Now journalists can't kiss the talking frogs, either

Good Gawd. ReWind.It and Mandos tell me that Harper is keeping the media from talking to the scientists who work at Environment Canada:

Environment Canada has "muzzled" its scientists, ordering them to refer all media queries to Ottawa where communications officers will help them respond with "approved lines."

The new policy, which went into force in recent weeks and sent a chill through the department research divisions, is designed to control the department's media message and ensure there are no "surprises" for Environment Minister John Baird and senior management when they open the newspaper or turn on the television, according to documents obtained by Canwest News Service.

"Just as we have ‘one department, one website' we should have ‘one department, one voice,' " says a PowerPoint presentation from Environment Canada's executive management committee that's been sent to department staff.

This news comes on the heels of the Harper government's dismissal of the National Science Advisor, which in turn came on the heels of the Harper government's dismissal of the nuclear safety regulator.

In case you missed the 'talking frog' reference: it relates to a joke often told by the dismissed National Science Advisor, Arthur Carty (I posted the joke on the weekend). It's about talking frogs, politicians, and journalists.

But these days, the only one left laughing is Mr. Harper.