Shame On You

One thing about symbolic gestures, they reveal much as it relates to commitment, intent. Yesterday, John Baird took the airwaves, and was asked why his government had done nothing to promote earth hour, why it was he only spoke on the matter at the last minute. Of course, Baird offered the usual, he was focused on real results, blah, blah, blah. That's fine, nobody every assumed that earth hour had any concrete solutions, it was always a small gesture.

I was pleased to see my entire neighborhood went dark, apart from one "cheater", the gray glow of the television particularly bright on this night. The people that decided to "boycott", so beyond ridiculous, have exposed themselves for the selfish, narrow, unproductive irrelevants that most of us already knew. Whatever, they are clearly in the minority, given the awareness of our youth, they will simply die out ouver time like other dinosaurs of the past.

What is really inexcusable, the leader of our country, the guy who makes all these grandiose claims about the "greatest challenge the earth faces", takes a pass, and in so doing exposes himself for the charlatan he really is:

The ever-illuminated Peace Tower on Parliament Hill went black at the stroke of 8 p.m., as did the lighted "Canada" signs that adorn federal buildings in the capital.

Stornoway, official residence of Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion, was almost impossible to find among the mansions in Ottawa's upscale Rockliffe neighbourhood. Dion, a former environment minister, even delivered a speech by candlelight in Toronto to a gala dinner recognizing Greek independence.

Rideau Hall, home to Governor General Michaëlle Jean, was dark and federal Environment Minister John Baird was at his Nepean home "with the lights off, of course," said spokesperson Eric Richer.

But two ground-floor rooms in Harper's house stayed on and inquiries to a PMO spokesperson were not returned. The third-floor offices on Parliament Hill that house the Prime Minister's Office were also among the few lights that stayed on, prompting a jeer from a handful of Green Party activists who had gathered in the cold to mark the occasion.

A small gesture, but in another sense it says it all. Stephen Harper is "not a leader", he's a fraud.