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Does anyone feel sorry for long-time party stalwart 90-year-old Joy Taylor?

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Fri, 2014-01-24 12:12

#1

terrytowel

Does anyone feel sorry for long-time party stalwart 90-year-old Joy Taylor?

Joy will not let this go! She is back in the headlines again, this time saying she is being “condemned” by the NDP after speaking out against what she believes was a rigged nomination meeting. Shortened version from the Toronto Star below. This is HORRIBLE. What can be done to rectify this?

http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2014/01/22/longtime_ndp_volunteer...

“The party has condemned me,” said Taylor, a member of the NDP and its predecessor, the CCF, for a total of 74 years.

Because of the alleged interference, the veteran volunteer in August not only quit the riding executive but also her beloved party. But on Oct. 4 she says she reapplied.

Taylor, who turns 91 in March, said she found out exactly where she stood when she was kicked out of a meeting Monday evening between the riding executive and party brass, including provincial party president Nathan Shan, even though riding president Viresh Raghubeer confirms she was on the list of invitees.

“There has not been any request to get her reinstated from what I checked,” Shan told the Star.

The meeting quickly became rancorous with Raghubeer storming out when Taylor was shown the door. But before she left, Taylor accused the party of retaliating against her for speaking out.

Raghubeer urged NDP Leader Andrea to Horwath to intervene and treat Taylor with the respect she is due as well as dealing with other outstanding issues, such as the party refusing to supply the riding association with a membership list.

“(Horwath) has a responsibility to reinstate Joy Taylor immediately . . . she cannot deny a lady who volunteered for 74 years in this party,” he said in an interview.

Horwath, however, has refused.

“I have confidence in the party to resolve any issues that arise with the ridings,” Horwath said in an email statement to the Star.

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Fri, 2014-01-24 13:33

#2

DaveW

for me, the issue is: would this matter merit intervention if the complaint came from a 30-year-old? What are its merits?

someone may have long service in the party, but that does not mean their issue automatically gets bumped up the party agenda

Fri, 2014-01-24 13:45

#3

Unionist

Of all the problems of party elitism and dictatorship plaguing the NDP and Liberals and Conservatives and PQ and Bloc ... this one rates well below my personal radar. Like, who cares?

However, let's definitely have a dust-up over it!

Fri, 2014-01-24 14:11

#4

Pogo

Pogo's picture

Well it is a quiet week. I will think of something ageist to say.

Fri, 2014-01-24 14:34

#5

terrytowel

Former Liberal speechwriter, now CBC political commentator, Adam Goldenberg tweeted about Joy Taylor's treatment

"Why should voters trust a political party when its own members can't? Shame on the NDP."

http://politwitter.ca/detail/link/533145

Fri, 2014-01-24 15:29

#6

Unionist

Yeah, this ranks among the worst betrayals of trust since God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac - and then when Abraham reluctantly pulled out his knife, God said: "Dude, just kidding!!"

Fri, 2014-01-24 16:41

#7

abnormal

If I understand what's going on this lady is being penalized because she dared say something negative about [b]"the party"[/b]????? And they claim the right wing is ...

Fri, 2014-01-24 19:36

#8

Unionist

I figured out what that party is about in 1972. It took her another 41 years. I win!

Fri, 2014-01-24 20:07

#9

bagkitty

bagkitty's picture

Someone seems to have mistaken gloating for winning. Imagine that.

Fri, 2014-01-24 20:35

Unionist

bagkitty wrote:

Someone seems to have mistaken gloating for winning. Imagine that.

I love you, bagkitty. Could you send me a copy of that program which beeps every time I post?

Thanks.

Fri, 2014-01-24 22:56

Skinny Dipper

The problem with Ms. Horwath's lack of action with respect to Joy Taylor's exclusion from the party means that she actually supports the exclusion. This will hurt the Ontario NDP in next provincial election as some of the democratic-focused party supporters may choose to opt out from helping in the next election or donating to the party.

I do think that the next provincial election will be a challenge in terms of distinguishing Andrea Horwath and the NDP from Kathleen Wynne and the Liberals. Tim Hudak is obviously going to go with a divide and conquer strategy. He and his party could eventually get 40% of the vote and a majority if the Liberals and NDP split with 30% each. If the Liberals can get 40%, they can stop Hudak. If they can get 40% with Hudak getting 35%, the Liberals could form a majority after the election. I do think that the Liberals are in the best position to act as a polar opposite to Tim Hudak. The Ontario NDP will have a challenge distinguishing itself from the Liberals and from the Hudak Conservatives on a couple of policies like transit funding.

Sat, 2014-01-25 03:20

Ken Burch

Unionist wrote:

Of all the problems of party elitism and dictatorship plaguing the NDP and Liberals and Conservatives and PQ and Bloc ... this one rates well below my personal radar. Like, who cares?

However, let's definitely have a dust-up over it!

Jeez, U. the OP asked if anyone felt sorry for this woman...NOT if we thought this was the greatest injustice in recorded history.

It'x possible to feel she's being badly treated by the party WITHOUT believing that this is more important than everything else out there.

Sat, 2014-01-25 09:56

Unionist

Ken Burch wrote:

Jeez, U. the OP asked if anyone felt sorry for this woman...NOT if we thought this was the greatest injustice in recorded history.

Aw Ken - how come you didn't go after Skinny Dipper? He gave a whole analysis of the situation, but he never answered the central question:

"Do you feel sorry for Ms. Taylor?"

See how easy it is to get off topic? At least I said that the issue was below my personal radar. I'm allowed to say that, right?

Quote:
It'x possible to feel she's being badly treated by the party WITHOUT believing that this is more important than everything else out there.

Yes, you're correct. And I see now that I was wrong. So here's my answer:

Unionist, responding to the central question about feeling sorry, wrote:
"I feel sorry that she is being treated in this fashion by a party leadership that isn't sufficiently transparent or membership-directed in its actions. I don't feel 'sorry for' her in a protective sort of sense, because I admire her apparent ability and determination to stand up in her own defence and in defence of what she sees as the interests of her co-constituents."

Now, in reviewing the thread, I note that we're still waiting for your answer. Ken, do you feel sorry for her?

Sat, 2014-01-25 13:45

Pogo

Pogo's picture

Okay. I don't feel sorry for her. She misunderstood rules that were likely in place long before she joined the party (I know they were there when I lived in Willowdale in the 1990's). She not only quit the party, but did her level best to create the biggest stink possible. Now she comes back and is mad because the party is not sure if they want her back? And we are supposed to feel sorry for her?

Well I guess I do feel sorry that she is incapable of moving on.

Sat, 2014-01-25 19:22

Ken Burch

Unionist wrote:

Ken Burch wrote:

Jeez, U. the OP asked if anyone felt sorry for this woman...NOT if we thought this was the greatest injustice in recorded history.

Aw Ken - how come you didn't go after Skinny Dipper? He gave a whole analysis of the situation, but he never answered the central question:

"Do you feel sorry for Ms. Taylor?"

See how easy it is to get off topic? At least I said that the issue was below my personal radar. I'm allowed to say that, right?

Quote:
It'x possible to feel she's being badly treated by the party WITHOUT believing that this is more important than everything else out there.

Yes, you're correct. And I see now that I was wrong. So here's my answer:

Unionist, responding to the central question about feeling sorry, wrote:
"I feel sorry that she is being treated in this fashion by a party leadership that isn't sufficiently transparent or membership-directed in its actions. I don't feel 'sorry for' her in a protective sort of sense, because I admire her apparent ability and determination to stand up in her own defence and in defence of what she sees as the interests of her co-constituents."

Now, in reviewing the thread, I note that we're still waiting for your answer. Ken, do you feel sorry for her?

I kinda do...it's been months since the byelection(a contest the party wasn't ever going to win, no matter what)and I think the party ought to let it go with her. And yes, I think her age and tenure matters here...you don't treat someone who's been in the party for 74 years in exactly the same as you would somebody who joined last month and is clearly just there to be a wrecker. At the same time, I don't think it's the biggest crime in human history.

As to the OP...I had forgotten until just now that the person who posted it is basically just here to flack for the Liberals, so that puts this thread in a somewhat different light.

Sat, 2014-01-25 19:45

terrytowel

Andrea may still be a bit pissed at Joy. After all Joy is the one who told Andrea to her face (at an NDP event of all places!) that she felt 'betrayed'. All she got back from Andrea was stony silence. And none of the NDP MPP (save Rosario Marchese) will return Joy's messages.

If Jack Layton was still with us, I'm sure he would have brought both sides together. He was good that way in working things out.

This is a woman that has devoted her life to the cause. Donating her time to countless envelope stuffings, marching with NDP leaders from Tommy Douglas to Jack Layton, and giving financially to the party.

This is not a partisan issue, a Libs, Con or NDP issue, but a respect issue. As someone who is Chinese, we are taught to respect and revere our elders.

Andrea should swallow whatever hurt she is still hanging on to, and let bygones be bygones. And Let Joy back into the party. This is a woman that has devoted her life to the cause of socialism.

It is only the right thing to do.

Sat, 2014-01-25 22:22

Ken Burch

And you're just gonna have to accept the fact that, no matter how this plays out, Joy won't EVER join the Liberals. She would never deal with this sitaution by switching to a party with NO core values at all, like YOU'D like her to do.

Sat, 2014-01-25 23:39

edmundoconnor

After the gas plants scandal, eHealth, ORNGE, the non-Big Move, the premier who hides behind the constitution whenever the separate school issue is brought up, I am surprised Goldenberg knows the meaning of the word 'shame'.

Is this an issue that the party has mishandled badly? Yes. Has Taylor got some valid points? Absolutely. However, having valid points does not make you immune from legitimate criticism. Nor does it stop you from being co-opted by some individuals and news outlets who are hostile to any - any - of the ideas the party(s) she belonged to held dear for decade after decade. Goldenberg is an odious example, but I have seen other dyed-in-the-wool partisans being suddenly desparately concerned about Taylor's fate, just as long as we don't talk about their parties. When it ceases to have any juice left in it, it will be mercilessly tossed to the curb, and we'll all move on to the next scandal. Crocodile tears? I think so.

I wonder if this issue would be quite so thoroughly aired if the ONDP were not polling in the upper 20s.

Sat, 2014-01-25 23:41

edmundoconnor

.

Sat, 2014-01-25 23:43

edmundoconnor

Liberals wouldn't know the right thing to do if it bit them on the nose.

Sun, 2014-01-26 07:14

Stockholm

I don't feel sorry for Joy Taylor. On the contrary, I envy her. It took her 91 years but she finally found a way to make herself the centre of attention and be the main subject of at least four articles in the Toronto Star.

Sun, 2014-01-26 07:14

terrytowel

na

Sun, 2014-01-26 16:35

felixr

Terry towel, I had sympathy for Joy Taylor, until I saw your concern trolling. Give it a rest.

Sun, 2014-01-26 16:52

Unionist

Stockholm wrote:
I don't feel sorry for Joy Taylor. On the contrary, I envy her. It took her 91 years but she finally found a way to make herself the centre of attention and be the main subject of at least four articles in the Toronto Star.

I figure I'll be the subject of at least one article in my local paper before I reach that age.

Mon, 2014-01-27 11:01

terrytowel

felixr, Ken Burch do you want me to leave babble and never return or post again.

Just say the word and I'm gone. And your bullying would have worked, and then you would feel so proud of yourself.

So just say the word and I'll go, never to return.

Mon, 2014-01-27 13:37

mark_alfred

In all political parties (and in fact in all organizations generally) there are disputes that occur between members. For the Ontario NDP, as per the Constitution, Horwath would not be the person to resolve or make a decision on such a dispute. She's not dictator of the Ontario NDP. So Raghubeer's statement is silly.

Mon, 2014-01-27 15:16

pookie

Personally, I find the bullying on display here distasteful.

Mon, 2014-03-17 15:04

Krago

Agnes Macphail Award Call for Nominations

Women in the New Democratic Party follow in the footsteps of many distinguished political foremothers. Agnes Macphail was one of the earliest and perhaps the best known woman leader in Ontario. In 1990, the Ontario NDP Women’s Committee established an annual award in the name of Agnes Macphail, to honour women in the Party who have made significant contributions to the advancement of women and women’s issues.

Mon, 2014-03-17 20:08

OnTheLeft

OnTheLeft's picture

pookie wrote:

Personally, I find the bullying on display here distasteful.

Indeed, and of course it's being conducted by the usual kool-aid drinkers.

Massive respect for Joy, although she shouldn't have quit the party.

The ONDP needs to stop meddling in riding associations and candidate nominations.

Tue, 2014-03-18 09:47

Brachina

I agree that meddling in riding nominations should stop, but Joy made her choice, I do believe she sbould be allowed back in, but it shoukd be made clear that quiting and creating bad publicity for the NDP is unexceptable in the future, as is publicly humiliating the leader and acting like a child. There are betting ways to handle disagreements then tempertarums.

Tue, 2014-03-18 13:28

OnTheLeft

OnTheLeft's picture

Joy hasn't been acting like a child, how condescending. She's disgusted, has every right to be, and good for her for speaking out.

Horwath and the brass need a wake up call. Their overreaching, undemocratic meddling is pissing a lot of people off and alienating them from the party.

Tue, 2014-03-18 15:03

wage zombie

OnTheLeft wrote:

Horwath and the brass need a wake up call. Their overreaching, undemocratic meddling is pissing a lot of people off and alienating them from the party.

How is it that you know so much about what's going on in Ontario (and Toronto, and Trinity-Spadina) from here in Vancouver?

Tue, 2014-03-18 17:19

OnTheLeft

OnTheLeft's picture

I'm from the GTA.

Why would you think I live in Vancouver?

Tue, 2014-03-18 18:16

wage zombie

OnTheLeft wrote:

I'm from the GTA.

Why would you think I live in Vancouver?

Oh, my apologies. I don't know why, I always thought you lived in Vancouver, and had you in the "Vancouver babblers" compartment in my head. Not sure why. I guess I thought some references to your posts were references to Vancouver.

If you live in the GTA then by all means, your opinions about Horwath, Joe Cressy, Joy Taylor, etc., is as valid as anyone else's. Sorry again.

Tue, 2014-03-18 19:34

Pogo

Pogo's picture

Let's recap. A by-election gets called in a riding where the NDP has a small membership who have worked well together running minimal campaigns. The by-election raises the profile many times. An NDP insider runs for the nomination and wins in a race where the votes were counted on fingers and toes. The party has a rule that allows people to be a member in ridings other than where they live, but that they must vote in nominations where they live (to avoid stacking a vote with outsiders). The NDP insider wins the nomination with the apparent help of these members. Because the riding stalwarts did not recognize these people and were unfamiliar with the rules they called foul. People who love to kick the NDP, took this as an opportunity and jumped on their cause not understanding that it was just the rules being followed as they should be.

So again remind me why she is justified in her disgust.

Tue, 2014-03-18 20:13

Stockholm

Your forgot to add that the "NDP insider" also went on to have a highly successful campaign that took the NDP popular vote in that riding to hights that could hardly have been dreamed of in the past.

Fri, 2014-11-14 16:31

terrytowel

Joy Taylor is BACK! And she can’t wait to see end of Horwath’s reign at the upcoming convention.

“I will never get over that deceit,” she said.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/11/14/andrea_horwaths_job_at_sta...