Harper's fallen-soldier policy switch blasted

[tuvor]

Liberal defence critic calls the manner of PM's about-face a 'shabby climbdown'

MICHAEL DEN TANDT

Opposition politicians criticized Prime Minister Stephen Harper yesterday for the way in which he reversed a controversial ban on public access to repatriation ceremonies honouring fallen Canadian soldiers, while several military families said they welcomed the change.

Mr. Harper said Friday that families of soldiers killed overseas -- not the government -- now will decide whether the news media can watch the caskets of their loved one being returned to CFB Trenton. The only caveat is that all families involved in any given ceremony agree.

Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor issued a six-paragraph statement yesterday cementing the change.

"As Minister of National Defence, I have reviewed the policy of having the repatriation ceremony open to the public and therefore accessible to the media," Mr. O'Connor said through a spokesman. "Although I firmly believe this is a very emotional time for the family and solemn event between the family and the Canadian Forces, it is also important that the government of Canada respects the wishes of the grieving family."

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060529.FUNERALS29/TPStory/National

[Spazito]

1. Mr. Dosanjh is right....

"I believe that Mr. Harper's assertion that he had standing instructions to consult with families was a bald-faced lie," Mr. Dosanjh said. The Prime Minister's Office did not respond to a request for comment yesterday.


Harper is showing another bush trait, the inability to admit he was wrong and, instead, blames others for his mistakes.

[IntravenousDemilo]

2. Remember Stockwell Day and his confusion about which direction the

St Lawrence flows? Didn't he try to pin his own ignorance on some staffer?

Seems to be a pattern with these guys.

[Spazito]

3. Good point! Blaming someone else for their own mistakes must

be a prerequisite in the course studies on how be be a good neoconservative.

[glarius]

4. It proves...once again....Harper is a LIAR!

He lied about the Ottawa Press Corps and their fight with him. He said they wouldn't allow their members to ask him questions. A LIE...as Terry Milewski pointed out to him in B.C....And he lied about giving orders that the families would make the decision as to whether media would be present for the return of their dead soldiers. Any change has come since Mr. Goddard made his statement at his daughter's funeral. THE MAN IS A CONGENITAL LIAR!!