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Great White North
Author of ’Shrub’ memo resigns
2003-08-05
via Daily Pundit
Ted Bowen, the NDP caucus researcher who referred to U.S. president George Bush using the dismissive term "shrub" in an internal government memo, has resigned.
Excellent!
According to a source who didn’t want to be identified, Bowen was asked to resign last Thursday, one day after the memo became public knowledge and was initially suspended without pay.
And if it hadn’t become public?
Over the weekend, Bowen offered that resignation and the government accepted it effective immediately.
Exit, stage left!
Bowen, 60, first joined the caucus office as a researcher 24 years ago under the Allan Blakeney government. Bowen’s lengthy career with the party stumbled last week when a memo he wrote to MLAs and party candidates was inadvertently faxed to the media.
D’oh!
The letter urged members to use "whatever creative flimflam you can come up with" to circulate a petition from the government urging Bush to re-open the American border to Canadian beef.
at least it was open about it
The border was closed in May after a lone case of mad cow disease was found in an Alberta animal. While the memo itself seemed innocuous enough, it contained the subject line: "Re: Petition to President Shrub."
that’ll get you goodwill...ass
A post-script on the letter explained that "shrub" was a dismissive nickname for Bush used by American writer shrew, bitter bitch and leftwingnut columnist Molly Ivins. Bowen’s gaffe made national news and even the Drudge Report, an American Web site that covers political news. It also embarrassed the NDP government at a time when Premier Lorne Calvert was in Toronto at the Rolling Stones concert to promote the safety of Canadian beef. Calvert later told the Canadian Press the memo was "just plain dumb" and in no way reflected the government’s position.
"bring me dumbass’s resignation ..now"
The memo was the latest in a series of high-profile Canadian slights against Americans. Last year, Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s former press secretary resigned after she was heard calling Bush a moron. Liberal MP Carolyn Parrish also embarrassed Ottawa when she was overheard saying "Damn Americans, I hate those bastards."
we remember that one too
In the latest incident, the province immediately distanced itself from both the memo and Bowen with Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Eldon Lautermilch saying the government would conduct an internal review and consider disciplinary action. Jim Fodey, chief of staff for the NDP caucus office, declined to comment on any disciplinary action taken, saying that it was a confidential matter. "We consider this an internal personal matter. All the staff in the caucus office other than myself are in a left wing cabal union and we have a collective agreement so I’m not allowed to discuss this file," he said.
"I can say no more!"
Employees in the caucus office are represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union. No one from the union office could be reached for comment. Bowen also declined comment on the story.
D’oh! again
Perhaps Ted should consider a rewarding career in the food service industry if he can't get a job working for Molly...
Posted by:Frank G

#3  Are Canadian bureaucrats really this dumb?

It's like SARS, whenever you think it's all over with, one case pops up.
Posted by: Raphael   2003-8-5 9:31:30 PM  

#2  Are Canadian bureaucrats really this dumb? "No one will ever hear me say this, but..." The only ones who appear dumber are American artistes who think they can shoot their mouths off while doing the Euro curcuit. No one will ever know... ever know...ever know.
Posted by: tu3031   2003-8-5 8:32:33 PM  

#1  The Mad Cows (and bulls and steers) are still on the other side of the fence, waiting to get in. And these ones are not bovine. Heh heh.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2003-8-5 3:40:22 PM  

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