Comedian Rick Mercer is what Newfoundlanders term "saucy." He has a wonderful ability to skewer politicians in his rants and yet he doesn't come across as mean-spirited. I guess smart, perceptive and saucy are enough.
In the Globe and Mail today he takes aim at the "aspirational goals" established by Pacific Rim nations. During the summer Prime Minister Harper made his way to Australia to speak earnestly about addressing the challenge of responding to global warming. A short time ago he really couldn't have cared less, but since I'm in the transformation business I'll give Harper the benefit of the doubt. Then the leaders announced they would aspire to meeting certain goals.
Mercer maintains that when you aspire to something you may already know that you're not going to get there. He offers that it is like aspiring to get along with your annoying sister-in-law on the drive to Thanksgiving dinner. It's a nice idea, but it ain't going to happen. She will annoy you and its all down hill from there.
I don't mind that these leaders pledged to be aspirational. I hope they will also be perspirational.
The life of faith includes both lofty goals and a determination to reach them, by the grace of God. Politics should as well.
We need our nation and others to use all the ingenuity and political will to make immediate changes for both short and long term results. Enough with the scare tactics and vagaries.
PS. Most sisters-in-law are wonderful people, so feel free not to remind me that this is the case!
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