First off, an update: the candidate and Manitoba Liberal, Jamie Hall, resigned the next day after this news hit the media. Manitoba Liberal leader Rana Bokhari was "sick" over the offensive tweets and her party has now cut all ties with the former candidate.
Meanwhile NDP candidate Wab Kinew, who also thought it was fine in the past to say derogatory things about women and gay people (wait even Jamie Hall didn't say homophobic stuff) is receiving less severe treatment. Aside: actually check out that last link. I think it will be tough to find a more lenient article: in an article where most people would not even be aware that an NDP candidate said homophobic things in the past, the title is how Kinew has been "forgiven" - by a fellow NDP candidate, Hall, about whom the post isn't really about, has his offensive tweets posted in the article, while Kinew's Facebook adpology is included at the end.
But okay... back to reality. I simply feel a little angry that one candidate had dirty laundry aired and had to resign while the other has emerged largely unscathed. That's fine. Let's move on.
My closing thoughts are:
1. Pragmatically, there is something to be said for being skilled at politics. Kinew made a bet that that his dumb shit from five years ago wouldn't be accepted by either people or the media. Jamie Hall made a bet that politics had changed enough that not being "disingenuous" (ie not deleting tweets, etc) would be accepted. Hall appears naive, Kinew diligent.
2. I'd like us to move toward asking questions like, "How did you surround yourself good feedback and criticism with your social media, y'know, so you don't say actually dumb shit that hurts people?", or, "How did you respond when you realize you made a mistake? Why?" These questions seem more telling to me as far as how well a person will fare in public office.
3. I don't know much about Wab Kinew. I really should stress this. Although I feel some indignation in this I genuinely hope that his life is a story of redemption and that he can continue his growth as a positive leader in our community, whether he successfully torpedoes Rana Bokhari or not (uh... not a euphemism). Since, he's thrown his weight behind MMIW which is a pretty admirable thing. In an environment where we don't focus on questions like the ones I proposed in the previous thought I hope he feels some measure of gratitude and humility that he is by and large receiving grace from a not-always forgiving society.
4. Man... politics seems like a tough job. Why do people choose to subject themselves, and often their families, to... us?
5. This reminds me: I was kind of a dick to Lorrie Steeves during the last Winnipeg mayoral race. She had said some unflattering things on Facebook about homeless people in Winnipeg which is shitty... but it was also years earlier. Somebody screen-grabbed it for future use, knowing her husband was in politics. I mean, it's not exactly heroic to destroy someone's racist Facebook post from five years ago.
PS: The day he resigned, Hall did a radio interview with CBC Manitoba where he discussed the scandal. It's only fourteen minutes long and he comes across as quite thoughtful and candid. I've embedded it below:
PPS: I'm not immune either. Here's one tweet that will probably one day be used against me:
#NHLJets question: Will Mark Scheifele ever be as good as Bryan Little? Will he ever surpass Little's peak?— Mike F (@MikeFriesen10) November 17, 2015
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