SMOKE SCREEN

He told the truth. It takes us by surprise. And not just truth ("I smoked
some dope") but truth enhanced beyond the politician's style: "Of course I
did." What happened to his mesh of guile? Beside Martin Cauchon, the Pope
sounds insincere, a pro at telling lies.

An honest pol? No wonder we're struck dumb. The Chretien crew will talk and
talk and never say a thing that has the ring of real. The Minister of
Justice, looking to repeal An unjust law, decides to mock Their pose and
take a chance with what will come.

Who is this guy? Just 39, ambitious type who passes for un petit gars from
the backwoods but wins the votes of the bourgeois In Outremont. He can't do
sound bites, needs more joie de vivre, likes to fish, could go far If being
a "druggie" doesn't hurt his hype.

How could it hurt? Cauchon should worry more about the places truth will
lead. You like to fish? Then tell us more about your trips with ad men who,
for contracts won, will lavish tips upon your crew. That's worse than weed
for messing you up when you're trying to score.