Both Ends Against The Middle

There's just no peace, no respect, no justice in the world when you're a Liberal leader in 2008 in Canada. Most particularly when your name is Stephane Dion. All the seasoned reasonableness of his arguments countering all the pernicious moves of the current Conservative government are viewed with disdain for their partisanship and lack of vision by an unfair public.

But when matters reach the point where his own caucus stirs up troubles by ignobly stirring against his pronouncements, it must represent, even to his righteously academician's consciousness, that something's severely awry. His caucus, let alone his most trusted and closest advisers, appear not quite to share all of his energetically stated positions.

Particularly when he becomes downright apoplectic about Canada's need to remove itself from direct conflict in Afghanistan, under the delusionary belief that the country's armed forces can tiptoe lightly through the blooming poppies, handing out goodies to children instead of protecting them from Taliban terrorists, Liberal MPs begin to distance themselves from their leader.

While the John Manley panel on Canada's future deployment in Afghanistan has been accepted by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, inclusive of its criticisms of the current government, NDP leader Jack Layton screeches "pull-out" in a hysteria of defeat. And it is with Mr. Layton that Mr. Dion finds common ground, while at the same time understanding he would face a full revolt if he dared echo Mr. Layton.

Instead, he repeats time and again, his mantra of disengagement from combat, full engagement with reconstruction and Afghan troop training. While all about Taliban flood in to recapture undefended positions from which they've been rousted formerly. And it is in that undefended atmosphere that Canadian troops are expected to do their "peacekeeping" shtick.

The man is nothing but stubbornly adamant; his way, logic or not. And here's the unhelpful rub for this embattled politician whom Liberals are performing double-thinks on his leadership: The two most vital voices in the Liberal camp, representing his two former adversaries for the leadership don't quite agree with his position.

While exercising political caution, both Bob Rae, foreign affairs critic for the Liberals, and Michael Ignatieff, deputy Liberal leader - both breathing hard at the potential for another run-off at the leadership - have diplomatically kept their opinions close to their vests, but both agree with the Manley report in its deep essence.

The very Member of Parliament with the deepest conscience and the most exemplary performance as a caring human being and supporter of human rights, has recommended to Mr. Dion that he accept a free vote on the government's motion expected to call for an extension of the Afghanistan mission, if the required additional troops and equipment are received.

In his great empty store of political, social and humanitarian wisdom, Mr. Dion has put a clamp on Keith Martin's excellent recommendation.

And that, folks, is that.