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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-02-25, Page 44 Exeter Times—Advocate Wednesday,February 25, 2004 zkxna =CNA Editorial Opinion TIMES ADVOCATE PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER 07511 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing casts. Jim Beckett Publisher and Editor Deb Lord Production Manager Published by Metroland Printing, Publishing & Distributing Ltd. IMetroland i 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • (519) 235-1331 EDITORIALS Are the Conservatives ready? Since the federal Liberals grabbed hold of power in the early 1990s, there's never been a better time for a conservative gov- ernment to win an election. The question is, can the newly -formed Conservative Party of Canada get its act together in time for an election? After initial in -fighting due to unhappiness over the merger of the Progressive Conservatives and the Canadian Alliance, the new party is now try- ing to choose a leader. In the race between politi- cal veterans Stephen Harper, Tony Clement and newcomer Belinda Stronach, Harper seems the most confident of victory. While it's nice to see a fresh face in Stronach, someone who isn't a professional politician, it's clear the learning curve for her will be steep. She looked very scripted during Sunday's leadership debate and clearly doesn't have the inside politi- cal knowledge Harper and Clement have. On the other hand, in an age when Canadians are increasingly skeptical about politicians, an outsider like Stronach is a welcome relief. But the fact she made $12 million in 2003 as CEO of Magna International doesn't exactly make her the voice of the people, either. The fact she's unilingual won't win her any votes in Quebec. The next question is when will Prime Minister Paul Martin call the election? Will he delay things and hope the furor surrounding the spon- sorship scandal dies down, or will he call a quick election and hope the Conservatives aren't ready? And how will Canadians vote? The Liberals have already slipped in the polls, although it remains to be seen whether the anger Canadians feel over having $100 million wasted will last or whether it will fade away like the HRDC and gun registry snafus. In light of the billions the Liberals have wasted and the growing disillusion- ment Canadians have with the party, the time is now for the Conservatives to finally be ready for prime time. If they can't do it now, when the Liberals are reeling, they may never be able to do so. Quote of the week "I don't think anymore." The above gem comes from our former prime minister, Jean Chretien, when reporters ques- tioned him about the sponsorship scandal. Nice to see he hasn't lost the art of providing intelli- gent, lucid answers. About the Times -Advocate Doofus Dictator or Leader? There's a cartoon I like (OK, lots of cartoons I like) about a pair of mice by the name of Pinky and the Brain who aren't your average Mexican cheese steal- ing mice. Brain, naturally enough, has an overdevel- oped intelligence and ambitions to match of taking over the world. But his elaborate schemes, such as spiking the world's pancake supply with mind control drugs, are foiled each time by his less than gifted side- kick Pinky. This combination of doofus and dictator seems to sum how many people view U.S. President George W Bush. His critics see him as Mr Rogers standing in front of his closet trying to decide what sweater to wear, until he enters the Oval Office, opens the file marked World Domination and turns into Dr. Evil. Bush inspires contempt from his opponents rarely seen in presidents. In one of the more meaningless polls taken lately, 85 percent of Canadians said they wouldn't vote for Bush. While he probably isn't losing much sleep at the thought of Canadians not voting for him, it does bring up the question of why so many people grind their teeth thinking of Bush in the White House. As an American/Republican/President Bush is an automatic target for a good chunk of the world. But it is his so called "deer in the headlights" look and unflat- tering media personality that has the object of ridicule. But If all we're looking for in a leader is someone who looks good on camera and not much else, Bill Clinton was the perfect leader. But of all the reasons dredged up for hating Bush, one stands above all others. Texas. Bush's home state, with its so called gunslinger atti- tude, sums up everything seen as wrong with his poli- cies. With respect for my esteemed colleague, who has pointed to the habit Bush has of "dropping bombs on small countries," the people in those countries started this problem when they started dropping airplanes on U.S. buildings. Whatever mistakes they make, few leaders have received the personal attacks Bush has. Waste a couple of billion on a gun registry that disarms citizens and arms criminals and you're rewarded with three majority govern- ments. Shovel truck loads of money into a province in a pretty please attempt to make it stay in the country and the man at the top retires with his gold plated pension. Turn the Oval Office into a bachelor pad and it's a joke for late night talk show hosts. Drive interest rates to 18 per cent, ruin the economy and gut the Canadian military to the point where even the Montreal Canadiens could probably whip it in a fist fight, and you're still described as one of the greatest prime ministers ever. But get rid of one of the 20th century's most brutal dictators and comparisons to Hitler are deafening from washed up Hollywood actors. But to all those twisted out of shape by the thought of Bush controlling the fate of the world, there is a bright side. Jeb Bush hasn't said anything (yet) about wanting to be President. PAT B BACK 40 VIEW Address & Office Hours Times -Advocate, 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Holidays. Contact Us By Phone or Fax Classified ad & subscription sales (519) 235-1331 24-hour automated attendant (519) 235-1336 Fax number for all departments (519) 235-0766 Subscription Rates One year rate for addresses in Canada: $37+GST Two year rate for addresses in Canada: $68+GST One year rate for addresses outside Canada: $104 Call (519) 235-1331 to order a subscription. OLEN Classified Rates Word ads: $10.00 for 20 words, 20(c for each addition- al word+ GST. 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