Military warned of fallout from MacKay chopper ride
- Thread starter mentalfloss
- Start date
May be it was Ploughman.
Lie is your interpretation though.
Under the guise, could just as easily mean "sure we'll give him a demo, under the guise of a training exercise."
Without the whole story, anything you come up with, is subjective.
One thing's for sure, he'd never have done that if they were still using the Sea Kings, it would be way too risky.
That has obviously already happened at some time previous to this thread. This would explain the contents of their leaky brain baskets.
And you're just as stupid if you think the same thing didn't happen under the majorities of Chretien, Mulroney, Trudeau and others prior to them. Harper isn't any different than the majorities that have come before, except his opposition (as has been pointed out) lacks experience. Politicians love their boondoggles. MacKay could justify this a couple different ways, and some idiots are wound up about this far too much.
And Petros, the stories don't necessarily clash, they more probably juxtapose, but in 3 ways instead of 2:
- MacKay had a contract meeting to be at
- SAR exercises were being held
- MacKay wanted to play and see what it was like being hoisted out of the boondocks
Now the only one of the three that is dubious is the last, BUT as Minister of Defence, he is also entitled to some leeway to gain an understanding of the needs of the Armed Forces and personal experience with situations can be a great educator.
Bottom line: whether it was $16K or $32K (depending on the sources quoted in this thread), the cost wasn't astronomical, especially in light of what politicos routinely spend during the course of running the country.
And you're right Nuggler, I don't place much credence in Op-Ed's from the CBC: their conjecture is boring and repetitive, rife with poor assumptions and with only occasional roots in reality.
Let it go guys.
This is a non-story. Guys.. guys.. let it go guys..
Let the non-story go guys.
It's a non-story.
Let it go.
Let it go guys.
This is a non-story. Guys.. guys.. let it go guys..
Let the non-story go guys.
It's a non-story.
Let it go.
Let it go guys.
Government of Canada Awards LAV III Upgrade Definition Contract to General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada
July 9, 2010 by Jeffrey Bradford · Comment
Filed under: Canada, General Dynamics, Syndicated Industry News
Government of Canada Awards LAV III Upgrade Definition Contract to General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada
July 9, 2010
LONDON, Ontario, -The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, announced today that the Government of Canada has awarded a $34.4 million contract to General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada. Under this contract, General Dynamics will perform trade-off studies, design work, prototype build and testing to define the upgrades that will be incorporated into Canada's fleet of LAV III vehicles. The resultant upgrade package will enhance LAV III performance in the areas of survivability, mobility and firepower.
"With this contract, we are now able to evolve the LAV III to an even higher standard of performance," said Dr. Sridhar Sridharan, senior vice-president of General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada. "The end product will be a much more capable and better protected vehicle ready to take on the threats and challenges of current and future battlefields."
Once the Government of Canada has authorized the implementation of the upgrade package, significant work will be performed at General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada facilities in London, Ontario, and Edmonton, Alberta, as well as the company's nationwide network of over 400 Canadian suppliers. All regions of Canada will benefit from this work.
Read more: Canada | Defense Procurement News
MacKay's big yellow taxi
No excuse for taking search and rescue copter out of service
It was bad enough that Defence Minister Peter MacKay used a searchand-rescue helicopter as a taxi service. But to cover it up is demeaning to him, to taxpayers, to the House of Commons and, especially, to the dedicated military personnel who questioned it.
Taking a search-and-rescue helicopter out of service to pick him up at a fishing lodge is, frankly, appalling. As opposition members asked Friday, would MacKay use an ambulance as a taxi?
In e-mails uncovered under access-to-information requests, search-and-rescue personnel crossed their fingers after the request came in to pick up MacKay and hoped for "a slow night" so that the helicopter - one of three stationed in the area - wouldn't be needed for a rescue mission.
This is worse than Canada's top general using government jets to whisk him about the country.
This is like taking a fire truck off the street and using it as a limousine for a cabinet minister.
The issue is not that cabinet ministers should never use military aircraft. Pilots need to log airtime to stay sharp. If a minister can hitch a ride, it's not a big deal. But when a minister orders one up when he's on a fishing vacation, and there is a chance that public safety could be compromised by diminished search-andrescue capabilities, that is inexcusable.
MacKay has long argued that he used the helicopter as part of a planned search-andrescue exercise in July 2010, but recently released Defence Department e-mails suggest otherwise. One military official said in an e-mail that they would use the "guise" of a training mission to explain why the helicopter was sent to pick up MacKay.
The e-mails are damning. They show officials scrambling to accommodate MacKay's request to be picked up at a private fishing lodge at the end of a vacation and expressed concern that the Cormorant chopper might be needed for a real rescue mission.
In one e-mail, a colonel suggested that picking up MacKay could become a serious public relations headache.
"So, when the guy who's fishing at the fishing hole next to the minister sees the big yellow helicopter arrive and decides to use his cellphone to video the minister getting on board and post it on YouTube, who will be answering the mail on that one?" the e-mail asks. "If we are tasked to do this, we of course will comply," said the colonel. "Given the potential for negative press though, I would likely recommend against it."
The cost of the Cormorant helicopter to take MacKay from the fishing lodge to the airport in Gander, Nfld., so he could board a waiting Challenger jet, was $16,000. MacKay could have taken a 90-minute boat ride followed by a 30-minute drive. Worse yet, MacKay had to be winched into the aircraft due to lack of landing space at the lodge, which is owned by one of his friends. The minister should apologize.
No excuse for taking search and rescue copter out of service
It was bad enough that Defence Minister Peter MacKay used a searchand-rescue helicopter as a taxi service. But to cover it up is demeaning to him, to taxpayers, to the House of Commons and, especially, to the dedicated military personnel who questioned it.
Taking a search-and-rescue helicopter out of service to pick him up at a fishing lodge is, frankly, appalling. As opposition members asked Friday, would MacKay use an ambulance as a taxi?
In e-mails uncovered under access-to-information requests, search-and-rescue personnel crossed their fingers after the request came in to pick up MacKay and hoped for "a slow night" so that the helicopter - one of three stationed in the area - wouldn't be needed for a rescue mission.
This is worse than Canada's top general using government jets to whisk him about the country.
This is like taking a fire truck off the street and using it as a limousine for a cabinet minister.
The issue is not that cabinet ministers should never use military aircraft. Pilots need to log airtime to stay sharp. If a minister can hitch a ride, it's not a big deal. But when a minister orders one up when he's on a fishing vacation, and there is a chance that public safety could be compromised by diminished search-andrescue capabilities, that is inexcusable.
MacKay has long argued that he used the helicopter as part of a planned search-andrescue exercise in July 2010, but recently released Defence Department e-mails suggest otherwise. One military official said in an e-mail that they would use the "guise" of a training mission to explain why the helicopter was sent to pick up MacKay.
The e-mails are damning. They show officials scrambling to accommodate MacKay's request to be picked up at a private fishing lodge at the end of a vacation and expressed concern that the Cormorant chopper might be needed for a real rescue mission.
In one e-mail, a colonel suggested that picking up MacKay could become a serious public relations headache.
"So, when the guy who's fishing at the fishing hole next to the minister sees the big yellow helicopter arrive and decides to use his cellphone to video the minister getting on board and post it on YouTube, who will be answering the mail on that one?" the e-mail asks. "If we are tasked to do this, we of course will comply," said the colonel. "Given the potential for negative press though, I would likely recommend against it."
The cost of the Cormorant helicopter to take MacKay from the fishing lodge to the airport in Gander, Nfld., so he could board a waiting Challenger jet, was $16,000. MacKay could have taken a 90-minute boat ride followed by a 30-minute drive. Worse yet, MacKay had to be winched into the aircraft due to lack of landing space at the lodge, which is owned by one of his friends. The minister should apologize.
I am not at all surprised that all the brain-dead neo-con supporters on here are willing to give Harpo and his crew of liars a free pass on anything.
Truth of this story is...
1- The total cost of shuttling Mackay from his fishing hole to London and then back to a party in NB was $153,000.
2-The not-so-honorable minister knew well in advance of the commitments to be in these locations at these times yet decided not to have planned his travel, or his vacation, accordingly and used our military resources and taxpayer funds for his own personal benefit.
3- Harpo needs to keep the PC wing of his party sweet on him so is trying to downplay this abuse of the taxpayers and authority by Mackay and cover it up.
Now I seem to remember how a big part of the original platform of the reformers was to make big changes in Ottawa and have a less wasteful and more accountable government. I am seeing a huge failure on both of those promises in this story. I guess it really does make it painfully obvious that the easy way to tell when ANY politician is lying is to see if his lips are moving. The Con-man party we now have in a majority government are proving to be just that, con-men. They are trying to fool us with lies and half truths over this story. They are trying to fool us with lies and half truths over the budget and deficit spending. And they have fooled a huge percentage of the population into believing they are different from other politicians and are actually representing and care about the people who vote for them.
Best wishes to all you staunch supporters of this idiot PM and his crew of morons. I hope you enjoy the feeling as you too get screwed by your 'friends' in Ottawa. BTW, for those that still don't see the problem with this story. Do you enjoy the smell whilst you have your head up your ass?
Truth of this story is...
1- The total cost of shuttling Mackay from his fishing hole to London and then back to a party in NB was $153,000.
2-The not-so-honorable minister knew well in advance of the commitments to be in these locations at these times yet decided not to have planned his travel, or his vacation, accordingly and used our military resources and taxpayer funds for his own personal benefit.
3- Harpo needs to keep the PC wing of his party sweet on him so is trying to downplay this abuse of the taxpayers and authority by Mackay and cover it up.
Now I seem to remember how a big part of the original platform of the reformers was to make big changes in Ottawa and have a less wasteful and more accountable government. I am seeing a huge failure on both of those promises in this story. I guess it really does make it painfully obvious that the easy way to tell when ANY politician is lying is to see if his lips are moving. The Con-man party we now have in a majority government are proving to be just that, con-men. They are trying to fool us with lies and half truths over this story. They are trying to fool us with lies and half truths over the budget and deficit spending. And they have fooled a huge percentage of the population into believing they are different from other politicians and are actually representing and care about the people who vote for them.
Best wishes to all you staunch supporters of this idiot PM and his crew of morons. I hope you enjoy the feeling as you too get screwed by your 'friends' in Ottawa. BTW, for those that still don't see the problem with this story. Do you enjoy the smell whilst you have your head up your ass?
How much was a charter? $2500 tops?
If Military and branches thereof are so ****ing expensive maybe it's time to privatize the works except for the soldiering part? That would make for an interesting thread.
If Military and branches thereof are so ****ing expensive maybe it's time to privatize the works except for the soldiering part? That would make for an interesting thread.
Nick- this is nothing new- the last majority gov't. we had in Canada that wasn't saturated with crooks was the Diefenbaker Gov't. and than was 1958!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm not a supporter of this PM, but I don't see anything wrong with this.
The only thing I smell is the rot from the empty cavity where your brain used to be. Try some Febreeze.