I usually don't comment on Canadian current events because followers outside Canada aren't interested and don't know much about it.
A few days ago we had well known academic and politically active mouth piece, Tom Flanagan, make a very unfortunate statement. He wondered out loud if people should be put in jail because of pictures they look at. He was referring to pornographic material and in particular pictures of children. He had made a similar statement three years ago but this time it was videoed and put on you tube. It went viral. He was dropped as a commentator from CBC. He was dropped by the Wild Rose Party from being an advisor. The Conservative party of Canada dropped him from any activity. At one time he was prime minister Harper's chief of staff.
Now such a statement is just wrong in many ways. People should go to jail for looking at pornographic pictures involving children as children have to be harmed in order to get the pictures.
Now some academics have jumped to Tom Flanagan's defence trying to say that he was raising the topic to bring about discussion of the issue. Not on this one . It's just completely illogical.
Professors and teachers use the procedure of throwing out challenging ideas to get their students to think about issues. This was the wrong topic to be used for discussion stimulation.
What is really sad is that Tom Flanagan has written a very strong article defending himself.
I hope we've seen the last of Tom Flanagan and that others will think twice about opening their mouths with similar unthinkable ideas.
oh, dear...
ReplyDeleteMate, I agree with you.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/02/28/former_adviser_to_harper_tom_flanagan_ok_with_viewing_child_porn.html
Some of us - DO LOOK and check.
Seems Mr. Flanagan is a bit off the planet. Maybe he has just cut his own throat.
Anyhow, Pornographic material is disgusting - for young and old.
Today coming back on the train from the CBD, a young pair - aged about 16 were having one almighty brawl over "face book" that they are into. I might add that they should have been at school.
The language was PUTRID! And so it went on. Thankfully I have only 8 minutes to listen to this rubbish. CBD to Albion.
The female was by far the worse, seems she sent him naked photos of her having sex!!! FACE BOOK!
The male stormed off the train at Albion where I get off. Others also got off and waited for the following train. Enough is enough. And she continued with her filthy tirade. Hopefully the driver and the train guard via the listening and seeing aids, would have seen and heard all this. The train would have been stopped at a station - doors locked - and police then to escort the foul mouthed creature off. Juvenile court. I think we STILL all have some rights, in Canada and Australia??? Plus other western democracies?? Why on a train or bus, do you have to put up with this?????
I think your Canadian man, and we here via Internet, if we feel like it can read, the Deer City daily newspapers. Some people do no live in "Coccons". Maybe, Mr. Flanagan of once with the " in mob" and now on the outer, should have a very cold shower and rethink?
I look at the papers of Atlanta, LAX, NYC, your paper now, Calgary, Denver (Colorado) and even a paper in Tennessee.
God forbid - why? Tennessee!!!
The UK papers, now and then, the French, Italian and German papers, ( with English translations).
The power and access of the internet news and google is amazing. Wikipedia is also very good.
Rome is now the best one for those interested.
Well done, Mate - a credit to you.
Now for your viewers, weather report here for today in Australia came from the magnificent banquet room of the Fairmont Lake Louise, Banff. That is the location for this week of our weather reporter.
His breakfast looked fabulous - eggs Benedict and all the other necessities of a good time - orange juice and champagne.
I wonder what for the rest of the week, the Chateau will bring forth????
Cheers
Colin (Formerly called Brisbane, now Quacksville, Qld. Australia)
(Yep still raining here!!!!)
Tom Flanagan is someone who spouts off and doesn't listen to what he says. He meddles in things he knows nothing about. He is very active in the aboriginal area and knows absolutely nothing about it. He is not Canadian but was hired by the U of C.
DeleteWell said, Red. A very unfortunate comment to make. I bet he will regret this for a while.
ReplyDeleteI hope others learn how we do not tolerate this view.
DeleteAs one of your committed non-Canadian readers I always enjoy it when you comment on Canadian politics : we hear so little about events in your country, foreign political news always seems to be dominated by your more populous southern neighbour.
ReplyDeleteWe find that we have very little coverage in the U.S. It is somewhat understandable as we are small potatoes.
DeleteThanks for being interested in Canadian affairs.
My goodness, Red. Two comments, one brief, one verbose. I just want to say thank you for keeping some of us informed about what's going on in your part of the world. I heard nothing about this in our news.
ReplyDeleteThis guy was hired by the U of C and set about poking around in many different areas. He's big on aboriginal affairs and knows nothing about it. First nations hate his guts.
DeleteThere is absolutely NO defence for what he said! People's "taste in pictures" is what fuels child pornography, which of course hurts all the children involved. And to claim he was led into a trap... what nonsense!!!
ReplyDeleteI fully agree with you that he has left himself high and dry. He also has the gall to vigorously defend himself.
DeleteYou can't defend the indefensible!
DeleteIt's a benefit to society to prosecute those responsible for creating child pornography, but those who purchase these materials or look at them online are condoning child abuse and contributing to the harming of children.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right on this one. Some twitter comments have been "Check this guy's hard drive."
DeleteThe concern could be genuine. The proposal is just plane stupid. And with the camel nose under the tent thesis who knows what future foolishness could ensue. Orwellian consequences no doubt....:(
ReplyDeleteFor some issues there is just no wiggle room.
DeleteDitto what Far Side said.
ReplyDeleteHe got a rude awakening when he was turfed by political groups.
DeleteStupid...I like news from all over also!
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
I think we have to be aware of what's going on in other parts of the world.
DeleteWasn't that awful. Gives politicians a bad name!
ReplyDeleteCheers from Cottage Country!
We seem to be a time when politicians are really doing a number on themselves. Some of the senate have fallen off the end of the planet.
DeleteWe're a bit like Colin here at our small Atlantic Home - we read news papers from all over the world with our morning cuppa. Rather reminds me of being in school and discussing the news from the newspaperclippings we brought into class. Yah, I have gone into depth in this guy's background and it isn't pretty, had also seen the video previously and I ponder - if he somehow got on a mailing list for Man/Boy Love Association, why was he on it for a few years like he mentioned in public?? While we are on the topic, who would ever think that P Homolka would be out of jail, married, children and living it up?? She shoulda never seen daylight as as for Flanagan, he should be in jail, but then, Jail is way to cozy for these folks. Thanks Red, for publishing the news and making people aware, that otherwise, might not be.
ReplyDeleteI think Flanagan has lost a lot but not enough. He's a guy who's very full of hot air and gets a free ride as not many of his ideas are well enough researched and supported.
ReplyDeleteI could have sworn I had commented here. Something politicians always trying to take back what comes out of their mouth and I think I said you were better off without him. :)
ReplyDeleteGood post Red.