Ritz sorry for 'tasteless'

[jdobbin]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...me=election2008

During a conference call with scientists, bureaucrats and political staff on Aug. 30, Ritz made several off-colour jokes about the outbreak.

After fretting about the political dangers of the Listeria scare, Ritz quipped: "This is like a death by a thousand cuts. Or should I say cold cuts."

Then when told of a death in Prince Edward Island, Ritz said, "Please tell me it's (Liberal MP) Wayne Easter."

Easter is the Liberal agriculture critic and has called for Ritz's resignation over his handling of the outbreak, which was linked to a Maple Leaf Foods meat processing plant north of Toronto.

Not exactly what the Conservative campaign needed.

[Canadian Blue]

Being in the military, I've seen much worse gallows humor. Next issue.

[jdobbin]

Being in the military, I've seen much worse gallows humor. Next issue.

Ritz isn't in the military.

I'm sure you have heard racism, sexism and the like as well. Do you dismiss it each time?

[Canadian Blue]

I'm sure you have heard racism, sexism and the like as well. Do you dismiss it each time?

Depends on the context, have you ever listened to George Carlin?

I frankly am getting tired of this idea that we always have to pretty up our language to hide the truth.

But if only Ritz had throttled a protester or given a crowd of people the middle finger, then he'd be prime material for the PM's job.

[jdobbin]

Depends on the context, have you ever listened to George Carlin?

Once again, Ritz isn't a comedian. He was dealing with an issue where people were dying and he was making jokes about it. Kind of makes one wonder how serious he was about what his job was.

I frankly am getting tired of this idea that we always have to pretty up our language to hide the truth.

And that truth is that he really does want Easter dead?

But if only Ritz had throttled a protester or given a crowd of people the middle finger, then he'd be prime material for the PM's job.

Seems to me that both things were widely criticized. You think they should have been dismissed?

[Wild Bill]

Once again, Ritz isn't a comedian. He was dealing with an issue where people were dying and he was making jokes about it. Kind of makes one wonder how serious he was about what his job was.

And that truth is that he really does want Easter dead?

Seems to me that both things were widely criticized. You think they should have been dismissed?

Well, one thing's for sure. He just pulled a CLM (Career Limiting Move) with Harper.

Maybe I should feel a little sorry for Ritz as we do seem to make these things into politically incorrect molehill mountains but somehow, I just can't. We already had one guy tossed from the PMO and Ritz should have known better.

Ritzy's gonna get it!

[Canadian Blue]

Once again, Ritz isn't a comedian. He was dealing with an issue where people were dying and he was making jokes about it. Kind of makes one wonder how serious he was about what his job was.

Actually you'll find that people who work with death and dying often use gallows dark humor, it doesn't make them less serious when it comes to their job. It has actually been found to be a stress reliever by many psychologists.

And that truth is that he really does want Easter dead?

Well, the problem is that you have to know the difference between a joke and being serious.

Seems to me that both things were widely criticized. You think they should have been dismissed?

Definitely, because while those things were being criticized Pierre Trudeau was putting us into 500 billion dollars worth of debt, destroying the Canadian military, and fostering western alienation.

Quite frankly most people actually think that Jean Chretien's little run in with the protester was funny, same with his joke about pepper spray.

But I wouldn't doubt that Harper will kick Ritz out. The reason why is because Harper knows how to show leadership, firing a cabinet minister will only endear him with Canadian's.

Edited September 18, 2008 by Canadian Blue

[Jobu]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...me=election2008

Not exactly what the Conservative campaign needed.

We are waaaaaay too politically correct in this country. I thought both comments were funny. It wasn't meant for public consumption.

[Canadian Blue]

Actually, I think Pierre Trudeau handled these kinds of things in the best way:

The fake outrage never gets old.

I'll bust out this doozy from Ralph Klein:

[jdobbin]

Actually you'll find that people who work with death and dying often use gallows dark humor, it doesn't make them less serious when it comes to their job. It has actually been found to be a stress reliever by many psychologists.

I'm sure Easter found Ritz wishing for his death a stress releaser.

Well, the problem is that you have to know the difference between a joke and being serious.

How can you tell? Maybe Ritz does hate Easter enough to want him dead.

Definitely, because while those things were being criticized Pierre Trudeau was putting us into 500 billion dollars worth of debt, destroying the Canadian military, and fostering western alienation.

Ditto for Mulroney.

Quite frankly most people actually think that Jean Chretien's little run in with the protester was funny, same with his joke about pepper spray.

I found neither really funny but that's just me.

But I wouldn't doubt that Harper will kick Ritz out. The reason why is because Harper knows how to show leadership, firing a cabinet minister will only endear him with Canadian's.

I think it has been stated that Ritz will stay in place.

[jdobbin]

We are waaaaaay too politically correct in this country. I thought both comments were funny. It wasn't meant for public consumption.

I'll remember that when another political party aside from the Tories wishes their opponent dead. Real knee slappers.

[Canadian Blue]

I'm sure Easter found Ritz wishing for his death a stress releaser.

I'm sure that I've wished some people dead in a joking manner, I just hope I don't say it around you lest you get the wrong idea.

How can you tell? Maybe Ritz does hate Easter enough to want him dead.

Once I see Ritz with his hands around Easters throat, then I'll believe you.

Ditto for Mulroney.

Oh, I definitely think Brian Mulroney was a failure when handling the books. However I will give him some credit for getting us out of the deficit as he did support both the GST and NAFTA which was adopted by the next government.

I found neither really funny but that's just me.

I'm sure that it would be funny if Trudeau was still PM.

I'll remember that when another political party aside from the Tories wishes their opponent dead. Real knee slappers.

I suggest you get a thicker skin. I know you're a bleeding heart, but all that can be really said is that you'll just have to keep on bleeding. You're really much too sensitive. If you're more interested in trying to be a mind reader during this election campaign then you can go right ahead.

Edited September 18, 2008 by Canadian Blue

[capricorn]

It wasn't meant for public consumption.

Exactly. The timing of the release of this information is telling. This adds fuel to the fire to the notion that the bureaucracy is Liberal friendly.

There are more similar little bombs tucked away by some devious bureaucrats that will be lobbed over the next few weeks.

[Jobu]

I'll remember that when another political party aside from the Tories wishes their opponent dead. Real knee slappers.

Yeah, and I will say the same thing, as long as it is similarly witty.

[CANADIEN]

Depends on the context, have you ever listened to George Carlin?

I frankly am getting tired of this idea that we always have to pretty up our language to hide the truth.

But if only Ritz had throttled a protester or given a crowd of people the middle finger, then he'd be prime material for the PM's job.

The turth being that the death of a Liberal MP (or a MP from any other party) from listeria is a good thing?

[capricorn]

I'll remember that when another political party aside from the Tories wishes their opponent dead. Real knee slappers.

Remember this?

The joke showed up in a column written by a Liberal riding association president in St. Catharines, Ont., a riding where Conservative rookie Rick Dykstra narrowly ousted longtime Liberal MP Walt Lastewka in the 2006 general election.

In the joke, a young boy tries to define the word tragedy and does so by saying that if a plane carrying Harper and his wife were to be struck by a missile and explode, then that would be a tragedy.

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...83-174fbd6b391e

[jdobbin]

I'm sure that I've wished some people dead in a joking manner, I just hope I don't say it around you lest you get the wrong idea.

Once I see Ritz with his hands around Easters throat, then I'll believe you.

One again you aren't a politician. It doesn't matter who you might wish dead joking or not.

People don't mind a politician having a sense of humour but at the expense of others basically shows a mean spiritedness or a careless disregard way that obviously the Tories don't want to see in a public servant. If you want to call it politically correct, go ahead. It used to be called civil behaviour.

Oh, I definitely think Brian Mulroney was a failure when handling the books. However I will give him some credit for getting us out of the deficit as he did support both the GST and NAFTA which was adopted by the next government.

The Tories negotiated FTA, not NAFTA. That was the Liberals.

And those measures did not pull Canada out of deficit. It was a better economy and massive spending cuts.

I'm sure that it would be funny if Trudeau was still PM.

People hated him for it in many areas of the country.

I suggest you get a thicker skin. I know you're a bleeding heart, but all that can be really said is that you'll just have to keep on bleeding. You're really much too sensitive. If you're more interested in trying to be a mind reader during this election campaign then you can go right ahead.

I think if we have learned anything is that Ritz is a hyperpartisan and in the middle of a crisis wanted his critic dead.

[jdobbin]

Remember this?

And do you remember my response?

[jdobbin]

Exactly. The timing of the release of this information is telling. This adds fuel to the fire to the notion that the bureaucracy is Liberal friendly.

There are more similar little bombs tucked away by some devious bureaucrats that will be lobbed over the next few weeks.

Well, Harper can certainly make sure he puts Tory friendly judges and civil servants in when they get a majority.

Edited September 18, 2008 by jdobbin

[capricorn]

And do you remember my response?

No.

[capricorn]

Well, Harper can certainly make sure he puts Tory friendly judges and civil servants in when they get a majority.

Only if he has 15-20 years to do so. Attrition should help.

[Canadian Blue]

People don't mind a politician having a sense of humour but at the expense of others basically shows a mean spiritedness or a careless disregard way that obviously the Tories don't want to see in a public servant. If you want to call it politically correct, go ahead. It used to be called civil behaviour.

May I please know when we lived in this politically correct utopia of yours?

The Tories negotiated FTA, not NAFTA. That was the Liberals.

Hold on you're saying that in December 1992 the Liberal Government signed the NAFTA treaty along with the governments of Mexico and the United States?

Wasn't there some election issue in 1988 where the governing Tories were favoring free trade, while a certain opposition party was opposed to it.

And those measures did not pull Canada out of deficit. It was a better economy and massive spending cuts.

Which is why the Federal Liberals went through with their promise and cut the 7% GST cut correct? Or is it perhaps possible that the GST was beneficial in eliminating the deficit.

I think if we have learned anything is that Ritz is a hyperpartisan and in the middle of a crisis wanted his critic dead.

and we can all tell the hyperpartisan Liberals such as yourself think that Tories will higher assassins to take out Wayne Easter.

Well, Harper can certainly make sure he puts Tory friendly judges and civil servants when they get a majority.

Meh, it's far better than the judges who say that police officers can't do anything when people spit in their faces. I might actually like the idea of a judge who actually believes in punishing criminals, what a novel concept.

Edited September 18, 2008 by Canadian Blue

[jdobbin]

No.

I said at the time that Dion should condemn the comment and repudiate it. It has no place in politics and was a hyperpartisan comment that went much too far.

I felt an apology was owed. I don't take jokes about the deaths of one's opponents to be worthy of party officials.

[capricorn]

Thank you.

[Canadian Blue]

Jdobbin do you think the Liberal association in that riding really wanted Stephen Harper and his wife to die?

Edited September 18, 2008 by Canadian Blue