Cruel and unusual punishment
Tonight, the CBC broadcast our current prime minister, making a dinner speech. Nothing special there, you say. It’s part of his job description. Good thing he’s got the job, because a hiring committee might not be as forgiving as the Canadian public seems to have been.
Let’s assume that Stevie has made a few speeches along the way. Been through the Toastmaster circuit, learned a few jokes. He may even have been nervous (what, he has a nervous system?). Now, cue the cameras.
Got the first person’s name wrong. Second person’s name, same game. Name of the group. This might be a long night. The members of “binay” or “bin-eye”. Those Hebrew characters will get a guy every time. Think right to left, Stevie. Focus. You’re the prime minister. Remind them that they have always (a really long time) been supporters of the nation of Israel, just like the government of Canada. Those nay-sayers last summer misread the situation.
I can’t go on. Until such time as a general election writ drops, we’re stuck with a man who sound like he came from the grade ten public speaking draft. Somehow, I doubt that a leather bound volume of his collected speeches will ever sit proudly on my library shelf. In the meantime, I will think back to prouder Canadian times, when lads like Pierre, or Brian, or heaven forbid, Jean were the head table speakers for my TV amusement.
I wonder if I can teach the dog to speak. In a hurry. Because the need is there.
