For the half dozen of you who are NOT Canadian bloggers, you may not be aware that yesterday a member of parliament (congress) up in Canada was booted from his caucus (party) for opinions posted on his blog.
BLOG?!
That’s right. Somewhere between the dangerously unstable nuclear situation in south east Asia, the ongoing quagmire that is the Middle East, and the latest travails of starlet Lindsay Lohan, several major news networks decided that it was major news up here in the snowy wastes on the evening news, making it the leading news piece last night.
I’m not sure if any politician of any political stripe has ever been booted out of his or her party because of opinions stated on their blog; but not being a blog historian of any kind (in fact, I tend to make much of that up as I go along), I’m hardly qualified to speak on that.
What were those opinions? How about referring to Stephen Harper a “Bush Clone” (Stephen Harper is in fact, the Prime Minister (President) of Canada, and the ruling party in Canada is currently the Progressive Conservatives (Republicans) of which both Garth Turner recently was, and Stephen Harper currently is)? And the fairly complimentary way he wrote about the Green Party? (a minor political party devoted to Green issues)
The amazing thing last night as I was watching the news on this issue was how Mr. Turner held a news conference and basically summed up his booting from the party as one of steadfast defiance, and a major strike for electronic media. And that’s not just blogging — but vlogging as well. Or video podcasting. Or GooTubing. Or whatever kids are calling on-line video these days.
And you know what?
Good for him.
While it seemed like he turned the news conference into one giant ad for garth.ca (a site for his blog and other political writings) — which it was, as well as his own blog and on-line video podcast, mp.tv (MP stands for “Member of Parliament” … I think — basically a way of saying, “politician”, wherein he has interviewed on his own, other members of parliament on their issues around the government as well as local and world issues at large), its about time that someone really Got It.
Hear that Edelman? Steve Rubel?
Someone REALLY understands what blogging is about — and they put their career on the line to prove it.
Yes, of course its all about Transparency, Authenticity and Integrity (which, I officially hail as all entering the blogging lexicon, and on their way to being hackneyed), but here is one man who has a diversity of beliefs and opinions, and is willing to stand up for them, announce them in an honest an non-duplicitous way (Edelman, I’m looking at you again!)
Political blogs can sound like they’re full of boilerplate messages and carefully concocted pap and media-speak — but that’s not the point of blogging. Creating honest connections are, no matter what they happen to be about. I mean, PR firms might feel the pressure of creating fake blogs to promote their clients — but who knows what kind of pressure is felt amongst politicians about self-censoring themselves.
Now, I don’t necessarily support Garth Turner’s political opinions, but the guy deserves a giant pat on the back for having the stones to write about what he thinks, and not backing down from that. And is he an opportunist? Of course he is.
He’s an opportunist as well for taking advantage of that press conference — but in that position, I’m not sure if there was any other way of doing it if you were genuinely passionate about your position and your writings, other than say to the world “I’m going to continue doing it — read my blog and find out what all the hubaloo is about” (gently paraphrased).
And of course, as a blogger myself, I thought it was nice that someone of some importance was elevating role of electronic media in this day and age.
Who would have thought Canadian Politics would have turned out to be so interesting?
PS. I don’t have those transcripts — if anyone does, let me know where I can find them.
October 19th, 2006 at 1:35 pm | Permalink
[...] Some more interesting commentary today: http://www.deepjiveinterests.com/2006/10/19/garth-turner-blogging-hero-or-blogging-opportunist/ [...]
October 19th, 2006 at 9:19 pm | Permalink
Garth Turner has every right to state how he feels and we should be aware of what goes on in Ottawa and with Prime Minister Harper and his office.
Garth has done nothing wrong on informing us. Stephen Harper does not own the world or Canada he is only a Prime Minsiter of Canada in fact he is a Minority governed Prime Minsister who can be taken down at any time.
Prime Minister Harper can rant and rave about anything he wants. He cannot handle any critisims regarding himself or his party. The truth hurts. Garth Turner has started something that should continue on. We have a right to know what is going on within Parliament and its talks. C’mon our kids are being killed in Afghanistan and it is Prime Minister Harper that is allowing it to happen.We should be more informed. Perhaps Mr. Harper should grow up and be an adult, instead of an insecure man that he images himself as being. And take criticism in his stride and take it like a man. Surely Canadians can see by now that we have voted the wrong man in. We need to have another election before he takes on more of our kids and they get killed in a war that is religious and has been going on since before Jesus.
We are peacekeeping people and should be proud, Since Harper has taken the reigns it has been nothing but trouble. Anyone who sides with President Bush who by the way “will be gone soon” as they can only be President for two terms.
I Salute Garth Turner for his comments and his open honesty”"
October 20th, 2006 at 1:29 pm | Permalink
GOOD FOR GARTH TURNER!!!!
HOW ABOUT THIS:
MEDIA: READ ABOUT “TWO USELESS BAGS OF PUSS”, DEFENCE MINISTER O‘CONNOR AND PRIME MINISTER HARPER
WAS MY DAUGHTER TREATED THIS WAY BECAUSE SHE IS FEMALE!!
ISN’T THIS AGAINST THE CHARTER OF RIGHTS!!
24 October, 2006
Hon. Gordon O’Connor
Minister of National Defence
House of Commons,
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Hon. Stephen Harper
Office of the Prime Minister
House of Commons,
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
RE: Pte. Patricia
Well, the two of you turned out to be “useless bags of puss“, didn’t you!!
Major K.R. Salsman, Base Surgeon at Shilo clearly indicated that my daughter required proper boots as a “requirement in the performance of her military duty“[see his request attached], and then she was penalized for the “stupidity” of the 748 (Nanaimo) Communication Squadron for not issuing them to her before she attended BMQ’s!
Thank God my daughter has seen what a miserable lot the Communications Department was, without having gone too far.
My assumption is the rest of the DND is the same.
Thank goodness she “has seen the light” and will have none of you nincompoops!!
Little wonder, you’ve got so called “military experts” expressing surprise that the Taliban are so persistent!!
Hey, morons, they have been in the area for a thousand years, know all of the ins and outs of the area, and you people are just figuring out they are putting up an unexpectedly good fight??
And, you’ve got young innocent Canadian kids dying in Afghanistan for your idiocy!!
Nothing but a pair of “jack asses” as far as I can see!
Regards,
T.W.
[former federal peace officer]
Email: BScComplete@shaw.ca
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
24 October, 2006
Captain D.R. Bowhey
Commanding Officer
748 (Nanaimo) Communication Squadron
Nanaimo Military Camp GD Stn A
Nanaimo, British Columbia V9R 7N2
RE: Your letter dated 10 October, 2006 [copy attached]
What “a miserable bunch” to issue a young recruit improper boots, as cited by Major K.R. Salsman, Base Surgeon at Shilo clearly indicating that my daughter required proper boots as a “requirement in the performance of her military duty“[see his request attached], and then penalize her for your “stupidity”!
Patricia is quite relieved she has seen what a miserable outfit yours is without having gone too far in the “Military”.
If this is how all of the DND Departments treat their people, she will have none of it.
I don’t blame her!
In any event, she has returned her kit and, with her commitment to studies / midterms and work, she has no spare time to waste on you folks.
As such, if there are any forms to sign you can simply mail them to her for her signature.
Regards,
T.W.
former federal peace officer
Email: BScComplete@shaw.ca
cc. Gordon O’Connor
Minister of National Defence
House of Commons,
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
cc. Stephen Harper
Office of the Prime Minister
House of Commons,
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
+++++++++++++++++++++
21 August, 2006
Hon. Gordon O’Connor
Minister of National Defence
House of Commons,
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Hon. Stephen Harper
Office of the Prime Minister
House of Commons,
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Dear Sirs,
Please let me initiate my letter with a general statement that, I would think considering the DND commitments in Afghanistan and around the world, the DND and the Federal Government would be pleased to see such enthusiasm from a young adult.
I am speaking about my daughter, Patricia, who is apparently being geared for release from the DND according to Captain D.R. Bowhey, 748 (Nanaimo) Communication Squadron, because my daughter was apparently physically unfit at BMQ in spite of the fact that my daughter submitted medical documentation to Captain Bowhey that she had been issued incorrect boots prior to her shipment to Shilo BMQ camp and, due to this fact, missed too many classes [see documentation and letters attached].
In fact, my daughter submitted as evidence to Captain Bowhey “Modifications to Footwear” by Major K.R. Salsman, Base Surgeon at Shilo who clearly indicated that my daughter required proper boots as a “requirement in the performance of her military duty.“
In fact, my daughter had been diagnosed with an extreme case of chronic plantar fasciitis at Shilo due to incorrect boots being issued.
My daughter has recorded her objections to her release, dated 8 August and 9 August, 2006 [copies attached].
Hence, I personally fail to see why Captain Bowhey would say my daughter is physically unfit, when she missed classes due to incorrect boots issued at Captain Bowhey’s unit prior to being shipped to Shilo BMQ.
How could my daughter be expected to participate when correct boots were not ordered until one week had already passed at Shilo, and it is little wonder she missed too many classes [Course 02 July, 2006 with Proper Boots only finally ordered 10 July, 2006, see attached documents].
Actually, since my daughter’s return from BMQ due to incorrect boots being issued, she wrote a letter to 748 (Nanaimo) Communication Squadron dated 31 July, 2006 asking for a transfer to a unit that gives weekend BMQs [SQs] so she could catch up for lost time due to the incorrect boot fiasco, to which Captain Bowhey apparently indicated that he already had four other members of the Squad seeking transfer and that it would be about a year before Patricia’s request could be acted upon.
I personally wonder if Captain Bowhey is simply using this request for a transfer as “an excuse” to get rid of Patricia through release using the excuse that she was not physically fit at CFB Shilo BMQs whereas, in fact, Major K.R. Salsman, Base Surgeon at Shilo clearly indicated that my daughter required proper boots as a “requirement in the performance of her military duty.“
I think it behoves the DND to retain such an enthusiastic member as my daughter, Pte. Patricia, and honour her request for a Voluntary Occupational Transfer to an NCM Medic positions in the Nanaimo area [11 Med Coy Victoria, Nanaimo sub-unit] or as an NCM in Artillery in the Nanaimo area [5th (BC) Field Regiment], as she is to understand that both units have several available positions in the Nanaimo area.
Both units apparently have weekend BMQ and possibly a weekend SQ and, in this way, my daughter could easily complete this requirement if she is finally issued proper boots, as per the attached medical request by Major Salsman.
I trust that my daughter will be given a fair shake so that she can take these BMQ [and SQ] courses this coming fall/spring, as she wishes to become a useful member of the DND.
As mentioned, I would think the DND and Federal Government would be keen to welcome such a forthright young woman into their midst.
Sincerely,
T.W.
former federal peace officer
Email: BScComplete@shaw.ca
January 24th, 2007 at 12:49 am | Permalink
[...] There’s a Canadian politician — his name is Garth Turner. He was recently booted out of his party for comments on his blog. When it was happening, it was all over the local media. What was really striking to me was how “blogging” was perceived by the local and national media — as an oddity, and something in the purview of geeks that, sometimes, was deserving of snickering and derision. [...]