As somebody who has had in their personal life been deeply affected by cancer, my intent was certainly not to show any disrespect for cancer victims, survivors, or their families.
However, it's clear that these remarks have been interpreted in that way. So I want to offer a clear apology to anyone who has been offended by what I've said.
I want people to know that when I was 11 years old, I watched my father pass away from colon cancer over a period of 18 months. My mother and I and my brother took care of him until his final days.
Twenty years later, I was in the room with my brother as he died from lung cancer. As you can see, it's a very personal issue for me, and it's one that I really don't take lightly.
With respect to the medical isotopes issue, however, I will continue to work with Minister Aglukkaq and the international community to address the isotopes shortage in Canada and around the world.
Thank you.
So do you think the apology is enough for her to continue in the position?
I am not sure on this one. It seems rather after the fact as the conservatives first tried to spin it away as the oposition just blustering and trying to smear them. That is what makes this ring false for me. I also am not sure how offended I am by this so much as I am worried that the comment reveals more of a concern with the optics of a solution rather than the solution itself.
Peace
Joel
trishcuit
Posted on: 06/11/2009 02:08
sounds like a nitpicking smear campaign to me too.
trishcuit
Posted on: 06/11/2009 02:09
I am glad I am not in politics. My humor tends to run a bit irreverent and I would be up S**t Creek all the time. I feel for her.
crazyheart
Posted on: 06/11/2009 10:29
Trish, me too. That's why I would never excel in politics - Big mouth, you know. LOL
trishcuit
Posted on: 06/11/2009 11:21
Politicians need to keep their feet scrupulously clean...for oral hygeine reasons.
nighthawk
Posted on: 06/11/2009 11:26
This goes a bit beyond irreverant humour. From what I've read, it appears Ms. Raitt was outright pleased that there was a shortage as this was a situation in which she could gain politically. I understand that thoughts of personal gain will cross many if not most people's minds when a situation crops up. I expect it, even, of most people who are in politics. But Ms. Raitt was caught on tape saying this (and implicates another cabinet minister in some misappropriation of funds in a developing story). We really have to ask ourselves if this is the kind of person we want representing us, and holding as major a portfolio as that of Minister of Natural Resources.
Is the apology enough? Well, I'm not sure she's really owning her words. She doesn't admit that her words were inflammatory, she regrets that they were interpreted as such. But that's par for the course in politics. I'm sure this will blow over soon enough. The Opposition will use it as fodder for a bit, until something more pertinent comes up.
qwerty
Posted on: 06/11/2009 17:28
Raitt is a public servant. Her concern when it comes to political issues should be on the best interests of the public. It should be on how circumstances and resources can best be marshalled to maximize public benefits and not on how they can best be marshalled to maximize personal or party political advantage. The problem with Raitt's words and actions is not in what they show about her lack of regard for the pain and suffering of cancer patients, but rather in what they reveal about her failure as a minister of the crown to keep the public interest and public benefit paramount.
I'm sure the emotion betrayed by her quivering upper lip as she delivered her apology to Canadians suffering from cancer was real. On the other hand, I didn't hear an apology addressed to Canadians for her having placed private interests above public interests either and therefore I can't help but be suspicious that perhaps her grief was being provoked by the demise of her political future.
Birthstone
Posted on: 06/12/2009 08:51
after yesterday's news that the Feds want to scrap Chalk River, that it's a "Sinkhole", it is Raitt who is at fault, or was she the first voice to let it slip? Seems to me this is probably something that has been bandied about for some time in upper circles. It is difficult to be immersed in a communal mindset and not ever reveal that association.
I think there is a smear campaign- I sort of hope for a smear campaign to keep chipping away at the Conservative government, but Raitt's comments on this issue are not going to affect my voting behaviour. The Harper Gov't spokeperson Teneckye has made the 'sinkhole' comment that reveals the Government's true position on this issue, not some embroiled Minister who is feeling rather shakey these days. Her slips have been substantial, but unfortunate and not overly horrendous for 'private comments'.
Same as trishcuit, I'd be roasted for sarcasm & slips if I ran for politics. The Harper gov't would do well to hold a discussion about how to improve efficiency & effectiveness as a team player, in support of the value of isotope production, rather than mocking it behind the scenes and leaving Raitt holding the bag.
Pinga
Posted on: 06/12/2009 08:57
My sense is that she, though maybe diligently working on it, was quite pleased that it was in her arena, due to its publicity.
Qwerty, you said it much better than I could have.
When the system goes down, my dialogue isn't about "wow, this gives me an opportunity to show how good I am"...
Rather, it is focussed on the task at hand, and it up & running as fast as possible.
In fact, my comment is...if I do a good job, then you wonder why you have me...the idea is to not have anything that gets attention.
Here we have someone happy about their opportunity to be in the public eye ..it's a "sexy" opportunity. It tells me how she approaches issues..what she prioritizes etc.
I think the tears were more about a realization that she had lost public opinion and her career was going down the toilet, and maybe, if she is smarter than I think she is....that she did have her priorities wrong...and has a lot of learning to do.
Pinga
Posted on: 06/12/2009 08:57
My sense is that she, though maybe diligently working on it, was quite pleased that it was in her arena, due to its publicity.
Qwerty, you said it much better than I could have.
When the system goes down, my dialogue isn't about "wow, this gives me an opportunity to show how good I am"...
Rather, it is focussed on the task at hand, and it up & running as fast as possible.
In fact, my comment is...if I do a good job, then you wonder why you have me...the idea is to not have anything that gets attention.
Here we have someone happy about their opportunity to be in the public eye ..it's a "sexy" opportunity. It tells me how she approaches issues..what she prioritizes etc.
I think the tears were more about a realization that she had lost public opinion and her career was going down the toilet, and maybe, if she is smarter than I think she is....that she did have her priorities wrong...and has a lot of learning to do.
Charles T
Posted on: 06/12/2009 09:44
I personally find it unacceptable that we demand such perfection of those in politics. I agree that what she said shows some character flaws, but I ask you to see any person that does not have some sort of character flaw. If we were able to have a tape recorder on the personal lives of every politician I am willing to bet we would find similar statements that do not coincide with what we a representative of the people should say.
The biggest problem I have is that her job could actually be on the line because of this. Can you imagine that because you got found out about one of your unpure motives you could lose your job? Let's be clear, she hasn't actually done anything wrong, just had a wrong motive. Even if she hadn't been caught and had followed through what would the result have been? Possibly more money or at least attention being focussed on this aspect of cancer treatment in our country.
qwerty
Posted on: 06/12/2009 10:41
Ahem ... ahem ... uh ... Charles T ... if I may sir ... I know someone without any character flaws. His name is qwerty and other than having very high self-esteem (but with great humility) is really a perfect individual in every way.
Charles T
Posted on: 06/12/2009 15:36
somegirl
Posted on: 06/12/2009 19:24
I'm kind of tired of being apologized to for 'misinterpreting' or 'being offended'. Politicians only seem to apologize for the behavior of the voter, (ie misinterpreting or being offended) and not their own. If she had said "I behaved without thinking and I was caught up in the moment, it was stupid, I'm sorry" THAT would have been enough, but she didn't.
Birthstone
Posted on: 06/12/2009 19:42
It was also in private, and I haven't heard the context under which she made the remarks. Maybe she had some darn good possibilities, and was feeling excited about fixing it. Maybe that was the impression Harper gave her, that if she just hung in, it would blow over and she'd look good. Maybe, quite possibly, she is into politics for the tug & pull & the rush, and she was looking forward to tackling it. Fine. Just don't get caught saying it on tape. And hopefully, most of the time, the motive/the work ethic is a bit more caring.
Most politicians at that level have some level of ego or detachment from their tasks - we'd like it to be different, but we don't make any room for nice people. We usually roast them at the first sign of a slip, and then never let them forget it.
That said, I totally agree with Somegirl. I'd "apologies" to be done away with. They are usually bull**** and only done to appease the voters. If someone has a real apology fine, but a forced politcal kissbutt 'sorry you're mad' line is a waste of our time.
Charles T
Posted on: 06/13/2009 02:05
amen - it is true
preecy
Posted on: 06/13/2009 03:49
what if she had said something like: I am ambitious. I thrive on solving problems. I enjoy being recognized when I solve difficult problems. The quote from the tape record simply reveals that I am a preson who wants to succeed. You have elected someone who wants to do a good job. For this I make no apology. Now if you will excuse me I have to get back to solving this problem so that cancer victims in Canada and around the world can be diagnosed and get the treatment that they need.
Comments
preecy
Posted on: 06/10/2009 20:30
I am not sure on this one. It seems rather after the fact as the conservatives first tried to spin it away as the oposition just blustering and trying to smear them. That is what makes this ring false for me. I also am not sure how offended I am by this so much as I am worried that the comment reveals more of a concern with the optics of a solution rather than the solution itself.
Peace
Joel
trishcuit
Posted on: 06/11/2009 02:08
sounds like a nitpicking smear campaign to me too.
trishcuit
Posted on: 06/11/2009 02:09
I am glad I am not in politics. My humor tends to run a bit irreverent and I would be up S**t Creek all the time. I feel for her.
crazyheart
Posted on: 06/11/2009 10:29
Trish, me too. That's why I would never excel in politics - Big mouth, you know. LOL
trishcuit
Posted on: 06/11/2009 11:21
Politicians need to keep their feet scrupulously clean...for oral hygeine reasons.
nighthawk
Posted on: 06/11/2009 11:26
This goes a bit beyond irreverant humour. From what I've read, it appears Ms. Raitt was outright pleased that there was a shortage as this was a situation in which she could gain politically. I understand that thoughts of personal gain will cross many if not most people's minds when a situation crops up. I expect it, even, of most people who are in politics. But Ms. Raitt was caught on tape saying this (and implicates another cabinet minister in some misappropriation of funds in a developing story). We really have to ask ourselves if this is the kind of person we want representing us, and holding as major a portfolio as that of Minister of Natural Resources.
Is the apology enough? Well, I'm not sure she's really owning her words. She doesn't admit that her words were inflammatory, she regrets that they were interpreted as such. But that's par for the course in politics. I'm sure this will blow over soon enough. The Opposition will use it as fodder for a bit, until something more pertinent comes up.
qwerty
Posted on: 06/11/2009 17:28
Raitt is a public servant. Her concern when it comes to political issues should be on the best interests of the public. It should be on how circumstances and resources can best be marshalled to maximize public benefits and not on how they can best be marshalled to maximize personal or party political advantage. The problem with Raitt's words and actions is not in what they show about her lack of regard for the pain and suffering of cancer patients, but rather in what they reveal about her failure as a minister of the crown to keep the public interest and public benefit paramount.
I'm sure the emotion betrayed by her quivering upper lip as she delivered her apology to Canadians suffering from cancer was real. On the other hand, I didn't hear an apology addressed to Canadians for her having placed private interests above public interests either and therefore I can't help but be suspicious that perhaps her grief was being provoked by the demise of her political future.
Birthstone
Posted on: 06/12/2009 08:51
after yesterday's news that the Feds want to scrap Chalk River, that it's a "Sinkhole", it is Raitt who is at fault, or was she the first voice to let it slip? Seems to me this is probably something that has been bandied about for some time in upper circles. It is difficult to be immersed in a communal mindset and not ever reveal that association.
I think there is a smear campaign- I sort of hope for a smear campaign to keep chipping away at the Conservative government, but Raitt's comments on this issue are not going to affect my voting behaviour. The Harper Gov't spokeperson Teneckye has made the 'sinkhole' comment that reveals the Government's true position on this issue, not some embroiled Minister who is feeling rather shakey these days. Her slips have been substantial, but unfortunate and not overly horrendous for 'private comments'.
Same as trishcuit, I'd be roasted for sarcasm & slips if I ran for politics. The Harper gov't would do well to hold a discussion about how to improve efficiency & effectiveness as a team player, in support of the value of isotope production, rather than mocking it behind the scenes and leaving Raitt holding the bag.
Pinga
Posted on: 06/12/2009 08:57
My sense is that she, though maybe diligently working on it, was quite pleased that it was in her arena, due to its publicity.
Qwerty, you said it much better than I could have.
When the system goes down, my dialogue isn't about "wow, this gives me an opportunity to show how good I am"...
Rather, it is focussed on the task at hand, and it up & running as fast as possible.
In fact, my comment is...if I do a good job, then you wonder why you have me...the idea is to not have anything that gets attention.
Here we have someone happy about their opportunity to be in the public eye ..it's a "sexy" opportunity. It tells me how she approaches issues..what she prioritizes etc.
I think the tears were more about a realization that she had lost public opinion and her career was going down the toilet, and maybe, if she is smarter than I think she is....that she did have her priorities wrong...and has a lot of learning to do.
Pinga
Posted on: 06/12/2009 08:57
My sense is that she, though maybe diligently working on it, was quite pleased that it was in her arena, due to its publicity.
Qwerty, you said it much better than I could have.
When the system goes down, my dialogue isn't about "wow, this gives me an opportunity to show how good I am"...
Rather, it is focussed on the task at hand, and it up & running as fast as possible.
In fact, my comment is...if I do a good job, then you wonder why you have me...the idea is to not have anything that gets attention.
Here we have someone happy about their opportunity to be in the public eye ..it's a "sexy" opportunity. It tells me how she approaches issues..what she prioritizes etc.
I think the tears were more about a realization that she had lost public opinion and her career was going down the toilet, and maybe, if she is smarter than I think she is....that she did have her priorities wrong...and has a lot of learning to do.
Charles T
Posted on: 06/12/2009 09:44
I personally find it unacceptable that we demand such perfection of those in politics. I agree that what she said shows some character flaws, but I ask you to see any person that does not have some sort of character flaw. If we were able to have a tape recorder on the personal lives of every politician I am willing to bet we would find similar statements that do not coincide with what we a representative of the people should say.
The biggest problem I have is that her job could actually be on the line because of this. Can you imagine that because you got found out about one of your unpure motives you could lose your job? Let's be clear, she hasn't actually done anything wrong, just had a wrong motive. Even if she hadn't been caught and had followed through what would the result have been? Possibly more money or at least attention being focussed on this aspect of cancer treatment in our country.
qwerty
Posted on: 06/12/2009 10:41
Ahem ... ahem ... uh ... Charles T ... if I may sir ... I know someone without any character flaws. His name is qwerty and other than having very high self-esteem (but with great humility) is really a perfect individual in every way.
Charles T
Posted on: 06/12/2009 15:36
somegirl
Posted on: 06/12/2009 19:24
I'm kind of tired of being apologized to for 'misinterpreting' or 'being offended'. Politicians only seem to apologize for the behavior of the voter, (ie misinterpreting or being offended) and not their own. If she had said "I behaved without thinking and I was caught up in the moment, it was stupid, I'm sorry" THAT would have been enough, but she didn't.
Birthstone
Posted on: 06/12/2009 19:42
It was also in private, and I haven't heard the context under which she made the remarks. Maybe she had some darn good possibilities, and was feeling excited about fixing it. Maybe that was the impression Harper gave her, that if she just hung in, it would blow over and she'd look good. Maybe, quite possibly, she is into politics for the tug & pull & the rush, and she was looking forward to tackling it. Fine. Just don't get caught saying it on tape. And hopefully, most of the time, the motive/the work ethic is a bit more caring.
Most politicians at that level have some level of ego or detachment from their tasks - we'd like it to be different, but we don't make any room for nice people. We usually roast them at the first sign of a slip, and then never let them forget it.
That said, I totally agree with Somegirl. I'd "apologies" to be done away with. They are usually bull**** and only done to appease the voters. If someone has a real apology fine, but a forced politcal kissbutt 'sorry you're mad' line is a waste of our time.
Charles T
Posted on: 06/13/2009 02:05
amen - it is true
preecy
Posted on: 06/13/2009 03:49
what if she had said something like: I am ambitious. I thrive on solving problems. I enjoy being recognized when I solve difficult problems. The quote from the tape record simply reveals that I am a preson who wants to succeed. You have elected someone who wants to do a good job. For this I make no apology. Now if you will excuse me I have to get back to solving this problem so that cancer victims in Canada and around the world can be diagnosed and get the treatment that they need.
Just curious what the reaction would be?
Peace
Joel