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jamesqScott Reid has opened his big fat mouth twice now. He seems to have a gift for saying things that are true, but which have piss-poor optics. Perhaps less beer while hanging around reporters is in order?
I'll take them out of order on account of I have more to say about his earlier quip.
His latter comment was "beer and popcorn", on the subject of the CPC's proposal to give $1200 to each family with children for day care. He's right in the sense that this proposal has no oversight and becomes simply a tax break in all but name. Will families use this money for their children? Some will, some won't. Like other tax wind-falls I suspect it will be used for what is necessary at the time or as a once-a-year treat. There's nothing wrong with that, but I don't think much of the money will go towards day care. If observations of my relatives are anything to go by, I think a beer and popcorn purchase is pretty accurate.
Martin managed to make matters worse by saying that responsible parents will use the money wisely, effectively giving the argument (and some much needed sound bites for the upcoming leader's debate) to Harper. After all, what parent is going to self-identify as irresponsible. Don't let them frame the questions, because it lets them frame your answers too.
Reid's early quip was "Alberta can blow me". This was given to the Calgary Herald's Don Martin, who was objecting to the fact that he couldn't get an interview with the PM. Basically, the exchange something like this (paraphrasing):
Conservative pundits have been sighting this as proof that Ottawa doesn't like Alberta. Frankly if that's an accurate representation of Federal Liberal views of my province, I don't blame them. Really, what has doing what Alberta wanted ever got them? Lots of shit and abuse that's what.
Lets suppose that the Federal Liberals where in power and had the seats necessary to make sweeping changes to the political landscape. Let's further suppose that they decided, "Fuck it, let's give Alberta everything they want and see what happens". Overnight they pass legislation on every Alberta bugaboo:
Frankly the talk of "The Liberals are going to sacrifice Alberta to win the rest of the country" irritates me. OF COURSE they're going to sacrifice us - we've given them no other option. We refuse to negotiate and we wear our redneck politics on our sleeve like a badge of honor. The Liberals may be a lot of things, but stupid is not one of them, why waste time on a lost cause when there are closer ridings elsewhere.
Hell, when a Get-Rid-Of-Rob-Anders campaign can't win in this city - when people in his riding say stupid things like "I hate the guy, but what can I do, he's the conservative candidate, I have to vote for him", it tells people in Ottawa that it doesn't matter how many resources they throw into a Calgary riding, it will just be good money after bad. And by the way voters of Calgary West, you could simply not vote for him.
You could waste five minutes explaining this, or you could just say "Alberta can blow me". Same thing really.
Scott Reid, it's all true, but you should still learn to keep your trap shut.
I'll take them out of order on account of I have more to say about his earlier quip.
His latter comment was "beer and popcorn", on the subject of the CPC's proposal to give $1200 to each family with children for day care. He's right in the sense that this proposal has no oversight and becomes simply a tax break in all but name. Will families use this money for their children? Some will, some won't. Like other tax wind-falls I suspect it will be used for what is necessary at the time or as a once-a-year treat. There's nothing wrong with that, but I don't think much of the money will go towards day care. If observations of my relatives are anything to go by, I think a beer and popcorn purchase is pretty accurate.
Martin managed to make matters worse by saying that responsible parents will use the money wisely, effectively giving the argument (and some much needed sound bites for the upcoming leader's debate) to Harper. After all, what parent is going to self-identify as irresponsible. Don't let them frame the questions, because it lets them frame your answers too.
Reid's early quip was "Alberta can blow me". This was given to the Calgary Herald's Don Martin, who was objecting to the fact that he couldn't get an interview with the PM. Basically, the exchange something like this (paraphrasing):
"When can I get my interview with Paul Martin?"When asked to respond/apologize, Reid said "what's said in bars should stay in bars". Having said some breathtakingly stupid things in bars, I'd have to agree.
"You're not getting one."
"Why not?"
"You're from the Calgary Herald."
"Don't you think the people of Alberta should hear from the PM?"
"Alberta can blow me."
Conservative pundits have been sighting this as proof that Ottawa doesn't like Alberta. Frankly if that's an accurate representation of Federal Liberal views of my province, I don't blame them. Really, what has doing what Alberta wanted ever got them? Lots of shit and abuse that's what.
Lets suppose that the Federal Liberals where in power and had the seats necessary to make sweeping changes to the political landscape. Let's further suppose that they decided, "Fuck it, let's give Alberta everything they want and see what happens". Overnight they pass legislation on every Alberta bugaboo:
- Triple-E senate, Bert Brown and Ted Morton are appointed senators. Link Byfield and some other joker are put on the waiting list.
- Same Sex Marriage is abolished. So-called traditional marriage is enshrined in the constitution.
- Better yet, the constitution is made explicit - no more reading rights into it for groups not explicitly mentioned. No more "judicial activism".
- Federal transfer payments are halted - Alberta gets to keep it's extra money.
- The petroleum industry gets a buy. No taxes (except what the provincial government deems necessary) and no Kyoto Accord.
Frankly the talk of "The Liberals are going to sacrifice Alberta to win the rest of the country" irritates me. OF COURSE they're going to sacrifice us - we've given them no other option. We refuse to negotiate and we wear our redneck politics on our sleeve like a badge of honor. The Liberals may be a lot of things, but stupid is not one of them, why waste time on a lost cause when there are closer ridings elsewhere.
Hell, when a Get-Rid-Of-Rob-Anders campaign can't win in this city - when people in his riding say stupid things like "I hate the guy, but what can I do, he's the conservative candidate, I have to vote for him", it tells people in Ottawa that it doesn't matter how many resources they throw into a Calgary riding, it will just be good money after bad. And by the way voters of Calgary West, you could simply not vote for him.
You could waste five minutes explaining this, or you could just say "Alberta can blow me". Same thing really.
Scott Reid, it's all true, but you should still learn to keep your trap shut.
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no subject
Date: 2005-12-14 04:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-14 08:12 am (UTC)eg.: Vanna White (Wheel of Fortune letter turner) was once asked if her job was difficult. Her answer was that it helps to know the alphabet.
Reality: She was making a joke.
Optics: She is just a clueless bimbo. The tabloids had a field day with her answer.
no subject
Date: 2005-12-14 05:27 am (UTC)Politics and the Herald
Date: 2005-12-14 05:31 pm (UTC)Clearly any interview with the PM is going to become slanted by whomever does he final reporting...and if not then clearly the Op/Ed page will try to subvert the interview in order to "share the political views" of the Herald.
Every media outlet has a bias, some small,some large, but when you flaunt that bias to the point that it's a badge of honour, you deserve every snub you get from those that oppose that view point.
(For the record, I think our PM and his cabinet are awful, and they will not receive my vote, but neither will the Conservatives. We have more then two parties in this country, people, let's start looking at other options shall we?)
Re: Politics and the Herald
Date: 2005-12-14 10:23 pm (UTC)I'm afraid I'll be voting strategically - whoever seems to be the strongest contender to oust Jason Kenney gets my vote. (Jason Kenney - Rob Anders with just enough smarts to keep his flap shut most of the time)
Re: Politics and the Herald
Date: 2005-12-15 12:30 am (UTC)Re: Politics and the Herald
Date: 2005-12-15 04:01 am (UTC)