I've tried hard to explain why I find Andrew Scheer's religious homophobia so deeply disturbing. I think it's important to do that because it explains so many things about Scheer, including his diseased hatred for Justin Trudeau.
But it's not easy to portray something that ugly.
Scheer knows how to hide his true feelings behind a creepy smile.
So I'm really glad that the Liberals dug up this video of Scheer during the same sex marriage debate.
To be a leader for all Canadians, the Conservative Party leader should now end his lifelong boycott of Pride events and explain whether he would still deny same-sex couples the right to marry, as he said in Parliament. pic.twitter.com/5WEyja6Ov5— Ralph Goodale (@RalphGoodale) August 22, 2019
For it shows how much of a grubby American-style religious fanatic he is, right out of the bigot lands of Saskatchewan...or Alabama.
And this clip couldn't be more revealing.
“How many legs would a dog have if you counted the tail as a leg? The answer is just four,” Scheer said, paraphrasing a quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln.
“Just because a tail is called a leg does not make it a leg. If Bill C-38 passes, governments and individual Canadians will be forced to call a tail a leg, nothing more, but that is not inconsequential, for its effect on marriage, such an integral building block of our society, would have far-reaching effects.”
Can you believe it? Comparing LGBT Canadians to dogs? How Biblical his contempt, how smarmy his self righteousness.
But then who can really be surprised? When as I have pointed out many times Scheer began his political career by working for an Alliance MP who was obsessed with outlawing and jailing gay people.
And has since then voted against every single bill designed to make their lives more equal and safer.
The Cons are trying to blunt the impact of that ugly video by pointing out that many Liberals also voted against same-sex marriage.
And that their leader is apparently now willing to allow gays to get married.
Sort of...
Brock Harrison, the campaign’s communications director, said Scheer “supports same-sex marriage as defined in law and as prime minister will, of course, uphold it.” The Conservatives also released a list of Liberals — including Goodale — who either opposed same-sex marriage or had voted against it in the past.
But the Scheer campaign did not say whether his personal beliefs on same-sex marriage had evolved, nor did they respond to the question of Scheer’s continued refusal to participate in Pride parades.
And our Con media is mostly playing along with him.
What makes me and many other Canadians uncomfortable is that the vicious Con who compares gays to dogs is the same one who worked for an Alliance MP who wanted to jail all LGBT Canadians. But the media has never seen fit to report that. #StopScheer— 🇨🇦 Simon 🏴 🌈🏂 (@montrealsimon) August 22, 2019
Or ignoring the story altogether.
But it doesn't really matter, because this is about more than same-sex marriage or Pride parades.
It's about human rights, and respect.
And at a time when attacks on LGBT people are on the rise all over the world...
What that video also makes only too clear is that a man who would compare gay people to dogs is too dangerous to trust.
And unfit to be prime minister.
We can do better and we will...
The young people of Canada will make sure of that. If some of them were thinking of not voting they aren't anymore.
Stand up for our Canada and its precious values.
And #StopScheer before him and his ugly Cons destroy everything we love...
The guys something you find when you turn rocks over. Keep up the good work Simon.
ReplyDeleteSome personal analysis on the "Liberal record" the Cons are trying to use as whataboutism and deflection here:
Delete1) None of these people are running to be PM, so the whatabout list is so outdated it doesn't even make any sense. Counterpoint: If they want to dig up history, the current prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party can always point out that there was a previous Liberal prime minister in 1969 who has a record of removing the state from the bedrooms of the nation. Now what was that man's name again?
2) Neither Chretien nor Martin are party leader. When JT took over the leadership (after the infamous civil war between Chretien and Martin that drove the Grits into the ground), he expelled members who hadn't evolved on both abortion and LGBT equality. That hasn't sat well with some of them, but they either went over to the Cons or abandoned politics altogether. It does not reflect on the present state of the Liberal party, because it's 2019.
3) Goodale and Scheer are both MPs in Saskatchewan, so bringing up his name is a direct swipe at Ralph and part of the campaign to drive him out. They've always hated Ralph. Didn't they call the cops on him at the height of Sponsorgate? Is Andy recycling Steve's M.O.?
4) Bringing up McGuinty is a knock at Gerry Butts, and to counter the Cons' failing numbers in Ontario (especially now that Doug has had his cynical backtrack on the sex-ed curriculum). Hopefully Ontario voters won't be fooled by this sudden pivot. It's just Doug causing chaos and spitting on Wynne again.
5) They're so desperate they dragged Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton into their deflection. Last I checked Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton aren't even running for POTUS, and they certainly aren't running to be prime minister of Canada (although maybe Obama should if Trudeau gets tired of it). The RepubliCon GOP North is on the wrong side of the border and wrong side of history as usual.
6) If any or all of this fails, they're just going to say damn the torpedoes and call Justin gay or try to link him to pedo-pizza and the ginger ale cult like Andy did to Lorne Nystrom. The Liberals need to prepare for a Cat-5 Gropergate storm as the troll mob has already been signaling they want to drop some bullshit about JT's teaching career.
Batshit already went on Twitter to bring up the Gropergate BS. She didn't even get the date right or any of the other details either. First off, it was a face brush to calm down an ambitious cub reporter upset that she didn't get an "exclusive" with JT. Second of all, the concert was in 2000. He was getting married in 2005. At the time, he had no interest in politics, whereas Schmearmonger was already in Parliament and has spent his whole "adult" life as a socon partisan hack. They have nothing and no way to counter this so they're going to fall back on Schmear campaigns and lies. Julian Porter on line 1, Ms. Batters? What's next, Wornout is going to supply a blue dress from JWR? If this whole thing wasn't so dangerous it would be patently absurd...
I second that, good for you Simon. You had Scheer pegged from day one. He is a disgusting homophobe who shouldn't even be in the running for prime minister. What I find disconcerting is that you were the only blogger at Progressive Bloggers to write about that story. How do you explain that?
DeleteYou know , Ralph has shown the capability to learn ; Sheer-idiocy hasn't.
DeleteHi rumleyfips....If we had a decent media Scheer's sordid past, his homophobia, his alt right sympathies, would have taken him out of contention long ago. I hope the Liberals understand that and will do more themselves to expose the real Scheer...
DeleteHi Jackie...The Cons whataboutism misses the point. We always knew who was against gay marriage, but what's truly offensive is to see Scheer compare gay people to dogs. When you insult about a million Canadians in that manner you will be made to pay for it...
DeleteHi anon @3:06 pm....Thank you, I did have Scheer pegged right from the start, although I have learned a lot more about him over the last two years, and now consider him to be the slimiest and most disgusting political leader I have ever known. As for why I'm the only one at Progressive Bloggers who consistently blogs about homophobia, it's a difficult question. But I suppose the answer is that most of PB's Bloggers are of a generation that sucked up,homophobia with their mother's milk. And some like the Disaffected Lib are as bigoted as any Con....
DeleteI knew you'd beat me to that one. Now, every woman past menopause, and all other people who are unable to conceive or father children "naturally", must not marry! I have (het) friends over 70 who married, in large part to facilitate inheritance and power of attorney. And gay friends who married a bit younger, for similar reasons.
ReplyDeleteI have ZERO desire to marry, and no, I'm not going to marry Livia, my cat. But it is denying many people (not only LGBT+ ones) a fundamental human right, and as Handmaid's Tailish as it is homophobic.
Hi Lagatta...I didn't mention Scheer's procreation comment because I thought it was too stupid to mention. Like you I know many straight couples who don't have children, and a few gay couples who do, and are very good parents. Scheer's thinking in that regard reflects his narrow bigoted mind and is another reason he is so dangerous....
DeleteIt is stupid on the face of it, but it is part and parcel of the Evangelical Right's outlook (which is shared by right wing fundie members of other religions).
DeleteIt is also the day that finally induced Jagmeet Singh to take a principled stand on something that matters very much to us, to Liberals/progressives, and to Canada's electoral fortunes.
ReplyDeleteI expect him to be a man of his word, so I'll take this as his commitment:
Singh says NDP wouldn't prop up Scheer minority government due to 'disgusting' gay marriage speech
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/singh-scheer-minority-1.5256647
I still don't trust him. I think he knows the NDP are hanging on by a thread and is trying to blunt the "a vote for NDP is a vote for Cons" as a last-ditch effort to save face and salvage his insolvent party. Don't forget he said previously that Trudeau doesn't deserve to be PM, solely based on the fake scandal BS. So watch out for what kind of devil's bargain he could possibly make with a theoretical Liberal minority: like the Postmedia papers endorsing "the Cons minus Harper" he and/or May could announce they'll require Trudeau's letter of resignation as a condition for propping them up. Or a groveling apology to the shrew sisters and then they pull their support anyway after humiliating him and prompting a new election. That's what Layton did to Martin and ushered in the Harperreich. Do. Not. Trust. Them.
DeleteProgressives need to know that outside of a handful of strategic-voting ridings the only way to #StopScheer is to vote Liberal. The NDP and Greens alike have more openings than days before the election. A vote for them is a vote for a paper candidate or a parachuted no-name that splits the vote.
All that being said, I'm glad to see Unifor in the game and bolstering the anti-Scheer army, regardless of whether some of their Con-supporting kapo fake journalists like it or not. Look for the union label and stand on guard for thee!
Hi Brawnfire....yes, I'm glad Jagmeet made that statement because it helped isolate Scheer further, as well as reinforce the danger of voting for the Kinsella Greens. Of course it also makes it easier for people to vote for the NDP but judging from the polls at this time not too many of them are planning to do that...
DeleteHi Jackie...I know what you're saying, and I don't trust some of the NDPers like Nathan Cullen who have made the party look like a branch plant of the Cons. But I like Jagmeet, and if we do end up with a minority government I think Justin and him could make a good progressive duo. And as for Unifor, Dias is my kind of guy...
DeleteThere's nothing like a blast from the past to make my day, Simon. Someone would have to be profoundly homophobic to stand up in the commons and spew out the nonsense Scheer did not so long ago. Same sex unions may make Andy all squeamish and sanctimonious but the fact is that Andy and his holier than thou crowd are not judge and jury and the majority could care less what he or they think.
ReplyDeleteIf Andy is shamed into marching in the Ottawa pride parade, may I suggest he go as a rainbow colored clown?
JD
It's not even entirely from the past. Andy hasn't "evolved" because he doesn't believe in evolution. If he had, he wouldn't have voted against C16, the bill Jordan Peterson used to launch his infamous career in bad faith and used the very American canard of "free speech" to justify supporting discrimination against transgender people. If Andy had "evolved" he wouldn't have hired Rebel Media to run his campaign and he would be calling out CPC supporters' vile homophobic attacks on Trudeau including and especially in the comment sections of CPC official social media pages. He wouldn't have supported the yellow vests, who echo those same homophobic attacks on Trudeau on their own social media outlets, and thrown a bullshit excuse that it's a movement to support "oil and gas workers." Another American canard, "economic anxiety" which has become a well-known euphemism for Trumpian bigotry. He has Scheerly not changed his views on the equality and humanity of LGBT people and his own actions -- and lack thereof -- in the past year alone prove it. I have a whole folder of screenshots of homophobic memes and comments that Con supporters have posted about Trudeau, including insults pointed at little Hadrien for his Halloween costume a couple years back. They say a man is judged by the company he keeps, so, why shouldn't we judge Andy for failing or outright refusing to dissociate himself from bigots and bullies, including those who go after little kids? Methinks the Dishonorable Member for Westboro Baptist projects too much!
DeleteHi JD....Yes, I must admit that seeing that video, and imagining the look on Scheer's face when he saw it, also made my day. From what I hear the Con brain trust is in a panic. I doubt Scheer will march in the parade, and I for one would be horrified if he did. But that won't stop me from portraying him at a parade dressed as a bishop or in one of Jason Kenney's dresses...😉
DeleteI doubt Scheer will march in the parade, and I for one would be horrified if he did.
DeleteI may have some very old if not rotten eggs in the fridge. Any help?
I must admit that it took me years to grasp the practical reasons for gay or lesbian couples getting married and though it was a bit silly. Suddenly I realized the reasons and became an enthusiastic supporter.
I have always supported it, out of the simple principle of equality and choice, although I am no fan of marriage and have never wanted to tie the knot officially. But I do have gay and lesbian friends who are very leery of the idea, thinking it is imposing a "straight" model on their relationships. Quite a few marry in middle-age and older, as despite the prevalence of common-law couples here in Québec, it can make inheritance and power of attorney easier. This is even more important with the growing right to die (rather than live in agony or non-being). I'm thinking of two friends; one has very serious respiratory disease.
Delete(Lifelong chain smoker)...
I come back from blowing out candles to find that Trudeau has dropped a MOAB on weak Andy. Ha ha ha you couldn't ask for a better present than that!
ReplyDeleteI don't think the Con media can ignore this one, much as they might want to. Because even if they do, the Liberals are going to use it in attack ads. But if you do want to draw more attention to Scheer homophobia, then send some information about Miller to journalists at the Star and National Observer. To paraphrase Kanye West (and John Oliver when he made a similar statement about Harper and Muslims in 2015): Andrew Scheer doesn't give a dog's tail about LGBT people!
You've totally misrepresented his statement. I think if Justin Trudeau can stop sexually assaulting women and you've given him a second chance you can give Scheer the same opportunity. Nobody in power is trying to take away equal rights.
ReplyDeleteWTAF? Outrageous and libelous accusation that you better have proof to back up! Trudeau has never sexually assaulted anyone. Gropergate was a smear campaign from Kinsella that ended up blowing up in his face when he and his mob went and doxed and harassed the woman in question despite repeated pleas to be left alone. Something something, "undue pressure"??? More projection than an IMAX theater showing movies on the surface of the moon!
DeleteScheer, meanwhile, has a longstanding record of legislative bigotry. This speech isn't even the half of it, and it's not only confined to LGBT people. It's Muslims, immigrants... you name it. Martin Niemoller can't keep track of all the categories white-wing, GOP-adjacent theofascists like him have demonstrated their hostility toward. As Maya Angelou said, when someone shows you who they are the first time, believe them. Except this isn't the first time Scheer has shown himself to be a bigot and it won't be the last.
He wouldn't even have a career were it not for Larry Spencer. He dehumanized LGBT people in that speech and laughed as he read it. He voted against a bill adding transgender people to anti-discrimination law. He boycotts Pride. He was the only major party leader to remain silent on Jim Watson's courageous coming out statement. He kept Michael Cooper in caucus. He voted against M103. He chums around with Rebel scum like Faith Goldy, Keean Bexte, Hamish Marshall, and Ezra Levant himself. He ingratiates himself among violent hatemongers like the yellow vests and the morons with dog paws on their jackets. Shall I go on?
He's fash trash who has never evolved and never will. This is who he is. He has to earn that second chance -- first chance, even -- and he has shown no signs of making even a half-hearted attempt. Shame on you for both-sidering human rights.
unhinged, why are you commenting or even reading this site? Are you a closet intellectual afraid to tell your party they are idots?
Deletewaves of cognitive dissonance letting Justin surf to a majority
ReplyDeleteIts understandable that the Reformacons support Scheer but really pathetic when former progressive Tories give him a pass and use his half hearted insincere statements to justify continuing to support him. Funny how the once mighty will gloss over the obvious so they can pretend their views still really matter. Like parasites the Reformers destroyed the Conservative party from the inside out and will try and do the same thing to Canada if given a chance. The LGBT community is the canary in a country that is slowly being filled with toxic methane waiting for a spark.
ReplyDeleteIn some respects the Canadian federation is similar to the EU and who else but a divisive, self centered isolationist would rejoice at their breakup. Harper thought he could transform Canada through direct attack on Canadian institutions and the supreme court. He failed but Scheer has a different plan, weaken federal power by doing side deals with the provinces, encourage the squabbling that will result and let the provinces weaken Canada to the point an authoritarian government will be required to hold it or least whats left of it together. Its all about playing the divisive winners and losers game until the Cons are the winners by default! Hopefully the progressive Tories will develop some backbone and kick the tail wagging the dog Reformers to the curb before that day arrives.
RT
well said, and in other news one of the biggest cocks in the world has died. Rot in hell.
DeleteHi Unknown.....I have no idea what you are talking about. How can I misrepresent something that is on video for all to see? Secondly, Justin Trudeau didn't assault anybody so he doesn't need a second chance. And thirdly, you're right when you say that nobody in power is trying to take away rights, but that's why it's so important to keep Trudeau and make sure that Scheer never becomes prime minister...
DeleteThe Star has two star column people going after Trudeau daily. Rosie and Chantal
ReplyDeletemake it stop.
Hi Steve....Chantal is still a fairly decent journalist but DiManno is just a ha k who should have retired long ago....
DeleteHi RT
ReplyDelete"Like parasites the Reformers destroyed the Conservative party from the inside out and will try and do the same thing to Canada if given a chance. The LGBT community is the canary in a country that is slowly being filled with toxic methane waiting for a spark."
Brilliantly said. That's exactly what's happening in this country. The Cons are boring into the tree called Canada like pine beetles, and the LGBT community is the canary that can warn us all of the mortal danger we're in. The damage Scheer and his Reform Cons have already done to this country is beyond belief, but if we can defeat them, and then prosecute them, we can still save our Canada...
I'm deeply upset by a serious homophobic attack here in Québec, in Charlevoix. Small town and rural, but also a holiday destination for over 100 years, with scenic hills and the river widening towards the sea. A couple, one of them a designer in La Malbaie (where the G7 took place)to take part in a promotion of young designers by the Simons chain. They were severely beaten (and robbed) by a group of men.
ReplyDeleteSuch incidents are rare nowadays in Québec where a more enlightened attitude holds sway, but one is too many and I fear that they are being emboldened by a rise in bigotry as shown by La Meute and the Bernier election campaign: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/attack-markantoine-lynch-boisvert-homophobia-1.5259219
I have also written to Manon Massé about this.
The two young men are getting a lot of support here. Horrible incident.
DeleteReminds me of the opposite in my local pub in Kingston ON. As long as you do not scare the horses, you are fine. Any homophobic attack, even verbal, in the pub means the staff and, if necessary, a couple of very heterosexual and very muscular customers pick you up and toss you out.
DeleteGood for your pub. In fairness to the pub in La Malbaie, I think the actual assault took place outside the premises. However at least one cretin was directing homophobic slurs to the couple. The place should have been more watchful - it is one of the duties of staff and owners of such venues.
Delete