Monday, November 30, 2009

Maybe A Bit Too Candid Thomas

Tom Flanagan outlines the thrust of the entire Conservative strategy, and it isn't pretty:
On CBC Radio’s “The House,” top Conservative strategist Tom Flanagan said this about ten-percenters:


“Canadians seem to be willing to tolerate attacks that are based on half-truths or things taken out of context, or misstatements, partial misstatements, distortions. I mean, as long as there is some basis, there, it becomes a matter of debate.” (November 28, 2009)

This is so offensive, on many levels. A frank admission that the Conservatives sanction lies and mistruths, there is nothing that is "below" them. Flanagan's comments aren't news to anyone paying attention, the government approaches every debate with the same gutter mentality. However, what is particularly amusing, all those sanctimonious Conservatives, who continually reference past SINGULAR examples, to extrapolate a wider theme, are SILENT in the face of the most co-ordinated, systematic delivery of morally questionable propaganda.

Whenever there is a discussion or issue, the Conservatives seem content to forget about the merit of argument, instead believing that they simply have to confuse and blanket to render it all meaningless. The consistency in approach almost resembles a religion. Predicated on apathy and voter indifference, there is no need for depth of argument, there is no DANGER of being exposed. The arrogance we see, is a testament to the utter disdain the Conservatives have for voter sophistication. Today, Harper hides at home to avoid Question Period, but there is no risk, because nobody will notice or frankly care- minor references here and there, but nothing of resonance.

Tom Flanagan outlines the contempt for Canadians and the true nature of this government. There is no honor here, no intellectual debate, no clash of ideals. It's all about smear and FOGGING of issues, and they freely acknowledge their dubious motivations. Classless thugs, who sully our political discourse.

13 comments:

CanadianSense said...

Thin skinned?

Can't take the heat?

A Eliz. said...

What do you expect, after all he is a US Republican.

Saskboy said...

"CanadianSense said...

Thin skinned?

Can't take the heat?"

Describes Conservatives, most politicians, and many bloggers very well.

Conservatives, and other parties who are stooping to using 10%ers are behaving like scum.

Steve V said...

"What do you expect, after all he is a US Republican"

That is the playbook, isn't it?

ottlib said...

So Canadian Sense turns a post regarding how the Conservatives lie and mislead Canadians on almost every issue to questioning the thickness of the skin of Liberals.

I do not think it is thin skinned to demand that our politicians treat us with respect and tell us the truth.

The fact that you would turn that around and accuse those who would make that demand is a sad testament on you.

It is further proof that the Conservatives and many of its most ardent supporters are completely lacking in ethics, honesty and honour.

Eventually that will finally sink in with Canadians and the Conservatives will suffer the same fate as the Republicans in the US.

On another note the word verification for this comment was "gonad". Very appropriate considering the topic of the post if you ask me.

Gayle said...

Ha ha ha CS.

I love how people justify lying by claiming the person being lied about is "thin skinned".

Yeah - the problem is not with the liar, it is with the person (or persons) who is being defamed.

And it is the victim's fault when he or she is assaulted or abused too, right?

Gayle said...

Once again, otllib says it better...

Steve V said...

"It is further proof that the Conservatives and many of its most ardent supporters are completely lacking in ethics, honesty and honour."

It's just a motley crue of social misfits and miffed failures. Honestly. Oh, and none of them are particularly bright, this colossal moron a prime example. Anyways, he spends his entire day on Liblogs, literally, so what does that say? Dude couldn't get laid at a swingers party. Another dolt with a keyboard. Oh gee, who cares...

Jerry Prager said...

Everything they did in the first few years in office was a race to join the Bush League, and there is no more third rate politician than Stephen Harper. A man who will go down in history as divisive, malicious, hyper-partisan who did nothing good for Canada.

Steve V said...

Trash.

He'll be remembered as nothing more than a political animal.

Anonymous said...

Not nearly as egregious as this bull, but I was struck today listening to the news to hear the government spokesperson actually say we should be touting the .4% GDP reading in the 3rd quarter "from the rooftops." Yes, he actually used those words.

Now, you could argue whether its worthy of shouts and cheers all you want. But his continued statement went on to say that Canada was doing quite well, particularly considering the US was "still in recession."

I'm sorry. You cannot proclaim a .4% growth in Canada to be a glorious recovery and then in the next sentence claim the US's 2.8% growth in the same quarter represents an economy "still in recession."

That's called a LIE. And, as is so often the case in the media these days, the statement went unquestioned. They just provided the statement and moved on to the next news item. After all, if when it becomes apparent Canada will not "recover first" as you claimed when you finally admitted the recession, they were left with "shading" their statements to make it appear as if it did.

It's about time people started yelling "bullshit" when the government lies, or misstates, or changes their story, or provides only partial information, or whatever other cutesy descriptor they come up with to describe their verbal linguistics.

They are called LIES and they ought to be called on them . . . every single time.

I recall reaching this conclusion once before watching a national political scene. I felt it after listening to the bull coming out of the Bush administration.

Steve V said...

Joseph

Headline should read "US economy grows 7 times faster than Canadian one" ;)

Geekwad said...

Whenever there is a discussion or issue, the Conservatives seem content to forget about the merit of argument, instead believing that they simply have to confuse and blanket to render it all meaningless.

The most galling part is, they are exactly correct. That's how democracy works.