CTV: Second cabinet minister loses cool in airport

[tuvor]

Veterans Affairs Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn caused a fuss when airport security stopped him from carrying a bottle of tequila onto a plane in Ottawa, just four days after Helena Guergis berated airport employees in P.E.I., CTV News has learned.

Blackburn wanted to bypass a rule that all Canadians must follow: You cannot pack containers filled with more than 100 millilitres of liquid.

When security at the Ottawa airport told Blackburn he would have to give up his bottle of tequila, sources say he asked that the bottle be kept for him. When security refused, he demanded that they empty the bottle in his presence.

Sources told CTV News the argument became so heated, security almost called the police.

...

The PMO says Prime Minister Stephen Harper will issue an edict to his ministers, reminding them that they're not above the law.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20100318/minister_airport_100318/20100318?hub=TopStoriesV2

He really, really wanted to have that tequila, I guess. Glad Stephen's there to remind them they have to obey the law.

[shockedcanadian]

1. I didn't read the link...

nor do I know who this guy is, but based on what you typed I have to agree with the man. If you are taking his possession which he paid for, and if in fact rules are rules, I would want to see it dumped in my presence too. Though I am not sure the negative press is worth the debate at the airport.

[Spazito]

3. Everyone who flies has known for years what you can and cannot...

take in your carry-on. This jerk thought he was above 'the law' and got all pissy when, gasp, he was expected to follow the rules that govern the rest of us. Typical CON, rules are for everyone BUT them.

He could have taken his precious bottle of tequila, left the security line up and dumped it himself but, noooo, he needed to 'lord it over' the employees to show them who's the 'bigger man'. Disgusting.

[HeresyLives]

2. What is it with these folks?

Break the rule, pay the penalty. Same as everyone else.

In fact, since Parliament makes the rules...they have no business quibbling about it at all.

[Spazito]

4. I loved this jab by the Opposition...

"At the House of Commons Transport committee on Thursday, Liberal MP Joe Volpe couldn't resist a jab at Blackburn and Guergis.

"I wonder how much of this money is for body scanners, and how much of it is to provide security for airport officials against ministers behaving badly," he said."

:rofl:

[daleo]

5. I wonder if there is any research on alcohol abuse and political leanings

In my experience, most of the mean drunks that I have known had conservative inclinations. Perhaps it goes along with the authoritarian personality structure.

[HeresyLives]

6. I dunno, but it would be interesting to find out.

I'll agree, mean drunks do seem to be rightwing in nature.