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| The man is too pretty to fly economy. |
First, Mackay has been in hot water over his supposed use of private airplanes for travel – up to a total of $3 million dollars worth.
Second, John Baird has been in trouble for demanding special gold business cards which are different from the regular ones used be pretty much everyone else. (I ran into Jim Flarhety a few weeks back and I have his business card. He uses the normal one.) The extra-special cards were $400. (You can read the story in this hilarious Globe and Mail piece.)
There has been a lot of ink spilled over these two stories this week. In total, we’re talking about $3,000,400. Would I like $3,000,400? Yes. I really would. But is this a substantial amount of money in the great scheme of the Canadian budget? No.
In fact, the real scandal here is the fact that these issues are the scandal.
Canadian foreign policy is directionless. There is no grand vision, no idea of our place in the world... other than as a British colonial possession from sometime during the late 19th Century. It is comprised of a series of unfinished trade agreements and reacting to events in the world, only when we really have to. Baird’s sole experiment with boldness at the UN Conference on Disarmament was a total embarrassment and a disaster.
The Department of National Defence is now in a period of transition and contraction. One can only assume that this will mean even less resources for peacekeeping training and activity. But don’t worry – we have stealth skidoos.
There have been other scandals this week – A Canadians detained or prevented from returning home in Sudan and Libya. What did the government know? Who cares! John Baird WANTS GOLD ON HIS BUSINESS CARDS. Stephen Harper is worrying about "Islamicism" - as opposed to the Islamist threat to Canada. Genius - but don't worry, I'm sure no one noticed. (I'm glad he's so familiar with that which comprises the number one threat to Canada. Sleep well kids.)
Earlier this year I posted a list of 12 foreign policy questions that I would have liked the major parties to answer during the election. I do not think I am any closer to answering most of them. Our media is so often attracted by the quick scandal rather than the big picture, and I do wonder if any of these are even being asked? But maybe the public just better understands and is more interested in the scandals over shiny objects.
