One ass, nailed.

I am relieved to read that Via Rail chairman Jean Pelletier was fired today after belittling Olympic champion Miriam Bédard.

As a cross-country skier and fan, Bédard's extraordinary 15 km biathlon gold medal at Lillehammer 10 years ago was a spectacular accomplishment, and a special moment for me, as for many Canadians, I'm sure. Her accomplishment even earned her a spot on the Wheaties box. I was almost sick with fury when I read the initial story in Saturday's paper.

While working in marketing at Via Rail, she questioned transactions that turned out to be part of the massive Government Sponsorship fraud currently being investigated. 'Invited' to resign as a result of her integrity, she recognised a no-win sitiation when she saw one and quietly walked away.

In mid-February, Prime Minister Martin begged publicly for those with information about the sponsorship scandal to come forward, which Bédard did; offering to testify at the Commons public accounts committee. Pelletier's response to her coming forward was this:

I don't want to be mean, but this is a poor woman in a pitiful state, a woman with no husband that I know of,'' Pelletier had said. ''She's feeling the pressure of being a single mother with financial responsibilities. Basically, I find it pitiful.

I find it pitiful that anyone could be that stupid and arrogant, especially someone in that visible and politically sensitive a position. The man must be a moron. (In a delicious irony, Bédard is actually married.)

Yea, sure, it was probably hard for PM² to keep from giggling with glee while he publicly shit-canned Pelletier (since Pelletier is a former high-level Chrétien crony) but regardless, I'm glad to see Pelletier handed his ass.

What I'd really love to know is whether, since he's been fired for due cause, he intends to try to collect the ridiculous golden handshake so many bureaucrats receive when they retire?

What a clown. Glad to see the system work, for once.

Note: PM² coined by, and used with permission of... ummm... without permission of the Stupid Angry Canajun
Note 2: Why the hell can't Canada.com online news editors be bothered using proper accents for French words & names in their stories? It's your job to spell correctly, gang. Just because it's online doesn't give you licence to be lazy. Look up the damn html codes, ya twits.

Comments

[N. D. Sanderson]

Please inform me If Miriam Bedard got her job back
with Viva rail. Also where is Jean Pelletier now?

Is he back working for Viva?

Thank you.

[Snowball]

I see you were mentioned in today's Carnival of the Canucks, Paul. I wonder what charming and mildly flirtatious woman would have nominated you when she heard that one of her dearest friends would be hosting it?

[Greg]

Oh, man. Shoot own foot. Open mouth. Insert said foot.