Saturday, May 07, 2016

The Dying MP and the Cruelty of the Cons



There couldn't have been a more moving scene in the House of Commons.

Liberal MP Mauril Belanger, who is dying of ALS, trying to get MPs to approve his bill to make our anthem more gender neutral.

But even though the bill has the support of most MPs, and it is the cause of his life.

The Cons did their best to make sure that he doesn't live to see it pass.

Conservative MPs have slowed down a bill brought forward by a Liberal suffering from a fatal neurological disease, leading many of his colleagues to fear he won’t live to see it play out in Parliament.

Mr. Belanger, who has lost the use of his voice since his diagnosis in November, sat in a wheelchair and used an iPad to electronically project his speech in the Commons, which explained why he believes the English version of the anthem should be changed from “true patriot love in all thy sons command” to “all of us command.”


By filibustering the bill until the clock ran out with absurd arguments like this one:

“Rewriting the lyrics of our national anthem in the name of political correctness would go too far,” said Manitoba Conservative MP Larry Maguire. 

“Without making any light of it, maybe the botanists will be in an uproar about the shape of the maple leaf on our flag and demand it to be changed. Or some may be upset that the almighty beaver will not stop chopping down trees, so the National Symbol of Canada Act must be amended to swap out a beaver for an animal far less destructive.”

Even though that small two-word change is not a matter of political correctness. It simply reflects that this country is made up of men AND women. All Canadians should be included in its anthem, and be able to sing it proudly.

And Larry Maguire is just another sexist old Con...



Who would bury the bill until September.

When the hour of debate was up, the Liberals asked that it be extended in order to move the bill to the next stage of the parliamentary process – which would be a committee study. 


But the Conservatives said no, and that means the bill will fall down to the bottom of the pile. Liberal MP Greg Fergus, who asked for the debate to be extended in order to keep Mr. Belanger’s bill going, said it won’t be considered again until September 19 unless another MP switches spots with him.

By which time Belanger could be dead.

And really what more can any decent person say?

Except that Rona Ambrose's new/nouveau Cons are as depraved and as cruel as the Harper Cons...



The same old inhuman scumbags.

And since Mauril Belanger had to drag himself out of hospital to make it to the Commons, and his health is said to be deteriorating rapidly.

Will some Liberal or NDP MP with a private bill please switch places with him as quickly as possible.

So he can at least hope to live to see his humble dream become reality...

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24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yep same old inhuman scumbags Simon!!!!!! The true ignorance of the self serving bigots is seen on a daily basis!!!!!! Rawna and Lisa almost makes me want to transgender!!!!!! A complete waste of human flesh!!!!!!!!!!

UU4077 said...

The original English lyrics were closer to the proposed change than the current. Maybe we should use a direct translation from the French since it was originally written in French. That should please the Cons - right?

Anonymous said...

Slippery slope Simon. How many Canadian women died in ww1? How many in ww2? Stop trying to change every little thing about our history and culture in the name of this politically correct BS. Should we take out "god keep our land..." because some people don't believe in god? It never ends with you people.

Anonymous said...

It has always bothered me that the english version is watered down and wimpy while the original words are strong and empowering. What was with Weir anyway?

Anonymous said...

Anon 10:42 absolutely right......take "God" out of it. That fictional guy in the sky does not exist anyway. From your comment I can assume in your wee mind women did not contribute to any wars!!!!! Religion certainly contributed and caused these wars!!!!!!!! Who are those "you people" that you refer to. You do realize it is 2016,,,,,,,,,,,

Anonymous said...

I think you are operating under a delusion, anon, as the main casualty of war has always been the civilian population, which is mainly women and children.

hinofan said...

Good idea, Anonymous Con, to take "God keep our land.." out of "Oh Canada."
He/She sure has done a helluva job in Ft Mac !

Anonymous said...

Anon 10:42 absolutely right......take "God" out of it. That fictional guy in the sky does not exist anyway. From your comment I can assume in your wee mind women did not contribute to any wars!!!!! Religion certainly contributed and caused these wars!!!!!!!! Who are those "you people" that you refer to. You do realize it is 2016,,,,,,,,,,,

Anonymous said...

What did I say have anything to do with Ft Mac?

Anonymous said...

Here I made a new anthem just for you progressives, tell me what you think so far.

O Canada (and Quebec a nation within a nation)
Our home (besides the one in China) but not necessarily our native land
True patriot (unless you're against war) love in all thy sons and daughers and those who don't identify as either sexes command...

Anonymous said...

I heartily agree the lyrics to our anthem need to be changed.
Might I suggest the following:

In days of yore, from Britain's shore,
Wolfe, the dauntless hero, came
And planted firm Britannia's flag
On Canada's fair domain.
Here may it wave, our boast, our pride
And, joined in love together,
The thistle, shamrock, rose entwine
The Maple Leaf forever!

hinofan said...

Anon10:42 it would seem that "God" wants to keep our land as Boreal Forest, especially around Ft. Mac!
Plus as a lyricist you suck.
Don't give up your day job.

Anonymous said...

Insulting to women and to an incredibly courageous man. I believe that Hon. Belanger is destined for greater things than petty con obstructive politics. Truly inspirational man. We are blessed to have him in our House of Commons, even if for too short period of time.

Canadians will remember. A wonderful human being. A despicable political party.

TS

Anonymous said...

Yes, they are scum. There is no question about that. But now, it does fall on someone to switch. If not, well?

Gilbert

Anonymous said...

In the gallows of our deepest recesses of humanity there are signs of sensitivity for those whose final supper is close. Even a person who will be executed is treated with dignity during remaining time left on earth by having a choice of some finer things in life....such as his /her favourite food etc which will be there last. This man who is seeking to contribute to inclusivity in our national anthem deserves such a fate as those others with a dying wish.....or last supper. To justify their lack of humanity...timeliness....compassion....they stoop to the lowest common denominator....the worst in us. As this all plays out....even though I am not a liberal....I hope the greater angels in us triumph against the worst in us exhibited by the Cons.

Simon said...

hi UU4077...it's such a small change, just two words, so I can't understand why anybody could be against it. You'd think it was the Ten Commandments instead of just a song. And the thing is Belanger's bill will eventually pass, so depriving him of the pleasure of seeing it pass, is cruel beyond belief...

Simon said...

hi anon 10:42...what absolute nonsense, women served their country well in both world wars. And the word's "politically correct" are just a cover for sexism and misogyny. Fortunately most people like you belong to an older generation, and the new generation will make sure that those reactionary attitudes will be buried along with the likes of you...

Simon said...

hi anon 3:24...I completely agree, all the Cons demonstrated once again is their absolute lack of empathy, and basic humanity. I think that's what differentiates them the most from progressives, and explains why a clinical psychopath like Stephen Harper could have been their depraved leader for so long. I believe in the better angels of humanity, and they will help us destroy those beasts...

Simon said...

hi TS...I think that most people agree that Maurice Belanger was a decent person who served his country well. He had dreamed of being Speaker, until the illness took away his voice. So to disappoint him again when he is so close to death is cruel beyond belief. And you're right, the Cons are despicable...

Simon said...

hi Gilbert...I am hoping that a Liberal or NDP MP will give up their place for him. But it will have to be before the summer recess, because I am familiar with the progression of ALS, and from what I hear I doubt he will still be with us in September...

AxeGrrl said...

I _already_ take God out of it when I sing it :)

"LET'S keep our land glorious and free"

Because WE are the only ones here to keep it that way.

GreazedLitenen said...

Anon 4:07, just one question, in your reference to China are you talking about Sinopec Corp., the Chinese Investment Corp. or the Chinese National Offshore Oil Comapny? You know, the Chinese communist parties corporations that your leader, Oil Pimp Steve sold our future energy rights to, and he was even kind enough to include the right to sue us, if they don't agree with our environmental policies.

David said...

The anthem is just fine the way it is, despite what Margaret Young says:

http://www.cbc.ca/radio/the180/safe-spaces-are-not-scholastic-a-call-to-end-tipping-and-a-lesson-in-arabic-for-air-travel-1.3558942/o-canada-is-embarrassingly-defective-says-former-english-teacher-1.3559776

Anonymous said...

Simon, I doubt that would happen. Majority rules so Liberals pass that bill with out the scum Cons.

Irene Lussier