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OFKU0 · 11-18-2004, 11:20 AM

And bah bye Ms. Parrish. Finally Paul Martin decides he doesn't like been made to look like a fool albeit over and over again.

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Updated Thu. Nov. 18 2004 2:06 PM
Martin dismisses Parrish from Liberal caucus
CTV.ca News Staff

Prime Minister Paul Martin dismissed renegade Liberal MP Carolyn Parrish from caucus today, after she made a string of controversial anti-American remarks.

"I told her that even though I respect her right to express her viewpoint, I cannot, as leader of our party and of our caucus, tolerate her behaviour," Martin told reporters in a short statement outside Parliament this afternoon. "It's unacceptable."

Martin said he informed Parrish of his decision a few minutes before making the announcement public on Thursday.

In the latest incident to trigger an uproar, Parrish appeared on a CBC comedy show, smiling as she stomped her food onto a doll representing U.S. President George Bush.

She said the whole thing was done in the spirit of fun, but few were laughing, including Conservative MPs who accused her of trying to further damage Canadian-American relations.

"It seems to me and to many of the Liberal caucus members I have been talking to that the remarks she made are intolerable for any prime minister. He just can't let that go," said CTV's Craig Oliver. "This has gone beyond stomping the Bush doll. This is an issue of defiance of the prime minister's authority."

"It's almost as if she's daring Martin to do something," adds The Globe and Mail's Jane Taber. But Taber notes, though, that tossing out an MP is not a simple task in a minority government situation.

"She has power. There's power in a minority government for these government backbenchers, because Martin's numbers are so tight, losing one member could mean losing a vote on a piece of legislation."

This isn't, of course, the first time Parrish has gotten in hot water for venting her criticism of the Bush administration.

Recently, the Ontario MP made headlines when, reacting to Bush's second-term win, she said she was "dumbfounded" so many Americans had voted for the "war-like man."

Conservative Monte Solberg believes that Martin would do well to purge his backbenches of naysayers, starting with Parrish.

"If he wants to send the right message about how we talk about our biggest trading partner and other countries in general, he should get rid of her," Solberg said Wednesday.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, also was dumbfounded by the remarks.

"Why, if the prime minister is serious about having good relations with the U.S., does he allow this to go on in his caucus?" Harper asked reporters.

http://g.msn.com/0US!s6.73430_734763/2.e7371/1??cm=CTVNews

Wonder how soon Harper Collins will come a running to offer a book deal. 15 minutes almost up.

11-18-2004, 11:20 AM	#12 (permalink)
OFKU0 Junk	And bah bye Ms. Parrish. Finally Paul Martin decides he doesn't like been made to look like a fool albeit over and over again. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Updated Thu. Nov. 18 2004 2:06 PM Martin dismisses Parrish from Liberal caucus CTV.ca News Staff Prime Minister Paul Martin dismissed renegade Liberal MP Carolyn Parrish from caucus today, after she made a string of controversial anti-American remarks. "I told her that even though I respect her right to express her viewpoint, I cannot, as leader of our party and of our caucus, tolerate her behaviour," Martin told reporters in a short statement outside Parliament this afternoon. "It's unacceptable." Martin said he informed Parrish of his decision a few minutes before making the announcement public on Thursday. In the latest incident to trigger an uproar, Parrish appeared on a CBC comedy show, smiling as she stomped her food onto a doll representing U.S. President George Bush. She said the whole thing was done in the spirit of fun, but few were laughing, including Conservative MPs who accused her of trying to further damage Canadian-American relations. "It seems to me and to many of the Liberal caucus members I have been talking to that the remarks she made are intolerable for any prime minister. He just can't let that go," said CTV's Craig Oliver. "This has gone beyond stomping the Bush doll. This is an issue of defiance of the prime minister's authority." "It's almost as if she's daring Martin to do something," adds The Globe and Mail's Jane Taber. But Taber notes, though, that tossing out an MP is not a simple task in a minority government situation. "She has power. There's power in a minority government for these government backbenchers, because Martin's numbers are so tight, losing one member could mean losing a vote on a piece of legislation." This isn't, of course, the first time Parrish has gotten in hot water for venting her criticism of the Bush administration. Recently, the Ontario MP made headlines when, reacting to Bush's second-term win, she said she was "dumbfounded" so many Americans had voted for the "war-like man." Conservative Monte Solberg believes that Martin would do well to purge his backbenches of naysayers, starting with Parrish. "If he wants to send the right message about how we talk about our biggest trading partner and other countries in general, he should get rid of her," Solberg said Wednesday. Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, also was dumbfounded by the remarks. "Why, if the prime minister is serious about having good relations with the U.S., does he allow this to go on in his caucus?" Harper asked reporters. http://g.msn.com/0US!s6.73430_734763/2.e7371/1??cm=CTVNews Wonder how soon Harper Collins will come a running to offer a book deal. 15 minutes almost up. __________________ " 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.