Comments on: Sherlock Holmes and the Liberal Disrespect For 11:11

By: Jonathan McLeod

Jonathan McLeod — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:53:11 +0000

Without proper context, it’s hard to judge this situation, but here are a few thoughts.

Dykstra is, most likely, in the wrong. There are few things that would make his BlackBerry-ing appropriate at that apparently somber moment.

If we assume it was not another politician taking the picture of Dykstra, the person who took the picture did nothing wrong. Citizens in a democracy have not only a right, but a responsibility to hold politicians accountable. Voting politicians out of office is a good way to start, but it’s not the only means of action.

Exposing inappropriate behaviour is valuable to our democratic project (I mean, that’s kinda why ThePolitic exists, right?). Exposing inappropriate behaviour is often best done by providing hard evidence – pictures – or wrongdoing. That’s what we have here. Assuming this isn’t just one politician trying to score cheap points against another, I’m all for Dykstra being called out.

All that being said, I’m willing to be persuaded that Dykstra’s behaviour wasn’t inappropriate (and I’ll admit, I haven’t really been following this story), but considering the image above, the onus is on him to prove his case.

By: Jonathan McLeod

Jonathan McLeod — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:45:34 +0000

At the risk of not taking this as seriously as one should, I think we need to put Richard Albert on the case. A staple of the Meet the Players series is the BlackBerry or iPhone question. For once, it would be pertinent.

By: dillon

dillon — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:36:55 +0000

At least he was at the ceremony.Where ws Iffy?

By: Enkidu

Enkidu — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:11:01 +0000

“I cannot believe that anyone but a Liberal would stoop so low as to exploit something like this…”

fify

By: Bruce

Bruce — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:18:03 +0000

That could have been a very important message to help a constituent or it could have been personal or family related, maybe a sick child or relative, we don’t know. I cannot believe that anyone would stoop so low as to exploit something like this, a memorial service in remembrance of our war dead. This is even worse than the preposterous pictures and absurd Liberal accusations and commentary after the funeral of Romeo LeBlanc.

By: Greg Farries

Greg Farries — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:33:40 +0000

Agreed – this wasn’t the right moment to be using your phone.

Plenty of people use their phones at inappropriate times and I’ve got no problem with photos like this making them look like idiots. However, as to whether it will score any political points, I’m a bit skeptical. Inappropriate blackberry/Iphone/etc usage and or otherwise ignorant/disrespectful behaviour certainly isn’t the dominion of one political party – they’re all guilty of stuff like this.

By: Matthew Campbell

Matthew Campbell — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:14:45 +0000

I’m sure he’ll get raked over by PoliOpps for this Greg, but what damns him in that picture is clearly the poise and attention of everyone else around him — the contrast is killer.

By: Greg Farries

Greg Farries — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:11:43 +0000

Dykstra still looks like a complete moron for using his BB during the ceremony – even if he was “liveblogging” the event.

Blogging – ha, that’s just nonsense, his job isn’t to “blog,” it’s to represent his riding. Dykstra should perhaps leave the blogging to those of us who have a bit more sense not to pull our phones out any old time we please.

By: Bert

Bert — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:10:10 +0000

Rick is my wife’s cousin, and is a honourable man. If the liberals were honourable (and they’re not), they would have approached him to get his side of the storey. As it is, they didn’t, and this “issue” will likely rise up to bite them in the behind.

By: RD

RD — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:01:18 +0000

The whole thing is infantile.
I’m tired on non-substantive crying from both sides.

Anyone want to discuss policy?

By: Alberta Girl

Alberta Girl — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:47:29 +0000

I heard earlier that he was liveblogging from the site as some one was being honored.

Of course, don’t think the Liberals would find out the reason before jumping to conclusions – the fact the media gives them air space is what we should really be upset about.

By: Canadiansense

Canadiansense — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:02:01 +0000

The LPOC since 2004 has been in a steady decline from 37.6% . They are now polling the worst in history again.

Is it any wonder?

The Lib Blogs have 30 Active Bloggers posting 3x-4x with 75% parroting the LPOC.

The 25% not drinking the Kool Aid have asked questions, made criticisms and been attacked by the 75%.

The simple truth is many of the Lib blogger don’t have a firm grasp of the mindset of the regular Canadian. They actually think the nonsense from the LPOC is going to work.

The Liberal GPS is doing Fine. Rick Mercer nailed them perfectly. They just don’t get it.

By: Brant

Brant — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:46:53 +0000

Big cheques, insurance policies, communion wafers, body bags, torches, Olympic logos, and now……….blackberries; the latest “scandal” to be flogged by the Liberals. When a party is totally bereft of policy and principle, THIS is what happens.

I used to take the Liberals seriously as a vaible party and used to vote for them as an alternative when the Tories didn’t satisfy me. Now the Liberals are just a sad joke. I don’t even recognize them anymore.