Offended in India

Oh for heaven's sake. There is no reason to give this story more than about six lines. Leader's office goofs, mistakes Indians for Indians. Probably a computer error. Instead, we get a lot of manufactured outrage at an insignificant and patently unintended slight, and rather than exercise a little editorial judgment, the media goes to town over it. But you know Harper's real error here? It wasn't getting his continents mixed 'round. It was sending out such oily, pandering letters in the first place. Read the text:

[I]t is a privilege for me to extend greetings for the celebration of India's Republic Day. As you partake in cultural festivities and events, which honour your ancestors and celebrate your heritage, I am pleased to pay tribute to the members of the Indian community in Canada. I salute you for your important and long-standing contributions to the economic and cultural vitality of our wonderful country and offer you my best wishes for the year ahead.

It sounds just like every other politician we've ever heard. And Harper's stock-in-trade (no pun intended) is that he doesn't usually sound like every other politician: he generally sounds as if he's thinking as he speaks, rather than just parroting lines by rote. Or out of a database.