Ritz sorry for 'tasteless'

[jdobbin]

It was funny.

If you say so.

I think Ritz's comments show he probably wasn't the man to lead a room on something as critical as listeriosis. Even George Bush knew not to make jocular and partisan comments in New York on September 11.

[capricorn]

Harper has said he will not be firing Ritz and he is satisfied with Ritz's performance as Agriculture minister. He did allude to the fact that whoever leaked the conversation did so for political opportunism. I suppose this is a disappointment for the opposition since deducting a minister from Harper's team would have further reduces the number of MPs he can draw from to form a cabinet should he be re-elected.

In making this decision, Harper must have been concerned about cutting Ritz loose because he needs experienced MPs that he can appoint to cabinet posts.

"Back in the summer and for many, many weeks, I happen to know that Minister Ritz was working very hard on this," Harper said.

"I think the story is obviously very embarrassing for him, but should not detract from the good work that he has done, to get on top and understand this matter, to improve the system and to communicate publicly with Canadians and ensure government officials are all doing their jobs."

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/AL...RKD7q9f4J9N620Q

Harper is leaving it to Canadians to judge for themselves if Ritz's jokes are enough to negate Ritz's performance to date as Agriculture minister or his future potential. Ritz's constituents will also have their say on October 14.

[kimmy]

I think the Liberal party's response to the Harper "tragedy" joke is about right: feigned outrage. People see this as an opportunity to score political points, not as an actual issue.

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

Of course, that when Chretien was making that knee-slapper, it was after Canadian students had actually been pepper-sprayed.

(Of course, it's hard to get too upset when bad things happen to anti-globalization protesters. I came face-to-face with that sort of thug at protests when I lived in Ottawa.)

-k

[jdobbin]

I think the Liberal party's response to the Harper "tragedy" joke is about right: feigned outrage. People see this as an opportunity to score political points, not as an actual issue.

I think the issue was Ritz's competence on something as critical as listeriosis. Ritz was the one trying to score cheap political points even if it was only a conference call. His jocularity and hyperpartisanship and the Tory ideological move to turn over the food inspection business to the producers all raise questions.

[Shakeyhands]

Ok, so the comments were kinda funny, quite witty in fact, especially the cold cuts one... but should a minister be making jokes like that publically, during a health crisis like this one? I wonder how the families feel about it, should he be fired for them, no... But he should, as a minister especially, have a wee bit more common sense, and project the appropriate decorum.

[Topaz]

OK, so now this government has a minister hoping another minister was dead, we had another member of Harper's gang, voicing his opinion on gays and we know that this government doesn't support women, at least before the election. I heard the minister say I'm sorry and he was just reading it, he didn't appear to mean any of it!!! Saskatchewan has a real prize with this guy and with his attitude he fits nicely in with the major of Cons.

[blueblood]

I think the issue was Ritz's competence on something as critical as listeriosis. Ritz was the one trying to score cheap political points even if it was only a conference call. His jocularity and hyperpartisanship and the Tory ideological move to turn over the food inspection business to the producers all raise questions.

This is Gerry Ritz we are talking about, he makes tasteless comments on a regular basis. That's his character, he publically called the CWB supporters the tinfoil hat wearing crowd. Comments like his don't surprise me in the least. Are they tasteless? yes. I would be taking whatever this guy says with a grain of salt.

I'd far rather have someone who is an ass that does a good job then the nicest guy in the world who is lazier than a sloth.

[blueblood]

OK, so now this government has a minister hoping another minister was dead, we had another member of Harper's gang, voicing his opinion on gays and we know that this government doesn't support women, at least before the election. I heard the minister say I'm sorry and he was just reading it, he didn't appear to mean any of it!!! Saskatchewan has a real prize with this guy and with his attitude he fits nicely in with the major of Cons.

just like ontario has a real prize with some of theirs.

[jdobbin]

I'd far rather have someone who is an ass that does a good job then the nicest guy in the world who is lazier than a sloth.

I've seen no evidence that he does a good job. The make of a good job would be on how he handled the listeria outbreak.

[blueblood]

I've seen no evidence that he does a good job. The make of a good job would be on how he handled the listeria outbreak.

That's for Harper to decide when he picks cabinet ministers. No public input needed there. If Harper and Ritz's constituents thought he did a good job, that's all ritz has to impress. I don't know why you aren't skewering the health minister as well, this is partly his baby too.

[jdobbin]

That's for Harper to decide when he picks cabinet ministers. No public input needed there. If Harper and Ritz's constituents thought he did a good job, that's all ritz has to impress. I don't know why you aren't skewering the health minister as well, this is partly his baby too.

Food inspection is in the Ag minister's domain. It seems the health ministry acted pretty well in tracking down the source of the contamination. I have no problems in how they responded.

[Jobu]

If you say so.

I think Ritz's comments show he probably wasn't the man to lead a room on something as critical as listeriosis. Even George Bush knew not to make jocular and partisan comments in New York on September 11.

Yeah, because these events are totally the same thing.

[Jobu]

Ok, so the comments were kinda funny, quite witty in fact, especially the cold cuts one... but should a minister be making jokes like that publically, during a health crisis like this one? I wonder how the families feel about it, should he be fired for them, no... But he should, as a minister especially, have a wee bit more common sense, and project the appropriate decorum.

They weren't public comments.

[jdobbin]

Yeah, because these events are totally the same thing.

People died. One elected official decided to put the jocularity aside. The other thought to make light of it and wished for the death of an critic.

[kengs333]

They weren't public comments.

What difference does that make?

[kengs333]

I think the Liberal party's response to the Harper "tragedy" joke is about right: feigned outrage. People see this as an opportunity to score political points, not as an actual issue.

Um... but that's how it goes in politics, in particular during an election. The media is always happy to jump on such gaffes and make something out of seemingly nothing; the media has been going easy on the Cons because it's basically been decided that we're going to have a Con majority, but such a remark making light of human suffering and death the media can't be deterred from dealing with. This is the only way that the Cons can lose: if they say or do something remarkably stupid that the people who control the media can't interfere without making it too obvious.

[Jobu]

What difference does that make?

Umm, perhaps because the quotation I cited objected to the comments on the basis of them being public.

Try to keep up.

[Topaz]

Please these guys are ADULTS. They know right from wrong and he's a minister and should act like one . He's not back on the farm where he can say and do what ever he feels.

[blueblood]

Please these guys are ADULTS. They know right from wrong and he's a minister and should act like one . He's not back on the farm where he can say and do what ever he feels.

The minister can say whatever the hell he wants, we in Canada do have a right to free speech. However Harper has the right to can him and his constituents have the right to vote him out of office.

I'd rather have an ass than a sloth.

I will take this opportunity to appreciate the freedoms I have on the farm and how much more civilized it is than other parts of the country.

[Jobu]

People died. One elected official decided to put the jocularity aside. The other thought to make light of it and wished for the death of an critic.

I think you need to remove that rather large stick from your behind.

PC run amok, lack of sense of humour, partisan hack and political opportunist, all of the above?

[nothinarian]

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.

Joke is ok in company of staff behind closed doors and does provide levity in tough times but with 30 people on a conference call including unlike-minded civil servants from liberal era - duhhhhhhh?

Know your audience

He should be trashed not for offensiveness of comments but for lack of judgement especially as it propogates image of insensitive, bullying, etc... that has dogged Harper and company for years...not to mention motivating all workers on the left as they dream of being a role player in an epic political David/Goliath battle ...picture them searching for stones to load their slings while the hot sun ... but I digress

He is a liability that Harper does not need right now - baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-bye

Have him offer his resignation and croc them tears PM

[scribblet]

I think this says more about the weasel who ratted him out for political gain. This was said at a meeting on August 30th. If the weasel was so outraged why didn't he say something then - oh I know why - because he saved it to use in the middle of an election campaign.

It's not getting a lot of traction other than on forums like this, used by partisian hacks, the general voting populace won't take it into account or change their vote on account of it.

Edited September 18, 2008 by scriblett

[Bryan]

It really was funny. Inappropriate, sure, but funny as hell.

Comment made in private a month ago, no story here, move on.

[capricorn]

He is a liability that Harper does not need right now - baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-bye

Have him offer his resignation and croc them tears PM

That is exactly what Craig Oliver suggested on MDL tonight.

[nothinarian]

Know you audience - including the weasels

Problem is not this isolated incident but:

- takes Cons off -messgae

- gives left motivation and momentum

- story is now conservative campaign derailed

Silver lining for Harper is that it is early in the campaign and should be non-voting issue unless story becomes 10 apologies in 35 days - far-fetched but leftist media would love to bring him down as well - notice story is not 3 Libs, 1 NDP and 1 Green candidates step down but "4 apologies in 10 days for Conservatives"