Alec Saunders SquawkBox

In Oh Canada: A divided approach to marriage, John Ibbitson has pretty neatly outlined the government’s strategy on the gay marriage issue, and the shenanigans opposition parties are contemplating in order to score points.  Chretien’s strategy was obvious the day Martin Cauchon announced the new marriage laws, but this article tidily encapsulates the whole thing. 

We’re in the midst of an election campaign in Ontario.  Incumbent premier Ernie Eves is stumbling badly.  The PC party has chosen to try to portray their opponent’s leader, Dalton McGuinty, as not fit for office.  The strategy worked the last time, but it appears to be backfiring.  The PCs are throwing mud like mad, and have even concocted a strategy to portray McGuinty as a spendthrift who would roll back the PC tax cuts, and jack up taxes at the expense of the ordinary voters and senior citizens.

The problem is that Dalton McGuinty is having none of it.  Nor, for that matter, are the traditionally conservative press in Ontario.  Eves’ platform has a tax break for everyone … it’s the biggest grab bag of political bribes in recent Ontario history, and … it’s not working.  In desperation, the Tories are now turning to the issue of same sex marriage, labelling themselves as protectors of family values.  That may play well in Alberta, but most of us here in Ontario don’t want Ralph Klein leading our province.

I’ve been a lifelong conservative supporter, except for one occasion when I voted (to my eternal chagrin) Reform.  But can anybody help wonder what is going on with the party these days?  As they swing farther to the right on issues like same sex marriage, and spin half-truths about budgets into bigger and bigger lies about their opposition, it’s hard not to look at the Liberals and think that maybe it’s time for a change.

Whoa… the Eves team is really reaching now.  Where does he recruit his staffers?  From the local high school?

We drank a bottle of the Talomas that I’ve written about earlier tonight with dinner.  Post dinner I decided I wanted another glass, and fetched a bottle of Foppiano 1999 Petite Sirah from the cellar.  I love this wine.  Spice, pepper, berries, chocolate, and a little bit of the "barnyard" that Pinot Noir is famous for.  Big fruity nose.  Long, long, long finish.  The 1999 is delicious, but fruity.  The 1998 was a brooding, bitter-sweet wine, even bigger, better, and more enticing.

No, I haven’t had any wine to drink tonight… not at all!

Have y’all noticed?  I’m back.