Categories: Inside the Queensway

Breaking news: Move over, Oily!

As reported by Inkless just moments ago, the tiny Tories have hit the streets…

by kadyomalley on Monday, June 9, 2008 1:19pm - 0 Comments

As reported by Inkless just moments ago, the tiny Tories have hit the streets in support of the Conservative government’s firm action on climate change to hand Oily the Splot.

Clad in garish yellow t-shirts emblazoned with the now iconic Shrugging Dion, they’re hitting the streets of downtown Ottawa, handing out postcards that warn against the “permanent new carbon tax”, and demanding to know if passersby will be “tricked into paying more.”

Forewarned by Wells, I ran into my first pair of Carbonteers outside Chapters on Sussex. Grabbing my camera, I took a quick shot, accepted a card, and explained that I was with macleans.ca. Could I have their names?

Meaningful look exchanged between the two. “I don’t know if we’re allowed to do that,” said the female.

I asked if they were here as volunteers, or being paid, and they assured me they were volunteers, but they decided that they’d rather keep that information to themselves. “So, you’re unnamed Conservatives?” I asked. Yeah, stick with that, they told me.

Less than a block away, I came across another dynamic duo, and decided to skip the pleasantries and go straight to what was apparently an unfathomably un-understandable request.

“I write for Maclean’s. Can I have your names?” I asked the more enthusiastically pedestrian-accosting of the two.

His response: “Will you be tricked?”

At this point the following exchange (reported as verbatim as my memory allows) took place:

macleans.ca: Can I have your name?

Him: Will you be tricked?

macleans.ca: Can I have your name?

Him: Will you be tricked?

macleans.ca: Is that the only thing you can say?

Him: Tricked will you be?

macleans.ca: Name can I have?

Him: No.

macleans.ca: [...]

Him: Will you be tricked?

At that point, I gave up. (Oh, and I also decided against posting the photo of the first pair, since they apparently don’t want to be publicly associated with the campaign.)

Back to you, Wells.

Tags: adventures of oily the splot, advertising, conservatives

More by kadyomalley

John Sullivan

MORONS !!!!
http://mrsinistergreg.blogspot.com Greg

It reminds me of “Marathon Man”. Is it safe? Just be glad there were no dental instruments involved, Kady.
beaker

I questioned a few – some are wearing shirt and ties – i asked if they worked on hill and they refused to answer.
Pingback: » There must not be a lot of work for Cons. staffers right now. Scott’s DiaTribes: My personal opinions on social and political issues from a progressive standpoint.
Mike G

It’s because they come out of clone vats. They don’t actually know their names, or if they work on the hill. You shouldn’t harass robots like that, Kady, geez.
Observant

All’s fair in love, war and politics … and of all people you should know that … Kady ..!!!
Northern PoV

Nobody saying its unfair.

We just can’t stop laughing at them.
Sophie

Wow. First time in my life that i wished I lived in Ottawa. What are you doing to me, Kady?
Mike T.

This is even better than when they put their logo on a racecar!
David Elliott

I believe they were so ashamed that they’d stoop so low to make a few dollars and
they didn’t want their families and friends to see them in such a sorry state.

Pitiful thing, all round.
Shenping

Hmm . . . This is starting to play out like a Doctor Who episode. Brainwashed minions of evil alien invaders spouting the same line again & again when questioned . . .
big Daddy

Ok. I’m not saying they were staffers, but they were wearing the t-shirts over dress shirts and pants.

Apparently the dress code for conservative stunts is ‘business attire’.
http://creekside1.blogspot.com/ Alison

If you right-click the CTV picture of the ‘carbonteers’, the name of the pic is “CP interns”.
T. Thwim

You know what’s really scary? Even Conservative volunteers are afraid to give their names. I wonder what they fear more, reaction from their neighbors, or reaction from the Party Apparatus?
Herbert Thornton

Morons? I very much doubt it.

My personal experience of reporters is that they are very persistent in asking questions and then often misunderstand the answers, or otherwise present them in a light that very much misrepresents what you said.

The very best way of all to deal with the is simply to look at them and say NOTHING. It’s difficult at first, because we’re all so conditioned to reply that we can’t bring ourselves to stay silent. But it works.

Another way – that I sometimes have fun with – is to pretend that I don’t even speak English. Fortunately I do speak enough of two other foreign languages to tell them that I have nothing to say. If they happen to understand the first language, I switch to the other.

The not-speaking-English method works even better with people who call me on the telephone to try to sell me things – one sentence and they hang up.
http://bcinto.blogspot.com Jeff

Very funny, this is. Investigate further, you must.

And if necessary, use the force too.
Kenneth

Show the picture! It was a public street and they wanted attention. I am sure we could ID them in an hour if they are staffers.
Big Daddy

Or you could post the CTV clip where the “interns” are seen handing their yellow cards to … Jason Kenny’s super special assistant: Alykhan Velshi!
Friendly Neighbour

Name of one the tiny tories: André Brazeau.
Employment: Intern at PMO
Past Employment: President of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (2005-2007)
tobyornottoby

This reminds of the Name That Narc contest the Georgia Straightt used to run. A long time ago. (Anyway, I have it on good authority that they used to).