Flibbertigibbet

Yeah? Well, Canadians are... well... Canadian

CNN: Canadian MP calls U.S. 'idiots'

OTTAWA, Canada (Reuters) -- Canadian Member of Parliament Carolyn Parrish had said she hated "damned Americans" and called them bastards in the run-up to the Iraq war.

She found a new moniker, idiots, on Wednesday in discussing the planned U.S. missile defense system.

"We are not joining the coalition of the idiots. We are joining the coalition of the wise," the Liberal legislator told a small group of demonstrators.

[...]

"They tortured people in Iraq, they (the Iraqis) have no weapons of mass destruction. Could somebody explain to me whether you think they're idiots or geniuses?"

I'm not clear on how having a missile defense system correlates to idiocy exactly. I also did not realize that in life one has the option of being either a genius or an idiot-- not that I'm categorically opposed to hyperbole or invectives.

I feel obliged to correct the lady parliamentarian, though. First, it would be mild to point out as irresponsible her attributing the torture of some Iraqis in Abu Graeb by a few American soldiers whose actions are condemned almost unanimously to all Americans. Second, Iraq did have weapons of mass destruction. It may be claimed that massive stockpiles have not been found, but to say that no weapons have been found is factually untrue. That claim also ignores the extreme likelihood that WMDs were hidden or removed from Iraq in the days prior to the war.

But, let me be frank, I'm not really interested in debating either of those issues. I really don't even care that her statements impugn all Americans, really. Of course, the first thought is to assess the veracity of the claim, which is why I had to start with the above. Her remarks are patently false. That means I now feel obliged to consider the source of these remarks.

That's how I found this interesting articleabout Mrs. Parrish. Even though it is fairly out of date, it's very telling.

Some were prepared to dismiss her anti-American insult as an tactless off-the-cuff remark outside the House of Commons recorded by ultra-sensitive boom microphones. But a careful examination of her past reveals a track record of remarks so vile, and conduct so utterly lacking in human civility, that decent-minded voters of Mississauga will surely toss her out of office come the next federal election.

It turns out that Americans aren't the only objects of her hatred. Also on her personal blacklist are East Coast fishermen, French-speaking Quebecers, residents of downtown Toronto, members of her own Liberal Party, and even her boss, Jean Chretien.

[...]

Parrish's cheap shots often have a bullying tone, and stop just short of character assassination. Clashing with Beryl Ford, chair of the Peel Board of Education over the English as a second language program, Parrish threatened to "beat her up."

There's more, but I don't want to rip the entire article off, so go read it.

Then, I found this amusing and insightful post on another blog:

“I just think it’s wrong on every front you can imagine. It would inspire some countries to design missiles that can get through it, so you are just going to accelerate that whole arms race. Our job as peacemakers in the world is to decelerate that.� — Carolyn Parrish, Aug 18, 2004, Toronto Star

Yo, Carolyn, I hate to tell you this, but there are already entire countries plotting our (the West’s) destruction, and they’ll continue to do so regardless of whether the U.S. builds it’s missile shield or not.

Madam Parrish, I may share with you a tendency toward strong opinions and a disregard for common courtesy when ired, but given the binary circumstance false dichotomy you've outlined for us, I'm afraid I have to shed all modesty and call myself a genius. You needn't lose hope, however, your idiocy has a cure: think.

I do so hope to never hear of this woman again.