Political thoughts during the dog days
I’ve always had a keen interest in all forms of politics. For decades the vicissitudes of parties and politicians have been a source of entertainment more often than not; watching fictitious claims and information put before an often gullible electorate.
Here are three examples why that wonderful song “Just Gimme Some Truth,” by super-cynic John Lennon, repeatedly plays in my cranial Wurlitzer in these dog days of summer.
1. The Commissioner of Elections just released evidence that the Green Party of Canada contravened the Elections Act in the final days of last October’s federal election. Erroneous polling data was distributed to thousands of households to try and win the NDP seat in Victoria, B.C. The party that self-righteously claims to be above board and ultra-trustworthy is now pleading guilty as charged. The leader advises it’s nothing to do with her; it’s a Green Party matter. Nobody will be getting booted — guess she hopes to protect her perceived Miss Goody Two-Shoes image.
2. The very same day our Prime Minister took to the Twittersphere informing all and sundry that he’s “Taking some time to recharge with family — See you at Vancouver Pride.” Does anybody really care? But maybe he’s too full of hubris to realize that there are so many Canadians increasingly sickened of tiresome tweets and senseless selfies for the past nine months. Many were hoping he would hitch Papa Pierre’s canoe to his bandwagon and head deep into the woods for the summer with Sunny Sophie and brood in tow.
The two could have shown up at the Pride parade in costume as “Lord and Lady Naked Ego.” That would be in keeping with scantily clad revellers who are so prevalent at these events.
3. Pouring scorn on to deserving politicians would be incomplete without mentioning the two U.S. major political party conventions held in Cleveland and Philadelphia. Believe it or not, the country that loves to label itself “the most powerful nation in the history of the world,” is having to choose for its leader for the next four years between Tweedle-Dumb and Tweedle-Dumber.
President Bernie has a nice ring to it, but that’s another story. Bernie Smith, Parksville, B.C.