Ben Isitt | Victoria Council

Great job guys, this is a great way of getting city officials with decision making power involved in dialog with this forum: personal attacks and being a snarky A-hole about anything they do.

Let’s see now…we have an elected official taking an adamant stand on an issue of social justice. It involves an event from our own community- yes, from the past, but one that has not seen the clear light of day to date, as far as I know. This seems to me to be not so bad, indeed, a bit of fresh air, certainly in comparison to what is, sadly, becoming accepted as the norm in politics these days. We have seen, for example, the specter of the Harper government, running the last election campaign on lies and fear mongering, an appeal to the basest human instincts, and going further a field, American politicians that have been bought and paid for by lobbyists of various stripes. It’s not a pretty picture. By contrast this looks pretty good.

As for his book, let’s be honest here fellows, it was an academic publication, written for a limited audience. It’s not going to go ripping to the top of the Amazon best-seller list any time soon. Isitt must certainly be aware of this, meaning we are talking about idealism, not salesmanship.

But he's not promoting his book. I haven't heard him say word one about it. This is all about restoring the honour these maligned French Canadians soldiers. That's why I was sure that it wasn't about his book. If it was, he would have been more explicit about promoting it, right? He'd go right out and state that he is an authority on the subject by virtue of his "critically acclaimed" book (that's right from his website) that came out last year. I'm saying he's not done that because his scholarly ethos prevents such salesmanship. Good for him.

There appears to be some sort of argument in there but I don't understand it. Sorry.

It's pretty amazing to think of this mass of soldiers at Fort and Quadra on the verge of rioting. A plaque on the site would be interesting but I'm sure the Armed Forces recruiting office a few metres away would rather not have a monument to disobedience there.

I'm not sure I sympathize with the mutineers. When you're in the army you don't have the luxury of second guessing or opting out of your mission. Although those that were drafted thought they'd be defending their country against German aggression, not meddling in a Russian civil war.

^I didn't get his point either Holden. I actually couldn't tell if Bob was criticizing Isitt or complimenting him. It kind of seemed like a mix of both. Bob?

Great job guys, this is a great way of getting city officials with decision making power involved in dialog with this forum: personal attacks and being a snarky A-hole about anything they do.

He's right, we should remain steadfastly obsequious in the face of such a great man as Isitt and never dare to challenge or question anything he does.

J Douglas, how was Harper's recent campaign any different from any other politician/party? Fear-mongering is an integral part of any political campaign these days because sadly, it works.

We're here to discuss C. Isitt as a politician and hopefully have him continue conversing here.

I ask that we stick to the politics and issues affecting his term on council for the benefit of all readers including C. Isitt who has taken the time to engage us and we'd like to maintain this unique for open dialogue.

We will be actively moderating off-topic or disingenuous posts from this point forward.

He's right, we should remain steadfastly obsequious in the face of such a great man as Isitt and never dare to challenge or question anything he does.

No, criticizing politicians for their views and decisions is completely valid. Bringing things down to the Bob Fugger level of personal attacks is counterproductive.

I am still looking for any video feeds where Ben Isitt outlines his political views.

Anyone have any links?

I am still looking for any video feeds where Ben Isitt outlines his political views.

Anyone have any links?

Give the guy a chance, he just got elected at the expense of some seasoned councillors.

Better than a video, it is easy to see the councillors in action at any of the council meetings.

No, criticizing politicians for their views and decisions is completely valid. Bringing things down to the Bob Fugger level of personal attacks is counterproductive.

All I said was that I find that he comes off as smug and a bit of a know-it-all that isn't likely to entertain views other than his own. This is based on me hearing him speak at an all-candidates meeting, at a recent Council Meeting (sitting as a Councillor) and news interviews.

That is my opinion. Accept or don't accept it, I'm not bothered either way. But it is unfair to characterize my perception of how he comports himself based on my observation of his public persona as a personal attack. Or perhaps that is offside on this board? Can I not opine the reasons that I find Dean Fortin's authoritarian manner offensive or Pam Madoff myopic because of her views on "heritage preservation?"

Christ, it's not like I said he disembowels capitalists and sacrifices them to the Ghost of Karl Marx, yeesh.

If I could get to a Council meeting I would. As I can't I am askiing for any links that might give me an idea of his overall political views.

While I understand that it is early in his tenure as an elected official, he has been around for quite some time so I thought that there might be some video links featuring his "platforms".

That is my opinion. Accept or don't accept it, I'm not bothered either way. But it is unfair to characterize my perception of how he comports himself based on my observation of his public persona as a personal attack.

Christ, it's not like I said he disembowels capitalists and sacrifices them to the Ghost of Karl Marx, yeesh.

Funny how authoritarian tyrants seem to start off life as socialists/Marxists...

Sarcastic rant about financial motives

Hell, I agree with a lot of the criticisms towards Isitt on his views about the particular piece of land being discussed. But there's a sitting councillor willing to post on this forum, explain their position, and be heard, and people here are wasting that on this crap instead of being constructive? Big win for VibrantVictoria.ca.

At what cost? Provided we all behave and censor ourselves accordingly? I too am grateful for any councillor that takes the time to engage constituents on any matter in any forum. I am confident that they are thick-skinned enough to take any criticism or opinion without taking the proverbial ball and going home.

^I didn't get his point either Holden. I actually couldn't tell if Bob was criticizing Isitt or complimenting him. It kind of seemed like a mix of both. Bob?



He's right, we should remain steadfastly obsequious in the face of such a great man as Isitt and never dare to challenge or question anything he does.

J Douglas, how was Harper's recent campaign any different from any other politician/party? Fear-mongering is an integral part of any political campaign these days because sadly, it works.

Yes, we have seen the quality of political discourse sink in recent years. But my point was to contrast this with the actions of Isitt. It is easy to be cynical, as some posters on this forum have been, when we look at politics today. But cynicism gets us no where- much better to look at individual cases, and judge them on their own merit, IMO. Isitt is proposing an idealistic act. Is he grandstanding? Maybe, but it seems unlikely, as has little to gain. His book was written in the style of a textbook (and priced in the same style). This is no Steven King on a book tour. He is making a point about the value of personal and social conscience that is still relevant today.

There appears to be some sort of argument in there but I don't understand it. Sorry.

It's pretty amazing to think of this mass of soldiers at Fort and Quadra on the verge of rioting. A plaque on the site would be interesting but I'm sure the Armed Forces recruiting office a few metres away would rather not have a monument to disobedience there.

I'm not sure I sympathize with the mutineers. When you're in the army you don't have the luxury of second guessing or opting out of your mission. Although those that were drafted thought they'd be defending their country against German aggression, not meddling in a Russian civil war.

I disagree with you about second guessing. Everyone has an obligation to act on their conscience to the degree that seems resonable under the circumstances, including those in the military. If they do not, then they become automatons, and the instruments of others. In a free society, even the rank and file in the military should take part in actions because they broadly agree with the goals, not because they will be shot if they don't.

This event was particularly provocative. It not only came at the end of four years of brutal struggle, which itself had a rather ill-defined rationale, but was a new mission, for an entirely different purpose. There was no threat to Canada, or any of the western powers involved, unless perhaps one considers the class system as it was then. Those marching down Fort Street were drafted into the service of the Glided Age, not going off to defend their country.

Mysage:

You can hear my views on local and regional issues in an interview I did last week with CFAX 1070:
http://isitt.ca/vote...iew-2011-12-12/

While I don't have recent video on Council-related matters, you can watch a Youtube video of a speech I gave during the last federal election:
http://isitt.ca/vote...mocracy-speech/

My priorities for the city can be found hear: http://isitt.ca/vote/city-policy/

Ben


Ben Isitt
Victoria City Councillor and CRD Director
Email. Ben@Isitt.ca | Tel. 250.882.9302
Web. www.BenIsitt.ca

Perfect.
Thanks.

Ben, thank you for your detailed response.

I don't think that this will come as a surprise to you that the contributors to Vibrant Victoria are as diverse as the population at large.

Your participation in this forum is important to us all.

Your participation in our community is important to us all.

Some will agree with your policies and platforms...some will not.

The clear fact is that you represent "us" the "ratepayers" and the reason for that is that "we" elected you.....

In all fairness, that was one heck of an election....one of change.

It might take a while for people to become adjusted to change.

Your response to "mysage" was respectful.

Thank you for that.

If I could get to a Council meeting I would. As I can't I am askiing for any links that might give me an idea of his overall political views.

While I understand that it is early in his tenure as an elected official, he has been around for quite some time so I thought that there might be some video links featuring his "platforms".

Google him on YouTube, there are lots of videos. The one at the Karl Marx grave is a real winner.

Google him on YouTube, there are lots of videos. The one at the Karl Marx grave is a real winner.

Isitt is an historian, Marx is a major historical figure. What is the issue here?

Isitt is an historian, Marx is a major historical figure. What is the issue here?

There are quite a few videos on Isitt there. He addresses his thoughts on Marx and Capitalism and Bear Mountain and any number of issues. Folks should view them and form their own opinions if they are interested in what the councilman thinks. That is all.