December 19, 2002
MY FAVORITE MARTIAN RUNS CANADA:
These two stories appear consecutively in the canada.com mailing this morning:
U.S. must justify any attack on Iraq (David Vienneau, December 19, 2002, The Ottawa Citizen)
The U.S. will have to justify to the world any declaration of war against Iraq, Prime Minister Jean ChrŽtien says.
and
PM Kyoto based on 'gut feeling': Decision to ratify accord was not based on details: Anderson (Kate Jaimet, December 19, 2002, The Ottawa Citizen)
Prime Minister Jean ChrŽtien's decision to ratify the Kyoto accord was based on a "gut feeling," not a detailed knowledge of the international treaty, Environment Minister David Anderson said yesterday."His critics, who frequently denounce this, fail to realize it is one of the signs of his genius that he doesn't want to know too much about certain things," Mr. Anderson said in a year-end interview with the Citizen. "He gets the right gut feeling. And he's got the antenna, which very few people have, the political antenna. He's right on this."
Admittedly the second story is so obnoxious and absurd that one can barely bring oneslf to utilize it, but let's soldier on... When George W. Bush and Tony Blair tell Mr. Chretien that they have a shared gut feeling that Saddam needs to be deposed, what does he say? I'm the genius with the infallible gut, not you morons? Posted by Orrin Judd at December 19, 2002 12:42 PM
Heh heh heh! Chretien intentionally keeps ignorant about the issues he decides, so that no thinking can interfere with the 'political antennae' that detect the proper decision, the decision of 'genius.' A perfect example of a certain political type, the one who lets nothing come between him and the popular position. And these guys are so proud of themselves! Chretien's political antennae must be telling him he and his minister should publicly brag about his ignorance on the issues! What other politician, I ask you, would make such a bold counter-intuitive announcement of sheer political genius!
Posted by: pj at December 19, 2002 1:21 PMPS - Where can I sell Canada short?
Posted by: pj at December 19, 2002 1:22 PM"When George W. Bush and Tony Blair tell Mr. Chretien that they have a shared gut feeling that Saddam needs to be deposed, what does he say? I'm the genius with the infallible gut, not you morons?"
All kidding aside, I believe he would say something akin to this. Or, when pressed why one set of circumstances demands an analytical response and the other an visceral response, he would say, "It's obvious, isn't it?" etc. He is simply covering up his solipsism.
Reminds me of Roman Hruska.
Posted by: Harry at December 19, 2002 2:05 PMOr the Fuehrerprinzip
for that matter--sorry about Godwin's Law violation but this has to be the most ludicrous story in ages.
PJ,
Canada can be sold short by borrowing or short selling Canadian dollars. It has been a profitable exercise for roughly 30 years.