If the Czech Olympic gold-medallist triple Emil Ztopek had lived in a democracy, he might have run for office. Ztopek was an influential figure in the Communist Party, but supported the party's democratic wing. After criticizing the Soviet Union's 1968 takeover of Czechoslovakia, he was deprived of his colonelcy in the Czech army; deprived of his Communist Party membership; and forced to work in a uranium mine as punishment.
mjkredliner, I would respond that just because somebody's political agenda matches yours, that doesn't make them honorable or signal distinction in service. If I may respectfully point out, you used the terms "honorable" and "distinction" when referring to Watts' and Largent's service, therefore, isn't it largely your responsibility to prove your claim? Ufez is a constituent that wasn't thrilled with Largent's service, and you call him out? Seems a little sketchy. Politically, Largent has been an honorable and distinct Republican rubber stamp, only voting out of party lines five times in his entire congressional career. From Wikipedia: Largent devoted...his time to issues important to the religious right. One of his first bills was a "parental rights" bill that died in committee after it attracted opposition even from other Christian conservatives. Another one of his early bills would have abolished the federal tax code at the end of 2001, a measure that only made Republicans appear fiscally irresponsible in the press. He opposed ending the 1996 federal government shutdown, and when it ended was one of the major players in an attempted coup against House Speaker Newt Gingrich. After the Republicans suffered heavy losses in the 1998 midterm elections, Largent was one of a group of Republican congressmen who drove Gingrich into retirement. Largent himself tried to take advantage of discontent with Majority Leader Dick Armey by challenging Armey for the post. Armey was very unpopular in the Republican caucus, but managed to defeat Largent because Largent wasn't seen as a team player. However, the bruising contest all but ended Armey's chances of becoming Speaker. Despite this, Largent decided to run for Governor of Oklahoma in 2002. He easily won the Republican nomination and resigned his House seat to devote all his energy to the race. Initially seen as an overwhelming favorite against Democratic state senator Brad Henry, his campaign lost ground since most Oklahomans outside of the Tulsa area didn't know where he stood on issues. Perhaps his biggest misstep occurred when he swore at an Oklahoma City television reporter who wanted to know where he was at the time of the September 11, 2001 attacks. His Press Secretary had put out a statement as if it were from Largent and then it was learned that Largent was on a hunting trip and didn't find out about the events of 9/11 until day or so later. Largent lost to Henry by just under 7,000 votes. As for Watts, I guess his record makes him even more honorable and distinct, as he's only strayed from party lines twice in his time in the congress. Watts also has fathered two children out of wedlock and, despite making a promise to the voters not to serve more than three terms, he ran for a fourth term (and won) in 2000. Also, in true honorable and distinct fashion, he branded fellow black congresspersons and civil rights leaders as "race hustling poverty pimps." Honorable and distinct.
Dryden's a smart guy and a staunch Liberal (it doesn't mean here, what it seems to mean in the U.S - "Traitor") who hasn't really done a shred of anything that would suggest he is a suitable candidate for holding the highest office in the country. He has a great deal of convincing to do. While he is a high-profile candidate, he is not considered a front runner. And Frank Mahovolich served as a Senator for many years. Senate positions in Canada are appointments - and have little real legitimate power.
who hasn't really done a shred of anything that would suggest he is a suitable candidate for holding the highest office in the country Other than winning a lot of hockey games, you mean. If he can manage a crease, he can manage 25 million of you folks.
Actually, yerfatma, we're up to 33 million now.....did a lot breeding up here this winter.
Canadian politics are as confusing as a curling match.
it doesn't mean here, what it seems to mean in the U.S - "Traitor" I think they both hate Amurka, though, don't they? ;-)
Aw, c'mon, TBH, everyone knows Wikipedia is part of a vast Left Wing Conspiracy! Seriously, I should have known better than to open a can o'worms such as this, I can only respond that this article presents Mr.Largent in a different light, and this puts Mr. Watts famous soundbite into proper perspective. If fathering children out of wedlock make one less than honorable, then the likes of Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr, Jesse Jackson et al. must no longer be considered honorable either. I was not trying to start an argument, mostly, I was curious as to why Ufez Jones found Mr. Largent's terms in Congress less than honourable. And, not straying from party lines is not a good measure of how well one serves publicly, I could easily show the same statistics for most Democrats serving in Congress. Note to self: Politics, religion, and Spofi when mixed are highly combustible.
If fathering children out of wedlock make one less than honorable, then the likes of Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr, Jesse Jackson et al. must no longer be considered honorable either. Yeah, but none of them ran on a "family values" platform.
Btw, when it comes down to it, no matter what your party allegiance or political ideology, there's nothing really honorable about being a politician, is there? It's a dirty, drirty business. /cynical bastard
I can't believe I just read "Aaron Burr" and "honorable" in the same sentence. Aaron Burr was a total scumbag who lived a life of scheming, treachery and treason. He hated George Washington, and he freakin' killed Alexander Hamilton, who never did anything wrong except maybe pay a con man for the privilege of shtuping his wife. And I'm backing psmealey on the whole politics thing. No honor in it at all anymore.
Ha Ha, BullpenPro, I agree, perhaps I should not have used "honorable" and "politician" in the same breath, but, your assessment of Burr as a scumbag to his face may have gotten you challenged to a duel! Hamilton had every chance to withdraw/recant the statements that drew Burr's ire, and, to not accept Burr's challenge, and, it should be noted, that Hamilton had been involved in no less than 21 duels himself prior to his lame ass claim that he missed Burr with his shot intentionally. I maintain that Burr was a colorful, if not honorable, forward thinking man, who was a proponent of westward expansion long before it was considered "Manifest Destiny", and whose life history has given me much pleasure and cause for thought. In older age, when he learned of The Texas Revolution, he noted that "What was treasonous of me thirty years ago, is patriotism now." And really, it would have taken me far too long to list all the public servants who have fathered children out of wedlock, Burr's name came to mind totally randomly.
Also, The Reverend Jesse Jackson's ill fated run at the Presidency in 1984 most definetely was run on a "family values" platform, although the catchphrase had yet to be invented.
Engineer: "It looks like we're stuck in the middle of the tracks. We aren't going anywhere soon." Assistant Engineer: "Hey...is that another train coming down the tracks?"
I'm not sure a brief exchange about Aaron Burr constitutes a train wreck... mjk: What say we leave it at this... can we agree that this is hilarious? That should end it. Back on topic, I know a pretty famous politician who was a Hall of Fame college football player and a Hall of Fame baseball player. I also know a princess who can dunk a basketball. Does "princess" count as "high level of political office?"
Otto Jelinek was an Olympic figure skater and then a Mulroney MP and cabinet minister. Peter Lougheed was premier of Alberta. Pat O'Brien and Moe Mantha Sr
Slava Fetisov is Minister of Sport in Russia.
I'm not sure a brief exchange about Aaron Burr constitutes a train wreck... Nah. I was more worried about the Republican/Democrat jibba-jabba.
I could easily show the same statistics for most Democrats serving in Congress. And if I mentioned how "honorable and distinctive" their specific service was, you'd have every right to hoist me by my own petard. I was curious as to why Ufez Jones found Mr. Largent's terms in Congress less than honourable. Ufez will have to provide you with the specifics. I don't live in Oklahoma, either. And, not straying from party lines is not a good measure of how well one serves publicly It does show a lack of imagination at the very least, and an alarming lack of humility when it comes to questioning your own side, if for no other reason than to make sure you're still "doing the right thing." I can assure you, I don't agree with 100% of what my party says, and when I don't, I damn sure don't vote for it. I was not trying to start an argument Go in peace, Kemosabe. I was more worried about the Republican/Democrat jibba-jabba. I'm jibba'd out. Or was I jabba? I can't tell anymore, they both look and sound the same.
Grzegorz Lato (ten World Cup goals) was a Polish Senator from 2001 to 2005.
