Thursday, May 16, 2013

Political Lessons From Macbeth



In Act 5 Scene 2 of Shakespeare's Macbeth, when the overthrow of the ruthless, power-drunk politician/king is nigh, Angus speaks these words about him:


Now does he feel
His secret murders sticking on his hands.
Now minutely revolts upbraid his faith-breach.
Those he commands move only in command,
Nothing in love. Now does he feel his title
Hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe
Upon a dwarfish thief.


Despite the fact that English literature is dismissed by many of our current 'masters of the universe' as something of a frill, with nothing to offer the practical, results-driven mentality of our times, perhaps the likes of Stephen Harper, Senator Duff, Nigel Wright et al should have paid more attention to the classics during their formative years. They then might not be facing what I hope is soon a 'palace' revolt against corruption by their former enablers:

GLOBE EDITORIAL
A strange, $90,000 gift to the undeserving Senator Duffy


PENNY COLLENETTE
Mike Duffy scandal finds the Tories in a moral maze without a compass


ANDREW COYNE:
The only right thing left for Mike Duffy to do now is resign


MATT GURNEY:
How can the Tories keep Mike Duffy on now?


JENNIFER DITCHBURN
Duffy claimed Senate expenses while campaigning in 2011 election

STEVEN CHASE, KIM MACKRAEL AND BILL CURRY
Ethics watchdog to review Harper aide's $90,000 gift to Duffy


GLORIA GALLOWAY
RCMP probes payments to senators Duffy, Brazeau, Harb


Then there is this from the always-reliable Toronto Star:

LES WHITTINGTON
Questions and answers on the $90,000 payment to Mike Duffy


2 comments:

  1. These people are not inclined to read Shakespeare, Lorne. They can't distinguish between knowledge -- which they see as a tool -- and wisdom -- which they can't see at all.

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    Replies
    1. Well put, Owen. Wisdom, it would seem, arises from mature reflection and some semblance of character, capacities notably absent from the current regime.

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