Recycling Campbell's Mugshot

Students at the University of Saskatchewan deserve praise for their "don't pull a Gordon" anti-drunk-driving poster. When a high profile politician spends time in a US jail as the result of his behaviour, it presents an opportunity to send a message to others who might fail to think about making transportation arrangements before they start drinking.

It is disappointing that BC's Solicitor General, Rich Coleman, a former police officer, would put partisan politics ahead of safe driving and the opportunity to reinforce the message of BC's counter attack program. Before you drink, think about how you are going to get home. That's not hard, is it? Rather than building on the positive, Coleman made remarks which offended first nations and required his apology both in and out of the legislature.

In sharp contrast to Coleman's remarks, Premier Campbell is quoted as saying that if people learn from his drinking and driving mistake, that's a good thing. Coleman is not the only member of cabinet to receive criticism from Campbell on April 8th. Fisheries Minister John van Dongen has refused to comment on the investigation into his release of confidential information to a fish farm company. Campbell is quoted as saying that van Dongen should answer questions, and plans to talk to him about it. Are these events unrelated?

Campbell knows he has to continue to do damage control on his Maui adventure. He may be anticipating election posters that take advantage of his jail time and mug shots. Rather than keeping the story in the news with the kind of legs Coleman gave it, Campbell is wise to urge people to learn from his bad judgment. Whether he is bold enough to encourage BC bars and restaurants to put up similar posters is another question.

Some believe that van Dongen would not have been reappointed to cabinet if Campbell had not suffered disgrace. He should not have been reappointed (tomorrow's column will elaborate on his pathetic performance in the legislature in defense of his ministry's budget); however, not reappointing him would have drawn even more attention to Campbell's double standard. By slapping him down for not answering questions with respect to his past behaviour, Campbell is sending a message that all is not forgotten - either by the public or by the Premier. The focus should now be on the real issue - the destruction of entire pink salmon runs by fish farms.

[Note: The University of Saskatchewan Students' Union has made its poster available on its website. The version shown here is a greatly reduced copy. Click here or on the graphic to link to USSU's full size downloadable version that can be printed as a poster.]