Liberals got THREE!

[betsy]

Mike Duffy announced that it's not only the Conservatives who got MPs on the hot seat. He mused why there's not much being said about them. Well, MDuffy decided to list them. There's one for the NDP and the Green.....and 3 for the Liberals!

Simon Bedard and Ricardo Lopez, both from Quebec (racist comments), and Brent Fullard from Ontario (can't remember for what).

[betsy]

Native Leaders Speak Out Against Racist Candidates

Published September 12, 2008 Politics

Tags: Canada, election, First Nations, Indians, Natives, Politics, Racism

"Read the post below this and you’ll see well enough that I’m angry. I’m not alone in being angry. As I said in a previous post, I’ve been speaking and corresponding with native leaders on the number of anti-native candidates in this election.

Those candidates include Simon Bedard, who was running for the Liberals in the riding of Quebec. He talked about killing indians, 100, 125 … and was unrepentant. He was allowed to resign on his own terms yesterday.

Another Liberal candidate, another bout of racism. This one, Ricardo Lopez, who said that natives should be rounded up and sent east. Sound familiar? He too, allowed to peacefully resign on his own terms today.

No firings, no apologies, no promises to do things different. The election goes on and no one notices."

http://rjjago.wordpress.com/2008/09/12/nat...ist-candidates/

Today Liberal candidate Brent Fullard apologized for comparing Prime Minister Stephen Harper to Hitler in a mass emailing titled Heil mein Harper. It appears not everyone is as cool with it as Liberal Party cheerleader Elizabeth May and Liberal leader Stephane Dion:

B'nai Brith Canada has characterized as "irresponsible" the reported comparisons of Prime Minister Stephen Harper to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler by Liberal candidate Brent Fullard , who is running in the Ontario riding of Whitby-Oshawa.

The Jewish human rights organization has called on Liberal leader Stéphane Dion to refuse to confirm this candidate's nomination at a meeting scheduled for later today, unless Fullard apologizes for his offensive remarks.

http://dustmybroom.com/content/view/5433/999999/

Edited September 19, 2008 by betsy

[nothinarian]

Mike Duffy announced that it's not only the Conservatives who got MPs on the hot seat. He mused why there's not much being said about them. Well, MDuffy decided to list them. There's one for the NDP and the Green.....and 3 for the Liberals!

Simon Bedard and Ricardo Lopez, both from Quebec (racist comments), and Brent Fullard from Ontario (can't remember for what).

Simple...leftwing media have it out for Harper ideologically and revenge focussed for him playing them like a harp during his first term

Financial conservatives(although Harper shed that nomer once becoming the biggest spending government in Cdn history) are bane of the left - add so-con perception and voila - big KICK-ME sign glows neon on their backs

And... makes good TV/sells papers

[Bryan]

Simple...leftwing media have it out for Harper ideologically and revenge focussed for him playing them like a harp during his first term

I don't believe that it's that malicious. To me, it appears to be a much simpler motivation.

We've seen this many times before, regardless of the who was on top. One candidate gets a big head start in the polls. There's not a compelling long term story there. If they can somehow damage the front runner's image, it creates a controversy that keeps the viewer/reader/listener's interest. A tight race sells more ink.

[nothinarian]

I don't believe that it's that malicious. To me, it appears to be a much simpler motivation.

We've seen this many times before, regardless of the who was on top. One candidate gets a big head start in the polls. There's not a compelling long term story there. If they can somehow damage the front runner's image, it creates a controversy that keeps the viewer/reader/listener's interest. A tight race sells more ink.

Agreed as mentioned in last line of post

"And... makes good TV/sells papers"

[peter_puck]

Simple...leftwing media have it out for Harper ideologically and revenge focussed for him playing them like a harp during his first term

The media prints what people want to read. While the other individuals said some dumb things, what the Conservative minister said had a greater shock value, and was much more orriginal. It is a more interesting story. Harper compounded the problem by appearing to blame the person who released the information to the public. (he had a bit of a point, but it was a totally dumbass thing to do).

To put it another way, a few elections ago in Quebec, there were all sorts of scandals and dumb remarks, but the picture of the BQ leader wearing a hair net got all the press. Does that mean there is a big anti-BQ media conspiracy ? Same with Dukakis ridding the tank/jumping the shark. That got played over and over again by the media, does that mean the media is anti-Democrat ?

While we are at it, lets look at puffin poop and Hitler. Obviously one was a lot more serious that the other. The puffin poop thing was different and kinda funny, so it got all the media play.

[cybercoma]

The media is a whore for revenue. I don't know what else to say about these articles and reports. Although it's important for the constituents to have this information, it certainly isn't national news. An individual candidate sticking his/her foot in his/her mouth is not indicative of their party's policies. It's absolutely terrible what some of these people have been saying, but that reflects on them as individuals, not on the party's for which they are campaigning.

[M.Dancer]

The media is a whore for revenue. I don't know what else to say about these articles and reports. Although it's important for the constituents to have this information, it certainly isn't national news. An individual candidate sticking his/her foot in his/her mouth is not indicative of their party's policies. It's absolutely terrible what some of these people have been saying, but that reflects on them as individuals, not on the party's for which they are campaigning.

As someone one who is in media, on the business side I agree with your opening statement. I could care less about the editorial agenda of the vehicle I work for as long as it delivers the content that the consumer wants. I would say that stories of politicians and their hubris...politicians being embarrassed by their statements or actions is always newsworthy during an election regardless of the party.

A bone head candidate is not indicitave of the party, it's indictative of their own personal restraint and the parties vetting process.

[White Doors]

As someone one who is in media, on the business side I agree with your opening statement. I could care less about the editorial agenda of the vehicle I work for as long as it delivers the content that the consumer wants. I would say that stories of politicians and their hubris...politicians being embarrassed by their statements or actions is always newsworthy during an election regardless of the party.

A bone head candidate is not indicitave of the party, it's indictative of their own personal restraint and the parties vetting process.

True, but bias is displayed by the newsroom on what they 'run' with. The conservative 'scandals' get all the playtime and the Liberal, NDP and Green 'scandals' seemingly don't have the prominence or longevity compared to the conservatives.

There was a media poll a few years back and over 70% of the people in the media said that they are NDp supporters...

Not sure why, but there ya go.

[M.Dancer]

True, but bias is displayed by the newsroom on what they 'run' with. The conservative 'scandals' get all the playtime and the Liberal, NDP and Green 'scandals' seemingly don't have the prominence or longevity compared to the conservatives.

There was a media poll a few years back and over 70% of the people in the media said that they are NDp supporters...

Not sure why, but there ya go.

By media I'm sure that means writers and editors.

Most of the editors I know are left leaning.....and most of the editors I know are business editors....but they are professionals and don't let their politics interfere with what is a good story.

[White Doors]

No it was reporters too.

Business Editors left leaning?

odd.

[eyeball]

I don't believe that it's that malicious. To me, it appears to be a much simpler motivation.

We've seen this many times before, regardless of the who was on top. One candidate gets a big head start in the polls. There's not a compelling long term story there. If they can somehow damage the front runner's image, it creates a controversy that keeps the viewer/reader/listener's interest. A tight race sells more ink.

Another good reason to simply hardwire politicians to the Internet is that it cuts the middlemen and spinmeisters out of the picture.

[eyeball]

By media I'm sure that means writers and editors.

Most of the editors I know are left leaning.....and most of the editors I know are business editors....but they are professionals and don't let their politics interfere with what is a good story.

They're only human. You said most instead of all and as we all know it only takes a few bad apples to spoil the barrel.

[M.Dancer]

No it was reporters too.

Business Editors left leaning?

odd.

Writers=reporters...

Most...not all. I don't think Terry Corcoran is by any stretch left although John Stackhouse is...

[Argus]

del

Edited September 19, 2008 by Argus

[DrGreenthumb]

del

If anyone thinks the media is biased against conservatives they must be smokin too many bible pages. Most Media is PRIVATELY owned by large corporations. Millionaires are not often left biased. The only media we have in this country that isn't totally slanted in favour of the conservatives is the CBC, and all we ever hear is the cons crying about how unfairly the CBC treats them. The Sun Chain, Globemedia and the chorus radio network practically campaign for the cons in every election. The fact that we still get to read stories about crappy conservative candidates and policies is just an indicator of how bad the cons actually ARE.

[Smallc]

The only media we have in this country that isn't totally slanted in favour of the conservatives is the CBC,

That's not anymore true than saying the media overall has a leftist bias. CTV is in the centre and tries to remain balanced on most issues. Global seems to have a slight bias to the right and is more interested in sensationalizing than information in many cases.

IMO of course.

Edited September 20, 2008 by Smallc

[Pliny]

If anyone thinks the media is biased against conservatives they must be smokin too many bible pages. Most Media is PRIVATELY owned by large corporations. Millionaires are not often left biased. The only media we have in this country that isn't totally slanted in favour of the conservatives is the CBC, and all we ever hear is the cons crying about how unfairly the CBC treats them. The Sun Chain, Globemedia and the chorus radio network practically campaign for the cons in every election. The fact that we still get to read stories about crappy conservative candidates and policies is just an indicator of how bad the cons actually ARE.

Millionaires are not often interested in politics. Billionaires are often interested in maintiaing their status and attempt to ensure their status so are left-leaning. They have generally eliminated most competition to their enterprises and now engage in the lobbying game to politically secure their monopoly. It is not odd that Capitalists such as Ted Turner, George Soros, Bill Gates, and Canadian billionaires and multi-millionaires such as the Desmarais' tend to be left-leaning socialists. They have now become Philanthropists and like to influence how government spends its money. All good intentioned of course but don't fool with them because they can crush you like a bug. And that is how they view opposition, besides people in general are pretty dopey so they need all the help they can get, and no one is going to stop the philanthropist from helping.

[JB Globe]

Mike Duffy announced that it's not only the Conservatives who got MPs on the hot seat. He mused why there's not much being said about them. Well, MDuffy decided to list them. There's one for the NDP and the Green.....and 3 for the Liberals!

Simon Bedard and Ricardo Lopez, both from Quebec (racist comments), and Brent Fullard from Ontario (can't remember for what).

Keep in mind that none of these people are elected officials, they're all candidates running in remote ridings for the most part - which makes it less newsworthy.

The listeria comments were made not only by an elected Con, but by a Cabinet minister. The higher up these things go, the more play they get on the news.

Also consider that while these candidates were allowed to "voluntarily resign" (meaning, they were given the choice between getting thrown out, or throwing themselves out) while the cabinet minister in the listeria comment story is still in the mix.

[Bryan]

If anyone thinks the media is biased against conservatives they must be smokin too many bible pages. Most Media is PRIVATELY owned by large corporations. Millionaires are not often left biased. The only media we have in this country that isn't totally slanted in favour of the conservatives is the CBC, and all we ever hear is the cons crying about how unfairly the CBC treats them.

Have you been watching the election coverage at all? Global and CTV have been the most strident critics of the Conservatives. CBC's coverage has been significantly more balanced.

Again, it's not a right vs. left issue. It's just controversy sells.

[kengs333]

Simple...leftwing media have it out for Harper ideologically and revenge focussed for him playing them like a harp during his first term

Financial conservatives(although Harper shed that nomer once becoming the biggest spending government in Cdn history) are bane of the left - add so-con perception and voila - big KICK-ME sign glows neon on their backs

And... makes good TV/sells papers

Actually, everything that I've seen suggests that the media wants the Cons to win. There media in this country is not left-wing; it is very corporate in its outlook.

The only reason that Harper could be getting more flak is because Harper has traditionally been hostile and antagonistic towards the media. They don't like PMs trying to control and manipulate what they report, so after two and a half years of his nonsense in this regard, it's payback time. It has nothing to do with political partisanship, although most Con supporters are so deluded by their strident ideological biases that they really just don't get it.

[DrGreenthumb]

Actually, everything that I've seen suggests that the media wants the Cons to win. There media in this country is not left-wing; it is very corporate in its outlook.

The only reason that Harper could be getting more flak is because Harper has traditionally been hostile and antagonistic towards the media. They don't like PMs trying to control and manipulate what they report, so after two and a half years of his nonsense in this regard, it's payback time. It has nothing to do with political partisanship, although most Con supporters are so deluded by their strident ideological biases that they really just don't get it.

The cons think they can just say sorry about stuff and all should be forgiven, at least the other parties have fired their candidates who run off at the mouth. I wonder if it is their christian fundamentalism showing through thinking anything can be forgiven if you only ask for forgiveness. I have news for Harper, the Canadian electorate are not as forgiving as God and Jesus. We expect consequences for misbehaving politiicans, just like they expect harsh consequences for teeneagers caught smoking the devil weed. Maybe the cons could amend bill c-26 so that a person caught growing a single pot-plant would only get the mandaTORY minimum sentence if they don't apologize "sincerely" for gardening.

[Topaz]

I find dear old Duffy more bias than anyone. He was there for Mulroney and he's here for Harper which is ok but please don't show your bias on TV, stay balanced.

[kengs333]

The cons think they can just say sorry about stuff and all should be forgiven, at least the other parties have fired their candidates who run off at the mouth. I wonder if it is their christian fundamentalism showing through thinking anything can be forgiven if you only ask for forgiveness. I have news for Harper, the Canadian electorate are not as forgiving as God and Jesus. We expect consequences for misbehaving politiicans, just like they expect harsh consequences for teeneagers caught smoking the devil weed. Maybe the cons could amend bill c-26 so that a person caught growing a single pot-plant would only get the mandaTORY minimum sentence if they don't apologize "sincerely" for gardening.

Um, no. It's arrogance and politically motivated. It has nothing to do with religion or or a notion of "forgiveness". If Harper was really a "fundamentalist," then he wouldn't be involved in politics in the first place.

[kengs333]

B'nai Brith Canada has characterized as "irresponsible" the reported comparisons of Prime Minister Stephen Harper to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler by Liberal candidate Brent Fullard , who is running in the Ontario riding of Whitby-Oshawa.

The Jewish human rights organization has called on Liberal leader Stéphane Dion to refuse to confirm this candidate's nomination at a meeting scheduled for later today, unless Fullard apologizes for his offensive remarks.

http://dustmybroom.com/content/view/5433/999999/

You have to remember that this kind of rhetoric is largely based on the fact that they support Harper. Whatever the case, Harper has demonstrated that he has fascist tendancies, and the irony of this should not go unnoticed. The one problem that Canadians seem to have is not seening people for who and what they are; they are all to happy to subscribe to ideolized myths and have their opinions shaped for fear of being labelled and intimidated.