RCMP IED's....

Michael Hardner · July 3, 2012

Didn't realize we were, even arguing. I just pointed out something that some might be bothered by... perhaps even the hundreds of people that line the bridges along the 401 and DVP?

Are you bothered by it ? If not, then why bring it up ?

Shakeyhands · July 3, 2012

Are you bothered by it ? If not, then why bring it up ?

Ummm to discuss it.

Signals.Cpl · July 3, 2012

Ummm to discuss it.

There is nothing to discuss, everything that comes out of a person's mouth could be found as offensive by someone else. It's a fact of life, you could smake the most innocent comment/joke and someone, somewhere will be offended.

Michael Hardner · July 3, 2012

Ummm to discuss it.

To discuss what ? How an inopportune or poorly chosen remark might play with the electorate ?

Shakeyhands · July 3, 2012

To discuss what ? How an inopportune or poorly chosen remark might play with the electorate ?

Not sure what you are getting at here Michael. I suppose there are a few reasons I posted this:

1)Should the PM and Chief of Defence be making jokes like this?

2)How would the families, friends and others feel about the "joke" and was it appropriate?

3) Is there a reasonable expectation of privacy for these men, even at a public event?

I imagine there are a few more topics of discussion that could come out of it. So far though, I've only been questioned as to the veracity of my claim, and been questioned as to the validity of the discussion or non-discussion, whichever your case is.

CPCFTW · July 3, 2012

The PM later remarked "I'm starving.. Let's get a bite to eat".

Is this classless given the amount of children who actually are starving in Africa? Should the PM of our country have more class? I think an RCMP investigation is in order.

PIK · July 3, 2012

Some people need to get a life. Do you follow everything harper does and says to try and get some dirt on the lad.

cybercoma · July 3, 2012

It was a joke

You think it's a joke that Canadians were killed in Afghanistan by IEDs? Do you think their families think it's a joke?

Signals.Cpl · July 3, 2012

You think it's a joke that Canadians were killed in Afghanistan by IEDs? Do you think their families think it's a joke?

No, their families don't think that IED's are a joke, but every joke ABOUT IED's is not insulting or degrading to the dead. Oh look the RCMP horse is dropping IED's... I think this is simply a little joke that people are trying to blow way out of proportions because we use terms that refer to places/events where a lot of canadians died...I am down in the trenches, this being offensive to WW1 soldiers who lived and died for 4 years in those trenches. I personally think that you find this oh so offensive because harper was involved, if it was anyone else you would have chuckled and moved on rather than making this huge "problem".

Army Guy · July 3, 2012

You think it's a joke that Canadians were killed in Afghanistan by IEDs? Do you think their families think it's a joke?

As one that has been blown up myself on serveral occasions, i did not find the remarks offensive, nor is it in my opinion that it was meant to be offensive...infact the CDS has himself been involved in IED's personally.

Do i think the families would think it would be a joke, no i don't think so. and one would have to watch your targeted listener in this case the CDS but we did elect people not machines and they do tend to say the wrong thing at the wrong time.

cybercoma · July 3, 2012

No, their families don't think that IED's are a joke, but every joke ABOUT IED's is not insulting or degrading to the dead. Oh look the RCMP horse is dropping IED's... I think this is simply a little joke that people are trying to blow way out of proportions because we use terms that refer to places/events where a lot of canadians died...I am down in the trenches, this being offensive to WW1 soldiers who lived and died for 4 years in those trenches. I personally think that you find this oh so offensive because harper was involved, if it was anyone else you would have chuckled and moved on rather than making this huge "problem".

What makes you think I find it offensive? I'm just asking questions.

Wilber · July 3, 2012

Interesting how quick some people who have never shared the same experience can be to tell others what should offend them.

IED's were not invented in Afghanistan and it is just a term for another ingenious way humans have found to kill each other. Are we now being offensive to everyone in history who has been affected by land mines when we use the term to describe random feces? Do I insult anyone who has ever had bombs dropped on them, including my own parents, when I say I stepped in a dog bomb? They would get a kick out of that.

What I find offensive is those who would presume to speak for others without even asking them what they think. How insulting is that.

Signals.Cpl · July 3, 2012

What makes you think I find it offensive? I'm just asking questions.

No, I don't think you found it offensive in and of itself but you found it offensive because Mr Harper said it.

Shakeyhands · July 3, 2012

Some people need to get a life. Do you follow everything harper does and says to try and get some dirt on the lad.

Does my history here indicate that I do?

cybercoma · July 3, 2012

Interesting how quick some people who have never shared the same experience can be to tell others what should offend them.

Where did anyone say people should be offended? I don't see that.

cybercoma · July 3, 2012

No, I don't think you found it offensive in and of itself but you found it offensive because Mr Harper said it.

Don't presume to know what I think.

Signals.Cpl · July 3, 2012

Don't presume to know what I think.

Your posts speak for themselves, it is pretty obvious that you are trying to start something here, it was a simple joke not meant to insult the soldiers who have been killed or wounded, or the once who have been through IED's or the families of those wounded of killed. It is a non-issue that if the statement was made by Mulcair or Dion it wouldn't even be an issue, also the little issue that this might just be the figment of somebody's imagination as I didn't see a source on this adds to the whole thing being a non-issue.

Wilber · July 3, 2012

Where did anyone say people should be offended? I don't see that.

Then why bring it up if you don't know what you are talking about? The opinions of people who haven't been personally affected (including mine), are not relevant.

July 3, 2012

Your posts speak for themselves, it is pretty obvious that you are trying to start something here, it was a simple joke not meant to insult the soldiers who have been killed or wounded, or the once who have been through IED's or the families of those wounded of killed. It is a non-issue that if the statement was made by Mulcair or Dion it wouldn't even be an issue, also the little issue that this might just be the figment of somebody's imagination as I didn't see a source on this adds to the whole thing being a non-issue.

Wouldn’t NDP member Pat Martin’s reference to our Men and Women in uniform being “G.I Joe” and purchasing “War toys” be considered offensive?

Here, I do have a link for this whopper:

http://www.cbc.ca/m/rich/politics/story/2012/06/22/pol-cp-f35-committee-summer.html

Embers of the political firestorm ignited by the report continued to smolder in the Commons, even as MPs packed their bags for summer. Winnipeg NDP member Pat Martin, in criticizing spending on First Nations services, said the Conservative have no problem writing "a blank cheque for G.I. Joe to buy all the war toys that he wants."

Michael Hardner · July 3, 2012

Not sure what you are getting at here Michael. I suppose there are a few reasons I posted this:

1)Should the PM and Chief of Defence be making jokes like this?

If they shouldn't, how would you characterize this statement ? As a faux pas ?

2)How would the families, friends and others feel about the "joke" and was it appropriate?

It seems it may indeed by a faux pas if you're asking this question.

As such, I don't think that missteps are a great topic of discussion except in extreme cases, frankly. This is my personal opinion only, though.

wyly · July 3, 2012

not a big deal IMO...

Shakeyhands · July 3, 2012

Wouldn’t NDP member Pat Martin’s reference to our Men and Women in uniform being “G.I Joe” and purchasing “War toys” be considered offensive?

Here, I do have a link for this whopper:

http://www.cbc.ca/m/rich/politics/story/2012/06/22/pol-cp-f35-committee-summer.html

It is offensive. As a person with two G.I Joe's I find it offensive for sure.

July 3, 2012

It is offensive. As a person with two G.I Joe's I find it offensive for sure.

As far as I know, Mr. Martin’s comments (~1 week old) haven’t been brought here by the opposing “booster club”, it’s possible they haven’t heard them, but it was reported in the media to a greater degree then your OP (I’ve tried my best Google-fu and yet to find any mention)

So where’s the outrage? What “toys” was Mr. Martin referring to? Was it the recent selection of the Textron TAPV? A vehicle designed to protect Canadian “GI Joes” from IEDs?

Shakeyhands · July 3, 2012

As far as I know, Mr. Martin’s comments (~1 week old) haven’t been brought here by the opposing “booster club”, it’s possible they haven’t heard them, but it was reported in the media to a greater degree then your OP (I’ve tried my best Google-fu and yet to find any mention)

So where’s the outrage? What “toys” was Mr. Martin referring to? Was it the recent selection of the Textron TAPV? A vehicle designed to protect Canadian “GI Joes” from IEDs?

I hadn't heard about it, why not point out this sort of thing if you'd like to discuss his choice, unfortunate as they are, of words?

July 3, 2012

I hadn't heard about it, why not point out this sort of thing if you'd like to discuss his choice, unfortunate as they are, of words?

For the same reason I lightly “chastised” you……..To do so would further contribute to what some members term the “decay” surrounding the discussion of federal politics on this site…..Though I’m not above political “sniping” and I fully admit that I’m partisan, at times one must make a personal judgement call and decide if they wish to be part of the problem or solution………Though it’s not a “big deal”, and again my opinion, I’d have expected more from you since I don’t consider your posts to be at the same level as many of the “ political trolls” that have seemed to be popping up here recently………Again, purely my opinion.