NDP in hot water over 'Shrub' memo (Canadian stupidity knows no bounds - my title)

Canadian Press ^ | July 30, 2003 | staff

[medscribe]

NDP in hot water over 'Shrub' memo

Canadian Press

Wednesday, July 30, 2003

Saskatchewan's plan to petition the United States to reopen borders to Canadian beef stumbled out of the gate Wednesday when an internal government document flippantly referred to U.S. President George W. Bush as "Shrub."

"Re: Petition to President Shrub," is the title of the memo, dated Tuesday, and sent to NDP legislature members and candidates by party researcher Ted Bowen.

The memo was sent to media outlets by mistake.

"Shrub is Molly Ivins' dismissive nickname for President Bush," reads the P.S.

Shrub: The Short But Happy Political Life of George W. Bush is a 2000 book by Ivins, a Texas writer, and journalist Lou Dubose. It's a cheeky work that describes Bush as politically savvy but a shallow thinker and beholden to special interests.

When contacted about the memo, Bowen, an American with a thick southern accent, insisted that referring to Bush as a shrub is common where he comes from.

"In a way it's my heritage," Bowen said.

"Nobody calls anybody by their right name in Texas. Everybody has a nickname.

"It's the silly season. If that's news, it's news, but I should not have done it and I apologize."

Opposition Saskatchewan Party leader Elwin Hermanson labelled the memo "idiotic" and said Premier Lorne Calvert should apologize immediately.

Calvert launched the petition Tuesday before he headed for the Rolling Stones concert in Toronto as a way for Saskatchewan citizens to make a difference where politicians couldn't.

It was to be forwarded to Bush in the coming weeks.

Ranchers across Canada have been struggling since major exports markets were closed to Canadian beef after one case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease, was discovered in Alberta May 20.

The memo is the latest high level Canadian insult to Bush and Americans that cattle industry representatives say are not helping their cause.

Prime Minister Jean Chretien's former press secretary, Francoise Ducros, was forced to resign last November after being overheard calling Bush a "moron."

Earlier this year, Liberal MP Carolyn Parrish was overheard saying, "Damn Americans, I hate those bastards."

© Copyright 2003 Canadian Press

[medscribe]

I am amazed daily at the stupidity of the liberal elitists in Canuck country. All that pot smoking and hedonism has really turned their brains into mush in Canada. Dubya's reply to Canada should be something like "I'll consider your petition just as soon as I have Saddam over for tea in the Rose Garden."

[Drango]

"Shrub is Molly Ivins' dismissive nickname for President Bush,"

Canada can kiss my Clymer.

[jonno]

Was it Ivins or ma Richards who coined the "shrub" phrase?

Not that it matters - both are idiots...

[Steely Glint]

This is yet another example of offensive Leftist anti-American idiocy comitted by nasty Canadians.

Dear Canada: We don't need you. In fact, we don't even LIKE you. Show us some respect or shut up and leave us alone, one or the other.

[bereanway]

Too bad the ranchers have to suffer as a result of the stupidity of the elitist politicos in Canada. I would imagine our borders will remain closed to Canadian beef for some time longer.

[rwfok]

From a Google search:

Ted invoked the words of Tommy Douglas: “I hate to see conservative students. By the time they’re thirty, they’re irrelevant; by the time they’re forty, the world has passed them by.”

Yeah Ted, it's just a nickname. It couldn't have anything to do with your ideology, now could it?

[Billthedrill]

One wonders if they customarily allow college sophomores to write internal documents in the Canadian government...that said, it doesn't seem likely to cause more than a patient sigh in DC. But most people learn in elementary school that if you're asking someone to do something for you it's not the best idea to start with an insult.

[Redwood71]

I believe it says somewhere, "Don't Sh** where you eat!" I couldn't illustrate a better example anywhere.

[eeman]

exports markets were closed to Canadian beef after one case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy

I guess Canadian beuracrats suffer from their own unique form of encephalopathy

[Little Bill]

When contacted about the memo, Bowen, an American with a thick southern accent, insisted that referring to Bush as a shrub is common where he comes from.

What is a southron rat doing issuing press reports for the former communist party of Cannukistan?

[jagrmeister]

Oh yeah, Canada, we'd love to hear your petition about your rancid meat and how you'd love to export it here...except for one thing, we have standards. This is the same reason we don't dignify the statements of your petty leader Cretin and we treat you like the 3rd world nation that you are (Americans earn 50% more per capita than Canadians...World Almanac). And stop sending your seniors here for doctor's appointment- fix your own diseased health care system.

[Jonah Hex]

Ah, so THAT'S where MurryMom disappeared to. She leaves the U.S for Canada and the average I.Q. increases in both countries.... (rim shot)

[solo gringo]

Go to http://canada .com/regina/features/soundoff and give them your 2 cents worth about this usa and bush bashing i did

[Frank_2001]

Hey, how about that Carolyn Parrish quote? I thought those Canadians had strict hate-speech laws!/sarcasm off

[OpusatFR]

It is too bad because our area had a good relationship with the tourists until this last year. I can't look at them now without wanting to spit at their feet. I know of one person who upbraided some Cannuck standing in line at an amusement park.

The Cannuck men in speedos and the rather hefty babes in bikinis have been a running joke for a long time. That isn't anything new.

[A_perfect_lady]

Yeah, Ivins was so sure Dubya wouldn't get elected. I can't wait till he gets re-elected.

[Grig]

Here's a better petition:

To: Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
Whereas the majority of Canadians desire new leadership for many different reasons;

Whereas you have given your word to leave office;

Whereas it is not in the best interests of Canada to have a Prime Minister who will not face the electorate to account for his actions;

We, the undersigned, petition you to immediately tender your resignation and step down as Prime Minister of Canada.


Sincerely,

The Undersigned

http://www.petitiononline.com/dv4l/petition.html

[OldCorps]

"Show us some respect or shut up and leave us alone, one or the other."

Naw, we don't have to even ask these liberal losers for respect. Just ignore them, they are irrelevant. Ignoring them makes them screech all the more.

Go ahead and insult our president you liberal big gubmint luvin Canuk clowns. We'll ignore you and refuse to trade with you. We'll continue the ban on Canadian beef. Then lets see what happens to your socialist utopia. Your standard of living will take another nose dive. Perhaps we might import a few of you as unskilled labor, as long as you promise to work as hard as the Mexicans who bust their a$$, day in and day out.

As for the conservative or Tory canadians out there (if there are any left), I truely feel sorry for them.

[freeforall]

"Damn NDPer's, I hate those bastards."

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

"It's the silly season. If that's news, it's news, but I should not have done it and I apologize."

Oh, you silly, crazy kid! I guess it's ok then. G'won, get outta here. <tossling hair>

And take this with ya! <throwing rock at receding back of head>