[Slava]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Stupid though it is, things like that is still just hyperbole, Slava. And Jansen seeking to use her gender as a shield from criticism - legitimate or hyperbolic - is just as repugnant as the people who are throwing misogynistic harassment at her.

Thing is that a number of these quotes and comments have nothing to do with gender. People threatening violence shouldn't be taken lightly. I would like to see some of the culprits face some kind of justice for that because I do think it becomes impossible to draw the line between "I got carried away and made a stupid comment" and someone with more serious intentions. It's unfortunate, but we've seen it in the past in general.

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

First, yeah, I agree that it's over the line and people shouldn't say anything like that. I also recognize that this is the internet, and the reality is that it's going to happen, especially when you're a public figure.

So it doesn't "come with the territory" of being an MLA, but it does "come with the territory" of being a controversial figure (which she is, now) and existing online. Until someone regulates trolling and being an a-hole on the internet, and I don't even think they should do that, this is going to be the trade-off for having a twitter account. People can say mean, horrible things to you. You can then block them. This isn't exclusive to politicians.

But what Jansen has done here, tried to distract from legitimate criticism by mining her comment stream for the worst of what people will say when they're not face to face with someone and casting herself as a victim (and her critics as those victimizing her), is so repugnant it actually competes with the decision to cross the floor in the first place for sheer obnoxiousness.

I entirely agree it's not exclusive to politicians and its part of being a controversial figure. But I guess I fear that we normalize and justify this behaviour with a sentiment that people are anonymous and as a result can say and do whatever they want. I also think that it runs a little deeper than someone calling someone a name when people are saying that people should be shot.

And the second paragraph is exactly the problem. Was her behaviour controversial. Sure; and I have said point blank that I'm against floor crossing. I have a number of issues with it. But to legitimize name-calling and threatening a politician because of that is just ridiculous. That is akin to the "she had it coming" argument, or a "well what did you expect?" I don't think that we should stand for that.