muzzlegate.ca - a review

today, the young liberals of canada unleashed muzzlegate.ca, an anti-harper site focussing on his attempts to stifle free speech in his caucus.  this intentionally coincides with the conservative party's policy convention where harper has pretty much decreed there will be no consideration of the sort of "moral" issues which seem to galvanize and motivate american conservatives (read: gay marriage and abortion).  maybe canada is really different despite our insecurities regarding cultural sovereignty vis-a-vis the usa, but that is neither here nor there.

not that i want to help the conservatives, but martin is similary perceived as a mr. muzzle type according to staunch pro lifers and anti same sex marriage members of his caucus.  also, the young liberals don't seem to mind the muzzle strategy was also embraced by the ndp which has declared, in no uncertain terms, that the same-sex marriage issue is not a free vote. 

both martin and harper loved to diss chrétien by emphasizing the need for greater backbencher influence through free votes and a lessening of party discipline.  basically, martin and harper love the language of democracy but can't really orient their strategy around such ideals given their precarious position as leaders of mainstream, big-tent parties focussed on electability.  heh. 

so the idea behind the site is a bit tenuous given that martin and harper both lead parties that (in varying degrees) wrestle with (and sometimes quash) backbenchers on social issues ... really, this issue should be up to the conservative party members.  it should be the conservative party grassroots protesting harper's reluctance to address key social policy concerns.  if a significant portion of the membership doesn't want to delve into those matters, then a clear message is sent to canadians:  the conservative party of canada doesn't think these issues are important.

to be fair, the site raises an extremely important point.  ylc head honcho richard diamond's challenge to the conservative youth to assert themselves and secure avenues of influence for young people in the party ought to have been the main focus of ylc efforts.  cheekily challenging harper is pretty much expected from the ylc'ers.  highlighting the insulting and dismissive way that harper and jeremy harrison treat youth participation in party politics is a truly notable contribution to the public discourse and i commend the ylc for doing so.

too bad the letter from diamond is a little pdf file all tucked away at the bottom of "the challenge" section of the site.

Comments

[Stephen]

I would suggest that "Mr. Muzzle" is alot more about the Liberal reaction to "Mr. Dithers" then actually holding up the topic of free speech.

"Mr. Muzzle" - adds to the imagery of being an intolerant hardliner. Whereas the muzzle order was designed to moderate the party.

How would Martin who is a muzzler in many regards be considered such a threat, if he's such an indecisive man?

These sort of negative campaigns dont need to stand up to scrutany.

[ainge]

good observation re: the reactionary dithers thing.

i scrutinize young liberal campaigns, not because of some deep moral obligation, but because as a card-carrying member, i like to comment on the stuff our leadership does.

[James Halifax]

The posting of the "mr. Muzzle" site is not an accident...even you recognize that Ainge. What it tells me....is that the Conservatives have more class than the Liberals...no matter what the age bracket. You didn't see any Conservatives trying to interfere with the Liberal Convention, but then again......the Conservatives tend not to stoop to that level. They have better things to do.

As for the lack of "young Conservatives" no one should be surprised. The Conservative party doesn't like to pigeonhole anyone. That's why they don't agree with quota's, or limits....they consider everyone the same, regardless of age. After all...the conservatives have the youngest caucus...not because of an age quota...but instead, just because they like to have people who have ability. Age has little to do with it.

Frankly, when I hear the words "Young Liberal" I hear.......NDP'ers who want to be on the winning side.

Frankly, when I hear the words "Young Liberal" I hear.......NDP'ers who
want to be on the winning side

funny, thats also how the ndp views young liberals :) haha - is it that difficult to conceive of a young centrist? i understand the conservatives use that 'youth groups are just a special interest' argument for why they dont have a youth wing. given the fact canada is a geritocracy, i have to say im staunchly in favour of young representation.

[ainge]

Frankly, when I hear the words "Young Liberal" I hear.......NDP'ers who
want to be on the winning side

funny, thats also how the ndp views young liberals :) haha - is it that difficult to conceive of a young centrist? i understand the conservatives use that 'youth groups are just a special interest' argument for why they dont have a youth wing. given the fact canada is a geritocracy, i have to say im staunchly in favour of young representation.

[ainge]

Frankly, when I hear the words "Young Liberal" I hear.......NDP'ers who
want to be on the winning side

funny, thats also how the ndp views young liberals :) haha - is it that difficult to conceive of a young centrist? i understand the conservatives use that 'youth groups are just a special interest' argument for why they dont have a youth wing. given the fact canada is a geritocracy, i have to say im staunchly in favour of young representation.

[Stephen]

"Frankly, when I hear the words "Young Liberal" I hear.......NDP'ers who want to be on the winning side

funny, thats also how the ndp views young liberals :) haha - is it that difficult to conceive of a young centrist?"

----

Nah NDPers hear Young Liberals and turn their noses with disgust as a bunch of people who are too busy trying to kiss ass and advance their carreer rather then implement or consern themselves with any public policy. They just want power or be lackeys to those with power...that's about it.

[ainge]

but isnt that what i meant by being on the
"winning side" ... like it makes them self-interested little brats? yes, steve, it is. haha

[BZA]

Usually when I think of Young Liberals, I think of people whose heros are either Pierre Trudeau, Jean Chertien, or Paul Martin.

Thats not always the case, but mostly the case. We just all worship different political demigods.

[James Halifax]

The only difference between young Liberals and the NDP youth is principle. The NDP'ers have em....the Liberals don't.

Of course....the NDP's principles are more frightening than Liberal self-interest.

I'd rather have the Liberals keep stealing millions....than have the NDP piss away BILLIONS.

Lesser of two evils...

[James Halifax]

On another note....go check out Adam Radwanski's blog about Young Liberals. He was one at one time....but said he had to leave because he had never seen such a sleazy bunch of back-stabbing self promoters in his life. Sleazy.
He thinks they're worse than the older version.

How's that possible?

[ainge]

well the fact he was once a young liberal only adds to my theory theyre all pretty annoying. young people involved in politics are kind of like old people involved in politics, except dumber. yeah, im ageist.