Gimbol's diatribe and screed

I like reading Chantal Hebert's columns

Not because I neccessarily agree or disagree with any premise she may be promoting at any one time. But because as a classic example of so-called federalists in Quebec, she represents that type of liberal that while they can clearly see the flaws in certain sacred truths, they refuse to renounce them.

As I framed the statement above in the context of federalist vs nationalist, I'd like to further elaborate that when the true goal of these two groups is understood, the difference between the two evaporates. That goal being to extract more power, money, and concessions from Ottawa on the basis that, well, its all about Quebec.

Neither group really wants separation, what they do want is special treatment to hell with the rest of the country.

But I digress.

In this latest bit, Ms. Hebert gives a commentary on the last liberal leadership debate. What I find odd is that Iggy's views regarding issues in southwest Asia, where suppose to be his biggest flaw. However, due to Iggy's adherance to the idea that Quebec is a nation, all past sins are now forgiven.
Chantal and the rest of the Quebec fence sitters can equivocate all they like, but no matter how they explain it, it still comes down to how the liberals and the separatists want it to be a choice of either give us what we want or we break up the country.
The fun will start when those like Iggy and his entourage of "Quebec is so special" get cornered to provide details on the constitutional amendment to make it so.
Please do tell the rest of the great unwashed, how in a country that has a charter expounding on equal rights, can one province, based on whatever premise you want, be more equal than the other provinces?
It was on this question that the last two attempts at appeasing the soft nationalist/federalist/separatist in Quebec that derailed constitutional reform. I speak of course of the DOA Meech Lake and Charlottetown Accords. Stephen Harper was around for that and was the true father of the Clarity Act, which Hebert herself actually wrote in a same titled column. He knows what the old game is and said as much in the last campaign.
He wants to make it two choices as well, but the problem for the soft nationalists is that they have to choose to come to the table and recognize that being part of the nation has responsibilities, or remaining with the old status quo and being outed as fair weather federalists.

Let me put it in a way that leaves no misunderstanding.

Quebecers do have a nationality, its called Canadian.

Oh and as a side note. To those that are starting to think the liberals are resurgent and that the conservatives are losing support (read: liberals could win next election) a word of caution.
Be careful what you wish for, because if the liberals win we are right back to where we left off with Bucky Dither's. It would be a liberal PM that is more than willing to pander to any group to retain power regardless the cost in diplomatic ties (anti-americanism, anti-Israel) , fiscal responsibility (NDP budget), or national unity ("Quebec is a nation"), because thats what I'm hearing from most if not all the leadership contenders.

Update:

I just forgot to point out that once again this shows how much the liberals are underestimating Harper.
They want to play the constitutional game by the old rules where no one dared challenge the separatists contentions that Quebec separation would be painless and a foregone conclusion.
Harper has not and will not play that game.
Iggy may offer whatever an audience is asking for (plan A, i.e. Sponsorships), Harper will like a father dealing with a petulant teen intent on running roughshod over the rules of the house, take a hard line against separatists.
He will let the separatists know in no uncertain terms that while there is a conservative government in Ottawa the divorce would be made as difficult and as problematic as possible, real plan B stuff.
The term "just watch me" comes to mind.
Just to remind the lib-left what that term actually referred to.

posted by gimbol @ 3:48 AM