April 23 2012: Alberta Provincial Election

[Bunk]

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Br...880/story.html

Nenshi weighs in. The comments are offensive in and of themselves, but I think that other problem is the reputation of the city and the province. This racist and homophobic crap is the kind of reputational stuff that prevents a lot of young mobile talent from considering Calgary as a place to move. Nenshi did a lot to turn around that reputation, and this garbage slides us right back. I think that's why Nenshi feels this is a city matter. I wonder what the captains of industry downtown think about it.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Thats very difficult to say though. I don't think Redford is a bad leader whatsoever (she was ranked as most competent and would make the best premier in a poll not that long ago)

Redford as the premier would have a deciding advantage in perception to be the better and competent leader. Most people don't know or care that Redford was elected as the premier by bribing a bunch of teachers. Most people haven't heard about Redford 6 months ago before the party election.

The fact that Smith and Redford are head to head in leadership poll shows how much Smith has gained and Redford has lost.

[NuclearPizzaMan]

Yeah, It speaks to Redford's ability to lead that some fool who managed to get fired from the CBE can tie or beat her in the polls.

[crazy_eoj]

Originally Posted by Bunk

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Br...880/story.html

Nenshi weighs in. The comments are offensive in and of themselves, but I think that other problem is the reputation of the city and the province. This racist and homophobic crap is the kind of reputational stuff that prevents a lot of young mobile talent from considering Calgary as a place to move. Nenshi did a lot to turn around that reputation, and this garbage slides us right back. I think that's why Nenshi feels this is a city matter. I wonder what the captains of industry downtown think about it.

I was hoping Nenshi would also comment on the comments by PC Candidate Muhammad Rasheed who said (paraphrase) that in a very ethnic riding like his people would want to vote for someone like them.

Strangely silent so far on that one.

[Senator Clay Davis]

But the fact is, the poll I'm referencing was taken when the Wildrose had a huge lead (the poll came out after the debate, but before the WR controversies). So more people want a WR government, but more people also think Redford is more competent and would be a better premier? That should show you that the people aren't drawn specifically to Danielle Smith, that they are more drawn to the party's message. Which I would hope would be the case. Having a charismatic leader with a message that doesn't resonate with voters won't get you anywhere.

Originally Posted by crazy_eoj

I was hoping Nenshi would also comment on the comments by PC Candidate Muhammad Rasheed who said (paraphrase) that in a very ethnic riding like his people would want to vote for someone like them.

Strangely silent so far on that one.

The difference is, Rasheed's comments are broader in nature. Someone like them could mean a hard-worker, an ethinic person, a commie or an alcoholic, so its open to interpretation. What Leech said is more cut and dry.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by crazy_eoj

I was hoping Nenshi would also comment on the comments by PC Candidate Muhammad Rasheed who said (paraphrase) that in a very ethnic riding like his people would want to vote for someone like them.

Strangely silent so far on that one.

I don't think Braid asked him about this. He didn't report on that. If asked, I'm sure he'll provide an answer.

[crazy_eoj]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

The difference is, Rasheed's comments are broader in nature. Someone like them could mean a hard-worker, an ethinic person, a commie or an alcoholic, so its open to interpretation. What Leech said is more cut and dry.

When you watch the video, I think the context is quite clear.

Of course, Rasheed is claiming he didn't mean it in a racial context. And the WR candidate is claiming he mis-spoke. Doesn't really matter in the spirit of the argument it would be helpful for the mayor to address both instead of cherrypicking.

[Slava]

I know I probably should'n't say this, but I watched the Leech apology on the news last night and was seriously expecting the next line out of his mouth to be "I have lots of black friends" or "my best friend is sikh".

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by crazy_eoj

When you watch the video, I think the context is quite clear.

Of course, Rasheed is claiming he didn't mean it in a racial context. And the WR candidate is claiming he mis-spoke. Doesn't really matter in the spirit of the argument it would be helpful for the mayor to address both instead of cherrypicking.

Can't say I've seen the video myself, and obviously context is important. I'll check it out when I get home from work. Even still though, if you presented the comments without context (which is how almost everyone outside of Alberta will see them), almost everyone would say something about Leech's comments and some but not all would about Rasheed's. So I do agree with Nenshi's comments they do make Calgary look bad externally at a time when it seemed with his election that the whole "Redneck" image was fading away.

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by crazy_eoj

When you watch the video, I think the context is quite clear.

Of course, Rasheed is claiming he didn't mean it in a racial context. And the WR candidate is claiming he mis-spoke. Doesn't really matter in the spirit of the argument it would be helpful for the mayor to address both instead of cherrypicking.

As I already noted in this thread, they are both stupid comments. However, such stupid comments will always be found more offensive when they come from old, white men than when they come from a member of a less traditionally privileged group. That's what generations of hegemony will do for you I suppose.

[burn_this_city]

I look forward to the day all the old fat white bigots are dead.

[Tinordi]

Originally Posted by Makarov

As I already noted in this thread, they are both stupid comments. However, such stupid comments will always be found more offensive when they come from old, white men than when they come from a member of a less traditionally privileged group. That's what generations of hegemony will do for you I suppose.

Careful, white old bigots either a) don't understand power dynamics b) hate power dynamics c) deny they exist.

[crazy_eoj]

Originally Posted by Makarov

As I already noted in this thread, they are both stupid comments. However, such stupid comments will always be found more offensive when they come from old, white men than when they come from a member of a less traditionally privileged group. That's what generations of hegemony will do for you I suppose.

Whether or not that is true, it doesn't change the fact both are stupid comments and that our Mayor should be leading a fight against all offensive comments and not targeting single groups, no matter who they are or who feels it is justified.

[Maccalus]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

I look forward to the day all the old fat white bigots are dead.

I guess that will just leave all the [Insert Colour here] Bigots left then. That and the young, skinny white bigots.

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by crazy_eoj

Whether or not that is true, it doesn't change the fact both are stupid comments and that our Mayor should be leading a fight against all offensive comments and not targeting single groups, no matter who they are or who feels it is justified.

As I see it, he isn't targeting a single group (even if he was, who is going to shed a tear over white men being targeted? We've had that coming for centuries.) He's simply targeting the most offensive comments. I don't have any problem with that. If he targeted every mildly stupid or offensive comment, he would hardly have any time left over to be Canada's best mayor.

[zuluking]

Originally Posted by Bunk

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Br...880/story.html

Nenshi weighs in. The comments are offensive in and of themselves, but I think that other problem is the reputation of the city and the province. This racist and homophobic crap is the kind of reputational stuff that prevents a lot of young mobile talent from considering Calgary as a place to move. Nenshi did a lot to turn around that reputation, and this garbage slides us right back. I think that's why Nenshi feels this is a city matter. I wonder what the captains of industry downtown think about it.

Young mobile talent considers Calgary because it is one of the few places with tonnes of opportunity and decent- to high-paying jobs in Canada / North America / world. To suggest that this one yokel's ill-stated comment will reverse all the multi-ethnic goodwill gained on Nenshi's successful bid for mayor is a bit of an overstatement.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Careful, white old bigots either a) don't understand power dynamics b) hate power dynamics c) deny they exist.

Privilege is blind to those who have it. Can't blame them for being human.

[crazy_eoj]

Originally Posted by Makarov

As I see it, he isn't targeting a single group (even if he was, who is going to shed a tear over white men being targeted? We've had that coming for centuries.) He's simply targeting the most offensive comments. I don't have any problem with that. If he targeted every mildly stupid or offensive comment, he would hardly have any time left over to be Canada's best mayor.

Yes, you're right. The Mayor should be deciding which comments are more offensive than others, and instead of saying all offensive comments are unnacceptable he should only speak to some of them. That is in the spirit of equality after all!

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by crazy_eoj

Yes, you're right. The Mayor should be deciding which comments are more offensive than others, and instead of saying all offensive comments are unnacceptable he should only speak to some of them. That is in the spirit of equality after all!

Here you are - a tweet from the mayor:

Naheed Nenshi ‏ @nenshi
@JohnnieOil @donbraid both comments ere stupid, but how were the PCs worse? He didn't say ethnic pols only speak to ethnic ppl.

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by crazy_eoj

Yes, you're right. The Mayor should be deciding which comments are more offensive than others,

Why shouldn't he do that? Are we going back to the "all sin is equal in the eyes of God" discussion*?


* this is not an acutal invitation to re-open that discussion, as interesting as it was.