Angry in the Great White North

Conservative MP Tom Lukiwski is in some very hot water:

Conservative MP Tom Lukiwski apologized Thursday after the Saskatchewan NDP released a 16-year-old videotape featuring him and a young Brad Wall that contains sexist, racist and homophobic comments.

The video was taped in 1991, inside the Progressive Conservative campaign headquarters of Grant Devine who was making an unsuccessful bid for re-election as Saskatchewan premier. It was released by the Saskatchewan NDP Thursday, after it was found in an office.

It features several shots of a young staff clowning around. In it Mr. Lukiwski tells the camera: “There's A's and there's B's. The A's are guys like me. The B's are homosexual faggots with dirt on their fingernails that transmit diseases.”

First off, Tom Lukiwski has apologized, without reservation or delay:

Mr. Lukiwski, 57, quickly apologized for the remarks, which he said don't represent his true views.

“I am truly, truly sorry. I'm ashamed [of] the comments. If I could take those comments back, I would. I would give anything in the world to take those comments back,” he said.

“I have no prejudice against gay people whatsoever. Those comments do not reflect the type of person I am.”

Some people won't be satisfied.  In particular, there are those in the Liberal Party and the NDP who will never be satisfied.  These are people who are not really offended by Lukiwski's remarks, but are offended by his presence, and indeed by the presence of any conservative, anywhere.  As NDP advisor Joy MacPhail said last night on Mike Duffy Live, Lukiwski should be allowed to stay in the Tory caucus, because Conservative caucus members are all "A" people -- referring to Lukiwski's commentary.

That MacPhail can publicly accuse that over 100 people all believe that homosexuals are dirty people who spread disease is an example of making crass and hurtful generalizations.  In principle, it is not unlike what Tom Lukiwski did.

But then you would need principles to recognize that. 

So Lukiwski can't worry about assuaging the hurt feelings of those people.  He can offer his apology and that's all they get.

But he can, and should, do more for his party, for his constituents, and for people who are actually hoping that Lukiwski is really sorry.

For the party, he ought to offer his resignation from his cabinet position.  The party brass can decide if his situation will be too much of a distraction that prevents Lukiwski from effectively performing his duties.

For his constituents, Lukiwski ought to offer his riding association the option of his immediate resignation, his resignation effective at the start of the next election, or his submission to a new nomination contest.

With the third option, Conservatives in the riding can decide ahead of an election whether they want Lukiwski as their MP, and decide whether Lukiwski is even electable.  Since a nomination contest would take some time to set up, it would give time for the immediate furor to die away.  Then the riding membership can take measure of the lasting damage, if any, Lukiwski has suffered.

For people who want to know that Lukiwski is really sorry, that ought to be proof enough.

MP Bill Siksay of the NDP was measured and reasonable on Mike Duffy Live.  Unlike Liberal MP Scott Brison, who argued that this is really about a Conservative social agenda, Siksay said that he was looking to see what the party would do about Lukiwski, having been personally satisfied that Lukiwski's apology was sincere.  Siksay didn't seem interested in generalizing.

I would be surprised if a plan like mine would not satisfy more level-headed individuals like Siksay.  It's more than words, which seems more than fair, because in the end, that's all Lukiwski is guilty of -- using hurtful words.  Offering apologetic words and some concrete action ought to balance the books, and more.

Update: Jason Cherniak and James Bowie are the level-headed ones.  I fear they are in a minority, being drowned out by those who think re-education camps are a good thing.

Update: The trend seems to be that Ludiwski's apologies were so obviously heartfelt and sincere that no further action is required.  That attitude cuts across party lines.  If people are generally satisfied, then maybe the issue can be dropped without further action.  But if there is still doubt, facing his riding association could be the best route for all involved.