There is a quote from Miguel de Cervantes to keep in mind when you are about your work. The quote: “Diligence is the mother of good fortune.”
Commissioner Richard LeBlanc of the Muskrat Falls inquiry worked diligently. Thank you. His report has been made public. I have read the executive summary.
When Newfoundland was nearing the end of its experiment with Responsible Government, two men, on two separate occasions, were sent out by the Colonial or Dominions Office in Great Britain to inquire into the behaviour of Newfoundland’s public servants and politicians.
A few words from Thomas Hollis Walker and Lord Amulree would be in order. There were, among many: (1.) the Newfoundland public service is like Pancho Villa’s army. (2.) Not fit for it. (3.) The trappings of an elephant on the back of a mouse.
My first letter to the editor of this newspaper on Muskrat Falls hydroelectric development was on June 11, 2011. There were more submissions over the years.
It seems we have learned nothing. Blind trust in our elites remains and will long after Justice LeBlanc’s report is buried in dust and forgotten.
In the early decades of Confederation, three carpetbaggers, Alfred Valdmanis (for whom any prize in voodoo economics could be named), John Shaheen and John C. Doyle (who still has a dormitory amongst the intelligensia at MUN named for him) were lured by the treasury of this province.
Ray Guy’s words come to mind. Fair Terra Nova, Miss Good Times had by a bloated few.
My first letter to the editor of this newspaper on Muskrat Falls hydroelectric development was on June 11, 2011. There were more submissions over the years.
I tried to point out a few things to those who might read and heed but mostly I laughed and encouraged others to laugh.
Aren’t you supposed to laugh at the circus, at its clowns, absurd freaks and buffoonery?
Laughter is the hallmark of a healthy democracy. George Orwell told us even the tiniest laugh is a revolt against tyranny.
Danny Williams and his chosen successor, Kathy Dunderdale, testified under oath at the inquiry that one of the reasons for proceeding with Muskrat Falls was to get back at and get around Quebec because of the lopsided Churchill Falls contract.
They should fly up or down the Romaine River on Quebec’s Lower North Shore (a trip by hot-air balloon would be apt and ironic) and view for themselves what Hydro-Québec has recently wrought on that stream. Four different constructions sites, four dams, four spillways, four reservoirs, four powerhouses built and capable of generating twice the megawatts of the much bally-hooed Mighty Muskrat, at half the cost of our albatross.
Anyone connected with the creation of the unmitigable failure at Muskrat Falls should hang their heads in shame and sorrow.
Quebec’s capital is beautiful in all four seasons. Montreal is world class and I am sure you’d be greeted with rare bonhomie and chants of “Merci, merci, merci beaucoup” at Hydro-Québec’s headquarters.
Tom Careen
Placentia
