Academics slam suspension of Parliament

[Spazito]

Academics slam suspension of Parliament
MP Tony Clement says criticism from 'elites' doesn't reflect Canadians' views

A group of university professors is condemning the federal government's decision to suspend Parliament, but the ruling Conservatives appear unmoved by the latest criticism.

Over 100 professors have signed a letter written by University of Montreal philosophy Prof. Daniel Weinstock that accuses Prime Minister Stephen Harper of violating "the trust of the Canadian people thus acting anti-democratically."

The letter, to be sent to major newspapers in Eastern Canada, is the latest criticism of Harper's decision to prorogue Parliament until March 3.

snip

Clement says 'elites' making prorogation an issue

"I know it's a big issue with the Ottawa media elite and some of the elites in our country, but I got to tell you if reaction in my constituency is any indication, I've had maybe three dozen emails," he said.

more

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/01/11/prorogue-protest-professors.html

Gee, it seems Mr. Clement missed the recent poll numbers on this issue or, more likely, is wanting Canadians to ignore them, fat chance there Tony. 58% of Canadians are opposed to the suspension of Parliament so, Tony, does that mean 58% of Canadians are "elites"?

What an ass and typical of the current crop of Bush-like neocons in the CRAP.

[HeresyLives]

1. I really don't like this constant misuse of the word 'elites'.

Conservatives in both Canada and the US say it like it's something really baaaaad.

There is instantly the impression that there are only two groups in society...the 'elites' which are projected to be any group you dislike...those with education, or blacks or gays or journalists or lawyers or fill-in-the-blank, and then there's your average working man. Joe the Plumber stuff...the 'honest hard-working taxpayer'. As tho everyone else is dishonest, goofs off and doesn't pay taxes!

Any conservative govt naturally portrays themselves as part of the 'average working man' group, even tho they may actually have degrees, money and/or a castle in Spain. They just don't mention that part.

It sets the stage for a class war, and puts down the very people we need in society...anyone who opposes a conservative govt.

Harper has promoted this image a lot. He's a 'hockey dad', has coffee at Timmies, thinks the world of the military, doesn't like art galas, and so on even tho he's never played hockey, or worn a uniform, is never seen at Timmies unless there is an election campaign, and has a Masters in economics.

We don't need any more divisons or wedge issues in this country, but people are being played by the politicians.

:mad:

[Bragi]

2. It's about being a Republican /nt

[HeresyLives]

3. Harper's probably a card-carrying member. /nt

[glarius]

4. This is the same way they have made the word "liberal" a dirty word.

People are almost ashamed to be known as liberal these days. I'm not speaking of the Liberal Party, I'm referring to the adjective "liberal".
I'm a "liberal" person and proud to be. In my Thesaurus liberal means:
advanced...broad-minded...charitable...enlightened...flexible...free...generous...high-minded...kind...large-hearted...
magnanimous...open-hearted...progressive...tolerant...unbiased...unbigoted...just to mention a few.
Should anyone be ashamed to be characterized in this way?
When anyone calls you a liberal as if it's a dirty word....tell them to look up the meaning of the word!!

[HeresyLives]

5. Exactly!

They've made it sound like liberals are drugged-out orgy-goers who spend wildly and are up for anything.

Even 'progressive' has become an insult, as tho there was something wrong with progress.

[IntravenousDemilo]

6. "I've had maybe three dozen emails."

You know, there's that rule of thumb in broadcasting that one in around 5,000 people will bother to write or phone a station if they see or hear something they object to. It doesn't mean the other 4,999 have no objection. It means that for every one complaint received, there are about 5,000 who are also dissatisfied, but who didn't want to expend the effort of complaining. People being people, they are much less likely to bother congratulating someone for doing a good thing than to complain about something, so I'm figuring the vast majority of the emails he received have not been, as it were, congratula-Tory.

Rules of thumb don't become rules of thumb for no reason. So let's see, three dozen emails equals 36, times 5,000, gives us 180,000 of Tony Clement's constituents who are unhappy about prorogation. Considering that there are only about 90,000 people living in Parry Sound-Muskoka, maybe Mr Clement should be a little more concerned than he is.

[HeresyLives]

7. Retreat! Now it's just a blip.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/bureau-blog/prorogation-only-a-blip-on-richter-scale-of-upset-clement-says/article1427434/

[Spazito]

8. LOL! That didn't take long eh!

Too late, Tony!

His contemptuous "elites" will resonate, his pathetic attempt to "explain more about his thoughts..." will only pour gasoline on the fire, imo.

[HeresyLives]

9. I guess he got a few more emails. LOL

Yeah, I agree, this is the worst possible way to put out the fire. Guaranteed to make people even madder!

[CHIMO]

10. Hurray

The majority of Canadians are elite.

Nice to know.

Now we only have to watch out for the common sense revolution.