Angry in the Great White North

When NDP MP Irene Mathyssen accused Conservative MP James Moore of looking at pornography on his computer, she made it clear just what was at stake:

Mathyssen stole the show shortly after question period with her accusation that she saw "an image of a scantily clad woman" on the screen of Moore's laptop - in clear view of other MPs and the public gallery on Tuesday evening.

"This is not only disrespectful of women, but it is disrespectful of this House," she said.

"It reflects an attitude of objectifying women and we know that when women and other human beings are objectified and dehumanized, they become the object of violence and abuse."

Well, we all know how dedicated the NDP to the issue of making sure women are not turned into dehumanized objects. And men everywhere who treat women in this way had better be worried, because even though Irene Mathyssen had an apology dragged out of her on this count, you can tell she is committed to making sure men like James Moore know that they are being carefully watched.

You can see the commitment to fair treatment for women even as Mathyssen apologized to Moore:

Well, except in Afghanistan, where the NDP is happy to demand negotiation with the Taliban on handing the country, and all its women and girls, back into their tender mercies.

But then the Taliban are scary guys with guns, while James Moore seems rather laid back and non-threatening. I guess Irene Mathyssen and her colleagues have decided to defend women against men like Moore.

Maybe that's why Irene Mathyssen was so reluctant to apologize. Having James Moore in the role as villain means looking like she's striking a blow for women without really taking any risks. Rightfully point out that James Moore is a gentleman, and Mathyssen might have to explain how she plans to go after real threats to women with the same gusto she applied against Moore.

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