The latest story in the WFP does not paint a very flattering picture of this woman. Frome the WFP: "Brenda Kim Martin has chosen to change legal teams for her defence on several occasions," reads the statement on the embassy's website. "Consequently, she has been successively represented by different legal teams -- a decision taken by Ms. Martin that has significantly contributed to the delay in her trial."
Her latest plea says she is a nobody and nobody in Mexico knows her so let her go. What a hoot. Martin said Thursday she can't understand why the Mexicans won't just let her go. "I am a nobody," she said in a telephone interview from prison. "Nobody in Mexico even knows who I am. Nobody would be offended if I was released. Send me home and relations between Canada and Mexico can go back to normal."
You can apply that very same logic upon almost every prisoner held in a Canadian jail. Based upon this woman's convoluted logic Federal and Provincial governments could save a fortune on prison costs... Nobody would be in jail.
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: Goth_chic</cite>I'm sure if she was a man you wouldn't be saying that.</blockquote>That comes outta left field? Seems a tad sexist...
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: grumpy old man</cite><blockquote><cite>Posted By: Goth_chic</cite>I'm sure if she was a man you wouldn't be saying that.</blockquote>That comes outta left field? Seems a tad sexist...</blockquote>
CommentAuthormrchristian CommentTime9 hours ago ThanksReport Postquote Moderator Posted By: Freethinker What government is Paul Martin part of? Martin was a former PM and Finance Minister for 10 years. In diplomatic circles that carries something, similar to a former president.
Thats all very nice, but he's not part of government. His involvement is more to do with the fact that he is a member of the Liberal party who are the official opposition and was just a faint attempt to embarass the current government.
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: Freethinker</cite>Thats all very nice, but he's not part of government. His involvement is more to do with the fact that he is a member of the Liberal party who are the official opposition and was just a faint attempt to embarass the current government.</blockquote><p>
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: Jimmytufish</cite>Not in Canada it doesn't. In Canada "former PM" means "who cares", except when the Liberals want to make noise to distract from their own troubles...:)</blockquote><p>
Partisan feelings from Conservative supporters aside ;) - MrC is absolutely right. Like it or not, a former PM (Liberal or Conservative) carries a lot of weight in diplomatic circles. If this situation was happening in southern Africa, a visit from Brian Mulroney (who is still highly regarded there for his leadership in the fight against apartheid) would do a lot more than a visit from Jason Kenney.<p>
Whatever his motive might have been, diplomatic protocol would ensure that Paul Martin's presence be taken seriously by the Mexican government.<p>
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: Jimmytufish</cite>His visit sure didn't have any impact on the situation.</blockquote><p>
Do you know that for sure? His presence isn't necessarily going to change the situation, but it's a diplomatic signal to the Mexican government and would be taken as such. <p>
<blockquote>Tell me that anyone gives a crap about what Joe Clarke or Kim Campbell say or do and I'll eat raw fish from the Red.</blockquote><p>
They may not be highly regarded at home, but both are respected in international circles. Joe Clark taught classes at in foreign policy at the American University in Washington and serves with the <a href=http://www.cartercenter.org/homepage.html>Carter Center</a> (largely overseas on election monitoring). Kim Campbell served as the Secretary General of the <a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Club_of_Madrid>Club of Madrid</a> and is still involved there alongside a number of respected international leaders (Bill Clinton, Mary Robinson, Vaclav Havel, Mikhail Gorbachev). Like it or not, both of their names are known internationally (although Clark is better remembered for his time as a very capable Foreign Affairs Minister)<p>
Zander refers to partisan feelings. Well, thats what the Liberals have turned this into, a political issue. Its not about justice, its not about a Canadian being abused by a foreign government. This woman, as the Mexican authorities (note the word "authorities") have detained her as they believe that she was involved in fraud and money laundering. The Canadian consulate has provided her with the support that they are obligated to and she is being detained. Keep the freaking politicians out of this.
An earlier post says "Whatever his motive might have been, diplomatic protocol would ensure that Paul Martin's presence be taken seriously by the Mexican government" Well thats nice, because his presence should not be taken seriously by our government. He is a has been meddling in the affairs of a sovereign state.
Why don't you doubters pretend that she is your old, retired auntie, or go to the library and take out and read a book on how to feel sorry for your old, retired aunty?
First of all, she's not my old, retired auntie and whether I feel sorry for her or not, still does't mean I agree that there should be this level of media coverage and demands for political interference. I have no opinion on her guilt or innocence at this point, thats for someone in a higher pay grade has to determine.
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: Freethinker</cite>Zander refers to partisan feelings. Well, thats what the Liberals have turned this into, a political issue. Its not about justice, its not about a Canadian being abused by a foreign government. This woman, as the Mexican authorities (note the word "authorities") have detained her as they believe that she was involved in fraud and money laundering. The Canadian consulate has provided her with the support that they are obligated to and she is being detained. Keep the freaking politicians out of this.</blockquote><p>
I'm not so quick to pass judgement on her or to make assumptions about the case. Given the inconsistencies in this case and the reputation of Mexico's justice system, I think it's reasonable to expect that politicians might want to take an interest in it. As for your feelings about the Liberals, like it or not - it's the role of the opposition to keep the government on its toes. I question how seriously the government took this until their attention was drawn to it. Seems like the Opposition was just doing its job.<p>
<blockquote>An earlier post says "Whatever his motive might have been, diplomatic protocol would ensure that Paul Martin's presence be taken seriously by the Mexican government" Well thats nice, because his presence should not be taken seriously by our government. He is a has been meddling in the affairs of a sovereign state.</blockquote><p>
Maybe you know something the rest of us don't - are you privy to the conversations he might have had? I don't think he was meddling in Mexico's affairs. He never once came out and made a statement about it that I'm aware of. But Jason Kenney did. Was he perhaps meddling in Mexico's affairs then? :)
Latest update in today's National Post quotes the guy serving 10 years in an American prison, that he was asked for a $500,000 bribe by a former police chief, who was arrested for 2 weeks and then released( unsubstantiated charges)
News flash from India- Saul Itzhayek is being released after 10 months in prison for entering India with an expired visa- also asked for a bribe. Apparently he was enticed into the country to collect a bag of his. He was promised safe haven to retreive the bag. His sister , who lives in Montreal says that Canadian help was not forthcoming at all, until there was media interest. Sounds familiar, and it sounds that you better be careful when travelling abroad.
The Canadian Government has shown to be asleep at the wheel and now is falling all over its self to fix it , this is not just a Conservative thing the liberals have done it to . They both never learn it seems to busy at the trough. of which they will have to find the bribe money what a backass country Mexico is, will never go back . Cuba is better so is The Caribbean.