How I became a Liberal, pt 1

For decades I was a New Democrat, even card-carrying sometimes. Worried about the future of the planet, but with no credible Green Party in Canada it seemed that the NDP was the best option. I mean ya gotta vote for somebody.

Nov/Dec 2005 - Then came the Nov-Dec 2005 UNFCCC hosted by federal Environment Minister Stéphane Dion in Montréal. This guy sounds serious. Then the NDP bring the Liberal government down just when it looks like Canada is going to make some real progress on climate change both at home and internationally. What are you thinking Jack? Is it really worth risking a neo-conservative win - and total inaction on climate change - just to pick up a few more seats? Apparently so for Jack. Dion brokers an international agreement against all the odds, but the Liberal govt is on its way out, thanks to smilin' Jack.

The NDP start looking not-so-good.

Jan 06 - federal election - too depressing to comment on.

Aug 06 - Elizabeth May becomes leader of the Green Party. Hmmm, finally a possible alternative.

Nov 06 - The NDP candidate in the London byelection behaves in such a way as to make it easy for New Democrats to convert to Green. I'm not in the riding but in the media catchment area, and I even get broadcast phone messages from Jack & Olivia - "Canada needs more women in Parliament!" Hmmm, I'm pretty sure Elizabeth May's a woman. Glen Pearson's a pretty good guy too, and taking the high road in the face of truly weird NDP attacks.

Dec 2/06 - What the ..... - did I hear right? Did Stéphane Dion* really just win the Liberal leadership??!??!!! Damn, it was just the third ballot, still waiting for the final results. Here they come ... YES!!!

(*Dion = "A committed Canadian and a man of principle and conviction" according to Layton.)

Can I really vote Liberal now? Better do some research.

Cripes, I can't believe this. I agree with 99.9% of what he says and - stranger still - I believe him. Maybe there's hope for the country yet.