Oh, this world...
I never dwell on political issues, but this one crossed the line and needs to be ranted about.
If you did not know, a nuclear reactor in Ontario shut down, and since it's one of the largest providers of the world's medical isotopes (almost 1/3 of the world's supply), a medical crisis is in place. (Read: Medical isotopes are key in helping detect and fight various types of cancer.)
Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt was caught on tape saying that the crisis is "sexy" (QUOTE: "But it's sexy. Radioactive leaks. Cancer."), and is hoping to use the situation to boost her career. Her lawyer and former Head of Communications attempted to cover up the issue in court. Too bad for them, the application was rejected.
Yet apparently, despite the offensiveness of her various comments in the 5-hour tape recording, Harper (for non-Canadians, he's our sad little Prime Minister) remains confident that she can "handle her duties." Sure, maybe she can do her job. Anyone can "do a job" (and without losing binders and confidential government documents like Raitt did). But I will never believe that someone who obviously takes such a major health concern as a joke can do her job based on the interests of the public, of a nation, and in this case, the specific interests of the medical community. Doubtful? Go re-read the third paragraph. Notice how there's no hint of concern for all the people dying without treatment. Oh no no, she thinks it's SEXY.
"It's an unfortunate choice of wording [on her part] ... I don't think anyone would use a word like [sexy] to describe it in public. This was a private conversation." - Kory Teneycke
... So, we can say whatever we want in our private conversations, and, according to Teneycke, it would mean nothing? That it's excusable? So wait... that means all the surveillance and anti-terrorism measures (phone tapping and whatnot) that the USA does on suspected terrorists is pointless, right? Because, hey! That threat was made in a private conversation! Therefore it's excusable! 8D HM YEA THAT'S LOGICAL. *seriousnod* And "an unfortunate choice of wording"? Calling Code Geass "kinda nice" instead of "epic" would be "an unfortunate choice of wording." But "sexy"? Versus something more appropriate like, oh I don't know, "frightening?" "Worrisome?" "Critical?" I'm not the best thesaurus out there, but at least I'm hitting into the right ball-park. What dictionary/thesaurus is SHE using?
It's the things you say in private that reveal your true self. So yes, she should be held accountable. It is not excusable. Because to Raitt, cancer is sexy. Pain and suffering? Sexy. Death? Rawr. SO SEXY. Why don't you get diagnosed with cancer, Raitt, and then get back to me on how sexy it is.
Apparently, she's released an apology to Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq, who she basically called incompetent. But hmm... nothing to the public? Nothing to the cancer patients who are dying from this so-called "sexy" disease, or to the people who've lost loved ones to it?
Raitt: "You know what solves this problem? Money. And if it's just about money, we'll figure it out. It's not a moral issue."
I want this cold bitch fired, Harper. Don't be a pansy. I want her fired.
(if only it was this simple - credit to Jim Davis, Garfield)
Update (Wednesday night):
So it turns out that Raitt has lost two grandparents, her father, AND her brother to cancer. Tell me, how can she still make such a remark after such losses? Looks like a woman CAN be that heartless.
She had yet to apologize as of last night (actually, she refused to), and Harper wasn't expecting her to (WTF). She finally made an apology today during a press conference, saying how she's "sincerely sorry", but I'm sure anyone with a shred of common sense knows she's only doing it because people are forcing her to. Her apology is utterly meaningless. I believe that actions > words. And the fact that she didn't IMMEDIATELY make an apology, and that she even refused to till now, means that she honestly doesn't think she did anything wrong. I don't care if she finally bought a dictionary and corrected enough of her vocabulary to make a sincere-sounding statement. It means nothing.
Also, Raitt called it "ludicrous" that people are questioning the Conservatives' compassion for the Canadian people.
"Every member has been touched by illness, sickness, cancer. That is what motivates us here in doing and caring for the health and safety of Canadians."
Please. Show me some sincere compassion and I MIGHT believe that, you hypocrite.
Oh and by the way, Raitt, you've been quoted on saying the following:
"When we win on this, we get all the credit ... I'm ready to roll the dice on this one. This is an easy one."
"I can't. I'd love to, but I can't. That'll be a career-limiting move, as we would say."
Tell me, Raitt. Since you care so much about using this crisis to your advantage, wouldn't you be moving your ass to get it resolved? Especially because this is such an "easy one" to resolve. You've been "working around the clock to manage the crisis," as Harper said. Oh hey! It's been 5 months! Where's the solution?
If you did not know, a nuclear reactor in Ontario shut down, and since it's one of the largest providers of the world's medical isotopes (almost 1/3 of the world's supply), a medical crisis is in place. (Read: Medical isotopes are key in helping detect and fight various types of cancer.)
Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt was caught on tape saying that the crisis is "sexy" (QUOTE: "But it's sexy. Radioactive leaks. Cancer."), and is hoping to use the situation to boost her career. Her lawyer and former Head of Communications attempted to cover up the issue in court. Too bad for them, the application was rejected.
Yet apparently, despite the offensiveness of her various comments in the 5-hour tape recording, Harper (for non-Canadians, he's our sad little Prime Minister) remains confident that she can "handle her duties." Sure, maybe she can do her job. Anyone can "do a job" (and without losing binders and confidential government documents like Raitt did). But I will never believe that someone who obviously takes such a major health concern as a joke can do her job based on the interests of the public, of a nation, and in this case, the specific interests of the medical community. Doubtful? Go re-read the third paragraph. Notice how there's no hint of concern for all the people dying without treatment. Oh no no, she thinks it's SEXY.
"It's an unfortunate choice of wording [on her part] ... I don't think anyone would use a word like [sexy] to describe it in public. This was a private conversation." - Kory Teneycke
... So, we can say whatever we want in our private conversations, and, according to Teneycke, it would mean nothing? That it's excusable? So wait... that means all the surveillance and anti-terrorism measures (phone tapping and whatnot) that the USA does on suspected terrorists is pointless, right? Because, hey! That threat was made in a private conversation! Therefore it's excusable! 8D HM YEA THAT'S LOGICAL. *seriousnod* And "an unfortunate choice of wording"? Calling Code Geass "kinda nice" instead of "epic" would be "an unfortunate choice of wording." But "sexy"? Versus something more appropriate like, oh I don't know, "frightening?" "Worrisome?" "Critical?" I'm not the best thesaurus out there, but at least I'm hitting into the right ball-park. What dictionary/thesaurus is SHE using?
It's the things you say in private that reveal your true self. So yes, she should be held accountable. It is not excusable. Because to Raitt, cancer is sexy. Pain and suffering? Sexy. Death? Rawr. SO SEXY. Why don't you get diagnosed with cancer, Raitt, and then get back to me on how sexy it is.
Apparently, she's released an apology to Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq, who she basically called incompetent. But hmm... nothing to the public? Nothing to the cancer patients who are dying from this so-called "sexy" disease, or to the people who've lost loved ones to it?
Raitt: "You know what solves this problem? Money. And if it's just about money, we'll figure it out. It's not a moral issue."
I want this cold bitch fired, Harper. Don't be a pansy. I want her fired.
(if only it was this simple - credit to Jim Davis, Garfield)
Update (Wednesday night):
So it turns out that Raitt has lost two grandparents, her father, AND her brother to cancer. Tell me, how can she still make such a remark after such losses? Looks like a woman CAN be that heartless.
She had yet to apologize as of last night (actually, she refused to), and Harper wasn't expecting her to (WTF). She finally made an apology today during a press conference, saying how she's "sincerely sorry", but I'm sure anyone with a shred of common sense knows she's only doing it because people are forcing her to. Her apology is utterly meaningless. I believe that actions > words. And the fact that she didn't IMMEDIATELY make an apology, and that she even refused to till now, means that she honestly doesn't think she did anything wrong. I don't care if she finally bought a dictionary and corrected enough of her vocabulary to make a sincere-sounding statement. It means nothing.
Also, Raitt called it "ludicrous" that people are questioning the Conservatives' compassion for the Canadian people.
"Every member has been touched by illness, sickness, cancer. That is what motivates us here in doing and caring for the health and safety of Canadians."
Please. Show me some sincere compassion and I MIGHT believe that, you hypocrite.
Oh and by the way, Raitt, you've been quoted on saying the following:
"When we win on this, we get all the credit ... I'm ready to roll the dice on this one. This is an easy one."
"I can't. I'd love to, but I can't. That'll be a career-limiting move, as we would say."
Tell me, Raitt. Since you care so much about using this crisis to your advantage, wouldn't you be moving your ass to get it resolved? Especially because this is such an "easy one" to resolve. You've been "working around the clock to manage the crisis," as Harper said. Oh hey! It's been 5 months! Where's the solution?