Stupid politics - but what did John Williamson Really Say?

[Keepitsimple]

John Williamson has rightly apologized profusely for comments that have been interpreted as racist ....citing as the biggest mistake of his career. It was dumb and stupid. But in the context of his full remarks in addressing Meat Packing and Processing Plant labour shortages, there was no racist intent - just a very clumsy way of explaining the reality of what's happening....and how DARE him - calling me a Whitie!

It's tough being a politician.

iPolitics reports that Williamson made the remarks in response to a question at a conservative policy conference about the shortage of workers in meat packing and processing plants.

The report says Williamson responded by saying he realized labour shortages have been a bigger problem in Western Canada than his own region.

"My part of the country, I deal with temporary foreign workers and the interaction with employment insurance, and it makes no sense from my point of view — I'm going to put this in terms of colours but it's not meant to be about race — it makes no sense to pay 'whities' to stay home while we bring in brown people to work in these jobs," he reportedly said during the Manning Networking Conference.

"When I have 10 to 12 per cent unemployment rates in my province, I'm not going to abide by a policy that encourages people to stay home and collect an EI cheque and bring people from overseas to fill these jobs.

"I know it is different in Western Canada, but I've also seen cases in Western Canada where companies were putting in Mandarin as a requirement for a job requirement, thereby bringing in Chinese workers.

"That is unacceptable."

Link: http://www.thespec.com/news-story/5466198-conservative-mp-sorry-for-offensive-remarks-about-foreign-worker-program/

Edited March 15, 2015 by Keepitsimple

[cybercoma]

There's a motion in the NB legislature, rightfully I might add, to condemn Williamson's remarks. His racist rants have no place in politics and are not representative of this province or its people. Apologize? This dirtbag should resign in shame.

Edited March 15, 2015 by cybercoma

[Michael Hardner]

How is this interpreted as no racist intent now ?

[Bob Macadoo]

He could've easily made his speech without any such references....yet looking at his audience he thought it would play....whether it was in his heart or not.

This joker got elected b/c of his party....not him. A blue monkey could get elected. (I grew up in this riding). The previous rep was dying of cancer yet he still ran and won. If he gets the nomination.....he could say BROWNIE til the cows come home and he'll be elected.

[The_Squid]

So Canadians are all whites and deserve the jobs? What about Canadians who are other colour shades? These aren't really Canadians? Or they don't deserve jobs? Why refer to whites at all and not just refer to Canadians?

[Smallc]

That was pretty dumb and pretty indefensible.

[bush_cheney2004]

Interesting...and directly related to Canadian employment law...is the opposite of "visible minorities" (except First Nations) considered to be "whities" ?

[The_Squid]

That was pretty dumb and pretty indefensible.

The comments make no sense unless Williamson thinks in terms of race and prefers whites get jobs over people with other skin clours... These "others" aren't really Candian, is how I understand those comments. And I think his words are pretty clear really.

[WWWTT]

The comments make no sense unless Williamson thinks in terms of race and prefers whites get jobs over people with other skin clours... These "others" aren't really Candian, is how I understand those comments. And I think his words are pretty clear really.

Ya that's the way I read it as well.

However, it could be that where the TFWP is used the most, the majority of Canadians are white?

Either way, poor choice of words from a Canadian politician.

WWWTT

[Keepitsimple]

The comments make no sense unless Williamson thinks in terms of race and prefers whites get jobs over people with other skin clours... These "others" aren't really Candian, is how I understand those comments. And I think his words are pretty clear really.

Then you understand wrongly because that's the point - the "others" are not Canadians - they are temporary foreign workers. Read the op - and the full context - which of course has been conveniently ignored. The guy even preceded his remark by saying it was "not about race" Since you've based your thoughts of racism on that premise - does it not give you pause to think otherwise?

[jacee]

Then you understand wrongly because that's the point - the "others" are not Canadians - they are temporary foreign workers. Read the op - and the full context - which of course has been conveniently ignored. The guy even preceded his remark by saying it was "not about race"

Ya that's always a dead giveaway. :/

"Whities ... brown people" ?? ... gmab

Do Conservatives often talk that way when they think they are just talking to each other?

Who the hell talks that way?!?!

Edited March 16, 2015 by jacee

[The_Squid]

Then you understand wrongly because that's the point - the "others" are not Canadians - they are temporary foreign workers. Read the op - and the full context - which of course has been conveniently ignored. The guy even preceded his remark by saying it was "not about race" Since you've based your thoughts of racism on that premise - does it not give you pause to think otherwise?

Why did he say "whitey", and not Canadian? Does he not think people of other colour are Canadian as well? Or maybe not as Canadian as the whiteys?

[Topaz]

What is should have said is...why leave CANADIANS sitting on the couch, while bringing in FOREIGN WORKERS. Some MP's need an IQ test for their job! BTW, he said he has 10 % unemployment??? The Tories always brag about how many jobs are in the making, maybe he should talk to his boss and figure out the truth

[guyser]

That was pretty dumb and pretty indefensible.

But theres always one in a crowd who stoop to pretty low levels to try.

It was an incredible dumb thing to say and anyone trying to make it better needs help.

[Bob Macadoo]

What is should have said is...why leave CANADIANS sitting on the couch, while bringing in FOREIGN WORKERS. Some MP's need an IQ test for their job! BTW, he said he has 10 % unemployment??? The Tories always brag about how many jobs are in the making, maybe he should talk to his boss and figure out the truth

To be fair 10% unemployment for NB is about right.

[cybercoma]

To be fair 10% unemployment for NB is about right.

10.4% is the provincial number as of last month, iirc.

[Bob Macadoo]

10.4% is the provincial number as of last month, iirc.

It is the lifelong number.

[guyser]

Were Larry Miller and John Williamson separated at birth?

[Keepitsimple]

Were Larry Miller and John Williamson separated at birth?

Along with - apparently - the vast majority of Canadians. No amount of nuance or ivory-towered, high-browed apologists will altar the basic, gut-level feelings of an incredibly huge number of Canadians - the "demand" to wear the Niqab is a bridge too far. Call-in shows, comment forums and surveys show that Canadians are saying "good - it's about time our politicians spoke up". The fringe element gets a lot of play in the media - but it's being overwhelmed by the tsunami of public opinion that sides with the government. That's just the way it is. Suck it up.

[Black Dog]

Along with - apparently - the vast majority of Canadians. No amount of nuance or ivory-towered, high-browed apologists will altar the basic, gut-level feelings of an incredibly huge number of Canadians - the "demand" to wear the Niqab is a bridge too far.

There's a demand that all Canadians wear the niqab now?

Call-in shows, comment forums and surveys show that Canadians are saying "good - it's about time our politicians spoke up". The fringe element gets a lot of play in the media - but it's being overwhelmed by the tsunami of public opinion that sides with the government. That's just the way it is. Suck it up.

One of the fundamental principles of living in a liberal democracy like ours is that minority rights (such as the right to free expression and practice of one's religion) are safeguarded against the whims of the majority. That's just the way it is. Suck it up.

Edited March 18, 2015 by Black Dog

[jacee]

Along with - apparently - the vast majority of Canadians. No amount of nuance or ivory-towered, high-browed apologists will altar the basic, gut-level feelings of an incredibly huge number of Canadians - the "demand" to wear the Niqab is a bridge too far. Call-in shows, comment forums and surveys show that Canadians are saying "good - it's about time our politicians spoke up". The fringe element gets a lot of play in the media - but it's being overwhelmed by the tsunami of public opinion that sides with the government. That's just the way it is. Suck it up.

The "Vast majority" thought the Irish shouldn't be allowed into Canada during the potato famine either.

Sometimes such ignorance just needs to be ignored while the courts do their job of protecting individual rights and freedoms.

.

Edited March 18, 2015 by jacee

[nerve]

What I find funny it was the brown people that got me to refer to them as brown because that is how they referred to themselves.

Out of Africa with small amounts of neanderthal, and denisovian genes is where we are at these days in terms of race. Oddly first nations people have more Neanderthal genes than Europeans.

This is really an argument about national socialism not race. you know people that come from canada, circa PR WWII, not counting first nations.

It is all a hogwash argument though, but valid cultural politics. This is all about shutting down immigration of non Northern Europeans. It is about regionalism not race.

It is

Xenophobia but not really aimed at race. fact is though brown people like air conditioning.

End of day though there is no skin colour box on job applications.

Just an argument on cultural grounds. The whole a flock is better than a bird in politics.

His many neonazis are in his riding?

Edited March 18, 2015 by nerve