No, not for losing his fight with Justin... although that may have been part of it, who knows...
Brazeau booted out of Conservative caucus
Thu, 2013-02-07 13:31
#1
Brazeau booted out of Conservative caucus
Thu, 2013-02-07 13:34
#2
[url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/sen-patrick-brazeau-kicked-out-of-conserv.... Patrick Brazeau kicked out of Conservative caucus, police called to home [/url]
And CBC news is now reporting that the Senator is sitting in a jail in Gatineau.
Apparently he will keep his Senate seat. The only way to lose that is by having enough birthdays.
Thu, 2013-02-07 13:44
#3
Did I fall asleep? Didn't they just put him there not too long ago?
I think Harper's need to surround himself with yes men, sycophants and fools might be getting the better of him.
Thu, 2013-02-07 13:46
#4
Boom Boom
I posted it already a half hour ago in this thread, but that's okay. This definitely needs a thread by itself. 
ETA: PMO "shocked and saddened" by developments.
Thu, 2013-02-07 13:52
#5
Brazeau has been in the Senate since December 2008. We were talking about his follies [url=http://rabble.ca/babble/aboriginal-issues-and-culture/whats-wrong-brazea... years ago[/url], including [url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/01/07/brazeau-senate.html]allegations of sexual harassment[/url] against him by staff at the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples.
I'm confident Stephen Harper will punish him severely for the crime of getting caught.
ETA: Sorry, Boom Boom! Didn't notice. Threads whose titles include both the words "senate" and "democratic" confuse me...
Thu, 2013-02-07 13:55
#6
Another excellent reason for abolishing the Senate now!!!
Senator Patrick Brazeau in jail, kicked out of Tory caucus
Senator appointed by PM Harper known for controversy; will sit as independent
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/02/07/pol-brazeau-kicked-out-...
Thu, 2013-02-07 13:59
#7
Boom Boom
ETA: Sorry, Boom Boom! Didn't notice. Threads whose titles include both the words "senate" and "democratic" confuse me...
That made me laugh! 
Thu, 2013-02-07 14:02
#8
Scamming the system. Why does it not surprise me that a crocked right wing asshole would be pointing fingers at others. It seems to be one of their defining traits.
Does anyone know if a criminal conviction would get him removed or is it really just age? Of course he can't just be thrown out of the Senate by the PM and that is not such a bad thing because otherwise Harper would have fired at least half the Liberals by now.
Thu, 2013-02-07 14:14
#9
[url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/inside-politics-blog/2013/02/can-a-senat... O'Malley[/url] tackles the question of how a Senator's still-breathing body may be removed from the Chamber.
I think Brazeau qualifies on several grounds.
The only regret is that the other senators don't. Yet.
Thu, 2013-02-07 14:24
#10
CTV is reporting that Brazeau is facing sexual assault charges.
Thu, 2013-02-07 17:34
#11
alan smithee
Who cares? He's still a senator and will collect millions.
Thu, 2013-02-07 18:23
#12
Looks like Brazeau has gone completely off the rails over the past year since losing to Trudeau in the boxing match! 
Thu, 2013-02-07 18:59
#13
Boom Boom
CBC: He stands to earn $7million over his lifetime as a Senator - all on the public dime. And then there's all that other stuff that ALL Senatorsare entitled to as well. Abolish the damn thing already.
Thu, 2013-02-07 19:02
#14
Boom Boom
On CBC's P&P tonight: Haper promised to reform the Senate, when he found out he couldn't, he instead decided to use it the same way previous governments had: namely for fundraising and promoting his own brand. So far he's appointed 58 of these useless hacks.
Sat, 2021-11-20 14:23
#15
.
Thu, 2013-02-07 19:24
#16
yes, the boxing match which ended up being all about "hair". Now that is of importance to national interest.
It was kind of a joke, Jan (thus the winking emoticon). Don't take everything I say seriously!
But the boxing match was certainly not all about hair (why is it you anti-Trudeau types can't get off the hair thing?) The boxing match was actually about strategy - one opponent correctly deducing with his trainer before the match what his opponent's strengths & weaknesses were and figuring out how to tire him out by allowing superior agility to overcome greater physical strength and weight.
Btw, I would also argue it was a metaphor for Justin's political skills - being underestimated and always finding a way to outmaneuver his opponents, but this thread is about Brazeau so I'll stop talking about Justin now.
Thu, 2013-02-07 19:31
#17
What I find most significant about the whole Brazeau scandal is the family values aspect to it. This is a Conservative Party and PM who despite being rabidly anti-gay marriage and supposedly a party of 'family values' don't seem to have a problem appointing folks like Brazeau, Toews and Bernier to key positions.
Brazeau has not only been involved in a child support battle for several years, but wasn't even married to the mother of his child in the first place. He had this child outside of marriage.
Maxime Bernier was allowed to stay in the Harper cabinet for a long period of time (and as a Foreign Affairs Minister no less!) all the while flaunting a girlfriend around who had connections to Biker gangs!
Vic Toews was one of the Conservative Party's strongest opponents to the Liberal gay marriage bill back in 2005 and spent months opposing it on the Civil Marriage Committee. Then not long after that, he ended up cheating on his wife after having spent all that time deriding the gay marriage bill as a threat to the sanctity of marriage.
The Conservative Party has turned out to be like the Republicans and Newt Gingrich - completely hypocritical on the issues of family values and sexual morality. It's okay to oppose gay marriage on the grounds that it is wrong, but it's perfectly fine for male conservative heterosexual politicians to do as they please!
Thu, 2013-02-07 20:25
#18
Well, most parents in Québec nowadays don't get married, so that is a moot point. The question is not "outside of marriage" but of not respecting one's parental responsibilities.
Fri, 2013-02-08 09:12
#19
Boom Boom
The Senator 
is to be charged on two counts: assault, and sexual assault: CBC
Fri, 2013-02-08 11:05
#20
Boom Boom
He made bail this morning, there is a publication ban on the victim's name, and he is to appear in court March 22.
Fri, 2013-02-08 16:34
#21
Is that unusual that there would be a publication ban on the victim's name? I thought that was typical in such cases.
Fri, 2013-02-08 16:38
#22
Boom Boom
I don't know, Ken. Maybe one of our legal eagles can clarify for us?
Fri, 2013-02-08 16:38
#23
But Duffy and Liberal Harb remain in their respective caucases. Only an FN gets the severe treatment. And many of you settlers are cheering it. Assholes.
Fri, 2013-02-08 16:43
#24
Boom Boom
But Duffy and Liberal Harb remain in their respective caucases. Only an FN gets the severe treatment. And many of you settlers are cheering it. Assholes.
Were Duffy and Harb charged with assault and sexual assault?
Senate rules say a senator facing charges is usually put on leave.
Fri, 2013-02-08 16:47
#25
[url=http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/02/08/senator_patrick_brazeau_ex... a Toronto Star article:[/url]
The Quebec senator is now expected to sit as an Independent, but Conservative Senator David Tkachuk, chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, said senators will have to wait until Tuesday to figure out what happens next.
Since Brazeau was charged with offences punishable on summary conviction, rather than indictable offences, there is no rule under which he can be automatically put on a forced leave of absence.
“Right now all it means is there is a pause,” Tkachuk said.
Still, Tkachuk said he still thinks Brazeau should need approval from the Senate for any office and travel spending.
“I’m still of the view that we are going to take action on his account and we are going to monitor his account, just like we were going to do before, and whether it is summary conviction or not, as far as I’m concerned, we should do that.
“And then as far as his participation in the House, we’ll see what happens on Tuesday,” Tkachuk told the Star Friday.
He will continue to draw his Senate salary of $132,300.
Senators are allowed to miss up to 21 days of sittings in the upper chamber per session of parliament for family illness or responsibilities, funerals, grief and religious holidays.
Senate attendance records show Brazeau had only two of those 21 days remaining before he faced a potential fine of $250 per day missed.
There's obviously a lot of confusion surrounding the rules and what action may or may not be taken against Brazeau.
Fri, 2013-02-08 16:52
#26
Charged DOESN't equall GUILTY. Hey, maybe we should kick union members out of the union when they're CHARGED with a crime. You down with that?
Fri, 2013-02-08 17:07
#27
It's actually common in many organizations for someone to be suspended while an investigation goes forth.
If Harb and Duffy were facing accusations of sexual abuse and domestic violence, they'd have been kicked out of their caucuses as well.
Fri, 2013-02-08 17:35
#28
Charged DOESN't equall GUILTY. Hey, maybe we should kick union members out of the union when they're CHARGED with a crime. You down with that?
Of course Brazeau is innocent until proven guilty. That is one of the reasons that this whole matter will be in limbo for months to come until the conclusion of the criminal investigation. Perhaps he won't be found guilty. But if he is, people at that point will have the right to refer to him as such and for some action to be taken.
As I said above, what is amazing to me is that time and time again Harper has no problem having Conservative males involved in heterosexual sex scandals, whether it is Vic Toews, Maxime Bernier or Brazeau. And yet this is the Party that voted against our Gay Marriage Bill in 2005 on the grounds that it was a threat to the sanctity of marriage. Disgraceful.
And it appears that it doesn't matter what scandals the vetting process uncovers, if you are a male, heterosexual Conservative, anything goes. Remember when the PM hired Bruce Carson, a convicted criminal who had been disbarred for stealing from his clients, to be one of his advisers? And of course Carson also had a girlfriend about 40 years younger than him too.
All in a day's work for the Party of Family Values.
Fri, 2013-02-08 18:01
#29
Charged DOESN't equall GUILTY. Hey, maybe we should kick union members out of the union when they're CHARGED with a crime. You down with that?
When cops are charged we do the same to them? Are you saying we should let them and anyone else be on the job while facing serious charges?
He suspended with pay, just like any union member often is when faced with serious charges (at least for teachers, cops and government workers)
Fri, 2013-02-08 18:52
#30
Union members (other than cops and the like) are routinely suspended without pay when facing charges which can be related to the workplace or to the employer's reputation. That's all while they're still innocent in the eyes of the law.
Brazeau needn't worry about income, the way my fellow members are when charged.
Unlucky Brazeau. He tried initially to keep his job (and salary) as head of CAP when appointed to the Senate. Now he'll oly be able to single-dip.
Sat, 2021-11-20 14:24
#31
.
Fri, 2013-02-08 21:03
#32
Boom Boom
Duffy has been under constant attack since the matter was first raised. I only heard about Harb yesterday when all three were mentioned in the news.Rex Murphy devoted his entire segment last night to attack Duffy - never mentioned Brazeau IIRC. Nor did he mention Harb.
Brazeau is the only one charged with assault and sexual assault. As others have noted, if Duffy and Harb were charged with assault and sexual assault, they'd be suspended as well. If you don't believe that, then you're just an idiot.
Sat, 2021-11-20 14:24
#33
.
Fri, 2013-02-08 22:06
#34
Of course then we get into "naming" who is Aboriginal, who is of colour...
Mum was a fairly pure Celt, but Pierre (whom I can't abide, by the way, due to the War Measures Act) had fairly clear Indigenous ancestry. And Brazeau's Aboriginal origins weren't recognized in the first years of his life either.
Justin is a silly upper-class twit. Pierre was at least as upper-class, and twittish, but not as silly.
Fri, 2013-02-08 22:13
#35
[url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2013/02/07/mb-patrick-braze... Brazeau not credible, says Manitoba grand chief[/url]
The head of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs says he has no sympathy for Senator Patrick Brazeau, who has been put on a leave of absence from the Senate after being charged with assault and sexual assault.
Grand Chief Derek Nepinak says his organization does not consider Brazeau a leader or role model in the aboriginal community.
"I can say, I think, with a lot of confidence that nobody would recognize him as a leader in the aboriginal community," Nepinak said Thursday.
Fri, 2013-02-08 22:38
#36
Duffy has been under constant attack since the matter was first raised. I only heard about Harb yesterday when all three were mentioned in the news.Rex Murphy devoted his entire segment last night to attack Duffy - never mentioned Brazeau IIRC. Nor did he mention Harb.
Brazeau is the only one charged with assault and sexual assault. As others have noted, if Duffy and Harb were charged with assault and sexual assault, they'd be suspended as well. If you don't believe that, then you're just an idiot.
Once again, you are the voice of reason, Boom Boom.
Fri, 2013-02-08 23:57
#37
The hair thing?
I agree that Brazeau is getting different treatment than a lot of white guys have.
But nobody forced him to put his hair up as the subject of a wager; he did that himself. It's not for me to pass judgment because it's his hair and he can do with it what he wants. But neither am I going read any historical symbolism into the fact that he lost that wager and paid up.
If there was anything shameful about it then why did he agree to it in the first place?
(edit)
And according to the news reports Trudeau declined to cut Brazeau's hair, leaving the job to a stylist.
Sat, 2013-02-09 01:36
#38
But Duffy and Liberal Harb remain in their respective caucases. Only an FN gets the severe treatment. And many of you settlers are cheering it. Assholes.
I agree and colonial hypocrisy is not lost on me. The two white guys who also padded their expense accounts are getting defended by silence (which is condoning) or out right defence by their MSM.
So I see some media defending Duffy's charge on the taxpayer for his "summer home/cottage" as just dandy even those his neighbours never see him.
And the lib, not a peep by anybody - in fact, he's a total mystery to me but he's been collecting a big fat check for years.
This is incorrect. Mac Harb and Mike Duffy have been mentioned in story after story this week about the expense accounts, as they were again tonight.
Sat, 2013-02-09 01:38
#39
Of course then we get into "naming" who is Aboriginal, who is of colour...
Mum was a fairly pure Celt, but Pierre (whom I can't abide, by the way, due to the War Measures Act) had fairly clear Indigenous ancestry. And Brazeau's Aboriginal origins weren't recognized in the first years of his life either.
Justin is a silly upper-class twit. Pierre was at least as upper-class, and twittish, but not as silly.
Now you're resorting to name-calling to express yourself? Not only do you bring up the outdated War Measures Act controversy (which Quebec asked for and which most Quebecers supported at the time) you then engage in some sort of bizarre attack based on what someone's class and ethnicity is.
Sat, 2013-02-09 01:46
#40
Duffy has been under constant attack since the matter was first raised. I only heard about Harb yesterday when all three were mentioned in the news.Rex Murphy devoted his entire segment last night to attack Duffy - never mentioned Brazeau IIRC. Nor did he mention Harb.
Brazeau is the only one charged with assault and sexual assault. As others have noted, if Duffy and Harb were charged with assault and sexual assault, they'd be suspended as well. If you don't believe that, then you're just an idiot.
Once again, you are the voice of reason, Boom Boom.
I have to agree. Boom Boom has definitely posted on this story in a sensible manner throughout this thread. Boom Boom has stayed focused on the central issue - we have one Senator, and one Senator alone, who has been charged with sexual assault (and who already had a controversial past). This was obviously the last straw for Harper, although as with Bruce Carson, it's his own fault that this controversy has affected the Conservatives in the first place.
Not sure why some above are trying to turn this into a racial issue or take shots at the Trudeau family.
Sat, 2013-02-09 04:35
#41
Well, it is hard to compare apples and oranges. Situations like this also come down to one's standing in the party. Look at the former Premier of B.C.
And of course, the Reform Party let Jack Ramsay stay in caucus until he was actually convicted (later retried on a lesser sentence), and they suspended his expulsion pending his appeal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Ramsay_%28politician%29
I guess what I do find odd about Brazeau's case is how quickly he was booted by his party, and that he showed up in court alone and without counsel. It makes me wonder if anyone even went to the station to tell him (never mind giving him a chance to explain himself), or if he found out through the media.
Sat, 2013-02-09 06:44
#42
The Senate is just a place to reward political favours and always has been. Take this excerpt from Wikipedia...
'On December 2, 2008, Liberal leader Stéphane Dion spoke to May about Green Party support for a possible Liberal-NDP coalition government. According to May, these discussions included discussion of a possible Senate appointment for May'
See? This political game is played out here even by the holy Elizabeth May. The only Party that hates the Senate as much as you and I is the NDP. They have no one in the Senate to protect. Get It?
Sat, 2013-02-09 07:51
#43
I most definitely do NOT consider the prevalence of Indigenous ancestry among Québécois people as anything to denigrate people about. Once upon a time, in the bad old days, it was indeed hidden and many parish records "whitened" - nowadays people here are very proud of having Indigenous ancestry and many go to the trouble of having it recognised (and no, in most cases it doesn't provide any material benefit).
I most certainly have the right to call Justin an upper-class twit and a lightweight. He is. I encounter him frequently because his riding is just a couple of blocks north of my house and I'm an active member of a tenants' association located in Papineau riding. Trudeau fils is a great spouter of nostrums. And I knew people were jailed under the War Measures Act (the FLQ were rounded up by normal police work), so I don't think reminding people about that draconian measure, imposed against political enemies, is "outdated". I'll talk about history that goes back a hell of a lot further back than that, thank you very much. At least my uni studies are useful in that respect.
I agree with Boom Boom too, and have also pointed out that a serious crime against someone's person is far more serious than anything monetary. Don't you use that to attack me because I have no love for the Liberal Party.
Sat, 2013-02-09 12:30
#44
APTN report on Brazeau's court appearance, and blowback in Parliament (including my MP, Alexandre Boulerice).
http://aptn.ca/pages/news/2013/02/08/brazeau-charged-with-assault-and-se...
Sat, 2013-02-09 12:34
#45
These excerpts from the Nov. 19, 2012 Senate Human Rights Committee hearing in Winnipeg are I think a good example of how the Harper government used Brazeau to try to attack, humiliate, and silence Aboriginal people. In what follows, the "Deputy Chair" is Brazeau.
The Deputy Chair: Next on my list is Lori Mainville.
Lori Mainville, as an individual: I come from Treaty 3, Ontario, and I am a third generation off-reserve member. Out of due respect really to our chiefs in Ontario who in 2011 asked Patrick Brazeau not to speak on our behalf, so I would like to address my comment to the rest of the Senate here. As well as, if possible, if Mobina wants to respond, that is totally fine. I respect the words that you shared.
Senator Jaffer: Thank you very much. I really appreciate you being here and taking the time to speak to us, but we very much respect the work of Senator Brazeau. It is because of him that we are here, and if you are not able to address him, with the greatest of respect, then you will not be able to address us. We are a team; we work as a team.
Ms. Mainville: Then you do not speak for me; none of the Senate members speak for me. I am related to people before there was ever a border between provinces. I had relatives all over. The Anishinabe span right across Canada. You do not speak for me or my daughter or my granddaughter. Meegwetch.
Lori Mainville elected not to continue with her evidence under these circumstances. Next was Jo Redsky:
Jo Redsky, as an individual: I have a few words to say, and I will address Patrick.I am grassroots. I am from —
The Deputy Chair: Could we have your name?
Ms. Redsky: It is Jo Redsky.
Senator Jaffer: For this event, it is Senator Brazeau you are addressing.
Ms. Redsky: I am speaking to him. I guess I need to say a few words because it seems to me like this is a consultation to our people, and a lot of our people do not agree with Bill C-45 or with the divide and conquer tactics of the reserve and the urban setting. For us as Anishinabe people, there are no boundaries. We live in a territory. We find that this is another tactic to divide and conquer our people, and we are sick and tired of the abuse that happens with our people. We are here because the Creator put us here, and we will always defend this land.
This whole thing that is coming before our people is about the resources and the greed and what the Government of Canada has done to our people — so much greed. I cannot understand how you can sit there and speak on behalf of them. You are Anishinabe, are you not? Are you not Anishinabe?
The Deputy Chair: Yes, I am.
Ms. Redsky: I do not understand that. Your ancestry is here, so how can you sit there and support things that are going to hurt Mother Earth? My name is part of the earth, so when I speak, I speak on behalf of the earth. I am not afraid to speak up for her. We are sick and tired of the abuse that is happening. We are the caretakers of this land, and the women are standing up now and we are sick and tired of the abuse that is happening.
Missing and murdered women is one of the genocides, and our youth are committing suicide. Colonization has done this to our people. Now the land will defend itself; Mother Earth will defend herself.
It is pretty scary that we need to speak the truth — and that is the truth. We do not acknowledge what is happening in here. We do not acknowledge that because you guys are basing decisions on what you think is right for us. We know what is right for us, and that is defending her and protecting the waters. Those are important issues to us. I know the mind- thinking today is greed and fast money. That is what it is all about, but not to us. We are the original people of this land, and we will always speak up for her.
I am not afraid to direct this to the government because the government does not — you guys do not really care about what we think or what we feel. If you did, you would be addressing the issue of missing and murdered men and women. You would be addressing the water issues. The oil that is being extracted from this earth is another genocide to her. I do not know if you guys understand that.
Senator Jaffer: With respect, you and I came to know each other well today. You asked me to do some things, and I did them right away. I will share with you that Senator Brazeau is leading the issue in the Senate of murdered women. He is pushing for a national inquiry, so there has to be respect from both sides.
We have listened all day. We have come here because we respect your ideas. We have come to listen, but the first step about listening to dialogue is to pay respect to each other and listen. When you come here and say "We do not understand" and especially address my colleague as you have, it is difficult for me because I know — I sit day in and day out — we are here because of his hard work. He comes to you and says, "You matter to me." He comes to you and says, "Your issue is important to me." He sits in the Senate and talks about the importance of a missing women's inquiry. I have to, as his colleague, tell you that he is really representing you well.
Ms. Redsky: I am sorry, ma'am. I do not feel that. I do not feel that that is right. This issue is not only about the missing and murdered women. It is also about the land issue.
Senator Jaffer: Your three minutes are over. I respect your opinion but let us agree to disagree.
Ms. Redsky: It is okay if you disagree. We needed to voice our opinion and our people need to do that. We are not going to be quiet anymore.
But take note that Idle No More was created, almost at the same time, by Aboriginal women like these (in fact one them, Nina Wilson, was a witness that day as well). They refused to be silent and insulted.
Brazeau is Harper's puppet, to be used while he can, and to be discarded when his usefulness ends. There will no doubt be others.
[url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/SEN/Committee/411/ridr/19ev-49816-e.htm?La...
Sat, 2013-02-09 15:01
#46
Is that Jo Redsky or Red Sky? Or is she Russo-aboriginal?.
Sat, 2013-02-09 15:34
#47
I don't know if this is Jo's mother but there is no doubt that Redsky is an aboriginal surname. Jo herself is active in the Copwatch program and other inner city aboriginal issues.
Diane Redsky has long worked to address the myriad of issues facing Winnipeg’s Aboriginal community in all areas of health, justice, education and social services. Since 1993, Diane has served in both a professional and volunteer capacity within Winnipeg’s social service sector, assisting in the creation of numerous innovative programs that support the growth and development of the Aboriginal community while building healthy communities.
“I believe that everyone has gifts and strengths to share that will enable us to work together for healthy families and healthy communities.”
Diane is a band member of Shoal Lake First Nation #40 and a proud mother of three children and a Kookum (grandmother). Diane’s belief in the inherent strength of the community continues to guide her along her life’s journey.
Sat, 2013-02-09 16:10
#48
Prof. Rainey Gaywish, of the University of Manitoba, is another Aboriginal woman who testified in front of Brazeau's committee on the same day as linked above. She is also a friend of a friend on Facebook. Here is what she said about the latest developments:
"on Brazeau's meltdown: Harper already threw Brazeau 'under the bus'; I wouldn't be surprised if Harper turns this against Aboriginal People - or even that he had put Brazeau in Senate knowing he would make a fool of himself and do nothing to advocate for Aborginal issues, & clearly at no time posing a threat to the Harper/Reform agenda to further erode the rights of Aboriginal People. Brazeau, in his behaviour, is a case study of a colonized indian, striving to emulate the oppressor, attempting to surpass the oppressor's disdain and virulent hatred of the oppressed, through his immature attempts to portray to the Reformist as their Indian mascot: "I'm not one of them! I'm one of you!" Is he deserving of compassion? Is the cannibalistic energy of the Windigo or the destructive energy of the Opposite Spirit to be met with compassion? The person who realizes his/her errors and seeks to make amends, yes. When that person stands up and says I have committed violations against my own people to advance my own ego, I have been an abuser, I no longer want to be that kind of person... then, yes, it is often the compassionate teacher who will help that person on his/her healing journey. Maybe one day that will be this poor man. He may sleep for years before that happens.''
Sat, 2013-02-09 17:50
#49
I think she says openly what many of us are thinking about Harper's position.
I wouldn't exactly say she's inviting the prodigal son back into the flock though. I could do without the qualified compassion only for those who are worthy. Kind of defeats the purpose.
Sat, 2013-02-09 20:10
#50
Gaywish is offering pretty clear examples of atonement and forgiveness, so sadly lacking in settler culture. Interesting perspective, though the man hasn't been convicted of any crime.
According to much of the commentary I've seen, there's a certain smugness with claims by various membership the mainstream media who have said they knew Brazeau was a train wreck waiting to happens rom day one of his appointment. Jeffrey Simpson being of that ilk.
20/20 hindsight that, if true, would indicate a lazier and more incompetent MSM than usual.
Sat, 2013-02-09 20:46
#51
@ Rebecca
Sure, and in one sense I get it.
On the other hand, it would be a bit weird for someone to start talking about Stephen Harper's spiritual path, because generally those of us in the dominant culture don't have our responsibility to our heritage held up like it is our ultimate destiny. The assumption is that we have made our own decisions and can choose for ourselves when and if we are on the road to Damascus.
Brazeau's attitude aside, he has made a few comments pointing out how he sees his place in his culture. I sure don't agree with his choices, but I don't see why he should be held up in a way that a wealthy white man would not be.
Again, I like that Gaywish shoots from the hip, but I think she could have left it at telling him he was an ignorant fuckup who should stop hurting his people. His moral welfare and his politics are his private concern, IMO. After all, it's not like there are no Conservative Native people.
And again, the qualified compassion hits a bit of a nerve for me, because when people most need compassion is when they are at their most isolated and disconnected, and at their absolute worst.
Or perhaps that is just the religious fool in me talking.