Nenshi Responds to Bridge Criticism on Twitter

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Nenshi is one of the most honest and ethical figures in Calgary.

That's the kicker.

Agree/disagree with his ideas if you want, but you simply can't deny the fact that he is doing his absolute best to hold the campaign promises he made. It is seriously refreshing that a politician can be like that.

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by Azure

That's the kicker.

Agree/disagree with his ideas if you want, but you simply can't deny the fact that he is doing his absolute best to hold the campaign promises he made. It is seriously refreshing that a politician can be like that.

Reminds me of when I would get student evaluations after teaching a course. "Punctuality - 1 out of 10". Either they irrationally hated me, or they don't know what punctuality means because my time management skills are impeccable.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by First Lady

I don't really want to get in middle of this debate, but could you clarify the quoted statement?

When I see it with the rest of your response, I leads me to believe you think "no degree = ignorance"

It might not be the actual definition, but for me, an ignorant person is someone who is unaware of certain facts or issues, and is proud of it (Rick Bell comes to mind).

That to me is different than not having a formal education. We all go through life via different paths and not everyone needs a Bachelors degree (and frankly, there are probably too many kids going to university instead of trade schools). There are people who are naturally talented and smart enough not have to go to school, and still succeed. I wasn't one of them. I was too dumb not to get educated.

Do I think I'm superior to those who don't have an education? Absolutely not. But am I better at my job than 95% of the people who didn't go to school in my field? Abso-effin-lutely. I'm proud of the fact that I have two degrees, and can without a doubt say that it made me better at my job, and it set me apart from a lot of my competition.

Maybe it's elitist, but "not knowing stuff"" is not something to be proud of in my opinion. There is this notion that everyone can do everything and anything, because we are all special snowflakes. The truth is most of us are terrible at most things, and great at a few of them. I'm a complete moron when it comes to math and science. If an engineering job came up, would you hire me, or the 200 guys on this board who have a degree in the field? Same things when it comes to running the city. Does it not make sense to have a foundation of knowledge in the field that you're working in?

At the end of the day, I respect people who want to better themselves... whether it involves an education or not. What I don't respect is people who look down on others because of some superiority complex.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Bunk

It should also be pointed out that he has yet to raise a single penny toward re-election (even though as incumbent mayor he could gave raised hundreds of thousands by now). He believes very strongly in campaign finance reform and will not fundraise until one year to election day (as should be legislated). He also voluntarily abides by every rule he is proposing including disclosure, donation limits, and spending limits.

He is absolutely a man of the utmost integrity. I'd challenge anyone to find an instance where he has broken a promise or not moved forward (or has attempted to move forward) any of his campaign promises.

Now if he could put a toll booth on those parasyte communities and fix that blinky eye thing he would go God Mode for a politician! hehe

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

Now if he could put a toll booth on those parasyte communities and fix that blinky eye thing he would go God Mode for a politician! hehe

Sauron?

[HotHotHeat]

Originally Posted by pylon

Nope, he doesn't. He is a greasy, spineless, whiney twerp. As log as he has some sort of fancy degree though...and uses Facebook, that qualified him to a bunch of 20 somethings in their parents basements that have never paid a nickel of tax... oh.. wait, so does he, and neither has he. I guess that is part of the appeal. I guarantee you Nenshi was the kid in class that ratted out his classmates to gain brownie points from his teacher.

I have heard some of the council session excerpts, and if anyone doesn't agree with him, he sounds like such a whiney little baby.

I just pray this city doesn't have to deal with a major emergency or crisis for his one term in power. The guy would be lost. He couldn't even handle 30 squatters essentially on his front lawn.

Next time you see a police officer... ask them what they think of Nenshi, and ask them what they thought of the last guy. This City will pay for Wannamakering this guy in, and I will laugh my ass off about it, even though it will likely somehow cost me money.

Your opposition to someone who is nationally regarded as one of the most ethical people in politics speaks volumes about your moral standing.

You don't have to agree with his politics, but the lack of respect you show makes me question whether your opinions have been shaped on a personal level.

I can't honestly believe the garbage you're spewing in the post I've quoted. Unreal.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by Imported_Aussie

Nenshi is awesome for being so active in social media. Nenshi 1, Hippies 0

Actually it's more like Nenshi 1, Hippies 1. Can't forget the pooping in olympic plaza & people burning themselves & demanding electricity, etc etc.

I kind of agree with pylon, I don't like Nenshi either and I think he's a bit of a primadonna, but I also didn't like Bronco.

Klein FTW.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Man, I'm really getting tired of your constant crapping on getting an education, pylon. Some of us worked really hard for our degrees, and are proud of the fact that it's helped us move forward in life. It takes dedication and a fack load of effort to get that little piece of paper, so when I see someone like you constantly be-little it and be proud of their ignorance, it grinds my gears.

It's not fancy, it's not high-fallutin', and it's not elitist...an education, no matter if you're studying to be a plumber or a physician, is the best tool you can get to help you move forward in life. Personally, it taught me the skills to be better at what I love, opened me up to new ideas and rounded me out as a person, and hell, gave me the ability to jump to the head of the line over schlubs who thought paying attention in high-school was way too gay for them.

Being ignorant should never be something to be proud of. Just because you dropped out of high-school and were humping husky heifers in the back of your VW while the rest of us were studying things that we'll mostly never use, doesn't mean you did things the right and only way...even if you've turned out just fine. Most of the people I know who only have a high-school education (never mind dropped out) are either stuck doing menial warehouse work or have become welfare-sucking parasites. And my guess is, at the end of the day, if you had the foresight to keep at school for a few more years and get yourself a business degree, chances are you would be doing better too. Street-smarts and hustle is important, but it's only one part of the equation.


So as you can probably tell, it pisses me off when someone like Nenshi is denigrated because he knows stuff. Our mayor should know stuff. Running a city should not be about street smarts and gut-feelings (which hey, can't hurt, but not everyone is Ralph), but should be mostly based on knowledge and actual insight. We should be proud that this guy makes decisions based on study. Just because you don't relate to the guy, doesn't mean he's not the man for the job.

So he's squirrelly and dresses like a goof. Big effin deal. The man knows his stuff.

I have never belittled anyone for having a degree on here, ever. In fact I am in the application process as we speak to gt into U of C as a mature student. I have warned a ton of young posters on this site about the dangers of dropping out and getting trapped in a field like I have when they start questioning their studies. I was merely pointing out the fact that because Nenshi was Ivy league, everyone automatically thought that some how made him a better candidate strictly for that fact, and I do not believe that, especially when he never served in political office before.

Anyway, all of that being said, I have explained numerous times I wanted badly to get a degree and continue my studies when I was young, I had zero opportunity to, as I was 100% on my own with zero parental support at 17. With no education, survival was first. So let me re-write perhaps the most insulting thing anyone has wrote about me on here for you. I would just like to clarify it for everyone. I really do not like people putting words in my mouth. Here is my real-life version, of your mean spirited comment:

Being ignorant should never be something to be proud of, it got me kicked out of my parents house the day after I turned 17. Just because I dropped out of high-school and was living in the back of my VW because I had nowhere to go, all while I was envious of the rest of my friends who had the opportunity to study things that they'll mostly never use, doesn't mean I did things the right and only way by not asking anyone for help...even if I've turned out just fine. Most of the people I know who only have a high-school education (never mind dropped out) are doing okay in life or have but could certainly have done better, as they left a lot of untapped potential on the table. Unfortunately people look at them as second class citizens sometimes. And my guess is, at the end of the day, if I had the financial means, support, or ability to stay in school for a few more years and get myself a any sort of degree, chances are I would be doing something I love, instead of a job that I do not feel is making a huge difference, even though I would likely have to take a massive pay cut to do so. Street-smarts and hustle is important, but it's only one part of the equation.


So as you have accused me of be-liitling people because of their education, which I have never, ever done, you just flagrantly insulted me, put words in my my mouth, and honestly, hurt me with that manifesto of yours. I in fact envy and look up to the higher educated, as I desperately wish I had done the same. You in fact did the exact reverse of what you accused me of and not only berated, but also humiliated me for my lack of one. You are a lucky man to have the education you do, but it certainly was not in any sort of field involving compassion or ethics.

And with that, I make my final post on this website for the for-seeable future, as based on the thanks to that post, I am clearly not high brow enough for this site.

[Sliver]

This is awkward.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Seriously pylon, that's your response?

I'd honestly love to see you address Bunk 's post before you take a sabbatical.

Also, what's with the whole not high brow enough for this website crap? No one is throwing their education in your face, no one. Are you honestly that sensitive about the subject that you take it that way?

When you say something like "fancy degrees" you're the one begging to be responded to in the way that table did to you.

The way you disrespected a man a lot of people here respect, what kind of reaction did you expect?

[4X4]

You've got to be kidding, pylon. You're going to Jordon CP and quit? Because you got bitchslapped? You have some kind of irrational hate for Nenshi that has never been explained, and in your latest tirade, you somehow managed to make it even more difficult to understand by suggesting that his education was a bad thing. Did you think that you weren't going to provoke a response?

[KelVarnsen]

Beware the angry PM from pylon that shall soon be sent to those who make him angry.

[Cheerio]

pylon, you're a great poster on here and well respected by many posters. Don't let this one thread ruin the site for you.

[Mr.Coffee]

just an "in general" statement..

time to re-evaluate if your feelings are hurt by some guy on the internet you've never met.

[CaptainCrunch]

No ones leaving anywheres.

Look its easy to take the high or low road on this website, there were times where I was ready to throw in the towel and walk away from CalgaryPuck, lets be honest, my views are different then a lot of views, just like Pylon's views are different then a lot of views.

And yes things certainly get heated here, more so on FOI then on the non hockey topics, but things still get heated.

But walking away because you feel slighted or insulted or marginalized is probably something that is going to leave you a bit empty or regretful.

There are many posters on here that I don't jive with politically, and you stinking Hyena's know who you are (I kid I kid) and even though things get heated and the occasional personal insult gets flung around, I've never seen another board where there is such a great exchange of different ideals and opinions, I know that if I would have packed it in a few years ago that there would be no triumphant return and no hero's welcome, because the greatest show of a lack of respect is making people believe that you don't respect my opinion, I don't respect your opinion, and I'm going to walk away with some form of victory.

I might not act like it lately, and I may be even crabbier then most, and I might have abandoned arguments to avoid nasty confrontation where emotions take over, but you won't see a better anonymous debating club then this one.

So Pylon I hope you stay on calgarypuck, you provided me a great service when I bought my car, and I think that you have a lot of passion about your point of view which is a great thing and taking that away takes one more contrary opinion away which every debate needs.

On the other topics, I voted for Nenshi, and he's to me like chewing tin foil, I think he's irritating, self righteous and a bit immature, I believe that his personality combined with the expectations of the mayors office are contrary to each other, and I really dislike his lack of civility.

I also wandered down to see the bridge, and I still don't like it, and it still really doesn't do anything for me on a wow factor, but its here, I have to learn to live with it even though as my own personal form of protest I will take the extra walking time to use the other bridges, and I will watch the story with interest to see what the true cost of the bridge is.

But frack it, I'm old and I'm allowed my crabbiness and stubborn beliefs.

But that's enough blathering for now, I'm off to spit in some latte's.

[Pizza]

Originally Posted by pylon

And with that, I make my final post on this website for the for-seeable future, as based on the thanks to that post, I am clearly not high brow enough for this site.

Guys,
I think we made him cry

[fatso]

Originally Posted by fotze

Look at all the posters currently viewing the thread, hoping for a trainwreck. Bunch of dicks.

I think it already happened. We're just waiting to see how many cars pile up. By the way, did moon get banned?

[Timbo]

Intellectual bullies! See what you have done! You just handed out an egghead/poindexter wedgie. For shame.

[Joborule]

I really do wonder why Plyon hates Nenshi so much though. Sure, you could dislike his politics and actions he may have taken in office, but he seems to have a dislike of the person in general; which I find bizarre since he seems like such a down to earth guy that truly has a love for this city, and always trying to do what he think is right for the future of it. He hasn't had any negative PR events occur that justifies bringing himself character hate.

[MarchHare]

I was merely pointing out the fact that because Nenshi was Ivy league, everyone automatically thought that some how made him a better candidate strictly for that fact

Really? Did ANYONE ever say they that the only reason they were voting for Nenshi was because he went to Harvard? If so, can you please link that post?

I voted for him because he had ideas I agreed with and explained them well (e.g. his policy videos on YouTube). Where he earned his graduate degree was completely irrelevant to my voting decision.