I don't know why, but lately I can't make up my mind on a lot of issues. This is odd because normally, I'm the most unequivocal, black and white guy around. Garth Turner-gate is the latest example.
I have never met Garth Turner, but I like him for many reasons. I like his independent streak, I like how he was anti-statist and anti-deficit when it wasn't in vogue, I like how he built his career in business and journalism outside of politics. I agreed with him when he opposed David Emerson's defection and immediate joining of the Tory cabinet. And I especially like how he's pushing the idea of online interaction with MPs. What he's doing now is going to be done by nearly everybody in the future. The Internet is the greatest tool man has had in a long time -- maybe ever -- in the movement to spread freedom and democracy around the world.
All that said, I also don't like a lot of what he's done. It's one thing to have a healthy independent streak, but it's another to consistently not be a team player and work against your side. Garth has lately started to remind me of John McCain, another politician whom I've held in high regard at various times. Like McCain, Garth has taken the maverick thing too far.
The bottom line is that what happened is unfortunate, but from what I'm told, the public story that the Conservative caucus is pushing is the truth: this was a case of no longer being able to speak honestly and frankly in caucus without fearing it would show up online.
This was a lose-lose situation. If he stayed in caucus, the confidentiality concerns would have remained. By kicking him out, he's able to speak even more freely about what went on, the minority government is further imperilled, the Liberals can say the Tories don’t tolerate dissention and all the rest. I don’t know. This is a tough one.
