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OFKU0 · 11-04-2004, 07:16 PM

http://g.msn.com/0US!s6.73430_734763/2.b7371/3??cm=CTVNews

Outspoken Parrish doesn't seek approval
CTV.ca News Staff

Reprimanded by the prime minister for her latest anti-Bush comments, outspoken Liberal MP Carolyn Parrish says she doesn't look for anyone's approval when she speaks out.

In a statement released by the Ontario MP's office on Thursday afternoon, Parrish says ideas she espouses on controversial issues are entirely her own.

"I speak openly and honestly on a wide variety of topics of interest to my constituents and to many other Canadians," the statement read.

"I do not seek any approvals from my leader or my party."

Parrish's bold statement of independence follows closely an admonishment from the prime minister himself.

Talking to reporters outside the Liberal caucus meeting on Thursday, Paul Martin said comments Parrish made about U.S. election in an interview with The Canadian Press the day before, are "clearly unacceptable."

"She speaks neither for the government, nor does she speak for the caucus," he said, stopping short of revealing whether he plans to punish the backbencher.

Watching the to-and-fro in Ottawa, CTV's Mike Duffy says it's clear that Parrish knows her comments are outside the bounds Martin would like his caucus to respect. But regardless, it would be difficult to fire her.

"The prime minister doesn't want to do that because that would make Ms. Parrish a martyr," Duffy told Newsnet, noting Martin needs all the votes he can get to pump up his minority government.

'Dumbfounded' that Bush won

The controversy stems from a CP report published on Wednesday, in which Parrish described the newly re-elected U.S. President as a "war-like man." She also said she was "dumbfounded" he had won.

Americans' support for his presidency, she continued, shows they are marching to a completely different drummer than the rest of the international community.

"I guess it's a reflection of the profound psychological damage of 9/11," she said. "That country is completely out of step with most of the free world."

Those comments came shortly after Martin had told MPs gathered for a Liberal caucus meeting not to make inflammatory comments about the U.S. election result.

This is not the first time Parrish has made such comments. In August, she called Americans "a coalition of the idiots," in reference to the U.S. missile defence plan.

And last year, an open microphone caught her saying, "Damn Americans ... I hate those bastards," after a scrum outside the House of Commons.

Some fellow Liberal MPs are disappointed that Parrish's views are getting so much attention.

"Some obscure comments are given a lot of prominence and very often because the opposition takes great pleasure in giving them a lot more importance," Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew said.

"I've seen Alliance members of Parliament go and knock on doors in Washington to remind them what was said. This is not helping Canada at all."

Even the prime minister took the chance to take a dig at Parrish at the National Press Gallery dinner a couple of weeks ago:

"As I sat and spoke with President Bush about his dream of launching a mission to Mars. And I thought to myself: Wouldn't continue great if we could get a Canadian on board? If a Canadian could be sent tens of millions of miles into the dark void of space," Martin said in his speech. "And as we all as a nation watch on television and together say aloud: `Bon voyage, Carolyn Parrish!'"

Of course, Parrish is not the only Liberal MP to let her views on the U.S. spill out unfiltered.

In one instance former cabinet minister Herb Dhaliwal labelled Bush a failed statesman, and in another, a spokeswoman for then-prime minister Jean Chretien was overheard calling Bush "a moron."

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Now what? Either Paul Martin has a past that somehow Parrish knows about or his ball are the size of rabbit shit for not booting her out of caucus. Maybe as prime minister though he enjoys looking like a fool by some idiot after telling his caucus to stay quiet on Bush's victory.

If you were Paul Martin what would you do? Fire her? Give her raise and a prominent portfolio? Make excuses for her and remark that free speech is a pillar of democracy? Or wonder why you have balls the size of rabbit shit?

What would you do?

11-04-2004, 07:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
OFKU0 Junk	Carolyn Parrish pt.2 http://g.msn.com/0US!s6.73430_734763/2.b7371/3??cm=CTVNews Outspoken Parrish doesn't seek approval CTV.ca News Staff Reprimanded by the prime minister for her latest anti-Bush comments, outspoken Liberal MP Carolyn Parrish says she doesn't look for anyone's approval when she speaks out. In a statement released by the Ontario MP's office on Thursday afternoon, Parrish says ideas she espouses on controversial issues are entirely her own. "I speak openly and honestly on a wide variety of topics of interest to my constituents and to many other Canadians," the statement read. "I do not seek any approvals from my leader or my party." Parrish's bold statement of independence follows closely an admonishment from the prime minister himself. Talking to reporters outside the Liberal caucus meeting on Thursday, Paul Martin said comments Parrish made about U.S. election in an interview with The Canadian Press the day before, are "clearly unacceptable." "She speaks neither for the government, nor does she speak for the caucus," he said, stopping short of revealing whether he plans to punish the backbencher. Watching the to-and-fro in Ottawa, CTV's Mike Duffy says it's clear that Parrish knows her comments are outside the bounds Martin would like his caucus to respect. But regardless, it would be difficult to fire her. "The prime minister doesn't want to do that because that would make Ms. Parrish a martyr," Duffy told Newsnet, noting Martin needs all the votes he can get to pump up his minority government. 'Dumbfounded' that Bush won The controversy stems from a CP report published on Wednesday, in which Parrish described the newly re-elected U.S. President as a "war-like man." She also said she was "dumbfounded" he had won. Americans' support for his presidency, she continued, shows they are marching to a completely different drummer than the rest of the international community. "I guess it's a reflection of the profound psychological damage of 9/11," she said. "That country is completely out of step with most of the free world." Those comments came shortly after Martin had told MPs gathered for a Liberal caucus meeting not to make inflammatory comments about the U.S. election result. This is not the first time Parrish has made such comments. In August, she called Americans "a coalition of the idiots," in reference to the U.S. missile defence plan. And last year, an open microphone caught her saying, "Damn Americans ... I hate those bastards," after a scrum outside the House of Commons. Some fellow Liberal MPs are disappointed that Parrish's views are getting so much attention. "Some obscure comments are given a lot of prominence and very often because the opposition takes great pleasure in giving them a lot more importance," Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew said. "I've seen Alliance members of Parliament go and knock on doors in Washington to remind them what was said. This is not helping Canada at all." Even the prime minister took the chance to take a dig at Parrish at the National Press Gallery dinner a couple of weeks ago: "As I sat and spoke with President Bush about his dream of launching a mission to Mars. And I thought to myself: Wouldn't continue great if we could get a Canadian on board? If a Canadian could be sent tens of millions of miles into the dark void of space," Martin said in his speech. "And as we all as a nation watch on television and together say aloud: `Bon voyage, Carolyn Parrish!'" Of course, Parrish is not the only Liberal MP to let her views on the U.S. spill out unfiltered. In one instance former cabinet minister Herb Dhaliwal labelled Bush a failed statesman, and in another, a spokeswoman for then-prime minister Jean Chretien was overheard calling Bush "a moron." -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now what? Either Paul Martin has a past that somehow Parrish knows about or his ball are the size of rabbit shit for not booting her out of caucus. Maybe as prime minister though he enjoys looking like a fool by some idiot after telling his caucus to stay quiet on Bush's victory. If you were Paul Martin what would you do? Fire her? Give her raise and a prominent portfolio? Make excuses for her and remark that free speech is a pillar of democracy? Or wonder why you have balls the size of rabbit shit? What would you do? __________________ " In Canada, you can tell the most blatant lie in a calm voice, and people will believe you over someone who's a little passionate about the truth." David Warren, Western Standard.