Paul Martin Says What?

Oh. He exhorts the troops; the next leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Mr. Martin said in addressing the Montreal leadership conference, must undo Tory damage. Well, that makes sense, in a very partisan way, one supposes. The report read: "The Liberals' next leader will not only have to unite the party, but undo the damage caused by the Conservatives on the environment, aboriginal relations and other key issues" according to former prime minister Paul Martin.

Interesting. Are we then to take it that Mr. Martin is acknowledging that he left his party in disarray? That his incorrigible predecessor, Jean Chretien left the Liberals in dandy shape and that he, Mr. Martin, single-handedly and with great skill re-arranged the Liberals to such an extent? Or could he be referring to the divisions in party ranks caused by the two former leaders' irreconcilable differences, not the least of which was one's reluctance to part the scene, the other's passion to pick up the slack, instanter?

In other words, these two recent has-beens, leaders of the Liberal party, and also incidentally, prime ministers of this country couldn't stop their bickering and divisions of opinion long enough to remember they had a country to guide. Well, odd isn't it, that to any interested onlooker it appears that the divisions are still there along with the enmity that was engendered throughout the process of division.

Classic case of do as I say, right? Hey, don't emulate what I've actually done! As for the critical issues of the environment, aboriginal relations and other matters, we're still kind of scratching our collective heads about them. What, just exactly what were the wonderful initiatives that the Liberals saw through to a successful conclusion? It seems, if we can recall, that the Liberal government promised much, delivered nothing on the environment; fact is we kind of fell backward on that one.

As for aboriginal affairs, or as Mr. Martin put it, aboriginal relations, they're still in the dumpster. A lot of hot air, a lot of money has been spent and nothing, absolutely nothing, has changed. Our first nations still live a degrading existence, certainly not representative of their value to the country, historically and for the future. What exactly Mr. Martin, did the Liberal government accomplish that the Conservatives had, aw shucks, spoiled?

Actually from the perspective of a whole lot of onlookers and interested parties as taxpayers and voters, many among the public appear to think that this Conservative government has accomplished a few things that the Liberals failed to do.

On other key issues the Conservative government has a long way to go to proving that it is capable of grappling with issues and reaching constructive conclusions, but we're waiting. They haven't been in power for very long, and Canadians appear now to be willing to let them have a chance to hang themselves or to continue bringing Canada along into a more comfortable sphere.

Like it or not, it was the Conservative government that brought an end to the lumber dispute with that trade bully we live next door to. It was the Conservative government that finally apologized to Chinese immigrants, to our Canadian East Indian community. It was the Conservative government that officially recognized the Dalai Lama, that found agreement on Turkey's genocidal role with its Armenian citizens.

It was the Conservative government that has placed China on notice that the full extension of good relations between countries is dependent upon the observance and practise of human rights, that has continued to pursue Iran on its horrendous human rights record, that has given Israel a life-line of moral support against the terrorists ranged against that state.

It is the Conservative government that took a first constructive step to try (once again, wearily) to ameliorate the ongoing hurt feelings of being overlooked by Quebecois, granting the obvious, that their common culture, language, history, tradition marks them as a nation - within the country of Canada. Thus aiding and assisting the would-be Liberal leaders out of a tight hole they dropped themselves into.

Oops! Paul Martin and Jack Layton saw fit to attend Tamil Tiger community events. Stephen Harper saw fit to place them on Canada's list of terrorist groups. Jean Chretien lobbied his counterpart on a visit to Pakistan to release a man whom they were holding responsible for a bombing incident; that man was later released, close personal friend to Osama bin Laden and funds-gatherer for al Qaeda, the elder Khadr paterfamilias.

My memory begins to fade...I'm getting older and more crotchety by the day.