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Toews must go says National Post editor, and the tweets roll on

It's time for Vic Toews to resign, insists National Post editorial board member and columnist Matt Gurney today. That may dampen the laughs Toews claims he's enjoyed while reading tweets sent his way via #TellVicEverything, the crowd-sourced revolt intended to satirize and shame the Tories and Toews for introducing Internet snooping bill C-30. "Actually some of these things are very, very funny… They're very humorous," Toews told the CBC last week, suggesting the network create a show based on the tweets. "It's really great stuff."

That was last Thursday, the day after Toews and his party launched an investigation into who created (from the bowels of Parliament?) a Twitter account revealing details about his divorce and personal life. On Thursday Toews also admitted he hadn't read the whole bill before introducing it, and disagreed with some of the measures in it.

Friday, the hacker group Anonymous reposted an updated version of its video vowing to make public online again tawdry allegations from Toews' divorce litigation. Yesterday, the Vancouver police chief and peers across Canada expressed their support for the bill.

And today Tyee columnist and University of Ottawa digital law expert Michael Geist proposes a Bill C-30 compromise to give police more flexibility while still protecting privacy by requiring warrants in instances where they are mandated now.

Meanwhile, Canadians continue to voluntarily confess to the public safety minister on #TellVicEverything. Here's an up-to-the-minute sample:

jonah @zionosphere: #tellviceverything I was just wondering why the only wheat-free sausages my local store carries that are spicy Italian. Ideas?

Will You Be Conned @WillYouBeConned: Dear @ToewsVic I just read the number of people playing hockey in US will surpass Canada soon. Lace up & protect us Vic #TellVicEverything

Ruth Ward @reward64: @ToewsVic Hard at work today, work, work work. Thought I would confirm what you already know. #TellVicEverything

Patricia Forrest @AnnePatti: I just scratched the lower right side of my right ankle because it was itchy. Wonder if I'm allergic to something? #TellVicEverything

Dennis Moore @dennismoore: #TellVicEverything I am at the #Scottie's and draw 10 starting soon. Vic, a good time for your Canada SS to look at my computer.

Ze_Qcer @Ze_Qcer: Vic I need your help! Can't reach my wife at work so I don't know what she wants for supper #TellVicEverything

Karen Siwak @ResumeStrategy: My b is stuck. Darn you, crumbly muffin. #TellVicEverything

V @forrestfungus: Rhinanna and Chris Brown, togther again... Vic Toews launches full investigation into how the NDP are behind this too #TellVicEverything

igor f @sh33psy: Just cleaned up my email inbox! (Letting you know, since you don't have your police state yet.) #TellVicEverything

brad zdanivsky @zdanivsky: I sometimes put the milk in first, then add the cereal. #TellVicEverything

lazyphonetech @lazyphonetech: To simplify things, should I send my browsing history with my tax return? #TellVicEverything

Rene Ross @firecatkitty: I once downloaded a video on "How to fist" cause I thought it was a Bruce Lee video. You're gonna arrest me now. #tellviceverything

Gef Fox @WagTheFox: I'm actually with the riled stenographers, but that sounds like child pornographers, so I understand the mixup. #TellVicEverything

Scott Simms @Scott_Simms: Just got a call from a Telemarketer. He asked if I was busy and I said "yes"..... But I wasn't. #TellVicEverything

Michael L. Maynard @MaynardM: "You're so vain You probably think my email's about you... @Theistic" #TellVicEverything

Justin Trudeau, MP @justinpjtrudeau: During QP @johnbairdown dropped by and I asked him to tell @ToewsVic that I had to pee. He didn't know we #TellVicEverything. Awkward.

Derian Julihn @julihn: George Orwell's book was a warning not a suggestion #1984 #BigBrother #TellVicEverything

ThisHourHas22Minutes @22_Minutes: Dear @ToewsVic: Just pulled a charley-horse in my leg. There it goes again, OH, MAN! OW! OWWWW!...I'm good now. #TellVicEverything

scottfeschuk @scottfeschuk: The Bruce Willis character was DEAD THE WHOLE TIME. #TellVicEverything

David Beers is editor of The Tyee.


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