CP: Klein tells PM Harper to lighten up with media

[gerryhatrick]

Klein tells PM Harper to lighten up with media

CALGARY (CP) — Prime Minister Stephen Harper needs to lighten up when it comes to his dislike of the media, according to Alberta Premier Ralph Klein.

Next year, Klein — a former television reporter — will step into the role as the first chair of media relations for Mount Royal College in Calgary.

In an interview this week, Klein urged Harper to get over his problems with reporters.

“The only thing wrong with Harper is his obsession against the media,” said Klein.

“I went to 24 Sussex and the media were waiting outside,” Klein recalled.

Harper looked out and said ‘I bet you feel the same way about the media as I do,’ which is to say he doesn’t like them. I told him he should accommodate the reporters,” Klein said.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingn...p-4349323c.html

While I would disagree with Klein that that's not the "only thing wrong" with Harper (am I allowed to have that opinion? ) I totally agree with him on this media obsession Harper has.

Recall Harper using the occasion of a state visit to Vimy Ridge to say to the French Prez "the enemy carried guns, not cameras". That was a telling comment, indicating his fear/paranoia of the media.

He should listen to Mr. Klein's advice.

[Ricki Bobbi]

Wow another thread attacking the Prime Minister. Guess who started it?

[Shakeyhands]

thanks for the great comment and contribution Ricki! Really, you should stop.

I wonder if Harper had made nice with the media and didn't act like a bully, if the Conservatives may have been looking at a majority government next time around. What they don't seem to understand is the effect this has on the average Joe. They need to do a much better job selling the CPC brand.

[Ricki Bobbi]

thanks for the great comment and contribution Ricki! Really, you should stop.

Sorry, no way I give free rein for you and Gerry to have your anti-Harper hatefest...

[gc1765]

Wow another thread attacking the Prime Minister. Guess who started it?

I dunno, Ralph Klein?

[Ricki Bobbi]

I dunno, Ralph Klein?

Exactly!

[Cameron]

I wouldn't say that Gery is attacking Steven Harper, just merely making light of the fact that he doesn't like our glorious leader. The fact of the matter is Gerry, I've noticed that your posts tend to be anti-conservative. Now I have not read all of your post, and to be honest with you, I tend to ignore you posts when I see them.

You can continue to keep posting here, I won't object. But do you think posts like this are really beneficial to the forum. There is nothing really here to discuss. It's more of a post to poke at Harper more.

Gerry, if you want some respect I suggest you think your posts out more. Try making some real arguments instead of just throwing stuff out there that is against Harper or the Conservatives.

That's my two cents.

[Ricki Bobbi]

I wouldn't say that Gery is attacking Steven Harper, just merely making light of the fact that he doesn't like our glorious leader. The fact of the matter is Gerry, I've noticed that your posts tend to be anti-conservative. Now I have not read all of your post, and to be honest with you, I tend to ignore you posts when I see them.

You can continue to keep posting here, I won't object. But do you think posts like this are really beneficial to the forum. There is nothing really here to discuss. It's more of a post to poke at Harper more.

Gerry, if you want some respect I suggest you think your posts out more. Try making some real arguments instead of just throwing stuff out there that is against Harper or the Conservatives.

That's my two cents.

Valuable contribution Cameron. I think many people agree with your position. We can only hope your reasonable request is met with a reasonable response. I don't really think Gerry cares about getting respect on the board though.

[gerryhatrick]

You can continue to keep posting here, I won't object. But do you think posts like this are really beneficial to the forum. There is nothing really here to discuss. It's more of a post to poke at Harper more.

Well thankyou very much for that Cameron.

How can you say there's nothing here to discuss? This is a national news item on a topic that's been very much front and center in our national politics: Harpers relationship with the press.

Can I ask you a question: Are you a Stephen Harper supporter?

[geoffrey]

If he drank like ol' Ralphie then maybe he'd be more open with the media.

And that's coming from one of Ralph's biggest fans.

[Cameron]

that's been very much front and center in our national politics: Harpers relationship with the press.

Can I ask you a question: Are you a Stephen Harper supporter?

Yes Gerry I am a supporter of Harper, the CPC, and its policies. I was a supporter when I joined this forum over three years ago and I still am to this day.

Gerry. I want you to REALLY look at Harper and the Conservatives. Are they REALL that bad? Are they making irrational decisions on policy? And can you say for a fact that the past Liberal government were of any good? Harper and the CPC are doing a good job in this country with the little power they have. I think that a more constructive look at their policies and practices is what you need to undertake. As a fellow forum member said before, attack the play not the ball (Think that's how it went). The constant attacking of Steven Harper will get you nowhere but put in the group of disenchanted Liberals that don't take light to the fact that governing the country is no longer their responsibility.

Remember, argue the argument, not the person.

Take those points Gerry and you might garner some respect for other forum members. You have mine somewhat, but it's razor thin only because I have faith that you will forget about this personal attacking on Harper and begin to tackle the arguments.

Have a good Sunday Gerry.

[normanchateau]

Wow another thread attacking the Prime Minister. Guess who started it?

It seems to me that about a year ago there were an extraordinary number of threads attacking the

Prime Minister. And when the Liberals pick their next leader and he becomes Prime Minister, there will again be an extraordinary number of threads attacking the Prime Minister. So what's my point?

It's far easier to attack the government of the day because governments actually do things and in so doing, they will invariably offend those who don't support them.

Let me make a prediction, RB. When the next Liberal Prime Minister is elected, you too will start threads attacking him. You might even starts threads attacking him once he's selected leader of the party next month.

[gerryhatrick]

that's been very much front and center in our national politics: Harpers relationship with the press.

Can I ask you a question: Are you a Stephen Harper supporter?

Yes Gerry I am a supporter of Harper, the CPC, and its policies. I was a supporter when I joined this forum over three years ago and I still am to this day.

Gerry. I want you to REALLY look at Harper and the Conservatives. Are they REALL that bad?

I have taken a really close look at the Conservatives and Harper. I've followed Harper's carreer since he was in the reform party, and I've closely followed these Conservatives since they were the Alliance.

It is my considered opinion that they are not good. They are primariliy ideologues, and that is never good.

You say you think a topic like this one is not "benificial" to the forum, and that there's nothing to "discuss". I've mentioned that it is news, it is federal political news, and it is regarding a topic (Harper and the press) which has been much talked about. Is it really that there's "nothing to discuss", or truthfully, would you rather just not see it discussed?

Initially you said

I wouldn't say that Gery is attacking Steven Harper

and now that's changed to

The constant attacking of Steven Harper will get you nowhere....

Remember, argue the argument, not the person. ....

I have faith that you will forget about this personal attacking on Harper

I have made a reasoned decision that I do not support Stephen Harper and his policies, therefore I am free to post truthful information that I feel reflects accurately on him, his government, and his policies. You are free to "ignore" my posts and label them as not "benificial", but just as you plead with me to consider Harper more I would ask you to consider that your reaction to my posts may be tainted by your support of Stephen Harper. Do YOU consider him and his government objectively as you accuse me of not doing?

I hope you won't adopt the tact of some fervant Harper supporters here and start attacking me as being "hateful" towards the man. You have already accused me of attacking Harper in a "personal" fashion. That is nonsense. I make no personal comments about the man, I attack only his politics and his past actions.

Anyway Cameron, I appreciate your comments. I would prefer that I not become the object of banter on this forum, so if you have more to say to me on the matter consider a PM. I also ask that you

[Michael Hardner]

Gerry. I want you to REALLY look at Harper and the Conservatives. Are they REALL that bad? Are they making irrational decisions on policy?

Cameron - I would modify your question to 'Are they really as bad as the Liberal said they would be in the election campaign ?'.

As someone who didn't vote Conservative, I would say that they're not that bad. As much as I disagree with Conservative policies in general, I commend the current government on its pragmatic approach to issues. Harper is far above the screaming conservative demagogues we've seen from the US, and I look forward to the level of debate in federal politics to continue to be elevated.

That said, I'm still not going to vote for him.

[Ricki Bobbi]

Anyway Cameron, I appreciate your comments. I would prefer that I not become the object of banter on this forum, so if you have more to say to me on the matter consider a PM. I also ask that you

Please Gerry. You always make it about you. If you didn't want to become the object of banter on the forum, you wouldn't reply on the forum. You would reply with PMs.

Don't try and fool people. You have broken many rules on the forum over and over and over. You have gotten away with multiple infractions htat have gotten other posters banned.

There is no 'right' to try and turn a publicly-funded message board into your forum for attacking *everything* the Government does at every opportunity. Start a blog, and pay for it yourself, if you want to do that.

I have used my right to state my objections in polite, respectful terms. Please don't choose to use disrespectful language in replying to this. If you can't respond with a reasonable, respectful response don't take up bandwidth.

[normanchateau]

Harper is far above the screaming conservative demagogues we've seen from the US,

If your operational definition of "far above" is not screaming then yes, I agree.

[Michael Hardner]

Sorry, norm, but I disagree.

Harper's quiet, dignified approach is worthy of praise. Take the recent income trust decision as an example. A true righty demagogue would have embraced the opportunity to decimate Canada's revenues.

[Ricki Bobbi]

Let me make a prediction, RB. When the next Liberal Prime Minister is elected, you too will start threads attacking him. You might even starts threads attacking him once he's selected leader of the party next month.

Fair enough. But do me the favour of responding to this question.

I debate things here. I will admit mistakes and question Government policy. For example, I said many times during the last Government that PM Dithers was a great Finance Minister who was doing a terrible job as PM.

The attacks of Herper are nothing but attacks. No consideration, no space for consideration of other opinions. Attack, attack, attack.

Have you ever said anything good about the PM or this Government? I know the person who started this thread hasn't...

[normanchateau]

Have you ever said anything good about the PM or this Government? I know the person who started this thread hasn't...

Yes, I've strongly defended the PM's pro-Israel position on a large number of occasions.

[Ricki Bobbi]

Yes, I've strongly defended the PM's pro-Israel position on a large number of occasions.

OK, fair enough. But what about my comments about the person who started this thread? Have you *ever* seen them say anything positive about the government?

[normanchateau]

Yes, I've strongly defended the PM's pro-Israel position on a large number of occasions.

OK, fair enough. But what about my comments about the person who started this thread? Have you *ever* seen them say anything positive about the government?

I've been away from this board for almost a year and just returned recently. So I'm not a good judge.

However, I do recall a year ago people consistently starting anti-Martin and anti-Liberal threads and never having anything positive to say about the government.

I think it's to be expected on discussion boards like this and you shouldn't get riled. What riles me is the personal insults which get exchanged between one poster and another. I'd rather just debate the issues but emotions sometimes tempt even well-meaning posters to exchange insults unnecessarily. Just because you and I are on opposite sides of the political fence doesn't mean I don't respect your opinions or you as a person.

[Ricki Bobbi]

I think it's to be expected on discussion boards like this and you shouldn't get riled. What riles me is the personal insults which get exchanged between one poster and another. I'd rather just debate the issues but emotions sometimes tempt even well-meaning posters to exchange insults unnecessarily. Just because you and I are on opposite sides of the political fence doesn't mean I don't respect your opinions or you as a person.

That's fair and expected. Not all people are as high-minded here. My post that started this exchange was in response to a poster who is an egregious example of exactly what this board shouldn't be.

[Cameron]

Initially you said

I wouldn't say that Gery is attacking Steven Harper

and now that's changed to

The constant attacking of Steven Harper will get you nowhere....

Remember, argue the argument, not the person. ....

I have faith that you will forget about this personal attacking on Harper

Gerry, the first argument was in regards to the comment you posted in THIS post. The second in regards to other posts.

Gerry, I appreciate you comments on my comments. I will not ignore your posts in the future, but I will make rebuttals to them, and I'm sure there will be a lot. But the fact that we are having a civilized discussion without personal attacks or threats is something that we should applaud. Some people don't get this chance.

[gc1765]

OK, fair enough. But what about my comments about the person who started this thread? Have you *ever* seen them say anything positive about the government?

Just out of curiousity, have you ever said anything negative about this government on this forum? I know I haven't read all of your posts, but of the ones that I have read, I haven't seen anything negative.

[Ricki Bobbi]

Just out of curiousity, have you ever said anything negative about this government on this forum? I know I haven't read all of your posts, but of the ones that I have read, I haven't seen anything negative.

Yes, not very much but I have. I post quite a bit so it's entirely understandable people could miss the few objections I have presented.

The flag flap was bad optics and not handled well.

The Emerson appointment wasn't an ideal decision.

MacKay should have apologized, but not resigned over the dog comments.

I have stated that MacKay's ethics were never a question because he showed his lack of ethics with

(Which brings up a joke I have heard floating around. What would you call a movie about Peter MacKay and his Parliamentary Secretaries (Peter Van Loan and Deepak Obhrai)? Dumb and dumber and dumberer! )

Generally speaking I have been happy with the Government but there are some issues I have talked about.