Comments on The Burd Report: Finally a politician who speaks his mind

oh how boring things would get if everyone were to...

2009-12-02T11:02:06.649-05:00

oh how boring things would get if everyone were to follow the rules! ... besides, who had the supreme authority to even set the rules, and who had the authority to grant the authority to do that?

Nevertheless, rules go a long way to clarify things by putting them forward in a widely understandable way so they are of some benefit. Ignoring the rules often simply marginalizes the contributions of those who do so and in a way thwarts their very efforts to be noticed and taken somewhat seriously. Funny thing is, often they don't even clue in to that.

I thought I recognised that last bit, it's a c...

2009-12-01T16:33:09.254-05:00

I thought I recognised that last bit, it's a comment from a poster to the original story Ben linked us to in his post.

As for this being posted without attribution to its source, well, Mr. Keeler does not follow anyone's rules but his own.

The last paragraph of Mr. Keeler's comment doe...

2009-12-01T15:08:16.604-05:00

The last paragraph of Mr. Keeler's comment does not represent his words.

It is a word-for-word copy of what someone else wrote.

Is plagiarism of this sort okay?

"Has anyone taken in to account the fact t...

2009-11-30T16:21:59.731-05:00
"Has anyone taken in to account the fact that one cant pay rent in 2 places making 10 an hour?

Then why have two places if one cannot afford it? $10 hour grosses to $400 per week; $1600 per month.
for a few years I maintained my 1-bed flat in downtown Toronto on less than that.

Both examples seem to be spoiled Canadians with a bloated sense of entitlement -- true progressives.

BTW, it shoukld be noted by all that "progressives" are responsible for the likes of Robert Mugabe taking power in Zimbabwe. The fact that he was a violent dictator back in the day when he was seeking power was dutifully ignored by "progressives." This is only ONE example.

The chronic invocation of "progressive" has the same self-serving self-righteousmess as if they were declaring themselves to be the chosen people. They ain't.

So the option is move to the valley for 3 months of work, I have gone to the valley to pick apples so none of you can call me lazy. I can tell you paying for a room, feeding myself and sending money home I didnt eat very well. Driving back and forth is not an option on that wage either so what is the insentive for someone living in Halifax to go to the valley and do this type of work?"

Deb O. attempted to present "the other side o...

2009-11-26T11:36:04.228-05:00
Deb O. attempted to present "the other side of the story."

Here is the other side straight from the horse's mouths, from two Nova Scotia locals:

(1) Has anyone taken in to account the fact that one cant pay rent in 2 places making 10 an hour? So the option is move to the valley for 3 months of work, I have gone to the valley to pick apples so none of you can call me lazy. I can tell you paying for a room, feeding myself and sending money home I didnt eat very well. Driving back and forth is not an option on that wage either so what is the insentive for someone living in Halifax to go to the valley and do this type of work?

(2) [Mr. Keddy statement] is way outta line, how can someone on welfare or ei get there to take a job, pay a damage deposit, and feed themselves and keep thier place here? I have done this so I speak from exp. I didnt make a cent sending money here paying board there if I had 30 bucks to get groceries it was a good week, by the way this was years ago and I have moved on to a better job where a bad year starts at 40,000 but I dont blame anyone outta work here for not hitchiking to the valley to take a job picking apples for next to nothing unless you are single and homeless this is not worth it unless someone lets you live for free!!!

What is wrong with our notion of public service that draws a person with ideas like those of Gerald Keddy to enter politics?

How remarkably different is Gerald Keddy from our ...

2009-11-26T11:16:20.579-05:00
How remarkably different is Gerald Keddy from our PM, who pointedly refuses to speak his mind--at least on some matters. See PM lauds press freedom, won't take questions from reporters in The Toronto Star.

"Unfortunately he will not be applauded for h...

2009-11-25T15:00:17.961-05:00
"Unfortunately he will not be applauded for his efforts"

I took this part of Ben's post to contain a definite degree of intentional irony.

Likewise, I had a summer job at the xmas tree plan...

2009-11-25T12:55:00.772-05:00
Likewise, I had a summer job at the xmas tree plantations north of Cobourg, and the following summer in the xmas tree farms near Penitanguishene. Salary was low, as was expected for largely mindless labour in a hot field. But it paid for my motorscooter.

As someone who long ago toiled on Christmas tree f...

2009-11-25T00:40:45.417-05:00
As someone who long ago toiled on Christmas tree farms north of Cobourg for a derisory wage, I have sympathy for anyone not too eager to leap at the chance to take on this hot and dirty work.

On the other hand, as Mr. Keddy has perceived, there are many in our society, abetted by our social prejudices, who find it much more convenient to drift along or get by on social assistance of various kinds that allows them to choose idleness over making much of an effort to find employment or learn a trade.

There are many things left undone or that could be done of benefit to the community by those who could work but for various reasons are not required to, and I think it is unfortunate for all of us, including them, that this is so.

If I shot the messenger in error I apologise. I ha...

2009-11-24T17:31:16.978-05:00
If I shot the messenger in error I apologise. I had taken a second look before posting and I really did think you were on board with him for being what he thought was truthful. My mistake.

What you said about inferences I will say about nuances.

Hey don't get on my case for what he said all ...

2009-11-24T17:15:36.878-05:00
Hey don't get on my case for what he said all I put up was the story, How I think about the story is neither here nor there! The applause for his efforts should be coming from the Cons but won't be because he was so forthright

"Unfortunately he will not be applauded for his efforts" - and where do you see an endorsement from me on this one? No wonder anons go wild on inferences

Ben I know you're a convert to the idea of peo...

2009-11-24T16:55:48.259-05:00
Ben I know you're a convert to the idea of people speaking out, but I think you and Gerald Keddy are as wrong as you can be on this one.

I'm basing my assumption you agree with Keddy on your words ``unfortunately he will not be applauded for his efforts```.

There is far more to the story of migrant workers, and comparing them to unemployed Canadians is the old apple/orange thing. A poster on the linked story notes that only the former are provided both accommodation and transportation, something any low wage workers needs. That`s just one example. Another noted that these jobs were not advertised to the general public over the years.

You and Keddy are just perpetuating old stereotypes that damage all of us. Next year, go and talk to some of the Jamaican and Mexican workers who come here, they will open your eyes to reality.

He apologized -- sort of. Even after that, the NDP...

2009-11-24T16:07:31.596-05:00
He apologized -- sort of. Even after that, the NDP is calling for him to resign as Parliamentary Secretary for International Trade.

Perhaps Harper should make Keddy Parliamentary Secretary for Local Tirade.

Really weird is this: he was asked if he was using immigrant labour on his Xmas tree lots. That prompted the tirade. But the answer to the reporter's question apparently would be: No.

Keddy is not using immigrant labour.