Sometimes I feel like Peter Donolo is writing the headlines at the Globe and Mail, as in the case of our entirely predictable third place finish in Security Council seat votes in the United Nations General Assembly. Most of the discussion on this matter in the media has been whether or not Canada should apply for a seat, and nobody at all predicted the predictable, that our stands in support of Israel, human rights, and climate change skepticism actually put the seat in jeopardy. The last time we won, there were two nominees for two Western seats. I have always supported our bid for a seat, but I never predicted we'd win in a popularity contest because the media was noticeably silent on whether or not there was a contest going on.
Between the anti-Israel lobby, the pro-climate-wealth-redistribution lobby, et all, we never really had a chance. Why wasn't that ever a story? And while I don't support what Iggy said on the matter, I don't think he has near the influence to sway the United Nations. All this being said, there were a number of Conservatives who opposed even applying for a seat in an organization as corrupted as the UN. I wanted to see Canada add a voice of sanity to the Security Council, but would we be able to affect change at an institution with a long history of corruption?
This is what we call strategy.
ReplyDeleteThose in favour hoped we could make change from within, I hold that position.
ReplyDeleteWe find ourselves outside. Can we still affect change? Yes.
Demand more accountability and keep Canadians informed of the progress..
The Jewish community needs to see the valiant stand that Harper took for them, whether Liberals or not. (real conservative)
ReplyDeleteMy question is who were the bright lights in charge of the CPC messaging and positioning on this issue? And how did they so badly pooch it?
ReplyDeleteThe Conservative base is at best skeptical about the U.N. and they long for a government that takes positions based on principle.
So, why didn't they say "We are willing to let our country stand for one of the seats on the Security Council, but let me be clear, we will not sacrifice the principles that make our country great in order to win it. Canadians can be proud of our contributions on the world stage, be it our troops in Afghanistan, our increased and more focussed aid to the developing world and our principled stand for a lasting peace in the Middle East. We will continue to do what is right for Canada, without compromising our integrity, and we will continue to do so at the U.N., with NATO and most importantly, right here at home."
Instead, what do they say: "Ignatieff Cost Canada a Seat at the U.N." We get laughed off the stage instead of being heralded for our principled stand. And we leave it to journalists to make the case that we should have made. Here's hoping that the new Chief of Staff bungs out the petulant staffers who come up with this crap. Even the Conservative core isn't buying what they're selling anymore.