This isn’t change. This is more of the same. Photo: Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press
I don’t know what’s happening to this blog lately. I mean, I know it’s not happening, mainly because I’m busy at school. But during the past four years I’ve always wanted to write, even if I haven’t had the opportunity to write. But these days I just don’t have the mental energy to go into it.
The main reason is that I think I’ve become disengaged in politics of late, even if I am keeping a peripheral interest. I’m just kind of tired of the partisan bickering, pointless arguments, inane scandals, and a general inability to hold government to account for flagrant abuse of the body politic.
There’s probably no excuse left not to defeat the Conservative government for their continued failure to live up to their own stated policies and principles, contempt for both parliament and the accountability they were elected on, and an almost shameless unwillingness to abide by their own election promises.
Not that there’s much to get excited about from a general election that would likely restore the Conservatives to power in a minority government. Which means we’d get more of the same watered-down liberal-lite policies, cumulative spending, bureaucratic largess and ongoing usurpation of the Liberal party’s core philosophies, including pandering to ethnic voting blocks that fulfill a vague strategy of gaining a majority.
The Liberals would be no better. Michael Ignatieff hasn’t had a coherent idea since he was teaching at Harvard. If anybody can identify what it is the Liberal Party stands for, they might as well apply to be cipher-breakers at the CIA. All Ignatieff can do is criticize what is, rather than tell everybody what should be. And vague promises about more aboriginals in post-secondary institutions isn’t it.
At least Pierre Trudeau never pretended to be one of us. He reveled in his intellectual and moral superiority, taking every opportunity to foist it on the Canadian public with an arrogant “watch me” attitude. Ignatieff, on the other hand, requires historical rewrites of autobiographical information easily contradicted. Trying to fit in with Canadians isn’t working, and it doesn’t seem likely it ever will.
But it isn’t just federal politics. I haven’t written about B.C. politics for several months now either, despite the fact that a radio show host somehow finagled her way to the leadership of the BC Liberal party and the position of premier of the province. All without being elected by anybody.
It is, quite frankly, appalling that a political party can, without apparent conscience, ignore the democratic will of the electorate so egregiously and flagrantly without having to face some sort of trial. The idea that the Liberals can shed Gordon Campbell and shuffle their cabinet around and all the lies, corruption and abuse of power can magically be snuffed from existence with a mandate that extends for another two long years is extremely demoralizing.
And just like federal politics, where you have the choice between a contemptuous government or the hapless nation-ruining alternatives, the province of B.C. is no better. The BC NDP are a Big Labour jobs-killing party whose best idea in the past decade was to knock off a leader who had the folly to suggest more business-friendly centrist policies to appeal to a more mainstream voting segment. Alas, they are once again the unappealing alternative to a government that deserves to be put before both a polling booth and a jury.
So what can I say? It’s all just kind of a dog’s breakfast out there, and writing about it only serves to remind me why I’ve decided not to vote any longer. A friend recently said she will make a good journalist because she can see the potential good in all sides. On the contrary, I think the reason I’ll make a good journalist is that I no longer have faith in our political institutions to represent my views in any capacity whatsoever.
It feels like we are slowly marching towards an islamo-socialist world regardless of whatever small victories we achieve. Giving up certainly is tempting. It does take a lot of energy.
I agree with you Adrian.
The alternative to the Conservatives might seem a little frightening but the truth is, in IMHO, it would probably be more of the same.
I haven’t been voting Conservative in the last few elections as much as I’ve been voting Reform and that battle was lost long ago.
So the Opposition Parties get together and blow up minor administrative issues and ambiguous statements by a minister, refuse to listen to the evidence or explanations and decide in advance that they will find the Government guilty of something major while at worse they are guilty of being human and not being ” perfect “.
Faced by question period inanities for years I might also be tempted to show or feel ” contempt ” for the current crop of Opposition M.P.s in spite of the respect one should still show for the institution itself. ( Parliament has also become very dysfunctional and partisanship has crossed over into rude, dishonest and devoid of a sense of fairness when opposing the Government i.e. the tradition wasn’t just the written rules but also a sense of what was fair play and what was good for the country beyond political advantage ! Maybe the result of years of minority Governments has turned the political atmosphere ” TOXIC ” ? )
When found guilty by a Kangaroo court in another manoeuvre ” smelling ” of the ” Coalition ” I don’t see how I can find their verdict something to get my knickers in a knot, that is unless one has bought into the Liberal talking points or already had a chip on one’s shoulder about the Conservatives.
Are the Conservatives free from all possible criticism ? No, they made mistakes, have compromised by doing what the Opposition imposed on them fiscally, which they now criticize as creating large deficits ! ( Can’t have it both ways at the same time but why should the Opposition be fair or consistent ? Sarcasm )
Adrian, as with specifically the ” ODA ” issue I initially was concerned about there being a lie to Parliament but subsequent arguments and evidence ( I bought into ) I did not see any scandal there unless one expect total and absolute perfection from the Conservatives but one is ready to excuse the Liberals for almost anything ( ADSCAM / $40,000,000 fraud ) when they are in power by the news media.
Anyway, just stating my point of view and not wanting to start an argument …. lets just say that I agree to disagree on this specific topic but hope to still have friendly differences of opinion on various other topics ! Past hopefully logical arguments from both sides, it comes down to gut feeling and emotion and maybe partisanship whether one sees real ” IMPORTANT ” scandals here versus political games and manoeuvrings !?
Adrian: Pretty much my view (and I think Paul’s and Publius’):
http://cjunk.blogspot.com/
http://godscopybook.blogs.com/
Myself, I plan to write in Alfred E. Neuman. By the way the main US cryptographic agency is the NSA:
http://www.nsa.gov/
Mark
Ottawa
You are tired and have grown tiresome Adrian. You already consider yourself a journalist. You are still in school. You don´t like the acrimony in politics. You don´t vote.
You profess too much premature self importance for my liking. I came here early. I came here often. A few months ago I simply felt less and less reason to come here. Probably because the wind was out of your sails here…and you have clearly started to take yourself far too seriously.
There are already too many echo journalist types out there but go ahead, it is a well worn path.
True, I might take myself too seriously. But I’m done school in
2 weeks. So I’m mulling over quitting the blog.
I’m sorry to say I have to agree with Susan,Adrian, and I WAS one of your biggest fans on the internet. It IS satisfying to see a fellow construction worker get out of that bruising business and pursue a more genteel career,but at the same time, some of your comments indicate you are about to become the type of MSM creature that caused websites such as UA and SDA to exist in the first place.
I hope you’ll grow into the business and tend more toward the Lynch/Richler school of journalism rather than the too-numerous-to-mention Left-left-left leaning correspondents currently infesting the MSM.
Best of luck in your new career. Maybe in your last blog post, you can tell us where you’ve landed a job,so we can see how you’re advancing in your new career.
Too sad Adrian. I remember Raphael Alexander as a person who spoke his mind and told us what he thought. Now, you have to consider what an employer might think of your opinion, and that holds you back from the old way. I guess that is why most journalist bloggers will blog on their employer’s website and not independently.
We would welcome back Raphael
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/tags/raphael+alexander/default.aspx
It is oh-so-very tempting to just give up. Goodness knows there’s little reason to be excited about a “system” that just seems to grind on and on in its own way, regardless of anything anyone thinks, says, writes, does — including those who seek our vote.
But we dare not. There is lots to do. We might remember that, in every riding in this country, the potential to elect an independently-minded MP exists. Our choices are not circumscribed to “Conservative”, “Liberal”, “Dipper”, (minor party). We can, if there are no other options, at least go to fire the incumbent!
One needn’t be a partisan. One needn’t have a “team” (other than “those who stand for what I stand for”): we don’t have to bleed blue, red, orange or green. We do need to stand up and be counted, however, not just on polling day, but on all the other ones in between, too.
The staleness of our political life is precisely what motivated me to do “Citizen at Large”. Maybe “Unambiguously Ambidextrous” can move forward in the same fashion: not a fan of any faction (party or ideology) but a fan of aggressive common sense and the individual citizen.
We need an election, and here is why.
The result will be another minority, but that would spell at least 3 leadership bids. Iggy would be gone, Jack would bow out, and Harper would have no excuse to stay on, having failed to get a majority 3 times.
So, unlike most, I’m hoping … nay begging, for that unwanted election. I crave the renewal it would bring.
Naw, he could stay on if it’s as strong or stronger minority and if the ” Coalition ” tries to take over again we might have another election real soon after if the Governor General rules that they can’t take over if the Coalition doesn’t add up to a majority without ” official ” participation by the Block. If they succeed to form a Coalition Government how long would it last and if it lasts it might cause people to go for a strong Conservative majority the next time there is an election after they ruin our economy !
But I do see Iggy leaving or rather being ” dumped ” Jack might hang on ? It all depends on internal NDP rivalries.
Duceppe might leave but only when an opening is close to lead the Party Québecois.
It will be worth it. You have talent – both photographic and written. Jack at JacksNewsWatch is complaining today about how tired he is of all the BS in the MSM and I certainly agree. Personally I am blaming it on the “weather” – been a long one and I for one need some sunshine.
should have been a long winter!! … that’s why you write and I only “comment”
If you quit your blog you will probably miss the ability to vent as you see fit. As a journalist you will be restricted by your employer and your name will be associated with the people who sign your pay cheques. I guess everything in life is a trade off.
Adrian, Adrian,
Sorry to hear of your malaise, and I hope that it is a temporary condition. I have not read as much of your stuff as some of the others commenting, but I am enjoying it.
All I can offer is some encouragement to stay the course a little longer, get over this hump, and see how things look then.
The conditions you describe “t’wer ever thus”, so I am afraid you cannot expect that to change. Governments will forget campaign promises, opposition parties will select hapless leaders, and people for the most part will not care too much. Because despite the actions of our politicians and the inane structures of our government (the Senate!) it all works somehow to give us here in Canada one of the best standards of living ever experienced by people since we stood up on two legs.
The press is an essential part of the equation – because of the human frailties of our politicians. Someone needs to keep them honest.
I hope you carry on. But good luck in whatever endeavours you pursue.
” The press is an essential part of the equation – because of the human frailties of our politicians. Someone needs to keep them honest.
I hope you carry on. But good luck in whatever endeavours you pursue.”
I agree but I would add that Journalists also have a duty to police themselves and question their assumptions and be ready to look for contrarian versions of the ” official ” narrative that may become among large numbers of journalists ” THE STORY “.
There are certainly some bad, sloppy or biased journalists out there but also a good number who want to be ethical and give the facts more value than their opinions or personal inclinations.
Much of this can be called being fallible and human and not being consciously aware of a bias ! One can also become stubborn if one has initially perceived a situation in one way and be resistant to contrary opinion or evidence: No one said being honest and ethical even with oneself is easy.
As to a Blog opposed to journalism as a job is that you can tilt more in the direction of your opinion and biases and it’s still being honest if you make you biases and opinions open and clear ….. when doing your journalist job the facts should be the most important thing but you also have to be aware of ” peer pressures ” to want to fit in and follow a ” script ” even if it’s a script under the radar of consciousness.