2902...When The Wind Howls Let Them Eat Pucks

A pointed piece that is to the point in Tasha Kheiriddin's signed editorial in this morning's National Post about Quebec City's want/need for an NHL team and the big barn to keep it in.

When asked why the private sector wouldn't build an arena, Mr. Labeaume [Mayor of Quebec City] admitted, without apology, " Ce n'est pas rentable." (It's not profitable). But, he went on to say, the arena is something everyone agrees on, " Ils le veulent" (the people want it) -- and so the government should give it to them.

Hmm. Actually, the Quebec people want many things. These include hospitals without an average 24-hour emergency room wait or high schools without an average 30%dropout rate. But those seem to take a back seat to bread and circuses these days, especially when Premier Jean Charest's latest approval rating stagnates at 25%. What's $175-million in provincial tax dollars for a new colisee, complete with moat, but missing a tenant?

Then in a dozen or so years when the team flees for Kitchener or Albany or Seattle at least they will have a warm place to keep political prisoners in La Capitale.

WFDS