Liberal Fundraising letter. Circa 1951

Uncovered from deep within the special archives:

Friend– Please donate now.

Help us uncover the truth. Canada’s reputation as a human rights champion is on the line. Let’s stop this travesty before Canada becomes a place we can’t recognize.

The Korean detainee scandal has the government’s spin machine on overdrive. First they said that the reports of prisoner abuse made last week had no credibility, and now we’ve learned that we have handed over prisoners to the Americans in spite of the fact that their commander, General Douglas MacArthur, was recently relieved of his command for reasons that are still unclear. Could they be related to prisoner abuse? We don't know but we need your help to find out.

With China now in the picture we are into an an entirely new war. Our detainee policy is in shambles and it is undermining Canada’s mission to bring democracy and respect for the rule of law to Korea. We owe it to our troops, our diplomats, and to Canada’s international reputation to find the truth about what happened. In times like these, no one can afford to sit on the political sidelines.

Your contribution of $5, $10 or $40 today will help the Liberal Party uncover the truth. Please give as generously as you are able.

Thank you,

(redacted)
National Director, Liberal Party of Canada

PS. Your donation right now is timely for the Christmas Season. What better gift than to make a donation on behalf of a loved one so we can smear the good reputation of our Canadian Armed Forces.

Some things never change.

From: “Rocco Rossi”
Subject: Help us uncover the truth / Aidez-nous à découvrir la vérité

Le français suit

Friend–

Donate now. Help us uncover the truth. Canada’s reputation as a human rights champion is on the line. Let’s stop Stephen Harper before he makes Canada a place we can’t recognize.

The Afghan detainee scandal has the government’s spin machine on overdrive. First the Conservatives called Richard Colvin, the courageous public servant who testified about prisoner abuse at a parliamentary committee last week, a Taliban “dupe.” Now, we’ve learned that Mr. Colvin copied the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs on his warnings, suggesting that those at the highest levels of government were aware of the situation.

It’s textbook US Republican-style attack politics, except this time it’s undermining Canada’s mission to bring democracy and respect for the rule of law to Afghanistan. We owe it to our troops, our diplomats, and to Canada’s international reputation to find the truth about what happened. In times like these, no one can afford to sit on the political sidelines.

Your contribution of $25, $50 or $100 today will help the Liberal Party uncover the truth. Please give as generously as you are able.

Thank you,

Rocco Rossi
National Director, Liberal Party of Canada

PS. Your donation right now is timely for tax reasons, too. Political donations entitle you to a tax credit of up to 75 per cent. That means that the after-tax net cost of your $100 donation will be as little as $25. So please make a donation now and help the Liberal Party uncover the truth.