Destiny is not a matter of chance … it is a thing to be achieved

Here’s the headline in the Vancouver Province newspaper story dated December 30, 2011 … “Liberals launch ‘RiskyDix’ attack ad, website”.  The story begins by saying that:

The BC Liberals have launched a second attack campaign against Opposition leader Adrian Dix, who recently passed Premier Christy Clark in public approval ratings.

Over the past several months, as they have fallen in the polls, the BC Liberals have attacked both BC Conservative leader John Cummins -- and NDP leader Adrian Dix with negative advertising.

The sad truth is Christy Clark and the BC Liberals have nothing of their own to stand on, and they are now beginning to wildly lash out in fear and desperation.

This must especially be sad for the rank and file members of the party, many of whom have probably given a lot, both in time and personal finances, to support a party that rose from the shambles of Social Credit to challenge, and then defeat the NDP.

Now, given the rise of a John Cummins led BC Conservative Party, there seems to be some irony in what is now happening a decade later – which leads me to believe that the following quote, from over 6 decades ago, still seems rather timely:

"Give us clear vision, that we may know where to stand and what to stand for - because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything."

~ ~ Peter Marshall (US Senate Chaplain 1947)

A good part of a song recorded by Aaron Tippin in 1991, “You’ve Got to Stand for Something” also seems fitting; here are the lyrics to the Bridge and Chorus:

Now I know that things are different than they were in Daddy's days

 But I still believe what makes a man really hasn't changed

You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

 You've got to be your own man not a puppet on a string

 Never compromise what's right and uphold your family name

 You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

Today I will end with the words of William Jennings Bryant, as a message to John Cummins and the BC Conservative Party … “Destiny is not a matter of chance. It is a matter of choice: it is not to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”

I’m Alan Forseth in Kamloops, with the thoughts of one conservative.