Tory candidate blames crime on immigrants

[pepper24]

Originally Posted by Draug

Interesting quote.

But, he doesnt specify what type of criminal he is talking about.

Sure, the mainstream Caucasian is a criminal - they are all speeding down Deerfoot at lightning speeds. Or, maybe they are all ripping MP3's.

But, can his statement be extended to violent crimes? Is it true that the majority of gang members are Caucasian? I would doubt it.

The gang related crimes and most violent crimes are the ones that everyone is truly worried about, right?

I don't have stats but the Hells Angels and various biker gangs appear to mostly caucasian. I think they're a much bigger threat than street gangs.

[CaptainCrunch]

Tis the season for stupid remarks that people want to take back.

Liberal Candidate accused of anti-semitism.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...e=election2008

Seems to me like she's just another moron that believes in 9/11 conspiracies.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Tis the season for stupid remarks that people want to take back.

Liberal Candidate accused of anti-semitism.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...e=election2008

Seems to me like she's just another moron that believes in 9/11 conspiracies.

Something tells me that Liberal idiocy doesn't sell as many newspapers as a racist Conservative... so that probably won't get a ton of airplay.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by Draug

Interesting quote.

But, he doesnt specify what type of criminal he is talking about.

Sure, the mainstream Caucasian is a criminal - they are all speeding down Deerfoot at lightning speeds. Or, maybe they are all ripping MP3's.

But, can his statement be extended to violent crimes? Is it true that the majority of gang members are Caucasian? I would doubt it.

The gang related crimes and most violent crimes are the ones that everyone is truly worried about, right?

I might agree with you that the majority of gang members in Calgary are not Caucasian, but gang activity isn't 100% of the violent crime in the city. We hear about the gang fighting most often because it's a hot story, but that doesn't mean it's the only violent crime occurring.

Calgary has a reputation for having a lot of rednecks because it is home to many rednecks. I would argue significantly less than the rest of Alberta, but there are still plenty of rednecks.

[Slava]

Richardson says his comments were misconstrued though. Surely he meant that since almost everyone has an immigrant somewhere in their history that we are all criminals though, right?

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Russic

I might agree with you that the majority of gang members in Calgary are not Caucasian, but gang activity isn't 100% of the violent crime in the city. We hear about the gang fighting most often because it's a hot story, but that doesn't mean it's the only violent crime occurring.

Calgary has a reputation for having a lot of rednecks because it is home to many rednecks. I would argue significantly less than the rest of Alberta, but there are still plenty of rednecks.

This is a good point. The vast majority of murders are not gang related. They normally involve domestic disputes and occur between people who know eachother.

The one or two bystandards a year who die in gang related violence in Canada do, however, get a lot more press.

As for violent crime on bystandards in general, the simple truth of the matter is that you are way more likely to be assaulted by a drunken redkneck at a bar than be attacked by a gang of immigrants.

[llama64]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Something tells me that Liberal idiocy doesn't sell as many newspapers as a racist Conservative... so that probably won't get a ton of airplay.

Bought into the belief in a "liberal media" then? /sigh

The Liberals are rife with idiocy this season and it has gained plenty of coverage. The NDP also gained lots of coverage for the guy who got naked in front of children. You cannot possibly argue that the Conservatives are going to get more coverage simply because Richardson is a Conservative.

He said something unfounded, and politically stupid. It speaks to a certain arrogance that abound in our local Conservative MP's. They can screw up because they know us Calgarians will just vote them back in because we don't actually vote for our specific candidate, but we vote for the party. That's their platform this year... "Vote for Harper".

It's an attitude that I distrust and do not support. Any media outlet is fully justified in raking this man over the coals.

Richardson is my MP. I used to have a fairly high regard for him being that he was an old school PC rather then these new neo-conservative types. But he just lost my faith that he can do his job properly.

[llama64]

Originally Posted by REDVAN

Everyone knows that every single problem in today's society is caused by immigrants.

Native People are probably laughing their asses off right now.

To paraphrase Pat Paulson:

"All the problems we face in North America today can be traced to an unenlightened immigration policy on the part of the American Indian."

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by llama64

Bought into the belief in a "liberal media" then? /sigh

The Liberals are rife with idiocy this season and it has gained plenty of coverage. The NDP also gained lots of coverage for the guy who got naked in front of children. You cannot possibly argue that the Conservatives are going to get more coverage simply because Richardson is a Conservative.

He said something unfounded, and politically stupid. It speaks to a certain arrogance that abound in our local Conservative MP's. They can screw up because they know us Calgarians will just vote them back in because we don't actually vote for our specific candidate, but we vote for the party. That's their platform this year... "Vote for Harper".

It's an attitude that I distrust and do not support. Any media outlet is fully justified in raking this man over the coals.

Richardson is my MP. I used to have a fairly high regard for him being that he was an old school PC rather then these new neo-conservative types. But he just lost my faith that he can do his job properly.

Don't get me wrong, I don't condone what he said...

I won't condemn him over one comment, either. We've all made stupid (even insensitive) comments from time to time. Usually it was something that just came out wrong and we had to stumble around trying to re-explain it.

I have no clue what this guy's history has been like (with regards to comments like this). If he's like Rob Anders and just shoots his mouth off all the time, then yeah he deserves what he gets... but if he's a good person and does a good job and he just tripped over his words one time, are we better off firing him over that?

Sometimes it best to take one in the chin and make the decision that is best for the big picture, than it is to just knee-jerk everyone into the same black and white decision process.


(I haven't really bought into any type of belief in the media - other than the fact that they will print whatever sells the most papers.)


Edit: You're probably not going to like hearing this, but...

Attacking him for what he said by using the argument that "All local Conservatives are on power trips, so he must be too." is kinda the same type of comment that he made in the first place.

[Slava]

^ We've all made comments we regret from time to time, I'll give you that.

It doesn't matter if he has a history or not though. Unfortunately this guy knows what he is doing. Its politics and all of us (who aren't even in that racket) know that you can't say things like that in the middle of an election.

[llama64]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

<snip>

Edit: You're probably not going to like hearing this, but...

Attacking him for what he said by using the argument that "All local Conservatives are on power trips, so he must be too." is kinda the same type of comment that he made in the first place.

No... it's not. Notice how I specified a cohesive group with a defined agenda and a marked record of behavior? Explain how this "is kinda the same type of comment".

Richardson has been in Federal politics for a long time. He knows the game. He knows how to react to questions. He doesn't get the benefit of the doubt from me.

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Tis the season for stupid remarks that people want to take back.

Liberal Candidate accused of anti-semitism.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...e=election2008

Seems to me like she's just another moron that believes in 9/11 conspiracies.

Who has since been turfed by Dion:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...tories&s_name=

"Hughes later described herself as a "lifelong friend and supporter of the Jewish community in Winnipeg" and apologized for the "perception" that she is anti-Semitic.

But the apology wasn't enough for her party leader.

"The Liberal party's commitment to tolerance and multiculturalism is paramount," Dion said in a statement.

"I have reviewed the past comments of Lesley Hughes and it is clear they do not meet this standard. While I appreciate her apology, I cannot condone those sentiments in any way.

"I have therefore asked Ms. Hughes to step down as the Liberal party candidate in Kildonan-St. Paul." "

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Something tells me that Liberal idiocy doesn't sell as many newspapers as a racist Conservative... so that probably won't get a ton of airplay.

Originally Posted by llama64

Bought into the belief in a "liberal media" then? /sigh

Rutherford (CTS) this morning mentioned that the "racist Conservative" story was marked as URGENT on the newswire, and yet didn't even mention the Liberal candidate above. (I wanted to listen to the PM's news conference which was going to be "live".. and he talked about this while waiting)

You can't tell me that there isn't bias with this as a prime example....

[octothorp]

Sucks for the Tories: one of your opponent's candidates says something incredibly stupid, and it should be a plus for you. But it's not:

First, what used to be a very certain Tory riding in Winnipeg is suddenly back in play. Since we're past the deadline for candidates, the riding will now run without a Liberal nominee; given that Joy Smith has gotten far fewer votes than the combined Liberal/NDP vote both of the last two elections, she could lose her seat if the Liberal votes swing 80% to the NDP. If the Tories are lucky, the ballots have already been printed up and Hughes' name will appear, confusing some Liberal voters.

Secondly, the Conservatives can't really take the Liberals to task over it, since their reaction to their own candidates mis-step was far less decisive, and they'll look hypocritical.

[Resolute 14]

The whole "He should resign!" garbage from the Liberals and NDP is hilarious to me. Resign from what? We're in an election cycle now, dude is effectively unemployed.

If the NDP or Liberal candidates are unable to win this riding after that comment, who does that really reflect on? Not the Conservative candidate, let me tell you. They want him to back out as a candidate because they know it's the only possible way either party has a shot at a seat in Alberta.

[MarchHare]

If the NDP or Liberal candidates are unable to win this riding after that comment, who does that really reflect on? Not the Conservative candidate, let me tell you. They want him to back out as a candidate because they know it's the only possible way either party has a shot at a seat in Alberta.

It reflects on the voters in Calgary, more than anything. As is the case with Rob Anders, Calgarians will vote for the Conservative candidate regardless of what he or she says and does.

In almost any other area of Canada, if a candidate made a gaffe similar to Richardson's, their campaign would be effectively over. Here in Calgary, though, the CPC can count on us to check the box of their party no matter what.

[Resolute 14]

So the fact that the Liberals and NDP have made themselves so completely unelectable in this city that a comment like this wont derail Richardson's chances of being elected reflects on the voters?

Frankly, I disagree. You seem to be reflecting the Liberal belief that they deserve to be elected because of who they are. The CPC can count on us to check the box for their party because nobody else even bothers. Ideology is only part of why Alberta, and especially Calgary, are solidly blue. The simple fact that the Liberals and NDP wont put in the work to improve their own reputations plays a significant role as well.

Richardson made a very, very stupid comment, no doubt. He should be taken to task for it, and he should be standing up and apologizing for it. But these calls for him to step down are the desperate actions of two parties that don't have a prayer.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

So the fact that the Liberals and NDP have made themselves so completely unelectable in this city that a comment like this wont derail Richardson's chances of being elected reflects on the voters?

That's like telling a black guy he needs to become electable to white sepremicists. There's not a lot he can do, as is the case with the NDP and Libs in Calgary.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

That's like telling a black guy he needs to become electable to white sepremicists. There's not a lot he can do, as is the case with the NDP and Libs in Calgary.

"Can't win, don't try."

Not exactly a winning strategy.

Oh, and I really love the comparison of Calgarians to white supremacists. You're on fire right now, Winsor.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

So the fact that the Liberals and NDP have made themselves so completely unelectable in this city that a comment like this wont derail Richardson's chances of being elected reflects on the voters?

Frankly, I disagree. You seem to be reflecting the Liberal belief that they deserve to be elected because of who they are. The CPC can count on us to check the box for their party because nobody else even bothers. Ideology is only part of why Alberta, and especially Calgary, are solidly blue. The simple fact that the Liberals and NDP wont put in the work to improve their own reputations plays a significant role as well.

And what would you suggest the Liberals and NDP do? There's a VERY solid bloc of Calgary voters who will never vote Liberal (even the un-affiliated provincial Liberal Party) because of the NEP 30 years ago, regardless of what proposals they put forward now. Never mind the fact that anyone involved with instituting that bad policy is long since dead or retired from politics.

Also, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to recall that during past elections you were one of the most vocal critics of citizens in Ontario who always voted for the Liberals*. "Sheep" was the term that was often used (if not by you personally, then certainly by other CPC supporters on this site).

You can't have it both ways. When Ontario voters rejected the Reform and Alliance parties, did you ever consider that the cause might have been that those groups were completely unelectable East of Manitoba, just as you claim the Liberals and NDP are in Calgary now?

*Which itself isn't really accurate -- unlike Alberta, Ontario is very much a swing province where the Liberals, NDP, and Conservatives can all potentially win seats.

[MarchHare]

Oh, and I really love the comparison of Calgarians to white supremacists. You're on fire right now, Winsor.

Come on now, you're smarter than that. Don't go for the cheap point -- you know as well as anyone that Winsor wasn't actually comparing Calgarians to white supremacists.