In this morning's Toronto Star:
The Canadian government sponsored a swish lunch reception at its consul-general's Denver residence.The food included bite-sized bits of beef, shrimp, tortellini and potatoes gratin. Health Minister Tony Clement, whose absence from Canada during the tainted meat crisis has not gone unnoticed, was there and introduced himself:
"I'm Health Minister Tony Clement, and I have to say I approved this food."
According to the CBC this morning there are 15 deaths associated with the recalled Maple Leaf products and 10 more under investigation.*
So is anyone else reminded of Dubya looking under the furniture for the weapons of mass destruction? Of course we've long suspected that the Conservatives and the GOP use the same writers.
H/t to Impolitical who did a perfectly fine job of blogging this. But I'm such a fan of Clement I felt compelled to record this for posterity.
*Self-correcting blogosphere-type update:
That sentence is worded so badly it's just wrong. There are fifteen deaths associated with the listeria outbreak of which 5 are confirmed to have been caused by the tainted meat and ten more are under investigation and suspected of being caused by it. Apologies for making it sound like there are more deaths involved in this than there already are.
I'm reminded of so many of Dubya's smirks, but most of all, given that this week is the third anniversary, of Bush and McCain eating cake as Katrina hit New Orleans ... and then of all the bad lines that followed.
Heckuva job, Tony.
Did I hear correctly, that Listeria has a 90 day incubation period? If so, does that mean that we should expect more cases over the next few months?
Oh and Clement, total prick. How can he make a joke about this crisis.
As for the same writers -- what is David Frum up to these days, anyway?
BY:
You heard correctly. The possibility of more deaths in the headlines is why Nick Nanos thinks Harper might want to reconsider rushing into an election.
'lance:
Frum periodically turns up in the NaPo which lately seems to have really embraced the role of entry level paymaster for the wingnut welfare system.
Meanwhile back at the ranch Bradley Trost sends thousands of 10%'rs to Nipissing district in Ontario. Had to Google to find out he's Conservative MP for Saskatoon/Humboldt , Saskatchewan. 10%'r was dealing with long gun registry but the inside had the look and feel of "Election Time" with even a ballot featuring all four party leaders. It asked the question, "Who is on the right track on the long gun registry?" More distractions from the real issues of the day?
All the 10%'rs I've seen have that ballot inset showing the four party leaders. I got one today too. Another in the law and order series.
Beijing York - Since I have possibly been exposed, I did a little checking. My understanding is that the incubation period is up to 70 days. I have also seen a couple of references to the first case actually having occured sometime in June although Maple Leaf apparently wasn't contacted until mid August.
This would indicate that there are potentially many more cases that have already occurred and that may still occur.
Fortunately, according to the Mayo Clinic:
If anyone is concerned about exposure, I suggest reading the Mayo Clinic article in its entirety.
Thanks pogge -- for the info, but also for reading the NatPost, so that I don't have to.
Having worked in the very Holy of Holies (the West Wing of the White House), I don't guess Frum would so lower himself as to go work in good gray Ottawa?
As for Clement: as I've written elsewhere, nearly 25 years ago I could literally -- if I'd been so inclined -- have run him into the boards in a hockey game.
"Of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these: it might have been."
pogge said: "... the role of entry level paymaster for the wingnut welfare system."
Oh snap!