10%ers/Householders From That Flat, Rectangular Province Out West

...that I forget the name of: ...the top five big spenders are all Tories: Vellacott, Lukiwski, Scheer, Fitzpatrick, and Trost. Buncha SoCons in there too, plus Lukiswiski, whose alphabet consists entirely of As and Bs.

PS. Can someone confirm that Lukiwski's 10%ers all focus on the topic of fingernail maintenance.

Dion: If Elected, I Promise To Abstain.

Why not? The strategy seems to be working.

Yes, someone might argue, but it isn't because of this strategy that the Lib numbers have changed. Which is true, but if they hadn't employed some of that "strategic patience" stuff, the game might have been up before the numbers had a chance to change.

And of course some others might argue that these new poll numbers suggest that now is the time to pull the plug. I am still of the opinion, though, that the Tories have not yet bottomed. There's a video of Lukwiski out there somewhere, in a yellow leisure suit, offering Cadman a bribe and calling him a "fag" when he refuses to take it. Its just up to us to find it.

Lesbian Senator: "I Will Have Lukwiski's Balls!"

"Apologies are never enough," [Senator Nancy Ruth, the only openly gay member of the Conservative caucus] said. "There always needs to be action."

Unfortunately, she intends to be tactful about it. But I say, Show him some cold steel, sister! Its the only way guys like that learn.

In any case

She suggested Lukiwski spend some time in his constituency with a group of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gender people to develop a better understanding of the challenges they face.

If he joined the Regina Gay Pride parade he could wear his old "leisure suit Larry" outfit. He'd fit right in.

When Its Up On YouTube, Compassion Is Irrelevant

Over the last couple of days, Jason has written several fine posts which advocate showing forgiveness to disgraced Tory MP Tom Lukiwski.

Today's Leader-Post argues that such considerations are irrelevant:

You see, the political problem for the Harper government is that the 17-year-old video of a 40-year-old Lukiwski with the open shirt and gold chain spewing his bile isn't going away. It will remain on the Internet for all to see -- including voters in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City who may view it as ample reason why Harper and his Conservatives shouldn't get their majority.

Exactly. If Lukiwski is around, that tape is around. What Tory would be willing to be seen with this guy on the campaign trail? Would you want him appearing at your event to hand out government cash?


I suspect, given the operating style of Stephen Harper's Tories, that after the first wave of controversy passes and Harper can demonstrate that he's not knuckling under to the opposition, Lukwski will be made to disappear politically.

Definitely Racist Blogger Defends Allegedly Homophobic Tory MP

File it under "Please, don't try to help!" Kate speaks out, both on her blog and in today's Ottawa Citizen. Just days after being personally dissed by Brad Wall for urging death to drug addicts, she asks for a little sympathy on behalf of Tom Lukiwski:

Saskatchewan commentator Kate McMillan, who writes the popular and controversial political blog Small Dead Animals, says it's wrong to raise a fuss about a politician's past, unless they've broken laws, or their actions are relevant to public policy.

Simply ridiculing or shaming them she says, deters good people from seeking public office.

Note two things. First, imagine Kate making that last statement with a straight face, and feel free to puke.

Second, Lukiwski's attitude to SSM has become more widely known, and can be placed squarely within "knuckle dragging wing" (say it with pride, Mr. Fife!) of the CPoC. I am therefore pretty sure his alleged homophobia might be considered "relevant to public policy". Would a piece of gay-friendly human rights legislation, for example, have any chance with him? And, if he did vote against such a hypothetical bill, would it because of honestly held if wrong-headed philosophical views, or because he hated their dirty finger-nailed guts?

As for what should be done with Mr. Lukiwski, well, I am not so impressed by his apology as some. He claims, for example, that his words do not even express his beliefs as they were 17 or so years ago. That is, he is not even arguing that he has changed for the better. No, he was always fine; his words on the unfortunate videotape occasion were connected to no element of his character. They were sui generis.

But they were coherent, articulate even--certainly not alcohol fuelled babbling. So that is not really credible.

However, I would leave it up to the people of his riding as to whether or not he continues to represent them, although I don't know why Mr. Harper is willing to bump up his base salary by maintaining him in the role of parliamentary secretary. In any case, he will be far more useful to the opposition parties in the HOC, his mere presence raising the possibility that given a majority government, the more radical members of the Conservative party might press an agenda of intolerance. In fact, I would suggest that someone follow him around with a digicam, ready to capture any further "macaca moments".

As for Kate, I suppose her days of shaming and ridiculing politicians are over. You gonna be nice now, Kate?