A few weeks ago his death have been headline news and I would be preparing a tribute for his memorial service.

Now nothing ( OK pray tell. Ed)

I am, of course, referring to the shocking demise of my old friend and cabinet colleague, Irwin Cotler ( Are you sure? Ed)

Clearly Canadians forget their own too swiftly. No doubt he was shunned bu his legal peers after all the ignominous apologies for our policies. His torturous legal arguments fooled no-one but good trooper that he was he did his bit for the party, if not the country. I didn't think he had it in him to sell his soul to keep us in power but he did. Of course when we got turfed he had neither position nor integrity. His last days must have been very sad ( Nothing about this on Google News yet. Ed.)

In fact, I only came across the news that he had passed away from an obituary in the Independent ( Hang on while I check this out. Ed)

The Brits still take a sniffy Colonial attitude, I'm sorry to say. His sterling work as Minister of Justice is covered by the phrase "..from the mid 1990's on he was largely retired..". I know the position was hardly onerous but even so.. ( I think you've got the wrong guy Ed)

Apparantly, the old rogue led a double life. He was clearly a man of great energy, belying the fact that he was over 80. He commuted to Ottawa from a small North London flat and was partial to wearing pink flamingo shirts and straw suits. I'm surprised he maintained tenure at McGill University for so long ( This is Ivor Cutler NOT Irwin Cotler Ed)

And to top it all he went by the nickname, Buster Bloodvessel, which I suppose was appropriate in the end. It's amazing what some people conceal from even their closest colleagues! ( I give up Ed)

I'm sure it's only a matter of time - before the call comes

A week or so ago I would have been apoplectic with rage, fulminating about the abuse of democracy and the gall of his immediate reneging on election promises. But now I'm totally sanguine about Harper's cabinet manouveres

In fact I had to smile when he allowed the TV cameras in to the beginning of his caucus meeting at which he brazenly stated that every one had an equal voice. Shades of Animal Farm - The Digest version

And Fortier had this priceless quote

Exactly. Why expend the energy when you have a cabinet post in the offing anyways. And at Public Works at that, the biggest trough of all. Well his five children won't be going hungry I'm guaranteeing you

If I had realised Harper would move at this speed to take the brightest and best I would have pushed him a bit harder at our handover meeting. After all I still have seat for sale.

My preference is for Indian Affairs and I gave him a pretty blatant hint at my farewell speech when I mentioned how proud I was of the accord with the First Nations - you know that one where we agreed to come up with some deadlines over the next decade. After all I couldn't do any worse than that waste of space Andy Scott. The summers up North (all six days of them) are quite pleasant and I'd enjoy getting away from Sheila for a few bevys and a spot of country-wifing

He gave the position to Jim Prentice who harbours leadership hopes himself so I feel he will be for the push ere long

Sorry got to go. Sheila is sending me off for my constitutional. Better take the cell phone. Just in case

A. Right where he's always been - on the Front Bench!

Er That's Waldo as in Ralph Waldo EMERSON . geddit (Please note former editor and proof reader, Scott Reid, is no longer working for this publication. so the writer's tortured attempts at wit may unfortunately occasionally slip through. PM)

Anyways, yesterday's cabinet announcement was quite a doozy. After going on and on about what a different vision of Canada I had from Harper it turns out it was basically the same

SCREW DEMOCRACY

His high-mindedness lasted precisely one nanosecond of power before he played not only the 'Unelected Senator/Best Buddy' but also the 'Turncoat/Serve My Country' card

If I had realised last year that he had the ethics of a skunk I would have got him (rather than Daddy's Girl) to switch sides . A promise of first refusal after my abdication would clearly have got him to cross the floor. Then, in the debates, I would only have been up against Peter Mackay - a man who apparantly prefers dogs to women