The possibilities are nearly endless when it comes to what topic I can express an opinion about to capture the attention of our readers and get them talking.
Normally I use this space to inform people of something important in the Penticton or South Okanagan sporting world. It’s a change from the other strong topics my newsroom colleagues open your minds to.
Instead I’m going to write about something that is bugging me. Sports is taking a backseat as I get something off my chest.
Try and imagine getting through something you dislike for 11 weeks. Yes, 11 weeks.
Ugggghhhh.
It all comes to a halt on Oct. 19. Can you guess what it is? Any guesses?
If you guessed the federal election, you would be correct. I just managed to survive the municipal election.
I’m not sure how I’m going to deal with our Prime Minster … oops, sorry, I mean Prime Minister Stephen Harper doing and saying what he can to fend off New Democrat Party leader Thomas Mulcair, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau and Elizabeth May of the Green Party.
In our weekly web poll, 81 per cent of our readers voted that time frame is too long for a federal campaign.
I recently joked with reporter Dale Boyd that this election could be like HBO’s hit show Game of Thrones. If you are unfamiliar with it, the show is an adaptation of the book A Song of Ice and Fire, a series of novels by George R. R. Martin. It’s about how noble families fight for control of the fictional land Westeros. One person wants to take control of the Seven Kingdoms. It’s a long drawn out affair. There is plenty of violence and killing as each lord does whatever it takes to protect their kingdom, while also going for the ultimate glory. There is strategy involved and some sacrifice.
As for Harper, some may view him as Joffrey Baratheon, who was King for longer than most people likely preferred. Unless you like evil leaders. It would be a huge stretch to suggest that people would rejoice if Harper ended up having the same fate as Joffrey. Elizabeth May could be Daenerys Targaryen, who becomes known as the mother of dragons. The Green Party leader could only wish she had dragons to unleash on her opposition.
When it comes to politics you kind of need to keep your ear to the ground. If not, have someone who can keep you in the know like Lord Varys.
Kidding aside, you know what I’d like to see not happen during the overly long campaign? The candidates wasting time personally attacking each other. I have always wondered where the need for this comes from. The only answer I have been able to come up with is that each candidate fears each other.
However, maybe that’s what people like. If they are going to, is it too much to ask that the leaders dress up like Game of Thrones characters with a weapon of their choosing to use in election by combat. You can’t tell me that wouldn’t be entertaining to watch?
When it comes to Harper, those who follow even the slightest of what is happening know what they don’t like.
Mulcair, Trudeau and May should focus on what they will do for us Canadians. Sell us on that. Each party has its platform. Pump that up. Energy is used up trying to convince voters why this candidate or that one isn’t right or ready to run this country. Plus at some point, doesn’t it get tiring hearing the same old cheap shots delivered?
To all of you who eat up the political battle, don’t forget the popcorn.
Emanuel Sequeira is the sports editor at the Penticton Western News