UPDATE (March 4) - Tom Flanagan explains and defends himself in an op-ed for the National Post
Political advisor and University of Calgary political science professor is under fire today for some remarks he made last night during a speech at the University of Lethbridge:
People can't distance themselves fast enough from Flanagan, it seems. The Wildrose Party has severed all ties with him. The CBC has fired him. The Prime Minister's Office has condemned him.
Virtually no one is stepping up to defend Flanagan - indeed, it would be very difficult to do so.
The closest I could offer in terms of a defence is that it's unclear whether Flanagan is talking about actual photographs and video (although it seems as though he is). If he's talking about writings and drawings, then it's at least a defensible position - such a stance would be in keeping with how the Supreme Court has ruled. In fact, it should be noted that prior to the Supreme Court ruling in the Sharpe case, the BC Supreme Court struck down the entire law dealing with possession of child porn.
I'm sure Flanagan is laying low at the moment, but he needs to explain himself and clarify his remarks. The sooner the better.
UPDATE: Here's the statement from the University of Calgary
UPDATE #2: Flanagan apologizes
UPDATE #3: Flanagan will retire from the U of C at the end of June
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