Really? This is the issue that is being pushed for this election? With all the things that are being discussed, we find the time to rail on a young man who put up a few photos on facebook, and ruin his chance of running. Shoot, I hope to run for MLA later on, maybe in a few years, and there are photos of me drinking underage, smoking marijuana in my younger years and picture evidence of my old graffiti habit floating around the web. Ms. McNeil clearly went looking for dirt on the young man, combing his facebook photos to find some - and congratulations, you found some.

Maybe we should start looking at the other side, and see what qualities we want in a politician less; common, albeit inappropriate, behavior from a young man or sneaky, dirt-digging political maneuvering.  

News 1130: “Liberals outraged by Ray Lam’s pictures.” Is this for real!!? Absolutely ridiculous.

I can’t think of another political smear campaign ever that can rival this in its pettiness.

Equally important, is he doing something "inappropriate"? I see only consenting adults doing the kind of things consenting adults do.

"Offensive"!? "Demeaning"!!? To who? Nuns? Taliban?

Mary McNeil lost my vote.

These pictures do however show one thing that I have long been the opinion of: the NDP could use a good dose of common sense. Someone running for office should know better than putting such pictures online knowing very well that there people like Ms. McNeil trolling for dirt. And the powers that be in the NDP should have a better handle on their candidates.

If I was an NDP spin-doctor, I would have a hay-day with this: “we have massive cost over-runs on a number of projects, shameful environmental track records, countless broken election promises, and all the Liberals can worry about is some candidate that has some innocent pictures with friends up on his facebook account!? OR “There are pictures posted of our Premier for endangering innocents’ lives in mug-shots all across US police stations’ computers, and the Liberals pick on poor Ray who was out having a few innocent laughs with his college buddies” OR “Ms. McNeil appeals for pictures that break no-laws to be deleted because they are ”˜inappropriate’? Should we expect other of McNeil’s rigid standards of ”˜decentness’ to reflect on our civil liberties if elected?”

This can be turned into an opportunity.

At the end of the day I guess it’s the media and the electorate that buy into such discourse. What a petty lot.

 

You can't help but question his decision making leaving such silly photos of himself posted on his Facebook account. I mean, that's not exactly looking for dirt, that's posting dirt online yourself for all to see.

Not that I care on a personal level or find the photos even mildly offensive. I want to know what kind of underwear they're grabbing - looks comfortable and stylish.  

To David N:

Quote from Mary McNeil in the Province:

“While I don’t think they’re offensive, they do show poor judgment and inexperience.”

http://www.theprovince.com/Naughty+pics+sink+candidate/1513161/story.html
 

I believe this can put some perspective on the Ray Lam photo issue.
These are quotes from Mary McNeil, the Liberal candidate in Vancouver False Creek responding to photos that were posted on Ray Lam's FB page
"This is someone who is running to represent the people of Vancouver-False Creek in Victoria, at a time when we have really critical issues, like crime and the economy,"
"You need to show you have experience and you need to show you have good judgment."
I find these statements completely disingenuous considering her party leader Gordon Campbell is, as Premier, supposed to set a good example yet he pleaded "no contest" to a CRIMINAL DUI charge in Hawaii and had a mugshot taken. I would much rather vote for a positive young man who made a few photos that a few may find objectionable over an older man who avoids a conviction by pleading 'No contest' to a CRIMINAL DUI charge. I find a mugshot of an elected official far more disturbing and objectionable over a few photos of youthful exuberance 

THE PREMIER WAS ARRESTED FOR DRUNK DRIVING!
KASH HEED IS UNDER INVESTIGATION!

KINSELLA
KINSELLA
KINSELLA 

Does anyone remember Gordon Campbell with a DUI charge?!?! What a bunch of criminal hypocrites!
If the Liberals get in, get ready for EVERYTHING being privatized. Our beloved hospitals are being cleaned by Campbells friends companies, road work is by his friends so unless you are his friend, you may lose your job!!! 

And who wanted to vote the NDP?!?!?

Let's see what the reporters can dig up on Carole James.


 

I think this is absolutely ridiculous. The photos were harmless and kept private until someone made them public. However, having met Ray Lam, I'd have to say it's not much of a loss. I found him aloof and not very engaging at all. He would not have been elected even if he had stayed in the race.
 

This is funny! The pictures are in no way scandelous or anything like that. But, why waist time. Ray Lam would be at the bottom of the polls anyway. Have you met this guy? He is completely not a crowd pleaser and you need a bit of a crowd to get some votes. No big loss. NDP can do much better if they just appoint a guy from the streets. At least he won't have a facebook account! 

Hmm, politicians are real people? Some are even young people!?...this is all news to me. 

Oh c'mon! I seem to remember some mugshots a few years back:
 

Ray created a web 2.0 response to this whole thing because of all the media spin and misinformation around his resignation.

His statement on the homepage is...unbelievable tame, and he writes about the whole incident in a blog, which is actually pretty interesting.

Give it a read: www.raysunderwearaffair.com. 

http://www.rollingstone.com/nationalaffairs/index.php/2009/05/25/politic...