One-day story (Day Four)

I don't know what to make of this. If you believe this story, the Liberals had a softwood deal with the Americans before the election, but were prevented from announcing it by ... David Emerson. Allegedly, the reasoning was that it would undercut all their Bush-bashing. But could he have had ulterior motives? (I mean ulterior to the original ulterior motive, of "standing up to" American bullying and intransigence even while you had a deal in your back pocket -- a deal, what is more, that essentially gave them everything they wanted. But I digress.) Was he ... could he ... it's not possible, is it? If so, it rather puts this story (Softwood truce a 'top' priority, Emerson say) in a different "light," doesn't "it"? MEANWHILE: Emerson says he will not resign his position, although he's thought about it every day. He's mad at the Liberals (mutual, I'd say), says they got more money out of him, thanks to his fundraising efforts, than they spent on his campaign (nicely ignoring all the starry-eyed volunteers who gave countless hours of their lives to it), says he's never been much into partisan politics (oh? then why didn't he run as an independent?), that the "lines are blurring" (that's not what you said about the Tories, um, three weeks ago), that he's shocked at the reaction -- no, "flabbergasted", so much so that he may not run again -- that he can't believe how nasty politics can be (have a read of some of these Hansard quotes -- "vicious guttersnipe," "crawls through the gutter," etc.). But mostly, well, it's all about the children, whom Emerson says are facing hostility at school over his defection. Colby Cosh is not amused:

In an earlier age it would have gone without saying that the best way to protect the reputation of one's family is to not do disgraceful things. All children are hostages to their parents' public conduct: if you get caught sexually molesting St. Bernards, it's sort of inevitable that they're going to call your kids "Beethoven" in the schoolyard and make little barrels of brandy out of construction paper. But the new Saddamist doctrine, espoused here by Emerson, is that one's own offspring make terribly convenient human shields. Lay off the criticism or the shorties get it!

MEANWHILER: Outrage continues to build. The Globe and Mail is calling on Emerson to resign and run again. An online petition (one of several) calling for Emerson's "recall" is gathering steam, with more than 3800 5400 names so far. But relax, people. This will all be over by Christmas. QUOTE O' THE DAY: "There is absolutely no principle attached to Mr. Emerson's decision, other than power." The speaker? Ujjal Dosanjh, former defector, patron saint of "deniability." I think that's a case of the pot calling the kettle ... a fish. It's that surreal. SECOND-PLACE: "Obviously, Mr. Harper cannot be depended upon to uphold his promises and commitments." The speaker? Scott Brison.