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Kinsella has cultivated an image as a "Liberal attack dog", and the "[[James Carville]]" and "Prince of Darkness" of Canadian politics. Kinsella gained national exposure during the 2000 federal election when, in a strategem devised by Liberal war room operative Sophie Galarneau, he appeared on television brandishing a toy Barney dinosaur to highlight [[Stockwell Day]]'s creationist beliefs [http://thepolitic.com/?p=196]. Kinsella ran as a Liberal candidate in the [[Canadian federal election, 1997|1997 federal election]] in the [[riding]] of [[North Vancouver (electoral district)|North Vancouver]] and lost.
Kinsella has cultivated an image as a "Liberal attack dog", and the "[[James Carville]]" and "Prince of Darkness" of Canadian politics. Kinsella gained national exposure during the 2000 federal election when, in a strategem devised by Liberal war room operative Sophie Galarneau, he appeared on television brandishing a toy Barney dinosaur to highlight [[Stockwell Day]]'s creationist beliefs [http://thepolitic.com/?p=196]. Kinsella ran as a Liberal candidate in the [[Canadian federal election, 1997|1997 federal election]] in the [[riding]] of [[North Vancouver (electoral district)|North Vancouver]] and lost.


Kinsella was a vocal supporter of Prime Minister [[Jean Chrétien]] and criticized [[Paul Martin]] for challenging Chrétien's leadership. He criticized the Liberal campaign several times in the [[Canadian federal election, 2004|2004 federal election]], and [[Canadian federal election, 2006|2006 election]] [http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/CanadaVotes/2005/12/02/1334864-cp.html].
Kinsella was a vocal supporter of Prime Minister [[Jean Chrétien]] and criticized [[Paul Martin]] for challenging Chrétien's leadership. He criticized the Liberal campaign several times in the [[Canadian federal election, 2004|2004 federal election]], and [[Canadian federal election, 2006|2006 election]] [ {{fact}} Kinsella's firm, the Daisy Consulting Group, was named after the Daisy ad of the 1964 U.S. presidential election.{{fact}}

Kinsella's firm, the Daisy Consulting Group, was named after the Daisy ad of the 1964 U.S. presidential election.{{fact}}


==Activism==
==Activism==
He has been a long-time anti-racism activist, and has been frequently targeted by the far right for reprisals. In 1995, in Ottawa, Kinsella and his family were placed under police protection following death threats. While a practicing Roman Catholic, he is a member of the board of the Canada Israel Committee.{{fact}}
He has been a long-time anti-racism activist, and has been frequently targeted by the far right for reprisals.{{fact}} In 1995, in Ottawa, Kinsella and his family were placed under police protection following death threats. {{fact}} While a practicing Roman Catholic, he is a member of the board of the Canada Israel Committee.{{fact}}


==Gomery Inquiry==
==Gomery Inquiry==


Kinsella has been highly critical of the [[Gomery Commission]] inquiry into the federal sponsorship program. The program came into existence two years after Kinsella left government service, but the former Chrétien aide often publicly defended the former prime minister's role in the affair, and attacked Judge Gomery for alleged bias. He also requested, and was granted, the opportunity to appear before the inquiry as a witness. He also successfully sued one of his persistent online critics, blogger [[Mark Bourrie]], over a post by Bourrie regarding Kinsella's role in the affair [http://ottsun.canoe.ca/News/National/2006/02/15/1443176-sun.html]. Kinsella's lawyer argued, "The way in which it was written leaves it to the reader to conclude that Mr. Kinsella was a participant in the kickback scandal and he was not". Bourrie issued an apology and made a payment in settlement: "The manner in which my January 14, 2006 blog entry was worded made it seem that Mr. Kinsella had been a party to illegal conduct when this was clearly not the case. I apologize without reservation to Mr. Kinsella for that error on my part."{{fact}}
Kinsella has been highly critical of the [[Gomery Commission]] inquiry into the federal sponsorship program. The program came into existence two years after Kinsella left government service, but the former Chrétien aide often publicly defended the former prime minister's role in the affair, and attacked Judge Gomery for alleged bias. He also requested, and was granted, the opportunity to appear before the inquiry as a witness.{{fact}}


==Writing==
==Writing==
Kinsella has written five books: ''Unholy Alliances'' ([[Lester Publishing|Lester]], [[1992]]); ''Web of Hate'' ([[HarperCollins]], [[1994]]); ''[[Party Favours]]'' (HarperCollins, [[1997]]); ''Kicking Ass in Canadian Politics'' ([[Random House]], [[2001]]); ''Fury's Hour: A (sort-of) Punk-Rock Manifesto'' (Random House, [[2005]]).
Kinsella has written five books: ''Unholy Alliances'' ([[Lester Publishing|Lester]], [[1992]]); ''Web of Hate'' ([[HarperCollins]], [[1994]]); ''[[Party Favours]]'' (HarperCollins, [[1997]]); ''Kicking Ass in Canadian Politics'' ([[Random House]], [[2001]]); ''Fury's Hour: A (sort-of) Punk-Rock Manifesto'' (Random House, [[2005]]).
Kinsella is media columnist for the ''[[National Post]]''. In late 2000, he established a [[weblog]], "Latest Musings".{{fact}}
Kinsella is media columnist for the ''[[National Post]]''. In late 2000, he established a [[weblog]], "Latest Musings".{{fact}}

==Legal threats to bloggers==

In 2004 Kinsella aroused controversy when he threatened legal action against Canadian bloggers who he alleged libelled him.[http://ottawawatch.blogspot.com/2006/01/no-sue-me-was-not-pu-yis-second-wife_27.html] For many in the Canadian blogosphere, the threat of libel action, instead of open discussion with the bloggers, was seen as an attack on free speech. The threatened lawsuits were eventually settled without litigation when most parties involved compromised. Some consider the controversy a pivotal moment in the Canadian blogosphere's coming of age.[http://ottawawatch.blogspot.com/2006/01/no-sue-me-was-not-pu-yis-second-wife_27.html]
In January, 2006, he filed a statement of claim for $600,000 against blogger [[Mark Bourrie]] over a post by Bourrie regarding Kinsella's role in the Public Works department in the months leading up to the sponsorship scandal. Bourrie issued an apology and paid part of Kinsella's costs. However, Kinsella launched a suit against the same blogger in June, 2006. [http://www.ottawawatch.blogspot.com.]


==Music==
==Music==

Revision as of 01:52, 1 July 2006

File:Kinsella.jpg
Warren Kinsella in his basement
Warren Kinsella should not be confused with Canadian author W. P. Kinsella.

J. Warren Kinsella, LL.B (born August 1960 in Montreal, Quebec), is a Toronto-based Canadian lawyer, author, musician, political consultant, lobbyist and commentator.

Education and Career History

After receiving a bachelor's degree in journalism from Carleton University, Kinsella worked as a reporter at the Ottawa Citizen newspaper. He subsequently earned a law degree from the University of Calgary and was employed by the Bay Street law firm McMillan Binch and by the Navigator lobbying firm.[citation needed]

Politics

Kinsella worked as a staffer in opposition leader Jean Chrétien's office, as a strategy advisor in the Canadian federal Liberal Party's 1993 election campaign "task force", and as chief of staff to federal Public Works minister David Dingwall. Kinsella has cultivated an image as a "Liberal attack dog", and the "James Carville" and "Prince of Darkness" of Canadian politics. Kinsella gained national exposure during the 2000 federal election when, in a strategem devised by Liberal war room operative Sophie Galarneau, he appeared on television brandishing a toy Barney dinosaur to highlight Stockwell Day's creationist beliefs [1]. Kinsella ran as a Liberal candidate in the 1997 federal election in the riding of North Vancouver and lost.

Kinsella was a vocal supporter of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and criticized Paul Martin for challenging Chrétien's leadership. He criticized the Liberal campaign several times in the 2004 federal election, and 2006 election [ [citation needed] Kinsella's firm, the Daisy Consulting Group, was named after the Daisy ad of the 1964 U.S. presidential election.[citation needed]

Activism

He has been a long-time anti-racism activist, and has been frequently targeted by the far right for reprisals.[citation needed] In 1995, in Ottawa, Kinsella and his family were placed under police protection following death threats. [citation needed] While a practicing Roman Catholic, he is a member of the board of the Canada Israel Committee.[citation needed]

Gomery Inquiry

Kinsella has been highly critical of the Gomery Commission inquiry into the federal sponsorship program. The program came into existence two years after Kinsella left government service, but the former Chrétien aide often publicly defended the former prime minister's role in the affair, and attacked Judge Gomery for alleged bias. He also requested, and was granted, the opportunity to appear before the inquiry as a witness.[citation needed]

Writing

Kinsella has written five books: Unholy Alliances (Lester, 1992); Web of Hate (HarperCollins, 1994); Party Favours (HarperCollins, 1997); Kicking Ass in Canadian Politics (Random House, 2001); Fury's Hour: A (sort-of) Punk-Rock Manifesto (Random House, 2005). Kinsella is media columnist for the National Post. In late 2000, he established a weblog, "Latest Musings".[citation needed]

In 2004 Kinsella aroused controversy when he threatened legal action against Canadian bloggers who he alleged libelled him.[2] For many in the Canadian blogosphere, the threat of libel action, instead of open discussion with the bloggers, was seen as an attack on free speech. The threatened lawsuits were eventually settled without litigation when most parties involved compromised. Some consider the controversy a pivotal moment in the Canadian blogosphere's coming of age.[3] In January, 2006, he filed a statement of claim for $600,000 against blogger Mark Bourrie over a post by Bourrie regarding Kinsella's role in the Public Works department in the months leading up to the sponsorship scandal. Bourrie issued an apology and paid part of Kinsella's costs. However, Kinsella launched a suit against the same blogger in June, 2006. [4]

Music

Kinsella plays bass guitar for the Toronto-based punk rock band Shit From Hell.[citation needed]