Way to go Amber Jones. Heard you on national radio this morning in Calgary and talked to a friend in Montreal who also heard you on CBC. The girl reading Robert's blog did a bang up job. Nasty. Alan Carr mentioned Rawlco's station and The John Gormley Live Show as perpetrators of the attack. If there were winners and losers in this, it is very clear where the lines are drawn.

[Admin's Note] - For the record, let's not put words in Alan Carr's mouth that did not appear in the actual broadcast. And let's be clear... Tammy's opinion is her own and she is entitled to one - it's her job to have one. If you perceive it as an 'attack', that is your opinion. But let's not put words in people's mouths that did not exist there in the first place.

- John

Whether or not one agrees with blending the roles of Mother and Professional, we MUST agree that it is a choice we moms have the right to make. I attended the rally, both as a professional and as a mom. I was there to support our right to make choices. I attended as a member of the media (a photographer), but I also brought my baby girl - whom I wore in her sling. Having her along with me does not make me less of a professional, nor did it hinder my ability to report the event.

http://apps.caninecaptures.com/blog

I do hope you'll stop by and see my coverage of the Rally.

I am a mother of two and I did breastfeed both. Are those enough credentials?

I agree with Tammy. Breastfeeding immediately before the press conference and in the room with the reporters was done for effect. "Look at me. I'm not like all of those other politicians. I'm a mom."

Breastfeeding in public is really no big deal (although I did always try to stay covered since I didn't want to provide free peepshows for perverts). Lots of women continue breastfeeding when they return to work but they don't nurse while actually working.

Tammy expressed her opinion; Amber gave her response. Let it go already.

Your comments on using a baby to further one's political career are interesting and not out of scope of my own opinion. What I find more interesting about your comments though are the "bitterness" at a mother feeding her young and that a mother can have both a career and care for a child simultaneously. For centuries mothers have done just that - been a mom and had a career as a stay at home mom. The difference today is moms are no longer taking for granted their careers. They are coming forward and shining.

Another interesting comment you make is that Dad should have left and not attended to support his wife in her career. Would you have said the same if it was Dad who was making the speech and mom and baby were standing in the wings in support?

According to the United Nations Statistics Division, women occupied only 21 per cent of the parliamentary seats in the single or lower chamber of parliament in 2007.

That means that just one in five women finds herself represented in this country. That's a lot of silent voices out there, a lot of power in the hands of a few men.

All around the world, including in Canada, people are scratching thier heads wondering, "How can we get more women involved in politics?"

Here's a thought:

Perhaps when a woman does step up, we could stick to questioning her about her political values, about her platform, about what she stands for. Perhaps we could stop making comments about the milk coming out of her breasts and start talking about the words coming out of her mouth.

Amber Jones was not at that event to breastfeed her child. She was there to talk and she had something important to say. She also happens to be a mother, which is a full time job in itself, she fed her child when it was required, and she got back to the other job at hand, speaking for the Green Party of Canada.

Now, I am amazed by this woman and her ability to confidently handle work as the head of the Green Party of Canada and her first child, but that doesn't take away my ability to listen to what she had to say. It's a pity it seems to have rendered John Gormley so incoherent, but then, I understand the man wasn't even in attendance at the event.

I'd like to thank Amber Jones to stepping up to a difficult plate and taking a leadership role in Canadian Politics. I'd like to thank her for being a role model to young women in our country, and I'd like to thank her husband, Michael Jones, for being so supportive of his wife's political ambitions and a great role model himself.

John Gormley, I'd like for you to comment, with substance, on what was said during that event, and attack that, if you like.

No offense, but it's really, really irritating when women bring their kids to work. Your co-workers may be being nice, but I would lay a heavy wager that they are annoyed with you, if you truly do bring your baby on a regular basis.
I love kids, and I can't wait to have my own baby someday, but work is not daycare. Also, I find it hard to believe that your productivity and therefore value to the workplace is not depleted by bringing your child. If I was your boss, I would NOT be impressed - but I'm sure that he or she is held hostage by your self-righteousness indignation.

I read Ms. Robert's rant about Amber Jone and her baby and felt sorry for all involved. First of all, Amber is a mother who obviously in committed not only to her career but also to her child - both qualities worthy of support and admiration. It's disheartening to witness her attack at the hands of another young mother who should, even though disagreeing politically, laud her efforts, not mock and ridicule. Then there's Ms. Roberts...There has to be more behind her rant than mere disagreement. Could it be guilt? How much time does she spend with her own children? Does she console herself with the myth of, "quality time, v.s. quantity time?" I'm almost positive that her children spend much time in daycare or with a nanny...poor kids...

I have a final question. Would the attack be as vehement if Amber Jones were a member of the Sask Party or an Aboriginal woman? Seems like it's fairly safe to attack the Green Party...or the Liberals...Hmmmmmm

Obviously very few people are getting the point of Tammy Robert's post. It's not a slam against breast feeding, but a slam against Amber Jones taking political cheeseiness to the next level. I totally agree with her statement. And furthermore, Tammy Roberts IS a mom and DOES understand. Amber Jones should also be thrilled to recieve these negative comments. Any press is good press and the Green Party needs all it can get!

I am really not surprised that a producer of the John Gormley show has made such ridiculous comments.

I wonder if she stopped to eat at a media event - would she expect to be treated with such distaste?

Why is it wrong for a baby to EAT in public?????????? Why is it OK for the rest of the world but not for a little helpless totally reliant on mom to get life sustaining sustenance baby??????

OK so maybe I'm being over the top - but really, it is terribly sad that we don't support mothers in this day and age - it is hard enough to be a working mom, never mind when people criticize you for it.

I agree with previous posters comments, it is obvious Tammy Robert doesn't have children. Until that time, maybe she should keep her criticisms about the way people decide to parent to herself.



[Admin's Note] - Ummm... you clearly haven't read Tammy's latest post. She is a mom.
- John Himpe
News Talk Radio

I am a professional person who also happens to be a mother. My infant is nine months old, and at this age, she is an enormous part of who I am. It is difficult to be a professional person and a mother, but there are those of us who do it, every day. My baby comes with me when I'm working. Thankfully I'm in a profession where, it may be unusual, but it's not treated with abhorrence (as you've treated Ms. Jones).

I was thrilled to see that Amber Jones, new to both life as a mother and new to her political role, had the confidence and character to take her baby along. Her baby, like mine, is an extension of herself. Part of her, physically, and emotionally. I can't imagine leaving my infant at a sitters. I am the best person to meet her needs, as Amber is the best person to meet her baby's needs.

Way to go Amber. Stand up for yourself and your infant! We are watching, and we couldn't be prouder to see you being who you are - forthright, honest, confident. Mother and professional!

As a self-employed women, and mother, I have been in a position where I have had to take baby along as I carry out my professional duties,...the show must go on and my life and my business can not stop just because I am a nursing mother. When possible I did leave the baby behind (for an hour or two), but you are obviously not a woman who has tried to 'pump' while at a meeting or on the road. I have done it and none of it is easy,...leaving the baby behind or taking it with you. Most of the work that I do is male dominated, and they were wonderful with me and my baby,...but (some) of the women were judgemental and annoyed with the baby's presence. My opinion is that I am a professional with a family, and when I have a baby there is a short window of time that I have to balance both,...easy or difficult,...it is what it is. It is my hope that women help women on this transition to wearing both hats at once, and not place harsh judgement on eachother. I am not mad at Tammy for her comments,...it just shows that she does not have children, she does not understand what it is like, and one day if she chooses to have children and have a career she will feel foolish for these comments.

As a last note,...I wish that mothers would stop being so defensive of this. One way to create crazy rage with mothers is to bring up 'nursing privileges',...it is what it is!!! Don't be so defensive!!!

Tracy

Tammy Robert, what the hell are YOU trying to prove? Your blog is completely outrageous and incredibly offensive to those of us who strive to be nurturing mothers while still pursuing our careers. Your suggestion that women who chose to breastfeed (GASP) should do so at home away from the public eye is ridiculous, and belongs in some other century. As a public figure - a female one at that - one would hope you'd be a bit more careful about propagating such backward ideas on what is/should be acceptable in our society when it comes to children and the "places they don't belong".

I absolutely agree with Tammy Robert. Women have fought too long and too hard for equality to now "ascend" to the image of wife-and-mother-in-the-workplace. Children are a distraction at work - if not for the parent, then definitely for other employees. There are some places in which it is simply inappropriate to bring children; for example say, a press conference in which matters of government are being addressed. I DO NOT want to see your baby, I'm sure it is adorable, and I am also sure that nobody had doubts about how good of a mother you are to your child. What I DO want is for you to find a competent babysitter so that your thoughts are on work and how you can use your leadership skills to lead, not breastfeed. This was not a restaurant, or a coffee shop, or library, or wherever women can discreetly cover themselves. This was a media event - where all actions have meaning, and so yes, your baby was a prop.
And so I congratulate you, Amber Jones. You have been in the spotlight for 5 minutes, and in the process you have managed to offend myself - a hard-working, driven professional woman and Green Party supporter who does believe in the privacy of breastfeeding; AND you have created controversy about your motives, AND you have had the nerve to indirectly ask for an apology from a media source because a blogger disagrees with your tactics.
How lame. Yes, in a way it is sad that breastfeeding in public and bringing your baby to your own press conference sparked Tammy Roberts ire. But you made the decision to represent people as a leader, and so you cannot be shocked when your innappropriate decision to distract from issues important to these people falls under fire.

Ms. Roberts, each of your blog posts, amazingly, is more igorant than the last.

Tammy Roberts, what the hell are you trying to prove?

The Executive Producer of the John Gormley show, produced a blog entry, with her degrading view of a working mother in tow.

Well aren't you very ignorant,

After a quick shout out (presumably because she has never been in a room with her hungry baby. convienently to create traffic to her poor blog). She then returns to her cozy little corner to pat herself on the back for being so knowledgable to the media.

A news show with a twist-Executive Producer and Commentator in perfect equilibrium.
After Roberts wrote, women's rights and babies' rights were stripped...all at the same time.

All together now - aawwwwwwwh. My slanderer.

Let me get this straight - there was absolutely no way Roberts could have researched breastfeeding on demand. Maybe the idea of formula, babysitters and a break is the only way she will know how to parent.

Fast forward, the airplane (gotta get there fast) arrives in Regina. What exactly was stopping Roberts from showing some understanding to a working mother?

What stopped her was that nobody was going to read her blog if it had been a male politician with his wife and child in the background.

Congratulations Roberts, you've showed exactly how much you do know about a working, nursing mother,

Here's an idea for Roberts - how about she gets her own family before she starts worrying about someone else's.

You're all card carrying greeners aren't you? At least ones had the guts to admit it. Face it, the baby was a prop. Everybody sees through it, because it's standard operating procedure for politicians to have family in tow at certain events. Although they usually have the sense to leave infants out of it.
And you can't tell me that the breast feeding wasn't a stunt. That too, was just a little too obvious. Enjoy your 15 minutes, it'll be gone before I finish this ...

Tammy Roberts mean spirited opinion of Amber Jones is a sad example of our societies erosion of family values. How dare she suggest that this natural style of parenting was some sort a publicity stunt. Tammy clearly has zero understanding of the strong family foundation that can be developed by breastfeeding. Mrs. Jones is providing her infant with a gift that has sustained mankind for thousands of generations. As a breastfeeding mother it saddens me that our culture is so closed minded about such a natural act. Tammy suggested " how about she gets her own priorities in order before she starts worrying about what the government's should be." It is clear that Mrs. Jones already has her priorities in order. Unfortunately some educated individuals in our culture are not astute enough to recognize that.
Kim

I was absolutely outraged by Tammy Robert's comments regarding Amber Jones and her baby. Why shouldn't Amber and any other mother breastfeed in public? And why should she not have her daughter with her. Babysitters and breast pumps may be useful, but their use is not compulsory. The health service and other organisations are working hard to promote breast feeding as best for babies. I just cannot fathom Tammy Roberts comments at all.

Dear Ms. Roberts,

As President of the Green Party of Saskatchewan and one who organized yesterday's highly successful press conference, I don't recall anyone from Rawlco Radio being present and I don't know who you are quoting your information from.

Reading your blog as your own opinion but on your employer’s site, you seem to possess a degrading and backward view of where women belong in society.

At the Green Party of Saskatchewan Press Conference, Amber Jones did not hold her baby until after the press conference was over. As well, it was only because CTV asked Amber to hold Ainsley for a television shot did she oblige to do so. Your accusation that this was done intentionally is mean spirited and very hurtful. Amber Jones is one of the most sincere, honest, non-manipulative people I know and you really should extend an apology for your comments which are based on ignorance. If you do not, I have asked management at Rawlco to do so. The fact that you were not in the room begs me to wonder what other issues you have with this. May be you should think about this. I have to ask what possibly motivated you to put down the Leader of political party just because she breastfeeds her six month old child and do so on Rawlco Radio's website.

I honestly hope Rawlco Radio, the Rawlinson family and others who represent a fair, equitable, open and tolerant society do not share your views which are archaic, outdated, misinformed and backward. As you chose to be critical of Amber Jones in her capacity of Green Party Leader of Saskatchewan, I would have hoped you kept it professional and criticized the policy position on Resource Royalty rates or the lack of government promotion of alternate uses of power, as opposed to criticizing the fact that this woman breastfeeds her six month old child.

As a 43 year old single mother with two exceptional teenagers and someone who has grown up in politics my whole life, I think it may have been more appropriate if you kept your personal issues to yourself. However, now that you opened a very ugly can of worms, I have to ask you what is wrong with women breastfeeding and possibly at a place of work? From what I know, you obviously feel it's okay to get a tattoo at work, so what is so wrong with someone bringing their child to a momentous time in their life. Your personal views on this only outline your ignorance of the struggles women face in politics daily. If anything, you could learn to be more supportive. If not, I am saddened that you went out of your way to pass judgment on something that you have no knowledge of. So typical of an aspect of Saskatchewan some of us are trying to change.

As a mother of three, all of which were breast fed for a couple years each or more, I must say I'm terribly appauled at Tammy Robert's slandering of Ms. Jones. I'm not writing in on behalf of any political party. I'm writing in as a mother. Ms. Jones' baby was exactly where babies need to be - in mother's arms and at the breast. I for one couldn't leave my children with anyone for the first couple years. THis was not a political move on my part. It was simply the fact that my children were breastfed and I didn't care to abandon their natural needs for events or appointments I had. Chiro, dentist, meetings... my babies were in arms. How dare you slam a mother for taking care of her child's needs.
~Monika