Hardly know how to start this story. The Nude Mayor, the Idiot MP, or the Backroom Manipulator? So many deficients. So little common sense. So screwy.
First, the people I know. Dick Harris is the Conservative MP for Cariboo-Prince George, in the frosty part of British Columbia. He is a former Reformer-Alliance guy, and these days has the influential position as Chairman of the federal BC Conservative Caucus. His office was down the hall from mine in the Justice Building.
One day in national caucus, Dick Harris stood up, took the microphone to give his weekly BC caucus report to the prime minister, and launched into an attack on me. Actually he broadsided MPtv, saying the BC members had grave concerns about my Internet broadcasting featuring MPs from other parties as well as Conservatives. Besides, he added gravely, Garth Turner might be profiting from this enterprise, maybe selling online advertising or something to make money from being an MP.
The allegation, if true, was enough to cost me my job. I was stunned. Hours later I asked Dick if he had any evidence of this, and why he’d make such a report. It was then that he told me he’d never actually seen MPtv, “but we don’t like the idea.â€
And there’s your Idiot MP.
Doug Finley sits on the right hand of Stephen Harper, as his national director of political operations. The burley, brogue-speaking, cuss-prone Scot is considered a brilliant political strategist, the assumed architect of some of the wondrous financial schemes which the MSM this past week unearthed.
Finley, husband of cabmin Diane Finley, is personally responsible for recruiting name-brand candidates for the Harper Party, for writing that big campaign plan he’d been known to wave around at caucus members, for plotting out the perilous journey to majority government, and for mapping the communications strategy that will convince Canadians that these new Conservatives know best. I am told he and MP Harris had a bright idea one day regarding a woman name Sharon Smith.
He’s the Manipulator.
Sharon Smith is the 48-year old Harper Party candidate in Skeena-Bulkley Valley, a riding now held by NDP MP Nathan Cullen. By all accounts, she’s an intelligent and feisty lady, and served as mayor of the small town of Houston, in northern BC. She’s also famous.
One day four years ago Sharon and her husband went to her office at town hall, digital camera in hand. Sharon, a well-preserved 45 at the time, took off all her clothes, donned her silver mayoral chain of office and wearing nothing else, save a bracelet, and sat in her black leather mayor’s chair while hubby snapped some trophy photos.
One of those shots soon leaked out of her home computer, the apparent result of a youthful prank. Smith angrily referred the matter to the local RCMP, who indicated it was an inside job – at least, “that the theft was not a break and enter,†according to the Houston Today newspaper.
Understandably, the photo – in which Candidate Smith is sitting unabashedly with her knees apart and a smile on her face – caused a minor furor in the community. In a statement she said, “My privacy has been violated in every sense. These photos are private property belonging to my husband and me. I am very hurt and embarrassed.
Our community is known for its tolerance, decency and respect for the law. I have served our community for a number of years as a volunteer, a Councillor and currently as your Mayor. I consider it a privilege to serve as your Mayor, and have worked hard, and will continue to work hard for our community.â€
To the local paper, she added, “There is nothing wrong with what I have done. It is not immoral; it is not unethical; it is not illegal; and it has nothing to do with my position of mayor and capability of being leader of this community.â€
And there’s your Nude Mayor.
But here’s the kinky, weird, perverted and unethical part of the story, announced on Friday.
MP Harris issued a press release indicating Candidate Smith has been appointed as the liaison person between the citizens, taxpayers and voters of Skeena-Bulkley Valley and the federal government. Said the MP: “As Chairman of the BC Caucus of Conservative MPs, I am pleased that Sharon has accepted this role, and I know the constituents of Skeena-Bulkley Valley will derive a huge benefit from having direct contact with government, something that they have not had since 2004.
I and other BC Conservative MPs will work closely with Sharon Smith as she represents constituents of her riding to the government members. It will be a bonus for people of Skeena-Bulkley Valley to have direct representation to the government on so many issues.â€
This, of course, raises many issues. What is Candidate Smith’s authority to carry out these duties of an MP? Is she being paid? Does she have access to cabinet ministers or caucus members, or PMSH? Will she sit in regional or national caucus meetings? Will she have a budget or staff or a constituency office, and at whose expense?
Doesn’t Skeena-Bulkley Valley already have a member of Parliament, whose job it is to represent the constituents? Will Candidate Smith be granted more rights and privileges to do this job, since she is a Conservative? Are MP Harris and backroomer Finley telling voters in the riding that an NDP MP is not good enough?
Actually, yes.
Said MP Harris, “Having an MP from the fourth party in the House just doesn’t cut it when it comes to actually getting things done for the folks in Skeena-Bulkley Valley . Sharon Smith with her direct government contact will ensure that things DO get done.â€
Well, the messages in this little parable seem crystal. Vote the right way, Skeena-Bulkley Valley, or you will have less access to your government than other Canadians enjoy. Be aware that the governing party has the ability, and will use it, to marginalize and ignore voters who dare elect an MP of another political stripe. And, let it be clear that the Harper Party has the means to appoint its own quasi-MP for the riding, so your vote on January 23rd, 2006, was inconsequential.
If you are not disturbed by this, you’re not paying attention. Or you lack common sense, clear judgment, or a sense of propriety.
In which case, I have a nice black leather chair for you.
257 comments ↓
So Garth, you’re into the distribution of private photos? It doesn’t surprise me, Garth, because you and the Liberals are so desperate these days, that you will stoop to anything. This photo you published is on the same level as the National Enquirer. Maybe you’re trying for a new job after your stint as an MP?
Garth, just because some sliming children are out there promoting what should be private matter, it doesn’t mean that you should be part of that. But, again you will stoop to new lows every day, won’t you. Pity.
Do you support party-appointed MPs? — Garth
Oh – by your this blog entry, you make it really easy for people to have a distain for our politicians.
This sounds just like the conservatives.
I e/mail the pm and my Mp regularly from my conservative constituancy in southern alberta.but now I receive no confirmations any more that they have received them I guess they do not want to here from people who disagree with the desisions and pollicys they are adopting even from the people who have elected them and currently are represented by a conservative mp They do not want constructive critisisim they only want yes people. all I get from my Mp when He deams to answer is a form reply..
This Harpo government keeps getting scarier all the time. Hopefully Garth will repeat this particular blog closer to election day so we can remind ourselves to get rid of this PM and his gang of ??????. As if we need it!!!!
She is well-preserved. Pretty scary to see her “respect” for the position that she would even have this picute taken in the mayor’s chair. I am surprised our “Christian” PM would even want to be associated with this woman of questionable decision-making/integrity. She must have a wonderful friend who would put this picture on the internet. I would think she doesn’t need any enemies.
Thanks Geo for the link.
Kallie
As to the political acumen of the lady, did she use the mayor’s chair and chain of office to create the “private property”?
As to the appointment of a neo-MP, I had my say when Frank Frinks sprung it on us yesterday.
As to the CPC, ÉCRASEZ L’INFÂMIE!
They just don’t get it, do they Garth?
Maybe back in the 1950’s, Canadians used to be nice and deferent to their leaders — there was a chicken in every pot and a baby in every womb.
Why yes — times were so much simpler then — when people listened to what their leaders had to say, and people actually believed them.
That ‘idiot MP’, and people like him, are a big part of the problem in this country. Stodgy, un-innovative. Risk averse.
Everything Canada is coming to despise.
I do believe that “the full monty” has nipped a promising neo-Con political career in the bud.
Let’s hear it for digital democracy! That brain-dead individual would have been an insult in Ottawa.
I think all politicians should have to appear au naturale. That would sure make life a lot more fun. Imagine Myron Thompson in the buff? LMAO!
‘The Emperor has no clothes!’ and ‘Rising to the occassion’, and ‘The Chair recognizes the Honourable Member’ take on entirely new meanings, eh?
At least she is good looking.
Have a good day all. Argue the politics, while still missing the point. I know you will be happy in that rut!
Mr. Turner,
Those that seek to benefit from the proceeds of a crime are no better than those who perpetrated it.
Your drawing attention to this theft of approximately four years ago, when this is not the relevant story at hand, suggest that you should search out the rock carrying under-cover police officer from the Montebello Protest and borrow said rock, for you are no better than he in what you have just done.
MEL
And her family, for what this blog will now bring to you…
It was surprising, and telling, that one female poster would gleefully link to photos of this embarrassed woman. Georgine could not get them up there fast enough.
To have Turner use them in this way, however, truly is creepy.
A woman made a mistake in judgement, and paid a heavy price some time ago.
Turner made it his mission to *use her* in the most vile of ways.
A truly sickening abuse of one woman for politics, by the Liberal Party, and this one MP, on full display in this blog.
She posed for the photo and put it on her home computer to which others in the household had access. She might want to do the apologizing to her family, doncha think? But more to the point, do you support party-appointed MPs? — Garth
Yikes. Poor judgement. Poor taste on your part, Garth.
Now, if you have a nude picture of Dick Harris, please do not post it.
She poses nude in her taxpayer-owned office, and you accuse me of poor judgment. Interesting commentary, I’d say. — Garth
What a great story. I find it interesting that Catherine is more incensed with Garth for “outing” this continuing saga of thwarting democracy by PMSH, than she is with the thwarting to begin with.
I remind Catherine that she is not equal to us men in this country. She is only participating in our world. If she doesn’t believe me, ask PMSH. He made it clear, very early on, in the mandate of the Status of Women when he removed the word “equal”.
So sit back Catherine, and enjoy “participating” in our world.
BTW – I am going to have nightmares after reading this story. Thanks alot Garth
If she wanted it private why did she do it in public/taxpayer paid for office?
What happens in a public office does not stay in the public office – go to Vegas and do your think lady.
The Conservatives seem to like to do bad things, but are totally incompetent in covering it up, so to speak.
What are your thoughts about Bob Rae taking a nude plunge with Rick Mercer?
Dell
He chose to do it (rear shot only, BTW) with CBC cameras rolling. He did not issue a press release afterwards asking the RCMP to investigate. It’s his political ass, I guess (metaphorically speaking). — Garth
The Nude Mayor certainly doesn’t care if she uses herself to usurp the democratic rights of the people of Skeena.
Did I read it correctly that she keeps photos of this sort on her family computer??? How Conservative of her. Not.
Politics, she’s a mean game, eh.
Garth….You know that I never say anything derogatory about you but that is about to end. You are a despicable human being for putting this crap on your blog. This is just the low of the lowest. To think so many of your posters here were very upset over all the pictures of Dion on the conservative web site. They haven’t seen low down until they see this terrible smear on someone that doesn’t deserve it. This is her personal life and does not deserve it to be used against her in the political world. Let us see how much they holler over this dirty trick by you. How would you like someone to put something like this on a blog about your wife or your office secretary?
Your day will come when the lieberals will give you the boot, its just a matter of time. This is a great advertisement to not vote lieberal.
Now I will be watching very closely to see whether this so called gentleman Mr Dion will ask you to remove this blatant smearing of this lady or go along with it. If this is left to stand then I will be firmly obligated to work real hard to see you rats are contained in the cesspool that you deserve. I have said it before and will say it again, there is a lieberal party book of dirty tricks and this is just the beginning. I am extremely happy that the conservatives gave you the boot, the only thing is, it should have been twice as hard. You know this lady is not a party appointed MP. There is just no such thing in Canadian politics and don’t try to justify it. To say I am pissed off with you is being very mild indeed.
A copy of my remarks will be forwarded to lieberal headquarters.
Absolutely. Let’s see what happens. And if you have no qualms with what the Conservatives have done, or the person they have appointed as a de facto MP, then say so. — Garth
I have to agree… cropping a little higher up would have been in better taste. Perhaps you’ll revisit your attached photo.
Anywho, on the question at hand, I have to say it’s not unusual for appointees of the Government to have more influence then opposition MPs, but it is shameful that they are proporting that this person will “represent” a riding. Are they missing the arrogance of that?
Oh how quick the neocon trolls are to slam Garth for posting this, but find it OK for Harpie and his lemings to twist facts, lie to the Canadian public & thwart democracy. Bunch of hypocrits. Ambarassed she should be. Its one thing to pose as she has in her own home, but quite another in her major’s chair. Obviously she is sadly lacking in judgement. I sure as hell wouldn’t want her to be representing me.
I only hope this fiasco gets the attention of the national MSM, but somehow I doubt it. Sure its making the rounds of all the non neocon blogs, however. Thank Frank Fink for posting this.
Absolutely. Let’s see what happens. And if you have no qualms with what the Conservatives have done, or the person they have appointed as a de facto MP, then say so. — Garth
By THE SHADOW KNOWS on 08.26.07 2:22 pm
The problem with you Garth is that you are always right!!!! Theres many things I don’t agree with, one is posting personal photographs. Shame on you.
I find it very interesting that the usual Conservative supporters on this blog have not taken issue with the fact that the CPC is trying to bypass the democratic process in this country. If it was the Liberals doing the same thing, would you be as silent?
And please don’t give me the bit about Garth posting this lady’s picture, that is not the issue here or maybe it is for you because you can’t defend the indefensible and you can’t admit what your party is doing is wrong. So attack the messenger!
Shadow,
love your neo-Con neo-outrage.
For those of you interested in the meat of the story (rather than getting all upset over a little bit of nudity) then click on the link in my name and scroll down to August 22 to listen to the CBC interviews with Dick Harris and Nathan Cullen.
Warning – you need to use RealPlayer to listen.
I hope someone can get pics of the Judges, lawyers, doctors, and others who function under the umbrella of ‘public trust’ and put them online as well. It is time to ’strip’ all these egeomaniacs of their self adorement and face the reality that we are all human beings.
Likewise, those with such absolutely infantile poor judgement as the Mayor do not deserve our support, nor repsect.
If she wants to run naked around her house, or a nudist camp, I could not care less.
Heck, she can run naked down Mainstreet for all I care. I want to see it during the height of Black Fly season though…that would be rather entertaining.
It is the Honour of the Office that is to be respected…a point lost on too many nowadays. The people who occupy those offices are merely passing through, and should leave them intact for the next occupant.
Like the old saying goes ‘Don’t S**t where you eat!’
And the real issue remains as Garth has stated ‘appointed MP’s’. Hello? We ELECT MP’s they are not to be ‘appointed’ for the benefit of, and at the unquestionable will of any party.
But, then that is rational…Carry on with diverting the issue against Garth, especially people whose incessant rants here have grown unworthy of response or mention.
Back to real life here.
Garth,
Garth,
I have to agree that both Sharon Smith’s actions in posing nude in such a manner and your reference to the story show equally poor judgement. This anecdote undermines the far more serious issue of how partisan party politics is being used to destroy democracy.
This same issue arose when the Liberals were in power and adopted a similar strategy against elected opposition members. It does not matter which party adopts this political strategy it is designed to undermine and manipulate our system.
In the last election in which Chretien was leader he came to our constitutency and in a speech made the same threat about the riding getting nothing unless they elected a Liberal MP.
The current Conservative candidate in this riding told party supporters, when he through an election would be called in the spring, that this was the strategy he planned to use.
The law has been used by the establishment parties to make our system less democratic and more autocratic. Since politicians no longer respect the will of voters it is time we demanded that more protections be written into law.
Garth….You know that I never say anything derogatory about you but that is about to end.
By THE SHADOW KNOWS on 08.26.07 2:22 pm
No Shadow, your just a troll who loves to take a negative stance on anything Garth and the Libs. Anyone who should be ashamed of themselves, is the Mayor and those who, as Garth says, have appointed her as a de facto MP.
By THE SHADOW KNOWS on 08.26.07 2:22 pm
Wow, I don’t know where to begin. First, there were no nude pictures put up by Garth on this story. He was questioning the quality of an individual based on a point of fact. Period.
All you conservative losers can now go home. As to the point of appointing a government MP (not really an MP), we can assume that the government will flood the country with many more. Hell, it may be the only way they can count up members and then say they have a majority government. If life were only so easy.
I understand that the PMO even went so far to try and force the DOD not to send any Qubec based troops to Afghanistan so they wouldn’t have the current problem, which will affect his popuarity in Quebec.
Wait until Steve appoints a new pseudo premier for Newfoundland.
Catherine,
Give your head a shake girl, Garth is not distributing private photos. They are public domain. Have been for years. In fact they were the first link that came up when I put “Sharon Smith, Houston” in Google. I knew the name but I wasn’t sure why.
But the fact of Smith being starkers is not the point of this and you know it. That she is willing to go along with “Dick” Harris and Doug Finley in such a blatant disregard of democracy, of decency, of trust is truely disgusting.
And your Crap-cons can’t see past the naked lady in the chair.
Interesting line in the “Sun” out of the UK: Ironically, keen hiker Sharon proclaimed herself a role model for women and children when she became the first woman mayor of the tiny mountain resort of Houston, in British Columbia, Canada, last year.
A role model. If she isn’t worried about it, why should any of you be. As she goes on to say, she has done nothing illegal or immoral.
In her defense Councillor Nipper Kettle said: “It shows total disrespect for people she represents.â€
She might once again start thinking about showing respect for the people she represents. Dressed or in the nude.
Geo
First of all, I hardly think anyone thinks she’s an appointed MP. She may be a consultant, a liaison or even an ombudsman of sorts. What’s wrong with that? Perhaps the elected MP is not doing his job by bringing problems forth and giving the government a fair chance to communicate and appreciate the area? I think it’s a good idea.
Also, I also do not think you needed to run this private picture of this lady. She was simply having some private fun with hubby and they obviously meant only for the two of them to share these mementos. They should not be held against her nor, should other ‘professionals’ stoop so low as to use them against her in any way, even if that professional is using them to make political hay. Bad, Garth, bad!
Congrats to Ms. Smith on her new position. L
Well, I’ve seen this story and picture elsewhere, so it’s not news to me.
But, I do think reposting her pic and retelling her story in a national political blog is mean spirited. I would suggest deleting about five of the six paragraphs as well as cropping the pic back up to the neckline.
Too bad you couldn’t town hall this issue in your suburban riding. I think you might get an earful from the boomers.
I am sympathetic to those individuals that are subject to the abuse by others of releasing personal pictures on the internet. It must be very devastating and humiliating, and ongoing.
Perhaps in a small community she is left without any other employment opportunities because of this. Who knows. Maybe this is a make work program to help her get re-established and put this whole thing behind her.
We’ve all I’m sure heard the story of the obese teenager in Montreal who had his high school video of himself fighting like a Jedi with a light sword posted on the internet by some bullies in his classroom.
If I’m not mistaken, the kid ended up in the hospital for a while related to this . His lawsuit was eventually settled for $351,000 according to wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_kid
I’d say for the sake of decency, re-edit the blog as suggested.
The political issues are legit for discussion. Not in this context, however.
Finally,… we are SEEING “transparency” from the CONS!You cant help but see the humor in that!
Interesting how the Harper Party folks refuse to recognize the issue brought forward here. Does the riding not already have an MP representing them? Perhaps the Harper Party intends to appoint an MP to all ridings. Hey, lets just forget about elections all together. I’m certain without Elections Canada we can all get a tax break with the saved dollars.
That being said, Mr Turner, maybe you could crop the pic just a little more. Personally I think good taste would warrant a little more modesty. Even if the good mayor suffers from poor judgement.
Garth,
I can’t believe that people are focusing on the nudity, rather than the impropriety of the actions of the CPC. Yes, she did a bad thing a few years ago, and it will continue to haunt her political career for years, especially as a Conservative. I don’t really care about the person they’ve appointed, I’m upset that they thought this appointment is appropriate.
I need to read more about this, but if this is a fair account of her roles, then I am astounded. Why not have quasi-MPs in every non-Conservative riding? Then they can stop pretending that what anyone else says even matters.
They weren’t elected in this riding. Leave the citizen liason job to the person elected by the people to be their representative in Parliament. This needs to be nipped in the bud, Garth, and to me it’s a hell of a lot more important than any income trust or sponsorship scandal, tax reform initiatives or anything else. This is nothing less than an assault on our form of democracy.
The picture is all over the internet!
Any twit that makes unfortunate statements or poses for nude photographs of themselves has no one else except themselves.
While I emphathize with the Mayor’s request,â€I ask that anyone who may have a copy or copies of any photos of me in print, on CD, or on their computer to delete, destroy or deliver them to the RCMP,†the photographs could not have been stolen had they not been taken or not put on an unguarded computer where passwords are not required.
Third party advice Don’t get caught in the nude, X-rated pics may come back to haunt you. By MICHELLE MARK, Sun Media
People make choices and unfortunately sometimes deciding against their best interests. Adults have to pay for mistakes in judgement and whining about it does not improve her prospects for pity. But I do not see a post from the lady in the picture requesting exoneration from her mistake.
By the way, I do not find the photograph offensive and I’m a grandmother. There were a group of grandmother’s that posed nude for calendars to raise funds for charity. The mayor has to live with what she did and my advice is be like the Tasmanian granny’s in the calendars.
http://www.abc.net.au/tasmania/stories/s1179027.htm
A sense of humour would help!
Thank you, Jason, for your link. Was not aware of it.
At the end of the day each of us is responsible for the actions that we decide to take. So be it for Sharon Smith, “the nude mayor”. This points to an incredible lack of judgment on her part, both politically and personally. Politicians, by the very nature of their career choices, are in the public eye and are constantly under scrutiny. Smith certainly should have considered this before she took the action she did. Regardless of what other bloggers may post here… if you are elected you must face the public consequences of your actions, both professionally and personally.
Seems that the some bloggers are missing Garth’s point regarding the Conservatives ‘appointing’ an unelected MP to represent a riding that has already chosen its MP through due process. This is simply another example of Harper’s total disdain for due process and democracy. God help us all if this guy ever gets a majority!
Oh yeah… let’s also remember that Harper continually screams about the evils of “an unelected senate”… but he has no problem appointing his own guy to be a senator, then puts him in charge of one of the most powerful government ministries without any accountability to parliament since he’s not an MP. That same appointed senator that is now selling off more than a BILLION dollars of government assets without any oversight. And… even with some Quebec bye-elections looming Fortier still isn’t running. This speaks volumes about Harper’s commitment to due process and democracy….he apparently has none.
Keep up the great work Garth and don’t let the neoCon bloggers get to you. I hope your upcoming Western Canadian tour is a huge success and stimulates more folks from that part of the country to read this blog and put out other efforts to be better informed.
No real Conservative would vote for Harper again unless they are uninformed.
Jesus Christ, Turner, are you suffering from sunstroke or something? This is the stupidest stunt you’ve pulled yet. Given your long record of stupid stunts, that’s saying something. At least in looking back you’ll be able to pinpoint the exact date and time that you flushed the last remnents of your dignity down the toilet; 08.26.07 @ 12:42 pm |
Sure. Now, do you support party-appointed MPs? — Garth
Garth: “Well, the messages in this little parable seem crystal. Vote the right way, Skeena-Bulkley Valley, or you will have less access to your government than other Canadians enjoy.”
This story brings back fond memories of the long ago days when a few Liberal candidates in Calgary had a higher profile, and hence, on paper, had a half-decent chance of getting elected.
Their campaigns couldn’t really mention the Liberal record in Alberta, like the NEP, so they fell back on a catchy slogan– Get a seat at the table
Translation: Vote the right way Calgary, or you will again be shut out of Cabinet representation. You will have less access to government than other Canadians enjoy.
That Liberal strategy obviously hasn’t worked in Calgary since 1968. But hey, maybe this similar Tory strategy will work in B.C.
You gotta admit Garth, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
David M,
Since you are the most sensible person objecting to the “appointed MP” I will direct my commments to you… The lady has not been appointed as an MP, she has simply been formally identified by a government MP as a person of influence with his government. Frankly, it’s a bizarre circumstance in my experience, but let’s not get carried away with overheated rhetoric since the facts alone are bizarre enough.
The lady does not have the rights or responsibilites of an MP. She damn sure better not be drawing a salary from either the public purse or from party coffers. I have no choice about paying my taxes but I damn sure have a choice about contributing to the Conservative party.
Oh don’t worry about Ms Smith’s employment prospects. If this “appointment” fails, the Harper Party can just give her the 801st board or committee job it has been handing out to the faithful… right?
But, I do think reposting her pic and retelling her story in a national political blog is mean spirited. I would suggest deleting about five of the six paragraphs as well as cropping the pic back up to the neckline. – By Old Enough to Remember on 08.26.07 3:26 pm
Maybe cropping the picture is not such a bad idea. As one poster noted a quick Google seach for anyone interested will show the whole story.
However, Garth’s description of the mayor’s offense is totally justified. The Mayor’s Chain is a sign of the authority of the office to which she was elected. Using it for personal purposes in that manner shows a total disrespect for that office and the people she represents.
For Doug Finley and PMSH to appoint this woman to “represent” a riding which already has a MP, just shows poor judgement at best.
To the other non CPC held ridings, you should be complaining about why this particular riding has been given preferential access to government!
BTW.
As a youth, I worked a summer job in a shoe store. The story goes that one manager of that store used it for “personal” purposes after hours.
Unfortunately for him, he got caught and became the former manager.
Did the same happen to the Nude Mayor?
First of all, I hardly think anyone thinks she’s an appointed MP. She may be a consultant, a liaison or even an ombudsman of sorts. What’s wrong with that?
I think it’s a good idea.
By Angry Canadian on 08.26.07 3:25 pm
So, L you feel that it is Ok to circumvent the will of us voters.
Shows the real objectives of the Con-spirators.
Toss out the voter and just run the country as YOU see fit.
Now can anyone tell me how this differs from Joe Stalin? or Adolf H.
Nudity be damned. It is democracy that is being stripped.
A couple of points of interest for those who claim “public domain” for photos of this mayor – or anyone else. No-one has the legal right to use or mis-use your image without your consent. If Garth hasn’t received a legal notice to remove that image yet, he certainly will tomorrow and if he fails to remove it he’ll be liable for damages. That’s a plain fact.
2) Stolen property is stolen property and does not morph into common property by the fact that it’s widely available. Do pirated movies become public domain when a certain number of copies are made? Of course not. What a stupid question, eh?
3) This vindicates the Conservatives choice to cut their ties with Turner. They must be high-fiving around the caucus room that Turner self-immolated as a Liberal and not as a Conservative.
The issue here is that Harper’s BC CPC caucus chair appointed this person to act as the “official representative to the federal government†for Nathan Cullen’s riding despite that being the job of the MP actually elected by the votes of the citizens of that riding, at least according to our Constitution. The sole reason I think Garth has a valid point for putting this particular picture up is because of what it shows about the quality and judgment of the person appointed as that liaison, especially given the fact she tried to claim that posing in her official publicly paid for Mayoral chain in her official publicly paid for Mayor’s seat in her official publicly paid for Mayor’s office in the nude is entirely a private affair after someone releases her picture of it to the internet from her home computer. The questionable judgment it illustrates is a valid point to be raised, and it also raises questions why a party leader by as moralistic a man as Harper would want to appoint such a person to any position (unless one thinks that this is entirely the idea of the BC Caucus chair, something in a government as tightly controlled/micromanaged as Harper’s is simply not plausible), let alone a position which is arguably illegal and unconstitutional and certainly contemptuous of the role of the actual riding representative the elected MP Nathan Cullen.
This is a very serious slap in the face of our democracy by the CPC here, and I find it more than a little telling that the CPC defenders here have focused on the nude picture instead of the far more serious fundamental assault on our democratic system of government. Gee, that reminds me of how those same defenders didn’t appear to understand why it was such a bad thing for undercover cops to be acting in a manner to provoke a violent outbreak at a peaceful protest at Montebello and initially argued that any claims of undercover cops being involved let alone involved in wrongdoing was the domain of conspiracy theorists only, even after the police eventually came out and admitted that yes these three men were undercover while still claiming they were not the ones acting in a threatening/provocative manner. Coincidence? I rather doubt it.
Someone actually attached their name to this one; Now can anyone tell me how this differs from Joe Stalin? or Adolf H.
I dunno… maybe the lack of genocide?
Is there an “unhinged” contest going on here today?
Where on the Conservative website is the legal permission from Mr. Dion for the use of his image?
Cons are such hypocrites!
Scotian condensed: … I think Garth has a valid point for putting this particular picture up…
Garth is republishing a stolen image knowing full-well that it’s stolen… and you support that? Garth is engaged in an attempt to publicly humiliate a political appointment, and you think that’s valid?
No wonder you try to hide your meaning under reams of verbose bluster.
Now, do you support party-appointed MPs? — Garth
No, I don’t. But, as I’ve already said, this appointment does not amount to appointing an MP.
As an aside; since you claim to support MMP then you are a supporter of party-appointed MP’s. Now if you can calm down and discuss the issue rationally then you’ll probably discover that I don’t like the appointment any more than you do… I’d just prefer to talk about it rationally and you seem to have abandoned reason altogether.
This post does smack of political opportunism. The issues of unelected representatives and as one poster pointed out, Mr. Fortier are indeed tantamount to democracy and as such entitled to the utmost scrutiny,and outrage, as is the SPP. BUT, the Charge is denigrated by cheap American Republican style political trashing.
Another huge issue here is the invasion of privacy. It’s the idea of hacking, and the breaches of that which we hold so dear, our privacy.
Seems to me, everyone involved here should enjoy the outcome of their choices, and if Mr. Harper gets to wear some dirt, so be it. It still doesn’t make Mr. Dion look any better to me. Especially after the Afghanistan dodge.
Like children deflecting their bad behavior, distracting Mommy by pointing the finger at others.
One question regarding post;
By Lawrence Garvin on 08.26.07 4:16 pm
Re: self-immolating. How should we see the disregard for democratic process and the CPC behavior regarding Ms. Smith and Fortier?
Mr. Garvin,
Rhetoric aside then, I don’t believe she’s an ‘appointed MP’ anymore than I beleive the CPC are actually trying to circumvent the electoral process. But given the comments of Mr. Harris regarding the NDP (or by extension any party other than the CPC) and the candidate representing the riding, it is no wonder Mr. Harper feels the need to keep a short leash on anyone who could be viewed as speaking for him.
I’m not a ‘dipper’ nor any other hard and fast political party follower but I do think an explanation regarding how Ms. Smith now represents the constituents of that riding is warranted.
Perhaps the PM should tug on that leash a little bit from time to time. There is really is no telling what the folks in the CPC will say next.
Do you support party-appointed MPs? — Garth
By Catherine on 08.26.07 12:54 pm
Not any different than your Liberal party and its side kicks – Martha and Gerald. Oh yeah, didn’t Stephane Dion agree not to run a Liberal candidate in a riding in Nova Scotia? You may want a chat with your leader.
And they wonder why there isn’t much respect for our politicians – given what we saw here today. I truly hope that the younger politician wannabe take note and don’t have you as a role model.
Imagine iof she were wearing a military honour? The Legion would be all over this.
That collar is the mark of integrity of office and content of character, not costume jewelry. That is the first issue to me.
The rest is as Garth has raised the point…a violation of democratic principles…again by PMSH!
By Calgary Junkie on 08.26.07 4:05 pm
Ah.. I was waiting for the first ‘The Liberals did it first!!!! post.
Except Calgary Junkie, did the Liberal’s appoint someone like the Cons have with Mayor Smith and say as Mr. Harris did
“Having an MP from the fourth party in the House just doesn’t cut it when it comes to actually getting things done for the folks in Skeena-Bulkley Valley . Sharon Smith with her direct government contact will ensure that things DO get done.”
He’s right on the PMO and party’s message, isn’t he? ‘Gettings Things Done’
Sure, getting them done by circumventing and subverting the electoral process. Representative democracy is, like, so yesterday.
P.S.
This blog should be for the discussion of the issues raised by Mr. Turner.
Some seem to think that each new topic is placed here only to renew their attacks on the Honourable MP from Halton and not for their input on the debate.
By Jason on 08.26.07 2:54 pm
For those of you interested in the meat of the story (rather than getting all upset over a little bit of nudity) then click on the link in my name and scroll down to August 22 to listen to the CBC interviews with Dick Harris and Nathan Cullen.
Actually Jason, there is another clip just below, the next day with Duff Conacher of Democract Watch.
In the original post, Garth asked: “Is she being paid?”. According to CPC Harris, she is a volunteer. It also appears that she remains Mayor today, based upon comments from NDP MP Nathan Cullen.
Having said that and listened to all three interviews, I have to say that Harris’ arguments do not pass the smell test. This appears to me to be a longer term effort to undermine a sitting opposing MP.
I’ve seen Nathan Cullen in Parliamentary Committees, in panel discussions on Politics and Mike Duffy Live and always thought he was a good MP and make some strong valid points, while maintaining a good sense of humour. Even though I don’t support the NDP, I’d like to see him retain his seat, fairly.
Btw, not one of the four individuals: the CBC BC interviewer, Harris, Cullen or Conacher had anything whatsoever to say about the incident concerning Mayor Smith some years ago.
In that sense, some class was demonstrated.
By THE SHADOW KNOWS on 08.26.07 2:22 pm
No Shadow, your just a troll who loves to take a negative stance on anything Garth and the Libs. Anyone who should be ashamed of themselves, is the Mayor and those who, as Garth says, have appointed her as a de facto MP.
By THE SHADOW KNOWS on 08.26.07 2:22 pm
By kpn on 08.26.07 3:14 pm
kpn. Did I direct my post to you? Didn’t think so. Garth is quite capable of taking care of himself. But while I have your attention, I suppose you are not a partisian lieberal that keeps sniping at others besides the thieving lieberals. Is there a law in this country for what you supposedly think the conservatives are doing? If there is then would you kindly let me know?
Hey Catherine, could this really be the naked truth about the inside working of the Reform/Aliance/Conservative very underhanded political tricks. Please tell us you are not jealous Catherine because Sharon got more exposure than you.
Let’s look at the facts, who in their right political mind takes pictures of their wife or any other women for that matter. Reform/Alliance/Conseratives have some really unfair, nasty and un-truthful words to say about Belnda? Did you speak against them in public Catherine? Careful, before y’all open a pendora’s box here there could more pictures not given to the RCMp or shown to our PM, or even others on goverment property not mentioned to the RCMP under disclosure, speaking of which has she mentioned this and other so called private matters to the PMSH as not to imbarrass either him or the good citizens and families in this riding. Hey Garth lets ask PMSH for comment into any other possible goings on, so he can go on record.
I had a good laugh about the ‘uninhibited’ mayor’s photo.
Then I got to thinking about what it says about her obvious contempt for the mayor’s position and for the voters of Houston. Then I got to thinking what it says about the obvious contempt PMSH has for the democratic process by appointing this clown of a person to a bogus position in his government. Now I’m really, really mad…
I hate to say it, but I’ll have to agree with Old Enough. The photo is a cheap shot and distracts from the seriousness of the situation.
Obviously so, since that’s all anybody’s talking about.
Yes, it’s mildly interesting that Smith was involved in this embarrassing little bruhaha four years ago. But this current circumvention of representative democracy would be unacceptable regardless of who was being crowned as ‘government liaison’.
At the very least, please, crop out that bit of nip.
Greg asks; How should we see the disregard for democratic process and the CPC behavior regarding Ms. Smith and Fortier?
If you see those as self-immolation then… we don’t really disagree. Both incidents have been politically damaging for the Conservatives and the question of whether or not these are fatal blunders remains to be seen.
For myself, the Fortier appointment doesn’t cause me too much concern. Senators have always been patronage appointments and there is no constitutional requirement that cabinet members be elected (precedents are numerous).
This more recent appointment is a puzzlingly stupid move that, quite honestly, has me scratching my head. On the one hand, it’s not anything as dramatic as “an attack on our constitution” but, on the other hand, it’s so bone-headed it makes me wonder if Stockwell Day has re-asserted control of the party.
I’m sure that more info will be forthcoming. Until then, I remain skeptical (verging on pissed off).
Hello Garth and all — in The Okanagan Sunday today (which is distributed from Vernon through Penticton), page A3 lower left side is the headline ‘Outspoken MP to speak in Kelowna during tour of Western Canada’, with a subhead and 6-8 inches of copy.
As usual, the paper cut he last two lines of the story off, but they will correct that tomorrow.
A couple of sentences are:
“The outspoken maverick will lead two town-hall meetings on Sept. 10″ . . . .
“Conservative voters who expected Mr. Harper to govern without raising taxes, increasing spending or making life harder for investors, retired people or families are asking to be heard,” he said.
“. . . He said Harper muzzles debate within the Tory caucus, making it hard for MPs to represent their constituents.”
Now the information is out and well-publicized, one has to always expect the unexpected, that there will be some storm-troopers at both meetings; ultimately, they will be ignored as being too boorish or childish.
I will try to get to one of the meetings and, if I do — See you there!
Well, seems everyone now has a ‘leg up’ on the situation and have come well ‘abreast’ of the issues?
I am just so thankful it was neither Myron Thompson or Bev Oda who was feeling a tad frisky with their camera.
Had it been Steve or Myron, the Wide Angle would have be quite helpful, eh?
Have a wonderful evening with point-counterpoint folks.
Garth:
Now that the photo is old news, was it not long ago that PMSH said he got the message, that Canadians wanted him and his elected team to govern this country. This is not the first appointment with motives not serving the people but the party nor is it the last I suspect. We (Canadians) have heard of many other behind closed door going on that has been put in place to limit Democracy and build a closed loop system around the Dictator himself. Perhaps it has been done and he is moving outside the loop to local areas, sounds like it to me, so lets bring on debate, matters not why the press is turned on, you and others need to fight fire with fire, ask retorical questions and attack attack until PMSH must start talking to Canadains via the media with the truth, not what others did 5,10 or even 13 years ago did.
(verging on pissed off).
By Lawrence Garvin on 08.26.07 5:29 pm
Me too. It’s the incessant edging over the line that is an affront.
Re: Fortier, the point raised by the original poster was that he has not offered in upcoming by-elections, and as such further lacks legitimacy. It’s not so much a partisan consideration, more a democratic concern.
I am going to take a wild guess at this, but I will bet Nathan Cullen has had a great weekend.
Leasa,
Then her biz card should read “Mayor of Houston & Pretend Crap MP of Canada” “Part-time stripper” “Part-time jogger” “Disrespect for all, all of the time!”
That about covers it. I wonder if she cheats in long distance races? One can’t help but wonder given her past.
Geo
By Jennifer Smith on 08.26.07 5:23 pm
I hate to say it, but I’ll have to agree with Old Enough.
Don’t deny your inner self. Let loose.
“Reason over passion”… PET
By THE SHADOW KNOWS on 08.26.07 2:22 pm
Wow, you are really upset that people are naked under their clothes!
Class – the CPC supporters want to talk about class? Are you kidding. Just remember all the nasty dirty name calling that Belinda Stronach got – clean your own doorsteps before working on others.
This lady (Smith) is in politics and knows very well that her life is studied in a microscopy and there’s no excuse for her stupidity.
If she wants to make hubby happy – do it on her own time not taxpayer time and in her own home – not an office paid for by taxpayers. She’s a politician and certainly isn’t naive.
Haven’t heard anyone here call her a whore, a dog, stupid, etc. She’s come off easy compared to Ms Stronach.
Can you just imagine if the situation were reverse – Harper would be running negative ads and the CPC would be all over it – over and over again.
Ms Smith did a dumb thing and can only blame herself – she’s an adult.
Ms Smith did a dumb thing and can only blame herself – she’s an adult.
By slg on 08.26.07 6:32 pm
And you Liberals guys want to be different than the Americans. Sheesh… I thought that in Canada, we used some discretion in matters of personal nature. I thought wrong.
Ahhh, Cathy, who was indiscreet? — Garth
Hi Garth – Seem to recall that you were heading down to the Maritimes, but I don’t recall when. Not sure what I can do for you but would be willing, in whatever capacity that I can, to assist you in any town hall meetings. I assume, you’ll have the assistance of our local MP, Mike Savage, to assist you. I’d love to say that I can get my neighbours/friends/family out to your event but I only have one bro who is really willing to discuss politics. I can say that we usually all vote the same – discussed after whatever election has been called. Anyway, if I can be of help in the Hfx/Dartmouth area, please contact me. You do have my contact info I believe.
I am just so thankful it was neither Myron Thompson or Bev Oda who was feeling a tad frisky with their camera.
Had it been Steve or Myron, the Wide Angle would have be quite helpful, eh?
Have a wonderful evening with point-counterpoint folks.
By Bill-Muskoka on 08.26.07 5:47 pm
Or Lizzy May, wouldn’t that be a hooter?
Someone actually attached their name to this one; Now can anyone tell me how this differs from Joe Stalin? or Adolf H.
I dunno… maybe the lack of genocide?
Is there an “unhinged†contest going on here today?
By Lawrence Garvin on 08.26.07 4:29 pm
Another dumb assed Neo-con apologist jumps up with a real DUMB comment.
Joe and Adolph usurped the rights of the PEOPLE and made ALL decisions! Voters and people be damned.
Just as this government seems to be trying to do.
(That was followed by the genocide.)
Just in case you are not “Old enough to remember”
Bill said:
Well, seems everyone now has a ‘leg up’ on the situation and have come well ‘abreast’ of the issues?
I am just so thankful it was neither Myron Thompson or Bev Oda who was feeling a tad frisky with their camera.
Had it been Steve or Myron, the Wide Angle would have be quite helpful, eh?
Oh Bill, some images are simply just best not left to teh imagination. Just no no no. Oda? Myron? That shot of Steve at Montebello letting it all hang out? OMG! NO!
But Kimmy Campbell gave it a good effort way back when didn’t she? Tastefully, teasingly hiding behind her robes of power. No fool that girl. No nip to distract folks either. Even tho most of us have two of ‘em. Even Cons:) But she didn’t take it off til after she had risen in the ranks. That would be the main difference between her’onner and Kim.
And Dick, always a backbencher, never an up-front guy, stuck being the BC caucus chair. That must be fun. 4 or 5 terms depending on what page you read on the con site. Lots of committees is all. Is this just a plan to make his mark. Maybe he just really really likes Sharon.
I agree with Lawrence, “it’s so bone-headed it makes me wonder if Stockwell Day has re-asserted control of the party.”
Geo
Jesus Christ, Turner, . . .
By Lawrence Garvin on 08.26.07 3:59 pm
Well whaddya know. I didn’t have the slightest idea that Lawrence Garvin was able to appoint you as Jesus Christ, Garth.
Does this interfere with your other duties as an MP, or is it business as usual?
What a group of nuts these trolls are – can’t see beyond the end of their noses!
As an aside; since you claim to support MMP then you are a supporter of party-appointed MP’s.- By Lawrence Garvin on 08.26.07 4:41 pm
If I understand MMP, and I’m sure you’ll correct me if I’m wrong, the parties won’t be appointing MP’s. Some MP’s will be elected as usual. The others, by propotion of vote, will be allocated to the parties. The parties will be told exactly how many MPs they have. They won’t be able to add more. The parties will decide who sits in the MP seats allocated to them.
This is a not so subtle difference from directly appointing MPs and is obviously lost on you.
But regardless of party, the advisor/ liaison to a particular riding is the MP, and it is the people of that riding who decide who that person should be, not the PM and certainly not the unelected PMO.
If PMSH is saying that “Things are not getting done” in that riding because they have an NDP MP rather than a CPC MP, that tells me that he is not a PM for the whole of Canada but only a PM for the CPC ridings. Shame.
By slg on 08.26.07 6:32 pm
Class – the CPC supporters want to talk about class? Are you kidding. Just remember all the nasty dirty name calling that Belinda Stronach got – clean your own doorsteps before working on others.
Here we go again…OK, I have seen some other comments that I presume were partly directed at me earlier in this blog, but, I let them pass. As far as I know, I am the only one that has so far used the word “class”.
So, excuse me for assuming that this is another personal attack for holding differing, personal (not party) views.
SLG, I get the impression that as a child, you routinely coloured your pictures by scribbling over the lines with your crayons – the shotgun approach.
So, can you direct me to a specific blog entry that I have made that leads you to believe I am a CPC member, supporter, recruit, agent provocateur (since you learned a new phrase recently, why not use it frequently), voter, spy or other figment of your imagination?
Do please edify.
This is a good post regarding the Nazis and the White House.
http://nether-world.blogspot.com/2007/08/grandson-of-nazi-resigns-from-serving.html
A post which shows how the rich get really rich, at our (continual) expense.
http://mparent7777-2.blogspot.com/2007/08/45b-bet-on-another-911-within-4-weeks.html
Ah Garth, can ya crop the photo a little ‘lower’, I wanna check if she has the CPC tattoed on her @#$%*&^.
Doug Finley “is considered a brilliant political strategist,”
Will you please stop saying that!
Do you forget that before he rode the ad scam tide that he got his butt kicked in Middlesex and lost the by-election to the PC’s??
How come Mr. Brilliance can’t break the glass ceiling??
Please, stop with the brilliance stuff about Finley – he is so over rated.
Thanks
I’d say for the sake of decency, re-edit the blog as suggested.
The political issues are legit for discussion. Not in this context, however.
By Old Enough to Remember on 08.26.07 3:26 pm
For God’s sake OETR, the pic is cropped. Click on any TV pgm, visit a beach, walk on the street, read a daily newspaper, or go to a local high school & U’ll see more than Garth showed above. N. American society has always been backwards about the physical body in public view. I could care less if she liked to sunbath in the nude, but I do care that she did so in a Mayor’s chair. And, I find it rather hilarious that she, as a rep. of the con party, whick supposedly likes to portray themselves as a moralistic, family, anti-gay, anti-abortion, anti-everything party, would poste totally nude in her Mayor’s seat.
I think the content says it all.
Finally,… we are SEEING “transparency†from the CONS!You cant help but see the humor in that!
By w.p. on 08.26.07 3:31 pm
How funny and right you are.
Old Enough and Jennifer,
In that sense, some class was demonstrated on the CBC…
I don’t entirely disagree with you. But we are not the press, we are the public and as such we have a right to know.
If I lived in Houston, I’d be bringing it up in the coffee shop. But I am in BC so I’ll settle for the blog.
These twits are messing with my province. And my country. Anything available goes.
When I posted the links yesterday, it was only to the main site. Choices to be made by whoever went in there. No one need look at the full monty who didn’t want to.
So here we have a woman who happily is accepting a fake MP position while Mayor of her town for 4 years. She must have some small political saavy, no?
We have Dick Harris, CPC BC Caucus Chair doing a recruitment number on her probably. And Doug Finley, Stevo’s right hand PO guy and other stuff.
I rather doubt Sharon came up with the deal. But I do know that she knows that periodically the photo’s from a few years ago will pop up again. She is probably grateful she does not look like Oda and I’m also sure it’s a great spur to keep in shape.
When you go for public office, in a democratically approved fashion, ie an election, or otherwise, ie. slide out from under a rock naked as the day you were born; you can expect a fair amount of scrutiny into your life.
As the link was at the top of the page I can only assume it is still getting a lot of hits. More than the town of Houston gets on it’s own. I bet she still gets email each week regarding her images that have nothing to do with this weeks little flurry of interest.
Well, I cannot speak for Sean P Hogan and what he does when he’s not here. You did get that link didn’t you Sean? Too bad she is married but she might have a friend. Just a friendly thought.
Geo
Forever grateful to Frank Frink for the heads-up on these unforgivable tw
aits.By the way, I do not find the photograph offensive and I’m a grandmother. There were a group of grandmother’s that posed nude for calendars to raise funds for charity. The mayor has to live with what she did and my advice is be like the Tasmanian granny’s in the calendars.
http://www.abc.net.au/tasmania/stories/s1179027.htm
A sense of humour would help!
By Canuck on 08.26.07 3:48 pm
Canuck – I’ve seen various elderly ladies pose, discreetly, for charity calenders and I applaud them. This, however, is a totally different situation. She is an elected offical, using a tax paid office, to expose herself. If she had done it in her own home thats a totally different story. And for the Cons to nominate her as a party appointed MP is another ball game.
The naked truth by Stephen Harper LOL
Oh, get yourselves off of your high horses all ready. Funny, how Liberals take the moral high-horse when convenient. ha ha ha BTW, were all so righteous when Pierre Pettigrew took his boyfriend/driver on international business and kept a full time apartment in Paris? We really don’t need pics for that one do we. People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Actually, it’s all pretty darn hilarious. L
Ms Smith did a dumb thing and can only blame herself – she’s an adult.
By slg on 08.26.07 6:32 pm
That will surely come as a shock to many? LOL What about her childhood, her broken heart in Secondary School, the poorly fitting Prom dress?
She was probably the victim of porn on the internet or something, but her fault? *snicker*
I need to read more about this, but if this is a fair account of her roles, then I am astounded. Why not have quasi-MPs in every non-Conservative riding? Then they can stop pretending that what anyone else says even matters.
They weren’t elected in this riding. Leave the citizen liason job to the person elected by the people to be their representative in Parliament. This needs to be nipped in the bud, Garth, and to me it’s a hell of a lot more important than any income trust or sponsorship scandal, tax reform initiatives or anything else. This is nothing less than an assault on our form of democracy.
By Abattoir on 08.26.07 3:36 pm
I totally agree Abattoir. I wish I could have said it as well as you. We have become an apathetic nation, assuming Canada would remain a so called democracy. Yet our democratic rights are being chizeled away bit by bit, and dramatically so by this so called tranparent new government. So sad that the majority of the electorate are so concerned about how to get ahead, pay for their huge mortgages, SUV’s, the so called ‘good life’ that nobody sees what is happening to their personal rights, other than complaining about security at the airport. I was never a conspiracy theorist, but I have become one in the latter years, because of Bush/Cheney/Rummy/Wolfowitz and our neocon Frum. And now with NAFTA, SPP, NAU etc. I’m more convinced than ever. I fear for my nieces and nephews and the children to follow me. At least I have a niece who, at 23, is aware.
Boy what a smear job Garth and you have audacity to criticize Harper for so called smearing of Dion. The fact is you make Harper’s attempts look like amateur hour.
To say she is an appointed MP is bullshit pure and simple and you bloody well now it.
You smear of her and the bad choice of words only takes away the point you are trying to make. Sorry ole bean, but I am beginning to feel that you should seek professional help for your anti Conservative obsession as it is beginning to cloud any rational thinking you may have had.
Btw, did you get permision to use her photo? If not you could be sued you know.
Scotian condensed: … I think Garth has a valid point for putting this particular picture up…
Garth is republishing a stolen image knowing full-well that it’s stolen… and you support that? Garth is engaged in an attempt to publicly humiliate a political appointment, and you think that’s valid?
No wonder you try to hide your meaning under reams of verbose bluster.
By Lawrence Garvin on 08.26.07 4:36 pm
Lawrence – get a life -its on the net – its not a stolen image. As averyone has said – one its on the net it’ll always be on the net. You’re just upset that it reflects horribly on the cons. Your opinions from the past year are transparent – unlike your lying leader.
Geo,
I hope you will be coming to Garth’s Town Hall Meeting on Sept. 8th. If I’m not mistaken you are already on the North Shore.
Credible link please, Angry Leasa. And what would it have to do Skeena-Bulkley Valley? You’re got your playbook out, doncha? Trying to change the subject (oh look, shiny things over there!) is a classic Republican tactic sadly imported now to Canada.
Link please.
Your hatred for Garth, your hatred for neo cons, your hatred for Liberals, your inability to see the issues will consume us all…an independent government is the only salvation, when will we be able to see that.
First of all, I hardly think anyone thinks she’s an appointed MP. She may be a consultant, a liaison or even an ombudsman of sorts. What’s wrong with that? Perhaps the elected MP is not doing his job by bringing problems forth and giving the government a fair chance to communicate and appreciate the area? I think it’s a good idea.
Also, I also do not think you needed to run this private picture of this lady. She was simply having some private fun with hubby and they obviously meant only for the two of them to share these mementos. They should not be held against her nor, should other ‘professionals’ stoop so low as to use them against her in any way, even if that professional is using them to make political hay. Bad, Garth, bad!
Congrats to Ms. Smith on her new position. L
By Angry Canadian on 08.26.07 3:25 pm
Oh Angray Canadian, aka L. Where is your head. No wonder you’re having a tough time of making a living farming. Want help from Cdns/Feds one day but opposing help (i.e. lib policies) the next day. Saying you support independents one day, but oppose & agressively question anything Garth has to say, yet support the neocons the next day. Do you believe in anything L.? Suspect you’re supplementing your income by being a paid con troll.
I didn’t have the slightest idea that Lawrence Garvin was able to appoint you as Jesus Christ, Garth
If I had that kind of power, I would send a couple of scoops of native intelligence to your address. That way you might understand a common colloquism which, in this context, conveys surprise and dismay at a particularily bone-headed act.
Try a little harder next time. English is a rich language with many shades of meaning.
How is this different from Gasrth Turner travelling across the country in everybody else’s riding when his job is to serve only the people of Halton?
Apparently he was even doing this as a Conservative.
Maybe the people of Halton need a Conservative government liaason appointed since Garth is busy everywhere else. And his constituency office paid for by the taxpayer for the people of HALTON is being used for a cross country tour. The Liberal promotion/conservative bashing tour should be financed by the Liberal party including repaying taxpayer’s for part of Garth’s HALTON salaries and expences. My MP is kept pretty busy in his home riding representing HIS constituents- that’s what we elected him for.
Really don’t want to see me with you in Alberta, do you? — Garth
Congrats to Ms. Smith on her new position. L
By Angry Canadian on 08.26.07 3:25 pm
Her old position wasn’t half bad
KPN; Lawrence – get a life -its on the net – its not a stolen image.
The latest big-budget movies are on the net too. So are the latest best-selling books and music. Go ahead and download them or share them under your own name, since you’re so sure of yourself.
The image was stolen and the use of a stolen image is illegal. That’s not an opinion, it’s a fact. Go ask a lawyer you trust if you don’t believe me… and it’s clear you don’t.
I get the impression, reading a number of postings of regulars here, that their sex life involves 15 minutes per week of missionary work after Hockey Night in Canada and a Saturday bath.
Would I be shocked if Garth snuck into the H of C and did a shirtless interview for MP TV for fun? Hugely, because like most of his supporters here, I think, deep down, based upon this blog, he is a conservative prig.
You guys, honestly, remind me of the Republicans in the US who were titillated (and jealous) by revelations that Bill Clinton was getting some action in the White House, yet used it to drag politics into the impeachment gutter. Meanwhile, key world/US issues were ignored.
You’re more conservative than Newt Gingrich’s Repulicans on this issue.
Get a (sex) life!
She was probably the victim of porn on the internet or something, but her fault? *snicker*
What’s this “fault” crap? The woman made a mistake in that she did not sufficiently safeguard a private image and it was stolen from her. She’s guilty of being insufficiently cautious (which is no crime at all) but the people who stole her image, and those who are trying to smear her with it, are the people who did break the law. They are “at fault” here, not Ms. Smith.
Angry Phoney Leasa,
you can’t defend teh indefensible. You can’t spin this. Mr. Harris flat our says in his media releaase that ‘having an MP from the fourth party just doesn’t cut it for the people of Skeena-Bulkley Valley’ so he’s making that appointment of Ms. Smith so that S-BV has ‘real representation’.
I guess you’re trying to convince us that he didn’t say what he said. or convince yourself.
In any case, Mr. Harris’ statements could not be any clearer. S-BV’s duly elected MP doesn’t represent them, so he’s appointment to represent them.
Half of the male side of my family died for this country in WWII so we could look forward to this crap?
you support party-appointed MPs? — Garth
By Catherine on 08.26.07 12:54 pm
Not any different than your Liberal party and its side kicks – Martha and Gerald. Oh yeah, didn’t Stephane Dion agree not to run a Liberal candidate in a riding in Nova Scotia? You may want a chat with your leader.
And they wonder why there isn’t much respect for our politicians – given what we saw here today. I truly hope that the younger politician wannabe take note and don’t have you as a role model.
By Catherine on 08.26.07 4:48 pm
Catherine – I think you should have said that they shouldn’t have the Mayor as a role model. You’re too transparent!!
Garth, Your just freaking amazing, I know why you have the beard now, there is no way you can look yourself in the eye when you shave in the morning after this one. The cropped pic was pushing the boundary but allowing a link to this womans picture that was taken by her husband and then was stolen off of her home computer and you condone that by allowing the link to be put on your site, putting it out there for all to see. Just remember Garth, what goes around, comes around. This topic could of been debated with out that. Shame on you Mr. Turner, Shame
OETR,
Many people do have a (sex) life, even those in public office. Just not actually IN the Public Office… See the difference?
Mr. Garth TurnerMP,
Boy, some people sure seem to get upset about seeing (parts of) people in there birthday clothes, it’s amazing.
It’s only natural
I’m more alarmed with the PMSH Party and his Gang appointing it’s own
quasi-MP for a riding!
I thought we were living in a free country, Governed by democraticly elected people? That’s the way I remember hearing it in school.
Is canada being run by a jellybean dictator?
You may have thought you’d get a reaction from some people by using the pic.. I hope you also were able to make some of them think twiss about PMSH Gangs quasi actions.
What kind of world do you want your
kids to live in?
Just a wee note because I’m truly sickened by Harper’s “incremental change”. He, personally has incrementally tried to undermine the reputations of Liberal M.P.’s, Baines, Marlene Jennings, Diane Marleau (sp?) and Liberals in general when he said Ignatief was anti=Israel when he said it was a crime what happened to all the civilians in Lebanon and then further tried to slur all Liberals by adding something to the effect that that was the stance of all Liberals.
I am not, therefore, surprised when one of Harper’s annointed, Dick Harris, tried to slur the job Nathan Cullen (NDP M.P.) by saying he was getting a lot of calls from Cullen’s riding to do with help required on passports etc. because Cullen didn’t have the connection with the CPC Gov’t. to get the job done. What a dishonest ploy to try to upstage Cullen and get a higher profile for what’s her name so she could be a stronger competitor in the next election. I am not a New Democrat but I do watch CPAC a lot as well as other political programs and I am glad to be able to agree with Old Enough to Remember at least this time. Nathan Cullen is a a very effective MP for the NDP and it would be too bad if he weren’t re-elected. Of course, I don’t know who the Liberal or Green candidate s are but Cullen is really a good. strong M.P. Fair is fair! Slime is slime
Doesn’t surprise me in the least that Harper would do this sort of thing. He and his cronies have been kicking Toronto in the nuts for the last 18 months and laughing about it. The man has a truly peevish nature and a very nasty streak that borders on Fascism.
By Liz on 08.26.07 9:17 pm
Many people do have a (sex) life, even those in public office. Just not actually IN the Public Office… See the difference?
Well, if you call taking a private picture “sex”, then I hope the mirror flash in the next pack of polaroids doesn’t spoil the occasion.
A Newt Gingrich tip: Make sure you loosen the crinoline before you press the timer button. It could interfere with the girdle straps.
Greg, the point is that this topic could easily of been debated with out the link provided by Kallie, the cropped pic by Garth and the descriptions he offered in his post. Remember this lady has a family with children and friends who surf the net, its bad enough she and them went through this once over a friendly pic between hubby and wife that was stolen, but for Garth to allow it to occur again is beyond contempt. Be honest and tell me these provided quotes from Garth’s post had to be used, Candidate Smith is sitting unabashedly with her knees apart and a smile on her face ” and ” while hubby snapped some trophy photos”. If you condone this, I suggest you call your better half into the room and allow her to read it with the context of these are stolen pics and see if she slaps you upside the head.
She may be a consultant, a liaison or even an ombudsman of sorts. What’s wrong with that?
By Angry Canadian on 08.26.07 3:25 pm
“Lobbying is a legitimate part of our democratic system. People, organizations and businesses have the right to communicate, to decision makers, information and views on issues that are important to them. However, it is important that this happens in a transparent manner – that Canadians have the opportunity to know who is lobbying public office holders and in which context. The Lobbyists Registration Act and the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct set the Government of Canada framework for that transparency and this Office has a key role in ensuring that the systems and processes that support the Act and the Code work well”.
Smith may be a good example of what a Harper Party representative should look like but this neo-con MP appointment or what ever they say she is, is in violation of a couple of key pieces of legislation
Poor ethics , poor taste, poor judgement Another typical Harper Party fiasco. No planning and don’t think things through-Just rely on the neo-con damage patrol.
Leasa,
Since none of your brilliant detractors can set aside their bile and actually disagree with your position… I guess it falls to me.
I have a real problem with this “appointment” because it indicates to me that, 18 months into their mandate, the Conservatives can not give up on the partisanship and simply get down to the job at hand. Partisan zeal is a (seemingly) necessary evil during election periods but this government can not seem to grasp the fact that it’s won the election and now needs to deliver good government for the whole population. Instead, people like Dick Harris seem to think that their job is to settle some scores or position themselves for the next election.
It’s frustrating and it’s stupid. It’s frustrating because some of us voted Conservative because we actually wanted more than just vengence against the Liberals. And it’s stupid because… it’s backfiring! If the Conservatives are losing people like me (and they are) then they are going to lose the next election.
The Conservative “base” has to be more than the people who just flat-out loath the Liberals. And lately, those people are the only ones who are still carrying the torch (it seems to me).
If the Liberals hadn’t chosen Dion, I think the Conservatives would have gone down to non-confidence already.
Lorraine: Who just paid for Harpers stump visit to Quebec?
Who pays for any Con Cabinet Minister who adds several Liberal-bashing sentences to his daily speech when announcing programs?I believe we all do.
If Garth wants to meet with Canadians throughout the country, meetings which could have a positive impact on the citizens of Halton, than I applaud his efforts and believe it is money well spent.
I haven’t seem my M.P. all summer (or spring, or last fall) I think I read that he attended a Farm Equipment dealer’s grand opening, or maybe that was a Farmer’s Feed Cities bumper sticker handout)
I would love for him to get out more and talk to Canadians.
Can I have Harper appoint an honourary M.P. to replace mine? Mine’s a Conservative who quotes party doctrine when answering questions. I have never seen him in person. I know he exists because I see him during Question Period, though I have yet to see him rise to his feet and ask one.
I would like my honourary M.P. to be a Liberal.
Thanking Mr. Harper in advance,
Judy
Why would someone think that airing this picture is in bad taste?
I, for one, appreciate and applaud the efforts that Garth is using to show us what our “New Canadian Government” is really doing.
This poor woman must have felt quite sexy that nite she allowed her husband to take nude pictures of her in a very public office.
What does the NDP MP think of this stunt?
What else will we find out, in time to make our judgement on Election Day.
Scary, that’s for sure.
I am waiting in anticipation of the outcome of this silly judgment made by this sleezy conservative.
What’s their saying? Wolf in sheep clothing? Wow.
Thanks Garth, See you on Sept 5 in Regina Saskatchewan.
I would suggest deleting about five of the six paragraphs as well as cropping the pic back up to the neckline.
I’d say for the sake of decency, re-edit the blog as suggested.
By Old Enough to Remember on 08.26.07 3:26 pm
You’re more conservative than Newt Gingrich’s Repulicans on this issue.
Get a (sex) life!
By Old Enough to Remember on 08.26.07 8:49 pm
A little consistency within the same blog would be good.
I am a woman about this sleezies age; where’s the link, I’d like to take a nude photo of myself (body needs ironing though). I think this would help my self esteem and self confidence.
Gee, her tanned body looks lovely. Bet her husband is very proud of his production and his sleezie wife.
I’m not in politics and so it probably doesn’t matter that my body is a bit experience and wrinkled.
Hope the people of Skeena are aware that this is the way she spends your municipal tax paying dollars; sitting in the mayor’s chair naked.
How disgusting. Wonder if she bathed before the photo-op?
Lorraine 8.26.07 – whaaat are you talking about? Just so you know, every MP’s office gets the same budget for staff, equipment, etc. with a slight increment for the overpopulated. Our riding consists of the 3 fastest growing communities in all the land. The staff in Garth Turner’s rockin little constituency office work non stop for the good people of Halton. We are happy to do it! And just for your information, I stay late more nights than not, answering emails from Canadians right across this great land of ours who are neglected by their own MP’s. I’m happy to do that too. You can sleep tight tonight secure in the fact that the tax payers get their pound of flesh in Halton. So get your facts straight Lorraine, other wise …. The gloves are off girlfriend.
Half of the male side of my family died for this country in WWII so we could look forward to this crap?
By Frank Frink on 08.26.07 8:55 pm
And this is how the political process honors their memory. Maybe the honorable members could do a tour in Afghanistan.
By Greg on 08.26.07 10:05 pm
Greg, if you don’t see the coinsistency, then I’d suggest increasing your bran uptake.
Political voyeurism and gutter politics is the issue I have addressed, irrespective of how your momentary increased circulation may be ultimately disaffected.
Just to make things clear about the legalities – use of this image in this context is clearly covered as ‘fair dealing’ in Canada, and is therefore NOT ILLEGAL. Fair dealing covers copyrighted works if the purpose of the copying is for ‘research, private study, criticism, review or news reporting’. This clearly falls under 2 of the categories. And that’s a plain fact.
And yes, use of Dion’s images on the CPC website would also seem to qualify.
Now please can we get back to the real issue at hand, the appointment of MPs by the government? Where is the MSM on this?
Esther 10.12 pm
I know Esther works long hours including Sundays as I had two emails from her today in response to an email I sent to the constituency office.
I think Garth’s posting the picture just proves like attracts like. The poor judgement of the mayor is just as bad as the poor judgement of the Harper neocons in “appointing” this woman to circumvent democracy. Why is the Harper government “shutting out” and “not co-operating ” with the NDP member duly elected by the riding constituents? Reminds me of the Emerson and Fortier debacles.
Obviously, the neocons are not the least bit interested in democracy. The sooner we get them out, the better.
I didn’ like the Liberals too much in the past and never voted for them. Harpo sure helped me to change my mind!! A man I know spent one-half hour befofe the last election telling me why I should vote for Harpo. Now he is so disappointed in Harpo that he will not vote for him again.
I sure hope there are lots of previous Harpo lovers who now are extremely disappointed and will help to send Harpo back to where he came. These actions in BC by the neocons scare me enough to push me into working on an election campaign with the intention of retiring the present PM.
With Stephane Dion or Elizabeth May we have thoughtful, intelligent,and sensitive people who operate from cooperation and caring for Canada rather than from being autocratic and power-hungry.
OETR,
You may be having difficulty with your memory: it was a digital cam. How the pics wound up on the internet, well, we have to take her word on that. Lots of people use public displays of themselves to heat up their sex lives. Fortunately, not a lot in the political sphere. Most of those hide their shenanigans and then get outted.
Also, we would have to take her word on that she disrobed, hubby snapped some pics, she got dressed and they went home to have sex, or not, in a proper setting.
Don’t get me wrong. I couldn’t care less what she or anyone does in their personal lives as long as it harms no one. Disgracing the Office of Mayor is another story, and being “appointed” to be the “go to person” for Harper smacks of anything but open, accountable and transparent, as well as a smack to the face of democracy.
All that aside, the woman is obviously not a prude and should be able to withstand mostly good-natured ribbing. If not, she will not fare well in politics. Notice that everyone has treated her far better than Stronach was treated.
This IS British Columbia, after all, home of the famous clothing-optional Wreck Beach and the Nude Bicycle Ride. Also where the right for women to go bare-breast when and if they damn well please was won.
What BC does not like is behind-the-scenes political machinations that usurp the power of the people.
Liz, I am very curious, I wonder how Belinda would come down on this debate concerning the pics and comments that garth allowed, posted or made, interesting question, think I will email her. Would you like to be CC Esther or maybe Garth can give he a quick call and see what she thinks. Actually since your here Esther, what are your feelings about this. Is this fair game, Were the pics and Garth’s comments necessary for this debate. Come on Esther, Tell me from a female perspective because I can tell you from my better half perspective who used to read this blog with me, she now thinks he is a totally idiot.
By Liz on 08.26.07 10:58 pm
I don’t know why i even bothered to type this much in reply.
Abbatoir, Being illegal and being in extremely poor taste are two totally different things do you not agree.
Abbatoir; use of this image in this context is clearly covered as ‘fair dealing’ in Canada, and is therefore NOT ILLEGAL
There is no ‘fair dealing’ exception for material that was never intended for public release. This is a stolen image and ever instance of it’s being published is an act of theft.
Now please can we get back to the real issue at hand, the appointment of MPs by the government?
Are you folks incapable of discussing two matters at once? I’ve given my opinion of the “appointment” already; 1) it’s not what you’re claiming and 2) it’s still an idiotic and self-destructive move.
Well PMSH did promise an open government – and open it is – just like a spewing can of worms.
Yet another reason to completely ignore, not only the MSM, but Wikipedia as well, and I have absolutely no doubt that the torytrolls do the same thing as well.
TIME TO GET RID OF THESE SEWER RATS!
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/national/pms-staff-edited-wikipedia/2007/08/23/1187462471171.html
Kaylee. Ontario is going through a metamorphoris of sorts…
Caring for our “canada”, what will it take?
Karl Krove, Bushes’ brains, retired recently, Now is our only threat that “Flanagan person?
I, too, will be out campaingning against our Saskatchewan Party MP Jeromy Harrison; I will only do this because he, too, is a conservative whing whimp.
When do you think this ‘Screeny in Skeena’ will respond to this thread? Or do you think that she will count on her conservaive counterparts to do her ‘coverups for her?
She is a digrace to public office, using our taxpayers money to ‘get the job done, in my opinion, is just wrong.
This photo should be her ‘last stand’ mostly, becausse she has gone too far to show her disdain to our taxpayer money ($).
Let me see some more ‘bare ases’ like the likes of Baird and Kenney.
Obviously, they encourage this type of photo-ops of their most prominent cons.
Thanxs Garth for this post.
What BC does not like is behind-the-scenes political machinations that usurp the power of the people.
By Liz on 08.26.07 10:58 pm
Well said Liz,
Now if we could just do something about our BC (not)Liberals. Soon, soon.
Geo
Yes Frank, I’ll be at Garth’s TH on the 8th, all dressed up in clothes:) G.
This is a link showing how one country (Israel) can interfere in another’s (Canada).
So much for freedom of speech.
http://rense.com/general78/alen.htm
I must have read you ask 25 people if they support party appointed MP’s, Garth. Do you support party appointed nominees? Your leader does.As a matter of fact, your leader IS one. Where’s your outrage at your own party going around the people to nominate people to be MP’s????
As a general principle, I do not. Contested nominations are always better, however so few Canadians participate these days that the process is usually very skewed and unrepresentative of community realities. However, appointed or not, a candidate must be elected before they are determined to be a liason between the people and the government – unlike Sharon Smith. — Garth
Hey Garth,
Way too many comments to get through to see if it’s been said already or not; hot damn this is – if not good journalism – great bloggerism, and DAMN does it make my blood boil.
Time for Show and Tell!
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/politics/story.html?id=811eb359-e3c9-48ba-b601-b13136f726f6&k=98588
the Harper Party will be able to explain this:
http://www.pgfreepress.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=26&cat=23&id=1048966&more=0
Ahhh, Cathy, who was indiscreet? — Garth
By Catherine on 08.26.07 6:41 pm
She was Garth. What she and her husband do is between them. It’s not upto supposedly “honourable” men to spread around.
Anyway Garth, I guess you propably don’t do anything wild and crazy with your wife. Pity
Can I have Harper appoint an honourary M.P. to replace mine? Mine’s a Conservative who quotes party doctrine when answering questions. I have never seen him in person. I know he exists because I see him during Question Period, though I have yet to see him rise to his feet and ask one.
I would like my honourary M.P. to be a Liberal.
Thanking Mr. Harper in advance,
Judy
By Judy on 08.26.07 9:56 pm
So Judy, did you get to meet Stephanie Dion on his summer tour of Canada? What was your impression? Yesterday, on Question Period, he said that he toured all over Canada and met all sorts of people.
If Garth wants to meet with Canadians throughout the country, meetings which could have a positive impact on the citizens of Halton, than I applaud his efforts and believe it is money well spent.
I haven’t seem my M.P. all summer (or spring, or last fall) I think I read that he attended a Farm Equipment dealer’s grand opening, or maybe that was a Farmer’s Feed Cities bumper sticker handout)
I would love for him to get out more and talk to Canadians.
By Judy on 08.26.07 9:51 pm
Yup, Garth’s a one man show, since most of his Lib MPs haven’t been seen at all. Heck, they don’t even bother to show up to vote in House. You do know that only 75 to 80 percent of them bother to show in the HoC?
Well at least Garth will be best known when the next Lib Leadership comes up.
By Old Enough to Remember on 08.26.07 10:44 pm
They are your words not mine. I see you are even beginning to try to deny your old Tory heritage. I didn’t know it was skin shedding season.
I get the impression, reading a number of postings of regulars here, that their sex life involves 15 minutes per week of missionary work after Hockey Night in Canada and a Saturday bath.
By Old Enough to Remember on 08.26.07 8:49 pm
Point of information, no one gives a rat’s tail about your impressions.
Here we go again…OK, I have seen some other comments that I presume were partly directed at me earlier in this blog, but, I let them pass. As far as I know, I am the only one that has so far used the word “classâ€.
So, excuse me for assuming that this is another personal attack for holding differing, personal (not party) views.
By Old Enough to Remember on 08.26.07 7:07 pm
And while you are shedding that skin, you should grow a much thicker one to replace it.
Assume, Assume…More of those paranoid delusions. Take those med’s, you are ranting again.
Something worth noting is that Houston B.C. is a community of 3976 people according to published web info, and for a community of that size, seems to have gained a good deal of notoriety in recent months.
Besides the political considerations, that can been seen as akin to throwing the ballots down a well after they were counted, we have all the considerations of the Mayor’s pickle (or hubby’s pickle), depends on how you consider it. Then there was the terrible tragedy of Ian Bush and RCMP Constable Paul Koester. For those who are not aware of this incident, Ian Bush was taken into Police custody outside the local rink in Houston for having an open beer and giving a false name. A short time later he was dead, after receiving a gunshot wound to the back of his head.
When approached for comment, the RCMP’s media department in Vancouver, was reported to have responded as follows;
But he refused to discuss the RCMP’s policies and procedures for handling prisoners, such as whether an officer should be armed when alone in an interview room with a suspect, or whether a video camera should be turned on before an interrogation begins.
Asked whether the public has a right to know about such policies, Constable Ward replied, “The public doesn’t have a right to know anything.”
Taking this into consideration, plus the fact that the RCMP have said there was no tape in the video recording device that is supposed to record the activities in the interview rooms, a great deal of suspicion still surrounds this case. Cst. Koester remains on duty as well, although transfered elsewhere in BC.
One link to related story below;
http://mostlywater.org/node/5303
Seems there is a great deal to be concerned with regarding Houston B.C. Almost as if they make up their own rules as they go along.
When a person considers such things as these, plus the RCMP inquiry and the PC chair, Frasier I think his name is, saying he won’t hear the anonymous 12 because he doesn’t know what they have to say, Montebello and SPP, one begins to realize there is a big picture, and we need to stand on guard.
Another sleeze that the CON party finds politically attractive by Harpler decree.
Your tax dollars are paying for these CON party fascists.
A footnote on costs -
back around the beginning of March there was a bit of a debate about the cost of the Challenger jet PMSH used for a private visit to a hockey game in TO. Having had some experience in DND, the reimbursed cost of $2,600 struck me as low.
Seems that DND finally has released the actual cost figures used by the DEpartment. The all-up cost for a Challenger is $9,124 an hour. (Source: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=d14f2432-4a7a-4fff-962c-987d7cbe6e11)
Just another instance of the open, accountable government some of us have learned to hate.
Congradulations Lorraine, you really must have upset Esther with your semi-intelligent questions. Way to go…
While I am highly tempted to go further into commenting on the Mayor’s display of nudity, which is the easiest option for all of us to comment on, I think the deeper, more obscure problem is how she allowed herself to be photographed. By that, I question her ability to be a free thinking citizen versus being being transformed into a face in the crowd if she is indeed an unelected MP for a riding that has an existing legitamate representative.
If she allowed her husband to convince her to be photographed as a naked elected member of her community, in her office, it shows me someone that is really lacking in political sensibilities and also wisdom.
However, if she consented and embraced the idea of such a photo it shows me a member of the public trust who has really nothing more than utter contempt for the people she is supposed to represent, nothing more or less.
I add to this line of argument, if we have such a maniplative or manipulatable individual unofficially representing a riding she hasn’t run in, I do not like the idea of a woman like this in public office.
Well, if we have a few more quality candidates like this, please try to get elected. Lord knows we need more clowns in office again.
Hehe, I shudder at the thought of ANY politician dressed in similiar manner of official ornaments or garments. I think we can agree that we know now what it takes for a woman to advance herself within the CPC. Attack me if you will, but Belinda did leave due to a meh brushed off attitude that Harper has given to his feelings towards women.
Finally,
Some TRANSPARENCY
Greg,
You need to remember that some practice Green Sex, which is done always with the lights out. They have never accepted the reality that they reside inside a body, or that the vessel is a beautiful thing, if its contents are beautiful.
Hence the parable of the Rabbi’s cup, commonly known as the ‘Gnat and Camel’ comparative.
Their entire view is one dictated by others who refuse to accept sexuality is a gift, a precious gift to be respected, but certainly not to be treated as an evil thing.
Queen Victoria would be so proud of them, eh?
With Stephane Dion or Elizabeth May we have thoughtful, intelligent,and sensitive people who operate from cooperation and caring for Canada rather than from being autocratic and power-hungry.
By kallie on 08.26.07 10:57 pm
Hear hear!
Catherine – Dion has been all over – the MSM just hasn’t covered it and you obviously don’t read.
Old Enough to Know – old enough to know what? Give you ego inflated head a shake – my comments included many, not just you. And, I am old enough to remember.
If Ms. Smith was concerned about her children – why have it on your PC at home? Not too bright. Who had access to her home PC? Probably a family member.
The one thing I do give credit to re the CPC and their supports – the are terrific at mock outrage and double-standards – just terrific at it.
By Herb on 08.27.07 7:41 am
Calculating that out on my fingers and toes tells me the $2600 would buy about 17 minutes worth of jet time. Pilot must have had the hammer down wot?
By Bill-Muskoka on 08.27.07 8:17 am
The nudity certainly shouldn’t be the end all and be all of it. Everyone is entitled to their own viewpoints regarding that and she is after all displaying a Canadian Icon. It’s on the nickel and all.
I did notice the red nose though. Christmas cheer or?? I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll …. your house down..
Maybe it’s a tory thing..
By Greg on 08.27.07 5:49 am
I get the impression, reading a number of postings of regulars here, that their sex life involves 15 minutes per week of missionary work after Hockey Night in Canada and a Saturday bath.
By Old Enough to Remember on 08.26.07 8:49 pm
Point of information, no one gives a rat’s tail about your impressions.
“Now Greg steps onto the ice. He picks up the puck and starts stickhandling it feverishly. He crosses the red line. He crosses the blue line. He shoots…”
Well Garth, you sure know how to grab someone’s attention!
Just a couple things…
1. I am for recropping the picture. Downwards. Show me more!!
2. Can any of the conservative supporters posting here explain to me how posting this picture of Sharon Smith is any different than the conservatives posting a pic of any liberal on their website?
3. I am not worried about the appointment of a quasi MP. This gov’t is living on borrowed time and their actions clearly show they are aware of it. The only thing standing between an electoral defeat of the cons is the parties who won’t bring down the gov’t and force an election.
P.S. I wasn’t aware than PMSH removed the word “equal’ out of some documents which guaranteed that men are now superior to women. Maybe this is his idea of a plan on how to start to address our future birthrates and labour shortages.
Have a great day everyone!
Kpn,
That is the crux of the discussion isn’t it?
All we ever get from the Harper is obfuscation, secrecy and lack of accountability and transparency.
See the black and white contrast of their platform when they were seeking election:.
Documents received from the Harper government under the Access to Information Act
The previous month Democracy watch reported, there is No sign of independent appointments body
Secret SPP summit talks followed by Day and the QPP just more denials, denials, denials and subversion of democracy. What other conclusion is a voter to make when ‘all’ information is blacked out?
All we’re ever going to get is more and of the same …
Hey did anybody notice the FAX number on the board behind her?
845-3429
It’s Stephen Harper’s home fax # !!!!
just kidding.
Finally,
Some TRANSPARENCY
By Captain George on 08.27.07 8:06 am
LMAO! Yeppers, like the Bay says ‘More than you came for!’
KH: Being illegal and being in extremely poor taste are two totally different things do you not agree.
You mean like posing in the nude at work? Kidding aside, I was specifically talking about the legalities, not the ethics of it. As I said, it’s not the person that matters, it’s the fact they thought it was appropriate to create this position.
Lawrence: There is no ‘fair dealing’ exception for material that was never intended for public release. This is a stolen image and ever instance of it’s being published is an act of theft.
Umm.. no. The first act was copyright infringement. If Garth had posted the entire set of pictures, and the intent was not clearly news reporting or criticism, you would have a point. The fact that he cropped the image significantly, and only posted one, shows it’s clearly fair use, protected by freedom of the press. As you recommended, go talk to a lawyer you trust if you don’t believe me. No ‘exception’ required.
Re: comments By Reg on 08.27.07 9:45 am
I am not sure that it is really relevant to try to distinguish one form of partisanship from another. The issue that may be more relevant is the lack of respect for each other as the result of an extreme form of partisanship.
Partisanship, spin, the spreading of disinformation, or taking serious issues and downgrading them into a form of tabloid communication all contribute to the underlying distrust in and disrepute and disrespect for our politicians.
Certainly tabloidism generates interest but in the end does in generate the necessary respect for our political system?
On the other hand, the same thing goes for the Conservatives who are so afraid to make their own agenda public that the only thing they can do is try to define their opponent through negative spin.
It is no wonder that so many of us are feeling disenfranchised. The marketplace of Canadian politics is focused on a form of partisan politics that feeds on disrespect, irrelevancies, the creation of phoney perceptions, and total disregard for the intelligence of the public.
Once a person is outside the culture of partisanship and start thinking for themselves they begin to recognize the problems.
Hey all, i’ll start with a quote: ‘The Nude Mayor certainly doesn’t care if she uses herself to usurp the democratic rights of the people of Skeena.
Did I read it correctly that she keeps photos of this sort on her family computer??? How Conservative of her. Not.
Politics, she’s a mean game, eh.
By Liz on 08.26.07 2:19 pm
Garth….You know that I never say anything derogatory about you but that is about to end. You are a despicable human being for putting this crap on your blog. This is just the low of the lowest. To think so many of your posters here were very upset over all the pictures of Dion on the conservative web site. They haven’t seen low down until they see this terrible smear on someone that doesn’t deserve it. This is her personal life and does not deserve it to be used against her in the political world. Let us see how much they holler over this dirty trick by you. How would you like someone to put something like this on a blog about your wife or your office secretary?
Your day will come when the lieberals will give you the boot, its just a matter of time. This is a great advertisement to not vote lieberal.
Now I will be watching very closely to see whether this so called gentleman Mr Dion will ask you to remove this blatant smearing of this lady or go along with it. If this is left to stand then I will be firmly obligated to work real hard to see you rats are contained in the cesspool that you deserve. I have said it before and will say it again, there is a lieberal party book of dirty tricks and this is just the beginning. I am extremely happy that the conservatives gave you the boot, the only thing is, it should have been twice as hard. You know this lady is not a party appointed MP. There is just no such thing in Canadian politics and don’t try to justify it. To say I am pissed off with you is being very mild indeed.
A copy of my remarks will be forwarded to lieberal headquarters.
Absolutely. Let’s see what happens. And if you have no qualms with what the Conservatives have done, or the person they have appointed as a de facto MP, then say so. — Garth
By THE SHADOW KNOWS on 08.26.07 2:22 pm’
The Shadow Knows, even though I believe Garth was simply trying to ‘lighten the mood’, I think he might’ve went too far: it wasn’t Garth who posted the link to the nude pictures, but a poster who read this blog and did so.
First of all to make things right, I believe that Garth should edit the post of the person who posted the link as to remove the link to the questionable photos (After all Garth, you said things at one point were getting so out of hand, that you’d have no choice but to step in).
Second, Garth just like the ‘Nude Mayor’ is a human being, capable of meaning to do one thing and doing something else: the ‘Nude Mayor’ meant to do this all as a joke. However if the story published is true, someone in the family and/or a young prankster e-mailed the photo around the world. So once again, this is why it’s sooooo important to have your computer accounts password protected.
For example to access my laptop, you must have two codes: one to active the computer chip and another to access my account. Without the first password, no hacker can get in! (I’d recommend that the Mayor in question consider such a system for her computer!)
Third, I believe the reason Garth even mentioned this incident at all was that he was trying to put her background into context, so that we’d get an idea of who he is. However, I believe Garth made the mistake of focusing on one embarrassing incident, rather than a journalistic/ businessperson style “cost-benefit analysis”. In other words, Garth could’ve said what was good about her and what was not (but sticking to her political record and only those things that happened during her political record).
Fourth, until if and when Canada switches to an MMP system (Mixed-Member Proportional System), it’s illegal to have ‘Party-appointed MPs’. However, what isn’t illegal is to designate someone to represent a certain region, just as long as they are an MP or only work for the party, NOT in the House of Commons.
Fifth, if PMSH was soooo confident about her credentials, why didn’t he just wait until if and when his ‘Senate Appointment Consultations Act’ comes law, allow her to run in a ‘plebiscite Senate Election’ for the CPC, compete with other parties and if and when she wins, the PM can voluntarily appoint her into the Senate. This in my opionion would’ve been much more legitimate.
Now having said that, let me give you an example of how the NDP legitimately choose an MP to help voice the concerns of NDP voters in NL who don’t have any official representation.
Garth, do you remember early on in MPTV when you interviewed Peter Scoffer, an NDP MP from Nova Scotia? Well in a local article in the daily NL paper “The Telegram”, it was mentioned that since Stoffer’s election as an MP 10 years ago, NL has been without an NDP MP, despite the fact that in the 2000 election, 53 votes was all that separated a movie star running for the NDP from my current Conservative MP Loyola Hearn! (Meaning Loyola Hearn barely had a plurality, although he was a federal PC at the time: the Reform Party MP came in third in the St.John’s South-Mt.Pearl riding in 2000, the Liberals in Fourth and an Independent MP Sailor White, a pro-wrestler, came in fifth. Ironically in that year, the Liberal Party of Canada failed to run a candidate in my riding in the year 2000. If you don’t believe me, get out the riding stats of the 2000 election in my riding via http://www.parl.gc.ca)
Anyhow, the then NDP Leader Designated Peter Stoffer as NL’s unofficial representative at the NDP Caucus (of course, Stoffer actually had a seat in the H of C at the time, unlike the mayor in question now).
So ya, for the last 10 years, (according to “The Telegram), Peter Stoffer has been voicing the concerns of not only his Nova Scotia riding but also the concerns of NLers who have NDP-leanings).
In closing, NL Premier Danny Williams called a press conference on the MOU Hebron deal on Wednesday 2 weeks ago I believe, when NDP Nova Scotia MP Peter Scoffer and NL NDP Leader Lorraine Michael where to have a press conference on issues such as the fishery and such.
However, this fact was announced 3-5 days in advance. In other words, I suspect NL Premier DW might’ve intentionally timed the Hebron MOU announcements as a means of throwing the NL NDP and Peter Scoffer off guard. (Remember that PMSH announced his Cabinet Shuffle in January 2006 around the same time that the LPC was supposed to have a press release on the LPC policy on Afghanistan? Even though I agree with NL Premier DW’s standing up to the Canadian Government to defend my home province, he falls victim to using a softer version of the tactics that have caused PMSH to be despised!)I guess it’s amazing how different Provincial and Federal politics is, huh!
Oops sorry about that, I accidentally quoted two passages at once, but once again, try to reserve judgment on my mistakes I made in my post until you get to the end of it. As for a link to prove that bit about the timing of the Hebron MOU release, check out these two links:
1. ‘ Media Advisory NDP Press conference at 11:00 am cancelled 08-22-2007′
Link: http://www.nl.ndp.ca/news/fullnews.php?id=315
And now here’s the press release the NL PC Party put out on the same day…
2. ‘ Equity, Improved Royalty Regime and Outstanding Local Benefits Highlights
of Memorandum of Understanding for Hebron Development’
Link: http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2007/exec/0822n02.htm
So guys, do you believe that the NL Premier did this intentionally, or do you believe that this is just a reflection of the lack of coordination of the NL NDP, both or none of the above (based on these two links?)
For more details, i’ll have to dig out the Original Telegram article I referred to about Peter Stoffer being the unofficial NDP spokesmen for the province of NL Federally!
P.S. I wasn’t aware than PMSH removed the word “equal’ out of some documents which guaranteed that men are now superior to women. Maybe this is his idea of a plan on how to start to address our future birthrates and labour shortages.
Here’s the thing, do women need the government to recognize that they’re equal? Are they that insecure?
Removing the word equal doesn’t mean a thing.
Another correction: I just realized that I contradicted myself. I believe there was a by-election in 1999 and an election in 2000: I might’ve got the numbers mixed up. Second, the LPC came in fourth: please ignore the bit about them not running a candidate. For some reason, I forgot to carry that over: I guess the LPC candidate didn’t stand out in my mind…..oh well!
Geo, as much as I dislike Campbell, I have to give him credit for cleanning up the damage done by 10 years of the NDP. Think about it, We were broke, businesses were moving away creating no jobs, same health care mess, same poverty, same neglect in child services.
With a two party system in BC, I’ll take the Liberals anytime (even if it means Campbell)
As for you Catherine, I see your up to your tricks again. You must have gotten a substantial raise or are afraid to get the boot. Still attacking Mr. Dion because Harper see’s him as a threat is quite obvious. Tell me Catherine,does your boss tell you what to write or does he do it for you? BTW, you still have not told us what the great man, PMSH, has done for the good of Canada.
Yep, I am curious Catherine & I’m sure most of the posters are as well so do tell us WHY you think Mr. Harper deserves to be re-elected in the next Federal Election.
As for the picture of Sharon Smith, when the announcement of her new job came up, I think a great deal of us googled her name & came up with that very same picture all by ourselves.
P.S. I wasn’t aware than PMSH removed the word “equal’ out of some documents which guaranteed that men are now superior to women. Maybe this is his idea of a plan on how to start to address our future birthrates and labour shortages.
Here’s the thing, do women need the government to recognize that they’re equal? Are they that insecure?
Removing the word equal doesn’t mean a thing.
By Sean P. Hogan on 08.27.07 11:04 am
I do hope anyone who read this realized it was tongue in cheek and not to be taken seriously.
Are women equal… NOPE! They are not! They are far superior to men. Hell, IMHO if it wasn’t for women us men would be running around so unorganized and lost that we’d never get anything done. If it wasn’t for women we still be living in dirt huts and eating off of mold covered plates.
People sometimes asks if my wife works. I ALWAYS respond that she works in the home and works MUCH HARDER than I do. I would not trade her jobs for anything.
On a more serious note, removing one word obviously doesn’t guarantee anything about women’s standings as far as most are concerned. It sure may mean a lot to women as far as having it recognized and acknoledged though.
To remove that word is simply mean spirited and a way for the cons to appeal to the more chauvinistic voters. ‘Old Boys Club’ ring a bell?
KH: Being illegal and being in extremely poor taste are two totally different things do you not agree.
You mean like posing in the nude at work? Kidding aside, I was specifically talking about the legalities, not the ethics of it. As I said, it’s not the person that matters, it’s the fact they thought it was appropriate to create this position.
And I was talking about Garth showing no class at all and posting a cropped pic and allowing Kallie to post a link, BAD BAD TASTE. As he constantly reminds us, Expect more from your MP> Are they just words Garth, or just a convenient sound bite for MP TV. Is curious, What does your better half think of this post Garth.
She approved it. — Garth
Removing the word equal doesn’t mean a thing.
By Sean P. Hogan on 08.27.07 11:04 am
It may not make any difference to you but it does when it comes to those who hold specific views on women’s role. It is naive to believe that those who believe in male dominance would not see this as an opportunity.
It means a great deal when decisions in the work place can once again be made based solely on gender or age or other discriminatory criteria rather than job performance. The government’s policy is giving some corporate executives in this country an opening to once again use gender as the sole reason not to promote or to demote capable women.
With the government removing programs that would assist such women in bringing their cases to the courts certain executives probably feel quite comfortable in using their gender bias in decision making.
The glass ceiling in at least one major corporation appears to have been lowered since the new government signaled its lack of support for gender equality.
“Now Greg steps onto the ice. He picks up the puck and starts stickhandling it feverishly. He crosses the red line. He crosses the blue line. He shoots…â€
By Old Enough to Remember on 08.27.07 9:33 am
Is that you I see sitting in the cheap seats wearing the Puck Head?
This is getting too easy…
I must have read you ask 25 people if they support party appointed MP’s, Garth. Do you support party appointed nominees? Your leader does.As a matter of fact, your leader IS one. Where’s your outrage at your own party going around the people to nominate people to be MP’s???? – Bob
As a general principle, I do not. Contested nominations are always better, however so few Canadians participate these days that the process is usually very skewed and unrepresentative of community realities. However, appointed or not, a candidate must be elected before they are determined to be a liason between the people and the government – unlike Sharon Smith. — Garth
So how many people need to participate before the “Garth meter” determines whether a valid representation is taking place? Why wouldn’t you apply the same participation meter to the election itself thereby rendering almost every elected representative in Canada, including yourself, illegitimate? Sharon Smith hasn’t been appointed an MP or even a candidate by the Conservatives unlike your leader and the people he’s still appointing as candidates for your party. It seems to me that your party doesn’t give a damn about the democratic process in some ridings unless it fits your political agenda. For example, are you planning a town hall meeting in Central Nova where your leader has decided that Liberal supporters shouldn’t have a candidate to support at all to hear their concerns? – Bob
What does your better half think of this post Garth.
She approved it. — Garth
Yeah, but you’ve probably already got her vote.
I’d be more interested to hear from voters who do not regularly visit this site and may come from more conservative, traditional cultures.
For example, why not canvass two rookie MPs that supported Dion at the Liberal Convention: Omar Alghabra, a Muslim, and, Navdeep Bains, a Sikh.
I could see Jason Kenney making an issue out of this in his ongoing efforts to reach out to ethnic minorities.
By Greg on 08.27.07 12:03 pm
This is getting too easy…
Yeah,I heard if you do it often enough it does.
Is that you I see sitting in the cheap seats wearing the Puck Head?
According to your priest, you may be going blind, so I wouldn’t trust your vision too much.
According to your priest, you may be going blind, so I wouldn’t trust your vision too much.
By Old Enough to Remember on 08.27.07 1:15 pm
It appears you are the one thinking Moranis. Hosier, eh! Grasp it firmly, smack it on the eye and stop thinking about priests. It will go away.
By Bob Frill on 08.27.07 12:13 pm
Obviously you did not read Mr. Harris’ media release. Sharon Smith IS the CPC candidate in S-BV. She will be their candidate when the writ is dropped.
Please try to maintain some *cough* credibility when you post.
Well, if we have a few more quality candidates like this, please try to get elected. Lord knows we need more clowns in office again.
Hehe, I shudder at the thought of ANY politician dressed in similiar manner of official ornaments or garments. I think we can agree that we know now what it takes for a woman to advance herself within the CPC. Attack me if you will, but Belinda did leave due to a meh brushed off attitude that Harper has given to his feelings towards women.
By Steve on 08.27.07 8:05 am
I don’t attack dumb people but just wanted to let you know that at least five lieberal clowns have escaped the sinking lieberal ship, Stronach being one of them.
I’d be more interested to hear from voters who do not regularly visit this site and may come from more conservative, traditional cultures.
For example, why not canvass two rookie MPs that supported Dion at the Liberal Convention: Omar Alghabra, a Muslim, and, Navdeep Bains, a Sikh.
I could see Jason Kenney making an issue out of this in his ongoing efforts to reach out to ethnic minorities.
By Old Enough to Remember on 08.27.07 12:56 pm
OETR, We are all basically conservative’s at heart despite what the PM wants you to believe. What Mr. Turner is doing right now by holding Town Meeting across Canada is doing exactly what a good politician is suppose to do. Listen to the people, work for the people who elected them by keeping them informed on what’s happening with the Federal Government, how their tax dollars are being spent & making sure our voices & concerns are being heard. By voting the way Canadians do, they put their trust in our Federal Government to keep out great country Strong & Free & if you find that a problem, people like you are the problem.
I too am very anxious to hear from “Tradional Conservatives ” after Garth’s tour. I can see why Harper is afraid of Garth & perhaps see a lot of his voters dump him.
As far as reaching to the ethnic groups you mention, Are you telling us that Harper IS NOT reaching out to ethnic groups? Maybe you should change your name to ” Too Young To Have A Clue”.
BTW, have a good day.
WOW!
Wonder what the CRAPPERS kool-aid is laced with these days. Must be the same brew that Steve sips on. Mean and nasty.
By Greg on 08.24.07 4:56 pm On a different blog
Hey Pte Hoople, I was just perusing your post again, and must say it’s not too bad. One of your better efforts indeed!
Greg, I suggest you do the same here. Re-read my hockey analogy within the context of my 1:15 pm entry, and you’ll know why I’m still chuckling.
OK, enough for today.
By Irene on 08.27.07 2:03 pm
As far as reaching to the ethnic groups you mention, Are you telling us that Harper IS NOT reaching out to ethnic groups? Maybe you should change your name to †Too Young To Have A Clueâ€.
Re-read some of my earlier posts. I’ve travelled in some countries where a woman showing her ankle is provocative.
Doubtful you have.
Reg, I knew it was a tongue-in-cheek post. I just added my 2 cents to it and moved on a bit of a tangent.
C.B., the SOW doesn’t make any decisions on equality. That’s why its a very insignificant change. The SOW is a purely leftwing organization with a radical feminist agenda. If you like, I can provide you with an actual example of how the SOW works.
Could one state that the CPC is bringing out the “big guns” candidate?
By Old Enough to Remember on 08.27.07 2:17 pm
So glad you are able to, er.. entertain yourself.
Happy you are keeping my previous funnies for those special times. I should inform you they are not for reproduction as I hold the copyright. You will have to come up with your own.
I see your ecclesiastic reminiscences are fading . That’s a good thing.
Remember, choir boy runs faster with robe up, than priest with pants down…
By Irene on 08.27.07 2:03 pm
And one last thing Irene. In case you don’t realize or admit you were mistaken of the context of my comments (I think you thought I was talking about his Garth’s Western Tour which is the subject of another blog), here is the full quote, the last portion of which I originally quoted (in bold), and commented on that you took exception to.
And I was talking about Garth showing no class at all and posting a cropped pic and allowing Kallie to post a link, BAD BAD TASTE. As he constantly reminds us, Expect more from your MP> Are they just words Garth, or just a convenient sound bite for MP TV. Is curious, What does your better half think of this post Garth.
She approved it. — Garth
By KH on 08.27.07 11:53 am
Re-read some of my earlier posts. I’ve travelled in some countries where a woman showing her ankle is provocative.
Doubtful you have.
By Old Enough to Remember on 08.27.07 2:30 pm
I think you need to re-read the post I made at 2:03. What has your travels have to do with this question “As far as reaching to the ethnic groups you mention, Are you telling us that Harper IS NOT reaching out to ethnic groups? Maybe you should change your name to †Too Young To Have A Clueâ€.
BTW, I have not travelled to those countries you claim you have but I do read a lot.
C.B., the SOW doesn’t make any decisions on equality. That’s why its a very insignificant change. The SOW is a purely leftwing organization with a radical feminist agenda. If you like, I can provide you with an actual example of how the SOW works.
By Sean P. Hogan on 08.27.07 2:54 pm
You are correct that the Status of Women no longer has “equality” as part of its mandate because that has been removed by the Harper government. Advocacy of equality for women was the central focus of the SOW prior to the changes although I would admit that at times that agenda was co-opted by certain forms of left wing radicalism.
Harper ordered the changes in order to placate paternalistic right wing groups, primarily REAL Women, who oppose women’s equality and instead espouse the old concept of “separate spheres.”
Where is the government press release? Where is the news reportage of this “appointment”? Why won’t Harper and Harris tout this appointment as “Getting Things Done for Canada”?
Abbitoir The first act was copyright infringement.
No. The first act was theft and invasion of privacy. As was the second act, the third act , the fourth act and each subsequent act. There is no “fair use” of stolen property, in any circumstance.
To Sean P. Hogan
I am pleased to note that Josée Verner has returned gender equality to the mandate of the SWC. To quote its homepage the SWC: “is the federal government agency which promotes gender equality, and the full participation of women in the economic, social, cultural and political life of the country.” It goes on to say: “It promotes women’s equality in collaboration with organizations from the non-governmental, voluntary and private sectors” as well as throughout the federal government.
WOW!
Wonder what the CRAPPERS kool-aid is laced with these days. Must be the same brew that Steve sips on. Mean and nasty.
By Emilie on 08.27.07 2:06 pm
Yup, Emilie. Making a woman’s private moment public by an elected public member of Parliament is not mean and nasty at all. Sheesh!
This is a new low even for you, Garth! As a women I find this post offensive and all of the jokes being made at this woman’s expense is sickening! This will not only affect her but her family and friends, I can’t believe you would do this!!
I have a good sense of humour but there is nothing funny about humiliating and degrading someone on the internet in the name of partisan politics.
I hope it comes back to bite you in the a$$ during the next election! As mentioned above, many minority groups will find this tactic as distasteful as me. Have you so shame?
In the meantime, I will be emailing M. Dion to express my extreme disappointment with you as an MP.
This whole thing is sad, really….
Lawrence Garvin, you are the only poster on this board that makes any sense!!
Caroline
Well, Caroline, perhaps people of good judgment who hold public office – those who want to be in the House of Commons, represent their country and respect electors – shouldn’t take their clothes off at work. Or put the pix on their unguarded home coputer. Or let their kids have access. Just a thought. But, tell me – do you support party-appointed MPs? — Garth
Isn’t it strange how quickly neo-Cons become radical libertarians when one of their own is involved?
Having revealed my opinion of the screwiness in Skeena yesterday, I since have been wrestling with a null-hypothesis: what would I think if I saw proof that the male Mayor of Ottawa had had himself photographed in the same circumstances, attire and props as the Worshipful Mayor of Houston, BC?
I would consider the bum unfit to hold any public office.
Now a null-hypothesis for neo-Cos. What would you say if a similar picture of Chretien became available?
By Frank Frink on 08.27.07 1:51 pm
APPOINTED, Frank. That’s the key phrase. She is the nominee, not the APPOINTED nominee.
By Frank Frink on 08.27.07 1:51 pm
Obviously you did not read Mr. Harris’ media release. Sharon Smith IS the CPC candidate in S-BV. She will be their candidate when the writ is dropped.
Please try to maintain some *cough* credibility when you post.
“APPOINTED,” Frank. She is the nominee, not the “APPOINTED” nominee. Try to keep up.
Funny how when the U.S. attempted to pass the ERA (Equal Rights Ammendment) the uproar was deafening, to say the least.
Sure, women can have rights, but then the NOW decided along with those ‘rights’ they sure as Hell did not want EQUAL RESPONSIBILITY! WHOA Kimmosabee!
So, yes, the term ‘equal’ does mean a lot, but it falls beyond the scope of most people’s comprehension. With true equality, everyone is on the same level, with the same responsibilities, and mandates.
Darn, that just is not something people seem to truly want?
Anyway, long day here.
By Irene on 08.27.07 3:44 pm
I think you need to re-read the post I made at 2:03. What has your travels have to do with this question “As far as reaching to the ethnic groups you mention, Are you telling us that Harper IS NOT reaching out to ethnic groups? Maybe you should change your name to †Too Young To Have A Clueâ€.
Yeah, I agree. My travels have nothing whatsoever to do with Garth’s Western tour, which is the subject of what you are ranting about in your 2:03 posting.
I was simply giving an example where seeing a picture of a partially clad woman would be offensive to other ethnic communities. Throw it the fact that it was a stolen picture, and it was published on an MP’s website along with the story, and it could be potentially quite damaging politically.
Apparently, Caroline agrees with me:
As mentioned above, many minority groups will find this tactic as distasteful as me.
(see my posting of 08.27.07 3:41 pm. Apparently I was typing at the same time as you)
Oh, you are a piece of work Turner, don`t be such a prude–you left wingers are the new 21st century Victorians. That`s why you showed the nude photo, because that was the main point of your story, wasn`t it? Now to your secondary point about MP`s and their duties–Yes I believe voters have the right to be represented in Parliament by the candidate and the Party they voted for (whoops,Garthie)and outside of Parliament, take all the help you can get.Now, about this pilgrimageyou are taking out West,have you given this enough thought? They don`t like you out West—they see you as an old Clark Tory and a turncoat, and probably anti-west, and you`re gonna preach to them? Good luck
Thanks. I only wish you made sense. — Garth
shouldn’t take their clothes off at work. Or put the pix on their unguarded home coputer. Or let their kids have access. Just a thought. But, tell me – do you support party-appointed MPs? — Garth
By Caroline on 08.27.07 4:50 pm
Garth it’s already been explained. She is a nominee for the CPC and will be running. You do owe this lady an apology for using what must have been a horrific event in her life. Yes, she made a mistake. As I understood the story at the time, her computer was not open access to her family, however when they were away, one of her son’s friends got into her machine and after snooping around found the picture.
Garth, she was not ‘at work’. It was not during work hours that this play time took place. She was probably out with her hubby and had to stop by to pick something up, well, one thing led to another…he probably thought she looked so wonderful he snapped a picture. How many couples have play time in the office after hours? How many doctors play doctor with the wife? How many dentists and their wives stop by the shop to play ‘dirty dentist’? I can just imagine what she went through when this photo was stolen and her privacy betrayed. Not putting this picture in a locked file was the only mistake here. She is guilty of no crime. What a life lesson.
Garth I still can’t believe you are standing by your decision to further hurt and embarrass this lady by posting this stolen picture. L
Frill, your eyesight is failing. I posted that she IS the nominee. See that again, go search uptherad. I wrote ‘SHE IS THE NOMINEE’
Do try to keep up.
She ‘IS” an ‘APPOINTEE’ in this new made-up position of ‘direct liaison’
Got it now, Frill? Again, do try to keep up.
To borrow a phrase from Canadian Cynic:
The Stupid, It Burns.
Do try to keep up. Idjit.
Now a null-hypothesis for neo-Cos. What would you say if a similar picture of Chretien became available?
By Herb on 08.27.07 4:54 pm
It would be equally disgusting. And especially when that person promoting is an elected member of parliament.
And your thoughts?
Re: comments By Bill-Muskoka on 08.27.07 6:02
Another angry misogynist?
“You do the crime, you do the time.”
All’s fair in love and war, eh?
Leasa says; Garth I still can’t believe you are standing by your decision to further hurt and embarrass this lady by posting this stolen picture.
Leasa, don’t bother trying to appeal to Garth’s better nature. He’s already made his nature perfectly clear by relying on “she was asking for it,” as his rationale.
Leasa,
does a mayor own his/her office the way a doctor or dentist would own (pay for) his/her practice? Are the symbols of elected office private property the way exam tables, dentist’s chairs and other paraphernalia etc. are? Have you got pictures of your playtime on your home computer or anywhere else your kids or strangers could get at them? (I don’t want to know; I just want you to ask yourself.)
The answer to those questions should point you to the problem here. And then there always is the matter or undercutting an elected MP.
Give it up, Leasa, because politically it hardly matters. The MSM can’t touch it because only “the full monty” puts the issue in the proper perspective, and they couldn’t even begin to describe it adequately in family media. And trying to get votes by stiffing another party’s MP doesn’t cause much exitement in itself (except on some political blogs where democratic best practices might be of interest.)
The voters of Skeena will settle the issue in due course, as should the voters of Houston.
Yup, Emilie. Making a woman’s private moment public by an elected public member of Parliament is not mean and nasty at all. Sheesh!
By Catherine on 08.27.07 4:46 pm
Who exposed their private parts to the camera and then left the pictures lying around on her computer for the family to “view”?
Wasn’t Garth.
It is real easy to put a password onto private pictures, documents on your computer. I’m surprized that the lovely Major wasn’t aware of protecting herself but left everything “exposed”.
Anyway the mean and nasty comment was in reference to the vilification of anyone and everyone who does not worship at the feet of Steve.
But then you knew that, didn’t you Catherine….. your IQ is greater than the room temperature that you are sitting in, for sure.
But the greater point which the CRAPERS keep on kicking to the curb is the “appointment” of someone to represent a riding that already has a democratically elected MP.
This is probably one of the most realistic and responsible blogs Garth has produce.
I find it totally disgusting that she and her husband had to go through such pain to have their ‘fantasy’ sex attempt.
I think that because these photos were shot in a public building that taxpayers are on the hook for, why then shouldn’t they display their ‘fantasy’ for the taxpayers to enjoy.
Love the description of the poses that she and her husband felt necessary for some reason.
She holds public office as a Mayor, how disgusting that she would flaunt her naked body in a public office.
Good for you Garth.
Hey guys, I found a pretty good quote talking about what really corrupts people: ‘It is not power that corrupts, but fear- fear of losing power, and fear of the scourge of those who wield it..’- Aung San Suu Kyi (I found it at the following site: http://www.communitycurrency.org/plenary.html)
So ya, is it possible that PMSH’s fear of losing power is what has corrupted him? It would certaintly help to explain why he acts in such an authoritarian matter: he truly is afraid to lose his powers as PM.
Also guys, i’ve heard via VOCM that both the LPC and the Bloc plans on introducing a motion stating that unless the Government of Canada commits to withdrawing our troops from Afghanistan in February 2009, they will express non-confidence in the Government.
But ya, i’m surprised that noone took the time to comment on the example I have as a legitimate ombudsmen for the province of NL, NDP MP Peter Stoffer (a Nova Scotia MP). So ya, i’m alright with an elected MP choosing to represent the concerns of people in other ridings not being heard, but it gets shaky when a member of a party is designated as the liason for a riding with an Opposition member riding.
Once again Garth, could you please ask the Prime Minister why he has chosen to do so in QP when the House resumes?
And ya, i’m a bit surprised that noone has taken me up on my challenge to consider the example I gave as to whether it is a model of a proper liason!
Catherine,
sure, if you say so.
Frink complains: The Stupid, It Burns.
Don’t put your whole head in the barrel like that. Leave a little stupid for the others.
And one last thing Irene. In case you don’t realize or admit you were mistaken of the context of my comments (I think you thought I was talking about his Garth’s Western Tour which is the subject of another blog), here is the full quote, the last portion of which I originally quoted (in bold), and commented on that you took exception to.
And I was talking about Garth showing no class at all and posting a cropped pic and allowing Kallie to post a link, BAD BAD TASTE. As he constantly reminds us, Expect more from your MP> Are they just words Garth, or just a convenient sound bite for MP TV. Is curious, What does your better half think of this post Garth.
She approved it. — Garth
By KH on 08.27.07 11:53 am
By Old Enough to Remember on 08.27.07 3
You really don’t make any sense OETR. It seems like you are claiming to be KH but look again, KH was the one who made that particular post at 11:53.
And tell me exactly what you meant by this quote†“For example, why not canvass two rookie Mp’s that supported Dion at the Liberal Convention: Omar Alghabra, a Muslim, and, Navdeep Bains, a Sikh”.
By Old Enough to Remember on 08.27.07 12:56 pm
What did that comment have to do with this particular thread? Why did you even tie in the picture of Sharon Smith with Omar Alghabra or Navdeep Bains & even referr to the two gentlemen at all?
I’ll comment! Who cares about your comments when we have a live naked paid ‘Pubic Service’ in front of us for the first time.
Even though I was always told that everyone has a bellybutton, I never figured that I would see an unclothed belly button on the internet.
I don’t do the Adult and/or porn stuff that lots of people view.
This is a first class picture of Harper’s Heroes.
Way to go Sleezy Skeena, you are a hero.
Well, I just saw the ‘Full Monty’ pic. If I was a voter in her city, I’d darned well vote for her. Awesome!
Intelligent, daring AND sexy! What’s not to vote for?!
Frill, your eyesight is failing. I posted that she IS the nominee. See that again, go search uptherad. I wrote ‘SHE IS THE NOMINEE’
Do try to keep up.
She ‘IS†an ‘APPOINTEE’ in this new made-up position of ‘direct liaison’
Got it now, Frill? Again, do try to keep up.
To borrow a phrase from Canadian Cynic:
The Stupid, It Burns.
Do try to keep up. Idjit.
So we can safely assume since you are so all fired up pissed about this “appointment” that carries no weight and costs the taxpayers nadda, that you must be pulling your hair out everytime Stephane Dion APPOINTS and annoints someone to represent constituents that have a riding association (that would be all of them). Have we somehow missed your indignant posts about those APPOINTMENTS, or doesn’t it bother you that Garth’s party goes around the democratic process? And what of Central Nova, Frank? Do the Liberals living there not deserve the opportunity to vote for a candidate from their own party? Apparently Stephane and Garth don’t think so.
It is real easy to put a password onto private pictures, documents on your computer. I’m surprized that the lovely Major wasn’t aware of protecting herself but left everything “exposedâ€.
Anyway the mean and nasty comment was in reference to the vilification of anyone and everyone who does not worship at the feet of Steve.
But then you knew that, didn’t you Catherine….. your IQ is greater than the room temperature that you are sitting in, for sure.
But the greater point which the CRAPERS keep on kicking to the curb is the “appointment†of someone to represent a riding that already has a democratically elected MP.
By Emilie on 08.27.07 9:03 pm
Yup, it’s like those people who blame the rape victim because she happened to wear a mini – eh? You would probably be in the court accusing the rape victim of being a sl*t – right Emilie? Of is it only if the rape victim was a conservative?
Glad I’m not your kind of “liberal”.
By Irene on 08.27.07 10:24 pm
I can’t quite decide whether a plank is thicker.
Hey Garth,
Big fan. Perplexed that a pic with no cleavage would get some posters so sweaty, sad really. Not sure why you would target this lady (she’s hot! LOL)…honest, it’s a blood sport but it came across a little personal…leaving the link to the full shot doesn’t seem right. I’m a big fan but I think you went overboard…You are getting it from all sides and I can see how something like this could touch you in a personal way. Hope you apologize to the lady (she’s hot! ;-P
It’s the issue not her.
Although you really got tongues wagging it seems to me you lost your cool on this one.
Good luck out west!
Irene and OETR,
the ethnic angle has been covered by JJ at http://unrepentantoldhippie.blogspot.com/
Scroll down to “The naked truth”. Bonus: not a bad summary of the issues.
Harper ordered the changes in order to placate paternalistic right wing groups, primarily REAL Women, who oppose women’s equality and instead espouse the old concept of “separate spheres.â€
By C. B. Innes on 08.27.07 3:47 pm
Since when is Real Women not for equality for women? That would be real hard since they are run by women. Anyways, my point is that SOW doesn’t represent all women, just the feminists. It was proven by Real Women when they applied for funding and were rejected. Then they pretended to be a lesbian organization and immediately, SOW sent them an application for funding. Sorry, SOW is not for women, just a few women.
I am pleased to note that Josée Verner has returned gender equality to the mandate of the SWC. To quote its homepage the SWC: “is the federal government agency which promotes gender equality, and the full participation of women in the economic, social, cultural and political life of the country.†It goes on to say: “It promotes women’s equality in collaboration with organizations from the non-governmental, voluntary and private sectors†as well as throughout the federal government.
By C. B. Innes on 08.27.07 4:22 pm
So, does this mean that women are now equal?
It is to laugh at you people who want the government to do everything for you.
This is a new low even for you, Garth! As a women I find this post offensive and all of the jokes being made at this woman’s expense is sickening! This will not only affect her but her family and friends, I can’t believe you would do this!!
By Caroline on 08.27.07 4:50 pm
Uh oh Garth, looks like you’ve been “busted”.
Isn’t it strange how quickly neo-Cons become radical libertarians when one of their own is involved?
Having revealed my opinion of the screwiness in Skeena yesterday, I since have been wrestling with a null-hypothesis: what would I think if I saw proof that the male Mayor of Ottawa had had himself photographed in the same circumstances, attire and props as the Worshipful Mayor of Houston, BC?
I would consider the bum unfit to hold any public office.
Now a null-hypothesis for neo-Cos. What would you say if a similar picture of Chretien became available?
By Herb on 08.27.07 4:54 pm
Herb, I can honestly say that I’m no libertarian. I totally disagree with the former mayor taking such a picture. She states that she sees nothing immoral about this and that disgusts me.
Tell me, do you think it was immoral for her to have that picture taken?
Now a null-hypothesis for neo-Cos. What would you say if a similar picture of Chretien became available?
Similar in what way? Do you mean similar to Bob Rae’s pandering bare ass on the CBC? Or do you mean similar in the sense of a hypothetical theft of private information from Chretien’s home?
If you’re talking about the first; I simply shrug it off as the desperate attention-seeking of washed-up hack. If it’s the second then I feel the same; despite my personal feelings about the victim, I don’t condone or participate in theft or invasion of privacy.
Does that nullify your hypothesis, Herb?
Sean P.,
as someone who went to a Catholic high school, majored in philosophy at a Catholic university, then wound up as a lapsus when exposed to the real world and a lot more thinking, I do not issue fatwas on other people’s moral behaviour.
As you know, I think that Her Worship was personally dumb and politically stupid. Morality is not involved, only professional ethics.
Herb, I’d hardly say that anyone is issuing a fatwa here. I am just saying that her morals would have to be pretty loose to do such a thing. Ethics would come into this too but not one without the other.
Sean P.,
she posed for her husband, not Playboy. Don’t see the loose morals, unless I put on the Catholic blinkers I took off 40 years ago.
Lawrence,
back to you later – got to leave for an
appointment.
By Angry Canadian on 08.27.07 7:28 pm
Not to single you out, but I see a number of posters who use the word “Lady” in reference to Ms. Smith. I am just curious which connotation of the word most are referring to?
A few definitions that came up on a quick search were;
# dame: a woman of refinement;
# a woman of the peerage in Britain
A lady is a woman who is the counterpart of a lord; or, the counterpart of a gentleman
# A well-mannered and considerate woman with high standards of proper behavior.
USAGE NOTE Lady is normally used as a parallel to gentleman to emphasize norms expected in polite society or in situations requiring courtesies: Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please. I believe the lady in front of the counter was here before me. The attributive use of lady, as in lady doctor, is offensive and outdated. When the sex of the person is relevant, the preferred modifier is woman or female.
Here is a link of interest in the quest for understanding, complete with definition.
http://www.socialgracesperfected.com/true.html
Excerpt from the above;
A woman can have the title of lady as a courtesy but not by right. Men aren’t born gentlemen and women aren’t born ladies. That title must be earned.
A woman or a man who aspires to political office should be aware that minnows are appetizers for sharks.
By irene on 08.27.07 10:24 pm
Re: your question, “What did that comment have to do with this particular thread?”
The Old Enough One was trying to tie in Muslim and Sikh beliefs and rights to put forward a position of political correctness. Unfortunately, even when he tries to show a pink tinge, he stumbles right over the right of freedom to express ones views.
Thus the snotty come back.
Perhaps he wishes for Mr. Turner to ask for a party conference to discuss and approve his blog posts beforehand.
So, does this mean that women are now equal?
It is to laugh at you people who want the government to do everything for you.
By Sean P. Hogan on 08.28.07 8:46 am
Are you really that dense? In the real world laws are supposed to protect everyone equally. In the real world that does not happen because access to the rule of law is easily denied by cost and other factors.
Those who have been working for gender equality must rely on the will of the state to support that concept just as we must rely on the will of the state to apply the law against theft, murder, assault and so on.
Certainly the “law of the jungle” is an important element of neo-con throught unless an individual neo-con needs the protection of the state then they suddenly see it as their entitlement.
If you are opposed to government protecting gender equality come out and say it directly.
Since when is the mandate for SOW, the law? They are just an agency, that’s it. And as I have said a few times, SOW doesn’t represent all women, just the feminists and their agenda. I’ve already given a factual account of what SOW is all about. See my 8:46am post.
Herb, she posed nude at her work. That speaks volumes to me.
By Irene on 08.27.07 10:24 pm
I can’t quite decide whether a plank is thicker.
By Old Enough to Remember on 08.28.07 7:21 am
Insulting aren’t you now? It seems your using Catherine’s example of spouting off insults & never answering questions directed to her. I have asked you to explain your remarks about Omar Alghabra & Vavdeep Baines on two posts but it seems you don’t have an answer. Typical of you trolls.
PS, This is my last response to you as its pretty hard making conversation to someone who can’t think for themselves or answer questions posed to them.
Re: comments by Sean P. Hogan on 08.28.07 12:44 pm
Your constant use of the acronym as “SOW” rather than the corrent one (SWC)says a great deal about you (boar). When you claim that “SOW doesn’t represent all women, just the feminists and their agenda.” The agenda of feminists is gender equality. Those opposed to gender equality have done a fine job of distorting the meaning of feminism in order to disrupt the fight for women’s equality.
Lawrence Garvin,
back at home and back to your 9:36 AM -
1. By “similar” I mean Chretien sitting in the PM’s chair in the PM’s office positioned and attired as Mrs. Smith was, but adorned by the Great Seal of Canada in the absence of a prime ministerial chain of office.
2. Bob Rae’s ass struck me as a bit of comic genius and, on Rae’s part, self-deprecation and confidence. As Nietzsche admonished, “That we, all of us, should take ourselves seriously is not merely ridiculous.” Do you know if it was Rick Mercier’s idea to which Rae acceded, or Rae’s own initiative? Not that it matters, but it takes a bit of self-confidence for a politician to bare his ass on TV, even secure in the knowledge that the meaty parts are going to be blended out. And it was his hypothetical ass (indicated but not actually seen on TV) and not his personal glory (as in the Smith case). Publicity stunt or not, it’s hardly comparable to the Smith case.
3. “I don’t condone or participate in theft or invasion of privacy” either, Larry. But what I condone even less is hypocrisy, dissimulation or downright lies, especially on the part of people in public office. The “theft or invasion of privacy” is bad, but is that the real problem here, or is it that Her Worship had a private picture taken in her office with the mayor’s Chain of Office but her knickers down – and is now outed a second time on becoming a CPC local pork-barreller/candidate?
Larry, are you sure you are not just giving us the typical neo-Con grief: picking flyshit out of Liberal pepper, magnifying it into a molehill, and blowing it up into a mountain? And I don’t think that you’ve nullified my null-hypothesis.
“Sean P. Hogan” -
The correct acronym for Status of Women Canada is SWC.
Sadly, using the derogatory “SOW” makes you look misogynist and, well, cataclysmically stupid. You wouldn’t want to look misogynist and cataclysmically stupid… would you?
Hope this helps.:)
Herb, she posed nude at her work. That speaks volumes to me.
By Sean P. Hogan on 08.28.07 12:46 pm
In her office with her husband – in private. Don’t be such a prude.
Herb replies; By “similar†I mean Chretien sitting in the PM’s chair… etc
Since you are determined to be a literal drudge than the answer to your original question is the same; I always object to acts of personal cruelty even when the victim is not sympathetic.
2. Bob Rae’s ass struck me as a bit of comic genius
Congratulations on your candour.
3. “I don’t condone or participate in theft or invasion of privacy†either, Larry.
You certainly do condone it… you’re just mouthing a few empty phrases as a precurser to telling us all – once again – how much you dislike Ms. Smith and the nasty things she did. When you say ” I don’t approve of “X” or “Y” or “Z” …BUT… what you are actually telling us is that you do approve of “X” or “Y” or “Z” in some circumstances. Especially when it means someone you don’t like gets “what’s coming to them.” I’m not really shocked or outraged by small-minded people like you. I just enjoy the ones who, like you, think they can cover their low-minded vindictiveness with high-minded justifications. It never works, Herb.
And I don’t think that you’ve nullified my null-hypothesis.
I’m not surprised that you think that…
Lordy tunderin jesus bye, have none of ya a simple undersandin, dat we must see da big pitcher..
Shut your stupid traps and remember SPP, and denigration of the rights of Patriotic Canadians, and piss on Ms. Schmidt and company, as appropriate.
Focus people, the enemy is at the gates. REMAIN FOCUSED!
Divide and Conquer, always remember that. If you can’t, maybe you deserve to be ruled by those who advocate the glory of the Peoples Republic of China.
Most of you would try the patience of Christ.
Another thing, do you think you are talking to Garth? Think about it. Do you honestly think he has time to read all your posts and respond?
Too many current and ex government workers posting here, you all live in fantasy land.
I heard that. — Garth
(ignoring shouting from the sidelines)
Larry, it’s real simple: keep your eyes on the pea, don’t confuse the incidental with the material.
Don’t know Mrs. Smith, so I can’t like or dislike her. And she didn’t do “nasty things”: she did an unprofessional thing (actually two, the second being accepting the CPC appointment.)
Rail away, but your efforts to shift attention from the pea are confusing only you.
Oh, how can I suffer from “low-minded vindictiveness” when you neo-Cons hold the patent rights?
Many of my friends have not even heard about Garth Turner, let alone a Garth Turner Blog; so, I’ve been promoting this blog, this is one of my favaorite that Garth has published. It’s hilarious to think that this Mayor is sitting in the ‘chair’ that holds the gamut on bylaws, taxes and decision making that affects all taxpayers.
She looks quite tidy naked. Go figure.
One thing she could do is consult Harper and gets some makeup tips.
Haha! I’d be so embarrassed, well I wouldn’t allow my naked pictures to be put on the internet. Why did she?
I heard that. — Garth
By Greg on 08.28.07 9:18 pm
I believe in only one thing, Freedom, but I don’t believe in it enough to force it on anyone.
H.L. Mencken
What our authorities least of all understood was the very first axiom of all propagandist activity: to wit, the basically subjective and one-sided attitude it must take toward every question it deals with. In this connection, from the very beginning of the War and from top to bottom,such sins were committed that we were entitled to doubt whether so much absurdity could really be attributed to pure stupidity alone.
The function of propaganda is, for example, not to weigh and ponder the rights of different people, but exclusively to emphasize the one right which it has set out to argue for. Its task is not to make an objective study of the truth, in so far as it favors the enemy, and then set it before the masses with academic fairness; its task is to serve our own right, always and unflinchingly.
The most unbeautiful thing there can be in human life is and remains the yoke of slavery.
Consider the last paragraph especially, then consider it’s author.
Adolf Hitler.
Evil? Genius? Prophet? Scourge? Monster?
Ask yourself some real questions.
So many questions, so few answers.
By Sandy Canchuk on 08.28.07 10:26 pm
Oh, to be able to think with such youthful exuberance.
Herb: Rail away, but your efforts to shift attention from the pea are confusing only you.
You are frothing out of habit, not out of principle. I’ve already stated my objection to Ms. Smith’s ad hoc appointment. So we agree on the incidental. What’s material here – on Garth Turner’s blog, under an item he chose to headline with a stolen private image – is the question of whether using that image is illegal (I believe it is) and immoral (without question). Now you can wave your hands and beat your chest all you like about what a bad person she is… or how horrified you are that she took off her clothes in the sanctity of some small-town mayor’s office… or even about the death of democracy, if that’s your choice. But you can’t excuse or dismiss one action by pointing to another, especially one that is entirely unrelated.
Some years ago, Jean Chretien’s son was charged with some crimes (I forget all the details and they don’t actually matter to the point anyway). When you asked about Jean Chretien being in an analogous situation to Ms. Smith I actually thought you might be thinking of the same incident. But, it turns out, you are ploddingly stuck to a scenario in which every detail must be precisely the same so that you can make any comparison. That’s too bad because I actually think the two cases are similar (without being identical) and relate to the same themes. Do we allow public figures to have private lives? Should we? Is politics such an ugly, venal pursuit that any slur, or scandal, or personal tragedy is just more fodder for the mill?
PET made his famous quote about “the government having no business in the bedrooms of the nations” and has been hailed as a hero for that sentiment. I wonder if the current Liberal party wants to add a subordinate clause “… but God help you if you take your business out of the bedroom because we will crucify your ass if you do.”
What has Chretien’s stepson and his drug conviction got to do with this, Larry? Are you trying to sneak in another shell to confuse us yokels?
Where have I waved my hand and beat my chest about what a bad person Mrs. Smith is, Larry? The worst I have called here is “brain-dead”, and a) sitting for that picture, b) not securing it, and c) accepting the CPC appointment with that gorilla lurking in the background, kind of backs my opinion of that politician’s political intelligence (“acumen” I called it). If you have any personal attack from me on her morals or character, Larry, I’d appreciate you citing date and time.
Others on this blog manage to be trolls without being asses. What’s your problem, Larry?
Are you trying to sneak in another shell to confuse us yokels?
Forgive me, For a minute there you had almost passed yourself off as something more than a yokel. I’ll refrain from trying to lead you into abstract thought again. I was trying to draw a distinction between private matters and public matters – apparently that’s a distinction too fine for your yokel vision.
Where have I waved my hand and beat my chest about what a bad person Mrs. Smith is, Larry?
All over the place, Herb.
If you have any personal attack from me on her morals or character, Larry, I’d appreciate you citing date and time.
Sure. “I would consider the bum unfit to hold any public office.”
By Herb on 08.27.07 4:54 pm
Now, before you go all yokel on me, let’s be clear that you were stating your own reaction to a hypothetical male in the same circumstance. If he’s “a bum unfit for public office” then certainly she is the same.
What’s your problem, Larry?
My immediate problem is finding anyone intelligent to discuss this with… what’s causing all your bad temper?
In her office with her husband – in private. Don’t be such a prude.
By Catherine on 08.28.07 8:20 pm
Not being a prude, just being a decent person. You don’t get naked at work.
“Sean P. Hogan†-
The correct acronym for Status of Women Canada is SWC.
Sadly, using the derogatory “SOW†makes you look misogynist and, well, cataclysmically stupid. You wouldn’t want to look misogynist and cataclysmically stupid… would you?
Hope this helps.:)
By JJ on 08.28.07 5:26 pm
Nope, just anti-feminist. Doesn’t help me at all. SOW is what it is and many women have used the same acronymn too, does this make them a misogynst? You call it how you want to call it, and I will call it the way I want to call it.
Re: comments by Sean P. Hogan on 08.28.07 12:44 pm
Your constant use of the acronym as “SOW†rather than the corrent one (SWC)says a great deal about you (boar). When you claim that “SOW doesn’t represent all women, just the feminists and their agenda.†The agenda of feminists is gender equality. Those opposed to gender equality have done a fine job of distorting the meaning of feminism in order to disrupt the fight for women’s equality.
By C. B. Innes on 08.28.07 2:39 pm
The agenda for feminists is to advance feminist causes whether the majority of women agree with them or not. There is a huge difference. When women use SOW, are they boars too, because there are many women that do use that acronymn.
Extreme feminists have distored the equality of women. They openly condemn women who don’t fall in line with their agenda, so much for inclusiveness eh?
Larry,
you’ll find your level of debating intelligence and similar neo-Con dedication over at http://www.smalldeadanimals.com/
Herb buckles: “Larry,…
LOL – Are you going to compare me to everyone and everything else that makes you feel inadequate?
Should make for a lengthy list…
I note, just for the record, that you haven’t the good graces or the intellectual honesty to conceed the point but instead reach into your tired old bag of “smears”.
Better luck – and better thinking – next time, Herb.
Easy, Larry. Concede what point, and what smears? Do check your comments for personal attacks and smears.
On second thought, don’t bother. I should have remembered: Arguing with a neo-Con is like wrestling with a pig; everyone gets dirty, but the pig loves it.
Re: comments by Sean P. Hogan on 08.29.07 9:00 am
By focusing only on what you refer to as “extreme feminists” you show that you do not understand the term or the problem (or maybe you do). One would have to know what you mean by that term “radical feminists” in order to comment.
The primary meaning of feminism is: “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.” A secondary meaning is “organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests.” At times, in the pursuit of certain agendas, some women have gone beyond these objectives. By definition these are not feminists (even if they use the term). Those who oppose women’s equality have focused on these individuals or groups in order to undermine the fight for women’s rights.
In the age of communication the redefining of terms has become a major strategy in negative targeting. The case of feminism is one of the best examples of this.
Social conservative women, who believe that women should serve a submissive role in society, are as strongly opposed to women’s equality as any chauvanistic male. They see equality in terms of “equality of different roles” in the eyes of God.
I see that the Conservatives are trying to distant themselves from making Sharone Smith the government contact for her riding. They are now saying that their BC caucus chair, Dick Harris, was free-lancing in telling the people in the riding to use her as the government contact.
I wonder why it took the leadership so long to react?
Can’t we all just wish Ms Smith the best of luck in running for the Conservative position in her riding? And if she loses give her another position, hopefully with better computer security?
CB Innes, that is a very good question. All the press talks about on the issue is how the Con leadership is backpeddling, and looking to be hanging Dick out to dry. Curious.
Social conservative women, who believe that women should serve a submissive role in society, are as strongly opposed to women’s equality as any chauvanistic male. They see equality in terms of “equality of different roles†in the eyes of God.
By C. B. Innes on 08.29.07 7:59 pm
Care to give examples of this? What do you consider to be submissive? Staying at home? Making meals?
The reason I am asking as this would be news to those social conservative women who aren’t submissive at all.
When SOW rejected Real Women’s application, they rejected equality. They either serve all women or they aren’t serving equality. I find it very telling that when Real Women decided to send an application stating they were a lesbian group, that they received an application for funding ASAP. That’s extreme feminism.
Frank Frink,
I nominate you to be the first recipient of the hypothetical “Hero of Digital Democracy” award.
Maybe we’d better make that the “Meritorious Service to Digital Democracy Cross.” The lack of a Soviet connotation would make it easier to bear.
A footnote on MSM coverage -
The Ottawa Citizen mentioned the Sharon Stone special liaison appointment and the CPC dissociation from it for the first time to-day, in a brief item on page 5 not important enough to be made available on the internet.