Lethbridge’s 'Man Who Wasn’t There' heads to Ottawa as Tory MP

[Rick]

He was dubbed The Man Who Wasn’t There – Jim Hillyer, a first-time Conservative candidate in the southern Alberta city of Lethbridge.

Mr. Hillyer replaced a popular outgoing MP in the Tory stronghold, but set about a quiet absentee campaign that stirred an uproar in the tightly knit community, which is accustomed to meeting its candidates.

He earned his moniker from a local newspaper after failing to show up at a pair of debates, repeatedly refusing interview requests and declining to speak to a local blogger who used Twitter to track him down while he was door knocking, an activity he said was more important. (In a video of the encounter posted online, Mr. Hillyer said he couldn’t talk because he had to use the bathroom.)

“All campaigns, they gather their [supporters] and encourage them to go vote. That’s what the main purpose of a campaign is,” Mr. Hillyer told the blogger, Rod Leland, in declining to answer a question.

Protesters gathered outside Mr. Hillyer’s office, pressing him to make a public comment. He declined, and his campaign manager offered the crowd pizza.

More on Alberta's Conservative invisible pizza boy MP's campaign

[betsy]

So that was during the election campaign. We know why some Con candidates, especially the new ones were running away from the Con-witch-hunting media. Old news.

Let us know when he makes a boo-boo.

[Rick]

So that was during the election campaign. We know why some Con candidates, especially the new ones were running away from the Con-witch-hunting media. Old news.

Let us know when he makes a boo-boo.

Well we'll have to wait until his master, Czar Harper allows his minions to speak.

Or the Ministry of Propaganda releases a statement which he is permitted to parrot like an obedient servant should.

[betsy]

Well we'll have to wait until his master, Czar Harper allows his minions to speak.

Or the Ministry of Propaganda releases a statement which he is permitted to parrot like an obedient servant should.

Then wait.

In the meantime, let's talk about those who are making boo-boos now.

Edited May 8, 2011 by betsy

[pegasus]

So far I've heard nothing from the new Tory MPs. Harper probably told everyone before the election to not talk until after he meets with them. If Layton did the same, his MPs are not really following the rules.

Edited May 8, 2011 by pegasus

[pegasus]

He earned his moniker from a local newspaper after failing to show up at a pair of debates, repeatedly refusing interview requests and declining to speak to a local blogger who used Twitter to track him down while he was door knocking.

At least he was in his riding during the campaign, doing what campaigners do.

[Topaz]

There were a number of Tories through Canada that didn't show up at debates. Why? Well, as one Tory candidate said in one debate, let's move on, when the topic of contempt and democracy came up. He didn't want to talk about it and he didn't show up for two debates that were put on by high school students and another by the CAW, which he said he was much too busy visiting retirement homes. BUT, when he heard the debate was cancelled, he told the local paper, I'm ready to go!

[Molly]

Then there's stuff like this one:

http://bcinto.blogspot.com/2010/11/why-is-julian-fantino-in-conservative.html

"Why is Julian Fantino in the Conservative Candidate Protection Program?"

Edited May 8, 2011 by Molly

[punked]

Don't care the voters voted for him. Welcome to democracy.

[cybercoma]

These kind of criticisms are getting tired already. By now it should be obvious that all the parties have candidates that they place in ridings. I accept that they bring their local constituencies' concerns to the caucus meetings, so it's preferable that they live there; however, backbenchers have little to no clout and do not determine the direction of the party, nor funding decisions. Like I said in other threads, they could put a monkey in a fez hat in the riding's seat and have it vote along party lines. People should be voting for the "brand" that represents their vision of Canada and they can rest assured that the MP, regardless of whether they lived in the constituency or not, will vote along the party lines and deliver the ideological approach that is to be expected. For this reason, I believe the objection to PR on the grounds that there's no local representative does not work. There is very little, if any local representation now anyway.

[Tilter]

Well we'll have to wait until his master, Czar Harper allows his minions to speak.

Or the Ministry of Propaganda releases a statement which he is permitted to parrot like an obedient servant should.

Well, at least it sounds like he knows how to speak English which is a turnaround from the Non French speaking NDP MP from QUE who didn't campaign because she would have been booted before the election. w I I guess that shows how anxious the Quebec voters were to get rid of the Bloc.

[Rick]

Well, at least it sounds like he knows how to speak English which is a turnaround from the Non French speaking NDP MP from QUE who didn't campaign because she would have been booted before the election. w I I guess that shows how anxious the Quebec voters were to get rid of the Bloc.

Actually what it shows it just how much the people of Quebec despise the Conservatives.

As far as the language issue is concerned, the NDP candidate from Quebec is apparently bilingual.

Want to bet that the invisible Conservative MP from Alberta can't speak both of Canada's official language. Of course nobody will be able to ask him because he's unable to speak English without Harper's blessing....

[betsy]

Actually what it shows it just how much the people of Quebec despise the Conservatives.

And the Liberals too. And although they don't despise the Bloc, polling result shows how much they find it so irrelevant....much more than the Tories and Grits!

I predict that by next election, Harper will gain more seats in Quebec!

As far as the language issue is concerned, the NDP candidate from Quebec is apparently bilingual.

Uh-uh. Not the Vegas Lady. She could hardly speak French...and Craig Oliver said today on Question Period, she could hardly pronounce the name of her own riding! Imagine that.

Edited May 8, 2011 by betsy

[Rick]

And the Liberals too.

Uh-uh. Not the Vegas Lady. She could hardly speak French...and Craig Oliver said today on Question Period, she could hardly pronounce the name of her own riding! Imagine that.

Care to try again :rolleyes:

The newly minted parliamentarian spoke some French during the interview, but acknowledged she was "nervous" speaking the language, despite having a French father and attending French-immersion high school.

Here's the link to help educate what appears to be a common trait of Conservatives continual ignorance on her

Edited May 8, 2011 by Rick

[Rick]

And I'm betting she can speak a great deal more French than the Conservative pizza boy from Alberta.

[betsy]

Of course nobody will be able to ask him because he's unable to speak English without Harper's blessing....

Good! At least that shows he knows how to listen! That's part of the learning process....all rookies go through that. Not just in politics. It's called "training." I

Positive sign that he's a Team Player!

Know what happens when a player doesn't follow his coach?

NDP ought to have a good serious chat with this young lad.

Usually that's the downside of being too young - impulsiveness, refreshing candour that often times get you (and the Party) into sticky situations!

Edited May 8, 2011 by betsy

[Rick]

Good! At least that shows he knows how to listen! That's part of the learning process....all rookies go through that. Not just in politics. It's called "training."

NDP ought to have a good serious chat with this young lad.

Usually that's the downside of being too young - impulsiveness, refreshing candour that often times get you (and the Party) into sticky situations!

No that shows he's spineless and doesn't have the guts to speak for himself.

Something that's all too common with the lemmings that follow Harper's tyrant rule without question.

When they muzzle individual thought, they muzzle freedom.

I'd be very disappointed to see the NDP follow the Conservative party which clearly hates free speech and holds contempt for democracy

[fellowtraveller]

And I'm betting she can speak a great deal more French than the Conservative pizza boy from Alberta.

Why would the guy from Alberta need to speak French in his constituency? If he is from Lethbridge, Japanese would be more useful. Seriously.

I don't think Jacques Layton would want to stifle a separatist mouthpiece in his caucus, after all Jacques does have to keep everybody in Quebec happy and on his side. I feel sorry for Jacques, it is a hopeless, thankless task.

[punked]

Lets all wait until they actually start doing their job to Hang any of them please. I am sure the new Parliament will have duds but right now they haven't even been given a chance.

[Sandy MacNab]

And I'm betting she can speak a great deal more French than the Conservative pizza boy from Alberta.

Your point? English is the only language spoken in Alberta.

[pegasus]

Well, at least it sounds like he knows how to speak English which is a turnaround from the Non French speaking NDP MP from QUE who didn't campaign because she would have been booted before the election. w I I guess that shows how anxious the Quebec voters were to get rid of the Bloc.

Gilles Duceppe hung himself during the French debates. He knew that the people in Quebec would vote in this election to try to dispose of the Conservative party, or at least keep the Conservatives as a minority government. But Duceppe didn't learn from history. Do not threaten Quebecers. They will hang you for it. By making the statement that the BQ was the only thing standing in the way of a Conservative majority, the people of Quebec said, at the election, "Thats not true Mr. Duceppe. There is another option." The people in Quebec didn't vote for the NDP, they voted against Harper, and after the debates, against Duceppe.

Edited May 9, 2011 by pegasus

[Oleg Bach]

Care to try again :rolleyes:

Here's the link to help educate what appears to be a common trait of Conservatives continual ignorance on her

Huge font is childish - can you show me how to do that-_-- It is evident that all parties have stacked their decks with unqualifed persons - which makes sense when you are developing an early style of American dictatorial rule...YOU really don`t need the democratic input of these newbees - seeing they will have no power any way. Let them collect the money and sit and understand that their position is in vanity.

[Rick]

Your point? English is the only language spoken in Alberta.

So your defence is ignorance is Albertans excuse?

All MP's should be required to speak both languages if they which to serve this country.

You are aware that Canada has 2 official languages aren't you or is Alberta's bigotry that deep that you feel having an MP capable of speaking both languages shouldn't apply to it..

[Rick]

Huge font is childish - can you show me how to do that-_--

Ask your right wing friend betsy...she's a frequent abuser.

It is evident that all parties have stacked their decks with unqualifed persons - which makes sense when you are developing an early style of American dictatorial rule...

I've seen more of it from the Harper Conservatives and to a lesser degree, the Liberals.

YOU really don`t need the democratic input of these newbees - seeing they will have no power any way.

Ah so they must not be allowed to bring a fresh ideas into the old boys club...democracy be dammed..they must be silenced at all costs.

The Taliban would likely agree with you on this.

Let them collect the money and sit and understand that their position is in vanity.

So basically what you're saying is you support welfare for MP's?

[Oleg Bach]

Don't care the voters voted for him. Welcome to democracy.

Good point - It does not matter if the majority is always wrong...welcome to a system that takes pride in it's defects and failings.