Warning: the following contains coarse language because, well, that’s what it’s about.
In my time following politics there’s been some nasty outbursts in legislatures.
There was a time in the Yukon that one member of the governing party allegedly mouthed the f-word at an opposition member. Another time in the Yukon, the NDP Education minister of the day yelled “bullsh—” twice at an opposition MLA who had been egging her on. However, the comments were off microphone so they didn’t go into the official record.
There have been similar incidents elsewhere in Canada. Moose Jaw Wakamow MLA Deb Higgins was on the receiving end in May 2008 when Sask. Party MLA for Cut Knife-Turtleford Mike Chisholm called her a “dumb bitch” during debate.
And of course, who can forget one of the most famous incidents of inappropriate language in a legislature in Canadian history in 1971, the infamous fuddle duddle incident.
At that time, two Progressive Conservative MPs, John Lundrigan of Newfoundland and Lincoln Alexander of Ontario, accused then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau of mouthing the words “f—k off” at them.
In an incredible show of audacity, a bemused looking Trudeau, with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye, admitted to mouthing something at the opposition and making a derisive gesture. But when pressed by the media, Trudeau maintained that he said nothing and when asked what words he was he was mouthing he finally, in frustration before stomping away said: “What is the nature of your thoughts when you say something like fuddle duddle.”
But, for the most part, these instances were either minor or off-the-record. But there was an instance recently of the use of foul language in a legislature that was anything but surreptitious. Instead, this instance was clearly calculated by the politician who decided to use the swear words and not worry about the consequences.
On Friday, in the Dáil Éireann, Ireland’s house of representatives, in front of TV cameras and a mostly empty chamber, one Green Party deputy (equivalent to an MP) dealt with a heckler from another party with a phrase he knew he couldn’t get away with, but did it anyway.
During debate about a social welfare bill, Green Party deputy Paul Gogarty was tired of being heckled by one of the few deputies left in the room, Labour deputy Emmett Stagg.
“I respected your sincerity, I ask you to respect mine,” Gogarty, who was in the midst of a speech, said towards Stagg. Mumbling can be heard in response from Stagg. This is when Gogarty turned to the speaker and showed he knew exactly what he was about to do.
“With all due respect and in the most unparliamentary language,” Gogarty said to the speaker before turning towards Stagg and in a much angrier tone, “f—k you deputy Stagg, f—k you.”
Without missing a beat, Gogarty turns back to the speaker and said, “I apologize right now for my use of unparliamentary language.”
In a response clearly from the obvious department, the speaker replies, “deputy Gogarty, that is most unparliamentary language.”
Gogarty immediately apologized and withdrew his statement at the speaker’s behest but then went on to say he did not like having his sincerity questioned before taking off another rant aimed at both Stagg and one of the other few deputies in the chamber, Roisin Shortall, also with the third place Labour party.
I just came across the video for this on the Internet and was stunned at this activity, especially considering Gogarty wasn’t even kicked out for his actions.
The thing is, a lot of people get upset with the conduct of our politicians here in Canada. And yes, there are times they go too far, say the wrong things, conduct themselves in an improper manner and use unparliamentary language just to insult an opposing politician. But when such an outburst is the result of a politician passionately defending his or her position, then I say power to them.
Sure, Gogarty went too far. The last thing we need is f-bombs being dropped regularly in the House of Commons. But if all politicians were that fired up in standing up for what they believe, we would have a better country.
Jason Small can be reached at 691-1255.
