Now here’s a good metaphor for what passes these days as transparency in public affairs.  In response to outrage over the chain link fence surrounding our Olympic Flame, organizers “opened up” the venue.  How?  By cutting small holes in the fence!  Reaction has not been favourable, needless to say.

Similarly, the government’s announcement of a breakthrough on “Buy American” provisions in the US stimulus package only gives us a peek at the full picture.  “Canadian businesses will get to compete for no more than $4 billion to $5 billion (U.S.) worth of projects, amounting to less than 2 per cent of the $275 billion of procurement funded under the U.S. Recovery Act. The rest falls outside the scope of this deal,” according to one analyst who’s been following the issue closely.

Controlling the message, suppressing alternative voices, denying full support to women in need – these are tactics worthy of a closed society, not the open democracy we Canadians like to think we enjoy.

The chained off Olympic Flame speaks volumes, doesn't it?  What is glory and triumph, anyway, without freedom? 

2 per cent is a breakthrough?  And the media bought it hook, line and sinker.  Only the news junkie will have noticed this quiet, subtle detraction...

And that 2% is what Canadians are permitted to COMPETE for (not guaranteed contracts).  Hardly worth a press release even.