Here is hoping that Albertans are not as far right and baffled by bullshit as they seem to be.
I’m not a regular listener to conservative talk radio show host Charles Adler. But earlier this week, tens of thousands of Albertans gathered around their radios like it was the 1930s, to listen to what was some of the most compelling talk radio you’ll ever hear.
It was a remarkable extended interview between Adler and his friend Jason Kenney. Adler played back the now-famous clip of UCP MLA Mark Smith comparing women who choose to have abortions to murderers and saying that homosexual love isn’t real love.
Kenney was offered chance after chance by Adler, who clearly wanted Kenney to show some empathy, some contrition, and for Smith to face any kind of consequences. But no, in a moment that will define his political ambitions and potentially the outcome of this election Kenney chose to stand by Smith.
He chose to dissemble, to obfuscate, to spin.
Given the 2012 “lake of fire” election and the backlash around GSAs in 2014/2015, that helped sink the Prentice PCs it’s a remarkable misreading of the desires of Alberta’s voters – voters who spoke very clearly in 2012 and 2015 that the rights of their fellow Albertans are very dear to their hearts when they head to the voting booth.
But this is part of a wider trend, where Kenney just doesn’t seem to understand Alberta voters in 2019.
Yeah, we need to vote in the abortion is murder, tax breaks for the rich, party. Can we not, Alberta?
6 comments
April 11, 2019 at 6:14 am
john zande
Understanding the electorate (and perhaps doing what your employers *employed* you for) doesn’t seem to be a terribly high priority with some politicians today.
Are your elections still (technically) free of over-the-table corporate money?
LikeLiked by 2 people
April 11, 2019 at 6:25 am
Bob Browning
Voters will ignore many inhumane qualities if they think they’ll get their own little secret class, race or other xenophobic fear soothed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 11, 2019 at 6:51 am
The Arbourist
Yep. The big money has been legislated out of the process. Thanks to the current government.
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 11, 2019 at 6:52 am
The Arbourist
@ Bob
Feeling that happening here. It’s terrible.
LikeLike
April 11, 2019 at 2:11 pm
deborahpeifer
OK. I was able to decipher UCP MLA. GSA? PC? I’m at a loss. Can you embiggen?
LikeLike
April 14, 2019 at 8:38 pm
The Arbourist
@Deborahpeifer
Sorry for the delay. Gay Straight Alliance and Progressive Conservatives – the name of the conservative party that had ruled Alberta till 2015.
LikeLike