(Cdn) MP assailed for anti-Bush TV stunt

[Wat_Tyler]

http://www.canada.com/national/story.html?id=03bd20c9-7950-417e-bb84-e011cb8fd2fa

OTTAWA - Renegade Liberal MP Carolyn Parrish has once again enraged members of the opposition and her own caucus after tossing a George W. Bush doll on the floor and grinding it under her heel on a satirical television show.

Incensed Conservative MPs demanded that Ms. Parrish -- who last year referred to Americans as "bastards" and more recently likened the U.S. war effort in Iraq to "a coalition of the idiots" -- be banished from the Liberal caucus for her anti-American outburst.

Tory House leader John Reynolds said the incident sets the wrong example, particularly for children, and suggested "somebody like that needs some real help."

He also said Prime Minister Paul Martin should "kick her out and make her sit as an independent. Sometimes integrity should win over minority government."

But the outrage did not emanate only from the opposition benches.

Ontario Liberal MP Roger Gallaway called the stunt "bizarre and stupid," and lamented Ms. Parrish's theatrics as "a rather perverse joke."

"It's a pathetic spectacle that someone would behave in this fashion. I would expect more from infants. It's rotten timing ... and I would hope that she would consider mending her ways," said Mr. Gallaway, who nonetheless argued against bouncing Ms. Parrish, a four-term MP who represents the Toronto-area constituency of Mississauga-Erindale.

"I have a fundamental problem with removing someone from caucus because they're being bizarre and stupid. This place allows all kinds of bizarre and stupid behaviour. Stupidity is a defence here," he said.

[Fridays Child]

1. It's funny how reactions can differ. I'd shake her hand.

But maybe that's just me. :shrug:

[peekaloo]

2. Was she wearing jackboots?

I suppose she won't be in the receiving line when the Tiny Terror comes to visit later this month.

[tuvor]

3. As if Carolyn Parrish is the first to behave childishly.

The naysayers just don't want to make georgie boy mad.

Reminds me of that Twilight Zone episode where little Billy had powers to do anything, prompting everyone in the town to commend him for his every action so as not to upset him.

[KurtNYC]

5. To the cornfield!

That's a real fine thing you done.

[UL_Approved]

4. That's Canada for you

At least they have freedom of speech and action elsewhere in that nation. This will raise some questions in the coming days.

[RaleighNCDUer]

6. I hope she chanted the appropriate invocations before crushing

the doll.