Running the clock
While I was live blogging Lynch’s testimony yesterday I kept being struck by how low the signal to noise ration of her remarks was. After an hour before the Committee I think an objective observer would be hard pressed to to come up with more than a couple of substantive points. She backed her staff with a flat, and unfortunately unchallenged, denial of any wrong doing. She allowed as how a minor revision to the Act to allow early dismissal of complaints which did not meet the Taylor test for hate might be a good idea.
The rest of the time she simply repeated talking points. To the extent that Comartin had to actually tell her to answer the actual question he asked.
It was a purely defensive performance. In hockey terms she kept icing the puck and looking up at the clock.
My own sense is that Lynch does not like confrontation and hates being put on the spot. She prefers to speak to the converted and was not in the least prepared to engage with the Committee. So she ran the clock. And the Committee let her.
Marc Lemire has asked to be invited to appear before the Committee. His story should jolt them out of the fog Lynch laid down.
October 27th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Ah Jay – She did say something I found hilarious = We operate without “fear or favour” (bridge for sale?). That of course is 2/3 that of the RCMP motto “Without Fear, Favour or Affection”
If Warman attended that hearing, I can guarantee that he will be there to hear Lemire. I wonder if his bodyguards will go with him? :)
October 27th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Children, today we are going to colour the Niceness Rabbit on page five. Take out your crayons and be sure to use red more than any other colour. Ezra, be a good boy and sit in the time-out corner for five years. Mark, go to the principal’s office, and wait for me there. Jay, I have to call your parents again. Peter, you won’t make it to grade one at this rate.
October 27th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Why is anyone surprised that Lynch did what any Lawyer would do? Especially a Q.C.
Why is anyone surprised that a Parliamentary committee would let her?
October 27th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
I love the term ‘icing the puck’ – clearly I’m not a hockey fan, but I’m sure I can use at some point.
October 28th, 2009 at 4:38 am
Let’s see who opposes Lemire’s potential testimony …..
October 28th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Lemire, Christie and Warman have as much relevance as witnesses as Lynch. To conclude this commission hearing without their statements and testimony leaves the committee only half informed.