E. May NOW ! CHALLENGED for nomination in Saanich-Gulf Islands

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By John Shavluk on 23 August 2009 - 10:27pm

Why I am Standing as a Nomination Candidate

Please join with me in this task

Ibelieve that only a truly Green political party that practices what it preaches, can offer an alternative to dysfunctional conventional politics. Parachuting the leader of the Green Party into a foreign bioregion and pouring in the money, will not change Canadian politics by one iota.

This is why I am standing as a nomination candidate for Saanich-Gulf Islands, in my Island bioregion. I ask you to join me in the great task of creating a Green, citizen-based democracy, and a compassionate and eco-centric society, for the protection and prosperity of all that lives.

Stuart Hertzog,
Victoria, BC
August 20, 2009

http://greenpolitics.ca/2009/08/why-i-am-standing-as-a-nomination-candidate/

or

http://reportongreens.blogspot.com/2009/08/complications.html

http://www.punditsguide.ca/2009/08/may-day-in-saanich-gulf-islands.php

Comments

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Nomination race in SGI

Submitted by Catharine Johannson on 25 August 2009 - 1:51pm.

In the Green Party we do things differently. While in other political parties, leaders appoint their friends and cronies as candidates, in the Green Party the members decide.

Stuart Hertzog's announcement shows that democracy is alive and well in the Green Party. It comes with the territory of being a healthy, vibrant and participatory political party. Many, many Green Party members in Saanich-Gulf Islands have asked Elizabeth to please be their candidate and she will announce her decision after Labour Day.

In the meantime, Greens aren't afraid of principled dialogue and are proud to do things differently. Unlike all the old-line parties, we don't crush internal debate.

Principled Dialogue

Submitted by Chris Aikman on 28 August 2009 - 2:55am.

Catherine, I totally agree with you that we shouldn't be afraid of principled dialogue, and we shouldn’t we crush internal debate. What principles apply?

One of the Green Principles is respect for diversity. We don’t oppose someone simply because they don’t mirror ourselves,  or because their ideas don’t exactly match our own. Anyone who joins any political party must expect to encounter some range of opinions and styles, yet agree to work together for the values that are collectively shared. To attack someone simply because their views diverge from one’s own is unprincipled. Something more positive must be elucidated if support is to follow.

There seems to be a double standard in Mr. Hertzog’s language. He attacks Ms. May as a parachute candidate, although she has made clear her intention to reside in Saanich-Gulf Islands in the immediate future. Mr. Hertzog does not reside in the riding, nor has he made apparent his intention to do so. To judge someone on where they have come from is surely the purest form of chauvinism.

Chris Aikman Vancouver Island North northislandgreens.ca