Human shields

When “Government outraged by Abitibi decisions”, the press release was issued jointly by Executive Council and Natural Resources, with Danny Williams leading the outrage.

When “Extensive negotiations with Abitibi unable to produce resolution”, despite the best efforts of Great Negotiator, the press release was issued jointly by Executive Council and Natural Resources, with Great Negotiator, naturally, getting top billing.

When “Government meets with Abitibi to discuss future operations”, the press release was issued by Natural Resources, but Glorious Discusser still gets his mention.

When “Government reaches framework of an agreement with Abitibi” (“which should see the continued operation of the mill in Stephenville”, to boot!) the press release again was issued jointly by Executive Council and Natural Resources, with Great Negotiator, of course, getting top billing.

But when “Government disappointed in Abitibi decision”, it was up to the late Ed Byrne to be disappointed. Glorious Leader’s name does not appear.

When Stephenville has to rest its future on a task force, led by a Ministerial Committee to boot – never put your future in the hands of a task force – it’s up to Kathy Dunderdale. Glorious Leader is not a member of the Ministerial Committee, and his name does not appear in the press release announcing it.

Again it’s Kathy’s job to deliver non-news, and again, Glorious Leader is nowhere to be found.

And finally it falls to Clyde Jackman and Kathy Dunderdale to turn out the lights and lock the gates behind them.

Heaven forbid Glorious Leader sully his hands with such work. After all, He is the Minister of Sunshine and Business. Rain (when it’s not a federal issue, the product of mainland corporate Enemies, or Quebec’s fault) is Someone Else’s Department.

This is what cabinet government has descended to in Chairman Dan’s empire: He is solus inter pares. The rest are human shields.