Harper encouraged party members to remember that they represent the "unspoken interests" of the majority of Canadians, not the interests of lobby groups or big business.He described the Liberals as "political exiles" who defend the interests of corporations and who are filled with "empty rhetoric." He said the New Democrats, with their protest politics, are the defenders of fringe groups. (CBC NEWS)
"The reality is there are only two parties that have the capacity to form a government in this country: the Conservative party and the Liberal party. Those are the alternative governments," said Goodale. "The NDP, with the Bloc, is a fringe player." (Canwest)
But local MLAs in Premier Ed Stelmach's government say Albertans won't flock to a new party on the political "fringe."However, Alliance Leader Paul Hinman said it is Alberta's "socialist" parties -- including Stelmach's Tories -- that are on the fringe of political opinion in the province. He said Albertans want real conservatives. (Calgary Herald)
Carleton University professor Jon Pammett, an expert on the Canadian electoral process, agrees that fringe parties won’t win seats during this election. But he points out that they’re in it for other reasons. “Most of them are doing it to make a point," Pammett says. "And, while the current electoral system may seem unfair to them, they help raise a number of issues. If they work hard enough, they can make an impact. “You have to remember that the Reform party was once a fringe party, and look where they are now.” (Carleton)
A spokesman for Japan's whale hunt called Greenpeace's actions illegal and demanded it stop its disruptive actions."Greenpeace actions are illegal under international law (and) it's time the public stopped treating Greenpeace as heroes," Glenn Inwood, spokesman for the Institute of Cetacean Research, in Tokyo, Japan, said Monday. "It's time the public saw this fringe group for what they really are: environmental imperialists who are trying to dictate their morals to the world." (940 Montreal)
Don Quixote NOTE: Perhaps the Mayor should turn down the rhetoric and remember that characterizations of individuals and groups as 'fringe' or the more infamous 'wingnut' of a previous office holder should be left unsaid. I suggest that he utilize the term 'ginger group' when he refers to any group in his public discourse with the media. The 'ginger' term is more politically correct and less likely to offend. Personally as a 'fringe' journalist I feel offended that the 'maverick' and 'quixotic' connotations that I embrace as being inherent in the word 'fringe' have been usurped by small town politicians who know nothing of this term's historical realities and bandy it about in a loose and rather unprofessional manner.
ginger group n. Chiefly British A highly active or galvanizing group within a larger organization or body.
And remember we have $490,000 in a FRINGE load variance reserve that may yet enter into the 2008 budget maneuvers. (Will this be the source of funds to cover the advertising and architects costs if the Civic Complex referndum does not pass?) Would be Ironic !
1 comment:
Costs for referendums, including advertising are likely to be recovered as part of the borrowing issue that the referendum is about. The questions I see are: how do they allocate these costs should the referendum fail (probably in your Fringe fund); and can they include the costs of the ads that were not just for public information but were deliberately exhorting the public to vote in favour of the referendum question. I cannot find anything in the LGA or the CC that would stop an elected body from trying to heavily influence a supposedly democratic process. I guess it is just simply unethical as hell. Just like the smoke screen that this is for the Lbrary rather than coming out and saying this is for more bureaucrat office space. Sneaky bunch there at City Hall.
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