Ritz sorry for 'tasteless'

[jdobbin]

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

Do you know of when it was ever politcally acceptable in the recent decades where it was acceptable to wish your opponent dead?

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?

Ratification was in 1994. Remember the deal was subject to ratification. That was done under a Liberal government.

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.

Yup. And they lost.

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.

Think I'm on record that it was a stupid promise to make just like Harper's promise not to end the income trusts.

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

I have no idea what connections Ritz has to assassins. We know he is an assassin of character.

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.

Then you should be happy to have political judges in place.

[jdobbin]

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

I'm pretty sure the official exhibited no real self control of what he thought was appropriate behaviour. It was a cavalier attitude towards the death of someone you disagree with.

[Canadian Blue]

So you seriously think that Ritz if given the chance would shank Wayne Easter?

Ratification was in 1994. Remember the deal was subject to ratification. That was done under a Liberal government.

My mistake, the Tories strongly supported it, did the legwork, and then the Liberals were able to take credit for a treaty they originally opposed.

Think I'm on record that it was a stupid promise to make just like Harper's promise not to end the income trusts.

Are you then saying that tax was in part the reason why the deficit was able to get erased.

Then you should be happy to have political judges in place.

We already have political judges in place, it's just that we have liberal judges who have more sympathy for criminals and vultures than they do for the victims of crime. I personally prefer a judge whose tough on criminals. I'm not sure about you but if my wife got raped would you rather have someone sentence the rapist who strongly believes that the punishment should fit the crime, or someone who simply absolves the rapist and blames society.

Edited September 18, 2008 by Canadian Blue

[kengs333]

Let's face it: Ritz is just another example of the type that populate the Conservative party. Should this really be a surprise considering the cast of sick characters that have filtered in and out of the party since its Reform party days?

[Canadian Blue]

Let's face it: Ritz is just another example of the type that populate the Conservative party. Should this really be a surprise considering the cast of sick characters that have filtered in and out of the party since its Reform party days?

Would you then argue based on the canada.com link given in this thread that all Liberals wish the Prime Minister and his wife were killed in a terrorist attack?

Or are you just going to go on beating your chest telling us all how you're morally superior to everyone else because you mark your vote for the Liberals.

[jdobbin]

So you seriously think that Ritz if given the chance would shank Wayne Easter?

I've seen no evidence that he separates the death of his opponent from politics as usual.

My mistake, the Tories strongly supported it, did the legwork, and then the Liberals were able to take credit for a treaty they originally opposed.

My understanding of the NAFTA talks was that Chretien was asking for the amendments that were eventually included in 1992.

We already have political judges in place, it's just that we have liberal judges who have more sympathy for criminals and vultures than they do for the victims of crime.

The constant running down of judges certainly undermines the system entirely. By all means, put in the judges you want but it is legislation that guides judges. Take some responsibility for it.

And if you are going to throw everyone in prison make sure you have the space. There is none left in Manitoba.

[Canadian Blue]

I've seen no evidence that he separates the death of his opponent from politics as usual.

Which more or less shows how naive and paranoid you are.

My understanding of the NAFTA talks was that Chretien was asking for the amendments that were eventually included in 1992.

I'm gratified that most Liberals still seem to believe that NAFTA was a bad thing when the Tories were in power, but somehow miraculously turned into a good thing when they came to power.

The constant running down of judges certainly undermines the system entirely.

Listen, it doesn't take a farmer to realize that many judges are full of shit.

By all means, put in the judges you want but it is legislation that guides judges. Take some responsibility for it.

Not to mention whether or not judges have a certain affinity for believing the actions of a criminal are really the fault of society.

And if you are going to throw everyone in prison make sure you have the space. There is none left in Manitoba.

Then build more prisons.

[jdobbin]

Which more or less shows how naive and paranoid you are.

I have no idea what you are talking about except that you are personalizing in the same way Ritz has.

I'm gratified that most Liberals still seem to believe that NAFTA was a bad thing when the Tories were in power, but somehow miraculously turned into a good thing when they came to power.

What can't be gratifying is that once out of the PC party, Harper believed the right should not dump money into Quebec. Guess that philosophy went out the window when he got into office.

Listen, it doesn't take a farmer to realize that many judges are full of shit.

Not to mention whether or not judges have a certain affinity for believing the actions of a criminal are really the fault of society.

The anti-judicial stance of the Tories is a rather frightening thing to see.

Then build more prisons.

Yes. Don't forget to increase the taxes or cut services elsewhere to do it first.

[bush_cheney2004]

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

Indeed.....an excellent quip!

[Smallc]

Indeed.....an excellent quip!

Politics and the military are two very different things.

[kengs333]

Would you then argue based on the canada.com link given in this thread that all Liberals wish the Prime Minister and his wife were killed in a terrorist attack?

Or are you just going to go on beating your chest telling us all how you're morally superior to everyone else because you mark your vote for the Liberals.

I'm not voting Liberal. I've never voted Liberal.

Isn't there supposed to be some kind of IQ test to get into the military?

[August1991]

Not exactly what the Conservative campaign needed.

From Earl Butz through Jean Garon to Eugene Whelan, Agricultural Ministers are known for being non-PC.

We are years along now. This is not the world of Earl Butz anymore.

In the alternate universe of the G&M or jdobbin, Ritz' comment may be a vote loser. But in the universe where real voters live, it's another story.

Butz, Whelan, Garon and Ritz are not stupid people - despite what some in the Toronto media think of them.

Edited September 18, 2008 by August1991

[Keepitsimple]

I find his comments understandable. In times of stress - as this conference call clearly was - I have a habit of making flippant of humourous comments (gallows humour someone said).....it can serve to lighten the moment, cut the tension and let people focus and not be afraid to bring up ideas. It's not everyone's style but it can be helpful at times. It's true, we are too politically correct - especially when taken out of context.

[Topaz]

This comment coming from the Conservatives doesn't surprise me in the least. Anyone who has watched Parliament's question period knows how bad mouthed the Cons are and it starts with Harper himself. If you disagree with them its personal attacks time and they never give an answer to the question and as a viewer I like to know the answer. Rae has it right when they called them junkyard dogs. I've never seen and heard a more disrespectful Conservative before!

[White Doors]

I don't find his comments understandable at all.

They are bone headed to the extreme.

I think Harper should fire him. I find them extremely distatsteful and I am not going to be partisan in supporting him at all. He did himself, his position as Agricultural Minister and the party a huge dis-service here.

unreal.

[scribblet]

I guess we all have foot in mouth disease at some time, too bad he had to give the Liberals something to go on, up to now they don't have anything. Oh well -

[Topaz]

I don't find his comments understandable at all.

They are bone headed to the extreme.

I think Harper should fire him. I find them extremely distatsteful and I am not going to be partisan in supporting him at all. He did himself, his position as Agricultural Minister and the party a huge dis-service here.

unreal.

I heard that Harper won't fire him and that the Minister has said "I'M Sorry" to Easter and to the people who have lost loved one. But that's they way they play the game. They know they have to say "I'm sorry" but they get to say what they want to say. The rule of THINK before you SPEAK doesn't apply to them, they feel they can say anything then tell the public "I'm Sorry" Maybe if they don't get their majority or a minority they will be sorry!

[Argus]

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.

Yes, but you are from the land humour forgot, the land of the politically correct.

[Argus]

I heard that Harper won't fire him and that the Minister has said "I'M Sorry" to Easter and to the people who have lost loved one. But that's they way they play the game. They know they have to say "I'm sorry" but they get to say what they want to say. The rule of THINK before you SPEAK doesn't apply to them, they feel they can say anything then tell the public "I'm Sorry" Maybe if they don't get their majority or a minority they will be sorry!

Maybe he should be excuted, except you guys don't believe in execution. Well, you don't for killers, but I have a feeling some of you wouldn't mind it for Tories, especially those who dare to say things you don't like.

The guy made a tasteless joke. Who hasn't? You want to fire anyone who ever made a tasteless joke? Please.

[Argus]

The anti-judicial stance of the Tories is a rather frightening thing to see.

They're not anti-judge, they're anti bleeding-heart-liberal judge. Mind you, since that's the only kind your folks have been putting onto the bench over the past thirty years I suppose it's understandable that you don't notice the difference.

[jdobbin]

They're not anti-judge, they're anti bleeding-heart-liberal judge. Mind you, since that's the only kind your folks have been putting onto the bench over the past thirty years I suppose it's understandable that you don't notice the difference.

By all means appoint Conservative judges then. I doubt it would end the complaints.

[jdobbin]

In the alternate universe of the G&M or jdobbin, Ritz' comment may be a vote loser. But in the universe where real voters live, it's another story.

Butz, Whelan, Garon and Ritz are not stupid people - despite what some in the Toronto media think of them.

I never said it was a vote loser. At least not at first. It does make people cynical along with everything else in politics and less apt to vote over time.

[jdobbin]

Yes, but you are from the land humour forgot, the land of the politically correct.

I'm sure you were slapping your knee at Chretien and his pepper spray comment.

[jdobbin]

I don't find his comments understandable at all.

They are bone headed to the extreme.

I think Harper should fire him. I find them extremely distatsteful and I am not going to be partisan in supporting him at all. He did himself, his position as Agricultural Minister and the party a huge dis-service here.

unreal.

I think the listeriosis crisis was a real test for industry. We saw Maple Leaf take responsibility, go public, shut down and clean up. All across Canada we saw signs in restaurant windows from stores and restaurants indicating that they didn't sell products from Maple Leaf.

People were scared and an industry was in danger. Ritz believed a little jocularity and partisanship was in order.

[Jobu]

I'm sure you were slapping your knee at Chretien and his pepper spray comment.

It was funny.