[Technocrat]

Ohh silly silly conservatives. With a leader like Stephen Harper what do you expect from the rest of Canada. The man clearly does NOT command respect, for one usually has to earn it first. He is NOT a statesman, this is just another shining example of why he is not cut out for Canada's top job. Think about it, can you imagine this man going oversees and representing Canada? The other world leaders would have a collective WTF happened to Canada moment .

These are my observations as a small c conservative that would have happily voted for the 'progressive conservatives' in the last election. If Belinda was leading the conservative party they would have my support.

[Newfie Canadian]

It all comes down to perception.

Stronach defects, whether or not it was right, wrong, honourable, opportunistic, doesn't matter.
What the CPC had to do was come out, voice their dissappointment, displeasure and anger in a "high road" type of way.
They had to take the high road. It wouldn't be easy, but they had to do it.
Instead, you've got Abbott, Moore and Runciman shooting off their faces in such a way to portray the CPC as the intolerant and sexist(?) party that some people may still perceive them to be.

[I miss Reagan]

Black Dog, on May 18 2005, 02:14 PM, said:

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You are so full of $hit it isn't even funny. You know damn well it wasn't meant in a sexual sense or meant as derogatory against women. She sold herself.

I've seen sly innuendos and sexist invective directed at Stronach that you'd never see towards a male politician of any stripe. One columnist suggested her choice of political parties is no different than her choosing between Prada or Gucci shoes. Did Peter McKay get called a whore when he sole out the PC's?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Give me a break, Scott Brison was called a whore as well. But I'm sure that was somehow derogatory towards his sexual orientation right?
I see the shoe comment as more to do with her being a spoiled brat rather than to do with her being a woman. And Peter McKay was called quite a few names.

[Black Dog]

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Stronach defects, whether or not it was right, wrong, honourable, opportunistic, doesn't matter.
What the CPC had to do was come out, voice their dissappointment, displeasure and anger in a "high road" type of way.
They had to take the high road. It wouldn't be easy, but they had to do it.
Instead, you've got Abbott, Moore and Runciman shooting off their faces in such a way to portray the CPC as the intolerant and sexist(?) party that some people may still perceive them to be.

Agreed. The Cons are just feeding the media circus and keeping teh notion that Paulie Pockets fleeced them alive. They should have issued a strong, terse statement and walked away. Instead, you get a bunch of clowns shooting their mouths off, which just reinforces the existing notion that the Cons are buffoons. Harper doesn't seem capable of controlling the loose screws in his caucus.

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Give me a break, Scott Brison was called a whore as well. But I'm sure that was somehow derogatory towards his sexual orientation right? 
I see the shoe comment as more to do with her being a spoiled brat rather than to do with her being a woman. And Peter McKay was called quite a few names.

Political watcher says Stronach backlash sexist

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Trimble said the candidate's aspirations were often ridiculed, her qualifications trivialized, and her youth and looks the subject of vulgar and excessive obsession.

[I miss Reagan]

Ooops, what was I thinking, if the CBC says it's sexist it must be .

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The Cons are just feeding the media circus

True, the Cons need to realize that they are under the microscope of the Canadian media. We just need to accept that there is a double standard with respect to politics in the media.

[kimmy]

Black Dog, on May 18 2005, 11:44 AM, said:

Did Peter McKay get called a whore when he sole out the PC's?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

(uh, actually, I think he did...)


In any case, the media's treatment of Stronach has *always* been bullshit-- I've posted this before. The Toronto Sun is the worst offender; I can only assume that paper's editorial board is made up of 13-year old boys. They're incapable of producing a Stronach headline without using either "Blonde", "Bombshell", or both.

Even more respectable outlets often find themselves discussing her clothes, her jewelry, her makeup, or her hairstyle.

....

The CPC's responses have kind of reminded me of the scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail when Arthur battles the Black Knight. "Tis but a scratch!" insists the Black Knight after Arthur has sliced his arm off.

They might deny it, and they might not even realize how badly they got jacked up. But they got jacked up. There's no other way to look at it.

"Perception, perception, perception," as Newfie Canadian put it. And the perception this creates, for the CPC, is utterly disasterous. Whatever her motivation, she was key to their efforts in Ontario, and with women, and with moderate voters.

And I feel that this raises questions about Harper's judgment and his leadership abilities.

....

Eureka's insistance that this will turn Liberal fortunes in Quebec leaves me wondering if he's on the party payroll. The only other explanation is that Eureka has a much sharper sense of humour than I thought.

....

I do agree with those who've pointed out that if she'd decided to go sit as an independant rather than jumping right to the other side and into a cabinet post, she'd have done a lot to combat the appearance that it was just opportunism.

Opportunism or not, I think it's pretty clear that her tiff with Harper was long-running, and only getting worse.



-k

[Black Dog]

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Ooops, what was I thinking, if the CBC says it's sexist it must be

Let me explain something you don't seem to get. See, there's this thing called the media. The media employs reporters to write what's called news. Reporters in turn talk to people who know about the subject at hand. These people are called sources. The information these sources give is referered to as a quote. These quotes do not necessarily represent the views of the reporter or the media they work for. In conclusion, to cite the position of a single source as evidence of the media's bias is and incorrect.

Clear enough?

[I miss Reagan]

Black Dog, on May 18 2005, 02:56 PM, said:

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Ooops, what was I thinking, if the CBC says it's sexist it must be

Let me explain something you don't seem to get. See, there's this thing called the media. The media employs reporters to write what's called news. Reporters in turn talk to people who know about the subject at hand. These people are called sources. The information these sources give is referered to as a quote. These quotes do not necessarily represent the views of the reporter or the media they work for. In conclusion, to cite the position of a single source as evidence of the media's bias is and incorrect.

Clear enough?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ok let me rephrase for ya BD: Ooops, what was I thinking, if the CBC seeks out a feminist prof from U of A who says it's sexist it must be.

[I miss Reagan]

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The Toronto Sun is the worst offender; I can only assume that paper's editorial board is made up of 13-year old boys. They're incapable of producing a Stronach headline without using either "Blonde", "Bombshell", or both.

I'm sure the Sun will change it's tune now that she's a Liberal. I'm sure the story will now be about "the courageous Belinda who bravely stood up to Conservative fascism".

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Even more respectable outlets often find themselves discussing her clothes, her jewelry, her makeup, or her hairstyle.

Perhaps she should be less concerned about wearing a new outfit everytime she appears in public or the Martha Stewart esque pastel colors she uses in her campaign and more concerned about learning the issues. I remember her discussing in an interview how difficult it was to find different outfits to wear every day. I remember her in interviews fliping her hair and grining as the interviewer asked her about how her son feels that she's described as 'hot'.

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The CPC's responses have kind of reminded me of the scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail when Arthur battles the Black Knight. "Tis but a scratch!" insists the Black Knight after Arthur has sliced his arm off.

You of all should know it's not great strategy to roll around on the ground screaming in pain.

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And I feel that this raises questions about Harper's judgment and his leadership abilities.

Don't go to the light Kimmy, for heaven's sake stay with us!!

[ScottBrison]

I miss Reagan, on May 18 2005, 04:02 PM, said:

I'm sure the Sun will change it's tune now that she's a Liberal. I'm sure the story will now be about "the courageous Belinda who bravely stood up to Conservative fascism".

Well, the truth does hurt.

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Perhaps she should be less concerned about wearing a new outfit everytime she appears in public or the Martha Stewart esque pastel colors she uses in her campaign and more concerned about learning the issues. I remember her discussing in an interview how difficult it was to find different outfits to wear every day. I remember her in interviews fliping her hair and grining as the interviewer asked her about how her son feels that she's described as 'hot'.

God forbit a woman take pride in her appearance, and if the Conservative's best argument for not voting for her is her choice of clothing then they're far more lame than I thought they were (and that's pretty lame)

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Don't go to the light Kimmy, for heaven's sake stay with us!!

Yes kimmy! stay in the darkness with the far-righters!

Seriously tho, I stand by what I said you should do before kimmy, follow your heart.

[takeanumber]

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True, the Cons need to realize that they are under the microscope of the Canadian media. We just need to accept that there is a double standard with respect to politics in the media.

See, a demonstration of the logic that I predicted:

downplay the fact that the cons are demeaning women, and then blame the media.


And pointing out that Brison was called a 'whore' doesn't make the fact that Belinda was called a 'whore' and 'dipstick' any more right.


Be outraged at Stronach, but to use derogatory words towards women like that...classless, crass, and it shows the true nature of Conservatives.

[The Terrible Sweal]

newbie, on May 18 2005, 03:08 AM, said:

As a newbie here I'm wondering who we might expect to cross the floor tomorrow.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Newbie, I fear your monicker may become an oxymoron if you end up sticking around.

[I miss Reagan]

eureka, on May 18 2005, 04:02 PM, said:

Follow your head, Kimmy, and attend more closely to what I tell you!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Liberalism at it's best, don't think for yourself, think how we want you to think.

"Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views." -William Buckley

[Black Dog]

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Ok let me rephrase for ya BD: Ooops, what was I thinking, if the CBC seeks out a feminist prof from U of A who says it's sexist it must be

A sentiment shared by observers here and in other circles I've seen. Just because you won't see something doesn't mean it's not there. It would also help if you later didn't undermine your own point to wit:

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Perhaps she should be less concerned about wearing a new outfit everytime she appears in public or the Martha Stewart esque pastel colors she uses in her campaign and more concerned about learning the issues. I remember her discussing in an interview how difficult it was to find different outfits to wear every day. I remember her in interviews fliping her hair and grining as the interviewer asked her about how her son feels that she's described as 'hot'

But I'm sure Paul Martin would field questions about his looks and Stephen Harper would get asked about what kind of product he uses to acheive his unique "World War One Prussian Army helmet" hairdo, right?