Liberal Renegade Released from Liberal Caucus

[handisnak]

From the Gregoire News Network (GNN):


OTTAWA - Loudmouth Member of Parliament Carolyn Parrish was dismissed today from the Liberal caucus by Prime Minister Paul Martin.

Good riddance.

From the CBC (link (http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/11/18/parrish041118.html)):


Some of MP Carolyn Parrish's more infamous statements:

Feb. 26, 2003: Parrish speaks to reporters about Canada's diplomatic initiative on Iraq. After most of the cameras are turned off, she says, "Damn Americans… I hate those *******s." She later apologizes.

June 9, 2004: Parrish calls her party's campaign a "comedy of errors," and says Prime Minister Martin should have waited until the fall to call an election. "It was like the Keystone Kops running around," Parrish tells CBC Radio.

Aug. 25, 2004: Parrish says those who support missile defence are the "coalition of the idiots." After initially denying using the word "idiots," she says, "Did I really say idiots? Please guys don't put that on tape. I already got into trouble once."

Nov. 3, 2004: Parrish on U.S. President Bush after his election victory: "I wouldn't guess what's next on his agenda, but it's probably not peace and love."

Nov. 15, 2004: In a skit for the CBC program This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Parrish kisses and then stomps on a George Bush action figure. She later says she has no allegiance to the Martin Liberals. "I have absolutely no loyalty to this team. None," she says.

Does anyone think that she has any business acting in the way she did?

I think she should resign entirely. I accept constructive criticism, but she was just being rude, and not thinking about the adverse effects her comments would have on Canada-US relations. Bush might be a bonehead, but he's still the President of the United States, and he's still the guy we need to work with.

[Juice]

Does anyone think that she has any business acting in the way she did?

I think she should resign entirely. I accept constructive criticism, but she was just being rude, and not thinking about the adverse effects her comments would have on Canada-US relations. Bush might be a bonehead, but he's still the President of the United States, and he's still the guy we need to work with.

Perhaps she shouldnt have handled herself in the way she did (correction: she should not have handled herself in the way she did), but I do respect her in the fact that I think she said in public what many Canadians are thinking. No offense to any Bush supporters.

[Insane Power Pilot]

Perhaps she shouldnt have handled herself in the way she did (correction: she should not have handled herself in the way she did), but I do respect her in the fact that I think she said in public what many Canadians are thinking. No offense to any Bush supporters.

Maybe so, but many Canadians would also have the manners and the tact to never express such views in a public forum or in front of the media where our neighbours to the south may be offended. It's why your parents taught you to not poke hornet's nests! ;)

Anyway, I'm delighted that she's been booted from caucus and now is stuck off in a corner somewhere in the House of Commons. She might as well be shouting into the wind now.

[Juice]

Maybe so, but many Canadians would also have the manners and the tact to never express such views in a public forum or in front of the media where our neighbours to the south may be offended. It's why your parents taught you to not poke hornet's nests! ;)

Anyway, I'm delighted that she's been booted from caucus and now is stuck off in a corner somewhere in the House of Commons. She might as well be shouting into the wind now.

Of course. I never said I agreed with the way she did things (hence the first sentence of my post). I was just saying that I do hold soe respect for her to have had the courage to come forth and speak her mind as opposed to 'playing the part.'

[Insane Power Pilot]

I was just saying that I do hold soe respect for her to have had the courage to come forth and speak her mind as opposed to 'playing the part.'

Well, I don't. Maybe once she comes up with criticism of the Bush administration that is either constructive or just makes any sense at all, then I will respect that. I'm not buying into her "Bush is bad because he has different opinions than I do" crap. I've judged debate competitions before, and arguments like those don't exactly win me over. ;)

[piper-from-camp]

Its about bloody time. She should have been booted right out of Parliament. Its just brilliant that we have an MP, an elected REPRESENTATIVE for our country, calling our biggest allies '*******s'. I have a feeling that Martin dismissed her not because of her anti-US views, but because of her anti-Martin views. Martin was content to let her insult the US, until she got personal with him. I guess Chretien-ism hasn't quite left our lovely little Liberals. I'm curious to see how she handles herself now that shes an independant. I say, don't let the door smack you on the tush on the way out Parrish.

[The Blue Tory]

I believe I should have a say...

As a resident and voter in the Mississauga - Erindale riding, home to Parrish, I am welcoming her release from the Liberal party for several reasons.

1. The riding is no longer Liberal
2. The embarrassment of a disgraced MP is somewhat gone
3. This will split the Liberal vote in the next election
and most importantly
4. I believe that this gives the Mississauga-Erindale riding more say, as her opinions meant nothing in the house.

She has been a horrible representative of my riding. We have had absolutely no say, since she has severed links with the Federal Liberals, as well, her opinions are not those of the riding, and her opinions embarass the riding's voters.

[Earlam]

She's said alot of stupid stuff, and I think this was a long time coming.

She should have known where Martin would draw the line..... of course, it was fine to have a rogue Liberal MP shoot of her mouth about the US. Since alot of us Canucks are anti-American, it probably got a couple of votes.

But directly attacking her own party and her own party's leader..... I just don't understand how she could possibly see any benefit in that. What did she think was going to happen?

On the upside, I'm sure she'll lose alot of coverage, now that she's just a crackpot independent, as opposed to a rogue Liberal.

[Lil Lightnin]

I don't respect her one bit. There's a difference between stating your own opinion in a mature respectible manner, and stomping on dolls and shooting your mouth off at any given chance. She got what she deserved.
It's an interesting point that Harper brought up today however, is that the PM never took any action regarding her until she took a shot at him personally.

[Neo]

Ok a few points from my point of view:

A) She has freedom of expression, Voltaire said it best, "I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it."

B) Harper is a hypocrite, he demands her ejection from the Liberal Caucus (first of all, he shouldn't even being talking about who should and who shouldn't be part of the Liberal Caucus), then once she is ejected, critizes the PM for taking so long, and doing it on;y because she attacked the PM.

For those of you who view Harper as the savior of Canadian Politics, think again, he is just a seedy politican like the rest of them.

Honestly, do you think if Harper ever became PM he would suddenly let go of all the power of the PMO? I highly doubt it... you know why? Who wants to be a head of Government if you can't get things done.

If Harper were PM he would start filling any vacancies (senate, courts, etc) with Conservatives, and you know what, thats how the system balances itself out. But I bet if Harper ever did it, he wouldn't be critized by the right-wingers for it, no, he'd probably be applauded for it.

It's amazing how whiney losers (as in Politican Losers) can be...

[wb256]

I believe I should have a say...

As a resident and voter in the Mississauga - Erindale riding, home to Parrish, I am welcoming her release from the Liberal party for several reasons.

1. The riding is no longer Liberal
2. The embarrassment of a disgraced MP is somewhat gone
3. This will split the Liberal vote in the next election
and most importantly
4. I believe that this gives the Mississauga-Erindale riding more say, as her opinions meant nothing in the house.

She has been a horrible representative of my riding. We have had absolutely no say, since she has severed links with the Federal Liberals, as well, her opinions are not those of the riding, and her opinions embarass the riding's voters.

If her opinions are not those of her riding, why did you guys re elect her?

I believe she was making a point, but did it in an awful way (likely in a sad attempt for political gain). You can say you disagree with the missle defence system and iraqi war without using terms like "coalition of the idiots".

[handisnak]

It's amazing how whiney losers (as in Politican Losers) can be...

You mean... like Parrish?


She [Parrish] said she lost respect for Martin when he refused to intervene to ensure a "clean race" for the Liberal nomination in her riding of Mississauga-Erindale.

Aww... she didn't get a clean race, so she tells the PM to go to Hell?

Yea, she has freedom of expression. That's why she's still an MP. But there's no room for freedom of stupidity in a national political party.

Good riddance!

[Insane Power Pilot]

If Harper were PM...

What does Harper becoming PM have to do with this topic?

[Legionnaire]

I think that yes, she did say what is pretty much the truth, and yes it was rude, but I also think Martin went a little overboard too. Notice she did all sorts of anti-american stuff but he only started to care when she said something about him? It's pretty bad when he has to protect himself from criticism by hacking peices out of his own party, just like he did after the leadership race.

But that still doesn't excuse what Parrish did. It was rude and inappropriate, even if it is sadly the truth. I would continue except it would start me ranting about all those politicians i hate so much.

In the end, there is only one solution. All politicians should be crushed, trampled to dust and have the remainder of the dust thrown to the wolves. Then blow up the wolves. :)

[wb256]

What does Harper becoming PM have to do with this topic?

Because he's loudly criticizing paul martin for this move. If he's so concerned about liberal party membership due to some off colour comments, maybe a "purge" of his own party is in order.

There have been a variety of comments made about quebec, first nations peoples and homosexuals that I definatly deem unproffesional and offensive. They could have easily said what they wanted to without resort to petty name calling.

There's also the issue of his party claiming that "paul martin supports child porn" during the campaign. That was nothing more than ridiculous slander against our current PM. Why didn't harper take any action then?

The point is, he's a hypocrit in a lot of regards...it's quite easy for him to criticize the party in power (no party is perfect and no matter WHAT Paul Martin does, Harper will have something to say about it), when your party has no real power to "abuse" as of yet.

[offguard96]

I think it's too bad she had to get fired. Everyone always goes on about hating political correctness, politicians mincing words to remove their meaning, and refusing to take a stand, and then when we finally get a politician who's politically incorrect, makes bold (yes, tactless, but still strongly meant) statements, and takes a very clear stand on an issue, we fire them.

Kind of silly, I think. Could she have said it better? Yes. Should we have high-ranking government officials who say these things? No, probably not. But I am glad that someone in government was saying these things. The only one I disagree with was calling all Americans "*******s". That's not right. But the rest I don't have much problem with...

I know I've said those things myself on occasion. Sometimes with even stronger language.

[SeaGull631]

If you have absolutely no loyalty to the team in which you are serving, WHY BOTHER?! Get the heck outta there. Come on, it's not that difficult of a concept. Duh....

[Skaboom]

i think it's great that she speaks her mind. our right to freedom of speech should be exercised more often. i think all the statements she made are true. childish? maybe.
the bush administration truly is the coalition of the idiots. as for not supporting her own party, she probably shouldn't be there if she doesn't support them.

politicians are all a bunch of greedy liars. it's all just a bunch of white collar crime.

look at this in a positive way though. this move will weaken the liberal party as they already have a minority government. i hate the liberals, although ANYTHING would be better than the conservatives, but don't get me started on that!

[The Blue Tory]

i think it's great that she speaks her mind. our right to freedom of speech should be exercised more often. i think all the statements she made are true. childish? maybe.
the bush administration truly is the coalition of the idiots. as for not supporting her own party, she probably shouldn't be there if she doesn't support them.

politicians are all a bunch of greedy liars. it's all just a bunch of white collar crime.

look at this in a positive way though. this move will weaken the liberal party as they already have a minority government. i hate the liberals, although ANYTHING would be better than the conservatives, but don't get me started on that!
Wow, are you misinformed or what?

[piper-from-camp]

i think it's great that she speaks her mind. our right to freedom of speech should be exercised more often. i think all the statements she made are true. childish? maybe.
the bush administration truly is the coalition of the idiots. as for not supporting her own party, she probably shouldn't be there if she doesn't support them.

politicians are all a bunch of greedy liars. it's all just a bunch of white collar crime.

look at this in a positive way though. this move will weaken the liberal party as they already have a minority government. i hate the liberals, although ANYTHING would be better than the conservatives, but don't get me started on that!

OH OH...can I take this one? Politicians are greedy liars, conservatives suck, freedom of speech this, screw bush that, white collar people are all thieves...anything better than those right wing fascists eh?

Geez, can't anyone on this site come up with more to say than regurgitating Michael Moore and the coalition of the misinformed and whiney?

Its like a broken record.

[Juice]

OH OH...can I take this one? Politicians are greedy liars, conservatives suck, freedom of speech this, screw bush that, white collar people are all thieves...anything better than those right wing fascists eh?

Geez, can't anyone on this site come up with more to say than regurgitating Michael Moore and the coalition of the misinformed and whiney?

Its like a broken record.

Like its been said before, anti-right wing stuff does not mean that all we are doing is regurgitating Michael Moore blunder. Get off it.

[Insane Power Pilot]

Like its been said before, anti-right wing stuff does not mean that all we are doing is regurgitating Michael Moore blunder. Get off it.

Absolutely. My interpretation of what piper-from-camp is saying is that it's "in vogue" or "mainstream" to be anti-right wing.

[Juice]

Absolutely. My interpretation of what piper-from-camp is saying is that it's "in vogue" or "mainstream" to be anti-right wing.

Yeah, and piper, you said that anti-right wing sentiment is sounding like a broken record. People saying that all anti-right sentiment comes from Michael Moore is also starting to sound like a broken reocrd.

[DA Wright]

I might not like Mr Bush, or his politics, but I would show respect to both the office he holds as president, and to the people (our neighbours and largest trading partners)he represents. If a Canadian MP disagrees with a foreign leader's ideas, strategies and practices, then attack the ideas, strategies and practices. If the best you can do is name-call and make personal attacks, maybe you don't belong in caucus, but back on the playground with the 8 year olds (no offense intended to the eight-year-olds). I wouldn't accept behaviour like that from a cadet, why should we as Canadians accept it from an MP?

Freedom of speach carries with it the responsibility of backing up what you say with reasoned argument. Best to remain silent and be thought a fool, than open your mouth to remove all doubt.

[Kortytoh]

Good leaders do not scold and harangue like riff-raff - courteous words or else hard knocks are their only language.

At least that's how I see it.

(I don't mean hard knocks in the literal sense, either ;) )

[wb256]

Absolutely. My interpretation of what piper-from-camp is saying is that it's "in vogue" or "mainstream" to be anti-right wing.

That may be true, but it dosn't discredit left wing arguments any. It is true that a lot of people blindly follow the left wing lately, but the same can be said for the right.

In the case of the left, the blindest tend to be the loudest. However, a lot of university professors are left leaning...do you really think they're all falling onto some "anti-bush bandwagon"?

[piper-from-camp]

That may be true, but it dosn't discredit left wing arguments any. It is true that a lot of people blindly follow the left wing lately, but the same can be said for the right.

In the case of the left, the blindest tend to be the loudest. However, a lot of university professors are left leaning...do you really think they're all falling onto some "anti-bush bandwagon"?

I was at Ottawa U today, and wow. You couldn't see the lightpoles because of all the 'keep Bush out of Ottawa' junk posted all over it. Left wing arguments are credible...some of them, but at the moment most of it seems to be blind allegience. "I hate Bush". "Why?" " Because he started a war and he kills people." "Thats it?" "Yeah, thats really bad so Bush is bad". Thats about the extent of the argument I've heard from most of the leftys I've had to talk to at school. Then again, "Bush is good and thats the final say" is not exactly the best argument either from the right. No one seems to be able to debate their points of view effectively, everything I hear is either Michael Moore's movies being quoted or the George Bush News Network (oops, Fox News) being regurgitated.

[Insane Power Pilot]

In the case of the left, the blindest tend to be the loudest. However, a lot of university professors are left leaning...do you really think they're all falling onto some "anti-bush bandwagon"?

That occurred to me, but some profs fall on the left because those are the parties that are going to give them free money, especially the arts profs. And I hope these are the only profs you're referring to, because every time my draft-dodging entomology prof or my genetics prof espouse their views on politics, I feel like telling them to shut the heck up and just talk about bugs and DNA respectively! :p

[wb256]

I was at Ottawa U today, and wow. You couldn't see the lightpoles because of all the 'keep Bush out of Ottawa' junk posted all over it. Left wing arguments are credible...some of them, but at the moment most of it seems to be blind allegience. "I hate Bush". "Why?" " Because he started a war and he kills people." "Thats it?" "Yeah, thats really bad so Bush is bad". Thats about the extent of the argument I've heard from most of the leftys I've had to talk to at school. Then again, "Bush is good and thats the final say" is not exactly the best argument either from the right. No one seems to be able to debate their points of view effectively, everything I hear is either Michael Moore's movies being quoted or the George Bush News Network (oops, Fox News) being regurgitated.

You still can't discredit an argument because stupid people follow it.

The masses of people arn't very well educated in politics, yet it's something that everyone takes part in. The same phenomena would occour if we voted on which scientific theories were accpetable and which weren't. A bunch of clueless people would be comenting on phenomena that they don't understand.

A lot of arts profs fall to the left (history, etc) due to their assessments of historical processes. A lot of social studies (political studies, etc) profs could alligence for the same reason

[piper-from-camp]

I have a super-fun day at school these days. My World Issues teacher is rather right-leaning, me and him see eye to eye on almost everyone, while most of the class is left leaning. So we have superb debates. Then in the afternoon, my Politics teacher is EXTREMELY left-leaning, so needless to say, he and I get into some interesting conversations. What fun I have each day.