On the night of Feb 11th, Robert Miller, member of the Green Party Federal Council representing Newfoundland and Labrador, took Twitter to insult animal activists by calling them "douche bags." The news of what happened that night was posted through several animal activists groups on Facebook and shared amongst users of Twitter. Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada and one of the country’s most respected environmentalists, responded through Twitter to user @BrentCornwall and to @CanadianGreens that she would look into the matter. After that she proceeded to ReTweet the "public" apology of Robert Miller directed to the organization of Friends for Seals for just using the term "douche bags" and that it did not reflect ideas of the @CanadianGreens (The official Green Party of Canada Twitter page) or himself. Miller then states that he does not endorse libel. Ms May then proceeds to give out apologies to different Twitter names and explaining that mistakes happen and therefore assumes that the Twitter apology by Miller is more than enough to pardon his mistake. She then closes the Twitter exchange of messages by stating that the Party does oppose the Seal Hunt but that individual members are allowed to differ from the polices if in overall are in support.
As it is known, there is a petition on Change.org calling for Robert Miller to step down. The petition was created by CEO and Founder of Global Animal Welfare Development Society (GAWDS); Brad Anthony. He is originally from British Colombia and since the comments of Mr. Miller were made known, he has been working at promoting the petition and gathering signatures for the petition. Mr. Miller response to the petition was the following: "Thank you! Anti #sealhunt dishonesty. They ran w/ insult only. Now smearing me / petition to remove me. Ha #nl" Miller is yet mocking the efforts of animal activists and making arrogant remarks.
Brad Anthony then reached out to inform Montreal Animal Advocacy Examiner that after only 60 signatures in the petition a member of the Green Party contacted him to ask as a "personal favor" and to close down the petition due to the fact that there was no point to it. Brad Anthony, disclosed to Montreal Animal Advocacy Examiner a chat conversation with Camille Labchuk. According to her personal site, Ms Labchuk is the Green Party federal councilor for Ontario, a Vegan for life, Political junkie and a Law student. After she discussed with Brad Anthony the reasons why the petition and the twitter comments should end, she made it clear that what activists are doing is just hurting the Green Party and gives opponent parties "ammunition" for an attack. Ms Labchuk insisted on her conversation that no one has the power to remove Mr. Miller and suggested that by activists taking action and voicing their discontent with Miller only hampered any efforts from the party to get the situation with Miller under control. Brad Anthony disagreed with Ms.Labchuk and informed that he would not back down the campaign of asking Miller to step down. He then told Ms Labchuk that it was imperative for him to leave the Party if he did not agree with the Green campaign promises.
On Monday February 13th, many animal activists woke up to the news of what had happened through out the weekend and took on communicating and networking by email making comments and calling into action. The following are a few of the statements made:
Brad Anthony, CEO and founder of Global Animal Welfare Development Society:
"If a random member of the public had made these comments, we may have been only mildly insulted. The fact that Miller is a Federal Councillor with the Green Party of Canada is so disgustingly dishonorable and utterly unacceptable that we're going to make an example of him because we know any public apology at this point in simply trivial tripe and duplicitous doublespeak."
@IFAWCanada A truly unfortunate error in judgment. The Green Party does not support the seal hunt.
Sharon Kenedy contacted Mr.Miller by phone and shared her concerns with him and she claims the following:
"He also did not like being reminded that he is a disappointment because he insulted his fellow citizens and that he needs to cultivate kindness.....I was ordered not to call the number again....censorship of free is also his forte."
Bonnie Dawson Founder of Action for the Protection of Northern Animals shared the following statement:
"A definite insult to everyone of us around the World whose morale conscious will not tolerate ongoing animal cruelty and exploitation. The continued work or Animal Activists as well as Environmental Activists has brought about increased global awareness, has saved thousands of lives, protected habitat and our silent army continues to grow. To have an elected Public Official disrespect the work that we all do, often at great personal sacrifice, is irresponsible, unacceptable and intolerable.
Any MP and or other elected official, who derives their income via Canadian Taxpayers, who supports Robert Miller's insult, should also be considered in the same vein as Robert Miller.
A PUBLIC apology is demanded, as well as a call for this MP's immediate resignation, failing his resignation then his immediate firing!"
Sarah West Founder of Canadians For Animal Welfare Reform (CFAWR) gave the following statement:
"We are all aware of the very sensitive ongoing issues of the seal hunt and speaking on behalf of animal advocates in Canada we applaud the GREEN PARTY’s stand on the seal hunt. However this incident cannot go unnoticed. On behalf of all animal advocates across Canada and everywhere, we respectfully request a public apology from Mr. Miller in national newspapers, on your web site and further that Mr. Miller be asked to resign."
It is obvious that animal activists are upset and respectfully ask for the resignation of Mr. Miller. For every action there is a reaction and Mr.Miller brought this upon himself and the party. If he cares as much as he says so for the party, why not stop hurting it and just resign? Although Ms Labchuk claimed that activists calling for his resignation are only hurting the Green party, I see that animal activists are not condemning the Green Party for his mistake but with the lack of action from Elizabeth May, makes activist upset because nothing is being done. Labchuk and May inform that he cannot be fired. Why not? Although Newfoundland and Labrador members picked him he did not win in his riding for the Canadian Federal election. There were 7 other members in Newfoundland & Labrador and Miller is described as an Internet professional as his occupation, I think he could be replaced easily! If members were the ones that picked him, could they not see that they made a mistake? What about the other 6 members of that province? Could it be that they probably share the same ideals as Miller and therefore there is no point to replace him?
I ponder what Ms May meant by saying that the Party does oppose the Seal Hunt but that individual members are allowed to differ from the polices if in overall are in support. Does that mean there is a chance that if there is a majority within the party that think that seal fur is more green than synthetic materials...can they change the Green Party Campaign Promises? It is all on Mr. Miller's Twitter account, he is happy to ReTweet those followers that say fur is less harmful to the ecosystem due to pollution. To sum up, is the Green Party no different from a Eco-friendly car that has leather interiors? In my most humble opinion...I could say that the Green is no different than the Orange, the Red or the Blue parties when it comes to the topic of the Seal Hunt. Yes, it is clearly stated that the Green Party opposes the Seal Hunt, as long there is a majority of the members within the party. Then, there is always a chance that the Green Party may not want to end the massacre of the seals and have members that support and tolerate the Canadian shame. Let us hope that the minority of the members of the Green Party that support the Seal Hunt never become a majority.
To sign the petition calling for Robert Miller to step down Please click Here
To read Robert Miller calls animal activist "douche bags" Please click here
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