Way to go Bev Meslo

You’ve got to hand it to Bev Meslo — she’s got the fire.

Here’s my favourite part of the agenda for today’s NDP convention:

1:20 - Saying No to war in Iraq

1:55 - Musical Interlude

If I was a member of the NDP, I would vote for Pierre Ducasse; he’s got a good stage presence, a sharp mind, he’s bicultural, and his ideas seem rational without compromising.

Of course my opinion doesn’t count in this; if I ever had hope of joining the Official Left in Canada, I dashed my hopes by daring to be critical of a Party Icon. Oh well. Politcally agnostic irony dealing is much more fun.

Update: What’s with the crazy “unions can buy votes with donations” scheme. This is democracy? Here’s what the official rules say:

The affiliate vote represents the organizational partnership of the NDP and its affiliated members, which are currently primarily labour unions. The affiliate vote will be weighted to represent 25% of the total vote.

The affiliate vote will be conducted on the basis of a delegated vote. Eligibility to participate will be determined on the basis of paid-up affiliated membership 45 days before the date of the vote and contributions to the Federal Party averaged over the previous four calendar years.

Eligibility to vote by affiliate local will be based on one delegate for the first 1,000 members or less and one delegate for each additional 1,000 members or major fraction thereof. Notification of eligibility will be sent directly to each affiliated local 45 days prior to the day of the vote.

Eligibility to vote by contributory organization will be based on one ballot for each $1,000 average annual contribution over the previous four (4) calendar years. The CLC which is a major contributory organization will limit its eligibility to its Executive Officers and Political Action Staff who are delegates to the Convention. Notification of eligibility will be sent to each contributory organization no later than 45 days prior to the day of the vote.

What’s wrong with union members simply being NDP members, and voting like everyone else?