Saskatchewan Party MLA Donna Harpauer’s explanation doesn’t make sense

Today’s StarPhoenix reports on an incident that took place in the provincial legislature on Thursday, April 5 that apparently left a Saskatchewan NDP MLA in tears.

In War of words ends in tears (SP Apr. 7, 2007) SP reporter James Wood wrote:

The incident occurred during a heated debate over the alleged harassment of government employees. Saskatchewan Party MLA Donna Harpauer made a comment about the NDP's Sandra Morin: “You know, the member from Regina Walsh Acres, someone needs to take her to the backroom and give her the horse . . .” said Harpauer before cutting herself off.

Harpauer told reporters she was referring to the government lounge where ministers and MLAs are briefed.

The Humboldt MLA said she was not going to say “horsewhip,” but was going to say “horseshit,” before catching herself.

The comment came after Morin said the Saskatchewan Party would gut labour legislation. Harpauer said she was accusing Morin of twisting her and her party's positions.

Horsewhip can be defined as: to flog with or as if with a whip made to be used on a horse.

Horseshit can be defined as: the excrement of a horse; a meaningless or insincere talk or action; nonsense.

The use of each word in Harpauer’s reported outburst would read as follows:

“You know, the member from Regina Walsh Acres, someone needs to take her to the backroom and give her the horsewhip.”

“You know, the member from Regina Walsh Acres, someone needs to take her to the backroom and give her the horseshit.”

Now really, which one seems more plausible? Yeah, I thought so.

Harpauer’s explanation just doesn’t make any sense. One could even say it’s horseshit.