Apparently a man who believes that Canadians only deserve to hear his platform one week prior to going the ballot box can get elected Prime Minister. Even as his platform--his mind you, it's always called "Stephen Harper's plan," never his party's--is more photo than word. Even with only 37% of the vote of the 59.1% of eligible voters who could find photo ID with an address printed and showed up with it at the polls, the lowest turnout since Confederation. I could scream, though it soothes me a bit to know that the island of Montreal resoundingly rejected the conservative party, and really, so did Canada giving them only a minority government.
What is a bleeding-heart to do?
-Braised local pork bellies.
-Crusty bread.
-Red wine.
**
I've meant to mention two worthwhile things on the politics of food.
First: Last Sunday's issue of The New York Times Magazine is dedicated to food. Most specifically Michael Pollan is, as ever, compelling in his letter to the president-elect on crucial changes needed to American food policy.
Second: I've been following with fascination The Bovine, following Michael Schmidt in his brave and legally fraught crusade to be allowed to sell raw milk through his cow share programme. I've followed this case on its own merits, and also as a microcosmic test of how Canadian governments respond when their policies are challenged with overwhelming good sense and good will.
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