Do you mean Liberal Beshpin? Please elaborate.

That is scary.

I am glad that Paul Kennedy released his findings before he left and before he was given "permission".

Another example of Harper throwing his weight around.  Borrowing Pinga's comment from another column "this doesn't feel Canadian".  Very very scary times, and where the hell is our opposition? 

They are fighting among themselves.

They are fighting to get some headway against the Conservatives. I don't know details on the Libs or the BQ but I do know that the NDP has been working hard on a number of issues to try to stem the right-wing tide that seems to be sweeping our country. Regardless of whether or not the Conservatives have a majority, when most Canadians don't want an election, any party that tries to defeat them will be the party that is blamed for our government falling.

It's really not the fault of the opposition that the voters of the country happened to have given Stephen Harper and his ilk power over the rest. In fact, voters made their voices quite loud and clear about the opposition plan to try and steer this country in a different direction (the coalition). So now Canadians are having to play with the hand that they've dealt themselves. Too bad we didn't take advantage of an opportunity -- we are going to have to work very hard to overturn this government, and its agenda. Frankly, I don't see the majority of Canadians engaging in the work that will result in change anytime soon.

You're not likely in one of the "left wing radical groups" by virtue of being a member of a visible minority, a woman, an aboriginal person, a person with a disability, or a gay or lesbian.

While I realize that the hardships you have endured because of your live's circumstances have not been easy (and hopefully you've had help through it, from the community around you such as extended family, teachers, ministers, for example), the measure of a healthy society is in inclusion. To me, that includes how we treat our weakest members (children, seniors, etc) but also in how well we acknowledge that differences can and do lead to inequality. Being orphaned is a traumatic experience...hopefully, you did receive support and care from the extended community around you.

I would question your statement that you're not asking anyone to do anything you haven't already done. You haven't had to overcome racism or homophobia for example. You presumably haven't been threatened with rape or actually raped, which is a risk that women constantly face. Presumably, you didn't get the help you needed when being raised by a parent with mental illness but that should be something that children in our society can rely on. These are all the kinds of things I am addressing in terms of ways that people are marginalized and discriminated against and this is something that government can and should be addressing. Social location does have a bearing on our lives and my belief is that we can help alleviate some of the negative ways it has an impact on people.

As well, these public watchdogs ensure that our government is acting in ways that we establish as opposed to acting in ways that are partisan. For example, in this example, we are talking about the Military Police Complaints Commission -- if this agency isn't doing its job or if its findings are being swept under the rug, how well are we, as a country, ensuring that our departments are doing the jobs we (through our elected officials) are asking them to do? They are our "eyes" and essential to the well-being of our country.