What to do, what to do

Still smarting from the legacy of Svend Robinson, gay activist, former member of Parliament, and convicted thief? Is he using claims of mental illness to deflect responsibility, or is he for real? I could never tell with Robinson before, and I can't tell now.

He was first elected in British Columbia in 1979, and voted back in consistently until quitting in 2004 (some small matter of an expensive ring ending up in his pocket). And this even after he came out in 1988, the first MP to do so. He's a showboater and an egocentric, but they're also the ones who make the biggest splash -- squeaky wheel, dontcha know. (Regular readers will know I have political bones to pick.)

From the website Robinson's using to help relaunch his political career, running against the progressive and gay-positive (but slightly loopy) Liberal Hedy Fry in Vancouver Centre (where Robinson as yet does not live, but has promised to move soon): "Svend is currently working in the legal department of the largest public sector union in British Columbia, the B.C. Government Employees' Union. He shares his life with his partner Max Riveron and their two puppies Jasmine and Cohiba."

Robinson waited until after his Manitoba New Democratic Party colleague Bev Desjarlais announced her, uhm, redeployment, after her own constituents snubbed her for the next federal election. Payback for voting against same-sex marriage, wot.

More Robinson: "It's great to be back... I can’t do this without strong grassroots support from people like you. If you can help out in the campaign or beforehand, or if you have ideas or suggestions you want to share with me, please send me an e-mail at svend@svendrobinson.com. If you live in Vancouver-Centre, consider joining the party. This will be a challenging and exciting project….together, we can make a difference."

I just wish he didn't sound like such a... politician.