I waited and thought for a couple of weeks before writing this, because in some ways his reaction was so typical that any comment on it would just be more of the same. But giving this kind of behaviour yet another bye seems to be tacit acceptance of the unacceptable.
Let’s see. There’s Stephen Harper, of course, or “Steve” as Premier Danny Williams liked to say. Andy Wells, too, until the former St. John’s mayor managed to bury the hatchet.
There’s all of the members of what was then the Newfoundland Offshore Industries Association (NOIA), sneeringly derided as “annoya.”
There’s Randy Simms, publicly pummeled for not being fawning enough on air about the latest government announcement. Max Ruelokke, who had the audacity to apply for a job when Williams had a different candidate handpicked for the job.
There’s former prime minister Paul Martin. John Efford. There’s any number of opposition politicians who have been publicly jeered and derided. There are judges who dared to make rulings in cases, only to have their measured and considered verdicts dismissed as being the result of waking up on the wrong side of the bed.
There are private citizens who have been phoned directly after they had the audacity to exercise their freedom of speech and write letters to the editor criticizing government policy.
There are reporters and editors who have been phoned and given verbal lashings.
Doctors and nurses who, in the midst of difficult negotiations, have been insulted and sneered at. The list goes on and on — either you’re onside with what the government is doing, or you’re stupid, worthless or worse.
Latest target
And now there’s Marystown Mayor Sam Synard, who suggested that, in his opinion, the provincial government wasn’t doing enough to help his town land a major shipbuilding project.
After Synard made his comments — and at a totally unrelated event, the swearing-in of new cabinet ministers — Williams came out of Government House and told the media he had something he wanted to get off his chest.
He wanted a piece of Synard, and when reporters didn’t immediately take the bait, Williams waded in.
Synard should “watch what he’s saying” and stop making “asinine, ignorant” comments.
There are plenty of people — me among them — who can tell you that Williams has a caring and empathic side. But he’s got a nasty side, too. -
Synard, the premier opined, “didn’t count.”
Now, this isn’t to say that the premier is a completely hostile and uncaring person. Far from it.
There are plenty of people in this province who have received thoughtful letters of condolence from the premier, and private calls of support. There are plenty of people — me among them — who can tell you that Williams has a caring and empathic side.
But he’s got a nasty side, too.
And when he’s called on his nasty side, he offers up excuses that don’t even come close to excusing the conduct. He cares passionately about this province — well, so do a lot of other people. He loses his temper; well, he’s not the only one with a temper.
What he is is the only public figure in this province willing to slap down anyone he chooses — in the harshest and most insulting possible terms — merely because they don’t agree with him.
The premier has tonnes of public support for his legislative agenda, and for his attempts to move the province forward. There are plenty who excuse his behaviour as just Williams being Williams.
Somewhere along the way, though, he’s confused scrappy combativeness with some ill-conceived right to smack down anyone — whether it’s a utilities board in another province, or a small-town mayor trying to land work for his community.
Using power to punish
So, are you fighting for the little guy when you deliberately use your power and position to insult and belittle any opponent, or are you just another bully?
How long is this going to go on, and who else is the premier going to tag as a traitor or a nothing or a zero?
Here’s my opinion — this kind of behaviour is petty and childish and an abuse of power.
He’s more than willing to sit as judge and jury over the rights of ordinary citizens to speak their minds. Let’s hope he’s not looking for the third part of that triad.
Russell Wangersky is The Telegram’s editorial page editor. He can be reached by e-mail at rwanger@thetelegram.com.
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
Great article!!! Finally the media is seeing Mr. Williams for who he is. What a role model for our province? This man is not content unless he he hurting or insulting someone...essentially a bully. Despicable behavior for a premier.