What Kind Of A March Was That

Yesterday, at a march to legalise marijuana. a man was critically injured when he fell out of a tree.

I have heard of various effects of smoking pot. But marching up a tree is new.

In the same edition of the paper, a headline referred to the charmed life of a tree whisperer. But it was a different story.

The best item was by Christopher Hume. His column generally deals with the living city. This one referred to the illusion that Toronto is a progressive city.

He says municipal councillors have made whole careers out of pandering to every last nimby impulse local residents can muster.

He called Rob Ford and Rocco Rossi "nattering nincompoops of nonsense" They are candidates for the office of Mayor of Toronto.

He said Mel Lastman's great contribution was to leave the budget in tatters and embarrass the city on network television at every turn.

But the Toronto media, of which Hume is a part, largely commended former Mayor Lastman
when he left office undefeated.

It was the phrase " nattering nincompoops" that caught my attention.

The incredible fact is, Rob Ford is, according to polls, running second in the mayoralty contest

It doesn't mean he will be the next Mayor just that, nattering nincompoop of nonsense notwithstanding, , he could be the next Mayor of the Toronto

If we compare that with our situation, we find distinct similarities.

Pandering definitely is the main modus of operandi. We do have a Number One Nimby with followers;

And despite Mr. Hume's mocking reference,confidence abounds, that pandering is sound and the only way to win votes and influence people.

Anyone who dares to challenge the theory is tilting at windmills and must be punished with penalties yet.

Can all these experienced municipal politicians be wrong?

Will "the nattering nincompoops of nonsense" win the prize in October?

Sometimes I think ....Nah!

Other times, when I listen, I think..... Oh My God, maybe!

Who's going to stop it?

Then I think of the missing factor.

Pandering is undeniable and prominent at all levels of politics

As long as leadership is the missing factor, pandering will continue to fill the bill.