Volunteer Who Confronted Justin Trudeau at Flood Zone Is a "wonderful, generous, and hard working soul"

42 posts / 0 new

Mon, 2019-04-29 17:48

Mighty Middle

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was criticized by a volunteer for reportedly holding up the line while people were filling sandbags. Trudeau and his sons were in flooded Constance Bay today helping with the sandbags.

Lawyer Michael Spratt (who is the husband of former NDP Candidate Emilie Taman) appluaded the volunteer for his actions against Trudeau. Tweeting

I know this man who confronted Trudeau. He is a wonderful, generous, and hard working soul. He was one of my mentors and inspirations. I am the lawyer I am today because of him. And he is right on this one.

Let’s be honest. 15 min of sandbag filling was totally a photo-op that probably delayed things. Intent was good but the goals can be accomplished without interfering with the time sensitive work on the front line. But politicians gotta politician (just like Ford did yesterday)

https://twitter.com/mspratt/status/1122245532771127296

Mon, 2019-04-29 18:00

Sean in Ottawa

Politicians also tend to have outsized egos. They think they are more valuable and essential.

and in fairness, if politicians do not show up they feel they will be attacked for that as well.

The compromise is for them to speak from a safe distance where the will not get in the way and they can even point out that they are doing so.

On the other hand, there is another issue here -- morale is very low and it is also possible that seeing the PM at the front line can help morale for some.

I tend not to make a big deal about these things becuase I think it is a bit more complicated than it first appears. Politicians need to be responsible and sometimes refrain to speak at distance and Trudeau does not appear to have got this one right but I won't pretend that it is an easy call.

Mon, 2019-04-29 20:33

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

Oh fuck...Blaming political parties for NATURAL DISASTERS now.Be happy he didn't show up tossing paper towels to those affected. The volunteer is not a hero, he's a zero. Perhaps he would have been happier with Scheer showing up still smelling like piss round the ears.Doesn't this idiot realize thatr Scheer would increase these disasters with his anti carbon tax garbage. And who is it again who wants to cap that now? The Liberals and the NDP. But who is in a bnetter position to make up the government? Seriously,the NDP need to exceed 25% for them to be at all relevant. I don't think it will happen with Singh. I like his rhetoric but Canadians are too racist to vote him PM..sorry

Mon, 2019-04-29 20:25

(Reply to #3) #4

Sean in Ottawa

alan smithee wrote:

Oh fuck...Blaming political parties for NATURAL DISASTERS now. That's not the act of a hero, it's an act of a zero.

Who is doing that?

Mon, 2019-04-29 20:29

(Reply to #4) #5

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

Sean in Ottawa wrote:

alan smithee wrote:

Oh fuck...Blaming political parties for NATURAL DISASTERS now. That's not the act of a hero, it's an act of a zero.

Who is doing that?

Sorry it was a very vague comment. I changed it for it to be a little more clear.

Mon, 2019-04-29 20:32

(Reply to #5) #6

Sean in Ottawa

alan smithee wrote:

Sean in Ottawa wrote:

alan smithee wrote:

Oh fuck...Blaming political parties for NATURAL DISASTERS now. That's not the act of a hero, it's an act of a zero.

Who is doing that?

Sorry it was a very vague comment. I changed it for it to be a little more clear.

Is it that hard to understand if what he says is true -- that he went to volunteer his time and was held up for a politician?

I don't want to rail on Trudeau for this for the reasons i stated above but I certainly don't want to attack the person who came out to help and could not becuase a politician was holding things up.

Seems this exchange is being weaponized by partisans on both sides.

Mon, 2019-04-29 20:35

(Reply to #6) #7

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

Sean in Ottawa wrote:

alan smithee wrote:

Sean in Ottawa wrote:

alan smithee wrote:

Oh fuck...Blaming political parties for NATURAL DISASTERS now. That's not the act of a hero, it's an act of a zero.

Who is doing that?

Sorry it was a very vague comment. I changed it for it to be a little more clear.

Is it that hard to understand if what he says is true -- that he went to volunteer his time and was held up for a politician?

I don't want to rail on Trudeau for this for the reasons i stated above but I certainly don't want to attack the person who came out to help and could not becuase a politician was holding things up.

Seems this exchange is being weaponized by partisans on both sides.

I'm not trying to be partisan. ALL politicians of all stripes show up to disaster zones all the time. So what's this guy's problem? Personally I think he made a scene because he hates Trudeau.

Mon, 2019-04-29 20:39

(Reply to #7) #8

Sean in Ottawa

alan smithee wrote:

Sean in Ottawa wrote:

alan smithee wrote:

Sean in Ottawa wrote:

alan smithee wrote:

Oh fuck...Blaming political parties for NATURAL DISASTERS now. That's not the act of a hero, it's an act of a zero.

Who is doing that?

Sorry it was a very vague comment. I changed it for it to be a little more clear.

Is it that hard to understand if what he says is true -- that he went to volunteer his time and was held up for a politician?

I don't want to rail on Trudeau for this for the reasons i stated above but I certainly don't want to attack the person who came out to help and could not becuase a politician was holding things up.

Seems this exchange is being weaponized by partisans on both sides.

I'm not trying to be partisan. ALL politicians of all stripes show up to disaster zones all the time. So what's this guy's problem? Personally I think he made a scene because he hates Trudeau.

Maybe -- but isn't he in his rights to express that opinion all the same when he came to donate time to helping rather than being held up by a motorcade?

BTW -- it has been miserable here and the people are at their wit's end.

Mon, 2019-04-29 20:50

(Reply to #8) #9

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

Sean in Ottawa wrote:

alan smithee wrote:

Sean in Ottawa wrote:

alan smithee wrote:

Sean in Ottawa wrote:

alan smithee wrote:

Oh fuck...Blaming political parties for NATURAL DISASTERS now. That's not the act of a hero, it's an act of a zero.

Who is doing that?

Sorry it was a very vague comment. I changed it for it to be a little more clear.

Is it that hard to understand if what he says is true -- that he went to volunteer his time and was held up for a politician?

I don't want to rail on Trudeau for this for the reasons i stated above but I certainly don't want to attack the person who came out to help and could not becuase a politician was holding things up.

Seems this exchange is being weaponized by partisans on both sides.

I'm not trying to be partisan. ALL politicians of all stripes show up to disaster zones all the time. So what's this guy's problem? Personally I think he made a scene because he hates Trudeau.

Maybe -- but isn't he in his rights to express that opinion all the same when he came to donate time to helping rather than being held up by a motorcade?

BTW -- it has been miserable here and the people are at their wit's end.

Yes everybody has a right to confront their elected officials. But just as oppurtunist Trudeau was (again like any and all politicians past,present and future) for that photo- op,the volunteer MAY, possibly have been oppurtunistic too.After all,it is an election year.

And I'm at my wits end too. It's May and I'm still in a winter coat so personally I am pissed. But no one can be more miserable than these flood victims.

Mon, 2019-04-29 22:21

#10

lagatta4

Yes, all politicians do that. We got venom from the right because Québec solidaire took part in the Earth Day demo rather than filling sandbags. I don't know about the others but Manon Massé was definitely filling up sandbags: she is strong and solid. Some might think she looks "fat", but she is solid muscle. She is very competent at that sort of work. (I'm not: I'm arthritic and would be in the way).

Alan, I'm really in pain now too. What would I do without my huggy little Livia? Doubt I'll even go to May Day. I am working on a conference on Indigenous rights and defence of ecosystems the day after, at least.

Mon, 2019-04-29 22:36

#11

Pondering

15 minutes is not helping. But let's say he was justified in doing it because all politicians do it and it could be inspiring. It still doesn't excuse his reaction to the man's objection.

Trudeau was rude to the man in accusing him of being unneighbourly. That is a cheap shot and disrespectful to a local who is dealing with the flood for more than 15 minutes. He didn't invite Trudeau and Trudeau isn't his neighbour. Trudeau could have defended without attacking.

Tue, 2019-04-30 01:57

#12

Misfit

When Trump didn’t go to Puerto Rico he was attacked and rightly so.

Trudeau has a responsibility to make a presence there. That is what weexpect from our Prime Minister.

Tue, 2019-04-30 03:58

(Reply to #12) #13

LB Cultured Thought

Pondering wrote:

15 minutes is not helping. But let's say he was justified in doing it because all politicians do it and it could be inspiring. It still doesn't excuse his reaction to the man's objection.

Trudeau was rude to the man in accusing him of being unneighbourly. That is a cheap shot and disrespectful to a local who is dealing with the flood for more than 15 minutes. He didn't invite Trudeau and Trudeau isn't his neighbour. Trudeau could have defended without attacking.

I don't think you'll find anyone who dislikes Trudeau more than me on this board, but I'm at a loss trying to think of what he did incorrectly here. While talking to the angry guy, Trudeau sounds like Trudeau, which you'll like or not, depending on your existing opinion of the PM. For the rest of the video I saw, Trudeau just seems to be filling sandbags. It's a photo op, certainly, but one I imagine all PMs would do in the circumstance and I liked the human moments as he taught his son how to fill the sandbags (he should rake leaves with him once to teach these skills) and also as he told his younger son he was in the way (with some frustration). It's useful to remember now and then that the people we disagree with in domestic politics are still people we could easily call neighbours and get along with quite well, lest we begin to wish that black were blacker.

Tue, 2019-04-30 09:05

#14

Pondering

What's that got to do with Trudeau accusing a citizen of being unneighbourly for not appreciating Trudeau's photoshoot? The man had been there for an hour waiting to fill sandbags. How long did Trudeau and his son wait? What is Trudeau teaching his son? That privileged people only have to show up for 15 minutes to get praised? That privileged people get to be rude and dismissive to those who are there to work for hours not minutes?

Tue, 2019-04-30 10:27

(Reply to #14) #15

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

Pondering wrote:

What's that got to do with Trudeau accusing a citizen of being unneighbourly for not appreciating Trudeau's photoshoot? The man had been there for an hour waiting to fill sandbags. How long did Trudeau and his son wait? What is Trudeau teaching his son? That privileged people only have to show up for 15 minutes to get praised? That privileged people get to be rude and dismissive to those who are there to work for hours not minutes?

Jesus H Christ. Why don't we hang Trudeau by his berries for doing EXACTLY what ANY other politician,especially a leader such as a Premier and a PM would . It's expected from them. What the fuck do you think people would say if he didn't show up at all ?

I get the Trudeau hater train but now you are grasping at straws. It's embarrassing.

Tue, 2019-04-30 11:42

(Reply to #15) #16

BertramPotts BertramPotts's picture

alan smithee wrote:

Oh fuck...Blaming political parties for NATURAL DISASTERS now.

I don't care about any politician's dumb photo op, but this really wasn't a natural disaster. That term is wholly obsolete in a world where the human species has fiddled with the global thermostat to the extent we have.

Tue, 2019-04-30 11:43

(Reply to #16) #17

Pondering

alan smithee wrote:

Pondering wrote:

What's that got to do with Trudeau accusing a citizen of being unneighbourly for not appreciating Trudeau's photoshoot? The man had been there for an hour waiting to fill sandbags. How long did Trudeau and his son wait? What is Trudeau teaching his son? That privileged people only have to show up for 15 minutes to get praised? That privileged people get to be rude and dismissive to those who are there to work for hours not minutes?

Jesus H Christ. Why don't we hang Trudeau by his berries for doing EXACTLY what ANY other politician,especially a leader such as a Premier and a PM would . It's expected from them. What the fuck do you think people would say if he didn't show up at all ?

I get the Trudeau hater train but now you are grasping at straws. It's embarrassing.

Politicians are not expected to be rude and talk down to citizens regardless of the event. This is the third time that I know of.

Tue, 2019-04-30 11:53

#18

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

Natural or man made a lot of people are homeless and in need of money to get their lives together. I don't care if you want to call it natural or man made.People are hurting. Trudeau went and so did Legault predictably. For a photo - op or to help[ that's what people suffering from these floods want and they are going to need both the provincial and federal governments to rebuild. If Ottawa coughs up the millions of dollars this will cost then they are doing a competent job.

That's my point. I'm not going to knick pick about terminologies.

Tue, 2019-04-30 12:23

(Reply to #18) #19

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

Pondering wrote:

alan smithee wrote:

Pondering wrote:

What's that got to do with Trudeau accusing a citizen of being unneighbourly for not appreciating Trudeau's photoshoot? The man had been there for an hour waiting to fill sandbags. How long did Trudeau and his son wait? What is Trudeau teaching his son? That privileged people only have to show up for 15 minutes to get praised? That privileged people get to be rude and dismissive to those who are there to work for hours not minutes?

Jesus H Christ. Why don't we hang Trudeau by his berries for doing EXACTLY what ANY other politician,especially a leader such as a Premier and a PM would . It's expected from them. What the fuck do you think people would say if he didn't show up at all ?

I get the Trudeau hater train but now you are grasping at straws. It's embarrassing.

Politicians are not expected to be rude and talk down to citizens regardless of the event. This is the third time that I know of.

Yeah. We need a strong Conservative. SuperScheer to the rescue.

BTW,pandering, send me a clip that shows Trudeau being rude to sand bagger volunteers. What because they fast tracked the PRIME MINISTER to the head of the line? That's how it goes. It would be the same from any of the leaders in Ottawa who became the government. You're grasping at straws. This whole thread is stupid.

Tue, 2019-04-30 13:39

#20

Sean in Ottawa

Trudeau's comment about not being neighborly is the controversial part -- the rest is what a politician would have to do.

Trudeau is very awkward when speaking on his feet and unprepared. Really this is not news and was well known before the election. I think there is some cumulative dmage for this but not coming from this exchange given the better examples -- like thanking the Indigenous protestor for the donation. In the end it will not sway the election.

I am no fan of Trudeau but I am almost sympathetic to his difficulty in saying the right thing as I know many others who blurt out really stupid things under pressure. I say this becuase when considering these, this may be something more pronounced in his supporters.

I still think he is an elitist and has talked more than he has acted on things that matter.

Tue, 2019-04-30 15:00

(Reply to #20) #21

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

Sean in Ottawa wrote:

Trudeau's comment about not being neighborly is the controversial part -- the rest is what a politician would have to do.

Trudeau is very awkward when speaking on his feet and unprepared. Really this is not news and was well known before the election. I think there is some cumulative dmage for this but not coming from this exchange given the better examples -- like thanking the Indigenous protestor for the donation. In the end it will not sway the election.

I am no fan of Trudeau but I am almost sympathetic to his difficulty in saying the right thing as I know many others who blurt out really stupid things under pressure. I say this becuase when considering these, this may be something more pronounced in his supporters.

I still think he is an elitist and has talked more than he has acted on things that matter.

I agree. Trudeau even though being a teacher makes a lot of gaffes and verbal mistakes. He is not my first choice. Yes,if the NDP can't win the election, it becomes the best of 2 evils. I think the Liberals have done a decent job Trudeau not withstanding.

I don't think this is going to make any difference in the next election. I think the 'volunteer' made a scene for partisan political reasons. I think he couldn't help himself from yelling at Trudeau, it was a calculated event.

As I said earlier. The NDP HAVE to get their numbers up to at least 25% to ever have a chance of winning elections.

What is left? The Cons or the Libs. Sorry but I would vote Liberal 100 times out of 100 even if they were lead by a corn chip over the Cons.. I would need a full frontal lobotomy to even consider both voting or cheering for the Conservatives.

The Liberals are far from perfect. They haven't delivered a lot of important promises. But they did do a few progressive things. So I hope you understand where I'm coming from.

Tue, 2019-04-30 15:26

(Reply to #21) #22

Sean in Ottawa

I see where you are coming from -- however, I do not accept what you are saying about the volounteer. We do not know that the volunteer planned this or was insincere. We do not know that this is a political plant.

It is likely that the volunteer is exactly what he says he is and that he was upset as he says he is. i would have been as well. The chance of this person being not a Liberal supporter is certianly likely and he may have been additionally angry that he waited for a political appearance of someone he does not support and then became angry.

I disagree with the idea of excusing Trudeau and not this person. Trudeau should ahve apologized and said the wrong thing. This person was upset and said the right thing -- perhaps too forcefully. I feel that taking sides in any significant way is obviously partisan.

I do not think that this person who probably came to help should be attacked for pointing this out.

Frankly Trudeau's handlers ought to have known that he was coming to a place in Ottawa where his supporters would be outnumbered 3-1 and that he should be prepared for backlash if he kept any waiting and should be gracious. The incident is more Trudeau's fault than the volunteer. The exchange was more predictable for Trudeau who would ahve had people who should have advised him as to what to do.

Frankly I think it is much easier to sympathize with the volunteer than Trudeau who ought to have know where he was going and had been prepared with the many professionals who were with him. I am rather shocked that you would go after the volunteer with so many presumptions while being so easy on the PM. Why give benefit of doubt to the one with the advantage here? Why smear the volunteer with unproven assumption that he was not there just to help and got upset? Why should the volunteer have to consider being kind to a person he probably does not support? Can't you see that you look more partisan and political than the volunteer? Yes I can see where you are coming from but you are being really unfair and biased here and should rethink this.

I hope you see where I am coming from.

alan smithee wrote:

Sean in Ottawa wrote:

Trudeau's comment about not being neighborly is the controversial part -- the rest is what a politician would have to do.

Trudeau is very awkward when speaking on his feet and unprepared. Really this is not news and was well known before the election. I think there is some cumulative dmage for this but not coming from this exchange given the better examples -- like thanking the Indigenous protestor for the donation. In the end it will not sway the election.

I am no fan of Trudeau but I am almost sympathetic to his difficulty in saying the right thing as I know many others who blurt out really stupid things under pressure. I say this becuase when considering these, this may be something more pronounced in his supporters.

I still think he is an elitist and has talked more than he has acted on things that matter.

I agree. Trudeau even though being a teacher makes a lot of gaffes and verbal mistakes. He is not my first choice. Yes,if the NDP can't win the election, it becomes the best of 2 evils. I think the Liberals have done a decent job Trudeau not withstanding.

I don't think this is going to make any difference in the next election. I think the 'volunteer' made a scene for partisan political reasons. I think he couldn't help himself from yelling at Trudeau, it was a calculated event.

As I said earlier. The NDP HAVE to get their numbers up to at least 25% to ever have a chance of winning elections.

What is left? The Cons or the Libs. Sorry but I would vote Liberal 100 times out of 100 even if they were lead by a corn chip over the Cons.. I would need a full frontal lobotomy to even consider both voting or cheering for the Conservatives.

The Liberals are far from perfect. They haven't delivered a lot of important promises. But they did do a few progressive things. So I hope you understand where I'm coming from.

Tue, 2019-04-30 15:53

#23

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

ÒK. But this 'wonderful and generous person is most likely a Tory and not a New Democrat. In which case I say fuck him.

BUT I think everyone has the right to confront their MP's, even the PM. I'm sure if it were Scheer, I'd probably do the same.

Having said that, no one here knows this person or their politics and maybe I have grown cynical suspecting quite strongly that the person was a plant. It sounds like something the CPC would do.

Let's agree to disagree. If this wasn't an election year I wouldn't be so damned suspicious.

Tue, 2019-04-30 16:00

#24

Pondering

Nothing we say here is likely to impact the election. Strategic voting, which is what you seem to be promoting, only works at the riding level.

What I am about to say will have zero impact on the election even if it were broadcast.

A while back he made some crack at a feminist who was critical of him. In his response he said something to the effect that she should use humankind instead of mankind.

Another time a woman challenged him by asking who was going to pay the cost for refugees, and he accused her of being racist.

Then we had the incident of the indigenous woman complaining about mercury whom he thanked for her donation.

Now we have him telling a citizen, waiting to fill sandbags (maybe to protect his own home), that he is unfriendly and unneighbourly to complain that Trudeau's photo-op is not helping.

I've always noted that Trudeau doesn't seem to think fast on his feet but this still reveals his natural instinct, which seems to be to put down anyone who dares appear critical of his choices. He seems to think fast enough to be snide.

He seems smug and self-righteous.

Think about it. Say you are the politician and you are in Trudeau's situation. Filling sandbags for your photo op to help bring attention to a flood zone. A resident approaches you upset because he has been waiting an hour to fill sandbags while your entourage sailed right in so you and your son could fill a few sandbags for 15 minutes.

How would you respond?

Tue, 2019-04-30 16:19

(Reply to #24) #25

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

Pondering wrote:

Nothing we say here is likely to impact the election. Strategic voting, which is what you seem to be promoting, only works at the riding level.

What I am about to say will have zero impact on the election even if it were broadcast.

A while back he made some crack at a feminist who was critical of him. In his response he said something to the effect that she should use humankind instead of mankind.

Another time a woman challenged him by asking who was going to pay the cost for refugees, and he accused her of being racist.

Then we had the incident of the indigenous woman complaining about mercury whom he thanked for her donation.

Now we have him telling a citizen, waiting to fill sandbags (maybe to protect his own home), that he is unfriendly and unneighbourly to complain that Trudeau's photo-op is not helping.

I've always noted that Trudeau doesn't seem to think fast on his feet but this still reveals his natural instinct, which seems to be to put down anyone who dares appear critical of his choices. He seems to think fast enough to be snide.

He seems smug and self-righteous.

Think about it. Say you are the politician and you are in Trudeau's situation. Filling sandbags for your photo op to help bring attention to a flood zone. A resident approaches you upset because he has been waiting an hour to fill sandbags while your entourage sailed right in so you and your son could fill a few sandbags for 15 minutes.

How would you respond?

How would I respond? It's your average typical political photo op. It won't be the first or last one next year, 10 years from now or deep into the next century. I'd roll my eyes. If he offended me, I'd say something back.

So it's not so much Trudeau or this volunteer I give a sweet shit about. Trudeau is the face of the LIberals but I am pretty sure the Liberals ruling class sets the agenda so Trudeau is not very relevant he's a bench head.

When I say I'd vote Liberal I am talking about the party, not the joker they have to make speeches and photo ops to show Canadians they care (lol..I know)

This is a problem for the NDP. Everyone is focused on the 'leader'when they should be paying attention to the PARTY, their policies and what reflects your values. Singh may lead his party but it's the party who makes policy and sets the agenda. Singh will be a hard sell on his own. Canadians are just about as racist as the Americans.

Leaders mean nothing and that includes them all. Even Scheer is not the big boss of his party. They're Trumpists and they must stay out of power, do you understand? It's not rocket science.

Tue, 2019-04-30 16:31

(Reply to #25) #26

Pondering

alan smithee wrote:

Leaders mean nothing and that includes them all. Even Scheer is not the big boss of his party. They're Trumpists and they must stay out of power, do you understand? It's not rocket science.

It isn't rocket science, and the public is swayed by the leader. Trudeau is revealing his elitism.

If I were confronted I would immediately express how sorry I am about the flooding. I would say pretty much what Trudeau said, but I would not have added the accusation that the man was being unfriendly and unneighbourly. That is the part that was unnecessary. Did Trudeau not understand why the man was upset?

I don't buy that Trudeau can't be criticized because Scheer and the Conservatives could benefit. That is a complete surrender to neoliberalism.

Again, I am not suggesting this be a campaign issue or anything that should be promoted. I am just saying I am seeing a bit of a nasty edge to Trudeau and if I am seeing it so are other people, without me telling them about it.

Tue, 2019-04-30 17:25

#27

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

Trudeau can be criticized. I mean it's not like he is Israel. But I think it would be and has been shooting ourselves in the foot.

Too many people saying fuck the Liberals when it is not a Social Democrat government in the waiting but a regressive, racist, criminal corportist one all heavily influenced by Donald Trump.

I can't speak for you but it actually scares me of what this country will become if the CPC wins the election.

As the saying goes...be careful what you wish for. Let it sink in instead of ignoring the iceberg getting closer to the ship.

Tue, 2019-04-30 17:34

#28

WWWTT

Justin is a classic screw up. He can’t even do a simple photo opp on the backs of a tragedy without fucking up

Sure lots of other politicians do the same thing, do they screw up so badly that it becomes thread topics?

Nope! Leave it up to shit for brains circus freek side show to say something stupid proving he’s an idiot who’s only thing going for him is luck

Tue, 2019-04-30 17:37

#29

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

It wouldn't be a thread topic if it were Svend Robinson getting arrested for shoplifting. It wouldn't even make casual discussion here. So spare me.

Tue, 2019-04-30 17:44

#30

WWWTT

Actually spare yourself. If you don’t like babble to such an extent, then maybe this isn’t the place for?

As far as Svend goes, I wasn’t here when that happened? And no matter, if you feel strongly about a subject, then start a thread about it! If I have something to contribute, I will!

Tue, 2019-04-30 17:54

#31

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

I've been here for 10 years. Most people know my politics. I'm complicated not predictable and I'm always on point.

No, I'm not starting a thread to vent and no, I am not leaving here.

Have a nice day.

Tue, 2019-04-30 19:59

#32

Pondering

Singh is doing the right thing by focusing on the uber rich. I would not want him to turn around and talk about this stuff. I'm not wishing either. I'm making an observation. Particularly if he wins another term I suspect that he has a bit of a mean streak and it is going to reveal itself more as the years go by. He is going to get caught more often being flippant when people have concerns because his ego is puffed up now that he has been PM for a few years.

I wouldn't mind at all if Trudeau gets a minority with the NDP as balance of power.

One of the reasons governments flip back and forth after 2 terms or 10 years is because they have either done or failed to do everything they were going to do. At that point if they make a new promise people ask well why didn't they do it in the 8-10 years. They have usually done everything dramatic they can do. For the Conservatives that was toughen law enforcement , cut taxes, cut regulations.

Then the Liberals come in and switch the chairs around on the Titanic giving a bit more than the Conservatives but not really changing that much. They have given us legal cannabis which is great. It's about time. But they did a crappy job of it ignoring science in favour of reefer madness 2.0.

Tue, 2019-04-30 20:56

(Reply to #32) #33

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

Pondering wrote:

Singh is doing the right thing by focusing on the uber rich. I would not want him to turn around and talk about this stuff. I'm not wishing either. I'm making an observation. Particularly if he wins another term I suspect that he has a bit of a mean streak and it is going to reveal itself more as the years go by. He is going to get caught more often being flippant when people have concerns because his ego is puffed up now that he has been PM for a few years.

I wouldn't mind at all if Trudeau gets a minority with the NDP as balance of power.

One of the reasons governments flip back and forth after 2 terms or 10 years is because they have either done or failed to do everything they were going to do. At that point if they make a new promise people ask well why didn't they do it in the 8-10 years. They have usually done everything dramatic they can do. For the Conservatives that was toughen law enforcement , cut taxes, cut regulations.

Then the Liberals come in and switch the chairs around on the Titanic giving a bit more than the Conservatives but not really changing that much. They have given us legal cannabis which is great. It's about time. But they did a crappy job of it ignoring science in favour of reefer madness 2.0.

Well, I can agree with you about a Liberal minority with the NDP holding the balance of power. It's the only chance the NDP have of climbing out of the basement. Not to be a parrot but I think I made myself clear. I am an anti-right wing anti- conservative independant. I lose my shit when people opine for the LIberals to fail or lose totally overlooking that the alternative is leagues and leagues worse.

There are some very bright and intelligent people here. But sometimes I read things and get incensed when people cheer the destruction of the Liberals knowing full well that it is the CPC that will benefit.

I don't consider myself a partisan, I'm not tickling Trudeau's nutsack. I have been screaming that the Conservatives were fascists all the way since the 80's.

It was Ronald Reagan who destroyed the US, Canada and Maggie Thatcher destroying the UK. Mulroney became more fascist with his BFF Reagan.

It's no coincidence that the world including Canada has been poorer, ununionized and fascistic since 1981. No coincidence at all, it was a dark period in the world. And in 2019 we're right back where we were in the early 80's.

That's why I get extremely pissed off with people who are on the same team as I am when they do a victory lap when the NDP closes in on the Liberals again at the benefit of the CPC. I wish the NDP and Liberals would merge. Then the most despicable people in Canada will never gain power again.

I read stuff like that and I hear how 'progressive' a fuckin'moron/poor man's Dennis Miller Jimmy Dore is.

I made up my mind that he was a complete idiot when I watched a video where he was telling his naive, impressionable Millenial audience that if you live somewhere where the candidate is a corporate Democrat to vote Republican.

If Jimmy Dore is a progressive I guess I'm not

Tue, 2019-04-30 20:59

#34

laine lowe laine lowe's picture

Holy sh*t, Jimmy Dore said that. For the longest while, I mixed him with the Ottawa comedian Jon Dore. I always marvelled that he had become so emeshed in US politics.

I'm with you Alan S. I have no time for punishing Democrats/Liberals/NDP/Greens if they are not pristine enough to measure up to my progressive standards and allow a Republican or Conservative or populist form of either get elected. I have had major issues with NDP and LPC leadership for decades but it never, ever pushed me to vote or even give any time of day for any of the right wing offerings.

Tue, 2019-04-30 21:31

#35

Aristotleded24

Sorry, Trudeau is in the wrong here. It was known that emotions would be running very high as people are scared about their homes, and the fact that this area may have not been a hotbed of Liberal support always makes it worse. Trudeau should have been better prepared. Listen to the volunteer's complaint. It was that the security needed for the photo up held up the process of filling up sand bags. At the very least, Trudeau and his team should have made sure that their visit would not interfere with essential secuirty measures.

Tue, 2019-04-30 21:36

(Reply to #35) #36

Aristotleded24

alan smithee wrote:
I made up my mind that he was a complete idiot when I watched a video where he was telling his naive, impressionable Millenial audience that if you live somewhere where the candidate is a corporate Democrat to vote Republican.

Which video was this? I've watched several of his videos, and when partisan politics is put aside, he is very outspoken in advocating for progressive policies. He has stayed true to that even as his comment sections can be overloaded with Trump supporters.

I don't care how "nice" a politician is. What I care about is the public policy implications of the decisions this politician makes. I can only guess that if you're in a race where the corporate Democrat sounds like a Republican, why vote for the Democrat. For example, former Democratic Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly bragged about supporting Trump's construction of a border wall. Well, if building a border wall makes Trump a crazy buffoon who is unfit for office, why would you support a Democrat who supports those policies?

Tue, 2019-04-30 21:51

(Reply to #36) #37

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

Aristotleded24 wrote:

alan smithee wrote:
I made up my mind that he was a complete idiot when I watched a video where he was telling his naive, impressionable Millenial audience that if you live somewhere where the candidate is a corporate Democrat to vote Republican.

Which video was this? I've watched several of his videos, and when partisan politics is put aside, he is very outspoken in advocating for progressive policies. He has stayed true to that even as his comment sections can be overloaded with Trump supporters.

I don't care how "nice" a politician is. What I care about is the public policy implications of the decisions this politician makes. I can only guess that if you're in a race where the corporate Democrat sounds like a Republican, why vote for the Democrat. For example, former Democratic Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly bragged about supporting Trump's construction of a border wall. Well, if building a border wall makes Trump a crazy buffoon who is unfit for office, why would you support a Democrat who supports those policies?

See? There you go backing up what I said. It doesn't matter if the Democrat is corporatist. To vote Republican cancels out any progressive 'cred' you might have. If you vote Republican/ Conservative I got news for you. YOU are a right winger. Point blank.

Tue, 2019-04-30 22:16

(Reply to #37) #38

Aristotleded24

alan smithee wrote:
Aristotleded24 wrote:

alan smithee wrote:
I made up my mind that he was a complete idiot when I watched a video where he was telling his naive, impressionable Millenial audience that if you live somewhere where the candidate is a corporate Democrat to vote Republican.

Which video was this? I've watched several of his videos, and when partisan politics is put aside, he is very outspoken in advocating for progressive policies. He has stayed true to that even as his comment sections can be overloaded with Trump supporters.

I don't care how "nice" a politician is. What I care about is the public policy implications of the decisions this politician makes. I can only guess that if you're in a race where the corporate Democrat sounds like a Republican, why vote for the Democrat. For example, former Democratic Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly bragged about supporting Trump's construction of a border wall. Well, if building a border wall makes Trump a crazy buffoon who is unfit for office, why would you support a Democrat who supports those policies?

See? There you go backing up what I said. It doesn't matter if the Democrat is corporatist. To vote Republican cancels out any progressive 'cred' you might have. If you vote Republican/ Conservative I got news for you. YOU are a right winger. Point blank.

So why is it okay to vote for a Democrat who will fund Trump's border wall but somehow voting for Trump is unacceptable?

By the way, I say again, where exactly did Jimmy Dore say what you are saying? I have a different interpretation of Dore's message than the one you presented.

Tue, 2019-04-30 22:24

#39

Sean in Ottawa

I am lost trying to connect this conversation to the therad topic. I am okay with drift but am having trouble following this one.

Tue, 2019-04-30 23:36

#40

Pondering

Oh good I'm not the only one confused.

Wed, 2019-05-01 03:32

(Reply to #40) #41

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

Aristotleded24 wrote:

alan smithee wrote:
Aristotleded24 wrote:

alan smithee wrote:
I made up my mind that he was a complete idiot when I watched a video where he was telling his naive, impressionable Millenial audience that if you live somewhere where the candidate is a corporate Democrat to vote Republican.

Which video was this? I've watched several of his videos, and when partisan politics is put aside, he is very outspoken in advocating for progressive policies. He has stayed true to that even as his comment sections can be overloaded with Trump supporters.

I don't care how "nice" a politician is. What I care about is the public policy implications of the decisions this politician makes. I can only guess that if you're in a race where the corporate Democrat sounds like a Republican, why vote for the Democrat. For example, former Democratic Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly bragged about supporting Trump's construction of a border wall. Well, if building a border wall makes Trump a crazy buffoon who is unfit for office, why would you support a Democrat who supports those policies?

See? There you go backing up what I said. It doesn't matter if the Democrat is corporatist. To vote Republican cancels out any progressive 'cred' you might have. If you vote Republican/ Conservative I got news for you. YOU are a right winger. Point blank.

So why is it okay to vote for a Democrat who will fund Trump's border wall but somehow voting for Trump is unacceptable?

By the way, I say again, where exactly did Jimmy Dore say what you are saying? I have a different interpretation of Dore's message than the one you presented.

I don't know what to tell you. I could find the video IF it's still up. Dore and his ego left TYT a few weeks ago. I'm not sure if his old shows are still on Youtube. When I get a chance I will make the effort.

ANYBODY who voted for Trump is a mouth breathing bottom feeder. So it is acceptable to vote Democrat. These MAGA assholes need no sympathy , sorry but I'm not sorry.

Here is a real intellectual that could run circles around Dore --- Trigger warning (BAD LANGUAGE)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dY4WlxO6i0

He NAILS it more than Dore's small little mind could ever do on his best day.

Anyway I think I have said what I wanted to say. Seeing so,let's get back on track with this thread. It was a major drift.