Quote:
Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19
In other words, our political representatives should campaign to the lowest common denominator; essentially, treat the electorate as if they're fourteen years old.
This is exactly the problem with the present political model that's furthered by sensationalist shock-jock hacks like Levant: you must not confuse or frighten the plurality of potential voters who are too dumb or too lazy to figure out what you actually stand for or what you're actually saying. Instead, they'll listen to the loudest voice willing to put the issue in the simplest terms possible, accuracy being of no issue.
If it were me I'd rephrase the question to Ezra as "why do you think your audience members are all complete idiots and can't figure out when an oft-used phrase is being used rhetorically?"
Really the way for Nenshi to respond to the issue would've been in a longer-than-140-characters editorial that could be referred to any time any question came up. "The mayor addressed that in his piece in the Herald, I'll refer you to those comments."
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What a load of horse crap.
He wasn't "campaigning" to anyone when the comment was made, he was speaking as mayor of Calgary....period. regardless of who was asking the questions and whether or not they were valid, once he decided to engage levant, he was responsible for what was said. I have a feeling that for some of you, he could be drowning kittens while praising Edmonton and still be a twinkle in your eye.
I guess this love-in will just continue without any valid criticisms/questioning allowed and yes his comment and it's usage in this situation are valid.
He nees to be a bit more careful before uttering such things, particularly in the forum he chose as there is no context when he does so. Even the most ardent supporters have to agree with that...no?
Again, I think he has done yeomans work thus far and certainly deserves a lot of credit and support moving forward. He has my vote at this point. That doesnt mean he is beyond reproach however, and most certainly doesn't mean that he cannot be held to a higher standard than an Ezra Levant or anyone else who isn't quite as intellectually tuned in as yourself and many others in this thread claim to be.