Page ejected after protest during (Canadian) Speech from the Throne

[Electric Monk]

Source: National Post



“A page that we all know entered the Senate Chamber and held a sign stating ‘stop harper’” senator Mobina Jaffer wrote on her Twitter account as parliamentarians gathered to hear Governor General David Johnson read the Conservative government’s Speech from the Throne.

Read more: http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/06/03/page-ejected-after-protest/

[Tempest]

1. Parliament Hill security told Postmedia News the woman was removed for a “medical reason.”

Sounds like they're going to claim she has a mental disorder and lock her away against her will.

[SylviaD]

2. How extreme-right is Harper?

I am wondering exactly how insane Stephen Harper is. Is he Bush-like in his extremism?

[provis99]

3. he's just like Bush, but less detached from working.

He's a religious fundamentalist who used to give speeches to right-wing think tanks in America about how much he hates Canada; not how much he hate's Canada's policies, how much he hates Canada.

And they elected him to be Prime Minister.

[RedSock]

8. Harper is actually well to the left of Obama

If Harper had a total free hand to do whatever he wanted, I don't know how he would act, but in how he has actually governed since 2006, Harper is not as conservative as Obama. It's not even close.

[JackRiddler]

11. Not at all. Harper has a majority now and can do whatever he likes.

The only thing that was limiting the Cons until now was that they had a minority of deputies in parliament.

60 percent of the voters chose parties to the left of the Conservatives, parties who support social democracy. Much as in the US, everyone but the winners of the plurality has now been disenfranchised. The recipients of less than 40 percent of the vote control a majority that can act without obstacles to implement pretty much any program the Cons desire.

(Plurality rules is not representative democracy; it's winner take all. All voters for losing candidates, often a majority, are disenfranchised. They have no representative. You know what that means in the US, at least when a right-wing party with backing of the banksters has the majority: anything goes.)

First thing on the Con agenda has already been announced: End public financing for election campaigns and parties (proportionate to vote count). The rich get to choose who is financed, and screw you if you can't afford to support a party out of your own pocket.

What does that tell you is coming?

The Conservatives aim at ending Medicare and social democracy as Canada has known it.

It's going to be a bumpy ride in Canada.

[Snoutport]

4. Bravo!

[JackRiddler]

5. Much better story, pictures, AND Brigitte Marcelle's excellent statement

She's smart and a pro -- she had her press release ready to be e-mailed. It went out while she was still in custody.

She has been released and no one's going to call her mentally ill!

The National Post is Canada's right-wing press. They've given this despicable smear coverage, calling her sick. And that includes their choice of picture. Check these out:

Here's the real deal:

Rogue page disrupts throne speech with Harper protest

OTTAWA—A young woman who spent the past year working as a Senate page was kicked out of the upper chamber for staging a protest during the Speech from the Throne on Friday.

Brigette Marcelle, 21, was removed from the Senate Chamber after she stood silently holding a red sign emblazoned with the message “Stop Harper” as Governor General David Johnston read the speech outlining the Conservative agenda for the upcoming parliamentary session.

SNIP

The statement notes that Marcelle is a recent University of Ottawa graduate who had been a page in the senate for a year but then realized working in the system would not stop Prime Minister Stephen Harper from doing things she disagreed with.

SNIP

Then she called for a popular uprising in Canada like the ones seen across the Middle East this year.

SNIP

Her profile on the Senate page website identifies her as Brigette DePape, which is the same name in the email address she used to distribute the press release.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1002515--rogue-page-disrupts-throne-speech-with-harper-protest?bn=1

Brigitte DePape/Marcelle's E-mail Press Release

Harper’s agenda is disastrous for this country and for my generation. We have to stop him from wasting billions on fighter jets, military bases, and corporate tax cuts while cutting social programs and destroying the climate. Most people in this country know what we need are green jobs, better medicare, and a healthy environment for future generations.

Contrary to Harper's rhetoric, Conservative values are not in fact Canadian values. How could they be when 3 out of 4 eligible voters didn’t even give their support to the Conservatives? But we will only be able to stop Harper's agenda if people of all ages and from all walks of life engage in creative actions and civil disobedience.

This country needs a Canadian version of an Arab Spring, a flowering of popular movements that demonstrate that real power to change things lies not with Harper but in the hands of the people, when we act together in our streets, neighbourhoods and workplaces.

[JackRiddler]

6. A kick for the page. I love her expression!

[XemaSab]

10. What is that woman thinking?

Not the page; the older woman sitting on the throne wearing a VERY short skirt.

Being both at an elevated position and the subject for many photos, it seems like it would be hard to stay out of the tabloids.

[GliderGuider]

12. You go, Brigitte! K&RRRRRRRR from Ottawa. nt

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DavidDvorkin]

15. But it wasn't a majority

And even if it had been, are the minority not allowed to express their objections after an election?

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DavidDvorkin]

17. No. You are incorrect in saying, as you did, that a majority of Canadians voted for Harper.

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JackRiddler]

19. Please inform yourself before making ignorant statements about things you did not know.

Two gaping errors that should embarrass you:

1) A majority of Canadians did not vote for Harper, in fact by any analysis 60 percent voted for parties to the left of Harper, therefore against Harper. You don't know anything about Canadian politics or the system there, I can now confidently say.

2) It wasn't the upper chamber, not what's normally called Parliament.

Furthermore:

She's not a little girl and your choice of description says more about you than her.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

25. How old are you?

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[No Elephants]

7. K & R

[JackRiddler]

9. & K & R & R & K!

[brooklynite]

13. Unrec'd

Apparently it's now acceptable to interrupt an elected official giving a policy speech.

Three cheers for Joe Wilson!

[JackRiddler]

20. The throne speech is not by an elected official.

Do you care to further expose ignorance about Canada?

[brooklynite]

23. I well aware that the throne speech isn't by an elected official

...and also isn't by the Queen. It IS however the policy speech of the elected leadership of the Canadian Parliament. Are you saying that, if the SOTU speech was read by an Independent Head of State, interrupting it would be okay?

[Odin2005]

24. attractive, smart, and brave, what's not to like about this gal?

:D

[JackRiddler]

26. bump