'Tiny Perfect Alberta NDP' drew a lot of interesting discussion in the comment section, but the most revealing comment was posted by New Democratic Youth of Alberta Co-Chair and blogger Denny Holmwood:
This evening Lou Arab, former Chief of Staff at the NDP Caucus and husband of Rachel Notley sent me a Facebook message criticizing me for daring to critique the party here. He also messaged the party's table officers.
Apparently Lou does not feel that I should be expressing my opinion about the NDP. He asked the table officers to ask me to retract my posts, or for me to voluntarily do so.
It will be interesting to see if the table officers do in fact ask me to retract my comments, or take other actions against me. If they do, they will be proving the points that I was attempting to make earlier about voices of members being stifled.
I will keep you all posted. Sadly the state of democracy in the party may be worse than I initially thought.
UPDATE: I've frozen the comment feature on this section, please click here to read my explanation.
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42 comments:
How is asking someone to ask someone else to do something intimidation?
Asking that in itself is not intimidation.
How this plays out could end up showing intimidation.
If the table officer's ask him to retract his statements, that in itself would not be intimidation, but it remains to be seen if they will take or threaten other action against him if he refuses to comply.
There are people in all parties who confuse criticism with disloyalty. Every party has people who think that the way you contribute to democracy is by creating little dictatorships that compete with one another.
The question is whether or not those people actually get any authority. Looks like here, they haven't.
(word verification is anagram for Palpatine)
As long as they are not violating some heretofore agreement, it absolutely is intimidation if the administration of one group asks a member of that group to take down or retract comments that they deem critical of said group. The implication is that you, as a member of a group, are not allowed to speak freely about it, lest you yield the benefits that group provides to you.
If a response to Denny's criticism had been in the public arena, asking him to retract his comments, it would not be intimidation. However, when a high level individual privately contacts him (while ccing administrative officals within the party) criticizing him for delivering public criticism, that IS intimidation, and Lou Arab should be utterly ashamed of his behaviour. Denny, on the other hand, should be exceedingly proud for speaking his mind about, reporting and ultimately standing up to this kind of pinkerton bullshit.
Denny threw around a lot of crap in the last post. Gauntlet, it has nothing to do with disloyalty, if he's going to make serious allegations in a public forum, he might want to back them up with some actual evidence.
I think Denny needs to toughen up a bit if he wants to be involved in politics. Crying intimidation when someone opposes you is the tactic of a fourteen-year old.
I'm not really sure where Denny cried intimidation. Could you point out to us where he did?
As for crying intimidation when someone opposes you being the tactic of a fourteen-year old, Lou Arab's attempts to shut someone down for posting comments he did not agree with would also be the tactics of a fourteen-year old
This issue with Denny gets my blood boiling. To encourage young minds to fight for a cause they believe in, may be the most vital pillar of democracy.
I am going to make an offer, Dave, that I hope you'll consider. I would need your help to pull it off. Let's hold a blogger's forum on the state of opposition politics in this province. Let's rent a 200-300 seat auditorium on campus for 3 hours, invite whoever's willing to come and talk about the issues. I'm willing to give a maximum of $1000 towards the endeavour. Would that pull it off? I can't think of a better way to spend that kind of money in Alberta politics right now.
This will be a forum beholden to no political party. A forum where, hopefully, MLA's and other political figures will show up and LISTEN, perhaps for the first time. Most importantly though, there will be no anonimity.
I guess the concept would be fairly simple. Any interested persons can request to speak for 10 minutes but must also be willing to take questions afterwards. I really mean anyone, bloggers, MLA's, party officials, etc
There has been this funny little quote rolling around lately, "people should not be afraid of their government; a government should be afraid of it's people". Utter Tripe! Government IS the people; and people can stop being afraid of themselves.
Most importantly I want Denny there to speak his mind, and see if Lou shows up and has the audacity to muzzle him.
I think it would be truly brave if high ranking members of the political parties showed up.
Let me know what you think Dave. I would suggest late May or June to give everyone lots of warning.
You can reach me at albertacentrist@gmail.com
NDP consumed by vicious internal battle. Dissidents coerced into silence. Can anyone stop this hellish death spiral before it's too late?
The issue isn't freedom of opinion in the NDP. Denny made serious allegations without proof or even evidence.
As the old saying goes, freedom of speech doesn't give you the right to yell 'fire' in a crowded movie theatre. It also doesn't cover slander.
GROAN!!!
I remember when there used to BE an actual organized NDYA, before guys like Holmwood killed it with their own negativity and boring-ness...
He should probably take this up with the executive of the party - oh wait! He IS on the executive! How's that for being excluded?
My word verification is anagram for edict - sometimes described as an authoritative proclamation. But this little bit of inside baseball is anything but. Just go start a new party or something Denny.
No surprise to see all the Liberals at Daveberta pile on against Denny.
The sad part in all of this is that Denny was just speaking truth to power. Nothing he said was false, it just wasn't very flattering and so Mr. Arab has asked his party to white wash it.
If the New Democrats brain trust actually have any brains to trust they will deny or ignore Mr. Arab's request. The media loves a good story about the political left suppressing freedom of speech so the best thing the NDP can do here is to encourage debate and discourse amongst their members.
Umm - just for the record, Lou Arab holds no position or title within the Alberta NDP. He does sit on the executive of a local constit association, however, other than volunteering on a committee or two, he is in no position of authority in the party as far as I know. If he has an opinion of what Denny is doing, it is a personal comment from one member to another - don't see the initimidation factor.
That's a ridiculous statement, Anon @ 2:52pm.
Lou Arab was the NDP Caucus chief of staff at the time much of what Denny discusses occurred.
And even thou Lou has since left that role, he is still the spouse of one the party's 2 MLAs. There should be no doubt that he holds an elevated position within the party. Even if it is not a formal role, it is implicit.
Holmwood killed the NDYA? That's rich. If anything he has been attempting to revive it, with very little support from anyone else.
I'll tell you what really has been killing the NDYA, it's the shenanigans of party staff like Jeff Sloychuk attempting to intimidate youth at convention by warning them that their futures within the party could be in jeopardy if they support the wrong policy or candidates for executive, as in those that are not rubber stamped by Lou Arab, Brian Mason and Sandra Houston.
Then there's Rob Pearson using his position at the caucus to allude to excited youth who have volunteered to be federal candidates that he could help them out during the campaign by getting Rachel Notley or Brian Mason out to their events, but following this up with similar comments to Sloychuk's reminding them that they need to make the best choices.
If intimidation such as that isn't what drove youth away, I'm not sure what did.
Also, you're right, he's on the party executive as the youth representative. However most of the decisions are made by the table officer's at their own separate meetings, and then rammed through executive. If you are actually a youth and you have issues with how the NDYA operates, how about actually showing up to one of the NDYA's events, I'm sure they'd love it, if you're from outside of the town they're hosting the event in they usually provide travel subsidies too. Maybe you could even volunteer to serve on the NDYA executive, if my memory is correct they usually end up having vacancies.
Talk about ridiculous statements - so you're saying that Laureen Harper implicitly has some sort of powerful role within the Conservative Party of Canada and its structures on the basis that she's married to the PM? Please!
The difference between Laureen Harper and Lou Arab, is that Laureen Harper was never chief of staff at the caucus and never sat on the party's executive, was never a key figure of the party's election planning committee, never served as an official spokesperson during an election campaign.... and the list goes on and on.
Because Hilary Clinton had no power in the 90s.
Maybe it's only a problem on the left? I guess Notley needs to reign her baby-papa in.
Alberta Centrist- nice idea, but I would pointedly AVOID having MLA's or party executive speak, if what you want is for them to LISTEN.
They can respond by action, rather than more meaningless, politically calculated words.
When Malcolm Azania ran for the Federal ND's in Edmonton Strathcona, one of his suggestions was that each riding have a non-partisan political resource centre that would help citizens generally(in the way that constituency associations are supposed to, but without the partisan quid pro quo motivation), do some education-like seminars regarding process and structure, maybe host issue based discussions, etc. I thought that was a good idea then, and still do.
Anon 2:39 said:The sad part in all of this is that Denny was just speaking truth to power. Nothing he said was false, it just wasn't very flattering and so Mr. Arab has asked his party to white wash it.
On the contrary, everything Denny was false, which is why he hasn't used names or produced evidence to back himself up. He's been spreading that stuff for months, and everytime he gets challenged to put up or shut up, he goes silent.
Most of what Denny says does is likely scripted by Anand Sharma (Denny's not real bright) which is why he's unable to respond when asked for details. Sharma hates getting his hands dirty, so he gets others to do the slagging for him.
I completely agree with the gist of most of the criticisms of the ANDP above (and in the previous post - everyone knows its happening (or has already happened!). Slowly but surly the party has been taken over by a bunch control freaks and political hacks. Everything that counts for anything has to be rubber stamped by Houston, Notley, Arab and Mason, not to mention a group of staff who are too scared for their jobs to deviate from the party line, to in fact think for themselves, do what is best for to build a movement with depth. This toxic mix of paranoid stalinism will drive the party into the ground if it is not prevented anytime soon. However, if nothing changes I wonder if anyone will even notice - it is a party that can't even live up to the low expectations that are placed on it. Lost half your seats? big deal...business as usual!
Okay... come on guys. I'm sure there are probably two or three peopel posting all of this. It's unnecessary - and childish. Bring it back to the executive board k?
And demeaning the staff? Sloychuk who has probably recruited more candidates than any other person in the province? Sloychuk who has almost single-handedly recruited more new members and activists than any other member? Sloychuk who throws his life and soul into the NDP? Leave him alone. Take it up with the executive if you have a problem, but me and many many more party members will stand behind Sloychuk for as long as he wants to continue his thankless job of working for the party.
And my name is put to this - where's yours Anon 3:17?
Mike Butler.
You're right Butler, there probably are only two or three people righting the anonymous comments. I'm sure some of them are Sloychuk and Arab.
He can recruit all the members he wants, that doesn't make him infallible or forgive him if he was in fact harassing members.
Seems to me that Sloychuk attempts to recruit those that he thinks he can manipulate to do his own bidding, like Mike Butler.
Maybe if Arab would stay out of his wife's business things would be better, who knows.
Could the Anonymous people at least make up interesting fake names so it's easier to follow this and comment?
Party of One's suggestion of a non-partisan group to discuss topics with their elected official is amazing but could it ever happen? Does Linda Duncan want or need to engage with those in her riding that work for Big Oil (even those that work for Big Oil and own kitchen tables?) Does a Laurie Hawn want to meet with the local arts community (or do they want to meet with him?)
Often groups find it way better just to complain over their Trad than ask to meet and talk.
Paula Simons grading of Brian Mason was pretty accurate. He's a perfect example of a politician who sounds like he revels in opposition where as you could actually see Rachel Notley as a cabinet minister.
I completely agree with the gist of most of the criticisms of the ANDP above (and in the previous post - everyone knows its happening (or has already happened!).
And yet we all wait for Denny/Anand to provide any evidence, other than simple assertions.
Anand, I mean Anon 10:38 said: "Everything that counts for anything has to be rubber stamped by Houston, Notley, Arab and Mason"
What nonsense. Anand Sharma was elected President. Did those four rubber stamp that?
But you are right, let's replace the four with Dave Malka, Beth Wichar and Anand Sharma. Much better. They've NEVER pissed anyone off, and have a much better record or working hard, raising money and electing candidates.
Anon 3:17 said:
"..Rob Pearson using his position at the caucus to allude to excited youth who have volunteered to be federal candidates that he could help them out during the campaign by getting Rachel Notley or Brian Mason out to their events."
Wow. What. A. Bastard.
Anon 10:47 said:
"Seems to me that Sloychuk attempts to recruit those that he thinks he can manipulate to do his own bidding, like Mike Butler."
Way to make friends.
Chris,
You're right, Rob Pearson is a bastard. I noticed you omitted the part about Rob using his position as a non-partisan Legislative Assembly employee to try to manipulate party business. I'm fairly certain that is against LAO policy, if not the law.
MLAs are allowed to attend partisan events. And their staff are allowed to schedule them to attend. That's not against LAO rules.
However, for Pearson to imply that he will use his position to garner special privileges to those who side with him in internal party matters, but not to those who do not, likely is against the rules, and even if it is not, it is morally reprehensible.
Given how accurate you were in claiming to be 'fairly certain' scheduling MLAs to partisan events was 'against LAO policy, if not the law' I'll take your assertion that Pearson engaged in those activities with a grain of salt.
never said anything about just scheduling them for partisan events. Right from the start they said he was doing it to manipulate party business.
You're just conveniently ignoring what you know you can't argue against.
Nonesense. Are you seriously telling me you thought the LAO had policy about why an MLA might choose one partisan event over another?
What nonsense. Anand Sharma was elected President. Did those four rubber stamp that?
No, Chris, but if you remember they did everything they could to prevent it... But thanks for an example of when they didn't have their way... there arent many
But you are right, let's replace the four with Dave Malka, Beth Wichar and Anand Sharma. Much better. They've NEVER pissed anyone off, and have a much better record or working hard, raising money and electing candidates.
might be better than what 'we' got...
Wow. Talk about amateur hour. Looks like we've discovered who the real 'futility faction' is: the Alberta NDP.
The NDP candidate in my riding got 3% of the vote in the last election and the NDP got 4% of the Calgary-wide vote. They are pretty much irrelevant and their support is almost non-existent in Calgary.
NDP = Workers Party of Korea wannabe's
Espousing the benefits of the glorious workers paradise, social justice for all, Cradle to Grave government services. Government owns everything, runs everything.
But they don't tell you.
End of Free Speech, freedom of movement, confinement to re-education camps. daily self criticism sessions. State run media and propaganda.
The NDP is notorious for demanding discipline from party members, there has never been anything resembling free thought or votes allowed from any candidate to MP / MLA.
Classic. Nothing instills more confidence in the NDP than nd activists airing petty internal party grievances and slanders on a Liberal blog.
Conversely, nothing instills more confidence in the Liberals than petty rumors and grievances being aired on tinyperfectblog.
And people wonder why the Conservatives win. Here's lesson #1 you idiots: Don't do your laundry in public. If you're too stupid to get that, maybe it's time to move on to something new.
This does not surprise me that the higher ups of the ANDP would try to stop folks from commenting on actions.
There are many things wrong with politics here in Alberta. One of them is being involved with a political party other than the ruling party. So I don't see why the ANDP would want to hinder voices or activities of members. Unless the certain power click wants to keep the power.
We will never get a head by keeping our head in the sand and not dealing with the issues that need to be dealt with. I know the ANDP if it does not get its act together and start including other opinions will not go any farther than what seat count they presently have.
Nice soap opera. I love it.
I hope there's a few union bosses reading this and wondering what they're doing wasting their members' money to fund Lou Arab's War on Relevance through that "associate membership" scam. But I doubt it.
Stupid dippers... Holmwood, I don't know who you are but I love it. Keep it up!
I'm really disapointed Dave, you've sunk to the level of Tiny Perfect Blog - passing on meaningless gossip and trying to blow it up for partisan gain.
I would have thought your recent distance from the Liberal party would have made it easier for you to avoid that trap.
Woah.
Ok. So, I stepped away from the blog for about 48 hours and the comments in this post got a little crazy. Maybe I underestimated some of the negative tension between some NDP members, but I'm not very pleased with the personal attacks by anonymous commenters in this post. I'm going to freeze the commenting function on this post until I can clean up some of the more insulting comments.
For those of you interested in personally attacking and slandering people on the internet, there are plenty of anonymously written blogs that you can post on (and as the author/publisher of this blog, I also wish to avoid and libelous statements).
- Dave Cournoyer
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