Elizabeth May says she's sorry for comedy routine that referred to Stephen Harper as a dictator
This morning, CBC Radio's World Report led with a hoarse-sounding Green party leader apologizing for offending people for a comedy routine at a parliamentary press gallery dinner on May 9.
Elizabeth May said that she was sleep-deprived, sick, and overworked, and that she had failed in her attempt to be "edgy".
Then the CBC newscast played a clip of May saying "Omar Khadr, you've got more class than the whole fucking cabinet."
It left the impression that May had done something truly dreadful.
When I arrived at work, I watched the nine-minute speech. Now I don't know what the fuss is about.
May opened by poking fun at other politicians for not recognizing the aboriginal peoples of Canada. Then she took a few swipes at Prime Minister Stephen Harper for not showing up at this event for several years.
"Maybe he doesn't like to be with humans," May quipped.
Next, she noted that Harper can be funny and he can make music, yet he still doesn't attend the parliamentary press gallery dinner. "That's what prime ministers do; they show up to be humiliated like the rest of schmucks," she said.
Some of the jokes fell flat, such as when she suggested that Harper might have an "extreme manifestation of gluten intolerance".
The section about her having artificial hips wasn't funny, either. But I did laugh at her comments about Stephen Harper's hair and Justin Trudeau's refusal to let his curls flow.
Conservatives in the crowd probably didn't like May's reference to Harper as a "dictator", but it made me smile.
Moments later, Transport Minister Lisa Raitt went up on stage to escort May away, probably because the Green leader was treading into dangerous territory.
But before Raitt could do this, May pulled out a tape recording of the theme song for the 1970s-era sitcom Welcome Back Kotter.
Then there was a joke about the spelling of Kotter and Khadr, followed by this heartfelt comment: "Welcome back, Omar Khadr. It matters to say it. Welcome back, Omar Khadr, you're home."
This was the closer: "Omar Khadr, you've got more class than the whole fucking cabinet. Thank you."
It was too earnest and too honest and not sufficiently wry and self-deprecating for media commentators.
The last line about Khadr will likely dog her in the next election campaign because Harper and his Conservative minions will seize on any opportunity for a political advantage. But really, does this story deserve to lead the national news? I don't think so.
Comments
13 Comments
King Hughes
May 11, 2015 at 9:59am
If Elizabeth May were on Harper's team, you bet the MS media and everyone else would be demonizing her. May screwed up royally. I saw the video. It was disgraceful and most certainly deserves the same media attention that would be given any of the other party leaders.
Ayinedollah
May 11, 2015 at 10:47am
How un - Canadian of you.....
Well done, Liz!
It is Lisa Raitt that should be embarrassed.
Ayinedollah
May 11, 2015 at 10:58am
King Hughes....
Elizabeth May .."most certainly deserves the same media attention that would be given any of the other party leaders."
Hey Kingo! It's too bad that she doesn't get the same media attention - that she deserves - when she flays the likes of Bill C-51.
Cad Song
May 11, 2015 at 11:42am
May has every right to exercise her freedom of speech regardless of how offensive, vile, and stupid her remarks may be. Similarly, participants of the Draw Mohammed event in Garland Texas had every right to exercise their freedom of speech without being bashed by the media regardless of how offensive it may be. If one says one is allowable and one is not, then that's a remark from a hypocrite.
Peter James
May 11, 2015 at 12:38pm
Yes she should apologize but she is only saying what the majority of Canadians think.
Paddy Kellington
May 11, 2015 at 1:01pm
In vino veritas.
Buddislander
May 11, 2015 at 1:21pm
I just got a whole new respect for Elizabeth May. Never be offended by the truth. Harper is a dictator and Omar was a child soldier who should have been released years ago. Two new votes for the Green Party here.
James Blatchford
May 11, 2015 at 1:56pm
Looks like Lizzie forgot the 3 most important rules of speech making. Occasion, occasion, occasion.
David Kingsley
May 12, 2015 at 4:57am
May's character diminishes the value of the cross she is seen wearing. It is now only jewelry.
Pender
May 12, 2015 at 7:44am
Blatchford is right. Your jokes have to suit the occasion and don't try to be edgy unless you have good comic timing and a sense of the audience.
If a Conservative had said anything even remotely similar to May then the left wing would be suffering from dehydration from all of the flying spittle.