Maybe they aren't so Socialist after all

After reading Colby's most recent *spit* National Post *spit* column, I was reminded of a recent letter-to-the-editor in my local paper, the Interior News. The letter was written by the honourable Nathan Cullen. As his website proudly proclaims, Mr Cullen is the Member of Parliament for Skeena-Bulkley Valley.

His letter was actually more of a response to a previous letter written to the I.N. In that letter, a Mr Nipper Kettle (hyuk, hyuk) accused the Honourable Member of endorsing gun registry in Canada, which has cost taxpayers a staggering 2 billion dollars. Mr. Cullen's response:

Sadly, the gun registry has not been a positive solution for Canadians. It was first pitched as a $2-million net-cost program, but its heavy bureaucracy has already consumed millions of tax dollars. Even so, it has faltered as a tool to stop the use of guns for criminal ends. Meanwhile, it has unfairly targeted people who use firearms lawfully. Very often, that has meant rural people, including farmers and hunters.
Parliament did not heed our call this month to rein in the registry. But rest assured: I will be watching this file closely and will not hesitate to voice our concerns over its mismanagement in Parliament.
Nathan Cullen
MP, Skeena-Bulkley Valley

Will wonders never cease? At first glance, it would seem that MR Cullen has seen the light! I don't ever recall a time that I've heard a member of the NDP in favor of gun rights. Of course, one wonders about the first word in that quote above, "sadly". It prompts in my head an interesting sentance-association game:

Sadly, the proposed 2 million dollar registry went over budget.
Sadly, it failed to reduce crimes involving guns.
Sadly, a few back-water hicks and rural rednecks were inconvinienced.
Sadly, the New Democratic Party wasn't put in charge of this program, because we would've made it work, darnit!

Mr Cullen, your attempts at appearing libertarian are successful only insofar as people forget the history of the political party to which you belong. Thanks for trying, though.