Good for Stephen Harper

Re: Mandi Hargrave's column ("Government wants to censor media," March 23):

Steven Harper censoring his cabinet not speak about the main five issues is very much common sense.

When you receive five different interpretations of the issues in question, you will call the Government confusing and stupid.

It is, in my view, much better for the general public, and for me, to have a clear and precise message as to what the implication will be, than to hear different opinions.

But, of course, this is not benefiting the media. Good for Steven Harper.

John Van der Woude

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Your columnist, Mandi Hargrave, diagnosed wrongly the Prime Minister's decision to refer all media enquiries to his office ("Government wants to censor media," 23 March).

Fortunately or otherwise, the Canadian political party system obliges all government caucus members to speak from one policy platform. If, then, an MP voices a casual, personal and unofficial comment to a journalist, it may require correction or retraction later. While this may please the media because it requires several news stories instead of just one, it results in public confusion and government embarrassment.

I prefer only one, carefully considered, government policy statement, not a lot of contradictory and ultimately useless MPs' opinions.

Charles Hooker

Orangeville

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A copy of the following open letter to David Tilson, MP for Dufferin-Caledon, was submitted for publication:

Dear Dave,

I've thought of you often since the January 23rd federal election you see, I hadn't heard anything from you and I was getting a little worried that something had happened. Glad to read that Mandi Hargrave had been able to find you for a brief interview ("Government wants to censor media" March 23, 2006).

I was concerned (like Mandi was too, I guess) when I read in The Globe and Mail that mean old Stephen Harper had told you not to talk to the press unless he said it was okay. He instructed you to only talk about the "Five Priorities" (the GST cut, Accountability and such) anything else required his approval. Gosh, that's upsetting. Mandi calls it "censorship of the media" if guys like you are muzzled. Mandi says that she thinks the new Conservative government's image is at stake, if MP's like you won't answer her questions.

Well Dave, I for one, want to hear from you your Ottawa Journals are just not enough for me. When I read that Mandi threw a zinger at you about what's going on up in Ottawa and all you said in response was: "I know as much as you do from reading the papers," I was surprised. During all those campaign debates, you looked so full of vim and vigour, raring to throttle those devious Liberals once in Ottawa. You were going to be accountable to the voters and not keep anything from us! Well Dave, fight back, tell us what you really think! I really want to know what I should be thinking how will I know what to think if you don't think it first?

Now I know that you're not a cabinet minister; you're just a backbencher, so it's a bit less worrisome for the P.M. if you talk to the media, 'cause he really doesn't tell you much.

And I know that when those pesky reporters are out to get a story, they can put a twisted spin on everything. They can even ask tough questions about more issues than those five priorities that ol' Steve keeps yattering about. Yes, I guess you're right:. It's better for an MP to be silent than to be misunderstood.

Now I know that Mandi Hargrave said how difficult it was just to "get an opinion" from you during the campaign, but, hey, it's a campaign! That's the time when serious candidates who are likely to get elected should never express a personal opinion!

That's why the Party's given you that great Book of Promises you kept reading from! But Dave, the Campaign is over simple voters like me are ready for you to begin that crusade you talked so much about, against those dastardly unaccountable Liberals who kept all those nasty little secrets from us.

But wait. Now it all makes sense to me! I think you're on to something, Dave! If you never give an interview; offer a personal opinion; take a principled position on an issue or stay silent when the P.M. tells you to, then you can never be wrong! Now that's accountability! Heck, you could be reelected forever if no one knows what you really think.

Thanks again, Dave. I guess I know now why you've been silent all this time.You've got to be careful to talk to reporters only about the five big things Stephen wants you to focus upon.

If, say 10 or 20 other issues crop up (like Afghanistan or some other distraction) then best not confuse the simple voters out here in Simpleville with answers.

Come on Mandi, that's not censorship; that's what Dave Tilson and the Conservatives call "accountability"!

Neil Orford Orangeville