Shocked at that headline? Think it's over the line? Usually I'd tend to agree, but I'm guessing it would be just fine with Mr. Spector. After all, he went on the radio in Vancouver this morning and called Belinda Stronach a bitch. Yes, I kid you not. He really did.
You may know Norman, formerly Brian Mulroney's Chief of Staff, Canadian Ambassador to Israel and, as Kinsella never tires of mentioning, tobacco lobbyist, as a regular right-wing pundit on radio and television.
Via Public Eye Online, here's what Stormin' Norman said this morning on Bill Good's show on the Giant NW when discussing the Stronach/McKay doggie affair:
"I think she's a bitch. It's as simple as that. And I think that 90 percent of men would probably say she's a bitch for the way she's broken up (retired hockey player) Tie Domi's home and the way she dumped Peter MacKay. She is a bitch."
When another guest on that show called him on his language, pointing out we don't know what happened in the Domi case and besides, we don't use that kind of language to describe male MPs, Spector grabbed the shovel and dug deeper, defending him calling her a bitch:
"Why is it unacceptable? That's what I think about her. I think it was much worse - a few years ago - when one of the Liberal members referred to (former Edmonton North MP) Deb Grey as a slab of meat quite frankly. I think that was totally unacceptable. But bitch is a word that I would use to describe someone like Belinda Stronach. It is a word that I use regularly."
Young's comments were unacceptable. He also didn't lie, he admitted he made the comments and he sincerely apologized. That puts him at least two steps ahead of Peter by my count. But that aside, Norman, what are you getting at here? If the one was unacceptable, why isn't the other unacceptable as well?
Earlier, the pundit genius explained why this whole McKay dog thing is even a story in the media at all. You see, it's all those hysterical women in the press gallery:
"…is that half the press gallery now are women. And women find this very offensive."
Oh, it's not just women Norman. I assure you, it's not just women. And I'm sure they're not big fans of you at the moment either.
Unless Norman apologizes, and that seems unlikely at the moment, I'd encourage the producers at shows like Politics, Mike Duffy Live and Question Period to think twice before booking this genius to share his pearls of political wisdom.
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19 comments:
I almost used that exact same word. Congrats on having the guts to do it.
Not only is it not a word used to describe male Mp's, the same qualities that make a women a "bitch", such as; speaking her mind, making her own decisions without her boyfriend's approval, running a large company, going out on Sat. nights, etc. are seen as admirable and desirable in men.
HAHAHAHA. I called him an asshole on my blog as well. Great minds think alike!
Wow,
That was a bit over the line.
Having said that, I feel confident in saying that I'm not abnormally insensitive in calling a woman a bitch; I don't think the word should be outlawed or my intransigence brought to a human rights tribunal, just as I believe I have the right (nay, responsibility, on occassion) to call a guy a 'prick', or, 'asshole', as the case may be (if the three words were removed from my vocabulary I'd have very little to say.)
I mean seriously - why is bitch so much worse than prick or asshole? When's the last time you heard a woman called a prick or an asshole? Are these terms considered sexist? (not that you're suggesting such)
But, at the same time, it's clearly not Norman's axe to grind, and I was quite surprised to hear him say such a thing.
I worried it was too much, but I'm sure Norman would appreciate it.
Olaf, if we call someone a bitch over beers or something that's one thing. It's not language I'd like to use, but hey, free country. But there's a difference between political debate over beers and a pundit on a radio talkshow.
Is he free to make these comments? Absolutely, I'm not sure but I doubt the CRTC would have a major objection, defenders of PC they may be. But likewise radio talkshows have the right to not book him, and to expect a certain level of intelligence and sophistication from those they put on their airwaves as learned people.
It's the debating equivelent of calling someone a doody-head. Sexism aside, it's just a reallllly weak insult. I would have thought Norman could do better. I guess not.
Where the sexism does come in though, and recast the bitch comment in a harsher light, is when he blames it on a female media conspiracy. Freakin genius, Norman.
So Norman Spector thinks Belinda Stronach is a bitch. So do millions of other Canadians. So what? What does that have to do with anything?
In all fairness to Norm, he also thinks the same thing of you KKKnow who...
AND I might add - Norm Spector and I share the distinct honor of being the first 2 people to ever be banned from Ezra Levant's Shotgun blog - for objecting the constant bigotry therein.
I'm just ssyin' -- Maybe he had a bad day...
My own dad called her worse things when she crossed the floor.
Hell folks... I have a keyring tag for my carkeys that says "I'm not a bitch... I'm THE Bitch"
Cause y'all know.. I can be a bit testy from time to time. Lemme just say... Norm Spector had my back when no other conservative even blinked over you KKKnow who's little wish for the return of residential schools. I'm sorry. I just can't hop aboad the hate fest here.
BCer,
It's the debating equivelent of calling someone a doody-head. Sexism aside, it's just a reallllly weak insult. I would have thought Norman could do better. I guess not.
I'd have to agree... as I said, I didn't see that coming. I mean Ezra Levant? Sure, but my man Stormin' Norman?
I listened to the interview (and so can all of you via the www.cknw.com Audio Archive). I'm convinced that Spector was trying to make a greater point about the "less than full" ability of journalists to criticize people in the spotlight who are female or minorities. If you think that this is not the case then you are not being honest.
For example, in Canada today, can a white male criticize an Asian female politician for being "less than bright" or just plain incompetent? I don't think so. Robert
Agree 100% about Spector's comments being disgusting. I like your notion to ask producers not to book him. As a viewer/listener, he offends me.
Would someone please post the email addresses of the shows that Spector normally appears on?
Thanks.
Spectator is a "bastard". So there, I said it because I have a right to.
He's placing himself as judge and jury on a situation he knows nothing about. The Domi marriage has been in trouble since 1999 and he had a previous affair with an actress.
If anyone is annoying here, it's Domi's ex-wife. She trying to blame everyone else for her own troubles and keep it in the media without any consideration for how the publicity may hurt her children while she plays poor little victim.
Stronach never said anything bad about McKay and was discreet for all this time until the book came out. So, perhaps Peter McKay should realize that he's no longer in puberty and grow up. He's always been sarcastic and caustic so why pick on Stronach for his personality flaws.
By the way, was any man ever call dirty, nasty bigoted names when he crossed the floor? NO!
I just "love" the last two postings. One doesn't like what Spector had to say so the natural reaction is to disagree with him through facts? Nope, it's to try banning him from voicing any opinions whatsoever. Lovely. Clearly this person has learned nothing from history.
And then "Anonymous" comes on and blames everyone else except Belinda, who is portrayed as some sweet, innocent angel. How terribly sad.
Sure Suzanne, and millions of Canadians think its disgusting, and their opinions are valid too. Just like I can think things that get you riled up are much ado about nothing, and that's fine too. Thank-you though for caring enough to stop by and tell us you don't care.
Pelalusa, that may well be, I can't be bothered to go through the sign-up process to access the archive. That's harder to square though with his comments later in the show about a female media conspiracy, which just reaks of intolerance. But, as I said earlier, sexism aside I would think Norman could do better than school yard insults. It's demeaning to old white guys everywhere.
As for blaming everyone, I think the point was that, while we don't know what happened (and indeed, why the hell should we care) it takes two to tango.
As for boycotts, long a favoured tactic of the hysterical right for any perceived slight, I prefer to think of it more as the free market at work, something I'm sure the cons among us could agree with. Norman has the right to be an ignorant maroon. We have the right not to listen to shows or read newspapers that give him a platform. Freedom of expression and freedom of choice, governed by the free market. What's not to like?
Wow, the put-downs of the other anons - like the others are just so intellectually above everyone else - give me a break.
I think they were making a point about judgment without all info.
Please come back down to earth - you are no smarter.
The idiot here is Spector. He wasn't that admirable or effective when he was in Mulroney's government and just about as effective now. I bet his ego loves this attention though.
Have a listen:
http://www.supload.com/sound_confirm.php?get=42082302.m4a
For example, in Canada today, can a white male criticize an Asian female politician for being "less than bright" or just plain incompetent? I don't think so.
Well what about Hedy Fry? (Who is not Asian but black). Are you seriously suggesting that she isn't constantly criticized for these shortcomings? If so, what universe do you live in? She's a laughingstock.
These claims of persecution by the right aren't just weak (and they are - so very, very weak) they're delusional. Spector indulged in it a little himself with his claims about some female/feminist media conspiracy. These fantasies would be disturbing if they weren't so puerile.
apparently, of all the women who called to comment on Spectors comments, only the feminists were against it
How the hell could you tell whether they were feminists from their phone calls? Are you a psychic?
Fred, I called him an asshole, not a basrard. I'm not familiar with the circumstances of his parent's marital status at the time of his conception, so I can't really say if he's a bastard or not.
Fred, I'm curious, is Bill Good now introducing callers thusly: "Our next caller is the feminist Mary from Abbotsford, Mary, you're on the air."?
Otherwise, WTF dude?
Norman's arguments are so weak I can't help but wonder if he's deliberately stated these facts to create sensationalism around himself.
At best, the entire basis of Norman's argument is his one sided take on her personal life. If it was a male candidate being slandered, his behavior in his personal life would not have so much "credibility" on how people view his capacity to perform.
On the female media conspiracy, does he honestly think that the female media majority could keep a comment like Stronach being called a dog from being released by the story hungry male journalists?
Does anyone have an email address for Norman?
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