6 — Sunday, October 23, 1988 - North Shore News Maybe Doug should have plumped for the Rhinos! THE 12-HOUR POLITICAL CAREER of Doug Collins was entirely foreseeable. It highlights, too, a nasty virus in- fecting today’s body politic — IFDS (Intestinal Fortitude Deficiency Syndrome). Something to do with guts, they say. Anyone at last Tuesday's Reform Party nomination meeting for Capilano-Howe Sound — or who saw it on TY — knows that Doug had the cheering, record- breaking turnout of almost 1,000 in the palm of his hand. Probably only one-third at most were RP riding association members, who presently number a little over 400. Bui the whole crowd wanted him because he articulates loud and fearlessly their own deep concerns about some of the paths down which they see all three mainline parties dragging the country. With that kind of spontaneous public support and five weeks campaigning still ahead, it’s even PRESTON MANNING by the rule book. -- going not beyond the realm of possibility ” that December might have found Doug condemned to life in Ottawa for his patriotic efforts and Mary Collins reading the Help Wanted ads. But this, of course, is the “redneck’’ North Shore — whereas the first rule in every po- litical leader’s rule book is that thou shalt be all things to all peo- ple, offending nobody. If that tru- ly reflects the overall Canadian consensus, maybe we’d better stop beefing about getting governments we richly deserve. Hence, anyway, the wholly pre- dictable outcome last week — with Reform Party leader Preston Manning at first futilely deman- ding a pledge from Doug to keep his mouth buttoned and then, when the inevitable retort came blasting back, refusing to sign his nomination papers. By the rule book, of course, Manning was right. In his total Western Canada territory there are undoubtedly ridings here and there where he couldn’t risk even the rumor that he had a ‘‘racist’’ (which, by any sane definition, Doug is NOT) sweeping up votes in West Van. Also, when the crunch comes, the leader must be obeyed. That, of course, being the biggest irony of all — because a major plank in the RP platform says an MP’s first duty is to his constituents rather than to the par- ty machine! So the Reformers, with so much going for them on paper, throw away their best chance of a Lower Mainland seat. They emerge asa party just like any of the others when it comes to tough, real-life issues. And Doug — who needed them far less than chey needed him —- will fight the -lection now on Political poltroons ronically, Doug Collins fell victim to the same discrimination he regularly accused’ of disseminating in his Get This Straight column. Despite overwhelming support for the Nevws colum- nist at Tuesday night’s Reform Party nomination meeting in Capilanc-Howe Sound, party Seader Preston Manning refused to aprove Collins’s nomina- tion papers after Collins refused to sign what amounted to a personal good conduct guarantee that no other party nominee had, or ever has, been asked to sign. The decision will be applauded by right-thinkers everywhere as a show of. Reform Party backbone in distancing itself from the so-called ‘fringe’ elements. But were the estimated 1,000 at the meeting really only the fringe? : What other local nomination meeting in this or any recent election campaign attracted even a portion of Tuesday night’s crowd or inspired a fraction of its passion? What Manning’s decision really did was confirm that his party is basically no different at heart from any of the three major Canadian political parties. It showed once again that politics has no room for the candidate who would speak his mind on con- troversial subjects. What politics has all tec much room for is the can- uidate quick with smiles and lavish promises, who is only too eager to dance to whatever tune the most re- cent political poll produces. his word processor. Maybe he should have plumped for the Rhinos. THEY wouldn't have stood him up! eee SCRATCHPAD: North Van Chamber of Commerce was given impressive facts and figures Thursday of Cap College’s march to excellence over the past 18 years by its president, Dr. Doug Jardine, who defined its future as ‘‘a col- lege of first choice for academic studies and career training.’’ Showing the election flag among the more than 100 Chamber lun- chers were North Shore MPs Chuck Cook and Mary Collins ... “Managing People'’ (Wed., Oct. 26) and ‘‘Developing Your Mar- ket’’ (Thu., Oct. 27) are two of the workshops designed for North Shore small businesses during this coming Small Business Week. In each case 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the BC Rail building, 221 West Esplanade, price $25 ... Snap to attention, al! West Van Legionnaires — seems Branch 60 Bulletin goofed over the next general meeting. It happens this Tuesday, Oct. 25 (NOT November as stated in error) ... Sorry we didn’t hear sooner, but congrats just the same to new “Golden Club’? members Ken and Phyllis Barclay, Pemberton Heights residents for nearly half a century, who celebrated their 50th last month ... And a very special happy anniversary greeting today to West Van’s Frank and Ena But- terworth. Why very special? They tied the knot Oct. 23, 1917 — that's why! Bee, NEWS photo Mike Wakefield ee THEY NEED YOUR HELP!...“‘Foster parent’? Eric Fairclough witl wee Gigi and her five new pups which he and wife Jean adopted because the SPCA lacks facilities for newborns. Eric belongs te the Volunteer Dog WRIGHT CR WRONG: Egotists clearly have poor taste, being more interested in themselves than in you. C) BROGDBENT REACTS WitH COUTIOUS OFTIMIS TO THE L8TEST POLLS... Publisher Peter Speck Managing Editor... . Barrett Fisher Associate Editor Noel Wright Advertising Director . 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