Press Secretary for Paul Martin's Office says:

[Montgomery Burns]

Western Standard: A few drinks and and the PMO blurts out their true feelings

In the wee hours following the always well-lubricated Parliamentary Press Gallery dinner at Ottawa's Museum of Civilization on Oct. 22, Scott Reid, press secretary for the Prime Minister's Office, announced to Calgary Herald columnist Don Martin, "Alberta can blow me."

Martin and Reid had both retired to the National Press Club after the annual roast, in which partisanship is typically put aside while politicians engage in a bit of self-deprecation. Martin wanted to know when Reid would make good on a vow to arrange an interview with the prime minister, which was originally promised for the spring. When faced with the fairly sensible argument that the PM might want to reach out to an Albertan newspaper audience, Reid spat some unprintable words at Martin before offering the province that other suggestion, as mentioned above. The drunken Reid concluded by shouting at Martin what is apparently a rule in this government's media strategy: "You're not getting anything because you're with the Calgary Herald".

Reid did not return calls seeking further comment and has not made any public statements on the incident - including any offer of apology. Martin confirmed to the Western Standard that the event did indeed happen, just as it was first reported on the political satire website eFrank (the lastest incarnation of Frank magazine), adding that he was mortified by the publicity the incident is receiving. However, he decline to comment further, saying only, "I prefer what is said in bars to stay in bars."

Paul Jackson, a columnist with the Calgary Sun who spent 11 years covering politics for the Southam newspaper chain, says that outburst, in an unguarded moment, shows how the federal Liberals really feel about Alberta. "These guys talk about national unity and bringing the country together, but all they do is use Alberta to split it apart," Jaskson says. He suspects Reid hasn't apologized because he has the blessing of his boss, Prime Minister Paul Martin. "The Liberals will sacrifice Alberta to win the next election, just like Jean Chretien did in 2000, just like Paul Martin did in 2004 when he demonized Ralph Klein, saying he had a hidden agenda with Stephen Harper, and he'll do it again", says Jackson. The worst part is he'll probably be entirely sober when he does.

Like their American counterparts--the Democrats--the Liberals are dividers, not uniters.

Alberta has been governed by conservatives for nearly their entire 100 year existence; they are noted for being hard workers; they have low taxes (flat 10% provincial tax rate; no PST and a Basic Personal Amount of $14,532--about $6000 higher than most provinces) and the highest per capita GDP in Canada. Albertans believe that they can manage their money better than a big bloated govt. They are very successful and that is why the Liberals demonize them. They want to steal Alberta's oil, just like Chretien was stealing the Iraqi people's oil.

Time to turf these crooked arrogant SOBs out of office.

[shoop]

Monty,

You know I am one of the more conservative members of the board. But please don't ever post anything from the Western Standard. Ezra's ranting little rag is embarassing and childish. Best to distance yourself from it. In the long run it is more trouble than it is worth.

[FTA Lawyer]

Monty,

You know I am one of the more conservative members of the board. But please don't ever post anything from the Western Standard. Ezra's ranting little rag is embarassing and childish. Best to distance yourself from it. In the long run it is more trouble than it is worth.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Shoop,

Generally speaking, I agree with you...however, in this case, it does appear to be a report confirmed by a more reputable journalistic source so I think an exception to the rule is warranted.

It's interesting that Martin appears to have some integrity in not wanting to unfairly take advantage of a drunken statement...he confirmed it happened but obviously he did not write about it in the Herald, nor did he think that chatter from a bar should be reported.

That being said, the comment is nevertheless rather telling...Alberta is officially important because we are a true icon of Western Alienation...and Paul Martin by his own words will see himself as a failure if he doesn't fix that problem (report card so far is a resounding "F").

BUT, when it comes right down to it, Alberta doesn't have enough seats that can be won by the Liberal Party, so it is relegated to the position of a two-bit whore when one really asks the government how important Alberta is.

I guarantee that, drunk or not, Reid won't be suggesting B.C. can "blow him" because there are actually some ridings that might vote Liberal this time around.

FTA

[Montgomery Burns]

Monty,

You know I am one of the more conservative members of the board. But please don't ever post anything from the Western Standard. Ezra's ranting little rag is embarassing and childish. Best to distance yourself from it. In the long run it is more trouble than it is worth.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So the author--who is not Ezra--just made this up? What proof do you have?

If so, I am sure that the Calgary Herald reporter (Martin) will clear this up.

And since when did Mark Steyn become embarrassing and childish?

[shoop]

Monty,

Ezra is a blowhard. Having seen him on tv, read his rantings and encountered him a number of times personally makes me discount him, and anything connected with him. He does a discredit to all thoughtful Conservatives and is the equivalent of scarascar.

Remember, I am coming at this one from the same side you are on. I am just saying that to foster an honest debate we need to get rid of the histrionic doomsayers on both sides of the aisle. Including Ezra.

Generally speaking I don't doubt the veracity of this article. Honestly, what do you think Harper's advisors say behind closed doors about the Liberals? But that being said, a credible source wouldn't run with this. As none have.

btw, does anybody know how much Ezra was paid off to step aside for Harper in 2004?

Mark Steyn became embarrassing and childish to me back in 1999 when he talked about some poor little 'jap' who stayed on an island for years after the war.

If we Conservatives want to gain power, voices like Steyn's and Levant's need to be marginalized.

ETA you would have to go to before Trudeay before the Liberals ever seriously thought about winning seats in Alberta. What is the big surprise...

So the author--who is not Ezra--just made this up?  What proof do you have? 

If so, I am sure that the Calgary Herald reporter (Martin) will clear this up.

And since when did Mark Steyn become embarrassing and childish?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Argus]

Mark Steyn became embarrassing and childish to me back in 1999 when he talked about some poor little 'jap' who stayed on an island for years after the war.

If we Conservatives want to gain power, voices like Steyn's and Levant's need to be marginalized.

How very politically correct of you. You don't know what the man said, but he's an embarrassment to you anyway.

[shoop]

No, actually I *knew* quite well what it was that he said. I kept the article for years to remind me what a blowhard he is. Just lost track of it somewhere...

There is a fine line between ignorance and a victim of political correctness. He wasn't even close on this one.

Klein represents all that is wrong with Conservatism to me. He *hates* people and cannot bridge dissenting opinion of any kind. His arrogance is appalling and quite similar to Paul Martin's arrogance.

Say what you will, but moderate voices like mine are needed if the Conservative Party of Canada is ever to form government. You decide, but the CPC with Mark Steyn representing the views of the majority of its supporters will never win power. Ever.

How very politically correct of you. You don't know what the man said, but he's an embarrassment to you anyway. You probably don't even know the circumstances, or anything about him. But he's an embarrasment the party should marginalize, because, like, sometime at one point, for whatever reason, he said something that some people somewhere got offended by. Even though you don't know what.

Great, Shoop. And you're a conservative out there?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Leader Circle]

Mark Steyn became embarrassing and childish to me back in 1999 when he talked about some poor little 'jap' who stayed on an island for years after the war.

If we Conservatives want to gain power, voices like Steyn's and Levant's need to be marginalized.

How very politically correct of you. You don't know what the man said, but he's an embarrassment to you anyway.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

LOL.

We do not want to lose your vote though Shoop, but I personally enjoy reading the Western Standard and Mark Steyn's columns. Although, I could do without all the stupid emails they send me!!!

[shoop]

I had a friend who used to work for the Alberta Report back in the day. Man, the tales he told about how agressive they used to be in seeking renewals can only make me wonder what stuff the Standard does.

Oh wait, they are completely separate and unrelated publications... (I know the Report is long gone.) Yeah right!

LOL.

We do not want to lose your vote though Shoop, but I personally enjoy reading the Western Standard and Mark Steyn's columns. Although, I could do without all the stupid emails they send me!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Montgomery Burns]

shoop:

Ezra is a blowhard. Having seen him on tv, read his rantings and encountered him a number of times personally makes me discount him, and anything connected with him. He does a discredit to all thoughtful Conservatives and is the equivalent of scarascar.

I guess we agree to disagree. Having met Ezra once, seeing him on TV, and reading his thoughtful analysis of Canadian politics, I find him to be a breath of fresh air. It is insulting that you refer to him as the equivalent of scarascar.

Remember, I am coming at this one from the same side you are on. I am just saying that to foster an honest debate we need to get rid of the histrionic doomsayers on both sides of the aisle. Including Ezra.

Is the Western Standard's Colby Cosh also a histrionic doomsayer? WS's Father Raymond J. de Souza? Kate McMillan?

Generally speaking I don't doubt the veracity of this article.

Then why complain that I posted something from the Western Standard?

Honestly, what do you think Harper's advisors say behind closed doors about the Liberals?

I'm unsure what that has to do with telling a reporter that "Alberta can blow me".

Mark Steyn became embarrassing and childish to me back in 1999 when he talked about some poor little 'jap' who stayed on an island for years after the war.

If he said that, he could've used a better term, but I am not a fan of Political Correctness and don't find it "embarrassing and childish" about calling a Japanese person a "Jap". Gook would be embarrassing and childish. I certainly don't find it embarrassing and childish if someone refers to Ukrainians--like myself--as Ukes. I wonder if we are even talking about the same Mark Steyn, who is generally considered one of the most insightful (and entertaining) conservative columnists out there? Do you read his articles?

I am more offended when Vancouver's former mayor (Campbell) refers to conservatives as barbarians. I am not a barbarian.

If we Conservatives want to gain power, voices like Steyn's and Levant's need to be marginalized.

I truly feel that a majority of Canadians believe in most conservative/libertarian values, but have trouble getting their voices heard because of Canada's MSM. No, rightwing writers like Levant and Steyn should not be marginalized. Canada is already doing this by hauling an Alberta preacher before a Human Rights Commission for preaching Catholic doctrine, a MP being hauled before a HRC for sending out flyers to his constituents that points out the problem with Indian, oops, Native, oops, First Nations crime. There was a teacher in BC who was suspended from work for writing a letter to the editor saying he believed that the 2000 year definition of marriage should remain the same. Nothing these people said was over the top. And then, of course, there was the 5 year ban of the Fox News Channel by the CRTC-controlled Liberal Party.

What has to be done is move this country to the right--like Reagan did in the US. Otherwise we are nothing but Liberal Lite--like the old federal PC Party.

[Argus]

Say what you will, but moderate voices like mine are needed if the Conservative Party of Canada is ever to form government. You decide, but the CPC with Mark Steyn representing the views of the majority of its supporters will never win power. Ever.

And yet, to those of us not overly familiar with the man, all we have to go by from you is that he once used the word "jap" in describing some event related to WW2.

Nor have you expanded upon that in this followup post. What views, exactly, does he espouse which you find so repugnant?