Calgary’s Naheed Nenshi and Sun News’ Ezra Levant spar in epic Twitter battle
Twitter is great for us politcos.
It's a useful tool for politicians, journalists and the public alike to see what's brewing and to get a sense of public opinion.
One of the things I enjoy most about Twitter, however, is the Twitter fights between high profile individuals.
On Sunday morning we had a heavy weight battle between Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi and Sun News' Ezra Levant.
The impetus of the verbal barbs was a Levant article published in Sun News, on Saturday, titled "Calgary's Naheed Nenshi continues to abuse his city's taxpayers."
In the article, Levant reports that the City of Calgary — with the support of Nenshi — gave $340,000 to "an anti-oilsands lobby group called the Pembina Institute."
[ Related: Why is Calgary Mayor Nenshi sounding off about Quebec’s Values Charter? ]
It seems that Nenshi was the first engage Levant on Twitter:
@nspector4 no. Let's keep in mind his "anti-oil" group has Preston on the board, is funded by and consults for oil Co's. typical lazy Ezra.
— Naheed Nenshi (@nenshi) September 8, 2013
Levant quickly fired back:
.@ezralevant I've discussed policy with you too! OMG, I must be a shill for the Sun! — Naheed Nenshi (@nenshi) September 8, 2013
That was just the beginnig:
1. no you haven't 2. I'm not a lobbyist 3. You paid them $340K “@nenshi: Ezra I discussed policy with u too! OMG, I must be a shill for Sun
— Ezra Levant (@ezralevant) September 8, 2013
.@ezralevant so, Ez, fill your boots with lazy manufactured outrage just like you did when we were kids. But I won't play with you, sorry. — Naheed Nenshi (@nenshi) September 8, 2013
And then things got a little nasty:
When did you stop beating your wife? RT @ezralevant: @nenshi Pembina staff are working on your election campaign, or have donated to you?
— Naheed Nenshi (@nenshi) September 8, 2013
The term "when did you stop beating your wife" is, of course, often used as a retort when one asks a loaded question with a false presumption.
Levant didn't like that.
I've never beat my wife, or anyone. But do let me know if your "personal life" is fair game. “@nenshi: When did you stop beating your wife? — Ezra Levant (@ezralevant) September 8, 2013
This is how Mayor Transparency answers a question about unreported lobbying “@nenshi: When did you stop beating your wife? RT @ezralevant...
— Ezra Levant (@ezralevant) September 8, 2013
Violence against women is funny to you? “@nenshi: Ezra you well know that that's a cliche used to expos gotcha questions. More fake outrage? — Ezra Levant (@ezralevant) September 8, 2013
Nenshi tried to defend himself:
And of course there is nothing funny about domestic abuse. But pretending a reference to a loaded question is taking about abuse...
— Naheed Nenshi (@nenshi) September 8, 2013
For context, I've known @ezralevant since we were kids. We've travelled together, shared hotel rooms. He's exactly the same as he ever was. — Naheed Nenshi (@nenshi) September 8, 2013
And yes, every time @ezralevant felt he was losing a debate (often) he would jump into personal insults and feigned outage.
— Naheed Nenshi (@nenshi) September 8, 2013
But, alas, Levant wouldn't back down:
Do you think if Rob Ford replied to a journo with @nenshi's "do you beat your wife?", that he could get away without an apology? #vicious — Ezra Levant (@ezralevant) September 8, 2013
20 tweets, 90 minutes, but @nenshi is still too proud & grudging to admit falsely accusing me of beating my wife was wrong. Just apologize.
— Ezra Levant (@ezralevant) September 8, 2013
I've known @nenshi for 25 years. Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. 99% of the time charming; 1% shocking, vicious rage. And 0% apologies. Ever. — Ezra Levant (@ezralevant) September 8, 2013
Saturday @nenshi: retweets a women's shelter. Sunday @nenshi: makes a joke about wife-beating. #vicious
— Ezra Levant (@ezralevant) September 8, 2013
Eventually, Nenshi changed the subject and Levant kept going — or is still going. You can watch for yourself here.
Nevertheless, thank you to both Levant and Nenshi for keeping me entertained on an otherwise tranquil Sunday morning!
(Photo courtesy of Reuters)
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