So it seems the new norm in journalism whenever there is an alleged scandal is to just throw “gate” on the end of it.
When I heard about the infamous “elbowgate”, I had to see it for myself.
I was actually initially shocked to read headlines about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau allegedly “elbowing” NDP MP Ruth Ellen Brousseau and immediately had to look up the video, which I watched several times, to make sure it wasn't a joke — or perhaps an exaggeration combined with a dose of shameless political grandstanding.
Of course when I hear that someone “elbowed” someone else, I can't help but think of an intentional crushing knockout blow to the head. The NDP MP who was allegedly assaulted so viciously frankly reminds me of a soccer player taking a dive from five feet away. Just moments before she was laughing as though being in government and passing laws is apparently just a happy time to joke around. How very professional.
Then, there's the whip Gord Brown who Trudeau allegedly “manhandled.” Another rather loose interpretation of that word. Bouncers in bars manhandle as they throw out of the door unruly patrons who are getting too rowdy. The prime minister grabbed Brown by his arm and let go when told to do so.
As for the heated exchange in words, nary any mention of the vitriolic rancor spewed by Tom Mulcair, the NDP leader no doubt fearing complete political obscurity after his party recently cast him aside.
Granted, the prime minister's behind should not have left its seat. His behaviour was ungentlemanly at best and brusque at worst, but intentionally viciously attack a member of parliament he most certainly did not do.
Nevertheless, he owned up to his actions, which few leaders ever seem to do, and unreservedly apologized for his behaviour shortly after the whole debacle.
But the pervasive accusations have been greatly exaggerated. Few headlines, from apparently the only reporters with any integrity, made sure to add either the words "accidentally" or "inadvertently" before "elbowed".
Perhaps the funniest part of the entire farce was former prime minister Stephen Harper, pictured and posted on social media seen in the background smiling away as the whole folly unfolded before him.
Some Liberal policies are certainly worth scrutiny, such as the party's support for Bill C-51, the TPP, its suspicious inaction on the tens of billions of dollars that Canada's wealthiest are siphoning out of our economy into overseas tax shelters every year. To name a few.
But this whole elbow incident is a completely trivial non-issue that has mostly served to demonstrate a gross inability from many federal politicians on all sides to act like mature adults.
Although considering some parliaments around the world descend mid-session into total chaos as all sides jump into a frenzied fray of swinging limbs and angry shouts, having a prime minister step up to grab a guy's arm to move him through a wall of MPs while inadvertently bumping into someone else seems pretty darn tame by comparison.
Many people around the world are no doubt chuckling over such an over-reaction to what would otherwise amount to a non-event in their daily news feed.
I'll take our circus over literally brawling politicians — as can be seen online in many videos from around the world after a three-second search, or even Trump for that matter — any day of the week.
