jEdit is one seriously good text editor. I avoided using it because it was “Java” based (for some reason I have an instinctive dislike for all things Java, probably irrational), but after a week or so of using it, mapping all sorts of custom macros and keyboard shortcuts to my liking, and marvelling at how it makes my life easier with fewer trips to the mouse, I wonder why I didn’t give it more time, sooner. Free, multiplatform, and highly useful. Now if only “autocompletion” were as transparent for Python as it probably is for Java users…
I’m quite disappointed with my political party, the Conservative Party of Canada for being so wishy washy on the so-called same-sex marriage issue. I’m particularly disappointed with the leadership of Stephen Harper on this file. While I’ve never been an ardent supporter, I believed he was a smart strategist. Lately this belief has been called into serious doubt.
While I respect the right of those who are not in favour of same-sex marriages, I do not believe the state has any business legislating this issue one way or the other. If persons wish to marry, then the state ought to allow them to. Its a tempest in a tea-cup if you ask me, although I don’t dispute there is a serious issue of fundamental rights of liberty and freedom at stake here.
Approve it and move on, there are far more serious challenges facing the country for this issue to have occupied so much front of mind space.
Move on is something Mr. Harper seems unwilling to do here, sensing perhaps this issue is the only one which might reasonate with enough Canadians to increase his seat count. So Harper is willing to play up this issue, clumsily holding on to this wedge. Its a wedge likely to divide the party, and certain to divide Canadians. And all for nought.
Prediction: Harper will take the Conservatives to defeat in the next election. He will resign that night.
Back to the present, clumsy handling abounds. Maybe he should head back to the National Citizens Coalition and opine on tax and freedom of speech policies?
Harper implies he would defeat the measure to formally legalize same-sex marriage and do so – magically – without the use of the not-withstanding clause. Dozens of law-professors state that is an unlikely scenario and ask him to come clean.
I’d like to see that too. If he really intends to fight this issue, ennunciate clearly and openly to Canadians what measures he would take. Show leadership and go down with the ship if need be.
And then lets move on to the more serious issues which face us all, straight or not, married or not.
Canadian Conservatives expect better. Canada demands better.