Commitments, promises, and credence

Without batting an eyelash, without any obvious sense of irony, Danny Williams told CBC Labrador the following last week during his This Is Not An Election Campaign Stop:

You know, these days you can't believe a word they [the federal government] say.You know, any commitments that they make in writing don't stand up. Promises that they make verbally to people don't stand up. So, I mean, I've said repeatedly the only thing you can take to the federal government these days is cash because that's the only, the hard tender that we know we have. So, you know, I don't place any credence on anything they said, you know.

This is, we are to imagine, as opposed to commitments that Danny Williams himself makes in writing:

• A Progressive Conservative government will acknowledge that the decision in the Powley case applies to Metis in Newfoundland and Labrador, and will participate with specific rights affirmed in the Powley decision and other rights protected under s. 35 of the Constitution.

• We will work in partnership with the Metis people of Labrador to promote and strengthen Metis communities and culture, and to ensure the Metis and all residents of Labrador share in the benefits that accrue from the development of Labrador resources.

• We will involve the Labrador Metis Nation, as we will representatives of all residents of Labrador, in the process of negotiating a Lower Churchill Development Agreement.

Or promises that Danny Williams makes verbally to people:

Mr. Williams rallied the crowd as he vowed there would be no more “giveaways” of Labrador resources...

“We will not develop the Lower Churchill unless the primary beneficiaries are Labradorians. You have my assurance on that.”

[The Labradorian, October 6, 2003]