Some people never learn then's there's Liberal MP Robert Thibault and you know who!

Tansi/Good Day Readers:

As a tea swilling senior citizen I resent Mr. Thibault's remark!

Why is it we pay our politicians mega dollars, expense accounts that won't quit and fully indexed, gilt-edged pensions to make such asinine comments?

Source: "Truth to Power" (http://accesstoinfo.blogspot.com).

Sincerely,

Clare L. Pieuk

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Liberal MP Robert Thibault Apologizes For Ageist, Sexist Comments
THE CANADIAN PRESS

August 12, 2008

OTTAWA – A Liberal MP has apologized for the second time in five days for using discriminatory language to deride Conservative opponents.

Robert Thibault said today that he didn’t mean to be “gender specific” when he called Marjory LeBreton, the government leader in the Senate, an “idiot” and suggested she should “go back to making tea” for former prime minister Brian Mulroney.

Nevertheless in a written statement, the Nova Scotia MP withdrew the comments, which the Conservatives and some non-partisan women’s groups had deemed sexist.

“If anything I said can be interpreted as sexist, I unequivocally and wholeheartedly apologize and withdraw my comments,” Thibault said.

“I have always been a strong supporter of women in politics and want to encourage, not hinder, their participation in the public sphere.”

Thibault issued the tea-brewing taunt as he attempted to deflect criticism last week from LeBreton, the minister responsible for seniors, about remarks deemed by some seniors’ groups to be offensive and ageist.

He had suggested that Greg Kerr, the 60-year-old chosen by the Tories to run against him in West Nova riding, was too old for the job.

Thibault apologized for those remarks last Friday, saying his comments were intended to apply only to Kerr, not seniors in general.

But he then compounded his problems, telling The Hill Times, a weekly newspaper that focuses on parliamentary affairs, that LeBreton had distorted his remarks about Kerr. He suggested she should “go back to making tea for Brian Mulroney and stay out of serious people’s business.”

Thibault did not apologize directly to LeBreton, who was Mulroney’s director of appointments during his term as prime minister and was considered his unofficial spokesperson for years afterwards.

In an interview, Thibault said his comments referred to the fact that LeBreton is often thought of as Mulroney’s “proxy in cabinet.” He said the reference to making tea was “figurative,” intended to suggest that LeBreton should “mind her own business.”

Thibault’s apology today did not satisfy the Tories.

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Rona Ambrose issued a statement demanding that Liberal Leader Stephane Dion discipline the MP.

“Stephane Dion must show that these comments are not acceptable in the political process and immediately reprimand his caucus members,” Ambrose said.

“If Liberal MPs are allowed to publicly use offensive language like Thibault’s without consequence, it shows that Stephane Dion’s commitment to women in politics rings hollow.”

Ambrose added that Dion’s silence on the matter thus far “begs the question: Does Stephane Dion believe the best use of woman’s talent is making tea?”

NDP Leader Jack Layton echoed the Tories, saying Dion must publicly rebuke Thibault for making “know-your-place kind of remarks” about women in politics.

“It’s the kind of negative thing that gets a lot of publicity so it needs a strong reaction,” Layton said in an interview.

“Otherwise, a lot of women are sitting there saying, `Why would I want to get into that kind of macho, schoolyard, boys’ game?’ ”

A spokesman for Dion said Thibault’s decision to voluntarily apologize puts an end to the matter.

“Thibault issued the apology on his own. Dion did not need to talk to him. We consider the matter closed,” said Mark Dunn.