Chretien has his legacy, and he doesn't like it either

Edmonton - Friday, August 23, 2002 - by: Ron Thornton

political
corpse
The long goodbye. Dead PM walking. However you put it, Jean Chretien is one political corpse who will remain leading his own funeral parade, spending your money in his quest of finding a legacy. Like the U2 song, Chretien still hasn't found what he's looking for, yet hoping that between now and his announced February, 2004 retirement he'll stumble upon something that has eluded him these past nine years.

the list
Then again, he has his legacy. This is the guy who's form of leadership almost let Quebec get away without a fight in 1995. When events of 9-11 forced us back into the real world, our soldiers were decked out in jungle green to fight on the Afghan desert. By the way, has anyone seen those replacements for the Sea King helicopters he promised in 1993? Why bother with military birds when one can spend our cash on a flying palace from which to see the world in regal style. Oh, yes, there was the question of a billion bucks from Human Resources, some interesting methods of doing business in Public Works, and something about a golf course. No, Chretien already has his legacy.

yet to
come
Still, maybe the best is yet to come. He could sign the Kyoto Accord so all Canadians could freeze in the dark. Maybe Chretien's legacy will be to deny the millionaire Paul Martin a chance to succeed him, leaving us with the likes of John Manley, Allan Rock or, God help us, Sheila Copps. With his track record, by the time Jean Chretien leaves the stage in eighteen months, his present legacy might look good compared to what is yet to come.

Ron Thornton



Edmonton - Friday, August 23, 2002 - by: Ron Thornton
political corpse	The long goodbye. Dead PM walking. However you put it, Jean Chretien is one political corpse who will remain leading his own funeral parade, spending your money in his quest of finding a legacy. Like the U2 song, Chretien still hasn't found what he's looking for, yet hoping that between now and his announced February, 2004 retirement he'll stumble upon something that has eluded him these past nine years.

the list	Then again, he has his legacy. This is the guy who's form of leadership almost let Quebec get away without a fight in 1995. When events of 9-11 forced us back into the real world, our soldiers were decked out in jungle green to fight on the Afghan desert. By the way, has anyone seen those replacements for the Sea King helicopters he promised in 1993? Why bother with military birds when one can spend our cash on a flying palace from which to see the world in regal style. Oh, yes, there was the question of a billion bucks from Human Resources, some interesting methods of doing business in Public Works, and something about a golf course. No, Chretien already has his legacy.

yet to come	Still, maybe the best is yet to come. He could sign the Kyoto Accord so all Canadians could freeze in the dark. Maybe Chretien's legacy will be to deny the millionaire Paul Martin a chance to succeed him, leaving us with the likes of John Manley, Allan Rock or, God help us, Sheila Copps. With his track record, by the time Jean Chretien leaves the stage in eighteen months, his present legacy might look good compared to what is yet to come.

	Ron Thornton