"I don't think anymore"

Ah, Jean, it's just not the same without you. Former Prime Minister Jean Chretien offered the above quote, when describing his thoughts on the financial sponsorship scandal, presently haunting his successor. A scandal that many people argue, had it's genesis under the leadership of the former Prime Minister. Chretien who now toils as a lawyer and glad hander for Canadian law firms, had just returned from a trip to Asia. Reporters caught up to him during the noon hour, at his offices in Ottawa. Joking with them that he'd rather be skiing today, Chretien had little else to say about the woes currently dogging Prime Minister Paul Martin.

His only commentary on the situation was a return to his good ole days of cipher like quotes, "I was the government I replied to all of your questions - a lot of them. Now if you have questions, go ask the government"

And with that he was done talking, a style he refined over his years as Prime Minister. A couple of jokes, a quip or two and then up or down a flight of stairs. It was his template for dealing with scandal during his time on the Hill. He had no reaction to the rumbling in the Liberal party, of his responsibility in all of the turmoil. But if he's not talking, there is no shortage of others willing to tackle the issue.

In today's editorial page of the Montreal Gazette, L. Ian MacDonald, writes of Prime Minister Martin being adrift in a perfect storm. MacDonald traces the various ingredients for this perfect storm, suspicious fires at a rural Quebec hotel (yes THAT hotel). The troubles of the Business Development Bank with that same hotel. The former fired president of that bank, now vindicated in court last week. The money laundering of the advertising scandal and all of it's repercussions, with Crown Company heads soon to roll for their sins.

As MacDonald wraps up his travelogue of misfortune, he warns of a pending civil war among the Liberal Party. With Martin staking out the high ground for himself, Chretien be damned. As a closing argument MacDonald goes on to refer to Chretien as a bully, who ran the country ruthlessly, abusing his power at every turn. It's a powerful condemnation of the Chretien legacy, one which no doubt be examined closely, by his fellow lawyers at the law firms he's now employed by.

Now in the spirit of fairness, it must be pointed out that L. Ian MacDonald was once a biographer of Brian Mulroney. So, one suspects his point of view may not be a completely balanced affair, having a bit of a Conservative bias in them. Many will consider it a provocative piece from a long time adversary. However, his comments will certainly find a wide ranging audience, willing to consider the evidence and decide accordingly. For many, it will ring as true as the gospel from a Sunday pulpit.

Perhaps this is why the former Prime Minister chooses not to think anymore. It's been said you should always think before you speak, so I guess if you're not going to speak, the theory is why think. As this scandal continues to unravel, the former Prime Minister may have to give up some time for contemplation. He may also be forced to offer up an explanation. And if Mr. MacDonald is correct, be prepared to accept some vilification.