Raise the Hammer
This blog entry has been updated.
In an interview with Laura Babcock on Chats from the Lair, Hamilton Mayor Bob Bratina blames former mayor Fred Eisenberger for the infamous incident where he threw a pen during a council meeting.
"Part of the reason for things like pen-throwing was lack of control by the chair, and, the chair of that meeting was behaving improperly, and that happened to be the former mayor," Bratina said, in a comment that went unchallenged by Babcock.
Bratina also complained that his comments are often taken out of context.
Babcock: "Do you think people misunderstand you because of the way things are clipped, and you know, woven into other narratives?"
Bratina:"Well, my story's not getting told, that's for sure."
Babcock: "So tell us, what are we missing?"
Bratina: "The truth...over and over again, I mean, I've given up trying to correct the famous accuracy newspaper, because then they tell me I'm thin-skinned."
I'm sure my pointing out his shifting of responsibility for hurling a pen from himself to Eisenberger would qualify, in Bratina's books, as taking him out of context. But the point is, he said it, and if you want the context, I'm embedding the entire interview below.
I have to warn you, however, that I'm only 15 minutes into this interview, and it's already a total love-in, characterized by a cozy atmosphere devoid of any challenging questions or critical remarks.
You may find that frustrating, just as I'm finding, and I haven't even gotten to the point where, as Babcock writes on her website, "His loyal Chief of staff and former journalist Peggy Chapman joins the chat spontaneously to defend the Mayor and set the record straight on why they handle the media the way that they do."
Update: In response to my criticism, Laura Babcock explained (via Twitter) that the format of the Laircast is a "relaxed", "casual & interesting chat". She says she started the show to "provide alternative environment for conversation with lots of laughter" and that the "format is not to everyone's taste". [NOTE: I edited her comments slightly to "de-twitterfy" them.]
By Ancopa (registered) | Posted November 24, 2011 at 07:05:42
But of course! Didn't you know, Eisenberger was a wizard? He employed one of the unforgivable curses -- the Imperius curse to force Bratina to throw that pen. Bratina couldn't help it, he was under a spell!
By rednic (registered) | Posted November 24, 2011 at 08:27:56
It's amazing in era when millions are being spent on anti bullying campaigns, that the someone in power can blame the 'victim' for their aggression. Don't worry Bob i'll never tell about the rounds you bought at the Wellington on election day while the polls were still open.
By Yataghan (anonymous) | Posted November 27, 2011 at 21:36:46 in reply to Comment 71581
I was at the Welly on election day. Bratina didn't buy shit for anyone. You are completely out to lunch.
By JM (registered) | Posted November 24, 2011 at 08:29:25
this is just going to go on and on isn't it... i hope that eisenberger remains a gentleman and doesn't comment any further. his article the other day was well written, and well timed. let bratina make a fool of himself now...
By mystoneycreek (registered) - website | Posted November 24, 2011 at 08:39:11
What's most interesting to me is that we have created the circumstances in which this gets air-time, or is a community activism site article. If we were busy building a better city, we wouldn't have the need to be 'dealing' with this...any of this...at all.
By z jones (registered) | Posted November 25, 2011 at 16:19:51 in reply to Comment 71584
Um, WE didn't create these circumstances. Bob did with his actions. It's not the 'bloggers' fault or Fred's fault or anyone else's fault.
By mystoneycreek (registered) - website | Posted November 26, 2011 at 04:23:30 in reply to Comment 71628
Um, WE didn't create these circumstances.
This sounds like The Gossiper's Mantra.
Surely to God we're better than this.
Oh...no. We're not: witness our 'Tabloid Culture'.
How lovely it is to have our house in order to the extent that we can faff about so indulgently.
Bleurgh.
By Kiely (registered) | Posted November 24, 2011 at 17:43:57 in reply to Comment 71584
I don't get the down votes MSC... I understand what you're saying.
By -Hammer- (registered) | Posted November 24, 2011 at 09:18:52
Hey Bratina, how about instead of going on the radio every week and trying to make yourself look good and attack anyone who disagrees with you, you actually go to work like the rest of us and do your job! Oh, by the way how are the deamalgamation talks going?
Comment edited by -Hammer- on 2011-11-24 09:20:18
By Cranky Croat (anonymous) | Posted November 24, 2011 at 21:47:03
Margaret Atwood got so played.
By TnT (registered) | Posted November 25, 2011 at 00:47:38
I think he did put everyone here in their place when he let you all know, “No one blogged more than me.”
By nobrainer (registered) | Posted November 25, 2011 at 14:17:45
Paranoid much Bob? The whole interview he's going on about how everyone is out to get him even though he's doing a FANTASTIC job and everything's hunkey dorey, and aren't people just being mean and making it all personal about him.
By z jones (registered) | Posted November 25, 2011 at 16:16:37
How bad does it have to be for Loren Lieberman to have to tell Bob and Peggy to lay off the mockery? Seriously!
By downtowninhamilton (registered) | Posted November 27, 2011 at 07:10:19
I thought he didn't throw the pen, it fell out of his hands? Wasn't that the story for the past few years since it happened?
By Stylo (anonymous) | Posted November 27, 2011 at 16:24:26
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L7lMC5gL_I
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