The return of Svend Robinson

[plusgood]

Svend Robinson's planned comeback has been in the working for some time now, and it is pretty much official, he seeks nomination in Vancouver-Center. What do people feel about Robinson's political career and the event that took him out of politics? Is he worth a second chance?

I see Robinson as a political activist who helps bring important issues to the political agenda. I am happy to hear that he is recoverying and plans a comeback, I hope he becomes a ficture in the House of Commons again.

[Leader Circle]

He's a lame duck that steals jewelry! Canada's politicians are corrupt enough, they don't need a flakey thief in the mix. Go away Robinson! If he were to win a seat, it would show the complete and utter stupidity of that riding! He made a fool of himself and he should stay out of the media!! Another gay man trying to use his sexuality to get ahead. (no pun intended)

[fellowtraveller]

As a taxpayer. it is comforting to know for certain which politicians are criminals, instead of just wondering and assuming .

[Leafless]

Three words to describe the return of Svend Robinson.

SHAME, SHAME, SHAME.

[tml12]

Svend Robinson's planned comeback has been in the working for some time now, and it is pretty much official, he seeks nomination in Vancouver-Center.  What do people feel about Robinson's political career and the event that took him out of politics? Is he worth a second chance?

I see Robinson as a political activist who helps bring important issues to the political agenda.  I am happy to hear that he is recoverying and plans a comeback, I hope he becomes a ficture in the House of Commons again.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Having read about Robinson's past I have reservations. I mean, I believe in second chances but do we need any more corruption in the House???

[err]

If he were to win a seat, it would show the complete and utter stupidity of that riding!

I think you could say that about a lot of Reform/Conservative candidates....

[August1991]

There are many English Canadians who will be happy to know that Bev Desjarlais is no longer an NDP candidate but Svend Robinson is one.

[Canuck E Stan]

When you can't make it as a lawyer, go into politics.

[tml12]

When you can't make it as a lawyer, go into politics.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

HAHAHA!!!!!!

[Leader Circle]

If he were to win a seat, it would show the complete and utter stupidity of that riding!

I think you could say that about a lot of Reform/Conservative candidates....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Err,

You need to get over your Conservative bashing.... you are useless to this forum and an ignorant little person. Why don't you go somewhere where you are useful, like ratemypoo.com. I am sure they could use a critic with a keen eye for shit!

[newbie]

Err,

You need to get over your Conservative bashing.... you are useless to this forum and an ignorant little person. Why don't you go somewhere where you are useful, like ratemypoo.com. I am sure they could use a critic with a keen eye for shit!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't think this personal attack helps the discussion.

[newbie]

I take it you naysayers aren't the Christian kind. Seems to me somewhere I read about forgiveness. If he were in my riding I might consider voting for him. At least he admitted his failings, and would probably be the last person to be involved in any future scandal or corruption.

[Canuck E Stan]

It's Official,Svend running.

"Again today I want to say how deeply sorry I am," Robinson said Friday, describing the theft as unpremeditated madness.

After the incident, Robinson revealed that he suffers from bipolar disorder and had been prescribed medication. He wouldn't say Friday whether he was still on the medication, but said he sees a therapist regularly.

"I wouldn't be taking this step unless I had the full confidence of my therapist," he said.

And in 1999, he was teargassed at the Summit of the Americas in Quebec City, and won a $10,000 compensation payment after saying he was hit in the leg by a rubber bullet shot by an RCMP member.

teargassed,rubber bullet shot,unpremeditated madness,bipolar disorder,prescribed medication,therapy,guilty of theft.............

Yup, Svend definately ready for Parliament Hill.

[err]

If he were to win a seat, it would show the complete and utter stupidity of that riding!

I think you could say that about a lot of Reform/Conservative candidates....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Err,

You need to get over your Conservative bashing.... you are useless to this forum and an ignorant little person. Why don't you go somewhere where you are useful, like ratemypoo.com. I am sure they could use a critic with a keen eye for shit!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think a lot of people should get over promoting "Conservative" ideals where the general idea is taking from the poor to give to the rich..... I see it as morally wrong, and hence, will fight for what I think is right.

And I'm glad you think that I am critic with a keen eye for your kind of posts... It is the "left bashers", and you shouldn't have much trouble finding them in this particular topic, that inspire me to respond.

You'll note that the "Liberal" supporters have a much more moderate stance, and that is why the Liberals have a much better chance of getting elected than your leader...

[Leader Circle]

If he were to win a seat, it would show the complete and utter stupidity of that riding!

I think you could say that about a lot of Reform/Conservative candidates....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Err,

You need to get over your Conservative bashing.... you are useless to this forum and an ignorant little person. Why don't you go somewhere where you are useful, like ratemypoo.com. I am sure they could use a critic with a keen eye for shit!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think a lot of people should get over promoting "Conservative" ideals where the general idea is taking from the poor to give to the rich..... I see it as morally wrong, and hence, will fight for what I think is right.

And I'm glad you think that I am critic with a keen eye for your kind of posts... It is the "left bashers", and you shouldn't have much trouble finding them in this particular topic, that inspire me to respond.

You'll note that the "Liberal" supporters have a much more moderate stance, and that is why the Liberals have a much better chance of getting elected than your leader...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This whole post was about this Robinson wingnut, not about the Conservative party you dolt!

As for Newbie, I never made a personal attack, I told him he is useless here, as are you if you cannot stay on the topic. Both of you have ADHD?

This constant whining and insulting of the Conservative party is getting old! You 2 should drift away together and find a I "heart" Liberals website or find the I hate Conservatives website, because you are both too ignorant to contribute anything of substance at this forum!!!

You should both give me some credit as well, because that ratemypoo comment was funny....you must admit!!!

[plusgood]

I would have expected some support, that's suprising.

That post about him using his sexual orientation to get ahead was fairly immature and disrespectful.

If you accept that he was suffering from a mental illness and has now sought help for it, then I think it is only reasonable to offer him a second chance.

With that said I definately forsee some difficulty with him entering the house since the sole role of opposition in Canada is to complain about corruption, and he may have trouble justifying complaining at Liberals for allegations against them.

A while ago I received a funny email that discussed the level of criminality in the House of Commons in terms of criminal records and current investigations for largely business related fraud claims; the numbers were shocking, but unfortunately I cannot find it. Anyone else have this information anywhere?

[Leader Circle]

I would have expected some support, that's suprising. 

That post about him using his sexual orientation to get ahead was fairly immature and disrespectful. 

If you accept that he was suffering from a mental illness and has now sought help for it, then I think it is only reasonable to offer him a second chance.

With that said I definately forsee some difficulty with him entering the house since the sole role of opposition in Canada is to complain about corruption, and he may have trouble justifying complaining at Liberals for allegations against them.

A while ago I received a funny email that discussed the level of criminality in the House of Commons in terms of criminal records and current investigations for largely business related fraud claims; the numbers were shocking, but unfortunately I cannot find it.  Anyone else have this information anywhere?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is it not true that he gets places because he is "openly gay"??? It's not like he is the first either!

My only point was, he is a proven thief, mentally unstable(or at least chemically dependant). Why would ANYONE want to give this guy a second chance?

Are you surprised?

Also, that email about the politicians and their police records is from the States. I think it was never based on any facts, just sounded good!

[Argus]

I would have expected some support, that's suprising. 

That post about him using his sexual orientation to get ahead was fairly immature and disrespectful. 

If you accept that he was suffering from a mental illness and has now sought help for it, then I think it is only reasonable to offer him a second chance.

First, I don't accept it. I think this illness was invented. Second, we don't need people with mental illnesses running the country, thanks.

A while ago I received a funny email that discussed the level of criminality in the House of Commons in terms of criminal records and current investigations for largely business related fraud claims; the numbers were shocking, but unfortunately I cannot find it.  Anyone else have this information anywhere?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I remember it. I also remember it was fraudulent.

[Guest eureka]

He did not have a mental illness. Nor does he seem to be a thief or a criminal. He did what tens of thousands do every year when stress gets on top of them.

It can't be explained but it is common and done by many decent, law abiding people. He snapped.

[Canuck E Stan]

So Eureka, what is this illness that causes you to go into denial?

[plusgood]

Well I think he also has admitted to suffering from Bipolar disorder as well as snapping due to stress.

I think people need to be really careful about how they discuss mental illness. Many people suffer from it, and many people with appropriate help can live relatively normal lives. So, it's not a question of fearing whether someone with mental illness will be in Parliament, it's a question of whether this person has received the correct level of help, something I think he has.

Secondly, I do have a problem with saying that BECAUSE he is openly gay he is getting somewhere. Obviously he is going to champion issues that are important to him, those issues have included, but are not exclusively, related to gay and lesbian rights. I guess it is a bizarre arguement to elude to the fact that he is only successful because he is a homosexual.

Also I am not overly suprised I suppose, I thought there would be some support. I personally support his record and I think it's important to have MPs like him in the House of Commons, he's a stubborn loudmouth, but he also won't shy away from issues that he feels are important. He wants people to judge him on his whole record, and if I do that I find myself supportive and hopeful that he is successful whenever an election is called.

[fellowtraveller]

Nor does he seem to be a thief or a criminal.

He is demonstrably and unquestionably both a thief and a criminal.

The question is: is this an advantage or disadvantage for serving in the Commons?

[Riverwind]

If you accept that he was suffering from a mental illness and has now sought help for it, then I think it is only reasonable to offer him a second chance.

I don't buy the mental illness excuse and his use of it undermines the thousands of people who really have these debilitating conditions. That said people do deserve second chances, however, only after they have come clean with exactly what they have done and the offense is completely unrelated to job they want to do. In my opinion, Svend's whinging about mental illness and the fact 'theft' of any sort is a extremly sensitive issue in Canadian politics add up to one thing: Svend does not deserve a second chance.

[fellowtraveller]

How long until Svend plays the 'I'm a persecuted gay person' card?

[Leader Circle]

How long until Svend plays the 'I'm a persecuted gay person' card?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Very soon I suspect!

If you think he deserves a second chance Plus...why not let Karla Homolka run for office, after all, if she is properly rehabilitated, she is ok to run, right?

Let me quote you plusgood:

"I think people need to be really careful about how they discuss mental illness. Many people suffer from it, and many people with appropriate help can live relatively normal lives. So, it's not a question of fearing whether someone with mental illness will be in Parliament, it's a question of whether this person has received the correct level of help, something I think he has."

Now.... let's go back to your discussion. I know these two are at different ends of the spectrum, but if we are already forgiving, why not go a little further?

Would you want Karla living next to you? I wouldn't. That is also why I don't want Svend in parliment. Damaged goods!