Bitter, because my guy didn't win. Sweet though, because it was my first nomination meeting and quite a thrill to see democracy in action.
Also, I met a fellow blogger (Back off Government), so that makes three Blogging Tories that I have met in person. It's always fun to put a face to the blog, so to speak.
Ran into a few other great people and got the scoop on some inside stuff that again I can't share with you because, well, you know the drill.
Oh, and thanks to Luke from Queen's for the ride and interesting discussions. It was a pleasure to meet you.
We are a different breed, we political junkies. When we are finally cloistered with our own kind, we unleash our pent-up pontifications and revel in the number of kindred spirits all around us that actually understand and share our excitement.
But tonight I'm feeling a little sad, and thinking that if I'm feeling this way about a local nomination meeting, I can't imagine how hard it would be to see your candidate lose a leadership race. We were on either side of a big divide. Now we have to come together.
It might be harder than I thought.
* * * *
Thursday Update: I forgot to mention that another huge highlight for me last night was talking to Matt Austin, who recently returned from a stint in Afghanistan. Matt and I did some canvassing together in the last election, and I ran into him several times during the campaign.
What an honour to know such a brave young man! Matt, I salute you.
What an honour to know such a brave young man! Matt, I salute you.
41 comments:
Did Steven Cage win the nomination?
No, that's why I'm sad. He has put in a tremendous amount of work and effort in the riding, so I am disappointed for him.
However, Stephen Woodworth had an enthusiastic following tonight, and may give Karen Redman a good fight.
What's with all the Stevens/Stephens?
A school of fish
A murder of crows
A parliament of owls
A grating of grackles
and
A ________ ? of Stephens
I have met both candidates and believe either was a good choice.
Mr. Woodworth makes me a little nervous because of my mistrust of even ex-Liberals. That may just be me though.
I was also at that meeting, it was an interesting experience with lots of enthusiasm.
Overheard a comment that there were only 90 people at the last nomination meeting. There were 3 times that many votes cast tonight. That may not bode well for Ms. Redman.
Thanks to Steven Cage on the effort in Kitchener Centre for the party.
Soon the KW area conservative blogging squad will be born.
(real conservative)
Gabby - lol! I'll have to think about that one. An alliteration would be difficult this time.
Anon at 01:24:00 AM - Thanks for your input. Good to hear someone else's thoughts that was there. Yes, I must agree with you that the enthusiasm and number of people in the room (easily 300), shows that Karen may be in for a rough ride.
Woodworth's challenge will be to harness the energy in that room, and try to unify the members towards a common goal.
I wish I could elaborate on last night's events but I don't want to give the opposition any ammunition.
Everyone party member should try to attend a nomination meeting though. Quite the experience.
Real Conservative - KW area conservative blogging squad? That sounds awesome!
A stack of Stephens?(strength only CPC's)
A stew of Stephens(in a wholesome, warm kind of way again only CPC's)
A story of Stephens (writing history)
A story of Stephens
Ha-ha. Anon, I like that one. Or how about this:
A Storm of Stephens!
Anonymous @ Thu Apr 12, 08:17:00 AM:
All your suggestions are great!
"A Storm of Stephens"
Another good one!
The only thing I could come up with as I wrote the question yesterday was "a feast of Stephens" - not exactly original.
Let's see: Stephen Harper, Stephen Taylor, Steve Janke, Steven Cage, Stephen Woodworth, Conservative MPs Steven Blainey & Steven Fletcher ...
Yeah ... a storm, a stew, a stack, a story, a slew of Stephens/Stevens
"a feast of Stephens" - not exactly original.
I like it though; especially if we're only discussing Conservatives. ;)
I can't imagine how hard it would be to see your candidate lose a leadership race.
Gawd, tell me about it. I'm still mourning Michael Ignatieff's candidacy.
Overheard a comment that there were only 90 people at the last nomination meeting. There were 3 times that many votes cast tonight. That may not bode well for Ms. Redman.
From my experience, the amount of people who vote in a contested nomination translates well into the winnability of the riding.
For example, in Hamilton East Stoney Creek, we're expecting around 5,000 people to be voting for the Liberal nomination. This is a positive sign. On the flip side, I've been I've been to nominations out in BC where the Alliance was strong and only around 200 Liberals came out to vote, a good indication that there are problems a foot.
If the nomination race had about 270 people voting, you've got work to do. If two candidates could only sell a couple of hundred memberships each, its a good indication that there may not be that much CPC support out there.
Redman should take the threat seriously, but by the sounds of things, you've got an uphill climb on your hands.
Zac
Redman should take the threat seriously, but by the sounds of things, you've got an uphill climb on your hands.
Zac, good point. She is a formidable opponent to be sure.
Exciting times Jo...we have our nomination meeting next week in Waterloo. Three excellent candidates running and I'm supporting Peter Braid. Feel he's got the best chance to oust Andrew Telephony...
Gerry, that should be an interesting one. I'll be keeping an eye on it. I know another candidate who is also excellent. A lot of quality in that riding as well.
Thanks to Steven Cage on the effort in Kitchener Centre for the party.
Anon, I don't think I gave this comment enough attention, but truly Steven Cage deserves a tremendous amount of gratitude and credit for all the effort and strength that he has put into the local riding association.
Joanne (TB): Late last night under this comments section a poster alerted you to info on a possible al-qaeda operative the FBI is looking for in the vicinity of McMasters University. I believe he mentioned FBI offering $5 million for info leading to his capture. Did you remove the info?
Anna, no. It's under the Belinda post. Haven't had a chance to look into it yet.
Do you have additional info?
Let the games begin. Stay tuned. We'll know next week -- guaranteed. LOL I hope I don't have to eat crow.
You must see this:
http://www.thestar.com/News/article/202418
PGP - His Blondness can get right behind the parents of autistic kids.
Thanks, Joanne. Hard to remember where stuff is under all the posts. Caught this on SDA by poster, Rattfuc.
quote:
Headscarf diplomacy? Here it is. This "Professor" declared a "wear a hijab day at McMaster U.
Some of the students took exception to it.
Notice how the article posted on the local radio station makes no mention of the reason for the reaction?
" Dr. Peter George calls it offensive to not only the intended target, but also to the spirit and values of the University....
The McMaster University President and Vice Chancellor is speaking out following the spray painting of what call hate-biased graffiti, on the door of a school professor.
Dr. Muriel Walker's door was lambasted with an obscene sexual reference to Osama bin Laden and a derogatory remark about Muslim women.
She recently organized a celebration of diversity on the campus.
Dr. Peter George says groups at McMaster have a strong tradition of debating issues in the middle east and notes the groups often engage each other in active discussions.
He adds he doesn't know what it takes for somebody to go beyond active discussion and engagement, to doing something like what was done to Dr. Walker's door.
George says the obscenity of the act is almost beyond comprehension.
end quote.
Apparently, some professor promoting "wear a hijab day" received some unwelcome spray paint on office door. Sorry to report as poster reported it, "suck Osama's dick."
Oh dear. I hope my mother doesn't read this post!
A sewer of Steves...
Apparently, some professor promoting "wear a hijab day" received some unwelcome spray paint on office door. Sorry to report as poster reported it, "suck Osama's dick."
I'm saddened to say that this incident happened at my school. It was horrible and disgusting and tomorrow we're rallying against such hatred in the student centre.
Zac
A steeple of Steves.
that should send waves of revulsions through our buddy, Red.
A steeple of Steves.
Oh, I like that one, Chucker.
Zac, thanks for the background info. Please keep us informed.
Zac, thanks for the background info. Please keep us informed.
I'll probably post a recap on my blog tomorrow.
Zac
Excellent, Zac.
BTW, I don't know if you noticed, but I've got a link to your blog on my site at the top right now.
Zac, I'm re-posting this for you info....
"...April 9 edition of the Western Standard....page 36, "Nuclear Reaction: McMaster University sues an American author who believes the school is a hotbed of Islamic terrorism". Apparently the FBI wants to speak with Adnan G.l El Shukrijumah who was spotted on the campus. They're offering $5 million for information leading to his capture.
They believe that he may be masterminding al Quaeda's next big terrorist attack against the U.S."
I gather you're going to or near McMaster?
raz
Joanne: Sorry to offend any sensibilities when reporting on the sad facts at McMasters. Zac, you say there's a rally tomorrow against the "hate speech" and has it been reported in Hamilton Spectator. Another question, is there a photo ID up at McMasters regarding alleged al-qaeda operative FBI are pursuing? They've identified him by name, so obviously he's known by some in community. Of course it's not likely he's still in vicinity. It's a story the Western Standard put out there and I imagine other papers are reporting. Hope the rally goes well tomorrow and the point is made by students and faculty alike -- "hate speech" is not acceptable in civil society. Report back to Joanne's site as to happenings at the university. Once again, sorry for any offence, but though we're offended you have to deal with facts as objectively as possible. We're looking at rising racial tensions, expecially on university campuses, and now, possible harbouring of a terrorist bent on perpetrating an act on N. American soil.
Red Tory said...
"A sewer of Steves..."
I'm sure you mean the sartorial rather than the waste conduit kind.
For Anna Keightley:
Go to these links to see some pictures of the person I think you're looking for:
http://tinyurl.com/y3fyeu
http://tinyurl.com/ytlwcl
http://tinyurl.com/2f7ns9
But please note the dates on those articles. Are they up to date?
I gather you're going to or near McMaster?
You gather correctly.
Zac
Another question, is there a photo ID up at McMasters regarding alleged al-qaeda operative FBI are pursuing?
There was an incident the year before I enrolled at McMaster where a student from Iran - I believe - was arrested by CSIS for having terrorist links. I'm not sure what happened to him, as I never followed the case after his arrest. Is this the case that you are referring to?
McMaster is one of the few schools in the country with a functioning nuclear reactor so there is some concern over who has access to it. In recent years they've implimented a more detailed screening process and access to the facilities in limited to staff.
Zac
Sorry to offend any sensibilities when reporting on the sad facts at McMasters.
Anna, no problem. You're right that it's reality. I was just kidding about my mom. She's a pretty tough cookie anyway.
McMaster is one of the few schools in the country with a functioning nuclear reactor so there is some concern over who has access to it.
That's right! Mmm... Now it's starting to make sense. Yikes.
"Go to these links to see some pictures of the person I think you're looking for"
...if you can get your hands on an April 9 edition of the Western Standard, they printed 3 pictures of the suspect.
The FBI is "offering a reward of US $5 million for information leading to his capture". This is not a person or story to just disregard....especially not around McMaster University.
raz
The FBI is "offering a reward of US $5 million for information leading to his capture".
hmmm....that might cover my student loans nicely.
ZAc
hmmm....that might cover my student loans nicely.
ZAc
....I should get 10% for passing the info on to you. ;-)
Joking aside, let's hope that nothing happens before this guy is found.
raz
Joking aside, let's hope that nothing happens before this guy is found.
Yes, hopefully.
My only question is why this only appeared in the western standard. I haven't heard anything recently in the local media.
Zac
'My only question is why this only appeared in the western standard. I haven't heard anything recently in the local media. '
...lots of important news doesn't appear in the local or national media.
raz
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