Wajsman, whose world view teeters from the cynical to the outright misanthropic, is positively effusive about Ignatieff. Calling him “the most independent Liberal leader in the last 20 years,” Wajsman believes Ignatieff “can restore the Liberal party to small ‘L’ liberalism, put an end to tribalism and bring a new national vision for the country.”
Well, I don't know about that. I've been very critical about Ignatieff. One problem with Iggy is that he has Warren "Slappy The Clown/Prince Of Darkness" Kinsella as his chief strategist, showing, in his steadfast refusal to fire that hapless nincompoop, his lack of judgement. Iggy also, unfortunately, tends to flipflop for political convenience, destroying his image as a true intellectual, at least as a politician. A true intellectual, after all, doesn't believe according to political convenience, nor does one associate so stubbornly with the clowny likes of Slappy Catmeat Kinsella. It also bears mentioning that Warren Kinsella supported Beryl Wajsman for leader...
Will he win?? He certainly has some high profile backers, including Warren Kinsella, who along with Wasjman are "old time Liberals". If he is in it for the right reasons -- passion to change the country for the better -- he may get a strong following.
And Beryl Wajsman has been critical of the Liberal Party itself. I had previously made a comment (on Exposed Agenda, an old site belonging to my good friend Aizlynne, for whom I used to be a guest poster in my early days as the Canadian Sentinel):
(...) Beryl Wasjman? I like him so far. But I don't understand why he'd like to lead the Liberals under their current constitution and institutional structure. It's a leader-whipped party wherein regular members have no real say.Oh, and in the same comment, I also said about Iggy, in the context of discussing potential leadership contenders, back when the result was Stephane "Do-Over" Dion...
And bring on Egghead Iggy Ignatieff. Where do I start? Well, he's on record as slurring various minority groups, a serious no-no. He supports torture, something the left thinks is wrong for the treatment of bad guys like Al Qaeda fighters. He is unsaleable to folks across the spectrum.
Here's Mr. Wajsman responding to me:
You are quite right. It is not the Liberal party that is interesting nor worth defending. It is he idea of industrial liberalism as the great force for individual expression and opportunity. My admiration for Trudeau stems from the fact that with the Charter he attempted to inculculate in Canadians a respect for their own individual consequence. He made every single one of us sovereign over any demands of the state or any collectivity. He changed Canada from a Parliamentary to a Constitutional democracy.You see, Mr. Wajsman was considering running for the leadership in that contest, but decided not to.
That message is at the heart of a true liberal agenda. We've got to make sure it takes hold in our spirits.
The idea of liberalism was put most succintly by a great "radical" in 1911. He said that the role of liberal government was,“To raise people up from poverty. To reconcile private interests with public rights. To attack monopoly. To reward enterprise, but not with untrammeled privilege and preference. To exalt the individual over ruler or regulation. To expand freedom at home and abroad. This is our liberalism. This is the signature of our society.” That radical was none other than Winston Spencer Churchill who spoke as Minister of Social Welfare in the Liberal Asquith government which he was a part of between his two Tory eras.
We need to get back to those basics.
Cheers
BPW
Well, I don't know... supporting Iggy? I like Mr. Wajsman and, as I've posted some of his stuff, think he's often quite "Wajs" (wise), but I also respect his right to make his own mistakes and learn from them the hard way.
And I seriously, seriously doubt that, under whatever leader, the Liberal Party of Canada will ever change its spots. Not even under Michael Ignatieff. Sorry- I just don't see it. Like, where's even the critically necessary plan for reopening the Liberal Party Constitution to reform it from the grassroots up? Anyone? Hello?
Sorry, but as long as the Party itself remains as it is, regardless of leadership, I wouldn't touch it with someone else's ten foot pole...
