in the old movies.
  33. Black Adder from Toronto, Canada writes: 'Reporters have been asked to remain in a room on the third floor of a building across the street....' and here comes to good part: '...where and cabinet ministers who have been permitted to speak publicly are being sent periodically to stand before the cameras'.

    And, if the reporter is seen as the hotel, the RCMP and hotel staff will eject them.

    All hail to the King, his minions and his henchmen (and his clown, Rahim Jaffer)
  34. Jonathan Kilius from Mississauga, Canada writes: Oh, the poor media have to wait across the sreet the horror. Everytime Harper talks to the press it'a a photo-op then when he does not he is sooo secretive.

    Yet I can get every speach on a podcast, every speach is emailed to me along with every press realese. His speeches are on youtube. Whenever there is somthing to say he is there. just b/c the losers in the gossip gallery won't sighn a list is not my fault/

    Whenever there is somthing for a minster to say they are on TV. what the cons don't do is bend over to the press and act like liberals coming out and spining bs everyday.

    But hey it all about the poor media. they have long forgotten the difference between hard news and comment. I don't need my PM on TV everyday.

    Now back over the the whinning Harper haters who have no life but cry everyday like the world is going to end.
  35. ken g from mississuaga, writes: It is understandable why government officials try to limit who talks to the press (or not at all). The press has a history of interpreting (or misinterpreting) what they want to hear and thus print what they want us to see. I guess that is what you call 'Freedom of the Press'.
  36. Freddie Fender from Canada writes: After four consecutive days of silly comments and partisan posturing on this subject on the G&M site, this topic is clearly a non-issue.

    Rather than spending the time to comment ad infinitum on a non-topic, there are more useful activities - volunteer in a hospital, read a real book, cut the grass, etc
  37. L.B. MURRAY from Canada writes: ''RCMP and hotel employees have been ejecting journalists who are found in the hotel lobby.''

    So, Mr Harper says ''we're bringing democracy to Afghanistan'' while the RCMP have been ejecting journalists who are found in the hotel lobby where He and his ''new government'' are meeting.

    What next?? Oh yes... President Bush is coming to Montebello, Quebec, this month and is this a rumour or a fact that the U.S. Army is in charge of this 25km protected zone, right here, in Canada...

    Never mind.... Good day.
  38. L.B. MURRAY from Canada writes: The RCMP ejecting the media from the hotel lobby.
    Mr Harper should use this as a photo-op. LOL
  39. Catherine Wilkie from Canada writes: The RCMP are ejecting the media? Why would the RCMP choose to represent the gov't in this way? Should it not be the PMO's representatives? Preventing the media from coverage of the gov't's caucus in a democracy?
  40. Wall Flower from Ottawa, Canada writes: Harper's Democracy at work! While we send our sons and daughters to get killed to teach the Afghans about democratic processes, our I-am-the-alpha-and-the-omega Prime Minister has the national police drop kicking reporters trying to do their job in hotel lobbies.

    That election just can't soon enough...
  41. diane marie from calgary, Canada writes: Freddie:-- You forgot to add, 'work on one's thesis'.
  42. evelyn robinson from Canada writes: me thinks he speaks with forked tongue. Is he admitting that he is deliberately misleading people by his vague comments?
  43. Biggest Redneck from Somewhere, United States writes: I don't notice anywhere in the article who is asking for the reporters to be out of the lobby.
    Perhaps it is the hotel manager ( just wild speculation ) who doesn't want his lobby filled screeching reporters and flashes from the cameras.
    Putting the media in a room sounds quite civilized actually.
    If I was a guest in the hotel I would appreciate being able to walk across the lobby unhindered.
  44. John Brown from Maritimes, Canada writes: Unfortunately for him, Gord O'Connor the PAPER general is out of his league. I wonder if Canadians realise that a B/Gen in Ottawa is nothing but a glorified coffee boy, even Col's commanding have more pull than an Ottawa B/Gen. As for being in sync with the CDS, not even close, the PM and his O should send Gord back to Airbus to lobby for lucurative government contracts. Wait a minute, didn't the CDS put a stop to the tender process of awarding to the lowest bids. The first C-17 from Boeing is do in soon, then we shall see some freight (equipment) moved. Bye bye Gordo, Harpie has your number now, get set to join Rona on the back bench.
  45. Reg Anderson from Canada writes: Mr. O'Connor spoke to a small group of media who had infiltrated the hotel where the Conservatives are holding their caucus retreat.

    --

    Infitrated?
    INFILTRATED!
    So now our news reporters are 'infiltrators'.

    There are just no words. This is just disgusting!
  46. Al , from Casey Country, NS, Canada writes: Do you think O'Connor will tell Hillier to get rid of the poppy crops? No, I didn't think so. Our soldiers would loose the War Lord's support and we want to make sure when we leave that they have a cash crop to supply 90% of the world demand for heron.

    Either our government is extremely naive or complete idiots!
  47. Stude Ham from Outremont, Canada writes:

    O'connor must be dumped along with hillier... while canadians are being killed off in a'stan these two bigshots are bickering and squabbling incessantly and excessively in public. dump them.

    as for the mounties taking orders from the pmo ... that is a very disturbing sign that the harper is now telling the mounties what to do... in other words... the harper has politicized this once proud police ...

    as for treating the reporters like little dogs or dirt... well their revenge will be unleashed as soon the election writ is dropped... we're already seeing more and more major media organizations print the less than appealing harper stories... this being one of them.


    DUMP HARPER!
  48. Nick Wright from Halifax, Canada writes: 'While tour bus groups freely wandered the lobby of Charlottetown's Delta Hotel, plainclothes Mounties rebuffed reporters.'

    If the hotel is not closed to the public, why are reporters being ejected?

    It is clearly not for security reasons. If security is not the issue, the RCMP is being used purely to prevent the members of a partisan political party from being asked questions by the press.

    Any other party that wants privacy at its gatherings either has to use its own staff or hire security guards. Why is the RCMP being used for a private function at the taxpayer's expense?

    If you extend the logic at work here, we could see plainclothes RCMP officers following Conservative caucus members whenever and wherever they are in public, and continuing to prevent the press from asking any questions.

    Is it traditional for the RCMP to work for the party in power, or is this something new?
  49. Nick B. from Canada writes: John Brown - The CDS did not 'put a stop to the tender process' - that's not within his capacity.
  50. Percy Way from Canada writes: It's so interesting, during the Martin government the dead-heads in the the PMO thought the Conservatives wouldn't have their act together to threaten in an election. It seems that Harper's new PMO staff graduated from the same 'School of Stupid Political Strategy'. Or maybe Martin and Harper are part of the alumni as well?
  51. Dwayne Allan from Canada writes: A political party using the RCMP for security in a situation where bodily harm isn't a threat. Harper would have been screaming about this when he was the opposition leader. Crying about misuse of public servants and the costs of taxpayer dollars in doing so.

    Then again didn't Chretien have to defend himself while the RCMP watched how to do it?
  52. white wolf from tor, Canada writes: Alberto Bayo from Canada writes: I heard on the CBC that Harper's government has quietly requested that the 'Van Doos' be kept away from major fighting to avoid casualties and not inflame Quebecers.

    .............................................................................................................

    now theres the truth of it all, for if the vandoos suffer casualities there goes any hope of good votes in quebec

    you hit it right on the head, its obvious what is going on,

    but the afghan army ought to be out there doing their thing in any case
  53. True North from Canada writes: Harper using the RCMP as his extra-judicial doormen while O'Connor, who has lied so many times he has lost any shred of credibility, is blaming the media for his own incompetence. The CPC circus continues...
  54. True North from Canada writes: Only weeks after the current government appoints a new RCMP commissioner, the force is being used by the government for extra-judicial enforcement, preventing reporters from entering a public area.

    Steve Harper cannot be trusted and is a terrible leader.
  55. Orest Zarowsky from Toronto, Canada writes: So, O'connor and Hillier aren't contradictiung each other. They're just approaching the same target from different (opposite) directions. And we aren't seeing a significant attempt to suppress the press, oh no, not at all. What we are seeing is the protection of the serenity of the MP's families. And we are most certainly not seeing the RCMP being turned into a political police force - a la the KGB. What we are seeing is the RCMP protecting our MPs from intimidation and harrasment by radicals, activists, general no-goodniks and - GASP!!! - Liberals. We certainly can't have that - it would disrupt the process. As for the bogus issue of the press being limited to hort, scripted interviews with MPs who have been - I quote - 'permitted' to spreak to the press, I ask - What is the problem here. After all, the CPC - 'Canada's New Government' - is Open, Transparent and Accountable. They even passed a law that says so. And anyone who asks why it hasn't been proclaimed, and thereby come into force, is a radical leftie agitator at best, more like a Bolshevik Fifth-Columnist. The nerve - actually expecting the CPC to keep its promises and commitments. One more spike through the CPC. Liars that they are.
  56. Katherine Hunter from Victoria, Canada writes: It is not only normal to have difference of opinion, but is healthy. According to Harvard Business School, professional difference of opinion is a healthy sign. But then again, we do not have senior officers within the bureaucracy who speak the truth and provide full disclosure. Just look at Treasury Board sponsored billion dollar boondoggle called the Secure Channel. Speaking the truth wont get you an ambassadorial assignment in Barbados! Hm
  57. Randy Hyland from Winnipeg, Canada writes: The media should all just pack up and leave. Go back to their respective news organizations and tell it like it really is. This Government is a joke and a dictatorship. Give them nothing but bad press and do not report anything that the Government tries to send out to the media. When Harper calls press conferences the media should completely ignore him. Do not be a part of getting out information fro this so called'New Government''
  58. Tim Carter from Toronto, Canada writes: We are angry at O'Connor because he tells the Canadian people the lie they want to hear - that this is an easy and predictable situation that can be dealt with in a methodical manner. Hillier, not the politician, tells the truth. Then some of the Canadian people amplify the lie by then suggesting that there is no situation after all, so let's just get out. I don't think people understand the gravity of this situation, and that we really need to succeed there.
  59. white wolf from tor, Canada writes: Tim Carter from Toronto, Canada writes:
    I don't think people understand the gravity of this situation, and that we really need to succeed there.
    ............................................................................................................
    and how are we going to define success?

    this is not so much different than IRaq,
    their country was invaded by a foreign force by pretty flimsy evidence after 911, (and thats an understatement to be sure)

    they were bombed, (even more so) back into the dark ages by the USA and Britain and that after 30 years of war and also having to fight the russians as well.

    what is success? some security in kabul or kandahar?

    who can one negotiate with to achieve this? These people in sandals will strap a mortar to their back and climb a 10000 foot snow covered mountain on an empty stomach to achieve a military target

    for as long as the gun points towards there can be no peace no real success.
  60. Jim Goodwin from Canada writes: Biggest Redneck, I know the public school system down there is not the best but it was in the headline.
    The fact that reporters are being kept away is not a surprise. Found it funny though to hear Rahim Jaffer say well you get to see us in Ottawa after caucus. This is the most secretive government I have seen in my over half century of life in Canada. At a party barbecue here reporters were kept underneath an awning tent until Mr. Harper was ready to speak to them and then there was nothing of substance just more of the blame game. Even the local MP is not accessible to the public, even when advertised. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36dDbALrY7s). People are not unhappy because of performance, but with all the secretiveness. A party that talked incessantly of openness and tranparency was chosen, but what we have is far different. What do they have to hide? With the opposition in disarray these guys should be in the 60 percent range, but people do not trust them. In order to receive trust you have to give it. Gagging your MPs and not talking to the press is certainly not the way to do it.
  61. dennis Harris from United States writes: Very soon, secret talks between Steven Harper and George Bush will be held on security, transportation, the environment, health care and energy, without the mandate of Parliament and with no public input. Please encourage your friends to write to their MP's and directly to Steven Harper about their concern.
  62. Fred Forest from London, Ontario, Canada writes: Never have we had such incompetence in a minister in such a critical role at such a critical time. Who put him there? I voted Tory. My error.

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