Dave Taylor shows his class

In a move that will likely fuel Canada's stereotyped image of Albertans, Liberal MLA Dave Taylor really showed his class yesterday! After Premier Ed highlighted the ethnic diversity of his caucus, Dave Taylor is alleged to have shouted " You've got a few scope monkeys in it.".....

UNREAL! While I am sure that Dave (Face for Radio) Taylor will spin it somehow, I am disgusted that he could even say such a thing in 2009. These remarks will just justify what many other Canadians think about Alberta....that we are a Redneck, Intolerant, Racist People. And frankly, I am sick and tired of being labeled a redneck or a racist, especially since I support the PC party. Furthermore, they are entirely inappropriate and uncalled for.

As a Conservative, I have to constantly defend the image that I am not a closet racist/homophobe due to my support of the party. Anyone that knows me understands that nothing could be further from the truth, as I am about as RED TORY as they come. However, many people still believe that if you support the PC party, you must be a redneck or racist. I believe that the PC party has made inroads over the years to change this false image, although the opposition parties cling to it as a defence mechanism to win votes and scare people away from the PC/Conservative Party.

Can you imagine the uproar if a PC MLA made these comments?

I tried searching for some blog responses today, but I was shocked to find NONE yet. ( HMMM?) Maybe later today.

I will be watching for Dave Taylor's apology/spin today and comment if it is appropriate.

Just think ALP, you could have had this chap as your leader!

5/1/2009- UPDATE

Dave Taylor officially apologized yesterday in the legislature. "I Screwed Up. I Was Wrong."

You got that right Dave.

Alberta Liberal Party...Stay out my Inbox!

In an unwelcomed surprise, I was curious to understand why my email inbox was undaunted with emails from the " Alberta Liberal Caucus" this week? These spam email's are simply press releases issued by the ALP and sent out en-masse.

I never signed up to be on the ALP mailing list and never will. I note from a comment posted on the Enlightened Savages blog yesterday that it appears I am not alone in receiving these unsolicited emails.

I have sent a response email to this group asking them what qualified them to add my name and email to their mailing list, but have not received a response yet. The email used is only available on my blog, so I suspect that they are "trolling" the blogs looking for emails addresses to use. This lack of creativity just confirms the problems with the ALP in our province...when you have no supporters and no one is listening, they just figure its a good idea to SPAM random people with their message.

If anyone is interested, here is the email address they used....

liberal.communications@assembly.ab.ca

To be fair, I think I will forward them all of the spam emails I get going forward. Especially the ones for "Male Enhancement", Viagra and the Nigerian Chain Letters. ( Perhaps the latter will actually help them, as it may give them some fundraising ideas!)

Let's see how they enjoy that!

Anyways....

Shane

Alberta Liberal ( or insert new name here) Party at a Crossroads?

Interesting article in the Calgary Herald this morning, which outlined some interesting developments within the Alberta Liberal Party. Over the past few weeks, much has been written about the speculation that a group of Alberta Liberals are looking at the possibility of starting a new provincial party, but I can only go by what the Herald reporters have said.

Today's article mentions fellow blogger Dave Cournoyer ( who runs an excellent blog by the way..check out the link here) as a member of this group.

They also talk about a different group called "The Democratic Renewal Project" which is focused on building a "grassroots coalition that unites the Liberals, NDP, Greens, Independents and truly progressive Tories." Daveberta also has a good post on this here. Interesting read.

While I am all for anything that enhances the Alberta political scene and combats voter apathy in this province, I am not sure how effective these ideas will be. While a second Liberal party may split the Liberal votes and set the party back even further ( with is alright by me!) I must applaud the initiative. The Alberta Liberal brand is stale and in need of some new ideas, which may engage more moderate Alberta voters to get involved. I believe that a stronger opposition will allow my party (PC's) to become more engaged and refreshed.

If anyone has additional info, please feel to pass it along.