Angry in the Great White North

When the NDP asked for advice on how to use the internet more effectively, I offered some free advice:

So the NDP wants to know how to communicate better? Here's my suggestion:

1. Evaluate where the NDP brand is being displayed. If the party communications people have concerns about that site carrying the NDP banner, insist that the logo be removed.
2. Establish a code of conduct for NDP bloggers. In order to carry the NDP logo and to be added to the NDP bloggers blogroll, a certain minimum standard of writing quality must be maintained.
3. Take control of the NDP blogroll. Then hand it over to a blogger trusted by the NDP based on his or her adherence to the (newly written) code of conduct.

My advice was motivated by this post that advocated physical violence against conservative writers.

Now it looks like someone was listening. From a letter from the NDP to the Canadian Jewish Congress:

I am writing in regard to some highly offensive comments that appear on a blog operated by Robert McClelland. The statements allegedly made by Mr McClelland are repugnant and in no way reflect the views of our Party.

I want to assure you that the New Democratic Party of Canada, its [unclear] and local riding associations are not affiliated with Mr McClelland or his independently operated blog roll, the "Blogging Dippers".

The NDP is undertaking the development of a new blog roll that better reflects the views and needs of New Democrats in the blogosphere.

Anne McGrath
President

Isn't that exactly what I said needed to be done? I don't know that the NDP was actually taking my advice, but if not, it is good to see that someone has independently decided that brand control and an official blogroll are critical elements in reining in the excesses that seem to happen in the Dipper community.

The comment that seemed to be the last straw?

When the State starts rounding up my Jewish neighbours, I’ll speak up.

Not me. People like Klownsella, Chernyuk and Smeagol the Jew have taught me it’s not worth getting involved. When next they come for the Jews I doubt I’ll even be able to muster up a “what a shame”.

Well, that makes things absolutely clear, doesn't it? Jason Cherniak started the ball rolling on this one, making it clear that these comments demanded that the NDP move to sever all ties with McClelland.

McClelland is spinning as fast as he can, insisting that there were no ties to sever:

From what I’m not exactly sure, but that seems to be the growing consensus amongst a number of Libfloggers. And not only am I supposed to resign, these Libfloggers also believe Jack Layton should make me do it.

So once again for the stupid people who inhabit the two internets.

I am not a member of the NDP nor do I speak for them.

My one and only contact with an NDP MP throughout my entire life–all 42 years of it–was when I emailed some information on an issue to NDP MP Pat Martin and he or one of his staff replied only to say thank you.

Perhaps, but it is also true that McClelland desperately wants to be the voice of the NDP:

If any party desperately needs bloggers, it’s the NDP. They have no one going to bat for them in the mainstream media. The Conservatives have their stable of Ezra Levants and the Liberals have their Warren Kinsellas. Who does the NDP have? Right, nobody. This puts them at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to getting their message out to the people or defending against scurrilous attacks. Thus the job has fallen soley on the shoulders of a small group of bloggers who aren’t given the time of day from the party.

That "small group of bloggers" are the Blogging Dippers, the blogroll created and maintained by McClelland.

Clearly the NDP is taking action to eliminate that association, real or imagined, and then to proactively decide which blogs would be formally associated with the NDP. Presumably the NDP would establish criteria for blogs to follow that would cement that association.

And that lines up exactly with what I have been saying for quite some time (and not only about McLelland).

Now lets see how it works out.