Liberals need women : #2.
ridenrain @ Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:59 pm
$1:
Dear friends, supporters and colleagues,
I was approached several weeks ago by the Victoria Liberal Riding Association Candidate Search Committee and asked to consider seeking the nomination to run in the next election. Such a request had significant implications for me both personally and professionally.
After considering the request carefully, consulting with a number of people whose opinions I value, and with the support of my wife Renée, I decided to take up this challenge.
I believe deeply in the principles the Liberal party stands for and, despite the challenges inherent in seeking the nomination, campaigning, and serving if elected, I concluded that this was a worthy public endeavor. As we may be on the eve of an election this process has been both intensive and personal.
Renée and I undertook to speak with a large number of friends and colleagues to persuade them to become involved with the party and support my endeavors. In addition, and without exception, current members of the party in the riding were both helpful and respectful offering advice and encouragement.
Then, yesterday, I received a telephone call from Bruce Young - a BC Campaign co-chair from head office in Vancouver. He advised me that he intended to install a woman by the name of Anne Park Shannon in the riding. He advised me that this could be accomplished in any number of ways including her direct appointment, denying approval for myself or anyone else to run against her or by manipulating the process in a variety of other ways.
Mr. Young then offered a variety of incentives to persuade me to step aside. He advised that the Liberal party has a "good record of taking care of people who agree to step aside." I have advised him that I have no interest in anything of this nature.
Mr. Young made telephone calls to other members of the executive informing them of his approach to fixing the nomination process to ensure the appointment of the candidate he is interested in.
Mr. Young is apparently concerned about Ms. Park Shannon's ability to win in a fairly conducted nomination race. This is not surprising given her total absence of work in the riding.
Ms. Park Shannon has spent virtually no time with the executive or membership in the riding. Her name does not appear on the most recent membership list being used by the local riding association. She didn't even attend the delegate selection meeting held last week to take up an invitation extended by Russ Lazaruk to those interested in seeking the nomination to address the meeting.
Ms. Park Shannon's approach is perhaps not surprising. Having agreed to a accept a back room appointment to bypass the local riding association, and the need to stand for election at a nomination meeting, what reason would she have to make any local effort at all.
The arrogant approach of Mr. Young and the sense of entitlement displayed by Ms. Park Shannon represent the very worst qualities of the Liberal party. They both demonstrate a complete disrespect for the democratic process.
When I put this to Mr. Young he retorted that "The Liberal party is not a democratic organization."
While the objective of encouraging female candidates is a laudable, abandoning the principal of equality of opportunity in favor of direct appointment is both unprincipled and in conflict with the Liberal party's public pronouncements on social justice and the need to cure the Democratic Deficit.
To defeat the populist broad-based Conservative Party we must convince Canadians that the Liberal Party has given up its top down inside out management style. Allowing local members to choose their own Candidates would be a good start.
To all of you who so generously shared your time, advice and support I am sincerely grateful. To all of you who share my commitment to Liberal principles I am sad to report on their demise.
Sincerely,
Michael Mulligan
I was approached several weeks ago by the Victoria Liberal Riding Association Candidate Search Committee and asked to consider seeking the nomination to run in the next election. Such a request had significant implications for me both personally and professionally.
After considering the request carefully, consulting with a number of people whose opinions I value, and with the support of my wife Renée, I decided to take up this challenge.
I believe deeply in the principles the Liberal party stands for and, despite the challenges inherent in seeking the nomination, campaigning, and serving if elected, I concluded that this was a worthy public endeavor. As we may be on the eve of an election this process has been both intensive and personal.
Renée and I undertook to speak with a large number of friends and colleagues to persuade them to become involved with the party and support my endeavors. In addition, and without exception, current members of the party in the riding were both helpful and respectful offering advice and encouragement.
Then, yesterday, I received a telephone call from Bruce Young - a BC Campaign co-chair from head office in Vancouver. He advised me that he intended to install a woman by the name of Anne Park Shannon in the riding. He advised me that this could be accomplished in any number of ways including her direct appointment, denying approval for myself or anyone else to run against her or by manipulating the process in a variety of other ways.
Mr. Young then offered a variety of incentives to persuade me to step aside. He advised that the Liberal party has a "good record of taking care of people who agree to step aside." I have advised him that I have no interest in anything of this nature.
Mr. Young made telephone calls to other members of the executive informing them of his approach to fixing the nomination process to ensure the appointment of the candidate he is interested in.
Mr. Young is apparently concerned about Ms. Park Shannon's ability to win in a fairly conducted nomination race. This is not surprising given her total absence of work in the riding.
Ms. Park Shannon has spent virtually no time with the executive or membership in the riding. Her name does not appear on the most recent membership list being used by the local riding association. She didn't even attend the delegate selection meeting held last week to take up an invitation extended by Russ Lazaruk to those interested in seeking the nomination to address the meeting.
Ms. Park Shannon's approach is perhaps not surprising. Having agreed to a accept a back room appointment to bypass the local riding association, and the need to stand for election at a nomination meeting, what reason would she have to make any local effort at all.
The arrogant approach of Mr. Young and the sense of entitlement displayed by Ms. Park Shannon represent the very worst qualities of the Liberal party. They both demonstrate a complete disrespect for the democratic process.
When I put this to Mr. Young he retorted that "The Liberal party is not a democratic organization."
While the objective of encouraging female candidates is a laudable, abandoning the principal of equality of opportunity in favor of direct appointment is both unprincipled and in conflict with the Liberal party's public pronouncements on social justice and the need to cure the Democratic Deficit.
To defeat the populist broad-based Conservative Party we must convince Canadians that the Liberal Party has given up its top down inside out management style. Allowing local members to choose their own Candidates would be a good start.
To all of you who so generously shared your time, advice and support I am sincerely grateful. To all of you who share my commitment to Liberal principles I am sad to report on their demise.
Sincerely,
Michael Mulligan
source
Wada @ Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:18 pm
Who cares?
ridenrain @ Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:33 pm
Definately Mr. Mulligan and probably most people who value democracy. It also says a great deal about the forces behind Mr. Dion's push to woo the female vote.
I wonder how many woman would accept that they were selected because they were not the best candidates, but the best woman candidates?
Scrappy @ Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:53 pm
I'll pass on their offer, they aren't Liberals anymore their the "Socialist Party" like the NDP was a few years back and when the Liberals can decide what they are CC me and I'll think about their policies.
ridenrain @ Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:31 pm
Their the everything to everybody party:
If you want them to help the poor & fallen, they will, while their being tough on crime.
Do you want them to be hard on those business fat cats? They can, even while leaking info to their friends and insiders.
What about democracy and free speech? They'll fill you're heart with pride and liberty, even as we whip our members and sue the newspapers.
Whatever you want to hear and whatever they need to do to get back in power.
MGX @ Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:40 pm
political parties themselves are inherently undemocratic. When you join a political as an MP. You're in their playground. You have to abide by their rules and principles.
sasquatch2 @ Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:44 pm
Same old, same old.......
biopiracy @ Tue Mar 27, 2007 10:17 pm
ridenrain ridenrain:
I wonder how many woman would accept that they were selected because they were not the best candidates, but the best woman candidates?
and how many have government jobs and ahow many work at canadian corporations to help them pass hrdc audits.
ridenrain ridenrain:
Definately Mr. Mulligan and probably most people who value democracy. It also says a great deal about the forces behind Mr. Dion's push to woo the female vote.
This guy is weird he is willing to be a liberal who are 100% willing to do this to others, but when it's him it's bad?
What is it liberals say you just have to try harder to get a job when the quota shuts you out.
Bodah @ Wed Mar 28, 2007 2:35 pm
Mr Mulligan should join the Conservative Party.
Seriously I cant see how any women these day with a brain, could look past what the candidate stands for, his/her record and especially how they got there as opposed as to what's between their legs when considering voting for a candidate affiliated with any party. If that's the most important aspect of a politician when voting for someone well sorry that's some dumb voter.
Of course I realize that the men out number women in politics but where not in the 1800's anymore women aren't banned from pursuing a careers in political science any longer. Maybe the next liberal government can "force" women into federal politics or soemthing if its that important. Nah just easier to kick males out of the running, less fuss that way.
I think its more of an insult to women when a party "appoints" a candidate into a position based on their genitals and not what they've accomplished and especially if they deserve it. Women should be outraged with this practice its insulting. Liberlas are saying women are too dumb to get there own their own or win on their own merits so they eliminate the competition .
Imagine if the roles were reversed in this situation, you'd hear the howls of protest for weeks, Why is it any more acceptable because it happens to be a man getting passed over because of his dick ?
Disgusting.
biopiracy @ Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:12 am
Bodah Bodah:
Of course I realize that the men out number women in politics but where not in the 1800's anymore women aren't banned from pursuing a careers in political science any longer.
They don't want to think about the reality that if a pro feminist party cant get them to run maybe it's not because of discrimination but because they don't want to!
Wonder if the libs spent 5 min pondering that?
Clogeroo @ Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:15 am
$1:
Mr Mulligan should join the Conservative Party.
Seriously I cant see how any women these day with a brain, could look past what the candidate stands for, his/her record and especially how they got there as opposed as to what's between their legs when considering voting for a candidate affiliated with any party. If that's the most important aspect of a politician when voting for someone well sorry that's some dumb voter.
Of course I realize that the men out number women in politics but where not in the 1800's anymore women aren't banned from pursuing a careers in political science any longer. Maybe the next liberal government can "force" women into federal politics or soemthing if its that important. Nah just easier to kick males out of the running, less fuss that way.
I think its more of an insult to women when a party "appoints" a candidate into a position based on their genitals and not what they've accomplished and especially if they deserve it. Women should be outraged with this practice its insulting. Liberlas are saying women are too dumb to get there own their own or win on their own merits so they eliminate the competition .
Imagine if the roles were reversed in this situation, you'd hear the howls of protest for weeks, Why is it any more acceptable because it happens to be a man getting passed over because of his dick ?
Disgusting.
Seriously I cant see how any women these day with a brain, could look past what the candidate stands for, his/her record and especially how they got there as opposed as to what's between their legs when considering voting for a candidate affiliated with any party. If that's the most important aspect of a politician when voting for someone well sorry that's some dumb voter.
Of course I realize that the men out number women in politics but where not in the 1800's anymore women aren't banned from pursuing a careers in political science any longer. Maybe the next liberal government can "force" women into federal politics or soemthing if its that important. Nah just easier to kick males out of the running, less fuss that way.
I think its more of an insult to women when a party "appoints" a candidate into a position based on their genitals and not what they've accomplished and especially if they deserve it. Women should be outraged with this practice its insulting. Liberlas are saying women are too dumb to get there own their own or win on their own merits so they eliminate the competition .
Imagine if the roles were reversed in this situation, you'd hear the howls of protest for weeks, Why is it any more acceptable because it happens to be a man getting passed over because of his dick ?
Disgusting.
