I believe societies real test of supporting freedom of speech, is to ensure all have the opportunity to have their say, even those we agree with the least

Well many comments have come in regarding the blog post I did yesterday, regarding Saturday's column by Alex Tsakumis.  As I fully expected, they have come in by private message, or email, as most folks are nervous about him turning his guns on them.

Let me just point out that I very much support free speech, and the right of Alex to say whatever he wishes to.  He has every right to do so.

What I, and many others however, object to, is the way in which he does so.  Writing with an inflammatory style does nothing, in my opinion, to further the cause of dialogue in a meaningful way.

I might point out that the policies, beliefs, and principles, of the BC Conservative Party, very much support the right of free speech.  Our Guiding Principles clearly state:

1.1.7.

We believe in the principle of equality for all British Columbians, with special privileges for none.

This principle includes the protection of private propertyy, the freedom of the individual, and freedom of speech, worship and lawful assembly.

I as an individual, and as a member of the BC Conservative Party, am dedicated to upholding the concept of this fundamental freedom.

I may not agree with what some people have to say, and that has been the case on many an occasion.  However ... I believe societies real test of supporting freedom of speech, is to ensure all have the opportunity to have their say, even those we agree with the least.

Dialogue leads to understanding .. and that I fully support.

 

I'm Alan Forseth in Kamloops ... with the thoughts of one conservative.

Why Alex, even you yourself, with your juvenile twist of my name to ‘foreskin’, show your junior high mentality

Blogger & political commentator
Alex Tsakumis strikes a pose of ?

Yesterday (June 8th) blogger and political commentator Alex Tsakumis wrote a piece entitled ‘EXCLUSIVE’ BREAKING NEWS: BC Conservative Leader Set to Resign Immediately! 

It was typical of his style of writing in that it took the scorched earth approach in lambasting people / individuals.  This time, it was John Cummins once again in his sites.

I was notified off his piece by an acquaintance, and after viewing what he had written, and some of the comments from his readers, I decided that perhaps I would, after all, post a comment.

I knew in advance it would cause Alex to begin frothing at the mouth, and it indeed did not take long.

If you go to the actual blog piece you will notice many of my responses were not allowed to see the light of day by him.  Despite the fact that they were posted long before some of the others, they still remain, Your comment is awaiting moderation

The following have NOT been edited or changed in any way by me. I ask you, does any level headed political commentator write and say the things he does?

 
1.       Alan Forseth says:
             June 8, 2013 at 10:40 PM

I am sad and disappointed — but not surprised — to see you write what many have come to expect from you, Alex .  

After skewering John Cummins, with your usual negative ground scorching rhetoric, you then went on to say, ” I wish John Cummins and his family well. He’s served the public as best he could and for that he is to be commended and afforded the honour and respect that goes with it.” 

All I can say to you sir is … what a pompous and arrogant ass! 

I remain as always –a PROUD BC Conservative! 

Over to you now Alex; go ahead and lambast me with more poison. It’s what everyone expects off you

Reply

           AGT says:

June 9, 2013 at 9:15 AM

Inability to read–CHECK!

Impossible to comprehend even rudimentary political concepts–CHECK!

Delusions of adequacy–CHECK!

Lost in own rhetorical codswollop–CHECK!

Dead at intersection of church and state–CHECK!

PROMINENT, AGGRESSIVE CANCER CELL IN GASPING, DYING ORGANIZATION–CHECK!!!

Ladies and Gentleman, please welcome one of the chief reasons for BC Conservative failure(s).

Zealotry should be a crime.

Alan Forseth says:
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
June 9, 2013 at 11:15 AM

Well … you were totally and completely not up to your usual efforts Alex. Well gosh durn gee whiz (is this the talk you expect from what you proclaim to be Neanderthal conservatives? You are a pitiful creature sir, and anything but the adoring admiration of you band of your blind adherents will do.

You can think anything you wish of John Cummins — and our members — myself included. BUT to them follow-up with a meaningless asinine congratulatory close is complete and utter arrogance.

Your self-stroking checklist of so called faults has NOTHING to do with what you wrote in your so-called Exclusive Breaking News story — nor does it have anything to do with my comments.

It is little more than part of your on-going campaign of caustic comments, with no real understanding of our goals — which have nothing to do with our so-called social / religious miss-deeds — and DOES have everything to do with a straight forward message of fiscal conservatisms, job creation, provided needed services, and strengthening health and education.

Carry on oh great one — and a sure your adorning fans will cheer you on as you continue your campaign of hate speech

Reply

o      George says:

June 9, 2013 at 10:24 AM

Oh Alan, for those of us watching you on social media this comment will come back to bite you LOL…

God squad Conservatives are the reason we have Christy, and Alan was a big part of that with his friends… I saved the screenshots..

As for what people expect from Alex, we expect him to hold zealots like you to account, exactly what he is doing.

Who are you to come here and condescend to Alex, and by extension, us his readers. It seems your party needs YOUR attention redeeming itself, especially after screwing us over, by dividing votes with your WEAK leader.. pay attention to your own weaknesses as God would tell you.

Alan those of us that pay attention are laughing right now because your *cough* loyalty has been pretty thin on social media.. hypocrisy knows no boundaries as you’ve so clearly demonstrated here today…

After reading something you said and did a few weeks ago I’ve been waiting for this moment…

It’s pretty clear you and the Conservatives fear Alex Tsakumis and his ability to get the brown envelopes….

Alan to be very clear it was partly because of you and the folks you communicate with on social media that prevented me from voting “Free enterprise.”

I hate being told by holier than tho types that their own s**t doesn’t stink.. .. rolling my eyes at the hypocrisy …

Reply

 Alan Forseth says:

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

June 9, 2013 at 11:59 AM

Ah …a loyal defender of the hate drivel that Alex writes –it took longer than I thought t would

Call me whatever you like — makes no never minds to me; however I will not tolerate patent lies and miss-representations

I for one will NOT be stuck in the rut of self-serving righteous adherents to anything.

I have deliberately cast a wide net for people with many thoughts and ideas that do not necessarily agree with mine. It challenges me and others to look closely at my beliefs, and to make changes when and where it is needed.

Exploring new and different ideas has always been key to growing and learning — something I’m pretty sure most would agree with

Hmmmm … I think I have made my point. No wait, it’s Alex who has made my point for me

I find it interesting that when bully’s get called out for their actions, they go in to a defensive mode that results in attacking those who MAY be questioning their thoughts / opinions … or perhaps who wish to present another side to things.

Such is the case, apparently, with Alex Tsakumis, who has not appreciated that I have publicly stated his comments can often be caustic and vile.

In his latest posting today, Alex Tsakumis had these comments to make about me:

And while the far left were in full swing in attacking me–ON A THREAD WHERE THE BASE STORY WAS ABOUT A DEAD GIRL, along came the far right. Alan Foresth, the chief defender of John Cummins–BC’s biggest bully–an ACTIVE bully, decided he couldn’t keep his trap shut either. One of the biggest whiners I’ve ever encountered, the flypaper of bloggers, couldn’t wait to lay in with more useless drivel about my “caustic” nature.

Funny that. Marjorie Nichols, Allan Fotheringham, Jack Webster, Pat Burns, Jack Wasserman, Les Bewley, Gary Bannerman and the immortal Rafe Mair, to name a few, all called that REAL JOURNALISM.

Was Christopher Hitchens caustic? You bet. What about Carl Bernstein? Of course,

How ’bout some active examples? Rex Murphy? Yes! George Jonas? Yes! Christie Blatchford? Yes!

This, to Forseth, is bad. All while he defends the biggest bully in the history of BC politics, John Cummins. Alan, you remain a joke. Go away.

WOW … he has just listed off some of the GREATEST journalists, editorialist, and political commentators.  Some have indeed been pretty sharp in their words – however NONE I believe have made it a HABIT of being caustic and vile in responding to other with opinions not lining up with how he sees things.

One of the people commenting on his blog today, someone who goes by ‘eaf’ had a comment to make ... this is what they had to say:

e.a.f. says:

October 12, 2012 at 3:18 PM

The continued bullying we see in society amongst the adults & children is chilling. I don’t know how it got this bad & I don’t know how it will get better. Not only is bulling amongst children verbal, its actions …..

…. As to other “commentaters” who refer to you as a bully, they need to get with the agenda or find another type of work. The exchange of views, information, etc. is a loaded field. I don’t agree with a lot of what you write, I’m NDP but I have not found your writing to be bullying in nature. You express an opinion, people respond, if you don’t like what they say they are notified in sometimes very funny terms, but it isn’t bullying.

Do we have political bullies, you bet. Are they going to go away, not any time soon. Do we have a right to call them that, yes. Expressing one’s views, if done properly, is never bullying. Its usually called democracy.

My response (October 13, 2012 at 2:25 PM) was as follows:

Hi eaf … if Alex chooses to post this, I wish to say that I haven’t hid behind anything, and have been clear and upfront. My comments are posted under my name for all to see, and I believe them to be fair, but that is up to you and others to decide.

I recently said, and I quote: “I find it sad that this man finds it necessary to put forward vile poison, and write words that are caustic and mean-spirited. Sadly, they take away from any and all good journalistic work he has done.”

I give full marks, and full credit for some great journalism he has undertaken — what I and others take offense to, is the tone and words he uses to slice up anyone who might have a difference of opinion

That’s when Alex Tsakumis decided to weigh in with his thoughts:

Reply
AGT says:

 October 13, 2012 at 2:37 PM

And that’s complete BULLSHIT. You took offence the second I went after Cummins–your pal, who is the biggest bully in BC politics today.

It only confirms my thoughts – but feel free to let me know if you disagree

Today (October 10th) Alex Tsakumis says: BC Conservative Despot John Cummins Confuses “Ultimatum” with Ultimate Mayhem!

Having never met, or spoken to me, Alex Tsakumis also says that I am, and I quote:  "a charter member of the Despot’s ‘God Squad’, sprung from the silo 2attack me."

I find it sad that this man finds it necessary to put forward vile poison, and write words that are caustic and mean-spirited. Sadly, they take away from any and all good journalistic work he has done. 

His latest corrosive piece, which necessitated a total of 1,110 words to get across, is at: http://alexgtsakumis.com/2012/10/10/bc-conservative-despot-john-cummins-confuses-ultimatum-with-ultimate-mayhem

I think it only confirms my thoughts (which has only taken 145 words) – but feel free to let me know if you disagree.  I promise no insults will be hurled your way.

I’m Alan Forseth in Kamloops, with the brief thoughts of one conservative.


RESPONSE from Alex Tsakumis:
Stupid is as stupid does. Al Foresth has decided to do a follow up. Not answering any of the SIGNIFICANT failings of his party leader–or the party in general, that continues in freefall, he’s taking another run at me. LEt’s see how he survives by next salvo.

I added the BOLD font just to highlight for you what I considered to be the pertinent parts. 

I guess there is really no need to remind, and point out, the obvious.  That is, Alex T refuses to allow for anyone to question anything he says and writes -- nor allows for a dissenting opinion.

PS Alex ... the last name is Forseth

All logic, reason, and unbiased comment, flies out the window when it comes to anything he writes and says about Cummins and the BC Conservative Party

Alex Tsakumis (a man who considers himself on the highest pedestal of journalistic integrity --- AND --- to be more read and listened to than ANY other political journalist) yesterday posted cobbled together shreds of partial facts, rumors, and fiction. (http://alexgtsakumis.com/2012/10/05/exclusive-breaking-news-bc-conservative-party-cleansing-john-cummins-and-other-rabid-evangelicals-being-given-an-ultimatum-by-a-majority-of-constituency-associations).

NOW that some are questioning the accuracy of what he wrote, he has resorted to the only thing he know how to do, when someone questions what he has written.  He calls them liars … he angrily denounces them for questioning him ... he calls them fools and cowards.

He says, and I quote, “This is how cowards and manipulators operate. They should be ashamed! But this would require a conscience.”

By this blanket caustic remark, I guess he must lump me in to that category as well.  All I can say is that Alex T does NOT know me ... and I doubt if he really knows (or understand) others who have at times questioned what he had to say.

When I once dared to question him on something he had written he was immediately angry and incensed, hurled several nasty comments at me, and then proceeded to equate himself to God.

I have had little to do with him since.

This man (Alex T.) has a hate on for John Cummins, and anyone that has anything to do with him.  It is patently clear, and fully obvious.  So ... in my opinion ... all logic, reason, and unbiased comment, flies out the window when it comes to anything he writes and says then about Cummins and the BC Conservative Party.

Here’s the bottom line:

• Several people have indeed said they NEVER signed this letter
• Several people were hurriedly called by people begging them to sign the letter after the fact
• Several people alleged to have signed this letter had already previously resigned as CA presidents

This list of names has zero credibility – I’ll leave it to you to decide on the real state of this alleged revolt which Alex T. has written about.

I'm Alan Forseth in Kamloops -- with the "words" of one person.  I'm interested to hear what "words" you may wish to share on this.