Jack The Mustache Befriends Newfie Expropriator

Newfie tough guy Danny Williams can sit back and let Canada fight his NAFTA suit from AbitibiBowater, the company he expropriated assests from. His professionalism is shining through. (read)

David Paterson, Abitibi's president and chief executive officer, in a stinging letter to Williams last week, called Newfoundland and Labrador's move illegal and subject to retaliation.

In an interview Monday with CBC News, Williams said he's not worried.

"You know I'm a lawyer of over 30 years, so blowhard, five-page letters that get sent to everybody in the country mean nothing to me. I know the law," said Williams.

AbitibiBowater has said it is consulting with officials in Canada and in the U.S. over a possible challenge using the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Again, Williams said he is unfazed.

"We're acting within our rights here. If there's going to be a NAFTA challenge, so be it," he said.

"It appears that Abitibi are trying to adopt that similar type of jargon and to try and impress probably political leaders or people with political influence, but, you know, that doesn't work with me," he said.

"I've heard it all, and sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me."

The NDP's Jack Layton is listening. Socialists love sticking it to businesses and never liked the concept of private property.

"I think the premier has made a very bold move on behalf of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, and I congratulated him for having the foresight to take such a step," Layton told reporters.

"Our NDP members of Parliament have been meeting with the communities to talk about whether or not we can somehow or another convince the government of Ontario to move down a similar path," said Layton, following a meeting with Williams.

"So I think he's opened up an important new approach to public policy and to the custodianship of a public asset, and a public trust."

"An important new approach to public policy." No Jack, that's a very old approach and is illegal. Goddamn, imagine this guy as a cabinet minister in a ruling majority. We were almost there folks. Votes and private property be damned.