MP Calandra's apology

[On Guard for Thee]

Can't wait until October to do just that.

[On Guard for Thee]

Oh yeah, next October. Dammit!

[GostHacked]

Can't wait until October to do just that.

Has that worked before? Why do we have to wait a year in order to hold these idiots accountable for their idiocy? Parliament is a joke and no longer is effective in handling the real issues.

Harper is making ISIS a Canada problem when our 'friends' south of the 49th with other western powers created the problem in the first place. Imagine if they never had armed the Muhajedeen in Afghanistan. It was a response to push back the Soviets in Afghanistan is still kicking our asses decades later in terms of blowback and international terrorism.

[On Guard for Thee]

Canada didn't have much to do with the Mjahden but i get your point. Involving and aiding locals who share your concept is not a bad idea, but abandoning them after they have served their purpose is a bad idea. That's where Taliban came from and now ISIS. Eventually we might get it right but I think it is important to take some responsibility and stop these whackos from cutting heads off and raping just because they can get away with it.

[Smallc]

I think it might be difficult to do, but as Peter Milliken said, it's question period, not answer period.

[Topaz]

Last night on the news, one report asked the Tory Whip if it was Paul's idea to say what he said and the reply was HE is taking responsibility for it. NOT, yes or no and then later it was reported that sources of one of the reporters said, information, they had, it say it was PMO's idea for the answer as usual. So this just shows how willing this party is to lie to the public and to Parliament. Paul, should have used the line by Harper...I didn't now.

[cybercoma]

I think it might be difficult to do, but as Peter Milliken said, it's question period, not answer period.

That old joke is an insult to parliamentary democracy. Any Speaker of the House that uses that as an excuse not to moderate debate should be tarred and feathered in the streets of Ottawa.

Edit: Keep in mind that I don't think the speaker should determine whether an answer is subjectively good, but he/she certainly should be able to determine whether an answer is relevant, or on-topic, or not.

Edited September 27, 2014 by cybercoma

[On Guard for Thee]

Calandra stuck his foot in it further today on "The House". He said at one point that sometimes you don't actually know the answer to a question so you have to "spin" and that everybody does that. Later on he admitted he already knew that question was going to be the opener and he had the answers written in his notes. So, by his own admission, he had the answers so didn't need to spin, but he did anyway. oops.

[cybercoma]

Calandra stuck his foot in it further today on "The House". He said at one point that sometimes you don't actually know the answer to a question so you have to "spin" and that everybody does that. Later on he admitted he already knew that question was going to be the opener and he had the answers written in his notes. So, by his own admission, he had the answers so didn't need to spin, but he did anyway. oops.

Even if he doesn't know the answer, and this is why I don't think the Speaker should determine whether an answer is subjectively good, he should state simply that he doesn't know the answer or that they will not answer the question.

Is that an embarrassment to the executive branch saying those things? Absolutely. But fact of the matter is, if you don't know the answer, then you're clearly not prepared. It does call into question your executive's ability to govern. So come prepared.

[On Guard for Thee]

I tend to think his statement today bolsters the idea that he was given his orders from the PMO to start with. Why would he wade into such a shitstorm over such a straightforward question he already admittedly had the answers to otherwise?

[cybercoma]

Because Conservative MPs are sock puppets for unelected bureaucrats. It's an insult to Parliament.

[ReeferMadness]

Because Conservative MPs are sock puppets for unelected bureaucrats. It's an insult to Parliament.

Your statement is an insult to sock puppets everywhere. Please apologize immediately. Crying is optional.

[Argus]

Because Conservative MPs are sock puppets for unelected bureaucrats. It's an insult to Parliament.

I agree. I just wish I had any confidence it would be the least bit different in a Liberal or NDP government.

[cybercoma]

I agree. I just wish I had any confidence it would be the least bit different in a Liberal or NDP government.

it absolutely would not. Not without serious changes.

Edit: would not be different that is

Edited September 27, 2014 by cybercoma

[Solidarity]

What a pathetic state of affairs for the house of commons. Has the level of discourse ever been lower? These clowns and anyone who condones or accepts this state of affairs is guilty of undermining Canadian democracy. I would love it if the party system or FPTP would disappear overnight, perhaps then we could get a productive government, based on good ideas and consensus instead of based on party power and ideology. What we have now hardly even resembles a representative, functional democracy.

[Michael Hardner]

Although I don't have too many problems with FPTP, I agree 100% that the current system will wither and die if the parties continue to abuse the process. Question Period is an archaic and perhaps useless way to challenge the government, but they should at least respond to questions.

[Moonlight Graham]

After some confused looks from his colleagues, they heartily applaud while cheering "hear hear".... And now MP Calandra is crying about that answer! Shouldn't the other Conservative Party members who cheered this nonsensical answer also apologise for being party hacks and nothing more? What an embarrassment.

Yes, very embarrassing for the whole CPC. Those applauding members should all apologize, I agree. It was a good apology but all shouldn't be forgiven.

[hitops]

It seems pretty doubtful that being the primary speaker for the PC's, he would not have had an idea what question was coming and what his answer would be. It also seems doubtful that he was freelancing, it was probably planned. And yes it's likely Harper or somebody high up that told him to say it.

Definitely looks bad for them, add it to the list of goofball incidents and clownish behavior.

However, when I vote I don't put a lot of weight on the doofus-factor of the politician themselves. I just assume all politicians in major roles are double-speaking, nonsense-peddling, self-aggrandizing caricatures to some extent. I want to know what the government policies are, and if they tend to deliver on them. If they have people riding in military planes to look tough, drinking $16 orange juices, or giving nonsense in question period, that's something to think about but not the main thing.

How this the policy of this government affect me and my family, and Canada at large? That's the question at the ballot box, I couldn't care if someone is drinking $1600 orange juice.