The End

Our Summary to The Dark Side of Politics

In our tenth and final week of researching the dark side of politics to provide all you readers with insight into dirty North American politics, we certainly have been enlightened. Researching scandals in the political sphere has opened our eyes about what often goes on behind closed doors and also about what is meant to remain secret to the public. As citizens, it had made us wonder about what else really goes on in Ottawa and in Washington. Because we have easy access to so many forms of new outlets and media, we have also learned how to intelligently sift through them, distinguishing the legitimate from the amateur. Credibility is everything and verification and transparency of  reporting is what makes the stories we chose for our blog worth-while. We hope that you have learned something by reading our blog and that we have inspired you to continue to search for stories like these. 

The Liberal Leader's a Hypocrite?

Opinion


Industry Minister Tony Clement has accused the Liberal Leader of being a hypocrite over the intended purchase by the Canadian government of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.


Read More Here!

Dancing With Bristol Palin

Analysis

A "Dancing with the Stars" fan was very upset after learning that Bristol Palin managed to survive another week on the show. So upset he shot his T.V screen and is now being charged with" reckless endagerment and use of a dangerous weapon"

Read More!

Norman Spector's Political Views

Opinion

Norman Spectors political blog is much like what we do here. Spector takes a look at today's News stories from around Canada and other parts of the globe. Looking at more negative political moves. This week Norman focused on Mr. Harpers possible retirement plans and CBC's media war.

Read the Blog Here!

Debate Over TSA's New Security Procedure

News Report

There are many political debates over a new security procedure introduced by TSA which involves having every inch of the body scanned or checked. Passengers can choose not to go through the “naked body scanner” which was introduced earlier, but must undergo a “pat-down”. This involves patting the breasts of women and the passenger’s genital areas. Obviously, the passengers aren’t too happy about this.

Click here for more detail on this story!

Decision Points

Analysis


There's been a lot of buzz and many mixed emotions regarding George Bush's new book "Decision Points". Read more to find out exactly what people think about it.


Article Here!

Did Politics Help Bristol Palin Survive on 'Dancing With the Stars'?

News Report

Bristol Palin, politician Sarah Palin’s daughter, remained on hit TV show ‘Dancing with the Stars’ although she had low scores compared to other dancers. Many viewers stated that she was not that great of a dancer and became suspicious when she survived many weeks on the show. But singer/dancer Brandy’s elimination on Tuesday night was the last straw and fingers began to point to Sarah Palin and her supporters.

Click here for more!

“Decision Point” - George W. Bush’s Somewhat Honest Biography

News Report


Through out his new book the 43^rd U.S President speaks of his mistakes, and reasoning’s for the decisions he made in his eight years in office. However, with the 222, 000 copies sold on day 1, readers are finding a challenge in keeping the book in one piece. Historians say Bush was one of the worst presidents in history, is this book further proof?


Read Article Here!

Miss World Victory Influenced by Politics?

News Report

During the 2010 "Miss World" beauty contest, allegations were made against the winner Miss Alexandria Mills from the United States, who was believed to have a seven to one chance of winning, while other contestants were considered more eligible. Reports claim that politics were involved in the results and that Miss Norway had a better chance of winning and was the favourite, who did not even make it to the top five.

Click here for more detail on this story!

Gordon Campbell Fears "Dirty Politics" Will Discourage People From Getting Jobs in Public Office

News Report

After politician Gordon Campell's resignation, he expressed his concern that less people would get into public office due to the frequent competition between politicians. He says that politicians are too busy competing with one another to cover other important issues and concerns that are raised in today's society. Campell believes this makes people assume that getting into politics is a headache, which will ultimately discourage them from looking for jobs in public office.

Click here for more information!

Poor Treatment of Fallen Soldier

News Report

Stuart Langridge was an active member in Canadian Army forces, however early in March of 2008 he committed suicide in his army barracks after multiple previous attempts. Today his family still does not have a moment to grieve because of the government and military's treatment. After losing his will, and neglecting to tell Stuart's family of his previous suicide letters the government has yet to return his pension contributions. Is this the way our fallen soldiers and their families should be treated?

Click here to continue reading!

Fraud Leads To Charges

Analysis


Banks loan money to small businesses and that money is being spent on hookers, booze, cars, and partying. 13 men charged for spending taxpayers money the wrong way.


Read More!

Free Trade With Europe Bad For Canada

News Report

Canada is repelling Europe’s request for free trade between the two countries. Studies have shown that Canada imports more from Europe than exports to Europe. This would ultimately result in an enormous loss of jobs. Research done by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives has proven that the free trade agreement would not be beneficial, which also indicated that Canada would lose up to 150 000 jobs.

         

         

Want to read more about this? Click here!

Money Well Wasted

News Report

Plans for temporary meeting rooms for MP's are costing Canadians over 20 million dollars. While further future plans for a new parliament building and long term renovations are looking to cost billions. And although citizens argue that entire new buildings could be created with these funds, plans are still on the go. 

Click here to read more about the where-abouts of Canadian taxpayers money...

U.S Fails to Support Canada?

News Report

Last week while Canada attempted to secure a seat on the UN Security Council, the United States "sat on it's hands" during votes for their Northern Neighbour, instead giving their vote to Portugal. Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary of State PJ Crowley continues to admit the decision.

Click to Read the Interview!

Canadian Government Calls for Investigations in Ethiopia

News Report

After providing millions of dollars in aid to Ethiopia, the Canadian government fears that Ethiopia is using this aid to increase the power of the ruling political party. Accusations had been made which suggested that the ruling party was castigating those who were against it and rewarding those who were supporting it using this money. The main concern of the federal government was that the aid was being used to increase the power of the ruling party and to eliminate political disagreement instead of for the benefit of Ethiopians in need.

Click here for more!

U.N Security Council

Analysis


Canada failed to secure seats on the U.N Security Council, loosing to Portugal. Other Countries elected were Germany, India, South Africa and Columbia. 


Read More!

Europe Terror

News Report

This article written by Asif Shazad and Paisley Dodds ran in the Globe and Mail towards the end of September. The story focuses on British and German citizens, now in Pakistan planning terroist attacks on European cities. Paris and the eiffel tower being one location of various threats. Secondly the article describes previous discoveries of Pakistan terriost training centres for al-Queda and Taliban with European members.

Click here!

Shabalala Scandal

News Report

Sipho Shabalala, chief Executive Officer in KwaZulu-Natal provincial government was liable for an R169 Million worth Scam- Involvement. Many accusations were made against him and after investigators looked into the alleged forgery, they came to the conclusion that Shabalala was accountable. He abused the rules and regulations by signing a R169 million worth deal to Bhombe Chitey Construction and Projects. Sipho told the press that the cabinet ministry had given this contract as a reward to the company but this scam was exposed during business times. Other company members were also involved such as MEC Zweli Mkhize, who was trying to economically gain a lot of money and had inclined his co-members to “seal the deal”. The executive proprietor, Vukani Nxasana, was blakmailed by Sipho Shabalala to sign the contract, which further shows that co-workers were involved. According to reports, Sipho has taken the issue to the court and further investigations are still being done.

The Full Story Here!

Afghan Vote Rigging

Analysis

There has been new evidence concerning Afghanistan’s 2010 parliamentary elections. Voter turn-out exceeded an impossible 600% in the southeast district of Warmamai clearly indicating election fraud. Many are now questioning the legitimacy of Afghanistan’s election this year and over 500 deaths have been reported since polls closed last Saturday. The country’s “shaky democracy” will make it hard for the Obama administration to continue portraying the image of a new and independent Afghanistan. 

Click Here!

Afghan Vote Rigging

​News Report


This article taken from New Zealand news speaks on Afghanistan’s recent election September 18th 2010. The election was for Afghans Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament. Officials received thousands of complaints due to the unfair voting, a repeating dilemma for the Afghanistan nation.

Learn more!

President Ahmadinejad's speech angers U.S delegates

News Report 

During President Ahmadinejad's UN address in New York, US delegates began to protest. The president’s speech was about how the US government was responsible for 9/11 and all the attacks. His statement was "abhorrent and delusional” according to the US. During this speech, President Ahmadinejad discussed political criticism and terrorism. He also discussed how nuclear disarmament should take place in 2001. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also expressed his view in which he believed that the world order and capitalism were unbeneficial. He declared that people such as prophets should be the ones to lead the world. The president also stated that the US government was the only one that had blamed Al-Qaeda for the attacks. The president said "The majority of the American people as well as most nations and politicians around the world agree with this view". Mark Kornblau, spokesman for the US mission at the UN responded by saying “Rather than representing the aspirations and goodwill of the Iranian people, Mr Ahmadinejad has yet again chosen to spout vile conspiracy theories and anti-Semitic slurs that are as abhorrent and delusional as they are predictable”. Nuclear disarmament was also discussed in a meeting in which foreign ministers from US, UK, China, France, Germany and Russia took part.

             

Click here for the full article!

More Than Just Patronage

Opinion 

In the opinion article "More Than Just Patronage" by Robert Crews, he states that "In failing to establish the necessary infrastructure, including real political parties, to conduct a proper election, the Karzai and Obama administrations have missed a critical opportunity to broaden popular participation in Afghan politics." His article shows the opinion that the state of the Afghan government is hopeless, and that he doesn't see much improvement on the horizon. He states that there are over 2500 candidates, yet most are tainted in the eyes of voters, and that the Karzai administration is ready to buy and steal enough votes to ensure the majority of the seats.


Want to read more?