Pride parade funded - Conservatives in a tizzy - Ablonczy demoted

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

When you first saw that, who here thought - must be a Canucks fan. I cannot be the only one.

Nope... obviously a Devils fan.... note pitchfork

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Titan

I find this interesting. The tourism minister gave money to support an event that brings in tourist dollars. That is her job. Harper caved, yet again.

If you don't like gays, don't go to the parade. Just because some knuckle dragger in sask. is playing to the intolerant, homophobes in his riding does not mean she did something wrong. It was a chance for Harper to stand up and support diversity and inclusiveness and once again he failed this little test.

As to the image of the parade I agree with Peter and BBS that the image of the parade in the media is unfortunate. I have considered taking my kids to show them something outside their normal experience but from what I see the news, namely leather clad assless chaps with leather codpieces, etc. makes me not want to expose my kids to that. Not a comment on if it is right or wrong but I don't want my 8y/o to see that even if it means missing other parts of the parade.

This I absolutely agree with. The Conservatives have supported these things in the past and the government also has a history of funding many different public parades. Ablonczy has been left out to dry on this and it looks pretty pathetic.

[alltherage]

Originally Posted by Titan

If you don't like gays, don't go to the parade. Just because some knuckle dragger in sask. is playing to the intolerant, homophobes in his riding does not mean she did something wrong. It was a chance for Harper to stand up and support diversity and inclusiveness and once again he failed this little test.

Then why the FATA should I have to pay for it? Why? It's not that I hate gays, even. It's just that these parades are notoriously sexual and perverted, and it is disgusting to see men in leather thongs, women's makeup, etc.

I hate abortion. I HATE it. In my mind, it's murder. I don't bring this up to discuss the abortion issue, but I bring it up because WHY, WHY THE FATA, do I HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM!??

Pisses me off pretty bad actually. I should learn about tax evasion!!

Woooooosaawww..... Wooooosaawww....

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by peter12

This I absolutely agree with. The Conservatives have supported these things in the past and the government also has a history of funding many different public parades. Ablonczy has been left out to dry on this and it looks pretty pathetic.

The government has supported a lot of stupid things in the past. It doesn't mean that because they wrote a cheque to an organization before that they have to continue to do it.

Times are tight. The government should be very careful about what it spends OUR money on.

[@theCBE]

Originally Posted by alltherage

Then why the FATA should I have to pay for it? Why? It's not that I hate gays, even. It's just that these parades are notoriously sexual and perverted, and it is disgusting to see men in leather thongs, women's makeup, etc.

I hate abortion. I HATE it. In my mind, it's murder. I don't bring this up to discuss the abortion issue, but I bring it up because WHY, WHY THE FATA, do I HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM!??

Pisses me off pretty bad actually. I should learn about tax evasion!!

Woooooosaawww..... Wooooosaawww....

Are you as outraged about the government giving out money for the Calgary stampede?

[valo403]

Originally Posted by alltherage

Then why the FATA should I have to pay for it? Why? It's not that I hate gays, even. It's just that these parades are notoriously sexual and perverted, and it is disgusting to see men in leather thongs, women's makeup, etc.

I hate abortion. I HATE it. In my mind, it's murder. I don't bring this up to discuss the abortion issue, but I bring it up because WHY, WHY THE FATA, do I HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM!??

Pisses me off pretty bad actually. I should learn about tax evasion!!

Woooooosaawww..... Wooooosaawww....

I'm sure I absolutely despise many of the things you enjoy that are funded by the government. You see, that's how a diverse society works.

[alltherage]

Originally Posted by @theCBE

Are you as outraged about the government giving out money for the Calgary stampede?

The Stampede doesn't conflict with my personal morals, and isn't a perv/freak show.

If I was an animal rights activist, you would have an argument there. I'm sure they're pissed that their money goes to the stampede.

I don't think there actually is a ton of gov't funding in the Stampede. This thing is a money maker... I don't see really what they would pay for except police, security, transit, etc... I don't think they write the checks to the cowboys who stay on for 8 seconds.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by peter12

This I absolutely agree with. The Conservatives have supported these things in the past and the government also has a history of funding many different public parades. Ablonczy has been left out to dry on this and it looks pretty pathetic.

Its politics. Albonczy is the still the Secratary of State. But this 140mil grab bab job gets passed to someone else.

The Conservatives funded this parade as they should of because its a tourist event. They then appeased the far right of the party by publically scolding the MP responsible. Had they not funded the parade it would have been a 2 week story, this limits the story to 1 news cycle max.

Watch what happends to this MP from Sask. Loose Cannons like this in this Conservative party spend uneventful years sitting in the back bench until they can learn to shut the hell up and walk the tight rope that is required to win in this country.

[CaptainCrunch]

I'm hoping that I can get 400,000 for my straight pride parade. Of course the parade will happen in my garage and will involve me and at least 3 playboy playmates. I can even reduce the expense to the government by replacing the playboy playmates with strippers from the French Maid.

[alltherage]

Originally Posted by valo403

I'm sure I absolutely despise many of the things you enjoy that are funded by the government. You see, that's how a diverse society works.

I understand that. An abortion might be in some people's minds a medical treatment etc etc and might be "needed" on some people's minds. OK, I can get that. I disagree, but I get it.

The parade is not necessary, it's not medical, or life and death, it's just flamboyant trash that I shouldn't be paying for.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by alltherage

The Stampede doesn't conflict with my personal morals, and isn't a perv/freak show.

If I was an animal rights activist, you would have an argument there. I'm sure their pissed that their money goes to the stampede.

I don't think there actually is a ton of gov't funding in the Stampede. This thing is a money maker... I don't see really what they would pay for except police, security, transit, etc... I don't think they write the checks to the cowboys who stay on for 8 seconds.

Actually in a way I agree with one point here. If the Gay Pride Parade generates 150 million in tourist income why should the government give it 400,000 to it, shouldn't they be able to raise the funds through private donations from the businesses that benefit from it? Or are these businesses unwilling to be attached to the Gay Pride Parade.

From an economic and optics standpoint, during an economic recession giving nearly half a million dollars to one event that really subscribes to one demographic is probably not the best spending example.

[@theCBE]

Originally Posted by alltherage

The Stampede doesn't conflict with my personal morals, and isn't a perv/freak show.

If I was an animal rights activist, you would have an argument there. I'm sure their pissed that their money goes to the stampede.

I don't think there actually is a ton of gov't funding in the Stampede. This thing is a money maker... I don't see really what they would pay for except police, security, transit, etc... I don't think they write the checks to the cowboys who stay on for 8 seconds.

Starseed posted some stats (you will have to check with him on accuracy) that suggest that the amount to stimulus money that the government provides for both events roughly correlates with the amount of business it generates for the city.

As for the stampede not conflicting with your morals.. I would disagree. You have made it pretty clear that you are anti abortion. The stampede is pretty much a 10 day booze filled bender. I don't think its too much of a stretch to suggest.. more booze + more partying = more unprotected sex, which will likely lead to more unplanned/unwanted pregnancies which would also lead to more abortions.

I will admit that makes a lot of assumptions but I don't think they are unreasonable.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

To address the funding and why a parade or the stampede requires funding durring a recession I thin it's important to note that if the parade does generate 150 million in tourist spending then that is $400k well spent.

The job of the government durring a recession is to encourage growth and to stimulate the economy. $400k to help generate $150 million in spending is a pretty cheap price tag.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Actually in a way I agree with one point here. If the Gay Pride Parade generates 150 million in tourist income why should the government give it 400,000 to it, shouldn't they be able to raise the funds through private donations from the businesses that benefit from it? Or are these businesses unwilling to be attached to the Gay Pride Parade.

From an economic and optics standpoint, during an economic recession giving nearly half a million dollars to one event that really subscribes to one demographic is probably not the best spending example.

Groups like this have been sucking the government t*t so long they wouldn't have a clue what to do if they were cut off.

[Flame Of Liberty]

Originally Posted by Titan

I find this interesting. The tourism minister gave money to support an event that brings in tourist dollars. That is her job. Harper caved, yet again.

If you don't like gays, don't go to the parade. Just because some knuckle dragger in sask. is playing to the intolerant, homophobes in his riding does not mean she did something wrong. It was a chance for Harper to stand up and support diversity and inclusiveness and once again he failed this little test.

As to the image of the parade I agree with Peter and BBS that the image of the parade in the media is unfortunate. I have considered taking my kids to show them something outside their normal experience but from what I see the news, namely leather clad assless chaps with leather codpieces, etc. makes me not want to expose my kids to that. Not a comment on if it is right or wrong but I don't want my 8y/o to see that even if it means missing other parts of the parade.

So you are all for supporting diversity, just don't want your kids see it...?

As for me, I'd be outraged if my tax dollars were wasted on such a freak show. Tourist dollars be damned. Actually that's a bunk too, since every dollar people spend at the freak show in Toronto is a dollar they don't spend in their home towns.

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by alltherage

Then why the FATA should I have to pay for it?

Originally Posted by alltherage

The parade is not necessary, it's not medical, or life and death, it's just flamboyant trash that I shouldn't be paying for.

If the government didn't fund events that a segment of our population didn't agree with Canada wouldn't have any events/celebrations at all. There are people that don't

You may not like the parade but it is a fact that it generates millions of dollars for the businesses connected to it. $400K is a drop in the bucket compared to the "stimulus" money that is being handed out.

The Stratford Shakespearean Festival of Canada received $3 million from the same fund. The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo Society received more money than the Pride festival. Why should my tax dollars sponsor Jazz festivals in Toronto and Montreal?

That's life dude. We're a diverse country with diverse interests. No sense getting your panties in a bunch over something you can't do anything about.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

To address the funding and why a parade or the stampede requires funding durring a recession I thin it's important to note that if the parade does generate 150 million in tourist spending then that is $400k well spent.

The job of the government durring a recession is to encourage growth and to stimulate the economy. $400k to help generate $150 million in spending is a pretty cheap price tag.

Then the tourism industry should really be the ones that support this parade and supply funding and resources, not the government. This isn't a new evet where government funding gets the tourism aspect off of the ground. This is a well established event where businesses know how they're going to benefit and should donate accordingly.

$400,000 of government money during a recession to me is excessive, especially since its one region that benefits. but the whole country pays.

It would be interesting to see if the GPP was forced to survive on fundraising how many businesses would be willing to see their name attached and if the display standards would change.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by @theCBE

Starseed posted some stats (you will have to check with him on accuracy) that suggest that the amount to stimulus money that the government provides for both events roughly correlates with the amount of business it generates for the city.

The key words there are "for the city". If the city of Toronto wants to sponsor an event featuring assless chaps, then they can do it themselves but why should federal money go towards something that benefits one city?

And I'd feel the same way if instead of gays, it was strippers and dominatrices who wanted to parade down the street in a whole bunch of whacked outfits.

[troutman]

Bruno, opening tomorrow is getting good reviews.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/brun...contentReviews

It may be relevant to this discussion. The movie seems to be mainly about how people react when confronted by a flamboyant gay man.

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/...IEWS/907089995

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Then the tourism industry should really be the ones that support this parade and supply funding and resources, not the government.

Yup, that's why the Canadian Tourism Industry are the ones who gave them the money. They're a part of the Federal government.

Here's a list of the other events that were funded by the government.

http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/dsib-to...g/qq00166.html