The reason the Tories "won" last weeks set-too, and the reason Norman Spector is willing to chance a second encounter, is as I explained in my earlier post, and as I shall be happy to explain a second time.
Belinda Stronach is a Minus to the Liberal Party, and to progressives generally. A big one. She is one of if not literally the most unpopular female politicians in Canada (perhaps the most unpopular politician of either sex).
When you are portrayed as a bubble-head, as the Canadian version of Paris Hilton, on This Hour... that is not a good sign. If the only time the MSM covers your actions is when you're "allegedly" sleeping with retired hockey players, then you are not being taken seriously as a politician.
Liberals, progressives, should be embarrassed by Belinda, because it has become clear over the past couple of years how little lies behind that blank exterior, and clear that her character is a bit unsavory. And the thing is...we are embarrassed. And that includes YOU, female progressive types, YOU too are embarrassed by Belinda when you're not in the actual process of leaping to her defense. She is like Bubba was for us guys, except the stakes are much lower here. Nobody is saying Belinda should lose her job, just that, frankly, the Libs should stick her in a dark corner somewhere. Because you can't properly defend somebody you are not comfortable with.
Its a bit like if Spector had referred to Alfonse Gagliano as a "pasta fuelled Mafioso". Yes, technically speaking, that would an anti-Italian slur. But how many people would leap to Mr. Gagliano's defense? Similarly, Belinda is absolutely the WRONG symbol of offended Womanhood. Norman Spector, the Tories, know it. That's why they keep piling on.
So lay off. Spector is a pig and he knows it, but raising a stink here will only increase his profile. He'll probably hike his speaker's fee over this matter.
BigCityLib (annoyed at progressive naivete)
6 comments:
Plus it rings a little hollow, because only women on the left side of the spectrum are defended. But it's perfectly okay to slight women on the right side of the spectrum.
Not that I'm complaining, mind you. It just seems a little politically expedient.
The naivete is on the part of Opposition MPS and progressives generally who think that complaining about Spector's remarks is going to a) cause him to be fired by media organizations or b) do anything but enhance his reputation.
What the f*** is happening here, BCL? Not only am I finding I agree with you on this, but I'm defending you over at ProgBloggers: http://www.progressivebloggers.ca/blog/diary.php?cmd=view&id=1468
This has to stop or else, after the leadership campaign, we might have an outside chance at party unity. And what fun would that be, callously throwing away the potential for another decade and a half of infighting like the infighting that started with the Chretienites knifing Turner in the back and ending with Martin's insides all over the floor.
I noticed that, Ted, and thank you for it.
I personally think that what is happening to the Liberal and broader Progressive blogging community is not really as frightening as you believe. Put briefly, the Cons agenda has basically been stalled the last couple of months, they haven't really caught on with the public, and it is frankly more interesting (maybe more useful in the long run) to argue about "internal issues". But progressives don't march in lock step and argue naturally, so have thick skins as a result.
In any case, I think you've inspired my posts for the next couple of days. One will be a hymn to Chretien.
"I think you've inspired my posts for the next couple of days."
For better or for worse, I seem to be doing a lot of that for a lot of bloggers of late.
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