Michael Chisholm, a Saskatchewan Party MLA for Cut Knife-Turtleford, has resigned as a legislative secretary after calling the NDP's Deb Higgins "a dumb bitch."And yet, it was. So much for a man known for his reputation for professional conduct. He even mentions Wall's lip-service to not letting people hear you saying stupid shit like this, but so often in these cases we see how a wolf in lamb's clothing is still a wolf. The only thing we're missing here is a statement that he'll work for the rest of his career to redeem himself for these remarks.
Chisholm apologized for the comments that he made towards Higgins on Wednesday in a legislative committee.
"I have no excuse for this remark," he said Thursday in the legislature. "I was wrong and it shouldn't have been thought or said."
(Saskatoon StarPhoenix, May 8/2008)
I know Deb Higgins. She's hardly a dumb bitch. She's polite and intelligent, and Saskatchewan people of all political stripes ought to be proud to have someone like her representing them. Which is more than I can say for you, Mike.
Deb would never reduce herself to your level. But I'm not Deb Higgins, you stupid sack of shit. Every time the topic of women in politics gets raised, I'm going to make sure your remarks are held up high as an example of the barriers, difficulties, and double-standards that exist.
At least Wall did the right thing by firing your sorry ass.
Edit: The Regina Mom has a similar perspective, though she tends to rag more on the NDP than I do.
Edit: Giant Political Mouse has the text from Hansard and a video. But unlike me, he refrains from swearing at Mr. Chisholm.
Edit: Fixed formatting.
3 comments:
unbelievable. I remember a couple of years ago when another Saskatchewan Party MLA - Jason Dearborn, had to apologize for saying that 'Calvert would be his choice to be shot' ... some of these constituencies must really scrape the bottom of the barrel to find these guys ... and then they get elected??? Dearborn didn't run after that episode, likely this guy will be gone too.
To be fair to Dearborn, he wasn't allowed to run again for the SP: he was in Big Mouth Billy Bass's seat, and once Boyd wanted back in -- when there was significant political shift to suggest his victory -- Dearborn was kicked out. Rumour has it that he didn't care much for politics following the announcement of Boyd's return; he wouldn't pay attention in the House, and became pretty chummy in the hallways with some of the NDP.
To me, Boyd's always been the face of the hard, crunch Conservative centre of the SP. When he came back, I thought he'd put pressure on the soft, chewy Liberal coating to make him Deputy Leader. But he's got a pretty plumb protfolio, so I guess he's not complaining.
As for Dearborn, I know him, somewhat. He sometimes talks before he thinks, but he's a good, stand-up fellow. More importantly, he's a Red Tory, and is just as disenchanted with the SP after his ejection as the people of this province are after their installment.
I have known Mike Chisholm personally for many years. On watching the video I can see that he is obviously very frustrated over something that was said, but (not surprisingly) those comments are not available for viewing. I have never known Mike to be anything but hard working and fair, and respectful to both men and women. I do know; however, that he doesn't put up with alot of nonsense, B.S., or stupidy,no matter who's concerned. It's too bad that the remarks appear to reflect an attitude towards women in general, because I believe that's not what was intended. Putting political correctness aside: on pretty much any topic of importance, whether regarding houselhold, community, business, or in the governing of the province, if it came down to where it really mattered, I would put my money on Mike's personal opinion, ... period. Personally, I'm not impressed with political correctness, at all costs. If Ms Higgins is owed an apology, then she rightfully got one. If she was being stupid, then shame on her, and too bad for the people of Saskatchewan.
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