tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post2065017219027236305..comments2024-03-27T13:06:58.438-06:00Comments on Harry Tucker - Observations and Musings: The Power of the Four-Poster InterviewHarry Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329922320940535781noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-65454685297528832052013-11-12T22:52:04.343-07:002013-11-12T22:52:04.343-07:00You know, I have hesitated for over a month now to...You know, I have hesitated for over a month now to reply to this comment, mainly because there is a child caught in the middle of things and children just don't need to be there. But having seen Joan Shea in the House last week bragging about her ministerial appointments to various departments, it was just too much. To say Shea's character is questionable is being kind. She is in fact, much more sinister.<br /><br />Only days after the first (process) celebration in the Burke adoption, Styles told me that Joan Burke had confided in him: (husband) better be happy, he finally got what he wanted (referring to the adoption).<br /><br />Now why would Joan Burke adopt a child she did not want? And why would she confess this to Terry Styles? (You put it together.) I think this is the most shameful of behaviors that can be owned by any human being, let alone someone with the list of high level responsibilities that this woman was bragging about this week. Character? Less than nil! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-47368316122479005952013-10-28T02:42:08.083-06:002013-10-28T02:42:08.083-06:00October 25 - Minister Shea puts her integrity (sic...October 25 - Minister Shea puts her integrity (sic) on the line in the Georgian's article: "No environmentally unsafe drilling....Minister Shea."<br /><br />I could not help but respond with:<br /><br /><br />--- "Well now...this little tirade by Minister Shea might be only somewhat believable if Shea wasn't in bed with the Chair of the Board of Directors of Nalcor. Is the H of A aware of this conflict of interest? They are aware, but choose to do nothing. So public beware!<br /><br />PS. Ms. Shea...you might note, the word "affect" is a verb. The word "effect" is a noun." ----<br /><br />Harry, I continue to wonder what it will take to hold this government accountable for violations of the Conflict of Interest Act. <br /><br />Ralph<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-32351679166744528532013-10-14T23:52:17.889-06:002013-10-14T23:52:17.889-06:00Unfortunately, it is so very difficult to separate...Unfortunately, it is so very difficult to separate the issues from the person when that political figure is so entangled personally in the business of public service, when the work of government is taken to mean "power" rather than responsibility. And so, it is true that people on the west coast know that Joan Shea did not maintain the relationship with her adopted child after the separation, that she should have. That being said, let's leave that alone and let some other higher power address this with her. The child will continue on with the love provided by his father.<br />I can't help but note this irony however: "Minister of Health and Community Services Joan Shea - Changes in Adoption Rules" April 2013 - CBC Radio (podcast). Given the portfolios she has held, Shea's conduct always seems to stink of "she ought to know better!" Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-4457486080164345672013-10-14T20:49:48.099-06:002013-10-14T20:49:48.099-06:00This is where things get complex.
It is important...This is where things get complex.<br /><br />It is important to focus on the issue and not the individual. However, when it comes to conflict of interest or similar actions for personal gain (or to enable personal gain for others), it is difficult to separate the person from the acts they have conducted.<br /><br />I don't know about the act you are describing but I'm sure it would be easily verifiable in their hometown. If true, I hope the child has moved through this relatively unaffected. When adults separate, it is often the child(ren) that experience the greatest pain.Harry Tuckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10329922320940535781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-62633116868192350322013-10-14T15:58:47.141-06:002013-10-14T15:58:47.141-06:00The character of Minister Shea is certainly in que...The character of Minister Shea is certainly in question. In November of 2008 Shea and her former husband adopted an eight year old son. Surely you would think that your marriage is very solid to adopt an innocent chid. Then less then a year later she was out of her 17 marriage. Questionable behaviour for sure. If the Premier doesn't fire her she is confirming for the electorate she is made of the same cloth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-78026703431562824682013-10-14T11:19:24.303-06:002013-10-14T11:19:24.303-06:00Here is a quote referencing the Rotman School of M...Here is a quote referencing the Rotman School of Management in regards to this ....<br /><br />http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/dunderdale-calls-nalcor-board-questions-offensive-1.1190764Harry Tuckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10329922320940535781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-62454851960194714352013-10-14T11:10:15.163-06:002013-10-14T11:10:15.163-06:00Thanks for this, Tom.
I am somewhat amused by the...Thanks for this, Tom.<br /><br />I am somewhat amused by the quote "are quite capable to determine who manages their affairs" in light of the events that transpired. <br /><br />But seriously, this continues to grow more disturbing to me as your comment and the previous comment about implied nepotism suggest that this is "typical business" in the Government.<br /><br />With the Opposition not responding to my query either, it is either too hot for them, they can't be bothered or perhaps this is standard operating procedure that they would partake in if they were in power - so no one wants to rock the boat when they have a good thing going.<br /><br />At the end of the day, it is difficult to tell if Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are getting what they need, what they deserve or what someone else is willing to dish up to them.<br /><br />What matters is what the people care about. Do they care about this or not and if not, will they care when something much larger becomes publicly visible as in the case of the Quebec corruption?<br /><br />Everything starts small - no raindrop believes it is responsible for the flood.<br /><br />Thanks again, Tom.<br /><br />Create a great day!<br /><br />HarryHarry Tuckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10329922320940535781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-331836717889148392013-10-14T10:35:11.440-06:002013-10-14T10:35:11.440-06:00Thanks for pressing this issue. It is not news to ...Thanks for pressing this issue. It is not news to most of us, but it deserves a better explanation than we got at the time. I'm enjoying some of the dirt coming out in the comments too.<br /><br />As it happens, I was in the gallery in the House of Assembly the day after this came out. When Dwight Ball asked Dunderdale to respond to criticism by an expert on corporate governance from the Rotman School of Business, this was her reply:<br /><br />"Mr. Speaker, with all due respect to the CBC and experts from Toronto, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are quite capable to determine who manages their affairs."<br /><br />I was shocked by the dismissive tone of in her voice when she said the words "expert from Toronto", as if the opinion was completely irrelevant and she expected everyone else to agree. I was embarrassed to be a Newfoundlander that day.<br /><br />TomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-87241636056219565282013-10-13T23:12:53.298-06:002013-10-13T23:12:53.298-06:00On Mr. Ross Reid's inquiries - This past summe...On Mr. Ross Reid's inquiries - This past summer, Mr. Styles' nephew from Nova Scotia was hired by Joan Shea under the Dept of Advanced Education and Skills, to work directly with Ross Reid. So what is Reid so darn surprised about? Likewise, Mr. Styles applied for a provincial grant through the Dept of Advanced Education and Skills to hire a summer student. Who did he hire? Joan Shea's daughter. The government of NL is rotten to the core with examples of such conflicts of interest/nepotism. But these examples need to be passed on to the Citizen's representative and someone needs to light a fire under his butt to do something about this (I tried). Joan Shea and the puppets she has created have to go. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-46603440635415463112013-10-12T20:31:34.578-06:002013-10-12T20:31:34.578-06:00Maybe if the Government cut ties with Joan Shea an...Maybe if the Government cut ties with Joan Shea and Terry Styles and tried to restore an image of transparency that it might help them.<br /><br />They have 2 years or so left in the current government. Lots of time to get things back on track if they try early enough and don't delay. Liberals and NDP will bankrupt the province and so they are not an option. Conservatives should try harder not to hand the government over to any party that will sink the province for sure.<br /><br />I suspect that attacking you will only make their case worse, reinforcing the issues that you identified and maybe implying there are additional problems. This will guarantee a Liberal or NDP government which really worries me.<br /><br />Then again, if I knew how all this worked I'd be a politician!<br /><br />TerryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-57468578019673100552013-10-12T18:41:55.624-06:002013-10-12T18:41:55.624-06:00I agree wholeheartedly. And this is a great quote...I agree wholeheartedly. And this is a great quote!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-81742389708206877562013-10-12T10:51:24.906-06:002013-10-12T10:51:24.906-06:00Do you really expect a reply from anybody? Everyo...Do you really expect a reply from anybody? Everyone on the west coast knows what has happened and since the cat is out of the bag, the government has no incentive to come clean.<br /><br />The indifference to people regarding justice only serves to remind certain people that crime pays well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-13977070097215400082013-10-11T21:55:54.487-06:002013-10-11T21:55:54.487-06:00Dear Anonymous,
Frankly, I agree with you. I add...Dear Anonymous,<br /><br />Frankly, I agree with you. I added that option in fairness of exploring all sides when someone suggested it to me.<br /><br />Someone caught up in the trappings of love could make a single, probably smaller mistake.<br /><br />Larger mistakes (and more than one) suggest a willful, participatory pattern of behavior. <br /><br />Not responding to my query also suggests someone who doesn't want to come clean, which also suggests a desire to hide a less than honest act.<br /><br />Whether or not we will ever obtain clarity on this matter will depend on how strongly people demand clarity.<br /><br />I am reminded of this quote by Albert Einstein:<br /><br />"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it."<br /><br />Thanks for sharing!<br /><br />Create a great day.<br /><br />HarryHarry Tuckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10329922320940535781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-58954492372048764462013-10-11T21:43:39.361-06:002013-10-11T21:43:39.361-06:00Dear "J",
It makes a lot of difference ...Dear "J",<br /><br />It makes a lot of difference to always strive to have the most transparent, most accountable system possible (recognizing that no system will ever be perfect or problem free).<br /><br />Always demand the best possible and do the best you can with what you have. Things only get better when we make it that way ... not when we hope they happen by accident.<br /><br />Create a great day!<br /><br />HarryHarry Tuckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10329922320940535781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-40224563612694807112013-10-11T21:41:22.105-06:002013-10-11T21:41:22.105-06:00Hi Robert,
Thanks for your kind words. I think I...Hi Robert,<br /><br />Thanks for your kind words. I think I may know who you are but don't want to guess here to protect your privacy. <br /><br />As for how we make things better, I think we spend less time complaining in the coffee shop, we spend more time demanding accountability as I did here and we use the power of the ballot to send a warning to government that you will be a single term government (possibly a minority one) if you deviate from stated commitments.<br /><br />Too often people complain about things and then re-elect the same government - a nonsensical act as far as I am concerned.<br /><br />Thanks again for the note.<br /><br />Create a great day!<br /><br />HarryHarry Tuckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10329922320940535781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-82320700092635487762013-10-11T21:39:12.558-06:002013-10-11T21:39:12.558-06:00Thanks for your kind words, Dave.
While I would n...Thanks for your kind words, Dave.<br /><br />While I would never dismiss the idea of returning to the great province of Newfoundland and Labrador, I will never run for office - there or anywhere. :-)<br /><br />Create a great day!<br /><br />HarryHarry Tuckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10329922320940535781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-71702273092639630052013-10-11T21:32:03.890-06:002013-10-11T21:32:03.890-06:00Hmmm...Joan Shea following her heart. Now that is...Hmmm...Joan Shea following her heart. Now that is a very narrow path I would think. And the first appointment of Styles to the CNA board, an accident? The second appointment to the Nalcor board, a second accident? All in the name of heart? How many more appointments? I am not buying it! I find little evidence of "heart" that would excuse such blatant ignorance and stupidity. Case in point, the destruction caused by Shea to her public service employee and the wife of Mr. Styles, well... any woman with half a heart would just not behave in this way. Would not continue to behave in this way (all in violation of her Code of Conduct for Members of the House of Assembly). Shame on you Joan Shea! No, I fail to find heart in any of Shea's actions, only self-service and arrogance. So, from that point of view, Shea is one comfortable pea in Kathy Dunderdale's pod - where THOSE WITH HEART NEED NOT APPLY. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-36667176308165659982013-10-11T10:57:56.791-06:002013-10-11T10:57:56.791-06:00Interesting story.
The government has been doing ...Interesting story.<br /><br />The government has been doing this to us for years. As long as they keep things rolling, what difference does it make? Maybe they have to work this way because everyone else works this way anyway.<br /><br />J. SmithAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-32879285733765381712013-10-11T09:36:28.013-06:002013-10-11T09:36:28.013-06:00As someone who worked inside the government for ye...As someone who worked inside the government for years, I can vouch for this comment "Insecure people, people with damaged egos or people with something to withhold from others hide behind threats and intimidation. People confident in themselves, their facts and their ability to communicate these facts use civil discourse to make their point known to others."<br /><br />We spend a lot of time complaining about our government but we don't actually do much about it. I'm not sure if it is because we don't know what to do, if we are afraid to do something or if we have given up and accepted the fact that we are not capable of getting anything better.<br /><br />All of these choices worry me since with any of them we are not making our province better for our kids.<br /><br />I would welcome an suggestions from anybody on how to make it better besides complaining in the local Tims or on VOCM in the afternoon.<br /><br />Robert P.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-5161285886829178222013-10-11T08:30:09.293-06:002013-10-11T08:30:09.293-06:00Mr Tucker,
Great story. Thank you for sharing it....Mr Tucker,<br /><br />Great story. Thank you for sharing it.<br /><br />Don't expect many comments on this story. Many people fear for their jobs when it comes to criticizing this government. Alot of people get sued here when they get too critical.<br /><br />Keep up the great work. I can tell you still love your home province. Maybe you should come home and run for office.<br /><br />DaveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com