Cleverly hidden within this letter, for added incentive to read onward, is one lie. Not a lie of statistical or grammatical error, but a ludicrous falsehood at once so headlong as to convince the reader that Jean Chretien's sentiments are part of a larger attack on the very notion of meritocracy and quality. Here's a quick review: There's something wrong with this picture. Chretien, do you feel no shame for what you've done? If there is one thing I have learned, it is this: if I seem a bit effete, it's only because I'm trying to communicate with him on his own level. He talks loudly about family values and personal responsibility, but when it comes to backing up those words with actions, all Chretien does is view countries and the people that live in them either as economic targets to be exploited or as military targets to be defeated. His left hand doesn't know what his right hand is doing. And, more important, his claims are pure tripe.
Chretien obscures the true meaning of his utterances with propaganda and fancy talk. Money is not the solution to our Chretien problem. He has called innocent children insufferable jackanapes to their faces. This was not a momentary aberration or a slip of the tongue, and hence, we can safely say that his expedients are the direct result of a policy of abandonment and neglect.
We can't stand idly by and let Chretien institutionalize sex discrimination by requiring different standards of protection and behavior for men and women. His commitment to authoritarianism is only part of the story. It probably seems like I'm being wrongheaded, but Chretien is the root of all evil. Although he has managed to avoid indictment, there is no place in this country where we are safe from his toadies, no place where we are not targeted for hatred and attack. My purpose is to put an end to indecent manipulative absolutism. Most of the battles I fight along the way are exigencies, not long-range educational activities. Nevertheless, Chretien is blinded by greed. My goal for this letter was to reinforce notions of positive self-esteem. Know that I have done my best while trying always to lead the way to the future, not to the past. Let an honest history judge.
Hear this speech in its original radio broadcast at Radio Free Canada.