Alberta Politics & Government Thread 3.0

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by FormerPresJamesTaylor

This is actually the most offensive thing in the thread, I expect one or two people to not understand casual racism but the fact you'd find this funny is truly offensive.

I'm damn near 40 and I can't imagine this being chuckle worth even in my 70s. Are you 80?

I think you have Slava wrong on this. How I read his comment was like this: as a political message, it's kind of funny to seat your opponent in a manure spreader thus illustrating they're spewing a bunch of crap.

I don't think it's unreasonable to appreciate that part of the joke.

Where it veered off into racist land was the caricature of Singh, complete with turban (or "turbin" as we call them in Sundre). It's like there was a little too much glee taken in the "otherness" of Singh in this portrayal, and when you read the facebook posts it's obvious the intent was indeed racist.

[Locke]

Yeah, thats how I read his post too.

If it was just any politician in a manure spreader then its wonderful satire and comedy.

Once its a specific politician based on race I think the line has been crossed.

[Fuzz]

She should feel embarrassed for taking what would have been a 5 minute photoshop to share around with her troglodytes on Facebook, keeping the "joke" amongst themselves, as they usually do, and instead turned it into a fully realized parade float, so everyone can see what a fool she is. A lot of effort to let the world know you are a moron.

[FormerPresJamesTaylor]

The gents around Tims in the morning would find it a knee slapper I guess

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Is there no line? Blackface is good? Doing some stereotypical Chinese voice all good?

Usually if you are doing those things at this point - you're doing it be edgy and then trying to sell it as a joke to get away from it.

And honestly - I don't really care if you make that joke. But if people get pissed at it - you can't act shocked or offended.

Is there no line? The line is funny or not funny, and you can either laugh or not laugh.

Context is important in any joke, as is knowing your audience. South Park has been a great example of this for the past 25 years. There is no topic off limits, including Islam (well, until they were threatened with violence because issuing death threats is how rational people react when you make a joke about something).

[Faust]

‘Absolutely disgusting’: Controversial float in Sundre, Alta. rodeo parade causes outrage:

https://globalnews.ca/news/8949363/a...auses-outrage/

(Wide spectrum of people view the float as racist)

Alberta rodeo organizers apologize for parade float with 'despicable display of racism'

https://calgary.citynews.ca/2022/06/...-float-racist/

(parade organizers backpedal on the float and are now apologizing for the inclusion of the float in their parade)

'It was political satire': Lynne Hoff discusses her controversial parade float:

https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/it-was-po...loat-1.5965400

(brain trust behind the float defends her parade float - the Facebook commentary that was posted had racist undertones IMHO)

[Dion]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1541517413895659521

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by Dion

https://twitter.com/user/status/1541517413895659521

She needs a new hobby.

[Fuzz]

I swear to god, Dion, if you fall for her #### again....

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I swear to god, Dion, if you fall for her #### again....

Calm down Fuzz. That's not going to happen. The UCP are dead in the water and there won't be enough time for any elected leader to save it.

[Delgar]

I don't think there is anything more than a slim chance that Smith could win this leadership contest, but if she happens to pull it off, that'll be the final nail in the coffin for the already hobbled UCP.

Kenny and crew have pretty much handed the Province to Notley. I like her, but based on how she governed the first time around, I'm afraid of Alberta's future. (See for example, the PPA fiasco which cost us a couple billion)

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Delgar

I don't think there is anything more than a slim chance that Smith could win this leadership contest, but if she happens to pull it off, that'll be the final nail in the coffin for the already hobbled UCP.

Kenny and crew have pretty much handed the Province to Notley. I like her, but based on how she governed the first time around, I'm afraid of Alberta's future. (See for example, the PPA fiasco which cost us a couple billion)

If you want to start adding up failures, Kenney has a pretty big $1.5 billion pipeline bill...I just don't see the fear of the NDP. Will they spend money? Sure, but that's because Conservative governments have left a massive infrastructure debt, and a critically starved healthcare system. The NDP getting the Cancer Centre started was huge, and Albertans should be thankful they managed to do that, because the Conservatives have dithered on it for 20 years. I'm looking forward to more of that kind of thing if they get in, so I don't have to fear for mine and my families future health needs.

[Ozy_Flame]

Parade float organizer claims float was 'not racist' is CTV article.

Checked out her apparent Twitter feed, and that is walk back slowly and bleach your eyes content. She even has tweets that says Calgary needs to 'get rid of its sodomite Muslim mayor, "I have black and white poplar on my ranch, is that environmental racism," and 'invasion of hundred of thousands of illegals across the southern border". She also really hates BLM.

So in other words, par for the course from what I expected.

[Delgar]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I just don't see the fear of the NDP.

No offence intended, I know you mean well, but I'd suggest you are somewhat blind to their failures. This part of your post confirms that. Then you follow up with one thing they did well. UCP has done some good things too. I would chance a bet that you couldn't find even one.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Delgar

Kenny and crew have pretty much handed the Province to Notley. I like her, but based on how she governed the first time around, I'm afraid of Alberta's future. (See for example, the PPA fiasco which cost us a couple billion)

You mean the leader that actually implemented an effective plan for economic diversification (which the UCP eventually changed the name and took credit for), fought for and supported our oil and gas sector (without giving up billions of taxpayers’ money on a dead pipeline project that everyone saw coming in the process), actually got critical infrastructure such as the Cancer Centre underway, developed a necessary and overdue plan for affordable housing, and actively supported and championed LGBTQ+ and other social rights, all without trying to fight other levels of government through aggression and immaturity but through progressive and respectful dialogue and discourse?

Yeah, what a shame it would be to have someone like that in power again. An empathetic person and someone who actually gives a #### about the citizens in this province (not just their friends) would really suck.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Delgar

No offence intended, I know you mean well, but I'd suggest you are somewhat blind to their failures. This part of your post confirms that. Then you follow up with one thing they did well. UCP has done some good things too. I would chance a bet that you couldn't find even one.

I'm not blind to their failures. The PPA was not handled properly. They royalty review came at a bad time. But I recognize on balance they are far better for me than the UCP.

What good has the UCP done? I just Googled "Jason Kenney's successes" and it returned a whole bunch of articles on his failures, so no luck there... I can't really think of anything, but I'd acknowledged something as good if it was, so tell me what the best things they have done are. I do remember seeing the odd press release where I thought "that is good" but I don't remember what they were.

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by Delgar

No offence intended, I know you mean well, but I'd suggest you are somewhat blind to their failures. This part of your post confirms that. Then you follow up with one thing they did well. UCP has done some good things too. I would chance a bet that you couldn't find even one.

Why does fuzz have to validate your claim?

Feel free to enlighten us all as to what they’ve done well in your estimation.

I can say that they certainly did a fantastic job of gutting our already weak labour code and giving tax breaks to profitable corporations, but I wouldn’t consider them doing things that hurt Albertans well as a net positive.

[Harry Lime]

The pure breadth of damage that the UCP have done is impressive. Every ministry has some pretty foundational changes that do not help Albertans. It might be years before we really know how bad this government was.

This week I'm going to take a day in kananaskis. As I pass through the gates, I will remember that the UCP gutted the funding for this park (during the time when they started selling off other provincial parks) and then put in a user pay system, promising to put that money back into the park. Immediately breaking that promise, and then hiring enforcement to hassle people about not having a pass, or having one and still needing a good hassle. Keeping in mind the while time that the original gutting of funding included many park employees that kept a handle on garbage and misuse of the park, while I get annoyed by the noise and disrespect shown the park with little oversight.

UcP failure is everywhere.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by iggy_oi

Why does fuzz have to validate your claim?

Feel free to enlighten us all as to what they’ve done well in your estimation.

I can say that they certainly did a fantastic job of gutting our already weak labour code and giving tax breaks to profitable corporations, but I wouldn’t consider them doing things that hurt Albertans well as a net positive.

I dunno iggy, “UCP has done some good things and I bet you can’t name one” is a pretty perfect endorsement on it’s own.

[The Fisher Account]

I have yet to see one universally praised initiative or decision implemented by the UCP that has tangibly improved the lives of Albertan's during their tenure.

You know, aside from when Jason Kenney stepped down.