The Moral Decay and Rot Within the Conservative Party.

Today we woke up to the news that Arthur Porter has been charged, and a warrant issued for fraud.  Twitter is ablaze with comments on a released video in which Tom Flanagan is of the opinion that child pornography is somehow a victimless crime. (Perhaps more about that in a future post.)  With Canadian Senators scrambling for the exits when questioned about their expenses and even their legitimacy, we are left to wonder just how deep the corruption and moral decay goes in the Conservative Party.

Here is a partial list of Conservative party members and/or supporters that have been getting into hot water. Many of them are PM Stephen Harper's appointees - some with connections to the PMO, others are MPs and Ministers.  These are just links to news media reports and many of the investigations are still ongoing but a disturbing pattern has emerged. As you go down the list, ask yourself if these are the kind of people you want governing your country. You may want to have something nearby to settle your stomach as you read.

Please use the comments section if you feel there's something to add to the list.  I'm sure there are plenty of other incidents.

Ex-spy watchdog Arthur Porter charged with fraud http://www.windsorstar.com/watchdog+charged+with+fraud/8027184/story.html

Tom Flanagan okay with child pornography.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqS4qKkE_SY

RCMP called in to assist with Dean Del Mastro election campaign investigation  http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/canada-politics/rcmp-assisting-elections-canada-dean-del-mastro-campaign-180012207.html

Trial date set for Bruce Carson, former Harper aide, charged with influence peddling  
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/trial-date-set-for-bruce-carson-former-harper-aide-charged-with-influence-peddling/article4628142/

Penashue records removed from election spending file http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2013/01/04/pol-letters-removed-from-peter-penashue-file.html

Pamela Wallin, Conservative senator, holds Ontario health card  http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/02/25/pamela_wallin_conservative_senator_holds_ontario_health_card.html

Senator Mike Duffy takes kitchen exit as reporters seek answers on residence  http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/senator-mike-duffy-takes-kitchen-exit-as-reporters-seek-answers-on-residence-1.1146765#ixzz2MBUoZYpo

Generous donations from executives of SNC-Lavalin's Conservative Party http://nowheremanblogs.blogspot.ca/2012/05/generous-donations-from-executives-of.html

Arrest warrants issued for Arthur Porter, ex-SNC-Lavalin CEO Pierre Duhaime http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/arrest-warrants-issued-for-arthur-porter-ex-snc-lavalin-ceo-pierre-duhaime/article9104853/

Senator Patrick Brazeau accused of pushing woman down stairs http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/02/26/sen_patrick_brazeau_pleads_not_guilty_plea_to_assault_sexual_assault_charges.html

Anonymous Releases Information on Vic Toews  http://thecanadianpoliticalscene.blogspot.ca/2012/03/anonymous-releases-information-on-vic.html

Christian Paradis faces yet another ethics investigation after conflict of interest decision  http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/04/24/christian-paradis-faces-yet-another-ethics-investigation-after-conflict-of-interest-decision/

Senate residency uproar continues as Harper holds the line  http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/02/27/pol-senate-residency-uproar-continues.html

Conservatives admit making robocalls in Saskatchewan http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/02/05/pol-conservatives-admit-robocalls-saskatchewan.html

Robocalls probe remains top priority, Elections Canada head says  http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Robocalls+probe+remains+priority+Elections+Canada+head+says/8004362/story.html#ixzz2MBcPsBbc

Conservatives’ ‘in-and-out’ scandal investigation cost taxpayers $2.3-million http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/04/10/conservatives-in-and-out-scandal-investigation-cost-taxpayers-2-3m/

Conservatives admit they’re behind false byelection phone calls in Liberal riding  http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/11/30/conservatives-admit-theyre-behind-false-byelection-calls-for-liberal-mps-riding/

The Chuck Cadman bribe controversy
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/parliament39/cadman.html

Flaherty broke rules by writing CRTC letter: ethics commissioner  
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/flaherty-broke-rules-by-writing-crtc-letter-ethics-commissioner/article7509562/

Gazebos and the governing morality 
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/gazebos-and-the-governing-morality/article626964/

Harper, Where's Bev Oda's Pink Slip?
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/peter-worthington/bev-oda-savoy_b_1455771.html

SNC-Lavalin staff donated $15K to Conservative nominee  http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/03/20/snc-lavalin-donations-conservative.html

Elections Canada asked to probe donations from SNC-Lavalin execs  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2013/03/21/canada-quebec-snc-lavalin-political-donations-elections-canada-probe.html?cmp=rss

Michael Sona Charged By Elections Canada In Connection To Robocall Scandal  http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/04/02/michael-sona-charged-robocall_n_2994767.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

Storify'd: April foolery - Patrick Brazeau style
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/inside-politics-blog/2013/04/storifyd-april-foolery----patrick-brazeau-style.html


Library head Daniel Caron resigns as $170,000 in expenses found  http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Library+head+Daniel+Caron+resigns+expenses+found/8391614/story.html#ixzz2TThJBLoS

PM's chief of staff paid off Mike Duffy's Senate expenses
Ethics czar announces review of possible conflict of interest over gift of $90,000  
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/05/15/pol-duffy-senate-deal.html

Key moments in the Senate expenses controversy
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/05/15/pol-senate-expenses-timeline-duffy-wallin-harb-brazeau.html

Duffy campaign invoice contradicts expense claim
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/05/16/pol-duffy-senate-expenses.html


Sen. Mike Duffy leaves Conservative caucus amid expense scandal  http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/sen-mike-duffy-leaves-conservative-caucus-amid-expense-scandal-1.1283982#ixzz2TVo9sGR8

Mike Duffy tried to influence CRTC decision on Sun Media: source
http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/mike-duffy-tried-to-influence-crtc-decision-on-sun-media-source-1.1285555#ixzz2TVohy2lM