The big news around Halton tonight was the call that Scott took. At first he thought it was another one of those irritating telemarketers from the federal Tories, begging for money. After all, a young woman’s voice came on saying something like, I’m from the Conservative Party of Canada.
Then his ears picked up when she got to the part about inviting him to a meeting tomorrow night in Milton, so the Conservative Party can review Garth Turner’s candidacy. Seeing Scott is a director of the party in Halton, and a key member of my campaign team, he was curious as to what the heck was going on.
His questions were passed on to a guy who said he was in from Ottawa for a couple of weeks to work on this project, and that concerned citizens were gathering to organize because of concerns about Garth Turner and the marriage vote.
So, Scott asked in his bashful way, are you part of the fundamentalist religious right wing of the party? The answer, he says, was quick in coming: “Oh, yes.â€
So, there you have it. Trouble in River City. Depending on what happens over the next couple of days, I may be coming face-to-face with a moral brigade determined to unhorse me and steal away the Conservative Party nomination in Halton that I won in a battle just 16 months ago. In fact, Scott tells me his caller mentioned the righteous right folk will be backing one of the guys I defeated.
In case you missed a previous post, the Tory party recently decided not to protect incumbent MPs, the way the Liberals do, but to make them run for their own jobs. The party further decided to take over the local nomination process, deciding when ridings would be “released†to have nominations, and when nomination meetings would be held. So, local party volunteers and workers do not have a role in any of this, and they were as surprised as anyone else last Friday afternoon when the Ottawa headquarters called all Conservative members in Halton and told them the nomination process had begun. (I received an earlier heads-up this might happen.)
Under the rules of engagement, anyone wanting to thrown me overboard has until this coming Sunday to declare his or her candidacy, which means having been a member for six months, coughing up a thousand bucks and getting 25 locals to sign their support. After that, there will be a meeting to vote on who the candidate will be in the next election, and that is set for September 11th.
Now, one might ask why the heck we are worrying right now about nominating candidates for an election that has not been called. You might also ask why we have voluntarily decided to start the party infighting that nomination contests always bring. And, say, didn’t we just have an election just seven months ago? Do Canadians have any appetite at all for another vote, or do they just what the government to govern?
Beats me. I have asked questions about this process, but have received no answers. The PMO wants nominations, and so they happen. And here is an example of what the process brings.
I wrote here a few months ago about the threats made by Charles McVety and his moral, anti-gay-marriage crusaders, who made it clear they would target and defeat Tory MPs who do not support opening a national debate on the definition of marriage. I took on McVety and his ilk, calling them intolerant, and stating my view that those who seek to gain political office for religious goals are a danger to our society.
After all, is this piety-in-office belief not at the root of the Islamic fundamentalism and extremism we are fighting in Afghanistan, which Israel has been defending itself against, and which this week caused a new terror alert paralyzing global air travel? Does Canada’s secular and multi-hued, multi-belief society need a dose of literalist religious guidance?
Hey, maybe by making noises about stealing my job at a bussed-in nomination event stacked with insta-Tories, this bunch thinks I will suddenly be born again and vote the right way on gay marriage?
Well, I talked this over a bit with Dorothy tonight, and I told her what I was going to do. I’ll tell you in a few days. But meanwhile know this:
- I did not run to be an MP because I needed a job. I did this because I love my country.
- I am a democrat. If a bunch of people who have been Conservatives for a day or two swamp me out of the nomination, that’s cool. Ultimately the people of the riding will decide if that’s the kind of person they want as MP.
- I campaigned for middle class families, to fight for more fairness in our system, more justice for us all, and to restore a little faith in democracy. Nothing is going to change that. Nothing.
- I said here in my riding and in the halls of Ottawa that I work for the voters, not the party or the leader. When it was necessary, I have spoken out against those things people disagreed with, even when it was not politically popular or expedient. I will not stop now, no matter the threat.
- Finally, I wake up every morning and try to do the right thing. I am unencumbered, and gladly so. I am not a Harper confidant. He’s given me no job, nor have I asked. I am guided by only my heart, as calloused as it might be.
And I fear no man.
104 comments ↓
Garth: I have a very simple philosophy regarding politicians and bureaucrats: If ever politician and bureaucrat in North America were lined up one day and shot, it would be: 1. too late and 2. too kind. Your problem, Garth is simple. You are not a politician.
You are a conscientious and consistent representative of your bosses…the people. You are Mr. Smith Goes To Ottawa, writ large as life and twice as true. Others see you as arrogant, vain, narcissistic, conceited and other similar perjoratives. Their problem is, you’ve kept your promises, and you’re not a team play, except with the people who count most to you…your constituents.
Keep on walking your talk, keep on kicking cowardly party-hack butt and NILS ILLEGITIMUS CARBORUNDUM! Of course, that’s just my opinion…I could be wrong…
Remember Chuck Cadman? Lots of people do. If they end up taking away your nomination the people of Halton will easily put you back in as an independent.
You know it and I know it, but the fact that those fools don’t know it is the biggest knee slapper I’ve heard in a long time.
I would like to congratulate you on your work on MPTV. A conservative minded individual in Victoria, B.C. has precious little opportunity to view unbiased news reports from the hill, so your site has become a bit of a favourite of mine.
It’s a sad day Garth, but you had to have had some inkling that Harper and his band of fundamentalist Christians was going to go in this direction. Heaven help us all.
Garth
I have been waiting for this day to arrive. I always knew that the CPC brass would find a way to try and unseat you as an MP. You just don’t fit into there plan! I hope that you win the nomination, but if you do not please run as an independant ….you will win! And they will die a 1000 deaths.
Hang in there Mr. Turner. I for one wish enjoy your approach.
I wonder how many CPC Mps are actually going to be facing a challenge. Will it be a select few … and who did the selecting?
This situation is exactly what is wrong with politics in our country and smells of dictatorship.You have been a voice in Ottawa for all of us Garth keep up the good work!
You have stood alone as a man and said the things that needed to be said and for that should be commended.You are like a breath of fresh airfor the ordinary working canadian and i thank you !—-john
Garth, hang in there and do what you are doing.
it is time to start the wheels rolling to challenge the job of the Big Man.
Stay as a CPC.
Garth – this is one of those times when I am not fully in your corner. Since you were elected, you have been quite forthright in your opinions regarding the operation of the CPC and, for the most part, they are not positive. Why, then, have you not stepped away and sat as an independent.
It is clear, and this is your right to do so, that you are not a CPC team player; and that is fine, as long as you are not working under the CPC banner.
It is evident that your constituents have a great regard for you and I do not doubt that you would succeed as an independent.
You are a good MP for your constituency and, for that, I give you full credit. I do, however, feel that you should leave the CPC and sit as an independent. I believe that both you and the party would be much happier.
And, I am sure that my comments will unleash all sorts of backlash and I am quite prepared for it.
It’s not a man you have to fear but Sandra Buckler who seems to be tugging on the strings connected to harper’s more vindictive and right of right inclinations.
It would be interesting to see a list of the ridings and the newly nominated candidates as of this coming Sunday. If anyone is in a position to post such a list next week it could be quite revealing.
I’m damned sure sure Harper, Day and the other obvious suspects will remain unchallenged. This smells like a purge.
Gee, after all that rant, you sound like the intolerant one Garth.
After all, is this piety-in-office belief not at the root of the Islamic fundamentalism and extremism we are fighting in Afghanistan, which Israel has been defending itself against, and which this week caused a new terror alert paralyzing global air travel?
No, it isn’t. That’s quite an intolerant view on people who don’t hold your point of view on homosexual marriage, but that’s what Christians have come to expect more and more.
Does Canada’s secular and multi-hued, multi-belief society need a dose of literalist religious guidance?
Noticed that you don’t use the word religion when describing those people who aren’t opposing you. Canada was based on what you call literalist religious guidance.
I guess you weren’t telling me the truth about this process, I guess you really are complaining. Stop lying to people Garth. If you don’t like this process, get out of politics, no one is forcing you. If you don’t like the democratic process that can unseat a candidate, try to change it. Crying like a little baby here isn’t going to help, do something about it, something concrete.
I prefer democracy, I guess you don’t.
Whomever said to me that when Garth says he represents the middle class is not literally meant as that, he’s saying it again and you’re wrong.
Here’s the quote, I campaigned for middle class families…
Hi Garth – I disagree with your decision on not re-opening the gay marriage debate since this was a promise made to the voters during the election. However, I do not agree with this process to unseat you over this single issue. Good luck.
Sean, I don’t often agree with some of what you write, but this time, I am in your corner.
Garth, since your election to office, you have done your level best to criticize the PM, the party, the policies of the party etc. It does sound, at this juncture, that you have some personal axes to grind. I am having difficulty believing that your undermining the CPC leadership is in the interests of your constituents and out of your love for your country. It does sound, more and more, like a Garth agenda and more and more, Garth, you are sounding like a typical politician; which you claim to not be.
Sorry, Garth. Your intentions may have started honourably, but you have become an opposition member within your party. I strongly suggest that you leave the CPC and, in the next election, run as an independent or with one of the other parties. You are not a team player. You are a member of the Garth party and that’s it.
I’m curious, did you make your stance on gay marriage clear during your campaign? I’m not trying to stir up trouble, I just didn’t follow your campaign all that closely.
The reason I ask is that, if you did, and the people of Halton chose you, then you represent the majority of the voting population in your area in that matter, or at least they didn’t find your stance objectionable enough to vote for someone else.
Yes, I did – clearly and without nuance. — Garth
Sean, true democracy on this issue would be having the issue decided in a referendum, 50%+1. THAT is democracy. Having a single issue group hijack a nomination meeting is not democracy, because a very small percentage can then impose their will on others.
There are two problems with that. The first is that it can result in candidates that vote as directed on that one issue, but then are terrible MP’s in general, and it is not the special interest groups that suffer, but the people in the riding.
The second problem is the opposite… in the absence of such a special interest hijacking, you still have a smaller special interest group deciding on who will run as the MP, and those people may not reflect the will of the people any better than a special interest group.
In fact, the retardedness of this is highlighted by Richard, who complains that Garth hasn’t followed the party line. Of course he doesn’t mention that the party line he is complaining Garth doesn’t follow IS DESIGNED BY COMPLETELY UNELECTED PEOPLE IN THE PMO’s office. In other words, if MP’s follow the party line, you have a choice between the liberal Cabal or the conservative Cabal… and guess what, based on the performance of the CPC and the business as usual way they have acted, both choices stink. The party line is just a way to completely bypass the political process.
Oh, and Sean, by the way, I just thought you would like to know that your postings, where you claim to be a representative christian yet you show the charity and courtesy of Pat Robertson advocating assassination, have helped developed anti-christian feelings in me. But then again, you’re probably happy to hear that, you seem to love your persecution complex as… “that’s what Christians have come to expect more and more”. Maybe you just didn’t realize it’s because the vocal Christians act like jerks in public.
I wondered how long it would take for a Righteous Right post. Good grief, none of you people (including the PM) have ever provided a single objective reason to justify re-opening the SSM debate. Oh, it’s against your religious beliefs?…I’m sorry, but that just won’t cut it in today’s world (maybe a hundred years ago, but not now).
Perhaps if you were to come up with some factual reasons why banning SSM should become a political priority and not just because the Bible says its bad, people might begin to take you more seriously. Otherwise you simply come across as arrogant, intolerant, uninformed and untrustworthy.
Oh, and good luck with trying to unseat non-conformist CPC MP’s for disagreeing with you on the SSM issue. Methinks you severely overestimate the far right support you have in this country and particularly in Halton.
Frankly, I think a religious right candidate would have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning halton. Now the conservative nomination, well that’s another story.
Garth – is there anything that we can do?
The Federal Tories have fought with themselves and not been able to provide a truly united front to the electorate, and therefore suffered at the polls for years – by default leaving the Liberals to run things. I had hoped this in-fighting was in the past and the uniting of the Reform and PC parties into the CPC party would provide a viable right of centre political entity.
If this imprudent move is any indication, the party hasn’t learned any lessons from previous failures. The party needs to accept a diversity of views within a right of centre framework. One size fits all – and make sure your that size – does not work.
Fight them, Garth – and beat them good!
Garth: There are many of your constituents who will support you in this process. We just need to know what we can do.
I am a Liberal but I do have a great deal of respect for Mr. Turner. If I can offer a piece of advice, I strongly advise the CPC nationally and in Halton against holding these nomination meetings. Look what happened to our party in Hamilton with Copps vs. Valeri. What a waste of time.
I believe that Mr. Turner’s efforts could be better spent bring forward proposals to improve the government’s tax system among other issues, rather than fight to be a CPC candidate in Halton. To those who would organize against Mr. Turner or who claim he’s not a ‘team player’ ask yourselves this question: would you rather be in government making an overall difference for the country or become divided and distracted?
For all of you folks who are questioning Garth and his ability to represent Halton and the CPC because he will not address your marriage issue, I have a question.
Do you DANCE?
I ask this question because in the Canada Christian College code of conduct there is only one mention of refraining from practices that are biblically condemned, such as homosexual behaviour. There is however three individual points that specify ’social dancing’ and how it is of ‘questionable value’, ‘not permitted on campus’, and ‘the College does not condone dancing at clubs’.
Wow…Garth I hope you and Dorthy do not dance. This would be a much bigger issue for Mr. and Mrs. McVety to take a stand on. I’m quite sure this would be cause for instant recall!!
At the end of the day Garth you will prevail because, like myself, folks want to know that someone is looking out for their interests as you do. Make my house value increase, make my interest rates lower, make me have more when I retire and make sure my daughter has none of my generation’s debts to pay off when she joins the workforce. That is all you need to do for me.
HOLY COW… that IS what you are doing.
Steve ,MJB:
Don’t get distracted by the SSM issue. It’s the tip of the iceberg. Start asking these guys what else they plan to do if they manage to pull off their little coup. There is an agenda here. SSM is just number one on the list.
Scott…Hear Hear!!! Fabulous post!
I would have to easily agree with Doug McEwens’ comment, that if you ran independant, you would easily defeat any right wing fundamentalist.
religion and politics…just do not mix. Stand up for the democratic rights of individuals, and stand out amongst a bunch of neo-con fools.
Steve, what you call hijacking is democracy in action. Don’t like it, then either change it or bring in the people who support you. Whatever the final vote is, you accept and move on. If that candidate gets voted as an MP and its based on that single issue, then I would suggest to you that there is nothing wrong with that as that is democracy. But I can assure you that homosexual marriage is not the only issue for a Christian. Steve if you have developed anti-Christian feelings, you do it to yourself. Start taking responsibility for your own actions, stop blaming others. I don’t follow Pat Robertson, and as a matter of fact, I don’t even pay much attention to him whatsoever. It sounds to me that you like your Christians to be timid and speak when spoken to. Sad.
MJB, I’ve provided many reasons and at your request, not one of them a religious point of view. I have pointed out again and again the corrupt and lying way this has been pushed through. That alone is enough. Open your eyes man. Using the words religious right is redundant, one cannot be religious and support the leftwing agenda as that agenda is anti-God.
Mike, John, Robert Carley and Scott: while I don’t support Garth’s views, I do suggest that if you want to help his nomination, become a member of the CPC and attend the voting and vote for him. This is democracy and I suggest that if you know of people who feel the same way as yourself, get them to do the same thing. Again, this is democracy.
This looks like an incredible waste of time and money. Do not MP’s have better things to do with there time right now then defend their riding against their own party ? Is there not a more important issues to concern ourselves with then Gay Marriage? (Health Care Child Care, Taxes etc.) The PMO’s office should get on with the business of governing this country if it wants to earn the respect of Canadians.
Lets look at the big issues not at an issue that is really neither here nor there in the big scheme of things.
I almost forgot, I have a suggestion if you get the boot from the CPC; why not look at the Green Party? Yeah, I know, they’ve been fringe for a long time, but then so was the NDP at one point, and it’s a lot less fringe than it used to be. Plus, I think it might agree with your politics better than the CPC.
Just out of curiosity how many insta tories did Garth and his campaign try to sign up at the last nomination meeting? How many have they signed up for this nomination meeting? i would hope that it wouldn’t be too many as that whould be what the reverend doctor would be doing. Regards
Nomination meeting? Why now, when we are only seven months into a new government (and no election in sight – or is there?). Doesn’t make sense to me – shouldn’t our MP’s be working on governing the Country instead of wasting time and energy fighting this BS again?
Garth, I am quite sure your supporters will rally around you to ensure you win any nomination. You are not afraid to speak your mind, and in politics, that kind of attitude is certainly a breath of fresh air. I am not in your riding, but certainly enjoy your blog and have followed it since you first started knocking doors early last summer.
Keep up the good work and forget about sitting as an independent – you belong in the CPC.
Well Garth to put it mildly, you brought this upon yourself for running under the CPC banner. They are not the Progressive Conservative party and you can now see that they will replace you with a single issue politician, ie Gay Marriage Vote. This is in no way democacy served and you owe it to the party that brought us such things as The Accountability Act (you are accountable, not us) and elected senators (except for Fortier) and the belief that ALL liberals are bad ( except Wajid Khan, Emerson and anyone else that could fill the void of inexperience.) Seems to be a lot of exceptions to the CPC rule of the land most notabily the lack of following the rules they set for everyone else. Garth, don’t fret, yo are just awakening to the hypocracy that is the CPC.
Sean Linton, I would suggest to you that part of the dishonesty I have mentioned is people on the homosexual side using that same argument of having more important issues. Its too bad they didn’t take that advice before they changed the definition. I wish you and others had spoken out with the same conviction beforehand.
Don’t worry Sean, I am carded and carding!
Oh ye of little faith, do you really think that your rideing of Halton would let someone else take your party nomination away from you solely because they appear to be more religously brainwashed than you. Your not running in Kelowna.
I know if I was in your riding I would be insulted by this. Or is this just a way of increaseing the CPC membership numbers.
But what I don’t understand is why there has been no mention of this practice up in my riding. Seams to me our “Mute” MP Patrick Brown is going to be unchallenged for the job. Mind you this guy has no opinion on anything unless it has been previously written and approved within the PMO’s office.
Curious… how much money does an MP get if they belong to a party with “official status” rather than being an independant?
When the vote came up recently in parliament for the troops in Afghanistan, the majority of Liberal MP’s voted against (even though they were the ones who sent them there in the first place!) because they didn’t like the process, they complained about the fact that the vote was unfair, having been called within only a few days etc..
Now, Mr. Harper promised during the election that he would call for another vote in parliament regarding the REDEFINITION OF MARRIAGE because he felt that the first vote was unfair. I believe his position is that MP’s should have full freedom of voting which ever way they choose and in accordance with their constituency regarding all “moral issues” (including this one) rather than being “whipped” into voting along party lines.
So what is the problem with having a truly free vote? It will likely have the exact same outcome and if it doesn’t then it’s likely because constituents have indicated to their MPs that they want to retain the definition of marriage as “a man and a women”. I think many people (myself included) would rather go the “civil union” route as they have done in many other countries such as the UK, where gay couples have all the same rights and benefits as married couples but are not defined as “married” due to existing religious conotations but are, rather, referred to as joining in civil union.
I don’t believe that we should change a long time core belief in what marriage is based on maybe 3% of the population, that’s my 2 cents worth…(OK now you can all begin calling me a “homophobe” or whatever, my lesbian friends will get a good laugh..)
Good job Scott. That’s alright in my books. I don’t support who you vote but I support your right to do it and to get others to join and vote. Check with Garth though, he doesn’t seem to like what he calls, “insta-Tories”.
Sean you say:
MJB, I’ve provided many reasons and at your request, not one of them a religious point of view. I have pointed out again and again the corrupt and lying way this has been pushed through. That alone is enough.
That is the ONLY reason you have ever provided in any of your posts. It is not accurate, factual nor is it enough to re-open the SSM debate. Try again pal and be specific.
Open your eyes man. Using the words religious right is redundant, one cannot be religious and support the leftwing agenda as that agenda is anti-God.
Sean, if you opened YOUR eyes, you would see I wrote ‘Righteous Right’ and I challenge that there are many ‘religious’ people out there that support several right and left issues in both the CPC and Liberal parties.
It’s only self important pious blowhards like yourself and McVety who politicize their religious beliefs who can’t seem to reconcile social issues with their faith. You guys and those Islamic fundamentalist nutbars that is, but I guess they’re just members of a faith based political organization like yourself eh Sean?
Dear Charley,
Which traditional definition of marriage do you prefer? The one which obligates a man to marry his brothers wife should he die. The one which treats women as property? The fact of the matter is a “traditional definition of marriage” does not exist unless you go back prior to our beliefs in sky gods and see what they did. The so called Traditional definition of marriage is not traditional at all. You want the Christian definition and Canada is not 100% Christian. Sorry but you should have enshrined it back in the 1980’s before people realized that gay people are people too.
I am glad you have “lesbian friends” to back up the claim you are not a bigot but I doubt there existance as the lesbians I know would have ripped you to shreds. Yes I am gay and I am MARRIED to my East Indian lover of 5 years. Sorry you are not happy but I couldn’t be any more ecstatic.
Quit the party before they throw you out. They’re just not fit when it’s clear that getting votes is more important than setting policy that works for Canadians. Look at Vic Towes under 12 proposal. The CPC says the children under 14 aren’t old enough to make the decision to have sex but at 10 they’re culpable for all criminal activity? It’s not rational.
Sean, I don’t like my christians timid and weak, but I do like them, if they are going to be preachy, to not be hypocritical. You complain SSM got through on a technicality that was not true democracy, but you are quite willing to abuse the system yourself to get your way, and that, my friend, is HYPOCRITICAL.
Let’s say there are two possible MP’s for the liberals and the CPC. CPC has an extreme right candidate and a moderate right candidate. Liberal has an extreme left candidate and a moderate left candidate. The riding, if this were truly a democracy, would be able to choose between the four, but they can’t, they can only vote for who is selected for them. Now, let’s say the riding would be happy with either of the two moderate candidates, but we have a bunch of religious fanatics subvert the CPC nomination, and a bunch of Hezbollah supporters subvert the liberal nomination. Now the riding gets to choose between the two candidates least wanted, NOT because of democracy, but because of special interests. And yet, you claim that is democracy.
If you want to justify your plans because you are willing to do whatever it takes to get your way, then just admit it, and be prepared for comparisons with the jihadists, who believe the same thing, but don’t try and subvert the system and act innocent. I have no issue with you trying to get your candidate elected, I only have issue with you claiming to be religious while being an asshat in your posts (and you call Garth a crybaby, how many hundreds of posts have we heard you whine about SSM). Your intellectual dishonesty is also disgusting, since you are obviously intelligent enough to know that this process is not “democracy”, but simply the political system in place.
You know though, a good friend of mine does believe strongly in karma, and if he’s right, I wouldn’t be surprised if your kids or grandkids turn out to be gay, so you can have a lifetime of dealing with the issue.
And you know, while I would hate to lose Garth (if he did lose the nomination, and chose not to run as an independent), I know he wouldn’t be hurting, and I have no doubt the obvious takeover of the CPC by the religious fundamentalists would definately send them back to opposition for another long time. Yes the liberals were bad, but since the CPC is turning out to be just as bad in many ways, I wouldn’t care if they got the boot, and I’d laugh like hell if the liberals got in on a wave of anti-religion and SSM got enshrined in the charter of rights
Oh, and Sean… rather than take my word for it… why not print out your posts and take them in to your pastor… see what he has to say about them. Of course, we know you’ll come up with some rationalization as to why you won’t… but we all know the real reason.
Garth!
I’m appalled at what’s going on in your Riding!! What’s happened to independent thinking and free speech????This latest deal appears to be a repeat of the Rondo Thomas (Ajax-Pickering) fiasco in the last election!
Did the Conservatives not learn their lesson? Rondo was the laughing stock of the polical world!! Armed with a string of phoney-boloney degrees, a fabricated backround and weird speeches, he ended up in the tank!! He gave everybody the creeps!!! Even staunch Conservatives voted Liberal to keep him out of office!!
Harper and Co. better wake up!!They should realize that you are an asset to their party!! You have a solid,sound backround and have a strong voice of conviction!! The Conservative Party needs a voice of reason!!!They don’t need a collective group of puppets that agrees with everything Harper says and does!!!
Hang in there Garth and stick to your guns!!
Man alive it never fails in this country.
Just as this country is starting to smell the coffee, someone or something, wants to pour out the coffee pot.
I’m a person of faith, not perfect in any sense, but it peeves me to no end that others who are of a “faith” can’t seem to remember that individual choice cannot be legislated, much like becoming a Christian it is an individual choice.
There a re more pressing issues in this country..like cleaning up a big Liberal mess.
It would be a sad day to see you lose the nomination for Halton. You’re the best hope for the Conservatives to hold in Halton next election, and I think most Conservatives understand that. I’m no insta-Tory, I’ve been a member of the CPC for a couple of years now, but I’ll be there to vote for you in September, that’s for sure.
Garth: I’ve been reading the comments to your most recent post. It all boils down to this: You see yourself as being most accountable to the people who put you in your position…that is to say, your constituents. You see them as your bosses, or, to use corporate vernacular, your shareholders. They have invested their judgment, time (in voting and campaigning)and money (their taxes, to pay your salary)because, to their mind, you are the best man for the job. And your job, as you see it, is to represent the people of your constituency to the government, not the other way around. How much more sensible can that be? Of course, since very, VERY few in Ottawa, especially the unelected advisors to Harpo, er, pardon the lese majeste, I meant His Majesty, Stephen, by the grace of God and various other hangers-on, King of Xanadu on the Rideau, would understand that. Okay, maybe if I put it in one words of one syllable or less, they might, perhaps, grasp the gist of what is going on. Guys, listen up: Garth is doing what he was hired (elected) to do. You don’t like it, because he does not play well with others (meaning: party hacks suffering from recto-cranial inversion). You can’t bribe him, you can’t suborn him, and truly, you NEED him inside the tent, otherwise, you better keep that flap closed. However,since His Majesty’s sensitive ego has been outraged by someone who doesn’t care how carefully the King has showered, there will be no gluteal osculation endowed, Garth must be purged.
For those who do not understand the foregoing, may I recommend Webster’s Unabridged.
As I said before, Garth, you may be a voice crying in the wilderness, but we hear you. NILS ILLEGITIMUS CARBORUNDUM!
Mister Turner. I do not normally pay much attention to what goes on with our government in Ottawa, or Toronto for that matter as I find it hopelessly ignorant and never seems to be what my peers seem to expect
from our elected members. I also have never been a fan of the Conservative party.
Having said the above I want to let you know that you have my full support on the dual citizenship issue with the people evacuated from Lebanon. Excluding those poor people that foolishly picked that area to vacation I don’t understand why we as Canadians should be responsible for evacuating the others that claim to be Canadians. If you have left this country to live elsewhere then you can’t have it both ways. Are you a Canadian or are you Lebanese?
The government moved as quickly as it could it would seem to me to respond to a situation that developed rather quickly and without apparent warning. Then for these people to complain about the accomodation or the food makes me angry. We could have just left them there. How much did this entire operation cost me the tax payer? This is like people that move to the States to “work” but then move home to have their babies because of the cost in the US for health care. While our system is not perfect I am proud that everyone here has access to
good health care (even if they have to wait sometimes). So do these people get to have things both way? Are they paying taxes to the system entitling them to services?
In raising my children I have always stressed fairness and honesty. I don’t have a problem with people leaving our country to what they believe to be greater opportunities. That is the greatness of our country. You can decide what is best for you and your family but again I say you are Canadian or not.
On a separate topic I am angry with the situation in Caledonia. If I was to block off my street and stop people from accessing their homes I would be arrested in a minute. When I break the law there are consequences. How can you the government let these people get away with this. Again I have big problems with fairness here. This is the country of Canada. We all work together to better our lives. We all pay taxes. No wait there is a class of people that don’t have to pay, who get special deals on their gas and other items because they have a special status. This goes against everything I believe in. If you live here you follow the rules no matter who you are. If you break the law you get arrested – no special deals. It seems that all we do is give in to these people. They can kill animals whenever they want with no thought to the numbers or the affect it might have.
I feel like a second class citizen in my own country. I pay as many or more taxes than most people and I am very thankful for the opportunities that I have had to own my own business and control my life. Make nomistake however, I have worked hard for this to happen. It wasn’t just handed to me. I don’t have people handing me millions of dollars. I have worked long hard hours to get where I am.
Sorry for the rant but after a number of years of this foolishness I am angry and tired of watching it happen over and over again.
In closing let me say that I find it refreshing that you spoke your mind on a subject. I am fed up with MPs and MPPs having to follow the party line. Please speak for the people you represent and for your own views.
Peter H.
Milton, Ontario
Dear Mr. Turner,
Although I am not anywhere close to the Conservative persuasion, I find this news disturbing to say the least; it is an eventuality that may be occurring in other constituencies and was feared by many voters – Liberals, NDP’ers and probably ‘red’ Tories alike – if the Conservatives were given a majority.
I hope your nomination proceeds in a regular manner as your representation has been energetic and fair, though I cannot go so far as to wish you a majority, especially in the light of Mr. Harper’s foreign policy changes which I detest.
Thank you,
Garth, Marilyn & I will proudly support you as we feel you best represent us and our views of Canada.
Now we do live in Halton but not actually in your riding-is that OK? (Technically we’re in Mike a neighbouring riding but think our MP is still checking out where the cafeteria is)
Be assured my wife and I will be on deck on Monday, September 11th at the nomination meeting with anybody that can vote.
Question? Why do you have to be nominated. Aren’t you a sitting member who as far as my wife and I are concerned, is doing the job we sent you there to do. Why do you have to go through this procedure?
You know Garth, when you were running for the leadership of the Conservative Party against Kim Campbell, I thought on TV you had Beady Eyes. I said to my wife “He’s got Beady Eyes”. My wife said “So do you”.
Your performance to date is what we need in a constituency. Let’s get you renominated and when it’s called (the election), I like the idea of fixed dates no matter what the polls are at at the time, I will work for you and support you in every way I can.
Garth – while I never thought I would even consider becoming a Conservative, I think YOU are doing a fantastic job, and am willing to join the party just to be able to vote for you at the September 11th nomination. Tell me what I need to do to turn my $10 into a membership card!
I will be delighted to vote for you and I really appreciate your pernonnal attention and devotion towards Halton Residents, I would like to be member for the PC in Halton, and friends and family.
I never seen a busy person like yourself, taking time for his people.
Please send me a reminder for the meeting and instruction how to register.
I will be delighted to vote for you and I really appreciate your pernonnal attention and devotion towards Halton Residents, I would like to be member for the PC in Halton, and friends and family.
I never seen a busy person like yourself, taking time for his people.
Please send me a reminder for the meeting and instruction how to register.
The behaviour of Sean, McVety and their ilk is foolish and sickening.
Are they so blind that they can’t see that if the very mention of an accountable judiciary cost the Tories a majority, that the successful topling of a sitting MP based on an issue like this will cost the next election.
I am absolutely certain that the only reason the other parties have not weighed in on this is that they are hoping this movement is successful.
They may win the nomination but will send the party to the political wilderness.
Imagine a future where the ‘right wing’ alternative is the liberals. That is exactly what will happen.
As for Sean’s specific comment on religious right being a redundant term. As a born again evangelical Christian, I could not be more disgusted by that.
While the religious right fights some righteous battles against abortion and SSM, they regularly neglect the single most important command that Christ gave ‘love thy neighbour as thyself’.
Garth I like your blog.
Keep up the good work. The “taliban” in the area are underestimating the vast silent secular and multi-faith community of Halton (check demographics).If you run as an independent next election, the majority of people will vote for you, regardless. Except, of course, the vociferous minority that think gay people are aliens, that wars and caos are messages from “above”, that only them will go with “Him” soon, and that AIDS was a blessing from the creator to clean the planet(these are real beliefs in some church groups in the area).The SSM is just an excuse to purge the party and to put key players for the “second term” after Feb-2007 elections,(opps I didn’t say that).It is also interesting to see the ignorance on the evolution and history of the SSM issue, from the legal and legislative perspective. Civil union was one of the alternatives contemplated during years, but that would imply abolishing the existing marriage act and creating the Civil Union Act for all Canadians, and that was disregarded also by conservatives. The issue was about equality rights. Marriage is just an used and abused word, pure evolving semantics. The issue is dead and insignificant compare to many more important and current problems in our country.
All my respect to you for being honest. Tell Harper that the IHO (International Heckling Organization) will catch up with him one day. Confident leaders are not terrified of hecklers.
In my opinion you are the finest MP that I am aware of now or in fact have ever been aware of. How do I go about becoming a member of the Conservative Party? Please keep me posted.
Semper Fi.
For those of you who have never been to a nomination meeting at a riding level, you should know that a few extra people can make all the difference in the world. Democracy at the grass roots is not something that thousands of people take part in. Literally it is usually only a few hundred. There is always a real danger that at any given time, any given riding is vulnerable to a concerted effort to take it over.
If you, like me, want to support Garth, spend the $10 to take out a membership, and get your butt to the Lions Hall in Campbellville on September 11th.
Garth has been a breath of fresh air for us in Ottawa, and it would be a shame to lose him (and our riding)because of a special interest group.
Don’t forget, though, that you must join before August 20th. So, my friends, get off your butts and lets make sure Garth continues to represent us.
I hope to see a lot of you at this very important meeting!
Dear Garth,
We will be there.
Can anyone vote by proxy? Our son is starting Western in September he
would also like to support you.
For far too many years we have sat quietly idle while the vocal groups
get their way
and succeed in achieving their own personal and self-serving agendas.
We truly respect your political styles and wish to continue to support you.
Respectfully,
Ron and Debbie A.
Milton Ont.
Sign me up. Single issue groups targeting politicians strikes at the heart
of democracy.
Sign me up. Where do I pay… I’ll be there Sept 11th.
Good luck Garth and I expect you’ll win.
Garth
While I loath those who use religion to drive a wedge between us, those who use religion for personal gain, and those who attempt to impose their stupid, unfounded and unproven religious fiction on others, I am unable to support you in your nomination. However, I am unable to support anyone else for that matter who belongs to the conservative party because of the right wing, homophobic religious base that has taken over the conservative party.
So, while you are the least offensive choice of the two conservative candidates running, I still hope for a return to a Liberal Government with true equality at it’s foundation.
Sincerely
Fred P.
Hi Garth
I am a Christian and I support you. I have not heard of anyone I know who is
trying to get you out of office. Where is this info from? I sure would like
to know.
I think you need to be careful not to tar all Christians who may have voiced
against you.
Garth, surely you know that gun nuts, racists, homo
phobics and religious zealots vote conservative. You
were elected in large part by them. So, change
parties and quit complaining!
I too have a problem with same sex marriage since I believe this infringes on the true validity of marriage between a man and a woman and the intention of having and raising children within a stable and loving home. Whenever a special interest group strongly voices its intentions and forces others to accept questionable moral issues into our society and receives credibility by reducing and criticizing the traditional structures already in place, I have to question its real motives. Yet, I know of legitimate causes brought forward by parents who have worked hard and petitioned even harder to receive monetary and physical aid for their children in need who have not been taken seriously or have been rejected because they are in the minority and the government won’t spend the dollars needed to accommodate their needs. I wonder why these special interest groups are acknowledged but the valid causes of parents are rejected? I too want to see the issue of same sex marriage not only opened for debate but rejected without debate!
Well Garth, looks like PMSH and the PMO have screwed up again. Starting to look like a pattern. This time it’s pulling the pin on the all party team going to visit the some of Arab League countries. Sure would hate to see Harper et al let a few facts get in the way of the ‘truths’ they already know. Go figure.
Dear Garth,
From the first time I heard you on the radio musing about being given an office in the janitor’s washroom or some such thing for bucking the trend when it didn’t seem right to you, you caught my attention. I like your contrarian ways; I’m sure Halton is well served and fortunate to have you.
You don’t always have my assent, but you do have my respect.
The worst part is that in the main stream media we are led to believe that this element of the Conservative party has been quelled and we shouldn’t worry about it having any impact.
We are led to believe that this is a progressive conservative party.
Yet the Justice Minister wants to incarcerate 10 year olds, we’re revisiting the gay marriage issue (after Mike Harris passed it into law), there are fundamentalists organizing for nominations across the country, the Kelowna accord is dumped (after the Government signed a TREATY with natives), and then there is this Aids conference thing, and calling the UN corrupt, and…well…it’s all grown too much for me.
If this is conservatism, then I am a Liberal.
Good luck Garth. I am a fan of yours, ad sick of the CPC.
For those of you who often quote Winston Churchill here’s one for your consideration:
“The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.”
Off topic, but why is it out of over a dozen reports about Israel/Lebonon today only one mentioned that Hezbolah broke the cease fire by launching rockets towards Israel (all of wich landed in Lebonon – making me wonder If they’ve caused any deaths attributed to Israel)? The rest emphazied the destruction wrought by Israel?
Mr. Harper could have put a swift end to this nomination foolishness by protecting all Conservative MP’s who received a vote of confidence from their Conservative Electoral District(riding, for those traditionalists among ye) Association…..Democratic to a certain degree, and yet we wouldn’t be faced with the possibility of good MP’s who have worked hard on behalf of their constituents being turfed just because someone disagrees with an MP’s stand on certain issues, or because someone simply sees an opportunity to vault themselves into a six figure job…..
My own MP is now facing a nomination battle from a rank opportunist….
Forget about raising “party numbers” through these spurious nomination battles…..give me ten dedicated members over 100 “paper” ones any day…..I should also like to remind those who wish to challenge a sitting MP that a sitting members has a much better chance of winning a tight election race because he/she has name recognition going for them….Mr. Harper should think about that as he strives for a majority in the coming election…
Sincerely,
Patrick Hamilton
Former Secretary
Pitt-Meadows-Maple-Ridge
Mission
Conservative E.D.A.
MJB, you missed all my points about what has gone on beforehand and yes they are accurate. Try reading up on what exactly happened. Garth can even confirm the same thing. I have been very specific too. Don’t like it, too bad, I guess honesty is too much for you.
Jason, don’t bother quoting the Bible, if you haven’t read it, please don’t even try to pass yourself off as having that knowledge. You aren’t married, marriage is only for a man and a woman, your relationship does not even equal to a man and a woman. Its as simple as that.
Stephen, you’re equating dishonesty and the breaking of the rules with this issue which is about democracy. It is democracy Stephen, people are following the rules here. This is what separates the difference between what happened with homosexual marriage and voting a candidate. If people want a certain candidate they will go out and buy the membership and vote for that nominee. That is democracy in action. If people are too lazy to do that, that is their problem and they can complain to the highest heaven and they can only blame themselves. Same type of thing for those who don’t vote in the elections, they don’t have the right to complain because they didn’t earn it by voting.
Brian, if you are an evangelical as you claim, you would be against homosexual marriage and abortion. You seem to portray in your posts that this isn’t loving thy neighbour. This obviously demonstrates a lack of understanding on your part why these issues are important. Let me be brief. Abortion is murdering a person. Homosexual marriage is just another attack on Christians who believe that marriage is from God and if you look at Genesis, it clearly shows one man and one woman. Read the rest of the Bible and you’ll see many references to the act of homosexuality. You should know better Brian if you’ve actually read the Bible.
GaryinWPG, individual choice you say? What if that individual wants to have sex with an animal? Does individual choice overrides law or even common decency? Surely you’re not advocating anarchy?
Oh, I see that Garth has been quoted in the news and I quote: “Am I supposed to change my mind and all of a sudden hate homosexual people because I’m facing a challenge in my riding? Of course not, I’m not going to change,”
All you people who state that you’re a Christian and you’re upset at me here, read this again. Garth equates those of us who are opposed to homosexual marriage as hate. Who is the intolerant one here? If you’ve answered Garth, you’d be correct. Stephen Heath, this is what I’m fighting against.
Garth:
Although I “hate” what Stephen Harper is doing to Canada, I hate more the religious interference in our democracy. They forget this is a democracy and I support your right to be a nominee. It’s the people who decide if they want to relect you, not some religious wackos who are getting filthy rich in the “business of religion”. Harper has brought this on himself. His religious leanings and Bush ideology are following him and now the truth is finally coming out.
I, as a Canadian, have a right to vote for whomever I wish and no one, especially religious wackos have a right to take away my right. I will never vote for a neo-conservative, but I defend your right to run as a candidate.
It’s happend in the U.S. and now, because of Harper and his religious, wacko neo-conservatives are trying to do this here. Yes, the scary is surfacing.
An interesting book – by John Dean, formerly of the Nixon administation has written a best seller about the neo-Conservative movement. It actually started when he was in the Nixon administration but he didn’t see it then. He’s researched and studied Conservatism since the beginning in the U.S. and the religious right-wing, control freaks like Jerry Falwell, James Dobson, et al are controlling the Conservatives. He also stated in an interview that in years down the road the U.S. will be like wartime Italy and Germany – right-wing authoritarian governments. You cannot deny this is what’s happening in the U.S. and now leaking into Canada.
Scary? Yes.
Hey Sandi, so I guess its alright for atheist control freaks then? How much hate do you have in you?
Remember Sandi, promoting hatred for a group is a hate crime and your post is now logged and your IP. Would be interesting if someone was to charge you.
Sean P: You sir are truly a “whaco” Get a life already.
Sean, You are assuming that people believe that the Bible should be the foundation of public policy. In Biblical times marriage was a contract between a father and a man for the right to own a woman/girl. Women were property.
Perhaps you would like that written into our Constitution.
I affirm your right to use the Bible as your moral compass. I deny your right to force others to follow.
Judy, I deny your right to force others to follow what you dictate. Please, don’t quote the Bible if you haven’t read the thing. Funny thing is that Canada was created based on Judeo-Christian values.
Randy, did you win many debates by saying “Get a life?”
I won’t debate this with you Sean, this will be my last comment to you. I am just making a my observation on the “How Many Post’s” you have made on this thread alone, 17 or so. All in the name of your religious beliefs. Boy oh boy!
I am not at all religious nor am I gay and I just don’t understand why there can’t be a “happy middle” on this SSM issue…civil unions?? The gays get all the same rights and benefits (only thing missing is the marriage “label”) and Christians are able to retain the definition of marriage as “between a man and a woman” so that no “slippery slope” gets started…
I find it amusing that many of you refer to Stephen Harper as some extreme religious zealot when you, obviously, have no evidence of that at all (nor is there none because he simply is not)…why don’t you try backing these ridiculous allegations with SOME FACTS!! Yes, he goes to church on Sundays…so that makes him a religious nutbar?? You know what? LOTS of people go to church (or mosque or temple whatever..), doesn’t mean they are all nuts!! Shheesh!!
Given the state of today’s world where people seem to care only about themselves, maybe a little more “morality” or “ethics” wouldn’t hurt!! I don’t go to Church (never have) but I teach my daughter principles like charity, kindess, faith, so that she can be a good person..
In regards to the 10 year old criminal thing, the aim behind this is NOT to incarcerate children aged 10 but to get them some much needed HELP through the justice system because they are NOT GETTING ANY HELP right now and then they are ever worse by the time they reach aged 14 (and end up in jail most of their lives). The police are behind this initiative 100% and for very good reasons…stop them when they are young and impressionable and get them on the right path or face another career criminal down the road..
Sean, you just don’t get it. I am against abortion and SSM. But, I am also against your tactics which will while technically legitimate are guaranteed to backfire against your cause.
I am also against some other right wing agendas that the ‘religious right’ tolerates to gain support for these other two causes. That is not righteous.
Sean, you sound like an informed christian so I have a statement followed by a couple of questions.
1:When someone tries to defend
the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that
Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.
Question
1: When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a
pleasing odor for the Lord – Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They
claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
Sorry sean I hit the send too early,
Question Leviticus 11:6-8 states that I am not to touch a dead pig, can I play football if I wear gloves?
Lev. 19:19 My neighbour grows potatoes and garlic in the same field how should I deal with this as it states Do not plant your field with two kind of seed. Also his wife wears cotton and polyester clothes?
My neighbour also continues th blasphame a lot. Should I go around the neighbourhood and get all the people who heard him to stone him?
Lev 24:10-16 states that I should but it seems excessive
What is a good price to sell my daughter to slaverey as Exodus 21:7 states I can? Thanks so much for your help in advance Sean as it will clear up a few things the bible states.
I can sell my daughter into slavery? Why was this kept from me until AFTER I paid for her University education?
You Christians really got it goin’ on.
Marc, take a look in the New Testament and you’ll see many references to homosexuality. As well, if you have a hard time understanding the Old Testament, I would seek a priest who can enlighten you as to the meanings of each book. Gotta love people who have never read the Bible and pull out a few verses to somehow help their arguments.
Sean: You made my point! You, see, I don’t force anyone to follow what I dictate. I believe in the do unto others adage.
I don’t believe a religious tome should dictate 21st century laws and social mores.
Actually you do, you tell me that I can’t have what I want, but you are. It seems to have gone over your head. You dictate some type of superiority over those people who are religous and your last post is condescending by suggesting that you’re in the 21st and we aren’t.
I can believe everything you say – we had a problem in Kit Centre – we had negated a nominee because we could not get his sponsers to back him – but Ottawa okayed him and turned down a long standing member of our board. We lost badly – the person was not good – no experience and lied in the process. It was all the fault of Cons. HQ. What we need are conservatives, real ones – I did my first canvas May 11, 1940 so have a lot of experience.Hang tough
Marc asks some questions regarding interpretation of specific Biblical quotes.
I am not the source to go to for sure, but, I have heard those questions put before in political debate.
Learning, any learning, is a good thing, (right), so in trying to understand the differences better myself, I found this link very easy to follow, Marc:
http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/article_law_hays.html
This informed article makes certain observations, which include that the Old Testament, with its civil, moral, and ceremonial laws, were for a time when ‘Israel’ was a people, not a nation.
And a distinction is made between the Old and New Testaments, since Christians follow Christ’s teachings (makes sense)to:
- “Delineate the theological and situational differences between Christians today and the initial audience.
For example believers in the present church age are under the New Covenant, not the Old Covenant. Thus they are not under the laws of the Old Covenant.
They are not Israelites preparing to dwell in the Promised Land, nor do they approach God through the sacrifice of animals. Also Christians live under secular governments and not under a theocracy, as did ancient Israel.”
- “The Law is tied to the Mosaic Covenant, which is integrally connected to Israel’s life in the land and the conditional promises of blessing related to their living obediently in the land. Christians are not related to that land, nor are they related to the conditions for being blessed in the land. Also the Mosaic Covenant is obsolete, having been replaced by the New Covenant”…..
Does that help the cause of the day?
Not sure, but it was a question asked by one poster.
Sean: But you are in the 21st. century. You are entitled to live your life based on any book you want-but don’t expect others to do the same. Personally, I like some of the chapters in Reader’s Digest: Life’s Like That, Humour in Uniform, Drama in Real Life. You can learn a lot about people and hanging tough and being good and kind and gentle in the pages of Reader’s Digest. And the stories are real.
Sean,
I defend your right to be a good fundamentalistic Christian and to belief in a fairy-tale that was based on others free interpretations of ancient fairy tales, but now we have quantum physics, Mark didn’t have internet. There is a good movie that yo may like (go and rent the movie “What the bleep do we know”).We are in the evolving 21 Century. Until we realize that the real God is with us, inside of us, in our particles, in our brain, we will have people looking for punishment and aceptance to heal all insecurities and sexual frustations. I also pray for more tolerance, for more humanity and aceptance of all creatures, for keeping organized religions separated from politics, for more common sense and intelligency in our society, for more spirituality and honesty. I still support your rights to have your beliefs and keep them separated from politics,like I do.
Every human is their own political party.
Be blessed.
Hey Tony, if you actually wanted tolerance, why are you intolerant of religious? Hypocrisy I sense.
What is the difference between a fundamentalist Christian and a Christian?
Sean: But you are in the 21st. century. You are entitled to live your life based on any book you want-but don’t expect others to do the same. Personally, I like some of the chapters in Reader’s Digest: Life’s Like That, Humour in Uniform, Drama in Real Life. You can learn a lot about people and hanging tough and being good and kind and gentle in the pages of Reader’s Digest. And the stories are real.
Judy, your opinion doesn’t match up to the facts about God and the Bible. Anyways, better not say that God is ficticious, as Garth has stated that he is a Christian. Remember Judy, don’t expect others to live the same way as you want it. See how that works both ways and not just the way you want it to be?
Memo: no more Pythonesque cracks involving self-inflicted violence.
I still think it might have made Judy chuckle.