Moore could be in for a lesson about karma
Latest harassment scandal another blow for struggling NDP leader
Social justice activist, selfappointed moral arbiter and Quebec NDP MP Christine Moore is about to learn something of the old idiom about living in glass houses and throwing stones.
Moore has been suspended from NDP caucus duties as her party investigates a disabled military veteran’s allegation that she plied him with drinks, ended up in his hotel bed and then stalked him across two provinces, including Saskatchewan.
Like the case of now expelled NDP MP Erin Weir — coincidentally started by Moore complaining on behalf of “many women” who somehow decided to channel complaints through her — Canada’s party of socialists and progressives has been thrown into disarray.
It also turns out that this is the same Christine Moore who, four years ago, complained to Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau about the alleged misconduct of two MPs he subsequently tossed from the Liberal caucus, ending their political careers.
Like her Weir takedown, Moore complained about one of the Liberal MPs on behalf of someone else — another female MP who it wasn’t clear had ever asked Moore to make a complaint.
In the case of the second Liberal MP, Moore told of hanging out in his hotel room, drinking with him and having sex but “with no explicit consent,” although she had provided her hook-up with a condom as things got started. Moore is soon to discover the reach and power of karma.
As NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh struggles with this latest harassment scandal, some political conservatives are pulling hard for the underperforming rookie NDP leader. And it’s tied to next year’s federal election.
Far from the flashy “he’s younger and cooler than Justin Trudeau” sales pitch, Singh has fallen hard — flatter than a Calgary Stampeders fan in Moose Jaw.
Hovering barely above the 15 per cent voter support range, unless Singh begins to mobilize left-wing voters, many will stay in the Justin Trudeau camp, which will likely secure the Liberals a second term in 2019.
A more robust NDP level of support in the low 20s will usually siphon off enough votes to expose Liberal vulnerability to the Conservatives in certain seats. But not so at this rate.
As the second season of the hit TV series Lethal Weapon ended with a shocking cliff hanger the other night, the show is apparently in trouble, but not for the usual reasons.
It’s highly popular, well written and shot, funny, gripping and thoroughly entertaining. As a buddy cop action comedy, Lethal Weapon capably pays homage to the original Danny Glover–Mel Gibson movies. But it turns out that the show’s two stars can’t stand each another. The producers fired Clayne Crawford — the actor who played Martin Riggs — and a couple of things became clear.
First, after having been disciplined twice this year for blow-ups on the set, Crawford had to go. Second, he was no match for the popularity and likely behind-the-scenes influence of co-star Damon Wayans. So, Crawford was expendable. If this show cannot be recast and repaired within the next six weeks it, too, may become expendable.
Last week’s column on the long overdue recognition of music icon Joni Mitchell by her hometown generated terrific feedback, both kind and less effusive. For the critics: you don’t have to celebrate or even like Joni Mitchell, but why prevent others from commemorating one of modern music’s most influential? The beauty of a free country — except for income taxes and Justin Trudeau’s summer jobs grant — is that no one compels us to do anything that we don’t want to do.
And, to the two writers who’d rather memorialize professional wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper, go for it. The more tributes to famous sons and daughters, the better. John Gormley is a broadcaster, lawyer, author and former Progressive Conservative MP whose radio talk show is heard weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on 650 CKOM Saskatoon and 980 CJME Regina.