The Warpfish Chronicles

"28 years on the planet, and I still haven't figured out what's going on."

A Comment and Response -- April 14th, 2002

The Original e-mail:

Subject: whiners

Obviously you are not able to distinguish between politicians and statesmen. The former do popular things to be liked. An example is Clinton. The latter do things because they are right. Klein, Harris and Trudeau belong to that group. They wisely don't give a damn about whiners like you who create the poisoned atmosphere by just critisizing.

A true statesmen would realize that criticism is an important part of the political process. In democracy, there is room for the minority and the majority to voice their opinion.

But, you're right -- Mike Harris doesn't care about what I say.

And neither do you, apparently.

However, I never asked anybody to believe in what I said -- and, if you wanted to take the time to read my opinion, then it's your own fault for spending that time. As I've said, I offer my opinions freely, for people to read as they choose.I ask nobody to read them, and I certainly ask nobody to follow my line.

I also do find it funny that you lump Trudeau and Harris in the same paragraph though, given their differences. (For example, Trudeau believed in government control and Harris believes in privatization. Trudeau believed in government programs, while Harris believes in small government and 'everybody for themselves' economics.)

I also liked how you merely said Mike Harris was 'right', without explaining why. Why is Mike Harris right? I can tell you why I think Mike Harris is 'wrong.' Or do you believe Mike Harris is right because he lowered taxes and you don't live in Walkerton?

By the way -- the spelling of the subject line should be 'Whiners'.

I don't mind good solid political debate -- my opinion has been changed before, and, somebody may be able to convince me that Mike Harris's legacy will be a positive one for the province.

But, if you're going to argue with me, give me evidence, give me reasons. Don't accuse me of poisoning the atmosphere, when you're denying me my right to speak.

Peace, order and good government can only occur in the realm of public debate, which is a cornerstone of democracy. If we start believing that we have the right to do things in the name of the public good, regardless of others may think, then we become our worst enemies.

History is full of examples of where things done in the name of the public good actually represent evil. Are we dumb enough to repeat those mistakes again?

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