Kennedy Jr. fires back at Taylor (little Bobby accused of fear-mongering)

CANADIAN NEWS ^ | Fri, January 9, 2004 | BILL GRAVELAND

[Liz]

BANFF, Alta. (CP) -- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he is more than ready to rumble with Alberta's Lorne Taylor after the environment minister accused him of fear-mongering on environmental issues.

"I think that he wants to pick a fight and the thing is I'm always ready for a fist fight," said Kennedy, who is hosting a celebrity fundraiser for the Waterkeepers Alliance in Banff this weekend.

"I got off the plane and people were saying there's a guy here saying bad things about you," Kennedy said. "Well, I don't have anything bad to say about him but I'll debate him any time."

The Waterkeepers Alliance is a coalition of more than 100 environmental groups working to protect waterways in North America.

Taylor accused Kennedy of fear-mongering even before the prominent U.S. environmental lawyer arrived in Canada. Taylor suggested Kennedy raises money for his cause by creating false fears about Alberta's water resources.

"Last time he was here, he fear-mongered on water," Taylor said. "He fear-mongered on livestock operations and then he used that fear-mongering to raise a bunch of money."

The two men first traded verbal blows two years ago after Kennedy criticized Alberta's extensive hog operations and water management.

Taylor said he expected another attack from Kennedy even though the government announced a $916-million comprehensive water conservation blueprint in November.

"He's characteristic of old-style environmentalists that raise money and they have to create fear to raise money. I hope he actually reads our plan before he comes and . . . if he has any questions he should call me and I'd be more than happy to talk to him about it."

Kennedy said he did read Alberta's blueprint but remains unconvinced.

"The details of it have not been worked out yet, so it's a water strategy that has strong points and potential areas of concern when you see it on paper.

"But I didn't come out swinging when I got off the plane. I came here to have fun. I think Lorne feels he gets political benefit by taking shots, but it doesn't bother me in the least."

Some of Hollywood's biggest stars -- including silver screen megastar couple Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones -- have been joined by more than 50 sports, film and television stars at the celebrity event.

Some of the guests include Matt Dillon, Fran Drescher, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Matthew Modine, Mimi Rogers, Andie MacDowell and Peter Fonda.

The celebrities will snowshoe and ski during the event at Sunshine Village and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.

But their presence doesn't necessarily have locals agog.

"I haven't seen hide nor hair of them and I'm not bothering to," said Blair Manser, who manages a Shell gas station.

"They're just famous rich people and that's it. If I see them at the bar that would be about it.

"I'm not going to go to . . . try and hunt them down."

[Liz]

Kennedy.....is hosting a celebrity fundraiser for the Waterkeepers Alliance in Banff this weekend.........Some of Hollywood's biggest stars -- including silver screen megastar couple Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones -- have been joined by more than 50 sports, film and television stars at the celebrity event.........Some of the guests include Matt Dillon, Fran Drescher, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Matthew Modine, Mimi Rogers, Andie MacDowell and Peter Fonda. The celebrities will snowshoe and ski during the event at Sunshine Village and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.

(Sniffle) Gosh, the stars are so tolerant and compassionate. It just breaks me up (sob).

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[Range Rover]

In order to rally the Cocktail Limo Liberal troops, I guess you have to offer up the entertainment of a high dollar ski resort. How many of of the Star Studded Celebs would even take part if you asked them to gather in a gymnasium? You certainly couldn't get someone as big as say.......Matthew Modine.

[Liz]

You never heard of the Canadian Mounted Police? LOL.

[Liz]

.............Matthew who?

[Timesink]

What a sad little man. Rendered irrelevant and laughable in the United States, he is now forced to travel to foreign countries in order to get any recognition at all. (Not that Alberta is really "foreign" in anything but technical terms, but still...) And I can only imagine how the largely conservative citizens of Alberta feel about this jerk and his dozens of obnoxious Hollywood friends invading their country and province to tell them how to live their lives while partying at places most of the little people can't even afford to visit. To the extent that Rob-Rob has any cause at all besides himself, this should do said cause much damage amongst the Albertan public.

(Why is the abbreviation for Alberta "Alta.", anyway? Shouldn't it be "Alb."?)

[ambrose]

Rendered irrelevant

Not quite irrelevant. I believe he is Ahnold's "point man" on the environment.

[duckman]

"I think that she wants to pick a fight and the thing is I'm always ready for a fist fight," said Kennedy,.."

What a little wuzz. Lorne will kick his ass with both hands tied behind her back.

[Timesink]

"I'm always ready for a fist fight," said Kennedy...

Ah, the Kennedy Mystique.

[Timesink]

Not quite irrelevant. I believe he is Ahnold's "point man" on the environment.

Well, he's family to poor Ahnold.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I thought it was the Kennedy Curse.

[OpusatFR]

Yup. Pretty funny. These folk use more water, electricity, fuel, oil, gas and resources on their high minded lifestyle in one year than my family will use in a couple of decades.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

ping

[BushisTheMan]

Is this the same Kennedy who, although he is strong on environment issues, flies in private airplanes. Well, yes, I believe it is.

[Liz]

Doesn't Booby (sic) warm the cockles of your heart?

[Liz]

Yeah, typical liberal scam.

They establish their bonafides by mouthing all the right platitudes.

That frees them up to corrupt the environment and violate the principles they mouth.

Then they begin the liberal hatemongering by throwing aspersions on the working class who they consider low class anti-environmentalists.

[MeekOneGOP]

Ha ! They're all in Banff ? Shut the borders ... NOW !!

[N. Theknow]

Kennedy.....is hosting a celebrity fundraiser for the Waterkeepers Alliance in Banff this weekend.........Some of Hollywood's biggest stars -- including silver screen megastar couple Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones -- have been joined by more than 50 sports, film and television stars at the celebrity event.........Some of the guests include Matt Dillon, Fran Drescher, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Matthew Modine, Mimi Rogers, Andie MacDowell and Peter Fonda. The celebrities will snowshoe and ski during the event at Sunshine Village and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.

(Sniffle) Gosh, the stars are so tolerant and compassionate. It just breaks me up (sob).

What gets me is how these folks complain about tax cuts and then they use trips/vacations like this as a charitable tax write off. Want to go to a nice dinner/dance? Call it a charity ball and write it off.

Next FReeper cruise let's call it charity event and let's all write off our expenses as charitable contributions.