Showing posts with label Robocon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robocon. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Robocall Suspects Posts Bizarre On-Line Statement
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
There's more, including a video clip, but it is all similarly unenlightening. I think Andy is saying you can do whatever the heck you want as long as God (or Stephen Harper?) has OK'd it. A confession, then? Who knows.
There's more, including a video clip, but it is all similarly unenlightening. I think Andy is saying you can do whatever the heck you want as long as God (or Stephen Harper?) has OK'd it. A confession, then? Who knows.
Sunday, May 06, 2012
On Andrew Prescott
...the most likely candidate so far for Pierre Poutine. From Media Culpa:
Further on in this thread, Andrew Prescott makes reference to being “asked today to join the Board of Directors for our local CPC EDA.” But for the most part (until then at least), it would appear that the author sees himself obeying some higher calling than the earthly laws enacted by parliament. Would it be such a stretch to wonder whether the same might apply to the Elections Act?
Incidentally, I don't buy the claims that this guy "outed" Prescott as Poutine. I'd heard back in March that it was mostly likely Andrew, based on some childish antics of his during the campaign and the fact he self-described as a phone expert. But who wants to get sued if you're wrong?
Further on in this thread, Andrew Prescott makes reference to being “asked today to join the Board of Directors for our local CPC EDA.” But for the most part (until then at least), it would appear that the author sees himself obeying some higher calling than the earthly laws enacted by parliament. Would it be such a stretch to wonder whether the same might apply to the Elections Act?
Incidentally, I don't buy the claims that this guy "outed" Prescott as Poutine. I'd heard back in March that it was mostly likely Andrew, based on some childish antics of his during the campaign and the fact he self-described as a phone expert. But who wants to get sued if you're wrong?
Friday, March 16, 2012
Not Buying It Yet
Ivison's latest on the Robocon scandal:
The call that claimed to come from Elections Canada was sent out to 5,053 recipients in the 519 area code that covers Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Windsor and Sarnia.
But it was also received by 35 people in downtown Toronto, 74 in the 905 suburban belt surrounding the GTA, 14 in the 613 area code that includes Kingston and Ottawa, 22 in the 705 code area that includes Barrie, Sudbury and North Bay and one person in Thunder Bay.
The revelation that the Guelph robocall went out across Ontario may explain why there have been complaints in ridings such as Ottawa Vanier and Trinity Spadina — two ridings the Tories had no hope of winning. People familiar with the Conservative Party’s voter information database say whoever orchestrated the Guelph call likely used the non-supporters list for the riding.
“The database makes mistakes. We try to fix the supporters side but no-one pays attention to the non supporters side — the data is not maintained,” said one source.
[...]
It’s likely the Tories will now use the information to suggest the voter suppression tactic was limited to Guelph. It seems entirely possible that people as far north as Thunder Bay received a robocall purporting to be from Elections Canada, redirecting them to vote at a mall in Guelph.
For this explanation to work, it would mean that the database CIMS contained the correct phone-number of the non-supporter contacted, but still had their old Guelph address. In other words, the database was not annotated to show that the person had moved from Guelph since previously contacted--this particular field was not "maintained"--but it would contain an updated phone-number--this particular field was "maintained".
That seems unlikely.
Update: To put this a little more clearly, if the "non-supporters" end of CIMS had really been non-maintained, then robocalls employing that list would never have reached any riding outside of 519; calls would have gone to phone-numbers that were either no longer working or had been reassigned to someone else in the Guelph region.
The call that claimed to come from Elections Canada was sent out to 5,053 recipients in the 519 area code that covers Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Windsor and Sarnia.
But it was also received by 35 people in downtown Toronto, 74 in the 905 suburban belt surrounding the GTA, 14 in the 613 area code that includes Kingston and Ottawa, 22 in the 705 code area that includes Barrie, Sudbury and North Bay and one person in Thunder Bay.
The revelation that the Guelph robocall went out across Ontario may explain why there have been complaints in ridings such as Ottawa Vanier and Trinity Spadina — two ridings the Tories had no hope of winning. People familiar with the Conservative Party’s voter information database say whoever orchestrated the Guelph call likely used the non-supporters list for the riding.
“The database makes mistakes. We try to fix the supporters side but no-one pays attention to the non supporters side — the data is not maintained,” said one source.
[...]
It’s likely the Tories will now use the information to suggest the voter suppression tactic was limited to Guelph. It seems entirely possible that people as far north as Thunder Bay received a robocall purporting to be from Elections Canada, redirecting them to vote at a mall in Guelph.
For this explanation to work, it would mean that the database CIMS contained the correct phone-number of the non-supporter contacted, but still had their old Guelph address. In other words, the database was not annotated to show that the person had moved from Guelph since previously contacted--this particular field was not "maintained"--but it would contain an updated phone-number--this particular field was "maintained".
That seems unlikely.
Update: To put this a little more clearly, if the "non-supporters" end of CIMS had really been non-maintained, then robocalls employing that list would never have reached any riding outside of 519; calls would have gone to phone-numbers that were either no longer working or had been reassigned to someone else in the Guelph region.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Where Did Pierre Poutine Get The Script?
“He didn’t come up with the same script in 30 ridings.” Exactly. In both official languages. That suggests organisation.
On the other hand, I didn't know Andy Prescott was this guy. I certainly hope he wasn't involved (as he maintains). Andy's one of the more likable ones.
On the other hand, I didn't know Andy Prescott was this guy. I certainly hope he wasn't involved (as he maintains). Andy's one of the more likable ones.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Wednesday, March 07, 2012
If CPoC Central Contols Local Voters Lists
...as Tory MP Vellacott indicates, then this makes it more likely that Robocon was planned by someone close to the center of the party rather than via fringe players. It also contradicts the gov's last couple of days worth of talking points. Another interesting day in the HOC, I suspect.
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
Robocon Update: How The CPoC Stiffed Sona
It was already common knowledge that the notion of Mike Sona's involvement in the Robocon affair was pushed by Conservative Party sources. This bit from Glen McGregor and Stephen Maher's latest makes clear the exact path by which the rumour was transmitted:
Sona, who was director of communications for the Burke campaign, made headlines during the campaign when he tried to shut down a special ballot being held for university students by trying to grab the ballot box.
He was first associated with this story when Sun TV reported that senior Conservatives believed he was a person of interest to the investigation. Sona soon resigned from his job working for Conservative MP Eve Adams.
The original report can be found here.
As for all those stories re the Canadian public not caring about the scandal, I would simply urge patience. Adscam surfaced in 2004. Nobody cared until about two weeks into the '06 election until, suddenly, they did. And its been a ball-and-chain around the LPoC's neck ever since.
Sona, who was director of communications for the Burke campaign, made headlines during the campaign when he tried to shut down a special ballot being held for university students by trying to grab the ballot box.
He was first associated with this story when Sun TV reported that senior Conservatives believed he was a person of interest to the investigation. Sona soon resigned from his job working for Conservative MP Eve Adams.
The original report can be found here.
As for all those stories re the Canadian public not caring about the scandal, I would simply urge patience. Adscam surfaced in 2004. Nobody cared until about two weeks into the '06 election until, suddenly, they did. And its been a ball-and-chain around the LPoC's neck ever since.
Saturday, March 03, 2012
Tory Story Changes Again
PS. It was the Tories that told everyone that Mike Sona was suspect number one. Just to be clear on that.
Friday, March 02, 2012
Clearly The Best Way To Squelch
...the whole Robocon scandal is to sue the loudest MP in the HOC AND flip Stephen Taylor the legal docs on the down-low so as to blow your whole case out of the water if it ever DOES go to court. I mean, most judges really hate it when your real intent is to fight out your suit in the court of public opinion, and more particularly in the blogosphere. They're serious folk who don't like having their time wasted.
But of course the whole point is to get Pat Martin to shut up and instead what will happen reminds me of that old Jesus joke where Jesus walks into the inn carrying some nails and a hammer and asks the innkeeper to put him up for the night. Pat Martin will spend the next two years cranking this for all its worth and if I were the NDP I would fund his legal case to the last stand, just to get to discovery.
Somewhere in Harper's inner circle somebody is trying to figure out a way to disappear Matt Meier and RackNine. Or, if they think this latest tactic will put this whole thing to bed, then they really are crazy.
But of course the whole point is to get Pat Martin to shut up and instead what will happen reminds me of that old Jesus joke where Jesus walks into the inn carrying some nails and a hammer and asks the innkeeper to put him up for the night. Pat Martin will spend the next two years cranking this for all its worth and if I were the NDP I would fund his legal case to the last stand, just to get to discovery.
Somewhere in Harper's inner circle somebody is trying to figure out a way to disappear Matt Meier and RackNine. Or, if they think this latest tactic will put this whole thing to bed, then they really are crazy.
A Point Worth Noting
Keith Beardsley writes:
Canadians are tuned into this story because they get these types of calls all the time. They understand the issue. Who hasn’t been called at the dinner hour by some type of telemarketer? Even if they weren’t called in the last election the general public can relate to the story, for this reason alone this story is real to Canadians and they are paying attention to it.
I would go even further and say that a fair number of Canadians have had direct contact with the Responsive Marketing Group, one of the phone spammers at the heart of the controversy. Check out the remarks on them at 800 notes. Lets just say that they are known and not well loved.
Canadians are tuned into this story because they get these types of calls all the time. They understand the issue. Who hasn’t been called at the dinner hour by some type of telemarketer? Even if they weren’t called in the last election the general public can relate to the story, for this reason alone this story is real to Canadians and they are paying attention to it.
I would go even further and say that a fair number of Canadians have had direct contact with the Responsive Marketing Group, one of the phone spammers at the heart of the controversy. Check out the remarks on them at 800 notes. Lets just say that they are known and not well loved.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Listen To The Guelph RoboCall
...through here. A female voice, reading a script in both English and French. Sure a rogue staffer (male) could have written and produced these calls by himself. Sure.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Compare And Contrast
The LPoC owns up; the CPoC stonewalls.
Worst part is Kinsella was right and we'll never hear the end of it.
Worst part is Kinsella was right and we'll never hear the end of it.
Robocon Strategy Emerges
The Conservative party does not need to investigate the issue of "robocalls" any further, according to Defence Minister Peter MacKay.
He also refers to the "one individual involved", who is no longer with the party. Didn't see that one coming.
Update:
OTTAWA—Callers on behalf of the federal Conservative Party were instructed in the days before last year’s election to read scripts telling voters that Elections Canada had changed their voting locations, say telephone operators who worked for a Thunder Bay-based call centre.
These calls were made by The Responsive Marketing Group. From their website:
The Responsive Marketing Group Inc. (RMG) is Canada's largest direct-contact firm working in the political sector. RMG works exclusively with right-of-centre campaigns to design and execute integrated programs that use direct mail, the telephone and online tools to build relationships that deliver results for our clients.
And their management profiles are seeable here. Their CEO, Michael Davis, has deep connections to Harper and the CPoC, and is no stranger to controversy:
Davis formerly worked with fundraising consultant Craig Copland, the founder or co-founder of at least six Canadian charities that routinely spend 70 percent or more of contributions on telemarketers and other expenses, according to a recent Toronto Star investigation. These charities "exaggerate their good deeds, or outright refuse to say what they do with your money." Copland works closely with the telemarketing corporation Xentel DM. "Copland finds Xentel new charity clients. Xentel pays him royalties for charities sent its way. He also served on Xentel's board of directors until the Star started asking questions," the paper reported. Davis' RMG works in similar fashion.
"With RMG and Xentel, they'll guarantee money, but in effect you turn over your charitable tax number to them," says the consultant. "They can hide it in various ways." He says says, "Davis is smart. Three years ago he severed his connection with Copland," who is now drawing public heat.
Question period today should be fun.
A few comments from an upset Conservative.
He also refers to the "one individual involved", who is no longer with the party. Didn't see that one coming.
Update:
OTTAWA—Callers on behalf of the federal Conservative Party were instructed in the days before last year’s election to read scripts telling voters that Elections Canada had changed their voting locations, say telephone operators who worked for a Thunder Bay-based call centre.
These calls were made by The Responsive Marketing Group. From their website:
The Responsive Marketing Group Inc. (RMG) is Canada's largest direct-contact firm working in the political sector. RMG works exclusively with right-of-centre campaigns to design and execute integrated programs that use direct mail, the telephone and online tools to build relationships that deliver results for our clients.
And their management profiles are seeable here. Their CEO, Michael Davis, has deep connections to Harper and the CPoC, and is no stranger to controversy:
Davis formerly worked with fundraising consultant Craig Copland, the founder or co-founder of at least six Canadian charities that routinely spend 70 percent or more of contributions on telemarketers and other expenses, according to a recent Toronto Star investigation. These charities "exaggerate their good deeds, or outright refuse to say what they do with your money." Copland works closely with the telemarketing corporation Xentel DM. "Copland finds Xentel new charity clients. Xentel pays him royalties for charities sent its way. He also served on Xentel's board of directors until the Star started asking questions," the paper reported. Davis' RMG works in similar fashion.
"With RMG and Xentel, they'll guarantee money, but in effect you turn over your charitable tax number to them," says the consultant. "They can hide it in various ways." He says says, "Davis is smart. Three years ago he severed his connection with Copland," who is now drawing public heat.
Question period today should be fun.
A few comments from an upset Conservative.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
He's Making A List...
The dude/dudette from Sixth Estate has the best riding by riding deets on the Robocon scandal here. Who reported it, who won the riding and by how many votes. And someone in the comments notes this incident from 2008, which suggests that the CPoC has been pulling this stuff for awhile. They can't blame Mike Sona for that one. He wouldn't even have been of legal drinking age at the time.
Meet Matt Meier (Of RackNine)
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
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