Another day, another stupid con that needs to apologize for his stupid comment.
Paul Calandra makes tearful apology to Tom Mulcair, House for non-answers
The prime minister's parliamentary secretary has apologized for responding to NDP Leader Tom Mulcair's questions on Canada's mission in Iraq this week with an attack on the NDP position on Israel.
A teary Paul Calandra rose after question period Friday to "unconditionally, unreservedly apologize to the House" for his glib non-answers earlier this week.
"Clearly, I allowed the passion and anger at something I read to get in the way of appropriately answering the question to Leader of the Opposition," Calandra told the mostly empty Commons chamber.
"For that, I apologize to you and to this entire House, and to my constituents," he said.
He also went out of his way to exonerate the so-called "kids in short pants" — the catch-all derogatory term opposition members use to refer to senior political staff, particularly within the Prime Minister's Office — for his actions.
"I take full responsibility, and I apologize to the leader of the opposition, and to all of my colleagues."
He did not, however, promise that it won't happen again.
"I'm fairly certain there will be other opportunities in this House where I will be answering questions that you don't appreciate," he said.
"I don't think this will be the last time that I get up and answer a question that doesn't effectively respond."
Calandra's non-sequitur reply sparked sharp criticism from across the media and political spectrum. His conduct was roundly rebuked by CBC's At Issue panel on Thursday night.
On Friday, the Globe and Mail published an editorial lamenting the lack of respect for Parliament both Calandra's comments, and the approving response from his Conservative colleagues, had revealed.
"To call Mr. Calandra a clown is to do a disservice to the ancient profession of painted-face buffoonery," the Globe editorial writer wrote.
http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/politics/p...o-tom-mulcair-house-for-non-answers-1.2779046
Paul Calandra makes tearful apology to Tom Mulcair, House for non-answers
The prime minister's parliamentary secretary has apologized for responding to NDP Leader Tom Mulcair's questions on Canada's mission in Iraq this week with an attack on the NDP position on Israel.
A teary Paul Calandra rose after question period Friday to "unconditionally, unreservedly apologize to the House" for his glib non-answers earlier this week.
"Clearly, I allowed the passion and anger at something I read to get in the way of appropriately answering the question to Leader of the Opposition," Calandra told the mostly empty Commons chamber.
"For that, I apologize to you and to this entire House, and to my constituents," he said.
He also went out of his way to exonerate the so-called "kids in short pants" — the catch-all derogatory term opposition members use to refer to senior political staff, particularly within the Prime Minister's Office — for his actions.
"I take full responsibility, and I apologize to the leader of the opposition, and to all of my colleagues."
He did not, however, promise that it won't happen again.
"I'm fairly certain there will be other opportunities in this House where I will be answering questions that you don't appreciate," he said.
"I don't think this will be the last time that I get up and answer a question that doesn't effectively respond."
Calandra's non-sequitur reply sparked sharp criticism from across the media and political spectrum. His conduct was roundly rebuked by CBC's At Issue panel on Thursday night.
On Friday, the Globe and Mail published an editorial lamenting the lack of respect for Parliament both Calandra's comments, and the approving response from his Conservative colleagues, had revealed.
"To call Mr. Calandra a clown is to do a disservice to the ancient profession of painted-face buffoonery," the Globe editorial writer wrote.
http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/politics/p...o-tom-mulcair-house-for-non-answers-1.2779046
