Okay.
The publication ban on the Gomery Inquiry has been partially lifted. Jean Brault’s trial has been pushed back to June, that will help prevent a tainted jury pool.

“It is the public interest the ban be lifted.”
At the time the ban was imposed Judge Gomery didn’t know what Brault would say that might jepordize his upcoming trial.

By now every Canadian that cared found the US blog.

Judge Gomery had three options:
1) No. Not lifting the ban.
2) Lifting the ban, the gossip is dizzier than the facts.
3) Partial ban. Some of the testimony can’t be published.

The New York Times hints at Captain Quarter’s source.

Journalists and anyone else can attend the so-called Gomery commission hearings, and Mr. Morrissey said one of them, whom he would not identify, had approached him and had been passing him information for his blog. Mr. Morrissey has cautioned that he is basing his reporting on that one source, who he has said he believes to be reliable, and that he has not corroborated the information. Canadian journalists who have attended the hearings, or have spoken to those who have, say Mr. Morrissey’s postings of the allegations, which have been made by a single witness, are generally accurate, though not complete.

(requires registration)

There has been speculation Morrissey’s unverified source was someone close to Jean Brault.
Now it sounds like it might be a journalist. Opps.
Why would Morrissey hint at his source?

Who got played here?
It certainly forced a decision by Justice Gomery.

At least Canadians can read columns from people that have been covering this now instead of unverified sources.

Since the inquiry started in September, Quebecer’s have been following it like a daily soap opera. English Canada hasn’t paid as much attention.
Now we are.

So, what is so explosive?
A US blogger got used by a Canadian (journalist?) to force a judges hand?

Now I see why Stephen Harper and Jack Layton aren’t siding with the BQ on a vote of non-confidence. I also understand the ‘repay fund’ idea being floated around. I understand why people clapped when Brault finished his testimony.
And now I understand why the Liberals are in potential election mode, but as they test the waters…we don’t want an election. It’s about image and the testimony of one man.

This will be all over the news, but the citizen chatter will probably be over at E-Group as bloggers and readers weigh in.

I haven’t heard that the Justice Department has backed off on going after Canadian bloggers that linked to Captains Quarters.

Update: It looks like I’m far from the only one reading between the lines in the Times. Norman Spector has come to the same conclusion only clearer.
It’s been interesting to watch media and politicans talk ‘around’ the ban.

Highlights of the ‘explosion.’

Question period is lively, and the parties are prepared.
And the spin begins.
To me the damage was done when Sheila Fraser (Auditor General) released her report.
We put a minority government in, we have a public inquiry, we get some finer details of how the money went down the drain.
People are facing charges, before the inquiry is over, maybe more will.
Ottawa needs to get a grip, let Gomery finish his job and hold off on an election.
Now that the media isn’t muzzled we’ll get doused with adscam.
The media had it’s coverage packaged and ready to go as soon as Judge Gomery finished the ruling.