One lesson learned perhaps by some ..... and another lesson that needs to be learned by all.
An OPSEU staffer frequently has told the story of how U.S. President Lyndon Johnson once told his campaign team to spead the word that his electoral opponent, a pig farmer, had sexual relations with his animals. The campaign team, knowing the tale was untrue, was shocked. Johnson, who also knew the accusation was untrue, told his team that his objective was to spread the gossip just to "make him deny it."
The lessons to be learned?
Avoid the trap of guilt by accusation. Yes, character and behaviour are important! But if you hear or read negative personal comments about any candidate, be hugely skeptical.
Consider with great care the motives of anyone who tells tales of an opponent's alleged wrongdoing. Has the tale-teller got something to gain or an axe to grind?
Then how do we determine if there really has been some wrongdoing?
That's easy. Demand evidence, facts, references, dates, records, specifics. Be a skeptic. Don't believe any of it without real evidence. Allegations which are vague and personal, and all innuendo should be disregarded. Such allegations say a whole lot more about the poeple spreading the tales than those they accuse.
The accusation that the other side are really the ones dishing the dirt is one sublte way politicians have to deflect attention from what their side is really doing. Just like all the other unfounded and hearsay accusations, don't get fooled. Get the facts, the emails, papers, etc. Ignore the hearsay. Avoid the trap.
Harper-style personal attacks should have no place in OPSEU.
Solidarity.
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