Daily Archive

Needs more kittehs to improve political image.

Sometimes I think it would have been better if we had actually passed our own Canadian Patriot Act.  At least we would have a predictable baseline of oppression of every day Canadians not to mention a political target to take action on.  Rather, we have the chaotically raging adolescent security boner the Harper government occasionally plays with and thus leaves me unsure of just when its going to go off and make a mess of things (looking at you bill C-51.)

This latest story of the PM’s own propaganda hacks exposing Canadian soldiers and their families to possible violent retaliation leaves me wondering how to categorize this particular brain-fart properly.  Is it the usual arrogance of our PM, safely ensconced in his warm fuzzy blanket of narcissism or is it just the PMO drones slavishly making stupid mistakes?

“Another video showing the faces of Canadian military personnel has surfaced on the prime minister’s website, just days after his office was forced to remove two similar videos that potentially endangered soldiers’ lives.

This time, however, the video seems to have been posted with the approval of the military.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s staff took down two videos shot in Iraq and Kuwait because they risked identifying Canadian Forces members and exposing them and their families to possible attacks.”

You would think that our war loving PM would be a little more in touch with the concept of Operational Security.  Opening up our soldiers to retribution because he needs to be seen on the battlefield isn’t exactly the best PR move in the book.  This wasn’t rocket science the media that wasn’t a part of the PMO personal propaganda squad had very strict instructions.

“Media travelling to Iraq and Kuwait with Harper were required to sign a five-page agreement pledging to uphold operational security. Among other things, the agreement instructed reporters not to publish photographs that could identify any personnel “who are not designated spokespersons.”

“Publication or inadvertent dissemination has the potential to jeopardize operations and endanger lives,” the document warned.”

So I think we can reasonable rule out ignorance in this case.  Hubris and stupidity are making a comeback as far as the reasons for this security breach are concerned.

“CBC News has confirmed the military never screened or approved the 24 Seven videos as initially claimed.

The Prime Minister’s Office admitted it had made a mistake. Rob Nicol, the prime minister’s director of communications, issued a statement expressing regret and promising to review PMO protocols for posting images online.

Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Tom Lawson also issued a statement, saying that after reviewing the two videos, the military determined they presented only a low risk. But he said they should not have been posted.”

Whoops.  Stupidity confirmed.  The necessity to provide hate-fap propaganda to the Harper faithful apparently out-weights the risks to the Canadian soldiers in said propaganda.  It’s always refreshing to know where your government stands on the safety of Canadians.

“The opposition has been scathing in its criticism of the government throughout the whole affair. NDP defence critic Jack Harris Friday accused the government of being more concerned about “the prime minister’s propaganda” than the safety of Canadian troops.

“They had about four or five different stories,” Harris said, “and they never did acknowledge that they misled the Canadian people.”

I’m completely shocked that the PMO’s office would flagrantly abuse the security of Canadians for political gains.  Do keep in mind the lovely juxtaposition of this same government bringing in legislation to spy on Canadians (bill C-51) ostensibly to tighten domestic security and enhance public safety.

Way to lead by example Steve!  Keep up the good work, I’m feeling safer already!

[Source:CBC]