ElizabethThompson, writing on her departure from Montréal’s The Gazette’s now closed Ottawa bureau, informs us of the Parliamentary Press Gallery’s motto carved above the fireplace:
"But words are things, and a small drop of ink
Falling like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think."
Being witness to our parliamentary democracy carries a responsibility; a responsibility to inform reliably, with trustworthiness, fairness and balance, a dosage of common sense and dependability. Witnessing Parliament was once a privilege afforded a few who were stationed in the capital Now we ere all indirect witnesses.
I certainly have no pretensions that exaro influences millions – a few dozen over the course of a year, maybe, if I’m lucky, and with impermanence of electrons rather than ink – but with a very important year ahead for our parliamentary democracy, I will attempt to make vigilance, fairness and common sense my motto. Vigilance to expose moves against our constitutional and human rights, fairness in exposing the most blatant and self-serving partisanship, and common-sense in supporting those who are our best allies in preserving parliamentary democracy and defending our civil society. Along with that, a commitment to be better informed and to better inform.
That, and a bit of fun from time to time. New Year’s resolutions have never resonated with me; if you think you need to change something in your life the time to do it is immediate, not on some arbitrary date. But if the quiet period between the end of a traumatic year and the start of what will likely he a turbulent one, it can’t hurt to take a moment for reflection, self-appraisal and reaffirmation to strive for a higher standard.
Happy 2009!
