Tuesday May 12, 2015
Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday May 12, 2015
Green party Leader May “very apologetic” about Omar Khadr remarks
Green party Leader Elizabeth May says she is “very apologetic” about remarks she made on the weekend that included profanity and insulted the federal cabinet about how it has treated Omar Khadr.
May was among party leaders who addressed Parliament Hill journalists and politicians on Saturday night at their annual press gallery dinner.
Usually, party leaders deliver light-hearted, mainly self-deprecating speeches that include the odd barb thrown at the media.
But May went on at length about being the only female leader and having to claw her way into televised leaders’ debates.
Transport Minister Lisa Raitt intervened and attempted to persuade May to end her speech, but instead, May played a recording of “Welcome back Kotter” — a theme song from a 1970s sitcom — and stated that Khadr has “more class than the whole f—ing cabinet.”
“I wouldn’t want anyone to think I was less than respectful for the people with whom I work,” May said.
“I apologize that I made an attempt to be funny and edgy….and it didn’t work.”
May said she was just getting over the flu, had put in a 21-hour work day on Friday, and then had to rise early in British Columbia on Saturday morning to make it to the press gallery event in Gatineau, Que.
“My funny speech wasn’t funny. That’s not the first time a politician has done that.”
In the Khadr section of her speech, May said she meant to make the point that Canada is a country that gives people second chances, and that she hopes Canadians welcome him into their midst. (Source: CP)
Letter to the Editor (Hamilton Spectator, Saturday May 16, 2015)
May got a free pass from media
Why does Green party leader Elizabeth May get a free pass on her disgraceful behaviour spiced up with her moronic profanity-laced comparison of Stephen Harper’s cabinet and convicted killer Omar Khadr when she defended Khadr at the Press Gallery Dinner?
This inebriated outburst shows who and what Elizabeth May really is and she should do the honourable thing and step down, as this conduct is totally unbecoming of a national political party leader.
This will be yet another prime example of how the left-leaning press gives their free passes for their far left political party leaders and will let her off with her half-hearted apology when she sobered up.
If this had been Harper or a high-ranking Conservative. the news media would be screaming for their resignation. But I do have to admit Graeme MacKay’s cartoon depiction of May was a classic.
Doug Wadel, Dunnville