How About That Ralph Klein?

Yep, Yep, that's Ralph Klein all right, always saying the inappropriate, always bringing attention to himself, his brash and somewhat demented take on life and politics. He's one of a kind, all right. And for that, thank heavens for small mercies. He's on his way - out the door, leaving politics and none too soon. On the other hand, while he's leaving active politics, it's not all that likely he'll be leaving the public stage. Gosh darn it, he just enjoys his notoriety too much.

And doesn't he have his admirers, yes indeed. Mostly male, I would hazard a guess. How the hell does his wife put up with him? Because he's cuddly and oh so cute, could that be it? She's willing to overlook his gross stupidities, his lush (oh sorry about that) sense of humour, his bumptious red-necking? Women can be as mysteriously strange in their acceptance of men's godawful predilections, as men can be ignorant of the awe-inspiring effect their lack of civility can have on gentle society.

As though hapless, rich, beautiful and judgement-impaired Belinda Stronach hasn't been sufficiently insulted, here comes Raaalph! How the bloody hell can such a doltish character have risen to such an exalted (just a minute here, while I exhale) public post? Good thing he was presiding over oil wealth in Alberta and not managing the kitty in Quebec or Prince Edward Island. When you've got natural resources of that kind to play around with, how much can go wrong?

Nothing delicate about Ralph Klein's constitution, his robust popularity with the great unwashed and his truly one-of-a-kind sense of humour. Um, one-of-a-kind? perhaps not, since the assembled audience of the "roast" at a charity event in Calgary found it downright amusing when he gave forth, not with a belch, which might more suit his style at dinner, but with a low-down and very common piece of smut directed at another politician.

You've got to say this for old Ralph, he has the instincts of a natural-born buffoon. His idea of shared humour at a mixed-gender social event for the Calgary Homeless Foundation, will surely not reflect kindly on the host charity. Klein's coarseness is inappropriate in any setting, but particularly insulting at a fund-raising for a charitable enterprise.

Good grief, let's not sully any more newsprint with the lunatic grin on that man's visage, so pleased with himself, so unappealing to civility in public life.

Lewd and crude, that's the Man.