EDITORIAL: Think before you speak

Conservative candidate Tamara Johnson proved last week that one should probably think before posting potentially inflammatory comments to social media sites.

And then think again before defending what you’ve said.

Johnson, who is trying to unseat Liberal Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle and NDP challenger Andrew Foulds, is a longshot.

Conservatives rarely do well in Thunder Bay.

Perhaps she’s seeking to rally the redneck vote with statements suggesting First Nations businesses have unfair advantages over non-Aboriginal businesses.

She’s right when she says a blockade of the James Street Swing Bridge is against the law.

But the first-time candidate clearly doesn’t understand the angst of business owners and residents on the reserve, who say they’re collectively losing $50,000 a day while CN?officials study what needs to be done to repair the fire-damaged, century-old span.

Instead of throwing fuel on the fire, Johnson should be coming up with solutions.

Her words were divisive and regardless of how many other people might feel the same way, we trust in our politicians to do and say the right things. This most certainly wasn’t the case.