Jordan's Blogarama

This is a blog telling about what I did in the run of a day and/or my opionion on whatever topic I feel like posting about.... yep, check back often for more details and don't be afraid to spread the word about my blog!

Friday, September 12, 2008

My response to the CBC story " 'Loser' Layton laughs off NDP candidate's prior critiques

So here are my comments."I also was that that Town Hall Meeting. There must have been at least 100 MUN (Memorial University of Newfoundland) student there's, ranging from Polsc (political science) students to student leaders, Social Work students (me),etc... Jack Layton came across as a charismatic, informed, humourous, and visionary leader. The guy nailed the issue of how developments like Hebron are going to make it harder for working families to get affordable housing.

In addition, current Affordable Housing funding expires in March of 2009. So unless something is done soon by the new Federal Government, you could see large numbers of people losing their homes. In other words, they'll have a job, but not a house. When I asked him about introducing a National Poverty Reduction Strategy, based on the Quebec and NL models, he said and I quote, "The short answer is yes, and i'll be making an announcement tomorrow in Toronto about that, and the details, so stay tuned'! (the Town Hall lasted from 12:30-1:30p.m)"

After this, I watched as Ryan Cleary (former Editor of the NL [nationalist] weekly The Independent, and nominated NDP St.John's South- Mount Pearl Federal Candidate), Jack Harris (the former MP for St.John's East, former Provincial NDP leader for almost 16 years,etc..), and Jack Layton (Leader of the Federal NDP, whose home riding is in Toronto-Danforth, and who is the first NDP Leader to have been born in Quebec... Guelph, Quebec to be exact!) take part in a press conference.

There, not only was Cleary criticized for previous comments, but some of the national media were accusing him of being a separatist, a nationalist,etc... He basically explained that he believes the province of NL has and isn't getting a far cry, and I quote "It's time the people of Newfoundland and Labrador woke up, and realized we're not getting a Fair Deal. We have to work within Canada to reform the Reform, because right now, it's just not working!" (this is an approximation as it occured about 4-5 hours ago!) He had said this when asked why his position from being a Nationalist who might want NL to separate from Canada (around January 1st,2 006, the reporter claimed) to a soft nationalist (when he won the nomination last Thursday). He replyed: "I make no apologies for the comments i've made in the past as a journalist. I said what I said at the time because I believe it's time for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador to wake up, and realize we're not getting a Fair Deal. But rather than getting out, we've first got to get in. I'm a proud Canadian, but we need to press for reform within the system."

In a nutshell, he (being Danny Cleary) looks like the best chance for a NL soft nationalist/reformist MP within a national party, being second only to a Newfoundland and Labrador First Party St.John's South-Mount Pearl candidate!

I also spoke with him about working on his campaign in the district, but only on the condition that he realizes it's because the NL First Party doesn't have a candidate in St.John's South-Mount Pearl at the moment. Should that change, I make it clear to him I would need to shift my support to that other candidate. I suggested that hosting a Town Hall meeting in St. Matthews Elementary School would be a viable way to press his case for reform within the Canadian system, since all three major parties used that school to host a Town Hall on Education issues(i.e. Establishing a West End High School) during the 2007 NL Provincial Election Campaign.

He seemed to like the idea, and said he'd get in touch with me again. (Hint: This campaign manager is Ivan Morgan, the former Columinist for the NL Weekly "The Independent", and with Ryan Cleary serving as his editor). Before the start of the Town Hall, Ivan Morgan told me about how 'in journalism, you're not going to be popular. The key thing is that you keep writing....' When I mentioned my interest in The Muse (MUN newspaper), he said, "don't just think about it, do it. To be honest, that's where I started out! So if you're passionate about it, go for it!" (Time permitting of course, since i've already got alot on my plate).

In addition to this, I have 5-6 30-second audio clips of what 1. Jack Layton said about Honouring the Atlantic Accord, and Ryan Cleary's responses to (a) accusations he was a separatist, (b) that he was only running because he needed a job given the dissolution of "The Independent",etc... Either way, that and so much more coming soon!

Also, i'll be heading out to the OLP (Our Lady Peace) concert tonight at Mile One Centre, where i'll be taking 30-second videos and photos (I hope Anne gets to see them on Facebook)! So once I get the chance, i'll be uploading that all as well.

If you're looking for more readings about the Federal Election, check out the following:

1. "'Loser' Layton laughs off NDP candidate's prior critiques (CBC News, Friday, September 12th 2008)

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2008/09/12/layton-cleary.html?Authorized=1&AuthenticationKey=1_34_7760cfbd-c4d6-4ab2-aceb-63e3e6d2f4fd.pakhplgbjmkljl]

2. "Hey, 'losers'! Journalists-turned-candidates haunted by political critiques (Wednesday, September 10th 2008:CBC)

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2008/09/10/journalist-politicians.html

3. "Journalist wins over NDP supporters for St. John's South nod " (Thrusday, September 11th,2008:CBC)

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2008/09/11/cleary-ndp.html