Must-Read Summer Books Contents Summer 2012 from Tolstoy to Growing up in India, to Cicero and the CBC: Must-Read Summer Books 3

VOL 6, ISSUE 2 SUMMER 2012

From Tolstoy to growing up in India, to Cicero and the CBC: Must-read Summer Books Contents _ Summer 2012 From Tolstoy to growing up in India, to Cicero and the CBC: Must-read summer books 3. CBC Insider tells all in new books ummer is upon us and that means many Canadians will be taking a well-deserved Canadians, and an expensive anachronism in S The CBC is a cultural touchstone to a few break and cracking open a book. Thus, C2C Journal offers up a summertime treat for a multichannel universe to many others. Bob Tarantino reviews a new book by former CBC our readers: our first issue completely devoted to book reviews.The Tower of Babble: Just in time for the ongoing debate about the future of our public (read: state) insider Richard Stursberg, who recounts his Sins, Secrets, and Successes Inside the CBC time at the helm of the institution during one broadcaster given recent federal budget cuts, Bob Tarantino reviews 6.of itsHow most the tumultuous American periods. Military went Crown corporation. by former CBC insider Richard Stursburg. Hired to run CBC’s English Services division, Stursburg describes his travails in reforming the off course

Political scientist Barry Cooper reviews a new book on American military might by Has American society allowed political and MSNBCWhen commentator it comes to leadingRachel Maddow.ideas, ancient Has the insights US military that can behemoth be applied lost in its modern way? Cooper times. military chiefs to wage war without much restraint? Barry Cooper of the University tackles that query and applies Maddow’sHow to insights Win an to Election: Canada’s An national Ancient defence Guide fordiscussion. Modern of Calgary tackles a new book by Rachel Politicians John Von Heyking finds some in Maddow on American military might, with illustrates how electoral advice can be timeless. some useful insights for Canada’s own . Quintus Marcus Cicero offers some campaigning advice, and Von Heyking 10.national Befriending defence debate. Those No Decent Reagan and Thatcher: The Difficult Person Would Talk To RelationshipElections are important, but personalities and friendship matter in politics. Grant Morgan tackles this timeless subject in his review of . Rather than present the picture perfect image of the two conservative When Marco Cicero, the famous Roman orator, leaders in alliance, author Richard Aldous challenges the romanticized image, drawing ran for consul, his brother Quintus offered relationshipupon historical between evidence the that newcomer their friendship to Canada was and not the always new culturerosy. covered in Unworthy him some practical campaigning advice. Prof. John Von Heyking, a political scientist at the Creature:Relationships A Punjabi are Daughter’s also the subject Memoir of onour Honour, final two Shame book andreviews. Love The first is about the insights.University of Lethbridge, reviews this ancient by Aruna Papp with Roman guide for some modern political Barbara Kay and reviewed by Mark Milke. Papp describes her journey from the throes 13. The Partnership that Helped to of traditional Indian society to modern Canadian society. Rather than present Western Win the Cold War society and “bigotry” as an obstacle to her integration, she spells out that family and old Incidentsways are oftenin the theLife barriers, of Markus not Paul the, a tolerant novel about West. a young Micmac youth who dies aboard a Established narratives romanticized the Last, relations between indigenous populations and the rest of Canada is the subject of relationship between US President Ronald also portrays how misunderstandings between the two communities make a crisis worse. Reagan and British Prime Minister Margaret ship in northern New Brunswick. While ostensibly a murder mystery “whodunit” the book Thatcher. Evidence points to how their relationship was actually strained. Grant www.c2cjournal.ca. Have a happy summer and enjoy C2C Journal’s book reviews and check out our website Morgan reviews an account of the great power Joseph Quesnel friendship in a new book by Richard Aldous. all summer long for other essays, columns and book reviews, at 16. How Western culture rescues women C2C editorial board member is editor of C2C’s summer books issue consciousness when she undertook a study Aruna Papp burst into Canada’s national C2C Journal’s editorial board: killings in Canada. Now, Papp, along with about the cultural factors behind honours Patrick Callaghan, Adam Daifallah, Sylvia LeRoy, Al MacDermid, Heather Devlin released a new book recounting her personal MacDermid, Mark Milke, Andrea Mrozek, Joseph Quesnel, and Chris Schafer. journeysome help to fromCanada, journalist which is Barbara reviewed Kay, by has Canadian Journal of Ideas Inc. Website: www.c2cjournal.ca C2C’s own Mark Milke. The short summary? Canadian society isn’t the problem, but Email: [email protected] emancipation. instead cultural beliefs often prevent female 19. Canadian mystery novel Media Inquiries provides truth about Aboriginal life Joseph Quesnel Novelist Leo Tolstoy wrote that the truth can Email: [email protected]

© Copyright 2012. Canadian Journal of Ideas Inc. All Rights Reserved. For permis- be found in fiction. This is evident in Incidents sion to reproduce an article, please contact the editors. The views expressed in C2C in the Life of Markus Paul, a novel by David do not necessarily reflect those of C2C, the editors, or the advisory board members. Adams Richards. While ostensibly a murder mystery involving a New Brunswick First Editor of this issue: Joseph Quesnel easyNations answers. reserve, Joseph Incidents Quesnel uncovers reviews truth this about human nature and our preference for Associate Editor: Kathleen Welsch misunderstandings. novel and finds it also lays bare Native-settler

2 Volume 6, Issue 2 CBC Insider tells all in new book

The Tower of Babble: Sins, Secrets and Successes Inside the CBC constitutes a time when the barbarians had stormed theengages gates the and eyes stood and ears atop of the CBC parapets, viewers and berating listeners the Richard Stursberg Reviewed by Bob Tarantino Douglas & McIntyre, 341 pages, $20.65 cowed inhabitants of Fortress CBC. Online invocations n public appearances promoting his book The of Stursberg’s name still seem inevitably accompanied Tower of Babble: Sins, Secrets and Successes Inside by hisses and jeers from those who rue his legacy. the CBC But the man was and remains a CBC enthusiast and Toronto Life an ardent fan of those who work there, describing , Richard Stursberg describes with a sly programmers” in the country. The acrimony he a publication which strives to serve as both social “some of the most gifted, dedicated, and imaginative sort of relish a recent article in magazine, prompts and describes in the book is ultimately the mirror and instruction manual for members of “the To those whose viewing habits or cultural worldview narcissism of small differences. Constituency” (Stursberg’s arch term for the “serious people” who are the CBC’s core audience). The article, about Kirstine Stewart, Stursberg’s successor do not depend on the CBC, the hue and cry can seem StewartasI executive is an improvement vice-president on of Stursberg, the CBC in in the charge same somewhat overwrought, if not peculiar. For Stursberg, of English-language services, peevishly notes that the CBC “was woven through [his] life and memory like an invisible thread, connecting the tissue of [his] whosense could that Khrushchev compare this was rather an improvement genial man, on even Stalin. in family with the broader character of the country”.The The line inevitably garners a laugh from the audience: TowerFor those of Babble with a less elemental relationship with the CBC, the passions, even obsessions, recounted in jest, to one of history’s true monsters? can seem more than a little bizarre. But regardless of one’s ability to personally relate to ConstituencySuch is the has fate a catechism, of those who and wouldthose who question sing orthodoxy when it comes to running the CBC. The the saga of the CBC, Stursberg does an admirable job of telling an engrossing tale of “the sheer weirdness of from a different hymn book, as it were, are frowned working at the CBC.” upon. Within the world of CBC true believers, Richard Recruited to the CBC in 2004, near the tail-end Stursberg’sVolume 6, Issue tenure 2 as the man in charge of what of a thirty year decline in audience share and public 3 funding, the problems confronting Stursberg were his stories with a remarkable lack of bitterness and enormous. More than twenty years of successive duringeven a jauntyhis tenure gleam ratings in his climbed. eye: he’s The happy light to comic name cuts —particularly the Chretien/Martin cuts of the touchhis more he prominent brings to whatcritics is and essentially flaunt the an fact absurd that mid-1990s, which removed 25% of the government’s contribution — had left the CBC as the “worst-financed public broadcaster in the industrialized world.” situation is the brio which carries the book. Among Rather than begging for more funds, Stursberg sought the more brilliant moments of absurdity: an ex- to make more money. He elected to try and solve the chairman of the board advocating that CBC cameras CBC’s problems in an amazingly ambitious program ignore major sports leagues in favour of games that movingof confrontation: on to secure he various would sports settle simmeringproperties such labour as “really occupy citizens —like children’s soccer”. issues (which prompted a notorious lock-out) before According to Stursberg, a number of interweaving factors caused the lowest ratings in the CBC’s curling, hockey, and the Olympics (he was unsuccessful corporatehistory: the governance fiscal vise model, which including seemed a “legendary constantly on two out of three); then completely reform the way to tighten and an almostinability comically to meet dysfunctional the most in which the CBC sought to entertain its TV audiences; Thoseand end elements with a provide flourish the by management,” were at the trying to “fix” the news output. The CBC was, at elementary tests of good man who, in his telling, tried bottom,} ‘the victim of its framework for the story of a top of the list. But more own weird sets of ideas inchoate factors also played wearyingto take on battle. Leviathan and found and the elitist directions a significant role: a striving himself ground down by the they suggested.’ The massfor “distinctiveness” audiences coupled instead of an effort to entertain critical failure, for Interminable battles Stursberg, was a belief with “the vanity and self- with unions, the byzantine anti-business,regard of the institution,” Toronto- machinations of navigating that ‘popular success was the Canadian broadcasting centric,supplemented politically by “soft correct left, the backroom politics of inherently incompatible cultural assumptions.” The operating a modern media with quality’ dictating industry, the “arcana of that ‘a choice must be CBC was, at bottom, “the company” — these don’t seem made between producing directionsvictim of they its own suggested.” weird describespromising in grounds crisp, readable for an programs that were sets of ideas and the elitist absorbing read. But the book popular and making those running a television network thatThe “popular critical success failure, was for prose the challenges of that were good.' inherentlyStursberg, was incompatible a belief ~ with quality” dictating that at a time of unprecedented “a choice must be made andstructural approachable change what and could fiscal be turgid and plodding. between producing programs that were popular and challenges. He renders snappy anecdotes: the weather outside is always reaching a stormyIt helps thatcrescendo Stursberg at appropriate possesses a times,raconteur’s his language flair for makingThe those Graduate that were, had good.” a bracingly Into this simple mix steps idea: is constantly turning inappropriately purple and Stursberg the reformer, who, to echo Mr. McGuire unrecorded conversations are detailed with an from audiences. As Stursberg recounts: “I have only one idea. Audiences matter.” Increasing audiences, that implausible level of specificity. His hyperbole knows single measure of success, would be the lodestone few bounds: told that he has to fire Don Cherry in for Sturberg’s efforts. order to retain the respect of his Quebecois colleagues That of course bumped against the ideas of the at Radio-Canada, Stursberg muses that “it felt like throughoutConstituency, the with book, its occasionally article of faith taking that corporeal the CBC joining the Mob … I was being asked—in effect—to existed to fulfil a “mandate.” A recurring presence murder4 a family member”. It also helps that he tells Volume 6, Issue 2 theform Globe as the and CBC Mail, board and of the directors, chattering the classesConstituency more addressingdirected by idiosyncratically Canadians, starring Canadian Canadians) topics, history, and/ generally.”consists of The “the “good mandarins and the of Ottawa, great” who the editors want the of or “about Canadians” (meaning set in Canada and they were the rock against which Stursberg set his sensibilities, politics, and “narrative preoccupations”), shoulder.CBC to remain “sober and a little dull … like them,” or some combination of the two. His goal was to forego “edgy,” unwatchable, and unwatched television in favour of “police procedurals, situation comedies, Stursberg does when he talks about Hockey Night contests.” reality eliminations, lifestyle shows, and quiz in I Canada use religious allusions advisedly—even over the last, the decade CBC’s as crown involving jewel, competing as constituting visions a Described that way, we back into the major “Shrine”—because looking at the story of the CBC failing of the book. The book’s subject points to a fundamental question which Stursberg grapples of faith provides the simplest lens through which to with in only an unsatisfactory way: does the CBC understand what was happening. It’s all there: endless deserve a billion dollars a year in public subsidy? Put itarguments revolutionary over to obscure consolidate doctrinal points (in which differently, whythe shouldmatter, aassuming public everyonebroadcaster agrees exist at newsaboriginal teams languages so that should only CBC a North broadcast? Is all? Stursberg finesses the issue, electing not to press

whoabout otherwise the foundational appears necessity to revel inof single CBC news team covers a hisa public reputation broadcaster. as an iconoclast, For someone the story, instead of four—one for Viewedboth CBC in Radiothis way, and Stursberg CBC TV disappointment. isand bestin both understood official languages? as a lack of introspection on the point is a heretic, not an apostate: he existentialThe closest question the bookis an offers assertion to an engagement with the CBC’s believes, fervently, in the CBC and the need for a CBC, he just that there exist “market failures in our desires a somewhat different national cultural life that require the CBC than the ideal envisioned intervention of a public broadcaster.” by the Constituency. For those unclearBut when the he extent describes to which the programsa market we might call CBC skeptics, the on which the CBC should focus, it’s bitterness and rancour of the undertake news, entertainment, disputes all smacks of feuding kids,failure sports, exists. music, Stursberg’s and “smart CBC would talk” schismatics, the People’s Front of Judea against the Judean People’s Front. programming. His grounds for these For all of his brashness and “unique” to news,ventures kids programmingfail to make the and case. music— He the supposed radicalness of but never explainsasserts what that the constitutes CBC brings the something “unique” truehis initiatives, believer and they the seem atheist: remarkably what is earth-shattering banal. But then qualities or why the private broadcasters are unable that’s partly explained by the distinction between the

for one is mundane for the other. Stursberg involved to match it. He argues that CBC news is and needs appealedthings like to ending the largest the broadcast possible of audience. awards ceremonies Stursberg to be “genuinely different” from the news offered by soughtnobody to watched, make “Canadian and instead shows striving that for would TV that be Global and CTV —different in the sense of “deeper and popular with Canadian audiences.” This inevitably more thoughtful.” But even if we concede that CBC is devolves into a discursive discussion about what relevantly “different”, we’re still left with the question constitutes “Canadian”: the concept slips among a of quite why that constitutes sufficient justification for public money. The notion that the private sector “cannot work” in entertainment (and “smart talk,” variety of possible meanings. It could mean “made whatever that might mean) is plainly refuted by byVolume Canadians” 6, Issue 2(meaning shot in Canada, written and reference to some of the most successful Canadian TV 5 Corner Gas and Flashpoint question which seems most pressing: “Why spend public money on what the privates are prepared to shows of the last decade — —both entirely the product of privateHockey broadcasters. Night in The Tower CanadaEven Stursberg admits that the CBC’s only claim to do?”of Babble Unfortunately, while compelling arguments can sports programming (especially be mustered, they are only briefly made in ) is that it provides the profits which help , and so a satisfactory answer is never offered. finance the rest of the schedule. In the end, the guiding true,To borrow it again Stursberg’s begs the question:description, why “the do CBCwe need is not the a theprinciple public which debate Stursberg that was cites not for the only transformation valuable but real mirror of the country; it is♦ a distorted one”—if wouldof CBC notNews otherwise to enable occur,” it to remains“make a thecontribution unexamined to government to buy us a mirror?

Bob Tarantino is a Toronto-based entertainment lawyer and free- assertion of his tale: what makes the contribution lance writer and regular contributor to C2C Journal.. His columns sufficiently valuable to warrant government funding, The Tower of Babble ends up being alternately have also appeared in the Ottawa Citizen, the National Post, This and why would it not otherwise occur? Magazine and academic legal writing has appeared in journals in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. His book, reticent to vigorously interrogate his own core “Under Arrest - Canadian Laws You Won’t Believe”, was pub- assumptions.fascinating and Late frustrating, in the book the story Stursberg of a rebel poses oddly the lished by Dundurn Press.

How the American Military went off course

Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power

and lasting effect has been the hassle it now takes to Rachel Maddow board an aircraft. It, however, also led to Canadian Reviewed by Barry Cooper a generation Canada has been engaged in sustained Crown Publishing, 275 pages, $25 troops deploying to Afghanistan; the first time in over t has been more than a decade since the attack combat. There was, for example, combat during the “peace-keeping” activity in the Balkans during by al-Qaeda on 11 September 2001. For many the 1990s, but, unlike Afghanistan, it was scarcely 6 Canadians and Americans, the most significant acknowledged by the government of theVolume day. 6, Equally Issue 2 I unusual today, there exists an engaging controversy Commission recommended intelligence sharing, of some public significance concerning the acquisition the result of which has grown into a million-person acknowledgedof a piece of that military they only equipment, have one ally the who F-35 counts: Joint cadre of professionals who look keenly at the world, Strike Fighter. Canada’s current government has also including the domestic American population. would like to consider a remarkable book Drift: The One example, Liberty Crossing, exists just outside UnmooringThe United ofStates. American This is Military the context Power, within which I Washington and consists of nearly a million square feet of office space, costing around $75 billion a year by American to house the American National Counterterrorism journalist, MSNBC television host with an Oxford PhD, NigerianCenter. The who Center secreted produces a bomb around in his 50,000 underpants reports and a Rachel Maddow. * year—one dealt with Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the After more than a decade of US spending in asksAfghanistan—around what is the most $5 billion a month—it is still nearly blew up Northwest Flight 253 over southern one of the poorest countries in the world. Maddow Ontario on Christmas day, 2009.hopped The on report the plane. surfaced We spending and answers allafter dodged Abdulmutallab a bullet had on visible effect of this by pointing to a new }Maddow is not a pacifist; that one, especially the she knows that national security London and Windsor. neighbourhood, Wazir citizens living between Akbar Khan, in the matters. As Churchill said, capital, Kabul. Named a simple question that for the Afghan warlord every country has an army; appliesHere Maddow to Canada, raised who threw the Brits out in 1842, Wazir Akbar either its own or somebody Germany, the United McMansions…Khan is a collection with of “rococo narco-chic else’s. Her question is: what is knowsKingdom, whether and scores these of expensive,other countries: complex,if no one the relationship between actual andgiant stoned sculptures guards of loungingeagles on their in roofs the security (or its absence) and the-art national-security sidewalks, wearing systemsbureaucratic, are making state-of- us bandoliers and the justification of it? In Canada, plastic boots.” No one, Maddow said, ever has anyone ever asked: is the safer, how and why did made a case that this answerwe build was them? discovered Why do was an appropriate Canadian Security Intelligence we maintain them? The Service (CSIS) worth it? that is what we built.” ~ by Edward Gibbon in his Whateverresponse to “we,” 9/11, which “but andaccount applies of the here Decline as well: and Fall of the Roman Empire includes America, the unlimited growth of Canada, NATO, the West, aimed at, that is what we bureaucracy and the faith that proper organization got. That’s not all we got for $5 billion a month (pro- can save the world. This is why, Gibbon pointed out, governments.rated at around 5% for Canadian taxpayers) but that the word “Byzantine” is not a term of praise. we did get it, along with some amazingly corrupt Maddow is not a pacifist; she knows that national questionsecurity matters.is: what is As the Churchill relationship said, between every country actual One of the unsurprising discoveries of the 9/11 has an army; either its own or somebody else’s. Her Commission (known officially as the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United security (or its absence) and the justification of it? States) was that “intelligence failure” allowed al- In Canada, has anyone ever asked: is the Canadian QaedaVolume to6, Issue succeed 2 in such a spectacular fashion. The Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) worth it? And if7 so, how does one know? Those questions, she said, are the Americans elected an “energetic executive,” expressions of a “small c” conservative attitude and a claiming considerable independence from Congress in desire to return to America’s constitutional roots. the conduct of foreign and military policy. Maddow is particularly admiring of a statement of Here you can probably guess where Maddow’s Thomas Jefferson, written in 1792: “one of my favorite narrative is headed. In Jefferson’s day, it was important otherideas, isreasons, never to it keep realistically an unnecessary indicates soldier.” that some For for Congress to declare war before the president soldiersMaddow, are this necessary. is America When at its he bestbecame because, president among in could send troops off to fight, to occupy, or to liberate. deliberatelyJefferson aside, designed most by the presidents Constitution considered to be just this a that.restriction on their discretionary power. It is. It was 1801 Jefferson acted on this favourite idea; it is why he left the defence of the new country largely to the determined to work around it rather than, say, make militias controlled by the states. The story of how a casePresident to support Reagan the didn’t Nicaraguan like it one Contras, bit and or was to America changed from Jefferson’s day to embrace accuracy.Liberty Crossing and the production of the Wazir Akbar Khan neighbourhood is told with wit and To sketch only developments undertaken over the make an arms deal with the Iranians in exchange for last generation or so, Maddow argued that President executiveAmerican discretionhostages. Thatwas unbalanced Iran-Contra by was Congressional both illegal Lyndon Johnson and stupid, Maddow argues; it mattered less that Congress might have Vietnam War with oversight.gone along After with the all, tried to fight the president. but not with the Things changed country.the armed This is forces why slightly with the the successors to he refused to call up Congressfirst Gulf actually war Jefferson’s militias, did(1991) vote to becausesupport the National Guard and the Reserves. the Vietnam War, President George Indeed, during thatH.W. their Bush, support though Bush maintained wasjoining a way the to ensure Guard was not needed. youand didn’t the end Reserves up in Colin Powell, then

Southeast Asia. Just Chairman of the ask George W. Bush. Mobilizingnot the country by way Joint Chiefs, and a strong supporter of the results of ofproduce the Guard a deep and divide Reserves between might military not and have civilians. affected the Abrams Doctrine, insisted that the Reserves be the outcome of the war, but mobilizing them did mobilized or Saddam Hussein would stay in Kuwait. In short, the Abrams Doctrine seemed to have worked. The response of the American military was the Then came Bill Clinton who famously did not “Abrams Doctrine,” named after the US Army Chief of Constitutionget along with was the to accelerate Pentagon. civilian His contribution out-sourcing to Staff who restructured the army to ensure that it was the garrison state and the overcoming of the US much more difficult to go to war without mobilizing intelligence, to operating complex electronic the Guard and Reserves; mobilization now involves of military activities, from logistics, to providing disrupting the lives of “weekend warriors” who were, in reality, civilians. With the end of the Vietnam War equipment aboard naval fighting ships. This was and the end of the draft, the Americans developed a so,another pace Clinton, work-around: why not the just Abrams hire them Doctrine directly made and professional, volunteer army. At the same time, starting it difficult to make war without involving civilians, with8 President Ronald Reagan’s first administration, Volume 6, Issue 2 quietly? That enabled Halliburton to help out and help Just so there is no misunderstanding, I think that its own bottom line. Eventually Canada followed suit the F-35 jet fighter is the best option around precisely and Tim Hortons showed up at Kandahar Air Field. because the Department of National Defence and A second initiative began after 9/11 but came into the Canadian Forces say so. It can defend Canadian its own in the following decade: the extensive use of criticismsovereignty in in the the media North; over it is theboth non-competitiveness a first strike aircraft special operations forces, CIA personnel, and more and an interceptor; it is stealthy. There was a lot of recently Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), some of of the contract process. Apparently it violated the justwhich that are there flown was by and civilian is little contractors. or no Congressional— The secrecy Government Contracts Regulations, which was said whichsurrounding is to say all threepolitical—oversight, types of “operators” but that ensures there not is to have aroused the deep displeasure of the Auditor no oversight at all, and thus no political pushback. General. However, in one section of the report, he said that National Defence “took the appropriate steps in managing Canada’s participation in the Joint Strike Canadians are by no means exempt from having Fighter (JSF) Program.” ana secret eye on military. what our It special would takeoperations a remarkable people in act our of super-secretivefaith to think that Joint somewhere, Task somebody is keeping Moreover, there was a competition in the United States for the original “fifth generation” Joint Strike Fighter between the Boeing Force Two (JTF-2) are up Canadians are by X-32 and the Macdonald to. Is Peter McKay doing } Douglas X-35. Macdonald his job? How can we tell? no means exempt from theyDouglas alone won. are If the we peopleare to beenNow that abolished, the office does of the having a secret military. It whoacquire can this supply piece it. of There kit, remainingCSIS Inspector oversight General organ, has would take a remarkable act of faith to think that sourcing equipment—such the Security Intelligence asare instances also provisions when only for sole- one Review Committee (SIRC), somewhere, somebody is contractor can supply the really fulfill its oversight keeping an eye on what equipment. The government duty when CSIS claims it bycan roam collecting around “security foreign our special operations parts defending Canada people in our super- argumentand Department in a timely of National way, obvious: most normal people thoughDefence eventually did not they make stated that intelligence”? To state the secretive Joint Task Force would call that collecting the obvious. Two (JTF-2) are up to. intelligence, also known as ~ What makes the Canadian spying.foreign, not security interesting is that, next time there is a major weapons debate over the F-35 so A final work-around of the Abrams Doctrine, which Canadian governments have followed as well, is to learnedacquisition—such a lesson Maddowas frigate wantsreplacement—we to impart: Wagingshould postpone paying for war. Let the kids pay. That’s what expect a serious debate. If so, Canadians will have deficits are for. Maddow’s account of the growth of the practically war should be difficult and being capable♦ of waging invisible American national security state and the war should be expensive. At least the F-35 debate faint echoes of similar developments here are not seems aware of the second question. Barry Cooper, FRSC, a fourth generation Albertan, is a professor as dire as they may seem. There are ways of fixing of Political Science at the University of Calgary. He has published things in accord with her “small ‘c’ conservative over 20 books, including New Political Religions: An Analysis of constitutionalism.” She helpfully provides a to-do list. Modern Terrorism (2004), and publishes a weekly column in the Calgary Herald. In this country as well, a step in the right direction was Volumetaken with 6, Issue the 2debate over the F-35. 9 Befriending Those No Decent Person Would Talk To

How to Win an Election: An Ancient Guide for Modern Politicians. heldthe highest supreme office executive in the Romanpower republic,and were whereby responsible the Quintus Marco Cicero two magistrates who held the office simultaneously Translated with an introduction by Philip Freeman Reviewed by John Von Heyking for both civil and military affairs. This text has been Princeton University Press, 128 pages, $9.95 producingdifficult to this obtain, handsome and we bilingual are indebted edition. to classicist Philip Freeman and Princeton University Press for t the beginning of Harper’s Team, Tim Flanagan’s account of the Conservative party’s Upon reading this edition, I was stunned by how rise to power, Flanagan approvingly cites a key accurately Cicero (Quintus, unless otherwise noted) piece of advice that Quintus Cicero offers in his How to explains the “essence of campaigning.” I read How Win an Election: to Win an Election: An Ancient Guide for Modern Politicians during the recent Alberta provincial theFinally, color as and regards spectacle the Romanthat appeals masses, so much be sure to election and was amazed that each page had a lesson to put on a good show. Dignified, yes, but full of that the Alberta political parties either had learned what scoundrels your opponents are and to smear or had forgotten (to their disadvantage). Just as Athesecrowds. men It alsoat every wouldn’t opportunity hurt to with remind the themcrimes, of onlymilitary changes historians tactics, frequently one can argue say thatthat thethe essence sexual scandals, and corruption they have brought of military strategy is timeless and that technology on themselves. changes tactics. of campaigning is timeless while technology only With this contemporary sounding counsel, Cicero lists three things that will guarantee votes in is timeless,” despite rapid changes in technology. Flanagan indicates that the “essence of campaigning an election: favours, hope, and personal attachment. Elections are the time candidates must call in Quintus wrote this pamphlet in the form of a letter to favours: “Make it clear to each one under your his brother, Marcus (the more famous Cicero) when obligation to you exactly what you expect from him. he10 ran for Roman consul in 64 BC. The consulship was Remind them that you have never asked Volume anything 6, Issue of 2 This two-step process sounds easy but it is actually havingthem before, those butin your now isdebt the campaigntime to make with good you on and, what in essence,they owe to you.” be your Cicero cheering emphasizes section the as youimportance campaign. of everyquite complicated. destructive rumorWithout that the makesloyalty itsof friends way to and the family, the second step is impossible: “For almost

They are your followers. They cheer you on, they public begins among family and friends.” The truth encourage others to vote for you, and they attack of this claim was quite evident in the Alberta election, your enemies. No need to mention that if you are especially in how Premier Alison Redford handled the not in a position to call in favours, then you have no Ralph Klein wing of the PC Party. Her critical comments business campaigning in the first place. The candidate about Klein’s legacy were leaked from a private donors’ theycampaigns back you, from you a positionwill be in of their strength. debt. Even so, there event and the family feud was made even more public. is nothing wrong with letting supporters know that if Redford’s victory seems to repudiate Cicero’s counsel The candidate needs to inspire hope in the people: at least one pollster stated that the PC victory was (i.e., “it’s not your father’s party anymore”), although “you must make them to believe that you will always the result of Wildrose support collapsing: erstwhile in general know this, though conservatives, it seems, “family and friends” returned to the fold. generallybe there to need help to makethem.” a greaterPresident Obama and liberals to “anyone who shows you Cicero’s advice on howgoodwill to expand or seeks friendships out your company” can sound effort in this regard. Stephen downright Machiavellian, recessionHarper was would reminded be a good of which is unsurprising. While timethis afterto invest, he suggested which makes the economic sense but little onehe frames needs histo bear argument in mind in good economic sense to buy the language of friendship, stockspolitical when sense. their Itprices makes are amicus in a very broad sense,that the which Romans also understood included low; it makes bad political understood and practiced by dependssense when on people’s government hopes the way that friendship is beingfor risingseen to do stock something prices – Corleone in The Godfather. anything! – to show someone Mario Puzo’s character Don “certain key men in every was the conservative who neighbourhoodMake sure you and befriend town probablyis in control. best Ronald understood Reagan who exercise power” the importance of hope. because, having befriended In his campaign for the them, “the rest will follow presidency in 1980 when he criticized the malaise along.” But be sure to distinguish those “who seem of Jimmy Carter’s presidency, and during his own important but have no real power and in fact are presidency, Reagan constantly tried to motivate often unpopular in their group.” The advantage of American’s sense of optimism and hope. associatean election with: is that “youit offers can the eager excuse and to unashamedly get to know However, Cicero devotes most time considering many different types of people you wouldn’t normally personal attachment as the best guarantee for votes. In Rome, politics was local and it was personal. However, cultivate friendships with people no decent person I don’t think politics today differs that much and that “awould man talksees to.”that Evenyou value so, identifyhis support, key that interests you are in personal attachment Cicero emphasized remains the society and befriend them, which you can only do if most important factor. sincere, that you can do something for him, and that Cicero tells his brother he must first solidify the relationship will extend beyond election day.” In short, loyalty of his friends and family, and then broaden “it isn’t enough that you merely call them by name and one’sVolume scope 6, Issue of 2 friends to include the general public. develop a superficial friendship. You must actually be 11 this wish by creating the appearance that a voter their friend.” campaigner (who wishes the same thing) satisfies “NothingWith friendship impresses as an the average key voter category, more Cicero than is important, even if he is less important than the havingemphasizes a candidate the importance remember of him, personal so work interactions. every day imaginary other friend who is the cause of you having to break your promise in favor of that friend. to recall names and faces.” Indeed, some of the most immoralHow does claim Cicero that reconcile “people hisare moral moved advice more that by Clintonsuccessful is known politicians to have in this our ability. time have a prodigious “you must actually be his friend” with his seemingly ability to remember names; former US President Bill appearances than reality”? I think this contradiction You must perfect the art of flattery, “a disgraceful makedissolves a promise somewhat is based when on you his consider view that that by Cicero’smaking adaptingthing in normal to each life but person essential he when meets, you changing are running his acounsel “gracious for lie,” giving you aclaim “gracious your keeping lie” over your refusing promise to for office…. For a candidate must be a chameleon, expression and speech as necessary.” Be generous. to Person A prevents you from keeping your promise Keep the doors of your house open, “but also open to Person B. Person B is disappointed in the short your face and expression, for these are the window to term, but in the long term he is satisfied because he the soul. If you look closed and distracted when people has befriended someone who generally keeps his talk with you, it won’t matter that promises. But Person B would hate your front gates are never locked.” looks directly at you and always You can always you if you refuse to make a promise Indeed, the successful politician } to him because in refusing to make excuse yourself mustthat promise, cultivate hope, you have and he refused does smiles. This helps explain some of when breaking a soto befriend by appearing him. The as campaigner someone the success of the Wildrose Party who keeps promises, though not smilesas Danielle always Smith look strained. has a brilliant promise by claiming smile, while Alison Redford’s that circumstances Thus, Cicero indicates that counsel that it is better to break currently prevent necessarily all of them. a promiseVery important than not is to makeCicero’s a you from keeping in this pamphlet on how to win friendship is his primary subject the outcome is uncertain and your promise. But promise: “If you break a promise, by refusing to make elections. Even the presence of promises, you come false friends, and enemies is still athe promise, number the of people result affected is certain is andsmall. produces But if you immediate refuse to anger make off as miserly and a nod to the fact that the “full of that never wins the color and spectacle” of an election is a kind of party among votes.. breakingin a larger a number promise of byvoters.” claiming You friends. Indeed, politics is a form thatcan always circumstances excuse yourself currently when ~ eventof friendship, in which though politicians, not of who the highest kind. An election is an prevent you from keeping your each stand at the head of a faction politicianspromise. But the by world refusing over to make make promises promises, they you nevercome of party of friends, come out and try to persuade off as miserly and that never wins votes. This is why fellow citizens of their worth, and to befriend them. The election is a festival in which the polity shows intend to keep, or why their promises are frequently itself to itself, where politician and citizen are both nothing more than repackaging of old promises or on display to each other and to themselves, for they promisesthings that that have the already PCs made been in decided.this light. Alberta voters are the polity. One might say that an election is a time seem to regard the $3 billion plus in post-budget when a polity is the most itself with itself. Of course, friends fight and, of course, they have enemies. thanThe reality.” reason Peoplefor Cicero’s wish counsel to be importanton generosity and and the flattery is that “people are moved more by appearances Elections imply conflicts can be resolved (at least 12 for a time) and that there is a friendship Volume worth 6, havingIssue 2 conflicts over. Some like to paraphrase military Caesarwould be who assassinated destroyed 20the years republic, later and,by Mark about Anthony whom electionsstrategist are Karl not von war Clausewitz’s by other means insight because on war they by and Octavian for backing Pompey instead of Julius areclaiming restrained, that elections which are wars war are by not, other according means. But to ♦ it is said, never let down a friend. So be careful in choosing your friends and your enemies. other.Clausewitz This is who simply applied not the this case statement in elections, to his which view John von Heyking is Professor of Political Science at the University that, in war, enemies seek the total destruction of each of Lethbridge, in Alberta, Canada, where he teaches political phi- losophy and religion and politics. He is author of Augustine and are about the peaceful, though frequently unpleasant, Politics as Longing in the World and his columns have appeared in transition of power. the Globe and Mail, Calgary Herald and C2C Journal. He was the 2010 Hill Lecturer and is currently president of Civitas. He is cur- CatilineanCicero helped conspiracy. his brother Marcus win Tulliusone of the Cicero positions was rently at work on a book-length study on the political significance therebyof consulship named and Pater during Patriae, his though tenure both defeated brothers the of friendship.

The Partnership that Helped to Win the Cold War

Reagan and Thatcher: The Difficult Relationship Richard Aldous Thatcherof the past and fifty discoversyears. Aldous that investigates contrary to the the political public relationship between Ronald Reagan and Margaret Reviewed by Grant Morgan perception, the partnership between the two leaders W.W. Norton & Company, 352 pages, $27.95

are usually adept at creating myths about was at times fraught with tension and uncertainty. Politicians, especiallyReagan those and of Thatcher: historic importance,The Difficult The story Aldous tells is far more compelling and Relationship complex than the image of consistent solidarity that themselves. In both leaders promoted; it is instead the history of two , author Richard Aldous exposes one such leaders overcoming conflicting personalities to attain mythVolume surrounding 6, Issue 2 two of the most important leaders shared goals. It is a revisionist history that should be 13 intriguing to any reader interested in international

Both the strategic defense initiative (“Star Wars”) affairs. and his proposals for limiting nuclear weapons Aldous is a professor of history at University deployment in Europe were viewed by Thatcher as an abandonment of American protection of Britain, College, Dublin, and has previously written on a wide The Difficult Relationship is leading to one of their few open disagreements. range of topics dealing with British history—including that despite these substantive disagreements, the biographies of former British Prime Ministers Harold The basic thesis of ColdMacMillan, War. The Benjamin Difficult Disraeli,Relationship and isWilliam likely to Gladstone, prove his mostas well controversial as a well-regarded work to internationaldate, because history it contradicts of the two leaders recognized both their common interests the established historical and media narrative about and the political advantages of presenting a united two recent and well-known leaders. public front. As the junior partner in the relationship, ministerThatcher’s since efforts Churchill, in particular and temperedwere noteworthy. her public She visited Washington more frequently than any prime Aldous covers the early portion of Reagan and Thatcher’s respective terms extensively, documenting statements even while seething at American policies both their promising early meetings (which actually privately. Her professionalism and discipline allowed thosebegan before crises, either three was in power) as well as the major her to retain significant influence in Washington. arecrises most which prominent. strained their strategic relationship. Of Aldous is thorough in his researchprimary and and private makes excellentsources, includinguse of

First, during the papers, as well as the StatesFalkland was put Islands in the both leaders’ personal precariousWar, the position United contemporaries such diaries of political itsof having most to important indicate as British MP Allan support for Britain, summitClark. The meetings, author’s in alienating several particular,descriptions include of NATO ally, while not enough personal governments, who details to give the wereLatin vital partners American in being there. While the insurgencies. Several bookreader is a well-written sense of fighting communist and scholarly, there are nonetheless a team—mostmembers of Reagan’s notably foreign policy few criticisms which UN ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick—wanted to go to an attentive reader might make. First, while the greater lengths to preserve American neutrality in coverage of the early years of Reagan’s and Thatcher’s the conflict, and the hesitancy with which the United terms is extensive and detailed, events after 1985 are States expressed support for the British severely covered much more briefly, which gives the book an policyangered in Thatcher. the Caribbean The following and carried year, the out American without pages—onunfinished feel.occasion, Conversely, it seems the that early the crises author Aldous was invasion of Grenada, which was contrary to British strivingdescribes to could quote have every been primary covered source effectively on an in event, fewer and there is some redundancy as a result. The space seriously consulting Thatcher beforehand, did further damage. Indeed, Thatcher privately remarked that events could have been devoted to giving readers American actions were “even worse than the Soviets,” adevoted more domestic to multiple context, redundant which accounts is another of someweak nuclearwhile Reagan weapons openly also suggested caused considerablethat the French tension. were more reliable allies. Finally, Reagan’s ideas regarding 14 point in the book. Aldous occasionally Volume references 6, Issue 2 Thatcher similarly scolded Trudeau, responding to the domestic challenges faced by Thatcher, and how hisIn later behavior summits with the dealing remark with that arms “women limitations, know internal party power struggles affected her decisions, when men are being childish” and speaking to him but the domestic context of Reagan’s decisions are in a tone that suggested she was going to “stand him incomplete.barely referenced at all. This means that the picture of Reagan’s decision-making process is invariably The Difficult Relationship also appears to overstate in a corner.” Overall, the book makes it clear to the Thatcher partnership was more challenging than was reader that Trudeau’s personality, as well as his open its thesis. While there is no question that the Reagan- contempt for his British and American counterparts, book undermine the argument that it was personally did a great deal of damage to Canada’s influence with generally revealed to the public, the later stages of the Britain and the United States, and among NATO as a whole. Brian Mulroney, anwho honorary enjoyed a pallbearer famously warm at his “difficult” outside of a few specific crises. The letters relationship with Reagan (and was later asked to be and speeches from the late- which suggests, at least, that and1980s personal in particular warmth, are notable to a tensionsfuneral) is disappeared barely mentioned, with degreefor their not complementary seen between most tone Aldous highlights the} damage done to appears that rather than being Canadian-American Trudeau’s retirement. other leaders of the period. It relations by the The lesson for Canadians cooperating despite personal is clear: personalities matter. a case of two leaders publically personality and behavior interested in foreign affairs partnership included two of Pierre Trudeau. personal disagreements tensions, the Reagan-Thatcher While the extent of the leaders who genuinely liked The first such instance each other, despite occasional occurred at a NATO theybetween both Reagan demonstratedand Thatcher detailed by Aldous is surprising, summit shortly after addingpolicy differences. to our understanding So while Aldous deserves credit for Reagan had survived the professionalism, far- an assassination necessarysightedness, to and ensure (in Reagan’s that the case) natural affability evidenceof the partnershiphe provides does and not the attempt. Under these relationship worked and their political events of the ’80s, the major objectives were attained. alter the story as radically as he circumstances, Trudeau suggests. berated the still- qualities, the relationship recovering Reagan wouldHad either not leader have lacked been these as surprisingGiven the that focus Canada on bilateral does so aggressively that notUS-UK receive issues, much it coverage is not Thatcher interrupted, maturitysuccessful. and Observant experience voters in calling Trudeau balancingshould therefore competing look interests for both passages that do mention when selecting leaders. While thein the Canadian book. politicians However, theare “obnoxious”.... ~ Regan and Thatcher: The Difficultnot flawless Relationship or revolutionary, combines quite revealing. On several occasions, Aldous highlights the damage done to Canadian-American relations by an important lesson in the art♦ of politics with a the personality and behavior of Pierre Trudeau. The fascinating history of the end of the Cold War and first such instance occurred at a NATO summit shortly therefore should be read widely. after Reagan had survived an assassination attempt. Grant Morgan is originally from Kingston, Ontario and is currently interrupted,Under these calling circumstances, Trudeau Trudeau “obnoxious” berated and the “a a PhD candidate in Political Science at the University of Pennsyl- still-recovering Reagan so aggressively that Thatcher vania. He lives in Philadelphia.

Volumenaughty 6, schoolboy” Issue 2 in front of the assembled leaders. 15 How Western culture rescues women

Unworthy Creature: A Punjabi Daughter’s Memoir on Hon- our, Shame and Love A lived in the apartment below Papp’s family, (and had graduated from university with honours), made the runa Papp with Barbara Kay fatal mistake of falling in love with someone at the Reviewed by Mark Milke Freedom Press, 214 pages, $21.95 American hotel where she worked. wealthy man twice her age who had agreed to help the Kiran’s brothers had promised their sister to a morning, the eight-year-old girl spotted crows brothers in a business venture. Thus, when she instead s Irene ran towards the church-bound bus one insisted on marrying the man she loved, the murder

circling above a heap of garbage, and fighting closer, she saw that the crows were tearing at the was set in motion. Kiran, “tall, with a beautiful figure” over something discarded in the trash. As Irene moved with “glossy black hair, crowned with a garland of wanted a boy. white flowers,” had her wrists bound with thick rope flesh of a naked baby girl, abandoned by a family that Pappand was envied set andablaze admired in her had red “subsided bridal sari. into By a the charred time the police arrived, the “beautiful” and “happy” woman thatGrowing being a up girl in a her traditional native culture India, Aruna was a curse. Papp (—Irene,A before she changed her name) learned early heap of smoking rubbish.” that even shiny, sophisticated girls were a burden to Papp, who emigrated to Canada four decades ago, “I can’t remember a time when I didn’t understand Unworthy Creatures: A is now a social worker in Toronto. She first swept Punjabi Daughter’s Memoir of Honour, Shame and Love, into Canada’s national consciousness two years ago their families” writes Papp, in killings” in Canada. co-authored with the National Post with her study on the cultural factors behind “honour ’s Barbara Kay. shouldThat be accomplishment read by anyone has who now wants been to followedunderstand up perishedIndeed, on there the wouldgarbage be heap many would more notreminders be the lastabout to with a well-written narrative on her own life, one that the status of females in her native India. The girl that Canada.how cultural beliefs can often be the greatest barrier suffer the deadly effects of the curse. to women’s emancipation abroad and even in 16 When Papp was fourteen, Kiran, a young lady who Volume 6, Issue 2 Thus, the high wall against integration into Canadian

back and knocked her unconscious for two days. She predictablesociety, as Pappand nonsensical points out accusation with unflinching that originates courage is honest about her Seventh Day Adventist faith and and clarity, is not traditional “European” culture—the the deeply scarring fundamentalist strain to which too wrapped up in their own intellectual mud puddles she was exposed; about the extreme and deadly form in government-funded lobby groups and academics of “honour” which bound not only Indians of Hindu or Muslim persuasion in India but also her own Christian to see the obvious. In fact, Western culture has long circles; about her eventual abandonment of faith for been the most tolerant of worldviews and able to a more generalized belief in God; and about her deep, incorporate a rainbow of diverse peoples. Papp, who behindsuicidal her. depression long after she met a new husband has no anti-Western blinders, thanks the vague God in Canada and long after she thought her past life was she believes in for Western values. In a book whose official launch was given a boost Despite the abuse, Papp is not anti-man; far from Pappby Conservative makes clear Rona thatAmbrose, the Minister responsible it. The author is also frankhome, about especially her own as failures: her career she realfor thereasons Status some of immigrant Women, advanced,preferred to a stay decision away from that women have trouble integrating }Or they will side hurt her own children. She is with those who abuse into Canadian society: too often, in other ways. When howstraightforward she lied to about immigration the need thattheir treats own girls families. and Forwomen some, as Aruna was 11, she to bribe officials in India and privatethe extreme property version is soof honour deeply officials in Canada. was raped by Aalim, is much else—Unworthy a relative seventeen CreatureIf nothing else—and there groupembedded “honour” in some at families all costs, that even the women will defend years her senior. But is a reminder of the who beat and kill their wives, Aruna could tell no one. power of self-actualization, to daughters,even if it means and sisters. siding with men the realization that slowly, but “There was no question surely, the only life one knows who abuse in other ways. When of telling anyone what I is not the only life possible. Or they will side with those But such a dawning did not had experienced. I had occur without the kindness of Aruna was 11, she was raped nobody I could trust inothers. a school In her where earliest a certain years, couldby Aalim, tell ano relative one. “There seventeen was MasterAruna was Singh the was only in Christian charge. years her senior. But Aruna to keep such a horrific Singh, aware the other girls secret,” writes Papp. no question of telling anyone ~ told her to be less gullible and what I had experienced. I had were getting the best of Papp, Papp,nobody a mistrust I could that trust had to to keepextend even to her mother such a horrific secret,” writes to demand better treatment.also to stand up for herself. It was the first time she ever considered it was possible and father. The honour code that existed in segments killed me on the spot and, whether they believed me Pastor Streeter, had egalitarian ways which while they of Indian society meant her own parents “would have Later, one missionary from the United States, vile accusation.” or not, they would have apologized to Aalim for my Papp, as the last paragraph indicates, is open in her offended her patriarchal father, probably saved Papp’s life. When Pastor Streeter brought Aruna home to Delhi from the boarding school she was then attending book about her life thus far: about her earliest years as(she he was assumed sick and that in need she of was a hospital) pregnant. Aruna’s Neighbours father in India; about her husband Ralph—the Anglo-Indian mightthought think his daughter’s the girl had return done would something shame to the warrant family 11 years her senior whom she was forced to marry at age 16; about the beatings from the fists and the belts Volumeof her pastor6, Issue father—one 2 attack split the skin on her expulsion. So her father refused to let his daughter 17 even enter the house and go the washroom. The pastor

Another example of tender charity came after was so angry with Papp’s father that he ensured the Papp’s first foray into public speaking, and where she removed appendix—the source of her illness—was first shared the travails of immigrant women. After, given to the father as proof. thinking she had embarrassed herself with her limited education, she made a beeline for the washroom and The kindness of others were seeds that eventually threw up. After berating herself in the stall, Papp flowered and allowed Aruna to escape her cosseted looks, older, with piercing eyes”, who encouraged her emerged to find “a white woman of patrician good life and her own demons. After another beating from to stand up straight and breathe deeply—“she made her husband Ralph, young girls from a barrister’s family next door introduced themselves with a gift of Later, when she was again attacked by her me do this three or four times” writes Papp. The food and gently inquired as to her condition. meantwoman Papp told her had that “done the honest something recounting no one of else what in was his immediately to intervene, and threatened to have occurring in the cloistered homes of new immigrants husband, the girls’ mother, Anita Behan Ji, came over on her bravery. The woman gave Papp her business nights in jail, “where he country has ever done before” and congratulated her wouldher lawyer undoubtedly brother learnarrange to for Ralph to spend a few to Papp at the time but she wouldcard; the soon name call meantJune Callwood, nothing andwhat kindness it felt like overwhelmed to be beaten the famous Toronto feminist, himself.” The intervention The humanity shown to to thank her for her kindness. Papp would later be returned expectationsPapp, in part because about caste of it by her to others, including a how it defied conventional in Indian culture. “I was mostreconciliation touching with kindness her father in dumbfounded that high- theand book mother. is how But Papp, perhaps still the in threshold,caste Hindus let would alone treateven methink with ofsuch crossingkindness,” she my a woman sitting near a stream recalls in one particularly oneIndia early at this morning point, passed in the by memoirs. that the woman was resting poignant part of her bycity the of Pune.stream Thinking so early, it Papp odd eventually emigrated to wondered whether she had Canada,After the the entire kindness family been there all night, as indeed she had. The woman, married met women who insisted thecontinued. couple getThere, help—and Aruna conceive had been thrown out that her husband be made 23 years but unable to in her late thirties, she had nothingof her house but herby her clothes husband; and to account for his violence. “This was my first foray into Papp, working at a bakery in the early mornings to the realm of ‘women’s rights’ notes Papp, who points was calmly waiting for death. help pay the bills but who also had two young children out that while the Adventist omen would have been at home, persuaded the woman, Shanta, to come live humanhooted value.” down by the feminists of the era, what they [the Adventist women] propounded was an equality of

daughters,with them. Whilesomething unable that to payproved her, invaluableShanta was one offered day She also encountered paragons of kindness: Elspeth room and board in exchange for watching over Papp’s womenHayworth, and a petite, children posh in British-accented the heavily immigrant social worker Jane- who helped Aruna first rescue herself and then other herwhen to Papp’sthe ground. husband, “Shanta, in a hovering fit of rage, over grabbed the baby their as youngest daughter, baby Bina by one arm, and flung Finch18 area of Toronto. Volume 6, Issue 2 always,” writes Papp, “lunged at her and managed to cliché goes, it would be a mistake to judge this book

When, some years later, Papp had moved to Canada, break her fall.” by its (back) cover and those secondary standards. she would send Shanta money every month until the personal stories pull the reader ahead. Moreover, The writing is crisp and Papp’s life story pulls you in;

ShantaUnworthy passed Creatures with cancer in 1978. with so much initial tragedy in Papp’s life and from her maltreatment is a small miracle. Not all women do.♦ is not a perfect book. The earliest age, that Papp survived the horrors of such design is not as sharp as it could be; the back-cover Mark Milke is the editorial board chair of C2C Journal. descriptions run right to the edge of the cover and the inside of the book is similarly cluttered. Still, as the

Canadian mystery novel provides truth about Aboriginal life

Incidents in the Life of Markus Paul brain damage and nearly killing him. The Six Nations

David Adams Richards land claim may or may not be vindicated. But as Reviewed by Joseph Quesnel Doubleday Canada, 304 pages, $32.95 Ontario Superior Court Judge Alan Whitten said in his ruling: “There was no necessity for this crime… it bystanders are caught up in a seemingly didn’t advance any ideology or idea.” am Gualtieri is a good example of how innocent at the wrong time. S Gualtieri was the wrong person, at the wrong place, leads to tragedy. Incidents in the Life of Markus Paul unstoppable “picking sides” mentality that often by David Adam Gualtieri is a non-Aboriginal man who built houses, Richards is a similar tragedy where a young Micmac four of which were in a subdivision on contested First youth is killed and his death is quickly capitalized upon Nations lands in Caledonia, Ontario. The parcel of land by forces beyond him. The other tragic figure in this book is Roger Savage, a white man who lives on land Nationshas been protesters. under occupation/reclamation (depending on your interpretation of history) since 2006 by Six the reserve claims as its own and is quickly blamed for Penniac’s death.

In a confrontation with natives occupying his What happens to Roger Savage is similar to building site, Richard Smoke, an Aboriginal, beat Gualtieri’s experience. VolumeGualtieri 6, Issue with 2 a two-by-four, inflicting permanent Richards is a Canadian novelist known for his sense 19 The novel depicts the problems inherent in missing of realism. In this case, he writes what he knows answers, not Paul’s wisdom. best:Incidents the Miramichi River Valley of northern New Brunswick. nuance and complexity in search for a social cause. takes place in the summer of 1985 when Blinded by what is known as “white liberal guilt,” Hector Penniac dies in the hold of a ship when a protesters and academics are depicted as “useful load of pulpwood falls on him. The ship is called the idiots” in the hands of those who have manipulated reserveLutheran, land, implying was at virtuesthe dock and and sinsbecomes of Protestant the main theology. Roger Savage, a loner living on contested the death of Hector Penniac for their own ends. Richards is very unsympathetic to the media, as suspect. In due course, he too is killed. At one level nervousseen through when the the character media of become Max Doran, involved. an ambitious Media this is a detective story: Chief Amos Paul develops a liberal reporter. At the beginning, Chief Paul becomes hunch that Savage is innocent and the story follows bad guys is a problem when the real story is more his private investigation into the murder as conflict preference for easy narratives and good guys and envelops the small reserve community. The story shifts from 1985 to the present, as The author is not –complicated. can distort theBiased discourse. coverage This of deciphersRCMP officer the and detective Chief Amoswork } Aboriginal – or any other issue Paul’s grandson, Markus Paul, insensitive to First is an experienced print reporter, Nations struggles. But reviewer can sympathize as he conservativeof his grandfather. conviction that Richards re-introduces the in literary terms he is with a background in Aboriginal screaming to bright- coverage. However, Richards grandioseMan is fallible schemes and we that should aim eyed idealists to give againstconflates others, all media as too he easily. ignores He toentertain change aor healthy improve distrust the state of nuanceis guilty within of the charge media hecoverage levels their heads a shake and view conservatism as being realize Aboriginals are The author is not insensitive of things. Many mistakenly itself. human beings, flawed and and individual rights. in literary terms he is screaming only about free markets prone to bad conduct like to bright-eyedFirst Nations idealists struggles. to give But isHistorically, that the latter what views dividesman as everyone. Supporting conservatism from liberalism indigenous struggles their heads a shake and realize does not mean that likeAboriginals everyone. are human Supporting beings, character“perfectible” in the and novel institutions closest indigenousflawed and prone struggles to bad does conduct not as the source of evil. The Aboriginal peoples are never the “bad guys” who to Richards’s view of the are never the “bad guys” who mean that Aboriginal peoples world is Amos Paul: manipulate their own.” ~ moral tale directed to the naïve pecially“All of this how made this Amos man manipulate their own. It is a feel uncomfortable. Es- peoples. who romanticize Aboriginal dosaid not the wordbelieve progress. in progress For when Amos it was concerns one of those old-fashioned men seen in every race, who All humans are flawed. Why romanticize one group believed they would be the generation to set things over another? In modern Canada, one group that is straight,the hearts and of nomen. generation He saw that did.” every generation romanticized and over-defended is indigenous people. “White guilt” due to sins of the majority in centuries past requires overlooking Aboriginal humanity for the As the crisis over Hector’s death evolves, the butsake that of supporting does not require particular their high “white profile supporters” struggles. demand for action and moral clarity leaves no room First Nations have been treated very badly historically, for complexity or nuance. Many within the reserve gravitate20 away from Chief Amos Paul as they want easy to deny Aboriginal agency and humanity, Volume to 6, pretend Issue 2 politics and individual behaviour. that historical sins explain all present-day Aboriginal But, Incidents fails to grapple with dealing with contemporary justice for Aboriginals. Many modern problems of First Nations (such as being located on areBut, rogues one exploiting should resist causes, the but temptation there are to many view isolated reserves and undermining of indigenous all First Nations struggles this way. There certainly indigenous peoples motivated by good causes. governments and cultures) are rooted in the past. In judge,Bad Medicine: struggled A to Judge’s educate Struggle the public for Justice on how in many First Nation Community, author John Reilly, a retired Alberta Justice for indigenous peoples often gets obscured by automatically assuming the issues (notably land First Nation personal dysfunctions, including crimes, whetherclaims) arethe solelyland claim about is just money to start or power.with. Certainly are rooted in dysfunctional home environments. Reilly some do benefit, but this ignores the larger question of Incidents is about history and how to correct past flipped sentencing provisions in the Criminal Code injustices. Many reserve residents want to blame calling for sensitivity towards Aboriginal offenders on their head by saying that dysfunctional governance, part, Markus Paul is discussing nepotism, and stealing sentencingmoney earmarked guidelines for healing when Roger Savage for the sins of colonial Canada. In one programs should be includedevaluating in the an analysis individual of the Paul and young Markus recounts the explosive situation with Chief Incidents is a highly Native’s life circumstances. readable and excellent novel. community.all of the racism Markus of the past mentions to his grandfather, to demonize the white condition while entertaining It teaches us about the human Paulhow apartheid quips, “Well, in South yes - Africa but we is interested in murder mysteries modeled after reserves, but Chief us. It is a good read for those

can’t blame apartheid on Roger whatand theactually joy happened of discovering in the Savage, can we?” Individuals do “who did it.” The unfolding of cannot see deserve how blaming punishment the past for can the wrongs of their ancestors. One fourth hold of the Lutheran reads like a page turner. Chief Nationsinterfere toin the blame present, the residential especially Amos unravels the “case” of with a tendency of some First Penniac’s death, leading to thing that happens. Similarly, wantingsome key to confessionsconvey the themes in the schools experience for every bad end. A less capable author

corrupt conduct by some chiefs aof complex Machiavellian moral universe, politics, cannot be dismissed by referring pure and simple. woulduniversal have human thrown frailties, together or a to colonialism. It is bad conduct, acknowledging past wrongs is Knowing the past is critical and themes become too obvious,far less but interesting they are bynovel. and There large are times when Richards’ important, but it does not excuse the descendants of those wronged from dealing with their own issues. Or, thehidden misunderstandings in a good story. inherent At the samein relations time, itbetween should as Chief Paul puts it: be required reading for those seeking♦ to understand about letting things go- but how could we ever “I am an old man. I don’t know what to tell you Aboriginal peoples and newcomers. Joseph Quesnel is a policy analyst with the Frontier Centre for get revenge without burning the entire roof off make peace now. No white can do it – it is in Public Policy where he writes about Aboriginal and property rights the world? We are the only people who can policy, among other issues. He is a columnist for the Winnipeg Sun, our our power only, and so we have to, in and contributes to The Taxpayer (from the Canadian Taxpayers order to live.” Federation).

Volume 6, Issue 2 21