GOOD STUFF

The Tory leadership race now has 10 candidates running and one flying, the
Rev. Michael Baldasaro of the Church of the Universe. There are a number of
reasons to favour this candidate.

First, at their press conference, he and his campaign manager the Rev.
Brother Walter Tucker looked as if they lived in an abandoned steel foundry
(they do), had just smoked a joint (they had) and are members of ZZ Top
(they aren't). They could use Joe Clark's daughter for spin control, but,
unlike Mr. Clark, do not stoop to such devices. (Spin itself is another
matter, judging by the photo of Rev. Tucker on page A3 yesterday).

Second, the conventional wisdom is that if you do oppose the War on Drugs,
you have to say that you want decriminalization not legalization and that
you yourself would sooner be bitten in half by a hippopotamus than take any
mind-altering substance. No such hypocrisy taints Rev. Baldasaro's campaign.
He'll use them.

Third, if you're tired of politicians who pretend it's noble to submerge
their own beliefs for the sake of power, consider that the Rev. Baldasaro is
running because he thinks the drug laws are morally wrong and therefore (a
link too many contemporary politicians can't make) should be repealed.

The Tory leadership debates would benefit by the Rev.'s presence. There are
already enough joke candidates in the race. At least one who has serious
policy beliefs should be allowed in, too.

Copyright 1998 The Ottawa Citizen

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett