CKNW Editorial
for December 31, 1999

Today is the day for resolutions and I, more than most, should make some. I don't smoke or drink to excess but I could lose a few more pounds - actually at 196 I'm lighter than I have been for 20 years but I could lose another 15 and not miss them. I must also learn - and I resolve to do so - that I am diabetic even when I'm away on holidays. I must stop this business of going into shock the day I come home at my blood sugar and I resolve to keep testing and, within reason, behave myself when I'm away. That being

done, there is nothing more to say for myself - you can't improve on perfection - so I feel entitled to offer some suggestions to some others.

To Gordon Campbell - forget your professional advisers especially if their initials are PK. Go by your own instincts. Don't be afraid to make mistakes of political incorrectness - you'll get dumped on for them but be forgiven for them too. And it makes you look less like plastic man and more like a premier.

To Jack Weisgerber - run in the next election Jack. Even though the legislature is irrelevant to lawmaking since that's done by the Premier it is important that there be respect for the place in anticipation of the day that it does become relevant.

To Mayor Philip Owen - stop playing to the bottom feeders with your outrageous remarks about social matters. You come from a strong background of liberalism - remember that past when you are condemning people to jail without benefit of the civil liberties we all should cherish.

To Dave Barrett - try to learn, even at your advanced age, what is and is not proper in public life. What is improper is to have a political life when you also have a quasi-judicial life. Read some of your old speeches about the improprieties you saw in Socreds then fairly evaluate your own behaviour in that light.

To Gordon Wilson - stop whining and constantly proclaiming yourself a martyr. You've done some damn fool things this past year especially – as have we all - so simply admit them, try to make them right and stop seeing a conspiracy of your enemies every time something goes wrong. Same goes for Judi.

To Ujjal Dosanjh - it's OK to play the part of the perfect man but for God's sake stop believing your own BS. The public is on to you and they see your warts. Ever since you didn't call Glen Clark to account when you should have people have recognized your humanness meaning that every time you don the cloak of rectitude people begin to ask questions. The secret is out, minister, you are far from perfect.

To Corky Evans - for goodness sake change that name. If you want to be the country boy premier, change your name to Elmer or Clem but no province, not even British Columbia, can stand a premier named Corky.

To Joy McPhail - go on being as you are and don't let them change you except in one way - you must get into the real world. Socialism is dead and, indeed, may never have been alive. You can't forever spend money on social policies unless you earn that money. Supporting business makes sense and you know it so start speaking out for those who create jobs for those union

members you so identify with.

To Preston Manning - have a long talk with your members. Tell them that in every society there are people - lots of them - that simply cannot produce for themselves what you and your band of successful people can ... and that there are many reasons for that. Tell them how governments must, in an unpatronizing way, look after fellow citizens who can't fend for themselves.

And convince, though this is a tall order, John Reynolds that defending people's rights doesn't necessarily mean you agree with them. Soften up a bit Preston - you are dead right on so many things and your vision of Canada accords with that of most British Columbians - don't let petty mean spiritedness or short term political gain cloud the view and cost you votes.

To all Liberal MPs - resolve that once this year - just once - you will publicly speak out in favour of British Columbians and not your own political skins.

Happy New Year everyone - what fun we'll all have a year from today when we celebrate the end of the century and the millennium!