Barrel Strength

In his article ‘Failure of Nerve’, David Warren takes the Prime Minister to task for many things. ‘Glib’ and ‘gutless’, ‘craven’ and ‘abject’ are some of the words he uses to describe Mr. Harper. If only he were to do things the social conservative way, Mr. Warren argues, the Tories might even win a majority! I enjoy Mr. Warren’s writings and admire his obvious sincerity.  Elections must be a particularly trying time.  But Mr. Harper is straining to turn the course of a mighty ship that is moving at great speed.  What resources he has are precious and must find their mark.  Yes, he should do something about the human rights commissions. Yes, he is forced to play politics with the military but he is trying to influence the course of public policy in this country for years and decades to come and to do that he must advance his party in this election. Like George Washington in Thackeray’s ‘The Virginians’, Harper is in battle and he needs his friends.

“…when I am in trouble you say you will leave me. That is why I have been hurt: that is why I have been cold. I thought I might count on your friendship–and–and you can tell whether I was right or no. I relied on you as on a brother, and you come and tell me you will resign. Be it so! Being embarked in this contest, by God’s will I will see it to an end. You are not the first, Mr. Warrington, has left me on the way.’”