Sarah Palin Coming to Hamilton for Cancer Centre Fundraiser

Anonymous

My post here is NOT politically motivated - honest!

I thought I'd share this link as it might help you to understand - perhaps - why she was chosen to speak at the hospital - (she's a real "firecracker", whether you personally like her or not). Again...it's not pro-Palin, it's not conservatism, it's not political, it's not American - it's just simply amusing. It's a short comical snip of William Shatner vs. Sarah Palin (or vice-versa) on The Tonight Show.

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b157789_sarah_palin_goes_rogue_on_tonight_show.html

Regardless of who speaks at the fund-raiser...I hope it's a successful event!

And...I was NOT the person who contacted the Mods - if someone did indeed contact them.

Beesie

I wasn't going to return to this thread but seeing as the Mods have visited, I wanted to let everyone know that it wasn't me who reported this thread.  I've given up on ever getting any meaningful action from the Moderators so I'm not about to contact them about anything.  In any case, while I don't like the attitude of some of the posts in this thread (and also in the Canadian Healthcare thread), I certainly don't think that the thread should be censored or that it had reached a point where intervention was necessary. I was simply hoping that people might become a bit more respectful - you know, that Canadian trait where we're all so polite.  Hmmm.... I guess not.

As for other comments that have been made since my earlier post, the fact is that I do appreciate political humour - I like The Daily Show and Colbert and the SNL political skits. Usually even the subjects of their humour find what they do to be funny. My comment referred to what I've seen in this forum (and others, of course) where humour has been used to attack and insult - and where the subjects of the humour would be hurt and upset, not left laughing.  I'd also like to point out that I don't think there is anything wrong with the topic of this thread (actually I think it's an interesting and appropriate topic) or other topics that are not strictly about breast cancer.  But I'd hoped that the question of Sarah Palin's visit (and the other topics in other threads) could be debated in an intelligent, respectful way.  Some of the posters here have tried to do that but unfortunately that's not what I've seen in many of the other posts.  But, I guess it's all in the eyes of the beholder. 

Laura, good video!  And appropriate too, since this thread is about Sarah Palin and since William Shatner is Canadian - raised in Montreal, just like me.

konakat

Two Hamilton Spectator articles:

http://www.thespec.com/article/689503

http://www.thespec.com/article/688801

pip57

I think that some of these promoters are just out of touch.  Kind of like the record companies who keep trying to tell us what music we should like.

The year after my daughter died, The Starlight Foundation asked my dh to be the keynote speaker at their annual gala. They usually had big names speak but wanted to try a new approach.  There were over 600 people there.  They raised 3X as much money as they had previously.  People were really moved by hearing a parent speak.  Apparently, that is what they are now doing every year.  They make more money and don't have to use any of it to pay to the speaker.

It looks like what we thought would happen, is indeed happening.  Americans are buying the tickets.  Will they be her supporters?  Or will they be ones that will boo her and want to make a statement? 

konakat

It will be interesting -- but we have to wait until April 15 for the big show.  I do hope there is a sense of decorum at the fundraiser, polite applause.  But I bet there might be some boo's.  Surely the fundraisers must realize that?!?

The Starlight Foundation was smart to invite real people.  To hear from your DH tell your family's story is a much better, more honest, meaningful approach to make people open their purse-strings.  For people to hear, yes, it can happen to you, is the greatest motivator.

pip57

I just hope we "decent, polite, war hating Canadians" don't get blamed if there is any bad behavior.  LOL

barbe1958

I was an Auxiliary Police Officer for Metro Toronto from 1987 to 1995. When we had the G7 in town all officers were called to University Avenue because we were told it would be a huge riot. We lined the cross streets, standing behind metal barriers. There were double barriers as we were going to allow the public "to take one" to let them feel like they'd won something. The horses were all stading as well.

THREE hours later we were told to "hang on" as they had to bus people in from Buffalo to riot! 3 buses came in and we let them have their hissy fits, then put them on our buses and drove them away.

Too friggin' funny!! Canadians just don't take too much seriously. We are not overly political or over the top on sports, religion, rock stars, movie stars and whoever. They are all just people.

Just like you and me!

AnneW

I think the mods put that same message on every topic that might seem to turn political, whether the tone is bad or not. EXCEPT the whole forum on the task force guidelines. That has gotten, at times, as ugly as it gets. And unless I missed it, I saw no warning posted on any of those threads...

Usually I have no quarrel with the mods. Today, though, I find it all a little too controlling.

Anne

hrf

I'm still not sure what they mean by "political". I expect everyone has a different definition. Without a common understanding, issues will continue to arise.

crazy4carrots

Just wanted to add something to this thread, and then maybe we could put it to bed?

There is an "agreement in principle" between the independent organizers and Ms Palin, which means that unless both sides agree to the many restrictions which will undoubtedly be raised by either/both sides, she may not be coming to Hamilton after all.  I understand the Hamilton Health Sciences Centre has already been heavily criticized for agreeing to be the recipient, based largely on the fact that Ms Palin has frequently and publicly dissed Canadian healthcare.

However, hospital fundraising in Hamilton is not an easy task.  I know some of the key players, and they find themselves between a rock and a hard place  <sigh>

pip57

Well, if a lot of the tickets are being sold across the border, I don't expect that those attending will be investing much money in a Canadian hospital.  The cost of their tickets will just cover her payment.

sunshine2003

Sarh's been cancelled - still speaking....but not on behalf of the JCC or St. Peter;'s

I just received this e-mail from a Development staff person:

I am writing to thank you for expressing your views regarding the upcoming Sarah Palin event being hosted by Carmen's Banquet Centre.

Today it was announced that Hamilton Health Sciences would no longer be the recipient of any funds raised by this event. We understand the controversy the event has sparked, and support Carmen's decision to direct proceeds from the event to another charity. 

We feel it is important to point out that while St. Peter's Hospital and the Juravinski Cancer Centre were originally chosen as the recipients of the net proceeds from the event, Hamilton Health Sciences was not involved with the planning of the event (including the choice of speaker), nor would we have incurred any of the costs associated with running it.

Hamilton Health Sciences relies on community support and we are grateful to individuals and businesses that wish to raise and donate funds to our hospitals. Donations help us to carry out our important work of delivering health care to the 2.3 million people who live in our region, and special fundraising events are a significant source of community support for Hamilton Health Sciences. The Mercanti family has generously supported our hospitals in the past through various events and we are grateful for their ongoing support and their commitment to community causes.

I thank you for taking the time to contact us and wish you and your loved ones health and happiness in the New Year.

barbe1958

I TOLD you our hospitals run on donations!

Good work sunshine. I rest my case.(I read about this on another thread!) I like the way they had to "explain" to you about them not chosing her....

hrf

It will be interesting to see if she is a money maker for the new receipients or if her $200,000 gobbles up all the profits.

Enjoyful

As a comic aside....Palin was dodging tomatoes again at a Minnesota book-signing on Monday, December 7.  I also heard that Costcos hosting Palin book-signings have become tomato-free zones - they remove them from the floor should anyone get tempted. 

Edited to add the date.

vivre

Enjoyful, get your facts straight. Palin was in Hawaii on a vacation this week. The minnesota signing was over two weeks ago. A friend of mine was there, and I am thrilled that she got me a copy of Sarah's book. There was ONE guy at the mall of America who threw a tomato, and hit a cop, and was arrested. There were THOUSANDS of American's like my friend who waited in line for hours to meet Sarah Palin. You can listen to all the drivel about her but the truth is, this woman is standing up to the fact that American's are losing their freedom with the current adminstration and people are not taking it sitting down. Her poll numbers, are equal to Obama's even though the press constantly badgers her with negative press. It is really too bad the people of Toronto are blasting her before she even speaks. If they just waited and actually listened to what she says, instead of what her haters are saying, you might even like her. In fact, her energy plans would be a boon for both the US and Canada. In two short years as governor of Alaska, she took on the big oil companies, forced them to give more back to her state and became the first state to get over 25% of it's energy from renewable sources. You all need to learn who she really is before you keep attacking her. She will be the next US president whether you like it or not.

covertanjou

Uhmmm, the point Vivre is that we have listened to her, and we are NOT impressed.   We have learned who she is, and again we are NOT impressed.  Telling me and others that we NEED to listen ignores the fact that we have, and, again, we are NOT impressed.

Enjoyful

Okay, I edited my post to add the date.

covertanjou

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/16/costco-protects-palin-fro_n_394694.html

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14003093

The above is more info on tomato-gate 

As for you assertions that she will be next president, anything is possible.  Bush proved that. 

Enjoyful

I think you're confusing this thread with some others.  There's no hate here, just open-minded people expressing their opinions of a Canadian event. 

crazy4carrots

Daisy:  This is not an "American politics" thread, other than posts by a couple of you who seem to want to turn it into one.  

As explained several times already, many of us here (and obviously many in Hamilton) objected to having Ms Palin speak at a government-funded hospital fundraising event, because of the derogatory remarks she has made publicly about Canadian healthcare.

End of story.  And please, Mods, do us all a favour and delete this thread.

barbe1958

I agree Linda, there is always the usual same Americans who feel compelled to enter into Canadian specific threads and twist our words around! We don't CARE who the next US President is!!! It all balances out in the wash....

konakat

It all came out when a Canadian comedienne tried to interview Palin, asked about what she thought about Cdn healthcare.  When Palin finally answered her response was that Canada would be better off privatizing some of it's healthcare.  Soooo, you accused some posters of ignorance on the matter when it was the other way around. Oops!

Edit to add:  the 1st post of this thread has the link to the video with Palin saying this.  It also made the papers, at least the Cdn ones.

covertanjou

Thank you Elizabeth! I have copy/pasted from a post on page 1: Here is Palin's answer regarding Canadian healthcare -  "Canada needs to dismantle its public health-care system and allow private enterprise to get involved and turn a profit."http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4DEuRMigtc   

mke

I think maybe I should make a donation to Hamilton Health Sciences.

barbe1958

Way to go Elizabeth! Living in the US really gave you a backbone! I was just going to be a typical Canadian and ignore that rude comment .

konakat

Haha!  Reminds me of my first run-in with the insurance company.  I didn't have my insurance card yet (new in the US) and called the insurer on what to do since I had a bad ear infection and needed to see someone.  She said I had to wait until I got the card in the mail so I just said thank-you and hung up.  My co-worker overheard and said "you're not in Canada anymore (i.e., don't be such a wuss), get back on that phone!" and coached me on what to say. My first experience with insurers, and not the last!

konakat

It's kinda funny that the Americans wonder why we occasionally pop by on the American topic threads and here they are on a thread about a speaker at a Canadian hospital in the <gasp> Canadian forum.  Why are they interested in what goes on in Canada (i.e., echo-ing the question we're asked)?  Just a small observation...

pip57

Why on earth would anyone think that Canada 'should' be interested in what Sarah Palin has to say? We had no choice but to listen to her during your latest election.  We have heard what she has to say.  And we say no thanks.  No need to dump on us because we would rather hear a Canadian speak at a Canadian venue

.

Rico

I keep hoping Palin takes a wrong turn on her way back to Alaska and gets lost in the back woods of Canada.

Yeah, I know. A girl can hope, right? 

As for Daisy: I stopped reading and posting on the tea bagger thread because I found the bashing of gays and poor people rather unpleasant.  Perhaps you should do the same when it comes to the Canadian threads.

May harmony reign!