Klein leads tribute to Fraser Institute

[CHIMO]

Calgary - The Fraser Institute, one of the country's best-known think tanks, threw itself a 30th birthday party Tuesday, with a number of the country's best-known conservatives paying tribute.


More than 1,100 people paid $300 to hear Premier Ralph Klein, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, former Ontario premier Mike Harris and Reform Party founder Preston Manning talk about how the Fraser Institute has influenced political thought in Canada.

Klein said he took a page from the institute's book of free markets, small government and low taxes when he took office 12 years ago.

The Fraser Institute does have its critics, from politicians to academics, who say it's more of a pro-business lobby than a think tank.

http://edmonton.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=ed_fraser20041013

[Maple]

1. The Fraser Institute

gives 'institutes' a bad name.

I like the way they credit themselves with what govts around the world were already doing though. And yes, they've already started 'Harping' on health and education.

[HEyHEY]

2. In Vancouver the Fraser Institute and the Georgia Straight are in the same

Building. Consequently there are many arguments in the elevators. IN fact the Straight employees refer to it as "The dink tank"

[dancing kali]

3. Really?

I'd love to be on those elevators. My husband once got slammed by the Fraser Institute. I'm so proud of him. The Fraser Institute is nothing more than a bunch of raving loonies who should be the first against the wall when the revolution comes.

[HEyHEY]

4. Yeah - it must be fun in that smoking area too

Remember when the fraser institute tried to say smoking was good for you.

I don't know why so much stock is put into their bullshit.

[dancing kali]

5. Too bad they aren't

smoking BC's finest.

[iverglas]

6. well

They'd be putting money in Liberal pockets, if they were smoking BC's finest. ;)

Anybody kept track of what's happening to Basi? Or got any more details about any other aspect of the whole sordid business? I can't believe the teflon that everybody seems to have been wearing through it all.