Should this Liberal Candidate Resign

[scribblet]

if Dion is smart he'll let this one go, but lets keep an eye out to see if there's a 'pay off' huh

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news...3356c9b&k=26648

EDMONTON - Farhan Mujahid Chak's fledgling political career teeters on the edge after inflammatory statements attributed to the Edmonton federal Liberal candidate and an alleged brush with the law surfaced Friday.

Conservative political bloggers and the National Post newspaper carried snippets purportedly written by Chak before the 33-year-old won the Liberal nomination in the riding of Edmonton-Mill Woods-Beaumont on March 31.

Some of the writings blame the Israeli government for slaughtering, raping and enslaving Palestinians, and suggesting the West masterminded terrorist attacks to discredit Muslims.

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ARRESTED IN 1993

It also came to light that Chak was arrested in 1993 in connection with the firing of a shotgun into the door of a south-side nightclub.

[Michael Bluth]

Who cares?

It's Edmonton Millwoods Beaumont.

In the last election the winning Conservative got 58% of the vote and the second place Liberal got 21%.

The only reason a Liberal was elected there ever was because it was David Kilgour.

It doesn't really matter what a sacrificial lamb says as it is lead to slaughter...

[sharkman]

You have a point, but I think that fielding candidates like this hurts the Liberals, and you know if they found a Tory candidate who once said he feels that gay marriage is wrong, they'd shout it from the rooftops and get all the mileage out of it they could.

[Michael Bluth]

You have a point, but I think that fielding candidates like this hurts the Liberals, and you know if they found a Tory candidate who once said he feels that gay marriage is wrong, they'd shout it from the rooftops and get all the mileage out of it they could.

Agreed.

The Liberals ongoing anti-Israel stand is hurting them with Jewish voters.

I suspect we will see some surprising results in heavily Jewish ridings in the next election.

For the Conservatives it is probably better if the Liberals don't replace this guy.

The NDP had a problem with their candidate in 2004 making anti-Israeli remarks on a message board. It was in the neighbouring riding of Edmonton Stratchona.

Maybe it's got something to do with lefties in that part of Edmonton really disliking Israel.

[geoffrey]

It also came to light that Chak was arrested in 1993 in connection with the firing of a shotgun into the door of a south-side nightclub.

Sounds like he has the ingredients to win in Edmonton. Good choice for the Liberals.

[Michael Bluth]

Sounds like he has the ingredients to win in Edmonton. Good choice for the Liberals.

Ooooh listen to the culturally refined and urbane Calgarian.

If this guy were the candidate in Calgary East would his actions be out of place?

[geoffrey]

In Calgary East? Nope.

[Shakeyhands]

The Liberals ongoing anti-Israel stand is hurting them with Jewish voters.

I suspect we will see some surprising results in heavily Jewish ridings in the next election.

Maybe it's got something to do with lefties in that part of Edmonton really disliking Israel.

Uh huh.... (insert avatar rolling eyes here...)

I suppose if the Conservatives say the Liberals are anti-Israel it must be true!!!!

[Canuck E Stan]

It also came to light that Chak was arrested in 1993 in connection with the firing of a shotgun into the door of a south-side nightclub.

Sounds like he has the ingredients to win in Edmonton. Good choice for the Liberals.

With the May?Dion deal, I recommend that Kevin Potvin's formally Green candidate for Vancouver-Kingsway parachute with Farhan Mujahid Chak presently with the Liberals in Edmonton Millwoods Beaumont.

Kevin could go Liberal in Edmonton Millwoods Beaumont and Chak could represent the Greens in Vancouver-Kingsway.

It will be a fresh face for both parties,seeing as there is love in the CO2 air between the two leaders.

[jdobbin]

I suppose if the Conservatives say the Liberals are anti-Israel it must be true!!!!

I wonder who is dancing at the 59th anniversary of Israel?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRafIJExOQE

[Michael Bluth]

I suppose if the Conservatives say the Liberals are anti-Israel it must be true!!!!

It's the Liberal candidates saying it.

From the story talking about Chak's writings.

Some of the writings blame the Israeli government for slaughtering, raping and enslaving Palestinians, and suggesting the West masterminded terrorist attacks to discredit Muslims.

Doesn't really sound pro-Isreael to me.

[Shakeyhands]

I suppose if the Conservatives say the Liberals are anti-Israel it must be true!!!!

It's the Liberal candidates saying it.

From the story talking about Chak's writings.

Some of the writings blame the Israeli government for slaughtering, raping and enslaving Palestinians, and suggesting the West masterminded terrorist attacks to discredit Muslims.

Doesn't really sound pro-Isreael to me.

shall we start bringing up the objectionable things that many of the CPCers have said?

one man a policy doesn't make.

I suppose its the *scary* *scary* *scary* Liberals now huh...

[scribblet]

Who would vote for this guy, would you as Liberal?

'Am I in a position to morally judge them [the suicide bombers]? Am I in a position to even talk about them?' In some ways, yes, we are. In some ways, no, we're not."

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/st...40-2028925036d7

Read up on this guy, a little extreme and Eratic to say the least, but hey if the Liberals want him run, more fools they are.

[Michael Bluth]

shall we start bringing up the objectionable things that many of the CPCers have said?

one man a policy doesn't make.

I suppose its the *scary* *scary* *scary* Liberals now huh...

What's good for the goose is good for the gander Shakey.

If this had been a Conservative candidate you no doubt wouldn't have said anything.

[ScottSA]

I suppose if the Conservatives say the Liberals are anti-Israel it must be true!!!!

I wonder who is dancing at the 59th anniversary of Israel?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRafIJExOQE

The more he's seen, the less he's liked. What an insipid little man.

[jdobbin]

The more he's seen, the less he's liked.

Next time someone says he is anti-Israel, they'll remember who came and spoke to the Jewish community.

[Michael Bluth]

The more he's seen, the less he's liked. What an insipid little man.

I doesn't dump this candidate asap it will play very, very poorly in the Jewish community.

[Figleaf]

Let's look at the rest of the story--

Chak stressed he has no criminal record.

"The charge that (the National Post) relates to is one of mistaken identity and I was fully exonerated in the law courts."

So that settles that part of the issue, then. He's innocent and this can't be held against him.

If people who are exonerated can't run, then Stockwell Day would have to be out to, since his pet police force recently (surprise surprise) exonerated him of corruption.

a letter he wrote to the Edmonton Journal when he accused the Israeli government of "terrorism, massacres and savagery inflicted upon the innocent inhabitants of Palestine."

If that's the worst thing his letter said, what's the problem? "Massacres" and "savagery" are factual, provable statements. "Terrorism" is a very flexible term and a matter of opinion. Most countries in the world have been 'accused' of 'terrrorism' by someone at some time.

Ph.D candidate Chak suggested Islamic insurgents were not behind a string of bloody civilian massacres in Algeria and a series of terrorist attacks in France during the 1990s. He appeared to endorse a theory blaming the Algerian military and "foreign co-conspirators" such as the French government.

I fail to see why this opinion should disqualify anyone from being a candidate for Parliament.

A graduate of the University of Alberta, he has four academic degrees. He recently finished a doctorate in political science at the University of Durham in England. He has worked at the United Nations non-governmental liaison service and for former MP David Kilgour in Edmonton and Ottawa.

He sounds like a qualified candidate who has won the nomination fair and square. Let the people decide if they want him for MP.

[Michael Bluth]

If that's the worst thing his letter said, what's the problem? "Massacres" and "savagery" are factual, provable statements. "Terrorism" is a very flexible term and a matter of opinion. Most countries in the world have been 'accused' of 'terrrorism' by someone at some time.

Figleaf, you are proving the point.

Chak, a Liberal candidate, is clearly anti-Israel.

Your semantic games prove that you are as well.

Do provide a basic manner in which something could be proven to be a massacre or savagery.

The longer the Liberals keep this cancer around the more it helps the Conservatives.

Please don't resign Chak. Please.

[Figleaf]

I doesn't dump this candidate asap it will play very, very poorly in the Jewish community.

It is concerning that whether someone has criticised the government of Israel or not is such an important matter in a Canadian election.

Personally, I'd prefer to have Canadian elections focus on Canadian issues, not on the convolutions of a foreign squable half way around the world.

[Canuck E Stan]

Sounds like a qualified candidate who has won the nomination fair and square. Let the people decide if they want him for MP.

Hey,I'm all favour of this dude representing the Liberals.We need more like him representing the Liberals.

Can we get the Greens to bring back Kevin Potvin's for Vancouver-Kingsway?

[Michael Bluth]

Personally, I'd prefer to have Canadian elections focus on Canadian issues, not on the convolutions of a foreign squable half way around the world.

So you don't think the treatment of Afghani prisoners by the Afghan Government should be an issue in parliament at the moment?

[Figleaf]

If that's the worst thing his letter said, what's the problem? "Massacres" and "savagery" are factual, provable statements. "Terrorism" is a very flexible term and a matter of opinion. Most countries in the world have been 'accused' of 'terrrorism' by someone at some time.

Figleaf, you are proving the point.

Chak, a Liberal candidate, is clearly anti-Israel.

You aren't answering the question I see. What is wrong with what was said. The news in Canada has carried numerous stories of massacres that have resulted from Israeli Defence Force engagements. I'm not making it up. If it's made up, then the newspapers are making it up.

So please be specific: how is what Chak wrote so wrong.

Your semantic games prove that you are as well.

Okay, let's not play semantics. You tell me your definition of "anti-Israel".

Please don't resign Chak. Please.

Indeed!

[Michael Bluth]

Please don't resign Chak. Please.

Indeed!

So you can't provide a manner to define 'massacre' or 'savagery'?

The Liberals cannot hope to win an election if they keep alienating their Jewish support.

Please explain why you feel it right for the Liberal Party of Canada to side with Palestine over Israel?

[jbg]

The more he's seen, the less he's liked. What an insipid little man.

I doesn't dump this candidate asap it will play very, very poorly in the Jewish community.

I frankly wish that made more of a difference. The Jews, to my understanding, have a major role in 5-6 ridings, most incurably liberal or NDP. I wish it weren't so.

The Jews get more attnetion because of their accomplishments and their literacy. But actual power and influence - almost none.