See a pattern here? Part 5

clipped from www.cbc.ca It was the first event of its kind in Regina since a 17-year-old-video surfaced earlier this year showing Lukiwski making derogatory remarks about homosexuals. Lukiwski issued a lengthy apology for the comments, saying they don't represent his views and adding he would spend the rest of his life trying to make it up to the people he hurt. However, Lukiwski hasn't made a very good start, parade organizer Nathan Markwart said. "We haven't even been graced with an 'I won't show' or 'Unfortunately, I cannot attend due to conflicting events,'" he said. "Nothing, nothing. Obviously, when he said he would spend the rest of his life making amends, that's going to be a bit longer." Lukiwski is still welcome to come to any and all of the gay pride events happening over the next week week, Markwart said. Calls to Lukiwski's office were not returned on the weekend.

The entire Conservative Party is rank with homophobia!! - Part 4

clipped from blog.macleans.ca Sound Effect of the Day. When Liberal Sue Barnes rose to wonder why the famously repentant Tom Lukiwski has so far failed to meet with the gay and lesbian community in Regina, the Conservative benches audibly hissed.

Thomas, your losing this one - Part 3

clipped from www.canada.com Also seen on the same tape was Tom Lukiwski -- in 1991, a senior election campaign staffer in the Progressive Conservative party, but now the Conservative MP for Regina-Lumsden-Lake centre. Caught slurring gays on the tape, he did -- to his credit -- publicly apologize several times and in an April 4 speech in the House of Commons said: "I will spend the rest of my career and my life trying to make up for those comments." How odd, then, that he was conspicuously absent from the weekend Gay Pride parade in Regina, to which he had been invited several months ago. A good speaker like Lukiwski could have shown up, absorbed a few jeers, then delivered a Wall-like speech again expressing apologies for his comments and calling on all to show tolerance toward others. By declining to show up -- or even respond to the invitation -- he has merely recharged the energy of his critics. It was an opportunity lost and a wound left unhealed.

Ahhh Thomas - Part 2

clipped from www.cbc.ca "I was tied up in meetings all day on Saturday, had events in the evening as well as during the day," Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre MP Tom Lukiwski said Monday. They also noted his absence at City Hall on Monday, where a rainbow flag was raised at noon, an event attended by city councillors and NDP and Saskatchewan Party members of the legislative assembly. "Tom, where are you?" one organizer said into a microphone.

Lukiwski Explained - Part 1

Here we go, an insight into sincerity!!!

clipped from www.newstalk980.com > Clarity. It's a great thing. Take today's appearance by Tom Lukiwski on John Gormley Live. He made it explicitly clear about what he meant in this apology two months ago. I can assure you, Mr. Speaker, and all of my colleagues in this House, that I will spend the rest of my career and my life trying to make up for those shameless comments.* * - Void where prohibited. Offer not always available on weekends when I'm busy or at times while the House of Commons is sitting. Some assembly required. Efforts to make up for comments will be made in private. Portions not affecting the outcome of the game have been edited for broadcast. Driver does not carry cash. You can name drop meeting me, but I won't name drop you. Contents under pressure. For office use only. Whew! That made it explicitly clear!

As expected the PFO from the PMO

April 11, 2008

Brian A. Nixon
93 Cartier Cres
Saskatoon, SK S7L 4L8
b.nixon@sasktel.net

Dear Mr. Nixon:

On behalf of the Prime Minister, thank you for your correspondence regarding videotaped comments made by Conservative MP Tom Lukiwski in 1991.

Please note Mr. Lukiwski has apologized publicly for his comments. For your reference we have attached the statement of apology delivered by Mr. Lukiwski in the House of Commons on April 4.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write.

Sincerely,

Salpie Stepanian
Assistant to the Prime Minister

What matters is not the context of Lukiwski's words - it's the text...part two

Ottawa Citizen

Eric Savoy, Citizen Special

Published: Thursday, April 10, 2008

The Harper government is not particularly interested in appeasing gay men and lesbians, who are unlikely to vote for them anyway, and by accepting Mr. Lukiwski's apology they throw a bone to their base of social conservatives, who are no doubt still smarting after the gay marriage legislation. But make no mistake: had Mr. Lukiwski described Jews, for example, as a "disease," he would share the fate of Mr. Ahenakew and be packing his bags for Saskatchewan.

What might this incident and its dubious resolution tell us about the status of gay men and lesbians in Canada? What can be said of a country that, in the spirit of pious liberalism, enacts no end of anti-discriminatory legislation, yet allows an "Honourable Member" of its Parliament to carry on despite a track record of virulent homophobia?

It would be too easy to dismiss the atonement and absolution of Mr. Lukiwski as mere hypocrisy, even if we believe it has been coldly calculated. As citizens, we are being reminded that there is a significant time-lag between the enactment of progressive legislation and the maturing of our collective social attitudes. This is not a useless lesson, and we would do well, as a nation, to reflect upon the likelihood that we are not as advanced as we think we are, and upon the possibility that we may not have come far at all.

For better or for worse, Tom Lukiwski serves the nation as a kind of Everyman. His words are evil -- indeed, they are the worst one can imagine -- but he is not evil, except in a typical and perhaps representative way.

Scratch the surface, and you may well find a considerable population of Tom Lukiwskis out there. It is not unlikely that many people will recognize themselves in Tom Lukiwski's speech act, and that some of them will burn with shame.

I still maintain that, even in 1991, no civilized person said such appalling things, but I also believe that such a toxic spill can have a salutary consequence. Mr. Lukiwski made a spectacle of himself, and that spectacle has not failed to attract our horrified fascination. Ultimately, it doesn't matter whether people countenance or condemn him. What matters is that everybody will respond to Everyman by asking "Am I that man? Is that what I am?" And precisely as such, then, Tom Lukiwski has contributed something of value to the steep learning curve of tolerance, and to the difficult project of our democracy.

Eric Savoy is a professor of comparative literature at the Université de Montréal.

What matters is not the context of Lukiwski's words - it's the text

Ottawa Citizen

Eric Savoy, Citizen Special

Published: Thursday, April 10, 2008

Tom Lukiwski must have had a very, very bad day last week when the Saskatchewan NDP released a videotape on which he spouts poisonous disgust for "homosexual faggots with dirt under their fingernails that transmit diseases." In the wake of Mr. Lukiwski's apology and the efforts of the Harper government to circle the wagons around him, much has been made of the "context" of his inflammatory rhetoric.

The video was shot as a party joke in the PC campaign headquarters of Grant Devine, during his unsuccessful bid for re-election as Saskatchewan's premier, way back in 1991. It is a "private" document, not a public one, we are told, and besides, things were different then.

Yet such explanation does not achieve what the Tories really want, which is to explain Mr. Lukiwski's hateful speech away, to reduce it to insignificance. Better, they say, to forgive and forget. Case closed.

Not so fast. There are important lessons to be learned from this unsavoury incident -- not just about homophobia, but about hate speech in general. For one thing, hate speech seems inevitably to move toward metaphors of dirt and disease, metaphors of infection and contamination. To many readers, Mr. Lukiwski's words were uncannily reminiscent of those offered by aboriginal leader David Ahenakew, who said of European Jews in Hitler's Germany, "how do you get rid of ... you know, a disease like that that's gonna take over?"

Although the histories of homophobia and anti-Semitism are very different, they converge -- and not for the first time -- in this all-too-predictable metaphor. By the terms of this inflammatory rhetoric, Jews and homosexuals are essentially interchangeable. Just fill in the blank: X is a disease, and disease transmits disease, and it endangers us all, and it must be eliminated. To write such a sentence is to realize how easily one thing -- a single word -- leads to other things. Words, then, do not simply lead to violence: they are a form of violence.

This context -- the metaphors that hate speech gravitates toward -- is, I suggest, precisely the scale in which Mr. Lukiwski's words, the harm they do, and the violence they incite, should be weighed. From this point of view, it doesn't matter that they were spoken in an unofficial context, or that they were recorded 17 years ago. If this speech act came back to haunt Tom Lukiwski on that very, very bad day, it has also returned to do its toxic work in the present, and in a very public forum. In other words, what ought matter to us is not the context of Mr. Lukiwski's words -- it's the text.

Another, perhaps more sobering, lesson to be drawn from recent nastiness has to do with what I would call comparative bias. No doubt the Tory strategizers were thinking, thank God that Mr. Lukiwski didn't target women, Jews, aboriginals, immigrants, or people of colour, because that would really be indefensible. No amount of "contextualizing" could get rid of that. This is a frank speculation, but given the realities of Canadian federal politics, it has a certain legitimacy.

Activists rally outside Lukiwski's Regina office

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080408/lukiwski_rally_080608/20080408?hub=Canada

Conservative MP Tom Lukiwski apologizes prior to question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday April 4, 2008. (Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS) Activists rally outside Lukiwski's Regina office Updated Tue. Apr. 8 2008 10:00 PM ET The Canadian Press REGINA -- Chanting 'homophobia has got to go,' members of Regina's gay community rallied Tuesday at the constituency office of a Conservative MP who made homophobic comments on an old video. About 60 placard-carrying protesters demanded redress from Tom Lukiwski over anti-gay slurs he made on the 16-year-old video that surfaced last week. "Obviously something has to happen to Tom Lukiwski, either he be stripped of his duties or he resign,'' said Nathan Markwart with the Gay and Lesbian Community of Regina. In the tape from 1991, Lukiwski says "There's As and there's Bs. The As are guys like me. The Bs are homosexual faggots with dirt on their fingernails that transmit disease.'' The video, released by the Saskatchewan New Democrats, was shot during a party at Saskatchewan Progressive Conservative campaign headquarters when Lukiwski was a provincial Tory. Lukiwski has since apologized, insisting he is not homophobic and that the comments do not reflect his beliefs then or now. Prime Minister Stephen Harper acknowledged in the House of Commons on Monday that Lukiwski's remarks were "completely unacceptable,'' but said the Regina MP has sincerely apologized and the matter is closed. Markwart disagreed. "In talking to members of our community (Monday) their sentiments are very clear -- they're frustrated. They're very troubled by the actions of the prime minister,'' said Markwart. "We demand action, we don't think the issue is closed.'' Markwart noted that just three years ago Lukiwski told the Commons that legalizing same-sex marriage could lead to polygamy and social decline. He also pointed out that Lukiwski's predecessor, Larry Spencer, was booted from the Conservative caucus after he said homosexuality should be outlawed. Markwart also said Lukiwski still needs to answer to his Regina constituents, adding that the gay group has yet to receive a phone call or a letter from the MP. But the community wants to hear more than just words, said Rick Pollard with the Regina Pride Committee. "Apologies are all well and good, but in the end talk is cheap,'' said Pollard. "If (Lukiwski) sincerely wants the queer community's forgiveness, he has to demonstrate his willingness to pay some sort of a personal price for the pain that words like that can cause.'' Lukiwski's constituency office was closed Tuesday. The protesters called for funding for anti-homophobia organizations, asked the federal government to reverse a ban on sexually active gay men donating blood or organs and urged the Saskatchewan government to end homophobic bullying in schools. But in the midst of seriousness in their message, they also tried to put a positive spin on Lukiwksi's remarks. The coalition of groups at the rally have started calling themselves 'the B-Team.' "What we're saying is if an A person casts people out ... makes everyone else an outsider that isn't exactly like them and perpetuates prejudice then we don't want to be A,'' said Markwart. "In fact we're proud to be B. We'd rather be B."

My open letter to Tom Lukiwski

Mr. Lukiwski:

As a gay male I cannot find the words to express the shock, disgust and horror I felt when I heard and saw the comments you made in a video tape some 16 years ago. My nails are clean, and rest assured, I am not spreading diseases!!!

While it is admirable that you immediately issued two apologies, one in a scrum in the foyer and the second in the House on Friday, I feel your words ring shallow, are not sincere and is an attempt to mitigate damage and save your job.

I feel your apology is something you were forced to do and that in no way reflects the man you are. Had the comments being made when you were in your teens and did not know better, then I may, but highly doubtful, be convinced that it was a question of maturity and bad judgment.

Sir, you made these statements when you were in your 40’s. I have a very hard time believing that you now feel different towards gay men and women. A leopard does not change its spots.

Men, women and children, both in Canada and around the world are beaten daily because of their sexuality. Some are put to death for it. But it is ok because you have said you were sorry.

Children in school have been beaten and ostracized due to their sexuality. Buts their oks because you said you were sorry.

Teens have killed themselves because of the backlash from friends and families over sexuality. But it is ok because you said you were sorry.

Sir, I am 49 years old. I have lost jobs, lost friends and being cast from my family because of my sexuality. I personally, have been physically attacked and assaulted because of my sexuality. But it must all be ok because you said you were sorry. Even in 2008, I still face discrimination because of my sexuality. The whispers, jokes and comments have become a daily norm. Not a single day goes by where someone doesn’t say something about gay men and women. Every comment made is followed by a “gee I am sorry”. Apparently, one may say anything they want as long as that phrase is the tag line.

Mr. Lukiwski, we have young Sisters and Brothers, giving their lives overseas to ensure that the rights of citizens are protected. Not a day goes by where the stories of what our Armed Forces face are played on the media. They are fighting for the protection of rights and freedoms, yet here, at home, we have persons, like you, perpetuating hatred and hurtful remarks to our citizens. But it must be ok because you have said you were sorry.

As a political junkie, I watch daily the proceedings of the House of Commons. I have watched you both speak on and vote against Bills that would promote equality for citizens of my country, my Canada, yet you have the audacity to stand before the House of Commons and all of Canada, with shallow words of regret.

As a Leader, you are expected to set an example for us all. You are expected, as hard as it may be, to be above reproach. I ask that you please put actions where your words are and do the admirable thing and immediately resign as MP for Regina Lumsden Lake Centre.

Hateful statements by Wall and Lukiwski part 3...

CTV - Tory MP apologizes for anti-gay comments
Canada.com - Sask. MP apologizes for videotaped comments
Rabble.ca - babble

You can see the video of the original tape as well as videos of the events today at the CTV site as well.

I cannot believe how many people say that because it is 16 years old, one should let it go. I find that repulsive. These men are elected officials. Lukiwski was 40 years old at the time...you cannot tell me that an ADULT did not know any better or has changed his colours to cover his ass.

When will the right wing accept that there are all types of people in this world. They constant homophobic remarks are passed of as humour. How many of our children have committed suicide because of their sexuality? How many beatings have occurred because you were gay? How many jobs were lost?

A fellow blogger, soop, has commented and added this as an example of the right wing mentality:

"... Doreen Eagles SaskParty MLA for Estevan, following a federal debate during the 2006 Federal election was heard to say something to the effect of "Who was that lesbian that had to bring up same sex marriage"

That lesbian was my mother in law ...

And if Doreen paid more attention to the debate then ensuring she cheered loudly for The conservative candidate and booed for any conflicting opinion she would have noticed that when she took the microphone she stated "As a Heterosexual Mother of 2, and happily married woman"

And even is she was a pink purple toed hippopotamus ... its an issue of human rights, the Saskparty and the conservatives continue to step on them.
Ugh ... I have to continue to shake my head"

Tory MP apologizes for anti-gay comments

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080403/tape_sask_080403/20080403?hub=TopStories

Conservative government sentences gay man to beatings

As a Canadian and a gay male, today I hang my head in shame to admit I am Canadian. See additional comments at:

Slap upside the Head
Saskapedia
Abandoned Stuff by Saskboy
Montreal Gazette

Last refugee bid refused to gay Malaysian

Last Updated: Wednesday, March 5, 2008 | 7:41 PM ET cbcnews.ca

A Malaysian man who is to be deported Thursday after being refused refugee status is pleading with the federal government to intervene and let him stay in Canada.

Kulenthiran Amirthalingan made a last-ditch appeal to Immigration Minister Diane Finley, asking her to stay the March 6 deportation order to his native Malaysia. He fears persecution because he is gay.

Amirthalingan, who lives in Montreal, appeared in Ottawa at a news conference Wednesday along with New Democrat MP Thomas Mulcair to request Finley's intervention.

"I am deported back to Malaysia, and I fear my imprisonment, so I would like to ask Ms. Finley to let me stay in Canada," he said.

The soft-spoken Kulen, as he is known to his friends, says he fears for his life if he is sent back to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he experienced discrimination, was harassed and abused for being gay.

Homosexuality is a crime in Malaysia, and punishable by 20 years in jail or caning.

Section 377 of Malaysian's Penal Code states anal and oral sex are illegal whether it's between men, or heterosexual couples.

The penal code also outlaws any sex that is against the "order of nature," whether it is sex between two men, two women or in a heterosexual relationship.

Amirthalingan moved to Montreal in 2003 and applied for refugee status in Canada on humanitarian grounds, arguing his life was in danger because his homosexuality made him a target of Malaysian police who detained him for five days, and abused him, physically and sexually.

"They were punching me, pushing me down to the floor and putting their leg on me to confess that I am a gay," he told CBC last week.

Being gay in Malaysia is difficult, and he is "a bit afraid for my safety" if he's forced to go back.

"I don't have family support too, because my brothers and sisters are against [me] because I'm gay."

Amirthalingan lost his refugee status case because the judge was not convinced he was gay. He filed for a humanitarian appeal and a pre-removal risk assessment, which were both rejected by the Quebec Immigration Board.

Mulcair made a public plea to Finley on Wednesday after Amirthalingan's supporters contacted his Outremont riding office.

"What is really shocking is that they're threatening to deport Kulen not for something he did but for who he is," he said in French at the Ottawa news conference.

"That's a transgression of Canada's fundamental values, and we're having a hard time understanding the government's attitude, and we want this to transcend all partisan considerations."

Montreal human rights lawyer Julius Grey believes Amirthalingan's case merits the immigration minister's review, because "in Canada it is well-established that homosexuality can be a motive for refugee status."

"It would be contrary to my conscience to send back a homosexual to an openly Muslim country," he told CBC last week. "I would say chances of something terrible happening are so high, that it would be unconscionable to not act."

The Malaysia co-ordinator for Amnesty International Canada, Margaret John, said it's not clear whether Amirthalingan's life is at risk "but certainly his right to freedom of expression is at risk" she said.

"He may be charged with being a homosexual, he may be fined, he may be imprisoned."