In Defense of Ray Lam and Commentary on the Hypocrisy of Politics Tolerates

by John Laforet
posted on April 24th, 2009 at 18:23:45 pm

It’s been a while since I’ve waded into anything all that controversial. I figured the Ray Lam situation was one with enough self righteous indignation that it would be a worthy spot for me to remind folks I do like to call it as I see it and believe there are underlying principles that are important to remember in public debate. 

Ray Lam did nothing wrong. Someone looking for a way to silence his voice opted to do so with smear and public humiliation instead of better arguments. Instead of beating him on the issues, or with stronger rhetorical or oratory skills they dragged the bottom of the barrel and entered into the realm of desperate gutter politics to tear him down. It is shameful. In fact considerably more shameful than anything Ray did. 

What makes Ray so unworthy to hold public office? This 22 year old, gay community activist who has dedicated himself to a number of community causes touched the breast of a smiling woman at a party and someone took a picture. Four years ago, a picture was taken of him in his underwear, and a shirt. Considering both shots appear staged and don’t seem to have any impact on Vancouver False Creek, I recognize why it wasn’t a good idea to have these pictures taken, but at the same time, I don’t see it as disqualifying him from holding public office. 

His opponents decided to stop at nothing to silence his voice, to deny his supporters a champion for their causes and they succeeded by bullying him out of the race. They did so by trying to destroy his reputation. My belief is those in public life need to recognize these types of attacks for what they are – attacks on democracy. You will never convince me anyone who is ‘upset’ at Lam’s actions actually cares about what he did. They are using it to silence his voice, to defeat him unfairly and above all to win themselves. It is an attempt to discredit him, making him and his party not viable in that race. When the Liberals take that seat, their candidate should feel the guilt of knowing how illegitimate her win is. It is as illegitimate as her demand for an apology from Lam, like he somehow did something to her. She should be apologizing for letting her own desperation to win, comprise her ethics or sense any of decency she had before entering public life.  

I wish Lam had stood up and hit back. He had every right to defend himself, his supporters and the issues he speaks for. He should be in the race and should not have allowed self righteous indignation to force him out and silence him on the way. It takes a lot of courage to put your name on a ballot. Especially when you’re young and not connected or cynical. He had that courage and the destructive attacks on him, hurt the chances of other young candidates getting involved in public life. All for a single riding, this man’s story and picture became national news. 

For Premier Gordon ‘glug-glug-vroom-vroom’ Campbell to somehow think this disqualifies someone from holding public office but his episode of drunk driving while Premier doesn’t is the height of hypocrisy. If there is anyone who should be a champion of ‘we’re all human, and prone to doing things we’d wish others wouldn’t judge us for’ – it is the drunk driving Premier himself. 

It’s safe to say, all politicians are human. That is important. We need people who understand what it’s like to be a real person. Politicians are only useful so long as they remember, and feel what we feel. Somethings should not be commented on by a political rival and generally the only things that are fair game are: record, plans, public statements and actions that have a direct impact on one’s ability or the approach they would take as an elected representative. I doubt Lam would have made his term about touching breasts in public or pulling his pants down in the legislature and trust the voters of Vancouver False Creek if not denied the ability to make up their own minds, would have also recognized that one can touch a breast and still be a good representative. 

I know a thing or two about attacking an opponent in politics. I have in the past, very strongly pushed back against an opponent of mine, but did so on things he said and did that were completely relevant to the race. I never would or have attacked anyone on anything personal, because it simply not relevant. What matters is what you’re going to do with the office you’re seeking and whether you can be taken at your word. How you spend your down time, doesn’t (unless it will result in a criminal code violation, which would result in your removal from office).

Let’s talk hypocrisy for a minute. I hate hypocrisy. It’s worse than lying in my books – and lying is bad enough. 

Premier ‘glug-glug-vroom-vroom’ Campbell decided Lam’s conduct was an election issue. If so, should folks also judge the judgement of a man who while running the forth largest government in Canada thinks drinking and driving is appropriate? Normally I wouldn’t touch it, but if Premier ‘glug-glug-vroom-vroom’ Campbell thinks the bar is this low (and we know he knows about bars, at least in Maui where he was arrested for drunk driving) shouldn’t this too be fair game? 

I’ll leave you to decide whose action is worse. Especially if you’re a BC voter. One thing is for sure, the Maui police department probably would not have arrested Campbell if he had committed Lam’s supposed offense. Unfortunately, Campbell and his party felt it was fair to destroy a young candidate and community activist over what can only be described as frivolous crap, and that to me shows a level of mean spiritedness and callousness I would not want to associate with. 

Below are two pictures. Which of these do you believe is most concerning for a public office holder?

BC Premier Gordon Campbell’s Mugshot

Ray Lam’s Boob Shot

Tags: Anti Democratic Attacks, BC Liberals, BC NDP, BC Premier, BC Provincial Election, Campaign Ethics, Gordon Campbell, Gordon Campbell Drunk Driving, Gordon Campbell Mug Shot, Ram Lam, self righteous indignation, Unfair Campaign Tactics, Vancouver False Creek