You have to pick your spots

David Emerson ventured out of hiding on Saturday to attend the Vaisakhi festival in Vancouver. We knew there was a chance he would uncloak to take political advantage of the annual New Year and harvest festival, but had no confirmation. My personal opinion is that adding an Emerson protest to such an important cultural event would be disrespectful to that community.

April 15 (CKNW News) Protestors leave David Emerson alone at the Vaisakhi celebrations

VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980) – De-elect Emerson campaigners left the MP alone for the event…but spokesperson Mike Watkins says Emerson isn’t in the clear yet.

“It’s a big celebration for the community. We didn’t want to turn it into a political thing over Emerson, so that’s the bottom line but he shouldn’t expect to be let off the hook. we’ve got stuff planned.”

Emerson did show up and he disrespected Canadians, again, by calling those that oppose what he has done ’locusts’. Apparently the Prime Minister’s muzzle on cabinet ministers isn’t tight enough around Emerson’s own maw.

No doubt Emerson felt he could score some points with the Indo-Canadian community by showing up, as if people are that unaware of such a transparent attempt to gain favour. Its likely that Emerson and his staff, in hiding and insulated from the real world, didn’t realize that he can’t easily overcome the antipathy towards him felt by the Indo-Canadian community.

Its been our experience that the Indo-Canadian community on-balance finds Emerson’s post-election conversion repugnant, and most feel that India’s anti-defection legislation is something we ought to emulate here in Canada. During an open-line talk show last week on Radio India, none of the callers came out in favour of Emerson, and our campaign to oust him and support floor-crossing prohibition legislation received widespread support.

News1130: Poll

News1130 is running an internet poll on their site today:

Is it time to end the protests against David Emerson?

Please add your voice and vote here.

A storm of locusts...

April 16 (Ian Bailey, CanWest News) Emerson granted rare protest-free appearance

And Emerson, who crossed the floor in February after being elected as a Grit, suggested things were feeling “normal” to him as an MP.

“It’s just that every once in awhile the locusts descend on me and it creates situations that are a little abnormal, but I carry on with my work,” said Emerson, adding he respects his critics.

In a speech to worshippers within the temple, Emerson said there have “been some high points and there’s been some low points” in his two years in public life since being elected a Liberal in 2004 and being appointed industry minister.

The spokesman for the campaign against Emerson said the minister got a protest pass because activists were taking the Easter weekend off and had not heard about the event until it was too late.

“We have stuff coming up over the next few weeks,” said Mike Watkins, a card-carrying Conservative involved in the campaign.

Watkins said it’s “a given” that activists will be at a speech Emerson will be giving to the Vancouver Board of Trade next week.

“We’re as committed today as we were on Day One,” said Watkins.

He said activists still want Emerson to resign and allow for a by-election so voters can have their say on his defection.

They also want to see legislation curbing floor-crossing passed in Parliament.

“We’re not finding anyone prepared to lay down their weapons, so to speak, and wait for the next election,” said Watkins.

The ‘locusts’ are still very much alive and engaged in this fight. Stay tuned.