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Let's Review... (01.01.03)
Well dear reader. If you're reading this then 2002 is officially over and we're once again thrown head first into a brave new year. Looking back, (because that's what columnists do) 2002 seemed to be year of the politician rather than year of the horse.
Globally we continue to live in the shadow of the war on terror. Remember those black and white duck and cover commercials? I had completely forgotten all about those adorable children under their school desks while the principal announced the imminent threat of disaster followed by a quick cut to the classic footage of the big one. After Gorbachev we quickly forgot about nukes didn't we? Oh sure people were threatening this and that but no one really took them seriously.
Now things aren't so clear. Bin laden killed hundreds of Americans on their home turf. He becomes public enemy #1. It took Bush less than a year before he replaced the desert threat with his daddy's oily nemesis, Saddam. Now Bin Laden sends tapes saying he's fine and he still hates the west Nya-na-nya. George W doesn't flinch an inch or move a finger. Not only does he ignore the tape he sends inspectors into Iraq snooping around. Saddam welcomes the most terrifying enemy in the world to inspect it all. Meanwhile North Korea (one of the Axis of evil) says, we not only have nuclear capabilities, we're going to use it as soon as we can. Still Bush continues his Iraq/Saddam rampage. I now wonder if it's the weight of his oil stocks or if he simply doesn't possess the motor skills to take his finger off that big shiny button.
Meanwhile, on a federal level we call Bush a Moron after Canadians are killed by over zealous Americans going by the name of "friendly-fire". But what does Chrétien care he's quit and he has countless months to do whatever he wants. Looks like he wants to be known as the man who saved our healthcare. I certainly hope he can.
Provincially, well, Gordon Campbell's blind ideology has fueled my pen more times than I'm comfortable with. More broken families and now he's selling off BC Hydro. Funny, cutting of fingers of the poor is understandable in your position, the poor don't vote. But selling Hydro may just be cutting too many fingers off that hand that feeds you.
And last but not least, the wonderful world of local politics. Here at home we had nothing less than a historical election. Squamish is heading into new directions and it will no doubt be too slow or too fast for everyone's taste. Now we have dedicated experience mixed with new ideas and that combination could work out just fine. Either way when that clock strikes twelve I think our councilors are going to hear that New Year's bell louder than anyone. It not only ushers in the New Year but at the same time it officially ends the newly elected honeymoon.
Here's hoping we still respect you in the morning.
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