Simple statements not always so easy

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/03/2019 (2491 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Being in the public eye is not easy in our modern world. Just ask any politician, and they’ll likely tell you that public opinion is a fickle thing.

It takes a special kind of brave narcissist to enter politics these days, someone who — when not glad-handing, kissing babies, getting elected or toeing the party line — can successfully navigate the inevitable pitfalls of their everyday duties and manage public expectations.

And among those expectations is a demand from the public for politicians to say and do the right thing in times of national or international tragedy. That expectation only seems to grow with the level of politician said politician has attained.

The terrorist attack in New Zealand late last week, which resulted in at least 50 deaths and similar numbers of injured, offered an interesting —and unsettling — backdrop to the words of our political leaders. The attack in New Zealand grabbed headlines around the world, and by accident, illustrated quite plainly how getting the message wrong can come with all kinds of unintended consequences. Indeed, simple word choices can sometimes allow us to see behind the political veneer, however briefly.

Following the attack, Canadian political leaders all put out statements of condolence and support for New Zealand. Here’s a little sample:

• Statement by Justin Trudeau, Liberal — “Canadians across the country were appalled to wake up to news of the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, that killed and injured so many people, including children. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends who lost loved ones in this senseless tragedy. Far too often, Muslims suffer unimaginable loss and pain in the places where they should feel safest. Canada remembers too well the sorrow we felt when a senseless attack on the Centre culturel islamique de Québec in Ste-Foy claimed the lives of many innocent people gathered in prayer.”

• Tweet by Jagmeet Singh, NDP — “Heartbroken by the devastating news of deadly shootings at two mosques in New Zealand. My heart goes out to the families of the murdered and all those impacted by this act of terror. Islamophobia kills — and has no place anywhere in the world.”

And then there is Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, who took particular criticism for these Twitter comments he made Thursday evening:

“Freedom has come under attack in New Zealand as peaceful worshippers are targeted in a despicable act of evil. All people must be able to practice their faith freely and without fear. There are no words strong enough to condemn this kind of vile hatred. I am praying for peace for the families of those lost and recovery for those injured.”

Scheer was promptly pilliored on social media and in the op-ed pages for not mentioning the words mosque, Muslim or Islamophobia in this initial statement.

Many who found his comments distasteful cited the fact that Scheer had participated in a rally earlier this year in Ottawa that included people with extreme anti-immigrant and racist views, along with the stated purpose of the protest, that of support for oil pipelines.

Scheer had failed to denounce those more extreme elements of the rally, and instead offered his support, leading critics to question his motives for failing to mention Islam following the New Zealand attack. Public backlash was strong enough that he then issued the following statement on Friday morning:

“As Canadians are learning the horrific details of last night’s terror attack at two New Zealand mosques, I wish to express both my deep sadness at the tragic loss of innocent life and my profound condemnation of this cowardly and hateful attack on the Muslim community.”

Contrast this with the comments made by Australian senator Fraser Anning, who tweeted truly alarming statements on Twitter last week, and Scheer’s perceived lack of grace seems rather tame.

“As always, leftwing politicians and the media will rush to claim that the causes of today’s shootings lie with gun laws or those who hold nationalist views, but this is all cliched nonsense,” Anning wrote. “The real cause of bloodshed on New Zealand streets today is the immigration program which allowed Muslim fanatics to migrate to New Zealand in the first place.”

Society, generally, has become far more distrustful of politicians and their actions, and yet a large number of us still look to them for leadership during difficult circumstances and national disasters.

In order to govern effectively, the public must trust that their elected officials will act in good faith, and for the good of the country. In order to build that trust, they must illustrate a good sense of character, and reflect the values that most Canadians share — honesty, sympathy, and common sense.

But in this case, Scheer took a misstep on a public relations landmine, and his prior transgressions in this eyes of his critics were all that were needed to hand further ammunition to those who seek to tear him down.

It just goes to show that even simple statements — if mishandled — can be politically disastrous.