[can.politics] PM's wife

robinson@ubc-ean.CDN (Jim Robinson) (09/06/84)

*
After having to suffer thru Margaret Trudeau, Grace Slick would have
almost been an improvement as the PM's wife. Luckily, it appears 
that the country has done better than that this time around.
 
                                            J.B. Robinson 

mack@ubc-vision.CDN (Alan Mackworth) (09/06/84)

Rather than read sexist comments about the PM's wife, I
look forward to the day when we can discuss the assets and
liabilities of the PM's husband. Private Eye is hilarious
on the subject of Denis Thatcher.

In the same vein, here's a quote from Ontario's national
newsmagazine:
  "Clearly, being the wife of the Prime Minister is one
  of the most challenging jobs a Canadian woman can have."

robinson@ubc-ean.CDN (Jim Robinson) (09/07/84)

> > *
> > After having to suffer thru Margaret Trudeau, Grace Slick would have
> > almost been an improvement as the PM's wife. Luckily, it appears 
> > that the country has done better than that this time around.
> >  
> >                                             J.B. Robinson 
> 
> Rather than read sexist comments about the PM's wife, I
> look forward to the day when we can discuss the assets and
> liabilities of the PM's husband. Private Eye is hilarious
> on the subject of Denis Thatcher.
> 

My original remark was not meant be to be sexist. I was merely pointing
out that Margaret Trudeau was not a very responsible individual. For,
instance, partying with the Stones in New York  is not something you
would expect of a dignitary's wife OR of the said dignitary. There are
other examples.

Thus, to reiterate, I was in NO way referring to Margaret Trudeau's looks,
or expecting more from her because she is a woman, than I would expect from
her husband. I was simply saying that it would be somewhat difficult
to consider her in the same league as, say, Maureen McTeer.

                                                J.B. Robinson 

haapanen@watdcsu.UUCP (Tom Haapanen [DCS]) (09/07/84)

<Since I can't get mail to mail over there...>

Isn't Denis Thatcher Margaret's son, not her husband?  Please mail me
if I'm wrong; I *can* be reached as...

Tom Haapanen
{allegra, decvax, ihnp4, utzoo}!watmath!watdcsu!haapanen

mack@ubc-vision.CDN (Alan Mackworth) (09/10/84)

Boy, heavy stuff! I did not intend to come on like a Storm Trooper
from the STP (Sexism Thought Police). We already have too many people
telling us what we should and should not think in this anno domini 1984.

robinson@ubc-ean.CDN (Jim Robinson) (09/15/84)

*
First off, I would like to  express regret  in submitting my com-
ment  concerning  Margaret  Trudeau.  It was more of a flame than
anything else, and hence did not belong in this news group.

Secondly, I would like to say that after some  consideration  and
discussion  I  have  come  to  the conclusion that the remark was
indeed sexist. For this reason I am offering a sincere apology to
anyone who was offended by it.

Finally, I would like to do some backpedalling concerning my view
on  politicians'  private  lives.   As this is a free country the
media will always tend  to report gossip as well as news. I  have
no  objections  to  this since the obvious alternative is censor-
ship. However when one considers that these people are being paid
our hard earned tax dollars to do a job,  I cannot help but think
that the only thing that *really* matters is  how  well  they  do
this  job.  Thus,  I  think that judging these people on anything
other than how well they are doing their job has at least two de-
trimental effects:
a) Good but unconventional  people will refuse to consider public
   life.
b) The voter will not be able to  properly do his job which is to
   make sure that the politician is doing what he/she was elected
   to do.

                                                  J.B. Robinson