How do they vary? Let me count the ways.
They vary on Michael Wernick, Clerk of the Privy Council.
This guy is a loon.
– Warren Kinsella, Twitter, 2019 Feb 21
I thought he was magnificent.
– Christie Blatchford, 2019 Feb 21
What I find objectionable is Wernick’s creepy attempt to persuade the people of Canada that if recent events have made them doubt our institutions of government — “lose faith” in them was his phrase — it is the people, and not the government, that must be the problem.
– Colby Cosh, 2019 Feb 22
One academic suggested some of his comments sounded like “cheer-leading” for the current government. He certainly came close to crossing lines. But no clerk is a wallflower at the orgy — he or she has to be invested in the success or failure of the government, if the relationship is going to work.
– John Ivison, 2019 Feb 21
They vary on Jody Wilson-Raybould.
Now Wernick didn’t suggest Wilson-Raybould could have resigned, but she could have done, of course — the question of why she didn’t hangs flatly in the air.
– Christie Blatchford, 2019 Feb 22
The dictionaries define noble as “having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideals.” And, with each passing day, you have shown all of Canada that you certainly possess fine personal qualities. High morals and principles and ideals, too.
– Warren Kinsella, Twitter 2019 Feb 19
They vary on what’s wrong with Justin Trudeau.
Justin Trudeau has evolved into a politician so well versed in the art of denial, he can’t say yes.
– John Ivison, 2019 Feb 21
It wouldn’t have hurt Justin Trudeau to extricate himself from the pointless metaphysics of solicitor-client privilege and wander out to shake a few hands and have a couple of chats with real people in real language about what they’re feeling, what they’re going through and what they might be seeking from his government. [Note: referring to the truck convoy from Alberta]
– Rex Murphy, 2019 Feb 22
Jesus H. Christ, these guys make the Trump White House look like communications geniuses.
– Warren Kinsella, Twitter, 2019 Feb 21
And they vary on whether any of it makes any sense.
To quote the late William Goldman, nobody knows anything. The last twenty-four hours are proof enough of that. Whatever is going on behind the scenes between Jody Wilson-Raybould, Justin Trudeau and Gerald Butts is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside a clown car.
– Andrew Coyne, 2019 Feb 20 (updated)
And you’re like, “Dude, your shirt’s on fire!” and he’s like, “What fire, dude? I’m just on a break. Permanently. Because there’s no fire. That’s why I left.”
– John Robson, 2019 Feb 19
And, um, oh no, sorry, that’s one point on which the opinionators seem to agree: It doesn’t make sense.
I find it simultaneously funny and exhausting, predictable and surprising. Many commentators play true to type (Cosh and Murphy, for example); others play against type (Kinsella-the-liberal/Liberal and Blatchford-the-conservative, for example).
It doesn’t make sense. Not yet. Stay tuned.
Even online, I sometimes stumble across informed opinion. Here’s a lengthy but worthwhile blog by Andrew Roman, addressing some of these issues. Who the heck is Andrew Roman? I quote:
I’m a retired litigation lawyer with over 45 years of experience in environmental, electricity, competition, and constitutional issues. I have appeared at all levels of court including the Supreme Court of Canada. I have represented and advised federal, provincial and municipal governments, large and small corporations, environmental groups, First Nations and individuals. I have also the authored over 90 legal articles and a law book, and have been an adjunct faculty member at four Canadian law schools.
What’s his blog about, generally? Again I quote.
There is so much misinformation, biased media coverage and raw emotion online. This has undermined our ability to examine critically the important issues we face. I hope my blog posts provoke you to think more objectively about these issues.
In my view this piece on the Prime Minister and the Attorney General is great: knowledgeable, rational, even-handed. I recommend it for when you have some time. Thanks to Andrew Coyne for linking to it and to Jen Gerson for retweeting that link.
When frustration threatens to set in, I change my subject. Thank goodness for spring buds: they sometimes offer an uncluttered view of the world that is rest and relaxation for the eye as well as for the brain.
