St. Paul's: I Didn't Want to Be Right

I hate being right about this one.  I have covered it for the newspaper, doing an article on the fire itself, and at least one on the fall-out.  I made no secret that based on evidence, and people I'd spoken with I thought it was arson.  I never thought I'd be right.  I wanted it to be an easily explainable electrical fire.  Because in this case, being right meant that someone would want to set fire to a house of worship something I found at the time to be inconceivable, and even now I have trouble getting my head around it.

I am familiar with the history of the fight.  St Paul's is as they say "a house divided."  There's one group within the congregation wanting to completely demolish the church, and put in its place a life-lease condo, with space for worship.  Another wants to save the building, no matter what it costs.  That somebody in either of these factions set fire to the place- a house of worship- a place of serenity, peace, hope and charity is just...

Un-Christian.  Churches were never supposed to make money.  They're supposed to be places of charity, of gathering.  They're supposed to spread the word of God, to be kind, and promote the spirit of generosity.  They're supposed provide a type of sanctuary for people to get away from it all, and leave with a better understanding of themselves.  Instead St. Paul's has been a place of bitter, divisive conflict that may in the end cost Milton a landmark.

If you know anything about what happened the night of June, 30, 2010 please call Detective Constable Colin Grierson of Halton Regional Police's Fraud Squad at: 905-465-8744.   

Dalton McGuinty and the self-fulfilling prophecy

I'm not the biggest fan of Dalton McGuinty.  My opinion is based mostly on his politics, and his government's general conduct, than any personal dislike- I have met the  man and found him to be a far more charismatic guy in person, than on television.  Yesterday he started hinting at his eventual retirement even if he wins this October's provincial election, a fact which probably put a smile on the face of many Progressive Conservatives everywhere- and quite a few Ontarians including myself.

Even though I'm not a fan, I don't think it should end like this. The way he's talking of his eventual departure makes it a self-fulfilling prophecy; and it does his party no favours. Barring any major catastrophe on the P.C.'s part, the Liberals are probably going to lose this October's election.  But let's say for the sake of argument they win, and McGuinty is looking at another 4 year term as Premier (in the case of a majority).  And as he's hinting he steps down within a couple of years; two years for his successor to get their feet wet before having to fight another election- it makes total sense from the Liberals point-of-view. 

There's another possible outcome: what if he wins with a minority? The same scenario applies- but look at the consequences.  A minority as we see on the federal scene is under the constant threat of an election.  If McGuinty leaves after that two year period, there could be a new election.  Are we willing to have a minority on the federal, and provincial levels?

The Liberal Party is already facing an uphill battle they probably won't win.  McGuinty should either resign now, and let the new leader begin the eventual makeover that will eventually happen.  Or he  should've kept his mouth shut and tried to rally his troops. As the saying goes, the captain should always go down with the ship.