High ranking Liberal resigns over blog

[Clarkey]

I read this when it was posted a few days ago, skimming through these posts again I can't remember what this guy said. This probably means most others won't remember or care either. I think the only time something like this would really sway people's opinions is a few days before an election.

[Canada 02]

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canadavotes2...log051229.html

More of the same in another Liberal blog. This time by Industry Minister David Emerson.


A Liberal cabinet minister's comment that Jack Layton has a "boiled dog's head smile" is culturally insensitive and disrespectful to the NDP leader, party representatives say. The comment is an English translation of a Chinese insult.

[duncan]

Can't quite find the culturally insensitive aspect, but disrespectful for sure. This one at least bears some weight, since the guy is a politician.

[Resolute 14]

Layton's wife is Chinese, I believe, so if the term is derived from a Chinese insult...

I thought it was a weak link myself, but then, I suppose I am also just so used to Liberal arrogance that things like this seem absolutely trivial in comparison.

[duncan]

No, this is really trivial. Comments have been made for years about the oppositions' reptillian manner, smug smile, etc. All parties have done it, and using an old chinese insult is hardly culturally insensitive. Had he actually belittled a belief or norm, then maybe, but that is weak.
What does concern me, is that this is a guy that is in a position of power and influence, and he is that bloody stupid. Just like last election, where sometimes it wasn't the message, but the stupidity to actually express it.

And yes, Layton's wife is former Toronto City Counsellor Olivia Chow. She was a member of Toronto's Police Service Board, and was forced to give up her seat on the board due to public comments made about the force and their handling of certain high profile events. Ms Chow was less than professional in her handling of the matter.

[transplant99]

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/...3cfba3&k=10178

Layton and his wife respond.

"I frankly never expected that we would face such things, that a candidate would be singled out," Layton said in his first public appearance since before Christmas.

"I certainly hope racial slurs will come to an end in this campaign."

"This is no joke, and I think it's a culture of arrogance that has set in . . . and the election will have to deal with it," he said. "It reminds us that insults flow from arrogance. There is far too much of this in today's Liberal party."

Chow appeared with Layton later Thursday at a campaign event in the city's east Chinatown district, and said the comparisons to the dog on the Liberal website were hurtful.

"I think I was tremendously saddened," she said. "To have this kind of racial slur is humiliating. I think the true mask of the Liberal party has been taken off, and I certainly hope on Jan. 23 people will understand that it is time for a change."

this from a party that people on this very board, and many other places, said they would vote for so that "minorities and womens rights would be protected".

Now what?

[Lurch]

this from a party that people on this very board, and many other places, said they would vote for so that "minorities and womens rights would be protected".

Now what?

I really have no clue what you or the Layton's are talking about. This was moronic, but to call it racist is beyond ludicrous. Using a Chinese insult to make fun of a white guy with a Chinese wife - my wife does this all the time to me, and I actually think it's kind of funny. Beyond stupid for a politician to put in a public forum, but holy, mountain out of a molehill.

Nonetheless, the Liberals are continuing to soil the sheets in this campaign, and so far no headway for the Cons. Might be that they are unelectable??

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by Lurch

Nonetheless, the Liberals are continuing to soil the sheets in this campaign, and so far no headway for the Cons. Might be that they are unelectable??

Interesting poll on the weekend (I think) showed Harper passing Martin on issues of leadership and credibility. Might be the first signs of the Cons making headway.

Still, probably the best the Conservatives can hope for this election is to have a stab at the next one.

[4X4]

I haven't seen it posted, but I only skimmed...

I guess the insult that really poed Layton & Chow was the "Separated at Birth" headline with Chow and a chow chow dog side by sid (pics).

That doesn't sound all that insulting (outside of comparing a woman to a dog). But apparently it is a little touchy for chinese poeple. Back in the early 20th and late 19th, European people (conquerers?) that established themselves in China for various reasons, needed shops and pubs etc.
It was pretty customary to put signs on the entrances that said "No Dogs or Chinese".

[transplant99]

I really have no clue what you or the Layton's are talking about. This was moronic, but to call it racist is beyond ludicrous. Using a Chinese insult to make fun of a white guy with a Chinese wife - my wife does this all the time to me, and I actually think it's kind of funny. Beyond stupid for a politician to put in a public forum, but holy, mountain out of a molehill.

Hey its not me who said it was rascist. Im just the messenger so to speak.

It was the minority person herself. And from what i have been told on this very board...if a minority finds something insulting and rascist...then it is.

Nonetheless, the Liberals are continuing to soil the sheets in this campaign, and so far no headway for the Cons. Might be that they are unelectable??

I dont know that you can say they have made "no" headway.

But its very possible they are unelectable. Just have zero idea on why that would be with all the crap the Liberals continue to pull.

I guess its the devil you know syndrome.

Saddens me though. Canadians deserve so much better than what they have received from the Fibs.

[Resolute 14]

Canadians have repeatedly elected the Liberals. They deserve exactly what they got.

Unfortunately, we are stuck along for the ride.

[HOZ]

Originally Posted by 4X4

I haven't seen it posted, but I only skimmed...

I guess the insult that really poed Layton & Chow was the "Separated at Birth" headline with Chow and a chow chow dog side by sid (pics).

That doesn't sound all that insulting (outside of comparing a woman to a dog). But apparently it is a little touchy for chinese poeple. Back in the early 20th and late 19th, European people (conquerers?) that established themselves in China for various reasons, needed shops and pubs etc.
It was pretty customary to put signs on the entrances that said "No Dogs or Chinese".

Very true. Bruce Lee's most famous moment is when he drop kicks a "No dogs, No Chinese" sing off a wall after kicking the crap out of a Japanese colonialist. Shanghai was the place where you'd find these signs as it had a high concentration of foreign population.