I giggled when I saw the reference to constructive discourse. When have the UCP or Smith or Polievre EVER engaged in constructive dialogue? The APP presentation by the UCP is spectacularly dishonest.
Thank you, Lisa. Why am I not surprised the sterile, antiseptic politics of the wooden Preston Manning have no room for empathy? Remember this is the guy for whom the Alberta conservatives were not far enough to the right. He had to look over his left shoulder to see Gordon Kessler. And I'm still offended over how the UCP and its orcs hung Deena Hinshaw out to dry, most likely because her steadfast competence and professionalism exposed the UCP for the incurious, untalented, cloying Jason Kenney booty-smoochers they are.
Preston, and Harper and Poilievre, plus Premiers Smith, Moe, Ford and Higgs are Libertarian or Neoliberal. Both these very right wing conservative Idealologies put freedom, the free market, individuals at the head of the line, well ahead of society, the common good or anything or service offered as a public service. They refuse to recognize humans are social animals, who depend on each other for every thing. We are not the self interest oriented beings that look only to be more selfish.
Public Health regulations, phooey! The common good meaning working and playing to take care of us all, more phooey.
Hence we got what I expected, a neoliberal manifesto for Albertans. As more boards, commissions and agencies are dissolved, where does the decision making end up? The Premier's office and Preston toed the line. These are arch conservatives whose goal is to eliminate our social democracy benefits such as Medicare, welfare, public funded education and universities, employment insurance, labour unions and wages that keep up with the increasing cost of living. These are all impediments to profits in a free market. As are any regulation that inhibits profits or pollution of our environment.
I have watched 40 years of Preston Manning's philosophy happen and the result? Increasing inequality plus 2 generations of our young people who are now less affluent than we are. There are more youth struggling with food and housing than seniors for the first time in 4 generations.
Can we expect the UCP to not accept the report? Not on your life! Nurses, first responders, teachers, too bad.
Conservatives are a minority even in Alberta! Democratic discourse! That means my way or the highway. I am just disappointed so many rural Albertans have been gaslighted into believing this is democracy and and caring society.
And this week? 3700 people in hospitals with COVID19, 300 to 400 in ICU. Medical personnel worried. Vaccinations down for all diseases, and worldwide a huge spike in measles with increased deaths.
But freedom comes before lives!
More bee sss from our alt right politicians and retired politicians.
David Krieger: I have to agree with you. This ignorant attitude of these phony Conservatives and Reformers puts people's lives at risk. The Walkerton tainted water tragedy in Ontario, the listeria deaths, and Lac Megantic, on the federal government level, and the E-Coli outbreaks at daycares in Alberta, are great examples.
What is the difference between Manning/Smith and many Albertans regarding the pandemic?
According to @JLisaYoung,
“Sadly, in Manning and Smith’s Alberta, only one perspective is given voice.” (…) A search for the words “dead,” “deaths” and “fatalities” yields six mentions. A search for the word “freedom” finds 262…Democracy requires empathy…”
Thank you for being a voice of clarity and balance.
Thank you for being the voice of clarity and reason. It must have been difficult to comment on such a biased and unnecessary report. It bothers me that Preston Manning received a quarter of a million dollars to write it when the money could be better spent.
Right on! That report is another reflection of today's Alberta where the radical and ideological (dare I use that word that has become rather meaningless when mouthed by the UCP) elements of the right have taken over the asylum.
We are not surprised when a horse whinnies, a cow moos and a cat meows. Why should we be surprised that for 60 years Preston Manning has been been a consistent right wing conservative who longs for more influence than the numbers of his supporters merit. He is not duplicitous, but he is continues to appear to be willing to shave human decency and civility to favour the outcomes he favours. Yes, he is a normal human being. However, when it comes to reviews such as the one he led, we deserve better. There are some among us who can resist the temptation to tilt the board in their own favour. These are the folks whose wise counsel we should be seeking. Tragically, such appointments are out of fashion in the UCP's Alberta.
I have not read the report but have read and listened to commentary and blurbs of Manning interviews. It saddens me that our society has moved to putting individual rights before societal rights.
Persistent disingenuousness is exhausting enough on its own but with most media and rather too many progressives also perpetuating it all these years, it has become truly frustrating.
This mysterious phenomenon of "polarization?" It didn't just show up like the weather; it arrived along with Preston Manning (a devout believer) and his "Reform" party under the slogan "the west wants in." Darn right they did so they GOT in, and the results stand before us as outlined in David Krieger's comment.
Those of us who have been political observers all these years took note back then at the novelty of a sea change after all the decades of ONLY PC's in power. The deteriorating discourse was just called "bozo eruptions" at first, the American style of slow-talking Manning had that was reminiscent of actor Jimmy Stewart as in, "aw shucks, ah'm just being honest here" type outbursts. Before his "makeover" where he spruced up a bit and got contacts, Manning showed up in a Calgary Herald cartoon with him standing at a crossroads and the caption saying, "We've come to a dork in the road." Well that was amusing back then, but the guy has demonstrably been far from benign. He coasted on his earnest hayseed image for awhile but by the time Harper stepped in to take the show on the road, the phrase "hidden agenda" settled in, and has never left, hence the disingenuousness.
Now the official "godfather" of conservatism, he must be jubilant about what he's masterminded, especially with the TBA being openly evangelical, and especially after an electoral rebuff called the "lake of fire" episode when the Wild Rose party was headed by Smith.
The pathological exclusions in this report where covid is discussed like it was just a frigging WHIM of us deranged progressives (the standard response for the con party now; I know you are but what are WE?) is so extreme that it's surprising, but the usual anti-science, anti-expertise, anti-intellectual theme is NOT new. They DO keep telling and showing us who and what they are, but we seem to prefer to extend the drama like the "reveal" was still hidden, like that long ago agenda.
But religious people seeking more political power DO know that they have to hide their aims because as a society we skew secular and will only tolerate the glaring anachronisms of any religious doctrine up to a point. They showed up in force at the UCP meeting and speaking of anachronisms forcefully demanded "parental rights." Since when has THAT been a thing here?
No more sitting on our hands, we need to face what we've enabled here.
Tris Pargeter: It is mind-boggling how people were duped by Danielle Smith, and the UCP, given their bad track record. Same thing with Doug Ford in Ontario. Alas, people do not seem to care, or learn.
You have provided a sound perspective that is sound and based on what many of us experienced during the pandemic: family members who died or were very sick due to the virus. Empathy, understanding and compassion should be at the forefront!
The current Alberta government is driven by extremism and an ideology that borders on fascism, and not what is in the best interest of the average person! This should be of concern to everyone Albertan, we only need to see what is happening south of the border!
I’m beginning to think that this government is actually a mockumentary in the making. There’s a lot of similarities to Australia’s excellent mockumentary on the Sydney Olympics. I see many similarities in Preston Manning’s interviews to suggest he is similar to Nicholas the Minister’s aide. If you haven’t watched the show, it’s comedic gold! Thanks Lisa for another thoughtful analysis.
“The Games” is hard to find these days. There are clips on YouTube and there may be for purchase options on some streaming services. Of course required viewing for outrageous spin doctoring is the BBC’s “The Thick of It”
I repeat what I wrote this morning in the Calgary Herald comments, perhaps we would be better advised to commission a report on the impact of unethical, selfish and destructive behaviour, where it is coming from and how it might be addressed to maintain a civil and community minded society.
I have not read the Manning Covid review yet. From what reports I gave read, from the Right and the Left, it is a Manifesto for Libertarian Authoritarianism. You have reinforced my prejudgement before I read it for myself.
You have expressed my thoughts on the report exactly, Lisa. Thanks for posting this. I wish I could say I hade expected better from Mr Manning, but alas, the report struck the exact tone and contents I had feared and expected.
I giggled when I saw the reference to constructive discourse. When have the UCP or Smith or Polievre EVER engaged in constructive dialogue? The APP presentation by the UCP is spectacularly dishonest.
Edmonton Guy: You are so correct!
Thank you, Lisa. Why am I not surprised the sterile, antiseptic politics of the wooden Preston Manning have no room for empathy? Remember this is the guy for whom the Alberta conservatives were not far enough to the right. He had to look over his left shoulder to see Gordon Kessler. And I'm still offended over how the UCP and its orcs hung Deena Hinshaw out to dry, most likely because her steadfast competence and professionalism exposed the UCP for the incurious, untalented, cloying Jason Kenney booty-smoochers they are.
Preston, and Harper and Poilievre, plus Premiers Smith, Moe, Ford and Higgs are Libertarian or Neoliberal. Both these very right wing conservative Idealologies put freedom, the free market, individuals at the head of the line, well ahead of society, the common good or anything or service offered as a public service. They refuse to recognize humans are social animals, who depend on each other for every thing. We are not the self interest oriented beings that look only to be more selfish.
Public Health regulations, phooey! The common good meaning working and playing to take care of us all, more phooey.
Hence we got what I expected, a neoliberal manifesto for Albertans. As more boards, commissions and agencies are dissolved, where does the decision making end up? The Premier's office and Preston toed the line. These are arch conservatives whose goal is to eliminate our social democracy benefits such as Medicare, welfare, public funded education and universities, employment insurance, labour unions and wages that keep up with the increasing cost of living. These are all impediments to profits in a free market. As are any regulation that inhibits profits or pollution of our environment.
I have watched 40 years of Preston Manning's philosophy happen and the result? Increasing inequality plus 2 generations of our young people who are now less affluent than we are. There are more youth struggling with food and housing than seniors for the first time in 4 generations.
Can we expect the UCP to not accept the report? Not on your life! Nurses, first responders, teachers, too bad.
Conservatives are a minority even in Alberta! Democratic discourse! That means my way or the highway. I am just disappointed so many rural Albertans have been gaslighted into believing this is democracy and and caring society.
And this week? 3700 people in hospitals with COVID19, 300 to 400 in ICU. Medical personnel worried. Vaccinations down for all diseases, and worldwide a huge spike in measles with increased deaths.
But freedom comes before lives!
More bee sss from our alt right politicians and retired politicians.
David Krieger: I have to agree with you. This ignorant attitude of these phony Conservatives and Reformers puts people's lives at risk. The Walkerton tainted water tragedy in Ontario, the listeria deaths, and Lac Megantic, on the federal government level, and the E-Coli outbreaks at daycares in Alberta, are great examples.
And 13 uses of the word "faith".
What is the difference between Manning/Smith and many Albertans regarding the pandemic?
According to @JLisaYoung,
“Sadly, in Manning and Smith’s Alberta, only one perspective is given voice.” (…) A search for the words “dead,” “deaths” and “fatalities” yields six mentions. A search for the word “freedom” finds 262…Democracy requires empathy…”
Thank you for being a voice of clarity and balance.
Thank you for being the voice of clarity and reason. It must have been difficult to comment on such a biased and unnecessary report. It bothers me that Preston Manning received a quarter of a million dollars to write it when the money could be better spent.
Right on! That report is another reflection of today's Alberta where the radical and ideological (dare I use that word that has become rather meaningless when mouthed by the UCP) elements of the right have taken over the asylum.
We are not surprised when a horse whinnies, a cow moos and a cat meows. Why should we be surprised that for 60 years Preston Manning has been been a consistent right wing conservative who longs for more influence than the numbers of his supporters merit. He is not duplicitous, but he is continues to appear to be willing to shave human decency and civility to favour the outcomes he favours. Yes, he is a normal human being. However, when it comes to reviews such as the one he led, we deserve better. There are some among us who can resist the temptation to tilt the board in their own favour. These are the folks whose wise counsel we should be seeking. Tragically, such appointments are out of fashion in the UCP's Alberta.
I have not read the report but have read and listened to commentary and blurbs of Manning interviews. It saddens me that our society has moved to putting individual rights before societal rights.
Persistent disingenuousness is exhausting enough on its own but with most media and rather too many progressives also perpetuating it all these years, it has become truly frustrating.
This mysterious phenomenon of "polarization?" It didn't just show up like the weather; it arrived along with Preston Manning (a devout believer) and his "Reform" party under the slogan "the west wants in." Darn right they did so they GOT in, and the results stand before us as outlined in David Krieger's comment.
Those of us who have been political observers all these years took note back then at the novelty of a sea change after all the decades of ONLY PC's in power. The deteriorating discourse was just called "bozo eruptions" at first, the American style of slow-talking Manning had that was reminiscent of actor Jimmy Stewart as in, "aw shucks, ah'm just being honest here" type outbursts. Before his "makeover" where he spruced up a bit and got contacts, Manning showed up in a Calgary Herald cartoon with him standing at a crossroads and the caption saying, "We've come to a dork in the road." Well that was amusing back then, but the guy has demonstrably been far from benign. He coasted on his earnest hayseed image for awhile but by the time Harper stepped in to take the show on the road, the phrase "hidden agenda" settled in, and has never left, hence the disingenuousness.
Now the official "godfather" of conservatism, he must be jubilant about what he's masterminded, especially with the TBA being openly evangelical, and especially after an electoral rebuff called the "lake of fire" episode when the Wild Rose party was headed by Smith.
The pathological exclusions in this report where covid is discussed like it was just a frigging WHIM of us deranged progressives (the standard response for the con party now; I know you are but what are WE?) is so extreme that it's surprising, but the usual anti-science, anti-expertise, anti-intellectual theme is NOT new. They DO keep telling and showing us who and what they are, but we seem to prefer to extend the drama like the "reveal" was still hidden, like that long ago agenda.
But religious people seeking more political power DO know that they have to hide their aims because as a society we skew secular and will only tolerate the glaring anachronisms of any religious doctrine up to a point. They showed up in force at the UCP meeting and speaking of anachronisms forcefully demanded "parental rights." Since when has THAT been a thing here?
No more sitting on our hands, we need to face what we've enabled here.
Tris Pargeter: It is mind-boggling how people were duped by Danielle Smith, and the UCP, given their bad track record. Same thing with Doug Ford in Ontario. Alas, people do not seem to care, or learn.
Thank you Lisa!
You have provided a sound perspective that is sound and based on what many of us experienced during the pandemic: family members who died or were very sick due to the virus. Empathy, understanding and compassion should be at the forefront!
The current Alberta government is driven by extremism and an ideology that borders on fascism, and not what is in the best interest of the average person! This should be of concern to everyone Albertan, we only need to see what is happening south of the border!
I’m beginning to think that this government is actually a mockumentary in the making. There’s a lot of similarities to Australia’s excellent mockumentary on the Sydney Olympics. I see many similarities in Preston Manning’s interviews to suggest he is similar to Nicholas the Minister’s aide. If you haven’t watched the show, it’s comedic gold! Thanks Lisa for another thoughtful analysis.
How do we access this"documentary"?
Thanks!
“The Games” is hard to find these days. There are clips on YouTube and there may be for purchase options on some streaming services. Of course required viewing for outrageous spin doctoring is the BBC’s “The Thick of It”
Thanks for your information!
Don
I repeat what I wrote this morning in the Calgary Herald comments, perhaps we would be better advised to commission a report on the impact of unethical, selfish and destructive behaviour, where it is coming from and how it might be addressed to maintain a civil and community minded society.
I have not read the Manning Covid review yet. From what reports I gave read, from the Right and the Left, it is a Manifesto for Libertarian Authoritarianism. You have reinforced my prejudgement before I read it for myself.
Thank you for your view points. Smith looks for narratives that are close to her's and will spend surmountable taxpayer money to find that person.
You have expressed my thoughts on the report exactly, Lisa. Thanks for posting this. I wish I could say I hade expected better from Mr Manning, but alas, the report struck the exact tone and contents I had feared and expected.