Cry Me A Fraser

      Reading Jeffrey Simpson's column from Wednesday's Grope and Flail, I was struck by a peculiar thought, that the Canadian government may right now be in the final act of Measure for Measure. Former PM Jean Chretien -- well, his spokespeople -- has emerged from a self-imposed exile, suddenly looking so much wiser against the Angelo-cum-Paul Martin administration, the new PM's treatment of the Sponsorship Scandal now as tainted as the scandal ever was. The major figures of PM PM's actions-- Sheila Fraser, Justice Gomery-- are now circling the wagons, and there's more than a whiff of embarrassment in the air; you'd almost think the ex-PM had deliberately concealed the facts that might prove this fiasco a tempest in a teapot just so his successor could demonstrate his ineptitude in handling large government crises. Yes, Chretien's looking like Duke Vincentio, under-appreciated and much-maligned, but ready to clear up all the confusion and take matters into his own hands. Angelo's now sufficiently exposed himself, ironically enough gaining nothing from his would-be altruistic road trip through South East Asia. I can't say for certain that this was Chretien's plan all along, the complexities of such a contrivance almost impossible to fathom, but if it was, it demonstrates an amazing degree of political savvy and cunning that's worthy of his mentor Mr. Trudeau. It's looking with each day's headlines that Mr. Chretien simply stood aside and let Mr. Martin John Turner himself, readying the stage for his own return-- or, more probably, the return of a Chretienite king. Shades of Mark Twain? "It is better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you are a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." And Mr. Martin just couldn't keep his lips pursed. Brace yourself for the hilarity that now seems inevitable to ensue.