SNIFF, SNIFF

Not long ago, Andre Bosclair's cocaine use while serving in the
provincial cabinet would have spelled the end of his career. So if
his past drug habits are now considered a laughing matter, the Parti
Quebecois leadership candidate should consider himself lucky.

Speaking at Ottawa's Press Gallery Dinner last month -- an event at
which public figures poke fun at themselves and each other --
Governor-General Michaelle Jean found comic fodder in Mr. Boisclair's
narcotic exploits. The jokes were mild, playing on the double meaning
of "Coke" and joking that the Pequiste follows the party "line." But
for Mr. Boisclair, whose edginess has evidently lingered beyond his
drug-snorting days, it was apparently too much.

The G-G, Mr. Boisclair complained on Wednesday, shocked him.
"Everyone who saw those [clips of her jokes] understands that they're
out of place," he sniffed. "Mrs. Jean was not participating in a
private event. Mrs. Jean was participating in a public event,
televised, taped."

We had thought Svend Robinson had cornered the market on affected
victimhood, grovelling for sympathy for stealing a diamond ring. But
Mr. Boisclair beats him hands down. We have argued previously that
his past indiscretions should not disqualify him from holding office.
But if he can not handle even a joke, his hypersensitivity should.