It is with utter disgust that I read Brian McLeod's commentary in the Jan. 6 edition of the St. Albert Gazette, "NDP have failed at communication."
He blames the new NDP government for the "black mood" that people have about the economy. As if the government of Alberta is somehow responsible for low global oil prices. It is intellectually dishonest and ultra-partisan to make such a claim.
He also blames the government for all the wild fantasies, conspiracy theories and lies that he has "heard.” Conservatives are like spoiled children. They ruled the province since the 1930s and believe they should be in power forever. When they lose, they throw a massive tantrum, make death threats against the premier and her ministers, and otherwise act like sore losers instead of proposing constructive solutions.
McLeod even makes dark hints at promoting terrorism and violence. He quotes Robert F. Kennedy but completely reverses his meaning. "Those who make peaceful evolution impossible make violent revolution inevitable." Kennedy was speaking about conservative die-hards who were impeding progress on justice and civil rights. He was trying to forestall violent revolution by promoting peaceful change. McLeod is hinting that the peaceful democratic change in government that Alberta has finally made after years of conservative darkness is now under threat by armed reactionary fascist mobs. He seems to approve of this development.
Sorry, Mr. McLeod, conservatives had their turn for 80 years. A little bit of fresh air and new thinking was long overdue. Keep your fantasies of bloody revolt to yourself. You're not helping anything with your threats.
Richard Banville, St. Albert
