POLEZNYI DURAK - "USEFUL IDIOT" -THAT SEEMS DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT

Pages 116 to 119 of the 2018 book titled "The Spy and the Traitor" written by Ben Macintyre are an eye opening into manipulation and seduction of one's principles. In this non-fiction thriller these pages refer to the relationship between a British politician and agents of the Soviet Union. While this book condemns the self-serving behaviour of the Labour politician it also suggests that he did not break the law. "He was not a Soviet spy. He had not betrayed his country. But he had taken direction and secretly accepted money from, while providing information to, an enemy power, a totallitarian dictatorship.". ................................................................................................................. The Labour politician was code named "Boot" by the Soviets. "BOOT was a peculiar sort of agent, who did not exactly fit the KGB definition. He did not conceal his meetings with Soviet officials (though he did not advertise them either), and since he was a public figure, these were impossible to arrange clandestinely. He was an "opinion creator", and therefore more an agent of influence (a term of art) than an agent (a specific term of espionage)". ................................................................................................................ After the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia "Boot" was downgraded from "agent" to "confidential contact" by the Soviets. He had been publicly intensely critical of the Soviet Union in the wake of the crushing of Czechoslovakian hopes and aspirations. So are there any local analogies to this situation? ................................................................................................................ I will lay out the facts and let you the readers decide for yourselves. Here in Elmira, Ontario we have two citizens who have received benefits from an American multi-national, multi-billion dollar corporation. Some of these benefits have included free accomodations and travel expenses around North America. This pair have also had private meetings with Chemtura Canada on their property. These meetings were referred to as the ACC or APT-Chemtura Committee and were not on behalf of the public as that was being done by the 2011-2015 Chemtura Public Advisory Committee (CPAC) under the chairmanship of Dr. Dan Holt. .................................................................................................................. Furthermore non-monetary benefits accrued to at least one of this pair as they have received both public awards (RMOW, GRCA) as well as public admiration from what appears to be their constant guaranteed access to Chemtura Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Environment and local councils. As far as being an "opinion creator" certainly both these citizens affected and led opinions and discussions on UPAC (Uniroyal Public Advisory Committee) and CPAC from 2000 until 2010 as the one was the Chair throughout that time. An "agent of influence" certainly applies to both of them. In my opinion both of them also took advice and direction from Chemtura regarding monitoring concessions given to the company by CPAC under the leadership of this pair. One could also argue that the establishment in 2000 of municipal control (i.e. Woolwich Township) over UPAC/CPAC was at the direction of Uniroyal to bring the company back to the UPAC table after they had departed in a huff over UPAC criticism of their failure to stop their air discharges in town. ............................................................................................................ The "....publicly, intensely critical of the Soviet Union" comment in the third paragraph is also interesting. From time to time both of these persons mentioned have publicly trashed Uniroyal/Crompton/Chemtura and the Ministry of Environment. The quote (poleznyi durak or useful idiot) in the title above was coined by Vladimir Lenin and refers to "...one who can be used to spread propaganda without being aware of it or subscribing to the goals intended by the manipulator." I am very doubtful that either of them were not aware of it (pro Uniroyal actions) and more confident that they were subscribing to the company's long term goals. That is my conclusion based on decades of first hand observation however you the readers may decide as you will.