On 13 Jan 2006 at 0:00, HP3000-L automatic digest system wrote:

> Now, it's just a banana republic

The unconscious irony revealed by this choice of phrase is 
exquisitely delicious, if one but pauses to consider its origins.  

Canada, like most multi-ethnic states, suffers from the 
consequences of having permanent fault lines etched into its 
domestic politics.  In this respect it is not far different from 
Germany (North-South, Catholic-Protestant, Bavarian-Prussian, 
Deutschlander-Turk), Italy (North-South, Scillian-Savoy), the 
United Kingdom (North-South, England-Scot-Irish, Catholic-
Protestant), and Russia (Muscovy-the rest, Christian-Muslim).

These faults are regularly exploited by those bereft of scruple 
wishing to possess power. The U.S.A possesses these fissures as 
well, witness the struggle between evangelical protestantism and 
secular pragmatism, not to overlook the perennial black-white 
divide.  They are dealt with the imperfectly mainly because they 
admit to no other solution but the passage of sufficient time to 
render them inconsequential.

The main plaint originating from our neighbours (and some former 
residents) to the south seems to be that we are not like them.  
Well, that is the way it is and it is not likely to change, Stephen 
Harper or no.

Canada benefits from not having an over-large military and a deep 
seated public aversion to possessing one.  This makes control of 
the country less attractive to those that see violence as a 
legitimate form of obtaining what they desire.  The corruption of 
some public servants and office holders, while deplorable, is well 
within tolerable limits and far less than that practised on the 
public in the not so distant past.  It is to be recalled that it is 
the experience of malconduct that brings into existence the laws 
and the oversight that make its future occurrence less likely.

The current betting is on either a liberal minority with NDP 
support or a conservative minority with BQ support.  The later 
eventuality will probably destroy the conservatives as a viable 
national party for a generation of subsequent elections, so I am of 
mixed emotion as to whether I wish this upon them or not.


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James B. Byrne                Harte & Lyne Limited
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