There are a few things I'm worried about this week dear diary.
First of all, I'm worrying about this sudden resurrection of Brian Mulroney. It seems as if he's done his time in political purgatory, and now he's being sought out as an analyst for all things to do with governance.
Wasn't this the guy who pretty well trashed his own party with scorched Earth activities on the eve of his departure?
Wasn't he the guy who took $225,000 under the table from a German arms broker?
OK, I should not worry too much about Brian.
I worry about the high rollers in Russia who poked fun at a visiting Ukrainian businessman who had the audacity to show up for a sketchy business deal, wearing a modest quartz watch valued at $165. The Russians, using their favourite brand of Putin bullying techniques, were quick to flash their $6,000 to $10,000 timepieces in the poor guy's face. The fact his wristwatch functioned better than theirs, was not to be debated, it was the flash that counted. I guess they lived in their own little world where material flash and dash were the only things that mattered. I presume that after the meeting, they sped off in their Ferraris and Rolls-Royces while he cruised out in a Jeep.
That little story about the flash and cash meaning more than the meat of the meeting reminded me of a similar show right here in Estevan several years ago in the lower level of the Derrick when Michael Wilson, who was a cabinet member within the aforementioned Mulroney government complex, attended a meeting to talk to a group of very hard-pressed farmers who were going through some terrible times.
The 30 or 35 producers showed up in their work boots, coveralls, denim shirts and baseball caps prepared to discuss temporary relief programs that might roll out from the feds.
Wilson showed up in what I guess was a $7,000 suit, $1,000 loafers and a French-cuffed dress shirt and cuff links that probably weighed in at another two grand. He was well coiffed and nattily attired and indicated he wasn't about to suffer any fools.
I couldn't help but think while I listened to his short speech that the value of this one man's clothing ensemble for the day probably exceeded that of the entire wardrobes of all 35 farmers in the room. Somebody had given Mike some bad advice on suitable attire for a Saskatchewan visit. I don't know if he was wearing a $6,000 watch, but probably he was.
I remember he didn't offer the group any tidbits of assistance, advice or hope, and he didn't take any questions. He also bolted from a promised media interview without any explanation. He probably had a plane to catch in Regina that's the usual excuse for the quick-change federal cabinet gurus who occasionally grace us with their presence.
To Mike's credit, when he was put in charge of Canada Post, he set them on a good course of action, and he displayed some great business acumen when he was allowed to do so. But on this particular day what more can I say? It wasn't his shining moment.
And speaking of shining moments, I'll just close this week by telling you that in case you missed it, a local radio station apparently transformed me into a city green space on First Street last week. Yep, Norm Park came complete with a gazebo. I've been called Park and I've been called all kinds of other names, some of them unprintable, but this was the first time I've been a Norm Park Park.
