Author of 'Shrub' memo resigns (Canadian Govt)

[RamboLiberal]

http://canada.com/national/story.asp?id=6CBE0C8D-63F8-483C-A6E4-D745114FDCCB

Ted Bowen, the NDP caucus researcher who referred to U.S. president George Bush using the dismissive term "shrub" in an internal government memo, has resigned.

According to a source who didn't want to be identified, Bowen was asked to resign last Thursday, one day after the memo became public knowledge and was initially suspended without pay.

Over the weekend, Bowen offered that resignation and the government accepted it effective immediately.

How many Canadians and other government's officials have lost their job over recognizing the US is run by an idiot?

[Nambe]

1. I hope the media learned a lesson.

I doubt they want to be a weapon for dimson.

[grytpype]

2. If only he had lied his nation into war, he could have kept his job. n/t

.

[whoYaCallinAlib]

4. What is this . . . Iraq or something. You can't criticize the "emporor".

What a bunch of BS. They should put this guy on a pedestal.

[TrogL]

3. OK, our guy resigned

Can we send you our cattle now or are you still mad at us?

[demdave]

8. I thought the cattle were mad.

:)

[PROGRESSIVE1]

5. What is this???????

:wtf: is this crap! The Bush MISadministration lies and lies and lies. A "caucus researcher", not even a member of the parliament calls Bush "shrub", one time and he is forced to loose his job. This is such B.S. Bush has made America into a bully. He has ruined this country!!!!!!!!

:dem: Take America Back from this Swine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NewYorkerfromMass]

6. Well... Canada is part of "old" North America

:crazy:

[BlueState]

7. Good one!

:-)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

9. Wellllllll...

Given a similar situation in which a U.S. government worker sent a memo referring to the leader of a friendly (if governed by an idiot)nation in derogatory terms; and if that memo became public knowledge and threatened to scandalize the administration, wouldn't someone's head roll here too?

Diplomatic decorum requires sensitivity bordering on anal-retentiveness.

The current misadministration is our problem...not Canada's. It was our responsibility to reject the coup, and we failed miserably, thanks to the democratic centrists who chose not to act. It's our responsibility to ensure that the shrub is not reappointed to an office he never should have held in the first place. Dumbyass must not win the 2004 election.

[Lisa]

10. actually, note that this was a provincial gov't (Saskatchewan)

Equivalent to, say, an employee of the governor's office in Nebraska or Montana. Provinces don't have jurisdiction over international relations, so this is not connected to the feds in any way.

In the next province over, Premier Ralph Klein himself recently blurted out a challenge to the Japanese to send some people over to eat Alberta beef, just to see if they contracted "mad cow". Traditionally states and provinces don't tend to get punished as much for flippant, inflammatory, or tasteless remarks, since the buck doesn't stop with them in terms of international diplomacy ... note that Premier Klein still has his job!

And in British Columbia, the Forests Minister (Mike de Jong) called Bush a "gutless wonder" in public (not in a leaked document, either!). Strange how the neo-conservative governments, who make such a big deal about "respectability", don't even opt for a token reprimand. While the leftist NDP in Saskatchewan actually demand accountability.

[joeunderdog]

11. Can someone get this guy a job?

If this were a Shrub Subordinate, his "transgression" would either earn him a public vote of confidence or a huge raise in a private sector position.

[freeforall]

12. Plenty of good people resigning

...just for telling it like it is! Very sad. You can see how Chimpy's little revenge games against Canada (lumber, wheat, cattle)are starting to affect our politicians' decisions.

Our media needs to learn to keep its mouth shut.

[phgnome]

16. and stop the Paul Martin mantra

I agree that Canadian media needs to grow and brain and shut its big fat mouth about certain things -- they need to understand their responsibility as the media.

For example, what up with that "And our next Prime Minister, Paul Martin". WTF, the election hasn't even happened yet.

I read in the Toronto Star today (Tuesday, August 5, 2003), I caught them doing the same thing with Bush. On page A2, in the story "Report of 2005 departure 'nonsense,' Powell says", the article says: "...The Washington Post reported Armitage told Rice he and Powell would resign Jan. 21, 2005, the day a second Bush term would start."

Now, what the hell is that? Pre-emptive democracy? Has Canadian media been given some supernatural power that lets them know who is going to win an election before it even takes place. It drives me nuts that they are doing this -- over and over again, they (radio, television, newspaper) keep saying, "Our next Prime Minister, Paul Martin..." If they're going to pull shit like that, why bother with an election then. Why not just crown Paul Martin and Shrub and call them masters of the universe? We are lying to ourselves if we truly believe that either Canada or the US are still democracies. I think Chimpy and Paul Martin are both about to cheat the democratic process and own all of North America -- then, we're all screwed. Paul Martin's a big time supporter of chimp and then we might as well have chimp run Canada, as well.

[goforit]

13. It just shows how * has a poor sense of humor!!!.....Get a grip Canada!

Has anyone ever notice that Bush has never been able to
be called names or even satarize because he is so stiff
he takes it way too personal.

Basically the village idiot can't take a joke!!!

It is so sad.

Every President before him has been able to handle
puns made in their name.

Lighten up george!!!.........:+ :+ :+

[HungryLoser]

14. Everyone knows we're not allowed to insult the "King"

[NYC]

15. Yet Powell called Saddam Hussein a piece of trash,

(that's the DIPLOMATIC Secretary of State), and Bush called Kim Jung Il a dwarf or midget or something. I don't quite remember.

[AnnabelLee]

17. "pygmy", I think it was n/t

[NYC]

18. Thanks, it was "pygmy".

.

[Robb]

19. So this "Ted Bowen"

...what do you think his screen name is here at DU? :evilgrin:

[Lisa]

22. well, I do know he immigrated to Canada from Texas!

Plus, he's married to the famous novelist Gail Bowen.

[samsingh]

20. this is very sad

he shouldn't have to resign for a break in protocol. if that were the case the entire shrub (can't help using the term) would have to resign a thousand times over.

[DemonFighterLives]

21. Shrub is out

So, can we call him a low down dirty crook? Or a worthless piece of dog dodo?