01 June 2005

Clips the Lampoon won't show you

Here are a few clips from the Grewal tapes that Canadian Press and the National Lampoon missed.

Oddly they aren't highlighted in the original to make them easier to pick out and, curiously they don't support the story that there was some kind of deal going on here to lure Grewal to the Liberal cause.

What there was - obviously - a discussion surrounding Grewal crossing the floor. And it would come as no surprise that the prime minister was briefed on the matter or even prepared to meet with the defector once he had committed to crossing the floor.

So where's the story here?

Simple answer is, beyond the innuendo, there isn't a story, certainly not one that has beaten out the Belinda Stronach defection. Hey guys, everything you are reporting so far matches with Stronach: defector makes contact. Liberals talk with defector. Defector crosses floor and has newser with prime minister.

Sheesh: does anyone read his or her own copy?


Anyway here are some other quotes worth noting:

On Grewal's motives:

Grewal: I agree but why I am doing if it is that it is good for the country and good for all of us. Probably.

Tim: Yeah.

- Gurmant Grewal to Tim Murphy

We want to talk with goodwill, it [the investigation into allegations against Grewal on immigration] is stumbling block and should be out of the way irrespective of what we actually do.

- Gurmant Grewal to Ujjal Dosanj

I wonder what other juicy tidbits are being withheld, or as might be more likely the case, are completely misrepresented in the transcript that make it clear there was no criminal activity here and that Grewal was looking to cross the floor on his own:

FOR THE GOOD OF THE COUNTRY.