A bit grumpy, you say?

Okay, I’ll admit it. Steve ‘So Sue Me’ Harper, Jimmy ‘Get Over It’ Flaherty, and whoever is advising and writing Nova Scotia policy for them, are right about two things.

I have been very grumpy since they broke their word, and I will likely get over it. What I won’t get over is my distrust of their word and my strong sense that they are seeking to realize what at least one right wing think tank has been advocating for some time, that we should radically overhaul our province along neo-conservative lines, cut our “dependence” on the rest of the country, cozy up to the labour and investment values of our friends to the south, and sell, sell, sell.

Nova Scotians have long memories; they are proud people; and they value character. So when you are next in town, guys, we’ll be smiling. But you may want to ask your insiders what we’re really smiling about.

And while we’re here, who exactly are their Nova Scotia/Newfoundland policy and politics advisors and text craftsmen?

While on this page, I found Steve’s desire to seek consensus on the military mission almost amusing. Using what appears to be the Cole’s notes version of the work of Jurgen Habermas -- a little learning can be a dangerous thing -- Steve is talking about a “meeting of minds” and seeking consensus.

I won’t trust your words a bit on this, either, Steve until I see our military moved to the sort of work for which they have accrued well deserved international respect. And for the record, there pretty much is a national consensus on the mission. You’re just not part of it.

Oops, there I go getting grumpy again!

The Decima polling firm, meanwhile, has spent some money to show that more Canadians would wish to barbecue and beer in the backyard, play a round of golf, fish in the wilderness, and read on the dock with Steve than with Stéphane, while poor Stéphane is apparently only preferable as a museum companion. A curious list of choices, eh?

Has it come to this? And if it has, then those of you fantasizing about playing golf with Mr. Harper should plan to keep your own score.

The quarry query

I have been slow to comment on the importance of the current issue of the application to exploit the Digby Neck to feed an American appetite for gravel. Setting aside the environmental and fishing implications of the proposal, the decision may stand as a clear existential declaration of who we are in this province.

A couple of weeks ago, I proffered a simple outline of how we might think of the future of the Nova Scotian political economy. It required that we distinguish those elements of our province in which we had a natural advantage, and go an extra mile to protect and nurture them.

One such advantage, I suggested, was the remarkable, still significantly non-commercialized, beautiful coastline we possess. The Digby Neck is one of the most promising areas for tourist development in the province, especially as we come to realize that what especially Europeans come here to enjoy is not our quaint communities. They have plenty of their own. What increasing numbers are looking for, I think, is a wilderness-like experience and vistas of un-spoilt, sea-side nature.

The Neck could also come to appeal to increasing numbers of green Americans living in Boston and New York. It has ready sea and air access and it is only a matter of time before its tourist potential will be fully realized, especially if the province takes pains to protect the Neck from being scarred.

The existential dimension of the question can be seen by readers’ deciding which of the two mottos they prefer: “Nova Scotia, Canada’s Ocean Playground;” or “Nova Scotia, America’s Gravel Pit.”

Sure some folks want jobs to keep their kids from moving to Halifax, but at what price to the future of our economy and our international reputation? And would they rather they work in gravel or eco-tourism?

Let’s hope that the federal and provincial neo-cons don’t disappoint us yet again.