Meet the Flintstone

Even Stephen Harper attempted to stifle a laugh.  It was Jean Chretien day on the Hill and the elderly Liberal giant brought an incredible lightness of being that has gone missing in this place in recent years.  The unveiling of his official portrait in its own way became a kind of transforming moment.It remains difficult to write a post on this because you just know that comments will be coming concerning numerous Chretien mistakes over all his years as Prime Minister – some people just can’t take a special moment for what it is.Outside of Chretien, it’s really hard to think of our last really funny PM.  Oh sure, there was Pierre Trudeau, but his wit was so knife-sharp that it often left others with nothing to say.  His understudy Chretien, however, told the kind of jokes I used to hear all through the years at the various firehalls I worked in.  What was funny about him was that he was “funny” – that’s all.  At times his humour was brilliant; at other times it could be slightly cruel; and then there were those occasions when it actually became a pragmatic and useful tool for creating ease and bringing out some kind of consensus.Jean Chrietien brought back to Parliament something that hasn’t been seen for a long time in this place, and for a brief moment people got a little dreamy – not for the old glory days, but just for a break from the slash-and-burn jabs that go on in this place.  He was wry – “I don’t miss this place too much … wait, except for Question Period.”  He was sage – “It is time again for politicians to treat one another with respect.”  He was rapier-like – “I said to the Prime Minister (Harper), that people are eager to hang you in here too … soon.”  And he was statesman-like (speaking to the politicians present) – “It is a very noble life; thank you for what you are doing.”  Even some of the Conservatives in attendance nodded their heads, because, in truth, he was defending their right to serve with honour and they appreciated it.It was “Dino Day” today.  That was the name given him by George W. Bush, back when he was President.  Bush loved nicknames but had no love for Chretien, who refused to permit this country to be drawn into Iraq, and who couldn't condone American imperialism that would permit it to flout international institutions.  And so Bush called him “Dino,” meaning “dinosaur.”Looking on as Chretien unveiled his portrait today, I wonder if Stephen Harper thought back to that time when he urged Chretien to get on-board with the Americans in that conflict?  It’s hard to say, especially now that Harper himself has refused pressure from south of the border to stay longer in Afghanistan. Some of Chretien seems to have maybe rubbed off on him.Chretien’s savvy today was warming.  But it was his humour, that glint in his eye, that seemed to throw open some windows in Parliament and remind people that politics need not be a blood-sport 24/7.  He spoke of honourable Canadian institutions, dedicated politicians (he even thanked his adversaries for their commitment to serve), and of his own sense of humility at being recalled as someone who just wanted to help his country.  When was the last time we heard that said with such a welcome lightness of being?  If only it were contagious.