Don't ask me details...I just know I'm innocent

CIA Director Rejects Pelosi's Charge That CIA Misled Her
From The Washington Post

CIA Director Leon Panetta today rejected House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's charge that the agency misled her in 2002 about its use of waterboarding and other coercive interrogation methods on suspected terrorists.

Panetta, who took office as President Obama's CIA chief in February, reasserted the agency's claim that it told congressional leaders about the use of such methods during a closed-door briefing in September 2002. Pelosi (D-Calif.) has acknowledged attending the briefing but says she was told only that the CIA was considering the use of waterboarding, or simulated drowning.

"It is not our policy or practice to mislead Congress," Panetta said in a message released today to agency employees. A copy was obtained by The Washington Post.

"At every step of the way, the administration was misleading the Congress," Pelosi said in a news conference.

Well...if this is true it would certainly explain why the Democrats weren't too hasty to go after Cheney and Bush on torture. (Especially when the left keeps harping about waterboarding.) It would seem like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says no to waterboarding publicly for votes - but behind closed doors realizes it may be effective so says nothing. From her perspective, at least she didn't order it so her hands are clean. If waterboarding turns out to be helpful she can't be blamed for originally not supporting it and if it doesn't work out she can always say "well I was never really for it".

It equates to having someone else do your dirty work while you sit back and take the moral high road, meanwhile reaping the very benefits at the same time. She certainly can't sit back and be suddenly appauled of the acts after knowing waterboarding was occuring. Unlike the Dhalla case where it based only on two nannies allegations, here we have the CIA claiming she knew.

Here is Nancy Pelosi flustered:

So....Michael Ignatieff IS a leader?

New "attack" ads against Liberal leader Micahel Ignatieff have been released from the Conservative Party of Canada. I'm not too sure how they're going to sit with Canadians though. That strategy did not seem to go too well for McCain against Obama (yes....Obama had some attack ads against McCain too, but they weren't criticized in the media as excessively).

Now I don't think attack ads are unfair. If a new leader wants to tax the heck out of us, is insane, or dangerous - there is nothing wrong with getting that message across to Canadians. BUT - any ads should be relevant to campaigning and not over the top. You can go after another leader in an ad without completely smearing them (although it is true it may not have the desired impact in only 30 seconds).

I find it interesting that Conservative ads went after Stephane Dion for not being a leader, yet the ads for Ignatieff do not. Are they implying he comes off as good leadership potential so they need to go after something else? Or is it that calling someone "not a leader" has already been done and won't have the same punch the second time?

The "economy" ad against Ignatiff is relatively reasonable as it tackles relevant issues. I haven't really looked into the Ignatieff quotes they use in it yet, but I think it's a fair assumption that there is some spin injected into the ad. Either way, it's fair game. The "arrogance" ad against Ignatieff is a little ridiculous and seems like a shameless personal attack. Overall I don't think any less of Ignatieff and any better or worse of the Conservatives for the ads.

Miss Californ-YEEEEEAH

Donald Trump has made it official and Carrie Prejean (Miss California) will be allowed to keep her crown. Why this was news? I have no idea. It all started when she gave an answer left wingers did not like regarding gay marriage. Directly following this she was put on the defensive for using her freedom of speech and not giving them a sugar coated lie of an answer. During this "controversy" photos magically appeared of Prejean without a top - but covered by crossed arms. The timing of the photos appearing seems more than just a coincidence and likely a sought after attempt to make her look bad because of her earlier answer. It's a little ridiuclous it got this far, but it is good The Donald did the right thing and let her keep her position. She probably was robbed of the Ms USA title too, but that's they way it goes.

It was interesting to see that Americans who voted for Barack Obama were against Prejean for her comments. The president has consistently made similar comments on gay marriage. Did they go after her because she is a Christian Conservative? I would think likely since I can't think of another reason why they were selective in their distaste.

Here are Prejean and Obama defining marriage:

Either it's this sushi....or Nannygate smells fishy

From CityNews.ca

The reaction to "Nannygate," as it's been dubbed by some, remains split. Some are sure Brampton-Springate Liberal MP Ruby Dhalla is innocent. Others doubt her veracity. And a few simply don't know what to make of it all....

"Just the fact that it keeps coming out in the press, it's going to damage her reputation," adds Brian Sheffield.....

Conservative candidate Parm Gill, who lost to Dhalla by less than a thousand votes in the 2008 federal election, says the story has put new wind beneath his political wings, and he intends to challenge her again when the opportunity comes. ....

Meanwhile, some are using the controversy to try to improve the lot of newcomers to Canada. One group maintains the situation the workers are describing is very typical for many new immigrants in the province.

"I don't think the people who came forward had a motive to tarnish someone," believes Agatha Mason of Intercede Toronto, a non-profit organization whose website says is designed to "promote the rights of domestic workers, caregivers, temporary or migrant workers."

Something doesn't smell right here. I was initially thinking Dhalla was likely guilty, or at least of some crimes. It initially seemed unusual that three nannies all happen to come forward one year after and at the same time. After seeing the press conference it didn't sound right. At least some of the nannies allegations were essentially disproven with documentation - even disproving one allegation already should make people scratch their heads about this. You can see the clip here: Dhalla and lawyer address allegations

It seems as though this has been a massive marketing scheme so well packaged. Somehow we should be upset that the nannies shined shoes? It tugs on the heart strings to think of poor immigrants shining shoes - but it is not an unreasonable duty to perform. Working overtime is. Performing house duties you and I would not like isn't. But it is very effective at getting our compassion. I wonder if these women were promised citizenship if they came forward about this OR were told by agenices they would get compassionate grounds for staying in the country from their alleged ordeal.

Jim Balsillie vs "Darth" Bettman

From 680 News
Jaime Pulfer and 680News staff Toronto

Toronto - It's going to be a showdown between BlackBerry billionaire Jim Balsillie and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman in bankruptcy court, Thursday.

Teams of lawyers will battle out the fate of the Phoenix Coyotes and the pre-negotiated sale to Balsillie, who wants to bring the team to southern Ontario, apparently to Hamilton........

Cox said Bettman has been embarrassed by this deal done behind his back, and that he has the majority of the NHL's governors and owners on his side.

Bettman wants the Coyotes to stay in Arizona and has been working with Chicago real estate baron and White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf to make that happen.

But, behind Bettman's back, a deal was in the works with Balsillie to move the team to Hamilton without any penalty from the Toronto Maple Leafs for infringing on their territorial rights.

Bettman seems to get less likeable by the day. He may get his way, but this time it looks like Balsillie may have a better chance than his last two attempts to acquire an NHL team. Business strategy may trump Bettman's personal pride though.

Does Southern Ontario - most likely Toronto - need a second team? Would it be successful? I would think so based on the population size and interest. I haven't heard anyone in the public opposed to the idea yet. A lot of commentators have remarked that Toronto may be more feasible than Hamilton.

Random hockey fight with Coyotes' Josh Gratton knocking out David Koci:

"Will you put Ruby Dhalla in jail?"...NDP loon asks

From London Free Press
By ANTONELLA ARTUSO, QUEEN'S PARK BUREAU CHIEF

"Will you put Ruby Dhalla in jail?" - that was the question asked by NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo in the Ontario legislature this morning.

DiNovo was demanding action from Ontario Labour Minister Peter Fonseca in the case of the Liberal MP accused by her two nannies of exploitation.

DiNovo said the caregivers claim they were forced to work 12-15 hours a day for sub-minimum wages, and had their passports withheld from them by their employer.

While I think Ms. Dhalla should be punished if she is found guilty of a crime, Ms. DiNovo is either doing this to get political points from her base or she's a nutjob. The woman acts like there's video footage of Dhalla drowning puppies in her backyard. Obviously this should be looked into, just like any other alledged mistreatment case should be. Why does the NDP think they are the police? Allegations don't exactly give you a two year prison sentence.

I think we still need more information. The media seems to be making it seem as though Ms. Dhalla was beating the nannies. At the worse case she made them work long hours and paid them below minimum wage. An average worker in Ontario would quit their job and work somewhere else but apparently these non-documented workers make better victims for people like the NDP to market. These weren't exactly slaves sold to the Dhalla family.

I also wonder if the nannies are really the victims that Ms. DiNovo and others who can capitalize on this situation want them to be. How do we know the nannies aren't complaining to get sympathy and gain compassionate grounds to stay in the country?

Obviously it could turn out that the nannies are sad innocent victims against big mean Ruby Dhalla...but at this time it seems unreasonable to start making bold claims.

Some video of Ms. DiNovo if you haven't heard of her:

Welcome to North By Northeast

It's time for some clarity of what is going on in the world. All too frequent there is bias reporting misleading statements, and a lack of accountability. This blog will cover anything happening in the news - be it political, sports, or entertainment. Biggest focus will be on Canada and US politics. I have a lot of opinions - but I try to use sense and read between the lines. This blog will critically appraise what we all should know. Will also post some entertaining photos and videos from the net. Once again welcome!