EDMONTON — Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel called on Alberta Wildrose party leader Danielle Smith on Wednesday to “clearly refute” comments by her party’s candidates about race and homosexuality.
“I think it’s not representative of Alberta or Albertans,” he said. “We’re a very multicultural, dynamic and creative community. I don’t think there’s any place in our province for homophobism or diminishing the value of any group.
“It’s a bit disappointing, what’s coming out. Hopefully, responses will be made to them.”
Last weekend, Edmonton Wildrose candidate Allan Hunsperger made headlines when a blog he wrote warned homosexuals they will suffer for eternity in a “lake of fire.”
Two days later, Calgary Wildrose candidate Ron Leech was in the spotlight after he said during a radio interview that he thinks he has an electoral advantage because he is white.
Smith should have shot down these ideas because they could hurt the province, but that didn’t happen, Mandel said.
[More]
Edmonton’s Mayor urges Wildrose leader to refute ‘caucasian advantage’ quip (7),Afternoon Updates:
12:15 pm EDT, April 19th, 2012 – Calgary Liberals stampede to Tories
12:16 pm EDT, April 19th, 2012 – Smith vows short stint, financial audit as premier
12:17 pm EDT, April 19th, 2012 – Redford paints Wild Rose as agriculture’s enemy
12:19 pm EDT, April 19th, 2012 – Alberta election forecaster sees Wildrose win — but with asterisk
2:41 pm EDT, April 19th, 2010 — Alberta’s Paul martin
4:12 pm EDT, April 19th, 2012 — Chicken Little makes a comeback in Alberta’s election
A song dedicated to the leftwing parties in Alberta, and that includes the Alberta PCs. Have a nice holiday……start your planning Tuesday morning. Be gone fools.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsaTElBljOE
This is Alberta – his support probably went up 2% for saying it.
Being “politically incorrect” seems to have grown some intangible value.
Being “politically incorrect” is better than being “politically constipated”, like most politicians.
And Cy’s response shows the eastern liberal bigotry we westerners have come to expect and despise. Now please do a little investigation before you believe the media hype, The question that was tripped over has been asked of the candidate since he won the nomination because he is running in a very ethnically diverse riding. He received his highest level of support during his nomination from those ‘ethnics’. His support amongst those ‘ethnics’ is extremely high because he is NOT A RACIST in any way shape or form. The progressive media has been playing ‘gotcha’ since before he was nominated and he repeated the progressive bigotry of ‘white advantage’ so now the progressive bigots are out to get him. Progressives: All bigots all the time. Bigoted progressives not gone soon enough.
Thanks for pointing out this side of the issue.
Is it possible to criticize anything in Alberta without being labeled an “eastern bigot” (whatever that is – strange usage for people who seem to deny the existence of any other form of bigotry)?
I don’t hate all Albertans, Joe. As I told you before, my family is from there originally. But the province does have a tendency to elect and promote right wing looney toons that say things even mainstream conservtives wouldn’t support. The wingnuts exist everywhere in Canada but in most cases they’re considered comic relief rather than heirs to the throne.
If the shoe fits, wear it Cy. Your arrogance is palpable…which is another trait of eastern bigots.
What you call arrogance is simply not being afraid to disagree. The right likes to do this bullying thing and don’t seem to realize that it’s lightweight next to what else is on the internet. I’m not afraid of you. If that is arrogrant (or do you mean “uppity”?) so be it. But if you dish it out …
Also stop putting yourself on the cross. Alberta’s been running Canada economically for over a decade.
You’re the center of economic growth and home to the only viable industry that’s not being artificially propped up by government interference or mass migration. Your resource economy is so dominant that the entire country is at risk for Dutch Disease, and it is unlikely that the central Canadian manufacturing sector will recover any time soon.
Alberta IS Canada. You can stop being the underdog now.
They’ve got 4 short days, Joe. Hallelujah!
BTW did anyone notice that the Mandel story conveniently left out the part about the $350,000,000.00 museum that Special Ed promised the city as one of his legacies? The province is running a huge deficit at the moment and has been since Special Ed Royal(t)y screwed up. Mandel has been trying to revitalize the downtown of Edmonton with new art galleries (done) new condominiums (done and doing) and a new provincial museum. Uh oh, Danielle Smith just said she would cancel the project until the provincial books get balanced. Guess Mandel better do what he can to keep the PCs in power. Maybe if the trots out the old “Wildrosers are all bigots” he will get his museum,
I suppose it might be a bit difficult for the easterners to understand the context of what was said. The question was regarding the white skin of the candidate in a riding of people of yellow, black, brown and red skinned people. Since the riding was mainly ‘coloured’ why a white candidate and could a white candidate do a good job representing ‘coloureds’. The candidate knows that the ‘coloureds’ are not homogenous and there is a certain amount of ‘strain’ between the various skin tones. Browns not liking blacks, blacks not liking yellows, yellows not liking reds. Since there is that tension which one makes the best candidate. It would seem the one ‘colour’ that raises the least animosity between the various skin tones is WHITE. Yes the white candidate has an advantage because he is white because white is the one skin colour that has no problem with the brown, black, yellow or red.
From the looks of it this election is going to be one for the record books. I’m guessing over 70% turnout and it may be much higher. Anyone know if there are any office pools running?
Update:
I’ve been thinking about the aftermath of the Alberta election and I can picture “progressives” in that province slinking around in the dark of night, never daring to venture out in the pure light of day.
“How did you vote?”
“Why, I voted Wildrose. What’s your problem?”
And then they tuck their tails between their legs and slink away like the good progressives they are as Tim Horton’s customers break out in fits of laughter.
Perhaps I’m being unkind but I will say this. Obama had better sit up and pay close attention because his world is changing around him and this very minute he is being accused of eating his dog.
How bad can it get?
Very bad.