Margaret Wente -- enemy of democracy

Margaret argues that media criticism of Harper's decision to prorogue Parliament to avoid questions about the Afghan detainee scandal is misplaced because the Liberals under Chretien prorogued Parliament to avoid political heat over their own scandals, "Pots should proceed with caution before they call the kettles black," and because Parliament itself isn't very important,"Very little of importance goes on there." But, and I'm surprised this needs saying, proroguing Parliament to avoid investigation of government malfeasance is wrong regardless of who does it. And what of importance goes on in Parliament is democracy, warts and all.


As an aside, Margaret also notes that "According to a new Angus Reid poll, only 6 per cent of Canadians say Iggy is the party leader they'd most like to share a beer with." Two things are worth saying in response. First, since when did being someone you'd want to have a beer with become a criterion for being Prime Minister? And second, the only current party leader I think would at all make an interesting drinking companion is Gilles Duceppe -- and I have neither the ability nor the inclination to vote for him.