Premier Danny Williams wants to win the Big One. It's late in the fourth quarter of the Upper Churchill Bowl - some argue the game is long over - but Danny has a trick play he intends to try. The game plan? Don't ask. Just cheer.
You have to wonder if, prior to this year's Grey Cup game, any player on the Saskatchewan Roughriders said, "Coach, what's our plan if it comes down to a last-second field goal?"
"Shhh," the coach probably replied, except in colourful language appropriate for a locker room but not for a newspaper report. "Do you want the opposition to overhear our game plan?"
Not many options
Of course, if the big game does come down to a last-second field goal, there are only two options: split the uprights if your team kicks it, and prevent the pigskin from splitting the uprights if the other team kicks it.
"Coach," a quarrelsome green giant might have said, "if it comes down to them attempting a last-second field goal, should we put 12 players on the field, or try to sneak an extra one on?"
"Pipe down. Do you want them to hear our game plan?"
It pays to talk things over beforehand.
Maybe the flatlanders should have discussed a game plan that included putting the required 12 players on the field during a last-second field goal.
But you know how coaches can be. They'll talk to their quarterback, but no one else.
So, we're late in the game in the Upper Churchill Bowl, and Coach Williams still won't let the hometown fans in on his game plan.
Run?
Pass?
Gamble?
All we know for sure is that punting is out of the question.
Familiar playbook
However, this week Williams did inadvertently provide substantial information about a mystery that is 40 years old.
In the stands among the ticket-buying public, the debate still rages about whether Joey Smallwood had his mitts all over the Upper Churchill hydroelectric contract - on which the province got thrown for a terrible loss - or whether he let Churchill Falls (Labrador) Corp. run with it.
It's been six years since Williams trotted onto the field as an untested rookie and, granted, comparisons between his strong arm and that of his famous predecessor are becoming redundant, but Williams' play calling this week was particularly instructive.
It was apparent the premier directed the action, while Nalcor Energy officials were second-stringers.
Instant replay
Williams, like most head coaches in the pros, underestimates the passion and knowledge fans have for the game. Most spectators are aware the head referees on the Supreme Court declared the game over in 1988. On what basis, then, can play resume?
Coach has let a few hints slip. We know, for instance, that he prefers the "I" formation over the "Y" formation.
It was also revealed the Quebec team recently adopted a new set of rules that call for fair play. Most fans are generally aware a change of rules cannot be retroactive, and do not apply to actions that occurred before the new rules were enacted.
Williams, being a trained expert on the rulebook, should explain why this doesn't block his plan.
Is he going to try an end run?
What if Newfoundland gets blitzed?
Will the province have to pay for the Quebec team's salaries, costs and Gatorade?
Liberal Leader Yvonne Jones was right to ask that the premier reveal the experts' advice about Newfoundland's options. She was rudely booed by the coach. But there is already too much rah-rah pom-pom waving in the home team's bleachers.
True fans should want to see the game plan.
Brian Jones is a desk editor at The Telegram. He can be reached by e-mail at bjones@thetelegram.com
Thirteen men and the premier
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- Published on December 4th, 2009
- Published on July 1st, 2010
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Brian Jones
Premier Danny Williams wants to win the Big One. It's late in the fourth quarter of the Upper Churchill Bowl - some argue the game is long over - but Danny has a trick play he intends to try. The game plan? Don't ask. Just cheer.
You have to wonder if, prior to this year's Grey Cup game, any player on the Saskatchewan Roughriders said, "Coach, what's our plan if it comes down to a last-second field goal?"
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Comments
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- Steve Marshall
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:35:26
Steve Marshall, Williams' ex-law partner and current and longtime friend. Biased any???!!!
The real world , Steve? You aren't in touch with it. Your crowd get richer while the middle class and poorer find it increasingly hard to live in this oil utopia created by your Messianic friend and crony.
It's time for Danny, your buddy, to give up the ego battles and personal vendettas against anyone who beats him at his own game. That's what happens in these POWER plays sometimes, no? And in law cases?? Doesn't ALWAYS go your way.
This ruthlessness got him personally rich, and you. Play the game, then with a merciless iron fist control it, and reap sick personal profits. Good on ya if you can be that successfully shrewd. Doesn't mean we can't comment on it, especially when you enter PUBLIC life. And then claim to be doing all this wheeling and dealing for the people (only).
The Hebron oil deals happened not because of your God-like friend, but because of the insane price of oil at that time. However, the (next) jewel in his legacy crown, the Lower Churchill, has slipped through his fingers. He was outfoxed big time by Hydro Quebec. And now it's (an attempted) payback from Danny. Only thing is, HQ have the upper hand entirely on the Upper AND Lower Churchill now. Danny Williams is at THEIR mercy. He is steamed, perhaps the most we have ever seen him, though I don't know if anything could outdo that wickedly unhinged ABC campaign of last year. Remains to be seen here, I think.
This is nothing more than a typical Danny Williams vanity road show vent. We saw it last year in the federal election towards another Steve when he didn't get his way. We saw it when he hauled the flags down. We saw it towards Debbie Forward, Leo Puddister, and the list goes on and on. Quite the control freak.
And what is taking this sudden Upper Churchill cause to Alberta (on taxpayers' dime again, these road shows?) going to do for it? Nothing, just as the trip to NYC on the taxpayers' dime and that posh reception at the Hilton will do nothing on the Lower. And why wasn't your pal on top of this, passionately crusading against this historical injustice 6 years ago when he took over (t)his place???
This approval rating is from the blind sheep of this province who believe everything that comes out of this calculating demagogue's mouth. No one is going to oppose reopening the Upper Churchill contract, as massively unlikely as that is. There are those of us perceptive enough to see right through the rhetoric and posturing. Pure bluster. It is not the first time either.
Your buddy Danny Williams has not been our worst Premier, but he is not our best either. How about all the serious issues that are typically left by the wayside as these personality wars are waged time and again by him?? What a preoccupation especially when you look at more pressing domestic concerns like, I don't know, HEALTH CARE for one. Smoke and mirrors? Tilting at windmills (again)??
And it is time people weren't intimidated by the flash, mega bucks, and arrogant schoolyard bullying tactics that make you lawyers and the business elite so wealthy and, hence, so out of touch with the common folk. The same folk you are purportedly trying to help by making NL so much more economically viable. The rich get richer, clearly, from oil and these other resource industries, who they know and are friends with, etc. Nothing new, of course in capitalist societies, but it is most glaringly so in Williams' Newfoundland, the most ever, especially this widening socioeconomic divide. It is his NL, apparently now, as he just said, we are his people. And keep quiet. He knows what is best for his people.
How about the middle class and poor here?? See the price of an average home in the city lately? Of course not!
If you weren't such a BFF, you might have come off with more credibility.
Have a nice day in your world, the world of the POWER elite. Things are rosy for you guys, for sure, having your pockets lined by your sugardaddy! And maybe the life of Riley provides you guys the time to bully and throw tantrums at those who dare even take you on like Brian Jones apparently has here, as is his democratic right like it is mine. Doing so seems to infringe upon your stranglehold on all spheres, in particular on the populace.
As for Mr. Jones, (weak) football analogy or not, he is right on and these cheerleaders know it. That is why he was attacked here so personally. And the other more traitorous Jones, the Leader of the Opposition, she got it even worse for doing her job, and what we all as citizens here have the right to do: investigate and offer differing perspectives. Sad that people get personally shredded by the elite for it. I guess that is (also) how they stay so. -
- Joe
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:33:44
That may have been the most laboured football metaphor I've ever read.
Unneccessary verbiage, editorializing team. Ten-yard penalty, repeat first down. -
- W
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:31:12
Precedent?
That's a common-law concept. -
- Calvin
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:30:44
Hey Brian, I am going to make a wild gamble here and say that maybe you have never been the most athletic, involved sports enthusiast. After all, you grew up to become a columnist for the Telegram, probably worked on the school paper all your life. Anyone who watches football knows that the fans dont get to see the playbook before the big game. They dont even get to approve a play before it is run. In fact, they have to wait until the play has run it's course to see whether or not it was a successful call. If you are going to use an analogy to try and get your point across, due a little more research before using that analogy. I am a Williams supporter, but I also think he should maybe reveal a little more info to the public. Then again, if you were playing poker would show the opposition your cards before the hand was finished? I think not. See, now that was an analogy worth using.
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- John
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:27:31
This might be the worst article ever written, and I mean that. For anybody out there who doesn't understand football, it would the equivalent of a 3 year old reading Gaelic.
Not to mention that your logic, especially in reference to any sport is ludicrous. What coach in their right mind is going to tell the opposition their game plan. And unfortunately, before you come and try to defend that the liberal party is on our side, I think we both know different. Whatever is said to them is going to be dissected and argued regardless of the strenght of the plan.
As a fan , I'm more than happy to sit on the sideline and let the people I elected make the right decisions to help us win, and better the province. I don't need to see the playbook , as long as I know that they are out there to do what it takes to win. They are in their job for a reason, we put our trust in them. Just like the roughriders, we can start second guessing if they make the wrong call...For now, sit back and enjoy the game, because our team is out there and needs out support -
- Wayne
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:23:53
***It was also revealed the Quebec team recently adopted a new set of rules that call for fair play. Most fans are generally aware a change of rules cannot be retroactive, and do not apply to actions that occurred before the new rules were enacted.***
Why did you exclude any mention of the 'precedent' that has already been set under those 'new rules' in Quebec, Mr. Jones? Just how 'stunned' do you think your readers are, anyway?
Wayne Pittman -
- Wayne
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:21:19
Steve Marshall Is One of Danny's BFF'S!! from Danny's Paradise, NL wrote:***As for Mr. Jones, (weak) football analogy or not, he is right on and these cheerleaders know it. That is why he was attacked here so personally.***
I don't know if you were including me in that 'cheerleader' comment, but just so that it is clear to you and everyone else, I am not a Williams or a Tory party cheerleader, nor do I 'carry any pom poms' for the Liberals or the NDP.
Truth be known, I have my beefs with all of them. No need to get into them here, though.
What prompted me to submit my earlier comment is that in this column of his Mr. Jones attacked and ridiculed this province's recently announced challenge to the Upper Churchill contract without mentioning the fact that the premier has already indicated that it is supported by a precedent that has already been set in Quebec with regard to the application of the new rules (i.e. the 'fairness' in business contracts legislation that Quebec enacted in 1994) to existing contracts.
Mr. Jones is no doubt well aware that this is an important detail about said challenge, but he obviously also thinks that it's quite all right for him to omit any mention of it in this particular 'attack' column of his.
But I think that in so doing he demonstrates the extent to which he and the Telegram will go in order to serve their own vested interests over and above the interests of this province. And since I neither like nor approve of that, and also find it rather unsettling, I decided to draw attention to it.
Wayne Pittman -
- Taxpayer ll
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:19:49
Spoken like a true Liberal. Way to go Telegram, yet another slight against the Premier and what he is trying to do.
I also think the footbal analogy is very weak, in that the opposing team(HQ) has already said that they have won the day, many, many times. The question is did they win fair and square? I think not. The game was rigged from the start, there were even players from the opposing team in the locker room when the coach of the day(Mr. Smallwood) was writing up his playbook. Not to mention when the results of the game were brought before the refs(supreme court) the refs were from the opposing teams hometown.
But, thanks tele, for doing all you can to thwart the premier, and undermine what he and his team are trying to do. -
- don
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:14:53
Danny knows that his game plan has failed. His recent comments and actions are just going to cause this Province to be penalized and be even more isolated in the Canadian political mosaic. Danny has been outsmarted by the executives at Hydro-Quebec and he knows that they have him cornered. Danny has only one response when he gets cornered and that is to vilify,denigrate, bluster, blarney and threaten his opponents. That corner boy thug mentality is not going to work in this crisis. This is a crisis created by Danny Williams inability to get along with anyone. His my way or the highway arrogance is going to get him and this Province seriously punished. Danny should remember an old piece of sage advice that every experienced grandfather or grandmother has told their offspring and that is: Pride goes before the fall. Maybe Danny never got that advice from anybody but I think he is going to learn it the hard way this time!
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- A.
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:14:01
Taking a non partisan approach to this problem that has once again raised its ugle head, is the way to discuss this matter. Heaving insults and not discussing the elements of the issue doesn't resolve anything. Thank you Mr. Pittman for your comments. People need to really read what you have written. But then in order to understand them, a person must leave their biases behind. I'm a former Newfoundlander who keeps up with what's happening in the Province. I would like to some day return but I am afraid it is the same old, same old as days of yor. It doesn't matter what party is in power. However Mr. Williams has made some progress. It's too bad that he won't tone down that Newfoundland brass, it doesn't win him any favours.
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- Taxpayer ll
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:13:02
Hey nasty...Ha ha ha ha. Always good for a friday laugh.
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- cawfdasd
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:11:29
Worst article ever. just lame.
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- Steve
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:10:56
Mr. Jones, you must be on vacation as it appears obvious that Ed Hollett is writing your column. You and he should start your own newspaper. Mind you, I wouldn't buy it or read it or advertise in it but you guys really should get out into the real world. Out in the real world we have a fearless Government representing our Province who, despite negative, pessimistic, constant, repetitive and downright boorish attacks from Ed and yourself, soldier on (with the highest of approval ratings from us out here in that real world) to ensure that we receive, among many other things, the highest rate of return on our resources. Maybe if you waved a pom pom once in a while you might actually get a bit of team spirit.
Cheers
Steve Marshall -
- Bones II
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:10:00
The plan will certainly be seen, but by then, we'll be calling it something along the lines of disclosure, lol.
Does anyone alse find it amazing that government is being asked for its plan, even though it would easily provide Quebec Hydro with details that can certainly be used to develop a plan to counter Williams'?
Nobody has to be an investigator or corporate lawyer to know you don't show your hand at a poker game, do ya?
Media and opposition will continue to use this denial of details - devoid of the reasoning behind it - to sell papers and stir controversy. We'll know the details when we need to know them, not when we want to know them. By design, an impossibility already exists when it comes to 'tainting our planned play'. Let's see if the media or the opposition have any success in tainting our game before we play. That's the only thing stories like this will serve to accomplish. -
- Calvin
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:09:01
OK, are you honestly trying to blame the price of housing in St. John's on Danny? I find some Danny supporters a little over the top, but you Danny haters are CRAZY!! Next thing someone will die from food poisoning and that will be blaimed on the Premier too. If enough of you crackpots get together and vote Danny out, I pity the province. You think he is doing this for his own fame and fortune, when he already has his own fame and fortune. The Hebron deal did get done thanks to the price of oil at the time, but the deal we got was thanks to Danny. Anyone else would have setlled for whatever Hebron wanted and tried to claim it as a victory, while Danny held out and got us a better deal. And people, do you think it makes you look smart when you call Danny a bully? If he were a bully he would have some heavy set baymen showing up at Hydro-Quebecs door with crobars and squid jiggers. I can only imagine you are all as economically adept as Mr. Williams and his cronies as you keep calling them. None of your arguements have the least bit of political background, you are just venting opinions based on personal beliefs. Give it up, do some research, and come back with something other than Danny dont care bout no health care, only getting richer! or Danny goin ruin us all, the Liberals have had such a great history, lets vote them back in.
-
- Steve Marshall
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:25:30
Steve Marshall, Williams' ex-law partner and current and longtime friend. Biased any???!!!
The real world , Steve? You aren't in touch with it. Your crowd get richer while the middle class and poorer find it increasingly hard to live in this oil utopia created by your Messianic friend and crony.
It's time for Danny, your buddy, to give up the ego battles and personal vendettas against anyone who beats him at his own game. That's what happens in these POWER plays sometimes, no? And in law cases?? Doesn't ALWAYS go your way.
This ruthlessness got him personally rich, and you. Play the game, then with a merciless iron fist control it, and reap sick personal profits. Good on ya if you can be that successfully shrewd. Doesn't mean we can't comment on it, especially when you enter PUBLIC life. And then claim to be doing all this wheeling and dealing for the people (only).
The Hebron oil deals happened not because of your God-like friend, but because of the insane price of oil at that time. However, the (next) jewel in his legacy crown, the Lower Churchill, has slipped through his fingers. He was outfoxed big time by Hydro Quebec. And now it's (an attempted) payback from Danny. Only thing is, HQ have the upper hand entirely on the Upper AND Lower Churchill now. Danny Williams is at THEIR mercy. He is steamed, perhaps the most we have ever seen him, though I don't know if anything could outdo that wickedly unhinged ABC campaign of last year. Remains to be seen here, I think.
This is nothing more than a typical Danny Williams vanity road show vent. We saw it last year in the federal election towards another Steve when he didn't get his way. We saw it when he hauled the flags down. We saw it towards Debbie Forward, Leo Puddister, and the list goes on and on. Quite the control freak.
And what is taking this sudden Upper Churchill cause to Alberta (on taxpayers' dime again, these road shows?) going to do for it? Nothing, just as the trip to NYC on the taxpayers' dime and that posh reception at the Hilton will do nothing on the Lower. And why wasn't your pal on top of this, passionately crusading against this historical injustice 6 years ago when he took over (t)his place???
This approval rating is from the blind sheep of this province who believe everything that comes out of this calculating demagogue's mouth. No one is going to oppose reopening the Upper Churchill contract, as massively unlikely as that is. There are those of us perceptive enough to see right through the rhetoric and posturing. Pure bluster. It is not the first time either.
Your buddy Danny Williams has not been our worst Premier, but he is not our best either. How about all the serious issues that are typically left by the wayside as these personality wars are waged time and again by him?? What a preoccupation especially when you look at more pressing domestic concerns like, I don't know, HEALTH CARE for one. Smoke and mirrors? Tilting at windmills (again)??
And it is time people weren't intimidated by the flash, mega bucks, and arrogant schoolyard bullying tactics that make you lawyers and the business elite so wealthy and, hence, so out of touch with the common folk. The same folk you are purportedly trying to help by making NL so much more economically viable. The rich get richer, clearly, from oil and these other resource industries, who they know and are friends with, etc. Nothing new, of course in capitalist societies, but it is most glaringly so in Williams' Newfoundland, the most ever, especially this widening socioeconomic divide. It is his NL, apparently now, as he just said, we are his people. And keep quiet. He knows what is best for his people.
How about the middle class and poor here?? See the price of an average home in the city lately? Of course not!
If you weren't such a BFF, you might have come off with more credibility.
Have a nice day in your world, the world of the POWER elite. Things are rosy for you guys, for sure, having your pockets lined by your sugardaddy! And maybe the life of Riley provides you guys the time to bully and throw tantrums at those who dare even take you on like Brian Jones apparently has here, as is his democratic right like it is mine. Doing so seems to infringe upon your stranglehold on all spheres, in particular on the populace.
As for Mr. Jones, (weak) football analogy or not, he is right on and these cheerleaders know it. That is why he was attacked here so personally. And the other more traitorous Jones, the Leader of the Opposition, she got it even worse for doing her job, and what we all as citizens here have the right to do: investigate and offer differing perspectives. Sad that people get personally shredded by the elite for it. I guess that is (also) how they stay so. -
- Joe
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:22:33
That may have been the most laboured football metaphor I've ever read.
Unneccessary verbiage, editorializing team. Ten-yard penalty, repeat first down. -
- W
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:19:33
Precedent?
That's a common-law concept. -
- Calvin
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:18:46
Hey Brian, I am going to make a wild gamble here and say that maybe you have never been the most athletic, involved sports enthusiast. After all, you grew up to become a columnist for the Telegram, probably worked on the school paper all your life. Anyone who watches football knows that the fans dont get to see the playbook before the big game. They dont even get to approve a play before it is run. In fact, they have to wait until the play has run it's course to see whether or not it was a successful call. If you are going to use an analogy to try and get your point across, due a little more research before using that analogy. I am a Williams supporter, but I also think he should maybe reveal a little more info to the public. Then again, if you were playing poker would show the opposition your cards before the hand was finished? I think not. See, now that was an analogy worth using.
-
- John
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:15:01
This might be the worst article ever written, and I mean that. For anybody out there who doesn't understand football, it would the equivalent of a 3 year old reading Gaelic.
Not to mention that your logic, especially in reference to any sport is ludicrous. What coach in their right mind is going to tell the opposition their game plan. And unfortunately, before you come and try to defend that the liberal party is on our side, I think we both know different. Whatever is said to them is going to be dissected and argued regardless of the strenght of the plan.
As a fan , I'm more than happy to sit on the sideline and let the people I elected make the right decisions to help us win, and better the province. I don't need to see the playbook , as long as I know that they are out there to do what it takes to win. They are in their job for a reason, we put our trust in them. Just like the roughriders, we can start second guessing if they make the wrong call...For now, sit back and enjoy the game, because our team is out there and needs out support -
- Wayne
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:09:06
***It was also revealed the Quebec team recently adopted a new set of rules that call for fair play. Most fans are generally aware a change of rules cannot be retroactive, and do not apply to actions that occurred before the new rules were enacted.***
Why did you exclude any mention of the 'precedent' that has already been set under those 'new rules' in Quebec, Mr. Jones? Just how 'stunned' do you think your readers are, anyway?
Wayne Pittman -
- Wayne
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:04:48
Steve Marshall Is One of Danny's BFF'S!! from Danny's Paradise, NL wrote:***As for Mr. Jones, (weak) football analogy or not, he is right on and these cheerleaders know it. That is why he was attacked here so personally.***
I don't know if you were including me in that 'cheerleader' comment, but just so that it is clear to you and everyone else, I am not a Williams or a Tory party cheerleader, nor do I 'carry any pom poms' for the Liberals or the NDP.
Truth be known, I have my beefs with all of them. No need to get into them here, though.
What prompted me to submit my earlier comment is that in this column of his Mr. Jones attacked and ridiculed this province's recently announced challenge to the Upper Churchill contract without mentioning the fact that the premier has already indicated that it is supported by a precedent that has already been set in Quebec with regard to the application of the new rules (i.e. the 'fairness' in business contracts legislation that Quebec enacted in 1994) to existing contracts.
Mr. Jones is no doubt well aware that this is an important detail about said challenge, but he obviously also thinks that it's quite all right for him to omit any mention of it in this particular 'attack' column of his.
But I think that in so doing he demonstrates the extent to which he and the Telegram will go in order to serve their own vested interests over and above the interests of this province. And since I neither like nor approve of that, and also find it rather unsettling, I decided to draw attention to it.
Wayne Pittman -
- Taxpayer ll
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:02:08
Spoken like a true Liberal. Way to go Telegram, yet another slight against the Premier and what he is trying to do.
I also think the footbal analogy is very weak, in that the opposing team(HQ) has already said that they have won the day, many, many times. The question is did they win fair and square? I think not. The game was rigged from the start, there were even players from the opposing team in the locker room when the coach of the day(Mr. Smallwood) was writing up his playbook. Not to mention when the results of the game were brought before the refs(supreme court) the refs were from the opposing teams hometown.
But, thanks tele, for doing all you can to thwart the premier, and undermine what he and his team are trying to do. -
- don
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:54:03
Danny knows that his game plan has failed. His recent comments and actions are just going to cause this Province to be penalized and be even more isolated in the Canadian political mosaic. Danny has been outsmarted by the executives at Hydro-Quebec and he knows that they have him cornered. Danny has only one response when he gets cornered and that is to vilify,denigrate, bluster, blarney and threaten his opponents. That corner boy thug mentality is not going to work in this crisis. This is a crisis created by Danny Williams inability to get along with anyone. His my way or the highway arrogance is going to get him and this Province seriously punished. Danny should remember an old piece of sage advice that every experienced grandfather or grandmother has told their offspring and that is: Pride goes before the fall. Maybe Danny never got that advice from anybody but I think he is going to learn it the hard way this time!
-
- A.
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:52:38
Taking a non partisan approach to this problem that has once again raised its ugle head, is the way to discuss this matter. Heaving insults and not discussing the elements of the issue doesn't resolve anything. Thank you Mr. Pittman for your comments. People need to really read what you have written. But then in order to understand them, a person must leave their biases behind. I'm a former Newfoundlander who keeps up with what's happening in the Province. I would like to some day return but I am afraid it is the same old, same old as days of yor. It doesn't matter what party is in power. However Mr. Williams has made some progress. It's too bad that he won't tone down that Newfoundland brass, it doesn't win him any favours.
-
- Taxpayer ll
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:50:44
Hey nasty...Ha ha ha ha. Always good for a friday laugh.
-
- cawfdasd
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:48:00
Worst article ever. just lame.
-
- Steve
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:47:17
Mr. Jones, you must be on vacation as it appears obvious that Ed Hollett is writing your column. You and he should start your own newspaper. Mind you, I wouldn't buy it or read it or advertise in it but you guys really should get out into the real world. Out in the real world we have a fearless Government representing our Province who, despite negative, pessimistic, constant, repetitive and downright boorish attacks from Ed and yourself, soldier on (with the highest of approval ratings from us out here in that real world) to ensure that we receive, among many other things, the highest rate of return on our resources. Maybe if you waved a pom pom once in a while you might actually get a bit of team spirit.
Cheers
Steve Marshall -
- Bones II
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:45:39
The plan will certainly be seen, but by then, we'll be calling it something along the lines of disclosure, lol.
Does anyone alse find it amazing that government is being asked for its plan, even though it would easily provide Quebec Hydro with details that can certainly be used to develop a plan to counter Williams'?
Nobody has to be an investigator or corporate lawyer to know you don't show your hand at a poker game, do ya?
Media and opposition will continue to use this denial of details - devoid of the reasoning behind it - to sell papers and stir controversy. We'll know the details when we need to know them, not when we want to know them. By design, an impossibility already exists when it comes to 'tainting our planned play'. Let's see if the media or the opposition have any success in tainting our game before we play. That's the only thing stories like this will serve to accomplish. -
- Calvin
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:44:05
OK, are you honestly trying to blame the price of housing in St. John's on Danny? I find some Danny supporters a little over the top, but you Danny haters are CRAZY!! Next thing someone will die from food poisoning and that will be blaimed on the Premier too. If enough of you crackpots get together and vote Danny out, I pity the province. You think he is doing this for his own fame and fortune, when he already has his own fame and fortune. The Hebron deal did get done thanks to the price of oil at the time, but the deal we got was thanks to Danny. Anyone else would have setlled for whatever Hebron wanted and tried to claim it as a victory, while Danny held out and got us a better deal. And people, do you think it makes you look smart when you call Danny a bully? If he were a bully he would have some heavy set baymen showing up at Hydro-Quebecs door with crobars and squid jiggers. I can only imagine you are all as economically adept as Mr. Williams and his cronies as you keep calling them. None of your arguements have the least bit of political background, you are just venting opinions based on personal beliefs. Give it up, do some research, and come back with something other than Danny dont care bout no health care, only getting richer! or Danny goin ruin us all, the Liberals have had such a great history, lets vote them back in.
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