Canada heads to the polls next week. I strongly urge everyone eligible to vote.
I’m a big fan of Jack Layton, and will be voting NDP. Interestingly, the NDP candidate in my riding is Svend Robinson. Before “the ring incident” in 2004, I was a huge fan of his, even though I never had a chance to vote for him even when I lived in Burnaby. He always seemed like a stand-up guy, which is unusual for a politician. I was hugely disappointed about the incident with the ring, like many of his supporters. I have a very low tolerance for convictable criminal activity in politicians, and think Gordon Campbell should have stepped down after his drinking & driving episode, and no matter how much I respect Svend, this definitely colored my opinion of him.
Still, it’s not on the same “level” as what Campbell did. Campbell drove drunk, thereby risking the lives of not only himself and the other people in his vehicle, but anyone else he may have met along the road. Svend stole a (really expensive) ring, and turned it in voluntarily a few days later. On the “which is worse?” scale, one guess as to which one I think qualifies.
Regardless, he did steal the ring. This bugs me. So, I went to his website to read up, and what do I find, but a section specifically on the ring. That alone strikes me as being pretty decent. I don’t see anything similar on Gordon Campbell’s website, although his indiscretion was longer ago. (Come to think of it, his website is lacking in a lot of .. well, anything, really.)
Anyhoo. I’ve read. I’ve reviewed. I’ve thought. And I’ll be voting for Svend next Monday. He screwed up, yes. His crime was completely stupid. However, it didn’t risk any lives, and he owned up to it right away — he didn’t get caught, he turned himself in. Campbell screwed up, risked lives, and got caught. I don’t feel any hypocrisy in thinking that Campbell should step down, but still being willing to support Svend.
Go Svend!
This Canadian headed to the polls last week. I didn’t have to stand in line!
I’ve met both Svend and Gordo … and chatted with both for some time. Svend I found to be polite, well-meaning, and generally interested and concerned about his fellow humans. Gordo was evil. Period. I’ve detested Gordo ever since I first met him – 1996 I think?
You know what I love about Jack Layton?
That pimpin’ ‘stache.
Colin: You gotta admire a man like that. :)
Could be worse. Could be Stephen Harper’s hair. ;)
Greetings Donna:
I live in T.O., Jack was a councilman here for a quite awhile, so I have seen him in action for a long time. Even people who didn’t like his politics liked him. I can tell you one thing, he doesn’t do it for the money or power, but because he does want to make things better. Whatever he is, he is sincere. I voted Green, but it was a hard decision. I am like you in that I don’t like criminals period. I get the feeling with Svend it was more of a mental health issue…
I wish we could had him as a mayor
It’s not that I have a problem with criminals — it’s that I have a problem with criminals in office. (Svend has no criminal record out of this — another “ooh, that makes me feel better.”)
But hell, pot still puts people in jail, and I think that’s ridiculous. And yet, the guy who gets arrested for selling reasonably harmless hemp seeds has no chance… but the guy who drove drunk stays in power. Ridiculous.
I just think Svend is too much of a publicity whore. He’s going to do whatever gets him press instead of whatever makes him a good representative of his riding. Ergo I will be voting Green.
Plus, the Green candidate is 27 and I want to support involvement in politics from people of my generation!
Sue: I don’t know, 26 years of a fantastic political history seem to show that he’s done a darn good job of it so far…
or at least, I think his record is pretty good. :)
funny: Am home sick, so I was watching TV. There’s a commercial from the conservative party trashing Jack Layton, with a bunch of statements “put into other peoples mouths”. The catch: I agree with the statements. I’ll happily pay higher taxes to get better social services. Leagilize drugs? Yep. Stigmatizing them obviously hasn’t done a good job, and alcohol is far, far more damaging than most of the “lighter” drugs. Higher gas prices? Absolutely — more people need to get the hell out of their cars, and higher gas prices will do that.
Thanks, Mr. Harper, for cementing my decision! You moron.
I agree that Svend is a complete and utter attention whore.
He’s also worked tirelessly for his constituents on regional and national issues, has raised awareness for the GLBT community and Aids issues, and has a phenomenal Human Rights record.
While I don’t really jive with his overt narcissism, I don’t believe I have to like him as a person in order to believe he’ll do a good job representing me as a politician. I’d rather he’s his wacky self and gets things done, than put up a big front of personality and promises and drop the ball.
Also, I’m SO JEALOUS that you people stole him away from my riding! Bill Siksay’s just not as exciting.
Jen: But Bill’s last name can be mis-pronounced as “Sexy!” C’mon, that’s got to be worth a few votes. :)
I can’t judge someone for being an attention whore. While I might not be on the same level as a federal politician… I, too, am an attention whore. :)
Maybe *I* should steal a $21,000 ring! Oooh!
Okay, I retract what I said about being an attention whore being bad. It can be a really good thing to raise awareness for important causes. The trouble is that Svend’s method of “raising awareness” and getting attention has landed him in legal brou-hahas more than once, and I have to ask whether there isn’t a more effective means for a politician of working the system and the media. I’m just asking, you know… maybe there isn’t. Maybe that’s what’s wrong with our political system!
Also… what makes for a “phenomenal Human Rights” record? A lack of torturing political dissidents in dark damp cellars? You make it sound like the rest of Parliament is running around burning books and imprisoning innocent citizens. Sure, Svend is VERY vocal about protecting the civil liberties of Canadian citizens, but it’s not like he’s the only one. Hedy Fry, that EVIL CONNIVING WENCH, has still done quite a lot for immigrants rights… doesn’t mean I’m going to vote for her, but it does put Svend’s law-breaking methods into a different light.