A few years ago, when I had a hip replacement, one of my dear siblings gave me a tee-shirt to wear in the hospital. I think the idea was to advise the nurses and surgeon of my condition: Vintage body, Juvenile mind. I appreciated the gesture, realizing that the body was aging, but I hoped, the mind was still thinking ‘young’. Now, years later, and after many washings, I sometimes wonder if it might have been advantageous to have the opposite: a Vintage mind with a Juvenile body.
As I pulled the tee over my head this morning I thought that the words on the shirt could apply to Justin. Not that I think of the PM that often but with the breaking news that the GG resigned, I thought how the Prime Minister had to wear another mistake, or at least, another instance of a lack of judgment. I now harken back to when Justin first appeared on the political stage as a wannabe Prime Minister. He was clean-shaven, bright of eye, and a good-looking chap when he did not apply too much skin tone solution. A number of opposition politicians tried to mock him as young, inexperienced, and lacking substance. Some even questioned his lack of judgment; however, I thought that was just politicking.
The PM is always very particular about his image, right down to his colourful socks, so why in 2020 did he decide to grow a beard? Was it to show us that he was now a ‘mature’ almost Vintage man? Our image of him as the costume kid, the PM who got tangled up in the truth with his former Attorney General, the mess with Admiral Norman, and promoter of the WE, was gone – a new man was PM. This gravitas may have appealed to us as the spokesperson for Covid 19 but alas we once again see him for his juvenile thinking in wanting an astronaut for GG. Vetting a Governor General – you jest!
The public image we see in our leaders is carefully crafted, spun like spider’s silk, and digitally adjusted to make them appear wise beyond their years – or as their experience might indicate. Thank heavens that buffoon south of the border is gone, but what image are we getting of the new old guy? Surrounding himself with young people, full of hope and optimism will help his image as the vintage politician. Lady Gaga and the young Poet Laureate were excellent choices.
Our Ontario Premier was doing a passable job in messaging about the pandemic but he blew it the other day when he did his on-camera rant against Pfizer. A firecracker? Has he forgotten his capitalistic roots? He has to know that the drug manufacturer is just maximizing profits. Does he not believe that the drugmaker is increasing production to save the world? And for Pete’s sake (whoever Pete is) don’t get on the bandwagon with your colleague from Alberta who wants retaliation for Keystone! Don’t forget, Doug, you are still wearing that mess your Minister of Finance made over Christmas.
At least our own Mayor and Deputy Mayor are clean-shaven, not hiding behind vintage whiskers. Not that we have as many little scandals as the PM has in Ottawa. Oh, yeah, what is the story behind that Investment thing? Memorial Gardens, Espanola Hydro, the Ice Palace – maybe a beard would work, Al. Tanya, not so much.
I am thinking of washing the old tee-shirt, packaging it, and mailing it to Ottawa. I understand mail to your MP is free – I’ll put a note in it asking The Speaker to give the shirt to JT. Vintage Body, Juvenile Mind – just saying.
